ECV- Exciting, Cool, Version

Well, Saturday was my first and only experience with an ECV (External Cephalic Version). It was quite fascinating and amazing! I had a strong feeling that Trent was breech a couple of weeks ago and as we got closer to 37 weeks, it was pretty obvious that his hard head was directly under my ribcage. Dr. Sepesi confirmed that on Thursday and then we set up an appointment for an ECV, per my request. I felt very strongly about trying to turn him since I loved my VBAC and want to do one again if I can. Anyway, I was a little anxious and emotional on the way to the hospital on Saturday morning, but was fine once I got there. We didn't take our decision to do the ECV lightly, we prayed about it alot. And, I found a comforting verse that I wrote down and prayed many times up to and during the procedure. It was: Philippians 4:6; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

We ended up waiting around from about 10:30-1:00 just to have the ECV performed. Part of the time was spent waiting for the doctor and part of the time was waiting for another woman's c-section to be done so that there would be adequate staff available if my ECV didn't go well. There were several different scenarios that could have happened and thankfully, the best possible outcome is what we got. Just in case, we had packed my bag and left it in the car and we also had Trent's diaper bag and our camera. I figured I would be most upset about not having the camera for Trent's arrival than I would be if he came early. Dr. Sepesi did the ECV all by himself, with lots of strength, lots of jelly lubricant on my belly and skilled hands. There was one nurse who helped me focus and try to relax my abdomen while it was being brutally manipulated. Poor Nick just had to watch the whole thing, which I imagine was the worst option! The entire procedure took less than 5 minutes and it was successful since Trent ended up head down which opens the door for a VBAC unless something else indicates that we shouldn't do it. The pain was short-lived and tolerable and I'm so thankful that I was given the opportunity to have an ECV. Now, we're in watching and waiting mode, partially hoping that Trent comes early so I don't have to be pregnant any longer and partially hoping that he stays as long as he wants so he is strong and healthy at his birth. I cannot complain, this has been a great pregnancy, much like my other two, and I feel very blessed that we're about to have our 3rd child!

Rachel's Spring Pics

Last Wednesday was Rachel's spring picture day at school. It was funny because the school was closed on Monday due to SNOW! I felt funny getting her a spring outfit and then dressing her in such warm clothes 2 days after the biggest snow storm I've ever seen! But, Rachel loved her new outfit and especially loved her new slip-on shoes. When she got home, she didn't want to take her outfit off until I made her. We also rolled her hair the night before so she would have some curls for the picture. I bought a new hair curler net to try to keep the rollers in during the night. It helped some, but her hair is still so silky and fine, that lots of them came out. But, the curly effect was still there and Rachel thought she was a princess in her lovely spring outfit.

New Bunks

Today, our new bunk bed came for the kids. It's something we've been talking about doing for a while now. We figured we'd put the bed in Rachel's room for now so that over the summer, we can transition Bradley into Rachel's room and then put Trent into Bradley's room. We figured Trent and Bradley probably wouldn't be able to share a room for a year since Trent will be nursing for at least that long. Of course, at first, Trent will be in mine and Nick's room. Anyway, Rachel has been so excited about getting these bunkbeds and both kids were ecstatic when they arrived. The kids just think it's a new toy and the top bunk, fitted with just a boxspring (how comfy, right?? but no one will be sleeping up there for awhile!) is a regular play area. Anyway, they have had a blast all afternoon climbing up and down the ladder and "going night-night". We'll see how well Rachel sleeps in there tonight for the first time...

Rachel's School sings for a local retirement home

Rachel and her best friend, Kate
Bradley liked this wooden duck in one of the lounges

One of the few pictures I got of Rachel...very back row

Last week, Rachel's school took a field trip (across the street) to an Assisted Living home to sing patriotic songs. The parents were given the option of having their kids ride in the church van or bus or ride with their parents. Rachel chose to ride in the church bus. Nick and I weren't sure if we were comfortable with that, but since it was literally across the road, we let her go. Thank goodness that we did...apparently riding in the church van was a very BIG DEAL to the kids. Two of Rachel's friends did not ride in the van and were very upset with their moms. I was apprehensive because I wasn't sure if Rachel would get anxious or scared about riding with her teachers and friends, but she was fine. The kids sang: Yankee Doodle, I'm in the Lord's Army, and a couple of other cute little songs that they didn't know all the words to. They also said the Pledge of Allegiance, Pledge to the Bible and Pledge to the Christian flag. The kids were adorable and did a great job. The residents all seemed to really enjoy the singing and just looking at all the kids. I even had a resident who was comfortably sitting in a nice wing-back chair try to offer me her seat. I guess I looked worse-off than she did, being pregnant and holding Bradley. I thought that was sweet and funny! Bradley was a real trooper and really enjoyed watching the kids

and clapping at the end of each song. My only complaint was that Rachel was stuck behind several tall kids in her class so I couldn't see her very well or get many pictures of her singing.

MORE celebrations of my 32nd birthday!

Me...very pregnant!

Nick, Brian & Micah...always such good sports about having their picture made!

Angie, Jen and me (I feel a bit LARGE in this picture!)


My little helpers

Let's have some pie!!

My sugar-addict, waiting for the pie to be cut!

I really dragged out my 32nd birthday as much as I could this year! A week ago, we met up with our friends, Jen, Micah, Angie and Brian and ate Olive Garden. The food was DELICIOUS and it was lots of fun just chatting with old friends. The focus of our conversations was pregnancy since all 3 of us girls are pregnant! That was lots of fun getting to share symptoms, plans, names, advice, etc...

Then, on Saturday evening, mom and dad made me a DELICIOUS birthday meal! It was lots of fun and they went to alot of trouble to make perfectly marinated pork tenderloin, rolls, twice baked potatoes, and a salad with every topping imaginable! I thorougly enjoyed my special meal! Also, mom got me my favorite cake...a Bruster's ice cream pie made with turtle ice cream! It was awesome! And, I got a new car seat for when Trent arrives (I was tired of our old 30 lb. carseat that I used for R & B), some shoes, gift cards and a book.

All of the celebrations were so thoughtful, sweet and meaningful! Thanks everyone!!

I am so thankful for my family and my friends!!

The Monsoon BEFORE the Snow!

It POURED down rain on Friday and Saturday. We hardly had a break. And, the temps were very warm, which was why I was so doubtful about the snowstorm that they said was coming. Nick got concerned that there might be some water pooling in our well house, so he and the kids went to check it out. The result was wet, soggy, happy kids who thought the object was to swim in the huge puddles! But, they had a blast and got to try out their rain gear. I have to say, I've never had more laundry than what I've had since the weekend because of rain and snow! I'm ready for spring weather and warm temperatures! (I know, I'm an old fuddy-duddy!)

More Snow-y Adventures

Right now, we still have power and are enjoying the warm fire!

The snow is falling constantly!

wow! Look at the snow!


We can't even see anything with all this snow!

Let's throw snowballs at daddy!

I LOVE this!!!

Even if it IS cold!

Bradley: I DON'T like this, even if it's

the biggest snowfall I'll probably EVER see!!

Take me inside!!!!!!!!

the snow had reached about 4 inches by 4:00pm

Ironically, after I posted yesterday's picture, we lost our power!!! It was out from about 5:45pm till 1:30pm today. Nick and I really debated about what would be the best thing for us to do with no electricity; go to Nana and Pop's or stick it out (Gege and Papa's was out also). We were hopeful that our power would return some time during the night...but it didn't! Nick knew he had plenty of firewood to keep the den warm and Rachel really wanted us to camp out in the den. Of course, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, and since we were tired and irritated that we had no power, we were having some "strong" discussions. Rachel kept wanting to chime in with her two cents about what we should do. Unfortunately, this just kept making me and Nick more irritated. We kept telling her very sternly, "Rachel, Wait just a minute, mommy and daddy are trying to discuss something important." Finally, after we begrudgingly reached a decision I was aggravated that we even had to make, Rachel said, "excuse me, mom and dad." We said, "what is it?" She said, "why don't you just pray to God and ask Him. He can take care of anything." I immediately started crying, because she was 100% right. And, this was not something I had even considered doing. So, we had a family prayer right then and there. I calmed down and we all made the best of a situation that we didn't want to deal with. As it turned out, Nick dragged our king-size mattress into the den, we grabbed every pillow, quilt and comforter that we owned, Nick went outside in the 5 inches of snow and brought every single piece of firewood up to our deck, and we made the best of it. We were NOT cold at all! In fact, I was hot and even sweaty all night long. The only way I could handle the heat from the fireplace was by keeping my unsocked feet out of the covers all night. Nick put logs on the fire every hour and the kids slept pretty well. Nick and I didn't, but we were sweetly snuggled with our 2 little babies and they were so precious with their snores and sleepy sounds. They wiggled all over and touched us with their 100 degree arms and legs. They slept pretty well until about 4 when Bradley woke up and was disoriented and sad. He decided he wanted to then sleep next to me. This made Rachel sad that she would no longer be right next to me. But, she gratefully snuggled up next to Nick. Then, Bradley said he needed "moy juice" (more juice). So, when I got up to get him some, the kids thought it was play time. They ran around and then got back in bed and were VERY silly for about 45 minutes, each of them keeping the other one going. Then, they fell back asleep at a little after 5 and slept until 8:30 or so. It really wasn't such a bad night, but I'm VERY thankful that we have our power back on, that we'll all be in our OWN beds tonight and that I won't have to smell, listen to or feel the warmth of a fire. (It's just too warm for ME!)