Sunday, August 2, 2015

Charlotte's birth story/random thought


Last time I posted was about a year ago? So anyways, I know only my mom reads my blog, hi mom. 
  We had our baby girl Charlotte Ruth Mathews, on May 28.  She was 6.13pd and 19in.  I kept having contractions the last couple weeks of my pregnancy, and on May 28, I remember waking up with all this energy.  I deep cleaned our whole apartment, painted my nails, shaved my legs, packed my hospital bag, and got everything ready if I possibly went into labor before my induction date that Monday.  It was a Thursday, I was texting two of my good friends Rashell and Sara. I was telling them how my contractions got stronger and stronger but didn't want to go to the hospital just to get sent home again (yes I might have thought I went into labor a couple times before, oops) they kept saying Hayden go to the hospital you're in labor... I got into the bath to try and relax and the contractions kept coming.  I was worried because we didn't have any family there yet, everyone was coming on Monday.  I got out of the bath and went and cuddled with Christian. Marcus was studying for a test on the couch and could hear me trying to breathe through my contractions. I started crying and felt a lot of pain and that's when I realized, okay get to the hospital ASAP if you want an epidural. So we hurried to the car, drove to the arrowhead hospital (it's 5 minutes from us) and got checked in.  When they checked me I was dilated to a 5, and 100% effaced. Charlotte was ready to come fast! They asked if I wanted an epidural which I almost screamed yes, and they wheeled me into a room and the anesthesiologist came in right away. She said if I would have come in any later, she had 2 surgeries and I would have missed the epidural, thank heaven we came then. After that, my friend from the ward came and picked up Christian to watch him for the night (we have the best ward, and had SO much help during this time). After Christian was in good hands and not running around the hospital, I knew I could relax.  My contractions sped up and she came about an hour after my epidural. It was such a great experience, I couldn't believe how fast it was and how easy it was.  She was so beautiful, we couldn't stop staring at her. I actually cried when I held her for the first time. She looked just like Christian, except 2 pounds lighter haha. She was so tiny and so perfect. Marcus was such a good support, even though he was interested in the medical side too and kept asking me weird questions like if he could put in my IV. Haha. Girls from the ward all took turns watching Christian the next day, I was so grateful for all of them! We then brought Christian to the hospital to meet his new sister.  Right when he walked into the room he yelled mamma!! And ran to me and wanted to lay with me.  We showed him his sister and he ignored her at first, but over time he wanted to touch her. Luckily my in laws came the next day to help with Christian, and took great care of him. My mom came the next week.  My mom was a saint. She made me breakfast/lunch/dinner. Did our laundry, took Christian to play everyday, cleaned everything, did our dishes. I cried the day she left, it was so hard having her leave. Marcus had to take over her duties when she left, my body was still healing and breastfeeding was taking up most my time.  Charlotte has been a joy to have in our family.  She is a very different baby from Christian. She's very alert and attentive, and does her fair share of crying :) but we love her more than anything. She has blonde hair and a mullet haha and not sure about her eye color yet. I think she might have her daddy's baby blues but they could turn brown like Christians did. So here are some pics. 

Life in AZ is going great, summers are brutal though!! Charlotte is now two months, and getting much better.  She's only nursing every 3 hours now and Christian is so sweet with her And adores her.  Marcus is going into his last semester in his accelerated nursing program. He graduates in December and then we will most likely stay here while
He works in the ICU getting experience for nurse anesthesia school. He's still deciding between anesthesia or practitioner, but is more drawn to anesthesia so we will see. 
Christian just turned two and we celebrated at chuck e cheese. It was so fun, I can't believe how fast our lives are going. Some days are so long and hard, but I wouldn't trade this for anything.  My little family is my world and I love being a mom to two kids now.  
And... A new cafe rio opened up right down the street and we got free cafe rio that day yahoo. 
The hardest part about living in AZ, has been the heat. The summer heat is ridiculous. I can't even let Christian run around outside, it even gets up to 115 outside. I'm learning how to play inside with him and make it through this rough heat until it's fall/winter again and we don't mind it here as much. 


Also, we are going to Utah to bless Charlotte. We are going up next week for two weeks during Marcus's school break. 

One more thought I have....

"Comparison is the thief of joy". For some reason this quote has been in my mind so much lately. After having a baby, your body is definitely not at its best, your house might be ALWAYS messy (mine), you might be super poor students and going to be students for a long time, you might start comparing your self or your life to others. DONT do it. Be so happy with what your life is all about. Embrace how different it is and how different you are. I'm learning to embrace our messy house, Christian running around like crazy at church, my body not losing weight like it did the first time, not owning a house and we won't for a while. Satan wants us to compare. He doesn't want us to be happy.  I love my imperfect life. 

 And here's a cute photo to end my thought. 






Sunday, September 14, 2014

Life in Arizona

Marcus graduated from BYU in August and got into an accelerated bsn program in phoenix so we moved to Arizona. His program is 14 months. He then wants to do either nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner.  Arizona has been great so far. It's definitely hot like everyone warned us haha but we are learning to enjoy it. I think it's important to enjoy each phase in your life and look for the positive. My parents were awesome and helped us move everything down here. It was hard saying bye to them! We face time a lot with my parents and Marcus's parents.
Marcus's graduation day
Packed all our belongings! Thanks to our ward, friends, and family who helped a ton! 
Marcus's first day of school
Our cute little 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment
Christian has his own bathroom- what a relief since he's still in diapers haha

Christians room! Marcus put a desk in there and does all his homework there
We have a really nice pool and go swimming two, sometimes three times a day.
Our neighbors have this darling puppy that Christian loves! Everytime he sees him he freaks out. I always forget the dogs name oops
I got the best snap chat I've ever received from one of my best friends... Rashell and my dad (they are in the same ward)
There has been some CRAZY weather here! I guess we moved here just in time for the monsoon weather. There was a lot of rain and floods everywhere. I took this pic in our neighborhood

We went and drove by the phoenix temple the other day to see how it's coming along. It is absolutely beautiful! We are excited for it to open up it is only 5 minutes from our house. I love the spirit that can always be felt at the temple grounds.

First of all Christian is a giant and 100% for height.. And I can definitely tell by the pic he has some long legs ha. So we didn't have anywhere to watch the BYU game (poor students can't afford cable tv) so we called our bishop and our first counselor let us watch the game with him. He also invited us over for dinner with his family. It's so nice having such a great ward here! 

Christian drinking his apple juice by the pool- he thinks this life is pretty great. The other night we met the sister missionaries and Christian kept flirting and laughing with them. Our sister missionaries are so great and I love seeing them out and about teaching others about the gospel. 
Face timing has saved us! The only way he can see his grandparents that he's missing so much.

Out for dinner at chipotle. It's fun being in phoenix because there are so many places to eat at! Whatever you're craving they have. And I cut off like 3 inches of my hair it was gross and needed it. 
So I bought Christians Halloween costume then realized I bought a 9 month one(he wears a 2t now)Oops! Marcus and I could not stop laughing at how goofy he looked. I ended up buying him a bigger costume online from target and taking it back but this was too funny not to post. It's an owl if you couldn't tell.
Marcus has been so awesome with this move. I'm used to having my mom or mother in law always there to baby sit but now it's just me and Christian all day and it's nice when Marcus is home from
School and how much he helps out. He works his butt off in school- I'm so proud of him. I really lucked out with my hubby. And yes Christian is wearing GOLD mocs. I know mostly girls wear those but I accidentally ordered "metallic brown" and they ended up being gold. Whatever. 
My dad bought Marcus and Christian matching bow tie and tie! How cute is this. Life is going good- it will be nice once it starts cooling down here. For now we will keep exploring this place each day and enjoying this phase of life. Also I have to post the cutest picture of Christian and his uncle Mitch. Right before we moved we took this picture at the scrimmage. We are really missing both our families :)

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Can't even handle the cuteness..

One of my best friends (Rachel Lark photography) took Christian's pictures lately. Marcus and I can't stop looking at them and smiling. She did a wonderful job. Here they are.. This baby boy is our world. 


He is turning 9 months this month. He still enjoys nursing, pears, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, Mac n cheese, baby yogurt, teething cookies. He is a big cuddler! He loves to cuddle with Marcus and I. He recently has become obsessed with my dad and it's so funny he always wants him to hold him. He also freaks out when Marcus gets home everyday and kicks his legs it's so sweet. He has two bottom teeth coming in. Teething hasn't been bad at all so far for him. 
  Marcus will be a BYU graduate soon! He will be graduating from BYU in July. 
  We are getting excited for the weather to warm up here, Utah loves to get you excited about warm weather and then suddeny snow. 
  Marcus and I will be celebrating our two year anniversary this month. We already have a fun idea in mind for that day. Can't believe it's almost been two years, time really does fly when you're having fun. 


(Marcus makes me look short but I'm actually 5'10. Ha) 


Friday, March 21, 2014

Palm Springs baby!

My mom is a tennis fanatic and wanted to go watch the pros play in Palm Springs. Since Marcus has school, I decided to go along with my mom. It was a blast, Palm Springs weather- there is no other place like it besides Hawaii. Christian and I hung out at the pool everyday, saw my little sister, ate at Cheesecake Factory every night, and FaceTimed with Marcus probably 10 times a day. We missed having Marcus with us but we had a great time in good weather! Here are some pics 
Finally reunited after a week! Missed this man. And Christian is 8 months old now. Time is just flying by. He has his first little jagged tooth. We love being Christians parents. He makes us laugh so hard, and is so much fun.