My Website

Ben helped me make my own website awhile ago. You can check it out
here.



Betsy and Russ were in California and we got to meet Afton for the first time. We put Zoey and her together. There is about a 3lb and 4 month difference between them. Mia saw me put the picture on the blog and she said, "Zoey's cuter." Sorry Afton.

Things that work

Happy Spots work. Mia has been getting really frustrated and angry these days for one reason or another. So, I came up with a Happy Spot where Mia could go and get away and, most importantly, get control. We decorated with spots where she wrote things that make her happy. I loved reading the things on her spots. She wrote things like, "I love me", "Chikin", "Doll","Love" and "Shoe". We also made a "Happy Box" where she put things that make her happy inside.

Body Parts work. I've been trying off and on since Xander was 18 months to get him potty trained. I was so ready but Xander was not. Mia was ready at that age to be potty trained and I had some crazy idea that Xander would be too. Xander would get so upset anytime I would try to get him to sit on the potty or put the undies on no matter what I bribed him with.

Finally, after many failed attempts and not much success, Xander went on the potty. Thanks to Ben for working with him on the weekends. I'm convinced, all Xander needed was another boy to show him how it's done. After going for me the first time, he ran to me and gave me the biggest hug and said, "My penis works. I yuv my penis." Xander's two favorite words these days are "yuv (love) and my "favorite".



Photoshop works. I made this baby announcement in Photoshop. It's pretty simple looking and was fun to make. I'm going to send one to all of my relatives and friends who don't use the internet, which are suprisingly alot. If you don't get one, it's because you're looking at yours right now :)

In life, there are times when things don't always go as planned. But
somehow. . .things always work out in the end.

Ben's week home, Hawaiian Camp & Motorama

BEN'S WEEK HOME

Ben was able to take off work for a week after Zoey was born. The kids had so much fun with him. They went to the zoo, park, had slurpees, candy, Burger King, watched more TV than I would let them, went to lots of stores and did painting projects. Ben even got a makeover from Mia, which I wished I had gotten a picture of it. I'm surprised the kids still like me after their week with their Dad.

Ben was a huge help to me and I'm glad he had some time off to spend with us, although, I told him that we save more money when he goes to work!


HAWAIIAN CAMP



CJ went to Hawaiian camp with a few girls from the ward. They learned about the culture, ate some Hawaiian food, learned some dances, and some Hawaiian words. On the last day, they had a performance of the dances that they learned. CJ looked so pretty and very Hawaiian!



MOTORAMA



Yesterday was Pixar's annual Motorama. Every year the employees get to show off their vintage cars and celebrate with a huge BBQ and listen to a live band perform. Jay Leno even had a car there but we didn't find it.

They also had this thing. I say "thing" because I really don't know what it is or its purpose. It is a metal snail that blows fire out of its antennaes. I think every party should feature a fire blowing snail, don't you?



The kids had fun climbing in and out of the fire trucks and eating icecream. I had fun getting out of the house, as this was my first attempt getting all four kids to a destination on my own. I was constantly counting my kids to make sure I had everyone and I couldn't figure out our new stroller but other than that, I think I did okay.

Moe Moe Zoe Zoe

Yes, we are obsessed with our new addition and think you should be too! I'm posting pictures mainly so Ben can show his co-workers, but if you happen to come across this and instantly are put into a trance by Zoey's beauty, don't worry, we understand.

Zoey's Journey

Here are some more details for anyone who is interested. I'll try to keep it short and include lots of pictures.

I started having contractions at 8:30 p.m. Friday night. We left for the hospital around 4:30 a.m. on the 4th. When they checked me at the hospital I was dilated to a 5 and my contractions were coming every 3 to 5 minutes. Zoey was born at 8:56 a.m. with just 3 pushes. Yes, they always tell me that I was made to have babies.

When Zoey came out, they immediately handed her over to me even before they cut the cord. They also let us hang out in the room for a couple of hours and didn't rush us. I kinda liked that.

Zoey has a bruised face because she was so big or because she is part smurf. This picture makes it look worse than it really was, but you can see her weight clear as day!



I didn't need any pain medication afterwards. You would think with a 10 lb baby I would need something!



Here is the real picture that Ben photoshopped from the last entry. He tricked alot of people.



I can't believe he even tricked his Dad!



My friend brought the kids over to the hospital. Mia and CJ held Zoey but Xander was too scared. He didn't want to touch her.





When we got home he gathered a little more courage and decided that he really likes her.



So I think Mia is the most interested in everything about Zoey and what is happening all around her. Her first reaction when she saw Zoey's little toes was, "How do you paint those?" She was really concerned.

She saw me breastfeeding Zoey and was so curious as to where Zoey was eating from. When I explained to her she says, "I have nipples. Can she suck on me?"



CJ tells me, "I'm so glad you had Zoey. She is SO cute!" Zoey will definitely be loved in this family.



I have to post this picture because Zoey looks huge for a newborn in her carseat. When we were at the hospital loading her in the carseat we had to adjust it to the next level up.

We love this little girl!

Zoey Maeling Porter has arrived!

Zoey was born on the 4th of July at 10 lbs. 11 oz. and 22.5 inches long. I just want to share some pictures of Zoey and then we will do a more detailed post later. She is so cute!

Attempt #5: Blogging

I was reading Ben's new blog entry tonight and immediately after, I started having contractions. That was around 8:30p.m. and it is around 2:30 a.m. and I am still having contractions. I can tell you these are the real thing. It's about time! Who knew that blogging could induce labor?

I guess Zoey wanted to be a 4th of July baby. Stay tuned for updates.

Effectiveness: 10

Attempt #4: Kori's advice

Kori said to tell the doctor these magical words, "Doctor I am having a lot of physical discomfort and pain." I had an appointment today and told the doctor this and she has scheduled me to be induced on the evening of the 4th.

Thank goodness! I thought she was going to make me go another week!

Effectiveness: 8 (I would have given this a 10 had the doctor scheduled to induce me tomorrow)

Thanks Kori!

Tomorrow Ben has it off. I think I might try Hannah's advice next and go hiking.

Attempt #3: Vacuuming the Stairs and Van

The other day my friend brought me a pineapple because they are supposed to be a labor inducing food. Ben and I were talking about all the things that women try to induce labor. What happens is that women will try something and it just so happens that they go into labor right after, making them think that the last thing they did was what made them go into labor.

I know what you are thinking. If I believe that, why am I still trying all of these things? It's the only thing I can think of doing right now so I can save myself from becoming depressed.

This #3 Attempt is a double attempt. I am attempting to induce labor, at the same time attempting to add another activity to the list of things that supposedly send you into labor.

I vacuumed the stairs and car just now. It may not sound that strenuous enough, but let me show you a picture of my stairs.



I had to climb over seats and bend and move in all different positions while vacuuming the van. It was quite a workout.

Effectiveness: 3

Attempt #2: Interpretation of Joe's advice with a crochet hook

This is my interpretation of Joe's advice of breaking my water with a crochet hook. Of course people he was joking, but I liked his idea anyway so I decided to come up with my little twist which was crocheting on an exercise ball.

I did bounce for several minutes and felt pretty achey after I got off. The crochet hook added more activity and required more coordination as I bounced. No contractions or water breaking.

Effectiveness: 1.5

Attempt #1- Steep Hills

I just got back from the Oakland Zoo where I pushed Mia, CJ, and Xander up the steep parts on our double wide stroller. An estimate total of 140 lbs.

Effectiveness: 2 on a scale of 1-10
I did have some mild cramps, but felt like it wasn't too hard.

Drastic Measures

I guess Zoey wanted to be a July baby. . . At this point, I'm feeling more disappointed and depressed just waiting and waiting and waiting. My doctor in Utah would not have let me go this far. Whatever. I can't do anything about my doctor but I've decided to take matters into my own hands.

Today, I'm taking drastic measures. So I am looking for any ideas to get me into labor! I don't think I will do the castrol oil, yet. That really grosses me out just thinking about it.

Any other ideas, lay it on me! I'll even keep you posted after I try each one.