amateur

Okay, so  I've always enjoyed taking pictures but I don't know how to use photo-shop, and I want to edit pictures. I knew how to use the picasa program but i can't get it to work on my mac. So Patrick showed me how to use the computer and here are just a couple of the pictures I took today...and edited!

Hospital Stay

Here are a few pictures of G.K.'s first few days. We thought about leaving the hospital after one day, but decided to get a little more rest.  I'm really glad we did. He is a good sleeper but it is nice to have all the nurses there in case we had any questions.  We also had a lot of people come by and see Garrison. He has a lot of people that really love him.  

Thank you everyone for coming to see our son.

Welcome G. K.

On Wednesday morning Patrick took me to the hospital to be induced.

Traffic was terrible, it almost took us an hour to get there but they still had a room ready and waiting for us.  

This was Patrick and I before the labor pains started. When I went in I was dialated to a 3+ and 80% effaced.  They started me on the pitosin at about 8:45, at 10:30 I was dialated to a 6, and at 11:30 I was dialated to a 9. So it went really really fast. Which was really good and a little bad because the epidural didn't really get a chance to catch up with the contractions. Well it did work on my left side but my right hurt really bad. At Noon the nurse, Janean (she was amazing) came in to check me and she said I was at a 10 and we were going to do some "practice pushes". My doctor was on lunch but would check in she said. He came at about 12:20 and didn't look really serious so I wasn't worried until he checked the baby and put on his gown. Then I was pretty freaked out. 

Garrison Kalvin Lowder was born at 12:35P.M.  He weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces. He was 19 and a half inches long.  He has the most adorable cry that I have ever heard. I think it is still too hard to tell who he looks more like, he is beautiful.  He loves his Daddy!  

Patrick gave him his first bath and I think everyone on the floor heard his screaming. 

Garrison has big hands and feet like his Daddy. 

I love my Boys!

The whole experience just went by so fast I can't believe that he is really here. 

Thanks everyone for making this such an amazing experience and sharing it with us. 

We are new at this whole parent thing, and it has been fun to hear everyones stories. 

We feel spoiled and I think that G.K. will be spoiled too, but I heard that you can't spoil a baby.

G.K in the Box

Well this is my belly!  On G.K.'s due date.  As beautiful and gross as it is with all the veins and hair and stretch marks, I will still miss it! Tomorrow morning I am scheduled to be induced, as per Patrick's request.   I can't wait to see Patrick holding him. Tonight he took me for mexican food and a drive in the mountains. We have had a lot of fun with it just being the two of us but it will be fun to see our little family grow. 

The Hassans

Well Wendi and Dennis are in Italy right now and my parents are helping them out by running their kids around. They are really active kids. But they found time to take me to see Kung Fu Panda (which I loved!) and we went to Morelia's last week too. They are a blast to hang out with! Thanks for calling me up!

Grateful

Okay, so it is 3:45 in the morning right now and I can't sleep. No I'm not in labor, I don't think, but anyway I was just laying there and I remembered I wanted to share my favorite things about being pregnant. Sorry I'm lame.  It is just so short I know I need to appreciate it.

1. Feeling G.K. move - I feel like it is just for me, but he moves for Patrick more.

2. The way Patrick sees me.

3. Seeing Patrick and I want to be the best parents we can.

4. Appreciating the Mothers in my life more.

5. When other people feel the baby move.

6. My hair doesn't fall out by the hand-full, and my nails have never been stronger.

7. The way people treat me -they just smile at ya.

8. My belly button is inside out so it has never been cleaner.

9. I get to decorate my belly with temporary tattoos.

10. Maternity clothes and baby shopping. Even though I haven't bought a lot of clothes I think they are really cute. I'm just too cheap.

The things I don't like

1. I can't run.

2. I can't sleep on my tummy.

3. I can't ride roller coaster rides.

4. I have a hard time being told that I can't do something. I didn't want to be treated like I was suddenly broken. 

4. Feeling scared

I think that is all. I really have enjoyed being pregnant. I really didn't think I would enjoy it, I think since I knew it was what I wanted I have been able to enjoy it a lot more.

Lowder Barbeque

On Saturday night we went to Adam and Lyndsey's house for a BBQ. It was a lot of fun. The Lowders are a goofy bunch.  I like it because I fit in.

Carson and Lyndsey enjoying their cheetos.

Benton was so funny. I was standing next to him and he just put his hand on my huge belly. I thought it was pretty cute. He was saying Hi to his new little cuz.

Patrick and Benton really bonded. The played together and cried together. It is still weird to see Patrick holding kids under the age of 2 but I guess I better get use to it. He'll be a terrific Dad!

The Shed take 2

I think Patrick just really likes to build things. 

We built a shed a few years ago and then we ripped it down and Patrick just rebuilt a new one. I always give him a hard time that he doesn't finish the projects he starts, but this time I can't say a thing.  This weekend he finished the shed. He did a really good job. I can't envision things like he can, so I was pretty skeptical about spme things, like the loft and the hipped roof. But it all turned out awesome. Good job Baby!  I think this one is here to stay.

The Riverton Parade

Patrick wanted to stay home and work on the shed this holiday weekend, but I really wanted to go to a parade.  Patrick said we could go to the Riverton parade, Sam at work (my Gardener) has a pretty sweet set up because his Dad lives about 4 houses from where the parade starts. So we sat with the Websters and boy do they know how to do a parade~

This is Sierra and she was the parade queen. Sierra and her brother Dallin got everything. I mean everything, t-shirts, otter pops, full sized candy bars. It was amazing! The best was they were not greedy at all. Sierra gave me all the Tootsie Rolls because they are my fav, and I can't bend over so well any more. She was very sweet.
Heather and Kade also came to the parade. It was fun to hang out with them. Kade is really good at sports. He had Patrick and Sam very impressed. I think they were both really trying to keep up with him. It was really nice going to a parade at night rather than in the morning. The weather was just right! I did miss going to Lewiston, maybe next year though. I think I heard Casper's calling my name.