Along Came Katy

My dad has always had good advice for me throughout my life. Whether it's been to never give up, or endure to the end, he's always had a good word for me. One of the most memorable tidbits of wisdom he has given me has been to make sure that the girl I want to marry is a good kisser, because, "You have to kiss those same lips for the rest of your life." He joked, but there was a lot of truth to it.

In September of 2009, I got a call from my sister-in-law, Ashley. The background was noisy and I couldn't hear her all that well, but she had some very important news for me. She was up at the Utah State football game in Logan and she happened to run into someone we both knew. Ashley had gone to high school with Katy Ashcroft. Katy is the younger sister to Jen Ashcroft, who was briefly engaged to my older brother, Josh, for a moment in time about 15 years ago. Katy and I hung out once or twice back then. I was 15.

Well, Ashley and Katy got to talking and my name was brought up. Katy was divorced, I was divorced, and it was imperative Ashley did something about it. So she called me, let me know, gave me Katy's phone number and was giddy with excitement with the possibilities that could ensue.

So it was either the next day, or the day after that when I called Katy. We talked for a little bit and I asked her out for that Friday. We exchanged emails and emailed a couple times until then.

September 26, 2009, we had our first date. I got off work, tried to take a nap, but couldn't sleep long because I was actually a little nervous to see her. I was excited, though. I went to pick her up and got to the door and was answered by her sister, Sarah, and then Olivia Luce peeked around the corner. I had totally forgotten they were cousins. They lived in Sarah's basement apartment together.

Katy finally came up and looked great. She was wearing this black, blousy shirt and her jeans and looked great. Her hair had changed, though. It was dark, and looked great. 

So we left and I was totally off my game. Nervous, indecisive, I know I'm not that smooth, but I usually had things planned well for a date. I had her help to decide on dinner, and we finally found Tepanyaki Japanese Steakhouse. It was great and we had a good time. 

After that, we headed to the District to go see a movie. I couldn't decide between romantic comedy, or scary action suspense, but finally thought the action suspense might get her to hold on to me. We watched Eagle Eye with Shia Lebouf, and it was pretty good. She didn't get startled very easily, though.

It was pretty late after the movie, so we headed back to her house. She noticed I was a little tired and told me to crash on the couch if I needed to. I was glad she did, I was tired. I didn't really want to leave her just yet either. I was attracted to her and I was hoping she felt the same. 

We put Pirates of the Caribbean in and hung out on the couch for a bit. She made the couch up for me to sleep on, and then to my surprise she came in and snuggled up with me. I dozed off with her in my arms and then had one of my little jerky fidgets. She kind of turned around and looked me in the eyes. I couldn't look away and then we kissed. We kissed for a while. I couldn't get over how soft her lips were. I never felt lips so soft. Incredible.

We finally dozed off with her still in my arms and early in the morning I kissed her goodbye. All I could think about was how soft her lips were. 

As nervous as I was, I'm glad we were able to have a good time for our first date. I made sure to call her and ask her out again, and again, and again. My dad was right. Gotta make sure she knows how to kiss.

One Big Happy Family

Tonight was an especially sweet night. Tina's husband, Brett, and I arranged for us to meet after a wedding reception in Ogden so that the kids could finally see Boston. I didn't realize how emotional I would be until after we picked up the kids, I was taking a picture of Carrson holding Boston. It was a moment I'll never forget. Now I understand how my dad feels when he spends time with his sons. Not that my daughters are any less important, it was just special to see Carrson finally with his little brother. 

Finally having Katy with me and all the kids was pretty monumental in my life. Four kids! It's incredible the feeling I had when I had my whole family together, even if it was just for just a little over an hour. 

Carrson is the best big brother I could ask for for my kids. When he saw Boston he just loved him. He was so cute. Addi and Sadee were so cute, too. Addi had to keep telling Sadee to hold back until they had washed their hands. Addi was in an especially good mood, too. I was grateful she wasn't tired after the day they had had. When Brett and Tina came to pick them up, Sadee just shouted, "I LIKE HIM!!!" Too cute. Carrson kissed Boston goodbye and told him he loved him. 

A good pride filled my heart to see my little big family, and I feel like I'm falling in love with Katy all over again. I'm not sure what it is, and it's not like any love was lost, but now seeing her as a mother to our son makes me love her in a whole new way. I kind of feel like I have her back, too. I know she never left, but sometimes it seemed she was a slave to the pregnancy. I love her so much. The word "Happy" just doesn't describe how I'm feeling now. Sure, we're pretty tired all the time, but look at what we have. I have a beautiful wife, beautiful kids and a future that is looking brighter.

It was hard to see the kids go, but it was a great night. Jake and Ashley came too with Milo. He had fun with the girls. 

Katy pointed out the timing of Boston's arrival as we were on our way home because she noticed I was a bit sad the kids were gone. I was having a hard time with the kids moving to Idaho already. On the day they were to leave, Boston decided he was coming. He's a blessing in our lives many times over. His birthday took care of any sadness I had building up.

Tree Frog

It's been a lazy Friday. I went to work, came home and burped Boston, kissed Katy, and then worked out a little. I took a shower, and washed and scrubbed it while I was in.

We took Boston out for our first walk with the stroller. Pretty exciting. Dropped off some dishes to some of the sweet people that made us dinners, and then came back to relax to dinner and a movie.

We watched Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Not great, but ok. Boston went to his bed for most of the movie so Katy and I could snuggle. It's been a while since we've been able to do that since she was always so hot from being pregnant. I loved it. Boston woke up close to the end of the movie, and decided he just wanted to hang out with us, so we took turns holding him.

I was sitting on the couch and had him on my chest over my heart. In my head I was thinking it was so symbolic that he was on my heart. He has taken over most of our lives, and we just love him so much. I love having him sleep on me, he looks just like a tree frog. He keeps his legs tucked in and his hands kind of in front of his face. My little baby tree frog.

He's managed to pee on me a number of times while changing him. Once that diaper is off and the air hits, look out. He's got some power.

Katy is so cute with him. I don't know, there's just something so special between the two of them. Whether she is feeding him, or just talking to him, I love to see the way she is with him. His little noises always make her smile. I love her so much.

And then there was Boston

September 13, 2009 was a big day. It just so happened that Katy and I had my kids that weekend. It was the last weekend that Carrson, Addalyn and Sadee would be with us before they made the final move with their mom to Idaho.

Addalyn woke up around 1:00 am and came downstairs to get me. I carried her back upstairs and snuggled her until she fell back asleep. I couldn't help it, I fell asleep with my arm around her until Katy came up to get me around 6:00 am. She took hold of my hand and led me back down the stairs and I got into bed. At least, this is how I remember it.

Right when I got in, she said, "I think my water broke."

I popped my head up with a WHOA! "We probably need to go to the hospital."

Probably.... And then I was dumb enough to take a shower before we left. I don't think I was quite alert, but Katy was still doing ok. She said her contractions weren't really close anyway, so I didn't beat myself up too much. 

We called Meagan and Hubert and they came over to watch the kids while we left. Their mom, Tina, came to get them a little while later to take them home to Idaho.

When we got to the hospital, they got her checked in and everything, and when she got checked she was at a 5. Baby Time!

Her mom and sisters started showing up a little after she got her epidural, and then the nurse added the pit to her IV. Things started moving pretty fast from there.

We didn't know if her doctor was going to be there, because he was on call for another hospital. All of a sudden he showed up and Katy was so happy to see him. He figured he could juggle the two hospitals, and it turned out he was right. Dr. Johnson is his name.

Shortly thereafter, Katy made it to 10, and the nurse called for the doctor so he started making his way back. The nurse got everything ready for Kate to start pushing and wanted to see how Kate would do, so I got on one side of her holding a leg, and her mom was on the other. The nurse gave a ten-count for Katy's first pushing contraction, and she did great. She had Kate do another ten-count and again, Katy did great. Once more and had to cut the count off because the baby was on its way out. She did another short count and stopped it. Baby was just about there. So she asked Kate to wait just a little bit for the doc.

As soon as he got there, he got ready and had Katy push. He had to stop her because she was getting him out too fast and I don't think he was quite ready. Then he told her to just cough or grunt, and that would do it. Anyway, one more small push and the baby was out, and tears started flying. I admit some were mine.

Katy did so well and when little baby boy was on her chest wrapped up I decided we needed to count the fingers and toes. An extra digit here and there runs in my family, so I had to make sure, and Katy realized the same when I started counting out loud. It was sweet.

We named him, Boston.