2 Weeks!

Wow! Aspyn is already 2 weeks old! Time sure does fly.  We just got back for her 2 week check-up. She now weighs 7 lbs 3 oz and is 20" long!! She is getting to be quite a little chunker! She still only gets up once during the night and is actually staying on a pretty good schedule.

I caught Jordyn singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to her a couple of nights ago while holding her hand. It was so cute. I wish I could've captured that moment on video. It was so sweet. Jordyn has started to do more with her. She'll hold her more, she's fed her a couple of times. She's so good to keep and eye on her while I shower or get some housework done. She's so cute with her! I promise next time there will be pictures.

Our lives are still adjusting, but so far it's been pretty easy (I hope I didn't just jinx ourselves).

Thanksgiving

I know I'm a little late posting about Thanksgiving, but I couldn't let this year go by without putting down on "paper" what I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful for my entire family! My parents are amazing people and I am thankful that they are MY parents. I can't imagine what my life would be like without them. They have been such a great support to us this past year. I know I always have them to help me get through tough times!  I'm so glad I have my sisters. They have taught me so much about myself and who I want to be. I'm so glad that we are close. It's so nice to be able to reach out to one of them if I'm hurting or to help lift them up if they are hurting. I'm so thankful that they are in my life. I love them so much!

I'm thankful for Cody! He's such a great husband & father to our two little girls. I'm thankful that he is willing to work hard to provide for us even though it's in a field that we both didn't really expect. I'm thankful that he works hard so I can stay home with the girls and not have to worry about daycare. I'm thankful that he is there for me each day. I'm thankful for the person that he has become since living here in Colorado. I know our relationship has changed for the better because of it. I'm thankful that he forgives me of my shortcomings and that he can look past my faults. I'm so thankful that I have him to grow and change with. I can't imagine anybody else that I would want to spend forever with! Thank you, I love you!

I'm so so thankful for Jordyn and Aspyn! I'm thankful that they are healthy and growing! I know that life is very fragile and I don't take that for granted. They have already taught me so much and I know I will learn even more from them. I'm thankful that Jordyn is so easy going and has been able to adjust to the many changes in her life. She is such a great big sister and I am thankful everyday for her help, and love. Aspyn has already brought so much joy into our family! She has brought us even closer as a family.

I'm thankful to have a roof over our heads, a job that provides well for us, a vehicle to get around in, plenty of food on our table, clothing to keep us warm!

I'm thankful for a handful of amazing friends. Those friends that no matter what life has thrown our way has always been there for us and I know always will. I'm thank ful for great In-Laws who love us and are there for us when we need it. I hope they know that we love them and can feel their love.

Even though we are away from family and friends this season I hope everyone knows that you are in our hearts and that we love you all!! Thank you for your love and support!!

Aspyn Raelyn

She Is Here!!!

November 11th I had an appointment with Dr Garrard. She did a quick ultrasound to check my fluid as well as a check to see if I had dilated anymore since the week before.  I hadn't changed at all as far as the dilation, but my fluid was down to a 7 when it had been a 16 the Friday before.  We had planned to induce on the 12th prior to this appointment for other reasons.  Dr Garrard said it was a good thing the induction was already scheduled otherwise we would have been scheduling one then. The fluid was just getting too low. That night Cody & I finished up with little projects around the house as well as packing Jordyn to go to her friends house the next day. I was a little nervous, but nothing too bad. I did actually get some sleep that night.

November 12th at 8:00am, we checked into the hospital. The nurse put me on the monitor for an hour just to see what the baby was doing.  At 9:30am she checked me, I was still only 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. She then placed the Cytotec, the drug that was to help "ripen" my cervix and to help dilate. Following that medicine, my contractions did get harder and more frequent. The nurse had us up walking around the hospital & the room to try and get things moving along. At 1:45 she checked my again, I was still only 2 cm & 50%. I thought "Oh man, this is going to be a long day/night!"  We were still supposed to keep walking around until the Dr came in to break my water.  At 3:00pm she came in, broke my water and said that I was 3cm & now 70% with my cervix being anterior (that's good!). Dr Garrard said I could have an epidural anytime I wanted I just had to have a bag and a half of fluid in me before the epidural could be placed. I tried just walking around for a little bit, but lucky me, I was having back labor with Aspyn. I had it with Jordyn also. Back labor is by far the worst pain ever. I finally decided it was time for the epidural!  The anesthitist came in about 4:30pm, we got the epidural line in, started the medicine. The epidural only numbed my left side. I was still feeling everything on the right side. The nurse came in and gave me some Fentanyl in my IV to try and help with the pain after we tried different positions to try and get the epidural to work.  The Fentanyl seemed to help. I was able to relax a bit more.  At 6:15 the nurse came in to check me again. She didn't think I would have progressed much, but checked anyway. I was 8cm and 100% effaced. She was shocked!! She quickly called my Dr, had the CNA set up a table and began getting the baby's stuff set up. At 6:30 my Dr was there and we were able to start pushing!  I was numb enough that I couldn't feel a lot of pain, but I was able to feel a ton of pressure. Dr Garrard was amazing and easy going! She didn't have the nurse/CNA convert the bed to a delivery bed, there were no bright lights, no hurry to get the baby out. We just let my body do what it was supposed to do! 

At 6:56pm Aspyn Raelyn Survis was born! She weighed 6 lbs 3 oz & was 19 inches long!  She looks a lot like Jordyn & Cody! She was placed on my chest and wasn't crying at all. The nurses said all her stats were great! She was just content to lay on me for quite awhile!

We were pretty worn out, but all 3 of us were doing well! Jordyn called the hospital 5 minutes after she was born to talk to me. It was pretty funny. She didn't know we had had her, but she called and was informed that her sister had arrived!!

Jordyn was able to come the next day to meet her new sister! She was so cute with her. Jordyn had a cold so she wasn't able to hold her a long time, but I was so glad that she was able to see her. She absolutely loves her!

We were able to come home Saturday night. The first night wasn't too bad. The hardest part was waking Aspyn up to eat every 2-3 hours. Now we are old pros and only get up once a night!



Aspyn loves having a bath in her big bathtub. She has just been so much fun to have in our family.  It's amazing to see how much she's grown & changed just in the 11 days that she's been here!  Jordyn loves being around her all the time and loves telling her friends about her.  Cody is such a big help. He'll feed her, change her. get up with her at night, just hold her! I think he loves her!!

I can't wait to see how much she changes and how our lives will continue to changte with her here.

Halloween & Brieanna's Farewell

Last Thursday I was finally able to get clearance from my Dr to travel to St. George! I was so excited to hear that news. I had the Jeep loaded up when I went to my appointment, so I was glad I didn't just have to turn around and go home!  Jordyn & I left town about 4:30, we stopped only for potty breaks (Jordyn & my pregnant self), a quick stop to pick up my Grandpa Taylor in Salina & then to deliver my Grandpa to my Aunt Debbie's house in Cedar. We finally got to St. George at about 11:30 that night. We were tired, but so glad to see my parents.

Friday morning we just hit the ground running! I went down to my mom's office with her where she had to see a post op patient who happened to be one of my patients when I was working at the Foot & Ankle Institute. It was so great to see her! I knew I missed my patients, but seeing one of them again I really started missing them. After visiting with her for a bit & my mom finishing up some things we were off to Costco, then lunch with my sisters, Rusti, mom & dad!  After lunch, Jordyn and I headed down to Mesquite to see our Family there.  We were able to visit with Don & Sharon for quite awhile until Chad & Danie'l got off work. When they arrived we were finally able to meet Jadon! He such a cutie! They got Aspyn a cute outfit, some lotion & body wash, & Danie'l made a very cute and soft blanket for her!  We all went out to dinner at a new Diner in Mesquite. It was fun, but we all forgot our cameras. After dinner Jordyn & I headed back to St. George. When we got back my Aunt Stephanie and her whole family had gotten there from SLC. So of course we visited for quite awhile!

Saturday morning we went up to Pine Valley to get some pictures of Aunt Steph's family. It was fun, chilly, but fun. There pictures turned out super cute! We then all met at Paula's Mexican Restaurant for some lunch to celebrate Shawn's birthday! After lunch I was finally able to get the last bit of shopping done for the baby & myself that I had been putting off. I feel so much more prepared now!

 At about 6:00 Saturday night all the kids set out trick or treating around my parents neighborhood. I think they all had a pretty good time. By the time we got back though, they were ready to be done! Jordyn was a very cute Cheerleader this year! Some people asked her to show them some moves, & of course she did. She loved it. I think she was more excited to be able to use the costume in her Dress-up box after Halloween though!

Sunday was a very difficult day. It was Brieanna's Farewell at church. The day started off ok, just everyone getting ready. I wanted to get a few pictures of her & I before church because I knew after it would be crazy at my parents house.

After getting a few pictures outside with Brieanna, I went back into the house and just started bawling. It finally just hit me that those pictures were going to be the last pictures I would get of her before she leaves on her mission. From that point on it was a water works kind of day. At church Ashley sang a song requested by Anna. I cried. Brieanna got up to speak, I cried. I know she'll be fine & time will pass quickly, but I am sure going to miss her!! The church was packed from the front all the way to the overflow in the back. There were even people in the foyer. It was amazing seeing how many people love Brieanna and our family! After church quite a few people came back to my parents house for a luncheon. Jordyn & I then made our journey back down to Mesquite to tell the Family good by one last time. It was great to see them & give Jadon one last little squeeze!

Monday we packed up and headed home after a tearful goodbye with Brieanna. We made it home about and hour before Cody had to leave for work. It was great to see him!

Tuesday I went in for my 37 week check up. When I had seen Dr Garrard on Thursday I was barely a fingertip dilated. Tuesday I was a good 2 cm dilated! I was super shocked that I had changed that much in such little time. Dr Garrard said all looked great! We are super excited that VERY soon we will be having this little girl. I finally feel ready!! Now we just wait!!