Benefits of Being Southern....

Jeff Gordon uponhearing about my driving.

First of all- this is a Dan blog, not a Becky blog. (That's my disclaimer)

Though there are many wonderful things about being southern, there have also been some things that I never really understood. One of these is NASCAR. I never really got it. A bunch of cars going around and around in circles really fast. It seemed pointless- until yesterday.


When I woke up at around 6:30am Becky told me that she had just started having contractions about 2 minutes apart. Now- we went to the hospital last week with contractions 5 minutes apart (just like we were supposed to) and they turned us away. They explained that we would know when it was really time and to come back then. This confused me a bit because, in the books it says to go to the hospital when your contractions are 5 minutes apart. However, when Becky woke me up it was apparent that it WAS TIME.


So, we were out the door within a few minutes and on the road to the hospital. We live in between two hospitals. One is in the direction of DC and one in the opposite direction. Both are off of the same interstate. We had decided that the time of day that she went into labor would determine which hospital we would go to- we would go in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic. But yesterday morning Becky said that she really wanted the doctor at the hospital closer to the city. It usually takes me 1 hour to go the 14 miles or so toward the city to work if I go during rush hour. I did think of honoring her request- until we got to the first traffic light before the interstate where we waited in a long line of traffic for the light to turn. That (and a few gasps from Becky) were all it took for me to point the car north and get moving. That is when I wished I had paid more attention to NASCAR.


I did try to be as "unaggressive" as possible but I really wanted to not deliver the baby myself (didn't get that merit badge in Boy Scouts) and for Becky to get there in time for an epidural. I only broke triple digits speeds once or twice and most people did move when the saw my emergency flashers (thankfully). No cops either (which is good because I wouldn't have pulled over). Bec had her eyes closed the entire time.


We got to the hospital in about 20 minutes- a little after 8am. They took Becky right back and, after a pretty intense delay Becky got her epidural (whew) just in time to be moderately comfortable for the birth f our daughter at 10:15am. You might be thinking that I overreacted and you might be right. But, let me just say that it wasn't fun to see Bec in pain and we BOTH REALLY wanted her to get her epidural. Fortunately she did.

So- hat's off to NASCAR drivers and women who deliver without epidurals. I have a profound appreciation for you both today.


Here's the details- 7lbs, 9oz and 20" long. She's got sandy blonde hair and long slender fingers. She's beautiful. Thankfully, both she and Becky are doing great. It's an understatement- but I feel very blessed that my wife and daughter came through such an amazing experience just fine. We are looking forward to getting to know our new one. She's already holding her head up pretty well is a great eater and has a good set of lungs. We think her name will be Abigail.


Jake and Tess have been really cute so far. They haven't been able to see her in person because they are both sick but they looked through the nursery window yesterday and were pretty excited. I explained to Jake that our role as "guys" is to take care of the girls and he seems to have taken that to heart. He has spent alot of time recently telling Becky how he will get up at night and bring her the baby, feed the baby, change her diapers, etc...I guess that means I am off the hook. We have gotten so use to seeing and treating Tess like the baby that I am sure there will be a bit of a transition for her as we adjust to the baby but she's a trooper and will be fine.


I'll let Becky fill in the blanks in my story when she gets the chance- I am sure there are plenty. I just wanted to get the word out.

Check out the size of that binkie!

Grandma Barnhurst and our cute girl!!!

Jake looking through the nursery window!

JAKE

Jacob has accomplished ALOT this summer. Not only can my helpful little man vacuum his room, fold and put away his own laundry, and take out the trash he now hefts two gallons of milk up the stairs and put them in the fridge for me! ( picture to come)

He has graduated from his car seat to a booster seat. He thoroughly enjoys his new "adult" seat belt! He also helps Tess get out of her car seat. (picture to come)

He has become more courageous this summer as well. While on our family vacation at Aspen Grove he climbed up a ways on a big ROCK WALL! My cautious little man, NO WAY! Luckily Dan was there and got proof!

At the pool he has conquered the mushroom all by himself! He also puts his head all the way under the water and floats on his own with "noodles".

His latest favorite phrase is "What in the WORLD!!" He talks so frankly about how things will be when the baby comes (he enjoys lecturing Tess) and is determined to help me feed and diaper her. I think he will be a big help and is ready to be the big brother to TWO girls!

TESS

Tess has become quite the imaginative little girl. She tells me long stories about all the mischief her baby and doggy are getting into. In the middle of our conversations she will surprisingly say "but mommy, I love you" and then continue on. She constantly reminds Dan, Jake and I how much she LOVES us!

While on our family vacation, at Aspen Grove, she learned a cute little cheer that she loves to sing over and over. She was put in a group of kids her age called the "STOMPERS". (Super stompers Super stompers, STOMP, STOMP, Goooo Stompers!) Dan has started to have the kids make up songs according to topics he chooses....Tess's always make us laugh!

She is becoming more independent with certain things. She can put on her own seat belt and get out of it (with Jakes help). She has learned to dress herself, though she still wants me to do it for her most of the time.

She is ready to be a big sister! I on the other hand am not ready to see her as "a big girl" which she will suddenly become when I have a newborn in my arms. She is as sweet as ever and I couldn't imagine a day without my HAPPY little red head!

DAN

Is the best Daddy ever and is eager to be the father of THREE! I will be induced on August 27th if she hasn't made her grand entrance by then.

Thoughtful, Creative FRIENDS!

This is my cute friend Anie who is SEVEN weeks ahead of me and also having a girl! After sharing the past two pregnancies with my sister I am glad to have a friend to commiserate/get excited with this time around! So, this last weekend two very thoughtful friends gave us a diaper shower.

Thanks Candis and Melissa for hosting and making this a fabulous PINK night! Not only was the food yummy but it smelt divine (note the pink peonies and lit scented candles)...just what my powerful sniffer loves to smell!

The guests were asked to bring two diaper packs but with a twist, creatively decorated. (I would have stuck some cute pink bows on the package and felt pretty proud!!) Check out what my endlessly talented friends came up with.

A wreath of diapers with toys attached.

One friend brought a bag of diapers tied with the cutest bows, headband for the clips to interchange out of, a binky clip , along with hand crochet booties attached! Also inside the bag was a beautiful hand crochet blanket (did I mention that she made everything herself!)

I also loved the cute diaper flowers with washcloth centers!

Thanks ladies for such a fun night!!!

!!Con"Graduations"!!

The excitement for this trip is what got me through this last year-- pushing to finish independent study courses and making it through my first trimester of sickness! It was fabulous, everything I had expected!

Here is a tid-bit of what Dan wrote and sent out to several news papers in Utah (which was picked up by The Daily Universe):

"My wife, her mother and her sister will all be graduating from the BYU College of Family Life with a B.S. in Marriage, Family and Human Development this April. While it is extremely unique to have three family members graduate at the same time and in the same program I am sure it is much more unique for it to be a mother and her daughters, especially ones who have each worked hard for a long time to graduate..."

So, Dan and I left Jacob and Tess with his sister in Virginia and spent 3 full fabulous days in Provo celebrating!

We arrived late Tuesday night and were greeted by my mom and brother, Ken came all the way from CHINA just for me (well mostly for my mom :).

On Wednesday we spent the morning at the Missionary Training Center with my parents. This is their third mission together and the start of their third year at the MTC. Though I cried when Dad told me in December that they were asked to stay for another 2 year mission, I am truly happy for them and SOOO proud of them. I couldn't resist making them pose for this picture.

After a yummy meal in the cafeteria Mom, my sister Lizzie, Dan and I picked up our graduation costume and then hit the mall to find me a graduation dress and comfy shoes. (Dan was so good to me this trip, it was truly all about me!) Then Wednesday night all my Utah family came up to the house to enjoy the scrumptious dinner made at my request (truly complete with rice krispy treats for dessert and the fun suprise of another unexpected brother!!).

Thursday morning we decided to go to the temple. I am so grateful to have all my family members endowed! After a quick lunch we got ready and headed out the door for commencement! It was SOOO fun to wait in line, walk in line, and just be goofy and happy with my sister and mom. During the processional in we wore 2009 HOT PINK glasses I found at Target. The best part was when we paraded in front of the BYU President/Administration and PRESIDENT UCHTDORF! My mom quickly took her glasses off when she saw President Uchtdorf....which made Lizzie and I and President Uchtdorf laugh! After commencement we met up with my Uncle Pete (my mom's brother who works for BYU with the best job EVER!) and the rest of the famly for pictures.

I thought it was appropriate to put numbers on our hats: Mom #1, Me #2, and Liz #3!

It made it easy for the family to spot us!

Emily and Ben with their 4 kids, Brad, Dan, Aimee, Dad, and Ken

Lizzie, Mom, and Me

Dan has been so supportive and has believed I could do this every step of the way! Thank you for helping me finish and making this trip a special one!!

I thought the gown did a pretty good job at hiding my pregnant belly.

After taking a ton of pictures we headed out to eat at Los Hermanos. My sister Emily thought ahead and reserved us a private room! By this time in the trip all 8 kids had flown in! My favorite part of this short trip was enjoying ALLl of my siblings, for the first time in 5 and 1/2 years! Two of my brothers completely suprised my Mom by coming (one from CHINA, the other came from Arizona but after his wife just had their 6th child!!!) I missed seeing two of my sister-in-laws (Ali, and Dona) and all my nieces and nephews but LOVED being together with those who could come.

Friday was Convocation! Unfortunately I was not feeling too well all morning so I was VERY happy to have my mom and sister taking care of me, fanning me, during this part of graduation.
Here is a picture of us waiting to walk in. Notice the medal around my sister's neck. Let me just tell you how incredible she is. Out of 4,000 bachelor degree graduates my sister was one of about 50 to graduate with HONORS! This requires a ton of extra work, including publishing a thesis, on top of a great GPA! She truly is amazing! This is not the end of school for her either. She is hoping to get into LAW SCHOOL next year. She has high hopes of being a JUDGE one day!

Look at that gorgeous, SINGLE, honors graduate!

Here is a video of us walking across the stage to recieve our "diploma's".... Of course the Dean of our college, who was conducting, said no individual cheering and told everyone to remain "reverant" until the end. Sure enough during the first half of the "walking" no one clapped or cheered. Well, anyone who knows my husband or my family knows that that is impossible at a CELEBRATION like this!! The background music was so boring! Lizzie made me laugh when she commented that it sounded like what they would play at our funerals! We agreed that someone need to add some excitement to the place...okay, now watch the video! I walk first, then Liz, then Mom.

From that point on everyone cheered, clapped, hooted, and hollered!

Some of the gang after convocation.

After convocation we had a little party up at the house and ate lots of yummy food. It was so fun to see most of my aunts and uncles and grandparents. I know my mom felt so loved by her siblings support!

After the extended family left we had yet one more surprise for mom. My sister Emily had the great idea of awarding mom with "honorary doctorate degrees". We gave her 10 degrees and went into some details about why she earned each of them. ( Doctorate in Theology, Psychology, Travel and Tourism, Culinary, Communications, Masters in Fine Arts ect.)

My Dad and brother Steve getting us started on the Honorary Doctorate Ceremony.
Dad has a graduation gown on with a TOWEL to make him look like a "dean" at Breinholt University.

We had a great time honoring mom, telling her how much we appreciated her efforts throughout the years, and expressing our love to her. Dan perfectly explained my moms accomplishment when he wrote, "So, after 20 moves, two wars, 3 missions, 8 children, 20 grandchildren (soon) and about 40 years, her life has come full circle and she is finishing what she started. Susan has truly been an example of the BYU motto "Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve". We are so proud of her....."

Each night while we were out there we played games, talked and laughed together. (I didn't want to miss out on all of the fun so I laid on the floor and listened with my eyes closed at times:) I love my family so much, they are a ton of fun!

(Between all 8 kids we have a ton of fun pictures. I will post more later once I get them!)

Coolest Swings EVER!

We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day at an AWESOME park with some friends this past week. Jake and Tess discovered these cool swings that were connected at the top turning a regular swing into a fun BUMPY ride! I wish I had been able to take a video of these two laughing hysterically! (Not quite sure why Jake insisted on wearing gloves!?) Thanks Melissa for taking these great pictures.

Up Close and Personal!

This past Monday I had the opportunity to take the kids to the White House Easter Egg Roll with some friends. Here are the highlights:

*Time Slot for the White House Lawn 1130-1:30
*Left for the Metro at 8:50am
*Candis and I met up with Anie, Melissa & kids
*Train ride that the kids loved and I did not get motion sick on!!
**NEED TO FIND A BATHROOM!**
*Pregnant and running with a full bladder while pushing
over 70lbs in a double stroller...not fun!
*Finally found the john!
*Stood in a never ending line from about 1030-1230!!
*NO FOOD
*Massive amounts of PEOPLE up close and TOO personal...now I know
where Jake gets his quirky need for a large personal bubble, ME!
*FINALLY made it onto the White House Lawn...oh wait, MORE LINES!
*NO FOOD
*Jake and Tess see the Easter Bunny, Super WHY, and POOH!
*NO FOOD
*Jake and Tess whack an egg with a wooden spoon!
*After only 45minute of more lines on the White House Lawn we were
forced to LEAVE!
**FIND FOOD!**
*Finally back home...430pm
*Oopps! I forgot to put sunblock on my very fair skinned now LOBSTER faced kiddos!

Jacob and Tess did great, fabulous, amazingly well. I was very anxious about the massive crowds and me with 2 toddlers. I think Jake and Tess were a bit overwhelmed by all the people and stayed close! If I wasn't PUSHING there 70lbs they were right next to me, holding onto the stroller! They were awesome!

Though the White House Egg Roll experience was NOTHING like I had expected I had a great time with my friends! Thanks Anie, Melissa and especially thanks Candis for getting us tickets! (I am soooo lucky to live next to a fabulous friend who looks out for me, but that is a post in and of itself!)

After pushing 70lbs for over 5 hours I am still exhausted....and it's THURSDAY!

I didn't take very good pictures...sorry, too busy keeping my eyes on my kids!

Jacob and Tess hanging onto the stroller!~ I think I had some extra help from heaven that day cause seriously, I was paranoid about losing them!

What do you do on a rainy day?

A very serious Indiana Jones ready to conquer a cute little bunny.

This is what they did all morning during one of our recent RAINY days!!