The First Few Weeks

Marita came to help the week before I was due.  She was able to see Cal at the hospital before she flew home.  My mom came and stayed for two weeks.  I could not have done it without these two-- they are both wonderful.  The kids had a great time.  Eric was pretty great himself.  He had a lot to juggle but he took care of all of us.

Ty's preschool had a bowling field trip.  I'm so glad I was able to go on this fun date with him.  He was all smiles.

 Thirteen days old.

The day before my mom flew home, the weather was perfect.  I think it hit 70 degrees.  The kids worked together to collect lots of acorns.

Blake created this Veterans poster for his schools contest.  And he won!  I think he got a free ice cream.  He is always winning contests.

We had free coupons to restaurants since we just moved here.  I took Janie out to get a hamburger at a fancy restaurant and then to Five Guys to share a shake.  I love our girl time.

Meeting Cal

It was fun and crazy to have the kids come meet baby Cal.  (Although we did not know his name at this point.)  I loved seeing their faces as they first saw him.  They each brought homemade cards.  Cal is one loved baby.

Cal is Born

Cal was born on November 4, 2016.  He was almost 21 inches and weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces.  I had been having strong contractions for about a week.  But every time they would eventually go away.  On November 3rd I headed to a relief society activity at the church.  On the way there I was talking to Amy on the phone and I had a very strong and painful contraction.  They kept coming as I was at the church so I left early and started to head for home.  I called Eric and he didn't pick up (he was at the library donating blood).  I was about to turn left to go home but the contractions were a couple minutes apart and getting stronger so I turned right instead and headed for the hospital.  I didn't even know how to get there so I called my dad and he looked up directions for me.  I was scared that the baby was going to come as fast as Chet did so I was a little frantic getting into the hospital.  After a couple of hours, the contractions went away and I was sad and embarrassed.  

Because I was 39 weeks, they said I could be induced because of all of my false labors and because of my previous labor going so quickly.  I was so grateful to get this baby out.  They started me on pitocin around midnight.  I received antibiotics for group b strep and then an epidural at 3a.m.  Cal was born at 5:03 a.m.  When he first came out, Eric and I both thought he looked a lot like Ty.  So sweet and cute.  I love newborn babies so much, especially when they are mine.