Introducing Trace Aaron Mausser

Words cannot describe how much I love this little guy. He is the sweetest, cutest thing that exists.

Birthday Pics

Labor Story (if interested)

Well after we moved down here to Albuquerque (more on that later), I found a doctor and he said I was almost dilated to a 3 at 36 weeks. I was so relieved I wasn't going crazy thinking this baby should come any time. The next week I was dilated just over a 3 so not too much progress. My doc said, "If you could just hold on 2 more days until you are officially 37 weeks, that would be great." Well, Trace had his ear pressed against the womb and decided that is when he would enter the world. I was having worse inconsistent contractions on Saturday. Then we went out to eat that night. I came home and threw everything up and thought it odd. As soon as we put Weston to bed, I began having contractions continuing through the night. We woke Weston up and told him we had to go because baby Trace was coming. He threw his fists in the air and said, "Yay!" Then we dropped him off at my parents at about 4 a.m. and headed to the hospital. It was all very calm and I was only dilated to a 4. Then at about 2 p.m., the doctor on call came in and said if I wanted to push, I could or we could wait since I was dilated to an 8. I said let's give it a go and Trace just kind of fell out after 20 minutes. Maybe that is a little graphic, but honestly it was so easy and stress-free and that doctor was so wonderful. It was a sure sign of things to come.

The spirit was so strong in the room, at one point, I had to focus on a spot on the ceiling just to block it out because I was getting really emotional already and still had 2 more pushes to go. He was 6 pounds 8 ounces and 19 inches long. For comparison, West was a very stressful, induced delivery at 6 pounds 4 ounces and 18 inches long.

TRACE

Trace has blonde eyebrows and eyelashes and light brown hair (it could also be red...TBD because Doug's beard is red, yikes!) He has the shape of Weston's face as a baby, but looks so different and luckily, because he is healthy, is growing much faster and is already getting so big! I can't stand it and love it at the same time. I now understand why moms are so enamored with their new babes. It is something I missed out on with West because he didn't feel good and cried ALL the time.

He is perfect. I was dreading this newborn stage and am still eager for a full night's sleep, however, I really feel like it is a cinch compared to West. I think, wow, I can do this -it's easy! The first week was an adjustment and nursing has been and adjustment as well since I could only nurse West for 6 weeks, but Trace is so easily soothed and happy, I feel like he is a complete blessing. We had to be at the hospital all day for West earlier in the month (see below) and my mom said, "Is Trace like this all day long?" meaning how good he was being. I said, "Yeah, pretty much." She said, "Wow! Lucky!" I teared up because we had been there all day and West had yet to go in for his scope and hadn't eaten all day. I replied, "Well, I think it is a well-deserved blessing.

WEST'S MEDICAL UPDATE

Well, right before we left I took Weston in for labs so I would not have to worry about it when we got to Albuquerque and before I had the baby. Unfortunately, they said his blood count was extremely low and that I needed to have labs drawn again in 2 weeks. Upon getting those numbers, we discovered an even lower blood count and went to the hospital for a blood infusion the following day. Then we discussed options for having surgery at Primary's as soon as possible to put a shunt in to redirect the blood flow since his portal vein is clogged, creating a very large spleen (probably as big as mine in his little body). Just what we needed, huh? It was super stressful, but my prayers were answered as I felt so strongly that Heavenly Father knew of everything going on with Weston, with the baby coming, with just moving to NM and He knew what I could handle so I would do what was needed. A week later the baby came allowing fantastic timing for us to go to UT for the surgery. However, his numbers have improved and so the surgery has been temporarily suspended. I guess I am happy about it. I just still worry about his spleen and the discomfort he has because of it.

He will eventually have to have the surgery, though, it's just a matter of how urgent it becomes if his numbers worsen again.

NEW PLACE, NEW JOB

When Doug & I prayed about whether or not to have a baby, our answer was that it was our choice. We could wait or we could go for it. When Doug & I prayed about whether or not to move to Albuquerque and take a new job, our answer was that it was our choice, but that our financial position would never increase if we stayed in UT. So we chose what we wanted and felt good about both. We didn't mention it and it happened so fast because they needed someone to fill the position quickly, but we only found out about a week before the move. We had been anticipating getting the job, though, so we knew it was coming for about a month.

Doug now works for the same company as my sister-in-law as a technician for mail equipment. He really loves it and I think it will be really good for us in the long run. My parents are still down here for the time being as is Kacey and Aaron and Kristen Lee. We are eager to make some new friends especially for Weston, however, we love having aunts, uncles and grandparents around all the time. According to Weston, "Grandma is a nice lady," so he loves it the most. Plus, I love seeing the blue sky almost every day!! For those of you who don't know Albuquerque very well, it is super dry, but not hot like AZ. Most people do associate it with that type of weather, but it does not get nearly as cold or as hot as UT. The average temp is 70 degrees! You can't beat that!

Lots of changes in our lives and we are excited and loving our little family. Hope all is well with you and yours... enjoy these pictures! More to come!