A Birth Story…the fourth

It all began at 5 o’clock in the morning. It was still dark outside and no one was awake but me. I got out of bed and headed to the first place most pregnant women need to go in the morning…the loo a.k.a. bathroom. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it. My water broke after just a few steps! That has never happened to me and I was in shock. My shocked gasps followed by my cry for Steve! woke him up. I had a puddle at my feet, sorry if that’s too much information but most of the readers of my blog are women, women who have been through child birth so you can stomach it right?
I called Dr. Clayton and he told me the obvious, go to the hospital...and don’t take your time. Steve woke the kids, called my mom to come over and I frantically packed my bags. My head was swimming. I had never had a baby unannounced like this. All my previous babies I had notice so I could plan for the hospital. Steve took Dr. C’s advice to heart and was rushing us out the door. We were at the hospital by 5:30am.

After getting hooked up, (have I mentioned I hate IVs?) there was a lot of waiting. I planned on laboring on my own as long as I could, hoping that the process would be quickest this way. But by 1:30pm and no baby I finally agreed to have my epidural. I say agreed not to mean I was opposed to it. I love epidurals. I whole heartedly believe in epidurals. But I was under the impression it would slow my labor down and I wanted this baby out sooner than later. My nurse, Ellie, told me that it wouldn’t necessarily slow me down and that it might even allow my body to speed up the process because of the relief from the tension of the pain from the contractions. After hearing that I agreed and had my epidural administered.

Just as Ellie said, within an hour of having my epidural I was dilated from a 4 to a 7 and then a 10 just shortly after that. The doctor was called and by 3:55pm Claire Mae was born at 8 lbs. 6 oz. and 21 inches long. Isn’t she lovely?

February highlights

February was supposed to go by faster than it did. But, then again, when I’m 8/8.5 months pregnant everything seems to be really slow. I liked February still, there were some good moments.

For one, its not every day I get a manicure from a beautiful four year old girl. My Sadie loves make up and nail polish. I love that this nail polish can easily be peeled off my nails, no acetone required. Sweet.

I wouldn’t go so far as to call this next event one of the “highlights” of February. It was not fun, by any definition of the word, but it did have good results so I’m at peace with it. I’m talking about my external version I had to have performed in order to turn baby girl from breech to head down. Basically, Dr. Clayton pushed down on my belly in a clockwise motion, as hard as he could, trying to get baby to turn. She did turn and I was warned she could go back to the breech position. Thankfully, she never did. The 5-7 minutes of extreme pain I had to endure were worth it.

The only good part of a hospital stay at Hoag is their cranberry spritzer. yum. But the picture above, of my horrible IV, makes me shudder. yuck.

Let’s keep things real with a picture of Sadie’s messy room. This is basically a daily event. Its so much fun trying to get her to clean it up. Lots of threatening goes on, its great…or not.

After my version, there were lots of hospital visits to check on baby girl and make sure she was ok.

Ethan’s Blue and Gold dinner was pretty cute. I love how much he loves Scouts.

He was pretty proud of the cake he decorated with his dad. We kind of think it was the coolest one there too.

We got our house painted!! I love my black door. The house looks so much nicer on the outside now. Its grey, if you can’t tell.

I had a fun little girls night out for a baby shower. My sisters had the great idea of having everyone meet for dinner at Green Leaf. It was delicious and such good company! Thanks, girls.

I was rewarded after leaving the temple with a beautiful sunset. Could it be any better? For that one moment, I felt pretty darn close to heaven. Why don’t those moments last longer?

Ethan bears his testimony

Last month Steve and I were surprised when Ethan got up, unannounced and completely unprovoked, in Sacrament meeting and bore his testimony. It was short and sweet, typical of a young boy in Primary but it was monumental all the same. He is not the person that takes speaking in public lightly so I knew it took something special to get him up there. I asked him later and he said that his knees were shaking so he knew he had to get up.

Good job, Ethan! I hope you continue to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and bear your testimony as often as prompted. After I recovered from the shock that you got up to bear your testimony my heart was swelling with motherly pride and emotion. Testimonies are so important. I hope you will always nurture yours and remember it. One day you will be a missionary, possibly serving in a foreign country, and your testimony will be what the people you serve need to hear and feel.

Ethan, I know God lives. I know He knows you and me and every person on this Earth. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of God. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know the Atonement is real. I know the scriptures are true. There are many things I still have to learn but I know that living life as close to my Father in Heaven as possible is the best way to go. I love you, Mom.

Thanksgiving is better in Reno

Reno called and we answered! It was wild and it was fun. We headed out to visit our far away Reno cousins on a dark Tuesday morning before Thanksgiving. One of the favorite things the boys got to do was shooting. Uncle Brian gave everyone a Gun 101 class before leaving the house. They all had a great time!

 Big brothers and little brothers joined in for some friendly competition. You're never too old to try to best your brother, right?

 These big brothers bonded over a bike ride. It was super windy and chilly outside but that's nothing for Rasmussens. Bring it on, is their motto.

 Penryn is a must see whenever we drive up to Northern Cal. And if you're in Penryn then missing out on a sugar rush courtesy of the Fast Pak would be heartbreaking.

The highlight of the trip, I think, for Sadie was sledding day. This girl was all giggles the entire time. She got into a groove and never once wiped out. My stomach was in knots at the beginning, seeing her come down the steep mountainside. Those quickly abated after I saw how comfortable she was. 

 I have some beautiful and incredible sister in laws. I want to be like these two when I grow up.

 

Our boys weren't as lucky as Sadie was on sledding day. They wiped out a couple times and there were some tears shed. It didn't stop them completely, though. They eventually got back up and tried it again. Its a good thing pain wears off, right?

 

Steve was assigned the esteemed job of carving the Thanksgiving turkey. The Jedi power was with him. Our Reno Rasmussens truly fed us well on our trip. Denice showed us the power and ease of homemade French bread. The warmth of the holiday was shared with friends and family and I counted each of my blessings that day, they were bounteous and my heart overflowed. 

Earlier that morning we mommas gathered our children and headed out for a chilly 5K turkey trot put on by some of Denice's friends. We walked a nice loop around their beautiful neighborhood. I don't think my kids appreciated the pre-turkey ritual but I sure did. Eating a delicious meal always tastes better after I've abused my body a little bit in a workout. My casual walk with Anna was all the abuse my body could take but it felt good. I was really proud of my kids by the end of it too. Little do they know that I want to have them do this EVERY year.

  

 Our first day in Reno we went back in time on a visit to Virginia City. The wind was not our friend that day and Denice declared "this is what we call weather!" to us SoCal Rasmussens. We get very little of that thing called weather down here. Everyone's got smiles on their faces though. Weather does not dampen our spirits...too much.

 On our last night in Reno the adults ran away! Denice and Brian showed us how cool it is to have a babysitter in their own family but with the addition of the 50 million cousins (ok, 6 to their 5) she thought it a good idea to call in some back up with another sitter. The kids were left with dinner and a movie, we headed out on the town. Brian took us to one of the best Thai restaurants I've been too. It was deeeeeelish. I fattened my baby (and myself) up well...again. If only they had had the coconut rice with mango that would have secured them the number one spot in my book.

Thank you, Reno Rasmussens!! We loved every  minute.

November was full...

it came and went. The boys' school had their annual Carden Country Fair. I loaded the kids up with tickets and they hit the booths to have some fun. Ethan and classmate Aidan got in the ring and duked it out. Ethan won!!

Sadie was the bravest Rasmussen and buckled up for a high flying time on the jumbo trampoline. She giggled as she flew up and bounced. The operator turned her over - she wasn't quite as confident with that move. Her brothers watched in amazement and vowed to do it "next year."

 

She also decided she wanted to wear a crown and had one painted on. She's lovely, isn't she?

 

Steve and I voted. Unfortunately, we were pretty disappointed with the outcome. Sometimes it just seems futile to put in the effort, doesn't it? The cupcakes helped ease the pain of our loss. We hope the next four years with Mr. O President doesn't deplete our morale even more.

 Soccer! Futbol! Practice, practice, practice. That occupies quite a bit of our time in November. Two boys on separate teams and one girl with nothing to do but brush mom's hair.

 Luke's team were the Avengers and Ethan's team were the Zombie Warriors. This was our first year being exposed the real competition of soccer. Ethan and his team were old enough where goals count and rankings begin. Ethan's team made it to the first round of play offs. We had a fantastic coach, Ed, and the team really came together but they lost. It was a hard blow. Competition is ugly, I'm not such a fan.

 

 Sadie and I snuck off to Disneyland whenever we could. Girls just want to have fun! Its fun to experience the Happiest Place on Earth with my little girl, especially at Christmas time.

There were too many cravings and not enough will power to ignore them. I'm going to pay big time for this. Why is this fourth pregnancy the worst ever. I'm so tired. I'm so big. Its going so slowly. Doughnuts help...or something.

This boy warms my heart. He wanted to come with me to our Stake service project and even learned to crochet after getting bored tying dolls at my table. As soon as he saw the scouts making these hats he headed right over. He takes his scouting seriously.

I'm constantly thinking of the things I'm thankful for in November. My heart swells with gratitude.

Haaaaalloween!

 

Halloween! Its such a fun holiday to kick off the season of celebration that ends with New Year's Day. Our trick or treaters covered all the bases. We had superheros, Star Wars, a Ninja and a mermaid. The above picture is part of our gang: Eva (Wonder woman), Ethan (a Mandalorian - some Star Wars person), Sadie (mermaid - I think she was Ariel), Luke (Ninja), Ellie (A Captain America, girl version), and Amerie (Super girl).

We filled our bellies with warm chili and garlic cheese rolls just in time to hit the streets for candy! As soon as the buckets were full everyone headed home to inspect the loot.

And, of course, start devouring the sugary goodness!

Boo!

October in Pictures

The growing baby bump…it’s a girl!

Ethan’s creative writing at school.

A little after school dance party at the cousins house.

Raingutter Regatta for Ethan at Cub Scouts!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke does his Johnny Appleseed skit for the school assembly (2nd from left).

Can’t forget the ever important (but sometimes forgotten) lunch box notes.

General Conference was da bomb!! Candy bowls labeled with specific words we might hear during talks on the Sunday sessions. The kids loved it. I loved the cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

The annual Miramar Air show…

followed by camping trip. Anna and I had to miss out on the camping trip this year (wink, wink) because of newborn/pregnancy conflicts.

But we tried to enjoy ourselves with a little Phantom and restaurant deliciousness. It was a close second.