Oliver Mitchell Brinkerhoff

Little Oli joined the Brinkerhoff ranks Sunday, June 28th at 3:03 p.m. Weighing in at a whopping 6 pounds 15 ounces and almost 21 inches long. The delivery was absolutely nothing that I had anticipated or prepared for. It was the most exhilarating moment of my life that it will be hard to put into words and express to you just how amazing it is to have a child. After a crazy Saturday trying to organize and pin things down in preparation for our Sunday's child, we headed to JVH planning for a LONG night. They started my induction by giving me a pill to thin my cervix. The plan was that they would be administering this pill every 4 hours and then start me on patossin Sunday morning to get the party started. They also gave me an ambian to help me sleep and get my rest (I am so grateful for that!) When it came time for my second dose the nurse told me my contractions had gotten pretty steady put my body wasn't progressing like they had wanted it to. So around 3 a.m. they started my patossin.

When the nurse came to check me around 5:30 I was at a 2 and 75%. She told me I could get the epidural anytime I wanted but I needed to let her know if I wanted it now because shift change was at 6 and she wasn't exactly sure what time I could get it after that. I opted for the epidural at that time and then my nerves started to come upon me. I had heard a lot of different stories preparing me for what the epidural would be like. Being the pessimist that I am at times I was expecting the worst. Anesthesiologist Ron, my new best friend, quickly helped me realize the epidural was nothing to be scared of. He was AMAZING! It was quick and practically painless. I just felt a tiny pinch and an odd sensation in my leg. I shortly became numb and my legs would flop around like a dead fish. Curtis and I continued to sleep and relax, watch episodes of the Office and Ratatouille we had just started August Rush when my nurse gave me some great news... I was at a 9 and 95% She told me she would be pushing with me for maybe an hour or two and then my doc would be joining us. I could tell Curt was getting hungry and I figured we had about 20 min before we would start pushing so I sent him down to the cafeteria with my mom. My nurse came back in, birth cart in tow, and said "uh... they left you?" I hurried and called Curtis and told him to turn his butt around because it was time! After one round of pushes the nurse said she was going to go Page my doc right then because he was coming and coming fast. It didn't even take 5 min for doc to get to the room. During my break after our second round of pushes just couldn't believe how different this was than how I imagined it, I couldn't help but laugh. Because I just kept laughing Oli just kept coming... It took one more set of pushes and he was here! Oli was laughed into this world! I was looking right into my baby's eyes and overcome by joy. Just the sheer shock of the whole experience left Curtis and I in disbelief that our little baby boy had finally arrived. Now that we have had a week together I must say motherhood is bliss. It has for sure been quite the adjustment and learning curve but I am loving it! Curtis is such an amazing father. I couldn't do this with anyone else. I love seeing the love that Curtis has for his son. He loves just holding him and does everything he can to help me through recovery. I am so grateful for my family, the Lord has truly blessed me.

On our way to the Hospital, Our last picture just the two of us!

I had to be put on oxygen :( My mom says this picture reminds her of those dog photos with the huge eyes

All about Oliver!!!!

My sweet family

Jack loves his new little buddy. He gets somewhat protective and will sit and lay by his new best friend. Sometimes when Oli cries Jack will try to mimic the cries, or maybe he is trying to tell us "what have you two done?" or "Please make it stop!"

Finally, here is Oliver's room! I love how it turned out, it is exactly how I imagined it!

I love this outfit!!

Oli was a little jaundice when we came home and is starting to not be so yellow

Itch, Itch ITCH!

Last week I started to itch incessantly all over my body. I didn't have a rash, I hadn't been in contact with anything new, I just had an unbearable itch EVERYWHERE! from my head down to my toes. I was just thinking it might be another strange reaction my body was having to being pregnant and hoped it would go away, either that or it was just mental but after a couple of days and sleepless nights I talked to my doc about it at my visit last Monday. She suggested a blood test to rule out something called Cholestasis. What happens in Cholestasis is pregnancy hormones affect gallbladder function, resulting in slowing or stopping the flow of bile. The gallbladder holds bile that is produced in the liver, which is necessary in the breakdown of fats in digestion. When the bile flow is stopped or slowed down, this causes a build up of bile acids in the liver which can spill into the bloodstream. Causing severe itching! Well with my luck, I'M POSITIVE! Oh and the best part is 1 to 2 pregnancies in 1000 are affected by cholestasis. And the women who generally do get cholestasis during pregnancy are:
Women carrying multiples
Women who have previous liver damage
Women whose mother or sisters had Cholestasis

Women who are Chilean and Swedish



I am non of these!!! The scary thing that gives me anxiety is Cholestasis may increase the risks for fetal distress, preterm birth, or stillbirth. Because Little O relies on the my liver to remove bile acids from the blood; therefore, the elevated levels of maternal bile cause stress on the baby’s liver. As long as Oliver continues to move around, my mind is appeased.



At least I have an answer for my crawling skin. So what this means for us and Little O is that they put me on some medications that should lower the acid in my blood until I go in on SATURDAY night to get this show on the road!!! We get to meet this little guy a little sooner than anticipated, which is throwing me into a frenzy trying to get my life in order! I just can't believe that he will actually be here, in my arms.... Only a few short days away! I am hoping by Sunday night he will have made his safe arrival (Just in time for Uncle Jr and Aunt Kristi to come home!) We will keep you posted on everything, I can't wait to brag about this new addition! In the mean time I am lathering in Calamine Lotion and carry a hair comb with me everywhere I go to help me scratch the darn annoying itch!

Here we are 38.5 weeks along.... WHOOHOOO!



I need to take some pictures to show off babies room... That will be save for a future post

Updates... and lots of them

Curtis and I had a doc appt today and have some updates!! So with all of the medical stuff that has been going on with me all of the tests that they have done (factor 5, factor 2, toxemia, kidney checks, platelet counts etc...) have all come back negative!!! Whahooo! So far we are just going to chalk up my blindness to something random in pregnancy. The retinal specialists want to blame my hemorrhages on hypertension/ high blood pressure. Which I don't really accept that answer since I haven't really had high bp. Every time they/ I have checked I have been sitting at 110/75 ish. The other amazing news that Langer delivered.. First off pictured bellow is my all time favorite accessory
The fashionable heart monitor. It goes with every outfit, and adds just enough flare for any occasion.

Unfortunately, I have to say goodbye! I packed it up and it will ship out tomorrow morning. SEE-YA! No more awkward stares, no more embarrassing transmissions and my poor irritated skin finally gets to breath!!! Langer has gotten all of the readings she needs and feels that my tachycardic episodes aren't anything sending me into cardiac arrest.

Who wouldn't want to wear one of these?

Here we are, baby and me, 36 weeks and I am counting down the days till I can meet him! He is starting to drop, more and more every day. I have truly understood why some pregnant women tend to "waddle" A couple of weeks ago I was reading about my baby and where he was at in his development. I learned that at this point MOST babies are more limited in their movement because they are too big. Not my little stinker! He is still just rolling and punching and kicking more than ever. Langer delivered some more great news, I am dilated to a 1 and 50% effaced! She then scheduled our babies birthday for June 29th! That is only 3 weeks away!!! Ready or not here we come!

During our hospital stay on Memorial Day Curtis and I got pretty bored and had to keep ourselves entertained. We played hang man, over and over!

Curtis was so creative by using our babies name in the game, Since I'm such an idiot it took me a while to catch on....

An exciting weekend!

To start off our morning Curtis and I ventured up to Stockton, UT for some family reunioun fun and then came back for a baby shower my friends hosted for me.

I have some pretty amazing friends! I can't believe the love and support from so many different people from my life. Thank you everyone who came, I still am feeling the excitement from seeing all of you!!!

My belly is HUGE! It covers half of Tik's body!

(L-R: Codi, Camille, Nat, Me, Doll, Tik, Cindy & Crystal)
Again I, always forget about my camera. Thank you Nat for a reminder so I could get some shots. Heidi thanks again for opening your home!

Brinkerhoff Family Shower

I always forget about my camera and wish I would have taken more pictures! Curtis' family threw me a fabulous shower a couple of weeks ago. I had a blast seeing everybody and getting to spend time with them. Big huge thanks to Curt's family for all of their time and energy organizing and not to mention the DELICIOUS food. Baby sure loved the whole spread! Above is me and Carin, my second momma, I am so excited to make her a grandma!

Old Birthday Fun

Sorry this post is a couple of weeks late.
What I am officially 23! Its funny how after I graduated from high school I somehow developed an odd form of Alzheimer's. I have keep forgetting how old I am. I have been saying I am 23 when I turned 22! It was a good celebration though with all of the fam!

Curt's parents took us out to Johnny Carinos for a delicious dinner and a great time out together! We had a great time with you guys!!!

May is a big month of birthdays in my family.... Emerson, Rori Ana, Chanel, Shaunna then me. My dad spoiled me by making one of my favorites and his specialty... Smoked ribs along with all the amazing sides. It was a great party. Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so great!!!

How to give a dog a bath

First.... Somehow shut the pup in the shower.... Second... Marry a super tall man to do all of the work. Next test the water temperature......

Fill a bucket and dump water on top of old pup's head

Lather then rinse

Note: I do not advise the air dry method

Too bad he wont let me use my hair drier

Leave the pup wanting more!!!