Announcing!!!

Gavin Lane Cassity has arrived!  We are so excited to have him and have just spent all our time loving on him.  I just wanted to post a picture to let you know he is here and I will post a bunch more later...but for now...I am just going to enjoy this tiny little guy!

Gavin Lane Cassity

Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 11:52PM

8lbs 6oz

21 Inches

A Baby Story-Gavin

   My whole pregnancy was so different with Gavin that I was a little worried that I didn't really know what to expect with birth.  Ellie was "easy"...if you can call it that I and worried that Gavin would be a lot harder for some reason, but hoped that he would be just as quick.  I had a lot of braxton hicks contractions throughout my pregnancy.  I think some of it had to do with moving and doing too much.  I started having a little bit consistent contractions a few days before but nothing ever stayed more than a few contractions.  I really thought that I would have him early, maybe even earlier than how early Ellie was(8 days early)  but when Aug 24th came and went with no baby, I was a little discouraged.  Then on Aug 28 I was having more contractions, they still were just a little uncomfortable and not consistent enough to go in.  Then they stopped again....I was getting annoyed.  Then Aug 29 at 3:30pm they started getting more intense.  I made sure everything was ready and waited for Patrick to get off of work.  He called at 4:30pm saying he was on his way home and I casually told him they were pretty consistent, every 6-8 min and lasting just under a min.  He got home and we had dinner.  At about 6pm they were 3-4 min apart and lasting at least a min, so we decided to head over to the hospital(Timpanogos Regional Medical Center).  After getting all checked in, I felt like they were going to send us home because it wasn't really intense.  I always seem to second guess myself.  At 6:40pm they checked and I was still 70% effaced but dilated to a 4 now and had a huge bulging bag of water.  They said as soon as that breaks that we would be ready and they were surprised that it hadn't broken on its own.  I tested positive for group b strep so they started a really fast drip antibiotic.  They were worried I would go too fast and not get enough in me before he came.  It was super fast and my arm was freezing from it going in.  At 8pm I chose to have the epidural.  I knew I was going to have one this time so decided not to wait quite as long as I did with Ellie.  This was still the part that I was most freaked out about.  It was terrible.  It shot out pain into both sides of my back and my left leg started twitching and went really numb.  He had me tilt towards my right but then that one went really numb too.  It was fine in the end, but even after he was born I didn't have feeling for a lot longer than normal in one leg.  Scary to me, but I'm glad that I had it still.
    I held out and at 9:15pm I was a 5 and 90% effaced. At 10pm I was almost at a 7.  They said they expected it to be about an hour longer.  The dr came in at 10:25pm and broke my water.  His name is Dr Bean and he was really nice.  I hadn't met him before this but he was very good and cheered me on the whole way.  10:50pm I was an 8 but Gavin was sideways so they said I needed to wait a bit longer before pushing.  At 11:30pm they had me start pushing and it went really quick after that.  I only pushed a few times and he came at 11:52pm.  Weighing 8lbs 6oz and 21 inches long and PERFECT!  He had lots of hair that looked slightly red.  Patrick cut the cord and they handed Gavin to me.  He had swallowed some gunk and it made him stop breathing.  I was getting kind of scared because he wasn't crying and waw turning purple, but they didn't seem worried.  He soon started crying and it was awesome!  I love hearing that first little cry and knowing how strong they are when they are first born.  It was so great!

  I was amazed that Gavin was that big since when they handed him to me he seemed pretty close to what I remember Ellie being, but he is over a pound bigger than her.  I could tell a little when pushing that he was bigger, but not much.  He is so tiny compared to Ellie now and I am amazed at just how tiny and perfect everything is.  Gavin has long skinny feet.  When they did the stamp of his feet, they almost didn't fit on the stamp pad part.  They had to tilt his little feet to make them fit.
   I didn't tear very much at all and he said he only had to put in one stitch, which is awesome!  I felt so much better healing this time and was back on my feet a lot faster.  So glad to have our little man here with us and be part of our family.  We love him so much already!  I also need to put a picture of my cute nurse Sheryl.  She was awesome and helped so much with me feeling comfortable, especially having to change so many things with moving it was nice to have her.  She was great!

39 Weeks and Ready to Pop!

I have been horrible at taking pictures this time.  I haven't been avoiding them at all, just forget to take them each week.  Here I am at 39 weeks, last Saturday, August 25, 2012.  I am not going to lie, I was a little surprised that he wasn't here yet...Ellie was born 8 days early and I was sort of expecting this one to come earlier or the same as her...I know that isn't how it works...but still was hopeful.  Everything has been going well with this pregnancy.  Each time I go in there is a healthy heartbeat and baby boy seems great.  Here are updates from my appointments.
July 19: The day we moved, I had a dr appt in Logan with Dr McCulloch.  I had been having contractions and she told me to take it easy because they didn't want the baby to come that early.  It made it pretty hard to get everything done that needed to be, but it was good she told me to stop. 
Aug 1: I met one of the dr's in the new office, Dr Ollerton.  I am dilated to a 1 and 50% effaced.
Aug10: Met Dr Melendez.  I felt much better this week because he was very informative about there office and how things go.  I have been a little nervous having to switch dr's at the very end, but feel much better.  Dilated a little over 2 and 70% effaced.
Aug 17: Met Dr Lameroux.  No more progress, but everything is sounding good and baby is still in a great position.  They had me schedule a date to be induced...even though I really don't want to be.  I set it for a week out and can always change it.  I am really hoping that I don't go a week over...
Aug 23: Dr Melendez.  Dilated to a 3 and still 70% effaced.

Some other things that I want to remember...this pregnancy I have had tons of back pain...sciatic nerve.  He must be sitting right on it on the right side, because it goes all the way down my leg.  I also have a lot more heartburn with this little guy.  I didn't ever get it with Ellie.  I eat Tums all the time!  I feel like I am bigger, but I really haven't gained much more weight than what I had with Ellie.  At my last appt I had gained 2lbs more than I had with Ellie.  So I think that is pretty good considering.  I get a mixture of comments with this one....anywhere from people being shocked that I haven't had the baby yet and asking if I am having twins, to people saying I can't be due yet because I am not very big...who knows which one to believe, but I really don't think I care much.  I am fine with it all and since the baby is healthy and I'm measuring right on, I figure I won't worry:)  I don't sleep near as well this pregnancy.  I am waking up quite a few times at night with my back hurting or my legs/hips asleep and have to reposition.  I also have to wake up to go potty at least once each night.  I never really woke up with Ellie to the very end.
We are really excited for this little guy to come and now that I have all his stuff washed and ready to go, I think we are good!  Here's to hoping he comes in the next few days!

Brigham City Temple Open House

We were able to head up to Brigham City with Patrick's family to the Temple open house.  It was so beautiful and I'm glad we were able to go and take Ellie to the temple.  She was so exited to go to Jesus house and be able to go inside of the temple.  Here are a few pictures from our trip.

August 18, 2012

Riding on the bus...not sure why we don't have a picture without her picking her nose...she rarely does that.  I had to include a pic though because she was so excited to ride on the bus.

Ellie wearing her booties to keep the temple clean

Ellie by the fountains-she loved them

Our happy family

All of us outside the temple

We had a really great time and are so glad we were able to make it up to the open house

Tracy Aviary

Awhile ago we bought a pass of all passes for an awesome deal!  We have already paid for it over and over with the things we have done.  It was a really good deal and I will definitely be watching out for it again when ours expires.  We decided to take a trip to the Tracy Aviary on Monday, August 13, 2012.  I had never been, and it had been since elementary school for Patrick, so we really didn't know what to expect, but figured it would be a good family outing and since Ellie really likes birds, we thought she may enjoy it.  It DID NOT disappoint.  I was really surprised at how cool it was and we will go back for sure!  They have quite a few birds and many that I have never seen before.  Here are a few pictures from our adventure.  I don't have any of the owls, but there were tons of owls that were really cool.

 There were little pathways and things that kids could climb on and explore.

 Toucans are so awesome!  There beak is so big and it makes almost a hollow sound!

 Flamingos

 They had little mist things to keep you cooled off.  This one was a favorite and I'm pretty sure Patrick and Ellie were drenched after running through over and over.

 I also think pelicans are really cool.  Love this picture of me also...

We will go again and would recommend heading over to anyone.  It was a great little family outing.

New Nephew/Cousin

Patrick's sister Kati had her baby boy on August 12, 2012.  He is adorable and doing great and we are so excited to have him in the family.  

Griffin Michael Young, 7lbs 4oz, 20in

 Ellie was so excited to meet him and was so soft and gentle!

 Congrats Kati and Mike!

Our Little Climber

We finally got the crib all set up for baby boy to come.  Ellie never once tried to climb in or out of the crib when she was in it.  The only reason we switched her to a toddler bed when we did was because we wanted her to get used to it before the baby came and not feel like he was taking all of her things.  Well, today I walked into the room to find her so excited because she had climbed in all by herself.  She still can't find a way to get out, but in is very fun!

The Hogle Zoo 2012

August 9, 2012

We have been wanting to take Ellie up to the Hogle Zoo this summer and finally made it happen.  We met up with some friends and had a wonderful time!  Ellie did great and even made it the whole day going potty in public restrooms!  Amazing!  Here are a ton of pictures from our day!

Had to get a picture with the lion fountain.  She wasn't quite sure she wanted to stick her head inside.

 I was so surprised because Ellie did not want to be on the Carousel.  She was clung to me the whole time!

 I'm pretty sure that the gorilla was her favorite!  She stood right at the window and watched him.  He even came up to the window and she wasn't scared at all.  Here she is sizing up to a gorilla!

 And we always have to get a picture by this guy!

 She was so excited when we saw the elephants.  There is even a baby elephant that she pointed out and said, "look at the tiny elephant!"  In her little baby voice she does lately.  It is so cute!

 We went to the bird show.  It is so cool.  Ellie liked it for a few minutes, but it was really hot and she didn't want to stay there.  It was a little bit of a struggle that I may skip it next time.

The new exhibit is open with polar bears, seals, sea lions and otters.  I was so excited to see this part, but Ellie was not a fan of the huge bear.  It is set up pretty cool where you can get right up to the window and watch the bear swim.  He was very active too coming right up to the window and pushing himself off of it.  I didn't get a picture because Ellie stayed very clear of the window!  Here she is on the seal though.

 I loved seeing the giraffes.  And I loved all the hugs I was getting at this point in the day!

 

 We took a train ride at the end that Ellie thought was awesome!  Can you tell how extremely worn out and hot we were!?!  

We had a great day at the zoo and hopefully will make it there more often living closer!

Pass of all Passes-Trafalga

We bought the pass of all passes back in March when we found a really great deal for 10 bucks a piece.  We hadn't used it much except for Seven Peaks, and decided we should head over to Trafalga with Ellie.  A lot of the stuff is just a little too old for her, but we had fun roaming around anyways.  She did ride the airplanes and was very excited to go on them...until it started.  Then as it was flying around I could hear her screaming...."GET ME DOWN!"  Crazy girl.  We will have to try to use them a little more soon.

Falling Asleep in the Floor???

This seriously never happens.  Ellie had always been one to sleep in her bed...or a bed...or in her car seat.  I came in from the other room and found her asleep on the family room floor with the tv on.  She must have been really tired!

Strep Throat is No Fun

Ellie has had a temperature for a couple of days.  It started at 104 degrees, but has been fluctuating and since she has been pretty happy, I haven't worried too much.  This morning she woke up great and we even went swimming at Seven Peaks with Denise and her family.  This was after swimming.  She didn't even make it up the stairs before falling asleep!

   Then tonight around 6, Ellie was feeling super hot and just wanted to be held.  I took her temp and it was 105.3 degrees.  Since we just moved here, I don't really have a pediatrician, but we have been to Utah Valley Pediatrics from when she had croup a couple months ago.  I called and they are awesome and have an after hours clinic.  They had us bring her right in and I'm so glad we did.  After telling us it was probably just a flu type thing going around, they took a test and found out it was strep!  No fun at all and explains why she has not been eating as well.  I am shocked though because she has been pretty happy and playing really well with cousins here.  What a trooper.  We went and picked up a prescription on amoxicillin and it stunk so bad.  Ellie has always been really good at taking medicine and never even gags.  This time right after she took it, she threw up all over.  I tried again the next morning and same thing.  We even tried to disguise it with no luck.  I ended up calling and getting another batch from a different pharmacy.  She hasn't had any trouble taking it at all and it smells much better!  Grandpa Brown and Patrick gave Ellie a blessing that night.  I hate it when she is sick.  It makes me feel so sad for her and I just want her to get better quick.