Oaklee Helen Merrill

Oaklee Helen Merrill

Born: October 5, 2017

11:26 AM

7 pounds 6 ounces

19.7 inches long

Oaklee’s birthday was a special day.

One week prior to her arrival, my sweet mom arrived. I had been so anxious of this sweet baby arriving and my mom not being here. For a few reasons including: 1. Having a baby in Houston Texas, with no family around. 2. What was I going to do with Brooklyn. We have some great friends here, but I didn’t want to have a crazy time dropping her off and making it traumatic. 3. Mitch is in optometry school, he leaves at 8:30 and gets home around 8pm. 4. I needed her here.

So I felt like these reasons could cause anyone some concern, you need your mom ya know.

My sweet mother bought a ticket a week early and came to my rescue.  Brooklyn had come two weeks early, and I figured this baby would be similar.  This baby was LOW the entire pregnancy, but my body was not dilating.  I was 90% at my appointment on Tuesday ( two days prior to the delivery) , with NO dilation. I was bummed. So my mom and Brooklyn got to go on really long walks, swimming and have some dance parties with me. We had a lot of fun leading up to the birth of Oaklee.  It was fun for Brooklyn to have Grandma here to play with. We did a lot of shopping and walking.  It was also nice to have my mom here to show her around Houston.  We are so far away from Idaho family  it seems at times, that it was refreshing to have family here and see what our simple lives are like in this big crazy city.

So Wednesday we went  on a long walk around our building complex, which is pretty big if you go all the way around it, and see all of the Arab/Muslim concubines…. I have yet to see another white-American couple in this complex.  My mom spotted one, so I’m still on the search.  Anyways- we walked then we went to Levy Park, that was a fun place it was hot that day.  95 degrees and it was humid.  Then we came home, took a little nap.  I spent 30 minutes on the elliptical, than we all went swimming and I did all sorts of water aerobics to help get this baby out.  That evening my mom rubbed all sorts of pressure points on my feet. She rubbed them good!!

Well nothing changed… until 1am Thursday morning.  Mitch and I had stayed up late talking all about New York for some reason and his mission. Just chatting when my contractions started.. well I didn’t sleep at all.  Mitch passed out and I just wanted the contractions to stay consistent so I didn’t try to sleep haha. They started getting more & more consistent and at 3am I was having them every 10 minutes and they were truly starting to hurt… so I started to wake up mitch and my mom around 4, by then I was like in pain and they were hurting. I called my doctor and he gave me instructions to head straight to the hospital- immediately or else I would hit early morning traffic… well at 5am there still wasn’t much traffic but we were on our way to the hospital and I knew that this sweet baby was on her way.  We arranged for our sweet friends the Basset’s to help out with Brooklyn if it permitted so my mom could come to the delivery.  Once we got to the hospital, Mitch and I were  sent to a waiting room. I was clearly in labor and this other couple was just watching me… she had a scheduled induction and was witnessing live labor pains by yours truly. Haha, finally what seemed like forever a nurse came to the room and had us  follow her to my labor and delivery room.  This nurse was from Uganda… UGANDA people haha I  could barely understand her…. And I was in intense labor… crying and trying to breathe through the contractions.  Mitch was being so sweet and helpful.

So we finally get the paperwork complete and she checks me… she gets this concerned look on her face.. I ask her what I am dilated too and she says something that I cannot understand, so I ask again and she says, “ you are fully effaced and dilated to a 10!” and she starts calling for help and a million nurses run into my room……

I FREAKED OUT!! I looked at Mitch and started to cry… I kept saying “ I CANNOT DO THIS NATURAL”

Soo we all panicked and he called my mom and said call Jen and get here as fast as you can Becca is delivering this baby like now.

My doctor shows up in 2 minutes and checks me…. With a twinkle in his eye &  with a lot of irritation in his voice he looks at the nurse and says .” She is dilated to a 4, it seems like a 10 at first, because the baby is so low and completely effaced, but she is dilated to a 4 call anesthesia she can get an epidural.”

Holy I thought Doctor Pinell was going to kiss me he grabbed my head and leaned down and whispered she isn’t coming yet…

I have no idea if my mom was there or not at that point. I just looked at Mitch and was soo relieved and happy….

I know the nurse felt sooo dumb, and I was quite happy to know that I would be getting an epidural soon.

7am rolls around I get the epidural, mitch and my mom are there and it is shift change time!! YAY!

I got a new nurse and she was AMAZING. Adrianna was her name!

Side note: they only gave me a bolus of the epidural, and my Uganda nurse took forever to go get the pain pump… so I really felt a lot of contractions for a long time and I have a lot of respect for those mamas who do it natural.  But man I wanted some pain meds if I was going to have an epidural in my spinal cord, get me the good stuff.  So my new nurse called the anesthesia department and they came up and gave me another dose with the pain pump… bliss… pure bliss after that moment, no more pain. It was a woman this time.. I think she understood my pain haha! 

My sweet Uganda nurse went home, and I told her she did a great job, but man I was happy to see her leave the room…

At 9:30am I was dilated to a 5 and Doctor Pinell, who is Jewish by the way and wears a gold necklace with rings dangling on his chest, is an incredible doctor and I am beyond blessed to have found him in the 4^th largest city of the United States to delivery my baby.

I had a little missionary experience with him the first time I met him.

Anyways Dr. Pinell broke my water at 9:40am and they started me on the lowest dose of Pitocin. He told the nurse to check me at 11am again and let him know.

We have a pleasant time just waiting until 11am. I was tired at this point and didn’t know if I would have energy to push the no sleep the night before was hitting me!!

Well 11am rolled around and  the nurse checks me, she was very thorough and wanted to make sure she was not going to be embarrassed  …  haha she says, “ this time you really are at a 10!” Lets have this baby!”

And just like that she called Dr. Pinell, he showed up and  big black NFL player who I have no idea who or what he was.. and a student doctor all arrived at the same time, with a another nurse to take care of the baby.

It was like magic.  They got all set up, and Dr. Pinell says, “Mitch do you want to see her hair?” I had not even pushed at all at this point. SO mitch could see her beautiful dark hair already. This baby was sooo low..

So Doctor Pinell, said okay lets go head and give a push, I pushed and her head was out and pushed a little more and she was in his hands above my knees!!!

I was in shock. Easiest experience of my life… and then the sweetest little cry was heard and Oaklee Helen Merrill was here.

She was covered in the white coat of vernix from head to toe. Dr. Pinell held her up and said, " I feel like the Lion King."


She was perfect. they wiped off her face a little and put her right on my chest. I couldn't believe how adorable she was. She immediately started sucking on her thumb while laying on my chest. IT WAS THE CUTEST THING. Once they wiped her off a little more, we could see how much hair was all over her body. arms, legs back cheeks, all covered in the cutest little peach fuzz. SO MUCH peach fuzz. I love it. She had soo much dark hair too. I couldn't believe how furry and fuzzy she was and soooo little. she was just this little ball of joy.

Mitch cut the cord and then we both just looked at this beautiful precious gift God had blessed us with. A sweet angel baby girl. She was so sweet and so perfect. I could not believe how beautiful she was and that Mitch and I had created another perfect little person to join Brooklyn as a sister.

Brooklyn has loved Oaklee and I hope they become bosom buddies these next few years.

SO grateful for this little sweet spirit to join our family. Oaklee is so sweet and calm. She breastfeeds so well and hardly cries. WE are so thankful for this little girl. Its crazy how she was totally this missing piece and how completely perfectly she joined our family.

My momma heart is so full to have two sweet daughters and an amazing husband to call mine.

Thankful. Grateful. Blessed.

Just to note.. my postpartum care was a little insane--- Houston...is seriously a melting pot.

Nurses:
1 from Uganda
1 from Jamaica
2 from India
1 Hispanic
1 African American


I did it. I had a baby in Houston Texas.. and survived. <3

Welcome to the family Baby Oaks.

LIFE UPDATE March 2016

Well,  it is March.. and I haven't blogged since September. No beuno.  We are now managing the Towers apartments. It is Men's BYU-Idaho approved housing. I stay very busy I am in the office from 11-3pm every day except Wednesday my hours are 3-7pm ( this is the night I do clean checks) Mitch stays busy with maintenance and school. School is really busy for Mitch. He only has one more semester after this.
He is going to defer this Spring, Take the OAT and apply to Optometry Schools! YAY! It is here and we are excited. Brooklyn is going to be 18months old in April.. What in the world. She is learning so much and growing so fast. She is running everywhere. Making a million messes and talking a lot. She is pretty darn outgoing, loves attention and still snuggles every night with us. She goes around the house saying MOMMA MOMMA until she finds me. She is my best little buddy and I cherish my time with her. She is becoming very independent and also have a little attitude.
We are loving life and enjoying each day. Living at the Towers has taught me a lot of new skills. I am pretty much a secretary and an accountant. I am learning more about life each day. I am enjoying this little chapter of our lives. Mitch stays busy, but I feel like he has been able to handle his stress better each semester. We were all really sick with the Influenza the last two weeks. It wiped us out hard. It is amazing how much we depend on our normal healthy bodies to just keep going. When I got sick I tested positive for Influenza B. SO lame! We all got flu shots too! Oh well. One more thing our bodies are hopefully immune to now. I only work at Seasons like 1-2 times a month. I take call about every 4 weeks and every 4th weekend. We are saving so much money. It is amazing how we can just keep the money in the bank rather then have to pay rent every month. That has been a huge blessing.
Life in the Willmore household has been a little crazy and a little emotional. I just have to type out my feelings that the Atonement is real, and it can heal any wound and broken heart. I know that God lives and that he loves his children individually and deeply. I love my family and I only hope that we can be together forever. I know that the temple brings blessings of eternal happiness as we keep the commandments. I love each one of my family members and I care so deeply about their lives. It is important to me that my family gets along and cares for each other. Mark is doing so great on his mission. His letters every week are so amazing. They just add fuel to this amazing testimony he has burning. It makes me just love the gospel even more and makes me so grateful he is out there serving. He has grown in so many ways! I miss the darn kid, but I am so happy he is serving. He is becoming who he is supposed to be.
Mitch is now 25 and I am 24.. so weird! Haha Brooklyn will be two in October. Love that little stink. I am so grateful for this life I am living and for the gospel that makes so many opportunities in my life. The gospel brings me the richest blessings and the most joy. Brooklyn is so cute and sweet. She is learning who Jesus Christ is. She loves when we sing I am a Child of God. She loves when we drive by the Temple. Her spirit is so sweet and gentle. I feel so beyond blessed to be raising her. I hope I can do it the best way possible.
I love my Savior Jesus Christ, my family and I am so blessed with a loving husband and a wonderful family.

Bear Lake- Willmore Family Reunion 2015

Bear Lake 2015- Last time the entire family will be together for 2 years while Mark serves his mission in Cebu, Philippines. Bear Lake was so fun. We stayed in a large cabin in Fish Haven, about  15 minutes from the actual lake. It was roomy and lots of space for everyone- mainly the kids to run around and have a good time. The Merrill's let us borrow their boat, so Mitch and I hauled that to Bear Lake and that provided a lot of fun. We also stayed up late playing games and laughing way too hard and ridiculous things. Brooklyn loved eating the sand and spent plenty of time entertaining everyone as she would try and put handfuls in her little mouth. It was a great trip and Dad even got to come. That was great I am glad he was feeling well enough to be able to come and enjoy sometime with us. Here is so hoping a recovery that will be long lasting so he can stay out of pain. I need my parents around for a long time. So they need to take care of themselves.
Here are some pictures of our fun trip!

Mark left August 5th, now that was a very emotional goodbye. First off- I am horrible at goodbyes... always have been always will be. So lets just say lots of tears came and Mark was pretty emotional as well- which made me more emotional. He is my little brother- my baby brother. I think that's why it was harder this time around. Mitch gave him and tie and they embraced- Mitch shed tears and told him how much he loved him. It was very sweet. Brooklyn was being so cute to him that night and was cuddling up to him. She has loved him since day one. I have had Mark hold her plenty and play with her so she is very use to him and loves him. He has a special way of making her laugh. It is just crazy that she will almost be 3 when he returns. Time goes on. Life is great and I am so proud of Mark getting on a mission and developing his testimony. I love that kid and I am so happy he is serving the Lord. We all need to improve while he is serving his mission. I want to make myself better and come closer to the Lord in this time as well.

Mitch and I are working a lot and his is also doing his internship. We are trying to save up money and get through school. So the next 6 months we will based on working and having fun- not in school! So hopefully we can do some fun things while we don't have to worry about assignments and testes. Low stress! We need that for our marriage and for our family right now. I love Mitch and he makes me so happy! I love that silly man!



We also took some Family Pictures, My friend Amber Cardinet did them and they turned out so great! It will be fun to see how everyone changes in the next 2 years!

June- July 2015

To start our summer off right, Mitch dropped O-Chem. Which made us all a little happier and lightened the load. So that changed our plans for him to apply this semester for Optometry School. Which is fine, we are going to keep on going and we will make him the best candidate for the application process.  Also we will be able to work way more and save up money this fall and the following year. So this puts Mitch to graduate in 2016 most likely in December.  Then he can work full-time from January to August and we will save money and prepare for school. So really its not a bad idea. It was just our plan B. But plan B always comes in handy. That is just how life goes sometimes and Heavenly Father has a plan for us.
We are also hoping to become apartment Managers at a new complex being built. So hopefully that works out as well- that wont be until after this december. So we will be in this apartment for a little while longer.. We like this apartment a lot. Lots of room and Brooklyn can crawl all over the place. It is two levels so we will need to buy a baby gate here in the near future as she gets closer to walking.
Brooklyn turned 9 months yesterday. WHAT?? My baby has been outside of me as long as she was in me!!! That makes me feel weird. I love my little baby girl. I do not know what I would do without her.  She has Mitch and I so completely happy its unreal. I wouldn't trade any sleepless nights ever.. She makes it all worth it as she smiles and giggles and brings this incredible  sweet spirit into our home.

These last couple of days I have been debating the idea of getting my Masters Degree in Nursing during the year before Mitch starts optometry school. That way I could work at home as he is in school and I can be home while making an income while at home. I need to look more into it and get it done. I feel prompted to do this. And Mitch agrees that it would be a good idea. So I am going to start researching this weekend a little more in depth.

July has been a fun and scary Month. Brooklyn has her first E.R. trip... 11:30 to 4AM. Longest night of my life. Poor little thing had such a hard time. June was rough as well... I had mono and was out for a week and half and we are pretty positive that the mono passed along to Brooklyn. But this has honestly been a better week. And it is the middle of July. We are surviving! Mitch starts his internship next Tuesday while he is in finals week! Then we go to Bear Lake! Mark has like 20 days until he leaves for his mission and Dad had major back surgery.... he had his L5 and S1 fused.... So we are all mending and hoping to all be healthy and happy in the next two weeks.

Time Freeze Please!!

My baby is getting big too fast! She is 7  months old. weighing a whopping 16# 15oz... my biceps can definitely notice the weight gain on the babe.  I am in love with her chuncky thighs, infectious smile, cute laugh and happy personality. Mitch and I are spoiled to have such a sweet princess joing our family. She is worm crawling all over!
mitch is piled high with school and being Elders Quorum president. he works so hard at everything he does. I am so proud of him. I do have to note. I drive him crazy sometimes... for instance i sell all of our current/old/not very comfortable couh and a few other items of furiniture and make him go pick up couches at 9:30pm in pocatello. i got to visitnwith my sissy Kristin while Matt and Mitch went and found my great heck of a deal recliner leather couches, which by the way i only paid $215 dollars for.
after a little heated dicussion,  my mouth slipped a bad word... h e double hockey sticks... this was before we went tonget the couches mind you... he was a little annoyed at me.... and i was annoyed at him for trying to ruin my plan haha. anyways i swore at the situation... not at him... but his rebuttle was... " well i made it 2 1/2 years being married to you and this is the first time you have ever sworn intentionally" - besides that time we hit a bambi deer on the way to bear lake in the truck along with the boat... there was no trace of the deer or evidence it was bad and very scary and very. gross... anways we made up and are back on track with some lovely comfy couches. So happy about it!

Nice Weather, New Goals, Happiness

Brooklyn and I have been going on a looooot of walks. I can actually do a little jog with my jogging stroller. Mitch is plugged into student mode and thats great, Imjust need to find more hobbies pretty much. Exercise is one of them. Mitch and I have been doing p90x3 big thanks to Kristin and Matt for letting us borrow it. It is a pretty  darn good work out. we are just finishing up week 2 and feeling GOOD!

Goals:

Finish the p90x3 workout series
I begin my 500mile walk on May 1st... until Sept. 1st
pretty excited about that!!!

Make Brooklyn more hair bows :)

Be more creative w

ith my cooking!
Try and spend more time with Gpa Forbush



I have been working about 2 days a week and staying byyusy with that. I do not like leaving my baby though. :( Really its hard still. We are such good little buddies and I miss those few hours being with her, but its good for me to bring in a little income for our family. Mitch is actually working as a TA for a biology class and he can get about 20hrs a week. So every little penny helps out!

Here are some pix from this week!