Kennedy Elizabeth Rasmussen (picture over load)

 This is me waiting for my arms to warm up so they can give me an IV

This is where the nurse blew 3 of my veins because I was dehydrated so we had to wait for the anesthesiologist.

  

This is Chris all ready to go...

So we ended up doing a C-section and it couldn't have gone any better.  It was a fantastic experience, I went in rested and a little nervous.  I was afraid of mostly the surgery.  Carter spent the night with Chris' parents and they brought him to the hospital.  We went on a date, Chris took me to see Moneyball and then California Pizza Kitchen.  We both slept in and we were not rushed to get to the hospital.  

We got there about 10:30 am and were scheduled to go in noon but we were pumped for an emergency c-section.  Carter came and hung out before we went in.  He was a little hesitant but he got over pretty quickly.  They came and got us and off we went.  I have to say get a spinal block.  Even if you do a vaginal birth do a spinal block.  It is instant and it hurt way less than the epidural did.  Plus it doesn't last that long.  Then the other thing that they did was ask if I wanted a mirror so I could watch.  I wanted to say no but Chris said yes and if I didn't want to watch just shut my eyes.  So glad I had it. I was able to watch the entire thing and it allowed me to see what was happening when I was feeling pressure or tugging or pulling.  I stayed very relaxed. Chris took pictures.

Due to the cool and graphic nature be advised and no you can not see anything you shouldn't.  

 The forceps they used to pull apart and open to get in there to pull Kennedy out.

There is her head.

 Half of her coming out.

 Pulled all the way out

Getting cleaned out.

Now if Chris would have stayed with me you would have seen them pull out the placenta and then pull out my uterus.  The uterus was the coolest because they squeezed out all of the fluids and blood and took it way down to size.  Which means hardly any bleeding after.  The only part I didn't watch was them sewing me up and cutting me open.  I was so exhausted after she came out that I just laid there and closed my eyes.  

I was able to hold her from the OR to the room and then I passed her off to Carter. When we were rolled into the room Carter was crying.  He had fallen right before we got there and he was tired from not getting a nap. then he saw me and he was asking "why is mommy sad" because I looked a little pale and  I started to cry because I was just so happy. He loved holding her and he didn't want any help.  He kept telling Chris "Stop it Daddy"  Then Gma rass took him home and we went upstairs to recovery.

This time around I was getting up and moving so much faster than before.  I was sore by say two and then at the end of the day I am sore but I am bending and picking up carter and doing laundry.  It feels awesome and I have Chris here for 2 weeks so that is even nicer.  

 8lbs 14 oz

 21 1/4 inches

 The 3 of us while I am being stitched up.

Aunt Emmy made her this hat.

 Aunt Emmy and Uncle Randy

 As Chris would say "His 2 best girls sleeping"

 Carter did not like to sit with me in bed.  If I sat with him on the chair he was ok but he did not like the bed.

 Gma Morgan, Tabitha and Gma Kae

 John and Angie Mazza holding her.

 Mommy, daughter time.

 Our special dinner they did for both Chris and I 

 The best big brother.  Loves holding her.

 This little jacket and blanket was what I came home in, and now she gets too.

 Waiting to leave and can not wait.

 When we came home We had Kennedy give Carter a present.  A new woody doll.  When you ask him who gave it to him he will say 'Kennedy'  

Not the best picture but it is our family.

I am feeling blessed and loved.  I am so happy and content with what God has given me and I can not help but give thanks every second I have got.

The Business of Being Born

There is a documentary of what a birth can be like.  Not what it will be like but what it can be like.  The power your body has to host a baby, and prepare it to come here.  It is pretty amazing and intimidating if you think about it.  In this film I was able to learn so much of what you can do and so much of what your body can do.  In the end, you are not in control, your body is.

When I had Carter, I went 3 weeks early, my water broke and 30 hrs of non-intensive labour, my baby came out of my body with an 8 in incision.  Not how I really wanted it to go, but i didn't really have  a plan.  I made no effort to determine what I wanted to do or how I felt.  The only thing I know now after is I did not want the same out come.  Let me explain what outcome I mean...

When  you are awake for 30+ hours and you have no food and you labour your pretty beat, add a crappy epidural and then surgery your body will kind of freak out.  Well that is what happened with mine.  I was in such bad shape, Meaning I was have seizures and shaking so bad from the trauma that I was in a cloud looking down, watching my family pass my baby around, crying and taking pictures and rejoicing his presence.  I lay there completely wrapped up and the only thing you can see is my face, not even my hair.  My mom feeding me water and Ice chips.  I felt like I was not even there and I was broken hearted that I was missing this moment with my husband and son.  I DO NOT WANT THAT, AGAIN.

I can not control what my body did.  I can not control that I went 3 weeks early and never made it past a 3 and 70% effaced.  I feel I put to much on myself this time.  I wanted so badly to have a different experience that I only thought vaginal birth, no c-section.  What I am forgetting is that this has been a different experience.  I was in shape when I got pregnant, I have been having contractions and labour in my back.  I was sent home from the hospital because within the hour and a half I was there I didn't change in dilation.  I made it to my weekly appointments.  I had my membranes stripped.  None of those things I was able to experience with Carter. I look back and I am grateful.

When having a c- section you can have a vaginal birth if you meet certain requirements, and i happened to meet certain requirements.  So we planned on TRYING FOR A VAGINAL BIRTH.  With all my appointments including the 2 this last week, my contracting for hours, my labour in my back I am still at a 1 cm and 50% effaced.  You have to pick a schedule time for a last resort c-section.  So we picked one for the due date the 27th, Friday.  Then when we found out that family was coming to town, 2 sisters we thought if we schedule it earlier then we would be home from the hospital by the time they got here.  So we moved it 3 days up, because you stay in the hospital 3 days.  I know that to other women who have delivered babies that 3 days can change something.  I have a hard time understanding that.  What more am I to do ( that I haven't tried) that in those 3 days it will make a difference.  Why am I trying to force something on my body that so far has not happened.  I have the greatest doctor to, she made me in charge of the decision.  I am healthy the baby is heathy." You can wait, you can schedule the c-section whatever you decide I will be there."  There was never, "you will never deliver vaginally, you will never progress past what you have.  Lets just make things easier and schedule it."   Which so many OB's tell woman and make their lives ( the doctor) easier to just have it scheduled.  After so many tears and frustration we, Chris and I are having a baby tomorrow.  She is coming and we are ready for her.  I can not please anyone who was fortunate to have a body do what is natural and deliver a baby vaginally.  I can not compare my body with there's and I can not be worried that they all think 3 days makes a difference.  In the end.  I am having a baby and she will be beautiful and perfect.   Lets just hope that my body will do better since I will be going in rested and ready.  Let's hope my experience after having surgery will be joyful and nothing like Carter's.  I will hold that baby, I will get to take care of that baby I will pass that baby around and I will not be the one watching this time around.

By the way, even if you have had a baby or are going to, you need to see this documentary, "The Business of being born"  get it from the library, the internet or maybe netflix.  I wish I had know so much more than I did.

Christmas Eve and Day 2011

Christmas Eve we spent the day with Chris' family.  We went to Alpine and Chris and his parents did this little hike right by there house that takes about an hour round trip and it is so beautiful.  Carter and I stayed at the house and took a little nap.
We traveled down to temple square for the annual lights on temple square.  We had a great time and Carter loves the lights and the Christmas trees.

We went with Gma Rass, Bob, Kae, Emily, Randy and Gma Morgan.  Chris gpa Morgan has been in the hospital for 3 weeks and they finally just found the cancer and he had surgery and now he will start chemo and radiation soon.  He just got sick one day.  He was definitely missed.

Christmas day we had a wonderful time.  Carter woke up  and had a great time.  He got a kitchen that I bought at a consignment sale, a mickey mouse T-shirt, a cars pillowcase I made him.  I will post the video.  Then we got ready and when to Alpine for presents with the Rasmussen's.

Carter got a lunch bag from his gma Kae.

Carter and his gma kae with his new pajamas

The whole Rasmussen clan comes over for lunch on Christmas day.  They have been doing this for over 20 yrs.  His cousin Randy and his Aunt Michelle make chili verde.  It is so yummy. 

Carter with his cousin Ledger.  He wanted to hold him so i put him on his lap and I held his hand just in case he decided he was done.  And He just sat there and was so calm and loving to him and Ledger who is a little mover, just sat there and smiled at Carter.

 Then we traveled to my family house for dinner, presents and games.

 My sister Tabitha and Mom.

I didn't take many pictures.  I ment to but it just didn't happen.  I know others took some I just need to get it from them.  Carrie my oldest is from D.C. and she was here for the months of Nov and Dec. It was good to have her here with us and for Carter to get to know her. 

I am lucky to be with my family on this special holiday.  Things will change this coming year and we soaked up as much family as we can.  We love you all.

Me 31!

Well this year I turned 31.  I know I can't believe it myself.  I am also 34 weeks here.  I lovc banana cream pie and not cake.  So I always get pie and then we have cake for everyone else.  We played games at my mom's house and ate dessert.  Melanie, Jason and the kids came earlier for pizza.

Every year I get flowers from my dear friend Sterling in Chicago.  Chris figures it's one holiday he doesn't have to get me some.  I think they are beautiful.

Early that day at church I was released from my calling.  I was in Young Women's.  I served 2 1/2 years as the secretary and the 6 months as the Laurel Advisor.  I fell in love with those girls.  We had the greatest times together.   I was looking forward to bringing the baby in but it looks like she will come with me to Relief Society.  My new calling is Relief Society teacher.

I will miss these girls most of all.  They will always be a part of me.

Chris also made my birthday a big deal.  He made it an entire weekend.  He called out friday and then he took me out saturday night.  We went to dinner with Melanie, Jason and Bruce and then to see Sherlok Holmes.  He is into birthdays which I like.  I think birthdays are a big deal and I am glad I don't have to convince my husband that it is a big deal.  He also got me a pedicure, manicure.
I love him and Carter more than anything. I am very lucky.

Festival and Such

Another year with Festival is here and it turned out great.  I didn't get a chance to take pictures of the trees I loved.  I was able to help out on set up day and opening night.  We took Carter 3 different times, he loved it.  He would get really excited and not wan to leave that tree that he loved and then we would convince him there was another tree he would love.  I love the gingerbread house's, but this year I was surprised on how there not any big ones.  Usually there are.

Carter played Joseph in Nursery 2 weeks before Christmas at Church.  He was lucky to have 2 wives that day.  He did such a  great job and he did all of his parts.  I couldn't believe how cute he was.  All the kids did a great job.

With my friends there are 4 of us that have a December birthday.  So Ingrid threw a Christmas party and threw in a baby shower birthday theme.  1 Friend had a baby and then Holly and I are due the same day.

31!

I had my birthday on Sunday, It was fantastic.  I am uploading pictures and then I will tell all.  I must say that MY HUSBAND is the best man that I know and he sure knows how to make a girl feel like the world is hers.

I also need to tell you about Jury Duty....Except some stories in the next day or two.

Thanksgiving 2011

For the first time in 12 years all of my sisters and brother were together with my parents.  Of course we each of added to the family but it was great to be together.

Caden at his thanksgiving performance.

All of my nieces and nephews

Me and my siblings (Emily Melanie Tabitha Bruce Carrie and I) Carter snuck in.

We had a wonderful thanksgiving and the kids had such a great time playing together.  My sister Emily put together some crafts for the kids to do while the others got dinner ready.  It was fun to do with her.  

I feel very blessed to have all of my family together but also in good health and good standing with each other.  We also have great talks and laughter with each other.  I also have to say that I love my parents.  I just feel very blessed.  

I also have to say that my son and husband bring me so much joy.  I can not wait for this little girl to come to our wonderful family.  I love my boys.

Later that night we went back to gma's and had dessert and played games.  It was a wonderful time with both sets of family.  I also am really grateful for my in-laws.  I have a great relationship with them and enjoy spending time with him.

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving.