The Happiest Moments of My Life

So this last weekend I had the some of the happiest moments of my life. They were the birth of my little baby girl Sophie, and then when my little boys really met her. Here is the story.

Friday I was scheduled to be induced at American Fork Hospital. They called us at noon and told us to be there in an hour. We gathered the boys up and took them to Grandma Morrise's house. On the way there I asked James if he thought the baby was going to look like mom or dad, to which he responded, "She is going to look like me." We laughed, and then dropped the boys off. We got to the hospital and they had to get me started on the anitbiotics first. So they did that and then they started the pitocin. Ben and I were both nervous and excited. I was really nervous about how much pain I was about to go through, but very excited to meet my baby girl. Contractions started and after a while the DR came and broke my water.

A couple hours later they came and checked me. The contractions were getting somewhat intense so I was thinking that I was had dilated a couple cm at least. Nope, nothing at all. grrr. So it was on with the labor. Things got more and more intense. My back was killing, so Ben sat there and massaged it for me. That really really helped. I was having to concentrate more and breathe my way through the pain. But I was feeling on top of things and hoping that things were finally moving along. So the nurse came and checked me once again. As she was checking me she got an odd look on her face, and then went out the door and got another nurse. They continued to check me saying things like "do you feel that?...yeah I do....I can definitely feel the head though..but yeah I can feel that too." I was like, "what!!? What can you feel??" They then told me that they could feel the baby's hand on top of her head. And that I had still not dilated any further. GRRR! At this point, the contractions were very very intense. I remember as each one started I wanted to curse my brains out, instead I held, okay probably broke, Ben's hand and breathed my way through the contraction. It seemed like I would just get a breath or two, and then another one would start. They were so darn painful and so close together, and I was only at 4 cm. This was not encouraging.

The nurse called the DR, and told him about the hand in they way. She then informed us that they would let me labor for a while, and see if they could move that little hand, but if they couldn't then they strongly recommend I get an epidural so that my muscles could relax and they could move her little hand out of the way. Otherwise, it would be a c-section. So I was really concentrating on relaxing as much as possible, but let me tell you something, when you are about to scream with each contraction, and they are only a minute apart, it is really hard to just relax. I have to say though, Ben was really great through it all. He let me brake his hand, he reminded me to breathe and helped me through each pain, he massaged my back....he was my lifesaver. Oh yeah, I forgot, somewhere through all this her heart rate started dropping, but it seemed that if I laid on my left side and didn't move, and had oxygen, her heart rate would stay where it needed. So I was stuck laying on my side and couldn't change position....that was not so amazing.

Okay so after another hour of hard labor, they checked me once again, at least I was at a 6 at this point, but her hand was even more in the way and they couldn't move it. So it was either c-section, or epidural and still possibility of a c-section. So I got the epidural. It was weird, once I knew I was getting an epidural, I couldn't keep in control of the pain. I just started shaking and my patience was gone, I was so tired and man! that PAIN WOULD NOT GO AWAY!!! I have so much respect for all the women in the history of the world that have given birth...my hat goes off to you. The anesthesiologist came and put the epidural in. I was thinking, oh nice now at least these contractions will go away. Nope. Nope Nope. It didn't take. an hour later, epidural #2 was given. This one mostly worked, but I could still feel everything in my back, but I was okay with that and just hoped that they could move her hand I would not need a c-section.

20 minutes later the nurse checked me...oh my goodness I was complete and they were going to try and deliver this baby. I can't believe how fast things went from here. in about 5 minutes they had the everything set up, the DR was there, and was trying to move her hand out of the way...oh and she was posterior...ah that is why my back was screaming...he flipped her over and after a little bit of work he moved her hand and told me to push....so I did, and there was her head! one more push, the rest of her head and her hand..and one last little push and her entire body just popped out! As soon as I saw her I started to laugh because James was 100% right, she looked just like him! She immediately started crying, Ben cut the cord and they put her on my chest. She peed all over me, but I couldn't have cared less. I was holding my baby girl, and she was here! Safe and sound, beautiful as could be. I have tears right now just thinking about it. It was one of the most beautiful moments ever. They scrubbed her clean, weighed her, 6 lbs, 10 oz 18.5 inches long. apgars of 8 & 9. She was born at 12:28 am. (she really did NOT want to be born on friday the 13th) They had me nurse her right away, which she did perfectly. Then Ben held her and as we looked at her together and fell completely in love with her I thought I would burst with happiness. It reminded me of my wedding day, and how happy I was. As Ben and I looked at our beautiful baby girl I was so full of love and sheer joy. It was one of the happiest moments of my entire life.

After we had our time with her we passed her around to my family. My sisters, Amy & Becca and my mom were there for the entire labor and birth. Becca is the one that took the pictures and I love that we have so many of her birth. It was so great to share that moment with my family and be surrounded by people I love. Once I was decent we called my dad and my brother, Jay, in. They all agreed that baby sophie looked just like James. Her hand was completely swollen from being so squished and she had a big red mark on her head from where her hand had been. But she was sweet as could be and I could not stop looking at her. She was just so darn cute! Her little squishy face, her bright beautiful eyes, her tiny little body....I could go on and on! Can you tell I am obsessed? Anyways, I am so grateful that she got here safe and sound, and that we are blessed to live in a time where babies make it here so safe and sound. I am also so grateful for all the prayers in our behalf, I know we were blessed that everything turned out so well.

The other happiest moment of my life this last weekend was this sunday. Susan and Marshall brought the boys home after we got home from the hospital. They had seen Sophie at the hospital, but were scared of me and didn't really pay attention to Sophie. Well, after we got things settled down at home, they came over and both wanted to see the baby. They each sat by me and we looked at her toes, fingers, hair, eyes, ears, belly, she grabbed their fingers.....they fell in love with her. James couldn't get enough of her. Once again I felt so much love in the room. I was surrounded by my little family. My two boys and our new baby girl. It was so beautiful to see our family all together and see how much the boys loved her. I was once again overwhelmed with love and joy.

Here are some pictures.

See, She is a cutie, 100% cutie.

This is when ben and I were just looking at our little baby and happier than anything in the world.

Look at those beautiful eyes....she is amazing. I love to see her look around.

This is the moment when I fell absolutely in love with her. It was seriously one of the happiest moments of my life.

Here is the Dr with her right after Ben cut the cord.

She is a cuddle bug, and I don't mind one bit. I sat and cuddled her most of the time we were at the hospital, and since I have been home, I can't seem to put her down. I don't want to miss out on one minute, they get big so fast! And she so sweet and content, I just want to enjoy her 100%.

I LOVE this picture, it was right after I gave her her first bath and her hair was 100% fuzzy, and yes I am in love with her hair. It is so dark and thick, gorgeous. Yes, I have my little girl, I am completely in love with her and absolutely obsessed. My house may be way more messy than I ever like it, but I am enjoying my baby and one day I will get back to cleaning, but for now I have a little one to snuggle.

About to Pop

So, here I am 5 days away from delivering baby Sophie, and I feel like I am about to pop. I don't know if I can even last 5 more days. Sheesh!! It is so funny. This entire pregnancy I have had cramps and contractions and all sorts of preterm labor garbage, but about 3 weeks ago that all completely stopped. I haven't even had so much as a cramp! right now I am thinking, please please please contractions come on...you can do it...just START! But no, no contractions, nothing at all. this baby girl is going to be cooking in the oven until friday that is for sure. And I am sure once those contractions REALLY start I will be more than anxious for them to go away. I am getting pretty nervous about the whole labor and delivery, I know can do it and I will do it, but I am also sure that I really have no idea just how painful it is actually going to be. Wish me luck on that one. I am going to try and keep myself plenty busy this week. Cleaning house, taking kids wherever, doing whatever I can so I am not just sitting around waiting for baby to come. And then hopefully friday will come before I know it.

Oh, I wanted to post what Harrison said in his prayer the other night. It was so cute! It went like this "please bless to play football, play soccer, play baseball, play basketball, play bowling, and a a a mickey mouse". I thought it was so cute. He always needs help starting out his prayers, but then he just starts saying whatever and it is so darling.

Oh and one more stroy. So last week while James and I were bothing laying in bed sick we just sat there talking for several hours. It was so fun and those are always my favorite moments as a mom. Just talking to my kids. Anyways, he started showing me all the letters in sign language and there was one he couldn't remember and I didn't know it. So I told him that when he went back to school he should ask his teacher and she could show him. I then said, "James, do you know who else knows sign language really well?" he asked who, and I told him that his Aunt Jenny knew sign laanguage. to which James responded, "Aunt Jenny goes to preschool!?!" I laughed pretty hard at that one.

The Worst Shopping Trip

Okay, so the past couple weeks I have been pretty sick, and then this week my kids got sick too. Last night James woke up crying because his ear hurt so bad and then spent the rest of the morning laying on the couch holding his ear, crying. He was very sad. Plus he was burning up. I had given him tylenol and then later Ibuprofen, but he was still on fire. So I called the Dr and made an appointment for him. We get there, and what a shock, ear infection for both James and Harrison, and sinus infections for both. So they called in the prescription for me and I thought I would get some shopping done while we waited for the meds to be filled. I felt bad for the kids for being so darn sick, so I got them some kids meals and it was off to the store.

As soon as we get to the store Harrison starts throwing a tantrum about wanting his frosty, so I got out the spoon and it was mostly melted, so I figured I had better help him with it. No, he didn't want help. He ripped it out of my hand and threw, yes threw, the frosty at me. I was wearing a nice white shirt and was now in a brown and white shirt. He then flipped around in the cart grabbed his kids meal and threw it out of the basket. As you can imagine I was beyond not happy at this point. If you have ever seen Father of the Bride 2, I was very much reminded of the part where they are driving down the street just after they found out they are having another baby, and George Banks sees the kids throw his meal at his dad and runs off screaming....yeah that was Harrison and I today. I gathered up the spilled food, and of course he wanted it back. Yeah right kid. No I did not give it back to him, so he screamed the entire shopping trip. I checked on the meds, another 20 min at least. So, I thought I had better go get some quick easy meals, frozen pizzas and such to have for when baby comes (one week!!!).

As I was going up and down isles looking for things Harrison kept grabbing and kicking at me and screaming, and then James started crying because his ear once again was causing him pain. I actually felt bad for him, there was no sympathy for Harrison though. I can't imagine what I looked like going through that store today, with frosty all over my shirt and it is a little hard to hide with this huge-about-to-pop belly, one little kid screaming "No!!! I want IT!!!!" and the other just sobbing in the cart with big tears dropping off his chin. Yeah, I got lots of stares. I finally got what I needed and head back to the pharmacy.....oh lovely, a very long line for us to wait in. Of course.

So, another 20 min or so, and we finally get up there. It still isn't quite ready, but will be in just a min. BAH!!! However, it was only another 10 min, and they got it to us. I headed straight for the checkout, we got our stuff and it was to the car, crying kids and all. We made it home. I drugged both boys up with their new meds and tylenol and they both went straight to bed. I wasn't surprised when both of them were sound asleep within minutes and slept for 3 hours. Ah, it was nice to have a break. So then I cleaned myself up, cleaned up the very messy house, and then made rolls and homemade tomato soup. James had asked me if I would make him his favorite soup, and who can turn down their sick little boy's request huh? And when he woke up, he was very happy to see that I had made rolls and soup for him. Harrison liked it too, and I am glad to say that he was much happier when he woke up. Now they are once again both in bed, the house is clean, I am tired, and ready to relax for the evening. A week from today I am being induced, so we will finally have our little baby girl here. Then I get to take 3 kids shopping with me. HA! :)

Mother James

So, being about 9 months pregnant ( I only have 2 weeks to go!!!) I have been REALLY tired and as all other women who have had babies know, you don't sleep the last month of your pregnancy. I mean first off, I can't breathe when I lay on my back or on my right side. But when I sleep on my left side my entire leg goes completely numb, or starts to hurt so bad I want to scream (yes she is sitting on a nerve and sometimes my legs just go crazy...it is weird) But then to add on top of that you have a ginormous belly and tossing and turning is not as easy as it once was. Plus you are peeing every whatever minutes, and then you start cramping and having back pains and blah blah blah blah blah...I LOVE being 9 mos preg and trying to get a full nights sleep...........yeah.

So, back to the start, I have been really tired. So, when I DO fall asleep I am very very very deep asleep and so I do not hear my little children sneak out of their beds. This is where the Mother James comes in. James has taken it upon himself to be Harrison's little mom. First thing in the morning James will take Harrison to the potty, and then put his elmo underwears on him. Then he takes Harrison downstairs and gets him breakfast. He is pretty good at getting the cereal and can actually pour the milk without spilling it. Now before you think I am terrible for sleeping in so late that my kids are up taking care of themselves I should let you know that this usually happens before 6:30 or so, often in the 5 am category. So here are a few funny/sweet stories of James taking care of Harrison lately.

So the other morning, okay it wasn't even morning, it was still dark outside. I hear Harrison downstairs playing. I got up went downstairs to find him playing with the DVD's. I told him he needed to go back to bed and I was picking him up to carry him back upstairs when I heard a couhg come from under a blanket across the room. Poor James was sound asleep under the blanket. I then noticed the bowl of cereal James had gotten Harrison. James then poked his head out and said "mom, I got Harrison breakfast" the poor kid was so tired. I felt so bad. I put both boys back in bed, and when we actually did get up in the morning I explained to James that he did NOT need to get up with Harrison, that he could come get me or dad and we would take care of him. But James is extremely independent and still gets up with Harrison.

The other morning I woke up to a knocking sound...coming from the garage/kitchen door. I shook Ben awake and told him to go check what the world was going on (I would have jumped out of bed and rushed down, but I am not so fast these days...big belly) Ben went down, Harrison was sitting in front of the door, it was locked and James was in the garage knocking on the door.....yeah. This is what had happened. The boys got up, wanted a snack, but didn't want cereal. James remembered that we had had granola bars in the diaper bag that was still in the car. (yes I have an entire pantry and storage room full of food and about 20 boxes of granola bars, but I guess going out to the car is more fun) Anyways, he went out to the car, and while he was out there Harrison shut and locked the door. nice brother. So James was knocking on the door.

Yes yes yes I know you are thinking, what the world? why don't you put locks on their door or something so they don't get out. There are two locks on their door and trust me, that does NOT stop James. he can figure out just about any lock or door. He has been able to since he was able to walk. And they are so sneaky quiet!!! I don't even hear them get up. After the garage incident we had a long discussion about how we never open any of the outside doors without mom or dad being up first. Crazy kids. I think I am going to put a clock in their room and set serious rules about being able to get out of their beds before the clock says a certain time or something.

But I do have to say, that James is really just trying to be helpful, and that I think he is so super sweet to take care of his younger brother like he does. we have been potty training harrison and I swear James takes him to the bathroom more than I do. James is a very sweet boy and takes his oldest child role very seriously. He is the one that got Harrison to say his first prayer, Harrison would never do it for Ben or I, but when James helped him he would say it. Harrison looks up to James for everything. He copies everything James does. I am so glad to have my two little boys, they love each other so much, and I know they were just the best of friends before they came here, as they are best buddies now.

Baby Showers!

First off, here is a picture of Sophie's room. I got the curtains today and immediately hung them up, okay Ben put up the curtain rod while I ironed the curtains, but  anyways here it is. I love it! You can't tell from the picture, but I put pink ribbon around the edge of the lamp, I think it is cute.

Okay, So I know some really nice people, because not only did I get one baby shower, but I got 2! My sisters and mom threw one for me, and then my neighbors threw one for me as well.  they were both a lot of fun and I got tons of great stuff! Both were great, and I know that a lot of work, effort, and time went into throwing the showers for me, so thank you thank you thank you. Especially my sisters Amy, Becca, Rosanne, and My mom. And then my Neighbors Jules, and Audrey. You guys are so great! I am so grateful and blessed to have so many good people as friends and neighbors and family. Seriously, it is such a great blessing to be surrounded by so many good people. It means so much to me that you would do this for me. Thank you all. Enjoy the Pictures!!!

Here is the shower at Jules' house. And this is everyone that came! Thank you all for coming and for bringing such cute fun things. It was so fun to just visit and enjoy each other's company. What a fun night.

Since Jules is married to a photographer, there were many many pictures, but I am only posting a few. There was a picture of just about every gift I opened, but this one turned out the best, so here it is.  And yes, it is a very cute little pink dress..she will be adorable in it.

This was at the start of the party, Here I am with Amanda, Marcie, Alicia, Audrey and Latitia.

How artistic is this? Jules, you are so talented!!! Everything was perfect. And I think I ate half the banana chocolate bread....it was amazing.

Once again, Jules.....gorgeous. I actually copied you and did this for my family on Valentine's day. They loved it. The kids REALLY liked licking the sugar off the edges.

Okay here are the pictures from the Shower my sisters threw for me. I actually only have a few. My sister also loves taking pictures and took about 100, but I only have a few. When I get more from her I will post them.

Okay I wish you could see this quilt better, it is absolutely amazing. My sister made it for me and I was seriously crying when I got it. The entire thing is pieced and appliqued.  And it is 100% gorgeous. And she did it in one week. yeah. She is amazing. I can't believe she made it for me. Thank you thank you thank you Amy!!!

Oh, another quilt I must mention. My mom pieced a quilt together the night before the shower for us to tie at the shower. She did it in one night!!! And I am sad not to have a picture of it because it is really really cute! When I get it here, I will take a picture and post it. Thank you Mom.

All right,  can you see this doll? Is it not the cutest doll ever? I love it so much. My sister in-law Johanna made it for me, and I love it!!! I want more of them. I seriously want a collection of them.  She is also extremely artistic and talented...obviously. Thank you Jo!

Okay, this picture does not do the decorating and food table justice.  I mean, it IS cute in the picture, but the entire room was decorated with little pink and brown flowers and it was adorable!!! Plus, the food was very very delicious..I am wanting some watermelon and strawberries right now just from looking at the picture. Anyways, Once again Thank you everyone for all you did for me. You are so great. I am so grateful to have so many good friends. Thank You!!!

Belly Pics!

All right, so here are some pictures of me and my belly! Enjoy. I will post some pictures of her room as soon as I get the curtains....they are being shipped currently, that is the only thing I am waiting on though.

Nesting...My Obsession

Wow, has it really been 2 months since I last posted anything? Sheesh! Slacker! Well, If you have been wondering what in the world ever happened to me, I have one answer. Nesting. Nesting gone super crazy! Seriously. I feel like an insane crazy person. In the past month or so I have felt like I need to have everything 100% absolutely perfect all the time. However, I have two wild indian boys and so my house is usually far from perfect. So then I just get really cranky and go on some crazy cleaning spree until things are the way I like them.  I also have been trying to get everything 100% organized, every closet, every room, every drawer. Mostly my efforts have only lasted a day or two, but I do have to say that the garage is much more organized and the storage room under the stairs now  has shelves in it (I put them in myself!) and has all of our food storage nicely put away.  I have been going crazy about getting everything ready for this baby girl to arrive. Since Harrison surprised us and came so early, we weren't even one bit ready for him. So it was driving back and forth from the NICU getting clothes cleaned, crib set up, bottles washed, shopping done...not an amazing thing.  But I am happy to say that if she were to come tomorrow, we would be ready for her. We have the car seat, diapers, burp cloths, clothes, more than enough clothes, her room is cute and ready to be used, and so now we just play the waiting game for the next month.  

Yeah, I have been crazy. I know i have been. I was reading a pregnancy book the other night and it had a section about nesting and it said that some women feel some urge to get everything clean and organized while others go crazy about it cleaning out every closet, washing all the walls, cleaning curtains...okay yes those are all things that I have done lately. HA! So actually this week I have been trying NOT to nest quite so much. I took the boys swimming...twice. I have been taking them walking with me at the track almost every day. I have been trying to pay more attention to them, and let the house go just a little bit.  We've had fun. 

As far as baby Sophie goes and when she will be arriving...well, come March 13th she will arrive no matter what. They will be inducing me that day for sure.  She is not a big mover, and so I have had to have NST's and have a DR's appt every Monday. So far she is doing well, and so they think I will go full term, but if she shows any signs of distress, then they will bring her here.   She freaks me out sometimes though.  The other day I hadn't felt her move all day and so I drank some juice and laid down...nothing...an hour goes by....still nothing...another 30 min...nothing. At this point my mind is going crazy, remembering how things were with Harrison.  I am sure if anyone took my blood pressure or heart rate at that point it would have been through the roof. Anyways, I was picking up the phone to call a neighbor to watch the kids while I went to the hospital and the baby suddenly started moving...a lot! I was glad. She moved well for the next hour or so.  

Anyways, I am getting really anxious and excited for her to get here safe and sound. Ben and I both are. James is too, he remembers her in every prayer. in fact tonight he said "bless baby sophie to get strong, and to be healthy and that when mom pushes her out it won't hurt" He is very sweet. I told him not to worry, that the Dr and Nurses will help me. But.... as we all know it WILL hurt, a lot as I am delivering this one naturally...yikes! When I start to think about that it freaks me out a little bit. But I can do it. So, now it is late, and I am tired and ready for bed.  I will post some belly pics tomorrow.