Arrival of Little Quincy!

Literally, we made it just in time for the arrival of little Quincy. When we got to KC, Chelsea headed to the hospital where she was induced for pre-eclamsia [De-ja-vu all over again -- had the same thing with Tanner]. When I woke up in the morning, Quincy had made her arrival!

Over one month earlier, she weighed a whopping 7 lbs 8 oz and was as healthy as good be.

The Happy Family

Proud New Sister Avery

Memorable Moments:

I offered to change a diaper the first day Quincy was home. Tanner and Avery quickly enlisted to help.

Avery: I can do it -- I took the big sister class!!

Tanner: Is it chocalate poo-poo???

Quincy: Seriously folks, someone just change my diaper!

Avery was all aboard until she saw the explosion. I still can't quite understand how one cute little girl can deliver such dirty business.

Driving in the car on the way to see little Quincy again:

Avery: Isn't my sister cute?

Tanner: Yeah!!! My sister is cute!

Avery: She's MY sister. And your COUSIN!

Tanner. Oh [with a long sigh]. Well, my sister is cute!!

No matter we tell him, he's still claiming Quincy as his sister rather than cousin.

Just look at these two!

And the smile of his face...priceless.

Shhh...she's trying to tell me a secret!

Tanner couldn't remember her name at first, and was calling her Cozy.

Tanner and Avery couldn't get enough of holding little Quincy. When they began arguing over who got to hold her first, I suggested that Tanner find a baby doll [Anthony didn't hear me say this] and find a baby bottle to feed their baby. Tanner didn't give up and searched the house high and low. He couldn't find a baby bottle, but he found a doll's pacifier. He came running up the stairs, exclaiming, "I did it! I found a paci for Quincy!"

Tanner "flubbing" Quincy's little cheeks!

You never know how a toddler is going to respond...but he was so gentle with her.

At Easter Dinner, we were talking about a couple that gave a talk during church.

April: Does the couple have any kids?

Brandon: No, he's really smart!! [Coming from the new dad who only had minimal sleep the past 2 nights]

Brandon [a few seconds later]: "Oh wait, that didn't sounds right! I didn't mean it LIKE that!! The guy is just really smart and intelligent."

My father was also sharing a compliment he received from his brother on his recent trip to Phillie about how close us siblings and family members are.

My mom replies, "Well, those epidurals really help!!!"

We were all laughing -- that conversation was 5 minutes ago -- but she was still fascinated with the topic. To her defense, she was trying to say Facebook. But let's face the honest truth -- my mom has had more epiderals than times she's been on Facebook.

The Paparazzi

Yes, it's true. I'm her number one fan :)

Uncle Keith

Uncle Lance

Grandparents

Uncle Anthony

We didn't get to throw Chelsea the shower liked we hoped. But I've learned nothing ever goes as planned... as sometimes it's better that way!

Weightier Matters of Life

This past week, I've experienced the birth of a new neice, Little Quincy. I arrived intown just in time for arrival...and I consider it no coincidence. [more on her later]

But this Easter, we also commemorate the passing of another, my Grandpa Knick.

Knowing the end was not much further, my dad made a trip to see him and had just returned from visiting him when he was updating us at Easter Dinner. While he was still in amazing mental capacity, his physical help had been rapidly detoriating. He was in a lot of pain and had lost the motivation to keep fighting. My dad mentioned to him how proud he was to have him as a Father and to bare his name. And not being able to talk, Grandpa Knick just held on to his hand and didn't let go.

Looking back at my own childhood, I remember how Grandpa and Grandma Knick gave me my first set of scriptures when I turned 8. For the next few years, I wouldn't let anyone mark in them or lay a finger on them -- they were priceless to me. In college, I remember reaching my last semester and being completely and 100% broke. I thought I had exhausted all financial resources, but then remembered the savings bonds I had been given as a child. For my wedding, he made the special trip to be there, even though it had become more and more difficult for them to travel. In the celestial room of the temple, I remember seeing my grandparents in the room, and then looking into the reflective mirrors all the past ancestory our family has been built upon and the legacy Anthony and I hope to leave.

My only regret was not spending more time with my Grandpa Knick. We lived miles and miles away, and with a large family, traveling halfway across the US was a treck we only made a handful of times.

Looking back and my own childhood, I can see how much my father resembles my Grandpa Knick. In essense, I know him well because of the legacy he left with my own father.

My Dad mentioned how Grandpa Knick wasn't perfect but was human. Yet he had installed in him how to work hard and go after what you want -- and was always his number one supporter. My dad's no different - he has always supported my in all my ambitions. In college, I can only imagine how hard it was to have me leave thousands of miles away to BYU. Unlike my mother, who couldn't ever past the distance, he was my number one sounding board and supporter, whether it was the weekly calls, the voice of reason, or helping out here and there when I was dirt poor.

I'm grateful for the life well lived and the legacy left behind. I'm grateful he's left his frail exisistence on earth to return to a much holier sphere and will be re-united with other loved ones who have passed. I know Grandma Knick has been waiting.

Last year, we celebrated his 80th birthday. He was happy, healthy, and cracking jokes as usual. This is how I'll always remember him.

Spring Shine!

For Christmas, Nanny & Grandpop got Tanner a special present -- a new trampoline.

This is the best present ever...and he jumps every day.

And you can see, he's not scared in the slightest. He's going for a big butt bounce!

We had a tramp growing up and brings back all the memories. Playing dodgeball, don't crack the egg, building forts in the snow, etc.

Let's go fly a kite.

Well, we tried. But determined it was way too windy. After loosing the kite and having to chase it down, I was exhausted.

So we settled on the park.

Dallas Arboretum for Tiny Toy Tuesday

Tanner always like petting the little animals, especially the soft little rabbit.

We then did Kindermusik and sang and danced to our little hearts content. At first, Tanner was staring at everyone like they were crazy. But by the end, he was moving and grooving.

Face Painting

As we were strolling along at the Dallas Arboretum, he kept roaring at people as we walked by.

He was fully convinced he was a tiger and loved every minute of this!!!

And don't you just love that smile :)

Fun Birthday parties

Highlight of his day...or week...or year. Seriously, having a blast.

He had his own steering wheel, so he thought he was "in charge."

Feeding Ducks at White Rock Lake

Day Out with Thomas the Train

Tanner and I got to spend the day with Thomas the Train.

We got to ride on a real train ride with Thomas...

Isn't that every little boys dream come true??

Bounce and Slide on Thomas Bounce House

I hate how blurry these turned out -- but LOVED watching him. He'd bounce as high as he could and then throw himself onto the slide.

He always playing with his tongue sticking out. Seriously, I should be happy he still has it intact.

Play with a room full of Thomas train sets

Model Train Set filled with Thomas Trains

Giant sized sand box

Thomas the Train Tattoo

Petting zoo with 6 week old piglet