The cherry on top

I feel like the luckiest girl alive. We have such a happy home and Josh is the cherry on top. Being a mom is the best thing in the world. Look at this face! I get to wake up to this every day! As you can see, he is a very thoughtful boy...(and I just had to post this one of him crosseyed)

 

Sleepless in Salt Lake...

Has it already been two and a half weeks? Wow. The days have blurred into one giant blob of nursing, burping, changing dirty diapers, and responding the the cries of one particular tiny person. The waking call of motherhood. And waking it is. Zombies probably get more sleep than this.. :) 

A few things I've learned:

• Babies eat every 2-3 hours around the clock. (you may be thinking, well duh! we tried to tell you!) Well what I didn't know was that it takes about 30-45 minutes to feed and then they need to be changed, burped and often coaxed back to sleep almost after feeding. Tack on another 15-30 minutes.
• So to the non mommies out there, you may be thinking what I thought. That you get to sleep for 2-3 hours until you do this again. Nope. That hour or so is INCLUDED in the 2-3 hours feeding schedule. And if your baby is like mine, his internal clock is pretty dang accurate to the real clock. 
• By the time you complete this cycle and make your way back to your warm bed and begin to doze off, you hear it. Those mommy ears are on an entirely new radar. Its time to jump back on the carousel and do it again.
• Nursing hurts at first. Unless your nipples are made of stone, it feels like a barracuda latches on and bites you a million times with those tiny needle/knife teeth. (even if they are latched on right) My subconscious was even in pain as few days into nursing I had a dream that Josh bit off my nipple and swallowed it...true story.  
• On more of a positive note, so much of being a parent is natural and instinctive.
• Nursing actually does get better with time
• I feel like the Grinch when his heart grows 3 sizes that it practically bursts out of his chest. I didn't know I had more room in my heart for all this love!
• Baby smell is addicting. They should bottle it.
• Not all babies like to be swaddled
• Is it me or do Dads all of a sudden become more attractive after you have a baby? I could watch my two boys together all day. 

Moments of confusion:

• You know when sometimes you hear your phone ring but its really not? The phantom ring? The same goes for baby cry. Phantom cry can be very confusing.
• I woke up cradling a pillow thinking it was Josh. There was a brief moment of anxiety because I thought I had suffocated him.
• I woke up another time holding onto Keith's arm thinking it was Josh. Had another brief moment of anxiety because I couldn't figure out how Josh had lost so much weight.

 In a way its like he's always been here with us. We feel so blessed to have such a sweet new spirit in our home. He has given an entire new purpose to life, making sweet moments seem sweeter, and all those tired moments feel well worth it. I have a permanent smile pressed on my face, let me show you why-

Josh makes the funniest faces while he sleeps...!



And sometimes he even smiles...

Here he is peacing out...;)

Joshua Richard Dyer

The waiting has come to an end. Sunday November 7th at 2:36 am we welcomed the arrival of our little Joshua. It all started when I woke up Saturday morning with back pain. I spent the day trying to figure out if I was in labor or not! (Mostly because the week before, on Josh's due date I had false labor pains- Braxton Hicks and didn't want to go through the anticipation only for it to be false...AGAIN.)  Plus the pains I felt weren't what I had imaged contraction pains to feel like, so when we finally arrived at the hospital around 5pm my contractions were between 3-5 minutes apart and I was definitely in labor! My water was broken at 10. I got an epidural around 11, and let me tell you how grateful I am for modern medicine! I was finally able to rest after about 16 hours of labor and I guess I relaxed enough because within a couple of hours I was dilated to a 10. The hard part was that we had to wait for my doctor who was in an emergency C-section in another hospital. We waited for about 30 minutes before I started pushing, and my doctor got there just in time.

Joshua unfortunately ended up swallowing a lot of fluid and was rushed to the NICU where he was put on oxygen and hooked up to IV's and monitors.

I have an entirely new appreciation for parents with sick babies. It was hard for us to not have him in the room with us, we didn't get the bonding experience that I had anticipated. Even though we were able to visit him throughout the day, it was for short periods of time because he needed his rest. My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who kept little Joshy in their prayers, and for a husband who is a worthy priesthood holder and was able to give our son a blessing. I know that the Lord was watching out for us and I knew everything would be okay.

The next few days were difficult. I was discharged Tuesday and moved to another room in the back of the hospital for families who have babies in the NICU. I stayed there 2 more days without a nurse, but at least I was close to Joshua and I tried best I could to pump milk to feed him and even got to nurse him near the end of our stay. The day they took the IV out of his head is one I will never forget! I was SO ready to get him out of there! It was like breaking out of prison, no more cords connected to his little body, no more oxygen, no more antibiotics, no more nurses, no more washing my arms up to my elbows every singe time I wanted to hold him, no more walking down a cold long hall in the middle of the night after pumping, no more setting the beeping machines off because the monitors would fall off his feet and chest, it was a pure sense of freedom.

Having him home has been a dream. I love everything about him. His tiny nose, the little smiles he makes in his sleep, his limp soft body, his lips, ears, hands, cheeks...oh those chubby chubby cheeks, his smell, his eyes, the way he cries, everything. I literally can stare at him all day. And I do.

The love I have for that little person is incredible. I never thought I could love someone so much! I would do anything for him.

So far we have had 4 nights as a little family. All sleepless, all wonderful. Yes we are exhausted. Joshua has the day and the night confused so mommy and daddy are very tired. But very very happy. :)

How can you not love this face???

Waiting

Most of the great things in life are worth the wait.

These past couple weeks have been of the longest of my life.

In fact, I'd put them right next to the couple weeks before my wedding, the weeks before Christmas as a kid, and the couple of weeks before I left on my mission. At the time, it seemed like it would NEVER come!

That is how I feel right now.

So I decided today that I am NOT going to focus on how excited and anxious I am.

INSTEAD,

I am going to focus on the miracle inside me.

I am going to enjoy each little movement, each little hiccup, each little moment of knowing that we are still bonded as mother and son as one.

I am going to wear the same clothes that I've been wearing for the last 5 months with pride!

I am going to enjoy the pain in my back, my swollen feet, my swollen body, lack of oxygen, and all the extra hormones running through my achy body...! YEAH! :)

I am especially going to relish the few nights of sleep I have left.

And of course the quality time with my darling husband before our small family unit becomes 3.

After all, just as I look back on the anticipating times mentioned above soon I'll be looking back at this time. And who knows, I might actually miss it.

Come out come out wherever you are!!!

Its done.

I made a human. Took me only 9 months!

I've got everything ready for him to come into this world.

Now is just the waiting game...

Here are a couple pictures my wonderful sister-in-law Kjrsten Madsen took.

This is just a glimpse.

I'll post more later, but you can check out more of her work here: http://kjrst.blogspot.com/

Fall

I love this time of year.
The crisp clean air,
the changing leaves,
long sleeves, jeans,
cool nights and warm days.
Keith and I met in the fall of 2005. We met again in the fall of 2008. This time of year brings back all the memories of our courtship. We built fires, went on hikes up the canyon, layed under the stars and played Yatzee by the light of our headlamps. We rode our bikes and played basketball in our sweaters and beenies. We carved pumpkins, watched scary movies, drank hot cocoa, and fell in love.
Our first Halloween together we were little red riding hood and the big bad wolf (although Keith's fabulous costume looks more like Donny Darko). Last year we went as Sarah and David Bowie from the Labyrinth. 2 marvelous years later and here we are. Doing the same things, this time 9 months pregnant and counting down the DAYS (yes DAYS!!!) waiting for the newest little monster to join our family.

There's a Melon in my tummy...

36 weeks: Baby is the size of a crenshaw melon in size.

 (Length: more than 18 1/2 inches, head to heel.)

Its October. I can't believe its finally here. This has been the slowest 8 months of my life. 4 weeks shy of becoming a mother! I can't wait! So much to be done still, but I'm ready to embrace this little bundle.

We went to my mission reunion on Friday. My mission President always gives the most inspirational talks. He currently lives in Guatemala as area President. I make a special effort to go each conference time not only because he is my latter-day hero, but because after hearing what he has to say, my testimony is strengthened and my mind enlightened. EVERY TIME! He makes us feel like we can accomplish anything. I know is he a inspired to teach us and help us become better members of the church, better husbands, wives and parents. After the reunion we drove down to St. George to support my brother-in-law Peter who ran the St. George Marathon. We talked the entire drive down about what we had learned from President Clarke and how we want to be better. It was awesome.  I love my husband. :)

A glimpse back in time...

So I came across a box of old slides that my parents have kept for decades. Nothing is more fun than a box of forgotten pictures!! Now I'm talking about hundreds of pictures. Each one a fun new surprise. My parents wedding, my Dad's High School Graduation, Mikey's birth, to my baby blessing, birthday parties, my granparents, etc. Ah...its been such a delight. Here is one of my favorites of my brothers and I. :)

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Dad,

To count all the things I've learned from you would take a very long time. But just to name a few:

-You taught me how to ride a bike

(and a four-wheeler, motorcycle, and jetski) 

-the meaning of giving

-how to work hard

-how to find joy in the simple things

-how to build a snowman that would scare the neighbors

-how to have fun no matter what situation I'm in

-how to love the Lord

-how to study, and find out truth for myself

-how to bowl, roller-skate, and play soccer

-how to make a mean peanut butter and raisen/honey sandwich

-how to read and enjoy books

-how to swim

-how to be a good missionary

-a love for the outdoors and this beautiful earth

I am grateful to be your daughter, and friend. Growing up with you there was never a dull moment!  You've worked so hard to keep our family safe, and provided for and we appreciate all you have done and continue to do. I can't wait for my son to meet his grandpa!! I hope you have a marvelous Birthday and know how much you are loved. :)

To all my fellow commentors...

 I was feeling bad because I thought NO ONE was reading my blog anymore.

Seriously, I haven't had a comment in MONTHS, and was wondering if I had said or done anything to offend everyone. Is my life really that boring?!

 Then I'm out to dinner the other night with one of my old roommates from Snow College and she says, "How come none of my comments show up on your blog?"

"What???"

I owe each one of you an apology.

Thank you for your comments, love and support!

I finally figured out how to change the little setting thingies.

Technology and I are late friends in this life, we are obviously still getting acquainted.

Baby Brain

What it is: Pregnancy-induced brain fog, a true (and truly frustrating) hallmark of pregnancy. Also known as "pregnancy-brain," and "mommy-brain."

When people told me I was going to develop a case of baby brain, I wasn't sure what to expect. In fact I thought I already had baby brain so how much worse could it get?

I'll tell you. It can get MUCH worse.  

Example of the questions that run through my mind several times throughout each day:

Now what was I doing?

What did I come over here for?

I swear I was just holding that...??

What did he/she just say?  

Where did I park my car? 

I can't concentrate. My keys, purse, and phone are constantly lost.  

Not only that, but my train of thought flies off the tracks every few minutes.

I literally stopped at a green light the other day for about 15 seconds until it registered...GO!

All you mommies out there, when does this end?! :)

This picture was taken in California. I went to a photography workshop to support my sister-in-laws. Kjrsten- she was part of the workshop, and Alexis- her and Andrew were modeling for it. One of the girls there asked if she could take a few shots of me and my belly.

You can check out more of her work here:

www.photographybyvictoria.com/blog

26 Weeks

Our baby this week:

As long as an English Cucumber. (about 14 inches), and weighs almost 2 pounds.

Me last week:

Saying hi to the little man inside. (its still so wierd to think that there is a PERSON in there...)

Brothers

I am a lucky girl.

I have the 2 best brothers in the world.

They both graduated within only a couple days of eachother!

Needless to say, I am a proud sister.

Congratulations guys!!!

Mike got his Bachelors from the University of Utah.

He is off to start the nuclear medicine technology program at the U in a week.

I always knew he'd be going places!!!

Andrew on the other hand, graduated from USU in international business.

He cracks me up.

What I love most about summer

Summer is my favorite season. Here are a few things I love about it:

- LOooooong Days
- BBQ's!!
- Swimming
- driving with the windows down
- Slurpies
- riding bikes at night
- cute summer clothes
- cute summer toes :)
- popsicles
- sprinklers
- warm breezes
I could go on and on. I seriously wake up every morning with a smile on my face. Oh ya, I almost forgot... Last night I felt KICKING for the first time! Kicks! It was incredible. I can't wait to be a mommy.

My brother Mike grilling like a pro

Keith being a man

My baby bump!!! 20-weeks

Millie and Roscoe playing in the sun

Oh BOY Oh BOY oh BOY!!!

You know that feeling you get the day after Christmas when you re-realize that Christmas really happened and you have new wonderful things to play with? Sleep lets you forget for a few hours, but when you wake up and remember you get butterflies all over again. Thats how I felt this morning. So many feelings running through me right now. Having the ultra sound yesterday was the highlight of my pregnancy so far.

I was shaking a little from excitement as she put the warm jelly on my tummy and the face of our little bun popped on the screen. Keith held my hand as the wand scanned over the perfect little parts of the miracle inside me. Keith was positive it was a girl. His certainty of that fact was unwavering. He told everyone it was a girl. In fact, we had only come up with girl names, looked at girl things.

When she told us we were having a little BOY, a wave of shock struck us both! If only you could've seen the look on Keith's face! A BOY!!! What?! How did our little girl grow a boy part?! Haha!

I couldn't be happier. My first child, a son. To set the example, to protect his younger siblings. All I could think about was how it was possible to feel so much happiness. I'm going to have a son. Keith Dyer's baby boy. Unbelievable. The rest of the ultra sound was sort of a blurr. Baby is healthy, heart looks good, everything looks normal. We are having a BOY. New due date is October 31st, halloween. I can't wait to meet him.

Youth Conference 2010

A little taste of the fun we had at Youth Conference:

We stayed here. Pineview Resevoir.

We split into tribes and made cheers.

Played games. Relay Raced to our hearts content.

Stuffed our faces.

Visited with the Elderly, and put on skits for them.

Entertained ourselves!

Smiled a lot.

And studied the good word.

More pictures to come...