CornBelly's

We went to CornBelly's on opening day again this year.  This time it happened to be on Governor's Day.  So Scott and Joe had to be at Camp Williams in the morning but were released by noon.  So we met up with Joe and Tai to enjoy some fun at CornBelly's!!  We all had a blast!

1 Week

Samuel has been home 1 week.  Monday and Tuesday I felt fantastic.  But by Wednesday the not sleeping at night caught up to me.  I am extremely tired and it is hard to get enough sleep.  I am in that new-born baby cycle of when night comes and I nurse, I fall asleep just like the baby does, in the rocking chair.  I wake up when the baby stirs.  So I miss the opportunity to put him down in his bed and actually go lie down in my own bed.  The trick is staying awake enough to get him down.  He has taken great naps during the day, of course.  And that is totally helpful for taking care of the family and staying on top of housework (mostly).  But it takes its toll on me.  Although I still feel sooo much better than the last two months of the pregnancy.  Nothing has ever been like that pain and exhaustion and just general not feeling well.

Eric and Rubie ADORE Samuel.  Eric loves to hold him and Rubie wants to look at him and touch him and be right there whenever he is eating or being changed or whatever I am doing with him.  Sometimes I have to remind her to leave him alone she is bugging him.  But I'm so glad that they love him and think he is just so special and cute.  Ward members and friends have brought us meals and gifts and shown so much love and support.  I'm glad that I spent so much time making so many freezer meals.  It is hard to make a schedule now for grocery shopping and meal preparation.  It will take some time for me to determine the best times to do those things now.

Well, Samuel is awake now and calling for me.  Maybe I'll get a chance to write more later.

Welcome Samuel!!

Oh beautiful Samuel!  We brought you home today.  It is a beautiful warm Sunday.  The sun is shining it about 63 degrees outside.  There are still fall leaves on the trees although many are on the ground and you are just 2 days old.  I have been anticipating your arrival into our lives for what seems like many, many weeks.  You were born right on your due date, Friday, November 2, 2012.  Not many babies come on the day when they are exactly 40 weeks.  But you did.  I thought for sure that you would come a few weeks early.  Both your brother and sister did.  I had your room ready a month before you came.  All your clothes were washed and put away.  My bag was packed for the hospital and I was ready for you to come.  But you were patient and took your time.  I'm sure that was better for you, helping you to be more developed and ready to come out into the world.  I have been amazed at the reaction of Eric and Rubie to you.  They absolutely adore you and think you are the cutest, sweetest thing they have ever seen.  They want to be touching you and looking at you all the time.  Rubie wants to be the little mother and dress you, change your diaper, and feed you.  She is disappointed that I am breast feeding you and she just cannot give you a bottle.  They want to look at you while you sleep, are laying in your bed, while your eating.  They can't wait for your eyes to open and for you to make your cute newborn baby noises and cries.  They were so disappointed that Daddy took them to church after they came to get us at the hospital.  They wanted to stay home just to look at you and be with you.  I'm having to set up boundaries around you so that they don't accidentally hurt you or try to do things to you that will be harmful in any way.  But I love how much they love you.  They are going to be so protective of you and hopefully continue to be so loving to you.  I can already tell what a sweet little boy you are.  You have a beautiful spirit.  I am excited to see your personality emerge.  I pray that I will be a good mother to you to help guide you and teach you.  I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has allowed you to come to our family.  I think for all that I have gone through in this pregnancy with you, it helps me to appreciate and cherish you even more.  I hope that you are patient with me as I learn what you like and as I learn about you and your personality.  I hope that you will grow to love all of us in your family as much as we already love you.

I'll try to remember some of the details around your birth.  It was Thursday night.  Your Dad had been in Park City since that morning.  He had some off-site work meetings at a beautiful hotel.  Eric and Rubie and I were all asleep in my bed.  Eric and Rubie get nervous at night without Scott here.  At about 10:45 my water broke and my body began to labor to deliver you.  Three more times water broke.  Rubie was stirring, I think she could tell that I kept getting up and something was going on with me.  I consoled her and talked to her and got her back to sleep.  I was able to slept and rest for a little bit more, but then about 2 hours later I called your Dad to let him know that he needed to come home and that we would be going to the hospital for your birth.  I got things all ready to go and to occupy myself did a few things around the house.  Your Uncle Dan came to the house to stay here until Eric and Rubie woke up.  Your Dad arrived home around 1:30 am and we checked into the hospital around 2 am.  There was nothing complicated or spectacular about your birth, thank goodness.  Your Dad was able to sleep through a lot of it.  I spent time in labor using my hypnobirthing techniques, quiet music, being calm, being in the bath tub.  At about 6:30 the nurse wanted to get me out of the tub and ready for you to be delivered.  About that time as they were moving me, the labor became so difficult and I asked for something for the pain to help.  Dr. Savage gave me a pep talk, realized you were very close to coming.  She discovered you were on your side and the cord was around your neck and so I needed to push you out.  After 3 or 4 tough pushes out you came.  The Dr. put you right on my chest and I was so relieved and happy I cried and laughed and felt such relief to finally have you here.  You were cried and let your lungs work.  You came right to me and wanted to nurse.  The hospital staff was amazed and how awake and alert you were for so many hours after your delivery.  Your eyes were open and you were so content to be held and take it your new surroundings.  You have continued to eat and sleep very well although I have had to wake you most of the time to get to eat so that I will start to have enough milk for you.

Many people came to see you in the hospital as well.  Our dear friend Carlee Tulett came very first on Friday morning.  Later that afternoon Grandma Jeppson came.  Then your Uncle Andy with Aunt Beth and cousin Isaac came.  That evening Aunt Angela, Aunt Dellitt, and Uncle Dan and Aunt Brandee came with their boys Eli, Hayden, Cougar, Nicholas and they brought Eric and Rubie with them.  That was the first time they saw you.  On Saturday Aunt Angela came back with cousin Alec and his girlfriend Maomi.  You come into the world with so many people already loving you and caring about you.  Having a new baby is such a special, sweet experience.  Babies bring a calming sweet spirit to a family.  I am so grateful to have you hear Samuel and know that you will continue to add so much to our lives and to our family.  I love you sweet boy!