Birth Story of Ethan Todd Fisher

As the due date approached, we were hoping that the baby would come a few days early, like Madelyn did.  Jill was so kind to spend the week with us in case we needed to head to the hospital and have someone to take care of Maddie.  We went on walks, played at the park, went out to eat, watched movies, and had a wonderful time with Jill while playing the waiting game.  

 Finally on the due date, October 1st, I started having regular contractions around 9pm.  However, they stopped after about 45 minutes.  Again, I had contractions around 2:30am, but then stopped.  So by Thursday, we decided to go ahead and schedule to be induced Friday morning.

Friday morning, walking into the hospital at 6:15am, both Todd and I looked up to see a clear night sky with stars shining.  It was going to be a beautiful, blue sky day.

 The nurse started the IV at 7:15am.  From our room, we had a great view of the sun rise over the mountain and valley.  Each time the nurse turned the dosage up, Todd and I chatted and I had contractions but not anything painful.  Finally after the final dosage increase, I immediately was ready for the epidermal.  Then the nurse said I was already at a 10! It was time! She quickly called the doctor and made the preparations.  The doctor must have had his running shoes on because he showed up very quickly and was out of breath! He broke the water and I started pushing.  Little Ethan arrived at 10:48am, weighing 8 lb 6 oz and was 20 inches long.  The nurses all agreed he was a beautiful baby with long toes.

I could tell Todd was so proud to be holding his son, just by the way he looked at him.

After several hours, I was settled in our room and Todd met me there after going with the baby to be tested and bathed.

 

Our first visitor was Grandma Jill. 

 Then Debbie and Dave were in town for Dave's sister's wedding, and stopped by to meet little Ethan.

         

 Due to changes in their flight, Dad and Mom arrived in town around 9:30pm and came straight to the hospital to see the baby.  All the visitors just oooed and ahhed over him!

Saturday morning, Mom, Russ, and Dad came.  Then Todd arrived and we started marking names off of the list.  We narrowed it down to Ethan, Everett, and Aaron.  I thought he looked like a name starting with "E" or "G".  Todd chose "Ethan".  He said, "I just couldn't take Ethan off the list." So Ethan Todd Fisher it was!  We enjoyed watching conference during the day.

Sunday morning, we packed up and headed home.  This was Madelyn's first meeting of her little brother.  She went full circle---as she first didn't know quite what to think of him and was really shy, to then warming up to him, and finally, she was trying to grab his hand and lay on him.

 Welcome to the family, little Ethan!

38 Weeks and Counting

We continue to count down the days until Baby Boy Fisher arrives---due Oct. 1st.

 Lately, I have been busy canning and freezing peaches as well as making salsa.  Madelyn is prepping to become a big sister.  She takes good care of her baby and has found an innovative way to give the baby a bath.

 Todd stays busy with men and women's soccer as well as volleyball games, in addition to his calling in the Young Men's organization.  Every work day, Madelyn and I stand at the door and waved Todd off to work.

"Bye Daddy, have a great day at work!"

First Ever UVU Mens Soccer Game

To take part in history, Debbie, Madelyn, and I attended UVU's first ever mens soccer game.  It was really fun to have Debbie in town and she even bought Madelyn a little UVU shirt to wear to the games.

 We made it extra fun by bringing freshly baked cookies and popcorn to snack on.  President Dieter Uchtdorf did the first kick of the game to commemorate the beginning of mens soccer.

 

 We saw several goals and lots of cheering to keep the game entertaining.

 Todd stopped by to grab a cookie and say "hi".  He had quite the time at work preparing for this big event.  I don't think his phone stopped ringing all day.  

Dallin Comes Out to BYU

What a remarkable thing to have my first nephew go to college! I had a wonderful time when Debbie and Dallin flew out to prep Dallin for BYU.  

 Madelyn and I helped them dorm shop as well as move into his new place.  Once Dallin was settled, we enjoyed Debbie while visiting Grams and Gordon several times, going on walks, and chatting.

Maddie Jane's 2nd Birthday

The weekend before Madelyn's birthday, we had a joint birthday party with Jill and Madelyn.  Their birthdays are two days apart so it was fun to have Madelyn celebrate birthday time with her grandma. 

 On Madelyn's birthday breakfast, we put a candle in her pancake and sang.

Then we took a walk on the trail and fed the ducks.

 

After dinner, we went to the park, another one of Madelyn's favorite activities. 

  Then after bathtime, we had her open presents.  She loved getting a new box of colors and a book, Baby Dear  (I received the same book when I turned two.  I was getting a baby brother two months later, just like Maddie is.)

South Padre Island Vacation and Reunion

In July, we flew into Houston and spent several days with Russ' family.  Maddie loved having so many fun cousins to play with.  Todd, David, McKay, and I were able to attend a Houston baseball game.  Each day, another one of my siblings arrived as we started gathering for the Shurtz Reunion.  Then on Monday, we took a little road trip with Suzanne to South Padre Island.  This reunion included my parents, siblings, and their children.  It was wonderful to all be together.  A real special time for us.   

 Madelyn loved having Carly and Daphne staying in the same beach house.

 Todd was the host for our Family Feud game.

 On Wednesday, we did traditional reunion activities, like "Let's Make a Deal". 

 One morning, we enjoyed swimming at the pool with Mom and Mike's family.

 We also enjoyed swimming at the beach several days.  Todd did some wave riding.  

 I loved the beauty of the beach!

 Madelyn's first reaction of the beach and water was one of "not that thrilled".  Todd took her straight in the water and I think she wasn't quite ready for it.  I know she was tried because only after a short time of being at the beach that morning, she was out cold.  Her second experience was much more enjoyable.  

 We had a sand castle building competition and thought ours turned out very impressive.

 Wednesday morning, the men went on a bay fishing trip.

  Todd said that they caught numerous fish but nothing really large.

I loved having all my siblings together and having the cousins play together.  Madelyn had lots of adopted mommies play and take good care of her.