Hospital Visit

Well Berick has certainly not been a boring baby! Since Sunday we've been at the hospital with him! It was scary at first and now we're glad to be home. It all started last week when Kenyon had a sore throat. We didn't think much of it at the time...
Sunday during the day the little man was acting a little off so that night we checked his temp. and it was at 101.1 which is high for a newborn and can be very serious. So we went into the emergency room and they proceed to tell us all of the tests they were going to do on him. I proceed to start crying because they were going to have to catheterize him to get a urine sample, do a spinal tap type thing to get spinal fluid and then draw blood. They do all these tests and then send us upstairs to stay the night in the NICU. Poor baby slept hard that night (don't worry he had IV fluids so he didn't really want to eat) and was fussy 'cause he kept getting poked. All of the tests came out well but we had to wait on the results for the viral test. They gave him antibiotics and Tuesday night his viral cultures came back negative for everything but because they were negative, they didn't know exactly what the problem was so they continued the antibiotics. This morning they told us that Berick has a viral sore throat that he most likely got from Kenyon. He's doing fine now that he's home and I think he's a lot more comfortable. We've been blessed to have amazing nurses who cared for us and to have family that is willing to help and lend support. I know a sore throat doesn't sound super serious but when your baby is all hooked up to things and is upset from testing and such, your heart just breaks. Kenyon's brother and brother in law came up the other night to help give Berick a blessing and it was a very spiritual experience. We're grateful for the gospel in our life and that we have the Big Guy Upstairs to watch over us and our family. Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers!

Trying

Well as some may know and others may not know, I never made it to May 10th :) Berick Vern Petersen was born April 20th at 8:40 pm weighing 7lbs 10 oz and 18.5 inches long. This little man has totally changed out lives. My labor and delivery story isn't a long one but here it goes.

On Monday the 18th I went in to the doctor's office for a regular check up. They checked me and I was only at a 1.4 and 60 % effaced but everything looked great! I was due to come in the next week for another check. That night I had some slight contractions but nothing too worrisome until the next morning. I woke up to some bleeding and went in to the hospital to get hooked up to the monitors and checked. I was still only at a 1.5 after a few hours but let's just say I think them "checking" my dialation may have jump started things because that night and into the morning I was having some rough contractions that I just couldn't sleep through. Kenyon stayed home with me that day and that afternoon we decided if I'm going to have contractions like this then we better get things moving so we went for a walk around aggie village and that did the trick!

After our walk we went to the hospital and after I was admitted they checked me yet again and I was at a 3.5 which was music to my ears! After an hour I went to a 4.5 so we got to stay! We informed the masses that we'd be having the baby that night and began to get things together! I had no intentions of going natural with this one (this detail will come in to play later) so I got set up with my epidural! Funny thing is while they were giving it to me something went crazy in my spine and I ended up basically kicking Kenyon in the junk! Luckily it was merely a graze and he made it through!

Another hour goes by and I'm at a 6 and then 2 hours later I'm at a 10! The 2 things that were bothering me were uncontrolable shaking and the fact that my epidural was wearing off! I could feel all the contractions right in my pelvis and let's just say, baby was ready to come out!

I pushed for 40 minutes and he was here! I ended up sort of having a natural birth. It was worth it though because as soon as I saw the little man I burst into tears. I looked up at Kenyon and he had tears in his eyes as well. I felt so blessed to have such an incredible family!

Here's Berick! I have no idea where those cheeks came from but I love kissing them!Here is my AMAZING husband who I also can't believe I've been so blessed to have him in my life. I've never felt so close to someone in my life. He has been so insanely helpful and I love him more than ever. During the delivery he was great support! He kept saying "Yeah keep going babe, I can see the head" and I could just see the excitement in his eyes as I was pushing. Later he told me that watching me push made his love for me intensify because he saw how much pain I was in and how hard I was working to get the baby here. After delivery I was in a lot of pain (as I'm sure all women are after having a baby!) and Kenyon was there by my side through everything. He helped me while I was crying for nothing or when I was hobbling around the room. He made sure I had everything I needed and even changed all the diapers! It came time the next day for me to shower and you better believe he was in there helping me. He cleaned me up and didn't once complain that it was gross or anything. He literally has helped me so much and I hope he knows how much I truly love him.

Here we are ready to go home. It was hard leaving the hospital because the nurses there are so wonderful! I wish here at home I could just push a button and have one of them come in. Now that we are home I feel so grateful to have love and support from my family and friends. I've had some struggles and I'm still trying to work through them. I'm attempting to breast feed but I just don't have enough milk! He's still hungry after I feed him so I've had to supplement with formula. It was a hard decision but we made it and I'm happy with it.

No one prepares you for how hard being a parent is in the beginning. With these crazy hormones I've cried everyday since we've come home. I'm lucky I have a husband like Kenyon because he just holds me and works through things with me. I want to be a good mom to this baby because he's only a week old but I'd give up anything and everything for him. I think of the man he's going to be one day and I just cry because whatever happens in his life I'm going to love him.

To wrap up this post I must mention how much Heavenly Father has influenced my life. I pray to him everyday now that I'm making the right decisions for Berick. I feel his love for me even more now that he's sent this little one for Kenyon and I to care for and teach the gospel to. Yesterday as Berick was having one of his awake periods he was just staring at me so I sang to him so hymns and began crying. It amazes me that Heavenly Father trusts us with these tiny creatures. I know I have a rough road ahead of me but there will be plenty of wonderful moments in store. Thanks for reading and for all your support :)

5 Weeks

Well I don't have much to report right now, nor do I have pictures to share but I figure its time for an update! I'm 5 weeks away from my due date putting me at 35 weeks pregnant! Baby Petersen is doing really well. He's moving all the time and getting bigger, coincidently making me bigger :) We've basically got all the essentials we need for when he comes so I feel pretty good about that. I've really loved watching Kenyon assemble our big items like the pack 'n' play and swing! I think he's getting more excited even if he doesn't show it all the time! I had a baby shower a few weekends ago and we got some really cute stuff and I've got a baby shower here in Logan this weekend that should prove to be fun! I keep looking at the clothes and thinking how we'll have a baby to fill those clothes soon enough! I'm just so excited and feel so blessed to have this baby and I can't wait to see how he fits into our lives and see the personality he has! In other news, this up coming fall I'll be going back to school! I'm pretty excited about it and a little big anxious! I have a lot of people asking me how I'm going to go to school and care for a baby. Well, let me tell you our plan! I'm going to take 2 online classes and 1 class on campus! It'll be fun because Kenyon will get out of class at 4:15 and I have to be to class at 4:30 so we'll be doing a baby hand off on campus! I think it'll be difficult to manage a baby and take classes but I feel that this is what's right for us! We've made a plan and hope it goes the right way! Other than the previously mentioned things I'm just waiting for the baby! I keep myself busy though with institute and time with friends so have no fear, I'm not just sitting at home all the time although I'm ok with not having a ton to do right now. Its like the calm before the "storm". Its nice to rest before life gets hectic with the baby! Plus walking around recently has proved to be less than fun because my hips hurt but alas we're nearing the end! I think for the next post I'll put some pictures in of the cute stuff we have for the baby and some of Kenyon and I! I just wanted to post something to keep people reading...that is if anyone does read this!

Baby Petersen Update!

You must forgive my cheesy smile in all of my maternity pictures...Kenyon likes to take the picture and be done regardless of if I like it or not so whatevs! Here I am at 32 weeks, 2 days! I'm on target with weight gain, but I can't go crazy with eating or I'll be screwed! I'm ok with my weight right now though because as previously mentioned in the post before this one, it was spring break and any healthy eating habits went out he window!

I wish I had some cute ultrasound pics to show but Baby Petersen was hiding his little face! I'm happy to report however that his kidney's are free of fluid! For those that didn't know, he had fluid in one of his kidneys which isn't a huge problem but was a bit worrisome but it appears the problem has worked itself out! Here are some fun little facts about our little man:

• Weight: around 4.9 lbs.
• He's in the 55th percentile for growth (which is right where he should be!)
• He has hair! We don't know color or how much but we did see it on the ultrasound
• He's still very much a boy!

We're getting very excited to meet this little mystery man who keeps hiding his face! I've said it a few times before but I don't even know for sure what he looks like or what his little personality is but I already love him! I dream of who he'll be one day and the example he'll hopefully set for his younger brothers and sisters. I wonder all the time what he'll look like! A lot of people think he's going to be a mini Kenyon and I'm totally ok with that 'cause it'll mean we'll have a handsome first son! I'll post again after my baby shower on the 26th of this month! I can't wait to see the cute stuff he gets!

AZ!

I'm aware that its been like a month since I last posted BUT I was waiting till after our trip to Arizona to post a good one! However you'll just have to wait little longer for some pictures!

So on Friday March 4th we packed up the car and headed down to Arizona to spend some time with Kenyon's brother Brian and his family. We stopped in Riverton on the way to pick up our 19 year old nephew Brandon and proceded on to Page! We stopped in Page for the night and had dinner at Pizza Hut which would be the first of WAY too many times we went out to eat! Also I noted that it was the sketchiest Pizza Hut we had EVER been to but whatevs, I love 'Za Hut!

Saturday: We arrive in Glibert, AZ sometime in the afternoon and proceeded our week long relaxation. I should note here that we had intended at this point to leave to go back home on Wednesday so we could be back in time for an ultrasound for Baby Petersen...

Sunday: March 6th is my wonderful husband's birthday! We went to church that morning and then the men folk and the kids went camping that night! Kenyon's brother has 3 kids: Sadie (9), Brannon (4), and Jessie (5 months). My sister-in-law Beth and I stayed home from the camping because she needed to stay with the baby and me at my 31 weeks pregnant didn't feel like sleeping on the hard ground and getting in and out of a tent every half hour at night to go pee where TARANTULAS and SCORPIONS could grace me with their presence. SO we stayed back and went to Olive Garden and had a nice girls night although it was a bit bizarre not having a warm body to sleep next to!

Monday: I slept in and the guys and kids got back around noon! They were all quite tired but seemed to have had a good time! Once everyone was settled Beth and I went and got Jamba Juice and pedicures! It was a great combo and I thoroughly enjoyed the pampering! After that we did a little shopping at the mall! They had a Carter's there and said store was having a mega sale so I bought Baby Petersen some cute clothes! Walking around the mall however made me quite tired so needless to say I was ready to lay down when we got home!

Tuesday: Because we thought we were leaving the next day we wanted to make sure we went to the movies! Brian and Beth got Kenyon 2 free movie passes but tragically we didn't have those theaters in Utah so we used them while we were there! We saw Rango! It was on the cutest movies I've seen and we really liked it! We walked around the mall a little more and I held a sweet little Boston Terrier puppy! (For those that don't know Kenyon and I were planning on getting that breed of dog before we made the decision to try for Baby Petersen). That night the guys went and played some basketball.

Wednesday: We decide to leave the next day at this point. I can't quite remember what we did during the day but that night we went to my favorite restaurant in the world: CHILIS! We met some of Brian and Beth's friends who came with us to dinner and had a very nice night! The guys after dinner went to play raquetball and that was that!

Thursday: I ended up getting my appointment for Friday changed to that next Thursday so we stayed an extra day which ended up being a very good idea! Kenyon was feeling way under the weather that day and needed to be close to a bathroom so thank goodness we didn't leave that day! We didn't do much that day but that night we went to COLDSTONE! I made the most delicious concoction in the world! It consisted of Oreo Cream Filling ice cream as the base flavor and mixed in was peanut butter and cookie dough! It was heavenly!

Friday: I got Dunkin Donuts that morning for everyone 'cause they don't have them in Utah and I miss them from my East Coast days! Kenyon is feeling MUCH better so we go to the mall again where the guys go play at the arcade there and Beth and I did a little shopping! I was planning on getting some more things for Baby Petersen but instead ended up using my Victoria's Secret gift card that I've had since Kenyon and I got married! We went back and relaxed the rest of the night.

We left Saturday and are not back in Logan! We had a great time and a great visit with family! We just love staying with Brian and Beth! They treat us entirely too well while we're there! Beth even took me shopping for my baby gift...although it benefited her as well so she didn't have to go to the post office! As another side note throughout the days I didn't note all the different times we went out to eat and got fast food! I can't even remember all the times!

In Baby Petersen news he's getting big and I can tell his space is becoming limited in there! He moves around like crazy and enjoys making me nice and uncomfortable by pushing really hard on various sides of my torso! We're going to see him Thursday as previously mentioned and hopefully the fluid in his kidney is gone! I can't wait to see him in 3-D and maybe see his little face! I'm 32 weeks pregnant tomorrow, meaning I've got about 8 weeks left till the due date! I've got some baby showers coming up that I'm excited for! I can't believe how time has flown by! It seems like just yesterday we found out I was pregnant! Its crazy but I already love this little guy and I can't wait to meet him in a few months! Thanks for reading this far and I'll do another post Thursday to report on baby and post a belly pic!

Valentine's and President's Day Weekend!

Ok so this post is basically about Valentine's Day and the weekend after! For Valentine's Day this year Kenyon had the work literally all day the Saturday before and had work and school on the actual day so we opted to wait until the next weekend to do anything special. I left it up to Kenyon to plan because well I think if the man doesn't care about getting anything then he can plan something nice! So on Valentine's Day we kept it simple and I made him a delicious chocolate trifle (insanely easy) and he got me a card and some chocolate covered cookie dough pieces and a stuffed animal dog! Also that morning he surprised me and brought me 2 roses in between classes. That night we went to a dinner put on by our housing department where Kenyon through shear luck ended up serenading me. (Its a funny story but I'm just too tired to type it all out but ask me about it if you're interested!)

This brings us to the next weekend or President's Day weekend. Friday we headed down to Riverton after Kenyon got out of class. We had dinner with some friends of mine (which was great seeing them), played games with some other friends, and just relaxed. Then Saturday Kenyon changed the oil in both our car and my mother in law's car. We went to lunch at Taco Time, went and saw Little Fockers, and had a surprise came night for me with yet another group of friends! I was quite pleased with the way the day had turned out. That Sunday we went the church then had dinner with family. I was thinking that we would just have a quiet Sunday afternoon but Kenyon had other plans :)...

Around 3:3o Kenyon gets a phone call from his boss in Logan saying that one of the bus drivers was doing a charter in Salt Lake but had fallen ill and they needed someone to drive the bus back up to Logan. Kenyon without consulting me volunteered for the job which meant we'd be leaving within a half hour and that I would be driving up to Logan following the bus in our car. The reason why I wasn't thrilled about this prospect was A. I'm in the 3rd trimester and have to pee ALL the time, B. I HATE driving in downtown Salt Lake and although the grid system is supposed to be crazy easy, I still find it difficult to navigate, and C. I was looking forward to spending the rest of our 3 day weekend in Riverton spending time with family. SO I grudgingly get in the car on the verge of tears 'cause I'm hormonal and we head into downtown Salt Lake to meet the afflicted bus driver at a hotel. NOW I should have seen all the little signs to what happens next but I was too busy being in a pissy mood to notice! We pull into the Sheraton Hotel and I wait in the car as Kenyon goes to "check on the bus driver". He comes back to the car and we pull out only to park in the hotel parking lot! Kenyon booked us a night at the Sheraton! It was awesome! He loves to surprise me with stuff like that and has a very good poker face! That night we had appetizers and dessert in the hotel restaurant and slept on a nice KING size bed with down pillows and blankets. This morning we got breakfast and met up with my sister-in-law to get some fabric for the car seat cover I'm making for Baby Petersen. NOW we're home and relaxing 'cause I'm tired! It was a great weekend and as a reward for reading down this far here are some pics from the weekend PLUS a belly shot!

Here are 2 pics of our super comfy room on the 8th floor!

Here's my handsome hubby enjoying his skillet at Denny's!

I myself had the French Toast Slam! It was quite good!

Last but not least here's me at 28 1/2 weeks! Sorry if the picture looks wonky...blogger is annoying the crap out of my with picture posting...I need to figure out a new method. ANYWAY I've reached the 3rd trimester (as previously mentioned) both week wise and month wise. For those who don't understand that last statement the weeks and months during pregnancy don't match up completely. My nausea has OFFICIALLY gone away and now I'm just steadily getting rounder! Baby Petersen as far as we know is doing just fine! We'll get to see him via ultrasound on March 11th! Hopefully we'll get another CD of pics and I could post one on here. Well thanks for reading this wicked long post! I'm off to take a nap or eat...did I mention I'm RAVENOUS these days! Must be the half pound that the baby gains a week now ;)

Hardware Ranch and a Belly Pic!

Ok so I haven't posted in a few weeks but to make up for that I've got some pictures so it's all good! At the beginning of the month some friends of ours from Boise, Toby and Sandra, came to visit for a weekend! We had a blast! We went sledding, ate tons of food, watched movies, and played games! One of the high lights was going to the Hardware Ranch to see the elk! Here are some pics from that adventure. Sadly we didn't get any pics of Toby and Sandra...I know it doesn't make any sense!Here is some of the beautiful scenery we encountered. This is the valley where the ranch is!
Here is Kenyon and I! He was very cold but lucky for me I have a baby in the front keeping me nice and warm!Here are some of the elk! I always wonder what they're thinking when a big horse drawn sled full of people comes by them every few minutes...I'm going to go out on a limb and say they don't think we're nearly as cool as they are!Here's another one of my dear husband and I! I was getting mad at him because both of his smiles looked like he was less than thrilled to be there! I kept saying "Look happy to be my husband!"
Look at this guy! I don't have any insightful things to say about him but he looks regal to me...majestic!
Once in the car Kenyon proved to me that he wasn't a cyborg and gave me a big excited smile! I knew he loves me!
Here are 2 pics of me rocking my baby bump! I took them today which is why I'm in sweats and looking a bit lack luster but hey at leasts its a pic! According to the doctor's office I'm 24 weeks, 3 days pregnant but according to the ticker at the top of the blog I'm 24 weeks, 5 days. Either way I'm inching my way to the 3rd trimester and will only get bigger from here!
Baby Petersen is doing well! At his 20 week ultrasound they found a little bit of fluid in his kidney which at first really got me worried but the doctor thinks its not anything to worry about and we get to have another ultrasound sometime in March to check on him! It'll be so nice to see him again before he's born! Thanks for reading all the way down to here! Perhaps I'll start being more dilligent about posting pics but for the record it's been in the last like 2 weeks that I've really started looking preggo! Kenyon commented the other night that I had "exploded". If I didn't know the person he really was I would have punched him for calling my fat but I know he merely meant Baby Petersen was making his little 1 pound presence known! That's all for now!