One Week

Claira is one week old! Sad! She's already bigger!

Can we get any grumpier?!?!?!?

This is the, seriously, get that camera out my face cry. One time I was taking a picture and Pacen said, "Mom, I think that big light is hurting her eyes!"

This is how we spend most of our day...just staring at the sweet baby girl!

And this is their morning entertainment. She can do as little as grunt or move her arms, and the kids think it's hilarious. What a fun time.

First Day of Preschool--Take 2

Pacen had his first day of Preschool yesterday--only a week late, but hey--we were excited! Pacen was especially happy to wear his backpack...can ya tell??? It definitely was interesting trying to get all 4 of us ready to be out the door by 9, but we did it...almost. I had to run back home and get my purse that I forgot so we could go get Claira's bilirubin test done.

All was a fun day at preschool, I guess. Pacen said that he had fun and told me what they did. I asked him if he made any new friends and his reply was, "Only mean friends," and said something about not being able to sit on a chair. Yes, way to break a mother's heart! I don't really know what happened but hopefully he can make new friends. He's a real sensitive soul. He keeps saying how fun it was, though, so I'm trying not to worry. Here's to tomorrow--hopefully he'll find those 'nice' new friends. :)

Back to Real Life

Now everyone is gone and we're left to fend for ourselves! Yikes! We were so glad to have had so much help this past week. It will hopefully make for an easy adjustment to real life.

Pacen & Cam are constantly hovering over poor Claira. Camry is always saying, "Oh, don't cry baby Cwaira." and "Ooohhh, Baby Cwaira is soooo tired." It's really cute.

Can you tell how much Claira wanted to take this picture?!?!?!

Claira Fix for the Day

This is how Claira would like to sleep all day, everyday. And let's be honest, I let her because nothing is so fun like having your little baby sleep on you.

Sisters

Camry has been such a sweet sister already. She was the one that I was worried about adjusting, but she has been great! She really just loves Claira and would be constantly up in her face all day if I let her. Having a new baby is so fun.

More Claira

Life is going well. Here are just a few photos from the past few days. Claira continues to be sweet & we have learned likes to wake up for the day at 8 PM. Nice.

We're quickly running out of lap room.

We're Home!!

Here she is: Claira Ruth Hancock

Isn't she just pretty?!?!

We're home now--thanks to a pre-existing condition that leaves one without 'real' maternity insurance--we got out of there as soon as we could. But I'm so happy to be home with this healthy, sweet, baby girl. Here is the picture to prove that my hair wasn't picture perfect like Than said. It got all messy because I was just roasting hot towards the end and I put a wet rag on my forehead. :)

It really was the most amazing experience. I really think that I would do it without an epidural again. Luckily, I am very blessed with good baby making genes. It was pretty much like Than described it. It wasn't easy by any means, but it was only hard for like 25 minutes. And I just feel great now--I'm having a very good recovery.

Here is our awesome midwife and nurse. They did an awesome job keeping me under control. I am definitely a midwife fan now.

And here's my support team. They did a good job, too, watching and silently supporting.

Oh, and here she is again. She's just wonderful. She has this little grouchy face that makes her look like an old lady. I just think it's amazing how much you love your kids. Who knew you could have so much love stored up in you?!?!

The kids have responded so well to her. They just want to touch her and give her kisses all the time. Than said that Pacen was a little disappointed that she wasn't a boy, but said that he could

call her "Cougar" anyway.

Our first new family picture. You really shouldn't take pictures in your hospital gown. Not that cute. Can you believe that we have three kids?!?!?!

And here's her grouchy face. That cat is about it get it. And there she is so happy to be home. We are a very blessed family.

Welcoming Baby Claira!

Well don't hate me because I left the camera at the hospital. (By accident of course!) But Baby Claira was born yesterday at 12:15 PM. Erica was pretty much unbelievable like always. We went in to be induced around 7:30 AM and started pitocyn (You can correct my spelling) around 8. Erica seemed happy as could be, not effected by any contractions until about 11:50. She started to feel a little uncomfortable and then the pain really hit at about 12 PM. It was funny because the doctor checked her at about 12 and said well I am going to go deliver the baby next door, and then by the time I get back you should be ready. Well, needless to say the doctor never made it next door. Erica had two major contractions and the midwife said "we better get you on this bed" and two minutes later Claira came into the world. Erica screamed twice, and apologized both times, and that was about it. When it was all done she still looked beautiful, hair perfect, make up intact and definitely did not look like someone who just delivered a baby. No offense Mom's but I have seen some pretty gnarly pictures. (I write that so everyone can be jealous and disgusted with how easy Erica's pregnancy's are from day 1 to the finish, take it out on her, not me!)

When the baby came out we were all very surprised, IT WAS A GIRL! Camry was the only one who has insisted the entire time that it was a girl. I really thought it was going to be a boy. She is perfect, literally. She was born at 12:15, she is 8 pounds 10 ounces and 19 inches long. She is perfect, no weird head formations and of course had been sleeping ever since. She has a little hair, and blue eyes, but we will see how long all of that lasts. Her name is Claira Ruth (My grandma's middle name) Hancock.

I have learned some valubale lessons during this pregnancy-
#1 I now believe in sympathy pains. I had hurt my foot on a 20 mile hike this last saturday and literally could barely walk on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. It hurt SOOO bad. I kid you not the minute after Claira was delivered, my foot pain went almost completely away. Sypmathy pains, wherever they come from are real.
#2 Midwife's may not be real doctors but they are awesome. In classic Than format, our midwife totally heard me talking about how I was nervous that she wasn't a real doctor. The more embarassing part is she called me on it. She says, "OK lets just get this, I'm not a real doctor thing out of the way." Yeah I was a little humiliated, but she was awesome. She got in the bathroom with Erica, pushed with her, and coached her through it, while I kind of stood by feeling stupid with my hands in my pockets wondering what to do. She was great.
#3 Not knowing is kind of fun. Even though I complained it was fun not knowing and seeing a little girl come out. I am glad we waited.
#4 Erica is amazing. Most importantly I learned again how amazing Erica is. She was seriously awesome. She handled the pain like a champ and has instantly gone into supermom mode. She has never ending love for Pacen, Camry, and now Claira and truly loves being a Mom and everything that comes with it. She is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and our family.

As soon as we get pictures we will post them. We appreciate everyones love and support. We were sad Linda (Erica's mom) couldn't be there, but we know she was there in spirit. She has just three more days of treatment left.

Bronchitis

The verdict was Bronchitis--a mild form still--for Pacen, with Camry 'trailing on his heels'. So, we have an antibiotic for him, and one on hold for her for if her cough gets worse. So fun!!! :)

My poor Sick-y

Today was supposed to be Pacen's first day of preschool, but he's sick! I'm so bummed that he's missing out on his very first day of school. Who gets sick in September?!?! This is ridiculous. He was sad that he didn't get to play with his friends, but hopefully, come Wednesday, he'll be up and running again. And Camry is also sick, so I made an appointment with their doctor today and I'm gonna say, Look, I'm gonna be induced tomorrow--give them something just to make me feel better! Who wants to have two sick kids when you have a brand new baby! I'm not too much of a germ-a-phobe, so I'm not really worried about it, but really, it's not the ideal circumstance. Thank goodness Becky is coming out to help us!

So, unless I go into labor today, I'll be having a baby tomorrow! Yeah! I'll definitely post some pictures soon!

What you do...

...when you're 3 days overdue. Yesterday I got crafty. I was looking on random people's blogs wasting time when I found a tutorial on how to make a nursing cover. So I made it. All in one day I might add. Than was just proud that I actually finished a project and it only cost me like 8 bucks. It's not perfect, but I think it's cute. I'd like to thank our obsession with Project Runway (thanks a lot, Emily!) this season--yes, I said 'our'--Than watches it with me and knows what a good garment is! :)

I really think that the best things about being overdue are:

**The fact that no matter who I call, they always answer the phone, and most say, "Are you in labor?!!?" And then I just laugh because why would I actually go into labor? :)

**The look on people's faces when I get the comment, "Oh, honey, you look like you're just ready to pop. When are you due?" And I say, "Two days ago." They're always so shocked & are trying some way to be encouraging like saying, "Well isn't that just great that you're out and about."

I actually don't mind being overdue. I'm not uncomfortable. I have lots of energy. I've gotten lots of one on one time with Pacen & Camry this week. I really enjoy being pregnant. I'm just anxious to find out what we're having. Than keeps scolding me saying, "That's why people find out!" But this way has been fun, too, and I think it'll be way fun when the doctor says, "It's a....!"

On Sunday, we had some rain and the kids are obsessed with umbrellas, so we went out and played.

I love this. Pacen thought he was so brave to run through the rain. Although he was a little distraught when his shirt got wet. :)

Pooh Sticks!

We live right behind this canal that runs forever through Utah County. It seems like it could be dangerous, but it's really not. In fact, we love that we live right by it because it's just a great place to walk and look at the mountains and valley...but the kids especially love playing

'Pooh Sticks' with Daddy.

We all know the rules. First, you select your stick. Stick selection really is the key to winning Pooh Sticks. :)

Then, you let it go over the bridge and race to the other side to see who is winning. It's quite fascinating...really. :)

Then we race down the canal...poor Cam just wishes she could be as fast as Pacen........

...and throw rocks at your sticks.

Who knew that the Canal could be this much fun?!?!!?


And we have come to find out that walking along the canal doesn't make you go into labor...if you were wondering. :) But there's always tomorrow!

Fathers & Sons

This weekend Than took Pacen on his first 'Fathers & Sons' camp out. Than said that Pacen was a little weary of not having Mom & Camry around, but then had tons of fun running around the camp with his little buddies and sleeping in the van. (Than had a softball game that night and couldn't get there until 8:30, so no time for tents.) He especially loved the rocket launch that they had & won't let me throw the thing away. Camry wanted to take it as her toy for church, but I had to put my foot down.

And by the way, Labor Day doesn't really mean 'labor' day....unfortunately. :)