The Play-by-Play - if you are interested!

The last couple weeks have been blurred by so many things.

On Tuesday, October 28th, I went in for my regular appointment, thinking I had lost some water on the way there. Dr. Fountain gave me an "aggressive" exam and an ultrasound, and found that I hadn't lost anything and that I actually had an excess from the norm (yet another fantastic discovery about my abnormal pregnancies!). So, he sent me home with the understanding that if there was anymore water than to come back. I left in tears and sobs because this was the last day of my 36th week. And, although way early for some, this was when I usually delivered with my kids. I was disappointed and fatigued with emotion. Not knowing how I was going to cope with the next two weeks.

By the time I got home it was 1:00 and I began to feel little burst of water and decided I wouldn't jump to any conclusions to quickly. I waited until 2:00 when I had a rather large burst and it went down my leg (sorry for my graphics!). I called the doctor, he said to go to the hospital and then I called Joseph and told him to meet me there and called my mother-in-law and she came to pick me up. (Kids were all being cared for...thanks again Brittney and Carolyn! You're both so awesome!) When we got to the hospital it was about 2:45 and I ended up waiting forever to get into triage.

By 3:30 I was in there and when they checked me, I was a 7 (that morning, I was still a 4 - which I had been for almost 3 weeks now) so they quickly moved me to a room and began the saline for the epidural and we thought things would roll pretty quickly. Only problem was that I was having no contractions. They started the epidural and come to find out, per my doctor, that I was only a 4...no change. So we waited...and waited and by 9:30 there was no change. They started pitocin and within minutes, I was out of epidural. They called in for more and the drug guy said it would take 10-15 minutes to start. I was already at an 8 by then and was feeling everything. Ouch!

By the time I was ready to push, the epidural kicked in and she was out in 2 pushes and a pop! I couldn't even tell I was pushing the epidural was working so well! :-) So, at 10:28 on 10/28, my little Kaleyna was born. She weighed 7 lbs, 14 oz. and was 22 inches long (my biggest baby by far!) she had a little trouble with breathing at the beginning. She had swallowed something and was having retraction. She went to the NICU for about 2 hours and then came back in all her adorable glory with nothing wrong. She had a full head of hair and good lungs. But, she never cries and makes cute little girlie noises.

I had to have a blood transfusion for the loss of blood during delivery, but seemed to be totally fine after it was administered...minus the tired of course! And only 2 or 3 stitches this time...really, it's been one of my easiest recoveries after delivery.

Since we came home, she has had a small problem with jaundice - never reaching above 17.5, but still enough to keep her on lights until yesterday. She has been wonderful. Hardly noticeable to this wild brood. Her brothers have instantly fallen in love with her and she is by far the most laid back! (so far!) Brogan is so amazed by her that he constantly makes his noises and talks to her and pets her head and nuzzles her. I'm sure that will change, but for now, it's precious to watch!

Thank you for enduring this long...and if you didn't I completely understand. This is mostly for posterity sake anyway, but fun, nonetheless. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WONDERFUL WELL WISHES AND CONGRATS! A special thank you to myMother-in-Law, Valerie, for taking time out of her too busy schedule to come and help out. We have the best family and the most wonderful friends around. We have been overly blessed and we couldn't be more grateful for all of the blessings we've received...especially our latest edition...Miss Kaleyna Belle Garfield...what a sweetheart!

We Made It! Now, she won't come...

It's been quite the whirlwind these last few weeks. Since my last post, I got sick, went into labor, was in the hospital for 12 days and left without having the baby. Then, as of today, it's 36 weeks and still no girl. My doctor won't do anything to induce me, so I have to rely on gravity to get me there. Speaking of which, I didn't get to go to Wicked. It was very disappointing, but I'm sure there will be another opportunity...like there always is to go to New York on a moments notice.

Obviously, I'm a little frustrated. I know there are a lot of women who go to full term and barely have the size babies I do at 36 weeks, but I am so anxious to have this little girl. When I left last Wednesday from the hospital, they did an ultrasound and measured her at 37 weeks, and weighing at 6lbs 7oz...mind you, that was at 35 weeks. I couldn't understand why, after my history and the steroid shots they gave me 6 weeks prior, they wouldn't know she was ok. I figured that my mom is having a hard time letting go of her...this is definitely a comfort, but not very easy at the same time. I'm glad she will be healthy and I'm glad that we will get to have her soon, but I am beginning to get depressed. Nothing seems to work...and I have tried everything...except Castor Oil, which I just can't seem to do yet.

If you have any suggestions, please send them my way...although, I doubt that anyone has anything I haven't tried or found on the internet. Pray for me to get through this and help time to go a little faster than it has been. Everyday seems like an eternity. I know I'm just complaining, but venting is one of the ways I relieve stress...sorry!

Vindications, Apprehension, and Wicked Cool!

So, life just got a little hairier. I went to my weekly doctor's appointment and he discovered that I am dilated to a 2. He was pretty concerned, which then made him put me on a stricter bed rest plan. No kids...as much as possible! (He says he has 3 kids, but come on! Is he kidding??) Anyway, I am nervous. I'm excited. And, I'm getting more impatient by the day. It is the coolest thing ever to sit down with my belly jutting to the sky and watching it contort and misshape itself all on it's own...with the help of our little princess. Often times she likes to stick her foot right on my belly button and she'll wait until I touch it and then move it. It's like our little signal to each other that we're both there. (It's no Bella, Edward and "Renesme", but it's the closest I'll ever get!) I truly hope that she is healthy, which is why I will behave and follow doctor's orders...as much as motherly possibly.

On the other side of life, Joseph and I are going to see Wicked at the Fox Theatre. I am so stoked. I've wanted to see this show ever since they showed "Gravity" at the Tony awards like 5 years ago. The only dilemma is that I'm not so sure I'll be able to make it. If Kaleyna decides to come before than, we will not be able to go. If she decides to wait, Heaven willing, we will be able to do both. If not, we'll need some buyers for our Orchestra, center isle seats! Yes, really good seats...I will be very sad if she can't hold off for at least another 9 days!

We will keep you posted! Wish me luck - I"m going to need it!

Babies, Boys, and Bedrest!

So, my camera is lost again. I had so much I wanted to post, but the time just seems to get away from me and I swear my camera has feet. Anyway, I will give you a short recap of the summer and then on to some more important stuff.

August: Braden started school and loves it! We went on our first ever family vacation to the beach (Atlantic beach, not Pacific, but we don't have much choice...and yes! it's the first time the younger two have seen a beach). However, they never actually SAW it! Yes! We got there right in time for Faye to come and ruin everything. It was a work trip for Joseph and what was supposed to be pools and shells at the beach for mom and the boys. HA-HA-HA! We arrived on a Sunday, went in the pool in the rain when we got there and then the next day the pool was closed due to the storm. All the poolside furniture was literally IN the pool. So, for the rest of our 5 day stay in Jacksonville, we spent in the hotel. Only going out for food. I had to stop that eventually, because people kept looking at me like I was risking my kid's lives for being 6 months pregnant and taking them to my car. By Friday, (Joseph's only day off) we barely made it out of Jacksonville. I had great pics of the trees literally being bent over from the wind and rain. We made it, barely, and decided that August was a bad time to go to the beach. Braden was very upset that we took him out of school to sit in a hotel room. "Mom, I didn't even get to see the beach!" Well, worst vacation, but I did get to see the women Beach VB team kick booty on the sand. Olympics were my only saving grace...come to find out it was a perfect opportunity for the younger two to draw with crayon all over the walls in the hotel room. Yeah, I mean an hour of clean up just before packing the car! Bye Bye Jacksonville!

September: Braden is already bored with school. Getting "cloudy" days and not listening. Talking over the teacher...he still loves school, he's just not engaged enough. What's the mother of a genius to do??? J/K We disciplined him appropriately and has done better since. I, on the other hand, have been "locked down." I am at high risk for going early. I have a 59% chance of going with in the next two weeks. They've given me steroids in preparation if she does, but until then, I'm required to "do as little as possible." Yeah, right! So, if I don't behave, I'm going to be admitted to the hospital. Lovely! Yeah, my kids are gonna LOVE me! They have been very sweet actually, as has my husband (finally, took him to hear the doctor's threats before he was on board, but now he's great) and the close friends and Relief Society! My in-laws have also stepped in to help too. I feel very blessed!

On an icky, sad note...my sister Wendy has been given some tragic news. She is pregnant with her first baby due in February. Unfortunately, she may have one of those 18 chromosomal deficiencies and may not survive. They have done an Amnio and will get the results back on Friday. I ask that all who can, please pray for her and her family during this time. There is a small hope that the tests they did were false positives. It's a heartbreaking situation and we are all devastated. Don't rush to contact her, but if you can, please pray and fast tomorrow to help the hope become a miracle!

Hopefully, I will get pics up before too long...but don't count on it! Facebook has pretty much taken over my life...sign up and see me there if you don't see me here! Love you all!

First Day of School

Below are some of the pictures we took at Braden's orientation night. He met his teacher, Mrs. Rietig, and he asked if he could read to her. She was very patient and even made the comment that she may have to get some more advanced books. I was pretty proud that I was able to hold it together. I only teared up twice and never once let anyone know!

Braden is ready to go to school! He loved meeting his teacher!

Braden reads to his teacher, The Cat in the Hat

Landon was pretty interested too! He liked looking at all the toys and the neat things in his classroom!

This is the actual first day of school. He was so excited. All weekend he was asking why he had to wait to go on the bus. Although, the bus situation was not the most effective for the first 3 or 4 days, it eventually started dropping him off at the right time and in the right spot. Miraculous...trust me!

"How do I smile, Mom?"

"That's a good one honey!"

My baby's on his way to the bus stop...I must be crazy!

Landon didn't want to feel left out. So, he and his favorite turtle got to take their "First day, without Braden, Picture!"

The first week was great! He was thrilled...a little overexcited, but overall really good. I think it will be a wonderful experience for him. I just hope they can keep him entertained and busy!

For Future Generations and Being a Great Man of God!

I wanted to put this in our blog for posterity sake. It was so well done and brought tears to my eyes that I thought it would be appropriate for our future generations. Joseph is an amazing father and rarely gets to say anything on our blog so here is his opportunity. Thank you so much, Joseph, for being such a wonderful father and husband and being worthy to hold the priesthood! Our boys have a truly excellent example in you!


"Every year I was growing up my Father would give me a blessing the day before the school year began. A moment of peace in the chaos, every year my foundation would have at least this cornerstone.
This year it was my turn to be the Father. This year my oldest son Braden is going to school for the first time ever...the beginning of a long career. I am excited for him and I will miss him. Until now we (the family) have been the largest influence in his life. We have been his classmates, his teachers, his counselors, and...at times...his students. Now that he graduates from our custom tutelage into the halls of public education I worry that he will be shaped yet I am also counting on it. The question is, how will he be shaped...how will he shape? The answer is to be found for us in time.
Yet there is one who already knows this...all answers. Seeking his guidance and his blessing I renewed the tradition of my Fathers.
The preparation for the blessing itself was powerful. I stepped out of the race, the rush, taking a moment to look back, to remember who he is....who we are....and then a moment to glance to the future....to what he could be...what choices, opportunites, challenges lay before this young man....this, my son...the feelings flowed and filled me. To be at that moment...to be able...to have the privilege of standing in place of my Father...the power of that moment was palpable.
I laid my hands upon his head...I spoke, yet the words were not mine. The voice was, yet it was tinged with a depth of love and understanding beyond me. Words of joy, of confidence, of promise came through me, yet they were not just words but feelings......and strength. As I stood there, a mouthpiece for my son's true Father, I felt His overwhelming love for both of us. The blessing finished we embraced...my arms holding the son whose Father had entrusted to my keeping...yet His arms around us both.....
This moment will live in my memory forever.
After Braden's blessing I was surprised to hear my 3yr old Landon say "My turn Daddy?" At first we were unsure but soon felt that it was right. Landon sat in the chair, still and reverent, as I again placed my hands to receive the blessing. The moment that I began so did the tears....not tears of sorrow but tears of love overflowed. The witness was born to my mind that he too was a precious son of God...unique and special in his Father's eyes. The blessing itself was different...directed for his specific needs and mission. Again, I felt the power flow through me...fill me and then pass on to my son. When it was finished we too embraced...and in the might of his arms I felt not the child of three but a man timeless and destined. "I love you Landon" I said. "I Love you too Daddy" said he.
With my vision still blurred I placed these angels in their beds. Hugs and kisses over I now write of the experience to you my friends. My vision is still somewhat blurred yet I would speak clearly of something that is so sacred to me that I cannot help but share it. This is real. Beyond time, beyond place, beyond the material world we think we live in....this is eternal and perfect...THIS IS REAL. As I placed my hands on my sons, I could not help but feel hands being placed on me...that in blessing I was blessed."

By Joseph Garfield - 8/10/08

Breaking Dawn...all week long!

What started out as a small obsession, turned into a twenny-bopper late night with other moms who felt a little silly and loved every minute of it! On Friday night, I attended the Breaking Dawn release party at Borders with some really great friends who are all as insanely crazy about this series as I am. Below are some of the pics (Clairissa I plan on stealing a few more from you later!) and the very simple party.

Clairissa and I with our "baby" shirts
Hers is from La Push (packing tape and card stock) and mine is from Edward (iron ons)
At the time, we hadn't planned on it and we certainly didn't know it was more foresight than we thought!


This is our group: Carrie, Sheralyn, Me, Melissa, Brittany, Sarah and Clairissa
We all made tshirts! Sad! *shaking head in disbelief*


Midnight when the balloons fell


Brittany and Sarah giving thumbs up after midnight!


Melissa actually preordered in April so she was like #53. So the whole party was for a purpose. Thanks for giving us an excuse to tell our husbands! haha

After the party, we decided we didn't want to wait for them to call our numbers (#323) to get our book, so we went to trusty old, all hours, Walmart and got it there. Silly, but so much fun yet again.

I read 1 chapter that night (morning) at 2am and then was awakened by my lovely children at 7:30 am and tried to get them settled in their room to catch a few more hours and instead could not sleep for excitement of the book. So, I read about 3 or 4 more chapters before a baby shower at 10am. Then, I went shopping with my husband and kids for Tax Free weekend at the over-crowded Mall of Georgia and then was home around 7pm...all the while reading bits and pieces and accumulating to the beginning of Book 2.

Brogan being a tyrant and loving it in the plane at the mall park

Braden playing with some new life long friends


Landon in my cowboy hat at the mall park

By the time my husband got the kids in bed, I had read through Book 2 and was totally freaking out. Not very happy about where things were going...to out of control, even for Stephanie Meyer. I was really beginning to question whether or not she was going to pull it through. By midnight, I could not handle it anymore. Things had gotten way out of hand I just couldn't go to sleep on the note I had so I read 100 more pages and went to sleep around 3am.

The next morning I was beyond exhausted and did not wake until almost 10, leaving very little time for reading, seeing as I had to get the family ready for church...(HEATHEN INSIGHT: I so was struggling with faking sick so I didn't have to go to church so I could finish the book - I DIDN'T, but ohhhhh how I wanted to.) After the 3 hour block, I came home, got the kids settled into cleaning their room and then sat down while my beloved husband made dinner, did the dishes, did his HT (sorry Carrie) and then played on Facebook while I read aloud from about 11pm til 1:20am. We were both so enthralled with the story that we just couldn't get the much needed sleep to start the week right...oh well, there's always tomorrow!

I have to apologize to my kids and my husband for this obsession...it's over (for the most part) and things can go back to normal. Thank you for being so patient and understanding while I took this time for myself! I love you! Really!