Family

Sleepy girl.


Ben wants to hold her every morning! He's so cute because he'll also ask for us to take a picture of him holding his "Symi Lynn".


Just relaxing.


Oh Hi Mom!


Daddy just loves his baby girl!

Welcome to our World!

Welcome to Symantha Lynn Hepworth! Born on July 28, 2009 at 12:54 pm. Weighing in at 7lbs 7oz and 20 inches long. She came out crying and full of life, but quickly calmed down once she heard her Daddy's voice. I'm only posting a few pictures for now. I will tell the "Labor Story" next time. We are both doing well and are happy to be home and getting into a groove. So far she is a great eater and sleeper! She is such a joy! Ben is always watching over her, talking to her, and sharing EVERYTHING he has with her. (example: toys, food, sippy cup, blankies, "mee-mee's") He loves talking to her and holding her hands. Ben is also constantly complimenting her on her cute clothes, pretty eyes, and saying how cute or beautiful she is. We hope you enjoy the pictures! There will be more coming soon.

Getting Started!






Proud, excited, and giddy Daddy!






Brand New!







To: Big Brother Ben
From: Your Symi Lynn
I love you and just wanted to show you with some new toys!



Ben wanted to tell her "Thank You" for the toys right away.


Holding his sister for the first time!


Absolutely adoring his sister!
Ben: "Ohhhh! Mommy she's so cute!"


Mommy and Symi


Mommy, Symi, & Daddy


Freshly washed hair & it's going curly!


Ben & I share the same swirl in our hairline on our foreheads.


Kisses


Sweet baby Symi!

Symantha Lynn Hepworth

I'm sorry that these are all tiny. But these are from Dane's parent's camera. So I thought I'd share them too.


Ben and Grandpa Cook pulling faces.


Daddy's Girl


Kisses


Baby Girl!

Contractions

Having some lately.
Think they are the real thing.
We'll keep you posted!

Baby Update II

Today I was at the Dr's office. He told me that the baby's head is down and engaged. He also commented that he could feel her head down in my pelvic bone. (No wonder my hips ache and feel like they are "out".) He also said that my cervix was stuck a little and that he couldn't quite reach it to see how far along I had progressed. From what he could tell was I am still a 3, but he told me that's not for sure. He also couldn't reach it enough to tell how effaced my cervix was.

So we are waiting patiently to see when she will arrive. Anyone care to make a guess?

1. Date
2. Time
3. Weight
4. Length
5. Length of Labor
(I'm hoping that #5 will be less than 40 hours in labor.)

Baby Update

I had a Dr's appointment yesterday. I was a little surprised at how far along I am and so was the Dr.

I am measuring a week ahead. I'm 50% effaced, and I'm dilated to a 3. After all of these measurements the Dr sat down and started discussing who is on call to deliver. I was quite shocked because I still thought we had 4 more weeks! He wanted me to know that since my last appointment my body had progressed quite a bit and that he wanted me to be prepared if this baby decided to come soon. He told me that if she comes this week she'll be tiny and may need some assistance. And possibly be in the NICU for a while if she's struggling. I was ok with all of that because I know she's early, but out of the extreme danger zone. The Dr also said that every week she stays in there she gains more weight and becomes healthier. So we are hoping to have her stay in there for a little while longer. But if she does come early we'll still love her and give her the best we can!

Just thought I'd give everyone and update! I'm doing much better with my heart. The Dr said it might be my Acid Reflux or GERD that is causing my esophagus to spasm near my heart and cause my heart to stress. So we purchased a large wedge pillow to prop me up at nights. So far it's really done the trick and I am no longer having any sort of symptom or chest pains. Which is soo wonderful!

We'll keep you posted as the weeks go by!

Short & Sweet 2

Ben finally came up to me and let me hold him. He quietly sat and studied me while I sat there. The finally he said this.

"Oh there you are Mommy!"

After touching my hair, a tender grin spread across his face and this is what he said.

"You are beautiful."

Well that's all it takes to melt a Mother's heart. I honestly have never felt so beautiful in my entire life. Thank you Ben you mean the world to me.

Short & Sweet

So summer comes and things tend to get shorter. Well I've been wanting to cut my hair short for a while now and couldn't be more pleased! Mindy did a great job and I am so happy with the results!




















I was so excited when she told me that if I was willing to cut it shorter that I could donate it to "Locks of Love". That made me so excited! I've always had long hair but never donated it yet.

I came home and Dane was very quiet. He wouldn't look at me for a long time. And finally he commented,"It's really short." Ben didn't recognize me and still won't come to me. He keeps glaring at me and clinging onto Daddy. It makes me sad because he doesn't even know who I am right now. But I'm sure with time it will change and he will warm up again. I do have to say I will miss when Ben asks me to touch my hair. He'll come up to me and softly run his hand through my hair and tell me how beautiful I am. I still hope he thinks Mommy's beautiful even without the longer hair.

Heavenly Father Loves Me

It was just after 7 this morning. Ben came into my room to wake me up and heard something outside. He crawled up onto a chair and this is what he told me.

"Mommy, Look! Heavenly Father loves me cause he turned on the Sprinklers."

"Let go wash our feet and play!"

So whenever I see sprinklers I will be reminded that I am loved by my Heavenly Father.

Where have you been?

Dane graduating with his Bachlor's Degree in Biology


"Belly Bump" at around 25 weeks along.


Another "Belly Bump" soaking up the sun!


Dane graduating from the CES program from Institute. Ben wasn't very happy.


Another of Dane.


This is how we pack boxes at our house!


Ben was excited to have "tunnels" all over to climb through and entertain himself while I packed.


Ben in his Easter outfit. That he's almost grown out of!


In case of emergency . . . .


. . . . wrap shoe lace around to hold up your backside! It works great!

Bedtime Rules

This was Ben's question as I was putting him to bed tonight.

Ben: Mommy, are you going to let Daddy sleep in your bed tonight?

Me: Yes, if he's good!

B: Well . . . . I think he's been a good Daddy today.

B: That would be just fine.

Me:*Giggles* Ok, I'll let him sleep with me.

We'll be back . . . .

So for the last few days, I've been in bed. Due to my heart. Dane has been patient and taken really good care of Ben. Thanks to a wonderful husband! I wouldn't be able to rest without you!

Now the tables are turned. I'm finally feeling really good today and Ben is struggling with slight fevers and an upset stomach. So far everything has stayed down and he doesn't have the runs. Very warm, very cuddly, and many tears!

But until then. . . . well in short we'll be back in a few days or even a week or two.

Cuttin'

Ben: Mommy, hold still why I cut your arm. (With a tongue depressor that we got in the ER)

Ben: It's ok I kiss it better when I'm done.

(Almost like that justifies the whole cutting of my arm! At least it won't hurt.)

EKG

Here's an update.

I have been experiencing some heart palpitations(irregular or rapid heartbeat) these last 3 or 4 weeks. It's been rough at times because I feel like I'm running a marathon and I'm laying down! They usually last several hours and when they are finished I'm so tired I can't hardly stand. Sometimes when they come I get lightheaded and dizzy and have almost passed out. I discussed this "episodes" with my Dr and was told when they come again to go and get an EKG and some other tests done to evaluate my heart and make sure that the baby is ok when they happen.

So Wednesday Night we went to the ER because I was experiencing some of the worst ones yet. They hooked me up to monitors and asked a bunch of questions. Once I was able to lay down I started to feel better. All of the blood work and test came back as normal. Except that my red blood count was a little low, and so were my electrolytes.

The only strange thing was when I go from a laying down position to a sitting position my heart jumps from the 80's to the 100's and won't go back down. Then it will jump again when I stand and won't calm down! They told us that my heart was not beating rapidly or at a dangerous level. At the same time if I get up too quickly I see "stars" and feel like I'm going to pass out. But the Dr's were very concerned as to why my heart was doing this. So they gave me an IV and kept monitoring my heart. After the IV was done they tested my heart again with me going from lying down, to sitting, to standing. I wasn't dizzy nor did I feel like I was going to pass out. But my heart still continued to jump. They told me to drink LOTS and LOTS of fluids during the day and to take it easy. That doesn't mean I'm on bed rest, but if things get worse it might happen. They were still not sure why my heart was jumping and not calming down. But they were glad to see that if I laid down my heart would go back to a normal level.

So we got into the ER at 6 and didn't get released until after 10. Ben was a trooper to be in a little room with nothing to do. And try not to let his 2 year old hands touch any of the medical equipment! He was very busy and kept asking when we could go home. Dane was very kind and concerned about me and wanted me to be ok. I do have to say that I don't think it was very nice to give a pregnant woman so much IV fluids so late at night and then send her home to sleep. Because I spent most of my night going to the bathroom! Oh well. I do have to say I'm starting to feel better. I'm tired and don't seem to have a lot of energy. I still am having the same episodes, but am doing ok. It's nice to know that the baby is still growing and doing just fine and that this isn't affecting her at all.

Naming a Sister

So Ben was asking what we were going to name the baby. I asked him what he thought.

Mommy: Ben what should we name your baby sister?

Ben: Well . . . . I think Gipetto Kylie.

M: Oh well that's a nice name but Gipetto is a boy's name.

Ben: No I want it to be Gipetto Kylie.

And this is what he's told everyone who asks him what his new baby sister's name is going to be.

As you can tell he's been watching Pinocchino for a some time now. And keeps asking to see our friends Dave and Kylie. So between the two the name was born!

Poor little girl is never going to survive Elemetary!!! It's a good thing we have other names picked out and that's not our only option.

Mr. Grasshopper

So Ben has an invisible friend named Mr. Grasshopper. Mr. Grasshopper goes everywhere and gets in trouble all the time. Ben plays with him and anyone who is around him. He always is kind and introduces Mr. Grasshopper and then has him jump from his hand to whomever else is around and is willing to play.

There have been times when I've sat on Mr. Grasshopper and Ben has erupted in screams and frantically waving his arms! Yet through it all Mr. Grasshopper is very resiliant and seems to survive anything.

We have been working on going potty with Ben since we've moved into our new home. And so far he goes "peepee" very well in his potty. He's afraid of underwear because he says,"I'm naky Mommy! I don't want to be naky!" But it's nice to be able to have a diaper last almost all day! Anyways, I was hurring into the bathroom to use the potty myself. All of the sudden I had a little boy following me with his fingers pinched together, and his nose turned up in disgust!

Ben came in and with much attitude dropped some imaginary thing on the floor and started to walk out. This is how the following converstation went.

Mommy: Hey! What is that?

Ben: Oh it's just Mr. Grasshopper

M: Is he in trouble?

B: Yep, he was trying to go potty on your couch!

M: Oh!

B: Will you please help him go potty in the toilet?

M: Sure.

(As he turned with his eyes turned down and his nose in the air, he walked away shaking his head, and continues)

B: And please help him wash his hands! They are dirty!
(this was followed by a huge sigh of disgust!)

I just have to say I was grateful for already being on the potty because I was giggling so hard! He is just way too cute!

It's A . . . .

little Girl!

We just thought we'd share with everyone the wonderful news we found out today. Ben is very excited and keeps asking when the baby will be here. I keep telling him after his Birthday she'll come.

Life Today

So this last month has been a crazy month! I'll try to fill you in quickly and then hopefully post pictures once we've moved and have settled in.

1. Dane is NOT going to Student Teach in Star Valley, Wyoming anymore. We will be staying here in Logan for another year and he will Student Teach here. Then go where ever the Lord wants us to be. We are excited and Dane is a little nervous about getting started, but can't seem to wait!

2. Ben had a wonderful little Easter here at our house this last month. Poor Dane was sick with a migraine and didn't get to enjoy it as much as Ben and I did. But we hard boiled eggs, didn't get around to coloring them. Ben got to go on an Easter Egg hunt in our front room. And loved his Easter Basket! Dinner was yummy with Ham, Twice baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and deviled eggs. So far Ben has struggled a little with me hauling him everywhere to look at different houses and apartments for rent. There have been many days filled with tears and him begging to just go home. Poor little guy is still worn out and we are now packing up our house. So far potty training is slow and steady. I'm not trying to hard until we've moved. Then we'll really work on it!

3. We are moving in a few days! We finally found a place that we love and will love us too. We are so excited to have 3 bedrooms and a garage for storage and parking! We love the neighborhood and look forward to spending the next year of our lives there. So far I've had my Mom help me pack some boxes. I've organized things and am slowly packing a little each day. Dane keeps asking me where things went. I keep telling him he'll just have to live without it for a few more days because it's in a box somewhere!

4. We are finding out this week what we might be having. Our ultrasound has been scheduled a little late because I've been in the middle of switching Dr's and Dane finishing up school. We are hoping for a healthy report and maybe a gender!

5. DANE IS GRADUATING WITH HIS BACHELORS!!!!! And we couldn't be more proud of him. He is grateful for it to be done. He's enjoyed learning, just not the homework and special assignments that take a lot of his time.

6. I am slowly growing bigger everyday. I will post a "belly picture" soon so that you may all see how large I am getting and how HUGE I will be by the end.

Hope all is going well in your lives and that the Lord is ever watchful of your family and your needs.

Jelly Beans & A Movie

One night Ben wanted to watch a movie so bad. It was getting late and I didn't want him up. But the little boy was VERY persistent!! He kept asking and asking. So this is how the negotiation went down.

B: Mommy, I want to watch a movie pwease! I be a good boy.

M: Yes, I know you've been a good boy but it's getting late!

B: Mommy PWEASE!

M: If you go Pee in your potty I'll let you watch a movie.

B: (Marched right back to the bathroom. Took off his pants. Took off his diaper. Sat down. PEED!!)

B: Ok Mommy I get a movie now! And a jelly bean! (This is the treat we use to bribe him into going potty at least once a day.)

M: (I'm in complete shock as I hand him a jelly bean.)

M: Ok we'll get you a movie.

Creativity Unlimited

"If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next."

You may think you don't have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. (see D&C 46:11–12)

The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

What you create doesn't have to be perfect. . . . Don't let the voices of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 119