I can't believe Marielle is already 4 weeks old. She is growing so quickly. Last week she learned how to roll over from her stomach to her back. At only 3 weeks old I could not believe it.
I wanted to write down my birthing experience with Marielle so I don't' forget how amazing it was. I apologize for the length of the entry but I didn't want to forget the details.
When I first discovered I was pregnant my thoughts immediately went to how difficult Easton's birth was and how there had to be a better way. With Easton I started having contractions around 11:30 at night. Finally around 4:30 a.m. the contractions were much more painful and I decided I should go to the hospital. My biggest fear was that the hospital would send me home because I wasn't far enough along in labor so I wanted to make sure if I was going the hospital they weren't sending me home. Once I got to the hospital I was found to be dialated to a 7 and they immediately said I could have my epidural. Due to my minor scoliosis it took the anesthesiologist almost an hour and several failed attempts to get the epidural in. Once in however, it was wonderful but at the same time I think that's where all the difficulty with Easton's birth came into play. The doctor told me that around 8:00 a.m. he would come back and we could start pushing at that point. He indicated it was good to just let the baby sit to help things out. Yeah right. Finally around 10:00 a.m., after performing an emergency C-section on another patient, he came back. At this point I knew I was long past the point of needing to push. I needed this baby out 2 hours ago. We started the arduous pushing process, with the doctor coming and going as he pleased. After 2 1/2 hours of pushing and no baby I was terribly worn out, my epidural was wearing off and I could feel Easton in my birth canal. Plus, as Clint always likes to indicate, he had been holding up my leg for all that time and was tired as well. The hospital should have paid him for having to do such work. Finally the doctor came back in, discovered Easton was posterior, did a little flip move to turn him around and out he shot with a giant cone head. Thanks doc, could have used that two hours ago. Needless to say I was completely exhausted and really did not have much desire to even hold my sweet little boy. I felt as though because I had an epidural the doctor and nurses were not that concerned with delivering my baby on both my baby and my body's time table. Instead it was what was convenient for them making it much more difficult for my baby and me.
After that experience I just felt as though there had to be a better way to birth. So, I looked into several birthing options and decided to try hypnobirthing and hiring a doula. Hypnobirthing is simply relaxation techniques which allow you to naturally birth your baby more comfortably. A doula is someone is who there just for you as the birthing mother. They don't take part in any of the medical aspect of the birth, they are simply a coach for the mom. They are normal people unlike many preconceived notions family and friends had when I explained I was hiring one. I found a hypnobirthing instructor named Becky who was also my doula. Clint was expecting some hippy lady but was very surprised to discover she was normal and not weird. The thing I loved most about taking the hypnobirthing class was the fact that Clint and I were doing it together. It wasn't like he did his part and now the rest was up to me. He was as much a part of preparing for the birth experience as I was. Every night he would read me my relaxation exercises and he recorded them for me to listen to on the iPod. I felt more prepared for Marielle's birth and a lot closer to Clint.
May 4th was my due date and even though I was dialated to a 3 and 90% effaced, the day came and went. The next day I had the doctor strip my membranes and Clint, Easton and I hung around the area for the day thinking at any minute I would go into labor. We went shopping, out to lunch with Clint's grandma, to the park and to get ice cream. However, nothing was happening so we came back home. Shortly after arriving home around 6:00 p.m. Clint went outside and started doing yard work and then I started having contractions. I wasn't sure at first if I was in labor but it quickly became apparent that I was. Whenever I had a contraction I would stop what I was doing and proceed to do my breathing exercise. Easton would say, "What's wrong mom?" Finally I knew it was time to go to the hospital. Clint was still outside and I couldn't find him. I told Easton to go find Dad and tell him I needed to go to the hospital but he couldn't find him either. Around 8:15 p.m. I finally found Clint and told him I needed to get to the hospital soon. He quickly began rushing around getting his bag packed and Easton ready. It was funny to watch the flurry of action. Clint revealed that he didn't think I would be going into labor until the next day and so he wasn't quite prepared and felt bad he had left me in the house without checking on me. We left the house around 8:45 p.m. and headed for the hospital. I continued to do my breathing and relaxation exercises on the way. Easton continued to ask, "What's wrong mom?" Once we got to the hospital, I was found to be dialated to a 5. We called my doula to let her know. Clint's parents came and picked up Easton. While walking to my birthing room the lady next door to my room was screaming and yelling. She kept saying, "Help me, I can't do this!" Needless to say it was a bit unnerving. I quickly asked to get in the tub. Shortly after getting in the tub my doula arrived and then my sister Danielle. I listened to my relaxation exercises and just focused on each contraction. Everyone said I looked like I was sleeping. I was slightly cognizant of what was going on around me and could feel the peak of each contraction but I was still relaxed. My doula was able to sense if I needed a little something extra and would help me focus. I remained in the tub for over 2 1/2 hours. I finally felt ready to get out of the tub. At this point the doctor called to check on my status. The nurse found me to be dialated to an 8+ and almost ready. My sister, Clint and my doula were massaging me and helping me stay focused. I began to feel a lot of pressure and contractions were coming really close and hard. The nurse checked me again at which point my water broke. Right then the doctor walked in. At this point I lost all focus and was in need of a little extra help to get me through. I asked Clint for a blessing at which point everyone stopped what they were doing and folded their arms while I received a blessing. Labor was very intense at this point and I remember saying, "I need my baby out" several times and began pushing. A few pushes later and out she came. It happened so quickly. It was 12:53 a.m. when she was born. The doctor laid her on my chest and I was so overwhelmed with her beauty. Outside of the temple, it was the most spiritual, amazing experience I have had. I was on such a natural high and felt so good after her birth. It was the birth I had wanted, prayed for and worked together with Clint to prepare for. Clint was so amazing throughout the whole thing and must have been on a natural high as well because he proceeded to provide quite a bit of comic relief. Marielle was perfect and began to nurse within the hour. I couldn't have asked for a better birthing experience.
The sparklers were also a hit. He was a little nervous of the glowing sticks at first but he quickly caught on.
I am so grateful to live in this amazing country. I feel so blessed for the freedoms I enjoy and the sacrifices that were made and continue to be made to make this country what it is. I love America!
The whole Thompson family (minus Rafe) was able to join us for a delightful day at the zoo. Even Grandpa Mark and Grandma Debra came out. Of course, it was not easy to get them to pose for a photo so this is the best we could do. My dad wore his Wranglers just in case he had to bulldog an escaped rhino. Plus he heard from Brett Favre that they are “real comfortable jeans.”
"Tokyo...this is Easton...do you copy?...over" (I promise I didn't teach him this)
Easton, your wingspan will never even get close to that of a gorilla.
No comment.
Marielle didn’t get to see many animals but she did have an animal sized poo that exploded all over her outfit. The good news is that Grandma Debra came to the rescue and bought her a nice Hogle Zoo onesie.
Taylor was kind enough to lift Easton to see many of the exhibits. This happened to be the bear exhibit...as you can see he is tightly gripping a fencepost. He may have remembered what happened to Luke Wilson's character on the movie Anchorman.
We’ve got this nice monkey backpack/leash to keep Easton from getting into trouble. And who better to hold the leash than his younger cousin Jane.
Big surprise. Out of the hundred animals on the carousel, Easton chose to ride the wild turkey. I guess birds of a feather do flock together after all.
The day at the zoo was capped off with an enchanting train ride. 
Congratulations to Grandma Glenda who had her eightieth birthday party a few weeks ago. It was a lot of fun to attend her party and socialize with her thriving posterity.
Easton and I really enjoyed the delicious food served at the party. 
Charisse and Marielle had a pretty good time as well.
When Charisse told me that Truman Madsen had passed away a few weeks ago, I felt like I had lost a close friend since I have spent so much time listening to his voice. I first heard Madsen’s lectures on Joseph Smith when I was on my mission in Italy. Since then I have listened to those tapes and some of his other lectures hundreds of times. I relied heavily on his material when I majored in Philosophy at Utah State. He was probably the main reason why I majored in Philosophy in the first place.
Big brother is slowly getting adjusted. He doesn't show much interest in her, other than the occasional kiss and hug. He does want to be held if she is being held which he never wanted before. He also has developed a passion for her blankets, or "nokets" as he calls them. There are certain ones he has taken a keen liking to and doesn't want to relinquish them once they are in his grasp.
Marielle's first big outing was to Salt Lake to attend Clint's induction to the Bar Association ceremony.
Marielle's bilirubin count was a bit high when we left the hospital so we had to have a light table brought to our home which she spent all of her time on the first 24 hours. After the first day her count began to slowly go down and she no longer needed to constantly be on the bed. Thank goodness. I wanted to hold my little girl. I was actually surprised her bilirubin count was high due to the fact that she is an excellent nurser. Within the first hour of life she latched on and has been going strong since.
We found out Marielle does not like being put in her car seat. She cries for a brief moment every time we strap her in.
I got my thank-you cards made. 
I actually made a quilt. I dislike sewing immensely and I am not any good at it. Maybe that's why I don't like it. 
Thanks to my husband who can do anything, including electrical work without having any instructions, Clint hung the chandelier and installed the medallion. I can't keep my eyes off it. I have to look in her room every time I walk by.
The best news about the chandelier, I got it for free. The company I purchased it from sent it to me without any crystals. When I called to request them they informed me the manufacturer didn't have them and they would credit me the cost of the light. Woo-hoo. I just went to Home Depot and bought some crystals instead.
Not only is Clint one smart cookie but he can lay tile like a pro. He created our beautiful tile surround and installed the fireplace mantel.
If you need cement laid- Clint can do that as well. He is currently working on our patio in the backyard.
On the baby front, I am three weeks away from my due date. We've been busy getting her room ready and preparing for her birth. I will post pictures once we are done with the room. Thanks for everyone's love and concern.
