The Banks Family

I didn't realize how little photos I had of him. The midwife took a bunch of pictures right after I had him, but I felt like they were a little private (even edited). So, I will have to take more pictures of him and post later. Especially when the kids get home from grandma's. I miss them so much! They've been gone since Thursday, August 25th and she doesn't want to bring them back until Sunday, September 4th! She doesn't get to see them that often though, now that we are 3 hours away.

My contractions came and went for about 3 weeks, which was super frusterating. They finally stuck yesterday from about 4pm and kept getting stronger as time went. I called my midwife about 6:30 and told her she should head over in about a half an hour. She made it here by about 7:30pm. I think we finally filled the birth tub at around 8:30 and I climbed in and stayed there. It felt so awesome! The contractions started getting really bad some time around 10pm and I was praying for it to be over close to 11pm. I asked him for help and for only one more contraction and then I could start pushing and it happened! It was awesome that he answered my prayer just like that. This was the hardest pushing job I've ever had. It hurt SOOO Bad! And it took a long time. Well, I'm use to like 10 minutes of pushing, and maybe that's all it took, but it hurt worse. It's like he stopped halfway. His nose was sticking out, but I had to try really really hard to push the rest of him out. But finally he did. He didn't breathe for what seemed like a really long time and he was really limp. But he finally started breathing, but it took him awhile to cry. My midwife (s) were awesome! They were so calm and collective and did a good job reassuring me I was doing great.

So, his name is Logan Teancum Banks. He weighed 9lbs and 11oz. He's 21 inches long and his head is 14 inches. He is quite the sleeper. It's been about 13 hours since he was born and I am tired, (couldn't really sleep last night) and I feel so weak. It hurts to stand, my back is so sore, my hemmoroids are hurting pretty bad and I think my uterus is taking a long time to shrink back, because Logan doesn't want to eat, he just wants to sleep!

But I am so happy he is finally here! Only 2 days late!

I'll post pictures later. I haven't updated the camera yet.

I took a pee test to find out what the sex of the baby is and it says "Girl", so poor Enoch. He'll be able to relate to his uncle Jake.

I had a dream before I found out that I was pregnant that we had a little boy. And then like a week or two later, my period was late and the pregnancy test came back positive. So, naturally I automatically thought "We're gonna have a boy!". Well, I guess not all dreams are visions, if the pee test is right.

But needless to say we had a boy name picked out the first week. Logan Teancum Banks. Nathan has been BEGGING for the Teancum name. Knowing me, I give in, but not to the extreme of the first name.

And then the pee test comes back "GIRL". Well, now what! We haven't even thought of any girl names! So, back to square one.... Brooke is number one on the list so far. I have lots of names that I like, but Nathan won't agree with. I like: Giselle and Keira, I don't know why I can't really come up with any... maybe the test is wrong and it is a boy!

So I'm 15 weeks and the baby is due the end of August. I'm at the point where it looks like I might be pregnant, but your afraid to ask cause you might offend me if I'm not. It'll be nice when it's obvious, but I guess thats a ways away...

1 (13-14) pound bone in turkey

2 teaspoons salt, divided

2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper, divided

10 Tablespoons softened butter, divided

4 garlic cloves, minced

6 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

4 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

8 fresh sage leaves

1 onion, quartered

1 lemon, quartered

6 cups chicken broth

1. Preheat oven to 325

2. Sprinkle turkey breast cavity evenly with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper

3. Stir together 6 Tablespoons butter, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice

4. Loosen skin from turkey without detaching it; spread butter mixture over turkey breast (under the skin)

5. Arrange 4 sage leaves under skin on each side of turkey breast

6. Gently pull skin over turkey

7. Spread remaining 4 Tablespoons butter evenly over skin

8. Sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper

9. Place onion and lemon quarters in cavity of turkey breast

10. Place turkey breast, skin side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan

11. Pour chicken broth in pan

12. Bake at 325 for 4 hours and 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 170, basting every 30 minutes with pan drippings

13. Shield loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning, if necessary

14. Remove onion and lemon quarters; discard, reserve pan drippings

15. Remove turkey to a platter and cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm

16. Let turkey stand 10 minutes before carving

17. Serve with reserved pan drippings and/or garnish with sage leaves, parsley, and lemons, if desired

Happy Thanksgiving!