Connor's Birth Story

Connor Nash Lane was born Monday May 7th, 2012 at 10:42 AM. He weighed in at 7lbs 14.4 oz and was 20.25 inches long. Big blue eyes and hair that can't seem to make up its mind between being blonde or light brown.

Connor is a stubborn little guy. Around April 13th, we were sure we were going to have him. Even the doctor was convinced it would be that weekend. I was contracting and dilating and we walked, walked, walked. Nothing helped. The labor would not progress. For three weeks we tried basically every safe at home method for helping labor along.

Seriously, we spent hours walking along the river, our neighborhood, and the track at the Y. This is me showing what a strong, super pregnant lady looks like!

Finally, at my 39 week appointment (on a Friday afternoon) my doctor asked if I wanted to schedule an induction for that coming Monday morning.  Under normal circumstances I would have kept holding on and let him come on his own but it had been a very long pregnancy.I was completely exhausted and ready to be done so I readily agreed. After 3 weeks of contractions and 9 months of complications from Hyperemesis Gravidarum we all agreed it was time to be done. She stripped my membranes anyway hoping that I would go into labor on my own that weekend.

After my appointment I drove straight to Craig's work and told him to come to the Y with me so we could walk for an hour.

Saturday morning came and I was in so much pain. I was contracting like crazy but not enough to warrant going downtown to Labor and Delivery. So....we got up and walked some more. Go figure.

Sunday morning came and my contractions had stopped. I finally resigned myself to the fact that I would be induced Monday morning. I spent part of the day relaxing and then I went into a total cleaning frenzy making sure everything would be nice for when we brought Connor home.  I also had our home teacher come by to help Craig give me a blessing. That night we had a nice family dinner and went for a drive to look at the Super Moon that was going on.

We all had so much nervous energy we could not sleep. It was really a very odd day. It felt so weird knowing for a fact that the next day we would be having a baby. I went into labor with Keegan spontaneously so it was just a very different experience and feeling.

Since we knew so much would be changing shortly we decided to have some special time with Keegan and let him stay up late with us and we camped out in the living room together.

Craig and Keegan eventually fell asleep but I don't think I got more than a couple of hours sleep since I was feeling so nervous.

We had to be at the hospital by 7AM but I woke up around 4 unable to sit still any longer. I took a really long shower, did my hair and makeup and made sure we had everything we needed.

We dropped Keegan off with Craig's sister, picked up a smoothie for me to drink for breakfast, and headed downtown to St. Luke's.

Labor and Delivery was pretty crowded but they were expecting us and had a room ready. I had a nurse that stayed with us the whole time. Her name was Lori and she was absolutely amazing.

Last pregnant photo! Ready to go!

We got all settled in the labor suite and Lori got an IV started. Further proof of her awesomeness: she got the IV in on the first try. I have bizarre veins and this NEVER happens. It was the first sign of good luck!

We got the Pitocin going at around 7:50. My doctor came in around 8:15 and broke my water and told me all the walking we had been doing must have helped because I had progressed over the weekend.

By 8:30 I was starting to get uncomfortable but nothing major. Every 10 or so minutes they would increase the Pitocin. By 9 I was really starting to feel contractions and they were around 5 minutes apart.

After my water had been broken my doctor had said I could have my epidural at any point. Since I wasn't feeling anything yet I was not too concerned and figured I would tough it out for a bit and see how the contractions went.

They were getting pretty painful but I decided to breathe through them and get in the whirlpool first and see if that helped. I think I lasted maybe 5 minutes before all of a sudden the contractions got to be about 2 minutes apart and ridiculously painful. At that point I asked for the epidural. I think it was around 9:30.

Lori called anesthesia and increased my IV fluids so I would be hydrated for it. The nurse anesthetist came in and placed the epidural while Craig held my hand and helped me breathe through the pain which was getting very intense.

Luckily for me, epidurals seem to work really well for me and like with Keegan the placement was perfect. I cannot even describe the relief as I felt the effects start to kick in and the pain lessen. For me, the epidural after awhile takes away ALL the pain. Some people can still feel some pain or pressure for me it is very numbing.

Once it started working Lori was hanging around chatting with me about history books and joking with me and Craig. We had been watching Boy Meets World all morning which has always been a favorite since childhood.

It was after 10 AM at this point and my doctor was in the hall so the nurse figured we should have her quickly come in and do a check and then I could relax and maybe nap and plan on getting ready to push in the early afternoon.

My epidural had just barely kicked all the way in at this point and I was blissfully numb. The doctor and nurse lifted my gown, looked shocked and asked if I felt any sudden pressure. I told them I had felt some but didn't think it was big deal.

That's when they told me his head was right there and it was time to push. All of a sudden a bunch of extra people came in really fast to take the bed apart and the doctor had to call the office and tell them she would be a little late getting to the next appointment.

 Craig and I were in a state of shock. We had been told inductions could take hours and hours and with Keegan after getting my epidural we still had 9 or so hours to wait before he was actually born.

I had agreed to allow a family medicine resident come in and witness the birth of Connor. She happened to walk in right in the middle of the chaos just to introduce herself when they told her she was just in time to see  me deliver!

I could not help it, the situation seemed so ridiculous that I started laughing really hard right when they told me to start pushing.  It seems every laugh helped with the pushes. I only pushed a few times. The doctor told me I was going to laugh him right out and that's basically what happened! All in all, between the time the doctor and nurse told me I was at a complete and I was holding Connor in my arms, only 8 minutes had elapsed. We had been at the hospital only 3.5 hours. Apparently, I seriously got my epidural just in time.

We were able to call my Mom right away afterwards and she happened to be on the phone with my grandmother so they got to hear Connor's cries immediately after his birth. It was really neat.

It was such a relief having such an easy and uncomplicated delivery after such a difficult pregnancy. The doctor told me she felt it was my reward and I honestly feel as though it was a gift and blessing from my Father in Heaven. It's amazing how much better I felt within moments of his birth. I was able to drink and eat freely for the first time in months and actually feel like myself.

I am so grateful for a supportive and loving husband who got me through those 9 months and was also once again the best labor coach ever.

First picture of Craig and Connor

It's been a crazy last couple of weeks but so worth it. I love having a house full of boys. It is so much fun!

Easter Weekend 2012

We woke up yesterday morning and I had this crazy craving for some homemade fudge. My favorite is from Sun Valley. I mentioned this to Craig and he told me had just been looking up the distance to McCall. While Sun Valley is one of my most loved places on Earth it felt a little far from the hospital at this point in my pregnancy for my comfort.

Soo.....we decided to take a day trip through the mountain up to McCall. I had never been there before so it was really fun! 

We had a really yummy lunch at a place called the Toll Station. I  loved my fish and chips!  The boys decided to act like Graystone and hide behind their hands.

Keegan has been asking to go to the beach for days. This little chunk of sand was the most beach we could find. Keegan was trying to throw a snowball at me while I took photos. While the lake was still covered in snow it felt pretty warm out.

Keegan wanted to "ride" the bears. Afterwards, he patted their noses and thanked them.

Keegs loved holding the flag to cross the streets

Keegan loved ice skating so much when we were in Portland we thought we'd let him try it out again.  A couple more years and maybe he can try out hockey!

When we came home the Easter Bunny had hidden the baskets all around the yard and we went hunting for them. I made one for the baby too so Keegan actually got to go and search for two baskets which made him pretty happy. 

Searching for his basket

PEEPS!!! He is the only one who actually likes them

I "found" my basket. It was full of my fave Cadbury eggs, nail polish, bubble bath, and bath salts. It's good for a Mommy to be pampered. :)

Keegan found the baby's basket! It had a summer outfit, teething rings, a rattle, and all the candy that wouldn't fit in the rest of the baskets!

Following tradition...it's the Keegster Bunny! He loves wearing the ears. He got candy, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, a  baby chick shaped cup, a new book, and an etch a sketch thing.

Trying out the egg shaped sidewalk chalk

The baskets. Craig got his favorite candies, a golf club cleaning set, chapstick  and a homemade gift certificate for two trips to the nearby driving range.

The Keegster bunny looking for some yummies.

Sunday we went to church in the morning. It was a lovely program. The beautiful music really helped set the mood of the Spirit. Craig taught Elder's Quorum and while I was not there to hear his lesson the special video he made was really moving and beautiful. Keegan moved up to Senior Nursery and told us that he learned about Jesus and had a good day. 

We spent the afternoon/early evening at Craig's parent's house enjoying the fabulous 70+ degree weather having a BBQ, jumping on the trampoline, playing frisbee and football, swinging, and playing a family favorite game called Shipwreck Island/Ships and Sailors. 

It is always nice spending time together and Keegan adores getting to play with all of his cousins.

It was a great weekend! 

Remembering April 4, 2009

I truly cannot believe my little sweetheart is three years old today. All last night I was remembering going into labor with him and being so anxious to see his face for the first time.

I had been in and out of labor for 8 days by that point and was so exhausted. Friday April 3rd my contractions had stopped and I was resigned to being induced on the Tuesday the 7th. I think that by finally just accepting the induction date and relaxing a bit I was able to have him sooner.

We went to  Craig's parent's house that evening to chat and pick up a jersey Nancy had made Keegan. I was sitting on the couch with her talking while Craig was talking to Dale or something. I remember my eyes got wide and I said: "I feel funny!" I went bolting down the stairs to the bathroom. Nancy later said she never saw me move so fast. I got there just in time for my water to break.

I walked back up the stairs and told Craig that this time we really needed to go to the hospital...it was finally time!

Dale looked up worriedly and said: "It didn't break on my new couch did it?" To this day that always makes me laugh.

We ran back to our condo, picked up my Mom and headed to St. Luke's. We got there and they admitted me but made me walk and walk because I was not contracting. The labor rooms have private whirlpools and after being in one for awhile I felt a pop (Keegan was breech and had flipped into the proper position) and the contractions came on in full force.

There were three other girls in labor at the same time and I was begging for the anesthesiologist. Getting the epidural was such relief. This was about midnight or so.

I fell asleep for a bit and was watching re-runs of Friends when the nurse came in just after 6:00 AM and told me it was time to start pushing. At 7:22 AM our precious Keegan Spencer Lane was born. 7lbs 15 oz, 20.25 inches long. Blonde hair, blue eyes, absolutely perfect!

It was so amazing having Keegan placed on my stomach and getting to see and hold him the first time. Craig and I were both crying and filled with such joy. Keegan has been a blessing and the source of so much happiness in our lives.

The three of us have had so much fun together. We are lucky to have a home filled with love, laughter, and a genuine desire to spend time together.

Keegan is so smart, sweet, and thoughtful. I am so proud of our little boy. Any day now he is going to become the best big brother in the whole world. I am so excited to continue our journey as a happy and growing family.

3 Months!

6 Months

1 year

18 months

2 years

2.5 yearss

THREE!!!!!

Ka-Chow!!!

Since Christmas Keegan has been asking for a "McQueen" birthday party. He kept telling me he was turning "McQueen" old and wanted "McQueen' cupcakes etc. In case you couldn't tell, Cars is his favorite movie.

There have been days we have watched it three times! Luckily Cars 2 came out and we can alternate between them now!

Keegan's wish came true and on Saturday March 31st we turned our house into Radiator Springs.

Sign on the front door: "Welcome to Radiator Springs"

"Flo's V8 Cafe"

'Piston Cup" Cakes

Fillmore's Organic Fuel

Pinatas Lane style! Not working hanging from the tree? Drop kick it!

Hockey star in the making! Future Canuck?!




I had so much fun planning his party and making everything including the food Cars related. Keegan had a ton of fun and was so excited to spend time with his cousins and friends and family. 

Luigi's Casa Della Pizza Tires (They were bagel bite pizzas)

Allinol is the fuel in Cars 2

Chick Hick's Chicken Wings