Emersyn Hope

Early this morning Kaden and I crawled out of bed to our waiting bags and a past out Leighton to head to the Hospital. I was scheduled to be induced at 3:00 am but we arrived around 4:00. After getting settled in to the delivery room and going through paperwork I was started on potosin around 5:00. Emersyn was stubborn just like Leighton. I hadn't been progressing much and was only dilated to a 3 1/2 when Dr. Polson broke my water at 6:30. 

Kaden and I slept as much as we could until the hard contractions began. Somehow we were much calmer going into this labor. Maybe because we knew what to expect and because last time went so well, or maybe because even after 40 weeks of pregnancy we still could not believe we were being blessed with another daughter. At 9:30 after feeling very nauseas and dry heaving through contractions I opted for an epidural. Kaden was so sweet and rubbed my back and waited on me through every contraction.

 When it came to the epidural he stood right in front of me and let me squeeze his hand so tight that it hurt. As soon as he was asked how he was doing and he shortly replied that he was fine, he hit the ground. I had just said you sat last time because my dad past out before and then he was out. It took a minute for him to come around but luckily our nurse caught his head so he wasn't hurt and he provided a good laugh for everyone in labor and delivery. 

Both My mom and Nancy came to the room shortly after Kaden's fall and played the waiting game with us. I wasn't checked again until 11:30 and at that point was a 6 1/2. I had no idea how much longer we would wait for but did not expect to start feeling ready to push only 20 minutes later. After 15 minutes of feeling pushing pressure I decided to let the nurse know I thought I was ready and she confirmed it. As soon as Dr. Polson walked in he calmly helped me into position and just said push when your ready. I never struggled or even felt out breath. Even while pushing and Emersyn began making her way into the world everything felt so unreal. As she came out I realized the cord was around her neck and she was very purple, somehow I never felt worried for her. I quickly said I wanted her and she was laid on my stomach while the Doctor and nurse got her crying. As soon as she was breathing on her own she cuddled right up to me. It was a perfect moment. I was blessed with so much peace and knew everything was alright. In a moment that could have been panic I felt like everything was so perfect. I know she had some special angela helping her to be well. The spirit that filled the room was overwhelming for me.

Finally at 12:18 our little miracle had arrived, weighing 7 pounds and 8 ounces, and was 19.5 inches long. She was healthy, came very easily and was welcomed into the world by so many people who truly love her. Kaden and I still felt like it was so unreal. We still do actually. How In such a short amount of time were we blessed with two amazing spirits from heaven? We couldn't be more honored to have Emersyn join our family. Leighton has been a little skeptical so far and isn't sure what to think of her new baby sister but I know in time she will love her and understand just how special "baby sister" really is. 

Emersyn so far is exactly what I imagined. Easy, her birth was easy, feeding is easy, she just is content to be held and sleep. She has only been in our precence for about 18 hours but so far I could not feel more comfortable or confident as a mother. I had my second amazing child birth experience, have a beautiful daughter in my arms and can not feel any closer to my husband and we couldn't feel any closer to heaven. 

Yesterday Kaden and I were sadly reminded that Grandma Karen would not be on her way to the hospital to meet our new bundle of joy but were happily reminded that Emersyn already knew her. Maybe that is why my girls stay  in the whom as long as possible, they are not done learning from all of the people who love and care for them in heaven. Being in the presence of a newborn is like probably the closest anyone can get to witnessing pure innocence and perfection at once. Emerson's sweet spirit has already touched my heart in so many ways and reminded me how grateful I am to have an eternal family and the knowledge that I have of the plan of happiness. I'm not quite sure how anyone can experience such a pure miracle like birth or a baby and not see the spiritual connection. I know that just holding Emersyn makes me want to be a better wife, mother and person. I am reminded again with her in my arms of the role I have to care for my daughters and that there is no responsibility that could be more sacred than that of being a mother. 

Days With Leighton

Before baby girl number 2 arrives we have tried to spend as much one on one time with Leighton as we  possibly could. Last weekend wasn't too eventful but we did make a little day trip with her. This weekend I have been looking forward to for about a month now. All i wanted to do was watch Leighton at the Sheep Parade (yes, sheep parade) and take her trick or treating.

Last Sunday we went for a family drive out to the Parowan Gap. Of course i didn't actually take any pictures of the gap and we barely even explored it. The gap was actually kind of neat, just a small gap between two cliffs in the middle of no where with ancient indian writings all over it. We decided to let Leighton and Tiffany explore the dessert a little though and of course our cute girl went rock hunting. Yes, one of the 15 words Leighton can say is rock. She is in love with all rocks and we aren't quite sure why but we do have a little Leighton rock collection building all over the house.

Today was the Sheep Parade and Livestock Festival here in Cedar City. We have made it a little tradition to go to the small time parade every year. Leighton loves watching any parade. Seriously, she claps and waves and is all sorts of smiley. It didn't surprise us at all when she saw Grandpa Penn walking down the road in the parade and she chased after him waving goodbye to us. He said she smiled and cheesed it up for everyone the rest of the parade.

Can Leighton look any cuter for a livestock festival? It was such a beautiful day. Seriously its late October and she was able to wear a little dress, cardigan and the cutest boots ever!

After the parade we headed to the livestock festival to watch the tractor pull. Leighton loves her cousins so much and had so much fun spending the day with them. We wish we were able to see the girls more.  It always makes me laugh when she is around them she never seems to think she is any smaller than they are.

We ended the day with a trunk or treat and Leighton finally got to wear her halloween costume. Another word this crazy little girl can say... Lorax. She is in love with the movie and everything about it. Kaden and i fought over making her a pumpkin or the Lorax. Clearly Kaden won and its a good thing. She thought it was so neat and of course she was a natural at trick or treating. Luckily we are blessed with the sweetest 1 1/2 year old around because afterwards she divided all of her candy up between the family. 

I am so glad that we have had some time to really spend with our little girl before her world is turned upside down. I hope she is ready for a little sister in her life. She really will be such a sweet older sister but i know she will get upset about not having us to herself too. 

Dear Baby Girl

Dear Baby Girl,

Today you have been growing for 39 weeks in my belly and still seem very content on staying in there. I don't blame you, it is safe and quiet and you don't have to worry about being fed or about where you sleep or who you are with. This may be the only way you get me all to yourself for awhile. Leighton seems to think it is alright if you stay in there a little longer as well. She has became very clingy and wants me to hold her constantly. I am sure partly because she wants to be close to you too though. Even though your older sister doesn't quite understand what is coming her way she still asks for the baby and is fascinated with rather large belly. You two will love each other and hopefully be best little friends. Now that life is slowing down a little as we all wait for you to arrive your dad and I have been able to imagine together more about what you will be like. Will you be an easy sleeper or mild tempered, will you keep us on our toes and have red hair too? No matter what we know you will fit perfectly into our little family, we already love you so much. The past couple of days Leighton and I have ran the canyon trail again in hopes you'll want to join us. This time of year is so beautiful, the leaves are all changing colors, the air is crisp and just a little cold and it even smells good outside. The two nights that we have ran i can't help but think what a better time to come to earth, all seems right and almost perfect. We will see you when you are ready. There are many people here waiting for you who will love you and be there for you through out your life. I am sure there is a reason your sweet spirit is keeping all of us waiting. Until i have you in my arms i will just keep dreaming of you.

Love, 

Your Mom

Running and Hiking

Courtney and I have been running partners ever since it became warm enough to run this year. We even did two races together with the babies and have loved getting to be outside with our girls and getting a little adult interaction in at the same time. The poor girl has even put up with me being on a completely opposite running ability than her. She is post baby and well I obviously have been growing another one.

Our first race was the Main Street Mile. Some how we talked Teisha into doing it with us and we ended up running it in 7 minutes which is pretty good when you have stroller and have to make your way through a crowd of other runners.

Our second run together was very last minute and a cross country 5k. We both arrived literally as the race started and i was not prepared for it being cross country. We survived it though even at 32 weeks pregnant and pushing the stroller. Leighton was so happy when the race was over, she hopped out of the stroller sat in middle of the road and ate her grapes like it had been hard for her too. 

Once it wasn't too hot during the day we thought it would be fun to take a break from just running and start doing a few hikes. So far we have only made it to two new places but both were really great to do with the babies and fun for us.

Our first hike was at Red Cliffs which is the nicest little hike randomly off the freeway between Cedar and Saint George. It takes you back to a few little pools and when theres run off a waterfall, obviously no waterfall at the end of summer though. Leighton was amazing, she hiked all by herself until the very end when she made me carry her and she fell asleep. I love taking her outside and letting her explore. I honestly believe its one of the best ways for a child to learn and grow. I hope she will always love being active and will realize how lucky she is that she gets to experience so many beautiful places. I know i am glad i've been able to explore Southern Utah so much this year before we say goodbye.

I am sure this pictures look a little familiar. Leighton and I had already visited Zion National Park with my family back in July but now that the weather was perfect and the government was no longer shut down we just had to go back. I seriously wish i would have taken way more advantage of all the beautiful trails Zion has to offer in the past couple of years. We had so much fun visiting the other day that I hope we will go back before it gets too cold. So at 38 1/2 weeks pregnant i hiked my way around the park and this time Leighton would not hike on her own. Yes, i carried not only one but two babies the entire time. Luckily one of them made a good seat for the other. The leaves haven't changed yet in Zion but it sure felt like fall. The weather could not have been more perfect. We did the river walk hike that leads to the narrows and the weeping rock. Leighton was not thrilled when we almost got attacked by a squirrel on our first hike, but she absolutely loved getting to play in the water at weeping rock. She was so excited afterwards that she wanted to run down the trail almost giving me a heart attack. It was a good day for Courtney and I to get out and spend together before baby girl number 2 arrives. I am in need of getting all the adult interaction stored up as i can and the physical activity too. I am so nervous for the aftermath of birth when i will have to start completely over on getting into shape and feeling this good. Yes, now at 39 weeks i am still feeling great. Very pregnant, but great. Even though Leighton is so young, i hope one day she can see how much time i tried to spend with her and love her and play with her before her world was turned upside down. I kind of expect nothing to change and that all these things i do with Leighton i will just do with two now. I guess i will see how that goes but for now that is my plan. It really is crazy to think that this time next year our adventures won't be in Utah anymore we will be across the country and exploring completely new places. I am sooo excited but i know i will miss days like these as well.

Nashville

Sarah, Leighton and I packed up and flew out to visit the city we will soon call home. Camille and Alex were so nice and let us take over their cute little house the entire time and i am sure they are happy to have it back to themselves. We stayed crazy busy the entire time. Camille and I worked on setting up shop or what we could of it and Sarah got to chase Leighton around all kinds of fun places. 

Nashville is really a beautiful city and full of the nicest people i have ever met. It really seemed like everywhere we went people were wanting to talk and smiled and were just so sweet. 

We took the day off of working and spent the first day of fall drinking pumpkin chai lattes and picking pumpkins. Leighton was in love with the pumpkin patch. She was so braved and chased around the animals in the petting zoo, went on her first pony ride, played on a couple huge slides and picked out the cutest pumpkins. I can't wait to go again next year with both little girls. 

The wonderful designer Sarah Seven flew in for opening weekend. It was so much fun having her there. We had a great time with our first brides, shopping on our down time and going to a Vanderbilt football game.

After two weeks of being away from Kaden i was ready to get back to Cedar but i am so excited for us to finally make our big move to Tennessee. The store is going to be beautiful once it is completely finished and it will be a nice change for our little family to be in a bigger city with so much to do. 

Dear Kaden

Dear Kaden,

Leighton and I are sleeping on the couch tonight and as I lay here listening to the rain I can't help but miss you. We have been in Nashville for a week now and it feels like we have been away for much longer. The store is coming along now and after a really busy day tomorrow we will be ready for our Sarah Seven and Sarah Janks trunk shows. We have so much going on that I wish you could have been here to see and to help. I know you are working hard though and I am so grateful for all that you do to support our family. We never thought this time would be easy, just hopefully worth it  in the end. I am so proud of you a and how hard your working in school. I know it isn't easy going to work all day and then coming home to do homework. You are quite amazing babe and I am so lucky to be your wife and Leighton is so blessed to be your daughter. We both love you so much and can't wait to be home with you again. 

Love,

Your Wife