Since we've been home

Isaac probably loves us or hates us all at this point in his new little life.

He either loves the endless amounts of kisses and squeezes and faces in his blurry little vision or he wishes deeply that we would leave him alone to sleep and to fill his diaper in peace. Regardless of what he thinks, we love him and we can't get enough of him.

I am so grateful that Marshall was home from work this week and was home to back me up on all the things. The boys have all been spoiled with the one on one they received from Marshall and I am a little worried of how my days will be once he is back at work. I SURVIVED today!(Seriously, pray for me!)

Isaac had only one day where I worried hard that it would never end. It was Tuesday, he was 5 days old and he cried and nursed and cried and nursed ALL day! ALL. DAY. LONG. I literally thought this was just him, this is just who he is going to be and we needed to buckle up for the next couple months, BUT after many silent prayers, he hasn't had a day like that since. He has been just like any other baby we've had in our home. Hungry, sleepy and sweet. He is up in the night as often as newborn should be and nursing as often as he is demanding. Which seems kind of demanding, but that is my job! 

I was able to do a couple hair appointments this week which I anticipated being a little crazy and stressful around his demanding schedule, but he cooperated fine and Marshall was there for him when needed. 

Our amazing friends have been bringing us dinner and it has been so appreciated. One less thing for us to have to think or worry about as we are transitioning to a 6 person family and we are SO grateful. Besides, everyones cooking is way better than my own. 

My mom has always given my children their very first baths once we are home from the hospital. She used to be an RN in the NICU up until last February when she retired. Watching her with Isaac has been really sweet- I can tell she really misses the teeny babies she used to care for. Caring and loving babies is so natural for her, she doesn't even have to think about how to do it. I am in awe of how gentle she is. Isaac of course didn't love his bath, but was perfectly content once he was warm and dressed. 

We are getting used to having another little person to care for 24/7 around these parts. It's amazing how natural it has been to have him home with us. It is almost like he has been with us so much longer than 10 days. I love the spirit in our home when we have a baby. I can tell the boys are trying desperately to be "big" and to be helpful- they are most definitely establishing their new places in our family and I am anxious to see how the days roll on with them as their relationships all form together. 

We took the boys to the park the other day when the weather was perfect and the boys were restless. I walked the path with Isaac in the stroller and Ezra by my side. Eli and Oliver were on the swings as Marshall pushed them. I waved to Marshall from across the way, he waved back. It was in that moment when it hit me how much harder it would be for us to come together in our days to make sure we are on the same page, that our needs are met together. There will be a different dynamic in our home as our family grows and as each child grows a little older. But I am excited because I feel like Marshall and I come together better and stronger within every year. I am grateful to my mom for watching the boys for us so we could go on a quick date alone.

Being a mother to boys has been such a tremendous adventure and blessing. Filled with countless moments to build me as mother, a wife and a person. I am learning something new everyday!

Here are a couple Random photos from Marshalls phone and mine from the last couple weeks.

:::Isaac Beirne Abrahamson:::

All of my children were born between 35-36 weeks. When I made it to 37 weeks, my body was done. When I made it to 38 weeks, my mind was losing it and my body couldn't take it much longer. I started to feel like I was claustrophobic in my own skin. I was so limited in every movement I made and everything hurt. I was no longer sleeping at night. I would waddle around in the night, testing our every position I could manage on every soft surface in our home. I even slept sitting up with pillows up my back and behind my neck with my swollen feet planted on the ground.When I made it to 39 weeks and my doctor suggested an induction, I immediately agreed. I was almost emotionally over the edge at that point. I complained daily to Marshall (bless his heart for dealing with me- but I was so miserable) In the last days of my pregnancy, anytime anyone would ask how I was doing, I couldn't help but blink back tears because I wasn't doing well (I was being overly dramatic now that I think back, but any woman that pregnant has to agree with me, right sisters?!). I worked in the salon up until the morning I went into the hospital for my induction which helped me pass the time and plow through the last month of pregnancy which helped tremendously in a lot of ways.

The date of induction (7/6/17) wasn't exactly convenient with how Marshall's work projects in the office were panning out and we knew he would have to go into work. It worked out that my little sister, Kelly, was able to pick me up at 5:30am and take me to the hospital. Marshall was able to get the boys going for the day and his mom (and dad!) was able to take over for the day while Marshall headed into work to finish up some odds and ends. I kept him updated with everything that was happening while in the hospital. 

Being induced was such a crazy experience. All of my other deliveries were spontaneous and preterm- like little surprises. This time around, I was able to wake up, shower, shave my legs, style my hair and even have fresh makeup! I was even up late cleaning and organizing our house for when I would be away. I kind of loved it. (No, really- I REALLY loved it.)

My sister and I made it to the hospital right on time. 6am. They checked me in, got IV's going and things started moving fast. I was dilated to 3 before starting the pitocin- which is a great starting off point. They started my pitocin at a 2 which is almost nothing (goes up to 24) I started progressing fairly quickly and by 8am, my doctor broke my water to get things moving "naturally" without having to up my pitocin. I was managing my pain, but knowing how quickly I normally progress, I asked for my epidural almost immediately. When the anesthesiologist came, I was really missing Marshall. He was on his way but he is usually always there to hold me still when they poke my back. I knew what to expect with the epidural as I have gotten them before, but this was the first time I panicked. As he was working through my back, he said, "Now, you will feel a little twinge.." and immediately I felt the gnarliest pressure and pain twinge move immediately on the right side of my body all the way down to my toes. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but I couldn't even control my reaction to this. I immediately was gasping and clinging my fingers to the edge of the bed letting everyone know the pain I was experiencing. Something was not right. The anesthesiologist immediately corrected the problem and remained incredibly confident and professional. He then taped up my back to make sure everything was secure and not going to move. I was relieved when the pain was gone and my epidural kicked in. So relieved in fact, I peed the bed... like soaked it... completely... Before the catheter could be placed. I was so embarrassed, But I had no control! My sister and I couldn't stop laughing about it ( I was so glad she was with me through all this- she lightened the mix of energy in the room and made me so much more comfortable.)

Marshall was there shortly after getting the epidural and the bed wetting. (haha) My adrenaline was in full force and I couldn't help but shake. I asked him to hold me knowing if he held me, I would stop and I did! I didn't want him to let me go but it got awkward....for him. probably.

I had a nurse and a nurse in training which was kind of awesome. They were so thorough and by the book and they didn't take their eyes off my for a second. Which was truly a blessing- They noticed immediately that the baby's heart rate was dropping down to 70 when I was having contractions, they came running in and threw oxygen on me and moving me into different positions to get his heart rate back where it needed to be. (They really did a great job keeping calm, but I was so scared) 

I had a very posterior cervix up until this point - which meant he was pretty far up and needed to come down- he had made his way down most the way and I would need to push him out the rest of the way (at least that's what it felt like) I was ready to push and felt a lot of pressure when my doctor arrived.

My doctor, my nurses, Marshall, and my sister huddled around me as they prepared the energy for what was going to happen next. I was finally relaxed and ready to push and prepare to meet our littlest boy. 

He made me work extremely hard. He wasn't coming out easily because of his body placement, the nurses had to move his body by pushing him around on my belly. It was very uncomfortable. Thankfully, I had an awesome epidural because I could tell by the pressure that this was going to hurt the next day (And I was right.. my entire body felt like it got hit by a train) I pushed for over an hour, which is a long time for me, It was almost like having my first baby again (not to mention, he was definitely a much larger baby than my others.) Everyone in the room kept talking about how swollen my bottom was and prepping me for the pain I would feel the next day. I knew what to expect, but was grateful for the heads up ;)

I was able to see the reflection of all the action happening through the relective framing on the lighting on the ceiling. I wasn't interested in seeing too much more than that, but it was amazing to watch the doctor patiently work to get his little body moving. He was sunnyside up and stubborn! My doctor was so great about not doing anything too invasive to get him out, she worked with my body and his to help him into this world.

 Everyone cheered me on and coached my pushes all the way to the end.

It's always so emotional to me to imagine the angels in the room who play such an active and present part in the birth of any child in the world. I am always so grateful to be such a vital part in this experience.

"You're doing it Kristy!! You are doing, it!! Here he is! Push Push Push!! YAY!!!-- now light pushes....! YAY!! Good JOB!!!! You did it!!" " He is here!! He is Beautiful!"

I looked over my shoulder to Marshall and my sister, with tears rolling down my sister's cheeks and her hands held infront of her face and Marshall's wrinkles in his forehead and watery eyes, I knew I did it. I did it! He was here! 

The angels and the nurses worked around me as they placed his heavy and warm little body on mine.

THAT is by far the most amazing experience of birthing a child.

 There is nothing like working your own body to help another body exit and then holding that body on top of the vessel that he was created, nourished and grown.

My heart and my soul was filled with a love that I feel tremendously blessed and chosen to experience. I have these moments as a Mother where I know for absolute certain that I am loved by my Heavenly Father and know he knows these little spirits and knows me enough to send them to our family. He trusts me with them for their life on earth. 

This is such a rich and rewarding honor.

Marshall cutting the cord.

SO happy my sister was able to grab the camera and take some photos right after he was born. It was like a surprise gift when I loaded these photos onto my computer. Such treasures.

The next day, the boys were so eager and so excited to come and meet their little brother.

They couldn't wait to get their hands on him. 

We are anxious to get settled in at home as a family of 6! I am looking forward to recovering and getting back into the grind as a busy mom of these busy boys. I am also looking forward to enjoying the rest of the summer.

Here are some photos taken at the hospital.

Including our social media announcement that I couldn't help but share even before he had a name.

Isaac Beirne Abrahamson

(Marshall gave him his first name and Beirne is my mother's maiden name. We really wanted to give him a hawaiian name, and giving him my mothers name seemed to fit perfectly.)

Our Fourth of July.

We kept things pretty simple over here. Besides wearing some patriotic colors and an impromptu photo shoot taken inside the walls of ( a section) of our newly built fence (courtesy of Marshall) We really didn't feel up to doing too much.( Our poor kiddos, although they loved the day)

We are needing a new grill and haven't had a chance to pick one up, so instead of doing our usual grill out, we picked up an all american lunch from Wendy's. We had a little picnic on the deck and then afterwards, the boys ran to the hardware store with Marshall while Oliver and I took a little nap.

After they got home, I worked inside the house on some chores and waited for Oliver to wake up. Marshall continued to work on the fence, he took last week off to work on it and is about half way through. It is looking really good. I am anxious for it to be completed.

Because it was so hot, we set up the mini pool for the boys. 

I can't believe how much fun they have with this little plastic pool. It totally wears them out, but there is water thrown everywhere and laughing and squealing and usually more crying than I would like.

(Ps. I am sure Oliver has a swimsuit somewhere... but I don't care to look for it. So a swim diaper works)

They played until they couldn't handle it anymore and until everything was soaked. We cleaned up and had a simple dinner of corn dogs and leftovers (sounds so sad!) but the boys were happy!

We normally pick up fireworks every year to fire up in the back yard, but we had some from last year that we knew we could get away with and skipped picking anymore up. We drove to the park by our home and lit them up in the parking lot. The boys huddled next to the van holding each other. I was surprised they were afraid!
Since we only had a few, we kept the excitement high by getting a car wash. haha! They loved it!

This was by far the most laid back holiday we have had in a while and it was good to not be running around crazy. It was nice to just be home as a family (of 5) Our next holiday there will be 6 of us!


It is getting really exciting over here as we anticipate the arrival of baby #4.  This pregnancy has been a total mind trip. I cannot even believe that I am still pregnant! I will be 39 weeks tomorrow! 3 weeks past what I have ever gone! To be honest, this has been my hardest pregnancy. I am far past uncomfortable and just plain miserable. I am REALLY looking forward to delivering and holding this boy in my arms. Prayers are definitely appreciated to get through the last little bit.

Happy July!

My Baby Sister got Married!

The weather was forecasted to be very stormy up until the day of the wedding. It changed, thankfully, but to a steamy 98 degrees and windy! The ceremony was held at Irvine Park in St. Paul and it couldn't possibly have been more beautiful. I had the honor of being a part of her bridal party as a Matron of Honor and my boys were able to introduce her down the aisle before she walked down with my mom and dad. I choked back tears as to not ruin my makeup and so I wasn't a hot pregnant mess up there totally overcome with emotion and losing it. My sister looked absolutely radiant. Her groom, Mike looked so happy and at ease, I thought for sure he was going to burst from excitement and pride. Their vows were perfect promises to each other and we were all absolutely touched to be in their moment with them. The reception was beautifully decorated and the kids were found immediately on the dance floor. They couldn't contain their little bodies. The music, the speeches, the company, the food was all perfect. It was such an amazing day. I am so happy for my sister and my new brother in law and it is obvious how much they love and care for each other. I am so excited for the life they have ahead of them.

Here are some photos from their amazingly talented photographers at Shuttersmack.

Not in any particular order, but beautiful, nonetheless. 

And also, some taken with our phones from the busy day.

Enjoy.