Settling Down

So we've been back in Arizona for a week now and things are settling down--sorta. My mom has been in town to help us watch Abby and Jen took a short trip to California for a conference. My dad also visited briefly. Here are a few photos from the past week.

Grandma Barbara with Abby

Grandpa Roger with Abby

Jen & Abby take a photo with Dr. Schildkret

Abigail's First Day at School

So since we cannot get home to attend school, we thought we'd see what school might be like for Abigail

Trapped In Utah

Dont get me wrong, we love Utah, but this is ridiculous. We flew in two weeks ago and every thing that could get stretched did get stretched out.

• Amanda didnt go into labor on Thursday (Feb 7) but on Sunday (Feb 10)
• The C-section required Amanda stay in the hospital three instead of two days, so placement got pushed back from 48 hours after birth (Feb 12) to 76 hours (Feb 13)
• A missing photocopy pushed paperwork completion back from Wednesday (Feb 13) afternoon to Wednesday evening (too late to overnight the package to Salt Lake City)
• The Salt Lake City interstate official received the paperwork on Friday and overnighted it to Phoenix, however, Monday (Feb 18) was a holiday so nobody touched the paperwork until Tuesday (Feb 19)
• On Wednesday (Feb 20) the Phoenix interstate official decided to be extra "thorough" and required additional paperwork, but didnt tell anybody until too late in the day to finish it
• On Wednesday the Ogden agency supervisor scheduled a Thursday meeting with Amanda to get additional papers signed, but that meeting was not until noon

So, hopefully, the papers will get signed and faxed to Phoenix in the early afternoon and we'll get the okay to leave Utah this afternoon. There is a 5:10pm and an 8:15pm flight that we can catch home if we get enough notice. Keep your fingers crossed!

Abigail Update

Today Abigail lost her umbilical cord. That fell off pretty early so we'll wait a while before immersing her in water. Thats all I've got for today.

Abigail's First Week

New Abby Photos

So I've got some ideas for new movies I'll make in the next few days (hopefully), but for now I'll just slap up a few photos to keep you checking the blog.


The other day several old friends and family came by so we have a few pictures of Abby with them.

Uncle Brent (Jen's youngest brother) and Aunt Nicole (his wife) drove up from Provo to say hello (and to join the family for the annual President's Day ski trip.
Uncle Kevin (Jen's older little brother) flew in to see little Abby and join the ski trip

Mandy (Jen's cousin) and Russell (her husband) drove up from Provo to say hello

Heather came to visit and brought her boyfriend, Brandon. They drove from LA to check out LDS Business College, see Abby, and of course, to introduce Brandon (Heather really like him). Jen's freshman college friend Virginia also came to visit. She lives close by and brought Abby TONS of stuff. I think she is trying to compete with Jen's sister to see who can donate the most clothes and baby gear. Thanks to Virginia we have dozens of new clothes and bottles.
My old bath buddy came to visit as well. Jenny Park (formerly Jenny Maricle) grew up together and we're buddies from the beginning. She has since married Dennis and had two beautiful girls, Emmie and Ava. They brought Abby an outfit, blanket, and burp cloths. Arnt our friends great?
And last, here is a photo Jen took of Abby and I this morning. During the night she will only sleep if we hold her, and if I snuggle up to her she'll go 4-5 hours!

Abby is "Glamorous"

Here are some photos from yesterday. Jen's parents came into town (Ogden) for thier annual President's Day ski trip. Lucky for them Abigail is still here waiting for them. We are hoping paperwork will be completed and we can return home to Arizona sometime next week.

Grandma Karen with Abigail

Grandpa Mark with Abigail

Abigail's first bath out of the hospital

And as I submit this post Jen and her cousin, Crystal, are prepping Abby for glamour shots.

A few photos from placement (it was a happy and sad time for Amanda and her family):

Abby is Ours!

At about 2pm Amanda signed relinquishment papers and turned custody over to LDS Services. At about 2:30 we singed placement papers with LDS Services, then picked up Abby from Amanda and family, and by 3:15 we were alone with her in our own hospital room. Right now we're just waiting for some duplicate papers to get notarized and then Amanda can leave. After she leaves we will leave the hospital. We're so excited!

Photographs and video will be forthcoming.