Halloween Fun

Yesterday morning, the kids had a Halloween Party at Liberty Academy, with lots of candy, games and fun. And then last night, they had fun trick or treating with their cousins from Lindon and Provo. We had yummy soup in bread bowls and salad before they left. What a fun day for the kids, but very tiring for mom, dad, and Oliver.

Two beautiful Medieval maids

Just back from trick or treating

Proof that all that candy really does make your teeth fall out

Two Weeks Old

Monday was Oliver's 2 week check up. He now weighs 8 lbs. 11 oz. and is 21 inches long. I think it's 40 something percentile for weight and 50 something percentile for height, and his head was 70 something percentile. My big-headed babies. My other 3 babies were always over 95 percentile for their heads. So his head is actually a little smaller. He is starting to make a lot of cute cooing noises now. He is a very vocal baby. He especially likes to "talk" to his Daddy, who will not ever allow me to take any pictures when he is holding him. I really dislike my camera. The pictures are so cloudy and horrid. Anyone have any suggestions on cameras that are good but not too spendy? I really want a new one, but don't have a lot of money to spend, or should I just wait til I do have money to spend? What do you think? BTW, most of these pictures were taken by the girls.

I've been tagged

I guess now I am officially a blogger. So, I am suppose to name 7 strange or weird things about me. Where to start? This is really hard for me. I know my husband would think it quite easy, but I have a rational explanation for everything I do. Just not rational to anyone else. I will have to look at myself from someone else's perspective.

1. I love to read and learn. This is not strange or weird per say, unless you knew me in Junior High and High School. I probably could have been voted least likely to make it to class, or school for that matter.

2. I home school my children. Again, see #1.

3. I absolutely detest shopping of any kind. I would rather do anything than go shopping. That is strange considering most women love to shop. In one area I used to live, there was a group of women who would go shopping together on a regular basis. I think I would pull my hair out. I think this relates to my being a tight wad. I hate to spend money. Every purchase I make terrifies me.

4. I dislike housework and cooking and I am not very organized. See #2.

5. I do not enjoy watching television or movies. There are too many other things I would rather do.

6. I am married to a man who loves television, movies, and shopping, and hates books. I guess opposites really do attract.

7. I do have my extravagances. I have to have my raw, grass-fed cows milk every week which sells for $3.50 per half-gallon, my REAL maple syrup and other great foods that I love that are worth the high price tag. I also am willing to spend money on books that I love, although I try to get them as cheap as I possibly can, and I have to really love them to pay full price.

There you have it. That was actually kind of fun. I tag anyone else that reads my blog, who hasn't been tagged yet and wants to do it.

Some alone time

A wonderful neighbor came this morning and took my 3 older kids to Pumpkin Land today. I'm excited for them because they have pretty much been cooped up in the house since Oliver was born. We are trying to keep them away from other kids for atleast a week or two since the stomach flu seems to keep making the rounds in our house. They were pretty excited to go. Oliver and I are just hanging out and will probably do some grocery shopping while the kids are gone. McKay has started a blog and he would really love to get some comments so if you have some extra time check out his blog. The link is on my side bar.

I am so amazed at how much easier it has been to have a little baby this time around. It is so great to have older kids around to help. I don't think Oliver has ever cried longer than 30 seconds because there are so many willing people to hold him and make him happy. The one exception is when I give him a bath. He does not like it at all. He screams through the whole thing and it tears my heart strings to hear him. He is a wonderful baby though, and I feel so blessed to have him and 3 other wonderful children. Well I just fed the baby, so I better hurry and go to the store before feeding time comes around again.

A Lost Tooth

Alexia wants everyone to know that she lost a tooth last week and the tooth fairy gave her two dollars.

Birth Story

On Sunday morning, at about 5 AM, I started having intense contractions that woke me up. I didn't really think much of it, because I had been having some pretty intense contractions on and off for several weeks. These were a little more intense but they were 10-15 minutes apart, so I decided to go ahead and get ready for church because the kids really needed to practice for the primary sacrament program, and I had gotten to the point where I was convinced I would never be in labor. So, we all got ready to go. At about 8:30, a half hour before church was to start, I had a few really intense contractions that made me decide to stay home. Thinking I had plenty of time, I called a friend in the ward and asked her if she would take my kids to church with her. A few minutes later, Elena informed me that her tummy hurt. I thought she was probably just excited that I was having labor, but I decided to keep her home. Thank goodness I did because a few minutes after McKay and Alexia left, Elena threw up and then again a half hour later. My contractions at that point were intense enough that I decided to lay down and listen to my hypnobirthing relaxation CD's. By 11:00 AM The contractions were 2-5 minutes apart and I knew that I needed to get ready to go. We packed bags for the kids, grabbed my previously packed bag and called my mom and the nurse/midwife to let them know we were coming. When the kids got home at 12:00, we had them hurry and change and then we left. Clarence stopped at his work to get his boss's cell #, then off we drove to Cedar Hills to drop the kids off to my mom. Clarence asked me if I was sure we should go to the hospital because I was so relaxed, he could not tell how intense the contractions were. I reassured him that I was sure we should go right now. When we finally got to the hospital, a little after 1:30 PM, I knew that I was in labor, but I figured it would be awhile. Much to my surprise, they told me I was dilated to an 8+. I was so elated. At exactly 4:00 PM, Oliver made his grand entrance into the world. Because of meconium in the amniotic fluid, and the cord being wrapped around his neck, he lacked oxygen, and was wisked away from me before I had the chance to bond with him. They sucked a bunch of meconium out of his stomach, and then I only got to hold him for a few minutes before he was taken away again because he was so pale from lack of oxygen. He is a wonderful reward and I am so grateful that he is doing so well now. We left the hospital Monday night at around 7PM and we have just been taking it easy and enjoying him since. I hope this all makes sense as I have not had much sleep in the past few days and I am a little delirious but very happy.

Introducing...

Oliver Clayton was born Sunday, October 12th at 4:00PM. He weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. and was 20 inches long. We are so excited to welcome him into our family. I will post more later, when I get more time and energy, but we are all home now and doing well and he is beautiful.


My camera is not very great, sorry for the cloudyish pictures. I will post more pictures later too.