Birth Story

As most of you know, Will has been living in Nebraska for the past month working at his new job while I have been packing up the house and trying to find renters.  Will had a stand by plane ticket which allowed him to hop on a flight, if there were availble seats, and come to AZ without having a set "date" to fly.

Friday the 22nd was my due date, and we were planning on Will to come into town the 21st if I hadn't gone into labor, so he could help finish getting the house ready for Renters to start the 23rd.  Monday, I started weeding the backyard because it needed done really bad before renters started.  At my Dr. appt on Monday, I was dilated at a 3 and 90% thinned.  I continued to finish with the yard work.  That afternoon, I was at my sisters and she helped explain to me what contractions should kinda feel like... so I felt more comfortable with that, and I had a couple I believe pretty close together at her house, but then they went away.  On my way "home", I was staying with another sister, my sister from Nebraska called telling me there was a big snow storm coming in Wed-Friday.  This left me a little worried that Will wouldn't make it in.  Monday night I sat on the Pilates ball for about 2 hrs, before doing some squats and jumping jacks and heading to bed.  Before falling asleep I prayed that everything will happen the way it was supposed to happen the way Heavenly Father wanted it.
 

I woke up around 11:30 to go to the restroom.. and realized that wasn't what woke me up, but that my stomach was cramping up really bad.  I realized "oh, this might be a contraction, lets see how far apart they are if it comes again, cuz it's really uncomfortable".  After an hour of contractions coming on the dot every 6 min, I called my mom to see what to do next.  She recommended walking around and to time how long they were lasting and far apart.  By about 2 in the morning, I called my mom again and contractions were still 6min ish apart lasting 45-60 seconds.  Mom suggested they would probably accept me to the hospital, and she was going to get Will on the 5:45am flight, landing in AZ at 8am.  I didn't want to wake up my sister to take me to the hospital till 3, so I straightened my hair, and chatted with mom; I didn't want to go to the hospital and them send me home.  Well, pushing 3am my contractions were just as long, but only 4min apart. I got my sister up and we headed in. 

I made it to Triage around 4am, where I was at a 4.  1 hr later I was at a 6 and they took me to labor and delivery.  We were very bless with Will getting the last seat on the flight.  My sister, Camilla, was very brave and helped me through labor.  The Dr. broke my water around 7:45am.  I knew there was a chance that Will might not make it, but we had discussed this before hand and were prepared to have faith and take what came.  Close to 8:15 Will called saying he was 5miles away and all Camilla said was "you better hurry cuz this baby is coming". 

Baby Merrill was born 8:35am and Camilla was able to cut the cord.  Less then a min later, Will showed up as they were measuring the baby.  Everything worked out so well it was such a blessing.  My sister was a great support helping me through labor without an epidural, and Will has been amazing support as a new father. We picked a name for him around 12:30 that afternoon.  We have been enjoying our handsome boy as much as we can and can't get enough of his chubby cheeks and goofy faces. 

Our new family of three

New Addition

Brady Kent Merrill

 

 

February 19, 2013
8:35am

8lbs 3oz

19 1/4 in long

Maternity Pictures 38weeks

I know, this is a long time in coming.  One afternoon, my Aunt Peggy and I went to go take maternity pictures at Lehi school.  It was fun taking pictures, but always more fun to chat with my aunt and see how grown up my cousins are who I babysat millions of times growing up.  I am always amazed with how quickly time flies and kids grow up.  I am sure it will go even more quickly with me becoming a mother. 
Here are my favorites (even though I really loved them all, I couldn't post    ALL of them).  Most of them have already been on facebook. 

I tried to rearrange them cute, but it wouldn't let me, so they are just scattered around. 

35 weeks

Yay!  Almost there!  I feel like it has gone by so fast, and but is gong by so slow at the same time.  As of now... I have 2 1/2 weeks of work left, 4 1/2 weeks till Baby Due date, and about 2 months till moving till Nebraska.  I don't feel to stressed, but I am getting extremely tired.

 This past weekend I bottled 28pints of hamburger.  That was a LOT but it saved us from having to move frozen meat.

My co-workers from various areas in Arizona 

who drove long ways to come support me.

Two weekends ago I had my baby shower.  It was a BLAST!  I am so grateful for all of my friends and family who showed up!  I feel so blessed to have so many people supporting me.  It was really busy and lots of girl time.  I got so many fun outfits, blankets, bibs, toys, and lots and lots of other baby stuff.  I am ready for this boy to come! 

Moving...

Leaving Omaha Nebraska 6 1/2 years ago, I never thought I would be going back to live there...

For those of you who don't know, Will has wanted to be a Lineman (the one that works on the power lines).  In order for  that to happen, you take a 1 year course in college for it, then you need to get on as an Apprentice for 4 years before becoming a Journeyman Lineman.  Well, he finished is college course over a year ago, and we have not found ANY job openings.  It is so hard to get in with APS and SRP... so we started looking for other major electrical commercial opportunities to give him more experience.. nothing.  Finally, fall of 2012, we decided we need to start looking out of State for Apprentice Lineman jobs seeing with the baby coming, he needs to get started with his career.  He's had a job, but it isn't what he wants to do.  Personally, I would rather encourage Will to find a job he enjoys doing so he is a happier husband when he comes home from work.. and with that comes sacrifices. 

We hadn't heard anything back from all the applications we filled out.  My Dad started helping us look near the middle of Dec., he had found pretty much the same stuff we had, but also mentioned that the Omaha World Herald (where he move half of our family out there a and has been working for the past 10 years) was looking for someone.  It is a general Maintenance position including anything from fixing toilets and doors, to working on huge AC units and other commercial electrical stuff.  They have been looking for someone for 6 months.  We decided to turn in a resume and see what happens...  My dad gave them Wills Resume on a Friday morning, and by lunch time Will received an e-mail asking for a time on Monday to call and talk about details.  Over the weekend we prayed and  thought long and hard about everything and decided if they were willing to make us an offer we could live off of and benefit from, and since we haven't hard back from any other apprentices, we decided we would start seriously thinking about the opportunity.  We were already planning on having to move out of State, and moving to a State where I had some family and friends would be easier with a new baby then a completely new state where we know no-one. 

Friday before Christmas we called them back and told them we were interested.  We did not tell anyone except immediate family because we still weren't sure if it was going to go through.  There had just been a lot of talking  about taking the job, and them wanting Will, but nothing official.  After 2 long weeks of waiting for the HR department to get back to work from their vacationing, They contacted Will this Wed. and emailed the official job offer letter, application, and lots of other paper work to turn in by Friday.  We filled everything out and turned in Friday while Will put in his two weeks to work on Friday as well.

I know it seems like a quick decision, and a lot of things happening in a short time, but we feel this is the right decision for our family.  I admit it, I am scared to be living by myself with Will gone, and me due with a baby, lots of packing to do, truck to by, house to get ready for rent, work to figure out, house to find to stay in for NE, but I know the Lord is on our side and it will all come together smoothly.  It will probably be ruff for a bit, but Heavenly Father has already blessed us so much and we need to be willing to go where he wants us to go.  I will miss all my family and friends in AZ, but am excited to move closer to my parents and back to some NE friends.  I am greatful for all of our Families support and willingness to help over these next few months.

Happy New year to a whole new year of experiences and possibilities!

Family Hike

I am 33 weeks today, but this is me at 32weeks Hiking with my Family.  I look HUGE compared to my cousin Keeley.

 I didn't feel like dressing up all cute for a prego picture, so I just took a picture off Facebook from last weekend.  My parents came into town for the holidays, and we were able to go on a traditional Kent Tryon Family hike last sat.   Here is are starting picture...

Yes, this included me, 32 weeks pregnant, Kaylene carrying her 3month old, and about 7 kids under the age of 10, plus a few more kids and adults.

 We started going up "Cardiac Hill" which is what my dad calls it... and yep, I was about to die.  I enjoyed the first half hiking with my 3 yr old niece because she had a nice slow pace I could keep up with.  I defiantly started to feel the extra 30lbs I had on and can't wait to get back into shape after the baby so I don't huff and puff anymore.  After finishing our "highway" of a trail, we took a U turn and started "bushwhacking" our way down the ravine following a creek only.  Man, there were all kinds of thorns, and bouldering, and bottom slides on rocks for us to tackle. 

This is about 1/3rd way down.. we went all the way down to the bottom.

After about 1/3 way down this ravine, we stopped for lunch and kinda wondered what we were all doing here... I knew what to except and always trust Dad to get us out... the question is when.  Luckily, the "bushwhacking" part of the hike was easier then the "highway" trails because we had plenty of short rest periods waiting for the people in front, or helping the little ones.  It was great!  After passing through the long... creek... ravine, we passed by a couple thousand cactus with only 2 minor injuries, before hopping back onto the "highway" trail back to our car.  4 1/2 hrs later... we were heading home.  Man were my arms and legs sore for a few days, but it was a great hike! 

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas! This year was very busy with lots of family, games, and fun!  We started off our holiday celebration with driving to the bank and paying off my Honda!  We were so excited it only took us 2 1/2 years and it's officially ours!  Sat. night we had our Lamoreaux Christmas party, followed by 4th Sunday dinner with Will's family.  Monday I worked a long day, while Will spent time with his family.  Then we headed to the Tryon Christmas Eve party!  I had a blast helping out with the nativity my sister Camilla directed. After leaving that we went to the Merrill Sock Hop and partied some more.

Here is our Sleepy Christmas morning picture (I know, it's pretty bad).  Sat-Mon night I hadn't been sleeping well, and was up late each night with parties.  I was excited to be able to sleep in till 7ish Christmas morning!  Did it work?  Nope?  Wide awake at 4am... so when Will's alarm accidentally went off at 6:30 I gladly started waking him up so we could read Luke 2 and open up gifts. 

Around 8 we left go to eat breakfast at my sister-in-laws house with my parents and siblings.  Will had a blast playing magic with the boys, and I enjoyed visiting with sisters, holding little Shane, putting about 5 puzzles together and playing games with the nieces.  I was even able to talk to my out-of-town between Christmas and Christmas Eve. 

After playing hard all morning, we went home for a quick break, I took a  nap, then headed over to the Merrills Christmas party.  We brought over our new games to play.  His family had their annual tournament... this time including putting together airplanes and flying them.  Will one for distance, while I was lucky to keep mine going straight and not to constantly turn Left (I could never fix that).  We played games far into the night before heading home and crashing.  I finally had a good nights rest Christmas evening! 

I am grateful for all our family and the fun we can have with them as we support each other.  Although we had 4 nights straight of parties, it was great to be reminded of Christs birth each time and remember the reason we celebrate Christ.  I am so blessed to have the gospel in my life and be reminded of all of my blessings.