The Year Of The Babies

In the Fullmer Warburton Nelson family, this past year has been termed as the, "Year of the Babies" and I wanted to share how 2011 warranted its own special title. I have the great fortune of being very blessed by the family I chose to marry into. I love my in-law family so much that I don't actually think of them as in-laws. My friends tell me horror stories about their mother-in-laws and I honestly cannot relate! My mother-in-law is the first person I think of calling when I need help, advise, or a shoulder to cry on. I love her and am so grateful for her. My in-law siblings are very much like my own siblings and I love them dearly and have such fond memories of our years spent together. Therefore this past year has been especially exciting in our family because all four of the siblings were expecting babies. Joanna was the first to become pregnant and share her exciting news with the family. I had not shared with anyone my intentions of trying this year to get pregnant because I have learned from years past, the heartache that is involved with trying to get pregnant only to be disappointed when you fail time and time again. So it was my own little secret tucked away. When Joanna announced her wonderful news I was super excited thinking that I would get the joy of having a baby with her. Then two short months later Melissa announced that she too was having a baby. WOW! I thought could it be possible that I could be pregnant with two of my sisters-in-law?? I was even more excited but also scared that I would not be able to get pregnant. Then one week before my 35th birthday I was given such a marvelous gift, I discovered that I too was pregnant. I was so excited to have Liam announce the wonderful news to his grandparents. Grammy Coleen's face lit up and she looked like she was going to pass out from shock. She was so happy and excited, we had three little babies coming into the family. Then in April, at Grammy Coleen's 60th birthday, Tommy and Rosie announced that they too were expecting. All four of Grammy Coleen's children were going to have babies! Our family was a buzz with the exciting news and we all were hugging each other and thumping each other on the backs! We later discovered that all four babies were in fact--BOYS! Which only made us more excited that each of us would be having a baby boy! I can't help but think about the four missionaries going out from our family in nineteen years time and all the other life experiences that they will share together in between.
It has been such an exciting and wonderful year to not only be expecting my own little treasure but to watch as each of my husband's siblings welcome a new little spirit into their hearts and homes as well. At Joanna's baby blessing of Gabriel, her and Trevor's son, we took a picture of the three preggo bellies and the momma that had her baby. At each baby blessing I want to get a picture of the remaining pregnant ladies and the new baby boys. A week ago Melissa, had her little baby boy, Teegan and we are all excited to meet him and welcome him into our family. Now, just two of the the four pregnant girls remain, myself and Rosie are anxiously awaiting the arrivals of our own baby boys. In this second picture, us pregnant girls are featured from left to right in order of our due dates: Joanna holding baby Gabriel, Melissa, Moana, and Rosie at Gabriel's baby blessing.
I love being a mother and I feel so blessed that with baby two I have had the great joy of sharing this experience with my amazing sisters-in-law. I am now about 31 weeks pregnant and doing wonderful. Heavenly Father has truly blessed me during this pregnancy. The problems and complications I had with Liam's pregnancy have not troubled me and I am so thankful that I have had a relatively normal pregnancy. We went this past week to our regular midwife appointment and baby boy measured right on his due date. It was determined that he had some freakish growth spurt and that is why he was measuring so large at our last appointment. We will have to go in for another ultra-sound to ensure that he really is OK but we are banking on the fact that all blood work and the previous ultra-sound revealed that he is in fact doing well. He is so active and constantly reminds me that he is there growing below my heart. Bill and Liam can visually see him moving and kicking now as they test him to see what he will respond too. He especially loves the sound of Bill's low voice and Liam's constant hugs and kisses. I can hardly wait to hold him in my arms and fill my nostrils with his sweet scent and take in all of the lines and contours of his little face. I can't wait to feel him in my arms and gaze into his eyes. I love him so much and yet I haven't even met him yet. This doesn't seem to matter, he has my eternal love and devotion already. I can't wait to add him to my little family and see how Liam adjusts to being a big brother. Since Liam could speak at 3 years old when asked what he wants for his birthday, Christmas, and all the holidays in between his response has been the exact same one, "I want a baby brother and a baby sister." Often times he will awake in the morning with a huge grin on his face, "Mom, I had the best dream, I dreamt about my brother and sister last night and we had so much fun together. We did....." People ask me all the time if I think he is ready. I have no idea if he is and if the adjustment will be super difficult. But I do know that he sincerely is excited and has been waiting for a long time to meet his sibling. I am sure their will be moments of trial and challenges and yet I suspect that Liam will do as he always has done, he will be joyful and excited to have a brother to share his life with. He already shows such care and concern for his brother and I can hardly wait to watch what is going to happen between these two little men. I feel so blessed and grateful for the experiences that I have had to prepare me for this new life experience of having a new baby. I am also looking forward to the future as I contemplate meeting and raising my newest son. We have anywhere from as little as 7 weeks and as much as 11 weeks until we too will be holding baby number two in our arms and gazing lovingly at every minute detail of his amazing little body. As the "year of the Babies" comes to its close for me, I am so excited, I can hardly wait, the future holds so much promise and I feel blessed by this! I get the joy of not only welcoming my own little one into my family but three beautiful little nephews as well!

Ray's of Sonshine

The warmth of the morning light streams through the partially opened blinds as I feel you shift to conform to my body's position against my knee pillow. My eyes slowly begin to open as the light streams through the opened window. I gently rub my belly where I can feel you stirring. You quickly thump my belly with a responding kick. I smile as we have this special moment together. I begin speaking out loud to you, asking you silly things like, "How was your sleep, did you have pleasant dreams? What have you got planned today? Will you be growing eyebrows or eyelashes on your agenda for the day?" After each question you firmly respond with a stream of spiraling twirls and kicks. Your daddy rolls over and peaks through sleep laden eyes at me and smiles when he realizes that I am having my customary morning conversation with you. He gently rubs my belly and murmurs, "I love you three (meaning he loves me, you and Liam). He then lazily rolls over and quickly falls back into a deep sleep. I continue speaking to you about your older brother and your daddy and you again thump me with a scissor kick as you respond to my voice. My heart swells with pride that you are so strong and responsive. I curl up into the fetal position so that I can hug you closer to my chest and we remain this way as the sun continues to stream into the room. My shoulders begin to feel the warmth of the morning sun and I feel warm and fuzzy all over. I lazily lay there basking in the warmth of the morning suns warming rays as you continue to kick and twirl inside my belly. I lovingly rub you and sing to you my favorite song, the chorus of, "You are my sunshine." My auntie Vicky taught me this song as we would travel great distances while I was a girl living in New Zealand. This is your oldest brothers favorite song and I have lovingly called him my sunshine since he was a fetus much like you. Just in case you are concerned--He is completely aware that he will be sharing the title of his mothers sunshine with you. Its actually a play on words because I affectionately call you both my, "Ray of Sonshines." Your fast movement begins to slow and you are lulled into stillness. I believe you have worn yourself out with all of your frantic kicking and movement and you are now quietly settling down into a deep sleep. I lay back on my pillows and I lovingly rub your daddy's back as I have this moment of stillness to myself. I contemplate and whisper a prayer of thanksgiving for the love that surrounds me much like the warmth of the morning sunlight that is streaming through my open bedroom window. My life is good and I am grateful for the people in my life that bring me joy and love. My heart swells with warmth as my shoulders lightly bask in the glow of the morning sun. I breathe a sigh of contentment as I am lulled into sleep by the warmth and love that surrounds me. The last thought in my mind before the darkness of sleep overtakes me is, " I am truly blessed with the ray's sonshine that surrounds me!"

Progress

Ironically six years ago today, I was in labor with Liam boy, I had gone into labor with him on May 30 and he was born at the stroke of midnight on June 2. Consequently I am nostalgic as today I am 23 weeks pregnant with baby two and we had our last appointment here in Logan this morning. I was a little sad to inform them that I was transferring my care to the University of Utah because I have been a client there since 2004. However, I am also grateful for the opportunity to have my baby with a midwife since I had Liam with a midwife as well. Despite the seriousness of his birth, the midwife made the difference with her care and concern. She was with me the entire time ensuring that everything went well and that I was supported in the choices that I wanted for my son. I am so grateful that I had a birth plan that my care providers worked hard to follow. I am looking forward to working with the midwives at the University of Utah.

Joanna, Moana, and Rosie--expectant mothers and sister-in-laws.

We were all really excited to be preggo together, we can hardly wait to meet our babies!

Joanna is due first, then Melissa who is not in this picture, Me, then Rosie. Four babies in time for Christmas this year!

My sister-in-law, Joanna had a baby with them last week and I have enjoyed hearing her birth story. I feel comforted knowing that I am also going to be working with the same midwives and nurses. I am excited for this new experience.

On another note, the baby's heart tones were right where they should be, he sounded perfect. The whooshing sounds of the blood flowing through his heart was like music to my ears! He is also measuring right on his due date as well. To me the due date is only a rough time line, I know that this little guy will come when he is ready. I just can't help but wonder if he will choose September or October for his birth month. I went into labor with Liam in May and had him in June and this newest little guy will be the same way as well since his due date is the later part of September. He could be right on time or be lackadaisical and come in October. He is sure to suprise me and keep me guessing the entire time! One thing that is for certain, is that I am happy that my blood sugars and blood pressures are looking so great! By this point with Liam we were on strict bed rest battling the beginning stages of toxemia. I have worked hard this pregnancy to use what I learned from Liam's pregnancy and complications to have a better experience. Admittedly, I have also stretched my faith muscles more and prayed for lots of help and for my body to be healthier this go around. Unborn Fullmer is looking and sounding great and the mama is feeling great as well. He is progressing as expected and I am so grateful for this small miracle and blessing.

Boxes, boxes everywhere!

Liam's converted garage

Empty boxes waiting to be filled

We are also hard at work packing up the many boxes that encapsulates the fifteen years of marriage and living together that have collected over the years. I am astounded at how much stuff we have been able to fit into this tiny apartment. I am forever making a run for more boxes as we quickly fill up empty boxes with the contents of our lives. I have high hopes of having everything packed and ready to go before our helpers show up. In years past, I have not been as well prepared and at the last minute everything gets chucked into an empty box and when it comes time to unpack its a small nightmare trying to put it all away. I have also never been pregnant and moving either and I have a new found appreciation for the women who have done so before! WOW! Its a lot more work and requires more energy then I had previously ever realized. I find myself taking lots of breaks and having to rely on the help of others. I am so independent that asking others for help is not one of my strong points! I am learning humility and not enjoying the process one bit! However, we are seeing great progress as areas of our small apartment are getting packaged up and put away into the waiting boxes that line the walls of Liam's tiny bedroom. He told me yesterday that his bedroom looks more like a garage and less like a bedroom. Sadly, he is right!

"This is my angry face"

Mom just told me something really stupid, like pick up my toys.

I don't want to pose for the camera right now, I am busy playing!

But I keep consoling him with the promise that not much longer and we will be living in a bigger place for more room for him to play and spread out. He just rolls his eyes at me and scoffs. Sometimes, he acts more like a seasoned teenager and less like an innocent first grader!I dread the day when he realizes that he is smarter than his old mom and my influence over him will be at its end. We have experiences much growth and progress these past few weeks and we are looking forward to what the future has in store for us.

The Details

If you just watched Liams little video you may be wondering whats the 4-1-1. Well, here it goes.

1. I am six weeks pregnant
2. I found out three weeks ago
3. I have been sick the entire time
4. My due date is September 30
   
5. I will be having my first doctors visit next week
   
6. I will be graduating from USU this Spring with my associates degree
   
7. I will be staying home full time again
8. I have been eating and drinking fluids like a crazy person
9. I sleep the better part of every day
10. I am SOOOOO happy it almost hurts!

Liam has been so excited about his new baby that he has been telling everyone who will listen. He has been so adorable, he continually hugs my belly and tells his "babies" that he loves them and that he is waiting for them to hurry up and get bigger and stronger so that they can finally come out. He is convinced no matter what anyone says that we are having a boy and a girl. We don't know yet how many their are in there but Liam has decided there are two of them. I laugh because I told my mother the exact same thing twenty years ago and she looked at me like I was crazy. I now understand how she feels. (For the record, I was right, she had fraternal twins!) I have no idea how many we are having but if you ask Liam he will tell you that their are two babies. We will know next week when we go in for our first appointment how many heartbeats there are. No matter how many babies there are in my womb, I am just grateful for the miracle I have been blessed with. It has been a long hard road to get to this point of having baby number two-- five and a half years to be exact! I am so grateful that I will be a mother a second time. I stand in awe of God and his love for me, I know that me becoming pregnant was a huge answer to prayer. I don't take this little miracle growing inside of me for granted, I am so thankful for the miracle of life and that I get to participate in this process for a second time. I am so happy and thankful. I feel so loved and blessed and I look forward to the journey that lies ahead of me.