All-Generous: And Blessed

For God is sheer beauty,
    all-generous in love,
    loyal always and ever.

Psalm 100:5, The Message

I've heard from Grandma Debby several times. This was a highlight:
"Tegegne wants to tell Ababayeh that he's running to train to be a policeman. You'll never believe how far he ran. The whole path of the back 40 (acres) and half of the front 40. We're following behind him very slowly in the Gator. Hensley loves cheering him on."

This message came before 9am the next morning:
"Tegegne's out running again! Stopped to catch a grass hopper, and off again!"

And some more shout outs to my peeps:
Thanks Aunt Donna, for taking another Trader Joes order!
Thanks Tara for dinner last night.
Thanks Cela for the visit this morning.
Thanks Jan for hanging out this afternoon.
Plus all of the dear folks that have made us meals and that are signing up to do so.


Blessed, I feel so blessed by God through all of you generous folks. We are so grateful. Thank you for taking care of our family. We love you.

Fields, we are now hours away from meeting you rather than days. Sweet anticipation. Your dad and I were talking about our anticipation when we met your brother, Tegegne. This is the same feeling, but quite different. You see, when meeting your brother we were in a foreign land in the back of a bus. We pulled up to this orphanage and knew he was inside. We wondered if he understood that he would meet us and we would be his parents. We sat in small chairs as we waited for our names to be called. Then they called us. We stood and watched as your cute big brother walked in those little black boots out to our arms. And we were smitten. Just as we will be when you are placed in our arms tomorrow. See you in the am baby boy.

Love, 

Mom

Due Date: Written In Ink

"Wohoo..."

Due Date Official: Thursday, September 13, 2012, 8am. 

And now a shout out to my peeps:
Thanks honey, for the slumber parties and old Office episodes that make me laugh out loud.
Thanks Tara for the peppermint tea.
Thanks Katie for the in-house bang trim, + Nick and Judah for the visit, flowers, magazine, and air freshener!
Thanks Micah and Taryn + Hazel for the sparkling water + yummy tea and all of my other requests from home. Plus the extra visit this morning!
Thanks Amy, for walking in playing your ukulele and the laughs and the visit.
Thanks Alan and Shanna for the sweet flowers and visit. 
Thanks Aunt Donna for the massage, dinner, + Robert for the visit.
Thanks Mike and Deb for the visit, magazines, and KC Star.
Thanks Mom for the visits, the pretty flowers, + thanks to you + Dad for keeping the children. XO
Thanks children for coming in and kissing me, dancing for me, and for being my bestest pals.
Thanks Tricia and Sela for the stellar magazines and visit and the special lip gloss application. 

Love ya.

Kristyn

Due Date: Penciled In

Dear Fields Benjamin,

I've never heard one heartbeat for so long. In the moments that I've felt "alone" here, I am quickly reminded that you're here too. I hear that fast little heartbeat and watch my belly move in mysterious ways and I remember that I'm not here alone. Then I think for a moment, in a few days you'll be crying and hungry and wanting your diaper changed, so I better savor this quiet time with you and rest up. I sang you some songs this morning, and I'm pretty sure you liked them. It is quite good to remember that the Spirit of God is with us, too. Nothing is better than that, son.

Your birthdate has been "penciled in" by dear 'ol doc for Thursday morning. That's September 13, 2012 (9.13.12) Your sweet big brother's birthday is on September 20, 2007 so you two will have to flip a coin each year to see who gets celebrated. Just kidding. I actually love to host parties so we will celebrate for both of you. (Ha, as I'm lying here you just literally moved the computer with a kick.)

Here's the plan until then. The kiddos are going to Big Sky Ranch for the week, so brother will miss some school but it'll be easier for Gramma and they'll get to hang with Grandpa too. Your dad will teach his students and have a quiet house (and probably visit me a lot), and I'll be in Rm 2233 sewing you a stocking cap, and admiring my pretty flowers from sweet visitors. One dear friend even trimmed my bangs while she was here!

Love you son. We are in the home stretch. Keep developing your little lungs so you can stay in my arms and not be swooped away when you arrive in this great big world. I'm not sure I'll sleep very well the night before your due date! Talk soon.

Love, 

Mom

(booties.)

Test Results: Indeterminite

Hello, hello from Level Two, where the nurses are nice and all the sofas are blue. Had a few deciding tests today. An ultrasound determined that I do still have placenta previa, so we must do a c-section to get fellow out. The other test was an amniocentesis to determine Field's development, which will decide how soon he comes. That was an exciting really long needle into my belly, in which Fields had to steer clear of. There were two options for the test results. First the labs went to St. Lukes where they could say "good to go," "not quite yet," or "we have no idea" aka "indeterminite." Good to go would have meant he'd come Saturday or Sunday. Indeterminite from St. Lukes means the labs go to Mayo Clinic where they have no "indeterminite" option. They are en route now and we will get results...hmmm...tomorrow I hope.  

On another note, I showered and shaved this afternoon, and feel like a new woman. Grandma Debby is trying not to be worn out by my children, and I'm in the hospital on bed rest, monitors, and meds until further instruction.

That's all folks. Enjoy the cool weekend.

Kristyn

(cartoon.)

Hello From: The Place With Mauve Walls

Hi kids! So I put you down for your nap today, then took a little trip to the hospital. Really thought your brother was going to make an appearance today. The doc gave me this sheet of paper that said if this this and this happen call me. Well this and this (many close contractions + lots of bleeding) happened and I called but didn't get a hold of him. At that point I had to discern that it seemed to be an emergency, called dad, and got to the hospital. Looks like Fields is not coming today, but he and I are being monitored. Still having the this and this stated above, but not enough to do a c-section. Their goal is to keep baby brother inside for another week or two. 

As you can see above, I'm not in a lot of pain, just thought I'd give you a laugh! It is nice and quite here, with the sound of Fields really active heartbeat. 

Love you guys. Tegegne, hope your first day of school is super fun tomorrow. Can't wait to hear about it. Grandma and Ababayeh (and earlier Taryn and Micah) are helping me out lots, but I miss and love you both.

I'll be here overnight and will let you know when I learn more. Mmmmm, can't wait to find out my dinner options!

Love,
Mom

Hensley Ruth: Four Months

 

My name is Hensley. I'm four months old. So far my life has been pretty great. Lately I love my hands and feet. I chew on my tongue, suck my fingers, especially my thumb when I'm falling asleep. Did my mom mention that I rolled over a few days ago. Wish someone would have told me about this earlier. I totally prefer sleeping on my tummy.

Mom and Dad, I just wanted to say that I remember four months ago today. You guys worked together for hours to get me to be born. Well, I finally came out even though it was not how you had planned. It was a traumatic event for me too. I was relieved when Dad first held me. Then you held me. And eventually my brother did. Thanks for welcoming me so generously! I love my family!

I know you are all excited for me to say my first word. You do realize that once I start talking, that I probably won't stop. I guess that means my brother will have someone else to talk to. For now I'll keep smiling and making those sounds that you love. 

As I get older, I'm guessing I'll learn more about why those kids at the swimming pool ask if you are Tegegne's mom. They don't ask if you are my mom. What's the deal? I couldn't have dreamed of a better big brother!

I love you. Good night.

Hensley Ruth Jones, born February 28, 2011

Post Labor: A Word From Your Mother

Well kids, it's been three + weeks since my mind, body, and soul went through a whole lot and I am feeling a bit more like myself these days. It feels good. I think I'm thinking more clearly, yes?...Michael? The flood of hormones just after labor is crazy. I must admit I'm quite glad with the timing of Hensley's birth. There is no way those "baby blues" can stick around with such sunny skies and fresh air, a happy husband who is riding his bike a lot, and much time in the great outdoors. 


We have a routine going with you, Miss Hensley. You are eating well, in about 3 hour spans. Sleeping at night is not great yet, but hey we understand you are still a little teeny baby and soon enough you will be sleeping much longer, right? It seems as though you've had some tummy aches. And often times you are flustered when trying to poop. This became clear after our visit to the pediatrician. She said that babies are born with the instinct to pee, but the pooping instinct doesn't come until 4-6 weeks. So now you get flustered because you clench your buns instead of relaxing them. I'm trying to talk you through this while giving you a little butt massage and belly rub. We also get your legs going in a bicycle motion to get things moving. Most of the time, once you relax and stop trying it comes. The other night I was changing your diaper in bed at an early am hour and you had a big #2 that went well beyond the changing pad, all over my feet and our bed. Your dad has had his share as well. And can I just say how great he is. Some nights he is with you more than me, consoling you, changing you, and letting me rest.


Besides being over the short-lived baby blues, my body is recovering and I have most of my energy back.

Can I just say one thing that has helped all of this tremendously? It would be all of the meals we have gotten and are getting from family and friends. If you give birth, adopt a child, go through surgery, etc. I would highly recommend having a friend set up MealBaby. Getting meals is the best way to get through a transition like this!

P.S. We are going to be graced by Gramma Debby's presence again this week and we are so excited! Your dad and I will probably try to hit up a date night and I'm totally scheduling that mani-pedi groupon I bought months ago!

Our Birth Story: by Doula Catherine

A Birth Story: Kristyn, Michael, and Hensley Jones


by Catherine Martin, labor doula, kcyogamama.com


Kristyn worked this birth journey as a champion and a Warrior Woman! From the moment I arrived at 3:30 am on Sunday, February 27th at their home, and saw her on all 4's rocking and swaying with the first surges of labor- I knew she would be just fine! She could do this~she would do it!


Kristyn rested briefly a couple of times when encouraged to do so, but for the next 24 hours, until her baby was in her amrs, I can honestly say she never gave up- she was focused & determined and continued to step up to the plate ready to do whatever was needed to be done next. Throughout this amazing birth journey- we were all transported to magical forests filled with tropical plants, green moss, stones & streams; to the treetops themselves and Kristyn's tree house sanctuary; to a beautiful Hawaiian lagoon with a waterfall; to a sandy beach watching the sunset and collecting seashells; and deep into the ocean herself to swim among the coral & fishes and sing with the whales. 


I am so honored to have been able to witness the strength & power of this amazing woman, as well as the beautiful power of the love shared between Michael  & Kristyn. Michael was not only present to Kristyn the entire time, but he truly stayed with her wherever she was and was able to help take her wherever she needed to be. A true birth partner, anyone in the room would've thought she had two trained professional doulas. How blessed am I to be a part of this amazing team! Michael was always ready with a word of encouragement, visualization, a supportive movement, a touch- exactly what was needed in each moment. Kristyn continually dropped into her body, vocalizing, breathing, visualizing, relaxing, dancing, chanting, listening & responding beautifully- this was truly a Magical, Active Birth!


Some of my favorite images of this birth journey- 


Kristyn asking Michael to turn on the rap music- and proceeding to rock it out, grooving with a primal urge to modern music, completely free & uninhibited- awesome!


The three of us standing and swaying together in the middle of the birth room, embracing each other as the news of needing to use pitocin to encourage more powerful rushes sinks in- Who was holding who? I becamse so aware in that moment that althought Michael & I were there to support Kristyn, it was her incredible spirit that drew us in and sustained us all.


Kristyn lying on her side at 5am on Monday, February 28th, skin to skin with her baby girl Hensley looking up at her mother with big, bright, loving eyes that seemed to say, "We did it, Mama- we did it!"

(These were a few of the images we had posted around the birthing room. Michael and I will eventually share our story as well. For now I must say that we will be forever grateful for inviting Catherine to share this journey with us. I highly recommend her as a labor doula. We did not know her before this pregnancy, and she will be a close friend of ours for years to come.)

Labor: Ways to Get Things Going

No, not in labor yet but I'm working to get things going! There are several suggestions I've gotten on getting labor started, most of which I read in Ina May's Guild to Childbirth. 

One of those is castor oil. Here's what I read: 

Indigenous peoples all over the globe have used castor oil to induce labor for centuries. Taken orally, castor oil acts as a laxative, and the stimulation of the digestive tract often starts labor at term. No one knows exactly why castor oil works to start labor. When there is little or no money to be made as a result of research, generally little or no research is done. Nobody has figured out how to make an appreciable amount of money from castor oil, so this subject has received virtually no research attention. Nevertheless, it seems to be quite safe. Nearly nine percent of nearly eleven thousand pregnant women in a large birth center study used it to start labor, with no adverse outcomes. At The Farm Midwifery Center, we recommend beginning a castor-oil induction at breakfast after a full night of sleep. One tablespoon is added to scrambled eggs or mixed with fruit juice to make it more palatable for the woman. If necessary, she takes one more tablespoon one hour after ingesting the first. 

I just bought my castor oil at the pharmacy, and I think I'm taking my dose tomorrow morning since I thought that my due date was Wed 23rd and my midwife said Sat 26th. Sure hope it works! 


Here's a funny add about the stuff. Looks like they used to give it to children.

Don't worry, Tegegne, I won't make you take any of this yucky stuff!

photo source