Sleeping Angel

There is something so angelic about a peaceful sleeping baby. As I observe Ashlyn's sweet calm disposition, it makes me want to be a better person. To be more calm, more peaceful, more loving. She brought with her a little piece of heaven that tends to radiate throughout the room. She reminds me to take time to be more peaceful, to slow down and enjoy the moment, and to put all frustration aside and just be like her...heavenly.

Ashlyn is catching a few rays during her nap. I love to snooze in the warm sun, too. (2 months old)

Our Sweetie Pie

Ashlyn brings the sunshine into our home every morning with her happy smile and sweet personality. She's been such a little angel blessing already! Here at two months old she smiles at us and lets us kiss her scrumptious cheeks!!! We all seem to love her in different ways. Daddy took no time at all to put her in the true blue colors of BYU. He also looks forward to Saturday morning when he can play with her at her "happy hour." Mommy just wants to rock her, kiss her, and snuggle with her. Kaylee loves to play dress up with her and act like mini-mom. While Jayden and Tyler either love to be silly in front of her to try to make her laugh or like to just give her a little kiss on her head. We're all thankful she's here with us.

Jayden's Toothless Grin

Jayden's toothless grin sure has been adorable lately!! It all started at the end of June (2008) when his first tooth was getting loose. He was sooo excited to put it in his tooth fairy pillow with a note that said if he got 3 dollars he'd share with his brother and sister. I suppose the tooth fairy was a "softie" and gave into his plea because the next day 3 magic dollars appeared under his pillow. Needless to say, Kaylee and Tyler were excited for him to loose another tooth!

A month later, on July 4th we were sitting with friends waiting to watch the fireworks and Blake's Grandpa, (a friend) was talking about how the toothfairy left Blake some money in the van just a minute ago. Jayden overheard the story and started yanking out his bottom loose tooth as fast as possible. He wiggled it and twisted it until finally the small tooth was ruthlessly yanked out. He showed the mini-calcified specimen to Blake's Grandpa and asked him if the toothfairy had another dollar in the van for him. ?? He kindly said that the toothfairy told him there was, indeed, another dollar just for him hiding in the back of the van. I never saw a boy more motivated to get a dollar from the tooth fairy in my life. After cleaning up the spurts of blood, Jayden tucked the dollar carefully away in his pocket and smiled big!!! (The picture in red was taken on July17, 2008 and the ones in blue taken two month later in Sept.)

Ashlyn's Blessing Day

Ashlyn's Baby Blessing was held on Aug.3, 2008 (Uncle Jared's Birthday) in Houston, Texas. Our little two month old was given a beautiful blessing from her Daddy that said she'd be blessed with a strong immune system throughout her life and that her sweet, contented disposition will have a calming effect on her siblings. The blessing was so uplifting that I (mommy) felt to share my testimony on the the power of the priesthood and the gratitude I feel to be blessed with such a little angel in our home. It was so wonderful to have grandma Pratt be able to celebrate that special day with us. Ivan and I feel so very thankful for her and all our children.

Pregnant with Ashlyn

These pictures were taken on April 18th, 2008 so that we can show everyone mama's big belly. I was so excited to have our baby come soon! At the time, I thought Ashlyn was going to be born about 10 days later...it was more like 22. These photos were taken while we were on a nature walk in a park in our city. I was too big to chase the boys so they played run-away from Dad, while Kaylee and I chose to mosey along. We all send our love to y'all! Kaylee is 8, Jayden is 6, Tyler is 3. Daddy and Mommy are....well, older.

Ashlyn in the Hospital

Updating the new addition!!

One Day Old

We have some great news.... Ashlyn McKell was born May 11, 2008, at 12:32 a.m. She made Julie's Mother's Day perfect!!

Little Ashlyn was due on May 7th, but she had a plan to surprise us on Sunday, May 11th. At 6:30 pm, just two hours after Mom Hepworth left for Arizona and thought this baby would never come, I went into labor. I wasn't sure if it was real, because we had a few false alarms, but after about 9:00 pm hit, I could tell this was the real deal. We had no plan of who was going to watch the children, so luckily we had some good friends, Mike and Ashley Newman come over and spend the night. I was trying to go natural if I could, but by the time 11:00 pm hit, I knew we had to hussle to the hospital. We checked in at 11:40 p.m. and the nurse said I was dialated to an 8. "8 is great!," I told the nurse. I felt so happy that my baby was finally coming to see us. At 12:00 right as Mother's Day came around, I looked at the clock and knew all this time she was waiting so that she could be my mother's Day present. Thirty minutes later, she came and the delivery went as smooth as a natural delivery can go. As I looked over at the glass bassinet and saw my precious little girl, my heart was filled with so much emotion and I knew the Lord had greatly blessed us...again. She was perfect in every way. The first thing she did was stick out her tongue a bunch of times because she was hungry. Typical Hepworth...and eat she did! The following morning when the children brought me breakfast in bed at the house, they found out I was gone and Ashley was in my place. Surprise!! Time to go to the hospital!! They were excited to meet their new sister. When they entered the door at the hospital, I found myself feeling like I was the luckiest gal alive!! They each brought in sweet cards telling me they loved me and wanted to take pictures with little Ashlyn. It was a wonderful morning. Ivan explained that he'd better get home to finish preparing his talk in church on Motherhood. How appropriate is that!! Many people told me what a sweet talk it was! I think this special day will always stand out as my best Mother's Day ever!!!