12 Weeks! William Facts!

 

I am totally aware that most babies probably do the following things at the exact same time as William, BUT, I just want to give an update about what we have been up to! Today William reached 12 weeks. This little guy is so fun to have around. He loves to smile, talk and sing. He always has something to babble about and lets you have it when you aren't paying enough attention to him. 

He comes with me to work everyday (about 4 hours) and sometimes is nice enough to sleep the majority of the time. Those days are GREAT! Other days he needs to be held and cuddled. Good thing I have a sling that I stick him. Hopefully he gains something from going to work everyday, like how to design, or about cows, or how not to double task with a screaming child.

He loves to snuggle and be held close. William is bottle fed and lets you know when he is hungry, he moves into position and starts sucking your arm. Apparently that is where he thinks his food comes from. He is drinking about 4-6 oz. every three hours. We give a little milk cocktail of half reflux/costco formula. He seems to be doing great and is getting plump.

William has started to sleep through the night now. This past week he has gone to bed around 8:30 and wakes up at 4:30-5. Let me tell you, BLESSING FROM ABOVE!!! We moved him into his nursery and I think that has made all the difference. He sleeps snug as a bug in his crib and has a cute little snore every-so-often. He likes his binky in at night to help him sleep. That can be a curse as it wakes him up if it falls out too soon.

NOW  FOR WILLIAM'S TRICKS!!

William can bring his fingers together and look at them.

He can move them to his mouth and suck on them.

He can bring toys to his mouth to suck on them. Pictured is his favorite toy alligator that Grandma Miles made for him. He loves to cuddle with it. He also lets me know when it has fallen off his lap. We also use the Alligator to sing him his favorite play song, "Three little monkeys swinging in a tree, teasing Mr. Alligator, "Can't catch me"."

 William will look at Mom and Dad when they talk to him. He loves when Dad comes home from work and gets excited. Sometimes he tells Dad off for being away so long.

William also loves to blow bubbles. We have him wear mittens for the dual use of wiping his face and avoiding scratches. Babies have such sharp nails!

William weighs 13 lbs. 5 oz. and is 24 inches long. We feel so blessed to have this little guy in our home. He is so fun to be with and we can tell he has such a happy personality!

Delivery

I really enjoy reading delivery stories so I thought I would share my own.

William was due the 27th of January. The day came and went, and then a few more days came and went...and I thought it was getting ridiculous that he hadn't arrived. No contractions, no broken water, maybe a mucous plug. My doctor told me she rarely lets her mothers go over 41 weeks and said she would induce me on the 31st.

So the morning of the 31st I walked into our little 20 bed hospital in Jerome and signed in. I hardly slept the night before because I was so excited/nervous. I was feeling at ease that everything would go normal, but had no idea what to expect.

I told the nurse, a woman in my ward a church, all of my birth plans. It was going to be all natural. These were the most important things:

• No epidural
• No pitocin
• No pain meds
• Baby remains with me the whole time

The doctor came in around 8:30 and broke my water. It was the most awkward feeling of my life sitting in the hospital bed and feeling like I was wetting myself. My Mom and Bryce sat there watching me, waiting for things to happen. I finally told them to find something else to do because it was just too embarrassing. I also had requested that they turn away whenever the nurse did an exam...which is funny because at the end I could care less.

Around 2:00 things started to pick up and I started to have painful contractions...Right away I told the nurse to call the anesthesiologist. Epidural...PLEASE!!! I realized very quickly that I could be here all night with that amount of pain, and I wasn't going to have it. I kicked Bryce and my Mom out of the room while they prepped and placed the epidural. Once everything was situated and only working on half of my body. (BOO) My entourage returned. The doctor then called and told me since I had the epidural I might as well get some pitocin to help things move along faster. By this point I had backed out of my entire birth plan but honestly didn't care.

The next few hours were a blur of just waiting around until 6:00. I started to move into transition and remained dilated at a 9 for four hours. The pain on the right side of my body (where the epidural didn't work) was throbbing. Every time I had a contraction my sciatic nerve would be pinched. I sat there moaning as my Mom and Bryce tried to comfort me, tell me to breathe, and press on my back. I demanded ice chips be shoveled in my mouth. I told my Mom after that had it not been childbirth and I was in that much pain I would have killed myself to end the pain. I literally sat there in the bed contemplating death. I cried. I begged for someone to remove the baby by hand. I cried some more. I complained I couldn't take it anymore. 

What else was uncomfortable was I had my least favorite Paul Simon song stuck in my head. FOR HOURS!! Over and over again...War Time Prayers. Seriously nothing better than feeling like death and having a dumb song in your head.

There were also precious moments in the midst of everything. It was a very spiritual experience knowing that a little soul was about to enter this world and I was going to be his Mom. I was so excited for him to come and so nervous that everything would turn out ok.

At about 10:00 the nurses called the Doctor and said it was time to push. They rolled me over on my back and Bryce took one leg and my Mom took the other. It was as if there was no pain at all. My doctor was impressed with my pushing skills, saying she rarely sees a woman who has an epidural push that well. We joked for the whole hour I pushed and finally I worked the baby out. William was born at 10:49. It all happened so fast.

They placed him immediately in my arms. Bryce quickly said he looked like Predator, and I was just overwhelmed by the experience. I laid there holding him trying to calm him down after what must have been just as traumatic experience as I had. It was such a blur of them cleaning me up and taking pictures.

That night Bryce and my Mom went home to sleep and left me alone at the hospital. I was honestly a little peeved that Bryce left, but that quickly turned around as I had one of the most spiritual experiences. We laid there in the hospital room, little baby William in my arms and I smelled him and kissed him and knew he was a gift from God.

It was also amazing to know that my Mom was there to help me. I had reservations about anyone but Bryce being there but I felt so relieved to know my Mom was at my side encouraging me and supporting me. I am sure she enjoyed witnessing his entry into this world.

"That baby boy's in the ice box again"

Our little baby

Hey everyone, it's Bryce, I don't write on the blog much, well, I don't ever write on the blog, but I decided to go ahead and write something since we had what I like to think of as a milestone in our life.The name for the post is one of my favorite childhood sayings from a client we had in our home.  That is how I always knew I was about to get in trouble for getting in the fridge.  

Well, we had a baby.  That's it...well, that's not totally it...WE HAD A BABY!  On 1/31/13, Kristen gave birth to a sweet little baby boy that was 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20 inches long.  We have been anticipating this for a long time now, I think it's been about 9 months or something like that.  The sleepless nights, crying, pooping, crying, peeing, crying, etc.  It is all completely and entirely worth it.  It is worth every minute, every second of having him here with us.  The miracle of it all is that, somehow, God chose us to be his parents.  This is a new adventure for us and...wait for it...William, his name is William.  

William Phillips

As it turns out, William is actually a baby.  I questioned this for about a half a second when he first came out, but he is indeed a baby.  A baby boy at that.  Kristen and I have thought that it would be really funny if he came out a girl since we already had everything decorated to look like a boy's room.  

 Yeah, still would have been kind of funny if we had to change it to Lily, or Lilliam or some more girly name.  

William is now 4 whole days old, at the very minute I'm writing this actually.  We decided on William because we both really liked the name and thought it was nice, easy to spell, and a strong name.  His middle name is John-Kerry, named after both of his grandfathers and his great-grandfather.  All great men and all will be a great influence for good in William's life.  Oh, and Phillips is the last name, I thought it sounded good before we decided.

The next morning at the hospital.

What a great joy it is to have this little baby in our home.  He is a little bundle of wonder and didn't come with instructions or directions on how to change him or understand what his crying means at different times.  He came as a little perfect baby that will continue to grow and start to show us his personality.  He is quite the blessing in our home and we can't wait to see how he changes.  

I was talking with my mom tonight about how children and life, but mostly children, come just how they are supposed to and we have the right amount of trials in our lives.  This talk stemmed from me telling my mom about the LDS Stake conference we had on Sunday, where Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the 12 Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, came and spoke to our stake in a special stake conference.  At the end of his talk he left an apostolic blessing for everyone and specifically left a blessing for the children and new babies, blessing them that they would be safe.  God gives us trials as he sees fit, whether it be a crying baby at 2 in the morning, a baby without instructions, or something harder like death or dismemberment.  However our trials come in this life, they are what we need and what we can handle.  Having a new baby is challenge for both of us, but it is worth it.  

Alright, I know everyone, especially my mom, is asking for a lot more pictures than she has seen, so I'll add a few at the end now.

The new mom immediately after birth.  What an amazing woman Kristen is.

 The little baby the next day with more normal color and head shape.

 The outfit that was planned to take William home in.  The doctor said we could take him home as soon as he peed for the first time...which happened to be a few minutes after we put him in this outfit.  He soaked it all the way through.

 So, we put him in a bear costume instead.  He enjoyed it and was a lot warmer than previously.

While we were still waiting to finish up at the hospital, Uncle Don, Aunt Cathye, and Hennessy came to visit the new baby.  Uncle Don was so excited for us and to get to hold him.  I think this is a great picture of them with William. 

Grandma Carolyn giving William his first bath.  I think he liked it.

One more week!!

This past week I discovered Hypno-birthing. I know...a little late in the game. New age? Yes. But let me tell you...it has been AMAZING. It has been relaxing and filling me with positive vibes.

Last week I was struggling a lot with fear and anxiety about the birth. I would have nights where I couldn't sleep because I was afraid something was wrong with the baby or something could go wrong. Little things, like thoughts of a cord tightly around his neck, emergency c-sections, breached deliveries. I think from the very beginning of this pregnancy I have been afraid of the worst. Being diagnosed with a Sub Chorionic Hematoma (SCH) early on and bleeding was a very emotional downward tailspin for me and prevented me from embracing the child growing in me for a long time. I started to read and listen to all the horror stories of what could go wrong and totally absorbed myself in negativity. These things have been on my mind for months. I needed to let them go.

Lets face it. Every woman has a warrior story when it comes to their bodies and motherhood. Whether it is a struggle to want to become a mother, birthing, loss, adoption, or infertility. Woman need to find support from others during these times. We find solace in knowing we are not alone; that things go wrong, and that we can overcome. I think I had placed myself in a mindset where I forgot to see the good, joy, victories, and miracles. I had forgotten that every warrior story contains those as well.

My body healed itself naturally from the SCH. My baby has grown. He kicks and squirms. He has a shaky leg like I did in my mothers womb. He doesn't have to fit a standard size measurement or look a certain way. He will come the way nature and God planned for him to enter this world. He may not be perfect. He will be a member of our family and my son.

Being able to push all the negativity aside has been so amazing. I feel like in the last three days I have come full circle and am finally able to embrace that things can go well. I feel much more at ease and less burdened. I don't sit around waiting for him to come anymore; fearing for an early or scary delivery. I also don't feel the need to have to run around the block or do jumping jacks to get him here. (Sadly, I may become a hypocrite and resort to that if he doesn't come while my mom is here) Exciting things are happening in little Jerome, ID and I can't wait for the changes.

Stay tuned. The next post will be of a sweet little baby boy!

It's beginning to look a lot like Kristen.

I have a confession. I put my name into every Christmas song imaginable. For example, the songs that were stuck in my head for my December wedding, "I'm dreaming of a white Kristen," and "I wish you to marry Kristen." I think it all started when I realized that many children confuse my name with Christmas. You know those moments when a mother has her infant repeat your name, Christmas was repeated 50% of the time. So this year I have been singing, "It's beginning to look a lot like Kristen."

We had a great Christmas this year. We were able to celebrate with both sets of parents. My parents were so kind to drive up because I was unable to travel down to Utah to spend Christmas with them. They spent a few days with us and we enjoyed their company. I think one of the highlights was playing games and watching the BYU bowl game. It was nice to just relax. Bryce's parents arrived a day after my parents came. It was fun to chat and eat yummy food with them. We combined many of our families traditions this year. Including my families Christmas Eve tradition of opening pajamas. Of course we all had to match! Bryce was so sweet to me this year and got me a beautiful necklace. John was just as giving and got me a shot gun, named kitty-cat. An inside joke because Bryce and I had an agreement that if he got a shot gun, then I get my cat Sofie. :)

On Friday I had an ultrasound to check on our little guy's position. I was SURE he was heads up...you know, "Mother's instinct." I was wrong. Which isn't a bad thing. Actually it reassured me he wouldn't come out feet first. I also made the doctor assure me he has boy parts. I really don't want to be surprised. But the best part, I got a cute picture. My heart just beats a little more rapid when I see this photo:

Four more weeks! That is all that we have left. I know my life will be changing forever.

Savor the Moments

We are expecting a baby at the end of January.

This is my official announcement to the virtual world. Let me tell you, in all my years imagining pregnancy I never could imagine what I was really in store for.  I think I had this vision of lollipops and cute bellies and some sort of prenatal "glow." In all reality, it has been nothing like that. More like starvation, vomiting, anxiety, and the worst acne/b-ackne ever.

We knew for a few weeks that I might be pregnant, but I was so afraid to take the test. We had just moved to Jerome and I had just started my new job. We had been trying for awhile so I knew it could eventually happen. But I think the actual missing of my period put me through a loop. So I waited another month (until 7 weeks), just in case anything happened and maybe the blow wouldn't be as hard.

I finally had Bryce go to the dollar store and pick up a few pregnancy tests. I sat down. Followed the instructions and then saw the two lines on two sticks indicating a positive result. I sat there and breathed, tried to soak it in. There was no jumping or cheerful screams. I was scared. In usual Bryce fashion he exclaimed, "I think I am going to throw-up," and went downstairs. Later that night as we were getting our nerves together, I felt a warm rush. I ran to the toilet and there was blood. Lots of it. I sat there and panicked, called for Bryce and had him call the hospital. They said to go to a OB in the morning.

That was probably the most fearful night I have ever had, next to when my period started for the first time and I thought I was literally dying. I sat there and prayed for peace and comfort. I just felt numb that whole night. I kept telling myself again and again that whatever happens I can get through it.

The next morning I went in to the doctors and they started drawing blood and decided to give me an ultrasound to see if the baby was ok. I was diagnosed with a sub chorionic hematoma. It is actually quite common, that was reassuring. I was placed on pelvic rest and told not to do anything but go to work and back. The next two months brought their own sense of worry as no pregnant woman wants to be bleeding daily and buying pads at the store.

I think I underestimated how tired I was going to be. From weeks 6-16 I felt like a total zombie. I couldn't go anywhere with out reacting to the smells, wanting to vomit, or needing to sit down. We went to Costco one day and in the parking lot I wrinkled my nose and told Bryce they were cooking some weird spiced meat inside that wasn't a hot dog. Low and behold in the back corner was a sample of tri-tip.

Now for the special part. I think every potential mother fears the worst, and is constantly trying to prepare themselves for it. There is nothing that puts me more at ease then hearing the little heart beat of our baby at doctor's appointments and more recently the little kicks that constantly remind me it is growing. I feel that despite the awful "zombie" months this whole experience is something I should treasure because there are so many who struggle for those little moments. Our nightly prayers include our little one and our hopes it will grow healthy and strong. There is nothing I want more then that. Just a healthy baby...

 Analyze this...this is little fetus' rear-end and back.
It's legs are crossed and it's hands are near it's face.

 Take your own best guesses. I think the head is at the bottom of the image.

Jerome

When Bryce graduated from school in December he and I knew we need a change. I was getting burned out at work, and he was looking for work. So, we started applying at different places.

My sister works at a company in Salt Lake as a designer and so she got me an interview. I did a skype interview with them first and then we drove down to Utah for a final interview. They offered me a job. I was thrilled. I would get to live near my family and work all day with my sister, someone who I enjoy being with and who brings out my fun side. As we were driving home I had the distinct feeling that I should not take it. That we needed to wait for a job for Bryce.

Bryce was applying for graduate schools and looking for a job. He got two offers in one week at both of the places he wanted to work at in Idaho Falls. A kind co-worker had helped him get the one he wanted more and he decided to start there. Three days working there he got a call from the State Health and Welfare office in Twin Falls asking him to come in for an interview. We were beyond thrilled about this position. It was in line with the direction he wanted his career to go. He went in for the interview, and got the job. A few weeks later he also got accepted to the Boise State Masters of Social Work program, in Twin Falls. His work also said that if he continued on working after graduation they would help pay for his schooling.

I decided to stay on at my job in Idaho Falls for another two months. I had a month left on my contract and financially we couldn't afford me working. So I pressed on while Bryce moved to Jerome and I moved in with his great aunt. We were able to sell our apartment lease quickly and living with Bryce's Aunt saved us money and provided both the Aunt and I with company. I hated being away from Bryce so long. I don't think I could ever do that again. If I didn't have Bryce's sweet Aunt I think I would have gone bitter. 

As the weeks neared that I would leave my current job I was getting worried that I wouldn't be able to find work. I had decided I would work anywhere in town. When Bryce was hired, his friend Leslie was also hired for the same position. She mentioned to us that she had worked at a magazine in Jerome in the circulation dept. and that they hired designers. It just so happened, that she also was going to a Young Single Adult job fair that night and she would bring them my resume. She did, they called. I had interviews and then this Monday they made me an offer. Crazy. The one place in a town of 8,000 that hired designers happened to be hiring.

So, here I am in Jerome. Thankfully Bryce has an Uncle and Aunt here so we have some family in town. It as if everything needed has fallen into place. I don't question that I need to be here, but I wonder why God has brought us here. It is so far from home for both of us. As nervous as I am, I am excited for the possibilities this little town brings.