Ok - here are the details

(I don't expect everyone to read this whole thing, but I need to document it somewhere. If you read it, lucky you.)

At my last appointment, I was dialated to 4 cm. I was freaked out at being that far at only 37 weeks. I decided to try the castor oil a week early than I had originally planned.

Friday December 19 - Lisa offered to take the little boys for the morning (she is such a saint! Love you Lisa!) Clayton was off that day, so he came with me to run some errands. When we got home, I took three Tablespoons of castor oil. I had planned on making the castor oil cookies, but when I made the dough, the smell of the molasses was gross, and I didn't want to have to eat tons of gross molasses or a little bit of gross castor oil. Anyway, Tommy and I laid down for a nap. I had a few trips to the bathroom, but really not that bad. I guess I started feeling contractions in the evening. They weren't much different than the ones I had been having for weeks. After the kids went to bed, they were worse. I never really had time to sit down and time them, so I was going mostly by pain. We decided to call the Dr at around 10:00. After a long discussion, she said to come in. We got the kids to the Vejnars, and arrived at the hospital at around 11:30. I was dialated to 5 cm and the nurse said the magic words, "you're staying!"

I laid in bed watching tv and feeling contractions. They got more and more painful, and by the time the candyman (anesthiesiologist) came I was in tears at every contraction. This is where I got the worst epidural I have ever had. For some reason he couldn't find the right spot, and it took forever! I was having a constant electric zing down my left leg and dealing with really painful contractions. Needless to say, I was sobbing like a baby during this whole time. Finally the thing got where it needed to be and it was over. I started feeling much better and was actually realxing. I was so exhausted, and I loved not feeling my body that had been causing me so much pain and discomfort for the past few months. I don't think I got much actual sleep, but I didn't hurt. After the epidural, I was dialated to 7 cm and stayed there for a long time. Apparently the baby was having some heart decelerations with my contractions. Then my contractions were on top of each other, and the baby needed a rest. They gave me some medicine to slow my contractions. This, and the epidural, are probably the reason I didn't progress during that time.

It was a long, long night. I was at 7 cm all the way until the Dr came in at 7am. She broke my water and within an hour, I was at 10. The only problem was that I was back to feeling the contractions and it was very painful again. I was getting scared of pushing if the contractions were as painful as they were. I pushed the button for more medicine - nothing. I asked for another dose, and then another. Finally I was pain free (again). But now, I couldn't push. More of the waiting game. An hour later, I was able to say, "can we please try?" So we did, and about 2 or 3 contractions later there he was.

As he was coming out, the nurse exclaims, "His head is huge!" The whole time she was cleaning him up, she couldn't stop commenting on how big he was. She wasn't kidding either. We were suprised to hear them announce 8 lbs 7 oz! Thank goodness he came over 2 weeks early!

We are all glad the pregnancy and delivery are over and we can move on to being a new family of 7! (holy crap, how did that happen?!)

Brandon Rogers Phillipps

December 20, 2008

8lbs. 7oz

21 1/2 inches long

We are sooooo thankful for miracles!

Beteween our elementary school and our house, there is a pond that used to be used for irrigation when our area was farm land. For the last 2 days we have been having below zero temps and the pond had frozen over. Jackson apparently had one of those 8 year old not-so-smart moments, and went out onto the ice to try to get a log. Yes, he fell through the ice. Clayton's sister lives across the street from the pond, and Molly ran over there. Aunt Candice ran over, but by the time she had gotten there, Jackson climbed out himself. His cousin, Scott, was on the ice also, but didn't go through the ice. Jackson was cold, wet, and scared to death - but fine. Molly was quite traumatized. She kept crying and screaming "Jackson almost died!"

Clayton and I are so thankful that Heavenly Father is watching over our family. I am having a hard time not thinking of all the horrible things that could have happened. We all learned a lesson today. Not only about not walking on the ice, but that Heavenly Father really does take care of us and answer our prayers.

Maybe this can be a reminder to anyone that reads this. Tell your kids this story, and why they shouldn't give into the temptation to walk on the ice.

Imagine a whale in a skirt and crocs

My feet have ballooned in the last week. I've never had this problem, until lucky number 5. The other day when I took my shoes off to show Clayton, he literally gasped out loud and said, "wow, those are some hoofs!" I only have one pair of shoes that I can get the hoofs in to - my crocs. I'm sure you all wish you could have seen me at church with a dress and Crocs. It was real cute.

All I can think of when I look at my feet, is my poor grandma Crane. Her ankles always looked like this, and now I know how "not-fun" it is.

Thanksgiving Utah trip

Yes, once again we made our pilgrimage to Utah for Thanksgiving. We always figure that is the better holiday to travel on so we can be at home for Christmas. We got to stay for a little longer than usual this time, thanks to Clayton's work schedule. We had Thanksgiving #1 at the Montgomery's house before everyone else left for a Crane Reunion at Disneyland.

I know, I'm huge.

Grandma gladly sat with the girls.

Grant, Stanford and Tommy.

pretty good, don't ya think!

Nothing like a lesson in Hearts after dinner.

Thanksgiving #2 came on the actual day. Thanks to Misty and Kori for their house and everyone else that brought food.

This is Clayton's cousin Kori, whom Molly told "I like you sometimes!"

Tommy's Birthday

I never did a post for Tommy's birthday! We celebrated while Grandma and Grandpa were here. I can't believe my Tommy is 4! Here are some of Tommy's favorite things at age 4.






"Dee" This is the name for his blanket. He has to have it to sleep, and as long as he has Dee, he will be sucking his thumb. (yes, still)


Geo Trax. This is, by far, the best toy we have ever bought. He loves trains of all kinds and always wants a "huge track". It is so cute to listen to him play with the guys that come with it and the conversations they have back and forth.


His siblings. Any time he can get Jackson to go out to the tramp to play swords, it's a happy day. Pretty much, he copies them totally and whatever they laugh at, he will too.


Hot dogs. I'm not kidding about this. One time he ate 5 hot dogs in one sitting!


The color green. I don't know how kids decide what their favorite color is, but Tommy has sure staked his claim on anything green.


I love Tommy to death and can't wait to see what the next year will bring. He is sure turning into a sweetheart and a very cute talker. Isn't raising kids the funnest!

Grant loved the dinosaur Tommy got

This was another great toy. Thanks Grandma!A birthday is never complete without a few more Geo Trax, right?Tommy had been talking about a frog cake for weeks. I know I'm no ace of cakes, but I thought it turned out kindof cute? It doesn't matter, because Tommy loved it.

3rd photo tag

This is the 3rd photo in my 3rd folder. For you Utahns out there, it is Jackson and his cousin, Doug, at Lagoon (the local theme park). This was the trip when my kids took their first airplane ride. Also, I corralled 3 kids through the airports alone. I could go on and on with memories from this trip.

We miss Grandma and Grandpa!!

It is always so great when G-ma and G-pa come to visit. We have so much fun, every time. We got to go to the zoo, and we also celebrated Tommy's 4th birthday. They even got to be here for Halloween night! What could be better than that!!

Here are the kids in their costumes. Jackson, Molly, and Tommy's are homemade. Grant's is the same one all the baby boys have ever worn. Jackson is a black widow spider. Molly is a fairy. Tommy is a frog. Grant is superman.

EVERYONE has to help mom

I was tired to looking at my big ugly man feet, so I asked Molly to paint my nails. Well, they all had to get into it. Here is the result. I thought it was kindof funny.

I don't know why my camera is being so fuzzy!

This pic doesn't do it justice. It even dripped around to the back of my toe.

Pumpkin fest for FHE

Jackson and Molly got some pumpkins from the pumkin run at school, and have been extremely anxious to carve them. The weekend was way too busy so I knew we would have to do it for Family Night . Each of the kids drew their own faces, then Clayton carved them. Grant, of course had some help with his face from dad.

This is "Grant's" pumpkin It was actually raining last night so we couldn't put them out with candles to see how they look. Hopefully the weather man is wrong and it will be dry tomorrow night.
For desert, we had yummy pumpkin cake.

Thanks for the tag Lisa!

Here's my 8 random facts:

1. I can usually get all my laundry done on Mondays, but if I don't, it takes me a week to get through it.

2. I have no idea how to decorate a room. I try a little, but nothing ever seems as cute as it does at other houses.

3. I am trying really hard to be a better cook, and more crafty.

4. I love to read. Especially true crime stories and people's memoirs. (the crazier the better)

5. I HATE cleaning floors - any method; mopping, vacuuming, sweeping . . . (but I love having the clean floors)

6. I think I have a pretty high tolerance for pain.

7. Every room in the house needs at least one clock. More is fine too. (Maybe this has something to do with the "can't decorate" thing)

8. Both my middle fingers curve to the side. (Thanks for that one dad)

tag: Alyson, April, Matt, Trieste, Ben, Serin, Karin, Sadie

Here are the rules
1: Each player starts with 8 random habits/facts about themselves
2: People who are tagged need to write a post on their blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3: At the end of the post you need to choose 8 people to get tagged and list their names.

Go ahead, call me Martha

So, somehow I started this tradition of making a quilt for my new babies. I did one for Jackson, then was excited about doing a girl one for Molly. Well, then all the other kids need one too, right? Anyway, I just finished the top for this baby. I think it turned out pretty well. It's a little wild but I still like it. This is only the top. I haven't gotten it quilted or bound yet. I am just so excited to have this much done, I had to show it off a little. (Thanks so much to my friend, Jane Rollins for helping me pick out fabric!)

Adorable 18 month old for sale - CHEAP!

I am not sure if my other 3 kids were ever as mischevious as my Grant is. Maybe I just don't remember it with them. Grant is a constant worry and trouble-maker. Here is a list of some of his favorite tricks:

• Turning the TV off over and over and over


• Pushing the "open" button on the DVD player in the middle of your show.


• Tearing apart Tommy's train track that we have painstakingly constructed


• Kicking the trains off the track


• Throwing the folded clothes all over the place


• Closing the dishwasher door everytime I turn around to grab another dish


• Opening the shower door (yes, during a shower) over and over and over


• Finding EVERYONE'S toothbrush and loosing them.


• Pushing the buttons on the computer


• Climbing


• Climbing


• Climbing

As I said, he is absolutely adorable. When he is sweet, he is sure sweet. He doesn't do any of these (and more) horrible things out of malice, I think he is just extra curious. I don't want anyone to think he is that bad so here is a list of sweetness:

• Every morning he has to give Tommy a huge, long hug.


• He laughs at whatever the other kids are laughing at, even though he has no clue what it is all about


• He has the cutest crying face


• He makes funny faces


• He is a daddy's boy. He runs to Clayton anytime he sees him.


• He plugs his nose when he is poopy. It's so cute!


• He loves to cuddle under a blankie


• There's no better noise than his laughter. Especially from upstairs where I know the kids must be playing with him.

I, of course, would never give Grant up. He makes our life exciting and busy. We love him so much and can't wait to see what he can come up with next.