Mommy x10

Guess what we did today? We spent a few hours...yes, hours....driving back and forth, looking at this bear cub up in the tree. The Game Marshall said he was stuck in there since midnight, and would come down when we all left...well, all DAY LONG cars drove by, stopped and took pictures. He was the star of the day, sometimes he seemed to even pose!
He was the cutest bear ever...my favorite animal, and the kids were so excited to see it so close! I tool pictures right under the tree, I got out of the car with Emily.
Aidan asked me if I could buy it...I said no, not today.......lol
Anyway, hope it doesn't get shot....but here's the bear that made the day super exciting!

Ashton Alexander was Baptized on the Feast of the Exhaltation of the Holy Cross.It was so beautiful!He was blessed to have the most awesome Godparents, Father Richardson and Audrey C. They were both glowing with pride yesterday! Ashton is so blessed to have them!He was also blessed with 12 aunts and uncles present out of 14! (plus more...the spouses and cousins!)Gramma, grampa and grammy came to pray with us also!Fr. Pollard spoke about the triumph and the great glory we see when we behold the Most Holy Cross. It was really really beautiful!Laura and Nick, along with Liz and friend, and Grammy came along with our family and the Godparents to have some drinks and something to eat. We had a wonderul afternoon, and we are so blessed with another baptized child of God! Thank you to all for being with us as our 'Omega baby' entered the Catholic Faith

Ashton returned to the Hospital after a check up at the dr.s office last Monday, the 8th.His bilirubin was super high.....22.8. The threshold is 25 He was in Our Lady's arms to be sure!As the night went on...his bili went up. But through many prayers, and God's will, it came down Tuesday night to an amazing 13! I stayed awake all night long staring at him, to help him when he woke, since he couldn't come out of the bed. He had 'Super Hero' goggles on, but he couldn''t see! I let him peek out when I knew he was awake...which was very seldom, thanks to God! He mostly slept......So he will be rechecked tomorrow...our darling baby is now golden, and no longer orange or blue.....:)I was kept company by Craig, and Laureen, with MUCH food brought to me...thank you sooo much! I was hungry...hospital food is really flavorless and I have more to come.....THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PRAYERS! Ia m sure that's what got him well SO Fast!

Ashton Alexander has arrived!
Our Family was blessed with little baby #10 on September 2nd, at 6:41pm. He weighed in at 9.3 lbs, and was 18 1/2 inches.
I had an awful time with the epidural....it accidentally became a spinal. When done purposely, they are great! But when done accidentally....ugh.
I was in labor from about 8am until his birth....though the pain was removed around 4pm....until it returned.....
Ashton's heart rate went down LOW when I had contractions, so I was dizzy and on oxygen, with other IV meds. The nurses stayed with me pretty much all day long, and took great care...the anesthesiologist was pretty worried about me. He came and went throughout my whole stay in the hospital, and he was the one to be able to discharge me.
The back pain was what started it......right after what I thought was an epidural, he said, I want you to know this only happens twice, maybe 3 times a year. I was like, what happens?
He explained that he guided the line in but it decided to go further in, so I had a spinal. There was either blood or spinal fluid which had leaked into my back and I would be in pain very soon.
No kidding!
So the nurses kept me on my back......labor continues, and I went from 4 to 10 in about an hour. ONE PUSH, and his head was out, with the cord wrapped around his neck. Then he came out, and was placed on my stomach.....oh man was he big everyone exclaimed as I cried, looking at Audrey and Craig, cause I couldn't believe he was out! I was ready for an hour of pushing!
God spared me that.......but then.....
as Craig and Audrey checked out Ashton, I started to feel really weird. Pain started to creep in my back...and then I was crying big time! I was in excrutiating pain.
They were also worried about my hemoragging, so they gave me 2 giant bags of pitocin, wide open,..... ouch, and a shot of methergen PLUS pills for meth which I declined. Bleeding was under control with everything else. Good Grief!
Dr. had to be extra precautious so that I heal properly for surgery in 4 weeks.
So...the after contractions were awful, BUT the back pain I could not tolerate or move, lay, sit, stand, NOTHING.
They gave me shots of valium, morphine, tried demorol and ibuprofen mixed first...then they put me on a PCA, and the morphine was available every 6 minutes, and I needed it. The nurses and I discussed the meds and the breast milk, and Ashton would be fine.
Dr. was in and out, and it finally subsided to the point of toleration on thursday evening. I came home with percocet, and am happy to report I have taken myself off, and tylenol is all I am needing! YAY!
So no need for a spinal patch, thank God! Headache lasted until last night,....though standing too much does enhance it.
Long story short....(too late)...we are home, safe and sound, and recupertaing. It will be longer than normal, and then surgery, but then, alas, health!~~~~~~~~~
I have taken the 49er pictures for my dad, to love and for Craig's dad to laugh at!
So these pictures are what I have for now......
Baptism date is not set, but TENTATIVELY set for Sunday, next, the 14th at 2pm. Godwilling, Mass with the Baptism in between, at SJ Baptist in Front Royal, with light potluck afterwards.
Father Richardson and Audrey Calomino are the Godparents. I will email when the Baptism date is SET, so everyone can come and welcome our new baby into the church! He is almost perfect.......
BIG baby, big cheeks, but he matches mommy! I can lose weight with him....lol
Love to all...I MUST rest now......and enjoy this last blessed child I have delivered.
THANK YOU, Jesus!

My birthday was one of shopping, showering, and waiting!
Kids made an awesome bday card, it was GINORMOUS!
Brendan and Katrina made dinner, tortellini with alfredo sauce, french garlic bread and chocolate cake with icing and cool whip. Katrina was very proud of the cake she made...it was all delicious!
The fat cart lady is me....last time I should do that! Dad said take a picture...so we did, and my bottom was falling out of the seat...lol
The Carlsons came over with a HUGE card and flowers, and the Tully's brought over hot wings for me, and the Plunketts sent cookies, cake, and cards, and Margaret made a blanket with Ashtons name and date of birth embroidered on it. Parentes sent dinner and brownies, and cards. Mom got a new phone for my room, and James, Laura and Liz all called or emailed. Lola and Mrs. A sent me cards, and Craig gave me some pink carnations, gorgeous!... and a beautiful card...oh! And the most beautiful gift from God and Craig, ASHTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Father took me to see Les Miserables on the 29th of August and to dinner....Craig, Brendan, Em and I had a GREAT time! Painful to sit, but what a GREAT night!
So I thank God for all the cards and gifts and EDIBLES!

THANK you to the Whites too...you know what you did! :)

Audrey, THANK you for EVERYTHING, but mostly, for being you, and being such a wonderfrul person to our family....we love you, and your Godson sends FAT kisses!

Mom and Dad...you are the BEST role models ever! God and family are the RICHES .......we are so wealthy!.....thanks to you, I learned that! I love you all, and love my beautiful family that God has blessed Craig and I with!
Peace OUT!