Welcome . . .

. . . to the goings on of My Five Guys and Me.  I'm sure, for a little while, a lot of these posts will be dominated by Connor and him growing, but I'll try to keep you updated on all of us!  :)

Hope you enjoy the ride!

How to get a 6-day old to sleep on his own??

Okay, so Connor sleeps very well - like 4 - 4 1/2 hours between feedings at night. The problem? He nurses like crazy. And, he'll fall asleep while nursing, but once I put him down, he'll sleep for like ten minutes and then be awake and crying for more food - and he really does nurse if I pick him back up, and he nurses well; not just pacifying himself. If we put him down awake, he fusses until he's full out crying.

We're trying to avoid the binky because he forgot how to nurse. My milk came in and I was so hard that he couldn't latch on, and I would give in and give him a bottle then pump. So, we're trying to just nurse for now. But, even when I do give him the binky, he's fine until it falls out.

I don't want him to get so attached to the binky, or to me, that he can't go to sleep on his own. What do I do? He's too little to just let him fuss, isn't he? I need help. He was awake last night from about 8:00 until 2:00 in the morning. He'd fall asleep while nursing and would seem good and asleep, so I'd put him down, and he'd be right back up. He finally went to sleep at 2:00, and woke up a little after 6:00.

Okay, I'm rambling, but I've had about a total of 9 hours of sleep the past several days. I'm tired. Please help.

Drum roll, please . . .

The Five Shaffer's are pleased to introduce the newest member of the team:

Connor Jay Shaffer

Born at 3:41 am

Weighing 7 lbs 13 oz.

Stretched out to a full 20 1/2" long

Just a few minutes old

Mommy likes him . . .

. . . so does Daddy

Connor's stats

So . . . labor . . .

So, yeah, I was in labor last night. Starting at 2:26 am. Every 4 - 7 minutes. Strong, sharp, had-to-work-to-breath-through-them contractions. Real labor. Believe me, I know. I've been in labor before.

But, no baby. They backed off enough that I was able to get some sleep and wake up disappointed and totally exhausted. Right now, I'm having one contraction about every 45 minutes to an hour apart.

My labors all have done this - start out good and strong, then the contractions back off to almost nothing. With Scott, I was hooked up to pit. when that happened. With B, the pit. finally kicked in and kept the contractions going. With Gavin, my dr. broke my water and that picked the contractions back up.

With this one? I think Gavin and I are going to go do some grocery shopping. I have no stick butter (so no cookies, or treats), and we're almost out of milk. I'm hoping that walking around will make this labor pick back up! Wish me luck!

The boys triathalon

Okay, so we're headed back in time again - this time to the end of July/beginning of August. My ten year high school reunion was scheduled for July 31st, and August 1st, so we decided to head out there. Perfect time to celebrate my sisters' b-day and Brandon's b-day. (It was also my awesome SIL's b-day, but we were so busy that we never got to see her for her b-day.)

So, we headed out to my sister's house on a Wednesday evening. We all love going to their house - she's my only sister, so we're very close, and our kids get along great! We sent the kids to bed when we got there, and the next morning, we just kind of puttered around. We picked some green beans for me to bottle, and some for dinner that night and just took it easy. Eventually, though, we got around to setting up the tent.

Gavin, I think you missed a bean in there . . .


. . . Where? In a little farther . . .

. . . no, even farther!


Ooh, this is gonna' be fun!

You see, we've had plans for a while to go camping with my sisters family this summer, but it never happened. So, we decided to put the tent up for the kids in the backyard, and they were SO EXCITED!!! So, Brandon & my sister got it put up, and the kids were immediately bringing sleeping bags out, and blankets, and flash lights . . . They were actually excited about bedtime that night!

Since it was sort of a campout, we decided that we had to roast smores after dinner. So, Mike started up their portable campfire and the smores flowed freely! My sister can't stand marshmallows, but I think she managed to eat at least one smore - the full thing; not just the chocolate! :)

Our very smoky smore's roast

Then, we sent the kids to bed. It was already kind of late, and they had to get up early in the morning for their triathalon. Yep, my kids (and my sisters kids) competed in a triathalon. A shortened one, more appropriate for their age, but a tri none-the-less. When Anne Marie asked them a while ago if they wanted to do it, they were so excited. So, she signed them up.

We got up early the next morning, and got everybody ready and over to the pool. We got the kids signed in, their numbers on, watched their older cousin do her swim, and then it was time for them to head into the pool area. At this point, Scott got really upset. He had thought that the announcer would actually call his number, not just his group, and so he was convinced that he had to still wait even though all of the other kids had gone into the pool area already.

Getting B & Scott signed up and their numbers pinned on

I walked him into the pool area and to his place in line. He finally calmed down enough, just to get upset again. He can't swim well, so he was really nervous about the swimming. I tried to calm him down and told him he could hang onto the wall the whole time if he wanted, but he wasn't listening.

Finally one of the ref's came over and repeated what I had said. He looked to me to make sure, and finally was convinced. By then, it was his turn. He hopped in the water, swam a little ways, walked a little ways, swam some more, then decided to hang on the edge. I thought I had better warn B so he didn't get upset, and he was glad I had. He was a little nervous, too, but hadn't said anything.

Scott's getting tired, but still doing well!

B waiting his turn to start

Here goes B

And Tanner's off

After their swim, they got out, and headed to put their socks/shoes and shirts on for the bike ride. They were both cold and it took some convincing to get them dressed and going, but they finally did. They completed the two laps they had to do, and then took off running.

Brr - it's cold! (Braden & Tanner)

You're doing great Scott!

Trying to put his socks onto his wet feet!

Put the helmet on, and . . . go!

And, he's off!

B coming up the hill - look at that grin!

Coming up the hill - almost runnin' time

They were both getting tired, but they stuck with it clear to the end! They did such an awesome job, and got a medal when they finished. B was so excited that he said, "Let's do this every year!"

You're doing great Scott - almost there!

Almost to the finish line - keep going!

Tanner, Braden, Jared, Rachel, Scott

There were 41 people total in the sprint division (the younger kids). My two nephews came in 13th & 15th with times of 16 minutes 18 seconds and 16:37, B came in 29th with a time of 20:08, and Scott came in 39th with a time of 23:23. My niece was in the older kids division, and I'm not sure of her time, but I know she did very well!

Way to go, guys (and Rachel)!

Scott's finishing medal

The rules of the triathalon

I couldn't help but cry a little to see their determined little faces trying to pull this off. They did such a good job, and it was so fun to see their little spirits boosted by finished this triathalon. I hope they'll do it again next year - it could become an awesome tradition!

Fall fun

So, Brandon has been spending some evenings in the back yard raking up leaves. The boys love to help him by getting in our green waste garbage can and stomping the leaves down. A few days ago, he had a huge pile raked up, and all of the neighborhood kids found it (ages 11 down to 4)! They had a blast playing in it, hiding in it, jumping into it . . . It was so fun to hear all of the shrieks of laughter as they played in this pile of crunchy, yellow leaves!

Scott stomping down the leaves


"King (or queen) of the leaves"

Dog pile!!!

Scottie and the leaves being wheeled away

Brandon's super awesome family . . .

Can I just say that I think I have the most awesome in-laws in the world? My MIL and FIL came over on Saturday night for us while we headed to the hospital. (I hadn't felt the baby move in several hours so we headed up for a non-stress test. All's well.) LaRean asked if there was anything we wanted them to do while we were gone. The only thing I asked was that she switch Gavin's sheets from the washer to the dryer.

So, my FIL took Scott to get some dinner for the family, then my MIL cleaned the kitchen (including our garbage can that needed some work), dusted, got the boys to clean their rooms, folded the towels that were in the dryer (I forgot they were in there), dried Gavin's sheets, then made his bed, cleaned both living rooms . . .

I'm sure there is much more that she did, and it was SO nice to come home to a clean house. Peaceful, orderly. It's been hard for me to keep up on the cleaning, and while I was embarrassed about the state of my house and asking my MIL to come, I'm so grateful for the help she gave to me.

That's just her, and I know I don't thank her often enough for the many things she does for us. I've heard horror stories about women and their mothers-in-law, and I feel so blessed to have such an awesome mother-in-law and father-in law.

And then, there are Brandon's brothers and their spouses. (Note: they each have one - we're not practicing polygamy here; I just didn't know how else to write that!) One of my sisters-in-law grew up in Altamont - not too far from where I grew up. But, I digress. Back to the story. She took me and another sister-in-law that is pregnant out for ice cream last week - her treat.

I get calls from them asking how I'm doing, or wanting to do a game night or a BBQ while the kids run wild. Brandon & his brothers (the ones that live here in Logan, anyway) play tennis a few times a month, or go golfing together, and I know Brandon loves it. I do too. I love his brothers - they're all incredible, as are the women that they married - and I feel so comfortable and loved around them.

I really do feel so blessed with the family that I married into. They're strong in the gospel, and they're each an example to me. There are many things that I see my mother-in-law or one of my sisters-in-law do, and I think that I should be more like them.

So, thank you to my wonderful in-laws. I really do love you, and am so grateful for each of you, and the love you give to me and my boys, and for the examples that you are to us. Thank you so much!

Baby update

Had a dr.'s appt. today - she stripped my membranes. I've had a few contractions since, but nothing regular. I feel very *blah* though. Hopefully these contractions I'm having are actually doing something and that I'll be in labor soon!

I have another appt. next Thursday (if he isn't here by then), and we'll talk about other ways to induce without putting me on pit.

Hospital visitor policy

So, we heard rumor of a new policy on Monday, we called about it yesterday, and were able to confirm today what the new policy is. During my hospital stay, I am allowed two (2) visitors. One being my support person (aka Brandon), and one other person. Now, it's not two visitors at a time - no, two visitors TOTAL. During my ENTIRE hospital stay - labor/delivery/recovery.

Apparently, this is set up by the health board by number of people checking into the hospital because of the flu, and since pregnant women and newborns are the highest risk, they're clamping down on everything. Now, if the number of people checking into the hospital with the swine flu rises, they'll clamp down even more - only the laboring mother and their significant other.

Now, as far as the kids - they're still not allowed, but the women's center is trying to be accomodating. They've set up a webcam in the downstairs gift shop/lobby area. From what we understand, there will also be a camera where we can be with the baby (in my room or elsewhere, I don't know), so the kids can still come to the hospital and "see" him. That helps me feel a little better about the situation, although it is still frustrating.

So, if you were planning on coming to see us in the hospital - it's a no go. They'll turn you away and send you home. I don't know the "rules" of the webcam (i.e. if it's just for the siblings and grandparents or what), but you can always ask about it. And, since the mother and baby floor (aka recovery) is the 3rd floor, it won't really help to hold the baby up to the window so you can see him. But, just watch the blog - pictures will be coming (once he comes), along with the story of his entrance to this world. :)

Still here . . .

I know there are a lot of people wondering if I've had the baby yet - nope. I'm still here and VERY pregnant. Sunday, I left church early because I was having really painful cramps (not contractions), and couldn't sit still.

Then, later that evening, we were considering going to the hospital. You know when you tread water and you can spin yourself in circles? Well, that's what the baby was doing, and every time his head turned to the front, he'd hit my pubic bone.

OUCH!!!!

I started having contractions every ten minutes, but I went to bed hoping to get some rest if this was labor, and they had stopped by the morning. So, no hospital visit (or new baby) for us on Sunday. *sigh* I've had some contractions on and off (some yesterday that were 20 minutes apart, but no closer), and my belly is noticeably lower than before Sunday's episode, so hopefully that means he's coming SOON.

Anyway, my dr.'s appt. is on Friday, but honestly, I'm really hoping to have had him by then (or at least be in labor by then). I guess time will tell. Thanks for all of the prayers and well-wishes. I really do appreciate it!

Bear Lake '09

We decided this summer that since we weren't doing any camping, we had to at least go to Bear Lake for a day. (We try to do both each summer, but it usually ends up being one or the other. This year it was Bear Lake.)

So, on a Monday morning (the nice thing about my hubby having the summer off), we made some sandwiches, packed some snacks, and headed out.Brandon had done some recollecting from his childhood, and remembered going to gather firewood up in the mountains a couple of times in his dads truck.

So, he wanted to find that route again, and take us up over. So, instead of heading through Logan canyon (like most people do), we headed up and over the German Dugway.

Scott & Gavin reading before we got into the mountains

B wanted to take a picture of me

For a while it was really nice - paved roads, up through the mountain. Then, the road was just a dirt road, but still okay. We passed a scout camp (I can't remember the name of it), and Brandon told us stories of when he was a little scoutling, and then the fun began. The road wasn't a road anymore, it was rocks, and potholes, and lots of bumps. Every time we would hit a bump, my seatbelt would tighten until it was cutting into my stomach, making me (and the baby) very uncomfortable. Eventually I just took my seatbelt off and braced myself against the dash.

We were going along some VERY rough road, when we had to stop due to some people in front of us. They were in a Nissan Xtera (or something along those lines), and a Suburban, but were not sure of going any farther. They had a guy on a 4-wheeler scout out ahead of them, and when he came back, he told them it just got worse.

So, they pulled forward to a grassy spot (we think it was the only grassy spot on the whole mountainside big enough to pull off onto), and we were able to pass them. I was nervous, because we had heard the report that it got worse, but after only half a mile to a mile, it leveled out and the road became smooth again, and was smooth the rest of the way down.

You can see some of the road we came up

A break for the boys while the other cars moved.

The road was similar to what the boys are climbing on - very rocky. We had to drive up and over several big rocks. Once we were on the dirt road, though, we got the bikes out for the older boys and let them ride a ways down the mountain. B didn't make it as long as Scott did, but Scott was determined to go as far as he could. He finally gave up (the road was very dusty, making it hard to bike on), so the boys sat in the back of the truck while we drove down.

Scott & B riding down the road

'da boys - chillin'

We stopped at an ice cave that Brandon remembered and wandered around there for a little bit, climbing the rocks and playing. Then, we hopped back in the truck and finished our journey to the lake.

Brandon & Gavin at the entrance of the ice cave

A boardwalk you had to walk over to get to the ice and the climbing rocks

Lots of ice and snow - we only had flip flops on, too! Cold!

Brandon watching the boys climb back down the mountainside

Once there, we stripped the boys shirts off and slathered them in sunscreen and let them go. Brandon sat the chairs out for us, and I just sat and watched so we didn't lose sight of the boys. Gavin was in heaven!!! The water was cold, but our bodies quickly adjusted. We had a hard time getting Gavin to come in for lunch because he was having so much fun.

In heaven!!!

Brandon "skimming" Gavin across the top of the water

Everybody going out to play - we walked out quite a ways before it got deep

Eventually, though, he came in, and then got really cold. We wrapped him up in his towel and I just held him for a bit. Then, he headed back out with all of us to play some more. After that, though, he was done. He wrapped up in a big blanket that we brought and just laid his head on the sand trying to get warm.

I'm so cold, Mom

While he was warming up, Brandon & the other boys started to build a sand castle. It because quite the project, and by the time they were done, both boys were proud of the "kingdom" they had made - complete with a moat, the "ocean," and a tributary bringing water from the "ocean" to the castle. It was quite fun, and we all were able to get involved.

Building our sand castle

The finished product

Then, we packed up and headed home. It had been a long day, and were all tired. This time, we drove on normal roads, and were able to make it home with very few bumps.

So very tired . . . zzzz