Summer Through My Cellphone

Pretty cheap way to catch up and post the entire summer, right? Oddly, we didn't take many pictures with the actual camera this year. Always having my cell phone with me allowed me to capture a few shots of summer.
We introduced2-week-old Charlie to the beautiful mountains with a family picnic.

Cousin Time:APioneer Day Children's Parade with cousins Chanel and Rori. This picture was taken moments after Emerson was run over by the same vehicle. He didn't press any charges.
Checking out the big trucks at the copper mine with cousin Oli.

Boys hula hooping in Sun Valley, Idaho: my son, my brother, my dad, and my husband. Yes, we did exciting things like hiking, biking, shooting, swimming, and golfing, . . . but I got pictures of hula hooping.


Boys playing checkers.
This is just one of many self-made costumes and props he gives himself. Cousin Charlotte came to town.-

First swim for Mr. Charles

Charlie made some friends.

First camping trip with kids. We all slept in a teepee on the beach.

Can you see how much Emerson loves his younger brother and how

much his younger brother loves him?

Three boys sleeping on the dock at Lake Powell.

JR was proud of himself for doing this.
Charlie at around 2 months. He still loves grabbing those cute toes.

I should've dug these up sooner. I had a whole row of monster carrots like these. Despite the scary metamorphosing appearance these have, we grew 17 different types of fruits and veggies in our garden this year. However, our corn was super tiny and the brussels sprouts didn't really work out. I'm still learning.

We like this guy. I had to take a picture of him feeding the doll, as it was a break from the usual roaring of dinosaurs and fighting of "guys."

I guess I did take a few in Sun Valley:

After seeing his uncle

and daddy-

Emerson found himself here:

then here:

In his words, "I did it!"

Summer, I miss you already.

Little Boy Blue

This little boy was a newborn baby for about a week. I don't think it's fair that at two months old I already had to pack up all of his clothes up to size six months, which fit him perfectly. He is in the 90th percentile for both height and weight. I absolutely melt at every coo and smile, and enjoy every minute I get to cuddle with him.
He was blessed in church last Sunday by his daddy, encircled by many great and wonderful men in his life.
Aunt Rachael brought little Charlie this linen blessing outfit from Paris. Don't you wish you had an aunt who brought you beautiful clothing from Paris?

The blanket was made by JR's late Grandmother Lova.
What a fantastic day. We are so lucky to be supported by so many wonderful loved ones.

JR may have had a Popeye smile in the picture above, but he makes up for it looking so good in this picture!

If I may:

I know it's probably annoying, but I do love to brag about cheap finds and improvements. I think it's part of being a Royce. And let's be honest, Blogspot should really be called BRAGspot as it really is a place to brag about one's impressive achievements, skills, and children.

That being said, my dress in the previous pictures was an inexpensive DI find refashioned with my sewing machine.

This is the flattering before picture. My husband was a little nervous.
I also recovered these stools the night before Charlie's blessing for about $2! I couldn't find just the right fabric, so I painted some I already had and covered them with clear vinyl. It's inexpensive and I don't have to worry about the daily splatters of tomato sauce and smeared chocolate. Sure, JR built literally everything from the walls and plumbing to the cabinets in the kitchen, but I stapled some new seats together as my contribution.

Nothing Sweeter in the World

I have fallen in love with another boy! Little Charlie came into our world May 29th at 6:02 in the morning and has completely captured my heart. Yes, I am lucky enough to have three amazing and handsome boys all to myself.

Birth Story

*Disclaimer- I got a little carried away writing this and could be a little long for some attention spans*

After my first son's arrival took 24 hours of labor, I was expecting the second to be a little lengthy as well. With my first, I called the hospital when my contractions were five minutes apart and they told me to wait until they were three minutes apart to come in. I expected this to be the same protocol with the next baby. The books also tell you to stay at home as long as possible while in labor where you can eat and be more comfortable. This damn advice and never having the "regular contractions" nearly made me have a back-seat delivery with little Charlie!

I began having painful labor contractions around 11:00 pm on the night of my due date, May 28th. I was awake all night trying different pain relieving techniques, cleaning and packing in between contractions, and eating popsicles. It's amazing how you can have the most painful contraction that will drop you to the ground and then once it wares off you can start right back where you were sweeping the floor. JR called my little sister over at around 4:30 am to be with Emerson. My instructions to her before we left went like this: "I laid his clothes out on the chair in his room and" . . .(pause while I drop on the stairs with a contraction, breath, breath, breath) . . ."you can give him some cereal or oatmeal when he wakes up. We'll give you a ca" . . . (drop again for a minute, breath, breath, breath) . . ."We'll give you a call with an update and check on him."

I began timing contractions on handy little iphone apps I installed as labor began (Yep- In labor? There's an app for that!). They never became "regular" as I waited for that to be my sign to head to the hospital. Five minutes, three minutes, six minutes, two minutes; they were all over the place. Finally I didn't care when they were coming, but I knew they were so painful I wanted to get to the hospital for an epidural FAST!!! My husband, obviously not realizing how much of a hurry we were in after our experience with the last delivery, ironed his pants (which I normally only see on Sunday), swished with mouthwash, and made sure everything was perfectly packed. To tell you the truth, I didn't even realize how much in a hurry we were, but I yelled, "WE HAVE TO GO!" nonetheless.

As soon as the next contraction ended we made a mad dash for the car to take the most painful ride of my life. JR, on the other hand, got a thrill out of the ride as he felt justified speeding the car down the empty streets at the wee hours of the morning. His left hand was on the wheel, all while using his right hand to rub counter-pressure into my back while I moaned and groaned, might I add. We pulled up to the hospital entrance and ditched the car by the front door only to find no one inside and no wheelchair.

(Photo taken later)

The task of walking down the hallway to the elevator seemed like a marathon at that moment. I stopped just about every five feet with contractions, as now I know I was in the transitional phase of labor.

We got out of the elevator and I dropped on a bench that I prayed would not turn into my delivery bed. The nurses told me later that it was quite a funny sight to see JR run into the quiet labor and delivery section with bags and cameras slung on his shoulders asking for a wheelchair for his wife. Real typical dramatic, television sit-com type stuff.

They wheeled me into the delivery room where my clothes were quickly replaced by a gown and I got onto the bed. My water immediately broke and I breathlessly asked for an epidural. They said yes, but really there wouldn't have even been time for an anesthesiologist to get there, let alone give an epidural. I was surprised they even considered the request. I decided it probably wasn't worth even attempting it and prepared to finish the job unassisted by drugs. I had also read a couple things saying that once the transitional contractions were over, pushing is a relief, and not as painful. Damn those words, I tell you. I told the nurses I read this and they ALL looked at me with faces and pushed up eyebrows that said, "Where in the world did you read that?" I immediately realized that I didn't agree either as the burning and painful pressure of needing to push began. I would say the last contractions and pushing both feel as if your body violently turns against you with every torturous strength and power it possesses. Without any control of the noises coming out of my mouth I told them I needed to push. They preferred the doctor, who was about thirty minutes away, to deliver (wouldn't you think a Dr. would always be nearby?, C'mon it's not like I was delivering at the Ingalls' farm while pa went for Doc Baker on horseback!), so they tried to have me just "breath" to wait.

With that affective advice I started to crown and the baby's heart rate dropped. They realized they needed to deliver the baby, doctor or no doctor. Scared and out of breath, I continued to give demands to my husband, "don't touch me" . . ."more ice chips" . . ."just keep my hand from slipping." The cord was around his neck and the bed began to shake as multiple hands tried grasping for the cord around the little blue face and tug for his extra large shoulders to follow, which were stuck and having a very difficult time being delivered. I was exhausted and in unimaginable pain, but when I saw the panicked look on the nurse's faces I found a little more strength to push harder. I was amazed by the overwhelming physical feeling of relief I felt when he was finally out. I remember asking if the doctor ever showed up and the answer was no.

They called him the "stop and drop baby." Fifteen minutes after arriving at the hospital our little Charles Jonathan Royce ("Charlie") arrived weighing in at 9 lbs 2 oz, 20.5" long, matching the exact weight and height of his older brother.

Holding that little newborn in your arms as the most pure and innocent spirit there can be, brings so much perspective and clarity of what life is all about. If you asked me about the experience before the delivery I would have started to cry and say, "Why didn't we get to the hospital sooner?," or "Why wasn't I induced?", but in retrospect the experience was amazing, exciting, and emotional in a way that really makes you feel like you're alive.

Meeting "Baby Budder" or "Chaw Lee" for the first time. He said, "Tute (cute) Baby Budder!"

Comparing toes

A few things I want to remember about these few short newborn days:

-His soft, beautiful skin

-Long fingers and toes

-The uncontrollable facial expressions

-The newborn reflexes- my favorites are the hand grip and walking imitation when you hold them up

-The way their body curls up against you and the little head fits under your chin

-When their head quickly moves back and forth searching for milk when they're about to nurse

Visit from big brother:

A few shots before leaving the hospital:

Home with big bro:

Dear Baby,

Your baby blanket is completed, your clothes and blankets washed and put away, the house is scrubbed clean, every cabinet and closet organized, the garden is planted, we are safely past our Aflac effective date, and we are ready for your arrival! The Doctor says mom's measurements show you're close and could come any time, but who really knows what will happen. We are ready and waiting anxiously for the time you finally make your debut into this world.

I thought that having already gone through the pregnancy and birth experience would make the second baby seem more realistic, but I was wrong. The thought of my body accommodating a small

child that will soon be joining our family is just as unfathomable as it was the first time around. I have had the typical worries most moms do when adding a second child, such as feeling guilty my attention will be taken away from the first and if I will love the second as much as the first. I've been told those worries will disappear as soon as the baby arrives and I believe it. It's just funny how my mind can't understand it yet. I have been craving anything fruity and cold, chewing ice, and the smell of windex. It must be the nesting instincts, but I can't get enough of the smell of my green windex as I make every glass surface in the house shine.

We took some pictures outside this last Sunday before church so I can also rid myself of some of the guilt of not taking belly shots this pregnancy. I have a five month shot and a nine month. I look at these and think, am I really carrying that around? How am I doing that?

Hopefully it won't be long before we post Emerson's little brother on here instead of my belly. I set up a trampoline in the backyard today and if he doesn't show up soon, I'm going to go jump on it!

Giving the baby a leaf

Picking mommy flowers. Oh, I'm going to miss these little hands!

A Two-Year-Old Among Us!

I'm a little late, but I wanted to recognize our little man's second
birthday before the actual birth-day of our second son and I am
consumed with diapers, breastfeeding, and keeping a two-year-old
entertained, all while not wanting to move.
I have discovered already how having a two-year-old child can be a
bipolar experience with the extremes of both negative and positive
behavior. We find joy and entertainment in his growing imagination and
hilarious interpretation of the world, and yet sorrow and
exhaustion in such energetic tantrums and confusion. He keeps us on our toes, but we sure do love this little guy!

A few things I love about Emerson, a.k.a. Mr., Sir, Sirskie,Ferris . . .

-He absolutely loves wearing a tie, no matter if it's on a dress shirt, t-shirt, PJs, or with his robe.
-He loves passing out his toy instruments to whomever is around and jamming together.
-I love watching him fill up his toy trucks or and push them around the house as fast ashe can.
-I also love watching him play with his animals. There is always a mommy and/or daddy (depending on availability) and a
baby, and they usually always find a little spot to go "night night."
-I will miss finding little plastic animals or other toy "guys" in my bed, in my drawers, the cabinets, or other random places.
There have been several occasions where I have slipped my foot into my shoe only to find that some giraffe or other animal
has been using it as a car or bed.
-He loves wearing hats.
-Many mornings he will bring me my robe and slippers, which he calls "pink shoes" and insist that I wear them to breakfast,
even if I have just come inside from walking in 30 degree weather. He takes care of mommy.
-His creativity expands every day. He found a small bucket that has used as a hat, a drum, a dinosaur foot, a stool, a
megaphone, and I'm sure more that I don't know about.
-He wants his daddy when he's hurt and mommy when he's scared.
-He loves his family members and friends, and is constantly asking about different people.
-He is so curious about the world. I am answering, "what is that?" and "why" ALL day long.
-He loves learning new things. He is great at colors and shapes, but not as much at letters and numbers.
-He is an outgoing little boy and will walk up to anyone to say "hello."
-Sometimes the way he says "hello" sounds like he has an English accent.
-He loves his nursery class at church. One Sunday after the first meeting, he spotted his teachers, a married couple, and before we could catch him, he ran up to them. He grabbed each of their hands to make them stand up and walked them to class.
-He is not a picky eater and has a cute round belly to prove it. The only thing he has ever refused is dry lettuce, but if it has
dressing he will take it.
-I'm excited to see him become a big brother. I told him I bet the baby wished he could play with Emerson and his toys. He set
a toy boat on my belly and said, "Der go baby."
-He makes me get down on the ground with my pregnant stomach to play whatever animal or dinosaur he has in mind. He
corrects me if I don't portray the animal appropriately.
-His imagination, silly voices, and sound effects keep us laughing all the time.