She's Here!!!

Zoey Lynn Beutler was born November 21st at 12:40 p.m. She was 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 18 inches long. I can't get over how tiny she is! We are so grateful everything went well! I was prepping Brian to be prepared at how different she would look from Jackson, only I was the one who was surprised when I first saw her....it was like looking at his twin! There are definitely some dominate traits that keep popping up in our kids, but anyone can see that she belongs to us! Here is our "before" picture (notice the smile...that wouldn't stay there during labor)!

It's amazing how love grows... I worried about dividing it between Brian, Jackson and Zoey... But if anything is getting divided right now, it's only the time to spend with each one. The love is so strongly there for each one individually! Nothing is shared, or taken away, it only grows stronger. We are just adding it to our family one bundle at a time! That must be where the saying "bundle of love" comes from.....

Our new family of four! I still can't believe she is no longer inside of me. Now the test begins of how well I can manage motherhood while doing night duty AND taking care of a toddler while Brian is gone at work. We are so grateful for all the help from family that we have received. We need a few days of catching up on our sleep after coming home from the hospital. I don't know how anyone could get enough sleep there!

Jackson welcomes a sister! He loves her, for now.... he has no idea she is coming home with us! At the hospital all he wanted to do was kiss her and hold her. It was so cute.

Brian gave Zoey a Mohawk at her first bath....he couldn't resist. At least he put a pink bow on her! I'll have to train him in the ways of "girly-ness."

Going home! Everything swallows her up. I was so excited to get her all dressed up in pink. It's fun to have a girl. She is pretty mellow and sleepy for now. Just what we need to get used to all the changes!

For those of you who don't want to hear about the labor and delivery, I'm just warning you now to stop reading here!

Tuesday, I had a Dr. appointment. I was dilated to almost a 4 and about 60% effaced. I had been there for about 3 weeks. He stripped my membranes at that appointment, hoping it would help bring on contractions (it's what worked with Jackson!), which it did, but they were so minor and far between that I didn't get checked into the hospital until Friday morning around 7:30 a.m.

We got checked in and put on the monitor. My Dr. was there, so he tried to break my water, but Zoey's head was so close to the membrane that he couldn't get it to break (Zoey's head was a little scratched up from his efforts, but she's all better now)! My contractions were about 3 to 5 minutes apart, but I was totally comfortable...nothing I couldn't breath through. I even tried to read a book and nap.

By 11:30, the nurse checked me and I had dilated to a 6. At this point she decided to put an internal monitor on Zoey, and in doing so, it created a hole in the bag of water, so by my next contraction, it broke the water for me. The intention was that this would increase the intensity of the contractions and speed things up. I was joking with her before saying, "let's get this thing going!" The contractions came so fast and so strong immediately after the water broke, that I asked for the epidural. The anesthesiologists couldn't make it to my room on time. Within 20 minutes I had gone from a 6 to complete. I was in the most pain I have ever felt in my entire life. I wasn't prepared to handle it. I tried hard to breath through as much as I could, but the contractions were just too close together that I couldn't regain composure and prep myself for the next round. I remember thinking "make it stop, make it stop," a totally different view than I had shared with the nurse so jokingly only 20 minutes before! As the anaesthesiologist walked in, I was telling the nurses I had to push. At this point, nobody knew how quick I had progressed! I couldn't even believe it. He quickly gave me a high and quick acting epidural, but it only worked enough to keep my legs nice and numb after everything was over! My Dr. didn't even get to the hospital in time...oh well! We will know for next time! I'm just glad it was quick, and she was tiny. I'm also glad that everything went as well as it did.

Baby Shower!

I have to say there is a pretty amazing group of sisters in my new ward! In addition to welcoming me with open arms in many ways, last night, they threw a baby shower for me for friends and family and ward members. It was more than I expected! I feel totally overwhelmed at the support I received from women I hardly knew, and those I didn't know at all! I was completely "showered" with well wishes and congratulations and generous gifts for the upcoming arrival of our first girl.

Knowing this will be my last baby shower, I feel so thankful for those who came to show support and excitement for me. This pregnancy has been harder than the last one, and a little evening of celebration over our anticipated arrival was just what I needed! I can't say "Thank you" enough! I'm excited and ready as ever!

p.s. Thanks Gray family for the blessing dress!

Lights Out!

Wednesday night, the power went out at our house for several hours. I remember as a child growing up in Texas, we would have these torrential rain storms that would sometimes cause the power to go out at school. We would all cheer when this would happen...we loved it!

After Jackson started showing frustration when he kept bumping his head on things, I decided to start making it a little fun. We gathered all our candles around the house and lit them. Jackson is fascinated by fire (watch out!) and liked watching the flames flicker. I think he had more fun blowing the candles out then lighting them .

When Brian came home from work, he had the great idea of playing hide and seek in the dark! The catch was, the person hiding had to hide with Jackson. It was easy at first because Jackson had a hard time staying quiet, but towards the end, he caught on to the idea and we actually had to seek for one another. It was a blast! Brian always amazes me at how great of a dad he is!! This game was a hit!

While I taught yoga, Brian bathed Jackson in the dark with some of those florescent bracelets we had left over from Halloween. One of them broke and splattered all over the bathroom walls...but Jackson loved it! I'm glad he was able to turn the "lights out" experience into something fun for him. I'd like him to have fun memories like I did when I was a child.

Little Builder

I have always wondered why Brian can spend so much time at Home Depot. It may be along the same lines as him wondering how I can flip through a Stampin' Up! catalogue a million times.

This was one of those Saturdays where Brian had a checklist of things to pick up at Home Depot so that he could get some things fixed around the house. He took Jackson with him so that I could do some Saturday deep cleaning without "help".

Hours later, I was wondering where they were (but glad I could get so much done while they were away)! When they finally came home, Jackson was sporting a Home Depot Apron and had a leaf press in hand that they had built together! So cute!

Later, they raked leaves in the yard together and played in the big pile (saving a few to press). Fun fall day for Brian and Jackson!

Just a cute Pic

We went fishing with Brian the other weekend and Jackson had a blast throwing rocks in the river. It may have contributed to Brian's lack of catching any fish that day, but we still had fun!

Shout out to my Yogis!

Next week is the last week of the 12 week yoga course I've been teaching. I have to give them each a "high-five" for their efforts! I have to say I'm totally impressed! Way to go for sticking it out, trying new things, and working your butts off....literally! I am totally impressed with the growth I've seen in each of you from week to week.

It hasn't been easy. The first week of class, they called me crazy when I asked them to contort their bodies in a way they weren't used to. I got all kinds of looks from their eyes saying "you want me to do what?!?" It has been fun to the the shock and surprise in their eyes as they realized they could do it! I hope they feel stronger, healthier, more limber, and more open to trying new things!

Last week in my vinyasa class, I showed them one of my favorite poses...crazy eight (not easy when your weeks away from giving birth)! I'm so impressed with everyone who gave it a try. My restorative class has been fun and relaxing. It has been a real treat to teach each one!

Hope I see you in the future! Next round of classes coming soon...