Baxters R Us: June 2012

Baby Hunter

Baby Hunter Chad Baxter is here! Born May 7 at 3:58 pm. 7 pounds 10 ounces, 20.5 inches long. He has been such a great little baby, so much less fussy than my other babies, which is wonderful. We are loving him. Labor went quite well. I went in at 7:30 am and had him 8 1/2 hours later, which was a little longer than I was hoping, but it really wasn't too painful till the last hour or two. I succeeded in having him natural- no epidural. That was my goal, but I wasn't sure I would make it. Fortunately I had great coaches- Michelle and Leslie. They supported me through it all, and Michelle and I had a great time the first few hours, laughed a lot! I'm glad I did it natural, but am not sure I'll do it again :) There were some great benefits to having him natural, but it made it a little more intense and painful (okay, much more painful) in the end and afterwards. Much more fun with an epidural.

Ready to get this little guy out (though at the time I didn't know if it was a little guy or gal)

Proud father...

...and mother

The kids were excited to come visit and find out if they had a little brother or sister. Jayci was really hoping for a girl, but could tell it was a boy by looking at him. I asked, "Since he's a boy should we just leave him here?" She said no, she still wanted to take him home. She thought everything he did was so cute and just giggled over everything.

They love holding their baby brother. Unfortunately we've all been sick with colds the last few weeks so I try and not let them get too close too often, which is practically impossible. I think Hunter has a cold now, and eye infections the kids had. Oh well. It will be nice when we're all well again, but are you ever all well with 3 kids around??

so sweet! we love baby brother

Fun with baby at home

The kids sure are loving having a little baby around... sometimes a little too much :) They love to smother him in kisses, "pet" his head, and fight over who gets to sit on the side he's eating on. It's been pretty good having my three, a little wild and crazy at times, and mom is TIRED, but all in all we're doing great. I enjoy my sweet little babies more and more each time I have one. They are so tiny, cute and sweet, and I guess now I realize how quickly they do grow up! I love little Hunter, he's so precious.

My all time favorite picture! Look how happy Cody is, he has the best smile! He always asks "Can I hold him?" He just loves to be up close to this little one.

"binky buddies"

Good thing I got a picture of it because this last week I finally got rid of Cody's binky for good- yay!

This is how he sleeps half the time at night- in his baby seat. He's not a huge fan of his bassinet, and this seems cozier. He usually goes about 2 1/2 hours between feedings at night, but he has gone as much as 5 one time, which is always a huge blessing. 4 hours of sleep in a row? What a difference it makes! Lack of sleep has always been a huge challenge for me, but on Mother's Day after feeling angry about being woken up prematurely, then feeling awful about the way I was acting, I decided it was finally time to face the fact that I'm just not going to sleep as much as I'd like anymore. And fortunately, since that time, I've done much better at being kind, even when I am woken up prematurely.

Rumor has it that he looks like his big sister. She sure loves her little brother!

Hunter's blessing day

Today was Hunter's baby blessing. It was so wonderful. Chad always gives the most amazing blessings. In fact, I have to admit, I'm always surprised at how amazing his blessings always are. He truly lets God speak through him. How blessed and fortunate I feel to have a worthy priesthood holder in my home. Thanks Chad. I was also very pleased at how well the get together afterwards went. Usually I am disappointed with the poor job I did as a hostess, but this time I think it went quite well, and didn't look back on it realizing what I should have done, but didn't. Of course, that is mostly credited to family who helped me plan and carry it out. Thank you family. It was also awesome having it in our new home close by, and in the spring. The other two blessings were both the first week in January at 9 am in Tooele. This time was so much better. I am grateful on a daily basis that this baby was born in the spring rather than late fall.

Our happy family, aren't we cute?

It seems crazy to me that we are a family of 5. Am I really a mother of three children? I feel like I'm still just 20 years old, not the ripe old age of 28.