Time for a few more reviews.
Brain Rules for Baby: John Medina
I totally loved this book. Ryan got it for us on the iPod and we took turns passing it back and forth. I know there are a million books out there on how to raise a healthy/happy child, but I really enjoyed this. I am not sure what made Ryan pick it, but it's a winner. I felt like everything the author said was spot on. It just made sense. I didn't find myself bracing for certain topics or arguing with him. The only thing I would have liked better is if I had the book in hand! Granted, I think listening to it might have helped me get through it faster since it is a self-help type book instead of a story, but it was one of those where I found myself thinking, "That is awesome! I need to remember that." And then moments later, there was another "Ah ha" moment and I forgot the first one. For that reason, I think I would have liked to have the book in hand with a highlighter. Ryan and I both felt that way. So I think he just ordered it so we can go through it again. I highly recommend it. 10 out of 10.
The Gray Wolf Throne: Cinda Williams Chima
This is the third book in The Seven Realms series that I was so impatient to get my hands on. When I put myself on the wait list I think I was number 8 at the Orem library and 17 at Provo. I was still number 4 on the wait list at Orem when I got the email from Provo saying I could come pick it up. That's what happens when one library has 3 times the inventory the other one does! Anyway, it was totally worth the wait. I have really enjoyed this series and highly recommend it. I am still frustrated that I have to wait - just like everyone else - for the conclusion. But I have loved it. There were some really interesting developments in this one. The characters are amazing and the plot is certainly thickening - as it should. I am really curious to see how it ends and honestly, with the end of this one, I was left thinking, '"I don't have a clue! Would he? Who was it? What's the motivation? Good guy or bad guy?" All the questions you hope your reader is asking to keep them hooked. So I am loving it. If you haven't started it yet, what are you waiting for? 10 out of 10.
Enchanted, Inc: Shanna Swendson
This was another Orem Library Staff picks find. I was looking for something light to fill the time and this seemed like a good fit. It was cute, and a little cheesy, but creative in it's own right. It followed the typical outline of magic does exist in real life, but the thing that I felt made it unique is it's every day approach. Instead of magic existing around non-magic people in the way that Harry Potter is portrayed, the magic here is so every day. The magical businesses and jobs that exist are just like every day jobs and businesses. Kind of hard to explain. I liked the fact that magic - though magic - is kind of ordinary in it's own way. However, that same thing made this book pretty simplistic. The big dilemma was solved in such an ordinary and simple way that I felt it was way too easy. It set it up to be big and dangerous, but in the end, it wasn't at all. It was still a fun and light read, but not my favorite. 6 out of 10.
And lastly...
Warbreaker: Brandon Sanderson
My friend recommended this author to me. She was reading a different book of his and she was really enjoying it, so I thought I would check it out. The thing that threw me off - as my friend as well - is that his books are listed as "SciFi." When I think of SciFi, I think spaceships, aliens, StarWars, that sort of thing. But this book had none of that. I have been looking up the definition of Science Fiction and I am trying to understand how this book fits that... It seems more Fantasy to me. Anyway... I loved it. I felt that the ideas in this book are the most truly unique I have seen in a long time. The characters were great. The plot was interesting. And the fantasy/SciFi elements (call them what you will) were very compelling. Unique. Fascinating. Basic idea is that two neighboring kingdoms are on the brink of war. One kingdom sends their daughter to marry the king of the other country in hopes that this will bring peace, or at least delay war. However, the kingdom she is sent to marry into involves Gods and all sorts of varying levels of heightened "life" if you will. Again, difficult to explain without going into great detail or giving things away. I simply just recommend picking it up and reading it for yourself. :) 9 out of 10. I would give it a 10, but I hold a tiny bit of reserve just because there were some parts that were a little slow, and I would have liked to have spent more time with some characters than others. But that's personal preference.
That's it for now. :)
This perhaps, deserves an award for most delayed post ever. No honestly, it's almost a year old... but I have been determined to follow up on it because it was so amazing.
Remember last March when my little brother, Asa, (the one with Muscular Dystrophy) was able to go up to Make A Wish and submit his wish to the Wishing Wizard for a shopping spree? Well, the following month that wish was granted and it was a totally amazing experience.
The day before his big wish granting party, Smith's Grocery Store invited my family to come to their Provo location near Freedom Blvd. It was International Wish Day, and also happened to be Asa's birthday. Smith's selected Asa to help honor International Wish Day by buying him one of the items on his wish list. We were all totally shocked to see what that item was... an iTouch! Check out the link below to see the article The Daily Herald did for it. If nothing else, you need to see the picture. It is priceless. Asa was so thrilled! And it was an even bigger blessing for us because that meant that there was more of his wish money that could be used on other things.
http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/orem/orem-boy-gets-birthday-wish/article_b9cb8601-6eab-5614-a636-8d4250872e27.htmlSmith's provided Asa with two cakes - one that was BYU football themed, and one that was Harry Potter Themed. They also gave him a few other gifts. It was amazing. Probably the best birthday celebration he has ever had. :)
The next day the family went on the shopping spree. He was given a few hours and a set amount of money. Thankfully the family had already done their research on where to go and what to get at what location, so things went smoothly. With the money he was given for his wish, he was able to get a laptop, voice recognition software, and a large flat screen TV. It was incredible!
After the shopping spree, we all drove up to Make A Wish for the big celebration and star raising. Asa invited about 100 family and friends to come enjoy cake and ice cream and share the special occasion.
Here is my mom talking about the Smith's and shopping experience with our two amazing wish granters in the background.
Asa got up and talked about the experience as well. It was pretty neat.
Each Make A Wish child is given a page or two in this scrapbook where family and friends can write a little note. It also describes where their special star will be on the ceiling in case anyone ever comes back. I don't know how many people get the opportunity to return after attending something like this. But it is very touching to know that even though our loved one may no longer be with us, that we can go back and remember.
The star raising. I dare you not to cry during that!
Asa's is the blue one - visible in the lower right hand corner of the above picture, and much more visible in the picture below.
Our family. It was such an amazing experience. I think the thing I was most surprised by, is that it was such a celebration. It was a party! I think I expected something more somber - but this was perfect. The star raising was very, very special. It is something that still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. But it was so good to just celebrate the amazing life that we have had with him, and the years that we will have with him in the future. He is such a good boy. It is impossible to imagine life without him. It has been difficult, there is no denying that. But I don't think any of us would change it for the world.
From day one, we have been very impressed with Pierscen's neck strength. From the first time I held him, he was doing his best to hold up his own head - and he did a dang good job of it too!
On day six, after changing his diaper, I rolled him over on the couch for some tummy time. I decided it was a great opportunity to take some snap shots of him. Almost instantly he began pulling his knees up underneath himself and slowly inching forward and to the side. I tried to take some pictures of his little feet, but it never worked because he was always moving. Within a few minutes he had wormed his way to the edge of the couch with his left leg hanging off the edge. Off went the camera. I should have grabbed a picture of it, but I was too stunned. There is no such thing as safely leaving a baby on the couch, even at six days old.
This is one of my favorite pictures of him so far.
On day 8 we were taking more tummy time pictures, this time with daddy. He managed to rotate his head from side to side. He continued to pull his knees beneath him and inch himself forward. Slowly, but surely, he worked himself forward half a body length.
On day 11, Ryan was working on tummy time again while I was in the other room when I heard him exclaim, "Good boy!!! You rolled all the way over!!!"
I sat there in stunned silence. Moments later Ryan came back to the bedroom holding Pierscen.
"Are you serious?" I asked. "He really just rolled over?"
"Yeah! He rolled from his tummy to his back!"
"On his own?"
"Completely on his own."
Ryan said he also rolled up on his side several times and then flopped back onto his stomach. Are we ready for this?!
No question about it, we are going to have to keep our eye on this little monkey. I think it's because he knows that Ryan is aching to get out and go fishing, hiking, and camping with the little fellow, so he is just doing his best to get a head start on things. Ready or not, here we go!
They say that a dog is man's best friend. Well, I think that can be extended to baby's best friend as well.
A couple of years ago, when my parent's dog Abby had her puppies, we brought Dodger over to see how he would react to them. At this point they were old enough to be running around outside and ready for a new home. Dodger was freaked out by them. One little in puppy in particular was enamored by him and chased him around and around. Dodger shuffled around the yard, his tail between his legs, staying a few feet in front of her, and eventually jumped up on the stairs where he knew he was safe. It was hilarious.
Well I don't know what changed in that time, but Dodger has attached himself to Pierscen in such a sweet way.
The first night home was an adventure. Less because of the lack of sleep, team-tagging diaper changes and consolation holding, but because Dodger was very curious, and worried about the little bundle in the bassinet that kept squeaking. Dodger couldn't see him, but knew he was in there. Each time I got up to either take Pierscen in or out of the bassinet, Dodger would follow along. Once I was back in bed, and closed my eyes, we began hearing a soft, "Thwamp. Thwamp. Thwamp." I sat up in bed to see what was going on and found Dodger at the side of the bassinet jumping up and down trying to get a peak inside. Ryan picked him up and allowed him to see inside and assured him that the baby was just fine. But after that, he got a bit of a scolding each time he jumped up on, or near the bassinet. We lost most our sleep that night because of the dog, but since then, he has been much better. He still wakes up and watches carefully as we move Pierscen in and out. He will still come up and sniff him to make sure he is okay, but thankfully, he sleeps much more restfully - so long as he knows that Pierscen is okay.
If he starts crying, Dodger runs to find him, and if possible, will kiss his ears and try to make him feel better. The other day I had Pierscen on the changing table trying to clean up a minor blow out diaper. Pierscen was screaming, understandably. Dodger came running into the room and jumped up on the chair next to the table. He began to whine and put his front paws on my back and started pawing away. He jumped down and ran to the side of the table and hoped up and down whimpering until I had finished cleaning Pierscen up and lowered him down to Dodger's level. He frantically licked his ears until all crying had stopped and he was satisfied that he was okay.
Just last night, Ryan was playing fetch with Dodger and each time he brought the toy back, instead of bringing it to Ryan, he brought it to Pierscen and dropped it on his lap. How cute is that?
But perhaps the funniest, and most endearing thing, has been Dodger's desire to snuggle. He loves to sit on our laps or curl up with us in bed. And the other day we found that this natural tendency of his extends even to our tiny little boy.
Ryan was working on the computer and turned to see that Dodger had climbed onto the bouncer seat and curled himself up on Pierscen's lap, if you can call it that. Notice how all you can see is Pierscen's head at the top? Ryan quickly ushered him off the chair, because as cute as it was, baby is still just a little too small for that. I asked Ryan if he thought Dodger was trying to cuddle or show him who was Alfa, but we both feel he was just cuddling. He has done the same thing now while I was nursing the baby too. I was using the Boppy pillow and Dodger climbed up and laid on the edge of the pillow, right against Pierscen's back the first time, and then directly on top of him the second time. Oh dear. Ryan looked up online why dogs do that, and it all stems from their natural instinct to puppy pile for warmth and comfort. So it's pretty clear Dodger views Pierscen as his little hairless (except his head) brother.
I can definitely see these two being best friends for a long time. (Especially when Pierscen gets big enough to share his food.) I am so grateful he has turned out to be such a sweet, loving dog. It sure makes things easier. And now we know Dodger will always be there, waiting for his best buddy and keeping his seat warm while he waits. What more could you ask for?
Monday afternoon after work, Ryan and I drove to the hospital to officially check in. I always wondered what would cause more anxiety and anticipation - going into labor on my own, or knowing ahead of time. For me, I am pretty sure it was knowing ahead of time.
All the way to the hospital I found myself trying to take deep breaths and remind myself that everything was going to be okay. Of course I wasn't actually worried that it wouldn't be, but it was just so impossible to comprehend that we were walking in just as Ryan and me, and we were coming out with a little baby!We checked in at 4 pm and were assigned our room.
The first 12 or so hours were meant for overnight cervical ripening. For people like me - who were 41 weeks and still only dilated to a 1, they give medicine every 4 hours or so to help the cervix soften so that hopefully when the Pitocin starts, the body will actually respond.
I love the hospital ice chips, by the way. That is one of my favorite things about working here. But on the labor and delivery floor, they also have snow cone flavoring for your ice. Awesome!
I have never, ever intended to do this birth naturally. Although I admire women who do it, I think they are also kind of crazy. I have just never had that desire. I have also never had a desire to deliver anywhere other than a hospital where I know that I, and my baby will receive the best care possible. When talking to other people about this, I often say in passing that I could never give birth naturally/or outside of the hospital because it would kill me. Well, I think I can say that's less of a fly by statement now.
They began the Pitocin drip at 6:30 Tuesday morning (12.5 hrs since check in.) I had finally reached a 2 by this point. Ryan had gone home shortly after they started the medication to check on Dodger and let him outside. By 8:45, the contractions I was feeling went from painful, but survivable - oh my heck, I am going to die! I sent a frantic text to Ryan to hurry back because I wasn't sure how long I could make it. The nurse would have called the anesthesiologist without him, but since Ryan works with him, I knew he wanted to be there for it. Thankfully, right at 9 am, Ryan came through the door with the anesthesiologist behind him. Oh what a heavenly vision! He had the epidural placed within 10 minutes and instantly everything starting going numb. What blessed relief!
Honestly, the feeling all in all is kind of freaky. I loved not being able to feel the pain, but I hated not being in control of my legs. Thankfully, after the first little bolus wore off, I was still numb, but able to maneuver myself around in bed just fine.
I only used this button a couple of times for a little "extra help." But it was wonderful knowing it was there.
Once the epidural was placed, things started to fly. By 10:00, I was at a 4. From there I progressed about a cm an hr. It was awesome pace, but nerve racking too. Each time we were just that much closer!
Around 3 pm, once I was at an 8, the nurse brought in the delivery cart. That certainly makes things feel more real! The doctor stopped by to say hello and let me know how things were looking. He said unless I happened to deliver during a short window of time where he would be doing a procedure in the OR or a C-section, he would be the one delivering, and that the new doctor came on at 6 pm, but there was no way I was going to make it that long.
Huh. Spoke too soon on that one. Shortly after 3, everything came to a standstill. No progression. I developed a fever and a horrendous case of the shakes. Let me tell you, there are few things more miserable than the shakes. I became extremely nauseous and threw up - if you could call it that since I had been on an ice chip diet since the night before.
The hours wore on and still very little progress. I reached a 9 around 5 pm, but there all progression stopped. The new doctor came in around 7 pm to check on me. Still at a 9. He said that if in two hours there still had been no progress that we would need to discuss the option of a c-section. Honestly, neither Ryan and I were afraid of a c-section and did not worry about this being done, but there was certainly a sense of disbelief, and almost disappointment that we had made it this far only to have to do a c-section. And all the while my shakes continued to come and go. I felt so horrible and nauseous throughout this that all I could do was cry. I wasn't scared or worried. I just felt horrible. I asked Ryan for a blessing in between checkups. It brought such a wonderful and peaceful feeling. I am so grateful to be married to such a remarkable man who holds the Priesthood.
The next two hours went by quickly and shortly thereafter the doctor returned to check me again. Still a 9. There was just a small amount of cervix surrounding the head they could not get past. They tried having me push while they tried to physically force it, but it was to no avail. And at that point, they noticed something else - his head was hitting into my pelvic bone and would not fit through. Regardless of whether they could ever get my cervix to a 10 or not, you can't move bone out of the way. The doc told us we could take our time and talk about it, but there was nothing really to discuss. We both knew it needed to happen and after 15 hours of labor, I was ready for it. Ryan sent out a text to family letting them know and within seconds my room was bustling with preparation for surgery. It was so good to have Ryan there as the most amazing and supportive husband in the world, and also have his knowledge and education in the medical and surgical fields to help walk me through this.
The whole thing was amazingly fast. From the time they began cutting, to the time baby was out was only three minutes. Ryan assisted the staff in several things but stayed by my side and talked me through it step by step.
I asked him if they had started yet, which to my surprise he responded that they were nearly done.
He told me when they pulled the baby out, but I couldn't hear anything. No crying. No screaming. Nothing. I fought my urge not to panic. "Ryan, Ryan! Why isn't he crying? Why can't I hear him crying?! Is he okay?" Ryan very calmingly responded, "He's fine. He is just fine. He is breathing and he has great color."
"But why isn't he crying?!" I think every movie and every birth I could think of all pointing to that one thing - baby should cry. I did my best to trust Ryan, but it was difficult. Finally I heard a little grunt. No wail and no scream. Just a contented grunt. Ryan said when they pulled him out, all he did was blink, look around and take in his surroundings.
Pierscen Ryan was born at 09:59 pm after being in the hospital for 30 hours and active laboring for 15.
They took him into another room to clean him up and run some rests. Ryan was still at my side when they first took him back, but after he heard some screaming (he told me this later) he decided to go investigate. As he neared the second room the screaming had turned to shrieks of laughter. Our little guy had decided to show his appreciation for the nurses by helicopter peeing on all four of them. All four had to go change. Haha! That's my boy!
Even though they tried to rough him up a bit while he was back there, he still did not cry. Instead, he just kept arching his back to look through the window. Maybe in some motherly-child way he knew that's where I was.
All his scores came back great. He came in 7 lbs 14 oz. Almost an 8 pounder! That's pretty big for me!
In the mean time, the anesthesiologist asked if I was ready to be "put under" - in other words, if I was ready to sleep for a few hours. I told him no, I needed to see my baby first, and then I didn't care. Just let me see my boy.
Ryan arrived moments later with our sweet little angel. He pulled up the beanie so I could take a look at his hair. Lots of long blonde hair. But it wasn't until hours later that I was actually able to see just how much there was.
They finished sewing me back together, drugged me up, and sent me back to the room. I remember them asking me several questions that seemed very important, but I don't have a clue what they were. I did my best to give them a full answer, but I just remember thinking, "Does that even make sense?"
Ryan followed them down to the nursery where they continued the rest of their tests and clean up.
It wasn't until closer to 2 am the following morning that Ryan and Pierscen came back to the room and I was able to spend some real time with my new little family. It's okay though, because I wouldn't have remembered anything that happened before that time anyway.
And talk about hair! Without the beanie, and now that it had had a chance to dry out a bit - it was amazing! I had never seen that much hair on a blonde before! Neither had any of the staff. I don't know where it came from. Ryan and I both had hair, but nothing like that! He quickly became well know on the floor for his hair and his appetite. He pretty much came out rooting around. That's probably the real reason he was looking through the window. He was thinking, "Hey! My food source is over there!"
This picture just makes me laugh. "I tried to tell them I wasn't going to fit that way! I tried!"
Our wonderful family and friends began arriving later that day (at a more reasonable hour than 2 am when I guess technically they could have popped by.) From the time of delivery, the standard c-section hospital stay should be a minimum of 72 hours. So regardless of the fact that I had already been there 30 hours before then, the clock starts at birth. That put my discharge time at 10 pm on Friday, but they weren't going to make me go home then. In fact, a c-section is 72-96 hours. I was given the go ahead to leave when I wanted, so we aimed for Saturday morning. In the mean time, it was wonderful to have that extra time to recoup and enjoy time with my baby, husband, family and friends.
Because I had spiked a fever during labor, they started me on several different types of anti-biotics just in case. And unfortunately for the little guy, that meant Pierscen had to have them too. They tried to start an IV in his hands, and I know they were successful with one for a while, but they both blew so he had to have one in his head. It was so sad. But it is certainly better to be safe than sorry.
Saturday morning came and it was time to go. We didn't get a very good picture of his cute little penguin outfit, but that's okay.
He was absolutely furious about his car seat at first, but as soon as we started walking down to the car he fell right asleep.
Ryan and the tech helped us get in the car and off we went. It was kind of a surreal feeling to be coming home. But it was also very peaceful.
The one factor we were a little nervous about was Dodger. Ryan had spent some time trying to prep him by bringing home a blanket we had used in the hospital so he could get used to his scent, but we still didn't know how he was going to respond.
He was...
IN LOVE!!! Most of the pictures we look turned out blurry because Dodger was running around the carrier so fast trying to kiss him from every possible angle. It was hilarious. We had to keep pulling him off so he wouldn't overwhelm the little guy. So I think he will do just great. We just have to keep his enthusiasm level in check.
We spent a quiet evening together, cuddling and napping. The picture below kind of makes his hands look huge, but it was just the angle. He folded his little hands one over the other like that. It was so cute!
We also let him hang out in the bouncer for a little while and after a few minutes his little hand crept up and grabbed the edge. I love it.
We are all happy and healthy. I am incredibly grateful for modern medicine - because really, without it, I might not be alive. Pierscen for sure would not be. I am very thankful for wonderful family and friends. And I am so thankful for life! This little boy is everything to me. So little and so new, and yet I feel like I have known him forever. I told Ryan just last night I know it was hard for us to imagine how life would be with him, but now it's impossible to imagine life without him. I can't think of a better way to start the new year!
This was another Orem Library Staff picks find. I was looking for something light to fill the time and this seemed like a good fit. It was cute, and a little cheesy, but creative in it's own right. It followed the typical outline of magic does exist in real life, but the thing that I felt made it unique is it's every day approach. Instead of magic existing around non-magic people in the way that Harry Potter is portrayed, the magic here is so every day. The magical businesses and jobs that exist are just like every day jobs and businesses. Kind of hard to explain. I liked the fact that magic - though magic - is kind of ordinary in it's own way. However, that same thing made this book pretty simplistic. The big dilemma was solved in such an ordinary and simple way that I felt it was way too easy. It set it up to be big and dangerous, but in the end, it wasn't at all. It was still a fun and light read, but not my favorite. 6 out of 10.
