Gobble gobble.

Thanksgiving this year was spent with the Hadfield family.  

We stayed at Branson's grandparents' cabin in Beaver, Utah along with about 25 other family members.  

Beaver isn't the most happenin' place, but that's why we love it!

Not only is it beautiful up in the mountains, but there is little to no cell service so it's so fun to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few days.

We all just hang out, talk, eat, play games, go shooting, EAT, snowmobile (when there is snow) and enjoy each other.

Plus, Parker was a hit this year!

He was smothered with SO much love!

Let's just say the next two days after Thanksgiving, if he wasn't being held, he was NOT a happy boy.

 Our first Thanksgiving as a little family!

Ozzie and Pres ready to grub!

 Livy and Brent 

 Glen cutting the Turkey

 Grandpa Lynn, Bobbi and Grandma Karen

Love Parker's face in this one.

 Beautiful Allyn meeting her nephew for the first time.

 Grammy and Grandpa Hadfield

 Grandpa Hadfield with his first great-grandson.

 Great Grandma Hadfield

Kellee and Parks

Cute Tatum Lee.

Angel and my adorable little boy-how cute is that face!?

 Played a game of touch football.

 Kendall, Derek, and Ozzie takin a breather.

 Love these two num-nuts behind us. haha

 Me, Harm and Dani

Had to snap a pic in front of the "B"

My two favorites.

 Pres always lurking in the background. haha

D-rock LOVES his guns..plus I love how preston is covering Branson's ears. haha

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

PBH

[This post was written a while ago but wasn't posted because of blogging issues...FYI]

One Month.
October 31st-December 1st

• Can roll over from his stomach to his back on both sides. He's ambidextrous!
• When he falls asleep for feedings it is impossible to wake the little guy up! #milkcoma 
• Wipes the milk off his face after feeding. It is the funniest thing!
• Dreams like crazy and smiles in his sleep.
• Has ticklish feet-got that from his mommy.
• Squeaks in his sleep.
• Always crosses his arms across his chest and holds one hand in the other.
• Has a new cry when he has gas...it's so sad!
• Grunts a TON!
• Not the biggest fan of binki's but will take one when needed.
• He will stretch with both arms up in the air and yawn. He cracks us up!
• Doesn't cry when getting his diaper changed anymore.
• Gets his arms out from a double swaddle. He looked like the hulk trying to tear the blanket apart. There is no keeping them in!
• Falls asleep so fast when dad lifts him up and down. It's a great workout for Branson, too! ;)

Parker Weekly

Week One.

October 31st-November 7th.

• Could lift his head the second he was put on my chest- he's a strong little boy!
• Gets hiccups like no other. Not surprising considering he had them constantly in my tummy.
• Takes in a deep breath and makes the cutest sound when exhaling. He did this a ton his first three days but doesn't as much now. We are sad it's fading away... it's so darn cute.
• Sneezes constantly.
• Falls asleep EVERY time I feed him...not my favorite.
• Loves skin on skin time with his daddy.
• Had a little jaundice but it's getting better every day. 
• Has only spit up a few times.
• Will only sleep in his nap nanny. He doesn't like sleeping flat.
• HATES his diaper being changed.
• Loves light.
• Has mamas long nails which needed to be clipped right away.
• Not a big fan of being swaddled.  His strong little arms make their way out every time.
• Loves being outside.
• Had his first bath.
• Has peed on himself four times while getting his diaper changed, twice on his face -poor thing. Mom and dad are learning. 
• Almost back to his birth weight.
• Squeeks when he is falling asleep.
• His hands are constantly touching his face.
• Loves to suck.
• Has mom's round head but most of dad's features.
• Nicknamed pumpkin by his papa- our little Halloween baby.
• Gets kisses constantly.

A Birth Story: Parker Branson Hadfield

October 31st 2012.
8 pounds 13 ounces.

Born at 5:30 PM.

Halloween 2012 was one day that forever changed our lives.

It started out like any other day.  B and I woke up around 7:15 and had some pillow talk till about 7:45.  We had an appointment in Moreno Valley with our midwife for an NST at 10, so we got up and started getting ready for the day.  After my morning pee, I head back to the bedroom and realize liquid running down my leg.  I thought it was odd, but figured it was just another weird last trimester issue.  So I go back to the toilet and the liquid just keeps coming at a really slow steady trickle.  I call Branson in and tell him what's going on.  We both just kinda giggle and start to get a little excited, although neither of us really thought it was my actually my water.  I then go call Labor and Delivery to ask them what I should do and they ensure me that it is most likely my water.  I then talk to my midwife who tells me that it is a 50/50 chance, but that I should go in and have them check it out.  That made me think it wasn't time.  She also told me that the delivery rooms were full at Moreno Valley hospital where she was working so it would be best to deliver at Riverside.  I had planned on delivering there, but was bummed that my midwife wasn't going to be the one to deliver Parker.  We decided that having a private room at Riverside was better than sharing a room at Moreno Valley...SO we got ready for the hospital and hit the road.  While getting ready I started having some contractions.  They weren't too painful so I wasn't sure if it was the real thing.  While we were about 20 minutes away from the hospital, I feel a big burst of water... then I knew.  The contractions were getting stronger and were about 5 minutes apart so Branson started going 90.  We pull up to the labor and delivery parking spots and sure enough they were all full.  We had to park in a normal parking spot (which was pretty far from L&D) and as we are walking in, the rest of my water breaks.  I am completely soaked at this point.  We check-in to the hospital and we head to our delivery room.  I pee in a cup and dress down in my gown.  A midwife comes in and checks to make sure it was really my water that broke... sure enough it was!  Then she checks my dilation and I am at a 3 and fully effaced! This was shocking because just the day before I was only at a 1.5 and only 60% effaced.  I was so excited to know that I was going to meet our sweet boy that day!  The nurse that helped me throughout the whole labor was named Sherrie. She was awesome! She started an IV in my arm and hooked me up to the machines to monitor the baby's heart and to watch the contractions.  I told her I wanted to walk around, so we did a couple laps around the hospital.  The walking definitely sped things up and the contractions got a lot stronger- about 2 minutes apart.  We headed back to the room and I got back on the monitors.  I told her the contractions were getting a lot stronger and closer together, so she checked my dilation again.  I was almost at a 5.  That's when the contractions really picked up...and FAST! I had gone into this whole labor thing thinking I would do a natural birth or at least go as far as possible and then have the option for an epidural.  Yeah well that was before I realized how painful those contractions really were.  There were two pain management choices we had- an epidural or IV medication that only lasted about an hour.  With the pain I was in I realized I wanted an epidural... I did not want to feel that pain anymore and I knew I was going to be in labor longer than an hour.  So then an anesthesiologist comes in (after what seemed like a lifetime) and gave me the juice!  The epidural didn't hurt one bit.  Probably because I had a contraction during that time and was told to not move at all. Um easy for you to say, dude.  Anyways, about ten minutes after the epidural I was in heaven.  Branson tells everyone that he knew I was in pain because I wasn't laughing at his jokes, and apparently they were really funny...haha.  A little time had passed and I told the nurse that I was feeling a ton of pressure.  She checked me and told me the babies head was as low as possible.  The epidural helped me go from a 5 to a 10 in less than an hour and a half.  I was ready to push by about 4 pm.  Branson had run out to get some food and was shocked to hear I was ready to push when he got back.  We figured it would be best to wait for him ;)  Once he had a little food in his belly, we got started.  They wheeled in a mirror so that I could see what was going on.  It was quite the sight, let me tell ya.  But so awesome at the same time.  When Parkers head was crowning the nurse yells out that he's got a ton of blonde hair!  I was SO excited to hear that and it made me push even harder.  I just couldn't wait to see this boys face.  The whole pushing part was really my favorite part.  My mom and sister were in the room along with Branson and I and it was really pretty funny.  They would trade off counting to 10 for the contractions and half the time they would get distracted watching and their counting would be off.  One of the pushes I finished the counting on my own because they were so far off. haha.  I even joked that I missed pushing on one of my contractions because I was fixing my hair.  It really was so nice to be able to enjoy the whole experience.  But even though I wasn't feeling any pain, I did feel an immense amount of pressure.  It was nothing compared to the pain before the epidural though.

Anyways, before the whole process began we asked the midwife if Branson could help deliver Parker. She was more than okay with it and we were SO excited.  So once I was crowning, the midwife came in and got ready to deliver.  Branson put some gloves on and was standing by her side ready to grab him when he came out.  I ended up having to get a small episiotomy because his head just wasn't wanting to come out.  Once she snipped, out came Parker! Branson and I both grabbed him and I pulled him onto my chest.  B cut the cord and I started to ball.  He was PERFECT!  He ended up pooping right when he came out so they had to take him away to clean him up and it killed me to have him away for so long.  I just wanted to stare at his precious face.  While cleaning him up they weighed him and everyone was shocked!  8 pounds 13 oz.  Almost 9 lbs!!  He was solid.  That's my boy :)  I can't believe I was carrying that big of a baby...I knew he would be bigger but not that big, especially with the whole 2-vessel cord issues that were going on.  But we weren't mad about it one bit.  Our little bundle of joy was big and healthy and we could not have been happier!  Once they were done cleaning him up, they brought Parker back to me for an hour of skin-on-skin time.  One of my favorite parts was when they put his head on my chest and we watched him inch his way over to my breast, all on his own.  It's amazing how that is just instinct for them.  I had no idea they did that and it was so cool to watch.

That night we had Angel, Harmony, my mom and dad, Stephanie, Jenee, Kelli, Lorna, Terry, and Sierra come visit. The next day Derek, Preston, Lance and Jana came and we only had to stay one night and left the next day around 9 pm.  We didn't get much sleep in the hospital with the nurses coming in every 2 hours...I love how they kept telling us to get rest and then would wake us up every hour.  So we were definitely ready to go home.  I wish I could remember every detail but when I think back to the delivery, parts of it almost seem blurry.  I think the epidural made me a little loopy and my memory isn't as sharp as it normally is.  But I definitely remember the important parts and I will never forget the day that forever changed my life.  I now understand a mother's love.  No one can possibly prepare you for the love you feel when you have a child.  It is so amazing.  Branson and I have been in heaven spending time with our little boy.  He is such a joy and is the most handsome little guy I've ever seen.  We love you Parker Branson and feel so lucky that you chose us as your parents.  We are beyond blessed!

Apple juice and ice chips. Yum.

Still smiling...before the contractions got bad.

Just missing Coley!

My cousin Kel and Nae Nae

Getting all cleaned up and weighed.

Nana and Grandma Angel with the babe.

Our good friends Doug and Paige were in town from Oregon and they came to visit. We got to meet their cute little boy Porter- to die for! So good to see you both :)

And that's a wrap!

the waiting game.

At this point I really thought i'd be blogging about baby Hadfield's birth story and posting tons of pictures of our little guy.

Unfortunately he seems a little too content in my tummy and has yet to make an appearance.

The due date has come and gone...

I am now 2 days past due and SO ready to be done.

B and I wake up every morning just so disappointed that I'm not in any pain...

Seriously, I LONG for those painful contractions.

For some reason I think it's going to happen in the middle of night.

Every time I wake up for a potty break (which is EVERY hour of the night), and I don't feel any different, I get so frustrated.

I have heard over and over that most first time mom's go past their due dates.

 But it doesn't help that I was told at 20 weeks that baby boy was measuring a week ahead. 

That led us to believe that he was for sure coming early.

For the past two plus weeks we have been anticipating his arrival.

That has been SO emotionally draining for me.

It hasn't helped that all my friends that were due around the same time if not AFTER me have all had their babies...wha!?

My most recent doc. appointment was last Thursday and their wasn't much progression.

I was only dilated to a 1 (which I had been for 2 weeks) and about 60% effaced.

I asked my midwife to strip my membranes that morning hoping that would speed things along.

I had spotting that whole day with a lot of cramping, so I was hopeful.

The next day I felt nothing different.

Disappointed yet again.

I go in for another appointment tomorrow so we will see what happens.

I really, REALLY don't want to be induced.

I want this whole process to happen as natural as possible.

I know that he will come when he is ready and I have to keep telling myself that over and over.

Ultimately we just want him to be healthy.

And although I am SO done being pregnant, I know things will happen when they are meant to.

So until then, we wait. Impatiently.

PLEASE COME SOON PARKER!

We want to shower you with love and kisses.

Maternity Shoot: Rachael McCall Photography

One of my best friends, Rachael took my maternity pictures for me the other day.  

All I have to say is she is amazing at what she does and she captured exactly what I had imagined in my head. That's talent I tell ya.

I wanted the shoot to be very natural and relaxed and that's what I got.

I couldn't have asked for anything better.

Thank you Rachy, 

I love you! 

View more of Rachael's amazing photos on her blog HERE!

regrets and resolutions.

I got an e-mail the other day that was definitely an interesting read.  Then while watching General Conference, I realized Elder Uchtdorf quoted from this exact e-mail.  I thought i'd post the whole article/e-mail for you all to read....

For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.

People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone's capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them. 

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five: 


1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. 

This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. 

It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.


2. I wish I didn't work so hard. 

This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence. 

By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle. 


3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result. 

We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win. 


4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. 

Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying. 

It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships. 


5. I wish that I had let myself be happier. 

This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again. 

When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying. 
Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.


I love Elder Uchtdorf's remarks and how he tied this into the gospel.  He ceases to amaze me. Please watch if you haven't already....