Arrival of Cody Robert Ingles

The day has arrived for our family to meet our newest little guy. These last nine months seemed at times to be flying by, but then almost in the same breath it seemed like he would never be here. As always though time does and will pass.

So here we were more than willing to go through labor because the outcome meant our little miracle would be here. But I have to say my deliveries have been (and this one is no different) kind of by the book or lets say pretty easy. They checked me in at noon, and hooked me up to everything around 1:30. I decided to get an epidural at 3:00 pm, and told my nurse I think we should wait to break my water until my Doctor got here at 5:30 pm. I had my worries that if another Dr. broke my water too early my Dr. wouldn't make it to the delivery (it has happened in the past).  So we waited for Dr. Pead to arrive he broke my water and a little over an hour later it was time.  One push later, and Cody had arrived.  Our delivery couldn't have gone better.  We had a wonderful staff of nurses to work with who listened to everything I said. My epidural was too my liking, I could feel enough to know what and when things were happening. My Doctor was there. And we were happy, relaxed, and blessed.

 

He is perfect! Everything about this sweet little guy is wonderful. I imagined over and over what it was going to be like holding our baby boy for the first time, and yep it felt exactly like I had dreamed! He was heaven sent, a gift, or as we would say our BONUS BABY!

Mommy Weekend

After two long weeks of being "missing in action".  It seems almost appropriate that the first day back Rob would disappear to his almost favorite place (besides home), the mountains. 

I had the kids to myself, but we were all a little sick.  So this meant instead of getting out, and going places.  We were meant to stay in, on a beautiful day!!!

I can't complain, I feel like I have missed out on movie nights, snack time, snuggle time, play time, and more.  I decided to turn our weekend into a party!

We headed to the store to picked up a wii game, puzzles, and healthy snacks.  (Remember we are sick, and filling any of our bellies with snacks might just make for a horrible weekend.)  Lucky for me Rob had already cleaned the house before he left, including deep cleaning bathrooms & doing all the laundry.  I know I am married to a great guy!!!

We came back home, and the children could do whatever they wanted.  Well, within reason.  My parents even came to check in on us, and that always cheers me up! We all were very happy.

After my parents left for the day we found ourself, getting a little bored and hungry.  So I piled the kids in the car and told them I would drive through whatever place they wanted to eat.  Lucky for me most of them are still little and McDonalds wins them over.  But they sure were excited to think they were in charge of whatever they wanted. 

We came home ate, played some games...including the wii.  Then they had a sleepover party in Kiley and Carson's room.  Carson of course was the naughties of the bunch, and had the whole room laughing.  But that is the point of a sleepover right.  After a little bit they all settled down, and we slept the night away.

I felt a little lonely, maybe I should've climbed in bed with the kids :)

I wish I could say that today we all woke up feeling great, but it seems this little bug is still lingering.  Hopefully Rob doesn't have it too, that might make for a long, cold trip.

11 weeks left

Almost exactly one year ago I got the surprise of a lifetime.  I knew for certain that we were suppose to have another baby.  Prior to this day I was content, happy, and what I thought for "certain" that we were done having children.  I was excited that I had reached this point in my life, and I was ready for the next phase of raising our family.  But to my surprise, I was overwhelmed with this impression, and I hoped that I just had to shake it off and forget about it.  So I did just that, or I tried to do just that.  But throughout the next several months just as I was beginning to get comfortable in my life again, I was again stopped in my tracks and reminded that I was NOT doing what the Lord wanted me to do.

Elder Bednar spoke in April's conference on revelation and this is what he said, "A light turned on in a dark room is like receiving a message from God quickly, completely, and all at once. Many of us have experienced this pattern of revelation as we have been given answers to sincere prayers or been provided with needed direction or protection, according to God’s will and timing. Descriptions of such immediate and intense manifestations are found in the scriptures, recounted in Church history, and evidenced in our own lives. Indeed, these mighty miracles do occur. However, this pattern of revelation tends to be more rare than common."


When he spoke tears fell from my face, I felt like the journey I was on, the goals I had, all of them needed to change and I needed to change direction.  But it still wasn't easy.  I wasn't sure I could do pregnacy again, and I pleaded that I wouldn't have too.  The journey that I knew I needed to travel, looked scary, hard, and inconvient.  Actually it felt impossible.

Eventually Rob and I decided to follow.

Today I am completely overwhelmed with the journey we have taken, with the changes that have occured with in myself, and with the life inside of me.  I look over the last year, and I realize I have been given a miracle. 

I cannot wait to meet this little guy. I cannot wait to experience life with him and our other children.  I wouldn't change the journey I have taken over this last year.  I wouldn't change that I felt scared, crazy, overwhelmed, nervous, and more in the beginning.  Because throughout all of this I have better learned to trust my savior and hope that the plan he has for me is far greater than the plan I have for myself.

I love Cody, so deeply.  I am almost scared to feel so much excitement for this little guy.  Because I worry the worst of the "what ifs".  But I know that whatever happens, where ever life takes us.  He is apart of our life forever.  He is our son.

So with that, hurry up last trimester.  I am starting to count down...11 weeks to go to delivery and I can't wait.  I am giddy at the thought that I get to hold you, love you, teach you, and be your Mother.

It's no picnic

Neil L. Anderson said in October general conference, "Having young children is not easy. Many days are just difficult. A young mother got on a bus with seven children. The bus driver asked, “Are these all yours, lady? Or is it a picnic?”
“They’re all mine,” she replied. “And it’s no picnic."

Quite frankly this is how I feel today, it's no picnic. How is it that one can feel so much grattitude for all that I have, and yet all in the same breath feel completely overwhelmed? Is there something to say to a tired young mother that will not only lift her spirits, but increase her energy?

I told my husband tonight, "I have so much desire to feel energy, vibrant, strong, lovingly, and patient, and yet my body feels otherwise." Today I kept trying to move, and yet I couldn't...my body completely disagreed with my mind. So I was forced to lay down all day. Some would say WAHOO!!! It doesn't work like that when your a mother, all that takes place in the home requires you, and the worst part about it, when Mom is down others follow suit. So, at the end of my night I am assessing the damages, and tomorrow I will hope for a more cooperative body that will correct the problems of today.

But amongst my exhaustion today, I can say I wouldn't trade it, none of it!!! I felt so much joy today as I watched my children destroy my house, why? Because they are wonderful! They are exactly who they are suppose to be, and more. My oldest asked if he could do family home evening tonight, and with no help...He ran the show. WOW!!! The whole time, I fought my body for the few minutes of family home evening, and required it to be an active participate in this event...because it matters. He matters to me, and the person he is becoming.

And as much as I dread this exhaustion and nausea that will still be here tomorrow...its just right. There is a life inside of me, and that is a miracle full of blessings. So I will take it with a grateful hand.