Joseph Alan Helms

Joseph Alan Helms was born on February 28, 2010 at 8:04AM MST. He weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 21" long. Laura has joined the "League of Extraordinary Women" by giving birth naturally without an epidural. She went naturally and did a wonderful job. Two pushes and we had a son.

It's about 9:15PM MST and she's up and walking. Joseph is breastfeeding well and the doctor says he looks "perfect." When he was born, the umbilical chord (spelling) was wrapped around his neck three times. The doctor called him a "superstar" and said he was showing off. He didn't have any problems breathing or adjusting to life outside the womb. He immediately bonded with Laura and they left him on her chest for nearly an hour. Enjoy the pictures. Videos are at the very bottom.

Pre-birth smile.

The blue graph were her contractions. See the big one that went off the chart, she was talking to her dad during it. However, she didn't do much talking.

Joseph Alan Helms was born at 8:04AM. This immediately after his birth.

Laura was relieved.

I cut the umbilical chord.

This was the only time we heard him cry. Ever since, he's been silent. He coos at Laura every time she holds him.

They cleaned him up and brought her to Laura. Then, they removed the blanket and laid him directly on her chest, skin-to-skin. They said it would help them bond and would also have some positive medical affects for their bodies. I guess it worked.

Taking his temp.

He was smiling. This was the tail end.

Look how small he is.

This was the chest thingy I was telling you about.

This was about an hour-and-a-half after Laura delivered the baby. She looks great for just having delivered a kid without an epidural. It almost looks like Joseph smiled for the picture.

He was saying "ROLL TIDE!".

Joseph's Rocky Balboa impression.

He smiled during his sponge bath.

They bathed Joseph in the room and Laura was happy, as evidenced by her smile.

Practicing gymnastics.

This was the first time he'd ever worn clothes.

He was preparing to double karate chop anyone that attempted to take him away from Laura. Notice his concentration.

Laura was talking to Haley and Allie. They were excited to speak with her.

Ann of Green Gables Tapes

Maybe this is why I never liked Star Wars as a kid.

Sunday Bike Ride

When we woke up this morning it was snowing steadily and there was a brushing of snow on the ground. Haley immediately groaned and began to whine about hating the snow and cold days. She's not alone, we all seem to hate the nasty white snow and freezing cold days that never end. It's not been more than 40 degrees for awhile now and it's beginning to suck (now you can tell Laura's not writing this one, she wouldn't use "suck").

Haley and Allie love to play outside and unfortunately Haley does not like the cold and she despises the snow. She is a sissy. Allie, on the other hand, loves the snow and would play in it all day. So, when she grows up she can marry an Eskimo or study polar bears.

Haley really misses Alabama - not only family, but the weather. Finally, after weeks - no, months - it reached 44 degrees. We have church from 1:00 - 4:00PM. It was so sunny and nice on the way to church. However, once church was over, it was overcast and cold. We didn't let it get us down and Haley was determined to be outside. I figured at 38 degrees it was probably the warmest it had been in awhile. So, we bundled up as if it were -38 degrees and we headed out to ride our bicyles, a Sunday tradition that the Helms family enjoyed when I was young. Allie talked incesently during the entire bike ride. About half way through the bike ride a police officer stopped me. "What have I done?" I asked the police officer. "Perhaps you didn't notice sir, but your daughter is about a half-mile behind you" said the officer. "Oh, thank goodness" I said to the officer as he stared at me with a perplexed look, "I thought I'd gone deaf."

The girls loved it and I loved it. Allie said that since it was Sunday we should ride to the Salt Lake Temple to "see" it. She's cute. She could barely make it around the block without stopping because she was tired. She rides a small bike and she probably pedals two times more than Haley and at least ten times more than me. So, she's entitled to a rest every few houses.

Ala-Freakin'-Bama

Dad, enjoy!

Haley's Kindergarten Class

(Haley is standing on the third row. She's the blonde in the white coat making a funny face.)

This is a picture of Haley's kindergarten class. This was taken during their Halloween Party. I asked Miss Harms at our last parent-teacher conference how Haley gets along with the other children. She said that Haley is definitely a leader, but plays well with the other children. She seems to be friends with everybody. She's always talking about someone new that she played with on the playground. I'm glad to hear that she's accepting of new friends and keeps the old.

For Brent

In case you can't tell, Brent has taken over our blog. You should have noticed because the posts are so much more funny than when I wrote them. Brent does the blogging now, mostly because it's uncomfortable for me to sit in the desk chair for very long. I really appreciate him keeping it updated and I have a hunch that all of you appreciate it too. I was looking at the recent posts this evening and it struck me that my girls have grown up in the blink of an eye. I felt kind of sad as I remembered how Allie looked all bundled in the little hospital blanket when the nurse first handed her to me...big dark eyes, a button nose and rosy cheeks. I marvelled that the girls have grown so quickly and they're so beautiful. I started thinking, "Where did the time go?" But I immediately felt so grateful for Brent. He lets me stay home with our girls and when I look at these pictures I don't have to wonder where the time went...I know where it's gone. I've been there all along and I haven't missed a thing. I can't think of a better gift. Thanks Brent.

Stop, Drop, and Roll

Allie's preschool class went on a fieldtrip (is that supposed to be one word?) to the local fire station today. They really had a lot of fun.

Allie is learning to stop, drop, and roll. She rolled right into the fireman to the left and then she would not get back down on the floor with him. Silly goose.

Allie likes to read books and we have one about a dalmation that becomes a firedog. Allie asked what a firedog does and the fireman replied, "He finds the hydrants for us."

"If H2O is inside the fire hydrant, what's on the outside?" Asked the fireman. He then gave the answer, "K9P."

The Chief asked Allie how the 4:00 am response went. She responded, "Well Cheif, we saved the lot."

The hat weighed almost more than Allie.

This is Allie's preschool class. She's the youngest of the group and only one of two girls.

A fireman had two sons. What did he name them?

Hosea and Hoseb.