Oaklee Marie's Birth Story

What a whirlwind of emotion I have been feeling these last four weeks. Yes, my sweet baby girl is 4 weeks old tomorrow. I can't help but feel a little sad that I haven't blogged about her sooner, but I just haven't had the energy or the time to just sit and type, nor have I known what to write feeling like it has to be this poetic post about my sweet Oaklee Marie.

Here is her birth story and those first few precious moments of when mother, daughter and sister were reunited in this life. 

On Thursday October 13th I had just my normal weekly appointment with my Doctor. I got there did all the normal routine stuff, check my blood pressure, get weighed, pee in the cup, the been there done that sort of stuff.   The Doctor then came in and as we were talking I told her I just don't know how I am going to make it these next two weeks, I was scheduled for an induction on the 25th. I was exhausted, tired, stressed about my baby. I just wanted her here and to know that she was okay and get going on fixing her kidney issues. She then checked me and being dilated to a 5+ she said lets have this baby Monday, as in 4 days, YES! I screamed, so excited and so happy to know that there was an end in sight. 

Fast forward through the next four days...Monday morning came and I had another Doctor appointment at 1:30. Jake and I showed up at my appointment to have my Doctor strip my membranes so I could then go and get induced at the hospital. Being that it was 10 day before my due date she had to get me into active labor in her office for the hospital to admit me. While there she ended up breaking my water in her office so off the the hospital we went. 

We got to the hospital at about 3:00 and was in our room hooked up to an IV and my antibiotic by 3:30. I had to have the antibiotic because I was positive for Strep B. I had to be on the antibiotic for at least four hours before she was born. 

After being on the antibiotic for two hours they started me on pitocin, and then I got my epidural. At 7:30 my nurse checked me and I was complete. They called my Doctor, she got there at around 8:00 pm and Oaklee Marie was born at 8:06. 

Oaklee Marie weighed in at 6 pounds 6 ounces, 18 inches long and PERFECT! This sweet baby girl that I was so excited too meet, hold, kiss, snuggle was here. Finally happy tears. I had cried too many sad tears worrying will she be okay, will she make it full term, will Samantha get to hold her sister. 

Here she is just minutes old after I got to hold her skin to skin, the most amazing moment as a mother. Holding my sweet baby on my chest for the first time. Feeling her breath, her heart beat...she was here. 

 Jake and I, our first picture with our sweet baby girl. 

 The best grandma in the world. 

The first time Samantha saw Oaklee Marie. Best Friends. 

 So happy that my best friend got to be there. 

 Samantha got to help give Oaklee her first bath. She was and still is the best big sister. So proud of her baby. 

 The girls, dreaming about all our girl dates and play dates. 

 Oaklee's protector. Cameron is so gentle and soft with her. Giving her kisses and inspecting her little tiny body.

My baby girl. 

Oaklee Marie, you have brought such joy to my life. Being you mother is the best gift I could ever get from my Father in Heaven. I love you more and more each and every day. You are still at four weeks old smaller than your big sister and big brothers were when they were born, you are my little baby doll. You are so sweet, never crying...peaceful. You are such a blessing in my life and in your daddies life. Oaklee, there are so many people in this world that love you so much, that care for you and that have been praying for you to get here. I will cherish everyday I get to be you mom and hold on to all the little moments in time that I get to hold you, sleep with you, feed you, bathe you, snuggle you.
Love you more, Mom.

Hip Hip Hooray, Cameron is Three Today!!!

The most loving, gentle, kind, lovable, selfless, happy, talkative, snugly, little boy turned three years old today. I am so blessed to be this little mans mother. 

This entire month had been dedicated to him, all about him, and it will continue for at least another week.

We started the celebration up at Wolf Creek with the rest of the September Birthdays. 

Here is Easton, Kohen, Cameron and Daxton all having birthdays less than two weeks apart.  

Then yesterday we spent the day at Lagoon going on whatever ride Cameron wanted to go on.

Here is Beluga the Whale...

 ...and the space ships...

 ...and of course Puff the Magic Dragon...

...as well as the Train...

Today on his actual Birthday my dad, the best Grandpa in the world came over for his Birthday Dinner and a Buzz and Woody ice-cream cake.

Cameron got the most adorable hat that he is wearing as well as a Nerf ball, from his favorite Grandpa, the best Grandpa in the world.

Next week when Grandma gets back from Ohio the celebration will continue for Cameron with the rest of the Coil clan.

Cameron, three years ago today they laid you on my chest for the first time and I knew from that moment on we were going to be the BEST of friends. 

I love you more and more each and every day. There is a special bond between a mother and her son, you and I had that bond from the moment they laid you in my arms.

Today when we sat out on the porch watching the stars cuddling under the same blanket you telling me about how stars fly in the sky, and how they are so bright and you wish that someday you could touch them..Those are the moments between us, a mother and her son that I will cherish forever. 

Happy Birthday Cameron, I love you!

SMILE

While outside watering trees with Jake I grabbed my camera to try and snap a quick picture of a cluster of yellow butterfly  I saw, (more to come on the butterfly cluster later) but got this amazing photo of my Logan-berry. I told him, Samantha and Cameron to smile and this is what I got...

He smiled like that for a good 60 seconds, if not longer, and did this the rest of the night anytime I said smile. I really do love him and am trying to soak up all the time I have with him as my baby. 

Give me a Yee-Haw...

...and I will give you the cutest little 2 year old cowboy around.

Here in the Wild, Wild West (a.k.a the Lawson home) this here cowboy runs the range with his endless kisses, hugs, smiles and constant story telling. 

...and if needs be he sure can shoot that handy rusty BB gun given to him by his Grandma Great. 

...this cowboy has some wise old stories to tell and if you'll lend him your ear you can learn a lot from him.

...like the time that he went hunting with Preston and Porter up the big hill, but not Luke and shot a bear in the bum. 

...or that grand old day that he was rummaging through the basement and found his old motorcycle, also from Grandma Great, and was the happiest cowboy around, all you had to do was "look at the smile on his face" words from the cowboy himself.

…these here parts would not be the same without this old' cowboy and were sure glad to have him around, and if you ever want to stop by I'm sure he will have a story to tell or an adventure to take you on. 

An Apostle's Easter Thoughts on Christ

My Logan is ONE!

Have you ever asked the question "is there such a thing as the perfect baby"? Well, I am here to tell you that there is and he is my beautiful, red headed, blue eyed, smiley, smiley little Logan.

11 months ago Jake took Logan in his arms and gave him a name and a blessing, and in this blessing Jake told Logan to smile, and that his smile was a gift from his Father in Heaven and would be used to brighten those in his life. Well, it sure is bright in the Lawson home because this little guy never stops smiling... he really is perfect.

He loves to give hugs, and I mean big bear hugs, he puts his arms around your neck and just holds on, while smiling of course.

He loves, adores, constantly watches, always aware of, tries to keep up with his older sister Samantha and big brother Cameron. They each have a special bond with one another. Samantha, the loving kind motherly type who will talk to him, get him toys, and be so gentle and kind to him, he sure does love her. And Cameron, more of the big brother I am going to make you laugh even if I have to push you over kind, but I know Cameron loves him, and he loves Cameron.

He also loves his mama, not to brag or anything but I know I am his favorite. The one on one time we get to spend together each and every night after the older two have gone to bed is my most enjoyable time of the day, yes I keep my baby up a little bit later so we can have our one on one time together. I sure do look forward to my nights, just me and my baby.

Logan loves to walk, he has been trying to walk now for the last six weeks, but now he has it down. I know it had to do with wanting to be in the middle of what Samantha and Cameron are doing.

He can also go up and down the stairs.

Logan, you are the joy in our home. You make me smile, laugh and giggle. You make being a mother so fun. I love you more and more each and every day, it makes me a little sad to say that you are now one, but your personality that becomes a little stronger, and louder, each and every day makes me so excited for the future and to see what kind of friend and buddy you are going to make.

Happy 1st Birthday Logan!

All about Logan..

With Logan turning ONE on Thursday I have decided to dedicate these next few post's to him, this is a short and sweet one, but you'll get the 'picture' on why I love him oh so much.



 

Logan Walking

This free digital invite made with Smilebox

We took a snow day and did this...

... built a snowman

.

..rolled a snowball with no help.

...found the only dirt pile that was not covered in snow.

...was pushed down the hill by little brother,

and big sister.

And as a very wise four year old said, "had the best day ever".

I want to go back to...

...CAlIfORniA, DiSNeYLaND, the BeAch,

...the pOOl, where we spent every night after dinner, laughing, swimming, having WaY to much fun.

... the PiER where Samantha and Cameron saw

the OCeAn for the first time

... the TIME we got to spend with just the five of us.

My Mom

Happy Birthday to the most amazing Mother, Wife, Grandmother, Daughter and Friend. You are my rock and my strength. You are my sunshine and my JOY.

You are JOY to your grankids.
You are JOY to all those that know what it means to be the best.
We love you, and Happy, Happy Birthday
Love, Jake, D, Samantha, Cameron and Logan.

A Fancy Fourth CELEBRATION

This year for Samantha's fourth birthday we had a Fancy Nancy themed party, and ooh la la was it fancy.

We had three of Samantha's best friends join us for the party, and as you can tell by the pictures they all came in there most fancy apparel. (That is a fancy name for clothes)

When we handed out their invitations we gave them each their own, tutu, boa, and lace gloves, when they arrived at the party we had to accessories with some glasses, beads, tiara and rings, don't they look posh?!

We read Fancy Nancy books
Did mini photo shoots with each of the girls
Decorated there very own cupcakes

And had the most delightful tea party with heart shaped sandwiches, pink Italian Cream Sodas and Yogurt with whipped cream and sprinkles.


We learned how to call each other "darling" and hold our pinkie finger up when having a drink.


It was a wonderful party full of smiling girls, painting fingernails and giggling.


PS A huge shout out to my sister Erin and my Mom for helping me pull of such a fun party, could not have done it without your help.

Happy Fancy 4th Samantha D

What a fancy, fun filled, fantastic couple of days we have had at the Lawson home. My sweet angel, my mini-me, my shadow has turned four years old.

Samantha, you truly are my best friend and my angel here on Earth. I love all the many, many conversations we have while in the car, doing your hair and eating dinner, you are never short of words. I love to watch you be an amazing big sister to Cameron and Logan, you are kind, loving, caring, filled with compassion, and such a great example to the two of them. You defiantly have the attitude "Life is a dance floor waiting to be danced on, jumped on, skipped on, and twirled on" and that to me is one of your best traits and characteristics.


And now a look back on these last four years...

Samantha these pictures show just a small glimpse of these past four years, from your first few hours in the NIC-U to us going to Disneyland, we have had and made some amazing memories. I love you and Happy, Happy Fourth Birthday, my Samantha D Lawson.