Samuel's First Two Weeks

 Kylie playing with Samuel and testing his weak little legs.

 

 Halloween night. My dad stepped in as an M&M and he and my mom took the kids around the neighborhood trick-or-treating. Nathan and I enjoyed staying home, reading together and answering the door.

 

 Samuel's first Halloween at 3 days old. I was sure he would come after Halloween so I didn't even get him a costume. It was a really warm night and we did take him trick-or-treating with the other kids to a few neighbors before going back home to rest.

 Samuel's first Sunday and blessing day. November 3, 2013

 

 Spencer and his little buddy.

 

 Our three boys!

 

 I love Kaitlyn's smile. I have a picture of me holding my little sister with a very similar smile.

 

 I couldn't resist trying him out in this doll carseat when it was left in the spot I normally sit on the couch. He fit pretty well.

 November 6 my parents took the 6 older children (that's all that will fit in our van--we need a bigger vehicle) to a science museum about 40 minutes away. They had a great time and I was so grateful for a quiet, relaxing day at home. It was so wonderful that it made me wish they lived here so that they could take them once a week! How would that be?! Unfortunately they live in California so it will be awhile before we get to see them again.

 

We're all wrong! Introducing the newest Holladay

Not that very many people voted (not that many people probably read my blog anymore), but of those who did, we're all wrong! I was sure the baby would be late. Well, guess what? He was right on time!  Even after I went into labor I was convinced it was false and that he was still coming next week. When I finally acknowledged maybe Heavenly Father wanted him to come now and things would work out even though I wasn't ready and my parents weren't here yet, labor progressed really quickly. We left the kids in the middle of the FHE activity at 7:15 and raced to the hospital, arriving at 7:30. We quickly checked in and walked down the hall to my room. I was greeted by cheerful nurses who told me to go in the bathroom and put on a gown. I took my pants off and, attempting to give a urine sample, pushed his head out instead. I yelled, "The head's out!" and the nurses yelled, "Get on the bed!" So I held his head and went over to the bed where my midwife delivered his shoulders at 7:38. It was awesome. Everyone was laughing and joking after that and I felt great. I was so happy that this pregnancy was over. It's been harder physically and emotionally on me but some of it was just other things that were going on. The last few months since Nathan quit his job were great.

Anyway, even though I had plans this week, I'm so glad he's here! I had the best hospital stay ever, the recovery has been great, and I just love this little guy. He's so beautiful.

 Not a great smile, but here's the last pregnant photo of me. I was going to get another one next week--haha.

 

 Welcome to the world!!

 

 Samuel Brent Holladay

7lbs. 8 oz

19" long

7:38pm

Monday, October 28, 2013

 

 Getting the hearing test.

 

 I loved having everything done in my room and getting to watch--the bath, hearing test, pulse-ox, pku, etc. I had a wonderful stay.

 

 

 Getting ready to go home 24 hours after birth.

 

 A night discharge was fun.

 

Madalyn, Thomas, and Alexis had made signs for us and were outside to welcome us home. Kaitlyn was already in bed. Spencer and Kylie pulled up behind us with a friend who had given them a ride home from scouts and YW. It was a great homecoming and really sweet.

The sign says, "Welcome Home, Samuel And Mommy!"

Baby's Birthday Vote!

Hi! The kids wanted me to post and ask you like I did with Makenna when you think the baby will be born. The doctor has given me the due date of October 28 but I have always thought early November.
So I vote November 5 because we don't have any births on the 5th yet.
Spencer votes November 2
Alexis--November 3
Madalyn--November 4
Kylie--November 2

Nathan just got home and we're off to the temple. Can't wait to hear your guesses! (If anyone reads this besides the one person who I know reads it. :))

The Best Two Weeks

Alexis and I just got to go on the best vacation! Truthfully, we've had lots of great vacations, so maybe this one wasn't the best, but it was right up there. It was definitely the best two weeks I've had in a long time. With Nathan home to take care of the kids I decided to take Alexis to California to see her cousin get baptized and then to Utah to see General Conference. In the past I've always travelled either with all of the kids or a combination of older kids plus the baby/toddler. This was the first time I travelled with just one child. One easy, fun child. It was so relaxing for me and I enjoyed every minute.

 Here we are in the Raleigh airport, excited for Alexis's first airplane ride besides when she was a baby.

 Alexis certainly wasn't bored during the 5 hour flight to Phoenix. The steward was very generous in giving her lots of snacks and she played with them for hours, chattering all the while.

 

 Alexis with her cousin after the baptism. They are 2 months apart.

 

Lexi and I after the baptism. Sept 29.

Just four weeks left!!

 

 My mom and I about to leave for a long 2 hour walk. Walking or hiking was something I really wanted to do on this trip and I was so happy to get plenty of chances. This day was a highlight for me as I had a great time with my mom, walking the hills and reminiscing my childhood.

 Another day we hiked at an Indian reservation and picnicked, which was also lots of fun. I loved the woods we hiked through and the wonderful cedar aroma. 

Here is Alexis and my dad.

 These are the holes in the rocks where the Indians used to grind their food.

 

 

Me and Alexis at the conference center. It was so thrilling to be there and feeling the Spirit so strong.

 Monday after General Conference we went on a hike up Spanish Fork Canyon. It was beyond beautiful as the leaves were turning and the weather was perfect. I'm so glad my parents and sister-in-law were willing to go even though we could have been doing other things. I just couldn't get enough hiking. Although I was 37 weeks pregnant, I didn't feel like it. I was just so happy I didn't have to pack a baby on my back or drag lots of kids up the trail. It was so fun only having one and being able to enjoy the beauty.

 

 My parents dipping their feet in the hot springs.

 The hot springs

 

 Some llamas we saw on our way back down.

 

I wish I could take better pictures because it was way prettier than this.

 

 The two girls sleeping at my brother's house. They had a blast together the entire trip and I'm glad they got to spend so much time together. They live across the country from each other and only met last summer when we drove out. Now they are penpals and good friends.

 

Alexis and her loose tooth in the Denver airport. It was a stubborn tooth, but she was determined to have it out to surprise her siblings when we got home. I ended up pulling it out on the airplane the last half hour before landing back in Raleigh.

Again, it was an awesome trip and I'm so grateful for Nathan and the kids taking care of things at home and having a good time without us (aka not bemoaning the fact that they couldn't go), and my family for helping me do all the things I wanted to do. Besides hiking, other highlights were going to the Reno and Salt Lake temples, which I've never been to before. I also loved seeing my brothers and sisters, hanging out with them, eating out with them, going to conference, and just relaxing.

 

Recent Happenins

Hello! It's about time I post some pictures from August and September to let you know what we've been up to. Life has been pleasant and good. Nathan quit his job on July 31. To put it more accurately, he had a 3 year contract at the physician's practice where he worked and he chose not to renew. He was miserable there and it was starting to affect our home life so that I was becoming miserable too. Life has done a complete switch and I LOVE having this time with him while he looks for a new job. We're praying it won't take long, but for now he's happy, I'm happy, and the kids are happy as we all enjoy time together and look forward to our new little one joining us soon (due in 10 days) as well as the upcoming holidays.

 

Makenna playing in a hole in the deck railing.

 



 Each week we study a poet and the kids memorize a poem to be recited on Friday during our poetry recital. Alexis has asked for cooking lessons for the past year or two so this school year I finally wove it into her schedule. Every Friday she makes a new recipe for snack, which we eat after our poetry recital. One Friday (above) she made cheddar puff pull apart bread. Another Friday (below) she made French bread with a yummy cheese dip, a yogurt dip to be served with fruit, and the best chocolate fondue ever.

 The kids have had a fettish with the Piano Guys recently. One afternoon Nathan and Thomas made this cello out of Tinker Toys and were so proud of it.

What's new with Spencer? On September 16 he got braces! I'm excited for his teeth to straighten out because they're horrendous.

 

 What happened on September 17? Kylie became a teenager!! I can't believe it. My little girl. She is still as sweet as can be, loves to baby-sit, helps around the house without being asked, loves to play with her little sisters, and continues to bake and crochet like crazy. She is a huge blessing to our family and I don't know what I'd do without her.

 

 Makenna and Kaitlyn raking the first fallen leaves of the season.

 

 School is going great, especially with Nathan to help with math and science most days. Here the kids do art, which has always been a favorite subject at our house.

 

 Meanwhile, Kaitlyn and Makenna put pretzels and Life into containers and shape sorter toys. I love watching them interact because they remind me so much of Kylie and Madalyn. Those were good times! As they are still best friends, I hope Kaitlyn and Makenna will always be close too.

 

 One of Kylie's new experiment treats. These were awesome! The only problem was that they gave me terrible heartburn so I refrained from having more than one. However, Kylie promised she would bring some to me in the hospital when my heartburn will be gone and I can have as many as I want. :)

 In the middle of school one day we got an awesome storm so we ditched our books and ran out to play in it. Even Nathan ran out in his clothes and we had a great time. It's so fun having him home and involved like this when we used to see him so little.

 The ditches filled up super fast, which was fun to watch.

 

 Daddy and Kaitlyn playing chess. Again, it's wonderful to have him home and spending time with us. Before he quit his job, most nights he worked till midnight at his office just trying to stay up on his patients.

 Makenna and Thomas coloring.

 

 Kait the Great.

Doing a dance on the table??

She is a happy, fun, talkative, and sweet little girl. She keeps us all laughing and from the things she says, makes us feel good about ourselves. (i.e. she's always complimenting or thanking us for something.)

 

 Kait and Tom taking their dolls on a trip.

 

 Playing the sock stealing game where everyone tries to get someone else's sock without losing their own. It's wonderful to have Nathan home for FHE and actively participating instead of zoning out.

 

 Kaitlyn taking a turn with the powerwasher, one of Nathan's many projects when he first stopped working.

 

 FHE game again: playing the candy bar game where, when you roll doubles, you put on hat, scarf, coat, and gloves and then cut into candy before the next person rolls doubles. Nathan was hilarious and we all enjoyed seeing this new, relaxing side of him that we've never seen before. I had no idea he was so fun!

 

 Blue and white day at church. :)

 

August 18

 30 weeks pregnant