Baby Easton is here

Forgive me for taking so long to post about Easton's birth. We are so happy to have him here! I was two days past my due date (August 10th) so we had an induction scheduled for Friday August 12th at 3a.m.! The nurses started me on pitocin and we waited for the action to begin. Around 10a.m. my OB came in and broke my water, hoping that that would get the ball rolling. I was dilated to 3cm when I came in that morning. So in all likelihood, I very well could have given birth naturally that weekend. Once the pitocin started kicking in, I started feeling the contractions very distinctly. All throughout my pregnancy, I would feel cramping (like during that time of the month) and it would last all day. So I never knew what contractions really felt like until I was put on pitocin. As the day went on, the contractions started getting stronger. I luckily had my sister Stacey (who is a nurse), my mom, and David there all day to help me get through it. My mom had to constant remind me to breathe and count once the contractions came.

I was advised to get the epidural early before the contractions got so unbearable. So the anethesiologist came in, not too long after my OB broke my water. I was seated on my bed hunched over and the anesthesiologist asked me if I had scoliosis, I said no. This should have been the first indicator that I was not position well. She poked me several times with the needle and each time I cried out in pain (I was bawling during the epidural). They told me to tell them if I felt the pain to the left or right and each time I was poked, I told them which side. Finally after about 4 pokes, the anethesiologist repositioned me and got the needle in where it should be-no pain. Getting the epidural was aweful for me, but in the end I was glad I had it. I also got the max number of lidocaine shots throughout the rest of the day, because I kept feeling pain kicking in. After the last dose of meds possible, my legs went completely numb.

Around 4p.m. they asked me to start pushing once each contraction started. I would have to take a deep breathe, hold it, and push for about 10 seconds....and repeat this cycle 3-4 times on each contraction. Because I couldn't feel my legs, my mom, sister, and David took turns holding my legs up on each push. Pushing lasted two hours and meanwhile, I was getting oxygen and feeling so tired that I felt like my body was going to literally pass out on the table. At 6:24p.m., little Easton was born. My body was too weak to hold him or even keep my eyes open-and yet a nurse came in and made him try to nurse! I am not exactly sure what happend for about 3 hours after the birth because I was too tired and too drugged up! Here are a few pictures of our little guy...I don't want to sound like a Debbie Downer, but being a new mother has been completely overwhelming to me. Dealing with hormones, postpartum blues, and lack of sleep has really thrown things for a loop. I love that I have a precious newborn, but thoughts of having a little person so dependent on me has been difficult. It has also been hard not being able to get out as much as I used to and being home all day! I am so used to being on the go all the time. David got to take a little over a week off to be home with us, and now that he has gone back to work, the days have been lonely. I am so grateful to have wonderful parents, family members (immediate and extended) who have helped me get through this time of change.

I have also had difficulty wanting anything to eat. I rarely feel hungry and when I eat, just about everything makes me want to throw up. This is a HUGE change for me, because I used to eat and want to eat ALL the time. Not sure if this is due to hormone changes or lack of sleeping-but hopefully my body decides it loves food, because this is the time when I am supposed to be eating more and not less!

Baby, Baby, Baby

On July 9th, my wonderful sister in law Natalia threw me a very adorable, jungle themed baby shower. Lots of friends and family members attended and generously spoiled me and baby Easton with gifts galore. Natalia wrote on the baby shower invitations that if you brought in a package of diapers, you would be entered into a raffle drawing to win a gift card to the Cheesecake Factory. The lucky winner-my sister in law Jessica! Needless to say, I received a heaping stack of diapers on top of other baby necessities including bottles, gift cards, clothes, blankets, crib sheets, chocolate, and a mobile high chair. I want to thank all those who attended and those that were with us in spirit. David's very talented cousin Kristi took pictures of my shower. Thank you Kristi!! Below are some of the images that captured this wonderful event.

We even made the food jungle themed: Food included "tiger tails" (Cheetohs), "monkey's choice" (banana nut muffins), "giraffe leaves" (Greek Salad), Zebra Cakes, "Alligator Tails" (Croissant Rolls), Banana Runts, "Animal Munchies" (Animal Crackers with Strawberry Cream Cheese and Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Dips).

Opening the gift from my mom


Enjoying food with family

Sister in Law Sara and Cousin Kristi Ison (photographer)

Me and my mom with baby MaKenna
Friends Juliet and Melissa

My mom and ward friends Kristen Garner and Becca Olave

Sister In Law Jessica with her new baby (and my adorable niece) MaKenna. MaKenna was born just a month prior to the shower.

Playing the game where you have to guess how big around my belly is.

Measuring the guesses to see who wins a prize

Me with Paige, the 9 year old munchkin who I've been babysitting for the last 7 years!

July 4th Week in a Nutshell

I started my fourth of July weekend by going to IHOP on Saturday the 2nd with two of my wonderful friends. Sharianna (in the black shirt) is 37 weeks along and is having a little girl, I am approaching 36 weeks, and my friend Krystal just had her little bundle 5 weeks ago. It was great catching up with these girls!

We continued by going to festivities in Downtown Mesa later that evening. Not sure why our city decided they wanted to do fireworks/festivities on the 2nd as opposed to the 4th, but I was glad they did so that we could do things with our family on the 4th. We watched the Heritage School Show-choir (a charter school in the area) sing/dance/performe a skit on the various styles of music that are incorporated into the American culture. David and I were a little hesitant to stay when the performance first started, but we left at the end of the performance very impressed by the skills of these elementary through high school aged students. Afterwards, we joined thousands of others (including my family members) and watched an amazing display of fireworks. The humidity and 110 degree weather at 9:30p.m. at night was made bearable by the industrial sized misting fans which we were able to find a spot right next to. My dad was also able to find a chair, somehow, for me to sit on.

On Monday the 4th, we got up bright and early (6:00a.m.) to head to David's Aunt Julie's house for a yummy pancake breakfast, flag ceremony, and baseball. I stayed outside in the extreme hot and humid heat for as long as I could. However, after about an hour, my vision started getting a little crazy, and I knew if I didn't get inside where it was cooler that I was going to pass out. It was really weird. So I stayed inside while David and his cousins/aunts/uncles played baseball. (Above) David's aunt chatting and Grandma Judy. (Below) David's Aunt Julie sprayed the players to keep them cool, however, it was so humid that shortly after getting sprayed (so I was told), the water felt like extra sweat.

Afterwards, we went next door to my mother in laws house where we spent the next several hours hanging out with family, BBQ'ing, and learning how to play poker. After many rounds of the game, I started realizing how addicting poker could become. You see, I was winning many rounds and I just wanted to keep playing to win more :) Thank goodness it was just with poker chips and no real gains/losses occurred.

In the evening, we had another BBQ with my family at my brother's home, went swimming, and played with fireworks. By the end of the night, I was exhausted!

On Tuesday the 5th, I went in for my weekly ultrasound/NST appointment. Baby Easton is doing very well. I think when I go in today for my next ultrasound, he will be somewhere between 5-6 pounds. Here is one of the latest pictures of the little guy: (sorry for the sideways picture)Last thing...I promise! Friday was Cow Appreciation Day at Chik-Fil-A. So I was able to convince my little sister and brother to dress up as cows with me. What did we get in return? 3 free meals, valued at approximately 7$ each! All of us were very hesitant, walking to the Chik-Fil-A entrance, as all the other customers coming in the fast food restaurant were wearing regular clothes. Luckily, as we entered, there were tons of other "cows" dressed just like us.

Happy Father's Day!

This year, being the first year we actually have a child on the way, I wanted to do something for David. After all, in 7.5 weeks (hopefully sooner) he will be come a dad for the first time. I had browsed many crafty blogs and modified the idea I liked the best. Here is the final product:

I bought a case of IBC rootbeer, a sweet treat that my husband loves. I covered the box in scrapbook paper and spent what seemed like an hour creating the circular message that says "We are so glad you are the 'pop' of our family.....Love Easton and Mommy". Keep in mind I am by no means computer savvy, especially when it comes to designing things like this. I then decided to make six ties, one to go on each bottle. All were signed "Love, Easton". They read something like this:

1. When I grow up, I want to be a mighty hunter, just like my dad.

2. When I grow up, I want to serve a mission for the LDS church, just like my dad did.

3. When I grow up, I want to treat the women I date and my wife like a queen, just like my dad did and does.

4. When I grow up, I want to go to college and be as smart as my dad.

5. When I grow up, I want to be as charitable and look for ways to serve others as much as my dad does.

6. When I grow up, I want to be as good lookin' and handsome as my daddy is

While David was getting ready for the day, I quietly hurried to my hiding spot, took out the package and left it on the counter. I then came back and started doing my makeup and asked David to make some Eggs Benedict (he is the breakfast maker in our home and it was my ploy to get him to the kitchen). He went out there and I could hear the bottles "clink". A few minutes later, he came to me and gave me a big hug (his face was a little red). He said "Thank you, Love!" and gave me a gentle hug. He then said "you are making me blush". What I think he meant to say is "You're making me emotional and i'm on the verge of tears". Apparently my gift was very meaningful to him-just what I wanted it to be. Happy first Father's Day my love!

In other news, I am approaching week 33 of my pregnancy. Hooray! I am excited to have little Easton here, but now the stress of trying to find someone to watch my dear little one once I have to go back to work is approaching. If anyone knows of any good home based sitters in the Gilbert/Mesa area, please let me know! This picture was taken at week 31.5...sorry it isn't a side shot (but trust me, my belly really is huge if you can't tell).

A new addition

On Friday afternoon, I was just finishing lunch (at Wildflower Bread Company-in case you wanted to know) with some of my girl friends when I recieved a text message from my sister in law. It read "Having the baby at 3". My SIL was not scheduled to have her C-Section until later the following week. Knowing she was feeling sick and had to go to the hospital the day before, I was a little worried. The hospital nurses/doctor said that she had the flu and sent her home. First off, let me just say how I nearly always discredit the diagnosis ER staff give...because on 9 out of 10 diagnosis in our family, they have been wrong. This time was not any different. At her OB appt. on Friday, the doctor said she had pre-eclampsia and wanted to schedule a C-section for that afternoon. And so around 4p.m. on Friday, MaKenna Lily Johnson was born. She is ADORABLE and we are so happy to have her join our family. I'm sure baby Easton is anxiously awaiting his turn to join us as well (I know his parents are!). Here are some pictures of baby

MaKenna.

San Diego 2011

About three weeks ago, David and I joined my brother, his family, and my mom on a short trip to San Diego. Thank goodness we left the Arizona heat when we did. The day before we left, I think it got up to 100 degrees and it was extremely dry. These two combinations and working all day led to swollen legs and feet.

We hit the road early Thursday morning, May 5th and arrived at our hotel about 6 hours later. We decided to check out Seaport village and just meander around. My brother and his family had arrived the day before and were at Sea World. David and I didn't get tickets to Sea World due to how far along I was in my pregnancy (all the walking and not being able to go on rides). We ended up buying these yummy Watermelon flavored suckers (a Mexican candy) that were covered in sugar and chili powder. Sounds gross, right? But I shortly became addicted and wish I would have bought more! Our purchase of the candy ensured we payed 1$ for 2 hours of parking at Seaport Village, instead of 8$ for the 2 hours (can you believe they charge you 1$ for every 15 minutes of parking!) David and I got to take pictures by several large ships, one of which is in the new Pirates of the Caribbean 4 movie.

For dinner, we ate at the "Old Spaghetti Factory". We were going to eat dessert at the Ghiradelli Ice Cream shop, however, our meal at the Spaghetti Factory included ice cream! (I definitely recommend going to that place-a full blown meal for a decent price). So we just strolled down 5th avenue in the gas lamp district and headed back to our hotel.

On day 2 of our trip (Friday, May 6), we toured the USS Midway ship (took us about 5 hours to tour!). It was very fascinating, but lets just say that I could have toured the thing in about 2 hours. In front of the Midway with our niece Kiara and nephew Dallin.

Kiara sitting in one of the airplanes

My mom sitting in one of the soldiers bunks. Not much room and if you were the lucky soldier that got this bunk, you'd have to be extremely careful to not sit up at night or you'd whack your head.

On the bottom floor of the ship was where the jail was. We tried to get Kiara to frown but I guess being in jail was too fun!

Upon arriving in San Diego the day before, I saw the Coronado Island Bridge and told David how I never wanted to go on that thing again. It is so high up over the water! I had crossed the bridge with a few friends several years ago when we had stayed on Coronado Island-and it was scary! So, my brother, upon hearing this, thought that it would be cool to drive across the bridge for lunch (after going on the Midway). So I kept my eyes focused on the road and I survived! Whew! We went to a beautiful beach on Coronado Island. It was way too cold for most of us to go in the water. David had a wet suit and plunged right in. He also found about 10 live Sand Dollars. We were all so fascinated as none of us had every seen live ones before. My sister in law Jessica is due with baby #3 in June and I am due in August with baby #1. So, we had to get belly shots!
After a long day at the beach, we did end up going back and getting some ghiradelli sundae's on 5th avenue and boy were they yummy!

On our last day, we stopped at the Cabrillo tide pools before heading back to Arizona. The tide pools could have been potentially filled with starfish, octopus, fish etc. However, all we saw were crabs, barnacles, lots and lots of shells and some fish. The boys had quite the adventure trying to catch crabs. The crabs were trying to hide in the crevasses of the rock and when one of the boys finally got one out it would scurry extremely fast back into the rocks. I have video but for some reason it won't load onto the computer. Here are photos at the Cabrillo tidepools and lighthouse.
My brother Chris and his two children, looking for sea creatures. My nephew Dallin was more than happy just to throw rocks in the water.

Easter

This year, David and I decided that we wanted to gear our Easter thoughts more towards the Savior and less towards the candy, chocolate and materialistic version of Easter (although we definitely included some traditional Easter festivities). After all, we celebrate Easter to remember that Christ died and was resurrected. We started the week off by attending the Easter Pageant on the Arizona LDS temple grounds. David and I walked away with a better sense and conviction that Jesus is the Christ and that He does live! I think this Easter was more meaningful for us because there are those in our family who no longer believe that Jesus exists. The pageant was a very powerful testament that He lives and loves us. Too many prayers have been answered and too many spiritual experiences have happened in my life to believe contrary.

The Easter Bunny dropped off some things in Easton's crib, because he found some good deals at Target that he just couldn't pass by :) Next year, we will be a little bit more fanciful and start better Easter basket/egg hunt traditions after little Easton arrives.

Later in the evening, we went to my in-laws house for the traditional egg hunt and yummy Easter feast. My sister-in-law Fawn came up with the great idea to get the adults included in the egg hunt this year. She wrote names on 2 miniature sized eggs for the adults (not sure the miniature size was the best idea-but it was still a good challenge) and hid them in the super tall weeds/grass and hale bales in my inlaws huge yard. There were also a few HUNDRED regular sized eggs and even some gigantic eggs filled with jelly beans hidden. We spent over an hour it seems looking for the eggs and even then, my poor niece and nephew never found their second miniature egg. I absolutely loved Easter this year and am so grateful for the fun yet peaceful time I got to share with my family.

Rosalee found some gigantic eggs (I told you they were huge!)

Natalia found her miniature egg (actually I found it for her and pointed her in the right direction)
Nephew Dylan showing off his egg
Father and son
Hailey and Dylan checking out the goods (jelly beans) inside of the eggs


Did I mention how hard it was for me to find this egg? It was hidden in the outer edges of the hay bale.

Oh.....and we also had my niece Lanae's birthday party-happy birthday Lanae! Can't forget the baby bump picture of me and cousin Suzanne. Suzanne is due in June and I am due in August. (pictures courtesy of Kristi Ison)