Emry's Birth Story Part 1

Our sweet girl is almost 3 months old now and I need to write this before I forget anything. A little background first, I had a great pregnancy. The hardest part was finding the perfect name for our daughter. Every doctor visit was a quick in and out with not many questions or concerns until my last appointment on December 30th. My sister was on Christmas break & my Mom had the day off, so the 2 of them plus the boys and myself were going to have a fun day! First thing was my check up and my blood pressure was high. The nurse said she would let my doctor know and we would go from there. It was taken 3 more times at the office before I was sent to the hospital to be monitored. Thankfully I had helpers for the boys. I told my mom to drop me off that the hospital and eat lunch. Shortly after I was all hooked up to the machines I started to feel light headed, I paged the nurse to see if I could get something to eat. Before I had a chance to eat anything 4 nurses were running in because my bp had bottomed out and the baby's heartrate dropped. Those ladies worked fast to get me moved around and everything started coming back up. After a few more hours there, they decided I was okay to go home but I was to take it easy.


We ended up back to the hospital on NYE because me just laying around wasn't giving me any better bp readings. A few more hours of monitoring and we were sent home with the reinsurance that babies can tolerate high blood pressure very well. It sounded like a bunch of crap to me. I wanted to know my daughter was fine and I didn't think my body was the best place for her anymore.
The rest of the week went by and I knew that my blood pressure wasn't any better but I now knew that it wasn't going to change anything. I was scheduled to go in at 12am on 1/6/15. We made all the preparations and we were ready! After my Dad got the boys Monday night, we went to bed around 7:30 to try to get some rest before we needed to leave. Every night when I would go to bed, I'd get all settled and boom!, little miss would start moving like crazy. I kept waiting for this that night and nothing. I got up and got a drink and had a small snack then laid back down m, still nothing. I was pushing all over my belly to try to get some movement and nothing. Finally I told Josh what was happening and we called up to the hospital. I was so worried that a week with my blood pressure being too high was too much stress on a baby.
We got to St. Elizabeth's around 9pm. I was in tears because I was just so mad that the doctors weren't more concerned earlier and it seemed like no one was in any kind of hurry at this point. Josh dropped my off at the door and parked the car and he got to our room before me. Gotta love paperwork! Once I got to the room the nurse was asking more questions and I told her I just needed to hear that heartbeat before I did anything else. Finally, I heard that sweet sound and I was starting to feel at ease.
By 10:30pm I was officially starting the induction process. I few hours ahead of what was scheduled. Since I was already at 3cm dilated when I got there, I figured this was going to go fast. Nope! At 8am, my doctor came to break my water and I was at a 4. No pain yet but I was really hoping for more than that. The nurse said since I was at a 4, I could have my epidural whenever I wanted. By 10am my contractions were becoming more painful and I knew it was time for the good stuff before they got any worse. I was checked again and...still 4cm. Our nurse asked us if we thought we would have a baby by lunch time and I laughed! I had been there for over 12 hours and progressed 1 cm, I was thinking we'd we lucky to see a baby by dinner time.
We were keeping our parents updated but there wasn't much news to share. Around 11am my favorite guy came to the room to give me the epidural. He was the same guy I had when I delivered Max and he did a great job, I was thrilled to see him! My nurse said after everything was in place she was going to up the pitocin. Josh left to go grab lunch. I had him put my phone on the charger and my plan was to take a nap.
He was maybe gone for 10 minutes and I was pretty sure it was time. I knew I could start pushing but I couldn't get to my phone to call him so I waited.... When he got back I told him what was going on and I called the nurse. Sure enough, I went from 4cm to 10cm in about 15 minutes. Josh called our parents and told them to come and I called Ty's school to tell them he was getting picked up. The secretary asked if it was time....oh yes it is! They called my doctor and then had to call him again because it was NOW. I had these 2 residents in the room in case Dr. Mathus wasn't going to make it. He got there and got ready fast. 5 minutes and 2 pushes and Emry Rose Voss was here.

Max's Monster Mash

This is way late. I didn't have all the picutres from the party. I had to wait untill I had them all and of course some free time to make this happen.

My girl, Jess, designed this awesome invitation!

 

We had so much fun planning this birthday party. A monster theme is just so cute and was perfect for an October birthday. We keep it simple for supper. On the menu was Chili, Hot Dogs, Nachos and Cheese. My Aunt Margie and my Mom manned the griddle and made Hot Ham and Cheese sandwiches and Grilled Cheese sandwiches. It was all delicious!

The dessert table

 The dessert table was where things got fun. We had lots of themed sweets. I seriously could not have pulled this off with all of the help I recieved. Grandma Voss made cookies, and Becky and Whitney, that work with me, helped make the cake pops(big pain in the butt), monster toes, and brownies. Becky made the smash cake also and it rocked!

Super cute birthday banner Aunt Amanda made,

Yummy Monster Cookies

Monster Toes ( nutter butter covered in colored candies and 1/2 a Dot for the nail)

Cake Pops...you tasted great but I will never make you again. Aren't they just the cutest?



Max's smash cake.

Ty giving the birthday boy a rdie.

Lauren, Ty and Gracyn



After everyone enjoyed supper, it was time to get to the presents. We could have had those gifts unwrapped in record time with all of the helper that were there. Max and I were surrounded by 7 boys that were eager to help. Thankfully they were great about taking turns and it went smoothly.



Once we got through all of the madness of gift opening and Mommy got a drink  it was time to see how messy Max could get while eatting his cake. Becky did a fantastic job on the looks and taste of the monster cake. Max was simply hilarious while eatting it! He was picking up the entire thing at once and eatting off of it. He enjoyed every bit of the cake and the attention he got while doing it.

Singing Happy Birthday

Getting right to business

savoring every last bit of it

Only crumbs left on your special day plate

Mom bringing you to the wash down

All birthday parties end this way!

I'd say the cake was given 2 thumbs up by Max!

After clean up from the cake the guest were served homemade ice cream from Grandma Ruhmann. It was a hit! We also had monster pictures to color and treat bag to take home.

Max @ 12 months!

ONE YEAR OLD!

 

      Look at those teeth! 7 total! And then those blue eyes...you, my son will be breaking hearts some day. I love every bit of you! From those chubby cheeks that just scream "KISS ME" to your very ticklish feet.

       You are an energentic little man. Go.Go.Go! Your favorite past times include emptying any cabinet, throwing things down the stairs...well, pretty much throwing anything, stealing your brothers cup, & picking up toys, only to dump them out right away.

      I am proud to say that you are bottle free! You are great with your sippy cup but we are still trying to get you used to drinking milk. Your paci is a must have. We aren't in a hurry to have you part with that yet. You eat like a champ. Table food all the way.

      Sleeping is still very good. In bed around 8pm and up by 7am. You take two naps when you are home with Mom but only one when you are at daycare. You usually go to bed earlier on those days and are sleeping before I get home from work. You have started going into the 15months-2 year old room at daycare. Just a few hours here and there to get used to it before you make the move officially.

      You clap your hands, give high fives & low fives, and wave bye, bye. You mostly just say "Dada," but once in awhile "Mama" comes out. We are certain that we had heard you say "Good Job" a few times too!

      Max, you have change our lives so much in one year and made our family so happy! I love watching you discover new things. You are a smart little boy and will continue to learn things everyday. And we will learn along with you. Love, Mommy

      

Ty turns 3!

(I know this is super late but well, its called life)

 



  This year Ty decided he needed a train party and more specifically, a "Thomas Birthday." We enjoyed a night of cupcakes, Andy's frozen custard, presents and lots of fun.

 

 

Thanks to Aunt Amanda for making the birthday banner!



 

Doesn't he look so big!

I made Ty's shirt again this year. So far I have made all of his birthday shirts.

Waiting for everyone to get a seat.

This was the first time that I really think he enjoyed opening presents and didn't get overwhelmed right away.



Max being a big help!

Some of Ty's guest.



Thomas Bubbles!
 

The train that carried Ty's cupcake was my Uncle Kevin's train. Kevin passed away when I was young. My Grandma Stellhorn gave it to Ty for his birthday last year.

"Happy Birthday to you!"

He gets way to close for my liking.

Being bashful





"Branpa Boss" with Ty and cousins, Cadin & Colby

    



Being silly with his boys!

We had a great time and Ty really loved having everyone over to celebrate. Thanks to all who made my son's birthday so special!

Max @ 11 months

 

 

      At ten and a half months you nailed walking. You.Are.EVERYWHERE! I just love watching the excitement in your eyes when you wabble all over. It still takes me by surprise when you come walking into a room. Now, if I put you in a pair of shoes you will just sit there. Walking and shoes don't go together in your book. Turns out, you just wanted a new pair of your very own. None of your brother hand-me-downs are wide enough for your thick feet. We got you a nice set of kicks and you have been all over in them.



      No new teeth to report, the count is still at 6.
      We have you pretty much down to one bottle a day. It just varies on when you want it. Sometimes it before your nap and other times you want it before bed. I have returned what every baby food we had sitting around, since you lost all interest in it. Table food all the way!
      Sleeping is still going good. You take around a 2 hour nap sometime in the afternoon and by 8 you are ready for bed. You have been sleeping on a cot at daycare for a few months now, and I still can't believe my baby is on a cot. Mostly because you cover the entire surface of the crib when you are sleeping.
      You have been having a hard time adjusting to your new height when you're walking around and have knocked your head on everything. You have had a bruise in the middle of your forehead for about 3 weeks straight. I don't think one goes away before you smack it again.