Baby Autumn

On Thursday, September 18th, we arrived at the hospital at 6AM. I have to admit that I was very excited to know that I would soon be able to hold our little girl, but I was also pretty nervous about being induced. Everything happened so fast from there, that I didn't have a chance to get too nervous. They started me just before 7AM and by 10:30 AM, I was holding little Autumn in my arms. Autumn Dorene was born at 10:16 AM. She weighed 7 lbs. 15 ozs. and was 20 inches long. She is so sweet and it has been humbling to have this new little spirit in our home. Parker loves to hold her and give her kisses. Whenever she makes a noise or a funny face, he tries to imitate it. I am impressed at how gentle he has been with her. We are still readjusting to sleepless nights, with never ending diaper changes and feedings, but we feel so blessed each time we hold her in our arms.

Happy Birthday Parker!

Parker just loves Chuck E Cheese! He had been there a couple of times with his cousins and was excited when we told him we were going there for his birthday. (We decided to celebrate his birthday before our new little one came, so it wouldn't get overlooked. His birthday is actually on the 20th.) He had a lot of fun running around and collecting tickets. I think his favorite game was 'skee ball.' After a fun night of games and pizza, we all (Jill and Ron Fam and Kim and Lisa) went to Kim's house for cupcakes, ice cream and presents. Two years old is such a fun age! Parker had so much fun opening the presents and even commented on them as he opened them. He got a little blue striped collared shirt and the first thing he said when he saw it was "Daddy's!" I guess he thought it looked like one of Dad's shirts (which it does). He giggled when he opened his new stuffed dog from Kim. His favorite present had to be the little microwave that Jill and Family got for him. He couldn't stop 'cooking' things.

Parker also got to have another birthday celebration on his actual birthday, when my parents were in town. I can't believe how old he is! He stayed with Jill while we were in the hospital and when he came to see Autumn for the first time, he seemed so old. He was repeating everything anyone said and just looked and sounded so grown up.

Cougars, Trucks, StoryTime and James...

I have been trying to do some fun things with Parker before our baby girl arrives. It may be the last chance I have to do things one on one with him, for a while. I have about two weeks left, but at my appointment on Monday, the doctor said he is pretty sure that this baby is not going to wait until then. He said he would be happy to induce me next week and I am happy to let him. We haven't scheduled the exact day yet. If all goes according to our plan (if the doctor is available), then it will be Wednesday, the 17th. Unless, of course, she decides to come on her own before that.

While Paul was off traveling in the Big Apple, Parker and I got to go to the opening BYU football game. Parker and I both did great, but we had help from my sister, Jill and her two boys, Austin and Nelson. It was so fun to see Parker get so excited about everything around him, the band, the cheerleaders, the fans cheering, the food and of course, the game. He does a great BYU fight song (with all of the motions) and loves to see Cosmo (just not up close, he got a little scared). It has been so funny to see how he has turned into a BYU football fanatic ever since then. He sleeps with his BYU football blanket every night, wants to read his BYU football book a zillion times a day (along with singing the fight song, which is printed in the back), play catch with his BYU football, watch the BYU commercials on the web site, gets excited any time we get any where close to the Lavell Edwards Stadium, and asks almost every day if we are going to a BYU Football Game (which he pronounces 'EIU Bootball Game'). When he wakes up in the morning or from his nap, he usually talks in his bed for a while. It is now quite common to hear him say, 'B...Y...U..Cougars' (the chant from the stadium) or to shout 'Go Cougars.' He really is quite hooked on it, and we couldn't be prouder.





Our next little adventure was a trip to downtown Provo, to watch the big tractors and trucks. We camped out on the opposite side of the street, where they are getting ready to build a new Bank Building. Parker has his little truck and loaded it up with rocks while the big trucks across the street were being loaded. It was a good 45 minutes of entertainment.



I also thought we should try to make it to story time a few more times. Parker just loves it. It seems he gets more interactive every time we go. He also likes to play on the computer at the library. (Don't worry, they are set up for kids...the keyboards aren't really even attached to the computers!)


Parker has really enjoyed James, our new neighbor. They play together just about every day. His Mom and I take turns watching them and are able to have a little more time to get things done around the house. It is great! Here are Parker and James dancing with 'Hop on Pop' and 'Fuzzy.'