Where to begin? So many things to say and little capability to put my thoughts on to paper. Thus, my feeble attempt. As many know, we wanted to have another baby. We, obviously, succeeded. Had we known then where life would take us and what trials we would have to face; we may have thought differently. Although, I wouldn't change it, life has a way of making things difficult no matter how much you plan or anticipate, so you might as well get on with it.
With all of life's stress, our one big concern was the delivery of little Emily. We knew fairly early on that I had a "low placenta." Thus, throughout my pregnancy my doctor kept checking its placement. Needless to say, it stayed low the whole time and complications can and often do occur. Around the 30 week mark we had a scare because I had some bleeding, thankfully all turned out well and the pregnancy progressed.
But, as time passed my doctor began to prepare me for these potential complications. In a nutshell, there was a 25% chance that I was going to have something called an Acreeta. It has to do with the muscle and placenta attaching to one another. The doctor would only know when he went to do the c-section, and if that were the case, the only solution to stop bleeding (among other things) was to preform a hysterectomy. This was not something I really wanted to know or hear, because I wasn't sure if we were done having kids or not and I didn't want the choice taken from me.
So there I was, the night before, scared to death knowing I was going into surgury to have Emily but also because I wouldnt know until I was already under the knife whether I was going to have to have a hysterectomy. Many prayers were said for us and by us, which were very much appreciated. I had Seth give me a blessing, and in the end there was nothing else I could do but wait. I had to accept the fact that this might happen. The week of the C-section I received a call that the doctor wanted to move the time up to give himself more time in case there were complications. Not to mention the fact he was already having another surgon scrub in and assist him, having back up blood and what ever else back up he could have. Dont get me wrong, I would rather have him prepared than not. I love my doctor.
But, still I felt reassured that everything would work out one way or another, and my doctor really didn't seem to think that was the case, he just wanted to be a boy scout about it. But as we came to the hospital the day of the c-section, I got a little different feeling. Like he was more worried than he showed me. Everyone we spoke with would say "oh your the one with the acreeta?" Then the anesthesia team came into prep me and there were two of them there as well, speaking like the acreeta was going to happen. So much so that they put in another IV just in case.
And so it began....I was honestly scared. I was having uncontrollable body convulsions and my mind was in knots. After my body was numb they brought Seth to me, which was a great help and the birthing began...it seemed life forever and then they stopped for a moment to call the NICU. They found that they were going to have to cut all the way through the placenta and in those cases, things can happen, so they waited until a NICU doctor came in. Yet another stress inducing moment. Thankfully not to soon thereafter they pulled Emily out and she was PERFECT!!!!!!! No NICU personnel were needed and they cleaned her up and handed her to Seth. She remained in his arms and at my head the rest of the surgery. I cannot express the relief I felt when I heard her cry. Immediate tears of joy and tension sprang forth and I was truly grateful for her safe delivery.
Then much to my surprise I hear the doctors almost in a state of shock. They cannot believe it. My doctor leaned over the sheet and told me "What an incredibly lucky person you are" Because the much anticipated acreeta, was not a problem, and the placenta came right out. Both of the doctors expressed their shock. Even in speaking with the other surgeon the next day he couldn't believe it. Literally, he said what he was looking at inside me was a classic Acreeta...and it should have been, yet it wasn't. All I know is that the lord was watching out for our family yet again and his out pouring of blessings never ceases to amaze me.
Emily, Seth and I then waited for them to close me up and we headed to recovery, where we got to spend some quality time together. She, like Briggs, lifted her head right away in search of food. She latched and nursed very quickly. She is such a tiny little thing. Very petite and fragile, but this girl can eat. She stayed with us the whole time. It was fantastic. They don't even take the babies to the nursery anymore. They do everything in the room with the moms, and it was a great time to spend with her and Seth.
She had a great APGAR score and seems really alert and awake, that is when she is awake. She seems to have a really great temperament and we adore her. She is such an incredible blessing to us. The gift of life really is an aw inspiring thing, and I am thankful to have been able to give birth a 3rd time.
Abigail and Brigham came a few times to visit, unsure of what to think of at first but they LOVE HER! Especially Brigham. He calls her "My Emily" he loves to kiss and love on her constantly and always asks where she is. Abby loves to help with her and is a great big sister. Of course everyone in the family is proud of her, all the Grandma's and Grandpas, Nanas and Papas, Aunts, Uncles and so on. Especially her daddy. Seth loves her too! That little gal is already melting hearts. We are thankful for her addition to our family and thank everyone for their prayers, visits, gifts and food. Especially to those who helped with Abigail and Brigham, we are indebted to you. Much love!
Nana and Emily
We are home now. Learning a new routine. Mostly recovering though. I came home Sunday morning and have been enjoying every moment since. That is unless I accidentally fall asleep, which has been known to happen. Emily came home weighing 6lbs 10 ounces and is just tiny, we had to put her in preemie diapers. However she has already gained some of that back. She did well at her first doctors visit and we have another one next week. She is already 1 week old tomorrow.! Happy One Week Birthday little Emily!!!!Now on to the rest of our lives....
Our Frog Princess
Brighams favorite part of the hospital, my food tray
He found my soda
Abby, Emily and Aunt Christy
The Ride home
Aunt Christy, Abigail, Uncle Luke and Emily
Siblings
Emily's feet
Papa, Nana and Emily
Abby, Uncle Luke, Emily and Briggs
Burping Time
Cute
Grandma, Aunt Lindsay, Aunt Christy, Aunt Chandler and Emily
Christmas morning was a lot of fun for us. My dad and Cindy came to open presents with us. They also brought some yummy home made cinnamon rolls that make any Christmas morning Perfect along with a wagon load of presents for the kids. The kids were truly spoiled this year. As were we with generous family and generous anonymous givers!
For awhile now Abigail has been saying she wanted a kid motorcycle for Christmas and we didnt really think much of it. Then Christmas eve she mentioned it again. Seth and I hoped that with the distraction of all the other gifts and stalkings she wouldnt remember. Again WRONG. The first thing she said when she came out of her room was "Where is my kid motorcycle, I wanted a kid motor cycle" Sorry. No kid motor cycle, thankfully we were able to distract her and no tears were shed.
It was a good morning of Christmas Mayhem and the kids couldn't have made out better. Thank you to everyone for your kindness to our family.
Santa brought stalkings and a few gifts
Again, Santa's gifts
Abby loves her new Cinderella
Brigham with all the stalking innards
Abby enjoying her gifts
Briggs new Cars pillow pet from Papa and Nana
A new Airplane
Some new Kicks
Thug!
A new Christmas Dress
Helping Briggy with his present
Mayhem
The mess of the morning.
Abby's new guitar which she and Briggs like to "Rock out" with
Opening of the StalkingsBrigham Rocking out with Abby's new Guitar
Christmas Eve was eventful for us this year. We spent the evening with Seth's parents eating candy all day and dinner at night. We opened some presents and enjoyed one another's company. The kids were so excited opening their presents and Abigail couldn't contain her excitement love. Every time she would open something she would go love on someone. When she is excited, you are the best person in the whole world! Brigham enjoyed it too and I think this year he understood there were presents inside and that was fun to watch.
The first few pictures are of the kids and our fire place. We spent the nights leading up to Christmas having fires and listening to Christmas music. The kids love to snuggle by the fire. Abby keeps asking to "turn on" the fire. Both Grandparents have switches that you can literally "turn on" the fire. Thus, everyday we are having to explain you cannot just turn on our fire. The fireplace has been a missed thing for us and we are glad to have it back.
The first thing Briggy does is grab his blanket and cozy up.
The kids posing
Abby snuggling up
Seth and our niece Ella
Princess Abigail
Briggs opening some Cars
Abby and her new princess doll house, she loves it! She even asked for alone time with it.
Her new leap frog leapster, which she refers to as her iPod.
Getting help from Grandpa
So excited
Grandma and Briggs with his new "phone"
Briggy loves the doll house too.
Our tree with Santa's Cookies
Abby wrote a note for Santa "Santa cookies milk Abigail"
As written about in a previous post one of our Christmas Miracles.
Since we moved recently, we decided to have Brigham move from the crib to a twin bed. We were really nervous about it because he was really attached to the crib. We set the crib up in our room for the arrival of Emily and he kept yelling "MY Crib!" Thus making us a little more worried. Not to mention the fact that he and Abby have shared a room for the last while and have gotten used to one another's company. We decided to make a big deal out of it telling him about Big Boys and their own rooms. How he has a Cars bed and room and how excited he should be.
To our great surprise he has done wonderfully. He does get up on occasion and sneak into our room or Abby's but overall better than we expected. Actually, Seth did say the other night at midnight he heard something. So he went to look and as the story is told by Abby (questionable) Brigham went to the fridge got our the block of cheese and woke her up for help! Either way they were both in her room with a block of cheese. Little stinks! I couldn't help taking a few pictures of him sleeping because he is growing up so fast and I cannot believe he no longer sleeps in a crib. Tear.
Before Christmas we received a ginger bread house kit. The kids were so excited. A few days before Christmas we set out to make our masterpiece. We did everything according the the directions and started assembling the house. It was not as easy as it seemed. It was actually really difficult the frosting/glue wasn't even working and had no "stick" value. Thus when we went to put the roof on...well you can see how it ended up. Epic Failure, with some tears from the kids :(
3 and a half years after Seth started back to school he has finally GRADUATED!!!!! It was a long haul of late nights, long weekends and a lot of sacrifice, on everyone's part, but I am so proud of him. This is the first time he has ever "Walked" at a graduation. It took a little prodding but he went. He officially has his Masters Degree in Executive Business with a Certificate in Asian Studies. Its a mouthful but, wow a Masters! Now hopefully it will lead him to a good job :) It was actually a little emotional, at least for me, to see him cross that stage. He worked really hard going to school, being a father and husband, working full time and having a church calling. I honestly don't know how he did it. It was a good night. I didn't know when you receive your Masters Degree you get Hooded. Meaning when he crossed the stage they put his hood on for him making him officially a member of the HOOD. At least that's what I call it :) You can see that in the video below. I thought it was interesting.
After the ceremony we went back to Seth's parents place for a celebration. They decorated the house and had a wonderful dinner of steak and shrimp to congratulate him. They also surprised him with a few presents. He didn't know people gave presents for graduation, so I had to explain to him that it is pretty standard practice. However what they gave was not. He opened accessories and such to an iPad and then, got an iPad. I know right? Holy freaking cow. Made his graduating even more worth it. It was a wonderful and thoughtful gift that has now become a staple in his life and also the kids. He has to wrestle it from them at times. Its really funny how well a 2 year old can work one.
There would be more pictures but, of course my camera died. We took a few on the iPad but they are not so good, thus this is what you get.
Congratulations Seth, I love you!
See the relief
I am so proud and so Pregnant
Seth with my Dad and Cindy
Seth with his parents, Russ and Cheri. My camera died during this Picture
Overwhelmed. We are Overwhelmed with gratitude this Christmas season. I dont think there has been a Christmas when we have felt more blessed despite our current circumstances. I really cant put into words the appreciation and thanks that we feel at this time. We have been abundantly blessed.
First thank you to those I do know who have given generously to our family. Who have placed money in Christmas Cards, who have given far more than we could have imagined, who have extended a hand of giving to our family. We cannot not say thank you enough and hope some day we can reciprocate the generosity that has been shown to us. You have truly shown us the spirit of Christmas.
Second, I am not sure who is responsible for giving our name over to the Stake but thank you nonetheless. We received a call from our Bishop last week saying the Stake wanted to make our Christmas brighter this year and he wanted to bring over a few presents. But, that was not the case, few doesn't cover it. I thought that it would be a few gifts for Abigail and Brigham but I was wrong. Not only were there bags for both of them but also Emily, Seth and I. What amazing people who have gone out of their way to give to us, whom they probably don't even know. So thank you to you, anonymous givers! What incredible people you are.
Lastly, and most shocking of all, was tonight Christmas eve. We spent most of the day over at Seth's parents' home eating and playing. Where of course we all were spoiled. We came home and put the kids in bed and the house was quiet. Then out of nowhere there is knocking on our door. But it wasn't exactly a knock, it scared the living day lights out of us really, but it was a fast hard beat. So we were hesitant to open the door at first. Maybe this was the intent. Thus, when we opened the door there was a gift on our step. We didn't see who brought it and still have no idea who to thank for this incredible blessing. Seth put it on the table and pulled out the book "Christmas Jars" by Jason F. Wright. I had read the book a few years ago and commented how much I liked it. Next we thought we were going to pull out some cookies or some other holiday treat but, to our surprise when Seth pulled away the tissue both of our Jaws dropped...literally! We sat there stunned. I am still sitting here stunned, and teary eyed. What was in that Jar was not cookies but someone's anonymous and Christ like giving. It was filled with lots of coins and cash. Whether it was one families giving or several we are truly humbled by the gift. There are no words to express how we feel. We are still in shock and awe at how generous you are. With everything that we have been given our funds will be able to go further than we anticipated. Thank you.
We wish we knew who to thank, although we know that is not the point. However, how do you receive so many wonderful things and not give thanks? So this is the best we could come up with. I hope whom ever has given to us this year knows how incredibly grateful we are. Words cannot express the emotions and thanks. We are truly stunned by all that we have been given this year, and how much of it was anonymous. We give thanks to you all. We love you. We hope that sometime soon we will be able to pay it forward. In the meantime, we say thank you over and over. Thank you to our Heavenly Father who has watched over our family and who has blessed us by the people who surround us. We are truly surrounded by angels.
The Spirit of Christmas is felt in our home this Christmas season because of all the wonderful people we know and love. Thank You!
