A Baby Story...

It all begins on September 22nd at 11:30 am.  We finally got the call that there was room in the "Inn!" I had been waiting, and hoping they would call since 5:30 am. I was nervous and those hours felt eternal. We dropped off Addie to Bradi's and there we were in the hospital to deliver our 4th. 

Here I am getting ready to be induced.

(**Note this is the long version of my delivery.. just skip down to the pictures of cute Carlee if I am boring you with all the details. :))

I was planning on a quick delivery since all my babies have come relatively fast. I thought we would have a baby by early afternoon, all the kids could come and see her, and life would be blissful. Well, I guess good things take time, and this little girl must have been really good, cause she took her sweet time! I got my epidural at about 3:00 pm and that made my blood pressure go up. I kind of freak out when they put needles in my back, I told the Doctor that my feet already numb and he hadn't even done anything! They got my blood pressure back under control and then Dr. Thompson broke my water at 5:30 or 6:00. (I thought once he did that Carlee would be here within the hour. Nope, I was wrong again!) At 9:00 pm my epidurial started wearing off, and I was in pain. Then my blood pressure went up and up and up. They put an oxegyn mask on me and I freaked out. At this point my blood pressure was about 210+ over 117. I had never seen so many nurses in my room before. I was at a high risk for a stroke, so they gave me magnesium. The medicine wasn't as bad as I had though I just had major hot flashes. Finally they rolled me over on my side to see if they could get my epidural to work (it didn't help) and she was finally ready to come. I pushed a couple times and Carlee Jane was finally here at 10:10 pm.  As soon as I delivered my blood pressure went down to a manageable number and everyone took a big deep breath.

Carlee Jane
6 lbs 4 oz

19 inches long

Here she is! I can't even explain the relief I had when she finally made it to earth, and I knew she was healthy. She is so sweet. I think she took her time that day, because she knew we needed to figure out her name, so she gave us a few extra hours to decide. Gavin thought of her name while we were waiting for the phone call from the hospital to go in. I love it and think it fits her just perfect.

She was sucking her fingers right after she was born, it was so cute.

She loved her First Bath. Doesn't that look like if feels good?

Now we are complete. I love each person in this picture so much, there are no words to describe it. This is what my life is all about.  

Thank you all for you support, and concern it means a lot!

Great Weekend

The Dixie Roundup was fun again this year. The Military Helicopter was probably everyone's favorite part of the show. It is always fun to see family and friends at the Rodeo!

Preston had the First Grade Rodeo at school and they asked us to help. Since Gavin had to be in Las Vegas, Dad got the job! We showed the kids how to rope the Dummy and then let them all try it themselves. It was funny to watch how difficult it is to swing a rope when you have never done it before! Thanks Dad for your help. You are the best!

 On Friday night we skipped the Rodeo and went to the Warrior game instead. Addie was in the Cheer Clinic this year and was so excited to perform at half time. I made her some bows to wear, and before we even got in the game she had lost one.. I was sick. We looked and looked but couldn't find it. Oh well, she still looked cute! (Come to find out it was in the backseat of the car, bummer.) When we got down on the track she was so excited to find Sadie and be with all the other girls.  She was totally in her element the whole time, she even did a little of the dance, a few counts late, but she did it! I love my little cheerleader!

We went over to the end of the rodeo to show my mom and dad her outfit, they were glad we came and  the boys got to see their favorite part of the rodeo, the Bull Riding! I just can't miss that rodeo, even if I am two hours late!

Saturday Landon had a football game in Cedar, they lost by a touchdown. It was a good game and the boys played really hard, just came up short. I liked what Landon said in the car after the game. "If we see them in the playoffs, they are going DOWN!" Now that is the kind of attitude I like! How does that saying go? "Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back in the saddle!"

We made it home just in time for the last night of the Rodeo.  It was a fun, crazy weekend, the kind I love. Good Times, Good Times!!

Thinking.

I woke up at 4:00 am this morning thinking. I couldn't stop thinking either. I started thinking about Wednesday. How my life will change forever and how my family will change forever. I started thinking about not sleeping, nursing, changing diapers, nursing, not sleeping and changing diapers... I also thought about the how the other three kids are going to handle it. Preston this morning in his prayer said, "Thank you we can be a family with four." I think he is going to be fine or at least I hope. I know Landon has been through this a lot, but I worry I am putting to much responsibility on him. I worry about the oldest child syndrome. Then there is Addie. She is so excited, helping me wash the clothes, get out the car seat, sitting in the car seat, rocking the car seat, etc. She already loves this baby, I just worry she won't love it quite so much after I leave her for a day or two and then come home with someone new. Then the one I am thinking about the most, this one in my belly, I hope she knows how much I love her. Even though she doesn't have a name yet, she is so important to me. I hope the delivery goes well and she comes out healthy and happy, with ten little fingers and ten little toes. I hope her lungs are strong and she has enough cute little baby fat to stay nice and warm. Thinking, thinking, thinking...

Being a mom, means there is a lot to think about or cry about or laugh about. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I feel so lucky to be a mom that stays at home, and that I have a husband who supports and appreciates what I do.

Wish me luck! Wednesday is the big day! Hopefully I can get my posts caught up before then, we had a great weekend and I want to blog about it before I head to the hospital. But, right now there is a pedicure calling my name. I told Gavin, cute toes are important in the delivery room! ;)

Bowler Reunion

The Bowler Reunion was yesterday in Gunlock. It was great. Good food, great company and crawdads at the river. The boys were in heaven. Addie had fun in the bounce house and on the swings. We won a few things in the silent auction, next year we will have to monitor the sheets better if we want to win the good stuff! The play guitar we brought home (Thank You Grandma!) plays Old McDonald so loud you almost can't think straight. Addie loves it! The sad news is, we have somehow miss placed it already... we ALL feel really bad about it. ;) It was another successful reunion, thanks to all who put it together. We can't for next year!

Are you Ready?

 Are you ready for some Football? 

The Frei's are!

 The first Football Game was a success!

The 30+ hours of practice paid off, they beat Desert Hills Gold

34-0! 

Way to play Warriors!

Lake on Labor Day

I can't believe we hadn't been to the lake with Grandpa and Grandma Hale all summer. Luckily they called and we went on the last "official" day of summer, Labor Day! We had a ball.

Thank goodness Grandpa Ken is a good sport and rides the tube with all the kids. The pictures are classic! Enjoy! 

Boys of Fall

Doesn't this make you so excited for Fall?! These little Warriors are dang cute, in full pads. Landon is loving it.  Football means discipline and I am loving that! This was at a scrimmage in Mesquite a few weeks back. Their first "Official" game was this morning. They won! More pictures to come.

If you haven't seen this video, watch it. It gave me goose bumps, I loves those Boys of Fall.

Junior Rodeo

The Washington County Fair Junior Rodeo came and went. Mom was in charge and I helped her with the entries. This year, Addie decided to get sick and throw up all night, so we (me and Addie) had to stay home. I was so upset that I couldn't go watch the boys, but they did just fine without me. They came home with lots of fun prizes and were excited to give me the play by play of all the events they competed in. Landon won 1st in the All Around and Preston placed 4th (I think) in the All Around. Good job boys!

Preston even brought home a Hermit Crab. Lovely. I guess that is what happens when Mom's don't go to the Fair with their kids... He was really excited about the creepy crawly thing. So, what do I do? Feed it, water it and let it live in his room. It is still alive (amazing, I know!), his name is SC. I guess I better get a picture of it, anything that can make it a month in my two little boys room, deserves a picture!

We also went to the Demolition Derby during the Fair, Mom watched Addie and we took the boys. It was really fun. They crashed cars together, tipped trucks over, and pelted us with dirt. Who would have thought I would have liked such a thing? I will be back next year, and I will have my camera in hand. I guess I must be a redneck after all! :)