Karissa's Birth Day, May 30, 2005

I recently realized that I have never blogged about Karissa's Birth Day. she just turned 7, it's high time I record her birth in my own words. This is for you my sweet Karissa.

On the day before you were born Dad and I spent the day at the Maulhardt's beach house on Solimar beach. (This is one of my favorite spots on earth.) It was the Sunday before Memorial Day and it was very hot in Simi Valley. When Auntie Beth called and invited us out, Dad and I jumped in the car and raced to the beach.

It was a perfect day at Solimar. Little did I know this day and the day that followed would be permanently etched in my brain forever. I can still smell the salt air, feel the cool ocean breeze tickling my face and feel the soft sand sifting between my toes. Dad and I strolled the beach a half a dozen times. We picked up shells, kicked seaweed and let the ocean water wash our feet up and down the beach all day long. With each push and pull of the tide I could feel my body pushing, pulling, tightening, releasing.

Beth kept encouraging me to keep walking. If I wasn't walking on the beach we all walked up and down the private road. We checked out house after house while Ellie rode her bike and Kayley was sleeping all snuggled up in her sling. Every time I looked at 6 week old Kayley a wave of jealousy would wash over me. I wanted my own baby. Hurry up! I kept telling my body. I'm ready.

In the weeks preceding your birth I prepared extensively. All 50 dresses were hung in order or age. Every blanket, burp cloth, pajama and onesie had been washed and sterilized. My bag was packed for the hospital. Dad and I had taken several birthing classes, a nursing class and were both CPR certified. We read everything we could read online and in books to prepare for birth. Hurry up! I kept telling my body, I'm ready.

Uncle Matt, made a huge tri-tip dinner and I ate until I couldn't eat anymore. Beth and I took one last walk before Dad and climbed in the car and headed home. It was 9:00 pm and dark by the time we got home. We decided to take Pickles for a walk around the neighborhood. Several of our neighbors were outside so we stopped and chatted before heading home. By the time we got inside I was so exhausted from the day I took a quick bath and headed to bed.

At 1:30 am I awoke to some pretty strong and painful contractions. Everyone said you'd know when you were going into labor and that was the truth. I knew this was it. I tried to lay there and count the minutes between each contraction. I was so excited I couldn't stay still. Get up, this is it, I kept saying to myself. I went downstairs for grabbed a piece of paper and started writing down the times of my contractions. They were about 5-7 minutes apart and were lasting for about a minute. After about an hour I went back upstairs to lay down and try to get some more rest before waking up Dad. That didn't last long. I was way too excited. We layed there together and counted. I was still pretty consistent so at 3:30a we called the on call Dr. He encouraged us to stay home till the contractions were closer together or my water broke. Boring. This time my body said to me, Hurry! I'm ready.

Dad and I got up and showered. We packed a few more last minute items and at 4:30a headed to West Hills Hospital. Upon arrival I was taken up to a Maternity Triage room. The nurse checked me and I was dilated to a 2-3 and about 75% effaced. She wanted to monitor me for a bit to see how things would progress. Then I started walking the hallways of the Maternity floor. Every hour I'd come back and they'd check me. At 6:30 am the nurse was ready to send me home. I was a 3+ and still about 75% effaced. Thankfully my, Dr. Galitz was the Dr. on-call and told the nurse not to let me leave. Dr. Galitz was worried you were going to be too big so he ordered an ultrasound. Dad and I were told you'd be about 6lbs 13oz.

Once again I set off for the hallway. I walked till 10:30a checking in with the nurses every 30 minutes. At that point I was a 5+ and fully effaced. My Dr. had arrived and we were moved into a Labor and Delivery Room. Things were getting real official, real fast. I was starting to get used to the comfort of the hallway. When Dr. Galitz checked me he said things were progressing well and he wanted me to go poop. (Yes, that's the truth. Sorry.) Shortly after all that fun. I layed down to take a little rest, just as I closed my eyes I had a really gnarly contraction and my water broke! Hurry! I'm ready. This time it was you talking to me.

The Dr. and my nurse came in and checked me out. We got all the monitors in place and they called for my epidural. It was getting a bit painful and I was happy for the relief. It was about noon by the time the nurse got me all situated with a dozen pillows and laying on my left side. Linnae and Betsy arrived and we all chatted in eager anticipation of your arrival.

As I layed there Dad and I kept watching the monstrous contractions on the monitor and I was happy the epidural had numbed the pain. I could still fell the pressure and a very dull amount of pain but was so ready nothing else seemed to matter. Just before 3:00p the nurse came in and we did some "practice" pushing. After a few minutes I told her I needed to throw-up. (That was a little unpleasant and embarrassing.) The nurse congratulated me for throwing up. She said that saved me a least 20 minutes of pushing. At the time I could not comprehend what one had to do with the other.

In a few short minutes the Dr. came in and then things really started to get serious. All the blue cloths were taken off several carts of equipment. Several nursed came in and I was pushing with every contraction. I had no idea what I was really doing, only that everyone kept encouraging me.
All I could think was, am I really capable of doing this? There was no going back, I couldn't back out now. I just kept pushing. A large mirror was brought in but I couldn't bring myself to look. Hurry! We are ready, we said to each other.

At 3:27pm, you were born, all 8lbs 3 oz and 20 inches of you. You were crying and healthy and all I wanted to do was hold you and never let go.

You latched on right away and nursed well. It was one of the best days of my life. So many people came to see you. Auntie Nae-Nae, Auntie Betsy, Uncle Mark and Aunt Lisa, Grandma and Grandpa McEuen, and so many more. You had huge bright pink cheeks and a squirmy body with olive skin. Most importantly you were mine. Dad and I had waited a long time for you. As I looked in your dark brown eyes, you said; slow down! I'm here.

Leopard Of The Month

Karissa was awarded Leopard Of The Month at school on Friday, May 25. 

She worked very hard all year long to receive the coveted award.

Matt and I feel very proud of her accomplishment. 

Karissa beamed with pride as her teacher read all the kind words about her.

What a great day for our family.

Solar Eclipse

Late Sunday afternoon on our way home from our neighborhood pool we witnessed the solar eclipse.

Our neighbor had a telescope, welding helmet and special lens for viewing. I have to say it was pretty cool. After some explaining Karissa understood what it was all about. She screamed with excitement.

"I see it! I see it!", she said.

It was awesome. Our shadows looked monstrous. The next solar eclipse will be in 2072.

Addi is 4!

Happy Birthday sweet girl.

You woke up to your room filled with balloons at 5:30 am. Then took your drowsy Mom and Dad downstairs to see all the goodies. Baby Alive is your favorite gift.

We love you! Especially when you are cuddly and snuggly with blankie nuzzled under your nose and your right two middle fingers in your mouth.

Mothers Part 3

(Photos by Julie Campbell Photography.  Julie is the mother of 4.)

It's Mothers Day! 

My children greeted me with breakfast in bed and all the sweet treasures they'd made at school. 

It was heavenly. 

Here is an essay I submitted to Nie Nie for her Mother's Day Essay Contest. 

(I didn't win, but I loved the Mothers that did.)

Motherhood is ….

By Tiana Kinnon

 Motherhood starts with a push or two or ten, really for hours on end.  It’s the first moments when you get to meet the tiny being that’s been growing.  Your first celestial kiss and a whole new level of bliss. Intoxicating whiffs of a sweet newborn, the realization heaven is near.  10 fingers, 10 toes, your dimples, his nose. 

It’s waking up to the early breaks of sunlight listening for the roar of feet galloping down the hallway tripping over themselves and bursting through the door.

It’s blankies with a distinct odor of saliva and fabric softener nuzzled on your nose.

It’s a first word, ma ma, da da, ba ba ba.

Motherhood is footie pajamas followed by snuggles all the way down to tiny toes.

It’s milk let down, nursing pads and perfectly layered clothes.

It’s jam packed diaper bags and holding little hands.

Motherhood is refrigerators cluttered with precious works of art, school photos, and coveted awards and spelling stars.

It’s hugs so tight you can scarcely breathe and wet lip kisses.

It’s chasing, finding, tickling, laughing, crying. 

Motherhood is mud pies and marmalade, billowing bubble baths and soapy Mohawks.

 It’s ballet pink and fire engine red, yellow rain slickers and black patent leather church shoes.

It’s chasing down the garbage truck.

Motherhood is yelling “HURRY!” Then whispering “slow down, stop growing” in sweet slumbering ears.

It’s watching a wobbly 2 wheeler riding down the street with tears running down your cheeks.

It’s birthdays, blessings, baptisms, graduations and weddings.

Motherhood is handprints on windows and on every bathroom mirror.

It’s Good Night Moon, Horton Hears a Who, Where the Sidewalk Ends and the Little House series.

It’s prayers. Prayers for patience, prayers to keep them safe, in some cases uttered every other minute.

Motherhood is hayrides and picking pumpkins larger than little arms can hold.

It’s a two am Christmas morning with sleepy blurry eyes whispering to you Santa has arrived.

It’s Easter egg dyed fingers and chocolate bunny rabbit cakes.

Motherhood is gummy smiles, baby teeth and all too soon toothless grins.

It’s roller skates and jump ropes, scooters and skateboards.

It’s squeals and shrieks of glee the first time they see the ocean and sandy, sandy toes.

It’s marbles and swings, tree houses and discovering butterflies and bees.

Motherhood is sandcastles and purple kelp, and sea shells.

It’s full hearts and empty pockets.

Motherhood is rock collections and ear infections, stubbed toes and broken bones.

It’s red wagons, jogging strollers and chasing dragons.

It’s teaching, learning, practicing patience, rare moments of peace, exhaustion and unexplainable joy. 

Above all, Motherhood is more LOVE than a single heart could ever hold.  A love that envelopes every fiber of your being.  Motherhood gives you incredible strength and yet makes you as gentle as a dove.

Mothers Part 2

I remember my mother’s prayers

and they have always followed me.

They have clung to me all my life.

-Abraham Lincoln

My mother, Linda Kay Meyring, was the single mother of 8 children.  Some days it was all she could do to put a smile on her face.  There was always laundry to be done (to the tune of 4-5 loads a day), meals to be made, a kitchen to be cleaned, floors to sweep and heads to roll! 

My mother was a serious lady yet she had a great sense of humor.  When she asked you to do something, you did it.  (See heads rolling above.)  She was the most talented lady I have ever known or will ever know.  Each day she taught us something and challenged us to learn something new.  I am so incredibly thankful for the life experience.  At times it was a little crazy but we all gained a sense of confidence and independence.  A few weeks ago when Addison and I took out a dead tree in our back yard with a shovel and a hedge trimmer, I thanked my mother for teaching me I could do anything.  (I repeated this same lesson to Addison.)

My Grandmother, Helen F. McEuen, was one of the classiest ladies I know.  She taught me how to set a table, and proper etiquette for life.  Grandma loved to shop.  She loved to walk the entire mall and see every dress there before buying anything new.  (Because of this experience if I see something and like it, I buy it right then.  Why look further?) 

Things that remind me of Grandma are; hankies, clip on earrings and costume jewelry, statuettes, rotary phones, yellow (the perfect shade of 70's yellow), shag carpet, curlers and gold fake fruit.  (I hope you are laughing because you should be!)

I love my mother and grandmother dearly and would not be the same person without them nurtering me and all my siblings.

Grandpa and Grandma McEuen

November 2006



Mothers

When I think of Mothers - (my mother, my sister and sister-in-laws, cousins, friends)  my heart feels heavy and full. 

Yesterday marked the 11th year I've had to relive the day I said goodbye to my mother.  I stroked her blonde hair, held her hand, cupped my hand on her cheek and told her all the things I ever wanted to say.  As I stood in her quiet hospital room I wondered how I would ever live up to her.  How would I live up to everything she was and everything she wasn't?  Could I ever be all the things she expected me to be?

On the day before she died she made me a promise, it took me 10 years to believe her.  She had a way of being right.

This past month I've encountered several examples of Mothers I thought I'd share;

Over Spring Break we went to the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History.  As we walked through the historic building and took in the exhibits I noticed mothers.  Mothers holding little hands, pointing, teaching, reading, learning. 

A few days later we were in a restaurant for dinner.  (a very rare moment)  On the next table over was a mother of twins.  Addi and her cousin, Kayley, was enamoured with the babies and asked to take a closer look.  Off the girls went hand in hand to see the babies.  As the girls approached the table I noticed this mothers husband was in a wheelchair.  I could easily tell he had no use of his legs.  The girls looked at the beautiful twin babies, a boy and a girl, sitting on their mothers lap.  This mother was very gracious to the curious girls.

As our dinner got underway I kept my eye on this mother.  I quickly said a silent prayer thanking God this was not my trial.  The mother got her babies all settled in their double stroller and adjusted bottles and blankies.  She then helped her husband get his legs aligned in his wheelchair and helped him get his wallet out to pay.  Her smile was easy and she radiated happiness.  What a sweet mother.

My friend Victoria had a beautiful Dalmatian named Jake.  He was by far the most handsome and gentle dog I have ever met.  Jake had beautiful amber eyes that gave you a glimpse into his soul.  He was the first dog I'd ever seen smile.  And oh, what a smile. 

Victoria was his mother.  She rescued him from an abusive home.  She fought for him then loved and nurtured him back to health.  She was his and he was hers.  This was a perfect example of what it means to be a mother.  

I have fallen in love with this mother.  After reading her blog and her book, she has helped me appreciate my role with reverence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=022DFKOLs7w

My sisters (and SIL's), and dear friends, have taught me a lot about motherhood.  It is without doubt that I know I would not be the mother I am without their loving guidance.

(I'll post some more examples on Mothers in the days that lead up to Mothers Day.  I fear my post was getting way too long.)

And he walks

Who would have thought that tonight when I dressed Andrew in his Christmas pajamas in May he'd walk.

The girls wanted their hair in sponge curlers. I begrudgingly agreed. After blow drying their hair I bent down to grab the curlers. Karissa was playing with Andrew and had him standing holding his hands. Then she let go. For some reason I started to count. When I got to 15 he sat down. Karissa and I looked at each other astonished. We screamed and clapped. Andrew smiled and laughed.

Karissa called for Matt. We all sat on the floor. I steadied Andrew and let go. He took 2 wobbly steps towards Karissa landing in her lap. We cheered. Andrew laughed. I steadied Andrew again and let go. This time he was headed for Matt. He took 6 steps before collapsing on Matt. We cheered!

What a fun night that I will never forget!

Immediately following this video we called our neighbors down to see it for themselves. Andrew performed and walked right to Brock and Lauren. We cheered. Andrew laughed.