Harpers Birth Story

So after weeks of no progress and the doctor saying this sweet baby girl is not coming on her own we decided to be induced. My regular weekly doctors appointment was on Monday and nothing had progressed passed 2cm dilated and 60% effaced 2 weeks earlier. Dr. Lopez agreed that the baby was probably not going to come on her own. I asked if we could wait a few more days so he did an ultrasound to measure her water which was 11 (anything 8-15 is considered normal) and since it was good he allowed me to go a few more days. I had contractions on and off but Wednesday morning came and she still hadn't come on her own and nothing had changed in dilation or effacement. So Dr. Lopez decided it was best to induce (i agreed mostly because I was done and over it but also because nothing had changed and I was "stuck" in the same place I was with Caleb). Part of me knew this baby probably wasn't coming on her own and the more I prayed about it the more that feeling came.

Wednesday morning at 6:30am My mom came and stayed with the kids and me and Anthony headed for the hospital. We stopped and had breakfast on the way (because I learned with Caleb not to go without) and then got ourselves to the hospital right on time. I was checked in at 7:15 and put in a room about 7:30. I got a very sweet nurse who had been doing labor and delivery for 18 years (yes not a newby like last time...the lord does answer prayers even when they are silly ones) she was quick and efficent. I always forget the bazillion questions they ask you before you even get started.

 By the time all was said and done they Started Pitocin and IV antibiotics for my GBS at 9:30 Yes...2 hours of paperwork and prep for an induction. They were great about letting me sit on my birthing ball. I sat on that birthing ball most of the time. every 30 minutes the nurse came in and upped the dose of pitocin.The birthing ball was a surprising help I stayed comfortable on that ball until 12:30.

They came in to check my progression she had finally dropped nice and low and the contractions had begun to be uncomfortable enough that I agreed to pain medication. when they check I was 3 Cm dilated and 75% effaced and my contractions were 1 minute to 1 and 1/2 minutes apart. they gave me my first dose of Fentinol. I can have the Epidural when I'm 4cm dilated so I was pretty close to that point anyways.

At 1:10 Dr. Lopez came to check on me the contractions weren't too intense yet but I could feel them so he decided to go ahead and break my water. they also placed a monitor on Harper's head to better watch her heart rate (she didn't show signs of stress but they were having trouble keeping her on the monitor).

At 2:00 I asked for a 2nd dose of Fentinol and they checked me I was right on the edge of 4cm so they put in the order for the epidural and now it was just a waiting game. I was getting increasing uncomfortable and struggling to stay calm and breath through the contractions. I asked multiple times how much longer for the epidural and they just kept telling me its coming.

 At 2:40 the anesthesiologist finally arrived. they checked me right after the epidural was finished being set up...there were a few changes to it this time that I didnt have with the other 2. the big ones I noticed was the medication was no longer in a glass bottle that hung but a bag that looked like all the other IV medication bags.  The 2nd was the insane amount of tape they used on my back to hold the epidural catheter in place. I had tape from my shoulders to my bum crack! I Could feel the contractions but it was all pressure and no pain. I could feel Harper moving lower and lower. There was a point about 4:30 that I started to wonder how far along I was because I had done this twice before and things quickly started to feel very familiar like I knew I was getting close to the end. I decided to be patient and wait until 5:00 when my next dose of antibiotics was due.

At 5:00 the nurse Came in to administer the 2nd dose of antibiotics. Since I was able to receive a 2nd dose before Harper was born there would be no need for her to have antibiotics after she was born. After she set up the antibiotics to my IV she checked me and I was 8cm dilated and Harper's head was right there. The nurse kept telling me try not to push over and over but there was nothing I could do my body was pushing her out weather I was going to help her or not. Things went so far and so fast that they decided they better call in the on-call doctor just in case. I almost lost my mind when Madison's OB walked in. It was at that point that I did everything I could to keep Harper from being delivered by him (He was an absolutely awful doctor) at 5:21 Doctor Lopez arrived...Harper was already starting to crown. A few pushes later and when I say a few I mean like 3 and Harper was out and she came out with a full head of hear and screaming! Best sound I ever heard...She was the only baby that cried right away. She Weighed a surprising 6lbs 10oz, the smallest of all three of my babies, and she was 18 inches long. My sweet little miracle baby was here safe and sound and I was completely in love.

It was not apparent right away what her name should be. We debated about her name for hours. We called my kiddo's almost right away. As soon as everyone was out of the room I Facetimed with them to let them see their new sister. They were both very excited to see her. It took us until about 9:00 to name her but we finally decided that Harper Rose Dayton would be her name.

Siracha Factory Tour

One of the things on the summer bucket list this year was to do a factory tour. last year we did an olive factory tour but since it wasnt olive season there wasnt a ton going on and it was less than impressive and it was hard to keep the kids interested so we decided to look into other factories in the area and discovered one of our favorite hot sauces makes theirs right here in
Irwindale.

Walking in to get ready for the tour

 those hair nets are just lovely and trying to keep on on my 2 year old was quite the challenge

 This sauce is a huge favorite in my house

 this machine takes tubes that look like small test tubes and heats them and blows them into the right shape to make the siracha bottle as well as burning the label onto the bottle.

 each batch that is made is tested for quality control these bottles are the ones that were tested at random from each batch.

 My cute little Madison modeling for me :)

 Holding his hands down to try and keep his hairnet on...bwhahahaha that was one funny challenge

 Siracha paste packed in storage barrels...this is the ground chili's without the "sauce" ingridents (salt, water, vinegar etc...)

60th wedding Anniversery Luau

In September of this year my grandparents on my mom's side will have been married for 60 years. its almost unheard of these days to make it past 10 years so it was an honor and a pleasure to celebrate such a milestone. They decided to celebrate with 2 other couples in which they have been friends with for most of their married lives. Me and Anthony decided it was best if our kids stay home since the party was out doors, not necessarily in a kid friendly area and very close to a busy street. The kids stayed with Anthony's mom and they had a great time and it also allowed me and Anthony to enjoy the celebration.

 My Sexy date for the night!

 from left to right: Joe and Arlene Glick, Pat and Bud, and Grandma and Grandpa

 All Married 60 years this year

 Amanda and Andy in their "fancy" attire

 All of Grandma and Grandpa's Grandkids and their spouses

All of Grandma and Grandpas Kids: From Left to right: Rick, Lorriane, and Jimmey

Yearly Camping Trip - Jarupa Campgrounds

The kids loved the water park/splash pad.

The kids loved helping set up camp and then getting to explore the camp grounds and playground.

we made walking tacos for dinner...they were not a big hit and much to my surprise. I thought those would go really well but none of the kids were interested in eating them.

as it started to get dark we got the fire started and made smores with the kids. it was also starting to get cold so it was a great time to start the fire. all the kids did sooo good with making smores. we didnt have some crazy instance with fire or anything. I'm so proud of them all.


















i'm pretty sure their favorite part of the smores was eating them. they made a huge melty, gooey, mess but the kids loved them and that made it all worth it.

after we cleaned up dinner and the smores we took the kids on a hike. we took them on a hike mostly to wear them out since it was getting late and they had no intentions of going to bed.

dressed and snuggled in bed...these 3 little trouble makers stayed awake until after 11pm. (that includes my crazy little 2 year old. after we finally got them to bed we passed out ourselves. i woke up the the sound of 2 little girls giggling. when i looked at the time i realized they were up with the sun. I thought for sure they would be tired and sleep but apparently not.

this is a tired mamma with a little boy who was more than happy to invade my bed!

Strawberry jam makin

Last year I let Madison make jam with me  for the first time (for both of us) she did so good in the kitchen and we had so much fun together that I couldn't wait to do it again this year! My mom was given 6lbs of strawberries and can't eat that many alone so she gave them to me to make jam. Since we had a low key morning I thought today was the perfect time to get in the kitchen with my princess and make some yummy jam!

Loved using my ninja to get really smooth strawberries and Madison loved getting to push the buttons.

Measuring was a good way to get her to count to 4 especially since she tends to skip that particular number everytime she counts.

All the sugar is mixed in and she didn't spill any! I'm so proud of her she's becoming quite the cook.

We ended up running out of pectin and jars before we ran out of strawberries. It was time well spent and for 12 jars of strawberry jam total cost was only $5.00 which is drastically cheaper then buying it in the store.

Summer movie fun 2015

Took Caleb to see his very first movie and to say it wasn't perfect is a huge understatement. He did great for about the first half hour which included the 15 minutes we were there before the movie even started. Then he started to get full from the popcorn and it also started to run out. About half way through the movie he decided to get himself down and I had him sitting in his booster he gets himself down and falls straight into the bars in front of us and starts to scream. After I walk him outside I see either his mouth or his nose was bleeding profusely. So I ran him to the bathroom and clean them up as best I could. We survived the rest of the movie with him in my lap and more popcorn. Madison was a rockstar and for the most part I didn't even really know she was there! 

After the movies we met up with friends and headed home to do some swimming and have lunch with friends.

Bowling

Took the kids bowling today and at first it was rather challenging. Caleb wouldn't stop pressing buttons which was constantly reloading the pins and Madison was really uncooperative. Once we got them under control we actually started to have a good time. By the end of the games both kids really started to understand the game and get excited for their turn and when they knocked down the pins. 

Love the quality time I get to spend with my kids 

Annual Logans Candy Cane Trip

 My boys ready for the candy cane demo

 listening and watching the candy cane demo

 no idea why after she totally panicked about bending her own candy cane

Caleb was more upset that his candy cane had to go in the bag for the picture...do you love my sexy man who turned his candy cane into a heart! he is so romantic...Love him to pieces!