Island Park

Every year my mom's side of the family gets together to go to Island Park and camp for a week. Gary and I just started going last year. I am NOT a camper in any way, shape or form. I don't like to get dirty or smell like campfire, I like sleeping in my own bed and I want a flushing toilet at my beck and call. But we actually had fun last year (my aunt and uncle were gracious enough to let us stay in their cabin there) and McKay of course loves the dirt, the food (treats), the fire and all the kids to play with. Unfortunately, Sherry and Jay sold their cabin which meant....we had to tent it. BOO!!! All the other families besides my parents and siblings have trailers but since none of us love camping, we don't even own much camping gear. Gary's family loves to camp and that is usually the family trip each year so we have a few essentials..but not a ton. I was worried about taking a 2 month old and a free-spirited 2 year old but it wasn't too bad.

In order to spare the other campers of Miles's cries in the night when he wakes up to eat (he only wakes up once between 5:30am-6:30am), I decided to sleep in the back of our van with him. I thought it would be a little warmer as well. It was but it was not as comfy as I was hoping. Oh well, it worked for us. Gary shared a tent and a flat air mattress (looks like we need to re-stock our camping gear!) with McKay. McKay would start on one side of the air mattress and through the right would rotate around Gary's head and end up waking up on the ground next to the air mattress. No blankets or anything but Gary says he never woke up and fussed. Gary on the other hand didn't sleep as well due to the traveling 2 year old! We went for 3 days and the consensus was we were glad we went!

We boated for 2 days and did a lot of tubing since the lake was so crowded. My dad rented 2 jet skis and those were enjoyed by all. On our last day I got a really good ski run in that made my whole trip. I learned to ski behind my uncle's boat probably about 15 years ago and it is still my favorite boat to be pulled behind. He is a pro-driver too though! We had so much good food. Every family was in charge of one meal and provided food for everyone. Lunch and snacks were on your own. Both boys were pretty good although I don't think Miles was put down AT ALL and when we got home, we had to go through a little rough period when he realized it wouldn't be the same treatment at home! And McKay found every treat to be had in camp and always wanted, "Sugar!" or "Nummy!" So fun to see and visit with family we don't live around. Thanks to my sister-in-law for the pictures. Yes, I brought my camera but didn't get it out once. I fail at picture taking!

 So this little girl adores Miles. She was always asking to hold him. She even admitted, "He is just so beautiful, he takes my breath away!" Out of the mouth of babes. Love her, love him!

 McKay taking the reins on the jet-ski with daddy.

 Riding the tube with the youngins'. Felicity and McKay were having a blast. Every little wave McKay was laughing and saying, "Bump, bump, bump!"

 Felicity and McKay..favorite cousins.

 The kids were making a "magic potion."

  I adore this face!

More tube rides

Gone Fishin'

Once again my sister hooks us up with fun things to do this summer. Our latest adventure was going fishing. There is a trout farm in North Ogden. It is free to fish and they provide the rods. All you do is buy a little fish food, hang your line into the pond, throw some food in and literally hundreds of fish are jumping all over your hook. So, it isn't that hard to catch them. You have to keep what you catch but you take your fish into a little building there and they clean and fillet the fish for you. You pay for that to be done to your fish (and that is kind of pricey) but it's the whole experience. Once again, McKay wasn't afraid at all and was so excited to see all of the FISH! He loves water so much I thought he was going to get in and swim with them!

 Just waitin' for a nibble

My sister took this picture with my i-phone. I don't know how to make it bigger but I had no idea his hat was over his eyes until I looked back through the pictures. Poor boy couldn't even see the fish he caught!

A Boy Loves Him a Horse

McKay loves him some horses, or as he so fondly calls them, "Papa's horses!" Any horse he sees is "Papa's horse." No, my dad does not own any horses but most Sunday's we go to my parents house for dinner. After eating, Papa takes him and Chase on a wagon ride to see and sometimes feed a neighbor's horse some carrots. I guess he doesn't quite understand that they aren't "Papa's horses"...but just the fact that whenever he gets to get close to a horse, he is usually with Papa.

Well, Shani's mother-in-law, Jan, works with a nurse who owns some horses. Horseback riding was on Jeneveve's "dream" list of things to do in her lifetime. (She is 3). Jan was kind enough to ask her friend if she would let a whole bunch of kids ride her horses. So off we went to ride horses...well, at least the kids. Let me just say, McKay is not afraid of anything or anyone. The horses were brought out of the trailer and he was the first to go up to this little pony and start "introducing" him self to the little fella. 

 McKay and Jeneveve riding together...their helmets kept hitting each other with each bounce.

McKay acted like a total natural on the horse. After one circle around the ring, we looked up to see him with one hand on the saddle horn and one hand resting on his knee...looking like a total cowboy! He is awesome!!! I keep wondering what he is going to be or do when he grows up???

California Trip

When Miles was just 3 weeks old, we packed up and went on a road trip to California. I felt crazy for taking a 3 week old and was very antsy because I was so worried about germs. But Gary's brother Adam was graduating from UC Irvine with his PhD and it was a big deal for his whole family to be there to watch him graduate. His family decided to make it a week long trip starting in San Diego and making our way up to Anaheim...for a quick 2 day trip to DISNEYLAND!!!...and then on to Adam's graduation that Saturday. Gary and I were nervous to have all 4 of us in the same hotel room seeing that McKay still sleeps in his crib. He ended up sleeping in a double bed every night with Gary and I had a bed to myself so I could get up to feed the baby and try not to disturb the other 2. After the first night when McKay was jumping all over Gary thinking he was playing "games" with him, he slept pretty well. Gary on the other hand pretty much got pushed to the very edge of the bed each night. It's easy to say McKay really moves around when he sleeps.

Here is a quick run down of our time in California and then I will unload the massive amount of pictures!

We left on a Friday. Gary came home a little early from work so we could get a head start and beat the afternoon traffic in Utah County. We were headed to St. George to stay with Ron, Gary's dad for the night. I'm so glad we broke the trip up. The baby slept the whole way except for one stop to feed. McKay watched movies on my dad's portable dvd player. They both travelled really well I thought. One little mishap...McKay had just had fruit snacks. Soon he started coughing and next thing we know, he had thrown up everywhere. I think he has a tad bit of car sickness. Good thing we were almost to St. George and had a washer and dryer at our convenience!

Saturday Gary and McKay went 4-wheeling with Ron. McKay did not want to get in the quad but when they got back, Gary said McKay loved it and kept saying "more!" We left St. George and headed to Las Vegas where we stayed with Natalie and Jason for the night. We introduced them to a restaurant Gary took me to in Washington DC and has now become my new "tied with The Olive Garden" favorite Italian place. It is Maggiano's and only found in a few cities across the USA. Thankfully Vegas is one of them. We left the kids home with a babysitter and us 4 adults enjoyed a few hours of being "kid-free" and a delicious dinner. Creamy pesto four cheese ravioli is to die for!

Sunday Gary and I got up, went to church then we headed on our way. We got to San Diego and had a yummy dinner at a little Mexican restaurant. Janna and the Campbells got in that night.

Monday was cold and overcast. Of course that was a beach day. We went to look at a light house and look at some tide pools. The Giffords got in town and we headed to the beach. We were there only a short time because it was so cold. We went back to the hotel to let the kids swim in the hotel pool. We got ready and then went to dinner at a Italian place. I totally forgot the name of all of these places we ate at. After we went in search for some ice cream.

Tuesday it was nice and hot. We went to the San Diego zoo this day. The kids LOVED this day and I will have to admit, I don't need to go to another zoo again. Nothing will beat how big and massive this zoo it. I can't think of many animals it didn't have. We stayed until it closed and then went to In N' Out burger on our way to Anaheim.

Wednesday was spent at my most favorite place...Disneyland! I love, love, love that place and can never get enough of it. I love that McKay is getting older and is understanding it more. He liked all the rides he could go on which I thought was quite a few. He was so good this day. Gary and I took him back to the hotel in the afternoon for a little nap both days and that was really smart. With all the fast passes and child swaps, we all got to ride on pretty much everything.

Thursday was California Adventure day. I loved the Toy Story ride! We saw World of Color for the first time and it was pretty amazing. I love how magical Disney is to even an adult!!!

Friday I was able to stay in the hotel for the morning with McKay and Miles. Everyone else went on a whale watching boat. We met up with them that afternoon for a fun day at the beach. McKay loves water and sand. That night we got Cafe Rio and went to eat dinner in a park. Gary bought me and Leslie a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake since today was her birthday and mine was the next day.

Saturday was spent packing up and doing graduation for Adam. On the way to his graduation, Gary got pulled over for being on his cell phone in California. We even have wireless connection in our car and he just hadn't hooked his phone up. 3 other cars were following us and Gary was stressed about people keeping up. Anyway, sadly his ticket for even a first time offense was $173!!! OUCH!!! Lesson learned. That night we all had a celebratory dinner at the Yard House. Dinner was delicious and after it was over, most of us drove through the night back to Natalie and Jason's in Las Vegas.

Sunday we spent driving home. It was a long drive but once again, both boys did so well. It was a great week but Gary and I were exhausted from lack of sleep. You will notice the bags under my eyes and tired look in most pictures. Now for the pictures...

 Miles getting some lovin from his cousins. Matthew and Tate loved Miles

San Diego temple. Once again I was in the car feeding the baby

 These packed full vans belong to us!

 Adam and McKay. McKay has definitely found his nose!

Toy Story!

The Carousel at California Adventure. McKay rode this over and over...probably his favorite ride!

 My beach boy

 McKay loves him some treats...especially ice cream!

Ryan and McKay getting a ride on the luggage cart

 I missed family pictures. I was in the van feeding a very hungry baby

 McKay was wiped out from a busy day and no nap. This is him in Miles's car seat at the restaurant. He stayed this way all through dinner

I carried Miles around in our Ergo pack the whole week. He loved being close and this is what he did most of the time

Miles Glenn

Baby boy #2 was due May 11th. I had a doctor's appointment Wednesday May 9th. The week before, I had my doctor strip my membranes but like with McKay, that didn't help. I was down on my hands and knees scrubbing my house and baseboards. I got very sore but nothing "contraction" wise. At my appointment May 9th, I asked my doctor if he could schedule an induction for Friday, May 11th. After calling McKay Dee and finding out how very busy they were, I was put on the "waiting list" for a Friday induction. I was so frustrated because I was going for a natural birth again but knew if labor was anything like it was with McKay (having my water broken and pitocin started), I was in trouble. I have never physically felt what it feels like to go into labor on my own with no medicine. Supposedly this is normal and many woman do not labor without help.

I was told if I hadn't heard from the hospital by 9:00am Friday morning, I should call them. Thursday night I got really sad rocking McKay to bed. I was thinking how much life was going to change and this was the last time I would put him, my only child to bed. I wondered honestly how I could even begin to love another baby like I did him.

Friday 9:00am came and no call. So I called and when I told them I was on the waiting list to be induced, the nurse on the other line kind of laughed and said no way would they be able to get me in that day. Gary and I were both bugged as we had anticipated having a baby that day. He had taken the day off from work and we felt it was all a waste. My mom called and invited me to go get some of her favorite chocolates with her in SLC and since I was feeling sorry for myself, I went. Gary met us with McKay later and we went to Tony Burger's for dinner and then I went for a long, fast-paced walk up a steep hill trying to make myself go into labor. Nothing helped but I did get a call from McKay Dee and was told that I needed to be at the hospital Saturday morning at 5:30am and I would be induced then.

Gary and I left McKay in my dad's hands bright and early Saturday morning. I was nervous as the memories of McKay's birth started coming back to me. We checked in and I was assigned the BEST NURSE! I loved her from the first moment she started talking to us. When asked if I wanted an epidural, I told her no but then explained I wasn't against one but wanted to try natural if I could. She said I was in luck because she is the nurse on the unit that helps with the most natural births and she would help me out. She began to explain everything that would happen and then what I would be feeling. She told Gary what his job would be and then since I wanted my sister there to be a cheerleader for me, she was told her job. My mom had always wanted to see a birth so I decided she could be there too. After everything was explained, my iv was started, pitocin was started and my doctor came in and broke my water...all at 7:00am. I was having little contractions according to the monitors but was feeling nothing. After a few hours, I was getting bored and asked Stacie, my nurse if there was any way I could walk the halls. She went and brought in a wireless monitor (one of only two on the floor) and spent 10 minutes re-hooking everything up so I could walk. She was amazing I tell you!

Shani and Gary started walking the halls with me around 10:00am. I was contracting and soon the contractions started getting so intense they were making me double over in pain. I would have to stop walking and I bent over to try to stop or lessen the pain. It would take my breath away and I could barely talk. After one of my laps, Stacie stopped me in the hall and said she was going to check me again at 11:00am. It was then 10:30am. As she is telling me this, I contract and double over in pain. She saw this and said she had better check me then if I was having that much pain. We headed back to the room and she checked me. I was 6-7cm dilated but the baby's head was still pretty high up. The contractions were coming faster and harder and I could barely hear her tell Gary what to expect. There was a "labor" ball in the room and I was sitting on that but every contraction made me want to fall to my knees and scrunch into a ball. I had never felt such pain....and no, kidney stone pain was not even in the same realm as labor!

Well, after what seemed like FOREVER to me, I heard Stacie tell another nurse to go call my doctor and to do so fast. Once I was in transition, all I wanted to do was push and I was told that was okay. The most intense pain I have EVER felt. I was so hot and almost felt out of my mind. I just wanted the pain to go away! Gary said I told him and the doctor that I couldn't do it anymore but they said I didn't have a choice...the baby's head was crowning. Dr. Housel got to my room at 11:25am and after a few pushes and 5 minutes, our son was born at 11:30am. I couldn't believe it! I had given birth naturally with pitocin and my water being broken! I was crying in relief that the pain was over and then all I can remember is my sweet baby being placed in my arms. More tears as he is crying. Then the shaking started. Intense shaking and then I was so cold! The doctor told me that was all normal and it was my hormones. I tore a little but no episiotomy like with McKay. So I was stitched up and after our son was wiped off, given his shots, made sure his vitals were stable and he was weighed, he was placed back in my arms.

Our perfect baby, 8.0 lbs, 20 inches long had no name until we got home and he was 5 days old. We had the hardest time with his name but we finally decided on Miles Glenn. Glenn is my dad's name and he is literally my hero, my idol. There are not many people I look up to more so Gary and I thought it fit to pass on his name. Miles has a huge legacy to live up to!

Now we are just trying to adjust to life with 2 kids. It has been easier than I thought and McKay is really good with him. I can tell he is going to look out for Miles his whole life and be the big brother every kid dreams of! And would I do birth naturally again? Right after I delivered Miles, I would have said no. But as I'm slowly forgetting the pain, I will say yes. It was SO WORTH IT! I liked that I knew when my contractions were and I could push and feel something actually happening. And I healed so much faster this time. My labor from start to finish was four and a half hours so I was lucky. Gary wouldn't want to hear me say this but if we are lucky enough to have other children, I don't think I would do anything different! That being said, I couldn't have done it without him by my side!  I love my little family!!! I love being a mom to my little boys! And now tons of pictures in no particular order...