Perfect Day

I want to remember today! April 29, 2015. It wasn't a special occasion or a day really different from others except for the fact it was. 

I want to remember the way the breeze came through the open windows bringing springtime into the house. The sunlight pouring in. Everything is alive.

I want to remember the smell of the chicken and veggies cooking in the oven (my first whole chicken ever!!) the smell of a momma who loves her family and wants to give them good things to fill their bellies. 

I want to remember the laughter of all the neighborhood kids playing in our back yard. Otter pops and kareoke And swings and bikes. I was completely smitten that such happiness existed in my backyard. I love

to see my kids smile. 

I want to remember the baby in my arms that slows my life down and makes it simple to remember what counts yet so difficult to get anything done!! So much purpose in such a little body. I fall in love every day. 

I want to remember my sister happy and in love, tan and lovely with possibility springing from her pores. She confides in me again. I love her company and being a part of her life. 

I want to remember the excitement of my husband coming home. The kids say at dinner it was their favorite part of the day. I'm beyond pleased I married a man like that. He kisses me and takes the baby. He is wonderful. 

The day was perfect. It was full of love and innocence and hope and comfort. I never want to forget this day. 

Piper's Birth Day!

My due date came and went like always! I was busy that week at work getting ready for my new sub and I wanted to get through the next few days of student conferences. This little baby was sooo good and waiting until my day off to come into the world! I took off Thursday and was sitting on the couch at 9:00am when I felt my first contraction! I texted mom and Jake because I was so excited my body actually produced a contraction on its own...and they didn't go away! They were about 15-30 min apart all day so my mom told me to hurry and get in my fun for the day because I might be in labor. 

I went to the temple and got a nice lunch and lounged around on the couch for a while. Linda brought the kids from school and we made our little homemade pizzas and it was at that time I realized the contractions were still coming and getting stronger and closer together. 

By 10pm that night I was getting ready to go to the hospital because they were stronger and pretty consistent with what they recommend for coming in. We went into L&D and stayed in triage for about an hour. They were getting so much stronger and much more painful but because I wasn't 4cm dilated they wouldn't let me stay. I was doubled over in pain by the time we left. The nurse said " you'll know" when to come back. 

I laid on the couch and tried to sleep in between contractions and finally about 3:30am I could take it any longer and asked Jake to bring me back. By the time I got in the elevator at the hospital I was sobbing. The nurses wheeled me right into a delivery room when they saw what a hot mess I was. I was 4.5cm!! Yay I could stay!! 

They got my IV and epidural going right away  thank goodness. The epidural wasn't administered properly and it went a little too far into my spine creating a very concentrated numbing to my whole body. I was getting dizzy and everything was numb. I was even having trouble speaking. They gave me oxygen and I fell asleep.

I dilated slowly....of course. About 10am Jess Nelson came and then a bit later our birth photographer came. My epidural was wearing off because they had to disconnect it but they kept giving me small doses which helped a lot. I was kind of quiet and sleepy and out of it for most of the labor. Everyone was really patient. A little before noon I was ready to push. My sister showed up last minute and I was really happy to have her there. 

Dr. Ollerton delivered the baby. I had gone the day before to meet him. There are so many in his practice that I swear I saw a different OB every time. I couldn't feel anything which was great and bad and I was afraid I would be pushing for a long time. BUT... I pushed that baby right out! I pushed through 3 contractions and out she came!! My precious Piper was here!!! It was really emotional and wonderful to have her in my arms! 

Our Piper Sue Nelson was born 8 lbs 13 oz/20 inches and born at 12:01pm. She was given the middle name Sue after my mom and best friend Melissa Sue, two women in my life that have been loyal and strong women that I couldn't imagine my life without. I hope my little Piper is as wonderful a friend as they have been to me. 

Pizza Making!

This was the point of day I realized I might actually really truely be in labor! I had been wanting to make pizza with the kids for weeks and we were all finally home together! 

I totally forgot we had a pizza expert in the house! Jess showed us all the secrets to making pizza! The kids were thrilled. 

Family Fun Day!

Family Fun Day! I wanted to do a fun day before Jake and I become too exhausted to do anything fun ever again! haha. It ended up being a great day. The kids loved everything we did and were so good and it was just a happy happy day. We went to  the Lehi indoor pool. Who knew this was just around the corner from us. We had fun just all being in the water playing and watching the kids splash around. Let's just say finding something that resembled a bathing suit for me was quite the challenge. 

The kids went to the library with Jake and then we all went to see Big Hero 6 which was a darling movie. We got candy and popcorn and Gigi ate an entire bag of gummy worms. Not our best parenting! We finished off the day at JCW's which burgers and chicken tenders, onion rings and fries. Yum. 

I love days like these. These are seriously my favorite people!!

At The End!

Here's me at 38 Weeks Pregnant! This pregnancy has been really great. I am so lucky to have great pregnancies where I can work and accomplish  the things I need to. I know not everyone gets that lucky! I love feeling Piper moving around in there and can't believe she will be a little baby in my arms so soon. 

I haven't progressed much in terms of my body actually getting ready to push this baby out. It's a great host, but sucks at the "time's up" part. I am thinking I am heading over my due date and ultimately to another induction. When I told one of the many OB's I see that I would like to work till 41 weeks he asked if I needed a psyc consult. haha. MY other OB thanked me for being so normal and not being a complainer that wants to force her baby out ASAP. 

It's been really rough working the last few days as I approach 40 weeks but I'm gonna try to keep going. The longer it takes to have this baby the longer I get to stay home and the closer to the end of the school year. 

The kids are really excited. They love kissing my belly and talking about her. I just found out the hospital won't allow kids under 14 and am so so sad they won't get to see Piper right after she is born. We decided ZERO visitors because we want the kids to be the first. I also know that I need a little more privacy than most and it will be nice to just have that quiet time with Piper. 

Posts of our cute newborn to come shortly!

Fun Valentine's Day!

I am trying to make the door decorating a tradition in our family and Thursday night me and JEss decorated the kids doors. We had everyone write a love letter to each other to include on the door and then spiced them up with candy and little presents! The kids were so happy when they got up the next morning. Jake made some special heart pancakes. After a few tries he really got the hang of it, minus Jess' dyslexic panic. (Jess instagrammed the pic "dyslexic pancakes are pancakes too" haha) We added strawberries and whipped cream and sprinkles and really had fun with them . 

The day got even better when it was time for the Monster Truck Rally with grandpa up in Salt Lake! The have been counting down for DAYS! Charly and Jess went too and I stayed home and showered and napped (glorious for any 38 week preg lady) We ended up just doing some grocery shopping that evening and called it a night. Jake and I went out the 13th to Cheesecake Factory while the kids were at a FACS camp at Bingham High. Nothing too over the top this year. My body just isn't up for much and Cheesecake seriously hit the spot! Jake got be a beautiful necklace that is a heart and aquamarine stone. I haven't taken it off yet. Love it! Feeling super filled with love with Valentine's Day and so blessed for all  the beautiful lives that touch mine. 

FHE: Beary Beary Responsible

We had a fun night with our "Beary Beary Responsible" Lesson where we talked about how we can be responsible. We started a new gem system where the kids can earn gems when they are being responsible or doing something extra good. When they earn 20 gems they get to pick from a bunch of special rewards and prizes. We are also trying a behavior chart that I know a lot of elementary schools use and made one to try. The kids have been a little wild lately and with two new families coming together in one household it was hard to know how to treat some of the behavior problems. The chart allows us to have consequences without having to be stumped on how to handle each issue. The kids already know the consequence and because of that they can make their own choice in regards to their behavior. It's not a perfect system but it seems to help. I wouldn't mind my own behavior chart with a few different time outs!!! haha. 

Glad to have Jess and Charly here and just be close to family. We are so so lucky!