Dave and Jeni Taylor

Yesterday, November 7, 2016, was Dawson's due date! So I decided it was time to share his unique birth story, but I was exhausted. So I took a nap instead. Yay me! Today I am ready to share!

Waiting for the ambulance just a few minutes after Dawson was born.

Dawson Knight Taylor cane so quick (Mister Impatient) that I still have a hard time believing what actually happened.  First of all, let me tell you that I always deliver my babies early, so that was no surprise. I usually have on and off contractions for weeks or months before the big day. The day before Dawson was born, I had a doctor appointment and was dilated to a 3 and was 80 percent effaced. I knew he was coming soon. I should have just had the doctor admit me to the hospital and break my water. My water has never broken on its own so I was not relying on that to tell me that "labor" has started. Well, I never had another contraction. I woke up at 4:38 a.m. on October 21 and had to go to the bathroom. Normal for a 9 month pregnant mama.  Except I had either bloody show or my mucus plug come out. But I went back to bed. Until I had to go to the bathroom again a few minutes later. This was going on until about 5:00 a.m. when I woke up Dave to tell him we should probably go to the hospital. I was hesitant because I still had NO CONTRACTIONS!  I did head! Then my water broke.  Dave didn't quite believe me when I said the head just came out, so (as he was driving), he reached between my legs and felt the head.  He just kept on driving. As we turned onto the Dry Fork Road, the rest of him came out. No pushing, No contractions. This was about 5:45 a.m. just over an hour from the time I woke up to use the bathroom! By now, there is NO place to pull over. Canyon roads have no shoulders.  I was kinda in shock! It took me a minute to process what had just happened. So Dave calls 911 as I pull my pants down and pick up the baby. He was perfect! Except he did not cry and I did not have anything to suck the mucus out of his mouth and nose. Finally, Dave was able to pull over at the McConkie Ranch Road about 10 minutes from our house. The hospital is still about 15-20 minutes away.  We should have just kept on going, but the 911 operator told us to wait there for the ambulance. So we waited. Dave took off his jacket and we wrapped it around Dawson. It felt like forever waiting for the ambulance to come. But at last they came and cut the cord and whisked Dawson and I away while Dave followed in the truck.  When we got to the ER, I was SO relieved! Dawson was doing great, just cold. His body temperature was 95 degrees. I was super cold, too, but was doing good. Being wheeled into the ER on a gurney is not as glamorous as it sounds. Dawson weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. He measured 21 inches in the ER which is on his birth certificate, but every time he has been measured since, it is 19.5 inches, so I think that's more accurate.The rest is history! Dave is till trying to clean out the front seat of the truck. Sorry about that, honey!

Warm and cozy in the hospital later that same day.

Today (Thursday December 20th) was a snow day in Fond du Lac.  About 12 inches of snow were expected so school was canceled.  The kids had fun building snow forts and snow bunnies.  Unfortunately Mya and Marshal went inside before we got the camera out.  Avonlea and Jeni posed for a couple of pictures.

Avonlea sitting on top of her snow fort

Jeni shoveling some of the snow out of the driveway after the plow came through

Avonlea with her snow bunny family

This year we set up our Christmas tree early.  Usually we wait until the first Monday of December to set it up as Family Home Evening.  This year we set it up December 1st.  The kids all had fun setting up the tree and decorating it.

Dave helping the kids set up the tree.

The kids posing in front of the fully decorated tree

On a side note, Dave watched Twilight with Jeni.  In order for Dave to survive, Jeni made him a Twilight survival kit complete with Werewolf Cookies and Blood Straws.

While we are at Vernal, the kids wanted to play at the park.  They went to both Remember the Maine and the Vernal City park.  Here are some of the pictures that we took.

Avonlea playing on the roller at Remember the Maine

Marshal and Uncle Louis on top of the jungle gym

Mya and Avonlea playing house

Avonlea playing in the leaves.  This was actually at the yellow house.

Marshal and Avonlea at the Vernal City park.

Mya and Avonlea playing on the spider web jungle gym

Marshal climbed on top of the water fountain at the city park

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Utah to participate in Grandpa "Greentruck" Taylor's funeral. Grandpa died on October 16th in an accident on the ranch.  On the day of the funeral, the weather was beautiful and warm.  

Our family at Grandpa's grave site

Marshal and Mya with Grandma Kitties

Marshal and Grandma saying goodbye

We stopped by to say goodbye to Grandpa before driving back to Wisconsin.  Unfortunately it was cold and snowy.

On the way back we stopped by Omaha and went to the Winter Quarters site

Dave and Jeni in front of the LDS Winter Quarters Temple

The kids in front of the temple

Jeni along with Kristy and Stacy handing out popcorn

Dave watching Avonlea bowl for candy

Avonlea was getting pretty good at bowling

Avonlea in her "mummy wrap"

Dave is his raccoon outfit

Jeni gets a hug from Flo from the Progressive commercial

Marshal and Tristan running the bean bag toss game

Mya with her mummy wrap

Mya wrapping up her friend Britt

Dave and Jeni got tickets to see the Utah State Aggies play Wisconsin in football.  It was a lot of fun and a very close game.  USU came within one play of winning the game.  Despite losing, it was fun and we appreciate the Schmidt family for giving us the tickets.

Dave hoping that USU wins

Jeni looking quite attractive in her blue shirt

A view from our seats