Latest at the Greika House!

I've been so slack updating the blog! It's been busy with 3 kiddos! But the Greikas are doing great! Madelyn is 7 months now! Eating baby food and she started crawling and saying 'dadada' this week! I have thorougly enjoyed her babyhood! She has been such a sweet baby with such a gentle disposition! Mama is in love. I am so grateful to God for my 3 healthy, beautiful children!

I have been able to 'wear' Madelyn much more than the other babies. Dolan had reflux so bad so since he spit up all of the time I didn't wear him much. And I didn't know much about carriers with Isabel. But with Madelyn, the carriers have came in very handy trying to run after 3 kiddos!

So we have had the coldest, snowiest winter since we moved in Indy 4 years ago! It has been crazy! And we had a bad ice storm where Isabel was out of school for 3 days. But thankfully we did not lose power.

Max is adjusting as an only pup and doing pretty good. The cats just treat him like another cat rubbing up on him all of the time. Max is also walking again! Back before Christmas, he had a back injury and was totally paralyzed! After 8 weeks of crate rest he is walking again, almost totally back to normal, just a little wobbly. And Madelyn LOVES Max, she is always trying to get to him. And Max is so good with her. He always sits next to her on the floor 'on guard'.

Isabel has been busy in first grade! First grade was quite an adjustment compared to Kindergarden but we are getting the hang of it and Isabel is doing better. She also still LOVES gymnastics and is getting pretty good. And she is getting so grown up. The other day she asked if she would be spending the night with Jodie (her neighbor friend) and when I told her yes she said "Awesome" and did a little knee drop with her fist. Haha. I can't believe my baby will be 7 in 2 months!!

Dolan is getting so big - 3 1/2 and he is taking quite an interest in learning his letters! He already knows most of them and how to spell Dolan. And he loves 'reading' books! I think he is trying to keep up with big sissy who is reading a lot for school. And he LOVES baby girl. He is constantly all over her, trying to pick her up, hold her, and play with her. And he is STILL Superman! He got that outfit for his birthday back in August and has pretty much lived in it ever since!

I have been busy with my doula business. While Madelyn was a infant, I took time getting my certification paperwork done (which I had been sitting on for 2 years!) and starting my Facebook page. And I had my first client since having Madelyn about a month ago! I figured I would take off more time but I just can't stay away because I just love it! I have also started training as a labor assistant and got my neonatal resuscitation certification. I keep getting drawn to learn as much as I can.

And Corey is doing great! He is the best daddy and husband, as always. And thankfully his work is going well. In addition to leading our small group, he also became a Bible Study Fellowship leader teaching elementary school kids one night a week. I am so blessed to have such a Godly man leading our household.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Enjoy the pics!

Mommy and Baby Girl love our Beco Butterfly II

I'm eating big people food now :)

My big 1st grader!

My Ballerina Fairy Princess - Dress up for school

Dolan is STILL Superman!

I'm crawling now!

Sibling love

Snowiest Year since we have been in Indy!

Baby Girl

Max giving Madelyn some love :)

Happy girl!

Madelyn sleeps just like Isabel did. She always flips to her belly!

Cuddling with Daddy

Our Beloved Chloe

Our beloved 12 yr old dachsund, Chloe, passed away on Christmas day. We knew it was coming as she had gone downhill in the last month and was blind and diabetic but she is greatly missed. We got her and her brother, Max (who is still kicking) 2 months after we were married 12 years ago. So it was bitter sweet as the pups have been around for our entire marriage journey. And for those of you who knew Chloe, she had quite a life. She was attacked by a big dog when she was 3 years old and her face was permanently disfigured where she no longer had a black nose or top lip. Then 3 years ago she was diagnosed with diabetes and lost one eye from glaucoma caused by the diabetes. And she eventually went blind in her other eye due to glaucoma. But she was quite a fighter! She was such a little piglet she never turned away food even through all her trauma, until the day she died. She was a sweetheart and loved to give kisses. Chloe also taught us a lot about being different.

Christmas morning we woke up and she wouldn't get out of her crate to go potty. She had surgery 2 days before to remove her remaining eye that had become very infected. And we knew because of her age and the diabetes, she might not have survived surgery. But we decided to give it a shot instead of put her right down as the infection was so bad it would have killed her and was painful. Well she did wake up from surgery and came home and ate but went down hill after that. So when she wouldn't leave her crate Christmas morning, we carried her outside to go potty and she was too weak to stand. We showed her her food and she wouldn't eat. So we knew this was it. I brought her upstairs in our room and wrapped her in a towel and Corey and I took turns being with her saying goodbye. I also called some emergency vets to see if I could take her somewhere to put her down so that she didn't suffer anymore. One vet was going to meet us there at 3:00 pm. However, Chloe peacefully passed away on her own around 1 o'clock. As sad as it was, I am glad we all got to say goodbye to her and she went on her own terms.

Chloe Elizabeth Greika

5/20/98 - 12/25/10

Madelyn's Homebirth

I finally got the slideshow of Madelyn's Birth together! Too see the PICTURES click the GREEN 'Madelyn's Homebirth' link below:

Madelyn's Homebirth

And here is the story:

I woke up about 1:30 am with a very strong contraction that I knew right away was different from the ones I had been having for weeks. After having 2 more strong contractions that were 5 minutes apart I got up and woke up my husband telling him I thought this was it. (My last labor started like this where I had been walking around 5 cm for a week and immediately went into active labor once it started and it was only 4 hours long).

I went to the bathroom and labored on the toilet for about 15 minutes and the contractions immediately started to get closer. So I called my midwife at about 2:00 telling her I was in labor. She asked if I wanted her to come yet and I wasn't sure. I knew it was only 4 hours last time so I was wondering if it would be that quick this time or even quicker. But I told her to wait a little longer to make sure it doesn't slow down. Well within 15 minutes I called her back and said to come because they were already 3 minutes apart and getting even stronger. At this point I also called my doula and 2 friends that would be helping with kids (if they woke up), pictures/video, etc.

Then I decided to labor on the birth ball for a couple contractions but it wasn't that comfortable. Meanwhile my husband was turning on my favorite slow praise/worship songs, lighting candles, laying down chux pads, checking on the birth pool water temperature (which ironically we had just filled earlier that night hoping labor might come in the next couple days). After the birth ball, I labored standing up for a couple contractions and then decided to sit straddling my desk chair trying to focus on the music, praying and staying relaxed. At this point Corey was with me and I needed him to push on my back during the contractions. At about 2:40 my midwife's assistant showed up since she lives closer than the midwife. Next my friend Kari showed up to be in charge of pictures (who happens to be a professional photographer :)).

At this point I couldn't focus on the music anymore and decided to put in Hypnobabies CDs. I planned on using my ipod but of course the battery was dead so I just played the CDs out loud. I decided to lay down on my side for a minute and try to get into 'hypnosis'. Amazingly it was working pretty well. I was still in a lot of pain but it was helping me stay relaxed. My midwife showed up at 3:20 while I was laying in bed listening to Hypnobabies and checked the baby's heartbeat.

Then I decided it was time to get in the birth tub. The tub was a HUGE relief. I had 2 pool noodles in the tub and was able to float around on my side with those feeling totally weightless leaning my head on the side. Hypnobabies was still playing so I just focused on that and got really relaxed. My contractions slowed down from about 3 minutes apart to 6 minutes or so but it was a welcomed break and they were still very strong. I asked the midwife if I should get out if it is slowing down and she said not yet that we could just relax and see what happens. They started picking up again and I floated around into different positions as I felt necessary. During this time I got out of the tub a couple times to pee.

At this point, my back was really hurting and I needed counter pressure during every contraction. Corey started talking me through each contraction reminding me to relax and breath while my doula either applied back pressure or hip pressure. We had taken the Bradley Method birth classes earlier in my pregnancy which was a huge help to Corey and he knew just what to do. My doula also rubbed lavender oil on my back and stomach to help me relax. I started making low moaning sounds during contractions to help me relax. During a particularly strong contraction, I started repeating a bible verse out loud, "I can do all things the Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13, and my midwife started saying "Yes, that is right" which was really encouraging.

Around 5:00 am I got nauseous and threw up twice in the bucket. I was also shaking and suddenly got very hot requesting the fan. I knew this was a good sign, that I was in transition! After that I had a few contractions with rectal pressure. I didn't feel like I had to push yet but I could definitely feel more pressure. At this point my back was my biggest complaint. I asked Lynda to check me and she said I was complete and the head was right there and I could push when ever I felt the need. My doula asked if she could pray for me and she said an eloquent pray asking God to be with me during this next part and give me strength which immediately gave me the courage I needed as the pushing part had been the part I had feared the most. Ironically my Hypnobabies CD was still playing in the background and just got to the "Push your Baby Out" track!

For the next 20 minutes or so I didn't feel like I had to push yet so I just let the baby labor down while trying different positions in the tub trying to relieve my back pain but nothing really helped it. Finally I started feeling some pushy contractions so I started gently pushing with them to see if it felt better. At this point I was floating in a semi-squat position and Corey had gotten in the tub with me and kept constant pressure on my back. Corey had been doing an amazing job talking me through each contraction up to this point but now I wanted no talking. It was funny because he kept trying to talk to remind me to breath/relax and I think I got pretty snippy telling him to be quiet.

At this point I just focused on the Hypnobabies and followed my body. It was amazing how my body took over and started pushing for me. Nobody was telling me when to push and I wasn't pushing very hard. I just gently pushed whenever I had the urge. It went kind of slow as I probably pushed for about 1 1/2 hours but it was nice just following my body. Also I only had a tiny tear this time that didn't even need a stitch. Where my last birth in the hospital I was 'coached' and pushed as hard as I could and torn in several directions.

During the pushing I really started praying during contractions which really helped me stay calm. As I laid there floating in the water, I mediated on Christ and His suffering on the cross which really gave me strength. I instantly felt His presence with me. Now I was floating on my back with Corey sitting behind me pushing on my back. At some point during the pushing my water broke. Then I started to feel the burning with the head starting to come out but my back was what was bothering me so much that I didn't even mind the stretching pain and was actually excited to feel it because I knew it was getting close. I was so ready for the baby to be out and asked my doula to pray for me. She said a quick prayer and the baby's head popped out with the next push. Just having the head out was such a relief. Then with the next contraction I pushed the shoulders out and the midwife told me to grab my baby. I grabbed her and pulled her up out of the water to my chest! She was breathing right away and let out a cry. It was amazing! After a few minutes we got out of the tub and into the bed. I tried to start breastfeeding Madelyn but she wasn't too interested and just rested on my chest. Then I pushed the placenta out and Corey cut the cord. She was born around 7 am and amazingly my other 2 kids slept through the whole thing. They were up the night before with fireworks and didn't wake up till around 9:30 and woke up to their new baby sister!

I couldn't have done it without my great team; Corey, my doula, my midwife and assistant and last but not least Jesus Christ!

Madelyn Grace 7/5/10, 6:58 am, 7 lbs, 9 oz

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" Philipians 4:13

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" Psalm 37:4

New favorite pics!

I took these pics myself and my friend Johnnie photoshopped them for me. See her awesome blog for all kinds of craftiness http://www.savedbylovecreations.com/ Thanks Johnnie!! I am getting them made into canvas for free plus shipping. Check out the deal here:

http://www.canvaspeople.com/special-offer?utm_source=HO_CP&utm_medium=Affil&utm_campaign=promo

Isabel lost her 2nd tooth!

Dolan's Quote of the Day!

Dolan was outside playing and he was trying to take his jacket off. I told him he needed to keep it on because it's cold outside and he said "No, it's cold inside my jacket". Hmmmm, the arguments a 3 year old will make!

Baby girl is flipping over both ways!

So since this blog is also acting as baby book journal just wanted to post a quick update because today Madelyn is rolling over from back to tummy! She has been doing tummy to back for a couple weeks but now she does both. She is only 3 mos, 3 weeks. Such a little wiggly worm!