A Purple Mouth, A Fun Hat, and A Train Ride

Life goes on here at our house. We've had a great time the last week. The first big event was that Jack's thrush came back, and was passed on to me. Which means, Jack had to be seen in public with a big purple smile. (I don't think he was too embarrassed.) And I had to take some more medicine, thank goodness it doesn't turn any part of me purple.






A couple of days later, we were all healthy enough to join all of Jason's family (only missing a few for health and distance reasons) in Williams AZ where we got to ride on the Polar Express to the North Pole.


This was our first time going with the family (yes, we were Polar Express virgins) and had no idea what to expect as far as weather, and waiting outside. Needless to say, it was freezing (but not as cold as last year, we heard) and we had to wait outside for a bit. We didn't quite pack enough warm clothes for Kimball, but Jason's family came to our rescue. Kimball borrowed Kinsey's jacket (thanks Katrina!) and someone's hat and a pair of gloves from the Edwards family (thanks Kristen!). And this is the result. We had a great time! Kimball will probably enjoy herself a little more when Santa doesn't freak her out.

For me, I hate to admit that one of the best parts was driving across Hoover Dam and checking out the progress on the bridge that's being built. It's amazing. I can't wait until it's done and we can drive over it because it's so high up!

Oh, I have to show you all that I did manage to get Kimball's hair in pigtails, just for a couple of minutes before she pulled them out.

Post Partum Delights

I've been harassed about not posting for so long, because everyone wants to see new pics. Let me just say that my hiatus has been for good reason. I have been attacked by some crappy post-partum trauma. Between mastitis (aka a boob infection) and Jack getting thrush... now on round 2 life has been an roller coaster of joy and pain. I won't elaborate, because I don't want to whine too much. I'll just add some new pics and show everyone what we've been up to lately.

Kimball likes her new brother for the most part, but has been having to find different activities to keep her busy when her mom and dad are taking care of Jack. Here's what she's been up to...

She learned to multi-task with my cell phone and her vacuum.


Spent halloween with some of her cousins (Thanks Jake and Suz for letting us borrow the costume, and Abe and Kim for hosting a fabulous party.)


Taking out all of the shoes from the basket and finding a new hiding spot.


Playing with her friend/cousin Logan.


And here's Jack, on his blessing day chilling out on his dads chest.
Thanks to everyone that came to his blessing! It was very cool to have all the support, and the biggest blessing circle ever! We love you all.


And not to forget about the Jack... I kinda feel bad that we have more pictures of Kimball, but Jason said it's because he doesn't do anything yet. Kinda true... but you should see how many pictures we have of Kimball "not doing anything." One of the perks of being the oldest, I guess.

Siblings.... A comparison and contrast

Here is a comparison of our two children. No, Jack is not the one in pink. When Jack was first born we thought he looked like Kimball but now, not so much. Here are pictures taken when both children are a couple of days old.

Contrast
Kimball was 6 lbs 10 oz.........................................Jack 7 lbs 12 oz.
Kimball 19 inches long..........................................Jack 20 inches long
Kimball had a receding hair line...........................Jack already donated to locks of love.

Comparison
The one thing they do have in common is their unusually long fingers! If they don't play the piano, at least no one will mistake the bird when they get flipped off.

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.