What's In A Name?

So I just wanted to do a quick little post about Avery's name. I had decided on the middle name Joy as soon as I knew she was a girl. It's my mom's middle name, and I have always loved it and wanted part of her name to be after my mom since I am so close to her.

However, it took FOREVER to come up with her first name, and for a while I was worried that she was going to be born and we still wouldn't be able to come up with one. Well, on Sunday, Aug. 28, I was lying in bed sick and just thinking about what we were going to name her. John and I had gone over and over the list of names I had come up with, and while we liked several of them, none of them had stood out as "The One". You know, the name that you come across and there's that little "Aha" moment where you realize that's it. Well after thinking and looking at my list, I was feeling really discouraged so I finally decided I should pray about it (Duh!). I started telling my Heavenly Father how there were several names that I liked, but none of them felt like her name and I was worried I wasn't going to figure out what her name was supposed to be. Almost immediately, the thought came to me "Her name is Avery". I almost started crying because I felt such peace and relief that I finally knew what her name was. The funny thing was, when I was on the phone with my mom on the drive to the hospital Monday night, I told her we finally knew what we were going to name her. She asked me what, and I said Avery. My mom said "Avery! That's the name I was trying to remember when I talked to you the other day!" I said, well I guess she really was meant to be Avery. Funny how things work out. Now when I look at her, I can't imagine having named her anything else. While I really liked the other names on my list, she is most definitely Avery.

Avery Joy

On August 29th, my water broke around 5pm. After taking time to shower and get ready, John and I left for the hospital around 6pm. Luckily a friend from my ward was able to bring her kids and come and stay at my house with mine. When I got to the hospital, they gave me the option of walking to get my contractions going more, or to start Pitocin. Since I knew from 4 previous births that I was going to have to have the Pitocin at some point anyway, I decided to go ahead and start it right away. I didn't see any point in making myself more tired by walking for hours, when I hadn't slept the night before. After checking me to make sure my water was really broken, they admitted me and the pitocin was started around 8pm.

I had planned on trying to go natural, since I felt like I missed out when I couldn't with Hayden, but after about 3 hours I went for the epidural. I really missed having my bff Emily there with me, because I felt like if she'd been there I would have been able to make it, since I wasn't in labor very long. After getting the epidural, I was able to relax and get a little rest. Then, I turned onto my left side because the epidural was wearing off on that side, and just like when I had Amelia and Hayden, lying on my side did the trick. I went from about a 6 to complete in about 5 minutes or less. I was so happy to finally be able to get this baby here! One contraction later, Avery Joy joined our family on August 30th at 2:20am. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 5 oz., and was 19.5 inches long. She is so tiny and beautiful! I am so happy to finally have her here! Babies are WAY more fun on the outside, where you can kiss and snuggle them. (and they aren't kicking you in your ribs and giving your killer heartburn) The kids were so excited to come and see her, and I can already tell there is going to be lots of fighting over whose turn it is to have her. I told her to enjoy her time at the hospital, because once we went home she was never going to have a minute of peace again.

Welcome to the family Avery! We couldn't be more thrilled to have you here. :)

First picture with Mommy and Daddy

First bath (she LOVED every minute of it)

All bundled up in her hospital crib

Naked babies are the cutest thing on Earth

In her cow seat, all ready to go home

It's A ?

John and I went to the Dr. for my 18 week ultrasound to find out what we were having. We were so excited! John really wanted to do a surprise to find out, where none of us found out ahead of time and we could get a cake at a bakery that would have pink or blue cake inside. Unfortunately for John, I am WAY too impatient for that. So we had a compromise of us finding out at the appointment, and then I baked a cake at home to surprise the kids with tonight after dinner. Before the cake we took a vote. Of course all the boys voted boy, and all the girls voted girl.

Yep, it's a girl! Looks like we will be even again after all. Hailey was the most excited, because she called it all the way back in January when we found out we were having another baby, and never wavered once.

And then there were 8

So I thought this warranted it's own post, instead of being lumped in with the family update. Our family is expecting another baby on September 14th. I am officially 12 weeks, as of yesterday. It was funny when John and I found out that we were going to have another September baby. Both Amelia and Hayden (our 2 kids together) were born in September, and this baby is due smack in the middle of their two birthdays. I told him I guess we really like to have babies in September.

This is the cake we used to tell the kids. They were all excited. Well, except Hayden, who had no idea what was going on. It took John and I a while to get used to the idea, but I think it is finally starting to sink in. After past experiences I have had, I will be more excited once I have the ultrasound where we find out what we're having, and I can see that the baby is ok. Ever since William died, I am always paranoid when I am not far enough to feel the baby move and know that he is ok. Even though I have had 3 more babies since then, I worry that something's wrong and I just don't know it because I'm not far enough along to feel the baby moving all the time. Even then, I still can't relax until I have that baby in my arms and I know they are here and ok. Ok, enough of that. I am trying to be positive and tell myself everything will be ok and I am excited for this baby. It would be nice to have another girl, since we are currently 4/3 with boys winning, but honestly I really hope it is a boy. Hayden is only 18 months, and his closest brother is 8. It would be really nice for him to have a brother close in age to him. Either way, I am just happy he will have a sibling close to him, since Amelia is 4 years older.

Gratuitous Hayden Pic

So it's getting late (or early), and I'm actually getting a little tired, but I couldn't leave without posting a picture of the cutest baby alive. His hair is starting to curl now. It is so adorable I can't bear to cut it. I told John maybe when he turns one I will cut it. I'm not going to be one of those moms that let's their little boy look like a girl, but he still has a while before I have to worry about that. And oh those cute, chubby little cheeks! I swear I could eat those cheeks all day long! I can't believe he is going to be 10 months old on Sunday! Boy has the time flown by. I wish I could keep him little forever!

I will post some of the other kids later on today when I come back to do some more updating.

California Trip - John's Family

We were actually able to make it up to Santa Rosa a couple times while we were in California. The first time we just went up for the evening and hung out with his sisters at his mom's house. We didn't get to see Crissy's kids, because they were home in bed, but we did get some time with Anastazja. The second time we went up, we went to the most awesome park in Santa Rosa. It is called Howarth Park. If you are ever in that area, you HAVE to go there. It is our favorite place to go, and when John and I lived there we lived a couple blocks away and used to walk there with all the kids. That was back with we had *only* five kids. Haha! We had a great time at the park playing with John's family. Sarah, Crissy, and Carol (John's mom) and all of us had a picnic and spent the whole afternoon/evening there. It was fun for the kids to get to play with their cousins; Breanna, Brandon, and Anastazja. It was fun for all the grown ups to get to spend time together and visit. I wish we all lived closer to each other so we could do it more often!

California Trip - My family

Here are the pics I took of Hayden (and the other kids) with my family and a couple of my friends. People thought I was crazy for driving all the way to California with a week old baby, but honestly other than having to stop all the time to nurse him, it was no big deal. He was better behaved than the rest of the kids!

Even if John doesn't get the job, it was worth driving out there to get to see my family and for everyone to meet Hayden. It was the first time I had been back to California since moving to Utah 2 years ago. I don't miss living there, but I do miss living close to my family. I wish my parents lived here so I could see them every day!

Preston Is Here!!

Jacob and Natalie's baby arrived at 9:30 this morning. He was 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 20 inches. I am so excited I can't stand it! I'm so glad he's here and everyone is ok. Enjoy his first pics. Not quite happy, but what can you expect? Can't wait for more!

Natalie's Baby Shower

Well, here are a few of the pics that I took at Natalie's baby shower. I don't have room to post them all. It was nice to go and meet everyone, and I am glad I live close enough to be able to go since I was the only member from my family that went. I had fun talking to her grandma, she was just great. Natalie is such a cute pregnant person. She is so adorable to begin with, and being pregnant just makes her even more adorable. So not fair. I had a lot of fun, and I just love her to death. I am so glad Jacob married her. She makes a great addition to our family. I can't wait for my nephew to get here. Only 2 1/2 months to go. :)

Natalie and her mom, beginning to open presents.
Admiring one of the many totally cute outfits she got.

Holding up the sleeper I got. I couldn't resist - look at the feet!

Me and Natalie. She is just the cutest.

Baby's First Ultrasound

There are many benefits of having a husband that works at a hospital. One of those being that when the ultrasound techs are not busy, you can come in and have a free scan. So here is our babys first (unofficial) ultrasound. It's pretty exciting to get to see him/her and see that everything is ok so far. We haven't told any of the kids yet. We told Amelia though (I mean she's 3, even if she did tell the other kids I don't think they would listen or have any idea what she was talking about.) She was pretty dang excited. I am officially due September 26, 6 days after Amelia turns 4.

I Knew It!

My brother Jacob just called me to tell me that he and Natalie are having a boy. I totally knew it since they day they told me they were having a baby. I have been right with all of my camily and friends, so why would I start being wrong now? I am SUPER excited for Jacob and Natalie! Since Jacob is the first boy in my family to have a baby, that means his baby is the first one to carry on the family name. Pretty neat.
Yay and Congratulations!

My nephew to be. (Dec. ultrasound)

The cute couple.

Surprise!!

Yep, that's just what it looks like it is. This is actually test #2. The first one I took was one of those ones that has the little lines on it. After debating with John all morning whether I really saw a line (and him saying he does and either there's a line or there's not) he went and bought me a digital one.

It cracks me up because Hailey kept telling me that she wanted me to be pregnant for her birthday - actually begging would be a more accurate description. Well, according to the dates, this baby was conceived ON her birthday. So there you go Hailey, a late birthday present. About 9 months late.