Introducing Harper Lynn Holzer

We are a family of 5!  Harper Lynn was born on October 26, 2016.  Since she was breech, the plan was for me to go into the hospital that morning with the staff ready to do a c-section.  Dr. Bradshaw would try to flip the baby to have her going head down again with an external cephalic version.  It is when the doctor physical moves the baby from the outside.  Then, if she wouldn't move, we would go ahead with the c-section.  I wanted to feel like I had tried everything I could to deliver her naturally.  When my blood work came back, it showed that my platelets were too low to give me an epidural, which was needed for the external version.  I could opt for a spinal block to do the version but if she turned and I had to labor with her, the spinal block would wear off and I would be left with nothing since an epidural was out of the question. With knowledge of the low platelets, we decided to forgo the version, and move forward with the c-section.  It was kind of a traumatic experience for a girl who has never had surgery or broken a bone or anything.  I was glad I was awake to meet Harper, but it was unnerving to be awake during the procedure.  Once I was in the OR, there was some prep work to be done before Dave could come in.  I remember being so relieved when I finally saw him!  The spinal block made my blood pressure drop and that made me nauseous. I am thankful to to anesthesiologist who gave me something that fixed the nausea right away, and made me as comfortable as possible.  Dave was there on a stool right by my head, and stood up to see over the drape in time to see a leg, then a little bum, then another leg, followed by the rest of our sweet little girl.  They took her to the little cart they had for the nurses to check her out.  Dave went with her and then got to bring her to me so we could meet.  Then came the most painful part of the whole thing.  Getting my body parts put back inside me.  I also remember a terrible pain in my ribs where her head had been, and also in my collar bone, which apparently is common in abdominal surgeries.  Then the next thing I remember was waking up in the recovery room.  I am not sure why Harper turned head up at 36 weeks, but I feel strongly that with the platelet issue that we didn't know about, she saved me from some other complication that would have coming from laboring and delivering her.  I am so glad she is here safe, and that I am living during the time of amazing modern medicine.  Welcome to the world Harper Lynn!  My heart has been waiting for you for a long time!

BABY!!

This will be the last time I get to post before the arrival of our baby girl!  I felt pretty sick throughout the first trimester, but have felt pretty good otherwise besides the usually aches and pains associated with pregnancy.  She was even head down and ready to go until sometime during the 36th week, when she decided to flip around and be breech!  I have tried all kinds of exercises and even acupuncture to see if she will flip back around but so far no luck.  I will go in to the doctor on Tuesday for my regular appointment, and then the plan is to either do a c-section on Wednesday or to induce if she happens to be head down.  I am holding out hope that she will flip around because I know what to expect from a natural delivery but I also keep telling myself that maybe a c-section is going to be the best way for her to get here safely.  I admit that I a freaking out a little bit but I am trying to be calm and accept things as they are.  Dave is in Las Vegas for a Calix Conference until Tuesday so that has been a source of stress too.  I know there are plenty of people that would help me if I go into labor while he is gone, but of course none of them would be the same as having Dave there. Stay tuned for how it all turns out!  We will meet her either way on Wednesday!

Volleyball

Haylie has been playing volleyball with Carbon Rec. They were placed on teams and then have one practice a week and play games once a week against Emery County teams.  The games are still pretty slow since the girls are all just learning the skills. but it has been fun to watch her progress and be involved in a sport.

Haylie in the middle back

Zander's New Room Again

The Price area received record rainfall On September 22nd and 23rd of 2016.  Many people in the community had problems with flooding.  We did too.  We also have a lot of ground water that ended up seeping in later the next week after we thought the water troubles were over.  So now, the room that we just finished decorating for Zander to have downstairs is completely torn apart.  Dave is working on getting it repaired, but it is definitely frustrating to redo things that we just got done doing less than a month ago!  Mostly we need new sheet rock 2 feet up on two different walls and then a new carpet pad in a little less than half of the room.  We had flooding in that room last fall too and so we tore out the exact same section of carpet pad last year and replaced it.  Now it is getting replaced again!  I just have to concentrate my efforts on getting the baby's room ready upstairs or I get a little anxious thinking about all the work downstairs.  Luckily Dave is such a good guy!  He is really taking care of things downstairs with not much help from me!

The walkout basement door got flooded too!

Zander's new room

Over the past month we have been working on getting Zander moved downstairs so that his upstairs room can be used for the baby.  It has turned out to be a pretty cool room downstairs and he loves it. He has wanted to stay in his old room a few times and I think he is feeling a little unsure about his role in the family since he has always been the baby.  Even though they is older, I will need to make sure to be aware of how the new baby's arrival will make him and Haylie feel.  Only 6 weeks to go now!  This week we are going to try to work on the getting the baby's room ready.  I think once I do that I will feel much more ready for her to come.  Right now all of her stuff is piled in the office. Here are some pictures of Zander's awesome Justice League room!

Zander's front teeth.

One of the many ways that Zander is a unique kid is that he was 8 years old before he lost a tooth. He lost his bottom front teeth a couple of months ago. Now, over the past few weeks, his top front ones have been loose and pointing out of his mouth.  Then while he was out on the trampoline his knee hit one of them enough to knock it so it was pointing back into his mouth.  He was so worried about them and they were hanging by a thread so Dave finally held Zander down and pulled them both out, one at a time.  There was a lot of screaming and crying and then a lot of relieve from everyone when they were finally out.  And who wouldn't love this sweet toothless grin!?!

Back to School 2016

Haylie and Zander went back to school this past Wednesday.  They grumbled a little bit about having to go back, but when it came down to the night before they were both bouncing off the walls with excitement.  Haylie is in 5th grade this year.  It is weird to think she will be in middle school next year!  Also strange because she is in the classroom that I taught in when I taught 5th grade.  Her teacher is Mrs, Labrum, who she also had in 3rd grade.  That has made for a smooth transition so far.  Zander is in 3rd grade this year.  He got Mrs. Thayn.  I don't know her well but so far it seems like a good fit. Zander didn't exactly love his teacher last year and his teacher this year has a completely different style so hopefully we will have a good year all around.  I have been busy most every day since they have been back so I haven't even had much time to soak in the empty house.  I am so grateful for Castle Heights Elementary and the good experiences my kids have had there.

Grandma and Grandpa's visit from Wyoming

Grandma Patti and Grandpa Art came for a visit during the first week in August.  This time they brought Alexa.  She is Haylie and Zander's only cousin on the Holzer side.  It was a great opportunity for them to get to know each other better since we don't get to see her very much.  We kept her busy the whole time with all kinds of activities.  I didn't get many pictures of a lot of things, but we took her to a sidewalk jamboree in Castledale, to the Castle Valley Pageant, and swimming at the Helper pool!  It was her first time in a swimming pool and she had a wonderful time.  The kids also played all kinds of things at the house in our down time.  I am glad that they took the time to travel 10+ hours to come for a visit.  Next year it is our turn to visit them in Wyoming! I did catch one shot of the horse and buggy right the kids took before the pageant.  I may have to steal a few more pictures from Grandma Patti!

Lemonade Stand

It seems like once a summer Haylie gets the urge to run a lemonade stand.  This year she invited her friend, Kalli, to join her business.  They had a great time making the sign and the lemonade and setting everything up.  They did pretty good business thanks to a few generous neighbors!  I am glad the kids have such great friends in the neighborhood!

Kayaking Fun

We have been able to take the Kayak out a few times over the summer for some fun times.  On one occasion we camped at Joe's Valley Reservoir and spent quite a bit of time on at on the kayak and around the water.  Everyone, including Charlotte has a great time swimming and riding the kayak.

Lunatic Triathlon and Swimming

In the past few years, there has been a triathlon held in Price called the Lunatic Triathlon.  They also have a kids division as part of it.  Haylie decided to compete in it this year and did awesome.  She killed everyone on the swimming part of it, and held her own during the rest, even though she was pretty spent by the time she got to the final running portion of the race.  Dave even ran alongside her to keep her going even though she wanted to quit.  I am so proud of her for trying new and hard things!!  Way to go Haylie!! 

Last summer Haylie joined the swim team and she has continued with that as well.  I guarantee she is a better swimmer than me!  She competed in several meets over the summer in various events.  Her favorites are pretty much anything but the backstroke!  Here are a couple of shots of her competing in meets.

Family Reunion 2016

This year our annual Oberholtzer family reunion was hosted by Darin.  We started out on Thursday at Lagoon. Zander and Dave rode roller coasters and water slides.  Haylie and I hung out mostly in the waterpark.  Haylie had a great time hanging around with her cousins there. I didn't get any pictures from Lagoon since I was at the water park and didn't have my phone with me. On Friday we went to This is the Place Heritage Park.  It is in Salt Lake at the place where Brigham Young arrived with the first group of pioneers.  They have lots of restored buildings and activities to do revolving around the pioneers. On Saturday, we stayed around my parents house in Perry visiting and playing games.  I consider the wonderful family I was born into one of the greatest blessings of my life.  I love that we all get along, and some of my closest friends are my family members.  Can't wait for more fun next year!!