House update #1: Wow..what a pain in the neck getting a construction loan is these days.  Had we been trying to get one a year or so ago it would have been a slam dunk but due to the current market conditions we kept hitting red tape after red tape.  Unfortunately the bank wouldn’t allow anything to be done on the lot prior to funding so I have been patiently waiting and waiting and waiting for the green light to get started.  So finally….two weeks ago the loan finally closed, the money dropped, and we’re off and running.

First on the list was a meeting with a soils engineer to get what’s called a “pad certification”.  He came out and my backhoe operater potholed a couple spots so he could get a good look at what was going on with the dirt under our foundation.  This soil engineer weilds a lot of power as depending on what he tells you is measured in several thousand dollar bills.  As it was, he gave us mixed news as we didn’t have to overexcavate three feet…but did have to do it for 18 inches.  Overexcavation is when you take the dirt from the entire layout of your house down to the amount the engineer says and then bring the dirt back on to the pad in six inch lifts.  Each lift must be given the proper level of water and compaction otherwise you have to do it all over again.  Sound like a pain?  It was a big one.  It took us two days of expensive backhoe work, an expensive trench compactor, lots of water, and lots of mud.

This Monday, the soils engineer met me at 9:00 and did a compaction test.  I was praying for a pass as the thought of going through the expense and trouble of redoing the overexcavation made me want to cry.   Joyfully, the dirt gods shown down upon us as we ended up with a 97% compaction (95% passed) and an “optimum” moisture content. 

Tuesday we had set up for a surveyor come out and double check the property lines, set some elevation, and set some pins so we could lay out the house.  Unfortunately he didn’t come till late so Tuesday was pretty much a lost day.  Wednesday Dwaine and I met out on the lot to start laying out the house and setting “batter boards” (boards set to the correct elevation of the finish floor and in a perfect rectangle to lay out the house).  To our surprise, and after triple and quadruple checking our layout, we found out the surveyors were off more than two feet.  We were surprised only because the surveyor is the part of one of the bigger surveying firms here in Vegas and is quite fond of his surverying abilities.  Either way…he wasn’t so hot on our house.  Wednesday he came out to fix it but didn’t get it done till late in the day which threw us in to today.

Today some real progress was made as we were able to succesfully lay out the foundation of the home and dig the exterior footings.  Here’s some evidence;

First photo is the side of the garage while the 2nd is looking from our garage sideways towards the entrance to the home.  Trust me…not too impressive now but to me it’s like seeing the Great Wall of China.  I was also able to meet with our truss manufacturer today and agree on a final truss layout.  It’s great to start seeing this thing come to fruition.

Upcoming schedule;

Tomorrow (Friday) – Set concrete form boards

Saturday – Layout of plumbing lines, excavation of plumbing trenches and location of sewer at street, install back yard drainage lines

Monday – Plumber begins running underground pipe

Tuesday – Plumber finishes underground installation

Wednesday – Pass of underground plumbing inspection, backfilling of plumbing trenches

Thursday – Final grading of concrete pad, installation of rebar

Friday – Pass of footing, preslab, and underground electrical inspections, prep for Saturday pour

Saturday – Pour concrete!

I really didn’t think a baby as young as Weston could catch a cold.  He has had really nasty boogers for the past week and now he is so congested he has a hard time breathing and eating.  I took him to the doctor this morning as early as I could and they said it’s just a cold but to keep a close eye and watch for fever and a few other bad things.  They brought in a machine that looked like it was from the 1800′s and suctioned out his little face.  He has been breathing better since then but I’m sure it will build back up before tonight making another fretful night for me.  Rosie has had the same thing for going on 3 weeks now but in kids her age it doesn’t seem so bad.  She seems to kick it and then it starts all over again.  Anyway, I just want to keep everyone home and away from all the germs out there until the weather warms back up and people stop coughing in our faces.  I took some pictures on Saturday but haven’t even looked at them yet. 

I had a presidency meeting this morning as well and my head is spinning.  Another monthly meeting has been added to the slew.  I now get to attend the weekly missionary meetings once a month.   It may not seem like a lot but added to the weekly visits, weekly pres. meetings, all the enrichment activities (3-4 a month), birthday breakfasts one saturday  a month, stake auxilary training, world wide training broadcasts, single’s committee meetings, and lesson planning….I am feeling a little stressed.  I am supposed to go to another training meeting tonight but I may skip out and stay home and nurse my sick children or in Weston’s case just hold him cause he is so sad. 

One week in and time for an update.  I’ve actually been working on this for days….Thursday the 10th we went in for an amniocentesis to determine if our baby’s lungs were developed.   I was so nervous.  Adriane had said hers felt like they were shoving a straw into an orange.  As it turned out it didn’t hurt me at all and I was very relieved to have it done and not be suffering in any way.  We got notice later that day that our baby had mature lungs and we could go ahead with an induction the following day.  I let Mom and Dad know and they hopped in their truck and headed our way.  My doctor called me and asked if I would like to be induced that evening (so he could get to CA to a UCLA game by Saturday morning)  I told him no.  I went to bed early hoping for a good nights rest and heard them pull in just after midnight.  Brian gave me a blessing specifying that I would be in tune with my body and that my body would do what it needed to do to get me through the process.  Suprisingly I did sleep rather well considering I had an awful cold. 

Friday morning I got up before everyone and got showered and ready to go.  Mom and Brian were to take me to the hospital and Dad stayed home with the girls.  I gave him a detailed list of instructions to help out with scheduling and he did just fine as far as I know.  We arrived at the hospital around 8:30 am and started the induction right around 9am.  Dr. Martin had already called 2-3 times to see if I was there and hooked up yet.  (Eager to get on the road I guess)  I fully expected to start feeling contractions right away but that was not the case.  A few hours passed with the pitocin drip and I could feel them but they weren’t painful.  The nurse came in to check me and I was already between 4-5 cm dilated.  She asked me if I would like an epidural.  I was all over that.  That process takes a while and by the time the anesthesiologist arrived I was starting to feel discomfort.  I was glad when the epidural took effect.  I was more educated and prepared this time around and knew what I felt from this point out was pressure not pain.  I was still able to move my legs and wiggle my toes.  I moved very quickly.  Dr. Martin was supposed to be doing a C-section at another hospital at 1:30 but I was ready to push slightly after 1pm so he hurried on over.  I was very pleased with how everything went.  I had to push for 1 1/2 hours which was really tiring but my doctor let me take my time and not push every contraction.  The cold I was battling really sapped my energy.  However, when I started pushing my sinuses completely cleared out and I was able to breath.  I know I was being blessed because as soon as the birth was over they completely closed up again.  Thank goodness for the Priesthood. 

While I was still in labor a girl from my ward stopped by.  I don’t know her very well but we have talked a few times because she is expecting a baby in a few months.  She stayed forever though and I was not really in the mood for casual conversation at that point.  She kept bringing up the fact that she had been at 11 births not including her own babies.  I think she was hinting that she wanted to stay.  I didn’t invite her as it’s kind of a private thing for me.  She left for a minute to go get a shot she was at the hospital for and promised she would be back.  I had mom cut her off at the door and not let her back in.  Then she called the room to see if I had delivered yet while I was pushing.  Brian hung up on her.  Then she called my room later that night.  I was completely hoarse from my cold and the events of the day and didn’t let her talk long.  I know she was just being friendly but I think she needs to learn a little tact in situations like that. 

It was completely worth the wait in finding out until birth what our baby was.  Brian really wanted a boy and would have been fine with another girl but secretly I know he was pining.  He always wanted a little brother and ended up with three little sisters. (whom he adores but nonetheless…)  Then we had two girls in a row and he thought it wasn’t so bad especially when they give him kisses.  But he still fantasized about a son.  I was pretty sure from the beginning that we were having a boy because the pregnancy was different.  I was sicker, my appetite was different, and I had felt shortly after Serra was born that we were going to have 2 girls and a boy when all was said and done.  I made the decision early on that we should wait to find out because it would be a real moment that I always wanted to experience and it would be even better if it turned out to be that boy.  Brian agreed but he stopped having fun with it about half way through the pregnancy. (Especially when all the ultrasound techs knew what he didn’t) 

When it came time for “the moment”  we had asked those present to let Brian make the official announcement for the camera.  The nurse was so excited (I don’t think they have surprises much anymore) she could hardly contain herself and hollered it out at the same time.  The look of disbelief and sheer joy on Brian’s face was something I will never forget.  He is always glad when the birth is done with but this time he was grinning a bit more than usual.  I think he said he had to keep pinching himself and that this was like the cherry on top.  Mom got a lot on video and took lots of pictures for us.  What a day. 

I kept the baby with me for the next two days in the hospital and didn’t sleep much but who cares.  It was so nice to be on the other end of delivery with no complications.  We had a LOT of visitors.  It’s fun to show off our cute baby though.

We had the girls come in and meet him on Saturday the 12th and Serra was instantly in love.  I have had to fight with her to have a turn holding him ever since.  Rosie was interested for a few minutes and likes to give him kisses now and then but for the most part just thinks he is taking “her spot.”  She has had a bit of an adjustment.  There have been a lot of tantrums this past week and she is clingy which is something she has never been.  Serra just feels like a slave I think with all the running around I have her do.  We will eventually get into a routine and hopefully everyone will be happy and well adjusted.

So we named him Weston Burton Anderson.  Weston is Brian’s uncle’s name.  Burton is Brian’s Grandfather Gee and Brian also carries it as his middle name.  We had a few other names lined up but none of the seemed to fit.  We felt he needed a strong sounding name to and so  Weston it is. 

Mom and Dad were able to stay until Tuesday afternoon.  They ran interference with the girls and helped with meals.  It is invaluable help.  My recovery has been remarkable to say the least.  I have not had any discomfort except for the after contractions that only lasted 4 days.  I am tired and achy because Weston doesn’t sleep well at night yet.  But we have had dinners brought in every night by kind friends and I am able to sit and hold the sweet baby all day for the most part.  It’s my favorite thing about a new baby.  I enjoy letting everything else go by the wayside for the first two weeks and just holding them.  Everyone has been very cooperative in letting me do this.  Serra is having a hard time understanding why I am not doing things like normal.  I look and act well enough.  Someday she will understand. 

Friday night Adriane and Vito took the girls to Disney Princesses on Ice and then had them spend the night at their house.  We knew Serra would enjoy it but apparently Rosie thought is was great and was dancing and singing the whole time as well.  What nice family we have.  The girls really needed that too, especially Rosie who has been cooped up all week.  They came home exhausted but happy.  Because they were gone on Saturday morning, Brian and I took the opportunity to attend the Nevada caucus.  It’s the first time the Republicans have ever had one in Nevada and we wanted to see what it was all about.  Brian ended up nominated as an alternate delegate for the upcoming convention.  That would be interesting. 

Brian’s sister Amy Jo had her baby the Tuesday before us on Brian’s birthday.  Adriane is due at the end of February.  Our boy is sandwiched between two girl cousins.  Good thing there is Ethan on the other side only a few months older. 

I don’t think I posted what we did for Brian’s birthday.  We ditched the girls with Adriane and Vito and went to a hockey game.  Brian and I both like to watch hockey live but have never watched games on T.V.  Weird but it’s really fun to watch in person.  We had a good time and everyone was tired when we got home. 

Before and After.  The first was taken 5 days before delivery day… The second I think is self explanatory

3 weeks early and a whopping 9 pounds.  We grow ‘em big around here.

All washed up…Nice highlights

Baby Wes was pretty beat up including this big bruise on his foot that no one seems to be able to explain. 

Sweet new baby.

Brian gets his boy.

Brian’s dad, Dwaine, meets Weston Saturday morning. 

Some other anxious visitors.  Adriane (Brian’s sister) who is due at the end of February with a girl…and Serra.  She was instantly in love and will hold him for as long as I let her.  Sunday I handed him over and took a 1 1/2 hour nap.  She sat in the recliner and held him the whole time. 

Rosie meets “baby Wes”  as she calls him. 

Brian’s grandparents, Burt and Dorothy Gee…Burton is Weston’s middle name and Grandpa is who he is named for.  Notice Serra loving on his hair.  She has this thing with hair. 

Rosie was quite facinated the first day but pretty much ignores him now except when she decides he is in her “spot”  which includes my lap. 

Grandma Arnell and Weston Day 2. 

We retired the hat already as it was deemed to girly for a masculine fellow like Weston.  Grandma Anderson stopped in on her way back into town.  She was in Provo for the birth of Amy Jo and Tucker’s first child. (Jillian)

Uncle Jeff pays a call to meet the newest fishing buddy.  Weston smiles in his sleep.  The next few shots are 1 day shy of a week old. 

One week old and ready for bed. 

Taken yesterday… Sunday.  Pretty cute if I do say so myself.

I think this is one of the cutest pictures I have ever seen. 

A dad and his boy. 

Serra taking good care…Gary and Family stopped in Sunday on their way home from CA. 

He looks very tan.

Funny story today.

This morning I was standing outside the Relief Society room chatting with some ladies while we waited for the other ward to file out.  Suddenly I felt a lot of wetness dripping on my foot.  I thought for sure I was getting out of my lesson when I realized it was only my water bottle leaking through my bag.  I guess I should have clued in when I noticed the water was cold.  Either way, I got a few chuckles from those around me.  The lesson went fine and didn’t seem discombobulated like I half expected considering I prepared the bulk of it during my flu delirium. 

It got me….the yummy flu that has been going around.  It better clear out fast though because I am scheduled to have a baby January 11th.  I don’t have time to sit around and sleep all day. 

Ok…let’s get this done.

I’m feeling a serious crunch as I ponder the thought that I have just over a week before induction.  We have decided that we will go ahead with the amnio in hopes of inducing on the 11th.  I’m hoping the 11th so I don’t have to worry about school and Serra until I am home from the hospital.  I have a doc appointment tomorrow and the dates should be more set in stone after that.  With the other two kids I always got to the point that I would do anything to get that baby out.  I am not to that point yet…maybe because I feel like I have so much to get done and the baby is much easier to take care of now than it will be in a week.  I’ve heard rumors that the transition from 2 – 3 kids is much harder and I fear that a little too, I guess. 

So backing up to Christmas. 

The 22nd was when we planned on leaving for Utah.  A few days before Brian finally decided what he wanted to give to his clients for Christmas and I was sent to Costco to pick them up.  (Some really nice Harry and David gift baskets)  Of course, they were all sold out and so I was asked to “put something together”.  I didn’t really have the time to do it but with a few nights of eating dinner out, the time was found.  We went as a family on the 21st to deliver the “something I put together”.   We caught about half of them at home and most were delighted to meet the girls that they had heard about from Brian.  A few of them even had gifts for them.  We also ditched Mo for the holidays with Brian’s folks who are always willing to take the beast when we leave town. 

The next morning I packed up the kids and Brian and sent them on their way.  They headed north to Utah while I stayed behind to catch a flight later that afternoon.  It was nice to have a quiet house and get things straightened up before I left so we could come back to a clean house.  Adriane and Vito picked me up and took me to the airport at around 1:30.  My flight was supposed to leave at 4pm which would have been perfect.  I planned on eating a late lunch there and reading until I left.  My flight was delayed an hour and a half however which made the sitting time a bit long.  I made it to Salt Lake by 7pm and Brian was able to pick me up.  He and the girls had had enough time to stop and visit with Grandpa and Grandma Gee.  We had to stop to feed the kids and Brian since they hadn’t had anything since noon and then we were on the road to Logan.  I think it was around 10:30 when we pulled into Mom and Dad’s new Providence home.  We got the full tour and we were impressed by not only the sheer size of the place but also at how nice everything looked.  The folks haven’t moved in and had permission from the inspector to let family stay there over Christmas.  So they headed back to their little nest in Preston and we headed to bed in the corner basement room (that would be the one closest to the bathroom for me). 

We had to get up quite early to make it to Julie’s ward at 9am.  That is like us going to church at 8am.  We made it and enjoyed a nice musical program that Julie tried to participate in (Evelyn has turned into a mama’s girl and didn’t like Julie up on the stand).  We were feeling very tired from the travel and the early morning and so we skipped the rest of the meetings and went back to the house and Brian and I slept for a few hours while the girls played hide and seek and had a grand time running around the vast empty house.  Later that afternoon we headed to Preston for dinner with the family.  Julie’s and Doug’s families and Dallas.  Was Dave there?  I can’t remember.  He kind of floats in and out and blends into what ever is going on. 

We had the house to ourselves for one more night.  Monday, Christmas Eve, Brian and I left the girls with Mom and Dad and finished up our shopping and had lunch.  Brian let me pick out my Christmas present at Needhams jewelry store, and we figured we would have a better shot a getting a sled there than in Vegas.  We live 20 minutes from the snow in Vegas believe it or not and Serra really likes to go up and cruise the slopes on a sled.  Gary’s family arrived just in time for dinner.  It had started to snow in the afternoon and the roads were quite bad by evening.  Everyone was glad to make it up the hill to Mom and Dad’s.  We ate a nice dinner and then had a short program with some music and Christmas stories.  All the little kids got to participate which my girls thoroughly enjoyed.  Brian started feeling a bit yucky that night and became down right sick before the night was out. 

By Christmas morning Brian was a bit of a mess and after making an appearance for gift opening headed back to bed and stayed there all day.  That was a real bummer.  But we enjoyed Christmas day activities all throughout the day and tried to keep track of all the loot in the chaos.  The white elephant addition this year was fun and I hope we continue it.  The memories were great and Doug has promised he will sent those to us via email.  (That’s a hint Doug)  Katrina got a kitten and that was probably the biggest hit of all with the little girls that are dominant in the grandkid pool. 

Brian was feeling a bit better by Wednesday and joined us for a testing of all the new sleds.  It was cold out and a bit snowy but the kids had a great time.  Rosie went down twice and had fun until she face planted and then she was done.  We took the little ones back and let the older kids wear themselves out.  We enjoyed a lot of movies on the big screens and Joseph enjoyed 6 or more hours of xbox per day.  I think a few others played once in a while too. 

Thursday morning was a bit hectic as we were loading up to leave.  Brian was helping Mom with a punch list  of things to bring up to their contractor so Gary was helping me load the car.  There were a plethora of workers about completing tasks on the house.  We ended up short 2 pairs of shoes and loaded one extra bag which we didn’t discover until we were in Salt Lake.  Sorry Mom.  We tried to find a way to get the bag back to Mom so she didn’t have to buy new makeup but couldn’t come up with any solutions.  I ended up taking the bag home to Vegas and sending it back with David  the following Sunday. 

Brian dropped me off at the airport and I ended up getting searched.  I guess I look threatening.  I’m sure they were thinking there is no possible way that is all belly.  Actually, they just went through my purse with a fine tooth comb because I had a little tiny knife looking object that is really only a small nail file.  Interestingly, I have flown four or five times with that in there and SLC is the only ones who deemed it a threat.  I only sat 15 minutes by the time I made it to my gate.  Granted it took me a while to walk there.  Why am I always in the one at the very end?  I flew first class on the way out and didn’t have any trouble with the seat belt.  But there weren’t any FC seats available for the return flight.  Much to my dismay I couldn’t buckle my seat belt.  If you have seen the girth of my large pregnant belly you would understand why.  I can’t even touch my hands together around the bottom of my belly at this point to buckle a belt.  I had to ask for an extender.  A new low point in my life. 

Jeff met me at the airport and took me home were I tried to keep warm until the rest of my family made it home.  We ordered in Chinese food and relaxed and went to bed early. 

As much as I would have liked to get everything put away Friday morning I had to forego that task and head to the Doctor which catches us up since I already posted about that visit. 

Actually, one more thing.  A lot of Sundays we go to Brian’s folks for dinner and visits.  This week was no exception and we had Christmas all over again.  I think we are a little spoiled…especially the girls. 

Now for the pictures and a long video…

Thankyou Christmas eve program planners for including my girls.  Rosie was so pleased with her costume.

I had to include this one because I’m not quite sure what was up with Julie’s face.

Some kids really like being in the spotlight.  I  won’t mention any names.

Rosie loved Uncle Dallas’s rendition of Frosty the Snowman. 

Dessert was tasty…just ask Rosie.

Too young to remember the snow last year.  A whole new experience for this little one. 

A little help opening this thing please!…  Kitty loves rides in the stroller.

Let’s try again kitty….Serra and her Moon Boots.  What was Mom thinking. 

Let’s give this thing a trial run. 

George thinks we are at D-land.  I am not going to type the whole word in just in case.

After faceplanting in that stuff this is a much better option.