Workin Overtime

Day of Love

Our Happy V-day Breakfast

Dax wasn't too interested in the crepes and opted for mom's secret stash of Cocoa Puffs

Josh's Crepe with syrup

Ella shares her mom's love for Nutella

It's my firm belief that the term "beauty sleep" is severely underrated. Generally you hear it spoken by that gorgeous blond on that so called sitcom who uses it so carelessly, "I'm sorry I can't help you out tonight, I need my beauty sleep."

I don't care how drop-dead good looking you are, if you don't get enough sleep you are immediately transported to the ugly realm. The wrinkles deepen and you can't seem to wash off the gray underneath your bloodshot eyes. Such is my life as of late. Truth be told, little Amelie has done fantastically well at night, oftentime going 5-6 hours at a time between feedings (as I awake ready to explode.) However, my body needs sleep, craves it, and I am used to my full 10 hours before being woken by the morning rays. I'm deprived, and thusly apologize for my less than attractive appearance.

In my last post it seems I was a bit overly dramatic (Imagine! Me? dramatic? Nah!) I received more than enough responses that I had convinced some women to re-think their thoughts on more children. So to keep myself from burning, I thought I should be a bit more upbeat.

Parenthood is by far the greatest thing to experience in this lifetime. We have had our little slice of heaven for 2 weeks now, and it has been bliss. Seriously! I'm not just hammin' it up! It amazes me how much I love her already. I love thoses little dimples, love the way she squirms after being fed and arches her little back, pushing her bum out. I love the way she smacks her lips after she eats, and stretches her little arms above her head. I love the grunts and coos she makes when she begins to wake up, and love the way she looks back at you with those big dark eyes. The kids always say the same things whenever they see or hold her:

Josh: "Oh, she's just so cute!"

Dax: "I really like this baby."

Ella: "I love my baby sista."

Being a mom is awesome!

Joshua

Cam and I have compared Josh's piano playing to a crack addict. He really can't get enough. Everytime he walks by the piano he has to crank out a tune or two. Even when we ask him to "stop playing and come eat dinner," his body begins inching away from the piano, but his fingers won't allow him to stop playing until the song is finished (or until we begin yelling.) It's fun to hear him progress each week.

Joshua didn't want to sign up for baseball this year, and instead is asking for enrollment in gymnastics. Hmmmm. Dad is frantically doing his best to talk him into karate, but to no avail. We'll see what happens.

Daxton

I think Dax has taken to the baby more than anyone else. When he holds her, he just gives you this look, like he's saying with his eyes, "I love you baby girl and I won't let anyone hurt you." It really is the sweetest thing.

Dax continues to be our little sweet-heart. After offering my mom half his cookie at lunch yesterday, my mom said he needs to be cloned.

Dax has had a round of pink-eye this week, and after each drop of medicine in his eye he always says "thanks mom." Just a good boy all around.

Ella

So far, so good. No major outbreaks or tantrums since baby-girl has arrived. I think those will be saved for the time when Amelie is mobile and breaking into Ella's polly-pockets. Ella is always offering to help, "I can burp her," "I can change her diaper all by myself." It's nice to have kids big enough to go and grab whatever I, or the baby, is in need of.

I was feeding the bay in the living room today and Ella came into the room. She promptly lifted up her own dress, sat down beside me, and started "feeding" her bunny doll. At least she's observant, right?

Amelie (Aw-muh-lee)

It's a French name (and the title of a really good French movie). I kinda feel bad that she will have to tell everyone for the rest of her life how to pronounce it, but not bad enough to make me want to change it. The name just suits her. Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.

So far Amelie is a pretty mellow kid. Like most babies, she has her fussy times, but nothing a little boob can't fix. She fits so well into our little family and now I feel we are complete. It makes me sad to think that she's our last, that this is the last time I will have a tiny little child, but makes me savor each moment all the more.

Cameron

The boys visiting at the hospital. Little Cam with those Sexy hospital undies. Hopefully he can share those with someone special.

Busy boy. Each month we make goals as a family. Cam's goal last month was to "complete all the tasks he needs to." This boy has a pretty full platter and I feel he does an amazing job at accomplishing all the things he is asked to do.

It was so nice to have him home more when the baby arrived. I would be in my room "recooperating" and hear them all downstairs wrestling, playing, and having a great time together. Cam is a great dad and it was so nice to see the kids enjoying the extra time they had with him. He is taking the boys next weekend for a rock-climbing excursion near Delta. Finally, some fun outdoors!

Cindy

Me and my crew of 4-FOUR!!

I am amazed at how quickly the human body is able to heal itself. It's only been two weeks and though my stomach is still a mush-pot, I already feel good enough to build a snowman with the kids! Dax named him Mr. Frosty.

Dax was yelling in the background: "Ella don't eat Mr. Frosty! If you eat him you will make him dead."

Yes, it may hurt a little bit to look at me, but I am hoping that issue will mend itself in a few months. Wish me luck!

Look who came back to visit-my ankles! (hopefully a permanent stay)

Baby Amelie

Ten little fingers,
Ten tiny toes,
Two deep cheek-dimples,
And one button nose.
Dark hair atop,
Long feet below,
Amelie has arrived,
How we love her so!

Our beautiful baby girl was born at 2:22 pm on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010. Amelie Lenora Eggertz. 8 lbs, 3 oz, 21” long. She is so beautiful! I am very happy to see this little girl and to add her to our growing family. Words can’t describe those feelings you have when your baby is delivered, and takes her first breath of air in her new little body. Amazing.

Let’s talk about pain, shall we?

Here’s a scenario for you: If for some reason your doctor approached you saying you had to have your big toe amputated, would you ever think to yourself, ‘Hmm, should I have anesthetics, or not? Maybe I could deal with the pain of having a sharp knife shard off my toe.” Of course not! It’s all about “Put me under and give me some strong pain-meds afterward.” So why is it that for some reason some of us have the crazy notion of having a human being pushed through a 10cm opening in our bodies without any kind of pain medication?! I’m sure for some, it is so they can say “I did it.” For others, maybe they want to experience that sensation and perhaps have a greater sense of empathy for those women who have been doing it for centuries before with nothing but a pan of hot water. For me, I’m just stupid.

I was planning on having an epidural all along, but little did I know that I would have a super, I mean SUPER PRO-NATURAL-BIRTH nurse named Jenni. As soon as I said that going natural had entered my mind, she pulled out the “labor ball” and showed me all kinds of positions to deal with the pain. And you know what? They worked! Sitting on that ball, through the contractions while Cam pushed on my hips, it really made a difference! But soon I reached an 8 and was hurting pretty bad, and asked “Is it too late for an epidural?” To which she winks at Cam and replies, “Yes, it’s too late.” Witch.

Yes, I know it was ultimately my decision, and at least it’s all over now; but wow, it was horrible. I went natural with Daxton, and it went pretty well. However, with Amelie I was started on Potosin at 11 (dilated to a 3), water broke at noon, and she was delivered at 2:22. Witchy nurse checked me about 5 minutes before the baby was born. I was at a 9, and she said the baby still needed to drop a little, so she recommended I get back in bed and curl up in the fetal position. I curled my legs up to my chest, and BOOM!!! The baby dropped and my body kicked into gear and started pushing her out!

All I remember is calling out profanities, and telling Cam “I can’t do this, I can’t do this,” while nurses are frantically pouring into the room and my nurse is screaming for the doctor to get to room 4609, stat. So there I lay, with the baby’s head crowning, waiting for the doctor to get his butt into the room. 3 pushes later, she was here!

Moral of the story, don’t be stupid. Get the epidural. Enjoy your birth instead of crying in pain and scaring your husband out of his wits.

To end on a happy note, it’s a day later and I feel really good. I did tear and had to be stitched up, but the baby is here safe and sound and she’s nursing great. The kids were so excited to meet her (so heartwarming!) and my joy is bottomless. I feel such great honor to have the opportunity to experience being a mom with 4 beautiful little children. The human body is such an amazing thing, and I am again reminded of God’s love as he entrusts me to raise his daughter. We love you Amelie!

Hangin' Tough

I asked Daxton to take a picture of me and my belly, and after SEVERAL attempts, this was as good as it got.

Some people have bad hair days. Me? Bad ankle days. Today was a doozy. I know that when I wake up, and my foot and ankle are already 3 times their normal size, that it is going to be another kankle day. In fact, I even busted the top band on the only pair of shoes that still fit me. I guess the elastic had been stretched far enough and decided to call it quits. I would sew it back together, but it won't reach around my massive, swollen, elephantitis extremity. Yes, all this is just a singular ankle, my left one. I can still somewhat see the ankle bone on my right, but my left one looks like I was stung by a bee and am severely allergic.

I don't know why this picture uploaded with my feet and ankles looking like they are covered in some kind of rash, but it did. I even said "Oh my...." when I first saw it. It's okay, I'm not ashamed.

Since this baby is my last, and I have 2 weeks to go, I decided to do some documentation. Let me introduce you to some prego-wonders:

The Support belt

I started off with just the singular strip of elastic/velcro back in October. It worked pretty well, until I began to gain weight exponentially. So I upgraded, and this little beauty is what I have been wearing each and every day for 3 months. It's so fantastic! Really, it does wonders. It's amazing to me that I rely on a few strips of elastic and some velcro fasteners to hold in my bladder. Huh. (No, I don't wear the get-up outside of my clothing, though that may work if I were a super-hero. Did you really want to see it otherwise?! That shot would be worse than that feet picture above.)

The Support Hosiery

Are these black socks the epitome of sexy, or what? But they really work! They help with the blood flow, and make me more comfortable. I love 'em!

B is for Belly

No, I didn't need a wide angle lens. Watch it.

I am so very excited for this baby to arrive! My brother and his wife Meghan had their baby boy on Sunday. Christopher ("Topher") Scott Thredgold. He is so beautiful! Just seeing his little hands and tiny toes, and hearing those baby coos has put me over the top with excitement to hold my little girl! Hooray!

Joshua

"Mom! I look like the girl from 'Up'."

Lost another one (top right tooth). This boy is growing too quickly. Last Sunday we noticed that his church pants are already high-water, and he also made me aware that his big toe hits the end of his school shoes. Holy smokes boy! I just can't believe how fast the time flies.

Josh's love for American History continues to grow. He loves National Treasure 1 & 2, and loves hearing about the American Revolution. We've agreed to let him watch parts of the John Adams series, because he's so enthralled by it all. Yes, definitely gets it from his dad. Those "Founding Father" books on our shelves are not mine. Roahld Dahl, that's more my style.

They celebrated Josh's "1/2 Birthday" in school (since his birthday takes place in the summer). Here is the poster he created. In case you can't make out the writing, his favorite animal is the wild cat, favorite color is blue, and favorite food is candy. There is a picture of him, then his family. His favorite place is Belgium, and when he grows up he wants to be a "game seller." (way to shoot for the stars little buddy.) His favorite thing to do is to ski, and if he could wish for anything it would be a DSI and a TV.

Daxton

Self-portrait.

"Mom, when the baby is born, and she's coming out of your throat, I will catch her."

Which led to a very stimulating conversation at the dinner table.

"Umm, that's very nice of you to offer Dax, but she won't come out of my throat."

"Oh, your tummy?"

"Not quite. She comes out between my legs."

"She will come out of your legs?"

"No, out between my legs through special parts that girls have...."

To which Josh replied "That's gross," and Cameron decided it was time to end that conversation.

He took that one of himself.

Ella

Dax and Ella with their cousin, Audrey.

Ella insists on brushing her own hair now, and while she does so, she has to sing a song. It's always a song about getting married to her cousin Jack.

"I love him, and we will be married. To Jack-a-moe." (only kick it up about 5 octaves to envision her super-high girly voice.)

The crib is set up, and we are go for launch. Ella has climbed in it on several occasions, so we'll see how it all pans out. I even went up the other day, after Ella had been quiet in her room for a bit too long. She was sound asleep in the crib, complete with blanket and her doll. Hmmmm.

Cameron

Cam has been out of town this week in Denver, Colorado for a ski expo. Go ZAG. Kick some ZAG. He says it has been a success and he's made quite a few contacts. One store even wants to carry the line. Exciting news! I feel so fortunate to have such a kick-ass husband. Motivated, sexy, smart, ambitious, hard-working, athletic. He has a testimony and he cares about our little family just as much as I do. I love this boy. I'm lucky to have you, Cam, even if you are throwing that snowball at the head of our young child.

Cindy

My good friend Brenda made me this hat, is it not the cutest?!

It amazes me that something so small can cause tortuous amounts of pain.

Though I am ginormous, I am feeling really good! Those kidney stones gave me a completely new outlook on life. Sure my leg is not my own, and it goes numb all the time, and my sciatic nerve is going nuts, and the acid reflux isn't helping.....but at least it's not kidney stones! I am just happy to soon be delivering my little bundle. I'm actually looking forward to the pain because I know what awaits at the end of it all! I just had my doc apt. today and I will be induced on the 16th (2 more weeks.) My next post will feature our little one. Hooray!

This is me last night, around 9 pm.

Okay, perhaps I am being a bit overzealous with the cleavage, but imagine me jumping for joy nonetheless.

The stones have passed! I caught two beauties in my "magic cone strainer" last night. The pain in my back is gone, and I feel like cartwheeling around the neighborhood!

Unfortunately, I spoke a little too soon, and have since discovered that one is still lingering in my bladder. But the back pain is gone and life is good!

If you see some prego blonde woman singing "rain drops on roses" and dancing in the center of town, just smile at me in support.

An Unexpected and Unwelcome Visitor

We've all seen the movies where the character says, "Things can't possibly get any worse..." then the lightning strikes, thunder booms, and she's soon covered in a torrential downpour. With a bruised butt, a falling bladder and cervix, and a crazed sciatic nerve, I didn't think it could possibly get any worse, however, my downpour happened yesterday morning around 9:30.

It started with some back pain, which is nothing uncommon with pregnancy. I was picking up the house, but soon needed to sit because the pain wasn't getting any better. I popped a couple tylenol and sent out a few emails. The pain was quickly escalating, so I called Shera for some sympathy. While on the phone, the pain began to spread from the left-lower portion of my back, around to the front of my belly/groin area. I was starting to tear up, so she recommended I call my doctor. I told her "Naw, I'll just grab the lap top and a heating pad and lay in bed with Dax and Ella and watch a show." I had barely made it up the stairs when the pain hit a point that left me crawling on the floor, cell phone in hand, dialing my moms number.

"Mom, I think I'm in labor."

She was over in a jiffy, and we headed to the hospital, dropping off the kiddos at Shera's house.

The pain was intense! And the crazy thing was, it never went away. I was having some contractions, but the pain in my back was constant. Oooh, it was bad. I thought maybe it was back labor or something, because with each contraction, the throbbing in my back grew worse.

We made it into the hospital, got the I.V. going and waited to hear what my doc suggested as they monitored my contractions. Though they weren't too serious, and I was barely dilated, they gave me the shot to calm them down nonetheless. They thought my back pain may be connected to the contractions, so they had to wait for an hour before they gave me any kind of pain medicine.

Meanwhile, I am dying!!! I mean seriously, a contraction I can handle. I had Dax without any pain med, so I have experienced labor pains. But this was no comparison. With Dax, I knew the pain would end and I only had to make it through the next contraction, or push away the pain. But this pain was different, never ending, and I was writhing in it. I kept trying to readjust myself, lay on my back, my side, but nothing helped and I think I may have left indents on the hand bars of the gurney.

Finally they decided that the back pain wasn't connected to pre-term labor, and figured that I had some visitors in my kidneys.

That's right, kidney stones.

After a quick shot of morphine, my body was able to relax, though the pain was still there. Since testing options are limited while you are pregnant, they performed an ultrasound which showed diddly squat. I was in the hospital for 5 hours, then told to go home and strain my pee until the stone passes.

I was thinking "Seriously?!" I'm supposed to just go home and deal with this?!! Don't you know that I'm pregnant and I fell down my stairs last week!?" Needless to say I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.

I get home, and feel rather dejected. And just when you think things can't get any worse, the thunder booms and rain falls, and I quickly jump out of bed, hobble to the bathroom, and puke until there's nothing left inside of me. (unfortunately, no stone in my vomit.)

So, here I am, in bed, while my amazing husband takes care of the kids. I pity everyone who has ever gone through this. We should be part of a "stone club" or something, and wear a badge that has a picture and size of the stone you passed.

On the bright side, the baby is healthy and fine and still moving around. I feel very grateful that I didn't deliver her yesterday, 5 weeks early. And, being in bed this much, my ankles have never looked better!

Well, enough of my sob story. I'm sure your thinking, "Cindy just wants my pity." And your right, that's exactly what I want! However, if you pee 16 times one day, then 5 the next, then have bad back pain the following day, get yourself to a hospital and pray you are not pregnant so they can laser that bastard to pieces.

An Egg-head family Christmas

Matching pajamas and the Nativity at Nana Trish's house.

Below, Ogden's Christmas village and a visit with Santa.

Oh there's no place like home for the Holidays.....


Everytime I look at this picture, it's like drinking a cup full of steaming cocoa. It fills me with goodness.

The completed version. Josh added a rock climbing wall to the back, complete with a gummy bear ascending the wall.

Christmas morning.

The kankles have checked in and my belly is exponentially growing. For those of you who may not see me everyday, you may be thinking "yeah right Cindy, I'm sure it's just a cute little basketball belly," to you I say this: "11 pound weight gain in a mere 3 weeks."

As my gut gets bigger, I tend to get the "belly line." For example while washing dishes, it's a line of water across my belly. Rolling out dough, a line of flour. Most days it's just a line of dirt across my shirt from bumping up against all kinds of household furniture or appliances.

I have been pregnant 4 times, and of those 4, have owned a gas stove just once, with this last one. Flour on your belly is thing, but I'm a little fearful that I may soon accidentally light myself on fire. Stop, drop and roll, right?

Joshua

Josh woke up at 5:30 am on Christmas morning. Cam made him wait until 6:30 to go downstairs (with me) then we twisted his arm even more by making him wait until 7:00 to wake up his siblings to start the great gift unwrap.

It was such a great holiday! Nothing beats Christmas time. Having Cameron home more made such a difference (wow, I really like this guy!), and it was so nice to relax and enjoy our little family by playing with their games and toys, and watching a show or two together.

Festival of Trees, Josh's favorite was, of course, the "milk" tree.

Daxton

Is my little boy really turning 5 this year?! Where does the time go? I think I have mentioned more than once how cuddly Daxton is. When he talks to you, he needs to touch your arm, or your hand. He loves to wrap his arms around yours when you read him a story, or place his little feet across your lap. I completely eat it up.
Festival of trees, Dax inside a bubble.
Ella

"This is my baby sister down here," (as she pats my belly),"The baby is not up here. Those are your boobies. I don't have boobies right now. I will have boobies one day when I get bigger."

I am SO excited to see how Ella responds to her baby sister. She is so bedazzled by babies, and adores her little baby dolls. Where does a girl learn to "shush" her baby while bouncing it up and down and rocking back and forth? I swear it's inherent. It will be interesting to see how she responds to her own flesh and blood. I really think it's going to be wonderful.

Ella also turned 3 this month! That means she is just old enough to start sunbeams for the new year. Basically, I conduct up front and Ella holds onto my leg. My little shadow.

We had a princess party for Ella, complete with polly pockets (tiny accessories everywhere!) and a little dollhouse for them to play in (thank you kid-to-kid $2.99).

Cameron

This boy is a fox!
Cam enjoyed a little "European Excursion" this past month. He traveled to France and skied fresh powder in the Alps. Although it was a "business trip" (can I make those quotations any bigger?!), he had the time of his life. The chalet he stayed in was enough to make the trip worthwhile (complete with indoor pool and sauna). Heck, I'd settle for a night alone in the hotel 8. He went to test the new line of ZAG skis for 2011. How is the ski selling going, you ask? Pretty good. He sold another 3 pair today!

Cindy

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and as I'm leaving the office, he reminds me to be careful on the ice. "Your body is getting bigger and it changes your sense of balance quite a bit."
So, being careful not to slip on the ice, I made it home safe and sound........and fell down my stairs. My hands were full of items to take to the basement, and with to traction on my stockings, I slipped and fell, and landed on my left buttock (no worries. remember the 11 pound weight gain? Plenty of cushioning.) The baby is fine, just some hurt pride and a giant bruise on my behind. It was actually a rewarding experience, because as I fell, all 3 kids ran to my side to help me up. Josh kept asking if I was okay, then added "I hope the baby is all right. It probably made her kinda dizzy."
Wow, dem is some good lookin Thredgolds. Happy new year, 2010!!