Queen Audra Turns 5

This past Saturday, we celebrated my Audra.  She wanted a Frozen party oh so bad.  I worked hard to live up to her big expectations.  We had her friends come, which was the first year she could have friends, and her family attended too.  The list of people was quite long.  The party was held at G.G.'s clubhouse so we had plenty of room to spread out.  We started by giving all the kids Prince or Princess sashes, because it was coronation day.  Audra was of course the queen for the day.  They then colored, threw snowballs at the snow monster, pinned the nose on Olaf, and made bracelets.

 Pictured left to right Elsie Hubrich, Sadie Knott, Coli, Ellie Anderson, Audra, Shelby Andrews, Taylor Knott, Griffin Beeton, and Diem Bergstrom.  Not pictured Lorenzo Smith, Graham Beeton and Elyse

These beauties have grown up together since they were babies.  The 2 girls on the left moved to Pennsylvania just a few days after the party.  So this was the goodbye.  :(

Jedi Knight Colin Turns 7

Coli wanted to have a bowling party this year for his birthday.   We ended up at FatCats because the kids could play games too.  Colin has been so excited about his birthday party for months!  It turned out super great with alot of his friends showing up.  The cake and party favors were Star Wars themed because he and his school buddies play Star Wars at recess.  It ended up being a fun little party, but keeping track of that many little boys.  Oiy!!

A Birth Story

I awoke at 11:50 Thursday night to contractions, this was not a new thing in fact it had happened several times.  I decided to take a shower to see if I could relax and get them to go away if they were false labor.  Well, after the shower I was still contracting so I went downstairs to sit on my birth ball.  At this point, I decided I had better start timing the contractions to see where we were, because I really didn't want to birth a baby on the side of the road.  When the contractions were about 5 minutes apart I went upstairs and told Bri, "I think I am in labor."  I told him I was going to lay down to see if I could sleep through them for a bit.  Well, that didn't last long because I could not relax enough to sleep.  Brian, got up and started to finish packing my bag with my tooth brush and things you can't pack until last minute.

I got up to go to the bathroom.  While I was on the toilet I had a MAJOR contraction and told Brian he better call Garry.  (Garry was coming to stay with our 2 big kids.)  At this point it was 2 in the morning, and I was wondering if I would be able to get off the toilet.  I did indeed make it off the toilet and I got some clothes on and got ready to go to the hospital in between the contractions.  Garry arrived and we head for the hospital about 2:30 in the morning.  I was admitted to Labor and Delivery.  The nurse put the monitoring system on, but it was not reading my contractions.  I begged her not to send me home.  She assured me that I was in fact having contractions, but the machine was not picking them up.  At this point she checked me I was 4 cm and 70% effaced.  By now the contractions were very strong and I was having a hard time finding my happy place (remember I wanted to go unmedicated).  After, having a hard time breathing through some contractions, the nurse was concerned I was going to hyperventilate, I begged for an epidural.  I decided it was better to enjoy the birth experience then prove a point.  

The anesthesiologist came in and was slow getting my epidural.  It was hard to hold the position and go through the contractions.  I yelled at one point "just give me the drugs, it hurts."  The anesthesiologist then told me that the contractions were coming hard and fast.  By the time this was over it was getting close to 4 AM.  Dr. Brown, my OB, was on-call.  She came in to say hi and break my water.  But as she was getting ready to do so, she said "there is nothing to break, I feel hair."  So we are not sure exactly when my water broke, but it did naturally at some point.  She also told me I was about 7 cm and 100% effaced.  I asked Dr. Brown how long she was at the hospital and she said until 7 AM.  But she then assured me that we would have a baby before then.  

As I labored, I did so much more comfortably.  As we got close to 5 AM I kept telling the nurse that there was a spot that really hurt.  It was up by my ribs.  She told me to hit my medication button for another dose to help.  I hit it and waited, but the discomfort didn't change.  The nurse said "I know we just checked you but some times pain in other areas means it's baby time."  She checked and sure enough I was 10 cm.  She went and got Dr. Brown and at 5 AM, it was show time.  I pushed about 3 times, and out came the baby.  

Brian announced for all in the room "It's a girl!"  Elyse Marie Hansen was born September 20, 2013 at 5:07 AM.  She weighed 6 pounds 7 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.  She had a head of hair so all my heartburn paid off!

Lynnie's 4th Birthday

Monday, Audra Lynn turned 4.  I can't even believe that.  Where does the time go?  If you find some time just hanging out with you please send it my way, because it just is flying by.  Any who, Monday the kids and I went over to the Smith's home, where they played with Lorenzo and Knox for a few hours.  Then we swam in the pool for a little while.  The kids had so much fun.

After swimming, I received a call from Bana asking if she could please take Audra shopping and to dinner.  So off on a girls night they went.  I think all in all she had a good day.

Last night, we had her birthday party with the grandparents.  Audra Lynn wanted pizza and a Cinderella spice cake.  She was spoiled rotten.  She got so many nice new clothes and some very fun toys.  It was so fun to watch.  Happy Birthday out sweet little girl we love you!!

Coli's 5th Birthday

Last night as we were getting ready for bed, Coli said "it was the best birthday."  What joy that brings to me, as that was my goal.  Every parent wants their child's birthday to be a good one.  A little review of the "best birthday."
The morning was uneventful, but after I got my work done, Coli helped me decorate the cupcakes.  Which he loved.
After, I helped out in Coli's class, where he was spoiled.  He got a card from his friend Kensington.  He then got a crown, 5 hugs, and a blue bear from the teacher.  He was a "saint" according to his teachers, most birthday kids are so hyper that the teachers have a tough time getting them to focus.

Finally, the part he had been waiting for all day his friend party.  He was so excited to eat pizza, open presents and eat a cupcake.  Once Blake, Carter, Trendon and Audra were here all of those things happened.  They ran around and had a good time playing.  He was spoiled again with a game, Iron Man & Spider Man mask, Roller skates, a helmet and clothes.  He was super happy.

Then we took all the kids to Airborne for some fun jumping.  The kids had a blast.  On the way home, Blake was falling asleep, you know that is a good time.

Colin's 4th Birthday

Today our little man turned 4. He has been looking so forward to this day. He has been asking for months whose birthday is next. So, down a long list of birthdays till his birthday was finally here. I told him that after Papa's birthday it was his birthday. Well, Papa has been giving him a hard time telling him that Papa got 2 birthdays this year and Colin had to go without. It was cute to watch the 2 for them go back and forth about whose birthday it really was.

He has wanted a spiderman birthday party and that is exactly what he got. We started with spiderman fruit snacks that he took to church to share with his primary class. In primary they sang "Happy Birthday," spotlighted him and gave him a water bottle that has "Scripture Power" across it with Skittle and 2 pencils. He thought that was super cool.
After church we headed to Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Dustin's house for his party. We had Spiderman cupcakes, masks, and party favors. He was spoiled rotten from the entire family. He received many new clothes, some with spiderman on them. He also received spiderman sheets and comforter, spiderman glove that shoots webbing/water, swords, and an action figure. He also received a spiderman hat and a superman hat (which matches Carter's). He had the best time. He played with his grandparents and loved every minute of it. He had sword fights with Papa, Carter, and anyone else he could talk into doing it. He shot water with his spiderman glove at people, and just was so happy today.

Tonight, I asked him if he had a good day, he said yes. The best day?, I asked. Again he said yes. In fact, he is already planning his birthday for next year. Happy birthday to my baby boy! I can't believe it has been 4 years, but I am super glad you are in my life. We love you soo much!