I'm 30 !?!

I'm 30! Brandon took this picture of Easton and I on my birthday. I had a wonderful day with shopping and dinner with the family at the Cheescake Factory. My family made the day and weekend so wonderful and Parker and Kamree kept telling me "Happy Birthday" all weekend...so cute. I feel different then I thought I would at 30. 30 used to seem so old to me and of course it doesn't now! I love being this age and feeling happy and settled. I feel like I know now more who I am and who I want to become. I feel great and even though I've found more than one grey hair, I'm going to be okay!

Easton's Story

Okay, so I have dropped out of the blogging world for a minute, but I am back. I wanted to blog the story of Easton's birth so here we go. We checked into the hospital at 5:00am on the morning of July 11th. The hospital was completely full so the put me in the post-operating room to get me ready for my c-section. My mom had slept over to be with the kids but both she and they wanted to be at the hospital for the big arrival. The kids came and saw me in the hospital bed and were nervous and excited. They left for a minute and it was a good thing because a woman and her husband came flying into the room and she was already in labor. They set up a bed for her right next to us and pulled the paper thin curtain to separate us. Nurses came in and said that she was at an 8 and she was screaming for medicine. It was so crazy....Brandon and I wanted to get out of there before this lady had her baby. Luckily right then they rushed me off to the operating room and we later learned she had her baby 5 minutes after we left. Needless to say, the morning started out a little crazy. Then Brandon went to wait with my mom, sister and the kids while I got my spinal block and got prepped for the c-section. I hate that part when Brandon can't be with me. I want him there so bad to comfort me and hold my hand (yes, I am a baby). They gave me the spinal block, waited for a few minutes and then the doctor told me to lift my leg. I did and then he said "you aren't supposed to be able to do that". After this went on for a while they told me that if the medicine didn't start working in the next minute or two that I would have to be put "under" and not be awake for the delivery of my baby. That really upset me and they still hadn't let Brandon back in the room. I was panicking and just praying so hard and all of the sudden I felt this huge weight all over and I knew the medicine had kicked in. The doctor couldn't believe it and said he had never had it take so long. I was so grateful that it worked and knew it was an answer to prayer. Finally Brandon came in and it was time to start. I had my baby at a very small hospital and if you want, family can watch the c-section through a small window. I had already discussed this with the doctors and nurses and they said it would be okay for my kids to watch. We had prepped them for this and they really wanted to see the baby come. To be honest, I would much rather let them see me have a baby this way then the other way babies come. Anyway, they didn't have a great view because the doctors are hovering over you the whole time but they did get to see when the baby came out. My mom, sister, father-in-law, Parker and Kamree were all watching. Right when they pulled the baby out, Kamree asked my sister "why does the baby have a snake hanging from his bum?" (yes honey, mom delivered you a brother and a pet snake, how nice). Parker kept saying they were taking so long and thought that maybe we were having twins. Everyone kept saying how cute the baby was and Kamree said "he's just a normal baby". When Easton was out, I knew he must be a big baby because the doctors were guessing 9 pounds. They were close enough since he was 8lb 14oz and 22 inches long, by far my biggest baby (thank heavens for a c-section). After the c-section, I was put in a nice big room because 12 patients had checked out since the morning. I had to stay in the hospital for 4 days. I feel so blessed because my kids were so taken care of during this time by my husband and family. They went to Build-a-Bear, Kangaroo Zoo, an Owlz baseball game and many other fun things. They also came to visit everyday "just like I promised I would" Parker reminded me. Having a baby is such an amazing and spiritual experience I get choked up even thinking about it now. It's not glamorous at times but I am so grateful for the opportunity and realize it is such a blessing. We love our little Easton so much and are so happy he is with us. He has been such a good baby and has a sweet spirit about him. The kids are so happy to have him too and he gets a lot of love....sometimes too much. We are adjusting and just enjoying having this sweet little boy in our lives!

Happy Birthday Easton!!!

Easton Mark Wood

8lbs 14 oz 22 inches long

July 11th, 2008

8:08am

Welcome to the world little guy!!!!

Parker and Kamree Day!!!!!

Today was the last day with my 2 little kids before the baby comes tomorrow. I had been telling them that it was "Parker and Kamree Day" and they could pick whatever they wanted to do so we could spend time together. I had my camera with no battery so I have no pictures. We had such a wonderful day! We went to Noodles for lunch and then on to Chuck E. Cheese. We all had so much fun just spending time together and they were so good. It was strange to think that this would be my last day with having just these 2 kids so I enjoyed every minute of it. Tonight when we were tucking them in, I gave them so many extra kisses and loves and didn't want to let them go. I love them so much!!! I am nervous and excited for tomorrow to meet our new little guy! I know he will be such a wonderful addition to our family. I have to be at the hospital at 5am so I am off to bed. We are hoping and praying for a healthy new baby. We'll keep you posted!

Swimming Lessons

Parker and Kamree just finished swimming lessons and loved every minute of it. They had lots of fun and took the lessons with their friends Luke and Eli. It's amazing how much the little kids can learn and have no fear. Even at this stage my kiddos can swim better than me. Ready to go!!!
Love the goggles!!!!
Kamree loves to float. She kept telling her teacher to "let me down so I can float"

Happy Birthday Babe!!!

Today was Brandon's Birthday!!!! The kids were so excited and kept calling him all day to sing to him and wish him Happy Birthday! After work we met at one of our favorite Italian restaurants for some yummy food. The kids were so sad when they found out that they don't sing for your birthday but they made up for it at home . Then we had our favorite ice cream, gave dad his presents and homemade cards that Parker and Kamree worked so hard on. I'm so grateful for all Brandon does for our family. He works hard and has his priorities right. We always come first no matter what. The kids light up when he comes home and they love spending time with him. The other day Parker and I were talking about jobs he could have when he grows up and said "I just want to be a dad" and I know that's because he loves his dad so much. He is so patient and understanding especially with me his very preggo and emotional wife. He is my best friend and I'm so glad to know he's there for me always. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

4th of July!!!!

4th of July was all about fun with the kiddos. We slept at my parents house Thursday night so Brandon could get up bright and early to golf with my dad and brother. My mom and I took the kids to ride the carousel in Midway and to breakfast. Parker got a fishing pole and Spiderman tackle box for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa and was dying to try it out. When the boys were finished golfing off we went to the fishing pond.
Parker was so excited to reel in his first catch with Grandpa close by to help.
Proud fisherman with his first catch of the day!!!
Grandpa told Kamree to give the fish a kiss....she almost did it!!!
Kamree's favorite thing was feeding the ducks. She would scream at them to come eat the bread and then crack up when they did. She could have gone on for hours.

Parker and dad caught the biggest fish of the day! He keeps talking about how he caught the "biggest fish ever". He also keeps saying how great a fisherman Grandpa is and he is right. This is just the beginning of many fishing adventures to come. We cooked the fish last night and Parker wanted nothing to do with it and Kamree kept asking for more (I'm with Parker). After fishing and fun at the playground it was time to head for home. I have no more pictures of the day but we had so much fun. We went to the neighbors for treats and fireworks. The kids loved picking out which fireworks to set off next. It was a long and fun filled day! We LOVE the 4th of July!

Big Brother & Sister Class

Thursday night we went to a sibling class they have at Orem Community Hospital were I am delivering. They teach the kids all sorts of fun things including how to hold a baby.
Parker thought that was pretty cool and thinks he is so big and ready to be a big brother again.
Kamree loved holding the baby. The nurse teaching the class told her that she could softly rub the baby on the cheek and she kept smiling and laughing.
Then they got all suited up and went on a tour of the hospital. The nurse described the different things about a new baby and then showed them one through the nursery window. When we got back to the class she asked all the kids what their favorite part of the new baby was and Parker raised his hand and said "the umbilical cord". Oh how cute those are! Parker is such a boy. Kamree kept saying how cute the baby was and once even asked if that was our baby. I don't think she quite gets it yet.

Parade

Saturday we went to the Lehi Round-Up parade. It very was very hot but the kids had fun. The best part was all the candy people were throwing from the floats. They loved that part and came home with a bag full of goodies. We ended our fun by going to see the movie Wall-e and eating all of our treats from the parade. We had a great day and we are loving the summer!!!

Babyface

Kamree had her first dance recital last Saturday. She has loved every minute of her dance class and everyday wakes up and asks "is it dance class today?" It's been so fun to watch her have so much fun! Parker and I would wait while she had her class and Parker was so sweet to ask Kamree questions and be excited for her. He is her #1 fan!
The outfits they wore were absolutely adorable! The first time Kamree put hers on she got so excited and said "Look mom, I'm a ballerina!" She loved the big, puffy tutu.
They danced to the song "Babyface". Kamree froze in this pose for a couple of seconds when she realized how many people were out in the audience watching her.
This was her favorite part of the dance, doing her ballerina twirl. Even though her dance was only about 40 seconds, she loved it and wanted to go back out on stage again. Grandma and Grandpa Edwards, Aunt Jill and Uncle Adam and mom, dad and Parker came to watch and I think Parker cheered the loudest. Kamree had a great night and is so lucky to have so much love and support. Can't wait to do it again next year!

Cousin Bella

The past couple of weeks we have been able to watch my brother's little girl, Bella, a couple of
times. Getting a picture of all 3 was quite the challenge, but as you can see Bella is adorable. She is such a good little girl and we had fun having her and her sweet little personality with us. She can say Kamree and tries to say Parker...it's so cute. We love you Bella!!!