Saturday, March 28, 2009

The last 2 weeks...

So Anna is 2 weeks old today. It is so hard to believe! It has gone by so fast. We have been busy the last week. We have all adjusted to baby Anna pretty well. Joseph has done better than either of us thought he would. He likes to be around her all the time. It's hard to keep him away from her. He likes to touch her and "tickle her" It drives me nuts! He ends up waking her up most of the time! Anna sleeps pretty well at night. She usually sleeps from midnight until 5 or 6 in the morning which is awesome. David went back to work on Monday. I was a little nervous that first night. I wasn't sure how I was going to (Anna sleeping. Her head isn't quiet big enough for her bows yet)

handle both kids by myself. But I made it and it wasn't too bad at all. I'm starting to get into a routine which makes life much easier. On Monday we also went and had pictures taken at JC Penneys. We had some single shots done of Anna and then Joseph's 2 year birthday photos as well as a new family photo. (Joseph and Seren playing during game night) It was a little stressful getting pictures done. They were not very organized at all. We had an appointment at 11 and I don't think we left until 2 or 3. I wasn't as crazy about the pictures this time as I have in the past. Tuesday we tackled grocery shopping for the first time with 2 kids. We used 2 carts and it took us over an hour and a half. But we made it! I also had a Dr's appointment. I am having some problems with my gallbladder and now I have to meet with a surgeon. It's crazy! Wednesday it was back to our normal game night. It was at our house. Joseph was happy that Seren could come and play with him while the grown-ups played games. Yesterday Joseph woke up and kept grabbing his tummy. David asked him if his tummy hurt and he said yeah but we weren't sure if he really knew what we were asking him until he got up to eat breakfast and threw-up all over the couch. He had the flu. He was actually pretty good about letting us know when he was about to puke. ( Joseph has figured out a way to have 2 binkys in his mouth!) However he didn't like the idea of throwing up in the toilet so we used a big bowl instead. By the end of last night though he was back to his old self eating up a storm. However Anna caught the cold that all of us have had so she had a rough night last night. We had to keep her upright so she could breathe better. ( Joseph laying on the couch with his tummy ache. Check out the bowl next to him!) Today has been the hardest day to be home. David is gone from 7 in the morning until 10 at night. It makes for a long day especially since I'm not up to venturing out of the house on my own yet! My mom and Terry came over to visit today and I am so glad they did. It helped break up the day. I have loved being home with my kids. (I love this outfit on Anna (left))I love being a mom. Even though I am exhausted and I have changed about a million and a half dirty diapers in the last 2 weeks and done a zillion loads of laundry I love it! It truly is the best job in the world! (Joseph with his baby sister)

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Surviving the Lights...

Anna is now a week old. I can't believe how quick this week has gone by. She had an appointment with her pediatrician on Wednesday. When we left the hospital her bilirubin was at a low risk level so they wanted us to follow up with her doctor to make sure her level was OK. By Wednesday I knew that she was going to need the lights even before we went to the doctor. She was looking pretty yellow! On Wednesday they told her level had jumped up from a 9 to a 14 but it wasn't high enough to need the photo therapy yet. So we had to go back to Alta View Hospital on Thursday to get her level tested again. I hate having to get her foot pricked. She screams! Thursday the level was too high and so they ordered the bili lights. I was so sad. Joseph had the worst experience with the lights. He just cried and cried and hated just about every minute of it. Anna did ok. She started getting fussy that night and I was about to lose it. I was ready to just take her out of the lights. I can't handle having an upset baby. I just wanted to be able to comfort her. But David being the great dad he is stayed up with her from about 11 that night until 3:30 the next morning. He told me to go to bed and get some sleep. The only way she would stay calm was if daddy held one hand on her chest and the other hand had to hold her binky in. Once David brought her into me to eat I just kept her out of the lights so that everybody could get some sleep. The next morning though when we put her under the lights she did pretty well. Friday her level went down and so we didn't have to put her under the lights but we laid her in the sunlight. This morning we had to take her again to have her level tested and it bounced back up a little. Our Doctor told us to put her under the lights today and tomorrow for as long as she can stand it and then we can return the lights on Monday. This was a huge relief. She's been under the lights for a few hours today but as soon as she gets fussy we know we can take her out. We survived! Joseph has been such a big "helper". He likes to help change her diaper and pat her back to burp her. It's hard to get any pictures of just her because Joseph likes to be right there with her. He's a good big brother. We're adjusting to this new change in our life. We love this new baby girl!

This Anna all ready to go to the hospital to get her foot pricked again!
This is Anna on the lights. This machine was much better than the suitcase that Joseph had to be under. This was a bed that she laid on. It has a gown that we Velcro her into and then we can cover her with a blanket.This is Joseph. He had to sit by Anna while she was doing the lights. He just had to keep watch over her!This was the next morning after she started the lights. As long as she could have her one arm out she was happy and would sleep.

Anna in her swing just chillin'

Joseph making sure Anna is ok in her swing.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Coming home!

Anna is finally here! We are so excited. So David figured out how to blog during the last few days. He wanted to make sure everyone could see what was going on. Plus I think it helped pass the time in the Hospital. I was beginning to think that she would never make it here. I went to bed Friday night and woke up around 3 in the morning having pretty strong contractions. I knew that it labor was starting. I waited until Dave woke up at 7 to go to the hospital. I wanted to wait at home until I felt really ready. I didn't want to spend any more time at the hospital than I had to. We got to the hospital at about 8:00 Saturday morning. They checked me and hooked me up to the monitors. I was dilated to a 4. After an hour of monitoring me I was still at a 4. And of course my doctor was not only not on call but also out of town. So they called the on call doctor who said to send me home. I knew thought that I was in labor. So the charge nurse suggested that I try walking around the hospital for a half hour to see if that causes any changes. By this time my parents were at the hospital and my brother and sisters were at home, mad because they didn't wake them up before they left the house that morning. My parents left and went to Cost-co and Dave, Joseph and I went for a walk around the labor delivery floor for a half hour. I walked my butt off! There was no way I was going home! I was ready to have this baby. After walking around I dilated to a 5. That was all I needed to stay. The doctor on call happened to already be there so she was able to come in and break my water. I got my epidural and I was all set! This time I was able to do the whole thing on my own. I didn't have to have any pitocin. By 3:00 that afternoon I was fully dialated. The doctor came in and we started pushing and 18 minutes later she was here! It went so quickly! She had the cord wrapped around her neck so she was a little blue when she first came out. She still scored an 8 on the APGAR test. She is absolutely beautiful! I couldn't believe that she was finally here. It was much easier the second time around. They took us upstairs and we got settled in. I of course missed dinner again! Joseph was born at 8 at night so I missed dinner and they gave me a "gourmet" sandwich (a piece of turkey on a roll). I figured that since we were all settled in by 5:05 that I would get dinner but no I missed the cut off so I got yet another special sandwich; although I do have to say it was much better this time. Saturday was a pretty quite night. It was just the 3 of us there. Joseph went home with grandma and grandpa. My mom and step-dad were of course still down in St. George since my grandad's funeral was today. My brother and his wife were down there was well. So there weren't as many people around to come visit. The second time around we weren't nearly as over protective. We sent her to the nursery that night so that we could actually get some sleep. David had a little couch that he got sleep on. It was more comfortable than the rocking chair he slept on last time. Nursing was much easier too. My pain has been pretty manageable too. I was able to shower Saturday night which made me happy! By Sunday we were ready to go home but they weren't quite ready to let Anna go home. Sunday was nice and quiet again. They have someone from the LDS church come and bring the sacrament. It was cool. Later that afternoon we had lots of visitors. My parents came as well as my brother Christian and my sister Ashlie. David's dad came over too. Then David's sister Ashley and her husband Mark and their 2 boys came. My uncle David and Aunt Pam came that evening with my cousins Jessica and Amanda and Elias. Our neighbor Amy came and brought her 2 little girls Abby and Lyla to visit too. It was so fun to see everybody. We finally got to come home today. Joseph was excited when he got in the car at my parents to see Baby Anna in the backseat next to him. When we got home he took her around the house and showed her all the things that were hers. This afternoon all 4 of laid down in our bed and took a little family nap. This evening Joseph has been a little more rough with her. He's just trying to play but he doesn't quiet understand why we don't put pillows and sit on our baby sisters... He did hold her and pat her tummy when she started to cry. He also helps me pat her back when I am finished feeding her. I figure the more he helps out the easier this adjustment will be for him. It's nice to be home and I'm anxious to see how the first night goes. One thing that I have to say is that my Husband is the best husband and dad in the world ( my dad is a close second!). He was so wonderful to me in the hospital. He changed diapers, got me water and crackers and food I was craving. He ran to Rumbis Saturday night and waited in a long line because that's what sounded good. He was also such a huge comfort during the whole delivery part. He was so calm and collected and helped keep me focused to push. Since we've been home he's cleaned up the house and bathed Joseph and let me sleep. He was also a huge help this last week. He made sure all the laundry was caught up and kept the dishes loaded and unloaded. I am so grateful for him. He has loved having this baby girl and already calls her his princess. I love him so much! I am so happy and grateful for my cute little family!

Sunday, March 15, 2009



Anna jean cluff the newest addition to are family born 03-14-09 at 3:18p.m. 7lbs 11oz 21 inches long and as cute as possible.







she is daddy's little princess



Saturday, March 14, 2009



time to have a baby

Friday, March 13, 2009

Waiting...

Ok so I am feeling a little frustrated at this point! I have been trying to patiently wait for Anna to get here but I have had it! 2 weeks ago at my appointment I was dilated to a 2.5 and was 75% effaced. The Doctor said he thought that I possibly could go into delivery by the end of the week but he thought for sure I would have a baby by the following week. So after a long week with lots of Braxton-Hicks contractions still no baby. At my appointment on Tuesday I was dilated to a 3 and was 90 % effaced. I knew my grandad was really sick and that he wasn't going to make it through the week. I told my doctor this and so he stripped my membranes in hopes to get things going in the next couple of days so I could potentially make it to the funeral down in St. George. Well here it is Friday and still no baby! My grandad did pass away Wednesday night and the funeral is going to be on Monday. I've been so sad because I know that at this point it is unrealistic to think that we can go to St George for the funeral because if we do have a baby before then she'll be too tiny to travel and if I don't have the baby by then there is no way I could travel. So I'm stuck...This is my first grandparent to pass away and it makes me sad to not be able to go and honor him at his funeral. I know that the funerals are really for the living but I am still bummed that I can't go. I feel like I am going crazy just waiting around. I have been trying to keep busy but having this baby is all I can think about. So as a way to sort of vent and help me feel better about missing my grandad's funeral I thought I would write down a few thoughts about my grandad. My grandparents moved to St. George when I was in highschool but before then they lived really close to my house. I have a lot of fond memories of my grandad when I was a child. They used to live in this big house with this huge multi level back yard. He loved taking care of that yard. On the main level he had little lawn animals all around for us to look at. On the second level there was a play house that he re-painted for us to play in. On the 3rd level it was mostly large overgrown trees that he transformed into "Dorothy's Woods." I think he got the idea to do this when my younger cousin went through a stage where she loved the Wizard of Oz. I also remember lots of Friday nights that I would spend the night at their house. We would usually always eat at The Belgium Waffle house. He would always tell the waitress that his name was Harley Figg. If it was one of the regular waitresses they would just laugh because they knew my grandad was joking. If it was a new waitress they would always get a strange look on their face when he would tell them his name. Often times after dinner we would go and visit his mom and sister. I have lots of good memories of the week-ends that I would spend the night. When I was 11 or 12 my grandparents took me on a trip to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. It was such a fun week-end. I remember him buying me pretty much anything I wanted for a souvenir. He did love to spoil his grandkids. When my parents first divorced we stayed at my grandparents for a few days. Us kids were pretty broken up. I remember my grandad taking all 3 of us downtown to the Children's museum and the planetarium. It was his way of letting us know we were going to be ok. One of the most tender memories I have happened a few years ago before he started to get sick. It was either right after highschool or right after I got married. We were at my mom's house for dinner. I was sitting down on the couch and he came and sat down next me. He kissed me on the forehead and said I love you kid. I'll never forget that. He wasn't a really expressive man with his emotions but it was a special moment. I'm grateful that he was at my wedding and that he was still here when I had Joseph. I think it made him pretty proud to have 2 great-grandsons and a grandson all the same age. The last time I saw my grandad a few months ago. He kept saying how neat it was the Johnny, Joseph and Joseph were all the same age. I know that Anna will have a chance to meet him before she comes. Maybe that's why she's taking her time getting here! I am so grateful to have a testimony of this gospel and to know that families are forever and that life is eternal. I am so grateful for the Savior and his sacrifice which makes this possible!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Disneyland Vacation Days 4 and 5

For our 3rd day in the park we decided to start out in California Adventure. My dad ended up renting me an electric wheelchair. Everyone was too afraid that I was going to go into labor if I continued to walk for 2 more days. We took Joseph over to see Playhouse Disney live. Grandpa had to buy him a new shirt to wear to the program. Joseph thought that was pretty cool. He got to see the Mickey Mouse Club House, My Friends Tigger and Pooh, Little Einsteins, and Handy Manny. His favorite part was when the paper leaves fell from the "sky" when the wind blew. Then we headed over to go on Monsters Inc and we ran into Handy Manny. He thought that was pretty cool. He even gave him knuckles. Then we went over and rode Monsters Inc. He loved that ride! Then everyone wanted to go on Tower of Terror. While I was sitting and waiting with Jospeh Chip and Dale came walking by and Joseph got to hug them. He thought that was pretty cool. For lunch we ate at the Hamburger resturant by Soarin' Over California. After lunch we headed over to the new Toy Story ride. It was so cool. It's a 3-D ride where you get to play electronic games. Joseph got to play the game all by himself. He got a thousand points! After that everyone else wanted to go on California Screamin' So I took Joseph over to ride the Merry-go-round. He actually really liked it. Then the Bowens took us over to the bakery to buy some Sourdough bread. It was really good bread! After our snack it was time for the Pixar Play Parade. It was a really cool parade. Lightning was at the start of the parade followed by Monsters Inc and Nemo. There was bubbles and music. Joseph thought it was cool. Later that night we ate at La Brea bakery in Downtown Disney. Then we went back to our hotel room. We took Joseph swimming. He loved it but it was too cold for him to stay in for very long. On our last day in Disneyland we went to Knotts Berry farm for breakfast. It was so yummy! On our last day we spent the morning in Disneyland hitting all the rides we hadn't been on or wanted to go on again. It was really crowded on Friday. I did get to take Joseph to the Enchanted Tikki room. I don't really remember ever seeing this show as a kid. Joseph thought that the birds were cool and he loved it when it started to thunder and "rain" We also did Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland and It's a Small World and Pirates. For dinner we ate at the Hungry Bear inside Disneyland. After our dinner we headed back over to California Adventure. We did Soarin' Over California and Monster's Inc again. We wanted to do the Toy Story ride again but it was almost an hour wait. We also finished up our last minute shopping. Joseph sat and enjoyed a Churro. Daddy bought him his own Churro and he ate it all. It was such a fun trip! We didn't end up having our baby in Disneyland which is a good thing. I am so glad that we went. We can't wait to go again next year!