Rylan Ann Palmer

This post about Rylans birth is very long overdue seeing as how she is already 3 1/2 months old but better late than never right... After much contemplation I decided that getting started was the lesser of two evils. Having the doctor that gave me my epidurals for both Jackson and Benton really scared me. With Benton my right leg didn't have any feeling until 24 hours after I had had him and I can't imagine anything worse than having 3 kids and being paralyzed in one of my legs. When I talked to my doctor about my concern, he told me that the only way to get around not having Dr. Patel give me my epidral was to schedule my labor for a day that he was not on call. But, I was also very nervous to get started. Part of me always worried that maybe Rylan wouldnt be ready to come yet and that there could be some complications caused because of my decision. At my last appointment my doctor said that Rylan was ready to come and that I was already starting the labor process on my own and so we chose a date to have our baby. Mo and I dropped the boys off at my parents on Sunday night to go to our 9 o'clock PM appointment. It was kindof crazy just showing up to have our baby. I was actually really nervous- when you are already having contractions the pain counteracts the fear but because there was no pain for me there was lots of fear. For the most part everything went fine. The only scary part was that when they gave me my epidural my heart rate dropped and Rylans heart rate took a big dive which was a major concern to the labor and delivery nurses. Three of them ran in and one of them gave me a big shot in the arm to immediately stop the labor. I had a moment of panic that maybe there had been a reason for my hesitation to get started but very quickly Rylans heart rate was under control. I had to wait about an hour until they hooked me back up to the pitocin to help my contractions along. The only bad part about that was itching like crazy from the epidural. But, I would taked itching and being able to feel my legs any day over being scared that I wasnt going to be able to walk. The epidural was actually really cool- I could feel that I was having a contraction but there wasnt any pain until the very last couple of pushes as Rylans head came out. She was born at 3:09 AM... she was exactly 7 lbs and 20 inches long. She was a beautiful baby right from the beginning. We both thought that she looked just like Jackson but we are not so sure anymore. She was definitely really alert like he was where as Benton preffered to sleep. Mo was such a proud husband and daddy. After they hooked me back up to the pitocin she came so fast that my mom didnt have a chance to make it down before she was born. She was pretty shocked to come into the room to see that we had already had her. After about 10 minutes I started to feel really sick... I had to throw up a few times and I guess that is not uncommon? When they took me to my room all I wanted to do was sleep. And, they had actually changed a few things since I had had Benton- one of them being the skin to skin right after they are born which I chose not to do. And the other was that they gave Rylan her first bath right in my room. I feel really bad because I was so sick and so tired that all I wanted to do was sleep it off and I wasn't paying much attention to bath. Kathi and Gary came down at about 6? I think and my mom and dad brought the boys down about 9 or 10 after I had a chance to get a little rest... I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story as you can see from them how wonderful we all thought it was to finally have Rylan as a part of our family.

Benton at 2

Benton turned 2 on May 31 and we had a lot of fun for his birthday. We went to the fish farm in North Ogden and Benton was so excited to go fishing. When we got there he picked out a pole and grabbed his cup of fish food just like he was a big boy. He loved seeing all of the fish in the water. He dropped his line in and caught a fish within a couple of seconds. Having a fish on his line really freaked him out and he didnt want to fish anymore. It was really quite funny. Jackson loved it and he caught 3 fish before we had to stop him as you have to pay for what you catch. Benton did like looking at the fish in the bucket and he liked Jackson to hold them but he didnt want to get close.

We also had a family birthday party for him at the park at trappers pointe. He was so cute. He had so much fun opening his gifts and celebrating his birthday with his family, singing, and his own birthday cake.

At 2 Benton couldnt be funner- He is a great little talker and he says the funniest things. He is also very nice...he has good manners, he always says please and thank you without being prompted. He also loves music and dancing... he has some great moves :) His favorite foods are milk and cucumbers... we can't figure out why he likes cucumbers so much but give him a choice between candy and cucumbers and he will take the cucumbers every time. He loves his brother and he is always trying to be just like him. He also loves teasing him. He also really loves Rylan and he is a great helper. He always gets whatever I need for her as soon as I ask him. When Benton is tired he wants milk and he drinks his milk and pulls on his ear... I am surprised that his ear has not fallen off because he actually pulls on it really hard. Benton got a bike and a scooter for his birthday and he can ride them both but his favorite thing to ride is a motorcycle or four wheeler. He just can't get enough of that. Benton also really likes jumping on the tramp- he has even learned to do a bumsy :) He is big for his age- I wouldn't be surprised if he has outgrown Jackson by next summer. He is as cute and funny as can be and we are so thankful to have him in our family. We love you Benton Boo.

Back to Blogging...

So it has been a long time since updating my blog as you can see by the pictures that are of when Benton was first born 2 years ago! Wow-how fast time flies. Since my last post was almost a year ago- I am going to hit on the highlights from each month this past year as a catch up. I originally started this blog as an attempt to document our lives in some way other than a journal. And, I am not really into scrapbooking but I wanted to incorporate pictures so this seemed like the perfect fit. I have again resolved to blog!

January
Mo turned 29 this year... I wish that I could say that I just turned 29 but I guess that someone needs to have the age and wisdom in this relationship right Mo :)
When I was growing up we always used to go to hardware ranch for my moms birthday and we thought the boys would really love it- and they did... I think we will go again next year.


February
Just some everyday stuff: Eating butter, getting hair cuts, playing dress up :)




March
What a big month- After many years of wanting to build a home in mountain green our dream was finally coming true and our hole was dug...the boys thought watching the tractor was pretty cool. We also sold our home. This brought both tears of joy and tears of sorrow. We were so excited to be moving to Mtn. Green but at the same time we were so sad to leave all of the really good friends that we had made the past 3 years. We celebrated with our last bonfire in the back yard where we made smores... something that we did quite often at our syracuse house.



April
We moved in with grandma and grandpa Vogt while our house was being built. We are so thankful for them. We celebrated Easter there, we flew kites, and Benton loved riding the motorcycle around the neighborhood... even when it was dark, or freezing cold outside.





May
We celebrated mothers day at the zoo- my mom, dad, and sister came with us. It was a great day. We also went to Thanksgiving Point in may so that my dad could try and sell some of my grandpas stuff... while they were selling things and looking at old cars, my mom and I took the boys to feed the animals and to ride the ponies. Benton also turned 2 on May 31st...which will be my next blog post :)





June
We were so happy that they weather was warm enough to swim... we spent lots of days swimming at aunt sha's pool and also at grandma and grandpa Palmers. We went to hear Down the Line play at the annual Bountiful car show. We also spent Fathers Day at Snowbird... it was a great weekend- my dad, colby, and Mo went skiing, and the rest of us met them later to swim, eat, and just enjoy the beautiful mountains. It was so fun and we have decided that it will definitely be a family Fathers Day tradition. The boys also enjoyed riding their new 4 wheeler.





July
Even though I was very pregnant in July- we still managed to have some fun. More swimming at grandma and grandpa Palmers, and lots of slip and slide at grandma and grandpa Vogts. We also celebrated my 33rd birthday- 33...wow! On July 27th we were able to close and move into our new home. Mo was a superstar- he had us all moved in and organized within a few days- just in time for our new baby. At the time I married Mo I didn't know that marrying a moving and storage guy would come in so handy. After moves from Clinton to Mtn. Green to Ogden to Clinton to Mtn. Green to Syracuse to Mtn. Green I can tell you that it certainly has :) But, I think we are finally home... I hope.





August
The boys and I had one last activity day at the childrens museum together before the baby came. And then Rylan was born... which deserves its own blog don't you think :)





Just 3 more months to go...

Jacksons 1st Talk

On Sunday Jackson gave his first talk in primary and he did such a great job it brought both Mo and I to tears. We practiced all week and he was able to do it all by himself without any help from me or Mo. He said every word of it perfectly which was so funny because all week as we were practicing he kept saying different things( I think just to tease me and that he really knew the whole thing all along). He had some pictures to hold up and when he got to the microphone he realized that it was going to be hard to hold the pictures and talk and so he got some help from Kathy(what a good little problem solver :). So... here is his talk-

(Picture of our Heavenly Father) Jackson said here can you hold these to Kathy
This is our Heavenly Father
We lived with him in heaven
He loves us very much
He wants us to live with him again
(Picture of Jesus) Jackson told Kathy next one and it was so funny :)
This is Jesus
He is our older brother
He is very kind
He died for us
(Picture of the Holy Ghost)
This is the Holy Ghost
He is a spirit
He helps us to make right choices
He is a gift from our Heavenly Father

Good job Jacks :)

Christmas Season 2009

This Christmas came and went so fast that I feel like we need to have a do over or something(except for the me being sick with morning sickness part- I am thankful that I don't have to have a doover of that). We spent Christmas Eve as annual tradition(since as long as I can remember as long as long as there is snow)skiing with the Vogt family and it was a great day. Except for the part where all of our skiis went flying off of the ski rack onto I-84 on the way up, and a big Diesel Truck flew over one of my skiis and totally broke off and sent my binding flying up into the air from which there was no way of recovery. At least Mo and Dallas's skiis survived with only minor damage. Thanks to my aunt Kristie and Brad who so graciously called and offered to watch my boys... I know that my boys had a really fun day. After skiing we ate soup and chilli at my moms and went up to snow basin to watch the torch light parade and fireworks. Benton wasn't so sure he liked the fireworks he kept wavering between wanting to be outside and wanting to be back inside where he could see the lights but not hear the booms. After the fireworks our boys were so exhausted that we just took them home- unfortunately they fell asleep before we got home so they didn't get to open their new Christmas Eve pajamas (but Mo and I made sure to put them on before we tucked them in), or read the Christmas story as a family, or to set out a plate of cookies for Santa. I guess we will have to try that again next year. Which I totally just realized that next year is going to be so busy with 3 kids- what were we thinking??? Of course Benton was the one to wake up the family because he is our alarm clock- 7:15-7:30 on the dot no matter what time he goes to sleep. He woke up and had some milk and watched a cartoon for a little while until he finally had to go in and wake up Jackson. Santa left all of the boys Santa presents in the formal living room and the boys didn't even realize that they had presents there until we told them. I know that the reason for the Christmas season is the birth of our Savior and that it has become way to commercialized but... the whole Christmas morning Santa tradition with kids is so much fun! Mo got the whole thing on video and I have watched it quite a few times. The boys were both pretty pleased with the gifts that Santa left them. Jackson was especially excited about his Optimus Prime and I would have to say that Benton definitely loved his little car. After presents grandma and grandpa Vogt came out to play. After breakfast and a little bit of clean-up we all got ready and headed out for Christmas day. My moms and dads house was our first stop where we were all spoiled like always. I don't even know how we were able to load everything that they gave up into the car. Then we went to visit Gary and Kathy where I guessed we had just missed the annual burning of the Christmas tree on Christmas day (hum... I wonder why Mo is a little bit Scrooge :)). Then it was back to my mom and dads to visit with my grandma and Kristy's family. All in all a very busy very fun day.

Baby ?

So I had my first doctors appointment with this pregnancy yesterday. Mo came with me but my doctors office is not allowing children so the boys didn't get to come. I am officially 7 weeks along by measurement which is a little less pregnant than I thought I was. My due date is August 7th. It will be fun to have a summer birthday in the family. So far we have Fall and Spring kids. Mo and I are both really excited to have our last baby. 3 will be our number... boy or girl. I really hope to get feeling better soon. The doctor did give me a prescription for Zofran which seems to be helping a bit. But, I guess what I need to remember is that if I am sick the pregnancy hormone is strong which means there is a greater chance that there won't be a miscarriage. We can't wait to find out what we are having!!!

Robert Benton Vogt

My grandpa Vogt passed away over a week ago and I haven't had a chance to post. We had his viewing on Sunday and his funeral on Monday and lots of tears have been shed. My grandpa Vogt was a great man and he will certainly be missed. My grandpa was a wonderful example to me in so many ways and this past week I have been doing a lot of thinking about him and the life that he lead... My grandpa was humble- he was very content with what he had and he didn't have any need to try and look better in the site of other people- he didn't need to impress anybody because he didn't care what people thought of him. My grandpa was hardworking- he worked two jobs most of his life so that his family could live comfortably with my grandma at home to be in charge. After work he spent his free time helping other people. My grandpa is one of the best examples of charity that I know. If there was something that he could help with he was there to help... Mo and I can think of so many things my grandpa helped us with even just within the first 4 years that we were married. My grandpa was there to help us paint our first house (he would have been in his late seventies), he came out to help us till up the garden area of our first house and he didn't want Mo to have to till so there he was 77- tilling our garden and only when it had finally taken a toll on him did he let Mo have a turn. He helped us move from Clinton to Mountain Green and then back to Clinton. He helped my grandma take care of Jackson twice a week so that Mo could finish school while I worked. And even before I was married to Mo, my grandpa was always there to help me change the oil in my car, to replace a clutch, to give me rides to soccer, to help my mom with things around the house when my dad was gone, and to do whatever needed to be done. I even remember him making friends with some homeless people when we were on vacation and taking them our extra food, and I also watched him take plates of food every holiday to the lonely man who lived across the street. He always did it with a smile on his face. My grandpa took an active interest in my life growing up... he always knew what was going on with me, and he always took the time to ask how I was doing, and to listen to my response. I can't remember any major event in my life that my grandpa wasn't there for. My grandpa had a great sense of humor- even the last day I saw him alive when he probably didn't have a lot to smile about... he was still smiling and making jokes- he was very witty. Benton always poops when we go to visit my grandparents and so of course on the last Saturday that we went to see my grandp Benton pooped and I said," I can't believe Benton always poops when we are here" and my grandpa said, " must be a shitty place." :) He was there to cheer me on in sports, or to yell at the referee or umpire as he felt was needed. My grandpa was a great example of loving devotion to his spouse... there was never any doubt that he loved my grandma and he would do anything to make her happy. My grandpa had a lot of courage- he was in the airforce and was a belly gunner in a B17 and flew and survived over 32 missions... at the grave there were members of the military there to pay him the proper respect for what he had accomplished in the military. It made me realize that what he did in the military really did make a difference in helping us to live in the America that we live in today. He was grateful- he was a man of simplicity and he was grateful for what he had... everytime we visited he would walk us out and stand on the lawn waving to us goodbye with a smile so thankful that we had come. When I think of my grandpa leaving this earth this is how I think he would have wanted us to remember him saying goodbye- waving with a smile on his face and a coke in his hand. I hope my grandpa knows how much we all love him and appreciate the good influence that he has had in our lives. I hope that I can live my life in a way that honors his memory and makes him proud.