My new life... Day 1.

These last couple days have deff been unexpected. While going to bed Wednesday night I couldn't get comfortable... I just tossed and turned from side to side and blamed it on my big pregnant body. By 1:00 I was having bad back pains and had this feeling (which was no doubt from our Heavenly Father) to just go into the Orem hospital and have them make sure everything was ok. I sure hoped everything was ok and that I wasn't dilated because I was only 33 weeks along. Tammy Lee still needed a lot more time to grow and develop before I could hold her in my arms. I woke up Stephen and told him how I was feeling. I said just stay here with Savannah and if something is serious we can call someone to come over in the middle of the night. I went on my way to the Orem hospital and figured I was just being overly paranoid and that they wold send me home. Once I got there I told them that I wasn't in a lot of pain besides my lower back but I mostly came because I just felt like I needed to. They gave me a list of scenarios of why I may be feeling this way and assured me everything would be fine. They put me on the monitors and T-Lee's heart looked great but I was deff having consistent contractions. For some reason when I am contracting I don't feel pain. At times I will feel my stomach tighten but they are not painful. Next the nurse decided to check me and what happened after this was the scariest experience I have ever been through. She checked me and said, "Jenaca, you are 4 cm dilated and 90 % effaced... you are in active labor. We have to stop this progression fast because who knows how quickly you could progress." A million emotions were running through my body at this point. I was scared, confused, unsure, and mostly terrified of what was to happen next. The nurse then beeped in the other nurse... told her what was going on. They called the ambulance to take me to Utah Valley hospital because they have a much better NICU and they called my doctor to come immediately. They began poking me and prodding me with needles and getting me to swallow pills to slow down my labor and stop my contractions. They gave me a steroid shot in each hip to help little Tammy Lee's lungs develop. By this time Stephen had gotten there and his parents were at the house with Savannah. He was also completely shocked at what was happening and how serious the situation was. Everything seemed so surreal as they laid me on the ambulance bed and wheeled me out of the hospital. I just kept praying asking Heavenly Father to give me comfort and if I was to have Tammy Lee early that she would be ok and the steroid shots could get to her body quickly to help her little lungs grow and develop.
  It was about 3:45 once we got to the Utah Valley hospital. They wheeled me up to my room and put Tammy Lee and I back on monitors. My contractions had slowed down and everything was stabilized. I was asked a million questions and had to sign a million forms until 5:30 that morning. Finally I tried to relax and get some sleep but my body was so restless and anxious... I just laid in the hospital bed in shock. The doctor came in and said that I could be in the hospital up to 4 weeks if they could keep things stable. Their hope is to at least let Tammy Lee grow until I am 36 weeks along. When they said I would have to be here for 3 to 4 weeks I died because I couldn't imagine not waking up and seeing Savannah everyday. How was Savannah going to feel that I was just gone? She won't understand where I went and I didn't want this experience to be traumatic for her. All I could think of was who was going to watch Savannah? Stephen is so busy with law school as well and he can't get home until 7 at the earliest. I knew this was going to be a big adjustment for our whole family.

The rest of the day was hard. I got news I didn't like and wasn't expecting. I struggled sitting and doing nothing all day. I am a productive person so it kills me to sit in a bed all day long and all I could think of was Savannah and how she was doing. I will write about day 2 later today!

I am so grateful for the sweet comments, text messages, voicemail's,  and prayers sent our way. Stephen, Savannah, Tammy Lee and I appreciate them more than you know. I have had so many friends and ward members offer to help watch Savannah, bring meals, and do anything they can to help and we truly feel blessed to know such a great people. Thank you!

Feeding the Ducks

We had a fun, relaxing Sunday afternoon. We spent it with my family up in Hobblecreek and celebrated my moms bday. My parents live way up in the mountains and we love going to visit. When we venture up there we always feel like we are on a mini vacation... the view is so beautiful. After we had dinner we went to the duck pond in Springville and Savannah was in heaven. Her favorite part was running towards the ducks and watching them flee back into the water. I love relaxing Sundays and I love spending those days with family!

When Dallas comes to play...

Savannah loves when friends come over to play. She will take them by the hand and show them her toys. She really loves playing with Dallas. I use to watch Dallas when he was a little baby and now he is so grown up. It is always fun when I get to see him again.

I love that Savannah is friendly... she is not shy at all. If I tell her someone is coming over to play she sits on the chair by our front door and looks out the window waiting patiently. Once she sees someone walking up to the door she can hardly contain her excitement. She also loves getting the door when someone knocks. 

Savannah and Dallas ate chicken nuggets for lunch and Savannah insisted on sitting in a big chair by Dallas. She wanted nothing to do wit her high chair.

We did a fun little painting activity which was quite a success. The best part is there is no mess afterwards! :)

This picture is so cute... they crack me up!

Cute cute kiddos... love them!

Going to the temple and we're gonna get married...

Last weekend we headed to Portland for Chase and Jessie's wedding. YAY... my brother is married and I couldn't ask for a better sister! Chase and Jessie are so cute together and they are so compatible. The trip was a lot of fun and Savannah was great. She was amazing on both plane rides. I filled my backpack with books, snacks, and things to play with that kept her occupied for our 2 hour flight. Stephen and I were really happy about how well she did. It was a fun weekend and I am so happy for my brother! They are living it up in the Dominican Republic for a week and will be heading on a cruise to the Bahamas next week... LUCKY!

On the way to the temple!

Does Chase look nervous?

The beautiful bride and her bridesmaids. I had the hardest time finding a yellow maternity dress. I ended up getting a non maternity yellow dress that was stretchy because I was having no luck.

Love the fun colors they chose.

How funny/weird is this picture. I was cracking up.

Spencer even joined us at the reception! ;)

We had a blast and did I mention how beautiful the Portland temple was. I am so glad we got to go and we can't wait until Chase and Jessie are back in Utah and we can hang out with them more! They are planning on buying a  house in Orem... I am trying to convince them to get one in our neighborhood. ;)

HAPPY MONDAY!

Tantrums and all...

Savannah is such a good girl. She is very independent, very social, funny, happy, and so sweet. But she does have her moments! I captured this tantrum on camera and thought I would share her feisty side. haha ;)

It all began when I took a picture of her and she wanted the camera. We all know it is not a good idea to give an 18 month old a nice camera... there are too many buttons and too many things that can go wrong if they play with it. So I wouldn't let her have it.

She was very upset with me and ran to the couch and turned around to give me this angry face.

Then she plopped herself on the ground...

Looked up in disgust about how mean I was...

continued to cry...

then gave me this sad face...

and clenched those fists which means she is real mad..

Then I figured I should probably stop taking pictures because it seemed to be making things worse. So I turned off the camera... we gave hugs and kisses... and I told her why she couldn't have the camera. The nice things is she gets over her tantrums really quick and just needs to feel loved. She is a sweet girl! 

Love my Savannah... tantrums and all!

Love Flashes

Tonight I was having so many "love flashes" of Savannah so I thought I would sit down and write some of my thoughts. A "love flash" is a term my family used growing up. It is when you are reminiscing of a time that made you feel full of love for someone. I have "love flashes" quite often for Savannah. I love my days with her!

 I love waking up in the morning to the sound of Savannah saying, "MaaaaaaMaaaa." Once I walk in a big smile comes across her face as she grabs both her blankies and reaches out her arms for me.

 I love seeing her learn and understand. She understands so many things I tell her to do and is such a great helper. I can tell she will be a great big sister to Tammy Lee.

I love when she hears music and immediately starts dancing to the beat and wants everyone around to join in with her.

I love going on walks with her and stopping every 5 seconds because she gets distracted by something…whether it’s a leaf, a weed, a rock, or chewed gum. ;)

I love how independent and determined she is… it reminds me of her Dad!

I love when she bonks or falls and runs to me to kiss it better even when it really didn’t hurt that bad. ;) But apparently a kiss works magic and she is right back to normal.

 I love reading books and hearing her say all the animal sounds.

 I love how social she is. She loves playing with other kids and gets so excited when people come over.

I even love her feisty stubborn side. She won’t give up something she has without putting up a fight that’s for sure.

 I love that everyday I spend with her I can always count on a good laugh from something she does. 

She is such a fun girl and makes my days brighter and my smiles bigger!

I love you Savannah!