Finally a moment to sit down

So Brandon is a fan of BYU, go figure. Some of our friends had a party and we decided that Cashton had to dress up for his first game. Our friends Dave and Nicole are U fans so we had to do something to show what we thought of their team. I guess his shirt wasn't a lucky one. At least Nicole got to go home with a happy husband;)

I don't' know what is going on but we have static!

It started when the weather got cold and I can't control it. Carter and I don't seem to have a problem with it but Jae and Brandon do. Not that Brandon's hair can do this but his pants are driving him crazy. Any suggestions?

Went to the Urologist today and he says that we need to schedule another bilateral lithotripsy. He couldn't get all of them last time. I am trying to look on the bright side, another weekend of being knocked out with pain meds. If that is the only way to get some sleep around here I will take it.

Have a seat...this one is going to be a long one.

Carter can't get enough of his new brother.

I am so very blessed with 3 healthy beautiful

kids

Our new little man is almost 3 weeks old and I would say we have had a pretty crazy start. So as I posted in the last blog I went in the hospital with kidney stone pain and came out with a baby. While I was in there they did a CT scan to make sure I didn't have any others before I went home. On the day I was discharged my obgyn came in and said that he had talked with a urologist and that everything was fine and that I was feeling labor pains not kidney stones. I am usually pretty good about keeping my mouth closed but I had had it with him and told him that he was wrong and that I knew I had passed one. He just smiled and told me I was good to go and to call my urologist in 2 weeks for a follow up with him. The next day I woke up with an infection (uti) called my obgyn and got some meds. I made it through the weekend then on Monday started to have more pain in my lower back and stomach. Called my Urologist and they had me come in the next day. I go in they look at the CT from the hospital and asked me what day they did a IVP. I told them that they didn't he wasn't happy cause he said that he had ordered one while I was in the hospital because on the CT it clearly shows a stone stuck in my ureter. That's right mr. obgyn a stone. He wanted to do surgery that day to laser it and put a stent in. That was what was causing my infection. While all this is going on with me Jaelynn was diagnosed with a double ear infection and a nasty cold and Brandon was at a Dr appt while I was at mine and when he came to pick me up I had to tell him that I was going to have surgery to get rid of the stone and he had to tell me that he had pneumonia and the Dr told him to stay away from the baby. All I could do was cry. So I had my surgery, went home with a variety of pain meds and other wonderful drugs.

(My daily dose of meds)

I thought life was going to be good but after popping two percocets and it not touching the pain I called my sister who is a pro. (She gets kidney stones monthly it seems) She said that it was the stent that was causing all the pain and to get it out. I waited all day to hear from a nurse and she just told me to drink more water. I was awake all night then my Dr called to see how I was doing I told him that I was shaking and nauseous and couldn't handle the pain. He had me come in right then so he could take it out. He was afraid that taking it out this early would not be good for me cause he said that when he put it in, my ureter was like one of those twisty straws because the stone was acting like a kink in a hose. The nurse said that taking it out would bring immediate relief so I wanted it out. On the way out of the office the pain seemed to be getting worse but I just told myself to stop complaining and give it some time. When I got home the pain was so bad that I couldn't walk. Brandon had to get me upstairs and in bed. The pain finally became manageable with the pain meds. Then at about 11:30 that night it came back with a vengeance. This time I tried 3 percocets but it didn't touch the pain. Brandon had to take me to the ER and they gave me a wonderful cocktail that knocked me out. I was told they did another CT and found another stone stuck in my ureter. They sent me home with a pain med that I have never heard of but loved! Friday morning my urologist called and told me to come back in for another surgery. This time he was going to fish hook it out. When I was waiting to be wheeled back he told me that he had the radiologist count the stones in my right kidney. I have 14 stones in the right and since I haven't had problems with the left kidney they haven't counted those yet. He said that he would only fish hook one more stone and if another one falls down in the ureter he was going to fish hook as many as he could and then he would have to put a stent back in cause that is a very unnatural thing to do. Friday I came home my parents came into town and I don't remember much of that weekend but I know that I haven't had nearly the pain. On the 21st I have a bilateral Lithotripsy scheduled and that will take care of all the stones. That is when they use shock waves to blast all the stones to sand. (At least they try to)

I have to wait because of the birth and the other trauma my body has gone through so that it won't cause internal bleeding. So right now I feel like a ticking time boom but just pray they stay in my kidneys until the 21st. So a few of you might be wondering what happened with Brandon and my kids. :) Brandon is still fighting a nasty cough but is doing much better and has been able to go back to work and be around the baby. It has taken him longer to get better because he has given up resting time to take care of me. I have said this before but I have the most amazing friends. Cashton was living with a friend for most of the week. Jae and Carter would sleep at home but stayed at friends houses during the day. I have had so much help from my friends from dinners being brought in, taking care of my kids, getting up at 12:30 in the morning to stay with my kids so that I could go to the ER, Priesthood holders giving me blessings, messages from family and friends calling to check on us, I could go on all day. The love that we received from everyone is unexplainable. Thank you!!!

My wonderful parents got to come last week to help and meet the new member of our family. The week went by way too fast but I really enjoyed the time we had. They left Saturday morning and I knew that Carter was going to have a hard time letting them go so a few days before they left I started letting him know it was almost time for them to go. We stood at the front door waving goodbye and after they drove off Carter turned around and sat on the stairs with his head down. I went and sat by him and asked what was wrong. He looked up with tear filled eyes and said "I miss my Grandma and Grandpa". We sat and cried together. We love and miss you already. Thank you for all you did!

And here he is!!!

Cashton Riley Smith

Yes, Cashton. I let Brandon decide the final name since this is our last and he let me choose the other two. So, if you are asking if we are serious like my mom did, the answer is yes;) Cashton came into the world on October 21st at 5:38 in the evening with a head full of dark hair. (a first for us) He weighed 7 lbs 4 ozs, 20 inches long and beautiful. It started out on Tuesday, I woke up with a lot of pain and not sure what was going on. I didn't think contractions cause it was a constant pain. So I waited around until 9:30 when I thought that I was going to die and called one of my really good friends that conveniently lives 4 doors down to pick up my kids. She was there in a flash. I was laying on the couch trying to get it together when it hit me that I knew what this pain was. Kidney stones!! Brandon got home and picked me up and off we went to the hospital to figure out how they were going to fix that problem with me being so far along. Anyways, we got there and I was dilated to a 4 so they wanted me to have the baby. They had an ultra sound tech come in and try to see if I had any kidney stones and she told us that she could see some in both kidneys and that both ureters where clogged so she wasn't sure if a kidney stone was blocking it or if it was the position of the baby. Anyways long story short, once you have had a kidney stone you will never forget that pain. At this point it didn't matter what they told me I knew I was passing one. Having a contraction was cake compared to the kidney stone pain. In the end we had a beautiful, healthy boy and couldn't ask for more. Thank you so much for all the help that I have received. I am very grateful for the friendships that I have with so many amazing people. I will get out more pictures as soon as I can.

Holy Smokes!

October has been a very busy month for us and I am very behind on our blog. So here we go.... October 4th Brandon and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary. Some of our wonderful friends watched our kids so that we could enjoy an evening out. I can't believe that is has been 6 years. I just can't explain how lucky I am to have Brandon in my life. When everything in my life seems to be spinning he can reach in and make everything steady. He is my rock and I know that he would do anything for me and our family. Thank you Brandon for the love that you give me. I am so blessed to know that I will have you for Eternity. I love you!

Our little man turned 4 years old Oct 6th and still is talking about how his clothes fit him so much better now that he is older. Carter has been asking for a suit for I can't remember how long. So we decided that we would pimp him out. Don't he look good. :) We had a little family get together and celebrated his and Brandons Birthday since Brandons is on the 7th. And just like every year he is returning my present. I don't understand this guy! Oh well!

This is the longest I have ever been pregnant! My doctor is a bit confused with my due date. It started off as the 10th of Nov. Then it moved to the 20th. Now it is the 4th. So I go in tomorrow for another u/s to see what he is measuring. I love my doctor but this is getting pretty crazy. So sometime between now and the 20th we hope this little guy shows up.

I know this looks strange

Well, Carter decided that he wanted to be a baby that was in Dads stomach. So Brandon did the best job that he could. The kids are getting very antsy and Carter just can't figure out how this baby is going to get out. He is still sad that the baby is not going to be a girl but I think he will get over it sooner or later. (I hope, cause this is it) I went in for a check up this week and so far so good. I am 35 weeks and am not on bed rest or taking meds to stop my contractions. That was something that I was really worried about. So I don't think he is going to follow the pattern of the other two, Yeah!! I need the time cause I haven't had a second to really think of names. Any suggestions would be helpful :) Just remember we are working with the last name Smith.

Hurray!!!!

I finally have my counter tops. It is so nice to be able to eat in my kitchen and not eat out all the time. I never thought that I would say this but eating out gets old. I also got my kitchen table yesterday so that helps a ton. Just some advice, it is worth paying the delivery and set up fee. Last night at 11:30 Brandon and I looked at each other with chair and table legs surrounding us and decided the little amount that they charge is well worth it. Things are finally coming together. Today the pool guys are coming to make the final change to salt water. Yesterday Brandon went and tracked down the wrought iron fence guy. We have a contract with him that the fence around the pool was to be done Aug 30th. I have no idea what the date is today but I do know that we are at the end of Sept. We'll see if Brandon's detective (stalking) work worked. The fence guy said that he would start making it today. ( Ya Right) Our next big project is the floors down stairs. I am hoping to get that done before the baby comes. Time is running out. I promise as soon as I can get things in order we are having a party and everyone is invited.

SLEEPOVER!!!!!!!

Brandon has been gone since Tuesday and we are ready for him to come home tomorrow. Last night and tonight we have done a sleepover in moms bed. Beauty and the Beast has been the movie of choice both nights. Carter likes it cause he says it is a very long movie. Which to him means that he gets to stay up later. It has been hard not having Brandon here. Yesterday the blind guys came and put up our blinds. We have a good amount of windows and I was very uneasy about the fact that everyone could see what I was doing. So that helped out a lot. I took a deep breath and let the kids go swimming yesterday and today. Neither one knows how to swim so it makes me nervous with just me out there. Swimming lessons are on the top of the to do list. They just sit and play on the steps. Which is fine by me. Except for tonight Carter decided that he needed to get his friends goggles and fell in. I was lucky and it was in the shallow end so at least his nose was out of the water. Having a pool is great but it is very real and there's no room for mistakes. Swimming lessons here we come! So I just noticed that in almost every pic of Carter he is wearing the same shirt. That shirt is the source of most of our arguments. He will hide it from me so that I can't hide it from him. I guess this is what they mean when they say choose your battles wisely.

Where do I begin.

As far as the house goes it has taken us a lot longer than planned to get things in order. When Brandon hired the movers they asked how many trucks did we want, they are 26ft trucks. Brandon was going to tell them just one but decided that he would do two just to make sure. Well, I have no idea where all this junk came from but we filled both trucks to the max. Brandon still had to use a trailer to get some of the odds and ends here. I just have to say I am so very lucky and have wonderful friends and family that I have met since living here. You all helped me out so much by watching my kids so I could get things done. I would still be standing in the middle of boxes crying if I didn't have you guys!!!! Thank you so much.

I was a little worried about Jae. She loves being around Carter and last year she cried for the first month after I dropped him off at school. This year she only cried the first day he went so I am grateful for that. She is starting to make me a little nervous. She has these stubby little legs (I wonder where she got those) and she thinks she can do anything. She is getting braver and braver. I enjoy my time with just her.

So Carter started preschool and can't get enough of it. He loves his teach Ms. Becky she is wonderful. But I think that his favorite thing about school is taking his own lunch. We went to the store and he picked out a Lightning Mcqueen lunch box (Big Surprise). He carries that thing everywhere. He is getting so big I am very proud of him.

What a mess!!!

Finally the time has come to get my house packed together and move on out. Friday we are closing and then taking the weekend to paint over the Tennessee Volunteers bedroom, (that means bright orange paint), the neon pink, and a couple of other crazy colors. I will take some pics before we paint over them. I have no idea what these people were thinking. Anyways, we are very excited and can't wait. In the mean time we are trying to live without so we can get most everything packed. Because I am a stress ball my wonderful husband went against everything in him and hired movers. YEAH!!!!!!!! I will leave in the morning, take Carter to school, have a doctors appointment, go to lunch with my Diva and go to my new house with all my stuff there and organized. He is very smart for doing that cause now if anything breaks I won't come after him. What these hormones will do to a girls body! Thanks again my love.

I can't wait....

I am a little nervous about the future. Last night when we were putting the kids down for bed Jae asked her Dad for a hundred dollars. I hope that isn't a peak into the future for us. I can't imagine what she will be asking for at 16. As you can see in the picture she is already training the boys in her life. She carries the important things, purse and baby while she has the boy load up the cart with her goodies. She is our little Diva.

Here we go....

So, my wonderful sister in laws sat me down and showed me how easy it is to do a blog. So now I don't have an excuse. I am obsessed with every ones blogs. I check them religiously. I needed a "time out" moment and this is perfect. Brandon should be excited about this. Hopefully now I will leave him alone while he is at work. I am excited to share with my family and friends what is going on in our house of terror. Carter is starting preschool soon and it couldn't come at a better time. He will go Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9-2pm. I know, that is a lot of time for a 3 year old but he needs it. This kid won't sit still so I am glad to have some help challenging his mind. I won't get much alone time with Jae cause the 3rd is scheduled for November 4th. We will see if I can make it that long. Carter and Jaelynn decided to come 3 weeks early. But then again they are both very impatient kids. I wonder were they got that from. Anyways I hope you all enjoy this blog.