Jacob Phoenix

After 5 days the kid finally has a name. It was tough, you guys. We went through at least 10 baby name books, and online baby name sites, and we even went through the dictionary. If I had my way he would've been named Riven Jacob as soon as he was born, but Mike was not into that. I understand where he's coming from though. If he had his way the boy would be named Dallin, and I so wasn't into that. Anyway, here he is. Little Jacob. And here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

He loves sucking on his hand. It's really cute.

And here's a cute one of Vessel with his new bike riding gear!

Learning how to live life with two children....

Thursday the 24th I went in for another NST (non stress test) to make sure the baby was doing all right. His heartbeat was good and he was still very active. But my doctor gave me the schpeel about the risks and complications that can occur from being overdue. (Yeah, after realizing that still birth was one of them, it pretty much scared the crap out of me.) I was 9 days overdue at that point and figured I might as well just bite the bullet. So the next day I got induced. It would've been nice if nature had just taken it's course and I began labor on my own, but in the end, it wasn't that big of a deal.

Here I am getting ready for them to hook me up to some pitocin.

The contractions were actually pretty bearable until the doctor broke my water. Then they became really intense and I just didn't have the mental or physical energy to deal with that kind of pain. I was suffering from a cold, I got zero sleep the night before, and hadn't eaten since the previous day. So I decided to get an epidural this time. I must say, it was a godsend for me. It wasn't like what I expected at all. I guess that just proves you gotta try something before you judge it. Anyway, I was able to sleep through my contractions. I was at 3 cm and within about an hour and a half I was at a 10 and ready to push. After 3 contractions of pushing, the little man child was born. I am going to spare you the blood and gore pictures. Nobody wants to see my baby all covered in blood and fluid, except maybe me, right? :)

Here I am in all my post pregnancy glory with the kiddo.

And here's my baby daddy.

And proud big brother holding the baby for the first time.

Here is the kiddo enjoying the heat lamp while he gets his first sponge bath.

Uh, can I have a little privacy?

Getting his hur did.

Mike with his new little friend.

Time to go home!

Stats-
Name: N/A as of now
Weight: 8 lb. 12 oz.
Length: 20 3/4 in.
Hair: Brown
Eye: Muddy blue
Born: 6/25/10 12:01 pm

Big Day

Tomorrow I'm getting induced. Please pray for me. If you don't pray, please send good vibes and well wishes my way. Or at least wish me luck. :)

I don't have the energy to think of a cool title for this post

Hi, dear readers. Are you there?
'Cause I'm not. Well, mentally I'm not here. But most people would say that's all part of being pregnant. Perhaps. Maybe I'm just a little bit stressed. A little bit hormonal. And a tad on the crazy side lately. Not to mention irritable. I really can't say I know what's going on for sure, but I hope it passes soon. Like, right now. :)
On a bright note, my house is absolutely immaculate. Top to bottom, everything is in order and everything is clean. Now, if I didn't live with two other people, it might stay that way. :) Okay, okay, Mike and Vessie aren't slobs. I just have obsessive compulsive disorder. Maybe not full blown. But, yeah, I'd venture to say I'm mildly OCD. Just throwin' that out there in case anyone wants to know some juicy detail about ME.
So what's been going on with me these days you ask? Well, let me tell you. It's been rainy, cold and wet for the past...uhm....I dunno, two weeks or so it seems. We didn't get much of a spring and at this point it doesn't look like we'll have much of a summer either. Lo and behold, do my eyes deceive me? Is the sun actually showing it's cowardly face now? It's about time. The thing about the rain (besides being a bit depressing) is that it's hindered Mike and me from getting any real yard work accomplished lately. It's raining any time Mike has a little free time to work outside. It's definitely a bummer. He did get the retaining wall built. And was able to put stone tile around the fire pit a couple weekends ago. (Although, he still needs to do the grout.) We also got our front door replaced. But as far as other projects go, the sod hasn't been laid, the path hasn't been made, and the garden...well, I don't know if we'll have a garden this year after all. It's very sad to me. I think it's just too late in the year to plant anything now. So much has been going on that some things have just fallen by the wayside. Hopefully some good weather comes our way soon so we can actually make a dent in our projects.
What else? Well, I'm overdue. Just by three days, so it's not too bad yet. I'm just getting impatient I guess. I saw a woman from our ward yesterday while I was shopping and she told me she was 3 weeks overdue with one of her children! Is that even possible? Although, I think they must've had her due date wrong, her comment did not comfort me in the least.
We still haven't come up with a name for the baby. It's been a constant battle this entire pregnancy. Mike really likes the name Dallin. He even liked that name back when I was pregnant with Vessel. I am not a big fan of that name. Believe me, I've really tried to like it, but for some reason I just can't. My top choice for a name at this point is Riven. I think it looks and sounds awesome. The literal word comes from "rive" meaning to split or be ripped apart by force. Kind of unusual for a name, and yet I LOVE IT. It's the only name I've really liked this whole 9 months. Mike doesn't seem to care for it much, unfortunately. I wish we could come up with a name we both like that also has special meaning to us. I also tend to lean towards names that are unique. Vessel fits perfectly into that category. I'm sure if we named our 2nd son Riven, he'd be the only one in his class with that name. I told Mike that if I had to get a cesarean section, it would be cool to name the baby Riven. Because he would quite literally be riven from my body. Eh, eh? I said if that's what it takes for me to be able to use that name, then BRING ON THE KNIVES, baby!!! Yeah, I'm gross. So, uh... anyway, one name that Mike and I have recently started to like is the name Ember. I've toyed with the name a bit and also like Embry. However, everyone we've mentioned those names to think they are a bit feminine. AGH! I shouldn't care what anyone else thinks, but I'll admit, I kinda do. Psh. I don't know what's going on this kid's birth certificate. Last time, Mike and I knew for awhile that our son's name would be Vessel. There was comfort in having that already established before he was even born. One last thing to worry about, ya know?
I can't think of much else that's going on right now. Just kind of waiting and wondering what this next week holds for us. I'll keep you all posted.

P.S. The baby birds that were in the little nest on our porch have now embarked on their journey away from the nest and mama bird's protection. They grow up so fast. *sniff, sniff*

Anniversaries

This time of year holds many memories since June marks the anniversary of several life events for me.

1 year since getting called as the Primary President
2 years since moving to Montana
2 years since graduating from U of U
3 years since I started this blog
4 years since my mom passed away
6 years since we moved to Japan
7 years since I graduated from BYU-I
10 years since I graduated high school
And this will be the month our new little one is born.