Stay at home mom

Well, after much prayer and thought, I am a stay at home mommy!  Well...not quite yet.  I am finishing out my maternity then going back for 2 weeks THEN I will be done.  But I have officially sent in my resignation!

This process to decide to do this was harder than I thought it would be!  I have always wanted this and James and I have discussed us doing this when we had kids since we've been married, but once it became an option, I got scared.  I was not expecting that feeling.  I thought excitement would be the main feeling.  I guess it's because I thought this wouldn't happen this soon, I also don't want to get behind in the pharmacy world and because I really do like my job!  Yes, it has it's bad things about it, but EVERY job does.  But for the most part, I really love being a pharmacy technician!  And working at Costco was always "The mothership" as my last co worker, Sara, put it.  It was the job I always wanted and in retail, I don't think you can get better!  So to quit after 3 years there, I was hesitant.  But, I KNOW this is the right thing right now in my life.  My kids are so young and I want to be there for them and for James. 

This is all possible because James got a new job a couple months ago at Okland Construction.  He is loving it and hopefully will be moving up pretty quickly.  He loves it and I LOVE that he loves it!  When I was working just part time we STILL never saw each other!  We would miss each other my just an hour!  We would see each other for 1 hour at night.  So, yes I might be sacrificing our income a bit now, but the fact that I was sacrificing my relationship with my family wasn't working.  Short term we could do it, but long term...no way. 

So, I am trying to get in the groove of being home all day which is also harder than I thought it would be!  It is quite the adjustment, but I am up for the challenge!  I love my kids so much and really want to be there for them through these crucial years of development and love seeing them grow and learn! 

So if any of you stay at home moms have any advice for me, let me have it!  I need any tips you are willing to share.  Being a mom really is the hardest job out there!

He's arrived!

Weston Terry Stevens finally arrived! 

Thursday Aug 8, 2013

2:16pm 7 lbs 15oz

 

So here is my labor story.  I will keep it short and sweet and won't bore you with all the details.  But for those who are curious, here you go.

 

So when I posted last time, on July 25th I was dilated to a 2 and 70% effaced.  I for sure thought I was going to have my water break early again like it did with Tucker.  My appointment was on Mon Aug 5 and I was still 70% effaced but dilated to a 4.  He stripped my membranes to try and speed things up (which was super painful for just a minute, but not too bad).  I also scheduled my induction for Thursday.  I got contractions really bad immediately after he stripped my membranes and thought I was going to have him that night.  NOTHING!  In fact, the contractions slowed down.

The next night we went to my father in law's 70th bday party.  I was hoping it would happen that day since we gave Weston the middle name of my father in law.  But...NOTHING!

 

So, Thursday came, I called at 6am to see what time to go in, and they said they didn't have me on the calendar! What??? You are telling an emotional 9 month pregnant woman that she can't have the baby that day??? I was FURIOUS!  The on call dr wouldn't call in the order either!  When I am mad when I am pregnant, I cry!  So I did!  He told me to wait until the dr office opens at 8 and see if they could call it in and fit me in!  I decided to get ready anyways.  An hour later Labor and Delivery called and said they just talked to my dr and he said I was suppose to be on the calendar so head on in.

 

 I got there about 8:15am.  They started the Pitocin around 9:15 and I got the epidural at 10:15.  I wanted to get it early since my last one went horribly!!  It took them 3 tries and over 2 hours to get it in.  So I had this dr look at my history and he was glad he did!  He was shocked!  The dr who did the last one is their best dr and many years experience and it was challenging for him.  So, this dr was a little nervous but got it good the first try thanks to the notes from last time!  Thank goodness!  Then 11:15 my dr was checking me and was going to break my water but barely touched it and it burst on its own.  Then I had Weston at 2:16p.m.  I was very grateful for this experience!  Everything went so well and quick!  I was apprehensive about getting induced, but I am a big fan!  I guess since I was already 1/2 way there before I got there, I think that helped!

 

So here is the amazing little guy!  I seriously can't get enough of him!  With Tucker I was so cautious and kind of scared and nervous.  But with Weston, I feel way more comfortable and just love on him constantly!!  How can I not??

 

This is a special picture just for the fact that this care was my dads toy car when he was about 3 years old!  How cool is that?  Love!!

 I really wanted to do this pic when Tucker was born but it didn't work out.  But I love that I was able to make it happen with Weston!  He is Definitely going to love Tonka trucks!  He has James as his father and Tucker as his brother, he has no choice!

 Aren't they handsome!!  I seriously can't believe they are mine forever!

 

Summer and pregnancy update

I realize it has been a really long time, but life has been a little hectic!  I have been trying to keep up with Tucker and entertain him as much as possible as well and working everyday and getting ready for the baby.  I will quickly update you on Tucker then I will update you on the pregnancy.

 

So Tuck is growing up SOOO quickly it seems!  He is talking more and more!  Each day it seems I understand a new word!  He definitely knows the word "mom" and says it CONSTANTLY throughout the day!  It's the first thing I hear every morning! 

 

He also uses his mouth as his third hand!  We find it hilarious!  Usually it is a car since that is usually his toy of choice, but it can be a book, a toy hammer, a block, a Mr. Potato head piece...you name it, he will figure out how to carry it in his mouth!

 

 Tucker has been in his toddler bed for a month and a half now and I am seriously surprised on how well he has done!  Yes, he has rolled out a couple times, but now very much.  And if you drive by our house around 8:30pm you will probably see him looking out the window, but once he is asleep, he is out all night.  Love that it was a pretty easy transition!

He loves chilling in our bed and watching his new favorite show Henry Hugglemonster!  

 

I am so lucky to have such amazing friends!  We decided to go get a pedicure before I went out with the baby and I sure enjoyed it!  That is only the second time I have actually gone to a nail salon and got a pedicure!  Then we went and got shaved ice after. YUM!  A pregnant womans best friend! And since Jess is pregnant too, it worked out great!  I love this pic cuz mine and Jess's bellies are fully prominent! haha. We are only like 5-6 weeks apart!  (I am purple, Jess is striped)  The Chinese ladies at the salon were freaking out cuz we were both so far along! haha  And just in case you didn't know, July was record breaking for heat in Utah!  What a great time to be 8&1/2 months pregnant, right?

 

So with the nursery it is the same colors and whatnot, all I did was added curtains and changed the rug.  I still need to hang things on the wall, but I am going to wait until after he is born to do that.

 James has really been wanting a kid carrier for Tucker and our future kids.  We didn't want one that wasn't going to last.  So after James did a bunch of research, we got the Osprey II.  We haven't really had a chance to test it on the trails yet, but he likes it so far!  And Tuck LOVES it!

 

So these pics aren't really in order cuz the blog is being dumb, but this is Tuck's sad face as we were going through the car wash.  He is NOT a fan!  Notice the Jamba Juice he has...yeah, that was poured ALL over him and the car seat about 10 minutes later.  Also, notice how LONG his hair is!  This was right before Annie cut his hair...which he also hates.

 

Doesn't he look so much better with his hair cut??  This is grandma spoiling him with a chocolate ice cream.  That's what grandmas are for, right?

 

LOVE this view!  James is such a great father and husband!  He is in charge of storytime during the week and Tuck loves it!

 

Tucker got this really cool Home Depot tool bench from his cousin Braxton and he loves it!  Surprisingly he even likes the goggles!  I love that they push his cheeks down and makes him have a frowny face.  So cute!

 

So now for the pregnancy update...I will be 38 weeks tomorrow.  I like saying I am starting my 39th week just because it makes it seem closer. haha.  My official due date it Aug 15, but I think it is going to be sooner than that!  I had my doctor appointment last Thursday and I was 70% effaced and dilated to a 2+.  And after he checked me I had serious contractions the rest of the day.  Won't lie, I thought he was coming that night! I officially stopped working after that and just started my Leave of Absence because I did NOT want to chance going into labor while at work.  ESPECIALLY since my water broke with Tucker 9 days before my due date.  Can you imagine having your water break at Costco? No thanks!

 

So, I have been home, not working since then.  Tucker is loving it!  He seems to be happier and just growing up quicker.  Weird, I know, but it's true!  He is talking a lot more.  It's been kind of difficult for me to keep up with him, but I know standing for 5 hours at work would be a lot harder for me right now!

 

The pregnancy part of this has been fine, my only complaint is that because he is so low right now, and getting bigger, my ligaments are stretching and that is super uncomfortable.  But I am trying to stay active so he will come sooner than later!

 

I feel like after my appointment on Thursday, that really kicked James and me in the butt to get everything done!  I think we were still kind of in denial about the whole thing.  I know, how can we be in denial at 37 weeks?  Well, Tucker and our jobs have kept up pretty occupied!  So, now the room is all ready, the clothes are all put away, my bag is FINALLY packed, the car seat is in the car, the house is picked up, I am registered at the hospital, and there are 7 freezer meals ready to go in the freezer.  Now he can officially come and I don't think I will feel AS stressed as I could have been! 

Now I am just hoping that all the baby stuff comes back to me.  You know...the how much they are suppose to eat, how often they are suppose to sleep, when you are suppose to start certain activities, etc.  I know it will, I mean, it was only 20 months ago since I last did it.  But still pray for me!  haha  Hopefully the next time I post it will be of our precious new baby!

The curse of picture day!

Well, we are officially cursed when it comes to picture days with Tucker!  This has happened EVERY time we have had picture days thus far!  I KNEW we were in for it when he woke up earlier than normal today therefore throwing off his whole day!  But, we dealt with it and I was NOT going to reschedule.  

 

I am happy with the pictures that came out of the session considering the circumstances.  Fotofly always does a great job!

 

I can't believe my boy is already 18 months old!  Where does the time go?  I won't lie though, I am glad he is getting older because of the baby on the way.  I am NOT wishing his youth away by any means, just glad he isn't SO reliant on me 24/7.

 

So, here you go!  Here is my adorably handsome boy! 

 

 

Hope it made you smile!  He makes me smile every day!

Oceanside, CA 2013 PART 1

We have been looking forward to this Sailor Family vacation ever since we left the last vacation here 3 years ago!  So excited it was here!  We stay in a beach house right on the beach in Oceanside and every couple had their own room with an attached bathroom.  It was wonderful!

 

Getting there was what I was NOT looking forward to.  The 10&1/2 hour car ride with a 16 month old who HATES being confined in any way while also being about 23 weeks pregnant and I get majorly car sick with this pregnancy.  So, you can imagine my excitement=)  We left at 4:45am and drove all the way through.  James drove to St. George and I drove the remaining 6&1/2 hours because I was getting car sick.  We stopped in Primm and shopped a bit, but that was about it.  We were SOOO glad to finally have gotten there!

 

Tucker was SO ready to jump in the hot tub!  (James cooled it down first of course)

 

The best thing about the vacation is spending time with Tucker's cousins!  He LOVES Miley!

 

We had to take him to the beach for the first time to see his reaction.

 He was definitely more interested I think in the rocks and sand.  I think once he felt the freezing cold water, he was turned off to the ocean pretty quick!  I am kindof grateful so I didn't have to worry about it jumping in and being swept under.

 

Yeah...he loves lasagna as you can see=)

 After arriving to Oceanside on Saturday, and relaxing on Sunday, we headed to the Safari Park on Monday.  As you can tell, Tucker takes after his dad by NEVER looking at the camera! GRR..

 

One of the highlights of the trip was having my grandpa Sailor there.  This is really the only vacation I have ever gone on with him.  My grandma passed a year and half ago so he has seemed awful lonely.  So grateful to have these memories of him on this vacation.  He was a trooper!

 

Tucker loved seeing the ducks just walk around.

 

This pic pretty much is a glimpse of how things went at the Safari Park.  Tucker was AWFUL!  I take that back...he was awful up until the last 20 minutes! Little stinker!  I seriously was ready to cry!  As you can see by my tired eyes, I was EXHAUSTED!

 

He loved petting EVERY SINGLE goat in the petting zoo there.

 

This is my favorite pic!  He is definitely a curious kid!

 

He loved his new elephant he got!  But like any 16 month old boy, it lasted about 20 seconds.  Glad I got a pic though.

 

The next day Sara and Brad with their families and my parents went to LegoLand.  Since Tuck is a little young for that and it was WAY expensive, we went to the San Diego Zoo since we bought the 3 park pass.  We went to the zoo last time and honestly we weren't to impressed, but we needed to get Tuck out of the condo.  LOTS of walking, but it was good.

 

We gave him a sucker almost towards the end and he LOVED it!

 

He did A LOT better at this park, but he still won't pose for pics.

 

Then we ended the night off by going in the hot tub again!  I sure love my boy!  Isnt he soooo handsome?!

 

He loves the water and will let us dunk him and he can already blow bubbles under the water.  I love it!

I will have to do another post of the rest of the week.  So Sea World and the beach days.  But, I am exhausted as usual and have had enough computer time for one night.  So, until next time...