grandpa kelly (:

This was one of Kaguns first visitors in the hospital. Kagun was really happy to meet his new great grandpa Kelly.

.........Till he put the cowboy hat on.

.........So the hat went back off (:

How to:

This is how we show that we are excited at my house. I have seen it from everyone including my own father. So I made it a personal goal to throw my hands in the air and laugh and smile when I get excited. (:

Kagun's #1 fans

Vance and Swade are Kagun's new best friends. The first week he was home they couldn't get enough of him. They both think its so cool to give him a mohawk. Swade loves to have Kagun hold his finger. He thinks that is so cool when he grabs onto his finger. Swade is an amazing helper with Kagun. If I need anything for Kagun, Swade is the first one to get it for him. He also is the first one to run to Kagun and comfort him when he cries. He loves to hold Kagun and watch tv. Vance's favorite time with Kagun is when Kagun is sleeping and all cuddly and calm. They both have grown very close to Kagun. And the both love the fact that they are uncles. They tell everyone about Kagun and replay everytime he has peed, pooped and thrown up on me. They think thats pretty funny. (:

Mom and dad fight over Kagun all the time. My mom has been so much help. I wouldnt have made it through the first week home without the help from my mom. She has stepped in and really helped me with everything. She has taught me all sorts of little tricks and things to do with Kagun. She has been great support with breast feeding. I was ready to give up and she kept me going. My dad has been absolutely amazing. Kagun was sick the first week. He lost a lot of weight and just didnt look healthy. I cried for 3 days and just held him. My dad came home and gave Kagun a blessing. In 4 days he had gained 2 lbs and was happier and healthier than before. I know with all my heart that the blessing was the reason behind his quick recovery. He also had a little bit of Jaundice and after the blessing it was completely gone. The blessing was amazing. And it was as much for me as it was for Kagun. I was waiting for my milk to come in and Kagun was starving. And it broke my heart. But once my dad gave Kagun the blessing everything fell into place. I am so grateful for my dad and having the priesthood in the household. I told my dad he is my temporary husband. He carries my carseat and diaper bag for me when we go places. And he is always right there at my door to help me with Kagun when I get out of the car or need anything. I love you dad.

The first two days with Kagun were amazing. I was so happy. I have never been so happy in my entire life. He slept like this on my chest the entire time I was in the hospital. The nurses only took him one time to the nursery to give me a few hours to sleep. I asked them to bring Kagun back when he needed to eat so that they didnt have to give him a bottle. But they decided that they didnt want to wake me and that I needed the sleep. So they gave him a bottle. That was the only time I let them take him to sleep in the nursery. (: And still to this day he LOVES to sleep on my chest like this. Somedays its the only place he will sleep. But I wouldnt change that at all. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the cuddle time with him.

So while I was pregnant Shaylee was totally grossed out about me being pregnant. She wouldnt even touch my belly to feel him kick because she was really grossed out and said it was nasty. And at the beginning of my pregnancy I had asked her to come into the delivery room. Then as I got farther along I changed my mind. Probably something to do with being an emotional wreck for 9 months. But when the day came I decided I wanted her in there. I didnt even have to ask. She came in and didnt leave. Hopefully she got as much of a spiritual experience out of it as I did. Now she loves to hold Kagun. She spends lots of time holding him for me.

Kagun is hardly ever set down. Someone is always around to hold him and cuddle him. He is becoming very spoiled and on days like today, wont let anyone put him down.

05/25/2009

On May 25, 2009 Kagun West Taylor was born at 8:30 am. He weighed 6 lb 11 oz and was 20 inches long. Let me start at the beginning...
It was a Sunday night and we decided to go for a walk as a family across the golf course. We do this a few times a week and decided to take a longer walk this time all the way around the golf course. It started getting cold and windy and the sprinklers were on so we were heading towards home when a sprinkler came on less than 5 feet in front of all of us and nailed us all with water. Vance got the worst of it he was soaked. But in the shock of a sprinkler spraying me in the face I ran up a steep grass hill to get out of the line of fire. This is when I think my water broke. I dint know for sure because it wasn't a huge gush filling my shoes like most people made me believe it was. We continued on our way home and I started feeling a little pains. I was desperate to keep the pains coming so I bounced on my yoga ball for about an hour. I started to feel the pains harder and stronger. It was about 10:30 so I went upstairs to go to bed. I rocked in my rocking chair for about an hour and thats when the contractions really started coming. I started timing them and about midnight they were exactly 4 minutes apart. I called my mom who was downstairs in bed and told her to come upstairs and take me to the hospital. She came up and got in my bed and tried to go back to sleep. I laid down next to her and the contractions didn't stop. We took our time packing my clothes and make up and everything I would need. I didn't want to spend any more time in the hospital than I needed to. We even stopped at the gas station to get chap stick and chocolate and a diet coke for mom. All while I was in labor and having contractions. When I got to the hospital it was 1:00 am and the contractions were still 4 min apart. They checked me in and said that my water was broken. I didn't even know that it was broken. She asked when it could have happened and I told her I thought it was about 9:00 pm when we were on the golf course. Then I was moved to my delivery room where they said I was still dilated to a 2 and started me on petocin and the epidural. The nurse said I should get some sleep cause it would be a long time before I went into labor. So me and mom went to bed. But I couldn't sleep. I was too freakin excited!! About 5:30 I started having really bad contractions. I woke my mom and we called the nurse in. The nurse checked me and said I was dilated to a 9. And the reason I was having pains is because they only gave me enough epidural for being dilated to a 2. So they sped up the epidural but it never seemed to catch up with me by the time Kagun was born. After the nurse checked me 3 other girls went into labor at the same time. So all of the nurses were gone. And no one came back to check on me for 2 hours. The epidural button had cut me off because I had pushed it so many times. I finally told my mom he was coming and to get a nurse in there. They had told me not to push. But by 7:30 I couldn't not push anymore. A nurse came in and checked me and said I was dilated to a 10 and the baby was coming. I could have told her that!! They set up the room and the Dr. came in. I pushed for about 20 min and Kagun was born.



My mom was there holding my hand the entire time. She never left my side and was an amazing cheerleader for me. She was constantly telling me how amazing I am and to not give up. She is more than just my mom. She is my best friend and my #1 fan. She is the most amazing woman I have ever met. And I am so lucky to have her as my mother and best friend. We have no secrets from each other and there is no one else who knows more about me than she does. I love you mom. I wouldn't have made it through this without you.
Shaylee and my dad came to the hospital about 7:00 when the nurse said the baby was coming. They both stayed in the room for the delivery. Inch by inch they both moved to the farthest corner of the room. The Dr. asked who wanted to cut the umbilical cord and grandpa West jumped up right that second. It was the most amazing moment of my life. Having all of my family there made it even more special for me. I love you guys so much!! Thanks for all the unconditional love and support.

This is Kagun West Taylor. (: The most amazing human being in this entire world. I'm sure any mom would say that about every one of their children. He was born with a head full of hair. While I was delivering the Dr. kept going on about how much hair he had. He said he had an inch of hair before I even got to see him. When the Dr said that while I was delivering I lost it. It finally was the moment that I was going to be able to hold my son and meet him for the first time. It was the most spiritual experience I have ever had. I had an amazing delivery and everything went perfectly. I think I was made to have children. I just need to get the hang of being 9 months pregnant. The last month was the hardest part of it all.

This is my parents first grandchild and they have welcomed him into this world with more love and support than anyone could ask for. My mom and dad spent every minute they could at the hospital with me giving me all the support I could ask for. It took me and my mom and a few nurses 6 hours to teach Kagun how to suck. I was ready to give up on breast feeding and just give him a bottle. I was so tired and just wanted him to eat. But my mom and the nurses never gave up and were constantly giving me words of advice and encouragement. I went into the hospital Sunday night at 1:00 am and was released Tuesday morning at 9:00 am. I couldn't have asked for anything more in those two days. My life suddenly became complete with Kagun in my arms and my family by my side.

Lesson Learned

So today I wanted to bake. I have been in the mood to cook all day. So I started about 3 things at the same time knowing that I was going to run out of energy half way through the first one. SO I fugured that if I started making deer meat enchiladas, tapioca, and brownies at the same time.... I would get them all done and then be tired. But in that process I didnt read the directions on the tapioca pudding all the way through before I started making it. SOOO... I poured two boxes of tapioca together and added the sugar. THEN I read that your only supposed to use 3 TABLESPOONS of tapioca. And there were 8 oz of tapioca in each box. 8 oz of tapioca x 2 boxes of that = a crap load of tapioca. So I googled a few measurements and figured that for everything to even out I needed to times the recipe by 10. So this picture is my massive amount of tapioca pudding that I made. And of course.... as it was cooking it got thicker and bigger and eventually started overflowing. So I skipped the brownies, finished the enchiladas and now I have enchiladas and a TON of tapioca pudding for mothers day dinner. YAY (: As much as I love tapioca, I am already sick from eating it so much. My thought behind all of this was that I was going to clean the house spick and span and have dinner and dessert cooked for my mom for mothers day. Well... most of that got done before I ran out of energy and my feet swelled up like balloons. So... hopefully its the thought that counts. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM... here's 3 gallons of tapioca. (:

baby BUMP

So I have hated every picture I have taken of my belly. But I figured i'd put at least one up. This is 37 weeks and 4 days. 17 days to go. I started having contractions this week. They were really bad on Tuesday and Wednesday then pretty much stopped all together. The worst part about being pregnant has been my swollen and sore feet. And the back pains. But mostly my feet. I got a pedicure a few weeks ago and I really loved it. It felt sooooo good. I cant even reach my feet anymore. And they are always so swollen!
I really have loved being pregnant. The best thing has been feeling him move so much. He has been so active. More active then some of my friends that are pregnant. And I love that I can feel everytime he moves or has the hiccups. I fall asleep at night listening to his heartbeat on my little monitor thingy. It amazes me that he is almost here. 9 months has been long enough to wait for him. But it still hasn't fully hit me that he will be here in 2 weeks. Its going to be amazing when he finally gets here. But I am more than ready for him. I will post pictures of the nursery/my bedroom later this week. It really is coming together. I did the colors blue and brown. And I'm thinking of having hot pink to accent things. Just so its a little girly for me too.
I finally have everything he needs. Except for a swing. And he doesn't need one of those.... I just want him to have one. Haha. But I have everything ready for him to come. So now I just have to wait for him to decide he's ready to be here.

week 37 and 38 ....

This past week has really been a hard one. I think its officially hit me that I dont sleep at all at night. And if I do its for a very short period of time. Im too hot, too cold, and when I just think that I am about right, I have to get up and pee. (: I have been going to the Dr. every week now. But nothing has changed in the past two weeks. The Dr. said the baby is still sitting really high and I havent dilated anymore than a 1. So... no progress yet. He's not ready to come. But I have been having contractions so that is giving me some hope. I am really ready for him to be here. Besides the little mess of my room. I have all of his things washed, folded and put in the right places. I have my bag to the hospital packed and the carseat by the door. Now I just have to wait. Has anyone tried drinking castor oil? My neighbor lady swears by it and said I should drink 4 tb of it with a pepsi and he will come right out. As much as I would love to have him out... is that safe? And I really am miserable enough that I dont want to be even more miserable and be throwing up. So lets hear your thoughts on it Ember.. and anyone else who reads this. I have been walking a lot. 3x a day usually.. hahaha. And sitting in my rocking chair while I watch tv. Someone told me that will start labor as well. I have 2 weeks left and I am just ready to be done, and do anything to give him a little nudge to get here.

Fetal development in pregnancy week 38:fetus in ninth month As you know, you've arrived at the final leg of your pregnancy journey, and if you're still carrying your little love around, they've just about reached their birth weight (somewhere between 6 to 8 pounds is average depending on whether they're a boy or girl). There really isn't a lot to report on baby this week, so lets do a quick recount of where we're at: all internal organ systems are pretty much ready for the outside world, they've got their meconium stockpile building up (their first black baby poo), lots of healthy baby fat, a rapidly developing brain (that'll keep growing with them for years to come), and they've more or less reached official baby status-- all they need to do is "head out" and say hello to the rest of the world and especially their ready-to-pop momma.

And how's mom doing? Hang in there momma, it's only a matter of time before the obnoxious and painful fake contractions you felt in your back, lower belly, and pelvic region will be replaced by real contractions... which are even more obnoxious and painful. You'll know when the real ones kick in because they're if you're feeling weird electrical tingles in your legs and inside your vagina, this would be none other than your not-so-little baby hitting various nerves as they settle into the pelvic area more intensely painful (woo!) and they spread over the entire uterus, through the lower back and into your pelvis.

If you're having trouble sleeping (which about 100% of women in this phase of pregnancy are), try to take little catnaps during the day, get one of those neato full-body pregnancy pillows, or at least lots of pillows that you can shove between your legs and under your belly to support your awkward shape more comfortably. Also, if you're feeling weird electrical tingles in your legs and inside your vagina, this would be none other than your not-so-little baby hitting various nerves as they settle into the pelvic area. If you're feeling sharp shooting pains instead of tingles, this would be your extra-evil-but-adorable baby pressing on your oh-so-very sensitive sciatic nerve. All we can recommend is some wincing, sitting down, and putting your feet up.

Fetal development in pregnancy week 37:fetus in ninth month It’s the calm before the storm. Changes in your baby's weight have leveled off with only a few ounces of fat added this week. At this point your baby should weigh in at around 7 lbs and 20 inches (with boys somewhat heavier and longer than girls). Happily, as far as internal organs go, they are now developed enough to function in the outside world although the oh-so-important immune system is still developing and will continue to do so after birth. With a large boost of antibodies provided by breast milk when nursing begins. Fighting infection and staying healthy should be well within their physical capacity when your little fighter is born.

And how's mom doing? Your health care provider will assess the likelihood of where you are relative to your upcoming birthing process—seeing as you’ve now arrived at that waiting phase that could turn into labor at any time. Various charming indicators such as loose stools, expelling your mucus plus (along with the bloody only 4-5% of women actual deliver on their predicted due date. What’s more if this is your first pregnancy, you can expect to be anywhere from two days to two weeks late show – see week 35), a dilated cervix and increased Braxton-Hicks contractions are all signs that labor is only a few days away. The infamous water breaking may or may not be your first true indicator that labor has commenced. However, water breaks for only 15% of mothers and despite what Hollywood would have us believe, is more frequently just a slow leak rather than a large gush.

Be patient: if labor doesn’t start this week, or even next, keep in mind that only 4-5% of women actual deliver on their predicted due date. What’s more if this is your first pregnancy, you can expect to be anywhere from two days to two weeks late. You can distract yourself by keeping track of fetal movements, mostly to reassure yourself that all is well with your little miracle. In the off chance that movements do start to decrease substantially, try not to freak out and instead, call your doctor of midwife and discuss it with them.

If you still haven’t decided whether to breastfeed or not, here’s a good reason: some experts estimate that mothers excrete between 400-700 calories a day while breastfeeding, and to compensate, you should be eating roughly 500 extra calories a day (mmm that’s like one spoonful of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream).