My Spawn: Amy Dawn

Well it only took me 2 weeks to get around to this so hopefully some of you still care. Let me start by saying the second baby is a much more fun experience. It really helps to be a seasoned pro for something like child birth. I remember the nurses coming in the first time and scaring the heck out of me with all the do's and don'ts. I had no idea how I was going to take care of a baby. This time I knew what to expect and I could relax a little. Ben was a lot more fun too. With Lucas he just seemed freaked out and bit surprised by how long it takes before a kid is fun to hang out with. He really likes his little girl and gets teary-eyed on a daily basis by how much he loves our little family. It melts me every time he does it. SO, here are the long awaited pictures of our new precious angel.

Delivery Room

I was called in to the Women's Clinic on February 24, 2009 at 7:00 for an induction. My doctor recommended we go a week early rather then risk me getting sick again. I still do not know what it is like to go into labor. It is weird to know exactly when you are going to have a baby. I'm pretty good at this whole labor thing because Lucas was only seven hours and I had Amy by 11:52 a.m. The actual time from my water breaking was an hour and a half. I got to a 4 pretty quickly so after the epidural I took a little nap. The nurse came in little bit later and I was an 8. She told me to roll over and that did it. I was a 10. They called my Doctor, I pushed a few times, and there she was. Seven pounds fourteen ounces, 21 inches.

First time in Mommy's Arms

This is what a girl who got zero sleep and just gave birth looks like.

I love to tease Ben about this picture. I can't tell who he is more in love with. His new daughter or our doctor that brought her into the world.

Hospital Stay

Our first family photo. I always hesitate to post this photo because I feel like I look terrible. Truth is, I look pretty good considering how terrible I felt. I WAS SO TIRED. I mean really, who looks hot in their 'right after' delivery rooms shots anyway?

My sister Mandy flew in and watched Lucas for us during the delivery. LOVE HER!!

THANK YOU MIMI! I was so blessed to have you here. Aunt Megan and Uncle Michael are getting married this May.
Very Proud ParentsDay Two in the HospitalThis is what Lucas does when we say, "Where is the baby?"
I have two kids. Woah.
Daddy's girl already.



Home At Last


My mom came that Friday. It was so nice.

Lucas could not get his sister to take the Binky so he gave her a demo.Lucas is really in to taking pictures. He walks up to you and says, "Cheese!" before you have a chance to properly react. He is quite the artist and has taken some great shots.Everybody is getting plenty of rest except me.

Grandparents Rule!

First Doctor Visit

Amy was born at 7 pounds 11 ounces but dropped to 7 pounds 4 ounces by the time we left. We took her in for a checkup at one week and she had already met all of her 2 week goals and was 7 pounds 12 ounces. Now, she doesn't have to go back until she is two months. My little over achiever.

Today

Up to date pictures! There you go Dad! He asks for them every time I call home. There they are, taken this morning. I hope they hold you over until I can bring her home and you can hold her yourself.

We sure do love her. Families are cool.

Ready or Not...

...here she comes.

Tomorrow is the day. My doctor scheduled an induction because I started showing signs of Toxemia again. People keep asking me if I'm nervous or excited but it really hasn't set in yet. All I can think about is how tired I know I'm going to be. I really don't like being tired. Tomorrow...wow...this happened really fast.

So, we'll keep you posted. My sister is coming today. My mom will be here on Friday. My brother is going to be in town on business. After they are gone I'll have my in-laws for a bit so I'm going to be set for awhile.

Lucas kisses my belly and says, "Baby!" I hope he is as nice to her when she is on the outside.

I may be gone for awhile so I will leave you with some random pictures Ben and I took because they cracked us up when we saw them.

aaaaaah, these still make my day. ha haha ha

Happy Birthday Lucas!

Today is my baby boy's 2nd birthday! I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Tonight was great. It was a celebration of his birthday but I couldn't help but be aware that this was probably the last time it would only be the three of us. I know I'm going to love Baby 2 so much but it's hard to imagine being capable of it when you already have so much love for the one you have. I'm starting to cry so I know it is time to put up the pictures and videos and let them show you how much fun we had tonight at Chuck E' Cheese's.

He LOVED it from the minute we walked in. The flashing lights, the pizza, the rides, going where ever he wanted putting tokens in, but more then anything.....

...THE BAND!

I must mention this was Ben's first time at Chuck E' Cheese's too. He was surprised by how much fun he had watching Lucas have enjoy himself. We couldn't leave without him taking this hilarious footage of the Chuck E Robot. As Ben said, "Working every day for twenty years without a holiday has taken its toll on Chuck E."

To Those I Love So Much...

I have been sick for a long time but besides the exhaustion I am feeling much better finally. I just wanted everyone to know that. Six weeks to go and Amy will be here!

I can't write a blog without posting a great picture so here are a couple of kiddos I miss terribly. I have the greatest nieces and nephews in the world.

To the 4 of you that are not in this picture, I LOVE YOU TOO!

Winter Wonderlands & Disease

It is hard for me to contemplate the fact that I have lived in Texas for 5 years now. This whole 'adventure' was originally planned for 4 months. During that whole time I had not seen a drop of snow and only heard the Texans talking of the time when it "frosted." I guess tiny flakes flew through the air and it was a highlight for years afterward. Well, this past month of December 2008, Houston had a touch of real snow. It even stuck to the ground for a bit. It was really cute to see all of them flipping out over it. The pole in the picture above is about as serious as it got. It's really cute when you understand that I was going home to a world like this:

Yes, I was back in Salt Lake City. I must say the trip started out perfect. It was a nice calm winter wonderland. We spent the two days before Christmas watching the snow and then grumbling as my super dad grabbed a shovel. However, by the time we suited Lucas up for the job a neighbor had come over with a 4wheeler plow and had done most of the work. Nonetheless, it made for some great pictures. Too bad we only had our 2.0 MP camera phone.

Lucas really got a hang of Christmas this year. His grandma and grandpa picked out really good presents. He sure liked his blocks and coloring markers from his cousin Steve. OH NO! I forgot those! Steven if you find them in the pantry I DID NOT leave them on purpose.

The best part about the vacation is that Lucas got to hang out with the cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents he never sees from my side of the family. I have never seen him have so much fun. My family is awesome. I love you guys. Here he is having a sleep over with Sammy and Ethan.
This last picture makes me laugh. I look awesome! I didn't have real winter clothes but I wanted Ben to see the lights on Temple Square so I put together an outfit made from my mom and dad's closet. I had to walk past all these girls in their strategically put together winter outfits in my dad's giant marshmallow coat.
This is where the happiness ends. Christmas night I came down with the stomach flu, followed up directly afterward with a cold, resulting in a sinus infection that sent me to the hospital. I spent the rest of my vacation in bed feeling sorry for myself. I am so sorry to all the people who were cancelled on because of my diseases. I am so sad I did not get to see most of my loved ones back home. I will try to get back soon. Until then, start planning your trips out to see me. Amy is due in 8 1/2 weeks! We'd love to have you! Who is coming to visit?!?!?!?!?

~HAPPY NEW YEAR~