A Baby Update

I know I say it all the time, but I have the best family! My brother and his wife came to our house and took these pictures of Parker for us. Are they just sweet or what?! He is 2 weeks old here, and I can't believe it that he is already a month old now! At his 2 week checkup he weighed 8.13- a whole pound over birth weight! The Drs always tell me I'm a good cow. Cam says I should take that as a compliment. Okay. :) It doesn't really surprise me that he's growing so fast since he's just following his brother and sister, but I really hate it! (He is also eating every 3 hours, day or night!) Other than being pretty tired, we are doing great. Parker is getting blessed this weekend, so I'm very excited about that, plus a little stressed. I'm trying to figure out how we are going to get the 40 members of our immediate family in my house, and my sweet babe has baby acne. I know it sounds lame, but I just want him to look perfect! In the end I know it will eventually go away and it won't matter. Parker is so lucky to have so many people here to share his special day and that love him as much as we do!

Parker B. Hoyt

Sometimes I feel like life isn't fair.  For example: the last week of my pregnancy felt like the longest week of my life and here I am a week after my baby was born and it seems like time is passing at super speed. Not fair! Here is how the last week has been for us, and it is going to be the long version.

Since this was my third c-section, we were supposed to be scheduled on the 24th. Because of the hospital not having any empty slots for the OR that day, I was moved to the 25th. (Not a big deal now, but at the time I cried because I had to be pregnant for another day.) This pregnancy was a lot harder on me than my previous 2 and I was ready! I had been having contractions all weekend, but nothing was consistent enough to make me go in. So, on Tuesday we went in at 4 and my surgery was scheduled for 6 pm. Cam went to work that day, I went about things as normally as possible, and then my mom came down in the afternoon to stay with the kids.

 We arrived at the hospital, got everything going, and the Dr was actually early! What a nice surprise, as I guess this rarely happens. Cam got to come into the OR room with me while they gave me my epidural. This was so nice because with Kenna I was all by myself and my nerves really took over. I felt much more calm with him there holding my hand and talking to me. The Drs were great and helped keep me calm as well by talking to me and letting me know what was going on. When the baby was out he cried right away, and I was given a quick peek and kiss before they took him out to another room to clean him up. Cam made sure I was okay and then went to stay with him. It seemed like forever before he came back and told me what he weighed and everything was great. 

His stats: 7 pounds 13 ounces, 20.5 inches long. 

After I was done being stitched up, they took me back into the room where we started and I let my mom know that they could come up to the hospital. Cam went with Parker to get his first bath and then brought him back to our room. Finally I got to hold him! It is still so amazing to me the love you immediately feel as a mother. My mom and the kids showed up and were really excited to meet their brother. They were interested for a min, and then were running around. My dad and sister also came that night to meet Parker.

That first night was rough. The kids were crying when they had to leave, which of course made me cry, and my pain was pretty intense. They kept the epidural in me, but it wasn't seeming to help the pain much. It was a long night of no sleep for me. Finally once they took out the epidural and I was able to get some motrin in me I started to feel a lot better. I also had really bad shoulder pain for a few days, which is normal after surgery. Funny the things you forget, but I think that's a good thing! The kids came to see us again the next day and then they went home with my mom where they had so much fun playing with their cousins. It was so nice not to have to worry about them and for Cam and I to have some time with our sweet new babe. 

They originally told me I had to stay in the hospital until Saturday, but each day I was feeling better and got up and walked around as much as I could, knowing it would help. The Dr ultimately said it was up to me, so we went home on Friday. I was so ready to be out of that dang hospital bed that was killing my tailbone! It seems almost impossible to get rest when the nurses are coming in every hour to check on you or the baby. We were really happy with our experience and everything, but were ready to be home, too.

So now we are home and trying to get the hang of things with three kids! Luckily Cam's mom has been here this week to help out. I am feeling better each day, but am still reminded at the end of the day by how I feel that maybe I need to slow down a bit. We are loving Parker and his sweet spirit. There is nothing like a newborn! He is not fussy at all, but has his days and nights a little mixed up. I also always forget how much they sleep! The kids have been good for the most part and have been super soft and sweet. I feel so blessed to have such beautiful children and wonderful family who has helped us so much. I couldn't do it without them! 

The rest of our summer.....

I think I needed a break after July, but in reality the summer fun kept on going! I honestly didn't take a single picture with my camera, but will upload some with my phone. I'm going to have to do a lot better once this baby gets here, which is TUESDAY by the way! You can't tell that I'm ready, can you?! This pregnancy has been by far my hardest, but still very healthy and good that way. I am super, super nervous about being a mommy of 3 and worry about how my other kids (especially Kennady) will handle a new one, but he's coming one way or another and thankfully have an amazing hubby and family to help. 

So here's a bit of a catch up of what we've been up to. 

In August:

We went to Bear Lake one last time for a while. The kids are still asking to go to the cabin! McKayla took this of Kennady while we were there. I just can't get enough of this beautiful girl! 

We used our pass to the zoo again and took Marlie and Mason along with us. The kids seriously love it there! It's been a fun thing for us this summer. 

We enjoyed the Box Elder County Fair again with the cousins! Watching the kids at the parade is one of my favorite things. Hudson can't get enough of the tractors and trucks and Kennady was shaking it whenever the dance teams came by. So funny! They had a blast riding rides together after at the fair. Good times! 

And so far in September:

My cousin Ashley who lives in  Boston right now came for a quick visit! It was so fun to see her and meet her little boy Brigham. I'm lucky I've gotten to see her once a year for the past two years now. I just love her! 

Hudson started preschool and speech therapy again, so he is one busy guy! He has class every afternoon except Friday. I miss him, but it's also been nice to have a little time with Kennady. He doesn't hesitate at all when going into his classes and comes home every day saying how he loves school.

I've been really lucky the last few months to catch up with some great friends. I don't have pics of all of the get togethers, but I had a great time with some old friends from college, Liana, and two of my BFF's  Erika and Danielle. I hadn't laughed so hard in a long time. Love all of you ladies! 

Cam and I were able to attend the Brigham City Temple open house at different times. I went with my mom early one Saturday morning and Cam stayed home because Kennady was sick. It is so beautiful and we were very lucky to get to see the Bride's Room, which was my favorite! Then I dropped Hudson and Cam off last weekend before we met his mom in Brigham to take our kids. Kennady and I walked around the tabernacle across the street while we waited. 

We celebrated my mom's birthday!

And last, but certainly not least, I got to spend an entire day with my love. We went to the temple, had ice cream, did a little shopping, went to a movie, and then had dinner with friends. We even got to go to church the next day before picking up our kids. What a wonderful break for this tired, really pregnant mommy! We really do have the best family!

Coming up next: A baby post!!!!!