1 down 19 to go.

1 block exam down, 19 block exams left to go until we are done with just the beginning of Med school. Aaron finally got his scores, turns out he did well! Even got 100% on his anatomy practical, I believe that was the test anyway. I'd ask him but he's in class again.

When we first learned we were coming to med school I was given the expectation that I would NEVER see my husband. It actually made me really dread coming here. When we got here and Aaron started studying, I saw him a lot more than I had expected too. It stressed me out a little and always had me wondering, is he studying enough. Because I saw him way more than I expected too. So to know we are done with the first block exams and that with the time he has been using to study, and to know he is doing as well as he is, I think we are both feeling more at ease. I think he feels good knowing he did that well, with the time he was using to study. He may study a little more but I will still see him about as much as I have been. Which helps keep me at ease because I like seeing Aaron more than I thought I'd get too. 

Every semester the faculty, upper semester students, family and friends meet outside the first semester students door and surprise, cheer and congratulate the first semester students for finishing their first block exams of Med School. Its known as "The Clap" which is kind of a funny name for it. I have heard many joke about it.

I knew about the "The Clap" since last week. Since it was a big surprise, I never did tell Aaron. It was one of those really easy to keep secrets ;). He was surprised and said he loved it! He didn't know I was there though since so many people were crowded into this room. I had to chase him down before they fed everyone lunch!

He took a video so I'll have to get a video from him and add it later! :)  

St. Maarten: The Friendly Island.

I guess we've been here for almost a month so its time I talk a little bit about this Island we call home.

A few facts about the island:

The island is controlled by two European Countries. The Dutch and the French.

If you are on the French side, which is the North side, the island name is spelled Saint Martin. Their currency is Euros, but they accept dollars too, luckily. 

If you are on the dutch side, which is the South side, the island name is spelled Sint Maarten. They use the Antilles Guilder as their currency, and they too accept dollars. 

Our first day on the island, Marcie Edwards, another spouse to a student on the island,  picked us up from the airport and took us to the grocery store. She told us before hand that they would ring us up in Guilders, but I had forgotten so when I saw 260 come up I about had a hard attack. We had only bought a few things that normally would have cost around 60 bucks in the US. Luckily it came out a lot less than 260. It was more than we would have paid in the states, but a lot less then 260. 

If you chose to go between borders there is no border checks. 

The island is located approximately 190 miles from Porto Rico. Its even closer than Los Angeles and Phoenix, or Phoenix and Salt Lake City.

The Island is roughly 37 sq miles.

There are 37 beaches. (We've been to 3 so far. Mullet Bay, Orient Bay, and Indigo)

Its really hot and humid here. Its usually about 80 degrees. I hear it gets even worse come August to October/November.

Tourist season is at a High between November- April/May.

Low season for tourists is usually May to November.

We have hurricane preparedness pamphlets. So yes there are hurricanes here. They haven't had a bad one since 1995. So lets hope that we aren't on the island when the next bad one comes. In 1995 though when the hurricane hit, it hit so bad that the island was not ready for it, and it destroyed most of the island.

It is known as the "friendly island." Side story about this, when we first got here I managed to make EVERY person in the air port mad. I was feeling very overwhelmed after we walked out and wasn't sure if I was going to like living in such a angry place. I heard it was the "Friendly Island" and thought, that must be a joke. Turns out I was wrong, people here can and are very friendly. It must have just been a bad day for those air port workers.

There are a few "American"  fast food restaurants here, McDonalds (of course), Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Dominoes.

It costs quite a bit of money for utilities. So we really don't run our AC here, but I guess we will find out here soon when we get our utilities bill and I can update this a little bit.

We live really close to the school, its about a 5 mins walk. The school has a gym, and its fairly nice. Its not LA fitness, but its better than the gym we went to in Buckeye ;). We also have an AUC spouses organization that has been wonderful. The spouses get together for lunches, play groups with the kids, going to the beach. I think I'm super social around here because of it. The wives are awesome around here, they take you places, give you things you need because, we all need things when we get here. Its an awesome organization and I've already met some awesome wonderful people through it. We have a couple, James and Jillian, that have taken us to church each week. We love and appreciate the people that are here.

The view from Aarons school. That is Mullet Bay with Saba Island in the background.

The front of Aarons school, with the statue of the founder.



There is an Asian market right around the corner from us. When we first heard that we thought it would be a little outside market that sold lots of fish, and seafood and Asian things. Turns out, its just a regular little Grocery store, run by Asians, with an Asian name. They do sale Asian merchandise though. Everything there is a little pricier, but if you need something quick its not a bad place to go.

(Asian supermarket)

We've really come to love this little Island so far. Aaron wishes he could spend more time at the beach, but unfortunately because he is in school we don't get as many chances to go as a family. Addison and I are getting a lot more tan. I'm getting a lot bigger due to pregnancy. Aaron's getting smarter haha.

He finished his first block exams today! That was exciting. So we went out to dinner with some friends Stephanie and Austin Wride. We went to the restaurant Boca Marina. Its out in the lagoon. If you look down you can see the Carp swimming in the ocean. Dinner was delicious and we really enjoyed the company! :)



Dinner view.


The Caribbean Lobster. This one is upside down. They run about 18.95 (at least these ones did) per pound.

A New Beach

Its Aarons block week, which means he has this week to prepare for his first block exams come Monday. Everyone says that first block exams really just help prepare you for the rest of the semesters. They help you know if you need to change your study habits, spend more time studying or what. So come Monday we are 1 block down. YEAH! Only 3 more blocks to go for just this semester. And then 4 more semesters after that.

Since Aaron is in school all day Addison and I went a new beach today. Along with some other spouses on the island.

We visited Indigo Bay, which is from what I've heard, the best beach on the Island to collect sea shells. Its the only other beach I've visited besides Mullet Bay in our short 3 weeks here, so I can't say for certain just yet. We found so many shells there today though that I think I can probably already agree with them.

Our day started when Stephanie Wride (another spouse on the island) was kind enough to pick Addi and I up. We met up with a bunch of other spouses at a cute little French Bakery called La Sucriere.


(this is not my picture, I didn't get one. Thanks google images)

Its a cute little French Bakery located in Simpson Bay. They have all of the pastries, croissants and other things in a little window that you pick from a window. Addison and I decided to try the blueberry muffins, a chocolate croissant and we got these small brownies that were 3 for $1. We brought those home for Aaron to try as well.


This was our breakfast. The chocolate croissant is in the back, with the blueburry muffin on the left and the pecan brownies we took home on the left. (sorry for the blurry picture).


(gotta love the Evian bottle in the middle of the picture). This was our view as we ate. This is the lagoon. (I forgot what lagoon it is though).

After we ate breakfast we all headed over to Indigo Bay Beach. Its a "newer" beach they are trying to develop. They have a restaurant called Kokomo down there, and they are building tons of apartments There is an arch where people usually got to take wedding pictures and a lot of landscaping. But the beach is nice, and quiet. We were the only ones on the beach besides a few down at the other end that were there relaxing at the restaurant.


Addison on the beach.

As we were getting ready to leave we saw a "pirate" ship. Stephanie got a picture of Addison and I with it, but I got just a picture of the ship. It definitely looks like a pirate ship. Just missing the black mass with a skull on it.

Our "pirate" ship.

Stephanie was kind enough to take me to Cost U Less, a store that is a lot like Costco here, after the beach. We went and made the drive over there (which isn't far this island is small). Us and our girls were covered in sand. When we got there I got out of the car, locked my door and then got Addison out. I forgot to lock Addison's door so Stephanie reminded. After I locked Addison's door, Stephanie had me help put Kate (her daughter) into her baby carrier (or baby-wear). As we did that Kate's door flew shut. With Stephanie's door already locked, my doors locked and the keys inside. Luckily we had our baby's out already, but.... we didn't have the keys, or Stephanie's phone, or her money or anything.

We saw some local fireman so I ran over there and told them the situation. They told us they didn't have the tool they needed on that truck. So they called a tow truck for us and then left. We waited a while but weren't sure who we were waiting for, how long we would be waiting and were getting antsy. Stephanie decided after about 30 mins of waiting to walk over to this auto store and see if they had anyway of getting into the car. Unfortunately they didn't but they did however have the number to her insurance (its the same insurance all over the island). So we called a road side service vehicle and they helped us out and helped Stephanie get into her car. By the time we finished our shopping, were were pooped and ready to go home. It was a fun day and quiet the little adventure.

I am excited for our next one! :)

How we got here.

I did not feel like very many exciting things happened to us last year so I did not blog too much, when things finally got exciting I was too busy to keep up with it. Now that I have plenty of time, I think I will keep up with it a little better - at least I hope I do.

In a past post, I blogged,  I said that we were living with Aaron's mom so he could get ready to go to Pharmacy school, but as it turns out... we ended up in Med School. When Addison was born there was complications, (you can read about it in a past post I wrote) as Aaron watched our little girl go through so much and saw doctors save her life he knew immediately he wanted to go back to school. But let me rewind a little from there....

Aaron graduated with his bachelors of science right before we met, while we were dating he told me he wanted to go into Marriage and Family counseling. He had tried earlier that year to do nursing but decided nursing was just not what he wanted to do. So he was now considering counseling. Right before we got married Aaron had gotten a job selling insurance with Esurance and got me a job there too. He was doing well with Esurance. He figured at this point it wasn't a huge deal if he went back to school for his master because he could and was making good money at Esurance. Fast forward back to when Addison was born.

So after the complications Addison went through Aaron knew he wanted to go back to school, he considered Pharmacy school, knowing that what he really wanted to do was Med School. So that's why we started looking into Pharmacy school. Well after Aaron had already registered for the PCAT he started reading his patriarchal blessing and had a feeling that he should take the MCAT. So he prepared for both the PCAT and the MCAT. We decided we would do an early acceptance to pharmacy school at a school called Manchester University in Indiana. Aaron then took the MCAT and we waited. We got scores back for the MCAT and decided they were good enough to apply to a few places for medical school, while still keeping the Pharmacy application open. In the middle of September Aaron applied to the American University of the Caribbean. His buddy, Taylor, from the mission was currently in his last semester here, and told Aaron he should apply here. So Aaron did. He soon received an interview date, he drove the 6 hour drive up to LA were someone would interview him. He said he felt it went really well. It was a quick trip. We found out a week later he was rejected from AUC, he did have the option to retake the MCAT though and they would keep his application on file. So we decided to wait on Pharmacy school, and apply to a few DO schools around the US. While we waited, we decided that since it would be a while before we found out what we were doing as far as school goes we would move into our own place. We signed a 9 month lease thinking it would be at least 9 months before we moved any where for school.

Soon after signing our lease Aaron received an email for an interview with Manchester, he flew to Indiana in the middle of October and interviewed. A week later we got the call that he was accepted into Manchester. That very same day, just a few hours later... Aaron got a call from Jamie, the lady that interviewed him for Med School, letting him know that they had reopened his application. Aaron asked them why they reopened his application, considering it was the same application. She told him she'd let him know a week a later.

So we waited another week. Finally Jamie called us and let us know that Aaron was accepted to into AUC. Aaron asked them what changed their minds, and was informed that he was the 2nd group too take the new MCAT, and because of this they didn't have a good enough percentage of numbers to tell what was a great MCAT or not. It turned out that Aaron did better on the MCAT than they had thought. So we got in! With only two months to prepare. We quickly got our passports, let our landlord know we would be leaving early, luckily he was super good about working with us. We got rid of a lot, moved stuff into storage and family members houses and moved out of our apartment into my grandparents for the last month before we left.

When we first talked about moving to the Caribbean and going to school here I had probably the worst anxiety about it ever, I hated the idea of living on this island in the middle of the ocean, away from family, hardly ever seeing my husband. I was so relieved when he didn't get in, which may make me sound like the worst wife ever, I wanted to support him in medical school, but I was just so uneasy about it the Caribbean. And then we got accepted. I don't know what changed in the space of 6 weeks but....I suddenly was excited, nervous but excited. Aaron must have been praying or something because I was suddenly okay with it all. Its kind of funny how that happens/happened.

I'm super excited to be here, overwhelmed at times, especially because we are planning on having this baby here, but excited. Not everyone gets the chance to say they lived on a Caribbean island while they're spouse attended Med School.

Its The Same, Wherever You Go.

This was our second Sunday attending our new branch. Its a small building that is gated during the week when its not in use. The windows and doors have bars on them. There is only one hall. With about 10 rooms total for nursery, primary and classes. It has two rooms that have AC the chapel, and the kitchen, which is used as a the Relief Society room as well. The chapel has no benches just chairs set up. Its quiet different from the chapels we are used to seeing and attending in Arizona.

Some of the members speak French because its the only branch on the whole island, so the members that live on the French side attend church with us a well. Our branch president gets up when a member that doesn't speak English is talking and translates for them. The missionaries ( thank goodness there is a lot of them) usually pass the sacrament while 2 local boys are able to bless the sacrament. They just started visiting teaching, in December. Again, its different from what we are used to attending and seeing after living in Arizona.

Despite the differences in the way the building looks, or the way the members speak, I love that the church is the same where ever you go. We can attend in Arizona, we can attend in the Caribbean, we could attend in Madagascar and it would still be the same.


The last two Sundays I've looked forward to attending church, more than usual. Probably because it is the closest thing I have felt to home since we moved here (well that and going to the ACE Megastore ;) ). The ward members are always so friendly, and welcoming. We've had ward members take us to church the last two Sundays since we don't have a car yet.

The district president spoke to us today. He had a French accent and spoke in French majority of the time. It was a little hard to follow with Addison and then the broken English and French but the spirit was there, and I felt so much love for this man that struggled to speak English and French and still get his message to come across. After sacrament when I told him I enjoyed his talk he told me that he doesn't like to speak and feels he doesn't do a good job. I think he did great though.

Fun fact for the who are curious: We are in the Barbados Mission. We used to be in the West Indies Mission.

I'm grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that no matter what, where ever I am, the church is the same.

Its been a while....

Its been a while since I last blogged. I guess its time to come up with some updates! :)

So the last time I wrote, I wrote about the the birth of our first daughter and child. Don't worry I'm not about to update for number 2.

So Addison was born in October, lost of exciting things happened the following months. Addison has been through so many experiences since she was born. Experiences she'll never remember. She had her first trip to Snowflake a couple weeks into November, right before Thanksgiving We also took our first family pictures that weekend with my family. That was fun. It was freezing in Snowflake.  She went to meet her grandpa, and her Flake aunts and uncles since she was in the ICU they couldn't really meet her or hold her. That was actually the first time we saw Addison smile too! :)

 The following weekend was Thanksgiving. Addisons first :)

That weekend she also went to the state play off game for Snowflake high school. She pretty much slept through everyone cheering and yelling! The next day was her blessing day. It was a beautiful day, and her daddy gave the best blessing. After the blessing we had everyone over for spanish food at my grandparents house. We both have big families, and it was a lot to prepare for but it was so fun to have so many people come and celebrate our little Addisons blessing day. 

2 days later Aaron and I left her for the first time for a few days and went to Disneyland and California adventures. Aaron had given me tickets for Valentines day, but we had just found out we were pregnant so we waited till after she was born to run off and play! We left Addison with her Grammy and Grampy Bey. It was hard to be away from her for so long, but I think it was much needed for Aaron and I. It was nice to get away and spend a little time with out her. It just so happened we went during my birthday as well so it was perfect timing. It was really hard to be away from Addison for so long, but we loved spending some alone time together as well. 

(Don't mind my hair or face it rained the entire time we were there)

We went up  Tuesday December 2nd, and then spent the day Wednesday and Thursday and came home Thursday. It was a quick trip, but it was so fun. 2 days after we got home Aaron left for 10 days to do some work to get us some money to start saving. We had just made the decision to move into Aarons moms house in Buckeye so that Aaron could go back to school. That was the longest ten days of my life. I was a single mom for a week and I would never wish that upon anyone. That is really hard. I was so excited to have Aaron home when he was done!

Aaron has decided to go back to school to become a Pharmacist. Since he already has his Bachelors, he only has 2 semesters and a summer to get all the classes he needs to get ready to apply for pharmacy school. With him going back to school full time and us having a baby we felt like the best choice would be to move in with his mom and save some money. After Aaron came back we moved out of our first home and into his moms houses. We had plenty of family parties and then celebrated Christmas in Snowflake with my parents. I'm so bummed. I was so bad at getting pictures of Addisons first Christmas, in fact I didn't get any :(. 

New Years eve was spent at the Vizio Bowl for U of A and the Boise Idaho Broncos. Aarons mom, DeAnn and step dad Gary picked us up from there and we ran to the Brian Regan show for our night entertainment. It was a full day, but so fun! 

That weekend was Aaron and I's FIRST Anniversary. On Friday (the 2nd) I gave Aaron Suns tickets. We went and watched the game and got Red Robin before. We LOVE Red Robin. DeAnn was super sweet and watched Addison for us. The next day (3rd) we got messages, probably wont ever do that again haha. We didn't even get to share a room that was lame. Got ourselves t-bell and stayed home so Aaron could watch the Cardinals play off game. It was a fun little weekend! 

The Weekend of Valentines day we went to Prescott to watch Aarons cousins state Wrestling Championship game. It was fun. We went Friday night hoping to get a hotel and celebrate our valentines weekend too, with us waiting till last minute we didn't get a hotel and ended up having to drive back to Buckeye and then Drive back to Prescott the next day to watch the championship. Since we didn't get to celebrate Valentines day we are doing a little "getaway" in March to celebrate and spend some time alone. Living with 8 other people and having a daughter so I guess 9 other people you don't get tons of alone time so we are excited for that. 

As I said before, Aaron is going back to school for Pharmacy school so we are in Buckeye living. 

We both are substitutes for Buckeye Elementary School district which has been perfect for me since I'm going to school to be a teacher. The last 2 weeks we have had a long term sub position. It is a lot harder to go to a classroom that isn't your own and take over! 

Aaron has bad Allergies out here and we think Addison got his allergies because she has been coughing and every once in a while has a clear runny nose. I keep hoping it gets better but i'm worried its not. If its not better soon we will have to go see a doctor. 

Over Presidents day we went on a Hike to Tonto Natural Bridge with my family. It was fun but we took a crazy scary way (without knowing it) and Aaron held on to Addison for dear life. It was scary but fun to get out and hike and enjoy the nice weather. 

 Aaron, Addison, Me, and my family

 Hiding Addison from the cold in the bridge

 just another picture

 As you can see the hike was scary....

The Natural Bridge

Addisons first 4 months of life have been exciting to say the least. She's been to the movies at least 6 times, been to state football and wrestling championship games, and hiking. Been babysat for several days by her grandparents, we recently let her suck on popcorn, frys, and even tasted a chex muddy buddy! 

Addisons Birth Story

Addisons Birth Story.

Addison was due on Oct 20th, and when the day came and went, and little Addison was yet to be here we were a little disappointed. We started trying to find out what worked, and what would help me go into labor. We heard lots of walking, Evening Primrose Oil, pineapple juice and a few other things. Since I was off work, I decided to just walk everyday along with the Primrose Oil, and fresh pineapple. I had a doctors appointment on Thursday to hopefully talk about an induction date if she still was not here. Thursday came, and still no Addison. So I went to my doctors appointment and they said I was 2-3 cm dilated and was 50% effaced. Doctor Connors, my doctor, said that because I was progressing they would see if she came over the weekend and then on Monday if I she still had not come they would set an induction date. I walked away somewhat disappointed, somewhat excited because I was progressing on my own. I decided to go run my errands. I went walking again and then ran to Wal Mart to get a few things. 

After I got home from Wal Mart my body just hurt and ached all over. I was sure I was having contractions, I texted Aaron and told him and he started to get so excited. I decided to sit down and count and sure enough, I was having contractions. My mom told me to take a hot bath to see if it stopped the pains. Right before I did that I went to the bathroom, and for some reason I urinated almost a diarrhea like substance. I thought maybe it was just old blood or something from being checked that morning at my appointment. My mother-in-law, DeAnn, called me and I told her what was going on and she said it sounded like my water had broke. So I called the doctor about the brown urine and they said it could be meconium and that I needed to go to the hospital. I did not know what meconium was at the time (for those of you who don’t know she had her first poop in the womb). I called Aaron and told him to come home and get me so we could go.

He got home quicker then he'd ever gotten home before. We got our stuff together (he was super good about remembering to pack things I did not) and we ran to the hospital.

The whole way there Aaron was constantly checking with me to see how far apart my contractions were. They consistently stayed 2-3 mins apart. When we got to the hospital we checked in and then they had me go up to triage. The triage nurse said the contractions would not be enough to keep me there but the meconium was. She told us we would not be leaving the hospital without a baby in our arms. While I was getting ready to go into the labor room, Aaron was helping me put some of the fabulous hospital gowns and undies on and we were just laughing at the fact that I basically was putting on a diaper. I had a monitor around my belly to track the babies heart beat, so as I was sitting down I noticed it stopped for a little bit. I wondered if it was because the monitors had sorta slipped off, but I was not to worried about it. I told the triage nurse and she checked it and said they were back up again. They took me into the labor room, and Aaron and I said a prayer together. Aaron gave a beautiful prayer, and it brought the spirit into the room and a lot of my fears went away, I do not know if he knows how much I needed him there for all of it, or if he even understands how big of a help he was for me. A little while later Aaron asked if his mom could come since my mom was not able to be there (she was on her way). I told him it would be fine, it would be nice to have her there since I was a little nervous about the whole thing and she had been through many births before. She literally walked into the door 3 minutes later. I had no idea how she got there so fast, but I was so out of it I didn't even really notice.

When she came into the room her and Aaron just sat and talked with me, and she told Aaron to massage my back, which worked out well because it took the pain away from back when I had my contractions. We were all visiting and talking and then I had to get up and go to the bathroom. The 2nd time I got up again and came back her heart dipped. Doctor Connors, the doctor I saw most of the pregnancy, ended up being the doctor on call which I was so glad for. She came in and said that because the babies heart had dipped a 2nd time it would be good to look into getting that epidural just in case it happened again, because if it did then I was going to have to have an emergency c-section. So I told them I would be okay with an epidural. I got up again to go to the bathroom soon after. I was a little hesitant because I did not want her heart rate to drop, but I did not want to wet the bed either. When I came out and they hooked me up, everything was fine. I felt a lot of relief, but was still pretty nervous. Aaron and his mom continued to visit with me and give me comfort! I was so grateful to them for being there. I then had to go to the bathroom again, and when I came back, her heart rate dropped a 3rd time.

The nurses frantically had me crawl back on the bed and try my left side, my right side, and my hands and knees. The babies heart did not pick up. They immediately got on their phones and started calling a doctor to the Operating Room, putting on the sterile outfits. While they were prepping me to go into the OR, Aaron took my hand, and I told him over and over again how scared I was, and I started to cry. I was so afraid our baby would not make it. As they took me out, I saw Aaron cry for the first time since we got married. He gave me a kiss on the forehead, told me he loved me and that everything would be okay. It was another moment that I just knew how much I needed him there. He and his mom followed me to the Operating Room were they prepped me for the procedure.

Aaron really needed his mom there when they took me into the OR. He later told me that his mom had felt promptings preparing her to be there that evening, throughout the day. She picked up Aarons two brothers from school and took them to see Meet the Mormons and then felt like she needed to pick up Ellie from her day program. Soon after Aaron had told her that I was going into labor. She immediately felt like she needed to come out. She was already at the hospital when Aaron had told her to come over, that is how she got there so quick. Had his mom waited any longer to come out or not listen to the promptings she felt she would not have been there at the time I went to the OR. He really needed her there, and needed her give him the comfort he needed. I’m so grateful for a mother in law that listens to the spirit and follows the promptings she receives. Aaron was there for me, and she was able to be there for him.

While prepping me for the procedure Aarons mom called my mom to let her know what was going on. I was grateful he did since my mom did not have much of an idea of what was going on. Last I had told her was that we were waiting for me to go into labor.

As I went into the OR I was freaking out. I was crying hysterically. They told me that if they had to put me to sleep, Aaron would not be able to come in. I was so upset by that because I needed him in there. When I got in the room they transferred me to the operating table. The nurses had me sit up and had me hug a pillow as they gave me the spinal injection. After that I was told to lay on my back, and put my arms back. All I wanted was Aaron in the room with me. I asked them if he would be able to be in the room and they told me as soon as they were ready to make the incision he could come in. I remember being a little worried that I would be able to feel the incision as well, but the doctors and nurses were so good at making sure I knew what was going on and reassuring me that I would not feel anything.  Aaron came in a few minutes later dressed in his sanitary covers. He came over and held my hand and the anesthesiologist told him to look. Within 2 minutes of them making the incision we heard a soft little cry. I did not even see them take her over to the table. Aaron was still holding my hand and the doctor told him to go look at our daughter . Aaron went over to where the nurses and doctors were trying to clean up little Addison. I had no idea what was going on, I just kept looking at Aaron to see if he made any notion as to how she was doing.

I had not heard her cry since they took her over to the table. Aaron later told me that she turned her head, closed her eyes and had stopped breathing. He said in that moment that the saw her die. He quickly said a heart felt prayer asking that little Addisons life be spared and that she would live. Within seconds after saying amen she started to cry. The doctors working on her, did an amazing job, and I'm sure they were guided in what needed to happen to keep our sweet baby alive.

I heard them say they were taking her to the nursery and when I asked why, they said she had aspirated too much meconium and was not breathing on her own. I was definitely worried and even a little scared but because the spirit was present the entire time, and I just knew no matter what, she would be okay. Even if they had to take her to the nursery and I could not see her or hold her. Aaron followed them in while I was taken to a recovery room after the OR. Aarons mom was in there to talk to me and keep me company and help out the best she could. She went and got me ice chips and just talked to me and it helped me bring my nerves down over how Addison was doing. A few different nurses and doctors came in to tell me congratulations, and that our daughter would be okay, even the triage nurse and a few nurses I’d never even met. Everyone at Mercy Gilbert was just amazing. They all were all coming into to tell me that everything was okay and tell me how beautiful our daughter was.

Aaron came in a little while later to see how I was doing. He told me how beautiful our daughter was and that she looked like me. He asked what we were going to name her, and said she looked like Addison so we decided on Addison Shelann. We picked Shelann because we combined my moms name Shella, and Aarons moms name DeAnn. My middle name is Shirlene after my two grandmas so we decided to mix it up and do it that way for our little girl.  

Aaron then told me they were considering transferring her to the Chandler Regional Hospital. I was in tears. They could not take my baby away. The Doctor taking care of Addison (I do not remember her last name but her first name was Anita) came in a few moments later and  told us that because of the meconium she aspirated one of her lungs had air in it, that kept it from expanding and because she was not breathing on her own they had to make an incision in her right lung to help her release some of the air in her lung. Because of that she would have to be on a ventilator and they can only be on a ventilator for 3 hours at Mercy Gilbert. I was devastated. I still had not even seen my little girl. I wanted to make sure someone was with her though so I asked if Aaron could ride over with her because I did not want my little girl left alone. They said he could.   

After the Doctor taking care of Addison left the room, Aaron told me that his step dad Gary was on his way, and that his grandpa was as well to give our little girl a blessing. He asked them if they could give her a blessing and they said yes (That was something I loved about Mercy Gilbert, everyone was super supportive of that, not that they would not be anywhere else, but they didn’t even seem fazed when we asked) . The doctor told me that they’d bring her over to my room before I left. I was hoping that would be were they gave her a blessing. They took me to my room, and everyone came in and visited for a little while. By that time Gary, and Grandma and Grandpa Allen had gotten there. In the room everyone was asking how everything was going and what had happened. I saw my husband cry for a 2nd time since we got married as he told everyone what had happened up to that point. We had both been through so much, and he had to be there for all the poking and prodding that was going on with our baby girl. He saw her go through so much as well as me. It was a really rough night for both of us.

Aaron, Gary, and his Grandpa Allen went to go give our little girl a blessing soon after. I was disappointed because I wanted them to be able to give her the blessing in my room. They could not though, because she had to be put in a box with all her cords covering her. A little later my mom got there and gave me a hug. Soon after Gary, and Grandpa Allen came in and told me that Aaron gave a beautiful blessing. I am sure it was. Aaron was so in tune with the spirit the entire time. A little later they brought in the box and Aaron grabbed his stuff since we had decided earlier that he would go with her. Since my mom was there, and could stay the night with me in the hospital room, we also decided that Aaron would stay with our little girl. They brought over little Addison and I took one look at my little girl, and touched her hand and I broke down. She was not doing good, and they were going to take her away from me. I was so heart broken. My mom, Allison and Kimberly all cried as well. They were so sad to see my little girl all hooked up to cords. Aaron gave me a kiss goodbye and followed them out the door. Everyone gave me a hug goodbye and left. All but my mom anyway. That night they told me that I just need to rest. My dad showed up a little later to get my sisters while my mom stayed the night with me. I am so grateful for my mom being there for us this weekend, she was able to stay with me when Aaron was with Addison and she brought us a lot of food. Aaron and I both have two wonderful mothers that were a huge help for us while they were there. I finally fell asleep, but was literally woken up every hour or two to check something on me or take a pain pill. I have no idea how they expected me to rest.

Friday morning after Aaron got back to me at the hospital he told me about the night before. Addisons insert in her lung had come out on the ride over and they decided to not put it back in. They said that they would watch her and see if it needed to be put it back in. A little while later Aarons aunt Amy came in and saw us and asked how we were doing. She said she felt a prompting to come in and visit us. It was such a blessing, it helped us know that there was so many people who cared about what was going on with us and were praying for us, I don’t know if she will ever know how much it meant to us to have her come visit us. After Amy left Aaron sat down and also told me that Gary gave him a blessing comforting him that night. We talked about a few other things, and then I asked him to give me a blessing. He gave me a beautiful blessing. The one thing I remembered the most from it was that he said that Addison had chosen me to be her mom. That she knew no one could love her or take care of her and be a better mother to her than me. He also told me that everything would be okay. It was such an amazing blessing, and another comfort to me through everything we had been through. Aaron spent the day with me except for the short time he took my family to go see Addison. It was so hard for me to see them leave. I did not want to be left alone and I had not seen my little girl yet and everyone got to go see her. While they were gone I took a nap. A little while later my family came back and then Aaron came back and stayed with me and we all visited. We asked my mom to stay with me one more time so that Aaron could go be with Addison. Before my mom came back and Aaron left, Aarons mom, DeAnn, his step dad Gary, and Aunt Julie came to visit us. We visited for a while and then they left. Aaron waited with me till my mom got there then left to go be with our little Addison.

Saturday morning, I was woken up by the physician on call. She asked me if I was doing okay, and if I could walk on my own from the c-section, I told her I was able to but it was still pretty painful. She told me that because I was able to walk on my own and do everything I needed to do on my own they would release me that day. I was so excited. Aaron came over and I told him I would be released that day. We were so excited I’d be able to see our little girl. He then told me that we would be able to hold Addison that day. We waited till my mom brought us over lunch and we were able to get my stuff together and go. I was so excited. We said bye to mom but made plans for her to come back a little later to hold and see Addison and bring us dinner.

We got to the hospital and Aaron took me to Addisons room. I saw my little girl for the first time. I wish there was words to describe the emotions and feelings I felt in that moment. She was so tiny, and bundled up in her little blanket. She had beautiful dark brown hair. She was so beautiful. It was so hard to see her hooked to tons of cords and tubes but luckily by the time I got there she didn’t have any in her mouth or nose. They ended up not putting the cord back into her lung, because they said she’d heal on her own. She had started to breathe on her own, but needed a little extra help from a nasal cannula but by the time I got there she hadn’t needed any of that. The nurse came in and gave her to me to hold, I couldn't stop looking at her. We then took our first family picture together. She had my nose it was dead give away and daddys dimples. They let me try and nurse her, which was so exciting, but also a little struggle. Aaron held her for a little bit, and then we had to put her back in her bed. They told me that she had 7 days of antibiotics and then if she was doing okay or doing well and eating good they would let her come home with us I was so bummed. 7 days of antibiotics, it was going to be forever before we could bring her home. My mom came over a little later and brought us dinner. She even had a chance to hold Addison for a few minutes. After she had the chance to hold Addsion we said bye to her and spent the rest of the evening with Addison. Because she was not eating really well, they had to put an IV into her umbilical cord to give her, her nutrients, so it was a little hard for us to hold her when ever we wanted too. They had to get her out for us. But we still got to hold her plenty.

We decided that night, that Aaron would go home and get some sleep since he had slept there for two nights in a chair. I decided to stay, especially because I just couldn’t leave her. I couldn’t leave her after not being there at all the first few days. That night was so hard. I would hear her fuss, and cry. I wanted to do nothing more than pull her out of her bed and cuddle her and try and help her. Her machines went off a lot too. I feel like I barely slept at all the night.

Aaron came back Sunday morning and we spent the day at the hospital. My mom bought us lunch and dinner, she was a huge blessing for meals. Aarons dad Dane came with his wife Trina. They got to Hold Addison and meet her. Late Sunday night, Aaron and I came home. We both got some well needed sleep, and got up and went to visit her Monday. When we got there Monday she was off her IV umbilical cord. She was eating better and better. Sometimes. There are some moments when she was the best eater ever, and other moments when she was not so much. I just hoped she could keep it up by Friday so we could take our little girl home.

We went to the hospital every day, to see and hold her. Thursday came and it was the 7th day of antibiotics. We just hoped they'd let us bring her home, so we took her diaper bag, and her car seat. When we got there the Nurse Practioner taking care of Addison came in and smiled and at us and said I think she can go home. We had to wait for the final orders to come from Dr. Zozobrado, the doctor who was taking care of Addison. As soon as he came in, he told us we could take her. He did his follow up check ups and let us take her home. We were so excited. We finally had her home.

The week little Addison was in the ICU were a huge roller coaster. My emotions were all over the place. The moment Aaron and I said a prayer in the labor and delivery room, the spirit was present. While a lot of scary things happened, and I was nervous. I was always at peace, in the moments when I had no idea why she wasn’t crying on the bed, or why she was going to the nursery. When they took her away from me, to another hospital, I always knew she’d be okay. Addison had done nothing but improve since Aarons blessing for her. We both realized that everything that was happening was not for Addison, it was for us. Addison will never remember this, but Aaron and I will. We will remember the feelings we felt, and that the spirit was present the whole time. Our prayers, and the prayers of countless others were answered. I am so grateful for the gospel in our life. I am so grateful for my husband. Aaron is so in tune with the spirit, and is a worthy priesthood holder who can administer blessings when we need them. I couldn’t have done anything without him, he was there for me the whole time. He was another constant comfort. I love watching him with her. Hes going to be the best daddy ever. He already is. He has a song already for our little Addison. I am so grateful for him, and for our new little daughter. I love my little family. We are truly blessed.