Thursday, October 29, 2009

Keegan Kristian Allee

Keegan Kristian Allee was born at 11:50 AM on October 29, 2009. He weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and was 20 3/4 inches. Both mom and baby are doing well and are enjoying their bonding time together right now.

Here are some pictures.

Keegan before they put the goop in his eyes right after birth (approx. 10 minutes old).

Jessica and Keegan smiling at each other.


Bright eyed baby boy!


Proud father with his new baby boy and our nurse, Pam, who was great with Jessica. Thanks Pam and all of Sparrow's folks! Jessica's doctor, Dr. Cramton, was great too!

Monday, October 12, 2009

This Week at a Glance

A few significant events are happening this week including Kris' 33rd birthday on Thursday. Happy early birthday, Babe! I know it will probably be a difficult one, but I'm here for you in whatever capacity you need me. To everyone else, please remember to wish Kris a happy birthday. Please remind him just how great he is and how he has so much to look forward to this year. He will appreciate your kindness and friendship as will I.

Also, we are coming down to about 2 1/2 weeks left of this pregnancy. I say "we" because Kris has been there every step of the way, through doctor's appointments, ultrasounds, and the day to day events that seem to only come when you've got a pregnant woman living in your home.

About three weeks ago I told Kris to take a look at my belly because Keegan was making it wave as he does throughout the day. It's become normal to me, and probably normal to most pregnant women to have your belly peak like Mount Everest or look like the ocean in the middle of a typhoon. No wonder most of us (pregnant women) are consumed and obsessed about our pregnancies, and at moments want everyone to feel as good, or as bad as we feel sometimes. Most people know that I love to be pregnant, but now that my due date is only a few weeks away, I can't wait for it to be over.

The reality that we will be a family of 6 hasn't really sunk in yet though and at times I feel like the condition I am currently in (overweight, achy, and tired) is just the way it will be forever. I know it's not true, and I am grateful for that. I am also really looking forward to trading in my current condition, and about 15 pounds of infant and placenta for a beautiful baby boy to hold. I suspect that Kris is feeling the same way too-excited about having a baby boy.

Kris and I really treasure those special moments at the hospital, the ones leading up to the delivery of our babies and the two days following. What a special bonding experience it has been for us, and I encourage couples who are expecting babies to take advantage of the intimate moments that can only happen between husband, wife, and baby once in a lifetime. It's only been better for us with each additional child we've had. It's the best time of my life, and I really look forward to being with Kris and Keegan.

Anyway, I'll get off my soap box and just say, thanks everyone for your love and support, and again, "Happy early birthday, Kris!" I love you this much

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Thank You

Do I have the best husband or what? Thank you Kris for your loving blog. I only wish it were all true, and hope that someday I can live to be the person you think I am. I love you with all my heart!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Not Normal

OK, today while I was mowing the lawn I was thinking about something Jessica and I were talking about last night on our date. She was worried about not being ready for Keegan's birth in a few weeks (or tomorrow--so she thinks). See, Jessica is not normal. She doesn't do the birthing thing normally. She uses hypnotherapy.



Normal births, at least in our generation, involve two doctors. An OB and an anesthesiologist. Well, we only use one of those. I was thinking about my responsibility to be ready to help Jessica (basically hypnotize her) and how non-normal that is. I quickly realized Jessica is not normal...she is not ordinary. Rather, she is exceptional...so extraordinary.

Everything this woman does is amazing. Three kids, one more (at least) to go, and all done naturally. Most women like to simplify things before they have a new baby (especially for number four), Jessica adopts a 120 lb shedding, drooling, and "doing other messy and time consuming things" dog a couple weeks before the baby's birth. Even with her husband suggesting, advising, and close to begging her not to do so.



Some ladies like to do a couple of things to the house when they are about to give birth. Jessica does everything to the house before her child is born. Everything. I have no idea what Jessica's mom is going to when she gets out here for Keegan's birth (except watch the other kiddos for us).

Those are just the non-normal things she has done this past few weeks. Our whole 10+ years of marriage she has been special. She is the most loyal and devoted person I have ever met. If you are her friend then you can expect her loyalty and devotion. If you are her husband, you get more!!! She is an exceptional mother. When I see her play with the kids or even reprimand and teach the kids I realize that I hit the jackpot. Spiritually this woman doesn't have any flaws. The normal things that set normal people (like me) back spiritually don't even phase her. Man, I feel I could go on for ever. I will save you all from a 10 page blog entry.



To finish my thoughts from this afternoon, I guess the thing I focused on the most while mowing the lawn today though is her extraordinary understanding of how much I have been struggling since my mom died. I have been difficult to be around. I know that because I don't even like to be around myself much lately. However, she has worked tirelessly to try to make me feel better and to make it easier for me to be alone. She has encouraged me to deal with my grief and encouraged me to seek help. She was by my side for it all and left me alone when I needed it. In short, she has been the perfect friend.

I don't know why I didn't just write this in a more personal card and give it to her tonight (after she gets back from her Primary Presidency meeting). I guess I wanted her parents to see this and let them know what a great job they did with her. How lucky I feel to have her. I wanted her sisters, friends, and even new acquaintances to know that if they were wondering why Jessica sticks out so much to them (besides the red hair) in their lives it was because she is not normal. She is exceptional. We meet normal people everyday. Statistically speaking, 95% of all the people that we meet each day are "normal" and therefore, not extraordinary. Not my wife. Not now and I am guessing (more like predicting) not ever. So if you see her or talk to her this week or this month make sure to tell her what she should already know, but deserves to hear from all of us that are around her. Tell her that she is a freak!!! :) In a good way. Also, if you could, invite her to take a break and leave some of the work to us normal, ordinary folk. We need the practice to try to close the distance.