Baby Wesley

 39 weeks 3 days 

10.7.20

Today is the day!! We are going to meet Peter/Wesley/baby boy!! 

The hospital called at 6:15 and said to come in at 7:45. After I snoozed for 10 minutes I got up and showered and took Lulu out to go potty. Matt and the kids woke up and started getting ready too. I had the hospital bag packed and the kids sleepover bags ready. We left the house around 7:40. I decided to stop at the kids school to get their chrome books (since I never made it over there Monday or yesterday and would hate for Sab to have to go over with 5 kids) but the office door was locked...dang. They weren’t open yet. Luckily a teacher saw me though the window and I waved at them like I need to come in. Luckily the teacher told the principal and she was super nice and came to open the door and help me. I signed the forms and checked the chrome books out and was on my way. I had to call Matt to get a few things we forgot and we met over at my parents house. Tim and Sab are living there with their kids while their house is getting built. Sabrina is so nice to watch my kids today! We dropped the kids off and I was a little stressed cuz I couldn’t see Lincoln’s adhd medicine but then I found it, whew. Sabrina gave me an adorable new swaddle blanket and it was fun to say hi to mom and dad too. We snapped a few pics and I called to let the hospital know we were running late but on our way. 

We stopped by Greg and Karine’s house to drop off Lulu and I’m so thankful they are willing to watch her. She is in heat and has to wear these tiny doggy diapers to avoid blood from getting on anything- so I feel bad about the timing. They are so nice and the best. Karine took work off tomorrow and Friday to watch the kids while we’re here. 

Because of coronavirus the hospital is only allowing 2 visitors and all along I thought it’s be just one so it’ll be just me and Matt this time. Usually we have my mom, his mom, Melinda, Lauren, Tiffany, anyone who wants to experience the amazing miracle of birth and then have all my family, my kids, some friends and some of matts family come to visit In The hospital so that’ll be different. I’m kinda excited for us to be alone during the birth but it’ll be sad that my kids and our families can’t come see the baby once he’s born. And who’s going to record? (Yes I record my births) we have a tripod. Our kids and family can meet him Friday when we go home. 

We checked in around 8:15 with registration  got in the room by 8:30, IV and pitocin were started by 9 am and dr Barton broke my water at 11 am. Verrery leaky. Epidural at noon. Very tired. 

I’m soo hungry. I felt like I really needed to fart. 

I was listening to a podcast and about to fall asleep and the all of the sudden (around maybe 2:15) I felt lots of pressure and moved from my side to my back. I progressed so quickly my epidural didn’t keep up. I felt like I needed to pass gas and/or push.

For about 10-20 minutes I started crying in pain and felt like the nurses hadn’t checked on me and that I needed another hand to hold on the other side. Matt was holding one hand and helping me breathe through it. I asked Matt to call my mom to come to the hospital if she could and wanted to. The nurse - another nurse Michelle- came in to check me at 2:30 and I was at a 9. I pressed my epidural button and increased the dose. I couldn’t think or talk so I’m so glad Matt was there helping me breathe and encourage me. The nurse pushed on my knees and Matt held my hand and legs. Finally my nurse Sarah and her nursing student paisley came back and called dr Barton in and got everything set up. I was dilated to a 10! Mom got there and the baby’s heartbeat was dropping so it was time to push. I saw his wrinkly brown haired head and I think I pushed 3-4 times from about 3:10-3:26. He came out and I knew he was a little bigger than my other babies when I saw his cute hands and feet. He’s the cutest little thing ever. We fell instantly in love. He had great coloring and was so clean. I think he was ready to come out today. I love him! Wesley Peter Romero came into the world at 3:26 pm on October 7, 2020. He’s 8 lbs 3 oz and 20 in long. We are lucky!! 

I did skin to skin and was able to nurse him. Mom went and got us chick fil a and I was so hungry and it was so good. That was so nice!  Remember to eat breakfast before you go into give birth cuz once you start the pitocin you can only have clear liquids. I drank lots of water. And was so hungry! 

It’s been a good day. I love Matt so much. I love Wesley. We FaceTimed the kids to say goodnight and show them the baby. I’m soo thankful for my family. Sabrina sent me pictures throughout the day and she is so much fun and good with the kids. Im so tired but know I’ll have to wake up every 2 hours. 

Wesleys temperature was low after he was born so he had to lay under a warming light for a min and he warmed up. His blood sugar is low so we supplemented with formula. If his blood sugar is too low 2 more times he’ll have to go to the nicu. So I hope he ate enough- 15 min on each breast plus 18 ml of formula. 

The only struggle was keeping his blood sugar up. Since my milk hasn’t come in yet (just colostrum) then he wasn’t getting enough to eat. So we supplemented with formula. 30 ml is an ounce and he was eating 35 mL to 50 mL. 

Look how cute he is!! 

Hikes 2020

I love the mountains. I love skiing and hiking. They are some of my favorite things and I want to take advantage of them while I live in Utah (I've lived here my whole life and not planning on moving...but I want to enjoy the world around me I guess.) I love Utah and think it is beautiful. I'm glad I can share this with my family and friends. 

We started the quarantine March 14 (March 13 was the kids last day of in-person school) and everything was pretty much shut down by March 16. 

1. We decided to make our first outing and go hiking on March 31. We went to the Draper Suspension Bridge. It was my first time hiking being pregnant with the carrier and our first hike of the season so I was a little winded and rusty. We brought our dog Lulu with us. I normally hike with a group of friends/family or at least one other person so going alone with 3 kids, a baby belly and dog I think was a bit optimistic but we made it. In my mind it was going to be a picture perfect moment on this empty bridge like I'd seen on facebook and instagram but I was totally uncomfortable when a couple asked me to take a picture of them and touch their phone and asked if they had hand sanitizer, which he did have some in his pocket and let me use. Then they offered to take a picture of us. Normally that would be totally fine but this coronavirus had me skeptical of everyone we passed and it was too crowded. I wanted to be positive for the kids and they totally passed me up and did great! A few steep parts and tears but for the most part it was good. 

Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge Loop. distance 2.3 miles. elevation gain 440 feet. moderate.

2. By May 1 the governor said we could expand our circles a little bit to family and close friends but still a good idea to stay 6 feet apart, be outside or wear a mask. So by May 21 Alyssa and I were happy that the kids were done with school and beyond ready to hang out. We went on Jungle Trail in Draper. It was such a perfect, kid-friendly, fun trail.  

Distance 1.0 mile. Easy.  

 Lincoln, Juliette and Madeline loved being with Declan and Brooklyn and I loved being with Alyssa.

It was even easy enough for Maddie to walk some of the way. 

There were cool little forts, lots of shade and logs. 

We saw a lizard, wild flowers and a river.

We weren't sure if the trail was a loop so we turned around and hiked back. I found out about this hike from https://utahsadventurefamily.com/jungle-trail-utah/. The Carolina Hills Trailhead is located in a neighborhood. The address we used to find the trailhead was 13625 Carolina Hill Ct. Draper, UT.

3. Mill B South. June 5. Winding up Big Cottonwood Canyon made Juliette a little car sick but we made it and I'm so glad we did this hike. It was actually paved almost the whole way and ended at a beautiful little waterfall. I'd do it again. 

Distance 0.5 miles. Elevation gain 95 feet. Easy. 

My water loving hiking buddy

love them!

Best Friends...dont care about pictures 

4. Lower Bells Canyon Reservoir. June 10. It was my first time on this hike and I loved it. I remember going on a Bells Canyon hike as a youth but dont remember any details other than I liked it. The kids did great even with all the rocks and our favorite part was of course playing in the water, seeing ducks and eating snacks. It is BEAUTIFUL! 

Distance 2 miles. Elevation gain 495 feet. Moderate. 

Two Preggos. We are due 8 weeks apart both with boys! Alyssa is due August 11 and I'm due October 11. 

5. Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove. July 1. Loved this waterfall and hike. Took Lulu with us again and she loved it and got soo dirty. It was a little crowded but we love being outdoors with the Gourley family! So beautiful. All trails scared me because it said it is 4.1 miles but it was only like 2 miles and perfect. Probably my favorite hike this summer! 

2 miles. Easy/Moderate 

6. Willow Heights Lake. July 8. This was a hike that isn't well posted/marked just on the side of the road way up Big Cottonwood Canyon and it was awesome. A few of Alyssa's neighbor friends came with us and it was so much fun. Juliette loved having someone else her age. The hike was a little challenging for me but I enjoyed it and it's beauty. Totally worth it. There were tons of ducks and chipmunks at the lake that were scavenging for our food. The wildflowers were gorgeous! 

Distance 2.8 miles. Elevation Gain 698 ft. Moderate. 

7. Grotto Falls in Payson was a very long drive for a very easy, short hike with a very small waterfall but it was still fun. July 15. I love seeing the kids explore outdoors and enjoy nature. Tiffany and her kids joined Alyssa and me and our kids. I felt bad cuz Lincoln wouldn't share his tablet with Eames on the drive down and then Evie got car sick on the drive home. But other than that it was good. A little crowded. 

Distance 0.6 miles, Elevation gain 183 ft. Easy. 

8. Miller Park Loop in Salt Lake. July 23. We went on this hike with Tiffany, Eames and Evie. Lincoln got along soo well with them that it made my momma heart happy. Juliette on the other hand did not want to be there and thought this was stupid because it was more of a nature walk than a hike. She was not being very nice to me and got on my nerves. Madeline loved it and even walked some of the way. It was beautiful with a river next to us the whole time and the kids even performed some songs for us on this little "stage." I ended up having a bit of a breakdown but that is life I guess. I'm still glad we went and enjoyed the outdoors. I cant believe how close this is to the city yet so natury. We saw a cool little snake. 

Distance 0.9 mile. Elevation gain 72 feet. Easy. 

9. Good old classic Donut Falls up Big Cottonwood Canyon. July 29. It was very crowded but very beautiful. I love hiking to waterfalls. I love being surrounded by trees and being in the mountains. The kids did great and loved it. I was a little sore/tired on the way down. 

Distance 3.1 miles. Elevation Gain 538 feet. Easy. 

These boys are best buds and so creative as they play and hike together. Pokemon. 

Juliette and Lincoln made it all the way to the "donut" at the top

How freakin cute- I didnt even tell Maddie to do this :) 

I can't believe how amazing Alyssa is. She had her baby boy 2 days later on July 31. 

Beauty. 

10. Deuel Creek Trail in Centerville. August 14. There are still a few more hikes I wanted to go on before the hiking season is over haha. I knew it would be hard if I had to go by myself so we invited Lincoln's friend Leif, his mom Erin and sister Anna Sofia and had such a great time. Juliette wasn't feeling well so she stayed home with Matt while he worked from home. The craziest part was parking...you have to drive up this really bumpy dirt road and I wasnt sure how far up to go or where to park but we made it. It was so nice and shady, lots of little bridges, right next to the river and fun. We probably only made it about a mile or so before we hung out for a bit, played in the river and headed back down. It was a perfect day to be in nature. 

Distance 2.3 miles. Elevation Gain 646 feet. Moderate. 

11. Bridal veil falls in Provo. August 21.  Sabrina and I took our kids down to Provo and were thinking of doing Upper Falls...but didn’t find it so we went on a nature walk over to Bridal Veil Falls and it was perfect. So beautiful and great. We probably walked just over 2 miles. Easy. 

We were planning on going swimming at Splash Summit afterwards ....but apparently school down there already started and since their employees are basically all high school and college kids they are already closed... We went and played at a splash pad afterwards- Palisade Park- and the kids loved it. 

12.  Silver Lake Loop Trail at Brighton, up Big Cottonwood Canyon. September 16. Alyssa had her baby boy Bronson and we went on our first little hike with 3 kids each, plus my niece Ava joined us. It was beautiful and perfect. 

0.9 miles. Easy. 

13. Stewart Falls up Provo Canyon/Alpine loop. September 19. Sooo beautiful with the fall leaves. I went with my mom and sister for part of our girls party. All trails was wrong again haha it said 3.4 miles out and back and was a bit longer, but we made it and it was worth it. We almost got rained out but I’m glad we still went. It was nice doing a little harder hike sans kids. (Besides the one in my womb) 

5.2 miles. Moderate. 

Hikes I still want to check out:

Adams Canyon Lower Falls

Upper Falls in Provo 

Dripping Rock Trail

Timpanogos Falls

Creek View Trail

Neff's Canyon Loop (dog friendly)

Hikes that could be good in Fall:

Cascade Springs

Ghost Falls

Past hikes I've done:

Hidden Falls

Lisa Falls

Rocky Mouth Falls

Cecret Lake

Gloria Falls

Hidden Valley Trail

Ensign Peak 

Temple Quarry