Father's Day was so nice! We went to church (all the dads and future dads got candy!) and then Daniel's dad came over for dinner! I made butter/garlic chicken, squash, mashed potatoes, Italian salad, and a big, fat brownie cake! It all turned out great, by some miracle. We had to sit and eat on our couch since we only have a two-person bar-table, but that was fine...nothing makes dinner taste even better than an episode of House! Then, we opened gifts. We got Daniel's dad a book of artwork and text by his favorite author, James Christensen. Daniel's mom is on a mission for the church in Central America, so we have been holding onto LaVaun's gift for her. It was a new receiver for his speakers. Nice! Also, I gave Daniel a recordable "future dad" card and a male pampering kit. It was so fun to see them both so happy! Delicious brownie cake followed. Because it is/was Father's Day, I'd like to say a few of the things I like best about my two dads. First, LaVaun. I honestly couldn't have PICKED a better father-in-law! He is so kind, gentle, and hilarious! I am so grateful that he has taught Daniel how to be a hard worker. He has made me feel so comfortable in their home from the first time I set foot in their house. I know that the students he teaches will be very blessed just by their interaction with him! And my dad, Paul. What can I say? Every good quality I have was taught by him. Patience, persistance, and of course, putting the first things first. You can't find a more loving father anywhere, or at least one who is more willing to express it to his daughters. He has helped me see what love really looks like, and has supported me in everything I've done, whether it turned out for the best or not. I can only dream to aspire to the kind of parent he is. Anyway....THANKS DADS!!!
I love this picture with Daniel's dad twirling his mom!
...And my favorite picture of my goofy, hilarious dad!!
A warning in advance--this is really long and detailed, so if you don't want to read a detailed birth story (with pictures), then stop now! This was an important record for me to make and I didn't want to spare any details. :) Technically the story of my labor begins on Riley’s due date: July 24, 2013. Because I have to go back to school as a teacher very soon (my first meeting is August 14), I was desperate to see if I could use some “natural” methods to get the labor going. So, on Wednesday, July 24 around ten in the morning I took about 1.5 ounces of castor oil, which is known to get labor kick started occasionally by basically freaking out your bowels so you have the runs—lovely. I waited for a few hours but nothing happened at all. Bummer. My mother and sister came to Salt Lake and we celebrated Pioneer Day by going to temple square and having lunch at the Lion House. After lunch I started to have some horrible pains in m...
Throughout my pregnancy, I had a TON of ultrasounds and 2 MRIs. There have been MANY pictures taken of Cedar prior to her arrival. Throughout all of these, doctors and ultrasound techs assured me that Cedar did not have clubfeet. Many kids with spina bifida are also born with clubfeet--just one of those things. I was relieved to find out that she did NOT have clubfeet, since that would just be one more thing to deal with. At these ultrasounds, many doctors also mentioned that she was in breech position (the entire pregnancy), and often commented on how her feet were up by her head, like she was folded in half. We all laughed at her flexibility and moved on. Regarding her breech position, doctors would often say, "Well luckily you are having a c-section, so we don't have to worry that she is breech!" That is all anyone said. When Cedar was born, we were quite shocked when we saw her feet. As you read in his account of Cedar's birth, Da...
I just wanted to spread the word about the cutest blog my friend turned me on to. It's called "A Blog About Love." The husband and wife who write it were both previously divorced and they use the blog to share what they've learned about dealing with divorce, infertility, and most of all...how to create a happy marriage. They also offer online classes! If you want to read the blog, they have a button titled "Start at the Beginning." They only started the blog last year so it's easy to catch up and follow their love story. I really like the blog because it comes from two people who have seen what does NOT work in a marriage and they have both used their difficult circumstances to make their lives better. How cute are they? Anyway, I really admire what they're doing. The blog is a great daily marriage pick-me-up. It gives me hope and reminds of of essentials needed to stay happy. Check it out and let me know what you think! ...
cam! stop it! you have a blog, and i didn't even know it. I am thrilled to have another blog to read in the mornings whilst i do...absolutely nothing!
ReplyDeletei miss you girly!! i hope married life is treatin you good :)