Garett's First Bath

Saturday we finally got to give Garett his first bath. It was a family event with everyone helping a little. Here's Daddy getting the little guy ready

Grace liked the scrub brush so she helped wash his hair.
I did the restof the washing and dressing. He screamed most of the time of course, but smelled so good when he was done. Nothing beats the smell of a clean baby!

The last time....

Last Sunday Ben, Grace and I had a wonderful day of lasts..... My whole day was spent thinking, "this is the last time we'll do this with Grace alone" "or after today Grace won't be the only child anymore". It was a tiny bit bittersweet but we had a wonderful day showering her with attention. In the morning we decided to go for a walk (to try to induce labor of course) We made our winding way through the neighborhood and ended up at the park. Ben and Grace had a wonderful time running around the playground which we had completely to ourselves.

Going down the slides was the favorite. Ben barely made it through.
Later that day I sent Ben and Grace out back to play. Grace ended up in the sandbox, and Ben helped bury her.
She loved playing in the sand of course, but didn't like the bath afterwards quite as much.
We had a yummy dinner and lots of treats and a movie. It really was such a fun day and Grace was such a sweetheart.
And such a great big sister. She is always wanting to hold the baby and is constantly petting his head saying "it's okay baby" even if he's quietly sleeping.

I've found myself losing patience with her a bit more since we've been home from the hospital, I've been praying a lot for help on that, but Grace I just want you to know I love you and you will always be my little Princess!

Introducing.....

Garett Benjamin Harper

born: Monday September 22 @ 3:09PM

8lbs 4 oz 20 inchesHere's the story-

I was scheduled to be induced on Monday but was 10th on the list. So all weekend I tried everything I could to put myself into labor. I went on several vigorous walks and would get home and feel great! NO CONTRACTIONS! I was seriously getting frustrated and gave up thinking there was no way I was going on my own. Then Sunday night I went to bed with back cramps. Those woke me up around 2, and I laid in bed until 3:30 when I got up to take a bath. I went back to bed around 5 and could feel a few irregular contractions by then. Ben let me sleep in until 8:30 when I was having stronger contractions, but there was nothing regular about them. Some were strong, some weren't. some were close together and then I'd go like 20-30 minutes without any. So throughout these irregular contractions I ate breakfast, got ready, got Grace ready, finished packing and drove up to Ben's parent's house to drop Grace off. While we were there the hospital called to say they were ready for my induction. So we drove down to the hospital (stopping at Subway for lunch) and checked in a little after 12:00. I changed and waited a while until the nurse decided to check me. I was dilated to a 6! Holy cow, I guess those contractions were doing something after all. So I waited for about an hour for my epidural and then they started some pitocin to regulate my contractions.
Here I am before we left A full 40 weeks pregnant.

Well within an hour of my epidural and 8 minutes of pushing our baby boy finally made his appearance.What a miracle it was to watch him come into the world! Ben was an awesome support throughout the day.
The three of us together.
Garett was breathing really fast so they soon took him off to the nursery to check on him and give him a bath. Ben went with him and we made all our phone calls and texts to the family. We were eager for Grace to come see us so shortly after I made it to our room and fed Garett, Ben's parents came with Grace. She was so excited to see him she ran right up and kissed him and loved him.
Our whole family

We made this shirt she is wearing. It says "Big Sis" She couldn't wait to wear it to the hospital. She is such a protective sister. When the Pediatrician came in to check Garett's vitals, (who was still unnamed at this point) Grace didn't like it and yelled, "That's my Baby" and ran over to protect him.
We had several visitors at the hospital. Ben's Parents.
My Mom
My Dad and Debbie

Our good friend Jenny (who watched Grace a ton for me while I went to all those Dr. appointments. Thanks!)
And Uncle Seth!
I spent a wonderful 2 days in the hospital. It was so great to have the nurses there to help me and take the baby so I could sleep. Ben spent most of Tuesday with me and then got Grace and spent the night at home. We finally decided on Garett's name on Tuesday. We were both feeling like he was a Garett Monday night but decided to sleep on it. The more we looked at him, the more he seemed to be Garett. The big debate was over how to spell it. We both liked one R, but I was sure if I'd be telling people how to spell it the rest of his life. I always have to spell my name, so we went with it. I'm happy about it now.
This is Ben and Garett napping at the hospital.

Wednesday morning we found out Garett has a little Jaundice. He's actually right on the border line on needing to be under the lights, but I'm feeding him tons in hopes we can flush it all out. It has been a pain to go to the hospital to have him tested in the mornings. It's been improving little by little though! We also headed home Wednesday morning. I was ready for quite a while when I get a phone call from Ben complaining how impossible it was to do Grace's hair. When they finally get to the hospital he has done Grace's hair in the cutest little pony tails with the bangs swept to the side. The nurses even commented on how cute it looked. Of course Ben picks like the hardest hairdo to do for a 2 year old!

And here's our Garett all dressed and ready to come home. I think he's so handsome in blue!
Leaving the hospital. I took advantage of the wheel chair ride out, and Grace rode on my lap. She thought that was pretty fun.
Life at home has been pretty good. We've had some delicious meals brought to us already. Ben has been wonderful and Garett is such a calm baby except he thinks he needs to eat all the time. Grace is a wonderful big sister, but had been totally and completely rebellious since we've been home. She won't do anything we ask her to and is just completely naughty. I've been a little emotional in handling this and am praying constantly for more patience. Hopefully that will come as I continue to feel better. Ben has one more week off of work and I am so excited for all the time we have together!

The Nursery

Well, here it is FINALLY! I still have a few more things I would like to add, but this is as good as it's going to get until this baby comes. I am completely happy with the way it turned out, and can't wait to get this baby here!

Utah State Fair

Friday, Sept 12 we went to the State Fair with the Lynes Family. We had such a fun time! We started the evening off with a visit to the Creative Arts Exhibit to visit Ben's Mom who was working there. One of our favorite things to check out there is the Butter Sculpture, and all the random things that people create. Then we headed to the animals, one of the major points in going to the fair. Boy, I forgot how stinky they can be! In the Dairy Cow section they had this baby cow the kids could pet. I have to admit, he was pretty cute, and only 1 month old!

After checking out the goats, the pigs and the sheep, we headed over to the Little Hands Farm. This was my favorite thing watching Grace "work" on the farm. First they got an apron and a bucket and had to go feed the cow.
Then they got a chance to "Milk" the cow.
They gathered Apples
And Eggs
They also got to ride tractors, plant a seed and harvest it, comb the sheeps wool, and then at the very end exchange all their hard earned produce for money so they could buy a treat. You could choose and apple, or cereal. Grace went for the Captain Crunch Berries....mmmm!
Then Woodson and Matthew went for a ride on the "Big Yellow Slide". It was wavy and tall and did look like a lot of fun. We walked around some more, saw some horses, danced a little and then headed for the promised Pony ride. Here are Matthew and Grace waiting patiently. Matthew was being so sweet to Grace (which doesn't always happen) and she was being a little stinker. She wanted nothing to do with him.
And here's Grace on her Pony. Too Slow Joe was his name. Appropriate I think.
And Matthew enjoying getting his picture taken almost as much as the pony ride.
After the thrilling ride was over we had to leave. A few things we're sad we missed, the Giant Pumpkins, the Tigers, and the Fried Food. Ben was determined to get a fried snickers or something... anything! He just wanted to try it, but the line was too long and we had to hurry home. Maybe we can die from the grease next year!

The Harper Family Camping Adventure

Over Labor Day weekend Ben's family all went camping up Logan Canyon. We had 7 of the 11 siblings there and had a really fun time! Grace and I went up Thursday afternoon with Ben's Dad to help get things set up. We got up there and made a stop at the Pepperidge Farm Factory for some cookies and Goldfish and then headed up the canyon. We had a yummy dinner of Hotdogs roasted over the fire, some smore's and then off to bed. We discovered very quickly that the road was way to close and heard cars drive by ALL night. As soon as we were out of the canyon the next morning we quickly called our Spouses begging them to bring ear plugs. The next few nights of sleep were much better. (considering I was 9 months pregnant sleeping on an air mattress and having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night)

Friday we started the morning off by going to Willow Park Zoo. The kids had a fun time seeing the animals there. We were trying to get a picture of all them here, they were lined up by the bobcat's fence but wouldn't look at us. So I said, "turn around and look like a bobcat". So what does Grace do? Bend down and walk on all fours meowing like a cat. Nathan and Daniel quickly followed.

She is a pretty cute little bobcat.
Grandpa with the kids acting like a cougar this time.
I just love Grace's expression on this one.
After the Zoo and a play in the park we went to Gossner's Cheese factory and loaded up on Cheese and then headed back to camp for Nap Time. The rest of the family arrived Friday night. We just found out that Ben's brother Bryan and his wife Alyssa are pregnant! Congrats you two! Also, Sarah made the long drive from Colorado to join us for the weekend. So we had four pregnant ladies camping together. We had to get a picture.....
Alyssa (due in Jan), Karene (due in Dec), Sarah (due in Nov), and Me (Due in Sept)
We're are all having boys, except Sarah who is waiting for a surprise. So it could be 4 boys in 5 months! How fun to have cousins so close together!
Saturday morning everyone went for a nice nature hike, but me. I'm glad I didn't go because it ended up being longer and rougher than planned. I enjoyed taking a nap and reading in peace. Then that afternoon we headed into town for some shopping and Aggie Icecream.
Here's a bunch of the family playing some Games Saturday Night

Jacob(holding Aezlyn), Alyssa, Grandpa, Bryan, Alyssa, and Kirt

Sunday we went to Bryan and Alyssa's condo and took turn in their shower. Boy it felt good to get clean. We headed to church at 1:30 and then Grace and I went back to Bryan's for a nap. By the time we made it back up to camp it was pouring rain and everyone had decided to pack up Camp. So we tore our tent down, ate dinner and headed to Smithfield to stay at Jacob and Alyssa's place. We had fun out of the storm and enjoyed sleeping in a bed!

Monday morning we headed home, but we stopped by my Granparents house in Garland on the way. It was really fun to see them, we haven't seen them since Thanksgiving last year!

So all in all it was a great weekend, with lots of good food and fun.

Some of our Summer Projects

Boy this summer has flown by! We have been so busy and had so much fun... here's a little bit of the "work" we've done.

This shed is only here thanks to the help of our good friend Woodson! I wasn't much help at lifting heavy loads, and Ben would have killed himself doing it alone. Thanks so much!

Our Backyard, with my coveted Shade canopy. Unfortunately it got knocked over in the big storm over the weekend and probably won't last much longer. :(

But notice our Beautiful White Fence!!!!!!! I can't express how happy it makes me to look out and not see a field of weeds invading my backyard. Thanks so much to Ben's Dad and brothers from saving us from having to do it alone! Ben and I did the posts, and then Ben's family came down to help us move some of our poorly placed posts and place the paneling. I love it!
And here is our front yard. I was a little addicted to buying flowers earlier this summer. They looked beautiful but are now overtaking my fall perrenials.
We also did some work inside... Ben learned how to hang ceiling fans (also thanks to Woodson, and his Dad again!). We put in some cupboards in the Laundry room so Grace can't play with the paint anymore, and we did the nursery. And hold your horses Michelle, pictures will be coming as soon as I get the vinyl and curtains up.