Party in Island Park

The month of July is the month of family reunions for us. We spent the first weekend in Island Park for the Lovell Family Reunion. Our first stop was Upper and Lower Mesa Falls where the falls were extra impressive because of the amount of water that was flowing over the top.

To get to lower Mesa Falls you had to take a Nature Trail that was 2 miles round trip through a huge aspen grove (tons of shade). There was a lot of us that went to the Upper Falls but not so many made it to the Lower Falls. Gavin took the trip and gave his Dad a new look - I don't think it is trending though.

The next day we went out mountain biking and I found out that the bike seat is still uncomfortable. It was a lot of fun and we even constructed ourselves a ramp to jump off of. Well - everyone else jumped off of it - I just survived... Jace's new bike is treating him well!

Our last day there we floated the Henry's Fork River. I love this - it takes about 3 hours to go 1 mile. Well it may be a little longer than 1 mile but it is the calmest river ever. Gavin took this trip as well.

Being the responsible Mom that I am I had to see how Gavin would react to the cold water. I just put his toes in...

You can still see the water dripping from his feet!
Don't worry - there was lots of cuddling and a warm towel ready for his recovery. Island Park was a blast!

At the park

A week in the life of a new born.

Monday:  There are lots of people here to hold me.  I have no time to be unhappy or cry.  Some of them sounds familiar, I think I may know them.

Tuesday:  I was put in a seat for 15 minutes with no one holding me, have they forgotten about me already?  I have gas, it kind of bugs me. 

Wednesday:  I can make lots of noises.  No matter what's happening if I make enough of them someone will come stare at me.  Those that come look kind of familiar, I think I've seen them before.  I have gas, it's kind of embarrasing.

Thursday:  I'm pretty confident today.  I think I'll just chill and see what happens.  I wonder if these people that stare at me will freak out if I just don't make any noises.  I have gas.  I'm really popular, whenever I go anywhere people want to touch me. 

Friday:  I have gas.  My hair is kind of messed up today.  I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  I think I'll cry.  I have gas.  Those people are still here, I think I must know them.  I went hiking today, I'm fine with it as long as I'm moving but it kind of bothers me when we stop, I think I'll cry.  Someone was reading to me today, I don't understand it at all.  Maybe when I'm older.

Saturday:  I am so good looking. I can't think of any other reason why these people would just stare at me all day.  It smells like grass and there are lots of loud sounds outside.  I get to just sit by the window, but I notice if I make some noises someone comes running in.  As soon as they come in I close my eyes and pretend to be asleep, it's pretty funny, they're so gullible.

Sunday:  I love Sunday.  I get to sleep in and then I get a three hour solid nap with someone holding me and a constant drone of people talking in the background.  Lots of people come up and talk to me and want to look at me, I'm so good looking.  I went hiking again today.  Those two people were there again, I guess that's okay, they seem nice.  I think I must know them.  I have gas.  Someone pulled my hair today,  I think it may have been me.

I am like a bat

I'm too big!

We thought these overalls might fit for a few more weeks... But they seem to have turned into a bodysuit overnight! I guess they could be good for posture...

Baby - Enough said.

This is what we like to call father and son bonding.  Gives you a good shot of his hair too though!  Now we know why we could see it floating around on the ultrasound.

 

Mother and son bonding.  Not quite as manly as staring each other down,  but possibly a bit more effective...

Visitors!  Grandma and Grandpa Waddoups were among the first to meet Gavin.  Sarah and Joce came along as well, and then Ashley and Brent came along later to represent the Lovell side.  Gavin loved seeing everyone and even kept his eyes open for a while.  Thanks for the visits!

I don't remember the last time I was able to touch my belly with my knees but I'm pretty sure it was when I was about this age!

He's learning deep relaxation at an early age, this is his zen pose.

His first outfit worn.  Even though he was "above gestational average" the newborn clothes still seemed to drown him a bit.  Hammer pants are back in style though...right?

Time to go home!  Luckily we didn't have to watch some traumatic movie that others had told us about.  They did make Lindsey sit in a wheelchair all the way to the car, that was a bit traumatic for her.  They even commended me for how well the carseat was put in.  I didn't tell them about all of the superglue and duct tape I used for extra security.

Just some information for those that have been requesting it:
Lindsey started regular contractions (spaced about 10 minutes apart) about 3 am Saturday morning.  We spent most of Saturday as a normal day working in the yard and running errands because they weren't frequent or hard enough to slow her down too much.  Then we made the mistake of going to the fabric store to pick up fabric for burp clothes, the one thing which we were still lacking.  Apparently all of the estrogen and kids floating around the place kicked her body into gear and contractions ratcheted up to every 5-6 minutes and needing to stop and lean on something.  So we came home, watched the Giro d'Italia stage from that day and decided with contractions every 4-5 minutes for the hour and a half during the stage it was time to go in.  The midwife at check in said she was dialated enough to be checked in and while doing a quick ultrasound exclaimed, "holy cow that's a huge head!  Normally I can fit it on one screen, but look, I have to do it on two seperate ones!"  I think maybe she should consider a career outside of labor and delivery.  Anyway, we got checked in, she labored for...a while.  Then she pushed for about an hour and a half (holy cow, women are tough) and out he came.  He was a healthy 8 lbs 3 oz and 22 inches long.  He's done really well and Lindsey is recovering very quickly.  She did it all unmedicated as she wanted and we had an awesome nurse.  We were very lucky!  Thanks for the support from all of our family and friends!