Avery's Arrival

She's here! Our precious daughter decided to finally make her grand entrance.

Avery Joy Christensen
April 28, 2010
3:04 am
7 lbs 11 ozs 19 inches

So here is the Reader's Digest version of her birth story...

Monday, I was dilated to 1 cm and things weren't looking promising. So we scheduled a c-section for yesterday. Monday night I pretty much mentally gave up on having a VBAC. Tuesday morning I woke up at 3 am not feeling so well. By 4 am I was having contractions every 6 minutes. Sean and I figured we weren't going to get any sleep so we got up and showered and monitored my contractions.

We went to see the doctor's at 11 am to see if I was progressing. Sure enough, I had made it to 2 cm. So they sent me up to the hospital. By the time we got admitted and checked, I was dilated to 3 cm. Every few hours I progressed another centimeter.

By 10 pm, I made it to 5 cm and was getting tired, so I got some pain meds and rested a little. By 12:30 am I was at 6 cm and couldn't handle the pain any more. So they broke my water and gave me an epidural. And 30 minutes later I was all the way to 10 cm!!! So they had me "labor down" for a hour and a half. Basically I slept while my body pushed the baby down.

When it was time to push, my nurse woke me up and said it was go time. I pushed for less than 30 minutes. It was such a surreal experience. I was so happy I was able to have a VBAC and Sean was able to cut the cord and I was able to hold Avery right after she came out. I consider this delivery one of the greatest blessings of my life.

When Avery was born she had a lot of fluids in her lungs. They had to stick a tube down her throw to get it out and give her some oxygen. She sit up a bunch of fluids the first 24 hours. And because she was born 9 days overdue, she skin is incredibly dry and cracking on her hands and feet. But other than that, she's perfect!

We decided to come home from the hospital last night. We're so lucky that Avery is an amazing sleeper. We got more sleep last night than the two nights before. She slept all last night on Sean's chest. She LOVES to be swaddled and cuddled and loves to sleep. All of that is very different than Lexi.

I want to thank everyone who kept us in their prayers. I know that all the support made a huge help. Also I had the world's most amazing doula Kelly. I would recommend her to anyone. She is one of the biggest reason I think I was able to VBAC. She kept me calm and focused. I also had an amazing nurse. I just feel like my Heavenly Father was taking care of me and I feel so blessed.

I will post more pictures and details later. I'm tired and this is all I'm feeling up to for now.

The End is in Sight

I know another pregnancy post. But don't worry this is my last one. My next post will be about the birth of our daughter.

We had another BPP (bio physical profile) done today. We're happy to report that our baby is healthy, looks like she has hair, doesn't have the cord around her neck and still has plenty of fluids. But it's not safe for me to continue this pregnancy much longer. We're still hoping and praying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean) delivery but know that it just may not be possible. So we've schedule a c-section for this Thursday, the 29th at 1 pm. If my body decides to go into labor before than that's great, if not then a scheduled c-section it is.

I'm excited to no longer be pregnant. I feel anxious about this delivery. I wanted to have a VBAC so bad, I feel like something is being taken away from me. I'm trying to still be optimistic because it's still a possibility that I won't have to have another c-section. But it's not looking so good for me right now. I haven't progressed at all in the last three weeks. I just pray that my baby and I will be healthy no matter what happens. Please keep us in your prayers. And next time I post, it will be pictures of our baby!

We're Moving SOON!!!

Just before the new year, Sean got a job offer in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We excitedly accepted. Sean will be auditing for the Department of Defense. This is a fantastic job offer. There is job security and set raises with the government plus they are paying for grad school. We both feel that this is the right thing for our family. We have never been to ABQ or to NM for that matter but we're excited to move there and start this new chapter in our lives.

Today we picked Sean's start date, June 7th. We are planning on moving the end of May and moving in to our new apartment the beginning of June. Things are finally starting to seem real. We are looking more seriously at apartments and think we might have found the one! All the apartments that we're considering have playgrounds and pools which will be amazing, especially for Lexi. Now we just have to sell some of our furniture, finish packing (luckily I started the packing process when we first got the job offer) and find someone to take over our apartment contract here. And and we still need to have the baby!

And because I know you're all curious, here are some fun Albuquerque facts:

It is a high desert climate. The population of the city itself is just over 500,00 and the metro area is about 800,000. The average home cost is about $200,000. There are over 300 sunny days a year. The average temperature in July is about 90 degrees and 50 in January. There are three Costco's in the metro area. ABQ is home to the world's longest arial tramway and home to the Albuquerque International Ballon Fiesta in October (which we're so excited for). And importantly there is a temple there too.

And here are a few pictures...

7 lbs 15 ozs

...is what our ultrasound tech guesses our baby weighs right now.

We had a bio physical profile done today. It's an ultrasound measuring the the babies breathing movements, body movements, muscle tone, heart rate and the amount of fluids. Our daughter looks amazing. She is healthy and happy. She was just sucking her thumb and playing with her fingers. So she seems to be in no rush.

As for me, I haven't progressed any since my last visit but that could all change still. We're going back in on Monday for another ultrasound and we'll see how our baby is doing an how I'm doing. And we'll decide what to do. I can't be induced at all. So we are going to wait for nature to take it's course as long as we can and then if nothing happens eventually we'd just do a scheduled c-section (most likely when I'm 10 to 14 over due).

And in case you were curious I measured my "waist" last night and it's 47 inches. That means it's nearly 4 feet around!

Our "Stay-at-Home Family"

This past week Sean and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. We've had a great three years of marriage together. We are happier now than ever. Since we started our family, we've doubled in size (the little one in my belly counts), we've both graduated from college with Bachelor's degrees and we've had so many fun memories. We had a laid back anniversary and just enjoyed being together. My sweet husband brought me home a sweet card, some roses and Baby Ruth candy bars and mint chocolate chip ice cream!

Last Thursday was Tax day and was Sean last day of his internship. Now he is a "stay-at-home dad." We have just been enjoying this past week being together as a family. We've been enjoying the beautiful weather and taking Lexi to the park everyday and going on lots of walks.

This past Saturday we took Lexi to the zoo in Idaho Falls. The last time we took her was for her first birthday. She loved it this time. She knows so many animals and got excited to see them.

Lexi's favorite animal was... the lion!!! No surprise, she is obsessed with a stuffed lion that we bought her at the zoo last year.
My favorite animal was this baby zebra. He's only a week old! I'm glad that my baby won't come out this big!


Lexi is a wild child! She was the little girl at the zoo running around, screaming merrily on a lion leash.

The other day we went to the temple and walked around the grounds. Lexi loved it. It was just nice to sit on the grass and look across the beautiful valley...


And here is a picture of Lexi on a swing at Porter Park. Several times a day, Lexi says "wing" and "wide" ("swing" and "slide") when asking us to go to the park...
Lexi has loved having Daddy having home with her all the time. And I love having Sean as my "manny" (man nanny)...
Today, we went to the upper fields on campus so Sean could play wiffle ball. Lexi loved running around the field, playing in the grass and being out in the sunshine...

And here is me today, 40 weeks pregnant! I know I'm huge! I have gained 40 lbs exactly (with Lexi I gained 42 and wasn't even pregnant as long) and as of this morning can no longer wear my wedding ring.
And a little pregnancy update for those interested... I went to the doc's today and I haven't progressed at all since last week. I'm about 80% effaced and in between 1 and 2 cm dilated. We're going to get an ultrasound Thursday to check the baby's fluids and baby and make sure everything is still okay. We're going to pray really hard that I make some progress this next week or there is a very good chance that next Tuesday (the 27th) I'll be having another c-section. I might be a woman with a "hard cervix" that just doesn't dilate. We hope not though. Prayer for me and my baby girl!

PS I took the pregnancy countdowns off my blog because I didn't need any more reminders that I should have my baby by now or really soon.

Released

Sunday, I was officially released as the Relief Society president of my ward. I knew that it was coming and I could feel that my time was up. I served as president for a year and as the 1st counselor for 8 months before that. I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve the sisters in our ward. Although, I think I benefited more from the calling than anyone else. It's amazing how much you grow when you're put into leadership positions.

I now love Bishops even more because I have a better understanding of how much they do for the ward and how much they care. I also have a better understand of how much time and effort our stake leadership puts forth. I also just have a greaert understanding of the love of the Savior. When I got called to be president, I just remember have an unbelievable amount of love for the sisters in my ward. I will always love them but there is something different about having that stewardship over them.

The best part about my calling was the friendships that I gained with my presidency. I cannot explain how much I love and admire the sisters I worked with (I'm crying so hard right now that I can barely see). My two counselors Amber and Melinda are two of the most amazing people I have ever known. I am going to miss hanging out with them all the time. We are going to have to find excuses to get together on Tuesday nights when we used to have our presidency meetings. And I had two phenomenal secretaries (I know, I was spoiled and had two). Britney and Aubrey both are always so willing to help out anyway that they can. They hope are also hilarious and so fun to be with.

To all the sisters that I served I love you and I hope that in some way our presidency was a able to touch you and help strengthen your testimony and bring your family closer to the savior. I know that Stephanie Mckliney will be an amazing president and I'm excited for her to have this amazing opportunity to serve and learn.

That Makes Two..

... BYU-Idaho Alumni for our family!!! Yesterday, Sean officially graduated!!! He earned his bachelor's degree in Accounting with a cluster (mini minor) in Spanish and Computer Information Science. I am so proud of my husband. He has been going to school for the past five semesters straight, taking demanding upper level classes. Although going to school while working and having a family isn't easy, Sean wouldn't have done it any other way. Having a family and getting an education are both big priorities to Sean so he made it work...

To get excited for graduation, Sean and Lexi wore BYU-I shirts all yesterday.

So studious and smart looking.

So Sean.

I'm so proud of Sean for going to school year round, in a demanding major, while working, while still finding time to devote to his family. Lexi really is his pride and joy and he has always tried to give her tons of love and attention. He's an amazing dad!

Our proud and very excited family!

Sean jumping in excitement outside of the Smith building where he spent the majority of his time on campus (other than the library).

Receiving his "diploma."

No reason to get so excited, this thing is empty. The real diploma arrives in the mail.

Our group. Andrea and Brandon represented the Christensen family, since no one else was able to make it.

After the ceremony we went to get ice cream at G's. A family tradition of ours... Lexi loved it, of course.

Uncharted Terriorty

I had Lexi at 38 weeks exactly. I am now 38 weeks and 1 day pregnant with this baby. So this part of pregnancy is an uncharted territory for me. I hope to not experience it much longer.

21 Months and a Big Girl Bed?

Today Lexi is 21 months old. She is growing up so fast. When I look at pictures of her now, I don't see a baby anymore. Here are a few things about Lexi I'd like to share...

-She LOVES showering. She loves to just stand under the water and let it run all down her. She is a major water hog. Whenever she knows that Sean or I are going to shower she starts taking off her clothes and bagging to get it too. I'm not sure when we're going to break that habit...

-Her favorite song right now is "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam." She calls it "bee bee." It has over 120 plays on our itunes. Some of her other favorites include: "Popcorn popping," "Once there was a snowman," "If you're happy and you know it," "Head, shoulders, knees and toes," and "Ring around the rosie."

-Lexi is learning her colors. She can say: green, blue, yellow and red. She gets green right the most. I think it must be her favorite. She says "bing" for "green." It's so cute.

-Lexi is also starting to recognize some letters. She gets "E" and "O" right the most. But she also knows: A, I, U and V pretty well.

-And just yesterday I realized that she can count to 3 on her own. I was starting to count as a warning before she went to time out (she likes to hit). I said "one" and she said, "two, three." What a smart girl!

-When Lexi see my belly, she'll run to it and kiss it and say "Oh!" It's so adorable. I just hope she stops doing that when her sister is born.

-Lexi LOVES to rough house. One of her absolute favorite things to do is crawl around on the floor with Sean and get chased and growl at each other. It's cute and probably part of the reason that she is a little bully.

-Lexi is a major lattle tail. If we touch her she'll say, "Oh boo boo" and then I'll ask her how she got it and she'll say the name of who ever is with her, blaming it on them!

-Lexi LOVES food. She eats all day long and most nights when we're putting her to bed she'll ask to eat again. I'm not sure if she is just trying to get out of bed or if she is really hungry (which she always is). Last week she woke up at 4 in the morning and was asking to eat. It's amazing that this girl isn't any bigger!



Today we picked up Lexi's toddler bed. I debated for a long time whether to buy another crib, get a toddler bed or a twin bed. This bed was such a good on bulletin board that I had to get it. I wasn't planning on showing it to her until we moved to Albquerque but when Sean picked it up today he brought it home instead of taking it to our storage unit. So we let Lexi play with it and she loves it. She got so excited when Sean brought it home (even though she has no clue what it is). The sides and end are white picket fences. This is like every girl's dream bed. Now I just have to decide if I want to wait or let her sleep in it now...


I'm afraid if I put her in it now, she'll never sleep and just play. But I'm not sure if it would be better for her to make the change now with the change of the new baby coming or when we move and she most likely shares a room with her sister. Hmmm...

Pregnancy Drama

This is my third post of the day. I'm trying hard to get up to date. The reason I'm so far behind is because of some recent changes in my pregnancy.

Friday morning at 5 am. I woke up having contractions. They were annoying me so I took some Tylenol which helped we get some rest. A few hours later though it wore off and I started feeling awful. I was in so much pain. I didn't know what as happening and I was home alone with Lexi, without a car. Sean was on campus studying in the library basement, so he had no cell phone reception. Finally the pain got so bad that I started worrying about what I was going to do. I called my two amazing friends Amber and Melinda and they both came over immediately. Melinda took me to the doctor while Amber watched Lexi.

Last Tuesday at my weekly check up the doctor couldn't even find my cervix but on Friday morning the baby dropped (and I am pretty sure I felt it) and was getting in birthing position. I wasn't dilated at all though, which was super frustrating. I was hooked up and they monitored my contractions which were super regular and the baby's heartbeat. It was nice to know my baby was okay. She is normally incredibly activate but wasn't once the contractions started.

So all Friday, we had no idea what was going on. I kept having contractions so we thought that maybe we'd have an Easter baby. Saturday morning I went back to the doctor to see if my contractions led to any progress. It frustrates me to say, that when I got checked again I still hadn't dilated any.

Sunday, I kept having contractions (not as bad or regular though) and lots of cramping. And today my stomach just hurts and I feel nauseous. Since this whole thing started, our baby hasn't been moving very much at all and I have had no appetite and am just ready to be done. My next appointment is Thursday, so I'm crossing my fingers that something will have happened by then!

And just for fun here is a picture of my Friday afternoon that Melinda took.

Our Easter Activities

The week before Easter Lexi and I went to her first Primary activity (well for our ward it's basically nursery). She had a ton of fun and it was neat for me to see her interact with all the kids she plays with on Sundays. There were several stations set up for the kids: a cake walk, bean bag toss, pin the tail on the Easter bunny, coloring, and more. Lexi's favorite was frosting cookies though. That is something she has never done before. After she put the frosting and sprinkles on she would just lick them off. Here are the cookies she brought home to daddy...

And here is a picture some of the kids in Lexi's primary...

Lexi got this dress in a package from my mom (there was also a matching one for her sister). I tried to get a good picture of Lexi in it for my mom but someone didn't feel like cooperating before church...

Our Easter weekend was crazy because of me and our baby (that is another post in the making) but we did manage to do a few things for Lexi. Saturday was Easter for us. Lexi woke up to this Easter basket that her daddy prepared for her...

And Saturday afternoon, Sean hid a bunch of Easter eggs in our living and dinning room. Sean wasn't prepared for how fast Lexi would pick them all up. Next year, he will be hiding them a little better.

Her eggs were full of gold fish crackers, Captain Crunch berries, animal crackers, marsh mellows, Swedish fish and a few other things.

And here is Lexi Easter morning eating eggs, of course. She really love scrambled eggs, especially with ketchup. I just posted this picture because I think it's funny.

Sean was so great this weekend (well he always is). He made our Easter Sunday dinner- Ham and potatoes and even made our cake. It may not look like a professional made it but it tasted good.

During the Sunday afternoon session of general conference we all fell asleep, expect for Sean.

Josh and Big Jud's

Last Wednesday, Sean's older brother Josh came to visit us. It was just a quick visit but we had so much fun. We love it when Josh comes to see us! While he was here we went out to eat as a family to Big Jud's. It's an experience. If you haven't been, Sean and I would recommend it for sure. Their burgers are amazing and the atmosphere is fun.

The building is out in the middle of no where in Archer and it looks like a public bathroom at a state park...

But every time we've gone it's been full. So this time while we waited the guys bought themselves mustaches from a vending machine. They were hoping to get furry ones but got these ones instead. I think they just look like band aids. I also think that the next time all the Christensens are together, the guys should wear these...

Someone who would probably disagree with me is Lexi, she looked scared. She wanted nothing to do with her daddy or uncles when they were wearing the mustaches.

Sean convinced Josh to eat the Big Jud. Although, I'll admit it didn't take much convincing. This is a one pound patty!

Josh ate it without much of a struggle and with an incredible time...

He had the first half done within 5 minutes. He hardly slowed down at all. If our computer wasn't being so slow right now I would post a video. But I'm sure you can just imagine watching Josh (as he said it) bare bottom spank his hunger.

A fun group sitting next to us (who had traveled all the way from Canada for the experience) gave us all free ice cream. Which Josh was grateful for because he said he was feeling hot after eating all that food.

Sure Josh was full but I look even fuller at 37 1/2 weeks pregnant. Big Jud's was definitely worth the trip. The original Big Jud was even there that night, flipping burgers in the kitchen.

I had to include this picture. I bought a new Moby wrap on Craig's list last week and Josh tried it out for me. He said it was so comfortable and even Lexi seemed to enjoy it. Josh is trying to swaddle her like a newborn in this picture, Lexi preferred facing out though.

And here is a picture of "the Evens." Josh is Christensen kid #2, Sean is #4 and Andrea is #6.