The Best Job

This year has been good to me. I have so much to be thankful for and can't even write it all down. 

The biggest blessing was the birth of my happy, healthy baby girl. Emma Christine Thompson was born September 2 at 4:48 AM weighing 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 19 inches long. She was born with long dark hair and big chubby cheeks. Getting to the point of actually being in labor was a long difficult process for me. I was sure she would she would come early, and since the doctors told me the measles put me at risk for pre-term labor, Justin was so sure I'd have her at least one week maybe two weeks early... bad thinking. I was not very happy being overdue and had quite a few emotional breakdowns because I was still pregnant. I went to the hospital and was turned away twice the two days leading up to actually being admitted.
(If you're not interested in the rest of the birth story feel free to stop reading now.)


I was having more emotional breakdowns because I felt like I was never going to have this baby, and Justin was depressed as well. So we decided since it was a holiday, Labor Day, we should get out and do something to take our minds off of it. We went to Farmington station and walked around the shops and then went to see a movie. I was still having contractions that I had to breathe a little bit through and they always seemed to happen during the quiet parts of the movie. After that we did another lap and came home to take a nap since we had been up and at the hospital the previous two nights. As I was standing next to the bed I felt and heard a pop then felt a little gush. Hallelujah, my water had finally broke and I was actually going to meet my baby girl! We went to the hospital a couple hours later. I was 4 to 5 cm and 90% at that point. Since we had so many false alarms, Justin and I were tired already but I knew I wanted to have a natural birth. I got on the birthing ball while they monitored the baby and checked me in. My midwife Julie got there a little after 9 PM and started the tub. The nurses couldn't get an IV needle in my hand so the anesthesiologist had to come to put it in when I was in the tub. My contractions were getting stronger and I couldn't get much counter pressure in the tub so I got out and lay on my side in the bed. My midwife and Justin did counter pressure through each contraction and that really helped me. I was progressing well and thought maybe I could get the baby out by midnight but that was not the case. My contractions has slowed down and were not being very effective so we decided to use some Pitocin. When the Pitocin started to work, I felt like pushing again. The nurse, Karla, was holding one leg and Justin the other. They could start to see the head again and the nurse encouraged me to look in the mirror. I didn't think I wanted to watch but I'm so glad that I did. It was so cool to see and know what was happening. Finally the head got into position but my contractions were still kind of far apart at times so as she was crowning I had to push through a couple contractions with her head stuck right there. I definitely felt the burn and that was probably the most painful part as I watched her head stuck there waiting for the next contraction. I was determined to get her out with the next one and out she came! They placed her on my chest and it was amazing! I didn't quite know what was going on around me but I was so glad she was finally out. Justin cut the cord and they took her to check her out really quick. Then asked if they could weigh and measure her or if I wanted her back and I said “give her back to me!” I had such an emotional high after giving birth and felt like I could totally do it again. 

Childbirth was one of the hardest things I've done but also one of the coolest and most rewarding things. I did my research and prepared for it. I knew what I wanted to do but also that I couldn't control it all either. My sweet husband did great and I didn't even get mad at him. I wasn't sure how that dynamic would play out but we were an awesome team. The midwife that I chose was amazing and right by my side the whole time! Without her it would have been a lot harder and I don't think I would have loved my birth experience as much if she weren't there. If anyone is looking for midwife in the Salt Lake area, I would highly recommend you check her out. 

I know that everyone's body is different and not everyone can have an experience like mine. However I do think that anyone who wants to have an natural childbirth and prepares for it, can do it! 

Now that I have a child of my own I understand a little bit better the love that my Father in heaven has for each of his children. It still amazes me how much love I have for this little girl and how easily it comes. Sure she can drive me crazy when she wont sleep at night but I can't help but smile when I see her cute face. Being a mom sure has its ups and downs but its a job I wouldn't trade for the world.

My Controversial Trip to Europe

The end of March was my family vacation and unfortunately Justin had to take his National Boards right in the middle of it. So I had to leave Justin behind and went with the family to EUROPE! My parents figured its only going to get harder to have these family vacations now that Amie and I are both having babies. My sister Kara also missed out but she is on a Mission spreading the gospel in Independence, MO. Even though I missed my husband, it was still an amazing trip. My dad had a medical conference in Brussels, Belgium so we all flew into London and while we stayed there for 3 nights in a 5 start hotel he went on to Brussels. We met up with him there for a night, then we all went on to Paris for the rest of the trip. We saw so many wonderful things in each city. We ate some great food as well as some not so great food too. The two pregnant ladies had some difficulty walking all day but we were so glad we got to be there and experience it all. Thanks mom and dad for the once-in-a-lifetime trip!

I did bring back something from Europe that I didn't mean to though... the measles! I returned to Redding and thought I was getting the flu or a cold because my brother had been sick and I wasn't feeling great. That next weekend though I had a high fever, spots all over my body, spots in my mouth, bright red eyes, and a terrible cough. Home care is really the only treatment for measles but Justin took me to the emergency room when my fever was 104 to get checked out and pump me with some liquids to help bring it down. I stayed there for 7 hours and was out of it. I had to be quarantined. When I saw myself in the mirror I realized that I'd be pretty scared of myself if I didn't know what was going on. The nurses didn't want to release me but instead just monitor me for 3 days while the results of my blood test came back. The infection control Dr. knew that there wasn't really anything they could do for me there anymore. He had been talking with Justin and knew I'd be in good hands at home. As long as I stayed quarantined and came in if any complications arose, I was able to go home. Justin took great care of me and I made good recovery. It was a little scary there for a minute though. As far as we can tell the baby is OK too. I did make the news however! Without using my name they made a pretty good campaign for the vaccination companies and made me look like a menace to society. Hey, I didn't know I had the measles when I went out to Olive Garden! I thought it was the flu!
http://www.redding.com/news/2014/apr/08/shasta-county-sees-first-measles-case-in-17/
http://www.krcrtv.com/living/health/shasta-co-sees-first-measles-case-in-17-years/25369296

After seeing what the CDC was doing to my family and the comments people made about the articles I was pretty upset. I felt like I was being compared to a terrorist, intentionally harming others. Once I knew I had the measles I obviously stayed away from people. But why should they be so scared if they were vaccinated? My parents chose not to vaccinate me and I do not hold that against them. Did I enjoy having these illnesses? Of course not but my immune system has been strengthened by having chicken pox, measles, and rubella, etc. The measles is not a deadly disease. It used to be commonplace for children to get it and recover without any problems. Only if they had certain serious but very rare complications was it deadly. "From 1953-1963, about 500,000 children got the Measles every year out of a population of 2.5 to 4 million who were susceptible. That is a 12.5 to 20% infection rate. Of those infected about 500 had serious complications and died. That is a 0.1% mortality rate." A look at this graph shows that the measles was already on its way down due to better health and sanitary standards before the vaccine was even introduced. Hmm.

Check our this article to learn more about the measles https://www.drhansen.com/nature-is-still-wiser-than-man/

I don't like to be in the middle of a controversy, but I was thrown in face first. I believe some vaccines are good and even necessary. I think that whether or not parents choose to vaccinate their children is a personal decision to be made thoughtfully and prayerfully. I can respect those who choose to vaccinate as well as those who do not, without argument. I just wish that others would show the same respect, as we are all just doing what we believe to be best for families and children.

The Big Year

This year of 2014 is a big one for the Thompson's. We will have moved twice with potential for a third, we have a baby due in August, and Justin graduates as a Doctor of Chiropractic in October.

But first things first, the biggest news. Yes, we're pregnant! It's a little girl and she is due the middle to end of August. We weren't exactly trying but we had decided to stop preventing having kids. But both of us knew without saying it that it was time to have a baby. Now we refer to her as "belly" most of the time since we haven't been able to think of a name yet. She is pretty active in there, especially in the mornings. Justin and I love to feel her moving around, and he is convinced about how cute she is already.

Already a lot has happened just since being here in Redding. I am so grateful to my in-laws for helping us pack up our home in Davenport and take it to Utah. We moved here the first week of March and are renting a room out of an elderly couple's home. At first I was a little weary of the situation but, you can live anywhere for 3 months, right?! Our room is right next to theirs and our bathroom is just across the hall. They are really sweet people though and have been really kind to us. We have just the bare necessities: bed, closet, desk, mini fridge, microwave, and of course our own little balcony. Justin works at the VA clinic Mon-Thurs and I've taken the opportunity to just take it easy these 3 months. (I've read a lot of books!)

Now we are getting ready to move to Utah for Justin's second and final internship. He will be working at his uncle's office until graduation in October and then we'll see what happens from there. We could stay or we could buy/open up a practice somewhere else. I'm just taking it one step at a time!

Catch up

So much has happened since I last blogged.

• I switched jobs and went to work for the orthodontist across the parking lot form where I was before.
• Justin received the largest Scholarship offered at Palmer.
• Went to Utah for my older sister Amie's wedding!
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• Took another trip to Chicago
• Got released from my Young Women calling and put into the Nursery
• Ran the famous Davenport BIX 7 mile race twice
• Made a new best friend
• Had a 6 month bought in braces (Justin had his a little longer)
• Made it through two more Iowa winters (the latter being the coldest in 40 years)
• We bought a 2008 Honda CRV
• Justin applied and was accepted for an internship with the VA hospital
• Sold our '02 Galant
• Got pregnant
• Moved to Redding, California for the 3 month internship

Well that covers most of it, I think. I'll go into some more details in my next post!

paradise

This summer Justin and I were invited on my family's vacation  to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. It is one of the most beautiful places! I love the feeling of laying on a white sandy beach with crystal clear water, reading a good book surrounded by your best friends/family. It is my favorite thing ever.

My parents told Justin and I to just find a way to get down there and they would take care of the rest. So we saved up and bought plane tickets because there is no way I would miss out on that! We stayed at the Marriott Frenchman's Cove right on the beach. Justin had to sleep out with Chaz on the pull out and I slept in with my sisters but we didn't care.

view at our villa

Trunk Bay

Toes in the sand

Taking a trip to the British Virgin Islands

I love Boats!

The most gorgeous beach I have ever seen!

baths on the BVI

Our Sunday best

We ate good food, slept in (most days), played at the beach, and took an outrageous amount of pictures. It was awesome. 

All in all, we felt like some pretty lucky ducks.

As of late...

Ok so I haven't blogged in ages! Justin and I have now lived in Iowa for over a year and he is taking his first part of the four part National Board tests. He really is becoming a doctor! I finally got my certification as a dental assistant. I'm so glad I don't have to worry about that anymore!

 This summer we went with my family to St. Thomas (I'll share pictures of paradise later) and it was amazing. I love that place but loved being with my family even more. We all have so much fun together and even Justin and Chaz become the older/younger brothers they never had! Justin's Mom and Dad were able to come out to Davenport for different reasons but we were able to see them too. It is just so nice to be with family.

I have a new calling in the ward. Yes, that makes my fifth calling since being here. I am now the Young Woman's president! It is a little scary for me and half the time I have no idea what I'm doing but I love being with the girls. I still feel like I fit right in. When I was in young women's I loved going and was excited if we had more than one activity in a week, but now I'm realizing how much work it is and how much my leaders actually did for me. I just hope I can be half as good as the leaders I had. Justin has a new calling as the Ward Executive Secretary so that keeps him pretty busy as well.

I signed up to take Humanities 202 from BYU independent study. I want and feel that it is important to finish my degree. Justin and I have worked it out so that I'll be able to go back and finish while we are living in Utah for a couple years. I just love BYU :)

Its almost my birthday again and I just cannot believe how fast time has gone by. Next thing I know we'll be moving back to Utah and then on to... who knows where.

First Trip to Chicago

Chicago is only a 3 hour drive from Davenport. Justin and I have been talking about going ever since we moved out here and its now been a whole year! Justin's cousin and family are moving back to Utah this next month and wanted to go to Chicago one last time so it was perfect for us to go together. We all had some time off for the Memorial Day weekend so we packed up and left Friday morning and drove home Saturday night. We stayed in a little place close to the O'Hare airport and were able to take a shuttle to the airport where we could then take the train into downtown Chicago.

Friday we walked the Magnificent Mile and did some sight seeing. We went to the park, saw the huge bean, looked up at the Sears/Willis tower... To finish the night we just had to get some Chicago style pizza. We went to Giordano's for dinner and the pizza was amazing. It was filled with an outrageous amount of cheese but the crust was the best part.

The plan for Saturday was the Shedd Aquarium. There was a line two hours long to get in, but luckily we had a stroller for the little girls and there just happened to be a stroller line. So we only had to wait about 20-30 mins and got right in. There was so much to see and do there that you really could send all day exploring! (Justin and I did have to take a little break though to find a real Chicago hot dog for lunch.) 

We had tons of fun and were glad we got to share it with our cousins. Now we can go back and know what we're doing. We'll find more things to see and places to eat. We love good food and will travel to find it! 

   

On the drive home we were struggling to stay awake a little bit so after treating it with our caffeinated beverage of choice, Dr. Pepper, we decided to make lists of all the Disney movies we want to eventually own as well as musicals. It really helped keep us going through all the ridiculous toll roads!

Chicago is such a cool place and it was different than I was expecting. All the buildings are so unique, and everything is so close together. I'm so glad we could take trains and not worry about crazy traffic. I'm excited to go back and check out more of the city and go to stores and places that they just don't have in little old Davenport.