{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.

{Happy 24th Birthday Pierce}

May 9th was Pierce's birthday, he is now the big 24!!

I think he had a pretty good birthday- It was really hard for me to plan a big day because we've been going 20 different directions at 30 mph. The week leading up to his birthday he got from me: a Real jacket, a video game, shirts, shoes & some bath salts- he picked out 99% of those, but hey- as long as he likes it!!

His parents got him some much needed suits for church and when we bless Emmett. His mom also found this hilarious "diaper bag" that looks like a tool bag and says "Daddy's Little Project". So funny.

Pierce had to work the day of birthday so I made him some breakfast and then he left for work. His dad and uncle took him out to lunch for his birthday so that was really fun for him! 

Then he had Lacrosse practice-- so I took his team some cookies and then the Team Mom brought a huge chocolate cake with 24 candles and all the girls sang to him. He was a little embarrassed I think!

We then went out to dinner at Bonsai with Jeff and Liz and that was really good food and always fun with those two!

 My goof ball! He doesn't like people singing so of course we rang a gong and sang really loudly!!

Throughout the day, he got calls and texts from family, siblings and friends wishing him a happy day and I know it meant a lot to him!

To my Birthday Boy:

I love you. Everything about you. You deserve a great birthday and many more to come. Thank you for being such a great friend and husband to me. Thank you for being patient and understanding. Thank you for choosing me and I can't wait to celebrate an eternity of birthdays with you!

Love,

Wifey

{Liz's Birthday Bash: Part 2}

Saturday evening, they got the kids a babysitter and all the adults went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner and then Hunger Games. Emmett was a stinker and was up in my ribs at the start of the movie and was making me just super uncomfortable and so Pierce and I ended up having to leave early but we had seen it already so I wasn't too mad at Emmett ;)

Sunday: we all got up at 9 am and went to Jeff & Liz's sacrament, it was HOT in there (at least for me haha) and then Pierce and I went home because we had to teach our sunday school class and the rest of the group had brunch- sad we missed out on that! 

Then Pierce and I were in charge of the Easter Egg Hunt for the grandkids, so we set that all up and had fun watching them run around and gather all the eggs. It will be weird next Easter when Emmett is running around- ok maybe not running but still haha! 

We had "bunny bucks" in some of the eggs that the kids cashed in for a big present along with all the candy- Ava got a Barbie, Locke got a Lego car and the babies got Animal Books. They all also got a picture of Jesus with a child. It turned out really fun and successful I think!

Easter dinner was delish! My family got to come to dinner and they went back for thirds I'm pretty sure! Cade made the meal and it was heaven! I don't even think there were much left overs. Also, we got my mom's cake pops....and chocolate pie! It might possibly be one of my favorite things.

Sunday night Chase and Helen put together these family games all about Liz or the year she was born etc... it was so fun and we won some soap- which we really needed so thanks guys!

It turned out to be a great weekend- busy- but great and I am glad that I got to celebrate a wonderful woman's birthday in such a great way! Happy Birthday Liz, we love you!

{Liz's Birthday Bash: Part 1}

So Pierce's mom just turned 50 this past week and we wanted to celebrate in a big way....for about a month or so, Pierce's siblings and dad had coordinated that all the kids and grandkids to fly out on Friday to surprise her. It was really hard for me to live this double life and a few times I almost spilled the beans...luckily I didn't!! Anyway, her actual birthday was Thursday- so Wednesday night, we went to the airport and picked up a lovable puppy for her gift from Jeff. It was partly a distraction so she wouldn't suspect anything in the next 2 days and also because she loves Newfoundland dogs.

Thursday, Liz's good friends threw a surprise birthday lunch for her at Tuscany that I got to go to-- so delicious and fun to see her surprised! They gave her a hard time with all the "Over the Hill" and "Old Age" stuff but I hope I look like that at age 50!

 Thursday night, we had to watch the new puppy Louie so Jeff could take Liz on a special birthday dinner. She kept wanting Pierce and I to come but we had to make up about 100 different stories about why we should just go out on Friday etc.... luckily (luckily? or unluckily?) Pierce is a great liar and got her convinced we should just go grab some dinner and a movie Friday so she agreed.  Chelsea and Travis flew in with their kids that night and stayed at a hotel so we got to quickly say hi to them that night!

Friday morning, we got up and Chelsea came over and we went and ran errands for the party that night. Everyone else was flying in and Pierce had to be at work to keep up the story and in case Liz stopped by to see him and Jeff. She was really tired from the um-- puppy/monster and tried to get out of doing anything with us, but Pierce knew how to convince her to come and meet for at least dinner (wink wink). 

We got the party set up once everyone arrived and then Jeff got to the restaurant early so we could have the hostess lady tell Liz and Jeff we would be eating in the private room...she pulled back the doors and we were all standing there and yelled Surprise!! Needless to say, she was surprised and she is a hard person to dupe! We enjoyed dinner at Joy Luck and then went back to the house for cake and ice cream. The cake was divine!

Saturday Morning: we all met up at Johanna's Kitchen for breakfast and then headed up to Hogle Zoo!

Here are some favorite pictures from there, Pierce took a majority of them!