Swimming and sleeping!

I realize that I am being a little over the top with putting pictures of Gannon up every other day, but he is changing so much and I want to have all of these pictures in our family blog book for 2010. He is a great baby. Last night he slept from 11-3am and I stayed up with him until 5am then he went back to bed until 8:30am. I feel pretty rested.

Madalyn had a swim meet on Saturday, so Matt took Bailey to it. They had a great time together bonding as daughters and father. I stayed at home with Gannon and Paige. Paige went to bed at 6:30pm and the boys were at a friends house. It was a very quiet evening for me. At the meet Madalyn improved her time in all 3 races by 3 seconds. Way to go Madalyn!!

Matt and I love this picture of Madalyn. She won this race and was very proud of herself because she hadn't practiced for 2 weeks and she was getting sick to her stomach at the thought of racing and not being prepared. Well, in the end she did great.

Bailey and Madalyn together at the swim meet. Bailey loves to swim just like her big sister.

Madalyn diving from the blocks. It was about 8:50 at night. She did great.

Paige with her little buddy as she calls him.

Sunday morning, Carter was holding little Gannon and Matt took this picture of them together. Carter is a big helper to me. Today I had a presidency meeting and he held Gannon for 15 minutes while I got ready to leave.

Newell life as we know it.

Mom and Dad left us yesterday to head home. I am sad that they are gone. They were such a huge help to me and the kids. You forget many things about having a new baby. I think that the biggest adjustment for our lives right now is trying to get on a schedule. I have forgotten how much time it takes to get everything ready and done so that we can go somewhere, eat a meal, or get some sleep!! This last week and a half has flown by. Gannon is a wonderful baby. He is very calm, which I prayed for. Now that could all change, but for right now I am enjoying it. He has been sleeping very well. Last night Matt stayed up with him while I slept for a good 5 hours. I really needed that. These are just a few pictures of what we have been doing the last week and a half.

Gannon up in the evening before bedtime.

Matt with our little guy before bed. Check out the double chin. Isn't that cute?

We had a family BBQ when he was 5 days old. We had great food and company.

Gannon at his first BBQ

Everybody sitting down to eat some hamburgers, hot dogs, and salads.

I have had a few visitors come over to see Gannon and this is my friend Anna with her two girls.

Grandma bathing Gannon for me so that I could take him to his first doctors appointment. I have really been miscalculating time and having him fed, changed and happy.

Our little Gannon just hanging out in his bouncer. Thank you Carrie!!!

The kids had their cousins here to stay the night. This is Paige and Natalie playing mommy and sister with their babies.

Hayden and Katelyn playing a board game.

Cousin Laurie, Aunt Ann, Uncle Heber and Scott stopped by to see Gannon on their way to Washington. Thanks for coming you guys.

Gannon's first days of life.

We arrived at the hospital early on Wednesday morning so that I could be induced. I was already 3 cm and ready to have this baby. My body just doesn't understand how to move forward, so with every pregnancy I have to be induced. The doctor arrived and broke my bag of waters. I then got an IV and 2 hours later received my epidural. By this time, I was 4 cm and moving along. The epidural went very well. I felt so thankful, because my nerves were getting to me. After the epidural, they started the pitocin and around 2pm, my doctor checked me and said that I was 5-6cm. Mom Newell and I started to play cards and I felt very nauseous. I started to throw up and the nurse walked in and said, do you feel pressure. I was pretty numb, but I had felt some pressure in my buttocks. She then said she wanted to check me and see how far dilated I was. Guess what, I was 10 cm and ready to go. I felt elated. We put away the cards and she called the doctor. They began to set everything up and Dr. Anderson arrived. I had to practice pushing and try to refresh my memory through one contraction and then in 3 contractions he arrived. They all said, "it's a BOY. I was so shocked. I thought for sure that I was carrying a girl. Boy, was I surprised. It took us 2 days to pick a name for our little boy. We are now even 4 girls vs. 4 boys. Perfect for basketball games!!! We are so excited to have our little Gannon with us. He is a wonderful baby. I am one lucky mother.

Sweet little Gannon!

The night before I went to the hospital, the boys sat by me and gave me their predictions on the sex of the baby, and the weight.

My nurse poked me 2 times and couldn't get my IV in. My veins kept blowing and diving. So, they called a phlebotomist up and she was so wonderful. Her name was Carol and she got it right into my veins no problem. I felt like I had known her my whole life. Thank you Carol.

Matt and I have a tradition to take my picture in my hospital gown when I arrive. This is the last pregnancy picture you will see of me!

The kids arrived to see me before Gannon arrived. Paige was very worried about me sitting in the bed and not getting up. She said, "Mommy why are you laying down? Get out of bed". I tried to comfort her and reassure her everything was ok.

I made a necklace a year ago that has the kids first letters on it and so I wore it to the hospital to have the kids close to my heart. Matt took this picture when he realized I was wearing it.

"You can do it honey"

Dr. Anderson, Matt, Gannon, and Jeannine our nurse.

Dr. Anderson and our new little guy.

Mom and Dad Newell enjoying Gannon.

My parents and I with Gannon.

Matt took this awesome picture of Gannon's feet.

Matt with all of the kids.

Bailey and Gannon.

Carter and Gannon

Hayden and Gannon.

Paige and Gannon.

Madalyn and Gannon.

Gannon's first bath.

Finally taking a few ZZZZZZ's.

Matt left to get some lunch and came back with 24 roses, a hair magazine and slippers.

A few nurses told Matt and I about an amazing Thai restaurant called Cha Va Thai.

We loved it!

Tricia and the kids came to the hospital the next day. The room was full of happy children lining up to hold Gannon. At this point we did not have a name, so we spent some time discussing names and their meanings.

Taylor is holding the baby name book that the nurse gave us and she is going over many names.

Matt holding Gannon's hand.

Ok, we finally made up our minds and one hour before leaving the hospital we signed the paperwork and gave him his official name: Gannon Jerry Newell.

Getting dressed to go home. My dad bought Gannon a cute little outfit.

I am trying to calm him down while we get him dressed.

It was so funny, Matt and Tom (our wheel chair taxi driver) tried to figure out the car seat so that we could put Gannon in it and go home. We got a kick out of this.

Time to go home buddy!!

Being pushed through the hospital lobby. Tom, the volunteer pushing me kept calling Gannon, Gunther. We aren't sure where he got that name, but after correcting him a few times we just let it slide.

Loading him in the car. It was a beautiful sunny day! Carter asked me if I still had a baby in my stomach. I sure look like it!!

Matt with our little Gannon.

When we got home, the kids weren't here yet. I was very excited for them to get home and see him. When they arrived they circled around the car seat because he was asleep. They love him.

Father's Day for Matt.

Gannon's first bath at home. He didn't like it.

His binky comforted him at the end.

Grandma Newell holding little Gannon with an outfit she bought him.

Mom and Dad have been staying with us being incredible grandparents. I am such a lucky girl. So is Gannon (he's a lucky boy)!!!