Aubrey Kay

This blog has been seriously neglected.  I doubt I will post much on here but I did want to get Aubrey's birth story down somewhere while it was fresh in my mind.
A little back story we have two little ones.  Britton just turned 2.  I had the same midwife, Danielle, with both him and Aubrey.  Britton was born with a cleft lip and palate.  He was suppose to be born at home but due to some unforeseen circumstances he ended up being born at the hospital.
When we were surprised with this pregnancy again I knew I wanted to try for an at home birth.  Andy was a little more hesitant  but was willing to go along with the plan.  Danielle had just bought an old Victorian home in Brigham City and was working on getting it licensed.  We found out that our insurance would cover a delivery there once it was licensed so we decided to go that route.  I was okay with that since it was out of the hospital and I had a lot more control.
I was due on January 23rd, which just happened to be the same day the Utah legislature started their session.  Andy's job requires him to be down there during the session so we were a little nervous with the timing.  I have gone into labor early with all of my kids so I wasn't too worried about it.
On January 3rd I was having contractions about 5 minutes apart pretty consistently for a few hours so we loaded up the car and headed to BC.  Once we got there the contractions stopped and we were sent home.
Then again on Jan 15th the contractions were pretty consistent and we headed to BC to just be sent home again.  By this point I was extremely tired and frustrated and thought the baby would never come.  Danielle did a foot zoning with me and said something was keeping the baby from coming but couldn't quite put her finger on it.  She thought it had something to do with Emma but she wasn't sure.  I continued to have contractions every day but they never amounted to anything more than just an annoyance.  After discussing things with Danielle we decided to have the baby at home to make it easier on everyone.
On Sunday Jan. 22nd I woke up with a sense of urgency and I couldn't quite put a finger on it.  Baby wasn't moving as much as she had been and I was concerned for her.  I texted Danielle and she gave me some ideas and told me to do a kick count.  When I did this baby was moving around just like she had been.  I mentioned to Andy my concerns and he had the same feelings.  With Britton he never really dropped due to a short cord and I had to be given pitocin to get the contractions to be consistent.  We were thinking this may be the problem with baby girl.  I texted Danielle and she called me back and gave me some ideas.  She said she could break my water if we wanted to but if we did this we would have to go to BC so we could be close to the hospital and the doctor she worked with just in case.  I talked to Andy about this and we both felt good that this was what we needed to do.  We were worried about her feeling forced out but knew this was the right choice.
There was a huge storm coming through that night so Danielle wanted us to get on the road as quick as we could.  We called Andy's parents and his dad was at a meeting at the temple but his mom said they would come up as soon as he was done.  Alex said he was fine holding down the fort for a little bit so we left them with dinner and headed out.  We beat the storm by about 15 minutes.
Once we got to the birthing center we did a few spinning baby techniques to get the baby in the ideal position for breaking my water.  Danielle then broke my water (it was about 8:30 at this point) and had me walk around to try and get baby to come down more and get in a good position.  I walked around for quite a while but the contractions were still pretty inconsistent.  About 9:30 my in-laws showed up and we discovered the canyon was closed and the back way was way too dangerous to travel.  I was freaking out just a little bit at this point.  My kids were stuck on one side of the canyon and we had no one available to watch them.  Andy assured me he would take care of it so I kept walking and squatting.  My in-laws decided to get a hotel right by the birthing center and head up to Logan as soon as they could.  Alex put the kids to bed and said he was okay with being alone for the night but was worried about missing school the next day.
My father-in-law headed over to the hotel and my mother-in-law stayed at the birthing center to help Andy support me.  About 11:00 things just were not progressing and so my mother-in-law headed to the hotel and we told her we would call once things picked up a little bit.  At 11:30 the baby's heart rate started to fluctuate with the squatting and contractions.  Danielle was concerned and said I should get in the bath and see if that would help the baby relax a little and her heart rate would regulate.  I got in the bath at quarter to midnight and just enjoyed the nice warm water.  At this point I just got into a zone and tried to tune into my body and my baby and tell her everything was going to be okay.
After a little while the heart rate was back to where it was so we went on stand by mode.  The last time I was checked was about 11 and I was at a 4.  The date was now 1-23 and so I thought maybe the baby would be born at 4:56.  I knew we would be there for a little bit so I just enjoyed the bath.  That is when everything got a little crazy.  The contractions suddenly picked up and became really intense.  I had to really focus on relaxing and Andy and Danielle helped me from freaking out too much.  I remember Danielle saying if you get the urge to push just go with it.  30 seconds later the urge came and I pushed.  I thought it was a little crazy because I knew there was no way I could be to that point already.  (After the fact Danielle and Andy said they were surprised and both wanted to say something to me about not being there yet)  Danielle looked down and yelled to her assistant, "crowning."  She then tried to get me to turn on hands and knees because she though the baby may be stuck.  I tried to get up but just couldn't.  The next contraction I pushed and out she came.  I reached down and brought her up on my chest.  She was beautiful and we snuggled for about 20 minutes while we waited for the placenta to deliver.  Once that was delivered we got out of the bath and got into a nice warm bed.  Sarah, the midwife's assistant, did an assessment on her and she was pronounced 100% healthy.  They then weighed her and she was 7 lbs 11 oz.  She measured in at 21" long, the biggest baby we have had.
After the assessment we both got dressed and snuggled into bed with dad for a much needed nap for the three of us.  I prayed as I dozed off and thanked Heavenly Father for our newest little miracle.  I felt like the urgency we had been feeling was to get us to the birth center safely.  Aubrey was born when she was suppose to but with as fast as she came no one would have been able to get to us due to the storm.  I am so grateful we were watched over and everything worked out perfectly.  The midwives left us for the night with the promise that they would bring breakfast the next morning.
We woke up about 6:30 and found out that school had been cancelled and the canyon was still closed.  We texted the boys that baby was here and we would let them know as soon as we had a plan.  We discussed what her name should be and we decided on the name Aubrey Kay.  We then texted pictures and the name to the family.  The in-laws came over and loved on her for a little bit as well.  A little after 9 Danielle came with a nice warm breakfast and checked on how we were doing.  She told us we were welcome to stay as long as we needed to so that we could get home safely.  We face timed with the kids and introduced them to their sister.  Finally about 11 we saw they had opened the canyon so we got ready to head home.  We arrived home about noon to 4 very happy boys excited to meet their sister.

39 weeks

Last picture with our family of boys

My awesome support!!

SHE'S HERE!!

Admiring the princess!!

It's okay sweet girl

Nothing beats a daddy and his little girl

Mommy snuggles

Checking out the princess

Everyone loves her cuteness

Checking out dad while she was being checked on

So alert

Not so sure about this

The weigh in

Being added to the wall of fame

Aubrey was here

Daddy kisses are the best

Facetiming with the brothers (B is signing daddy)

The boys meeting their sister

Our amazing birth center

Getting ready to head out in the storm

All buckled in and ready to go

Meeting Aaron

Logan snuggles and B just checking it out

Biggest and littlest

Logan snuggles

The princess and her protectors

This is the crazy storm we were having

This is the awesome birth center we spent hours walking in

If these walls could talk

Two of the awesome midwives, Sarah and Danielle, at our 6 week check-up

Alex's cancer story (From the doctor's perspective)

Just as with the original posting of Alex's cancer story here and here I have been prompted to tell the story but this time from the doctors perspective. 

After writing Alex's story I somehow came upon Dr. Ashton's blog.  In a cruel twist of irony he was now the one fighting against cancer.  His family shared with me at the time I told Alex's story of the light that brought into his heart that day. 

Dr. Dennis Ashton was one of my dads good friends growing up.  As such we have been able to keep him posted on Alex and how he is doing.  However, on that fateful Wednesday he had no idea that he was working with a good friends grandson.

Unfortunately, almost 2 years ago Dennis Ashton lost his fight with cancer.  I was just days away from delivery and was so sad I couldn't be there to honor the man who truly saved my son's life.  I posted a comment on his obituary and left it at that.  A few days after the funeral my dad had gone over to visit with his wife and pass along our love for Dr. Ashton.  It was that day that we learned the rest of the story.

Dr. Ashton was doing what he thought was a routine well-baby exam to clear him to go home.  Andy was in the room with Alex at the time and noticed the doctor being very thorough.   As he was doing the exam, the Spirit told him to check his liver again.  He did and felt something, but again moved on.  A second time he was told to check, and he felt the tumor.  He didn't know what he was feeling but he knew more needed to be checked so he ordered tests.  These tests were the beginning of our miracle; Alexander, who just turned 12.

I am so grateful for a man who lived in a way that he was worthy and willing to listen to the whisperings of the spirit.  I know for a fact that it was not a coincidence that he was our doctor that day.  He was not our regular doctor but just the doctor on call.   He was brought there to be an instrument in the hands of God that day.  I will forever be thankful for him and his willingness to listen and obey the spirit.
This story has taught me to never ignore a prompting.  When the spirit speaks we need to listen.  We never know where that prompting will lead or what prayers we may be answering for someone.  We need to always live in a way that the spirit can speak to us.   Thank you Dr. Ashton for not only saving my son that day but for also teaching me a valuable lesson in life!!

World Wednesday

My kids are not adventurous eaters.  They don't like tomatoes or peppers.  They only like certain foods when they are raw and not cooked.  It is really frustrating to spend so much time on dinner and have them tell me it looks gross and refuse to try it.
One day I came up with a flash of brilliance.  I decided to do one night a week where we try foods from other countries.  I figure they will either expand their pallet or they will realize that what I cook isn't so disgusting.  I also wanted Alex to give us a 2 minute report on the country as well to learn a little about their culture.  I figured it would be like a summer vacation without going anywhere.
Our first stop was to Germany.  My dad's whole side of the family is German. I wanted this to be a stop so my kids could learn a little about their family history.  I made beef rouladen and potato dumplings.  I did leave out the pickle in the rouladen as that just didn't sound good at all.  Plus pickles and I are not friends.  That is one thing I will NEVER eat.  Dinner was delicious.  Alex, loved it and Logan refused to eat it (except for a few dumplings).  We talked a little about German culture and talked about the Berlin wall.  Logan later told his dad that there was a huge wall in the middle of the city.  I will say our first attempt was a success.  Now to decide where our next stop will be.

Potato dumplings

Beef rouladen

Doesn't it look so good?

Yummmy

Logan ate it to fast to get a picture

Aaron ate the carrots and dumplings

My baby is one

I knew this would be the last first birthday party I would ever throw for my kids.  I wanted this to be fun for everyone who came.  I originally thought of a Star Wars theme since he was born on Star Wars day.  That quickly went out the window when I realized there was nothing that would work for a one year old.
I then thought this would be the first birthday we could celebrate outside so that got my mind spinning.  I came to the idea of a circus.  Who doesn't love a circus?  I spent a lot of time online googling and adding ideas to my list.  My list was complete and plans in place when I got a text from Andy.  He had to have surgery the Tuesday before Aaron's birthday.  I knew there was no way I could put together the lavish party and take care of him, three kids and trying to keep my house in order.
I immediately called in reinforcements, my mother, who was willing to come and help put my crazy ideas into action.  The only thing that had to be scaled back was the cake which I was okay with since I had never done a fondant cake before and knew that was a big task to begin with.
The day came and the weather was beautiful.  The food turned out perfect (we won't talk about the caramel apple cupcakes).  We had sliders, hot dogs, vegetables in plastic cups with dip, chips and lemonade.  There were also peanuts and popcorn for snacking.  We had tons of prizes for the games of ring toss, the ball throw and the bean bag toss.  The cakes, in my opinion, were so good.  I did a 2 layer cake, one layer was chocolate with chocolate mousse and strawberries and the other was yellow cake with lemon curd.  For Aaron's cake I decided to combine his 2 loves, cookie butter and bananas.  Alex helped me with the decorations and I think he did a fantastic job.
At the end of the day I will call it a success.  Everyone left full and happy and that's what is important.  It was a great day to celebrate this little boy who helped heal his mama's heart.  I love you Aaron!!!

The cake decorator

Aaron's cake

The spread

The cakes and prizes

The birthday boy

The games

He was spoiled

And he loved it

Not so sure about the flame on the cake

He was so slow at first

So Alex thought he would help.  He didn't like that plan.

But then he discovered the cookie butter frosting

And ate all of it

I forgot to take a picture before I cleaned his face.  He was a mess!!

All the cousins

He loves his new chopper