Introducing......Kolvin James Christensen

 Our sweet baby Kolvin James joined our family at 11:08 pm on Sunday April 29, 2012. He weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. and was 22 inches long.  He came a lot quicker than Tatum did. From the time I got admitted to the hospital to having him it was a total of 5 hours and 6 pushes total and he was out!!! I was so surprised and felt so much better this time around.  My original due date was May 4th and I was planning on being induced on Tuesday the 1st of May but Kolvin decided that he was going to come on his own time. And it actually worked out better for us because Todd had been in Idaho doing his last Optometry rotation in Idaho and he was able to take the whole week off for me and our sweet new baby arrival. So since I did go into labor earlier it made it so we had more time to spend together as a family. Todd was an amazing coach and I was happy to have my mother there also. She was also a great coach and support for us. I had an "on call" Dr deliver Kolvin and the funny part was he was my old neighbor growing up. He has delivered hundreds and hundreds of babies so he was quick and efficient. I was sad my doctor was unable  to deliver but you just have to take it as it comes even if it's not the way you had planned it.

So I had felt some contractions that started Saturday night while Todd and I were at the movies on a date.......yes it has been awhile since we have had a date so it was nice. I had only had two contractions during the movie and they were so random but at least my body was reacting to labor. That night I continued to have random contractions that led into Sunday morning. I decided to stay home from church and let Todd take Tatum with him. By 11 am I passed my mucus plug (I know too much detail, sorry) and that is when I knew I would be having the baby with in the next 24 hours. I took a bath which helped with the contractions and relax me a bit. I took a nap, relaxed in the sun and read a little while getting a little sun on my legs and face all the while timing my contractions. When Todd and Tatum got back from church we went about our regular routines and I just labored mostly at home. I didn't want to go to the hospital too early just in case they sent me back home. Plus my mother in law had made her famous and delicious pot roast dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, and her homemade rolls. I just had to have some of it before I went to the hospital. I know call me CRAZY but I knew I wouldn't be able to eat once I got admitted. The contractions were very consistent and getting more and more painful so we decided to take me in around 6 p.m.

Once I got there and they checked to see what I was dilated to I was so shocked!!! I was between a 7 and a 8!!! Holy Cow Batman!!! I was WAY farther along than I thought. They asked me if I wanted an epidural and if so I would have to get one immediately cause this baby was coming pretty quick. I replied with a quick YES and they called the anesthesiologist right then to come in. Everything happened so quickly it was nuts. I had heard that with  your second baby it would be half the time of labor than your first baby. I just didn't expect it to happen in 5 hours or less. As I had said, it all went smoothly and we felt so blessed and in good hands with the doctor and nurses. When Kolvin came out the cord was wrapped around his neck but the doctor was so swift and quick to get it off. Kolvin got a little but of fluid in his lungs but they were able to clean him all out and he was just fine. He was more of a screamer than Tatum was but it was music to my ears. I just remember watching him from a distance while they cleaned him up and took care of him and how I just wanted to hold him and give him all sorts of kisses from his mommy. You always worry as parents that your baby will be healthy and strong. And he was just that........a healthy 8 lb 9 oz baby. I was again surprised that I carry bigger babies. But I love that they are healthy and happy. We love our chubby babies. Although Kolvin was much skinner than Taters was. He is longer than she was but they both have been good healthy babies and that makes for happy parents.

We feel so blessed to add sweet Kolvin to our family and we are so happy we are living by both our families so they all can share his sweetness too while we are here for just a few more months.

The only hard part for me has been that Todd had to head back to Idaho for his last rotation when Kolvin was only a week old and that broke all our hearts. He only has one month left there but it's still hard to not have him here to see him grow and to help me out with two kids. Todd was able to come home half way through this month to see us and that was nice. We know we still have one more month were we have to be away from each other when he goes to his Officer Training but after that we will be together again in our new home in Florida. We can't wait to start our new adventure together as our new family of 4. It's so amazing how each child can imprint on your heart and make you melt with happiness.

I love being a mother of 2 even if it has it's hard moments. And you forget the lack of sleep that comes with it too. It's all worth it!!! I love my babies!!!

 Our first family picture of the 4 of us!!

 Proud Mommy moment

 Proud Daddy moment

 I love his sweet feet

 And his sweet face with all that amazing hair he came here with.

 Daddy and his two kids!! That is so weird to say, but awesome.

 I did a fun photo shoot with my mom and we were happy with how they turned out. I am not the best but I am pretty happy with how they look. Practicing is all I can do and my children are my guinea pigs.

 This is one of my favorite ones. He looks like Tatum here when she was 6 days old too. It's crazy.

 Tatum can't get enough of kissing her sweet baby brother. It's so cute.

Proud sister, she loves her sweet baby brother so much and loves to help me give him his binkie and feed him a bottle. She also loves holding him in her lap with mommy or daddy's help of course. She is going to be a big help for me as he continues to grow up. We love sweet Taters!!

Our last week just as "Mamma and Taters"

The reality is setting in that this time next week our lives are going to change with a new little baby on the way. We cant' wait to add to our family but I realize that I will no longer be able to give my whole attention to Tatum with Kolvin joining our family. So I have really been embracing our last few days of just Mamma and Taters.
We had so much fun today letting her play in the duck pool and making some fun memories. She would bring a cup of water over and dump it on mommy's feet since it's so hot outside and being pregnant only makes it even hotter. She is the sweetest little girl and I thank my Heavenly Father everyday she was brought into our home. She is such a joy to us all.
I had to do matching pedicures for us both since I like having cute painted toe nails for giving birth. Good focal point to look at if you ask me.

8 Wonderful Years!!!!!

I can't believe that 8 years ago I married my best friend. I can't imagine my life with out Todd. He is my better half and I appreciate all that he has done and does for me as a wife and the mother of his daughter and soon to be son. We have grown so close over the years and can't wait for the many years to come. He is a fantastic husband and father. He teaches me patience, which is not one of my best qualities, EVERYDAY!! We both have our strengths and weaknesses but we balance each other out so well. This year we are in two different states so we can't celebrate today but we will make up for it soon. We will be bringing our first son into this world in one week from tomorrow (May 1st) and that in itself is the best anniversary gift ever!!! Being a parent again is super exciting and scary all over again.

Thanks to 8 wonderful years Todd and here are to many more great years together!!! Love you!!!

Florida......Here we come!!!

Yes we too are in shock to think that for the next three years we will be hanging out on these beautiful beaches enjoying the sun and the sand. The Tyndall Air Force Base is located just minutes from the Panama Beach and many other beaches along the pan handle. Florida was our first pick on our wish list and we can't believe we got it. We have been anticipating this for quite some time now and can't wait to live the dream. Here is to an exciting adventure ahead!!! And some great tan lines!!! You are more than welcome to come and visit us anytime. =)

37 weeks!! Almost done!!!

Ready or not!!! Oh I am ready for sure. Let's get this cute boy out so I can hold and snuggle him to death. I only have 2 more weeks and my dr will induce me. I feel very blessed to have had a healthy pregnancy and have been able to take care of our daughter at the same time. I am for sure uncomfortable but know that it's not forever and the longer he stays in the better. We like our babies chunky and healthy. So here's to the next 2 weeks!!! Wish me good luck. =)

Easter in Idaho

While we were in Idaho for a month with Todd during his last and final rotation we got to celebrate Easter while we were there. This year was so much fun cause Tatum was old enough to go find the eggs and put them in her bucket. We did her own personal egg hunt after the older kids were done cause we didn't want her to get trampled on or have anyone steal her eggs. She was so fun to watch as she would find the eggs randomly hidden.
Here she is checking out what treats she got in her eggs.
She had great help from her cousin Madison.

We had some real crazy events while we were staying with Todd in Idaho. I went to Idaho feeling sick and then ended up going to the Instacare finding out I had bronchitis. I couldn't stop coughing and it really got annoying with being pregnant and not being able to take any medication. My doctor here in Utah wanted me to get checked out to make sure I didn't have walking pneumonia. Luckily not!!! So I decided to share my bronchitis with my poor hubby so he was miserable as well. And if that didn't top the cake he woke up April Fool's morning with a rash from head to toe. It was the worst I had ever seen it. He has had it before in the past like 4 different times and no one can figure out what triggers it. I felt so bad for him and so we yet again took a trip to the Instacare to make sure he was okay. They once again couldn't tell him what triggered it but told him to take Benedryl and if it didn't go away with just that he was to take a steroid to get rid of it quick. He had to end up taking the steroid and it worked. So happy he is past that. Talk about being miserable being so itchy from head to toe. Tatum had a few colds and coughs while we were there also and even got a rash on her bum and woman parts that wouldn't go away so I had to get some cream to help that go away. I know we were one messed up family for a while there. We called it the Idaho curse along with the rainy weather we had for the entire month except for maybe 5 days we got of sunshine. We had to be as positive as we could and say at least we were together as a family even if we didn't have the best of luck starting out this rotation. But now that Tatum and I are back in Utah so I can have the baby here it seems like the bad luck is gone. Todd only has two more months there and then he is finally done and graduates in JUNE!!!! SO excited for him.
Here is the nasty rash on a part of his arm.

More nasty rash on his inner thigh. So sorry honey, that is miserable.
On the days when it wasn't raining in Idaho we would bundle up warm and go to the park that was close to our place. Tatum and I both just had to get out of that one bedroom studio. We got stir crazy a lot and getting out helped a lot.
What you see is what you get. This is the just of our one bedroom studio. It was super small but we made it our home temporarily. Tatum slept in the bathroom in a pack in play and did pretty good for the most part. She is a champ if you ask us.
Taters loves her chocolate pudding and just HAD to have it for breakfast one morning.

A few days before Easter I took Tatum to a toy store that was doing a free egg hunt in the store and she had so much fun playing with all the different toys there. It was hard making her leave when it was time to go home. She found some baby dolls and you just can't take baby dolls away from her. She feels it's her job to take care of ALL the babies in this world.....real ones or fake ones. She is so cute with them. We can't wait for her to be a big sister, she will be a big helper.
Kissing a huge monkey stuffed animal. She is a very affectionate kid. I love it
Sweet Taters has slept pretty much where ever we stick her in a pack in play. Poor thing has no clue where or what "Home" really is. Soon we will be in one place for 3 more years.
Tatum got some bubbles in her Easter basket and had so much fun blowing them with her daddy. She loves to say the word "bubbles" too so it was really fun seeing her enjoy herself.

Having fun with her daddy.
Bubbles mommy BUBBLES!!!!
Tatum had a few play dates while we were in Idaho. She was quite the chef at my step sister's house. She has two girls that just adored Tatum and having her there to play with them. I know that Tatum had so much fun with her cousins and all the attention she got from them.
This picture wasn't actually in Idaho but I threw it in there. She had fun in this swing that was in a Pier 1 store in Utah. In fact too much fun cause when we had to leave the store she cried and pulled a little fit cause she wanted to "swing" some more.

Easter onesie I made her.
Having fun with Daddy at the park.
Tatum sporting mommy's shades. I think they look better on her.
We found a fun store in the mall one day and I HAD to take a picture of her by it since it's one of her nick names. And how fun since it's in Idaho and they are known for their "taters."
We ate at a Smashburger the first week we were there and really liked it. I had to take a picture cause it's my nickname that was in the back ground. Don't mind the pregnancy face and double chin I have going on.

Our Wish List.....

Finally the time has come that the Air Force has sent us our "wish list" to different places we could be moving to. We wanted either west coast or east coast locations and funny enough that they are mostly east coast and none out west. We would liked to have been closer to both our families so we could make drive visits home but it looks like we will be flying again like we did when we lived in Ohio.

So here are the places we could live and will be anticipating to see where we will be end up living:

Illinois, Montana, Texas, Georgia, Maryland, D.C., North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Guam, Japan

I of course would love to live where we can go to the beaches everyday!!! But we have to be open minded about it since we have no idea where we will be. I do think most of these places would be great places to live for the next 3 years and know that no matter what we will be there together as a little family and we will make some great memories we will talk about our whole lives. We just feel so blessed to be a part of the Air Force and are so grateful that we will have a set income and feel like we are stable. We are so very proud of all the hard work Todd has done to get to this point. He and I can't believe that he graduates in 2 1/2 months. It's a crazy thing to think that the entire time I have known Todd since we were 18 years old that he has been in school and it's finally coming to an end. He has gotten a few gray hairs in between it all from the stress and becoming a dad through it all. He is a wonderful husband and dad to our sweet Tatum and is going to be a daddy again soon to our son which may bring a few more gray hairs but we can't stay young forever right?

I feel like I haven't written many thank yous on our blog lately for the life I have been blessed with. My heart is just so full and I couldn't be any happier.

So here is to the anticipation of waiting and wondering where we will be for the next 3 years. We will let you know once we find out!!!!