Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Gavin Leo Merkley

HE'S HERE!!!

Gavin Leo was born Sunday night at 9:59 pm, weighing 7 lbs. 7 oz and 20 inches long!!

HOW IT ALL WENT DOWN
(A long story - sorry, I can't tell stories in a short way) :D

SO...Sunday morning I started feeling a little crampy (like I was going to start my period - yuck!) I should probably mention that on Saturday morning my brother hosted a 5K Amputee Walk that we went to. We walked it that morning and that may have helped things get going. Gavin was definitely lower after that walk! Can someone say,
PRESSURE!?!

Back to the 13th.... we went to church and during sacrament I felt a contraction. I just looked at Lorin and told him to start timing them. I didn't know if I'd remember what a contraction felt like, but OH - DID I REMEMBER PRETTY QUICKLY!! I went to Sunday School in Lorin's class and the girls just kept looking at me so pitifully as I was wincing and breathing deeply. I had to ditch out on Young Womens half way through cuz they hurt and every time I had one it KILLED my back!! They were about 5 minutes apart and pretty intense all through church so I was getting a little excited/nervous. We got home and they just STOPPED. I was a little surprised so we went for a walk and even said a little prayer because at that point I just wanted to get things going. A few minutes later the contractions started again and they were more intense and about 3 minutes apart. After about 45 minutes I decided to call the doc. He asked if I could hold off on going anywhere for awhile cuz he was about to walk into his son's Patriarchal Blessing. I, of course, told him to take his time and I'd talk to him soon. In the meantime the contractions just got more intense and were about 2 minutes apart. By this time is was after 3 pm and after getting everything ready and straightening up the whole house (YES - I KNOW, I'M CRAZY!) we decided to take Lily to my in-laws and we would wait there to hear from the doctor. My father-in-law (who is a doctor) told me that I was in labor and that I just needed to head to the hospital. We agreed.

My doctor called as we were leaving and told me to head down as well. We got checked in to the hospital and after waiting for awhile, they said I was being admitted and that I was 4 cm. By about 530/6, I had gotten the epidural (WOO HOO) and the doc had broken my water. I was 5 cm by 7 pm which is about the same time my mom and sisters had decided to come and check on me. I was feeling really good by then and could hardly feel any contractions. We sat there and just laughed and talked about all sorts of stuff waiting til I got checked again. I felt bad because I was laughing so much, my belly would shake and the monitors would fall off. It was great having them there though and made the time go by quickly. The nurse came at 9 and checked me and told us that I was fully dilated and 100% effaced. I was a little surprised but happy, of course. I told my mom and sisters to just stay and they could all attend the birthday party. They were happy since my mom was the only one that had originally planned on staying for the delivery.

Within minutes the nurse got me all ready and said we should have a practice push. I REALLY could not feel anything at this point!!! My left leg was TOTALLY NUMB and I felt as though I wouldn't be able to push at all. They got me in position and told me to push. She quickly told me to stop because the baby was right there!!! The doctor came a few minutes later and only 3 pushes later there was a huge POP! I had torn on my episiotomy from Lily and the baby's head came flying out! The doctor had to quickly catch him and push half of him back in and unwrap the cord from around his neck. A few seconds later he was out and BORN! It was so FAST and EASY I couldn't believe it. It was all so SURREAL!!! Little Gavin was healthy and came without any problems, and we were SOO GRATEFUL!! We spent the rest of the night and Monday at the hospital and were able to come home late Monday night which I was so happy about! I was dying to see Lily! I was so happy to get home and to start our life with 2 children. Since RSV season started this week they wouldn't let Lily come see the baby. She was already asleep by the time we came home last night so Lily met Gavin this morning. She kept saying, "Baby Gavin, cute?!" We assured her he was and that he was here to stay! (We're not sure how well that will all go with her!)

We are so thankful for this new bundle of joy in our home. He is just a doll and looks like the boy version of Lily. His hair is a little darker but he has a lot of it! I think we're destined to have all blondies (NO ONE WILL EVER BELIEVE MY KIDS ARE 1/4 MEXICAN - HA!)

Thank you everyone for all the well wishes and congratulations. We love you all and cannot wait for everyone to meet the newest Merkley!



Just got admitted and ready for the drugs....

Gavin right after he had come out.
A few minutes after he was born.

His firs pic with mom and dad.

My sweet little boy. He slept almost all monday after the circumcision which made nursing really hard!

Gavin right before we left the hospital.

Lily holding Gavin for the first time. She already LOVES him soo much! (Let's see how long that lasts - haha)!

P.S. The winner of the baby pool is my sis-in-law, Kristi! She was the only one that guessed Sept. 13th. Congrats girl - I'll be sure to hook you up with something AWESOME! :)

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Ready or not.... Here he COMES!!

WARNING: LONG POST AHEAD!

So...
I think I'm ready!
I've cleaned practically every little thing in the house and have finished all of the major projects I had in the works. I CANNOT even tell you how great it feels to be semi-prepared. I've been workin' my booty off these last few months/weeks to get to this point, and I'm so ANXIOUS to meet our new little bundle of joy. I still have over 3 weeks left, but I'm HOPING to go a little early (don't we all!).

I don't know why I think I'm even ready because thinking of pushing a human being out of me is a little uh... what's the word... FREAKY! Lily's delivery was so wonderful that I'm afraid it will only go downhill from there. We are praying all is well and hope that Gavin can make his entrance with no problems!!

We did a BABY POOL with Lily, and thought we would do the same with Gavin.

**That being said, leave a comment with the DATE, TIME, & WEIGHT and whoever gets the closest will when a PRIZE from me... it could be a craft, a custom vinyl order, or if I'm feeling lazy, a gift card or something.

Any who, here are a few pics of what we have been up to the last month...

Gavin's nursery... my mom made his bedding, the only thing missing is the Dr. Seuss crib sheet which I haven't put on yet.
A sign I made for the nursery.
A Magnet board I made

The rag quilt for the twin bed in Gavin's room.
Some wall art we made for the nursery.

I made some of these for the people who answered my craft post a few months ago, but instead they say LOVE or JOY (this one I made for the living room).

Burp cloths I made for Gavin as well as for some of those who answered the craft post awhile back.
Lily's room
More of Lily's room....
And Lily's new bunk beds which we painted and I made rag quilts for.

Talk about tiring!! We PAINTED both Gavin's and Lily's room in the last two months and have been trying to get them in order. I'm so glad to be done with all this crud I put on my own shoulders. I think more than anyone, Lorin is especially glad I'm pretty much done. :D

And then here are some family pics we took before Ryan, Lorin's little bro, left on his mission a few weeks ago. We thought we would kill two birds with one stone and also got Lily's 2 year pics done.
Recommendation: Don't ever get pics done when you're this pregnant!




My FAV!! I sure love this little girl!!

REMEMBER: If you want to be in the baby pool, just leave a comment and I'll add you to the list. In case it helps, I was 9 days early with Lily and she was 6 lbs. 7 ounces.

Oh yeah, and I'm due Sept. 26th.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Spoiled Rotten!

Last week, my family threw me a baby shower, and I was TOTALLY SPOILED! It was so much fun, and I'm so glad I was able to spend a night with family and friends. Thank you, thank you to everyone for making it such a wonderful night and for spoiling me and little Gavin!


Lily made her appearance at the end of the shower, and was having so much fun with her cousin, Hannah.... She looks like a hippy in this pic.
My sis, Kellyn, and cousin, Rene
My ward friends, Amy & Laura
Sister-in-laws Erica and Kara with Erica's little girl, Ella.
Mother-in-law, Paula & cousin, Kristi, with Ella and Kristi's little girl, Taylor

The gift from my mom and sisters, including my baby bedding which I LOVE!!
My ex-co-workers Jessica & Miranda
My aunt, Chris, and my Mudda
Me with the family I used to nanny - Ali, Lily (name inspiration) & Jackie
My beautiful diaper cake and Dr. Seuss frames made by my cousin, Alina, and my aunt, Chris.

I'm still working on the nursery (as well as Lily's room), so once I'm done with a few more crafts I will have to take pics and post them on here! It's been SO MUCH FUN decorating their rooms, and I hope I can get everything finished before Gavin comes.

At my doc appt. yesterday I was dilated 1 cm and 75% effaced, which the doc was a little surprised about. He doesn't think Gavin will be making it to his due date, which I am happy about! :D


Thursday, August 20, 2009

Free Stuff

I just had to put this on here because I love FREE stuff, and I figure everyone else does as well. My sis found out about this website from the Tyra Show last week. It tells you all the places in your area where you can get free stuff for your birthday (at restaurants, etc.) Check it out and sign up. You have nothing to lose... and LOTS of free stuff to gain! :)

http://www.freebirthdaytreats.com/

Monday, August 10, 2009

Family Reunion

This past weekend, Lorin, Lily, and I were able to escape the heat and go to Christopher Creek for a few days. Lorin's parents rented a cabin which was ideal for the family. We were so happy it was only a few hours away and that the weather was WONDERFUL!! I've decided that if we were ever to have a cabin, this place is the perfect location!! We enjoyed hanging with the family, renting a boat and going to Woods Canyon lake, hiking down into Box Canyon, playing horseshoes, playing frisbee golf, relaxing, and watching movies. If anyone is ever looking for a close getaway, this is the place!! It was so much fun!


Box Canyon
Lily swimming in Box Canyon... it was so cold but she LOVED it!
Lo playing horseshoes
Lily admiring the view at Woods Canyon Lake
Lily and I eating lunch next to the lake.

Monday, July 27, 2009

The Windy City

We just got back from a week long trip to the Windy City - CHICAGO! Lorin had to go for Orientation for Northwestern and wanted Lily and I to join him so he wouldn't be bored out of his mind. To be honest, I never really thought of Chicago as a vacation location, but it was GREAT! There is so much to do and see there, AND the weather was BEAUTIFUL (the 80s the whole time... little humidity... some clouds.... PERFECT!) We were able to do so much and really experience most of what Chicago had to offer. If any of you ever have a chance to go - GO! It's AWESOME!
I took over 300 pics (way too many, I know), but here are a few (or a lot) of my FAVS:



Lily on the plane... we were so freaked out she would be bad and she was when we first boarded, but once the plane started moving she loved it!! We were so blessed and got an empty chair between us on the way there AND the way back... which is a miracle because both times, it was the only free seat on the plane.
Lily jumpin' on the bed at the hotel... since we were there for 5 nights, they upgraded our room for free, which was sooo nice.

I don't know why, but I just wanted to take pics of the beautiful flowers everywhere. It was soo green and they had so many pretty flowers... these ones were my favorite!
This was Lily's fav part of the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Zoo there is FREE!! Can you believe it? And it's so nice and has every animal you can think of... way better than the Phoenix Zoo. We liked it so much we went there two days last week.

Lily LOOOOVED the zoo!!
Lily on the train at the zoo. They had to stop the ride a few times cuz she kept standing up she was so excited.
The buildings around the John Hancock building.
Lily and I at the top of the Hancock building... I didn't get nervous til' we were at the top and I looked down.... so high!! I couldn't stay up there very long because my imagination started going and I freaked myself out.
The John Hancock Building from the ground.
Who wouldn't love the Hershey's store? You get free candy just for walking in!
They give all the kids a "Factory Worker" hat at the Hershey's store. You can also pay to make some chocolate to take home.
We stayed off of Mag Mile which has a lot of nice & fancy stores.... so I was excited to see a store that I could actually shop at. If only there was a Ross....
Walking along the beach of Lake Michigan - which is HUGE!! It looks like the ocean!
My fav guy and girl at the beach.
Lily loved the carousel at the zoo.
Walking along the Navy Pier.
Check out this turtle! Stinkin' scary lookin'! We went to the Aquarium which is huge and has dolphins, whales, and so much more!
Buckingham Fountain... with the skyline behind.
Again.... my two favorite people in the world!

Must-Sees in ChIcAgO:
The Field Museum
The Museum of Science & Technology
Lake Michigan
John Hancock Building or Sears (Willis) Tower
The Shedd Aqaurium
Lincoln Park Zoo
Mag Mile

We were so blessed to be able to go to all of these and more and would definitely recommend going at least once in your lifetime.

CHICAGO ROCKS!!