the arrival

We were checked into the hospital on Monday night at 7pm. I was 6 days overdue and was only dilated to a 1+, so that night they were going to give me cervidel to hopefully speed up the process. The whole night nothing happened. No contractions. A nurse came in at 7 am and repositioned the cervidal. That got things going! A few hours later they gave me pitocin and a few hours after that I got my epideral. I got what they call a walking epideral. It's about 60% of the effect of a full epideral, so I was still able to walk around (with help), move my legs and best of all feel just enough of all the labor because I wasn't completely numb. I absolutely loved that! It was moving slowly but surely. It was abut 5:30 pm and the nurse told me I was around a 5+. We were just waiting for the doctor to show up so he could break my water and hopefully speed things up. When he came in just after 6 he checked me. "Oh ya, we're ready to go!" I thought he meant okay to break the water, but in just over a half hour I went from a 5+ to ready to push! It hit me! This baby was coming!! It felt like it went so fast! When they were ready I sat up, told them when I was contracting and 15 min later and a few pushes she was on my chest. The feeling was overwhelming. My adrenaline was pumping, I was crying, and she just sat there looking at me with her eyes wide open.

I always wanted her by me, so when the nurse took her for a few hours so I could get some sleep that first night, it made me nervous. I was always half asleep. I even heard a baby cry, called my nurse in and said, "I'm just being a paranoid mother, but is that my baby crying?" she let me know, "oh no, you're baby is sound asleep!"

Caden was such a support through this process! I was even surprised he cut the cord and watched some of the labor. ( this is a guy who would easily faint) She came out looking just like daddy!

So content...

She was rooting right after labor! That night she found her thumb. She's tried since, but hasn't been successful. Maybe aunt Mal just showed her that night.

We couldn't be happier!

We love you Maggie!

life around the house

Well of course sometime this week we had to get little Mags dressed up and take some cute pictures.

this is just the start of more to come i'm sure of it!

She wasn't to fond of the naked pics -notice the scowl

I can't get enough of these eyes. One of the best things about being her Mom is when i talk to her she finds my face and does her slow blinking stare at me. I know she can recognize my voice and knows that i am close.

She loved her first bath, until it came time to coming out.

Poor Mags had to be under lights for a few days. It was hard cause all she wanted to do was be held. Thank goodness we had a portable wand with lights to hold her with. but yay! no more pricks on the heel everyday!!

I absolutely love this picture! I think Maggie looks just like her daddy. She has his nose, his lips, his face. i love it! He has been wonderful to us! I think I hear 10 times a day, "What can I do for you?" If i ask for something he is immediately up helping before I can finish. He's very cautious and careful. Sometimes he has the magic touch if she's crying. It's so fun to watch them together. She loves her daddy daughter time.

Just relaxin...

I couldn't have done it without grandma this week. She helped me physically by cooking, cleaning and much more, mentally, when i was running on one hour of sleep and emotionally with my pregnancy hormones still racing. Thank you Mom. I love you!

....

Her due date came and went.... hello 40 weeks....

yes i am trying everything to induce labor (i would prefer starting my own contractions then drugs, but what do ya do) .... and yes i am having a hard time finding a comfy spot to sit, stand or lay... and yes we are getting anxious... but so excited!!! I'll miss this.

valden carl

Grandpa Anderson died September 20, 2010. We will miss you!

I remember when I first met Grandpa Anderson, he was so eager to tell me of the full life he lived. He shared stories and letters from the war and told about his success of his thriving business adventures and farm. Caden told me he was always working from sun up to sun down and was actively working until he was at least 88! The stories Caden would tell me made me laugh too. You could tell he was quite a character.

" I've lived a good 96 years. Every last one of 'em" he would say. Sometimes he would follow it with, "If only I could have kept Bunny with me a little longer" He is now with his sweet wife. You could tell he dearly missed her.

He would always take my hand and tell Caden, "You take care of her!" On one occasion, he wrote Caden a 20 dollar check and told him to take me out on a nice date.

I hope I can live so long with my sweetheart and family and cherish everyday.

SURPRISE!!

...and you thought a baby was coming today....me too. but i have to remember we're on a roller coaster that just keeps going.

So i went in yesterday, the day before the scheduled c-section, and right when starting the ultrasound the technician tells me, "Um...she's head down!"......WHAT!?

This little stinker waited after a month of stress, tests and procedures to just turn on her own at 39 weeks! The day before she was supposed to come!! i was shocked, and thrilled! the cord is still around her neck, so we're keeping our eye on her, but everything should be okay. So now what?? We'll plan on everything working the good ole fashioned way!

I'm looking forward to now the wonderful labor pains,the intense pushing, my husbands coaching, having her skin to skin and yes even the anticipation of her arrival once again. Heavenly Father truly knows best and answered our prayers. Thanks to all for your support and love!

so now we wait.

we're on a roller coaster!

As many of you know our baby has been breech the whole pregnancy. I've been trying everything I could to get her to flip. I've been on my hands and knees, going swimming and even doing head stands against the couch. I wanted to try and avoid a c-section so my doctor recommended an ECV or aversion. Basically what would happen is this: he would send me up north where I would have a very detailed ultrasound, a non-stress test, they would then give me an IV and muscle relaxer. They would then attempt to move the baby from the outside. Literally grab her head and feet and turn her to be head down. That would be followed by another ultrasound and a non-stress test. The night before the procedure I was really nervous! I heard it was very painful, but then again so was the though of a c-section. I wanted that chance to experience that sacred opportunity of going through labor, feeling those emotions and working for my baby. I knew I just wanted to try this.

Well after the first ultrasound the doctor thought the umbilical cord might be around her neck and she was measuring 2 1/2 weeks behind our due date which made him nervous. He didn't want any risks. He said the only option was to schedule a c-section at 39 weeks (2 weeks). I started mentally preparing myself for having a c-section and was looking forward to seeing our baby so soon! I had to have bi-weekly NST's and ultrasounds and at the following two ultrasounds the cord wasn't around her neck!! My doctor on Tuesday told me if I wanted to I could try for the aversion again. I didn't even think that was an option! I was overwhelmed and stressed again that I now had to make another decision. I had already mentally prepared for the c-section and was looking forward to meeting or little girl in a week, but I kept thinking I never want to think, "What if i could have tried natural child-birth", so I decided to give it one more shot. We were in the room for no more than 15 min when a different doctor told us for a second time she didn't feel comfortable doing it. She said it looked like the cord was to close to her neck (didn't see it around, but it was close) and the baby's head was resting on my placenta. If they tried to move her the placenta would keep getting in the way and it might cause it to detach which would cause our baby's heart rate to drop and have to perform an emergency c-section where i would be completely out and wouldn't be able to hear my baby's first cry. I was glad she was honest with me. (what was crazy about this is the technician didn't see a cord close around the neck 10 minutes before the doctor came in) I thought, well at least I know now and I would never think, What if?? and I did feel good about these results. I know Heavenly Father is watching out for the safety of our little girl and she is meant to come into this world this way for a reason. A c-section is scheduled for Wed. September 15th and 7:30 am. I was now counting down the days until we could see her. It would be 5 days now!

WELL...... I get a call this morning from my doctor. She is measuring a little to small for there liking. Even though I am 38 weeks, she is measuring more like a 36 week old. He told me he wants to check her lung maturity. He told me to come in the day before the scheduled c-section where they would put a needle in my belly, and get some amniotic fluid to check her lung maturity. If all is well, we will go forward with the c-section the next day, if not we may have to wait another week, maybe more...

I'm so grateful I have careful doctors who are taking care of my baby and me, but I am now so anxious!!! Will it be 5 days?? Will it be 14?? Do I have to wait to go into labor on my own?? I guess this is what it's like anyway waiting to go into labor, but it's just been a roller coaster!!

This is me at 37 weeks before the first scheduled aversion. ( i had to take a picture just incase it put me into labor)

The day before the second scheduled aversion I spent, what might be my last Wednesday before she comes with my mom and sisters. My mom pampered me by doing my eyelashes, eyebrows, hair and then Paige came in to do my toenails!! I'm so lucky to have family who love and support me!

Sugar and Spice

This was my Sugar and Spice and Everything nice baby shower!

We did it at the sugarhouse park where there was a beautiful ice cream bar set up with tons of candy and toppings! Everything looked perfect!

My two sisters and mom did a wonderful job throwing me a shower! they put so much into it, it looked amazing! thanks guys, i love you!

Jani and I are only 6 days apart! We're both having girls and it's been so fun to be pregnant together!

Yay for the bank job for bringing friends together! Love these girls!

My sis made the cutest onesies with little ice cream cones on them while the other sis put matching headbands over them. I can't wait to put her in them.

This shirt just emphasizes the fact that i'm pregnant...

She got so much cute stuff! and it was everything i needed!

I love these hooded towels!

My mom got me this blessing dress that i absolutely love!!! i especially love the bonnet with all the ruffles and the crochet booties!

Thanks again to all of you!

The last 24 hours..

I decided to start a baby afghan. I've only tried scarfs so i decided now would be the time to venture out. I am pleasantly surprised how well it's going so far...i just hope i will be able to finish in time. 5 more weeks!!

Me at 35 weeks being all domestic and stuff

I also learned how to do flowers. Maybe i'll stick them on the blanket or make something else out of them.

Today i was hanging up some of Caden's shirts and saw a baby pink hanger. HEY! his response was "When you need one... you need one!"

SUMMER FUN!

There's nothing better than going up to the canyon and soaking in the sun with the family that you love!

I love this little guy!

Nate, Cass, Yo, and Dad cooking hot dogs over coals. The kid in all of us....

Cheeser!

Mount Pleasant so far...

Some pics of the new place.

( you can barely see, but we made a very wise purchase on the super sac on the bottom right corner. It's well used and we knew once she comes our purchases will be limited)

Thanks fam for helping us move in!

Caden's new toy!- Well we are officially 100% debt free.....for now. We decided to sell our precious Toyota Avalon, that I loved so much, to get rid of any monthly payments. But we both thought it was a good idea to have a "back up car" so we found this fun ole thing for a trade in. It's been really fun and Caden is all talk about going in the mountains and camping and such. We've already been on a few rides and I have to remind him that I have a body inside me bouncing around so we're a little limited on the off roading we can do.

30 weeks!

So being here in Mount Pleasant with plenty of time and no job waiting for baby, I get a little crafty. I found some dress up beads and glued them to these few lamps. It's been fun! Caden is probably getting sick of me bringing home more stuff home for her. (I loved this wall sticker of this chandelier ). Just gettin everything ready for her.

We are really loving it here. The people are sweet, the town is charming and the country living is beautiful!

ECLIPSE

LOVED IT!

i think i had a smile spread across my face when jacob and bella kissed....

We made each other fans....love ya caitlyn!

My own Renesme in my belly! :) ok so wrong book but i may not be pregnant when the next book comes out and i wanted to take advantage of the funny opportunity

third trimester

as of yesterday i hit my seven month mark and am officially in my third trimester! i can't believe she'll be here in less than 3 months! i feel like it's going by so fast! I went to the hospital here in Mount Pleasant to check things out. A nurse showed me the labor and delivery/recovery room where all the machines, bed and baby's bed were. A flood of emotions came over me. I was scared thinking of labor and all that comes with it. I could visualize her in the carrier and was anxious to hold her. I was happy and excited thinking she is coming so soon!

I love being pregnant!

* she's the first thing i feel in the morning and the last thing i feel when i go to bed- she is always moving and squirming !!!

* i crave snow cones, icee's and otterpops all the time

* I was watching A Baby Story and cried when the mother held her baby after 38 hours of labor

(i don't know if i was crying thinking about the labor or that she could finally hold her baby)

* i love passing the baby section at wal-mart or target and browsing

* i love when people ask me when i'm due or if i'm pregnant

* i am always putting my hand on my belly just to feel like she's with me

* i sing in the car and wonder if she likes it.....or not

* thankfully i was never threw up or was too sick, so i feel like i could do this another 4 or 5 times :)

* i love when caden feels her and says, "Oh! that was her!" "Oh, i love her"

(as of recently, Caden is calling her Maggie. i love it, but i tell him to not name her yet, but he says, "you know that's her name!" it's his favorite.... what do you think?)

I love looking at old pics

So three years ago around Easter time the 5 of us decided to go to comedy sports in Provo. We went really early so we could get good seats. We showed up by the locked door. Guess we didn't need to go that early. Well as you can see......we got bored. and this is what happens when you get bored. I always laugh so hard when I look at these. Maybe a few of you will appreciate it.

This man has some serious farmers tan issues to this day. (but i love the GQ pose. he's cute)

Looking off into the distance......

So here i am about to get up and get the camera on the sidewalk to reset it, but what is up with weston!!!!

just a close up so you can see what i mean....

rock on!!!

A new beginning

It's almost like a mission call waiting to find out where our position would be. We were expecting to find out our assignment in a few more weeks but to our surprise we got a phone call last week. Caden's instructor got on the phone and this was our following conversation.

Instructor: "So are you excited to know where you're going?!?"

Me & Caden: "Yes!"

Instructor: "You put on your application that you would go anywhere right??

Me: "Ya?"

Instructor: " Caden has been called to Utah Valley East area."

Me: "Ok? What does that mean?"

Instructor:" He's going to be teaching at the high school in Mount Pleasant Utah!"

Caden: "Really?!"-while laughing and giggling

Me: "Wait, where's Mount Pleasant?"

Caden: " It's right before Ephraim sweetie!"

Caden had a feeling we were going to a small town in southern Utah. I'm still letting it sink in. We're looking for a home in Ephraim because we love the town, and of course there is a Wal-mart there. We met at Snow College in Ephraim and I loved every minute of it there, but I never dreamed of getting our first home and raising my kids there! I'm excited for the fun opportunity of this new career and getting a house and starting our family.

This might very well be my new neighbor...............

Me at Five Months!!

I thought I better throw this in. (don't mind the weird face. i told him to leave my face out of it). We had our 20 week appointment last week where we did the fun ultrasound and saw all the neat things inside. It was crazy to see her heart beating, her little fingers move and happy to see that she was healthy.

I was happy to hear when we got our assignment that we would only be an hour and twenty minutes away from my family in pleasant grove. I know I will need my sweet mother and family close by to visit on those random days with my sweet girl. And it will be fun to be closer to Carl so we can hopefully visit him more often.