Carter's Near Death Experience

Carter came home from school today, announcing that he almost died. Hmmm. That of course got my attention. He told me that his friend shared a chicken nugget with him in the lunch room and it got caught in this throat. I asked if he could breathe and he said, with absoluteness, "No. I was really scared." He said he stood up and went over into the middle of the lunch room where he had more room to move and (you are going to have to imagine this part) gave himself back thrusts by joining his hands behind his lower back. He did it a few times until the nugget came out. This is hard to believe, and I'll never know if he really was choking, but his demonstration of his self heimlich menuever--him hitting his own back while flailing around like a flopping fish was pretty dang funny. (Plus, I was impressed with him taking command of his situation.) He said, "It was the scariest thing that has EVER happened to me but now I know what it feels like to choke to death, but it doesn't really hurt that bad."

Ok.

The Darling Babysitter

After leaving Mallory with the baby for 30 minutes, I came home to this scene--she had fed & burped him, cuddled him to sleep and even took the chance to get her reading done! She is learning to be a real mom--MULTI-TASKING!!!

Holding Jamie while we were getting ready. She looks like a teenager!

Nick's Birthday

We decided to celebrate Nick's birthday in Provo by planning a little trip for UEA. We invited his grandparents to Macaroni Grill (his favorite!) for dinner. It was a surprise! Here are some details:

Opening a card from Tutu with money!! We surprised her with a visit earlier that day.

Nick with his grandparents at the restaurant

With his family

Getting sung to, opera style

Aimee, Emma and Jamie

Opening gifts: San Diego Chargers jammies from Mom. Other gifts: Money from Grandma Peterson, Money from Grandma Lynne, Gold coins from Papa, Money from Aimee, golf balls from Carter and Mallory, Skullcandy earphones from Mom and Dad, and a denim quilt from Mom.

That night, sleeping in his new jammies under his new quilt.

"Vice" Coach

Carter made us all laugh last night: After his first basketball practice, he was telling Michael about it and said, the "Vice Coach" is really nice. Michael started to laugh when he realized what he meant and asked, "you mean the assistant coach?" We all cracked up! More to come about basketball as soon as the season gets under way. . .Mallory too.

Fun with Jamie

The first two weeks of Jamie's life were so wonderful. I was pretty relaxed because all I did was focus on him and how cute and sweet he is and took lots of pictures. Once he was two weeks old, I started to do more and had to get back to real life and responsibilities. So, even though it is still wonderful, it's a little more stressful. But, we are figuring out how to blend our old life with this beautiful, wonderful little new person. Here are some photos of some "firsts" and just cute pictures of him.


First day of church in his cute church clothes (thanks Pam!)

He hated his bath at first until he realized that it actually feels good! But, once out of the water, he starts to cry and cries until he is warm in his clothes.

Snuggling with Daddy

He loves to hang out in our bed

"Bundle of Joy"

Getting into his snowman outfit for a stroller ride (We've had this outfit since Nick was born)

First stroller ride--we made sure he was plenty warm!

Michael loves the way he sleeps with his arms up

Jamie in his first pair of shoes (Thanks Carrie!)

Carter, the Grocery Store Assistant

Today, as we were shopping, we passed the bakery and Carter saw a princess cake and said, "That is SO well designed! I bet Emma and Mila would LOVE that!" It made me giggle and reminded me that I need to write a little thought about Carter's help when he goes to the store with me. The last 3 months of my pregnancy, bending over was miserable. He would push the cart, load the items from the shelf, including and especially the milk and potatoes on the bottom, load the conveyor belt, put the bags in the cart, in the van, bring them in the house, and unload them! He was awesome. It brings tears to my eyes to think of his cheerful help and how insistant he was that I do nothing. Just pay. Ok and maybe a little treat or something. . .Thanks bud.

Jamie's Birth

What a great experience! The captions under the photos explain a lot, but here is a little more detail: 7:30am: My doctor started a "soft" induction with breaking the water while already in the hospital. I was pretty miserable with not being able to walk without pain and not being able to sleep. I was dilated enough for this procedure and it worked very fast! Contractions started right away; epidural was immediately requested. I am a wimp. But became a very happy wimp. An extremely comfortable and relaxed wimp! But, the drugs did stop the contractions so we did have to have pitosin (however the heck you spell that!), which is something I didn't want but it worked. By 3pm, it was time to get serious--about a 6. By 4, lets get the doctor and the kids here RIGHT NOW!!!!! Everyone made it on time--I was literally having to lay in a position to keep from pushing. The kids were over to my side and Dr. Grifiths was extremely accomodating to allow them to be there--he blocked the "scene" with a sheet, so they could see nothing, but could be in the room to experience the awesome joy and miracle of seeing their baby brother right when he was born. I was overcome with emotion and fear as I knew it was time to push. I felt bad that the kids, especially Carter, got scared when they saw me cry. I told them I was not in pain--just feeling a lot of joy. After 3 contractions, Jamie was here! There is nothing more exciting and than seeing your husband's face as he sees the baby's head then body and he is so happy and proud. Michael then cut the cord, the doctor held up the baby with a big smile, then gave him to me for a minute. I knew he was big but didn't know how big. I couldn't figure out who he looked like at first, just kind of in a daze about what to think other that how cute and sweet he was! The kids got to see all of that and were so amazed and excited. I was so hoping they would react that way and not be grossed out. As the doctor finished helping me with the "after effects" of birth, the kids were over watching the nurses clean and test the baby. They weighed Jamie--8 lbs. 5 oz. Carter came over to me and reached his arms out, trying to hug me and just sobbed with joy. He said, "Mom, I'm just so happy!" Mallory came over and laid her head on the side rail of my bed with tears and just said, "I love you, Mom." Nick didn't say anything but he had tears in his eyes. I then got to hold him and just kept saying, "He just has his own look. He's just cute." I can't remember everthing at this point--just holding him--Michael holding him--then getting the epidural taken out--feeding the baby for the first time. Lots of great stuff that I know happened but not sure when and for how long. I called a few people, talked to the kids, talked to Jen, (who was the one that brought the kids and took all the photos), ate some dinner that made me kind of sick and then everybody left while I got up and to my new room. It was a great two days, falling in love with this beautiful new baby, getting visitors and recovering. We came home Saturday afternoon, a couple of hours after my parents got here. Michael and Nick got everything packed up and we left the hospital with a quick trip to Walmart. The boys stayed in the car while I ran in to grab one of those, one of those and so on. . .stuff I forgot or knew I would need. I can't tell you how thrilling and wonderful this little baby is. What great happiness that he has brought. Sorry this is so long and sort of scattered, but I'm just purging thoughts so I don't forget details--I'm not being graded on this, right? I LOVE THIS BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!