Halloween night

After the parade, Owen and I went home and waited for the time to pass to pick Gabbi up. Sadly it seemed like we were only home for a moment before she needed to be picked up.

After picking her up the kids ate lunch and then watched a Hotel Transylvania in honor or Halloween. They had a blast watching it, even more so in their costumes. Since watching that movie Gabbi has been telling us each day that she wants to be a vampire for Halloween. She was very upset that we couldn't change her Cinderella costume into a vampire costume.

Once it was time, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Halls house so they could see the kids in their costumes. This is the first year that we have gone to see Grandma and Grandpa on Halloween. Normally we have the Grand-kids square dancing party. They did have one this year, so we had to make sure they at least got to see the kids in their costumes. They were very happy that we stopped by, the kids were too.

After leaving Grandma and Grandpa's we headed up to Garland for out traditional Halloween dinner with Nelson and Deann. We go up each year and I'm glad we didn't have to miss it this year.

When we got up there it was good to see that both Grandma and Grandpa Sagez were over there. Grandma's been in a lot of pain from her surgery lately, it was good to see her out. It was really nice to see Grandpa because he never join family functions anymore. The kids were happy to see them and to show off their costumes.

After a few pictures we all sat done for dinner. Nelson blessed the food and during his prayer he thanked Heavenly Father for the "precious new addition" to the family. As he was doing so, it brought him to tears. It was so touching to witness. He may not think so, but it was very sweet.

After dinner the kids played all sorts of things. So many toys that they don't have, its like that have withdrawals when we go home. While the kids were playing Gabbi and Owen took turns being in charge of the door when trick or treaters came. They of course wanted a piece of candy each time they gave one away. While the kids did their thing the adults took turns holding William, all while watching a Halloween movie marathon. Grandma and Grandpa didn't stay long, but before they left Grandma had her turn holding William as well. She was on cloud nine. She never had any children of her own.

It was a very nice relaxing Halloween.

Halloween Parade

Halloween brought on a lot of fun activities. I was glad Ben was home to join us for the many things we had planned that day. 

The first to kick off the festivities was Gabbi's Halloween parade at school. Ben stayed home with William and Owen and I went. We got up early which if you know my kids, isn't the easiest thing. They do not do mornings well. 

When we got to the school Gabbi headed to her classroom and Owen and I went to find a seat in the gym. We got front row seating, it was great. Now all we had to do was wait.

While we were waiting Owen decided he was going to play on the stage. I didn't see any harm in it. Told him to be careful so he didn't knock anything over. In the midst of his playing on the stage, he walked over to the giant spider on the wall. He scram "SPIDER!" I asked him if he wanted a picture with the spider and surprisingly he said yes. He's such a poser.

When the parade finally started, it took a while for the kids to reach the gym. They walked throughout the entire school, going in each classroom showing off their costumes. We waited for quite a while, but it was worth it. All the kids were so cute. Some costumes I never would have even thought of. One of my favorites was a "pig in a blanket." He had a pig face and he was wrapped in a blanket. So simple, but awesome.

Gabbi was Cinderella. They had a lot of princesses in her class, but she was the only Cinderella. When I went to take her picture, she was being all shy, trying to hide. Silly girl. I finally got one though.

 I loved her teacher's costume. She dressed up as Ms. Krabappel. I think that's what her name is. It's the teacher from the magic school bus. She even had an Iguana attached to her dress. Such a cute idea and she pulled it off great.

After the parade Gabbi got to stay at school for her Halloween party. Both the morning and afternoon classes were combined, which Gabbi loved. She thought it was pretty awesome to be with a bunch of new kids.

Gaming

Ben played the Xbox whenever he got a chance while being home with the kids and I. He doesn't get to play hardly at all, so I wasn't about to stop him.

During one of his play times, he had some one on one time with Owen while I dropped Gabbi off at school. Owen sat and watched Ben for a while while he was playing. Ben then asked him if he wanted to play. He of course said yes, so Ben showed him how. It was a car racing game so all Ben had to show him was the gas button and the steering joystick. Owen did pretty good despite crashing a few times. At least he thought it was funny when he crashed. He then lost interest, but he had a huge smile on his face while he was interested.

Camera Fun

Ben had some fun with the settings on our phones camera. These were taken in cartoon mode.

First few days at home

The first few days have been quite the adjustment. Both the kids want to be around William all the time. They want to touch him and hold him. They want to be up in his face. It drives me crazy. I know it shouldn't, but it does. We have had to set some very clear guide lines and try our best to make them stick to it till William can fend for himself or when he's not so fragile.

 Ben playing with William trying to wake him up. I loved the looks on both of their faces, they are very much alike.

 Gabbi holding William 

Every day when she gets home from school she asks to hold William. It's cute, but sometimes annoying because he is generally asleep every time she asks and I am trying to do things around the house. I wish I could do both, but some days it just doesn't work out that way. 

 William sleeping 

He does that a lot, but that's to be expected in a newborn.

 Owen holding William

Owen has really warmed up to William and he really loves to touch him on his head. I'm not sure why, but when ever he is near or by William, he'll touch him on the top of his head. He still is a little jealous that we have to hold William a lot, but he's getting used to it. We have made sure that we have made special one on one time with both of the kids and we have made sure that we include them in taking care of William. 

 Williams tummy time. We figured that he would cry during this, but the little bugger just fell asleep. Like his dad, he can sleep anywhere and in anyway.

 Gabbi feeding William

Gabbi desparetly wanted to help Ben feed William. She had a very proud moment when doing so. It makes me think back when Owen was born, she loved feeding him too. At least this time she can feed him on her own.

 William sleeping again. 

Like I said, he can sleep anywhere and in anyway.

It seems like all this kid does is sleep. To be honest, that is all he does. Its a challenge to keep him awake during the day so he'll sleep at night.

I just love this picture however. It was the first time that we laid him in his crib without being bundled up like a burrito. He rolled to his side and had his hand by his face. Many times in his ultrasound photos that is how we found him.

First night home

Our first night home was family dinner. I was very happy to be out of the hospital and doing something. I was so bored at the hospital.

At family dinner all the cousins, aunts, and uncles took turns holding William. He was the life of the party. All the kids had a blast, especially Cameron. He was on cloud nine. He followed where ever William went. It was cute.

After family dinner we went home and try to settle back into our nightly routine. It was a struggle to get the kids to get ready for bed, they just wanted to be around William. They eventually did what they were supposed to and finally got ready for bed.

Our first night made me miss the nursery. Not that I got much sleep as the hospital, but I got even less at home. William woke 3 times the first night. The second time he woke, he did not want to go back to sleep. He didn't want to be held and he didn't want to be laid down either. There was just no happy medium for him. Both Ben and I tried to console him so he would go back to sleep, but he wouldn't have it.

We eventually just laid him down, shut the door, and walked away. We let him cry for about 15 to 20 minutes. I know it seems harsh, but nothing else we were doing was helping. He wouldn't even take a bottle. After those 20 minutes that seemed like forever, we finally went in there to rock him in the rocking chair. He was sleep within 5 minutes. He cried himself tired, finally.

It was a very rough first night.

Homeward bound

 Bundled up and ready to go home

When we got home, we put all of our junk away and then what...settled in for a nap. I wasn't surprised by William napping because that's what babies do, but I guess I can't really say that I was surprised that Ben took a nap either. He had a rough 2 nights sleeping on the hospital couch that was in my room. They are not comfortable by any means.

Family visitors

We had many visitors at the hospital, but the most special ones were the kids. It was to interesting to see how they both reacted with William. 

They both did pretty good with him and wanted to hold him all by their selves. We of course made sure that they both got some help with that.

Gabbi was very excited to see William, after all she did pray that he would come that night. We asked her if he was everything she thought, and her answer was yes. She was such a little mother with him. Being very careful the way she held him. She also wanted to touch him. His feet, his head, his hands, every where. We had to explain to her that he had some soft spots that we have to be really careful with and she still to this day will yell at Owen to be careful and to watch out for his soft spots.

Owen was excited, but not as much as Gabbi. He of course saw how she was with him and he wanted his turn. He saw how Gabbi patted his head and cheeks, so he walked over to do so and missed. He poked William in the eye. Ben caught his hand before he could do any real damage, but Owen walked off pouting. He came over to me and sat on the bed with me. He told me he was sad because Dad wouldn't let him touch William. We did the best we could to explain to him that he needed to be soft and careful with him. He said he would and then walked back over to Ben to have a turn holding William. He did well holding him. It didn't last long, but long enough for Owen.

Overall, it went pretty good. I was really afraid that Owen would want nothing to do with William, but he has proved me wrong. Both of the kids adore him and want to be around him constantly. In your face around him, if you know what I mean. I'm sure the first little while will be a great adjustment for us all.

Recovery

After the delivery, they moved me to my recovery room. When we were all settled in they brought in the baby warmer and prepped things for Williams bath.

It was nice to be able to be there and watch. William didn't like it very much and I was able to comfort him as the nurse gave him his bath. He held my hand for most of the bath. It was sweet. I was tired and wanted some shut eye, but I'm glad that I was able to be there for him.

After his bath Ben and I held him for a few more minutes and then we both wanted to get some sleep. The nurse needed to take William to do all of his vitals, so we took that opportunity to have him go to the nursery so we could get a little shut eye.

We turned off all the lights, drew the curtains, and we both slept for at least 2 hours. Ben slept better then I did, because I had to have my vitals checked what seemed like every 30 minutes. It was fine, I just wish I could have slept better.

Once we couldn't sleep anymore, we called the nursery and asked to have William brought back in the room. We took turn holding and snuggling him while he slept.

The first day of recovery went great. So great that come the 2nd day, I was up, dressed, and walking around wishing that I could go home. Ben had to run some errands that day, so it was even more boring. Just me and William watching T.V. I couldn't leave the floor unless I took William back to the nursery and I didn't want to leave him without Ben around. Luckily I had a visitor while Ben was gone.

William spent his nights in the nursery, which was nice for us so we could catch up on the sleep we lost the night/morning he was born.

By day 3 I was so ready to go home. The pediatrician came and cleared William to go home. That was around 8:00. Now we just needed my doctor to come and clear me. I knew she had some deliveries scheduled for that morning, but I thought she would be in early to clear me and then go to her deliveries. I was wrong. Nothing is as it seems for a doctor when it comes to delivering babies. It turns out she had more deliveries that morning then I thought. 4 to be exact. She got there around 12:30 and apologized for how long it took her to get there. She sat down and talked with us, it was the first break she had all morning. Once she checked me, gave me my prescriptions, it was time to go home. Yea!!!!

Delivery

After getting home from my appointment I decided to take the kids to the park down by Weber High School. We walked there, of course. It was a fair distance. I did the same thing when I was pregnant with Owen and he came that weekend. I was hoping for the same results.

The walk to the park wasn't bad. Gabbi complained though. I told her we could just turn around and all the time we had spent walking already would be wasted. With a sad look on her face she told me we could continue are walk to the park.

When we got to the park, the kids had a lot of fun playing. Well at first Gabbi wasn't so sure because she didn't have anyone her age to play with. I told her to play with Owen. She told me he was to little to play with. I just laughed and asked her what the difference was, she plays with him at home just fine. She then said, "fine," went and got Owen and they played for a long time. Eventually other kids showed up and she had others to play with. Sadly that meant that Owen was left out, but he didn't care.

When it was time we took the long walk home. The entire time walking home I was feeling contractions. A few of them hurt so bad, I couldn't walk. I had to stop and rest until the pain subsided. We finally got home and I had to lay down. The contraction continued, but nothing that would merit going to the hospital. We went on as usual, cooked and ate dinner and then I went to my nail appointment.

During my nail appointment the contractions continued just not as intense or as often. My nail technician told me that if I thought I was going to go into labor, I was to leave before she got started. I told her I was fine and we started on my nails.

When I was done I headed home. When I got home the kids were ready for bed, so we had family prayer and put the kids to bed. Gabbi said our family prayer that night and in her prayer she asked for Baby William to come because she really wanted to see him. It was cute. Once the kids were asleep I headed up stairs to put a bag together for the kids just in case. I discovered that Ben already had. He also had his bag ready to along with calling my mom to let her know to listen for her phone to ring. After putting the bags and the car seat in the car, we then went for a walk around the neighborhood.

While we were walking, contractions came back with a vengeance. We started to time how long they lasted because they weren't close enough together. They lasted anywhere from 10 seconds up to 18. It seemed to be the longer the contraction the more intense. Some were bad enough that we had to stop. We made a few laps around the neighborhood and then I had to stop. We sat on the front steps for a little while to see if the contractions would stop or continue. They continued, but nothing to unbearable.

We went inside and got ready for bed. We watched the rest of Pirates of the Caribbean and then Ben fell asleep. I put in the next installment of Pirates and tried my best to fall asleep. Contractions didn't stop which made it hard to fall asleep. They were becoming more constant. Ben told me to keep a log so I could see how often they were. From 9:30 to 11:00 they varied on how often they would come. Anywhere from 5 minutes to 10 minutes. Starting at 11:00 they were consistently 3 to 5 minutes apart. Me being the worry wort that I am wanted to wait as long as I could. I was afraid they would send me home from the hospital because I wasn't far enough along.

Come 11:45 Ben got out of bed and said he was getting the kids in the car and I was to text my mom to let her know that we were dropping them off. I was surprised how fast he got the kids in the car. We were in the car and leaving the house at midnight. We dropped off the kids and were to the hospital by 12:20. When we got there, they took me back to a delivery room to be checked. They said if I was far enough along, then they would admit me at that point. It took me a while to get back to the room, it was very hard to walk during a contraction. I just wanted to fall over and die, it hurt so bad.

We got back to the room and I got in a hospital gown and the nurse checked me. I was dilated to a 6 and completely ephased. She told me that I didn't have to go anywhere. What a sigh of relief. She then sent in the order for my epidural and began to ask me all the necessary questions for admittance. The contraction didn't stop and it just became more intense with each one. By 1:00 we were finally done with all the questions and she started to hook me up to my IV's. The anesthesiologist got there about 1:20 and started his prep.

Oh my gosh, not the best experience. He tried to make me feel comfortable, but it just wasn't happening. He had me lay on my side, which I did not like. With the other two, I was in a sitting position. Much easier to handle a contraction when your sitting then when your laying down. He was constantly asking me to hold still the best I could. I couldn't, it hurt so bad. I was screaming and crying all at the same time. I scram and cried so much that I made myself horse. I practically lost my voice.

In the process of him giving me my epidural he asked me if I had ever been tested for scoliosis. I told him I didn't know. I vaguely remember once in elementary school, but nothing other then that. I asked why and he told me that I have a slightly crooked spine. It made it difficult for him to give me my epidural . He said that he was 2 inches off center. Whatever that meant. I didn't care what he had to do, I wanted my epidural. He ended up having to put in two lines or something like that to make sure that both sides of my body would receive the medicine. He was there for 40 minutes. It took what seemed like forever and the entire time I was writhing in pain. I wanted it over and I wanted it over now. By 2:00 he was finally done and cleaning up his gear.

The nurse then checked me and I was dilated to an 8. In an hour from being hooked up to IV's and getting my epidural I had jumped from a 6 to an 8. I couldn't believe it. I have never gone that fast before. The drugs finally kicked in and the contraction became tolerable and slowly moved to not being able to feel the pain, just the pressure. The nurse told us that she wouldn't be putting me on pitocin, that I was advancing so fast on my own, that I wouldn't need anything to keep up the contractions, plus I needed to have my antibiotics for 4 hours before I delivered for the safety of baby. She then left us to get some rest.

She came back periodically to check on us. By 3:45 I was fully dilated and fully ephased. The bad part was I still needed a little over an hour on the antibiotics. My water hadn't broke yet, so instead of breaking my water, we just had to wait. She went to call my doctor to let her know how I had progressed. The next time she came in, about 4:20 or so, she check for my water again. After she was done checking me and writing up her report, my water broke. My doctor had arrived about 10 minutes after that. She started to prep things for the delivery. When she was ready I still had about 15 minutes of antibiotics left. She went to check on another patient of her's and said she'd be back soon. I laughed and said I wasn't going anywhere.

When she came back in it was time to deliver. It was just like Gabbi's birth. I had everyone and there dog in there. I had my doctor, the nurse who admitted me and then 2 neonatal nurses along with 1 neonatal student and 1 nursing student, plus one or two other that were doing paper work or something. It was a circus. I didn't care much though, I had other things on my mind.

When everything was ready and in position, it was time to push. I pushed through one contraction then she had me rest, I started through another and she stopped me mid way. His head was already out and she was suctioning his nose and mouth. I then pushed through the next contraction and he was fully delivered. I still can't believe how fast the whole experience went. But I am very grateful it did.

William Scott Sagez 

was born on October 25, 2013

 at 5:14 a.m. 

He weighed 7 lbs 5 oz 

and was 20 inches long. 

After he was delivered the neonatal nurse took him to clean him off and get all his measurements while my doctor finished things off. When she was done, they cleaned up the room and handed me William for some one on one bonding. Even though I was extremely tired I was ready and very happy to see and hold him.

Out of my three deliveries, It wasn't the hardest, but it surely was the most painful. Luckily it went by fast.

School Pictures

I wish school pictures weren't so expensive. She looked really cute for her's. At least I know all the sweat and tears when trying to do her hair pulled off.

Award

Gabbi came home from school with another award in her back pack. I asked her what it was for, and with no surprise she told me she didn't know. I wonder if that kid ever listens to her teacher. When looking at the award it was for reading. Each week they have to turn in a reading log, so I assumed that is what it is for. Either way, she's doing a great job with her school work and her reading. The best part, she loves it.

Dr. Apppointment

I had my last and final Dr.'s appointment last week. At my previous appointment she told me to walk and walk to see if we could get things going. I followed her advice and walked at least 30 minutes if not an hour each day. It helped taking walked to pick Gabbi up from school.

While at my appointment she checked me and said that I was only dilated to a 2. Looks like my walking didn't do much. She thinned me and then did my ultrasound.

Everything looked great and she said we were ready to go for my induction date on Sunday. She also told me that if I wanted to I could come back in in the morning for her to thin me again.

At thing point baby was measuring at 7 lbs 12 oz. I laughed and hoped that that wouldn't be the case. She told me it could be plus or minus. I'm hoping for the minus.

3 days to go.

Red Ribbon Week

The past two weeks the Elementary school has been celebrating Red Ribbon Week. I really wish I would have taken pictures of all the things they were asked to do. Oh well, there's always next year.

Each day Gabbi has come home full of excitement to explain to me what they talked about at school that day and the different items they received.

Day 1: Kick off Assembly - Introduce buttons and sign pledge banners to be hung in the hallways

Day 2: School Pride Day! Wear red to be Drug Free, wear your bracelet and receive button with the challenge to wear them both for the remainder of Red Ribbon Week.

Gabbi somehow lost her bracelet. She can't remember how, she swear's that another kid took it out of her cubbie because they wanted two bracelets. Luckily for her I had a white one at home that she could wear.

Day 3: Wear purple to be Bully and Violence Free. Receive a pledge card to sign

Day 4: Hat's off to Being Bully Free. Wear your favorite hat and receive a Drug free Ribbon

Day 5: Crazy "Sock it to Drugs" Day. Wear your favorite pair of crazy socks and receive a sticker

Gabbi doesn't have any crazy socks, so I gave her the only pair of mine that I thought would work. They are fuzzy socks with stripes. I had her wear them over her pants to everyone could see them. She thought it was pretty cool to wear my socks.

Day 6: Shirt-up Against Drugs! Wear your favorite Halloween shirt and receive a Bully and Drug Free bookmark

Day 7: Drugs can be a Haunting Experience. Wear your Halloween costume and participate in the Halloween parade

Day 8: We "Can" enjoy a Life without Drugs! Kick of for the Can food Drive.

Coloring Contest

Gabbi came home from school last week with what looked liked a brand new soccer ball. It wasn't even inflated, it was that new. I was a little hesitant when she couldn't tell me why she had it. She only said that her teacher had given it to her. I asked her if everyone else got one. She said no. I again asked why she had it and she only said, just because.

That made me worry a bit. I started to think that she had taken it from school. They did have P.E. that day. I really couldn't imagine her taking it from the school, but when she couldn't tell me why she had it, I began to question.

The next day when I picked her up, I asked her teacher if she was supposed to have brought home the soccer ball. Her teacher then told me that Gabbi had won it. I was taken back. Her teacher further explained that there had been a coloring contest at school. Each student was sent home with a coloring packet of healthy foods. I remember her coloring them. The pictures were to be voted on and hung in the cafeteria. Her teacher then told me that Gabbi had won 2nd place. Out of the entire school, out of all the students who turned them in, she took 2nd place. I couldn't believe it. A proud parent moment.

Her teacher then shared with me a funny moment that they had in her classroom. When she announced to the class that Gabbi had won 2nd place and was given her prize, she said multiple students made the comment of, "Why did they give her a flat soccer ball?" She said that she just had to laugh at the sweet comments of Gabbi's fellow students looking out for one another.  

Pumpkin FHE

For Family Home Evening last night we decided to have a little fun after our lesson. We had planned on decorating pumpkins. We got sticker faces from the Halloween party at Beth's house, so we decided to let the kids decorate their pumpkins with them. 

They each had 2 faces they could put together. Gabbi had a spider and a silly face. Owen had a spider and Frankenstein. The kids had a lot of fun putting the faces together. Ben and I even had fun.

 Owen's Spider

 Owen's Frankenstein

 Gabbi's Spider

 Gabbi's Silly Face

When placing them on the porch the kids picked which side they wanted to show off. They both did a great job and had a lot of fun doing it. When we were done with our activity we went back in the house for a treat and finished our Family Home Evening.