Brooklyn Joyce Martinsen

Rob and I tried HypnoBabies for this birth, which is a positive thinking, self hypnosis, go natural program. People who can't have meds during surgery have done self hypnosis and been pain free. The mind is a powerful thing. We took 4 classes that taught me how to get into deep relaxation where I have the ability with my mind to send hypno-anesthesia through my body. Rob had a big part to play in it and would read scripts and help me focus. He was fantastic through the whole thing.
Well, my contractions started Sat. night and were 6 min. apart for about 6 hours, then they slowed and almost stopped during the day Sunday. That evening around 8:00 they became really regular. I had used my self hypnosis up to this point and it had worked pretty well. When they were 3 minutes apart we decided it was time to go to the hospital and it was here that I kind of lost my concentration.
Very shortly after arriving at the hospital, I looked up at Rob and said, "I think I want an epidural." Of course Rob said, "Whatever you want, that's great." So, though I felt a tad guilty for a moment (our hypnobabies instructor would not have approved), that blessed epidural was shortly in full force and I was in birthing heaven. I dilated quickly to 8 and they thought I would go so fast, but she hung in there for 2 more hours.
Near the end, during each contraction, her heartbeat would slow, so they thought a cord might be wrapped around her neck. They decided I would need a C-section right away. The doctor had checked me and I was still at an 8. I was about to be wheeled away when she checked me again, not 2 minutes later, and I had fully dilated. 3 pushes and she was out. It was truly a miracle.
Brooklyn Joyce Martinsen entered this world Monday, November 22, 2010 at 5:59 a.m. She weighed 6 lb. 10 oz. and was 20 inches long. She was healthy and beautiful and we are so grateful.


Okay, so you have to have one of those hideous hospital bed, "Wow, I'm glad that's over, I'm so tired," pictures right? This is it. So happy and relieved and grateful and tired:)


The proud Daddy. Rob was a trooper the whole time. He was right there whenever I needed him. I am so blessed to have such a truly wonderful companion. He's such a great husband and daddy.


Livvy had been at Tyson's, with our neighbors, with Grandma and Grandpa, pretty tossed around. I missed her so much when I was in the hospital and we couldn't wait for her to meet her new baby sister ??? (at this point we still hadn't decided on a name but were fairly confident about Elizabeth).
Grandma and Grandpa Monson helped Livvy pick out a gift for her sister. She was pretty timid at first and put the duck quickly into the little bassinet. She would say, "Baby sister!" and point to her. Her shyness soon left and she was hugging and kissing her baby sister. It was precious.


"Hmm. So you're the one that's been in Mommy's tummy for so long."


My mom and dad left Canada Saturday and stayed in a hotel in Dillon, Montana Sat. night. They woke up the next morning and their heater had broken. Of course it was Sunday so they had to wait until Monday to fix it and get to Provo. They finally made it Monday evening. Livvy was very happy to see them and so were we!


At home with baby Brooklyn. It's amazing how less stressed I felt with Brooklyn than I did with Olivia. With Livvy, I thought, "You are going to let us take this child home with us, really? You know we have no idea what we're doing, right?" We still don't really know what we're doing, but we have learned that babies are tougher than they look. Brooklyn is so sweet and will be a wonderful addition to our little family.


This is the first time Livvy has ever "posed" for the camera. What a ham. She loves her sister. Favorite phrases - "Baby Brooklyn, poopie (as she points to the baby), binky (as she puts Brooklyn's binky in her mouth, baby seeping (sleeping), How you? (she skips the are, less important)." I worried about how she would handle the new baby, but she has been fantastic. We love our girls!


Our sweet, precious little Brooklyn.