A Little Blue Bundle and Answered Prayers

He finally arrived!

Our newest little grandson (grandbaby #3 and second grandson) came into the world on Wednesday, August 10.

His birth was a rather long, traumatic ordeal and he was not at all very happy about it.

Just after being born, he was placed on his mother's tummy where he looked into her face and proceeded to tell her about his terrible experience.

It was one of the most interesting things I have ever seen. He whimpered in a funny little tone as if trying to say, "I have had the most awful day!"

Below is Camille and Camden, both looking a little happier.

Camille became one of my heroes that day.

Her first delivery resulted in an emergency c-section so she desperately wanted to have this baby all natural to reduce the chances of ending up in surgery once again.

She knew it would be difficult but she and her sweet husband, Dave, did all they could to prepare.

Even so, Camille said it was a hundred times worse than she ever imagined.

Her contractions began the minute her water broke and continued pretty much nonstop for nearly 13 hours until the baby was born.

She was making slow progress, but at least there was some progress until she reached 9 1/2 centimeters and then it stopped.

For almost two hours (5:00-7:00) she dealt with transition contractions with no relief.

Finally the doctor arrived and helped out.

And then the pushing began.

Another two hour ordeal.

One of the people critical to her being able to do this was her doula, Dawn. Dawn was wonderful!! She massaged Camille's legs and feet during active labor, spent a couple hours helping Camille stay focused on breathing during transition, helped her change positions to get more comfortable, and during pushing earned a bruised hand.

Dave was also critical to the process. Camille never let go of his hand for pretty much the entire day. His love and support were essential to her staying focused and able to get through the long hours of labor.

I too was glad to be there.

Although Camille was a little reluctant to have me there.

After all, giving birth is a very personal thing,

so I was happy to accept her wishes and not be in attendance.

After all, her comfort was what was the most important to all of us.

But in the end she decided she could use her mom.

And so I was able to witness his birth.

The first birth I have seen of my three grandchildren.

And it was very hard for me.

I cried a lot.

It was so hard to see Camille suffer the way she did.

It gave me new appreciation for our Heavenly Father and what He must feel watching our pain and suffering in life.

We were so relieved when the baby finally made his appearance.

We joyfully celebrated his arrival.

And then my tears began to flow again as the doctor explained that the birth had caused some complications for Camille and she would have to be taken to the operating room and given general anesthesia while they corrected the problems.

She made it all the way through the birth without any outside interference or medication,

only to end up in the operating room for over an hour in surgery.

My heart ached for her.

The good news is that she is on the mend.

She is home from the hospital, and although it will be a while before she is back to normal, she has a great husband to help out.

We love them all!!

Post Script.

Before the birth I was getting so frustrated that it was taking so long for Camille to go into labor. I knew my prayers were being heard, but I wasn't sure they would be answered how I wanted them to.

But they were.

Not according to my time frame, but all our prayers were answered.

Camille was able to have a successful delivery following a c-section and she gave birth to a healthy little boy. She did not need any outside intervention for her labor to progress (i.e. pitocin), and before the baby came I was able to spend a week with my little granddaughter, (a big treat since I only get to see her a couple times a year).

Plus I had some fun times with Camille going to lunch, shopping in Denver, taking Carly to the park etc.

Dawn was also an answer to a prayer as she helped Camille a lot through the most difficult part.

While watching the two of them conquer the pain, the thought occurred to me that I had been wondering if my prayers were being answered, and yet, my meeting Dawn a couple years ago was the answer to a prayer (Camille getting through the labor) that hadn't even been offered yet.

Yes, God is very much aware of us and our troubles.

And He does hear and answer our prayers.

Sometimes in different ways than we would like,

And sometimes before we even have spoken the prayer.

And that thought brings great . . . joy to my journey.

Still Waiting For The Baby . . .

They say a watched pot never boils . . . and apparently a watched tummy doesn't contract. At least in labor.

We have tried every idea to start labor we know of, and walked all over Hobby Lobby (twice) Walmart (twice) Ikea (once, but it is a HUGE store!) Target, and out on the street. We have eaten Indian Food (just gave her indigestion, but no labor) Italian and Mexican.

We have grocery shopped for two weeks worth of food, cleaned the house and done the laundry.

And I finished reading my book.

So there isn't a lot left to do but sit and wait and wait and wait . . .

She is having a lot of contractions and they are fairly regular . . . until she lies down. And then it comes to a complete stop.

I was supposed to go home on Thursday but I changed my flight to Saturday, and then I have to go home baby or no baby. But not getting to hold this little boy and spend time helping Camille would really make me sad.

I have said more prayers than I can count and tomorrow is fast Sunday so you can just imagine what I will be fasting for. I sure hope and pray this baby comes soon, and both mother and baby are healthy and strong.

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Waiting For A Baby. . .

About two and a half years ago, I flew to Colorado Springs to witness the birth of our first grandchild, Carly Amelia, who was born to our daughter Camille and her husband Dave. Last January, I was privileged to be at the hospital when our daughter in law gave birth to our second grand child, Enoch Wesley.

And tomorrow I am heading back to Colorado for the arrival of yet another grandbaby . . . a little boy yet to be named.

Camille isn't due until Saturday, so I was going to fly out on Thursday, but when I went to purchase my ticket, I had the feeling I should go on Monday, so I bought it for then. I guess now we will see if my inspiration is correct. :-)

I am very excited, and nervous, and worried.

Camille's last baby came via an emergency c-section. This time she is trying for an all natural birth so that makes me a little nervous. But on the other hand, I am so eager to meet this little guy I can hardly stand it!!!

So This Is What We Have Been Up To . . .

This past weekend my husband and I traveled to Colorado to attend our daughter Camille's graduation. She received her master's degree in Special Education from Northern Colorado University.

We are so proud of her!!

After graduating from BYU in Linguistics, she moved to Greeley, Colorado to work on her master's degree. At the time she was single. Since then she married Dave, moved to Colorado Springs, and had a baby. Also, not only did she have to take all the classes for Special Education, but because her undergraduate degree was not in teaching, she had to take all the classes necessary to be certified to teach as well--including student teaching.

It has been a long haul and required a lot of work, but she did it! One week after Carly was born c-section, Camille was busy trying to finish up her classes. She would do her homework with her computer on her lap and her baby on her shoulder.

And now that she is all done, she isn't the only one celebrating.

We decided to spend the night in Fort Collins, rather than drive to Colorado Springs late at night, and the next morning we drove to Rocky Mountain National Park to admire the scenery. It was so beautiful there, and soooooo COLD!!

I promise Wes was happier than he looks in this picture. And I know he was much happier to be out and walking than in the car. He made the entire trip up and back, plus all our sightseeing, in the back of a car, seated sideways because the car seat took up part of his seat. What a sport!! Not only did he never complain, but he also entertained Carly for hours! :-)

We drove up close to 10,000 feet and found this beautiful frozen waterfall at the end of a frozen lake (that was just beginning to thaw so we couldn't walk on it). I loved it.

We also admired the mountain peaks--something we don't get to enjoy here in Phoenix. (What we call mountains in Phoenix are called "hills" everywhere else.)

But I have to admit, one of the most fun things about our trip was spending time with this little girl. How can you not love someone with eyes that look up at you like that? :-)

And even better . . . we brought her home with us. She will be staying for a week.

I am pretty sure life doesn't get any better than this. :-) It was definitely a weekend that brought great . . . joy to my journey!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMILLE!!

Camille is my first born, and now is old enough that I am lying about HER age.:-)

And today is her birthday!

I will always remember the day she was born.

I had been on bed rest for three weeks and was so glad she was finally coming.

Although since she was born just nine months after our wedding, I really didn't want her coming any earlier.:-)

After a very difficult labor, there she was, 8 pounds, six ounces, sweet, pink, and with long beautiful curly hair!

We love her so much and are so glad she is part of out family!

She has not only been a great daughter, but she is also a good friend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMILLE!!

We hope you have a wonderful day!!

A Tribute to Camille--Better Late Than Never!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMILLE!

Yes, I know your birthday was on Saturday, but I wasn't able to blog that day, so I am writing you a birthday tribute today--for as they say, "Better late than never."

Camille is my oldest, so she is the poor child who had to put up with us while we learned to be parents. She was patient and forgiving, however, and despite our imperfections, turned out great.

I told my husband when we were dating that we would be having a baby nine months after we were married. I was eager to start my family and I kept feeling there was a spirit in heaven eager to be a part of it.

Camille at four months--moving in to attack her unsuspecting mother?!

That proved to be true. Nine months and five days after we were married in the Salt Lake Temple, Camille joined our family. We were so excited to have her.

Cabbage Patch Farm in Georgia with her younger brother Ryan



Niagara Falls


Camille was good, sweet, fun and a great helper. In 8th grade she did television news spots for the WBTV, and in high school, she lettered in tennis, jazz band, and academics and graduated in the top 3% of her class.

She graduated from BYU with a degree in linguistics and is currently finishing her masters degree in special education.

But most importantly, on March 7, 2008 she married her college sweetheart, Dave, in the Mount Timpanogos Temple.

Camille and Dave on their wedding day


And, nine and a half months later, gave birth to her own sweet, little daughter, Carly Amelia. They currently live so very, very, very far away in Colorado!


Coloring Easter Eggs, with Carly, April 2009
(and yes, Camille I stole this picture off your blog!:-)


I have always felt I have known Camille forever--Not just in this life, but before as well.

In the past I always teased her that the reason I was born first, and was her mother instead of her being mine,was because I had the wisdom and spiritual maturity necessary to help her navigate through life.

We later both decided, however, that the real reason I was born first was because she had the wisdom and knowledge necessary to help me navigate around modern day technology. Camille is a computer whiz. Anytime I have a question, or need something researched, I call her. She always knows the answers to my questions, and she can find anything on the Internet in just a few minutes. So now the secret is out. See anything cutesy on my blog? Yeah, it was Camille!

I am so glad she is ours and will be ours forever.

We love you Camille!

And for my favorite story about Camille . . . read the previous post! It is a good one!

Miracles and the Faith of a Child

This is my favorite story about Camille.


Soon after her sixth birthday, my husband left town to attend his aunt's funeral. He took our four year old son, Ryan with him, leaving Camille, myself and my one year old daughter, Kristen home alone over night.


The night he left, a storm swept into Phoenix, leaving the weather hot and muggy, and our home without electricity. After sitting in darkness for close to an hour, Camille suggested we pray and ask Heavenly Father to turn the power back on. We had already reported the power outage to the electric company and I was sure they were working as quickly as they could to restore power, but not wanting to discourage the faith of my young, sweet daughter, I agreed.


So we knelt in prayer and I prayed for the electricity to come back on so we wouldn't have to be so hot and would have light to see.


Nothing happened.


After sitting in darkness for an additional ten minutes or so, Camille said to me, "I guess I am going to have to do this myself." She then went into a corner of our family room, knelt and offered a silent prayer.


Immediately upon standing, our home lit up with lights. Camille, looked at me with a rather disgusted look and said, "Now, that's better!"

Oh, how humbling that moment was!!! Never again would I doubt the faith of a child.