Introducing Trace Aaron Mausser

Words cannot describe how much I love this little guy. He is the sweetest, cutest thing that exists.

Birthday Pics

Labor Story (if interested)

Well after we moved down here to Albuquerque (more on that later), I found a doctor and he said I was almost dilated to a 3 at 36 weeks. I was so relieved I wasn't going crazy thinking this baby should come any time. The next week I was dilated just over a 3 so not too much progress. My doc said, "If you could just hold on 2 more days until you are officially 37 weeks, that would be great." Well, Trace had his ear pressed against the womb and decided that is when he would enter the world. I was having worse inconsistent contractions on Saturday. Then we went out to eat that night. I came home and threw everything up and thought it odd. As soon as we put Weston to bed, I began having contractions continuing through the night. We woke Weston up and told him we had to go because baby Trace was coming. He threw his fists in the air and said, "Yay!" Then we dropped him off at my parents at about 4 a.m. and headed to the hospital. It was all very calm and I was only dilated to a 4. Then at about 2 p.m., the doctor on call came in and said if I wanted to push, I could or we could wait since I was dilated to an 8. I said let's give it a go and Trace just kind of fell out after 20 minutes. Maybe that is a little graphic, but honestly it was so easy and stress-free and that doctor was so wonderful. It was a sure sign of things to come.

The spirit was so strong in the room, at one point, I had to focus on a spot on the ceiling just to block it out because I was getting really emotional already and still had 2 more pushes to go. He was 6 pounds 8 ounces and 19 inches long. For comparison, West was a very stressful, induced delivery at 6 pounds 4 ounces and 18 inches long.

TRACE

Trace has blonde eyebrows and eyelashes and light brown hair (it could also be red...TBD because Doug's beard is red, yikes!) He has the shape of Weston's face as a baby, but looks so different and luckily, because he is healthy, is growing much faster and is already getting so big! I can't stand it and love it at the same time. I now understand why moms are so enamored with their new babes. It is something I missed out on with West because he didn't feel good and cried ALL the time.

He is perfect. I was dreading this newborn stage and am still eager for a full night's sleep, however, I really feel like it is a cinch compared to West. I think, wow, I can do this -it's easy! The first week was an adjustment and nursing has been and adjustment as well since I could only nurse West for 6 weeks, but Trace is so easily soothed and happy, I feel like he is a complete blessing. We had to be at the hospital all day for West earlier in the month (see below) and my mom said, "Is Trace like this all day long?" meaning how good he was being. I said, "Yeah, pretty much." She said, "Wow! Lucky!" I teared up because we had been there all day and West had yet to go in for his scope and hadn't eaten all day. I replied, "Well, I think it is a well-deserved blessing.

WEST'S MEDICAL UPDATE

Well, right before we left I took Weston in for labs so I would not have to worry about it when we got to Albuquerque and before I had the baby. Unfortunately, they said his blood count was extremely low and that I needed to have labs drawn again in 2 weeks. Upon getting those numbers, we discovered an even lower blood count and went to the hospital for a blood infusion the following day. Then we discussed options for having surgery at Primary's as soon as possible to put a shunt in to redirect the blood flow since his portal vein is clogged, creating a very large spleen (probably as big as mine in his little body). Just what we needed, huh? It was super stressful, but my prayers were answered as I felt so strongly that Heavenly Father knew of everything going on with Weston, with the baby coming, with just moving to NM and He knew what I could handle so I would do what was needed. A week later the baby came allowing fantastic timing for us to go to UT for the surgery. However, his numbers have improved and so the surgery has been temporarily suspended. I guess I am happy about it. I just still worry about his spleen and the discomfort he has because of it.

He will eventually have to have the surgery, though, it's just a matter of how urgent it becomes if his numbers worsen again.

NEW PLACE, NEW JOB

When Doug & I prayed about whether or not to have a baby, our answer was that it was our choice. We could wait or we could go for it. When Doug & I prayed about whether or not to move to Albuquerque and take a new job, our answer was that it was our choice, but that our financial position would never increase if we stayed in UT. So we chose what we wanted and felt good about both. We didn't mention it and it happened so fast because they needed someone to fill the position quickly, but we only found out about a week before the move. We had been anticipating getting the job, though, so we knew it was coming for about a month.

Doug now works for the same company as my sister-in-law as a technician for mail equipment. He really loves it and I think it will be really good for us in the long run. My parents are still down here for the time being as is Kacey and Aaron and Kristen Lee. We are eager to make some new friends especially for Weston, however, we love having aunts, uncles and grandparents around all the time. According to Weston, "Grandma is a nice lady," so he loves it the most. Plus, I love seeing the blue sky almost every day!! For those of you who don't know Albuquerque very well, it is super dry, but not hot like AZ. Most people do associate it with that type of weather, but it does not get nearly as cold or as hot as UT. The average temp is 70 degrees! You can't beat that!

Lots of changes in our lives and we are excited and loving our little family. Hope all is well with you and yours... enjoy these pictures! More to come!

Life and all that it includes lately

As far as all these pictures, some are self-explanatory, but as is with all holiday seasons, I don't have much time to rearrange so I'll just post. Weston LOVES his Grinch shirt. He would wear it everyday if he could. He was super hyper one day and tore off his shirt. Since he has no bum, his pants frequently fall off. I told him to pull up his pants...so he did :)

He saw Santa on Saturday with his friend Audrey and it was like America's funniest home videos with the one child much louder than all the rest: "It's Santa! Santa! Where's my dinosaur?!" I've been getting the question a lot lately, "Is he always like this?" Hmmm...yes. He talks your ear off if he feels comfortable, but he can be a little shy. I wanted to put the last three halloweens for Weston. His first, he was in the hospital. Second, my little ninja. Third, Dash and this last one, he was a tiger. We went trick or treating last year, but this year tops it all. He tried to make conversation with everyone and next year, I vow to take my video camera as with Santa, too.

So here is the update on our lives. We had a good Thanksgiving at my Aunt and Uncle's house. I took a little spill on their steps and a few days later had some bleeding. I went in for an ultrasound and everything is A-OK - except they thought it was a girl for a minute. Imagine my dismay, when something decided to show its ugly head to confirm it was another boy :) Feeling good in pregnancy except ever since about week 20, the days and weeks seem to be going by in slow motion.

Possible baby names: I hesitate to share with you because it is rare that Doug and I agree on names and I do not want to confuse you that your opinion actually makes a difference :) My top 2 names are strongly vetoed by a certain husband (Theodore/Theo and Brooks). Doug's top name is last on my list (Van, short for Donovan), but still on my list nonetheless. We do have 3 names we agree on: Trace (#1), Kipton (yes, from the Bachelorette) and Shannon. Trace is number one, but we don't really have a middle name set because I don't like single syllable first names with single syllable middle names, make sense? Kipton, I love love love and it would be Kipton Paul (my dad's name), which I think just sounds fantastic. However, I do NOT like that Kipton sounds so similar to Weston. If I had a child in between the 2, I would not mind so much, but whatever.

Gluten-free update: Weston is doing really well on the gluten-free diet. He is a true trooper and goes along with everything I say he can or can't eat. He is so smart. I cannot even begin to tell you. He has been giving himself his medicines out of the syringes himself for a while now. However, now it is, "What's this medicine called, mom?" I say, "It's prograf or propanolol" whatever the case may be. AND NOW... it's "What's this medicine called, mom?" prograf "What does it help me do?" it helps keep your liver healthy. "And where is my liver?" etc. etc. There is no end to his questioning until I say that's enough. When we had cookies with Santa, I just asked for a little bowl of frosting instead of the cookie lol! He took a couple spoonfuls like it was ice cream and called it good. He probably had less frosting than the other kids did on their cookie and he didn't feel left out at all.

We had labs done this morning and as I walked into Primary Children's and saw West's excitement to all the Christmas trees decorated, I was so overwhelmed with gratitude. I remember being snowed in at the hospital and all we have been through and how grateful I am for Weston and his endurance in this life. We went and had labs, which he seemed especially upset about and, as a result, so was I. We both had breakdowns, but mine lasted much longer.

We have been very crafty lately. Weston has been making Christmas cards and ornaments, frosting gluten-free sugar cookies (which are, let's face it, basically an edible plate for frosting), finger-painting (which apparently is just painting because a certain toddler does not like anything on his hands), etc.

Excuse my complaining...

Well, I've been meaning to blog for quite some time, as always. I had an experience yesterday from a wonderful friend that is so worth blogging about...

First things first, yes! We are pregnant with little boy #2! We are slightly disappointed no girly girl is coming and it is still beyond my comprehension to imagine my family with 2 little boys! However, we are so excited nonetheless. I have several friends who have 2 boys and several friends who have just entered the 2 kids world that I am learning lots from, except for what to name this little guy.

Pregnancy #1(West): 1st trimester = exhausted. I could have slept 24 hours a day and still been tired. 2nd Trimester= nausea. I only threw up a few times. 3rd Trimester = my honeymoon trimester. I felt awesome and enjoyed spinning to get rid of some of my water. My torso is so long that my stomach doesn't project outwards as much as you other ladies. Don't envy me, my behind and hips pack on the excess, but it does make for a more comfy trimester. However, during the 3rd trimester, I was terrified to let that baby come out.

Pregnancy #2 (boy, name TBD): 1st trimester: exhausted and puking. 2nd trimester: still puking! I finally went on a prescription because I just could not handle how much I was throwing up. Somehow with this baby, though, we are so much more excited because we have little Weston to show what we could possibly have at the end of this pregnancy. Baby #2 is growing right on track and I have a wonderful Dr. this time. With West, my placenta was calcified. That means the placenta stopped giving him nutrients and acted as if I was really overdue when I was actually induced a week early. So we will be doing extra ultrasounds and stress tests throughout the last trimester. I am 20 weeks and my stomach isn't as big as it was with West, however, still gaining everywhere else, yippee. But I'm not nearly as emotional or depressed as I was with Weston and it seems to be flying by! I am due March 12.

Now onto not so fun news to explain why I have been complaining via facebook about the gluten-free diet. I mentioned how Weston was getting tested for Celiac Disease, which is where your body cannot process gluten. I really doubted he had it, but his blood test came back "elevated". The NP said since his white count is so low they cannot do a biopsy to officially diagnose the disease, but would like me to put him on a gluten-free diet for the next 2.5 months until his next appointment to see how his growth will or will not change. So I thought it would take me a full week to get my act together, but we are already in full swing gluten-free. It bites. I spent a long Wednesday morning spending money we don't have at the grocery store purchasing the gluten-free meal plan I created. It takes a lot more planning to plan not just dinners, but also breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I spent all of yesterday cleaning dishes and recleaning them as I cooked and prepped many gluten-free ideas.

Excuse my impatience for those people who say, it's not so bad, bla bla bla...The NP who called, having no kids of her own, said it perfectly as she overheard my stifling sniffles, "I know this is the last thing you wanted to hear and deal with on top of all of his other medical problems." I wanted to hug her to thank her for knowing exactly what I have been thinking.

Grateful for my family: Growing up, I had the kind of mom who knew how to handle every one of my life's minuscule problems. She still does. However, she now has raised me to be able to handle these things on my own. She hasn't given me much advice and has been out of town here and there so I have been dying to talk to her. However, she comforts and listens and supports and gives my the spiritual direction I sometimes lack. I have felt her guidance without talking to her this week that she raised me to be a half, poor version of her :) I can't believe how quickly I have gotten my information together without even attending the nutrition classes yet and I believe that is her example and preparation and of course of lot of Heavenly help.

I also have the best siblings in the world. Many people might think 6 kids are too many, but they are my absolute best friends and I am grateful to parents for giving me them to continually listen to me complain!

Grateful for my friends: I had a friend immediately call me when she found out on fb about the issues. Yesterday, West saw another friend and her daughter walk by so he was already halfway out the door to say hi. I was completely embarrassed by my appearance and just really worn out. I was wearing sweats and hadn't even combed my hair that day. I insisted to her that I had showered and to excuse my appearance, being covered in dough and other cooking messes. She caught me at a weak, exhausted moment as I began to cry and tell her my frustrations. She hugged me and was so sweet, of course. Then I tried to get Weston to eat leftovers from our gluten-free meal 2 nights ago (spaghetti squash, quinoa meatballs, and homemade marinara), but he refused since he declared the first time he encountered it that "This all looks really yucky." Get used to it buddy. So he had an omelet and green beans :) Doug came home and somehow the tears surfaced again as I apologized for the mess even though I really had been cleaning up after myself and Weston all day. He hugged me and told me not to worry about it because that's the kind of husband he is. Weston thinks it's a game when I try to get hugs from him, and, thus, now refuses to do so. When he saw I was crying though, he made me come over and receive a hug, because that's the kind of kid he is.

As I prepped myself in the mirror for a leadership meeting, Weston was on the toilet (YES! He's finally potty trained!! Despite all the digestive problems!) and he poked his head out and smiled at me. I laughed and he said, "You're not sad anymore?" I told him no because he had given me a hug and those always make me happy.

Then the doorbell rang. We opened the door and my sweet friend (I just know it was her) had gone straight to the store and left 2 bags full of gluten-free treats, breads, mixes, cereal, etc. Oh the tears really started to flow then!!

I know all this gluten-free stuff isn't so bad, it is just super overwhelming especially to a pregnant lady who hasn't felt like cooking for the last 4.5 months. My attitude is still struggling, but I am surrounded by wonderful people in family and friends and could not ask for a better life in all reality.

Now if you didn't read over any of this or if you did, congrats! - But here are some pics from the last few months highlighting my cute family.

Awesome Art Project

This is my new fave thing to do with West when he wakes up from his nap. You HAVE to try it!!!

Instructions can be found on Our Best Bites. Here is the post I found it on. All you need is milk, food coloring, dish soap, and toothpicks.

Cool Liver Info

I went to West's check up today at the Liver Clinic. Nothing much up, just scaring me into taking care of him better (even though he hasn't been sick for a looong time now - thought I was doing pretty good) and watching for bleeds since his white count is low. He tested positive for EBV, which basically is a virus that effects his white count. If he has a severe bleed, he could be in trouble getting the white cells in quick enough before he loses too many, etc. I get made fun of or get people upset around me as I am probably the epitome of a hovering mother. I wish they had to go to my appointments with me and receive the guilt trip I do - even though it seems like a world record that we've only had one hospital stay at all since West's transplant.

Anyways, I came in contact with a girl from California who had a daughter with Biliary Atresia, the liver disease that West was born with. I told Dr. Book and the nurse about it and what a neat experience it was to get to talk to her. Then she gave me this Utah liver blog and I checked it out. It seems like they have such a great support group now and I never really had anyone to talk to!! It is so surreal to have people describe the exact feelings using sometimes the exact words I have used for the anxiety that I still suffer from. A lot of which I felt while reading some of the blogs and reading this article that I had friends tell me about also that was in the Deseret news (for clarification - I had much criticism and shock at their DNR, but I discovered after reading their blog that she was asleep for a month when they had the bleed before).

I also thought this was amazing/ridiculous. I apologize if this completely grosses you out, but I was fascinated and had to share. It is a picture of the little girl in the article's scarred, diseased liver. It is green because of all the bile build-up.



I know it has been forever since I have blogged. I have had plenty to blog about, but lack the motivation to get back into the blogging world. Maybe this will launch us back into that world, who knows?

We have some really exciting news to share soon...but in the mean time, keep us in your prayers...Weston is being tested for Celiac Disease next week. I really don't think he has it, but of course there is a permanent paranoia that exists at the possibility of it coming back positive. Especially since they took part of his intestine to create his bile duct - that influences his digestive system also. There are already so many foods he can't have - beans (like kidney, black beans), corn, oranges (any kind), grapefruit, blueberries, grapes, peas, raisins, and dried fruits and anything else that might cause his diarrhea to flare up. I have recently discovered a new one to add to that list - yogurt. You'd be surprised at how just knowing you can't have it in the house makes you want it that much more.

However, I have to laugh when we are in the produce department at the grocery store and West says in a toddler's loud voice: "Hey mommy, this is an orange!"
"Yes, honey, it is. Good job."
"We can't have those, they make you poopy!"
"Yes, honey. Good job."

Here we are

So I thought instead of trying to catch up on all the happenings, that I would go backwards and start with the most recent.

Thanksgiving, we went toCalifornia and visited with Doug's family for the week. It was so nice to go after knowing Doug would soon be employed by Wells Fargo as personal banker!!! We are so blessed and it is such a huge relief to have this out of the way. Now for me, I have to try to pass my MT exam again. I get 3 times to pass and have 2 attempts left - I definitely underestimated how difficult it was so hopefully, the next time around will be better. For clarification, I passed the objective part with flying colors, but the subjective is very difficult. So good luck to me. Doug is almost done with all his finals and did really well in all of his classes.

Weston is speaking all the time - jibber jabbering away. He has this high-pitched voice that gets him a lot of attention.

Here are a few pics from our trip to Cali - We went to the Zoo, the aquarium, thebeach, etc. My favorite was when we saw seals at the beach. West had never seen or learned about seals. We taught him how they barked and he kept putting his hand behind his ear like an old man and saying, "Say again?" Hilarious.

I'm sorry, but that first picture just shows me that I have the all-time cutest boy ever (minus the bruised teeth). Yes he bruised his teeth, we need to get him to the dentist to get checked out because they are really yellow/green.We used to have a dentist in our ward before West even had teeth and he told us to watch for that because of the jaundice from the liver problems, the teeth can sometimes get that way.

Weston with Grandpa Mausser and an otter and with Uncle Grrrrant.

Anyways, we did so many fun things this fall having Doug home. My days seem so much longer without him home, but I do get so much more done (sorry, babe, it's the truth.)

We went to Wheeler Farm with some friends and went on a hayride and picked out a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. We went to Gardner Village with Grandma Mausser and visited the petting zoo. We laughed so hard as West was not afraid at all of the animals. He would put his hand under the goat's chin and pull the goat's face

up to his face to look at him. More to come because surely you have to see the incredible DASH!

La la la

One of these days - I will do more to my blog than just change the background :) Doug got a job!!!

That's all for now - sorry today is not that day :) Maybe tomorrow.

Update without pics

I know - it's no fun, but it's all I have time for. I have been waiting for weeks to be able to put this background up!!! Does this mean I can buy the candy pumpkins? or candy corn? Please, Doug? I don't even care if I eat it, I just want it on my table. Weston wants to be Dash for Halloween and it makes me feel good every time I say to Weston that I'm going running, he replies, "Fast like Dash?" Yes, you smart boy, I am as fast as Dash :)

Other cute things West says lately: "I do!" It just means yes really, but I think it's funny. Also we went up and had a picnic at Brighton last week and we had just watched the movie Brother Bear, which takes place in Canada. West is sitting on Doug's shoulders and says, "Where's the bears, eh?"

Also hilarious: When Doug took him to the grocery store and West really freaked him out by counting. Doug knew he could count to ten, but then he kept going and counted to 20. Doug comes home, "Where did he learn to count to 20?! He all the sudden just kept counting, 'eleben, twelb, thirteen, porteen, pipteen...'" My little boy genius. I just thought I need to keep documenting all the funny things he says so I can remember forever...

Not hilarious: Doug taking Mooja and West outside and Mooja lifting his leg and peeing on Weston's legs. The look on West's face: I really don't think I liked that.

We're still kickin'

Hellooooo - I know I am world's worst blogger. We are in the middle of switching computers and I am finishing med transcription certification still. But we're still alive and kicking....with these new kicks that we got for Weston yesterday. He's not a baby anymore (sniff). He looks so grown up in them!










We are still unemployed all 3 of us, Weston informed me yesterday. Last night, he sat on my lap and said, "I'm going potty." This was just after I changed his diaper and I looked down and he had gone pee in his diaper. I said, "Now, I know you know how to go potty. You just need to go potty IN the potty so we can stop buying diapers. It will save us a lot of money. Because Daddy doesn't have a job and mommy doesn't have a job." He chimed in, "And Wennon no job." Wennon or Weddon is how he says his own name. He knows whats up, just doesn't care because he is happy we are all home together! Well as soon I am certified within the next few months - fingers crossed - you'll hear more from us! Here is a recent pic Carol, my mother-in-law took when we went to Disneyland (and had the time of our lives!) last month.










Also, in other great news - West had his first immunizations since he was 2 months. We have a lot of catching up ahead still and with still the possibility of a stent or a shunt to help redirect the blood flow sometime this year - we hope since we already have hit our max out of pocket for the year. He has a cold right now and so I am trying to pump him full of juice. We were both sitting outside drinking Capri Suns. I said, "Hey! You drank all my Capri Sun!" He replied, "It's okay, Mommy, because I'm sick." Smarty pants - we love him.

P.S. The Juicy Lucys were the best homemade burger I have ever had. Don't worry we didn't eat all day until we had dinner :)

Juicy Lucy

Aaron got us hooked on the show Man vs. Food on the travel channel. It is awesome! Well, Doug and I have been on a really big health kick this summer. We haven't had a free day in a while so we decided for Doug's birthday, we would take a break and indulge on this. We're going to attempt to make our own. Basically, it is two patties with cheese in the middle. The picture doesn't make it look nearly as good as it did on the show. Anyways, we'll let you know how it goes :)

I know, we're disgusting...but I'm pretty sure the last cheeseburger I had was on Mother's Day. That makes me sad. I deserve better and the Juicy Lucy is going to take care of that for me.

ALB Zoo

We have had 2 trips to Albuquerque, NM to spend time at the pool and BBQing and just having a blast. Our first trip was in May for Doug's and mine 5th anniversary (still going strong) and Mother's Day (Thanks for the Chi, Doug! Maybe it would prove more useful if I did my hair more than once or twice a week.)

Anyways, one of the funnest things we did on that trip was go the Alb Zoo. It was absolutely amazing and Weston L-O-V-E-D it - as you will be able to interpret from the following pictures.
Weston, here, is trying to talk to the girl next to him. Such a social little bug.










Weston & "Gnama" (the g is silent, so it is pronounced "Nama"). It is so fun now that Weston can remember all his aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. However, it makes prayers really long having to bless everyone separately (Uncle Aaron). And he knows when we forget and lets us know.




Nice shirts Grandma and Weston!



I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it.....


















And Weston's hat that he would insist on wearing everyday if I didn't hide it. It's the only item of clothing Doug has ever insisted on buying for Weston.












Just one part of one trip for you all to enjoy ...

Alright, alright, alright

So it has been a CRAZY summer to say the least. Wow, we have had so much fun with family and friends. I will be jumping around quite a bit in my posts for the next little while as I have a lot of picture catching up to do. We have taken 2 trips to Albuquerque, NM to spend time with my family. We celebrated Weston turning 2! I can't even believe he is two. It rained for 27 days out of the whole month of June which matched some of the news we received this summer.

We loved going up to see family up in Spokane, WA, but did not love the reason we were there. We attended my Grandpa Briggs's funeral and it was so nice to celebrate and remember him and testify of the knowledge we have that we can all return to our Father in Heaven someday. We love you Grandma Briggs and wish we could come see you more!!

The most recent news that has hit us was what I was being so vague about in our last post. I wasn't ready to talk about it because it has hit us pretty hard. I'm sure many in the SLC area have heard about Beneficial Financial Group closing down and leaving Doug jobless at the end of August. We are nervous, scared, and relying a lot on our families and each other for faith. It is scary, we just hope that Doug can find something even better! I'm sure he will wipe the competition out there - he is so great! The best part is that I found out on Facebook, of all places! I texted Doug that I read an article and that he needed to call me ASAP and he filled me in. It was quite humorous how I found out. Not that funny, though, I guess :)

So with that, we will try and get caught up on our lives. For as many hardships we encountered this summer, we have had just as much fun swimming and playing with family and friends and we want to share that with you also!

Weston helped me make his cupcakes and car cakes for his birthday:

He also helped destroy them:
He shoved his fist into them, you can see the blue one is propped up in the front. I cried. Yes, I cried over cake. Mooja ate the first one I did, which looked amazing and took me only one try! The next 3 days, I spent tirelessly baking and decorating only to have Weston shove his fists into each cake the night before. It hurts just thinking about it. We had a really fun swimming party for him and he received a lot of great gifts surrounding all the manly subjects: cars, cars, oh yeah, and tools. Maybe by age 3, I will forget the stress and work that went into even this small party and want to do another one :)









More to come soon!

Lately

Oh sheesh, I know it has been forever. The problem is our ancient mac computer, which I use for all my pics, died. I just don't see much of a point in posting unless I can brag about how cute my little boy is! I also have been unable to locate the software for my camera to download it to our PC.

I don't have much time right now, but I will try to find that software (yeah, I haven't even really tried). It has been a fun, but really hard summer for us. Weston is healthy so far, but may eventually need a stent put in. He is jibber jabbering away and imitating EVERY word. Yes, that has gotten me into trouble a few times :).

We have had a lot of ups and downs the last few months, which I won't go into detail about yet, as they are still very fresh. Just keep us in your prayers and hopefully you will hear more from us soon.

Happy Father's Day to my dad! We love you so much and just think you are the best! Happy Father's Day to my baby daddy, who is so strong, funny, wonderful, and who becomes better each day that I know him.