Yes- this is a little late! But things have been a little chaotic attempting to recover from Hawaii & I'm just beginning to catch up on life!
Colby Cameron entered our lives 14 yrs ago. After being in labor for over 26 hrs (he was posterior, wouldn't drop completely into the birth canal so he went into fetal distress) the Dr. did a c-section & out came this 8 lb 3 oz boy with a full head of hair & dimples to die for! Cam & I were ecstatic & Drew (who was only 15 mths at the time) couldn't get enough of his baby brother! Colby was born w/a Ventricular Septal Defect in his heart (a hole between the ventricles). We spent many sleepless nights that 1st week of his life, which was full of visits to Primary Children's Hospital. I remember thinking to myself how precious this little boy was- but what a trooper! The hole healed after 2 yrs. on it's own & he's been going strong ever since! He was the type of baby who smiled with his entire face! I loved it! In fact, he's still got that same smile w/that same infectious laugh that holds the slightest hint of mischieveness! He's a jokester & a natural athlete, just like his daddy! He is incredibly kind & thoughtful. He is tender-hearted & always willing to share or sacrifice for another. (I included a pic of Colby w/Cam's younger bro, Ryan, who passed away 2 1/2 yrs ago, because we always thought there was such a resemblance! They have some of the same mannerisms, same laugh that always means trouble ;0), and they both have a fetish for shoes & accessories like necklaces & hats.) I think the boy is as adorable today as he was when he came into this world! Wow- 14!!
Sadie Meakalia was born 4 yrs ago. Her middle name means "the long-awaited one". It felt like an eternity for her to get here safely. I was only 16 weeks along when my placenta ruptured while I was up at work at Davis Hospital. I had just felt her move for one of the first times a few days prior. I thought I was having a miscarriage, but the Dr. in the ER informed me that it was my placenta rupturing & that it was on the way to completely tearing away from the uterine wall. She said if it did, she would spontaneously abort. The Dr. told Cam & I that there was only a 50% chance of her surviving as well as many health concerns in regards to me. I'll spare you all the even longer version of this story by summarizing that it was an extremely long road after being put on complete bed rest from that point on, with it being full of blessings from my husband & other faithful Priesthood leaders & my other 4 kids having to all pull together with other friends & family to take care of me & make sure she arrived into this world! Which, obviously, she did! And for a reason too. I know with all my heart that Sadie came into our lives, even though Cam & I both believed we were done having kids after Jess, for the specific reason of helping me through the hardest time of my life, losing my grandma. And Sadie continues to be there for me to this day! I love that she's never spent a night in her own bed (Cam- not so happy about it ;0), but I love that cuddle time with her! I absolutely love to smooch her incredibly luscious lips! I loved what a chubby baby she was, with cheeks so big they seemed to rest on her chest~& rolls for me to squeeze all over her cute body! I love that my Sadie is still lovey-dovey! I can't believe that my baby is 4!!
Both of these 2 kids are precious to Cam & I in their own unique way & I love all the many things that make them each who they are. I think back to the moments when I thought that we could lose them & I hope to never, ever take them for granted! Lately I've been a little "clingy" to the family, for many reasons. But one of the biggest reasons is this: time is FLYING by. These precious years with my children are slipping through my fingers & I don't want to miss a thing! I look back & get upset at myself for letting unimportant things distract me from my family- but can only vow to do better now & in the future. Before you know it, Colby will be out on a mission or at college, Sadie will be at school all day, and the other kids will be well on their way to making their own lives for themselves. But meanwhile, while I'm fortunate enough to be able to share their lives with them, I'm gonna take each & every minute with them for what it's worth- which is irreplacable!! Love you Sadie & Colby- hope your birthdays were fun!!
