Gotta Love a Newborn

Almost Made Me Cry

So today at about 7:40 I went up stairs to wake Emma up for School (not normal, she usually wakes me up at 7). She came down stairs and threw up. That is kinda a good description for how my day has been.

Anyway, as a Mother of 4 little ones it is hard to find time for myself. At about noon, I had barely gotten back from picking Alan up from school, had just finished completely changing Bryce again, had 4 hungry kids and really needed to go to the bathroom. So I sent the kids downstairs and put the crying baby in his bassinet so I could have a moment to myself. I was hurrying in the bathroom because I could hear my crying baby in the other room. Then I heard him stop crying.

When I came out of the bathroom I discovered that Logan had come back up stairs, gotten Bryce's toy monkey and binkie, and was helping Bryce suck on his binkie while "entertaining" him with his monkey. Seeing that little boy gently taking care of "his baby" was seriously one of the sweetest moments I have ever had as a mother. I have been so impressed with Logan's adjustment to there being a new baby in the house. He still has his two year old moments, but I have not seen one hint of jealousy and he is always so soft and gentle when it comes to his baby brother.

2 Weeks already

Baby Bryce is 2 weeks old today. Can you believe it. It sounds like such a short time and yet he fits in so perfectly that it seems like he has always been with us.

Our sweet little man went in for his 2 week check up today and we are pleased find that is now weighs 9 lbs 7 oz (90%) and is 22.75 inches (95%+). What a big boy. He is already growing out of his newborn size clothes and I am guessing he only has about 2 more weeks until he grows out of his 0-3 months stuff. He is already too tall to properly swaddle in normal sized receiving blankets. His poor little feet always hang out the bottom.

Answers to name that baby

Congrats to their Grandma Hilton and Great Aunt Becky for getting it right. I would also like to point out that their Daddy also easily got them all right. So here are the correct answers Baby A is Logan, Baby B is Emma (who was also the biggest and her poor little face is all swollen and bruised in that picture. I had kinda forgotten about that until looking back at the pictures), Baby C is Bryce, and Baby D is Alan (who is also the only one of my babies who didn't have a stork bite.)

The Story of Bryce

Bryce Christian Hilton
December 29, 2009
8 lbs 14 oz - 21.5 inches

After what seemed like a whole year of pregnancy I was very ready to not be pregnant anymore. Other that being big, uncomfortable, nightly reflux, Bryce being on my cyatic, and the pain in my hips keeping me up at night everything with the pregnancy was great. I had hopes of Bryce joining us before Christmas, but I knew they were only hopes since none of my babies have ever come early.
Ultrasounds had Bryce measuring about two weeks big, but at least my doctor was willing induce me a week early to keep me from having a 9 pound baby. So on December 29th Scott's mom came down to be with the kids and Scott and I headed up to McKay Dee Hospital for my scheduled induction.
I was amazed at how nice and smoothly everything went. For those of you who don't know labor and delivery is my favorite part of pregnancy... really. We got to the hospital just after 10am and they got me started on the IVs and stuff like that. Once we had everything going, we put on a DVD we had rented on the way to the hospital, Up. Once the movie was over we decided to have the anesthesiologist give me the epidural. I wasn't really in any pain yet, but I was having pretty good regular contractions and if I figured that if I was going to get one I might as well get it before I was in a lot of pain. I think it was the best epidural I have ever had. It went right in and was just the right amount the whole time (I could feel everything, but it didn't hurt). Just before 2pm my Dr. Spencer came to break my water and I told him I thought I would be ready to deliver at about 3:30 or 4. At that point I was feeling a little sleepy so I made Scott go get food while I took a nap. (Is this the most boring labor and delivery story ever or it is just me) At about 3:20 Scott was back and I told him that I thought it felt like it was time, but I knew my nurse was busy helping the girl in the room next door, who based on what we had over heard was not having an easy time. So we waited a few minutes for a nurse to come check in on me. when a nurse came I told her I thought I was ready so she checked me and surprise surprise I was "complete." So they called Dr. Spencer and told me not to push.
We had to wait about 35 mins for the doc because there was a snow storm and bad traffic. By the time he got there everything was ready and waiting. It took 3 pushes and possibly 2 minutes and he was out. The official time was 3:59.
At Mckay Dee they had two options for what they do after your baby is born. The first option is the more "traditional" way where the doctor starts cleaning the baby up, Dad cuts the cord, then the take him over to the warmer to clean him up a little more and weight him and stuff before handing him off to Dad. The other option is called "skin to skin." That is where as soon as the baby is born they pull down the top of the mother's gown and lay him directly on her bare chest all fresh and slimy. I am going to let that sink in for a moment..... Now guess what I chose to do?? That's right I chose the traditional method.
So after Scott cut the cord they cleaned and measured Bryce and then wrapped him up. I don't remember why, he actually got to be passed off to me for a moment. It is always such a neat experience meeting these new little people.
A little bit later Scott went with Bryce to the nursery and they took me to my postpartum room. I was very impressed at how efficient they were even though they were busy that day.
Bryce and I spent the next 2 days there. Because Bryce was 8 lbs 14 oz a week early he was labeled LGA (Large Gestational Age) so they had to monitor his blood sugar levels and he was also most likely to be jaundice. I guess just because a baby is big that doesn't mean he is healthy. Due to the snow storms and all the rules about visitors we had very few visitors while we were in the hospital, but Bryce's Grandpa and Grandma Hilton made it up to see him. I think Grandpa was a little extra excited to see Bryce since they now share a birthday. There were no kids allowed so the kids had to wait 2 whole days to meet their new brother. It just about killed Emma to wait that long.
The day we went home Bryce's billrubin levels went into the dangerous levels, so we had to have a light blanket on him as much a possible and we have had to go back to the hospital every day to have his numbers checked. On Monday his level were low enough that we can take him off the light blanket. It is so nice to have him be a little more portable.

So far it has been SO GOOD having this new sweet little boy in our house. All the kids (and everyone else he meets) are totally in love with him. Logan has really taken to his new role of "big bro," which he says regularly while pointing to his chest. Alan caring and gentle with him and Emma just has too hold several times a day. Bryce himself fits right in, so far he has done very well sleeping through all the noise of our crazy house and is very patient and laid back with all the love and attention. We could not have asked for a sweeter baby.Already to go home

Christmas

I have been meaning to do the "Christmas Post" for a while, but we mostly took video and I haven't felt much like editing video and time is passing quickly so I thought I better do it before it is just too late.
Christmas was so nice this year, even though Bryce decided not to join us for it. Christmas eve was spent at the annual Hilton family Christmas Eve party. It is always so nice to see everyone and spend time with so much family and on the way home we drove around a little looking at Christmas lights.
We must have really worn out the kids because they all slept in until about 8am. The kids were all so cute and excited to see what Santa had brought and were so sweet and waited their turn as Daddy passed out presents. I am bummed that I forgot to make them take a picture in front of the tree before we opened presents, but oh well.
I think the biggest hit of the day was Alan's "red spike," followed closely by Scott getting Wii Punch Out. The kids had a love/terrified relationship with Spike at first but in no time they all warmed up to him.
After presents Daddy and the kids played a little Hungry Hungry Hippos while Mommy got breakfast ready. Then we played in the basement with the new bikes/scooter and Logan's base ball set. Later Mom, Dad, Eric, Jake and Kevin came over and to the kid's delight they came baring gifts.
That night we went up to Mom and Dad's for a yummy dinner. Overall it was just a very nice, easy going day filled with happy kids and family. It was a very Merry Christmas.

Logan quickly got the hang of his new baseball set. Uncle Kevin took at turn on it and hit Grandma in the leg with a ball. Uncle Kevin needs a little more practice and to take a few lessons from Logan.
Out of everything I think Emma's favorite gift was the Hello Kitty lip gloss watch in her stocking.

Name That Baby

I probably have better things to be doing right now, or even more important posts, but just for fun I was looking back through our old picture of my little babies and thought it would fun to put up a little comparison. There is one picture of each kid and they are all from when they were in the hospital just after being born. Can you tell who is who?

Baby A

Baby B
Baby C
Baby D

PS I am waiting a little bit before posting any comments just so no one's guess is influenced by others. I know the suspense is killing you. ;)

New Arrival: Bryce Christian Hilton

For those that haven't heard, Bryce Christian Hilton was born at 3:59 P.M. today. He was 8 lbs 14 oz and 21.5 in. Everything went incredibly smoothly and Laura and Bryce are both doing great! Here's some pictures, in chronological order, from today.

Doesn't Laura look good? You'd never know she was 9 months pregnant.

Here's Dr. Spencer with Bryce right after delivery. The nurse was kind enough to take pictures for us, so I (Scott) could help Laura. Bryce was a little messy.

Here I am cutting the cord.

Birth was a bit of a shock, apparently.

Here he is getting weighed.

Laura got to hold him once I was done.

What a cuddly little guy.

Daddy kissing Bryce. We have this pose with all 4 of our kids!

Look at those big eyes. His heartbeat was good too.

They say that babies can't really see at first, but he was looking right at me.

Cute little baby feet.

He didn't like getting cleaned up very much.

He didn't really mind the shampooing.

Drying off under the heat lamp.

That's almost a smile.

Oh, he loves me already.

Here's our new arrival, all bundled up.

I have a few videos too, I'll try to get them posted later. Thanks for all of the help and well-wishes. Also, a big thanks to Dad for sharing his birthday with Bryce! Happy Birthday Grandpa (and Bryce)!

Preparing for Baby

Since our new little baby really could arrive any time now, I am feel pretty good that I have completed so many of my projects for him. (By-the-way my guess is that he will come between 3 and 3:30 pm on Dec 29th). So here is a look at some of my baby preparations.

First there is the car seat and bouncy chair. For those of you who don't know, in the past I usually sell our baby stuff as soon as we are done using is. This was mainly because we always lived in such small places that storing all that stuff seemed silly, plus I usually bought it used and then sold it again for as much as I bought it for (sometimes I even sold it for more that I bought it for, but don't tell). Anyway I am very proud of this car seat and bouncy chair because they are exactly the ones that I wanted, but I managed to get them both for $60 total rather than the over $200 they would have been if I had bought them new at the store. You may notice the bouncy chair kinda zips closed. I think the manufacturer's idea behind this feature was for outdoor use, but I am very excited to know that when my new little baby is in there and his crazy brothers and sister are running around and throwing things (even though they are not allowed too) he will be safe in there.
The next little treat is this car seat cover. It seems like everyone has one of these these days, so of course I had to have one. I just sewed two receiving blankets together and then added ties. There are little blue dots in the brown dot fabric so in person the blue ties are totally cute.

I finally made the bumper for his crib. I cut the fabric out weeks ago, but then just let it sit. So today I decided I better just get it done before he gets here. I painted the trees on his walls last week. I wasn't planning to, but when I woke up last Monday I thought to myself "Wouldn't it be cute if I just painted trees in here." I am planning put his name in blue letters in that open spot, but since we are still totally undecided on the name that will have to wait until later to get that done.This is the cute little branch I painted over the changing table. I really love the little blue birds.

Ok so here is the last picture. I made new cushions for the rocking chair and I am think I may jazz up the lamp shade a little but I am still undecided on that. I am feeling pretty ready for this little guy to get here. We are all very excited to meet him.

Oh wait one last picture. And this is the only one you are going to get.
Me 38 weeks pregnant. I feel as if my hugeness is amazing. I mean seriously how is it really possible that someone can get that huge in such a short time?

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

We have been getting quite a bit of snow this past week (in fact it is snowing right now). On Sunday the kids got to get out and help daddy shovel our driveway for the first time. They had a lot of fun and it was nice that we had enough snow that the fact that our yard is just dirt didn't matter. I am not sure how much help they were, but they sure had fun with Daddy and snow.


And yes the people across the street are U of U fans, but they are very nice and we like them anyway.