John Tate Payne is Here!

We are excited to announce the arrival of John Tate Payne. Tate to avoid confusion. Quick details: He arrived at 10:52 PM-(details to follow) weighing in at 7 lbs 4.2 oz and 19.5 inches long. He's got a head of dark hair and a lil boyish face and the cutest lil cry.

John's gone to pick up the girls, Grandma and the carseat so we can head home this afternoon. So here I sit in my hospital room, waiting for this little boy to wake up and eat, all he wants to do is sleep. I can't say that I blame him, but in the meantime thank goodness Hospitals now have internet so I can tell what's happened.

After my Dr's appointment yesterday I started having contractions...around 2 pm. Knowing my Dr wasn't on call until today and figuring like Tyler I'd pry stop at any time I really didn't pay too much attention to the timing. Later that evening I realized I was really in labor and found them around 8 minutes apart. This is when I called John and told him he should pry come home (5:30pm). We had dinner chatted with some friends who dropped by and then got the girls ready and into bed. We then got our bags together and I called the on-call Dr who told us to come in. Well I fully expected for another long wait and so I tried to tie up a bunch of loose ends-blogging Thanksgiving, cleaning my room, gathering things to do in the hospital. By the time we left (9:30) my contractions were about 3 minutes apart. My Mom was sure we weren't going to make it to the hospital in time...she was almost right. By the time we got there I was already dilated to a 6-7 and my contractions were coming ever couple of minutes and were becoming more intense. I was finally taken to my room and this is when things started to get a little crazy. We were waiting for the anesthesiologist trying to decide if it was too late to get an epidural, after the Anes Dr came in he reassured us it would kick in before the baby came and so he started to get all prepped-Tate had other plans. Before the Dr could do anything else and right as the OB Dr- Dr Oxford came in my water broke and Tate decided to make his entrance into the world. The rest of the details are probably things I shouldn't share and you don't want to know but the outcome is our sweet little boy a few minutes later. I always wondered what it would be like to have a natural childbirth. Never thought I was strong enough to do it. Especially since I'm such a pansy when it comes to pain. Overall it's been nice to be able to walk and not have to recover from anesthesia, would I do it again? I don't know. I do know this much, I've now experiences a C-section, a nice quiet delivery with an epidural and a natural childbirth. The C-section left me feeling as though I'd adopted, Tyler's delivery was really calm and nice, and Tate well I've always liked a good rodeo.

I can't believe I have 3 kids. Such a crazy though, and probably a harsh reality but for now I'm relishing in the cuteness of this kid in all his boyness.

PS-Correction: Tate was really 20.5 inches. either that or he grew another inch by the time he went for his 3-day appointment with Dr. Grubb, his pediatrician. :)

Thanksgiving

I really wanted to write about Thanksgiving but time is getting...thin. So I think I'll post a couple of quick picts and just tell you that it was a great day. Loved having my Mom in town, and it was the first Thanksgiving we've actually spent at our own homein Washington. There was a lot of food for just 3 adults and 2 small children, but it's Thanksgiving. The sun even came out for a quick trip to the park. Thanks Mom for taking pictures!

Friday was busy for a lot of shoppers, but we decided to keep a low profile. Mom and I and the girls made it out of the house and over to The Old Cannery for a carriage ride, to look at Santa from across the room (way too scary up close), get a balloon, fudge and some free hot chocolate. Who could pass all that up and all before nap time.

House Renovations continue

Our countertops have finally arrived and we are so excited! John actually picked them out while I was in Utah and so I had no idea what was to come, but I have to tell you I think they are beautiful. He's got great taste!

John has also spent the last couple of days putting drawers together and with the countertops, my new sink and faucet in and now drawers, the kitchen is really starting to come together. Take a look...Keep in mind the fronts of the drawers are still to come, so I got fancy :) temporary handles.

Not Yet...

Tuesday has come and gone and my lil boy has not made his appearance. I had it all planned out, I went to my movie, John saw his Football game, my Mother has arrived and although it really isn't surprising I realize I still have no control over my kids. Even the unborn one. It's kind of funny because with both my girls they were early so I never experienced the anticipation and feeling that this kid isn't coming. My sister-in-law however, who isn't due until Monday called me this morning to let me know she was on her way to the hospital and she delivered her 2nd little boy-Alexander James. I'm a tad bit jealous, but mostly because sleeping (with what sleep she can get) will be a little more comfortable for her.

What I think is funny is that I must always preface a phone call or text message with-no baby yet. In the meantime we are having a great time with Grandma. The girls are giddy with excitement and are great at wearing her down til I think she's gonna drop. Tonight we even ventured to the Olive Garden-eating out with the girls is something I don't do as my nerves can't usually handle it, but our countertops were installed today (which turned out BEAUTIFULLY!) and we needed to escape the fumes that lingered after the installation. It actually went really well once we got the girl to actually sit down. Grandma was brave and handed her camera over to McKenna who actually took some really great shots of us all and some of the other customers too. We had a great time and it was nice to have the kids outnumbered by adults...for pry the last time in quite a while.

I have another Dr's appointment tomorrow but with Thanksgiving just a couple of days away let's hope John Jr decides to stay "in" until Friday. I think he'll pry like the turkey better that way.

Congratulations Steven & Silvia on your new little boy!

I'll try and post pictures tomorrow-

Twilight

Last night I went to see it with a bunch of girlfriends from church. I was afraid being opening night it was going to be a little crazy. It was busy so I was glad that we had arrived early, for the most part we were in 2 seperate groups. There were lots of teenage girls in Twilight and black T-shirts, but nothing like what I'd heard about other places...lots of goth, people dressing as characters...There was another girl there, Ashlee who's due 2 days after I am which made a couple of people nervous. SO much that everytime I'd get a little tense because of the movie she'd panic and ask me if I was ok, I think she was sure I was going to go into labor. We probably shouldn't have put her between Ashley and I, but that was half the fun.

I read only one review before going which wasn't very positive, the statement that rang through my mind was, "if you want something to really sink your teeth into then stay home on a rainy day and re-read the books." I was nervous about the casting as what you see in your head is almost never going to be the same as everyone else. I was pleasantly surprised to "approve" or maybe agree with who they had cast. There were a couple of things and/or people that was quite different but I really liked Bella & they did pretty good with Edward.

My thoughts on the movie are this: It was done pretty well. There really was just too much to try and fit into a 2 hr movie and so I felt like they really were only able to barely touch the surface or barely address all the things in the book. I don't mind it means re-reading the book will always be like a more indepth experience and give me "something to really sink my teeth" into.

I'm interested to hear everyone's review on the movie Twilight. So leave me a comment or if you've written about it on your blog then just let me know.

PS-I was just informed that the filming of NEW MOON was announced today. Yeah!

Rowdy Boy

Just over a week left til my due date and I'm starting to get antsy, despite my room still being stacked with miscellaneous items that have not found a home from the remodeling. My sweet Sister-in-law Silvia is due just a few days after I am and it's looking like she's going to have her little boy before me, like the next day or 2? I go back and forth on whether I want this kid to come early or not, but need to wait until after the Twilight Movie Friday night, and John's football game (BYU v Utah) and my mom will not be here until Monday. So maybe next Tuesday? Sounds good to me, that way I'd be home by Thanksgiving. :) I've given this way too much thought, but I had a lot of time on my hands last night here's why:

Last night we had it out. Lil Baby John discovered my rib cage. Neither of my girls ever beat me up the way he did last night. I had visions from the book "Breaking Dawn" going through my head again. Needless to say there was not a lot of sleep and there was a lot of him pushing his feet up and my pushing them back down. I'm sure he thought it was a game, should've ignored him right? I'll learn.

Divine Nature

A couple of things worth mentioning...for journaling purposes...

Some New fashion trends that were tried: Tyler decided to try out a pair of underwear the other day. It didn't really go anywhere, but it was pretty funny. McKenna put on my big boots, which ended up being a pair of Thigh High boots. Sadly I couldn't get a real good picture of her, but it was pretty funny.

Also I was invited to our ward's Young Women in Excellence the other night where they surprised me with an award for Divine Nature. I was surprised, honored and humbled all at the same time. It was an amazing group of people to be standing among.

Thank You Sara & Morgan!
When I got home McKenna was playing with my award, a little wooden temple when I heard some pounding. I turned around and found her hammering the little certificate with the temple-into her little wooden table. My Father-in-law got a good laugh thinking of Divine Nature and the whole episode.

There are a few scars in the table and a good lesson learned for both of us.

Grandparents Visit

Last week was a lot of fun and very productive for our family. John's Parents flew in last Wednesday and stayed until Sunday. The time flew way too fast for all of us...well at least John, the kids and I. The girls were thrilled to have Grandma & Grandpa at our house and would wake up every morning and ask where Grandma or Grandpa were and then spent the 1st 10 minutes of the day showing John and I that they were here.

Everyone was all tuckered out!

John and his dad did a LOT of work on the house. It rained the first day they were here but after that the weather was actually quite cooperative and almost warm at times. John and his Dad finished the siding on the back of the house-that was a huge task in and of itself, they got some more lights and outlet covers up inside and they cleaned and organized my basement. It looks so pretty and not nearly as scary as it has over the last couple of months. I may even dare go down there by myself again. :) Maybe...
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I was able to spend a lot of good time with John's Mom who is an absolute sweetheart. She's was a sport following the girls around, dancing with them and was even able to do McKenna's hair a time or two. I was able to get out and do a little antiquing and a little shopping at IKEA where I did lose her for a while-it's a pretty big store. On the way home we saw the most beautiful rainbow, which we thought was just a half, but as we approached the freeway we found it to be a FULL rainbow. Almost crashed trying to get a good look at it, so didn't even attempt to get a picture. I know I enjoyed the adult girl time alone without the kids.

Saturday we all got out to the Park and had a little fun. Grandpa is a whiz with the camera and got a lot of good shots of us all.

Not so happy to be leaving

We were sad to see them leave, we don't get to see them nearly enough!

Fall is in the Air

Today is Veteran's Day and I just realized my Dad is working...don't Bankers get the day off? Sadly enough to the rest of the us for the most part it's business as usual.

Yesterday the girls were cracking me up and driving me crazy all at the same time. I have to write about the funny stuff before I forget it all.

McKenna has learned a new word. I know it must have come from school, because it's not a word I've heard since I was in school, elementary or Jr High. I wish I could remember the exact context it was used but my Mommy brain is getting the best of me. I just remember McKenna asking a question and when I answered she said, "oh, cool." Cool? Really? it's been used several times over the last couple of days and it cracks me up everytime I hear it.

Yesterday I had the computer on and Tyler walked up and said, "my turn Mommy," as she reached for the mouse. She doesn't really know what to do with it or how to make it work other than she's seen us all use it. I thought it was funnyand asked her, "who are you?" (meaning that you would know to use a computer) and she promptly replied with, "I'm Nenna (McKenna)." That seemed about right...

I bought McKenna a SuperGirl costume the otherday since they were closing them out. She's mainly a princess and "dolls'"(aka barbie) fan so she surprised me when we got home and she put it on and did a "superhero" pose declaring herself, "Superhero McKenna." Later on we were up feeding the goats and I asked her to show me how she flew, thinking she'd run and watch her cape fly behind her. Instead she took a few jumps and then sighed sadly with a disappointed, "ohhh." Sometimes it's all you can do to not laugh and just beam...with pride.

For some reason, and I'm not complaining but this year we didn't get a lot of leaves in our yard. The wind must have been blowing a different direction? Yesterday I decided to rake up the few leaves and the many mushrooms that are trying to take over the yard. The girls helped giving me a few fun autumn shots, too bad the leaves are brown and dried up and not the vibrant colors they were a few weeks ago. Did anyone else notice how pretty the leaves were this year?

Proof the sun really was out

Good Lil Workers!