A few months ago, la, la, la, la, la.....I am driving down the road going about 30 mph when all of a sudden I was slammed by a truck 3 times the size of our Pathfinder. My kids were in the car, and I was 8 months pregnant. NOT FUN! We went through a huge hassel to get everything figured out which ended up costing us quite a bit even though we were not at fault.
Well, today we had another fun car incident! This morning at 5:00a.m. our car was broken into. Two young punks broke the window and busted out the stearing column and got our car running. The neighbor across the street heard the pounding on the window and called the cops. (He informed me that he couldn't run out and scare them away because he likes to sleep nude. In fact, he explained that to me several times!) The cops were there in less than 2 minutes and chased the guys down the street but they got away. So now we are once again left with another mess to clean up. Dave was already having a super stressful week and this topped it all off for him.
I am upset, but I am also amazed at how people can do such things to innocent people. The crime and theft here in Detroit astounds me. But, what can you do? We should count our blessings that our car was not stolen. Can I just say that I LOVE my mini van! (Crystler Town and Country 2005- silver) It rocks and I am glad it didn't get more beat up.
I am also grateful my husband didn't get beat up. It has been a few years since our last "break in" experience. Nothing will compare with that nightmare.

Here is our old Pathfinder. Sorry about how bloody that picture is. It kind of makes me laugh just thinking, "did that actually happen?" But, as Dave would say, "You should have seen the other guy!"

What is the ABC?

Tomorrow Tyler will be two months old. Before he gets any older, I want to write about his birth. For those of you who are not into birth stories, do not feel obligated to read. I can not write every detail (although I would love to) but I feel the need to share the amazing experience I had.

Two months before my due date, one of my good friends here in Michigan lent me the Hypnobirthing Book: The Mongon Method. By the first chapter, I was hooked! I have always been fascinated with the birthing process and deep down knew that I wanted to experience childbirth in a natural way. So this time, on round three, I decided I was going to go for it. With every chapter of this book I got more and more excited to have this baby. However, I knew that having a natural childbirth in a hospital was going to be a tough road to be allowed the freedom I desired. I then talked to my friend in great detail about her experience at the Alternative Birth Care Unit (ABC) and I knew that was the perfect answer. The ABC was connected, literally 50 steps away from the labor and delivery floor of St. John Hospital. If anything at all went wrong, I would be in good hands. So, I made my decision, I did the orientation and met with my midwife only once before going into labor.

Easter morning, my water broke at 4:00a.m. two weeks early. I was scared and excited, and felt pretty unprepared. After our Easter Egg hunt and a big yummy breakfast, we were on our way to the birth center. I was not contracting. I wanted to hold out as long as possible to hopefully go into labor on my own. I took a long nap and then did a lot of walking and jumping stairs to try to get things moving. By 11:00 p.m. I knew that the pitocen was waiting for me if I didn't get into active labor quick. I did NOT want this after having it with my other two births! So, the alternative, I drank 4 ounces of caster oil. I was gagging the whole time and I had to dilute it with 6 glasses of orange juice to get it down. Dave found the whole thing pretty hilarious watching me suffer like that.

It worked like magic! Within 30 minutes, my contractions were coming on strong and I knew it was time for the hot tub!

I not only had my midwife and her nurse, but I also had a Douala and Dave for my support the entire time. I went through one hour of pretty intense pain, but it was manageable with all the help I had. They did everything from using ice packs, the hot jets on my back, drinking ice water nonstop, using counter pressure on my back and legs, and helping me find the best positions to help the baby along. The three women and Dave were calm and relaxed the whole way and coached me through the toughest contractions. (There were probably only 2 or 3 contractions where I thought, "What the HE_ _ am I doing?" After I got through that, I thought, "Oh my gosh I am actually going to do this!!" I knew there was no backing out at that point and it got me excited to know that I was through the "ring of fire" as they call it.)

There is a lot more detail that I would love to share, but won't. (You never know who is going to be reading this!) However, I am so grateful to know what it is like to have a baby in a hospital with an epidural, and to know what it is like on the other end of the spectrum. If any of this sounds intriguing to you, let me tell you just a few of the things I LOVED about the birth center.

1. Never once was I treated like a "sick patient" who needed treatment. The nurses were truly my friends who were open to whatever I wanted. They were there to assist me, not tell me what they thought I needed.

2. My baby was never once taken away from me!! For me, that was one of the most frustrating things having Josh or Maddie taken for hours never knowing when I would see them again. That is one of the biggest priorities of the ABC; to have the mother bond with their baby as much as possible. They also have FABULOUS lactation consultants to promote breast feeding.

3. I was allowed to eat and drink anything leading up to the birth.

4. I never had one shot, needle, or poke of any kind! Hallelujah!

5. I never had to go through the crazy emotional side effects of the epidural and the other drugs in my system. In fact, even Dave was shocked at the difference in my well being after Tyler. He said, "I am just amazed by how....surprisingly pleasant you seem after this baby." I was anything but pleasant after my first two.

6. I was never strapped up to any machine or stuck on some hospital bed. I was free to move around the entire time.

7. Going to the bathroom and walking around just two hours after the delivery was a breeze compared to my first births. I had no idea that a recovery could be so easy. A few days after Tyler was born I felt almost completely back to myself. I believe the great recovery was due largely to pushing him out on my own and being able to feel what was happening.

8. It was incredibly quiet and peaceful at the ABC. Those of you who have had babies at the U of U know that someone knocks on that door every 15 minutes. That place is a mad house! Also, I was never rushed from one room to the next. The room I delivered in was where I remained for two days. In contrast, I thought there must have been a fire the way I was rushed from one room to the next in the hospital.

9. Dave was able to sleep with me on the queen size bed before and after the birth. Check it out. It was1000 times more comfortable than a hospital bed.

10. I learned that for the 95% of women who are not high risk, giving birth does not have to be viewed as a medical procedure. Hospitals and doctors are busy and always on a time constraint. I never felt rushed or hurried along in the ABC. Paperwork and getting communication lines crossed in hospitals can be extremely frustrating to a new mother. Even Dave was totally impressed with how on top of it they were with taking care of the details and not giving us the run around with what we needed.

The whole experience was wonderful and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a birthing experience that is totally their own. It is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and holding that precious gift makes it all worth it! Thanks for reading this far. Hopefully I can be of encouragement to anyone who wants to experience a natural, drug free birth.

With love,

A proud mother of three!

Ok, so my dear old friend from high school Anne Jacobson (actually Jr. High, but we had a love/hate relationship back then) tagged me. I don't really know what that means, but she wants me to answer a bunch of questions. Anne, I didn't want to do the high school ones, but instead I will answer the questions about my truest love...David Orme. Here it goes...

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER? Married for 9 years this August, but he's been my one and only since the first time we hung out in summer of '96.

HOW LONG DID YOU DATE? Dated 8 months before the mission, I was faithful and true through the mission (not according to him), and we were married in less than 5 months after he returned.

WHO EATS MORE? I would have to say me over the past year, but before that, Dave always took the cake.

WHO SAID "I LOVE YOU" FIRST? Dave said "I love you" on the night of my 18th birthday. I didn't hesitate to say it right back. That night was AMMMMMMAZING!

WHO IS TALLER? Hmmm...David. One night when I was pregnant with our son Josh, Dave said, "I just hope our son doesn't get your squatty genes!" Needless to say, I was super offended. You don't use the word squatty to a pregnant woman!

WHO HAS MORE SPEEDING TICKETS? We are both pretty good. Dave never gets pulled over. I always do, but I always find a way to get out of the ticket. (I've been pulled over in Michigan at least 6 times and never got a ticket!)

WHO IS SMARTER? I'll be honest...Dave. I feel like with each kid I fall farther behind. But thank goodness I am not the one studying my brains out in medical school.

WHO IS MORE SENSITIVE? We are both pretty sensitive, but I would say in a lot of ways Dave is. He is 100 times more sentimental.

WHO DOES THE LAUNDRY? Me.

WHO DOES THE DISHES? Both. Yesterday we got our FIRST dishwasher in all the years and apartments we have been married!!! It is a roll away one that you hook up to your sink. Pretty sweet huh? One day we won't be so ghetto. At least living in the states we now have hot water.

WHO IS MORE ROMANTIC? I think Dave. Actually, Dave all the way.

WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT? I never know who is sleeping where in our house.

WHO PAYS THE BILLS? Both

MOWS THE LAWN? Josh likes to cut the grass with scissors. He does it every day.

COOKS DINNER? I can't make dinner without my two little helpers trying to get in on everything.

WHO IS MESSIER? Dave, he would probably disagree.

WHO DRIVES WHEN YOU ARE TOGETHER? Dave most of the time.

WHO IS MORE STUBBORN? DAAAAAAAVE! Don't believe me, ask any one in his family!

WHO KISSED WHOM FIRST? This is a good story. All of his friends started putting the pressure on me to do it because they said he was never going to. I'll never forget when Brett Shields said to me at school (really loud, in front of Acappella) "Come on Kristine, you have your horse, now you gotta ride him!) So, that night I did. After a movie in his basement, I totally cornered him. (He was trying to get away, but couldn't!) I went in for the kiss and as soon as our lips touched he jumped back as if he had been shocked. He is going to kill me for writing that. Anyway, the answer was no doubt- ME.

WHO ASKED WHO OUT FIRST? Dave did, if you can believe it. I had liked him for months, but I made a pack with myself that I would not be the first to call him. It was well worth the wait!

WHO PROPOSED? That would be Dave. However, the very first time we talked about marriage was the night we set our date. We were young and stupid and totally in love and I have never regreted that decision.

Go Josh!

Mom: "Josh aren't you excited for Dan and Cortney to get married?"
Josh: "But mom, I want to marry Cort."
Mom: "You can't get married Josh, you're too little."
Josh: "But I want to be as old as Dan so that I can marry Cort!"
Mom: "Why do you want to marry Cortney so bad?"
Josh: "Because she is soooo cute....everyone thinks so."

Watch out Dan, someone wants to steal your woman!

Thanks Dave and Congrats to his little sister Jessie!

I wanted to post a picture of my cute husband and thank him for the wonderful Mother's Day he gave me. He went all out. I am not going to go into details, but he really out did himself. Thanks honey. I couldn't resist putting on a picture with a beautiful view of our old home. Oh, how I miss it.....daily! Thanks for all the adventures Medical school has taken us on.

P.S. Jessie had her baby today!! Congratulations Jess! Now Will and Jake have a sister! We can't wait to meet her. Tyler is just two months older. How fun to have so many Orme cousins!

P.P.S. Did you catch the season finale of "The Office" tonight?! That show is so great. I don't think a T.V. show has ever made Dave and I laugh so hard. I have such a love/hate relationship with Michael Scott. I thought the episode was hillarious, but the whole Pam/Jim engagement was a let down. There is always next season.

Happy Mother's Day!

What can I say about this wonderful woman? Hmmm. Where do I begin? I think my mom is very unique in a number of ways. I used to think it was funny how she would decide she liked a shirt and she would wear it everyday over and over. (Washing it ofcourse.) The way she dressed was not a big deal to her when we were growing up. I love things like that because she is such a natural and down to earth person. My mom loves nature. She is in awe of the mountains, she lives for the fresh air, she always is taken back by the beautiful skies, and she loves to be surronded by tree's and wild flowers. She does not take for granted the beauty of God's earth. She has passed this love down to her children. My mom loves animals. You can spot a true animal lover a mile away. Our pets were a real part of our family growing up. Thank you mom for allowing us to have our cats, dogs, hampsters, fish and frogs. Thank you also for taking in our beloved "Cru" when Dave and I had to flee the country for two years. (Ha ha)
My mom loves to be a kid. She is absolutely adorable with my kids. She knows how to talk on their level and relates with Josh's funny sense of humor. In her eyes, Josh can do no wrong. Even when he throws a stuffed animal at her head. My mom is an exceptionally loving person to children, to elderly people, and even to perfect strangers. She makes friends quicker than anyone I know. Whether at the gas station, the bank, the grocery store...anywhere.
The last thing I am going to say about my mom is that I love her sense of adventure. She can be a very spur of the moment person. (A quality I love!) "Mom, let's go to Bear Lake" "Ok, that sounds fun!" "Mom, let's go grab some food and take the dogs up Milcreek." "Sure!" It is hard for someone with MS to be spontaneous, but my mom can never turn down an adventure. Three years ago Dan, Kate, Dave and I snowmobiled her into the Alta cabin in the middle of the winter. The next day, when the snow mobils were gone, the question was, "how in the world are we going to get her down the mountain?" I had the brilliant idea of strapping her on a sled and each of us have a rope to steer and guide the tobagan from the cabin down the mountain. There were some steep hills and fresh powder and narrow trails through the trees. My husband said," Kristine, this is never going to work!" Not only did it work, but my mom had the ride of her life! We went fast and snow was flying over her the whole time. She was squealing like a little kid in excitement.
Mom, you are an amazing sport! Especially on your last trip to Michigan. Happy Mother's Day! Love, Kristine

IT IS OFFICIAL!!!

Dan and Cortney are getting married! We are so excited! Dan proposed tonight and they are getting married August 8th. (08/08/08!) It is so great to see my brother so happy and in love. (He hates it when I say cheesy lines like that. Sorry bro.) Cortney, I feel so blessed to have you as my new SISTER! Welcome to the family! It's a crazy one for sure. Way to go Dan. Good choice! We love you both.

My handsome little guy...

Today Tyler had his 6 week appointment. I couldn't believe it when the doctor told me he was 9 pounds! It is crazy how fast they grow. It made me think I better get some of these newborn pictures on here before he gets any bigger. The cute outfit he is wearing was given to him by one of his biggest fans...Papa Geoff Orme.

A few pictures I had to share!

These outfits were what Josh and Maddie wore for Joey and Ashley's wedding. All the cousins looked adorable! It is weird how it feels like last week I was pregnant, but at the same time it seems like I have had Tyler here forever.

My Maddie...

Maddie has so many nicknames. Every single one was given to her by her brother. Just to name a few...little doots, money's, bodies, littles, Matt's. Interesting name choices I think. Maddie is such a sweetheart most of the time. However, she does have much more of a fiesty side than Josh. I would say Maddie on the whole is more outgoing and social and Josh is more sensitive and shy at times. Maddie is not a big talker, but she always knows exactly what she wants. She will be turning two years old on May 29th. Dave and I will never turn down the opportunity to have a party and Dave has created the tradition of going all out on making homemade birthday cakes. Maddie had a Tinkerbell cake last year. I don't know what Dave will pull out of his hat this year. Besides having an adorable personality, Maddie is beautiful...wouldn't you say? Most days she looks more like a little rugrat covered in food and dirt.

My Joshua...

I love this boy! When Josh was a baby everyone said, "He has such a big mouth!" Maybe they said it because it was always wide open while he was screaming at the top of his lungs. That is not the point. I think he is adorable. Can you see his two front teeth? He came flying face first down a slide and crashed right into Maddie's forehead. We felt horrible for Maddie because she had two bloody scabs for a week, but Josh's pain lasted a lot longer. His front two teeth are dead, but I think it adds character. He is a wild and fearless kid and that is the only accident he has had. I think I am doing pretty good. Right now Josh has started a Marial Arts Karate class. It is the cutest thing ever to see them practicing their sidekicks and frontkicks. I love my little Josh. And boy does he love Tyler! More than I EVER imagined.

My pesty brother...

It looks like my brother already made some changes in my blog....can you guess where? He took out the cute picture of him and Cortney and replaced all the wording with Dave and Cru. I will get him back for that. How does Cortney ever put up with him?
P.S. Don't forget to look at the older posts for the month of April to see more pictures of my family with the baby.

I finally did it!

I started a blog! I think I have been asked 100 times if I have a blog. Well, it is about time. I am excited to keep my close friends and family updated mainly with pictures on the happenings in our life out in Michigan. This has been an absolutely amazing 6 weeks. I owe it all to the little guy kicking around in my stomach in this picture. I took some pregnancy photo's one week before Tyler was born. Good thing I didn't wait any longer because he came two weeks early. All I can say is that we all love Tyler and smother him with kisses all day and night.