"You have nothing in this world more precious than your children. When you grow old, when your hair turns white and your body grows weary, when you are prone to sit in a rocker and meditate on the things of your life, nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out. It will not be the money you have made. It will not be the cars you have owned. It will not be the large house in which you live. The searing question that will cross your mind again and again will be, How well have my children done?"

~President Gordon B. Hinckley

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Three's Company...

What I've learned in the last 4 weeks.
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~Three kids IS different than two kids
~Your older children will surprise you when the new baby arrives...in good AND not so good ways
~Little girls who are sassy BEFORE the new baby, will be more sassy AFTER the new baby
~Big brothers are AWESOME the second time around
~Big SISTERS think they are MOMS when the new baby comes
~Having a new baby will "fix" any sleep problems with older children...probably because you are so tired you don't have the energy to do anything except let them fix it themselves
~You can fall in love with your husband all over again when you watch the baby pee all over him and he laughs
~Getting no sleep at night with three kids is VERY VERY different than getting no sleep at night with one or two kids
~Two children will reak HAVOC in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, etc. when unattended
~Whether you remember or forgot, POOP WILL STAIN...even your brand new luxury sheets
~The grocery store is a scary place with three children 3 yrs and younger...and a place where people WILL look at you like you are the next Octo-mom
~Dr. Jeckyl is REAL...come to my house about 3am and you'll find HER mumbling obscurities at her husband
~Mrs. Hyde WILL return each morning to apologize to her husband...but beware of the no sleep monster again each evening
~Baby eye balls are INTERESTING and MUST BE TOUCHED by 1 year old little girls...who think they are mommies...and are sassy
~Two hours of sleep isn't enough to function normally...I didn't say you can't FUNCTION at all...just not normally
~The word "NO" means NOTHING when you are tied up with the baby..."NO, don't take your sisters diaper off, she's not potty trained"..."No, don't squirt your go-gurt ALL OVER THE carpet"..."NO, stop hitting your sister, biting your brother, scribbling on the wall, scribbling on your face, flooding the bathroom floor, etc."
~A sweet baby makes it ALL WORTH IT!
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My sweet little man is FOUR WEEKS OLD TODAY!! Where has the time gone?! He'll be a month old on Friday...so sad! He's already gaining TONS of weight and chunkin up like Becker's do!! He has pretty much slept through his first 4 weeks of life. He WOULD sleep at night also except that the second we put him down he gets restless. We're working on the sleep issues and enjoying his little CALM personality start to shine. He is DEFINITELY laid back, as I've heard the 3rd child always is! He lets his older brother and sister poke, kiss, and love on him most of the time. He just began to smile...mostly when he's tired...and it's adorable! He's losing lots of his hair already and his eyes are turning blue. He really is just the sweetest little guy ever!
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Keaton and Lilee have been overall GREAT with him. They get in his face a lot, but as I mentioned, he doesn't seem to mind most days. He has been stepped on already, and surprisingly took it really well!
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Keaton is an AMAZING big brother. He wanted NOTHING to do with Lilee until she was about a year old and this time he just can't WAIT for Broox to "get big". For the first 3 weeks, EVERY TIME Keat woke from a nap or in the morning, he'd ask us..."Is Broox big yet...he play cars now...he walk with me?" Seth even caught him a couple times talking to Broox in his bassinet..."Say da-da...c'mon...say da-da". Too cute. He helps with EVERYTHING...wants to feed him, hold him, protect him. If I put Broox on the ground, he'll immediately go over and lay by him and make sure if his paci falls out to put it back in his mouth. He spends so much time just staring at him...so do I! He's an INCREDIBLE little guy. He's also really starting to learn and recognize his letters. He LOVES his ABC pre-school and all his friends. The week after Broox was born, they took a field trip to Peter Piper Pizza to learn about the letter "P". I packed all three kiddos up and we headed over...quite the accomplishment for me. The other day he found a piece of trash that looked like the letter "J" and showed me. He is talking a TON more and I can see an end in sight from the TERRIBLE 3's that started so badly. He's such a sweet boy and everywhere we go people tell me how loving he is. He'll come right up to ya and give you a hug, whether he knows you or not. On a daily basis since Broox has come he will tell us he loves us, very randomly. WE LOVE YOU TOO KEAT BEAT!!
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Lilee is a DIVA...sass-a-frass...cute as a button little snot!!:) She is such a mommy to Broox...wanting to SHOVE his binkie or bottle in his mouth whether he wants it or not. For a girl who was VERY used to getting her way, things have started to change. Luckily, she doesn't seem to make the connection between baby and change. She loves Broox a TON. However, her tantrums have increased and she gets a LOT more emotional lately. We've had to put our foot down on some behavior that was acceptable before but now is just too much. She hits, bites, and SCREAMS "NO". She's adjusting. She really is SO cute with Broox too though. She asks where he is whenever she wakes from a nap. She is talking a TON already and communicates so well. She even knows some of her colors...she's our little smarty pants. I can't wait till she is a BIT older and can have girls days with me and all the girls in our family. It'll be fun to have just us 'gals' hang out and leave the brothers at home! WE ADORE YOU PRINCESS!
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Seth and I are adjusting as well. It hasn't been too big of a change so far...especially because Broox sleeps so much. The nighttime lack of sleep is a bit much for both of us. Seth is such a good husband and daddy, very willing to help me at night with feedings and such. I know ladies, I picked a winner! He also works VERY hard at work to support our growing family and comes home each evening to children running into his arms. His kids ADORE him...and so do I! Just before Broox was born Seth was called as the new Young Men's' President in our ward. It is a very demanding calling, one that will take him from home and require much of his time. I'm learning to be more independent and Seth is learning to be more proactive and assertive. All are great qualities that we are grateful to learn. ;) This calling truly is a blessing and I know Seth will be a great leader to the boys in our church. My days are long, but more rewarding than I ever knew they could be. My house is a disaster, but my children love me. Dinner is rarely made on time or at all, but my marriage is strong. The world is a challenging and cynical place, but I have great faith. I AM SO BLESSED!
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Some pictures for your viewing pleasure...
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What cute little munchkins

She UBER loves her little brother

Broox had really bad jaundice when he was born and had to have the Bili-Blanket for a few days...here is my little pumpkin baking away!

The kids have had to get creative these last few weeks. We didn't know they got naked for quite some time...stinkers.

Here is Broox' first bath...yeah...he SLEPT THROUGH IT...what kid does that?! He didn't even wake up once. Keat was SO excited to "help"

We've taken MANY trips to the park lately too. Mainly mom needs to get out of the house and go somewhere that the kids can let out some energy!

Lilee playing in the water...she's such a cutie!

Broox...is he just not the CUTEST little man ever...look at those CHEEKS!!!!

Broox' Birth Story

I know, I know. I keep promising updates and then I never follow through. MANnnn...I really need to get back into blogging! Well, we'll start here, with Broox-y-Boy's official BIRTH STORY! Enjoy!

Monday, May 18th. In an effort to make a bit more progress, I took the kids to the mall Monday morning. We met Amie and the boys and let the kids play. I got SOME walking in, but managed to get a few last minute things done as well. At 37 weeks pregnant, I was exhausted and by the time I got the kiddos home we all napped for a couple hours. That afternoon I had an appointment with my Dr. and was hoping that we would set an induction date for the following week. When I got there and asked, my Dr. said he wanted to wait until I was a bit closer to 39 weeks rather than 38 to induce. Blah! Then, he checked my progress and I was 4 cm. dilated and 80% effaced. He asked if I wanted him to strip my membranes, which I did. WHOA NELLY...that hurt...BAD! I don't remember it hurting when my membranes were stripped with Lilee, so I was excited that things might progress after I left. My Dr. was sure that he would see me that night, although, that is EXACTLY what I was told with Lilee and nothing ever happened. Well, I left the office, had a few contractions, but a LOT of errands to run. By the time I made it to Walmart I was having some pretty intense contractions and they seemed to be getting into a pattern. I made it home and after a few hours of contracting and walking around the block and losing patterns and losing intensity and gaining intensity...we decided to head to the hospital and see what they wanted us to do. We put the kids to bed and had Seth's brothers come over to hang out while the kids slept. We got to the hospital about 9pm and I was hooked up to all the monitors. They showed that I was contracting, but they weren't consistent. We decided to walk the halls a bit and see if things would pick up. Walked and walked. No progress made. I was CONVINCED they would send me home like they did with Lilee. Seth and I packed up all our stuff and waited for the nurse to come and tell us we could go home. I wasn't nearly as upset as I was waiting for Lilee since I had prepared myself for this outcome. BOY WERE WE SHOCKED when the nurse came in and said that my Dr. was on call that night and decided to admit me and break my water. We just had to wait for a Labor and Delivery room to open up.

About 12 midnight it was GO TIME. My nurse came in and introduced herself, followed by the anesthesiologist who was a riot. I loved both of them. Then, my Dr. came in, broke my water and said, "don't push until you see my face"...that was the last we saw of him until the big arrival. The anesthesiologist was back in the room within minutes and I had my epidural about 10 minutes later. It was the FIRST epidural that worked instantly and completely the way it should. I had to keep asking if I was actually contracting because I couldn't feel any contractions. This was new to me. The plan, since I was dilated and effaced, was to get my station(how far down the baby's head is) a little more progressed. Broox was still VERY high. After getting my epi, I was going to be sat up and let gravity do it's thing the best it can with an epidural. That plan changed when my blood pressure dropped significantly. The epidural can have an effect on blood pressure and apparently, mine was dropping. They tried some things and eventually ended up giving me some medicine to help raise my bp. That was just the beginning. The medicine they gave me seemed to start having an effect on Broox' heart rate. It began to plummet. It was really pretty scary when your nurse tells you that if they can't get it down, they will have to move to the operating room "just in case". I was immediately put on oxygen and laid on my left side...all things hoping to increase his heart rate. From this point on, laboring was slow and scary. The nurse never left our room because she didn't want something to "happen on her watch". SCARY. I was scared for myself, but more scared for the little bub inside. Nothing like this has ever happened before and I was trying not to panic myself.

Just before 4 am the nurse checked me and I was dilated to 6cm. They nurse was so excited for my progress, but I was DEFEATED! I gave birth to Lilee in 4 hours FLAT...and it was coming up on 4 hours and I was only at a 6?! I was scared I'd be in labor all night! FIVE minutes later, I began to feel sick and "different". I asked the nurse to check me again and when she did, she looked SHOCKED and said, the baby is RIGHT there. In 5 minutes time, I had gone from a 6 to complete, fully dilated and the baby went from a negative 2 station to a POSITIVE 4, which is just about crowning. It was insane.

They informed me that my Dr. was AT HOME...yikes...but they called him. NOT pushing was something VERY new to me. It was something sorta unnatural. My body wanted this kid out...Broox WANTED OUT! FINALLY, my Dr. showed up and it was show time. About 3 pushes later and out came his head! Seth said that the cord was wrapped around his neck and the Dr. had to unwrap it...this is probably what was causing his heart rate to drop. 2 more pushes after that, and Broox was laying on my chest getting cleaned off. It was about 30 seconds later that the nurse "reminded" the Dr. that we didn't know the sex of the baby. He quickly pulled off the blankets and said, "it's a boy"...to which Seth and I both said, "WHAT?" We were surprised that Broox was here, but so grateful for another little man to join our family! He was perfect and SO STINKIN' CUTE! And there you have it...another quick delivery, another GORGEOUS Becker Boy to make our lives more beautiful! We love you little man!!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Broox Stephen...with photos!

Okay...before I get to the details...have you SEEN a cuter little man...ever?! :)
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"Don't look at me...put me back"
"This feels familiar"
Proud daddy with son
6 pounds 15 ounces...we have chubby cheeks!!!
After his bath...our little lobster!
Lilee meeting her little brother...flaunting her new BIG SISTER status!
The kids were SO eager to meet Broox.
I love this picture...I see Keaton AND Lilee in him also! So precious!
Getting ready to go home...SO TINY!
We've been doing as much of this as we can lately!
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I'll have to come back with the details...
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Stay Tuned!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Introducing...

BROOX STEPHEN
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It's a BOY...can you believe it?! We were a little surprised at first, but cannot IMAGINE anything else than our little Broox now!!
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Born: May 19th, 2009 @4:14am (3 weeks early)
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Weighing: 6 pounds 15 oz. (our biggest bub yet)
Length: 20.5 inches
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DARK HAIR...who knows who he got THAT from?!
PERFECT little guy...so content and peacefull...such a joy!!
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I am so in love...so in love and blessed! I am a mother to 4 amazing children...such sweet unique SPECIAL spirits!! How'd I get so lucky?!
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I'll post pictures and an official "birth story" later...just wanted to update everyone!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

CANDLES

I'm hosting a GOLD CANYON CANDLE PARTY!!
When: THIS Thursday, April 30th from 6:30-8:30
Where: My house(E-mail or comment if you don't have the address)
This is a great opportunity to get out of the house and chat with the ladies! I will have yummy snacks and there are some great buying incentives as well. All orders placed that night will be in BEFORE Mother's Day! Get the mom in your life something special...or just treat yourself!!
If you would like to place an order but can't come on Thursday, feel free to contact me and I will be sure to get your candles ordered!!
I hope you can make it!!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

A Success...

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who donated and came out this morning to walk with us! Everyone had a great time and the weather, despite being slightly warm, was beautiful! As a team, we raised over $500 dollars! What an accomplishment! It is awesome to know we have supported such a worthy cause and something I hold so closely to my heart! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!
Here's some pictures of our great day...

Before the race...33 weeks tomorrow!! The countdown is ON!
The Wilson's
Our happy family!! The kids did great!!
Two preggos...two approaching due dates...two HOT MAMA's
The whole clan finishing the walk with a bang!! We had about 30 people on our team this year!

Is that Keaton or the Joker?! That boy LURVES his Cheetos!
Oh those beautiful blues!!
Haylie and Chloe had a great time "playing" with baby Kylee!
The THREE MUSKETEERS...I love this picture!

There you have it...a great day, a great cause!

If you are interested next year, let me know!! Same bat time...same bat channel!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

18 more days till the big walk...wanna come?

The March of Dimes, March for Babies walk is coming up shortly(April 18th).
We've had lots of people tell us they were going to join us, but not many people have actually SIGNED up for our team! This is important for TWO reasons.
ONE, we would like to figure out an order for this FANTASTIC shirt that Seth designed, so we need a list of everyone who is going to see if they want us to make one for them.
TWO, this TRULY is a great cause, and without signing up, it will be unlikely that any money will be raised and ultimately that is really what we want. It's so easy to do, just click on the link from the below post. Sign up, and send an E-mail out to friends and family.
Even $10 will help this cause and help the sweet babies and families that need it so badly. See what you can do, you might surprise yourself! Last year was a huge success for us and I just want this year to be as much a success!
It will be a GREAT TIME together as friends and family and I encourage anyone who would like to join us to do so...just SIGN UP!!
Also, for those of you who cannot make it this year, but understand the greatness of this organization and would like to offer a tax deductible donation, you can do so by clicking on the March for Babies banner on the right of my blog! I'm a 1/3 of the way to my goal...whoo hoo!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!
ps. Camera coming soon...maybe even today! Stay tuned for long awaited updates as well as some new pictures...maybe even a new belly shot of my ginormousness!!:)