Sleeping in the living room
Daddy with baby Madeleine, Heather with baby Tyler
Opening gifts
Steven & Andrea with the kids
Jonathan & Jason, Stephanie and baby Tyler smiling
Jason & baby Madeleine
Stephanie & Ari
Jason opening gifts
"We kiss the sweetest of Snickerdoodles, and teach the fragile Butterflies how to fly..."
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Christmas Morning
Sleeping in the living room
Daddy with baby Madeleine, Heather with baby Tyler
Opening gifts
Steven & Andrea with the kids
Jonathan & Jason, Stephanie and baby Tyler smiling
Jason & baby Madeleine
Stephanie & Ari
Jason opening gifts
Christmas Eve with the Cardinals
Another Tradition, one that my family has kept since I can remember, is Christmas Eve with my mom's side of the family-the Cardinals. This year, almost everyone in the family was there, except my two cousins who live out of state. Its been awhile though since we've had everyone together...with aunts moving back to Washington, cousins home from College, and Steph & Ari home for a visit, it was a full house!
Our Little Family Christmas
Tyler
Tyler playing with wrapping paper
Jason with his new toys, And Reading the Christmas Story
Jonathan's sword..check out that shine!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas
Its so amazing...sitting back to watch your family have Christmas. All is well, and everyone is home. This year it was particularly special, because it was Tyler's first Christmas, and Jason's second Christmas. How funny to have a child one year, and another one the next! It definitely has been exciting, and so much fun.
Christmas eve I woke up early, made a Christmas Breakfast, and was setting the mood in my houes (tree lights on, candles burning, Christmas music playing softly in the background), when Jason came out of our room where he had slept the night before. When I said "do you want to open presents now?", he ran over to the tree, and picked up the gift that he had picked out for me all by himself, and gave it to me. It was so precious! How wonderful to have him already know the joy of giving, rather than racing to open his own gifts!
We had our little family time, eating breakfast, reading the Christmas story, opening gifts, and playing together.
We put everything in the car, and went to Jonathan's family's house. It was a bit of a crazy day there, but finally, everyone was there, and we had a wonderful time giving "our persons" their gifts :) It was great having all the kids running around. After that, we went to my parents house, to have Christmas with my mom's side of the family...the Cardinals. Both my cousins were home from school, and it was so nice to see them again! It was also the first time we were able to meet our niece, Madeleine! She is so beautiful!! It was also fun having Ari and Stephanie meet Tyler for the first time. We held each others' babies and had so much fun talking. Everyone sang carols, and then we, again, gave "our persons" their gifts. Jonathan got a remote control helicopter...goodness, you should have seen Jason's face watching it fly around the room, lights flashing!! He could have swallowed an elephant with how wide his mouth was open in shock and joy :)
After a late night (and a crying children all night long), we woke up Christmas morning, and had our family Christmas with my parents....all my siblings were together again-with a couple extra's ;) After breakfast, I helped mom wrap ALL her presents (we made record time!), and then we opened gifts, and took pictures, and sang, and it was so fun. I truly kept thinking about that song, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas".
"Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore...faithful friends who are dear to us, gathered near to us once more. Through the years we all will be together if the Lord allows...hang a shining star upon the highest bough, and have yourself a merry little christmas now."
It almost makes me cry now, thinking about it :) We ate dinner, and then got ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa Mayfield's house. It was wonderful to see everyone, but almost as soon as everyone got there, we had to leave because Jason got sick. I had to admit that I was happy to go home with my own little family, knowing that all of our families were together and happy, and all was well still :) Jason was a trooper, and we stayed up late with him, playing "Yahtzee!".
All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas.
Christmas eve I woke up early, made a Christmas Breakfast, and was setting the mood in my houes (tree lights on, candles burning, Christmas music playing softly in the background), when Jason came out of our room where he had slept the night before. When I said "do you want to open presents now?", he ran over to the tree, and picked up the gift that he had picked out for me all by himself, and gave it to me. It was so precious! How wonderful to have him already know the joy of giving, rather than racing to open his own gifts!
We had our little family time, eating breakfast, reading the Christmas story, opening gifts, and playing together.
We put everything in the car, and went to Jonathan's family's house. It was a bit of a crazy day there, but finally, everyone was there, and we had a wonderful time giving "our persons" their gifts :) It was great having all the kids running around. After that, we went to my parents house, to have Christmas with my mom's side of the family...the Cardinals. Both my cousins were home from school, and it was so nice to see them again! It was also the first time we were able to meet our niece, Madeleine! She is so beautiful!! It was also fun having Ari and Stephanie meet Tyler for the first time. We held each others' babies and had so much fun talking. Everyone sang carols, and then we, again, gave "our persons" their gifts. Jonathan got a remote control helicopter...goodness, you should have seen Jason's face watching it fly around the room, lights flashing!! He could have swallowed an elephant with how wide his mouth was open in shock and joy :)
After a late night (and a crying children all night long), we woke up Christmas morning, and had our family Christmas with my parents....all my siblings were together again-with a couple extra's ;) After breakfast, I helped mom wrap ALL her presents (we made record time!), and then we opened gifts, and took pictures, and sang, and it was so fun. I truly kept thinking about that song, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas".
"Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore...faithful friends who are dear to us, gathered near to us once more. Through the years we all will be together if the Lord allows...hang a shining star upon the highest bough, and have yourself a merry little christmas now."
It almost makes me cry now, thinking about it :) We ate dinner, and then got ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa Mayfield's house. It was wonderful to see everyone, but almost as soon as everyone got there, we had to leave because Jason got sick. I had to admit that I was happy to go home with my own little family, knowing that all of our families were together and happy, and all was well still :) Jason was a trooper, and we stayed up late with him, playing "Yahtzee!".
All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Tyler's Birth Story
(Please excuse any details being too graphic-I edited it as much as possible, but this is a birth story afterall :) )
I had been having pre-labor for most of the past 3 weeks. We thought a couple of times "This is it!", but all to no avail.
Monday, October 8th, I took a long 2 hour walk with Grace & Jason, and started having contractions that night. It tapered off, and I got a good nights sleep. Tuesday, I had contractions off and on all day and night. Wednesday, all was fine! I slept most of the morning, and settled down with a good book, and decided to stop fretting about it all, and just trust God to let my body do what it needed to do to get baby ready. I started having consistent and regular contractions Wednesday evening, and all through the night. Thursday was the same...about 5 minutes apart, and really getting more intense. We all didn't want me going into labor exhausted, so we decided that we would try some tinctures to get things going. Early Friday morning, I was for sure in labor, but we started tinctures anyway to make sure labor was well and established.
All day we did this, and Friday night/Saturday morning, our midwife and doula came to our house. I was about 4-5cm dialated when my water broke, at about 9:30am. Back labor had already been excruciating, and Sharon (my doula) and Jonathan were working hard with accupressure to relieve the back pain. After my water broke, things got so much worse, I can't even explain it. I was so exhausted, and was dozing off between contractions...which was horrid because I would wake with a killer contraction out of nowhere.
I started going through transition, and we checked and found I was at about 7cm, but baby was in a bad position (thus the back pain). They tried to get me to eat and do different positions...but I was starting to "lose it" more and more with each contraction. Everything was torture!
Monday, October 8th, I took a long 2 hour walk with Grace & Jason, and started having contractions that night. It tapered off, and I got a good nights sleep. Tuesday, I had contractions off and on all day and night. Wednesday, all was fine! I slept most of the morning, and settled down with a good book, and decided to stop fretting about it all, and just trust God to let my body do what it needed to do to get baby ready. I started having consistent and regular contractions Wednesday evening, and all through the night. Thursday was the same...about 5 minutes apart, and really getting more intense. We all didn't want me going into labor exhausted, so we decided that we would try some tinctures to get things going. Early Friday morning, I was for sure in labor, but we started tinctures anyway to make sure labor was well and established.
All day we did this, and Friday night/Saturday morning, our midwife and doula came to our house. I was about 4-5cm dialated when my water broke, at about 9:30am. Back labor had already been excruciating, and Sharon (my doula) and Jonathan were working hard with accupressure to relieve the back pain. After my water broke, things got so much worse, I can't even explain it. I was so exhausted, and was dozing off between contractions...which was horrid because I would wake with a killer contraction out of nowhere.
I started going through transition, and we checked and found I was at about 7cm, but baby was in a bad position (thus the back pain). They tried to get me to eat and do different positions...but I was starting to "lose it" more and more with each contraction. Everything was torture!
After 4-5 hours of this (since finding out I was at 7cm), I begged my midwife to check and see if baby had moved, or any progress had been made.
She checked me, and found that the baby's body was posterior (his back facing my back...BAD position), and his head was tipped to the side (Cheek coming down, not top of head). She said that it was my decision if I wanted to keep going. We knew ahead of time that this would be a big baby, and there was a chance he could get stuck...but all of us had a peace that God would work it out. However, being stuck in transition, and knowing that it would take so much more to get him in a good spot, I really felt like it was time to go to the hospital, and pray God would give us a good doctor and nurses that would let me get an epidural, and still try for a VBAC (a normal birth after a caesarean).
Jonathan and I prayed that God would give me strength to try a little longer. I ate some smoothie, and we started trying a couple different positions with Sharon, at which time my midwife told me what I would need to do to turn the baby. I knew I couldn't do it. I looked at Jonathan, and said "We need to go. I just can't help him get where he needs to be". God gave Jonathan a peace at that moment that all would be fine, and we told everyone that we were gonna transfer. I got in the shower to try and slow things down while everyone else kicked into high gear getting stuff ready. We left 15 minutes later, at about 3:15pm.
The car ride was torture...we hit every bump and pothole it seemed!! We arrived at the hospital, and (not including one cranky nurse) we were treated SO nicely, and given a room immediately. I was having such horrible contractions on top of each other, they really rushed us in there :) Jonathan was parking the car, so Sharon was with me, and helped me get admitted and into a hospital gown. The first thing I said when I got in the room, was "I just want an epidural NOW!!" I'm sure it was really funny...though it wasn't to me at the time. I met my doctor, and he told me that I was good to go for having a VBAC, and I would have the epidural in less than 15 minutes. He was right! Sharon & Jonathan coached me through contractions until they gave me the epidural, and then I felt so wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jonathan and I prayed that God would give me strength to try a little longer. I ate some smoothie, and we started trying a couple different positions with Sharon, at which time my midwife told me what I would need to do to turn the baby. I knew I couldn't do it. I looked at Jonathan, and said "We need to go. I just can't help him get where he needs to be". God gave Jonathan a peace at that moment that all would be fine, and we told everyone that we were gonna transfer. I got in the shower to try and slow things down while everyone else kicked into high gear getting stuff ready. We left 15 minutes later, at about 3:15pm.
The car ride was torture...we hit every bump and pothole it seemed!! We arrived at the hospital, and (not including one cranky nurse) we were treated SO nicely, and given a room immediately. I was having such horrible contractions on top of each other, they really rushed us in there :) Jonathan was parking the car, so Sharon was with me, and helped me get admitted and into a hospital gown. The first thing I said when I got in the room, was "I just want an epidural NOW!!" I'm sure it was really funny...though it wasn't to me at the time. I met my doctor, and he told me that I was good to go for having a VBAC, and I would have the epidural in less than 15 minutes. He was right! Sharon & Jonathan coached me through contractions until they gave me the epidural, and then I felt so wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dr. Story checked me, and said baby had turned! I was 100% effaced, and still at 7cm. He said he would return in 2 hours to check me, and see if I had dialated any more...this was at about 5:30. At 7:30pm, he returned, and said I was fully dialated!! Wow, isn't God good??? Jonathan was right by my side, and we had called My mom to come, and Jonathan's mom to come and bring Jason. They were all there, and I started pushing. It was so easy, I feel like I cheated (which I did...)! I pushed for 2 hours. I was able to feel Tyler's little head with my hands, and between each push, I reached down and felt him come into the world...slowly but surely. Jonathan held Jason, and Sharon and my mom Helped me sit up and push. It was amazing!
I birthed him into my own two hands, and after they unwrapped the cord from his neck, I brought him straight onto my chest, and kissed his little dark brown head over...and over...and over. It was a feeling I can't even explain, being able to finally deliver my baby...myself. I could comfort him, and hold him however long I wanted to. I tore a little, but I didn't care! I had my little 8lb, 10oz boy to hold and love on. Jonathan and Jason were right there, along with our mom's, and everyone kissed Tyler, and touched him. It was awesome! I couldn't imagine it turning out any better. I know God had it all planned out, and it was better than I could have ever planned myself.
I birthed him into my own two hands, and after they unwrapped the cord from his neck, I brought him straight onto my chest, and kissed his little dark brown head over...and over...and over. It was a feeling I can't even explain, being able to finally deliver my baby...myself. I could comfort him, and hold him however long I wanted to. I tore a little, but I didn't care! I had my little 8lb, 10oz boy to hold and love on. Jonathan and Jason were right there, along with our mom's, and everyone kissed Tyler, and touched him. It was awesome! I couldn't imagine it turning out any better. I know God had it all planned out, and it was better than I could have ever planned myself.
A Long awaited Post
Well, its been such a long time since I posted, I figured it would be time to let people know what we are up to!
Its been 2 months exactly since Tyler was born! I have recovered so well, and Tyler is doing beautifully. Jason has his moments where he is careless around Tyler, but for the most part, he adores him :)
Jason is always talking about something, and has the cutest little voice ever! In the car, he constantly is calling us, only to have nothing more to say to us. If don't respond (after the 20th "MOM", it gets annoying), he starts having conversations with himself...its pretty hysterical! "Have a bite? No. Go see Uncle Daniel? Yeah! Oh. Laina! Zee! Doey!". Sometimes he gets deeper into conversation, but usually its just the name calling and "no" or "Yeah!".
Also his latest "thing" is to call Jonathan and I by our real names. Ugh! Its frustrating to constantly correct him, but he does it just to test us now, which is very interesting. "Jonny" "Heyer"...oh, and get this! Lately, its started being "Honey", which is what Jonathan & I often call each other in his presence. THAT one we let him do, and laugh at it as well! Its so cute :) I imagine it is confusing to little kids having their parents be called something different by everyone else...however it is a term of respect, and for children to call their parents by their real names is disrespectful in our book. Therefore, daddy and mommy and "honey" we will remain :)
Another thing he has started doing, is mimmicking certain words, like "Oh shoot." and "Gosh". Its hilarious, as he is SO articulate in his speech, but we hide our smiles and chastise him. I must admit it is pretty much all my fault, as I tend to vent my frustrations with those phrases throughout the day. I guess mommy will have to start watching her words more carefully!
Tyler is 2 months old, and is doing SO well holding his head up! He weighed 13lbs 12oz on the grocery store's scale :) He tries faintly to reach for toys while on his tummy, and he scoots a little too. He absolutely LOVES the Moby (a 7-yards-long fabric wrap), and falls asleep almost instantly when I wear him in it. He sleeps for 5-7 hour stretches if I let him, but I try to wake up and nurse him at least once a night...but the occaisional time hits that I sleep for the length that he does, and wake up and OOPS! Its good to sleep, but I really want to make sure I feed him during the night too. He has the BIGGEST smile ever, and has been smiling since he was 2 weeks old. What a joy!
Jonathan is working for my Uncle Jim currently, and we'll see what else developes in the next few months. Its good experience for him, but as soon as uncle Jim's house is done, we aren't sure if they will stay as a team and get a job, or if Jonathan will get a job on his own. Who knows what the future holds except for the Lord :)
Well I guess that is all! Merry Christmas Everyone! (Enjoy the pictures)
Love,
Jonathan, Heather, Jason, & Tyler
Its been 2 months exactly since Tyler was born! I have recovered so well, and Tyler is doing beautifully. Jason has his moments where he is careless around Tyler, but for the most part, he adores him :)
Jason is always talking about something, and has the cutest little voice ever! In the car, he constantly is calling us, only to have nothing more to say to us. If don't respond (after the 20th "MOM", it gets annoying), he starts having conversations with himself...its pretty hysterical! "Have a bite? No. Go see Uncle Daniel? Yeah! Oh. Laina! Zee! Doey!". Sometimes he gets deeper into conversation, but usually its just the name calling and "no" or "Yeah!".
Also his latest "thing" is to call Jonathan and I by our real names. Ugh! Its frustrating to constantly correct him, but he does it just to test us now, which is very interesting. "Jonny" "Heyer"...oh, and get this! Lately, its started being "Honey", which is what Jonathan & I often call each other in his presence. THAT one we let him do, and laugh at it as well! Its so cute :) I imagine it is confusing to little kids having their parents be called something different by everyone else...however it is a term of respect, and for children to call their parents by their real names is disrespectful in our book. Therefore, daddy and mommy and "honey" we will remain :)
Another thing he has started doing, is mimmicking certain words, like "Oh shoot." and "Gosh". Its hilarious, as he is SO articulate in his speech, but we hide our smiles and chastise him. I must admit it is pretty much all my fault, as I tend to vent my frustrations with those phrases throughout the day. I guess mommy will have to start watching her words more carefully!
Tyler is 2 months old, and is doing SO well holding his head up! He weighed 13lbs 12oz on the grocery store's scale :) He tries faintly to reach for toys while on his tummy, and he scoots a little too. He absolutely LOVES the Moby (a 7-yards-long fabric wrap), and falls asleep almost instantly when I wear him in it. He sleeps for 5-7 hour stretches if I let him, but I try to wake up and nurse him at least once a night...but the occaisional time hits that I sleep for the length that he does, and wake up and OOPS! Its good to sleep, but I really want to make sure I feed him during the night too. He has the BIGGEST smile ever, and has been smiling since he was 2 weeks old. What a joy!
Jonathan is working for my Uncle Jim currently, and we'll see what else developes in the next few months. Its good experience for him, but as soon as uncle Jim's house is done, we aren't sure if they will stay as a team and get a job, or if Jonathan will get a job on his own. Who knows what the future holds except for the Lord :)
Well I guess that is all! Merry Christmas Everyone! (Enjoy the pictures)
Love,
Jonathan, Heather, Jason, & Tyler
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Heather's Pregancy
I am 35 weeks along now!
I can't believe how different this time has been compared to when I was pregnant with Jason, and making preparations.
I have my own beautiful home now, and although I don't have to worry about buying boy clothes or toys, my days are VERY eventful with preparations!
I am not sure how many of you know this, but, as Jason was an emergency Caesarean Section at the hospital, we have decided to have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean). I am so excited to have this baby naturally, and the best part is, I am going to have him at home!!!
Up until recently, I have been spending lots of time pouring over books about home births, natural births, VBAC's, gleaning information from hospitals, Doctors, Midwives, friends, family, and yahoo groups...as well as doing all the paperwork that one must do in situations such as these :) It has been fun, but it seemed like so far away that this baby would actually be here.
Now, I am in a rush! I have 5 weeks left to finish crocheting Tyler's baby blanket, read the rest of the books I am currently in the middle of, prepare my home-birth kit, prepare my home, catch up on my scrapbooking, and write my birth plan(s)...not to mention keeping up with a rebellious little toddler, hanging out with family, keeping food on the table and the house clean, staying up-to-date on my e-mails, and taking every other thing that life swings my way!
Although I am very anxious for baby to be in my arms, I feel so much peace and satisfaction right now. At this point with Jason, I was complaining every night to Jonathan about how I just wanted him OUT! This time, I do have some uncomforts and complaints, but I have so much to do, I don't have time to watch the clock, or count every braxton-hicks :)
I really am so excited for this home birth! To be in my own bed, or bathtub, with my own food and drinks a room away, and my own music to listen to, or TV to watch. Not worrying I'll get stuck with some nasty nurse, or that my doctor will be out of town the day I go into labor...it is bliss! Plus, putting together a birth kit, is WAY more fun than packing for the hospital :)
(And just to put everyone's mind to rest, not only will I have my wonderful midwife and doula to attend me along with Jonathan...but we are less than 5 minutes away from the hospital incase anything goes wrong)
Well, I hope I haven't bored you with a pregnancy update, but now that the time is nearing, I figured I might as well share with everyone what our plan is, and how God has brought all of this together perfectly :) I have a great support system in our families & friends, and I can't wait to welcome this little boy into the world in such an intimate and lovely way.
Baby Madeleine is here!!
Our baby niece has finally arrived!!!
Name: Madeleine Joy Matus
Date: August 30th, 2007
Time: 5:30 AM
Weight: 7lbs, 4oz
Length: 20 in.
Name: Madeleine Joy Matus
Date: August 30th, 2007
Time: 5:30 AM
Weight: 7lbs, 4oz
Length: 20 in.
Born to: Ari & Stephanie Matus
More Ocean Shores Pictures
Last day at the beach with Mamma
At the job site...we were able to have a campfire to burn wood scraps!
Ocean Shores with Daddy!!
On the last week Jonathan was to be at Ocean Shores, he decided to bring me and Jason along since it would only be for 3 days.
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