Basketball Champs!

OK, so they are in the playoffs, but Joe's daddy is his hero! He enjoys watching him and playing around in the gym while Steve has played with his buddies 2 times a week.
Here is the whole team, L to R, Jared, Kade, Steve, Jed, Dan, Thomas, Todd, and Rhett. Good luck guys!

Happy Birthday Love!

We celebrated Steve's 28th birthday! And yes, our child HATES wearing clothes because he thinks his underwear are way cooler. It saves me a lot of time on laundry and luckily we manage to get him dressed to go out in public and for bed time.
I didn't have any candles lying around so thanks for humoring me boys and blowing out nothing.
Steve is the most low key, passive, content person I know and since I just had a baby 8 days before we finally celebrated the way he would like to. We had an easy error proof dinner, thanks to our wonderful family for coming and he really wanted his watches fixed (check), a couple of belts (still working on it), a fire truck from Joe (check), and to go golfing with his unused anniversary gift cards (half check, still has a couple to use)
Things I love about my husband:
1. He is the best most loyal friend
2. He puts our family first
3. He changes almost as many diapers as I do
4. He has the best laugh
5. He is an amazingly hard worker
6. He is the most genuine person I know
7. He is a worthy Priesthood holder
8. He actively serves in our ward and tries to go help anyone who calls
9. He loves golfing, basketball, football and soccer, 2 of which he had to like to marry into my family
10. He puts up with me and still loves me
11. He helps me out with house stuff
12. Everyone who knows Steve loves him
13. He loves his family
14. He is very motivated and ambitious
15. I love how sexy he looks in business clothes, unfortunately for him he has to wear them everyday, fortunately for me it is a great thing to wake up to
16. He sings to Joe before bed even though he HATES singing and swears he is tone deaf
17. He lets me know that he thinks I'm amazing for having 2 kids, epidural or not, even though sometimes I like to remind him :)
18. I can trust him with anything
19. He is the best dad and both of our children adore him
20. He is super intelligent and I love when people call to ask him for financial advice, maybe his wife should do that more often
21. He is an awesome cook even though he doesn't have much time to experiment and his wife has a little bit of a picky palate
22. He never has a mean word to say about anyone
23. He is honest
24. He lets me visit my parents whenever I want to
25. He is a content, happy person which makes him extremely easy to be around
26. He is a great hand holder
27. He is an even better kisser
28. He is all mine
I love you honey and I hope you had a good day watching football and relaxing!

Lynden is 1 week! Here is how we celebrated!

For Lynden's 1 week, we went to Joe's swim class and a pumpkin patch and Lynden enjoyed her day by sleeping through all of it. Since Joe loves Tarzan, he loved this rope I found him to swing on.
The tractor made him want to be back at Papa's in Chicago so that he could actually ride on it instead of just sit.
He wanted to stand in the watermelon but wasn't tall enough so he made sure Lynden and I didn't get to be in it either and we just had to stand behind him.
Waiting for brother to be done with his train ride.
We bought 2 train tickets figuring Steve would have to go with Joe, but uhhh Steve joked that his toe wouldn't have even fit in the train. There was a four wheeler that some kid drove the train around with so we didn't need to go. Thanks lady at the front for ripping us off for 2 tickets, knowing full well that I planned for my husband to go with Joe! At least he LOVED it!
Petting the goats from the outside...
Then the inside...bring on the sanitizer
He said I could take a picture of him but then was jumping up and down so I would miss it. Luckily I caught one just in time! We had such a fun day, this was a cute pumpkin patch almost as good as the one we went to last year with Hillary and Sarah (we miss you guys tons!) We especially enjoyed picking out a pumpkin, Joe wanted the biggest ones and almost caused Steve to have a heart attack and an pumpkin avalanche a couple of times! Holidays are so much more fun with kids!

Random pictures

Loving nap time!
First bath with Grandma Sue! Thanks mama!
Petting Lynden and being very careful to not touch her soft spot. My mom stayed until Friday. Joe loved being able to sleep with her and play trains with her. No one plays trains as good as grandma does and no one has her energy. We miss her tons! Joe told her as she was getting out of the car, Grandma I will be so sad without you here! We both started crying! Thanks to mom's boo boo babies at home for needing her gone no longer than a week! Some funny phone calls she got were from Ben-how to work the oven, Dad-how to work the microwave, and I didn't catch one from JK, but boys you have it SOOO good! Mom has truly spoiled you! I take that back! She has spoiled all of us, we are so blessed!

Lynden Sue Jurca

Lynden Sue Jurca was born Saturday October 17th at 12:17 pm weighing 6 lb 14 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. Steve loves the name Lyn and his grandma's name is Maralyn so we decided on Lynden and Sue after my mom. We stayed Saturday night at the hospital and I was sooo needing to get out so Sunday at 3 daddy finally got there and we were discharged at 4. I knew Steve would be really uncomfortable on that little cot so I had him stay with Joe on Saturday so he could get a good night sleep. When he got there I was practically trying to run out of the hospital. She is such a little cutie and we are loving having her around. She is pretty pleasant and has everyone eating out of her hand. Enjoy the pictures!
All packed up and ready to go home
Joe meeting his baby sister for the first time, his face says it all...what the heck is going on and where did my mom's big bump go?
Getting Grandpa to enjoy the train set with him
I have the best in laws ever...they drove from St George all day Sunday got here late Sunday night and left Monday afternoon just to see this little girl. My father in law was deer hunting and when we finally got a hold of him, he came off the mountain and drove here. Jamie is visiting from Texas and had her mother in law watch her 2 boys so she could come here too. Good timing Lynden because who knows when Jamie would have gotten to see her otherwise. I feel so spoiled with tons of cute stuff that they brought us. Thanks to Ashley for the adorable nursing cover, Grandma Maralyn for the cute clothes and shoes, Jamie for spoiling us from Gap, and Grandma Bev brought us clothes, burp cloths and she went to my FAVORITE store Krumpets in St George and got me a Halloween decoration which I love! They were so sweet to come and Steve & I were so excited they came so quick!
I had heard of getting a big brother present to help Joe with the adjustment and I thought a train table would be PERFECT since he is always wanting to go to Barnes and Noble and play with the one in the kids area. Lynden brought Joe this train table and he was THRILLED and is very distracted with it and his sister. It's working exactly like we wanted it too.
Our little family, Joe was relieved when we told him Lynden was too little to play with the trains yet.
Just hanging out enjoying her new home
Getting Grandma Sue to play with the trains
We went out to lunch at Bajio's which was delicious thank you to my wonderful in laws and then they had to hit the road to get back to St George. Thank you so much for coming! We love you tons!
We are loving our little princess! Joe wanted to snag her blanket and make it into a cape :) at least he is acknowledging her! After I took these pictures tonight he did hold her, pat her back and help give her her binky HUGE step! I feel extremely lucky to have my little family!

Labor and Delivery...Beware!

Throughout the day on the 15th and 16th, I had a few contractions but didn't think very much of them. With Joe I had major back labor which was HORRIBLE so I wasn't exactly sure when the normal contractions were coming, but on the morning of the 17th around 7:30 I was pretty sure I was having them. I was super uncomfortable so I got up, took a long bath, packed up some stuff, got Joe's stuff ready, ate some breakfast and waited until my boys woke up at 10:00! I didn't want to wake Steve up because it was the weekend and he had a really long week at work, plus with Joe I was in labor went to the hospital but wasn't progressing so I got sent home for a few hours and I didn't want that to happen again. At 10 I called my fabulous cousin Jessica and told her I thought I was in labor and would be calling her back in probably 2 hours...Steve called her back in 30 minutes because I could no longer speak on the phone :) We rushed out the door ( I think I was crying in this picture and having a contraction) We had to get gas, next time we will be more prepared and then arrived at the hospital around 11:35. Jessica met us there to get Joe and the little cutie was so sad that I was in so much pain. Cute things he said before I left, "mom I'm sorry you are hurting, dad hold her hand NOW, I will miss you, and I love you!" They wheeled me upstairs since I could BARELY move and Steve waited the 3 minutes outside until Jess got there, pretty much the most amazing girl...got to the hospital which was 40 minutes away right after we got there. I got into a bed to be checked about 11:45 and they told me I was dialated to a 7! And I thought, holy crap, I am not getting an epidural...and then everyone started RUSHING around. I got into a delivery room at 12:00 and at 12:05 was told I wouldn't get the epidural in time. It was going to take 15 minutes and she would be out before then. Since I had never been to this hospital it was taking time to get my labs done and the stickers for my bloodwork printed out. At 12:06 they asked if I would like to start pushing, I said no, but I guess my body said yes. The nurse handled things like a mid wife would and was a great coach. My poor husband and I were in SHOCK plus I was hyperventilating so I couldn't feel my hands, they were numb and hurting, so Steve got the...hold my hand, don't hold my hand, help me speech! At 12:07 I started pushing and she arrived at 12:17 pm. I wasn't even at the hospital for an hour and the doctor who was on call didn't get into the room on time and just walked in to cut the cord and deliver the placenta. Crazy is the only word I can use to describe it! The nurse was fabulous and I didn't even tear. I also felt very empowered and couldn't believe I was still alive since I don't do very well with pain.
Here is the proud, shocked daddy
Here I am once we made it to my recovery room and got her from her bath/warming time
My wonderful mom flew in Saturday evening and Jess picked her up and they came and saw me. Our aunt and uncle are here from Canada at their condo and came and saw us. I think I was still in shock :) and forgot to take out my camera and will have to get their pictures. It was a bummer, but because of the flu and swine flu NO children are allowed in the hospital not even siblings so we didn't take very many pictures while there
Here she is! Very alert...we got to have a party all night from 12:30 until 8 with a 2 hour cat nap :)

Halloween treats

I have decided not to get out my Halloween decorations this year because they will not get put away until probably New Year's so these Halloween cupcakes are the closest I got. Monday I had a crazy nesting day and was able to clean, do laundry, dishes, make dinner, dessert and have some friends over. I was moving all day and felt great, like I finally got back the energy I've lost over the past 9 months :) !
We had some friends come over and unfortunately Joe sent his friend home with a black eye. I felt horrible! I think he was so excited to have people over and as Taylor was running down the hall towards him he swung his bedroom door into Taylor's eye...Total bummer and to make matters worse Joe gets humiliated super easily in front of bigger groups so he wouldn't say sorry in front of everyone. Other than that, very fun night and it was so fun to watch the boys decorate cupcakes.

Yummy Donuts!

Thanks Lindsey for this delicious apple spiced donuts recipe! We LOVED it and Joe could not get enough of them! I am loving fall!

Phoenix zoo

Having fun climbing on the tree, it was a new adventure for him

I had a doctor appointment on Tuesday at 38 weeks and some change...My doctor told me he would be gone Thursday through the weekend (the 15th-18th) and the next Thursday (22nd-25th)...Fabulous, so I either had to go into labor on the 14th or be induced the 18th-21st and if I didn't make it to the top of the waiting list I could be induced the 25th-the next week if I wanted him to deliver. I wasn't too happy because I knew I wasn't going to make it to my actual due date, the 24th and I really wanted him to deliver. I was talking to Heather and she mentioned something about going to the zoo...determined to put myself into labor I invited Joe and I to go along with her, Kena and Benson. It was a fun day of walking, exploring the animals and playing at the splash pad. Joe especially liked it because he LOVES the movie Tarzan right now so seeing the monkeys and elephants were great for him. He was soooo cute and brave at the splash pad running around and enjoying the day. Usually he isn't very brave and I have to go around with him so it was really fun for me to stand back and watch, even though I did have to remind him a few times to come out of hiding and go down the slide since he sometimes got pushed out of the way by the big kids. It was such a fun day, thanks Heather! O and I have been craving the yogurt ever since!

Daddy's basketball games

Steve signed up for a city league basketball team with some of his friends from St George (Rhett, Jed, Kade), some of their friends from school, and our friend Dan from our ward. It has been pretty fun going and watching on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Joe gets pretty excited to go and I have to try not to mention it too early in the day so he doesn't bring it up all day long! Here Joe is with Kaylee. He LOVES it when she is at the games, loves her purse, loves flirting with her, and loves the attention. He gets excited when Tate comes too, but I am too nervous to take a picture of Joe with him because I feel like I need all my hands and attention with a newborn and a toddler and a cement floor :)
Joe especially loves after the game when he gets to run on the court and play with his dad for a few minutes and throws major tantrums if he doesn't get too. I don't necessarily blame him since he stays out of the fun that the big guys get to have for an hour!
Every chance he gets he will sit with his dad, give him his gatorade, or occasionally cheer him on. It's really cute! I love these boys!