What a Loser!

Yes I'm talking about me.

I love looking back on my blog but that hasn't encouraged me to post anything in the past 8 months. So much has happened that it is pointless to try to cover it all. Hopefully I can hit the big ones though.

Hunter turned 1 in January. Really? Has he been with us an entire year? I can't imagine our litte family without him. He is absolutely my angel. Shawn says he is a brat and that is probably true but he makes my heart sing. I look at that little boy and I know the world is better because he is here. He is a tease already and loves to make us laugh. He is really in to biting me and that pretty much stinks but we are working on breaking that little habit. His new trick is blowing kisses and pointing out all of the noses in the room.

We had several parties for him, one at home on his actual birthday, one at Tena and Gerald's and one in Pocatello. He was all birthday'd out.

We had a bit of a scare at the end of January. Hayden was trampled by a horse. He got bucked off and kicked around by one of his Grandpa's horses. It was very scary for everyone there (luckily I was not). Shawn called me on the way to the doctor and I met him at the clinic. All things considered, he lucked out. He received about 12 stitches above his left eye, a broken left arm and several bumps and bruises on the rest of his body. It was another reminder to us that life is so fragile and so precious. We are so thankful that he was not hurt more than he was and that he is still around to tell the tale. Shawn and Gerald were both traumatized as they saw the event unfold. I'm thankful for good doctors and nurses that took care of him and got him through a very scary experience.

He made it to his 9th birthday in February. His cast was off and we went swimming at the pool here in Blackfoot again. It was a fun time.


Hadley attends a cheerleading class at her after school program. She enjoys it and I like it because they actually perform but only a couple of times a year. She had a performance last weekend at a local dance competition. She was so nervous about the performance. She has decided to grow her hair out again. It is long enough to pull back in a pony tail but not long enough to flip up like she wanted to. I got her a little hair piece that made her hair look a little longer. I think her hair became her favorite part of the day. She showed everyone "her wig". Her little squad did a good job in their performance. I couldn't get the video to upload and and this is the only pictue that I have of it. I hate it when that happens.

That's her the first in lin on the right....

Hadley is doing so well in school. Her reading is improving every day. She received several awards at the last school assembly including being nominated for the principal's award. She is actually the youngest one in this picture. The boys are in the second grade. I forget how tall she is because I'm with her every day but she does have some height on her side.

Hallie was also very fun to as she danced along with the other performers. Hadley's group was he 27th performance so we had several songs to watch Hallie join in.

Hallie loves to dance an sing. She is constantly making up her own songs for us to listen to. She is such a joy in my life. Hallie is the child that starts yelling for you like there is something wrong and when you run into the room to find out what she needs she just needed to tell you that she loves you.

Hadley and Hallie attended a cheerleader camp at Snake River High school. It was fun for them and while I don't expect either of them to pursue cheerleading when they are older, they had a good time at the camp and did a great job performing during the half-time of a varsity game the next week. Again the video wouldn't upload I'll have to try again later.

So I missed about 5 months of fun but I guess I can just try harder to keep up with the blog world. Until next time (hopefully sooner than later)................

Hello? Are you there?

I have been missing in action the past month or so. I really thought that once I graduated that things would slow down but I was so wrong. I finally feel like I am going to be able to be on some sort of schedule. I started a new job right after graduation at the Blackfoot Medical Center. I really enjoyed it there. I worked with some amazing people who really made me feel welcome and taught me so much. But my family fell apart and I had to quit that position. My #1 job is my family and they needed me. It's funny how things work out, about 2 weeks later, I was offered a position at Portneuf Medical Medical Practice. I work in the float pool which means that I get to work when I am availabe and as an added bonus the pay is better. I started this past week and really think that I will enjoy it there as well. My experience in Blackfoot has helped too because they use some of the same programs and I have been able to show them some of the tricks that I learned at the clinic. Well, enough about me.

My brother came to visit from Texas in early June and my little sister Emily took pictures of our family. Here is one that she took of my little family. Unfortunatley, the only picture with all of us looking at the camera is the one that Hayden decided to scowl in.

The kids seem to be getting bigger every day. Hayden finished the 2nd grade. At the end of the year he received an award for the most improved reader. He wasn't bad at the beginning of the year, about 80 words a minute but still his score improved to 190 words a minute. He got a medal from the Elk's and we were pretty proud of him as well. The only picture that turned out was the one of him getting up from his seat. Oh well, it will have to do.

He has been working with his dad each summer and has earned himself a motorcycle. I have very mixed feelings about my son flying on top of a motorized vehicle but Shawn assures me that some of his best memories are of riding his motorcycle with his dad as a child. We are both adament about the helmet rule which helps but I guess I will just have to continue to feel sick whenever he is on it. Here is a picture of him on the day that he got it.

Hadley finished Kindergarten and will be starting 1st grade in the fall. She is such a good big sister. Hunter loves her so much and she is constantly helping her siblings. Here is a picture of her taking Hallie down a slide during the Blackfoot Pride Days.

Hallie has hit the terrible 3's. She is a little bossy, a little demanding and a lot cute. It's so hard to get mad at this little darling. Here is a pic of her in her "cool glasses".

Hunter is also growing too fast for my comfort. He will be 6 months soon and can balance on his own when he is sat up. He loves his brother and sisters. He has an amazing smile that he shares all the time and is finally sleeping through the night (HOORAY). We are all so happy that he is part of our family.

Shawn had surgery on his little finger at the beginning of June. This is on his "good" hand which means that he had to take time off of work. He was just put back on light duty tonight. It was an injury from work so at least he was compansated while off. We have been so busy yet still have not got much done. Hopefully my next post will be of an amazingly fun get away that and I will have remembered to bring my camera and actually pull it out too.

Kids rolling down the hill at Jensen's Grove.

Just keep swimming

One of my favorite lines from a movie is Dory from Finding Nemo, "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming". That seems to be my mantra lately. My head is just above water but that's the side that I want it on.

I have been so ridiculously busy and blogging hasn't even been on the list of things to do. 4 weeks left of school WOO HOO!! So here are pictures of some of the happenings the past few months.

Hunter is getting so big.

He is so smiley and really a good baby

He looks a lot like Hayden but I also see my dad in him too

Hayden turned 8 in February, I'm a horrible mom and didn't post anything about it. He was baptized on March 20th. We also blessed Hunter that day. Hayden didn't even mind sharing his special day with his brother. A special little story about his baptism. We had originally planned on doing the baptism/blessing on Hayden's actual b-day. At the beginning of February my dad let us know that he was having neck surgery and would have to be on bed rest for 6 weeks so would not be able to come. When I told Hayden that his grandpa couldn't come he immediately said, "Then I'm not going to do it. I'm not getting baptized without my grandpa. We'll just wait until he can come." Can I tell you how proud I am to be his mother. He truly understands the importance of family. We had so many show up to support us and I am truly thankful for our wonderful family for the love and support given.

Dad & Hayden

Hayden & Hunter in their matching

outfits on their special day

Hadley decided to cut her hair. I have to say that

when I saw the hair fall to the floor after the first

cut it took my breath away but we love it.

She also lost her first tooth!

Here are some pic's from our Easter egg hunt

at Grandma & Grandpa Humpherys

Hallie had a blast this year

Madison & Carter hid the eggs

Here is my amazing Mother-in-law She is a saving grace. I cannot say enough about the woman that she is. She has helped so much during the past few months by feeding my family and helping watch kids etc. She also has the funnest traditions for our family like the easter egg hunt where she fills eggs with $ for the kids. What an amazing example of unconditional love she gives to us all.

Cousin Trae, our little Easter bunny

Shawn & Trae snuggling. This does not usually happen

so I had to get a picture of it

We had to put our sweet, old dog Lloyd down last week. He had cancer and was in pain. It was so hard on our family and we are thankful for the time that we had with him. Lloyd was 11 years old and we all loved him so much.

We went camping at Downata at the end of March. It was cold but a lot of fun. Here are some pictures of the kids. We didn't get the camera out until after Shane & Nicole left so we didn't get any pictures of Nash & Sloane but they were there too.

Hadley in her bed. She loves that silly hat

Shawn and Hallie dancing in our trailer

These are from a baby shower that my friend from work, Jessica, threw for me and another co-worker who is expecting in April. Here is the super cute cake that she made. What talent...

This is Jess holding a game that we played

So I know that I am missing a ton but these are just a few pictures that I got off my camera in a hurry. May cannot get here fast enough. School is done for me on the 6th. Cross your fingers that I can endure to the end.

Just another week, kind of...

While I should have tons of pictures of our newborn, I don't. I only have a story of traumatic week for this child. Monday was his first doctor's appointment, he looks great according to the doctor and I am in full agreement. While there, we had our little guy circumcised. Shawn and I both watched. I know that the choice to do this is purely cosmetic but we have chosen to do it anyway. After the procedure, while waiting for the doctor to come back in we checked his diaper and off fell his umbilical cord. What a joyous occasion other than the fact that now because of the circ, we have to wait for that to heal. So on with the sponge baths- which he hates.

It is Sunday and Hunter has caught the goomba that is going around our house. It started with Hallie being sick, Hayden next, and then Hadley. On Thursday I started feeling a little sick and now both Hunter and I are all stuffed up. This is an issue during nursing as he breathes through his nose. It was not a fun night last night. I was up every 45 minutes but it was even worse for my little angel who couldn't breathe. Shawn is back to work and is on graves so when he got home at 7:00 a.m. I went to the store to get some saline drops to help the poor little guy out. I think that my little irrigation job helped some because at least he is not snoring now.

Hayden and Hadley had a basketball game yesterday. It is sure fun to watch them play. Hadley is not actually on the team but because Shawn is the coach he puts her in every now and then. She is in kindergarten and is as tall if not taller than most of the 1st and 2nd graders on the team. Being the amazing mother that I am, I forgot my camera. I only got one picture of Hadley out on the floor with my craptastic phone camera. Here it is (that's Hadley in the red shorts):

School is still going strong. I'm plugging away. I got to watch a lap-band surgery this past week. It was very interesting and I now have a different view on caring for a patient who just had a laporascopic surgery.

Hallie is starting to have some attention issues. She has not acted out at all towards Hunter. The rest of us are free game though. She started pinching for no reason at all. She'll walk right up to you, smile, and pinch you as hard as she can. We are trying to convince her that negative attention is not the kind of attention that she should want. At night she wants my attention even when its time to nurse. She will sit outside Hunter's room and cry for me. This can be difficult when Shawn's at work because I have no one to help detour her attention and Hunter doesn't exactly fall fast asleep when his sister is sobbing outside his room.

Well, I can't decide if I whined too much in this post or not. Sorry if that's the general theme that came across. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with life and am so thankful for my friends and family who have been helping me out. Until next time.....

Our little Hunter

Hunter Dean Humpherys

01-14-10 @ 11:05 p.m.

8 lbs. 0 oz

20 in.

So its taken me a bit to announce him to the blog world. Hunter joined us after a 12.5 hr labor. Hayden was born by cesarean and I have chosen to have my other kids VBAC. There are certain risks and precautions that go along with that which includes not inducing labor. I was so hoping that he would decide to come early but I guess he had other plans. School started on Thursday so at my appointment on Tuesday I practically begged my doctor to do something to get me going. Seeing how they had already stripped my membranes at the two prior appointments, he decided to give it another valiant attempt- for those of you who have not experienced the joy of having your membranes stripped, keep it that way. Anyhow, I guess I whined enough because the Dr came back in to the room and said that if that didn't get me going, that he had scheduled me to come in on Thursday morning to break my water and use the slightest bit of pitocin if that didn't get me going.

I went straight to my school to talk to my instructors and let them know that I wouldn't be at class that week because I would be having a baby. I have to say that I am so glad that I chose EITC for school. My instructors rock. Not only did they help me fill out my medical leave form, they told me that if I needed longer to just take it and they would help me work it out.

The stripping of the membranes did a big, fat nothing to encourage the child to come. The next day (Wednesday) was a get ready for baby day. I went grocery shopping and bought about 2 months of groceries. I will only have to go to the store for milk and fruits/veggies. I spent a small fortune but that's OK.

Here we are at the hospital

On Thursday I got up, got the kids ready and to school and called the hospital to make sure that it was still a go. The nurse I spoke with said that they were busy and that they would call me when a room was ready. So we held off taking Hallie to Tena's house as planned. I sat down to look over my bags & make sure that I hadn't forgotten anything. The phone rang about 20 minutes later and it was the hospital saying to come in for my 9 o'clock appointment. It had snowed and was slick and we live 40 minutes from the hospital so we didn't get there until about 9:30 did the whole check-in at admissions and finally were up in our room around 10:00. My nurse did her thing, history, start IV, evaluate. I was only dilated to 3. The doctor came in and broke my water at 10:40 a.m. and they started my epidural within the next hour. And the waiting game began. As long as I was progressing on my own, they didn't want to start the pitocin. I progressed, but slowly- about 1 cm every 2 hours, but that's still progression. I didn't feel a thing. Now just because I didn't feel it doesn't mean my body didn't. Around 10:00 p.m. the exhaustion set in. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to push, so I slept. I woke up to some pain in my back which was not being relieved by the epidural pca so the nurse anesthesist (not sure if that's spelled right) came in to give me another dose. He aspirated some blood and it was decided that my epidural had slipped out a bit. He put me on my side and fixed it and that's when the pressure started. It was a good pressure though.

Right before I started to push.. don't I look tired?

Wham bam thank you mam, three pushes later Hunter was with us. The kids obviously won the name game but I like the name Hunter so that's OK. He has been such a good little baby. I'm up every 2-3 hours nursing him but that's just part of having a newborn. He hates his diaper changed and really unless he's hungry that's about the only time that he cries. The kids are in love with this child. Hallie is no longer daddy's girl, she is now Hunter's girl. She lives for the moments that we let her hold him.

Here he is.....

Sister loves him

I started back to school yesterday. It was so hard and there were a lot of tears shed on my part but Hunter did great with daddy and with the bottle that daddy introduced. I have been pumping so there was plenty of food for him. Again, the best instructors in the world, have totally accomodated me in a place to pump and storage for my milk. 15 more weeks and I'm done.


Well, this has been much longer of a post than I had planned. Back to the grind. I hope everyone is well and happy because I sure am.

We made it

Where did the past 3 months go? It has really all been a blur, but a blur that I survived none-the-less. I finished (and passed) my 2nd semester of the nursing program, 1 more to go :) Shawn left at the beginning of October for a 10 week training at the Idaho POST academy in Boise. This is essentially police academy which was required of his job. Shawn was able to be home all but 2 Saturdays and on Thanksgiving weekend so we did get to see him but not a whole lot got done.

I would never have made it through the past 10 weeks without my amazing family. Heather is my personal angel. She rearranged her schedule to help me out. I had to be in Idaho Falls 4 days a week, 3 of those days had me leaving my house around 5:45 a.m. in order to get to my clinical rotation or class on time. That means that I had to leave long before the kids were out of bed and with Shawn being 4 hours away, Heather assumed the role of getting the kids up and ready for school. Many times, she got off of work at 3 a.m. and still got up at 7 to get the kids going. There were some days that her schedule could not be changed and my dad spent the night at my house and stayed with Hallie during the day. Brooke also took a round of sleeping over with her kids to watch my children on a Saturday. What an amazing blessing my family is to me.

So, Shawn's home and it is almost Christmas. This week we are working on catching up on the housework and getting our Christmas decorations up. We are also trying to get ready for this little blessing coming in the next 4 weeks. We are still undecided on a name. The kids want Hunter. I like Hudson and Shawn is pining for Titan. I have trained Hallie when asked what she thinks of Titan to say, "Titan stinks".

Two weeks ago when Shawn was home, we went to a 'Breakfast with Santa' at my school and here are some pictures that we got from our time with Santa. The most amazing part of this is that Hallie actually sat on Santa's lap and had a conversation with him. Everyone was laughing and she did not like that but all in all she enjoyed her time with Santa.