All Caught Up

My life is finally getting back to normal, so I thought I would catch up on my blogging. You might have to scroll down pretty far to see everything I've added since I tried to put things in chronological order. Happy blogging!

Primary Program

I completely forgot to take a picture of Claire this morning, but today was her very first Primary Program. She did so great. I slipped into the back of Sacrament and left as soon as the closing song started so people wouldn't touch Grant (I guess I'm a little paranoid especially since we all have colds but you never know!). Claire's line was to say "I will follow the Prophet by obeying my parents." She knew it so well, but still asked for help when she took her turn. I was so proud of her, and relieved that she actually did it. She knew most of the songs, at least key words and first verses. It was so great to watch, and I can hardly believe that she is old enough to be up there with all those Primary kids!

First Week Home

Grant is such a great baby, but it has taken a bit of adjusting for everyone. Owen has taken it the hardest. He has gone from my sweet boy to a crazy man all in one day. He runs around and hits things, or people and never stops. He is finally getting better, but I think it has helped that our life is slowly returning to normal. Here are a few things that happened during Grant's first week at home.
Grant's first bath - it is always grandma's job to give my kids their first bath. I'm just glad she likes to do it because they cry to much for me.
His very favorite thing to do - sleep, but this picture is too cute for words.
Grant took his first morning nap with Claire. I would check on them every once in awhile, and Claire would keep moving him until he was right next to her and propped up on some pillows. It was so sweet, but a little scary to know that she could move him that easy.
We have learned that his favorite thing to do is to lay anyone all by himself and just look around. He is so laid back, it is great.

Grant's Visitors

We are so blessed to have such great friends and family. I tried to take a picture of everyone who came to visit Grant. If I missed anyone, I apologize. Thank you everyone for your love and support.

Dance Class Take 2

Last year I tried to have Claire take a dance class, but it was an utter failure. She wouldn't go into the room with her teacher unless I was there, and then when I was in there with her, she wouldn't do anything but sit by me. I decided to try to let her take them again, and see what happens. I was really sad because her first day of class, I couldn't go because I had to go to the hospital for a bunch of tests, so thankfully my sister took her. She did great, and she also did great this week - which was so nice. She loves her teacher, and of course her new dance clothes. It is so nice having a much more independent girl.

Labor

Well Tania, you asked, so here goes the whole story of Grant as I will call it. I went in for some testing on Wednesday and they determined that my fluid was low. My midwife did say that it could have been from taking the Castor Oil, but I promise I drank so much when I took that. Anyways, we had already decided that I would be induced on Monday, but then she changed it to that afternoon. I had 2 hours to get everything in order, and be back at the hospital. I just begged her that she wouldn't give me pitosin (spelling??). I went and cried to Chad, checked on the kids at my sisters house, ate something and headed back to the hospital. We had decided that Chad would come after work because there really wasn't anything he could do at the time.

I made it to the hospital and they inserted this little pill, and then she told me she would be back in 4 hours to put in another one. They monitored the baby for awhile, and I just watched T.V. (that was a nice change to not have to watch a Disney movie). The first pill gave me a few contractions, but nothing really, and dilated me another cm (yipee!). Chad came after she put in the second pill, and I made him go for a walk with me. There was a lady next to me making a lot of noise, and it always makes me nervous (I asked the nurse and she even had drugs). We walked around for awhile, and by this time I was having pretty good contractions, so I was hoping she could just come and break my water, and we would get the whole thing over with.

By the time my midwife came back, she determined I was progressing well, and in labor so I didn't need anything else. She wouldn't break my water because the baby was still so high up and she was afraid of hurting him. So, I just got to wait. I progressed pretty quickly. I went from 6 cm to 10 cm in about half an hour. Chad was pretty grateful when it was time to push because I spent a lot of time in the shower and his job was to keep water on me (he was awesome, and without him there I would have never done it with out medicine! He kept encouraging me, and helped me through the whole thing).

Finally it was time to push, and after about 15 minutes Grant was born. No one thought that I would have him that day so I was glad that I could prove them wrong. He wouldn't drop because his face was up instead of down, so he was stuck on a bone. He has a pretty good bruise to prove it. So I probably never would have had him without being induced. Tracy my midwife was awesome and was there the whole time. It was so nice to have someone to support me who didn't just show up to catch the baby. It was a much better experience than my first induction with Claire - that was miserable so I'm glad I had this experience. However I still loved my labor with Owen and only having to be at the hospital 20 minutes before I had him was much better. I was so glad that I only had to stay at the hospital one night - I know the nurses are only doing their job, but they just need to let new moms sleep and not bug you every hour. The pediatrician released Grant right before dinner last night so I got to go home and have a decent meal. I will post more pictures as soon as I have a chance. He is the sweetest baby - he barely cries (no kidding). I woke up last night at 3:00 and went to check on him and he was just laying in his bed awake, but not crying. I finally made him cry today before I would feed him. I know it won't last long, but I am going to enjoy it as long as I can!

It's a BOY!

Grant Nolan Clayson
September 17, 2008
11:15 p.m.
6 pounds 8 ounces
19 inches long

I am tired, but I will post more info later!

Fun Stuff!!!

Well, the Castor Oil didn't work (but it was horrible and disqusting, and I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy). So, today I went in for my tests, and the baby looks good, but my fluid level is low, so guess what that means - yep I'm getting induced anyways - what a pain!!!! Chad and I have decided that it is a girl because it is a very stubborn child. So hopefully soon I will have some good news to talk about. I probaby won't post again till I'm home from the hospital, but I will try to keep you all updated. I didn't look at what people wrote again, but if anyone said the 18th - I think you will be the winner!

Dillema

So, we still haven't had the baby, and now if I don't have it in 2 more days I have to do all these dumb tests. I know the baby is fine, but I think it is mad that it is running out of room. So, after my doctors appointment today I was dialated to a 1 (I guess that's better than nothing!), I'm thinking that I'm just going to take some castor oil tomorrow afternoon and see what happens. What do you think? Is it worth the wonderful side effects ie diarahea?? Do you know anyone who has tried it and it worked?? Let me know what you think.

Sunday Activities

As a mom, some days you have just had it. All of you moms know those days. Being overdue is not an exception to the rule. I decided not to go to church (because I didn't want to have to answer any ones dumb questions), instead my friend (who goes to church early so I didn't have her skip with me), and I went on a walk. We had a great time, but unfortunately it didn't do anything except I did have to go to the bathroom a lot. When everyone got home from church I just wasn't in the mood to do much with the kids, but thankfully they found some stuff to do all by themselves.
Chad was kind enough to sit down after church and play a roaring game of Candyland with the kids. They were so funny to watch, and it is great to see how well Owen knows his colors. You never know if they are really getting what you teach them. Claire can finally play the game without needing much direction, so it is so nice!

Claire and Owen got this great idea to take an old drain pipe (I'm sure it feel off the house), and put their cars down the chute. Owen would sit at the end and catch them, and Claire would drop them through. It was so great to see them having fun at something they created themselves.

A Visit From Great Grandma and Grandpa

On September 10th (my due date), Great Grandma and Grandpa Farmer were traveling to Utah, and stopped to stay at our house. This was the first time they have ever seen where I live away from home, so it was so nice to have them come and visit us. They Left for Utah the next day, but stayed again on Saturday on their way back home. Claire and Owen loved having them come and stay with us, and had so much fun. Claire keeps asking me when her Great Grandma is going to come again.

It's Time to Bet

Kristine had a great idea. I'm going to start taking bets when this baby comes. Let me just tell you that Claire was 15 days late before I got induced and Owen was only 4 days late and came all by himself. So, you may place your bet, and we'll see who wins!! You won't really win anything but pride, but hey that's something!

We're still waiting!!! :-)

Update

So, I went to the doctor today, and this time I had her check me. It comes as no surprise that I am dialated to a 0 and the baby is still high. So, don't bother calling us soon, I will be pregnant forever!!!

Today is my due date, and yes, I'm still pregnant!!!!

I'm Still Here and Pregnant

I just thought I would give you all an update on the baby. I am still alive and kicking, though I would much rather have a baby and not be pregnant anymore!!!! I am so sick of being pregnant!!!!! The baby is due in 4 days, but since my babies never come on time, and I refuse to be induced, I'm not sure when it will come. I'm hoping for next Thursday or Friday so I can make it through another week of preschool so the kids get the routine down better. Everything looks good with the baby and it is very active and loves to push and stretch all day (lovely!). Claire is still so excited for the baby, and she prays every night that it will "come out." We got out the baby car seat and she gets so excited telling me where the baby is going to sit in the van. Last night she told me that her pink baby doll wanted to meet our new baby and that Owen needed a purple baby doll too. She is ready, although I hope she isn't upset if it ends up being a boy. I guess she has a 50/50 chance. I promise to keep you all updated.

My Little Castle Builders

I'm not sure if it is just Claire and Owen, but my kids love to build castles. We build castles for the ponies to sleep in, sand castles, blanket castles, and anything else that Claire can come up with. On this particular night, Chad and I were working on our cabinets, so Claire and Owen made a castle out of their toys on our kitchen table. Now of course the castles cannot be taken down for at least 24 hours, so we got to eat breakfast the next day with the castle, but they were so proud of it. There was a place for all the cars to line up for their turn to be washed, and a place for the ponies to line up so they could get into the ball. Claire insisted on taking pictures of the castle, and she actually did a pretty good job. At least now they will work together and create something that they both think is great fun!