My First Day

Today was my very first day on my own as a mother of four children under the age of five. It was interesting to say the very least. Well, "interesting" may not be the best word to describe today. Hmmm. Imagine a small daycare environment complete with scattered toys and cheerios peeking out from under the furniture and one four-and-a-half-year-old boy with a mild fever and a frog in his throat communicating in his just-created-today version of sign language. He won't speak, but insists on pointing in various directions at objects seemingly non-related to get his dull mother just one day beyond total bedrest and pain meds to understand his request for a drink or that he wants his sister to move from her usual stance in front of the television. Wild waving of the arms like a drunk mime was added to my son's personal sign language in the late morning just as his fever spiked again. Also, visualize an eversoslightly chubby three-year-old girl dancing with Barney and his annoying friends on a throw rug that slides from side to side along the living room floor with each "cool dance move" that she copies from the purple dinosaur on the television. Add a small toddler to the dance floor, or rug, and you have a hilarious scene of clapping, marching, high kicks, singing and giggles...along with a drunk mime and cheerios now exposed as the rug draws them out from under the couches with each tumble and high kick dance move. Oh, and not to forget the newborn that tried his hardest to sleep in the midst of all the signing and dancing. He enjoyed nursing as if I were an all-you-can-eat-24/7-buffet and followed his meals with big burps and filled diapers - but no napping.

Then, there was the introduction of musical instruments. Barney revealed how a little imagination can change any toy or piece of garbage into a musical instrument. So, the dance floor was covered with toys, I mean, musical instruments. And, the playing continued until our late lunch.

Most of my day consisted of Isaac signing and gesturing until he finally consented to relaxing on the couch. Sophia played her newfound musical instruments and perfected her creative dance moves in the middle of the living room floor. Jack, not understanding Isaac's silence and erratic hand/arm movements, turned to his sister and tried his hardest to swipe one of her instruments only to run like heck to the other end of the house hoping she didn't tackle him in the process. Noah wasn't very successful at napping for most of today but he flew through half a pack of newborn diapers while he was awake. I found myself just thankful I wasn't bent over with a horrible headache. I could sit and enjoy the show and my four characters - and secretly vow to block Barney from my tv tomorrow. All in all, it was a hilarious and, yes, even an interesting day.

Back to Normal

Okay, okay...so I'm not what most would consider "normal" but I am back on my feet - my glorious FEET! - no longer needing to remain horizontal on my bed or the living room couch being tended to by Mom (I love my mother!) and my wonderful, devoted husband (love him, too!). My spinal headache subsided gradually over Saturday and I woke up Sunday morning with zero pain in my head and this morning I had zero pain in my back. What a drastic change! Thank GOD!!!

And, thank you to all of you who prayed and encouraged us throughout the looooong two week process while I was on bedrest. Again, I can't thank Mom, Michael (my taller/younger brother) and Brian enough for being such great nurses. They took care of me, a horizontal blob, our newborn, nonstop pooper/eater, and our three older children, energy-filled-limit-testing-while-Grandma-visits kids, for two long weeks and they were nice the WHOLE time!!! Not to forget all the family and friends that called and emailed to make sure I was still alive. Oh, and to Jenny for taking Isaac for that Monday afternoon (man, it was quiet that afternoon...maybe there's a connection???) and to Fletch and Sherry for the great flea market toys for the kids and to Suzette, Terry and Bob who came over to pray. And, (last "and" I promise!) to my sister for the beautiful flowers she sent to the house - ah, something pretty to look at while I laid on my bed. The kids were thrilled with their very own balloons.

I think that is everyone - if you did something wonderfully nice for my family in the past two weeks and I have failed to mention you by name I will just blame it on the drugs. Pain pills. Lots of pain pills.

So, I am 100% today after a pain-filled couple of weeks. Whew! Thank you GOD for your healing touch and for hearing the prayers of your people. You still work wonders among us in Jesus name.

Final words, as Noah is crying to eat AGAIN - for all of you that offered a meal while we learn to juggle four kids we would really appreciate the help.

sagging of the brain.

Ouch is what I thought when I read the likely cause of Lori's severe head ache, it's a common side effect when you have an epidural. Anytime one inserts a 1/8 inch diameter needle into the spinal column there is the possibility of fluid leakage which causes a pressure drop in the spinal column fluid which is also the fluid that cushions the brain. So the brain actually "sags" a little, and the pressure of the brain resting against the bottom of the skull results in a terrible headache that worsens when the person stands up. Because Lori was stuck 3 times with the big needle, one of which a blood vessel was ruptured, her chances of fluid leakage were tripled. Also anytime bleeding is involved the pressure from the blood forces spinal fluid out of the column. So my poor wife has been laid up in bed, and feels like she is missing out on this special time with the new baby and the rest of the kids. So... those are the circumstances surrounding her current condition. With that said please say a prayer for Lori to recover, she is in a lot of pain. Noah is doing great and I'm hanging in there thanks to all the help from Lori's mom. Talk to you all soon. Brian.

Bringing baby home.

Well we finally made it home. Everybody is doing good, Lori is a little beat up but is recovering. Noah is in great shape, a blessing from God, and the sibilings are so excited about their new baby brother. So we welcome Noah Alexander Biggers, and thank God for his life, and pray He will be a great preacher of the Gospel, and fullfill his destiny on earth.
We will keep you updated.

The Baby Has Arrived

born. 10/01/07 9:48pm 8 lbs. 4 oz.

Here we go again.

What's up everybody!?
Thought I'd give everybody an update. Here goes our fourth time around. After a long start to our weekend (extremely long for me) you know the 20 hours of work, sorting pricing, setting up ect. that go in to a yard sale my wife somehow managed to squeeze 56 dollars out of the suburban bargain hunters who love to pilfer through other peoples stuff and find that one baby gap sweater marked fifty cents that they think is only worth a quarter. Anyway as long as my pregnant wife is happy. Back to the baby though, Lori's contractions started some time yesterday around 11:00am with mild and sporatic contractions pretty much throughout the day and evening. I think I better hurry up as I look behind my shoulder either that breakfast sandwich I just ran and got her is really hot, or she's breathing through a intense contraction, now about 5 minutes apart, closes to time to go to the hospital. Grand Ma is on the way to hold down the fort, and I imagine we will be leaving here within the hour.So while the kid didn't get me out of the dreadful yard sale this weekend, he has got me out of work this week with plenty of time for my morning routine on this monday morning, now if we can get him out of there in a timley fashion this week just happens to coincide with the fall's prime fishing season. Alright so I'll try to keep you updated gotta run.
Brian.