He's Here!!!!

Lincoln Alt Shumard

November 10, 2009 at 1:20pm

7 pounds 13 ounces

20 inches long

The kids were so excited to meet their new brother for the first time. Kyler was so absorbed with Lincoln and he kept asking if he could see his feet-he says they are so adorable. Kyler even predicted the 10th as the birth day even before we were sceduled to be induced. Each of the kids got to open a present from Lincoln (big brother, big sister clothes and a little kitchen toy).

The second day the kids came to visit they were wearing their new clothes from Lincoln.

I wanted to get a picture of all the kids together, the boys were so mad that they weren't the ones who got to hold Lincoln-Lydia however had no problem with the situation, can you tell?

Our sweet little cutie at home.

So what happened with our little breech baby? Here is the story-warning this could be long. I went to my doctors appt. on Monday the 9th and our little gymnast was complete breech again after being head down the week before. We were actually scheduled to be induced the next day so our doctor just told us to come two hours earlier for him to do the version. Well after the doctors pelvic exam trying to make sure of the position of the baby, I just had a feeling I wasn't going to make it to the morning. Sure enough after being crampy all day at 7pm I was having contractions every 5 minutes 60 seconds long. We called the doctor and he said to come in and not wait for the morning. We arrived at the hospital at 8:30pm and after being evaluated they decided the version would need to be done that night since I had already started to go into labor and the uterus needs to be relaxed in order to do the version. So after 4 tries they got my I.V., then the epidural (which is the precaution something goes wrong and they need to do an emergency c-section), a shot of terbutaline to stop the contractions since I was in labor- my doctor got Lincoln-who was now transverse by this time to turn in 1 minute. After the version we were moved to our labor room and was started on pitocin to induce labor at around 11pm. Little did we know that we would be in the hospital a total of 17 hours before our little miracle was born. I couldn't sleep the whole night because the terbutaline made me so wired.



Early the next morning I was only dilated to a 5 and at a +1 station, which upon arriving at the hospital the night before I was at a 2. I let the epidural wear off completely because I hate the dead leg feeling and not being able to walk around. The nurse came in around 8am and did an exam and said I was at a -4 station I just looked at her like "come again" how could he be moving backwards? My doctor came around 11am -by this time I had the epidural started again and I explained to him what the nurse had said so he decided to check and sure enough Lincoln had flipped yet again and was transverse. Dr. L. said that the cord was probably around his neck with him wanting to change position so much and especially favoring the transverse position.



Because Lincoln was up so high now being transverse during the doctors exam my water ended up breaking (I have never seen so much fluid my doctor was shocked at how much there was). Dr. L. looked at me and said we're going to need to do a c-section right now, we can't let his cord prolapse with the way he is positioned. So all the nurses ran off to prep the operating room. I was so exhausted after not getting any sleep the night before and after 12 hours of labor I was ready to just have him here. Dr. L. removed his hand when the nurses brought the bed in to put me on and another huge gush of fluid came out-Dr. L. had the nurse bring in an ultrasound machine to verify the position before operating and come to find out that last gush of fluid had flipped Lincoln again into the head down position. However the baby's head was still really high, it wasn't right up against the cervix so they had me push a few times to bring his head down. Dr. L. told the nurses to hold off with the c-section that the baby was in position again. With each contraction the baby's heart rate would go down, Damone and I were getting really worried, we just couldn't handle anymore. The doctor and the nurses said that was normal if the cord is around his neck that as long as it comes back up after the contraction there was no cause for alarm. I could only sit sitting up because any other position the baby's heart rate would go down and wouldn't come back up. This caused my epidural to not take on the right side of my abdomen. The anesthesiologist came in and tried giving me more pain relief but I could just feel it go straight to my legs and no where else, I finally told the nurses I will just deal with the pain because I'm going to end up being so numb I wont be able to push.

After two heart wrenching hours of watching the heart rate plummet and them come back up I was fully dilated. I was so surprised I was actually going to be delivering this baby, I watched the nurses prep the room for the pushing and for the baby and I then realized they really think I wont need a c-section. Dr. L. said he was confident I could get this baby out quick and wouldn't need to use forceps. I pushed for about 6 contractions and his head came out-sure enough the cord was wrapped around his neck. The doctor immediately took it off before allowing the baby to be completely delivered. Finally, he was here after 14 hours of labor and wondering if everything was going to be okay. I am so thankful for a great doctor who has the expertise to know what to do at the right times. After a very long and emotionally and physically draining pregnancy, we had a very long and emotionally and physically draining labor and delivery. We are so relieved how everything turned out and to have Lincoln here with us now happy and healthy. Many many prayers have been answered.

We Are Just Waiting Now

When I went to my doctors appointment this week I thought for sure our baby was transverse again. However when the technician started the ultrasound she immediately indicated that our little guy in one weeks time had made it from being complete breech to the head down position. YEAH!!! I was so excited I couldn't believe it. We just knew everything was going to work out the way it was supposed to. If he was meant to come on the 5th (when we were scheduled for the external cephalic version) he would have stayed breech. So now he gets to cook a little longer since that is what he obviously needs.

He's Keeping Us On Our Toes

I had my appointment this week and our little guy is completely breech now. He just keeps spinning. However I have not given up since it seems every time he's moved, he is moving in a counterclockwise rotation. He is just such an active baby. We will see where he is at next week and then decide about trying to have my doctor flip him. It is so nerve racking not being able to tell how this delivery will go. Will he flip on his own, will the doctor try and flip him, will it be successful, will it cause the baby to be under stress, will I be induced or will I deliver c-section? So many unknowns. Either way we are excited for this baby to come and just pray all will go well.

Well It Didn't Last Long

Yep, our little guy is transverse again. I can't believe it, he truly has a mind of his own. I knew going into my appointment that he had moved because I couldn't feel his bum in my ribs anymore. So basically I have two weeks for him to turn on his own and if he doesn't my doctor will try and flip him and induce labor- if the turn is successful, if not then I will have a c-section. I am all for the baby coming early, but on his time, not like this. So keep us in your prayers and I'll keep you all updated.

Ahhhhh a Sigh of Relief

The last four weeks our little baby has been snug as a bug in the transverse position. I normally wouldn't have thought anything of it because Kyler also was transverse until 36 weeks. My doctor however at the last visit started explaining the procedure of turning the baby around 37 weeks. After losing Maloree and all the emotional ups and downs with this pregnancy, I don't take anything for granted and realize that anything can happen, I just couldn't bear the thought of having to deal with the complications and risks involved in turning a breech baby and then to have a possible c-section. I am just shy of 36 weeks and had my appointment today. I am so glad to announce that finally today at my appointment our little guys is head down! I am so relieved to have that out of my worries. The baby is doing great and has been all along, we couldn't ask for anything more. According to his measurements, he is weighing 6lbs. 8oz. I am not sure if having his head measuring two weeks ahead is a good thing or not :) Hopefully all will even out by delivery time.

Ahhhhhhhh! Dinosaurs!

As a family we got to go with Damone to work and stay in a hotel for a few nights. The kids just love when they get to travel with Dad and stay in the hotels-swimming at night, pushing the elevator button several times a day and using the key card in the door are some their favorite highlights. We had a great time. While we were there we got to go to Dinosaur World. The kids were amazed at the size of the dinosaurs. I was dying in the heat but we made it through the walk and the kids all got to pick their favorite dinosaur to take home from the gift shop.

The kids got to do their own digging for fossils and they spent a while digging and collecting all that they found. You couldn't even touch the fossils Cooper was finding and when it was all said and done the kids got to take home their three most favorite and well, the fossil Cooper chose to take home was a wood chip that he picked up off the ground, it was so hilarious.

Playing Catch Up

So I've been looking through all of the pictures we've taken and feel the need to blog about them. It makes better journaling when you can put a picture with it. Hopefully this will allow me to get caught up on all the summer happenings.

Cooper took a big spill on his bike. He decided to go full throttle down our sloped driveway and missed the neighbors driveway across the street and instead hit their curb. He flew off his bike and landed on his face. I was worried he might have broken his nose because of how fast it swelled up. This picture is a few hours after the swelling was starting to go down! I couldn't even bare to look at him-He didn't look like my Cooper. Luckily nothing was broken, he just took a pretty big hit on his nose and cut up the inside of his upper lip.

I tried to get a profile picture of him the day it happened but he was just wanting to be held-can you blame him? Anyway this picture is a couple days later and it doesn't do justice for how far out his upper lip was. Damone came home that day from work and was shocked. Cooper's upper lip stuck out like a ducks bill. Thankfully the mouth heals so quickly and he was back to himself in no time.

Maloree's Rose Bush

We've done a major overhaul in our front yard landscaping-ripping out old bushes, planting new ones and putting in a variety of different flowers. It is really starting to look nice. This is the rose bush we planted for Maloree. It is a Knock Out Rose and has really done well and taken off. It just keeps on blooming. The kids call it "Maloree's bush" and they really keep an eye on it and tell me when we need to cut back the dead flowers and when it needs to be watered.

We also found out in June that we were going to have another Boy. We have never found out gender on any of our other kids so it was actually a really big shock for us. We went home and it was almost surreal that we knew the gender and didn't actually have the baby yet. It was almost like we were in denial that they could even tell, because usually the baby is born and the doctor will declare the gender and Damone and I can immediately validate it. But just going off the ultrasound tech felt so weird. Lydia had a hard time adjusting to the thought of another brother. I took her to pick out his coming home outfit and we got our nails painted together. It was a really neat experience for her to realize that she can do girly things with her mom, even though her sister is not here.

We are very excited. This whole pregnancy I have felt very removed and very anxious and nervous. As the pregnancy has progressed I find myself feeling more and more confident especially now that I can feel him moving all the time. We only had one month between Maloree and this baby and as soon as we found out we were pregnant it was an overload of emotions-guilt, excitement, relief, scared, nervous and panicky to just name a few. But the whole time and even still I am humbled that Heavenly Father knows the plan for our family (I put my trust and faith in that) and needed this little guy to come at this specific time, that Maloree sacrificed her earthly experience for. Had we carried her to term we never would have been carrying this child. I have really gained a deeper understanding in the magnitude of the timing and place everyone is born and that gender does in fact play a very important role in our individual premortal, mortal and eternal identity and purpose.

Utah Trip-Shumard Reunion

Two Peas in a Pod

Cal loving Lydia / Following the Leader

Bear Lake adventure- Did I mention the water was freezing?

Kyler riding with Damone-he wanted to stay out forever / Lydia riding with Uncle Mike-she was ready at anytime to come back in.

The horses were the highlight of Kyler's trip to Utah. He was so excited to finally ride a "Spirit" horse and not a pony. The mosquitoes were so thick we were dousing our hair, clothes and any bare skin with bug repellent. Needless to say once the last kid got their turn on the horse, we made a mad dash for the cars.

The view from our cabin at Bear Lake

We had so much fun with all the cousins and the kids loved Family Home Evening with Nana and Papa.

I was so glad we had time to visit Great Grandma Staples. The kids had fun playing in her yard and picking up pine cones in the wagon. We had a great time visiting with Aunt Vickie and Blair and Kendra and Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Todd.

Lydia's highlight of the Utah trip was losing her first tooth! Dad helped it come out at Grandma and Grandpa's house. She was so excited she couldn't put it under her pillow, she had to bring it home and show her friend Mandy before the tooth fairy made her visit.

The Month of May

May was one of the hardest months to get through-I can't even get through this post. There were times that emotionally I could just not deal with the day to day tasks. This was the month Maloree would have been born. Her due date was the 17th. So with Mothers Day falling on the 10th and being three months pregnant with all the paranoia that came with that, didn't make it any easier. I knew Mothers Day was going to be hard and I knew Maloree's due date was going to be hard, I just never imagined how hard it would actually be. I literally felt as if Maloree died all over again but this time I was the only one who knew. I felt like I was the only one who knew that Maloree should be here and wasn't. I was on an emotional roller coaster just like in December when it happened.
Then on top of all that, Lydia came down with 5th disease-which may cause a miscarriage. So you can only imagine how scared and just helpless I felt thinking that I could go through losing another child. 5th disease is not usually a concern if the mother has already had the disease in her life but I seem to be the minority in a lot of things so in which case I am not immune. Luckily it is only contagious the day before the rash appears and with Lydia's good hygiene habits nobody else got it. I was so relieved when I got back my blood work that said I had not been exposed. The month did however end a lot more pleasant then it started out.



The hospital was holding a memorial service for all the babies lost this past year. We opted not to attend and instead hold a more intimate service with just our family. I am so glad we waited until May to do this. In December I just knew I was going to need something in May when Maloree's due date came around and I was right. Attending the cemetery after my very emotional previous week was just what I needed. I can't even begin to describe how much peace it brought me to visit Maloree's grave site for the first time with Damone and Lydia, Kyler and Cooper and the new baby on the way.

The kids were themselves as usual- Lydia helping carry flowers and balloons, Kyler running around the open grass with Cooper following asking to have the balloons. The whole time I just couldn't help but think and chuckle to myself that Maloree was probably laughing at us all, she would've fit right in.

Each of the kids got to write Maloree a note or draw a picture and attach them to a balloon to release for her to get. Each of the kids got the opportunity to say something before releasing their balloon. I asked, "Cooper what do you want to say to Maloree" as I handed him his balloon he immediately let it go. I laughed. Then I asked Kyler, "What do you want to tell Maloree?", he paused for a few seconds and very innocently said, "That I love her." I cried. Then I asked Lydia she said, "Maloree, read my note and I really hope you get it." I nodded.

It was so touching to hear the kids vocally express their feelings to their sister. Damone dedicated the grave and we shared some scriptures and feelings we had. It was one of the most touching and spiritual moments we have had together as a family. I left feeling at peace and I no longer felt like I was alone like I had felt earlier in the month. I felt blessed to know that my family and I were experiencing this together and none of us were alone.

What an amazing blessing our Father in Heaven has given us in that through families we aren't alone in this life and that truly makes it a lot easier to endure your trials and to endure to the end, knowing that you are side by side with the ones you love most.

Exciting!!!

Surprise!! Baby #4 is on it's way. We are 13 weeks and due in May.

We made this book to send to the grandparents to tell them the exciting news and I am actually really proud of it because it was my second sewing project. I sewed the binding so it's like a real book. Also it has our most current family pictures that turned out so great. Thanks Kathy!