New number?

This post is for Anne. Apparently when you moved, you did not give me your new home number. So we're thinking of blessing Christian next weekend because it is MLK Jr. Day and I thought Brad and the kids probably have a three day weekend. We are tentatively planning it for then, but it depends on how the pass is. Does this work for you guys? We'll definitely post pone it if the pass ends up being impassable next weekend. DJ has the following Monday and Tuesday off, so if we do bless him that day, we'll probably head back with everyone to ML Sunday afternoon.

We took Christian to Sacrament today. He was so cute just staring at the ceiling and smiling. We sat by the Kassings, some of my YW and I let them hold him during the meeting. They are infatuated with him, it is really cute. Then the YW surprised me with a present for him. They made him a monkey blanket and burp rags.

Here's another cute picture of him.

The tip is gone

Today Christian went from being a little boy to being a little man....he was circumcised. I really did not want to do this, but DJ was pretty adamant about it. Since he is also male I was convinced by others that he should have a bit more of a say about what happens with the boys. We both felt like huge softies when we both teared up when they took him away. But my little man is a champ. He handled it just fine and is now napping peacefully. It looks pretty good, so I'm hoping recovery is quick and easy.

Christian also had his two week check up today. He has gained a pound since leaving the hospital, putting him at 7lbs 5 oz. That made me feel good. Its nice to know all those hours spent nursing were not wasted. His head is in the 25th percentile and he is still 20 1/4 inches long. He is spending more time awake during the day. We've also introduced him to the bottle, which is has taken very well. One bottle was pumped milk, which he had at Grandma and Grandpa Berezays. This morning DJ fed him a bottle of formula, which he also took very well. He really is a great little man.

And its a......

BOY!!! DJ and I are proud to announce that after 9 months of waiting, we finally got to meet our little Christian Dennis John (DJ) at 8:39 pm on December 19th. It was quite a journey getting him here.

For various reasons, DJ and I decided we wanted as natural of a birth as possible. Family history and finances being the major influences. Throughout this pregnancy, I have taken a prenatal yoga class and DJ and I took a Hynobirthing class to help us learn various ways to relax our way through a natural experience. The following story would not be possible without the knowledge we gained in those classes.

My official due date was December 2oth. DJ scheduled the whole week of Christmas off so that he could be home for the baby's first week. Of course we knew I could go late, but we kept telling the "Little Montster" that he/she could come on the 18th or any day after. So the 18th came and DJ and I decided we would help the little guy so we did everything everyone has ever told us to get labor going. We went to the mall to walk around and to watch Avatar in 3D (one of the best movies ever made BTW.) After Avatar we walked around for a few hours and I started to have regular Braxton Hicks. So we were timing them. DJ found a cool app for his I phone that will time them for you. You only have to push start and stop, very convenient. Around 8 I decided we needed to go home because my hand started shaking a little. So we went home to watch something funny. A lady from my ward said to watch a funny movie and that would help keep the contractions coming. So we watched a Brian Regan comedy central special. It was funny, but the contractions started spreading out. I called mom and let her know I thought it was false labor and to go to bed, which she did. Then DJ and I rented a movie off the PS3 the Ugly Truth. Very funny. Around midnight I was having a contraction during a funny scene and started laughing (you know that very enthusiastic laugh) and I felt a gush of water. At first I though I peed my pants, but when I sat down on the toilet I knew the water had broke. I yelled at DJ and we both just got really excited. He called his replacement for work the next day and I called home to let them know it was really happening, my mom had just fallen asleep. DJ called his mom to give her the heads up and to let her know we could call when we went in to the hospital.

We went in at 4:30am once the contractions were 1 minute long, 4 minutes apart. I was at a 5 when they checked me. We were thinking, sweet, half way there, it will only be a few more hours. We were wrong. Probably because I had no sleep, and therefore wanting to sleep, the dilation stalled. Luckily I have a very patient doctor, but it took 4 hours to get to a 6. I really wanted to avoid drugs, but I also didn't want to be in labor all day. We finally decided to go on a very low dose of pitocin to see if that would give the contractions more power. It did. DJ was the best birth partner. He breathed through every contraction with me. He walked me up and down the halls. He fed me ice chips between every contraction and made sure the room was controlled so I could be comfortable. He also knew the right thing to say at the right time and really made me feel like he was going through it with me. Around 4 I was feeling exhausted, helpless, uncomfortable, and I felt unable to relax between contractions like I needed to. My mom told me its ok to have a good cry so I did. I asked DJ to get the nurse because I needed something to take the edge off. She gave me a dose of phentanol. I honestly don't think it really did much but it made me feel like I had some help, which allowed me to relax some between contractions. It only lasts for an hour so I got one more dose. Sometime after 7 I went into transition. Transition was so exciting to me. I don't remember how intense the pain was, I just remember shaking uncontroably and thinking, "I'm in transition!" I knew that I was close to the end and everything I was feeling was good. Moments after transition I felt the need to push. I said, I feel something really low, I feel like I need to push. My sister ran to the nurses station and everything just flew by after that. I had a thick part of the cervix that still needed to thin before I could push, so the nurse said she could push it behind the babies head during a contraction. I almost jumped off the table and beat her up. That was the worst. I made her stop and said I'm just going to have to wait till it softens on its own. I think it took about 4 or 5 more contractions. Once she said I was complete, we went all out on pushing. We tried a few positions till we found one that worked. I had two people on each leg and DJ was learning how to deliver the baby from the doctor. After 3 contractions, I had pushed the baby's head about a 3rd of the way out. I remember Dr. Hardy looking at me and saying, Melissa, you're going to tear. You're going to tear up, so I have to cut you down." Don't worry, he numbed me up so when the next contraction started, he made a little cut which apparently turned into a large tear, but the baby's head just popped out. I had to stop pushing because he came out so fast. DJ "caught him" just like a pro. The little guy had the cord around his neck twice, but it never once affected him during the labor and delivery. I suddenly had a crying baby plopped on my chest and I heard, its a boy! I don't know who said it, we think it was my mom. He spent a little while with me while the nurses checked his vitals. DJ received a great lesson from the doctor about the umbilical cord, then DJ cut it. DJ and I just stared at him. One very cool thing was the placenta. When I saw it, I knew it was what had caused me to be so sick. So while I was grateful it took good care of the baby, I was glad to see it go. When he stopped crying we tried breastfeeding. He didn't latch on but we were able to get some colostrum into his mouth before the nurses took him to weigh him and clean him up a little better.

He weighed 6lbs 14oz and was 20 1/4 inches long. He really is the cutest and sweetest baby boy. He loves to cuddle, sleep with dad, nurse, and stare at everyone around him.

Labor was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. Experiencing it without an epidural was a life changing experience. Not having a C-section was my goal. Now that I know I can have a vaginal delivery I may get an epidural next time, we'll see how it goes. But nothing beats the endorphins that rushed over me the moment his head came out. I honestly cannot remember how intense the pain was, because the high was so amazing.

This post took two weeks to write, because a cute little guy kept interrupting me. So to finish, enjoy these pictures from Christmas and the past two weeks.

For your info

Here I am at 36 weeks. My good friend Kelly, she also took most of our temple pictures, was up and took some great ones. Stacey has them on her computer, but emailed me this one so I could get a post up. I think it looks like I'm hiding a beach ball under my shirt. Hey Syd, remember when we tried to sneak in beach balls at graduation? I guess I just needed to make it look like I was pregnant.

Anyways, this is also an informative post. A few weeks ago, my hospital had a close call with a pregnant woman and swine flu. She almost died and so they upped the security precautions. Only 4 people total will be allowed to visit me at the hospital, and that includes DJ. So far both of our mom's have claimed spots, and Kim is the 4th as long as labor isn't tomorrow. (I don't think it will be) Hopefully everything will go as smoothly as we have planned and prepared for so I will only be there for 24 hours after the birth. But for those family members (all of us right?) who love to hang out in the waiting room, it may not be worth the trip. DJ will be allowed to take the baby to the waiting room sometime while we're there, but again that depends on how the little Monster is doing. We will let you know of course. I also want to warn you that no one under the age of 18 is allowed in the maternity waiting room. I'm pretty bummed, but I understand the need to be so cautious.

We will welcome all healthy family and friends to come visit once we come home from the hospital. Just give us a heads up. Also, if we have the baby this next week, and recovery is good, we're planning on spending Christmas in Moses Lake.

I feel completely prepared. DJ and I completed our Hypnobirthing classes last night. I'm training myself to relax and let nature take control. The next time I post we will be parents to a cute little Redford Berezay!

Demo Day!!

I am so excited. Saturday is going to be a huge day for our little house. Family and friends are coming over, equipped with hammers, to tear out all the lathe and plaster in our house. That means no more uneven, cold, ugly walls! Oh and a little blood splatter from previous residents will also be finally gone. (Yes I did say blood splatter, our house has a history, and we know what it is thanks to our neighbors.)

I will post before and after pictures so you can all feel like you were here to witness this historic event. And if your in the Spokane area and in need of getting rid of some aggression, our house Saturday morning is the place to be. Nothings gets rid of anger like being able to wield a hammer, or better yet a sledgehammer, at an unsuspecting wall. I guarantee you will get dirty, but I also promise you gloves, a mask, hot pizza and a nice cold Henry Weinharts rootbeer.

For those of you concerned, I will be outside working in our yard. I can't be in the house while the dust is flying. We have lead based paint on all the plaster so I will be safe outside breathing fresh air. For those of you not interested in destruction but interested in still getting some free pizza and rootbeer, you are more then welcome to join me outside.

I have been waiting for a year and a half to do this! Note to self, never live in a remodel again.

Hmmmm...

I found this article today and couldn't help but think, "Hmmm..." Its about "Mormon Entrepreneur" from Las Vegas who uses calendars to poke fun at stereotypes about Mormons.

Hot Mormon Muffins Calendar Debuts

He has been excommunicated for his calendars called "Men on a Mission." Its a series of calendars of returned missionaries, all shirtless. He was excommunicated last year because the calendar "is not in keeping with the values espoused by the Mormon church." The funny thing, a friend of mine bought me one of these "Men on a Mission" calendars two years ago for Christmas. I threw it away because it felt funny to me that these RM's would pose for a calendar like this.

His latest round of calendars are called "Hot Mormon Muffins" and features 12 stay at home Mormon moms. Every picture depicts these women in classic pinup poses and outfits. The article interviews one of the "Models" about why she choose to be in the calendar. She thinks its funny, and that people should have a sense of humor.

Now I'm all about reaching out to the community, being a presence, and trying to influence society for good. But I can't help but think, these calendars do the exact opposite. If he truly wanted to cut down stereotypes about Mormon Moms, wouldn't he want the calendars to be tasteful and to show the women in modest dress? A good majority of Mormons are college educated, very involved with their children's schools, and have the potential to be a major force for good through the Relief Society.

Also, to show these moms in pinup outfits making muffins, and then to claim that this is to cut down stereotypes is quite hypocritical. If anything, hopefully these calendars will remind society that there is something beautiful about Mormon women and raise their curiosity enough to find out why that is.

Fall has hit

I normally dread the coming of fall. My body is incapable of maintaining heat or I am incapable of dressing appropriately. I'm not completely sure, it may be a combination of both. I hate being cold and will tolerate the hottest of days knowing that at least I will not be cold.

Yesterday, fall came to Spokane. It is so cold outside, but I'm doing OK! I have a little built in heater that is making this transition to winter bearable.

But do not worry, I can't love fall, so I've come up with reasons why I'm still dreading the season change.

1. I cannot wear my Diane Von Furstenberg jackets. The summer of 2006 I spent with my grandparents at their golf course. Its up north of Calgary, so their summer was shorter. I didn't come home until the middle of October, so I felt like I missed summer. To make me feel better, I found three beautiful jackets designed by Diane of Ebay, bought them, and had them shipped home so they would be there when I got back. They are gorgeous and one of the few things that make me look forward to fall. Well, Diane did not design these jackets for the full tummied or breasted, so they're out. Here are some pictures of them. I'm sad you can't see the top one better, but this is the only picture I have of it. Its is called a trench dress. It wraps tight and then poofs out at the bottom and has lace on it. When I opened it my mom exclaimed, "Melissa you have to get engaged in that dress." So I did. I wish you could see the front of the third one. It is called a military jacket. The front double buttons from the neck down. That jacket gets the most wear, because it looks great with jeans and a long sleeve shirt.

2. I only have 2 and 1/2 months left to get ready for Monster's arrival. While I'm feeling ok with the pace I've been collecting items for the baby, my house is not ready. We need to tear out all the lathe and plaster upstairs, insulate, organize again, install our heating and carpets downstairs, paint the family room and bedroom, and get the baby's stuff set up.

DJ is loving his new job. He's now been home every night for a month and making as much as he did last fall when they reroofed the prison in Shelton. Our salaries combined will make it possible for the beforementioned to do list to get done.

Stacey said I needed to post about the baby. So this is what's going on. My tummy grows bigger every day. This is due to the fact that little Monster is pushing and expanding the space. My belly button is under constant attack and I fear may not be able to hold out much longer. I still do not have any stretch marks but am using a vitamin E ointment to make me feel like I'm doing something to contribute to that. While I was out with the missionaries last night doing a couple of less active visits, one of the ladies told me I looked so small!

Happy Conference weekend.