What have we been up to lately?

October was so good to us this year. For sure my favorite part of the year. Perfect fall weather. And Halloween! We had so much fun with family and friends this last month! We are sad to see it go but thanksgiving and Christmas are always fun too!

We went to a few haunted attractions with a few friends this last month. The first one we went to was a haunted straw maze in between Rigby and rexburg. We went with my sister and her family and couple friends of ours. We also went to Dr. Slaughters with our friends Travis and Megan Martin! Our first time ever! I'm such a chicken and hid behind Tyler and closed my eyes at least half of the time. My husband is 6.7 and is also a chicken... We make him go in front we we can also get a good laugh haha!

Halloween was a complete success this year as it was Calvin's first and our first year spending it as a family :) I picked out Calvin's costume in late September. My mom and I found it at Costco, it's a cute little elephant. It was still huge on him so I was hoping that during the next month he would grow I to it! Which he did and he was the cutest little elephant ever!

Being how it was out first Halloween as a family, we HAD to dress up. It was so fun dressing up together! Tyler and I were safari hunters and Calvin was our catch of the day ;) 

We went trick or treating to a few houses, hung out with friends and family and called it a night. A definite success.

Now that it's November that means that Calvin is now 8 months! And almost 9 in a couple weeks! Where is the time going!? Flying away from me as fast as it can :(

At 8 months Calvin can say "dada" and does a million times a day. We are still working on momma... It will come haha. He also can take little steps on his own when he wants to! I'm hoping the walking will be at least a month or two away still haha. But we are still encouraging non the less! He eats every time we eat. If we are eating something he will yell at us until we share with him. But he's so cute how could we not!? He eats a 3 oz. bottle every hour and half to two hours. He still spits up at least once after every bottle, but it is diminishing as he grows! Calvin is the fastest crawler I've seen. He gets from point a to point b before I have time to blink! It's hard trying to be one step ahead of him all the time. He is still the happiest and funniest baby I've ever met. He is only sad when he's tired or hungry. Yes of course he still whines about little things but it's very seldom. I love not having a grouchy baby and I count my blessings every day. He still wakes up once a night for a bottle but other than that if he wakes up we let him whine himself back to sleep. Which only takes about two minutes luckily. He takes a morning nap and an afternoon nap, each about two hours. His favorites are still taking baths, eating an being outside haha. I don't know if it will ever change. He is at such a fun age and we love evey minute of being with him! 

Did I mentioned we finally found an apartment!? Well we did! We moved out of my parents and Into our duplex apartment on park in Pocatello! It so nice finally being able to use my furniture and to have our own place. It's been almost 7 months since we moved to Texas (how in the heck!?) and all of our stuff has been in storage with the spiders ever since. There are no stairs in our apartment so Calvin is free to roam about the ship as he chooses, which he loves. As do I. We are right in the middle of town so it's nice! We are also close to a few friends! I think we are going to love it here.

The hard working moving crew in our bath tub haha (minus a couple others)

Well in other news, the Hunger Games Catching Fire comes out this week! Tyler and I and few friends I believe are going to the premier! It's always a good time. Catching Fire was my favorite book of the trilogy so I'm hoping the movie won't disappoint! 

Hope everyone has a good week! :)

Being pregnant | my 38 week adventure

So as I mentioned in my last post, I've been wanting to blog about my pregnancy with Calvin. It was the most surreal, spiritual, and incredible experience. Let's see how well I do with summing up 38 weeks into one post :)

At about 7 weeks, the neusea hit me like a ton of bricks. Alllllll day sickness. I couldn't make it to the bathroom soon enough in the morning so I had a bowl by my bed. Graceful right? And then I'd Puke again in the shower, not sure why. The steam maybe?? But it was a routine that stuck with me for a while. One thing I'll mention is I wasn't too mad about being sick. Actually, I was more grateful. My last pregnancy which ended in miscarriage, I wasn't sick at all. And I'd heard that the more sick you are, the healthier your growing baby was. So I had a hard time complaining about being sick. I guess that's a good thing? Haha.

I announced my pregnancy to my closest friend Hailey when I was 10 weeks, right after our ultrasound and we'd heard and seen our beans heartbeat. She was moving to Arizona that week and I wanted to tell her in person. We also told my parents that day, they were so ecstatic about it! We waited to tell Tyler's family and everyone else until our next appointment which was around 12 weeks. 

    This was actually our very first ultrasound. I was about 8 weeks. So mind blowing. 

My cravings in my first trimester were: 

Lemons. I'd eat then whole. But it sucked throwing those up not gonna lie...

Chocolate. Especially mint chocolate truffles from Little America

Fresh fruits and veggies.

Second trimester came and the neusea was still at full speed. Tyler hated taking me out to dinner... I can't count how many restaurant parking lots I threw up in. It was like throwing money away in the garbage... I would get so mad every time. Ugh.

I finally got the guts to take my first belly pic at about 17 weeks. 

It was so fun having a belly. It was right about this time I starting feeling him move around too. Such a cool feeling. 

At 18 1/2 weeks we were scheduled to have our gender ultrasound. My mom, Tyler's mom and the two of us walked back to ultrasound room and the first thing we saw on the screen was our babes privates haha. No shame! It's a boy!! My heart literally melted. I already loved him with my whole heart. And he looked Sooo handsome!! Which he is to this day! I'm not gonna lie people, I knew it was a boy. When people would ask what I though it was I would reply "I'm 100 and 10% sure it's a boy". So there ya have it. Mothers intuition at its finest ;)

                 Handsome right!? 

At about 25 weeks the neusea finally started dwindling. I'd throw up once or twice evey morning and that was it for the day. Every now and then if throw up after a meal but it was pretty seldom. I finally started to gain some weight! He was kicking and moving allll the time. I loved it. He would lull me to sleep evey night and wake me up every morning. He would even wake Tyler up some mornings if I was cuddling his back; or rather If I was being the "big spoon". Haha. I remember one of the coolest feelings was when Tyler felt him kick for the first time. I was 20 weeks. Loved it. 

                 20 weeks! Half way!

                 Around 22 weeks

About this time in I added two more symptoms to my long list: 

-heartburn. I had never ever had heartburn before. The first time I experienced it I was eating a subway sandwich. Pretty sure it was from the pickles. So from there on out, till my last push in the delivery room, I ate tums like they were going out of style. 

-back ache. I have scoliosis already, so we figured it was gonna take it's toll on me once I got pregnant. I'm not much of a cryer people, especially when it comes to being in pain. I've broken 10 bones in my lifetime, I've learned to be tough when it comes to pain. These back she's were no fun, and I was in tears every night it seemed until Tyler gave me a back rub or I was in the tub. I fell asleep one night in the tub and Tyler woke me up at about 2 am. Haha. 

         Christmas time, around 30 weeks maybe?? 

My friends Megan Martin, Tiffany Mitton and Caleen Bybee all helped to throw me a baby shower! Mostly just for friends from high scho. It was so fun to see everyone! And we got a lot of fun and useful baby items! 

       Basketball theme :) cute right!?

My second shower my sisters and my mom threw me. This was for ladies from my home ward and other close family members. They kept the theme a surprise for me! 

The theme was jungle! So adorable. They put so much work into it! I honestly have the best family and friends in this world.

34 weeks hit me and I was strictly put in nesting mode. I didn't think it was a real thing... But yes. It is indeed a real thing, and I'm sure my husband would describe me as being a real pain in his butt during this time. The babies room was a disaster at this point. So we organized everything and ordered a crib and changing table. This was the final product of our hardwork! 

A jungle themed nursery :) 

My last belly pic was at 37 weeks. I had hoped I would get some maternity pictures but that never happened... 

Dying to have my babe at this point. I swear I peed my pants at least twice a week. But I had enjoyed my whole pregnancy, I loved, and I mean LOVED knowing my baby was safe inside me. I loved feeling him move and roll inside my belly. I didn't want to wish away my last three weeks of Tyler and i's last days if being "the two of us". 

At 37.5 weeks I was having contractions 5 minutes apart. Tyler was at a basketba game championship and I was at my friend Tiffany Mittons house, bouncin on a yoga ball. Us girls were having a good time counting contractions.  But I knew that wasn't going to be the day is have my baby. But I did go home and pack my hospital bag! Haha. 

February 28, at 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant we were hanging out at home. Our good friends Chelsey and Tyeson Mitton were gettin married the next day. Tyler had to work but I was planning on going to the ceremony with my parents in Idaho falls. I was having contractions again that night, counting but not really paying close attention. They were too sporadic. Tiffany called me around 8 that night and asked if I would cut tanners hair for the wedding the next day. We weren't doing anything so I had them come over. 

Once I told her I was having contractions she immediately started keeping track and counting on her phone. They got to 5 minutes apart again, and they told me I needed to go in. I insisted this wasn't the day... After they left that night, my mind had changed it's course of thinking. This was indeed the day I would be having my baby. :)

Calvin Tyler

It was about midnight and I woke up to Tyler's voice waking me up an telling me to come to bed. Well I had done it, I thought. I'd fallen asleep through my contractions once again, even though they had been about 5 minutes apart for a couple hours. I told myself I wasn't going to go in unless I couldn't fall asleep. Which I had. So I was fine :)

Maybe not...

I got up and started to get ready or bed; washed my face, brushes my teeth, and crawled ( yes, crawled with my huge 9 month prego belly) into bed next to my husband. It was just another regular night where we'd say our prayers and if fall asleep to my baby's kicks inside my belly.

Well once I got settled into bed my contractions started up again. This had been happening off and on for the last week and I was still 10 days from my due date. Hardly anyone I knew had gone early with their first babies so I had just assumed if go a week over like everyone else. And I didn't wanna go into the hospital just for them to make fun of me and say " this is your first baby you have no clue what's going on go home to bed you're still dilated to a one " blah blah blah. I had my appointment with Dr Carlson two days prior and I was 80 % effaced and dilated between a one and two. He had guessed I would go a couple days before my due date but thought i would make it to my next weeks appointment. 

Plus, guys, I'm not gonna lie I kind of ENJOYED being pregnant. It's rare, I know. I loved feeling him move around in my belly, knowing he was safe in there. Plus, I didn't have to share him with anyone. I had him all to myself. Shellfish... I know. 

Well my contractions were getting worse and I couldn't fall back asleep. I remember saying a little prayer to help know whether or not I should go to the hospital. Tyler had a big math test early that morning that he had studied all night for. I didn't want to drag him to the hospital for them to send us home and him losing precious sleep. 

I finally came to the conclusion that I needed to go in. I woke Tyler, rolled out of bed, brushed through my hair and grabbed our bags that I had thankfully packed earlier that week. We were even too lazy to take the car seat knowing Tyler could come back and get it the next day if I was in labor. 

It was around 2:00 am on March 1st, we parked in the expectant moms parking space. It was a cold night, lightly snowing. 

We got to labor and delivery and the nurse had my dress in a hospital gown so the could check my cervix. These words were music to my ears, "you're dilated to a 4, looks like we're keeping you!" I was thrilled. I was finally going to see my baby in the next few hours. 

Even though some intense contractions I could still feel baby kicking around like crazy. Then a sad thought came to mind... These are the last times I will feel my baby kick! My favorite feeling of all time... I was kind of sad. Too much going on though to dwell on it for long.

Before things would start getting hectic and crazy, I knew the first thing I needed was for my husband to give me a blessing. What a comfort it was. Instantly my mind was calm. 

I called my mom and my sisters and told them the good news! They showed up bright eyed bushy tailed, dresses to impress shortly after I called! I have the best family. Love them. Shortly after they got there my nurse came in and told me I was dilated to a 5 and could have an epidural if I so choosed. I'm like... Duh! Haha. Doesn't everyone?? ;)

The epidural was rough for me... I. Don't. Do. Needles. Ever. But I had to suck it up... The doctor who was giving me my epidural noticed my curve in my back (scoliosis) and told me it might be a little bit of a challenge. I managed though, with the help of Tyler reminding me to breath. My left side went completely numb, but my right side I could still feel contractions. Such a weird feeling.

By 4 or 5 am I had a different nurse. She was a family friend and had been my two older sisters labor nurse as well in the past. She was awesome. I felt so lucky to have her there. 

After my epidural I slept for an hour or so, and so did Tyler. I woke up feeling nauseous... I saw Tyler sleeping on the other side of the room, my dad was at my right and my sister Holi at my left. I felt bad as she held a blue puke bag for me as I puked into it. What a trooper she was. Did I mention I have the best family around?? 

This woke Tyler up from his deep slumber. I asked my dad if he would give me a fathers blessing. After all, two powerful preisthood holders are better than one. Again, after I felt great comfort that I would be able to get me and my baby through this experience, safe and sound.

My nurse came in to check my cervix again, and informed me that I was only dilated to a 6, and two hours had passed since then. Now, don't quote me on this because I was kinda out of it and this happened nine months ago... So my Brian doesn't remember every detail and term. But... I think they said they were going to start me on pitocin? To help me dilate faster? Well as I mentioned earlier, I was out of it. I could hear what people were saying, but my mind was so tired and fuzzy I was just not taking everything in as fast as normal... 

After they started the pitocin, or whatever it was, my babes heart rate that I had been listening to for the last 6 hours, was gone. They rolled me to the left, then to the right, trying to find his heart rate. But it wasn't happening. Tyler was stroking my hair reassuring me everything was fine, but I knew it wasn't. The nurse and the two doctors had worry written all over the faces. I thought, this is it. This happens sometimes to women who carry a baby inside their body for almost 10 months, and at the last minute, their baby is gone. These were my thoughts during those very long couple of minutes.

I remember the nurse told the PA to take whatever it was they just put inside of me, to take it out because is was now dilated to a 10! I had dilated 4 cm in about 20 seconds time, which had stressed out the baby. The minute they took the tube out the tube that was delivering the pitocin I'm guessing, his heart rate came back on the moniter! Tears were shed out of joy and relief. My baby was ok and I was dilated to a ten! 

Sadly, my OB/GYN who I had been going to for my hole pregnancy was out of town. And there we're 3 other women in labor at the same time as me. There was only one OB on call and he was busy with the other women in labor... I can't tell you how many people came into my room checking me an prodding me. It's fine... No shame haha. I just wanted my labor to be over and to see my baby healthy and safe. 

My nurse and a PA were the ones who would be delivering my baby. The PA was very nice, and was the only one who stayed calm during our little scare earlier. So I was happy to hear he would be delivering my babe. 

My nurse told me I could start pushing. I pushed for about 20 minutes before they told me some rather bummer news. My baby was stuck on my pelvic bone... With each push he moved a tiny tiny bit. They told me to rest for about an hour and then they would come back for me start pushing again. So rest I did... Slept the whole time. I never would have thought that I would be having the best nap of my life, in labor, dilated to a 10. But I did. Haha.

An hour later they had me start pushing again. I would push for a half hour and then rest, over and over. After about 2 hours of pushing they could finally see his head! I asked the PA what color his hair was, thinking for sure it was going to be dark like mine. His response " I think it's dark, but I'm color blind so I don't know for sure haha." Bless his heart. 

After another ten minute rest the nurse brought a mirror in for me to see what was going on down there... I didn't want to see my mangled body but she thought it might give me enough encouragement to push this baby out once and for all. My epidural was wearing off, I had almost been pushing for 3 hours. I needed all the help I could get. 

 And it did. I pushed and pushed and could hear them saying "his head is out! One more big push!" And it was finally over! I heard the cutest sound of life I've ever heard. I remember hearing him scream a couple times and then nothing. Between tears of excitement/worry/Joy I asked Tyler "why isn't he crying anymore?!" His response "he is just fine, he is just done crying I guess." 

They brought him over to me and layed him on my chest. He looked up at me and we just stared at each other for a few seconds. I couldn't love anything more. 

            That's one proud daddy :)

       Completely smitten and in love ❤️

 Calvin Tyler was born on March 1st, 2013 at 11:51 am. Weighing in at 7 lbs 4 oz. 21 inches long. Tyler and I had never been so happy. The most perfect being we had ever beheld. The happiest and most spiritual day of our lives. The closest to heaven we had ever been. We experienced a true miracle that day. The miracle of LIFE. 

We had many many visitors who came to the hospital to greet out little one. We love them all ❤️

           My brother and sister law 

                     Aunt Holi 

            Part of the Mitton family 

      Grandma Hansen and cousin Molli

Grandpa and great grandpa Mckee. 4 generations right there. 

    Great grandma and grandpa Hansen

There were many more who came to support us that didn't get thier picture snapped. You know who you are and we love you dearly. 

We are so grateful for this precious babe and the joy he has brought into our lives.