Update on Dad

My Mom posted this comment up on my last post! All I can say is WAHOO!!

Just a few minutes ago we got a call from the doctor telling us the lab results were in, and the mass was found to be benign!!!!! Dad appreciates so much the kind wishes, and prayers. We both feel so blessed that things turned out positive, and at the same time we have a new appreciation for those who struggle with health problems. Thanks again for all the kind thoughts... they really sustained our hope while we were waiting to find out the results of the tests.

Praying For Papa

About a month ago, my Dad went in for a regular physical and the doctor found a lump in his neck. The doctor ordered an ultrasound that detected a mass about the size of a big walnut. This morning he went in for surgery and they removed the lump, and half of his thyroid. The mass was sent to a lab for testing, and we will know in about a week whether or not it is cancerous. The doctor said only about 10% of cases like this turn out to be cancerous, so we are hoping that all will be well with the results. I know as my Mom was here helping me after having Lauryn it was on her mind. I can't even express how much more I love her for being willing to be here to help me when I know her thoughts were on Dad's health.

My Mom said the surgery really went well and my Dad is now at home resting. Mom said that when Dad awoke from surgery his first thoughts were of all his Grandbabies. He was feeling thankful to be a Papa, and how blessed he is to have children and family to love. We in return love him so much and are thinking positive thoughts during his recovery. We will certainly be keeping him in our prayers this week as we wait for the results of his biopsy.

What Are Your Memories About Me?

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

That's My Girl!

My Mom and I went back-to-school shopping the other day with Maryn to get her all geared up for Kindergarten. It was so much fun! I'm not your typical girl in the fact that I'm not really a shop-til-you-drop kinda woman. I'll grab something here and there for the kids, but I've never done a one-on-one, special-day, blowout shopping trip with Maryn before. She was totally eating it up! While in the dressing room, she kept dancing around and posing in front of the mirror. It was pretty funny and I totally enjoyed getting to make my Peanut feel so special!

We had a lot of success finding her some cute, new, school duds. But my favorite purchase of the day though was a pair of pink, Converse One-Stars. I LOVED Converse when I was a kid! I've had pink, green, and blue Chuck Taylors, white Jack Purcells, black suede One Stars. In fact I thought it kind of weird that I don't currently own a pair. Hmmm, I may have to remedy that! So I was happy to see that it would seem that I've passed the torch on to Maryn, who squealed with delight after peeling the cover off the shoe box in the store and seeing the pink goodness lying inside! She said "Oh my gosh! It has a star on it and I'm a star because I'm such a special kid!" She cracks me up! I can hardly wait to see her on the first day of school, ready to conquer the world in her special 'Star Kid' shoes! That's my girl!

Catching Up

We've been busy bees since bringing Lauryn home from the hospital. We've had holidays, birthdays, lots of visitors and have been having a lot of fun. So here's some catching up! Maryn turned five on July 5th! Her Uncle Kevin was going to be heading back to Utah on her birthday and we wanted to be able to celebrate her special day with him. So on July 4th I was released from the hospital. We came home, invited all the family over, threw some hot dogs on the grill and celebrated Maryn's special day! I made her an ice cream cake before I went into the hospital knowing I probably wouldn't be up to baking the day I got home. It was so yummy! I've decided I might need to make those more often!
Maryn had wanted a 'My Little Pony' party, so you know she went ballistic when she opened up the giant Pinkie Pie Pony from Grammy and Gramps that sings, blinks, moves it's mouth and shakes it's tail and tutu! She got lots of other fun presents, but one of the other highlights was Nana and Papa's birthday gift to her! She got to go to Build-A-Bear workshop and get a new friend! She chose a black lab and named her Princess Pup. She had a blast!Brynnie and Daddy tagged along too while Lauryn and I caught up on some sleep. Justin, Nana, and Papa kept the girls busy all day between Build-A-Bear, going out to lunch, and going to the movies! The silence was blissful and Maryn and Brynna had a blast!
Aunt Krissy and Cousin Rocklin have been in town this week. Maryn and Brynna went over for a slumber party again at Grammy's house last night and came home with their hair braided, fingernails painted, and totally worn out from having a ton of fun! We're looking forward to getting some good girl time in this week!
My brother Steve also was able to sneak into town for a few days before heading to Florida for a dental conference. We loved getting to see him! The girls especially enjoyed roughhousing with him! They don't get too much of that and were totally eating it up! Steve pretended he was a crazy horse dubbed 'Big Brown' and was giving the girls wild rides all over the house! I think they wore him out but he was a good sport about it! We loved that Papa was able to join Nana for part of her trip out here. He incorporated business into his trip that kept him traveling all over the Southeast. Poor Papa was worn out! The girls didn't let him off too easy though. The messed with him by putting change on his forehead and shoes on his limbs when he fell asleep on the floor. It was funny, because Papa was totally unaware that he was so much fun, even while sleeping!
Even though he had to travel a lot, Papa was eating up the chance to spend any amount of time he could with his granddaughters! This picture was taken right before bed and Maryn was simply too grumpy for to sit up. Hmmm, maybe we should have stuck some nickels to her forehead!
The girls were making silly faces with Nana one morning. My mom has a contagious laugh and loves to find the funny side of things. It's been a hoot watching Brynna giggle with her about funny little things! Those two a a couple of peas in a pod!
Maryn's been giving us a bit of a run for our money lately. But seeing her happy, silly face gives me the strength to keep putting up with her curveballs! Ireally do just love that kidlet, drama and all.
And let's not forget our other smiley girl! Lauryn loves to give us big, heart-melting grins! The other day she was even smiling in her sleep! I just love that little ladybug!

Boobs said to Belly...

I think if my various body parts could talk, their conversation might sound something like this...

BOOBS: We have just felt like we are under so much pressure lately. We don't know how much more we can take! We are just absolutely stretched beyond our limits!

BELLY: I can totally relate! I very recently was feeling the same thing. I'd like to tell you it gets better, but even after I was able to get over my feelings of constant pressure and being stretched thin I was ultimately just left looking sad and deflated.

Ahhh, the things we Momma's go through! However, looking at this little face makes the ouchy, mondo boobs and the jello belly totally worth it!
Lauryn is an AMAZING baby! She sleeps so well at night, only making me get up once or twice to feed her. She hardly ever cries more than just a little squawk to let me know she's hungry. And best of all she is already so happy and smiley! This child melts my heart! I can not imagine life without her!

Lauryn's day in photos

We were told at eight a.m. to roll on down to May-retta to get this show on the road. Oh, and Sarah is hot.

Then came the spiderweb of chords, wires and all of that medical stuff. "I'm trapped in a web of emotions!" (Now just say that in a Will Ferrell voice.)

I'll spare you the pictures that followed the one above. And, no, I didn't go all Discovery Channel. If you know me, I would have puked and/or fainted. Then I'd be the story. And I learned long ago in Journalism school that the author is never the story. I just stuck to the pictures.

Little Miss Lauryn showed up rather quickly and promptly. She let us know who was boss the minute she could. Sounds like one of our daughters doesn't it?


She was not a big fan of the "welcome-to-the-world" party that was being thrown for her right out of the gates.


Sarah sure loves her some Lauryn!


These girls know how to grab me right from the start. I'm easy to push over apparently. But seriously, can you really blame me? C'mon!


Maryn, Brynna, my mom, dad and Kevin rolled up to see the new addition. They were all really excited to see Lauryn, needless to say.


All my ladies.

Live from Kennestone Hospital: She's here!

Just like that, we have another addition to the family.

Lauryn McLean Young arrived on 3:38 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2008. She is 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 20 and ¼ inches long.

A couple of things of note:

Lauryn's hair is much darker and thicker than her sisters at birth.

The actual labor from pain to arrival was just a few hours.

Lauryn already loves her mother. She wants to be held and wants to be close non-stop. Wouldn't you if Sarah was your mother.

As soon as I posted the live blogging from Kennestone post, well, I lost any sort of Internet connection. Sorry to keep you in suspense.

Sarah is doing fine. Check that. She is doing spectacular for a woman that just had a baby. As always, she looks stunning. The lady was made for making babies. But let's not carried away here folks. Four women in my house is the cut off. And I love it.

We'll be here for a little bit and hopefully the Internet will work with me. All and all, we are very excited that little miss Lauryn is here. Maryn, Brynna and my parents are en route. Thanks for everyone's support!

Live from Kennestone Hospital, it's Lauryn's birth

Okay, so this is the modern life of the .com generation. I'm blogging from the labor and delivery room at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia.

A live blog during pregnancy? This is ground-breaking stuff here folks.

Sarah is on the bed, already deemed highly uncomfortable. The lovely hospital gown, well let's just say it leaves a nice draft for a steamy July day in Georgia. And the straw for her ice water has the fine taste of a hospital. It almost makes you want to be here right now, doesn't it?

Sarah is doing fine. She's excited and most of all, she's ready. We've been here at the hospital for roughly an hour and a half. I'll keep everyone posted on today's activities.