Things I am Thankful For

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and everyone is rushing around getting ready for the big dinner.  Because of all the cooking, eating, and shopping it's easy to forget about the True Thanksgiving.  I therefore wanted to take a break from "everything" and give thanks.

I am thankful for..... my earthly family.  I love my husband, twins, and little baby Eli.  It is amazing how a new baby in the home makes you realize how important family is.  I am so thankful that for the time we get to spend together.

I am thankful for.... my parents, siblings, and in-laws.  It was so nice to have my parents here visiting us.  I love being with them, talking with them, and being told I look like my mom.   My siblings are all such wonderful people and I am excited to move closer to them.  And I couldn't have asked for better in-laws.  Family is so important in life.

I am thankful for.... The Gospel of Jesus-Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Yes, I was raised in the Mormon Church, but I have gained my own testimony that the church is true and is the only true church upon the earth.  I am so happy to be a member.  It makes me who I am today.

I am thankful for.... my Savior.  I know that Christ loves me.  I am never alone because I can pray to Him anytime.  Christ knows me.  He listens to my prayers.  He gives me comfort.  He died for me.  And because of Him, I can be resurrected and live again eternally.

I am thankful for.... my body.  It works.  I can run, bike, jump, swim, and do all other athletic things.  I can grow a child and then feed him.  I feel good.  I am healthy.  I am so thankful for my healthy body.

I am thankful for.... past experiences.  Together Leif and I have lived in the Northwest, Midwest, and Florida.  We have meet wonderful people and experienced much of the United States.  We have been fortunate enough to take vacations and cruises.  I am so thankful for all memories we have made.

I am thankful for.... books.  Reading has become a new hobby of mine.  I love getting hooked into a book and escaping into another world.  Historical books are my new favorite, so I can learn as I read.  And every day I read my scriptures.  Scriptures give me so much comfort and peace.

I am thankful that.... Leif and I are moving to Lewiston.  We are excited to start our "real life" and be settled.  I am thankful that Leif got a good job... in a nice town...close to family.  I am thankful for the life ahead of us.         

Things they say!!!!

Having a new baby in the home is a big adjustment for the parents.  But I feel it is an even bigger adjustment in the children's life.  The twins have never had a baby in the home, and they don't understand what a newborn really is.  Since Eli has been with us, the twins have "said" some really funny things.  

1. Micah picked out Baby Eli a stuffed polar bear at the store and gave it to him at the hospital.  Micah is constantly picking up the bear and placing it next to Eli when he is sleeping or in his swing. Eli is always with this polar bear, because Micah sees to it that he is.
2. Savannah was helping Grandma change Baby Eli's diaper when she put her fingers over his eyes and said,  "Open your eyes Baby Eli."
3. Micah first saw Baby Eli in the hospital and looked really closely at him wrapped in his blanket.  Then he asked, "Where is Baby Eli's feet?"
4. Savannah observed Eli for the first day he was with us then came to me confused and said, "Mom, Eli can't walk or talk!!"
5. Micah and I were holding Baby Eli.  I told Micah that one day Eli and him would play baseball and football together.   Micah thought about it then replied, "But Baby Eli can't walk."
6. Savannah was helping me change Baby Eli's clothes.  I asked her to put on his socks.  After a few attempts she got frustrated and said,  "Baby Eli isn't helping me." 
7. Savannah, Grandpa and I were changing Baby Eli's diaper.  Savannah then said, "Baby Eli has yellow poop.  I have brown poop and seagulls have white poop.  What color is your poop, Grandma? 

family picutes.

While my parents were in town, we had the chance to take some family pictures.  They are not professional, but they sure are sweet.



The boys of the house

the girls of the house

 





 

 

 

What a truly handsome boy little Eli is.

Parents in Town

My dear dad flew into town a day before Eli was supposed to come. So we had both Grandma and Papa here for a whole week (after Granma was here 5 days).  They stayed in a near-by hotel but the twins were sad to see them leave each night. It was truly a special treat to have them here with us. 
The week went by really fast.  Each day Grandma and Papa took the twins on some adventure.   They would come home for naps and then we would prepare a nice dinner for us.  The dinners were awesome!!!  Then we all put the twins to bed and enjoyed an evening together.

One day we all went to Eagle Lake Park.  Another day my parents took the twins to the Tampa Zoo.  There were other adventures to Largo Park, the animal store, chick-fill-a, the 4-story-high-yellow-slide, the hotel swimming pool, and the beach.  At the beach, Eli got to put his feet in the water.  It was the only time he cried!! 

The weather was perfect and the week went by really fast.  I sure do love my parents, and am thankful for their visit.

Baby Eli's first time touching the ocean.

 

Here is Papa giving Eli his first bath.  And Grandma giving Eli lots of loves.  We sure do love our wonderful Grandparents.

Mommy in town

My dear mother came into town the night I got home from the hospital.  It was nice to have her here for my first week home.  Mommy did a great job of cooking for us and keeping our home clean.  But what I appreciated the most was that she kept the twins occupied!!!  She gave then a Christmas present every morning, she read with them each night, and she played with them throughout the day.  The twins really grew to love their Grandma.     

I sure do love my mommy.   Being a mother truly helps me appreciate my mother.  She did a wonderful job raising us 7 kids.   I hope to be just as good as she was. 

 

Mom also went to my baby shower with me.  Jefra and Jodi were kind enough to put on a "diaper and wipes" shower for Liz and I.  It was a special treat to take my mom and another special treat to take Eil to his own shower.

 

Birth of Eli Part 2

Eli is born at 35 weeks 5 days and weighs 6 lbs 3 oz.  After the surgery he is taken to the nursery and they find him healthy and happy.  He is brought to me in the recovery room to nurse.  He does great and therefore get to stay with mommy.  My baby boy is healthy!!  I am so happy!  I will get to take Eil home with me.  This is the best news ever.

 

Elisabeth,and I go back to my room.  Eli goes to get his first bath.  I am dizzy.  I feel like sleeping.  The walls are turning.  They had to give me more medication during the operation then expected.  But I know I can sleep it off and that my baby will be coming home with me.

 

My sweet neighbors, Kacie and Sara, bring the twins by to see Eli and me.  Savannah's first questions is, "Mommy where is your tummy?".  They are interested in my tummy band-aid, my socks, and my hospital gown.  They don't stay long.  I can't keep my eyes open.  So they go to the nursery and get to see brother for the first time.

 

I then say good-bye to everyone and sleep.  But you really don't sleep in hospitals because there is a nurse in your room every 3 hours.  And now I have a little baby to nurse every 2 hours.  But Eli and I make it through the night.  We bond together.    

 

 

Saturday comes and I am feeling better.  Eli is a wonderful baby, I love him already.  I could hold him all day.  Together Eli and I are excited to see our family.  The twins are now with our adapted Grandparents (Bob and Becky).  They will come visit us after picking up Leif from the airport. 

 

At 6:00 p.m there is a knock on our door.  Leif walks in with the twins.  Micah and Savannah are both so so excited to see baby Eli in "real life".  Savannah asks to see his feet, his hands, his legs, and his tummy.  She comments that he can't walk or crawl.  Micah is all smiles and want to hold Eli.  Both kids brought Eli a present from the store (Becky let them each pick one out).  And they want Eli to "play" with his toys.

 

Leif is natural holding Eli.  Eli looks just like his Dad.  It is good to finally see my husband.  All the worries and tears from the day before are forever gone.  We have only been a family of 5 for less then a day, but it feels right.  I love my family. 

 

 Sunday is a special day.  Leif come to the hospital and spends the day with just Eli and I.  We get to enjoy our new son together.  It is a precious time.  We look at the little miracle we created and fall in love with him.  The day goes by fast. 

Monday we take our baby home from the hospital.  We love our little son. We love our little family. 

Birth of Eli Part 1

It is Thursday, November 7th, 2013. Leif is out of town doing interviews in Idaho.  I have hit my 35 week mark and am feeling great.  The C-section is scheduled for November 18th, so I still have one week to get ready.  My parents are coming into town to help out with the delivery and to watch the twins.  I am feeling great and am excite to finally have a "normal delivery". 

 

Since Leif is out of town, I plan a "girls night" to make picture boards.  All the girls stay till around 11:00 p.m.  After they leave, I decide to clean my house and read till late.  Micah comes in my room, so I stop reading and we fall asleep together.  At 3:00 a.m my sleep is awoken.  It is awoken by a gush of water running down my leg!!

 

  I try to tell myself it is just a lot of pee. But I know the truth.  I call Leif, but what can he do all the way across the United States?  He tells me to go to the hospital, and that he loves me.  I pack a bag and head out the front door.  Then I remember that I have 2 babies inside.  But it's 3 a.m.!!! I call my single neighbors.  They don't answers.  I climb the stairs and bang on their door.   They come and very willing to watch the twins through the night and into the next day.  They offer to drive me, but since I still haven't had a single contraction I drive myself to the hospital.

 

Yes, that is right... I drive myself to the hospital.  I check myself in.  They monitor the baby and put me on IV's.  I am told that I will have a C-Section the next morning at 9:30, and to get some rest.  Everything is happening too fast.  I cry.  I don't want to do this alone.  I want my husband next to me.  It wasn't supposed to be this way.  This was going to be my "normal delivery." 

 

A sweet nurse comes in and sees me crying.  She puts her hand on my leg and tells me that the doctors and nurses will look after me. Her words are comforting, but I still feel alone.  The nurse then tells me to call a friend.  I take her advice.

 

In the morning I call some friends.  Word gets around fast and soon there is a knock at my door.  My good friend Jefra came to keep me company.  The C-Section time is changed to 3:00, and Jefra's visit keeps my mind off the surgery. Another friend, Elisabeth, comes around 2.  Elisabeth goes with me into the operation room and holds my hand.  Her presents gives me comfort.  She is there for the birth of my son.  Eli Paul Kanooth comes into this world at 3:30 p.m.