Liz Farah Barker

 

Liz Farah Barker

Monday April 9, 2012

10:33 p.m. 

 5 pounds 13 ounces 

19 inches long

 My due date was April 8th but half way through my pregnancy I got the big ultrasound done to make sure everything was fine. The ultrasound doctor was concerned that Liz was measuring so small and was actually kind of mean about the situation. I wasn't too worried because A.) Leila and Lexi were small, B.) I have a very healthy history, C.) Liz's heart, head, fluid, and bone measurements were perfectly fine. Her femur actually measured longer than most babies! That doctor was double and triple checking that I knew when my last period was. She looked up previous ultrasounds and discovered that my dates were matching up with what I had said. We made a follow up appointment to make sure that Liz was still growing and the doctor said we should move my due date to the 21st! I went back five weeks later and sure enough Liz was still growing and still.... just small. I told the doctor AGAIN that my other babies were small too. I followed up with my regular doctor, Dr. Marget Lister who said that she's never once changed someone's date and that that doctor has no authority to change any due date. Anyway that info becomes more relevant later.

Around 32 weeks or so, I was sure this baby was going to come early. I had the waddling going on and pelvic pressure and I couldn't roll from side to side without moaning. I knew Liz would be small so I wanted to make sure I could keep her in as long as possible. As time went on I got comments like, "Wow you are so small! I looked like you when I was 4 months pregnant!" "What? you are due today?" Anyway I and my baby were small so I was surprised and glad to make it past my due date! After I delivered Lexi I realized I could have handled it since I only had the epidural for 40 minutes or so before she was born. Also I had all of the contractions in my bed, and I was a 6 when I got to the hospital. With that experience and Liz being small the entire pregnancy, I figured I could do it naturally with no epidural so that was my goal.  After my due date I had an appointment to do an ultrasound just to see how things were going. I was excited for the ultrasound because the last 5 weekly appointments I had I gained only 1.5 pounds which isn't normal for the final stages of pregnancy. Marget and I decided I would wait until I went into labor naturally and come to the hospital when I was ready. I was going to stay at home as long as possible. She looked at Liz and then looked at her stats and said I could go one more week. Then she looked at Liz again. She noticed my placenta was all white in the ultrasound which means it was calcified. It was a grade 3 which means it was done providing nutrients for Liz. I don't know when exactly it stopped providing since I hadn't had an ultrasound for a month but I'm glad we noticed. Basically my placenta had Liz on a diet for the last month of my pregnancy. Which explains why I (Liz) didn't gain any weight.

 We agreed that having a small baby was better than chancing a still birth and I would be having my baby that day. SOOOO what if my due date was changed to the 21st? Crazy to think about. Anyway Aubrey was kind of right when he said in the elevator to my appointment, "Maybe they won't let you go home." My doctor called Labor and Delivery to see when I would check in. At that point I found I had an hour and a half to shower and pack my hospital bag. I went to bagels and buns for my last real meal and headed up to the hospital to check in at 3. It was actually kind of nice to know that Liz would be here soon. I called my friends Ashlie and Dani who work at the hospital so they could be my CNA and nurse. I checked into the hospital at 3 and it was busy because they didn't get me started on pitocin until around 4:30. The highest the doses go is up to is 30 and they started me off at 4. The nurse came in to see me and said, "You don't really look uncomfortable..." and I had to agree because I wasn't really in pain. It was kind of a bummer to be in the hospital when I wasn't going into labor myself but with my placenta in it's condition, maybe I never would have. Scary. So every so often they raised the dose by 4ccs. I went to the hospital when I was at a 1 and luckily my body was progressing. I got to a 2, then 3, then 4 but none of my contractions were really painful until after they broke my water which was around 9:20p.m.. When they did I was up to 20 on the pitocin and dilated to a 5. Then the contractions were a little more uncomfortable to the point where Aubrey could tell by the look of me rather than the meter when I was having one. 

It was really nice not to have an epidural though because I could walk around and be on the yoga ball. It was easier to deal with a contraction when I could bounce around a little instead of trying to move around in an uncomfortable hospital bed. I just sat on the ball and set the tablet on the bed so I could watch some netflix while trying to pass some time. My contractions were getting closer and I just knew I needed to lay down. In between contractions I moved to the bed and told Aubrey and the nurse, "I need to pee." The nurse said, "Okay do you want to get up and go?" I said, "No" They were getting me a bed pan but then I said, "I need to push!" It was so crazy how fast it all happened though. All of the sudden I just needed to lay down and have a baby. I can't really comprehend how the "pain" felt now but I wouldn't really call it painful. It was nice to feel what your body is naturally supposed to do. I could feel Liz descend and that was a good feeling because that meant she was really coming. That is the feeling I can still recall the most. I realized when I first started pushing that I was just trying to push rather then waiting until I had a contraction and that made a big difference! I recall pushing twice at the wrong time and giving one big push with a contraction and Liz was here. I also remember feeling a little embarrassed about the color of my face. I felt like it was purple when I was pushing and I was hoping no one was looking at my face! haha While in labor I told everyone, "It hurts!" and the nurse said, "There is a solution for that. Let's get this baby out." And I thought, "Okay that's a good idea. As soon as she's out I will be done."  It's funny to think about now because that's something you don't get/realize with an epidural. It doesn't hurt so it's almost like you are hindering your body from what it's supposed to do because mentally you can't support the process because of the drugs you've been given. I think it was a fast delivery because I made it like that. I easily could have complained about how it hurt or how long it might take to actually push a baby out of my body but I didn't. I waited until I had a contraction and pushed my hardest to get her here.

I was very grateful for Aubrey, Marget, and the nurse telling me how well I was doing. It was nice to hear the encouragement and that made it easier as well. They could talk to me rather than just tell me when to push. Marget said, "Push when you need and do what you feel you need to do." That was also a nice change because with an epidural you don't get to feel and understand your body. Someone just tells you when to push. When she was born she was put on my stomach and she was so tiny! I couldn't believe it. The nurse and doctor were really surprised at how well I handled it and said that I made a lot less noise that women who do get epidurals! I was glad to hear that. I wasn't crying to screaming or anything but I do know I was moaning quite a bit. At least it wasn't grunting haha. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of me smiling in the bed holding Liz. Give me a break I just pushed a baby out of my body with no drugs! And I couldn't believe I had done it again and naturally! I can't believe that I have 3 girls! I can't believe that I am only 22. I can't believe I am married to the most supportive husband. I can't believe how far I have come as a person. It is crazy to think I am a mom of 3 of the most beautiful girls alive! Sometimes I think it's a dream like I've just been baby sitting someone's kids for a long time! : ) The best part of all of this is that THEY ARE MINE FOREVER! Nothing can ever separate them from me or Aubrey or us from them. Leila, Lexi, and Liz will ALWAYS belong to me and Aubrey! I can't ever thank Heavenly Father enough for that. I couldn't comprehend ever living without my little family! The Lord has a plan for everyone and everything and I know my family is meant to be together.

Liz is such a good little baby. We were a little worried there would be something wrong with her since she was so little but nothing is. We couldn't be more grateful for her condition considering the issues we had with my due date and placenta. We are lucky my placenta didn't give out earlier during the pregnancy and that Liz got enough time to grow big enough. The girls have been adjusting and they really like to touch Liz. I love having this little baby to just love on and cuddle with. She is so alert and oh so strong. She was born into the most perfect family for her AND she has dark almost black hair! We love her so much and can't wait until she can run around with and talk to Leila and Lexi. I am sure they will have some interesting conversations! 

I want to thank everyone for the support and kind words since being home from the hospital. 3 kids is definitely harder than 2 and this experience took more out of me than the other deliveries. Maybe it's because "I'm older" now like my mom said or that I haven't been as in shape as with my other pregnancies. Needless to say, it's been nice taking a break and a little easier asking for help. My mom has been wonderful as well as some of my sisters! Thank you Ashlie and Dani! Thank you everyone! We love you and are glad to welcome Liz home to our family.  

39-1

Well I am still a 1 but now 80% effaced. I am planning on going another week. I need to pack my Hospital bag!

37-5

Only a couple more weeks to go. Currently I am barely a 1 and 60% effaced. I am feeling just fine and hope to go past my due date since Liz is measuring small still. I also hope to stay at home as long as possible before I have to go to the hospital. Hopefully I will deliver after my due date which is the 8th because my doctor is out of town from the 1st to the 8th. Anyway I will keep you posted!!!! : )

Pictures!

Alright in no particular order are pictures that have been taken within the last year. I noticed I haven't posted pictures since almost 1 year ago so... Happy early birthday to Chelsea! I've finally got some pictures up for you.

This picture CRACKS ME UP! Leila is in Preschool and last week there was a parent day. I had no idea that the kids were going to perform anything but all of the parents started getting their cameras out and I just so happened to have my video camera in my purse. I shot this picture of Leila when her teacher was telling a story. I have no idea why Leila looks horrified mixed with confused but it makes me laugh every time I see it!

This is me enjoying my graduation on December 9th 2011! I finally did it and I am so glad it's over!

This is the most recent picture of my family. We've got Neil, Debbie, Hollie, Jenny, Trevor, Shellie, Roxy, Me, Karlee, and Alex. We are all in order and dressed up for Baby Macklee's blessing day.

Leila, their cousin Anna, and Lexi at Trevor and Carlee's church.

Lexi and grandma Farzaneh the night of her retirement party.

Me on the jumbo-tron at Weber for graduation. It's a good thing Aubrey was preoccupied with taking this picture cause I felt like crap because it was like crickets in the night when they announced my name. My family didn't hear it but they saw me at the right time. I guess they sat right behind the speakers so the noise was projected away from them. Anyway like I said, I'm glad it's over.

Leila and Lexi with Santa Clause at Macey's. I can't get over Lexi's huge eyes. They have been like that since the day she was born.

I like this picture because it really shows the wonderful things Mary Kay products have done for my face! My face is now an even color and tons of my acne scars have been microdermed away!

My little babies! I tell Lexi she won't be my baby anymore and she just hits my stomach and says, "Baby, Baby!"

This was taken at Dinosaur Park in July last year. I can't wait for the summer weather!

This picture was taken almost 1 year ago. This was the last time our little group got together. It was before Chris and Sarah moved to California. Unfortunately it's the best quality we got with that lighting and a camera for videos. And now Tiffany and Jason are gone too! : )

Leila my love is giving me her best smile ever! I love it. This picture was taken before I was using MK. Obviously! You could cook an egg with all that oil on my face! Well not anymore thank goodness.

This is the second round of babies in our playdate group. I will spare the names for privacy reasons but the picture below is of their big sisters. It is fun to get together and have tons of girls running around! (Most of the time.) And there is always crying but I love hanging out with my friends and letting the kids interact. Where's round 3 ladies? I can't do this alone!!!!!

Leila and her little buddies. She is 2 months older than the blonde and 6 months older than the brunette.

This is Leila with Aubrey's dog Chello (that's right, I DO NOT claim him) playing under the table.

Well I promise to get more pictures up before another year passes me by. I will sure post pictures of LIZ (yes that's our new baby's name) and post her birth story when she arrives. Hopefully later than sooner. She is in the 10th percentile for size and measuring 2-3 weeks smaller than on schedule so my goal is to keep her in as long as possible. Everything is fine, she is just a small baby so we shall see. I might have to bulk up this last month especially since I've lost a pound since my last appointment. Anyway, things are good and we are living life to the fullest! I couldn't be happier with my life right now. : )

31 weeks plus some!

Well if I was posting a month ago I would have posted goals but sadly I can't remember what my goals were... already. No, I do have goals and maybe they will make their way to this blog. I haven't posted for a while but I do check my blog list regularly and need to add more blogs to my list. I really enjoy stalking you all! Anyway my life right now...

Aubrey= the best husband in the world! He does so much for me and I can't imagine my life without him. It's been so nice to be done with school and just enjoy being at home. He is able to work more now which is good for his boss and we just have more time to relax because he comes home and is done with work. He is so supportive of me and he is good at doing what I say. : )

Me= ready to be done being pregnant! I am a couple months away from meeting my next little girl. 3 girls. Isn't that crazy to even just think about or say. I can't believe I am going to have 3 girls. That will make my record at 3 kids at the age of 22. That's right I am neck in neck with my mom's record hahah. As of right now the name choices are Liz, Leah, or Lauren.
Also I am going on my 8th month of being a Mary Kay consultant. Since making the choice to not become a full time teacher, Aubrey and I decided this was a very good opportunity for me to still make money and be at home. Not to mention the complete flexibility it gives me. Since being out of school my profit for the month of January was over $800!!! I can't complain about that especially since I work 95 percent of the time from my home and I've been paying for my braces with my MK account. It's been nice and I enjoy being a consultant.

Leila= 3.5 years and preschool student. Leila goes to school 2 times a week for a couple hours and she really likes it, however, we can't her to talk about it much at home. She sings the songs and brings home worksheets but when we ask her about it she doesn't say much. Our main challenge with her is not letting her use the ipod too much!

Lexi= 21 months. She is such a bundle of happiness. Lexi and I laugh almost all day long. She still cuddles with me and sucks her thumb and I am 80 percent sure I could nurse her and the new baby when she comes. But I won't. She is good at communicating and super good at copying the words we say especially when it comes to saying prayers for meal times.

Baby #3= smaller than average. This baby has measured smaller than is normal for the past couple of months. I only weigh 150 which isn't much for me being 7 months pregnant. I am okay with this baby being smaller because I am going to try and go natural as in no epidural. I think I can do it since a) I pushed for 20 min with Leila. b) I pushed for 3 min with Lexi and c) I am in shape. d) I really want to experience what having a baby really feels like. So we'll see what happens! My due date is April 8th.

I know I'm missing pictures but at least you got an update! Maybe next time.

It's a NEW YEAR!

Let's take a look at last year's goals....

In 2011 I hope to:

Lose 10 more pounds- Done I'm sure I lost ten pounds because when I hurt my knee in June I weighed 125 and I'm sure it was all my muscle mass due to having to take a break. (It would have helped if I listed how much I weighed at the time haha)
Completely potty train Leila- Done! She is good at going potty although she NEVER flushes the toilet at home. She insists she gets to flush the toilet when we are anywhere but home.
Get some good renters and be happy with them- Done! We found our renters in March this year and couldn't be happier with them. The best thing is we haven't had to repair ANYTHING while they have lived there. We share a storage room and their apt is always spotless when I go down there. I love it!
Go to the temple at least once a month. Uhhh I don't think this one happened. Sadly.
Have at least 1 interview for a real teaching job. Why did I make this goal? Oh yeah I thought I wanted to be a teacher.
Get pregnant- Done! Baby girl #3 is due in April 2012. Thanks Aubrey!
Finish the hallway remodeling- halfway done. We wall papered over labor day but unfortunately neither Aubrey or I wanted to paint the trim a head of time.
Be more than half way done with the master bathroom- Sike! We haven't even touched it. It's still as nasty as ever and still never been used by us.
Get another 10% of the house paid off- Done! Aubrey and I find joy in making our house payments!
Teach some fitness classes out of my home- I haven't done this officially but I have had some friends come over to work out. I don't know if this is really a goal anymore though. We'll see.
Put more effort into magnifying my callings- Done. I am still a ward missionary and still loving it! I feel like I have really made a difference. I even got to speak in church about it.
Learn to play the left hand on the piano- again why is this goal here?
Do my visiting teaching every month- Done. With the help of my lovely companion. We've been together for quite some time and I love that we get things done.
Get my bachelors degree- DONE!
Keep the house clean while going to school- Left undone. Who ever gets this one done?

Oh My Leila Jade!

Leila is singing, "sittin in the front seat sittin in the front seat. Friday Friday" May 10 Leila: these are for Anna and yocome. I will draw them. Can you send them to the mail? May 12 We're reading the scriptures we see a picture of Jesus. Leila: Jesus! Can I go see him? Me: One day. Leila: Will you take me to him? Me: I'll try. Leila: Okay good. May 13 I Just mopped the floor. Leila: wow mommy you did a good job! May 17 I walk in the kitchen to find reeses pieces all over the tray of Lexi's high chair. Me: Leila, Lexi cannot have candy she's only a baby! Leila: BABIES WANT CANDY THOUGH!!! She wants it she wants it. May 17 Went through my bags from my shopping trip at Walgreens only to find Leila slipped in some nail polish. The brand? Sinful colors. May 20 So I go through my bags from Walgreens only to find that the cashier accidentally put the nail polish I returned (from when Leila stole it) back into my bags! Need to go and return it once again. I yi YI! May 23 Leila gets into her closet then starts talking...... "I need my shoes. To go fishing. On the car. I'm going to get a subway sandwich. And chips. And juice. And a cookie. And cake. Then I will eat it. On the table. And fish. By myself..... Do you want to come mommy?" May 25 Had some fun with Leila tonight... she bit her toe so we told her to bite the other one. She could do that. Then we told her to bite her knee. She succeeded. Then we told her to bite her elbow. She was pretty disappointed that she couldn't do it.... hahahaha it's fun to be a parent. May 28 Leila: Why do you like daddy? Me: Because I'm in love with daddy! Leila: But why is he sometimes dingy? Me: Everyone is dingy sometimes. hahahah June 2 I was reading a book when I heard Lexi laughing and I realized she crawled away. Yes I found her next to Leila's bed poking her eyes while she slept. June 3 Leila is potty trained!!!!! Me: How do you feel about potty training? Leila: I don't know!!!! June 4 Leila: I want to see flowers. Me: You can when we drive up 36th street. Leila: Really? Oh my goodness! I just love camping with flowers! June 6 Me: So you want to pick up these toys or should I just vacuum them up? Leila: Um how bout you just put them in my room? June 7 Me: get daddy a fork please. Leila: ummmmm Aubrey: did you get me a fork? Um yes or um no? Leila: ummm you can just use your hands. June 9 Me: You want to go visit daddy? Leila: No... Stephan! (Stephan Hicken) Me: Okay Maybe later. Leila: NO right now. I want to go right now. June 27 Leila: Someone whistled at me and I liked it. June 28 Me: you are so smart! Where do you learn all this? Leila: daddy... and you help me do this (insert kissy face and silly faces here). I guess she's mostly right! June 28 Me: Roxy is going to marry Ian! Leila: Oh what Ian? Roxy like a little girl like me is getting married!? A minute later... Leila: uncle Ian, uncle Ian, uncle Ian July 7 Leila: Hey can you give me a car so I can go to the store and buy something? Probably some sandwiches. July 7 Leila: I'll be back. Me: where you going? Leila: to the office, to work. I have a job to do. July 7 Me: Go and get dressed so we can hang out with Jenny and Roxy. Leila: But I am naked. Me: Okay go put a dress on. Leila: But Care Bears rub their stomachs. July 8 We're at zurchers picking out helium balloons. Me: k Leila pick out a balloon. Leila: I want water balloons to throw at daddy. July 14 Leila takes a tape measure and holds it up to her bed... "I'm going to measure this..... its 20 pounds" July 19 Leila: I want to watch short berry pie. Aka strawberry short cake. Haha cracks me up every time. August 2 We are hanging out on my bed and I'm trying to get Leila to hug me and she won't. Me: Leila you need to keep me warm. Leila: I don't want to. Me: You have to. I kept you warm inside my stomach for 9 PLUS months! How are you going to repay me? Leila: I don't want to repay you. I will cover your eyes so you can cry!!! August 11 Me: Do you ever brush your hair? Leila: NO Me: Why? Leila: The brush gets stuck. It's tanguly. September 23 I'm changing Lexi as soon as the girls get up, Leila is laying in her bed and she says, "This house is ugaly" Me: Excuse me? Leila: This house is ugaly. Me: NO it's not. Leila: Yes it is. Me: What makes it ugly? Leila: It just has ugly colors. Aubrey yells from the bathroom: Who said that? Leila: Just me. September 25 Me: what are you going to be for Halloween? Leila: a costume. September 26 Leila: what are we going to do on Sunday? Me: stay here and maybe clean some more. Leila: no let's watch a church movie. Me: okay which one? Leila: Diego!!! October 16 Leila walks into the office.... Me: No Leila come out. Leila: But I need to do hard work! Me: Why? Leila: I need to do hard work so people can get jobs!!!! October 26 Leila's prayer on lunch. "Heavenly Father, we love the food, we love Lexi, and we love to eat, we love Jesus Christ Amen" And this my friends is why I want to stay home all day with my babies! October 26 The best one yet! Leila's prayer on dinner. "Dear Heavenly Father, we love the food, we love granma and granpa, hopefully mommy and daddy are saved, we love you, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen" October 29 Leila: My armpits smell smooth!!! November7 Leila: When is Halloween coming again? Me: Not for a whole year. Leila: But why? Me: We have thanksgiving, Christmas, New years, Valentines, Eas... Leila: But I like thankbalentimesgiving!!! I get lots of candy! Me: What? Leila: Thankbalentimes........ balentimes........ Tell me again. Me: Valentines. Leila: Yeah I get lots of candy but you ate it all. Me: You didn't get any candy for valentines this year. Leila: Yeah but I got lots and you ate it all. Where is it at? Me: You mean your Easter candy? Leila: Yeah you ate that all too!!!!! November 9 My conversation with Leila this morning before school. Me: K bye I love you. Leila: But what time are we getting a swing set? Me: I don't know if we are. You have to be good. Leila: Okay but I want a steering wheel so I can drive on my swing set. Me: Okay we'll talk later. Leila: Okay but if we buy a swing set we will have it. And I will be good! I leave the room and shut the door and she yells, Leila: But when are we going to have lights on our bushes? November 11 Getting ready for church yesterday. Me: Leila where is your church bag? Leila: Right here She gives it to me and it is heavier than normal. I open it and find one of my hand weights in it. Me: Leila what is this doing in here? Leila: Oh.... I thought we were going to exercise. November 14 Leila was sitting on the potty and said... Leila: There's a fish in the potty daddy! Aubrey: Oh Leila: And it's made out of POO! jk daddy! November 15 Leila is jumping on the bed. Me: oh now I have to take a toy away. Leila: NO!! Me: then why are you jumping on the bed? Leila: cause I don't have a trampoline. November 19 Leila: Can I get a sucker tomorrow at church? Me: Yes if you are good. Leila: Okay I will be good. Me: Okay Goodnight. Leila: And I will be good for presents. Me: Okay Goodnight. Leila: And I will be good to ride the train to salt lake city. Me: Okay Goodnight. Leila: And I will be good to ride the train at the mall. Me: Okay then be good and go to bed right now. November 19 Me: Go and eat your food please. Leila: But I'm all done. Me: Alright let's go see. Leila: A No I don't want to look! (As she stands in the door way and tries to keep me in the office.) November 21 Leila took the cushions off the couch and is standing on it. Me: Leila you need to put the cushions back on the couch. Leila: Um here I can be a cushion! (She lays down) November 21 I'm laying in bed with Leila. Leila: Can we kiss? Me: Yes (We kiss on the lips) Leila: Now we're married! Me: hahahahhaha no we're not! Leila: Yes, if we kiss we are married like you and daddy. November 21 We're listening to JB and MC singing All I want for Christmas is you. Leila: Why do they want me for Christmas? Me: Cause they love you! Leila: But I live with you. November 28 Me: You are so skinny! Leila: No I'm not. Me: Are you small, medium, or large? (Thinks for a second) Leila: Small Me: What makes you small? Leila: Skim Milk!!! That's my girl! November 28 We're getting the mail from the mailbox. Me: Bills, Bills, Bills, and bills. And you get newspapers (I hand her the ads) Leila: Why can't I have bills? Me: You don't want bills. Leila: Do they hurt me? Me: hahahah kind of. November 29