Sam

A friend referred us to a photographer who wanted to work on her portfolio of infant photography. Lucky us. I can't wait to see all the rest of the pictures.

PHOTO by jamieharper.typepad.com

p.s. This picture totally reminds me of Wilson. (a.k.a. Bammer)

Two Weeks

Happy two weeks Baby Sam! So glad you are part of our family and we hope you survive the chaos i.e. Zina & Wilson! We love you.

Not pregnant - Hallelujah!

I have been really amazed with my recovery with Baby Sam. I keep waiting to feel like I just had a baby, for that moment when my body shuts down because I have been trying to do to much. I think having my Mom, Attena, and J.B here for the first 5 days after I had Sam helped a ton. Anyways I am just SO happy to not be pregnant anymore. About a million times a day I think about how wonderful it feels to not be pregnant.

Yesterday was beautiful. We woke up to yummy french toast and I cleaned the house (5 loads of laundry folded and put away - which is amazing for me because I hate folding and putting it away) while Mark studied and then he did some yard work. I love love love our yard when it is freshly mowed and trimmed. Thanks honey! The kids played together and ran around and then we went to Mark's soccer game where they continued to run around and play together. After we had lunch the kids played in the sprinkler. We put it under the tramp and then played Simon Says in the water for ever. They loved it. They ran through the sprinkler tunnel and then we played dodge ball. When I was pregnant dodge ball consisted of me sitting in the camping chair and throwing the ball at them. Then I would make them go get the ball and bring it back to me. Yesterday, I actually got on the tramp and they threw it at me. They loved it and giggled and laughed - I love hearing those giggles and laughs. I love feeling good enough to really play with them.

Have I mentioned how awesome it feels to not be pregnant?

Baby Sam - oblivious to all the fun going on around him. Or maybe he was peacefully dreaming of all the fun going on around him.

For some reason it's more fun to run in the sprinkler in your clothes. :)

This day being a mom was really really fun.

Thanks Z & W for the great laughs.

Sam's Story

I hardly know where to begin. Having a baby is an amazing experience and one I am so grateful to be a part of. It is a miracle. My mom, Attena, & Johnny arrived last Sunday afternoon - April 4th, Easter Sunday, General Conference & my due date! From past experience we figured they should at least wait until my due date to arrive. We are glad they did since they still had to wait 5 days for Sam's arrival. And I'm afraid waiting around with 10mth old pregnant me is not the most exciting thing. Bless them!

Thursday April 8th we went to the pool. I started having more braxton-hicks than I have ever had before. Which isn't saying much because I've never really had pre-labor so I didn't think anything of it - other than "maybe I shouldn't have worn these shorts - they're a little tight..."

The kids had a blast

Until the splashing started...I think Tena splashed Mark, but got Wilson.

So Mark splashed Attena, but got Zina...

Looks sorry doesn't he.

So after wearing my too-tight-shorts (no I don't really think that's what started it all) I started having contractions at about 1am Friday morning. Woke Mark up around 2:45, who woke Grandma up at 3:15. They filled me up a nice warm tub and helped me, and by help I mean they sat silently watching (because I don't like to be touched or talked to or hear talking while laboring) and trying to interpret that when I glance at that cup of water that means, yes hand me that drink.

They were actually a huge support and I couldn't have done it without them.

Around 5:30 we went to the hospital to sign one MILLION papers in between contractions. I thought I took care of that when I pre-registered and it was super annoying. The triage nurse said I was at a 4. I wasn't to worried because with Wilson I dilated super fast. The nurses were a little defensive when my mom told them I didn't want an I.V. or the baby monitored constantly. (you try focusing through contractions with all those things attached!) But I'm not sure they knew what to do about it or maybe there was a shift change because finally at about 7:30 a nurse came in who said she had looked up the hospital policy and I had to have both of those things. My mom said that was fine we didn't want to go against hospital policy and then the nurses didn't do it anyways?? Maybe it was because I was feeling the urge to push by then or maybe it didn't really matter after all. When the Dr. got there I was at a 9 so he broke my water and then they told me we had to get sweet baby out because his heart rate was dropping with each contraction and there was meconium in the water. So we settled down to push and Baby Sam arrived about 5 minutes later. He let us know he was just fine by wailing for the first 5 minutes of his life on earth and peeing on the weigh scale.

This labor was much more difficult than Wilson's, but I firmly believe it is SO worth it to have my babies naturally. The recovery is just so much easier. I feel great and have really been enjoying my little family of 5!

Samuel Keeler Thomas

Samuel Keeler Thomas was born April 9th at 8:13am. He was 8 lbs 2 ounces and 19 3/4 inches long. We are so glad he arrived safely. So far his siblings love love love him. I will post more later.

While waiting

At the last minute we ventured out to the Easter Pageant again this year. It was a cooler evening, but the kids were awesome and really enjoyed watching the whole thing. Zina was begging to go see the visitors center after so we obliged and got pictures with the cast. It made for a late night, but a fun one!

And this is what we do when all the "sweetness" is gone. Zina and Wilson's disagreement escalated into a kicking/wrestling/hitting/crying/wailing match so I made them sit on their couch and hold hands, give kisses, and chant, "we're best friends, we're best friends." It was pretty funny. If I wasn't so lazy I'd post the video, but in the end they forgot why they were fighting and were laughing and playing again. If only I could have the patience to remember to do this every time instead of losing my cool too. I guess I'm a work in progress.

This was Zina's last day of preschool. We have SO enjoyed doing preschool with these kids and their moms. Seriously, I never had a problem with kids and the mom's were amazing and always so prepared with fun things to do. We will miss it next year! Thanks Alicia for the great graduation party!

And last but not least...

Mark working really hard at medical school.

:)