The Most Awesome Trip We Have Taken post 1

About a week before Christmas we got a call from Scott's FAVORITE uncle :), Guy, asking if we wanted to go to Disneyland with them. We had yet to take the kids to Disneyland and were hoping to finally get to in 2011 so we were super excited to be able to go with them.

Monday January 3rd, after a very long and late night packing up the van, we got up at 4am-ish and loaded half asleep children in to the van. All except baby Brycey. Scott's parents were nice enough to have him spend the week with them. The poor baby was spoiled rotten and I missed him like crazy. That said it was SO NICE not to have him there and I think he would have been miserable having to spend long days in the stroller while everyone else had fun. Plus, he had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa.

In all, it took just over 12 hours to get from our home to the hotel in Anaheim. During that time, we stopped off at Sue and Justin's to pick up Guy, Kristin, and Adam. We experienced temperatures of -5 all the way up to over 50 degrees. We got a little In-N-Out Burger in Vegas and made several bathroom stops.

The original plan was to get to Anaheim and the go to Disneyland bright and early the next morning, BUT when we got there we realized it was the last night for all the Christmas stuff in Disneyland. SO we just bundled up the kids and went straight to Disneyland after 12 hours in the car. IT WAS AWESOME.

The kids excitedly riding the shuttle to Disneyland after a full day in the van.

I think there is something magical about Disneyland, especially the first time and lit up with Christmas.

We started out with Alice in Wonderland then the tea cups.

After a few "little kid" rides we tried out the Matterhorn. Last time I was at Disneyland (I was 17) the Matterhorn was the ride that freaked my sister Aimee (13 at the time) out so bad that she would not ride any of the big rides for the rest of the trip.

So I was a little nervous to take my 3 year old on it in the dark. The very nice Disney worker gave Logan her flashlight so he could light the way for us through the dark tunnels. Logan was freaked out a little, but we made it up to him with It's a Small World. It was really important to me that the kids at least try each ride once. I knew they would be fine and I didn't want them missing out on anything fun because they were scared.

Check out Alan's face.

Small World was the favorite for all the kids. It was still all Christmasy and it was so fun to see their little faces SO excited and happy. It was also really nice to be able to sit next to my little Logan and share that happy moment with him.

After that we made our way to Downtown Disney. The kids were so hungry and tired, but still so cute and excited. After some super yummy Cafe Rio-esque burritos and soft pretzels they were at least not hungry anymore.

And of course we had to stop off at the Lego store before heading back you our hotel.

By the time we got back it was LATE and the kids quickly PASSED OUT.

Just to Recap

On Sunday 3/7 was Bryce's baby blessing
On Monday 3/8 was our 7 year wedding anniversary... how time does fly
On Tuesday 3/9 I made Alan's birthday cake and did a demonstration for Relief Society night

On Wednesday 3/10 Alan had his 4th Birthday and we had a very fun Batman party for him (I will post more about that later)
On Thursday 3/11 I took all 4 kids to Alan and Bryce's well checks. Both boys are in the 90-95% for weight and 95+% for height. We were there for 2 hours and learned that Bryce has RSV. Thursday night was not fun.

On Friday 3/12 it seemed like all of the kids were destine to become sick

On Saturday 3/13 by mid-afternoon I had a very high fever, everything hurt, and I had to call my doctor after hours to see if he would call in a prescription for me because there was no way I would make it until Monday. He did.

I would just like to add a really BIG THANK YOU to Scott's Mom. Without her help I might not have survived.

Happy Birthday Alan Boy!!!

Alan,

I am so grateful to get to celebrate this birthday with you. While driving home after taking you to school today I was completely over come by the memory of driving home on an October afternoon, having just left you in the PICU at Primary Children's. It was the first time I had been away from you since your accident and the damage to your liver still had to be closely monitored. I can still vividly remember the pain and fear I felt not knowing if I was going to see you have another birthday or grow up to be a daddy and a doctor or whatever you decide to be.
You are such an amazing little man. During these past four years since you have entered my life you never cease to surprise me with all you have learned and how you always seem to remember everything. Thank You for being a wonderful son, brother, and friend.
I am looking forward to our next year together and many many more after that!

Happy Birthday!!!

I LOVE YOU!!

Celebrating the End of February

February has been a bit of a blah month. It has had its good moments, like Valentine's Day and seeing friends, but all in all it was a pretty blah month. So to celebrate it coming to an end and cheer us up I made cake for dinner. Well I actually made chicken enchiladas for dinner, but as soon as the kids ate their little enchiladas and pears they got to start in on their cake.

I know what you are thinking...what Laura took the time to take pictures of this cute, yummy, fluffy looking little cake? But there is more to this little cutie than meets the eye. First of all it is cherry almond flavor...one of my favs and second when you cut into it you are greeted by this:

I think it would be impossible not to smile while eating something so cheery looking. I first came across the cake at The Idea Room and was bummed that I didn't have any reason to make it. So I just made it anyway.

I also finally got Bryce's name up on his wall.

And we took a family picture. We will still be wanting to get a nice one in a few months (and hopefully Emma will be a little less excited by then), but this will do for now. At least we are all in it and mostly looking at the camera.

Well here's look forward to March. It will be filled with Bryce's Blessing, Alan's Birthday, Our Anniversary, Jazz games, yard work, crafts and hopefully SPRING!

In Case You Didn't Know

having four kids is a lot of work!!! Man I feel like everyday from the moment I get up (at about 6:30) until the moment I go to bed (that time depends on Bryce) I am just constantly doing. Doing something... and yet I never get it all done. (not even close) And I am going to admit that not being able to just get things done (especially crafty things) is really hard for me. BUT I wouldn't change it for anything. I just wanted to admit to the world that four little kids is hard.

And now just for fun here are some pictures of Bryce since that seems to be the new theme of our blog. I can't help it he is just so cute.

6 weeks old

7 weeks old

Happily hanging with his big bro - 8 weeks old

In the past few weeks Bryce had few new firsts:
2/12 He used is bumbo for the first time.
2/20 He got his first hair cut
He now loves to "watch TV" and look at the ceiling fan (not moving)
He talks to us and makes big happy faces when we talk to him.
He has eliminated his 2 am feeding and usually sleeps from 10:30/11pm until about 6 am, although some nights he insists on sleeping in bed cuddled up next to me instead of his bassinet.

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

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?