Linus

Wednesday May 11, 2011, Linus Was Born. Here's the story, if you're interested.

First, let's remember that my babies usually come late. The due date was May 16, so I wasn't expecting to go into labor until the 20th or so. My last day teaching at the school was Friday May 6. After that baton was passed, my body seemed to slip into exhaustion and prep for labor. I rested for the next three days.

On Tuesday morning Ephraim went to my appointment with me. We saw Dr. Aguilera from Mexico who told me el trabajo could start en cualquier momento. In other words, anytime.

That afternoon we stocked up, packed up, and rested up. In the evening we put the kids to be, and alerted Damien next door to be "on call" just in case. I got comfortable, watched some Spiderman 3, and went to bed around 11. All night I had contractions every 8 minutes. Not sharp ones usually. Just steady. I got out the iPod stopwatch and hit "Lap" for every one. It wasn't a very good night. Doze... feel it mounting... click "Lap"... breathe... relax... doze...tightening... "Lap"... breathe, etc. They weren't getting any closer, and I wasn't terribly uncomfortable, so I let Ephraim sleep. I figured once I had the baby I could sleep all day in the hospital, but he would have to single parent the other three kids all day and night. He needed the rest.

I was kind of lonely during that long night. Fortunately I heard that familiar coughing and moist expectorant sound coming from the next room. Sure enough Isaac had gotten sick all over himself and his blankets. I showered him, changed the blankets, and settled him in bed. This happened two more times, so the time passed rather quickly with this distraction from my discomfort. And Isaac and I had a really nice talk about our family and his role as a big brother. But I don't know if he remembers any of it.

Around 5:15 am, I heard some roosters and thought it was about time to get the day started. Ephraim called the Webbs, a senior missionary couple who volunteered to help with the kids. Once I started moving around labor became more intense. When the Webbs came, we scooted off to the hospital, and after a brief but brutal labor he was born at 7:25 am. All white and creamy and puffy and warm. I was just amazed that I was done! That it was over. That I was myself again. And that I had a new baby to get to know.

He has fine features and a straight nose. Not the ski-jump nose the other kids had. Dark, fuzzy hair like newborn Ella and Isaac. And light hazel eyes. For now.

Now the name. Linus has been on our list since Ella. So were Owen and Isaac. We just liked it and couldn't think of any bad associations. Linus Pauling was a Nobel Prize winner and OSU graduate. Linus from Oceans 11 is a little insecure and a target for jokes, but he can swipe a Faberge egg, no prob, so that's pretty amazing. And Linus from Peanuts is by far the wisest and most sincere character despite his affinity for a blanket and thumb.

Ta'iala is Samoan for guide or leader. Literally, ta'i is to lead, and ala is the way. It's also the name of our school that I've been dedicated to for the whole pregnancy.

We're all doing fine. Adjusting. (Okay in reality, we're exhausted and hanging in there.) But we're also thrilled to have this sweet little one in our home.

El trabajo

My victory breakfast: scrambled eggs with veggies and toast, kokosamoa, banana mash with tapioca, and milk. Mmmm.

Here you bring your own pillow, blanket, and towel.

Good ol' LBJ

He's bundled up to protect him from the arctic air conditioning.

My victory Oreo milkshake from Carls Jr.