Hospital Pics of Lili's Birth

This may be a snoozer to some, but it's for my own documentation and family history. I have been wanting to document Lili's birth. So here we go. I woke up on 9/11 to another gorgeous day in Colorado. I asked Jamie if I could go get a pedicure that morning before it got crazy with moving the boys room downstairs and finishing trim work. So off I went. I sat in the message chair and noticed I was having contractions regularly, but they weren't very hard. I went home helped with the moving of some items downstairs. Aunt Roni came over with Sheridan and helped get stuff moved. I noticed that I needed to stop for contractions because they were getting hard. Roni told me the story of one of her births that went so quickly, she didn't have time for an epidural. By 5 pm I got nervous and thought that I really wanted that epidural so I wasn't going to take any chances. Jamie drove as fast as he could (he was so excited about this) to the Parker Hospital. We got there around 5:30 and I was dialated to a 4. Not much, but i knew that if I transitioned quickly like I did with Izzy, the baby wasn't too far off. The nurse had to check with the doctor before I got admitted, but said if he said 'yes', I could get my epidural right away. Well, the anesthesiologist came and started my epidural around 6:30. It took him until 8 pm, to get it in right because the first time he put it in, it didn't work and he kept asking me if I could feel my contractions, which I totally could. During this time, the on call Doctor comes to break my water. Thinking I have my epidural all set, he procedes to break my water-very unpleasant experience. When he's done he asks me if I was sure that my water didn't break at home. I tell him no. So, he tries one more time and says, "strange, I'm pretty sure I broke your water, but nothing has come out." I don't think much of this and continue with the Anesthesiologist. The Anesthesiologist thinks there must be a kink in the tube going into my spine, so he pulls it out a bit. Well, that doesn't work either, so he pulls out the whole thing and does it again. The second time around didn't hurt as bad going in, so I knew it would work. It did and I was one happy pregnant lady. Well, all that moving around and stress must have slowed my labor, so I got pitocin started at a 1. I called Elisa, told her I was on my way, and she decided to stop by with Hallie and Summer to visit. I asked for a foot rub, which feels totally funky when you are numb from the waist down. By 10:00 pm I begin to feel like I'm going to pass out, so Elisa leaves knowing that I'm getting close. I tell the nurse and she checks me to find I'm only 5 centimeters dialated. She tells me to switch sides, that may help. I do, but it doesn't, so about 15 min later I tell her I still don't feel good, so she checks me again and low and behold, I'm almost 9 centimeters, so she runs out to call the Doctor. So, we wait for the doctor who shows up around 10:00ish. I push a bunch of times and Liliana is born at 10:38. As she is being born, the doctor says "wow, I haven't seen this much meconium in a LONG time." I don't know what to think of this, all I know is that this means my baby is going to be swept away right away in order to make sure she doesn't asperate the meconium. This is the reason why no amniotic fluid. Poor Lili was COVERED in her own poop. I remember looking at her as she is being taken to her crib and thinking "wow, she is covered in black/green poop". All doctors and nurses were saying how chubby she was. Everyone in the room was taking bets on her weight-none under 8 pounds, I thought for sure she would be at least 8 if not 9 pounds. Nope, she came in at 7 lbs 1.8 oz and 19 inches long. She was just so swollen!
Lili was born at 10:38 pm. By 6:00 a.m she was in the NICU. I got to hold her and have her in my room for a little over 7 hours before she turned blue. I remember that first night with Lili she was fussy. I couldn't get her to calm down enough to sleep. I had fed her 3 times in 7 hours and by 5:00 a.m. I was exhausted so I called a nurse and asked her to take Lili for a couple hours so I could get some sleep. That was heavenly intervention and a tender mercy I will never forget. I will say that the Parker Hospital has a room in policy where they don't have a nursery, only a NICU. They expect all moms to have the babies in their rooms over night. My nurse was so kind to take Lili and sit with her in the NICU. She was holding Lili when she turned so blue, she later told me she was almost "black". The nurse holding her was talking to another nurse who pointed out how blue Lili had turned. They were already in the NICU so she was rushed to a bed and placed on a warmer, given oxygen and hooked up to a machine to check her vitals. The sweet nurse came to tell me at around 5:40 a.m. and that is the moment my whole world changed.

I don't like to think about what would have happened had I not asked for Lili to be taken or if the Nurse had not taken her. I would have put her back to sleep for the fourth time that night and woken up to a completely different scenario. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for my sweet precious baby. We all have a purpose here on earth and I know Lili has much yet to accomplish. I just hope as Parents, Jamie and I will be able to give her what she needs spiritually and physically.



Her first couple hours in the NICU. She was such a good NICU baby! I loved her from the first moment. It's amazing how you can feel such a connection to such a little person you just met for the first time on this earth. I love her!

Pictures of Lili

Our Baby #4. I think we finally got it right on the fourth try. I love that Izzy has a sister and the boys are just in love with her. She is lucky. She has so many people that love her. I couldn't be happier with the pics. I'm also enjoying the newborn stage. She eats ALL THE TIME and goes right back to sleep after waking for a feeding. This time will go by so quickly. Before I know it she will be running around the house saying "Basta!" I hope that is not too soon.

Lili Update

Liliana is home and we are enjoying her so much. It's been quite a trying time for our family and we are so thankful for all the prayers on her behalf. I am convinced she has already been blessed. My friend Lisa Rentz took some pics of little Lili the other day and I love these pictures so much. I need to figure out how to make these picstures bigger and then I'll post more.

Lili has been such a huge blessing in our lives. It has made me stop and think of the most important things in this life. I still struggle with her little eye, but I know she chose to come to our family under these conditions and she still picked our family and came to us. I love her for this and hope that we can give her all she will need in this life. Lili has coloboma and micropthalmia in her right eye, which means her eye didn't develop correctly, so doctors have told us she will not see out of that eye. We are blessed because so far her left eye looks normal and well. How greatful we are for this. Her condition is a red flag for other other health issues and so she has been undergoing test after test to make sure everything else developed correctly. So far, the doctors have found nothing other than a slight trachial malasia (this may be what caused her to turn blue that first night and also what may have caused her inability to eat for the first 3 to 4 days). Doctors believe she will outgrow this. We pray she does and also keep praying that she will continue to grow healthy and strong. I can't help but think that had she been born during pioneer times, she probably would not have lived. How blessed we are that she is with us!

We still have more testing to complete, but we are optimistic that nothing else will be found. We will keep praying for her and ask for you to do the same. I have felt the power of prayer through this whole experience and am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who hears our prayers and a Savior who suffered so much for us so that we can feel comfort in his sacrifice and also know that he has felt our pain and more. Again, thanks to everyone who has brought food, prayed, stopped by, brought gifts...we are so greatfull!

Suprise! She's home!

Doesn't she look like a little person already!! She is so beautiful!!! These pictures were taken only at a few days old.

Notice something different about me??? no more Oxygen!!

Lili seemed to progress rapidly. She was off of Oxegyn by the 16th and home by the 17th! Abu says Lili is such a peaceful baby, sleeping most of the day, yet waking every 3 hours to eat and go back to sleep. Everyone suspects Lili will soon out weigh Isabella! There is much that we don't know about Lili... In time we will find out. She will be tested for CHARGE syndrome. Carolina is as expected...very tired. She pumps every 3 hours, while Abu feeds Lili a bottle. Carolina and Lili recently had a consultation with the lactation specialist, as her oral anatomy and difficulty swallowing make breast feeding a challenge.

Thoughts from a sister....

In reflection, how grateful we all are for the gospel. It's times like these that really push us to regain our close relationship with our Heavenly Father. And it's times like these that reveal the purpose of the antonement and the power that Jesus Christ has to perfect us, and ease our burdens. The Lord loves Carolina and Jamie so much that he is trying to perfect them through Lili, and what an honor that truley is!!! Lili will teach these two more about Christ than anyone ever could or ever will. There is no doubt in my mind that these two parents have more than enough unconditional love and patience to meet Lili's emotional, physical and spiritual needs. They truley are amazing disciples.

Thank you for all of your prayers! Jamie and Caro...pressforward with a steadfastness in Christ. Let the atonement take care of the rest. You have many people praying for you, and waiting to offer their love and support. We love you!

A Better Day!

Yesterday Lili had a Naso Gastric (NG) tube placed because she has not yet perfected swallowing. The tube inserts at the nose and ends in her stomach. Carolina says her droop is getting better. Lili had to get a new IV placed in her head to continue receiving nutrition through her veing. For some reason Lili's sodium levels are low. The NG tube and IV nutrition are helping bring those up. The eye specialist has not yet seen Lili, hopefully he/she will come sometime this week. Lili had an Ultra Sound of her brain, and it looks like the brain is well developed, Carolia says "that's a big releif." The 48 hour blood work came back as negative, and the antibiotics were stopped, Yeah!! Carolina is doing well, she 's very grateful for all the love and support from friends and family! Thank you so much for your prayers and your thoughts!

A very special thanks to Katie Smith for scrubbing the house top to bottom! the second Carolina walked in the house and smelled the sentsy, she got very emotional. On her behalf I feel it safe to say she feels so blessed living near close friends who recognize her needs and who are so willing to help fulfill those needs. It's also comforting knowing that Elisa is there too! Carolina couldn't ask for a better sister (other than me, haha). Thanks for taking Isabella!

Liliana Sofia Townsend is here!!

Weighing 7 lbs 2 ounces, 19 inches long Liliana Townsend arrived on september 11! Carolina is very excited not to be prego, and is doing well! Not too long after Lili was born she began experiencing a series of complications. Lili was a little bit fussy so Carolina held her most of the night trying to rock her to sleep. When morning came the nurse took Lili so Carolina could get some rest. While Lil was with the nurse she began having some respiratory distress and turned blue. Shortly after, Lili was taken to the NICU (New born Intensive Care Unit). The doctors suspect she may have inhaled meconium into her lungs because she had pooped inside the womb. Lili's right eye is smaller than her left eye. The iris is smaller and the pupil is smaller. Lili is also suspected to have facial nerve damage likely due to being born "sunny side up." Her L lip droops when she cries, and she has a hard time eating. Carolina has been feeding her about every 3 hours, but Lili gets most of her nutrition directly into her vein. Her heart is also bigger than normal. As of last night, Carollina says Lili seems to be doing better, she is breathing on her own, though she still requires oxygen. Carolina is able to hold her and give skin to skin care. Carolina says "Lili looks like Nico when he was a baby." There is an eye specialist coming to see Lili today.

Please refer to the blog or call Elisa Arthur for updates. Carolina, Jamie and Lili are very tired and would like to catch up on some lost sleep.

We are so excited to have Lili here! Carolina and Jamie already love her immensely. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated

pictures coming your way soon!

Labor Day Weekend

This is it. The final stretch for me. It is 11 days to my due date. Christian was 14 days early, so I keep thinking at any time now. Most everyone who I've spoken with to help out with kids (specially that midnight run to the hospital) will now be gone for labor day weekend. Good thing it is a weekend, so no school. But, with my luck, it will happen this weekend. If it doesn't, I will count my lucky stars. I have so much to complete before this baby comes. Here is a rundown of what I need to get done:

• Paint trim and doors for basement
• Have installers install trim and doors in basement
• Pick carpet
• Pick tile
• Have tile and carpet installed
• Move Boys to basement
• Re-paint the boys old room for new nursery
• Put crib in nursery
• Put baby stuff in nursery

Yup, this is not getting done in 11 days. I have come to grips with the fact that I may just not be done and that will be okay. Who needs a nursery when my babies sleep in their swings the first 2 months anyway? I figure I've got some time. I just wanted the dust and crap cleaned up a bit from all the construction in the basement. Not to mention how glorious is will be to have all that extra room and be able to park my car in the garage once again!

I have gained more weight this time around than with my other 3 babies and these are some of the things that come with the weight gain:

Swollen ankles and toes-hobbit feet, I am now convinced, were probably really pregnant ladies about to give birth.

Swollen hands-For the first time in 12 years of marriage, I can't wear my wedding ring. My watch is getting close to the same.

My right hand falls asleep-I wake up in the middle of the night unable to feel my right hand. Completely numb! How strange that feels.

Indigestion-this has been a curse for all 4 pregnancies.

Back pain-this also has been a curse for all 4 pregnancies, but this time I'm going to a chiropractor and it appears to help.

Dizzy spells-I tend to pass out when pregers. This is the worst because it is so debilitating, but I think the Chiro has been helping me a ton in this area because I am up and about this time around.

Broken Toe-Yeah! I can finally walk on my foot without pain. I think it has healed pretty well.

Scratch on left leg-Also healing, but still tender. It was pretty nasty!

Of course, I have the belly-by far my largest belly thus far. My belly button popped out. That has never happened before. What a funny thing to have happen.

I am just so thankful that this is my last time. I would almost be sad about it, but being pregnant isn't easy for me or anybody else who's around me. Poor Jamie has had to deal with my moody, crazy thinking self. He's a trooper and a keeper. So, keep posted, this weekend may be it!

Broken Toe and Some...

Last week I was busy trying to unload items from the car and putting them on my porch. As I turned back around to step down, I missed the step and went flying down 3 steps, scratched up my left leg from the ankle to the knee and broke my big right toe. It was a clean break, so no casting or surgery needed (thank goodness!). But I am in awe at the predicament that I am in. 34 weeks pregnant, my back hurts, indigestion, dizzy spells in the morning (already blacked out...hoping not to do it again), and now I have two legs that are so very sore. I have to say that as hard as this has been, I feel so blessed knowing that I am still able to keep myself together enough to get through the day and accomplish all my tasks. I can only say that Heavenly Father has been by my side and is daily helping me get through difficult situations. The sisters in my ward have been so kind and compassionate. They have watched my kids, brought me dinner, cooked for my kiddos the day I broke my toe, and drove me to the doc. I couldn't be in a better place and I feel so blessed. I couldn't have done it without them and it really makes me think that our Heavenly Father watches out for us even in our most difficult times. He blesses us with amazing people to help us and gives us the strength we need to keep it all together. This has reminded me of one of my seminary scripture mastery scriptures (yes, I actually remember one):

"I know that am I nothing, as to my strength I am week, therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God in whose strength I can do all things".

Unfortunately, I cannot find the reference or remember where it is ( I haven't looked to hard). The point is we can accomplish anything as long as we have Heavenly Father on our side, even getting through the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy.

Good Referrals Needed

So we have started to finish our basement. Yahoo! I need some referrals. The framing will be done on saturday, so I'm looking for a plumber, electrician and sheetrocker. Anybody have some people they've worked with that can help out? I'm so excited to get this project done. Once I get the boys moved to the basement I will feel like I can start planning for this baby!

June in a Nutshell

June has been filled with so much already. I can't believe it's over and we are headed straight into July! Jamie and I had a lunch date with Isabella recently, luckily there was a flower to keep her entertained while we waited for our Chicago style pizza.

I love Izzy's blue outfit. It makes her eyes look so pretty. I also LOVE her new haircut. I will post pics as soon as I get some taken.

Christian was asked to give a talk on Baptism for his cousisn's Livi's baptism. He did such a great job! Jamie and I were both in tears from shock at his composure and confidence. He's such a great kid. After he finished he came up to me and said "Mom, I'm glad I did it. I think it was good for me." He was so nervous before and kept practicing. What a great experience for him. He will remember this for ever. Thanks Ben and Lisa for thinking of him and asking him to do this.

Our cute Olivia with her Daddy. She is such a kind hearted girl, I just love her!


....and yes, my very first midnight showing of any movie! Summer and Cassidy both came and were sooooo good while we waited in line. Lucky me, I was pregers, so I got to bring along a camping chair to sit in. It was such a life saver!

Team Edward or Jacob? Definately Jacob! Have you seen what Edward looks like in the movie? Not even a competition there.

My cute sister Elisa, Summer and I waiting and waiting and waiting some more. I've never waited this long...not even at disneyland!

The group of girls from my ward that came with. Teri was there with Cassidy, but I didn't get any pics of her. She's such a great mom to take Cass and hang out till 3 am!

Lisa Comes to Visit

My sister-in-law Lisa came to visit a couple of weeks ago and we had such a great time going to the pool, visiting and having sleepovers. Ben and Rio were such a joy to be with. It was fun to get the kids together after not seeing them for so long. Thanks Biba for such a fun few days!


Dinner at T's house. Those ribs were amazing!! Food at the Ogdens is always fabuloso....I need to learn to cook more like that.

Biba, Jamie and Crunch N' Munch, a family must have for the Townsend household.

Max, Christian, Ben and Rio-cousins having fun and enjoying life at the pool!

Baseball

Christian is playing on a baseball team and is doing pretty well. He's had a couple of games and loves going to practice which is a new thing for us. I normally have to push them to go to practice. Nico is also playing Tball, but we forgot our camera at his first game, so Jamie took pics with his phone, which I have no access to. Anyway, here are some fun pics of Christian's first bball game.

My company at the games. Izzy loves Christian, but when he's not around, Nico is the second best choice. She loves her brothers!

Fun Times with Isabella

We went to Elitch Gardens on Tuesday with Max, Cassidy and my kids. Isabella was being such a pill all the way there. She screamed in the car the whole way to the park (30 min drive). She kept yelling at the kids sitting behind her. Anytime one of them would talk, she would start yelling and gabbing at the top of her lungs. By the time we were there I told the kids, "maybe she'll loose her voice and then not be able to scream anymore even if she wants to!" They thought it was funny. Good thing they have a sense of humor. Then we get to the park and all the kid rides are being tested. Since we got there right when they opened, we waited for about 45 minutes to get on any of the rides that Izzy could go on. So, lets just say she was not happy. We end up waiting in line for a truck ride and she is not having any of it. She wants to go in NOW! So, she does what she does best and throws herself on the ground, starts kicking, yelling and rolling around on the hot cement of the amusement park. I'm pregnant and not about to pick her up in that condition, so I let her have her moment. Then this conversation occurs with a local spectator who probably had a very well behaved two year old:

Spectator: Gotta love those two year olds!
Me: Yeah, tell me about it.
Spectator: ...AND OH MY GOSH YOU'RE HAVING ANOTHER ONE!

Yes, at that very moment I was so thankful that my other TWO children where on rides and no where to be seen. I may be a freek show now, but just wait. Five years from now when the baby is five and christian is 13...no wait...Ten years from now when the youngest is ten, and Christian is off to college...no wait Fifteen years from now I'll be so glad I did it. Okay, so I have a long road ahead, but I wouldn't trade any of it. As hard as raising these kids may be on a daily basis, they are mine forever and I know that is the biggest blessing of all. Lets just hope that our next baby is much calmer than Izzy. I don't know if I can handle two of those!!!

Piano Recital

The boys had a piano recital in May. It was so much fun to watch them. The teacher told the students that she wanted the recital tob e casual, so she said no need to dress up. Nico wouldn't hear of such a thing, so he insisted on wearing his suit to the recital. I reminded him no need to dress up, but he was persistant. So I said "Nico, you will get so many compliments cause you look so handsome." he says "no mom, people are going to say Huba Huba!" Let's just say I made sure he got some "Huba Hubas" that day!



Christian waiting to play his song. He didn't care to dress up like his brother. He wanted to be casual.

Here is Nico so proud of himself. I love his cute smile and his funny personality.

and of course, our little miss trouble maker. She spent most the time out in the hall.

Our Last Vacation for the Year

Yes, we have been busy vacationing in the Spring. But, since I'm due in September, I figure no more going away from home for me. It's too much to travel with a huge belly and three kids. I'm happy staying home and trying my best to make summer fun for the kids, and myself of course!

So Jamie and I went down to Mexico with two other couples from our ward. We had such a great time. No kids, no diapers, no feedings, no schedules, no homework, no piano, no scouts, no baseball, no nothing! All we did was exactly what we wanted for one whole week. It was funny, but it felt so natural to be on my own, I wondered half way through if I would be able to go back home and deal with my crazy life. Anyway, we had so much fun with these friends (Fausetts and Ravstens). We will be vacationing together with them again for sure....at least that's what I hope they want as well! Here are some pics of us in Mazatlan....


At El Cid resort in Mazatlan. This was a pretty fun pool. We hung out here our first day and just RELAXED and decompressed.

The infamous shrimp platter for two...shared by Brad and Jamie.

We stayed in this condo that did not have TV or a phone, so we read all week. I got through two and a half books....the most I've read in the last 8 years since I had kids.

Our favorite restaurant on the beach. We ate here almost daily. The highlight may have been the lobster dinner jamie and I splurged on. I can't believe how beautiful it was.

I love spending time with Jamie. He's my best friend and I can't seem to get enough of him!

California 2010

We made a last minute trip to Cali due to timeshare availability and ended up having a blast. We started our trip with delicious pastries from an Argentine Bakery thanks to Steve and SJ (Steven James has now decided he wants to be called SJ). The weather was a bit on the colder side, but we got to enjoy everything we set out to do. Here are a few pics of our trip.


Not sure what is being said here, but Christian was on one this trip. Everything had to be comical.

I am now beginning to understand why little girls have short hair. Comb anyone?

KT is such a cute mommy! She is also pregers, but not showing nearly as much as I was. If only I hadn't gained 10 lbs right off the bat....

Laguna Beach is our new favorite beach in California. So kid and Caro friendly. Icecream shop was only across the street....a stone through away. The beach also had a playground for kids who get bored of the beach...as if that ever has happened.

Of course D-Land was part of our adventure. Call me a cheapo, but those 274 bucks hurt more than I can explain. We will only be doing this once in a while. I would be content with never doing it again, but can that be considered child neglect and abandonment?

This was merely for the 1 and a half year old who has already forgotten about this event. At least this proof will keep it alive in her mind for the rest of her life. All is not a wasted.

Look at the happy look on her face. That was almost priceless. I can only imagine what she was thinking. Going from seeing this character on TV to real life must be some what confusing to a one year old. Too bad Mikey was wearing some kind of crazy winter outfit. Where are the traditional red overalls?

The whole clan at Disney. Minus KT who is of course behind the camera. These guys were troopers.

Love these kids. Am I the luckiest Mom in the world or what? It was so fun being together with them. They were so gracious, it was so pleasant to be there with them. Christian even got a blister on his foot from walking around so much and didn't complain about it till we were walking out of the park at 8:30 at night (by far our longest stay at any park ever).

And of course, our Cali trip wouldn't be complete without Best Buddy. These guys are the best and so much fun to hang out with. Glad we could visit the California Townsends while we were there.