November 2014 - December 2014

Brooklyn @ her newborn appointment was  6 pounds 9 ounces
Brooklyn @ her two week appointment weighed in at 7 pounds 13 ounces
Brooklyn @ her 2 month appointment was 11 pounds 2 ounces, 23 inches long.
She is growing so quickly!!! I can't handle it!


Motherhood has taught me a variety of things I never thought I would learn-
For instance as a new mother you have to learn not to take things personally when people make comments about your baby. My mama bear instincts set in on day one with Brooklyn.
Also your exhaustion kicks in the moment you get settled in to your home with your new baby. Sleep deprivation is a real thing. I now understand why my Grandma kept saying, "sleep when the baby sleeps". It is a lot easier said then done, with company and trying to eat yourself it is hard to sleep.
Breastfeeding has also a learning experience and it takes patience, with yourself and with your new sweet baby. I am so lucky I have been able to supply nutrients for Brooklyn, it is a demanding, but rewarding experience to feed your baby.

I have found that your love your spouse even deeper as you become a family of 3.
Mitch has been a great Dad. He was definitely a transition with his classes and working and a new baby and not sleeping. I love him more for all that he has done for Brooklyn and I.
I also see now, why a child needs a mother and a father. Mitch loves Brooklyn just as much as me, but he shows her differently and interacts differently then I do. Brooklyn loves her Daddy.
Brooklyn is smiling now, sleeping through the night much better and continually is adding joy to our lives.


We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Merrills. We celebrated Thanksgiving Thursday, did a surprise party for Bree on Friday along with temple sealing as a family. Saturday we celebrated Christmas since we will all be with the side of the family for Christmas. Then Sunday we blessed Brooklyn, so it was definitely an eventful weekend and a very special one at that. Here are some pictures..



I will head back to work in January, just working Thursday Mornings, taking call and working the Saturday rotation.

We celebrated our 2 year anniversary on the 15th of December. Mitch got me some beautiful flowers and surprised me with gator jacks lunch. I got him  a wallet and symphony bar :) We got to go to Jackson Hole and spend the night in at Miller Park Lodge. It was a beautiful sight- all the snow and Christmas lights. It was fun to get away from Rexburg- Mitch was also so happy to be done with the semester. Here are a few pictures of the fun trip!

We also moved this semester- which was insane, but glad we have a bigger apartment and a washer and dyer!


Christmas is just 2 days away! We will be spending it with the Willmore family and I am really excited to go spend sometime with my family. I have learned how the Savior is aware of us, every day- especially when you are a new mom and are trying really hard and trying to be the best mom you can be. He gives you strength to accomplish the most important thing- being a mother. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I am so grateful that he knows what I am going through. The Holy Ghost- has also been a huge blessing in my life and given me important promptings as Mitch and I have begun parenthood.

October Baby- Brooklyn Judy Merrill- Birthday Story

Introducing Brooklyn Judy Merrill
She made her appearance on
October 16th at 6:01pm
Weight: 6 pounds 11 ounces
Length: 20 inches
Head Circumference: 12.5inches
Best day of our lives.


We love you beyond words.

 

We are so happy you are here safe and healthy!

Brooklyn Judy Merrill - Birth Story

I have to start writing down these moments so I don't forget them. My brain still hasn't recovered from pregnancy brain- or maybe it is just sleep deprivation that has overcome my mental abilities. Either way our sweet baby girl joined our family this month and it has been nothing but Bliss. Except the lack of sleep part, but I am getting acquainted with that fact. Honestly we even considered having bliss be her middle name- I love the word and the meaning, but Mitch thought otherwise and that is just fine, maybe her nick name will be Bliss. I know she has already brought so much bliss to our lives J
So here is the story of Brooklyn's birth - one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Currently she is peacefully sleeping in her little bassinet while I type this. She is starting to make little baby peeps so this story may take a few attempts to write the entire thing. Well going way back to the beginning of the 9 month pregnancy my initial due date was October 15th 2014. A few appointments later the ultrasound tech moved our due date to October 27th. Well quite frankly I hated that news… but I was fine with it and told everybody I had two due dates, it bothered Mitch- he just wanted me to say the 27th. I was persistent and would explain I had 2 due dates- so really she could come anytime in between that time frame. I desperately hoped sooner rather then later. 
Fast forward to October 15^th 2014.
I went to work not feeling well at all.   My back was killing me, I hadn't slept and I really just wanted to cry because I had to go to work. I like my job- just not my day! My body had hit a pregnancy wall and it was telling me it was done being pregnant. I put my scrubs on, gave a sad, pathetic look at Mitch and walked out the door. I was fine at work- answering phone notes, still just not feeling well when my back pain just became much more intense and very painful. It was really hurting, I was trying to just ignore it, but it was very persistent.
I had the thought to just go and get checked up stairs. Linda Webster was in the clinic thankfully! So I go to the women's clinic- mind you I took the stairs. By the time I got back there I was in tears. Linda gave me a huge big hug along with Shannon ( the ultrasound tech) she is Kirt Hansen's daughter, so we have a connection there. She is so sweet and kind. So Linda checked me, I was dilated to a 3 and 90% effaced. The baby's head was really already in place and ready to come. She stripped my membranes. Yup that hurt pretty darn bad. It was very uncomfortable to say the least. So she calmed me down and she cried with me. I headed back down stairs to work and thought I should probably let my husband know what was going on. I called Mitch in the bathroom @ work and just broke down and told him how bad my back labor was and that my body was just ready to get this baby out. He was so sweet, and offered to come pick me up, but I told him I was fine. I tried to be tough and go back to pediatrics and work. But then of course everyone asked me, "Becca, are you okay?" Then the tears came again. If you know me well enough you are bound to get me to cry with that question when I am already trying to compose myself. Well, I had everyone worried and everybody was surrounding telling me I was in labor and I needed to go home. Even Dr. Cottrell was offering to drive me home right then and there! Everyone was so sweet- Haha, looking back now- I definitely stressed everyone out. I'm sorry! It is funny looking back on the whole situation now. 
So after everyone convinced me, I headed home from work- called Mitch, called my Mom and headed to our apartment. Mitch met me at home and helped me get comfortable. My mom then showed up with some dinner a few hours later. I was trying to relax, but my back was really hurting. Mom and I went and got a pedicure. That evening I tried to rest on the couch- but no sleep would come. I took some Tylenol and that definitely helped with the pain, I bounced for 1-2 hours on our exercise ball. Then Mitch and I went on a date to Big 5, Broulims and Sodavine. We WALKED pretty much every isle. I wanted this baby to come, I was ready for her to come, but I didn't think she would make her appearance for a few days. Well night came and I was still very uncomfortable. Mitch and I got ready for bed and we talked late into the night. We finally fell asleep around midnight. I woke up @ 3:30am having contractions. At the time I didn’t really know they were contractions, I could just feel a lot of pressure and my entire abdomen was tight and tense. It was happening pretty close together so I was up walking around our apartment organizing things trying to get my mind off of it. Until 5:00am rolled around and they were not going away. So I softly woke Mitch up. He woke up a little panicked when I said I was having contractions. I told him we didn't need to hurry. I wanted to take a shower and make sure we had everything before we headed up to the hospital because I did not want to be sent home. So we took our time- meanwhile the contractions were still coming strong and consistent, but bearable.
Hospital time- 5:50AM- We got to the hospital and they sent us to Exam Room #1. A really sweet nurse came in asked me questions and hooked me up to the monitors. I was contracting and baby girl Merrill's heart rate was in the 150 range, beating nice and strong. Then it was 6:00 AM, still in Exam room 1 but change in Nurses. Little did I know Jill, my labor and delivery nurse was going to be my new best friend.
My blood pressure started playing games and my body was showing signs of preclampsia. I had a headache, my blood pressure was ranging 167/103 . It was pretty high. So Jill called Dr. Lovell, he showed up around 7:45AM and quietly stated, " Well I am going to break your water." I barely heard what he said, and surprisingly needed to hear what he said, I asked, "What?" He repeated that sentence and walked out of the room. I looked at Mitch and I got a big smile on my face, but felt a little nervous about what was about to take place. Mitch smiled back sweetly. I am sure he got a little nervous also, but he hid it well. Jill smiled and said let’s take you to our labor room and off we went. Mitch called my mom and let her know what was happening. Dr. Lovell came about 8:10AM, broke my water and said, “See ya later, I hope things go well.” Then my contractions really started. My mom showed up and Mitch and her seriously made me so comfortable and were so helpful. Another nurse started my IV and Jill got me all situated. I bounced on a ball to help with my contraction pain. Then about 9:30am I really was in a lot of pain with each contraction. They were coming strong and fast. I felt like I didn't even have time to catch my breath from the previous one and a new contraction would start. It was very painful and pretty much I have decided you will never know what a contraction feels like until you experience it. My thoughts of not getting an epidural quickly disappeared. I said, “let’s get the epidural.” And Jill was right on it. That was amazing. The anesthesiologist was there pretty quickly! Apparently, the anesthesiologist said I was going through an contraction and I honestly couldn't feel it.  I looked at him and said, "YOU ARE AWESOME!"
No more extreme unbearable pain for this pregnant woman. At noon I was dilated to a 5. They started some Pitocin, the smallest amount and I started to dilate about a centimeter and hour.  The whole afternoon was honestly enjoyable. I was able to sleep for 20 minute here and there and the day went by really quick. At 4 I was a 9  and really only had a small piece of my cervix that needed to dilate then I could start pushing. I hadn't seen Dr. Lovell @ all at this point. Jill said she had kept calling him- with no luck. Well 5'oclock rolled around and I was ready to push! Pushing took all my strength and will power. By 5:40pm she was crowning and she was ready to be born. Only problem, no doctor to deliver her. Jill was seriously holding our sweet baby girls head in, so she wouldn't come yet. For the next 20 minutes I truly learned what patience was and how difficult it is to not push when I wanted to so badly. It took all of my will power to stop my body from pushing and my emotions were just exhausted. All I wanted was to see my sweet baby girl. I had worked so hard, and now I was being forced to wait.  The moment Dr. Codd walked through the doors I couldn’t help but let a big sigh of relief. I could see on my sweet mother’s face and on Mitch’s face they both were feeling the exact same thing. Mitch and my mom helped me be patient through that entire process and were my number #1 fans. I am so grateful Mitch was right there by my side, helping me through this and my mom to encourage me.
Within moments, 1 push actually, our sweet baby girl’s cry was being heard. Dr. Codd put her on my chest immediately and I was overcome with the sweetest spirit I had ever felt.  Knowing this sweet baby was sent from Heaven was completely overwhelming and humbling. I looked at Mitch and back at Brooklyn and this was all I had ever wanted, I could tell Mitch felt the same way. The room was filled with the most incredible spirit as Brooklyn came to earth. She was born @ 6:01pm, weighing 6 pounds 11 ounces and measuring 20 inches long full of life and a healthy body. She was born with dark black hair, quite a bit and a little fuzzy body. October 16^th will be an unforgettable day. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be her mother and have Mitch by my side to raise her in our home. Brooklyn Judy Merrill, welcome home. We love you so much already.

September 2014

September came with beautiful fall colors and change in temperature in Rexburg. It was the month of being 8 months pregnant and I am happy to say see ya later September and Hello October. It was spent with lots of fun things like a 8 hour birthing class and a 2 hour breast feeding class. Mitch absolutely loved it... not. But it was great information and it definitely prepared us for what is about to happen to our simple lives. We found ourselves laughing throughout both classes. My poor husband is married to a nurse.. which means he gets to know the details of things most men probably would like to just ignore. He is such a good sport and he was entertained with the whole birthing experience class.  Mitch started up school. He is taking Chemistry 106 and Foundation Capstone. He got an override so it is a blessing to have him take these 2 classes and continue going to school and work on his off track. Also it isn't super overwhelming with all of his other classes like it will be in January when he is taking a full load. We decided it was best to have him take these two classes since we will be having a baby this semester and it won't be TOO crazy. That is what we are hoping for anyways. We pretty much are set for the baby in regards to preparation of stuff. I am not sure if we can prepare ourselves enough for when she actually gets here.I think parenthood is the type of thing you learn from experience. So for now we are enjoying the days we get to sleep in, the dates we get to go on and the time we have just one on one. Mitch and I are best friends so when either of us get home from work I think we talk all night and laugh about whatever happened that day pretty much everyday.  I love being married to him.

I thought these would taste good- a little Fall treat. No beuno...

We have been enjoying Mark ( my baby brother) play soccer this season. He is a senior and is doing awesome. He is the captain and a great leader. It so so so strange for me to see him grow up so quickly. Mitch and Mark have a weekly arm wrestle. Mark is getting stronger- but Mitch is still undefeated.
Mitch has kept up with BYU and their games, it is a lot of fun to watch them together- sometimes I fall asleep or complain but I honestly enjoy it- it makes Mitch happy so it makes me happy whether he believes that or not.

We have been able to do initiatory in the temple which has been great. I honestly don't think my temple dress would fit for us to do a session or my bladder would allow it either. I love the temple and blessings that come instantly from entering into the Lord's house.  I had such a interesting experience when we went recently. I was sitting next to a very pregnant sister like myself, dressed in white. Then my Great Aunt Ruth was there during my time in the temple and then another sister named Sister Merrill was there while I was doing initiatory work. It was like little coincidences all over the place and it got me thinking that I am sure Heaven is going to be a lot like that. Lots of little connections and happiness to meet and greet those around us.

I am excited for our little girl to join our eternal family. I can't wait to see what she looks like and to embrace her little perfect body and spirit into our home. Mitch and I are extremely blessed. We are trying to finish the Book of Mormon before this little girl is born. We have to read a few chapters daily to accomplish it. Hopefully we make it, if not she will just be incorporated into our family scripture study.

Next month is Halloween oh and WE ARE HAVING A BABY!

This was at the State Blackfoot Fair. He won me that creepy lookin' Banana!

August 2014 - The one month of the year we actually travel.

August 2014- We left REXBURG!
We had a fun time in August we went to the Oregon Coast with my family for the Willmore Family Reunion. It was a great time. It was a long drive, I slept the majority of the time in the car. I get car sick so the easiest way to avoid it is to sleep and it makes the car ride go by real quick. Besides having a " bladder that mattered"- as my mom would say... we made plenty of pit stops along the way. A few highlights were the fish hatchery, proposal rock, deep sea fishing for the boys- ask Mitch how that went... he got a little bit sea sick, but he caught a fishy!

 The ocean was freezing cold. So no we did not swim. We relaxed on the beach, spent time with family eating yummy meals and laughing. We made some great memories. The Willmore family is full of some really sweet and special people. I am so grateful to be apart of such a fabulous clan. My Grandma Reeser has raised some great boys and a sweet girl and now her posterity has grown. I am so thankful for my Grandma- she is a wonderful example of love, dedication, and putting family first always.

7 week break for Mitch = landscaping and a beard all day every day.

We also went to Bear Lake with the Merrill Family- it was freezing and rainy the whole time we were there so we didn't get in the water besides using the paddle boards and kayaks. There was a hot tub and pool close to where we were staying so we spent the majority of our time there. We went to The Pickleville Playhouse. It is a lot like the playmill in West Yellowstone - so naturally we loved it, but it was so much more hilarious. We saw the production Who Shot Juanito Bandito. It was so entertaining! Of course we got some raspberry milkshakes- twice. They were divine. We had a fun time in Garden City with everyone that came. We did miss Brittany and Quinn though!

Before August ended we spent the last weekend up at the Family Cabin in Island Park- Just Mitch and I. It was relaxing, yes we watched the BYU football game and it was a lot of fun just to spend time together and do absolutely nothing. Island Park is beautiful and you could feel that Fall is coming!

August marked me @ 7 months pregnant. Baby is healthy and cute as ever and making my belly grow! My family members and friends held a great baby shower for me. We got SPOILED. Our little girl sure is going to be wearing some cute clothes, but more importantly she is already loved by so many people and I cannot wait for her to meet them all. I have been blessed through this pregnancy and can't wait for her to join our little family.

It is crazy to think last August we were in New York City. We have had a great summer 2014.

Merril life in May, June, July 2014

So April through July were really great! Better late then never! Mitch and I finished up the Spring semester with some pretty good grades. Which is surprising because the Spring Semester is theee hardest to stay motivated because summer weather sets in. Even though I was working all day every day it was hard to come home to homework when the weather was so inviting and we wanted to go outside and play. Needless to say we got our homework done assignments turned in and tests taken, but definitely didn't get our nice tan skin like summers in the past. I guess that is part of growing up. The best part of the end of the Spring semester was the moment I got on I-learn 2 or 3 days after the semester ended and my "student" tab had changed to "former student" That is the moment when I screamed so happily "halleluiah!!!" I was done with school. It was my last semester as a BYU-Idaho nursing student. BYU-Idaho provided me with a great education. So to those who find themselves complaining about BYU-Idaho try to find the positive and look for ways that the school blesses your lives, because it did mine.

I earned my BSN degree in nursing and I am so grateful for all of those who supported me through it. It is possible to go to school, work full time, be a relief society president and be a happy(most of the time pregnant) person. I don't know maybe ask Mitch how I did, he may give you a more honest response.  Mitch is now a junior! He is getting closer and closer! Time is going by quickly. So to be honest my pregnancy has gone by so quickly. I think from January to July it didn't really hit me that I was actually expecting a sweet little baby girl because I was so distracted with good things to keep me busy. 

 In May we went to Arizona to Quinn and Brittany's wedding. It was SO beautiful and pretty hot. Brittany and Quinn were so happy and it was such a fun weekend with the Merrill family. They were married in the newly dedicated Gilbert Temple. All temples are very beautiful, but this one had a majestic staircase inside and was so beautiful.  Brittany's family was so sweet and it was fun to meet them. We got to eat some Paletas Betty Mexican Popsicle. Talk about best thing on the planet. I got 2 and didn't regret it one single bit.

June was filled with another beautiful wedding of Karli and Brady Walker. Karli has been my life long best friend. She married Brady Walker in the Salt Lake temple. They were a stunning couple and seemed so happy. It was so special to be at these two weddings to support some special people who we love so much.

Mitch and Mom- we went to the Red Iguana,  delicious Mexican food.

Luckily Mitch was actually fun to be around on this 4th of July- you can read my post from last July.. But if not I'll remind you that Mitch had some pretty serious bites and was completely miserable. Looking back now, we laugh at how horrible it was. Some evidence in the picture below...
One thing I have learned about Mitch, he doesn't have the typical reaction. He has really,really, really bad reaction and allergies and his body likes to manifest them very well. Whether its a bug bite, misquote bite, cat or dog hair, anything really his body gives a pretty good response. Also benadryl knocks him out almost immediately. It's like his kryptonite or something ;)

Then my belly started to really pop at the end of July beginning of August. Like people were actually staring as my stomach. Being at work surrounded by little kiddos is probably my favorite place to receive staring eyes. Kids that are 5 years old and up like to look at it and the parents are even better at checking out my belly.  I smile and in my head say, "Yes, I am pregnant, but still completely capable of giving your child a shot." All the wonderful nurses I work with have been so great to hold down the legs for our kinder-vaccines, since those 4,5 and 6 year olds tend to freak out once they realize that getting shots for school isn't really what they expected. The Doctor's I work with have been so great as well. I work with the best Pediatricians in Rexburg. 

This is completely random , but we went to two country concerts this year so far.. Lady Antebellum and Scotty McCreery. Great times. Loved them, but loved my date more. 

July we made it to West Yellowstone and we drove through the park. We saw a whole herd of buffalo! Even little baby ones. Mitch and I had to go to Bear World a week later to actually see Bears and some more wildlife. Bear World was pretty fun and we watched the baby cubs for about an hour.

May-June-July was pretty great!