Happy Easter

Nothing says Happy Easter like a bunny face on a cute babies bum!  I LOVE IT!  Easter Sunday we got up and the kids went and found their set of eggs...pink for Natali, Footballs for Bubba, and Baseballs for Fudge.  There were baskets filled with candy and little goodies.  We all went to Sacrament meeting and then Will and I went home.  

HAPPY EASTER!

6 days old

William Davis 6 days old...

{photo's by the talented Rachel Holloway}

After being discharged we went back for our 2 day check up.  His bili ruben numbers were elevated and of all things they were worried about his weight.  Just look at those cheeks!!!  They wanted us to come back in 2 more days.

 The kids can't get enough of there little brother.  They always want to hold and love on him.  Will is going to be one loved little guy.

 Seriously are baby yawns not the cutest thing?!?!!

We were lucky enough to have Michelle and Parker stop by during their trip to Temple.

 After our 3rd trip up to labor and delivery we finally got clearance that our baby was finally gaining weight and his bili ruben numbers went down on their own...NO LIGHTS!  Such a sweet little baby.

First Bath...Baby William

After getting home I was anxious to give this little boy his first bath.  I waited till all the other kids were down and things were quiet and calm.  I can't completely say that he loved it. But he tolerated it well and was so fresh and snugly at the end. 

 {His black belly button as the kids call it}

 {sooo tiny}

 {RED hair}

{The softest most kissable cheeks}

Going Home

To some leaving the hospital may not seem like a big deal.  But, for us this was actually quite a big miracle.  So far with all 3 previous deliveries I have NEVER been discharged with my baby.  With Natali she had to stay a little extra for jaundice...Isaac had to stay in the NICU for a week for his lungs...and Spencer had to stay in the NICU for about 5 days for hypoglycemia.  So when both William and I got the green light to go home TOGETHER we felt so blessed.  Since we were both doing so good we were pretty anxious to get out of the hospital and back into our own home with everyone.  It didn't seem too overwhelming knowing I had both my mom & Ben at home to help me.  Everyone at the hospital was so kind, but you don't really get much rest there.

{Williams first ride in the car}

We're HOME!  Dad & baby snuggling.

I love it when babies stretch...it's so cute!

William...meet the family!

The next day after dropping kids off at school Dad went home and Grandma came and spent most of the day with me at the hospital.  It was nice to sit, talk, and enjoy all things baby William.  It was great time with my mom.

{Grandma Gerry}

Once school was done Ben brought all the kids up to meet the newest member of our family.  They instantly feel in love with Will.  It was so good to see their sweet little faces.

Natali and William

Daddy getting some one on one time with his newest buddy!

William was just soaking up all the attention.

Baby William Davis

{photo courtesy of Kenny our anesthesiologist}

Monday morning at 8:59 am  we welcomed the quiet cry of William Davis into our family.  He weighed 9.9 lbs and was 20 inches long.  Now although 9.9 seems like a big baby I was over joyed with his size.  He is our smallest baby, tied with Natali.  Right away you could see the red in his hair.  It wasn't fire red like Natali's but he is the most red out of all our boys.  

The c-section went well.  I think I had forgotten how uncomfortable that whole process was.  I was so grateful to have Ben standing there next to me.  I am pretty sure I was squeezing the tar out of his hand.  I couldn't feel sharpness...but I could feel all the tugging, pulling, and pushing.  It was INSTANT relief the moment he was pulled out...INSTANT.  

A friend in our ward actually did my anesthesia.  He did a great job letting me know what was going on through the whole process.  And because we knew him he let Ben come back during the prepping and anesthesia.  I personally hate that part...curling in a c...trying to not be shaky...etc, so it was great having Ben there.  He was such a support.   The nurse was great & held the baby up so I could see him right after he came out.  William sprayed the audience...just like Spencer.  After he Will got evaluated  Ben brought our little chunker over so I could get a close up look....sweetest face ever.   

Once things were done they moved me back into my old room where they could monitor my blood sugar since I was still on a insulin drip.  Later that evening they moved us all over to Labor & Delivery.  I was able to eat some jell-o and drink a diet sprite (best jell-o and sprite EVER).  Ben offered to stay with me at the hospital since my mom was back home with the other kids.  I was grateful.  I was still in a lot of pain.  Thankfully the hospital had the nursery up and running and our sweet nurse offered to take the baby for a few hours so I could get some sleep.

It was such a long and GREAT day!  Can't believe this little man is finally here.  He is healthy and perfect, something we've been praying for over the last 9 months.  I guess all those weekly doctors appointments paid off.  So grateful for such a great medical team.

It's baby time

Sunday morning, the 10th, I showed up at the hospital.  The doctor wanted to have me at the hospital a day early to be on an insulin drip.  The idea was that if we kept my blood sugar under super tight control right before having the baby then we could maybe avoid the baby having hypoglyemia (which is why Spencer wen to the NICU).  The nurses were so nice.  They came in ever hour to check my blood sugar...there was VERY little sleep going on.

Before heading into the O.R. the nurses had us stop and have a "photo op".  It felt weird just walking in to the OR.  I've always already been on the bed and rolled in.

Drugs are working...you can tell.  It's go time!

Baby & Babies

{32 weeks}

This pregnancy has been intense.  All my pregnancies seem to be, but this one holds it own.  Once I found out I was pregnant the appointments started.  And by started I mean that every week I went in and saw the doctor.  At 32 weeks I was bumped to 2-3 appointments a week to do NST's and BPP's, plus a clinic appointment.  Thankfully my doctor tried to always make it as easy and convenient as possible.  He pulled me into his own clinic so I wouldn't have to the additional time of seeing residents every week.  Although it was kind of a pain at times I am so grateful for a medical team who was so invested in making this a safe and healthy pregnancy.   I had many offers to watch Spencer during the many visits but Spencer was such a champ.  As long as I packed a little snack or treat and my phone, the boy was happy and content.  The nurses made so many comments on what a good little guy he was!

I can't believe that it's finally coming to an end.  I am sitting here in my hospital bed, admitted the day before the c-section to keep blood sugars as level as possible.  Not only is this the end of this pregnancy but after a lot of thought and prayer it's the end of our babies. It's such odd feeling.  I know with my health it's the right thing.  But yet more than once I have found myself laying awake at night with tears. It's not a feeling of "should we" or regret.  It's just a very emotional decision.  I often wondered and talked with other women about how you would know when it was time to be done with this aspect of life.  I never could imagine it.  Isn't this what I always talked about and wanted as a girl.  But it came.  And just because I may not have anymore babies, I am still a mom...and I have been blessed with 4 beautiful children. 

 I am trying to desperately remember and soak in each moment (good and bad).  The body aches, the stabling moments of the baby moving inside.  The process of picking out a name and the constant what will this baby look like thoughts.  The many comments on how LARGE my stomach is and the "are you sure it's not twins" questions.  My hair not shedding and my nails growing beautifully.  The drive to the hospital when you know the next time you leave you will have a brand new baby in your arms.  The smell of the diapers and the conversations you have with your other kids trying to prepare them for what is about to happen.  All the planning and coordinating to make sure you have help, freezer meals, and all the baby clothes clean, folded, and put away.  The extreme attention given to what I am eating and how my blood sugar is.  The nerves of being prepped for the c-section....all the questions and very sterile environment of the OR.  That sound when the baby takes his first cry and the look on your husbands face.  It's all so personal, it happens so quick, and with all the drugs and morphine it seems so fuzzy and hard to remember.  I feel so desperate to remember it all.  

I am so glad my mom could come out and help us.  It has been such a relief and the kids have been so excited.  I can't believe tomorrow baby William and I will part ways and officially become 2!  I am ready...and based on how cramped he is I bet the feeling is mutual.   Ben reminded me last night how much more quiet the baby is inside of me...no diapers, or feedings, or crying.  I reminded him that HE wasn't the one carrying the 10lb human INSIDE of them!  At our last ultra sound they did a weight estimate on the baby.  They said 8.9lbs +/- a lb.  Based on the other boys I am just hoping for under 11lbs.  But who knows....maybe this guys could be the runt of the liter.  At 9.9, 10.9, & 10.6 he has some stiff competition.

 {34 weeks}

 {35 weeks}

{37 weeks...today}

Soccer Clinic

Saturday I signed the kids up for a soccer camp put on by UMHB men's soccer team.  For the most part the kids had a blast.  They broke into age groups and did different drills and games while music blared through the stadium sound system.   At the very end the gathered all the kids together and had them showoff their dancing moves.  Natali won a team soccer scarf!  She thought it was the BEST thing ever...Isaac on the other hand was pretty convinved that life wasn't fair!  

Daddy Daughter Dance

 Natali & Dad 2013

Daddy Daughter Dance

Valentines

{Some of my favorite loves}

Valentines is one of those holidays that I feel I could take it or leave it.  I understand that you don't need a special day to let those close to you know you love them....but at the same time who doesn't like a little extra attention and love, designated holiday or not!  Leading up to the big V-day Natali informed me more than once that she was SO excited for the table to be decorated, fun little goodies to be found, and a special breakfast.  UH WHAT!  I guess she does remember the things I've done in the past, and apparently they are apart of our family tradition now.  I wasn't feeling super great but thankfully between the few decorations I had on hand, the gifts from grandma's, and Sam's Clubs bucket of powdered donuts the kids thought the morning was pretty fantastic.  Ben spent the day flying home from Vegas from a Conference.   It was good to finally have everyone home.

Hot & Cold

One of things you learn quickly living here in Texas is that the weather changes a lot.  In the same week you can have a high of 85 followed the next day with a low of 45.  We've learned to just roll with it.  One day we are hanging out in the backyard reading books in t-shirts & shorts.  

And the next we are playing super hero's with pants & hoodies.  

 I love this picture of Spencer...it is just so him!  

January

January

After Christmas break we made it home and got back into the swing of school and our normal routines. I have to admit that after being in the cold and snow I was ready for some Texas warmth.  We celebrated Ben' s 33 birthday with his favorite Mississippi Mud Pie.  The  kids were so excited to pick out a present for Ben.  They all agreed that they wanted to get him some BYU helmet checkers just like the ones at Grandma's house.  I'm not sure who was really more excited...Ben or Spencer.

Spencer loves to play...but you have to follow his rules.  You can't jump his helmets and his has to win!  It's pretty cute (right now).

Trek to Utah & New Years Eve

We made a VERY last minute decision and loaded up in the car and headed up to Utah for the rest of Christmas break.  We were lucky and had blue skies the whole way up and back.  It was fun to call the night before and suprise everyone that we were coming.  The reactions were priceless!  Once we made it there we lucked out and had a few days of great fluffy snow before the inversion and COLD temperatures set in.  The trip like always went quick and we tried to take adavantage of every minute....eating at our favorite places, shopping, girls nights, cousins, the Temple, and just being with family.  Thanks to goodwill I found snowboots for the kids and they each LOVED playing in the snow, making snow angels, and climbing the snow piles.  Even Ben had to relive some old memories and go out and shovel the driveway and front walk.  It was a quick but much needed trip!

 *don't be fooled by the look on his face....he was loving it!

 New Years Eve

New years eve we spent the evening eating snacks and playing with cousins.  We had  a few sparkler's and went out early (10:00pm) to ring in the New Year.  IT WAS FREEZING!  We didn't last very long.

Spencer, Oliver, Sam, Charlie, Isaac, Natali, & Jack