Tristen Dean is here!

So much to remember and say...

Tristen Dean Ellsworth is here, healthy, and well loved. I've already posted these pictures of FB, but would like to tell the story here (it'll be a little longer). The doctor broke my water at about 7:15 and said we could be expecting to having the baby within 1-4 hours. After the doctor left Duane asked in all seriousness, "Should I go play with Kalvin?", who was over at my Mom's (10 min. drive). I told him I'd rather have him stay at the hospital and we decided to Skype with him instead. For those who don't know, Skype is an online messenger that allows video feed. So, Kalvin and my sisters sat around my Dad's laptop at home and we had ours next to the bed and were able to chat with Kalvin. 

This is a picture of the video feed with Kalvin. Aunt Rachel helped him make his favorite for breakfast, eggs.

We were able to stay connected to them on Skype till I was "complete" at (8:45). After hearing this good news, we had to wait another 45 min. for the doctor to get to the room! It was a long 45 min. and the longer we had to wait the more fear started to creep into my mind, What if this is a huge baby and tears me apart? What if he is really sick because of the meconium the doctor noticed in the womb? The nurse was very reassuring, almost too reassuring, as if she weren't hearing what I was saying, but just discrediting it, either way it made me shut my mouth... lol

My doctor was not able to deliver the baby because he had patients in the morning, but his associate, Dr. Skulinski was and I really liked her! She had a very calming and almost "midwifie" feel to her. They got me all set to go (including having the mirror in front, so I could see too). After a push, the doctor said I'd need a small episiotomy and before I knew it, Tristen was here! They immediately took him away to clean the meconium from his mouth and even put a suction tube down his throat for several seconds. After delivering the placenta, the doctor told us the maconium probably hadn't been around very long because of how healthy the placenta looked. What a relief! Tristen was born at 9:32 AM weighing in at 8 lbs., 4 oz., was 19.5 inches long, had a head circumference of 13 3/4 inches, and his apgar score was 8 at 1 min, and 9 at 5 min. 

Daddy was so great to take pictures right after. I love this shot he got with the nurse busily working around Tristen, though he's looking at the camera.

What a cutie!

Proud Mamma!

I fed Tristen as soon as I could after birth so family could visit without interruption. Once the word was out that he was here, it didn't take my family long to get to the hospital. They didn't know his name yet so those who were anxious enough came to hear. We had Kalvin say his name and Ruth guessed it! Way to go, Ruth!

Duane and I were very curious to see Kalvin's reaction to the baby. He stared at the baby and didn't say much, but when asked he kissed Tristen on the head, though he wouldn't give hugs or touch him. After thinking about it, I'm glad he's been so timid toward the baby. Kalvin understands how fragile the baby is.

No hugs...

Then everyone took turns holding the little baby.

As usual, Grandma had first dibs.

While Tristen was making his rounds with Aunts, Uncle, and Grandma, Kalvin came to the bed and sat with me for a moment. I asked where his baby was to see if he'd point to my tummy or find him in the room and sure enough he stopped, looked around the room and pointed him out. I was impressed he knew what we had been talking about the last few months. 

After a little bit, the family left and Tristen had his first sponge bath. He screamed and turned very red, but when all was said and done loved laying under the warm heater. 

Daddy had done such a great job taking pictures of so much while I sat in bed... I almost forgot and didn't get pictures of the two of them.

Tristen had lots of visitors come by before we left the hospital and I want to thank them for taking the time to come down. Thank you, Grandma Mickelson, Aunt Ruthie, Aunt Rachel, Uncle David, friend Joey Farnsworth, Grandma Ellsworth, Grandpa Ellsworth, Uncle JP, Aunt Marisa, Aunt Rachelle, Uncle Dean, and Aunt Audra.

Duane and I were so concerned about Kalvin not getting enough attention from us after Tristen was born, so Duane left a little later that day (about 2:00) to hangout with Kalvin at my Mom's. They played there a while, then Duane took Kalvin to his parents and gave him a ride on the ATV. They hung out that whole afternoon and evening, in fact Duane didn't get Kalvin back to my parents till about 10:00. It sounded like they had a lot fun together that day. I love watching the great friendship Duane and Kalvin have. They are the best of buds! I'm sure Tristen is only going to add to the fun. :)

The next day, we had to finish up paperwork, more tests for Tristen and I had to go to a class before being able to leave. 

We went straight to my Mom's house to pick up Kalvin. We left Tristen in the living room so we could be with Kalvin first. We talked with him a few minutes and got caught up on all the fun things he'd been doing at Grandmas and then gave him a gift. It couldn't have worked out better! He loved his trucks and we were able to play with him and build little ramps and so forth. He loved the trucks so much, I didn't think he'd want anything to do with his little brother.

Then we took him in to see his little brother for the second time. Kalvin played with his feet and loved watching him make different faces. Kalvin actually stopped playing with his new favorite toy for a couple minutes to see his little brother.

My mom had the table set beautifully and dinner was almost ready when we got there (the missionaries were coming over). So, we joined them and left soon after. 

Once we got home, we told Kalvin he could hold his little brother if he washed his hands and sat on the couch. He was very anxious and quickly did as we asked. His first reactions were so adorable.

Kalvin just stared at Tristen, watched his every move and didn't take long till he wanted to be a helper.

Kalvin is such a great pacifying helper. As soon as Tristen makes a peep, Kalvin is right next to him helping the pacifire get back in the right place. Kalvin noticed that sometimes Tristen will loose the pacifire soon after getting it so he's resorted to holding it in place for Tristen (minutes at a time). This is one little dedicated brother!

I've been feeling surprisingly well. My mom blessed me with the "birthing body", in fact, I haven't needed any painkillers since the day Tristen was born and I'm healing remarkably well. Now for this tummy to shape up... 

The day after we got home from the hospital, Duane got sick and was out yesterday. I felt so bad for him because he was so waisted, but couldn't stand being so tired and tried to tough it out. He seems to be feeling better today though and was very helpful with Tristen. 

Tristen is a cuddler! He doesn't sleep well unless being held and of course swaddled tightly. After feeding Tristen at 5:00 this morning, I was having a hard time getting him back to sleep (he didn't want to eat anymore) and Duane so thoughtfully took him outside and the two of them slept on the porch in the reclining camping chair till 8:00 AM. Wish I could have been there to see the cuteness!

We're so happy to have Tristen in our family and are so grateful for all the help we've received from family and friends. 

I feel like there's still so much to do before moving in 2.5 weeks, like finding a house! YIKES!

Water's Broken

The doc just came in and broke my water, said I'm 6 cm and a -1 position. Things should start moving right along.

The epidural is here!

I am now 4cm dilated and 80% effaced, woot woot! Hopefully, I'll finally get some rest now, the epidural went in at 4:30am. When I first arrived, I was only 2cm dilated and 50% effaced....stay tuned...more news to come.

The Hospital called...

to say they don't have room for me today. The nurse had no idea as far as a time frame of when they will have a room, except to say they were 4-5 inductions behind and they'd probably call me tomorrow. I'm really not too disappointed. I'm enjoying the afternoon on the couch relaxing as Kalvin sleeps. Duane will be done early today at about 3:00 (in 7 min) and hopefully we can have a fun family evening. I wanted it last night, but Duane had to work on paperwork for Albany that needed to be mailed out today and had to leave at 7:00 this morning.
I'll keep updates on this blog.

Maycee Rae and her big surprise!

As promised, I'm uploading a few pictures of Maycee Rae and off to the hospital it is for me! What a doll she is! Enjoy!

Look at all that hair! No way is that April's baby! I'd say she's a Brimhall for sure, though many Brimhall's say she's a Mickelson... I don't know what they see that's Mickelson though. What do you think?

Gotta love the cute baby yawns!

April and Blake bought a house a little over a month ago and have been working none-stop with renovations. I have been SO impressed to see how much they've done to fix up their place. April decorated Maycee's room and it's so adorable! I love that she was frugal with her spending, but was still able to find and put together something so perfect! Way to go girl!

Catching Up (it's a long one)

It's funny how much I've thought about posting, but haven't found the time to sit and do it... so much has happened that I don't even know where to start...  

Since the last post, I've had two family picture sessions, two infant sessions and a glamour session. It's kept me very busy and I love it!

I was due May 20, but as predicted I've gone past my due date (just like with Kalvin (I was 11 days late)) and am being induced tomorrow at 3PM. My sister, April, who was due the same day as me, was induced and had her little girl on May 24. She is just a doll with long dark hair. April and Blake were nice enough to let me go to their house today to take some pictures of her sweet pea. I'll be looking at them this afternoon and hopefully get time to post some here and on the photography blog. 

I've still got a laundry list of things to do before going to the hospital tomorrow afternoon, including packing for the hospital (can you say Procrastinator). 

Duane painted my fingernails last week and did an awesome job, except they started chipping the next day. I didn't get pictures of them till the french tip was gone, but you can still see the flowers (and my tummy). 

I've been wanting a few pictures of Kalvin and I before his little brother comes and daddy took a couple minutes to do this for us a few days ago.

So, last week was a little crazy! I was due Wed., Duane's birthday was Thursday and the poor guy had to work from 7 AM to 6PM, but we were able to go out to My Big Fat Greek Restaurant with his brother's family, David, Marisa, and Stratton. Friday was my birthday and Duane found a way to get off early so we could go to Joe's Real BBQ out in Gilbert. I hadn't had their baked potato before that day, but it was delicious! Duane left that night (10PM) with Kalvin for Show Low where his family had gone to have a huge paintball war. The next morning, talking to Duane, I found out that after they finally made it to the cabin at 3:30 AM, Kalvin wouldn't go back to sleep! So, Duane slept upstairs on a mattress and Kalvin roamed the house, including getting into the fireplace and making a mess at 5AM. Thankfully, Don (Duane's second oldest brother) was sleeping on the couch down there, and helped Kalvin wash his hands. From what I hear, they had a lot of fun up there and Kalvin came back with the scratches on his legs to prove the abundant amount of outside time he had. I woke up Saturday morning feeling free as a bird (and maybe a tad lonely without my two favorite boys) and made myself some smarn! For those of you who've never heard of it, (which should be anyone who's not in my immediate family) it is a German breakfast dish consisting of eggs, flour, sugar, milk, and vanilla. It may sound strange, but is delicious! Anyway, I though I must have put a little too much sugar in it because right after breakfast I crashed! I was so tired (even after my long nights rest) that I fell asleep for another 1.5 hours. I woke up and thought, what am I doing laying here?! There is so much to do while I have the time alone. I got up and started getting working on my to-do list, but was still so tired. My mom was throwing a birthday party for me that afternoon with all my siblings invited, but there were things around the house I needed to get done. I really didn't feel very good, but pushed through the sleepiness to finish some chores before heading out the door to my moms. 

Well, to make a long story a little shorter, I didn't eat the awesome taco meal my mom made by my request because I felt so bad and only got to watch as everyone else had fun in the pool. I was so weak and tired. I don't know what I would have done if Kalvin had stayed with me, instead of going with Dad, because I was so worn out! Well, that was Sat. and I didn't feel good enough to even drive home so I spent the night at my Mom and Dad's house. It was hard to sleep that night because my body just ached! I realized something that night... My family doesn't sleep at night! My brother, Dallin stayed up till almost 2AM and my mom was up by 4AM (though she had a good excuse, April was scheduled to be induced at 3AM and she was invited to be there)! So, every time I woke up, it was a struggle to get back to sleep because of the aching discomfort. Anyway, Sunday morning was a little better and I seemed to have my appetite back (at least enough to make myself some yummy waffles with strawberries). As the day progressed so did my energy appetite level. By the end of the day, I felt rejuvenated. 

Rachel came home with me Sunday night (after seeing April and her new baby in the hospital) and stayed to help me out Monday. I woke up Monday morning to contractions at 5:30 that stuck around for 30 min. and of course that got me so excited I couldn't go back to sleep (even after going to sleep at midnight).

I couldn't have asked for a better helper than Rachel, seriously! She was awesome and jumped right in to help me with anything I needed. In an attempt to make moving a little easier we are de-cluttering some of the house, so we have at least 35 items to sell on ebay. Rachel went with me to my in-laws where we packaged, labeled and weighed each item being sold. It took a good two hours! After running from store to store and errand to errand, we went to the hospital to see little Maycee Rae again and stayed a good hour (just long enough to get a brake). From there we went to my Mom's again, who was having a Memorial Day BBQ. Duane and Kalvin came from Show Low and we all swam!

Long story, and if you've made it this far in the post, I'm surprised! Little Maycee's pictures to-come very soon, but I took too long on this post and Kalvin's awake now, so Ill have to catch you later!