Expected and welcome change versus unexpected and unwelcome change

Well, things have change in the Larsen household. Beautiful Grant is now 1 week old and Cooper just turned 2 years old yesterday. October conference last year President Monson spoke on change in life. We expected, desired, and looked forward to the addition of Grant to our family. We also have had a change recently that was unexpected and not so pleasant. The nerve pain I have been having didn't resolve after delivery and after some expert care from my husband we got in quickly for an MRI and it showed a large disc herniation in my lower back. YUCK!!! We are receiving treatment and have absolute faith in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that we will make a full recovery. We have such wonderful family and friends that have helped us and continue to do so during this time. Life is full of changes and we count ourselves truly blessed even during times of trials.

He has arrived !!!

Well,  he has arrived : )  Grant Austin was born on April 3rd at 0928 in the morning.  He weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.  Everything went well with the c/section.  We had a wonderful recovery for the first day and the past two days have been a harder due to sciatic pain that hasn't resolved.  We count ourselves very blessed to have such a wonderful family.  Hadley is just in love with Grant and asks everyday if he is going to stay.  We assure her he is now part of the family and will not be going anywhere.  Cooper is less interested... he took one look said baby brother and went about his way playing with Grandpa.  We are also very blessed to have such wonderful extended families!!!  Grandma and Grandpa Hersman have come to stay while we where in the hospital and Hadley and Cooper have had a blast.  Hadley has been very interested in how Grant is being fed....  She looked at Grandma this morning and asked her if she "had milk" for the baby as well : ) Grandma Larsen will be arriving next week and we are very excited !

The countdown has started!!!

Well, five days and counting.  We are scheduled for a amnio on Thursday and c/s on Friday if everything looks good with lung maturity.  It seems strange to know exactly when this little one will be arriving.  It has been a rough couple of weeks with sciatic pain/bedrest etc....  We feel really blessed that the nerve pain didn't arrive until the end of this pregnancy : )   Hadley is very excited about the baby coming on Friday and she informed us that her baby will be coming on the same day.  Very exciting times in the Larsen household!!!!  We will keep you posted.

Missing Shoe?????

On Saturday before last I decided to take the children on a walk around Centennial Lake.  Well,  this was the first time I have done this without a stroller and by myself.  About 3/4 of a mile into our walk we came to a bridge.  We were watching ducks swim under it and having such a great time.  At this point very pregnant me decided it was time to double back and head for the car.  A couple of older women were walking by and one looked at the three of us and said one day you will laugh about this.  I didn't quite understand what she was talking about until I looked down and Cooper had become a one shoe wonder.  When we looked over the edge of the bridge and there was his shoe in the water.  Hadley informed me that we just needed to ask Daddy to come and get it for us.  I had to tell her that even Daddy wouldn't be able to save the shoe.  So, for the walk back to the car Cooper hobbled with one shoe on and just his sock on his other foot.  We only have one pair of play shoes for him so needless to say my next stop was to buy him a new pair of tennis shoes.  Oh, the adventures of motherhood.  If you ask Cooper where his shoe is he will way "water - water", and Hadley will then remind you that it isn't her fault. So, if the duck family who has the other shoe wants the mate, just let me know : )

Hadley's 3rd Birthday!!!

We celebrated Hadley's 3rd birthday on February 20th.  Wow, time has flown by so quickly.  We had cupcakes with her friends the day before during a preschool activity, and then a family party the night of her birthday.  She was Sooooo excited for her "Happy Day".  She couldn't believe her good fortune for all of the  princess items she received : )  Hadley brings so much joy into our lives and we feel blessed for each and every day of the past three years!

Let them eat cake!!

I couldn't resist this picture of Cooper eating cake on Hadley's third birthday.

Are these scrub pants too tight???

I got dressed for work this past week and looked like this.  I had to laugh and ask Alan if he thought the scrubs were too tight.  He looked at me laughed and asked if I was going to wear a long loose shirt over my ensemble.  I put on a longer loose scrub jacket and headed off to work. Not to worry.... before my next shift I bought a pair of bigger scrub pants!