This year began and ended in very different ways. In January, I was all geared up for nursing & had started taking prerequisites at a local community college. I planned to be ready by fall to send out applications to several nursing schools in the area. Fast forward to December, 2007, and here I am with a newborn baby daughter. Never had it crossed my mind in January of this year that my life could take such a different (but wonderful) turn. I never thought I'd have a daughter. I always pictured myself with boys, especially after having Samuel. Juniper was a big surprise! I found out I was pregnant with her in a bathroom by the produce department in a local grocery store in Eastsound on Orcas Island (the largest of the San Juan islands). We were vacationing there during my spring break in March. Then, fast-forward to July 11th, when we found out we were having a healthy little girl--what an exciting day! Then, after going nearly two weeks over my due date, Juniper's waterbirth at home was amazing--absolutely no complications! The births of my two children--Samuel in early 2005 and Juniper in late 2007--cannot compare to anything else I have experienced in my life. I am so lucky to be their mother and watch them grow up. Nursing school will always be there, but these years with them I wouldn't trade for anything! Happy New Year and all the best to each of you in 2008! --Karli
Happy New Year!
Sunday
Later today, we had some visitors, but other than that, it was pretty low-key. I'm trying not to panic too much, but Landon is going back to work on Wednesday. Originally, he was going to take four weeks, but Juniper was nearly two weeks overdue, and he'd rather not take time off in January if possible. He's been joking that he's going on vacation on Wed., not work. Sitting in a quiet office really does sound like a vacation right now compared to life around here with a newborn and nearly 3-year old boy. Landon has been such a huge support the past three weeks that I just don't know what I'll do without him!
Rainy Saturday
Landon had a procedure today to remove a squamous cell mole on his shoulder, and we all went with him and waited in the lobby to offer moral support. My moral support while waiting in the lobby with Juniper and Samuel was a nice, hot, caramel latte. While there, I made Juniper's first MD appointment, as the care with our midwives will end at 6 weeks post-partum (I try not to think about it, as I'm going to miss them a lot!). I also made Samuel's (gasp!) 3-year MD appointment. Afterwards, we ran a bunch of errands--boring stuff like stops @ Goodwill and the Post Office. Still, I feel accomplished when I check things off my to-do list.
Juniper's 2 Week Appointment
Juniper & Mommy, 2 weeks, 4 days
Our friends, Cindy & Josh, were in town from NJ for the holidays & came by for a visit. I miss Cindy a lot, as she's one of my best friends, and recently moved back to her home state of NJ. Juniper and I hope to fly out for their wedding in June.
Merry Christmas, Landon!
The Day after Christmas
Christmas, 2007
Me with Samuel & Juniper, Christmas morning, on our way to Mike & Susan's
In front of our house on a snowy Christmas morning in Portland.
Juniper, Christmas Day, 2 weeks, 1 day old
Christmas Eve

Braving the Dressing Room at GAP, 2 Weeks Postpartum
Having said that, I was in GAP today down in NW trying on a few things, because I really do want to burn, I mean donate, all my pregnancy & beyond clothes at this point. I'm still about 15 to 20 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight, although I have lost 25 pounds since the birth, and there's nothing like those big mirrors in the dressing room to make you realize just how far you really are from your old body, especially at only 2 weeks post-partum. Anyway, two young women in the dressing room next to me were carrying on a conversation something like this:
Woman 1: "Yay, I thought I was a size 4, but I totally fit into these size 2 jeans!"
Woman 2: "That's awesome!"
Woman 1: "So, do you think these pants are too blah, or are they sexy?"
Woman 2: "It's almost like those pants are made for a heavier woman, and they are definitely blah."
Woman 1: "But they are size 2."
Woman 2: "I know, but they still look like they are meant for a heavier woman--and they're definitely not sexy. I'd say they look very blah on you."
Woman 1: "Really? I wonder why that is!?"
(Conversation continued, but I tuned out at this point...)
I sighed as I looked at my soft tummy (still deflating slowly at two weeks postpartum), tried to not look at my size G you know whats, then looked down at little Juniper and realized how far away the days in my life of worrying whether I looked blah vs. sexy were from today. Then I surprised myself as I realized I felt content & even a little happy as I reached for the size 16 blouse, realizing the 10 and 12 were never going to fit around this current bust of mine.
Naps
Visit from Sarah
We went for a walk tonight through Multnomah Village & did some last-minute Christmas shopping. I'm still feeling painful being up & about, but not nearly so much as last week, and each day gets better.
Landon and I are looking forward to Christmas with Samuel this year. It's going to be a lot of fun! --Karli

Last Day of School Before Christmas Break

Sculpy Fun & Juniper, 9 Days

Juniper, 8 Days Old
Wow, sitting upright between 12am and 5am holding a newborn is a little trippy! We spent most of today napping together and catching up on the sleep we didn't get last night. I feel a little trapped in a time warp, but I know the rest of the world is still going about their day-to-day lives. I'm missing out a bit this year on the holiday season. For the first time in 6 years, our Christmas cards might not happen. I might wait and do cards in February for Valentine's Day or something...
Here is a picture of the two of us tonight. We slept until about 5PM today. Of course, only in two hour increments.
--Karli
Juniper's Homebirth (the short version)

One week ago today, I called my midwife, Susan, at 11AM to tell her that I'd been having contractions since the night before every 8 to 10 minutes that were lasting 30 seconds to a minute, and that it was possible that at some point later that day if things intensified, I would need them to come over. After I hung up the phone, Landon started timing them, and they were lasting a minute to a minute and a half and were every three minutes. I had only estimated them at 30 seconds, but in actuality, they were lasting much longer. They were painful enough that time slipped away during the height of them. By 11:20AM, Landon was on the phone with Susan and I heard him say that someone needed to come over soon. By 12PM, my midwives were at the house, and Samuel was off to our neighbor's. They checked me right away, and I was 6cm. dilated. I said, "So, would you say this is true labor?" They said of course it was. I'd had so many false labor experiences that I had been in a state of denial since the day before when the pains started, but honestly, these pains were nothing like all the false contractions. During labor, I remember feeling peaceful & relaxed in between my contractions. I could be found in various rooms in the house. Sometimes I'd lean on different pieces of furniture. Other times, I'd be on my knees hugging our rocking ottoman in my office. One of my midwives or Landon was always nearby to support me through them. My music was playing softly, and candles were burning all around. There was the smell of grapefruit oil in the air. I had started to feel nauseated, but I only got sick once shortly after my midwives arrived. After that, the nausea disappeared. Close to transition, I felt painful enough that I laid down on my bed. I remember shaking gently, and knew that I was getting close. Shortly after that, Susan came into my room and asked if I'd like to try out the birthing tub. They had been boiling water to get it full in time, as I was progressing so quickly. I agreed, and walked downstairs in between a contraction and got into the tub. The contractions were stronger than ever now, but I still had 30 seconds to one minute breaks in between. During those breaks, I would zone out and rest before the next contraction. When I got into the birthing tub, Susan checked me, and I was 8 cm. They only checked me those two times--at 6cm. and 8cm. Landon was in the birthing tub with me, supporting me from behind. It felt great to have him there, and what a huge support he was during that time. After about thirty minutes, I started pushing on my own. Active labor had lasted just over 3 hours. My midwives never told me how to push or when to. I did it all on my own in my own way. After 27 minutes of pushing, Juniper Octavia was born at 3:21PM, only a few hours after my midwives arrived. It was a joyous moment, and one I will never forget. She had a full head of dark, curly hair, and cried as soon as she came up out of the water. There were no complications. After about 10 minutes, Landon cut the cord, and the placenta came out fully intact. Shortly after, we got out of the tub & went upstairs. Juniper weighed in at 9lbs. 7oz. and was 21.5 inches long. I'm so glad I pursued a homebirth for Juniper; it was an experience I can't really put into words. Every mother births her baby in the way she feels most comfortable. For me, it was giving birth at home in my own way in an environment of love and peace.
6 Days Old
The color in this picture didn't turn out quite right since the flash wasn't used, so I made it a B&W. Anyway, it's Day 6. Everything is going well. Lots of nursing, changing diapers, burping, changing her clothes, and then starting over again. I'm enjoying every minute as the days pass so quickly. I am still having a hard time getting around as I still feel quite sore from childbirth, but every day gets a little easier. I'm trying to make up the hours of sleep I lose @ night during the day, which is making it a challenge to have visitors. Hopefully, this week will get a little easier...okay, gotta run. --Karli
5 Days Old

Little Juniper Octavia is 5 days old and doing very well. We're all making adjustments & Landon and I are learning how to manage a family of four. Samuel had a few days where he wasn't himself, but seems to be doing better now. Landon has been such a huge support, and has been very good about giving Samuel lots of love and attention every day. Today they went and got our Christmas tree & decorated it & hung up some lights. We're looking forward to this Christmas, because Samuel is so excited. Above is a picture of Juniper in her Papasan Nature Swing, which was Samuel's swing when he was a baby. --Karli
Juniper, 4 Days Old

3 Days Old
Juniper is the sweetest little girl. Here is a picture from this afternoon of her first time in the vibrating chair (thank-you, Matty & Jody!). She loved it! At 3 days old, she had her PKU heel prick this morning, and I was given my last dose of Rho-GAM (Juniper's blood type is A +). My milk started to come in today, and breastfeeding is going great. She lost 10oz. since her birth, but will quickly regain that weight at the rate she is feeding.
Pictures of Juniper
Pictures from Juniper's Homebirth
2 Days Old
Everything is going great! I've been thinking about my birth, and will hopefully post the story in the next day or two, as well as some more pictures.
I want to thank every person who has e-mailed, commented, called, and encouraged me along the way throughout my pregnancy with Juniper and since her home birth. Your support has been amazing, and has made a big difference to me along the way. I'm hoping to make it downstairs at some point tomorrow, and will post some more pictures if I do.
Okay, off to bed...for an hour...or two...
Karli
1 Day Old


