Davis Grant Butters

In all honesty, I'm not even sure how to go about writing this. Bringing Davis into the world is a day I honestly never want to forget. I had heard many times that it was a spiritual experience but until you go through it, you don't quite understand.
I was a few days overdue and my Dr was determined to get this baby out before he had to induce me. I went in and got my membranes stripped a few times throughout the week hoping it would kick start labor. Well finally on Sunday June 8th, we were in church when my contractions decided to pick up again. They had been steady the night before and right before we were about to head to the hospital, they stopped. After church we headed out for an afternoon walk in hopes of getting my contractions closer together and it worked! Once they were 3-5 minutes apart for about an hour and a half we decided to head to the hospital. When we got there, the nurses took me back, hooked me up and we were relieved when they said I was in active labor and would having a baby! Grant and I got settled in at about 3:30 pm. I got my epidural at about 5:30 and my Dr. was in to break my water at 6:30. I was dilated to a 4 and I was assuming it was going to be a very long night. They came back and checked me at 8:30 and I was still a 4 so they started me on pitocin..At about 9:30 I was in a lot of pain. My epidural didn't seem to be working and I was having a contraction that wasn't stopping. After about 15 minutes of pain and one really long contraction I called in my nurse. My body had kicked into full blown labor on its own again and the pitocin was making my contractions come double time. Since I was having one steady contraction my epidural couldn't keep up and I was feeling everything.  At this point I was at a 7. They decided to stop my pitocin and let my body do the rest of the work. We got my epidural up and running again and I was able to relax a little. At about 11 they came in and I was now dilated to 9 1/2 and they decided to call my Dr. He got there about 11:30 and by 11:40 I started pushing. After just a short 35 minutes Davis entered the world. They placed him on my chest and I couldn't hold back the tears and emotions. It was the most amazing moment. To finally be holding my baby and have my husband by my side.

Our weekend

So unless our little guy is extremely stubborn, which really might be the case, this past weekend was our last one childless. It was kind of an odd feeling. Grant and I decided to just spend a relaxing weekend together really enjoying each other's company. On Friday, I went to Grant's softball game then we headed to dinner, got smoothies and walked down Main Street in Bountiful. I cannot even begin to express how much I love spending time with Grant and how simple moments with him make me happy. On Saturday we of course spent it cleaning and doing yard work. A must before baby butters decides to join us! But after we grabbed some lunch and came home and just enjoyed time with one another. We have a routine of a nightly walk and after we decided to lay a blanket in our backyard, star gaze and talk about life. We reminisced about our first years of marriage, discussed our future and decided that life is nothing like we thought it would be but it is just how it is supposed to be.

I know Grant will never read this but I just need to express my gratitude towards him for being the man that he is. I feel like his goal in life is to make me happy day in and day out and I will genuinely say that he does just that. He is one amazing husband and I know that our little boy is sure a lucky one to get Grant as his dad. The giddiness Grant shows when he talks to our son honestly makes my heart burst. I am so grateful for the opportunity to embark on this parenthood adventure with Grant. Of course we are nervous but I do believe that together we can figure it out.

Bump Update: 40 Weeks

Well tomorrow is my due date. A part of me feels like I just started this adventure of pregnancy but the other part of me can't even remember what it was like to have a flat stomach! I am just so ready for him to come out and am losing all of my patience I once had. Anyway, here is my last bump update!

How Far Along: 36 weeks! I have 29 days left and am so excited! I can officially say next month but am secretly crossing my fingers hoping for this month!

Size of baby:  7 1/2 lbs and 20 inches long!  The size of a pumpkin!

Total weight gained/lost:  Not quite sure. These last few weeks I have really swelled up so I am positive I have some serious water weight!

Maternity Clothes: absolutely. 

Gender:  Still a boy!

Movement: He is head down but his bum is always sticking out on my left side and he is always kicking me on  my right side. He has slowed down tremendously the last few days.

Sleep: Still struggling with the sleep thing. Wake up for the bathroom, switch sides and am waking up way early every day.

Symptoms: Dilated to a 1 and 50% effaced at my 39 week appt. I have had contractions but they aren't consistent.

What I miss:  Sleeping comfortably and normal clothes. I really really miss normal clothes. Being able to move.

Cravings: Nothing special. Just very ready for a summer bbq.

Best Moment this week:  Reaching my due date. Knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

What I am looking forward to: Oddly enough, labor and delivery. I know that it is not going to be easy but I have heard when you hold your baby for the first time it is just suddenly all worth it. I can't wait to hold him in my arms and kiss on him!

Bump Update Week 36

How Far Along: 36 weeks! I have 29 days left and am so excited! I can officially say next month but am secretly crossing my fingers hoping for this month!

Size of baby:  6 lbs and 18 1/2 inches long! 

Total weight gained/lost:  Honestly I am not sure but I think im close to 25 now. I have swelled up like a balloon this last week! Water weight..

Maternity Clothes: absolutely. 

Gender:  Still a boy!

Movement: He is head down but his bum is always sticking out on my left side and he is always kicking me on  my right side.

Sleep: I wake up a few times each night just because I am uncomfortable and I am back to the whole getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom routine..I also have been waking up way early.. not sure why my body is doing that.

Symptoms: I think I have the waddle now.. he is so low and I have braxton hicks constantly.

What I miss:  Sleeping comfortably and normal clothes. I really really miss normal clothes.

Cravings: Nothing special. Just very ready for a summer bbq.

Best Moment this week:  Celebrating with family, friends and my ward. all showers were simply amazing and so appreciated. Also got the nursery pretty much put together and made the cutest carseat cover. I am very ready! Just need to pack a hospital bag for the family!

What I am looking forward to: Meeting my little guy.  I am so ready to see what he looks like.

Bump Update Week 33

How Far Along: 33 weeks! Exactly 50 days until June 3!

Size of baby:  4 lbs and 17 inches long! The size of a pineapple!

Total weight gained/lost:  Not sure, I have a Dr. appointment today so we will see..

Maternity Clothes: absolutely. 

Gender:  Still a boy!

Movement: I feel him pretty constant throughout the day.

Sleep: I wake up a few times each night just because I am uncomfortable and I am back to the whole getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom routine..

Symptoms:  I am starting to feel a little sore because he is really low again. My lower back aches by the end of the day.

What I miss:  Sleeping comfortably and normal clothes. I really really miss normal clothes.

Cravings: Nothing special.

Best Moment this week:  Reaching 50 days on my countdown! That seems like a monumental day in my book.

What I am looking forward to: Getting one week closer to his due date :)

Gratitude

I feel the time has come again to do a quick rehash of what has happened the last few weeks. We haven't been on any extravagant vacations or picked up any extreme hobbies but life has happened. And I can honestly say that it is the simple day to day things in life that really make me happy. When I take a step back I look at our monotonous days but am SO grateful that these days are the make up of my life. It is laid back but I have come to realize that regardless of what happens in the days, there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for.  So here is a list of little things that make me so grateful  and happy for my life.

Our new front door. Sounds ridiculous but we had an interior door as our front door. Meaning our front door was like a bathroom door, which only had the twisty handle lock, no dead bolt. I am grateful that my husband went and bought me a new door, installed it and surprised me after my long shift last Saturday. It honestly made my whole month. He figured we should up the security before this babe comes!

These little Michael Jordan booties. Grant is an avid Jordan apparel lover. Honestly, so much of his closet is made up of Air Jordan. We have a few pairs of these and to see Grant's face finally light up about how cute a piece of clothing is, made my heart happy;) He insisted that our little man wear a pair of these home from the hospital. So into the diaper bag they went.

Women's Conference. This year I was able to go to the conference center and it was simple AMAZING! The talks given spoken to me and I was honestly moved. My perspective of myself and of life was changed. Not saying that I still do not struggle with judging myself to harshly but it encouraged me to work on it more. To accept that I am an individual daughter of my Heavenly Father. I know we hear it often but it is so great to be reminded by women leaders of the church.

This picture of the temple. I read a talk the other day and I wish that I could remember what it was called and who gave it..but I can't. In the talk, it stated the importance of having pictures of the temple in every room of your house, but especially in your children's room. The talk quoted one of the prophets and he said that a picture of the temple should be present in your child's room from the day they come home from the hospital. This is to encourage them to always look to their end goal of a temple marriage. I loved the talk so much and knew that I wanted a picture in the nursery. I am so grateful for the gospel and the guidance we get each and every day.

Our families health. Grant has been an excellent support of getting me to the gym everyday despite my strong desire to sit on the couch and be lazy. He has kept me active during my pregnancy and I can honestly say that I am sure it is the reason I have continued to feel great and energized. And of course our little guy counts as part of our family. He is growing bigger each and every day. He is measuring on the big side but I am grateful that he is healthy and strong!

Bump Update Week 30

How Far Along: 30 Weeks or 7.5 months! 10 more weeks to go!

Size of baby:  3 lbs, 15.7 inches long. Apparently the size of a large cabbage

Total weight gained/lost:  Last appointment I was at about 18..

Maternity Clothes: Yes! I for sure have to wear maternity pants and am slowly losing all of my "normal" shirts. 

Gender:  Still a boy!

Movement: He is very active in the mornings and at night right as I am getting ready for bed.

Sleep: I wake up a few times each night just because I am uncomfortable and I am back to the whole getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom routine..

Symptoms:  Just the typical pregnancy symptoms. Feeling claustrophobic in my clothes, a little uncomfortable etc..

What I miss:  Sleeping comfortably, normal clothes. Not swelling up:(

Cravings: Nothing really. I will eat just about anything.

Best Moment this week:  Feeling him move a lot more. It is definitely more consistent throughout the day. Getting his room put together for the most part. we also had another ultrasound and got a nice picture of his BIG feet. He is going to be a big boy.. i just know it. So far he is measuring  1 1/2 weeks ahead of schedule.

What I am looking forward to: Getting one week closer to his due date :)

 

My view every single day.. It's just getting bigger..