Gerhauser Happenings

We had a great Halloween at our house. We didn't do anything too exciting, and we didn't get too fancy about it...but we had fun.

The kids carved their own pumpkins this year. The day after our help left from Damon getting born, they got right to work. John was asleep on the couch and I was in my room and they went to work getting it done. I did come in to help, but they did a great job. I think we will use small pumpkins every year. Unfortunately, I only have pictures of the girls because the boys were out the door lighting them.

Makelle had her first field trip on Halloween. I got to go with her to a state park. It was lots of fun to be together.

Karlee was a fancy dresser. She just put on some of her favorite fancy dress ups and she was wanting to get some candy. She was so excited. Lantz was a handsome sheriff!

Makelle was a beautiful witch and Zak did a great job being a soldier in the Air Force!

Love my girls!

We Halloweened ourselves out before Halloween ever happened...like normal. With Trunk or treats, parties, and church functions. We got way to much candy...and loved every minute of it....well almost! We got to go trick or treating with some of our friends from the ward and their families. We met up in a great neighborhood and had a fantastic time. It was the most fun trick or treating ever. Doing it with friends makes it so much more fun. Even if I was pulling a wagon with two heavy kids in it while John pushed a stroller with a little sleeping baby! The weather was perfect and I loved being out on Halloween in shorts and flip flops!! It was one one of the few times I wasn't missing Indiana...they were having tornado warnings and celebrated Halloween a different day. Ya...I'll take flip flops and shorts! The houses got all in to it with Haunted Houses set up in their garages and games in the front yard with prizes to win. It was a great night!

We are exited to announce it is a BOY!!!!

Damon Kimball was born on

Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 1:48 pm.

7 lbs. 6 oz. 20 in long

We were scheduled to have him via c-section on Friday, October 4th. On the Tuesday before he was to be born I got a phone call saying that the hospital was having a planned power outage over the weekend so they needed to reschedule my surgery. I was a little shocked and upset at first thinking they were going to make me wait until Monday. Luckily, they moved it up one day to Thursday. I was happy to have it a day earlier although it meant I was the last surgery and wouldn't be going in until afternoon. John was a bit frustrated since he had his schedule worked out and then had to take make arrangements again. We got everything worked out and were anxious to meet our baby. We decided to keep the day change a surprise since Valynn would already be here early to take care of our kids. So we let everyone think that our baby was coming on Friday..we were excited. Valynn got here on Tuesday night. I showed her around and how to get the kids to and from school and sports. Wednesday night she babysat so John and I could go on one last day before baby came. Then he gave me a blessing so I would be ready for surgery on Thursday.

Thursday morning I had to call the hospital at 4 am to verify my surgery time. I was set to go in at 2 pm. John left for work at 4 after finding out what time to be at the hospital. I sent my bags with him and told him I would meet him at the hospital. He works across the street at the dental clinic. I had my mother in law drop me off at the hospital and told her I was going in for lab work around noon. She dropped me of and headed back to pick up kids from school. I told her I would catch a ride home with John on his lunch break. I walked into the hospital and got checked in for surgery. John joined me shortly after. I am sure the nurses at the front desk thought I was a little weird when I strolled in with no bags and no husband.

They were able to move my surgery up to 1 so we were excited to get the show on the road. They got me all prepped for surgery and had me walk to the OR. John was to wait in my room until they had me ready and surgery started. They first tried giving me my spinal, it hurt some which I don't remember with my previous ones. Usually it starts working immediately but this time I wasn't noticing any change. I could feel my toes and tummy. The antistheoligist told me to be patient that it should work in ten minutes. They continued getting the OR ready and waiting for the assisting Dr. When my Dr had the knife in hand they tested my stomach with clamps to see if I was numb....nope it hurt and I could still feel things. They waited a few more minutes and tested me again but I could still feel it. I was starting to get a little worried thinking I would have to feel every slice. The antestegolist then said that it hadn't worked and they would have to completely sedate me. Because of this John would no longer be invited in for delivery or to hold my hand. They began to put me to sleep and went to tell John we had some complications with the spinal block so he would have to wait in the room until they brought him the baby. The last things I remember is the Dr saying over and over I have the knife ready let me know when she is out....over and over! Then I was asleep! The next thing I hear is someone telling me something about a healthy boy. Later as I became able to talk I asked if I had a boy and if he was ok. I woke up in lots of pain since I didn't have the spinal in me which usually cuts the pain for the first few hours. I also had to stay in the ICU to recover from surgery. They had to keep giving me pain meds and I kept thinking this isn't working and they are going to be at their max soon and won't be able to give me anything. Luckily it started working so I could relax. They didn't wheel me back to my room until 4:30 and my baby was born at 1:48. It was a lot different delivery than seeing my son being born, hearing his first cries, hearing the announcement of the sex, and having John hold my hand and show me the baby. Usually I get to be with John and baby just minutes after they stitch me up. John got to spend those first hours alone with Damon. At first he was so a calm and good but over the next two hours he was looking for his mom to feed him. Finally I came! Minutes after getting back to my room and trying to catch up with John on the details of the baby we decided to call the kids. John called Makelle first and let her announce it it her brothers and grandma at home. The kids soon showed up at the hospital. We needed to keep them occupied while they took turns holding the baby so they each started calling family members to spread the news! There weren't a lot of details to share since we didn't have a name. The name didn't come until the following afternoon. It's hard work agreeing on a name especially for baby #5.

I stayed at the hospital for 2 short days and they sent me on my way. Luckily, this has been the best recovery so far so I could jump into being a mom of five at home! My prayers have been answered, I have a beautiful, happy and healthy little boy. My recovery was quick and easy and my kids have all adjusted so well to a new baby. I prayed for months that Karlee would do well and she has done AMAZING!
I know Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I feel so blessed to be a mother to five of the greatest kids ever and to have an amazing guy at my side. I am also grateful to lots of friends and family near and far and especially to Valynn and Lindsey for their sacrifice to come and help with things here. Life is good...really good....and here are all the pictures to prove it. Enjoy!