Excuses, Excuses

One of the reasons I haven't been blogging lately. I hope to gear it back up after the summer ends, but for now, I am loving on this sweet baby (and his 4 siblings)!

Another Birth Story...

This sweet baby will be 4 weeks old tomorrow so I had better get this birth story written before I forget what happened! On the night of March 11, I began to have regular Braxton Hicks contractions. In fact, I couldn't sleep and they were starting to hurt so about 3 in the morning I called the on-call Dr. and he told me to come in. I figured I would probably just go in and get fluids to stop the contractions and then come home. So, I just left Brian with the kids and headed to the hospital.

When I got there, I still hadn't dilated or anything but the contractions were about 8-10 minutes apart and pretty uncomfortable. I was still hoping to head home soon since my Dr. (that I love and that had delivered the first 4 babies) was in Mexico for the week. Plus I wasn't quite 35 weeks along yet.

By the time the Dr. checked me a few hours later, I was at 3 cm. She told me they don't stop labor at this point because that could be more dangerous than letting labor progress. But I needed to go home and pack the bag and I didn't leave out clothes for the kids - and Brian is color blind! I begged her to let me run home and do some stuff but she wouldn't let me because my cervix had 'been labored upon' (nice phrase huh?) and she didn't want to take any chances.

So I called Brian and he packed up everything (like a pro - and they were all matched up) and took care of getting the kids to Granny and PawPaw. I felt relieved once he got to the hospital to be with me. I was a little nervous about having this baby early - what if the lungs weren't ready? What if he had to go to the NICU? But we rested in the fact that the Lord had already determined this baby's birthdate - and His sovereignty brought me much comfort.

We didn't do much to help the labor along because if I delivered after midnight then the baby would be exactly 35 weeks along. Kim came by around supper time and brought us some snacks (shhh!) which were a life saver! My contraband pop-tart had been long gone! And popsicles only satisfy for so long! I got my epidural around 8:00 pm and was much more comfortable after that. About 54 minutes after the dawn of March 13, I pushed 3 times and little Carter Shane came out - it was a boy!!

The wierd thing was that the NICU was there to watch the delivery and that was very bizarre - 2 men that I didn't know - with several other women, watching me!? The awesome Dr. tried to block their 'view' but that was still wierd for me. Anyway, after delivery the NICU checked him out and he looked great! So they all left him with me for him to go to the regular nursery! He stayed there for a bit while they suctioned some fluid but after a few hours, he came to stay with us.

It was an exausting few days since I was up most of Wednesday night with contractions and all of Thursday night with labor - but it was so worth it!! He was 6 pounds 1 once of pure sweetness! All 19 1/2 inches of him!

We are thankful for this additional blessing in our lives! Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and encouragement during this time!

Blessings...

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Ps. 127:3

There have been so many blessings in our lives this past week as we have brought home this new baby boy. (Kim took the above pic, isn't she great?) My husband wrote a sweet post this week about the blessings he has seen this week. He hardly ever writes such a personal post so I encourage you to read it!

One of the blessings in our lives has been having grandparents that live in the same town. They blessed us by keeping our other 4 children while we were in the hospital and they have provided small blessings every day since Carter's birth.

Just the other day I called Brian's dad to let him know that we enjoyed the carrot cake he had sent our way but that it was gone!! Later that afternoon, Brian's mom and aunt came by with an apple pie, a chocolate cake, brownie bites and chocolate chip cookies! The next day she brought by a homemade pound cake! Needless to say, we shouldn't be hurting for dessert at our house this week! Thanks Granny and PawPaw!

Great Friends...

Last week I met some friends for dinner and they surprised me with the sweetest baby shower!! God has graciously blessed me with a group of sweet women that I call friends. We did a lot of talking, eating, and laughing. I got so many sweet gifts, some of which are pictured here. Look at those diapers - definitely a need!!

Kim made this sweet collage of all of my sweet 'babies!' (It's nice to have a friend that takes incredible pics with her fancy camera!)

Several of my kids will fit in this bag!!

Sophia, Dusty, Kim, Jamie, Kelly and me

Yummy cake!!


Thank you guys for making me feel special! Glad we got it in before baby Carter came!!

Sweet Baby Boy

As most of you know, our sweet baby boy - Carter Shane Barber - was born this past Friday! He was born early at 35 weeks (he just turned 35 weeks on the day he was born)! I will post more about the story later but we are so thankful for his health and that he is home with us. We are filled with awe!!

Thank you for all of your prayers for us!!

Life Has Changed...

Sooo proud...

Did I do something wrong?

(At least she's cute in the midst of her mischief...)

New Baby

Kim should be having her baby today! Her daughter Hannah is blogging some updates so check them out here!

Welcome to the World Baby Girl!

My newest niece was born this past Tuesday! My baby brother now has 3 precious little girls. Perry Catherine is the newest little baby and her big sisters, Caroline and Emily, are so excited! I can't wait to meet you Perry Catherine! We love you guys!

Perry Catherine

The Family

Has It Been That Long?

Wow! It's been a while since I've posted... I guess it's just been busy! Hopefully I'll get something substantial written sometime soon.

Until then... here's a picture of Ellerie. She's already 5 months old ... and look at those cute little curls sticking out the side of her head!

Baby Ellerie

Tis the Season

We are in a unique season of our lives right now - where all of the children in our family are 6 and under. That translates into 'needy'. Usually Mom is the one who tr ies to meet all of the needs. Now we are trying to train the older 2 to help more around the house but they can only do so much. There are positives and negatives to every season of life so we are holding on to those positive things right now: like all of the sweet kisses and cuddles and their wonder with everything.

There is often guilt about what I can't do or what I can't get to so I was thankful for this encouraging word the other day from Metro Moms:

"I keep thinking of this quote from Donald Whitney in Simplify Your Spiritual Life. "Like Jean with three in diapers, you may be in a situation that curtails many of your spiritual activities. You may be looking at many months or even years of such limitations. Do what you can. God does not love us more when we do more, nor less when we do less. He accepts us, not because of what we do for Him, but because of what He's done for us in Christ. The Bible says,"He made us accepted in the Beloved [that is, Jesus}" (Eph. 1:6). And nothing "shall be able to separate us form the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:39). Love God, and within the limitations He has sovereignly placed in your life at this time, do what you can." (emphasis mine) How freeing this is to me. Especially, remembering that He has sovereignly placed these limitations in my life right now. "

You Know You Have a Newborn When...

1. You have traded in your perfume for the smell of sour milk. (At least the baby likes it!)

2. You have to choose the 'scruntchie' in place of a shower.

3. You actually fall asleep in the dental chair while they are cleaning your teeth! (They say sleep when you can.)

4. It's easier to buy everyone a few extra pair of undies so you can try to keep up with the laundry.

5. You can fall asleep while sitting up - and when you wake up, you call that a restful nap. (Although the pain in your neck lasts for a while.)

6. It takes until 4:00 to get everyone out of their pajamas and into regular clothes.

7. Supper consists of a choice between chicken salad and corn dogs - for 3 nights in a row!

But ... she's worth it!!

One Month Old

Little Ellerie is 1 month old today! This isn't the best picture, but it will have to do for now. I can't believe that 1 month has passed already. She is such a sweet baby. She slept alot this first month, which most of my babies do because they are born a bit early. We actually had to wake her up for feedings since she's so little (but the hardest part was keeping Mommy awake for the feedings)! You know how it is ladies, right? You get up to feed and fall asleep. Then you wake up and wonder if she ate from both sides yet? It's been those kind of nights!

The adjustment for the older children seems to be going as well as expected! Coleman and Emmie love to shower her with kisses and sit beside me while I feed her. Calvin has been loving and gentle with her as well, giving her plenty more kisses. I know we are so blessed but I was quickly reminded of how hard these first few weeks are because of lack of sleep and the many needs of a newborn (as well as the needs of a 2-year old, 4-year old and 6-year old). I don't always handle life so well on so little sleep so I am trying to sleep when I can and not worry so much about the house. Just make sure to call before you come by so I can throw everything into a hiding place!

But I have been able to get a bath each day! That in itself is a reason to sing some praise!!

Day One of "On Our Own"

We all survived our first day alone. Yesterday Emmie asked me, "Is Daddy going to work tomorrow." I told her that he was. Her next question was "who is going to take care of you Mommy?" Good question Emmie!

Brian was able to take off the first 2 weeks after Ellerie was born. His parents live in town and helped us the first week with our older children, for which we are forever grateful. They cooked many casseroles and helped stock our freezer with chicken and corn dogs. The second week Brian took care of the kids and the house while I took care of nursing the baby (none of my babies are quick nursers - we have long sessions due to my 'skim' milk).

Brian went back to work last Monday and my parents arrived that afternoon to stay for a week. I was glad they were here last week so they could nurse me through a fever. They entertained the older children and loved on us all and stocked our freezer some more. Our church has also blessed us with meals the last couple of weeks.

But today ... we were all alone. I didn't set lofty goals - just one: that everyone be fed throughout the day. That happened and everyone had on real clothes before lunch! Awesome. I forgot how tiring it is with a newborn. She's a sweetie but she sleeps too good. She's so little and needs to eat at night so I have to wake her up to eat, but the hard part is keeping myself awake!

We're hanging in there and I am trying to enjoy these newborn moments (if I can remember them). We have been blessed with a sweet little girl and all 3 of the others are fascinated with her and love to shower her with hugs and kisses!

I think I am rambling (chalk it up to lack of sleep) so I will try to update later ... don't expect much 'substance' from this blog any time soon!

A Birth Story - Finally!!

Here’s the male version (for my brothers): Labor good. Baby born. Girl. 6 1bs. 3 oz.

Ladies this is for you: On Monday, April 23, I began having regular Braxton Hicks contractions pretty consistently about every 10 minutes. April 23 was also Coleman’s 6th birthday. We had his big party a week ago but PawPaw and Granny were coming over that evening for some birthday cake and a few gifts. (Poor child – 2 parties).

Later on that afternoon, the contractions were about 6-7 minutes apart. I called my Doctor to see what he wanted me to do and he wanted me to come in that afternoon. But I told him I couldn’t until after supper – I mean, I couldn’t miss Coleman’s special night. So after dinner, I decided to drink water and lay down and see if I could slow the contractions because I didn’t want to have the baby during the night (I didn’t like the on-call Doctor and I really wanted my Doctor to deliver Ellerie). He has delivered all of the others and is very special to us. Plus I was having another VBAC and felt more comfortable with him doing the delivery!

The contractions began to slow a little that evening. But through the night they got closer and a little more painful. So Granny came over around 5 am and we got to the hospital around 6:15 am. After my Dr. got in that morning and checked me, I was at 3 cm. Since I was progressing ‘a little’ on my own (even though slowly) he decided to go ahead and break my water. He hated to send us home without the baby and we would have had a very disappointed 4-year old if we came home without her new sister. My Dr. couldn’t give me a lot of pitocin because I was having a VBAC and pitocin can increase the chance of uterine rupture. So, the morning went slowly and the contractions didn’t increase too much. Around lunch, he gave me just a whiff of pitocin, and boy howdy, that’s all it took.

I talked to Kim and she said “Go ahead and get the epidural girl so you don’t miss the window.” So, I called for the epidural – and good thing, because those suckers started coming strong and fast!! The nice needle guy came in and did his thing. When he finished, he said “let me know if you feel tingly, if your mouth feels funny, or if you hear ringing in your ears.” Well, all of a sudden I felt all of those things and it sort of freaked me out. But he just said, it’s all temporary. Nice! So I began to wait for the epidural to take effect … and I waited … and I waited … and I waited. Then I began to cry and moan and let everyone know that it wasn’t working. The nurses came in and asked about that pain scale. You know the one ladies … where they ask you about the pain on a scale of 1-10. I hate that scale but I let them know I was off the charts! They called the needle man to come back and fix me. He came in and topped me off with more medicine but that didn’t work either. I wonder where all of that medicine went because none of it went to my abdomen or legs! I know some women choose to labor this way, but ladies … the pain is there because of a curse, why would I choose that? That is not for me! The needle man (no longer the nice needle man) came back a 3rd time and re-stuck me in the back in a different place! Finally some relief. Although by this time I was about 8-9 cm but at least I got it before I had to push.

Pushed just a couple of times … and there she was. Sweet Ellerie Dean Barber. Weighing 6 lbs 3 oz and 18 ½ in. long!!

I still can’t get over how amazing it is to carry a baby and then all of a sudden to be able to hold her. Definitely a miracle.

All of the other kids are fascinated with her and love to kiss her. Even little Calvin is charmed by her! We are so thankful for all of your prayers during this time.

I hope to blog more when I am able to get a little more sleep ... so until then!

Ellerie

Haven't gotten to the birth story yet but here's a little of what's been going on ... feedings, diapers, tiredness, hormones, lots of snuggles and kisses ... and did I mention hormones? (I love you Brian!) Anyway ... here's a picture until I have more time to write!

Sanctity of Life

(This picture is of a 24-week baby, about the age of our little girl right now!)

Check out these other amazing pictures which show a sweet little baby as early as 7 weeks!


Yesterday was "Sanctity of Human Life" Sunday at our church. My husband taught a special lesson on protecting human life and I decided to share some excerpts from it with you.


Here is a special story of hope and grace: Beverly Smith McMillan opened the first abortion clinic in Jackson Mississippi. After a life-changing conversion to Christ she resigned. She confessed, "The good news that makes the Gospel so relevant today is that God forgives. I know from personal experience that the blood of Jesus can cover the sin of abortion." (Fowler, Abortion, p. 198) There are an increasing number of post-abortion support groups that help women discover and enjoy this forgiveness and healing. (John Piper, January 5th, 1989)


On January 6, 1989, John Piper was arraigned in court for trespassing. Here are his words describing that day: "Suppose that I lived next door to a very mean-spirited man who was so hostile that he put up "Do not trespass" signs all over the fence around his house mainly to keep me out. One day I hear children screaming from his back yard. I run to the fence and notice a little child choking on something. Instinctively I jump the fence, knowing it says no trespassing and try to save the child. I'm too late. After a few days this mean-spirited man seeks a warrant for my arrest. I go into court and the judge, for reasons beyond his control, finds me guilty of trespassing and fines $50. Would I be disrespectful of the law, I asked Judge James Campbell, if I refused to pay?

He answered by saying, "In that case you should appeal the decision, because of a special legal reality called the law of necessity. But there are distinguishing facts between that case and this one."

So I asked if he would be willing to tell me what facts. He paused (as if to groan in his own spirit) and said, "The Supreme Court has ruled in Roe vs. Wade that abortion is not a crime."


A few facts:
1. Since the Roe vs. Wade decision 31 years ago, over 45 million unborn children have been aborted.
2. 1 out of every 3 babies that is conceived and viable in this country is aborted.
3. Not just the babies, but the over 20 million women enduring abortion in our country. Almost half of the women who contemplate suicide have had an abortion. When the organization called Women Exploited by Abortion started it grew from 2 members to 10,000 in under 10 months.


Remember that "They grow so fast. They do not grow to become more human. They are growing in the humanity that they already possess… Just because you are tiny doesn’t mean you aren’t human. Just because you can’t breath on your own doesn’t mean you’re not human. Just because you can’t talk or have complex rational abilities doesn’t mean you’re not human. Just because you live in your mother’s tummy doesn’t mean you are not human. Just because you are dependent upon another doesn’t mean you are not human."


Read Kim's special testimony!


"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,the days that were formed for me,when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16