Things have been great since we have been home from the hospital. A little challenging, yes, but completely worth it. Everyone tried to warn us how hard it is having a newborn, and scoffed at me when I said that I thought it would be easier than pregnancy. I think I was right. Having a newborn is tiring but man, am I sure glad that I am not pregnant anymore.


We have been very fortunate that Cameron doesn't really cry. We have only heard him really cry a few times since being home. He fusses every so often but overall he is a great baby. I hope I am not totally jinxing myself. I guess it's totally possible as well that I am still in the "honeymoon" period and am just so gaga over him that I don't notice that I get very little sleep and very little time to myself. Just yesterday, I had a baby shower to go to, and I was just thrilled when he slept for the three straight hours and I didn't have to worry about a fussy baby that needed to be fed or changed while in the middle of a crowd.


We are planning on having him blessed the fast [1st] Sunday in June and would love all to make it. We are so excited to have him as a member of our family. Even though he has only been here for two weeks, it is hard for me to remember what it was really like without him and how we ever lived without him in the first place.

Birth Day

So after many failed attempts of making this baby come, he came on his own time Sunday afternoon, April 18th. My husband will tell you though that it was the hour and a half massage he gave me Saturday night that sprung me into labor, since I had horrible [what I thought was false] labor pains all night long. So a little recap on how the day went.

I was up all night long with [false] labor, which I had been experiencing for the last 4-5 weeks so I just chalked it up to another bad night. I was dilated to 3 cm by 34 weeks pregnant, 4 cm by 36 weeks, and 5 cm at 38 weeks, so my doctor and I both thought that I wouldn't still be pregnant at this point. She had even stripped my membranes at 38 weeks and I was disappointed when it didn't seem to have any effect.

So after a endless night with no sleep, I finally fell asleep at 6 am... just to wake up at 6:30 am with a heavy contraction, a popping sound, and my water breaking. Boy did I run to the bathroom fast! My forebag had broken earlier in my pregnancy resulting in a false alarm trip to the hospital, so this time we took our time going to the hospital to make sure it was for real. And it was.... but we took our time and Brick did the dishes and cleaned up a bit before we left.

By the time we reached the hospital (an only 5 minute drive) I was in horrible pain. We checked in and they took me to triage. Normally they do an exam there before they admit you, but when the nurse saw how much pain I was in they sent me straight to a labor and delivery room. I had planned on a natural delivery my entire pregnancy. I had practiced different breathing techniques, labor positions, and had even bought a birthing ball. Big surprise, I didn't need any of it. Because I had already been dilated to a 5, my labor came on so suddenly and painful that within 30 minutes of my water breaking, my contractions were already two minutes apart. It didn't give me a chance to gradually prepare myself and build up to the contractions. I don't know how dilated I was when I finally got the epidural, but shortly after they gave it to me I was already at 7-8 cm.

I was afraid, previously to going into labor, that if I wasn't able to do it naturally that I would be really disappointed in myself. But I was more than grateful and thrilled when that anesthesiologist finally got there. My hero! He gave me the best epidural ever...not that I had anything to compare it to, but I felt no pain whatsoever for the entirety of my labor.

I think the epidural slowed things down a bit and I was stuck at a 9 for quite a while but it gave me a chance to take a much needed nap before the pushing started. Finally when I got to a 10, the doctor and nurses came in and it was time to push! I only pushed for about 30 minutes...half of the time was just sitting there though, waiting for contractions. I asked for a mirror to watch and was really glad I did. It was so cool to see his head crowning and to realize he had hair! Yay for the Allred genes that dominated the bald headed baby genes of the Randall family. When it came down to the last couple pushes I was so focused on watching him make his way into the world that I forgot to push and they had to remind me that I was the one that had to get this baby out.

Little Cameron made his way into this world at 4:09 pm that day, weighing a whopping 8 lbs 4 oz. An unexpected size for how little weight I gained and considering he was still a week early. I guess I will have to warn my doctors next time that I make big babies.

It was such an amazing experience. It was almost like an out of body experience to have them place his little body on my chest where we got to meet for the first time. I never realized that you could love anyone as instantly as you can your child. Brick and I both had to fight the tears. He was so quiet, I worried a little that he wasn't crying. I realize now it was just a glimpse of what was to come. He is an amazing baby and only cries when he is getting his diaper changed and only gets a little fussy if he waits too long to eat.

He was absolutely beautiful, and I was very grateful to the hospital staff that let me hold him for nearly a half hour before they took him from me for the standard measures they take such as taking a bath and weighing him. At this point I was even more glad that I had gotten the epidural. I felt like it gave me the energy and the clarity of mind to really enjoy the experience, instead of being in the horrible pain I was in previously.

We are so grateful to have our little boy, after 4 long years of waiting, it couldn't have been more perfect. Although I am completely exhausted and am feeling a little overwhelmed and inadequate at all this mom stuff, there is nothing more rewarding than looking my little boy in the eyes and knowing that I am his mother. There is nothing better in the world.

Our first family photo all together.

"First we had each other, then we had you, now we have everything"

Welcome Baby Cameron!

Bert 'Cameron' Randall was born on 4/18/10 at 4:09pm. He weighed 8lbs 4ounces and to our happy surprise has a nice little head of hair!

Mom did such a good job at bringing him into this world. Both Mom and Cameron are perfectly healthy and happy. Cameron loves to just look around and soak in everything around him. He is such a good boy that he even lets his mom and dad get plenty of sleep.

I'm sure plenty more pictures and stories will be soon to come (as we have already taken over 300 pictures) - - He is just way too handsome!

Cameron's Last Ultrasound

We had Cameron's last ultrasound this morning. He is growing ahead of schedule at a whopping 3 pounds 10 ounces. We almost didn't get a good 3d pic and the tech was giving up on it but I made her try one more time and we got this one good shot. He is so cute. Must look like his mom! I love his chubby cheeks. It's nice to know he has a little fat on him. I can't believe its just another 8-9 weeks until we get to meet him in person!

2010 Happenings

It's been way too long since I have posted anything. I admit, I have been really lazy. But my sister is reminding me of my lack of blogging so here it is.

Since last post, we had another ultrasound and baby is doing great! The cysts in his brain resolved themselves and there were no other things to worry about, which is fantastic! Christmas was great and we were all together this year which was wonderful. Last year, we were never all together at once since my dad was in the hospital. Brick and I sorta spoiled each other this year for Christmas. We justified it by saying it was our last year together without a baby and that next year we would be spending all of our money on a little one. Here is my present!



Okay, I know it doesn't look exciting, but it was sure exciting to me. For those of you who don't know what this is, its a vinyl plotter. I love it! I have been using it for craft projects and for making cute decals that I have put all over my kitchen. Messy kitchen but here is some of what I did.




The day after Christmas, Brick got to spend some quality time with his dad and his brothers, something he does not get a lot of. It was a long day of shooting and it looked like they had fun together.



Right after New Year's we welcomed a new addition to our family. My sister Nikki had her fourth kid, Noelle Claire on Sunday, January 3rd, weighing a perfect 7 lb 1 oz with a full head of hair. We just had her blessing last week and it was beautiful. I am so glad that Cameron will have a cousin around his age.







This has nothing to do with anything we have been doing lately, but I was watching TV one day and I saw a picture that I just died laughing when it popped up. It reminded me so much of pictures I have seen of Brick as a teenager. This kid is a little chubbier than Brick ever was but I thought it was hilarious. Anyone that knew Brick as a 14 year old would probably think it was funny too. It looks just like him!


In other news, I am getting fatter by the day! I am not exactly sure where else this baby will fit cause I feel enormous as it is, and with 8 or 9 weeks still left. Here is me trying to exercise.... I did some yoga for oh about 5 minutes before I realized that now is not the time for me to start an exercise regime. Pardon the white belly and confused look on my face.


I have also been working on the nursery (when I am not busy working oh so hard on my ab workout, :-)). I made the letters above his crib and I have to say I am pretty proud of them. There is still lots to be done, I feel at least, but Brick assures me that we are pretty prepared with most of the things that a newborn baby needs. I am not so sure.



So that is a quick update of whats been going on around here. The last couple months have just been a blur. I will just leave you with a picture of my Valentine's Day present from Brick this year. I am in love with it! Eeeek! So exciting! Until next time!

Catch Up

It's been a long time since my last post so here is my quick catch up of the last couple months. November went by super fast. We went to Phantom of the Opera and it was fantastic! My wonderful hubby got us 5th row tickets. We had first row tickets for Wicked but I thought it was actually better being a few rows back, that way the orchestra pit wasnt in the our line of sight.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. We spent the day at my parents house and ate way too much. I think 2 out of 5 of my gained pregnancy pounds were gained in that day. Which leads me to pregnancy news. Yay! I have gained some weight. I am still 6 or so pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight but at least I am not losing anymore. We had another ultrasound at 18 weeks where we found out that my placenta previa has resolved itself, but unfortunately we did find out that baby boy has a couple of choroid plexus cysts in his brain. Man, I just can't catch a break with this pregnancy! Doctor said not to worry about it and we will get it checked out again this Friday at our 5th ultrasound. Its always fun to have ultrasounds...even if they aren't under the best circumstances...we are always excited to see the baby again.

December came way to quickly. We were excited this last week to pay off one of our big debts! It was exciting to have it out of the way...a little sad to be depleting the savings account to do it but definitely a relief to have out of the way.

Also, this week we went to a great combined choral concert with Gilbert LDS Stake and St. Anne's Catholic Church. Afterwards, there was hot chocolate and cookies, which got me into the spirit of Christmas and we went to look at Christmas lights after.

Also, I am so excited to say that I actually have a nursery now! Brick moved his office into the dining room and after some major organization and moving skills on my husband's part, the room is empty of all storage boxes and now has our nursery set in it. I am so thrilled to start decorating it! I still need to buy my crib bedding and buy a rocking chair but then I am set as far as furniture goes. Having a nursery really makes having a baby real, as does feeling him kick, which was an exciting milestone for me at 17 weeks pregnant and then at 21 weeks having Brick able to feel him from the outside.

I am sure I have plenty more to say, but now I am just rambling, so I will update again on Friday when we get our next ultrasound pics and results!

It's a.....

It has been long and a heck of a ride this pregnancy thus far. My first trimester consisted of 24/7 nausea and many doctors appointments. I have to admit though, I am kinda excited about the 12 pounds I have lost. I think it will give me a little wiggle room when faced with my upcoming cravings!

The many doctors appointments were due to a car accident in my first trimester, and some concerns they had about my pregnancy being high risk...which were later confirmed to be nothing at all. Thank goodness for insurance cause all the ultrasounds I have had have run up quite the bill.

Now that all of that has been cleared up, I am grateful to be in the second trimester. I have been feeling better and haven't been constantly hugging the toilet this past two weeks. I have a little more energy and have actually been able to clean house a little. I haven't gained any weight yet but I am sure that will come in time.

The most exciting thing that has happened recently is that they were able to tell the baby's sex this last ultrasound. We weren't expecting to find out for another 3 weeks but were thrilled we got to find out early. And drumroll please.......

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!

Yay! A boy! We are so excited! So happy that I can finally start to buy stuff for the nursery and buy cute baby clothes. We are so excited for this chapter of our life to begin. For those of you that know us well, you know that the three year wait for us to start our family was very taxing on us. I am finally being able to catch a glimpse of this new reality that our lives are. We are thrilled!

P.S. Sorry for the blurry pictures. Our scanner broke and we had to take the pictures of the sonograms with our camera!