Autumn Jane Powell



Just an hour and a half past her due date.



Already a Daddy's Girl!




She is such a sleepy thing, we rarely get to see these pretty eyes.





Someone made and donated these blankets for all babies born on game days. It sure was a lucky day,
we even won the game.





Big brother and big sis were so excited to meet her and come bring us home!




Getting ready for the ride home.




Big fans of Mommy's magic bed. The buttons kept them entertained while we got ready to leave.



Baby Autumn had a present waiting for them......puddle jumping boots. They were so excited.



She is just sweet as can be and doing all the things she is supposed to.  She has a soft girly cry but we rarely get to hear it.  She couldn't be more perfect and we couldn't be happier to have her!!!

Any Day Now

So, this pregnancy expires before the milk in my fridge. The next time I post on this blog will definitely be pictures of our new little one. I thought I would post a few last photos of Autumn and I together before the big day.  Its crazy but I have to admit that a little part of me feels sad that this pregnancy is almost over. I'm not exactly sure why. I'm not going to miss the heart burn, the kicks to my ribs, or the sleeping with six, yes six, pillows in an effort to try and get comfortable. There is just something so special and spiritual about the whole thing that is hard to explain. Jake and I took a tour of the hospital a few days ago and seeing the other babies in the nursery has made me feel very ready though.  More then anything, I can not wait to see her and kiss her sweet little face.  The kids are getting very excited to see her as well.  The bags are packed and the nursery is all set up, so all that's left is just to wait. 

 The past few weeks Jake has been really busy with school, so we haven't been on as many adventures lately.  The warm weather has disappeared and we have had lots and lots of rain.  We have played at the park in the rain more then a few times and the kids have loved every minute of it.  Hudson is still loving pre school and his teacher tells me he is doing well and loves to share his insights with the class during their lessons.  I wonder if that is just a nice way of telling me he talks a lot. She seems to really like him though, but whats not to like?!? He is a great boy. He is also really enjoying his music class that he attends once a week.  Ellie is loving life and keeping us laughing every day. She thinks everyone in the world is her friend and says hi to every person she sees. I think her hair has finally stopped falling out to my relief. I was worried she was going to end up looking a little too much like her daddy :).  If I didn't mention is earlier her hair has been falling out the past few months due to a really high fever that required a trip to the ER. She doesn't seem to mind and is actually probably happy that it has gotten too thin for me to style, but this mommy has been pretty stressed about it.  As I mentioned earlier Jake has been really busy and the kids have missed him a lot. I think we just got spoiled having him around so much during the summer. He was busy then as well, but we were able to tag a long with him on most of his research trips. When he is home he is always good to have fun and play with them even though I know he is tired.  I got released from the primary and felt a little lost at church on Sunday without it, although I'm sure it will be fun to get to go to relief society as I get used to it. I've been called to the compassionate service board and I'm excited for the opportunity to do more service.  It will also be a much more convenient calling to do with a new baby.

I haven't been very good about taking pictures the past few weeks. But here are a couple of cute shots I got of the kids this morning. It will be fun to add some pictures of Autumn next time. Until then.......

School Days

I really could not figure out why everyone kept asking me if I was sad Hudson was going to school.  He has wanted to go ever since Jake went back to school a year ago.  I have been so excited for him to be able to go and have this experience, because I knew he was going to love it.  I was also excited that it meant that I would have two mornings a week that I could really focus on Ellie.  However, the night before I started to feel a little anxious, and when my little Hudson boy burst into my room very early the morning of his first day of school, I have to admit I felt like my heart was in my throut.  I felt pretty emotional all morning as we got him ready to go. He must have sensed my state of mind because he came up to me and put his arms around me and sang me the primary song "I often go walking". At that point I lost my strength and let big tears roll down my cheeks and soak into his yellow shirt.  Jake gave him a very special fathers blessing and he floated out the door to wait for the bus.  I don't know if I have ever seen him so excited. We waited anxiously for the bus to arrive and the only person who was sadder then I was as the bus drove away was Ellie.  She cried from the moment he got on the bus until it was out of sight.

    

I was anxious the entire time he was gone. I wasn't really worried about him, I knew he was fine. I just could not find enough things to do to fill the time until he came home. I watched the clock pretty close and once again Ellie was the only person happier then me to see his bus pull up. Of coarse he had a great time. He talked non stop for a while and told us all about his day. He loves his teacher and had fun with his new friends. Today he woke up just as early and just as excited to do it all over again.

It’s so strange to be excited and sad for your children at the same time. I love watching him learn and grow and achieve new things, but so often I feel like I am holding onto sand that just keeps falling through my fingers. I love him so much just as he is, but I know he can't stay little forever. He is such a wonderful sweet boy. The thought that someday he won’t want to hug me tight and sing me songs is enough to leave me sobbing on the couch. I'm so thankful for my Jake, because even as hard and exciting as it is to watch Hudson grow; I know as he does, he will have a wonderful example to show him how to be as good of a man as he is at being a little boy. I sure love my boys.