Mom Saves the Day... make that Week

About a week after I had Weston, my mom flew out to help for a week and boy was I grateful! Travis, of course, didn't have the luxury of taking time off school so me and my paranoid self were full of anxiety about being home with two kids. Literally, the night she came, Collin started up with a cough and progressed into one the worse sickness he's ever had. He was a cranky monster all week long. Everything was the end of the world and he let you know it... with the most demonic, animal screaming you can imagine. It grates on your nerves. I felt bad because I knew he was sick, but I have no patience for that scream. Thankfully, Grandma did. When I would have strangled him, she talked to him soothingly and offered him another toy/surprise from her {Mary Poppins} bag. He was just spoiled rotten with lots of fun goodies that she brought and all her adoring attention. I'm sure she would have rather spent more time with the sleeping baby, but I would say most of it was taken up with Collin. Three of the mornings, I didn't even leave my room until after 11am. She got up with him, got him breakfast, dressed him and played with him until I was ready. And even after I was up, she basically took care of him for me. It might have been the end of my first born if she hadn't. (And the sad part is, she caught his cold and spent her first 5 days back in AZ sick.)

Here she is with Weston after just walking in the door.

She posed for her first picture with Collin two years ago in the same spot.

 Now, I'm sure you know I'm a "documenter", but my mom puts whole new meaning to the term. So most of these pictures are from her camera.

Here are the boys the day after she got here in the church parking lot.

 And she was very eager to show what our snow covered house looked like. I'm actually grateful for this one because I kept meaning to get a picture of our ginormous icicle hanging in front of the window, but never got around to it. You can see it here, nearly reaching the ground. By the end of the week our weather was a different story. The snow all melted and we even went for a walk outside. Trav didn't wear a coat, but I think that was a little excessive. 

 Ok, let me explain. I was sitting in the chair, as you can see. Weston was swaddled and laying on the ottoman, directly in front of me. Collin must not have been paid enough attention, or perhaps he was tired of being scolded to be more careful around the baby. Maybe a combination of both. But the next thing we know he took that coffee filter flower he was holding and with everything he had, smacked that baby across the face, faster than you can say time out. Poor Weston screamed, Grandma and I gasped, and Travis probably laughed. No, I don't know. Once it was determined that the baby was ok, we all were able to chuckle. And be grateful he wasn't holding a shoe or something. Watch out, Weston, brother is quick.

Another plus to having Grandma around, was I was able to take Collin to the Family Room twice that week. It's a place at the Amherst Community Center that I signed up for earlier this month where you can take your toddler and play with the array of toys, books, paints, playdough, etc. It was good for Collin and me to have some alone time.

 So most times I think there is nothing cuter than my widdle baby. Then every once in a while, he looks a bit {old manish}. Kinda crusty. This picture captures one of those moments. (I'm still a good mom after admitting that, right? You know you've thought it of other babies after their mom has gone on and on about how cute their kid is.)

 I wasted 4 bucks on a package of NUK pacifiers, assuming new bebe would like them as much as Collin. Not so. He prefers the Soothie. The dumb pacifier that rolls when it falls, messes up your front teeth, and doesn't attach to a normal pacifier holder. Sigh. At least I think it's kind of cute/funny when it's half the size of his head. 

 Weston getting a sponge bath. Big brother eager to help/hinder.

 We attempted Family Home Evening Monday night. Our first one with two kids. My mom videotaped the opening prayer since Collin gave it. Don't know if that was kosher, but oh well. :) He basically just jabbers along while Trav gives him words to say. FHE is hard with a toddler. But then, I hear it's hard with teenagers. You just can't win. 

 She got to be here for the newborn pictures that Megan took. All of those will be posted soon!

 I think it was Thursday morning when I came downstairs around 11am to total silence. I wondered what was going on.....

Collin was sitting on my mom's lap watching t.v. when she said he got really still. She thought we was really enraptured with the show, but then realized he had conked out- at 10:15am. A sure sign of being sick. So she let him sleep on her for an hour and a half in the most uncomfortable positions imaginable. Again... a Grandma's love.

 On her last day, she still didn't have any pics with her and the snow in the background, so we had to fix that.

(Notice video camera in hand. She took LOTS of video. In fact, yesterday I saw our neighbor, Celeste, when going out to the garage and started chatting... it had been several weeks since I'd seen her.... and I told her my mom had been in town and was sad she didn't get to meet her. Well Celeste said she thought she had seen her outside... and identified her as the lady taking pictures. Yup! That was her. :)

 She's jumping for joy because she lives where it doesn't snow.

 Here's Collin getting a fudgesicle for lunch. He also got cookies for breakfast one morning. The screamer gets what the screamer wants.

The first few days after Grandma left he asked for chocolate constantly. 

Another sponge bath.

Collin was king of funny faces, but I think this one is pretty good too. Love his forehead wrinkles.

 Grandma makes sure her grandbabies get plenty of sun. They also get EVOO on their bums instead of ButtPaste.

 This was right before I took her to the airport when we realized we didn't have any pictures of the two of us. I cried and cried on the way home after dropping her off. I guess my pregnancy hormones aren't completely gone yet. Collin was with me and seemed concerned over my sobbing. When I got him out of his carseat, he pulled my face toward his with both hands, then wiped away one of my tears. So sweet. I guess I'll keep him after all.

It was just so nice having her here. So comforting to know your mom is nearby. Completly worth pushing a baby out. :) Thank you so much, mom!

  A couple of days after she left, we gathered up all of Collin's loot and took a picture. He seems rather pleased, don't you think? 

(And Mom, he LOVES the fireman video. Trav likes to mockingly imitate their Irish/homosexual accents. I'm just grateful he'll watch something other than Curious George occasionally.)

Valentine's Day

I'm so glad that Valentine's Day breaks up the awful monotony of these winter months after Christmas! When all was said and done, we realized we stretched this {holiday} out to cover 4 separate days. First we celebrated at Toro Tapas Bar... pre-Weston. Then, on the Friday before V-day I realized everyone in the babysitting swap group would be out celebrating, so we had a candlelit "picnic" dinner in the living room, followed up with fondue. (Kinda hard to be all romantical, one week after birthing a baby). Then we partied at the Marchants on Saturday for their annual Valentine's Day bash. Crescent outdid herself this year! First we feasted on Cafe Rio style dinner, then played Minute To Win It. We laughed so dang hard. I don't usually take the time to watch blog videos, but I dare say these are worth it.  

Sadly, this is the only picture of us from the night. I was good with the candid photos, but not so much with posed ones. Trav had some mad hip action going on with this game, where you try to unravel the ribbon from one yard stick onto your partner's stick.Yard stick. :)

 This wasn't a game... just Ryan being Ryan.

We used the pantyhose in a game where you try and pull two pennies out of the stockings without using anything but your hands. Kinda hard to explain, but I dominated on this game. Give it to the girl with long arms.

Movin' the cookie down the face game...

Ok, Trav's faces in this video KILL ME.I just wish it was bigger so you could see better.

Shake it like a polaroid picture! I love that it looks like Bron is giving him a "bring it on" kind of face, but Trav is too busy strikin' a pose.

Save the best for last! I think this game (shake the ping pong balls out of the tissue box) should be played at ALL parties. Laughing this hard should have been on the {do not do} postpartum list the hospital gave me.

I had to post this picture because it looks like Anthony is checkin' out his wife's goods. :) And if you're wondering what Doug is doing... he decided some beat box sounds would be good motivation for the girls to {shake it} to. 

Next were some NewlyWed Game questions and a game to swap {naughty} prizes. Trav and I actually did pretty good matching answers in the NewlyWed Game... Question for the huband "Who would you say is the most annoying member of your wife's family?" Touchy question, right? What's funny is, just about everyone had an immediate answer AND matched correctly! haha. (Thanks Craig. :) 

Again for the husbands... "What is one thing of your wifes that you wish you could throw out of the house?" Ummm, Trav had no hestiation here.... that dang stuffed bear that another guy gave me on a date! Everyone got a good laugh as Trav ranted about driving that cursed stuffed animal across the country. I admit, it should be thrown out, but in my defense, it's a cute bear and I never cared one minute for the guy that gave it to me. And remember my weird inclinations about stuffed animals having feelings? I think I make an ok case on behalf of the bear. What do you think? :) 

The prize game was funny just because there were about 4 couples who were MADLY stealing the one gift that apparently had clout. We sat out of the pandemonium just because I knew who bought our gift and that she still had the reciept.... It wasn't until afterward that I was reminded that places don't accept returns for THAT kind of item. I'll let your imagination run wild. (Plus, we already have one. haha)

ANYWAY...

I'm so sad this was our last V-day party with these friends! Why must seniors graduate :) Who is going to step up and take the torch on the V-day party?! Thanks for a fantastic night, Marchants!

Wait... are you wondering what our 4th celebration was? Oh yes, the actual Valentines Day. Nothing fancy... I got some pretty roses from my one and only and he found hidden chocolates throughout his day at school. My mom was in town and made an amazing meal of apricot chicken, and twice baked potatoes (supposed to be shaped like a heart.. not really happenin') and then I tried out a new recipe for molten chocolate cake. Yum! I'll be making that again. All in all, it was a sugar (and love) filled 4 days!



The Birth Story

Well, last Saturday was my due date, Feb. 5, and I wasn't feeling any different. We went to a birthday party at the church building and came home and watched some t.v. and went to bed around 10:30pm. Around 12:45am I woke up to go to the bathroom and felt {wet}. (Maybe I should warn that there may be some TMI in this post, so don't read if you don't care for somewhat personal details!:) My water didn't break with Collin so I didn't know what to expect, but when I tried to stand up again and more "water" came out I knew it was time. I woke Travis up to tell him my water was leaking (he later tells me he did an inward groan because he was so tired... sorry babe.. these things always seem to happen on no sleep) and I called the doctor. Wonderful Rachel came over at 1am to be with Collin and we braved the treacherous, snow covered roads to Millard Suburban. We went through the checking-in process and the nurse told me I was only dilated to maybe a 4. Bug. I was hoping to labor mostly at home and then go to the hospital when I felt close to delivering, but when your water breaks, you lose that option. At that point, I was feeling very light, spaced out contractions, which confused me because all I've heard about were the many girls out here who have their water break with their second child and 3 hours later they have a baby. So I'm thinking that I should be popping this kid out by 4am! Ya, right. They set us up in the delivery room and after all the paperwork was filled out, we were told to try and sleep. Trav caught some uncomfortable z's, but they have to be joking to think I'm actually going to sleep. Around 4:30am the contractions started getting painful and I started squirming and breathing through them. On a pain scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst pain you've ever felt, I was around a 5. This went on for 2 hours until they came in again to check me. She tells me I'm still a 4. What?! I had to bite my tongue from demanding a second opinion. I sighed and said I may as well get the epidural then. Obviously this is going to take longer than I thought and these contractions are hurting. So my nurse suggested I sit on the birthing ball (like an excersise ball, but oblong shaped) while she got the epidural cart and maybe that will help the contractions become more regular. Well it sure did! Immediately I felt them get closer together and much more painful, but the funny thing was, they were much more managable on the ball. I would just rock side to side on it and hold the hand rail. I picked a focal point (a design on my snazzy gown) and breathed through them and felt very {in control}, even though I'd say I was up to a 7 or 8 on pain. Trav came over and massaged my shoulders and tried to convince me to get the epidural after every contraction. Once he tried to convince me DURING the contraction, thinking that would motivate me more. The nurse came back after an hour and said my doctor wanted me to start Pitocin since I wasn't progressing. I protested and asked her to check me again because I was SURE now I was further along. She seemed doubtful, but agreed, telling me I'd have to be at least a 6 for me not to have to start the Pitocin. She checked (even through two contractions... awkward) and announced I was an 8! Yes! I was so proud of myself. The nurse, Judith (older, spunky lady... really liked her) told me I was doing great so I decided I wanted to forgo the epidural. She was supportive so I really believed I could do it. Trav was not so excited. His efforts had been in vain. But once I told him I had made up my mind and I needed him to help me do this, because I really wanted to do it on my own, he was great. Maybe I should clarify a few points.... I'm really not a masochist. I actually think I have a low pain tolerance. But for some weird reason, I feel like it's a {rite of passage} for women to have babies without epidurals! I mean, that's how it was done for thousands of years and not that you have to do it without one every time, but I just wanted to know once what it feels like. Just to say, yes- I know what it feels like to have a baby and not be completely numb from the waist down. I know there is no prize for doing it without painkillers, I don't know... I guess I'm crazy. Anyway, at this point in the game, I was hurting, but still felt like I could {do it}. I think if I knew what the next hour and a half would bring, I would have screamed for the anesthesiologist right then. Now the contractions are getting a little out of hand. Make that a lot out of hand. Definitely 10's on the pain scale. I couldn't be on the ball anymore, since the baby needed to move down, so I writhed on my side on the bed, holding Trav's hand. Now, since I had always thought I'd get the epidural, we hadn't practiced any spiffy {methods} that "natural" people use... like the Bradley Method or what not. So we were just wingin' it! Trav would try to get me to keep my eyes open and breath slow and tell me I could do it and stay in control. Literally for two contractions I just pictured a Dove chocolate. Then I pictured a Navajo Taco from Cheesecake Factory and dipping fries in ranch. (I like food... leave me alone) Near the end, I couldn't focus on anything. Trav would dab my face with a wet cloth and stay in my face when I was losing it. I thought I was going to die. Pain like this has to mean death. I truly didn't know how I was going to make it. I felt like I was going in and out of consciousness. By the time Dr. Metchler got there and they were prepping the room for the baby, it was about 9am. I could feel the pressure of the baby bearing down and I felt like I could push, but I was scared to. After one of the worst contractions, I remember listlessly looking at Trav and saying, "help... help me." Later, he told me how hard it was for him to watch me grow through all that and I felt kind of bad. I hadn't thought about it from his perspective. But, boy is he my hero. In all reality, I couldn't have done it without him. When I finally did push, it was CRAZY painful. I screamed at the top of my lungs. Yes, at the top of my lungs... and we all know I can hit high notes when I scream. Really, words don't describe it, and I'll spare any more graphic details. My whole body was shaking and I didn't think I had it in me to get this kid out. Luckily, only two more pushes and two more bloody screams and his head was out. I was still in massive pain, but that was when the nurse rushed back to me telling me to stop pushing because they needed to suction his mouth. I guess there was meconium in my water, so they had to be sure he didn't aspirate any. I tried not to push, but maybe 10 seconds later, there was no helping it- I felt like my body involuntarily pushed the rest of him out. Finally, relief. But I still didn't feel out of the clear. It was so traumatic I can only liken it to being in a horrible car accident and your body not catching up to reality. You still think you might be dead. Now, instead of shaking, I felt like my body was doing little convulsions, like I was coming out of shock. They placed the baby on my stomach, but he was gray and not crying and I remember wondering why they didn't take him and help him. I guess they were just cutting the cord and then they wisked him off and I lost touch with what happened next since it was afterbirth time. :) That was another part that I didn't remember at all with Collin since I was numb, but this time I could feel it come out. And now, the miracle of miracles. The doctor tells me I didn't tear at all and didn't need stitches! I was in disbelief. Surely I had torn completely. How could I have felt pain like that and still be in one piece? But don't get me wrong, I was grateful.

(So did I paint a horrible enough picture? Because it was quite horrible. And as I read back over this, it still doesn't do it justice. So even though I'm glad I can check that off my list, I don't believe I'll be doing it again.)

Meanwhile, I don't realize it, but Weston is in trouble. Travis was by him, taking video and pictures, but at one point, the specialist looked at him and said seriously, "Now might not be the best time, Dad." I don't even know all of it, but originally the cord had been wrapped around his neck and he had yet to breathe. They were suctioning his mouth out and trying to get him to breathe, but he wasn't. I guess they eventually had to do a quick intubation, and that worked. Finally, he could get some air and started crying. When he was cleaned and the specialists were satisfied with his status, they wrapped him up and handed him to me. He still looked so pale. It was a bit surreal to be holding my second baby. I couldn't believe how small he was! Just a peanut.

 My team! Couldn't have done it without Travis and Judith. And I guess Dr. Metchler. :)

 That night, Travis brought Collin in to meet his brother. He was SO excited to meet baby brother. He kept pointing to his hat and saying "hat" over and over again.

 The Shaws also came to visit. They just got back from Japan. :) What would I do without amazing Rachel??!! Not only did she come stay at our house in the middle of the night, she watched Collin all of Sunday morning, came over Sunday night so Trav could sneak in some lab work he had forgotten about, and watched Collin Monday morning. She took him to the ward playdate, Valentine party and made sure he had a Valentine box. When we got home from the hospital, we were greeted by a big Welcome Home sign that the boys helped her color and some gorgeous hydrangea's. She had cleaned the kitchen and living room and made sure all was perfect for when we got home. Then, she called nearly every day for the rest of the week to see if I needed anything. I couldn't have asked for a better friend! Thanks Rach!

 Well, as much as I was looking forward to a relaxing hospital stay, I was ready to ditch that place after one night. Those nurses were pesky! I felt like I had a revolving door. And then I made the mistake of letting some students come in and check me and the baby. They were as slow as molasses and spent over 1/2 hour just doing vitals. Even after I put up the "Do Not Disturb" sign, people kept coming in. Thankfully, since I was healing fine, and Weston was doing great, we got the go ahead to be discharged Monday night. Weston got his snip snipping done in the morning and I was told he slept right through it! What a champ. :) Megan and Crescent came to see us right before we were discharged, which was so nice of them. That's when Megan took those pictures. They also showered Weston with some cute outfits, blankets, and the most adorable, crocheted beanie. Megan also got Collin a new toy, which he LOVED.

The drive home was uneventful... just covered in snow... and we even had about an hour to ourselves, before Tiffany dropped Collin off. She had been watching him all afternoon, took him to a craft night at the YMCA, gave him a bath and delivered him as happy as could be. She was so sweet and insistent on keeping him as long as she could, so we could get settled at home. I was so grateful!

Since my mom couldn't come out until Saturday, we were completely spoiled rotten by friends during the week. We had delicious meals brought in every day and Denyse, Megan, and Crescent took Collin on Wednesday and Thursday so I could rest. I was so overwhelmed by everyone's kindness. I'll admit that I was feeling really anxious about being home with two kids. Collin loves his baby brother, but in his excitement to give hugs and kisses, Weston gets a bit smushed. I really think he should have a helmet and something protective over his stomach to prevent any brother induced injuries. I was beyond thankful to have so many friends that were so willing to help and be there for me. Thank you, thank you!!

Well, I still have lots of catching up to do, but I will say that life with Weston is so sweet. He's such a good, little baby and so fun to hold and snuggle with. I felt like my recovery was leaps and bounds easier this time than with Collin. I'm feeling really good and now will just work on balancing life with two kids!
(Here he is all ready to leave the hospital!)

(This is a pic that Crescent took while she was watching him. He loves hats and glasses and she has two girls so this is what the result was! Mr. Cool :)

(A pic that Rach took while she had him. He loves "Gazins" as he calls him. What a cute couple :)



Weston Travis Evans

Introducing

Weston Travis Evans

Born February 6, 2011

9:10 am

6 lbs 9oz

18 1/2 in.

Our close friend, Megan, took these pictures of us at the hospital and I'm so grateful! I tear up just looking at them. As Travis accurately stated, "Her pictures make real life better!" :)

At some point I hope to get a handle on having two kids and then I can actually write about the birth! Until then, here's a sneak peak at our sweet, new love.

Snow Day!

Well the big, scary blizzard came and went yesterday and our house is still standing. It was actually kind of a disappointment, really. Not that I wanted to be without power or anything, but the way it was hyped up on the news made it seem we were in for some sort of excitement. They even preemptively closed UB, which has never happened before. So we had all of Wednesday with our dental student! What to do on a day when everything is closed? I guess play in the snow!

Once we were all bundled up it didn't even feel like 9 degrees. Honestly, it was pretty nice out. No wind makes a big difference. Some snow angels were made, but no snowmen :( It was just too light and fluffy to pack into balls.

 We did, however, eat lots of snow....

And cruise down a "hill" on a garbage can lid!

 Collin loved it so much, we thought we'd give it a try too....

Before:

 Nope, not happening.

Now no one can say, I'm not adventurous! :)

 Then after naps, we headed to Chuckie Cheese (yes, THEY were still open!) to party with our friends.

I have to say, I don't mind {snow days} one bit!