Ode To My Mother!

"Rene McGrath, who teaches first grade at Carlin C. Coppin Elementary School, was voted Best Teacher by Lincoln News Messenger readers.“What makes Rene special is she’s been very flexible with teaching a variety of students with differing abilities, really focusing on ensuring students can read, which is a vital skill for elementary years,” said WPUSD Superintendent Scott Leaman. " -Lincoln News Messenger

I just wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to my mother and congratulate her on her new title of Lincoln's Best Teacher. It's a poll taken by the newspaper naming the best of the best in Lincoln. I have to say that they got this one right! I know she puts her whole self into everything she does, including raising us way back when.

Thank you Mom for all you do. I too vote you the best Teacher, but will also add Mother, Grandma, and Friend. We love you!

We're Back!

Dillon on his blessing day, 2 months old.

Thank you Nana for the darling blessing outfit!

Kaitlyn loves her little brother and insists on taking pictures with him.

Our little family is growing!

Thanks to all our Cali family for making the long drive.

Papa's got a new biggest fan. Kaitlyn wants to be just like him!

Dillon meets Papa. Does he look like him?

So, after 2 long months of adjusting to a new baby, apartment, job, city, and state I am finally ready to blog again! I took the easy route and just posted pictures for July.
But here we are in August. We blessed Dillon on the 10th. He was exactly 2 months old and it was James' 1st time attending our new ward. Luckily our bish was pretty cool about that.

We had a great time with all our family here. Kaitlyn goes crazy everytime she see's her cousins. She must get it from James. Thanks again to everyone for driving down from Rexburg, Logan, Bountiful, Salt Lake, West Jordan, and of course California. We love you all! It's great to have such a large family!

July in Pictures

Dillon James Von Gunten - 8lbs 2oz, 21 inches

Daddy's little Football Star

He already threw his 1st pass

(pacifier that is, we were very impressed!)

The Happy Family of 4

I love my sweet angels!

The Proud Daddy!

He has his ears, toes, and eyes!

Three's a crowd?

Grandma Von Gunten came up and took care of Kaitlyn while we were in the hospital. Then even took her down to Utah to play with her cousins for the weekend and give us some much needed rest.

The Birth Story

He finally came, but with his own agenda. On Monday the 9th I went in for a non-stress test. They hooked me up to a monitor that tracted my contractions and his heart rate. After about an hour they said they needed more time because everytime I had a contraction his heart rate went down. I began to worry and called James asked him to get Kaitlyn from a friends house. He took her back to work with him (which is pretty much across the street from the hospital). And I went to radiology for an Ultra-sound. They discovered my fluid was low, but everything else looked good. My mid-wife came back and said that they would like to enduce me and that the only doctor that would enduce me as a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section) would stay on and postpone his family vacation. At 7pm they broke my water. At 9pm they started me on Pectocin and by 4 am I was dialted to a 4. The doctor and midwife came back in and watched as I progressed to a 6 around 6am. But there concerns grew as his heart rate continued to drop after each contraction. Earlier I had explained the chart to James and what the lines and everything meant, so he says he was watching that like a box score update. After trying every possible position and even adding more fluid around him, things weren't looking good so both the doctor and midwife advised a Cesarean birth. I was a little disappointed, but I was proud of myself for even trying and getting as far as I did with out pain med. From there on out everything happened so quickly. And at 6:59 am, June 10th Dillon was born. He had to be taken to the NICU because he swallowed maconium, but was with us soon. His head was a little mis-shapened from being in the birth canal, and the doctor had to use the vacuum to get his head out. But other than that he is our perfect buddle of joy.

Memorial Day

Rod and Liah came down for Memorial Day weekend and we had a fantastic time!

We met them at the skating rink Saturday night. It was a blast! Who knew skating was so much fun. Of course I sat back and watched while they went around. Kaitlyn loved riding in the stroller, but was anxious to try it on her own.

So, I got her the smallest skates they had (a size 9, and she wears a size 6). They were huge on her, but she could care less. She wanted to walk and "skate" around the rink. We took turns holding her hands, but our backs could only handle so much. I was shocked that she would even try it. She is normally very timid when it comes to new things.

They had this great play structure that was 2 stories with about 3 or 4 levels. James, Rod, and Liah all went up to "help" Kaitlyn. But I think they had more fun than she did!

Rod helps Kaitlyn on the swing

Kaitlyn and Liah creating some one of a kind art for our porch. FYI Liah is quite the artist!

Kaitlyn was in heaven! She loves visitors, especially Uncle Rod and Liah. James and I were delighted to have someone to play games with. I get sick of losing to him every time (for those of you who don't know, I'm somewhat of a poor loser). Can you blame me when he's won 8 of 8 in Battleship! So, we stayed up late every night, we had to get in as many games as we could while they were here!


We loved having the time to get to know the newest McGunson family member. Here is what we learned about Liah while they were here.
1. She's a gamer-always up for any game, anytime, and she will probably beat you!
2. She's a wonderful Aunt-despite Kaitlyn constantly wanting her attention 24/7!
3. She know her music-we played name that tune and she named almost every song before we even had a clue, once even from the bathroom!
4. We are very glad she's part of our family and can't wait until we see them again!