Theo Part 1

I know people have been anxiously awaiting some news/pictures of baby Theo. There are so many awesome and amazing pictures from the birth I didn't even know how to narrow it down further than this so get ready for a massive picture overload.  I will post pictures first and then at the end...kinda the birth story. 

We checked in at 6:30.  I had to get some pictures of how small my tummy was.  CRAZY. 

For some reason it won't let me center this but Cali got here at 10:30...that was really calming for me. 

My lunch that I couldn't eat...so Cortney ate it.  It looked delicious.  I was so hungry. 

Staring wistfully at the food. 

We would watch all of the updates and contractions on the monitor.

This was my first delivery where I was sick.  Here I am looking sick.  I threw up a couple of times...that was different. 

Trying to look happier.

Feeling sick again.  I would feel nauseous when my contractions would come...then for a minute or so I would feel better. 

I had tons of medicine going in me.  Penicillin, steroids, saline, and pitocin. 

This is when I started to feel like I was needing to push.

Yup...the baby was almost out already.

dr

Getting ready to push.  I pushed for one contraction.  3 times in about 40 seconds. 

Push...

Out he came...

I felt so relieved once he was out...

My mother in law Roberta came and watched the delivery.  She took tons of these awesome pictures. 

Crying baby.  Such a good sound.  It looks loud but it sure wasn't. 

This is super gross...but i had to include it because my placenta is REALLY small.  Cortney always takes a picture of it and mine last time was at least twice the size of this one.  It could be the cause of Theo not growing in utero.  My placenta from henry took up more than half of that bucket. 

Chaos and stitches.

Tiny baby. 

Look how small that preemie diaper is on him!

Here are some notes Cali took throughout the day. 

Checked in at 6:30
Strep test positive, virus (cmv) antibodies present (I couldn't believe I was positive for the strep test...arghhh...the cmv could be nothing or it could be something...it means at some point in my life I had cmv...the baby is getting tested for it now. It could be serious if I got it while pregnant.)
Epidural at 9:05
Broke your water at 10:00
Cali comes at 10:30
Feeling nausea at 12:00
Checked at 12:35, at a 2 cm 70%, -1
checked at 2:15, 2 1/2cm, 80%
At 2:20 the baby was "being naughty" (heartrate decelerations with contractions) came in and flipped her to her left side, checked again and was a 3 cm.
At 2:50 dilated to a 4cm, 90% effaced, zero station.  put fluid through cath in the contraction monitor to buffer the cord (amniotic infusion)
3:21 threw up
3:40 dilated to a 6. The amniotic infusion really worked.
4:00 feeling a lot of pressure, nurse came to check,  fully dilated and crowning!
4:16 Theodore born, 4 lb 6 oz 18 inches long apgar, 8/9 

couple of stitches , small placenta.
cord wrapped around neck

It was a stressful day with lots of highs and lows.  So far Theo is passing every test with flying colors.  

I feel like he is my miracle baby.  He is doing so good.  I will update more soon.  (the internet is so slow here)

New Little Dude

Meet Theodore Bunker Boice
4lbs. 6 oz. 18 inches long
So far he is breathing well, and we have been with him for the past 6 hours in our room.  He isn't hooked up to any tubes or anything.

He was officially born at 4:16 PM.  Both Ash and the baby are doing great.  Ash did super awesome, she is such a strong girl.

I will post some pics tomorrow sometime.

We are so blessed, thank you for the prayers. Crank up the volume so you can hear him talking.

Untitled from ashley boice on Vimeo.

Are we tired of this yet?

So yesterday I had my dr appointment. I have been meaning to post but i have been spending my time resting.

 I met with the perinatologist. Everything looks the same. The baby weighs in at a little over 4 pounds. (that seems so tiny too me...especially with all the HEAVY rowdy brothers this baby will have waiting at home for him.) my fluid looked good too...I think it was at 9 cm.

 So I am scheduled to have the baby Tuesday morning. I am thrilled to have one more weekend to get things ready for the baby. I am not so thrilled to be in the hospital for thanksgiving. The doctor told me to lay on my side and drink lots of water so I have been taking it easy. I am so tired anyways.  I keep thinking...there is no way my stomach is big enough to be delivering right now.  It scares me a little.

 I feel very excited to meet this little guy. My doctors seem to believe that it could take years before we know what is even wrong with him so I am just trying to treat the whole thing like all my other babies. Sorry I didn't post sooner. I just was too tired. Sorry for the typos I did this on my iPad.

some of the ultrasound on thursday...

 yay...at least we know this little guy has 5 toes on one side.  :)

More profile pics...he is still head down.  He has his hand right up to his mouth...same as the other pictures. 

They comfirmed the fact that theo was indeed still a boy.  Haha...wouldn't that be a shock if that had gotten that wrong. 

 I just wanna say...I can feel your prayers and they are working...so far everything has turned out just how I wanted. Things I didnt even know I could hope for have come to pass. I have been so blessed. Thanks guys.

Today's appointment

So today I met with my regular doctor.  Angelique watched the kids...and I was gone a LONG time.  I was really grateful for her.  Seriously.  Cali came along because they give me so much information at every appointment it is too much for me to remember by myself.  First I saw the doctor.  I tried to get some answers out of him but he needed me to get my ultrasound and non stress test first.  They measured my amniotic fluid and the tech told me it was measuring a 10.  I felt good about that being up from my last appointment.  Then he gave me the best news evah....my baby FLIPPED.  I couldn't believe it.  The perinatologist had told me that the baby flipping would be HIGHLY unlikely because my fluid was on the lower side.  Even my Dr.  couldn't believe it.  I was thrilled.

Then it was over to be monitored.   The baby looked really good again.  Then Doctor Baxter came in had a seat and we talked for a little bit.  He said he talked to the doctor down at Utah Valley and she said that I could deliver here at my hospital...Instead of down there. YAY!  I really want to have my baby at Orem.  It is across the street from my house and I really love that place.  Plus I want to be delivered by my doctor.    All of my babies  have been born there.

So I have an appointment on thursday at Utah Valley...if  my fluid goes down to a 5 then I will deliver that day. (NO C-SECTION!!  YAY!) But I can still deliver at my hospital with my doctor.  If my fluid stays above a 5 then I am scheduled to be induced on Tuesday at 6:30 am.

So if everything goes as planned the baby's birthday will be 11/22/11 (the day I turn 37 weeks).  I feel really relieved to know what is happening.  I am so happy to have him flipped.  I CAN'T believe he flipped.  I knew this weekend I was feeling him move SO much more than i had before.  It must be because he is bum up now.

That's pretty sad

Today...Cortney wore some flannel pajama pants.  He hardly ever wears pj's.  Hardly ever.  Christmas morning...and then a couple of random times throughout the winter.

Henry said to Cortney this morning when he saw him in the flannel pants..."mommy's Pants??"  While tugging on Cort's pj's.  SAD.  But hilarious.

Hens

Henry has been sick this week.

He says "hold you" all the time when he wants us to hold him.

I have been just laying with him and holding him and taking in every second with him as my baby.  I feel really sad for him that he is about to get his world rocked.  I have been really really trying to savor every minute with him.  It honestly makes me cry to think he won't be my littlest one any more.  I have really loved having him as my baby...I feel really grateful that I got to have him.  I really have been obsessed with him.

As we laid in bed yesterday I talked to him about him getting to be a big brother.  He kept laughing and repeating what I said but who knows what that little guy can understand.  I told him "you can help me get diapers." to which he responded "diapers?".  Haha.

He says THEO so adorably.


And just because a post is pretty boring without pictures...so photobooth pictures we took on thursday...

. 

Today I met up with my Aunt Peggy, cousins Courtney, Kylie, and Brad.  We laughed and talked (and ate) for a couple of hours.  Honestly it was just what I needed.  I haven't just relaxed in a long time.  It was Heaven.  Plus I got out of my sweatpants which was an event in and of itself.  It is nice to get pretty once in a while.  :)

update...kinda

So I have been going in two times a week for AFI (amniotic Fluid index) which is done by ultrasound...and non stress tests.  In the AFI they do just as it sounds check my amniotic fluid...in the non stress they are just monitoring the babies heartbeat...and making sure he has natural accelerations in his heartbeat.  I think I have had like 10 ultrasounds this pregnancy.

Today I met with another perinatologist, everything still is looking the same.  My amniotic fluid went down from 13 cm last week to 8 cm this week.  She said that when I go in to be monitored next week on Thursday I need to be prepared for them to tell me that I am having a c section that day.  The baby is still breech and most likely won't turn now that the fluid is going down.  And because he has problems they wouldn't try to flip him.

While we were having the ultrasound she was trying to get a doppler reading on the umbilical cord but he kept putting his hand in front of it.  His hand looked all the way normal, and he was moving it in and out of a fist.  It honestly moved me to tears.  I don't really know why but it just looked like a good hand.

Then they got this really cute profile picture of him....

I added in some labels because I know some people can't read these things at all.  LOOK at how puffed out his lips are.  Hahaa.  And look at that adorable squished little nose.  Every single time I have seen a picture of him (which is quite a few times now) He has had both hands over his face.  It is amazing to me that he is a full little person, and that he will be here in a week.  

I felt pretty good about the appointment.  I have been having a little bit of a hard week this week.  Cali is gone.  Enough said.  hahaa. 

I think it is hard for me to have everything not go as planned. 

It is really hard for me to not be able to plan.  But I honestly don't know one thing that is going to happen.  It seems like too many things are out of my control.  :)

Hopefully I can blog soon about our new house (well this house just with construction finished)...things are still a wreck around here (which doesn't help me feel settled)...but as soon as I get everything cleaned and put back in order I will post.  

I feel way better.

So this morning I met with my regular OB.  Cali and Cortney went with me and I think he really put us at ease.

He said that I can hope for a totally normal baby...something I didn't even think was a possibility at my appointment with the specialist.  He explained that that is the perinatologists job.  To give you all the bad news and that is just how they have to talk.  He said it could be a number of things and that it might be born with some disabilities some worse then others some better then others, but that it could also be nothing.

He said that I WILL be having the baby at 36 or 37 weeks.  That gives me 12-19 more days.  YIKES that is soon.

He said that because the rest of the baby looks so good, he is really optimistic. He said usually there are more things wrong if the baby has something really wrong.

He said that the baby is measuring small 29-31 weeks instead of 34.5, so even with out the underdeveloped cerebellum they would be delivering him early.

He said I might still be able to have the baby at my regular hospital delivered by him (he said we will know more monday the 14th)

I then went over to get an ultrasound and a non stress test.  He came in and talked to me again and said both tests looked just how they wanted.

Then it was over for blood work (they were looking to see if I maybe got some certain type of virus that could cause birth defects).

It was a long exhausting time at the doctor (and always goes over into lunch time so I AM STARVING).

I feel so hopeful.  I feel way more relaxed.

I am still preparing myself for all scenarios but I am not letting fear get the best of me.

I haven't been sleeping too well though...I can't stop waiting to feel the baby move.

I can really feel your prayers and I appreciate them so much.  Yesterday and today have really been amazing for me.

Sometimes you forget that so many people love you.  :)

I have more ultrasounds and non stress tests next week.  Monday and Thursday.

Then another doctors appointment on Monday the 14th and I think that is when they will tell me when I am having this baby.  I was so worried about having a December baby...I guess that isn't one of my worries any more.

Thanks everyone!

p.s.  I put our router in a bag of rice overnight and it works now!!! How awesome is that??

Also...we have no running water over here.  I guess we gotta get that fixed pretty soon. :)

my hens is no longer a baby

This morning I realized I was spending way more time styling Henry's hair then I was my own (which isn't much these days). It had to go.

Doesn't my tile look pretty.  I love it. 

I thought a 4 would be way longer.  It isn't. 

This picture is so out of focus but Henry started doing a glaring face this week.  He does it all the time. 

Doesn't he look grown up?  He looks so much more chubby too. Haha.

It seems we have a little less time then we first thought to get the house done before the baby comes.  YIKES!  Tonight Jory came over to see what we had going on behind the faux tiles in our bathroom.  It  is pretty much a mess. 

The kitchen all done. 

Well mostly. 

The people that fixed this house up just glued up the fake tile over old tile. 

Then we did have a little flood (the faucet blew off and hit cortney in the chest...I did some pretty quick thinking and diverted most of the water into the tub but man water is destructive)  that ruined our wireless router.  So now I can't check my email in my bed.  I have been spending a lot of time in my bed lately.  This is really going to put a damper on that.

Dr appointment tomorrow at 10:15.  This time Cali and Cortney are both coming with me.
kick counts not as good today.  It took over an hour both times to get 10 "movements"  not even good kicks.  He is probably as exhausted as I am.  

I am really ready to get back to normal life.  But so glad to get some of this stuff done that has been driving us crazy for years.  

What I believe...

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

In suffering we may be nearer to God than we have ever been in our entire life.  That knowledge can turn every situation into a would-be temple.  Regarding our earthly journey, the Lord has promised:  "I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left.  My Spirit shall be in your hearts and mine angels round about you to bear you up."  That is an everlasting declaration of God's love and care for us.  Including and perhaps especially in times of trouble.



Joey and Cortney gave me a blessing last night, Joey doing the talking, because...this was all a little too new for Cortney to do much talking.  But Joey told me that I would have "legions" of angels around me helping me through this.  I know this is true.  


Also.  I cut off Henry's hair.  I couldn't help but think "what did I just do?" after the first cut.  Pictures will come later. 


I have a doctors appointment tomorrow with my regular doctor.  I think I will feel better after that. 


Thank you so much for your kind words.  I am always amazed at the worlds of difference it makes for me.  Thank you. 

I need your prayers

So today's ultrasound didn't go quite as I'd planned.  First I went all alone because I really thought it was going to be no big deal.  The ultrasound tech measured everything and then went to get the doctor.

While I was waiting for the doctor...I started to tear up because I loved that little baby face I saw on the monitor so much.  I had a feeling something wasn't quite right.

The perinatologist came in and looked at the baby.  Sure enough the tummy is measuring small.  But then she said that the right cerebellum is bigger then the left side.  I am not really sure what is going on but I know that she is having me come in twice a week for non stress tests and ultrasounds.  She also told me that I shouldn't plan on making it to 37 weeks and that I should prepare myself for a c-section.  Then she sent me to another room to have a steroid shot to help the baby's lungs incase it is born early.  Then to another room to be monitored.

She said that the baby could have problems once he is born and that he will have to have a head ultrasound right when he is born.  She also was concerned about getting him here alive and well.  She said we could do an amniocentesis to check for genetic disorders but that it will probably be just as fast as waiting for him to get here to test him.

I feel really confused and scared.

I am also trying to have faith that Heavenly Father has a plan for our family.

This is where you guys come in.  Tomorrow, I am having my friends and family fast for me and baby Theodore.  I know fasting is the worst but I know that it works.  Please remember us in your prayers too.

Because I was alone I was just trying to understand all of the things the doctor told me.  I didn't ask the questions I should have...so hopefully as the week progresses I will know more.

They did say the heart looked great, my fluid looked great, and that the umbilical cord looked great, she also mentioned that his muscle tone and arms and legs and spine looked great.  So I am taking all of those plusses as good things.

They are having me do kick counts twice a day...tonight it only took 11 minutes to get 10 great kicks from Theo.  I felt that he was trying to tell me everything was going to be okay.  :)

I just want to say...I love you all.  Friends and family really are amazing.  I don't know what I would do without you all.

We have been SO busy

We have been going crazy non stop over here. Remember how I decided to paint the front room...well one thing led to another and...

Now we have a pile of crap sitting out on our back "porch".

Our very good friend Jory (lets face it by this point the man is family...we practically lived together this last week.  I honestly think I saw him more than my own kids...hahaa) does tile and said he would help us tile some of the parts of our house.  

We pulled out the carpet in our hallway and entryway.  Removed the flooring (and added new subflooring) in the bathroom.  

Added a new vanity (we got the whole vanity for 70 bucks...it was a display at home depot)

Entryway.  So happy to be done with traffic patterns.  

Kitchen.

The tile is all done now.  It looks AMAZING.  We got the big tile for 32 cents a square foot.  It was 75 percent off.  

It was crazy hard work (mostly for Jory)...we went days without toilets and showers.  I love it.  I owe Jory (and Sherry...his wife) my life.  

We still have lots to do (we have more tiles to do the shower surround)...but it was a great start.  Wow.  What a difference it makes.

There was a million layers of old flooring in our kitchen.  They stunk so bad.  YUCK!

Oh also amidst all of this I was in charge of the ward Halloween party/dinner.  I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.  

Yesterday was halloween.  Duh.  Yesterday morning I went in for my 34 week ultrasound/appointment.  The baby's tummy is measuring small, off the charts small.  So I have to go meet with a perinatologist today.   That is a little stressful. 

Plus the baby doesn't move much, so the doctor wanted me to head over to labor and delivery. I headed over to be monitored, and had to call Cali to go and get my kids ready for their Halloween parade.  I really didn't have time for that but...we got it all done and taken care of.  I don't know what I would do without her.  The baby was just fine.  Then I went and got more bloodwork done and made it to the parade just in time.  Pheeeww.  Rob said he kept saying in his heart "please let her be here"  Hahaa.  

My baby is breech right now and since he doesn't move (AT ALL) I think he won't turn on his own.  My kids have never been head up before.  Never.   Anyways.  

Halloween night was pretty fun.  We had tons of kids and tons of candy.  All in all a good time. 

We decided to NOT buy costumes this year and pulled two mickey costumes out of our costume reserve.

Fiona

Grace turned 5 on sunday and got a bike. 

Zombie Jack and Fiona.

Yup...Rob was a ghost yet again.  Scary faces. 

Hens was a dressed as a fancy mickey. in a tuxedo. 

ME at 34 weeks.  

Tyson was a BYU fan.

Cute

Oliver was a football player.

Look at all these kids.  There were tons.  it was crazy.