Rome's Baby Blessing

This was such an incredible day!  Little Rome Douglas was blessed, and we had so many friends and family members there to enjoy the occasion with us.  I started crying before we even got to church because I had been thinking about the events in mine and Enoch's lives that brought us to this day.  Even bringing Rome into this world was eventful!  Yet here we are, with this beautiful baby boy who was told in his blessing that he is here to "bond our blended family."   All 7 siblings in my family were there with their children & most of Enoch's family was there. Rome, or "Little Douglas", is named after his uncle and Grandpa Doug who have both passed away.   I know they were here celebrating also.

We almost doubled the church attendance that day!

Enoch's side of the family
My side of the family

Hunter Enoch receives the Priesthood

I can't believe Hunter Enoch is already 12!  When I first met Hunter Enoch, he was 8 and trying to convince all of the other children at the ward Christmas party (including Hunter Eugene and Cassidy) that Santa was a fake! That was the same day that I knew I was going to date his dad (unrelated to Hunter Enoch's mischevious nature)!  Hunter Enoch has grown up so much since then and I have loved every minute of having him in my life.  He has been such an example of strength and faith to our family.  He is the oldest of the boys in the bunch, and they look up to him so much.  Sometimes he gets them all into trouble, but he is always the first to say he's sorry. :) This was such a great day for him, and we are all so proud of the young man he's become.  Hunter Enoch and his dad also went to the temple together for H1's first time, and had a great experience.

   

Echo Lake, Montana

Enoch really wanted to take a trip for his birthday, so Enoch, Brighton, Rome and I went to Echo Lake, Montana.  It was so beautiful.  We spent time with our good friends Curtis and Mandy, and their families.  On the way back, Enoch got the ultimate birthday gift: He was able to tour both an ammunition factory and a gun making factory.  He was in heaven - even better than a kid in a candy store!

  

I can't believe I'm 30!!

Since I'd just given birth to Rome and am still recovering from hernia surgery, I'd almost forgotten about my birthday.   And I definitely wasn't planning on celebrating much.  But leave it to Enoch and my amazing friends to make sure I get to celebrate the big 3-0.  At midnight, Enoch took me outside to show me that our house had been attacked with signs and hearts and birthday wishes.  (Thanks Melissa, Lindsay, Jenny, Brandy, and Deanna!)  Then the kids brought me breakfast in bed early the next morning.  My mom and sisters and all the kids - nieces and nephews too - came to have a huge brunch with Swedish pancakes and bacon.  Yummy!  Then Enoch took me for "ice cream" but then decided he was really hungry, so we went to PF Chang's -my favorite - and of course several of my friends were there to surprise me.  I received more birthday wishes and phone calls then I could count -gotta love facebook for that :)  But I can honestly say I felt really loved.  I even got another cake and ice cream party at Enoch's mom's house on Sunday.  I'm extremely grateful to have so many people in my life who love me, and this was a reminder that I really needed.  Thanks everyone!  

Rome Douglas Robey

He's here!  Our beautiful, healthy baby boy.  It took 4 trips to the hospital with pre-term labor, but the Dr. finally let him come 3 weeks early on June 15, at 11:09pm.  Rome weighed in at 6 lbs. 8 oz, 18 1/4" long.  He's been our sweet miracle.  He tried coming on April 21st, with contractions 2 min apart, and I was dialating rapidly.  I was rushed by ambulance to another hospital with a better NICU, and we were told to prepare to have him in the hospital for at least 8 weeks.  We were shown pictures of how tiny he would be, and had an ultrasound that estimated his weight at just over 2 lbs.  I was put on immediate meds to slow contractions down, but nothing seemed to be working.  Needless to say, we were scared to death.  When my father arrived at the hospital, he and Enoch gave me a priesthood blessing, and almost immediately the contractions slowed down, and then miraculously stopped altogether.  The nurses and Dr.'s couldn't believe I didn't give birth that day.  I spent four days in the hospital, and several weeks on bedrest.  I had to go in to the hospital two other times, and fortunately contractions were slowed again.  By June 15th I was already dialated to a 6, and having contractions 2-3 min apart.  So they let the little anxious one come :)  

We are so grateful he's here and we know it's only through God's miraculous hand.  Rome is such an angel, and we already can't imagine life without him!  

Our June Stay-cation

We couldn't go far from the hospital since I'd had pre-term labor, so we decided to stay in my parent's camper trailer right on the Provo River.  It was simple and cheap, but a lot of fun.  We played games, fished, went into Park City, went to the Olympic Park, kids and E rode the Alpine slide, and then we went to Heber City for milkshakes.  We only had a couple of days, but I'm so glad we did it!  Rome was born just a few days later.

Perspective changes everything

* I was feeling really sorry for myself and the stress in our lives yesterday morning.   But then I attended the funeral of my 83 year-old next door neighbor.   I am so fortunate that I didn't have to bury my husband today.  Ok, I'll admit, sometimes I . . . just kidding babe.

* When I woke up early (reluctantly) to help clean the church to prepare for the funeral, I started off with a terrible attitude.  But as I was cleaning the beautiful building and had the chance to think to myself about all of the blessings that come from attending church there with my family, I realized how selfish I was being.  And I was so grateful that Enoch was there fulfilling his Priesthood duties.

*  I've had a cold and it's hard to breathe.  My head was pounding, and then I think, OK - I'm grateful that I didn't spend the last year with an oxygen tank as my source of air supply like my neighbor did until he passed away.

*  I have an ingrunal hernia that hurts like crazy, and I can't do anything about it until after the baby is born.   But then I am so fortunate that we are able to have children bless our lives.   Plus, I don't get nauseous or sick when I'm pregnant (just tired), so I really can't complain.

*  Last night, one of the kids projectile vomited ALL over the other kids, and the seats, and the floor, and carpet of our car while we were driving on the freeway.  The blessings I realized then are . . . okay I'm not perfect.   I wasn't grateful for anything at that moment. :)