Day before Baby....

Jackson is such a sweet little guy. The day before Dylan was born Jackson wanted to "help" me get ready. He asked if he could paint my nails. It was so sweet. How could I not let him. (Luckily he chose an opal color. They looked pretty good for a three year old.

Fourth of July....

I know it's REALLY late but I wanted to catch up....

Fourth of July we spent in Enterprise. My folks were headed to Logan to take my Sister-in-law home because she stayed a little longer then my brother. That wasn't a problem until the dog got an infection in his.....well, his "junk" if you will, and needed to have an antibiotic everyday. So we volunteered staying the weekend in E-town since it is cooler and I was VERY pregnant.

It was a lot of fun hanging out with Jackson and going to the playground at the school and riding the four wheeler and gator. It was ALL really nice and pleasant until the night of the thunderstorm......You see, my dad has this beautiful chocolate lab, and she is the sweetest thing EVER, but she is a big chicken. So all night long, she barked and howled at the stupid lightening and thunder. I REALLY thought I was going to strangle her by the end of the night.

Oh well, it is a funny memory.

What happens in a month?

I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. So what has happened in a month around here?
Oh, not much....we just had a baby! and holy smokes, I was scared at first, I totally thought I had forgotten how to take care of a tiny one. But it's like riding a bike, you never forget. and if I ever get around to editing I will post some pics.

Thank you for all the well wishes and support. I love you all!

Baby coming soon to the Cram's near you....

Dylan will be making his big appearance sometime on Tuesday, July 14th!

I have been pretty worried about his size and the complications of having a large baby vaginally and expressed those to Dr. Astle when I saw him yesterday. I had told him I didn't mind having a C-section but I wanted to be able to choose when it was. He said that he think a natural birth (delivering vaginally) is still possible and still the best option, and that we would set an induction date for next week. (Secretly I can't wait for the good drugs and the relief of back pain and pressure.)

So here I am FINALLY with a deadline to get all the "little" things done that I THINK I need done. I can't wait to meet this new little person that is coming into our lives, and I can't wait to see what a good big brother Jackson is going to be.

Be Careful what you pray for......

These last few weeks of Pregnancy have been HARD! I don't remember being this uncomfortable....and TIRED!

I was telling my mom last week how unprepared I was beginning to feel because I am already dilated to a "2" and I felt like there was so much to do....and CLEAN.

In my evening prayers I have been asking for a little more strength to get me through the day so that I can have a little energy to do a little extra cleaning each evening. And the Lord answers prayers. I have had some extra energy....and what do I do with it? I cook dinner, eat dinner, and elevate my feet. Not at all taking advantage of the blessing I have so diligently asked for.

On Monday morning, I was getting Jackson ready to go to Cheryl's (my mom-in-law) and noticed this weird looking rash on his leg, I chalked it up to being from allergies because he hadn't had bath the night before and went "bug hunting" with Aunt Kara. That night it didn't look better so we bought some Cortizone cream. Gave Jackson a good long shower and I scrubbed him down myself, then put the cream on him.

(I promise this is going somewhere)

The next morning (Tuesday) the rash had spread more! and was getting blistery and nasty. I didn't dare take him to the babysitters (for fear it was contagious since it was spreading) and took the day off to go to the Doctor. We didn't get to see our regular pediatrician (Dr. Kadu) but we saw Dr. Marsden (who is just as awesome) and he told me he thought Jackson's rash was a strain of Herpes!

"What!? Herpes?!?" I lost it. My mind started racing where would he get it from?....but more importantly who? I LOST it and started bawling.

He told me that there are thousands of different kinds of strains and that even cold sores and chicken pox are a type herpes. and that HERPES is such a dirty word now because of STD's and blah blah blah. and that he could have picked it up from another kid, from the pool or it could have just been dormant in his body until something triggered it to react. Then he tells me that treating it is beginning to become controversial because it is so common it is starting to not respond to medicines, and that I need to let it run it's course.

How long will it take?....7 to 10 days
How contagious is it?....Very, anything it comes in contact with will get it.
So I can't take him to daycare?....No.
How long is it contagious for?...until it scabs overs.

So I lost it again and started bawling...AGAIN.

So to keep it from spreading, not only on Jackson, but to Ben and I, I get to CLEAN my house as if he had lice, bleach everything, wash everything, toys, sheets, clothing, pillows, blankets, floors, couches, carpets, blah, blah, blah....and continue to do it until he is no longer contagious. The poor kid is semi quarantined in the house and feels just fine. He has to wear pants ALL the time. We are going to miss going to Enterprise for Father's Day. Ben had to take Wednesday through Friday off to stay with him. It has been a mess....

But it IS what I prayed for...the motivation to get things done, and now I have it. Heavenly Father knows what He's doing, and I am to follow His guidance and except the answer even though it's not the way I expected it. Even when it's hard....and very inconvenient.

Jackson's Fingers

Ben has been trying to teach Jackson to do the "Rock On" sign since I think he was born. Jackson is just now getting the concepts of being able to do things, well control the shapes of his fingers and such. So here are some pics of the "signs" Jackson loves to do....

ROCK ON!

PEACE!

I LOVE YOU!

She's Got Skills? We've GOT skills!

I took this awesome photoshop class.....and got to meet a TON of really awesome people, and learn how to sharpen my skills in photoshop. It was so fun to get out once a week with a bunch of cool peeps. Here are a couple of our graduation photos.

A SPECIAL thanks Rach and Kel for teaching us the proper way to use our programs and being SO patient!