A Mother

With every birth of my five children, my mother has come out to take care of me for the week after.  With Sam I relied on her for all the questions I had about how to do this "mother" thing - how to feed him, get him to sleep, and questions about what was happening to my own body.  She guided me through and I was forever grateful.  Then came four more beautiful babies, adding more to my plate, but also to hers.  She dropped everything in her life - her work, my dad, her obligations - to rescue me.  She came across the country to Iowa and New York, and drove through terrible snow storms to get to Yakima.  She cooks, she cleans, she chauffeurs the kids to and from school and activities, she plays with the little ones that are at home.  She shops, she makes freezer meals, she cuddles the baby so I can shower or sleep.  And she does it because she loves me and she loves my family.  She doesn't expect a thank you.  

For this act of love alone, I am forever grateful for my mother.  Today as she took the kids to school for the last time - she is heading home today - I hugged her and started to cry.  I continued to cry as she drove away, because even as an adult, one of the greatest comforts I can ever receive is having my mom walk through the door.  

It just makes everything seem like its going to be alright.  I think I will be okay without her, but this daughter,  that has come to rely upon her gets a little nervous to see her drive away.  Thank you mom for being such a great example of love.  We couldn't do it without you. 

Eva Michelle Summers

As I sit down to record my thoughts and feelings of the past 5 days, I'm just amazed at how Eva came into this world.  I had been into see Dr. Johns on Monday, and there was a little progression - but we went ahead and scheduled the induction for Thursday morning.  Considering my past pregnancies I had very little anticipation that things would move along quicker than that, so I settled into get some things done before Thursday.

I had been in the nesting mode for the past week and half and was trying to use each day to get all I could get done, done!  Sunday we had a Super Bowl party here with the Lancasters and Bolles and I cooked and cleaned my heart out.  Monday we had received another 4 inches of fresh snow and so I decided to get out there with Max and build a snowman.  I took Stone on a walk/run - (Secretly I attribute the early delivery to Stone: who for the past three weeks has walked/run me up and down our street with me bouncing behind).  We had family home evening - ate our dessert - and sent the kids off to bed.  I felt a little sick after dessert, which has happened in the past pregnancies around delivery...but I again hesitate to get my hopes up at anytime.  I went to bed...

1:30 in the morning I woke up feeling some cramping, but nothing strange or intense and went to the bathroom and noticed I had lost my mucous plug.  I laid back down and thought - I might have this baby today.  I went in and out of sleep, in and out of contractions for another hour and half.  I finally woke up Shawn and told him that today might be the day, because at this point the intensity was increasing and the contractions were fairly consistent 10-15 minutes apart.  Then I tried to doze in between.

I felt crazy - but for whatever reason my labor always seems to start in the early morning hours and then by the time I'm ready to deliver I'm so exhausted mentally and physically that I can barely keep on top of the pain.  I didn't want this - my last delivery to be terrible - so I tried my best to just rest.  Finally around 6:30 the contractions were very consistent and closer together.  I could hear Sam getting ready upstairs so I went up and told him that I was probably going to have the baby today - and he would need to go to a friends house after school.  I started making arrangements for the kids after school, and called my mom to give her a heads up.  Then things kind of stopped!  What!

I was so frustrated.  I was walking around, moving - which they always encourage you to do.  So again, I decided not to get my hopes up and just act like it was a regular day.  We got the kids to school, took Max to preschool, and headed to Wal-Mart to pick up some duct tape for kids spirit week duct tape day.  We headed back home and I decided the walking around wasn't helping so I figured trying to sleep would be the best choice.  I layed down and all of a sudden the contractions started up again.  So I'm a crazy backwards lady!  We picked up Max from preschool, dropped him off with the Lancasters, and headed to the hospital...still just hoping that things were moving along.

At noon, the nurse checked me - I was still contracting, but it was bearable - and to my total surprise I was dilated to a 6!  Seriously I grinned from ear to ear because I have never once been told that...I've always been sent home.  The nurse was just as surprised as me, because I was handling the contractions so well.  So they checked me in and I begged and pleaded for the epidural to put on top priority.  The other funny thing here, is the Nurse Anethesists here are nearly all LDS, and we know them fairly well...so the chances that one of them would have to come and give me the epidural was high - seeing my entire exposed backside.  Sure enough Anthony Mugleston came waltzing in the room - who 2 weeks earlier I had joked that I was getting more and more excited to see him each day.  He did a great job - no problems, very little pain, and soon I was in heaven!

By then Dr. Johns popped in and decided to break my water.  This was around 3 pm.  When they did Eva dropped immediately into the birth canal passing 3 stages in one swoop.  The feeling to push was definitely becoming very very strong, and at 3:45, he declared it was time to push.  I got geared up and then started to "push" but was doing more of breathing than pushing - I totally forgot how to do this!  I started thinking I have never pushed this quickly, so I was nervous thinking I would be stuck there pushing for an hour.  Dr. Johns reminded me not to breath through, but push through my contractions - and 3 pushes later - Eva was delivered.  It felt so surreal - the speed of the labor, the surprise that it started on its own, how quick the delivery was, the small degree of pain I felt during the entire process...and there she was.  This sweet little bundle that had been moving around inside of me for 9 months, who the entire family had been waiting for - was suddenly hear.  She was beautiful, she was healthy, and she was indeed a girl!  My heart felt so full.  On February 7, 2017 at 3:53 pm our family finally became complete.

Naming her was another story, but she was here.  We couldn't get over how tiny she was, and were sure she would be small like Sam.  She weighed in at 7 lbs. 8.2 oz, 21 inches long, 13 cm head circumference.  She has the most beautiful tiny head.  Probably because she was only in the birth canal for 45 minutes!  Shawn brought the siblings to meet her at 6 pm that night, and they were instantly in love with her.  Max was a little unsure of why I was in a bed, hooked to IV's, and wasn't quite convinced that I actually had the baby out of my belly, but he has finally come to terms with it.

The kids started calling her Eva from the beginning, but Shawn just wasn't sold on the name.  He just didn't love love it - but couldn't come up with another name that he liked or thought looked like her.  So she remained nameless until 30 minutes before we left the hospital....Eva Michelle Summers.  He finally felt good about the way that sounded.  So Eva - your name came after many long sleepless nights, google searches, and daytime ponderings.  Eva - after a great-great Grandmother Eva Hill Gunnell, on the Summers side (ask us the story behind her - its a great one); and Eve - the first woman and mother on this earth who had courage to make hard choices in order to fulfill God's commandments.  Michelle - after your sweet, amazing, kind, and beautiful Aunt Michelle.  She is one of your dad's and my favorite people in this world.  She is one of those people who truly is beautiful inside and out - she will be a great woman for you to look to as a role model.  You have so many wonderful role models to turn to that the middle name was a struggle - we thought of Julia, after your grandmas, Jo after Aunt Bobbi, and really all of your Aunts are amazing, faithful women - so continue to look to them too when you want to know how a daughter of God should act and be.


Eva Michelle - you are my last sweet baby.  I cannot describe how much love that surrounds you from me, from your father, and from your siblings.  You will always have people around you who want the very best for you, who love you unconditionally, and who think that there is no one cuter or sweeter than you.  We are so grateful to have you in our home at last, because I know that you have been part of family for much longer.  Thank you for being patient with your parents as we decided on whether or not to have another baby.  My heart knew that you were waiting.

January 2017

Snow, snow, and more snow - that basically sums up January 2017.  I can't believe how much snow we have gotten.  I love it and hate it all at the same time.  Perhaps this year especially - with Baby Girl about to make her debut - I am ready for it to be gone.  I need a fence.  Desperately need a fence.  I have tried to be patient, but poor Stone is going stir crazy.  I can't blame him.  He has reached the point of way to big to control, but still not mature enough to stay.  He bolts any chance he gets, and so he has to be on a leash any time he is out of the kennel.  Poor thing....he just wants to run and play.  It breaks my heart.  But that is all we can do with him right now.  So until the weather decides to snap out of this winter....Stone will be leashed, and I will be desperately running behind him trying to keep up.  I'm sure its hilarious for our neighbors to watch this huge pregnant lady bouncing down the road "walking" the dog!

In kid news - Lyv and Jack both participated in an art contest at school and Lyv won for her age division.  It was so adorable to see the kids get recognized for their work - and she even scored a Toys R Us gift card.  She purchased a microscope - which I loved!  Jack drew a picture of the Twin Towers Memorial that he remembered visiting while we were in New York, and did a great job as well.

 Jack's class also put on a Martin Luther King Jr. play, and Jack had a speaking part, as Billy!  He was as adorable as ever - and did a super cute rap at the end.

 Of course  - the ever growing baby bump had to be documented.  38 weeks right here and scheduled to be induced on Thursday, Feb. 9th.  As crazy as this sounds with number five, I still get a little nervous about "having" the baby and even though I'm so so ready and so so excited to see this pretty little girl, I hesitate to say - Let's do this!  But Thursday will be the day ready or not.

This pregnancy has been so fast, and knowing that she is our last - for real this time - I've been trying to soak in all the kicks and bumps.  The kids love watching her move and feeling her kick.  They are all so excited to have her here, and I already feel so grateful to be blessed to have another sweet spirit in our home.  I think she will bring so much joy and love, especially from her older siblings - who I will dote on her and think everything she does is so cute.

We still cannot decide on a name, although we have several contenders.  So far top choices include Eva, Evy, Sophie, Lucy, Reagan, and Jane.  I feel like we will need to see her first, and then hopefully a name will feel just right.  I also am so excited to see what she looks like, if she favors one of the kids, or is her own little person.  Needless to say we are so happy to welcome this sweet girl into our lives in just a few days.

Some other fun happenings:  Sam gave himself a black eye with his newest favorite hobby - Kendama!  He was practicing tricks with it and accidentally jabbed himself in the eye with it.  It didn't take very long for it to turn black and blue...don't mess with the kendama!

 Skiing - all three older kids have been tearing up the slopes this season and loving every second of it.  It really is such a great family sport, and I'm so happy that they have all caught on so well, and seem to enjoy it.  Shawn has been amazing to take them up any free weekend we have, and has taught each one of them to ski!  I hope this is something we can continue to enjoy as a family.

Shawn had a conference in Chicago two weeks ago, so I splurged a bit and took the kids for donuts and did a little shopping.  They didn't seem to mind!

 I've also tried to squeeze in some last mother/daughter - mother/son outings before the baby comes, and have so enjoyed spending time with the kids.  Shawn and I really are blessed to have the four children we have.  Last night after having friends over for the Super bowl, all six of us pitched in and helped clean, vacuum, wash dishes, and tidy up before bed.  I know not every household is like that, but I really do appreciate how helpful they are - and mostly willing to help they are.

 Lyv & I went for pedicures and dinner with our besties.  They boys and I went to dinner and a movie!

Both Jack and Sam are playing basketball right now - and I have yet to get a great shot of either of them.  We love watching them be involved, win or lose.  Mostly lose this season, but they are having fun and continue to learn a lot.  

*This sweet blanket was sent to me by a childhood friend (Lindsay Powell) - who I haven't seen in over a decade.  She saw I was expecting my fifth and made me a quilt for her.  It was such a kind, thoughtful gift.  I am overwhelmed sometimes by how thoughtful people are.

Max's preschool class had special visitors - the Fire Station!  Max just told me he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up, so he was super excited to see the truck up close.  The loud siren he could have done without, but the hoses and helmets he thought were pretty cool!

2nd Annual Daddy/Daughter Date - this year they skipped the dance and opted for dinner, roller skating, and dessert!  I love how much these two love each other.  Hopefully Lyv will be ok to share the love with her baby sister!

 Finally - since the snow refuses to stop falling, we finally succumbed and built a snowman.  I have two more days of Max and Mom time, and so I'm determined to be a yes mom for the next 48 hours.  Meet Emmett, the best looking snowman this side of the Mississippi!  The funniest thing was after we built him, I tried to take Stone out for a walk, and he was terrified of him.  He kept barking at him like he was an imposter!  Stone usually loves people, but there is something about our snowman that is rubbing him the wrong way!