Every new beginning is some other beginning's end...

Thursday, May 26th.  Finally the long awaited day had arrived.  We were told the previous night to be at the hospital by 7am.  Neither Megan or I could sleep all that well.  We were both incredibly nervous, but evermore so excited.  Megan was ready to be done being pregnant, and we were both ready for the new addition to our family.

We left Koby with Megan's sister Emily (Thanks Emily for taking care of crazy boy #1).  The hospital was about 10 minutes away from our house, so it gave Megan and I a little time to mentally prepare for what was to come.  But still, with every turn, I could feel the anxiety in both of us rising.  We got to the hospital a little early.  They set us up in a room right away.  The nurse we had, Annette was great, and before long we had received the tour, found out where the DVDs and snacks were, and Megan was all IVed up.  Luckily this time it only took one stick,with Koby it took five.  I think Megan was more nervous about that than she was the labor and delivery part.

Anyway, not long after Megan started receiving the pitocin contractions began.  The doctor broke her water, which was a very interesting sight to see, and then the nurse asked her if she wanted to epidural.  Megan said she would wait, but the nurse said that they had a bunch of ladies just admitted and a few more coming in to be induced, so if they didn't do it soon, she might have to wait a while.  With that info, Megan decided to get it then, and I'll tell you what, I was a fan of that.  Megan was so nice to me, no yelling, no telling me to stop talking or eating.  We just sat and enjoyed each others company and even took a nap.  When Megan was in labor with Koby, I was eating chips, and apparently the crunching and the noise of the bag weren't two things that pregnant lady was not fond of.  This time I contemplated bringing marshmallows in a pillow case, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that would be a terrible snack...  The only bad thing was she had to get the epidural twice.  Apparently the first time the doctor hit a blood vessel.  He had to redo everything. Poor girl.

Right after the epidural

Ok, back to labor.  Megan and I just talked and rested for the next couple hours.  Megan was in heaven with the drugs.  She even said she felt like she was in a spa.  Later Rachel, Sean, and their new little boy Charlie came to visited us at 12pm.  They brought me lunch and stayed and visited for a couple hours.  It was fun.  The nurse came back in right as they left around 2pm to check how Megan was progressing.  She was only dilated to 4.  Megan was a bit frustrated, but at least she wasn't in pain... yet.  Since she wasn't progressing too fast, the nurse stripped Megan's membranes.  Doesn't sound fun.  The nurse said she would be back around 3:30pm to check on her again.  We just sat there and played the waiting game.

Around 3:00pm or so Megan started feeling some pain.  She hit the epidural button a few times, but that didn't seem to help.  We didn't want to call and bug the nurse (mistake), because she said she would be back at 3:30pm, so we just waited.  Things got worse and worse.  Megan kept saying, "I don't think the epidural is working."  I just said, "Ahhhhh, you want me to get someone?"  We waited till 3:55pm, at which time Megan was grabbing the bed rails in pain, till I finally went out to grab the nurse.  She came in and checked Megan and told her that she was dilated to an 8.  She asked if she needed a boost in her epidural.  A boost?!  There is such thing as a boost?!  Needless to say, she took it.  The only bad thing was it was going to take 10 minutes or so for it to kick in.  The nurse checked her again 5 minutes after the "boost" and said that she was at a 10.  She went to go get the doctor.  It was 4:10pm.



I was left alone with Megan writhing in pain.  Megan kept telling me something was coming out.  I was just like, "they said they would be right back."  I'm such an idiot.  The doctor and the nurse finally got back at about 4:25pm.  The doctor lifted the sheets and said, "Wo, there's the head!"  The nurse and I lifted Megan's legs and POP, out he came.  I am not even sure if she pushed...

Lincoln was born at 4:28pm on May 26th.  He was 7lbs 7oz and was 20in long.

After they cleaned him up, we got to spend almost an hour with him.  It was nice.  In a lot of ways we thought he looked like Koby, but he also had a lot of his own looks.  We were pretty happy to say the least.

I went do to the nursery with Lincoln for his shots and what not and then went back up to make sure Megan was doing alright.  She was hungry from not really eating the entire day, so she order some honey pecan chicken and mashed sweet potatoes.  She only ate a few bites, so I got to finish the rest and to my surprise, it was really good.  I was almost as excited about the food as I was have a new baby.  I told all of our visitors about that chicken... man that chicken...

Before Lincoln came back they moved Megan to a new room.  We called Emily and told her to come and bring Koby.  I went in to the nursery to see how things were going, and he was all ready to be carted back to Megan's room.

Koby, Emily, Shane, Sean, Rachel, and Charlie came to visit.  Before they all came in they sent Koby in by himself to meet Lincoln.  He had a balloon for Lincoln and Megan.  He came right up to Lincoln and gave him a kiss on his head.  It was pretty fun to see.

We sat and visited awhile with everyone.  We were still deciding on a middle name, but after a lot of thought we decided on Kenji (健二).   We wanted to do my middle name Kenichi (健一), but that name can only be used for a first born son, so we figured we could pass on the first character of my middle name and change the ending so it could be used for a second born.  I am really happy we did.  I am grateful that Megan liked it.

I went home after the visit and helped Emily put Koby to bed and then came back to the hospital to help out there.  It was nice spending some time with just Megan and Lincoln.  Although we didn't get much sleep that night, I was grateful to be there to help Megan out when I could.

 

We woke up around 7am the next morning.  We both felt bad that we had been away from Koby as long as we had, and we were sure Emily was exhausted from trying to keep up with him.  We decided that I should go give her some relief.  Although I didn't want to leave the hospital I was glad to have some time to hang out with Koby.

That morning we took Koby to visit Megan and the baby for awhile, which was exhausting because all Koby wanted to do was push the buttons that made Megan's bed move... good times.

Afterwards we went down to Provo and Koby, Emily, and I hiked to "Y" with Sean, Rachel, and Charlie.  It was fun, but Koby only made it up the first switchback before wanting me to carry him the rest of the way.

It was hard climbing up to the "Y" with Koby on my shoulders, but it was really fun.  We we got to the bottom Koby said, "Daddy let's do it one more time pleeeeeease."  So we did... Just kidding, I would have died if we did.

Megan and Lincoln came home that night.  It was nice to finally have everyone home.  Koby is still getting used to the idea of sharing his parents with someone else, but I think he will do just fine.  It's fun seeing him talk to Lincoln and kiss him on the head, although he has also slapped and attempted to kick him too.  Luckily I was able to grab Koby right before the kick would have landed.

So here we are, two kids now.  The pregnancy that seemed like an eternity has finally come to an end.  The responsibility of being a parent to a second son for an eternity just beginning.  Life is a little crazy now to say the least.  But we are excited for the fun and adventures the future holds for our little family.  I have never felt more overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility when holding our kids, but at the same time I have never been so overcome with joy.  Hopefully we don't screw these two kids up :)

The end WAS near.

Monday the hospital called and said to be ready to be called in between 7 a.m. and noon on Tuesday. Em came over and spent the night. I had all the laundry and dishes done. A meal was in the fridge for Em and Koby. We were all packed. I woke up at 5:45 and was all ready to go soon after. At 9:30 a.m. the hospital called and said there were 27...27 women in labor and there was no room for me. They said if I went into labor naturally they would have to stick me in an out-patient bed! ONLY IN UTAH...right?! And lucky me- Wednesday is my doctor's day off.

So here I sit, still pregnant.

I can't tell you how many times the nurse/hospital used the words..."It's called an ELECTED induction." Elected or not, James and I felt like kids that woke up on Christmas to find it cancelled without any promise that is would be rescheduled.

But hey! Today the hospital called and said tomorrow morning, 7 a.m., we get to head in for real.

Koby and I hit up the Bean Museum yesterday and the park today. We had a lot of fun just the two of us and I am grateful for that opportunity. I know it won't happen again for a little while.

3 days shy of 10 months (My sorry picture attempt)

The end is near.

Well, if all goes according to plan, I only have one more full day of pregnancy left! Hallelujah! I give props to women who do this many many times.

James and I went on one last date Friday. I'll admit it wasn't my most enjoyable night since some pretty intense Braxton Hicks contractions decided to start while we were out(and have continued ever since). However, we enjoyed our last night alone for a while:) And hey contractions mean the end is near!

I think Koby we've pounded the idea of a baby into Koby's head. He seems pretty ready now. The other day we were at the park and there were two boys pushing each other on the swings. Koby said, "Come out baby Lincoln so I can push you on the swings!" Today he said, "mommy I need to have a baby in my belly too." Hopefully he will continue to be sweet and not try to harm the little guy.

I must admit that I have been counting down the days until I would not be pregnant anymore and have not given much thought to what we'll be bringing home in a couple days. It's weird that we will now have not one, but two little ones around. My mom won't be able to come out this time, but I am so grateful Emily will be here to take care of Koby. She's his second mom - I will be as worry free as I can be. Rach flies in tomorrow too. That means we get to meet little Charlie!

I'll include a few of the much dreaded pregnancy pictures here just for you mom:)

Run for Innocence Race

Hi everyone!  I try to keep Run for Innocence updates separate from our family blog, but I wanted to let everyone know that Run for Innocence will be sponsoring a limited number of runners in the upcoming Pioneer Day Classic 5k & 10k in Provo, UT on July 23rd.  If you are interested in running with our team, please let me know.

Help us spread the word!  Change the world... one race at a time!

Thanks!

-James

Ready or not...

...we've gone double wide! I was able to combine my birthday money(A BIG THANKS to James, my in-laws, my parents, and my 2 grandmas and grandpa) to purchase a jogging stroller! The thing is a beast, but at least it should burn some extra calories right?



In just 10 short days(hopefully) our life will become a little crazier. We are trying to enjoy every minute with just Koby. Even when I hear "Moooooommy" as he runs in to jump on my bed at 6 am!

Job Opening

Job Description

POSITION:
Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills.  Must be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION:
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
None required. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and this wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right. 

Sounds like a tough job to me, and this is only the description for a mom.  Can you imagine if they added the job description for a wife to this as well?  Laugh at his stupid jokes.  Deal with an over grown child.  Put up with a plethora of smells and stenches.  Smile whenever he tells you about his new business idea or that he wants to switch careers.  I don't know which one is harder, being a mom or a wife...

Anyway, I thought this was interesting, according to this site, click here, Megan should be making well over $170,000 per year for everything she does...  I personally think she is worth a little more, but that is just me.  I might be biased.

In all honesty, Megan does amaze me.  She is a wonderful wife and mother.  This morning she was up at 6:30am making waffles because Koby got up early.  In a few weeks she will be dealing with a newborn on top of that.

Megan is a caring, patient, and kind mother.  She never raises her voice with Koby.  She always takes the time to explain things to him.  She always takes every opportunity she can to teach new things to Koby.  She plays Hot Wheels, teeball, basketball, rides bikes and scooters, plays in the sand box, blows bubbles, does side walk chalk, jumps on trampolines, goes down slides, cooks breakfast, lunch, and dinner, reads books, colors, plays with play-dough, goes on walks, cleans the house, does laundry, and about a million other things I have failed to mention.  And this is all while she is 9 months pregnant.  Crazy.  I know I couldn't do it.  If I had to be pregnant, I would be sitting on the couch watching TV and making my other half do everything I just listed.

Megan is always thinking about her family, putting their needs before her own.  I don't know if she ever has a free minute to do something for herself.  Our home is always clean an in order.  For awhile I was convinced that we had a launfry fairy, because the shirt I wore the previous day was already clean and hanging in my closet.  She is an awesome cook.  If you don't believe me, just have her make you some oreo cookie cheesecake.  She is great at keeping me motivated, at whatever it may be.  She is an awesome personal trainer.  It's nice having one around all the time, except for when she warns me about liquid calories...  She is a great example, a hard worker, and a good friend.

Megan is a great mom, a wonderful wife, and to top it off she is my best friend.  I am so grateful and lucky to have her in my life.  This is a little late, but Happy Mother's Day Meg!  Happy Birthday too!  Koby and I love you like crazy!  So will that little guy baking in your stomach right now...

- Just as a note for clarification, there isn't a "job opening" for the position for wife and mother in my family, I just thought it was a clever title.  So for those who have sent in you resume and application, I am going to have to kindly reject.  Sorry...

The most powerful virtue

"Love, like faith, is a gift from God. It is also the most enduring and most powerful virtue...

Love is like the Polar Star. In a changing world, it is a constant. It is something that, when sincere, never moves. It is the very essence of the teachings of Christ. It is the security of the home... It is a beacon of hope in a world of distress."
-Gordon B. Hinkley

And that is why he wakes up at 5am M-F, goes to sell his plasma, works a full time job, comes home to give some more of himself, studies for the GMAT each night, AND travels around the country on weekends for a SECOND job.

All so Koby can have a stay-at-home mommy. We love James:)