One Line a Day

My dear friend Rachel inspired me to do this. She kept a daily journal for her daughter to mark all those first milestones and I just loved her line a day so much that I thought I should do the same. 

Here is Daxton's first month... yeah it's been a whole month already. I don't know how time has flown that fast but it has. I just hope I can keep up :)

11.9.11 So much to learn. We are both trying to get the hang of breastfeeding and things are slowly progressing for us. But you are just the sweetest thing I think I have ever seen. Your weight dropped down to 4.15 and I was just shocked when the nurses told me that. That is soooo little! You had to do some time under the bili light because of your jaundice. It made me so sad to  see you under there I was pretty emotional. But you did great and after a little while you didn't seem to mind. You are so sleepy and sleep like there is no tomorrow. Between all the visitors and eating every 2 hours, all three of us are just exhausted but we have had the most incredible time together and I wouldn’t trade all of this for the world. I love being your mommy. 

  

11.10.11 We got to take you home from the hospital today! It was such a great feeling leaving with you. Dad and I were on such an emotional and spiritual high. It felt so good to get outside and experience so many firsts with you. Like your first time outside, your first car ride, first time meeting Jack and Lula, first night at home…  We are so blessed to have you in our family and it couldn’t be more complete.

11.11.11 4 days old today and your first photo shoot! After your first initial visit with Dr. Kissam, your pediatrician, you had your newborn photos with Amanda Andrews out in Mountain home. You did so great and let me just say those pictures are going to be so cute! You loved all the heating pads and space heaters everywhere. Daddy got his picture taken with you on his college football- he was so proud.

 11.12.11 

11.13.11 Grandma Mary came over and spent the afternoon with you and me. You sunbathed again to help with your jaundice and you loved it- just like your Mom. Daddy and I had to take you to the hospital to get more blood work done to measure your bilirubin levels and we waited for 2 hours. Daddy was getting protective that you had to wait so long to be seen- he was not happy. You really didn’t like having you have your foot poked and I was trying so hard not to cry.

11.14.11 You have officially found your tongue and you play with that silly little thing all day long.

 

11.15.11 You had your follow up appointment today and your circumcision. I felt so sad leaving that office. But the dr said you were SOOO good, you didn’t even cry during the procedure. And you are back up to your birth weight again of 5.5 lbs! Your jaundice looks much better and you are more perfect than ever.

11.16.11 I took you back to see your pediatrician today to check on you. We had a rough night last night because you were bleeding and I was an emotional wreck. I felt so bad and you were having a hard time being your usual relaxed self. Grandma Jones and Andrew came over to help me because Daddy was at school- thank goodness you have such a great family. You are one lucky little guy.

11.17.11 Last night Grandpa Jones came and had a sleepover at the house. He came to give mom and dad a full night of sleep. He got up with you every 2 hours with you. When I woke up he left you a note in your crib. It said: “Daxton, Thanks for letting me sleep over. It was fun getting to know you better. I’m looking forward to more fun dates ahead. Tell mom I love her- Love Grandpa” He is already the best grandpa and loves you sooo much. He also says you are the cutest baby he has ever seen. He’s not biased. And your umbilical cord fell off today! You have an officially innie!

11.18.11 You had your first act of defiance today. You definitely get this from me. But you wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with nursing. You literally used your hands and feet to push away and with those little lips pierced together at tightly as you could muster. I wish I could have captured the look on your face. You also got to be the tag-a-long for Daddy and I’s date night. All three of us went to the redbox and curled up and watched “The Green Lantern.”



11.19.11 First Boise State Football game- well technically your second but first you participated in. We went to Uncle Austin and Aunt Codi’s house and you were actually watching the game on the screen. I was pretty impressed. On a sad note your Great Papa John passed away today. Your dad was really sad that we never got the chance to meet them. But he was so excited when we talked to him after you were born.

11.20.11 You went to first tithing settlement. Bishop Broadbent thinks you are just precious and you know what? He’s so right. And you got to meet Aunt Lori today! She was so excited to see you.

11.21.11 Lots and lots of visitors in the last 13 days of your life. I think we are both getting ready for things to settle down. It makes it hard for both of us to get in food and naps.  Today you were out and about the most you have been in your whole life. I was a little apprehensive to say the least. We met up with Grandma Jones on her lunch hour to try to find your blessing outfit and you got to see all the girls at Dr Z’s office and they just loved to love up on you. After Dad got off work we went to your Great Grandma Hayes house to meet her for the first time. She is a professional seamstress and was attempting to help alter a tuxedo we found for you. No luck. Then, we went to Costco. It felt good to be out and about but you are still so little it makes me nervous. But you are a champ and didn’t even mind- believe it or not you just slept through most of it.

 

11.22.11 We went back to your pediatrician today for your 2 week check. She said you look just perfect. (That seems to be a common word for describing you.) You are now 6 lbs and have grown ½ “. Your jaundice is gone so you no long have to eat every 2 hours! You and I are BOTH excited about more sleep at night. But we found out why you have had a few rough nights- gas. Your poor little belly is bloated so we have some exercises to do that will help and got some gas drops too. They seem to help but I just wish I could make it go away; I don’t like it when you are no your happy cheery self.

 

11.23.11 You have started to dislike being swaddled as much as you used to. You LOVE to sleep with your hands above your head on either side of you now. And stretching out your legs is becoming more common instead of always cured up like a frog. You are changing everyday too. I can’t believe that you don’t really look like a newborn to me anymore. And when Daddy was feeding you tonight you took the bottle right out of his hands and held it all by yourself! You are only 2 weeks old! We were impressed.

11.24.11 Happy Thanksgiving! Today is your official due date. We ate our Thanksgiving meal at Grandma Mary’s house with Ed and Aunt Lori. You slept through everything. You are just one tired little tike! After dinner we made the rounds to all the family. We played the money game at Austin and Codi’s and your dad won the pot of $39! Wahoo! Then the candy bar game we weren’t so lucky to come out on top. After that we headed off to your Great Aunt Virlyn’s to visit with everyone. Grandpa and Grandma just got home from your Great Papa John’s funeral in California so they haven’t seen you all week- it was a great treat for them.

11.25.11 Your first Black Friday! Dad convinced Mom to go out with Aunt Carissa and Grandma for a little shopping and so you had your first boys night with Dad. Things went pretty well considering it was in the middle of the night. You have such a good Dad. I hope you know how much he truly loves you.

11.26.11 Dad had his internship at BSU again today so you stayed home and hung out with me. We like having the day to just hang out and attempt to get things done. Laundry is about all we can ever get accomplished. When Dad came home we went out and did a little more shopping which really ended up as window shopping. It was nice to for us to get out of the house for a little while.

11.27.11 Your baby blessing was today! Daddy did such a good job! You were just peaceful and good and ever sleeping away. You looked soooo cute in your little blessing outfit. And you have such a big support system. The men who participated in your blessing were: Dad, Grandpa Jones, Uncle Austin, Dustin Moyer, Tucker Botkin, Dane Pence, Andrew Firkins, and Adam Firkins. It was such a wonderful experience and I was just happy to be a part of it. Your Dad was so nervous; he hadn’t been that nervous in his whole life- not even for a college football game! I hope you know how special you are to him. He loves you so much. You don’t even know the impact you have a missionary already. Your Grandpa and Grandma Doss and Grandma Mary were all there too. That is HUGE! After your blessing Dad handed you over to Grandpa Doss and his reaction was so neat to watch. He wasn’t able to participate in your blessing but just having that honor was very moving for him and it showed. They all love you Daxton and so do I. Oh and the Christmas tree is officially up :)

11.28.11 You have done it ever since day 1, but that little “O” face you make is just to die for. I am sad that you don’t make your audible high pitched sigh as much as you used to. Your Daddy and I love it and I just hope we can get it recorded.

11.29.11 First night in your crib last night! You nap there during the day but Mommy was a little nervous to make the jump and have you sleep across the house at night. But I did it and that was probably your best night EVER since being home. It made a very enjoyable and sleep inclined night for your mother so thank you.

11.30.11 We went to visit my work today. It was kinda comical to hear all the “aaaawwwws” and “oooooohhhhhs” coming from all the girls. Everyone just loved you and couldn’t believe how little you are which is crazy to me because I see how much you have grown these 3 weeks. I swear you have doubled your size. And we made our first ever trip to the grocery store and we went all alone. Apparently we were feeling brave :) You just slept which was great for me because the way I had your car seat in the shopping cart would have definitely made things interesting if you needs some TLC.

12.1.11 You slept for a 4 hour stretch last night! Hello beauty sleep for mom! I am so proud of you! We are making progress and that feels so good. Have I told you how much I love you?

12.2.11

12.3.11 Daddy left to go to California with Grandpa to help move Grandma Rene to Meridian. So it’s just you and me for the next 2 days. You got to spend another evening with your Grandpa Jones while I went to a BSU basketball game with Grandma, Great Grandma Cole and Uncle Andrew. It was hard to leave you for the first time with someone other than Daddy but you did great. Uncle Austin and Aunt Codi were there too. I’m pretty sure they think you are just the greatest thing under 10 pounds.

12.4.11 First sleepover! We ended up staying the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s because we were both too tired and Mommy wasn’t ready for a night home alone while Dad was gone. I think your grandparents were more thrilled than ever. We had a pretty good night too considering we didn't’ really plan for that. Later that evening we picked up Dad from the airport. You and I met your Great Grandmother for the first time. She was just tickled pink to meet you. Dad said when she was saying goodbye to everyone in California she kept bragging about how she got to meet her great grandson. She was excited to say the least. And when she held you for the first time I don’t think she took her eyes off of you.

12.5.11 Grandma Rene moved into her new assisted living facility called Spring Creek. We went over to visit tonight and she was ready as ever to hold you again. It’s so fun to watch her watch you. She concentrates so hard on every little feature like she is trying to memorize every little detail.

12.6.11 Lazy day for you and I. I tired to take some pictures with my new camera but let’s just say I have a long ways to go before I will be satisfied with my work. You, on the other hand are a great model. I love to watch you sleep. You have officially decided you love to sleep with your hands unrestrained and above your head. I call it the“field goal.” And I just don’t know what I will do when you decide you don’t really like your legs curled up so much. You like them almost as close as you can get them to your chest. Like a little frog. All these details have changed so much since you were born 4 weeks ago today and I love to see how much you have grown. Yet it makes me sad it’s coming and going so fast. I don’t want this you-and-me time we have together to end.

12.7.11

12.8.11 We have gone to see Grandma Rene everyday so far and I dare say you are the real highlights our visits. She loves to hold you on her lap as that seems to be the easiest for her. But you are getting SO strong! Not only do you hold your head up most of the time but you almost push yourself straight off of her lap by pushing against her stomach. You are growing up so fast. You are one whole month old today and I don’t know where all that time has gone. I wish things would just slow down.  

11.8.11

With Thanksgiving right around the corner Adam and I have so much to be thankful for. I am most thankful for my son, Daxton James Doss who came into this world punching and kicking on November 8.

It all started with Dr. Zakarian saying that I was probably going to have this baby within the week. I had been going in for non-stress tests each week at the hospital and then seeing Dr Zakarian for a biophysical profile each Friday morning since 28 weeks. This Friday was different. I was 37 weeks at this point and Dr Z was doing my routine ultrasound and going over the results of my NST from earlier that morning. I had been having contractions consistently about 3 minutes apart so she decided to check for dilation. You know just for the heck of it. I was dilated to 2 cm and about 80% effaced! You should have seen Adam’s face! His jaw dropped to the floor with shock- Happy birthday Babe :)

So we left the office with a little skip in our step and a little disbelief at the reality of what could come within a few short days. So that weekend we began the preparations to welcome this little boy into our hearts. I FINALLY packed my hospital bag, got the car seat installed and diaper bag assembled with everything he would need to come home…  you know JUST IN CASE.

So I went to work on Monday, had a normal day and felt fine. I could feel contractions all day, but for me that was normal. I had been having them and felt the same way for the last 9 weeks. No big deal. Adam kept checking on me throughout the day and was asking if I felt different or if I thought he was going to come soon. I kept saying no way, I feel fine. I’m not even to the uncomfortable phase of pregnancy yet. I haven’t even developed a waddle! This baby is NOT coming anytime soon.

So that night Adam and I decided to get all our errands done- again JUST IN CASE. We picked up some more sweats, socks and last minute items as well as grabbed a Dominos pizza literally on the go. We sat and ate it in the parking lot for crying out loud! So as we meandered through the stores just enjoying our time I could feel the contractions building more each time. Just enough to make me stop walking and concentrate until they would pass but I wasn’t worried. This baby was not coming tonight; there was just no way.

It’s now 8:30 pm. Got home, pulled in the garage and I grabbed the few bags at my feet and climbed out of the car. I took one step towards the garage door and then BAM! My water broke right then and there on the garage floor. I mean that thing broke! It was like someone poured a gallon of water down my legs. I started yelling, “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” And Adam panicked yelled back what’s wrong? I yelled back, “I think my water just broke.” And my dear sweet husband asked if I wasn’t sure I didn’t just wet my pants. “Oh no,” I said, “I’m sure!” I ran into the bathroom and Adam came in and started giggling because he realized his wife was serious. I looked like a little 2 year old who had wet their pants- they were soaked all the way to the cuffs of my jeans. That was the trigger button for Adam. He started to get really excited and super nervous and anxious at the same time. I called my mom needing expert advice and Adam disappeared. He was running around like a madman trying to get everything in order. And we were off the hospital.

I felt sooo silly! My water just broke and other than having really inconsistent strong contractions I felt fine! The reality of the situation was slowly beginning to settle in. I called Dr Z as she had instructed me to do. She asked all the questions she needed to assess how far into labor I was and she thought she would see sometime around 10:00 am the next morning. So Adam and I were giggling and talking on the way. Neither of us could believe the reality of what was happening; it was game time. We were going to be parents in just a few hours!

9:00 pm. Upon arrival to the hospital I laughed as we parked the car because I looked over and realized that we were parked next to my parents! They had beat us to the hospital. As we were walking up to the entrance to St Alphonsus labor and delivery my cell phone rang. My mother was calling from the waiting room wondering where I was. Oh my goodness, makes you wonder if they are ready to be grandparents?

We all make our way in to L&D and as soon as I walk in I announce to all the nurses at the nurse’s station, “Either I peed my pants or my water broke!” They all got a good kick out of it. I just wanted to put it all out on the table :) The nurse took me into a room and I put on that lovely gown with all the holes in it. They hooked us both up to the monitor and checked us out. I was dilated to a 3 and 100% effaced. Adam asked the nurse if we got to stay. She kinda laughed and politely said, “Oh yeah, you’re staying.” And so we bunkered down and all the family started to arrive. The air was filled with excitement and anxiety. My room was full of people as my contractions started to really build. I got sick as my body was doing its best to cope with the pain and I could not stop shaking. My nerves were going crazy and I was having hot and cold flashes. Everyone started taking the hint that it was time to leave and things weren’t going to be happening anytime soon and so about 11:00 pm they trickled out with promises that they would get a call when it was “go time.”

Adam and I were then left alone to take it all that was happening. I was getting scared at this point because I knew I could progress the labor. I just wasn’t sure if I was ready to. This was so new to me and I was afraid of how much more pain I was going to experience. But as Adam lovingly encouraged me to get out the bed walk, I did, in baby steps. I started pacing around the room and finally made it out to roam the hallways. We walked for about 20 minutes and then headed back to the room so my nurse (Meghan who was totally AMAZING!) could check my progress. She was shocked! I had jumped to a 6 in that 20 minute time span. Meghan got me a nausea medication that helped like crazy. I was not loving that part of the experience. It was then I knew this baby boy was coming sooner than later and I asked for an epidural.

It took a half an hour from start to finish for the anesthesiologist to give me that sweet IV. Too bad my left side missed out- it only worked on my right side. He had put the extra long needle (glad I didn’t see it) in crooked. Were doing everything we could to correct that but to no avail. He said if we didn’t get it fixed that the only alternative was to start the process over. I thought he was crazy. It was so hard to hold still during those contractions! Between turning and rotating and positioning we were having no success on my left side. Meghan checked my progress again and holy smokes in another half hour I was at a 9! She left the room to call Dr Zakarian; it was officially“go time.”

Adam called our families to tell them he would be here soon and my mother came back into the delivery room. I wanted her to be a part of this experience and she was so elated to be there. Dr Z was at the hospital within 10 minutes of that phone call. She did one final check and I was at 10 cm and 100% effaced. “Time to push,” she said with a grin on her face. At that moment I knew there was no going back and as scared as I was if I was going to push I was going to give it everything I had. I did not want to be in labor pushing forever. I became so focused and determined to bring this baby into the world.

So as everyone was hustling and bustling about the room getting it all prepped for my baby I did my best to remain calm and focused despite the pain. I knew I needed a goal. I had been light hearted from the get go and I certainly did not want to change that now. I wanted this to be a sweet memory for all of us. My dr gave me instructions on how to push and with Adam at my side we were ready. I could feel the next contraction coming and when my dr gave me the signal I pushed and gave it everything I had. I tried to disregard how much it hurt and concentrate because my baby was all that mattered. I was doing this for him. And with much encouragement and three pushes later and my sweet boy entered the world at 2:17 am. He came out strong, punching and kicking. It was such a beautiful sound to hear his cry. He was in my arms seconds later and that was the best feeling in the whole wide world and completely indescribable. Time stopped. I was a mom. And in my arms was this perfect little boy who became my whole world. My life changed forever in that moment. I now understood how much love my parents had for me as I held my son for the first time. Life was perfect. There is no other way to describe it. It was so amazing to think that Adam and I would be with him for eternity. Our family was truly beginning and there was nothing sweeter than that.

 

 

Daxton James Doss you were born into a family that loves you more than you can every imagine. 

 

 Weighing in at 5.52 lbs and measuring 19” long.

33 weeks

Oh my goodness I am 33 weeks pregnant! Sometimes it still amazes me that this far into the game I can still find myself saying, "I'm pregnant?" and YES that IS a question mark. It's just so crazy. I am going to HAVE A BABY and be a MOM. Wow. How totally cool is that? Adam and I will be talking and all of the sudden out the total blue I will interrupt our conversation with my sudden ah-ha moment and inform him that in just a short time we will be PARENTS! I can't believe it some days (even though this little guy has officially taken over my abdominal cavity and controls my bladder like he has his very own remote control). But in all seriousness I couldn't be more excited or ready. I have always wanted to be a mom. I have the best mom EVER and only hope to be HALF the mom she is- if I can do that I will be successful. I am just so grateful for the opportunity that Heavenly Father has given me to be that for someone else. I am going to have a son. Wow. 

 This was at 32 weeks but you get the idea :)

Gettin Crafty

Just call me super mom :)

Okay, really I am just super proud of myself for accomplishing my first sewing project ALONE- aka without my mom's amazing assistance because she is super awesome. Having said that, I did make the bumper set for the nursery with her help. So I decided to take the bull by the horns and use my birthday presents (cutting mat, rotary cutter and ruler) from Mr Adam and make the changing pad cover!

I know I am proud of myself like a preschooler who just wrote their name for the first time BUT check out my handiwork... 

Pregnancy

 

I love being pregnant. It has to be one of the most amazing experiences that as a woman I will ever get to experience my WHOLE life. I can say that as of 29 weeks, I feel wonderful. Don't get me wrong we have had our share of complications, but as far as FEELING goes I couldn't be better. 

We had some scares in beginning... When I was only 12 weeks along we had to rush to the ER at 4:00 in the morning. I had a subchorionic hemorrhage (SCH) and what the drs called a "threatened miscarriage." That was the scariest night for both Adam and I. We had a miscarriage last year so it was the worst feeling ever. I was on bed rest for a week but we were blessed and our little guy was just fine. 

When I went in for my checkup after the ER we were told that on top of the SCH I also had placenta previa. So long story short and lots of medical terms later, I was put on restricted physical activity for the next 3 months.

Last month we finally hit a good stretch! I was doing great! The hemorrhage was gone, the previa took care of itself and I just had my glucose test to pass and I was on the downhill stretch. Well, not so fast... I failed my first 1 hour glucose test AND my second 3 hour glucose test. Thus, I have gestational diabetes. 

The diabetes I must say was expected. Diabetes runs on both sides of my family and my mother had gestational for 3 out of her 5 pregnancies. So I knew it was coming and with that knowledge I also knew I could get through it. I would do whatever I needed to for this little boy growing inside me. He is dependent on me. How can I not?

So despite the insulin injections and restricted diet, I am a happy girl. I have a wonderful husband who has been so good to me and helped me through every step of the way. He is so excited and ready to be a father. I couldn't have married a better man. He will be the BEST dad ever. I mean the man draws football plays on my belly for his son to learn! He has a little bit of learning to do but then again so do I. We are excited to bring this sweet spirit into our home and give him more love than he can imagine. 

                     15 weeks

                     25 weeks

                     29 weeks

New Additions

We have 2 new additions in our home this year. Count them not 1, but 2!

First is little Miss Lula. Her name comes from one of Adam's favorite places he served on his mission- Cholula.

As much as I love her, don't let this cute little face fool you. She is a fireball! She will eat ANYTHING! And I mean just that. For example: collars, underwear, shoes, sandals (her favorite), books, baby gates, shirts, tables, baskets, iphone chargers, the list could SERIOUSLY go on and on....

But despite her annoyances I don't know what I would do without this little girl. She is my snuggle bug and comedy relief. She has become a part of the family and it just wouldn't be the same without her.

The second addition is very exciting. WE ARE EXPECTING!

Adam and I are having a little boy and he should join our family right around Thanksgiving this year. That is actually his due date, November 24th. Everyone is just a LITTLE excited. He will be the first grandchild on BOTH sides of the family.

Here are some of his first ultrasound pictures: good luck trying to figure them out :)

I Love this Man

Gordon B. Hinckley has GOT to be one of THE CUTEST OLD MEN.

He is {secretly} and always will be my favorite prophet. I miss him and his sense of humor. I never had the pleasure of actually meeting him in person but WHAT a wonderful man.

He shares the BEST advice and tid-bits of knowledge EVER.

For example:

"Marriage in its truest sense, is a partnership of equals, with neither exercising dominion over the other, but, rather, with each encouraging and assisting the other in whatever responsibilities and aspirations he or she might have."

"Stop looking for the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight."

"Through all of living have much joy and laughter, life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

"Be believing, be happy, don't get discouraged. Things will work out."

"If Life Gets Too Hard To Stand, Kneel."