one month

Our little guy is one month old today!

(like father like son)

We sure like having him around. He's a fine young gent.

I should also mention that today is a special day for someone else in the family. A week ago today my sister gave birth to her second child, baby James. We can't wait to meet him and Ethan especially can't wait to have him as a buddy. We did it sister!

ethan's blessing

Bret's parents came to town a week after Ethan was born so we decided to have his baby blessing that Sunday in my parent's home. Although it was a small group and a lot of our family members were not able to come, it was still a very sweet and special setting and the spirit was so strong. We are very grateful to have this special little guy here with us and for the support of our friends and family!

Three generations.

Thanks to Bret's parents (or should I say poppa and nana shanna?) for coming down to see us!

the scoop

Hurray for delivery stories! J/K. I know these can sometimes be long and drawn out so I'll do my best to give a brief run down of bringing Ethan into the world.

First of all, I'm pretty sure that full moon did the trick. That night (Tuesday) I had contractions for a few hours and when I went in for my appointment early the next day, my doctor said I had started dilating and predicted I'd be back soon. I went home and around 11:00 that morning I started contractions again that lasted all day and all through the night. At around 7:30 that morning, I woke up Bret, said I'd had enough and it was time to go. I checked into the hospital around 8:15 and got an epidural an hour or so later. I continued to labor through out the day and by around 5:30 that evening, was ready to push. The bad news though was that Ethan was posterior and despite all attempts made by both myself and the doctor to move him, he had no desire to turn - the stubborn little dude. We tried pushing for an hour and a half but the doctor said he wasn't progressing and that it was time to do a C- section. I was super disappointed after all the labor I'd been through, but at the same time, I was so exhausted I knew I couldn't push anymore. So yeah, C-section happened and it wasn't fun but our doctor did an excellent job and the little guy was FINALLY here so that's all that mattered. I just want to mention that on the way to the operating room I was greeted in the hall by my parents and all my siblings (apart from the one who lives away) who had come to support us; I had no idea they or anyone would come till after he was born so it was a surprise. At first I felt bad that they had been waiting for so long and would have to wait while I was in surgery but looking back, I realize that it meant the world to me to see their faces and it gave me such comfort. I still tear up every time I think about it.

Bret should certainly also be recognized for his outstanding love and support throughout the entire process. It's crazy to imagine that his original plan was to come back from Brazil on the 26th (the day Ethan was born). Although he would have probably been there in time for the birth that evening, I seriously don't know how I would have gotten through that whole ordeal without him by my side.

So anyway, here are some pics:

Chef Boyardee even made an appearance for the surgery.

This next one was taken just minutes after Ethan was born. Once he was out and I got a quick look at him, they put me under to sew me back up. I like that it looks like he's crying in my behalf but its' really just some liquid they put in his eyes.

Because of the c section, we had to stay in the hospital for a few days. Bret stayed with me practically the whole time (besides a few trips next door for some Costco pizza) so it felt kind of like a hotel stay, with some major differences of course. It all seems like a blur now but it was a great place to get rest, receive fabulous care and advice and even have a few *visitors.

*Since being home we've been visited by many more friends including Bret's parents who are here for the weekend. More of those pictures to come. If you're interested in stopping by and meeting Ethan, let us know, we'd love to have you!

We've been home since Monday and Ethan is now over a week old. These first few days have been somewhat rough as all parents can attest, and my recovery is slow going but it's all more than worth it for what we've gained. Ethan is the sweetest little boy and Bret and I have both fallen hard. I have to mention also that Bret, as predicted, has been a champ father. The fact that I am recovering from a c section has required him to step up and take on a lot of the responsibilities that I just can't help with. Not only has he risen to the occasion, his natural paternal abilities have shined and I couldn't be more grateful for him. I've always thought of myself as awkward with newborns but it's amazing how those instincts have come out in me as well. He's the best, that baby. Sometimes when I wake up and I hear his little noises (this can include high-pitched screams in the middle of the night), I get so excited remembering that he's finally here and that we get to keep him.

Ethan Thomas Miller

Born August 26, 2010 at 7:36PM

7 lbs 10 ounces 20.5 inches long

the waiting game

The time of birthing is at hand and Bret and I are becoming a little antsy to have our baby boy around. Technically, I'm not due until next week but we both felt (and I certainly look) like it would happen sooner than later. It'll be just my luck to go a week over or something.

Now that we've gotten mostly everything we need and things are set up for his temporary room here in Utah, all we have left to do is wait. Despite my discomfort, I think Bret is even more eager than I am to get things going - I wouldn't be surprised if he starts slipping chilli powder or castor oil in my drink soon. He's been so excited putting baby's room and all the gear together and I often find him moving the baby carrier from the car, to the stroller and all round the house. He's devoured every baby care book we have, memorized all our safety manuals and drills young parents about their methods of establishing the best sleep routine. He even found an old cabbage patch doll that he used as proxy to practice swaddling and strapping into the car seat; I wouldn't be surprised if he expresses a desire to take the empty stroller for a walk soon... oh wait, he did.

He'll certainly be a great dad!

Last week a good friend of mine took some pictures of us to document this time of anticipation. I was a little hesitant to photograph my body in this condition, but they turned out pretty cute (at least the ones I've seen so far) despite my apparent swollen-ness and I'm glad we did it. Thanks again Miss Giddens!

Maybe I'll put them up once we get them all back but here's a little glimpse:

P.S. Tonight is a full moon..... fingers crossed that the legends prove true!

shower power

We've been very lucky recently to have had a few baby showers thrown for us by some very generous friends. They were all beautifully done with an abundance of good food and good company!

Shower with the Danville girls given by Meriel Frandsen and Megan Scott.

Frozen grape skewers. Mmmm....

Another elephant for baby boy. Meriel made this herself... amazing.

Chi Omega shower given by Natalie DeMill. See more here.

Belly buddies. Tiffany and I are due one day apart!

Can't wait to put baby in all these cute little clothes!

High school friends shower given by Melissa Long, Danielle Curtis, Rachel Rigby and Allie Turville. See more here.

I'm huge, by the way.

That fruit looks so good right now.

(please notice B's stache above)

A big thanks to everyone who came and put these showers together, we feel so spoiled!

last week was awesome

Yes, last week was indeed fantastic. For one, my sister and her family were in town from California which is always so fun. There was a lot of this happening....

I'm sure the neighborhood is so confused; first assuming the lone pregnant girl roaming the streets must be a single teen mom to now perhaps believing we're polygamists, what with my brother-in-law pushing a kid in a stroller around with two pregnant ladies in stride.

It's the down-hill stretch for the both of us!

Last week was also great because I had this little girl for a buddy which means lots of watching Finding Nemo and a few Dora songs stuck in my head.

My family rules.

I've also had some wonderful baby showers thrown for me recently so I'll have to post about those soon.

But perhaps the best part of last week, no, the entire summer, was when this dapper young man walked back into my life.

Yes, Bret is home! He surprised me on Tuesday by coming home a whole week early. It has been absolutely amazing to have him around again. I even let him keep the stache for a couple of days as a reward. NEVER will we be separated for that long again.

Now all that's left is for this baby to come. I can't believe I've only got about two and half weeks left of this pregnancy (although my body is certainly feeling it), and that I'm basically a ticking time bomb. We sure can't wait to meet our little guy!!