New Sleeping Arrangments

Harrison is colic-y, he is super cute and wonderful, but his favorite thing to do at night especially, is cry. Today Jared was talking to one of the assistants he works with and she suggested putting him on the dryer!!! Apparently the noise, vibration and even the warmth help them calm down. I am not kidding - he went from crazy upset to deep sleep in seconds - and I am getting laundry done!!!

So guess where Harrison is going to hang out at night from now on... not screaming in my ear!

Don't worry, I am not going to leave him there all night, just long enough - to make sure he is really asleep. :)

If this wasn't my life - I'd be laughing...

Here is the situation that warrants the title...

I am having a "after-baby-female-issue", so yesterday I called the nurse at my OB's office and she suggested I come in and pee in a cup to take a culture (if this is TMI, then stop reading, it gets worse and my pride is already out the window, so you judging this entry is not going to help). So because I am only peeing in a cup and leaving I drag the kids with me - who wants to get a babysitter for a 1 minute apt, right? WRONG!!!

I tell the nurse what is going on exactly and she says she wants the doctor to take a look, awesome! So first I going into the "family sized" bathroom with all 3 of the children and pee in a cup, mean while Harrison starts to cry (because that is his favorite hobby), Carson starts opening the doors under the sink and trying to get to the trash can (because he thinks that is his private collection of playthings) and Emma is asking me why I am peeing in a cup - the fun has just begun!

They take me into an exam room and tell me it will only be a few minutes wait, which in normal world would be fine, but in my situation 30 seconds wait is too long. So I try to get a handle on my situation... I put Emma on a chair with a book - she is settled, I get Harrison out of his carseat and nurse him - he is quiet, and I hid the trash can and secure all cabinets from Carson - safe. We spend our wait time trying to entertain... singing, playing little games, ANYTHING. So then the doctor walks in. Emma stays in her seat, but Carson has been playing with the doctors rolling chair and isn't about to give it up, thankfully Emma helps him into her chair. All this time I am still nursing right in front of the doctor - because really, what is the point now? We talk for a second and then he has me lay back to take a look at my "girl area" - at this time Carson is highly interested in what he is doing and climbs off his seat to stand right next to the doctor the whole time.

So let's recap - Harrison nursing, Carson checking me out with the doctor and Emma about 2 feet from my head. I seriously felt like a huge joke was being played, like at anytime a camera was going to come out and tell me I was on a TV show or something... really - ANYTIME NOW!!!

This is what has happened to my privacy - they walk into the bathroom during showers and bathroom trips, they watch me nurse and pump and now this... I am pretty sure it could not get any worse.

This is being a Mom - it is good thing there are babysitters (Paige, Cali, Julia, Taylor - any of you, can you come over right now?!!!)

PS: Don't worry no pictures will be posted with this entry.

Harrison Eugene Pratt

So he finally has a name... Harrison Eugene Pratt. Harrison is actually the name I wanted to name Carson, but when Carson came out he didn't look like a "Harrison" to me, so he became Carson. It took us forever to finalize Harrison as his name, we actually took him home and tried different names out, Harrison fit him nicely. Eugene, his middle name, is my father's name and we have planned on using that for him since he was born.

He is a very sweet baby - he is so soft and cuddly. I will say - HE LOVES TO BE HELD!!! This sound cute, but this is a little hard with 2 other "crazies" running around needing attention too. But as with everything, we will find a way to make it work.

I am not complaining, I am simply reporting... I think he may be colic-y. He gets pretty "upset" every night around the same time. On Monday we took him to his 2 week apt and the doctor gave us some medicine to help relax his stomach muscles at those time and it really has worked, he isn't getting upset as much and does not spend his evening screaming in my ear. We have been using the medicine for 2 nights now, so wish us luck for it to continue.

He sleeps well during the night - he has even gone a 7-8 hour time, more then once. But he still has nights where he is up every 3 hours, so nothing is consistent - and I don't really expect it to be... he is ONLY 3 weeks old!

His siblings are taking to him very well. Emma would snuggle and kiss him until his air is gone if we let her. I spend a lot of my day telling her to give him some space or to leave him alone while he is sleeping. Overall though she is an amazing helper - getting all the diapers, wipes, throwing them away, getting his binky and helping to comfort him when he needs it. She really has been more then amazing - I love that little girl! Carson on the other hand has taken his time getting to know the new addition to our family. The first day in the hospital he pointed with a grunt and then the next week he completely ignored him and anyone who was holding him. One day Jared tried to get him to give him a kiss and ended up chasing Carson around the house with the baby - it was really funny. He is getting over it though nicely - he gives him kisses and rubs his face so sweet. He even will run and get his binky if he gets upset. I think they will all grow up to like each other eventually - right?! :)

We are really excited to see how the next few months unfold - he is a sweet, beautiful baby and we are already so much in love with him.

Thanks to everyone for all of the amazing love you have showed us with thoughts, prayers, meals and even gifts - we are so gratful. At this point we really feel like we don't need anything else, but we would love visitors - come on over and see him!

I am adding some pictures of him - hope you love them.

PS: these are even old - I am still behind - forever!

I am WAY behind!

I know I haven't blogged in a while, my family won't stop reminding me that they want pictures of Harrison, I know I need to catch up and I will try - but it is hard keeping up with anything right now... so be patient!

He is Here!!!

He is here and he is super cute!!!

I was scheduled to come in at 6:30 this morning, but at 6 when I called to check in (like they told me to) they said they were full and to hold off. They called me back soon after and I was told to come in. We arrived at around 7:15 and was hooked up and ready for business by 7:30. At 8 am they started my IV with antibiotics , because of the strep B test and told me I would need that in my system for 4 hours, but they started the Pitocin along with it so I could progress while the antibiotic was working. The pitocin is NO JOKE! I was have contractions every 3-5 minutes and strong! I got my epidural around 11 ish and took a little nap. They checked me at noon and I was between a 4-5. So the doctor broke my water at 12:30 and guessed I would deliver around 3:30. Within a few minutes my contractions were every 2-3 minutes and the nurse came into to see how everything was progressing. At that point I was at 6mm. After that one of the nurses came in to ask a few questions, I told her I could feel my contractions and they were quite strong - she checked again and said I was already at a 9 - within a matter of 15 minutes! She started getting things ready and told me she had to grab the "cart" and she would be right back, but if I felt any pressure in my lower back to page the nurse because it might be the baby. No more then about 15 seconds after she left I felt a strong pressure in my lower back and told Jared I thought we needed to page her back, he laughed and said "she just shut the door" so I pushed the button, she came back in and I told her, she checked and the baby's head was crowned. Luckily they had already called the doctor and he was walking in, she let him know and he quickly got things ready. As soon as I was in the right position they waited for a good contraction and told me to push, out came his head! Next contraction they had me push again and there he was - seriously it was TOO easy! He is so cute! He has TONS of hair and chubby checks, he reminds me of Emma when she was born. He weighs 8lb, 3 oz (just a ounce shy of what both Emma and Carson weighed when they were born), he is 20 inches long and just so perfect! He is nursing like a champ already and so we think he is surely in the right family because he loves to eat!

We are so grateful he is here and everyone is doing fine! We love you all and will let you know as so as he has a name!

PS if you are on Facebook and are one of Jared's friends there are pictures there - I haven't uploaded any to this computer, but I will as soon as I get home, which should be tomorrow.

The Cast is Off!!!

Today it has been 4 weeks since Carson got his cast on. We returned to Primary Children's for a follow up xray and removal of the cast. Carson did not like the xray, or anyone in scrubs, or anyone who looked at his leg up close... it was a lot of fun! After the doctor reviewed the xray that showed 2 healed up bones the nurses took the cast off. His reaction is so funny sometimes. First he simply hid his face (his universal defense mechanism), then he watched behind his arm as they removed it, not really bugged at all (Emma was more upset by the "saw" then anyone). But, when they actually took the cast away from his leg he got so upset. He cried and tried to wiggle away from them. The nurse (who had 2 students with her) laughed and told all of us that his reaction was the opposite of most kids reaction - they usually wiggle and cry with the "saw" and like the cast coming off. After it was completely removed they handed it to him and he actually tried to put it back on, like he does when we take his socks or shoes off - it was really funny.

The doctor did say he would probably walk funny for up to a month, but that was totally normal. After that, there are no long term problems to worry about. His leg is dry, but after a little lotion he will be good as new!

Yeah, no more dead weight, no more extra 5 pounds to carry around and no more using his cast as a weapon - just in time, incase you can't see in the picture (which would tell me you can't see at all), I am HUGE - this baby needs out soon!

Fourth of July

The 4th of July, was not only a fun day with parades, food and fireworks - it was also kind of the "last ho-rah" with Jared's family, or at least the ones who were still here. We have had all of his siblings here for the last few weeks for a last get together before his parents left as Mission Presidents to Russia (I still need to blog about this). Steve was the last to leave, he left on the 5th and so we used the 4th to celebrate "all together" also.

Jared and Eric got up early that morning (4am) and got a great seat for the Provo Parade. It was great, not only was Steve's and Eric's family there, but so was Liz's parents and our good friends The Rasbands, they have twin boys and live across the street from us. We all had a great time.

After the parade we carried on a greasy Pratt tradition with KFC for lunch, we all went back to Pratt Central (Grandma T and Big Grandpa's house), where Eric and Liz are now living, for yummy food and fun games. After a long fun day we all split to "freshen up" and get ready for the fireworks.

Liz's family goes to the Provo Temple to steal a glance at the Stadium of Fire fireworks and the last few years we have joined them. This year we also were with Cammie's family in a big group. We had great seats to see the fireworks and tons of room for the kids to run around and play while we waited for the big show. Also great blanket space for Carson and Logan to have a cute game of catch (Carson is NOT a grass person - in case you might not know). Some dark rain clouds threatened our fun, but never really got us - we were lucky and had a great time!

Thanks for all the Fourth of July Fun everyone! Emma and Carson had the best time playing with their cousins and their Aunts and Uncles.

Swim Lessons

I know this is the second "pool" entry in a row but...

Emma started swim lessons on Monday. She was very excited about it. She did pretty well, but is not interested in putting her head under the water. I am pretty sure it has something to do with her tubes, but either way, after 2 days of her teachers trying nicely, today after class I was swimming with her and just took her under, I don't even think she knew what happened - she just looked at me like "what was that?" I think I am going to try it after or before class everyday... so if she needs therapy because of her fear of water - put it on my tab! :) I really do think this is a great way for her to get more comfortable in the water - she loves going to the pool and I love being outside playing with her in the pool - a great summertime activity!

She is a funny little girl though, here are some pictures of her with her buddies Andy and Tony, who are taking the class with her. (They took classes last year and rock the free world at going under the water). She loves her 2 teachers Missy and Heather and beams when they give her a high 5 after she does something new. So far her favorite thing is to throw the water toys in the water (a game to get them to go under) and watch as it drops. She reaches down and then waits as one of the twins get it for her - so funny! They also play "ring around the rosey" - another example of her not giving in - she DOES NOT fall down. She simply watches everyone else go under like they are fools, I have yet you capture the facial expression when they "fall down" - it is like she is disgusted with them. Funny, but a little scary - already she is so stubborn!

The AF Pool

There are a ton of great things for the kids to do in the summer time. We live in an area where you really could do something almost everyday, today we went to the American Fork Pool. Reva, my good friend and neighbor came along with her twins Andrew and Anthony, two boys that are so fun and we are certain if we still live close will be one of Emma's future boyfriends. hahaha! Sarah, a cute little neighbor girl, that is one of Emma's only girlfriends came with us too. (I am serious, we have SO MANY boys in the neighborhood, but only 2-3 little girls her age!)

The kids had a blast! They were immediately all over, running, splashing and "swimming"! Andrew and Anthony took swim lessons last year, so they were way brave with their "head dunking" while Sarah was the bravest on the blue covered slide - she continued up and down that slide a good part of the day. The BIG red slide was not something we ventured on today - 5 kids, 2 adults (one very pregnant) - maybe next time!

Carson was funny too, he saw the water and was so excited, but then he realized we were going in and clung onto me like a baby monkey - sometimes I think he is trying to climb back inside! After lunch and a little water warm up he was a little more excited, but still glued to my hip - which is fine with me, he is so dang cute! By the end he was having a great time too, even going down the little slide, with help of course. But I was glad, because Jared thought I should leave him home - but I always feel bad, leaving him and taking Emma - just because he is young doesn't mean he can't have fun too - I did take Emma when she was that young... so thanks little buddy for helping me not regret my decision! Also - Thank goodness his cast is water-proof, that makes life so much easier!

It was so relaxing to sit in the pool and visit with Reva. The kids are at a nice age, where they are happy to play on their own, so we stayed close, but were able to visit and relax ourselves. Whoever invented "kiddie pools" and "beach entrances" is a genius!


Thanks for the fun everyone, we will plan another trip really soon!!!

WAY BEHIND!

It is funny how much can happen in a month of no posting... I am going to catch up soon - hopefully before the baby, wish me luck!

Until then...

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!