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.