He has a name!

Spencer Dale Bishop

We finally brought this lovely little boy home and decided on a name for him. Yay! Big thanks to Brian for posting our first pictures of him and telling a bit about our hospital say. It feels good to be home, adjusting to our new life with TWO KIDS (how did it all happen so fast?!).

Here are some more fun pictures of Spencer and the family, and then I'll share a bit about how we've been doing here.

Leaving the hospital... Finally, Brian gets a chance to hold him and relax for a few minutes...
His eyes are open! Quick, take as many pictures as you can!!
Proud Big Sis Samantha holds her baby brother before bed time.
So far, Spencer is a great sleeper and a good eater. He has allowed me a few hours of consecutive sleep each night, then wakes for an hour of eating before we both snooze some more. I know it's early to say what he'll really be like, but so far, it's been nice to ease into the sleepless nights a little more casually than we did with Samantha (who had nights and days totally mixed up for the first 3-4 weeks).

Brian picked us up from the hospital at noon yesterday and we just spent the afternoon relaxing at home together. Brian made a delicious soup for dinner, and Samantha entertained us with her curiosity about all the new baby stuff -- his car seat, his pillows and blankets, etc. She spent hours putting her own baby dolls to sleep in the baby car seat... we plan to get her a little "baby bed" of her own this week, so we can preserve the car seat we borrowed from friends. :)

So, some have asked, how was the labor and delivery? It was another good experience for me, thankfully. We went in for one more doctor's visit Friday morning. While I was there, the doctor seemed quite confident this baby would come this weekend. In fact, he told us to go walk around for an hour and see if I could start contracting. We walked (or hobbled, or limped) for an hour, with Brian being very good about not telling me to be quiet and stop whimpering (my lame hip was killing me, with all that extra baby weight constantly pushing down on it). No contractions. Brian walked me back to the car and was about to head to the Tube to go to work. I asked him to stay with me just a few more minutes as I sat sniffling in the car, disappointed to NOT be heading to the hospital. The doctor called right while we sat there, and said if we wanted to go to the hospital, the labor ward wasn't too busy, and they were happy to admit me and break my waters to get things started. yay!

So, once again, I set off hobbling to the hospital (a very short walk away, but MILES to me!) and Brian drove home to park the car and pick up a few things before coming to join me. Luckily, our dear friends -- Debbie and Joyce -- were happy to keep Samantha all day and night so we could enjoy the experience together without worrying about our girl.

The short labor story -- my doctor came and broke my waters at 1:30 pm. (yes, they call it waterS over here instead of water, as there are actually two different sacks that hold water, fyi). I started contracting for a few hours, they gave me an epidural and some pitocin, we waited, I pushed, and ta da! a baby boy was born at 8:37 p.m. I had a weird incoherent/dizzy state there for a little while during the "pushing" part, which was kind of scary to me. But it only lasted 15 minutes or so. The doctor said it could have been due to the baby's sudden rotation and movement downward, coupled with my epidural top-up swooning. I personally think I was just getting really hungry and weak -- they brought in my room service order and put it on the table for "after you deliver," and that's when I started to regain my strength. (Motivated by food? perhaps slightly, but is that such a bad thing??)

The hospital stay was really good -- lots of rest and quiet, and Brian and Samantha came to see us for a few hours, having lunch in our room, bringing gorgeous flowers and lots of hugs and kisses for me and baby Spencer. I was quite surprised at how much Spencer slept! That first night he had a good feed at midnight, then didn't want more until 7 the next morning. It was really nice to have a good stretch of rest for us both! Let the trend continue. :)

Here are a couple of videos, if I can get them to load...

Day Two - Meeting Big Sister...

Today was the day for big sister to meet little brother...she was excited to see him! Sammie stayed the night at our friend Charles and Joyces' house last night, so I (Brian) went over this morning and picked her up and we went to see Mama in the hospital. She was enthralled and couldn't stop running from one thing to the next in the room. As for little boy Bishop, well, he had a very quiet night, sleeping from 1 to about 7 this morning. He's opened his eyes a few times, but mostly he keeps them shut. He's been pretty sleepy so far; it's nice to hope that it might continue, but I'm doubting we'll be that lucky! As for the pictures....

Here's Sammie, getting to hold her little brother for the first time (with a little help from Daddy)

Here's Baby Boy Bishop and mother after having gotten a little rest during the night.

Here's a glamour shot that Kam took of him. Just sleeping away... :-)

Sammie's learning to be really soft when she tries to touch little brother. She was quite good about it this first time.

Here's Sammie giving little brother a goodbye kiss as we left this afternoon.

Here's the little guy!

More pics to come tomorrow, but I thought I would post a few for tonight. Our new little guy was born today (Friday-Feb 22) at 8:37 pm (London time)--he weighed 7 lb 13 oz and both mother and baby boy are doing very well! We're very excited to welcome this little guy into the world! Unfortunately he's nameless at the moment, but we'll decide on one soon enough. It's difficult for Kam to call from the hospital, but if you feel like calling England, I'm sure Kam would love to hear from you! The telephone number at the hospital is +44 207 580 4400 (you may have to let it ring several times) and ask for Kamber Bishop (London is seven hours ahead of the Mountain time zone). You can also send her a message via the hospital through the following link: http://www.theportlandhospital.com/Email-A-Patient.asp. On to the pictures----

In the hospital, early in the labor--feeling pretty comfortable!


Mother and baby boy--very soon after delivery--

Here's a close up of him after he got cleaned up a little better--he's a sweetheart!

I've been tagged!

I confess, I've actually been tagged before, but haven't ever posted any details. I guess I've just been behind on posting regular stuff, so I haven't taken time to do the "tidbits about me" game yet. This one looked short enough that I could handle it. Thanks, Jeni, for tagging me. Here's some stuff about me that you may not have known:

10 years ago I was:
Serving a mission for my church, living in Baytown, Texas with a spunky little 62-year-old woman from England and a sweet-as-sugar 21-year-old "greenie" missionary from Utah. Our daily routine consisted of a couple of hours of morning study, then meeting with people to talk about our church all day; we generally stayed out from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., sharing what we believe about Christ. I loved it and learned a lot about people and a lot about myself. I also found it simultaneously exhiliarating and exhausting. I actually kept a daily journal while I was a missionary. It may not be of interest to anyone by me and my mom, but here's what I wrote on Feb 20, 1998:
Tonight I am TIRED! Today we went to dinner at the M family's house. I could barely concentrate on what was being said. In fact, during dinner, I just thought I might collapse at the table so I excused myself. I went into the bathroom and sat on the floor. I laid my head on top of my hands and I went to sleep for a few minutes! Can you believe that?! Only a missionary! It takes all I've got to keep going, but I do love it sooo much!
Love, Sister Hone

Things on my to-do list:

• Finish the laundry, especially all those baby clothes that finally have a space in some drawers, yay!
• Clean the floors properly (it's sooo hard for me right now, but oh how I love to have clean floors.)
• Write some cards/emails to friends and family who have been on my mind lately.
• Take a nap.
• Have a baby. (I think the "to do" list will have to stop temporarily when I have the baby, so I won't write any more.)

If I were suddenly a billionaire:

• Selfishly, I would take a taxi everywhere for the rest of this pregnancy, even just to the grocery story that is a 5 minute walk (my hip is killing me after venturing out this a.m.).
• I would also hire someone to do the floors before this baby comes. :)
• In addition, I think I would start a trust fund for college scholarships of some variety.
• I would also contribute large amounts to the Humanitarian Aid organization of our church -- it does amazing things for people all around the world.
• I might also order some nice flowers for myself and lots of my friends, just because flowers always make people happy.
• Then, I'd have Brian help figure out the best way to go about using it -- might be a perfect way to start our own business, as we already want to do!

3 Bad Habits:

• 1. I bite my nails. I've quit before, but they grow so flakey and weak, then I eventually start biting them again. It's embarrassing in the mall when one of those kiosk guys stops me to try to sell me the $30 nail "file-and-shine" buffer kit, and there's no point in even trying to shine that itty bitty nail. yuck.
• 2. I go to bed too late. I always have, and I know it affects me for the worse. I also happened to marry someone who goes to bed too late. So, basically, I don't know if I have any hope of breaking that one.
• 3. During this pregnancy, I've developed a habit of NEEDING to have a dessert of some variety after every lunch and dinner. That's GOT to stop, and WILL stop as soon as this baby comes. I'm not joking.

3 Places I have lived:

• London, England
• Boston, Massachussetts
• Blackfoot, Idaho

Jobs I have had:

• I once worked at McDonalds for 3 weeks one summer to earn money for college. I quit because I busted a pot of VERY hot coffee all over my foot. It blistered for days and I hated that job anyway. Believe it or not, my coffee spill was the SAME week that woman sued McD's for spilling coffee on herself, remember that? I can attest, that coffee IS hot.
• In Boston, I was working as a communications coordinator for Harvard Business School, helping with their $500 million fund-raising campaign. I helped organize the "print" end of things, and really enjoyed my colleagues.
• I helped with public relations for a g-rated movie company, Feature Films For Families. It was great writing for something I really believe in -- family-friendly entertainment.
• My favorite job ever is being a mom. It's tough, but sooo rewarding!

5 things people may not know about me:

• I have very thick ear lobes. I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 19, and I've rarely worn earrings just because my ears seem not to be designed for it. rats.
• My parents made up my name from an architecture term -- Camber is an arch-support system or curve. They changed the C to a K and voila! -- a lovely girl's name.
• Of all the places I've been, I think my very favorite place is up a country road on a Native-American Indian reservation in Idaho, just listening to the wind blow the sage brush. (A close second is Walden Pond, in Mass. And a close third is that gorgeous beach in Belize.)
• I have to sleep with something under my arm. For a long time, it was a teddy bear or stuffed animal. Now it's a body pillow. Even in hotels, I roll up a towel or piece of clothing and put it under my arm, or I can't sleep.
• Hmm... I feel like I've already shared a lot. Can't think of anything new right now.

I tag:
I'm not going to tag anyone. Lame, I know. But see, it took me so long to write anything. I figure if anyone wants to do this, just consider yourself tagged and enjoy typing for a good long time!

Busy Weekend

I'm a little late posting here, but I thought I'd add some of the pictures and details from our busy weekend, while I have a chance.

We had a fun little party for all the primary children from church. Even though it was a couple of days after Valentine's day, we called it a Valentine's party and stuck with a "love" theme. The kids really seemed to enjoy themselves. We had a little lunch (heart-shaped sandwiches and veggies and fruit). Then we decorated heart cookies, with all kinds of candy and different colored frostings. I think most of the children had more frosting and candy than cookie by the time they were finished, but at least they had fun. Sam loved spreading frosting on, then licking it off, then spreading more on... very sanitary, I'm sure. Here are some of the kids, displaying their artistic cookies...


After cookies, we made little photo frames and took the kids' pictures, so they can give them to their moms on Mother's Day in a couple of weeks (remember, we celebrate in March over here in the UK). Here are some of our cute kids, modeling for their photo shoot...

And here is Sam, decorating her own photo frame. She mainly just ended up putting stickers all over the living room table, unfortunately. But she had a lot of fun doing it!

I admit, it was a little overwhelming having a party at our house when, just the day before, my doctor had said I could be in labor any day now. As I was cleaning the house and making cookies that night before bed, I kept wondering if I might be in the hospital while my counselors and teachers did the whole party themselves. Nope. No baby, whew! But I have to add that my counselors and teachers were VERY helpful, making it so I was able to relax and enjoy the party.

The next day was also a busy one at church, with our ward having it's semi-annual Ward Conference, where all our London-area leaders came to advise and/or observe our meetings. I played the organ in Sacrament meeting, which felt more stressful than sometimes, just because there were so many extra people there. Then we had a meeting with our Stake Primary leaders, after they observed our singing time and sharing time with the children. They are very supportive, helpful leaders and I loved their counsel this time. Of course, it's always a little bit more pressure when they come, just because I want things to run smoothly and look organized.

Sammie added a little more stress by refusing to go to nursery!! for the FIRST time EVER! She would NOT go. Period. Brian tried to take her several times in the first 15 minutes, but she screamed and cried and wouldn't even be comforted by him. He finally brought her to me, while she reached for me and sobbed through snotty tears -- "Mama! Mama!" -- loudly enough that all the leaders and children in primary were watching the scene. I took her, and told her if she wanted to be with me, she had to sit on my lap and be very quiet. She did, thankfully! But she still wouldn't go back to her nursery class, even though I tried two or three more times before church was over. Quirky, and not the best timing for a few reasons: 1. the Stake Leaders where there, 2. she is just toooo heavy for me to hold these days, 3. do you really think there's room for her on my lap with this baby about ready to pop out any second? Oh well.

Good, dear, sweet Brian had pity on us and took me and Sammie home right at the end of church, even though HE had to go BACK to church for 2 1/2 more hours of meetings! We usually just wait it out with him but I was VERY grateful to be home eating lunch and napping, rather than sitting at the church until 4pm (he got back to our house at 4:30, after leaving for church at 9:30 a.m.). Whew! Marathon Sunday.

And now, here we sit, waiting waiting waiting for something to feel different in my body, something that makes me say, I think this might be it. Not yet, but hopefully soon. I think I've written more than anyone really wants to read here, so I'll sign off for now.

Cheerio!

What does the turkey say?

I just had to share this little video of Sammie saying "gobble gobble gobble." It's one of our favorite things to ask her to say, just because we love to see that little tongue working so hard.

I've seen some cute Valentine's Day posts on other people's blogs. Most noteable, my brother and sister-in-law had their fourth baby on V-Day. Yay! Welcome to the new nephew, Bryson Blaine. We're excited to see pictures of the little guy.

Our Valentine's was nice and low-key. We did the traditional chocolates, flowers, cards and sugar cookies. I wasn't sure whether Brian would have to work late, so we celebrated in the morning before he had to go. For the morning, a couple of friends and I got together and put some goodies on plates to take to some of our other friends from church... fun playing cupid, and fun eating lots of chocolate and cookies! When Brian came home (nice and early), he suggested going out to dinner, but both of us felt quite worn out so we opted to stay in. I made a delicious lemon/artichoke chicken dish and we shared more chocolate and cookies, along with some sparkling grape juice. Happy Valentine's Day!

What else to share? Well, Brian spent a couple of days last week in Cairo, working on a deal. We sure missed him, and were glad I didn't start labor while he was gone! I did have an interesting doctor's visit at the end of the week. Without sharing "details," I'll just say the doctor mentioned he might see me in the hospital this week. I've been feeling a lot more uncomfortable, and it's been much harder to walk these past few days. Looks like we might have February baby! We'll keep you posted.

Baby Pencils, and other cute stuff

So, I've already mentioned how Samantha has a bit of a hard time with some words that start with "S" followed by a consonant. Remember? It's like some kind of verbal dyslexia, where she puts the S at the end of the word. Examples: poons (spoon), toohs (stool), nacks (snack), tohbs (stove), etc. I'm sure she'll grow out of it, but for now it just sounds so cute to us.

Anyway, now that we're talking about names for this baby, we've discovered the "S" rule still applies. One of our top choices is Spencer. Samantha can't say it, and it's adorable... Baby Pencers. It almost sounds like she says Pencils instead of Spencer. I tried to get her to say it on video yesterday...


A few other cute Sammie pictures from the past few weeks...

Samantha loves to wear "princess dresses" -- even though we don't really have any. Some of her friends have lots of little dress-up clothes that she plays with when we visit them. We just have the dresses she wears to church and her everyday dresses. She calles them all princess dresses, and LOVES to wear them ALL the time...

In this one below, she wanted me to put some barretts in her hair after she got her princess dress on. I put in two, then she wanted a few more...
While we've had guests here, we've had to put some toys up occasionally when they cause problems. The little toy car had to go in Mom and Daddy's room one day last week to stop the fighting. Sammie saw me put it up on my bed and said "car, go night night." Later, when she was dressed for bed, she ran off to our room. We found her AND the car tucked up in "Daddy's bed" ready to sleep...
Here we are making... something? I don't remember what it was, but Samantha really loved it, and Brian took pictures of us when he got home. What a helper girl we have! (And now everyone who thought I didn't look very pregnant can rest assured I AM looking quite pregnant now.)
So, back to the name games... any opinions/suggestions about name choices? We've had a hard time agreeing on anything this time. Our top three that we both think are okay: Spencer, Clark, and Grant. I'm open to other suggestions (not sure if Brian is!). And, unless you hate hate hate those three names (we don't really want a lot of negative feedback at this point, seeing as it's taken us months to agree on anything here), feel free to tell us what you like best. :)

Just an Update

Hello. I keep meaning to write... something, anything. It just isn't happening. I guess it's probably just me being tired at the end of this pregnancy. Well, so this will be a short update, just because I'm feeling bad to be so negligent. (sigh) Here's a short list of what we've been up to lately, nothing too exciting. (Sorry, no pictures)

• Brian and I had a real DATE last week, wahoo! I'm not sure when we last went out on a date, but it's been awhile. We went to see the broadway musical of The Sound of Music. We LOVED it! Great cast, great energy, and (of course we all know) it's a great story.
• Samantha has started paying a lot more attention to emotions lately -- Mama sad, Daddy happy, Noah sad, etc. It's really cute to see her realize people react differently at different times. Today when I was frustrated that I lost a 10 pound note (as in money) while we walked around town, Sam kept turning around in the stroller to look at me and tell me, "Mama sad."
• Brian's cousin and her husband are staying with us this week, along with their two kids. It's always nice to have guests and hear about/see London through a slightly different perspective. They have a 6-month-old boy with reddish hair -- adorable! Makes me wonder if this second baby will be a redhead.
• I got my hair cut last week (it REALLY needed it), and also got fun highlights put in. I was a model for a student who just qualified for her license. Very interesting. I've never done that before, but it turned out okay. She had a really good supervisor, thank goodness.
• This baby is still kicking -- just a month left to D-day. I'm getting really heavy now, harder to walk around. I'm very grateful for a few good hours of sleep each night, and I feel like I'm clinging to my Sammie time right now. She is really cuddly and loves spending time being my little friend and helper. Today, she carried my handbag into the house and put it on my bed, then came to show me how she had "helped Mama." I praised her and thanked her for being my good little helper to which she replied, "Sammie nice." What a sweetheart. I hope we can still find good quality time once this new little one comes.
• We're having a primary party for the children at church for Valentines day on Saturday, the 16th. It's going to be at our house. It should be a fun time... if I have enough energy and don't have a baby yet! :)

Any bets as to when baby #2 will come?? Bye for now!