Family and Friends, it is with great excitement and joy that I am about to introduce you to our sweet baby girl. Please enjoy this, as our hearts our bursting with love and happiness! This is a long post, but I needed to document!
At age 8 I thought I was invincible until I flew over my
bike handles and had my right front tooth go through my top lip and my left
front tooth cracked in half, resulting in 20 or so stitches and a huge surgery years later.
At age 11 I thought I was brave until I was rushed to the
emergency room at Primary’s and given the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes,
changing my life forever,
At age 17 I thought I knew what love was until I experienced
my first heartbreak.
At age 19 I thought was being realistic working two jobs while in school full time, trying new things and having fun, until I failed my first
college course.
At age 24 I thought I was strong until I lost my first baby
for unknown reasons.
At age 25 I thought I knew what it was like to be happy
until… I held my baby girl for the first time. I was over the moon with joy and
really knew what it was like to experience true happiness. I may still be
young, but to understand what it feels like to become invincible (child birth),
to actually show braveness (blood, needles, and pain), to have your heart grow
100 times its original size and pour out love to someone I just met (skin to
skin, watching Spencer become a dad for the first time). To come to the
realistic realization that we made a human that is our forever. To have the
strength to endure 9 months of being pregnant with an organ that doesn’t work
(pancreas), to carry that babe for 9 months, and to push a baby out. That is
what motherhood is all about. Learning to grow, to nurture your children, to
fall in love (again) with your spouse. This is what I am excited about and I
can only pray that Evie girl will understand one day.
The last days:
They were tough, emotional, and long. I had many (painful and the kind that take your breath away) contractions leading up to the induction date that made me believe E was coming, but she was just playing tricks on us. Especially on the evening of Friday the 15th. When they eased up after a good 45 minutes, Spencer bought us tickets to the Real Salt Lake game for the next night. I honestly didn't know if E would come before that or not, but really, really wanted one last date night with Spencer before E came. Most of Saturday I was real lazy. I did the laundry, went to Wal-Mart to get a few last minute things, and Spencer and I installed the car seat. It all seemed surreal until the car seat was in. It suddenly became cold here in Utah, something I've waited for my whole last trimester. I realized that wearing flip flops wouldn't work because it was really chilly. Spencer helped me squeeze my sausage-like feet and ankles into some boots, it was funny how it took both of us to get them in there. It actually wasn't too bad until I took them off and saw the lovely marks left in their place. We made it to the game. While walking to the stadium from where we parked, I had very painful contractions. The game was pretty intense, and I tried hard not to jump up and down. As much as I wanted to go into labor on my own, I wanted so much more to enjoy our last few days as just us. Our whole life was about to change, and it suddenly hit me and I wanted to bottle up the feelings of love and compassion that we were sharing. On Sunday, I went to church (all three hours). I don't know how I made it through because I was pretty uncomfortable, but am glad I did. That night I spent it with family, wearing the only thing that fit... sweat pants and a T-shirt :). We laughed and played for a few hours. I also received a beautiful blessing to help provide some comfort and peace as I was getting way nervous. It really did help and am grateful I was with family our last full day of just us. Monday... how crazy! I woke up after I tried sleeping between contractions and going to the bathroom. I went about my daily routine, and even went to get the oil changed in the 4 Runner. I finished packing my bag and added warmer clothes for the baby to come home in. Then I kind of just sat and watched a bunch of movies as more contractions were starting to happen. Spencer had decided to go into work so that he could take more time off of work when E made her appearance. When your induction time is scheduled at 8 PM, it does make for a long day. Surprisingly, it went by rather quickly. When we confirmed our time and that there was room for us we headed to the hospital, for the last time as just Spencer and Kacey. Ready or not here we go!
They were tough, emotional, and long. I had many (painful and the kind that take your breath away) contractions leading up to the induction date that made me believe E was coming, but she was just playing tricks on us. Especially on the evening of Friday the 15th. When they eased up after a good 45 minutes, Spencer bought us tickets to the Real Salt Lake game for the next night. I honestly didn't know if E would come before that or not, but really, really wanted one last date night with Spencer before E came. Most of Saturday I was real lazy. I did the laundry, went to Wal-Mart to get a few last minute things, and Spencer and I installed the car seat. It all seemed surreal until the car seat was in. It suddenly became cold here in Utah, something I've waited for my whole last trimester. I realized that wearing flip flops wouldn't work because it was really chilly. Spencer helped me squeeze my sausage-like feet and ankles into some boots, it was funny how it took both of us to get them in there. It actually wasn't too bad until I took them off and saw the lovely marks left in their place. We made it to the game. While walking to the stadium from where we parked, I had very painful contractions. The game was pretty intense, and I tried hard not to jump up and down. As much as I wanted to go into labor on my own, I wanted so much more to enjoy our last few days as just us. Our whole life was about to change, and it suddenly hit me and I wanted to bottle up the feelings of love and compassion that we were sharing. On Sunday, I went to church (all three hours). I don't know how I made it through because I was pretty uncomfortable, but am glad I did. That night I spent it with family, wearing the only thing that fit... sweat pants and a T-shirt :). We laughed and played for a few hours. I also received a beautiful blessing to help provide some comfort and peace as I was getting way nervous. It really did help and am grateful I was with family our last full day of just us. Monday... how crazy! I woke up after I tried sleeping between contractions and going to the bathroom. I went about my daily routine, and even went to get the oil changed in the 4 Runner. I finished packing my bag and added warmer clothes for the baby to come home in. Then I kind of just sat and watched a bunch of movies as more contractions were starting to happen. Spencer had decided to go into work so that he could take more time off of work when E made her appearance. When your induction time is scheduled at 8 PM, it does make for a long day. Surprisingly, it went by rather quickly. When we confirmed our time and that there was room for us we headed to the hospital, for the last time as just Spencer and Kacey. Ready or not here we go!
Is this really happening?
The actual birth story I will share in another post, at a later time. When I first saw our little baby, I couldn't help but smile and cry. My sweet mom was in there with us and she was a huge support. Spencer was awesome and was so sweet when we could see her. I have never seen someone so in love with a baby. From her first heal prick, to her first x-ray, to her first dirty diaper, he was there. He has taught me so much and I am so excited to be on this journey with him. I keep having to pinch myself. This is real, and we have been incredibly blessed. Even though she is in a ton of pain with her broken humerus and separated clavicle and her bruised heals, she is a trooper and has taught me how to be brave in trial. My Mamma heart broke when I found out it was a clean break. Baby E is such a good baby and our little miracle baby. On her first night home, she was a dream. She slept for periods of 4 hours before we bugged her to try and get her to eat. She only ended up eating twice in the middle of the night and only cried when we changed one of her diapers (stupid cold house!) Anyway, we are in love, so, so in love. We are truly grateful for her and the spirit she has brought with her. Her name fits her just right. Evelyn means life, her middle name Rue is after my Grandma Kevern. She has brought so much life into our lives and she looks so much like my Grandma Kevern.
The actual birth story I will share in another post, at a later time. When I first saw our little baby, I couldn't help but smile and cry. My sweet mom was in there with us and she was a huge support. Spencer was awesome and was so sweet when we could see her. I have never seen someone so in love with a baby. From her first heal prick, to her first x-ray, to her first dirty diaper, he was there. He has taught me so much and I am so excited to be on this journey with him. I keep having to pinch myself. This is real, and we have been incredibly blessed. Even though she is in a ton of pain with her broken humerus and separated clavicle and her bruised heals, she is a trooper and has taught me how to be brave in trial. My Mamma heart broke when I found out it was a clean break. Baby E is such a good baby and our little miracle baby. On her first night home, she was a dream. She slept for periods of 4 hours before we bugged her to try and get her to eat. She only ended up eating twice in the middle of the night and only cried when we changed one of her diapers (stupid cold house!) Anyway, we are in love, so, so in love. We are truly grateful for her and the spirit she has brought with her. Her name fits her just right. Evelyn means life, her middle name Rue is after my Grandma Kevern. She has brought so much life into our lives and she looks so much like my Grandma Kevern.
Welcome to the world sweet Evelyn Rue Shiveley born Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 8:39 am at the University of Utah Hospital. She weighed in at 8 pounds 4 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long.
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