everyone spell seven: sEVEn

It took us a long time to come up with a name for this little girl. We had names that we liked, but didn't feel like they were her. From the beginning I had a lot of rules for the name. I wanted it to have a y because the other girls do, Tony and I both wanted her middle name to be one syllable and kind of simple like the other girls, I wanted her first name to be two syllables, I didn't want her name to be too matchy with either Ayla or Tayvie but I wanted it to fit and flow with theirs. I wanted her to be named after Tony's side of our family this time. The funniest thing though, was I really felt like her name started with an L, but I didn't really like a lot of L names. All along, and I said this a million times, that I felt like there was a specific name for her I just hadn't found it yet.

In the beginning, we looked at family geneology names and nothing really jumped out at us. As the weeks went by between finding out she is a girl and our due date, we really had nothing. At one point Tony suggested Kalia and we really liked the name, but never thought it fit. I would panic and sit down at the computer and search name sites, I would search word lists even, I even searched a pet name website once. I was getting really frustraited, it was as if her name was on the tip of my tounge and I had clues about it, I really new it started with an L and I knew the feel of it, but I just couldn't say it.

Back in October as the leaves were changing we had gone on a ride up to Sundance and then back through the Alpine Loop. Right in the middle of the Alpine Loop we were discussing names from Tony's family. We talked about how he had two Great Grandma Eva's and his mom was named after one of them. We both said how we liked the name.

By the middle of November she still had no name. I sat down at the computer one last time. I was going to have a open, clear mind and not give up until I found her name. I wasn't on the computer long before something came to me, but it wasn't from a website. I had been looking at names, and I don't know what triggered it, but in my head I could hear a familiar voice saying "Lindley." I have to laugh cause that makes it sound all miraculous, like it was the voice of an angel -and it was far from that! It was actually the voice of a charater from a teen drama I use to watch about ten years ago, one of the other character's last names was Lindley and I could hear him saying her name. It took me a minute to place it, but I figured it out.

So when Tony came home I suggested it and there was no discussion on his end. He loved it. That was her name. The end for him. Me? I went back and forth. I came up with any negative I could think of and asked him what he thought but he was completely adamant that Lindley was her name. We also talked about her middle name at the time, in my mind I had already gone back to that day on the Alpine Loop and like the name Eve but Tony is the one who spoke it out loud. When he said what I had been thinking, there wasn't much discussion about it at the time cause I knew it was ment to be. The odd thing was we had never actually discussed Eve rather than Eva.

So, even though I was still testing it out and going back and forth, we had decided that was her name. Now we were just down to the spelling. We decided right away that we would spell the first part of it with a y, because Tony's mom's name is Evelyn (who was named after one of the grandma Eva's), so we thought it would be neat to use the Lyn from her name and then her Eve for the middle name. Neat that she would have her grandmother's whole name in her name, we really liked that. We did struggle with the spelling at the end of her name though, in fact we discussed it on our drive to the hospital the morning she was born and were no closer to having a decision. The decision was made at the hospital when Tony wrote it down on the form. He had asked me one last time what I thought and I said "I don't know, but we don't have to make a decision right now, we can leave it blank and fill it in later." When I came back from dressing in my hospital gown he had informed me that he had chosen to spell it Lyndlee. I was very happy with his decision and thought it was cute that he had decided himself. One reason I really liked the lee spelling was because I've had a wonderful friend my whole life who's middle name is Lee and she just had a baby girl who's middle name is Mae (just like mine), so now we have baby girls that share each other's middle names. Also, we both agreed that the spelling of our nurses name was a sign: Carolee.

I know this is a looooong background for her name, but it was a looooong nine months and a loooooong process to come up with her name. To be honest, I am just now getting comfortable with it, not that I haven't felt that it is her name, it's just taken me a while to get comfortable with it. But today I love it. I remember this same feeling with Tayvie's name, I finally had that day that I just absolutely loved it.

Now for my FAVORITE part: I love things to have meaning. I love when coincidences happen too. I love things to match.

• Lyndlee Eve was born on December, 7th- now everybody spell seven: sEVEn. The coolest thing ever!
• Also if we want to stretch it a bit (and we do) she was born at quarter to 11- now everybody spell eleven: el-EVE-n.
• Since she was born in December we wanted to put something holiday-ish in her name but we didn't want it to be blatant and nothing was more perfect than Eve. It's a holiday word, and to me the word eve means excitement for things that are coming. I like to think since she was born in December which is the eve of a new and better year for us. She was sometimes our only joy and hope through 2009 and she brought that excitement of looking forward to the end of the year with her birth. Eve is very magical.
• Most importantly being the people she was named after. I love my children to have a special connection, I think it gives a deeper meaning to who they are. And Lyndlee has her grandmother in her name and my forever friend to look up to.
• I also like to think our kids our named after us in a little way, because Ayla starts with the A from Anthony, Tayvie starts with the T from Tony and Lyndlee starts with the L from Lacie.
• And one last thing, Ayla has insisted all along that her name is Lyndlee Rainbow or sometimes Lyndlee Rainbow Eve. One day before Lyndlee was born she said to me "Mama, I'm getting riddy of Eve, because Eve kinda annoys me." and everytime someone says Lyndlee Eve she corrects them immediately with "Rainbow, Lyndlee Rainbow." Coincidence, that she is wearing rainbow butterfly wings above?

Bringing Home Baby

We were antsy to get home and let the girls meet Lyndlee, so we left the hospital as soon as they would let us. I was so excited for Ayla and Tayvie to see their new little sister that they had loved so much while she was in my tummy! I couldn't wait to see their reactions! So by 4:45 on Tuesday (December 8th) we were pulling out of the hospital parking lot with Lyndlee all bundled in her carseat for the very first time!

We got home around 6 that night. My mom, Annie & Jake, Gentry, and Austin met us their with Ayla and Tayvie ... and Papa Murphy's pizza. mmmm. Later, Marci & Jon came by too.

Just as I had suspected, Tayvie was CRAZY about the baby (and still is)! She kept asking to hold her (and still does). She pointed out her eyes, nose, mouth, bow, hair, fingers, feet... over and over. She couldn't get enough of her (and still can't). If Lyndlee makes a noise, Tayvie is right there telling me about it, she is such a little caretaker! If Lyndlee is upset, Tayvie goes into a panic trying to make her better. She calls her "Wees" or "Shees"

Ayla loves her sister just as much. She wants to hold her all the time too. She's always curious about her and asking questions. Ayla calls her "Winwee."

I think they've both adjusted very well to our new addition, almost as if this is the way it has always been.

The Play by Play

Monday, December 7th, 2009

6:00 am

I called McKay Dee Hospital because I was scheduled for an induction. The nurse told me to come in and to try to be there by 7:00 am. There had been a decent snow storm early that morning so I was a little nervous that it would take us more than an hour to get there. We left our house at 6:15 and headed for Ogden. Ayla and Tayvie had spent the night at my parents house so we didn't have to worry about dropping them off. The roads were still covered with snow and the radio said the temperature high was supposed to be 17 deegrees. The whole drive I was having some strong contractions every 4 or 5 minutes, we talked about how odd that was- that our baby girl must have known it was time for her to come. We also debated some more the spelling of her name, we were both going back and forth between Lyndley and Lyndlee, but still didn't make a decision.

7:15 am

We got to the hospital and checked in, they took us to our room and I changed into my gown. The nurse had given Tony the paper work and he asked me one last time about the spelling of her name, I told him we didn't have to fill it out right then and we could still think about it, but he made a decision and wrote down Lyndlee. I thought it was sweet and I am happy with his decision. Moments later we noticed our nurse's name was Carolee and agreed that was a sign :).

8:15 am

I looked at the clock, I had just changed into my gown, Tony was working on the paper work, the nurse was typing things into the computer and I was just climbing into the bed.

8:45ish am

The nurse started the putossin.

9:11 am

I called my mom to see how Ayla and Tayvie had been over night. Ayla had a hard time falling asleep (which is typical even at home), Tayvie had gone to sleep well, but was awake asking for "Mom-Mom" between 3 and 6. At this point, my contractions were coming every 3 minutes and they were getting really intense! I was having a hard time talking through them. The doctor came in the room to see how I was doing and he told me to get the epidural. I said that I would ask the nurse as soon as she came back in the room. The doctor left and my mom called right back with a question at 9:18 am, only 7 minutes had passed but the contractions had become so much more intense I couldn't even talk. I hung up and pressed the button several times for the nurse.

9:35 am

My water broke! I said "Oot-oh!" cause as much pain as it was I knew it was going to be so much worse now that my water had broken! The nurse still hadn't come back. Tony kept checking the hall for her and I pushed the button a few more times. I'm not sure what time she fianlly came back in, but before she did another nurse came in and confirmed that my water had broken. When I first arrived at the hospital I was dialated to a 4+, now I was at a 7 and completely effaced, just short of an hour after the putossin was started. The nurse said the anastesiologist was doing another epidural but he would be here as soon as he was done. It was hard to wait for him. It was really intense, the pain was unbearable during the contractions. There was hardly a break between them.

10:05 am

The nurse had me sit up and get ready for the epidural. The anastesiologist was finished with the other epidural and was supposedly on his way. We waited for what seemed like forever, the nurse kept appologizing saying 'he said he was on his way...' I'm not sure what time he actually got there, because I couldn't even move to look at the clock. Once he did come it took another 5 or 10 minutes to do the epidural, and then a little while longer until I started to feel it. Then it started to help. It took some more time to get on top of the pain, and it wasn't working on my left side this time, but once the nurse helped me readjust it worked- and I was so happy for it! Immediately, the nurse started setting everything up for the delivery and the second the doctor walked into the room and was ready, they had me push. Two pushes and her head was out, the doctor asked me if I wanted to rest for a second, and I was like 'No, this is easy!' About 3 more pushes and she was here!

10:43 am

Lyndlee Eve Goddard was born! There was seriously a moment that I was really shocked that she was actually here. That she was actually a baby. I didn't even think about confirming that she was a girl until a couple hours later, I don't think anyone even said anything about it. We got to do the skin to skin thing where they but her right on my belly as soon as she was born. Very cool! Tony was able to cut the cord. She turned really purple so the put her under the warmer and gave her some oxygen. She weighed 7lbs 15oz and was 20.5 inches long, with tuns of dark hair. She made hardly any noise when she was born, they tried to get her to cry but she wouldn't. She was breathing fine though so they weren't worried. She would make faces that looked like once she figured out how to cry she was really going to be a good cryer!

Noon

We moved to our recovery room (room 4119) and were greeted by Lyndlee's Grandma Goddard already there and waiting to meet her! Our new nurse named Ashlee (also a sign right?) gave Lyndlee her first bath right there next to my bed. I thought that was the neatest thing ever, because I had not been able to see the other girls get their first baths, but I did get to watch Lyndlee's and watch her get her hair done with her pretty blue and silver bow.

McKay Dee Hospital had informed me the night before that we were only allowed to have TWO visitors the WHOLE STAY, and of course no one under 14, due to h1n1. We were a little shocked cause we thought we could have 2 visitors at a time- not for the whole stay!

So the whole time we were at the hospital nothing made Lyndlee cry! NOTHING! She even had the PKU and did not cry! They thought she may have swollowed some amniotic fluid and that was why she was being so quite and she was also gagging and choking here and there- which scared me everytime it happened.

Next post: coming home and meeting the sisters!

The End.

The end of NINE looong months.

and

the beginning of NEW life.

Our Official Team Picture

Hard to believe that our little Lyndlee Eve is 1 week and 1 day old already! Where has this last week gone? She is so precious. Tony and I are just in constant awe of our three little girls. They are such a dream come true.

I have so much to share and it seems like so little time to share it! I can't wait to tell you about her birth, and I can't wait to tell you about Ayla & Tayvie meeting her for the first time, and I can't wait to tell you all about her!

Our official team picture for the 2009-2010 season!

I'm Avoiding

Nope, still have not packed that hospital bag. I find that just as odd as anyone. I was a good girl with Ayla and Tayvie both, both times bags were packed in ample time. I don't know what it is this time, I guess I just know no matter when she comes it will work out hospital bags or not!

So I'm being a good blogger right? Two posts in two days! Yea, I know it's cause I'm avoiding cleaning the house, paying the bills, putting laundry away, and packing bags. I really am so excited to do all those things and be "READY" but my body just doesn't want to do anything more than let my fingers type... but it's going to whether it likes it or not, cause I'm getting all those things done today! It's now or never!

Remember how I said we really have no idea what's going on with Tony's job? And then remember a couple hours later I added an update cause Tony called with an official lay off date? He called this morning with a new official lay off date: January 29th. This makes me a bit more comfortable, we can make it through bringing baby home and the holidays and he'll still have a job for another month... but do you see why we have no idea? I don't even know if I can count on that cause things change from day to day- even hour to hour! But I am very thankful for this new date, it seems a lot more managable to me.

Ah, what else can we talk about here... am I done already? Shoot. Guess it really is time to get to work. Happy Thursday Everybody!!!

What's going on

It has been way too long!

Here we are in December... and guess what we have 5 days until we meet our new baby girl!!! I'm so excited to see her little legs and feet and see what she looks like, hear her cry, and see if she has hair!

So November was busy. We spent a day at the hospital and found out I had pnemonia and was dehydrated. I was having steady, very close, and painful contractions but once I was hydrated they slowed down. Things have been so much better since then! The pnemonia had taken everything out of me, and it was so good to start feeling better!

Tony's job? We really have no idea what's going on right now. He was scheduled to be layed off this Friday, but there's so much work that they come to only him for that they can't let him leave yet, so who knows how long that will last. He has a new very powerful boss who wants to keep him, but it sounds like they will have to lay him off anyway, and then there may be a posibility they could fight to get him back... we'll see what happens.

UPDATE:

****IRRRRK! Scratch that I guess! Tony just called me and he has his official lay off date: January 8th.****

Ayla and Tayvie have been sick as well. Poor little Ayla had no voice over the weekend, it was cute but sad too! We're hoping everyone gets healthy and feeling better in the next couple days! Tayvie's been talking so much lately, she's so cute! She has so much energy, and is so stubborn she is really hard for me to keep up with lately!

Tony and I went to our doctor appointment yesterday for the last time! We are so excited! We were grinning the whole way home that the next time we make that drive to Ogden we'll be coming home with our baby! The plan is to be induced on MONDAY, December 7th in the morning. It seems unreal. We have a really busy week ahead of us so I know Monday will come fast! Today's goal amoungst other things is to GET THAT HOSPITAL BAG FINALLY PACKED! I know I'm crazy, I can't believe I haven't done that yet!

How's that for summing everything up! I've been with out a computer for about a week, so I'm happy to be back! Happy December Everyone!!!