Family Reunion

We went camping for the family reunion over the 24th of July.  Dallas was just 3 weeks old. It was actually okay. It helps that he is such an easy-going baby.  

 Grampa let Canyon drive the bobcat.  Little boy heaven!

 I forgot to flip this picture, sorry.  Dallas' first camping trip!

 Dallas with my Grandma.  She was 95 in this picture.

Pictures

I had to take Canyon to get his picture taken when Dallas was just 2 1/2 weeks old.  I decided to get a couple of Dallas while we were there as well as a couple of all the kids together. These are what we ended up with. 

 I love this one of Canyon.

Happy Birthday Canyon!

Mr. Canyon turned two on July 17th.  He loved the balloons in his room.  

 Love that big smile!

 He got a new bike and a helmet.

 I made him a simple Spider-Man birthday cake.  He loves Spider-man!

 Canyon is a very happy, bright little boy.  He LOVES four-wheeler rides. He likes to play on the slides and swings at the park.  He loves his brothers and sister.  He makes us laugh every day with all the silly things he says.  

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

July

 This is mostly a post of pictures.  This is what we spent doing in July.  

Helping Canyon hold Dallas.

 Dallas has a very expressive face. His forehead and eyebrows are often furrowed. It makes me laugh.

 Happy 4th of July! 

 Alan set off a few at home.  The kids seemed to like them.

 See those eyebrows.

 Canyon spent a lot of time changing his baby and washing her hair.

 Check out that hair!

 Happy Birthday to me!  Dallas was the perfect birthday present.

 Big Yawn!

 First bath!  He wasn't sure he liked it.

 4 weeks old.

Baby Dallas

Last year in November, I started not feeling well. I remember saying to Alan, "I shouldn't feel like this. I need to go to the doctor and find out what is wrong."  Alan replied, "Have you taken a pregnancy test?" "No, I really shouldn't be pregnant."  The next day, I took a test.  It was positive. I was in shock. I thought, when I see it on the ultrasound, then it will seem real.  Nope.  Okay, when I hear it's heartbeat, then it will be real. Nope.  Okay, the 20 week ultrasound then.  Not yet.  I didn't really feel like this baby was really coming until I had a 3D ultrasound at 30 weeks and I could see his adorable little round face.  Then, it felt real.  He really only came a few months sooner that I really planned. I was never sad or mad or upset to be pregnant. I was happy about it, just very surprised. Babies are blessings and I am happy to have them. As it has turned out, this little man has been exactly what I needed at this time.  He is a little angel baby.  Absolutely perfect.

 July 2nd, I had a Dr. appointment.  I was 39 weeks 1 day.  Here you can see me in my giant pregnant glory. I went it to my doctor and I decided to be induced...that day...in an hour.  I haven't ever been induced before and I was really afraid, but I had group B strep and a history of fairly quick labors.  The Dr. wasn't going to be delivering on the 4th and I was due on my birthday. I did not want to share my birthday with this little guy. I went home and arranged for my kids, called Alan and grabbed my bags and we headed back to the hospital at about 11. They started my IV and my medicine for the GBS. I little while later they started the pit and my Dr. broke my water.  Things went pretty smoothly. Alan and I played Hand n' Foot and Candy Crush while we waited. At about 5:30, I decided I really didn't want to feel the pains anymore. I hadn't adequately prepared my mind for the pain so I had my very first epidural placed about 6:15. I am really not sure what my aversion the them has been.  I guess fear that it wouldn't work properly or that it would cause a C-section or that it would mean I was a wimp. However, that thing was awesome. I was able to actually enjoy my baby. I didn't feel completely exhausted and worn out.  It made the whole experience much, much more enjoyable for me. At 7:02 p.m we welcomed little Dallas Keith to the world.  He was a beautiful, perfect little guy, with a round little face.  He weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz. and was 19" long.  I was so happy to have him here.

 Meeting Mom

 This picture actually happened first :)

 My Dr. is Awesome. This is her here.

 A perfect little angel.

 Meeting his siblings.

I was super worried about how Canyon would react to the new baby. Canyon has been a little spoiled, but he loves Baby Dallas and doesn't seem jealous at all. It has been such a relief. 

 Alan and Dallas

 Canyon just wanted to keep holding Dallas.

 Dallas is the first baby to spend the entire night with me in the hospital. He was so good. He was content to sleep in his own bed and he ate well and rarely cried. He hardly cried at all the entire first month he was alive. He has now learned that crying gets him what he wants and needs, but he is still an amazing baby. I never thought my other babies were bad, but Dallas is better than all of them. I am so grateful the Lord sent him to me when he did.  He knows best.

 The poor kid was a little swollen but still so cute.

All ready to go home.  Welcome to our family Dallas!