My Sunshine Song: April 2016

Kai Quincy

July 30, 2010

12:54pm

8.5 lbs. 20.5"

Good Shepherd Medical Center, Hermiston OR.

Birth story:

You were quite comfy in my huge tummy and didn't exactly want to come out! (You still love to snuggle with your Mama). Your Daddy had to leave for a job shortly after your due date to go diving down in the Gulf of Mexico and I wanted him to get to meet you before he left so I was induced at a little over 41 weeks.

I had a very strong epidural once the induction was well underway and didn't feel much of anything through my labor with you. Once it was "go" time I only had to work at things for about 15 minutes until you were finally in our arms. You were a big healthy boy and born with the sweetest little cleft lip which you had repaired at Doernbecher's Children's Hospital when you were barely 5 months old.

We knew before you arrived that we would call you Kai. It was a beautiful not "too" common name which has the most beautiful meanings in every dialect (Ocean, Happiness, Forgiveness, Strength). We chose "Quincy" as your middle name because that is where your Papa was born and raised---and little did we know how much your shy little smirky smile and quiet, laid-back personality would resemble the very individual your middle name grew from.

You were an easy, happy baby and and the joy of our lives--which you continue to be with your sweet, loving spirit and old soul.

There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful that YOU were the one who first made me a Mommy. I love you with everything that I am, my sweet boy.

And look at you now:

Sunny June

July 23, 2012

10:26pm

7lbs. 21.5"

Good Shepherd Medical Center, Hermiston OR.

Birth story:

Oh, Sunny Boo. I couldn't have imagined an easier pregnancy or delivery. Maybe that is part of the reason we felt so inclined to call you "Sunny."

You came RIGHT smack dab on your due date. My water broke as I bent down to grab a beach towel for your brother who was busy swimming at Nana & Papa's house. I non-chalantly called your Daddy who was just a few minutes away working in Boardman. He met me at our house and we excitedly drove together to the hospital (after stopping at Starbucks first for an iced coffee and then the Snow cone shack for a pina colada treat--there is a reason you love that pina colada flavor, sweet girl).

I remember my water leaking profusely on our elevator ride up to the maternity floor. I wasn't in any pain at all--and that was probably one of the most uncomfortable things I can remember about your birth.

We checked in to our room, the Doctor came and "checked" our progress and I proceeded to have a few minor contractions while walking out on the warm rooftop deck before getting the epidural. After I was tucked in and comfortable, your Daddy asked the nurse if he had "time" to run to Walmart to grab a movie and some snacks. She said "of course" and he took off. Well, I watched my contractions get stronger and stronger and started feeling lots of pressure and had to call him to tell him to rush back--he literally walked/ran back up to the room and in one push there you were!

It was too easy and too perfect. It felt like a dream. Your big brother was over the moon to meet you the next day--and you two have pretty much been inseparable since.

We had a few names in our back pocket ready to give you--we liked Harper and Bailey. We knew you would carry your Daddy's Grandmother's name as the middle (June) but we hadn't really settled on a first name. A few weeks before you arrived your Daddy recalled how I'd talked a lot about the name "Sunny" for your brother if he would have been a girl. You know how much I love the sunshine. I knew, right then, that the sheer act of your Daddy "re-introducing" that name the deal was done.

From that moment on, you have been our sunshine.

I was really nervous about having a daughter--I'd always envisioned being a Mom to a bunch of boys, but you have been such a joy. Full of spunk with the biggest, most beautiful smile. I have fallen in love with having a daughter--someone to get pedicures with and share earrings and blush brushes.

And if you haven't already figured it out, you have your Daddy absolutely wrapped around your finger.

And look at you now:

Gracie Sage

April 24, 2014

10:48pm

8 lbs. 20"

Good Shepherd Medical Center, Hermiston OR.

Birth story:

Sweet Gracie girl. You made Mama feel it for the entire month of April before you decided to finally show up around 10 days before your cinco de mayo due date. My pregnancy had been quite easy up until that point--but after teasing us for almost an entire month, I finally felt crappy enough to tearfully have your Daddy drive me to the hospital to see if I was really in labor or if you were just teasing me some more.

Thankfully, it was the real thing (especially since I'd had your Daddy drive home from his job in Portland the day before).

Papa came and stayed with Kai and Sunny while your Daddy and I were at the hospital. Once we checked in, they told me to "walk around for awhile" until I progressed a bit more in order to get that lovely epidural. I walked for about 10 minutes and then started having massive contractions--so I decided to go back to the room. They got harder and harder, crashing over me like waves to the point where your Daddy went out to get the nurse because he was sure you were close.

The doctor came and checked things and passively informed the nurse that I would not be getting an epidural because I was already dilated to almost 9 cm.

And, I cried. I was terrified because up until this point I had not had to face an entire labor without the wonderful numbing crutch of my dear epidural. I could see the fear in your Daddy's eyes as the doctor walked out and we were left in foreign territory: NATURAL territory.

The next 20-30 minutes felt like a lifetime of wrenching pain. I remember just watching the monitor and squeezing the living daylight out of your Daddy's hand (he ended up only letting me hold/squeeze the left hand just in case I broke something). I remember crying to the nurse and asking her WHY WHY WHY anyone would ever CHOOSE to feel this. And then, I remember feeling the most insane pressure and remembering what my natural birthing mama friends referred to as the "ring of fire" and not being afraid anymore, but instead SO STOKED that it was all coming to an end.

The doctor ran in and you were out in a single push, my love.

And I felt every square inch of your feisty body.

It was raw and hurt like hell but was SO beautiful and exhilarating (As horrifying as it felt at the time I'm actually not convinced that I wouldn't do it again if I were to arrive to L&D that far along...).

To this day you are our spitfire. You are stubborn and bossy and scary smart. You are super social and you love to be with people--and you are usually the life of the party with your contagious laugh and boundless energy.

As exhausted as you make me, I cannot for one single second imagine life without you.

We had planned to name you "Sage" but once we laid eyes on you it just didn't feel right. We wrestled for a day or so between "Jory" and "Gracie" and your Daddy called you Gracie. I think it had something to do with the double G's and the fact that that cute little Gracie Gold was all over the television for those 2014 Olympic games. It just fit. YOU just fit.