Clara Jean!

Say Hello to Clara Jean Rollins born 2/3/13 at 11:23am, 8lbs 3oz, 20 inches long, head circumference 36 cm, chest circumference 36 cm

We are so happy to have Clara join our family, we feel very blessed that Tanya was able to avoid a C-section, won't give everyone all the details, but after having her water broken for 24 hours without enough progress, the risk of infection increases and the likelihood of needing a C-section increases also, not what we wanted. Approaching the 24 hour mark we realized a c section was the best option. We were prepped for surgery and I was putting on my scrubs when another lady came in possible needing an emergency C-section so we got pushed to the back of the line and had to wait an hour. Tanya had been dilated to 5 cm for hours with no progress, when it was our turn for surgery the Doc checked Tanya one more time and said ok, she's complete she can start pushing, everyone including the nurses did a double take, no one could process what she just said, so I asked "you mean she's dilated to 10 centimeters?" the doc said yes, so Tanya pushed for less than an hour and now we have a beautiful baby girl. Miracles happen every day!


 

 

 

 

When Clara was born she had wet lungs and she wouldn't cry to clear them out-she just kind of grunted. They had to put her on oxygen to get her oxygen levels up but after 24 hours she was doing great and they took her off of it. She had lab tests and chest x-rays done and it showed that she had an infection possibly pneumonia but the tests for pneumonia take 48-72 hours so they automatically start antibiotics even before they are sure what is wrong.  Her 48 hour test was negative and they check it again at 72 hours but the doctor said most likely it will be negative too based on the 48 hour results. Her breathing has improved and she is doing well. She has to have an IV to get antibiotics for at least 5 days since the initial lab results and chest x-rays show some build-up/infection in her lungs but we were told in the beginning her stay could have been as long as 10 days so we are happy about 5 days. All in all Clara is doing great.  The doctors all think she sounds great and is very healthy just needs to get some medications for another couple days. She is nursing like a champ and seems pretty happy (unless we are poking her for the hundredth time!). Thanks for everyone who has been thinking and praying for us-we have felt so blessed over the last few days with all that has happened despite the emotional roller coaster we have been on. 

Projects & Food

We have been trying to get a bunch of projects done before the baby is born.  We have ripped out our old closets making our master bedroom bigger and converting the tiny office next door into a walk-in closet.  We have built the door frame for the new closet entrance but it will probaby be a while until we buy a door and put it in.  We still need to figure out closet organizers too but we are loving all the space in our room now-especially since there is a cradle and changing table taking up residence in one corner.



I decided to make a cute little diaper and wipes pouch the other day. I love how it turned out and I think it will make so much sense to not have a ton of diapers floating around all over the inside of the diaper bag.  You can find the tutorial and pattern HERE.

 

Another project we wanted down before the baby was born was adding a closet organizer to Belle's closet.  It was such chaotic mess and we needed more space for some of the baby's clothes.  Jarod did such a great job and whipped this project out in no time.

Jarod and I love food and love cooking. We tried a creme brulee recipe the other day for the first time and it turned out pretty good for a first attempt.  Jarod loves creme brulee and has been wanting to try a recipe for a while.  We think it needs a little more flavor and the first serving we made we added too much sugar on top and torched it too much, the 2nd torching was a lot lighter than the picture below and it was much yummier.

One of our favorite dishes-Pad Thai.  I just buy a box dinner (I think its Thai Kitchen brand) and than we bake chicken with a Spicy Peanut Bake (I think its Taste of Asia).  Super easy and super yummy.

 

Belle's 3rd Birthday

Belle wanted a pink party for her birthday this year.  I found a fun idea for the cake and used pink and red m&ms to decorate it.  It turned out so cute and the inside was pink and white zebra stripes.  I need to get some pictures off our video camera cause I didn't take a lot of still shots.  We had family come over for the party and ate soup, rolls, cake, and of course homemade chocolate ice cream.  We opened presents which included some some games to keep her busy from Bart, Kellie, and the boys, some dolls, dress up stuff, and a basket for her bike from Grandma and Grandpa Yeates, and a Cinderella doll, helmet, bell, and puzzle from us.  We played a fun balloon popping game where candy and confetti went everywhere.


 

 

This wasn't taken on her birthday but its a fun picture and shows how much fun Belle is.  She loves to laugh and often asks us to tickle her or chase her.  She is becoming quite the daddy's girl and wants Jarod to see her a naptime and bedtime and wants him to participate in her picnics and play in her room with her.

 

Christmas!

Of all the Christmas presents we got Belle's favorite was the box Jarod's new saw came in.  She played and played in that box for hours! 


 

Belle's big toys this year was a dollhouse from Grandpa Rollins and a bike from Santa.  She is in love with both and wanted her bike in her room when she went to sleep that night. Jarod got a new miter saw and Tanya got the new Kindle Fire HD.  It was a great Christmas was lots of food, love, and fun.

 

 

 

Santa & Sledding

At the ward Christmas party Belle got to meet Santa.  She has been very excited about Santa this year and talking about how "maybe Santa will get me a bike" for like the last 3 months.  Once she Santa in person, not so excited.  She would not get very close and was clinging to Jarod.

 

For Christmas Eve we went to Chewelah this year.  There was so much snow.  You can see Jarod's parents house in the background.  There was at least 2 feet of snow.  We took Belle out sledding and found a little 10 foot long run for her to sled down.  She loved it so much and wanted to go and go. We had fun staying in Chewelah and Jarod loved seeing familiar faces at church. We stayed for a few days and came home Christmas Eve so Santa could visit us at our own house. 

 

 

One of the best parts of our stay was Belle's story about the snow.  There was a ton of snow hanging precariously off the side of the airplane hanger and when Jarod when inside and slammed the door all the snow fell down with a loud thud.  Belle thought that was great and started saying "whump, whump, whump, and the snow all fell down" over and over and over again.  She was still telling the story weeks later. 

Cider pressing & Thanksgiving

The weekend before Thanksgiving we pressed cider with Jarod's family.  The kids had a blast picking apples, playing in the water, and taking a bite out of every apple they could get a hold of. 



Everyone was pretty wet by the end of the day, it rained most of the day, even though we were under a canopy and the kids we were all so tired.  We pressed 100-half gallons of cider and everyone went home with a huge bag of potatoes (thanks to Uncle Dan!) and a years supply of juice.

Thanksgiving was spent with Tanya's family in Quincy.  We had a super yummy brined turkey and a deep-fried turkey (because one turkey is just not enough) and we had about 10 different flavors of pies! 

Belle's new smiling face-she likes to show all of her teeth.

 

A great highlight of the day was Belle trying to blow out the candles.  It took her about 20 tries because she was blowing straight down-not at the candles.

 

First Snow

Jarod and Belle went out and made a snowman after the first snow of the season.  Belle loved it!




I think it was a missionary snowman. 

Belle has started to wanted to dress up more.  Here is an outfit of her choice (of course wearing pants is optional at our house-like most houses with toddlers).

She loves to put my shoes on and she also loves to have her toenails painted.