Summer 2008

I happen to be one of the worst journal writers in history. Somehow I thought blogging would be different in some way. It hasn't been. I just get so caught up with covering everything that I don't even get anything done. And the perfectionist in me wants it all to look perfect. However, I am new at this. So, some wise friends of mine said that I must put something on my blog. So here goes...

Well, the procrastinator that I am has allowed me to go the whole summer without starting my blog. To our family and friends scattered across the country, hopefully you like this little view into our life.


This summer of 2008 has been crazy for our family. First of all Jonathan found out on Friday April 18th that he was hired as a seminary teacher. We were beyond excited, especially because that meant Jonathan could graduate from Brigham Young University the next Friday as planned. Leighton and I (and almost Savannah) were there to cheer him on. He graduated on Friday April 25th with a Bachelor's in philosophy. We were truly blessed that Jonathan could do what he has dreamed of doing.


Most likely due to the craziness of April check-outs as a hall advisor at BYU and the preparations for Women's Conference the next week, I went into labor one week early. I had worked all day on Thursday, May 1st. I started having some contractions around 7pm. They were not consistent for a while. I was rushing to finish my first summer schedule for my job as I was having contractions. Around midnight my contractions were about three minutes apart. The doctor had informed me that my labor would probably be twice as fast as my first. That gave me around 2 and 1/2 hours. So in fear of having my baby girl in a boy's dorm, we rushed to the hospital. Aunt Bridget (my amazing sister) and Uncle Kip (her husband) were able to rush over and stay with Leighton while Jonathan and I went to the hospital. After arriving at Orem Community Hospital, we settled in. My labor took much longer than expected. I thought they would break my water since I was fully dilated for a few hours. My water didn't break till around 5am. I later found out after our doctor arrived that they were trying to delay because they couldn't reach my doctor. His cell phone was malfunctioning and it was going straight to his voice mail. Oh well...everything went smoothly and our sweet baby girl was born at 5:21am on May 2, 2008. Savannah Jadyn Rader is the first girl in Jonathan's family in over 50 years. She was the exact same weight as Leighton, weighing in at 7lbs. 10oz. She is mild and sweet and happy to be alive. She is easy-going and adaptable which was so helpful during this crazy time in our lives. She loves her brother even though she sometimes takes a beating as he tries to love on her. Leighton is a good big brother.


























Aunt Blair (my other sister) took care of Leighton while we were at the hospital. She bought him this blue balloon that day. Jonathan came home to get him up in the morning and to put him down at night. In many ways he was still a baby at barely 15 months old. He didn't quite understand what was going on. We went home from the hospital the next day. We had two restless nights but since then Savannah has been a wonderful sleeper. She slept 7 hours straight her third night home. Sadly, Bridget and Kip had to leave for an internship in San Antonio the next week. Then Grammi and Grandpa Rader came to visit. It was so fun to have them around.

To be continued tomorrow....