Just rambling..

I can’t believe Keaton is 4 ½ months old already! I feel like he was born just yesterday. He has reached so many exciting milestones already. This post might be kind of all over the place, but there is so much I want to write about!

Keaton’s favorite things to do currently are:
blow spit bubbles
roll over
yell
cuddle every once in a while (mom’s favorite)

We tried rice cereal, but he didn’t seem to really like it very much, so we are going to wait another month and try it again. When Keaton was born, he latched on pretty well at first. When we got home from the hospital though, things began to become more difficult. When I breastfed him, he would eat for about 2 minutes and then he would fall off and get really mad, or fall asleep. I tried and tried for a few weeks to get him to eat for longer, but I kept finding myself breastfeeding him for 2 minutes and then having to pump the rest. So, each feeding was taking me an hour, and an hour later it was time to do it again. So finally after a month and a half of doing this, I decided to exclusively pump. I wanted him to get breastmilk, but this was exhausting me. So I pumped for a month and a half longer and fed him with a bottle and froze what was left over. I built up a stockpile of milk to feed him, so now he gets half formula half breastmilk. Honestly, I felt like the worst mom in the world for not breastfeeding him. I felt like I wasn’t giving my child what he needed most. I sobbed every time I even thought about giving him formula. But I just had to keep reminding myself he has still gotten a ton of breastmilk for the first months of his life. I think so many women give formula this horrible reputation, which is why I felt so bad about giving him some here and there. I know breastmilk is the best form of nutrition, but sometimes it’s not what’s best for mom and baby’s emotional health if it is becoming a huge burden to breastfeed. Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to exclusively breastfeed. I will definitely be breastfeeding my future babies, and I’m hoping it will be easier the next time around now that I have some experience under my belt. FED IS BEST!

Keaton started to sleep really well around 3 months old. We were getting the hang of a routine. But then we went to the pediatrician for his 4 month well check, and the doctor told us that now that he is able to roll over, we shouldn’t swaddle him when we put him to sleep. Keaton LOVED to be swaddled. Our nightly routine was bath time, jammies, swaddle and feed, then lay him down. It was working really well. When we stopped swaddling him, all hell broke loose. The first week of it, he woke up about every 45 minutes to an hour. I WAS DYING. It was worse then when he was just a brand new baby. Now, he sleeps for about 3 or 4 hours at a time. I wish he would sleep through the night, but I just have to look at the progress we have made.

Being a new mom I have come to appreciate the little things in life. A few things I have learned:
*My daily shower is the best part of the day
*My shirt is basically a burp rag
*I sleep with one eye open
*Going anywhere requires at least 30 minutes longer of prep time
*Remember those mom’s I used to judge at the grocery store because they wouldn’t get their kids to shut up? Yeah I am one of them now. And boy, do I have a whole lot more compassion and understanding for all those mamas out there.

I’m really grateful for all that I have learned so far being a mom. as much as I hate being woken up in the middle of the night by my little guy, I am counting my blessings. My mom told me something that has helped me stay grateful... she said your kids will always keep you awake. One day you will lay awake wondering what they are doing, if they are making good choices, and what path they will choose to take in life. So just enjoy each part of motherhood, and focus on the GOOD THINGS!

I also have to mention my husband is amazing. He works his tail off to provide for us, and he still helps out a ton in the night hours when I am just exhausted. I love him with all my heart and couldn’t ask for anyone better. Love you babe!!

This summer we have a few fun things planned. We are going to a few family reunions, St. George, and at the end of the summer we get to welcome Elder Needles HOME!! We are soo excited. Then in October, we are off to DISNEYWORLD! So excited for that and to get to spend time with Josh. My family just moved to Utah, and I am so happy to have them close by. Here are some pictures, and I will try to post again soon! Love you all!!

Keaton's Birth Story

Sorry it took me so long to post, my life has been turned upside down! I thought I would share baby boy's birth story.

I started having contractions at around 2 am. The days leading up to it I had contractions off and on, but these were consistent and getting stronger. Garrett kind of thought they were just my usual off and on contractions, so he tried to sleep.  But I was like ok these are real, get your butt up! We got to the hospital at about 4. They day before I was dilated to a 2, and when we got there I was a 4 1/2! And the contractions were about 3 minutes apart. Luckily my dr was actually at the hospital doing her rounds, so she came into my room and told the nurse I was good to get my epidural, and she would be back in a few hours to break my water.

The epidural was my biggest fear leading up to birth. I was so scared I would move while he was putting it in and be paralyzed for life. But Garrett was the greatest support system and reassured me it was ok. It turns out, getting the IV was worse then the epidural by far! They had to poke me 4 times before they got a vein. The IV hurt the entire time. I hated it! Sometime between 9 and 11, my dr came and broke my water. By about 12:30, I was fully dilated and it was time to push. I didn't think I would have to push for too terribly long, but boy was I wrong about that. I pushed and pushed and pushed for a total of 2 1/2 hours. My dr told me I would have a very sore tailbone for about 6 weeks, because my tailbone and pelvic bone were pushing together, and the baby was having trouble getting past it. I remember at around 2:15 I asked how much longer I would have to push. She said.. I would say by 3 you will have a baby! I was like....uhhhh what the crap?!!! I can't do this for 45 more minutes!!! But somehow, I did. At about 2:55, my dr finally offered to use a vacuum to help get him further down. He was still stuck behind my pelvic bone. I was desperate and told her to do what she needed to do to get that baby out. She put the vacuum on his little head, I pushed and he came way down! She had me stop pushing for a minute because the cord was wrapped around his neck twice, so she cut it before I pushed again. and ONE PUSH LATER my baby was out! I was like, we should have used that vacuum a long time ago!! I was in complete shock and I was completely exhausted, but they handed me my baby and time froze. I have never been happier then I was in that moment! My bright eyed boy was all mine. They took him over to clean him off and I looked at Garrett and his eyes were filled with tears and he turned to me and said "he is perfect" my family was complete! My Dr was stitching me up and i felt all of it (Miserable) but I was so happy I didn't care. I was so glad I got to have Garrett and my two moms in the room with me. They were my strength. They encouraged me the entire time I was pushing and assured me everything would be ok.

The recovery days were rough.. My tailbone was so sore, getting out of bed was the most painful thing ever. It took about 3 days before I could get up without Garrett's help. I took one pain med the day I delivered and it made me sick so the rest of the time I only took ibuprofen. I'm so grateful that Garrett was there to take care of me and Keaton. He was so strong for us. I love him more now then I ever thought possible, he is he best dad and the best husband. I will be eternally grateful for his strength!

Well, there ya have it.. My birth story. I can't believe he is already 5 weeks old! Someone stop the clock.

GRATEFUL

I can’t believe I am 30 WEEKS! Where did the time go? Although being pregnant can be taxing at times, I have really enjoyed it. I feel like I am getting my bonding time with my son before he is even born.

Keaton already has so much character. Whenever the dr. puts the doppler on my stomach, he gives it a firm kick and it's like I can hear him saying "Get that off of me!" His favorite time to kick is after I eat something sugary or right when I lay down to go to sleep. Lately his movements have become much more obvious! I love it. 

At my last dr. appointment we did my glucose test which I passed! I was relieved, because I have kind of been eating a lot of sugar haha. I also had my rhogam shot since I have a negative blood type. The shot itself didn’t hurt, but after it started to feel like a bee sting. I have also had to have two root canals done recently that put me in a lot of pain. I had them done, and a week after one of them was still hurting, so I had to go back and they had to completely redo one of them because there was still infection in the tooth. Still today the tooth hurts, but i'm hoping it's just because it is sore. If the tooth continues to hurt, my dentist says it could be a possible fracture which would require them to pull the tooth. But I am trying to have faith in the fact that it is slowly starting to feel better. I had to take antibiotics and all that fun stuff. I can't tell you how many nights I couldn't sleep because my tooth just throbbed all through the night. I am grateful for my husband who was able to give me a priesthood blessing to help me heal and feel comforted. 

My current cravings...

A&W root beer floats

Any kind of chewy candy

This past weekend, I had my baby shower in Boise! It was so fun. I am very grateful for my amazing mom who planned it and made it happen. She is very creative and made everything look darling.  I am grateful for my friends Tessa and Samandra and my sweet sister Megan who helped as well. Tessa made and amazing cake that just looked so cute! I got some great gifts from all the great friends I have. My parents got us a 4 moms mama roo rocker! I am so stoked for it! Garrett's parents got us the diaper bag of my dreams! My mother in law was sweet enough to mail it all the way to Boise. I am so grateful for wonderful parents who have supported us in our decision to have a baby! 

The time is definitely getting closer to the day we get to meet our boy. My appointments will soon start to be every 2 weeks instead of 4. I am nervous mostly just for labor and delivery, because I have never experienced it. I want things to go smoothly. I can only pray they will and try not to think about it until it actually happens! I appreciate those who pray for me, I can feel your love!

My little m&m

Garrett practicing his swaddling on a football haha

Burp cloths I made

Trimester 2.. halfway there!!

I can't believe I am halfway through my pregnancy already! The time flew! I am very grateful for the opportunity I have to carry my sweet boy. Our lives are going to change so much! There are so many things I am looking forward to:
1.) Seeing Garrett as a dad. He rubs my belly and says "Hi son!" he also practices pushing the stroller around the house and tells me.. "don't laugh this is serious!"
2.) Me becoming a mom! I am of course nervous, but I am excited to be that person to someone. I look up to and love my mom so much, I want another human to love me the way I love my mom. I am excited to hopefully feel so wanted and loved by someone because I take care of them!
3.) Seeing our family with our little man. I can't wait for my parents to become grandparents, and to see Garrett's parents have another boy to add to the bunch! This baby is so loved already, by so many people.

So far, my pregnancy has been going smoothly. Besides the severe nausea and vomiting I had until about 14 weeks, and my headaches, things are good. The day we went in to find out the gender of baby was a very exciting day! We were so nervous and anxious all morning. I had a feeling it was going to be a boy before we went in for the ultrasound. The tech didn't even have to tell me, I saw his little peanut right away!! The 20 week ultrasound looked good as far as the u/s tech could tell, and at my next visit we will review the results from the radiologist. The baby was breech during the ultrasound, but that can change quite often.  I have an anterior placenta, which means my placenta was on the front side of my stomach. It's not a bad thing they said, it may just cause me not to feel the baby move as much (This was a relief because I was worried about that) but this can also change during the course of my pregnancy I was told.   Baby measured 9 OZ. about the size of 2 cubes of butter. Of course when we got home that night, Garrett was carrying around 2 sticks of butter saying "I love you baby!" LOL!! When we went to Vegas this past weekend, we went and saw a cirque show, and baby started kicking when the drums were playing. Not just kicking, he was going crazy!! He must like the drums like his dad.

We recently bought the furniture for the nursery, which was so fun to set up. Before I got pregnant, we saved money for our furniture and baby needs. We are broke now, so I am looking forward to a baby shower! LOL. The furniture wasn't cheap! We decided to invest in a nicer one so we can use it for all of our future kids.

Anyway, thank you to everyone who keeps us in your prayers. We feel them as they bring blessings to our little family! Can't wait to bring our son into the world and show him how many people love and care for him.