Sky's First Photo Shoot

I'm thankful we have a beautiful baby and that I have a photographer husband.

I love the look she gives me when I'm feeding her. It's our special bonding time together.

Everyone loves baby feet.

All cheeks.

I love her yawns!

What Do You Know For Sure?

I know that nothing is more important than spending time with my baby. Hence the lack of posts. I find myself holding her, watching her sleep for hours. Sure I could be doing dishes, laundry, cleaning, answering emails, or posting...but why? Why would I do any of those things if I don't have to?

I would rather treasure every second that Sky will let me hold her like this, because it only last for such a very short amount of time, and I plan on enjoying every second of it. Even the seconds that happen in the middle of the night. :)

Welcome to the world Shannon Kailey Yeatman!

After years and years of hoping and waiting Sky if finally here! Crystal called us at 6:30 the morning of Saturday the 21st to let us know her water broke. Mark and I jumped out of bed and raced around like crazy getting ready to get out the door. Thankfully we had packed the car weeks ago, so the car seat, diaper bag, and my overnight bag were ready.

The whole way up to Everett we were so worried we would not get there in time, I really wanted to be there to welcome her into the world and to offer what support I could to Crystal. Little did we know we could have slept in, taken showers, drove 20 mph up there, stopped for coffee and we still would have been in time.

We all got settled in the delivery room, which would be "our" room for the entire stay. Totally looked like we were staying for a month with all the stuff between Crystal and her boyfriend and Mark and I.

Once we were settled in and it was determined that Crystal was only at a 3 and having NO contractions, Mark and I headed out for breakfast since were in such a hurry to leave the house that we didn't eat anything.

We got back to the hospital and still no action. So we sat around talking, napping, listening to music, walking around, skipping down the hallways and having wheelchair races. Crystal was feeling great and wanted to stay pretty active because sitting around the room was boring.

Mark and I left for lunch and came back and nope, still no action. More waiting around. Dinner time rolled around and the nurses assured us it was safe to leave and get some food. So Mark and I got take out, and brought some back for Tyler, and Crystal for after the baby was born. At this point they didn't want her eating anything.

Saturday night she finally started having contractions but was still only at a 3. They let her go for a while and Crystal finally decided that an epidural would be a good idea, along with a gel placed on her cervix to see if things would start moving along. I am so thankful that the nurses suggested we all get some sleep after the epidural. They kept the interruptions to a minimum and we all got around 3 hours of sleep. We had to give the gel 4 hours to work and after 4 hours she was at a 4, so the next step was patocin. Like magic she want from a 4 to an 8 in a 1/2 hour.

Next thing we know the nurse is saying it is time to start pushing, so Mark and Tyler head out to the waiting room to wait out the 2 hours of pushing the nurse had predicted. Turns out 10 minutes later and 5 pushes Sky was born. It was 3:38 am Sunday, May 22nd. Sky was 6 lb. 15 oz. and 19 inches long.

I was so impressed with Crystal's strength, and emotional maturity. She knew this was not going to be easy, but she also knew she was 100% comfortable with her decision. I don't know that I have ever seen that much strength and love all wrapped into one in my whole entire life.

I will forever cherish the time that Mark and I spent with Crystal and Tyler in that hospital room. We learned a lot about each other and got to share in welcoming an amazing little girl into the world.

Mark and I with Crystal and her current boyfriend Tyler with Sky.

Sky a few hours after her birth.

Crystal spending time with Sky.

Looks like she is flexing. This was after her bath I believe.

Fresh hatched little Sky.

60 Years of Love

A few weekends ago Mark and I headed over to E WA to celebrate my Grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. I was excited for a couple of reasons. One, because 60 years is a big deal! Two, because I knew I was going to see family that I have not seen since I was a kid, and I couldn't wait!

We had beautiful weather, wonderful food (best brisket I have EVER had period!), and got to spend time visiting back at the house with some people that will always have a special place in my heart.

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun I had helping in the kitchen. Judy and Linda know what they are doing when it comes to food, and being in the kitchen with them making all the food, listening to stories, and hearing all the ribbing back and forth was a highlight for me!

Grandpa and Grandma reading their cards with a little help from Val.

This was just the fruit and cheese table...there was SO MUCH food!

Grandma and her sister Helen.

Me with my cousin Jeff and his son. I don't remember the last time I saw Jeff, and it was really nice to spend time with him and his wife and children. Lot's of catching up to do!

Me and my cousin Sarah! It has been forever since we have seen each other. For a few years growing up my sister and I got to spend weeks during the summer playing at Grandpa and Grandma's with Sarah and her brothers. Sarah and I wrote to each other for years, and then you know how life does...you get busy, get married/divorced, have kids, move a few times and lose touch.

I had so much fun talking with Sarah and her brothers Israel, Judah and their wives. We got to catch up with each other, exchange numbers, friend each other on FB, and like Israel said it is a shame to not stay in touch. They live 4 hours from Kennewick and I live 4 hours...it's the perfect middle ground to stay in touch and Grandpa and Grandma LOVE having family around. We just have to make it happen.

It was the first time Mark had a chance to meet a lot of my family and he really enjoyed it and fit right in. I sort of abandon him while I was working in the kitchen, but every time I looked around for him he was talking away with Judah or Israel or taking photos.

It was a beautiful weekend of celebrating love and family. I'm really glad we got to be part of it.

Lack of Posting

Sorry for the lack of posts...been busy getting a few last minute things done in the nursery, putting the car seat in the car and packing the diaper bag, and spending our last baby-free time with friends.

Lord Hill Trail Run

I just registered for this race: http://www.evergreentrailruns.com/jul-2-lord-hill-run !

It's our first 5 mile run. We decided our first 5 mile race should be a trail race because the slower pace fits us much better.

We didn't really know that Snohomish was so far away, so now are trying to figure out what to do about that. Get a hotel, try and find a friend in Seattle that will let us sleep on the floor, or just get up early in the am and drive up.

Who knows what we will do, but Michelle and I are pretty excited to give 5 miles a go!

Running Mantra

"Pain is proof of life." I'm so chanting this in my head when I'm running and it hurts.

Pain will not be an excuse for why I can't finish a race or don't want to do a training run. I am going to embrace all those little aches and pains and use them to my advantage. I'm thankful that I can run and feel pain!

Bring on the hills, long runs, and yes bring on the pain! At least I'm alive and running and healthy!

P.S. - No I'm not turning into some sort of running fanatic. If there is an injury or something really wrong I will adjust accordingly. :)

I Wonder Why....

...anyone ever decides to have children.

Between all the labor and delivery horror stories (thank goodness I don't have to worry about all the pain I have been repeatedly told about!) and talk about:
-No sleep
-No time for books/magazines/movies
-No sleep
-No more sports/working out/sex
-No sleep
-Colic
-No sleep
-No time for hair and makeup
-No sleep
-You are going to look so much older
-No sleep
-Just wait for the bags under your eyes
-No Sleep
-Forget about your walks in the park and runs with Michelle
-No sleep
-Your summer plans should all be cancelled

Did I mention I won't be getting any sleep for 18 years at least?! Talk about 100% effective birth control...apparently having children is really horrible and we will be lucky to survive it.

I wish people would keep there negative comments to themselves, but if I say that to them I look like the bitch. There are some days my tongue bleeds from biting it so much. Being a parent is going to be what it's going to be, and I don't need any negative comments to add to the doubts and worries I have on my own.

I wish people enjoyed sharing all the wonderful things about being a parent more than they enjoy sharing the horror stories!

I know one thing for sure...the stubborn side of me will NEVER let any of the negative people see me not looking my best and I will NEVER utter a word about being tired. I WILL NOT give them the satisfaction of being able to say I told you so, or I warned you.

It's on people...you have done your best to scare me, but now I'm just angry and stubborn angry Jen is not who you want to mess with!

Sweet Ride

Thank you to my most wonderful husband for winning me a ride in this car! I have loved classic Corvette's since I was a little girl. It just so happened that one of the live auction items at the Relay For Life Of Lakewood Auction was a ride in this 58 Corvette.

Mark sent me on an errand and next thing I know the bid is going up and up and up, but it took me a few minutes to realize it was Mark bidding and he was determined to win me that ride!

So, sometime this summer on a nice sunny hot evening the top will come off (of the car that is) and I will take a ride to the Sonics in Puyallup. I can't wait!!!

Thank you babe!

P.S. - The auction raised just over $30,000 for the Lakewood Relay! It was a great night of fun supporting a cause Mark and I care about.