The Somewhat Decision

First of all, I truly appreciate everyone's responses. I see all of them as extremely helpful and insightful.

With that being said, I have decided to play it by ear.

From my first birthing experience I know the following:

• I can have a baby without pain medication.
• Back labor sucks.
• Sleep is important.
• I will not care if I can stand up after delivery.
• It grosses me out to visually think that a tube may be placed into my back.

So, I think when Ella decides to make her debut, there will be several factors playing into whether or not I decide to get the Epidural.

Factors Include:

• How much sleep I have had prior to labor.
• If I am experiencing bad back labor.
• If I can get over the visual of the tube in my back.

I believe that if my water breaks right at bed time again that I would definitely consider getting the Epidural. I pushed for almost 3 hours with Kaylee because I was so exhausted going into my 14 hour labor that I did not have any energy left to push.  I think if I would have had sleep, I would not have pushed for so long.

Back labor plays a smaller role in the thought process simply because I believe labor will be shorter as this is my second birth. Also, it is about pain and I know I can handle this pain even though it is terrible. It still will be in the back of my mind prior to making the decision though because it made the labor as a whole extremely difficult.

The visual is actually a pretty big deal for me. It really grosses me out. If you would like to see the video that I watched here is the link for it. I did not watch this video on purpose. I was just browsing through all of the videos on babycenter.com and that one came on. Once it was on, my curiosity got the best of me and I finished the video. I don't know why, but the tube grosses me out the most.


Bottom line - I really would rather have another natural birth because I know I am capable of it. However, I will consider my options that day/night. Adam is great and supports my decision either way.

Any day now! 

Thanks again for all the responses!  I feel more at ease with the thought of getting one, but also more confident in myself if I decide to not get one. :)

To Epidural or to Not Epidural

I have been contemplating the epidural and after talking to a few people I am quite interested in knowing a few things from all of you.

First of all, if you got the epidural, what made you decide to get it? What, do you feel, are the advantages and disadvantages of having it?

Next, if you got the epidural, how was recovery and what was it like?

If you didn't get the epidural, why not? What were some of your techniques for dealing with the pain?

Also, if you did not get the epidural, how was recovery and what was it like?

If you are not comfortable sharing on here, please email me your thoughts at kristasjoyinthejourney@gmail.com.

Thanks for sharing! 

Fun but Relaxing

This week has been a ton of fun, but also exactly what the doctor ordered.

I was told at last week's appointment to get some rest and get better. My lingering cold was making me cranky and making it more difficult (if you can imagine) to sleep. The doctor was so happy to hear that I was done working and that I could do exactly as she said.

Friday evening I went out with friends. This was to be my last week with my friend Krista so we all went out to dinner and dessert.  We ended up in an arcade at the mall and just had a blast being goofy and earning tickets for our awesome neon bracelets and sour candy.  I have not laughed that hard in a while. It was just a super fun night. Not quite "restful" perhaps, but a great way to spend my first official day off from work.

Saturday I went to lunch with some friends from my old job to catch up and see how things are going for them. It was so great to hear that they were all doing well and to finally meet Hayley's little Charlie for the first time.  After lunch, Adam, Kaylee, and I headed down to spend the evening with Adam's family to celebrate Adam's dad's birthday.  It was a relaxing evening of dinner, conversation, and games.

Sunday, after church, we went to lunch with some friends to celebrate our friend Jeremy's birthday. We went to The Journey, which was a new experience for us.  It was pretty good.  I would like to go back when I am not pregnant so I can try the sushi.  The rest of the day I did nothing, but lie around and take care of Kaylee.  Lots of rest and relaxation.

Monday and Tuesday were days of resting as well. I did not feel well at all and so I stayed on the couch as much as possible. Monday night, we went to home group, but I was still able to just stay in a restful state of mind.

Wednesday was my crazy day. I went to Bible study on Wednesday morning. It was a luncheon day so I enjoyed talking with friends over soup and salad.  After Bible study, I headed over to hang out with Krista, Kendra, and Angel. We took Elliana, Keziah, and Kaylee to a place called Monkey Joe's that afternoon to run off some energy.  Since I am pregnant, I wasn't able to "play" so Angel was so sweet to help Kaylee through the bouncy toys for me.  Kaylee had so much fun and was extremely tired afterward.  Wednesday night, Adam and I spent the evening watching Survivor and playing Fusion Frenzy on the 360. Then, I stayed up to book my ticket for California with my friend Meggan to see my friend Kimberly. Exciting way to end the evening.

Thursday the girls and I met up for brunch to see Krista and Elliana off.  It was a yummy conglomeration of food.  It was bittersweet as we said goodbye, knowing that good things are ahead for their little family with this move, yet we will miss them greatly.

Today is another crazy day for me. I had a doctor's appointment this morning. I have a dentist appointment this afternoon, which I need to leave for shortly. Then, this evening I am meeting up with some friends at Jo-Ann Fabrics to pick a pattern and some material as I prepare to take my first sewing class.  I am super excited about this! I have wanted to learn how to sew for so long and have had a few brief lessons for small projects, but have not actually ever been taught.

Joyful Moment of the Day: Kaylee's pigtails. I am a sucker for them. She looks super duper cute with them.

Eviction Notice

I am physically ready for this baby to come.  These last few weeks, I have not been able to fall asleep. I just lay there. Sometimes for hours. It's terrible.

Once I do fall asleep, I wake up every time I need to roll over and to almost every noise.

This week, I have reached the point where I am no longer comfortable in any position. Sitting is squished. Standing is heavy. Laying down is bunched-up. Which of course makes sleeping all that much more difficult.

Walking is painful and slow.

I also have a cold and a super itchy throat to add insult to injury.

Oh and let's not forget the wonderful indigestion that I have to take 20 some odd Tums for per day.

So, I think of all of this stuff and I am like, "Ok, Ella, let's go! This is your eviction notice effective immediately!"

Then, reality sets in of all that still needs to be accomplished and all the plans we have for the remainder of this month and beginning of next month.

I still have one more full week of work.

Adam is currently unavailable to take me to the hospital if need be.

My good friend, Krista, is moving and I would like to get some time with her before she leaves.

Kaylee has a birthday party to attend for her best buddy, Keziah.

Our monthly game day is coming up.

I have a lunch planned with my PAR friends.

There is a girl's night planned.

Our local board game convention is the first week in March.


My floors and bathrooms need cleaned, probably several times between now and then.

Too many fun things to do before Ella makes her debut.  However, I will gladly take her whenever she decides to come.


Joyful Moment of the Day: Praise God, Kaylee was really good tonight for me.

Ode to Productivity

Ok. She can come now.

I still have a ton of stuff that I would love to get done before Elanor makes her big entrance, but I feel a lot better about her possibly coming early now that I have the major stuff done.

Kaylee's room is painted.
Kaylee is sleeping in her new room.
Kaylee has dressers in her room.
Kaylee's clothes have been moved into her dresser.
Elanor's clothes have been brought up and put in her dresser.
Elanor's bedding has been washed.
Elanor's bedding has been put back on her bed.
Kaylee's bag has been packed.
Elanor's going home outfit has been bought.
My bag has been packed.


I just praise God for productivity and for giving me strength and energy to get things done.  I also thank God for a great husband that has been my helping hand these last couple of weeks.

Joyful Moment of the Day: Getting to see baby Ady this morning for the first time. She is super cute, Dan and Emily. Congratulations! I am glad that I was finally able to meet her!