Reese's Blessing Day

Sunday November 5th, 2017

Our Father in Heaven, by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood which all of us hold, we lay this infant in our arms to give her a name and a blessing, the name that she will be known in this life and in the church is Reese Ann Wood. At this time, Reese, we give you a blessing from your Father in Heaven. Reese, we bless you with a powerful mind, that you may have the desire for knowledge, that you may be smart and quick and be able to make decisions that are righteous according to your Heavenly Fathers plan and his will. Reese, we bless your body that it may be a powerful tool, that it may be strong and healthy as long as you take care of it. We bless you to know that exercise is important. And to search out areas that may treat your body well and keep you healthy. Reese, we bless your spirit that it may be joyful at all times, that you may be a light for those that are sad, that you may be a beacon of happiness to those that are around you. We bless you with the desire to find out who your Father in Heaven is and your brother Jesus Christ. That you will know their voice and their spirit. We bless your life that it may be full of opportunities to succeed in this temporal world. That you may have the opportunity to search out a worthy son of God and be sealed for all eternity in one of Heavenly Father's temples. We bless you with the ability to discern the needs of others so that you may be of service to them and be able to help them when they are in need. We bless you to be a good sister to your sister Cora. That you may treat her with love and respect and have many opportunities to grow with each other. We bless you that you may be a place of peace for your mother. We bless you with the ability to comfort her both spiritually, mentally and physically. Your Heavenly Father loves you, Reese, and you have lots of people that are holding you up and surrounding you with love. Learn from their experiences so that you may be a strong daughter of God. Reese, we bless you with these things and all other things that Heavenly Father sees fit to bless you with at this time and do so in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Reese was blessed by her dad and surrounded by Great-Grandpa Dick Wood, Grampa's Jeff Pett & Scott Wood, Uncles Kevin Pett, Randy & Max wood and Bishop Carey Woosley.

Reese Ann Wood

She's finally here and she is perfect!



Born August 14th 6:34pm 6lb 8oz 21"
98% height, 10% weight

Birth Story-

Even though my due date was August 20th, I wanted to be induced as soon as my Dr. would allow me! It is no secret that I hate pregnancy. She gave me the 39 week approval and we set the date for August 14th! (39w 1day). I was super excited for that date since Cora was born 4/7 & that would make baby sis 8/14. Easy to remember the double date.

The day before on Sunday I was so busy getting everything ready. Cleaning all the clothes, packing the bags - nothing like last minute. Joeys parents came and got Cora for a sleepover. Then my mom and I organized all the toddler/baby clothes. I was a little sore from working so hard & then I was so nervous/anxious/excited that I only slept from 12-2am. They called at 6:15 and told me to arrive for our elective induction at 7:30am. My body wanted to remind me one last time that morning sickness will prevail despite medications. We got there and by 8:15 I was hooked up to the Pitocin. I was only dialated to a 2 and 60% effaced upon arrival. By 11:30 I was only a 2.5! The Dr. suggested I receive an epidural so that they could break my water painlessly in order to get the ball rolling. I had the epidural at noon and they broke my water shortly after. The epidural was perfect, I could still move my legs but not feel pain. At 3:00 I was only a 3! I couldn't believe it. We cranked the Pitocin to 22 (usually they stop at 20) and then I went quickly to a 5 @ 4:30, then at @ 5:30 I was throwing up my popsicles! That's how I knew it was really coming fast. I was an 8 and within a half hour it was time to push! She came out in only 2 contractions, push #6. Dr. Parrett immediately put her on my chest and Joey cut the cord. He describes it as gummy leather, haha. She was purple and had low tone so she received a 7 APGAR score and a 5 minute of 9. She was perfect! I couldn't of asked for a better delivery except maybe a faster labor. I did guess it was going to be 10 hours though! Spot on, really. After a quick weigh in while Dr. Parrett was stitching up my grade 2 tear, they laid her on my chest for skin to skin time. We did that with nursing for about an hour. I loved it! Everyone kept commenting on how much dark dark hair she had! I thought she had the same amount that Cora had at first but I was wrong. Cora was dark brown and not as thick. Reese has tons of Black hair. She is the cutest little thing. Gaga says she looks just like how I did. It's hard to tell right now but I think she does. I see very little Cora in her.

Grammy and Grampy brought Cora into the delivery room about 7:30. Her face was priceless! She rushed in smiling excited to give me a present & then saw that I was holding Reese. Her face immediately changed into confusing/disgust. I could hear her thoughts, "uhhhhhh I didn't know it was going to be THAT kind of a baby sister." She didn't want to sit by me or touch her.  It was getting late & I was so hungry from not being able to eat all day long. Gaga took Cora home & I was moved up to post partum at 8:30pm. I kept asking for food and they finally said we only have boxed lunches since the kitchen is closed now. I sent Joey and Scott to Rumbi's across the street. So I finally got to eat at 9! We did all the post partum things and I nursed her again and sent her to the nursery. I finally got to sleep around 11:30 only to be woken up again at 1, 2, 3, 4, 430, 5, 530, 6, 7, 730. Rough night in a row #2. One of the wake ups for Reese they informed me that she had low blood sugar and low body temp. She had it dip below 40 once but by morning it was in the 60's again. Her body temp regulated after lots of skin to skin as well. My Dr. cleared me for a 24 hour stay and we decided if Reese got the ok then we would just go home that night as well. 6:30 pm they took her for her last tests and she passed! So we got discharged about 8:30pm & drove home. I was on pain killers and threw up my dinner as soon as we walked in the door. That is my very last throw up!! Our first night home was also rough! Haha! Basically, Reese just wants to be held all the time and not be in her bassinet. We love her already so much and becoming parents again has been an adventure. I hope she never grows up!

Cora the first full day home has really warmed up to Reese. She continues to say "Aweeee! Look at her! Look at herrrr, look at her hands! Aweee!" She loves helping put her binky in & turning the mamaroo on. Her favorite toy right now is her baby doll in the stroller. I hope these two will be best friends!

Pregnancy with #2 & Labor guesses

Baby #2 pregnancy has been by far easier than #1. Despite still throwing up a couple times a week, I cannot complain too much. I've been taking Diclegis and I swear it makes the nausea so much better than just zofran. I still take zofran on top of the Diclegis but I think the combo has made all the difference. I have accidentally skipped my Diclegis a few times throughout the pregnancy and the next day has been HELL! So, it must be the meds. 3rd trimester pains have been an extra sore pelvis and hips. I don't remember that quite as much when I was pregnant with Cora. My back and SI joint have been better this time around as well (probably cause im not pushing 400lb patients full time.) Heartburn has been worse, I've taken the Omphralazole this past couple weeks and it helps a bunch. My poor esophagus is just ruined I think, haha. Sleeping seems to be harder this time as well. It is at least a 5 point turn every time I try to go from left side to right and back. I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as my induction date is in 6 days! I am not ready for her just yet since the clothes are still on top of the garage yet to be washed and her room is blank and empty. BUT I am ready to hold this sweet girl and nurse her. My days as a mom of one are coming to an end which makes me cry. I've loved my Cora so much and can't imagine loving another just as much, but I know I will. Everyone says your heart just grows! I am hoping for a good sleeper & eater like Cora but dont know if luck will be on my side twice. Another thing I am worried about is the lack of resting time for me. Right now, its so easy 2:1. Joey will take Cora or I will and we both get enough time to ourselves. 2:2 will be hard! Thank goodness Joey can work from home and help out more.

Labor guesses
Induced Aug 14th with epidural
10 hour labor with 30 minutes pushing
7lb 2oz
19.5"
No complications/ 2nd degree tear

Cora 2 year 4 months (week before baby sis)

This is the week before baby sister comes so I'm trying to put together some cute Cora memories for when I make the 2017 family book!

At my 37 week check up Joey and Cora came with me & were positioned in the perfect place to watch the Dr. check my cervix. I could look over and see Cora's super confused and slightly disgusted face when the Dr. was doing her business. Cora questions, "MAMA, What you doing with your BUM!?" I laughed so hard & said she was looking at baby sister.

Cora counts 1-20 but my favorite is when she says "Sick, Seben"

"ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ, now I ABCDE, (mumble jumble last phrase)"

Loves being tickled to "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam"

Current obsessions are Trolls, Baby Boss, playing "diamonds", ABC puzzle, closing all the doors

Loves the Park.

Has turned into a total Mama's girl. I'm loving it. She asks me to "cuddle downstairs, mama?" all the time.

I miss when she would say "Happegen & Opegen" she says happened and open correctly now :(

Cora kisses the baby in my tummy and loves giving her raspberries. She has loved her baby dolls. I think she will have a hard time when I'm holding the baby and not her. She still wants me to hold her all the time. I think she will love helping with babies binkies and diapers but will be sad when I can't give Cora my full attention.

I love this girl so much. She is the most perfect 2 year old. I cry thinking about how she is going to keep growing up. How could Heavenly Father let her or any of us grow up!? She's perfect!!  I told her Jesus must come visit you because he misses his favorite & cutest girl so much. She is the perfect combo of sweet with her mom and sassy with her dad. She is adventurous and athletic! She can jump in the pool and swim back to the wall. She is so close to being able to not drown but I'm thankful she could get back to the wall if needed. Everyone at the pool asks how old she is and is shocked when I say she just turned 2. I hear all the things about how she is a fish!

Cora said her name

11/30/16 - Today she said her name. Smarty girl. 19 months.

Cora turns 2!

Even though she's been acting 2 for a long time, I am still in shock that she is actually turning TWO! I have loved every stage and am surprised how much I love having a toddler.

Cora is the definition of Silly! She has a silly personality, always trying to make us laugh. Cora is adventurous & doesn't have a scared bone in her body. She jumps off anything & loves running around with claw hands going "RAWR!" She loves when we do "claw claw claw" and pinch her sides to tickle her. "HIDE HIDE HIDE" Loves loves loves to hide! Her favorite game for sure.

Cora is Smart! Knows numbers 1-10 & her basic colors. Says A LOT! Knows probably close to 100 words.

Cora always runs into a corner of privacy to "poop poop." She has one stinky bum!

She currently has a ruptured left ear drum. She developed a quick and nasty ear infection and between being in pain to fever to dr. to rupture was less than 24 hours!

Friendly but a bit shy. Wants to play with all the kids but will run over to put her face between my legs. Loves playing with mama & dada and will pull you and point to where she wants you to go saying "Please?" Can't resist.

Will eat a ton if shes happy & nothing at all if shes upset! That means, she eats a lot for breakfast & hardly nothing for dinner! She gets grumpier at night. Favorite food is Mac N' Cheese.

Loves watching "Einstein" "Bobots" "Mickey" "Baby joyjoy" "Toys" "Dory" "Nemo"

Great sleeper still! 11 hours a night & 1.5-2 hr nap each day. She says a super cute "nynight" when shes ready for bed in her crib. Her night routine is bath, baba, teeth, books, prayer & Jesus wants me for a sunbeam song. CANNOT go to sleep without her "Moo's" "Kitty" & "Binky"

DREADING the day we take the binky away. She's going to freak out.

Questionable how she will act with the new baby. I'm pretty sure shes going to hate it......

Almost 25 pounds! Tall and slender. Her hair goes past her shoulders in the back & all over her face if she doesn't have it up (doesn't like hair in her eyes).

Everything is Mama's, Dada's, Cora's, and Gaga's.

WE LOVE OUR CORA SUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2016 in a nutshell

A year of growth, renewal & rejoicing.

Cora has been so fun. She just keeps getting better & better.

19 months
- 23 lbs
- Says all sorts of words, "Mama, Dada, Gaga, Papa, baba, no, chu-chu, li-lights, wow, snow, more, chan-chu (thank you), pease, baby, shoes, juice, nose, eyes, kitty, dodgies, hums "all-done" with sign language, "stinchy", bike, nemo, Wa-wa (water), guy, hi, buh-bye, hewo, hot, diesel (sandras dog)
- Has hummed the tune of twinkle twinkle little star since 12 months
- Knows animal sounds: Dog, cow, donkey, monkey, kitty, duck, elephant, bee (beeee not buzzz)
- Knows body parts: Eyes, nose, chin, cheek, eyebrow, ear, hair, arms, fingers, tummy, bottom
- Loves: You tube nursery rhymes, shoes, dogs, being outside, the park, snow, being with mama/dada, cousins & friends
- Hates: watching certain baby joy joy videos. Doesn't hate much!
- Wears: 18mo - 2T clothes. She really needs a 12 month waist and 2T leg pants. But those don't exist. Her 2T pants fall down when she runs.
- Sleeps 11 hrs a night and has just transitioned into 1 nap a day. Plays in her crib before going down and after waking up. Will play in her crib until we go grab her. Cuddles with us when we get her out of her crib. Puts her head on my left shoulder.
- No stranger danger, likes going to Sandra's for daycare & nursery.
- Starting to tell us she's "stinchy" when she poops, while waiving her hand in front of her nose
- Really good traveler, but doesn't sleep well the first 2 nights of new environment.
- Still likes having a bottle when she wakes up & a small one when she goes to bed. Refuses sippy cups for those times but has them during the day just fine.
- Eats anything if she's really hungry. If she isn't she is picky. But you better share with her whenever you are eating!

Climbed out of her crib for the first time 11/26/16.
She went to bed really late due to thanksgiving activities, so when she woke up at her normal 7am, we gave her a bottle in hopes she would fall back asleep. I looked at the monitor and it looked like she was trying to go down. 5 minutes later I looked again and it looked like she was asleep in the corner closest to the monitor where we can't see very well. I assumed she was sleeping there and 20 minutes later I hear "boing boing boing." The notorious sound of door stoppers being flung back and forth. I knew that was the sound of trouble. I went into her room and sure enough, she had been out of her crib playing in her room for 20 minutes silently. I'm glad that she didn't fall and get hurt & also that we could put the mattress down one last rung. She hasn't tried since lowering the crib further.