Welcome to the World Baby Boy!

I am sitting in our room at the hospital trying to come up with words to describe what the last 24 or so hours have been like. Steph is getting a few minutes of well deserved sleep. I'm looking at my son in awe.


A word like exhaustion doesn't seem to do it justice. Yesterday started as a normal day. I worked from home to help out with the kids since Whit was too sick to go into school. At about 1:40 pm Steph and I went to our weekly doctor appointment. The contractions that had been going for almost 2 weeks had come to a stop and we had given up on the child coming anytime soon. That was more than a little frustrating when I had about 5 days of no teaching at work he could have chosen to come. (But since when were kids ever convenient?) We scheduled an induction for the 18th and went out to eat. With the induction scheduled I felt that it was safe to make plans for my Thursday at work and the meetings I needed to attend. That's when things started getting interesting.

Mimi's is one of our favorites and is near the hospital. I was craving a grilled ham and cheese. The meal was yummy, quick and uneventful. We quickly hurried back to Brenda's to pick up the kids. Shortly after returning home I started feeling a bit queasy and ill. My first thought was indigestion, that's how us acid refluxers think. Tums didn't seem to do the trick though and within an hour or so I was hurting pretty bad. After about 6 hours of suffering I finally decided that it must be food poisoning so I forced out the offensive food that was causing so much pain. That wasn't the end of it but it certainly did help.

While I was upstairs thinking the end of the world had come, Steph was downstairs in a bit of pain of her own. Contractions returned and they were pretty strong. By the time I was rinsing foul tastes from my mouth, the contractions were coming regularly about every 10 mins or so. By 11 pm they were just 5 minutes apart and we knew we'd be heading to the hospital. We were timing the contractions and watching Bill Cosby on Leno when Whit came into the room. She wasn't feeling well and just wanted to cuddle. Unfortunately Steph was in worse shape to comfort her than I was. She decided to lay on the bed with us. When a big contraction was tapering off she said to Steph "Mom, I know you're hurting but I don't think it's as bad as I hurt!" We just chuckled thinking someday she'll know better. For all the pain my insides were giving me I knew it was nothing compared to what Steph was going thru.

After a quick midnight stop at Walmart for Whit's cold medicine and some ginger ale for me, we dropped off the kids and headed to the hospital. I have to say that when you're running to the hospital midnight is definitely the best time to do it.

The nurse who took care of us all night was amazing. She took great care of Steph and even tried her best to help me out. Unfortunately, baby was in no mood to come so soon. After 8 long hours (during which I got a couple hours of sleep while Steph watched Friends) our doctor finally said it was time to start pushing a little to "see what happens". About 15 minutes later he announced what so few of you guessed on the poll, "It's a boy!" I cut the cord and he's hardly left his mom's arms since.


Pride isn't a good enough word to use either. I'm enormously proud of my wife and how strong she is. I'm so proud as I look at my new boy and think of what lays in store for him. Humbled might be a better word, but it still doesn't do justice to all of my feelings.

Coming at 8:17 am and weighting a perfect 7 lbs 6 oz (my greatest fear for the last 9 months was that I had given Steph a big baby) and 21 inches long he's a perfect little bundle to hold. Now if we could just decide on a name. I asked him what it was but he just gave a cute little wimper.



Gratitude I think is the best word to use. I'm so grateful that both mom and baby are healthy and that there were no complications, something for which we prayed countless times. I'm grateful for the chance to welcome this baby into our family. I'm grateful for our loving family and friends that have always been such a support to us. Thank you all. I'm sure more pictures will be posted soon.

The Waiting Game

Many have been wondering what's the status with Steph and here it is ... nothing new.

She is just plain miserable and we all just keep waiting on baby. In the last week Steph has only had one full night of sleep and is now just plain exhausted. The contractions have been going for a couple days, really good for the last 24 hours or so but still no sign of baby.

That's OK though cuz we've been having fun this last week. Last Tuesday Steph and I got to see the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Kingsbury Hall. We laughed ourselves silly. I was actually sore the next day from laughing so hard. If you have a chance, we recommend you check it out. Here's a small clip from a performance at the Tony's a couple years ago:

We have also had a couple great dinners. We took some friends from out of town to Rodizio's. And Saturday we got together at J & Mel's new house for a wonderful steak dinner. Thanks guys, it was nummy.

There was a great Taylor moment the other morning. As Steph opened the blinds in the kitchen she commented on the bright sun shining thru. Taylor then asked "What sun, mommy?" To which Steph replied "You know, the big, bright fireball in the sky". Without missing a beat Taylor said "Oh, that one ... yeah."

In other big news, Whit lost another tooth today! I think that makes like a zillion at this point. As she told Taylor that he had to fall asleep fast so the tooth fairy could come and leave her money he proclaimed "I want money!" Our kids sure do have their priorities straight.

Now all we do is wait and it's wearing on Steph. I talked to baby thru her tummy the other night and told it that it's lease was up, that it was time to vacate the premises, but that we had prepared some nice accommodations for it here on the outside. It must still be packing or something. But stay tuned, it could show up anytime ...

The Cutest Room In The House

We finally finished the kids' room. Good thing too cuz I don't know how much longer Steph can hold out with this baby poking her in the ribs.

I made the cubbies because those we bought from Target were particle board and falling apart before I got them out of the box. These are solid wood with a custom paint job. They turned out great. With the projects now done, I'm up for hire for any of your custom furniture needs.




Steph ordered this more "gender neutral" valance. Does she have a great eye for design or what?!?

The Guessing Game

Blue clothes or pink clothes? What do you think we'll be buying a couple weeks from now?

With Jenny's comment on our last post she entered her official guess as to the gender of Baby. That made me think that we should let everyone give their guess. So on the right side of the screen you will see the poll. Let us know what you think!

Catch My Drift

Wednesday Utah got pounded by a great snow storm. It was supposed to brush right by, dropping a couple inches at the most. Instead it camped out and dropped more than a foot on us. That would have been a lot in and of itself, but the wind blew all night long at 30-50 MPH. (That's one thing we have bragging rights to out here on the west side. Lots of wind.) That left us with some pretty sweet snow drifts that piled up. I spent about 2 hours clearing the driveway of the 3 to 4 foot drifts. Here are a couple shots:





(Editors note: I had a great idea to jump into the 5 foot drift in front of the house, I thought it would make a great picture, but it was too cold for Steph to go outside and she didn't want me getting all covered in snow. Oh well, maybe I am getting too old for that sort of thing.)

Happy Valentimes!

Well, at this time I just need to say that I am the luckiest. I couldn't imagine spending eternity with anyone other than my loving wife. She is such a strength and example to me. She is a loving mother who will do anything for our children and has taught me so much in how to raise good kids.

We got to spend our "alone time" yesterday getting a couples massage and going out for dinner. Even if there was an hour and a half 5 mile car ride home. That's for another post though.

Tonite we got together with some of Steph's non-romantical friends for food and games. It was a great time! Steph had to make my favorite treat, so I made a chocolate pie. I had to write her a poem:

For years I was embittered by what this day is all about
So tired of being lonely, it was enough to make me shout
“Get me out of this prison, spare me of this fate”
Then those dark days they ended with one blind-ish date

Late 20’s and single, in Provo it’s the worst
So many bad first dates, was sure I was cursed
Then you came into my life, a breath so refreshing
A joy to my soul that made my cold heart sing

Now three Valentines together we have spent
Time flies and we wonder where it all went
But my best friend beside me you will always be
So witty, so hottie, and right now a bit rolly

Mother of our children, here with us and yet to come
You’re my joy in completeness wrapped up with a cute bum
I love you my sweet heart, forever in love we’ll stay
I truly am ‘the luckiest’ and will be all our days

Well, she thought it was cute. I should also say that she gave me the most romanticallest gift ever! My new sweet baby, my new table saw. The picture above is the print that I got for her. It's going over the toilet so come on by and see it!

I love you Steph. Thanks for everything you do for me.

Drawing

Taylor has started drawing people. Sometimes they have multiple appendages, but we think they're great.

Wherefore By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

In light of his passing on the evening of Sunday, January 27, this past week I have read and listened to many touching tributes to President Gordon B. Hinckley, who served, it seemed tirelessly, as our dear prophet for the past (almost) 13 years.

As we reflected on this humble man's teachings and testimony for our FHE last week, I asked each of us to share what we remember about him.

• Brian shared an experience from his days singing with the Mormon Youth Chorus. President Hinckley visited the choir in the Tabernacle to announce to them that it would be disbanded. Before he stepped down, President Hinckley shared with them that he had always wanted to direct a choir. What else are you going to do?! Of course, let him lead! So, there he stood, that little man, arms held up high, bouncing very slightly, leading the choir. I don't think there were many dry eyes in the room.


• I shared that his love and patience is such a powerful example to me. He showed us to love one another as Jesus Christ does. His patience, as he endured aging and sickness, especially without his sweetheart for the last four years of his life, while he served the Lord by serving the world is absolutely amazing by any standard.


• Whitney shared that he taught us what to by talking with the Lord and telling us what is right.

We talked about some of his legacies, including:

• Directing the most intense temple building program in the history of the church, making the blessings of the temple available to more people than ever before.
• Sharing with the world the six "B's": Be grateful, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble, and be prayerful.
• His deep love and appreciation for the scriptures, and his challenge to us to read them, especially the Book of Mormon.
• His and Sister Hinckley's example of a happy, healthy, eternal marriage.

And of course, his most important legacy to the world, his testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I believe, if nothing else, President Hinckley would want us to remember his undeniable witness of our Lord and Savior, and to come unto Him.

It is true that we shall know them by their fruits, and this man did so much good with his life. I know he is still performing good works.

"Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out." - President Gordon B. Hinckley

They're Done! They're Done! The Beds are Complete!

After three+ months and A LOT of hard work on Brian's part, along with countless trips to Lowe's (we kept them in business 4th QTR), we finally assembled the BEAUTIFUL furniture Brian made in Whitney and Taylor's new room. We painted the pretty purple walls 'toasted wheat' (after three coats of primer and two coats of color). I washed the bead board on the walls, Brian put up shelves, and we had the blinds cleaned. The room is coming together perfectly. (Just a few more things to complete.)

Here are some pics of the beds and dressers:


Tay got new 'dinosaur' bedding. This whole transition is especially big for him, since he has been in the crib to this point. One thing he still did that most three year-olds would not is stay in his crib (even though he has the ability and permission to climb out) until Mommy or Daddy got him out. We wondered how the 'big boy' bed would change that, if it would at all. It didn't. At least not yet. He still sits on his bed and yells for us, "Mommy, Daddy, I awake!"



Here are the kids enjoying their new beds:



Brian is amazing! He really had never built anything like this before, but this guy puts his mind to learning something, and it turns out like this! I'm very blessed with such an ambitious and talented husband.

Brian says "BIG thanks" to my dad, Vardell for lending his table saw for an extended period of time, as well as his truck a couple times, and to his brother, Steve for a few other tools, help, and countless hours of advice!

We are so excited that this BIG project is complete. This Saturday we'll put the nursery together. (Luckily, not much to do there.) Being this close to D-day, it helps to feel more organized. Yea!

Happy New Year! 2008

Wow! 2007 was a wonderful year. Here are a few highlights:

• In January we bought a 2007 Honda Accord. We have really enjoyed it. And aside from the crack in the windshield that appeared almost instantly when a rock hit it a few weeks after we got it, and the repairs that occured due to the rear-end collision when a truck hit it on my LAST day of work in Feb, it still seems brand new!
• In February I hung my hat at Access, and retired to Homemaker (what I consider to be the best job). Also, Brian started teaching 'live' workshops at INVESTools, which he BIG TIME enjoys.
• In May we bought (for Brian to drive) a 2003 Honda Accord Coupe. (It's important to note that it's like mine with a V6 engine, and unlike mine, a manual transmission - Brian really enjoys driving it.) By this time we had said "goodbye" to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Honda Del Sol.
• Also in May our travels took us, along with my parents, Aaron and Teresa, and Eric and Jenny to Minneapolis to see where Rob and Mandy live. From there, we all drove to Nauvoo, IL, and visited many church history sites.
• In July it was confirmed that baby #3 would join us in March of 2008! I started puking. Haven't stopped.
• The summer months took my baby to Chicago, where he taught several workshops in June, July, and almost the entire month of August. I was lucky enough to join him for a long weekend trip out there before my 27th birthday.
• Brian's brother, Dayne passed away from Cancer in late August. He was 54.
• Brian turned 31 in September.
• Also at the end of September we went to California for Brian's sister Julie's wedding on Pebble Beach. Beautiful. Then we drove down the coast and stayed on the beach in our favorite San Diego.
• In October, after a year of my favorite calling, I was released as Relief Society teacher (I've got to learn that when you're happy where you are - don't say anything!) Now I'm a visiting teaching supervisor, which is good, since it's low-key, with Baby coming...
• Whitney turned 7 and Taylor turned 3 in December.
• Then the wonderful holidays came and carried us into 2008! We very much look forward to what blessings will abound this year.

We rang in the new year with the Bowler's and the Sorensen's at Jeremy and Jen's (almost, anyway, we left their house just before midnight and watched the ball drop as a family on the couch). We had fun that night, lots of good food, and some of us played the Wii. (Whitney especially loved it, since at our house we're "anti video game" and she only gets these opportunites elsewhere.)

God bless in 2008!