March Happenings

I'm quickly realizing, I have no time for blogging anymore.  The only time I get is when both babies are asleep, which usually means I'm going to take a nap too since I'm up usually most of the night with our new little Tanner.  But, since this is where I document all of my life's events, I'm trying my hardest to stay caught up.  Here is a little of what we were up to during the month of March. 

We spent a lot of March working on the yard.  Casey is trying to get it cleaned up as much as possible so Mason can enjoy playing in our yard this summer.  We had 3 large tree stumps that needed to be removed, so thanks to the help of Casey, Ryan and my dad, they were able to remove the tree stumps.  My dad drove the tractor up from the shop on a Saturday morning.  Removing the tree stumps ended up being a lot more work then I had anticipated, it ended up taking all day long.  We also wanted to remove this large tractor tire, but found out it was going to cost almost $100 to take it to the dump.  The tire still sits in our backyard until we decide what to do with it.  All three tree stumps are now gone from our yard, now it's onto the next yard project.

Casey's sister Caitlin had her baby boy on March 14, 2014.  After being a week overdue, she was finally induced.  We got to meet baby Isaac a few days after he was born.  We are excited for Isaac and Tanner to grow up together and be great friends that are also cousins.

My cousin Emily had her baby boy, Branson, on March 19th.  Emily and I are only 5 months apart.  We've grown up together and been best friends.  Now we have babies that are only 6 days apart.  We are excited for them to be great friends.

I decided it was probably time to get out all the baby gear and get it ready for our new baby.  Mason loved playing in the car seat and bouncer.  All on his own Mason went into the playroom and grabbed my Johnny doll.  He brought it out and put him in the bouncer.  He rocked the bouncer pretty hard that the doll flew out.  Mason is a great older brother, but we definitely keep a pretty close eye on Mason when Tanner is in his bouncer. 

CHEESE!

We took Mason to the zoo the Friday before Tanner was born.  Casey had the day off work so we decided to spend it with our little family of 3.  Mason loved the zoo.  He pointed at everything.  Although his favorite was probably the bobcat tractor and the carousel. 

On March 25th our little Tanner was born.  He has been such a joy to have in our family.  We love him so much!

That was our month of March!!

Introducing...

We'd like to introduce the newest member of our family, Tanner Kimball Mecham.  Although our lives have completely changed since he has been here, we couldn't feel more blessed and grateful that he is part of our family. 

I want to remember Tanner's birth so here it is.
At about 35 weeks, baby started measuring a little small.  Along with the fact that he had a small amount of fluid in his kidney's and he was measuring small, my doctor decided to send me to a perinatologist.  After visiting with the perinatologist, he said everything looked good and he had no concerns about the health of this baby.  So I continued with my weekly appointments with my doctor.  At my 38 week appointment, my doctor surprised me with the news that he, along with the perinatologist, had decided to induce me at 39 weeks, which would be Tuesday, March 25th.  I was full of emotions:  shocked, scared, excited, and worried.  I didn't want to be induced.  I knew if there was anything wrong with this baby, it would rest on my shoulders for the rest of my life that maybe I should of waited to go into labor and the baby would of been fine.  I trusted my doctor though and we set up an induction date for that following Tuesday.   
That next week, we spent the time getting ready.  It's kind of nice knowing when you'll be induced because it gives you a chance to get everything done.  Monday night I was a complete wreck.  I wasn't ready for this baby to come, I wasn't ready to have to spend the next 2-3 days in the hospital away from my little Mason.  Casey gave me and Mason a blessing, which calmed my worries and I was able to get a little bit of rest that night. 

At about 3 in the morning, I started feeling some back pain.  It was enough to keep me up throughout the rest of the night, but not enough to really think much more of it (my back was constantly hurting me throughout the whole pregnancy).  I tried to relax and get as comfortable as possible. 
6 in the morning came soon enough.  I went and kissed my little Mason good-bye then Casey and I were off to the hospital.  Mom came and stayed with Mason that morning, I knew he would be in good hands while I was away.
Mom sent me these pictures while I was in labor.  I was so happy that she kept me updated, I was missing my little guy so much!

We got to the hospital and waited to be checked in.  A group of UVU nursing students walked by.  All of them were girls, except one boy.  I thought to myself I hope he's not one of my nurses today. 
We got checked in and they took me to a room.  I got dressed in a gown, then they hooked me up to a monitor.  Come to find out the back pain I had been feeling earlier, were actually contractions.  They were coming about every 2 min. apart.  I couldn't believe it, they wouldn't have to induce me after all, it was such a relief and one of the many answered prayers that we offered that morning. 
My nurse came in, it was the same nurse that helped deliver Mason.  Along with her came the UVU student boy nurse,  You lose all privacy when having a baby, so I guess it wasn't that big of a deal, just a little embarrassing. 
After inserting the IV, hooking me up to all the monitors, they decided to see how far along I was.  I was at a 5.  The nurse said that her other patient was ready for delivery, so she'd be back in a little while. 
Meanwhile, my contractions were becoming a little unbearable.  I kept asking Casey to go find the nurse so we could get an epidural and he said just wait for 10 more minutes.  Finally, at about 9, I got the epidural.  I felt so much better and was even able to relax a bit while Casey ran to McDonald's for some breakfast. 
The nurse came in to see where I was at, I was at a 7.  My doctor came in around 11:20 and broke my water.  I went from a 7 to a 10 in about 2 minutes.  We waited for the doctor to come back so he could deliver our baby.  At 11:51 I was ready and at 11:52 our little Tanner was born.  Everything happened so fast.  Casey was very nervous about cutting the umbilical cord.  When Tanner was here, the cord was too short for Casey to cut.  Just another answer to prayers.   
Our little Tanner was 6lbs. 9oz. and 18" long.  After cleaning him off and wrapping him in blankets, I got to hold our little guy for the first time.  For about an hour, it was just me, Casey, and the newest member of our family.

 

Casey and Tanner went to the nursery, for Tanner's first bath, while I got settled in my room.  Mom and dad came to see how I was doing and to meet Tanner. 
Throughout our hospital stay we had many family members come visit us.  We are so grateful for the love and support that family and friends have shown to us in this special time in our lives. 

Tuesday night, my sister Merilee brought our little Mason down to the hospital.  For the first time our little family was together.  Although Mason showed very little interest in me or our new little Tanner, I know that he loves his new brother.  Adjusting to this new change in our family has definitely been a little challenging for our little Mason, but everyday Mason will do some small act of love and kindness towards our little Tanner.  Mason loves sitting on the bed while I change Tanner's diaper or while he is being bathed.  Mason loves to give Tanner his binkey when he is sad and crying.  The other day Mason even covered Tanner with Mason's blanket and for those of you who know Mason well enough, know Mason loves his blankets.  I know Mason will be able to teach Tanner his loving, kind, and happy personality and I know Mason will be a great brother and always watch out for Tanner.  I'm excited to watch them grow together and become BEST friends!
We got to bring Tanner home from the hospital on Thursday, March 27th.  I was so ready to go home and be together with our new little family. 

We couldn't be more grateful at this time for this new little addition to our family.  We are so grateful that he is here healthy and safe.  I was constantly worrying over how I was going to love Tanner as much as I love my little Mason.  Everyone told me it just comes naturally.  They were right!  The moment I saw him I was totally smitten.  I love my little family.    

Mason at 18 Months

Mason is 18 months already.  I can't believe our little guy is already a year and half.  The time has seemed to fly by.  I wish I could freeze Mason is this stage, he's gotten quite the personality and I love every minute I get to spend with him.

Here is an update of Mason at 18 months old. 
Weight:  Mason weighs 22lbs., which is in the 26th percentile.

Height:  Mason is 32 inches tall, which is in the 48th percentile.

Head circumference:  Mason's head is now 19 inches, which is in the 73rd percentile.

Teeth:  Mason has a mouthful of teeth.

Sleeping:  Mason is sleeping through the night like a champ.  He also continues to take 2 naps a day. 

Talking:  I think Mason is saying things, but sometimes I think it's just my imagination.  I think I've heard him say:  "uck" for truck, "hi", "arf" for a doggy barking, "look", "uh oh",  and a few others.  This past month Mason has really started talking more.  He talks to me like were having a really important conversation.  I love hearing this little guy talk, even though most of the time I have no idea what he is saying. 

Eating:  Mason continues to be a great eater.  I have finally gotten Mason to drink plain milk, as long as he's drinking it from a sippy.  If you try to feed him milk with his cereal, he'll just spit it out.  Mason loves the shapes chicken noodle soup, grapes, apples, yogurt, pizza, toast and jam, pickles, and cheese.  These few things seem to by my go-to meal if he won't eat anything else. 
A big shocker is that Mason doesn't seem to really like ice cream.  He'll eat about 2 bites then he's done.  This is a shocker because Casey and I are both ice cream-aholics!  In a way it kind of works out nicely, because we don't have to share our ice cream or get a bigger size so Mason can have some.  This past month Mason has learned to like soda pop.  He takes a drink of it, then makes a funny face, like he doesn't really like it, then he'll drink some more.  I love watching him drink soda. 

Movement:  Mason has really gotten good and fast at walking.  He's pretty much faster than me sometimes.  Mason loves to walk ahead of you a few feet, then he loves to hear you say, "I'm gonna get you."  He takes off walking a little faster and laughs and laughs.
Mason has gotten really good at climbing up and down our stairs.  He pretty much just slides right down them on his tummy. 

Other:  Mason loves being outside.  With the mild weather, we've gotten to already go to the park, Riverwoods, and outside in the yard many times.  Mason will usually cry when it's time to come back inside.  The park has become a Sunday ritual for us, after church, morning nap, and lunch we usually head to the park.  Mason loves climbing up the stairs to the slide then sliding down the slide, all by himself, on his tummy.  While at the park, Mason also loves to chase after the dogs that come to the park each Sunday afternoon.   

This past month Casey took Mason to get his first Harley trike.  Mason loves riding it up and down the driveway.

By the time Mason is 19 months old, we will have a new little addition to our little family.  We know Mason is going to make a great older brother.  We are so grateful Mason is part of our family.  Not a day goes by that this little guy of ours doesn't make us happy, smile, and laugh.  We feel so blessed to call Mason "ours." 

 

Happy half birthday little guy, we love you!

February Happenings

February is over and I can't believe it's already March.  Here is a few things we had been up to in the month of February. 

1.  We started February off by celebrating Ry's birthday.  Meg planned a little birthday party for Ry at Bajios in the Riverwoods.  Everyone was able to attend, except Casey and Mason.  Mason was not feeling well and we thought it best for him to stay home that night.  So, Casey watched Mason at home while I went to Ry's party.  At the birthday party, Ry and Meg announced that they are having a baby BOY!  That's 4 baby boys in my family in less then 6 months.  We are so excited for all these baby boy cousins to be great friends. 

2.  Mason found a new toy.  He loved sitting in his laundry hamper while Casey pulled him around the kitchen. 

3.  I took Mason to Toys R Us where he loved riding in their little display cars.  Mason was so sad when it was time to leave.  It seems to be the simple things that makes our little Mason so happy. 

4.  Our neighbors across the street are redoing their backyard.  One day they had a dump truck and a tractor that was hauling dirt to the back of the dump truck.  Mason could of sat by the window all day watching the tractor dump the dirt. 

5.  Amy, Lin, and I took the kids to the park.  We went to McDonald's for lunch then took it to the park and ate it then let the kids play around.  Mason had so much fun swinging and going down the slides, but his favorite seemed to be climbing up and down the stairs to the different slides. 

6.  Mason got Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease this past month.  It seems like our little guy was sick most of the month of February.  He was one miserable little guy for a couple of days, we are so glad he is feeling better. 

7.  After Mason started feeling better, we took him to the PBR to ride the carousel.  He showed absolutely no emotion while riding it, but as soon as it was time to get off he walked right back onto the carousal and wanted to ride it again. 

8.  We've had fun listening to and making our little Mason laugh. 

9.  I did some major cleaning this past month to get ready for baby #2 to come.  I washed Mason's car seat.  He loved sitting in it in the house.  I also threw away all Mason's binkies that he had when he was just a newborn baby.  It was a little sad, but probably about time. 

10.  I took Mason down to the shop to eat lunch.  Mason loved riding the 4-wheeler with grandpa.  Mason also loved helping grandpa run some of the machines. 

11. Casey brought us home donuts one morning after he got done at the gym.  Mason loved his chocolate covered donut. 

We had such a great February.  We are looking forward to March and warmer weather.