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Friday, October 16, 2009

Aiden Matthew Beauvais!

Almost three weeks early, Aiden made his debut on October 4, 2009, weighing in at 8 pounds, 1/2 ounce. Labor was pretty quick again; I woke up around 4am with some contractions but wasn't sure if they were the real thing since I'd been having them for so long. I went downstairs and unloaded the dishwasher and picked up a little, which should have been clue enough for me!! I never want to clean! About 4:30, I decided we should probably go ahead to the hospital and get checked since Charlie's labor went so quickly. I woke Brian up and he took a shower while I packed a little bag, and then we woke Peggy up to tell her we were going in and would call when things got started. Ha!
We got to the hospital around 5am, got the labor room (YEAH!!!) and settled in. The nurse wanted to do a fifteen minute "strip" which is a belt that they put around your belly to monitor contractions and baby's heartbeat, and all was calm and smooth. Until the strip was over and the nurse checked me... I was dilated to an eight, completely effaced, and baby was ready to come! Anyways, that was the last we really saw of the nurse - she was off to call the doctor and get the baby bed and all the stuff that nurses get when a baby comes along.
Which made the labor way different than my others. It was just Brian and I, and that was so sweet. He was wonderful, even when I inquired about a C-section, a club for the head.... anything to make the contractions stop... I honestly thought that I had several more hours! Not to be, though, because after just a few minutes, it was time to push. At 5:30, I told Brian that I couldn't hold off much longer, he had better call his mom and tell her to hurry! Well, Peggy never made it, which made me sad. I thought that it would be neat for her to be there, but she stayed back with Kailyn and Charlie and brought them up to meet their new brother shortly after the birth.
It was amazing to have only Brian by my side. He offered gently reassurance that this was all natural and that I was helping our baby to come out. He helped me pace my contractions, and I couldn't have asked for a better "coach" - not that I have any complaints with all the nurses, my mom, and Merreley there with the other two children, but there was something very special to me about having only Brian to help me through labor.
So, from being woken up at 4am with contractions to having a baby in my arms at 6:20, I would say that I was blessed!

Dessert

Not that we are encouraging sweets, but we finally found something that Charlie likes!
Kailyn on the other hand, has never had a problem with them!

Charlie's First Haircut

Well, I finally broke down and took Charlie for his first hair cut. I was so worried that he wouldn't look like a baby anymore, but Brian, who was ready to give him a haircut in the delivery room, ever so gently reminded me that I have another baby coming any day... so I decided it would be OK to let this one grow up... just a little... doesn't he look so handsome!!



Well, he started off happy, but later became annoyed with the hole process. As I am quickly learning, it's unfortuante for him that he will need to get one about once a month!



Can you tell he's brushing her hand away here?

So the end result wasn't SO BAD!!! He still looks like my Charlie!


Kailyn had one, too, but this was old hat to her!

Alaska State Firefighter Conference

The guys getting ready to run the ladder...
And they're off!

Brian tying the knot...
Justin ringing the bell & winning FIRST PLACE!!
The fun event; two firefighters from each team had to enter the "house" and find the baby & it's box of diapers, then bring it outside and change her. Oh, and they had masks over their eyes to simulate a smoke-filled room. We got a great laugh at Matt Smelcer and Brian, especially changing the baby blindfolded. They actually did quite well... maybe Brian should be the new designate in our home??


Changing the baby...

Kailyn and Tyler making sure all is correct (it is).
Charlie loving some time with his Memere! He spent the night at their house for the weekend - his first time away from Mama!

Brandy and Bella...

Shannon's Baby Shower


Look at those sweet girls! It seems that Addison & Hailey will follow in Bella & Kailyn's footsteps =).
Kailyn made a special picture for the new parents-to-be.


Beware if you drink our water! Here's a small sample of some of the ladies in Valdez.

4th Annual Blueberry Bash








Silly me didn't get any pictures of our friends, but we had such a great time with the Weber's and the Gildersleeve's, plus all the fun people that came through for the day. Andrew & Stephen cut us some firewood, we had an awesome game of spoons, the kids got lots of blueberries (I opted out with my big belly), and the four wheelers were put to the test for sure!

A Day at the Park




I just LUUUUUURRRVE these kids!

2009 Alaska State Fair





For some reason it was on this day that the realization of having a family set in. Mind you I was nine months pregnant, but I actually cried as I watched Kailyn and Brian whirling around on the rides, heads thrown back in laughter and hope that picture stays with me forever. It is such a blessing to have a family, especially one like ours =).