Flashback Friday: St. George, UT August 2011

We got a new computer last Friday so I was unable to do a post. But I sure am loving my 27 inch monitor and wireless keyboard, mouse and printer! I actually have to tilt my head back to look UP to see my browser :)

Here are the highlights of our trip to southern Utah a week after I gave birth to JJ. Jake and Cooper were already down there visiting my parents.

We left on a Friday around 1pm and stopped in Nampa, ID and crashed with our friends the Hamiltons from our Forest Grove days. Technically, Alison and I are actually related! Distantly so, but thanks to my dad's work on our family history, we realized this when we were students there. That was a fun, "small world" discovery.

To make our goal of St. George by dinnertime Saturday, we had to leave Nampa really early. Before the Hamiltons were up, actually. We didn't have much of a visit, but we were so grateful for their hospitality.

We hit Lehi around lunch time and gratefully were fed real food (as opposed to take out) by my sister in law, Chris. I was able to nurse JJ and we were super happy to stretch our legs before getting BACK in the suburban for another 4-5 hours. Before we left Lehi, however, we stopped by the Urgent Care in town where Jared's dad works. JJ was "too tiny" by Jared's standards and consequently Jared was a little obsessed with checking his weight, so we swung by the "office" to do a weigh-in. Karcyn and Calvin didn't go in and were upset about that, so Doc came out with some candy and made a balloon dog for Karcyn and a balloon sword for Calvin. Back in the day when Doc had his own private practice in the midwest, he would make these balloon creations for his young patients. He also bartered--a turkey here, some fresh milk there. Those were the good ol' days.

Having a tiny baby has its perks. We didn't have room to bring a cradle or pack 'n play with us, so Grandma improvised with....a plastic rubbermade drawer! It was perfect!

Jake and Cooper enjoyed some quality time with Grandma and Grandpa Lee the week before we arrived. They went on lots of hikes and out to eat, saw "17 Miracles", had more treats and swam a LOT in their pool.

I believe the popular hiking spot was Snow Canyon.

As much as I miss the charm and magnificence of all things Alaska, I have to admit that southern Utah IS growing on me. It really is remarkable with the mountains and red rocks in contrast with the blue sky.

Jake's vacation took a dramatic turn to major "epicness" when he came across THIS in his path on one of their hikes with Grandpa.

As the story goes, Grandpa was taking pictures of a yucca plant. I guess that wasn't exciting enough for Jake so he continued down the trail on his own when he spotted a snake right in front of him. This is like a dream come true for Jake. If he could catch snakes all day, he would. An opportunity presented itself, so he picked it up. His first attempt landed him a snake bite in between his fore finger and thumb on his left hand. If you click on the picture you can see the puncture holes and blood from the bite. Jake said it didn't hurt too bad and calmly worked the snake to release his hand.

By that time, Grandpa and Cooper had arrived on the scene. Grandma, who was back at the house, was NOT pleased to hear after-the-fact that a snake was involved in their hike and that Jake picked it up without Grandpa with him. Jake tried to placate her by saying he knew it was a kingsnake (and therefore not poisonous) from some museum they had gone to just a day or two earlier. Apparently, if you go on a hike or drive in Alaska and see a moose, it's a success. And if you're one of my boys and in southern Utah (or anywhere for that matter) and find a snake, it's an epic day! Just glad I wasn't there.

One of the big things we did was take the kids into Zion's National Park. (Oh look, a picture of me and JJ who was 13 days old).

It's been almost 14 months since we did this and I can't remember what I wore yesterday, let alone the name of all the bus stops and mountains in Zion's, but this was one of them! Left to right...Cooper, Jake, Karcyn, Calvin and my dad.

And another.

Jake.

Cooper.

 

Me (with JJ in the front pack) and Karcyn.

Considering how HOT it was, I thought the kids did really good this day. Eventually, we had to throw Calvin in the backpack (which was intended for JJ but was waaaaaay too big for him--so glad I had the front pack). The good news is, the next time we go, the kids will be older :)

The last leg of our Utah trip was spent in Lehi with Jared's brother Kevin and his family (with Jared's parents close by). Their kids had already started school so we just kicked back and hung out. On Sunday, August 28th, we blessed JJ. This is a family picture taken later that day with my parents and my brother's daughter Kaitlyn in the purple dress.

We were so honored to have 4 of Jared's mission buddies take time out of their busy Sunday schedules and responsibilities to stand in the prayer circle during JJ's blessing. (That was a better turn out than our temple sealing!) They came from up and down the Wasatch Front  AND...St. George!

Other distinguished guests included my college roomate Sarah and her family, plus my cousin Mark and his wife and family and my Uncle David. It was a wonderful reunion, albeit super fast, and we didn't even know my uncle was in the area. He and Mark also joined the prayer circle. That brought the total to 10 (plus baby)! That's definitely a record for us and in a ward we didn't even belong to. We're so grateful for them letting us crash their meeting.

We traveled home on Saturday, Sept. 3nd...just in time to get home, unpack and throw the kids back in school on Tues. the 7th.

*Oh yeah, we weighed JJ again in Lehi on our way home and he was still measuring small. He was gaining, but not as much as Jared would have liked him to. So instead of resisting, I began supplementing with formula when we got back to Oregon. JJ weaned off nursing totally on his own at 4 months, in December.

  

 

 

 

 

 

I love to see the temple

For our family home evening activity this week we went to the Portland Temple Visitors Center. It's new this year and while Jake went several months ago in conjunction with a youth temple trip, our family hasn't been able to get there until last night.

Although a small space, the visitors center is SO beautiful and has a peace you feel the second you step through the door that only the Spirit can bring. It's filled with interactive areas equipped some sweet technology. It kind of reminds me of a spiritual OMSI :)

The kids really enjoyed selecting Books of Mormon in different languages that would automatically start to read aloud in that particular language and they could follow along on the TV screen above.

We saw the film on Families and all the kids (minus JJ--who doesn't sit still unless he's sleeping) were captivated by it the entire time. I love how the Church can create an 11 minute message that can be so moving and more edifying than 20 full length movies combined that come out of Hollywood. It truly is amazing how you can see the Lord's hand in everything.

Here we are at the statue of the Savior, right inside the entrance. He actually gives a short but compelling message to follow Him. Again, all the kids were alert and attentive while they listened to the voice from above. I appreciate how the screen behind the statue isn't just clouds or a blue sky. It's a beautiful backdrop representing the northwest. The kids were able to give Jesus a hug and feel the nail prints in his hands, feet and side.

And this...well...this is pretty much the Houghlings in a pictorial nutshell. Jake being the sweet big brother and holding JJ. Cooper smiling in the background. Karcyn doing her unprompted girly pose. Calvin always needing to the be center of attention (and insisting that his foot remain on the ledge of the statue so he can strike his pose). JJ smiling and reaching out to anyone who will take him. And interestingly enough...as they stand inside the reach of the Savior's arms, it kind of looks to me like He's smiling. And saying, "Here they are. Love them like I do." A good reminder for me.

We didn't do everything in the visitors center due to attention spans and the fact that it was past their bedtime already. Plus we wanted to go outside and look at the temple. The staff at the visitors center gave us a scavenger hunt for the temple grounds. There was one for the visitors center on the back of it, as well. So cool! We told the kids we could do that the next time we came.

This is MY favorite picture. For a couple years, Calvin and Karcyn have requested that I sing them the primary song "I Love To See The Temple" before bed. What a wonderful thing for them to finally see the temple up close with their own two eyes. You just can't help but look up when you're there.

Can you guess what Karcyn's pointing at? Yup. Angel Moroni. She wanted to make sure Calvin saw him too.

It was a gorgeous, perfect evening to be on the temple grounds. We only wish we could have stayed longer and part of me wishes we had come sooner, but we'll be back with our kids again.

The evolution of JJ

Don't everyone faint from shock. It's true. I'm attempting a re-entry into the blogosphere. In my defense however, the reason I started the blog 5 years ago was to update my parents who were overseas serving a mission as well as the rest of my family who continue to be scattered to and fro throughout the country. Since my parents have returned to the states, the urgency of communicating with them through the blog has, of course, lessened. I won't lie. Having my 5th child had a little something to do with it too!

Because the last year has been an amazing one for us, I'm not going to be satisfied by moving forward from where we are. I've decided to highlight parts of it by implementing "Flashback Friday" as I attempt to continue blogging from where we are now.

The first topic that deserves attention is our baby JJ (who, sadly, is not a baby anymore!). He is 13 months (and 3 days) old today. He has been such a delight and joy to all of us. This past year has gone by WAY too fast.

In addition to a "Welcome Home, Mom" message drawn on the driveway, this one is my favorite. I don't think Jake realized the irony of it, but I loved crossing the symbolic finish line after coming home from the hospital with JJ.

A week after giving birth, Jared, Karcyn, Calvin, JJ and I piled into the suburban and drove (yes, drove) to Utah. Our first stop was St. George. My mom had come up to help out with JJ's birth and when she flew back home, she took Jake and Cooper with her so they could hang out for a week before we joined them.

Talk about a small world...Kellie, my best friend from high school (in Anchorage, Alaska!) bought a house down the street from my parents without knowing they lived there also. I thought it was super considerate of them to arrange that for my benefit :) Kellie took these pictures of JJ when he was 10 days old while we were visiting. You can see more of her pictures on her blog at http://kelliemillerphotos.blogspot.com/

We've joked that I gave birth to Legolas from the Hobbit. He has one ear that is more pointy than the other and you gotta admit--he does look "elfish".

This is a now outdated family picture of us taken on August 28, 2011, on the day that JJ was blessed as Jared William Hough, by his dad Jared, in Lehi, UT (the second leg of our UT trip).

Calvin especially loved to help feed JJ and take care of him. With Karcyn in Kindergarten, Calvin was a big helper. True to form, we were supplementing with formula when JJ was about 5 weeks old.

JJ is a mommy's dream. Like his siblings, he was sleeping through the night around 6 weeks. He's so happy and loves being held! Fortunately, there are many people to hold him at home and at church. Here he is at 2 months old in my favorite outfit :)

Here he is at 4 months old for our Christmas Bo-Ho-Ho-ling activity with Grandma Lee. He started crawling right before he turned 5 months old and 8 months later has perfected the sport!

True to Hough form, we skipped a couple months without taking any pictures of our baby. (What the heck were we doing the first two months of 2012?) Here's JJ at 6 1/2 months old, eating, or rather, wearing his first solids. His first two teeth made their appearance at the beginning of February (we noticed it during the Super Bowl and I was crushed). I think this was about the time he stopped looking like a baby.

Jared, in his husband-awesomeness, took the 4 older kids and drove to Utah the last 5 days of Spring Break (and for General Conference) to give me a little break and some time with the little guy. Wow! That was a mommy dream! At 7 1/2 months old, JJ was helping me rearrange the kitchen. He had 3 more teeth.

The end of April we were headed out for a walk around the neighborhood one sunny Sunday afternoon. Actually, I think that was my birthday. At 8 1/2 months, JJ had 2 more teeth. And boy did he love to BITE and chew.

JJ often screeches. In order to be heard above the rest of our crew, I'm sure. I keep telling him that it's rough being the 5th child. (May, 9 1/2 months)

Remember the jingle from the 80s advertising a doll for boys? "My buddy (my buddy), my buddy (my buddy). My buddy and me!" (I hope the creator of that jingle was compensated well seeing as how I can still sing it 25 years later). That's the theme song for Jake and JJ. They are buddies to be sure. Most the pictures I have of JJ are actually WITH Jake. The engine and the caboose light up when they're around each other. Jake totally has the touch too. He can get JJ to sleep in church when I can't. He's very patient and kind with him. I'm so grateful for the love Jake shows his baby brother and look forward to the way their relationship will blossom as they get older. (June 2012, 10 months)

The beginning of June we took the kids out of school the last few days and drove (yes, drove again!) down to St. George, UT. This was JJ's second trip in 10 months. But he got to enjoy Grandma and Grandpa's pool this time.

He absolutely LOVES the water. I was excited to get him home into our subdivision pool. That kid is a fish. Even before we deliberately took him underwater (and after), he was putting his whole face in the water himself, complete with the dolphin kick and no crying at all. Maybe we'll put him in swimming lessons next summer :)

Did you know that the cup holders in camp chairs are a great snack holder for toddlers? JJ loved reaching for his Cheerios by himself. This was our family camping trip the middle of August at Lost Lake with my parents.

JJ's birthday was the Saturday that Jared and Jake returned from Scout Camp and my parents had taken Cooper on a trip down the Oregon Coast in their camper and weren't returning until early the next week right before this trip. So....that meant JJ got to celebrate his 1st birthday at campsite A4 up near Mt. Hood. Fortunately JJ didn't care. He loved opening his gifts, loved being on Grandma's lap and LOVED his cake.

JJ was a super cuddly baby and will still cuddle when he's tired and not attempting to scale you like a rock wall--and if you have a tie on, all the better for him! Here he is with Jake. JJ is our "Klingon" because he likes to hold on tight.

JJ you are such a sweet, happy baby. Thank you for making us smile!

A hunting we will go...

In an attempt to be more self-reliant and to cut back on the cost of meat, Jared bought a general deer tag and hunting license and invested his Wed. and Thurs. mornings this month (before work) to hunt in Vernonia with a friend who lives there. Sadly, it was a no-go for all those mornings. Too warm, no sightings whatsoever, too foggy, etc.

Yesterday was the only Saturday Jared could get up there and dedicate the day to it.

I got a call from Jared around 9am.

The good news: he shot a deer.
The bad news: it was the wrong one.

The good news: he was honest in reporting it immediately.
The bad news: he had to wait around for the authorities to come.

The good news: he didn't commit a crime.
The bad news: he committed a violation.

The good news: he was "only" fined $345 and was allowed to keep his tag, rifle, and ammo.
The bad news: there goes our Christmas budget.

The good news: (per Jenn) yesterday was his last day to hunt.
The bad news: (per Jared) yesterday was his last day to hunt.

Jared and his friend were in the truck when Rick spotted a buck down below in a wooded ravine. He told Jared to go around the front of the truck to get his shot. Jared walked around, saw the deer down below in some thick trees and took aim. The head at that time was behind a tree trunk. Jared took his shot.That's when Rick yelled from the truck window "You shot the wrong one!" Jared's like, "Whatdaya mean I shot the wrong one??" It was the only deer that Jared saw. Apparently the deer Rick had seen was a buck, but by the time Jared got positioned, the deer he saw was really a doe that had been behind the buck, so Rick didn't see it.

Unfortunately, Jared didn't produce a rookie shot...the bullet went right through the heart.

Fortunately, after calling the deer police, the authorities showed up within an hour. Jared knew he'd be fined but also knew he could lose his tag, and sometimes they confiscate your gun and ammunition too depending on the mood of the officer you get. We were told by friends that if Jared pleads guilty (which he fully admits to) some of the money from the fine could be returned to us. So we'll see. This quest to save money got awfully expensive, awfully fast. I'm thinking we should skip elk season next month!

When I told Jake that Jared had shot the wrong deer, Jake was bewildered. I clarified by telling him he shot a doe not a buck. Jake asked, "didn't he see the deer didn't have antlers?" I told him the deer's head was behind a tree. His confusion continued. "Then why didn't he reposition himself so he could see the head?" Good question Jake! ;)

Jared reports too that in all his days of hunting from his high school years until now...this is the first deer he's ever shot. Ever. And it was the wrong one. And I can't help but break out in song from the Sound of Music, "Do, a deer, a female deer. Re, a drop of morning sun. Me, a name I call myself..."

Baby Fun Results

We had several predictions for the baby to be born on his due date--8.11.11. However, he was born SHORTLY after midnight and most the predictions were after that. My cousin-in-law Dani predicted 8/11 at 2:33am. She was the closest...but she was over! (So sorry, Dani!)

So the winner of the date and time is our friend who lives down the street...Jean Gorton! She predicted 8/10 at 7:53pm and that was the last prediction for the 10th. Yay for you Jean!! That's $50 coming your way.

And the winner of the weight prediction for $25 goes to our other neighborhood friend, Julie Miller (who is busy with a newborn of her own). She was the first one to predict 6 lbs 11 oz. Jacob predicted 6 lbs 10 oz. and was kicking himself for being 1 ounce off. Well done, Julie. I would never have predicted that small. JJ is now our second smallest baby. In fact, our first, third and fifth babies were 6 pounders and our second and fourth were our 7 pounders. Cooper is VERY proud of the fact that he holds the record as our largest baby, tipping the scales at 7 lbs. 9 oz.

Thanks for playing, Everyone!

Fast & Furious

Okay, so fast and furious does NOT describe the last month of my pregnancy (or this post for that matter). More like slow and frustrating (hopefully the post won't be that way). It wouldn't have been so bad if the uncomfortable and painful contractions I spent weeks timing actually did something--like, oh, you know, send me into labor--and no matter how many kids you've had or not had, the last 4 weeks are always a waiting game.

Now toss in a tiny wrench...I tested positive for Group B strep, which I've never had. Apparently I'm not in danger, but it could harm the baby, so I would need antibiotics during labor and delivery. I've had the same OB since we moved here when Jared started PA school in 2004 and she even delivered Karcyn over her lunch hour. Dr. Hendrickson told me that because of the Group B strep, I needed to not labor at home like she suspected I would want to do (and she suspected correctly) and come in earlier...when the contractions were strong and 5-7 min. apart for an hour so they can give me the first dose of antibiotics and then a second dose 4 hours later.

There were days I timed contractions for 7 hours straight when they were 12-10 minutes apart then got as close as 5-7 minutes apart, but not for an hour. And they weren't as strong as they could be...a sign of true labor. And as much as I didn't want to keep looking at my watch, I felt I needed to be aware of all contractions because of the GBS development.

Toss in a second wrench...Dr. Hendrickson would be quitting her practice the beginning of August, so I would be seeing Dr. Bird for the last two appointments before my due date. On August 1st when I saw Dr. Bird the first time, I was measuring almost 2 cm.

Toss in a third wrench...we have a big family vacation planned a week after my August 11th due date--an immediate family reunion with my parents and then Jared's family and grandma that was planned over a year ago--before the baby was. We really wanted me to deliver earlier rather than later because of this...that and the fact that we're driving from the northwest corner of Oregon to the southwest corner of Utah, which could prove difficult after a vaginal delivery let alone a C-section.

My mom flew into town on Monday, August 8th hoping to be a grandma again. But there was no baby.

I saw Dr. Bird for the last time on Tuesday, August 9th. I was a good solid 2 cm. If I had been further dilated, like a 4, and soft, she would have broken my water. But here's the catch...I do not dilate until after my water has broken. And usually I go pretty quick after that. Stupid uterus and cervix.

Toss in a fourth wrench...I had a C-section with Jake so my subsequent deliveries have been overshadowed and somewhat tainted because of this. Dr. Bird knew of our Aug. 19th trip and knew that Friday the 12th was the absolute last day I could deliver. She knew I didn't want to have an elective C-section, so we discussed some "natural induction methods" because giving pitocin to a woman trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) isn't in anyone's best interest.

We decided on the least invasive method of induction...and for the life of me, I can't remember what it's called. But we can toss in a fifth wrench now. Dr. Bird was going out of town the next day for a week. Dr. Bennett would be on call for the week but there weren't any other doctors, or there would only be one. Dr. Bird asked me if I was up for being induced that night (Tues.). I said sure...let's get this show on the road! But of course, the birthing center was "full" with other inductions. So she said she'd leave a note for Dr. Bennett to call the hospital in the morning to see if I could get in and if not, they'd call on Thursday and if not, then Friday it would be. She knew I was capable of having a VBAC delivery because I'd done it 3 times already and that in this case it was just a timing issue. I certainly appreciate her doing everything she could to help me when I'm not even her patient.

I left the appointment feeling pretty dejected even though I usually go on my own fairly close to my due date and I was still 2 days out. But the impending trip and possible C-section if I stalled during the induction weighed heavily on my mind.

Wednesday morning, we waited around for the office to call to see if I could get on the schedule for an induction. Mom decided to take the kids (all 4 of them!) to see a movie. Brave woman. After they left, Jared called the office to see what the status was. The hospital was full with inductions, with 2 additional women waiting to get in. It was apparent that the only way I was going to get in to the hospital before Friday was to go on my own.

So Jared and I went walking. We walked about 1.5 miles around the neighborhood before he had to go to work. I contracted like crazy and it hurt, but of course the contractions quit when we stopped. Jared went to work and I napped for about an hour before the kids came back from the movie. Mom said they were great (sure...for her). She actually left them in the theater while she went and got snacks. The theater manager helped her carry the food and drinks back to their seats and was so impressed with how polite and well behaved the kids were. When my mom relayed this to me, I would have clarified to make sure the manager had the right row of children but mine were the only ones in there.

Karcyn and Calvin were acting like a 5 and 3 year old, so I took them for another mile walk around the neighborhood. Unfortunately, it wore me down more than them.

We went to bed around 10:30pm. A contraction woke me up around 11:40pm. (Jared says I've never been awoken by a contraction before). As I sat up to empty my bladder, I felt two small, almost imperceptible, pops in my abdomen. In the 8 steps it takes to get from my bedside to the bathroom, I was wet when I got there. I've never "wet" myself before. But I wasn't convinced my water broke because 1) it never has and 2) maybe I just fabricated the pops in my head. I had several contractions pretty close together after that for about 15 minutes. After changing, I climbed back in bed and I felt unsettled with that decision. I didn't want to go to the hospital under the assumption that my water might have broken. But waiting another 8 hours til morning wasn't the smartest idea either. It's not good for the baby once the membranes have ruptured and even worse for one whose mother has GBS. The contractions continued to come 2-5 min. apart and they were strong. Even though it had only been 30 minutes of this, we decided it was probably show time. Jared called the hospital to let them know we were coming and that my water might have broken and that I would need antibiotics.

We woke up my mom to tell her we were leaving. I also left her the phone numbers of two neighbors she could call later in the morning during a socially acceptable hour so she could come to the hospital and be there for the birth, assuming they admitted me. 'Cause you never know. I spent 3 hours "proving" I was in labor with Calvin.

We got in the van at 12:30am and drove to Tuality hospital. The contractions were picking up in intensity and consequently I had a little bit of road rage on the way--and I was the passenger. We got to the parking lot at 12:45. I had to stop outside the hospital door for a hard contraction when we realized we were on the wrong side of the hospital. Since it was after hours, we needed to enter through the ER doors, the next block down. So around we went, as fast as we could. I had to stop inside the hospital for another contraction.

We checked in at the birthing center at 12:50am. I was taken to a room in the back and was told to get into a gown. More contractions. The nurse checked me and I was 4 cm and she confirmed that my water had indeed broken. Good...there was still enough time to get the epidural that has eluded me the last 3 deliveries. What kills me is that they have to take blood work and check my platelet count before the anesthesiologist will come and administer the meds. The nurse said it would be about 30-45 minutes. What?? Do they know how long that is in "contraction time"?? Might as well be 45 hours! The contractions were getting closer together and increasing in intensity. I started to whimper and told Jared I didn't feel like I could make it that long. Maybe they could just shoot me and put me out of my misery instead.

After that, it's a fuzzy blur. I sat at the foot of the bed on the edge and closed my eyes and tried to will the pain away. Jared stood facing me with his hands on my shoulders as he rubbed them and my neck. I grabbed his arms and dug my fingers in when the contractions started. Apparently I leaned the side of my head into his arm too because he told me to take my earrings out so they wouldn't puncture him or my neck in the process.

The IV was in to give me fluids and to be ready in case I needed to go to the ER for a C-section (standard procedure for VBAC) and I guess my blood was drawn at the same time and sent to the lab to get that process going. The on-call OB, Dr. Bennett, came in shortly after. I don't think I ever really "saw" her. My eyes were clamped shut. I could hear her and Jared talking though. Somehow, I managed to sign the VBAC consent form that she put in front of me. And then the contractions became excruciating and unmanageable. My breathing was fast and shallow and panicked. The contractions were so hard and deep and close that I couldn't get on top of them nor could I just catch my breath with a minute of relief in between. I even punched poor Jared a few times and bless his sweet heart, I heard him say this was the worst time for a husband: because he couldn't do anything to help me.

It seriously felt like I was in transition--I've only experienced it 3 other times, but there's usually no mistaking it. Yet I was only 4 cm. just a few minutes prior. It was ludicrous to even entertain such a thought so I certainly didn't suggest it. I was already out of control and feeling like a fool. No need to seal the deal with that statement. I heard Jared tell the doctor that once my water breaks, the contractions are relentless. He told me the doctor said she was noticing that just in the short time she was there and asked how long it had been since I was last checked. He said "maybe 20 minutes." So once that current contraction eased up enough for me to be checked again, she announced, "Oh, you're a 9!" The elusive epidural eluded me once again. Dude, I didn't care. I was far enough now, I didn't need it. But one more contraction and I announced I needed to push. I don't remember this at all, but Jared told me I was checked again, I was complete, and the doctor said "Go ahead, I'm right here."

Except that I was on the very edge of the bed. Then I felt like I was laying flat on my back...a horrible position. Jared said the nurses were trying to get me further back on the bed and pull the foot of the bed off, get the drop cloths ready, get the mega light down from the ceiling, & put my feet in the stirrups, which I resisted. I heard them call for a baby nurse "stat" and somehow in the midst of all of that, I forgot how to push. I felt wickedly out of control...not a cool feeling. [I later joked with Jared that had we been a couple on TLC's "A Baby Story," they would have taped the labor and delivery and then the producers would have thrown it out because if it had been aired, NO woman would ever want to go through labor and delivery--ev.er. Jared said, "Naw, they'd just take the video, show it in all high schools and it would become the national campaign for abstinence!"]

Apparently I remembered how to give birth after all and 5 minutes later (give or take), we had ourselves another baby. Dr. Bennett said it certainly made for an exciting night for her and now that it was over, she'd put on her gown that she didn't have time to do earlier and finish up.

Meet Jared William Hough (JJ), born 8.11.11--on his due date--at 1:25am. He weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20 inches long.


[**We borrowed a camera (because ours is in the Puget Sound somewhere) which has the hospital pictures on it, but don't have the USB cord for it yet. So we used Jared's iPhone to take pictures on Sunday 8/14 after church.**]

Jared and I shudder to think what might have been if we had timed contractions for an hour, instead of 30 minutes before leaving for the hospital. Jared would have been delivering the baby in the van on TV Hwy or in the hospital parking lot--that's what would have happened. We're both grateful we left when we did. This was the FASTEST labor & delivery in Jenn Hough birthing history.

Our concern, however, is that the nurse had just put the bag of antibiotics on the IV stand right before I said I had to push. They never had a chance to get into my system, which left the baby unprotected. They did blood work on him shortly after delivery to find out if he was positive for GBS. Thankfully, he was clean. Perhaps that's a blessing from his fast entry into the world. Usually the longer the babies are in the birth canal, the greater the chance of them contracting it. We are so grateful and blessed beyond measure and I, for one, am SO GLAD to have labor and delivery behind me! And I feel fabulous. My best and fastest recovery! Perhaps another blessing of a quick labor and delivery and a tender mercy for our upcoming trip.

The kids ADORE little Jared. They fight over who gets to hold him. Karcyn loves saying "Coochie Coochie Coo." When my mom brought the kids to the hospital Thursday afternoon, one of the nurses was checking JJ's vitals. Calvin walked up to her and said, "Sooo, Doctor...how's that baby doing?"

The baby is doing great! We are all in love.




Jake (11) and JJ


Cooper (8) and JJ


Calvin (3) and JJ


Karcyn (5) and JJ


The three JHs :)

Dr. Jennifer Hendrickson would have made four JHs, but we wish her well in her new job so that she can spend more time with her own children.

Let's have some baby fun!

Alright everyone...I'm due exactly one month from today (8.11.11). And to help me get through this last month (which feels like the entire 9 months put together), we're going to have some baby fun.

For those of you who haven't been with us Houghs since Jake came into our world almost 12 years ago, this is a fun tradition for our family that we've done with each baby. We are asking for your baby weight and arrival predictions and if you're the closest without going over, you win a prize! No purchase necessary!

So here's the scoop:
1) Anyone in your household can participate. The more individual entries, the merrier!
2) 1st game: Tell me the weight you think the baby will be (it's a boy if you missed that announcement) in pounds and ounces.
3) 2nd game: Tell me the DATE and TIME (don't forget AM/PM) you think baby will make his appearance. True to The-Price-Is-Right form, I'm dead serious about being the closest without going over. My brother-in-law had the closest prediction for Calvin's arrival date and time--almost to the minute. It was an awesome guess. Unfortunately, he was 5 (yes five!) minutes over and didn't win. I'm not quite sure he's forgiven me for that yet ;)
4) Obviously, the sooner you get your predictions in to me, the better, because in the case of duplicate predictions, the one who is closest without going over AND was the first one with that prediction, wins.

What's in it for you? Well--the best predictor of the weight will win $25 and the best predictor of the day/time will win $50. (You'd better believe my kids already got their predictions in).

Here's some stats from my previous babies and their due dates vs. their birth dates if you think that will help you in formulating your guess. Oh and I've never been induced. But one thing I've learned is that when it comes to labor and delivery...anything goes!

Jake: due 1/10/00; came on 12/27/99 at 2:12am via C-section (he was breech); 6 lbs. 13 oz.

Cooper: due 10/22/02; came on 10/21/02 at 11:57am. VBAC delivery; 7 lbs. 9 oz.

Karcyn: due 3/9/06; came on 3/10/06 at 12:41pm. VBAC delivery; 6 lbs. 8 oz.

Calvin: due 5/5/08; came on 5/1/08 at 3:35am. VBAC delivery; 7 lbs. 1 oz.

Feel free to submit your predictions by responding here on the blog or by emailing me directly. Thanks for playing our final round of baby fun!