Her Entrance

It was a year ago today that Miquelyn made her entrance into this world and into our family. Her story goes as follows:

I just assumed that I was going to have to be induced, and was waiting for Wed for that to happen. At my last Dr's appointment (Tues I think) I was only dilated to a 1....maybe (which does not mean a whole lot for me.) By Thursday I had contractions strong enough to not allow me to sleep much, but they were not very consistent and came and went. Friday night we went to eat with the family and the contractions were very consistent (every 4-6 minutes apart) not strong enough, but we still thought it was going to be the night. We decided to go home, get the kids to bed and wait it out a little longer, then we would have my mom come over and head out to the hospital. As soon as the kids were in bed and we sat down to time, they went away. My mom was devastated because she was supposed to leave out of town the next day and did not want to miss it. The next day we waited it out, nothing was happening, so she left (in tears saying she knew if she left I would have the baby...so I told her to hurry up and leave.) Saturday night we went to bed, but I did not sleep a wink. The contractions were stronger and more consistent. At 2:30am I called Chels and she was over in a flash to watch the kiddos. We went to the hospital and found out I was only 2, and you have to be a 4 to get checked in. Grant and I walked an hour and they came stronger and closer, but in an hour I did not even move to a 3. The nurse had me walk another 1/2 hour with no change. I was exhausted at this point. She began to explain that she was going to send me home, which I was very nervous about. I almost did not make it to the hospital in time with Asher and did not want a repeat. I asked her to help me know when to come back (note, my doctor was not on call, so the doctor in charge did not know my history and wanted me to go home.) After all her signs...contractions consistently 3-4 minutes apart, water breaking, not being able to walk through contractions, and my explaining that none of those apply to me, she must have seen my nerves. She checked me one more time and though she did not admit it she lied about my progression and checked me in THANK GOODNESS! I got in the room at 7:30 and started to call people to let them know I was at the hospital. I went to the bath for quite awhile, and by the time I got out things were starting to get more uncomfortable. at about 10:00 the nurse checked me and said I was to a 6. Minutes later I told her I was feeling a lot of pressure. She went out to call the doctor to tell him to head to the hospital. She came back in the room because I said I needed to push, she checked me again and Mique was on her way. She called the nurses to help with the baby because no doctor was going to make it in time. Just a few pushes and the best nurse I have ever had delivered little miss Miquelyn. By the time the pain got to the point that I thought this is when I would have come to the hospital had I been sent home, she was born within the 1/2 hour-it would have been too late. At 10:33 Miquelyn Allred 7 lbs 5 oz 20 inches long (biggest baby so far) made her place in this world. Sweet baby girl, happy birthday! I has been quite a year, and you are by far the highlight of it all!

What is my indulgence

I am going to try and be better at journaling about myself when I have no inspiration to write anything else. So, today's question is what is my indulgence. Easy: I think this love obsession began in high school and has stayed with me since. I have spent most of the last 7 years abstaining from it (pregnancy and nursing) and how I miss it when it is starring me in the face everywhere I go...but I tell you what I have been relishing it lately! There are many other things I love: hot tamales in popcorn, almost any ice cream, heath bars....but it always comes back to the Dr! It is great with a little cherry and vanilla added by Sonic, but plain old non diet, caffeinated Dr. Pepper does it for me!

Absense makes the heart grow fonder

Grant left this morning for a quick little business trip to Phoenix. He is making a little trip by golfing and playing along the way. He seemed excited and has sounded so happy as we have talked throughout the day. It has not been often lately that this side of him has come out, and I am glad he is having fun again and taking the time to "sharpen his ax," but man do I miss him! I have been kinda crabby today, for no particular reason other than I am probably dreading him being gone. He has been working A LOT lately, so i am used to holding up the house by myself, but even if the majority of our time is spent together is in REM, I need that comfort. He is my world, and to have him missing in my day just throws it off. I am missing him terribly, and hope I always tell and show him how important he is too me! Grant, I love you, miss you and cannot wait to have you back!

We must be doing something kinda right

Yesterday I was turning on a Disney movie for the kiddos to keep them entertained (i.e. not making a mess) while I was finishing up cleaning and starting dinner. I sat down with them for a few minutes until the movie started. On the beginning credits the following image came on to the screen: And Jamison immediately said, look it is the temple. It made me smile BIG, we have never been to Disneyland, but we have watched innumerable Disney movies, so this is not the first time she has seen this castle. I just love that her first inclination of a beautiful big building is that it is the house of the Lord! We talk to our kids about the temple, we show them pictures and this summer we got to take them to an open house. They were so excited. One of their favorite songs to sing is "I love to see the temple." I hope they keep the love, fascination and reverence for these amazing buildings! (P.S. James then proceeded to explain that it was a place where you danced it was called a ball-too cute!)

Mourning the Loss

I am mourning the loss of three things and wish I was at a loss for the other:

1. James is back in school, I miss her. I was not ready to send her back into the world and not have her playing downstairs or by my side asking me what she can do next to help. I feel like I just got her back and they are taking her away from me again. Do not get me wrong, I am excited for the learning she is going to be doing, for the socialization she will have, and the independence she will hopefully gain, but I miss my little girl. I thought it would be easier this year, but I feel like it was almost harder, maybe because I knew what was ahead. My mom informed me that it never gets easier, not fair...Though it is such a good thing for the kiddos, it is a hard thing for Mamma.

2. I no longer have a little baby, Mique is officially walking. She falls A LOT, but almost always gets right back up and keeps going. When she gets too excited she topples right over, but when no one is paying attention she can get pretty far. Of coarse crawling is still faster, but she is determined to be a big kid and walks all she can. I no longer have a baby.

3. Caleb started Soccer (T/TH for an hour) and soon James starts dance and I am mourning the loss of my freedom and evenings. I am not sure I am ready for this, but here we go. I have been dreading it with the almost sad knowledge that it only gets worse from here...but it is terribly important for Grant and I to have the kids involved in things...not too much but things none the less. Caleb of coarse loved it! And even though he is kinda short compared to other kids, he had some moments of looking so grown up!

4. I wish I was missing just a few diapers. I have started the path of potty training Asher. He goes at least 1-2 times a day on the toilet and at least that often in his underwear, and the rest in a diaper. He does not totally get it, so I am not making it too stressful for either of us, but I am trying and being a little consistent...we will get there. It might take awhile, but we will get there (my goal is by his b-day.)

Life is changing for us this year, and I just hope I can keep up (I am honestly worried!)

Who is who

I was doing Mique's photo book and thought I needed to document these pictures. When I looked back at these I was cracking up because the first ones both kiddos are in the same pj's wrapped in the same blanket laying on Grant in the same position.

Neither of them liked their first baths, but them again what newborn does.

They are both wrapped up in the same towel post bath (Note: I think I have used the same towel for each of the kid's first bath...it has become a special little froggy towel!)

It is amazing to me that James and Mique started out looking so similar (and not just because of the accessories) and are turning out so different in both personalities and looks!

No Longer

She is no longer a baby:

She never wanted to be as young as she was, she tried to grow up to fast, and I have given up trying to hold her back. When I hold her and try and steal cuddles (because they have to be stolen) She seems so big to me. She weaned herself last week and is drinking milk like a champ. She has been camping for the first time and other than not being able to get down and crawl around liked it. She is consistently taking two or three steps and is very proud of herself. I keep waiting to hear an audible clear word come out of her mouth (she just seems to want to be older than she is.) So I look back on how quickly the year has gone and wish that time would slow down and all my kiddos would stop trying to grow up on me!

Full of Pride

This weekend Grant did a triathlon ( the first one in quite a while.) He did not train for it like he normally would, but I am insanely proud of what he did. I love to watch him compete (a chance to admire the man I married!) He gets so nervous, which I think is cute. This picture is of him waiting to jump into the water and get started. He did not know I was looking on, and lighting was really bad especially that far away, but I captured a glimpse of his nerves that help drive him! He is so fun to watch swim. He makes it look so easy. He is smooth and though I am not a swimmer and do not know much...I love his form!

The biking section was the hardest for him, he only went out twice in preparation , but he looked great coming in.

Last but not least was the run. He was off in a bit of warm weather, but looked strong. He was exhausted when he got back, but happy that he had done it. He said it was a lot of fun! I am so proud of what he did.

One of the best parts of the race was watching him talk to the kids about it after he was done. He is the best Dadda I know, and the kids all absolutely adore him! They were almost as proud as there mom cheering on their dad. I am not quite sure if it is possible for me to love this man anymore...though I am sure tomorrow will prove me wrong!

Good job Prince, I love you Forever and ever and ever! (P.S. I am still jealous that I was not doing it with you, next year it is on!)


Swim (500 meters) -8:14

T1-1:34

Bike (13 miles)-43:01

T2-0:38

Run (3 miles)-26:45

Total-1:20:13