The Next Edward

So, for all you "Twilight" fans out there....here is the boy who should be playing Edward. (In about 20years!)

For those of you that aren't "Twilight" fans, it is a novel about a vampire and a mortal girl who falls in love with him. Edward is the amazingly gorgeous vampire....I think Braden fits the character exactly. Check out those incisors in his mouth. All four of them are extremely sharp...hopefully the permanent teeth won't be quite as sharp, or I might start believing in vampires!

Favorites

I love the spirit that a new baby brings into our home. Everyone (well, sometimes not Braden) is so sweet and loving whenever they see Ava.

The kids are so excited every morning to run into our room so that they can hold Ava. Whenever they get home from somewhere it is a race to get to Ava first. They just love her so much.

I love the way they speak to her, always so nice and sweet. I wish they could remember to do that with each other!!

Here are a few favorite memories of the past few weeks:

The night before Ava was born...no wonder she was 9 lbs...look at that belly!

There is something so appealing about a man snuggling a baby!

Ava and her cousin Sydnee


Not loving her first bath!



A very special Great Grandpa with his 2 newest great grandkids


Seth and Ava

This is Kason's favorite thing...letting Ava sleep on his shoulder.

Braden's constant position....smothering, oh I mean loving his new sister!

I can't believe she is already three weeks old! Oh how I wish I could freeze time.

Happy Father's Day

(Boy, that is a couch full of kids!)

I know I am a week late with this! You can be a week late when you have a new baby...right??

Thanks to our daddy for being the greatest father in the world!!

I love how your face lights up when you walk in from work and the kids all scream "DADDY" all at once. They are never quite as excited when I get home! :)

I love that you have always wanted kids from the moment I met you...the most important thing to you was being a father.

I love that you will willingly take the kids anywhere with you, and it is "no big deal". (Especially to a baseball tournament in Idaho for the weekend, and leave me home with a whole weekend to myself.)

I love that you can tune out the CHAOS, even when all 5 kids want your attention when we are driving in the car! (Wish I had that talent).

Thanks for being the greatest Dad in the world....we love you!!

Also, not to forget my great dad, and Brandon's great dad...thanks for loving your grandkids, playing with them, and teaching them how to be good kids. Thanks for raising us the way you did, always being there when we need you, and teaching us what being a good parent means.

WE LOVE YOU BOTH!

Christmas Morning

When I have woken up for the past week I have felt like it is Christmas morning! You know that feeling of anticipation and excitement for what the day will bring. The excitement of giving the perfect gift to your kids, or the anticipation of what might be lying under the tree for you?

Well, that is the exact feeling that Ava has brought me everyday! I am so excited to wake up in the morning because I know I have a new little baby to love. I even have that feeling when she wakes up in the middle of the night...I am excited that I get to love and hold her, without anyone else to bother me. It is dark and quiet, and I can dream about her life that is to come. I love that she molds into my shoulder and cuddles me. I love that she smells so amazing (you know the newborn smell). I love that she looks at me with her bright eyes and needs me. I love kissing her neck, cheeks, lips....anywhere I can (you can only do that with your own baby). I love the smell of her baby breath. I even love the smell of her poopy diapers! I think I might be a little obsessed? All of these things translate to such an adrenaline rush for me...I just love my little Ava.

As I left the hospital last week, I was almost depressed. Knowing that I will most likely never have that moment again...the amazing experience of bringing a life into this world. Or, the peace and quiet of sitting in a hospital bed with my new little baby. Not a care in the world, just me and a beautiful baby. Don't get me wrong, I don't love going through labor...but I love the reward, and the experience....especially when it is over!

Maybe it is because she is my last, so I feel like I have to cherish every minute with her. I don't even care if my house is clean, laundry done, or beds are made. I just want to hold her tight because I know that she will grow so fast. I am so grateful that I can be a mom!

So, now a little more about the day Ava was born. I was induced (of course) in the morning. When I had Braden my epidural didn't work, so I was determined to stay on top of my pain and have a better labor this time. I got my epidural early this time. I was only feeling my contractions a little. The epidural is my least favorite part. I have a hard time with a large needle going into my spine, and then the sensations that come with it - such as the elastic pop, and the electric shock that goes down your leg! Not so fun. But it seemed to work, so I was relieved.

It worked however, until I was at a 6. I started feeling my contractions so I immediately pushed the button to give me more medicine. It didn't work! After 10 minutes, I pushed the button again....no luck! I looked at Brandon and said "I don't want to do it like this again!" But I knew there was no turning back. So, I tried to prepare for the pain to come. I do not know how you women that have natural childbirth do it. It is not fun! I progressed really fast, and kept telling my nurse that she needed to call the doctor (in between my cries and moans). She was not in any hurry....so by the time the doctor did get there I had been doing all I could not to push!

The doctor did finally arrive, and after congratulating me and changing his shoes (what?), decided I was serious. I wonder what gave him a clue - maybe my screams of "she is coming, please hurry?" Lets just say pushing a 9 lb 2 oz, 22 inch long baby out naturally really HURTS!! Now I know why women scream, swear, cry, etc. when giving birth! As soon as Ava was here, the doctor said..."wow, she really is big!" I had been trying to convince him for the last few weeks that I was having a big baby and he needed to induce me early....but he didn't seem to believe me! Too late now! She was perfect and I was so relieved to have her here. It always amazes me when they come out with all their fingers and toes, a perfect head, two arms and legs...such a miracle! We are so glad she is here.

Shaundee and I with our babes! Ava is as big as Seth (who is 1 month)

Jaicee is a good "little mom"

Cool hair Kason!

Halle wants to hold Ava the most...she is a good helper.

Braden loves Ava...sometimes a little too much!

Those are some chubby cheeks!

She is Here!

Our sweet princess has arrived!!

Ava Debra

9 lbs. 2 oz.

22 inches

6/9/08

1:50 pm

I did try to tell the doctor that I had a 9 lb baby inside, but he didn't seem to think that I actually did. So, consequently he only started my three days early. The dr. says his new motto is "Always Listen to the Mother". That doesn't really help me however!!

She is so sweet and perfect. I will post more pics later and give a run down on the details of the day.

End of the Year

School has been out for a week, but I had to post about a few of the last school events.

First of all, Jaicee and Kason both took second place out of their entire grades for the "field day run." I was so proud of both of them. I knew Kason was a fast runner, but Jaicee totally surprised me. I told her that when she plays soccer next, no slowing down....since I now know she is fast! They both did great in school this year, and I am so proud of how hard they worked!

Next, Halle graduated from preschool. She loved going to school, and wished it was every day like her brother and sister. Her teacher Mrs. Taylor was great, and now she gets to ride the bus to kindergarten. She can't wait!

Jaicee had her dance recital. She was on a competition team this year, and did such a great job. She loves performing the most.


We have been to many, many baseball and soccer games for Kason. Braden loves to put on all the gear...it is a good way to entertain, especially by the fourth hour of a baseball double header!

And many soccer games for the girls!

Oh yea, and my sister had her baby...Seth Douglas. He was 7 lbs. 8 oz, and is such a beautiful boy!

Sorry about the lengthy post. It has been a busy May, and I haven't been able to "record" it all down. Now that May is over, we are ready to have our baby! Monday is the day....so look in the next few days to see our newest addition. We still have no idea on a name...hopefully we will be inspired at the hospital.

Another One

This boy has hit his head multiple times in his short 2 and 1/2 years of life! I hope his brain survives all the trauma. Here is the latest...

He was jumping on the couch (something I should not have been letting him do) and hit his head on the arm of the couch. This picture was taken minutes after. He had a huge goose egg protruding immediately. Since then the bruising has all gone away, but he still has a little knot on his head. Is that ever going to go away? I sure hope so!

P.S. For those who are interested, we ate the wild turkey on Sunday, and I have to say it tasted like TURKEY! It was probably the best "wild meat" I have eaten thus far. Don't get me wrong, however, I didn't eat too much of it. I still have a hard time stomaching something that I have watched be killed, plucked, cleaned, and cooked. For some reason I would rather buy it frozen from the store. My husband thinks I am crazy! But at least I try everything.

And then the fun part comes....

A Turkey is Down!

Brandon has been vigilantly scouting for turkeys. He drew out this year, and was determined to get one! He and Kason went up one morning (leaving at 3:00 am) and came oh so close - which is the story he has after every hunting expedition. The next week he decided to try it again, but didn't tell Kason because he had school. After leaving at 2:30 am this time, sitting in the pouring rain and cold, almost calling it a day.....SUCCESS!

Jeremy (Brandon's cousin) and Brandon with the reward!

They actually spotted these while driving out in the car. So much for sitting in the rain for hours - trying to call the turkeys in! Just get in your car and find them! Kason was so devastated that his Dad got a turkey without him there. It took a few hours for him to forgive Brandon for not taking him!