Calvin Jesse Beutler!

It's a good thing we took maternity photos when we did, because 3 days later, Calvin came into our world- two weeks early! He was born Tuesday morning May 8th at 6:12 a.m., weighed 7lbs 11 oz (our smallest boy!), and was 19 1/2 inches long. 

My OB appointment was on Monday, and the doc said I was dilated to a 3 and 90% effaced. I didn't want to get my hopes up, I've been there before and nothing happened for two weeks! But in the back of my mind, I was really hoping labor would happen at any moment. As the day passed on, there were no signs of labor at all, in fact I felt great...and went to bed a little discouraged! I thought-- ya...two more weeks. He'll probably even come late! Brian had scheduled work trips to be out of town, and I even told him to kep his appointments, that I didn't feel I would go into labor anytime soon. Luckily he didn't listen to me, otherwise he would have missed the whole thing! 

That night, we had a FHE with the kids on how to treat newborn babies, what to expect with changes, prepping them for things, etc. We carry on as normnal. 2 am rolls around and I start feeling contractions. But I figured it was just false labor and tried to go back to bed. No sense waking people up for no reason! By 3 am, the contractions hadn't stopped, and were also getting closer. I decided I might actually be in labor after all! Brian happened to roll over in bed and asked me how I was doing, and I told him I thought I was in labor, but to go back to bed until I felt ready to go to the hospital. How exciting! We wanted to have this experience of "I'm in labor, it's time to go!" And here we were, and I couldn't tell if I was really in labor, or if and when we should head to the Hospital. My last two deliveries were scheduled enductions, so we knew what was coming. Anyway, Brian tried to get back to sleep, but was restless and started timing the contractions for me. They were 1 min. 45 sec. apart. He was worried I'd have the baby in the car, and told me to call my mom right away. So I did. Around 3:30 I gave my mom a call, she arrived at our house near 4am. We drove to the hospital and got checked in (I was already at a 6, completely effaced). Doctor Holmes came around 5:00 am, and a little over an hour later, Calvin was born! 

That's the simple version. I did it med-free (call me crazy, I know, I just think my body does better without the epideral). I have also gone med-free with my other deliveries (except Jackson) and knew what to expect. I was completely in control of managing my pain... and not a nurse nor my husband could tell I was having a contraction unless they looked at the monitoring screen. Of course, it couldn't all be that easy. Doctor Holmes checked the baby around 5:30, after about a half hour of not progressing past an 8. For me and my body, he know that something was up. He did an ultrasound and soon realized Calvin was facing "posterior" and had to be turned to keep my labor progressing. "Turning" is such a nice word for how painful it was! It was worse than the pushing! But since the whole thing was relatively quick...it was doable. Brain took a small video clip af me holding Calvin after he was born, and all i said was "I survived!" That's how it felt....

I'm just glad he is here! We love him in our home. Doctor Holmes handed Calvin to me right away, and so the nurses took care of him while he was on my tummy, and Brian cut the cord. It was seical moment for me. my babies are usually swept away and I don't get to see them until after the bath, but after all that work of laboring, I really appreciated having the chance to hold my baby first...after 9 long months of pregnancy. It was a treat. The nurses also told me I could join in on the first bath. My first experience with that too! I was so excited to be there. They waited a few hours until I felt up to walking around. I was so grateful they were accomidating to me. It made the birthing experience so nice. 

My mom took the older siblings while we were at the hospital, and they are spending the rest of the week with their cousins. It has been sooo nice to rest and recuperate at home in my own bed with just the new baby. I love having time to hold him and enjoy him without someone else needing my hands for something. We are getting some sleep that otherwise wouldn't be possible with all our youngsters. It's been a great transition. We really appreciate all the help we receive. 

I can't express how much I love having a new baby. It's the feeling that got me through every contraction. It is so worth it!! So worth all the sleeplessness, the pains, the post-pardum figure....Calvin has made my life so much more complete and I love him so much! It's hard to put him down. I love looking at his face and tiny features. I love hearing his newborn noises, grunts, and whimpers. He's just perfect in every way!

The kiddos

We tried so hard to get the kids involved in the maternity shoot, but they had nothing to do with it! In the mix,  however, we got some random cute shots of them. I wish they could have cooperated more when we wanted them too! I had such high hopes and big plans...oh well! 

Jackson woke up the other morning and said, "I can't believe I'm 5!" I know...I can't believe it either! He's such a big kid anymore. 

 Zoey is such a girl, and I'm so glad she is. Surrounded by three brothers makes the "girlyness" in her stand out. She loves her long hair and is hoping it will touch her ankles soon! She is already looking forward to her next birthday, of which she has warned me that she does not want to share any of her cake!

Eli is such a good kid. He's talking more and more each day. He has a pleasant personality and is at a great stage right now. He's so fun, tender and loving.  He tries hard to be like the big kids...he's getting there! He is such a happy kid!

Anyway, I've had a challenge for myself this week to spend more quality time with these precious kiddos and enjoy our time before the new baby comes...I know my attentions will be diverted for a while and want to soak up some time that I have. We've had some really good, fun, action-packed days. All of them spontaneous, and on all of them I forgot my camera-ugh! We've gone on walks and bike rides, visited new parks and even found a pond with geese, took a stroll with Grandma by the river and threw rocks over the bridge, went for a fun drive to explore a new area (Brian's idea-it was a pretty scenic farm drive and the kids enjoyed spotting new things), ate lunch-out and got dessert or a fruit shake.... it's been splendid. I've really enjoyed this week with them. I know there will be plenty more...but I hope they feel special. They truly are my pride and joy.

Maternity Photos!

Brian was a real sport today and took some maternity photos of me. I usually try to avoid an appearance in front of the camera while pregnant, but a friend had talked me into it.  I decided she was right and that I just might miss these days of bearing children someday. I don't have many chances left. This phase of my life is almost over. This is our effort to remember it. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic about it.

 I think Brian did an outstanding job. I felt a little silly being the subject of the photos, and putting my big belly on show for everyone, but I'm glad we did it! I can't believe we are on #4, I can't believe we are having another boy, I can't believe how HUGE I feel...I can't believe I only have 2 weeks left! 

 

We have a 5 year Old!

I can't believe Jackson is 5 already! And that 5 years ago I started the day as pregnant as I am now! A little part of me wishes baby brother would want to share the same birthday as Jackson... but I'll most likely wait out the next 2 1/2 or 3 weeks left. I'm so close! We are excited for his "birth" day too! 

Yesterday we got to visit Jackson's school and bring cupcakes to his classmates for snack time. He requested that I bring the birthday hat too! The class sang happy birthday to him, and all the boys thought he was sooo cool for having "cars 2" birthday cakes. He felt really special and even wanted me to stay. It was a fun visit. 

 

 Zoey got a preview of what next year will be like at school. She loved the visit. The girls were all very nice to her and welcomed her right in.

 This morning, Jackson requested whole wheat pancakes in the shape of a #5. He got to open a few gifts before breakfast, one of which was a pirate outfit, complete with sword and hat and coins. He loved it! (Thanks Aunt Carissa!) He also got some Cars 2 accessories, to go along with the theme of the day....

Pretty much, he's had a great day. If you have read the book "Yes Day" it's been kinda like that for him today. He's always begged to have a "Yes" day! We have grandparents and cousins coming over for cake this evening (he wants an ice cream cake in the shape of a #5 as well, I'll add pictures of the final product when I'm done) . 

*update-cake photos!*

 It's the #5, in case you have trouble seeing it from the side...I should have fixed that before I uploaded, oh well. It was a devil's food cake layered with cookies and cream ice cream. And of course, "Cars 2" figures on top!      

I'm so happy to have this wonderful boy in our home. He is "the best"... just like we tell him every night before bed. He adds a great spirit to our home. He's tender, kind, loving, and helpful. We are lucky and thankful Heavenly Father sent him to us! 

Happy birthday Jackson!!  

Happy Easter!

 It was a beautiful spring day, we couldn't have asked for better weather! We had a fantastic Easter morning with the kids. They enjoyed the surprises the Eater bunny left in their baskets and the egg hunt.

Brian spoke at church and did a fantastic job. He gave a very touching and well-planned talk. I had one of the young women and grandpa Elmo help out with the kids during sacrament meeting, which was nice.

After church we had a lamb dinner that was Delicious! We had pita, hummus, wild rice salad and a veggie tray for side dishes and topped it off with strawberry shortcakes served over southern style biscuits. It was too good! The flavors complimented each other so well...such a good meal!

Anyway, the highlight wasn't the food, but Brian had asked a recently widowed sister at church to join our dinner and she accepted the invitation! She also happens to be Zoey's Primary teacher! I'm so glad he  thought to invite her! I just assume people already have other plans and don't reach out to ask. But it was special to have her and we really enjoyed each others company for Easter. We had some really good conversations with her and found out she needed some help pruning fruit trees-- which of course, Brian loves to do! So-- he offered to help her out this week. I'm married to such a great man!

We finished the evening off with the Easter message at bedtime with the kids; a wonderful moment to calm them down before sleep....it was a fantastic day! We are so blessed and so grateful for our Savior. Words cannot describe!. What a beautiful holiday to celebrate....

Spring!!

We've had some great sunny days to enjoy! It gets me excited for consistently warmer weather and the outdoor fun that comes with it! Spring is such an exciting time. Although it may be too cold for shorts and T-shirts, our kids aren't patient enough to wait for the warmer weather, so they get dressed in them anyway. I know it's silly, but I just get happy over little things like breaking a weather record for March (80 degrees on Saturday! Warmest March day recorded!)

 I love our flowering plums in full bloom...it just makes my heart happy! Usually we get a snow storm or strong winds right at their peak, so we don't get to enjoy them long. I'm crossing my fingers this Spring will be a little milder!

Since this was the weekend most of my sibling could get together, we decided to do the Easter thing with the cousins in between conference sessions. They had fun dying eggs, hunting for them, and spending time together. Conference was wonderful. It was great being together, we do it so rarely with the whole family. We missed Carissa and Braxton who couldn't join us this year....

 my mom and dad were the unofficial Easter bunnies this year...hence the masks. Of course we all know the real bunny doesn't come until Sunday!

 These kids are more interested in scouting out the eggs than looking at the camera! I love their curious faces!

 And...just for the record...7 weeks to go! I'm so excited to have a Spring Baby!! It's such a great time of year!