The Move

Before we knew we got the job and before we had Kimball, I kept getting the impression to start packing even though our plans were kind of up in the air. So, being big and pregnant, I started packing what I could, books, movies, decorations, kitchen stuff we didn't use on a daily basis, etc. Whenever I went shopping, I'd grab any available empty boxes and bring them home while making the goal to pack at least one or two of them a day. It was hard to be motivated because we didn't know if we would get the job and I didn't like packing away our home. But, when all was said and done, I'm grateful I followed that prompting. Although it seemed like a never-ending process, I did get quite a bit done, which helped in the last few days of packing and moving.

Thank goodness Jayze was home so he could help entertain Aidan while I packed, packed...and packed. So.much.stuff. You know that one scene in Harry Potter where they're in the Gringotts Bank and whatever they touch multiplies? Well, it seemed that way with our stuff. I'd pat myself on the back for packing up tons of boxes, then turn around and there was STILL more stuff. Ugh. Moving is not my favorite.

Apparently we're Micky Mouse, Spongebob, and Mike Wazowski fans...

Daddy entertaining while Mommy packs.

Aidan loved these finger puppets from our awesome neighbors. Thanks, Hobbs!

Lots of bubble sessions with this kid. Again, while Mommy is packing...

This cutie slept through most of it. :)

The hardest part was knowing we were going to say bye to the place we called home. Rexburg was where Jayze and I dated and got engaged, bought and sold our first car, had our first apartment together (plus two more), worked on campus while going to school, had our three precious babies, and where we both graduated from college. Lots of milestones, beautiful memories, and wonderful friends were made in Rexburg, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Out of the three places we lived, the trailer was by far my favorite. The bishop was great, the ward was welcoming, and our neighbors were so nice. It's where we brought Aidan and Kimball home from the hospital. It also had pretty cheap rent. ;)

Last picture of our home.

Thank you to everyone who brought us dinner, watched Aidan, helped us clean and pack, helped us lug our stuff to storage, brought Aidan and us snacks for the trip, and for all the prayers and kind thoughts sent our way. We really had so many tender mercies along the way, and many earthly angels came to our aide. We could not have done everything we did without so many of our friends' help. 

THANK YOU!

It was definitely bittersweet saying goodbye, but we're grateful for this new direction and path.

NICU

Because of a possible infection, Kimball was in the NICU on antibiotics for five days. My mom was a lifesaver throughout the entire ordeal. She arrived in Rexburg the afternoon Kimball was born and took sole care of Aidan until we were able to bring Kimball home from the hospital.

My mom brought our dinner to the hospital so we could spend time with her and Aidan. 

There were definitely pros and cons to having a baby in the NICU. I think I would have been a lot more stressed out if Kimball was in there because he was a preemie or because he was really sick. Thankfully, he was neither - he was there more for precautionary reasons than anything. I'm grateful the doctors took the "better safe than sorry" route, which I'm all for since losing Alma. Everyone was so nice in the NICU, too. The nurses were so willing to help and I knew Kimball was in good hands whenever I had to leave him to go back to my room.

Jayze got to go to the NICU with Kimball about 30 minutes after Kimball was born. He sent me this picture since I was still stuck in Labor & Delivery.

First time seeing him again after he was born. NICU. 

So in love. Second time I got to hold him. 

Once we knew he had to stay in the NICU longer than 48 hours, one of the nurses had to put a new IV in his head because all of his other veins kept bursting. I'm glad she told us that before we saw him with it in, because then we were able to brace ourselves. It was heart-wrenching seeing that big thing stuck in his head. I pretty much hated it and couldn't wait for it to come out. 

The second night, Jayze decided to go back home to sleep while I stayed another night at the hospital. It ended up being a good decision because both Aidan and Kimball had a hard time that night. I was pumping, trying to get anything to come out, while watching TV to keep my mind occupied. When I finished, I turned off the lights and tried to get some much needed sleep, but I kept getting the prompting to check on Kimball. I finally crawled out of bed and hobbled down to the NICU. After I washed my hands, I checked in with the nurse who told me that Kimball was really fussy and having a hard time going to sleep. As I approached the bassinet and softly called his name, he calmed down a little bit. Ever since he was born, he has seemed to know all of our voices. I grabbed him from the little bassinet and gently rocked him. I felt like I needed to be there for him (plus I didn't want to leave my baby), so I sat down with him still in my arms and leaned back in the reclining camping chair. After a few minutes we both fell asleep. We stayed that way for a couple of hours.

When it felt like it was time to go, I placed him back into the little bassinet and sleepily walked up to my room. While I was in the elevator, Jayze texted me and said that Aidan had woken up screaming (about the same time I felt prompted to go check on Kimball) and he was just now calming down again. It was a moment where I was grateful that Jayze and I could be there for our kids. This parenting thing is tough stuff (including parenting an angel baby), but I'm so grateful that the Spirit leads and guides us. I hadn't planned to go to the NICU at all that night because I hadn't been able to sleep much since Kimball was born, and I knew I needed sleep to heal, so I was planning to do just that - sleep. But I'm so grateful I followed that prompting so I could be there for my baby boy. It's a moment I want to look back on and remember that even when the timing doesn't seem perfect or convenient according to me, it really is perfect to the Lord.

I already love being Kimball's mom. I hope someday he knows that I need him just as much as he needs me. 

The nurses made this banner for him. They made a banner for all of the NICU babies, which I think is so thoughtful. We loved it. 

Soaking in that glorious newborn smell. 

By the time the five days were up, we were anxious to get home. Aidan still hadn't met Kimball, and I was so excited for these two brothers to meet. I wanted all of us home together. But when we finally got the all clear and were on the way home with our new baby in the backseat, I felt nervous. I wasn't sure how Aidan was going to react to his new little brother. Plus, a piece of my heart was still missing. I ached to hold Alma and wished that we were coming home to him, too. 

Neither Aidan or Kimball liked being put in the car seat for the first time, haha. 

But once Aidan saw Kimball, my worries went away and a tender peace filled my heart. Aidan couldn't stop saying "Baby!" and everything felt right for just a few precious moments. Precious moments I don't ever want to forget. 

"Baby!"
First time seeing Kimball in person. 

Update

Wow, where to start?

Since I last wrote, we officially got a job, packed up and cleaned our whole trailer (minus packing up the actual trailer as well as some odds and ends), gave Kimball his baby blessing, and moved across the country. Whew - I'm tired just thinking about it all over again. But it all turned out really well!

Job:
It was made official a couple of weeks ago - Jayze got a job! Our very first, salary paying job. I love what someone said to us - we're a success story. :) It's just the thing we were hoping for. Jayze is doing a 10-week training program for the position he applied for, and then we're going to be relocated somewhere else for the actual position. So, for now, we're in Michigan! It's been quite the change, but I'm already falling in love with the gorgeous trees and the really nice, welcoming people.

Packed up:
Since we're only going to be in Michigan for 10 weeks, we put the majority of our junk stuff in a storage unit in Idaho and will get it when we move to a more permanent location. But golly, who knew we could horde so much stuff? And it seems like they're all needs, too. Yikes. I'm glad it's all boxed up though, so we don't have to worry about packing it all over again when it comes time to move. And let me tell you, packing and cleaning with a toddler is fun, frustrating, hilarious, and slow. I'm just grateful Jayze was able to help out so much. And my sister. And our neighbors were lifesavers, too. Sometimes it really does take a village.

Aidan's in there somewhere...

Kimball's baby blessing:
Note: Thank you SO MUCH to my amazing sis-in-law, Emily, for the beautiful pictures.

Our last Sunday in Rexburg was June 5. We knew we could wait to give Kimball his baby blessing in our new ward in Michigan, or even in our next location, but we realized we really wanted to give it where all of our friends are, where more family members could attend, and where he was born. Can you believe we have three Idaho babies?

It ended up being the perfect day. The whole McCleve side was able to be there (minus Silas - we missed you!), and we were so, so grateful that Jayze's parents could be there. They were so busy that weekend, and we really appreciated them making the trip to see their new grand baby. We appreciated everyone making the trip. There was so much love and support from both family and friends, and we really felt blessed.

It was a special day. The veil was definitely thin - at least for me - and I could feel Alma close by before, during, and after the blessing. Our three boys are so precious to me. My heart was full, and I'm so grateful for the sweet spirit I felt that day.

Side note: We had a hard time finding a white outfit, so we went with blue. The thing that made me feel better about it is that light blue always reminds me of Alma. So that little outfit helped me keep my first son in mind throughout the whole day.

Moved across the country:
This should be a whole blog post in and of itself (and it probably will be). Did you know that it is 25 hours from Rexburg to Michigan? 25 hours! Yep, I'm surprised we made it, too. Aidan was a total champ, though. He was good for the most part (I mean, who doesn't have meltdowns when they have to be in the car 10+ hours a day?) And Kimball only had meltdowns when he was hungry or had a wet diaper. I'd call that a success.

I think it helped, too, that we broke it up in three days. But by the third day, I think all of us were ready to be out of the car. Thank goodness for juice, a DVD player, toy cars, a patient husband, and a pacifier. #reallife.

Okay, he is just the cutest. And I love Kimball there in the background.

But seriously, does anyone have any good advice for how to keep your child's head from dangling when he or she falls asleep in the car seat? It was the most frustrating thing - I felt so bad for Aidan when he tried to sleep.

I kept trying to stuff a blanket by his head for a little cushion. It worked for a couple of minutes...

So now we're in Michigan starting this new chapter in our lives. I'm excited to see how it all unfolds.