The Purest Joy

Over the last 21 months that I've been a parent, I've learned that the purest joy comes from none other than those little babes sent to us from heaven. I know this and think about this everyday.  Yes, even when my whirlwind of a girl child is driving me more batty than normal, I'm thankful for it.

Today my two little ones brought me to tears with happiness and the only other time that happened to me is when I married my sweet Spunky.  (Gosh I love him!)  I think back about this time last year as we were trying to deny the fact that bundle of joy #2 was on his way.  It wasn't that we weren't excited, but we were definitely more nervous about tackling two under two.  But now as I watch them grow closer everyday, I really couldn't be more excited for the days ahead of them and to see them grow up together.

I was in the hallway holding Harvey rushing this way and that way, as usual, and Everlie pointed to him and said, "brobro".  So I said, ok, sit down and I'll let you hold him.  This doesn't happen often as she is usually too busy whirlwinding my living room and getting "nacks" out of the pantry, but today she just sat and held him, gave him kisses, and just hugged him.  Then she pushed him away and said to me, "waaak".  Walk? I said.  "Waaak".  Hmm, I thought.  Ok.  So she grabbed his tiny fists and I held him under his arms and we all walked together down our tiny hallway.  Ev was walking backwards just infatuated watching her little brother.  It was almost  as if in that moment she realized who he was to her.  But if that doesn't get your heart melting, they both started laughing.  Hard.  Harvey would laugh then it made Ev laugh and they kept going and going and going until I my arms were too heavy to go on. I'm super bummed that I didn't have a professional photographer following me around documenting this special event,  and I'm bummed I didn't catch any pictures of it, but it was definitely a moment that I had to write down and never want to forget.

**Must remember this while she is crying for a half an hour straight after she wakes up in the morning and after nap-everyday...  I know it won't last but moments like these make me ever grateful for Heavenly Father's plan.

So grateful for my little bugs and delighted they were sent to me to remind me of what this life is all about every second of every day.  Loving and being loved.

I solemnly swear we are up to no good.

I've been a wicked blogger these last 3 months.  I'd like to blame that on going back to work, but I guess now I don't have to... (#insert grin) (#more on that later).  I will be getting back to the swing of things surely, but my house is in much need of... revamping.  It's been screaming to me these last couple months and I have finally found some time to do what I like to do-move furniture (which also drives Brent nuts baha!).

More pictures of the house, the last few months, my growing babies-one not so much a baby any more-soon!

One story before I head to bed fold laundry and finish dishes.

Around 7 this evening Ev got very fussy which eventually turned into an epic meltdown.  Apparently a 20 minute nap didn't suffice her today.  I kept asking what was wrong, what do you want, what can I help you with.  And this is what I got (between sobs and huge alligator tears):

wannagogo waaaaak-stooler, stooler...

Poor thing wanted to go on a walk in the stroller.  I think I laughed for 5 minutes under my breath so as not to upset her even more. 

All that for a walk?

I told her sure, let's go on a walk, but we needed a bath first.   

B-I-G mistake.  Probably the worst 46 seconds of her life as I wisked her into the tub for a quick scrub down.  Oh and don't forget the momma's rookie mistake of forgetting "the" blanket after we got out of the tub.  Sheesh! The micro second I put her in the stroller...totally fine as if nothing happened.  

The girl just wanted some fresh smokey air. (dang fires) 

Who knew?

Mid-walk I asked her.  You doin ok?  You happy?

Ev:  (nod nod)

Good enough girl.  Good enough.

Doh!

Oh yeah, and Happy National Donut Day:)

It sure was a happy day for us!

For the love of PETE!

I thought I was being such a great organizer trying to get all of my photos organized on our computer.  I even went through my online Picasa account and deleted all the albums that I thought weren't important...

Apparently they were because now I have no pictures on my blog.  {HUGE MISTAKE! :( }  So now I'm trying to painstakingly upload all my pictures back {at least now they'll be organized...} to see if I can get any of them recovered and if not----I've just lost three years of blogging photos.

So sorry ya'll.

If they don't recover, I'll be sure and add at least the photos of little Harv man.  I seriously can't have too many photos of him or my little miss E.

Lunatic Fringe

Nothing like getting a new cut and color after having a baby.  The bangs are definitely not my favorite (I asked for swoop bangs) the gal totally slaughtered them to pieces! but it's good to have a new look and like Brent always says: The difference between a bad hair cut and a good hair cut? --Two weeks ;)

Harvey's newborn photos

Thank you to my good friend Holly for letting us be her photo guinea pigs.  I loved how they turned out!

Cuz I ain't in no hurry today...

Meet Harvey Lamar Eborn.

Born 5/5/2012

7lbs. 14oz.

20 inches

Here's his story:

*Note:  I realize that there are many of women that have a rough time during their pregnancy and delivering.  If you are one of them-you don't want to read this.  You'll probably curse me.

Saturday morning

6:00a: I call into L&D to find out if I'm still ok to go in for my inducement appointment at 7a.  I'm good to go.

6:30a:  I have rushed Brent to get to our appointment on time and we are in the truck headed out of the driveway and he has forgotten his sunglasses.  I curse him under my breath as he runs in to grab them.

6:32a: I receive a phone call from L&D that they are busy and under staffed and that we should call in again around 9.  (Funny note* as this is going on, the radio is playing, Ain't in no hurry today by Zac Brown Band--we laugh.)  We decide to go out to breakfast, but after I have gotten "more ready" for the day.  (I'm so glad I went back in to put a bra on-- I didn't before since I figured I would just have to strip down into a hot hospital gown anyways.  I was trying to be logical about this people...)  

7:00-ish a:  I finish getting ready for the day and we leave en route a la Boise to Brent's favorite breakfast hub, Roosters.

7:30-ish a: We arrive at Roosters (where they know him by name and know what he orders).  Because they love Brent they are super nice there  and let us come in early as they don't open until 8.  They order a hearty Cowboy Skillet for Brent and a Egg and Bacon Pita for me--(delish!) 

8:10a:  We finish breakfast...now what?  

8:11a:  Car wash it is.  Why not?

8:20a:  Truck is squeaky clean.  Now what?

8:21a:  Head to the hospital just in case we go in at 9?  Ok.

8:30:  Arrive at the hospital and go up to floor 2, to L&D.  They turn us away and tell us we have to wait and call them at 9a.

9:00a:  We call L&D--once again.  Once again they are still tied up with other deliveries.  We are told they'll call us at 11a to see where they are...but it's looking like today isn't going to be my delivery day. Hm..

9:01a:  Now what?

9:20a:  Arrive at my aunt and uncle's house where my mom, dad, and Everlie are staying to kill some time.  My mom is not very happy I am still preganant.

11:00a:  No phone call.

11:10a:  No phone call.

11:15a: No phone call.  Hm...

11:20a: I call L&D.  Lady said she isn't sure if I can come in.  She will talk to my Dr. and call me back in a half an hour.  Prepare to wait some more.

11:45a:  I receive a call back from L&D.  Come on in.  

11:46a:  We took a deep breath crossed our fingers and headed back to the hospital.

12:00p:  Arrive and am checked into the hospital.

12:20p:  Still waiting...

12:30p:  "Ashlie Eborn, we're ready for you."

by 1:30p:  I am hooked up to all sorts of great things:  an IV, (that took three times to take- I have the awesome bruises to prove it. ) Penicillin, Pit, heart monitor, arm cuff and 85 pillows stuffed under me.  (Apparently the pillow queen was on call...sweet lady tho.)  The nurse (pillow queen) asked if I want my epidural now-Brent cut in and said yes.  I told her that I could probably wait and see if I would need one.  I'm pretty tough, ya know.  Brent laughs and tells the nurse not to listen to me, to go ahead and call the anesthetist because I will need one.  ASAP.  I think for a moment and reluctantly agree.

1:45p:  I have my first "real" contraction.   Where are my DRUGS???!!!  I remember why I enjoyed my epidural from my last experience.  Contractions are a killa!  A few more contractions come.  I almost die. Thank you Brent for knowing me all too well.

by 2:00p:  Drugs are administered. 

2:05p:  Ah... I feel good (na na nanananana) I know that I would (na na nanananana).  So good. (na na)  

So good.  I got you (da da da da da da)!

Getting bored yet?  Don't worry, I'm almost done.

2:20-ish p:  Brent is starving (so am I, but I only get Sprite).  He goes down to the cafeteria to get some grub.

2:50p:  Nurses come in and tell me I'm ready and the Dr. has been called.  Where is Brent?  Trying to have the nurses find my cell phone while I point and grunt.  They give up.

2:56p:  Brent shows up.  (Phew!!)

2:57p:  Dr. comes in.  Pleasantries are exchanged.

3:00p:  Dr. sits down.  

3:01p:  I push once along with a couple of half pushes.

3:02p:  Baby is on my chest, purple and screaming.

3:03p:  I'm kinda slow and confused as to...wait what just happened here??   Whaaa??

And the rest is pretty much history:)  And I'm sure you hate me, but it was glorious and I'm taking it and running with it BAHAHAHAHA!

Just kidding.  It was such a great moment because with Everlie I didn't get to hold her right away.  She had meconium in the womb and was whisked away by NICU before I could even get a glimpse of her.  I got to hold Harvey the whole time while my placenta was being delivered-(which took 15 minutes if that helps you hate me less).  Brent and I spent the next hour and a half or so with him all to ourselves while my drugs (glorious drugs!) wore off and I could walk again.
 

Once we got up to our penthouse suite maternity room we just oohed and aahhed at how beautiful he was (and I ordered everything but the kitchen sink off the menu).  Eventually we called my family who dropped everything and rushed right over to see him.

Everlie was a little freaked out about where she was and why her momma in the ugliest nightgown she'd ever seen, and what is this moving dolly doing here?  He started to cried and then she began to cry because I think he scared her.  Sweet little thing.

   

We're on week two on having two kids and it's so wonderful.  I love it.  It is difficult at times-anyone who tells you differently is either a liar or a really amazing and organized person, but I wouldn't trade it anything for the world.   Everlie has warmed up to Harvey and will even give him tickles and beep his nose.  Samee has resumed her position of baby protector from the vacuum and life is good.  Tiresome, but good.

I love my two kiddos!

...and their daddy.

*Funny note-but Brent pointed out to me that Everlie's birthday is on Pearl Harbor Day and Harvey's is on Cinco de Mayo... Apparently we  like to have kids on eventful days.  Go figure?

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

Our little man's birthdate is set-unless he wants to come a day early-I'm being induced first thing Saturday morning and I'm super stoked. Nervous, but stoked.
I'm still trying to comprehend the fact that I'll be coming home from the hospital with two kids.  (Ahhh!)  Talk about nuts-o!

I've been extremely stir crazy the last couple days. Everything is mostly done and I've kept up on the house so I haven't had to do much but think of more stuff to do-which has driven me crazy.

So...

Tuesday, little E became my sous chef and helped me make an emaculate Mac and Cheese.  She's the best helper ever!

Wednesday I got an itch to make E a little summer dress out of an old t shirt that I couldn't bare parting with. Brent and I have seen Rise Against (who was here in Boise on the 20th, but didn't go because 1. Brent was out of town and 2. I would have felt a little out of place being 37 weeks pregnant-go figure) a couple times and are big fans. At the last concert we bought matching shirts..cute huh? 

 But it eventually got too small and it just sat in my closet.

Everlie seemed to like it.  I do think that some red chuck taylors are in order tho..

Although, pink socks work ok too.

Today, I made some baby leggins for little Mr. to come home from the hospital in.  And of course I had to make E a pair too.  I'm kicking myself that I didn't get more socks-these take all of 5 seconds to make.  Sew-easy...and way cheaper than paying $15 for a pair online.

Just waiting for Saturday...

Hurry up little man-we can't wait to meet you!

Keeping tabs...

To be honest, I haven't felt like doing much this month...so I haven't.  I know I've been horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE keeping tabs on our blog.  My excuse is that I'm feel so big and have been chasing around a 16 month old until I just about collapse onto my bed each night and wait until the sandman can sprinkle his sleeping dust on me.  Which apparently doesn't work well when little Mr. inside my belly tells me he's up and wants to party like it's 1999.  

Not cool.

BUT....

Today is a new day and even though I still have about 2 weeks left I feel refreshed.  Most likely because I got my carpets (AND!) couches cleaned yesterday and everything feels so...clean in my house.  It's the best feeling. Ever!

(Well, apart from being done with being preggers and holding my little one for the first time...)

I surely can't wait for that.

Lately I've become addicted to Instagram on my iPhone.  I'm totally in love with it.  I don't have a super fancy camera (-which I will totally have someday!!) so most of the time, my iPhone has to suffice.  Here's what we've been up to in the last little bit...

1.

 2.

3.

4.

5.

1.  Say hello to my little friend... Getting more and more bulbous everyday and I'm actually loving my belly this time around.  Carrying a boy is so much different from my girl.  He's just a big ball of moving-ness--if that's a word--and really not much more.  If I had to choose for next time...I'd say I would want to carry another boy!

2. Nutella Monster, as we call her.  She would eat the whole jar if I let her.  At snack time (which is my favorite time of the day) our favorite thing has been Nutella and graham crackers...Mmmm sounds delightful, no?

3.  Playing Peek-a-Boo.  E loves to jump on our bed and play on it.  Especially if it's made...heaven help me :)  She loves to dig into the pillows and "hide" with Daahyy--her Dolly.  Nothing's better than hearing that girl laugh.

4. Enjoying the nice weather.  This was taken on Easter.  It was such a beautiful day we couldn't resist going to the park.  She and her daddy walking hand in hand as the sun sets.  There's really nothing more priceless.

5. My Bookworm Beauty...We bought her some sunglasses in hopes to keep the sun out of her eyes while traveling in the car.  They never stay on that long, but this time they stayed on long enough for me to get a good snap.  She loves, loves, LOVES to read and will even read to herself at times-which is the cutest thing in the universe since it's just jibberish.  Love my baby little girl.

While we're together, we may as well have fun.

And fun is what we (tried) to have under the circumstances.  Here's a list of things we (Everlie) did while in Rexburg.

I didn't get any pictures, but the first day we were there, little miss conjured up a fever of 102.  Poor little thing had the rosiest cheeks I'd ever seen on anyone and she was just burning up.  Grandma Eborn with her great connections got us into the ER to see a dr. ASAP and got some good medicine that cleared her right up.  All she needed was some drugs, a couple hours of nap time and was up racing again like a little machine.  I tell you this girl does not stop.  Literally.  Does.  Not.  Stop.

She rode on the four-wheeler for the first time with her daddy

Ate lots and lots of snow...

Went swimming (al naturale a la swim diaper) with all the cousins at Great Grandma Wilson's hotel

Played at Uncle Justin's gym

Small Head Sumo Lady!!

Visited Nikky and Declan for the first time

And Nik, I know you hate this picture... but we're only pregnant together once.  For posterity's sake right?

Slept when she could...

Got to hear Grandma Eaton read stories in her cool bean bag chairs at the school.

Loaded up on lots of pizza at Craigos...

AND had her first grandma and grandpa sleepover by herself.  PLUS got spoiled with new Dora jammies, dolls and lots of toys and treats.

It was a great treat to meet uncles and aunts (and friends) for the first time for little Ev.  She absolutely loved playing with her cousins.  In fact the first night they came, she screamed for hours wanting to play with them....at two o'clock in the morning.   

We Weren't Ready To Say Good-bye...

We will celebrate Valentine's Day on the 14th of February no more.  For that day has been respectfully reserved to remember Brent's dad, Don.  It's been so hard to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer with us.  I've never been good with dealing with death.  I mostly just shut down and keep to myself, so this has been a very difficult event to get through.   It's been hard watching Brent experience the loss of his father and to go through the ups and downs of grief and it just makes my heart ache each time I see the sad in his eyes.  

But I know that's not how Don would like us to be.  Not at all.   That's why I smile at photos like this...

How he loved playing with little Everlie.  Sadly I fear this is the only photo I have of both of them together.  He was always taking pictures of her and making her laugh.  What a blessing it was to have Brent's parents here in January for the weekend.  I remember we were at the mall and he had gone to the food court to get himself an Orange Julius and when he had returned Brent and I asked him to keep an eye on E at the play area while we ran to a store.  When we got back he was holding her and she was holding his just almost empty Orange Julius.  "She pretty much drank the whole darn thing..."  He couldn't believe his sweet little granddaughter had commandeered his smoothie dry.  But all he did was laugh.  That was Don.

My heart warms when I read articles like this one.  They help me remember he was doing what he liked best, be in God's beautiful country.  Loved Hebgen Lake and loved ice fishing, hunting, and mountain man rendezvous and was very good at all of the above.  I am glad he instilled a love for the outdoors in Brent since he will always be able to be close to him doing those things.  

I am honored when I watch the love and respect that others had for him.  He was also very good at his occupation as an EMT and ER nurse at Madison Memorial.  The only one around that never missed an IV and was famous for that.

Gosh, was it cold that day.  But it was a beautiful day at the Sutton Cemetery.  Days before Rexburg had no snow and lo and behold it snowed just for his funeral.  I'm sure he sent it just for the occasion.  Again, that was Don.

He was a great father-in-law and always treated me with kindness and love.  I will never forget the offer he made me before Brent and I got married.  Said that he would make it worth my while if I didn't make him wear a tux to the wedding.  I told him I didn't mind what he wore, I just wanted him there.   Sure enough he had made it worth my while later on with an envelope with $500 in it.  

 The memories that we have had with him are forever priceless and I pray will never be forgotten so our kids will know their grandpa Eborn-just in a special way.  I know he is with us, just not physically.  I also know that he is up in heaven kickin it with baby Eborn-hanging on to every moment with him before he kicks him out the last week in April; as he doesn't like to be wrong about his predictions.  (I'm due May 7).  I'm so grateful for the gospel in my life and to know that families are forever and that we will see him once again.   What a blessing and a comfort that is.

We love you Don.  Forever and Always.