Make a Smilebox postcard

Today is my mom's birthday. I decided that since they're in Denmark on their mission, I'd send them an e-card. My dad's birthday was on the 1st, and I sent his already. But I was impressed with the way this card turned out so I thought I'd share it on my blog. Happy birthday grandma!!

Video Clip

Here's a little video clip that aunt Carrie took of us at the hospital with little Michael. Enjoy!

Michael James has Arrived!!
Little Michael James was born on Saturday, September 20, 2008 weighing in at 7 lb. 15 oz. and was 21 inches long. I went in Saturday morning to be induced. They started me on Pitocin about 9:30 a.m., and eventually I was fully dilated and ready to push at about 4:30 p.m. My doctor came and and he said let's get this thing started. He could see that it wasn't going to take long to get him out. And it didn't! He told me to push and little Michael came right out. His little cry reminded me of Kera's little cries when she was born. He calmed down quickly and was awake and alert and looking around.
The doctor had to do a little stitching up because unfortunately I tore some. And let me tell you that is the worst part. The delivery was just fine, but now I'm having to deal with the after labor pains. So hopefully I can heal quickly. Michael is so cute and he is a great eater. I don't have to work very hard to get him to eat. Like most newborns he has been sleeping a lot. It's amazing how right after they come out and you hold them in your arms, you have this instant bond with them. All of the worries and fears you had about having another little one to care for just melt away because you are so happy to have him and to know that he's yours.
Our family is so happy to have his little spirit in our home. The kids are both very excited to be a big sister and brother. Kera wants to help care for him and she is always so good with him. Jacob loves to go right to him when he gets home from school and see what he's been up to all day while he's been gone at school. It's an adjustment having a newborn again to care for, but we are so happy that he's here and that he's healthy and perfect. Here are some pictures from the hospital.

Lets make that Saturday...

So this morning I woke up early to call the hospital as instructed at 6:30 a.m. and they told me to call back again at 7 a.m. They were waiting to see if they could discharge some patients. So I call back at 7 and they told me to come in at 8:30 a.m. So I start getting ready and everything, then the hospital calls me back and asks if I can come in at 9:30 instead because they had a bunch of women come in who were in labor. Okay, so we get everything together and get Jacob to school and Kera to a neighbor, and head to the hospital. When we get there they tell me they have some bad news. They can't start me now because they don't have any rooms available in the postpartum area. They need to wait until after 1 pm when more beds become open. Okay, so we sit down and wait for the nurse to contact my doctor, and my doctor has plans to take his son to a scouting overnighter. So if they start me at 1, then the doctor won't be able to deliver the baby. SO...I have to come back tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. The nurse told me that when I come in tomorrow they will be sure to admit me. I'm counting on that because I really do NOT want to have to come in and be told to go home again. I won't leave! I'll just say I'm leaving when this baby is out! Anyway, I guess that is the downside to having a scheduled induction. You are definitely not their priority. I can understand it, but it still was a bit frustrating to say the least. Dave gets off work, the kids are both arranged babysitters, etc.
But tomorrow, September 20th, SHOULD be this baby's day of arrival. I will keep everyone updated and hopefully we'll have some better news after this weekend.
Love you all!

Friday is the big day!!
So I had my doctor appt. this morning. He told me that I was still dilated to a 2. He asked what my plans were and I decided to schedule an induction for this weekend. So friday morning, September 19th, is the day I'm scheduled to be induced. Unless of course I go into labor sometime before that. I wanted to have a plan though in case the baby doesn't come on his own. I do NOT want to go past my due date, which again is next Tuesday, the 23rd. So that is the plan. It will be nice to plan when I go into the hospital instead of rushing there in the middle of the night sometime, which could still happen I guess! I have been having some pretty strong contractions for the past week or more. Especially at night. They just aren't regular contractions. I know it would've been nice for my parents to see the baby before they left for Denmark, they flew out this morning, but I just felt I should wait until I was closer to my due date. They'll have to be satisfied with pictures and maybe some live video chats online.
Well that's my big news. Wish me luck!!!

Staci's Baby Shower

My family was nice enough to throw me a baby shower this past weekend. It turned out beautifully. Dave's sister Carrie did the decorations and my mom planned the food and the games. Cheri helped organize it and sent out all the invitations. I want to say thank you so much to the three of them and all of their hard work!! This was my first baby shower that I had here in Utah where a lot of my family were able to attend; since both Jacob and Kera were born in Texas. My good friend Heidi, who lives here in Kaysville, and who's baby is due 4 weeks after mine, came to the shower. Many of my aunts on my mom's side and my aunt Chris on my dad's side were there along with some of my cousins. It was a good turnout.

My parents are leaving for Denmark next Monday so we wanted to have the shower while they were up here. They went into the MTC today and will be there the rest of this week. My mom was saying how nice it would be for me to have the baby this week before they leave for Denmark. They leave the MTC friday and will spend the whole weekend at my grandparents. I wouldn't mind having the baby a little bit early either. It would be nice to be done! I thought about having the doctor induce me over the weekend, but I think I'm going to see if this baby will come on his own. At my doctor appt. today I was dilated to a 2 and 70% effaced. So there is progression. We'll just have to see when the little guy wants to make his appearance!
Thanks to my cousin Emily who took all the pictures at my shower. Here are some of the ones she took.

Here I am hiding my big belly behind the flower arrangement. Carrie did a great job with the table. She let me keep the beautiful rose bouquet.

Here's Kera and my cousin Heidi's little girl Isabel. They're a month apart.

This group along the wall is (left-right):my mom, my sister-in-law Jennifer, my aunt Debbi, my aunt Christine, and her daughter Heidi

Here I am opening presents with my friend Heidi Kjar behind me

Here's my sister Cheri on the left and my sister-in-law Vermil on the right

Here's the party decorator-my sister-in-law Carrie

This is a game we played where you think of something that relates to my pregnancy and delivery for each candy bar name

This picture makes me laugh. This is my aunt Eilene and her two girls Terra (left) and Leesa (right). The funny part is how they're all posed the exact same way with the same head tilt and crossing their arms. Are they related or what?

Here's one of Kera being silly while she was helping me open my presents

This is my mom cutting the cheesecake

THE END!!

Fun Blog Post "10 Questions about Mom"

I saw this idea on some other blogs and thought it would be fun to see what my kids would say to these questions.
Here are Kera's (age 3) answers to the following questions:
1. What does mom always say?
Kera: "You can get it out yourself" (I had just told her this a few minutes before when she wanted one of her toys out of the closet)
2. What makes mom happy?
Kera: "When I say I love you mom"
3. What makes mom sad?
Kera: "If I don't love you"
4. How does mom make you laugh?
Kera: "If you tickle me"
5. How old is mom?
Kera: 30 (I was pretty impressed that she knew this)
6. How tall is mom?
Kera: "This tall (arm stretched out as high as it can go)
7. What does mom like to do?
Kera: "eat breakfast"
8. What is moms job?
Kera: "to clean the dishes"
9. What is mom's favorite food?
Kera: "chicken" (we do seem to eat that a lot)
10. How do you know mom loves you?
Kera: Because you take me to fun places like Kangaroo zoo and Jungle Jim's

Here are Jacob's (age 6) answers to these questions:
1. What does mom always say?
Jacob: "Good morning" (could be worse, right?)
2. What makes mom happy?
Jacob: "When I give you a hug"
3. What makes mom sad?
Jacob: "When I don't give you a kiss when you leave"
4. How does mom make you laugh?
Jacob: "By telling me funny jokes"
5. How old is mom?
Jacob: "30"
6. How tall is mom?
Jacob: "I don't know"
7. What does mom like to do?
Jacob: "Have family home evening with us"
8. What is moms job?
Jacob: "To take care of us"
9. What is moms favorite food?
Jacob: "pizza"
10. How do you know mom loves you?
Jacob: "Because you give me kisses and hugs"

I have to agree with most of their answers. My kids know me pretty well!