Confusion All Around

Just because Sam says I'm "not fat" does not by any means mean that I am skinny.

After living in Arizona for 9 years, I think Eric and I were a bit paranoid that we would forget about Day Light Savings ending. Falling back on a ten year old memory I assumed that it would end in October (hasn't it always ended in October) and prematurely turned back our clocks last night.

So this morning Eric got up and left for his 9:30 meetings at 10:30. He quickly returned home to inform us that we were wrong and that church was really starting in 10 minutes. AAaahh!!! I was a good thirty minutes away from being ready, having just fed the baby and desperately needing a shower. We got the big boys ready and sent them with Eric and I quickly jumped in the shower.

If you thought we were confused and flustered at this point. . . just wait. In my mind I had already picked out what I was going to wear to church today. A jumper of sorts (my dear friends know that it was the dress I ALWAYS wore not only because it is extremely comfortable but a tent of sorts that easily hides lumps and bumps) and then wallah. . . it dawned on me. . . how in the world do you nurse a baby in a jumper? Ugh. Plan A was definitely out. . .

So then I started going through skirt after skirt after skirt trying to find something that would fit (without resorting back to the maternity skirt I had been wearing EVERY Sunday since June). I finally found a skirt that I could get partially zipped up (that is if I pulled the skirt up high enough so that now my once floor length skirt is now mid-shin and there is an exhorbant amount of the skirt now bunched up above my hips) and with a long enough sweater I felt like I could pull it off. Brother. This gives a whole new meaning to fat and frumpy. So with my hair wet and slicked back into a pony tail, my clothes a questionable fit, and make-up just thrown on. . . I make my grand return to church. People kept coming up to me and saying, "You shouldn't be back to church yet. What are you doing?" At first I thought they were just being kind and concerned about the 2 week old baby, but they probably were just trying to think of a nice way to say, "Maybe you shouldn't go out in public until you can fit into your clothes and have time to do your hair."

The best part of the day was when I look down during Primary and notice something white by my ankles. What ever could it be? Yup my slip. Apparently it has slipped right over my belly hump and let gravity do its thing.

I think there are now 80 kids and 15 teachers that question my competency not only in leading the music but in dressing myself as well!

Tummy Time

Sam: "Mom, you aren't fat anymore. I think your big belly is all gone." Doesn't that deserve a hug and kiss and all the OREOS he could want?

When walking home from school yesterday, I had the baby in the snuggly on my belly covered with a blanket. Christian: "Wow Mom, did you already get another baby in there?" I have to admit that I'm somewhat of a go-getter, but even I am not that ambitious.

Hyrum's Favorite book is "No Day-bid (David)" probably because he can relate and he loves to say Polk-a-bots (polk-a-dots).

HWB

Let It Snow!

Here are pictures of our first Alaskan Snow!! Yesterday it snowed ALL day long, just a light flurry but pretty constant throughout the day. I feel like I should be wrapping presents, roasting chestnuts on an open fire, and decking the halls with boughs of holly--fa, la, la, la, la (breathe), la, la, la, la! The boys spent the entire afternoon sledding and having the best time in our balmy 34 degrees. We have the best front and backyard for sledding, and with the encouragement of David (a neighborhood dad) the kids teamed up and had speed and distance races. Even Hyrum got in on the fun and buddied up with David to win several races (we are thrilled that (unlike last year) he's decided that it is okay to wear boots and gloves--hooray!)

ABD to PhD

Eric just finished downloading some software for his dissertation data and is excitedly punching numbers. He is like a kid in a candy shop. . . all excited about this stats program and seeing the fruits of his last semesters labors turn into tangible statistical reports.

I told him all I want for Christmas is a defense date and the hope of his moving from ABD to PhD. That would be a Merry Christmas for everyone!!

Quaking News

I meant to post this last weekend. . .

On Saturday, October 13th at 7:15 a.m. we had our first "feel-able" earthquake since moving to AK. (I say feel-able because today Alaska has had 20 recorded earthquakes so far. . . none of which we have felt but several within 60 miles of us) Last Saturdays Earthquake was recorded as a 4.5 and was located about 60 miles NorthWest of where we live.

Apparently it was the buzz at the local Youth Basketball game. . . where we first learned about. Why? Because we all slept right through it. The kids were disappointed that they weren't awake to see things shake, rattle, and roll. With our bedrooms in the basement we've been told that we will be less liken to be shaken awake.

Another part of the Alaska Adventure!

At the kids school in additional to the standard Fire drill they have Moose drills, Bear drills, Plane drills (if a plane were to crash into the school or property), Lock-down drills, and Earthquake drills. Phew! Funny how they spend all this time trying to protect our kids from the dangers of the world and yet insist on sending them out for recess even when it is -20 below (I'm not kidding, that is the school policy, outdoor recess is to be held unless it BELOW -20)

Sparkle

Family Time

Sam is the most attentive of the three boys (probably because the older two distract each other). He helps me bath, diaper, and just love Warner. I got out and compared baby pictures yesterday. . .and by far Warner resembles Sam the most.

Eric and the boys enjoying some cookies from christian and tanner's classmates mom. Her name is Jessica and we've met each other on the way to and from school. She has twin 7-year-olds, one in each of our twins classes, and a 5-year-old in Sam's Kindergarten class. She came over one day last week to say congratulations on the baby and the next evening brought us a delicious dinner. The people here in Alaska are top notch! EVERY SINGLE neighbor (all five families) in our cul-de-sac have come and visited bringing presents and dinner. Amazing. Right now Christian and Tanner's favorite after school activity is playing football with "Sarah's Dad." Hyrum call him "Day-bid" (David). They will play outside for hours and it is wonderful.

If we are this silly and it is just Fall, what are we going to be like after a Winter indoors?

First Bath

Warner LOVES getting his hair washed. . . in the kitchen sink of all places (I can't responsibly hold my baby and film this at the same time). He closes his eyes and looks as if he is thoroughly enjoying himself. Simple Pleasures.

Pack 'N Play Saves the Day

I know that some of you thought I was silly because I HAD to HAVE the Graco Pack 'N Play with the bassinet insert. . . but this is why. . .

Last night I had just finished feeding Warner and put him in the bassinet and was in the bathroom getting ready for bed when I heard a very disoriented and crying little one. It didn't take me long to deduce that it was Sam and I rushed out of the bathroom to direct him to HIS bathroom. Apparently in the somewhat lit hallway, Sam had mistaken what? Yup the porta crib for a toilet. I found him standing next to it, pants down, and his b'dingle doing its business (Sam himself was still very much asleep). This is where the insert saved the day. . . with the baby off the ground he stayed completely dry. . . I cannot say as much for the bottom of the Pack 'N Play. Can you just imagine our perfect, pure, peaceful little Warner on the bottom of that Pack 'N Play? No. No. That isn't even right. So hoorah for the bassinet insert (and yes, we'll be making sure that Samwise uses the facilities before going to bed from now on).

Warner

Check out the milk mustache. . .

Warner's Brothers

Here are me and my boys!!! They were excited to come to the hospital and meet "Baby Warner." Eric let them stay home from school to celebrate the day and I'm not sure which won their heart over more. . . "Baby Warner" or playing Nintendo ?!!?

Eric and Warner (can you tell who is more sleep deprived?)

A Baby Story

For those of you who want to know . . . here's the quick version. . .

I was suppose to be induced Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m. but Warner was a little bit anxious to arrive. After being sent home from the hospital (against my better judgement) late Monday evening, we returned again Tuesday at 2:20 a.m.. My request for an epidural was immediate and the process of I.V., fluids, bloodwork began. They assured me that I would be able to get it in thirty minutes. Not a problem I thought. . . I did the math. . . that would be ten more contractions (I was having them every three minutes) and that would still allow me the "traditional" nap while I continued to dilate to a 10 and painfree pushing.

Well, in thirty minutes I would dilate from a 6 to a 10, feel the baby crown, and wallow in pain, and fear (more like terror), and self pity that the epidural wasn't going to happen. The nurse noted the time 2:58 a.m. Three crazy contractions later (a lot of "push" "stop" and "relax into the bed" comments from the nurse. . . relax!??!. . . is that even possible at that point?) and Warner arrived officially into our lives (3:01 a.m.). Oh, and yes, it was the nurse that delivered the baby. . . the midwife was still a good fifteen minutes away.

After it was all done and reason returned to my mind I told Eric, "Oh, I wanted to ask for a mirror." We both smiled. This was not the "normal" Stephanie Bacon delivery. A bit too quick, a bit too unscheduled, a bit too terror based, a bit too pain-centered and self-centered. . . but luckily the outcome was very perfect, very sweet, very calm and real . . . and very much the thing I dreamed about and had wanted. . . a beautiful baby BOY! (yes, another BOY, for those of you who mocked me and said it couldn't be done!!)

Warner is wonderful!! He, like his birth story, broke the mold with lots of brown hair (we'd been joking for months that if he came out with dark hair and glasses we would name him Henry. . . I guess we'll just have fork over the money for the glasses ourselves). Everything else is very Bacon-ish: the Bacon beesure, gray-blue eyes, and overall he looks a bit like Sam to me. He does have the Warner fuzzy face and my tied tongue (of all the things I can pass onto my children, why-o-why is it that one every time?).

We named him Henry (after Henry B. Erying--newly sustained 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency of our Church--like Peter, James, and John in the New Testament), Warner (that is my maiden name) and we thought we'd end with Bacon :)

As the boys like to sing, "[So that's Warner's] story, and I'm stick'in to it."

First Few Moments

Newest Love of My Life

Just moments after he was born. Instantly little Warner became the newest Love of My Life!

Last of Fall

Just a few more pictures from Sunday's stroll.
Today, Wednesday, almost all of the leaves have fallen.
I'm glad that we got out for one last hoorah and I think all of that waddling around lake may have been just the thing I needed to get little Warner here.

Skipping Rocks With Dad

Today was our really first "cold" day here in Alaska.
After General Conference (Sunday) we drove up Eklutna Lake to enjoy the last of the Fall Colors. It was a beautiful day but by the end of our waltz around the lake we had several pairs of cold hands and ears.

Nothing more entertaining than rocks and water!!! The boys probably spent a good forty-five minutes here just making a splash.

Eric taught the boys how to skip rocks. They LOVED it. Christian was amazing and Sam and Tanner were even able to skip a few by the end.

A Shower in a Box

A BIG thanks to my dear, dear Flagstaff Friends!!! Oh how surprised I was to find an enormous box just outside my front door one afternoon. The note on top read, "Baby Shower in a Box!!!!" I was so touched my your thoughtfulness. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

My neighbor came over and saw the box in the entry way. She commented that she was surprised I hadn't ripped it open. I replied, "Oh, I WILL. I'm just saving it for a perfect moment when I can truly enjoy everything inside."

And I did. . .

Inside was everything for a baby shower. . . GIFTS (several which are not unwrapped since they are baby specific), Angie's famous "breakfast bars" (we only call them that to make them sound healthier and to justify our hording of them), a game, toys and treats for the kids, a notes from sweet friends whose thoughtfulness has truly touched me. By the way, who remembered that I like Bit-o-Honeys? Thanks!! It was just what I needed to get me through the last few days of this pregnancy.

A Few Rice Crispies with your Sprinkles

Sam invited a couple of neighbor girls over for an After-School-Snack party. He was so excited to make the rice crispie treats and to help pour the hot chocolate. As you can see from the picture he LOVED pouring on the Sprinkles!

MOOOOSE!

MOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!

5 FIVE 5 !

I was pleasantly surprised at my OB visit yesterday to hear the Midwife say, "There is a green sticky note here in your chart from Dr. McCreary. She wants us to schedule you to be induced. There is even an exclamation mark." What??!?? This was such a different tune than what they were singing last week. . . but I wasn't about to complain (or even bring the "no induction" talk for that matter).

And there was more good news. Right now I am dilated to a 4 and 50% effaced. Wahoo. So things are happening. Hooray. Hooray.

I drove home just beaming. Tuesday is the big day when we will welcome Baconbit #5 into our family.

Tanner was so excited this morning. He kept asking how many days . . . how many hours. . . he was just giddy. Keep your fingers crossed and hopefully next week we'll have something really cute (keep in mind that our babies have big noses) and precious to post.

FAT

Yesterday we had a few neighbor kids over to play. Ian, a 1st grader, was talking to me while taking off his shoes. "Do you know you're fat?" he asked. "I told my mom that you are fat." (glad he shares his observations) His sister standing next to him, though only four, glared at him with those all knowing eyes that said, "You should never tell a woman she is fat." So cute little Ian started to back pedal, "I mean it is your baby. . . you have have a baby in your stomach that makes you . . . ugh. . . ugh. . . " "FAT," I filled in. I love children because they call it like they see it and even though big or round might have sounded better. . . fat was very fitting.

Conference Countdown

I am just so excited for General Conference I can hardly stand it! Every year I just love it more and more. Perhaps because the older I get, the more I realize just how much better I want to be. When I was younger I thought you just grew up and were something, somebody, some being. . . I didn't realize how much growing and changing and learning and becoming better there would be in adulthood.

Conference is so inspiring. It makes me want to burst out of the racing blocks and make better choices. I want to embrace truth with an unwavering fervency. I want to "Stand a little taller. Rise a little higher. Be a little Better" in everything I do. Aahhh. . . I can't wait. 5 days and counting!!!

Heath, here is the link for the Conference Square game from the Friend Magazine. Our kids really like to play it. Each session I pull out a different treat (marshmallows, skittles, cheerios, and M&Ms) and they start listening.

(For those of you that don't know, Elder James E. Faust, a great leader in our church passed away. . . leaving a gap in the 1st Presidency/Quorum of the 12 Apostles. During General Conference this weekend, a new member of the Quorum will be announced and sustained.)

The boys were talking with Eric about Elder Faust dying and the vacancy that leaves in the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. In all innocence they asked, "Dad, could it be you? Could it?"

I love how little kids think their fathers are superheroes. . . that mothers are Magicians (aren't we suppose to pull snacks out of thin air, heal wounds with our bare hands, and make bad dreams disappear?)

I remember when my brother Greg was little. We were camping and Greg was playing with a little boy in a neighboring campsite. In their four-year-old discussion, things were said and a competition of words ensued. I'm not sure what the other little boy said but I remember Greg blurting out, "Oh yeah. . . we'll my Dad is stronger than Jesus!" :)

Toddler Bed Bomb

I must have been itching for a project. . . could it be nesting? . . . because tonight I got out all the parts for Hyrum's Toddler bed (the same one that Christian and Sam used) and put it together. Eric joined me in the adventure and we soon had it assembled.

Hyrum knew exactly what it was and quickly put his pillow and blanket on it. I have to admit I was skeptical and rightfully so . . . after about an hour of him crawling in and out and in and out I put the bed in the closet and reintroduced the crib (with the crib tent top) as the bed of Mom's Choice for Hy-Mum.

Nights!

Within the last 24 hours I've come to terms with this "no induction" idea. And the thought of being pregnant for a few more weeks, as uncomfortable as it initially sounded, isn't such a dreadful thought . . . I can make it. I will make it. Life is good. . . I'm going to have a baby--what a treasure and blessing that will be!

As I've thought about this pregnant reality, I've come to realize that my days are GREAT. I'm still able to exercise (I rode my bike to the General RS Broadcast on Saturday in hopes of starting SOMETHING, ANYTHING. . . but I didn't get so much as a cramp), I'm cooking, I'm cleaning, I'm chasing Hyrum around, I'm riding my bike with the boys to school. Don't get me wrong, I'm winded, and wobbly, and often times wondering how bending over to pick up blocks could get more difficult . . . BUT I am moving. And one of our favorite sayings around here is "Motion equals emotion."

It is the nights that I dread. I put off going to sleep (reading late into the night. . . for example last night I read Princess Academy by Shanon Hales) in hopes that exhaustion will take over and I'll actually SLEEP for more than an hour or two at a time. It is the heartburn, the chomping down handfuls of Tums in the middle of the night, the trips to the bathroom, the restlessness all while the clock ticks on and I'm thinking "sleep, please, sleep. . . you're going to be exhausted in the morning."

And yup, I'm usually exhausted in the morning, my stomach is full of berry flavored antacid, the toilet has been flushed more in the past 8 hours than all day long, and I'm wondering why did I lay down at all. . . why didn't I just didn't start another book or put in another episode of Alias. I suppose that is part of the plan for me. . . because once this little one arrives life (basing this on bacon babies in the past) will be so much better for me. Ironically, I sleep better. I can eat better. I can definitely move better. And I have this little bundle of joy that somehow makes me forget just how uncomfortable those last few weeks can be.

I've just got to keep my eye on the goal line and my hand in the tums bottle. . .