{Meeting Emmett}

So we snapped pictures of everyone meeting Emmett for the first time and holding him. Obviously, I, Pierce, my mom and Liz got to meet him the moment he came out but I was the only one who got to hold him before they took him to the nursery & since it was the next morning and both our dads and my sister had been waiting all night long to meet him, they got to go in and see him before having to go to work and school. Troopers!

Here is everyone else (my brothers, Mindy & my grandparents) meeting him and everyone getting to hold him for the first time later that night!

{Birth Story: Part 2}

My night nurse, Rachel was awesome. She realized that the day nurse hadn't been making me switch sides every hour to help dilate me quicker so she started doing that & I started progressing much quicker so I was thankful.

Around 11 pm, I was getting so tired and was in hour 12 from the Pitocin and was stuck at an 8. I don't really remember what we were doing but from about 11 pm on, the hours started going so slow. By 12:30 the nurse told me that all that was left was a little rim around my cervix that we needed to break through to get part of the head out so we could call Dr. Smith.

We pushed for a couple hours (till about 2) and the contractions were so painful, that I begged for the anesthesiologist to come in and give me something more than the drip from the epidural. He did and it helped a ton, I asked for about 30 mins to just try and sleep so that I could continue on. Around 3:30 am, I was able to push for another hour before the pain came back worse. I just came to a point where I wasn't sure that I could push anymore. We hadn't called Dr. Smith yet and I was about to just ask for a C-Section because I was so tired and frustrated that I couldn't get that poor baby's head to pop out & Rachel talked to Pierce about preparing himself for a C-Section because she was worried I was just literally stuck.

The hours were all pretty blurry because I was just exhausted. Finally, I pushed enough for the nurse gave us the OK to call Dr. Smith. It was my birthday and it was 5 am. I quickly asked for some more meds at one point because the pain was so bad- I really have no idea how people have natural births! He came in right and drugged me with some great stuff right before Dr. Smith got there. With those meds, I went from just crying to a smile on my face and I was SO ready to push that baby out!

Once the Dr. got there, it felt like it went so quickly- Dr. Smith mentioned that we were shortly coming up on 24 hours since my water had been broken and that at that point they would need to do a C-Section because of the risk of infection. Dr. Smith asked them to get the forceps and vacuum out just in case. But the contractions were coming so quickly and strong and I was able to push about 4 times per contraction but the head was still so tough to get out. All of a sudden, the head was coming and Dr. Smith just grabbed a good hold on it and pulled Emmett out.

The nurse had told me earlier in the evening that they would hand me the baby & if they couldn't get the baby to cry within a few seconds, then she would give the baby over to the respiratory and nursery nurses. She meant it as a precaution but they handed me Emmett, I couldn't even get a glance at him, really because of the position that I was in but Rachel quickly took him away and I knew that he was struggling. Pierce stayed with me as they cleaned me up and Liz and Cheri went over to Emmett and they finally got him to cry. It was such a sweet sweet sound that he was going to be ok. Silent prayer answered. 

Surprisingly, I didn't need an episiotomy or the forceps or vacuum. It was another miracle that I didn't end up in a C-Section. Again, another silent prayer of mine answered.

I was so tired and Emmett was struggling a little bit with his lungs and had so many bruises. They needed to take him to the nursery to be looked at; they quickly let me hold him for a minute and then took him. Pierce didn't even get to hold him before that so I was worried but confident that they knew what they were doing.

 (right after labor- beauty, I know!)

He was born Wednesday May 30th at 6:15 am. 7 pounds 14 ounces, 21 inches of pure happiness and perfection. He had hair the color of Pierce's and big long hands and feet. We were in love instantly.

{Birth Story Part 1: Emmett Jeffrey Walker}

The past 2 weeks have been crazy! We thought that Sunday we would be induced, we got to the hospital and they did the ultrasound and my amniotic fluid levels had gone up which was awesome but the nurse took my blood pressure and it was really really high. I had been swollen for weeks during this pregnancy and my Dr. had just been waiting for high blood pressure or protein in my urine to show any other indication of preeclampsia but I always had "perfect" blood pressure. So the fact it was really high was shocking.... they took a urine sample and found a trace of protein in my urine. Second bad sign. I also had a headache that morning but I don't know if it was from being tired or what. My Dr wasn't on call on Sunday so they called the Dr who was and he said to send me home on bed rest and to see Dr. Smith on Tuesday when their offices were open. Needless to say, I was frustrated but it looked like they weren't going to induce me anyway and the Dr on call obviously didn't know my history of the swelling and that my mom had preeclampsia with all 4 of her pregnancies like my Dr. did. Pierce was pretty upset with the nurse and we both left frustrated and confused.

I rested the rest of Sunday with intentions of resting Monday as well for Memorial Day. I called my friend Tara and she was going to come and watch a movie with me in bed but that morning I got a call from an unknown number so I didn't answer it. They left a voicemail. Pierce and I listened to it before he went to work and it was Dr. Smith. He said that last night he realized that the hospital never called him with my results and he called them late last night and was really upset to hear that they sent me home with high blood pressure & that I needed to call Labor and Delivery immediately to schedule me to be induced Tuesday morning! What!?!?! I really wasn't planning on having my baby for another few weeks. But I called and they set me up for 7:30 am Tuesday May 29.

My Dr. said that I pretty much didn't need to worry about bed rest because I would be induced that next day, so Pierce didn't go to work so we could run a bunch of errands and clean the house to get ready for our baby! Part of me still thought that Tuesday morning would come and that they would end up sending us home again for some reason but we still prepared for baby Emmett.

Tuesday morning we got up early at like 6:30 (I don't think we slept very much the night before from anticipation) and I couldn't eat breakfast so Pierce said he would fast the whole time with me.... cute guy.

We got to the hospital, they took us to our delivery room and we said once we got the Pitocin started, we would call my mom, sister and Pierce's parents over to come hang out for the day. The nurse checked me and I was only effaced a little bit and dilated to a 1. They warned me it would be a long labor! Dr. Smith came in to break my water and as soon as he did, the baby's heart rate dropped so low and the machine started beeping that horrible beeping noise. The nurse asked me to turn on my side and she gave me some oxygen through a mask. A bunch of nurses came in and then the anesthesiologist came in and started asking me a couple questions. Panic struck in and I just looked at Pierce and his face was pretty scared as well. After a couple minutes, the heart rate went up and they said that they could clear the OR room and we didn't need to go do an emergency C-Section anymore. They can only let the baby go 10 minutes with low oxygen and we went about 5 minutes. A prayer was answered right then that our baby was ok.

We called our posse to come hang out and my mom, Bree & Pierce's parents got there and we let them know about the scare but that everything was ok now. They needed the baby to "recover" for a couple hours so they couldn't start the Pitocin until 11 am so we were guessing the baby would come right before midnight or Wednesday morning- which was my birthday.

(Bree- my personal hair stylist during Labor)

The rest of the day was hanging out, watching a couple movies, my dad and grandparents from Arizona came for a bit to say hi and I got an epidural. That was the majority of how I would describe 11 am to about 7 pm. I slowly was dilating but it was S.L.O.W. I think I was at a 5 by 7 pm when the nurses changed shifts.

{life as a preggers: week 28}

Baby Emmett,

I have to say that this was a great week! I am over coughing from the Chlorine incident and think we both will be A-OK! I got a free pre-natal massage and pedi from the people at Treehouse and I LOVED being able to lay on my stomach-- this is huge deal because I haven't been sleeping well since week 18 because I was so used to being on my tummy. We had a pretty fun weekend and Dad and I will have to make every date night count since it might be awhile to do those after you are born. Keep the growing up and I we are getting closer and closer until your arrival!

Love Mama.

PS. Here are a few pictures of Mom and Dad as babies and toddlers-- I wonder which features you will get from us!

Daddy:

Mommy:

{got my hair did}

So about a week or so ago, I got my hair done! I haven't really done anything to my hair color for years so it was fun to change it up a little bit and I really like it!

I was going to do the ombre but was talked out of it by a few people so my hair guy decided to do some carmel highlights! Still secretly wanna try the ombre but that can be for another day!

{more birthday pictures}

So I was looking through some pictures and I forgot that I had more pictures from Pierce and my birthday!

Pierce's family dinner @ Joy Luck!

My husband looking unamused that we were taking photos of him- but he is so cute, how can we not!?

Pierce's family dinner for my birthday @ Fuji Steakhouse (we obviously like Asian a lot haha)

{1 year and counting}

It’s so crazy to think that we have come upon and passed our 1^st anniversary! It is a weird thing to describe because I remember the day like it was yesterday but I forget what it’s like to sleep by myself or not have Pierce be my husband! We feel so blessed with this past year and everything we’ve accomplished and been through. They say the first year of marriage is tough- I would agree with that. But it’s so worth every fight, I mean, discussion ;) We’ve really come into our own groove of life now and are even closer as friends and spouses.

This year was kind of crazy and we ended up having to celebrate our special day a few days before on Friday. We went to Christopher’s Steak House in Draper. Really good food but really pricy! Luckily, we had a Groupon from Pierce’s Mama Liz. (Thanks!) We went all out to celebrate and got appetizers, drinks and dessert along with our yummy yummy steaks! Then we shuffled on over the Jordan Commons and saw the new X-men movie! It was really great and I would recommend it to anyone! We were stuffed to our britches so we didn’t need any treats for the movie! Friday my back started hurting and I was really uncomfortable during the movie, so Pierce rubbed my back as well when we got home (more on that a little bit later).

Saturday- we slept in and didn’t do a whole lot, something we really enjoy doing! My cousin Melissa got married later in the afternoon and it was really such a blessing to be able to see 2 people be sealed in the same room we were almost 1 year ago! When you get married, you don’t really remember a whole lot of what your sealer is saying but you remember the feeling- so I LOVED that we could listen to the sealer’s words (& remember them) and reminisce on our special day. They later had a reception that night down at Thanksgiving Point, which was beautiful and had such perfect weather! Here are a couple pictures from the day!

Sunday we got up and took Pierce’s parents to the airport! They were off to London for a Church History tour/celebration of the King James’ Bible. We then were getting ready for church but I wasn’t feeling super great and my back was KILLING so I ended up in bed trying to get some sleep. Pierce was so great taking care of me and it really made me grateful that I had him! We then went to my mom’s for dinner and hung out a bit there. It was really great food as always!

About my back hurting- I ended up going to the Dr’s Monday because I couldn’t stand the pain any longer. I had a Kidney Infection and was grateful that this whole past week I’ve had a caring loving Husband who takes care of me “even in sickness”.

So here we go... June 5th 2010:

December-ish 2010 (6 Months):


And then June 4th 2011:



Pierce-

You are my best friend. You are my companion and love. You are my everything. Without you, life wouldn’t be as meaningful or exciting. You balance me in life and remind me that life is meant to be enjoyed and not just endured! You are my rock and I look up to you and am glad to be beside you in this life and the next. Eternity couldn’t be long enough and I am thankful you’ve chosen me as your wife! I am so excited and grateful for the future that you work hard to have along side me! I love you so much!

Love,

Your wife, best friend and lover!

Karissa

{DMV- Dumb, Mundane & Vile}

I just had to share a funny DMV story that I had earlier last week.
I was telling Pierce how I thought 21 sounded so much older than 20. Anyway, I had to get a new Driver's License... I have been avoiding getting one since we've gotten married because every time I go to the DMV- I have problems and I end up a grumpy gills (who is with me!?!)

Anyway, I get there prepared... SSN, Birth Cert., Marriage License- Feeling Great! I wait for about 10 mins in the line to get the number to then wait to be helped... and because not only has my address changed to our apartment, my parents don't live at the same house when I got my license....she told me I would need 2 pieces of mail proving I live at the new address. I really don't want to go home and then come back so I dig in my car glove box to find something that had my name and address. Found our check book and my car registration. Awesome!

Wait in line for another 20 mins blah blah blah... get up to the counter to make the change, guy is super nice and quick- I pass the vision test (thank goodness!) and he prints out my temporary and I stroll out thinking life is just great. My visit wasn't as horrible as I thought. I am walking out and checking out my photo for the first time- happy that it looks somewhat good! Yay! Then I read my new name and address and...

And a close up....

Hair Color says GRY. GRAY!!!! What?!- turning 21 shouldn't give me Gray hair yet!!!

So I call Pierce:
Me: Does it matter that the guy put Gray hair on my license?!?
P: Yes it probably does. Are you still there?

Me: (in my car & hoping he will help me justify not going back in) No, I am down the road.

P: You should probably go and change it.

Me: Ok......(whining)

I go back in and wait another 20 mins in the line to get a number! Get to the front and beg the lady that I should just go have the same man change said misstake and she says "Fine". WHOO HOO!

The guy was all weird about changing it and trying to tease me about being old and/or having kids that make your hair gray etc. I wasn't too amused. He said it would be changed on my permanent license, but for now I am a 21 year-old GRAY haired woman! Happy Birthday to me!

{happy birthday to me!}

Well the past few weeks have been so fun and so busy! I feel badly it's taken this long for me to post about our lives!

First off, I had my 21st birthday! I started the official day out with a nice 90-min massage, I highly recommend them :)

Then Pierce and I went to Noodles and Co. and 2 of my besties joined us! Haley and Tara....

I love these girls and was so happy that I got to see them!

Then that night, we went to CPK for dinner with my mom and siblings! I didn't take any pictures but it was delish!

My cute husband spoiled me with some great gifts: a book (Water for Elephants-haven't started but heard it's great), some lace earrings I wanted from Etsy (pictured above), a book that he made of our first year of marriage and some clothes! Loved it all!

Then Tuesday night, I went with my grandparents and dad to Olive Garden, again no pictures but it was really yummy!!

Wednesday I got to go out with my in-laws and Chase & Helen!! See, I am spoiled! We went to one of my favorites, Mt. Fuji- it's a great Hibachi style place on 106th and State! You should check it out- you won't be disappointed.

Then we went back to Jeff & Liz's house for some great Nothin' Bundt Cake and gifts! Here are a couple photos snapped and you can see my birthday cake on my Brother-In-Law's Photo A Day site here.

Some other highlights were a card from my friend Carly who is at the MTC and another lunch date that Friday with Tara (we also get to work together which I LOVE)!

All in All! It was a great birthday weekend!