Mommy Story #5

This post is for those of you who like reading the "birthing story". If you don't, then don't read. I didn't think it would be to graphic, but maybe it is? Actually, I can't remember much but I do remember this was probably the most fun & silly birth most of us in the room have ever experienced.

First of all I had a walking epidural. Yes "walking"! It was awesome!!! and for those of you that deliver at the same local hospital I do, there's a new guy in town (anesthesiologist). He was great. I was able to walk to the bathroom with little or no help whenever I needed.

I remember feeling like it was taking FOREVER!!, but really...I started the 'pit' just before 2. Dr. F phoned to say he would be up in 20 min. to break my water around 3. We had Josh on the way, and were placing bets to see who would make it there first. Elaine, Josh, and Dr. all walked in the room together. Dr. F broke my water around 4:15ish. There was LOADS of it. Seriously! Anyway, I was expecting everything to happen within 20 minutes like it has before, but it didn't. I don't think I had enough contractions at that point to have things progress that rapidly.

We had been making jokes all day, cuz that is what we do you know. ;) and when Dr. F came in and asked me if another Dr. could 'catch the baby', it took me a few minutes to realize he was serious. Well when it finally came time that Dr. F said we could start pushing, I was so relieved. We had watched them set up and they had this big plastic garbage bag that catches everything else, but the way Dr. N was holding the bag, it looked like he was planning to catch the baby in the plastic garbage bag. We joked about it for a little bit. They really have all this new stuff since I had my last baby 20 months ago. Then on the second pushing try Dr. N was standing about two feet away and I was pushing and I said, "well aren't you gonna catch." It was pretty funny. I am not sure what was said during the next push, I only remember laughing so hard I was crying (really). Everyone in the room was laughing (except maybe Josh and Dr. F). We called that a no go for pushing. I remember Dr. N saying that the baby was moving down a teeny bit. SERIOUSLY!!! I was not about to push for two hours! The nurse asked if I would be willing to try something new (of course I was). She laid me back a little and had my grab my knees. One push later the head was out. Then instead of having me to one more big push, Dr. N had me push very slowly to help from tearing and stuff. I really liked it better. A couple of things to remember in the future: Laying in that position totally moves the pubic bone out of the way and makes things way easier for the baby and mommy, and it's totally ok to push slowly.

Dr. N said there were big shoulders and Josh said, "that means it's a boy". With the exception of me, everyone else in the room had already made up their minds it was a girl. That is the only time I can recall Josh there. I know he was standing by me the whole time, but he must have been in a lot of pain. Well Josh did get to cut the cord too.

I wish I could remember all the jokes and wise cracks. They have always made delivery way more fun, but this time was exceptionally fun. Of course all the jokes stopped immediately when "the baby girl" was out. She was every one's focus and priority.

It's my Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Jinaya!!!

Jinaya celebrated her 4th birthday in January. Because of all the events happening, Nana & Papa and Grama were all at our family party.






Nana helps Jinaya put the candles on the cake.









It was a super yummy white cake with creme filling.







Grama took Jinaya to pick out her cake. Jazel from Enchanted. Doesn't it look great!?!?!?






Jinaya is in Heaven with her new pillow pet!

Back Surgery

Woosh! What a ride! Besides ER visits, croup, weekly OB appointments, and twice a week hospital visits for NSTs (non stress tests) and ultrasounds, we also had a back surgery! We knew Josh needed surgery (we've been through this kind of pain before). Josh actually had this same surgery 4 years ago. I was 6 months pregnant with Jinaya. Josh had an MRI at the beginning of January. I immediately went into panic about when we could even plan for a surgery. Finally I turned the timing over to Heavenly Father and honestly Never thought about it again. We spent the rest of the month trying to get into a back specialist. Being on Self-pay makes it hard to see anyone. A lot of rigamarol later, we ended up seeing the back doctor in the ER. The first thing they asked if we were on the wrong floor, Labor and Delivery is on the fifth floor. ha ha. We soon realized how serious Josh's condition was. Josh was admitted into the hospital that night and had the back surgery the following night. It was late like 6:30pm.
I had the suspicion of surgery when they guy in the next bed was getting ready to go in. Then when the PA asked Josh when he last ate, I was sure. Josh was a little skeptical about the timing, and I just thought we already have everything set up for me to have the baby, it is very convenient for our parents who are already taking off work to help us out. We also learned that we had one of the best doctors in the nation. We were extremely blessed from Heavenly Father to be able to have this procedure. Josh did extremely well, up and walking around, we were ready to go home by 11am the next morning. (We did have a birthday party to get to.)I am so thankful for neighbors I can call at the very last minute to take care of my kids way into the night. I came home and took care of things while Josh 'hung-out' in the hospital. Plus I had to go in for a NST & BIO. My mom came up really late that night and stayed that weekend with the kids. Josh's parents also came down and took our two little ones, Jaythan and Jinaya, home with them for the week. What a lovely week. Our two older children learned a lot of valuable responsibility. Josh was so pleasant and nice. The week was very slow for me, but I kept busy with hospital and doctor visits.
Well Josh started to get into a little more pain after about 9-11 days. (our baby was born on day 10.) On day 11 I met him in the Ultrasound room at the hospital to check Josh for blood clots. He looked clear, but had the same pain symptoms as blood clotting. Josh finally was able to talk with the neurosurgeons office and found out that he had a couple more "-ectomy's" than we thought. They worked more on his bones and moved his nerves around more than a regular discectomy. Also, he had some pain meds right inside his back after the surgery that wore off at about a week and a half. Josh is still recovering. It is a long process. His progress is measured in millimeters rather than milestones. He can't lift 25 lbs. or more from the floor or above is waist for about 6 months. (not a typo) Jaythan is right around 25 lbs. and it has been quite a chore not to pick him up or get Jaythan off things he's been climbing on.
The pictures are of me taking the stitch out of Josh's back. The Doc just did one long stitch with no knots. It was pretty cool to take out. The scar left behind is healing very nicely.

Cutting The Tree

Jinaya, Jaxon, and Josh trek up the mountain in search of a wonderful Christmas tree to bring home.

Nana brought Papa Rob down special for the occasion. He took all the pictures.

Jaxon does the cutting with his saw.

This is the perfect tree. It looks small but we still had to cut a foot or two.

The Picnic in the back of the truck was the Best Part! Yummy Hot Chocolate!!!!

This was Josh's first time cutting down his own tree. He enjoyed it so much I think it's the start of a new tradition.

Christmas Letter 2010

December 2010

Hello All!

We have had a busy year once again. Hasn’t everybody? We have spend the past few months trying to slow things down and enjoy each day we have together as a family. However, the hustle and bustle of the holidays sure has the Sharps going quickly from day to day again.

The beginning of the year seems like decades away. I can hardly recall what happened. We had our home under contract April 30^th (yay! Finally!), packed up the house, and finished up school in May. June brought swimming lessons, cheer camp, basketball camp, packing and unpacking. After weeks of waiting, we finally had a place to move into. The home we live in now was being rented, so we moved into the basement first and by August we had filled up the home. What a blessing this has been for each member of the Sharp family. We are thankful for the many blessings of a home each day. I can really talk forever about the house, but you are welcome to visit, we have room!!!

Josh has been a very busy man with more household chores. Of course he is in heaven with all the work, chopping wood, building fires, (I think even mowing the lawn and trimming the trees). He even had to do most of the unpacking since two days (not kidding) after we moved in I started getting very sick. We were surprised to find out baby #5 will be here in early February. This has been my sickest pregnancy and I spent most of the summer in bed. With Christmas just around the corner, I have been put on a strict diet due to gestational diabetes. SERIOUSLY!!!! So far baby is doing fine. Josh is also “dieting” with me and that makes things a lot easier.

Jaxon is in 2^nd grade and loves learning. He has grown quite a lot since the first of the year. He is no longer pinging off the walls all day long. Jaxon is excited to turn 8. He is excited to be baptized and more excited for scouts. The fact that both Mom and Dad are scout leaders seems to increase his excitement. He is becoming a great worker and helps whenever needed.

Jazmyne started Kindergarten this year. She loves school and learning all the new things about life. She is becoming a great reader and lately has been reading with her daddy. She has lots of friends in school and in our new neighborhood. Jazmyne is a great help with her younger siblings, although sometimes two mommies is too much. J

Jinaya is almost 4. As if the Sharp kids weren’t smart enough, Jina seems to be miles ahead of my plans. She surprises me daily with factual comments, letter names, and other over-her-head information. One would thing her mommy has taught her well, except in this case it is reverse. She is starting to adjust being the oldest at home, but she is still the “LITTLE SISTER”. Boo is the big sister. To argue with Jinaya is senseless. She always has very valid points.

18 month old Jaythan is FEARLESS!!! He climbs and jumps on everything! His favorite thing to do is climb onto the back of the couch or end table and jump to the couch. He has been doing this for the past 8 months. Nothing seems to stop him, not even a bloody nose. He loves basketball and football. Jeeps second favorite thing to do is sweep the floor. He is quite the daredevil, but has the most loving, caring spirit I’ve known. He is a “people person”, always concerned with others feelings.

Everyone has adjusted quite quickly to the new house and new friends. It is amazing the blessings that pour down when you put things into the Lords hands. We love this Christmas season when we constantly think of our Savior Jesus Christ, his birth, his life, his sacrifice. What a heart-warming privilege it is for each of us to have Him as our most precious gift.

We love you all!

Wishing you the happiest of holidays and the best of heaven in 2011.

For The Sharps, it already seems like the year is just beginning.

***BIG HUGS! ***

Josh, JoDee, Jaxon, Jazmyne,

Jinaya, Jaythan, and surprise baby #5