Our Summer At A Glance

Well.... this summer we had a baby, so we couldn't get too wild and crazy with our summer, but we did manage to fit in some fun along the way. We made it up to our family cabin, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery there. We had a blast fishing in Grandpa's fishing boat, and the boys had the best experience ever with fishing. Casey took them one night while I stayed in the cabin with baby. They came back with some really good sized fish, and the boys could not stop talking about how much fun they had with their dad. We had a really relaxing time on the porch swing, and just enjoyed being together.

We did a little swimming. Amberlee invited us to pool day with her, and it was fun!!! I enjoyed being able to take the boys swimming a few times this year, not as much as we have done in the past, but we did make it to a few public pools as well.

We made it to the Salem Days Parade. The McGee's Stamp and Trophy car was in the parade this year with some of the family members. Carson wanted to be in the parade, and he got to ride in the toaster car. It was cute. Cade, Claire and I watched from the sidelines.

We got lots of Grandma and Grandpa time from both sides. We love to go over to the Whitaker's and let the kids release some of their energy on the tramp. It is really fun to do all together. We sit out there for hours and let them play. Grandpa Whitaker becomes a pirate when he gets on the tramp and all of the kids scream and run away from him. They love this game. They always say "Mom, come jump us, Dad come jump us, watch us do cool tricks and judge us." It is a lot of fun.

Most important is that we spent time as a family all summer. We created some lasting memories, and we added a new beautiful addition to our family. We couldn't be more blessed. There are days that I want to put the boys in their rooms and lock them in there, but overall we have a wonderful time together.

Just Can't Get Enough

I simply can't get enough of this little one. I just want to hold her all day long. How precious are these photos of her that my sister took. The newborn stage goes by so fast, I want to remember each moment. How will anyone remember unless we have photos. I am so sleep deprived, that I can't even remember to brush my teeth sometimes. I wouldn't trade it for anything, I love being a mother to my little ones.

The Birth of Our Sweet Baby Claire

Claire came to us on July 7th 2011. I went into the hospital at 6 am. I was scheduled to be induced, and I am quite familiar with this process. I was induced with both of the boys, so I knew the drill. I got checked in, and was then hooked up the to IV's. There was a nurse in training that day, so he helped my nurse to get everything ready. By the time they got me all set up with the IV's, Dr. Nance came in at 8 am. He came in, said Hello, and broke my water. I was surprised that he went ahead and broke my water the first time he saw me. I said, "You know Dr. Nance, as soon as my water is broken, I go into labor really quick." He couldn't remember, and I don't blame him, he sees hundreds of pregnancies. He said that we better get you an epidural then, and I agreed with him. Sure enough as soon as he left I started having contractions, and they weren't too bad this time, but I knew they would get worse, and I am kind a baby when it comes to pain, so I knew that I wanted the epideral as soon as I could get it. A few moments later the epideral was administered and I was feeling much better. I wasn't having chills this time, and my feet weren't getting cold either. Everything was going well. Our little baby did swallow merconium, which I am also familiar with. Both of the boys had the same thing, and they both were sent right to the respitory team as soon as they were born. I wasn't too worried about this because we had been through it twice before and it had turned out ok both times.
About an hour after the epidural I was dilated at a 5, and about a half hour later I was already at a 10!! Claire was posterier, so that explains all of the back labor that I was experiencing. As soon as her head was our, she turned herself and Dr. Nance only had to help her a little. She was here!!! She was taken to the respatory team, and they worked their magic. As soon as her lungs were clear, she was handed to Casey, and Casey brought her to me. I was so over come with emotion when he handed her to me. I stared saying Hi to my little princess and she tried opening her eyes. She knew my voice!!! She was trying to look at her momma! I was so happy to finally meet our little girl, and to have her in my arms. It was a fabulous day, one that I will never forget. I don't think there is anything more spectacular than being able to give birth to one of Heavenly Father's children. It strengthens my testimony more than words can describe. I feel so blessed to be trusted by our Father and Heaven to be a mother to the three children that we have. I love my family more than anything else in this whole world, and I am truly grateful for our little sissy who came to us that day so perfect and pure. I love being a mother, and I hope when my kids are grown and gone from our home, they will know how much they truly blessed my life.

We have had one crazy summer.... It seemed to fly by this year. We added a new addition to our family. Claire was born on July 7th 2011. She has brought so much joy into our home. The boys absolutely love her, and she has melted Casey's heart from the very first moment that they met. She has made me the happiest mommma in the whole world. I feel very selfish, and want to hold her 24 hours a day. I just love this little girl, and the rest of my family feels the same way. She came very quickly on Thursday morning. Casey and I drove to the hospital at six in the morning. I got all set up and the IV's in by around 7. Doctor Nance came in around 8:00 and broke my water. I said to him. You remember how quickly I go into labor once you break my water don't you? He couldn't remember, and he shouldn't have to with all the patients that he has. We quickly got the epideral, and two hours later our sweet girl was here. She did have merconium that she had swallowed. (That's three for three by the way.) The respitory team had to come in and suck it out of her lungs, but she came out crying, so that was a good sign. After a few minutes with the respitory team, she was handed to Casey, and Casey brought her to me. I started saying Hi to our new baby girl, and she tried opening her eyes at me. It was the sweetest moment for me. She was trying to look at her momma, and I knew that she recognized my voice. I just love the miracle of birth, and the happiness that a new baby brings. We are having so much fun with her.
We didn't travel much this summer, because we stayed home a lot with little sissy. We did make it to the pool a few times, up to our family cabin for a weekend, and just having lots of fun being together as a family. I am not quite ready for summer to end this year, but every season is exciting. School started, and Carson is now in first grade. I can't believe I have a child old enough to be in school full time. He was so excited, and he gets to walk to school every day with the cutest group of kids in the entire town. It really melts my heart every time they come to pick him up and bring him home. I am enjoying being home with the kids so much, I can't even describe my feelings. From going to a full time job, to being at home with them is truly one of the greatest blessings. I love being able to take care of them, and to spend the much needed time with them while they are little.
We had a fun filled summer! Can't wait to see what the fall season is going to bring.