Stella Meets Malcolm

Stella spent the night at Grandma Dibble's house the night that Malcolm was born. Malcolm was born at 10:26 p.m., but we didn't name him until much later so we didn't make any announcement phone calls until he was named. I really wanted to call Stella first, but we decided not to put Grandma through the rest of that night trying to calm Stella back down. You're welcome Grandma. :) (just kidding, thank you so much for taking her).

Grandma woke Stella up early the next morning and suddenly our take-forever-to-get-ready-for-school daughter turned into Superman in a phone booth and was dressed in record time and in the car ready to come home and meet her new baby brother before school started!

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! It was fairly emotional witnessing Stella meeting Malcolm for the first time.

Stella got right under the covers with me so she could finally hold her little brother. She's been waiting just as long as we have. She loves him so much and already he is absolutely hilarious to her. Every little face and every little noise received a burst of laughter. They are going to be great together. And they'll share everything . . .

. . . whether they want to or not.

I love my children. Children. I have children. :)

Malcolm McCoy Dibble

HE'S FINALLY HERE!


Malcolm McCoy Dibble
Monday, August 29, 2011
10:26 p.m.
7 pounds 12 ounces
19 1/2 inches long

. . . and he's absolutely perfect! We love our little Malcolm!

42 Weeks Pregnant

Sunday, August 28, 2011

SICKNESS: none

CRAVINGS: none

FEELINGS: I knew I'd be overdue, but I didn't think I'd go this far. The thing is though, is that I'm still perfectly fine with it. I'm NOT uncomfortable and I don't think I've complained about it. I trust my baby and I trust my body. He won't stay in there forever.

I'm holding steady at 35 pounds gained. Of course, that's only first thing in the morning and without clothes on. You can't make me weigh myself any other time.

I had an ultrasound on Thursday for a biophysical profile (bpp). The Boy is PERFECTION! Perfection I tell you! He's healthy, he's in the perfect position (head WAY down, face back), taking his practice breaths, perfect heartbeat, still kicking around like a mad man, has plenty of fluid around him, placenta doesn't show any signs of aging, cord has great flow, and he has a few fat rolls that I'm totally excited about. This "too big" business is a load of poo to me. His head isn't gaining weight, his belly and thighs are . . . I am not afraid of a big baby. Have you seen my child-bearing hips?

I didn't want to do the ultrasound because I already know that he's perfectly fine, but I'm grateful that I did just for everyone elses sake, including Elliot. Hopefully the results of the ultrasound relieved some concern you all may have.

I saw my midwife on Friday and I'm just so grateful for her. She told me that she would be pushing for me to induce if I would just act miserable like other pregnant women (she's 6 months pregnant). However, there's absolutely nothing wrong with him, absolutely nothing wrong with me and we both feel good about letting him stay in there until he's ready. We are in daily contact, which I love. Who else gets that kind of care?

I have tried a few things to get labor going because I really don't want to be induced (which my midwife can do). I had a massage on Monday. Felt good, but nothing. I tried mineral oil which is supposed to cleanse your intestines and start labor. Nothing. My midwife stripped my membranes on Friday. Nothing. I tried a whole bottle of magnesium citrate, also supposed to cleanse and start labor. Nothing. Also, a few other things.:) He's just not ready friends. While my midwife was rooting around in there though, she did tell me that I'm at a solid 4 cm dilated and that she had a hard time going all the way around to strip my membranes because he's so far down. She also said that the next step of trying to get things going (breaking my water) would be difficult because he is so far down. I'm pretty sure he's coming out soon. Also, I have a reflexology appointment tomorrow morning and she's coming to my house because she says she has a history of getting great results when working on pregnant women and knows I'd like to be home.

I took lots of walks on Saturday and was contracting most of the day (about every 10 minutes while standing) and I also took 3 naps. I contract a whole lot more when I'm standing, so I'm fairly certain that I've made even more progress and that I'm half way or more without even feeling any discomfort at all.

I recognize that lots and lots of people have concerns and I can appreciate your feelings of anxiety. Please trust me and my ability to feel the Spirit. Everything is fine, I know for sure that it is.

I'm giving birth this week and need to be in my peaceful zone, so if I don't answer the phone or your text or even give another update, please don't be offended. I wouldn't even talk to my own Mother yesterday (Elliot did). Thank you for the encouragement! I really do appreciate it.

As a side note: Yes, my caregiver is a midwife. No, I do not hate doctors. Are you kidding me? Have I not been giving super-detailed updates regarding this pregnancy . . . why would you think I wouldn't announce it as quickly as possible? Who is being ridiculous now? Circumcision, none of your business, but I do have the number of a good Jewish Moyle. :)

THINGS TO DO:
- Meet my baby boy.

41 Weeks Pregnant

Sunday, August 21, 2011

SICKNESS: none

CRAVINGS: M&M's - peanut and plain

FEELINGS: I really shouldn't have told anyone my "due date." It was interesting enough to go to church on my due date, but then to still be pregnant a whole week later was just too much for some people to handle. I can guarantee, however, that I won't be at church next Sunday. This boy is coming out. I'm so happy that there are soooo many people that are excited for us! I know we have lots of prayers for our family and we are very, very grateful for such good people who love us! Thank you!

If you'll remember at a recent midwife appointment, my midwife said The Boy was "locked and loaded." Well, he's a defiant little guy already and decided to disengage and turn around by the next appointment. Apparently he has plenty of room in there and is just swimming around like there's nothing else to do. I've been rolling on my birthing ball instead of sitting on normal chairs and trying everything I can to get him to turn back around and go down. From the kicks I can feel, I am pretty sure that he is in the right position currently. Time to come out little guy.

I'm sweating. I can't stop sweating. It's supposed to be 116 degrees this week, but my house will be 70 degrees.

So I haven't mentioned it on this blog yet, but I am planning a home birth with a midwife. My mother-in-law's Relief Society (though I don't know why) has been announcing in their ward that I'm giving birth in my tub, which is untrue. I will be in a birthing pool. Just look home water birth up online, I guarantee you'll cry and love it. It's amazing and we're excited, prepared, and totally looking forward to this experience together and with our little guy.

I am 8 days over, so my midwife has scheduled an ultrasound (stress-test) for tomorrow. My body tends to respond well to threats of action (all I had to do to get pregnant was schedule a plethora of invasive fertility tests and I was pregnant a week later), so I'm planning on going into labor tonight.

Also, I was just about to do a castor oil-like experiment until my friend called back and said she could give me a massage. I'm sort of hoping that'll throw me into labor. Otherwise I'll do the other experiment . . . or just eat 6 Fiber One bars or drink a whole chocolate shake . . . it'll have the same cleansing effect on me.

Since EVERYONE was wrong (including me) about when he'd be born, take another guess! I think he'll be born on Wednesday morning (24th) in the 4 o'clock hour and weigh 8 pounds 5 ounces!

Next update will be a picture of my sweet son's face! Are you excited? I cannot wait! Come out baby boy!

JUST TO COMPARE . . . 10 weeks and 41 weeks in the same outfit (minus the Eskimo boots, plus 35 pounds). :)

Bye Bye Passion Fruit Bathroom

"But I didn't even get to say good-bye." - Stella, mourning the loss of the pink bathroom because she was at school when I decided to paint it.

I. LOVE. IT!

HISTORY OF THE PINK BATHROOM:
I blame it entirely on pregnancy hormones. I shouldn't choose paint colors during that time, though I do believe I did a good job this time. Seven years ago when we painted the bathroom before we moved in, I was looking more for a peachy color and ended up with this gosh awful pink (actually, it's called passion fruit). Seven years my friends, seven years it's been this color and though there are about 99 other things I could probably be doing instead of doing a bathroom project, here it is. And I love it.

I've been threatening to paint our guest bathroom for a very, very long time (years) and my supporters have stopped believing me. However, I've been on a serious "do random projects" spree these days like scrubbing baseboards, doors and doorframes, ceiling fans, caulking the unfinished doorframes, cleaning the office, and shampooing my own filthy carpet, so I think my sister heard a seriousness in my voice.




















Luckily I have a fantastic sister who actually likes painting and a friend who was totally up for a service project before she left on her vacation . . . so Lindsay and Corissa painted my bathroom for me.

I didn't do a thing. I just got to play with their totally adorable kiddos (Brynlee and Ellie weren't available for photo opp)!

So with a color decision on my part, my saved up photography money, and Lindsay's talent, the cutest room in my house is now the guest bathroom. On the list of things to finish: sand & paint the cabinets black (perhaps with a distressed finish), new countertop and sink. Anyone need their pictures taken? :)

Feel free to come over any time to poop. It's a great experience.

Missing Pictures from July

Babies and being one of the girls . . . Stella's 2 very favorite things in the world!

Elliot's beautiful cousins Ciera, Josie, and Laura at the 4th of July concert in Utah.

Seconds after we arrived at Aunt Ruth's home in Highland, Utah for the reunion, Stella had Rebecca in her control and dressing her up and applying make-up. She made the other family members serve her as well. I'm not positive, but I actually think they liked it.

And this beauty. I'm a great travel companion.

Cutest Lisp EVER!

Stella just lost her other front tooth on Monday at school! Occasionally she exaggerates her lisp and can't stop looking at herself in the mirror (what's new), but when she's just talking normal, it's the cutest lisp EVER!

P.S. Can't wait for the giant teeth just waiting to grow back in!

Well That Lasted 2 Seconds

I can't remember the last time we had our carpets cleaned professionally and I know it's only been once since we moved in 7 years ago. Well, my head has been threatening to explode whenever I've looked at my carpet for the last very, very long time and I'm sure you're all totally disgusted when you come over, so I finally decided to do something about it.

Actually, I borrowed my sister-in-law's carpet cleaner vacuum so, so long ago and just haven't been able to bring myself to clean my own carpets. I keep vacillating between cleaning them myself or just hiring someone to do it for me.

It looks like a rental house carpet. Gross. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

With my new burst of energy, Monday happened to be the day that I finally decided to get it done. I only did half of the living room on Monday and then finished on Tuesday so we'd have a place for our family to play.

I kept sending picture text updates to Elliot throughout the day to show him how disgusting our carpets were.

I finally finished the last little filthy patch of carpet by 2:00 Tuesday afternoon, totally pleased with the fact that I can now feel comfortable putting my new baby on the floor.

By 5:00 when Stella got home from gymnastics, she'd already smeared her red gymnastics "good job" stamp in 2 places.

I quit.

40 Weeks Pregnant

Saturday, August 13, 2011

SICKNESS: none

CRAVINGS: Protein shakes and boiled eggs . . . and always chocolate.

FEELINGS: Oh boy, I am so excited to hold this little guy in my arms finally! My cousin informed me that I've been pregnant FOREVER and I didn't really think about it until he said it, but it really seems like I have!

I get in little periods of time when I'm totally ready to have him, and then I'll start another project and decide that he should probably give me another day or two to clean that up. The house was clean this morning and now it's a wreck because I decided to clean the carpets and had to move the furniture around. Also, bathroom project. It's awesome.

I love these little bursts of energy and wish that all of my energy that I've been putting into getting these things done would result in a good nights sleep. Oh well. I can sleep later.

Last week I measured at 39 weeks. My midwife felt shoulder and neck way down just above my pelvis and said that he was "locked and loaded." I told her that my sister thought he'd be coming the next day (last Wednesday) and I told her that I thought I had AT LEAST another week. She disagreed. I think I'm still right. I also asked her to guess how much he weighed . . . she said 8 pounds. Today my belly looks like he could be 8 pounds. I love it!

I walked around Target today with my sister and I had several contractions (pressure waves) that I probably would have timed if I thought they'd continue regularly, but they stopped. I still think he'll come on Thursday.

I think Elliot just got nervous. He's read about his job as my Birth Partner (different than Stella's birth) and is trying to practice all of the positive birth affirmations with me. Now that my "due date" has come and gone, I think he's getting a little impatient with waiting. He's a planner.

I got LOTS of comments and questions at church on Sunday and I'm surprised, actually, how many people knew my due date was on Sunday. Men even. So either I look enormous or High Priests make announcements on my progress each Sunday.

Also, seriously people . . . I don't know his name. I annoy myself. At least 3 people out of the 8 that asked me on Sunday think that I'm just keeping it a secret, but I really, really don't know his name yet. Grrr.

We are just so, so, so, so excited to finally meet him! Come out Baby Brother!

THINGS TO DO:
- Push him out, push him out, way out!
- Love, love, love him!
- Buy hand sanitizer.

Ball Challenge!

We feel like we've been a little anti-social these days, so we were happy when some new friends were able to come over last weekend to our house and participate in a delicious dinner and the Dibble Ball Challenge!

Elliot

Stella

Jeff Yeates

Grace Yeates

Nick Walker

Lindsay Walker

Georgia Walker

I'm mere moments away from being able to participate in the Ball Challenge again. Rule #4: No pregnant ladies in the Ball Challenge.

Stella's #7 Birthday - 07/31/11

Just in case you missed them and want to see Stella grow up again:
Stella's #1 Birthday
Stella's #2 Birthday
Stella's #3 Birthday
Stella's #4 Birthday
Stella's #5 Birthday
Stella's #6 Birthday

Reading for Mani's and Pedi's

I told Stella at the beginning of the summer that if she read 50 books by the end of the summer, I would take her to get a manicure and pedicure. She was a little overwhelmed by the number 50 at first, but once we started writing the titles down, she got excited about it and loved the challenge.

I got a pedicure too because I'm the Mommy and I've been pregnant for 10 months. It's a good reward for both of us.

First Day of School - 2nd Grade

Stella started her first day of 2nd grade on Monday. She's not been excited at all to go back to school until Sunday night. Monday morning she was up way early and ready to go and reportedly "had the best day ever!"

Her teacher is Joy Woodmansee and used to babysit her in the Kid's Club at my gym a couple of years ago.

Stella started right in on her homework after school which was a delightful change from last year. Of course the assignment was called "All About Me," which Stella LOVES. I love her too. It's going to be a great year!

Toothless Wonder!

Stella has been working on her wiggly front teeth for months and FINALLY pulled one of them out on Sunday morning! She's pulled all of her teeth out by herself so far (4 bottoms, 1 top). She's a brave one . . .

. . . also a little weird.

Just a Little Dorky

One day in swim lessons this summer they must have just put new chlorine in the water because Stella's eyes were burning all day. We rinsed them several times, but she refused to go in the water again until she had goggles. Her teacher let her borrow some until we bought our own. This is our second pair.

She's still learning how to put them on correctly. Who doesn't look a little dorky in goggles?