No peeking 'til after Christmas...But He just couldn't wait!

After deciding to wait until AFTER Christmas to have Ian, he decided he just couldn't wait. This is his story!

I started having contractions on Sunday during church. I made it through primary with a few contractions that made me cringe, but didn't think much of them. Right after church we went to my parents' house to have Christmas with my family. As I was helping set the table and prepare food I had a hard time standing and walking. Again didn't think much of it other than I was glad I only had a week left! As we did our festivities I hit a wall and became really tired and really ornery. I couldn't wait to leave and go home, which never happens at my mom's house. On our way home I had 5-6 contractions and a few were accompanied with cramps and back pain. I finally realized I was in the labor. Was it the beginning or middle of labor that I wasn't sure of. We got home and got the boys into bed and we sat and counted the contractions. About an hour later we decided we better go in to be checked. A neighbor came and sat with the boys until my dad could get to our house.

Once at the hospital they hooked me up to the monitors. I wasn't dilated at all, but they watched my contractions for about 30 minutes. Sure enough I was having consistent contractions and they were consistent and getting stronger. They called my doctor to give him a report and said I'll be there soon and do the c-section. The nurses came in and told Matt and I and the craziness began. I was prepped for surgery and off I went to the freezing cold OR room. I was given my spinal block, laid on the table, got a little sick and the c-section began. A few minutes later the nurse told Matt he could stand up and watch as they pulled little Ian out. As they started to pull him out, Matt told me he had a lot of black hair (at least darker and more than either of the other boys!) I heard him cry and there he was! Ian weighed 7lbs 60z and was 18 1/2 inches long.

All three of the boys have been born via c-section, so I've never been able to hold them right after they are born. With Ryan I didn't even get to see him, with Nathan I got to see him as they held him over the shield for just a few seconds. This time I was able to touch and really interact with him within just a few minutes of him being born. Because I was feeling sick and queezy, I was able to have my hands curled into my chest (as long as I promised not to touch my tummy), which meant that my hands were free. So when the nurse came and set Ian next to me, I was able to play with his hair and really talk to him. The nurse was awesome. She put Ian right up next to my face and leaned him into me so that he gave me kisses! She did that several times and I got to talk to him for a few minutes before they took him and Matt to the nursery. That was a special moment that I will never forget!


We are so blessed to have a healthy little boy to add to our family. He is already a huge blessing and he is only 6 days old!

New month, New car

December 1st was like any other day. Ryan went to school, Nathan took a nap (or at least had quiet time) and dinner was done, some goodies in the oven and we were awaiting Matt to get home from work.

I was starting to wonder where he was, when the phone rang. It was Matt. He had been in a car accident just down the hill from our house! The first thing he told me was that he was ok, but the Explorer was totaled! I have to admit, when I got off the phone with him I was livid. That was the car we were planning to put all the boys in, when Ian came and there was no way we could get all three boys in the Corolla. I hadn't planned to go anywhere that day, so I was even more mad that he had taken the car that got the lower gas mileage to work! About 30 minutes later he called and asked me to come and get him.

I didn't see a picture of the Explorer until the next day. When I actually saw the car in person, I was amazed that Matt walked away from the accident with nothing more than a scratch and a few sore places on his body.


After we returned home from running errands Thursday we decided to just see what was on KSL in the way of used vans. We came across a 2001 Honda Odessey that was in our price range and looked well taken care of. We called the owners and it was still available to our amazement. We told them we would be there (Alpine) in about an hour to an hour and a half. We fed the boys real quick and tried to find someone to watch them, which was not a success, so off the 4 of us went. When we got there we looked over the van and took it for a test drive. We fell in love immediately and made an offer. The guy gave it to us for even less than we offered. I think he realized our situation and was very very generous! We took the offer and asked if he would hold it until the next day so that we could get the financing for it. He was more than willing. We bought it from an older couple and I think they fell in love with the boys! It was a fun experience. The man told us that several people had called and made appointments to come see the van, but never showed up. We were the first! What a blessing!

The next day Matt and I got the financing for the van and handed the check over and off we drove with a new car! Nathan wasn't so sure about the van at first, but once we told him he could be the big helper with his baby brother in the van, he was excited to have it!

We were so blessed with how everything fell into place and that Matt walked away from the accident! We are truly blessed! And what a great time of year to remember how blessed we are!

Names

Ok, so Matt & I are struggling with names. We only have 6 more weeks until this little guy joins our family, and yet no name! We have narrowed it down to Ian Dale or Logan Dale, but can't decide on which name. We've asked the boys and they change their minds daily. So they are of no use!

Ryan is over his disappointment in not having a baby sister! He is now really excited to have another baby brother. He will be such a good help. The last few weeks, whenever he give me a hug, he then leans over and gives the baby a "hug" and tells the baby he loves him. It has been really cute!

Nathan has given the baby a few "hugs" but only when he sees Ryan doing it. I don't think he totally understands what is coming. We have been trying to potty train this kid for a few months, but he doesn't want to. He wants to be the baby. So we made his 3rd birthday his "big boy birthday" and told him that when he turned 3 that he was no longer a baby. So now we are trying again.

This little guy will make his debut before we know it, the holidays make things go by so fast. I am getting a bit nervous on how I will handle 3 boys, but I am sure the best is yet to come!

Want to start labor early....try this

I knew that today was going to be a looong day! Ryan usually goes to school in the afternoons, but today he had an all day field trip, which meant being to school at 8am! I volunteered to be a chaperone for the event. I was even lucky enough to get to ride the bus. Needless to say, Ryan was really excited that I was going with him. The field trip was to Discovery Gateway! It is a great place to take kids!

But now for the "exciting" part of this post. I came up with a new way to induce labor. I've never tried the spicy foods, Castor oil, jumping, walking etc. to start labor. I have to have c-sections so they are always planned! For those of you who can give birth the more "natural" way try this..... (and remember I still have 11 weeks to go)



Ride the school bus driven by a crazy man! Oh, make sure he goes the back roads from Eagle Mountain to Saratoga Springs & also to Thanksgiving Point with all the horrible roads. Oh, also ask him to drive really fast. One more thing...make sure you sit in the very last row of the bus. Put all those together & you will literally fly out of your seat & come down with a huge thud!!!!! That will happen two or three times at least (probably more, if you don't move up and sit closer to the front of the bus). Guaranteed to induce labor.

IT'S A..................

Boy! Yup, we are having yet another baby boy! We are excited to have this new little one join our family.

I must admit I was a bit bummed at first, we were really hoping for a girl. But it is not our turn yet! Ryan, I think was the most disappointed. He really really wanted this baby to be a girl. I am sure that as time wears on, he will come to love the fact that he will have another little brother who will look up to him!

Another perk to having another boy is we won't have to buy very many things. This baby is scheduled to come December 3oth and Ryan was born January 28th. So, this baby should be able to wear things that both of the others have worn! That will save us a ton of money.

No names as of yet...we just found out today, but when one is thought of, I will post it!

7 Years & Counting

Happy Anniversary Matt!

I have been so blessed to be married to you for the past 7 years! I can't believe it has been that long, yet it seems like just yesterday that wonderful day took place. They have been a wonderful 7 years.

There are so many things that are running through my head & heart that I just can't express them all. But you are my world & you mean everything to me. You are an amazing husband, friend, and partner in life. You are such a great Dad too! I am lucky to have your love and presence. The Lord definitely blessed me more than I deserve when he brought you into my life!

You always worry about me & do your darnedest to take care of me. You love me unconditionally, even when I don't love myself. You are always there for me no matter what and through it all. You help when it is needed & you are my support. You tell me what I need to hear, even if I don't want to. I love how you can be just as stubborn as me, if not more. You are understanding & compassionate, not only to me, but with all that you meet. That is one thing I've always admired about you. When I am sick, you willingly add being "the mom" to your list of responsibilities. You get up with the kids at night and in the morning too. You think I'm cute & sexy!

This is just a small list of the things I love about you. I am so grateful I am your companion for this life and for the life to come. That means I get you for ETERNITY!!!! I am the luckiest person in the world.

I LOVE YOU!!

Road to Recovery

After discovering that I had a bad gallbladder three weeks ago, we were finally able to do the surgery this past Wednesday. The surgeon wanted to wait until I was 14 weeks along, before doing the surgery, since it is much safer for the baby.

I really like the surgeon we used. The nurse that checked us in couldn't find the baby's heartbeat with the doppler machine & neither could the anesthesiologist. This baby is stubborn, whenever it gets poked it moves quickly. Well the surgeon refused to start the surgery until we heard the heartbeat. She called radiology to have them bring down an ultrasound that could be used pre & post-op. While we were waiting a cute little old lady nurse came in to give the doppler a try. She had worked in Labor & Delivery for 30+ years before going to surgery. Sure enough after a few minutes she find the little character.

The surgery went well & the nurses were able to find the heartbeat after the surgery as well. As it ended up, I only had one gall stone, but it was HUGE and there was a lot of sludge. I spent the night at the hospital so the baby could be monitored & to make sure I wouldn't go into labor. If all of the nurses are like the ones I had at the A.F. hospital I am excited to have this little one. The nurses were awesome!!!!!

I've been home since Thursday afternoon & haven't done a whole lot and won't be able to for another 4 weeks! The kids have been great not to jump on me & have been very gentle! Matt of course is taking care of me and making sure I don't do too much.

Despite the pain from the surgery, I already feel better. I haven't had as much nausea as before & I am sleeping a tons better. Whether the sleeping better is from all the meds or a lack of pain we'll find out soon!

Thanks for all who have helped out during the past few weeks!

Bless This Mess!

Tonight, something funny happened that I just had to share. We were trying to get the boys to sit down at the table so we could have a nice little dinner together. Both boys kept finding reasons NOT to sit down. I finally told the boys to sit down so that we could "Bless this mess and eat".

After convincing Nathan that he could wait to get himself a cup, he asked daddy if he could say the prayer. This is how it went, (Read this in a two-year old's voice)

"Dear Heavenly Father, bless this mess, it be good for bodies, name Jesus Christ AMEN!!!"

I couldn't help myself but burst into laughter. Oh, the ways of a two year old!

Following the devil???

About a week ago, the boys & I had to drive down to Orem to pick something up from the Doctor's office. While we were driving a man on a motorcycle passed us. He was not wearing a helmet. Ryan saw him out the window and the following conversation ensued.

R: "Mom, that man isn't being very safe, he doesn't have his helmet on."

Me: "That's right...it isn't very safe, he should be wearing his helmet."

R: "Why isn't he wearing a helmet mom?"

Me: "He is choosing not to be safe"

R: "He isn't doing what Jesus wants him to do"

Me: "No he's not"

R: "He isn't following Jesus' commandments"

Me: "Nope"

R: "He is following the DEVIL"

Me: (Holding back the shock I was in with him knowing that, as well as a chuckle from being caught off guard) "Yes, he is, if we aren't following Jesus, we are following the devil."

R" "yup, and it is best to follow Jesus!"


I thought this was not only a priceless conversation, but it really opened my eyes to just how much he knows about the basic principles of the gospel. I sure have been blessed with a wonderful boy, who tries to follow Jesus and do what is right. Love you Ryan!

What to Expect!

I decided it was finally time to make it official, we are expecting baby #3 in January! We are excited, but more so to get out of the icky stage of pregnancy. I have been sooooo tired and just plain icky with this one (maybe that means it is a girl!).

The boys are both excited, yet I'm not sure Nathan totally understands. HE thinks that if he looks at/in my belly button he will see the baby! Ryan is excited to finally be getting another baby to help take care of.

When we ask Nathan what is in my tummy, he tells a girl, but that he wants a baby brother. At first Ryan would tell us it was a boy & that is all he wanted. However, a few days ago, he asked me about GranDee (my mom) and her kids. How many of each she had? I told him two boys & two girls, and since then he has decided he wants to be just like GranDee & have a little girl next!

Since I am only about 10 weeks along, we won't be able to find out what gender this baby is until the middle of August.

Baby #3 we are excited for you to join our family.