Melody Birthday

I have the kids the day after their birthday this year. We get them from 8 am to 8 the next morning. Originally I thought Melody was too young for a day without her siblings, but the more I thought of it the more it sounded fun to just hang out with her. I got her at 8:30 then when we came home she helped me make german pancakes which I had noticed she can tuck away pretty good.

While the pancakes were cooking we played house and tea party downstairs. I finally retrieved our play food that I had left in the garage after the move because I didn't want to deal with cleaning it up. Though I realized we don't have much cooking or baking things.

I still prefer to strip her down to eat since she doesn't always keep a bib on, however she may be better about bibs then all her siblings. I served her up on the birthday plate and she loved it. (Lately she is wanting to move out of the high chair, but she isn't tall enough and makes great messes!)

Afterward we biked over to the library. As all my kids she loves reading and is always dragging around books in particular the Dr Suess little board books. The children's reading corner is the best thing about this smaller library with a tree to sit in.

After we picked books I just sat and read her a couple, both of our favorite things!

I had to dash home and let Grandma put her down for a nap while I did a half day of substituting (by May I was desperate to make as much money as I could to tide me through the summer).

Mom finished up her cake and then we picked up the rest of the kids to go to Chuck-E-Cheese! We got Little Ceasar's pizza on the way up (Chuck-E-Cheese pizza isn't worth the money). Played to our hearts content, opened presents and blew out the candles.

Melody received a pink car from Benjamin, a Minnie Mouse puzzle from Rachel (she also likes Minnie Mouse), Aaron chose the container of animals, Miriam gave her a little Frozen backpack (because Melody keeps stealing hers- Melody immediately put it on and wore it the rest of the night), I gave her a play broom set, and Grandma/Bacca gave her a baby Elsa doll (Mom loves giving dolls).

We actually had her cake on her birthday, hooray! She got the traditional Strawberry Shortcake all the girls included myself got for second birthday. We love  you cutie pie!

Miriam Baptism

My baby is old enough to be baptized! When did that happen? April 9 was the big day, 2 days before my birthday. She was baptized in Spanish Fork by her dad. That stake is very young so they have things done to precise moments and I felt a little rushed through. We were so grateful for all the support we had.

 I am so proud of Miriam. I have worked hard over the last year to give family home evenings on basic doctrine such that she would know what she was getting into and plant the seeds of testimony. She is a smart and the best big sister anyone could want. Her brother and sisters could look at no one better for a good example.

 Newly baptized as we came back to change clothing. She was baptized with Jackson (pictured below). Jackson's mom played piano, while Grandma Nicie conducted the music; opening song of "When I am Baptized". Jackson's uncle gave the opening prayer, and an aunt gave the baptism talk. Jackson and his mom played a duet "I know my Redeemer Lives" for the musical number. I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, then Miriam gave her testimony (mostly on her experience reading the Book of Mormon) followed by confirmations. Brother Spotten from the Bishopric concluded the meeting commenting on her desire to serve. Closing song was "Baptism", and her brother Aaron gave the closing prayer.

We were so excited for those who have came to support Miriam. Top left Eric's Uncle Norman, Aunt Carolyn and son Spencer, they made time before a wedding they were attending. Top right Jessica's Aunt Hazel, cousin Floree, sister Jennifer, brother Ryan, mom, dad, Aunt Maureen, Uncle Craig & Aunt Jamie, cousins Clint & Russell, and Uncle Bruce. Bottom left Miriam's school friend Natonya (we got to go to her baptism in the fall). Bottom right Eric's mom, nephew Daniel, brother Marshall, nephews McKay, Mason, Joseph, Max, Myles, and sister-in-law Melissa. Not pictured our ward mission leader Howard & Alli Chuntz, Eric's neighbors Megan and kids Stacy, Jonathan and Max (all similar to our kids ages), Nicole Mangum (Jessica's friend), and Krista (Eric's friend) besides primary president Michelle Fraser and counselor Amy Spotten.

Choose the Right Miriam!



Family Field Trip

Miriam got to go on several field trips for school, first to the Museum of Natural Curiosity then Harwood Farms. The other kids got a little jealous since I packed her a special lunch that she got to choose. So I decided to go on a family field trip Saturday March 12 if we could get our work done. We managed it so off we went to Temple Square to take in the sights. I wanted to reinforce the feelings of the Spirit and church heritage before Miriam was baptized. First we had lunch on the grass near the reflecting pool.

Then we took in the visitor center where we saw the presentation including a neat multi room one on the Family Proclamation.

We then collected Grandma and Melody (who had been napping) and headed to the Church History Museum. I don't think we have ever taken the kids there before and I had heard of some children's exhibits there. We found the room below that focused on art and Christ's life.

Left top is Melody at the book station checking out a quiet book they had. Left bottom is Miriam and I working on pattern block shapes, they had a book of simple pictures relating to things in Christ's life to recreate (like a camel, or ship). Center all the kids in a partial boat while another lady told stories with puppets. Right top Miriam and Aaron at a temple block building station. Right bottom Miriam and I were making origami doves like when Jesus was baptized (Miriam really caught on fire and made lots!). Other is 3 little kids in the toddler play area playing on big stuffed camels. We all really enjoyed hanging out there. We tried going through the interactive Church restoration exhibit, but it was still a little old for all of them. We finished the day with a quick run through of the other visitor center where they talk about the history of the SLC temple. The kids were quite interested in the 3D model, asking what all the rooms were. We got Little Cesar's pizza on the way home and counted the day a success.

Yes, I dropped off the map due to baby number 5 with oldest only being 6. I struggled a great deal that summer. I went ahead and published what I had on her birth, we'll see what else gets added. Then the bomb dropped late September 2014 when Eric handed me divorce papers. Now the divorce is final as of January 29, 2016 also the day my parents and I moved to Salem. We have joint custody of the kids meaning we do a week on with them and week off when Eric has them. I hope to start recording life again especially for those family members who don't get regular updates on the kids. I will probably only focus on kids here so if you want to know what I'm up to in the other half of my life drop me a line would love to hear from you.

Melody's Birth Story

Overall I did quite well health wise through the pregnancy other than 3rd tri aches and uncomfortableness came early. She was due right before Miriam graduated from kindergarten and for once I was hoping she would come late so we could wrap up the school year first then just enjoy new baby. It was not to be I started dehydration/early labor contractions about a week before she came, increasing in quantity as time went on. So much so the Fri before Miriam graduated I had hip pains and p0led with Heavenly Father not that day because Miriam had a moms and muffins activity she was super looking forward to doing. I called midwife and they asked me to come down that night for them to see what was happening as I've never had hip prelabor contractions before. She found I was progressing and suggested I take magnesium to slow things down, take a bath so I could get a good nights sleep. Sat morning (May 10) I woke up at 6:30ish with a contraction followed about 4 an hour hour. Then when they started getting more painful/longer I got in the bath for quite awhile. All along I kept updating my mom on what midwife said, how I was feeling, etc trying to decide when she should head down. I hated to be wrong because one after I gave her the report from the midwife the night before she couldn't go to sleep thinking I would be calling any minute and two she had some plans that day I knew she was looking forward to. Finally about 9ish I told her even though the contractions weren't regular she better start the 4 hour trip down. I kept waiting for the contractions to become regular but they stayed 7-10 minutes apart all morning. I finally got out the bathtub and got dressed making sure we had everything packed to go to the birthing center. I laid down because I was tired and just let the contractions sort of roll through me in a stupor half asleep. I finally got the oomph to call the midwife and let her know what was going on and she told me (same one that delivered Rachel! I was really excited because she did an awesome job) I better head up there and she would meet me there. It was particularly evident and she told me later that when I had a really long quite intense contraction my time was close. I grabbed my traditional mothers milk tea and waddled out to Eric's truck. There are pluses and minuses to laboring in a moving vehicle as I was definitely in transition/last phase of labor. Bad for movement of the vehicle adding to the labor pains things like turns and stops aren't very much fun. Good because I was more focused on getting there before the baby came than the pain. Eric's truck bucket seat wasn't too bad being cushy leather with the armrests to push against the contraction (told Eric I will never feel the same way about the truck again!). Things really got intense as we got off the freeway and I started slipping into hyperventilation so poor Eric was trying to hurry and drive and calm me down reminding me to stay in lower pitches and control breathing. We got to the birthing center and I could hardly hobble in amidst the pain. Midwife directed me to one room to take off clothes so she could check me out and I couldn't even bend or sit and was just clinging to Eric. She helped me out of my bottoms and asked they start the tub so I started in that direction. I told I didn't think I was going to make it as I had been having pushing feelings and perhaps I should try the birthing stool instead. So then I switched directions to another room they hurried and prepared sat down on the stool and about 4 or 5 pushes later Melody popped out. They put her up on my shirt which I was trying to get off and when I was steady enough lead me over to the bed. A minute later my mom comes through the door. I told her look who's here, Melody in my arms and she thought I was referring to her. I couldn't believe she had just missed it, I hadn't even delivered the placenta yet.

Welcome Melody Eve!

Melody came a little early and joined our family after only about an hour and half labor at 1:21 pm. Our family of seven! The kids sure love their new baby sister! She is 8 lbs 7 oz and 20 in long.

Announcing....

Baby #5! Miss Melody is finally joining our family which very well could make us complete.

She is due to arrive between May 12-16, I'm betting on the 14th unfortunately. Miriam's last day of kindergarten and thus graduation is on the 16th somehow I don't see myself attending, but we will see. We were a little surprised because I was wanting more time in between children, I was thinking another year. What made it more ok than when I found out Benjamin was coming was May- I have always wanted a May baby and the Lord let me know in no uncertain terms that this was when she needed to come. Everyone is excited for our new baby. Pregnancy has been relatively easy. Morning sickness was the lightest ever, no throwing up at all, but I think my poor body is worn out so I started experiencing 3rd trimester aches and pains early.