Crew is here!

This is us waiting at the hospital right before we went in for the surgery

This is me during the c-section I am not sure if they had started yet.

Crew being wiped down right after they pulled him out of me.

This is Crew in the NICU right after I was done with my recovery, you can see he is hooked up to the ventilator and all sorts of tubes

This is when Connor came to visit me in the hospital and the day before he got really sick

Crew in the NICU I took this because he had pulled out his feeding tube so I could see his face

This is from the day Crew came home from the hospital and Connor seeing him for the first time

My boys, how cute are they! Connor gets really excited to touch Crew and he points to his eyes and says eyes

So for those of you who don't know I had Crew on November 22 he was 6lbs 13oz and 18'' oh and five and a half weeks early. I had a c-section scheduled for December 19th but that would not be the case. I know he is almost a month old now and that seems beyond crazy but these last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. So here is the whole story...

Monday morning I woke up feeling like I really needed to pee and ran to the bathroom at about 5 in the morning and almost didn't make it. Now this is pretty similar to what happened when I had Connor so I should have known what was going on but it wasn't quite the same. So basically my water had broke but it wasn't like last time so I didn't recognize it until around 8 in the morning. Anyway so basically my water broke and I am pretty much in denial because that would mean five and half weeks early and scary. So anyway I finally call Kevin and have to convince him that I am not joking and he comes home and I called my Mom to see what her plans were for the day but she was out walking but had also taken a teaching job that day but luckily was able to get out of it and rush down here so we could go to the hospital.

We go to the hospital and basically my Dr. says he can do it at 5 unless the baby or I am showing any distress. It was a pretty long day of just sitting at the hospital waiting being hooked to multiple machines and an IV and not being able to drink or eat anything. The not being able to drink was pretty rough but I made it. At around 4:30 they started prepping me for surgery and I got my epidural, P.S. I loved my anesthesiologist he was awesome. Then they wheeled me in and we were ready to go. I couldn't feel a thing last time I could feel everything except sharp pain and I was freezing cold this time I could barely feel anything and I had this basically blow dryer blanket all around my head so I was toasty warm but I could barely hear what people were saying. Then at 5:18 they pulled Crew out and he was just screaming really loudly so I was hopeful that he wouldn't have to go on the c-pat like Connor because he wasn't screaming like Crew. I also thought he looked just like me when I was born.

Anyway turns out he was having breathing problems so he was hooked to the c-pat and then they finished me up and I went to the recovery room. Kevin went with Crew and when he came back he said they had to put him on a ventilator because he was struggling to breath on his own. That was scary and I was worried but I knew he would be OK, it is really strange how this sense of peace has been with me since he was born. Anyway when I was done recovering, which took forever because they couldn't get my temperature up I was able to go see Crew in the NICU. He was so tiny and adorable even with all those tubes hooked to him and I just hated seeing him like that but I know it could have been much worse there were plenty of babies in there in a much worse state than Crew and that night I believe they took him off the ventilator because he was fighting it and he was doing really well and didn't have to go on the c-pat either so I was optimistic that he would be able to come down to the nursery with me. Because Crew was five and a half weeks early their are many things his body just isn't ready for so he had to stay in the NICU for two weeks. That was really hard because I had to be there four times a day to feed him and just be his Mom but I also had Connor to take care of so it was a very stress full two weeks and it was only made possible by my amazing Mother who stayed with us for two weeks basically taking care of everything, Connor, Cooking, cleaning, playing, dog walking and everything in-between so I just need to tell her how amazing she is and how lucky I am to have her in my life and how I hope to be at least half the mother she is and my boys will be very lucky.

So while I was still in the hospital Connor came down with nasty ear infections and was throwing up and running a high fever and wouldn't let go of Kevin for at least the entire day. So then I was able to go home on Thursday which was nice because my Mom had made a wonderful Turkey dinner and Lindsey and Brody and Debbi were able to come down to our house for Thanksgiving. Thanks to my amazing sister Lisa who made the turkey for us and a delicious Banana Cream Pie! And Kevin and my Dad ran all the way to Orem to find a Pharmacy that was open to get my pain meds.

The next week was a blurr Kevin had to go back to work and I tried dividing my time between being at the hospital and at home with Connor who has gotten very sad anytime our garage door opens. Crew also had a very unfortunate accident that Sunday his IV either pulled out of the vein it was in or the vein just died but he received a pretty severe burn. I know, what, an IV burn. I didn't know that could happen either but basically the lipids they feed into the body through the IV will burn if not in the vein so he had a burn the size of a dime on his inner wrist that is still healing and we have to change his bandage every six hours but he is fine and it doesn't seem to bother him so I am so sorry it happened and I wish it didn't but I know the nurse that was watching him didn't do anything wrong and I don't blame her for anything.

I am so very thankful that he is home now and he has the sweetest little personality and it is coming out more and more each day. He is doing great he has already gained two pounds since he has been home and can't stop eating and pooping, all over everything. Because it is RSV season the Dr's advised us to stay home basically for 3 months so we are really sorry we won't be celebrating Christmas with anyone and if you would like to visit you must not be sick and sorry no kids are allowed and I know I have one here already but we haven't been taking Connor to nursery so he can avoid some contact with other kids for a few more weeks.

Thank you all so much for your amazing prayers and thoughts and meals and everything that we have been blessed with. I know the power or prayer and of the power of the priesthood and the comfort that has brought me through this tough time. Thanks again to my amazing Mom I know I wouldn't have been able to get through all this without her. I especially want to thank Kevin for being so amazing he really has been a huge comfort to me. So here are what people really want to see are pictures of Crew. I think he looks almost exactly like Connor did but I think most babies look the same so you can decide.

Fun Art Project

The elephant is in the new babies nursery, I felt a little guilty that he has to have all hand me downs so this is new to just his room.

I have been wanting to put something really cool on Connor's wall but everything I thought of was fairly expensive and then I had the idea of making my talented sister paint some cool things on the wall. I got a few images I thought she could go off of and then I thought wow she has a life and that might take a long time. So then I thought I should just get these images on the wall with and overhead projector. Great idea except for the finding of an overhead projector. I called my local library to see if they rented them and she said they stopped doing that like 10 years ago or something so I emailed my Dad and he luckily had one in his ward's library and brought it down. I think they turned out pretty good and I had a lot of fun doing it. Thanks Dad! I would recommend this project to anyone it is really easy and takes only a few hours.

Halloween and Kevin's Brithday

I mean what can I say, I made a beautiful little boy, thanks Kevin you helped too!

Connor loves his pumpkin, thanks Grandma and Grandpa Waite!

Don't look too closely at the cake the frosting wouldn't stick to the bottom half of the cake so it was quite the disaster, sorry.

So I finally took some pictures of Connor in his "costume" mostly it was too rainy and cold to go trick or treating so we just took some pictures of Connor in his Cowboy costume. As per his usual he wouldn't put on the hat for even a second which is weird because he would wear it before. Anyway he is easily the cutest cowboy I've ever seen. I also took some pictures of Kevin and Connor on Kevin's birthday and thanks again Debbi for watching Connor while Kevin and I got to go out to eat for his 31st Birthday!

Happy 31st Birthday Kevin!

I know it's not till tomorrow but I want to be prepared. Happy Birthday my love! You are truly amazing and I am so grateful for everything you do for our family. I can't believe how fast time has gone by and that we are about to have two kids. You are an amazing husband and father and thanks for being so selfless. I love you so much and I hope you have a wonderful Birthday. Love Lani, Connor, Cooper and the little one to come!

POOP

These are pictures Lindsey took over conference weekend, it was so much fun hanging out with everyone up at the cabin.

I know everyone liked the other one but I really like this one better, except for Kai's face but I like how this one was framed maybe we could photoshop a better face on Kai

This is Connor's new dresser we got at ikea, it's super cute and we also got him a new night light so when we put him in his big boy bed he won't go play with it.

This is a picture of Connor refusing to look at me but also of his new big boy bed, how cute is the blanket on it, thanks Robin!

yes Connor got into my Jewelry box

This is just a cute picture of Connor feeding himself yogurt. He refuses to let me feed him anything so this is the result, pretty cute.

I am prefacing this story because it is somewhat graphic and really gross so be warned! Ok I just feel I have to share this because it is so gross and funny. So kids and especially dogs can do really gross things. So we were playing in our "yard" and I noticed some poop that was not from my dog I went to go get our pooper scooper and pick up all the poop from the week because they were going to mow the lawns the next day. While walking back from the garage I notice Cooper rolling around and rubbing in the grass of course it is the poop that wasn't his, GROSS! This is pretty typical dog behavior but still really gross. So I pick up all the poop and then thankfully Kevin came home for lunch and he kindly cleaned the dog off. Anyway this is something you normally deal with when you own a pet, especially a dog.

So now it is time for bed so I take Connor upstairs to get him ready for a bath and then in PJ's. We also just bought Connor a new dresser so we could move the changer/dresser into the babies room, so all the diaper changing materials, wipes all that stuff is in his new dresser. Both dressers are in his room so I can still use the changer to change him. Anyway I am taking off his diaper and oh he had pooped. So I take a step toward the new dresser to get wipes and the next thing I know Connor is pulling off his diaper and throws it on the ground covering himself in poop in the process while his poop rolls onto the ground and the diaper lands poop face down. Um Gross! So I yell for Kevin to help me and try to start wiping poop off Connor. When Kevin comes in the room I tell him to pick the poop up off the floor but I can't see it then I see Cooper standing there with an all too satisfied look on his face. Yeah he ate Connor's poop. I almost puke at the thought and I am not sure whether to laugh or cry. Then we get everything cleaned up and Connor takes his bath. I am looking at Cooper just waiting for him to puke the poop up, but he doesn't, yet. Anyway then we get Connor to bed and just laugh at what it means to be a parent and we are settling down for the night when Cooper pukes right on our bedroom floor and you guessed it it was poop puke! oh I almost seriously lost it. Anyway thanks for listening to my story of grossness, but I have to share it it is almost to gross to believe but there you have it.

Ok, where to start...

Connor loves to play on the playground and he especially loves swinging!

Normally Connor and Kevin wear helmets but it was down the sidewalk so I let it slip, but we love riding our bikes especially up at the cabin, Cooper gets a good workout usually.

The new trucks from Grandpa and Grandma Waite, and rolling them down the wood board was a fun game that Connor couldn't get enough of.

These are Kevin and Matt's old trucks from when they were kids Connor wants to play outside with them all the time.

Connor loves his Grandpa and Chocolate chip cookies!

Playing in his fort, the fort was actually another toy of Kevin and Matt's.

Connor loves music so he loves to play the piano, especially when someone can actually play a song on it!

Oh my, yes I officially have the cutest son ever!

Feeding the horses, I love this guy he is super friendly and nice Connor loves to go feed him.

Wow has he got some gorgeous baby blues!

Connor figured out how to open our lazy susan cupboard so now everything in there, especially Jello, is a new toy. Anyone have any suggestions on how to lock that?

These are bird houses that my sister Lacey had a great idea to turn them into haunted houses for decoration. So this was a fun project I did with Lisa and Lacey I just wish we could get together more often and without our kids. I had so much fun though thanks again Lisa for letting us use your house

Connor also figured out how to climb onto our dinning table which is at bar height so needless to say it is only a matter of time before he falls and really gets hurt.

Yes Connor goes down the slides by himself but he goes head first which is pretty fitting with the rest of his behavior.

Cooper and Connor going down the slides at the same time, crazy dog!

This is the new stroller Kevin's parent's bought for us and I love it so much I am using it even though I only have one child in it. We also were gifted the matching infant car seat so this is going to be so useful in a few months. Thanks again Linda and Steve!

So this is what you have missed since I am awful at staying current with my blog. Kevin's parents came down to visit and Connor had so much fun with them. They brought him a bunch of trucks and oh my does he love those. He couldn't get enough of Steve and would bring him any and every toy he could, it was adorable.

Kevin had surgery on his sinuses and that was a mess. The poor thing I felt so bad I think medicine does not agree with his system. I thought we would never be able to leave the hospital, and my amazing Mom was able to watch Connor so I could be at the hospital with Kevin. Oh and yes Connor was so sick that he was puking all over and having Diarrhea so yes my Mom is truly amazing and we can't thank her enough for being there, as she always is. I love you Mom thanks again! The surgery went well and Kevin is still pretty sensitive but he is working and helping out at home so things are basically back to normal. That was a rough couple of weeks there without Kevin at his full capacity, he does so many things for us it just made me realize how much I need him and how wonderfully helpful he is, I love you Kevin!

A few days ago Kevin's parent's stopped over for a day or two on their way to Colorado Springs for their new Service Mission. That was so nice Connor only took a minute or two to warm up to them and he truly had so much fun. He will miss them and so will we but they are amazing and going to do amazing things. Thanks for everything and spoiling Connor he loves you guys!

I think that is everything of real interest that has happened sorry that was a boring and long post but thanks for keeping in touch.

Swimming Time!

Here are a few pictures of Connor swimming out back. He loves water and he had a ton of fun in his little pool on a hot Saturday afternoon. Anyway not much is new, I have my ultrasound this Wednesday so that is really exciting I think I am in the nesting stage and so I am very anxious to find out so I can get everything ready for the new baby! Anyway that is basically what is going on in our lives except for Kevin finally going to the ear nose and throat Dr. He has had major headaches all the time and occasionally gets dizzy and couldn't lay on his stomach without his ears going "weird" so he finally went and they took a cat scan of his face and basically has Chronic sinusitis and a severely deviated septum. At least we are starting to fix the problem so hopefully he will be feeling better soon. Thanks for listening to me ramble and I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Thankful

There are many things in the world I am thankful for, but I am extremely thankful for the power of faithful prayer. I haven't talked about my recent trial in life because I have a hard time admitting weakness. For those of you who don't know my dear sister Lacey was recently diagnosed with a skin melanoma basically skin cancer. Thankfully through the power of faithful prayer and the will of the Lord she has been given a clean bill of health and will be monitored yearly. Anyone who knows Lacey knows that she is the epitome of integrity which is why she is friends with everyone she meets. To me she is always my big sister, the one I looked up to and would do anything for since birth, even if it meant shaving my head. She is the one I have been jealous of my entire life because she was just always better than me. I know I am the luckiest person in the world to have been so close to her all my life and I know I will never even come close to being the person she is but I am so thankful to have someone in my life that has truly always been such an amazing example to me of the person I want to be. Thank you for your positive attitude through this it is the only thing that has kept me functioning properly. I love you so much Lacey thank you for the some of the greatest memories of my life, it seems like all the fun and wonderful memories I have are with you and our family. Thanks to everyone who faithfully prayed on her behalf and thank you Mom and Dad for your positive and faithful attitudes I know that has helped me. I love you!

On a lighter note Connor got his first hair-cut and he looks so old and it is weird for me that he doesn't look like my baby boy but a little man now. These are also pictures of when we went and fed the ducks Connor had to be held after a few minutes because he was ready to go swim with them in the stream he really loved those ducks.

Catch up!

Yes he is eating a pine-cone easily not the worst thing he has eaten!

My boys at the cabin having so much fun, I wish I could be there all the time.

Alisa with her beautiful baby Taye he is seriously so cute, and how amazing does Lisa look?

I just love this picture, great job Lindsey!

Connor eating an Oreo up at the cabin, can you tell he enjoyed it!

A little look at Connor's room and a little thing I made for Connor's room.

Connor eating some spaghetti, doesn't every kid have a picture of this?

This picture is for Linda, I am sorry I haven't taken a picture of the piano in the house yet but here is what it looks like at least.

I know it has been forever since I have posted, so get ready for a huge long boring update. I didn't post about Mother's day or the birth of my sweet little nephew Taye and the fun lunch I had with some of my roommates the other week, or the piano we inherited and neither of us really play but I am hoping to learn a few Christmas songs. So I love my mom she is truly an amazing woman and what a wonderful example she is to me. Mom I love you and one day I hope to be half the woman you are, thanks for everything you have done for me and for everything you continue to do for me! Lisa had her fourth child, sweet little Taye! He is darling and I can't believe Lisa has that many kids and obviously she is an amazing woman and mother. Also Dale got called as a Bishop to their brand new ward so needless to say they are having a very busy summer! I had lunch with my roomies the other week and it was so fun to catch up and see everyone and see Hayley's sweet little Mercedes, I am so jealous of her hair what a beautiful little girl. Oh we went to the cabin for a few days over memorial day, I think?, that was so much fun Connor and Cooper didn't want to ever come inside and didn't want to leave. Thank you Mom and Dad for putting up with us Connor had a lot of fun being able to spend some good time with you guys, thanks again! oh and we moved Connor into the bigger bedroom so I had to paint and do a few little projects for him. Anyway I think that is it oh and if you haven't heard I am pregnant so yeah we are going to be having a little newborn for Christmas! My due date is December 24Th so wahoo!