Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Remember, I Love You

I was just reading a memory of John Alley by Luke Alley, and something he said struck me. "However, the next sunday John left me a message, the last message he actually left me..."

It made me think. When was the last time I told my loved ones that I loved them? Or simply, when was the last time I talked with my family and friends? I thought the other night, "I always want to be able to remember the last time Ben and I kissed."

Life is so fragile. If I have learned anything from this awful tragedy, it is to love more. Be more open to the wonderful people surrounding my life. I don't ever want to think that I lost someone in my life, and they didn't know that I cared for them. I pray that I will never forget the wonderful people in my life!

First Born aka Grant

I knew that as soon as I started reading Nicki's blog, that I would be tagged... so- here's some information on my pregnancy and delivery with Grant. It's a crazy story- so if you want all details, just call!!







1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes... kinda. We were planning on waiting, but because my birth control was making me really sick, we decided to get off and start a family.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Very excited. Fear didn't really set in until AFTER the delivery.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Not a chance.

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 23. (Almost- 22 when we got pregnant, but I turned 23 less than a month later.)

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? I had taken a few tests, but non were very clear. The night before Easter Sunday, we went to the Macey's across from Cherilyn's. When I got up to pee (of course) at 4 am on Easter, the test was positive!

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? I don't remember- I guess Ben, because he was with me. But I think I told Jacki Gronau and Andrea. I figured they wouldn't spill the beans.

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Nope! So we didn't find out. And we told people that if they were going to look at the ulrasound dvd, that they were NOT allowed to guess in front of us!

9. DUE DATE? This is weird. Origianlly, Dec 12, 2007. But at our first apointment, they said we were due a week after that0 Dec 19, 2007.

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? At about 6 weeks, and then until 5 and a half months. It was pretty bad, but oh well... that's what happens when you want a family!

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? For more than the first half of the pregnancy, it was more what I DIDN'T want. I don't really remember craving things. I think it's an exuse women use to actually eat something all the time!

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Other pregnant women. OH MY GOSH! I was living in Idaho where everyone else was pregnant, and it was strange. I hated being a statistic.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? Not exactly... I was kinda wanting a girl- but how could you ever be disapointed with what God gives you?

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? From pre-pregnancy weight, about 20-25 pounds... still trying to loose them!

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes.

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? Nope... but awesome that they only people who came were the ones from out of state... and three others(2 of whom thew the shower!) I felt really bad for Jamie.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? I got really dehydrated towards the beginning and needed an IV for a weekend, but nothing too serious... until the delivery happened.

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Madison Memorial Hospital

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? I went to the hospital around 1pm because I was having a lot of random contractions, and I had pain that I couldn't handle. 3 hours later the doctor broke my water (I don't know why because all the nurses said I was not in real labor), and 5 hours later, Grant came out butt first! (Aren't we glad that the doctor broke my water now?)

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Ben. We were on our way to the distribution center, and we turned that car right around and headed to the hospital instead.

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Ben, the doctor, and a ton of nurses who kept coming in and out because some were never told that the c-section was called off... NO MODESTY! YEAH.. haha

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Natural

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Nope. My blood preasure was too high, plus I didn't really want one- but I don't remember the pain. I would go through it again tomorrow (if I didn't have to have the kidney stones ever again)

25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 5lbs 15oz

26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? Nov 30, 2007

27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Grant Thompson Mathews (nice eh?)

28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 6 months on Friday (2 days)

OK- I tag Leah and Maggie (or anyone else that has a child and would like to post this!)

Monday, May 26, 2008

Thank You for helping...

All I know at this point is that John Alley's body was found in the
water off the coast in Pensacola by 2 LDS missionaries. I appreciate everyone who did what they could in the last 24 hours. Now, please keep the Alley Family in your prayers. Especially this Memorial Day.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

HELP FIND JOHN...
This is our friend's older brother. John Alley. Please help find him. I don't know anyone in Florida, but if you could re-post this image and then ask as many people to do the same on their blog's,  I think it may help. PLEASE HELP! This isn't a joke or a tag- he really is missing.
The Alley Family can use all the help they can get.  They are here in Utah, but their son is missing in Florida... all the way across the country.  Let's do what we can, please.  I love this family.

PLEASE GO TO www.helpfindjohn.info There you can download this image and print them off and post them around your neighborhood (probably most helpful if you live in Florida). If you know anyone in Florida, this would really help the Alley Family. Thank you- please keep them in your prayers!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Camping and 4-Wheeling

Who likes pictures more than the explanations? I do too.
Here are a few pictures from our trip last weekend.

Grant loved riding. He fell asleep a lot- but he was great!

Awww.... I like this one.

I think he looks kinda funny here. That bib got really dirty!

Friday, May 16, 2008

This is awesome... "Rochelle Mathews"


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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Food, Clothes, and a Cuttie Pie

This is Rocko... Nothing much to say- just awesome pictures of our little guy. The clothes are from people, so we thought that we would post pics, and we tried some solid food- Grant has no idea what to do yet! But very amusing:)

GIMMEE GIMMEE GIMEE
Now what?
First Root Beer (just kidding, just an awesome picture)
Hi there! Aren't I cute?
So my awesome friend, Randi, got this cute little outfit from Juicy Couture??? It's the softest pjs that Grant's got! Thanks Randi!
Another awesome friend, Audrey, made him this hat along with matching pants (which he will wear this weekend on our first camping trip!)... It's a tad too big, but still makes for a great pic!
From Aunt Debbie... I couldn't wait until he fit into this one... SO CUTE!

Waterfall Bliss

Hi- Ben wants me to say who is typing so you won't get confused. It's Rochelle. Anyway, my brother, Riley, told me about this trail up the road that goes to a waterfall. So- we decided to do it. Let's just say that Ben and I are NOT in the best shape of our lives... with that said- please forgive the roundness that is Ben and me in these pictures.... ENJOY!

Before the hike looking out over Pleasant Grove... our new home!
Me having fun with Grant... I think I thought it was more amusing that Grant and Ben!
Grant was fascinated at the bridge. He loved the water.
He probably thought we were going to take a shower
The waterfall.
That's me and Grant. It started to get REALLY cold.
Yeah... Family picture! Thank goodness for tripods... and for Ben, he carried it the entire way.
So sleepy!!
It was really cute... he was OUT!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Duckies


Ben and I were on our way home from Provo today, when we saw a duck with it's babies trying to cross University Ave. right by the Burger King near campus.  A young man stepped into the street to help them make it safely, and what happened?  The mother attacked the young man!  I have never laughed so hard!!  It was classic.  

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Smorgusbord of Pictures


For anyone who actually looks at our blog... here are a few pics that we have been meaning to put up. When we actually get our apartment looking decent, then we will show you what that looks like too!

Grant and his Great Grandma Hancock (Yuma, Az)


Grant and his Great Grandpa Hancock (Yuma, Az)


Ben tickling Grant with his wiskers... now a beard. Grant is really ticklish...sp?


Happy to be in his carseat...


wait... why am I in the carseat AGAIN!?


Grant looking like a stud on his mom's birthday! Don't worry- what I didn't know was that he would soil that outfit 10 minutes later in what turned out to be the NASTIEST diaper change I have ever seen!!


Carrie and Duncan playing with Grant on his play mat... or rather... playing with his play mat.


Duncan.


Carrie.


Everytime we go somewhere, people comment on Grant's long long long hair on the side of his head. So, alas, I cut it. (see next picture)


And his baby is hair is no longer virgin baby hair. It's been cut. So sad. I was waiting until it was REALLY time to cut it, and it was. Now he's got short hair on the side of his head.