Mason Ashby Chantry's Birth-Story

Mason Ashby Chantry

Born: November 25th 

9lbs 4oz, 22.5in

I felt very blessed during my labor with Mason's birth. I felt so much peace and I felt like I was being guided on how to deal with the contractions. But those last weeks are the hardest. My belly was so big and I was getting a lot of unwanted attention haha. Sometimes I wish it was still socially accepted to "go into hiding,"  when you are big and pregnant. I was soooo tempted when the Dr hinted at getting things going at my 38 week appt. But I knew that would stress Scott out. He had a bunch of assignments due over the weekend, and was new in the bishopric. So really it was just best if I stayed pregnant for a little bit longer. I had another appointment the next Monday (November 24th). This time, because of Thanksgiving, Scott had a little less on his plate. So, I said yes lets go for it. That afternoon I had contractions, but they were not very consistent. That night they became a little more consistent. They were pretty close together, but seemed to short to really make a difference. The next day, early afternoonish we took the kids to my mother-in-laws and I went home and vacuumed hehe. An hour or so later, I felt like something had changed and it was time to go to the hospital. I got there and they checked me. I was at a 3+, my contractions still didn't seem quite long enough. I was sure they would send me home, but was totally surprised when they wheeled a IV in and asked which arm I'd like it in. "Oh, you're keeping me here???" "You didn't know???" "Nope, but I'm not complaining!" HA HA HA! Anyway, I did laps around the hall in labor & delivery for an hour or two. When I'd feel a contraction coming on I'd go faster and I totally felt great. The contractions were lasting longer. Then they had me lay down to monitor and get me on a small dose of pitocin. Laying down it took a little more concentration to stay relaxed, but I still was feeling like I could handle things. I had an awesome nurse, and instantly felt like she was my best friend. She was so caring, and careful. It was so nice because I was her only patient. When the doctor came to break my water, she stared the nurse down and told her to make sure to turn the pitocin on high more or less. Right after the doctor walked out of the room, she looked at me and said, well we're not doing that! I could have given her a big hug. She watched the babies heart rate like a hawk. At the smallest sign of distress she would turn the pitocin down. He had a happy heart rate pretty much the whole time I was there. I realize now that, that was part of the reason labor would stress me out in the past. I had told the nurse that before I had my water broke, I wanted an epidural. The doctor texted her at the same time she found out the anesthesiologist was about to go assist in a c-section. She was able to convince the anesthesiologist to come right then! The rest of labor was smooth sailing. I don't push the epidural button very often, because I like to be as mobile as possible afterwards. After being at the hospital for 8 hours I had Mason. I was completely surprised when the nurse said I was "complete" and it was time to call the doctor. When the doctor came in and got everything all set up she had me push. Then turned to the nurse and said...."uhhhh have you called in the nursery???" "No, well you better do that and have them hurry!" They came in I pushed about 1 1/2 more times and he was out. When they gave him to me he seemed so offended about what had just all happen, but I calmed him down. He was so sweet! Scott started talking to him and he gave him the most adorable frown! He has since warmed up to Scott and adores him. But I love that tender side of Mason. He is such a sweet baby and smiles, even when he's upset sometimes. I'm over the moon for this kid, and can't get enough of him. I am such a blessed mommy to have these three amazing kids. I count my lucky stars everyday!!! I love motherhood and I'm learning so much!

Prelude to Mason's Birthstory

I've got to give a little background before I delve right into my sweet little boy's birth-story. After I had given birth to Chloe, I decided that I wasn't happy with how my labor went. I wanted things to be different. First of all, I did not want to spend almost a full 24 hrs stuck in a bed. I also was scared to be given pitocin. Chloe's heartrate seemed erratic to me. At one point they had to turn the pitocin completely off, because it was stressing her out to much. I think both of us needed a break. So, with Matthew I spent most of the labor at the hospital with little to no pitocin, but I wasn't progressing. Matthew's heart-rate still seemed erratic. I finally agreed to having a higher dose. He came fairly quick, after they gave me a higher dose, so I was only in labor for 14 hrs. But it was still stressful and I was still feeling chagrined about how uncomfortable it was to spend that much time in a hospital bed. This time I wanted  labor to be more peaceful and not so anxious. But had no clue how to make that happen. 

Three weeks before I had Mason I was listening to a hypnobirthing cd. I was not planning on going natural (and I didn't), but I felt like I needed some relaxation methods. I had listened to one side of the cd several times, but finally flipped it over to the other side. The cd talked about being connected to your baby while pregnant and how the baby can feel all of your emotions and knows when you are uptight. Through both Chloe's and Matthew's labor I was a nervous wreck. It might have been the hormones that made me feel emotional hearing this, but I broke down crying because I felt like I had been so selfish. I thought mostly about MY emotional well-being while I was in labor and didn't think about theirs. I only thought of their physical well-being. I decided that with this baby I was going to try and be comforting to them (which sounds weird), but felt right. I realized this mind set probably was the wisest for me in any case, because then labor was no longer focused on my body and whether it was going to perform the way it was expected. But on being a mother to this new baby of mine and helping him in this transition of birth. Throughout labor I always felt so on the spot and this took the focus off of me. 

I had asked Scott to give me a blessing before I had come to this realization and in the blessing it said the Lord would help me to prepare for this upcoming labor. Having that inspiration for the kind of mind set I needed, I felt prepared just like the blessing promised.

My Chloe Girl

Chloe is F O U R today and I can't believe it! She is such a wonderful girl. She is so loving, caring, kind, smart, creative, and beautiful. I feel so very blessed to be her mother.

She has been so imaginative and turned into a dreamer. She dreams about being a doctor, astronaut, and princess. She has been obsessed with her baby dolls and brings them everywhere we go. I usually have to convince her to keep her baby dolls in the car. She feeds them diapers them and puts them down for naps. I get in trouble some time for "waking" them up. Her favorite doll she has named Ashley, but her other dolls she has not decided on any certain names...so they change from day to day. She has become very good at writing her name, and remembers details from stories, she loves to draw and is starting to draw the kind of pictures that I remember drawing. She draws a sun with long rays, colors blue sky and green grass, and usually draws all of her friends, which usually include Teacher Betty, Kailee, Londyn, Alex, and Avery. If she is worried about something, she'll ask me to say, "what's wrong Chloe." I'll ask her and she and she'll tell me about whatever her worries are. I love that she wants me to know. She still loves, to laugh, tease and be teased. Lately, she has been into telling "knock, knock" jokes and I love it! Her favorite she learned from Yo Gabba, Gabba. She's a well rounded girl. She loves bugs, princesses, dinosaurs dolls, Sponge Bob, and Tangled. I love going clothes shopping with her. She already has such good taste. When I actually have time to buy something for myself, my 4 yr old Chloe girl is the first one I want to show my clothes too. She always tells me how cute it is, and is so excited when I choose something "pink."

 

According to Matthew

I can not believe Matthew Is going to be ONE tomorrow. I feel so sentimental today, because I remember the day before he was born so well. I spent all the one on one time I could with Chloe. It was such a perfect day. We went up the canyon and looked at the waterfall. There was such a connecting, beautiful spirit as we looked at the waterfall. Chloe hugged us so tight (which she never use to do). We got home I took two or three steps out of the car and my water broke. We welcomed Matthew into the world the next morning. This past year we have gotten to know our Matthew so well. He has a strong personality...he's very "animated" as Grandpa Chantry said on Monday. He is so fun to watch when he plays. He squeals and laughs and envelops himself in whatever he is doing.

According to Matthew...

If you want to make friends it's important to squeal, knock the back of you heels on the ground repeatedly, and then tackle your "soon to be friend" (if mom doesn't stop you)

Peponi from the Piano Guys is pretty much the cats meow. Put that on anytime and  no matter how hungry, tired or upset you may be you MUST stop and listen.
 

Peponi is so cool that it is 1 of the first 10 words to be spoken out loud. It should be sung several times a day "pepo ahhhhh, pepo ahhhh" Listen to Peponi here.

The sighting of any animal is probably one of the most exciting times of the day, and should result in panting like a dog or growling like a bear...whether you see anything from an ant to elephant.

Putting items back together may be the most important activity of the day.




Kisses are ONLY for mommy's not daddy, and maybe on rare moments for grandma's.

Chloe is probably the MOST hilarious person on the planet, definitely funnier than mom or dad.



















Hugs are for Chloe, daddy, mommy, or any one you love.

When daddy gets home from work you must go and give dad a hug and tell him about your day, but go directly back to mom. Because mommy is my gal.

Don't hold anything back.

Eat anything and everything you can find on the floor...you never know when famine like conditions may occur.

Being in a playpen is like being incarcerated. It's the worst place on earth and playpen's should just be illegal.

Even with all the things I do that make mommy exclaim "oh, you're such a boy!" It's important to throw her off, by loving baby dolls, even if I purposely drop them on their heads. (Which seems to be very upsetting to my big sister.)

The items in the kitchen are way more exciting than anything a toy box could hold.

Still Here

I've kind of fallen of the wagon when it comes to posting. It's been such a busy year since Matthew was born. We are having lots of fun and learning so much from our kids, from juggling things...but we are happy. Chloe is in preschool and loves her teacher and all her friends there. She's been really into her baby dolls. She's named one Ashley and loves to take her wherever we go. She feeds her, changes her diaper and tells me to be quiet when Ashley is taking a "nap." Chloe is always watching out for her little brother. making sure he is safe. She is such a sweet girl. Matthew is such a character and is learning so fast. I just started reading him books a couple weeks ago and he just giggled...he loved it! I was fraustrated a bit the other day from keeping him AWAY from all the things he was not supposed to be playing with, finally I dumped a bunch of books by him and was surprised at how long he was entertained by them. He loves all the attention he gets from having his red hair. He's opinionated and wants things a certain way. Scott gave him a cracker, but broke it in half. Matthew was so mad he cried until Scott gave him the other half and he tried to put it back together and cried more when he couldn't.I can't believe that Matthew will be one in a week and Chloe will be four in a month.

Scott has been busy with the house, we painted the downstairs, put in a banister and finally got furniture for it. It's nice having more than a loveseat to sit on. I've been really busy with my calling at church. Our ward has had a lot happening between one funeral after another, surgeries, and people moving out, not to mention all the leadership changes (except for me). I love my family so much and feel so incredibly blessed!

KidS

It has been so fun, sweet, and surprising to see how Chloe has reacted to Matthew. The first two weeks he was home with us, she would cover her eyes every time he would open his. She didn't want Matthew to look at her, because she felt shy. The first 4-6 weeks she was too afraid to even touch him, but she would talk to him, cover him with lots of blankets (she's always worried about him being cold), and was always excited to have him be apart of whatever we were doing. Lately she will grab his feet to see if they are cold and she will almost go to give him a hug, but then she'll just grab his hand with both of hers and say "Matthew, Matthew, Matthew." She LOVES her brother and has been so patient with mommy always telling her "to hold on." Every once in awhile she tell me to lay Matthew in his crib or on her floor so we can play together. We have been so enjoying being a family of four, although it still has been an adjustment :).

Matthew's Birth Story

The last couple of weeks before Matthew was born I had been doing what I could to get things going. Going for long walks, running up and down stairs, basically just staying busy and keeping my body in motion. My last Dr's appointment made me feel like that really wasn't doing much to help things progress, but I figured if anything it would help build my endurance for when I did get induced. If I labored for another 21ish hours like I did with Chloe I'd definitely would need endurance. The Monday before his arrival I was doing one of my exercise routines when I thought that maybe my water had leaked, but wasn't sure I called the doctors office and they said if it happened again to go to labor and delivery. I had a non stress test to take that day and the nurse said I definitely was in early labor. That was exciting to me because I never experienced early labor on my own without pitocin. I wasn't in any kind of pain. The only thing that seemed different was that Matthew was extra active. That night we went over to my in-laws and played some card games. Before we left I noticed my water had seemed to leak again. I really didn't want to go to labor and delivery because I was tired and it was such a small amount I figured they'd send me home. However, they had said that I needed to go no matter how small of amount it was. So, we took Chloe home got her in bed and my mother-in-law come over and stayed while my husband and I went to labor and delivery. The nurse said I was at a 3 and 90% effaced, but I tested negative for amniotic fluid. She said if we wanted to we could go home or they could monitor me to see if I was progressing any. I figured it would be nice to go home and get some sleep and if things got painful or whatever then we could go back and have them check me again. I didn't get much sleep that night, but it felt good at least that Scott did and at least I got some "rest."

On Tuesday I noticed more liquid, but again it wasn't very much and I didn't really want to go back again to labor and delivery just to be told that it wasn't what I thought it was. I was busy that day getting all the last things I had wanted to get done and spending quality time with my baby girl. That was the last day she would be the "baby" of our family and the last day I would have all of me to devote just to her so I wanted to make it count. That night after dinner I got this urge to go on a drive with her and my husband. She loves the waterfall up the canyon, so we went there. It felt so special to be up there all together. Chloe is not the cuddly type, but she instantly became cuddly as we stood and watched the waterfall. She held onto me and then Scott for the longest time just hugging us. She told us that she "lofed mommy," and "lofed daddy." I don't know if she knew what was about to happen, but looking back it sure seems that way. When we got home I got out of the car, I felt a sharp pain as I started to walk which wasn't unusual for me. I'd stand up and after I got going the pain would go away, but this time there was a little pop of water. I went inside to change my clothes. Chloe was asking me what was going on so I told her that I had spilled water on myself, but then my water just started to gush and gush. I knew that story wasn't going to hold up so, I just told her I had had an accident. Chloe kept saying over and over "good girl, mommy." Silly girl! Anyway, Scott got a bunch of towels and we cleaned things up as best we could at the time without taking to much time. My doctor had said if my water broke to get to the hospital quickly, because I had a lot of amniotic fluid which would put me at a higher risk for a prolapse cord. So, with a towel wrapped around me and extra towels underneath me we rushed to the hospital. We met my in-law half way to the hospital on the side of the road. They grabbed Chloe and her car seat. We got to the hospital and I felt so silly with the towel wrapped around my wet shorts. I knew people we're doing their best not to stare at me, which I appreciated haha. 

When we got to labor and delivery they checked me and I was at a 4. I was in some pain, by the time I got all dressed in their lovely gowns and they got the IV going, but it wasn't bad. I asked that they not do pitoicin unless I needed it. I went an hour or two and my contractions we're starting to get really uncomfortable so I asked for an epidural. After I got the epidural I went from a 4 to a 7 in about 10 min. By 11pm I was at an 8 and stayed that way until 3 or 4am when they said the magic word..."c section" and I said PLEASE put me on pitocin. I have no desire to ever have a c section. They put it on a very low dose until about 6 or 7 am when they turned it up quite a bit. By 8:30am they had me start pushing. I pushed him out in 2 1/2 pushes. It was so wonderful to meet him. I loved being able to hold him and comfort him. When they placed him on me he was crying. As I began to talk to him he stopped crying and just looked at me. It was such a sweet moment. 

Our Sweet Boy

He's here and we feel incredibly blessed! He was born on April 18th at 8:48am. He weighed 7 lbs 11 oz and was 21 1/2 in long! He's so beautiful!

Yep, Today's the Day but...

It's my due date...but the baby's still cookin'. Wish he was ready, because I'd like to see him. I went to my last doctors appt on Thurs. and there's been no progress. He's still floating in there. I was induced a week after Chloe's due date and it's looking like the same thing will happen with this little guy. I was really hoping for a different story. I've been feeling a little frustrated, anxious, and emotional these past two weeks...but really I'm doing okay. I just hope all goes well when he does come. However, I'm enjoying this one-on-one time I have with Chloe. I know things will be different when we have two kids instead of one and I'm sure a part of me will miss the way things are now. I'm so excited for Chloe to have a little brother...I know I would have been missing out without having siblings of my own. When I first was pregnant with this baby I felt a very strong, wonderful spirit and I know he will be such a wonderful addition to our family.

Love this Girl!!!