It's a GIRL!!!

January 16, 2015
3 years, 2 months
3 weeks, 6 days

Welcome, Aspen Rose!

My precious baby girl, Aspen Rose Malcolm, was born on December 20, 2014 at 9:18pm.  21 inches long (LONG!) and 7lb 10 oz (Colter was 21 inches, 7lb 6oz).  She was the biggest and best surprise we have ever had - since I had convinced both myself and CJ that "she" was really a "he". I am finally, almost a month later, not referring to dear sweet Aspen as a boy. 

Driving into town after my water broke.

As a mother, I feel the need to document Aspen's labor (before it all fades away)...

On Friday evening, December 19 I started having pretty regular contractions.  Because of the history of a fast 5.5 hour labor with Colter, after an hour or so of this shenanigans, we decided it would be best to drive into town.  By the time we got there around 1 am, the contractions had petered off to nothing (naturally!).  We spent the night down in town and drove back up the Canyon Saturday morning (the 20th).

I had a nice day with my boy - we walked to the post office and I even managed a 2 hour nap while Colter slept (greatest gift ever).  As I was lying on the couch & waking up from my nap at 4pm, my water broke.  Awesome.  Considering only 12% of women start their labors with the water breaking, I find it rather remarkable that both of my labors started with a large gush of "water".  Dah well.  At least it was a sign that I needed to call CJ and get to town.

We were on the road within 30 minutes and headed into town. Our dear friends, Silas and Bianca, literally live about 5 minutes from the hospital.  They were kind enough to offer up their home for me to labor at - and, I must say, it was a fabulous labor (as far as labors go...).  We drove into town and watched a beautiful sunset and the alpine glow on the San Francisco mountains. At their house, we took a stroll around the neighborhood with Owen (he spent a cold night in the truck after Aspen's birth).  I labored on the medicine ball for awhile in front of a crackling fire...and then migrated to the floor...

Around 8:45, I informed CJ I thought it was time to go.  My next contraction was a pushing contraction...so it was definitely time to go.  For those of you who have never experienced a pushing contraction: the urge to push is so uncontrollable that you have no option but to push.  Which can be rather annoying when you're attempting to walk 20 feet to the truck.  I guess that's what I get for waiting until the last minute to get to the hospital...

Laboring by a crackling fire...

A pushing contraction as I was walking to the truck to leave for the hospital...

I timed my last contraction at 8:50pm before I started to head for the truck.  By 9pm, I was hanging out of the truck (quite literally), desperately waiting for CJ to return with a wheelchair.  The nurse whisked me into the unbelievably slow service elevator and our dear sweet girl was born at 9:18pm, after 3 more pushing contractions.  The doctor didn't make it.  As a nurse, I am proud to say the nurses delivered my baby splendidly.  The doc did show up to stitch me up.  But we won't go into that...

Aspen soon after delivery...

Me and baby girl

First selfie with mama and dada

The umbilical cord was blocking her "junk" and no one bothered to say, "It's a girl!" as she popped out - assuming we already knew.  My dear husband decided to take the official peak and was, needless to say, SHOCKED.  He looked at me with a look I will remember for eternity - complete and utter happiness.  And then he said, "It's a shocker! A complete shocker!"  It took me a moment to process what exactly was going on, but by the look in his eyes I knew it could only be one thing.  In that moment, I started crying and laughing.  A baby girl.

About the time I found out it was an "Aspen".

CJ, the artist.

Grandpa visiting.

As the say, the rest is history.  The past 3 weeks and change have been a whirlwind.  Christmas came and went.  The New Year passed.  We've gone cross country skiing multiple times as a family, hiked up to the top of a local mountain and had the most splendid "Family Days".  We are so complete.  And so in love.

Grandma love.

My children.  LOVE.

Family.  Complete.

A rim walk.

At home.  With the family.

With her Mama and her namesake...

A xc ski around Mt Humphreys.

Olaf made the family photo.

We celebrate her one month birthday in just 4 days...hard to believe she was still wrapped up in my womb a month ago.  We are so glad she's out.

Sweet, sweet Little Miss Aspen Rose.

Baby Watch 2014

December 18, 2014
3 years, 1 month tomorrow
39 weeks, 4 days

Puppy love.

It's snowing at the Canyon.  I adore snow.  Leaving a clean blanket of fresh, white on the world, I too feel cleansed.  My house is tolerably clean, Christmas music plays in the background, Colter entertains himself with matchbox cars and Owen sleeps on the couch.  Baby wiggles inside my womb.  For a few moments in time, all is perfectly right in the world.

CJ and Owen enjoying the inversion layer a week ago.

My boys.

Love this picture.

The last three days were "Family Days".  You've heard  me mention it many a time - we cherish Family Days.  The past few days consisted of snowball fights, long strolls through the neighborhood, decorating the outside of our home, movies and breakfast feasts.  I'm pretty certain it doesn't get much better than that. Savoring the last few hours? days? as just the three of us.  We snuggled in bed in the mornings.  We read extra books at bedtime.  Knowing full well that at any moment, Baby could make his/her grand entrance. 

The many faces of a snowball fight.

Helping Dad with the truck.

Ranger CJ.

This boy loves throwing snowballs.

The anticipation.  It was harder for me the first go around.  This time I know Baby will come (silly, yes, but I would reckon to say most first time mothers feel the day will never come!).  It's not that I am not eager to meet the little peanut.  I like to think that perhaps I've gained a little more patience over the past 3 years of motherhood?  Perhaps, just perhaps, I've learned a few things... At some point you just have to let go and have faith that it will happen all in its own good time. Besides, I've got this adorable 3 year old to help pass the time.

If I could bottle this face up forever, I would.

Our bags are packed.  The OB kit is packed.  Childcare is lined up.  Christmas presents are wrapped.  Snow is falling. 

Full-term!

Busy Bees & Nesting

34 weeks...early November, Santa Barbara BabyMoon

December 7, 2014
3 years, 18 days
37 weeks, 6 days

I've made it to December - the month that my second child will be born.  A few weeks ago I was pretty sure Baby wasn't going to hold on until this point but, after some excellent guidance (or a stern talking) from my husband, I decided to slow down.  It's amazing how much better you start to feel when you stop doing so much.  So here we are - one day away from 38 weeks. 

Remarkably, I'm feeling quite well.  To be perfectly honest?  I feel a whole lot better than I did about 2or 3 weeks ago.  We took a long road trip the second weekend of November to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara (1500 miles in 4 days) and by the end of that my cankles were in full force and I had gained 10 pounds.  Yep, 10 lbs in 4 days.  Not from eating, from swelling.  It was beautiful.  I'd say that was an all-time low for this pregnancy.  Moving my body sucked and I'd say I was basically miserable.

Just plain adorable.

However, the long weekend was super fun - a surprise birthday party for Larry (78) and his brother Sid (80).  Both immediate families came together for the first time in over 5 years.  Incredibly special.  CJ and I got a little "Babymoon"/ Happy 8th Anniversary getaway to Santa Barbara for a night - thanks for my bro for the hotel hook up and my parents for watching the boys.  How special it is to have time along with your husband!

At our hotel, The Goodland - record players in every room.

 My first born turned THREE on November 19.  Three.  It just doesn't seem possible.  He's becoming quite the little fireball - he has discovered that he can make his own decisions.  Frightening.  He celebrated twice - once with Mama and Dada on his birthday and then a week later with all the cousins out.  Life is good.

Make a wish!

Cousins!

Thanks, Grandma, for a yummy cake!

He picked out the party favors...

Then it was time for Thanksgiving!  I'd say those few days with all the family re-energized me for this last stretch of pregnancy.  Shocking, I know.  But believe it or not 25 people at my house for Thanksgiving was just what my soul needed.  Larry, CJ's two sisters (et al), my parents, my bro, friends...the love just exploded every which way.  I feel so blessed that everyone made the journey out - goodness knows I'm done with the long road trips.  (Except of course for those wonderful weekly trips to Flagstaff for my baby doc appointments.)  

Me and Pops.

Sibling love.

Rides on Okapi are the best.

Feasting.

I even managed to get a little creative...

Saying farewell to everyone proved difficult as always - especially knowing that the next time we see them we will be a family of 4 (or 5 with the dear ole puppy dog).

Yes, Owen, we love you too.

Savoring the time with just me and my boy.

Now that the masses are gone I've gone into full nesting mode.  We rearranged the main room of our house, cut down our Christmas tree and gutted Colter's closet to make room for Baby stuff.  All in one day.  Bring it!  I packed my hospital bag, lined up childcare for Colter when I go into labor and have the car seat in the back of the truck.  I like to feel ready.  It takes a bit of the stress away.

The annual Christmas Tree family photo.

My boy smiling like a normal human being (for once!).

Matchbox cars hold a special place in our household.

Last night we hired a sitter and double-dated with some friends to the El Tovar for the annual Holiday Rotary Club dinner and dance.  So. Much. Fun.  Silent auction, raffles, a live country band, dancing, 4-course meal, good company...We stayed out much too late.  It was grand.  We saw lots of our friends and I felt like I was floating on air all dressed up with my big preggie belly.  I was happy to be pregnant!  Trust me, after the trials of sciatica and swelling, it is high time I felt pleased with my choice to procreate ;)  Normally the last month or so can get a bit uncomfortable and daunting but for some reason or another I've gone the opposite direction.  I'll take it.

Colter is very excited to be left....

In front of the famous El Tovar Christmas Tree!

Partying it up.

Alas, here we go.  Sometime in the next 2-4 weeks we'll have Baby.  We are excited to meet the little one (though dreading lack of sleep....).  Colter is going to be an awesome Big Brother.  I just know it. 

Belly snuggles with the puppy.

37 weeks, 5 days!

I Just Wanna Be With You

October 4, 2014
2 years, 10 months, 21 days
28 weeks, 6 days

Back in Orange County for a few days....and a quick swim at Laguna Beach.

I've been working a lot (for me) recently.  2-3 days a week 10+ hours a day.  I realize to the average "full-time" working adult, this must seem trivial.  But to a Mama who has savored her "working" moments primarily in the home, it's exhausting.  Throw into the mix that I work on CJ's days off typically and I think it's fair to say I've been missing my boys. 

At Disneyland on "It's a Small World" - despite the look on his face in this picture, Colter loved it!

I love that CJ gets a Dada-Colter day every once in awhile.  I know he loves it to.  And I know Colter loves it.  What I love most?  Family Days.  Those special days when we can all cuddle up in bed in the morning and plan out our day - should we go to town? go for a hike? make brunch?  head to Sedona? The sky is the limit so long as we are all together. 

"Colter, what was your favorite part about Disneyland?" "Grandma and Grandpa"

Alas, I know my time as a working parent will soon come to an end.  Baby beats away in my right rib and I smile knowing that come December I'll be a full-time SAHM (stay at home Mom) once again.  I've really always considered myself that, honestly.  I am proud to say that I am a mother first and a nurse second.  I am proud that my son has only spent one day of his life in a day care - and that I have the most awesome in-home babysitters a mom could ask for.  I am proud that we have chosen this life over more money. 


I'm not meaning to brag or toot my horn or whatever you may call it.  This is my family - this is how we have chosen to make our family.  I am proud of that.  I would hope that any family - no matter their circumstances - would say the same exact thing.

We even got to see Uncle Dave for dinner one night!

CJ is down at Phantom Ranch for a few nights.  I admit I cried as he walked out the door yesterday morning to head down trail.  Blame it on preggie hormones.  Or perhaps blame it on the lack of Family Days.  I just needed one more hug. Just one more kiss.  Colter did too.  A few Octobers back, Colter and I joined CJ down in the Canyon for an epic few days.  I longed to go with him this time.  Alas, the third trimester prevents me from such endeavors.  I can picture it perfectly in my mind - the cottonwoods gently blowing along the creek and the sound of the Colorado River rushing under black bridge.  I stood out under the stars last night and for a few moments I could almost make out the Canyon walls looming above, dark shadows cast from the light of the moon.  Glorious.

Roaring Springs, October 2012

As I tucked Colter into bed last night and prepared to close up his "tent" (the sheet hanging over his bed for the past month or so), he looked up at me with the most perfectly, precious, scratched up face you ever did see and said, "I just wanna be with you, Mama."  I just about died right then and there.  I fought back the tears and the only thing I could think to do was sing the "Thumbkin" song one more time.  He loves that song.  I love helping his little fingers as they work so hard through the song.  I love just being with him.

Hugs for Donald Duck

This morning we ate homemade zucchini bread, watched Fraggle Rock and played cars.  Then we took a much too long shower (giraffe, the race cars and helicopter joined us) together.  I got dressed as he ran around Mr. Nakey Head for a bit.  He took one look at me and said, "I wanna match with you, Mama."  I mean, really, there is only so much cuteness a preggie mama can take!  And then we took a selfie.  Because in my generation, that's what you do when something of this magnitude happens.  Then you write a blog.


There may be dishes in the sink, laundry to be folded and bathrooms to be cleaned.  I may have to work 8 more days before the end of the month.  Today, Colter, I just wanna be with you.

Matchy matchy!

Fun Baby Facts:  Baby is ~15 inches long and weighs 2.25 lbs!  Baby always wakes up for bath time and story time with Big Brother.  Colter informed me the other day that he is going to have a Baby Sister...