Halloween Party with Grandma and Bob

Stetson was about 8 weeks old on Halloween this year. Colton, Walker and Hannah all dressed up for a little party at Grandma Bev's house. Had a nice dinner and visit with both Grandma and Bob. It was fun visiting with Bob since he retired from the Army!

Missing my Sean....

I can't believe how long ago it was that I last saw Sean outside the hotel in down town Sacramento. It's been just over 10 weeks! But it seems like it's been MONTHS...... I miss him sooo much! I knew I would.... but it seems like I miss him more with each passing day. I must say it's kind of fun writing letters, it's kind of old-fashioned.... and something we've never had to do before. I think we are getting to know each other on a deeper level. Not to say we weren't in love like that before.. but it just keeps getting better!

Sean suprised me and called on Friday. He said I need to take him to AIT at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. SO... I canceled my plane ticket to SC so that I can drive our mini van. I'm learning how quickly things can change in the military. We never know when things are going to happen, when our next phone call will be.. or how to plan anything. I sure hope this is the final plan! If it all works out... I'll see him for family day on Thursday and graduation is Friday at 10 am for his company. We leave for MO Friday afternoon and hopefully, after he checks in on Saturday night we can be together through Sunday too! That means we'll have four days together!!!!! So after that great news and a 20 minute phone call... he called again on Friday and we got to talk for another half hour. He is still squad leader... he passed his final PT test. Out of 300 he got a 268. He was hoping to do even better but was happy with that. He said he ordered some t-shirts including a onsie for Stetson that says "Future Soldier" He can't wait to meet little Stetson and see the other kids too! He said training was easier than he thought it would be.... he said a lot of guys improved a lot... he stayed about the same the whole time and he hasn't gained or lost a pound. I think it's because he was in such good shape when he left... he was working so hard physically. It was just great to hear his voice again and hear that he's doing so well. It's encouraging to me and reminds me that this is all worth it... we both know this is what the Lord wants for our family. I'm just learning to live one day at a time, every day is a new day and every day is one day closer to being together :-)

I'll be packing up the van in five days! South Carolina.. here I come! I just have to cancel a couple more reservations, I've printed my maps... just need to pack and load the car!

One month old..........and 13 lbs

Today is Stetson's one month birthday and our four year wedding Anniversary. It has been four wonderful years of marriage. I have to say I LOVE YOU SEAN, you are the Love of my life... I am so glad God brought us together and I look forward to every new year to come :o)

I'm really sad that Sean hasn't seen Stetson yet... I keep sending him pictures though and in 25 days they will meet for the first time! I decided to only bring Stetson to Sean's graduation. I think it would be a really long trip for the other two and just to turn around after two days and drive back, would be really hard. I could bring someone with.. but at the same time.. it would have to be someone that could drive since I'm nursing... Also, this will give Sean and I more quality time together. I told Sean today when he called that I'll bring all the kids to MO the next week end. That is a much shorter drive.. but still 14 hours!!!!!!!!! YIKES! Well, I better get used to this... I knew Army life wouldn't be easy.. so what can I say?!!

This is my 50th post on my blog... I know that doesn't seem like many since I've had it for a few years now.. but hopefully I'll continue to update more often now that I'm online every day.

I have to say that life as a mother of three is very busy, different yet not what's its going to be like when I'm living away from family. I can't imagine doing this with out any help. It's still hard... especially at bed time. They are not all ready and tired enough to go to bed at the exact same time! Plus now that it's getting cold outside they can't play outside as much. I think it helps a lot when they can play outside and wear off energy. I am getting time out though and my sister Mallori has been great! She is helping me to get into shape. I am really excited about that. I only have three pounds left to lose to be at my pre-pregnancy weight.. but I was heavier going into this pregnancy.. so I'd still like to lose another 10 pounds after that. My goal was to lose it all by the time I see Sean...hopefully Ill get close to that. I've been jogging a mile every day and then walking a little on top of that.. and also doing some exercises as well. I hope to get up to two miles of jogging in the next couple of weeks. I don't see how I am ever going to lose the loose skin on my tummy.. but Mallori says it is possible. So, I'm trusting that she is right.. I just have to keep doing the things she's teaching me! Thank you Mallori..... I LOVE YOU!

Our chubby little man.....

Who is now 12 lbs! It seems odd that as the days go by when I think about Sean, time can't go fast enough..... then when I look at my little man who is growing day by day... I wish time would slow down. I just want to enjoy every moment with him... as each day passes he gets older and chubbier and his face changes little by little. I'm saddened at the thought that Sean will never see him at this age. I continue to take pictures and videos trying to capture every look; from frowns to smiles and everything in between.

He's really starting to enjoy being held. He is so content and sleeps well anywhere, but just the last couple nights during his "fussy" time he was sound asleep in my arms when I had him wrapped up tight and the moment I laid him down he started to squirm or wake up. He still only wakes up once or twice a night, also he's usually awake for quite awhile right at the time I'd like to be going to sleep. SO, I stay awake until he's tired again. It wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that I'm fighting a horrid cold/cough.... makes falling asleep a little challenging.

Anyway, here is our little Stetson at three weeks old!

Stretching......

curious big sister......

My best friend, husband, hero and soldier....

Sean, Basic Combat Training-Fort Jackson, SC

Sean has 34 days of basic training left. I last talked to him on Sunday and I can really tell he's doing good by the sound of his enthusiastic voice. There had been a horrible cold going around but he must have been over it cause he didn't sound sick anymore. He got through the gas chamber Okay.. said it was horrible but he tried to stay calm. Several people were trying to escape only to be tackled by a Drill Sergeant; many people also were throwing up or foaming at the mouth. They were in there for over 6 minutes... and by the sounds of it his platoon is one of the toughest, all the others only required to be in the chamber for 4 minutes. One of the common things I'm hearing people say about Basic Training is "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger"

It's looking as though Sean will have to be at Fort Leonard Wood, MO on November 2nd. His graduation for Basic Training is suppose to be November 6th. We are pretty bummed as he's worked sooo hard and is doing so well. It would have been a great experience to see him graduate with all the other Soldiers. I've been reading about what it's like there and it sounds like it's really something to look forward to. So, I'm planning on meeting him in Missouri on November 6th (he will only have week ends off ) with all the kids and my sister Mallori :o) Can't WAIT, but trying really hard to be patient!

Stetson ONE week Old!

As you can see... Stetson likes to sleep a lot, so far he's only waking up two to three times a night to eat. He seems to be very content.

Colton and Carley love on him constantly and are enjoying helping Mommy. It's taking Carley some time to adjust. She thinks Mommy can carry both her and the baby at the same time and gets very frustrated when I won't. It's a good thing she was already little Miss Independent!

It may be hard to believe, but at three days old while holding Stetson, looking into his face from about five inches away... he looked right into my eyes. I was talking to him softly and he smiled at me when I told him "Jesus Loves You" and "your Daddy loves you very much". It was a beautiful moment!

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Enjoying our new brother!

Stetson's Birth Story

Stetson Travis King was born at 2:28 am on September 8th, 2009. I went into labor on Labor Day morning at 6:00 am. Contractions woke me up and they were a little stronger than what I had felt the day before. Even though my contractions were every 10 minutes, I wasn't convinced it was true labor until 11:30 am when I lost my mucous plug. It was at that time I decided to call Red Cross to contact Sean, but after not having much luck I decided to contact him myself. I called our recruiter, Sergeant Catlet, in Placerville and he told me to call Fort Jackson. I reached the post locator and to make it short... I was able to talk to Sean's drill dergeant who said he would give Sean the message that I was having the baby today! Sean called me about an hour later and talked for a few short minutes. He said the first DS that had given him the message said, "Your wifes's in labor, I'll let you call her later today."... A few minutes later another DS came in and said, "Your wife's in labor, GO call her!" I was so thankful to hear his voice and his encouraging words. At that time, I didn't know if I'd be able to talk to him again until after Stetson was born.

Early labor.....

My mom called our midwife, Rebekah and left a message that I was in labor. Rebekah was on her way home from Haiti and was about to land in Fargo, ND. After her mom picked her up from the airport, they would head straight here. I wasn't too worried at this point, as my contractions really weren't getting any closer together; however, we weren't sure if Rebekah would make it and prepared to have the baby without her. They arrived at 3:00 pm and my contractions were still only eight to ten minutes apart, but I had lost more mucous plug and things were definitely progressing. I was still walking around a lot and began to feel a little pressure (baby dropping lower). Finally.... around 8:00 pm they were getting a lot harder and stronger. Sean called again for a brief moment just to see if the baby had been born. I told him no... it was going slow but I thought once I hit transition (dilated from 8 to 10 cm) that it would go fast. To my surprise, Sean called again a couple hours later!!! He was on night guard duty and the woman DS let him make a call from the pay phone, we were able to talk for 30 whole minutes! Our longest conversation since he started boot camp. I was so thankful to Jesus that I was able to hear his sweet voice while laboring. Transition went really well... contractions were three to five minutes apart and very strong. I had to really concentrate and breath through each one. Some were only two minutes apart, but by this time I had no concept of time. I either leaned over the bed on my knees or sat on the birthing ball, which seemed to help my lower back. I walked around between contractions and tried to keep my hips moving. After Rebekah checked me and I was dilated to ten, we prepared the birthing tub and I got in about 1:00 am.

Baby is dropping...

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Future midwives....

Dilated to 10 and ready to go....

It was no longer Labor Day, but the 8th of September; the birthday of my newborn son! Soon after entering the tub I started to shake uncontrollably, my hormones helping to prepare for the pushing stage! I had a few small urges to push, but decided to wait until I felt the head crown or nearly crown. The shaking stopped. So, I kept breathing through each contraction for another hour! I thought about trying to push but my breathing techniques were helping the pain really well. I thought if I stopped focusing on breathing and tried to push, it would hurt more. As my hips started to separate, I could feel the baby move through the birth canal, and I knew my contractions were doing their job! As the urge to push got stronger, I could no longer resist. I naturally took a deep breath, held that breath and tried my first push, which actually felt okay. I didn't lose control like I thought I would. Then, I tried another very slow and controlled push. They didn't seem to do much but the next urge to push was EVEN stronger! So, I pushed REAL hard and let out my first loud moan and then heard my water break.... the head was now crowning.. with a couple more slow, solid pushes his head was finally out! Rebekah told me to reach down and feel my baby, but as soon as I did I pulled my hand back quickly, as I had lost concentration and needed to regain my focus. As they pulled my legs back further, I pushed two more times and his shoulders were finally out. Because he was so big, I had to actually push one more time to get his body out! Unlike Carley, who flew out with only two pushes!

he is finally here.....

Doesn't know what to think....

Love at first sight....

I reached down and picked up my new son, Stetson; whom with eyes wide open.. .looked straight into my face the moment he was in my arms. Soon after, he began to cry and my other son Colton, came into the room and sat next to me on the edge of the tub. With eyes as big as saucers.. he said "Your tummy is not big anymore?" I said "Nope, baby Stetson came out to see you, he's not in my tummy anymore!" He continued to say the cutest things.. like, "I'm going to teach him how to play with Uncle Walker" and "...how to play tractors". Throughout the night he was also telling him how much he loved him. He also had to be right there when baby was getting weighed and checked out. who, by the way, weighed in at nine pounds even and was 21 1/2 inches long! Colton also had to keep a close eye on Mommy as well, giving me hugs and kisses and telling me how much he loved me. He was doing a mighty fine job at taking Daddy's place.

Having a little chat about what was in there....

Little helper....

Grandma Kelli putting on his first diaper....


Grandma and Grandpa Hewitt

Midwife Rebekah Knapp...

By the time I called Sean's DS at about 5:00 am, he was out taking his PT test. He was able to call later in the afternoon, and I described to him how precious and handsome our new son was. Unable to see pictures, Sean can only imagine what he looks like until he receives the pictures I sent him.

While Sean being absent wasn't ideal, I have to say my birth experience was another successful and exciting event! I thank Jesus that Stetson is a healthy, beautiful, perfect little man. Thank you Mom and all my sisters who attended the birth and gave a helping hand. Thank you Rebekah (midwife) and Joyce (doula) for all your help and support. Thank you Kristin for bringing dinner and sharing in the excitement! It was a long, but wonderful night at the Hewitt Ranch.

My due date has arrived....

Here are some pictures from today... but I added two of me pregnant with my other two children. I definitely look bigger this time... and probably lower. What do you think? I don't feel any bigger.. I felt huge with ALL three!

You can see Carley was happy when we first went outside, but by the end she was really mad cause both Mallori and I were busy and she wanted help on the swing.. but it was also past nap time. Needless to say.. she was asleep in less than 5 minutes!

I had an appointment about a week ago... was measuring 37 1/2 cm/weeks since the baby is low (but not engaged) She didn't think baby was huge she thought 7 1/2 to 8 lbs ...but well... NOW if I go another week.. I'm guessing it will easy be another 9 lb baby. Heart beat was very strong! Hopefully my next post will have pictures of our new little man!

40 weeks w/ Colton

40 weeks w/ Carley
40 weeks w/ Stetson
a Happy GIRL....

Best Buddies.....

a very mad girl.....

momma's hugs.........

update on Sean at Boot camp~

I last talked to Sean on Monday evening. He had tried Sunday, but we were at the lake
and I missed his call. It had been exactly one week since I talked to him. We had never gone that long before! He said he had a really nice Drill Sergeant who snuck him into an office to let him make the call. Sean is the only one who's been able to make a call because of his circumstance with a new baby coming. He wanted to see if I had Stetson yet and to make sure I was going to call Red Cross to have them notify him. It was so great to hear his voice and know that he's doing well. He had a couple horrible stories about some other men and women. But said that he hadn't drawn any attention to himself yet. I guess as soon as he stepped foot off the bus the yelling began. All he could think was "I love my JESUS" to drown out all the vulgar. They are telling everyone, it doesn't matter what your recruiter told you, or what job you have, you are ALL going to war. I am just telling myself that they have to be mentally prepared for the worst. So they all have to believe that. This is the ONLY training they get for fighting and must be ready at all times. They even have to carry their M-16 rifle with them wherever they go.. even to shower or use the rest room. He was excited to tell me that when they were issued their rifles they had to take them apart and put them back together as fast as they could. Sean was one of the two fastest guys out of 45 men and women. He did it in 2 min. 16 seconds the first time and even faster the next day. He said that was pretty fun. They don't seem to have much down time... in the evening he has about 15 or 20 minutes before bed to shower, read and maybe write a letter. I've received one letter so far.

They stand a lot.... his knee is still bothering him. He's thinking about having it looked at.. he said he can run fine but when they stand in formation for so long it hurts and if he has to squat or anything like that it's pretty painful. Please pray for healing on his knee.

I have comfort in knowing that the Lord is with him and he is so strong, courageous and firm in his faith. He knows he'll do well.. and so do I! I've wondered if we made the right choice.. but I have no doubt in my mind now that even IF he has to go to war, the Lord will take care of him. Sean will fight this war for Jesus, with Jesus at his side!

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you from the fowlers snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousnd may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes and see

the punishment of the wicked.

If you make the Most High your dwelling-

even the Lord, who is my refuge-

then no harm will befall you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

for he wil command his angels concerning you to guard

you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not

strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because he Loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledes my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble.

I will deliver him and honor him.

with long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

only 9 days... seems like weeks....

It's only been 9 days since I said goodbye to Sean... I'd been able to talk to him each day until Monday night. Now I don't know if or when I'll be able to talk to him in the next 9 weeks! I knew this may be difficult but it's still harder than I thought It would be... with a new baby coming and two small children, my emotions are running high. I'm a little stressed out but maybe I just neeed to learn to relax.

Colton hasn't been taking many naps with all the commotion around, but after playing all day with his Uncles he goes down good at night and both are still sleeping well through the night. Something I am soooo grateful for, especially since I'll have a new born waking up to nurse very soon! I didn't bring a bed for Colton so I'm looking for a toddler bed for him, he's been sleeping with me but of course I can't have him rolling and kicking around when I'm trying to nurse Stetson. Carley is sleeping in the pack and play. I also have a co-sleeper with a nightlight on it that should work nice for Stetson but will soon be needing a bassinet, maybe I can use Katrices!?!?!?

Last night my sisters and I went to Grand Forks, ND to see a movie and do some shopping. I spent 100.00 at Target.......ughhh money doesn't last long when your buying diapers and other necessities. I did buy Carley a really cute pair of Mary Janes because we lost her other ones somewhere in California....but these ones are brown vs. the black that she had... so they'll go cute with anything. I also got myself a nursing tank... that is super comfortable that I am so excited about... wow the little things in life that excite a MOM! I figured it would be more comfortable than wearing a bra during the first week or two after Stetson comes. I remember with Colton having to change nursing pads every 30 minutes when my milk came in.... so... yeah, there will be no more bra-less nights for awhile! okay..maybe not every 30 minutes but I remember waking up wet with milk many times! Not so bad with Carley, maybe my body will adjust quickly to his needs and it wont be as bad.. but at least I'll be prepared and comfortable. hmm.. one probably wasn't enough! :p

I have an appointment tonight to see how the baby is doing... I don't feel much like it's going to come any minute. I'm starting to think it will be late just like my other two. My due date is only 9 days away.. so technically it could come at any time... but we'll see! I'll let you all know how the appt. goes tomorrow! My sister Katrice is 14 weeks pregnant and is having her first appointment tonight as well. My parents will have 5 grandchildren by end of February... how crazy :-)

Saying Goodbye

Here are just a few pictures of Sean and I the night we had to say goodbye! It's only been a few days and it feels like weeks. I've been able to talk to him a little every day, since he hasn't actually started boot camp. He is still really busy but the first day seemed like a week for him
because he had to stand around so much between getting x-rays and eye exams etc... he has 60 people in his group or platoon and there are several others.. so must be hundreds of solders there on that one base. They are confined to one area on the base until Tuesday when they will move to wherever the actual training starts. They have been in formation though everywhere they go and everytime someone messes up they ALL have to either do push ups or things like hold their stack of books out in front of them until their arms burn. Tonight he beat two guys arm wrestling and of course they were like "boy, you are stronger than you look"
Last night they were doing some sort of hand stand against the wall in their dorm and Sean fell on his knee...(on conrete) it's been hurting and swollen, so please pray that his knee heals quickly and he doesn't have to say anything about it, or that they don't notice it...

Colton and Carley don't seem to miss daddy yet... but they are so busy playing with my brothers and sisters. Every night when we go to bed Colton asks me questions and I explain best I can about how daddy is in the Army and we are staying on the ranch for awhile until we can go be with him. Colton tells me that when he gets bigger he want's to go in the Army too and learn how to fight like daddy :-) It's pretty cute!

So, no baby yet.. still lots of Braxton Hicks and back ache, hopefully it will be soon.. but I suppose little Stetson will come when he is ready. Off to bed.... more soon... keep posted!

On our new adventure....finding out sex of baby... saying goodbye to Sean and driving to MINNESOTA!

Here are a few pictures from right before Sean left for basic training.... I have more pictures coming of the last night I saw him in Sacramento. My mom and sisters (Jessica, Whitney and Kaylee) flew out here last Saturday morning, we dropped Sean off at Sgt. Catlet's office in Placerville on Sunday and then drove on to Modesto to stay the night with our friends, Les and Stephanie. We drove back on Monday night and had dinner with Sean at the Cheesecake Factory. He didn't actually fly out until Tuesday morning. While we were there waiting for our food we opened up the sealed envelope with our baby's ultra-sound picture and were pleasantly surprised to see that it is another boy! His name is Stetson Travis King! Actually, we both had a hunch it was a boy... we are just so excited and of course it really didn't matter to us .. we would have loved another girl as well. Since I'm not sure I'll be able to talk to Sean much at all during his BCT we thought it would be fun to find out together! I'm only 35 weeks in this picture... the last picture I posted was wrong.. my midwife saw me and confirmed that my ultra-sound due date is September 4th. So in the last picture I was probably two weeks earlier.

I'm really looking forward to having another newborn. But at the same time I'm not looking forward to having Stetson without Sean there. I'm sure it will go fine... I know I can do it... I'll just miss him a lot. Sean is such a hands-on Dad tending to me and the babies. But most of all I guess I'll just miss HIM!

Thank goodness I'll have my mom and sisters to help... it will be really fun. I finally got a new video camera, the new Sony Handy Cam 60 GB hard disc drive... I'll be able to post videos now of the kids and am looking forward to making a nice birth video since Sean is missing the birth. No worries, it wont be on YOUTUBE!

Well, the Lord has really blessed us... it seems with all the chaos the last couple of weeks with moving out of our house and selling everything... He worked it out perfectly. We had so many friends that helped with moving the house and doing all the dirty work of clean up , etc... we are so thankful. I have to say I think my husband has the best friends in the world!!! He stayed up several nights with NO sleep trying to get that house ready to move... and on top of that he had to be online finishing some courses so that he could join as an E2 instead of an E1... which he finished on Friday morning at 4:45 am......took the tests Friday morning at 9 am. Most of last week I didn't even see him. He passed all that and also passed his PT test. I just know he'll do awesome! For not having much time to run and work out.. he finished his run with two minutes to spare! So, back to what else the Lord has done.... he got my family out here safe! Our friends, John and Debbie took our last horse and John is going to finish breaking him so that he'll sell... John is also helping Sean pick up his last three cords of firewood to sell. We sold our Toyota Turcel to their son, Stephen. Our storage shed is packed FULL, and last but not least I finally got a new mini-van! We actually had room for Mom and I and all five kids plus all of my stuff! I can even see out my back window!

Last night we stayed in Spearfish, SD.. the kids got to go swimming and we ordered pizza to our room. I'm up now cause Carley woke up and I was too awake to sleep. We are packing up and getting back on the road within the next hour. Should be back home on the ranch tonight! Looking forward to seeing everyone! I'll be posting pictures from our trip soon! Little Stetson is ready to see his new world.... I am having a lot of strong braxton hicks... my feet are swelling a lot...for the first time... (the car ride I'm sure and salty snacky foods) but he is very low and causing a lot of discomfort! But still I have to say.. I love being pregnant and feeling a little life inside of me.. nothing short of a miracle!

Oh, one last thing.. Sean just found out that with so many dependants, we qualify for off-base housing with more bedrooms and a higher housing allowance! Praise the LORD again!

Until next time~Sheila