WE MADE IT

Well, folks, we made it. The flight was ridiculously easy. You can hardly count flying business class as really flying, though. The seats completely folded down into beds so we were able to just put our kids to bed and they slept all night. The boys were so excited to get to watch movies while they were awake. That's all they did! Jack got restless a few times, but overall was a champ.

When we arrived at the airport the company had arranged for a meet and greet service to get us through customs. That all went quickly and smoothly. (We are pretty terrified for having to do all this ourselves next time, like flying economy and standing in the super long customs line.) Then came time to load up our 20 suitcases and drive home. Buuuuut, the meet and greet service hadn't reserved us a car. So they called someone to come pick us up. So we waited and waited and finally a driver arrived. In a Honda Odyssey. For 7 people and 20 suitcases. Right. So we loaded up the suitcases in the Odyssey and there was just enough room for 2 people to ride. So Jack and I loaded up and Dan went with the driver to go call a taxi for the rest of them. The driver had left the van literally in the middle of the road, and people kept honking and honking and getting all mad. I was a little nervous sitting there all alone!

Anyways, we made it to our house after 21 total hours of travel time. The boys had slept really well on the plane, so even though it was bedtime here, they were all wide awake!

It was a really strange feeling coming into our new house and realizing that this is no weekend trip. We're really not coming back for a long time. Even if we come home at Christmas time, it'll still be the longest I have ever been away from home. This is an adventure for sure, but the realities of every day life hit pretty quickly. I admit that I took a moment when we got here and just had to sit on the floor and .... I don't even know the word. I just had to sit and stare at the wall.  I didn't even know where to start, there was too much and it was too overwhelming. I just knew the place I felt the most comfortable was in the kitchen.

So we're here and now we have to feed a family of 7. We feel like it's 4 in the afternoon, but it's midnight here and we have no car. The company provides a "care pack" with 6 eggs, a loaf of bread, some milk (1 liter), some jam, and some cornflakes. So we had to ration that out between dinner and breakfast. I did, however, have a moment of accidental genius. On our way out of our house, I put a cake mix in my suitcase. My goodness, did it ever raise our spirits to have a cake the first night in our new house!! Of course, I didn't have a cake pan, but there was a roaster pan under the range, so that did the trick! Other moment of accidental genius was when I put an unopened jar of Nutella in our suitcase. Nutella toast is especially delicious when there's nothing else around. Funny how just having those two items made us feel so much better. I realized something that I may have known subconsciously but had never articulated to myself: cooking for my family actually makes me feel good. In all the disarray of arriving and having suitcases everywhere, and being in an unfamiliar place, I knew I could bring comfort to us all by putting food on the table.

One of the first things I did when we got here put up one of the only decorations I brought with me: my Rosie the Riveter magnet. For some reason it gives me so much strength. And I know WE CAN DO IT!!!

3 years ago

I don't have time to write a blog post right now... which is usually when I write blog posts...Scroll down to the pictures if you don't want to read the birth story. :)

June 1-Three years ago tonight I was making dinner for my little family, when suddenly I began to have some pretty intense contractions. I was right around my due date and having delivered my last baby about 40 minutes after I got to the hospital, I decided to call my mom to come over so I could get to the hospital sooner this time. I had decided not to use any pain killers, since my last delivery showed me I could do it and live to tell the tale... I also called Dan at work and told him to get his tail onto a bus pronto.

So my mom and Dan showed up about an hour after I called them... but my contractions hadn't gotten any more intense. In fact, they were somewhat erratic. I felt like a moron for calling everyone home. So we decided to wait a while to see if they got any worse. I had a few intense ones here or there, but there was no clear intensification. I asked my mom to stay the night in case I need to leave for the hospital at some ungodly hour. I had maybe one or two bad ones in the night, but otherwise got a good night sleep.

June 2- I had a regular OB appointment that morning at 9, so my mom stayed with the kids and I packed a bag just in case she sent me to the hospital. I felt fine, but was having only irregular contractions. When I got there I told the doctor what was going on and she checked me. I will never forget what she said next, "Well, you're a 7 with a bulging bag. Go straight to the hospital and don't hit any bumps on your way there." Soooo off we went. I knew they wouldn't let me eat once I got to the hospital, so I did the only prudent thing: I stopped at Burger King and got a large Oreo milkshake. :)

The doctor had called ahead to tell the hospital nurses I was coming. When I arrived at the hospital, the nurses were in disbelief that I was just walking into the hospital at a 7! I really still felt pretty good. So they got me to a room and hooked me up to a monitor. Then they pretty much disappeared for a couple hours. Dan and I just sat watching TV. The anesthesiologist came in and asked if I wanted an epidural and I said no. He asked me if I was sure and I informed him I was pretty sure.  A few minutes later a nurse burst into my room and breathlessly asked me if I was OK. I was a little baffled but I told her I was doing just fine. Her response made me laugh: "Well, I heard a scream and you're the only woman on the floor who does not have an epidural, so I assumed it must be you." Well, anyways, finally the doctor came in a broke my water then left saying, "Push the call button when you need help." Approximately five and a half seconds later I had a crazy intense contraction and pushed the call button for help. Of course, I pretty much couldn't talk through the contraction, so I kind of moaned for help :). At that point I turned to Dan and said, "Dang blast it, I could have had an epidural..." Oh well...I did it and this little guy was born about 15 minutes later....

And from the very beginning, he has been one of the sweetest little children I have ever seen. I am so in love with this child, I find it somewhat overwhelming - it almost makes me feel breathless. 

I know every mom thinks her baby is the most beautiful. And I think every mom is right, because babies are straight from heaven, and they radiate that heavenly light and beauty. Babies are so, so wonderful. And, yes, I think my babies are extremely beautiful. 

I am so grateful this boy joined our family three years ago. He has brought so much love and such a gentle spirit to our home. Happy birthday to my darling boy.