My Momaversary

Tonight I've been reflecting on where I was 11 years ago. I was laying in a hospital bed, anxious for the birth of my first child. I was having blood pressure complications, and was nervous about everything that was going on.

I was so anxious that my nurse (who happened to be a good family friend) gave me a shot of morphine to help me relax. The night seemed to drag by. At that point, I had been pregnant for 3 years....or that's how it felt.

Little did I know the excitement that was awaiting me the next day. Loss of heart-beat, drop in blood pressure and an emergency c-section later I was a mom.

It hasn't been ANYTHING like I had imagined, but it's been the most wonderful, exciting, scary, frustrating adventure I've EVER been on.

Happy birthday, Cam. I can't believe you're SO old.

Happy Birthday, Dear Jacob....

Today was my munchkin's 3rd birthday. My, how the time has FLOWN!

He got a few cool things for his birthday: a big monster truck, a pitching-tee, and then some Cars characters. He loved it and couldn't wait to play with his bat and pitching-tee, unfortunately the rain settled in before he got a good chance to play.

He'd asked for a monster truck rally cake, so I made one (it was SO yummy and WAY rich) and then we went bowling and out for burgers for family home evening.

Overall I'd say it was a VERY fun birthday for a certain little boy. I'm so glad he's in our family!

(By the way, the big-eyed face he's making in these pictures is new. We all laugh HYSTERICALLY when he makes this face.)

The BESTEST Birthday Present Ever....

My bed is all done....all prettified and MINE! I'm SO in love with it. Thanks to my brothers (who are SUPER talented in the woodworking department) and my dad for providing the lumber, and to my hubby, for the bestest ruined surprise I could ever hope for!

Wanna See What I Get For My Birthday??

Steve has been pretty secretive about my birthday present this year. Unfortunately for him, I'm observant.

He commissioned my younger brothers to make me a bed....headboard, sideboards, footboard....but they all refused to let me see it.

Well, since today is my birthday and I won't be able to GET it today (still needs to get a finishing coat on it...) I begged to go and see it.

It. Is. BEAUTIFUL!! It's hickory and walnut. It's SO SO SO pretty. I'm perma-grin just thinking about it.

I'm Too Young

I can't believe it's happened. I'm the mother of a 10 year old. Cameron turned 10 today. His birth and early years have been pretty rough, but he's managed to turn into a pretty good young man.

He's a good example to his younger brother (most days) and he's a good kid who likes to accomplish big things.

We're still working on a lot, but he's a good kid who I know I would not be the same without.

Love you, buddy! Happy birthday!

More Birthday Pictures

My lousy cake-decorating skills.Jake kept trying to blow out the candle before we were done singing.

Once the candle was out, he begged to blow the candle out again, and again....finally he was ready to eat the cake, and he just dug right in.

OH, he's such a fun boy!

Happy Birthday, Baby boy!

It's hard for me to believe that it's really been two years since Jake was born, but I have to say, those have been the most fulfilling years. I love that my sweet Cameron has a fun brother that loves him as much as I love him.

I love the laughs I've had thanks to Jake...he's such a little entertainer.

He has shown me what it's like to be the mom of a typical little boy, and I sometimes wonder if I'm really up for the challenge.

But, I know that he's such a joy in our lives and I'm so grateful for him!

For his birthday, he got some things early: a tricycle and a drum. So he opened up a boring present (clothes) and a fun one...two Superman/Batman capes that my friend made. He wanted to wear his cape to church.....he says "I FLYING!" when he wears it, and then he takes off.

Happy birthday, SuperJake....we love you SO much!

I Couldn't Ask For Anything More

Today was my birthday. I had SUCH a great day. I went to church, where we had ward conference. The Spirit was SO strong, I truly enjoyed every minute.

I also had many friends come up and wish me a happy birthday, and comment on my funky blouse and new haircut. Oh, yeah, I never mentioned that hair cut here, did I? Don't worry, I'll post a picture soon enough...

Then at home, I had Cameron help me make a cake, then I sat on my spot on the couch and napped. (SO heavenly!) Steve gave me a book that I KNOW I will enjoy and helped remind me of what an amazing woman I am.

Then we went to my parents' house where I didn't have to make dinner or a cake. It was all done for me. The candles on my cake this year were my favorite yet....quivering fingers. (*giggle*)

Then I watched Avatar again, and didn't get sick. (When Steve and I saw it in the theaters, we saw it in 3D, and it made me nauseous.) Then we came home and Jake gave me several kisses, always ending in that noisy "MWAH" noise!

The day was beautiful, and I even enjoyed the small rainstorm that blew through.

When Steve told Jake to wish me a happy birthday, Jake said, "No, Jacob's birthday!" The kid's already got the idea!

Now for the haircut, my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I mentioned that I enjoyed going with her to get our haircut, so she paid for me to get an all new hair do. I haven't had my hair THIS short in YEARS and YEARS, but I SO love it! So cute and SO fun!

Before:

After:

Then my mom took me out shopping yesterday to replenish my wardrobe, I got some SUPER cute things, and I can't wait to wear them all!

Spending yesterday with mom was SO fun. She and my dad also took me out to dinner (mmmmm....espenaca chimichunga....SO good!) Then for fun, we went on a drive to see a campsite that we might want to go camping at this summer, but the road was snowed out. So we turned around. On the way out, we stopped near a herd of cattle so Jake could see them. (On the way there, when asked what sound a cow made, he said, "Meow." My dad decided he needed to be educated...) He couldn't STOP talking about how "g'ampa" took him and Cameron to see the "t'ows" and "ho'sies." Oh, and "t'ows" now say, "Moo...." but it's still pretty high-pitched!

It has been SUCH a great birthday, and I wasn't even anxious about the number this year. I guess those zero-years really throw ya' sometimes. :) Here's to getting closer to 40 (as my younger, 28-year-old brother keeps telling me.)

Birthday Pictures

Cameron got a cool scooter from grandma, and a video game from mom and dad. He LOVED the scooter, even riding it in the COLD weather. The snot was a'runnin'!

Here's his birthday cake. No, I didn't forget to put frosting in that corner. You want to hear the whole story?? SURE you do!! :)

Two weeks ago, I bought frosting to make his cake look like a big Spongebob. I was going to use chocolate frosting for his pants, and color the white frosting to make the rest of his body. A few days after buying the frosting I noticed it was opened and eaten. I KNOW that Steve didn't do it, and we KNOW Jake can't open the frosting cans by himself yet...so that leaves Cameron.

I told him that if he didn't leave the frosting alone that I wouldn't have any frosting for his cake. I INFORMED him that if he ate the frosting again, I wouldn't frost the cake.

This morning I woke up to find that Cam's face was COVERED with chocolate frosting. I was FURIOUS! I never thought I'd have to follow THROUGH on my threat!!

So, I frosted the rest of the cake for the rest of us (who says we have to suffer because HE'S a pig?) and left his piece a blank spot.

Everyone asked, so I got to tell this story over and over....

When I finally got around to dishing up the cake, and he noticed that I really wasn't going to give him a frosted piece, he threw a FIT!!

I think he won't be doing that again! At least, I HOPE he won't.

Happy Birthday, Cameron

Nine years ago, I was hooked up to a bunch of machinery in the hospital. I was *trying* to sleep, but lots of machines were making a lot of noise. I was given a shot of morphine to help me relax (BLESSED medication...) and I drifted.

After hours and hours of being on Cervadil, I was given Pitocin. The medicine was going full-blast, and there was nothing. Eventually, the doctor decided that if I relaxed, things would move along.

Oh, how wrong we were.

I was given the epidural and they lost Cameron's heartbeat, and my blood pressure dropped to DANGEROUS levels. The bed was flipped upside-down, and I was prepped for an emergency C-section. People were coming in and out of the room, except Steve, who was told to stay out.

The main thing I remember was lights. The lights on the ceiling, and how round and bright they were.

After rushing to the operating room, getting Cam's heart rate back, and calming down, I was draped and cut open.

My mom gave me a play-by-play of what was going on.

There was no squawk, no cries of protest, NOTHING. Not even the doctor saying, "It's a boy..." All I got was a quick blurb from my mom saying, "There's your little boy."

He was rushed to the NICU where he was hooked up to lots of machines, given x-rays, and tested for everything.

When I was finally able to hold him, I was told I couldn't nurse him because they weren't sure he had his kidneys. (Um, yeah, I was completely SHOCKED!)

It was a rough week in the NICU. I came to LOATHE the hospital, and the pitying looks I got from the nurses.

Eventually, after much prayer and blessings, Cameron was healthy enough to come home. I was so happy.

Nine years later, we have a lot that we've been through. Multiple tests, several diagnoses, and many tears, both happy and sad.

It's been quite a ride. I love you, baby boy, and yes, you will ALWAYS be my baby boy. You were my first, and I will love you forever!
Happy birthday, Cameron!

Birthday Boy

Yes, a FULL year has passed since I had my second child. I can't believe it.

Instead of a cuddly lump of skin, he's a laughing, walking, talking boy. (We're still working on the walking, but we're SO close!)

Happy birthday, Jacob. We love you SO much!!

Birthdays and Sadness....

Today was my 30th birthday. It was VERY enjoyable, and I had a great day, despite the fact that I was beginning to FEEL old. :P

My brothers think it's funny to glob the candles together so the flame is HUGE.

Steve gave me some earrings and Rascal Flatts new CD. Cameron wished me a happy birthday as SOON as he woke up. And my parents gave me some clothes and a dinner out. It was a GREAT day!

Then tonight I learned a good friend died this morning after battling brain cancer for MANY years. He just became a daddy a few months ago, and the last time I saw him he gave me a HUGE smile, dispite his many pains.

Love you, Jenn!! My prayers are with you and your daughter tonight!

Birthday Dinner

For my brother, Daren. (He's now a ripe old 27 years old.) What a fun dinner. :) Gotta love my family!

Birthday Boy

Cameron is now EIGHT!! I don't know where the years have gone!!

We spent the day watching General Conference with my parents. We hauled the cake and his presents over to their house to open after the first session. I warned Cam that this year his presents would be super boring, but he didn't care....they were wrapped in SpongeBob wrapping paper! :P

We gave him two new church shirts with ties, a new set of scriptures with his name on them, and a scripture bag. (See, we're SO boring!) But grandma....well, grandma SPOILS my boys! She bought him new shoes and a watch the night before and then gave him TWO new remote controlled race cars! He was in HOG heaven! He kept begging to go outside to race the cars. And we let him!

That morning I woke up and grabbed the cake. (The cake that I spent a half hour decorating the night before....) and noticed two little finger prints IN the frosting!! UGH! But after showing my mom, dad AND brother, they all said that it reminded them of a girl LONG ago! I deny ANY resemblance!! I dug out the middle of the pies, NOT cakes!! :P

Now our next hurdle will be his baptism this week. The boy has been inviting every person he knows or even sees to come see it. I'm so proud of my little missionary! :)