Quick brag about Tayven!

I finally went over his final report card and he did really well. Averaged 100% on his spelling tests, exceeded his reading campaign goals, and (what I am most proud of because I'm a bookworm hehe) he is reading at level M which is a beginning 3RD GRADE level! I hope the others love to read just as much as we do. :)

Taimani is 1 week old

Today, my baby girl is a week old and she had her first doctor appointment.

She is now 8lbs 5oz, so she gained 3 oz which is great and means she is definitely eating great. No concerns at all. She's a happy and healthy girl.

She is starting to be up a bit longer, usually early in the morning and in the evening. She is very mellow and is such an easy baby so far. She rarely cries and when she does it is so soft. It's definitely different from her brothers. I live for the moments she smiles in her sleep and when she looks me in the eyes. My heart melts.

I love seeing her brothers with her. They are already protective. If they don't see her, they immediately ask where she is and will go looking for her.

Today, the doc asked Titan if he could keep his baby sister and Titan was about to cry and said no. It was sad, yet so cute.

Trying to get adjusted

Our first night home was a tad miserable.

Titan has been sick starting that night. He had a fever, runny nose, and cough. So, he has been really clingy. He cries to nurse whenever Taimani is nursing. He cries when she cries because he is really sympathetic. He wants to sit in her bouncy chair and cover with her blankets. He cries for almost everything really. "/

I know he has to adjust, but I keep thinking that maybe things will be different in a few days when he isn't feeling sick. Probably wishful thinking on my part.

He loves her, but I know it's a big change for him especially since he was the baby. He is helpful though and wants to grab her diapers. He always asks to hold her, but I told him he needs to feel better first.

Tayven and Trenton are doing great. They love her and ask to hold her, but they go off and do their own thing a lot of the time. They are happy she's home now and not at the hospital.

Geez, it's hard to believe I am a mom of FOUR!

School is tough. Catching up and keeping up with assignments is tough. I have to do my outline for my speech by Wednesday and I didn't even get to really start researching. I don't know where to begin. Plus, it's even harder with so much on my mind.

I have phone calls to make, doctor appointments to set, laundry to do, bills to pay and no money to pay it. Things are tough.

Just praying that things will get better and fast.

Did I mention that I can't believe I have 4 kids? It still hasn't really hit me yet. It hasn't even really hit me that I have a daughter now.

Taimani's Birth Story

Taimani Emily Sierra Tuakoi

May 17, 2012 

5:41 PM

8 lbs 2.7 oz  

21 in

I had a post on my phone where I updated as these things happened and had the actual times, but have somehow managed to lose the post. I am pretty upset about it, but I will try my best to remember all that happened while it is still fresh in my memory.

I woke up at 4am and then called labor and delivery at the hospital to make sure of my induction time. Ate a bowl of cereal, made sure plans for the boys were ok, and left the house. We got to the hospital at 5:30. After waiting for 30 minutes and being weighed, I was finally taken to my room where I was hooked up to the monitors, asked a million questions related to my health, and had my IV put in.

Let me just add here that because I was never induced, I was so scared and nervous for EVERYTHING this time around—even for things that I had done before with the boys. My pulse was in the hundreds throughout the whole day due to my anxiety and nervousness. It was as if this was my first child and not the fourth.

We weren’t sure of my plan for induction except that my doc had ordered pitocin versus using a foley bulb, so we waited for the doc who was coming in to work at 7:30 am. Shortly after, I was checked and I was still 1cm dilated, thick, and high.

Because of this, it was decided that I get misoprostol (similar to cervadil) placed in my cervix instead of going for the pitocin right away. I had the misoprostol put in to help soften and dilate my cervix. Not too long after it was put in, my contractions became regular. They started coming every 5 minutes. I was checked again and was 3 cm dilate but still kinda thick and still high up. I kinda just stuck it out and dealt with contractions (which became a lot more painful) for a few hours. Because I was contracting regularly on my own and was making some progress, I didn’t even need pitocin at all which I was happy about.

Because I tested positive for Group B Strep, I had to have penicillin given to me through my IV. I was scared for this as well, because I have heard of it burning. It definitely did hurt, but slowly got better as time went by.

The nurse came in and said that my doctor was coming from a clinic he was at and would check me and break my water when he got here. He said if I planned on getting the epidural, I should do so now. So, that is what I did. I was SO scared for the epidural even though I had gotten it for all 3 boys. My pulse got up to the 130s because I was so scared. The nurse kept telling me to relax and breathe. I was scared for nothing because all I felt was a pinch or the first numbing needle. The anesthesiologist kept telling me things I might be feeling like pressure, pinching, and tingling and I felt NONE of that. Finally, that was over. It took quite a while for the epidural to work and then all of a sudden it stopped and I was feeling all of my very painful contractions. Another lady from anesthesia came in and hooked up a pump and had to push the button 3 times before I was finally comfortable and not feeling the contractions anymore. However, I had the shakes really bad! It sucked. My whole body was shaking and my teeth were chattering. It lasted for about an hour.

My doctor came in to see me around 2:30 and my cervix got checked again. I was 5cm and 50% effaced, but it was still pretty high up. The doc then broke my water. The fluid was clear. He told the nurses to check my cervix again at 4:30pm. I tried to sleep until that time came.

At 4:30, I was checked again. I was 10 cm, but we needed to wait for her to come down a little more. My nurse went to check on another patient and to let my doctor know I was complete. Another nurse came in and set up the delivery table and all the stuff for baby girl. I kept talking about having to fart and being scared I was going to poop while pushing. My husband and younger sister kept saying to relax and who cares (easy for them to say huh?).

My doc came in at 5:25 and got my legs propped up. He said he was at home making spaghetti for his son because his wife can’t cook, but he had to leave in the middle of it so he didn’t miss my baby’s birth. He said he had to explain to his wife how to finish it and we all were laughing. He kind of just looked down there and said that the pressure I was feeling was her coming down the birth canal. Then he got gloved up while telling me to bear down a little, he looked again, and said she was crowning. He told me to grab my legs and push. I did about 4 times and she was out. My sister was like “yay she’s light AND she has hair!” While my sister seemed to be concerned about that, I asked (as soon as her whole body was out “she’s a girl RIGHT?!” haha. My husband was just shocked that she was finally out. I couldn’t believe it either. It felt like she was in my tummy forever! She came out and cried a little, but she was very quiet compared to her brothers and still is. She only whines a little when it is time to eat. (Hopefully she stays this mellow!) Anyway, the delivery part was so quick! My doc was there for all of like 20 minutes and as he left he said, “maybe I’ll be back in time to finish my son’s spaghetti” lol.

Taimani is chunky and beautiful. Her eyes seemed a bit more slanted than her brothers’ did. She also has cute fat little lips. She breastfed right away and continued to do so until my husband went with her to the nursery. She weighed in at 8lbs 2.7oz and was 21 inches long. While breastfeeding I vomited and then vomited again right before I got wheeled up to my recovery room.

Shortly after getting settled into my room, my mom and the big brothers showed up, but Taimani was at the nursery. So my husband and sister took them to go look at her from the nursery window. We were hoping they would bring her back before visiting hours were up but she had just had a bath and need to be kept there to get warmed up. They were excited to see her though and Trenton and Titan wanted to see my belly and touch it to make sure she wasn’t in there anymore lol. Hopefully, they’ll get to see and hold her before I get discharged.

Due to the contracting of my uterus and the pain it caused, the nurse asked if I wanted Motrin. I said ok, but I needed to have something in my stomach in order for it to work. I ate two bites of a chicken sandwich but it all came back out, so the Motrin was put on hold.

Kili ended up going home last night to sleep with the boys. Thank goodness he did because they were screaming for us, and were calmed down once he got home. They all slept on our bed together and Titan would cry anytime Kili left our room. Poor thing! I miss them, but I need this time to bond with baby girl.

So overall everything went well aside from being scared and nervous for everything, having the shakes, and the vomiting. I am so grateful that my induction did not last long at all, that I didn’t need pitocin, and most of all that Taimani is healthy and beautiful. I’m also grateful that I am recovering so well.

Update and Random Thoughts About Delivery

Today I am 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant. I had an NST done this morning as well as a quick u/s to check my amniotic fluid. Both went well. Baby girl is healthy and moving great.. I guess she just doesn't want to come out yet. I was told to do strict kick/movement counts because it is critical that we feel at least 10 movement in one hour a day once you go past your due date. So far, baby is moving lots which is great.

Besides the petty facts that I am uncomfortable and so very anxious to meet her, I am sad that I may not go into labor on my own. I have never had an induction and am scared of the thought of forcing my body into labor. I am PRAYING that my body goes into labor on its own by Wednesday night.

My induction is set for 5am on Thursday. I really don't know what to expect and will be reading up on inductions today. I'm also bummed because I was planning to try and deliver without an epidural this time around since I got one with all three boys. But, since I'm most likely getting induced and my contractions won't be natural making them more painful, I doubt that will happen.

Another reason this whole ordeal sucks is because inductions take along time (majority of the time) and I've never been in labor for more than 10 hours. I need to figure out who will watch the boys and who will be bringing them to the hospital as time gets closer to pushing. I need to make sure my mom or sister will be able to get off of work.

I hope everything works out and goes smoothly. I hope and PRAY that this induction does NOT end up in a cesarean. But, most of all I just hope she is born healthy. 2 more days of hoping my body goes into labor on its own. Wish me luck guys and if you pray, please pray for us as well. :)

Pregnancy "update"

Let's just start off by saying that I am really frustrated. I am tired. Tired of being uncomfortable, tired of getting my hopes up, tired of having false labor, and tired of not progressing.

I know this just means that baby girl and my body isn't quite ready yet, but having never made it to my due date to pretty much being overdue is a big difference for me. It is really frustrating for me because this is the pregnancy that I was the most sick, the most uncomfortable, and the pregnancy where I worked (on my feet for 8+ hours a day) up until I was 37 weeks! On top of that, I nursed the whole pregnancy and STILL am going to be overdue.

With that being said, this will be the last update until she comes out. I'm getting tired of wishing and hoping that this is the day. So, maybe if I just not talk or think about it, it'll just happen.

I went to the doctors today. I weighed 172 lbs and blood pressure was normal. I was 1 cm dilated for the last 3 appointment and am now only 1 1/2 cm dilated. All the contractions I've been having has done nothing.

My doctor was going to strip my membranes today, but couldn't even do that because my cervix is still up so high!

I have an NST scheduled on Monday to make sure the placenta isn't getting old and that my amniotic fluid level is ok. Then if she still hasn't come by then, I'll have another NST on Wednesday. My induction date will be on Thursday the 17th (I'll be 41 weeks then) at 5 am. But (yes a freaking but), because it has been so busy in the maternity ward, I have to call at 4 am to see if they're busy and if not, I'll have to get a different time or different day to get induced.

Really really frustrating. I'm thinking of going to work just to get out of the house and think about other things. I'm also worried about being overdue and her getting bigger and bigger as the days go by. Ahh well. God has a plan for everything and the time will come when it'll come.

As for the time being, I hope people stop asking me when she is coming, because if I knew, I wouldn't be so frustrated!

Trenton's 4th Birthday

Trenton turned 4 years old on May 3rd. We celebrated his birthday by having a little BBQ at our house on May 6th. 

He is STILL very much obsessed with Thomas the Train, so that was his theme. 

Here are some pictures from his party: 

The set up

His centerpiece 

His Thomas Balloon

The Cake

The Pinata

Singing Happy Birthday 

He had a blast! He keeps asking for another party. He loved playing with all of the kids and he love all of his gifts (especially the Thomas ones!)

Things have become a bit more stressful.

I started 3 new classes on Monday. 

One is a speech class in which I have 2 write out speeches and also record and submit speeches in front of an audience of 5 adults. :X 

The other class is a critical thinking class  which consists of a lot of writing assignment and well, thinking. ugh 

The 3rd class is my internship prep course in which I need to work on finding somewhere to intern at and whether I pass the course is dependent upon me securing an internship site by June 20th. 

I will be having a baby next week and that will definitely put me behind with school work. I will try to write to my teachers and hopefully they are understanding. Its going to be rough having homework in the back of my mind while bonding with and taking care of a newborn along with making sure my 3 boys get adequate attention at the same time. "/

Tayven Update

Tayven is growing up so unbelievably fast. He is now a big kid-- not a little boy. He'll be 7 years old in September.

I signed him up for Flag Football and he starts that on April 21. I'm excited to see him play. :)

I recently got his report card and couldn't be more proud. His teacher wrote:

"Tayven exceeded the goal for the 25 Books Campaign with 52 fiction and 15 non fiction. He averaged 100% on his spelling tests and recognizes more than 240 sight words. He is reading level L, which is an end of second grade level. He continues to make good progress on his writing, becoming quite creative and has a wonderful command of words. I am impressed with his growth as a writer! In math, he did well but had some difficulty with number stories that involved the addition of 3 numbers. Overall, he has been a good student."

He continues to make me proud and is just like his mommy when it comes to reading and spelling. :)

Another Pregnancy Update

I had my doc appointment yesterday.

I now weigh 169 lbs.

I found out that baby girl is transverse which explains why her movements have all been so painful. Just hoping she turns asap and stays head down. I got a few links on positions I can get into to help her have room to move. Going to keep trying those.

I also found out that I tested positive for Group B Strep, so I'll need medication in my IV when I deliver. I never had this with any of the boys, so this is new for me.

Other than those things, her heart rate was perfect and she's growing well.

I have another appt next Tuesday and an ultrasound next Thursday. Can't wait to see her on the ultrasound screen. :)

Pregnancy Update

34 weeks tomorrow. 

Baby girl T has definitely gotten A LOT bigger. My tummy is stretched beyond stretched. The skin around my belly is like super tight. All of her movements hurt and she moves all the time. 

I have a doc apt on April 9. I’ll be 36 weeks at that appt. Then, I have an ultrasound on April 19 (i think) to check her position, her size, and my fluid levels I believe. My baby shower is going to be on April 21. I plan on doing lots of walking in the next coming weeks. hehe :)

Symptoms & things I've experienced this pregnancy

This whole pregnancy has been really different than all of the pregnancies with the boys. I've had almost every pregnancy symptom known to WOman, hehe.

So far, I've experienced:

• nausea
• vomiting
• exhaustion/fatigue
• sensitivity to smells
• food aversions
• loss of appetite
• weight loss (11 lbs)
• increased appetite
• weight gain (4 lbs) I gained 14 altogether but 11 of it was just catching up to what I lost.
• acne
• some heartburn
• sciatic nerve pain
• pelvic pain
• back pain
• UTI
• yeast infection
• a few new stretch marks
• leg cramps
• mood swings/crazy emotions

and I think that is everything. 

I have about 7 more weeks until my due date and I'm sure all the painful symptoms will just get worse until then. I just can't wait to have her here. :)

The worst thing about being a parent

The worst thing about being a parent is not the lack of sleep nor the tantrums. It is not the nagging or crying or constant fighting.

No, the worst thing about being a parent is the constant worry. The worst thing about being a parent is the feeling of panic and worry when your kids are hurt. It is the feeling that I felt today when my two little ones got hurt.

I was in my room and the boys were in the living room with my mom and stepdad watching TV and playing. I heard my mom telling Trenton to stop a few times. As I was putting my phone down, I heard my stepdad yell really loud and right when I entered the hallway I heard the screaming and crying.

There was blood on the floor and I had no idea who it was coming from. I was trying to ask my mom what happened all while trying to figure out who was hurt and where the blood was coming from.

The blood was coming from the back of Trenton's head. It was pouring out and I was panicking. I grabbed a dishtowel and put pressure on where the blood was coming from. Titan is still crying and I didn't know why. He came to me and had a lump (hematoma) that was about 3/4 of  golf ball. It was big. My mom put ice on Titan's head while I was holding the towel to Trenton's head. Titan was crying for me and I was talking about going to the ER. I didn't think the bleeding was going to stop flowing from Trenton's head and if that was the case, I was going to the ER. My mom handed Titan to me and I tried to hold the ice on his lump and she got the bleeding to stop on Trenton's head. It was a little gash that just needed to be butterflied and a bandaid put on.

After we got them both to relax (and myself of course), I found out that Trenton was trying to carry Titan and my mom was telling him to stop before they get hurt. They didn't listen and they both fell into one of my mom's big oriental figurines. While this was happening, big brother Tayven was panicked and so worried that he was crying. He didn't know what to do. :(

They are both fine now, thankfully. This isn't the first time I went through a situation like this. This isn't even the 3rd or 4th time and I know I will go through many more of these. However, it never gets any easier and I am never less worried or less panicked each time. Every time they hurt, I wish it was me instead.

Being a parent is not easy. Not easy at all..

28 weeks along!

I am 28 weeks today! Bring on the third trimester! 

This pregnancy is flying by so unbelievably fast. 

I know it's because I work full time, am in school, and have the three boys keeping me busy, 

but time is just going by quick in general. 

I currently weigh 162 lbs which means I gained all of  8 lbs this pregnancy so far. 

It doesn't seem like a lot at all, but I lost 11 lbs in my first trimester due to morning sickness. 

Work is getting more difficult for me lately due to me getting more exhausted a lot faster. Like today, I almost didn't make it through the lunch rush. I felt extremely drained. "/ I don't know how much longer I can hang in there. 

Baby girl is moving tons and I can now feel her body parts as she moves. Her brothers also enjoy feeling her kick and punch. :) I love hearing the boys talk about her and refer to her by name or as their sister. It makes me smile. She's going to be so loved! Just 12 more weeks until my due date!

Fruits and Veggies

McDonald's happy meals come with really tiny fries and fresh apple slices now.
I got all 3 boys a happy meal today.
Tayven didn't even touch his apple slices.
Titan took a bite and sit it out.
The apple slices were the first thing Trenton ate and he ate it all. :)
They are all so different.

Trenton can be picky about certain things, but it doesn't bother me much because he is only one who will eat most fruits and will try veggies. Tayven won't eat either. And, at least Titan will try it before he decides he doesn't like it. 

Exhausted

I guess you can get physically ill from being exhausted.

This morning I got up for work, and I was still very tired. (i slept before 10 last night). I fell asleep in the car (my mom drove) on the way there. As we're opening up the store, I start feeling dizzy--like I'm going to pass out, so I sit down. I close my eyes to see if that would make me feel better and I catch myself falling asleep. I then stand up because I shouldn't be sleeping at work, but as I stand up, I'm hit with nausea and run to the trash can to vomit.

I thought, at first, it could be my blood pressure (with the headaches I've been having, etc.), but I think it really is from just me being exhausted.

I hate that it seems like I complain a lot. I really am not trying to be a whiner which is why I don't tell anyone how TRULY TIRED I am. I don't want anyone thinking I'm being dramatic or overreacting, but I just want to sleep in and lay in bed. However, I can't. I get up every morning at 4:45 and leave the house at 5. I am on my feet working until I sit down to eat lunch at the end of my 8 hour shift. I don't get home until almost 3 pm where I then tend to the boys and do homework.

I know I chose to do all of this though. I chose to continue with schooling. I NEED to work right now. And yes, I didn't prevent this pregnancy. This doesn't mean that I can't be tired just because I made these choices. I AM tired. I just have to stick it out. I need to get school over, so that I'm not busting my butt for a little over minimum wage.

I know God will pull me through. I have to leave it in his hands and just try to take better care of myself somehow.

24 weeks along today!

24 weeks along today! 

So far, I think I've experienced every pregnancy symptom with this girl. Well, besides the swelling (YET). 

My morning sickness and food aversions were really bad up until 4 months, I've had headaches, exhaustion, 

sinus issues, heartburn, cramping, cravings.. you name it. 

It WILL be all worth it though. It will. lol

She moves around a lot now! So much for all that worrying mommy did a few months ago, hehe. 

She also doesn't like anything touching my belly--especially the laptop. :P

Titan's 2nd Birthday

Titan and the rest of the kids had a blast. That made it a success. The cons about it was that instead of sleeping well like I THOUGHT they would, the two little ones woke up off and on crying throughout the night. Mommy was already exhausted from being up the night before setting up and being up until 3 am helping Daddy with the cupcake cake. Then, I felt sick the next with a headache, sinus issues, and nausea. However, like I said, the kids had fun.

Here is the infamous cake that took us almost 3 hours to make (Daddy did most of the work)

Here is the cake we bought:

Here are the goodie bags and the pinata.

Time to eat! 

I rented a bounce house and it was a hit. Titan jumped all day long and loved it.

My 3 loves in the bouncy house:

Then, after we ate, it was pinata time!

The birthday boy went first.

A game of Simon Says for a prize:

A video of us singing happy birthday to him. 

Titan is being shy and yes, that is Trenton begging me to stop singing... lol.

Opening Presents later that night.

Field Trip Chaperone

On Friday, I chaperoned Tayven's field trip to Hawaii's Plantation Village. Read about it here

Basically, about 150 years ago people from all over the world came to Hawaii and lived on plantations harvesting sugar cane. This museum shows how the different immigrants lived, what they wore, etc.

The kids dressed up as some of the workers.

Here's a class picture:

They also learned to play with the Puerto Rican instruments and listen to Puerto Rican music which Tayven really enjoyed because we are Puerto Rican. :) 

A little video:

Overall, it was a great trip. I had Tayven and three of his classmates in my group. One girl hung all over me and kept holding my hand. hehe The other boy also got close to me. The other girl was really shy and kind of kept to herself. It was cute because the little girl kept touching my belly and one of the boys in Tay's class asked if I had a baby in my tummy. :) I look forward to going on another field trip with him! 

Hello Again

It's been quite a long time since I last posted here. A LOT has changed.

We are now living back home in Hawaii. Things are definitely not what I expected and I wish we had just came down to visit and then went back. Oh well, you live and learn I guess. Now, we just have to make do with the situation until we can get out on our own again.

Some big news.. I am pregnant with baby #4 and we are finally having a baby girl! :) We are all pretty stinkin' excited to have a daughter/sister join our family.

Tayven is 6 years old and in the first grade. He had a minor rough start when getting adjusted (he didn't go to Kindergarten), but he is doing extremely well now. His best subject is spelling. He's had a 100% on every spelling test since the first one they had. He needs a little work in writing stories and also his memorization of addition. On Friday, I'm chaperoning his field trip and I'm looking forward to it. Oh and Tayven has now lost 3 teeth total.

Trenton is 3 years old and talks a ton. He is in his terrible 3's stage (he didn't really have a terrible 2's) He is very stubborn and he complains and whines a lot. Hopefully, that ends soon. He's learning more of his alphabet recognition and how to write some letters. He is still obsessed with Thomas the Train. He's a very protective brother and I know he'll always have his brothers' backs.

Titan will be 2 years old on Saturday and we are having a SpongeBob themed party for him. He is talking so much and is very smart. He's speaking in 4-5 word sentences, knows a ton of his body parts, likes to draw, and likes to get into mischief. He's always getting into trouble for touching things he isn't supposed to. He's really gotten a lot taller and so he has thinned out quite a bit. His facial features also looks a lot more like a big boy and no longer a baby. He is still nursing, but only once a day. I'm currently trying to wean him before baby girl gets here.

Kili is a stay-at-home-daddy for now. I'm working full time and going to school full time online. Things are hectic and rough, but when are they not? I'm just trying to get through one day at a time without losing it.