Denver Victor

 I'm sure by now that everyone knows we had our baby boy! Denver Victor was born on December 26th after only 4 hours of labor! I starting having contractions about 9:30 Christmas night and didn't really give them much thought since I was having contractions on Christmas eve and they stopped. At about 10:15 pm Craig convinced me to go to the hospital. I'm always hesitant to go to the hospital because I don't want to get sent home by going in too early. On our way to the hospital we got pulled over. Not because Craig was speeding but because we had a headlight out. Luckily the cop was nice and let us go right away without running Craig's license or anything and I didn't even have to pull the "I'm in labor" card. We got to the hospital about 11:30 pm and they checked me and was already 5 cm! That meant yes I really was in labor and I got to stay. Since I was already to a 5 I immediately asked for an epidural. They asked me the customary 500 questions, took my blood so I could get my epidural, and started my IV. As time went on the contractions kept getting more intense and I still didn't get my epidural! All I wanted was my drugs! They told me about 12:30 am that my blood work came back and my epidural was on the way. At this point the contractions kept getting worse. I kept asking Craig where my epidural was and he kept saying it was coming. The anesthesiologist was having a hard time getting the epidural in the person ahead of me which was causing a major delay for me. At 1:20 am my water broke and I was in major pain by this point. They checked me again after my water broke and I was 7 cm. Great! I could still get my drugs. Between 1:20 and 1:30 am I was really dying! I was in so much pain that I was crying and trying to bite Craig's hand off. About 1:30 am the anesthesiologist finally showed up! I was never so happy to see a stranger in my life! He went through all the risks, warnings, and such associated with getting an epidural with me. By the time he was done and getting ready to get it out to put it in, my body started pushing! The nurse told me to stop but I told her I couldn't and it was just doing it. She immediately checked me again and told me I was having a baby any minute. "What!? NO DRUGS! This was not part of the birth plan" went through my brain. The anesthesiologist offered to do a spinal tap so I could get some drugs but the nurse told him there was no time the baby was coming now. My doctor wasn't even at the hospital yet and a couple nurses debating about getting a doctor who was delivering someone else's baby but they decided that they would just to deliver the baby themselves. They also didn't even get a chance to pull apart the bed since it was time to have a baby. After lots of screams and a few pushes, my sweet little boy was here! Denver was born at 1:38 am (only 18 minutes after my water broke). He was 8 pounds and 21.5 inches long. His labor was the most intense moment in my life and I hope I never have to do that again! But now I have bragging rights that I did it. 

Denver has been such a joy to have in our home. We all love him so much and Isabella is quickly learning how to be a good big sister. She loves to hold the baby, kiss the baby, and bring the baby toys. Every time she goes some where she brings mommy the baby's car seat so he can come too even though he usually stays home. She is also learning that she isn't the only one anymore and I don't think she's liking that part all the time but she's adjusting. She'll learn how lucky she is to have Denver and Denver will learn how lucky he is to have her. I know that Denver was sent to come to our family at this time and was meant to Isabella's brother. I'm so blessed to be his (and Isabella's) mom!

Enjoy some pictures from the hospital!

Changes!

Well it's that time again, no not the holidays, it's time for the Bronson family to make some changes. After 1 year at Schwan's, Craig decided that it was time for something new. Schwan's was a good job for him and our family but the hours (12-13 hours/day, 4-5 days/week) really started to wear us out. So Craig started looking for a new job. He stumbled upon a job for Bish's RV and applied out of curiosity to learn more about it. Turns out that the store manager knew Craig in high school and really wanted to meet with Craig. They scheduled an interview which turned out to be a straight job offer instead. We thought about taking the job and decided to go for it. Craig is going to start selling RVs for Bish's RV on December 2. We're excited to have Craig home more. Right now he leaves a little after we get up and doesn't come home until I'm going to bed. With his new job he'll still have to leave about the same time but he'll be home in time for dinner! It's going to be weird having him home so "early" but we'll adjust quickly. A few weeks after Craig starts his new job our baby is due! Craig is going to Washington for a week in December (2 weeks before the baby's due date) for some training and I'm really hoping that the baby doesn't come then! I do have a backup plan in case he is out of town.

As if having a baby and starting a new job weren't enough change, we are also moving in January! Our landlord called us about a month ago and asked if we could sign another year contract in January when ours was up. We wanted to do month-to-month after the contract but she didn't want us to do that. With all the issues we've had with our current house, staying another year wasn't going to happen. I've been wanting to move and get out of this house for awhile but felt stuck. I was very happy when we found our way out. About the time we decided that we going to move out, a family in our ward moved into their new house and told us about their other house going up for rent. We were instantly interested and after looking at it, we wanted to move into their house. After thinking about it and budgeting the increase in rent, we decided it was alright to go for it. Right now we have a 2 bed/1 bath house and we're going into a 3.5 bed/2 bath house. Some other amenities we'll have and are looking forward to having are a garage, walk-in closet, laundry room, basement, toy room, yard with a swing set, and great neighbors/landlords! We're very, very, very excited to move, even though we'll have a brand new baby when we do. We'll still be in our same ward, which is another added bonus.

We have been very blessed with everything falling into place. Once we decided to make some changes to our life and current situation everything fell into our lap. It's going to a crazy next few weeks but it will all be worth it in the end.

Weekend in Denver/ Dad's 50th Birthday Party

The beginning of November, I went to Denver for the weekend to celebrate my dad turning 50! It was such a crazy, fun, short weekend and I'm so glad that I was able to go and see my family. 

The party turned out awesome, and was a complete surprise. Major kudos to my stepmom, Sheri, for pulling it off and making it GREAT! My dad had no idea he was having a party or that I'd be there. His sister, Jeanette, and her daughter, Hilary, also came from Oklahoma. It was so great to see them. I hadn't seen them in YEARS! Elvis also made a surprise visit. It was fun to have Elvis there. We were such a small group (15-20 people) and he had fun playing with the crowd. It was so fun watching everyone get up and dance with Elvis. 

Pictures from the Party:

Family at the party
Top- Jessica, Hilary, Jeanette, Sheri
Bottom- Robert, Dad, Me, Jerimiah

BEST CAKE EVER!! Seriously, it was delicious. 

Dad with Elvis

ELVIS!!!

Elvis singing to the baby.

Party with Elvis!

Guitar baby belly

Dad's party was Friday night and on Saturday I went shopping and to the Cheesecake Factory with my mom. We had a blast just walking the mall and looking for baby stuff. We stopped at the Disney store and bought Bella some Minnie clothes. She got a new Minnie winter coat, slippers, and outfit. Isabella loves wearing her slippers everyday because her piggy's don't get cold. I found some sweats at Victoria's to wear home from the hospital. We also found some cute things for baby Denver (yes, we're naming our soon-to-be-born son Denver). After looking all over the mall for baby boy things, I have to say that the girl stuff is way cuter and there is way more of it! I had so much fun with my mom and was sad to have to say goodbye.

Grandma with Isabella's presents

I love my mom!

Saturday night, I went to the White Fence Farm for dinner (I'm pretty sure this is turning into our tradition) with my dad and stepmom (and all the other family members who came out for the party). We always have such a good time going to White Fence Farm and enjoy the food!

And on Sunday morning, I flew back home.

Isabella and Craig had a fun daddy/daughter weekend at home. The highlights of their weekend were going to Calvin's (our nephew) baptism and Yellowstone with some of Craig's family.

Craig and Bella in Yellowstone

The Yellowstone crowd

I was so great to go to Denver for the weekend and had so much fun! It was also nice to go home to Craig and Isabella after being gone for a weekend. I'm pretty sure they were also both happy to have me home too.

Craters of the Moon

We were looking for a fun little adventure (in my family we call it going on a "bonny") for this weekend. Sarah and Isabella have never been to Craters of the Moon, and Craig hasn't been since high school, so we decided it could be kinda cool. It was about an hour and a half drive from Blackfoot, and only 8 dollars to get in! We went on a couple of little hikes, and had a lot of fun seeing the cool caves.  Isabella was a trooper, and the only time she got grumpy was when we put her back in the car! In fact, we were both a little jealous that at the end she still had the energy to hop around the visitor's center saying "Jump!" We only spent a few hours there, but it was a lot of fun!

 Spelunking at 16 weeks pregnant

 Sarah at Splatter Cone

 It's supposed to look like the hole in the rock was eating Craig's hand, but you can't see it.

 Isabella was walking along the trail...

 but then she apparently got a little tired.

 So she just sat down in the middle of the trail.

 This was at Snow Cone, a little hole in the ground where snow never melts all the way.

 "Hey you cool baby!"

 Inside one of the caves! Isabella loved having a glow stick.

 Isabella thought the cave were pretty neat.

 At the back of Boy Scout Cave. It had a very small opening, so Craig went in by hisself.

 At the mouth of Beauty Cave

 Headed into Indian Tunnel

 There were pigeons nesting in the caves

 Indian Tunnel

 More of Indian Tunnel

 Indian Tunnel went on for a little while

This is Craig coming out the far end of Indian Tunnel. It was about 800 feet long, then you came out a small opening and had to hike back across the lavas.

We had so much fun seeing Craters of the Moon and exploring caves!

Bronson Baby #2!!

A few days after we came back from Denver, I discovered that I was pregnant. I came home super tired and exhausted but figured that was from our very long trip. I was also feeling slightly sick but sometimes I feel sick when I'm tired so I thought nothing of it. After a couple days, I started gagging on my toothbrush (which has only happened to me when I was pregnant with Isabella). Craig commented that gagging my toothbrush made him think that perhaps I should take a test. The next I did just that. I took 2 tests and they both came back positive! I was shocked and thought to myself while looking at them "I don't get pregnant"! It took us 2 years and fertility treatments to get Isabella so I figured that would be my lot in life. With this baby, the opposite happened. We decided to stop preventing it from happening and see what happened. I figured we'd do that for awhile then talk to a doctor about doing treatments again. Once we stopped preventing it, we got pregnant a few months later. Once I received my positive results, I called my O.B. with Isabella and set up an appointment for them to try and see how far a long I was since i didn't have a missed period or anything to go off of. I had my appointment the day after Mother's Day and found out that I was 7 weeks and 5 days along already and due on Christmas Day! I was great to see my little baby on the ultrasound and made it real that I was really indeed pregnant. We're excited to have another baby and have Isabella be a big sister.

Denver Trip

It's been way too long since I updated our blog! Back in April Isabella and I took a trip to Denver and had so much fun! We both came home exhausted and missing everyone we had to leave behind. I love the times that I get to go back to Denver. The last time I was out there was when I was pregnant with Isabella. Going back with her at 18 months was so fun!

We flew out of Salt Lake and before we went I was slightly nervous about flying with a toddler by myself but Isabella surprised me and did great! She didn't mind having to go through security, waiting for our plane, or flying. When we took off she just kept saying "wee" over and over. While in the air, Isabella entertained herself by coloring and playing with stickers. She was such a trooper while we traveled and I'm so glad so wasn't the annoying kid on the plane that everyone had to put up with.

Here are some pictures of us waiting in the Salt Lake airport for our plane to board...

Once we landed my dad meet us at our gate. It was nice to see someone I knew waiting for us to get off the plane, that had never happened to me before. Once we got our baggage and met my stepmom with the car, it was time for the real fun to start! We had spent the first part of our trip with my dad and stepmom and loved every second! The day we got in we went to PF Changs for lunch, took a much needed nap for Bella and mommy, and had some girl time with a Scentsy party. During the Scentsy party, Isabella happily enjoying some veggies! For those who know Isabella, know that she doesn't eat anything easily especially if it is good for her. I was one happy mommy!

For our first full day with grandpa and grandma Sheri, we went shopping! Isabella got some new shoes and super cute clothes. The highlight of my shopping day was my new coach purse! I've always wanted one and got it for a steal! Thanks dad and Sheri for spoiling us :)

The next day we went to the Wildlife Museum, got a mani/pedi with my stepmom, and went to the White Fence Farm for  dinner. Isabella loved the animal statues and stuffed animals and the wildlife museum. She even enjoyed the 3D Reef movie with the fish. She would take her glasses off when the fish weren't on screen and then put them back on to see the fish. Here are some pictures from the Wildlife Museum...

My brother, Robert, his cute fiancee, Jessica, and her boy, Jeremiah, were able to come with us to White Fence Farm. It was great to spend time with them! I didn't meet Jessica until my trip and I am so happy that she's joining the family! She is the prefect match for Robert. When we got to White Fence Farm, we saw the animals first and feed the goats. Isabella loved looking at the animals but wasn't too sure about feeding them.

Once we were done playing with the animals it was time to eat. They serve homestyle cooking and it is way good! I loved going to dinner with my brother and his family. Here are some pictures of us "kids" after dinner...

As if we didn't do enough already, the next day we went to the zoo and the Melting Pot for dinner. I don't know if you've noticed but Isabella loves animals so of course she loved the zoo. She also loved riding the train and carousel. Here are some pictures of our trip to the zoo...

Isabella loves her "Meows"

Isabella and Grandpa have the same expression!

And on our way to the Melting Pot, Isabella was really tired and slap happy.

After a long day and week, Isabella crashed in the car after dinner and didn't wake up until the next day! Isabella and I had so much fun with grandpa and grandma Sheri! It was great to spend time with them and sad to say goodbye. We finished out the rest of our trip at my mom's house and had so much fun with her too!

When we got there we went to lunch at Chili's with a couple of my friends, Chloe and Vicki. After that grandma took Isabella to Toys r Us because she doesn't have enough toys or wasn't spoiled enough already. Isabella found a purse with Belle on it and fell in love with it. She picked it up and put it on her shoulder and was walking all over the store with it. Of course we had to buy that. She still walks around the house with it on her shoulder. Once in awhile you'll catch her with a purse on one shoulder and a cell phone in the other. I have no idea where she picked that up from ;). 

On Sunday we took some family pictures after church. Not too fancy but turned out so cute! (you can see the Belle purse mentioned above in the pictures).

3 generations of girls!

One day we went to the Butterfly Pavilion and watched all the butterflies fly around our head. My brother, Spencer, was able to ditch school and come with us too! Here are some pictures of the Butterfly Pavilion...

Not very happy with a butterfly on her

We went to various different malls with my mom and friends and probably bought way too much stuff through out the week. But, it is what girls do best! Isabella liked playing with the "rides" at the mall.

We had fun spending time with grandma, Spencer, Roger, Lia, Rosa, Kali, Rachel, and Lizzy. It was great to see everyone and sad that we didn't have enough time to see everyone. 

The trip back from Denver ending up taking longer than I thought it would. We got back to Salt Lake and waited for my lost suit case. It didn't get on my plane and no one knew where it was. At first I wasn't sure what to do. I wanted to get home, which was still 4 hours away, but I didn't want to go without my suit case. I debated about staying the night at my Uncle and Aunt's house but I knew Craig was anxiously waiting for us to get home. So I decided to wait for a few hours to see if my luggage showed up. Luckily it was on the next flight so I didn't have to wait too long. I even received a travel voucher for my trouble! Awesome! We got home about the time that Craig was getting home from work. Isabella was really shy with daddy at first but warmed up to him really fast and was happy to be back with daddy.

Isabella and I had so much in Denver and got really spoiled through out the week. We miss everyone and can't wait until our next trip!