Good Bye 20's, you were good to me

Today I leave behind one decade of my life and enter another, I am now 30. Holy Cow! Where has the time gone? My 20's were awesome, I accomplished all of my life's goals in my 20's. The decade started in the best way possible, I had a first date with the most amazing man on my 20th birthday. Six months later we were married in the San Diego Temple. After we were married I started nursing school. I graduated from BYU with a BS degree in Nursing a few years later. And of course, the best thing that happened in my 20's, I had all 4 of my children. I am everything I ever wanted to be, a wife, a mother, and a nurse. Randy and I have had a lot of fun together these past 10 years. I have loved every minute of it, well almost, there was that year and a half that he was sick, but even that wasn't so bad. Our best adventure was a trip to Hawaii when Jacob was a baby. But, we don't need expensive vacations to enjoy time as a family. Everyday is an adventure with these kids. Even though my list of accomplishments is not very long I feel really good about the way the last decade went. And, while it is a strange feeling to no longer be in my 20's, I am excited to move forward with my life and accomplish new goals, like getting these kids through childhood in one piece.

A personal question

Okay, so I have kind of a personal question, I need some advice from my friends. I am considering getting an IUD at my doctors appointment next week, but for some reason I am really nervous about it. At this point in my life I do not want any more babies, but I want to reserve the right to change my mind, so I don't want anything permanent. I have always just taken the pill, but that seems too temporary and there is too much possibility of error. The IUD seems like a good, hassle free alternative. But, is it really? I don't know much about it except what I read in the pamphlet the doctor gave me. So, if any of you have had one I want to know if you liked it or not. Any problems with it? My six week appointment is next Thursday, I need to decide by then what I am going to do. I would appreciate any insight you can give me. Thanks.

One Month

Natalie is now one month old. And what a month it has been! I have to say it was one of the most challenging months of my life. I have been plagued with numerous random illnesses, and in between all the sickness have had breastfeeding troubles. The first 10 days of Natalie's life were wonderful. I felt great, was healing wonderfully, had only minor and normal breastfeeding issues, and then the fun started. The Monday before Christmas I started having stomach pain. Randy and I went to Wal Mart to try to finish some last minute shopping. But the pain got so bad we had to go home. I wasn't nauseous, but still threw up a couple of times, without any relief. Randy said to me, "This is just how I was when I had appendicitis." I pressed on my right lower side and had sharp pain. I started to freak out, I can not have appendicitis, I have a brand new baby, it is almost Christmas, I can not go to the hospital and have surgery! So I had Randy and my Dad give me a blessing and then went to bed. When I woke up the pain was still there but not worse. I still had some pain the next day, but it was managable, and by Wednesday it was gone. Then on Thursday, Christmas Eve, I had flu like symptoms, without the fever. I spent most of the day in bed. I was okay on Chirstmas, but the next day I did have a fever and aches and chills and spent even more of the day in bed. I was so greatful to have my mom and dad here to help. They left on the Sunday after Christmas. After that I got a little cold. Then one night somewhere in there I woke up in the middle of the night throwing up. And to top it all off I got mastitis last Tuesday night. Worst pain I have ever been in, including labor. Now the mastitis is gone, but the cause of the mastitis is not gone and I am still suffering with some breast pain. Will this ever end? I have to go back to work soon. I need to be all better. All of this has just made me more sure that I do not want any more babies. I never want to be pregnant again, and I never want to go through this again.

The happy part of this story is that I have a beautiful sweet baby girl. She is doing wonderful. She sleeps well, eats well, is healthy and growing. She couldn't be better.