Welcome to the World, Travis!

This is Nichola's sister, Cilla.  Nichola asked me to let everyone know about the new arrival in her family.

 

Travis Brawner was born Friday, Nov 28th, at 5:14 pm.  He weighed 9 lbs, 4 oz, and was 22 inches long. 

 

Nichola had to be transported to the hospital for an emergency C-section because of a prolapsed umbillical cord.  Thankfully her midwife was there and knew exactly what to do.  They lost the baby's heartbeat momentarily but Carol got everything under control quickly and he was not deprived of oxygen or otherwise affected.  Cord prolapse is immediately life-threatening to the baby so she did save little Travis's life with her actions. He is healthy and from the sounds of it, very happy.  Nichola is recovering well, but said she is quite a bit of pain, especially when she has to cough.  She plans to be released from the hospital tomorrow afternoon and should post the full details of the birth when she is better.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all reading my Blog today! May the Lord bless you and keep you and yours!

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who has posted comments! Thank you so much for your prayers. I am feeling better today than I did yesterday, but am not quite over this. I did get my kitchen cleaned and reorganized yesterday. I had really been wanting to do that…

Now, let’s start praying up some contractions…

Past The Due Date...

Yesterday was my official due date. There was no sign that this baby is getting ready to do anything. Other than feeling it lower in my pelvis, everything seems pretty calm. I am thankful, on the one hand since David and I have still not shaken this junk. On the other hand, I am ready to get this baby here! =) But I do have quite a to-do list that would be nice to get done first. Not feeling well is making it hard to do that… So, keep us on your prayer lists!

A Special Thank You!

I don’t know if the person that this thank you is for reads my blog or not, but if not I know that there are those that do who can get it to them! (hint, hint)

Last week, we received a box in the mail from OR marked ‘Baby…’ Inside were some very sweet and essential items. The gift blessed our whole family. So, to the giver, (or givers?), thank you. Thank you very much.

Maybe I won’t get to use swaddling clothes after all… =)

Hmmm...

Well, last night and this morning I have been having contractions. Nothing major, but enough that I am taking notice. It seems like the baby has dropped some more and so I am having someone banging around on my pelvis…

I would covet the prayers of those reading this out there in blogland. We are all still dealing with some head cold stuff. I am fighting congestion and pressure in my head. Not really the way I would like to go into labor. I know that the Lord will give me grace in all circumstances, but I am asking for healing! And for healing for our family.

And, I will try to post if things pick up and I go into labor. Or maybe I can show David how to post…

The Good Thing About Computers...

…is that if you were talking to me in real life, I would be exposing you to whatever bug is circulating at our house. As it is, the only thing that viruses affect in the virtual world is computers. So, be thankful for your buffer…

We are still battling this junk, although I think we are about to see the last of it. No one has fever anymore, (I had a round of fever last night), and the coughing does seem to be subsiding a bit.

Speaking of coughing, my syrup pic on the post below does look rather awful! As I have though about it, I think it looks more like a bowl of worms… Actually, the only part of that concoction that is used is the juice that the honey draws out of the onions. We did try to eat the onions, and they were gross.

I do think that this baby will be coming soon now. As I am feeling better, I am having more contractions. In the past, I have not monkeyed around too much with contractions days and weeks ahead of time. I think I did some with Keilah, but not with the others. It seems to me that things are just waiting for a good excuse to get going.

I hope I am right…

Cough Syrup...

I have been asked about my cough syrup.

Yes, the one mentioned in my previous post was my own invention, although I was drawing on things that I had tried or read before.

Although the kids did like that one, I don’t know if it did anything major to help or not. I know that it didn’t hurt. :) I think it was about as effective as many commercial syrups, without the yuckiness.

I did look up and try a few recipes. Of course, I always have to monkey a bit with the ingredients… At least I am learning more about things that are helpful.

One interesting syrup that I have been messing with is very simple to do. And it tastes great. You simply slice up some onions and dribble honey or sugar over them and let the mess sit for 5-24 hrs. The honey draws the juice out of the onions and makes a very tasty syrup. It does seem to help, esp in conjunction with some of the other concoctions. Do a Google search for ‘homemade cough syrup’ if you are interested in several ideas for dealing with the different types of coughs. I found that adding butter or coconut oil to them helps to coat a sore throat as well.

BTW, if anyone has any interesting info to share, I would love to hear things that have worked for you and your family…

Good Morning!

I stayed at home today, even though David is sharing at church today.

No, I haven’t had the baby.

All the kids are coughing and doing the sniffle thing. And, one by one they have made the thermometer throw a fit and give a reading that lets me know that they’re bodies are fighting something. Right now, the girls are reading normal and Jakin has a low fever.

So, we are listening to Caedmon’s Call this morning and drinking vinegar and wonderful things like that.

Actually, I made a cough syrup this morning that everyone seemed to like. I melted some coconut oil, honey, lemon juice, a pinch of cayenne, a tiny sprinkle of garlic powder, a bit of vit C powder and a small dribble of apple cider vinegar over low heat, just enough to melt the coconut oil and warm everything up a bit. I also added a few drops of peppermint extract. They requested more so I am assuming that they liked it. :)

I am also not feeling over the top. But so far no fever on my side. I’d like to keep it that way.

The baby seems to be doing fine. That is if kicking and spinning are any indication. :) The way I am feeling this morning makes me think that it won’t be long. I am starting to have contractions off and on. And, while the baby hasn’t dropped, I am feeling more movement and pressure in my pelvic area. I think somebody is starting to play with the idea of getting out of there.

I was thinking this morning about how my labors have been in the past.

As far as I know, all my mom’s labors started at night. She usually had the baby in the middle of the night or early morning.

I have, so far, started labor in the middle of the night or early morning.

Also, my mom seemed to be more affected by the moon phases. I have not been.

Just randomness that I was thinking about this morning…

38 Weeks

Today I am 38 weeks pregnant. One week closer to having the baby.

Last night I had some contractions. Nothing major, but contractions nonetheless. I was happy to be having them, but at the same time, trembling.

My sister is also pregnant. She is due before me by about 2 weeks. In a conversation the other day, she warned me about having my baby before she has hers. According to her, it just better not happen.

Of course, I can’t promise anything.

But, I was wondering what the consequences might be if I have my baby early…

 

Prayer

Sunday at church, nearly all the women suddenly surrounded me. I knew something must be up.

Grinning, Sue said, “Can we pray for you?”

It was so sweet to have the prayers and support of my sisters in Christ. They prayed for the birth, for my health and the baby’s health. And for my midwife. They also asked what they could do to help us out in whatever way was needed.

I am very blessed and thankful for loving support and help from our family in Christ.