Good morning everyone! The sun's shining here! The sky is blue. The birds are singing, the grass is green. The trees are growing, the snow is gone (for now). Bye.

Okay. Now I am back. I figured I'd better help Heidi. (I feel guilty writing when there's so many other things I should and could be doing such as taxes.) Anyways, Besides all the above, We are so happy to be a family of FIVE! Travis has already brought a special spirit and personality to our home. It makes us wonder how we ever did without him. Here's his information:
TRAVIS WILLIAM CHANDLER
Credit card # Baby Boy! Cute as Ever!
SS# Friday, March 13 2009 @ 0815-home
email 7 lbs. 15 0z, 21'' Apgar 7, then 10, now 10+
(minimal jaundice to none)
blackberry # Mom did and doing wonderful- fighting those Blues
fax# Loves to be held, loves to eat, dislikes diaper changes and getting dressed
Drivers License # COMPLICATIONS: 10+ diapers a day & melts your heart with his smile!

And now . . . STORY TIME!

The week before was rough. And they all Lived... in misery! Mom was miserable which makes Dad miserable, which makes the other two boys miserable. Priesthood blessings were given to Mom & (baby), Tyson, and Kaleb. The night before, we were all ready to give up and say 'lets induce'. Through prayer a little extra boost from Blue Cohosh and the good milk, we all felt the time was near. The baby's stuff was ready, the new van was set, Heidi and I knew we might not get some sleep and the boys some how knew something was going to happen. ( They could sense it: the changes, the baby clothes, the toys, the blankets, the baby seat- and mom's belly! ) So we all layed down to rest after singing Karyoke American Idol on PS2- And without plans at all- No bags packed for hospital, and no bags packed for home delivery. Just layed down to rest and .

Tossing and turning, I wake up at 6:30 a.m.- see Heidi's miserable face and ask" Are you okay?' Heidi responds: "I think I just really wet my pants." At that moment I knew. I knew her water had broken, I knew Baby was coming very soon, and knew our life would change within a couple hours. So what did I do? I left Heidi in bed, went to the bathroom and shaved and combed my hair. (And I hate shaving.) Next I calmly change into a comfortable, nice looking outfit for the day including my watch, phone, keys, and wallet. Then, the boys woke up, so I helped them get dressed too- including socks and shoes.
Finally I check on Heidi again. Earlier I could tell she was hurting, but not the active labor pains. This time, I go in and she's bent over forwards in tears and looked awful.
"Should I pack the bags?" I asked. "I don't know." She gritted. Then we talk about things such as her contractions and I coached her breathing. Things just got worse. No action was taken until, I firmly say "Come on let's go, we need to hurry." and I get the bag 1/2 packed when she yells "oh no. I'm not going anywhere!" (Around 8:00 a.m.)
Calmness turns to rush, peace turns to havoc and my mind is praying and spinning at the same time. "What do I do? What's the 911 number? Do I call? Just give up. " (and lots more). From there, we were truly blessed. Father in Heaven took charge. My mind cleared and felt like I could to anything when it comes to helping my wife and baby.
First I do a quick vaginal check and to my knowlege: dilated to a 7 and 100% effaced, head first, face up, and close to the surface with no vaginal bleeding. And Heidi screaming how bad it hurts. The worst part, was wanting to be with Heidi at that time and knowing I couldn't becasue I had to get other things ready. One new graduate Hopsice RN and two critical patients. and two wonderful young helpers throwing cheerios at the kitchen table!
I threw things in the dryer to get warm, I placed towels and blankets all around and under Heidi, found some dirty scissors, and a fridge magnet with a strong clamp, grabbed our baby booger getter outer (suction bulb). Finally I undo my cuffs, roll up my sleeves and check on Heidi again- now that she's screaming she's going to DIE! I hold her hand, do my best to comfort her and coach her breathing, when it dawns on me, I need to be at the other end to catch!
I put on gloves faster then ever, uncover Heidi, and panic: Baby's head was crowning and coming: ready or not. "Don't push!" I command. "I'm pushing. I'm pushing. I'm pushing." She screams. "I can't help it. Here it comes!" (No exaggeration added). AND IT CAME!

First the head, then some blood, then the shoulders, then some blood, then the body, then some blood, then the feet, then some blood, then the cord, then some blood and some more blood, and finally a little relief for Mom and lots of panic for Dad. Mom was shaking and very cold. And Baby was having a hard time getting air. After unwrapping the cord from his neck, and suctioning his mouth and nose, and making him take a breath. A baby's cry has never been so wonderful. That's when I start finding the things I mentioned earlier. I clamped the cord, cut the cord (checked to see if it had 2 arteries, and 1 vein), and gave Heidi the placental end to hold until I could find another clamp. I wrap him up, give him a hat and finally give him to Mom where mom was proud and waiting. baby latched on immediately and I knew he was ok. Mom was still cold and shaky. Heavy bleeding was over. I find another blanket and cover her (and took my gloves off)- and then the three of us took a moment to ourselves and Heavenly Father. to take a breath or two. And that's when we smiled and noticed he was human with all parts including THE BOY parts. And from there, He was TRAVIS and we've just loved him and kept him close as ever. (There was no particular reason we chose the name Travis. We just both liked it, and couldn't get it off of the list of other names.)

That's when I heard the other two boys getting upset with eachother in the kitchen. I grab them out of thier chairs, and lead them to mom and baby. Their eyes opened wide when they saw "the Mess" and this new crying baby. With some coaching, both boys climbed up on the bed, gave mom a hug, and kissed Baby's head. We introduce Baby as "Baby Travis- your new brother!" We were now a family of Five for the first time all together on Mom and Dad's bed. A memory I'll always cherish.
Then I remembered we wern't done yet! The PLACENTA! It was coming. It was at this timeI called the hospital telling them we just had the baby at home, everything is ok, but the placenta hadn't come yet. Of course, they said come in ASAP. I told them we come, but not right away- and then hung up.

I put gloves back on, inspect Heidi and give her a little wash and perineum massage. I had already found another clamp for that end. I ask Heidi if she feels like pushing, and she tried even though she didn't. With a little time, and little tugging on my part, the placenta was delivered and looked whole to me. I did insert my hand in and did a quick check, and didn't feel any fragments to my knowledge. Also, while I was in there, I made a fist a gave Heidi's uterus a strong punch to help it contract to prevent hemmorraging. From Heidi, the placenta went directly into the toilet. (It stayed there overnight and didn't come out until Grandma and Grandpa came Saturday. There we had a learning moment for Tino, Anjelica, April, Tyler, Mom, Heidi, and DAD about the importance of the placenta as we all had gloves on and felt how heavy and vascualr it was. )

Although everything was ok and Heidi was doing much better, and baby had good color and had eaten well, we wanted to see how much he weighed, and wanted him circumcised. So we took our time getting ready and into the van. Instead of coming to the ER as they told me too. I parked in the visitors center, found a wheelchair, put mom and 3 boys on her lap and diaper bag and wheeled them up to the labor and delivery unit myself- with everyone staring at us! Once we checked in, the staff all panicked and took over- or tried to take over. I wouldn't let them. I said we are all fine. I just want the baby to be checked real quick, and circumcised. You can imagine what kind of looks we got. Heidi was dressed nice, pretty combed hair and walking BY HERSELF, and anyways, it was quite funny to see everyone's reaction.
From there, people just kept coming in to check. They were amazed at Heidi -just as I am. Everything looked so good on mom and baby. No bruising, tearing and no malformations of the Baby's head. Everything was perfect. The hospitalist MD did a quick check, and left. Heidi's midwife didn't make it until later that day who was also surprised and nice and happy things went well. Only vitamin K was given for the circumcision- none of the other extra stuff was allowed. They wanted to take baby out for the checks, but I said no. You can do it right here with us. The rest of the day, the hospital just seemed like they were trying everything to keep us there. Everything was slower, prolonged and procrastinated. We just about left without permission. Finally they let us go saying that we had a very high risk >85% chance of coming back within a week with severe problems of infection for the baby. Yes there's chances, but it all went in one ear and out the other. We were going home. And Heidi went home without any prescription for pain pills which was unheard of at the time.
We learned that next time we won't take them in until later as long as we feel everything is ok. That brings us to the question everyone's asking. "WAS IT PLANNED?"

If it was planned, we weren't ready as you could tell. Heidi and I have never enjoyed the hospital stays, and never really needed them- as Heidi is a natural! So it's always been a dream to have a home delivery. We've thought of finding a midwife that would come to the home, but never did look. I've honestly thought about becoming an OB/GYN or midwife, and enjoyed the class and clinicals very much. And of course watched as closely as I could with the first 2 births. The last two months, Heidi and I have had fun reviewing my maternity book- especially pre-, intra, and post- delivery. So I knew the basic steps, had prepared myself for it, and had told myself, that if a deputy can deliver babies in a cab with only 1 days training, I should be able to to do it too with my extra edge of training. As always, you never know what could happen and if something were to happen, I would never be able to forive myself and be rid of the guilt. But as mentioned above, we've tried to be in tune, and together we knew things we be fine (as promised by the blessing given earilier) . In that blessing, words were said preparing Heidi for whole new experience and would be difficult but rewarding with no serious problems.

So the next question: would we do it again? Like mentioned: every pregnancy and every birth is different. Heidi has already expressed her wishes to deliver the rest at home if things are looking good. And I agree. But with a little extra planning such as packing a bag- a delivery bag!

We cannot express enough gratitude for all the blessings given not just that day but up to and afterwards as well. As a side note, a few days later, his circumcision Bell was looking awful and his penis was red, tender, swollen and didn't look good at all. I guess a normal parent would take him in right away. Not us. I grabbed my sugical scissors, gauze and 4 extra hands to hold, and snipped away. Yes there was blood and tears, but now the bell is off, and everything has healed nicely with no scars and everything needed still there! (Don't turn us in.)

Heidi's had some bad engorgement and possibly mastitis, but again we didn't take her in. We used the usual methods of relief along with fresh cabbage leaves and remond clay poultices. With time, it's gone away and now Heidi's ready for another one! Just kidding. We'll give it some time anyway. More time than before we hope. Any suggestions on making girls?

Thanks you guys! I'm a proud Dad and husband if you can't tell- with lots of other things I should be doing to fulfill that role - even if it is just loving them and spending precious time with them. I'm realizing they won't stay young and innicent very long and most likely won't live under my roof very long (hopefully)! It makes me want to stop working and become a bum on the street as long as I'm holding their hands. Just kidding. You do what you gotta do- All out of love. Thanks Mom and Dad for being such a great example of that truth of parenting.
The next step: potty training. Both boys are ready. We waited until after Travis and until we could do it together. Both boys are wearing undies during the day with lots of accidents! Do you have any suggestions for potty training?
It was fun seeing everyone at Nancy's union and our re-union! Love to all from the five of us!

AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER --with stress and joy, life's not a toy!