Dan's parents lost their house in the tornadoes. (They lived in Pleasant Grove.) As we were sitting watching to storms roll through, they called us to tell us there were some pants and shingles flying above their house. About 4 minutes later, they called again and all I heard was Dan ask "The house is gone?" Then he hung up. Then he said, "The house is gone." I kept waiting for the punch line. After a few seconds that seemed like an eternity, I knew there was no punch line. The house was gone.
We now have some live-in in-laws...I was wondering if there were any good comedy flicks to prime me for this adventure. ;-) On a serious note, we are just so happy they were safe. Other houses on their street were completely leveled. Most of their closets remained intact, allowing them to salvage quite a bit of their possessions. You could argue life couldn't get much worse, but for some reason I just feel blessed. Blessed to have them safe and sound!

Danslen Jane arrived Thursday afternoon at 1:35 pm. Getting to 10cm was a lot faster this time, but Danslen took a much slower ride through the ol' canal. She weighed 9 lb. 1 oz. Despite her larger size, my recovery has been easier this time. I've been much less sore and able to do a lot more. I have to remind myself to take it easy.
My milk hasn't come in yet so I'm struggling to provide Danslen with the nutrition she needs. We are using formula but she seems to spit it up. She has yet to spit up what milk I do have, so that just confirms that my milk is the best food for her. She is such a little cuddle bug and since I understand how fast this goes by, I spend extra time holding her and cudding with her. If I could freeze my life right now....I think I just might! Danslen is sleeping good. We've only woke up one time for both of the first two nights. I know this can still go the other way so I'll be careful bragging on her. :-)
Daniley isn't all that interested in Danslen, although she tried to give her a cup of water last night (ie. pour it on her, lol), when I said no she went and got a bottle of water and tried to offer her that. I still said no. She gave up. When I ask her if she wants to kiss her or hold her, she just says "no thanks." We aren't forcing them on each other..I think that would be regrettable.
I don't have any really great pictures yet but our newborn photo shoot is Wednesday. Hopefully not long afterwards I can ooh and ahh you. :-)

Well...here we are. This pregnancy has flown by. I can't believe it's actually time to deliver. I am so glad it went by fast. My only regret is that I haven't been able to play with Daniley as much as I would have liked. I like to be in the floor with her, or on the slides with her, or in the trees with her, and flying her through the air. Those things I have been unable to do.
I wanted to post one last picture of me before delivery. Here it is.Mentally, I am totally unprepared for another baby. When you already have one, it's hard to focus on another one, because the first one uses every bit of attention and energy you have available. However I'm not nervous about a second baby. I know I'll handle it just fine. I might get less accomplished, but we'll have no less fun in a day! I look forward to taking both of my babies out to paint the town....Life is going to get crazy, but I'm ready for the ride. And that picture I posted...that's exactly how I feel, but might not be exactly how I look!

A couple of weekends ago we attended Family Counts, or "the Fair" as Daniley calls it. Family Counts is an annual event sponsored by my employer for its employees all across the state. This is our second year to attend and it is one of the funnest activities we do all year! You wouldn't believe what all is included...and everything is free. Free food (candied apples, funnel cakes, corn dogs, cotton candy, ice cream, drinks, BBQ, turkey legs, everything standard at a fair!!), free carvinal games--free prizes included, free rides, concerts, reptile and magic shows, safety demonstrations, train rides, pony rides, on and on......

I am grateful to work for a company that values family!

For whatever reason I just looked at these pictures and DIED out laughing. (I think it was the look on Dan's face that got me!) Daniley took both of these. That means, stand back 6 feet, hold the camera correctly, get us in the screen, and snap the button. Not too bad!
Afterall she has natural talent....4 of her grandies and her Dad all have photography running through their blood!

"MOM I FOUND SOME STICKERS!!!!!!" as she came out of the bathroom. A couple minutes later, we saw this.There's lots of drama around this fish tank. She is still telling me she ate Daddy's fish. Same story..."I chewed him up and swallowed him." hahaha.

Our first really bloody injury....Daniley was running into the bathroom at Target when her shoe/toe caught the floor (and leather shoes don't give)! She fell down and her head hit the corner of a steel door frame. She SCREAMED. Then she BLED. And I mean BLED. It filled up two napkins. We weren't sure if she needed stitches but we decided we'd try to get by without them. Everything has healed up nicely now.