My "Hollywood" delivery

Samuel Clifford Smith was born to us July 20, 2010. I got my perfect labor and delivery story that I have always wanted! (I have been induced with all 3 of my previous babies.) In the middle of the night I start feeling labor pains... I lay awake for an hour... pains actually not going away this time... this might be it! I take a shower and contractions are less then 5 minutes apart. I actually get to wake up my hubbie (just like all the movies) and say: "Honey- IT'S TIME!"
We get my packed hospital bag that has been sitting by the door for 2 weeks and head out the door at 4:30am.
We drive up to the emergency room entrance, park and see the security guard chuckle as I waddle in at Jake's side. He said "I suppose you are looking for the labor and delivery" and we headed up. I got to tell the front desk "I think I am in labor" and they said they would check me out. I put on the awesome hospital gown that never quite covers properly and by then contractions are 2 minutes apart. Jake is cracking jokes and charming the nurses as we settle in. I sip on cranberry juice and we send out the big news via text to all of our family. By then contractions have slowed down and so we walk the halls to get something going again. Nurses gave me pitossin to speed things up a bit and the pain starts pretty intense. I decide on the epidural. I was contemplating being tough and going natural but I already proved that I could do that when I had my 2nd son Luke so I decided since this was my last one- why not enjoy it pain free? I was a little nervous because I had a bad reaction to the epidural with my 3rd son and ended up screaming at the Dr. to yank it out. But Jake made enough jokes about suing the anesthesiologist that he did a fantastic job! (I did pass out for just a minute from low blood pressure but he said that was a common side-effect.)
So pain free, sipping on cranberry juice and my wonderful mid-wife Anita Sheetz tells me she thinks it is time to push. I pushed through 4 contractions and probably would have been less but the babies hand was up by his face through delivery, making it more difficult.
Our beautiful baby boy was born at 11:33am perfect and chubby at 21 inches and nearly 9lbs. I cried at how perfect and wonderful he was and how much I already loved him! They gave him to me right away and did all the tests on him right in my arms. Jake cut the cord (now an expert!) and made all the calls. I can't even tell you how happy this baby makes me and we are loving every minute!

Advanced Maternal Age...and its benefits!

When I went for my first prenatal visit last December my doctor referred to me as "advanced maternal age." Very nice way of saying "kinda old to be having a baby!" She informed me of my risks etc and let me know that everything would be just a little bit harder. True- it has been 10 years since I had my first child. The first 2 semesters of all my pregnancies have been full of mad dashes to the bathroom to throw up on a daily basis, and this one has been no exception. I think I have thrown up on every street corner and gas station in Idaho, Utah and Las Vegas. (By the way- my gas station of choice to throw up in Flying J because their bathrooms are usually pretty clean and the stall door goes almost all the way to the floor so that no one sees me crouching before the toliet.)
As the pregnancies have progressed through the years and especially this last one noticed that I had an even bigger problem to deal with then throwing up - that is peeing my pants while throwing up! I wised up with this last pregnancy and began grabbing the garbage can or a plastic bag while actually using the bathroom and it has significantly raised my spirits and reduced alot of tears.
One big advantage of having this baby at age 36 is that my other 3 boys are a HUGE help! They are so concerned for me and the baby and would do anything for me. They do all my "up and down the stairs" errands and will pick up anything off the floor for me because they know that I can't bend over. They bring me water and make sure I rest. Luke reminds me that I can't lift anything over 20 lbs and Tommy lets me know he has a fat belly just like me because he is growing a baby too. Jett will babysit for me anytime I ask without ever complaining and will even call me on the phone while I am out to tell me to "take your time...everything is fine here!) I can nap almost anytime I want to and the boys are quiet and take care of themselves.
All my family members and friends are wonderfully supportive and make sure that I am resting... allowing me to take more guilt free naps!
I indulge my absolute (almost daily) need for cheeseburgers and really don't feel that bad about it. I know it will be a hard habit to kick once this baby comes but for right now - I do it and I guilt free enjoy it!
And when else in your life does every random stranger feel free to pat your belly or make a comment or wish you well?!? How boring life will be when I don't have random strangers making funny comments every where I go?
Yesterday as I was walking though Home Depot a clerk yells out "Hang in there honey.. you're almost there!" Walking across the street to get the mail a neighbor lady, 5 houses down, who I have never met, screams out "been there- done that- wouldn't want to be where you are again!" At Walmart last week the clerk told me that she couldn't even believe that I was out of the house!
But the truth is - I am not that miserable! Everyone keeps asking me if I can hardly wait to be done or if I am walking around trying to get this baby to come - and the answer is "No- I am not." I don't know if I am just a wierdo or something is wrong with me but I am actually enjoying these last few weeks of pregnancy. I love feeling the baby move around and wonder what he is thinking inside there. I love napping everyday. I love having my husband and sons be so excited about the upcoming baby. In fact I am not sure that I am really in such a hurry to give it all up. Yes I waddle terribly, my ankles are swollen and black and blue, I get up to use the bathroom a minimum of 5 times per night and then cant go back to sleep... but its all worth it. I think in part I am enjoying this because I know this is my last one.
Now- next week at this time I might have had another hormonal wave swinging me the other way and you could find me out on the trampoline and yelling "to get this baby out!" but for now being an old pregnant lady ain't so bad.. so I am at peace and relaxed... taking one day, and one cheeseburger, at a time.

I DO!

Who gets a baby shower for their 4th child, their 4th boy at that? I DO!!! My great friend Sierra threw me an awesome baby shower last Saturday.
She went all out with cute invitations, decorations, and the BEST food! Course it helps that her awesome husband is a professional chef- who gets coconut shrimp (my favorite) at a shower? I DO!
She also did lots of other yummy food including strawberry and lime daquiri's.


Lots of generous gifts, games and lots of fun! And to top it off the cutest cake I have EVER seen made by friend Casey.


Seriously- who has some of the greatest friends in the world? I DO!

Yes I am

Yes I am eating way too many cheeseburgers.
Yes I am having dreams about cheeseburgers.
Yes I am currently into the $1 Jr Sonic Burger.
Yes I am spending way too much grocery budget money on cheeseburgers.
Yes I did throw up in the Burger King drive- thru ordering a cheeseburger today.
Yes I am pregnant.

Ghosties in the house

So this past week has been pretty strange in our house. Weird writings have appeared on the wall, toilets have been overflowing with whole rolls of toilet paper stuffed inside, blue markings all over the carpet and furniture. Kinda strange. And of course to top it off, 3 year old Tommy wearing his scary Halloween shirt all week long, explained to us that he was wearing his "Holy Ghostie" shirt.

Dirty Jokes and the Round Swing

Every summer my family made the 13 hour trek to Mexico for our summer vacation. Suddenly all my parents strict checklist of rules didn't apply when we were down there. However one rule that we were constantly reminded of was not to tell any dirty jokes to our cousins. This was always funny to me because I don't think I ever knew any dirty jokes as a child and if so why would I tell my cousins? So as long as we refrained from dirty jokes we were free to roam the Mexican countryside.
Besides being taught to drive at age 12 by my dear cousins, one of my other favorite memories was of the round swing. We would cross the street to uncle Herman's (I have the best names in my family) and climb the hill. We would jump on the rope swing and swing out over the irrigation ditch and out over the hill. It was exhilarating and always a good time.
This past summer my dad just built a round swing in his backyard. He even built a little platform stand to swing off of. I got on and swung out into the ravine and don't think I have screamed that loud in 15 years! My kids love it and we all cant get enough of it. Of course everyone who comes over has to take a ride. We have even had a few Tarzan moments. Thanks dad for building the swing and I promise no more dirty jokes!

My boricua heart hurts today.

Today my little boricua heart hurts. I just heard that Hermano Victor SotoMayor passed away. He was one of my favorite people in our ward in Puerto Rico. My heart aches for the loss of him personally and for our ward Ponce I. He was one of the first members in Ponce. He was 80 years old and very spry. He made us laugh. He was very kind to Jake as a new Bishop, taught him many things, and was very patient. I feel privileged to have known him and had him in my home. Thinking of him makes me smile and I will never forget him. I know it means nothing to anyone who may read this but somehow it makes me feel better to put it down in writing. Te queremos mucho Hermano SotoMayor!!!

Saturday morning on Horse Poopy Trail

This morning I took the boys out for a little hike. I am not a hiker, not an outdoor granola but these Colorado surroundings are really getting to me- I really enjoy being outside. Anyways on today's particular trail there seemed to be alot of horse poop, almost marking the path for us. Tommy was much more fascinated with running to find the next pile of poop then he was doing anything else. We didn't make it very far but saw beautiful scenery, climbed a few rocks, ate a few Teddy Grahams. Best thing- Horse Poopy Trail is only a 5 minute drive from my house!

Roy Rodgers and Coconut Shrimp

I have about the coolest and funnest sisters in law around! This last week 2 of them came for a visit. My husband succeeded in staying away from the house as much as possible as there was major estrogen overload for a change, as I am usually outnumbered here in the Smith household. Dont think I have been to bed before 1am since they got here. We did all the necessaries of good girl time such as staying up way too late giggling every night, watching chic flicks, playing games, going shopping and eating dessert all the time. "One" of us of course mooned the rest of "us" and one of us even stole the phone from another one of us threatening to call a certain boy late at night. Since two of us are married, I wont say who did what.
The must do, which we did do, and declare that we must always do on future meetings is head to Red Lobster for diet Roy Rodgers and Coconut Shrimp. Their coconut shrimp is THE BEST and the pina colada sauce is to die for. The waitress did not disappoint when I asked her to bring a bowl of it as I had every intention of downing it like a bowl of soup. Loved every minute and love my girls!

Fat Boy factory

My son Luke absolutely loves the ice cream sandwich called "Fatboys." The first time he ate one and I told him what they were called he didn't believe me, he thought I was joking. And then when I told him that I actually knew the people who owned the icecream company that made Fatboys he went crazy and had to point out anytime we saw "Fatboys" in the grocery store.
Well a few weeks ago my childhood best friend Sherrie was up in Logan Utah for a visit to her sisters. Sherrie's family the Hatches have always been my second family- we did everything together growing up. I was driving up to see her and asked if we could maybe get a tour of the factory. They were so cool and arranged for all of us to go get a behind the scene tour. It was so much fun and Luke was absolutely amazed the whole time. He is already set on his new career of becoming a "Fatboy maker." All I know is with all of the icecream I ate that day I was already a "fatgirl maker" - but it was SOO worth it! Thanks to Paul and Stephanie Merrill for an incredible time!

11 years...11 reasons

So exactly 11 years ago I was married to Jake. He NEVER lets me compliment him but since he does not read my blog I get to do it here. Soooo many reasons I love and cherish him but here are 11 really good reasons:

11. The best snuggler in the world. Yucky but true- we snuggle ALL night!
10. He would do anything for anybody- anytime.
9. He thinks I am beautiful and tells me EVERYDAY!
8. He is so freaking smart. Honestly. I really don't ever have to look anything
up- I just ask him!
7. When we are at a restaurant and I order and we get our food and his looks better
mine- he always lets me have his food instead. (this says alot about him!)
6. His strength! (Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually)
5. He always calms down my anxious heart.
4. He has integrity.
3. He is 100% committed- to me, the boys, and the gospel
2. He makes me laugh, everyday, all day long!
1. He knows me better than I know myself and he still loves me with all his heart!

Baking with Lady GaGa

Lately I have been absolutely ADDICTED to "Poker Face" by Lady GaGa. I dont know why but I want to listen to it constantly. I turn it up loud and dance around like I am still 18 yrs old.
For quite some time now my inner Martha Stuart has been wanting to come out. I decided to start by learning how to make homemade bread ( I think I am the last mormon stay at home mom who does not know how to make bread!)
I grew up on homemade bread and have wanted to learn how to bake bread for a long time. I guess I am scared of the whole yeast and rising thing. I decided that today was the day to conquer the fear of breadmaking. After consulting both my mother and mother in law I nervously went to work. I completed each step of making the bread and then finally breathed a sigh of relief as it went into the oven. Then I went up to my room and to unwind a bit from the stress of trying to bake bread I turned on a little Lady Gaga. I danced around a bit, listened to the song a few times, then danced some more, turned up the music and continued to hit replay. I kept turning the music up a little louder, getting a little more bold with my dance moves, and finally getting some lyrics right when it hit me that I had bread in the oven. I guessed I had hit play a few too many times.
I burnt the bread- like the type of bread so crusty that it tears the roof of your mouth just biting into it.
I will try the bread another day-I am not giving up. But just so you know- I'm not giving up on Lady GaGa either.

My man loves me

So the other day my husband came home with this:
a box of my favorite almond chocolate covered toffee.
What can I say?- My man loves me!

No news- just feeling good.

So tonight I am blogging because I feel content. For a rare moment I feel at peace with the world and my place in it.
Could be because I just ate a huge brownie with ice cream and chocolate syrup. Could be because my 5 year old belted out the 3rd article of faith in the feminine hygiene aisle at Walmart today and turned a few heads. Could be because my husband came home early and set up the trampoline for the boys and solidified the "hero status" in his sons eyes.
Whatever the reason....I'll take it!

Luke you are so grounded when I find you!

Today I am watching 2 little girls. Luke had been so bored all day and had been waiting to go to the park when his big brother got home from school. He was mad that I made him wait to go to the park. Well I am giving everyone snacks and I am talking to them saying that after snack time we will go to the park. I realize Luke is not there. I am calling for him and no answer. We are looking everywhere for him thinking he had gone to the park on his own without telling me. Then I see his shoes are still here so I figure he is hiding from me. I am looking everywhere yelling "Luke if you are hiding from me and not coming out when I call you - you are grounded!!!!"
Then I think of one more place to look and this is what I find:

Anything for a cubscout!

We're busting trying to get that wolf badge for Jett before his birthday in a couple of weeks. Since Puerto Rico doesnt participate in cubscouts, Jett just started the program in January. So we are doing double time but I think that we will get it done. One requirement that Jett had was for bike saftey. I love our little town of Fruita and it actually had a little bike rodeo today all about bike saftey and gear. (Check off the list!)
He also had to help in an outdoor meal so yesterday evening we headed to the Red Cliffs. They are so beautiful and right on the Colorado River.

 

The boys had a blast roasting hotdogs and smores and climbing the rocks and trees. U had to add a picture of the perfect smore. BTW- the secret for extra sinfulness is to spread peanut butter on the graham cracker!
I cant wait for the warmer weather and camping and rafting down the river. Seriously guys- you have to come visit. I know we are no longer on a tropical island but minutes from the Red Cliffs and the Colorado River aint too bad!

One Happy Turtle !!!!

This past Saturday I ran in my first 5K. This has been a goal of mine that I started back in Puerto Rico over a year ago. My sister Renee has been diagnosed with MS and this was the 20th annual 5K for MS in Salt Lake City. My whole family participated and even my best friend Collette and her husband Jared.
There were over 3500 participants. At the start there was such a mob of people that we were kinda forced into walking until we could break out. All of a sudden I see my brother in law Ryan just take off (he later ended up finishing 4th place!) Then it was evident that all runners were passing me up. I run VERY SLOW but my goal was just to keep running the whole time. I kept my turtle pace and was cruising along even with some unexpected hills. When I reached the top of one hill I saw volunteers with waters and snacks and I thought to myself "I made it and it wasnt too bad!"
Well it wasn't too bad because it was only the freaking halfway point!!!!
After I got over the initial shock and kept going only to see more hills. I was determined and kept going. Finally I was on the last downhill to the gateway center and I was looking around and I was all by myself. I thought that I had taken a wrong turn but figured out that the runners were way ahead of me and most walkers were still behind me. Anyways I turned the corner and there were volunteers lined up on either side of the finish line cheering and applauding and I just burst into tears. It was nice and embarrassing and I am sure everyone wondered what was going on. I was just really overwhelmed with emotion. #1 It really hit home the whole reason that we were there and that my sister and best friend Renee really has MS. Then #2 I had finally finished my goal to run in a 5K! It was an awesome feeling that even though I was super slow, that I hadn't stopped running (never been able to do that before!). Incredible feeling!
So next year I invite everyone to participate- it is a great cause. Now I think I've caught the fever and I am looking forward to my next 5K here in Fruita next month.

Red sand everywhere!

This last Saturday we went to Moab for the day. Jake used to love going there mountain biking and now we are only 1 1/2 hrs away. The weather was beautiful and sunny. We went on a fun hike at slick rock and had a picnic.
We also climbed up a giant red sand/ dirt hill. Well I shouldn't say "we" as only Jett and Luke made it to the top! It felt like it was straight up and you just sunk down even though the climb was so vertical. The sand was so soft and cool that we finally just kicked off our shoes. Tons of people and their kids just pull over on the side of the road and watch people climb up and then run, roll or jump down. I think the boys made it all the way up 3 times, which was amazing. So fun.


When we got home that night and the boys got out of the car there was literally piles of sand in the car. In the bathtub there is still rings of red sand. On the bathroom floors I keep finding little mounds of the stuff! Our clothes, shoes and socks are still red dirt tinged. But the best is when I just took a load out from the dryer and I open up the door and tons of red dirt just comes pouring out. Can't get rid of the stuff but definitely worth the fun we had!