Happy Birthday baby!

Well, this is clearly long overdue, considering the baby we are mentioning is almost six weeks old...but we didn't have internet access, and we were moving - so better late than never I guess.

Quinn Erin Leavitt was born June 27, 2012 - but it all started when I was 38 weeks pregnant...I went in for my weekly appointment, and the PA measured my stomach, and rather than measuring the usual one week behind schedule, I was measuring 5 weeks behind schedule. So according to this measurement I was only supposed to be 33 weeks. It was really strange, and the PA was concerned, so she spoke with my doctor, and she decided to do an ultrasound just to make sure that everything was ok. When she did the ultrasound she noted that the baby's stomach was measuring small and said that sometimes when the uterus is unable to continue growing, the baby will start to sacrifice their own weight so that their other body organs can continue growing at a normal rate. This led to the decision to schedule an induction at 39 weeks - I was really excited because I was over being pregnant. It was getting hotter, and I was getting more uncomfortable, hats off to those of you who endure an entire summer while pregnant, that is not my cup of tea.

So, 39 weeks came, it was June 27th and we arrived at the hospital at 7:00am - really stinkin early if you ask me, I don't think I had seen the light of day that early until I had to be at the hospital that morning. Being induced was great for me because it took away the anxiety of not knowing when exactly to go to the hospital. I was really worried about that. Anyway, we got there at seven, ordered some breakfast from the cafeteria, then noon rolls around and that's when I was supposed to start the pitocin, but I had actually gone into labor on my own. The nurse decided to let me continue on my laboring journey and by two o'clock nothing really progressed, even after I walked around in the hospital's little serenity garden (I felt like a crazy person walking around in circles for twenty minutes).

Finally around four or so, I don't really remember what time it was, in walks my doctor, and if I would have known the pain she was about to cause me, I would not have been so happy to see her. The doctor came in, and broke my water so that the contractions would be stronger - they were far enough apart, they just weren't strong enough, I mean I couldn't even feel them and I didn't have an epidural yet. So, lo and behold the doctor broke my water, and dang...that did not feel...good. I could feel the contractions after that, and I did not like it. I asked, well, more like begged for the epidural after that, and the saintly man with the drugs walked in a half hour later. I got the epidural and all was well again. I have never felt so peaceful...I listened to some music, fell asleep, and I was woken up by the nurse at 8:45pm coming in to see if I had progressed at all. Previous to me having the epidural I was dilated to a 3 1/2ish, so my guess was that I was at a 5 or so. Nathan guessed I was at a seven, and his mom thought I was a nine (yeah right, I thought). We were all wrong, I was a ten! The nurse called the doctor, and she was instructed to have me "labor down" for an hour, and then the doctor would come in. So I "labored down," whatever that was...I just watched some T.V. for an hour - then the doctor came in because she had a scheduled C-section that she was in for, but she decided to check me first because I was feeling a lot of pressure on my tailbone.

The doctor checked me and asked me to give a practice push. I said "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do," and she told me to pretend like I was taking a number two...gross. So I gave her my practice push, and I couldn't feel a thing, I mean nothing! That epidural was amazing!!! Anyway, so during my practice push, the doctor gave Nathan and I this look of surprise, but it was a concerning surprise from my perspective - then she says "wow, you are a good pusher, we are going to deliver you before the girl with the C-section." Woo hoo! I thought. I still couldn't believe it was time to push and time to have a baby, it did not feel real. Time was flying by, and pretty soon I was going to be holding a baby, MY baby. I pushed for a little less than 20 minutes and boom, she was here, born at 10:08pm! It was such an amazing experience, especially the part where I couldn't feel a thing, (thank you epidural!) and Nathan was by my side the whole time. 

She was so itty bitty, weighing in at 5lbs. 14oz. and 18.75in long

Dr. Z and Quinn

Thumbs up, we did it!

First family photo

A Happy Easter

Not much has been going on with us Leavitt's lately. I mean, it will seem like a lot once I spit it all out for the world to read, but we have mostly been really busy with school, and anticipating graduation next month.

In terms of updating, since I haven't blogged since last summer...

...in October we found out we were having a baby!

and our dog Duke broke the news to everyone.

...in December, Nathan was accepted into Dental School through the IDEP program and Creighton University. Which basically means that the first year of school we will be going to Idaho State University in Pocatello, and then the last three years of school we will be in Omaha, Nebraska at Creighton University – but paying in state tuition, not complaining.

...in February we found out that we are having a baby girl!

...a couple Sundays ago, we celebrated Easter, on a really sunny day

Nathan took a nap outside...

I looked at the pretty flowers blooming...
and Duke just kind of hung out.

Well, like I said, we are anticipating graduation next month on May 12th, and we are really excited to have our family around to celebrate with us, it seems like a long time coming–at least for me anyway. The baby is due on July 4th, and Dental School starts on August 6th, so we have a busy summer ahead of us, but we are very excited and feel very blessed.

Cincinnati Reds

A few weeks ago we were able to go to a MLB game and go and see the Cincinnati Reds play the Atlanta Braves - I will just spare you the suspense and tell you that the Reds won the game we were at, it was really sweet. While we were en-route to the big game we stopped at a flea market on the way there. I was hoping it would be a really sweet one you see on TV were everyone on HGTV gets super sweet finds and displays it proudly in their home...not the case.

This picture might give you a glimpse at why that was the case

It was basically the craziest, dirtiest disgusting place ever - and all those sweet flea market finds, garbage! But it was a most entertaining experience, and it was just 2 bucks to get in, for both of us, now that is a cheap thrill.

Nathan did manage to find a new friend while he was there though...The game didn't start until later and we had a few hours to kill. Unfortunately it was really hot that day, so we looked for things to do inside, and that led us to an art museum. That's right, I got Nathan to go into an art museum - mark that on your calendar folks. The best part is, he suggested it! Call it what you may, but I think it's love. Anyway, the featuring artist of the museum was Keith Haring, an incredibly famous graffiti style artist. It was pretty interesting for the most part, but we loved the top floor of the museum which was the children's area, which meant that it was interactive and actually fun.

Then came game time. ESPN was there for the pre-game show, if that's what they call it anyway. It was a lot of fun just to see how crazy people act just to get on camera. Here are a few highlights from the game...

Don't forget the famous ball park franks

And of course the reason we all went to the game, to celebrate Nathan's cousin Max's birthday, Happy Birthday Max!

A Trip to Kirtland, Ohio

This last Sunday we were able to go and see the Church History site of Kirtland, Ohio. It was a really great place to see where the early saints began building the very first temple. We were able to go inside, and see many of the original things from the church in the 1830s. It was a awesome experience and a great opportunity to strengthen my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.

We are still very much enjoying our summer, but we are certainly ready to go back home to a drier air - the humidity is melting us....one more month.

Recent Happenings...

Hello all of my five faithful readers - this update is for you. Not much has been happening lately, we had a small change of events for the summer where Nathan has got a job as the "dreaded summer salesman," but really it isn't that bad. We are at an undisclosed location for an undisclosed amount of time, and we are here with lots of Nathan's family - so it has been a lot of fun for us. We brought our trusty companion Duke with, largely for my own entertainment, since I find myself constantly bored.

As of late this is what has been happening depicted in a few random photographs...

First, way back in April - Duke turned 2! He got a new toy and I made him a peanut butter cake, dog friendly of course...

Next, for Mother's Day I made my mom some awesome polaroid magnets, which is basically copied the idea from this website, and mom loved them! It was a really great simple project.

Within the first week I was here (my secret undisclosed location that is), I went to a Taylor Swift concert with another girl that is out here working with her husband and the company - and it just so happens that we are in the same ward back home...small world, I know. It was awesome!!!

After a few days of being bored, I headed to the grand state of North Carolina to visit my sister-in-law, Amber and her family. She has twin boys, and they were a hoot. Take a look...I took these pictures in the car (Collin was really thrilled...)while Amber and I took turns shopping.

Meet Collin and Grant, age 3 1/2 - they are feisty little guys, but they were so much fun to hang out with while I was there.

Speaking of shopping, I have to tell you of the little adventure we had in North Carolina while we were on our way to a little shopping venture. So here is the story, we are getting in the car and I look down the road and I see a shredded tire, or what I thought it was...nope - this is what it really was....
a SNAKE! It was just slithering across the road, it was crazy and at least four feet long. So we watch it cross the road and get along our merry little way and then...a vulture flies down and picks up a squirrel, right in the middle of road! It was a wild, morbid morning, but we survived.

Also, Nathan had been studying his little bum off for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), which we were both nervous about. He ended up taking the test and did really well (all that worrying for nothing), now we just have to apply for school and get on with this whole dental school thing.

Last but not least, we celebrated our 2nd anniversary on June 25th - it was so exciting. We went to eat at the Cheesecake Factory...yum. It was so romantic, and we had lots of fun. The end.

Finally a Break - Hawaiian Style

Spring Break recently came and went a little too fast than both Nathan and I would have preferred, but oh well. We were able to go to Hawaii for Spring Break - it was SO great to have a break from school. School got out and the following Sunday we left for Hawaii - it was a lot of traveling, but we finally made it there at 10:30am on Monday. We went to the island of Kauai, which is the first one on the left in this picture.

As soon as we got there we were greeted at the airport with leis and a gift bag with some information about the island and some other little knick-knacks.

Nice leis....

After we got picked up by Nathan's mom, sister & our nephew we headed to Costco...I know, it's quite the thrill - first thing you do is visit Costco. But it was awesome! I always love me a good Costco run, but in Hawaii, I guess you just love it that much more. Once we left Costco we got to our new home for the next week. We stayed in the "city" of Koloa in the Marriot Beach Club - so fabulous, see for yourself!

This was taken out the door of our room, and you can the ocean just beyond the palm trees

Mary, Leann & Brennan ( Nathan's mom, sister & our nephew) had arrived in Hawaii the previous Wednesday and they had already planned out our week for us when we got there, which was really nice that we didn't have to worry about making reservations for anything. First we enjoyed a day at the beach, with some snorkeling of course - followed by a helicopter tour of the island - which was AMAZING! Here are some pictures of both:

Leann & Brennan

view from the chopper

The next day was pretty low key. Nathan and I got up early to go zip-lining, which was so much fun! Though rumor has it Mary somehow ended up upside down while she and Leann went - wish I could have seen that!

Ashley propelling down the rigorous terrain...sort of

This is what we did while Mary & Leann went zip-lining...

Lastly we went to a luau, which was way cool. It was awesome to get to eat so much great food and experience many different cultures.

All in all we had SO much fun, and I recommend that everyone visits Hawaii at least once in their life. It is a really great place to relax and have fun with your family.

Careers and holiday celebrations.

I'm lame. I have a hard time updating this whole blog thing - and I know that Nathan would never update it, I wonder if he even knows that this thing even exists? Anyway, to make up for my lameness I will just have to fill you in on the latest and greatest of the Leavitts. Since the last post we had an open house for Nathan's sister Emily and her husband Tucker from the wedding during Thanksgiving break (you will have to stalk Emily's facebook for pictures) and we also celebrated Christmas with Nathan's family in Lewiston. We stayed at the Leavitt's house for practically an entire month - and that is no exaggeration, but we had lots of fun and ate way too much food. Nathan claims that he gained 10lbs while we were there, which may be a slight exaggeration.

Oh, I forgot to say that when we got home after Thanksgiving we had a snow day! It snowed 8inches overnight in Boise, and the entire University was closed! Best. day. EVER. Duke really enjoyed the snow. Oh, and I had to buy Duke a Christmas sweater...Nathan hated that I dressed the dog.I think it's cute.

In January we started school again, I am taking some studio art classes, and Nathan is busy with sciences classes and an "internship," which he is basically getting credit for job shadowing. Oh man - I almost forgot the most exciting news of all, Nathan has decided to become a ....

DENTIST!

Maybe you all aren't as relieved as I am to know that Nathan has finally made a "final" decision as to what his career goals are. Originally he was pursuing Medical School but after job shadowing some of the professions that he was interested in, he decided that is wasn't for him. Erin, Nathan's dad-who is also a dentist, always has Nathan come in and help at the office and during Christmas Break it just sort of dawned on him that dentistry is the really the best option for what he is interested in. With all that in mind, he will be taking the placement test, DAT, this summer, and be applying to schools this fall and hopefully he will snag an interview. Yay!

Lastly, Valentine's Day is my FAVORITE holiday - but no one really knows why, I just like it. We went and had lunch together instead of dinner, we both have night classes, so it just worked out that way. I got Nathan Mario Kart for the Wii, and don't worry he has had it for a week, and the whole game is nearly beaten. And I got flowers and an iTunes gift card, which I really wanted. I also made chocolate fondue with strawberries, pound cake, rice crispies and brownies - it was, delicious, not to brag - but it was.