Our Day

This is us the day I came home from the hospital a week or so ago. It's also how we spend most of our day.

Me nursing,

Max wanting to hold the baby,

and Benny petting him.

Recovery

Andrew getting some sun on Nona and Papa's electric blanket Christmas Day.

This really has been a great recovery for me, for two reasons:

1) JB.

He has been so so great with Thing One and Thing Two. He takes them on errands, to McDonald's, to a Jazz game, to the dollar theater....and he's incredibly patient with their needs, even when they are pounding on each other. The holidays mean not as many mortgage loans are getting done (bad) but he can spend more time at home (good).

2) No jaundice.

Max and Benny each had to be on the lights for about a week, with almost daily heel-pricks and blood-draws. I was a worried, weepy mess the whole time. But our boy Big Drew has been just fine. He turned yellow, but the doctor wasn't worried. He said as long as he's eating and pooping well, then he's fine.

Speaking of eating well, today I went to a lactation consultant (ABC Lactation) and got good tips. Even with my third baby, I still need a little help! Andrew also had his two-week checkup today, 3 days early. He's an ounce away from his birth weight and has grown a quarter-inch. The Dr says he looks perfect. I agree.

Merry Christmas!

Those trucks now get tucked into bed near the boys at night. They get carried all over the house too.

Andrew and I got new hats for Christmas. I made his with monkey ears. He's very impressed.

Benny and Max had a great day. These are their new shirts, and their new best buds pose. I think they made it the whole day without fighting. My sweethearts.

Benny and Papa each got a new Utah shirt. I gave JB two new U of U shirts, too, because this Cougar is nice like that. Benny has not taken his jersey off since Christmas, even for bed. He also has a football helmet waiting up high for him to wear, if he only goes poo on the potty. But he tells us that football players don't use the potty. Hmmm.

Happy holidays from our house to yours!

A Photo Shoot

JB took some pictures of our little Christmas present under the tree.

But he got a little upset about it.

He's either saying, "Free my hands! Let me scratch!" Or "Milk! I want milk!"

Look who came to join our family!

Andrew Rockwell

I went into labor Friday night, and he came Saturday morning. He's 8 lbs 14 ounces and 21.5 inches long -- and that's 10 days early!

The boys are excited to have their little brother home today. Max is already a very attentive helper. We feel very blessed to have a healthy, sweet, chubby, soft pink baby to love.

Me on TV again

Still no baby, though I was afraid if I was sent to Provo early this morning I could go into labor. I'm helping cover the story of the fire at the Provo Tabernacle. It really is awful, as I have many memories of the building from my time at BYU.

Here's the link to the story, and I'm in the middle of the video somewhere, at least until they update the story with a newer version:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13693318

The Big Squeeze

I keep having contractions. But they don't go anywhere. I just keep feeling them randomly throughout the day, for the past week and a half or so.

I had only a day of this with Benny, then the next morning went into labor. So every night I go to bed and wonder, "Will this be it?" But I sleep through it all. This morning I'm just ignoring it as best I can. I don't even time them anymore because they are so annoying.

I just feel bad for this baby. His home keeps getting squeezed! As it is he's way out of room. He just squirms now. My iphone "What to Expect" app says this week the baby is the size of a watermelon. Are we talking the watermelon my dad used to buy to feed us 12 children? Or the watermelon you get for a smaller family?

Waiting

(Benny's potty chart)

We are all playing a waiting game at our house. Waiting for Benny to be potty trained, waiting for colds to get all the way better, waiting for Christmas, and waiting for this baby to arrive.

Benny has been doing very very well this week on the potty. But he has figured out how to game the system. He can do probably 6 little tiny peeps in the space of a half-hour instead of one big one, and that way he gets more stickers on his chart. Hmmm. Plus he still refuses to poop in his potty. He prefers to have a diaper on and hide in the corner.

Baby update: At my appointment last week I was measuring large. I had an ultrasound on Monday, at 37 weeks, where they estimated this "little guy" is around 8 1/2 pounds. But yesterday my Dr said she's not too worried. She won't induce any earlier than 39 weeks. When I was this far along with Max an ultrasound estimated he was 9 pounds and I was induced just before 38 weeks along. He ended up 8'3 or 8'4. My Dr now says all the research shows waiting just a bit more is better for the baby's health, if they are not too big. So we wait!

Benny boy's birthday

Our Benny is now 3 years old! He loves sports /balls/athletes, cars/trucks/planes/trains, and everything else boy. He requested a football cake, and hasn't taken off his new Jazz jersey from Nona and Papa yet. He wants it over his jammies too.

We went to Chuck E Cheese (after months of requests everytime the commercials came on) and the boys had a blast playing the games.

JB earned us more tickets with his mad basketball skills. Benny had to be right there to help as well.

We just love this little ball of energy and are so glad he's in our family!

Sisters, sisters

I loved having my sister Bekah in town for a week. Last Monday we drove to Provo and had our younger sister Rachel as our waitress at the Brick Oven. Fantastic service and food.


We made onesies all together for this new little guy. Look how cute!

I couldn't resist making a few for a new baby girl coming to my friend soon:

We also borrowed a bunch of stamps and markers from a neighbor and decorated several onesies with those. Trust me, they were sooooo cute. And then I washed them. Apparently the ink was not for fabric. They are back to plain white again.

For your entertainment

That's me in the wig. Studio 5 at work was asking people to show their team spirit last week, and they put the pictures on their Facebook page.

I have a funny full-length mirror at home that is slanted, so I never knew until I saw that picture how much I am sticking out this pregnancy! I dreamed last night I had a ten pound, 27 ounce baby, which I believe is impossible math. Then I dreamed that I had twin girls instead, and I was mad at my doctor for not telling me I was going to have twins. "I have to mentally prepare for these things!" I yelled.

At least JB was really nice about it.....

Fine, I'll post just a little bit about the BYU-Utah game, because JB's name is on this blog too. JB and his dad have U tickets together, but Feller was in Phoenix for Thanksgiving. So JB took Joe, his sister Sarah's husband. He goes to BYU's law school.

(In front of our house before heading to the stadium)

Then at the last minute Sarah got a ticket and got in too. I watched it on TV with my sisters while Max and Benny had their naptime/quiet time. Let's just say my hopes and dreams for a BYU win were blocked at the end. But I'm glad those at the game stayed warm -- it was 27 degrees or something.

Busy busy

We've had a fun and busy week. Two of my sisters are staying with us for Thanksgiving and we have gone to movies, shopping, crafting, and more. There was also the BYU-Utah game (I don't want to talk about it), and lots and lots of snow.



My two little helpers like to shovel snow and scrape off the car.

That's Benny wearing his fireman boots over his feetsie jammies and another pair of pants and some basketball shorts over that.

We also dabbled in potty-training at the beginning of the week and had a great first day. Benny's prize is a Paul Millsap Jazz jersey hanging in our kitchen that he really really wants, and he was very gung ho last Sunday to put stickers on his chart. Then he gave up.

"I'm still a wittle (little) boy," he says, and he flat refuses to go anymore on his potty. You can't fight a toddler on things like these, they win. He turns 3 next week but we also have a new baby coming in a matter of weeks, so we may have to put it off for a while. Oh boys, what a joy to potty-train

Chicago Pictures

JB and his dad (Papa to my boys, "Feller" to JB), had a nice time together in Chicago last weekend. Of course they had to seek out the pizza. Here they are at Lou Malnati's.


Here they are in front of Soldier Field.

This is them at the U-Notre Dame game.

The first night they went to Gino's East, another pizzaria that has been featured on the Food Network.

A Long Weekend

JB and his dad (Papa) went to Chicago over the weekend. Oh, and they also went to the U of U-Notre Dame game in South Bend, but now I think they want to change the focus of their trip looking back. I'm just saying.

Anyway Max, Benny and I spent four days without daddy. I don't know how people go any longer than that. We missed him! I tried to have a highlight or new activity or something different every day, and that helped us get through.

Friday
Eating olives off fingertips.

Saturday
A church activity in the morning, playing with Roger and Katie in the afternoon, then going to see my grandma and other relatives at a yummy potluck dinner at (I think) my mom's cousin's house.


Sunday
Church by ourselves, but we are used to this. JB's calling on the Stake High Council means that just about every Sunday he has to go to another ward's meetings and sit on their stand. Looking all handsome I'm sure.

Then we had dinner at Nona's house, without Papa, but with cousins and Aunt Sarah and Uncle Joe. Then we had a sleepover there, so Nona could be with the boys while I went to work early early Monday morning. Max was excited that Nona was taking him to kindergarten. He either wanted to show her off, or show off our Honda Pilot that she drove that day.


Monday
Using a coupon for a free ice cream cone Max got at school for reading.





But we left his jacket there. I just about cried when I realized I would have to haul my (big, pregnant) weary bones back to Arctic Circle. But we made it.


JB got back around midnight, and the boys greeted him with rapture this morning. We missed his tickles, kisses, snuggles, and amazing dinners (see the olive picture above for my attempt at a meal). I also missed his standing-in as a punching bag for my two boys who suddenly LOVE "Kung Fu Panda."

Me on TV

See my pregnancy pinkish-hue and runaway bangs on TV! Oh, and my story about charter school funding. Watch the video, I'm on a few seconds after the ad.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=13248377

The bangs fell over one eye right before they came to me. I should have pushed them back anyway. This is why I like the radio better.

Two more items

My clothing
I do think an expectant tummy is darling, I really do. But you have to admit it's awkward to dress. My pants are turning into ankle pants/pedal pushers/high waders as I hoist them up over my belly. Or they are slung so low that the top of the pants does not meet the bottom of my shirts. I of course am blisffully unaware of this until I pass a full-length mirror during the day. From my vantage point looking down everything looks fine -- because I can't see below my tummy!


His birthday
I'm due on Dec 28, but at my last doctor's appointment my doctor suggested induction a week early. It's due in part to my history of having early bigger babies (about 8 1/2 pounds each. Max was 2 1/2 weeks early and Benny came 9 days early). But it could also be because of craziness of the season. What do you think? Do I take my chances of going into labor pre-Christmas, after Christmas, ON Christmas, or even after New Years, or do I go for being induced?

Could I bend your ear for a tick?

I get a lot of questions lately about how I'm feeling, now that I'm just about 33 weeks pregnant. But I may just be misinterpreting the generic "Hi how are you?" greeting. I usually give a longer answer than the standard "I'm fine, how are you?"

I like to say a pregnant woman can always complain. Here's what my doctor says is fine to complain about (because there's not much to do about it!)


My Spituation
I'm still a free-flowing camel/llama/baseball player. But in the last two months I have found a great way to deal with all the extra spit. I chew on tiny pieces of mint gum all day long. I break a stick of gum into probably sixths or even smaller. Somehow the mint or the chewing either dries out my mouth or helps me swallow better. But it still wakes me up at night, and I have to sleep on a towel. I went to the dentist recently for a checkup, and wanted to take "Mr Thirsty" home with me.

Heartburn
It's mostly in the evenings and handled by Tums, but lately even the mornings have been fire-y. Milk helps then. Chocolate milk even better. But regular chocolate and I have broken up for the time being. "It's not you, it's me," I cried.

Sciatica
My right hip hurts. I like to slap it like Maria does on "The Sound of Music." You know, when she sits on the pine cone at the dinner table then blames rheumatism for jumping up in pain? My whole body pillow helps a lot at night. Unless JB accidentally steals it in his sleep. I love that pillow so much I want to name this baby after it.

A name
I went back and forth between two names for several months, but in the last 2 months or so we've really liked another name. All I'll say is that on the way to work this week, a James Taylor song came on the radio and this little guy started to really move. Either it's a message about his name or he was trying to tell his momma that "Winter spring summer or fall, all you got to do is call."

Despite the complaining, this stage is fun. I love to feel the kicks, wiggles and movements. I like the attention my tummy gets, and I can't wait to see this little guy in all his newborn sweetness.

U-Air Force

JB was invited to spend a quick weekend in Colorado Springs to visit two of his former mission companions.

One of them works for the Air Force football team, and JB was able to take a tour of campus, the locker room, and of course go to the game.

He had a great time, especially because the Utes held on to win the game.

Halloween

Max had a costume party at school last Friday. JB took the dragon and Superman to school that morning.

On Saturday night we went trick-or-treating. We went early to escape most of the storm, but had some rain. Look at this little tail wagging down the sidewalk!

My cuties had certain houses they wanted to visit. I tried to go to more houses to say hi to them, but by the end of the night, I was carrying various capes, buckets, umbrellas and jackets plus baby#3, and I was ready to go home.

Max and Benny loved handing out the candy to others even more. They stood on the porch and beckoned to one and all: "Come here trick-or-treaters! We have candy at our house! We are having a sale on candy tonight!"

I would get up to see who was at the door and Max would scold me, "Sit down Mom, I got it. Your feet hurt." He also told me to relax. So I did!

JB had been invited to Colorado Springs that day for the Air Force-U of U football game. Pictures from that in the next post.

Attire

Some exciting things have been purchased in the past two weeks. Exhibit A: Feetsie jammies just the right size for a very tall 5-year-old, from Target.

For days he would change into them right away after school every day. Now he does the same with his halloween costume.


Exhibit B: Fireman boots from Costco and a free fireman hat from the SL Fire department.



He wears them all day, and all night. Yes, he says he's perfectly comfortable sleeping in them. Isn't that the cutest little figure you've ever seen?

My handsome chef

(JB serving up his smoked pulled pork at his sister Suzanne's wedding in July.)

Sometimes I pinch myself when I see what JB has cooked up. The other night he made citrus salmon, with rice that was tossed with olive oil, basil and garlic.


I was almost done eating the garlic-basil shrimp when I thought I should take a picture of it.


It was all very. very. good.

I didn't take a picture of all the homemade BBQ sauce that JB simmered for take-home gifts for our friend Roger's surprise birthday party last Saturday. Roger's wife JoLynn made cool labels that said "JBones" on them for all the bottles. That same day we received a bounteous bag of tomatoes from a friend's overflowing garden, so he tried his hand at making and canning salsa. We were up to our elbows in red stuff throughout the kitchen but I think it turned out delicious.

The farmer and the cowman

We had a great time recently at Gracie's birthday party. It was at Thanksgiving Point's Farm Country.

We got to feed the animals. Max was a little worried, so I showed him how sweet Millie the cow was. She really went after the corn on my hand. I feel like I've made a friend for life.

The boys loved riding the horses round and round.

I think Benny wants Gracie to have another birthday soon.