10-9-8

Who says you can't plan the day you go into labor. Ever since Jason and I found out that I was prego, Jason has always said that it would be so cool if Jack was born on 10-9-08... just because of the date. I mentioned this to my dr. a couple of months ago... and she thought that was a fabulous date and that she'd help us out with that. Well, needless to say, my dr. was true to her word, and my body being on track... I was 3-4 cm dilated and 80% effaced when she irritated my cerix the day before...
AND so *drum roll please* at 5:48am on 10/9/08, Jack Herschel Hafen made his grand debut into this world. He was 7 lbs. 12 oz. (at 2 and 1/2 weeks early) and 20 inches long. Labor didn't last too long, even though I stalled out at 6 cm. dilated for almost 2 hours, but after 45 mins of walking around, Jack decided to get here. It was a long night for me, Jason and my mom, who both took turns walking the hospital halls with me.





We can't believe how much black hair this little boy has. He was posterior during labor, but flipped just before he was delivered. I think he wanted to show-off his fro first. He also has the longest fingers we've ever seen. We think they're longer than Kimball's when she was born.

Here's our new family picture. All of a sudden, Kimball seems so big and so old.

Here's Kimball, still figuring who's who.

You know you're a parent when...

You're kid can puke on you (real puke, not just a little spit up) and you don't hesitate to comfort them even though they smell as gross as can be. On Friday night, I thought I heard Kimball cry. So I go upstairs to check on her, and before I could even turn on the light... I smelt it. I found her sitting up in her crib with her hair plastered to her head w/ puke, and the nastiest puke all over her blanket, pajamas and crib (she had had a lot of grapes that day...so needless to say there were a lot of chunks). She just looked at me and started to cry. It was so sad. I called for Jason (because this needed to be a team effort), and we got her undressed, and he hopped in the shower with her. That was to begin 3 hours of her puking on and off every 20 mins or so. She was happy in between the puke time (just happy to be up late playing w/ mom and dad)... but when puke time came, she was so sad. It's so hard to watch your kid be hurting, not be able to fix it. Well, she got over it by that night, and crashed on my lap around 1 a.m.

Unfortunately, this lovely little stomach bug hit me on Sunday afternoon as we were headed to Ben and Emily's house for dinner. Thanks for the shorts Ben! I hope you guys stay healthy. So far, Jason hasn't had any real issues, he claims it's the preventive measures with healthy doses of Pepto.




Kimball feeling much better. Lately, she's been climbing into everything she can... any size basket.




Also, the update on Jack is that he might make his mom happy and come just a little early (not too early, just enough). I saw my Dr. on Friday at 35 and 1/2 weeks, and she said I'm dilated to 3 cm, but by her standards that means I'm probably a 1 and 1/2 or 2. But, I'm not really effaced. So, Jason still hoping for 10/9/08, I don't care, just as long as he's healthy. I have another appointment on Friday, and will find out more than. And, I'm still refusing to make a decision about pain meds or not. I'm hoping to labor at home long enough to get to the hospital and not have time to get any meds. So, we'll see if I'm brave enough or not.

Food, Fun, Not going into Labor, and Mickey Mouse Ears

For all you stalkers...sorry it's been so long. Blogger wasn't letting me upload any pics, and I'm not a fan of posts w/o pics... so you all had to wait and suffer until I could get these pics on the pages.

Yes, Disneyland is still a great place, even being as big and as pregnant(almost 9 mos) as I am. Last year, Jason and I purchased season passes to "the Happiest Place on Earth" which expired on Sunday. So, we decided to get one last trip in before they were null and void, and also before little Jack makes his grand debut into this world.

It was quite a relaxing time, as Jason and I stopped asking each other "what do you want to DO next", and started asking "what do you want to EAT next?" We ate to our hearts content... everything from ice cream, churros (a must have), cookies, sandwiches, chocolate covered frozen bananas. Kimball even got to sample a few.


Between all the snack times, we did manage to make it on to a couple of rides. We went on Alice and Wonderland (hadn't been on since I was a little), PeterPan (the coolest ride in storybook land), and even made it on to Storybook Land boat ride (the very random one that goes through the whales' mouth). We took Kimball into Toonland, where we found a little play area for her to run around in... she wasn't diggin her stroller this trip. She managed to find the one little spray of water in the whole park to dip her face in.

One of the best part of this whole trip was group of special needs people (as I lovingly refer to as Speds) dancing in very bright shiny costumes. I am not saying this to make fun, they really were the cutest group of people I've ever seen. A couple of them could dance much better than I ever could. We watched as they did a couple of dances to Back Street Boys and a random country song. I wish I had gotten a picture of them. Makes me appreciate how special they are, and the people that work with them.

One more pic of Jason and Kimball with their special "Year of a Million Dreams" Ears we got for free just for being in the right place at the right time. They actually say "congratulations... you're a winner," when they hand them to you. I felt so special.

It was a great time. We will miss Disneyland until we decide to get passes again. They were definitely worth every penny!

And, one last video because I haven't posted in so long. Our daughter is quite the fish and dunks her own face in the water in the tub. Of course she stops as soon as she realizes I'm filming her. But you get the idea. She misses the swimming pools lots. And, thanks to my handy husband that got the hot water to work again in our tub.

Swiss Days, Rainy Days, and Music Days

Swiss Days or as I call it "The other happiest place on Earth" has come and gone. Many of you have heard me talk about this crazy giant craft fair that happens every year in Midway UT. Going to this fair is probably one of my earliest memories. The scones, rubber band guns, awesome paintings and other crafty art are just apart of the nostalgia for me. Well this year, my parents were selected to be a part of the prestigious Midway Booster club, this is the Booster's booth they got to work in, (yes, someone made my dad wear this hat) which means the get to help and have an inside scoop of Midway business. Very big deal for Midway, I assure you. Anyways, believe it or not, Jason and I actually walked away this year without a single purchase. Jason called it a Swiss Days Miracle. I was almost sad, but I did find some cute phrase that I can do in vinyl. My favorite was for Christmas that said, "Are you part of the inn-crowd, or one of the stable few" and had cute stick figures of Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus in front of a stable. I thought it was very clever.


Aside from all of the fun of Swiss Days, the weather was beautiful, and the company was awesome. We got to hang out with all of my sisters (even Sam who lives in Texas) and spouses, and my brother and his wife. We all played volleyball as much as we could in the backyard. Part of the fantastic weather was a rainy day or two. Kimball was amazed by it... especially being the desert rat that she is. Here she is standing with Jason in the rain. She cried when we made her come back in. She would've stayed outside all day, every day come rain or shine if we'd have let her.



Now we're home and Kimball is back to doing the same old things. Well, almost. She decided to show us her new Piano/Singing skills (not to be compared to her numb-chuck and bow-staff skills).


Someone asked why I'm not many of the pics, and I have to admit that I like to be behind the camera more than in front of it, especially being as pregnant as I am. So here's a pregnancy update...(just for you Carolyn)... I'm feeling good, but big. Jack is constantly proving that he is already stronger than Kimball (and very much a boy) by punching me and kicking me all day long. I only have about 6 more weeks to go, but if Jack follows in Kimballs footsteps, it will be more like 4 weeks to go. So, let the count down begin. Now, what the heck am I going to do w/ 2 kids 15 mos apart? Insanity is a happy place... or so I'll find out.

Final Pool Day

I can't believe how fast this summer has flown by. The only reason that I can tell that it's ending is because our favorite outdoor swimming pool (BMAC) is closing for the season. We did get one last swim in, thanks to our cousins AK and Carolyn, and Jessie and Mark. They rented out BMAC to celebrate their kids, Logan and Jensyn's birthdays. It was fabulous. THANKS! Since we are all long time city of Henderson pool rats... uh, I mean lifeguards, the manager on duty let us get away with some "after-hours" fun. This is what I mean...

Kimball got to go down the slide with Jason. She loved it! We could hear her laughing and squealing all the way down. It has been a great summer at this pool. Here's actual video.

Kimball watching Jensyn and Logan chow down on their cake, but not wanting to get messy again... like we made her on her birthday.











Kimball and her cousin Lacey comparing tans.









Now for the perfect finish to a fantastic summer, we're headed up to Midway UT for Swiss days and some time with a few of the Ashton cousins. After all this, we may have to take another vacation, or just make sure to get a good night sleep.

BIG ACHIEVEMENTS

Some of you may be wondering why Jason's smile is SO big in this picture, especially standing in front of UNLV, where he has been attending school for the last 5 years. Let me explain this weird phenomenon. Just before this picture was taken, Jason had attended his last class and given his last presentations for his masters degree. What, his MASTERS DEGREE? YES!!! Jason is officially done with all of the requirements to receive his Masters of Public Administration. I am so proud of him. He definitely endured through a series of mid-semester crisis, various presentations, a couple all-nighters, lots of papers, group projects, and tons of other homework to earn this achievement. And, all the while giving me (his clingy wife) all the love and devotion that I demand, AND giving his child all the love and attention that she needs. What an amazing man I have married. I truly am a very lucky lady. Now, time for a PhD, you ask? Jason says "not in this decade, but we'll see what the future holds."

Kimball, not wanting to be out done by her father, wanted to demonstrate her own big achievement of the week. Watch and be amazed.


Yes, she can open the doors in our house. Remind me to thank the builder for putting the door handles so low. For her next trick, she's working on the light switches, which are also very low in our house. She amazes us with her new talents.

I don't really have any huge achievements for this week to post about... However, I do think every time I manage to walk up my stairs is pretty notable. But, I'm definitely NOT going to put any videos of me huffing and puffing my pregnant belly up those stinkin' stairs.

Oh, one more. Miracle of miracles. The Hafen family managed to take a family picture today... and (drum roll please) EVERYONE was there. Yes, that is the miracle part. So, without further delay, for your viewing pleasure, I present... The Lowell Hafen Family.

Where No Scissors Have Ever Gone Before

For those that have known me for a while... you may have noticed I don't change my hair much. I can admit that I've always been a little conceited about it. It's long and thick and blonde, and has always been one of my physical traits that I think makes me stand out. I've been thinking of chopping it for quite a while, because it's hot and takes forever to blow dry. As I was debating this yesterday for the millionth time, my awesome husband says "I know you think your hair is your "only beauty" but it's not, so do what you want to do." That is what I needed to hear from him, to help me make a change. So, I did it. I think I cut a good 7-9 inches off. And now for the first time in a VERY long time, my hair now sits on my shoulders. Here's some pics. This post is mostly for my sisters and my mom... they know I've needing a new haircut for the last 10 years or so. Hahaha.

Before and After

After from behind