Mothers

 This was taken probably a week or two after Mayble was born. Aaron's grandma was diagnosed with cancer back in November and was given a few months to live. When I found out I cried. She lived by us and was in our ward and I have gotten to know and love this sweet woman. She has made hundreds of quilts and each of our children received one when they were born. She managed to make this last quilt for our Mayble. A week or so after this was taken she couldn't get out of bed, started sleeping most of the time and couldn't really talk. She died on Mothers Day.  We know you were ready to go but we will miss you grandma. We are so grateful that you were able to get to know our children and especially meet Mayble and hold her at least once. We love you.

 I can hardly believe this is my beautiful family (easy for me to say now when they are all in bed:) Motherhood is a very difficult and overwhelming job but worth it. I had a great Mothers Day(except for the kids fighting). I ate my traditional delicious omelet from Aaron. Our camera broke recently and Aaron was inspired to get me just that! I do not like being without a camera. I feel like I am missing those precious moments! Mayble even surprised me with a gift and let me sleep for 6 hours straight in the night.

 Mayble wanted to sneak in and show off for everyone.

 We did our traditional Mothers Day lunch and pedicures. I love being with my mom and sisters. Just waiting for Kier to get here!!!! I couldn't leave Mayble but she was very cooperative and slept the entire time! So grateful for you mom!!

 Anders had his Kinder graduation tonight. We are not huge fans of making Kindergarten graduation a big deal but it was fun seeing him up there and it was well worth going especially when he was chosen for a little part in it. I don't know why but this little smirky smile makes me think of Aaron and he looks so much like his dad. Maybe its from a photo I've seen of Aaron as a kid or something.

Love you buddy!

Blessed

We did a double whammy and blessed Mayble the same day as Corey's Homecoming. It's always quite the group when you add in all those Hansen boys in the blessing circle. I think total there was about 12 men up there and that was just the bishop, two grandpas and all brothers in law! My dad said when they were blessing her she looked so peaceful like a little angel. Afterwards we had a fine feast of chicken and rabbit enchiladas, a burrito bar, spanish rice,  horchata, and thrifty ice cream for dessert.

Mayble is 3 weeks  old now and really filling out well. And even though life is tough and
super exhausting right now, we feel very blessed.

Look who's home from his mission!

 Watching for the planes to come in

 With all the grandkids

Corey served a mission for 2 years  in Colombia for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are excited to have him home!

1 week old already, and what a busy week it's been

 Grandma Whetton always gives the babies their first baths. Seeing how I dread this task I welcome her to do it for me!

 Mayble reminds me a lot of Lilly when she was a baby

 I felt good enough to go to sacrament on Sunday. Babycakes was a good little church goer at one week old.

Fathers and Sons 2013

 Must have been a good time the night before

 Choo, choo's first campout with Papa and Anders. I heard he did pretty well.

It's been a sleep deprived first week with lots of late night feedings. But she is nursing wonderfully so I can't complain. I have been having a super quick recovery and feeling pretty good. Unfortunately that bug is going around and we have had sick kids and a sick husband. I'm just praying it passes me by! I can't afford to get the stomach bug right now.

She has been really precious, is doing well with naps and usually only fusses to be fed. The kids adore her!

Barely Out and Already Playing Catch With Papa!

After almost 2 weeks past my due date, our little girl decided to join us. Meet Mayble Laverne Hansen born April 6th, 2013 at 11:50 pm delivered by her wonderful dad. She weighed 8# 12 oz and measured 21 1/4 inches long. 

So last Wednesday I went to the midwife to get checked and try to get things going. I was already dilated at a 3 or 4 and she said my cervix was very ready with a very bulgy bag of waters. So she stripped my membranes gently and I went home with all hope that she would come that night. We got the crib out and cleaned the house. I was having light contractions about every half hour, but was disappointed when I went another night without her here. I continued to have contractions that were very mild and very spaced apart. I went 2 more nights and we were very bummed out. So I talked to the midwife and we made a plan for her to come Saturday and get things going. 

I spent my Friday night at a Hansen gathering where we met Caleb's future inlaws. It was really nice to get out of the house and get my mind off reality. I have been a hermit the past 2 weeks and really haven't interacted with anyone. I had forgotten how nice it is to be with people!

The midwife came on Sat. at 2pm and I was dilated to a 4 or 5. She said she could even stretch my cervix to a 7! She went around my membranes quite a few times and they said they were surprised that I wasn't wincing with pain. She was being pretty rough but for some reason it wasn't hurting. I got in the shower for an hour to try and stimulate and then when I was tired of that they massaged the pressure points on my feet. I was having contractions in the shower about every 10 minutes and the foot massage was helping as well. Eventually I was having contractions every 5 minutes. I had woke up that morning with a really bad ache in the left side of my back. The same side that I had the sciatic nerve pain, so I was sure it was related and I was nervous about it bothering me. I couldn't lay down and could only sit in my rocking chair with a heating pad to make it feel better. But I was so ready to get this baby out and wanted to continue to try and get myself into labor. My back was pretty miserable the rest of the day. My contractions did get stronger but stayed at 5 minutes apart. Some were worse than others but for the most part it was very manageable. I eventually got in the shower and tub to help my back. It did help but it seemed that my contractions were slowing down. So I got out to make sure they were still strong and we did some more foot massage. My midwife suggested I do an enema or castor oil but I really didn't want to go that route yet. I got back in the shower for a while and let it run on my back and then I was starting to get tired. I got dressed and decided to try and lay down for a while to rest. Thankfully my back was feeling good enough to lay down and I eventually fell asleep (much to everyone's dismay). My contractions weakened and started to space out. The midwifes came to listen in on the baby and check on me about every half hour.

At about 10:30pm she did her checks and then gave me some choices. We could either do an enema or castor oil and get me started again, I could rest some more, or she could check me and go from there. I decided to get checked and we were extremely disappointed to find that I was still at a 4/5 but more thinned out. Later she told me that the baby had moved up as well. My contractions were not strong enough to make me progress that day. She suggested that I continue to rest and they would go home. I would call if anything changed and we would make a new plan in the morning. 

I couldn't believe it! I was pretty depressed at this point and very tired. I felt like I was giving up for the night by choosing to rest but it sounded so appealing and I didn't want any more stimulation. I just wanted to be left alone and get some sleep. The midwives left at about 10:50pm. The baby was really moving around at this point and it was very uncomfortable on my cervix. I had some contractions here and there but for the most part I was able to sleep. I just wanted my body to take over for the night.

At 11:30pm I awoke to an extremely hard contraction and huge POP! My water had broke. So I immediately got up and waddled to the bathroom. It was a big gush at first and the hard contraction continued for another minute. Usually when my water breaks I go fast after that but I figured I had an hour. I was a little nervous so I called the midwife and woke up Aaron. My midwifes had just pulled into their driveway in Queen Creek so they had a 40 minute drive at least. My next 2 contractions came fast but they were very mild. All I could think was, great now I will be up all night with my water broke. So I went and sat in my rocking chair. My next contraction was like a bomb went off. I could hardly stand it and then I felt the pressure and I started to cry out in pain. The baby was coming.

So I grabbed my phone and told my midwife that I had lots of pressure and the baby was coming. We ran into the bathroom and started the bath water. She told me to hand the phone to Aaron and they were going to have to talk him through the delivery. I was in a lot of pain, I was panting heavily and was worried they wouldn't be here in time. I had jumped in the tub and there was no stopping this baby from coming. They told me to put my head on the ground and my bum in the air. I was in the tub so I couldn't do that exactly and Aaron kept checking for the head but was unsure. I assured him that the head was coming out and so he just kept telling me to push. I had pushed her head out to her chin and they told me to get out of the tub and lay on my back to deliver. So here I am with the baby's head coming out and Aaron it trying to help me out of the tub as fast as we can. I laid on the bathroom mat on the floor and gave one good push and she slipped right out into Aaron's arms. The midwifes were still 10 minutes away. The cord had been around her neck slightly and Aaron had unwrapped it. She was limp and we were told to try and stimulate her and talk to her. It took about a minute before we saw her try to take a breath, and then another and then she just started to cry. I was so relieved! We wrapped her up and just sat there taking in what had just happened. From the time my water broke until the time she was born was only 20 minutes. I could not believe it all just happened that fast and that Aaron had delivered her. It was an amazing experience and I love that we have been able to have homebirths. 

We called Aaron's mom to come over to help us hold her and deal with things until the midwifes got there. They delivered the placenta and did all their checks. Aaron cut the cord and they took the baby into the bedroom. I was helped up and situated in the bedroom as well.It was over! After all of our waiting and wondering it was finally over! I was so relieved and so happy. She is of course precious and beautiful and perfect. She has lots of little Whetton and Hansen features with some really big hands and feet. 

I had been praying that it would go fast and it definitely did, just not exactly how I had imagined it. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for watching over us, answering our prayers and allowing us to be at home to birth our baby.

I am so grateful to not be pregnant anymore too! This has been a long road with lots of bumps in it, but looking back I regret losing faith at some points. It is all worth it for sure and Heavenly Father is mindful of us and each of our challenges!

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, help with children and jobs, meals and love. We especially want to thank Hayley, Nana, Ompa, Paca and Grandma for all of your help! We appreciate your sacrifices for us!!! We are so glad she is finally here!

 Weighing

 Checking

 My wonderful midwifes 

Yes, I am now 41 weeks

Happy Easter! And still no baby. This is the longest I have gone past my due date and I am trying to be patient about it. So here I am at 1 in the morning with an achy leg from my sciatic nerve, doing the dishes and blogging. I did happen to go to part of church where I received lots of sympathy looks. It felt good to be there since I had to miss the last 2 weeks.

So this is my 41 week belly. My parents came down in the morning to give the kids an Easter treat. It seriously feels like I will never go into labor and I will always be pregnant. I've had some breakdowns here and there, but overall I'm doing okay. It's just my poor leg that is suffering. I am ready for that to be relieved!

I get lots of Braxton hicks, some even feeling like I will go into labor that day, but then the evening comes and nothing. I have not had this problem with other pregnancies so this is a change for me. 

But it will be this week! It must!

Almost there (an update)

My due date is Sunday but I will probably go into labor next week sometime. The last two weeks have been a bit rough. Ezra was pretty fussy and needy with a fever and cough for 3 or 4 days, I have been dealing with no sleep and stress with him being sick. Last Saturday I was up with Ezra in the early morning hours after a night of no sleep and my sciatic nerve slowly started to become really achy and then turned into a torturous day of pain rolling around in bed with no relief whatsoever. I'm guessing the baby moved into a certain position causing it to be pinched. By the evening I was able to finally fall asleep and it did eventually stop hurting. My leg is still numb from it today and I am not very mobile.  I am a little nervous about it flaring up during labor.

Aaron has been really busy with work lately and his days have been long. We are trying to get some much needed things done before baby is here! It's been tough feeling so heavy and having him gone so much, but I think we are in the clear and just waiting now.

Last Sunday I found out that our primary presidency was being released. I am pretty sad. I have enjoyed being in primary with our children. I'm sure they will give me a break for a while and then we will see what new adventure awaits me!

I love that spring is in the air. The grass is getting greener, flowers are blooming, and the wonderful smell of orange blossoms is filling our yard. It's the perfect time to have a baby!

I'm not really feeling anything yet. I do feel like my body is preparing though. For me this is one of the most exciting times, just wondering and waiting for the miraculous event to start. I am definitely anxious and nervous but also excited and can hardly imagine that another little life will be with us again. I am ready (well at least I think I am) for the work and challenge that will be coming soon. I'm just hoping I get to labor in the day this time.

If you remember, please keep me in your prayers! Hopefully my next update will be with a new little face:)

Look Who's Three!

My Ivy girl just turned 3! She has blossomed into the sweetest, spunkiest, happiest little girl. She is very independent with lots of spirit in her. 

 At this age you can pretty much get away with getting dollar store presents, so that is what I did. This little horse is her favorite toy now. You can tell she is an active, busy child by her big bump on her head.

A  birthday pic with mama

Choo Choo got a his first hair cut and with his smoothie mustache and cute little hat that he loves to wear he looks like a little train conductor.

The kids were sweet and made me a Valentines poster. They had a blast at their school parties, filled full of sugar. 

 Our biggest projects have been getting rooms cleaned out and ready. Lilly is going to share a bedroom with the baby and she is so excited to have her own room for now. It is nice for me because I don't have to worry about Ivy and Elsie getting into her things anymore. At 8 months pregnant I decided I was going to paint the room. Probably not my best idea but I was careful and came out alive and whole. Sadly I had to give up my sewing/craft room.

 Lilly already has her stashes going. I remember at that age having all my stuff and organizing it. Oh wait, I still do that!

She's got her erasers all organized

 We've got bunnies galore! We are selling if anyone is interested in a pet or homesteading project!

 The kids of course absolutely love having them.

We will have some for easter too!

We have so much going on in the next few months. I am due in 4 weeks, then Uncle Corey gets home, baby blessing/homecoming, Uncle Caleb is engaged and getting married in May, Hayley is graduating, end of school activities for kids then onto the summer festivities! 

32 Weeks

 Lilly took a picture of me while I still looked fancied up from church. I have hardly taken any pictures with this pregnancy because I'm usually in the same scruffy comfortable clothes. I DREAD getting dressed these days because everything feels so tight and confining. And forget about sacrament! I think I can make myself last through about 15 minutes before I'm out the door and sweating.

January Fun

We have had a fun month so far.  But I will start with my Christmas present from my sweet husband. I told him that we should just skip getting each other anything for this year (mainly because I was feeling overwhelmed just getting the kids Christmas ready) but he was sneaky and had this wonderful porch swing made for us. I absolutely love it and I have been wanting one for a long time. He even had HANSEN welded into it! It is huge and can fit practically all of us. It was a very nice surprise and we will use it all the time during these wonderful weather months! 

Anders turned 6 and I let him have a birthday party with a few of his BEST friends. Those boys were so sweet to watch. I really do hope they grow up to be good friends.

I think I am done with birthday parties for a while though. 

One fun surprise that Anders got on his birthday was lots of baby bunnies born! We are actually now swarming with 19 bunnies now. They range from 1-3 weeks old and are the sweetest most fluffiest, cutest things in the world right now. 

 Each kid got a picture hauling the bunnies. They go absolutely gaga over them.

 Especially biz biz. He can't enough of them.

There are some pretty cute ones with some pretty colors. But the funniest of them all is our little Pedro here with his mustache.

Ompa's garden has been producing some wonderful juicy carrots that we have been enjoying. I pulled quite a few, washed them really well and stuck them in the fridge for when the kids want a snack. They are always welcome to go get a carrot when they are hungry and they don't even ask anymore! They just help themselves. But the other day Ompa got the juicer out and let the kids juice with him. He is so much more patient than me when it comes to that. He even lets them juice tangelos and other citrus which gets so messy.  We enjoyed some good vitamin A rich carrot juice the next few days, yum!


So as many already know I am pregnant with #6. I am 32 weeks and feeling it! This was another surprise pregnancy but healthwise has been going very well so far. I have really been trying to revamp my eating and exercising habits for these last few weeks. I am trying to eat lots of kale and other fruits and veggies, probiotics, smoothies, raw seeds, vegetable juices and also trying to walk every day. Sadly I am very lazy when I am pregnant and hardly ever exercise so I am trying to do better. We are excited to welcome another little one into our home and I am having major nesting instinct right now. I am scrambling to get rooms ready and organized and the house dejunked. I am also trying to stay sane with all of these little kiddos pulling me every direction with their needs.

We still do not have our appliances fixed from when we had the power surge in November, which is frustrating, but kind of out of our hands. It mainly means that I have to do more dishes by hand (not a huge deal but definitely more time consuming), we are borrowing a fridge, and no microwave to reheat or thaw things. But I think not having a microwave is a good thing health wise plus it makes me plan ahead. We did buy a used washing machine off craigslist because that is pretty much impossible to live without and there is no way I'm doing laundry by hand, lol. This machine does a way better job anyways!

So anyways I mainly just want things put back to order and out of the garage. Aaron has been getting some projects done for me in other areas so that has been nice at least.  Hopefully the repair guy will fix them in the next couple of weeks!