One month!!!

Robert is officially one month today! That's so crazy! I feel like we just brought him home. How is it that the last month of my pregnancy seems like it took a whole year to go by and his first month of life has gone by in the blink of an eye? It's so crazy! It's so exciting tho. He's starting to interact a little more. He did his first real coo today. It was so cute!! He's starting to smile intentionally now. And he's a little wiggle worm.

He's growing like a weed! I swear he weighs at least 10lbs, probably more like 11 or so. He took a short cat nap today and I swear he was like 2lbs heavier when he woke up. He was only out for like 15-20min or so. We tried measuring him a few times, they range from 23-24inches. So he's about 2ft long! Holy smokes. The funny part of that is Paul and I are the shortest in each of our families, so it's kinda ironic that we have such a long/big baby. lol

This is Robert today doing a little baby talk.

Little Robert's Birth Story

This is long so if you don't like long then don't read. See previous post about his specific birth details like height and weight and such.

So I'll start on Friday the 12th (there is a point I promise). Paul got home from work at his usual time around midnight I believe. I usually wait up for him (well not since Robert came I try and get to sleep before then if Robert is). We probably stayed up till 2 or 3am that night. That happens a lot. He has to wind down and we end up talking about the day when we get in bed so it ends up being pretty late by the time we go to sleep. Saturday the 13th we got up at like 9:30. We were going to go to the mall for "Dig for Diamonds" it's this thing Twin Falls does every year around valentines day. They fill up a truck bed with sand and have different colored fake rings that you dig up and they correspond with a prize. You get one scoop. They have lot's of cools stuff and it's free so why not. So we finally get to the mall around 12:30 (It starts at 1) Mom actually came cuz dad was going to a game in Burley I think. So we actually spent most of the day walking around in the mall. We were there till like 3:30 or 4 I think. The only time I sat was when we ate lunch at the Taco Bell across the mall parking lot. I did plenty of walking and standing. I was wiped out. That much at a day away from 40 weeks is tiring. We got home and Brian and Jill came to see us, Kamden had a basketball game down here. Then we just did our usual hang out and watch a movie or something like that. We went to bed around 11:30 or midnight but of course we didn't fall asleep we ended up talking for like and hour or so and then TMI we got a little frisky if you know what I mean;).

Anyway we finally actually went to sleep about 2:30am. Well Paul did he falls asleep in like 2 seconds it takes me much longer especially being so pregnant. And I think I felt my first REAL contraction about the time he fell asleep. I said, "Oh they've never felt like that before!" I was afraid I wouldn't know when labor was happening, cuz I've never felt it before, and people would say, "oh you'll just know." And boy were they right. Anyway I thought well I'll just try and fall asleep I'm sure it's nothing. So about 15 min. later I have another one. Well I think it was 15 it could have been more, but I think 15min cuz by the time I decided I wasn't going to be sleeping it was 3:30am and I'd had like 3 or 4 contractions. I said "Paul I'm having some contractions but don't worry about it I wake you up if we need to leave." I got up and started a bath and sat in it for like 30-45 mins I think and then decided that that wasn't very comfortable so I got out. By this time they were coming a little closer than 10 min apart. I woke up Paul. He gave me a blessing. And I decided to try and wait a little longer before we went. They had steadily gotten closer together and were about 5 min apart. At 5:30 I decided it was time to go. So we got in the car and I called mom and dad. She wanted to know when it was happening so they could come.

We got to the hospital checked in and they did some monitoring. At about 6am they checked me and I was dilated to a 4 and I think about 90 or 100% effaced (I had been at a 2 for weeks).She asked if I wanted an epidural since I could get one because I was 4cm. I said "No. I'm trying to go as natural as I can." So they brought in a birthing ball and I bounced on it for about 2 hours or a little longer. By now the contractions were about 2 min apart I think. Mom and Dad had gotten there by then and were excited. At about 8:30 the on call doc (who I was sad was leaving his shift right after he saw me cuz he was one of the doctors I really liked.) came and broke my water. I was dilated to about a 6 I think. HOLY CRAP!!!! Contractions after they break your water hurt like the dickens!!! Poor Paul I didn't want him to touch me at all. I was quite the meanie I think. He was trying to comfort me but I hate being touched when I'm in pain. So after they broke my water those mean hospital people made me lay in the bed so they could monitor me and the baby some more. By now the contractions pretty much felt never ending. Maybe like a 30 second break or so. Every time one would hit I would cling to the bed rail for dear life pretty sure I was gonna break it off the bed. I hated Paul seeing me like that, him feeling helpless.

So about 10:30am rolls around and I am utterly exhausted. I hadn't slept since those 6 measly hours Friday night before a very long and tiring Saturday. And I hadn't eaten since about 8 or 9pm Saturday. I start to break down. I can't do this. My body is too tense. I can't relax through this blinding, crippling pain. I'm worried I won't progress. The baby doesn't like the way I breathe when a contraction hits. What if I put him in distress? I need help I can't do this by myself. I need help. I ask for the epidural. I'm at a 7 almost an 8. It's a Sunday morning the anesthesiologist will take at least 30 min to get here. I don't know if I can handle that. They give me an IV, needless to say you don't feel them put it in your hand when you're having a hard contraction. They gave me a shot of Stadol in the IV. I asked for it so I could handle the wait till the guy got there to give me the epidural. It doesn't numb the pain it just relaxes you and takes the edge of. I immediately began to relax. I fell asleep kind of in a haze. I was awake for contractions but not really. They still hurt but I just couldn't be bothered by them anymore I was too tired. "Hee Hee Hoo" my continual breathing pattern now even when not contracting I can finally breath now that I'm relaxed. And breathing like that actually helped. Too bad I couldn't do it when I wasn't drugged. lol I can hold Paul's hand. I keep saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" for being such hag a few hours earlier.

The guy finally got there for the epidural I think it was at about 11am I can't really quite remember I was so so tired and out of it by then. Getting the epidural wasn't nearly as traumatizing as I thought it would be. They gave me the numbing shot which made me jump when he first tried to do it. And I didn't feel the epidural needle at all except for the pressure from it. And as I drifted to sleep and before I became completely numb I could feel the tremendous pressure from Robert moving into position and then I couldn't feel a thing. Then at about Noon Mendie, my nurse who was freakin awesome!!! came back in and checked me. I was fully dilated. Which was good cuz she was thinking she might have to give me some pitocin if the epidural had slowed/stopped progression. All she had to do was get the stuff ready and wait for Dr. Allen to get to the room. She let Robert naturally move down by himself while I was sleeping. That was nice cuz it saved me lots of pushing I imagine.

Originally Paul and I had decided we didn't want anyone in the room with us. But when mom came in to check on us around noon or 12:30 or so we decided we wanted her to stay. Her and Paul held my feet while I pushed and the nurse tried to massage me so I wouldn't tear. As soon as they each had my feet the nurse was like, "I can see his head, he has some curly hair." I had about 3 or 4 sets of pushes while the nurse was doing her thing. Each set was 3 pushes for ten seconds each. Paul counted and saw the whole show. He did so well he didn't even get squeamish or anything. Then the doctor came in again ready for the show. Mendie, the nurse, took over the foot my mom was holding. It only took 2 or 3 more sets of pushes to get him here. I ended up getting an episiotomy because I was starting to tear I guess (I was numb so I don't really know. lol) I almost didn't even know he did it. I was just a little cut and it hardly bothered me the next few days. Anyway back on subject.

We ended up having to use the vacuum because he was kinda in distress and sort of stuck. After he came out we found out it was because the cord had wrapped around his neck like once I think. It can't remember it was sort of a blur. So after six or seven sets of pushes he was finally here! My little boy! He was perfect! He was beautiful and strong and boy he had a voice! Paul cut the cord and they put him on my chest and wiped him off. Shocked by his new world. They took him to be weighed and measured and given the shots and eye goop. And the APGAR test. Paul watched over him while this happened while I sat being stitched and cleaned up, longing to see him, hold him, love him. He was here! The one I'd been dreaming of. Feeling inside of me all safe and snug, squirmy like a worm.


He was 8lbs 3oz and 21inches long. I new he had to be long. I have such a long torso and I could feel him all the way down with his head engaged and at the same time he was doing the splits in my ribs. And that was when I was standing. Lucky for me he carried low the whole pregnancy. But no wonder I was so huge. I looked at a pic from 4 days before he arrived and I can't get over how ginormous I look. I didn't realize how crappy my body felt being that huge until I was empty and alone. But at the same time how sad it was being empty, I didn't have him all to myself anymore. It's such a bittersweet event giving birth. For me anyway.


He was here. In this world full of surprises both good and bad. So much could happen to him good and bad. And suddenly I was afraid. Afraid I wouldn't be a good mom. Afraid of the things he will have to face in his life. Afraid of being blessed with the honor of raising such a sweet spirit of God and not feeling good enough for such a blessing. Afraid of the hardships he will face and go through. And then I remembered he has all the hope and chances in the world. He will have love and support and family and friends and God if he chooses. We can only teach him but we cannot force him. When he grows he will be his own person make his own choices and decisions both good and bad. Ah but this is looking too far ahead. I need to focus on the now. He will be a month on Sunday. A MONTH!!!!! I can't believe how fast it goes. My last month of pregnancy lasted an eternity and the first month with him seems to have lasted only a matter of hours or a few days. Time goes so quickly sometimes.

If you've read all this thanks for reading such ramblings and suffering through my horrible grammar. I have more important things to care about right now than grammar:) and I don't have the time to edit. It's taken me a few days to get this down. Robert takes up all of my time. He's such a wonderful blessing in my life. Well that's it for now. I must go to bed and try and sleep while I can. He'll probably wake up real soon tho, little bugger;)

Yesterday. I'm sure he's like over 10 lbs by now the little piggie:)

Itroducing Our Little Love Bug!!!

Robert Bruce Martin
Born February 14, 2010 at 1pm
Weight 8 lbs 3 oz
Length 21 inches



He detests getting his diaper changed!

Parent Job Description

Parent Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, I don't believe any of us would have applied!!!

Position: Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

Job Description: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to the hospital, emergency room, walk in clinics, primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! PTA meetings, school reports card days, open house things of that natureTravel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required. Responsibilities: The rest of your life.

Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.

Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets, baking , constant cleaning and stuck zippers Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.

Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

Possibility for Advancement & Promotion: None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

Previous Experience: None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

Wages and Compensation: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

Benefits: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, letting them know they are appreciated for the fabulous job they do... or forward with love to anyone thinking of applying for the job.

** AND A FOOTNOTE** THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!

Church and Car Analogy

Thanks for sending this to me Malinda!!!

You can compare anything to a car...

High Priests are like old jeeps, they can't carry much but they're reliable and will never leave you stuck.

Relief Society women are like Lamborghinis, They are very beutiful, move really fast and are lots of fun but you had better spend time and money maintaining them or you'll be sorry.

Elders Quorum brethren are like freight trains. They can carry a lot and work hard but it takes a lot of energy to get them going.

Young Men are like bullet bikes. They can go 200 miles/hour and are lots of fun but one mistake and they'll wreck fast.

Young Women are like Miata clubs. Cute little cars that look like they're having fun but they're always in tight packs and can't seem to figure out where they're going.

And then there's Primary!

High On Pot!

I'm not sure why I'm sharing this but I think it's funny. It's from when I was a freshman in college 2 years ago. We saw a sign that said, "He who stands on toilet is high on pot"

Obviously we felt the need to demonstrate. lol I miss those clothes I was wearing!! lol I'm on the left BTW.

Yay for Temples and Family!!!

So I had a big weekend this past Thanksgiving weekend. We celebrated our first anniversary! Yay!! And I got to go to the temple on the 27th and I received my Endowments and Paul and I got sealed! Wohoo!!! I'm so excited! It was such an amazing experience. Luckily we have a temple in Twin Falls so we're gonna try and go at least once a week. I'm 7 months pregnant so I want to use the little time I have before it gets too uncomfortable to go. And then having a new baby I won't really be able to go for a while either.

I'm so grateful for the temple and for the opportunity we had to go. I'm so grateful for the Atonement that the Savior provides and for the opportunities we have to change and become better. I'm so grateful for family and that we have temples where we can be sealed together forever. I'm so happy our little boy is going to be born sealed to us! I'm also thankful for family and friend who support me despite mistakes I make and who are there for me when I need them.

And I'm thankful for hand-me-downs. We don't have much money right now to buy all of the baby things. And since this is our first we have nothing. But I have great brothers and sisters who are willing to loan/give us almost everything we need. I just felt so happy and grateful for everything in my life I just had to say it out loud/write it down.