Kindergarten Assessment

On August 19th, our little Tali had her kindergarten assessment.  At first, things were a little difficult because Tali did NOT want to do anything especially "go to school."  After she calmed down for Brian, she actually did really well!  In fact, one of the people who had tested her said that she had scored the highest than any other kid so far that day.  I was very proud of her!  The funniest thing that happened though was when we were with her (she wouldn't stay in there without us, but we just had to promise not to help her in any way) the teacher testing her (who was just so amazing with her) had asked which letters make which sounds.  Jairus who is only 3 years old and hadn't started pre-k at that point yet started giving the teacher the answers.  She turned to me astounded and asked "does he really know the answers or is he just copying his sister?"  I was a little surprised myself, but told her that he really does know them.  She then asked how old he was and if/when he was going to go to pre-k.  I was really hoping Tali would get her for her teacher, but I'm sure the teacher she did get will be good too.  I am just happy that my kids are ready for school.  I think Tali may have a more difficult time the first few times going to school just because she is a little anxious to start school.  I'm sure she'll be fine though.

First Day of Pre-K!

On August 20th, our little man Jairus started his very first day of his schooling career.  I had a hard time believing he is already in preschool!  Then again he is one very smart little guy!  Here are his pics from his first day of pre-k.

He did so well, he just went in and started playing.  I don't think he'll have any problems!

Dance, Dance!

Last Tuesday (August 20th), Tali started her very first tap/ballet class.  She was having the time of her life!  Here are some photos I took.  They aren't the best because I was taking them through another window and the lighting wasn't so great.

It was so cute!  She kept doing these pliase (however you spell it) and then leaping.  She tried to copy one of the teachers helping out.  They had to keep helping her with her feet positioning though.  She actually did pretty well until the last ten minutes which is major improvement!  She really seemed to love it!  I thought she looked so darn adorable too!

When We're Helping, We're Happy!

Today I decided to allow my children to help me feed little Zach so they could have more of an opportunity to bond with him.  Particularly Jairus.  The poor little guy was so nervous.  He was giving the bottle a death grip.  His little finger tips were so white!  He loved helping me feed his little brother though.  I could tell he felt pretty special.

Tali of course was pretty ecstatic when I asked her if she wanted to help feed him.  

She loves her little brother and tries to help him whenever she can.  

Grateful & First Outing

The morning after we got home from the hospital, I looked out my bedroom window to check to see what the weather was like and I saw my wonderful friend and neighbor who is probably in her mid 60's weeding our park strip in our yard.  I had also heard that the day before my pregnant friend across the street was helping pull weeds in my yard.  Needless to say I felt horrible, but at the same time very loved that they would take the time out of their busy lives to do such a kind thing for me.  Later, my pregnant friend also brought over some very delicious banana muffins.  I was so incredibly grateful for these wonderful women.  I had also found out that another one of our neighbors had been helping us by mowing down part of our park strip.  I have been so blessed by so many wonderful people in my neighborhood.  I love where I live!  We seriously have some of the best people out here!

So as a surprise to the kids, Brian and I thought it would be a good idea to take the kids to see the new movie Turbo at the local drive-in.  This of course was Zach's first outing.  He did surprisingly well.  The kids on the other hand, not so much.  Turbo was playing with the new Wolverine movie.  I have to admit, I was not really impressed with either show.  They were both kind of a big disappointment.  I would not waste money to go see them.  I wished we would have waited for them to come out to the Redbox.  The kids seemed to enjoy the Turbo movie though.

Welcome Baby Zacharias!

On Wednesday, July 31st I was scheduled to be induced at 7:20am. We didn't end up at the hospital until around 7:45am.  

I had to take a before birth photo.

We got checked in and got hooked up to an IV which ended up hurting like Hades because the woman put it in my wrist and couldn't get any blood but kept bending my wrists which now I have a huge bruise from.  They hooked me up to the monitors and gave me the pitocin which took forever to kick in, but when it did, wow!  I started having back labor and the pain alone from that was worse than any other part of the labor.  When it got bad enough, they ended up giving me the epidural which ended up hurting more than I remember.  After I got the epidural, I was a little worried that my body was going into shock or something.  I started to get very cold and shaky to the point they wrapped me up in about four or five warm blankets.  After I got my epidural, my doctor broke my water and the back pain got more intense and more painful.  It was AWFUL!  At last I was dilating and it was just about time for our little guy to be born.  When my doctor was able to get there, she said that it was almost over and it was time to push!  YAY!  I was so excited for the pain and everything to be over!  Brian was getting a little giddy and anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new little guy.  It was seriously the cutest thing ever!

As soon as he was born, the back pain was gone!  That was the best part of it all...okay not really, but it was a close second.  When he was born, we found that the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck THREE times.  I was so scared and nervous, but my doctor acted quickly and got the cord off his neck and he gave a good cry and pinked right up!  Zacharias was our biggest baby to date.  He weighed a whopping 6 lbs. 5oz. and was 20 in. long.  He was born at 3:21 pm.  His APGAR score was 9/9.  From what I was told is pretty much perfect and rare.  I was so excited that he did so well.  Not so excited however for what soon followed.  Brian cut the cord and they started cleaning Zacharias up on my belly.  All of a sudden I felt this squirting on my chin thinking maybe it was something from the umbilical cord being cut...ummm, no.  My little man was peeing on me!  GROSS!  I'm just glad my mouth was closed!  It was so nasty!  When he opened his eyes and looked at me though, it was all worth it!  I could not stop looking at this little guy in amazement.

Here is our little guy's first photo

When we got to my room, the nurse asked if I wanted to try to use the restroom.  Haha.  As I put my legs over the side of the bed, I knew it was going to be a no go.  I decided to try anyway, so I grabbed my IV pole to help steady myself.  As soon as I tried to put weight on my legs (which were still numb from my knees up), I fell.  Thankfully my nurse and Brian were right there to catch me before I hit the floor.  The funny part about that is after that episode, they put a wristband on me that read "fall risk."  Yes, as if that doesn't make me sound enough like a klutz.  At least I got a good laugh out of it.

Brian and I had a few little visitors.  First was Grandma Monson and Tali and Jairus.  They were so thrilled to see Zacharias...well more so Tali than Jairus.

Then later that evening my sister, her hubby and their youngest two came to visit.

After everyone left, we decided to give little Zach his first bath.

Zacharias's first bath from Daddy.

 I don't know what it is about our boys, but they love having their hair washed.

 All clean!

 They had to put him under the heat lamp after his bath to keep his temperature up.

 Isn't he adorable?

 What a proud papa!

 I was so excited that he was finally here!

I didn't realize how nervous we are as new parents.  We rarely slept at all.  Every little noise or lack thereof, we were up.  It was a good thing we decided to go home the next day.  We had to stay at least 24 hours though for some of the tests to get done to be discharged. The great thing was I didn't really need any pain meds when I was moved to my room.  I had one Percocet and maybe one or two IBU Profins.  I was feeling surprisingly great!  That was another reason we decided to go home the next day. 

The next morning my mom and dad (stepdad) had come up to meet our little guy.  It was so stinkin' adorable to see how excited my dad was to see and hold little Zach.  

A few weeks ago, I had come across this adorable Mickey Mouse outfit at Target and couldn't pass it up.  I had to get it for our little guy to come home in.  I thought he looked absolutely adorable in it!

It was so good to go home with all our kids.  We had missed Tali and Jairus so much!  They were staying with Brian's parents while we were in the hospital.  Thanks Ma and Pa for watching them.