I thought I would look at blogs this Sunday afternoon, when to my surprise, I realized I haven't updated my blog since last July! And it looks like I am not the only one. Things come and go and I guess family blogs are one of those things. Unless you figure out how to make money doing a blog, but I don't think I have that ability.
Sunday afternoons used to be my favorite time of the week. A time to relax, read, listen to music, play the piano, visit people. Lately though, I don't enjoy them. I start to feel guilty that I am not using this time to "improve myself" by reading my scriptures or making cookies for a neighbor. I am usually looking at my phone. I like the time where I don't have to do a darn thing. To zone out. Then I feel guilty that this is what I want to be doing with my time.
Today, I am feeling the drain of adult life I guess. I am not complaining, just reflecting on the fact that I once had passions and time to pursue those passions. Now my family is my passion, but it can be a lot of long hours with little show of appreciation or progress in anyway. I am 6 months pregnant, which I am sure is 99% of the reason why I am feeling this way today. This is just a season of my life, but like a lot of young mothers sometimes your identity seems to get swallowed up in the creation, love, and upkeep of little people. I wouldn't trade it for a second! But there are times when I miss just being without someone needing me.
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Cole Wayne Brooks
It took me a month to write down Daisy's birth story, two months for Rocky, and now it seems that it will take three months for Cole.
Cole's pregnancy was long. So long. I literally found out I was pregnant as soon as it is possible to find out you're pregnant. I had gone into the OB to see if there was anything wrong since it had been a year with no baby. They told me to track my ovulation and then come back in a month, they took my blood sample and that was that. Well soon after that visit, I checked my patient portal to view my blood work and saw that I had higher levels (of something I can't remember right now) that indicated I could be pregnant. So, I took a test and sure enough, two lines popped up on my test. It was faint, but I knew. I waited a few more days, took another test, and got two very distinct lines. After two and a half years of trying and a miscarriage, I was finally pregnant. I was so happy, but that joy wore off. I wish it didn't, but morning sickness set in and robbed me of that initial happiness. This time the sickness never really let up. I was still so thankful to be pregnant, but I swiftly remembered that I do not like to be pregnant. I do not glow, I do not think straight, I just don't like it. I do like watching my belly grow, feeling soft and strong movements, and knowing that this is what the Lord wants for me and my family. Anyway, fast forward 9 months from last October to the beginning of June and I was just done. So done. As only a pregnant woman can know. Each day passed and I didn't feel like I was going to make it to that July 1st due date. And I was right! The Friday before Cole was born, I was dilated to a 3 and my midwife told me that if I was in active labor that she would have just popped my water, it was so ready. But since I was technically only 37 weeks, she didn't. We went and saw Cars 3 and then on Saturday, I started having contractions. They would come every 10-15 min and last for 30 or so seconds, but would go away. This kept happening all day Sunday, all day Monday, all day Tuesday, and all day Wednesday. On Monday night they were so strong they woke me up, so I got up and did my dished around 4 in the morning and started walking around my house. That stopped them, so I went back to bed. Thursday morning, I woke up and texted Aaron how done I was. I felt so worn out. But I decided I was going to make the best of the day and clean my house. So I did just that. I let my kids play in the water outside while I vacuumed and mopped. I even made a freezer meal. I hadn't got dressed and was wearing my raggediest clothes. I hadn't showered because the plan was to clean, work, shower, pack my hospital bag, and then lay down. I had cleaned and made lunch for my kids, so it was time to work. But, I ended up talking to my sister Jill at my computer desk instead of working. I was telling her how done I was and how I would love to just go into labor, when I felt a pop. Like Cole had just tapped a bit, as if he heard me say I was ready. I yelled out because I knew it was my water that had just broke! Jill yelled in excitement over the phone, my kids came running, and I ran to my shower. I was slightly panicking because I have never experienced my water breaking on its own. I was also worried that meant Cole would come faster and I wouldn't make it to the hospital, plus Aaron was a solid hour away. I frantically started making calls in my shower as my water broke and my kids asking me what was wrong. I called Heidi who came over right away to take me to the hospital, I called Grandma Rena to come watch all of our kids, and I called Aaron to come. Heidi came over, and we drove to the hospital. I walked in with a towel between my legs. I looked really good too since I hadn't showered or gotten dressed. I didn't even have a bag. Luckily, my contractions hadn't really kicked in. I was registered and admitted. By then I was at a 4 and Aaron was on his way. Heidi stayed with me until Aaron got there. My contractions were starting to get stronger at this point. The nurse showed us our room and then we started to walk the halls. But my contractions hurt too much, so we went back to the room. My contractions were coming closer and were becoming rather painful. I had got to the hospital around 1:30-1:45 and by now it was around 4:00. I don't remember much of the order of events next because my contractions were really starting to take over all my senses. With my previous labors things didn't move as fast, so I wasn't thinking that things were moving as fast as they were. Eventually, we called the nurse at some point and she checked me and was surprised because I had progressed so quickly. I was already at an 8. I hadn't even got my epidural yet, so we sent for it. They came and quickly administered it, but it wasn't not kicking in. Cole was coming and I could feel it all. Which was a very new experience for me. I was in a blur of pain, I remember flicking off the wires that were monitoring me and Cole because they were in my way of bracing my self on the bed, so my nurse put it on my toe. It was now time to push but the only thing that was numb were my legs. They were like cement logs, so they upped my medicine and rolled me to my left side. I could feel the pressure of delivery, but just then my epidural started to work and it was such a relief! My wonderful midwife caught Cole in only a few pushes just in time to miss the pain of the "ring of fire." I delivered him on my side which I loved. Cole was born around 6:00 p.m. and had hair just like Daisy and Rocky. He weight 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 21 inches long. He came nine days early. Aaron was by my side almost the whole time. He had to step back a few times so he wouldn't pass out. But he helped hold my dead weight legs up and was there when it mattered. However by the time it was time to cut the cord, he was sitting down and away. He cut the cord with Daisy and Rocky, but this labor wasn't as smooth and if you know Aaron he gets tunnel vision pretty easily in medically intense situations. Cole came fast and I was so thankful. He got a fair amount of bruising since he popped out so fast.
Now it is three months later and he is a sweet little baby boy. He fills my heart with so much joy. I am so thankful for his presence in our home. He is a our Cole Wayne.
Cole's pregnancy was long. So long. I literally found out I was pregnant as soon as it is possible to find out you're pregnant. I had gone into the OB to see if there was anything wrong since it had been a year with no baby. They told me to track my ovulation and then come back in a month, they took my blood sample and that was that. Well soon after that visit, I checked my patient portal to view my blood work and saw that I had higher levels (of something I can't remember right now) that indicated I could be pregnant. So, I took a test and sure enough, two lines popped up on my test. It was faint, but I knew. I waited a few more days, took another test, and got two very distinct lines. After two and a half years of trying and a miscarriage, I was finally pregnant. I was so happy, but that joy wore off. I wish it didn't, but morning sickness set in and robbed me of that initial happiness. This time the sickness never really let up. I was still so thankful to be pregnant, but I swiftly remembered that I do not like to be pregnant. I do not glow, I do not think straight, I just don't like it. I do like watching my belly grow, feeling soft and strong movements, and knowing that this is what the Lord wants for me and my family. Anyway, fast forward 9 months from last October to the beginning of June and I was just done. So done. As only a pregnant woman can know. Each day passed and I didn't feel like I was going to make it to that July 1st due date. And I was right! The Friday before Cole was born, I was dilated to a 3 and my midwife told me that if I was in active labor that she would have just popped my water, it was so ready. But since I was technically only 37 weeks, she didn't. We went and saw Cars 3 and then on Saturday, I started having contractions. They would come every 10-15 min and last for 30 or so seconds, but would go away. This kept happening all day Sunday, all day Monday, all day Tuesday, and all day Wednesday. On Monday night they were so strong they woke me up, so I got up and did my dished around 4 in the morning and started walking around my house. That stopped them, so I went back to bed. Thursday morning, I woke up and texted Aaron how done I was. I felt so worn out. But I decided I was going to make the best of the day and clean my house. So I did just that. I let my kids play in the water outside while I vacuumed and mopped. I even made a freezer meal. I hadn't got dressed and was wearing my raggediest clothes. I hadn't showered because the plan was to clean, work, shower, pack my hospital bag, and then lay down. I had cleaned and made lunch for my kids, so it was time to work. But, I ended up talking to my sister Jill at my computer desk instead of working. I was telling her how done I was and how I would love to just go into labor, when I felt a pop. Like Cole had just tapped a bit, as if he heard me say I was ready. I yelled out because I knew it was my water that had just broke! Jill yelled in excitement over the phone, my kids came running, and I ran to my shower. I was slightly panicking because I have never experienced my water breaking on its own. I was also worried that meant Cole would come faster and I wouldn't make it to the hospital, plus Aaron was a solid hour away. I frantically started making calls in my shower as my water broke and my kids asking me what was wrong. I called Heidi who came over right away to take me to the hospital, I called Grandma Rena to come watch all of our kids, and I called Aaron to come. Heidi came over, and we drove to the hospital. I walked in with a towel between my legs. I looked really good too since I hadn't showered or gotten dressed. I didn't even have a bag. Luckily, my contractions hadn't really kicked in. I was registered and admitted. By then I was at a 4 and Aaron was on his way. Heidi stayed with me until Aaron got there. My contractions were starting to get stronger at this point. The nurse showed us our room and then we started to walk the halls. But my contractions hurt too much, so we went back to the room. My contractions were coming closer and were becoming rather painful. I had got to the hospital around 1:30-1:45 and by now it was around 4:00. I don't remember much of the order of events next because my contractions were really starting to take over all my senses. With my previous labors things didn't move as fast, so I wasn't thinking that things were moving as fast as they were. Eventually, we called the nurse at some point and she checked me and was surprised because I had progressed so quickly. I was already at an 8. I hadn't even got my epidural yet, so we sent for it. They came and quickly administered it, but it wasn't not kicking in. Cole was coming and I could feel it all. Which was a very new experience for me. I was in a blur of pain, I remember flicking off the wires that were monitoring me and Cole because they were in my way of bracing my self on the bed, so my nurse put it on my toe. It was now time to push but the only thing that was numb were my legs. They were like cement logs, so they upped my medicine and rolled me to my left side. I could feel the pressure of delivery, but just then my epidural started to work and it was such a relief! My wonderful midwife caught Cole in only a few pushes just in time to miss the pain of the "ring of fire." I delivered him on my side which I loved. Cole was born around 6:00 p.m. and had hair just like Daisy and Rocky. He weight 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 21 inches long. He came nine days early. Aaron was by my side almost the whole time. He had to step back a few times so he wouldn't pass out. But he helped hold my dead weight legs up and was there when it mattered. However by the time it was time to cut the cord, he was sitting down and away. He cut the cord with Daisy and Rocky, but this labor wasn't as smooth and if you know Aaron he gets tunnel vision pretty easily in medically intense situations. Cole came fast and I was so thankful. He got a fair amount of bruising since he popped out so fast.
Now it is three months later and he is a sweet little baby boy. He fills my heart with so much joy. I am so thankful for his presence in our home. He is a our Cole Wayne.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Summer 2016 Part 1
We spent the first part of this summer going to physical therapy two-three times a week for Daisy's finger. Who knew such a small finger needed so much special care. Thankfully, her finger is pretty much 99% now. Only a scar. We spent so much time stretching and massaging her finger. It was a source of a lot of grief, but I am glad it has healed.
It is too hot here. This was the first day of 110 plus weather. I decided that froyo was the only way to cope. It helped.
Daisy and Rockwell have played so well together this summer. They really do like each other. I pray they will always be burrito buddies.
My sister-in-law, Heather, had her second baby in June. A few days before she delivered, we Brooks ladies went out for breakfast and pedicures. We were missing Heidi and Brooke, but I was so nice to go out with some of my favorite ladies.
This is Brinley. Daisy was so pleased to hold her. Fresh babies are the best!
We spent a lot of time outside in the water. My kids are so beautifully tan. Daisy's little buns are so white compared to her legs. I love it! Heidi and I set up their "redneck" pool as she calls it. It was a hot day, but it was nice to get in the water.
We also went to Wet 'N' Wild for the first time. It was so fun! Daisy and Piper thought they were hot stuff being able to ride a few rides by themselves. Rocky was a fan too, until it came to the lazy river. He hated it. My kids have yet to take swim lessons, but that is a whole other story.
Aaron's Grandparents on their 64th wedding anniversary. They came to Show Low for their honeymoon. :)
I am always amazing at the drive of kids to play. I took this picture when it was 109 out. It was somewhat miserable, but the push through!
We went and saw Finding Dory and they had this Angry Birds photo booth set up. It was a good day. Although, I am sure this is where we picked up pink eye. The pink eye that moved from one person to another through my whole family (extended too) for weeks.
Memorial Day
This summer has been a busy one. It has also been a very good one. We kicked off our summer by going up to the Brooks cabin on Memorial Day weekend. It was fun, and our kids loved playing with cousins. Unfortunately, Rocky brought the flu with him. For almost the whole month of April and most of May, we had a nasty stomach bug come and go. Rocky took it the hardest. He had thrown up a few days before we headed up the mountain and thought we were in the clear. But, around dinner at the cabin he started to slow down, and I saw that look in his eye. I scooped him up, but it was too late. Grandma's living room got a nice coat of Rocky throw up. He then had some yucky poo for the next few days. One incident on the deck that I will never forget involved me having to use a garbage bag to catch the unmentionable so I wouldn't drip all over the house on the way to the bath. Other than that is was a great weekend.
We tried our best to keep Rocky away from other kids. Hence the pillow. Luckily, no one else caught his bug.
These two are best buds when we get together. Only two days apart and they have the best fun.
Such a nice picture ;)
Monday, February 15, 2016
3 Years Old
I know I say it a lot, but I love Rockwell. He is easy-going, fun, mischievous, and a tad bit of a sensitive boy. He is growing into such a big boy. I pretend he is still my baby, but it is getting harder and harder. He is on the verge of being potty trained. He is so ready but is very frighten of the porcelain throne.
He loves Daisy. She is his best friend. I hope they always are good friends.
I was looking at my phone one day when I caught a glance of Daisy's old swim suit. When I looked a bit closer, it was Rocky. I just laughed! Only when you have big sister do you get to wear a girls swimmy.
Rocky loves cars. He got all of the characters from the movie at Disneyland as his souvenir and for weeks after all I would hear him playing was Cars. I found him in his closet one day happily playing.
He turned three on December 10. We celebrated with donuts. He is a handsome boy.
This is Rocky's birthday interview.
- What is your favorite food? - Cookies
- What is your favorite color? - Blue
- What is your favorite movie? - Race car, Lighting Mcqueen!
- What is you favorite thing to do? - Video Games! (Dad got a Nintendo 64 and he love to just watch him play)
- What is your favorite book? - Nemo (A seek and find book)
- Where is your favorite place to eat? - Taco Bell
- Who is your best friend? - Daisy ❤️
- Where is your favorite place to go? - Grandma's
He still loves to snuggle which is a good thing because I do too! He is still a good snuggling size too. He fits perfectly on my lap. We snuggle most everyday. Ignore my creepy face in this picture.
Rocky got to start Sunbeams this year. It is amazing the difference between Daisy and Rocky. Daisy was so ready and potty trained. Rockwell not so much. I kind of feel like he is getting gypped a little bit on his toy time because of his late birthday. If he had been born only a few weeks later, it would have been a whole other year of nursery. Oh well! He has been going for a few weeks now, and I think he is growing into his new title of Sunbeam.
As you can see, he wasn't too excited.
Can I repeat how much Rocky loves Daisy. He looks up to her and loves to do everything she is. This picture makes my heart happy.
I took Rocky to reading time a few weeks ago at the library. The look on his face perfectly captures childhood to me. I love it.
Rocky steals my phone a lot. He doesn't know how to open it, but he can open the camera. I find a many photos like this one. The view from Rockwell's world.
Rocky has a lot of girls cousins. He loves the though and they seems to love him back.
Last week Rocky was sick. He had a fever and was feeling kind of punk. In the afternoon one day, Daisy tucked him in on the couch so she could dance with and audience, and he fell asleep. You know my kids aren't feeling well when they fall asleep somewhere that wasn't there bed.
Rocky is a bit mischievous. He spits a lot and asks to go into time out (he has learned that time out is the nicer of my punishments, so he has started to request it when he know he has been naughty). He likes to have fun and play. I catch him playing in my pantry all the time. For some reason the cans must seems to make good toys to him. He likes to tease Daisy and it kind of infuriates her sometimes. He sneaks in to bed with me and requests milk all day. He is a picky eater but will eat anything if tricked to. The other day he gagged down some broccoli, and I told him he could spit it out if it was going to make him puke; He refused to spit it out, swallowed and was very proud of himself. He is also talking so much! I love to hear his little mind make connections. A few weeks ago, we ordered pizza for dinner and while we were waiting he asked for cereal. I replied and said we were having "pizza, pizza" like the old little Cesar commercials, to which he replied and said, "cereal, cereal". It made me chuckle. Another time I was on the phone with my Mom, I hung up and Rocky asked me who it was. I told him it was Grandma to which he said with all the enthusiasm he could muster..."I love her!" It was too cute.
Rockwell makes me heart so happy. I am thankful for him everyday.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
I Don't Know Quite How it Happend...
We got a dog! I think anyone who knows me has heard me say, "We will get a dog when our youngest is old enough to pick up the poop." That is not how it played out though. Aaron's mentor at work had one more golden doodle puppy in his litter, and when Aaron sent me her picture, I knew I wanted her. We got her two days before Christmas. She has been in our home about two months and has doubled in size. Her name is Winnie, and I think we kind of like her. Wish us luck as we attempt to train her!
Christmas 2015
The month of December always goes by too fast. I love this month. I love the music, friends, family, and food. I love my kids and the magic they bring.
Daisy was very kind and informed us that it was Rocky's turn to do the start this year. He was happy to do it.
Isn't our tree beautiful! I know Aaron hates the leaves, but this was how our tree looked the first part of the month.
We had the Brooks side over to make gingerbread houses and watch the Christmas devotional. I hope the we started a new tradition.
This is a horrible picture. But I was trying to capture my favorite decorations. I love the Nativity, and how I had it set up.
My favorite night of our Christmas celebrations was this night. We stayed home and watched Home Alone. I also attempted cinnamon rolls for the first time. I was so happy when they actually turned out pretty good.
We went to the Fleming Family Christmas Party per tradition. I love that my kids always get to see Santa and cousins.
Rocky's face cracks me up in this photo. I don't think he is quite sure here...
Daisy had her Christmas Program. I didn't get any good pictures, but she took it very seriously and did a great job.
We got to go up to Pinetop the weekend before Christmas to spend time with my side of the family. I love when we can all get together even though it is always for a short time. The plus was that there was a lot of snow to play in.
I love all of these pictures. I think they speak for themselves. Fun with family.
We went and saw the new Star Wars movie late one night and when we got back this is how I found my nieces and nephews sleeping. Not too comfortable.
It snowed while we were there. It is just good for your soul to see snow falling every now and then.
It has been a while since I have been to my Mom's house around Christmas and I loved it. I snapped pictures of all the decorations that I remember from growing up that have survived the years.
This is my Mom's very old nativity. I remember playing with them. There used to be more pieces. I probably wasn't the only kid who was tempted to play with this nativity.
This was always one of my favorite ornaments.
Along with this one.
A trumpet.
And a big ball of glitter. These, I was taught, belong tucked deep into the tree to make it look fuller.
We also had a get together before Christmas with just Aaron's side. I didn't snap a lot of pictures, but I did get this one of Jeremiah winning our new found Left, Right, Center game from Nathan and Kim. It was fun. I love these people!
At some point during the month Daisy stole my phone and had a little Christmas photo shoot with Rocky and herself. I love these photos. All taken by either herself or Rockwell.
We spent Christmas eve with Heidi and Jeremiah. Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the year. Even as an adult, I love the anticipation and the magic. We ate out and then went back to my house for cinnamon rolls and A Christmas Story.
I think we made them pose...
Our traditional Christmas Eve jammies were also opened.
I didn't snap many pictures of Christmas morning. I decided to just enjoy it instead of taking pictures. Now I wish I had taken some more pictures. This year Daisy wanted a baby crib, play dough, make up, and shopkins. Rocky wanted cars.
We spent the day at Grandma Rena's. It was a nice day. We spent the whole day with family.
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