picture time

I just love this picture. Amy came to take pictures of Avery and they turned out so good. I just love them. Thanks again Amy!!

2 weeks old

Though my two week picture is a week late, I figured better late than never. Time seems to be flying. I look at Avery and think she is getting so big. Others look at her and think she is still tiny. We went to her 2 week doctor appt, she now weighs 7lbs 11 oz. Back to her birth weight and a little. She is a good sleeper and as of now I am only getting up with her once each night, and you won't hear me complain about that. I feel like I am getting more sleep now than I was when I was 9 months pregnant. Matayia and Kaitlyn still fight over holding her though it seems to be wearing off for Kaitlyn. Matayia is such a good, good helper, I sometime feel guilty about how much she helps, but she loves it. It seems as though Avery has been here forever, I already can't remember how it was to not have her in our family. We just love her.

Blessing Day

We figured we hadn't had a busy enough week so we added just one more thing. Why not bless Avery. I had Avery on Monday, Kaitlyn started school and I came home from the hospital on Wednesday, Matayia got baptised on Saturday and while all our family was here we decided to bless Avery in Sacrament meeting on Sunday. All this before Avery was even a week old. I had wondered if I was going to be able to make it through all of this and I will admit when I walked into church that Sunday I got alot of crazy looks from people wondering if I was all there. They must of thought I was crazy, But I knew I was just being blessed. A simple answered prayer had allowed me to do all of this in such a short amount of time. Greg gave Avery a beautiful blessing. (it was also his first week conducting sacrament meeting) I was surprised to see Matayia get up and bear her testimony for the first time and was so proud of her. I wouldn't of missed it for anything. After the meeting we headed back to the house for round 2 of the eating and visiting. Once again it was so nice to have all of our family here to share this special day with us.



On a side note, my mom once again made a beautiful blessing dress. But when we were getting her dressed I realized I didn't have a white diaper cover. I didn't want her to go without one so I picked out the next best thing, pink polka dots with a big flower on the bum. I think it looks good!!

Picture Perfect....

Baptism day

I was so worried about Matayia's big day going well. I wanted it to be just perfect for her and I think it was. My prayers had been answered, I felt really good when I got up that morning. It had been 5 days since I had Avery and I knew Heavenly Father was helping me through. We headed to the church at 9:00 to get Matayia and Greg into their clothes. Matayia was really excited to have 2 of her friends getting baptised on the same day. All together there were 5 little kids from our ward getting baptised that day.



Riley, Kaylee, Matayia, Gentry, and Gavin.


We were lucky to have most of our family here to celebrate with Matayia. Matayia was last to get baptised and the bishop joked that we were going to have to wait until next month because all the water was gone out of the font. Luckily Matayia found humor in this little joke (I wasn't sure she would) The baptism went well, she was baptised by Greg and her grandpa Wall and Grandpa Anderson were the witnesses.

We then headed back to the house for a little lunch together with all our family. It is always so nice to be together with our families, and especially on such a special day for Matayia.

Kaitlyn starts school

Kaitlyn has finally started school. She has been so excited and feels so big. I was still in the hospital on Wednesday, her first day of school, so she was lucky enough to have Greg take her to school. Greg even had the honor of doing both of the girls hair that day for school while was in the hospital. I will have to say he actually did a good job and no longer has an excuse to not help out in the hair department. Greg brought Kaitlyn to see me and Avery before she went to school and I insisted that he take a first day of school picture for me.



Clever guy, what is more fitting then taking your first day of school picture in front of the hospital!!



Kaitlyn is excited to get to go to school with her friend Emily! Actually she is just excited to get to go to school. And I am so excited for her too.

Baby number Three...

Months ago when we found out we were having another baby, we were worried a little about our timing. Maybe just I was a little worried about our timing, I had sworn I would never have a summer baby again(being pregnant through a Utah summer is not fun) and our due date also landed on the day Matayia was going to be baptised. Though I explained to Matayia many times that most babies were not actually born on their due dates this worried her and maybe worried me a little. Matayia being young for a third grader was the last one of her friends to get baptised so we could not postpone her another month.

But as the day got closer I was hopeful that I was going to have this little baby early. I was already dilated to a 3 and 70 percent effaced almost a month before her due date. So I made a great plan. I was going to be induced on the 27th of August (a Friday) then I could be home from the hospital on Sunday and be ready for a Baptism on the following Saturday. The problem was I couldn't get my doctor to buy into the plan. I just didn't fit into his plan until Wednesday the 1st of Sept. But of coarse this didn't work for me. This would put me home from the hospital on Friday night them getting up the next morning for a baptism. But I was still hopeful my plan would work.

Then the 27th came and went without my Doctor buying into my plan. I was devastate and going into a panic. How could I make this work, how was I going to make this baptism work, how was i gong to make matayia's day go well and be a good mom? So i started asking around and doing whatever I could to start labor. Everyone has something they just swear will start labor. But of coarse none of those really work for me. As I was driving from store to store to find some crazy holistic oil to rub on my pressure points I began to cry. My plan was slipping away. Right then I knew this run around was crazy. I knew I need to go home and pray to my Heavenly Father for help. So that was what I did.

I told Him I really wanted to have this baby today or tomorrow, but that I also wanted to have a healthy baby and I wanted to be healthy too. So if this could not happen I could be OK with that, but that I needed to know that on Saturday morning I could get out of bed and go to a baptism and feel good. I wanted so bad to be a good mom for Matayia that day and all I was asking for was a couple of hours of feeling good so that I could do that. After I was done praying I thought "O great now I said it I really have to be OK with however this plays out and trust in God." (sometimes I lack a little faith) I went to church the next day and listened to everyone say "you are still here" until I finally broke down to one of my friends. She was advising me to go and try to talk to my Doctor on Monday. I told her about my prayer and that I was trying to trust that Heavenly Father was going to do what was best for me and my baby. She then told me that Heavenly Father also wants us to do our part and their was nothing wrong with me going to talk to my Doctor on what my options were.

So Monday morning i called the doctor office asking to see my doctor to discuss if I could have this baby or if I could make it through another week. I felt like I was more dilated and was getting a little uncomfortable. (a nerve in my leg was bothering me) The nurse said my Doc was not in, and that I could go over to the hospital and they would check me there, but that they would probably send me home because I was not in labor. So I decided to risk the embarrassment of being sent home, just to take the chance they would let me stay. So we headed to the hospital, my bag was packed but of coarse I left it in the car. When we got there the nurses kinda rolled their eyes at this crazy mother who was there wanting to get checked though not in labor. But when the nurse checked me she was shocked to find me dilated to a 5 almost a 6 with what she called a bulging (almost ready to pop) bag. She was surprised I wasn't in labor, and though she could not promise, assumed they would not send me home in that condition. She asked "do you want to have this baby today?" and of coarse I replied "yes" and as easy as that I was admitted (partly because i was streph B positive meaning I needed 3 hours of an antibiotic before having a baby)

And so the waiting began, I was put on a antibiotic for three hours before they would break my water or give me any pit. About 5:00 the doctor came in and broke my water, I got my epidural (though I wasn't in pain yet) and they started a little pit. I soon began to "wig out" Greg says. I had one good epidural the only problem was it didn't stop at my legs it traveled up to my head. My whole body felt numb. Greg says I kept saying my head is weird my head is weird. And maybe I was starting to panic a little. (i don't love drugs) And then the baby's heart rate dropped to 42. And the nurses came rushing in. Next thing I remember is hearing the nurse call fro help over the intercom. The inserted a heart rate monitor in the baby's head. I don't remember this nor did I even feel this. I was still complaining of a weird head and trying to gain some control of my shaking body. The heart rate came back up and the advised us if that happened again we would be going into a C section. I then insisted they turn off my epidural. I was still feeling crazy. So they did for about 40 minutes until I regained a little feeling. And then it was time to push. Just a couple of pushes and we had a new little girl.



Though I remember her being the dirtiest of my little baby's she didn't really cry either. So she was taken down to the nursery to be looked at because she was having a hard time breathing. Greg left with her. After the Doctor left they had to call him back because I started to bleed alot. After he came back they gave me a treatment to control my bleeding and it seemed to work but I had to stay in labor and delivery a little longer to make sure it was under control. A couple of hours later they brought my clean, breathing baby back to me.



Matayia and Kaitlyn were there by then and they were so excited to see their new little sister. As usual while in labor I got the pukes. I was hoping to be done puking by the time my kids got there, but no luck. Matayia seemed to be really bothered by this and wanted to leave the room. Kaitlyn just stood and looked at me in amazement.




It took us a couple of days to agree on a name for our new little addition. We thought at first we would name her Skylee, but it just didn't seem to fit though we wanted it to. We had a small list of names and it seemed that the whole family seemed to have an opinion. Even Kaitlyn seemed to care. So we all listed our top three names and took the top 3 with the most votes which was. Avery, Maylee, and Skylee. Greg and Matayia narrowed it down to Avery and Maylee. (Kaitlyn had lost interest at this point) And then I got to make the final pick, and I picked Avery.




While in the hospital Avery seemed to be a good baby. Sleeping alot, she doesn't really cry much, but she is a little grunter. I think she sounds like Yoda. The girls kept asking when she was going to open her eyes. And it did seem that she didn't open them very often and when she did she often just opened one at a time, which they thought was really funny. All went well in the hospital and we headed home on Wednesday. The girls were so excited to bring their new little sister home.

Sept 11th

Though I have been trying so hard to catch up on my blog and keep everything in order I really wanted to at least acknowledge that it is Sept 11th today. Today while riding in the car Matayia asked why everyone had flags out on their lawn. I had to actually stop and think why. And then I remembered why. As I told her the story about that day 9 years ago I started to get a little teary eyed. (maybe because I just had a baby maybe not) As I was looking at her telling her the story about the planes hitting the twin towers that day I could see that she couldn't even imagine something like this really happening. It reminded me of when I learned about Pearl Harbor or the Holocaust in school. It seemed so unreal for something like that could really happen. But it did. I still remember Sept 11th nine years ago. I remember exactly what I was wearing that day. I remember the way I felt that day, I remember driving in my car to work and listening to the radio and not believing what I was hearing. I remember walking into work and asking what kind of sick joke was being played in the media. I remember watching the TV and seeing with my own eyes, the buildings crumbling to the ground. But I also remember the rebirth of patriotism that day, and the way people were turned to God. I remember President Bush asking Americans to Pray. But most of all, I remember feeling proud to be a American.

Our new little one

Avery Anderson
Born Aug 30th
7 lbs 10 oz
18 1/2 inches long

Back to School

I think Matayia was actually excited to start school this year, though she did get a little nervous. She was a little disapointed that some of her friends were not in her class again this year but I convinced her it was a good opportunity to make new friends. Her teacher is Mrs. Bernfield and she seems to be pretty nice. School started on the 25th of August so Matayia went to the third grade just barely eight!!

Matayia's Baptism Invitation

What is in there?

Greg thinks this picture is a little corny. I think it is really cute. We drive past the temple on a daily basis, and the girls think that the only thing that happens in the temple is weddings. When we drive past and the parking lot is really full they always say "lots of people are getting married today!" I just laugh and agree, someday I will explain there is more to the temple, but for now I will just let them think it is all about getting married.

Happy Birthday to Matayia

Though I wondered if I was going to be up for throwing a birthday party for Matayia this year, it worked. We planned a low key party at the gymnastic gym, invited some friends, and ran around until they were all hot and sweaty. We then headed home for some ice cream sandwiches, cupcakes, and presents. It turned out fun and it didn't even put me into labor!! Happy Birthday Matayia!!

Soccer starts again

This year Kaitlyn is old enough to play soccer. So we are now soccer busy on Saturdays, times two. Kaitlyn has been so excited to play soccer like her big sister. I am sure we will have many more great pictures to post in the next couple of weeks. And yes, Kaitlyn is the only girl on her all boy team. She loves it!!

Plunge # 2

What is even funnier is I convinced Matayia that it wouldn't be as cold the 2nd time (I really thought this would be true) and to jump back in a second time. (Annie wasn't convinced) As you can see in the video, it was still cold, and when she figured this out she was not amused. She was even a little mad. I wish you could hear her better at the end of the video. I ask "Matayia how was it?" and she quickly replies " Not Good!! Why did you a make me do that again!" Maybe by next year she will forget how cold it was and jump in again!!

The Redfish Lake Dock Plunge

Though jumping in Redfish Lake off the dock has been done in the past by Miranda. (she did it for a measly $5 in her bra and underwear one year) She had never been accompanied by two of her nieces. Stacey told Miranda she needed to hold Annie's hand so she wouldn't wuss out at the last minute. I just can't get over the screaming after they come up for air. I was going to continue videoing them struggling to get up on the dock, but Kaitlyn was going to rescue her sister and I was sure she would get pulled right in!

Sometimes I wonder what my kids would do without all the modern world technology. We live in such a advanced fast paced world. I was a little surprised to see what they did with their time. They made there own little log band and they were actually pretty good. This went on for quite awhile and it seemed alot of the kids had at least a little try at their new redfish lake drums!

Redfish Lake

We always look forward to the time we get to spend at Redfish Lake. Sometimes I wonder if it is the people we get to spend time with there or if it is actually the surroundings. I haven't quite figured out which one I love the most because I love them both so much. We wondered if we were even going to be able to go this year because of being so close to having a baby. When we went to the Doc. the Wednesday before it was time to go my Doc said, "if I were a conservative Dr, I would tell you not to go, but I am a risk taker, so have a good time!" Though I was a little nervous about going I am glad that I went. I don't think that I could of made it through the summer without the refresher Redfish provides me. Nothing beats just hanging out at the beach, a few trips to the lodge for ice cream and of coarse the trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to the log Jam. This year floating the river was a bust, only a few die hard kids made it to Mormon Bend where they got out. Of coarse we picked the worst weather day, and by the end it was raining and hailing, most the little kids bowed out of the river ride when the hail came. But Matayia made it to the end. Not so sure she was happy about it though. All and all Redfish was a great family trip once again, as always.

Still Catching up... July

Though I am a little behind I wanted to post a few pictures of our visit to Gunnison for the 4th of July. We never seem to be able to resist this small town celebration. Our kids always have so much fun with their cousins at the parade and the carnival.
First we watched the hometown parade,

The train ride is always a hit...

This year we tried a little face painting,

And of coarse the blow up slide is always the favorite!!

As always we had a great time celebrating the 4th in Gunnison.



I am not sure what the girls were thinking with his picture, But I just couldn't leave it out. For some reason they thought it would be cool to have a mustache. I couldn't break it to them that it is not even cool for men to have mustaches now a days!!



Greg spent a few days on a river rafting trip with the youth in the ward. I heard they had a pretty good time. Greg did come home with a few battle wounds. I can imagine he may have deserved them.

And of coarse who could forget Matayia's little snow cone stand.



Melissa was here with her snowie, so they decided to set up a stand. Matayia delivered flyers to her friends in the ward.



And then she employed her sister to stand on the corner and flag down cars. All and all we had a really busy night where Matayia earned over $50 she was so happy!!

But the biggest shock for the month goes to Greg. Greg was called to be the 2nd councelor in our bishopric this month. He was more shocked then me. I told him he was wearing his suit to church a little too often and when you do that you are just asking for a big calling like that. Though he is a little (little is an understatement) nervous and stressed I know he will do a good job.