Brooks- "It's hard being this many." (9/25/2022)

This morning the boys were playing in the basement.  They were frustrated with Brooks because he was taking a toy they were using.  At this point they had barricaded the door so Brooks couldn't get in.  I came down to intervene and see how I could help.  As I sat on the bottom step, Brooks came to me with arms wide open and big crocodile tears.  I embraced him and as he sat down between my legs he said, "It's hard being this many."  (As he said this he held up 3 fingers.). Then he said, "Maybe it'll be better when I'm this many."  (Once again he held up fingers, but this time it was 5 fingers).  I reminded him that Mason is 5 and it's still hard for him sometimes.  

This morning I thought about this.  I love the thought of how we go to our Heavenly Father with arms wide open and big crocodile tears.  He embraces and listens.  But I also thought about how it's important to be "3".  There are things that we learn at each phase of life that prepare us for things in the future.  We develop spiritually, emotionally, etc.  What did I learn when I was spiritually "3" that deepened my spirituality and prepared me to be spiritually "5" and to face the challenges and experiences I would have during that next phase.  Skipping ahead isn't the answer, even though sometimes it's hard.  Often it's hard.  

Brooks is learning so much as a 3 year old.  I will always cherish 3 year old Brooks.  Sometimes it's hard being his mom.  He is independent, curious and bright.  But he is also tender and loving.  His arms outstretched wide for a hug are my favorite.  Him telling me, "I love you too", is the best.  His sideways eye glances and big cheesy grin make me laugh.  I hope I enjoy this phase of "3" with him, that I don't wish it would move along, but I'm present with 3 year old Brooks.  

Spring is Here (3/26/22)

 It is so nice to have warmer temps so we have headed outside a lot more.  I don't have to worry about bundling up Cam as much.  Brooks is finally able to fit on his strider bike and has wanted to bike everyday.  He goes super slow and is just walking with his bike right now, but I anticipate a change the more he does it.  Mason is also out on his bike.  He is such a great biker and loves to be out there. We've taken a few rides around the block.

Jonas has turned into a little runner.  Awhile ago he ran 5 miles on the treadmill. Then he ran 10 miles on the treadmill.  Then David took him on the Pipeline Trail and they ran to Grandeaur Peak which is at least 8 miles out and back.  He ran about 6 miles running our block 20 times.  He love watching him just run and run.  He's tough and persistent.  He said it makes him feel free.

Cam's 2 month check up (3/21/22)

Stats:

Weight: 10 lbs, 12.6 oz (16%)

Height: 23.07"

Head Circumference: 38.8cm (15.28")

We love baby Cam.  He continues to be a sweet, calm baby.  Our calm caboose.  He is smiley and we've even heard him giggle a few times.  When he smiles you see his sweet dimple.  He is a really good sleeper at night and only wakes up two times.  I feed him, change him after one of the feeds and then he goes right back to sleep.  As far as newborns go, he has been so easy.  

During his two month appt Dr Smith had him lying on his stomach for tummy time. Next thing we know he is about to roll over!  There was a med student in the room and she said," Oh my gosh, he's going to roll over.  You are watching a milestone!"  He is strong and if I was better at giving him tummy time, I bet he'd roll over soon.  

It's always amazing how sweet these babies are and how fast they grow!  He is so much bigger than he was and is out of his newborn clothes into 0-3 month clothes.  

Did I tell you about all the things David had me point out to Dr Smith during his 2 week appt on 2/14/2022? Wide set nipples, low hairline, bilateral webbed toes and then to put that together with the sacral dimple and kidney issues.  David said it may be nothing, but would this be something that would need a genetics consult.  Of course to me he is perfect.  He looks healthy and strong.  I told David to stop looking!!!!

Brooks loves him so much and wants to hold him, give him kisses and if I don't watch out he'll pick him up and carry him.  One of my favorite things is that he'll hold him while rocking him and singing Rock a bye baby.  Brooks is a really sweet big brother.

Porter has actually been really sweet with him too.  We've taught Porter how to hold him probably and he does a pretty good job.  He'll carry him and make sure he supports his neck.  I love watching Porter take care of him.  I hope Porter takes this big brother role and recognizes how much his brother's will look up to him and adore him if he will look out for them and take care of them. 

Jonas and Mason are my little helpers with him too.  They are both so good at taking care of him and being careful with him.  

I love this group of boys we have been blessed to parent.  

David's New Calling (2/6/2022)

Today David was put in as the Stake President of the Foothill Stake.  He was called yesterday and it was announced today.  We met with Elder Kevin Pearson and Elder Pepper Murray, area seventy.  They were both fantastic and so loving and wise. They offered great council.

People ask how we are doing and people seem to feel bad for me.  I honestly don't feel bad or overwhelmed.  His calling as the Bishop has been a blessing to our family.  He has loved serving and I have loved being able to support him and allow him to serve and love the members of our ward.  We love our ward and are so blessed to be able to take care of our brothers and sisters.

David called Jason Perry and Craig Jacobsen as his counselors.
David also gave me a blessing tonight. The blessing included these thoughts. That heavenly father will show me who I am.  That as I make the time to study, make it a priority above other things and cut out those things that are taking place of it so that during my study it will become clear who I am.   I may know what I need to do with the boys.  Also, that I may take compliments and be calm inside when people give them. That I will see my gifts and use them to listen and serve. The blessing included the ability to help Brooks sleep better.
My dad was able to stand in during the blessing.  I love that he was here for that and that my parents were here the past two weeks to help us transition to a family of 5, that they got to spend so much time with our kids and be here for David's sustaining.

Baby Camden (1/20/2022)

We already knew that I would be induced at 39 weeks because baby boy #5 had some kidney issues and due to my advanced maternal age (AMA).  So, with my due date being 2/2/2022, the date for me to be induced was 1/27/2022.  With all of my previous pregnancies, I have never gone early and I have been induced on my due date or later with the last 3.  

After my anatomy ultrasound, we learned that this baby had some kidney issues.  I had repeat ultrasounds every 4 weeks after this to make sure there was not further kidney damage or problems that would necessitate an earlier induction.  The right kidney was full of cysts and would have minimal or no function.  The left kidney was enlarged (hydronephrosis), but appeared to be functioning.  As long as the left kidney could do its job, then I knew we'd be okay.  

Because of my AMA I also needed to have weekly NST (non stress tests) and AFI (amniotic fluid checks) beginning around 32 weeks.  These were all reassuring and there were never any problems until my 38 week appt. on 1/19/2022.  During that appt all seemed to be okay until I was almost at the 20 min time limit.  At that point the nurse noticed something with the baby's heartbeat.  They decided to monitor me longer at which point they decided everything was okay and that I could go home.  I wasn't home more than 20 minutes when I received a phone call from an OB ER doctor at the University of Utah.  She said she studied my NST results and noticed a late deceleration during the test.  This was cause for concern and she said I needed to come in for further monitoring.  I was a little shaken up and called David crying.  He was at work on a 30+ hour shift, but he said he'd make arrangements to be over there.  Jana Mitchell came to the house to watch Mason and Brooks until Ashley was able to get there.  So, I headed to the hospital and got there around 11:20am.  

They got me all checked in and hooked up to monitors and then I just waited for awhile why they watched things.  After a couple hours a Dr came in to let me know what they were seeing.  She said that they noticed another deceleration on the monitor and also that I was throwing blood pressures that were really high for me.  Still not in the preeclampsia range, but given that my blood pressures historically have always been great, she said it was only a matter of time before I developed preeclampsia.  So, she said that she would offer me a medical induction or I could go home and monitor myself.  Then as she was speaking I threw a blood pressure of 140 over 80 something.  At that point she said she was now recommending a medical induction.  So, David and I agreed and they started arranging for me to be transferred to labor and delivery.  We made it over to labor and delivery late afternoon.

At 5:45pm they started inducing me with pitocin.  I was only dilated to about 3 cm and 80% effaced.  The plan was to get an epidural before they broke my water.  I think it was about 12:45am by the time they placed the epidural.  But, they had problems getting the epidural placed.  The anesthesiologist said that I have a slight curvature in my spine that was causing some problems.  He placed the epidural once, but had to pull it out and replace it in a new spot.  The initial spot he could get it to work at all.  It finally seemed to be working with the new spot.  After a couple hours it didn't seem to be working anymore, so I called them to come in and have the Dr give me a bolus dose.  He said if it didn't work in 20-30 minutes to call them.  So, I kept hoping it would work, but I could tell it wasn't going to so after 30 minutes I called for the anesthesiologist.  I knew they wouldn't come immediately and I was definitely starting to my contractions more and I was getting more uncomfortable.  

The anesthesiologist finally came back around 3 am.  He determined that he'd need to pull the catheter that was in place and place another epidural.  He did this and then gave me a bolus.  Within in 10 minutes or so I was COMPLETELY numb.  It was actually pretty comical because my legs felt like huge, rubbery tree trunks.  I could not roll my self to the side or move my legs at all.  When they checked me I was fully dilated and ready to deliver.  I told them that I was not going to be able to help them and wasn't even sure if I'd be able to push because I couldn't feel anything.  So, they lifted me legs into position and once I started pushing, our sweet little baby was born after 4 or 5 pushes.  David said he was a little stuck, but the resident Dr was amazing and he came out without me even tearing at all.  Yeah for a smooth delivery and his safe arrival!  He was born at 3:38am on 1/20/22.  He weighed 6 lbs, 14 oz and was 18.5 in long.  

I was able to snuggle him, but I admit I was completely exhausted.  It was a long day/night.  I was bordering on delusional.  

We didn't name him until Friday (1/21/22) in the afternoon.  He was great at feeding and he was peeing on his own which was huge considering we didn't know how his kidneys would be doing.

Friday morning he was taken by Airmed transport team across the bridge to Primary Children's Hospital so that he could have an ultrasound of his kidneys, a VCUG test and an ultrasound of his sacral dimple.  So far everything looks good.  They did not find any reflux from his bladder, no obstruction and the sacral dimple seems to be nothing.  

So, our prayers about his kidney function were answered.  His right kidney is probably non functioning, but his left kidney is doing a great job.  We'll have a MAG3 study done in March when he's 2 months old to determine function of each of the kidneys.  

We are so glad that he is here!  We decided to name him Camden "Cam" Tompkins Bailly.  It was sad that the boys couldn't come to the hospital to see him, but we facetimed and then when we brought him home they were so excited to see him.  Brooks adores him and is so gentle with him.  He calls him baby Cam and is often found stopping whatever he is doing to come over and kiss his head or lay his head next to him.  He says, "Baby Cam is so cute."  "Baby Cam is so little."  I love seeing the beginnings of these sweet relationships.  Brooks is actually pretty protective of Cam and does not want anyone else holding him.

I think our family is complete.  If you had asked me years ago, I would have never imagined that David and I would be the parents of 5 boys.  

Brooks is hilarious 2/9/2022

While putting Brooks to bed tonight he wanted me to sing either "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam" or "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town".  He'd have me alternate between the two.  Then every once in awhile he'd tell me to stop signing and he'd say, "Santa Claus fell off roof.  That was so funny, Momma."  Or, he'd start talking about a dinosaur that came in the house and poked his eye.   

Every once in awhile he'd spread his arms out wide and tell me he wanted a hug.  Then'd he'd give me the sweetest bear hug.

He makes me laugh all day long.  I love his sweet voice.  Even his naughty voice is funny, but I'm trying not to encourage that one.  He still says lots of "bad" words.  

Mason and Brooks have started to become really good buddies.  They will play together more.  They shoot baskets in their room.  Brooks loves doing puzzles and stickers still.

Porter's 9th Birthday (2/9/2022)

 We have a 9 year old!  That means we became parents, became a mom 9 years ago.  We have loved this journey as parents and love our kids so much.  You know that feeling where you want to explode you love them so much.

Porter really wanted us to wake him up at 6:56am when he officially turned 9, so that's exactly what I did.  I wished him a Happy Birthday and then told him he could keep sleeping.  

He was so excited and happy all morning before leaving for school.  On his way out the door he told us how much he loved us and then while running off to school Jonas and him kept turning around and waving.  Brooks and Mason ran to the door too so Mason could tell them bye and he loved them. Brooks yelled, "Happy Birthday!"

David brought donuts to his school so he could share with his classmates and he called us before lunch to see if we would bring him Wendy's.  So, I brought him Wendy's for lunch.  

After school David took Porter, and his friends Tanner and Finn to play basketball at the church.

Then we went to dinner at Red Robin with our family, Ash and Tanner.  The boys all got rootbeer floats like they've wanted.

We opened presents with Mimi and Papa.  From us Porter wanted ESPN for a month and to go snowboarding.  Mimi and Papa got him a fun Lego set.  Ash got him a Patriots sweatshirt.

After dinner Porter had Tanner come over and they played Madden.

We love Porter.  He continues to be the best "only" child.  He had all the plans for how he wanted his birthday to go.  When he is happy and excited, he is a joy to be around and his excitement is contagious. He loves sports, especially football and basketball.  He has gotten pretty good at basketball and scores every game for his team.  He's great at defense too.  Porter has loved having baby Cam around.  Porter still loves to read and we can't keep up with how fast he goes through books. I'm pretty sure he's read more books in his 9 years of life than I've read in my almost 42 years.