Happy Father's Day

I am sorry I am a little late posting this, but better late than never.  First, Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers in my life and thank you for all you do!  I thought it would be fun to look at the last year and see some of the fun things that these dads have done!

 We'll start with James . . .

This year James got to spend some fun boy time at Cub Scout Day Camp.

Made Pine Wood Derby cars . . .

Baptized Joshua . . .

Directed a musical with Joshua in it.  . . 

He also coached soccer, went on bike rides, baked treats, wrestled and played with his boys as much as possible.
 

It has definitely been a fun year with daddy!  As our boys get older I have learned that they need their dad and am glad that they have a dad who is there for them!  Thanks for being a great dad!  

We also got to see my dad this year in Florida which was a lot of fun.  I don't have any pictures but he took the boys to the beach and showed them how to play in the big Atlantic waves.  That was a great adventure.   

The boys have had several opportunities to see their Grandpa Hutchings and during those times they have heard many 'grandpa stories.'  I am pretty sure they would listen to grandpa stories all day long.  It is great to see them learning about family history and hearing about some great examples in their family they can follow.  

I have learned that once you are dad, you are always a dad, as we see below as Grandpa H. is teaching Michael how to mow his lawn.  Being a dad is a wonderful thing and I am grateful for the fathers in my life and the ones in my boys' lives.   I want you all to know that the work you are doing is important and the influence you have is crucial.  Thank you for being great dads and I hope you all had a Happy Father's Day!

Ready for a Baby?

Before we had the baby we kept asking ourselves if we had everything we need.  We knew we had the basics like diapers, wipes, car seat, and a crib, but what did we miss?  Not much but I thought it was fun to reflect on.

alcohol (for cleaning the cord)
Mylicon (for gas-this is a must have)
fingernail clippers  (We still need these.  Fortunately, he hasn't scarred himself yet.)

There were a few other little things but those were the ones that I recommend not forgetting.  So, what other things did I forget?

I forgot that you have to teach the baby to fall asleep in their crib.  In the hospital he just fell asleep all the time and never needed to be put to sleep.  It didn't take long to teach but it was easier to do during the day when everyone was awake then when everyone was fast asleep at night.  Fortunately, only the grown-ups seem to hear him in the night.  Also, it was nice that he never cried more than 10 minutes.  So, we have been victorious in that category (and yes, it was awesome to get more sleep because of it).

I also forgot that it takes a few days for your milk to come in.  It isn't such a big deal but Hyrum sure seems happier now!

It has definitely been an adjustment to have a baby at home again but we are adjusting well and all growing to enjoy being together.   The boys will be happier when Hyrum will play with them but for now they get to just enjoy holding him and waiting for him to wake up.

Hyrum Dale Hutchings

Welcome to the world Hyrum!  So, what do I know about Hyrum already?  He is just like me.  He wants things done his way and when he wants something done, it will get done, and there will be no negotiating.

So, how did our newest arrival come?  Almost exactly the way I planned.  Almost!  Every night for the past few nights I have prayed that if this is the night that I am allowed to sleep first, so I will be well rested for the delivery.  So, when I woke up just after 4 and wondered if I had had a contraction I was pleased with step one.  After about 45 minutes of contractions about 6 minutes apart I decided I should get ready to go to the hospital (I have never had false labor and counted on this).  So, I got up and showered quickly which, of course, woke up James because this is the first time I have been out of bed before 8 in weeks.  :)  He showered while I prepped my backpack.  People always say they pack a bag in advance but I had decided that was unrealistic since I need most of those things every day, but I did make a list, so it didn't take long to get ready.

Then, we told Michael and Joshua where we were headed and who would be taking them to church.  We hoped they would go back to sleep but knew that it was an unrealistic hope.

At the hospital they wheeled me up to the maternity ward which was nice because the contractions were coming more frequently.  They put me in a room and shortly thereafter realized that I was laying in a non-birthing bed.  I'm not going to lie,  the non-birthing bed was much more comfortable, so I'm glad we didn't make the change for awhile.  The first thing I told them was that I wanted an epidural.  That is the part of the plan that I know needs to be known upfront, so they have time to do everything needed.  She warned me that it would take at least an hour to get that going.  Fine, so lets get it going.  But no, we answered questions and filled out papers.  She called my doctor to see if I could be admitted.  I was 3 cm and he said that when I progressed I could be admitted.  Now normally I wouldn't care, but I knew that if I wasn't admitted they couldn't start prepping me for that epidural.  Ugh!  So, I told her to check me again.  She warned me that I had only had 5 contractions and that progress was unlikely.  I didn't care (you know how I like things to go my way).  So, she checked and was surprised to learn that I was now 4 cm.  That's right.  Oh baby yea!  Both James and the nurse were shocked and said that that I willed my body to do that.  Really I think it was that painful contraction I had right before she checked.  You decide.

So, I was admitted, they took my blood, hooked me up to an IV and we were on our way.  Then, the shift changed.  Not a big deal just a new nurse and she was all about getting me my epidural, so I was happy enough.  She slowly prepped for delivery and I continued to progress.  She finally had good news, the blood work was done and the anesthesiologist was on her way.  She said 10 minutes, so I checked the clock and told myself I could make it 15 minutes.  Let me just say that I was right.  In about 10 minutes my contractions took a leap for the worse and I started feeling pressure.  I was only 7 cm, so it was ok but those contractions begged for the assistance of an epidural.  I asked at what stage they call the doctor and they said when you are 10 cm.  WHAT???  Isn't that when you have the baby, not when you call the doctor?  Go figure.  So, at 7 cm (after 10-15 minutes of waiting-yes, I held up my end of the deal) my body decided it was done and within 3 - 5 minutes I was crowning.  So much for that epidural.  :(  But hey, if I can't get my epidural at least I only had to be in intense labor for 15 minutes.

So, what is it like having a baby without an epidural?  It HURTS!!!!  I'm pretty sure I heard a nurse tell me not to scream.  Yea, like that's going to happen.  So, we delivered our sweet little Hyrum right onto the table with three very calm nurses coaching me through, reminding me to stay calm, and breathe.   I am pretty sure that they are the only reason that I was able to make it through.  One of them had such a calm face that I could look at her and calm down (well relatively calm down).  I would have been toast without her.

So, everything was exactly as I planned.  I got a good nights rest, my labor lasted under 4 hours from is that a contraction? to hello baby, everyone was healthy and happy, but no epidural.  :(  Maybe next time.   What have I learned?  Don't wait very long to go to the hospital or I will never get an epidural again.  Ask that my doctor come at around 6 cm, well, if he wants to make it on time anyway.  And finally, you still forget the pain pretty quickly after delivery.  I'm not sure how that works but I am grateful.  So, now my body just gets to heal and I get to enjoy some quiet time with the newest Hutchings!

It has been a calm day (post delivery).  James and I took a nap while they took care of the baby.  Glorious!  Then, James brought the boys in to see us after church.  They bored pretty quickly and now they are with someone else and James will be back soon, so we can just enjoy a quiet calm afternoon and evening together.  It just sounds perfect!

Oh, I didn't give you stats.  Hyrum was born at 7:50 AM on June 10--9 days before my due date just like Michael and Joshua.  Yes, I am a control freak and somehow I manage to control even child birth.  He was 8 lbs 4 oz, 20.5 inches and has Michael's red hair and facial features.  Michael is, of course, thrilled!  Here is a fun comparison picture for you.

Waiting, Waiting and more Waiting

This pregnancy has gone by pretty quickly.  We spent a lot of time not telling anyone, so we just enjoyed our fun game.  Then, by the time people even knew we were expecting I was more than half way done.  By then we were in the middle of the musical, so our focus was on that.  Then, we looked forward to the end of the school year and heading out to James' sisters wedding.  Our goal was to get home without having the baby.  But now that we are home the next thing on our list is to have this baby.  The boys spend their time outside playing and enjoying the beautiful weather, we finished setting up the baby's room, and I have started time off from most of my teaching.  James is home and bored (as you read already) and we are all just waiting.  I'm not very good at waiting and neither is James.  Maybe we will find a project to do this week to keep us busy.  If anyone has suggestions for what an awkwardly pregnant woman can do to keep busy let me know!  

Some people don't think I look very pregnant, so I thought I would post a before and after picture.  It may not be convincing, but I thought I would try.  :)  

Bored

It's that time, again, when boredom strikes. It's not that I really have nothing to do, it's just that I want to be doing something that feels like leisure rather than work, and everything on my list is just work. I need a break before doing work. I already baked rhubarb streusel muffins. I already tied my tomato plants to their trellises. I already weeded. I mean, come on—I'm getting dangerously close to actual work here. Next week we're putting in the grass. Maybe that will prompt me to work again. Or maybe we'll have a baby. That could also be exciting enough to stave off boredom for 48 hours or so. But then Mom will come, and who gets bored when Mom is around? Not this guy. :)

Vacation 2012

This year our summer vacation took us to Utah to support Marquie (James' baby sister) in her wedding.  We tried something different this time and took James' truck.  The gas mileage wasn't great but it seems like everyone was more comfortable.  This won't work again in the future but it went well this time.  We arrived in Utah just in time to enjoy the Workman family reunion.  It was fun to see extended family that we haven't seen in such a long time (most of whom I have never met.)

Sunday was Mother's Day and it was great to get to spend it with one of our mothers.  We haven't been able to do that in years.  James took over and put together a great mother's day celebration.  It was a great evening of celebrating mothers.

Then, we spent the week planning and preparing for the wedding and reception.  Well, James did that while the boys and I played and relaxed and tried to help him as best we could.  Saturday was the wedding and it was beautiful and wonderful.  It was incredible to have all of James' family in the sealing room at the same time.  Being sealed as a family for eternity is such a great blessing.

On Sunday we were fortunate enough to attend James' cousin Ryan's farewell.  He is headed off to serve his mission in Thailand.  It was great to have so many wonderful things going on to celebrate with family while in Utah.

Monday was Jacob's birthday!!  He turned 6 and was so excited to celebrate his birthday in Utah with his cousins.  We spent the morning making his cake.  He was apparently really excited to have an icebox cake.  I only knew this because I heard him telling his aunts and cousins that he was going to have a really cool cookie cake that his dad makes.  It took us awhile to figure out what he meant and by then it was too late to make it the day before, so we relaxed in the morning and made the cake!  Then, we had lunch with my sister and spent a little time at IKEA.  For some reason our kids love IKEA, so that worked out well!  Jacob even got to play in the kids place at IKEA which was great!  We did a little more shopping and then headed up the canyon to have a barbeque with cousins and aunts and uncles.  It was a fun mixture of the boys' cousins and James' cousins.  It was so much fun and the weather was perfect again.  Maybe I should just say that the weather was perfect the entire time we were in Utah.  Jacob seemed to have a great birthday and that was the goal!

We stayed a couple more days and enjoyed time with family before heading home.  We had so much fun seeing family that it was hard to leave.  Overall it was a great visit and a great trip!

Español y el Espíritu Santo

Today I taught my last music class of the semester almost completely in Spanish. It was a strange feeling—I've dabbled in language and had conversation with other students/people in French and Spanish, but I stood and delivered today in a completely foreign language. We played a quiz game to prepare for the final, so I repeated a lot of phrases like "What is . . . " ("Que es") and "What is the difference between . . ." ("Que es la diferencía entre") and my personal favourite, "True or false . . ." ("cierto o falso . . .") Once I got past those, though, I had to tackle music and geography specific vocabulary like rhythm (ritmico) and Middle East (Oriente Medio,) and that took a little more thought. I spoke slowly and even gave some responses in Spanish when they didn't know the answers. That just made them mad. Pobrecitos . . .

My endeavour was fueled by a learning community the Spanish teacher and I taught this semester. Our students are enrolled in Non-Western Music and Spanish, and they take both together. As a result, she attends my class, and I attend hers. I certainly didn't study well this semester, but I'm confident that I mastered more Spanish than any other person in the class. It was definitely a worthwhile project, and I wish I could continue my Spanish studies. Or take up another language and learn just enough to get myself food, water, and a bathroom.

The sad part of the experience is that those students, along with Profesora Dickerson are leaving for Ecuador next week, and I'll not be accompanying them. It just breaks my little heart, but I'll be at the wedding, to be sure. We had originally planned to take the trip during Spring Break, but because of financial deadlines and some lag on the part of travel agencies, we had to push it back to May. This all went down in August, and as soon as it was decided that we had to postpone, I felt terrible about it. I knew that I couldn't go on the trip. I tried to get another instructor to teach and accompany, but they wanted me to teach it and not go if that was necessary. I was so unsettled, almost angry at the change and the way I felt about it. Nonetheless, I complied with the promptings, and withdrew from the travel portion of the course.

Of course, several months later we learned that Marquie would be married during the exact same week as the Ecuador trip. I would have missed it completely and I would have been locked in to the trip financially and contractually. So, as fun as it's been to practice my Spanish and party like a linguist, I won't get to practice it in the famous market of Otavala while I haggle for native Andean instruments or the world 's most perfect molcajete. And you know what? That's alright with me.

Estoy bien y soy feliz.