We welcome to our family...Elijah Burton Powell.  On May 2nd, at 12:16 in the morning I managed to get this kiddo out of my belly once in for all.  He was supposed to come on June 2nd, but instead came to us four weeks early.  For an early baby he really isn't that tiny.  He weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20 in. long.  He is doing great.  He has jaundice, but really a good baby.  I honestly sometimes forget that we have him because all he does right now is eat and sleep.  Eva loves her baby brother.  It is good to see that she is good to him and loves to give him lots of kisses and feed him his bottle.  They have me nursing, bottle feeding and pumping.  It is quite the task!  But I am glad that I appear to be getting more milk that I did with Eva.  

So, for the birth story.  On Friday, May day, I started some light bleeding.  I didn't really think anything of it so I called the nurse and she said I should be ok.  I went to work and was having contractions all day.  I knew I was in the first phase of labor but I also knew that it didn't necessarily mean anything.  I was hurting off and on all day.  In fact, at one point one of my students asked me if I could still get a substitute.  I made it through the day and went home early to take a little nap before I had to get Eva from day care.  My contractions were slowly getting worse and my bleeding hadn't really stopped so I called the nurse again in the evening and she told me to go to the hospital.  My dad came and got Eva, we quickly packed a bag and got to the hospital at 9:00 p.m.  By then, my contractions had picked up and I was hurting some more.  I was dilated to a 5 by around 9:45 and they got me into a room.  I got one dose of phetenal, and was still in pain, I could feel pressure like I wanted to go to the bathroom but I think that was the baby.  I had them break my water and then I started pushing at around 11:40.  I didn't get him out in 2 pushes like most women do with their second baby, but this time around I didn't have back labor either.  Things seemed intense, but I did it again.  I am so thankful to have that over with.  You really do forget quickly how much having a baby all natural hurts!!  But, even in my moments of thinking I couldn't do it, I did and he is finally here.   

The pictures are out of order, so, the first is of the proud big sister.  She is more beautiful to me everyday.  I love her big brown eyes.  The ones of Elijah with Matthew are of Elijah 6 days old, and the last two are from the hospital right after I had him.  

All of these pictures are from Easter. I decided that one of my favorite parts of easter is finding all the fun little presents to put inside Eva's easter basket. In fact, Matthew was a little disappointed that we have moved on from Easter baskets to each other and now it's all about the kid. Guess that's life. I loved watching Eva get so excited. She wasn't so excited for all the hair ties and bows I got her, but she loved the mouth wash and her Bolt movie. She makes me laugh.

With the idea from a woman in our ward, Matthew made these cute bunny cupcakes. We actually didn't do the whole, "search for the eggs thing" because it was rainy and windy that day but we had fun nonetheless spending time with each and my family.

This last week was spring break, (the joys of being a teacher) and I had the opportunity to play with my toddler all week! I had so much fun. I decided that when the time comes that I get to stay home with my kids, I want to be financially stable enough to have a membership to everything kids love. We went to the Children's museum, the zoo, the pool, different craft activities and just played. I think Eva right now is one of my favorite little people. Granted, she is trying to pull away from her naps, which will stink once this new baby will come, but she is still sooo fun!! Today she said the funniest thing. I will shamefully admit that my child, almost three is still in her crib. However, in my defense I did potty train her at two, but since I haven't had another child I didn't see the rush to get her out of her crib. So, knowing that we will soon have a new addition, I asked her where we were going to put the new baby. She replied, in my bed, mama. (Well, she really said, "en mi cama, mama.") Which really is a great answer. But, when I asked her where she was going to sleep she said, "en TU cama mama." Which means in your bed mama. Matthew and I both laughed out loud. Funny how these kids think. Now to the pictures, the first two just remind me of how silly my kid is and why I love her so much but the last one requires some explanation. Knowing that children really need there parents to celebrate their work, I started posting whatever she wants that she has colored, painted, or written on on her bedroom door. That is why she is standing near her door showing me her "burthdays." I don't know why they are her birthdays but she is VERY proud of them.

I can't believe how fast another year goes by. It seems like it was just yesterday I was celebrating a birthday but I know now that I am just getting closer to thirty and have left those twenties (well almost) behind. I had a nice birthday yesterday with my little family. Matthew and Eva were cute and wrapped me my gifts and it was fun to watch Eva get so excited about my "birthday to you." She opened gifts and even proceeded to blow out the candles as if the cake were for her. If anything, celebrating a birthday is fun again because she thinks it is so fun. She wasn't too happy about the poopyseeds Matthew put inside the cake, but it sure was beautiful and delicious too. I am grateful for them and always trying to make me feel so special!

My little Eva is sick!  And it is in these moments that you realize you would much rather be sick for them than to watch them be miserable and sad.  She still has her little moments of bossing me around, but for the most part she just sits on the couch with sad, glazed over eyes watching her movies all bundled up.  Makes me think how forgranted I take those moments when she wants me to play with her or those when she is babbling around the house, or even dancing with her baby like seen here trying to be Princess Fiona from Shrek.  Little girls are priceless.

The more I look at this picture I am not sure if I can even believe it. If my counting is right, with a June 2 due date I am around 25 weeks, give or take a week. I am not so good at keeping track this time around. I am pretty big don't you think? The other day at the store an older woman asked me if I was having a boy. I was amazed she was right but granted, she had 50% chance she was right. Then, her comment was that I must be due soon. I told her "no, I am actually not due until June." To which she replied, "you must be having a big baby!" Which if they take anything like Matthew, that could be a little scary. For now, I guess all there is left to do is wait and see. Besides an ocassional hip problem that comes with prolonged sitting I am doing great and feeling great! Count my blessings there for sure. I hope this is what some of you wanted to see.

Ever since we started swimming classes Eva has gotten very daring in the bathtub. I can't leave her alone anymore for too long because I'm afraid she is going to drown in the tub. It is GREAT that she is becoming somewhat fearless in the water, but it does make me nervous. So, these pictures were taken the other day of her trying her swimming techniques in the tub. She even kicks and everything. It is pretty cute though, if you ask me.

Next time, I will post some pictures of me and this belly. I do realize that with the exception of my family nearby and my co-workers nobody has really seen me. And, my mom keeps telling me that there is no way I am going to make it (whatever that means) because she thinks I am huge. Guess you will have to be the judge of that. So, until next time...you will have to wait :)