Eva's Birth Story in 100 Words or Less ... December 2007

I am 36. Other 3 babies 1 week “early”; this one is a week “late.” Not sure if I’m in labor early morning, so call Mom anyway to come watch the kids. Snow starts on way to hospital. Slow progression, I can actually walk, listen to music without being annoyed. Start to finish = 7 hours, but not painful until water broken. No epidural. Time to push, oxygen mask, panic. Felt baby going back up after each push. Heard “vacuum extraction” and REALLY pushed. Got to check for myself: it’s another girl! Born 2 p.m., 7 pounds, 13 ounces.

Callie's Birth Story in 100 Words or Less ... February 2005

I am 33. Repeatedly pressured to induce. I keep saying no. I wake from a nap with my sons and have large blood clot. I call an ambulance and must leave my boys at home (not alone!). The EMT talks of C-section, but I know nothing is wrong. Sonogram says all is fine. Friend/doula helps us through the birth. Five hours of labor, not too painful, no epidural, no broken water, out in 3 pushes. Aron cut cord. I get to lift the baby’s leg and see that “it” is a girl! Born 10 p.m., 8 pounds, 5 ounces.

Michael's Birth Story in 100 Words or Less ... April 2003

I am 31 and in labor at 5 a.m.? To hospital to see. Yep. Mom and Joel went to the park when my first cuss word slipped out from pain. Want water broken? Yes, so I can hurry in case Joel needs me. Writhing around, no epidural, some Stadol. Saying, “help me.” HARD contractions – finally I say, “Need. To. Push.” Nurses never believe me. Pushed not long, seemed fast, all is well. Hard labor = 4 hours. Got to see for myself that “it” was another boy! I cut the cord. Born 2 p.m., 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

Joel's Birth Story in 100 Words or Less ... June 2001

Some people dig reading birth stories — those who are pregnant and want to get prepared, those who have just given birth, those who just find birth fascinating. However, they can get a little lengthy. So here’s my 4-part series on short birth stories.

I am 30. In labor night before scheduled induction. Labor start to finish = 24 hours. Painful part – only 12. No epidural. Some Stadol — makes me feel drunk. Breathe in through nose, out through mouth for hours, concentrating on the rhythm. Broken water, catheter, lots of intervention. Pushing couple of hours in every position possible with no results. Finally I suggest vacuum extraction, and it’s the worst pain I’ve ever felt. Cord around his neck, blue, but all is well! I hemorrhaged, Pitocin needles in my hips, panic. Born 10 a.m., 7 pounds, 10 ounces.

My Money Story

Update 11/5/18 and this is our pool, pond, 8 acres and there's a house that came with it that we never could have imagined living in. God is good.

I get so excited when my husband plugs his travel figures (expenses, overtime) into my Excel spreadsheet.

I love December because I get to set up my household budget Excel worksheets for the coming year.

Who needs the Internet on their computer to have fun?

I was married for a few years when I was younger. The guy was not only physically abusive, but he was financially abusive. We wrote hot checks, finagled free food, made $10 payments on thousand-dollar credit cards, took out payday loans. Then there was the shoplifting. And the money we owed the IRS.

Anyway, after our divorce it took me some time to get my financial act back together. I say “back” because, before I met him, I had a nice savings account and a checking account with money to burn. I could pay for community college all by myself, and my car insurance, too. I had bought two (cheap) cars before I turned 19.

So imagine my excitement when I met a shaggy guy named Aron in July of 1995 who said he was about to graduate with a degree in Electronics Engineering. I’m no gold digger, but I knew security and stability when I saw it. It didn’t hurt that he was working his way through college as a cook (the only thing better would’ve been a pastry chef job)!!!

There’s something so hot about a man who has the sense to buy a house based on only one income, thinking ahead to a future family with a woman who has always wanted to stay home with her 500 babies.

While we’re far from being rich (and don’t even aspire to that), we have everything we need for now and for the future. A place to live, cars to drive, a way to educate our kids, vacations, a library within walking distance, a camera, no debt, family, friends, Excel spreadsheets and chocolate. And each other.