Last February Clint and I went on a trip to Cancun...
It was a little piece of heaven.
But little did anyone else know that it was also a trip that I will never forget... where we spent many late nights talking about our new little "gift from heaven" that would be coming to our family!
Yes! We were pregnant! And soooo excited! :)
It happened late December, and here we were in Mexico only about 8 weeks along...discussing:
"What should we do with our car that only seats 7?"
"I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl?"
"Our kids are going to be so excited!"
"I hope Kambriella will still love it if it's a brother!" ;) ;)
"How should we arrange bedrooms to make room for a little one?"
"No you're not going to be an old dad, you'll just be an even better dad with all that experience!" ;)
"Yes, we will still have our little get~aways just me and you..." ;)
All of this talk of having "one more baby" had been going on for quite some time...
a couple of years actually.
I never really had a certain number in mind when we began our family. I just knew that Heavenly Father would be with us on that one, and that we would know when our family was complete.
After Kambriella was born, we were so happy to have another little girl! But, since she had her heart problems and had to have open heart surgery, I felt like the things we were experiencing were all that we could handle for a time...
Later though, when Kambriella was about 4 years old, I would often think to myself,
"I wonder if we should have another baby?"...
And that was all it was for quite some time....just a "thought."
Then, last summer it seemed like Heavenly Father kept sending me little "nudges"...
I would think about having a baby...
Clint and I began praying about it in the temple...
I began having strange dreams...the kind you only have when you're pregnant!
One of my dear friends even told me that she had a dream that I was pregnant!
My children all kept making comments that we should have another baby...
They would even remind me that the rides at Disneyland would be much funner with
an even number of riders!!! :)
Kambriella began praying for a sister...
Then, she began praying for 2 sisters...
I could see very clearly that someone was trying to tell me something!
"I think there is one more sweet little spirit just patiently waiting to join this family!"
But I was till scared.
I had so many different thoughts...
"What if we have more heart problems like Kambriella did?"
"It was too scary to have to go through again"...
5 kids is a lot!!! I've done my part... right???
"I want my children to all be close to each other...what about the gap??"
"Don't I have too much grey hair to think about having another baby?"
As you can see, these thoughts were silly, but nonetheless, they were my thoughts. The more I would question myself the more I realized that I was letting fear and NOT faith direct these thoughts...
So, one day after a very meaningful and spiritual conversation with a dear friend I turned to my scriptures. I don't remember what exactly I had read or where in the scriptures I was even reading...but I do remember the Holy Ghost filling my soul and then I had a very distinct thought...
"What are you afraid of? Faith and fear cannot exist together...show your faith..."
From there on I knew what I needed to do...our family was not complete.
So, prayers continued from Kambriella... :) and they were not in vain!
I knew we were expecting and I could hardly stand to hold the secret in! The only part that really kept me a little scared was the fact that Kambriella kept praying for 2 sisters!!! Would I have twins???
No. There was just 1 baby in the ultrasound and that was perfect for me. :)
This ultrasound picture was from when I was 34 weeks along...and the most clear of all the pictures that I had throughout my pregnancy. I just love how you can see her little arm snuggled up by her face and her perfect little features...
Baby bump... about 14 weeks.
Baby bump...about 18 weeks.
When I was about 20 weeks along I was able to have my big ultrasound where they were able to check everything on the baby to make sure it was developing properly. After the heart problems on Kambriella it was a sure relief to see that there didn't appear to be any problems of any kind.
I was so grateful.
The Dr. also decided to send me to Primary Children's Hospital to have a fetal echo-cardiogram, which is a detailed test of the baby's heart. This is something that they routinely do when there is a history of any previous heart problems, like Kambriella's.
Let me just tell you, after going in for the test, and anticipating the results, I was completely overcome with love from Heavenly Father as I was leaving the hospital.
After the finished test, the Dr. came in and told me that everything looked great and that our little baby's heart looked as healthy as can be!
As I entered the elevator that would take me down to my car, tears welled up in my eyes...and as the elevator doors closed, I sobbed out loud...in complete gratitude as I heard the Spirit whisper to me once again...
"What were you afraid of? Your faith is stronger than you think..."
I knew that Heavenly Father was blessing me for bringing one more of His sweet children into the world, and I was so grateful to be His partner in this eternal endeavor.
What a privilege...
AAANNNDDD...with the 20 week ultrasound, we found out that we were having a GIRL!!!!!!!!!:)
This is so awesome. Now the Trickett score is tied ~ 3 to 3!!! (3 girls 3 boys;)
Here is how we told the kids:
I bought Hershey's chocolate bars and colored the "SHE" part with a pink permanent marker and then wrapped them up in a neutral gender baby gift wrap. Then I went to pick Kambriella up from my friend who kept her while I was gone to my appointment. So, lucky for her, she was the first one to get a candy bar and unwrap it...I don't think I need to tell you how excited she was to find out that she was getting a baby SISTER!!! :)
Next, Kambriella and I drove to the High School where I knew Kierra and Carew were waiting for me on their lunch break. They were so excited! They had been watching for me to pull up in front of the school, and as soon as I did they both came out. Kambriella and I handed them their candy bars, they opened them up, and both of them literally squealed out loud for joy!!!
Then, Kierra began doing the "Happy Dance! " :)
By this time, Dallin and Gavin were due to be home from school. So, we drove home and presented them with their gifts as well...Happy??? Let's just say that there were Smiles all around. :)
Baby bump...about 23 weeks.
Baby bump...about 33 weeks.
Sunday, August 30th ~ The day before she was born!!!
35 weeks to the day. :)
(Clint was watching me get dressed this morning and said he wanted a picture of my big belly...I'm so glad he did! I think he was prompted to...I'm glad he listened to the Spirit!)
I don't think I will ever forget this weekend.
On Saturday the 29th of August, my Sister~in~laws Ginger, Laura, Cherie, and Sara, and my Mother ~in~law Gerry came to my home to give me a baby shower.
Little did I know that instead of them coming and bearing "gifts," they had come bearing 3 coolers full of freezer meals for me and my family!!!
They had all been sneaky about setting this up...talking to Clint, sharing menu ideas and what I would want to make for my family if I was the one doing the cooking...
So, as they came and we visited for a bit, I kind of thought it was strange that they had all met up in the garage. (Not the coziest place to chat ;)...
But then as we stood there for a minute making small talk, I began to realize what was happening!
Laura said, "Susette, instead of buying you presents, we all decided to make you a bunch of freezer meals for you and your family, to help you out when the baby comes!"
I think I was literally in shock at first. I really didn't know what to say!!!
As we began shifting things around in all of my freezers, emptying coolers and watching my shelves become PACKED with dinners for my family, I then began to get emotional.
SERIOUSLY???
Dinners for my family for HOW many nights???
Every mother knows how priceless this kind of gift is because TIME is one thing that raising a family takes...and with dinner covered for the next few months, this was only yet another blessing from Heavenly Father delivered to me by the angels in my family.
I remember I didn't really have the words to thank them, and I kind of became speechless as I handed out hugs, wiped my tears away, and expressed gratitude in my heart.
It was the perfect beginning to a beautiful day...I was able to go with them all to lunch at Zupas where we laughed and talked. It was so fun.
Then, as we finished up and I headed back home, Clint and I hopped in the car and drove to the Payson Temple where I was able to go through the temple for her first time with my sweet friend McCall Gill. I was her Temple Prep teacher and today was the day she went through the temple for herself. I remember sitting in the celestial room watching her and her family, looking at my sweet husband with admiration, and thinking of our sweet little angel that would soon be coming to earth...
Then, the next morning was Sunday, August 30th.
We woke up early, got ready for church, and drove to Peterson where my dear friend Lisa was having her son's mission farewell. We were so happy for her family, and happy to be able to be there for this milestone celebration in her son's life. We talked, we ate, and after a while we drove back to Bountiful where we stopped at my sister's house. Later that day as we all sat out on her back patio, I will never forget the conversation we had...
I had been thinking so much about this little baby girl that was going to be born soon.
I specifically remember saying,
"Do you know that if this little girl were to come tomorrow, she would be born on the school deadline!?! Then she would be able to go to school for one year with Kambriella!"
(Little did I know what the next 12 hours would bring!!!)
After dinner with my sister, we headed home and got everyone tucked in bed pretty early that night. Being 8 months pregnant and doing everything we had done over the weekend really made me tired and I was so happy to finally be going to bed early for once!
Clint and I both couldn't believe that we were actually in bed by 9:00 that night! I also remember him saying to me just before we fell asleep,
"Wow, I don't think we have been to bed at 9:00 in at least 15 years!!!"
It was a great feeling.
I slept so sound.
But only until 12:30 a.m.
I had been sleeping so peacefully (which was rare for me these days) when I was abruptly awoken by a firm kick, a loud "POP," and a gushing of water!!!
I was in immediate shock and disbelief as I woke Clint and exclaimed,
"My water just broke!!! And our baby is going to be born on the school deadline!!!"
(The rest of the story to come in the next post!)
:)
