Samuel Scott

So apparently I labored at home for 4 days before my new beautiful son was born. The story goes like this:

On Thursday September 16th I went to my doctor appointment, she did a cervical check and I was 2cm dilated and 60% effaced. I was thrilled but after reading many books this didn't mean much. So, that very night I started losing more mucus plug and having contractions 10 min apart all night. I was a very concerned because Josh was doing his all night Chief indoc and would not see us till the next day Friday at noonish. After not sleeping all day I woke up drained and my uterus very sore. I got up and took the boys to Dunkin's and actually began to feel better. So I decided to go to Josh's Chief pinning which turned out to be nice. Throughout the weekend I felt very tired and run down with contractions very sporadic. Monday came I went to pump class that day but couldn't finish. I had a hard time even doing the elliptical which is very unlike me. That evening out of no where I started contracting again only this time from back to front and low. I knew then that this was going to mean early baby. The next morning after not sleeping all night I got up at 0400 (Josh slept upstairs so I wouldn't keep him up) and decided if I had to get this baby out on my own I was going to do that unthinkable........treadmill workout...I did an hour workout and about an hour after that I had the bloody show. I showered and took all the kids to school with contractions hitting about every 10 minutes. I even went to ortho to get my new retainer. After ortho I decided to go to Sears to look around but after walking a little bit I started feeling lots of pain and pressure. I went and met Josh for lunch which was weird because although I was hurting I was very hungry. Josh decided it would be best to stay at work to finish stuff up until the evening. He got home about 330ish and at that point I couldn't get up from the couch. Later the contractions were very very strong so we called our friend Mich and she came to stay with the boys with her friend Collette. By 10'oclock that night they contractions were 5 to 7 minutes apart some even 3 minutes so I decided regardless of what the nurse said to go into L&D. By the time we showed up I had already had 4 contractions in the truck (Josh got an ear full of course) and then all of a sudden they stopped. I registered then went to L&D. They couldn't see my contractions but could tell by the way I was not able to talk through them they were real. Finally, the nurse checked me and I was already 5 going on 6 cm and not going anywhere. She said "welp, by the looks of it she may be having him tonight but def by tomorrow". We were so exhausted already after me being up for already 24 hours plus. The epidural guy came down but I decided to forgo the meds until I couldn't take it anymore. I was doing this as a vbac which means they won't allow me to have much of anything to help and if things went south csection would be done without thinking twice. So I did my squats, lunges you name it in the hospital room. By 0330 I was 7cm and my water hadn't broke. My doctor wasn't coming in until 0600 ish but the nurses felt he needed to come in because the only thing stopping my progress was the bag of waters. So at around 0400 I got the epidural which had to be done twice. Finally, my doctor came in around 0630 and broke my bag of water. At the time he decided to hook me up to a low dose of pitocin to move things along faster. The baby deceled immediatelly so that was brought to a hult. The new doctor on call Dr. Foutz took over and decided to hook me up to many different machines to track both contractions and the baby's heart rate. She told me after several decells we were looking at a csection due to his inability to recover after contractions. I took that very seriously and from that point on was not going to let him or myself give up. We got oxygen and ran withit! I started deep breathing techniques during each contractions and moving as much as I could to get him down. The nurse said everything was looking better but the doc forbid pitocin for this delivery....it was up to me and Sam at this point. The doc was giving me another hour to progress then reevaluate for csection. I could hear nurses calling my doc several times during scary moments. Turns out the nurse even got me prepped and ready for csection and had all her stuff ready too. Josh and I made a pac that unless the baby was in extreme danger we were not going to allow the csection. I was going to go for the 48 hour plus with no sleep to progress on my own, I was not going to be rushed. I was crying of course because I wanted him to be healthy and me to be healthy and a csection in my mind is the last resort and causes wayyyy too many problems esepcially with nursing.

However, once she checked me she noticed I was 10cm and ready to push. She called my doctor and she was soooo happy she didn't have to csection me. in one push my baby's head was out...and.............the cord was wrapped three times around his neck which is why he decelled. After she unwrapped his little head I pushed and Samuel Scott Spencer was born into this world weighing 5 pounds 10.2 oz and 18inches long. He was small at 37.5 weeks. He was very very healthy at birth and still is. He just had no fat at all, just all lungs and legs;) He is the sweetest baby ever and nurses like a pro. We are very grateful for this little guy. I'm just very sad that this is my last baby, I will miss the excitement of bringing a life into the world.

Josh Pinning

Josh was selected to E7 but had to do 7 weeks of hell training. In the end I had contractions the night before "all night" which turns out was the beginning of my week long early labor. Here are pics of the pinning. Josh wanted Matthew and myself to pin him as you see in the pics. I was 37 weeks that very day and only 5 days later we had our last and final baby boy Samuel so really I guess it was myself and Sam pinning Josh:) His sponsor who was a very sweet Senior Chief also put his cover on his head which was actually the very moment he was a "real"chief!!

Throughout his 7 weeks we he made boats on wheels, wood boxes and soooooooooooooo many long crazy nights. Glad its over!

Gators Class of 2011!!!!

I finally graduated from University of Florida on August 6, 2011! My folks flew in the Friday before and we hung out until I had to go to the meet and greet for Josh's Chief's mess. Saturday was super busy with a bike ride with dad then off to Gainesville, Florida to participate in the Summer 2011 graduation. I think the coolest part was when they asked the those graduating who have served in the military or being commissioned after graduation to stand and I'm pretty sure I was the only female, super cool.
Dan, Sheila, Grandad, My folks and Josh attended. Afterward Josh treat my parents and I to dinner at Whitey's fish camp, super yummy.
I'm so happy I finally have my Bachelors of Business Administration (BSBA)!!! My next plan is to wait until Josh returns back from Japan too start either my MBA or Nursing school! Wish me luck;)

Josh Made Chief!!!!

So yesterday August 1st right after my sister arrived (she is moving here) Josh logged into see the results of the CPO selection board. For those who have no idea what this is, its a very competitive selection board in the Navy for each job field. Only the top notch performers are selected to be "Chiefs" or "Experts" in their field. Josh was picked and we are sooooooooooooooo happy for him and for us. Yes, this means a long strenuous 6 week "boot camp" style indoctrination. Mostly physical and psychological games. I know he will be fine, but will I/WE???? I got a call from his old Senior Chief who encouraged me to call them if there is any out of the ordinary behavior "stress/depression" at home. He said to expect noto see him for 6 weeks, up to 18 hour days. I actually had to ask him if that is any different then what I'm already experiencing in the Navy, I mean really he is NEVER home!!! I'm the mom and the dad but thats just what we do I guess.
He is pinned and changes his unform on September 16th, exactly on my 37 week of pregnancy! So I was hoping to get this baby out on my 38th week, but that is only 1 week of rest before he comes!!! I guess we will see what baby Spencer decides to do. If he comes early (Caleb at 36 weeks) then Josh will be there of course.
However, 4-6 weeks after baby comes bye bye Josh for half a year! Yep, no daddy, husband or friend for a while. Its going to be crazy and I mean that in every way possible but I am one of the strongest people I know so I have faith God will use my strengths to pull all four (including 3 boys) through it! Keep us all in your prayers. This is going to be a crazy 8 months ahead but something tells me if we have faith and trust that God brought us here knowing that we can survive, we will be okay!

More very interesting info on Chiefs and what it means in the Navy:

Chief Petty Officer is the seventh enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Petty Officer First Class and below Senior Chief Petty Officer, and is a senior non-commissioned officer. The grade of Chief Petty Officer was established on April 1, 1893 for the Navy.^[1] The United States Congress first authorized the Coast Guard to use the promotion to Chief Petty Officer on 18 May 1920.^[2]

Unlike Petty Officer First Class and lower ranks, advancement to Chief Petty Officer not only carries requirements of time in service, superior evaluation scores, and specialty examinations, but also carries an added requirement of peer review. A Chief Petty Officer can only advance after review by a selection board of serving Senior and Master Chief Petty Officers, in effect "choosing their own" and conversely not choosing others.^[3]

Advancement into the Chief Petty Officer grades is the most significant promotion within the enlisted naval ranks. At the rank of Chief, the Sailor takes on more administrative duties. In the Navy, their uniform changes to reflect this change of duty, becoming identical to that of an officer's uniform except with different insignia. Sailors in the three Chief Petty Officer ranks also have conspicuous privileges such as separate dining and living areas. Any naval vessel of sufficient size has a room or rooms that are off-limits to anyone not a Chief (including officers) except by specific invitation (if one is invited to eat in the Chief's Mess, it is customary to eat everything on the plate no matter what condiments are added by members of the Chief's Mess to enhance one's dining experience). In Navy jargon, this room is called the Chief's Mess, or tongue in cheek, the "goat locker". In addition, a Chief Petty Officer, no matter how much he was on "first name" basis with other petty officers before promotion, is always addressed as "Chief" by subordinates and superiors.

Chief Petty Officers serve a triple role as technical experts, leaders, and inspectors, with the emphasis being more on leadership as they progress through the CPO ranks. A recognized, collateral duty for all Chiefs is the training of Junior Officers. Like Petty Officers, every Chief has both a rate (rank) and rating (job, similar to an MOS in other branches). A Chief's full title is a combination of the two. Thus, a Chief Petty Officer who has the rating of Gunner's Mate would properly be called a Chief Gunner's Mate.^[4]

Each rating has an official abbreviation, such as QM for Quartermaster, BM for Boatswain's Mate, or FC for Fire Controlman. When combined with the petty officer level, this gives the short-hand for the chief's rank, such as BMC for Chief Boatswain's Mate. It is not uncommon practice to refer to the chief by this short hand in all but the most formal correspondence (such as printing and inscription on awards). Mostly, though, they are simply called "Chief", regardless of rating.

The Chief Petty Officer's insignia is a perched eagle with spread wings (often, affectionately, referred to as a "crow") above three chevrons topped by a rocker. These are red, but if a Navy chief has at least 12 consecutive years of good conduct service in the armed forces, the chevrons and rocker may be worn in gold. A Coast Guard chief petty officer's sleeve insignia is always gold regardless of the conduct of service. In either case, the Chief's particular rating emblem is displayed below the crow, within the area bordered by the rocker and the uppermost chevron.

U.S. Navy arm insignia for a Chief Yeoman (This is what I was in the Navy)

On the dress blue uniform (and variants such as mess whites), the insignia is worn on the left arm of the uniform blouse (or "suit coat" in civilian terminology). On all other uniforms, the insignia used is worn on the collar and has become universally accepted as the symbol of the Chief Petty Officer, which is a fouled (entwined in the anchor chain) gold anchor superimposed with the letters "USN" in silver in the Navy, or a silver shield in the Coast Guard.

In the U.S. Navy, officers and Chiefs are often colloquially referred to as "khakis". This is a reference to the color of their most common shipboard working uniforms, and is a direct contrast to those in pay grades E-6 and below (deckplate sailors, or blueshirts). However, the Navy has a new working uniform for paygrades below E-7 which consists of a khaki shirt and black trousers. This has caused some dissent within the upper enlisted and officer ranks.^[5][6][7] In the Coast Guard, petty officers, chief petty officers, warrant officers, and commissioned officers all wear similar uniforms.

[edit] Induction

Previously, once selected for advancement to Chief, the selectee was made to endure a period of indoctrination and mentoring by his or her cognizant Chief's Mess. The selectee was assigned a sponsor who supervises the selectee's indoctrination. A "charge book", decorated in the manner with advice from the Sponsor, was presented by the selectee for signature to every Chief, Senior Chief, and Master Chief in the local area. These Chiefs would provide written tasks, ask questions, or provide guidance to the selectee. The Chiefs would also assess favors, "offenses to the Mess" or "charges" written in the selectee's charge book in the case of the selectee's performance being "fabulous". The charge book would be taken into evidence at the end of the indoctrination period. The indoctrination period would culminate with a ceremony known as Initiation.

Initiation would commonly begin at midnight and last throughout that night and into the next day ending around midday, typically 16 September, the day Chief Petty Officers are pinned yearly. Schedules vary depending on command policy and mission availability. selectees were ordered to muster in their utility uniforms with the "Dixie Cup" Sailor's white hat. At some point during the initiation, the selectee's "Dixie Cup" hat is laid to rest and usually eulogized by the selectee. This represents the transition into the Chief's community.

Initiations were attended only by previously initiated active duty and retired Chiefs. During initiation the selectee would stand before "" and be judged for his favors as read from his charge book. The sentences varied by the severity of the offenses. "Punishment" was carried out as part of the initiation. A selectee may, at any time after selection results are posted, elect to forgo the initiation process. Participation in the initiation ceremony was purely voluntary.

After initiation, the selectees were then recognized by their peers as fellow Chief Petty Officers and welcomed into the "Chief's Mess". The selectees were then allowed to bathe and don their new Khaki uniforms, sans collar devices and Combination Covers.

"Initiation" has changed over the years in accordance with the changes in Navy policy, regulations and guidelines. "Induction" is currently the term used for the weeks of training, mentoring and the final night of Chief-select training. MCPON Campa dubbed the term, and ordered its use beginning with the FY07 Induction season.

Pinning of the new Chief was, and is, conducted by their Command Master Chief, with the participation and approval of the Commanding Officer, where their "Anchors" are pinned on by a person of their choosing, usually a family member or Chief, and they are presented with their Combination Cap by the Chief's Mess.

New Chief Petty Officer inductees typically sing [[]] at the pinning ceremony.

In some contexts, the term "Chief Petty Officer" can refer to the class of non-commissioned ranks of this rank and higher:

• Chief Petty Officer
• Senior Chief Petty Officer
• Master Chief Petty Officer

Emblem

The Navy Chief Petty Officer emblem is symbolized by a fouled anchor with the letters "USN" centered on the anchor. Officially the letters stand for United States Navy. According to naval tradition, the letters are symbolic of the following:^[9]

• Unity: to symbolize camaraderie of the fraternity.
• Service: to symbolize service to one's god, fellow man, and the Navy.
• Navigation: to symbolize true course before God and man.

Summer 2011

Matthew turned 8 and Caleb 2 this summer! I'm in my 7th month of pregnancy with baby boy number 3 and Josh is getting ready to deploy to Japan.....Lots of stuff going on hence why I have not posted anything new lately. Pics to show the fun we have been having!

9 More Days Till Christmas 2010!

Its Christmas time!I'm sitting down after a very long day with a final to cap it off. I'm so excited to see the kids celebrate this Christmas. We plan on having the Spencer's here for dinner and my brother Chris. Here are some recent pics of Josh's annual Navy Christmas party and random pics of our tree! Enjoy, ohhh and family pics that had to be a nutty night.

Anniversary, Number 8!

After arriving home from the Spencer's, Matthew built me a train with a message on it,! I guess he "messed" us:)
Our 8th year anniversary was spent flying to Virginia for our annual Thanksgiving festivities with the Anderson family! I love the smell of Virginia and the cold throughout the entire day.
On this eighth year to celebrate I decided to open the very expensive sealed box, that stored my wedding dress. I felt it was time to try it on again after 8 long years. It fit!!!! Such a fun time prancing around and just being silly. It was a great time plus Matthew go to be the photographer with mommas camera:)