enoch is 4

 

4 years ago today, at 3:27 PM, Enoch Andrew Iosepa came into our lives.

What a blessing he has been. He has changed our lives for the better. I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

At the age of 4, Enoch is a wonderful person. He has sincere concern for those around him, he is quick to apologize, he loves being a big brother, his love for elephants has only grown stronger, dinosaurs are his favorite, and he can name several dinosaurs. We recently had a Missionary in our ward who would quiz him on the dinosaur names and Enoch was pretty bummed when he got transferred. In MOST cases, Enoch has no fear. He isn’t shy when it comes to asking people whatever is on his mind. He is a fun, upbeat little person. He loves to swim, play in the back yard, help his Papa with yard work, sing with his Tutu, play games with his Grandmom, watch movies with his Grandpa, he loves to wrestle with his Daddy and his little brother. He is a really GOOD helper. He LOVES to help, whatever it may be. His latest is, he loves to help me cook and clean the dishes. I found him helping his Papa screw bolts back on to the under side of the van one day. He helped his Daddy build the swing set in the back yard. He is just a helpful person. I can’t wait for the day that he loves to help clean up his toys!

Enoch loves to count his numbers and He loves the letter E. A passion he has right now is playing board games or card games. He also loves to play the games on our iPhones. He knows where to go to download more apps, thank goodness he doesn’t know the password to download them!

One of the things I’m very proud of with Enoch; he gets along with just about anybody. We have yet to come across a person, child or adult, that Enoch does not like. I love this about him. I hope he never grows out of this. He has such love for people, I have a feeling that he will grow up to help and love many people.

He is such a blessing to us and I thank my Heavenly Father for everyday that I get to spend with him.

Happy Birthday Enoch. I love you.

 

 

The Birth Story

Enoch was an "OOPS" baby. I was on birth control when we got pregnant with him. So he has always been a surprise.
I went into preterm labor with Enoch a week before he was born - 35 weeks to be exact. 2 days after being released from bed rest, I woke up on June 17th at 9:35 am and my water broke. I was shocked. Joe and I quickly packed our overnight bag and headed to the hospital. My contractions were not terrible by any means, they felt like period cramps.
Once we got to the hospital we got the Maternity Suite, the biggest room on the floor and were ready for Enoch to make his appearance. I got my epidural and slept for a while. Later on, a nurse came in to move the monitor that was tracking Enoch's heart beat because they had lost the heart beat and just assumed that he had moved. Well, she couldn't find the HB so she paged a few more nurses. Then she paged the Dr and once Dr Jones got there, they did an internal monitor, TWICE, so I was on all fours on my bed wondering what the heck was going on. Then my Dr finally told me that I needed a C-section. I started BALLING and they wheeled me out of my room and down the hall to the OR. I remember being prepped ( them rubbing iodine all over my tummy) and a nurse putting the mask over my face as I was asking where Joe was. The next thing I remember was waking up in my room and them having everyone in the bathroom so they could take a quick x-ray to make sure they hadn't left any surgical tools in my stomach because the C-section was emergency. Then I got to meet Enoch. He was beautiful! Just perfect, he was just perfect.

18 hours after Enoch's birth, the nurses were curious because he hadn't had a bowl movement at all and he kept spitting up all his formula. They thought maybe we could try nursing and see if that helped things along. Well, he just spit that stuff up too so the nurse that was helping me breastfeed thought maybe if she played around with his bum-hole, she could get things agitated and moving. Well, she took a peek and guess what? NO butthole. We thought she was joking.

Enoch was transferred to Children's Hospital in Downtown Denver that evening. He was scheduled for surgery the next day at 8 pm. Talk about stress. Joe went with Enoch while I waited for my Dr to discharge me. I was discharged early because my Dr knew I needed to be with my baby. They removed my staples and I was on my way. My Mom was with me and drove me downtown to Children's. She insisted that I use a wheel chair but I just wanted to see my baby so I walked all the way to his room which was across the hospital and on the 4th floor. What a walk! My incision bled some so from then on I used a wheelchair. Enoch had his first surgery when he was 2 days old. My newborn had a colostomy bag. It was so odd because he was so new and tiny...

He has what's called VACTERL association(click on vacterl for wikepedia info). So, he didn't have a bumhole and that let the Dr's know that they needed to check 7 other places in his little body to see if the related issues were present. He had a total of 3 issues, Central Line Defects. They go from the head all the way down the spine. Enoch had 2 holes in his heart, ASD & VSD, no bumhole and his tailbone was shaped REALLY funny. The holes in his heart closed, he had a total of 3 surgeries before he was 6 months old to fix his little bottom (which is totally normal now) and his tailbone will have no negative affect on him at all.

it grows back

Joe was in desperate need of a haircut a few weeks ago. He BEGGED me to let him have a mullet for only two days. I gave in and this is the end result.

 

 

Yes, he did wear this to work for two whole days. I almost let him wear it to church because I thought people’s expressions would be pretty funny.

But, the responsible adult in me ruled, and we cut it after two days.

 

 

I did Trav’s hair one day, I can’t remember where we were going, but this was totally by accident. I have yet to duplicate it. I’m so glad I took a few pictures. :D

weaning

 

 

Travis is finally weaned. It took about a week to get him totally off the nursing. Joe slept in another room so he could actually get up in the mornings for work.

Travis was stuck on the morning nurse; it was the same with Enoch, except, Enoch weaned himself. Travis just hung on for as long as he could until I finally put my foot down and said, “"I’m done!” I honestly do not understand how anyone can nurse past a year. 2 months past a year is way too much for me. They are too big to be nursing! I’m happy that we are done and he seems to be much better off for it.

 

Trav also got a haircut and is walking. May has been busy for Travis.

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Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day came and went but the memories will be memorable.

We had dinner at my sister Alana’s house – the food was scrumptious, the desserts were so tasty and the company was bliss.

Joe’s Aunt & Uncle were in town to be with Tutu – They surprised her. It was so cute.

What a blessing it is to be a Mother, to have a Mother – to experience Motherhood.

Even if you don’t have children, you are a Mother. You could be a Mother to a child who is in your life or

you could even be a Mother to a friend. That instinct is hard wired into us. There is no denying it.

Happy Mothers Day!

 

 

from left to right

Laura – Auntie Bonnie – My Mom Kathy – My Mom Bonnie – Tutu – Shami – Alana – ME!

iPhone Photos

 

I just realized this afternoon that I have a bajillion photos on my iPhone that I post frequently on Facebook but never on my blog. So here are a few, random photos. Enjoy!

 

This is Enoch @ the Zoo riding a carousel for the very first time.

Of course he is riding the Baby Elephant, duh.

 Travis Sleeping.Naomi cut my hair in February, I LOVE it! Travis eating ice cream at DQ.

 Enoch just hanging out. Enoch & Travis eating chicken wrap ups.My 3 boys, the loves of my life. Enoch falls asleep anywhere. Last day of Swim Lessons. He Passed!Floating in a life vest! Playing on Miles’ car ramp w/ Miles. Flying at the park. Travis loves my drinks.  Helping Papa work on the car. They both were asleep in the stroller.Travis sleeping in on Sunday. Enoch asleep on the table again. Eating dinner and playing with Miles.At the Zoo, Trav has my drink again. Game FIVE of the Nuggets & Jazz. They WON! Then they lost… Just some random photos of the boys.Enoch liked my shades. The boys playing the front porch. :D

harry potter 4 & a cleaning 3 year old

I’ve been in a reading mood lately. Since Travis has come into this world, I have read more books in his 1 year of life than I have in my lifetime. I have always loved reading, its just relaxing and I feel so refreshed after reading. I’m a self proclaimed book nerd.

My sweet, sweet, husband has been so patient with my hobby. He will be the first to tell you that, when I pick up a book, I do not put it down until I finish it and the world around me completely disappears. This is where the kids come in; Enoch knows that when Mommy is reading her book, he could most likely get away with murder. He has yet to push it that far but he has managed to get into some pretty interesting situations while my nose is buried in a book. Now that I have two kiddos, sometimes the messes double but for the most part, Travis is sleeping when I do most of my reading.

Today has been a fun “mess”. I fixed Enoch and I some lunch, since Travis was snoozing, and was finishing up eating and reading my book at the table when I hear Enoch behind me in the kitchen…

Enoch: Hmm, hmm, look at it! Its so shiny and clean!

-I’m thinking, shiny and clean, sure. So I read on…’”Stunningly pretty? Her?” Pansy Parkinson had shrieked the first time she had come face-to-face with Hermione after Rita’s article had appeared.’

Enoch: Oh, that is just so dirty. I’m going to clean it now. Oh its so nice when its clean!

-What is he going on about? ‘”What was she judging her against – a chipmunk?”’

SO – I finally PUT THE BOOK DOWN, turn around, and find Enoch WASHING dishes in the sink. No joke, he’s WASHING the DISHES. Hilarious. And to my shock and horror, he hasn’t gotten an ounce of water or soap on the floor. My sweet, sweet boy. Love you Enoch.