He Makes the Closes Look Good!

The dust is starting to settle here at the Close home and I figure it is a good time to show everyone the new addition to our family! The last two weeks seem to have blurred and gone slow at the same time. Brad and I can't be happier that Kellen is with us and can't wait till all of our friends and family can meet him!

Tuesday the 15th I started to feel some false labor pains, they kept me up all night but by afternoon I was able to get some sleep. By Wednesday night the contractions really started to hit. Another sleepless night left me quite grumpy and frustrated. I don't think my contractions were horrible but because it was some of the first pain I had felt, it sure felt horrible. By Thursday I was tired of timing my contractions and ready to go to the hospital. Brad had just finished his third shift in a row so he slept for two hours before we went into the doctors. We had to see a different doctor because ours was busy. When she told me that I had not progressed I couldn't hold it in anymore and started to cry. I felt bad for crying but she understood, although I am sure it caught her off guard. We went home and 2 hours later came back, found out I had progressed enough, and our doctor told us he would admit us to the hospital!

Here I am on the car ride over to the hospital (only 2 minutes from the drs office) and then right before we went in. 

Getting in and admitted was fast and before long we were in our room and getting settled. I gladly accepted the epidural and the doctor was very fast and before I knew it, I was feeling a whole lot better than I had in the last two days. I was so excited for sleep. When I got my epidural I was at 6cm but it slowed my progress way down and Brad and I spent some time sleeping and watching the VT game. 

Where I got to sleep

Where Brad got to sleep. He obviously didn't fit too well. 

At about 2 am the doctor finally gave us the good news that I was 10cm. At the time I realize that I pushed for a really long time. I just thought you know four hours is average (I couldn't remember the stats from the birthing class). My mom told me that with most of her children she pushed for about 4 contractions! But yes I pushed for 4 hours and then at 6:02 am Friday 18th Kellen Bradley Close was born. He weighed 7 lbs 8oz, 21 inches long.

I don't know how moms can look so good after giving birth so I am neither surprised or disappointed  I look this way. Soon after the birth they moved us downstairs to our room and got us all situated. I am pretty sure both Brad and I looked horrible because they offered to take Kellen and do all their routine tests so we could sleep. 

After the two days of being in the hospital Brad and I were very ready to go home and be in our own house and on our own schedule. 

The ever so needed picture of going home. 

We joke that Kellen couldn't have planned it better of when he came. I wasn't due till the 20th and my mom and sister were coming in the 21st. Brad had Thursday through Tuesday off so we got the right amount of time together and we came home from the hospital the day before my mom and sister came. It was so nice to have my mom and sister for the week and we had a lot of fun. 

We took a trip up to Star Mountain to see the city, it was windy so it was a short trip. We tried to go out at least once a day just so I wouldn't go stir crazy. My mom and sister spent a lot of time cleaning, chatting with me, and helping me a ton. I was very sad to see them go but we get to see them in February!

After his first bath at home. 

In his hat Grandma crocheted him. It has little flaps and is the cutest thing ever!

Grandma with the hat and blanket she crocheted him! My mom is quite talented!

Brad and I are so happy that Kellen is finally here! It is crazy how you can love someone so much after only seeing them for a moment. I am so grateful and glad that I get to feel the way that all the moms have felt and talked about. It might be my extra hormones but I find myself tearing up a lot when I look at him. I am excited and nervous to see what the upcoming months will bring! Brad is so wonderful with Kellen and the bond is quite present. Brad is so good with him and takes care of him a lot better than I do. It feels wonderful to start our little family!

Bun in the Oven!

This year Brad and I had a good idea for a costume which makes dressing up a lot more fun. We had a Halloween Carnival and Trunk or Treat for our ward so we dressed up for that. Brad and I ran a booth and played Minute to Win It games. It was quite funny to see people try and accomplish these tasks and Brad even got the missionaries to play some games.

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Being pregnant opens more doors to creative ideas. So this year we took our little "Bun in the Oven" into consideration when deciding our costume. As you can see I went as an oven and Brad the accompanying Chef. The lady we saw in the magazine went bare belly but I didn't want to do that at a ward event or well ever! The costume was a hit and we had a lot of fun.

Now for the fun part. We finally added the last element to our nursery and feel it is finally complete! First off I sewed this cover to go over the carseat when we go out in the cold. If you saw it up close you would see many errors but from far away it looks pretty good!

Most of my ideas came from blogs and pinterest. I obviously don't have enough money to do it exactly so I compromised. You can't see it too well but I made a no sew bed skirt for the nursery which sadly enough was a challenge for me!

Here is the picture mural I made for the little one. This is probably my favorite piece in the room and what I am most proud of. I am in no way an interior designer so this says a lot for me! Don't you just love the puzzle of the mom and baby giraffe. Brad found it at the dollar store!

I can't get a really good picture of the whole room so this is the best I've got. Both Brad and I really like the chair he found on craigslist. It is comfortable and we think the pattern is fun for a nursery. Its for sure something out of our comfort zone of furniture but I think that's why its fun! I'm not officially excited for the little one to come even though he won't be sleeping in his crib for awhile!

Last I want to show everyone how I've slowly become crafty over the last couple of months. Obviously crafty in my own terms! Most of these ideas are a thanks to pinterest...I feel good about actually using what I pin! I've enjoyed doing these projects but also enjoyed seeing what everyone else is doing to decorate, thanks!