Big Brother

December was a hard month for Maven. Not because of all the changes associated with being a NEW big brother but because dad wasn't home. I'd be lying if I didn't say it was HORRIBLE. We were celebrating and enjoying the new baby but without Brad. If it weren't for Grandma Marilyn coming to stay with us I don't think we would have made it. 

As most of you probably already know Brad had less than 24 hours to spend with us after Canon was born before he had to go to Portland to rotate in the ICU. Canon and I spent most of the time in the hospital by ourselves and my mom saved us by staying with Maven. Brad was able to come home for a day when Canon was 8 days old and lucky us it was the first and only day we've seen snow in Corvallis this year. 

Maven was thrilled. He was so happy to see his daddy and would have played outside with him all day if we had let him. I love these pictures of Maven with his snow pants and rain boots. That's how we roll in rainy Corvallis OR.

What a great kid. I'm so proud of how well he has transitioned with all of the changes. He's dealt with a lot of change in his short life.

Canon at Cannon Beach

Their is an up side to medical school and residency. We get to see some AWESOME places. We haven't exactly stayed in one place since we started Medical School. Brad and I have lived in Des Moines IA, Casper WY, unknown, and Corvallis OR over the last 4 years of being married. We spent 1 "unknown" year going from extended stay hotel to ghetto motels and living in our parents basement. It's been quite the adventure.  And the best part about it is all the fun places we've taken our kids. Maven visted Mt Rushmore at 6 weeks old. He's already been to 16 states, maybe more I kind of lost count. He spent his first birthday at the Grand Canyon and has become quite accustomed to change.

It looks like things for Canon are already going the same direction. At only 2 weeks old we took Canon to Cannon Beach Oregon where we spent Christmas with my family. It was a perfect week and a great way to deal with Brad's not so accommodating work schedule.  And he's been to 4 states so far but that's a whole different post. 

Since we live in Oregon and only 3 hours from Cannon Beach a lot of people assume that's where Canon got his name. Of course there is the Canon camera and the Canon that shoots leading to his newest nickname...BOOMER. In all honestly we don't know what triggered the name Canon. Brad called me up one day while he was in West Virginia. I wasn't even pregnant at the time. He asked if I liked the name Canon. And it's one we never forgot about.  

What's funny about names is how they just work out. We love our little "BIG" Canon Ball and I can't think of a better name for him. 

Canon on Cannon Beach in front of the "goonies" rocks.
If you haven't seen the movie "The Goonies" I highly recommend it.

Canon Ball

No wonder Maven calls his little brother Canon BALL!!!  I tried to duplicate this two month picture of Maven.  I think it's funny to see how different these two are. {Canon on the left Maven on the right} I barley got this hat, made by Brad's Grandma Oliverson, to go on Canon's head. I remember it being tight on Maven but not this tight.

At two months we were still dealing with Maven's Jaundice so his picture is very YELLOW.

It's funny to me how different these two boys are. Canon was 8lbs when he was born 1lb bigger than Maven and born at 39 weeks. Maven was 3 days overdue and only 7lbs 2 oz.

At 2 Months this is how they compare:

Maven

11lbs 4 oz

23 inches long

15.5 inch head circumference 

Canon

13lbs 5 oz 90th percentile

23 inches long

16 inch head circumference

I know Canon isn't the chubbiest 2 month old around but it's shocking to me since Maven was so scrawny. The poor kid has been dealing with all kinds of fat jokes. We tease he is bulimic since he eats so much he literally spits up an abnormally large amount. Then there is Maven who is 2 years old only weighs 24lbs and wont take time to eat. I guess he is our anorexic kid.

These boys have been so much fun. I love watching them interact. I love how different their personalities are so far.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Canon

Canon Geddes Oliverson was delivered by his dad on December 9. He was born at 39 weeks and 8 pounds exactly. I was shocked to have such a big baby. He was born 10 days earlier than his brother and weighed 1 pound more.

Brad had to leave for an ICU rotation in Portland the day after Canon was born. Maven has transitioned well to the new baby but not as well to having his dad gone. We look forward to the one day a week we get to spend with him.

Eventually I'll get around to writing the birth story. But for now I just wanted to share the news that our baby boy is here safe and sound and we couldn't be more in love.

Ready to POP

My entire pregnancy we've been secretly hoping this baby will come early since Brad starts an ICU rotation at the VA hospital in Portland. His program director has made it pretty clear that his chances of being able to come home for the delivery are pretty slim. Excuse me for complaining as an emotional and very pregnant wife. They haven't exactly been accommodating or even understanding of our situation.  Deep down I know it will work but the window of opportunity is closing in on us. We went from praying he wouldn't come yet for our last minute travel plans back home and now it's HURRY and come before his dad leaves. THIS POOR KID. 

I'm 39 weeks on Sunday and Brad leaves for Portland on Monday. EEEK, I'm getting really nervous.

Regardless this is how I feel. I'm "READY TO POP" sooner rather than later PLEASE :)

Thanks Brad for taking some maternity pictures for me. Being this big I didn't exactly feel like doing the whole timer thing.

November {Carma Larson Geddes}

November flashed by so quick I still feel like I'm trying to get a grip on everything. I definitely started nesting and trying to wrap everything up with photo sessions and photo orders. Brad finished working the night shift and started an ER rotation.

Unfortunately on Friday November 16 my dad called me to tell me my Grandma Geddes fell. At the time he didn't know much and made it sound like everything would be OK. Later that night I was informed that she was life flighted to SLC and the fall was caused by a severe stroke. Being 37 weeks pregnant I didn't think traveling to see her was an option. So I anxiously waited around for whatever news I could get.

By Sunday my Dad told me he would do whatever he could to help me get back home. That's when I knew it was really serious.  However being 37 weeks pregnant traveling by myself with Maven was out of the question and Brad was scheduled to take his boards. This is when homesickness really sinks in and I would do anything to be closer to my family.

On Tuesday my grandma was transported from SLC back to her home in Banida ID where everyone gathered by her bedside. By this point 18 of her 20 grandchildren had made it from all across the United States to see her. I got doctors permission to travel as long as Brad was with me and I could get a non-stop flight. I had a flight scheduled for the morning of Sunday Nov. 25.

She was surrounded by family when she passed away Saturday November 24. I didn't make it back in time to see her but I was able to be home for her funeral which was held on Wednesday November 28, 2012.

I am so blessed to have amazing grandparents. I grew up across the street from my grandma and she was always there when I needed her. She spoiled me, took care of me and supported me in all of my crazy adventures. I'm so grateful for her and the life that she lived. It's hard losing someone you love no matter how much time you were blessed to have with them. I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that I will see my grandma again.

This is a link to a video my cousin put together from when she was young. It's the old school kind of footage.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/31825720/UncloudyDay2.m4v