He is Here!

Easton Lyle Gappmayer was born early Friday morning weighing in at 7 pounds 8 ounces and measuring 20 inches. The story is pretty mild compared to last time, but it was still exciting enough for us. We went to bed Thursday night around ten after a busy day. All week I had been either working, going to appointments and/or just generally trying to get things ready for the next week (when I thought the baby would come). I woke up around 1am to go to the bathroom (one of my several usual trips during the night) and I couldn't fall back to sleep because every 15-20 minutes or so I would have a contraction. By 2am I was having contractions about every nine minutes and by 3 they were coming every seven minutes. I was hoping I could let Eric sleep until 5 or 6, but by 4am I was moving around so much that I woke him up. He was ready to go to the hospital right then, but the contractions were still every seven minutes and somewhat bearable so I wanted to wait a while longer. All of a sudden the contractions started hurting really bad and they were every 2-3 minutes. I still wanted to wait, but then I quickly reconsidered after the next contraction. Eric called his mom and asked her to head over and then I made him go check the car cause I knew we were supposed to get "some" snow. Who knew it was going to be 6 inches. By the time he was done cleaning off the truck and shoveling a path for me, I knew we needed to get going. (I was a little worried we were going to be too late.) His mom wasn't there yet, but we left anyway and called our landlord and asked him to listen for the kids until she got there. We got to the hospital a little before six and started checking in. The lady was asking me the questions, but I could barely talk with the contractions so she started asking Eric after a few minutes and was working pretty quick. I got to the room and changed. The nurse came in right after. She asked me a few questions and then checked me. I was a seven, but my water hadn't broken yet so she asked if I wanted an epidural. I told her yes, if she thought I had enough time and she said she would get the anesthesiologist right away. He was in the room a few minutes later and after a little bit of rethinking if I really wanted/needed the epidural, in what I was sure would be a quick delivery, I decided to get one. Well, it did end up being a quick delivery, but I was SO glad I got the epidural. It was working by 6:35am. The doctor came in around 6:45am. He waited until 7am to check me and I was almost complete by then. The baby was posterior so I had to push a few times to get him to turn. Then I was complete and ready for the really thing. After a few sets of pushes, the baby was born at 7:22am. It was so nice. Pretty much what I was picturing for Carter and didn't get. Most of the staff actually remembered Carter's story and kept saying things like, "I can't believe that was you. I was here that night. Blah, blah, blah." I kept saying things like, "This is so much better than last time." That's the story if you cared to know it. It is more for my memory than anything else. He's only a day and a half, but he is so good. We are so glad to have him in our family. The other kids love him. Carter can't stop touching him. Hopefully, the novelty of him wears off quickly for him. Thanks for all the well wishes and to our families who have stepped in and helped so much.

The 411

Still no pictures, but hopefully soon. Well, I am 35 weeks pregnant and just about to the point where I want to be done no matter what. Not quite there, but REALLY close. The baby is doing well though and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to be pregnant and having another baby soon. It is such a miracle and I thank Heavenly Father all the time that I get to experience it. My doctor is out of town right now. He will be back and stay in town around the time I am due so I am also very grateful for that! Last appointment he told me that if I hadn't had the baby by 39 weeks he would induce me cause of what happened last time so in reality I only have four weeks left, but I am still saying five in my mind so I don't get too excited. I have another check up on Valentine's Day so we will see what he says then.

Our house is coming along nicely. Sheetrock should be done today. Then I think they start tile and trim. Then paint and fixtures. Cabinets and so for. They told us it would be done by February 25th, which should work out cause 39 weeks is March 4th. Hopefully, it all goes down so we can move in and have a day or two to get settled before the baby comes. If not, whatever. Our little apartment is working out. The kids (Carter) are sleeping much better and we are finding ways to have fun in close quarters. We have started playing family Yahtzee and the kids love it. In our last game everyone got at least one Yahtzee. Eric got two and Ashlynn got three. It was crazy!

On a side note, anyone who knows Tade knows that the kid is a thumb sucker. We have tried everything over the last few years to make him stop. The yucky stuff you paint on the thumb, gloves, tape, bribery (cats and dogs). Well, on Saturday we were at Wal-Mart and we had to go look at the fish, of course. Tade all the sudden says, "If I stop sucking my thumb for three weeks can I get some fish?" "Sure," I say. So since last Saturday the kid hasn't sucked his thumb at all. He just stopped cold turkey. I still can't really believe it. He wears a glove at night so he will not do it while he is sleeping and sometimes a band aid during the day to remind him, but he has been AWESOME!!! I am so PROUD of him. I keeping thinking man you should have done this when we were offering you a puppy, but I am glad you are willing to do it for fish. We will see how the next couple of weeks go, but I am pretty sure we are on the right track.

Anyway, another long boring post without pictures, but that is how we are doing. Hopefully, we'll have some new house pictures soon!

Update Without Pictures

I know it has been FOREVER! Sorry, life is super busy. The last few months have flow by with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Oh, and we sold our house and moved too. All of the holidays were great fun. I love spending time with family and friends. Plus, Eric always has work off so that is an added bonus. After our sale fell through in October, I didn't think we would ever sell the house. We were getting one to two people looking at it a week before the October offer, but after we only got two people total. Well, I guess the saying, "It only takes one." is true. We got an offer the 2nd week in December and they wanted us out before the end of the year. We weren't planning on closing until the 27th of December, but the buyers really pushed us and we ended up closing the 23rd. Because of the holiday though it didn't fund until the 28th and then we had 48 hours after that to get out. It was a crazy week. A HUGE thanks to my mom for taking the kids so that I could help Eric as much as possible and also to all the family who helped or offered (Eric is kind of stubborn and wanted to do a lot of it himself). The last day was a mad dash of stuffing things in boxes and trying to clean, but it got done. We have belongings in three different locations. Most at a storage unit, some at Eric's mom's, and the rest with us at our ONE bedroom rental.

We are renting because we are building a house and it won't be done until February so we got a little place to hold us over until then. It is working out pretty good. The kids are in the bedroom and Eric and I get the living room/dining room/office. Carter has been sick and so he has not been adjusting very well. Last night was the first time he slept through the night in TWO weeks. And by not sleeping I mean up every hour for most of the hour and then 10-15 minute naps in between. Needless to say I was ELATED when we finally got some sleep last night. I hope it will last tonight (and forever)!

I went to the doctor today and everything is looking good with the baby. One of my middle appointments got cancelled so I haven't been in for over five weeks. I figured things where okay, but I was a little worried about the results of the glucose test. I have been eating horribly and I love treats. Luckily it was fine and I have even lost a pound, which is super surprising since we've had Thanksgiving, a little trip to Vegas, Christmas and New Years since I've been there. I think that is the first time I have lost weight during the holidays. I guess stress will do that to you. The baby is growing though as is evident by my HUGE stomach.

The house we are building is somewhat on schedule. Our finish date was February 17th, but I think with the weather that has been pushed back. They haven't given us a new date yet, but they have weekly meetings so hopefully we will get one before the end of the week.

There is probably more to say, but this is already super long and boring. I don't know when I will get pictures up. I think my camera cord got packed away to the storage unit. I am still taking them though and someday will get a ton posted.

Bad News and Good News

BAD NEWS: Some of you probably know that we have had our house up for sale since January of this year. We aren't in a rush to sell. We just felt like it was time for our family to move from our "starter home" into a more permanent home where we can raise our kids and grow old. This house was always our 5-10 year house and when we put it up for sale we had been here six years. After trying to sell it ourselves, a realtor, trying to sell it ourselves, and another realtor, we finally received our first real offer on October 12th. We were excited, even though the buyers wanted to close by October 29th. No problem, we thought. We find something quickly or live with family if we have to, whatever. We were up for the rush of getting out fast. So the last week and a half have been a mad rush of looking at houses, putting in offers, deciding to build, gathering boxes, arranging to live with family for a couple of months, changing schools for the kids, calling utility companies to arrange shut off dates, letting church leaders know and all sorts of other things.

UNFORTUNATELY, yesterday we found out (even with the wonderful assurances from the buyers lender) that the buyers actually DON'T qualify for the loan and (unless some miracle happens) we will not be selling our house in three days. Yesterday, I was SHOCKED for awhile. Then I just cried the rest of the afternoon. I prayed to have strength and peace, which of course I was blessed with. I reread this amazing talk from the April 2010 General Conference. Then Eric, my rock, came home and convinced me (again) that everything was going to be alright and Heavenly Father has a plan for us and we just need to keep being patient. Which I knew, but it was nice to hear coming from him. So now we wait and trust in Heavenly Father.

Now for the GOOD NEWS: Last week, we found out that a new baby boy will be joining our family in early March. We are so excited! I must admit that I was kind of hoping for a girl to even things out and get to use my adorable girl clothes again, but we make such cute boys that once I knew it was a boy I was ecstatic! So far everything is progressing as usual. I keep joking that maybe I should have the baby at home this time and skip the ambulance and hospital altogether. Not really though! I am really hoping for a nice normal delivery this time. Any name suggestions would be nice. It is alot harder the third time.

It looks like we may have another thumb sucker on our hands.

Where Has The Time Gone?

I can't believe it is October already. This year is flying by! It is going to be Christmas before we know it!!! Here are a few pictures of what we have been doing over the last month or so.Carter and I both love to pose for the camera. I got quite a few good shots of us cheesing it up!

We went to Thanksgiving Point twice during the month of August. Gotta love $2 Tuesdays; at the Gardens at least. No way was I going to try and go to the Dinosaur Museum. I think this was a picture right before church one Sunday. It is a great picture showing each of my kids personalities.

Carter LOVES corn on the cob. Eric usually feeds him a piece raw while the rest of dinner is cooking and then he has a cooked piece while the rest of use eat. He also HATES for me to feed him anything. He thinks he is a big boy and can do it all by himself. Thus, he usually looks like this after each meal!

Tade loves Carter and Carter loves Tade. So fun to have a brother buddy.

Tades first day of 1st Grade. Eric gave him a blessing and he was on his way. He is doing pretty well for the most part. He comes home pretty tired, but even that is getting better. So far he has aced all his spelling tests and is reading like crazy! I am so proud of him.

We go in a crash on the 13th of September. The van is still in the shop getting fixed! Hopefully, I will have it back tomorrow. I really miss it.

Ashlynn got to do Drill Clinic again up at Maple Mountain High School. It is such a fun thing for her and it is only a one week commitment so I love it too. She did a great job dancing this year! Ash turned four last month. She also started preschool and loves it. She is such a big girl and a great helper.

Santaquin Parade And Rodeo

Eric's sister and husband live in Santaquin and they have an awesome celebration for their city days. We usually just go to the rodeo and fireworks, but this year we decided to hit the parade that morning too. This was the first parade my kids had ever been to and they LOVED it. The city is still small enough that the parade isn't too long and they still throw candy. Both Ash and Tade had a huge bag full by the end. It was great! The rodeo was a little rough with Carter. He doesn't like to sit still for very long, but it was still fun. The fireworks didn't go over so well with Ash or Carter, but Eric, Tade and I had a blast watching them. (Yes, that pun was intended.) Oh, summer....we are going to miss you!

Ashlynn learned if you smiled and waved they threw more candy! She quickly became very good at it.

Button, Button, Who Has The Button? and What Did You Say?

This post is all about the Carter bug. Last week he had surgery to fix an umbilical hernia and put tubes in his ears for recurring ear infections. If you hadn't know he had surgery, you probably wouldn't have been able to tell by how he was acting. He did awesome! We went in early Thursday morning, the nurses got him all prepped, the anesthesiologist took him away, and about an hour later both surgeries were done. Hernias are pretty common and most will repair on their own by one year of age, but Carter's didn't and since it was kind of gross looking, we opted for the surgery to fix it. His ear infections have been pretty constant since he was nine months. The poor kid has probably been in pain since then so we were happy to have a solution to that problem too. I am sure the reason he's done so well is because the surgery pain was nothing compared to the ear infection pain and he is just excited to not have that anymore.

A few before pictures. I called it his ugly button cause look at it. It's pretty nasty looking. His isn't even that big. I've seen much larger on other kids.

Waiting in the foyer for them to call us back to get prepped. Yes, he is man enough to have a PINK binki. It's a hand me down from his sister. We're pretty cheap. What can I say?Cute little hospital clothes they took him to surgery in. He was so excited with all the new stuff and the attention for awhile. Then he saw the bottle of milk I had brought for after surgery and he could only think about that until they took him back. His dressing. We had to leave that on for three days (Sunday). Then there were steri strips underneath that were supposed to stay on for another seven to ten days. I keep saying WERE because he ripped those off today (Monday). Oh well, it looks pretty good so I'm not too worried.

I need to give a big huge thanks to all the family and friends that fasted and prayed for him. We really felt your love. Also to my mom, who had Ash and Tade for two and a half days so Eric and I could focus on Carter. THANK YOU!!!!!

This is Carter's button video. He has know where it is for awhile since everyone always wants to see his "ugly" button. I love that he lifts his shirt to find it.

On a side note, probably time for a new camera. So if you know any nice point and shoots that do video too, please let me know!