Christian's 1st Christmas!

The best Christmas present I got this year was to have Christian join our little family! We are so blessed to have him here, healthy and strong! I'm grateful I was able to have him a little early so we could enjoy Christmas and be able to spend time with family! I know he won't even remember his 1st Christmas but we wanted to have the memories these pictures provide.

Julia being a great big sister with opening his stocking.

A few new things for our Christmas baby!

2 things he does BEST....sleeping &

eating!

Merry Christmas Christian! We love you!

Christmas 2010

Julia was excited for Christmas Eve because she was able to finally open a present. She would ask me everyday..'Mom can we open presents today?' And of course I would have to say no and that we have to wait a few more days. So she was surprised that she got new Christmas Pj's to wear. She ran to put them on!

New Christmas pj's!

Christmas morning we spent at our house. We actually had to wake Julia up to get the festivites started. She came out quietly and looked under the tree. Santa brought her the train set she asked for and she played with it all morning long! It was exciting to watch Julia this year. She really understood everything that was going on and wanted to help everyone open all their presents! It was Christmas overload for her but she enjoyed every minute of it and as a parent it was so fun to see her excitment!

Julia's favorite new train set!

Layne gets his "Green Clean Machine'

After a little breakfast we headed over to my parents for Christmas day! It was pure mayhem but so fun! All the kids just ripped into all their gifts and then we sent them to play while the adults just took their time. We ate till we were stuffed and played until we were completely exhausted. We had such a great Christmas with everyone and it was so nice to have everyone there!

All the kids enjoying their spoils!


Kasey and Royce giddy with the Christmas spirit!


Ripping open everything in sight!

Layne and Royce getting ready to DANCE!

The next day we headed up in a little snow storm to have Christmas with the Cromwell's. We made it safe and sound and were able to have a wonderful few days with all of Layne's family. We had a wonderful dinner and then opened presents. Again, the kids had a great time ripping open presents as fast they could! It always so wonderful to get together with Layne's family and have everyone there. We don't get to have all of us together very often but when we do its always a party. I always look forward to Christmas so we can catch up and visit with each other. We weren't able to stay as long as we wanted to but we had a wonderful time! Julia loves to play with all her cousins and she always has a hard time leaving when we have to come home!

I love this time of year! Its a time for reflection for all that we have been given. Its a time to gather with friends and family! Its a time to remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas! To LOVE and to SERVE as HE truly did! May we always have the spirit of Christmas in our hearts!

2 week update

I can't believe my cute little santa baby is 2 weeks already. When I was still pregnant 2 weeks felt so long but now time won't slow down. Christian is doing really really well! We had a check up at the doctor yesterday and here are the stats: Lenght: 19.8 in Weight: 6 lbs. 15 oz. We went in last week for a one week check up and he weighed 6 lbs 8 oz. So he gained 7 oz in a week, so an oz. a day! WOW! I guess he likes to eat :)

Julia can't get enough of her new brother. Always wanting to help and always sitting by him and talking to him. She is doing a great job at being the 'big sister.'

Christian loves to be held, especially in the middle of the night from 1-4 am! Once he is awake during those hours he loves to be awake and doesn't like to be put down in his bed. He is still growing into his little body, he is still really skinny but with all the eating he is doing I'm sure he will plump up in no time.....he already has those cute cubby cheeks!

Our New Addition!

Christian Philip Cromwell was born on a Saturday afternoon at 2:29 pm, December 4, 2010. He weighed 6 lbs. 10 oz. and was 19 inches long.

It all started early Saturday morning when I woke up a little freaked out that I couldn't feel the baby move and hadn't felt him move in quite awhile. So I made a little trip down to the Mt. Timp Hospital just to be sure everything was ok. I heard the heartbeat and I relaxed a bit. I was also having contractions at this time. They came about every 1-2 mins but weren't very intense. So the nurse told me to just keep track of them and if they intensify to call the Uof U Hospital and let them know.

We came home about 5:30am and I was timing my contractions. So for an hour and a half they were very consistent and not letting up, still not intense but enough to give the hospital a call. So they said it would be best to come up. I called my mom to let her know and my sister Amy came up to the hospital to help watch Julia. We got to the hospital at 9 am and got me all hooked up to monitors and IV fluids. They were trying to just give me fluids to try and stop labor but it didn't so after 2 hours of waiting we finally had a doctor come in to say we will be having a baby today. Now my nerves kick in......I can't believe it.......I will be having a baby with in a few hours. They had to draw some more blood so they could type and match it and it took a few hours for them to do it because of the antibodies in my blood from past transfusions. All the while I am still in labor, something I just didn't want to have to experience again. The contractions were still every 1-2 mins apart but they were certainly intensifying. I couldn't have anything for them because I was going to be getting a spinal soon and they wanted to wait to give me something for as long as possible. I was surprised that I was able to handle them as well as I did!

So its finally time to get my spinal and I'm petrified! I'm so anxious! I walk into the freezing cold operating room and try to take deep breaths and calm down. It felt like they took forever but they finally got it done! So I'm trying to relax but I know what's coming next. The whole fact that you are awake while all the cutting is going on is hard to comprehend. I was trying to think of other things and finally they got under way and brought Layne in. A little relief knowing he was finally with me. A few minutes later Christian was born and I heard his cry and I knew I was going to be ok. He was healthy and I was actually able to see him. Layne was able to walk over and see him and get some pictures. They brought him over so I could see him and we got our picture. The baby and Layne left and I was a little more calm....I couldn't wait for them to bring him in so I could hold him!

Happy Birthday Christian!

First time holding Christian.........Love at first sight!

I was holding the baby and Layne and Julia walked in the room. She was so excited and practically jumped up on the bed and sat next to me. Her face in this picture says it all......PRICELESS! She was able to see him get walked down the hall to get all cleaned up but seeing him up close was exciting for her. All she wanted to do was hold him! I think Daddy was pretty excited too!

We finally got settled into our room and then after the first 24 hours things were up and down for both me and Christian. During his pediatric visit they saw some blood in his stool and were concerned about that. They had to draw blood and do a few tests. So he had to go to the nursery and stay and be monitored and was unable to eat. So they put in an IV and fed him fluids. The next night it ended up that the blood culture they took came back with bacteria in it after the 24 hour mark so to take precautions they wanted to do a spinal tap and a few other tests. I just started bawling. I was thinking this can't be happening. But after a blessing for me and Christian I knew things would be ok. He had to go back to the nursery and stay once again. I was able to visit and get pictures so he couldn't say later that Julia was 'special' because she was a NICU baby. We have proof that Christian also had to get some special treatment!!

Christian was able to come back to my room only after a short stay in the nursery. He was still on antibiotics until the final results came back from the blood culture. 48 hours later we come to find out that the blood culture was contaminated with a skin flora. I didn't know whether to be upset because of everything he had to go through because of it or just relieved. I do think that the antibiotics did help with the blood in his stool. It eventually cleared up and for that I am grateful!

The night before they were set to release me I developed high blood pressure. I was anxious and had some pretty bad edema but the doctors thought it was preclampsia. I guess you can develop that other having a baby as well. I had never had high blood pressure throughout my pregnancy so I was upset. I had to get another IV and have blood pressure meds given to me and the dose/course was going to last 24 hours! I was so upset but knew that Christian would have to stay that extra day anyway so everything worked out. They put me on Magnesium and it didn't go over well. About 4 hours from being done with the 24 hour dose I just felt awful! I have never felt so bad in my life...I couldn't even pick up my arms or move for that matter. So I told the nurses I just didn't feel well and after some convincing the doctor stopped the meds. After about an hour I was feeling 100% better. It was certainly a set back but a necessary one for my health and safety! Its always an adventure when I'm in the hospital...you would think I would just expect it! So we had another day to just sit and get better until Christians final test results came back.....5 days later we would finally be heading home!!

We finally had the clear to come home and it was a HAPPY DAY!! My sister Kasey had spent the night and helped me get everything ready to go. Later Julia, Layne and Grandma Cromwell came up to take us home. Julia was going to visit gramma and grandpa while we went home to settle in. Its been so great to finally get home and have Christian with us.....healthy and happy! We love you so much already and we are so grateful you made it safe and sound! Happy Birthday Christian!

Middle Names

We had a few middle names we were considering for Christian. I liked both of the names we had picked out and so I left it up to Layne to decide what it would be, knowing I would like whatever he picked. So the day Christian was born Layne sent me a text and said "I think I like Philip for the middle name." So it was decided.

I asked Layne what made him pick the middle name Philip and he pulled out a scripture and said he was reading it the other day and said it seemed appropriate.

Helaman 5: 6-7
" Behold, my sons.....I have given unto you the names of our first parents Lehi and Nephi.....and this I have done that when you remember your names...ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good."

Anticipation!

28 weeks

33 weeks

37 weeks

I have been so excited for the Christmas season to roll around this year. I don't know if its because I get to decorate and put up the tree or if its because we have a new addition coming!! A little bit of both I think! As a family we are so excited and can't wait until he gets here. I don't know if Julia quite gets the concept of a new baby in the home but I am so anxious for them to meet and see her reaction!

I'm certainly ready to have him. I'm 37 weeks and he is just a mover just like Julia! A couple of times he has kicked just right to where it has literally made me sit straight up! If he is anything like Julia we are in trouble!

Layne doesn't show to much excitement but I know he can't wait. I can't wait for them to meet and have the 'father-son' bonding moment! Just having another male in the home to counter balance all the drama that goes on will be welcomed! And I know he is tired of me complaining and moaning about all the discomfort and pain I'm in all the time.....BUT he has been a trooper about it.....thanks for the understanding!

The pregnancy overall has been so much better than my first! They do say every pregnancy is different and I'm grateful this one has been! I have been able to stay healthy and we are certainly farther along with this baby then we were with Julia. I haven't had all the horrible discomfort that I had with Julia. This time around its been just the normal stretching and discomfort that most women get. I haven't had to wear the pregnancy belt that helps support everything like I did the first time around. I have been able to just do more, meaning walking around, getting out and doing things the farther along I get then I ever did with Julia, and without all the pain! I did experience more migraines and I get the swollen feet/ankles with this one. I certainly don't sleep well with baby #2 either. I know its just preparing me for all the sleepless nights I will have when he actually gets here! Cravings were different too. For the longest time I couldn't even stand the smell of salsa, which was my favorite thing to eat. But it finally passed and I'm back to my routine of a daily dose of salsa! For awhile it was cravings for a BLT sandwich from the Purple Turtle and lately its been Sticky Fingers and Fries with Creamy Amazing Sauce from Wingers. I even bought the sauce thinking I could duplicate the wonderful sauce but of course its never the same, but close enough! One craving did stay the same and that was cold cereal, it was about the only thing I could eat for awhile, and for 3 meals a day. Frosted Mini-Wheats, Cracklin Oat Brand, and regular Captain Crunch were among the favorites. I think I would down a box of Captain Crunch in about 2 days....so healthy!

We are certainly in uncharted territory with this one! But that definitely is a good thing. I just want to be able to have a "normal" experience at the hospital this time, if there is such a thing. We do have a C-section planned and so the date is set a week before the actual due date. The 23rd is the original due date but I am so glad we get to have him a week early, just with Christmas and all. Hopefully, no matter when he comes on the 17th or earlier, I will be able to see him before he is rushed off. I didn't even get to see Julia until about 8 hours later and she was in the NICU all tied up. So fingers crossed everything goes well and we won't have to have another NICU baby. I really do think things will go as planned and he will be able to stay with us and I will be able to have the 'mother-son' bonding time that I so want to experience!

I am really am excited but I just can't seem to comprehend that I will have 2 kids, a new baby, and a baby BOY at that. I've always wanted to have a boy and I really didn't think it would happen. I am certainly a 'tom-boy' and always have been so all the things that come along with boys is exciting to me! I know he will be a great addition to our little family! I can't wait to meet you little baby boy!

Count Down

I don't know who is more excited for baby brother to come but Julia and I made a final countdown until he gets here. We have 15 days left!! He could come early but that's ok with us. I think we are all excited to have baby brother join our family. What a great Christmas present!!