Birth Story (part 1)

My pregnancy with Henry was very smooth. My only complaints were the heartburn, morning (all day) sickness that lasted the entire pregnancy and the overall aches and pains that come with being hugely pregnant.
Since I had Winston and Tommy 5 and 3 weeks early, we all thought that this baby would come around 2 weeks early. My mother in law came into town on October 6th to help me get ready for the baby. After a few days of her being here, and no baby, I started getting desperate to start my labor. I was incredibly uncomfortable and not getting any good sleep. I went to a dr appointment on October 7th and discovered that I was really not progressing. I cried real tears. My mother in law and I started walking for about 2 miles every day to try to get labor started.

On October 14th I had another dr appointment. It just so happened that Steven got to come with me to my appointment, something I was really happy about.
At the appointment my dr told me that I was dilated to a 2 and a half and he was able to strip my membranes to try to get labor started. Since I was 39 weeks, we decided to schedule an induction for the next morning at 5:30.
After the appointment I didn't feel any cramping or contractions and was fully anticipating being induced the next morning. I got everything packed, put the big boys to bed and gave them extra snuggles. Steven set his alarm for 4:30am so we could get up and get ready to go to the hospital on time.
At 3:00 in the morning I awoke suddenly and went to the bathroom to pee (for the thousandth time that night). While I was in the bathroom I realized that I was having contractions. Not wanting to wake up Steven, I stayed in the bathroom to time my contractions. By 3:30 they were 5 minutes apart and I was in so much pain. I somehow got myself in the shower, shaved my legs and got myself ready to go. By 4:00 I went and woke up Steven to tell him that we needed to go, and I went scurrying about getting all the last minute things done. My labors have been very short and fast and I was nervous that I would have this baby in the car. I was in a hurry to get to the hospital. When I went back to get Steven, I discovered that he had fallen back to sleep. Apparently when I woke him up, he looked at his clock and realized that it was too early to go to the hospital for my induction (I forgot to tell him that I was in labor…). When he finally woke up, we rushed to the car and took the slowest drive ever to the hospital.
The walk from the car to the second floor of the hospital while having contractions was awesome. When we got to L&D the night guard asked us for our ID's so he could make badges for us. Not only did he take his sweet time while making our ID's, he totally butchered Steven's name.

It was pretty funny. When we got to the front desk, I told them that I was scheduled to be induced but was already in labor. Luckily they already had a room set up for me so I did not have to go to triage. I got settled in and got checked. I was at a 4. Officially active labor! To be continued…

Picture taken in between contractions after getting settled in. 

Picture taken during a contraction. It was Steven's idea. He calls it a "contraction selfie." 

Introducing...

 Henry Patrick Hale

10.15.15 at 8:27am

8 pounds and 20 inches of perfection. 

Baby Number 3!

In January we decided to start... trying to have another baby. Since it took us 9 months to get pregnant with Tommy, we thought that it would take a while to have another one. However, it didn't really work out like we planned. We ended up getting pregnant before I even had a period after getting my IUD out... So it was a little unexpected.
I was in Arizona when I had a feeling that I should take a test. I was sure it would come out negative. I'm still in disbelief that the test came out positive.
Steven was still in Texas so the next morning I face timed him and showed him the 2 positive pregnancy tests. He too was shocked.
We are so excited but Winston might be the most excited about this little baby. Everyone thinks it's a girl, especially Winston.
October is when this little one will get here. Yay!

Easter 2k15

Easter is my favorite. This year I got the idea (from pinterest) to talk about what happened every day the week leading up to Christ's resurrection. Winston LOVED it! I'm surprised by how much he learned and retained. I'm really proud of that crazy little 4 year old.
We were able to go to 2 eggs hunts, dyed Easter eggs with some friends and on Easter Sunday we had some friends over for dinner. I must say, we made some pretty delicious food.

Big move to Texas!

In September that Hale family packed up our beloved home in Mesa, Arizona and moved 15 hours away to Dallas, Texas. Specifically Allen, Texas, just north of Dallas.
Why did we move?
When Steven was getting ready to graduate, he started looking around for jobs. He was offered two solid jobs. Both with a big 4 accounting firm, both would be great for his career and both paid about the same. One job was in Phoenix and the other was in Dallas. Though it seems like the answer there would be obvious, we decided to pray and fast about it. After that we both got the same answer. We needed to be in Dallas.
This was the hardest decision I have ever had to make. Leaving my family and taking my children away from their grandparents and cousins has been heartbreaking.
However, we have made a home in Allen. We bought a house and have made many new, great friends. We love the parks, and museums here and the town is very family oriented. There is a lot of green, BBQ, and trees and football. We have been given callings in the ward, me in the primary presidency and Steven in the young mens presidency. Though we miss Arizona and our families, this little time on our own has helped us grow as a family. We are happy here.

Tommy Boy

Though Tommy has been with us for over 18 months, he is almost completely missing from this little blog. How sad. He has been such a light in our family. He is so happy and content 90 percent of the time. He is in the 5th percentile for weight, 70th for height, and 95 percentile for his head. So obviously he's a smarty. He is the biggest momma's boy and is happiest when he is in my arms. He loves eating and he loves any animal that growls, including dinosaurs... He's super into playing the piano and singing. He loves his big brother and thinks he is the coolest. He loves books, getting into everything and climbing so he can sit in the sink. I don't know... Tommy is the most adorable little toddler and I'm so glad he's mine. And now for a ridiculous picture overload of my cute boy. You're welcome.

Pip, pip cheerio!

On Feb. 17, 2015 my grandma, Patricia Ann Hancock "Bama" passed away. My boys and I flew out from Allen, Texas to spend her last days with her. By the time we got there she was completely unresponsive and only showed signs of life if she was hurting. Which happened pretty much anytime she was even gently touched. She wouldn't open her eyes, she just moaned quietly. For two days before she passed, I was able to sit by her bedside and hold her hand. It seemed like she was holding on for something and my mom was going crazy trying to figure out why... We still don't know the exact reason... The morning of Feb. 17th, Bama's caregiver was with her and she came out and announced that it was time. My mom and I went to be with her and everything was so... weird. The room was so still and peaceful. I felt an incredible amount of emotion. Most of all I felt relief. Relief that she was finally free from her failing, painful body. 

The night before Bama died I found out that I was, unexpectedly, pregnant. Bama told me, a few months ago, that her dying wish was for me to have a baby girl. On Feb. 17th I went into her room, alone, and I told her my news. It was minutes later that she passed. I don't know if she heard me or if it was just coincidence, but either way I'm glad I told her. 

Bama lived at my parents house for over 7 months before she passed. I was able to watch my mother show me the greatest example example of service. My mom was with Bama every step of the way, caring for her and making sure that she had the best care. My mom basically put her entire life on hold to care for her dying mother. I will never forget that. 

Bama's funeral was short and sweet, just like her. I was able to play Ave Maria on the violin (a song Bama requested I play, multiple times) and my mom, uncle, cousin and I were all able to say a few things about our beloved Bama at the funeral. 

Everyone loved Bama and we were so lucky to have her in our lives.