"The sea of raging hormones has ebbed."

Ten points if you can name that movie.

Everybody on a special blanket.
Thanks to Ashlee for the great photos!

a couple days ago:
Alysa: I am sweating like a crazy monkey!
Jacob: Are monkeys known for sweating??
Alysa: No, but I'm having to do this! See? (fans underarms in a monkey-like fashion)
_________________

And now it's time to answer your questions from the last post!

I was wondering how delivering the placenta works with a water birth. Did you do that standing in the tub too or were you to the bed at that point?

The placenta needed to be delivered in the bed. The midwives said that being in bed for that part helps them tell how much bleeding is happening, and as we all know too much bleeding is bad. So, I was in the bed. After delivery I carried Jubilee from the tub to the bed and we snuggled during the placenta delivery. I honestly didn't pay too much attention to the prep-work that Kathy was doing for placenta delivery. I chose to kind of tune it out and focus on the baby. When everything was ready Kathy asked me to push the placenta out, and I obliged.

I know some hospitals won't let you be in the tub after water breaking, so I would love to hear more about what your water "looking good" entails. 

This hospital won't let you be in the tub during the water breaking, but before and after is fine, as long as there is not meconium in the water. If there is, it is a sign of fetal distress or whatnot, and they want you to deliver in bed. (And I'm sure they have the special personnel standing by, too.) A friend of mine labored in the tub, got out so they could break her water, and found movement too difficult to get back in the tub. So, I knew I wanted to have my water broken first thing and then hop in the tub (assuming the fluid was clear and not green, which it was). Kathy broke my water and Jubilee's head was very low, and blocking the water's exit. "I think I broke your water... I must have," she said. Sure enough in a minute or two it was evident that she had and that things looked good for waterbirth.

Benjamin holds Jubilee!

.

April 29th Timeline

So I just typed up this timeline of how things went on Jubilee's birthday for my sister, who is out of the country. It is, of course, woefully incomplete. But you know, it will give you a rough sketch of the birth story, if you're interested.

Levi and Jubilee, on their blankets made by Grandma Cora

11:00 a.m. go to appointment with midwife, accompanied by Mom, Joy and Levi. Benjamin was playing with a friend and Jacob was in the lab, pretending to work but really just waiting for me to call.

11:20 ish the midwife stripped my membrane. It does sound harsh, and the midwives were all like "this is not a comfortable procedure... etc etc." but I guess they talked it up too much because afterward I was like, "wait, so did you do it? that was it?" ha.

11:40 mom drops me off at Jacob's lab. Jacob and I walk over to Basil Thai, which is close by his lab. 

12:00 noon I am eating delicious Mussamun Curry and having contractions every 4 min or so. Well, actually the contractions were mainly while I was waiting for my food. Either they went away or I didn't notice them much while I was eating. Because, you know, yum!

12:40 ish We start walking to the car, which Jacob parked a few blocks away at the institute building that morning. (Mom got a rental car, so that's how we got to the appt earlier.) I keep having to tell Jacob to slow down because 1. he naturally walks faster than me 2. he is carrying my heavy hospital bag, so he is hurrying so that he can set it down 3. I can't walk very fast during contractions. So we're taking it at a turtle's pace, except every couple minutes when I make us slow down to a snail's pace. 

12:45 we walk past the alumni center and Jacob tells me about how they have really swanky bathrooms in there, because one of the donors wanted their donation to go toward swanky bathrooms. We stop so that Jacob can use the swanky bathroom, and I snap a photo of myself which you can see here: http://instagram.com/p/Y6Hf_VyVEU/

12:55 begin checking into the hospital. The midwife-on-call had popped in to my appointment earlier and told me to just come on in after lunch. Good thing, too, because I had forgotten how long it takes to do all the check-in shenanigans. Personal medical history questions, at least a half hour of monitoring the baby before I can get into the tub as planned, etc.

1:56 The midwife, Kathy, breaks my water. They have to make sure that my water looks good if I want to deliver in the tub, which I do. Kathy asks me if it was "zero to ninety" when they broke my water with Levi. "Yeah, it kind of was." So we get the tub all ready and such and then she breaks my water.

2:34 Jubilee is born! Seriously. Just about a half an hour after the breaking of the water. So I got into the tub and such and had some intense contractions, but I was totally having this mental block about pushing while reclining in a tub. So I was like "I think I just need to stand up." So I did, and a contraction was starting, and I was standing in the tub, holding on to one of the handles and leaning on Jacob, who was standing outside of the tub, and I pushed her out!  The midwife actually didn't have time to get her gloves on, but the nurse, Tina, had hers on already so she started to catch Jubilee and then (the nurse sounded impressed when she told me) Kathy caught her with no gloves. I opened my eyes (they were closed during that contraction and the major pushing). They unwrapped her from her cord, and handed her to me. "You're so little!" I said. I walked from the tub to the bed, carrying her, and laid down. Ta da! Mom seemed surprised to hear that I delivered her standing up in the tub, haha, but it was how I had envisioned the birth happening, actually.

A lot of my prep was envisioning the birth and bonding with the baby before she came, and mental/emotional things like that. Also spiritual. I mean, I feel so blessed. Jacob gave me a wonderful blessing the week before she was born, saying I'd having joy in childbirth, and I think that  definitely came true. In pregnancy I felt anxious about the nurses and staff who would attend me and I kept imagining myself having arguments with nurses and having to stand up for myself during labor and such. Finally I was like, "what would it take for me to trust my nurses completely, and to know that I would not need to argue with them?" then I was like "if they were angels, I would trust them." Like, actual angels, not metaphorical angels. And after that little conversation with myself I felt prompted and like it would be right to pray for angels to attend us at the birth. So, I did. And I didn't see anybody extra or have any dramatic manifestations, but I believe that prayer was answered. 

Another way I prepared was by asking Heavenly Father to help me bond with Jubilee before she was born. I asked Him to help me know her, and the Spirit advised me to read about Rebekah, in the Bible. I did, and it was a very meaningful experience. Hence, her middle name is Rebecca. We had originally thought of giving her Mary as a middle name. 

look at that mug!

Ok, what parts am I missing? What about the birth story do you want to know?

And now, the news you've all been waiting for...

We'll be having a GIRL! 

We are so thrilled. Jacob and I keep nudging each other and saying, "Guess what. We're gonna have a baby girl!" :D

We took the boys with us to the ultrasound. They were kind of insane, bouncing off the walls and such. It was the largest ultrasound room I've ever been in, and the boys took advantage of all the space. 

Benjamin kept asking "is it a boy or a girl?" while our technician was still taking pictures of the baby's arms and head and future belly button. He was obviously excited to find out. When he heard the news he said, "I was hoping it would be a girl!" 

To get Levi's reaction, I pointed to the screen and said, "Levi, that's your sister!" He said, "No, that's not a sister, that's a baby!" It was so, so funny. 


And now, all of a sudden, knowing that she's a girl is just not enough! I'm dying to know what she'll look like. Will she be as fair as Levi, or darker like Benjamin? What will her personality be like? We just can't wait to meet her. 


Both the ultrasound technician and the doctor said, "What are you going to do with a girl?" So when we got home we talked about all the things we'll get to do with the baby when she's born. We'll look at her, and hug her, and kiss her, and hold her, and dress her, and change her diapers, and read our favorite books to her, and show her things and tell her things. It is going to be so great!

Coming Soon: an Ultrasound!

On December 14th we get to go for our ultrasound! Yes, we plan to learn the gender of our baby. Do you think we'll have another boy, or a baby girl? I have created a poll for you in the sidebar, so you can vote.

If it makes a difference, both Jacob and I think we're having a girl, and that's what Benjamin is hoping for. Levi does not believe we will be having a baby. "No baby," he says in the tone of voice that means "silly, mom!"

That said, we will be happy to welcome this soul into our family, boy or girl. In fact, I had a dream last night that I went to the ultrasound and (among totally crazy dream-things like the fact that the tech took no pictures) the dream-ultrasound showed the baby to be a boy, and we got to see his smiling face. He was so adorable (and somehow looked more like a 6 month old than a fetus) and I was so excited to meet him. But anyone that heard we were having a boy was like "oh, too bad, you wanted a girl..." and I had to try and convince people to be happy for us.

So, be prepared to celebrate with us, no matter the outcome!

Announcing a Pregnancy!

Hello! Here is something exciting: On May 4, 2013 we are due to add another person to our family! I thought it would be pretty fun to announce this with a Halloween costume, at our church shin-dig, so I did.

The shirt reads:
Stewart Family Bakery
since 2006
Famous Cutie Pies
Now in stock for delivery May 2013

In hindsight, I think my costume was just too subtle. At least two of my friends spoke to me, and then later I mentioned I was pregnant, and they were like "Wow! Congratulations!" but, yeah. I sort of had visions of friends congratulating me without hesitation and saying thinks like "What a clever costume!" instead of  "So, does that mean you're pregnant?"I should have known, right? You never assume someone is pregnant, even if their shirt seems to be announcing the pregnancy. If you're not sure, you don't say a word. Lesson learned.

How do you feel?
Ah, the question of the moment (or, of the next 26 weeks). I'm feeling good, with more energy and less nausea now that I am into the second trimester. Emotionally I'm feeling well also -- Jacob and I planned this pregnancy, so I didn't have to get over any shock. After my first visit at the clinic I'm feeling good about the midwives that I've chosen to work with.

What do the kids think?
They're hoping for a sister! And who could blame them? Personally, I've had to catch myself and replace "she" with "she or he" and "the baby."

Benjamin is interested in some of the details of pregnancy, which is fun and sometimes hilarious. Like tonight at dinner. Out of the blue he said in an accusatory tone, "Mom, you told me a man could get pregnant, with the seed."
Jacob and I couldn't help but laugh.
"No," I said, "I told you that a man and a woman work together for a woman to get pregnant. The man has the seed and the woman has the egg."
"Oh yeah," Benjamin went on. "And the egg groooows,  and hatches! Right before the baby comes out!"
"Eeehhh, that's not exactly how it works..."

Levi hasn't seemed particularly aware that we will have a baby in the spring, but then again springtime is quite some time away, in terms of his current lifespan. He and the baby will be 2 years and 8 months apart, if the baby is a few days late. I'm looking forward to when he will be able to feel the baby move, and I think that will be a milestone in his comprehension.

So that's the exciting news around here! I am absolutely horrible at blogging at the beginning of a pregnancy. I feel somehow that to blog without mentioning it would be impossible. (Silly, I know. I only share bits of my life on here anyway.) But now, it is announced!

Getting Ready

I'm due to have this baby September 10th -- which is rapidly approaching.  Honestly, I feel mostly ready.  I feel more ready than I did at this point in my pregnancy with Benjamin.  Probably because I know what my experience was like with him, and I know I can handle something like that again.

I'm doing well as far as physical readiness goes, too.  Huge thank you's go to my mom and sister who helped a ton while they were here to make sure I didn't have the baby, and also to super-shopper Rachel Luke who hunted down all the baby gear I needed at garage sales and got me smokin' good deals on great stuff.  I feel like she's been the baby version of my wedding planner -- a baby planner or something.

There are two types of physical readiness, I've decided.  The imperatives and the extras.  You've simply GOT to have a carseat, a couple of outfits, you know. The things on my before-baby-to-do list have become more trivial this past couple of weeks: paint toenails. Get a haircut so that when you look in the mirror at the hospital you don't cringe.

I think Benjamin understands what's coming as well as a two-year-old can.  He knows he's going to have a baby brother, knows his name (Levi Thomas Stewart is the plan), and shows interest in other little babies.  I'm sure it will be an adjustment when the little guy comes, but Benjamin already seems to be very loving of his abstract little brother.

"Jacob, Jacob and sons..."

Okay folks.  The poll on the gender of our second child has closed.  It had 30 votes -- 10 for boy and 20 for girl.

1/3 of you can congratulate yourselves...

We'll be having a BOY!


Pretty awesome, huh?  Now we just have to decide what to name the kid.  The doctor suggested Maximus, then laughed really hard at the looks on our faces.  Truth be told I love the name Max (but would probably pick Maxwell over Maximus or Maximillian) however Max sounds horrible with Stewart.  It ends up sounding like Mac, and that is not an option.

Jacob likes "good strong names" and I like names that aren't "too common" -- if you think you've got something that fits the bill, suggestions are welcome!

Probably the cutest thing about it all is that we can ask Benjamin, "are you having a baby brother?" and he'll say "yeah."

Halfway Day!

Today I am 20 weeks pregnant!

Earlier this week:

Me: "I'll be halfway pregnant soon!"

Jacob: "No, you're already 100% pregnant.  You'll be halfway to NOT pregnant."

Now that made me smile.

Feeling pretty good (I know that is the burning question on all of your minds,) but my right hip is definitely out of whack.  I usually solve this problem by sleeping on my back  for a night.  That's not really an option anymore.

I'm feeling the baby move at least daily now, and think there might have been hiccups last night.

There are a mere 5 days until our ultrasound!

Guessing Game

We have a date set for our ultrasound.  April 28th.  And yes, we're planning on learning the baby's gender.  So that means you get to make your predictions for whether we'll be having a boy or girl.  My father says he's hoping for human.

So, go ahead and vote in the sidebar!  Remember, though, that mother nature has already cast her vote.  You just don't get to know it until April 28th.  Also, her vote is worth like 10,000 of your votes.  So.


*sidenote: I've discovered that since the baby is due in September (month 9 of 12), it's really easy to keep track of how many months along I am.  As long as I can remember what month it is...

High Time

Last night I went and bought myself some more pregnancy pants.  Oh glory!  I'm wearing them today and I feel free!  Also I am finally getting over this fake cold/congestion thing I've had going on the last week. Yay!

I actually saw a flyswatter at the store the other day; I bought it.  Today, our first fly met his doom.  Benjamin pointed him out to me -- one of those big, buzzy types.  And I wasted no time.  But, let's just say my aim needs improvement.  I was chasing the fly around whapping the walls and putting on a great show for Benjamin.  He made me do reenactments all through lunch.

Random quote from Jacob: "That's what I'm here for: Smart Ideas and Dumb Comments."  (pronounced after a smart idea.)

Hey, Guess What...

I'm pregnant.  Preggers.  Prego.  Eating for two.  In the family way.  

And it's about all I've wanted to talk about recently, hence the dearth of posts.  

So.  Let me anticipate some of your questions. I'm 12 weeks along as of now.  I'm due on Sept 10th 2010.  I'm feeling pretty good.  I don't tend to toss my cookies -- I just get really really really really really tired.  Another reason the blogging has slowed -- I nap when Benjamin does, instead of blogging, and when I'm up past ten I don't do well.  So, if it can't get done when I'm awake, it doesn't get done. 

Oh, also sometimes I have to eat NOW.  Like, for instance, last night.  We drove up to the Blue and Gold Banquet at 5:53, the thing was scheduled to start at 6.  Did I go sit at a table?  No.  Because I needed to eat NOW.  (Usually I carry some snacks for myself, but I had run out.) I went straight into the kitchen and snagged me some garlic bread.  Yum, yum!  

And it was a good thing, too.  Because by the time the food was being served at 6:30, I HAD to be first in line.  This was slightly awkward, since technically the tables at the other end of the gym were supposed to go first.  But I've got Benjamin as an excuse.  When a couple of Webelos looked at me scarfing my ravioli and were like "Hey, how come they have food. . ." I said "Because babies get to go first."  And shoveled another bite into his mouth.  And in my head I said 'The youngest go first.  And none of y'all are unborn.'

Anyway, we're very excited.  We were planning for things to go this way, and this will put Benjamin and his little sibling (we'll find out the gender around the end of April) 2 years and 3 months apart.  It will also keep the birthdays in our family right in line: June, July, August, and September. :)  Assuming that all goes as planned.   

Rash of Reviews

Ok so I've been letting the book reviews pile up a little bit. This is due to several reasons, including but not limited to the fact that the computer chair is not comfortable (not many chairs are these days -- still pregnant) and the fact that my mom gets me out doing stuff instead of sitting around, and also I've been too busy reading the actual books!

Also, FYI, I'm reviewing these books for the library's summer reading program. Hence, my reviews will be a little bit more structured (each including a short summary followed by my opinion and a score out of 5). Tell me if you like the new structure or if you're ambivalent.

Specials
Scott Westerfeld, 372 pages, 2006.
Things have only gotten more complicated for Tally and the rest of the characters we loved and hated from Westerfeld's Uglies and Pretties. Now that Tally finally has the power to make things right, she has to ask herself if she wants to.

I would recommend this book to fans of the previous two books in the series, of YA fiction, and Sci-Fi. The book pulls some interesting stunts, managing to stay true to the style of the series without being predictable, and finally concludes the trilogy in what I found a satisfactory way. The whole series makes you think a lot (but not too much) about the values of different cultures, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat. */*/*/*

Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature
Robin Brande, 2007
On the first day of High School, Mena Reece finds herself in a bad situation: her former friends all hate her, her parents are not happy, and her church has made it known that she's not welcome at meetings. As Mena confronts several issues about her life and her beliefs, we find out what it was that Mena did to make everyone so upset.

I heard great things about this book before it even came out, and my library only just got a copy of the audio book (still no hardcopies -- wierd) so I checked it out and took a listen. I would recommend this book to fans of YA and Realistic Fiction. It will probably appeal most to girls, but my husband enjoyed listening to the audio book with me since the story is so intriguing. Brande does a great job weaving many plot threads together to create a thick, believable story. The book deals with issues that are important and thought provoking, but keeps things fun with a dab of romance and plenty of suspense. An enjoyable book. */*/*/*

Prom
Laurie Halse Anderson, 215 pages, 2005
Ashley is not the stereotypical high school girl. That is to say, she's not excited about her Senior Prom. But when her math teacher makes off with the Prom money, Ashley's friends are understandably upset. Roped into being a reluctant hero, Ashley finds the ideas flowing and her attitude toward Prom changing.

I would recommend this book to fans of YA and realistic fiction who don't mind a spoonful of "edgy" in their reads. Characters in the book swear and occasionally smoke or make other less-than-perfect decisions, but their consequences are portrayed realistically, and a believable, happy ending finishes things off. The writing is compelling and the humor is fun. I especially enjoyed the way that Ashley's family relationships were shown -- the characters did things that people in real life would do, which was a pleasure to read. */*/* (Readergirlz book for this month!)
___
Mmmkay, I've still got 2 more reviews for you, but I've been sitting here for too long. Look forward to hearing about The Wednesday Wars and Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf!

Still Pregnant...

...but the doctor said he would induce me on June 23 (when he gets back from his week vacation in Alaska) if I'm still pregnant then. :) So, at most, 11 days left!



Also, I tested positive for group b strep, so I'll have to have an antibiotic during delivery.

And, since the doctor will be out of town next week, I get to go in for a non-stress test on Monday. Basically that means that the hospital people will check me instead of him -- they'll hook me all up and such as if I were in labor. I think that's gonna be pretty cool. But, really, I'm hoping that we won't make it to Monday still pregnant. *crosses fingers* Wouldn't it be cool to have the baby on Fathers' Day?

Hope you enjoyed our last two-person family portraits!

Dilation Report

So, I just got back from my Dr.'s appointment. The doc pronounced me 2 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and -1. So, for those of you who understand that jargon, there you have it. If you're a little bit lost, the doctor also said, "Set an appointment for next week, and we'll see if you keep it." He said I could go into labor this week, but it's also possible that I won't. Like, it's gettin' close, but not imminent.

Crazy, huh?!?

My mom and two youngest siblings are already in town, so that is nice. And Jacob is finally looking a bit more healthy; he had a nasty sore throat all last week. Wish us luck!

Baby Shower Update

So we decided to change the shower time at the last minute, and it's actually going to be from 10-11:30 a.m. (still on the 24th). Please come because I want to see you there!

Oh, also, thanks to all of your votes on the poll, I have done some registering at Babies R Us. :)

Nothing out of the ordinary at my most recent Dr's appt. :)

Baby Shower!

Okay, everybody! Here's the announcement you've been waiting for!

Baby Shower!
Join us in celebrating Alysa & Benjamin
at 10 a.m. on May 24
1060 Cedar Ave, Provo UT.
RSVP to Sandy Litster (801) 400-1236 or Camie Martin (801) 369-7576

Put it on your calendars, ladies! I'm totally paranoid that no one will come... anyway, family and SLTA ladies you can come to this one too if you want, but there are some other things in the works for you.

As for a pregnancy update, I'm doing well. I'm getting tired again, but not nearly as tired as I was the first trimester. There are more potty breaks and tossing and turning going on at night, but that's only to be expected. I have a doctor's appointment on Monday, and if there's anything to report then I'll let you know. As of the last appointment the baby was head down, not breech, so that is good.

This week is my last week of work at my on-campus job, so it will be the end of an era for me at the Telefund. And on Saturday Jacob and I are going to take our summer vacation -- a day trip up to Salt Lake. Fun times!

Oh, one more thing, check out the poll in the sidebar.

Graduation!

First, for your viewing pleasure, some pictures!

A closeup of the graduate; Eric, Erin, Alysa, and Jacob.

The graduate and her well educated husband; Grandma, Alysa and Ransom after commencement.

Graduation dress ("The Rad Bag") by mom. And a reminder picture, just in case you forgot I was pregnant since black is so slimming.

Commencement yesterday was lovely (except that the Marriott Center's chairs aren't very comfortable). Elder David A. Bednar spoke, and President Samuelson conferred our degrees on us. Jacob and Ransom met up with Grandma Burton (who brought me a delicious cake) and they sat together.

Convocation was this morning, and I had every intention of going. However since I was up until 1 a.m. visiting with good friends, and since I was supposed to be at the Smith Fieldhouse before 7 a.m., it's no real surprise that I missed it. I was disappointed when I woke up around 9, but there is no use crying over spilled milk, so I just had Erin give me the play by play when we went to her and Eric's graduation lunch. I should be receiving my diploma in the mail in a few weeks (they don't actually present it at the convocation, they only pretend to).

Many thanks go out to everyone who has helped me on the path to graduation. Special thanks go to my mother, who has been there every step of the way and has been unfailingly encouraging.

So, now that you're graduated, what are you going to do next?
Well, the next big thing is the baby! I'll be working my campus job at the Telefund for another week or two, and then I'll have a lot of time to get things ready for the little guy! We'll be having a baby shower on May 24th, so look out for details on that and please drop in! (I'm kind of paranoid that no one will come. SLTA and family have a different shower, more details on that later too.) Anyway, I'm due in a short 8 weeks, and then in August Jacob will graduate and we will be moving out to Illinois so that he can start working on his doctorate at UIUC. As of now I'm not planning on teaching in the fall.

Pregnancy Pictures!

At long last (sorry for all the delays) here are some pictures of me looking pregnant. I just kept looking more and more pregnant, so I had to take more and more pictures. But, to give things a little perspective, lets start off with a picture of me NOT pregnant (click to enlarge any photo):

Here I am, just packing for our Summer 2007 trip to Michigan. La dee dah!

Now here is me, in the first week of February. See how pregnant I look? No? Well I'm trying to look pregnant, and I feel like I look pregnant...

Just the facts (without the face), it's only about 2 weeks later, and I'm definitely showing!

Whoa! With a good photographer and the right angle, you can look big! This one was at a party in late February. And then...

When did that happen? This is April 12

Yep, I look pregnant! Just sitting on the wall, lookin' pregnant, that's me!

See how pregnant I am?

Now I even look pregnant when I'm doing normal things, like checking the mail. I can look pregnant and not even try!

Don't worry, I'm sure I'll get bigger, and have to post even more pictures. I'm feeling great (glad to be getting over a sinus infection) and no, we haven't named the baby yet. Also does anyone know what those yellow flowers I'm holding are called?

Names

No, we don't have a name picked out (or any really narrowed down) yet. Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments. You could have the name we need.

The big news...

It's a BOY!!!

...so get ready for all that boy stuff, because that's the road we're heading down! You can now feel free to purchase gender-specific gifts and shower them upon us. :) You were always welcome to give us non-gender-specific gifts, and still are. Just makin' sure ya'll knew that. I'm going to go shower now -- my belly is still kinda sticky.