Henry's birth story.

On September 12 around 6:00pm I was having more severe cramping and contraction all 8-7 minutes apart. As the  be night went on around 9:00 they started to get more and more painful. We called the Midwife and she told us to come in I was still only about 1cm  dilated. So we went home to try and get some sleep.

10:30: I was really tired and trying to sleep in between contractions. The key word their is trying I could not sleep between them. I was still not convinced I was in labor even tho I could not really talk through my contractions.  

11:30: I was laying on the bed and felt alot of pressure then what felt like a water balloon popping inside of me I stood up a waddled to the bath room. Yup my water broke. So we called again and she asked if I wanted to come in now or labor a bit at home. I decided to stay at home for a while but after my water broke it was really taking it toll on me so off we went at around 1:00 at night. It was only a 15 min drive to the birthing center but oh my gosh I hated every minute of it. So not comfortable laboring in a car. 

1:00: I was now fully effaced and 3cm dilated. I then figured out how to get through a contraction without crying and making high pitch almost screaming noises. 

2:00am-11:00am: I was having contractions ever 5 minutes and slowly making progress. I got in a warm tub held on to Edward, hunched over a yoga ball, swayed my hips and body back and forth while I walked. One thing that helped me through was opening and closing my hands as I said in a very quite voice "I can do this. I can do this." over and over or making low moaning sounds with Edward. My husband was so helpful every time a contraction came he would say "relax your body" and I would remember not to tighten up my body. through this whole time I was munching on crackers, drinking water, drinking a fruit smoothie that the Midwife made me and trying to keep up my strength. Meanwhile they would check Henry's heart every couple hours and it was spot on perfect every time.

11:30: am: I was so close to 10cm just a little lip of my cervix needed to be pulled back. At this point his head was pushing so hard on me and I really wanted to push but I needed to wait till my cervix was ready. At this point I was so tired and starting to loose it. I had to blow air out to keep from pushing. For the next three hours I was in a lot of pain and very upset. I started growling and screaming a couple time and balling my eyes out. I was between a rock and a hard place I thought I would never give birth to him. 

2:00pm: I was finally ready to push I was laying on my side and had both legs pulled up as far as I could pull them. Contraction after contraction came and I was really feeling the pain but some how I still pushed and tried to block the pain. In between contractions I would sprawl my legs out and nurses and midwife would touch me and relax me. They put warm wet cloths down below and would pull down and tell me to push. At the beginning I just wanted to scream during my pushing but it doesn't really help. My midwife said "Don't scream up there scram out you vagina" haha. Then the last couple contractions came and she said "Get angry push that baby out." Finally I saw his head full of dark hair. I couldn't believe I was doing it. Then a final push and he was out at 2:44pm. They set him on my chest and I was still in shock. Edward looked at me with tears in his eyes and said "That's our son Kelsey. I love you so much." They checked Henry's vitals while he was on me and then we started recovering.

I am so thankful for being able to have such a sweet baby boy and I am so thankful I was able to have a natural birth that I wanted. It was truly amazing and I know that heavenly father was there to help me and gave me the strength to give birth safely.

The Linn Family visits Kansas!

We have been in Kansas since June 1st! I am in love with this place, still miss Texas and friends but having moved to such a great area with lots to do makes it a bit easier. The first week was just unpacking and getting familiar with the area around us. We have a Whole Foods a mile from our apartment! AHH! I love that place I spend far to much time there sampling cheese and finding all kinds of fun new healthy foods to try out. A week after we moved my family came up to visit for the weekend Erik is going on a mission to Reno, Nevada and we all went to the brand new Kansas city temple together. It is a beautiful temple about 30 min from us in Independence, Missouri area. Afterward we had lunch and went to Liberty Jail where one of the Prophets our church Joseph Smith was imprisoned for 6 months while his wife, children and other many other Latter-Day Saints were driven out of Missouri. It was an amazing experience I highly recommend visiting if you find yourself in the area if your LDS or not, very interesting history. It is so awesome being around so much of the early history of our church and what the early members of the church had to go through to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has really built my testimony of Joseph Smith that he really is a prophet of our Heavenly Father.

Erik, Ross and Mom at the Kansas City Temple

Erik's first time going to the temple! 

The whole family at the temple! 

After visiting Liberty Jail we went another 50 miles north to another church site "The Valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman". This is where Joseph Smith recived revaluation that this was the place Adam his family lived and blessed this land after being thrown out of the garden of Eden. We also believe that Jesus Christ will return here prior to the second coming.  For even more amazing information about "Adam-ondi-Ahman" visit this link. http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/adamondiahman/ This place is so beautiful! It is actually a mission in our church. They have 8 missionary couples that will live on the property to keep 3,000 acres beautiful and well kept. We all had a really fun and amazing experience while my family was here so glad they could come visit. 

23 weeks!

23 weeks now! I feel so much better! I feel half normal now. I only throw up every couple weeks and only feel sick every once in a while. We also found out baby Nicholes is a BOY his name is Henry James Nicholes! I am so excited! I love feeling him kick and move around it is totally crazy growing a baby inside of you. When we got the ultra sound I was surprised to see him moving and actually had the for of a human. I saw his little toes, fingers and his profile. I love him so much and I have not even seen him yet.

Another development in the Nicholes home is we move to Kansas City, MO in less the 2 weeks! It is bitter sweet because we have all new opportunities for work, super nice place to live, school and to meet new people but, we are leaving lots of friends and family behind. We are going to miss Texas so much but I don't think it will hit me till we have been in Kansas for a while. That is about all I have to report, just packing and saying goodbye to everyone. I can't wait for another adventure with Edward.

15 weeks!

I am now 15 weeks and will be 16 weeks on 2 days. So far I have still not seen the light at the end of the morning sickness tunnel. First day of my 2nd trimester I had a little throwing up-fit. I think the reason things have been so awful this week was I was all go last week with not alot of sleep. We were trying to find a apartment in Kansas City. I felt sick that entire ride but had so much fun with Edward! Did I mention I have best husband ever! We have so much fun together the whole ride up and the whole ride back we just talked and talked and talked.(Warning: Gross Prego Talk) He has been so helpful this pregnancy I know he hears all of my complaining, mons and knows all my symptoms. He is always there to get me a puck bucket, help me clean up puck and always rub my feet and back when things start to get really bad. So he has just been so sweet to me. Other then that I am having to get up and pee every 2 hours a night and still really tired. My gums bleed when I brush and are swollen and I always have something in my mouth to keep from feeling really sick. I have no passion for food I don't really like anything I eat plenty but I am full after just a couple its of food. I can't wait to enjoy food again .On the bright side I have had plenty of sleep this week so lets hope that helps things.

I know the last paragraph was full of symptoms and yucky stuff but I honestly love being pregnant.  I am so excited to hold our sweet little baby. I can't wait to find out the gender so that he or she can have a name instead of baby or it. I have a little bump now and gained 5lbs yay! I was a little underweight so it has been hard to put on some pounds. I think it's really funny how I imagined pregnancy before I was pregnant. I figured if you are super healthy and fit, symptoms will be mild. I saw myself eating all kinds of veggies (I hate veggies now) and doing a really well with going to school full time, still doing well in ballet, not getting tired always cooking and cleaning and doing the regular things I do and just being a super awesome pregnant girl. Wow I was so wrong. Sometimes my biggest accomplishment of the day is doing the dishes. I keep telling myself things are going to get better and I won't feel so sick all the time. Who knows if anything will get better but I know the baby and I are healthy despite feeling awful.

Soon to be a family of 3!

We are pregnant! We could not be more excited after a awesome 1 year of marriage to! Aside from all the symptoms I have, at times I still can't believe that we will have another member in our family. The due date is September 9th 2012. (Year of the Dragon baby) So we found out New Years Eve. I just had a feeling that I was pregnant and sure enough 3 test later all positive. After we found out we went out to Chili's and had a little mini celebration before we went and danced till the New Year with friends. I was just our little secret for a while till we told close friends and family.

I also didn't have to many symptoms till about my 6th week. Which as also when school started. It all started with being able to smell everything! I have never smelt so many strong smells in my life. Also, eggs smell like really smelly dog food.... not sure what that's about. Along with the bloodhound nose I have comes with the urge to throw up about 80% of the time and throwing up fits. Who ever called it "Morning" sickness lied! But on the upside I am super happy! I cry for no reason but I and just so super happy and excited to be a parent with my best friend! I have grown so much since meeting, dating and now married for a year. I love Edward more and more everyday. Did I also mention how helpful he has been while I have been pregnant? I thought he was amazing before but wow he is always there to give me a hug and snuggle with me and help clean up puck out of the carpet when it sneaks up on me. (Sorry lots of puke talk) I LOVE HIM! So amazing!

So on January 25th was the first doctors appointment since we found out we where pregnant. I actually did not faint while giving 4 veils of blood! (I always faint!) Anyways so we had our first ultrasound, it was amazing! This tiny little baby had a heartbeat we could see! Then we heard the heartbeat and I so overwhelmed with how beautiful that sweet little heat beat sounded! Yeah I am dying to know this sweet spirit we have been blessed to have.