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.

Foam Pits and Hair Nets

I thought I would put a quick post up proving (mostly to myself) that I'm not always barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. I just transfered my pictures from my phone, which happens far too infrequently. Here are a few shots from recent field trips with our friends.

Gymcats open gym play

Sweet's Candy Factory tour. Emerson fought me about the hair net until the very end of the tour when he decided he liked it. He was the last one to accept it and the last one to take it off.

Working in the garden. We are trying to get an early start on giving Emerson an appreciation for hard work, although this picture doesn't prove our efforts to be successful. He actually taught me that a person under the age of two can have the desire for appraisal and recognition of hard work, deserved or not. During this same Saturday's planting he saw his grandpa stop by, quickly picked up a shovel and started calling his name to make sure he was spotted hard at work.

You were just admiring my maternity gardening clothes, weren't you?

Bean Museum Reptile Show

I remember walking by the Bean Museum during my BYU days and thinking there were always an awful lot of mini vans parked in front, and children and mommies swarming into it. At the time these were all just obstacles in my way of getting to class on time. When I visited with my child a short time ago, the young coeds passing quickly by were now just as foreign to me and my way of life.

The girl had to first tell my son to not try and pull the scales off of the snake, and then not to kiss the snake. I guess that is one thing I hadn't taught him until then: to never kiss a snake. Well, now he knows. We are both learning so much at this parent-child thing!

Photo Booth Just Doesn't Get Old

The Villain from The Incredibles, am I right?

He had trouble sitting still, he was laughing so much.
My kid is so cute.

Olympic Training

If anyone was wondering, yes, we are those cruel parents who force their one-year-old child into skis and send him down the slopes. Initially his ski-crazy father's idea, I was feeling a little stir-crazy one mid Saturday morning and said, "Let's take the boy skiing!" Alta Ski Resort has a free rope tow which is perfect for beginners or anyone learning to cruz the mountain with two planks under their feet. After a buy-one-get-one (which seem to be JR's ticket to anything) for a junior ski rental of the smallest skis in stock, we headed to the mountain for a half day of skiing for a grand total of $6.

Walking in the boots made him upset at first, but he began laughing when we put the skis on and he could slide around on them. Down the hill he was under dad's grasp most of the time. He had fun, but didn't last as long as we'd hoped after the snow began falling

faster, his face was cold, and nap time had come and gone. He refused to wear his goggles, which didn't help the wind burn, and I realized why there aren't many one-year-old skiers: they don't reason well!!!Due to my previous ski accident, knee surgery, pregnancy, and six months into another pregnancy, I haven't been on skis in a while. I didn't travel any farther on my skis than Emerson did. If you are having a difficult time trying to picture what I looked like, here's a visual aid:

I only followed along and took pictures, then ate Gogurts with Emers while daddy did a few runs. Hopefully I can be ready to fully ride again next winter.

He refused to put the same snow suit back on after a short break. These pictures explain why he was so miserable! The weather really made a turn from sunny to blizzard by late afternoon. It's wild to me how our house is only about 15-20 minutes away and it didn't see even a drop of rain the entire day!

Who Wants to See a Monkey?

Adventure in Costa Rica

Our attempt to move about internationally with ten adults, two children, three toddlers, and two infants was successful. My travel group this trip included a grandpa, a grandma, aunts (of which I am one), uncles, and little cousins. Our group was viewed in amazement by everyone we came across as if we were some rare and endangered species moving about in a foreign environment. Apparently a large family traveling together in this day and age is unheard of. We were constantly being asked, "Is this ONE FAMILY?" My neighbors on the plane, Americans immigrated from Indonesia, wanted to know every detail about the family and our excursion, and said that it was so great to see us all together because Americans are not family oriented.
I can't say enough about how wonderful, beautiful, and adventurous Costa Rica is. With shorter travel time and less expense than traveling to Hawaii, I would suggest this trip to anyone who isn't afraid of a little adventure. With a lot of research and bargain hunting, you too can get there at the same price as a domestic trip to California.

We spent the first day driving to our first location, La Fortuna, close to the Arenal Volcano. We let the kids stretch their legs at a playground along the way, and refueled at a charming little restaurant where we were served hot chocolate with our fried plantains and rice dishes.

We kept our jackets on most of the time in La Fortuna with plenty of rain and fog. Our first morning experience: We ate breakfast outside, took a short walk through the rain forest where we were shown a "walking palm tree" that moves itself 20 centimeters a year, and hiked down to a waterfall that furrociously fought against JR and his brothers when they jumped in, all before lunch.

Afternoon: Ate, slept, ate.

In La Fortuna we also experienced zip-lining, hot springs, and the local flavors.

On the fourth morning we left the rain forest for another road trip, this time south toward the ocean. The five hour journey ended up taking us all day, but got us there in time for the sunset.

It didn't take me long to realize the bumpy, winding roads with potholes, needy children, and motion sickness was worth it.

The entire family shared one house for the remainder of the trip where Emerson LOVED waking up to the opportunity of going immediately outside, and constantly having cousins to play with. I miss going to sleep and waking up to the many mysterious jungle sounds coming through the open doors and windows.

Sunday, the following morning, we had the opportunity of visiting a small LDS branch in the middle of Quepos Town. The church, held in a little house, spoke only Spanish, but it still had the same great spirit that makes me feel at home no matter where in the world.

We visited a couple of great beaches, one of which we were mysteriously the only group with women and children . . .

We visited the Manuel Antonio National Park, where we actually ended up seeing just as many animals as we saw at our house, but the pretty beaches and new scenery made the long and tiring hike through the park worth it.

The last day we enjoyed the secluded beach, just a short hike below our house. The kids had the water basically all to themselves. Until the last day, E uncharacteristically preferred digging in the sand to getting near the water. He also learned a few new Spanish words including, "Hola" and "Guapo."

We hope this memorable vacation to such a unique and adventurous destination was not the last!