London's Birth Story

I was 37 weeks 6 days pregnant on December 20, 2017. I woke up feeling the same way I had for the past few weeks. Exhausted and so done. I had started to gradually dilate starting at 36 weeks and it was starting to be very uncomfortable. I went in for a doctors appointment that morning. I had to have a stress test and ultrasound that day due to my placenta condition to track the babies growth. Everything looked great as usual. Baby was estimated to be just under 8 lbs and looked great. During my stress test my doctor realized when she saw the results that I was having consistent and fairly strong contractions. She asked me if I could feel them. I thought that I had maybe been having contractions the last couple days but thought they were probably Braxton hicks.  I asked my doctor several times during the visit what all this meant and she told me repeatedly that everyone was so different only time would tell.

On the way to pick up Kade from our dear friends house I called Marshall and my Mom to tell them what the news at the doctor was. I then downloaded an app to track my contractions because I was terrified of not knowing when to go to the hospital. With Kade my water broke so I knew exactly when to go, and I was seriously terrified of not knowing what to expect with this little girl. As the day went on I was having fairly consistent contractions but felt like they weren't progressing very quickly or much at all. I was feeling completely defeated and frustrated. I was so annoyed and irritable with everything. I remember trying so hard to be patient with Kade. The unknown and not having a plan is hard for me. Kade and I continued to try to get along, keep busy and just distract myself.

Then Marshall got home from work around 5:30 and we decided to go and get some Chinese food for dinner to keep busy. The Chinese food was delicious and my contractions seemed to be getting a little bit closer together. They weren't painful yet but they were a little bit uncomfortable. I called my Mom and we talked for a bit about everything. I was still trying to not get my hopes up because I really didn't think this baby was coming yet. I then called my dear friend who was going to take Kade when I went into labor. I told her what was going on and we set a plan in place for if I did go to the hospital. This whole time I was still keeping track of my contractions on my app. Then around 9:00 pm my app told me it was time to go to the hospital. I was shocked. I did not feel like I had progressed enough at all (I am so grateful for this app, otherwise I would not have gone in for a long time). I called my mom and friend again, and within about 45 minutes we were headed to the hospital.

On the way to the hospital I think I told Marshall twenty times that this was stupid  and they were just  going to send us home. So we got to the hospital and within about fifteen minutes or so I was admitted. The nurse had checked me and I was dilated to a 6. I was in complete shock. Yes again lol.  I couldn't believe I was already that far along. So they called my doctor and things got started. I got my epidural  which slowed my progress down a bit. We decided to all take a nap and let me progress gradually and not force it. Around 5 am I woke up to my water leaking and breaking and I started to feel the urge to push. 

And then around 6:30 am London Allen Morrison came into this world weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces. She instantly showed Marshall, Kade and I how much more love all of our hearts were capable of.

Treat Yo Self Sunday

Sunday is Treat Yo Self Day at the Morrisons. It is a day where we not only treat our bellies but our spirits and minds. Sunday is my favorite day of the week and a treat just makes it that much better. Today was especially great because not only did Kade sleep in till 8:30 (it was ahhhhmazing. yes mind blowing) but Kade was so happy and awesome. Church can be rough with Kade at moments but today was one of the best we have had in a long time. Then while at home he just played, talked, and loved life all day. Kade and Marshall played football, we sang Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes and played with cars. Sundays are my favorite day of the week because it is a day that is all about family, rest, and God. Being able to have a Sunday once a week prepares me to be able to take on whatever the rest of the week is going to bring. It is my rebooting day. I just LOVE it!

Now for the Treat Yo Self treat. This week we tried recipe from Cooking Classy called Old Fashioned Ultra Chewy Brownie with Cream Cheese Frosty (yeah a little bit of a mouthful). These are perfectly chewy and sweet with ahhmazing frosting! These did not disappoint. Marshall and I ate them while we watched this last weeks episode of Fixer Upper. I would highly suggest eating them in this same fashion as well. Enjoy!

Old Fashioned Ultra Chewy Brownie with Cream Cheese Frosty

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup cocoa powder*

• 1/4 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 3 Tbsp milk

• 1 recipe Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

• 5 oz cream cheese, softened

• 3 Tbsp butter, softened

• 1/2 tsp vanilla

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 
  
• Directions
• 
  

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt, set aside. In a separate mixing bowl, using a wooden spoon, mix together granulated sugar, light-brown sugar and melted butter until combine. Stir in eggs and vanilla extract and mix until blended. Add in half of the flour mixture and mix just until combine, add in milk and mix just until combine, then add remaining flour mixture and mix just until combine (batter will be very thick). Pour batter into a buttered 8x8 baking dish and spread into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven 40 - 45 minutes(I only did 38 minus and they were perfect) until center is nearly set. Allow to cool completely then frost with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting and cut into squares (the frosting is a must for this recipe). Store in an airtight container.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

• In a mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, whip together cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add in vanilla and powdered sugar, then sift in cocoa powder and mix until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute.

• Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

A New Chapter

Eastern Idaho was home to Marshall and I for about the last 7 years, and for Kade his entire life. When Marshall and I first got married the plan was always to someday try to make it back to Washington if we could, but we tried to not jinx ourselves by over thinking or talking about it. But every time I would go home to visit my family the over thinking and talking about it would come back. Then it would fade and essentially became this cycle of I want to live in Washington so bad then to but I love my life in Idaho. Yeah I'm cray cray I know. In the back of my head I honestly thought we were going to live in Idaho forever. I just felt like that was what was going to happen and that I needed to accept that Washington just might not be in our future. I came to accepted that and was happy!

Then life happens. After submitting many applications to this company Marshall has wanted to work for a couple of years they offer him a job. We were both in such shock that we both just literally sat on the couch for almost a half hour without speaking. Then Marshall was instantly psyched for it and ready to go. While I was sitting on the couch trying to hold back tears. All of sudden this 7 year long life in Idaho was going to be horribly hard to leave. Idaho was where we both graduated from college, fell in love, started our careers, semi-fully became grown ups, had our first child, and grew up more as people than any other time period in our lives. What was wrong with me? This is what I wanted our entire married life. To move closer to my family. Have Marshall have a job that he will love and can grow in. Why is change so ridiculously hard?

I never really intended on having Marshall not take the job offer but it did cross my mind. The idea of it all was just harder than I expected. We ended up saying goodbye to our life in Idaho three short weeks later. Both Marshall and I worked up until the last few days before the big move. Those three weeks went by too fast and not fast enough all at once. Southeast Idaho will always hold such a special place in our hearts. It holds many memories very dear to me. I'm sure that his new chapter in our lives will prove to be just as important as the last. While talking with a friend a few days before leaving I was telling her that one of my favorite quotes is roughly if your not moving forward your moving backwards. Moving to Washington is moving forward for our family. I am so excited(most of the time) that we made this decision and have been given this oppurtunity. So I'm going to try to take my own advice. Here is to embracing the new, change, and growth.

6 Months Young

sleeps 10 hour stretches at night - has two bottom teeth - loves to be outside - long and skinny - crawls everywhere  - loves food and always want you to share with him- still loves his bath - loves to walk with hands held- climbs everything- full of energy- tries to escape whenever having diaper changed - loves to stand - still and forever will be the center of mom and dad's universe 

5 Months Young

      

sleeps 9 hour stretches at night - loves to sleep in his crib- loves to be outside - long and skinny - starting to get up    on his hands and knees - trying to crawl- still loves his bath - has the cutest google - is the drool kings - loves to                        wrestle dad- loves other kids - still and forever will be the center of mom and dad's universe 

4 Months Young

sleeps 9 hour stretches at night - loves to eat his feet - is starting to eat food - long and skinny - smiles all the time - prefers his tummy time over his back- still loves his bath - prefers mom and dad over others- went swimming in his first lake- took his first boat ride - loves to stand - still and forever will be the center of mom and dad's universe 

3 Reasons I am Awesome

1. I have the cutest little tiny chin that is perfectly enhanced by a roll of fat under my chin. I am a master of the double chin.
2. I can open my eyes super wide and go minutes without blinking. Yeah thats right people minutes!
3. Ladies love me! Well actually who doesn't who love me. Am I right?
-Kade