Feeling Witchy!

Neeley couldn't wait for her birthday party that she has been planning for months.  This years theme: Spooky Halloween Fun!  I planned all sorts of fun activities but as I was getting ready for the party, it was confirmed that at least one of the activities was lame.  Just as I was getting the grapes ready for the "eyeballs" in our touch and scare boxes, a commercial for Arctic Circle came on where the kids told their mom that grapes for eyeballs is really lame and not scary at all!  (FYI: the six year olds at the party felt otherwise!  Thankfully!!)

After the kids each had a chance to feel the ghost teeth, bones, brains, worms and eyeballs, the surprise guest arrived! 

 I had to reassure all of the kids that she was a nice witch, otherwise there would have been tears, starting with Neeley!!  Everyone was entranced as the witch told all about her new broom and the crispy critters she had made the night before.  Then she gave them the first clue to the crispy critter treasure hunt.  
After the crispy critters were found the witch had one last surprise, the magic witches brew!

Having many Halloween preparations left to make, our witch disappeared into the distance as we continued on with cake, opening presents and a candy hunt.  

It was so fun to see the kids all dressed up in their costumes having fun together.  Another successful party goes down in the books.  Happy 6th birthday Neeley.  We love you!

Thanks to the witch (AKA my mom) for your time and efforts in making the party so fun! The girls never would have known it was you if the wind hadn't blown your hat off. Maybe it is better they saw you or they never would have believed us if we had told them!

Events of the Day!

Lilah got into her diaper during naps and smeared poop all over everything!

Nephew Tanner got baptized.

Nephew Landon was blessed.

Lilah ruined one of Grandma's decorator pumpkins.

Kate's umbilical cord fell off.

Lilah spilled a whole bottle of nail polish on Grandma's carpet.

7:15 p.m. and all the kids are in bed.  Couldn't have come soon enough!

Our Sunbathing Beauty!

Bili lights are not the kind of sunshine we like in our family.  But since Kate is jaundice, she has to stay under them for 3 days.  It is so sad to see her cry at times because she is done being under the lights.  I just want to be able to hold her for long periods of time and then snuggle her in her cute little bed.  Instead she is left naked and helpless for hours on end under the lights.  I hope we are done with this soon.  

When they delivered the bili lights the guy told us she needs 24 hour supervision to be sure that her goggles stay on so she doesn't go blind.  As if being a new mom you aren't up enough in the night.  I will be glad to have this little stress behind us and I can get at least a little more sleep!  Sorry Kate!  This will be over soon!

As I was sitting there last night watching Kate cry under the lights I started to think about what she is going through.  I am sure in her immature understanding she just wants it to stop and doesn't know why she has to go through all of this.  And, I as a parent have to watch her struggle with it knowing that it is ultimately for her health and good.  The thought then came to me that I am sure Heavenly Father goes through this with us sometimes.  He has to sit back and watch us struggle through trials.  We wonder why we can't be rid of them and our immature minds can't understand why.

Bringing Home Kate!

It is always a fun time to get ready to come home from the hospital. Kate looked so little in her car seat. Jeremy made sure she was comfortable when he put her in the car.

Since the H1N1 flu scare the girls weren't able to visit us in the hospital.  I couldn't wait to get home to see what they thought of her.  Neeley kept telling Jer that she had been waiting forever to meet her.  

The tears welled up in my eyes as we were greeted by this cute sign when we pulled into the driveway.  All of the girls took part in making it, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Gray Hair for the help!!  

The second we opened the door, Lilah saw the car seat and started exclaiming, "baby, baby, baby!!!"  over and over again.  Then Neeley and Kayla ran over to get in on the action.  

We put the car seat on the floor and they just sat in awe admiring her for some time.  Soon they all ran to wash their hands so they could have a turn to hold Kate.  

Neeley could have sat there all day and held her, Kayla was done in a few seconds and Lilah took a death grip on her when we tried to take her away.  It was so fun to see their excitement for their new little sister.  I can just imagine their friendships they will build over the years!  I hope they are much like the friendships I have with my sisters!

The Birth!

After the doctor told me on Tuesday that I was having a C-section for sure, I began preparing my mind for what was to come.  When we got to the hospital and they gave me the gown to put on, it all seemed so overwhelming I was fighting back the tears.  For some reason I go through this with every child at this point.  Then came the I.V.  This is always the worst part for me.  They can never find a vein for the I.V. and they always have to dig and poke.  I finally asked the nurse to bring in someone else to do the job after crying around the 6th attempt.  

Once that was done they got Jeremy all suited up and ready for the OR.  Then they wheeled me back and told Jer they would be back to get him when I was all prepped.  The sight of the OR made me want to leave the baby in.  I guess I really am a chicken.  Anyway, they put in my spinal and were ready to cut in when the doctor casually suggested that we check one last time to see if Kate had somehow turned.  I laughed and said, "Yeah right, I felt her kicking me this morning.  But I guess we can check just for fun."  When he turned on the ultra sound the room grew quiet and he said, is that a head down there.  I looked over and couldn't believe my eyes.  He made them turn down the lights and checked two more times just to be sure.  We were all flabbergasted!  She had turned.  The nurses started having a hay day and were just as excited to tell Jeremy about it as I was.  They put me back on a bed and wheeled me back down the hall.  Jer thought they were just coming to get him on the way to the OR.  The nurses told him we were having twins and he laughed.  Then they told him she had turned and he laughed again.  Then when he realized we were serious he got excited.  They wheeled me down to a regular delivery room, turned on the petocin and waited till she dropped a bit just to be sure before proceeding.  They brought in the ultra sound AGAIN just to be sure the miracle was still there and they broke my water.  

Since the spinal only lasts 2 hours they had to give me an epidural too.  It worked out OK though because I was still numb and didn't feel that one going in!  At 8:20 p.m. little Kate made her debut into the world!

 Weighing 7 pounds and 4 ounces, 20 inches long and measuring a 10 on the apgar test, she was perfect.  

And wow was she alert.  She just looked around and turned her head toward every sound.

Grandma and Grandpa Gray hair were both there for the delivery as was Grandma Marlene.  Jeremy saw more of this delivery than any other which was almost more than his weak stomach could handle.  Good thing I didn't have a c-section!

I am so thankful for the easy delivery and the miracle of her turning on her own!  It is a good testimony of having faith till the end.  Thank heavens for priesthood blessings!

I just love that little wink!

My Day Old Child!

My day old child lay in my arms

with my lips against her ear

I whispered softly, "How I wish, I wish that you could hear;

"I've a hundred wonderful things to say

(A tiny cough and a nod)

Hurry, hurry, hurry and grow

so I can tell you about God."

My day old baby's mouth was still

and my words only tickled her ear.

but a kind of light passed through her eyes, 

and I saw this thought appear.

"How I wish I had a voice and words;

I've a hundred things to say.

Before I forget I'd tell you of God - 

I left Him yesterday."

- Carol Lynn Pearson

KATE!

Meet Kate Gloria!

7 pounds 4 ounces

20 inches

More to come later!