Newborns & Family

It's got to be tiring being a newborn. I know that I once was but I can't remember it. Probably because I did a lot of sleeping attempting to process my new body, the world around me (hoping all those larger creatures poking me all the time really weren't my siblings), and trying very hard to remember what heaven was like. At least, that's my guess as to what Afton is doing.

I'm sure we are wearing her out around here. We just enjoyed having my dad and brother, Blake, join the fun on Thursday. Then my awesome sister, Kirsten and her mob added to the chaos yesterday. Just so you know, her license plate on her ultra stretch van says "The Mob". I love it.

(Picture taken of Kirsten by one of her paparazzi daughters so I had to include it.)

Afton was blessed yesterday by Clark, her Grandpa Halverson and a member of our bishopric. The circle was smaller than it has been in times past, but I felt that the other priesthood holders in her life were there in spirit.

I'm probably very biased when I say this, but she is just darling!! Yes, she is sometimes awake. When she is, she is already attempting to flash us with smiles. That, and projectile vomit on us. (So excited that we have a third child who erupts like a geyser. Could be worse I guess.)


Yep this us. Can't you see how thrilled all our kids are to be there taking a picture?? We are all still adapting to this change in our family. (Gosh, that is such an understatement.)

I'm so, so, so, so, so thankful for my mom. She was here for 2 weeks. I wish it could have been longer. Although, she is probably so grateful to go. She was a huge help. Just even in the little things. I realized this morning when I heard the washer finish I was going to have put those clothes in the dryer. And the thought went through my head I was going to have to fold those clothes too. They are still in the dryer.

But it was more than her physical help. She has such a great presence. Always quietly serving. Seeing what needs to be done and doing it. Or just sitting down with one of the kids and reading book after book after book. I credit her for my love of reading. She gives me hope that I can do this; although she can't remember how she survived in my same situation years ago. She did so with her sense of humor intact!Thanks Mom!!!! Want to see what the weather is like in Oklahoma in October??

And I just need to include this picture because I love how scrunchy and snuggly newborns are. Sometimes, that's what gets me through those hard moments.

Timing

On Monday morning, Clark's car wouldn't start as he was attempting to go to work. It got me thinking about timing. Of course, just having a baby may have a prompted these thoughts a little bit too. I'm so glad that this happened after Afton was born, not before. I could picture the conversation, "Hey Clark, I'm in labor." "That's great Kim. Can you pick me up from work since my car won't start?"

So here's some of my thoughts about the timing of the great event that just took place in our lives.

First, I may be wrong on this, but I believe that every woman wants to have her baby early. You hit about the 9th month and your uncomfortable and little bit tired of the whole thing. So I was in that boat. It wasn't until the week before she was born that I decided I was ready to be done and I figured that having her over Labor Day weekend was going to be the most ideal time. But that came and went and several more days and finally the morning after my mom arrived she was born. And even though she came after my ideal time, when she was born has been the ideal timing! It gave Clark a few days off because of the weekend. And the Lord sure knows that I'm the kind of mom that really struggles leaving my kids with just anyone, so having my mom here before I had the baby was such a big relief.

When a woman is in labor, timing can be critical. Usually you start timing contractions and watch how they get closer together and then you know it's time to go. Well, not with this one. I probably started having contractions the evening before but they were all over the place. They would be 7 minutes apart for a while, then 10 minutes, than 3 minutes than 5 minutes. Get my point. It wasn't until 1:00 AM they came fast and regular. Of course, for 45 minutes neither Clark nor I believed it. Finally, he convinced me we should go to the hospital. I'm notoriously bad for not wanting to be there.

Good thing he did because when we arrived at the hospital we received the last room and it was just a triage room. At our small hospital they have 4 labor and delivery rooms and 2 triage rooms. Apparently minutes after I showed up a pregnant woman number 7 did. And she was stuck in the hallway. No thanks!! I should mention that not all the women there were actually in active labor. I think about 3 were there for inductions. But it was a crazy, busy night for the nurses. And yes, I did deliver Afton in a triage room.

A small mention about the nurses. I had a horrible experience with a nurse in this same hospital when delivering Eliza. It made me concerned about delivering there again. The nurses this time were FABULOUS! When I first walked in they seemed so delighted to know that I was in actual labor (a walk-in). And the nurse who was first admitting me almost gave a cheer when she learned that I wanted to attempt to deliver without an epidural. I instantly made her my nurse.

Unfortunately, about 10 minutes later she got called away to help a woman in another room (also delivering naturally) that was making a whole lot of racket. I silently told myself I wasn't going to be that way! Well, I was eating my thought about an hour later when I was screaming, yes, screaming about the pain. I really am embarrassed to share that. I couldn't help myself. Really and truly. It was a stressful situation because my doctor wasn't there yet and I needed to push and the nurse kept telling me "Don't push! Don't push!" Needless to say, Afton was born perfectly fine without the doctor (even though I sure do like the guy). He arrived 5 minutes later. I later learned he's gotten a lot of ribbing from the nurses about that although he wasn't to blame. He was informed a little too late.

So timing is a funny thing. Sure does make for interesting stories though. And all of that has been worth it for this:

And Then There Were Four

We happily and ecstatically welcome a little baby girl,

Afton

to our family.

Weighing 8 lbs
21 inches long

Complete with a bow on top (that way we knew she was a girl because it was a surprise!) and a sweet disposition.

She has instantly been adored by all.
Her siblings wipe her out with all their love, attention and affection.

But we sure couldn't be happier. It is so wonderful to have a newborn around.
Welcome to our family Afton!

Eating Food

Maybe this is a Labor Day appropriate post since a lot of people I know spend Labor Day consuming food. And not actually laboring! (And in my case, really not taking advantage of the appropriately named holiday which leads me to believe this child is a girl since my boys were both born on holidays.)

Anyway . . . a few pictures of Eliza and her consuming food. We find it amusing and entertaining, therefore we take pictures.

Eliza has acquired a love of onions. I kid you not. That is a healthy slice of onion she is happily munching on. Her brothers wondered if they were missing out on something but didn't quite enjoy a bite of onion the way she does. We hope that she continues to enjoy this ideal snack at around the age of 16 or 17. Especially before a date!

First time trying corn on the cob. She looks like a pro. Love the dripped butter all over the table; she requested a huge smearing of it to compliment her corn.

Eliza sampling the brownie batter. Actually, Eliza happily samples anything we are in the process of making. Huge handful of flour. Yum. Stick of butter. Bread dough. Salt. Yeast with water. Whatever casserole mixture I may be making for dinner. Literally anything she can get her hands on. Sometimes she lucks out. She is adventurous with food and we love that about her. If I've learned anything, it's a bad food night when she doesn't even like it.