Adventure is out there

I am happy to report that Casey has accepted a teaching job!! After a long and hard search, Casey was able to obtain a job teaching Social Studies in Challis Idaho.

I am so thrilled that Casey finally gets to be a teacher. We have searched high and low for jobs, and were a bit nervous when school reps kept saying there wasn't much out there for social studies teachers this year; thankfully Casey was lucky enough to get a job.
 Challis is a very small, out in the middle of ? type of town. Challis is known for its outdoor recreation of fishing, hunting, hiking, etc.
Now it's time to think about moving, and other decisions for our little family.
This will be an interesting year; time to live by the moto - "Adventure is out there"!

Growing

Pete is two weeks old today. He is growing well; he now weighs 8 lbs 1 oz. (50th %). It feels like Kendal has grown a lot too, but that's probably because we are comparing her to little Pete. Kendal has done very well adjusting to her little brother. She is helpful (as helpful as a two yr old can get), and sweet to her little brother. She wakes up asking where he is and what's he doing. She is always wanting to know what's going on and what we're doing. Everyone who comes over has to see Kendal's new bed (she loves showing off the fact that she's in a big bed, and she helped paint the bed). I have been on the mend, and am doing pretty well so far; thankfully Casey has been very helpful and so good with the kids and my roller coaster emotions. Pete has been a sleeper from day one. He can even sleep through his sister and all of her noise (i would call that a miracle). I would love it if it didn't affect his feedings. He tends to eat well for part of his feeding then he dozes off, and we have to agitate him or change his diaper to wake him back up. The last couple of night's he's started to sleep for longer periods of time (about 5 hours at a time), so finger's crossed i can start getting a bit better sleep. Just like Kendal was as a baby, Pete is a relaxed little guy, he's only worked up when he's hungry, and isn't a big crier. I've been grateful to have Casey at home the last couple of weeks, i know i can manage with two kids, but it's been nice while I've been recovering to have him here.

Pictures below: Kendal talking to Pete during tummy time -  Pete chillin w/ Daddy -  Pete's wet / curly hair -  first family walk (very short because i was in pain) -  Kendal at the local splash pad -  Pete awake!

For Pete Squeaks

After weeks three weeks of my doctor going back and forth on his recommendation of a c-section or v-bac it was decided that we would end up with a c-section at my appointment this past Wednesday. It just so happened that the next available time to have a c-section was the next day at noon, (the same day i would've been induced if i'd had a v-bac). (I was less than thrilled at the prospect of a c-section; not only is it major surgery, but i have a month and a half of painful recovery with an active toddler, and a newborn). Thursday morning i had major abdominal cramps; it made me worried but more annoyed because i was going in for a c-section. We dropped off Kendal with my Mom and sister (p.s. thanks for watching her so much it was a big blessing!).  I got prepped and what seemed like a very short time later Peter Kenneth Darrington joined us at 12:39 pm. He weighed in at 7 lb 10 oz, and stretched out to 20 in. in length. My doctor and the staff on hand were wonderful through the whole thing, i felt a lot less anxious this time around. Pete came into the world bright pink and crying (cried way more than Kendal did). Once he fully got his lungs tested out he was a content little guy (and has been pretty much ever since). Casey, Kendal and i were all baldy little babies, so it surprised us to have Pete come out with a full head of dark long hair. It's cute hair though! Casey and i got to enjoy Pete for a bit, then Kendal came with my mom and sister to meet Pete. Kendal is in love with her brother. She constantly wants to know where he is, what he's doing, and what the nurses / others were doing with him. She's given him loads of kisses and loves, and enjoys hovering around him to see what he's doing. I had some : { side effects from the c-section; but once those passed i've been doing better. I still have a road ahead of me on healing, but i have a couple of sweet distractions to help me along. Pete is doing very well, he's been a healthy and good little boy since he was born. My only issue is that it's been hard to feed him well because he is such a sleepy eater. Pete doesn't cry a lot (yet); he has made some very cute squeaks though.
I have a saying i've said for years "for Pete Squeaks" i use it like i would the phrase "for goodness sakes"- I think if fits well with this post!

We are so in love with our little Pete!

For "Pete" Sakes

Peter  Darrington joined our family this Thursday, 6/21/12. He is pretty much awesome! He weighed 7lbs 10oz, 20" long, and has all his fingers and toes. The nurses kept saying they couldn't help but call him beautiful, but hey, he is our kid, what do you expect? Marianne is doing fine, but the c-section recovery is never very nice. Sorry this is so short. I (Casey) am not usually full of words though. More details and pictures will shortly follow! Wish us luck!

Happy Father's Day!

I am so happy to have some very wonderful Dad's in my life. My Dad; the wonderful man who helped raise me, supports, and loves me and my family! My Dad-in-law; an awesome man who raised one heck of a family, and loves and cares so much about us. I am also blessed to have my sweetheart Casey who is a fantsmic father to Kendal, and is so excited to welcome baby Pete soon. I also have many wonderful family members who are dads (Shout out to my papa, brother, and brother-in-laws > You are all super dads!) I am so appreciative of the father's in my life, not only are they all great examples; they are all so loving and care so much about their kids.

Makes my heart melt to have such fine men in my life.

Love you all!

Wedding bliss / blisters

Congratulations David and Anica!

Yesterday we got to see my brother David and his new bride Anica get married. Kendal loved getting to go see the temple and "princess Anica".  Kendal got to play around the temple with her cousin Campbell while we were at the sealing. If you ask both Kendal and Campbell who their favorite is, David or Anica they usually say Anica. We followed the sealing with a yummy luncheon, and then later headed up to Preston for the reception. It was a day packed full of happiness and memories. Kendal was a social butterfly the whole day; everyone she met became a friend / playmate. She had far too many sweets (can't really help that at a wedding though ;D ). Thankfully we forced a nap in the middle of everything so Kendal was in a happy mood the whole day. She loved being at the party for David and Anica.  Anica is a fantastic girl, and we're happy to have her as a part of the family!
It was a great day full of happiness, family, food, and unfortunately some hurt feet (Kendal and i got blisters from our new shoes; beauty is pain right).

Here are some memories from the wedding

David and Anica's wedding - slide show

Just like my previous slide shows, you have to click on David and Anica's wedding below the slide show to open up a new page and fully view the pictures.

Stats

Kendal and Casey joined me for my doctor's appointment today. Things are looking fine (as usual). We will find out in a couple of weeks whether or not i'll have to have another c-section or if i will try for a vbac this time around. Kendal was asking question upon question at the doctors office; she's so cute and inquisitive about what's going on with mommy and her brother. I've got just under a month and a half till the little guy is due!
While waiting at the doctors we decided to get some stats for Kendal. At 2 1/2 Kendal weighs in at 26 pounds and is just above 35 inches tall. : )