Good helpers!

I wanted to make a special post for my mom and sister! I will be forever indebted to them for being here for me during the time of Shyloh's arrival. They cooked, cleaned, entertained, and gave me some much needed friendship and emotional support when I really needed it. I was super excited to have this baby unassisted but I didn't realize until they arrived, how much I needed some strong, supportive women with me. They were such a huge encouragement. Summer's husband is a full time student and yet she spent the money to fly out here and be with me. I am so grateful to her for that. My mom made the 13 hour trek here and back so that she could witness this baby being born. They were so amazing during the birth. Summer documented and mom ran around like a chicken with her head cut off grabbing towels, beanies, snacks, drinks and even a pooperscooper haha. As we headed out to go to the hospital, Mom was waiting there with her purse! She was willing to go to the hospital at 3am but we insisted that she get some sleep so she could help with the kids in the morning. She made sure I was well nourished during the week after the birth, making delicious nutritious smoothies and wonderful meals.

Thank you so much you two. You will never fully understand how much your presence meant to me. This was my dream birth and you had a part in that!

We found this bike at a thrift store for 15 bucks! Gotta love second hand stuff! Nolan is so cute when he peddles around on his bike and wears his little helmet! He's just such a cutie! It is so beautiful here. We love going outside. Mom and Dad have such a beautiful back yard with a jungle gym and grass! Definitely a step up from our concrete little patio! We feel very blessed to be here.

Great Grandparents

Shyloh has had the honor of meeting two sets of Great Grandparents and her last living Great, Great Grandmother! How special she is, and only three weeks old! Grandma and Grandpa Smith came to visit some friends here in Utah during the fourth of July weekend. They came and had dinner with us. It was so great to be able to see them! Were planning a visit to Washington in August so that will be fun to be able to see them and the rest of the family up there!




We were able to attend a family reunion that fortunately happened to be just across the freeway from us! It was really neat to meet some of my great grandma Jenkins relatives. She now has 6 great grand-babies including Shyloh! I wish we could have gotten a five generation picture but my mom couldn't make it. I am so thankful that I have so many grandparents living today!

Shyloh and her Great Great Grandma!

Here is Shyloh and her great Grandpa Jenkins

Childhood Poem

My mother had this poem memorized when I was child and would tell it to us kids often. It brings back some neat memories reading it. I started to tell it to Nolan but only knew the first line or two so I googled it....

Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod

Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod, one night sailed off in a wooden shoe; Sailed off on a river of crystal light into a sea of dew. "Where are you going and what do you wish?" the old moon asked the three. "We've come to fish for the herring fish that live in this beautiful sea. Nets of silver and gold have we," said Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song as they rocked in the wooden shoe. And the wind that sped them all night long ruffled the waves of dew. Now the little stars are the herring fish that live in that beautiful sea; "Cast your nets wherever you wish never afraid are we!" So cried the stars to the fishermen three - Winkin', and Blinkin', and Nod.

So all night long their nets they threw to the stars in the twinkling foam. 'Til down from the skies came the wooden shoe bringing the fisherman home. 'Twas all so pretty a sail it seemed as if it could not be. Some folks say 'twas a dream they dreamed of sailing that misty sea. But I shall name you the fisherman three - Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod.

Now Winkin' and Blinkin' are two little eyes and Nod is a little head. And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies is a wee one's trundle bed. So close your eyes while mother sings of the wonderful sights that be. And you shall see those beautiful things as you sail on the misty sea,
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three - Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod.

Me, Summer and Shane

Proud Daddy

I think he's in love!

Love at first Sight

I really didn't know what to expect from Nolan after Shyloh was born. Especially after I saw how he was treating his cousins. I was a tad bit scared. I had images of him hitting, sitting on or throwing random objects at his new sister. So the first time he saw her I was pleasantly surprised. He came in the room saying "where's my baby" Then he crawls up on the bed and just sits there petting her. With all that dark soft hair who can resist? Suddenly he blurts out "can i hold her?" I though this love at first sight would wear off but still three weeks later he is the best big brother I could hope for. He pets her head all the time and still loves holding her. He gets sad when she's upset and though I'm holding and feeding her a lot he has never shown one ounce of jealousy! We'll have to see how he reacts when she goes after one of his toys.

Bath Time

She Loved taking a bath! It was so pleasant. She just floated in the water with me and was wide awake. I still can't believe how much hair this little beauty has! I read online that women who experience a lot of heart burn are more likely to have a baby with a full head of hair, luckily that wasn't the case with me.

Shyloh- (usually spelled Shiloh or Shilo) Originated from Isreal meaning Peaceful. Shilo is also used by the Navajo and it means Brother. The Hebrew meaning for Shyloh is His Gift

How Shyloh entered the world

I woke up Sunday morning two days past my due date. I was feeling a tad rushed because my mom and sister were here and I wanted them to have some time with the baby before they had to leave. I was ready to birth this angel but babies are easier to take care of in the belly I wasn't in any hurry. Church was nice. All the ladies came up and lamented the fact that I didn't have a baby in my arms. One lady said "Maybe tonight". I wasn't getting my hopes up.

I kept busy that day. Helping with the kids and trying to keep things clean. It was around seven when I started having contractions that were about 7 minutes apart. They didn't feel like anything special and this had happened several times before so I didn't get too excited.

At 8:30pm I was reading Nolan bedtime stories when a contraction hit that sent me to my knees breathing. Then the next one was a bit stronger. I imagined a newborn in my arms and began to get super excited. I kissed Nolan good night and went out to tell Summer and Mom what had transpired. You could taste the excitement!!! We walked around my room getting things set up while I stopped and rocked through contractions. I was feeling a tiny bit of the contraction in my back so I did the side lunge just for safe measure. I wanted this baby in the perfect position for launch.

The contractions started burning and it felt like my cervix was opening. A lady in our ward came over around 11pm to wish us well. She had been a labor and delivery nurse before she had children so she was super excited for us. While sitting there chatting with her I had two really strong contractions but tried to hide it. OUCH! After she left I went back to laying on the bed completely relaxed and calmly breathing through contractions.

11PM-Summer and mom were great but I just felt like I needed to get in the zone so I got in the shower. Plus I wanted to be clean for the birth. Joe put a knee high stool in there for me to lean on and I just did hands and knees or squatting during contractions. I was really having to breath and concentrate. I wasn't timing these hugs but they felt about 5 minutes apart. The shower was wonderful but my legs and arms were getting tired and all I could think about was my nice warm bed. I crawled out and put on my labor outfit. They put some chux pads on the bed just in case my water broke. I wasn't expecting this because It has always broken just as the baby comes. The contractions were pretty intense at this point. I was so relaxed and in tune with my body that I wasn't freaking out like I would have before. I was still just calmly breathing. When a contraction would hit its peak I would purse my lips and let out a slow deep breath. They were leaving me feeling a bit nauseous but I still thought I was in early labor. (I was actually in transition at this point) My mom was massaging my feet and Joe was rubbing my back while summer pressed a hot pad to my back. I was thinking I should go into labor every day!! : ) I was feeling so pampered! But I know it helped me stay relaxed.

12am- Suddenly i felt something very strange. It felt like a thick rubber band snapping. For a split second I though it was just the baby punching my cervix. I sort of jumped then waited a second and realized my water had broken. It just came gushing. My eyes flew open and I announced suddenly "my water just broke, I need to get in the tub NOW" I sort of made this fake cry and Joe asked me what was wrong. I told him that I was scared. I'm not sure what I was scared of. I think deep down I knew that things would be moving really fast and I was afraid of the pain. They calmed me down and we moved to the tub with a chux between my legs. The water felt wonderful!! It was amazing. I was so in the zone. I waited patiently for the next contraction. When it came I had the urge to scream through it but I just breathed. I felt a soft urge to push but wasn't ready yet. Summer was sitting there with me and when the contraction ended I told her breathlessly that the baby was coming and that I was feeling the pushing urge. She loudly announced "she's coming!!" It made me smile.

The next contraction was more intense. I had to push that time. There was no breathing through it. I tried to just let my body do the pushing and stay completely relaxed. The next few contractions are a bit of a blur. With each contraction I would push a little more. I could feel her moving down the birth canal. About three contractions after getting in the tub I saw Joe standing in the door way. I called for him and he came and sat where Summer had been. I gripped onto his hand for dear life. He checked me and said he could feel the head. The next contraction was insane. I was trying not to push but had to! I started to lose control and muttered "I can't do this" My sweet husband told me to open my eyes and look at him but they were sealed shut. I finally got them open and he looked at me deeply and said "You've got this baby! Your doing this" Then a contraction came and I could feel her crowning. I pushed as hard as I could and felt her head pop out. It was so intense.

12:30AM-Joe peaked and said she was out up to her mouth. I waited for the next contraction then gave a good push and out came her slimy seven pound five ounce little body. Joe maneuvered her through the water and placed her on my chest. The flood of emotion at that moment was incredible! Pure bliss! The only words I could muster were "I Love you!" I just kept repeating this phrase, I love you, I love you! I loved everyone at that moment. My wonderful husband who brought me out of the deepest contractions, my sweet sister who was documenting and encouraging me and my sweet mother who was an awesome birth assistant. But most of all I was in awe of this tiny little being in my arms. Her head was covered in long black hair and it was super slimy. I thought if felt really neat. She had luscious creamy vernix all over her sweet little bottom. I just rubbed it all over her back and arms. She was deliciously perfect and I loved her completely!

We couldn't believe how fast and easy everything had gone. I though I was in early labor then my water breaks and thirty minutes later she's here in my arms! The excitement in the air was so tangible! It was a sacred experience that I will forever cherish. I have never felt so much love in my life! I still get chills thinking about it. I was truly in baby birthing heaven!