Nash starts T-ball, Caleb holds Brooke & Brooke experiences the "big tub"

Nash had his first t-ball game tonight. They haven't had any practices, but since Nash plays baseball with Grandpa Scott & his dad, I figured he'd do ok. It was cute to watch. Basically the rules are one team lets all players hit while the other team is placed throughout the field. Doesn't really matter if they have particular positions to play. There's a parent on first and a parent on third to coach the kids as to when to run. After the first team has all its players hit they switch and the team that was in the outfield gets to bat all their players. We had 6 kids show up tonight. They played Nibley City. The Nibley team had like 2 dozen kids show up!

This is a picture from Nash's Kindergarten graduation on Monday night. I should have turned the picture before I put it in, but B is screaming, it's after 10 pm & I'm trying to get kids ready for bed at the same time!

I like this picture. Caleb had been asking if he could hold his sister. I finally got him to sit still on the couch and handed her over. I think it's cute how he has his hand on her belly. He kept it there pretty much the entire time he was holding her.

B's belly button fell off on Sunday so I've been able to put her in the "big tub". Sister DOES NOT like this idea. She does ok for a minute and then when she realizes what's going on, she freaks out!

Blog Challenge Day 30

Photo of me today & 3 good things that have happened in the last 30 days:

Ok, so it isn't today, but it will work!

3 good things that have happened in the last 30 days:

1- Nash turned 6 - I can't believe he's that old already! I was worried his birthday wouldn't be too spectacular this year because of Brooke being born so close to his birthday. Turns out it was just great for him. We had a family party the night of his actual birthday & another small party the following Sunday.

2- Samantha started softball for the first time. She's super excited & apparently she did great at practice (Dad went with & "helped"). She's finished dancing (for now - she wants to do summer dance through June) but is thrilled to be starting something new. She knows lots of girls on the team and is excited to play with them. Weird side story - apparently she got put on BOTH Hyrum teams. She brought home a schedule after practice tonight & I realized it was different than the one we already had. She doesn't want to switch teams so I've emailed the other coach to let her know what happened! Her first game is May 31st.

3- Caleb filled up another potty chart. I think that was the 3rd one. Unfortunately, he isn't going to use the potty on his own & he still isn't pooping in the potty yet. I'm hoping that we can get a grip on this quickly (again) now that Brooke is here. His dad isn't quite into the groove of helping him either so we tend to go backwards while he's home. If we can have him mostly potty trained before preschool starts at the end of summer, I will be happy! Even happier if he's doing better by his birthday in mid-July!

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Pictures of the kids

Not an exaggeration - for the first time in Nash's entire life, his hair lays flat. Unfortunately this also means he's quite shaggy! Here are the before pictures:

Here is the after: (I love their fohawks & so do they! I love when Caleb asks "Mom, I have pikeys?")

I walked out to the kitchen this morning & found this: (Caleb wants to be just like Nash even in his sleep!)

How this child can sleep like this is beyond me!

I stole my mom's memory card & look what I found! How cute is this?

Little sister looks just like her big sister did at this age. I don't think it's just the han me downs either!

Girlfriend is SERIOUSLY bow legged. Thank you dad for passing that gene on!

Bet you can't guess who was up with me until 1 am...

At least they were both happy!

Sam's 2nd Piano Recital

Here's the video from Sam's 2nd piano recital. She did pretty good considering she's only been playing since February. Keep in mind it is a duet - Sam's plinking out the higher notes.

Blog Challenge Day 29

A favorite vacation:

Yellowstone National Park - the kids just weren't thrilled about the amount of driving. Otherwise, they loved it (and so did Trav & I).

Oregon - Samantha started asking in FEBRUARY if we could go back this summer. I think she'd change her mind after a few hours in the Expedition with her sister. I made a trip to Washington when she was just a few months old & it was LONG!

Jackson Hole - Samantha has also been asking to go back here!

Nash LOVED his hunting trip with his dad & the boys. He can hardly wait to go again!

Any time we get to play in the water and sand we're all happy! (Bear Lake)

Camping - one of our favorite things to do in the summer that we don't get to do nearly enough!

Our yearly Lake Powell trip! The kids don't care too much for the ride, but otherwise love the trip!

The kids always love the zoo!

Florida - Samantha has also been asking to go back here!

Anywhere with the grandparents is always a favorite for the kids!

I also loved my trip to New Zealand, Australia, & Hawaii. My parents, brother & sister & I went my senior year of high school. I'd LOVE to go back. I wouldn't love taking my kids on a 26 hr plane ride, but I know they'd love the trip too!

Blog Challenge Day 28

Something that stresses me out

1-Caleb! That child is a MONKEY! Not only that, he's in that stage where running away from mom in public places is funny. Flashbacks to when we lost Nash at the Denver airport!

2-Money - I seriously wish we worked on a trade & barter system still. I'd be golden then!

3-I'm a worrier. I come by it naturally. Since I'm a worrier, I tend to stress myself out about lots of stupid little things. Ask Travis - I'm sure it drives him insane.

4-Bad weather - I hate telling the kids that they have to stay in the house. They are such outdoor lovin' munchkins. When they have to stay inside they tend to go into a grumpy groove which makes me grumpy which stresses me out!

5-Politics in the workplace - I've dealt with this junk enough that just thinking about it makes me start to get a migraine! Why can't things be a bit more simple?

I'm sure there are more! But, I guess this is a good list for now!

Blog Challenge Day 27

A picture of me last yr & a picture of me now

The pic on the left is me at 8 wks (yes EIGHT). That means it was about the end of September. The pic on the right is the day after we brought Brooke home. I think my belly is about the same in both pix! ;)

Blog Challenge Day 26

A habit I wish I didn't have....

1- I am a nail biter - yeah, I know.

2-Total perfectionist

3-Completely OCD about certain things

4-My need to correct my husband's (and family's) English grammar!

A dance performance, Nash turns 6 & Princess B's 1st week

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I don't have pictures of it, but Nash got to have his special birthday time at school on his birthday. His dad & I both went. Thus, Caleb was there! :) Nash had begged & pleaded for me to bring Brooke so he could show her off. So, I did. I couldn't help it. He's been so stinkin' cute with her & just loves her to pieces. I was worried how he'd be with her because he's been pretty quiet about getting a sister so close to his birthday. Turns out he wouldn't trade her for the world & he tells me all the time how cute she is and how much he loves her.

A day or two later I took Brooke back to the school so Sam could show her off to her class too. All the kids oohed & ahhed over her there too.

This Saturday we went out to my aunt & uncle's house. There was a baby shower for my cousin & my cousin's girlfriend. Everyone was surprised I was there since Brooke was just born Monday. But, my cousin was down from Oregon & I knew she wouldn't have time to come see Brooke before she left, so I ventured out with Sam & Brooke. It was fun, we had a good time.

We celebrated Nash's birthday with just a small party on his actual birthday. Just us, grandpa Scott & grandma Kris, and Aunt Jamie's family. That party is where he got to have his Kung Fu Panda cake. Later that night the Bradshaws came over too. The kid is stoked for Kung Fu Panda 2 to come out in theaters. I told Jamie we have to go see it over Memorial Day weekend because Nash asks at least once a day when it's coming out.

We had a small family party again tonight (Sunday). It was just us, grandpa Larry, grandma Terri, Great gma Ruth & gpa Russ, some of the Snyder kids and Aunt Jamie's family again. This is the party where he got his LEGO cakes. He was pretty excited that I let him build all the LEGO things to put on his cake. Even better was that I let him put them on the cakes! Funny kid. Caleb was part of the action too - he helped eat the frosting as fast as I'd let him! ;)

We brought Brooke home on Tuesday. On Wednesday I took her into the pediatrician's office because I had only changed 2 wet diapers in 24 hours and no poopy ones. They did a urine test to make sure she didn't have an infection. She was ok & the pediatrician said that she should be fine. Today (Sunday) I took Brooke & Caleb both into Insta Care. Brooke has had reflux that has gotten worse every single day. I just feel so bad for her because I know she's hurting. Caleb has yet another sinus infection. I did debate about whether to go into Insta Care today or wait until tomorrow & see if I could get into the pediatrician. I decided to go to Insta Care today because I thought I'd be able to get a Rx for Brooke & help her feel better soon. I did get the Rx I wanted, but it turns out that Prevacid now must be specially compounded because they don't make it and sell it commercially anymore. This is a change since Caleb was on it. Of course, with my luck, that means there are only 2 pharmacies in the ENTIRE valley that can do that and NEITHER one was open today. Awesome. At least I can drop Sam off at school tomorrow & then head in and pick it up.

Tomorrow Nash gets to eat school lunch at school. I think he's pretty excited about that. He also has his first loose tooth. I'm pretty sure Travis is going to try & pull it for him tomorrow too. It's one of his bottom teeth. He's been pretty good about wiggling it so it gets even more loose. he isn't nearly as big of a boob as his sister has been about it! I'm also going to have to call the dermatologist back & get him another appointment. We had 2 warts frozen off about 2 weeks ago. I'm afraid the one is still there. He is NOT going to be a happy kid about getting that done again! I might have to drag him in there kicking and screaming! Here's to hoping I don't!

Travis has been painting the boys' room while he's been home. He's down to having to do the trim, a bit in the closet & then he can put the color on the walls. Yay! He also managed to get the garage cleaned out while he's been home. I'm hoping that it lasts, but with Chloe being in there so much, I don't know that it will! He leaves Tuesday but he'll only be gone for a week this time. It's a good thing. I don't think I'd want him gone for 2 weeks already!

She's here!

Just a disclaimer: pics to come when I can download pix to the computer at home and not Trav's laptop here a the hospital. Go see facebook for pix now.

We got home around 12:30 am last night (trips to drop off kids' stuff and a stop at WalMart). I didn't go to bed until about 1:30 am. Of course, then I couldn't really sleep either. I finally got out of bed just before 4 am to call the hospital. I figured I'd get told to call back in x amount of hours and I could theoretically go back to sleep. Nope. They asked if I could be there at 5:15 am. I of course said, "YES!"

We got to the hospital on time and had a fairly easy check in (gee..I wonder if being here 4 times already had something to do with that?). They took me back to one of the rooms I had already been in. In fact, it was the room they wanted to put me in yesterday but Trav told them, "Nope. We've been in there, we need a different room." Stinker.

The nurse was really nice. Her name was Dawn. She actually helped with my sister's delivery in March and use to be her next door neighbor. My mom & I talked to her just a week or two ago as well when I was doing laps around the L&D floor! We finally figured out why we both looked familiar to the other one!

When I got here and got checked I was already at 5 cm. Mind you 5 cm is when I got my epidural with Caleb and my sister thought I was insane for wanting to wait that long. My reasoning was that I didn't want to have it wear off or stall like I did with Sam. Nurse Dawn started my pit drip at 6:10 am. We figured the epidural guy would be up by 7:30 am so I could get my epidural then. She said that with the way things were looking when she checked me that I'd for sure want to get my epidural before my dr. broke my water to be sure it kicked in. She assured me that I was going to go pretty quick.

At 7:10 the epidural guy walked in. The nurse and I were both quite surprised that he got there so quick. By about 7:20 am I had my epidural and my legs were feeling fuzzy so I was happy. This was the first relief from contractions I've had in the last 10 wks! At about 7:40 am Dr. Fowers stopped by and broke my water. He said I was at about 6 cm. My nurse asked me, "Do you know how best of friends you'd be with Justeen (Dr. Fower's nurse at the Lodge) if you had this baby BEFORE office hours?" I had a feeling I knew she and Dr. Fowers would both be thrilled if that was the case.

At about 8:45 am I was feeling all kinds of pressure. The epidurals I've had before have been fantastic. I don't feel any contractions and when it's time to push, I really have only felt a small amount of pressure. I wasn't prepared to be feeling this much pressure. Dawn came in and checked me again and said I was almost ready to start pushing. She had Dr. Fowers paged to come on over (office hours start at 9 am). Dawn told me that Justeen told her he had to see 1 patient first and then he'd be over. Glad it was a quick visit for that first appt this morning!

I started pushing just after 9 am. I felt tons and tons of pressure. Waaay more than I've felt with any of the previous 3 deliveries. I wasn't happy about this. I couldn't talk or do much more than breathe or nod to answer questions. Once I started pushing I wasn't about to stop - I could feel too much and wanted that girl OUT! Once her head was out however, her shoulders got stuck. They had to bring in a few extra nurses to help get her shoulders out. Once her shoulders were out, she slipped right out.

She took after her sister in that she didn't cry - like at all. She opened her eyes and looked around and was like "What the heck?". They put her on my belly and rubbed her down trying to get her to cry (we knew she was fine and breathing, they just wanted her to cry the gunk out of her lungs). Travis got to cut the cord and my mom was there (she was able to get there at about 8 am). Mom got lots of good pictures (some really good ones of Trav who was all smiles). She was officially born at 9:19 am (only 3 hrs and 9 min. after my pit drip was started). She was 9 lbs 15.3 oz and was 20.5 inches long. The nurses said if she was .02 oz bigger they would have rounded her weight up to 10 lbs even! Sure am glad Dr. Fowers finally started me today!

Brookelyn was looking for lunch not long after she came out and was cleaned up. She's a good little eater (she must be at this size, right?). I'm use to after having kids getting to keep them for an hr in the labor & delivery room and then dad taking them to the nursery to bath them, etc. Apparently they've changed their ways here at LRH. I got to hold Brookelyn as we rode up the elevator to my recovery room. Trav was totally bummed out I think. Then, when we got in the room, they bathed her on my bed! It was so much fun to be able to watch that! I haven't ever gotten to be a part of that before.

Since we got up to my recovery room we've just been hanging out. My brother brought Sam over after her dentist appointment and I can tell she's in love. She did not want to hand that sister over to anyone else to hold and did not want to leave my room! Luckily I convinced her that Grandma would bring her back when Grandpa got off work so the boys could see her too. After Sam & my brother left so did my mom & Travis. Mom had to go back to work and Travis had to go buy his textbooks up on campus (his classes start today). So, I've been able to just sit here and hold the sweet little thing for quite some time. I can't get over how much she looks just like Caleb! The only thing about her that makes me think of Sam is all her dark hair. All her chub reminds me of Nash. She sure is a good little girl though. Can't wait to take her home and let her siblings spoil her!

Trip #4 (yes, FOUR) to L&D

Last night when I went to bed about 10:30 pm I started having contractions. I had them all night long (again). Some of them were shoot you up out of bed and make you wanna cry kind of bad. They didn't seem consistent though (again) so I tried not to wake Trav up.

This morning I decided to start timing them around 9 am. I decided I'd get up and make the kids pancakes (ok, I wanted pancakes) while I timed them. Contractions were 3 min. apart. Travis started getting excited. I told him not to get his hopes up. We dropped the kids at Trav's parents' house and went back to L&D.

I got to L&D and the nurse told me I was at 70%, -2 & 4 cm. Now, remember, the PA I saw on Thursday told me "You're about as effaced as you can get." So, I threw that 70% right out the window when I heard it. I'm taking the PA's word here, NOT the nurse.

They put me on the monitor for about 30 min. and then had me walk. Fortunately for me, my contractions were mostly showing up on the monitor this time. After being monitored for 30 min. I got up and "waddled briskly" around the floor. Much to my surprise, I was the ONLY pregnant woman on the ENTIRE floor. I was hoping this would mean that they might start me if it wasn't "for real".

After walking for 30 min., the nurse checked me again. She said I hadn't made any progress. She also said that it looked like I had "uterine irritability" which is where you basically have one long contraction that never goes away. This was likely due to my having walked. So apparently this negates the contractions I was having that were a minute and a half apart.

I asked if I should go walk or what I should do. The nurse told me no because I'll pretty much just drive myself crazy. Why? Because if it isn't real labor, it will just continue the unterine irritability. I asked how I'm suppose to know if I'm in real labor or not. She told me I'd have contractions I couldn't walk through. Really? Cuz that's already happening here lady!

The nurse was trying to be helpful and tells me. You're first on the induction list for tomorrow. We've started taking inductions at 5 am now so call us at 4 am instead of 6 am to see if we can get you in at 5 am. Really? Cuz I was first on the induction list with Caleb too. Anyone remember how that went? After 12 hrs of calling the hospital my dr. finally told me to "just go in, don't call again." Great.

So, after about an hr. and a half we were sent home. Yes, sent home. I'm at a 4 and my contractions are a minute and a half apart and I'm being sent home...AGAIN! I think I'm destined to have this child at HOME!

We went back to Trav's parents' house and have been here since. I've been laying down having contractions all afternoon while Trav has monitored kids. His mom made a super yummy lunch earlier too. So, here I sit, hurting from my belly button to my calves, having contractions, doubting the intelligence of the people at LRH, and wondering if this child is EVER going to come out....

PS Happy Mother's Day

Blog Challenge Day 25

Day 25: My house & my favorite rooms in it

I think my favorite rooms in my house are going to be the kids' rooms once they are finished & moved in! For the first time EVER I get to do a girly girl room and a room that's pure boy. Sam & Nash have shared a room since we moved in 4 yrs ago & before that we were in an apt so we couldn't paint. We've had to be quite neutral until now! I can't wait to finish up these bedrooms and take pictures! I've had some really fun ideas and can't wait to see how it all comes together!

Here are some pictures about what I do love about having a HOUSE rather than an apt.:

We've got to do a TON of this in the privacy of our own yard...

and we like to hang out in cowboy boots rather often as well...

We've had LOTS & LOTS of this (probably way too much thanks to Caleb)...

we like to see these visitors in the winter time (as long as they don't much on my flowers!)

We get to shovel TONS of this (on the bright side, we're on TOP of the hill so when it melts, we don't get all the runoff from the neighbors!)...

and we get to color on sheetrock with dad when he finishes a room in the basement!

Blog Challenge Day 24, Nash's Mother's Day Tea, & My new niece

Blog Challenge Day 24: My favorite photo - I couldn't pick just one...so, I picked several!

Nash had a Mother's Day Tea at school today. I think he was terrified I wouldn't make it. He asked me at least 6 times before he went to school if I'd be there. Poor boy! All I could say was, "If I'm not having your sister, I'll be there!" When I finally walked into his classroom he was all grins for me. I could just see a big sigh of relief on his face that I was there. It was super cute. They did a short program for the moms. They sang a few songs and they had each drawn a picture that was "If I could give my mom anything in the world, I'd give her ___". The most popular items to show up were flowers and watermelon! A few kids were actually original in their ideas because one mom would get a new car and one would get a mansion and one would get Dove chocolate and one would get steak. It was really cute to listen to all of them. After their little program, they served the moms cake and sprite. Nash was just thrilled that I was there and that was all that mattered to me. Yesterday he asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day. I told him that the year he was born he was my Mother's Day and then asked if he thought Brookelyn would be my Mother's Day present this year. His answer? Nope. Gee, thanks for that vote of confidence!

My new niece: Trav's brother's girlfriend was due June 15th. Olivia was born today, May 6th. She was 5 lbs 5 oz and 17 inches long. It sounds like it was a good thing she was born. She had meconium in her water and a knot in her cord. I haven't heard if she's in the NICU yet or not. Sounded like she was doing well though.

Blog Challenge Day 22 & 23, Cinco de Mayo & pictures

I went back to the dr. today to have my membranes stripped again. I didn't see "my" dr., but rather the PA. She was super nice. She told me "Don't be surprised if nothing happens. I've known ladies that have walked around at a 4 for 2 weeks." Wasn't happy about that. She was sympathetic to my situation though. She told me "you're about as effaced as you can get" but I'm also still at a -2 and a 3+ cm. While we were at Trav's parents' house tonight I got to "waddle briskly" around the block with my sil and mil. Been having some contractions. Let's hope they do something already. Although, it would be kind if it would wait to get serious until after Nash's Mother's Day Tea at school tomorrow. His little heart is set on me coming!

We had the "pleasure" of making a trip to the dermatologist for Nash today. He's had this wart on the joint of one of his fingers for ages. We did an over the counter thing once about 6 weeks ago. It made it smaller at first, but after about 2 weeks it was back to its original size. The PA we saw froze it off & then discovered a second, very small one, so she froze that one too. We're hoping she got it good enough that we don't have to go back and have it done again. I think we'd have to drag him in kicking and screaming to have it redone. He cried for quite some time after. Tonight both warts are totally engulfed in blisters. I can't believe how fast they blistered and how big the blisters are. We put bandaids over them before he went to bed tonight so if they pop, he won't get "wart juice" all over his bed. Nice image, huh?

For Cinco de Mayo we got to go to Trav's parents' house for dinner. They bought a new trampoline (Travis killed theirs last fourth of July) and Travis and the kids helped grandpa set it up. They were THRILLED! Oh how they have missed the trampoline. Yes, Samantha was allowed to get on it. I'm not one of those mom's that's like "NO! Stay off the trampoline so you don't get hurt!" I figure we have a daily injury quota at our house that must be filled by someone at sometime. It's just part of growing up, right?

Day 22: A place I've traveled to

I've not traveled much, but then I've traveled a million miles! We make regular trips to Manti (which my kids absolutely love). Trav & I have traveled to St. Louis, Phoenix, Zions, Bryce & Yellowstone. The kids & I traveled to Oregon & Washington. We make fairly regular trips to Lake Powell. We've seen the Grand Canyon. We always love Flaming Gorge. Taking the kids and going off for an adventure is always fun. I always say "It's not camping with the Bowns if there isn't catastrophic weather or some kind of "event"." This year it sounds like we might be making a camping trip to Zions with the kids and with Trav's sister's family. Should be interesting to say the very least. Nothing worked out solid yet, just an idea.

The one major trip I have been on was when I was a senior in high school. My grandparents were on their mission in Wellington, New Zealand. I was lucky enough to have parents that had the time and the means to take us to visit them in New Zealand. Not only that, but we stopped in Sydney, Australia for about 7 days, and then hopped over to Oahu, Hawaii for about another 7 days. We were gone for a total of 3 weeks. Talk about a senior trip! It wasn't even too bad going with my family! We had a ton of fun and there are still certain things we joke about to this very day. I'd love to be able to go back with the kids and Trav some day. Maybe if I'm lucky.

Day 23: A favorite recipe

Anyone that knows me well knows I have a recipe book addiction. I have quite a few favorite recipes. I think one that tops the list these days is the Pampered Chef Chicken Enchilada Ring. It is super yummy and super easy. My kids won't eat it though, so I can only make it when Trav's around - otherwise I end up with lots of food for just me and it ends up going to waste because I can't eat all the left overs quick enough. I'd be happy to send anyone the recipe that wants it.

Samantha update, Project of the day, Sam's dance pix & Blog Challenge Day 21

Samantha update: The radiologist called this morning & we were told that it doesn't look like a fracture. However, she still has to wear the brace for a week & then go in & get new x-rays to make sure the growth plate didn't fracture.

Here's the project I finished today:

In case you can't read it, it says Dance like nobody's watching. I'm going to put it in the girl's room once we get the boys moved downstairs. I still want to do at least one more for the girl's room, but I don't know what saying I want yet. Suggestions welcome!

We were able to get Sam's dance pix back today. When I posted them on fb I hadn't cropped them so they look better here. I should've scanned the group pix, but didn't know how many parents would appreciate it. So, I just did her individuals.

Blog Challenge Day 21: My friends

Not sure what to write about my friends. I have lots of friends - and I love them all dearly. I do however have 1 friend in particular that I consider my "bestest" friend. Laura & I have been friends since we were about 5 yrs old. I'm not even sure I remember how the heck we met! I just know we've been friends for EVER! She's the one that watches my kids while I work. She's the one I refer to as my children's "other mother". She's about the only person (besides my mom) that I talk (or text) to on nearly a daily basis. When I was working in Ogden, I'd call her on my way home & we'd talk until I pulled into her driveway! Travis found out about Halliburton because that's where her husband use to work. She has 3 kids & they fall between mine so together we've got quite the herd. In fact, she's had people ask her if my kids were hers! I keep telling her they could be! Here's to being friends for another 25 yrs "bestie!" ;)