Recent happenings

So much to blog about! My mom came into town on October 13th and leaves tonight. It has been so nice to have her here, I don't think I could have done it without her. Hunter and Austin have had a blast with her. Going to get a "sueda" (soda) and walking down the street to the pumpkin tree were big hits. They couldn't believe it when Nana let them play in a bowl of mud. (Mom would never let them do that!)

We have done a lot of other fun things. Here is Nana and Austin at my ward Halloween playgroup

My labor with Maci went very smoothly. She was born on October 16th at 8:51 PM. At the end of September I was dilated to a 2 and 50% effaced. A week before she was born I was a 3 and fully effaced. The day she was born I had a doctors appointment and was dilated to a 4 and scheduled for an induction for the 20th. At 6:00 PM I started feeling very mild contractions. After about 45 minutes of timing them (about 7-8 min apart) we decided we should go to the hospital. I didn't really think I was in labor, but I thought I better head to the hospital just in case, since I have fast labors. When we got there I was a little more confident that I was actually in labor since my contractions were getting stronger. They had us wait in the waiting room until a room opened up, and finally an hour later they got us in. I was dilated to a 5 and talking to the anesthesiologist about getting an epidural. I was excited, since I've never had one, and surprised I was only a 5 and they were going to have time to give me one. Keep in mind, the whole time we were waiting in the waiting room and in this "checking" room Will and I kept telling them I have fast labors.(start to finish Hunter's was 4 hours and Austin's was 1 hour) I was starting to get anxious that this labor was going to last a long time. It had already been about 2 1/2 hours since I first started feeling contractions. They moved me to a birthing room and my contractions started getting really hard really fast. They went from 4 1/2 minutes apart to really close together, I don't know how close, at this point I really didn't pay attention to that. I told Will I think I need to push, he said "how do you just think you need to push, either you do or you don't" (I'm pretty sure at this point I yelled at him to "just figure it out") he ran out and got the doctor and two pushes later, Maci was born. Maci's labor was just under 3 hours, thank goodness it wasn't faster than Austin's, but dang that feels like a long time when you've had an hour labor.

Hunter is so proud of his little sister. His face the first time he saw her just lit up. He is such a good big brother.

Austin's face the first time he saw Maci is a different story. He wanted nothing to do with her and tried to avoid her when she came near. He was concerned about me (in the hospital bed) The day we came home he warmed up to her really quick, now he can't keep his hands off of her. He frequently says, "she's my Maci"

Proud Daddy!

Ok, sorry if I sound like I'm bragging, but I am. At Hunter's school they have a program to reward kids good behavior and traits. The program is called "knights of the Guild." Depending on what grade the child is in they are either selected to be a Page, Squire, or Knight. This month the character traits being recognised were tolerance and responsibility. Hunter is in first grade and his teacher, Mrs. Rodgers, selected Hunter to be a Page for his tolerance. Here is what she said about Hunter.

It is with the greatest pleasure that I nominate this student to the Gallery of Champions. This student displays so many good character traits, but what stood out from the beginning was his tolerance. This student is always willing to work and play with anyone no matter with the circumstances. He is patient and kind with all of his classmates and guides and encourages others by his words and actions to be accepting of others also. Because of his good character, others seek him our whether it is working in the classroom or playing on the playground. This student leads by example and encourages his classmates to do what is right at all times, not because he expects some reward, but because it is the right thing to do. This student never criticizes those who make mistakes, but encourages them to try again. This student looks for opportunities to praise and encourage, especially those who are having difficulty. It is such a joy to have this student in my class, and I am so very blessed to have the opportunity to be his teacher. It is with great pride that I nominate Hunter to receive the honor of becoming a page and joining the Gallery of Champions.

The principal reads why they are nominated and then announces who it is. Hunter was so thrilled when he heard his name he literally ran up on stage to get his award. (hard to see in the pic, but Hunter is running as fast as he can across the stage.)

Hunter stared at his medal most of the time on stage. He couldn't believe his good fortune.

Hunter with the Knight...this guy was pretty serious.

Halloween!!! Halloween was a blast this year. Mostly because I got to stay at home and pass out candy for the first time. Will, Papa Mike, and Papa Bill got to take the boys out trick0-or-treating. There were so many people in our neighborhood trick or treating that a lot of people ran out of candy. When they got back Hunter said, "We should have gone out sooner!" I guess next year we will Hunter :)

Maci was blessed this last Sunday on the 1st. She wore the dress that I wore when I was blessed. It was made by my great grandma 50 years ago for my Mom's doll. She looked gorgeous and I love the fact that the dress has a story.