THANKS JENN!

We had a sweet girl, Jenn Allen, come over this week, TWICE (because she is such a sweetie), and take pictures of Mckinley. She did a GREAT job. I just wanted to send a few out, I couldn't wait until the announcements. I have to say, Mark and my genes are a superb match that equals a darling little girl.

Sugar and Spice.....

I can't believe our little girl is going to be a week old tomorrow! Today Mark went back to work- we are so happy to be saying that considering that DR Horton has been threatening to lay employees off since August. Mckinley is doing great. She is finally accustomed to getting her diaper changed- at first she would scream bloody murder any time we uncovered her but now she relaxes and lets us get the job done. She had her first Drs appointment yesterday and she is sheer perfection. She left the hospital weighing 7 lbs 11 oz and was up to 7 lbs 13 ozs yesterday. The Dr. does seem to think she is a little "tongue tied" (the little tissue under her tongue is really close to the end) and we are going to another Dr. next week to see if it needs to be snipped. He said she was "beautiful" too- Mark is happy we didn't end up with a "Seinfeld" baby although I thoroughly believe that we would think she is the most precious thing regardless :)

Here she is adjusting to getting a bath- she is getting better but she still has about a 5 minute limit of being naked.



Her first "real" outfit since the hospital....

Here is another picture from the night the Iund's came to visit....

Proud Papas

This is Mark and his best childhood friend Evan. He and his wife Lindy had their little boy Braeden about three weeks ago- you can definitely see the size difference and how different little boys and girls really are.



Mckinley is doing well. We realized this morning we must have been starving her because the nurses said to only give her 30 mL. Well, this morning she drank 50 mL and then 10 more. She is a great eater and burper. She is sleeping pretty well and we are really enjoying our newest addition.

Our little Pumpkin

We are so glad that we got to come home today! Here are a few cute pictures- more to come of our darling little girl.

Here is Mark- such a good daddy!



This is the bow- yes it is large but undeniably the cutest thing ever. You can also really see the giant scratch she gave herself.






The proud parents...so excited to be taking her home.





this is the going home outfit her proud Daddy picked out. The shirt Mark bought @ the motorcycle races in July- it says "Fast Kitty" and has a little cat on a bike. The pants have a cute little ruffle on the bum :) She is so precious!

Her life story begins- Day Two

Our little Mckinley is two days old today! How weird is that? Yesterday I could look down and still see her moving and hear the heart beat on the monitor next to my bed and now she is here.
So, here is how it all played out. We arrived to the hospital yesterday @ 7:30. I was put on Cervadil (spelling??) at 10:05 am because I was a "tight 2 and only 60-65% effaced). They said once that was in place they wouldn't check me again for 12 HOURS!?!? That was a LOOOONG 12 hours. I couldn't eat anything but praise the man that invented Beef Broth- I will probably never put it to my lips again but there is something to be said for the tastiness of beef broth and Jell-o when it is the only "food" you get for 24 hours. Around 8:30-9:00 I started having contractions- pretty good ones that I could watch on the monitor and that took my breath away. Now a minor disclaimer for all you "au natraulers" out there- more power to you, you are definitely more woman than I BUT....WHY? The epidural was THE BEST THING I have ever had in my entire life. I was a little worried in the beginning about all the pain but once the epidural kicked it, had my legs not have weighed 1000 lbs, I could do anything. Loved it! I can say that I felt the contractions and breathed through some major ones, but I can also say that my delivery was textbook perfect....maybe even a little better...Like Harry Potter perfect or something. @ 11:00 pm they checked me out and I had dilated to a 5 which was HUGE progress and right away I asked for the medicine. The anesthesiologist was amazing! It hardly hurt ( I think the IV hurt worse) and they were excellent at making it peaceful and really calming before hand. I was able to get some sleep through the night (between the checks, rechecks and what not) and @ 9:30 or so they decided to break my water. My Dr. thought that he would be coming back @ 12:00 or so to deliver her but by 10:15 it was go time. I pushed maybe 5-6 times and out she came.
What a truly divine experience. I have never felt so accomplished, so proud or so close to the Savior in my life until that moment. Our little girl is sheer perfection (and the APGAR clarified 9.9). I am so happy she is here and the joy she has already brought. She is our little squeaker and Mark has been a real trooper. Has has done ALL the diaper changes, most of the feedings and holds her a lot. My mom was here and was a blessing too but we are sad that most of you are only getting to see her in pictures. I will post some more today just need to get the cable here so I can upload them. Thanks for all the prayers and love. We are truly blessed far more than we deserve. She is going to change our lives and we are so excited to see what will happen! We love you guys!

Here is a video

The Baby is Here!!!!

Mckinley Reese Williamson came into this world at 10:22am this morning. She is 7lbs 14oz's and is 20 inches long. She is happy healthy and beautiful!!! I will let Tisha give you the rest of the details later.

10/15

I honestly think the Lord knows me too well :) I am a planner. For those that know me I work best when I know what to expect or I have had time to plan, revise and plan again. Looks like 10/15 is the magic date! We have to call @ 6:30 and see if there are any beds available and then if so, show up @ 7:30 to start the induction. When the whole pregnancy started I never anticipated that I would be late...now officially two days late. I am just getting anxious to see her face and smell her. Here is to Wednesday- assuming she is born on that day she will share her birthday with Mark's mom! Some other people born that day-Sarah Ferguson (Duchess of York)

Jim Palmer

Tito Jackson (yes, of the Jackson 5)

Emeril Lagasse

That day was also the day "I Love Lucy" premiered. We are excited to have her here! Thanks everyone for your prayers of dilation and well wishes!

40 Weeks and Mark

So, as I sit here on my due date, (yes, there are actually real live people that make to to 40 weeks pregnant), I saw this on our cousin's blog and decided hey, what else should I be doing @ 7:00 in the morning. My last day at work was yesterday- I would have worked today too probably but my mom is flying into town this afternoon. It will be nice to have her here. My Dr's. appointment is today and I am really thinking I am going to have to be induced.

Since I figured the next 1000 posts will be about the baby, just some tidbits about Mr. Williamson and our encounters-

What's his name: Mark Steven Williamson
How long have you been married: 5 years
Who said I love you first: I did- Mark said he would marry the girl who said it first :)
Who is taller: We are about the same height
Who sings better: Mark. He is less shy about his singing, especially in church.
Who is smarter: Mark is the Jack of all Trades but Master of none. He knows a lot about motorcycles, cars, movies, music, the Gospel, etc. I have book smarts and all the useless trivial facts too though.
Who pays the bills: We both do.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed: Mark
Who mows the lawn: Mark- although we both loathe yard work.
Who cooks dinner: I do.
Who drives: His truck, him. My Honda- usually me but we trade off.
Who is more stubborn: 100% me.
Who kissed who first: I think me.
Who asked who out: I asked him to go coat shopping with me- not really a date but it all evolved from there.
Who proposed: Mark did and he even brought his motorcycle for moral support :)
His best feature: His lips and goatee ( I am a sucker for facial hair, the manicured kind).
His best characteristic: He is not easily offended. He is always so level headed in every situation.
Who has more siblings: Mark has 3 brothers, 3 sisters. I have 2 of each.
Who wears the pants in the family: People would say me I think but we really do have an egalitarian relationship.
What do we like to do together: Go to movies, concerts, out to eat, go visit friends, talk, home crafts, remodeling.

I truly do love this man more than life itself. I am so excited to be taking the journey of child rearing with him. I know undoubtedly that he will be an excellent father. He is so gentle, caring, thoughtful and it amazes me every day that the Lord blessed me with such a wonderful man.

For a Laugh

This skit was on Saturday Night Live last night...pretty hilarious. Every now and then they come up with a gem that would make for a great Road Show act! I for sure get to be Holly :)

It's here!!

No, I would never refer to my child as "it"....I am lovingly referring to the chair that I ordered a month ago. Tomorrow, after the first session of conference we will be bringing it home to complete the nursery. I think maybe that is what the baby is holding out for :)

No news for those out in blog land. We went to the Dr. yesterday only to find that I am still only a "finger tip dilated" but that I am softening...not to be confused with effacing which actually means that eminent birth is near. He said not to hold out hope for having her a few days early (even though she is still super high and hasn't dropped) but that more than likely I will be induced a week after my due date.

On a side note- if you guys are all interested in a good read, beware it does induce crying (and not just because of the pregnancy hormones). This blog is the sister of a couple from Arizona that was badly burned in a plane crash almost 2 months ago. Most of you in Utah probably have heard about Stefanie and Christian Nielson as their family is from Utah. My boss currently knows them very well and has been to see them in the hospital many times. It is really touching and you can donate to the cause. The updates are great and it really gives you the human connection. It makes me grateful for my family and the small things.

http://blog.cjanerun.com/- this is the sister who is posting the updates as Stephanie who is still in critical condition. She is also posting older posts from Stephanie about her love for her husband and kids and just cute little posts.

To get to know the Neilson family (see older posts) on "Nie Nie"'s blog @ http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Have a good weekend guys and enjoy conference. How great to be spiritually fed!