: Adventure Edition

Since we're back in our familiar territory of Rexburg ID, 

we have been galavanting all over the area and enjoying some family adventures. 

 First off, we took full advantage of a very cold, rainy day and drove to Mesa Falls.  

It was so fun-- Dallin even got to wear this great fluffy outift!!

       Which, as you can see, he enjoyed so much. :)

But seriously, it was so nice to get out into the wilderness and enjoy the waterfalls! Because of the dreary weather, we were one of the few people there, so we got VIP access to all the 'picture-perfect areas!' Thanks to all the rain, everything was so vibrantly green, and the color was food for the soul.

   And the view was just breathtaking.

We even got a family picture--thanks to a lone couple we ran into.

And a friendly yellow bellied marmot crossed our path as we walked around.  Pretty neat. :)

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A couple weeks later, we got to drive down to Logan to see Mom and Emma ride the Little Red Riding Hood Century Ride. Here's mom after 20 miles or so--looking amazing!!

Dallin really got it the spirit, onsie and everything.  He loves his aunt Emma!!

Throughout the day, Dallin, Amy, and I drove along and followed Mom and Emma through their ride.  We had a great time, and they did such an amazing job riding!!  Grandpa joined up with us near the end, which was great because Dallin really needed a cuddle buddy. 

And nobody's arms are as inviting as Grandpa's!

Here they are nearing the finish--they aren't even winded!!

 The weather was just perfect and it turned out to be a great 100-mile biking day!

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Next on our list of adventures was introducing Dallin to the wonderful world of water!!  

He has always loved bathtime

(haha, I love this picture--it's like the paparazzi caught him bathing!)

But he wasn't so sure about the splash park...

Nevertheless, we took him to the little pool in Rexburg last week...

It took a little prodding, Aunt Amy, and a trusty-wide-rimmed hat, 

But before we knew it he was crawling everywhere!!

We always knew he'd be a waterbug, just like his Momma!

[ life is good ]

8 Months Come and Gone

  As of Friday, our little (and not-so-little Dallin Christoph is 8 months old.  I can't believe how much has happened and how profoundly my life has changed since he became a part of it. Let's take a second to remember:

1 Day Old: Helloooo World!

1 Month Old: Settling in on daddy's lap

3 Months Old: Baby Blessing.  He was blessed that he would be a light to all those he would come in contact with--and it has proved true every day since.

4 Months Old: Doing the Bath Time Boogie! 

5 Months Old: Here's My chill little man.

6 Months: A half year old and full of smiles and giggles

7 Months Old: Daddy's little outdoors boy

8 Months Old:  Have I mentioned he is the joy of my life?? 

This picture doesn't even capture the half of it!!

Life has been good to me.  I always knew I wanted to be a mother, but I completely underestimated how much I would love it.  I can't imagine my life any other way (dirty diapers, sleepless nights, and all!)

Sunday Sunday

I know it has been ages since I have done anything on this blog--the last time I wrote, Dallin was barely 2 weeks old, and now he is almost 8 months!!  It is crazy how time flies! It never ceases to amaze me how the seemingly-insignificant days add up to be the meat of our ever-changing, meaningful lives.

The last eight months have been full of many typical and atypical adventures of an average family of three.  I plan to spend this week catching up completely on the last months, but as for tonight I will merely focus on today.

  Today was a pretty typical Sunday for the Hughes Family.  Thanks to the Lord's commandment, we are able to keep the Sabbath holy by actually sleeping past 7:00 in the morning. ( But could someone please tell me why I still feel so tired?? )  Church goes as follows:

8:45- Arrive and sit in whatever bench allows easy access in and out of the chapel. Dallin is wide eyed and silent as he watches everyone arrive.

9:00- After 15 minutes of a quiet, observant child, the loud noises and wiggly legs kick into full action.

9:10: As the Sacrament begins, Dallin decides to unexpectantly leap out of our arms in to the back of the bench in front of us--proceeding to smack his head right on the wood; soon follows a good scream and cry.

9:11- And so it begins.  Out in the foyer. Look out the windows--sure to leave some tongue marks for the lucky cleaners next week.  Walk around the church.  Walk around the halls. (Repeat 6 times as needed) Hand Dallin a toy. Pick up the toy from the floor and hand it to him again. (Repeat 10 times) Put toy away and try to distract him from noticing. Nurse in the overflowing Mothers Room, but fail to finish because there is WAY too many exciting things happening in there. :) And back to the hallways, windows, and nice smiling ladies sitting in the foyer.  Repeat the toy sequence with 3 different toys.  This all is then repeated spontaneously throughout the next 2 1/2 hours.  Finally at 11:45, Dallin falls asleep--only to be awoken by the wind outside as we get in the car to leave.

Awww yes, Sundays are so validating.

All the same, life with Dallin is exciting and exhilarating. He opens our eyes to the wonders of pie tins, spatulas, and stuffed animals.

   I mean who wouldn't love looking up and seeing this face all day long??

                              Or this one??

We sure don't!

Quality Time

When you are a full time student with a part time job, it can be difficult to find time to spend with your family, but Jared is so good. Lots of times, I will find him reading Dallin a story or chatting up a storm.Other days, I will walk in and his camera will be out and being put to work, capturing all the funny faces that Dallin seems to come up with.And there is always some good ol male-bonding naptime.But a man's gotta do his homework some time, so Jared has come up with a variety of strategies of keeping Dallin entertained and happy. He recently downloaded a 'White Noise" app. This app will just play white noise for hours...and Dallin loves it. It will soothe him almost immediately...The normal-non-infant human being is easily annoyed by the never-ending whooshing sound-- But Jared is an innovative man. Now at only 2 1/2 weeks old, Dallin has already learned how to put headphones in. Let's just hope he doesn't make a habit of it. :)

And Then There Were Three

Life is beautiful. More beautiful than words can describe. I have started and restarted this journal entry a dozen times, each time hitting the delete bar over and over again. I just can’t seem to find the words exquisite enough to describe the changes in my life this past week. Nevertheless, I am determined to document it today—despite the ultimate lack of verbs and adjectives in my vocabulary to do so.

Our beautiful Dallin Christoph entered the world at 7:49 PM on Saturday, October 15, 2011. He weighed 6 lbs 11 oz, and was 19 inches long. One of the happiest moments in my life—one that I can’t help but relive each time I lay my eyes on his sweet, soft face. There was a distinct connection with heaven as his spirit entered this world. It was such a divine moment when he was laid on my chest and looked up at me with his dark eyes.

It’s like amnesia, they say, having a baby. One moment you are pushing with all your might and the next you are gazing at this little being that has officially entered your life. Nothing in the past matters, and the future holds everything good.

The day Dallin was born was a beautiful one. I had been contracting all night the night before and was ready to have this baby out of me. After some walking and a Primary Program Practice, we climbed in the car and drove the 2 minute drive to the hospital. At admission, we discovered that I was already 7 centimeters and fully effaced. (YAY!) We settled into our room and I got the epidural. It was so wonderful to have my body relax. 5 hours later, I pushed for 40 minutes and Dallin was in my arms!! The most wonderful moment of my life! It is such a blessing to me that Jared and I have been sealed in the temple for time and all eternity-and Dallin is now part of our forever family. My soul delights in this, and in the precious truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We spent that night and the next day in the Hospital, basking in the joy of our well-mannered little angel boy. We talked and video chatted with family and cradled our little one, drinking in every coo, yawn, and blink of the eye he gave us.

We counted and recounted his little toes

And basked in the heavenly spirit he brought into our lives and hearts and thanked God for the numerous blessings in our lives. My mom drove up and stayed with us, and Amy visited as well. Also, Jessica and her family were able to visit us in the Hospital.

It was a wonderful and exhausting day. The nurses came in every hour to check on us and Dallin went through a series of tests, shots, and a circumcision. (poor fella) But despite the gallons of information being shoved down our throats, we soaked in every sweet moment we could as a new family. We drove Dallin home around 7 PM on Sunday evening, terrified of the new responsibilities place on us by the Lord and the world. But once situated on the couch, with our little one in our arms, a peace filled my soul. And the spirit spoke to me, reassuring me of the capacity I had as a mother. Dallin ate well and then opened his sweet eyes and gazed at the new world he had entered. Sitting on the couch, freshly showered, and holding my sweet son, I had a sense of security and love that I have never before felt in my life. Cradled by my husband, I thanked the Lord for a healthy baby and the heavenly spirit that had now entered my home.

Other than my wedding day, Nothing had ever felt so right.

The following week consisted of Dr. Apointments, hospital visits to test the billiruben levels, recovering from labor, and never wanting to let go of my baby ever again. My teachers were very understaning, so I didn’t have to go to class all week. Some mornings I woke up invigorated, others exhausted and overwhelmed. Mom stayed all week long making us dinner, doing the dishes, and mentoing me in motherhood. It was wonderful to have her. Thousands of pictures were taken of the same little being, each one viewed and reviewed me Jared and I. Every time we would look at little Dallin, we couldn’t help but say “Isn’t he sweet?” My lips can’t get enough of the soft skin that I can kiss, and my eyes could stare at him all day. Tears of joy and tears of overwhelment were shed each day, all throughout the day. Dallin, Jared, and I have gotten to know eachother a little better each day and are loving life as a new family.