Makenzie Sue Porter

The time has finally arrived for our little precious girl to enter this mortal world. The induction date has been set, the car seat has been put in the car, and family is all in town from Tucson, (minus 2 brothers).

We went to Banner Gateway hospital at 8:00 pm on Thursday, March, 19 to be induced. They placed some blue gel to help "ripen" me from 10-2. Then, 2 rolled around and they started me on pitcoin. 9 o'clock came and my dr. came in to break my water. That was the experience, let me tell you. The nurse told me I won the award for most water this month. I figured as much when I heard her tell the other nurses, "we need some towels - we are gonna need more towels!!" Time ticked as we waited and hoped for progression. It was fun to have family in there keeping us company and I watched her little heart rate and contractions. Three times her heart rate dropped, making it as low as 46. That is enough the make you start to cry and feel anxious, worried and pleadful all at once.

My dr. came back at 5:30 just to find out that I went from an 8 backwards to a 5. Apparently I have a small pelvis, which would not be big enough for our Kenzie. Her pressure caused me to swell and digress backwards. We then knew a c-section was in store.

After 21 hours of labor, Matt changed into his little blue scrubs outfit and we were rolled into surgery. Not before a much heartfelt prayer was said by my much worried husband, and daddy first. I have to admit that I was very nervous and almost in shock that I had to have a c-section. At 6:25, little Makenize Sue made her apperance. All is well.

I guess while we were recovering, myself shaking uncontrollably for a good hour, we had an entourage outside pacing the hallways, maybe making some nurses a little on the "who are these people" side. When we were rolled back into our room, the scene of 18 people awaiting us in the hallway was undescribable. All of Matt's brothers and sisters and spoused were there, all 4 grandparents, and most of my brothers and sisters all welcomed this little bundle of joy into the world. All I could think about was how grateful I was, and am, for family, for the support this little girl will have her entire life.

We are so grateful you are here safe, and healthy

Makenzie Sue.

Family Picture

Have you ever felt that no matter the angle, you always have a double chin? Lauren and Morgan were gracious enough to drive out to Bulldog and take our family picture. We decided to take tug, since he is obviously part of the family. Hope you like the belly!

Time for Thanksgiving.

We had a great Thanksgiving, just like any other family had. We made it to both houses this year, Tucson and here in the Valley. Matt drove me to school at 6:30 AM on Wed morning to pick me up and head straight down to Tucson. I usually make the drive and I get motion sick very easily and Matt likes to enjoy the ride. After a detour of I-10 gone wrong, 3 huge accidents, at least 10 photo radar police vans, and about 50 "snowbird" drivers, we pulled into my families driveway just in time to see the pit being closed up.

FYI - my family smokes our turkeys every year in a pit underground that is dug out and lined with fire brick. You have never tasted anything so delicious than a hot turkey right out from the pit. This year my dad got off easy with only 34 turkeys, 70 lbs. of pork and a big pot of beans! We didn't even stay 24 hrs., but it was sure nice to see my family. You never realize how much you love your family until you are away from them.

After we opened the pit up and d-boned our turkey, thanks babe, we made the trek back up to the Valley just in time to eat with Matt's family. What a feast and great company.

Bows and more bows

Since we are having a little girl, I guess I better take my sewing machine out of the box and get to work. Lauren and I took a bow class last night at Ribbons and Lace and here is what the results were. Not too bad I think for a first attempt!



I am for hire.

Matts Birthday

Monday was Matt's 27 birthday!! Happy birthday my love!! I don't remember the day you were born, the day you got your drivers license, the day you left on your mission, or the day you returned - but, I do remember the day I feel in love with you, the day we took made our marriage covenants and the day we found out we were going to bring a sweet baby girl into this world.

I can't imgaine all the wonderful memories we are going to make together over the next many decades, but I look forward to them.

His special day started off with some nesteggs for breakfast, followed by the opening of presents. I got him a new pair of vonzipper sunglasses, an offroad dvd, some shorts and some whipped honey. I am pretty sure I took care of all the necessities a man needs in his life. I made chicken rolls for dinner and then we had people over for cake and ice cream. It was a great night to celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest men I have ever known.

I love you babe.

It was also Eda's birthday last Saturday, so on Sunday we had cake and ice cream at the in-laws.

The yota at it's best

Matt and Brett took the Yota out for a jaunder the other day. They have so much fun and it is a huge stress reliever for them. I don't know what is more fun for them, romping it for a few hours, or spending the next few weeks fixing it back up. Matt always tells me that he is not enjoying the endless hours at his parents' house tinkering with his car, but deep down I know better. I love seeing him enjoy this so much.

One day, you will see Matt in the Baja 1000, racing away in his prerunner truck. Probably with our little girl as his copilot!

Volleyball is over...

I feel like I have been coaching non-stop for 4 years since I started teaching high school. Once vball season is over, it's soccer, then softball, then club volleyball, then summer conditioning for vball...it never ends!

This season was especially hard for me. One being pregnant, I had a hard time putting in a 12-14 hour day. Coaching after you have been teaching special ed math all day is draining. Nonetheless, I loved coaching. I love how much fun the girls have, how much fun I have seeing them play well, and you know - the stuff coaches like. However, I had to deal with more parent drama than I ever have before in my life. I got emails from parents who daughters were starting, whose daughters weren't starting, daughters who were getting too much playing time and not enough playing time. I felt like I could never win.

Needless to say, it is bittersweet that the season is over. I enjoying coming home right after school now to hang out with Matt, shop for our new anticipated arrival, and taking naps. I know that is going to end shortly. Matt and I decided that I would not coach club vball this year and to be honest, it is a relief to know that I get to spend the evenings and weekends however I please. Here is to taking some time off!!!