giving birth in Mexico

i started out having my first child in the United States. the next three were born in mexico. having experiernced both i will tell you...hands down...i prefer to deliver in mexico!

this may come as a shock so i will explain. 

everyone i know, who has given birth in Mexico, has delivered a baby within 2 hours upon arrival at the hospital. 

the doctor's are very attentive.

they have state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. the doctors will give you their home number, office, and personal cell phone numbers.

i did have a Frankenstein-like experience with my second child, but that was because I was too new to the country and I didn't do my homework.

With my third and fourth babies I received royal treatment.  I walked into the E.R. and my doctor was paged, along with the anesthesiologist, and the pediatrician.  They all arrived within 25 minutes and they NEVER left my side...not ONCE...until I had a baby in my arms!

My husband has always been able to help with the cutting of the cord and the meds are fantastic! Not too strong...not too weak. Enough to feel the "urge" to push but without the pain. I was even able to shower, by myself, a few hours after giving birth.

You still get your hot meals served to you and nurses checking in on you and baby, but you only have to stay admitted for 24 hours! Then you can go home to relax in your own bed. 

That is, however, if you had a smooth delivery and are not high risk, which thankfully, I am NOT.

viva Mexico!

pavement?

This is the view from our high school football field.

Whenever I tell people that I live in Mexico they say, "oh, you mean NEW Mexico." I have to correct them and say, nope...the one ACROSS the border.

The next assumption is that we live in an adobe hut on a dirt road with chickens running everywhere. 

Let me just tell you that is FALSE! We have a nice home (original Pioneer home, a story for a later date), indoor plumbing and even electricity! Nowadays with VONGE phone and DISH Network it is like we never left the States.

I had to reassure my mother that we lived on a paved road...a big step in the right direction. I must admit that my 4 inch heels do get dirt in them from going from my home to church but I blame that on the wind...mostly.

We live at the same altitude as Utah...we have green grass...and trees...I rarely see cacti...sidewalks are still a foreign concept....but we DO have pavement!

 

sisters' retreat

 Every year my husband lets me take a little vacation home...ALONE...while he watches the kids and takes over for me. I look forward to it every year!

I usually have a nursing baby with me, but it works out great because my siblings get a chance to meet my newest addition.

Uncle Rob instantly bonded with Adalyn. So sweet.

 The main purpose of the trip was to celebrate Rachel's first baby with a Sister Shower! Christine and Rachel are both due around the same time...MY birthday! So exciting!

 We ate at a darling little restaurant in the Riverwoods. I loved it because they had a lemon orchard throughout the restaurant. Made me feel like I was at home on the farm. Here we all are...except for Christine...she wandered off to a Toy Store.

 This was my traveling companion this year...Baby Ada. She did fantastic on the plane and didn't cry once!

 I just had to get a picture of my gorgeous...single...sister Janelle because this is the process she goes through to get her beautiful locks to cooperate. Too funny!

 I got the chance to meet up with my closest girlfriends from high school. We had a blast laughing and eating. Two of my best gal-pals had babies the same time I did. Here are our little girls!

My mom, Louisa and I went to the Homestead to have a soak in the mineral baths and Adalyn absolutely LOVED it. It relaxed her to the fullest and even calmed her through the "fussing hours" of the evening. We have been going to the Homestead for decades and it is one of my favorite places!

It was so nice to have a little R&R while G was home passing out Valentine's for our three kids, cooking, cleanings, wiping tears, holding FHE, doing laundry and driving to school. That is the BEST present ever.

While in Utah I got to be with all my siblings...eat out...shop...get a massage...visit...take pictures...laugh...relax...pedicures...hair appointments...visit old friends...see snow

The 

List

could 

go

on and on.

Living away from home makes these times all the more special!

{from scratch}

I am a city girl...turned country. When I married G we lived in a cute little town house and anytime we craved something we would just jump in the car and get it! I can't count how many late-night runs we made to Jamba Juice.

Today is a different story. I can no longer rely on a McDonald's to cure a quick-fix for dinner and those midnight pregnancy cravings...FORGET about it!

Don't get me wrong, we do have great little taco stands and hamburger trailers that sell the best baked potatoes you will ever taste but the hours are selective and you can't always count on them being there from one day to the next. 

In our small community I have to drive 22 miles to get to the nearest "drive-through". We do not have a WalMart in our neck of the woods so get your "fix'n's" before the tiny local store closes by 8:00pm.

Therefore, we rely on our cooking and baking skills. One night we were all craving Krispy Kreme donuts so I got online and found a copy-cat recipe and we made our own. Or the time we wanted some Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream...we had to recreate our own version. 

And so it goes...living in a small farming community. I don't feel as bad letting my kids indulge because nothing made from scratch has preservatives in it....so I justify!

Plus...my cooking skills have become pretty sharp! I can improvise like a pro!!

butter baby

Living in Mexico has many advantages and disadvantages...one being BUTTER. Yes, I said b.u.t.t.e.r. 

In my kitchen I make EVERYTHING from scratch (I have to...I'll elaborate later). I find that if I don't stock my freezer with pound upon pound of butter my life will somehow END! I know it sounds shallow but it is true. 

What would we toast our bread with...what would my kids have for their baked treats that serve as After-School-Snacks, recess treats, or dessert?! 

Not "monteqilla" a Mexican version of butter. I want the REAL thing. So, it goes onto my MILE long grocery list for our monthly run out to EL Paso (the good ole U.S. of A). 

I know it sounds trivial or something you could take for granted easily but today I am so grateful for my supply of BUTTER!

The Birthday Boy

 Benton turned 3 ! I cannot believe it! We started the day with some birthday pancakes...

 and presents....

 A sweet gal in our ward made this terrific cake. Benton is in love with all things CARS (the movie).

 The cake was too cute not to share with all our family in town. We had John and Sandra Hatch, Kent and Virgina Romney, Carol and Fred Hatch, Grandma and Grandpa Hatch and our immediate family for cake and ice cream.

The cake was wonderful but by the end of the night everyone had black lips!! Too funny!

Happy Birthday Son! We love you and are so glad that you are ours!

Sayings of 2011...

At the suggestion of a good friend, I have decided to jot down those little things that come out of my kids' mouths that make me chuckle. I will continue to add to this list throughout the year. 

Alex:

This month we taught our girls how to play UNO. They love this game and they do very well on their own. It has taught them colors and numbers. Alex is very good at winning too. 1

Garrett likes to "trash talk" while playing any kind of game so my girls picked-up on this very quickly. It was Alex's turn and she put down a SKIP card and then very politely said, "I'm gonna skip your trash Dad!" It was so funny we couldn't continue the game for several minutes.
Fri Jan 2, 2009 | 10:39 AM |

I told Alex to write a letter to Santa. She came back with a piece of paper with "a LETTER" on it. The letter "D" to be specific.

"Is Jesus's last name Romney?"

Alex fell flat on her face then jumped up and said, "Ole"!

Alex came up to me and said that Benton pulled her hair and it was her favorite one! She hopes it grows back.

"Mom, do I look popular?"

innocent prayers

This morning during family prayers Alex was blessing our home and food and family. Then she continued to pray and ended by asking Heavenly Father to please bless Daddy's "crap" (translation: crop). I am sure Heavenly Father has to chuckle every now and then at these little prayers.
Fri Jun 26, 2009 | 09:33 AM |

Alex- "Mom, will you frost my toothbrush?"

Tori:

"Look Mom, I am a Lamanite." 

Tori- "Mom, I had a dream that Dad chased the robbers out of our house with his belt."

Tori and Alex were bickering and then finally Tori said, "Alex, I'm trying really hard to be like Jesus. Leave me alone.

Tori asked to see pictures of Aunt Rachel's new "dieted" hair.

Tori told me that we needed to buy "more asses". I said, "WHAT?!", and she said, "yes, Mom, we need more asses to make those cookies."  Oh...molasses!!!

"Mom, when I get older am I going to be addicted to the computer like you?"

Benton:

Benton- "Mom, will you pet me?" aka: rub my back.

Benton..."I'm gonna kiss you on the lips and marry you in the temple."

"You will die like dogs."  He's been watch the 3 Amigos.