this is the story of ella's birth.

This is the letter I wrote to one of my best friends, your Auntie Chan, to let her know that you were here and the journey we went on.

Hey Best Friend!

I could pretend that when I read your letter I cried because of my post baby hormones, but let’s be real. I cried because I have such a great best friend. You are seriously amazing, thank you for brightening my day even when you are so busy working on extremely important, eternal, life changing mission stuff.  I totally miss you and love you. Oh, and have I told you how proud I am of you?

So…..here goes Chan, the weekend that changed my life. Starting with Friday. My last day of work. That was a little bit crazy. I was planning on going in on Saturday to write my kids a letter and get a few more things done. My mom called me on the way home to tell me that she just decided to go to Vegas. I know. My mom being totally spontaneous all of the sudden. I laughed and was happy for her because she sounded so excited. She was going on a girls trip with Rhonda and Kami, they were going shopping at Charming Charlie and then coming home on Saturday afternoon. My mom gave me specific instructions NOT to have the baby while she was gone. I said, “Oh I wish that would happen, I am ready. But I don’t think she will come.” In my head I thought she was never going to come and if she did it would be on Cache’s birthday. I was a little/lot worried about that.

Friday night we went to JCW with Steve’s parents. Cache, Steve and I split some fries because we weren’t too hungry. So the last real meal I had was lunch from Friday afternoon which was a bowl of fruit. Then, we went to RC Willey’s with the Bournes. Cache LOVES RC Willey. It’s weird. We walk in and he runs and sits on a couch and says, “OH WOW! Comfy and Cool! I love it.” He comments on every piece of furniture and of course he has to test it out.  Then we went home.

Saturday at 2:00 a.m. I had a horrible pain…which was a contraction which I had never experienced before. They kept coming 1-4 minutes apart and I was looking up  stuff on the Internet trying to figure out what was going on. Silly me. Then I thought my water had broke. We decided it was time to go to the hospital. I called my dad to come get Cache and I wanted him and Steve to give me a blessing.

We got to the hospital at 3:00 a.m. We called my mom to let her know. Then they checked me and I was only dilated to a 2. But these contractions were KILLERS! I tell you what. The nurses called my doctor and he wanted me to stay for two more hours to see what would happen. Nothing. Nothing happened except for getting ridiculous uncomfortable checks and horrible contractions and me getting super hungry (that’s why I mentioned the Friday lunch). Nurses had a shift change (that’s how long we were there). At least the new nurse would wait for a contractions to be over before, ya know, sticking her arm up me like I was a puppet. Contractions were still 1-4 minutes apart and they hurt really bad, I can see why people get so anxious for an epidural. Then guess what happened. Nothing. They gave me a morphine shot and sent me home at 8:00 is in the morning. I didn’t even want to eat by that time. I just wanted to sleep and I did. I slept and slept and slept... as much as I could between contractions. Cache told me, “Mom you are missing THE WHOLE DAY!” and I did, but I was still tired. Steve’s parents came over and made us dinner that night. Adriene, Rhonda and my family came over to see our house. My contractions weren’t too bad at this moment and it was fun to have our families over at our home together. They left and I started unpacking the things I needed to get ready for bed since I wasn’t at the hospital with my baby quite yet. Oh, did I mention I did my make up super cute for baby before I left? I did. But she didn’t come.

Steve and Cache went to church on Sunday, Steve brought Cache home early because he was being a lil’ bit naughty. Then, the tree of us went back to church to watch T.J become ordained a Priest (can you believe that?!). It was fabulous. Another happy family moment for the weekend. I was happy that there were these moments over the weekend to help me get my mind off of everything.

My mom invited us over for dinner. Spam Musibi. You know how I LOVE that stuff so I was totally there. I put on work out clothes because I had been a walking fool the past couple of months, I read how it helps prepare the body for birth and contractions and ya know how I love a good workout. So I ate, then I digested, then I headed to the treadmill in my mom’s basement and I walked 2.3 miles on a 5% incline going as fast as I could which was a whole 2 mph.

Cache had spent the majority of the weekend at my parent’s house. They kept him Sunday night too so Steve and I could rest. Then, at 9:00 ish I had a VERY bad contraction. I didn’t want to go into the hospital just to be sent home again so I tried to wait it out. They hurt so ridiculously bad. I tried changing positions, but they would come and I couldn’t move. I tried a hot bath and when I realized they were getting worse I asked Steve to get me bowl of Special K with Strawberries just in case we did go to the hospital I didn’t want to go on an empty stomach.

I must’ve been a sight to see. Sitting in the tub, eating cereal, crying through contractions and then when they went away I would say, “Ok, they are done. I’m sure I’ll be fine. Let’s stay home.” Then another one would come and I couldn’t breathe or talk or move and I would try to get my voice to yell, “GET ME TO THE HOSPITAL.”

Yup, this went on for about an hour. I sat in our big rocker and they calmed down for 5 minutes and then it was too much. I didn’t put on make up, I just threw stuff back into my bag and we were out the door.

Every bump killed.  I was crying telling Steve how scared I was that they were going to send me home again and I was going to have to deal with this pain somehow. We got to the hospital and it was taking me cool minute to get in the building. We got to level 5. Steve called in and they opened the doors, only problem, I couldn’t move. The lady said, “Uhhh, are you two coming.” Steve looked at me with that helpless, what do I do, look and he said,  “She is coming she is just in a lot of pain.” Then it went away and I was back, signing in to the hospital. We didn’t call anyone until we knew for sure what was happening. They came and checked me and guess what?! I was dilated to a SIX! Woohoo I could stay and more importantly I could get the epidural!!!!!!!!! Which is exactly what I asked for. They have me the epidural, Steve almost past out. I was getting this huge shot when I hear Steve say, “Wow. I feel lightheaded.” Then I hear the doctor yell at him  to lay down and for the nurses to get him down. I looked over at my hubby and he was pale as a ghost. So I endured that shot solo mio. But it’s okay he more than made up for it.

So I will fast forward so you don’t spend your P-day reading this. We called our parents after I had the shot and we were ready to go. My doctor arrived at 11:00 p.m checked everything and told me he would be there until baby came, since I was going for a VBAC.

The night was a little bit rough. The nurse came back and I was dilated to 5 and then a 6 and so on….she said she had never been so unsure about a cervix before. The doctor broke my water and we waited to see if anything would happen.  For hours and hours I was only dilated to a 6. At about 6:00 in the morning the doctor came in and checked…still a 6. I had been praying/pleading all night for a successful VBAC. But I knew that I was blessed to be having her and that no matter what, as long as she was healthy I would be okay…but I was still praying so hard to not  have a C-section. The doctor looked at me and I asked him if he had bad news he said, “It isn’t looking too good right now. Let me check the schedule. Let’s have you lay on your left side to see if baby will move to a better spot for us.” Then he left and my heart was sinking. Steve was a rock. He totally believed in me the whole time. My parents and Mandi came over and Steve and my dad gave me a blessing and then they left. The doctor came back and told me since I was okay and baby was okay he would wait it out to see how things would go. I am SO grateful to him for being patient. The nurse came in to check me and I was dilated to a 9. The doctor came in and I pushed for less than 10 minutes and there was my beautiful little Ella. My own little miracle.

Throughout the night her heart had been dropping and when they would move me to my right side it would drop fast. Those nurses are fabulous at staying calm and keeping things calm, but at one time the nurse bust through the doors and told me to roll the other side and I was hearing the little heart beats slow down and it was scary.  She also had marchonium. When Ella came the cord was wrapped around her neck three times and Steve didn’t tell me until I asked him how scary it was that he told me she didn’t breathe right away. My doctor was amazing. Truly. The NICU came in and I held her for a few minutes and then they took her. But another blessing, she was back with me 45 minutes later. She is amazing.

So I got to deliver her the way I wanted and worked for. I got my little baby girl. And I got a stronger testimony. Chan, I prayed so hard. The blessings from both Steve and my Dad. I know you were praying for me. I had people who fasted for me and I am so grateful to everyone. Wow. I know that if hadn’t asked for those blessings, it all might have been a different outcome. I have never felt so blessed and loved by my family, friends and Heavenly Father in all of my life. Now, now I feel so much gratitude. Everything is great.  Not easy, but great.

I will send pictures soon. I love you! I am so happy you are spreading such a fabulous message. Especially after my experience with Ella.

I know that Heavenly Father is listening to us. I know that he loves us so much and wants us to be happy. Even the smallest requests he hears and answers us. Cache has been the best reminder for me. I will lose something (as usual) and if Cache notices me looking all over he will ask, “Mom did you pray? Say a prayer.” Then we will pray and at first I would get all nervous that Cache just knelt down to pray with me and I said this prayer asking to find my ring or phone or wallet or whatever and that I wasn’t going to find it. Or we would pray for something he lost and I would think oh no, what do I say if we don’t find it. But sure enough we would find it.

Keep up the amazing work. I am so excited for you to get to Armenia to show them what you’re made of.

Write to you soon.

Love,
Krista Kei mother of TWO!!!!

Air Jordans

Cache Money got his first pair of Jordans on Saturday night. He even had a whole entourage with him for the purchase.
My mom, Uncle T.j, Uncle Connor, Auntie Mandi, Steve and me. All of us in Finish Line watching Cache go crazy about shoes. "Awww!! Dats cool! Look at dese! Look at dese!!"  This was said repeatedly along with, "Dos are sweet! I want them!"
Magically we limited him to trying on three pairs of shoes.
We put the first pair on and Steve said, "Cache lets see how fast you can run in them."
Cache was so excited that Steve gave him permission to run at full speed. I am sure that Steve thought that Cache would just run down a row and back. Nope. Cache Money goes from the back of the store to the outside of the store in the unpaid shoes. Luckily T.j was there to chase him down.
This happened two more times. He slipped passed all of us and into the mall. T.j was getting pretty winded. Good thing his best bud was there to help him get Cache. I am glad that they were there because at this moment I was getting hit with the worst cold flu I have ever had.
Anyways, best part of the night...

 Did I mention he was wearing a cape? Yes. A cape. A BYU cape. My three year old was bolting through the mall wearing a cape. And he loved it. He had so much fun that night.

Thanks Gramma Jamie! Thanks T.j! -Cache

The Air Show

In November we got ready to do one of our new family traditions...the Air Show

Steve could not sleep the night before the big event because he was so excited to show Cache all of the airplanes and helicopters. We had gone last year, but this year was different. Cache could talk so well, and he had developed an obsession with airplanes and helicopters. 

I couldn't sleep because I hadn't drank or ate anything in hopes of avoiding the port-a-potties. yuck. I successfully did so btw. 

My little brother T.J came along with us to witness the greatness of our United States Airforce. It was a blast.

I always leave there feeling so patriotic and grateful that I live in the USA. 

They are amazing. A-MAZING, I tell you.

Dad and Cache watching the show. 

Uncle Teej and Cache Money

We had woken Cache up to try and pep him up for the main show. This is his reaction.

Us.

Such a beautiful day to walk around and see amazing things. Even though it was shake the Earth loud at times, we got to see airplanes fly from WW2, a rescue mission, a Raptor, a Warthog and all sorts of pilots who seem to have not fear. Don't worry, if you do go, it isn't that loud the whole time, just when they fly FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF SOUND! 

The picture above is right before they did fly faster than the speed of sound. Moments after this photo T.j was crouched down with arms over head yelling, "HIT THE DECK!!" This sound really came out of no where. I was frozen stiff for several seconds. Steve had anticipated this and was laughing his head off and although Cache's ears were covered, he cried. 

Proud to be an American

Thunderbird 1 taking off

I think he liked it ;)

Week 2 of 2012

What a week ladies and gents! Second week of the new year, a.k.a, 2012. 

This week Steve, Cache and I packed up our stuff and headed over to my parent's house for a week of teen-sitting. We have been having some good times over here.

Mandi and I were being us and taking lots o' pictures when I said, "On three, make a face that you think describes this week." 

Yup....

One lost backpack resulting in one missed bus.

Lots of Monopoly.

Lots of cooking.

Lots of ice-cream.

One missing 19 year old, later found. 

A nail in a tire.

A few fights between the teens. No offense to the teens (if you're reading this) I'm just documenting life. 

LOTS of potty stickers....seriously, Cache can do the whole potty thing already, but he can't part with the sticker rewards. 

And one amazing husband who...found the backpack, took Mandi to school, fixed my other sisters tire, cleaned the kitchen, told me to calm down, made the milkshakes, made dinner while I had SEP's and kept everyone happy. THANK YOU. I just love ya!

Other events going on this week; Parent Teacher Conferences were tonight, I have a new student teacher and Cache is pro at being a big boy. We have experienced the occasional slip where we hear, "Oooh man. Oooh. Mom!! I went potty but I left my undies on!" Steve and I run to see what he is talking about and there he is, shorts pulled down, undies still up. Then when he sees us he says, "Oh see, dis' is freaking me out!" Yes, Steve and I are both trying not to saying "freaking" so much as that is a bit too much of Cache's language. Today he told me that helicopter was freaking nuts....thank-you T.J (said with sarcasm).

Oh, and did I mention that one of my students asked me what a virgin was. I told her that it was a mom question...

Also, another one of my students was telling me about all of these old books he has and the pages are yellowed (loved that description btw) and he said, "I am great at reading all them. I understand them perfectly. Except for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. You see, I thought it was about baseball." He said with a matter of fact tone. Then he gets this confused look on his face and continues, "I thought it was going to be about baseball played underwater, in the sea, and there were 20,000 leagues playing. That is the only one that confused me."    LOVE IT!!! 

Truth be told, I truly do love my job. A big part of that is the ladies I work with. I hope they know how fun and enjoyable they make it to go to work. 

Can you tell that school is on my mind? Remember I just got done with conferences an hour ago. ;) One last school thing...one of my students moved up 8 LEVELS in reading. That is monumental and I am very happy. 

That is just some sprinkles of the week. But, of course, what is a blog without some pictures from the week. 

We survived!!

Today Steve, Cache and I continued our drive around Utah County to check out the beautiful fall leaves and the amazing scenery we have here in Utah.  Good Times :) Cache LOVED it all, especially running everywhere and throwing rocks into the lake and river.

Utah Lake

                                                

I  am loving the fall leaves! The colors seem so much brighter this year!

Cache was pretty dang stoked about this little caterpillar...

Below: Nice Cache blooper face, yes?

The big mouth shot :)

Love,

Us

North Park

On August 31st Cache and I went to the new North Park in Spanish Fork. 

It is a way fun place, as you can see.

Just before getting squirted/blasted in the face..,

Recovering from the blast.

Look at those eyelashes!!

I suppose he was thirsty...

I Love You Cache!!!

So after Cache was done with this area we went over to the playground. Cache wanted to climb on the big kid playground instead of sliding down the whimppy slides. He thinks he is so big. 

Don't worry I played on the playground too, ya know, to make sure it was safe. And it is and it is fun. My favorite, those little seats that keep spinning you around. 

When it was time to go, we went past grass that was roped off because they are trying to get the grass all set and ready to go. Well the sprinklers came on. Cache went crazy, he ran into the very middle of the roped off grass, where I of course, I couldn't get him unless I wanted to get soaked. 

So I stood there mortified trying to get Cache to come back to me while other moms just gave me that sympathetic I-am-so-glad-that-is-not-me smile ;)

 Finally he was brave and he ran the edges where I caught him.  

I wanted to go back again that night with Steve and we did.

It just wasn't the same.

10 steps out of the car and I hear 5 different, familiar voices screaming, "MRS.BOURNE!!!"

I was so happy to see former students, and more popped out of nowhere after that, but I wanted to chillax with my little family so we booked it out of there fast. 

So funny when students see you outside of school. After the shock that their teacher has a life wears off, they are genuinely happy to see you. 

Anyways,  I am so so happy I get to spend more time with him so I can have moments like these.

Hogle Zoo

On Friday August 13, 2010 We went to the Hogle Zoo

We saw "nature's nightmares"

as you can see Cache is clinging to Steve

Looking at Piranhas.

Cache thought they were the coolest think ever. He kept making us go back to them.

Cache LOVED the merry-go-round!

When we were waiting in the queue line he started getting a bit impatient.

Then it was finally our turn. Cache sat on his lion and was happy....he had no idea it got better.

Soon he was going around and up and down. He loved it.

I am so happy I took him first because the second time, once he was on he animal, he knew he was supposed to be moving. 

Yup, I could hear him on the other side of the merry go round "encouraging" them to hurry up.

Then it stopped...

Cache was quite upset. We had to hurry and get his mind off of it (then we made sure we avoided the merry go round the rest of our zoo visit).

So across the way, to the elephants we went.

Baby Elephant (the day before her b-day)

Then to the rhinos...man they STINK

This picture was take of Cache at the bird show. It also just so happens to be right before he got in trouble with the zoo worker. Cache decided the show was boring, so he ran over to the grassy area as they were releasing some dangerous hawk. The zoo worker came up to him (right as Steve was standing up to get him) and said, "little boy, you need to go sit down." Cache looked at her like, who the heck are you? Then he sat on the grass and she said," you need to go sit over there." Steve held out his arms and Cache walked over looking slightly confused about at what just happened. Props to him for listening though.

We saw Melman/ the Giraffes

Cache was going crazy shouting, "Mom! Mom" at every animal window. He was fascinated.

This is a classic Cache face which stands for, "this is pretty cool, huh."

Here is Cache deciding if this is "Mom!" worthy (he says Mom! when he is excited)

It is Mom! worthy so here he goes with he deep pitched repetive, "Mom! Mom!"

Look at this Gorilla, just chillin. I had to throw this in ;)

CUTE!!

Notice the monkey leash is no more in this picture. Cache was freed. He was running and galloping all over the place.

Cache was freaked out by this statue. He was cool with it until it made a loud noise and sprayed water at him. So taking a picture with this elephant, didn't turn out the way I'd hoped. But, the moment was captured.

Mandi and Grandma Jamie were there with us!! Even though it got a little bit hot ;)

Notice the hat Mandi is wearing....it is MAGICAL!!! This hat got Mandi to stop complaining and enjoy her zoo trip. Pretty amazing, no?

Gofer Cache

Mandi was really caught in a web. Don't worry, I saved her life.

Turtle

We are in an egg.

We are not sure what we are doing in the egg.

Playing on the playground

How better to end the zoo trip then to play in the cool fountain.

Cache fell asleep in the car pretty quickly. He had so much energy the whole time at the zoo he was zonked. 

We all had so much fun! Definitely will be going again!!