Lily's Birth Story

Our new baby, Lily May Yates, was born today July 29, 2014 at 1:30 pm.  I went to the doctor this morning to have my membranes stripped to find out that I was dialated to 5 ½ cm and should head to the hospital.  I had been feeling labor pains on and off for a few days.  However, last night they were quite intense.  We have been anticipating Lily's arrival because Emily came early at 36 weeks. We were grateful for the extra time she had in womb so that she might gain the health and strength needed there.

After we left the doctor's office, I made some phone calls to arrange some tending for Emily so that my mom could come to the hospital with us. We are so grateful for a great ward family that extended support to us. Emily enjoyed the afternoon playing at her friend, Clara's house which we had arranged for earlier.  

Nelson came home from work and we finished packing the bag and headed to the hospital. As we arrived there I was dilated to a 6+ around 10:30 am.  I worked through the labor until I was an 8+ at about 12:30 pm.  I had debated an epidural and was doing fine up to this point, but thought I would get one to finish the worst of it. Dr. Thompson arrived around 12:45, and I began pushing around 1:00 or 1:15 pm. Lily arrived around 1:28 pm. She was a little quiet at first, but shared her "soprano" voice (as my mom would say) soon.

As I held Lily in my arms for the first time, my heart grew. I have worried over the past few months how I can possible love another as much as Emily. I didn't think my love was enough. Yet as I held Lily I found my love grew and continues to grow. The experiences and service we share with those we love strengthens, identifies, and captures love. I know Lily is a quiet, sweet angel who will teach me much through her example and love.

While working through the contractions and waiting at the hospital, I felt many angels and loved ones were present in the room. I know they were there to strengthen and support our family.  It was a special experience to feel those angels around me: grandparents and other loved ones.  Having a baby is definitely a time when heaven and earth meet.

Tight Places

When I was a little girl I loved to stuff myself inside the black office garbage can.  To get myself out, I would rock back and forth to tip the can over and get out.  Sometimes my siblings would add a game of teasing to the fun by placing me on top of the pool table or entertainment center.  I didn't like this because I was really trapped without having a way to escape.  Thankfully, after much screaming, I would be freed by someone.
Lately Emily has found some fun in sitting in tight places too: the doll case, cubbies, and small boxes.  She is a silly girl!!  There is no teasing fun from me as I just love watching her get herself out of tight places.

Laundry Helper

Since Emily was able to sit up she has loved to "help" with laundry.  She enjoys unfolding the clothes and laying on the fresh-scented laundry.  Actually one of my favorite things to do is lay on hot, fresh laundry when it is cool weather.  I guess she has found a connection to that simple joy of mine.

The other day Emily emptied and loaded the dryer for about twenty minutes, jabbering about it the whole time.  She is one fantastic helper!!!

Shoes

Emily is a girly-girl when it comes to shoes.  She loves to try them on, put them on her monkey, and try other peoples on too.  In fact I have heard this is how she spends most of her time in nursery - playing with the other children's shoes.  Crazy girl!!  Today she attempted to try my shoes on and walk around in them.  I couldn't get a good picture that wasn't blurry, but at least I got one.

Summer Indoor Fun

The weather is getting quite hot here in St. George - over 100 degrees most days.  This makes it hard for my outdoor lover to play outside.  When it was cooler we would play at the park or out in our front yard lots.  Now our outdoor fun has to include water - the swimming pool or splash park.  Emily is becoming a little fish using her "Splash Jumper" life vest.  She can swim around pretty independently which makes the swim adventure more pleasant for me too.

Other mornings when we don't go to the pool we enjoy time exploring the baby gadgets at home.  Emily likes to pretend with all the baby things, even though she hasn't seen them in use yet.  I am excited to see her imagination grow as the baby comes and Emily sees how the objects are used with the baby.

The church nursery is another favorite outing.  Emily has been going to nursery for a few months now.  She loves to play with the toys and other kids.  It is helpful and fun that our neighbor who watches her during piano lessons is her teacher too in nursery.  Emily loves to explore the toys independently.  She especially loves care taking for the dolls.  I am glad to see her love nursery so much!

A short drive away makes the library a fun, cool, indoor activity too.  We can be caught among the bookshelves 2-3 times a week.  Emily loves to read the books - and pull them from the shelves.  I love to bring them home and have new books to read together.

Cleaning Up

Emily is a fantastic helper!  She knows that when we go somewhere or when wanting to get out another toy, we clean up the mess we have out.  Emily sometimes even suggests a change of toy or scenery when she starts to sing, "Clean up."  Sometimes, however, the clean up leads into a game of clean it up and then dump it out.  Either way, I am glad to see Emily is learning to be a great helper!

Grandma and Grandpa Yates

Over the weekend we had some fun family visitors.  Grandma & Grandpa Yates and Michelle came to visit Emily.  We enjoyed swimming, visiting, and playing with them.  Emily loved reading books with Grandma Yates while out to dinner at the Olive Garden.  I think we heard Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb over 50 times that evening.  Dum, Ditty, Dum, Ditty, Dum, Dum, Dum!  We appreciated their visit and look forward to seeing them again soon with the arrival of the new baby!