Parker John Sorenson

Friday, January 8th, 2010 at 12:47am our son Parker John Sorenson(his middle name being named after his Grandpa Farmer) was born! He was 7 lbs 9 oz and 19 in. long. And it was quite the adventure too. I started having real contractions at about 5:30pm Thursday, and finally decided to go to the hospital around 11pm. With Sydney is went to the hospital being dilated to a four and they made me walk for an hour. That was no fun at all so I really wanted to avoid that this time around. My dad had just arrived at 6:30 to hang out for the weekend(before we knew I'd be having the baby) and my brother came over and I thought I'd much rather be playing games with them than walking laps in the hospital. So, when I get there I'm a 5 1/2, they get me rolling and my nurse midwife arrives to be with me the whole time. The anesthesiologist came about an hour later and I got the epidural I was planning on. After the epidural started kicking in a few minutes later they checked me (I was a 6) and they broke my water. I had a few more contractions before I was hit(and the baby) with an 8 minute contraction. Parker's heart rate dropped to the 50's and after trying different positions and hoping the contraction would end any second they said, "Ok. I'm going to check you. Maybe you're already complete. If not, we're going to have to make some decisions." So they check me and I am very complete so they said "Let's have a baby!" I pushed for a minute(if that) and Parker was born. He had the cord wrapped around his neck and after checking him for a minute while he layed on me they took him to the side of the room to help him breath which he was having a hard time doing on his own. For a few minutes they thought he might have to go to the NICU, but he started doing a better and I got to have him back to feed him. After that, he was totally fine. By the way, from when they broke my water at a 6 to when he was born it was only 14 minutes. Talk about speedy! The epidural had kicked in enough to kill the pain, but my legs didn't become logs until after they took the epidural out after he was born. That was a little weird and funny. I had it in me for like 20 minutes. Anyway, I'll stop blabbing now and show you some pictures!! He's such a cutie!!

Proud Daddy!

We were told no one under 18 could visit, so we settled for a picture of just the 3 of us rather than the whole family.

I didn't get pictures of everyone who visited, though I tried! I'm sorry, but we so appreciate all the love. =) Here is my brother J with Parker Friday evening.

Scott eating his steak and shrimp dinner, complimentary of the hospital. It was yummy!

Russ and Hilary

Heidi and Simon

Naomi

Just about to go home Saturday afternoon!

My Dad, who babysat our kids the whole time we were gone. Thanks Dad!!

The kids (especially David) were SO excited to see their little brother. When they woke up from nap he walked straight up to me and started talking and kissing him and wanting to hold him. It was PRECIOUS.

Now a picture of our whole family! Sydney looks a little out of it because she got sick again. Poor thing! Later that day though she came around and ever since has also been very enthusiastic about her little brother. She is so cute about it and wants to hold him too!

He is a really good eater. Something I'm so happy about because I haven't been stressed at the beginning like I had with my first two. He hardly cries, even when he's hungry. He just quietly starts rooting around with his mouth. And he loves to look all around the room even though I know he can't see much but contrast. We are just so glad that Parker is a happy healthy boy despite the early scare, and we are so glad to have him join our family!! Bringing a new child into this world is such a miracle and blessing. I will be taking lot's more pictures so stay tuned!!

Sharing the Computer

This semester Scott needs the computer with him every day at school, and I don't know how often I'll be able to get on it in the evenings because of his homework. Just thought I'd let you guys know that I might not be able to post as often. I hope I can, but it might not work. We'll definitely update when the baby comes though!

As a side note, thanks to all you who voted in our poll. I think they're fun. I have to say though, do I really have that many readers, or are some of you voting more than once? =) I don't mind either way. Scott and I agree with those of you who voted for Parker. That will be his name unless it doesn't fit him at all when he's born. I guess we'll see. We still need to come up with a middle name though. I'd like to use a family name, but so far none have stuck out to me that also flow with Parker. We need to get on it!

My little Girl...The Inhaler

Aw, she's such a little princess when she eats! Not! lol. If you watch closely she is not chewing a single bite she's putting into her mouth. Just shuffling it to the back of her throat and swallowing. She ate the whole bowl that way! I guess she's taking after Scott more than I thought. just kidding honey! =)

A Great Time

Scott's parents are leaving tomorrow morning and we will miss them. We have been spending every evening/night with them since Christmas and we have definitely had a good time. We are so grateful they were able to come up for the holidays!

I usually like to leave the Christmas tree up until after the New Year, but this time I was ready for it to go. David knocked it down(it's second time), knocking most of the ornaments off, and I did not have any desire to fix it. It was dead anyway, and I thought we'd better be rid of it before there's any chance of the baby coming. But what to do with it? Our managers took 6 months to remove the Christmas tree pile from last year(no joke). Well there really wasn't any question at all. Scott knew he had to burn it! lol. So we took it with us to his sister's house tonight where we were going to hang out with his parents for the last time, and Scott made a ball of flames out of it. =)

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Christmas Eve

My Sister in Law Hilary with her son Owen. Such a cutie

First we did a live nativity with all the grandchildren. My kids were wise men again since they already had the costumes put together.

Here is Scott waiting on the side with Sydney.

Our nephew Andrew who was a shepherd.

Niece Tory who was Mary with little Owen as Jesus. He was looking at the ceiling fan and very happy the whole time.

Nieces Cece and Naomi who were angels, and Justin who was the star.

And since we ended up short a wise man Scott was a good sport and was the only adult in the play.

Scott's parents and our brother in law Rick and a couple of his boys, Simon and Justin.

After the Nativity we had a little gift exchange with all the grandchildren. Sydney got a little wand. David got a little squishy ball.

This picture is totally out of order. Should be with the sledding pictures below. Is anyone else having problems moving their pictures around once they're uploaded? Suddenly one day mine stopped letting me do it.

Christmas Day

This is the only picture I took of Christmas morning because I took videos. Sydney looking at the presents right after waking up.
After having our own little Christmas morning we headed over to Scott's older sister Heidi's house where all the family was staying. We had breakfast and then opened the presents from Scott's parents. Then we did our brother in law Jason's family tradition of giving the adults and big kids a Nerf gun still in it's packaging, racing to open them first and then having a shoot out. I missed most of it because I had to change Sydney's diaper, but they had a blast.

Scott and his brother Russ

Jason

After the adults and older cousins were done the little cousins got to have a turn...

Heidi helped Sydney load up the gun and Sydney loved it.

Riley and Grandpa having a fun time.

And David loved shooting Mommy. He thought it was pretty funny. hhmmm.

He was so cute doing it though. Look at that concentration.
In the afternoon some of us went sledding. I didn't sled because the hill was too rough for an 8 month pregnant lady, but I took pictures. I didn't get any good ones of them actually sledding because our camera does not handle movement well at all.

Naomi, Scott and David after just going down. David is telling Daddy he did not like it at all.
Simon
Heidi was very nice and helped me with Sydney so I didn't have to hold her so long.

The whole sledding crew minus Simon and Jason who were on the hill.

After being forced to go a few times and not liking it, David had a great time just staying at the bottom and watching everyone else go.

Jason with his 3 older kids.

Later Christmas night the adults went to see Sherlock Holmes. We all thought it was very enjoyable, and though I don't think I'd buy it, I'd like to see it again.

We had a great time with Scott's family this Christmas and are grateful that they came to us since we couldn't travel. Thank you!

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

List 10 things that make you happy, and try to do at least one of them today. Link back to the person who tagged you, and then tag 10 other blogger's who brighten your day.

Going on a date with my wonderful husband

Cuddling and talking to my beautiful children

Eating Chocolate and fruit

Waking up and realizing my kids are still asleep and not banging at their door

Seeing my husband play with our children

Reading an awesome book

Feeling my baby move inside me

Exercising regularly

Playing the piano

Taking pictures for people and then editing them

This tag came from my older sis Annalise at And Now For Something Completely Different

I'm tagging:

Orchid
Becca
Leanna
Lindsey
Kelly
Janel
Melanie

Private:
Katie P.
Stephanie K.
Rebecca P.

Brushing up on his face painting skills...

Today I left for a couple hours to run some errands while Scott was home with the napping kids. When I got home I found David in the bathroom looking like this...

Scott had fallen asleep cuddling with Sydney(I guess she woke up earlier than normal) on the bed, and when David woke up and found he was unsupervised I guess he couldn't resist Mommy's eye liner and squeezing his tooth paste all over the floor. I have to say that even though I was not happy about it, I thought it was pretty funny at the same time. We Mommy's have to laugh at those things some times right?

35 Weeks

As of Monday I was 35 weeks. I can't believe I am so close. I've gained 23 pounds so far, which is more than I did with Sydney and probably will end up more than the 25 total I did with David. I blame the holidays, but at the same time I don't think I look any different from the previous two pregnancies so that's weird. Anyway, it doesn't really matter anyway I say. =) The baby is healthy and head down(good boy!), and has definitely dropped. I don't think this happened prior to labor with my first two, but I feel SO much pressure much of the time, especially when I'm trying to speed walk. That's a joke now. lol. Plus he looks like he's hanging lower than he was before. My midwife says she doesn't think he's a big baby and probably won't be above the 7 lb range. That's good with me! David and Sydney were both right there as well. I am feeling more uncomfortable trying to sleep at night but really I can't complain. Compared to other's I have it good. I'm excited to meet this little guy but at the same time, not before the holidays are over. I'm looking forward to a baby free Christmas!

We Three Kings...or Four

Last night was our ward party and our family was asked to be wise men for the live nativity. Yes, I was a pregnant wise man. lol. I forgot to ask someone to take pictures during it so here's a couple of just the kids afterwards. My costume was just a blanket draped over my shoulders and Scott's was like David's except that his sheet was wrapped around him like a robe. I worked all day to get them excited about this, because past experience says they will get very unhappy and uncooperative if they notice people are looking at them more than usual. David understood that he was going out there to give baby Jesus his present. Well the kids were awesome! I'm sure it helped that they turned all the lights out over the audience so they couldn't see all the people, but both our kids just walked out there no problem and sat down quietly. No fidgeting with costumes or trying to run away. And David jumped right up after a minute when I told him it was time to give Jesus his present. The whole thing was SO cute(even though I myself felt a little silly), and everyone thought they were the cutest. Afterwards Sydney didn't seem to mind her costume even still and was content just wandering around in it. So cute. =)

Trying To Stay Entertained

With the freezing cold weather we've been having I haven't been able to take my kids outside unless I need to run to the store. It has been a little hard because I feel very cabin feverish, but we've been able to stay pretty entertained. The kids are entertaining each other pretty well these days so that is really nice for me. For example they've spent a good amount of the last couple days playing with one sheet of stickers...

I also let David watch the Polar Express for the first time. Intense part!

After the train is safe again...

We've also had plenty of time for art, puzzles, reading stories, and building forts. In the summer time we spend a lot of time out side so we don't always get to each of these things every day. Everything has it's season right? Anyway, I am really looking forward to Scott being done with this semester and having a nice relaxing Christmas. We are staying in Rexburg this year and so this will be the first time for me not spending at least part of Christmas with my family. I've already been sad for a long time thinking about it, but at the same time I am looking forward to seeing most of Scott's family and not traveling(driving) or living out of a suit case with 2 young kids for 2 weeks. And now that we have our kids and David is starting to understand and be excited, it will be fun to have our own Christmas. At least until after we're done opening presents and then we'll be off to see Scott's family! Ok wow, I just realized I am just totally babbling and probably not making any sense. Anyway...I'm looking forward to this Christmas even though it will be different then what we've done before!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland...or ice box

In the past my friend Kelly and I have taken our kids to
the indoor track on the BYU-I campus to go walking when the temps dropped too low. But this winter I really didn't want to do that again, especially now that David has no friend to entertain him. So my current walking friend and I have been going to the park after the kids are in bed to do our speed walking. We are pretty sure we're crazy(the temperature tonight was "10 degrees, feels like 0"), but at the same time it is fun to get out after each day and chat with my friend. And after we've gone for a bit we usually feel nice and warm. Well, with the exception of the exposed skin. We had to start covering most of our face because the inside of our noses will freeze. Don't know how long we'll be able to keep this up since it's only going to get colder, but I'll have to take a little break anyway after the baby's born in about 5 weeks, so hopefully by that time it will have warmed up a little. Until then, I think we are crazy, but it's fun!

Book Lovers

My kids really really love to read books. Hope this sticks with them.

Here it is

I wasn't originally going to show off our tree because it isn't amazing, but what the heck. It's still fun to see a lighted tree in our apartment and the kids are loving it. I am, however, very happy with how this turned out... I just twisted a regular garland around our existing clock and added a few little ornaments. It looks pretty cool on our wall.

Getting the Tree

Saturday morning we took off with Scott's older sister and her family, and his younger brother and his family for the mountains to find our Christmas tree. Our car almost didn't make it to where we were going, but we got there! We couldn't find any 'real' Christmas trees so we all got a lighter green pine tree. I guess we just don't know where to go to get a beautiful tree. But it's cheaper and more fun this way so it's ok. David and Sydney didn't like it much though. They both cried for most of the time. Oh well. Scott and I were still able to have a good time. Here are some pictures...