Lamaze and Breastfeeding Classes

Because neither Zane or I had gone through labor before, we decided to take a Lamaze class to inform and better prepare us for the next big day of our lives. We had decided that we would try a non-medicated labor, with Zane as my "coach" since I (Nany) really had no idea what level of pain I would be in, and I wanted to do it as naturally as possible, for me and our baby. We took a Lamaze class through LDS Hospital (actually held at Alta View in Sandy) with an RN called Kalita. We LOVED the class and our teacher! We learned SO much, and were able to get a better idea of what was ahead of us. We were also taught about medicated labors, and Kalita put NO pressure on which kind of birth one should have. Just the pros and cons of both. In fact, she had gone through both experiences herself, and had loved both for different reasons. According to Wikipedia, "The Lamaze technique, often referred to as Lamaze is a prepared childbirth technique developed in the 1940s by French obstetrician Dr. Fernand Lamaze as an alternative to the use of medical intervention during childbirth." "The goal of Lamaze is to increase a mother's confidence in her ability to give birth; classes help them understand how to cope with pain in ways that both facilitate labor and promote comfort, including focused breathing, movement and massage." We were so happy we took this class. I HIGHLY recommend it to all pregnant women, regardless of what kind of labor you would like to have. Even though labor ended up being A WHOLE LOT harder than we had anticipated, it helped us be so much more prepared with our breathing, massaging techniques, and pain control techniques. We also decided that we would breastfeed our baby for at least the first year. Once again, the breastfeeding class (that Kalita taught at LDS Hospital), was very helpful, even though there really is nothing that compares to the "real" experience. What I loved too, was the instruction book she gave me to which I will be able to refer with our future babies, because I am sure my experiences will be different with every child. The day after I gave birth (even though I could barely walk), Zane and I went to another breastfeeding class at the hospital for moms who had just given birth. THAT was extremely helpful, because I had started to breastfeed and I was able to ask questions, raise concerns, and talk about my experience firsthand. We were grateful for the opportunities we had to be able to prepare ourselves for this incredible experience, for excellent teachers, great health insurance, and top notch facilities.

Zane's Grandpa's Funeral

Grandpa Hanzon, Zane's dad's dad, passed away at his home in Cedar City on July 2010. He was an amazing man, and I absolutely loved him! He really liked me too, in fact when we said goodbye on the trip I had just met him, (Zane and I had been dating for only two months) he told me that he hoped to see me again, and he invited me to go visit them :). Even though he had had some health issues with his back, and he was 90, it was not totally expected, and it was VERY sad. Zane was very sad during the funeral (which was held six days before Avery was born), and we talked about all of the special memories that he had of him on our way there. The funeral was wonderful, everybody did a great job. Zane gave a beautiful talk, and the grandkids (including the adopted ones like me) sang a hymn. At the cemetery, there was an amazing military service. We were so impressed by the way it was carried out. I am very glad I was able to get to know him and have long conversations with him about his life. We always tried and try to go visit them (now grandma Hanzon), and that is something I admire so much of my Zane, how visiting his family and keeping in close touch is so important to him. I learned so many funny and interesting things from grandpa Hanzon. He will be missed SO much!

2010 - Baby shower # 3 - with my co-workers!!!

So even though I had just gotten a new job, my former co-workers (almost all of them women! hahaha), threw me an informal baby shower at the Lion House. We had lunch, visited, and opened the presents they brought for me. It was such a fun shower! They are so nice! I will post pictures when I download them from my old cellphone :)

2010 - Baby shower # 2 at Laly's House

My cute aunt Laly threw me an amazing baby shower at her house. Lots of friends went, the food was SOOO yummy, the games were lots of fun, and I got wonderful presents. I am such a lucky girl! And so is baby Avery! Thank you SO MUCH everyone for participating! It meant so much to me. Love you all!!:-)

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2010 - My belly at 35 weeks pregnant!

Nany's maternity pictures (Avery)

Here are some shots from Avery's maternity pictures. They were done by Wendy from Val Photography. We LOVED how these turned out! :-)

Nany's most embarrassing moment to date.

So here I was, about 7 months pregnant sitting at Church on a beautiful fast and testimony meeting on a Sunday morning. I decided, kind of towards the end of the meeting, to get up and bear my testimony. I went up, bore my testimony and felt great. So as I was coming down from the pulpit - and all of this seemed to happen in slow motion - I hit something with my foot; I could not identify in my head what it was. I soon began to realize that I was falling, and there was nothing I could do! As I was falling sideways, I could sort of see and hear the whole congregation go "AHHHHH!" And I finally hit the floor. It turns out I tripped on the Primary children stool, that the 2nd counselor in the bishopric a.k.a. Zane Hanzon, had "moved" to the side after a Primary girl bore her testimony. So there I was on the floor, terribly confused, terribly embarrassed, and TERRIBLY scared for my baby. The High Council man tried to help me get up (and by then I'm sure I had flashed the entire bishopric), as Zane jumped out of his his seat. But I just wanted to crawl down the stairs. I didn't want to get up, I was too embarrassed! I said something like: Zane, did YOU move that??? I took it so personal! (silly pregnant hormones..) Then, as Zane was helping me down the stairs, I just waved at all 200 eyeballs that were on me, and said something like: I'm OK! (as I thought...and PLEASE stop staring at me with your worried faces!). Zane sat by me for the rest of the meeting, and I just didn't want to look at anyone! Or move! At the end of the meeting, some people came to check on me, and I even had a cute Mexican lady ask me if I had been "overcome by the Spirit" by the end of my testimony, because that is what it had looked like to her. Luckily, after I got home, I laid down and felt the baby move. We called the Dr. the next day, and everything looked good. :) Lesson of the story? Don't bear your testimony when you are pregnant! Just kidding.