Too Cute!

Just too cute not to share! My t-ball player and my smiley girl!

Awareness

One of my room mates from college shared her story about infertility. Last week was National Infertility Awareness Week and I felt I should share our story as well for any of those who read this that might have to go through the same thing. (Thanks Krissy for being so inspiring!)

Overall, I have to thank my Heavenly Father for how He has blessed us. Over the last 4 years my testimony has been challenged and at time I didn't feel I deserved to have a baby...let alone 2 due to my lack of faith. We were blessed with Hyrum that after trying for 1 year we got pregant. It was a long year and towards the end of it we had started pursuing infertility help but got lucky! We now have learned what a miracle Hyrum was/is!

When Hyrum was 1 we decided we'd start trying again due to how long it took us the first time. 2 months later I was pregnant! Hooray and scary all at the same time ( I wasn't ready to have them so close.). 3 weeks later I miscarried. This was devastating to me but my dr told me this was normal...forget it and move on. 7 months later I was pregnant again but again lost the baby early on. Dr again said it was normal. Ben & I decided to take a little trip (Hawaii) and relax and give it a little more time. We tried IUI in the mean time with no success. Finally 14 months had gone by with no success. We decided to consult for IVF.

I have to say I had to eat some words when I decided to do this. My first REAL job in a big NICU in Virginia taught me that IVF was not a good idea and was pushing the limits. I saw premature after premature sets of twins or more born that eventually became blind, deaf, and had a very poor quality of life. Then a close friend had just gone through IVF and had delivered beautiful 37 week twins. My idea started to change. I saw some more success stories even here in our small NICU in Idaho. I was softened to the idea.

So we consulted and sure enough we would need help. One of us had an issue that prevents us from easily achieving successful pregnacy. I was thrilled that it should be an "easy fix" for us.

We had to go to Utah for about 6 weeks on and off to do this. Unfortunately it was a bad time for our families to help us so Ben & I really leaned on each other. We spent a week in Utah during the thick of it which was a really hard week but we made it! Shots, blood draws, and ultrasound every day for weeks were tedious and unpleasant but worth it in the long run.

We put two embryos in and 2 weeks later found out only 1 had made it. I was so grateful to just have one though and actually relieved...I was so worried about twins and Hyrum! We don't have many family/friends here to help us so 1 was great.

I can honestly say I've never been so happy. We had some scares during pregnancy but thankfully Heavenly Father pulled us through. I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for letting me have such an understanding and patient husband that was willing to take this journey with me. I'm also so grateful for our two beautiful, healthy children! My heart is full! I'd love to have one more and as I relfect on the journey to get to here...I cringe. For now I'll enjoy every minute with my new baby and Hyrum!

I'm so grateful to be a mom and this is honestly one of those things I've always wanted to be more than anything. Happy Mother's Day!

Butcher Happenings...

We're alive...and busy! But I couldn't resist posting some pictures of our family and especially Alison! Here are some pictures of our 5.5wk old over the last few weeks!
(I made her tutu)

Pictures of Alison's first Easter! Hyrum LOVED Easter this year! It was so much fun! First Easter as siblings! Hyrum was very helpful finding Alison's eggs!

We tried to take some Easter pictures outside...the best we got.

Right after her bath...check out her curls over her ears! Her hair is actually pretty curly if i don't brush it.

Last Saturday we went to Bear World! The kids did great and it was so much fun! We'll have to come back!

After Bear World we went to Gator Jacks for lunch..yum! Hyrum and the alligator!

More Bear World...the roller coaster rides Hyrum loved...oh disneyland we wish we could visit!

Petting zoo at Bear world....Hyrum petting the deer.

Our little bear cub!

Hyrum and I were bored and decided to start our garden...but it keeps snowing so we decided to start inside. Hyrum helping!

Last Sunday...my cute family.

Cute girl!

We've been enjoying our family of 4! May will be exciting with Grandma and Grandpa Butcher coming to visit in a few weeks, Alison's blessing on May 22, and us leaving for Portland to see Grandma Breese & Uncle Nate! Gotta pack things in before returning to work! 6 weeks down, 6 to go.. It's going WAY too fast!

Professional Pics!

Alison had some newborn pictures taken professionally by Caralee Case Photography. Check out the preview at www.caraleecasephotography.com. It's under Alison!

Alison Ruth Butcher

So today I'm finally posting about our newest addition. I'll also share with you my labor story...I like to read about peoples' stories but feel free to skip if you don't care! So, above...last pregancy picture. Huge, I know! I was scheduled to be induced on March 25th...I woke up about 2am that morning with contractions about 15 mins apart. I thought nothing of it but they kept coming all morning and eventually were 10 minutes apart and painful by 4:30am. Still...10 minutes apart I thought no big deal. They were becoming more painful so I got up and thought I might as well start getting ready since we had to be at the hospital at 7 anways. Through getting ready they got closer and worse but still only 5-7 minutes apart. I called labor and delivery and asked if we could come a little early...they said sure! We got there about 6:30am...not too early...and they had spaced back out to every 10 minutes. I got the monitors hooked up and my first dose of antibiotic in before they started the pitocin. The nurse started me at the very minimum dose and said she would not turn it up until the doctor came in to break my water and check me. Still contracting very minimally every 5-10minutes. Finally the nurse said "I think you should get your epidural before the doctor comes in to break your water.I called Dr. blank to come start your epidural." I was thinking...no I want to wait and see how far along I am. So, at 9am I got my epidural and at 9:30am Dr. O arrived to check me and break my water now that I was starting to get numb. He shocked me and told me I was 8cm and that he would go change to have this baby! 8cm!!!! Good thing that nurse got me my epidural! Below...laboring. After 10-15 minutes of pushing at 10:18am I had Alison Ruth Butcher. She was 8lbs 7oz and 21.25 inches long! HUGE! I couldn't believe she was BIGGER than Hyrum! I don't hear numbers like that very often where I work. 6lbs seems huge! Needless to say she still felt like my small little baby and we love her! Below is Daddy holding Alison for the first time. (As with Hyrum I seem to tolerate labor fine but get all sick afterwards so I didn't get to hold her for a while and had to have a fluid bolus and some oxygen afterwards.???)

In our postpartum room! First family photo!

Hyrum came to visit about 5pm that night and loved holding his baby sister!

First family photo of 4!

Our baby girl! She has a full head of auburn colored hair. We think she looks like Hyrum alot but also different in her own way!

I was spoiled tremendously by co-workers while at the hospital. She always had bows and her hair done and was the best dressed!

Hyrum looking at Alison.

He loves her!

We came home on March 27 and have been adjusting to life as parents of 2! My mom is here helping us and our other family around here has been great too! We had some newborn pictures of Alison and our family taken today so in a few weeks I will have those back and ready to post! I'll be a blogging slacker the next few weeks I'm sure because you forget how much work a newborn is! We love our little blessing and so grateful she arrived healthy and strong!

Welcome Alison!

Birthday Boy Turns 3!

Hyrum the "snowmobile guy" as he names himself. His amazing speech teacher can attest to his frequent and long conversations about snowmobiling...so 2 days before his birthday she arranged for Hyrum to get to ride on a real snowmobilie. Her boss has snowmobiles and they invited us up for part of an afternoon. Hyrum was actually terrified once the snowmobile was turned on but after forcing him to take a ride with Alyson(the speech teacher) and daddy he loved it! Above is a picture of Hyrum on the kids snowmobile that was broken. He loved it...we might have to invest in one of these. Below is Alyson, Hyrum, and Ben on the snowmobile.
Hyrum sitting on the snowmobile before being brave enough actually take a ride!

We are so grateful to have wonderful people in our lives and Hyrum's to do something so special! It was so wonderful! The worst part is that next Tuesday is Hyrum's last day of speech...he tested at the level of a 4 year old and no longer qualifies for speech! While I am so grateful he has done so well we will miss his teacher so much!

So, this is a few weeks late but...My baby turned 3! Hyrum had his 3rd Birthday on February 27, 2011! I had worked all weekend so we did a small celebration on his birthday and then had the party the next night. I don't know why but we've started this tradition of taking pictures of him waking up on his birthday...so...while I was at work...Ben took pictures of Hyrum waking up for me.

Sunday night I had attempted to make this brownie/waffle idea from Rachel Ray...didn't work at all...but we still ate parts of it and put candles on top for Hyrum to blow out on his actual birthday! Can't believe he's 3!!

So, now we are on to the next night...his party with cousins/family. He wanted a truck themed party so we did dump trucks and stuff. Here he is in front of the construction zone!
He also is sporting his "snowmobile" shirt. He is OBSESSED with snowmobiles and so I found him this shirt for his birthday. He wore it 3 times that week!

Hyrum with the cake I made getting ready to blow candles out!

The decor...

Blowing the candles out!

Opening presents from everyone! (He loved the outfit G&G Butcher!)

Now a little baby update...March 5th my sister in law Becky and cousins-in-law Lindsey & Adrienne all got together and had a little baby shower for me. We went out to eat and I forgot to take pics but here is the diaper cake Lindsey made! So cute! We got spoiled with clothes for baby girl and it was so great to go out with no kids!

I'm officially 38 weeks! Hooray! I'm 3cm dilated and dr says any time now. If no baby comes by next week..we'll be having an induction on Thursday or Friday (24th or 25th). We're hoping for Friday because my mom flies in on the 24th...so we'll see! I am so excited to be a mommy again and finally meet this little girl we've been waiting what seems like forever for! I'm so grateful we have been blessed to go through IVF and have such success. I've taken care of a few patients at work lately that were IVF and have not been as fortunate as us. Here's to our last week as a family of 3!

All things Pink...

As usual..my pictures are out of order but...Here's a quick recap! Well, since Valentine's was 2 days ago...we had a nice valentine's day...quiet and simple but nice. Ben & Hyrum surprised me with a hand made card... very sweet and crafty! We took home Panda Express and had strawberry pie and chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert. Yum!
I finally have the nursery all put together so here are some pictures from it. My mom helped me recover Hyrum's denim blue rocking chair while she was here at Christmas and here it is in the room!

In January we tried to go bowling in Rexburg but it was too busy so we played some arcade games with Hyrum. He had a blast!

Daddy & Hyrum racing.

Okay..back to the pics. So here is the wall opposite the crib. We decided on the name Alison Ruth Butcher so I made some letters. I love the flower light too..thanks mom for dragging from ikea! Oh how I miss that store!

Some shoe hangers next to the closet.

The crib and the quilt I made to go above it.

The curtains I made. I must give a big shout out to my wonderful hubby and mom for helping do chair rail in the baby's room It turned out so cute and I don't think the pics do it justice!

A little quote/sign I made.

It has been so fun decorating the room and now I can't wait to get her here! I had my 34 week check up today and after weeks of her being breech she finally flipped! I'm so happy! So...as of now no csection! I so enjoyed labor/delivery with Hyrum and am looking forward to it again. 6 more weeks (hopefully less!)!

For the grandparents...Hyrum can now sing his ABC's so enjoy! This kid loves to sing...he now can sing once there was a snow man, jingle bells, old mcdonald, the wheels on the bus, abcs, I am a child of God, and probably a few more I'm forgetting. The sad thing is he learned most of them at nursery and not at home! Oh well, we now sing alot at home..something I'm not good at but he enjoys!