Hallee's Birth Story

My pregnancy had progressed with literally no issues.  I had visited the chiropractor regularly until it wasn't going to do any good any more due to ligaments being so loose and I contribute that to how good my legs, back and hips were feeling.

I had talked to my doctor about inducing me early due to my quick progression once my water breaks.  My greatest fear is having a baby at home while I ask Devynee to call 911 and try to not scar my two youngest for life.  My doctor agreed to induce, and put me on the schedule for Wednesday, September 28th.  I was due on Friday, September 30th, so this wasn't very early, but I figured that if things started progressing, I would just ask to get it moved up.

As it turned out, I did have some rather intense contractions that week, but nothing with regularity.  When the doctor checked me at my appointment on Tuesday, I was dilated to a 3, which was good news to me.

I called the hospital at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday and got the approval to come on in.  Ronnie and I made it to the hospital at 7:30 a.m. (Ron's parents had flown in the night before and didn't get to our house until close to 2 a.m. so the morning was a whirlwind of instructions and map drawing). I was in a bed close to 8 a.m. and was immediately started on antibiotics and the cervical gel stuff (I was GBS+). After an hour in bed, I was allowed to get up and walk.  It felt so good, as the gel had started regular contractions and I hate laying in bed through them.

Ron and I walked and walked and walked until I had to be monitored or started on a new dose of medicine (20 minutes out of every hour).  My doctor this time was fairly cautious and given how quickly things go once my water is broken, wanted all of the antibiotics in my body before he did that.

At 2:15 p.m. the doctor checked me (I had made it to a 6) and then broke my water.  Immediately, the contractions intensified.  As usual, most of my pain was in my back and I had Ron apply counter pressure this time which made it so much better since they wouldn't let me out of bed for the first 20 minutes after my water was broken.  By the time that 20 minutes had passed, I couldn't have moved if I wanted to. At 2:50 I knew it was time to start pushing and they called in the doctor and the delivery set up.  I resisted pushing through one contraction while they got all of that done and then pushed three times to have a beautiful baby GIRL! It was 2:59 p.m.

She surprised me as I really thought she was a boy this entire pregnancy (but I have been wrong before). She was healthy, crying and looked just like she belonged in our family.  My brother in law joked this time that we should just send the exact same newborn picture with every kid since they all look the same anyway.

We were able to do skin to skin while all of that other afterbirth stuff was going on.  After we were a little more settled, she nursed like a champ, and we got all cleaned up and ready to move rooms.  She was finally measured and weighed (she hadn't left my arms this entire time) and was 19 inches long and 7 lbs. 8 oz.

After a bit of deliberation, we determined she was Hallee (pronounced like Halle Berry) Marie. We are so happy she has joined our family and the kids were all thrilled to meet her that evening. In fact, this was the first time that the previous youngest kid (Brynlee this time) was NOT interested in me at all when she came to the hospital, but just wanted to hold the baby.

Other birth stories:
Easton
Kendree
Devynee
Brynlee

Instagram: September 2016

Friday night Ron and I had a hot date (a new gun for me!) and then P.F. Chang's for dinner. As we were checking in at the restaurant, a guy came up to Ronnie and said "Uh, dude? You have a praying mantis on your back." Before I helped him get it off, I had to document.

Saturday, I was able to join my parents and all siblings not serving missions ;) for the Fort Collins LDS Temple open house. Such a wonderful and beautiful building. IT was great to be there with the people I grew up with.

After the temple, we girls ditched the boys and did some shopping (shoes! jewelry!) and then visited my Great-Uncle Jerre and Great-Aunt Jean. IT was great to see them! Finally, we stopped at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse for a little Wizard of Oz action. Such a fun day! Picture documentation was sorely lacking from most activities.

To finish off our Labor Day weekend, we went camping at the ranch. Getting a fire started was the first task.

We had lots of fun on the 4-wheelers! Easton reluctantly wears the pink helmet as it is the only way he can ride on his own. Brynlee was tired and slept on Ronnie's machine for 20 minutes as we drove back to camp.

Our 4-wheeling destination at the ranch today was Quartz Hill which, as you may assume, is a hill completely covered in quartz stones. We have never taken the kids there before (I didn't even know it existed until last fall) and their reactions did not disappoint. They would run from shiny and glittery stone to shiny and glittery stone exclaiming and squealing as they went. Luckily we had a limited amount of saddle bag room for transportation of treasures or Kendree would have Brough the entire hill.  Added bonus: sighting a massive mossed int he girls camp on our way (blurry picture due to distance from said moose).

Brynlee spends at last 30 minutes a day looking through our @chatbooks. They are worth every single penny.

37 weeks! The strangers have started stopping me in the store to ask how much longer I have, so I must look ready to be done. So far, no random belly touches though, so ask away, I say! My favorite is when they assume that Brynlee is my oldest and this is my second and then I tell them this is my 5th. The looks are gold. Pure gold.

One of the dang cats climbed up inside the car somewhere (axle?) and rode the entire way to my doctor appointment this afternoon. We heard her meows when we to out in the parking lot, coaxed her out and left her in the car. Devynee got to snuggle her for the ride back home. I still can't quite believe I actually have cats.

Finished one quite for each gender. These everyday quilt are washed, folded and ready. Next on to the milky blankets and then "special" quilts.

38 weeks. Still feeling remarkable well. Baby is so active it makes me a little worried about what things are going to be like outside my belly.

Minky blankest and loves for both genders. (that turtle fabric has me hoping for a boy.)

The boys headed to Utah this morning for the BYU game so we are having a "girl party" today. Soccer games in the morning, a trip to our amazing library and a little movie and popcorn time this afternoon. (This is the FIRST time Brynlee has ever sat for any amount of time in front of the tv. I am positive I will be unable to replicate it without her bigs sisters around new week). #ijustwant20minutestomyself

Sometimes, you craft it up with a good friend and your projects turn out even cuter than you hoped.

The boy "special" [read: bedding matching] quilt is complete. The bedding itself has been done for FIVE years (since I was pregnant with Devynee). To be honest, I didn't even think I'd get this far on my to-do list so I don't have the fabric purchased yet for the girl bedding/quilt. Looks like I know what I'm doing this week.

A little seesaw action while the other two kids have soccer practice.

Baby girl "special" quilt is done! I am in love with it, so if this baby is not a girl, we may need to have a girl pronto. ;)

Devynee got new bigger pinker glasses today and is thrilled!

Baby GIRL has arrived! Hallee (middle name TBD) Lopez. 2:59 p.m. 7 lbs. 8 oz. 19 inches (Short "a" sound)

Instagram: May 2016

A little bump picture for documentation. 18 weeks with baby 5!

Ready for a scooter ride! #sobig #18months

Back yard steps built by Ron and my amazing father. One step closer to final inspection next week! #ifonlythelistthatisleftwasntsolong #trexsoweneverhavetosandthem

Happy Mother's Day to the most wonderful lady I know! I'm so grateful for her example, faith and love.

We got to celebrate this great guy yesterday! We love him like crazy and look forward to many more years!

Granite is all installed. Hooray for progress.

Devynee graduated from the South High School preschool yesterday. She loved every minute. Now on to the district's Pre-K program next year! Obviously, the sun was a little bright today.

Waking up to this view for the first time. Love it! #newhouse #movingstinks #wehadawesomehelp

A cuter Kindergarten graduate, you never did see.  We are so proud of our Kendree girl and how she has thrived in school this year! Pictured with her beloved teacher who I love more than words can express. She was the perfect teacher for Kendree. Encouraging and developing the strengths of Kendree's lively self while teaching her to channel her energy in productive ways. Seriously, I wish I could take her with me to our new school next year.

First and last day of 2nd grade! It's been a great year. Bring on summer!

First and last day of Kindergarten! Can't believe we are already done. Here's to a great summer!

Kids learning to write is my favorite.

18 weeks

Pregnancy as you get older is no joke.  I'm only 33 and I often think of all of the women that have had babies when they are older than me.  They are rock stars.  Around 15 weeks, my right hip and butt started acting up all the time.  My leg would go numb when I moved it certain ways and at times I had no movement of my leg possible.  Thankfully, the chiropractor fixed me right up after a few weeks of visits and I began to feel much better.

Other than that pain, I have no complaints.  My sickness was very minimal this time around.  The second trimester is always my favorite.

Names as usual are a struggle.  I really dislike naming babies.  So much pressure. At least we have a long way to go before we need to worry about that.

Curious about previous pregnancies?
Brynlee at 16 weeks
Devynee at 16 weeks
Kendree at 17 weeks
Easton [not documented]

Instagram: April 2016

Baby #5 on the way!
And for those who wonder:
Yes, this was on purpose.
Yes, we know how this happens.
Yes, we are excited!

Brynlee was apparently not going to make it past lunch time today. I love that she used a balloon instead of her favorite blanket.

Sometimes you catch your baby "reading" (complete with babbling) to herself and have to document it.

A Kendree story that has to be told:

Scene: Kendree, Brynlee and I are snuggling on the couch and Kendree is stroking Brynlee's arm.

Kendree: I wish my arm was as soft as Brynlee's is.

Mom: Babies have really soft skin, your skin was that soft when you were a baby.

Kendree: But it isn't anymore.

Mom: Well, you are getting bigger and when you get older you get more hair and your skin has to be a little tougher because you are outside running around, etc.

Kendree (with a look of absolute disbelief on her face): YOU MEAN I AM TURNING INTO A WEREWOLF?!?!?!?

And this is where I had to turn away for a few minutes and compse myself and then continued to reassure her that she was not turning into a werewolf. Phew.

House is getting closer to being done! Rock is almost done on the outside, we're waiting on countertops on the inside and then it's cleaning and carpet (roughly). About a month out from moving!

I got this lovely souvenir last night at the hospital. I issued my formal apology to Ronnie for ever doubting that his kidney stone was as painful as he professed 6 years ago. #somuchworsethanlabor #feelingalotbettertoday #ihavethebestneighborsever

It's hard to tell, but Brynlee scrubbed down this whole scale with great concentration this morning. Such a hard little {naked} worker!

A little church snow-shoveling with dad. #bighelper #sometimes

An Announcement

We are very excited to announce Baby #5 is on his or her way! I'm due September 30th and feeling great.

Ronnie put this entire announcement all together on his own.  I sure do love him.