Dani Todd Pure Romance Party Reviews

 "I had heard about Pure Romance party's for several years but had never been to one. All of my friends had mixed feelings about them. I was afraid it would be super awkward. I took the leap and went to a party a few months ago. It was so much fun! Dani is very confident in her presentation and knowledge which helped everyone feel comfortable. It was great learning more about women's health and sexuality and I love the product! It definitely helped jump start my sex life which had gone way down after two kids. So glad I went to the party and will definitely continue to purchase product." 

-Katie Noble

“I met Dani at a bridal expo a few months before my wedding and she approached me about hosting a pure romance party. I was in an awkward situation where I didn't want to do it but I have a hard time turning people down and my sisters were not helping me get out of it. The week of the party I texted her to let her know that I only had five people coming and we should just cancel, but she assured me it would still be a great time. I was soooo uncomfortable! But when the day came, it was nothing like I expected. Dani taught me SO much that I didn't even know I needed to think about. I ended up buying pretty much every product she showed me and I've loved every one of them! On top of that, she has continued to help me find the perfect products to meet the needs/wants of both me and my husband. She always texts me back with lots of ideas and tips to maximize satisfaction with every product she sells. She even helped me create the perfect Christmas romance package for my husband. It took almost a whole week of texting back and forth to make it exactly what I wanted. I will be a forever Pure Romance (and Dani Todd) customer and so will all of my friends!” 

-Haylee England

"When I was first invited to Pure Romance I was skeptical, not really of the products (though certainly some of them) but mostly of being in a room full of women I didn't know, talking about sex. I imagined feeling so awkward not knowing anyone but the hostess and it being one of those parties where i went out of kindness to the hostess but was then guilted into buying. It was NOTHING like that. Dani was both very professional and so much fun! I didnt feel any pressure to buy (though i did because I learned a lot and got the courage to try some products I would not have ever expected to purchase!) and just had a great time connecting with women in a way that was so much fun but also didn't make me feel like I was exposing my bedroom life. I would absolutely go to another one and have actually considered hosting one myself! I highly recommend Pure Romance every chance I get.” 

-Elisabeth Farnach

"I LOVE partying with Dani!!! I had been to a couple of Pure Romance parties before so I knew I would have fun, but it was such a blast I am so glad I went again. I learned so much more than I had previously about how to make my relationship with my husband even better. Although I didn’t know anyone besides the hostess, Dani was so friendly and personable we quickly became friends and any awkwardness I felt vanished. Pure Romance is amazing, and having a great consultant who you feel comfortable with makes it that much better. The knowledge you learn at a party is so empowering and beneficial to building strong and healthy relationships. Attending a Pure Romance party is definitely a must for every woman!" 

-Shaylia Johnson

“The PR party I attended was hosted by my awesome sister in law!! She had talked of Dani and about these products for weeks to me (prior to party) and how great they were, but I was so skeptical. Literally did not want to come. Luckily, I convinced my other sister in law to come with me for support. The whole way to the party we were thinking, "a sex party? For real?" And, "if it gets super awkward we can totally leave..." but Oh! Man! Dani Todd was incredible!! Not awkward one bit!! She helped everyone feel so welcome by introducing herself and telling us about her life and why she decided to sell PR. Dani explained the products clearly and had testers, samples, gave examples... etc. Both me and my sister in law left the party with probably more than we could afford :) but all in all great purchases and now we are hooked. We love Dani! I would go to another party in a heartbeat.”
-Myranda Cook

“I was invited to a pure romance party by my friend from high school, having absolutely no idea what pure romance was. When she told me I was thinking to myself, "uh heck no that's weird. I don't want to talk about sex and buy anything sex related in front of someone I went to high school with." The date of the party was the day after my first anniversary and the hubs and I had planned to get away that next weekend, so I thought, what the heck.. I'll go and check it out. It ended up being a ton of fun and super comfortable. By the time the party was over, I had made new friends and I had learned more about my sexual health and well being than I did in health class! Dani is so easy to talk to and she answers all of your questions. Also, the products are amazing!”
-Shelley Dingman

“I had been to one other Pure Romance party before I attended one with Dani Todd! I can tell you from first hand experience that Dani's party was by far the better party! She made it so much fun and she is so comfortable to be around! The best part was that she explained every product to me in detail so I knew exactly how it would better my relationship and my body! I'm so glad I found Dani because she is so laid back, and she isn't pushy when trying to sell products! She genuinely just wants to help you find something that you'll LOVE! I would recommend her parties to anyone and everyone!” 

-Hannah Grandstaff

“I have been to 2 Pure Romance Parties. The second one I went to Dani was the consultant. She immediately clicked with everyone there, she was so relatable and so nice. The Girl's NIght Out aspect of the parties is great, but I learned so much from Dani. She was smart and respectful, and was able to take topics that might feel a little weird, and make them completely comfortable to talk about. She was able to help me out with some issues I was having. Dani was so personable that she felt more like part of the party instead of someone just giving a presentation. I highly recommend Dani as a Consultant and a friend!!!!” 

-Haley Jacobson

“I was introduced to these parties from a friend who was getting married and decided to host a party. I really didn't know what to expect,and was very unsure. I debated for the longest time if I should attend or not, with the fear of being embarrassed or uncomfortable.What if someone laughed at me for something I was interested in? Well I decided to go despite my feelings. There was an assortment of women all different ages. When the party started Danielle Todd was so kind and considerate, especially since we were all different. She made it work somehow, I never once felt uncomfortable. The products were amazing, such a variety ranging from a simple but exciting night in bed to something experienced women would love.I of course couldnt get over the amazing scent of the oils, bubble baths and lotions.It was so great to see someone who loves what they do and love the products they represent. I never knew how much fun you can actually have in the bedroom.When the party came to an end she confidentially took orders!! No one would know what I ordered but her, that made the party above and beyond.The party was not only about getting to know your body as well as your partners, it was also about self acceptance and not having to be afraid to express yourself in a sexy way that makes you feel great. I will forever remember my first pure romance party it opened a new chapter in my life and I am so thankful for that.” 
-Bailee Colmenarez

“Dani Todd is the best pure romance consultant, just a few thing why I think this and why you would think the same is she knows her product. If you have a question she will have an answer. She loves to educate you on the product as well. She wants you to know what is best for your body so you are satisfied. You leave any party you go to with her wanting more and not uncomfortable at all. She makes sure her parties are very modest. Something else is she remembers her previous customers and hostesses. She always has fun sells going on for them. It's fun to get a text from Dani and seeing what she has going on. I love that she cares so much and is so passionate, she wants every lady to feel confident!! Dani is the best!”
-Dakota Betts

“I'm one of those people who's not embarrassed to talk about intimacy related stuff around other people. However… even after having a baby it was really tough for me to find a good lubricant, all because I had no source for great, safe products to use. I just couldn't trust products sold at random stores. I trust Dani's products to be safe because she uses the products for herself, and after attending her party for the first time, I know they are effective as well! I love how Dani offers discounts and sales all the time, and the products last a long time since a little goes a long way for most products.” 

-Sulgee Baker

Another Week

I need to start making notes throughout the week about the little things I want to remember! It's going to be pretty anti-climactic if I come back week after week with the same basic summary of our mundane daily activities! I'll try to be better about that....

It was a great week.  The kids went back to school. And it SNOWED A LOT!!  We have had plenty of snow to sled on this season which has been really fun.  As I write there's a blizzard outside.  

Tyson and I went to the temple for the first time in months.  Maybe even years??  Between pregnancies, breastfeeding, work, and school, we haven't been the best about making the temple a priority and we're going to change that this year.  We have a goal to make it to the temple the first weekend of every month leading into fast Sunday.  We made it to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple this week and even though we've been away for quite some time, it felt like home.  Like we never skipped a beat.

Teryn also had his first Jr. Jazz game yesterday! I wasn't able to be there because I was attending a Pure Romance corporate training, but Tyson said it went well.  The kids are still young- -not quite understanding the concept of the game quite yet.  It will be really fun to watch them progress through the season.

Church was great today.  Tyson and I teach the 12 year old Sunday School class and we've got a great group of kids this year.  Teryn loves his class as always.  Ryder asked me this morning if he can have his fun teacher back- -apparently his new teacher isn't as lively as last year's. Adria is over-the-top excited about being in Sunbeams! And Tev loves nursery until the end of class- -as soon as one parent shows up to get their kid, she breaks down and doesn't stop crying until I arrive.  I left Relief Society early today to hopefully be the first to arrive.  I was still one mom too late.  Better scoot out faster next time.  

We hung out this afternoon and watched Secret Life Of Pets.  Then we took a trip up to Brigham City this afternoon to look at some houses.  We are anxious for our next phase of life when Tyson graduates in May, and we're thinking it will be a good idea to get ahead of the rising interest rates.  Wish us luck!

At It Again

After finding out that someone had been stalking my blog and taking pictures of Teryn to claim him as his son, I shut down.  I stopped recording our family stories and experiences here because I was afraid of someone unrightfully using us.  Two years later, I've realized I'm doing my family a great disservice.  Those two years will fade and be forgotten over time and it's my 2017 new year resolution to get back into the habit of recording again.  Simple, tender, significant things that deserve to be remembered.  Life is too short and too fast- -if I don't record it here, it will be lost.

We are now living in Holladay, Utah.  Tyson is starting his last semester next week as a grad student at the University Of Utah.  The oilfield busted last year and that was our final straw that led us back to school again- -Tyson had been wanting to get a Master's Degree, so it was finally time.  We've really enjoyed the area we're in.  Teryn is a 1st grader at Howard R. Driggs Elementary and Ryder goes to preschool at Olympus Highschool Titan Tots.  Adria and Tev are home with me, keeping me on my toes every day.  I started my own business last year with Pure Romance. My first year in business has been amazing and I'm currently waiting to find out where I stand in the ranks of recruits and sales.  Every year in March Pure Romance has World Conference where they present awards to leaders in several sales categories.  Anxious to see where I fall.

Christmas was delightful this year, although we've finally decided to dig our feet in and stay home for the holiday in years to come.  This year, we traveled to Bluebell to visit Grandpa Greg and Great Grandma Todd- -Great Grandpa Todd passed away this year in February and Greg and Betty got divorced in October, so Greg has moved in with Grandma.  We spent a day with them and then traveled to Neola to enjoy some time with Grandma and Grandpa Henrie.  Grandpa Henrie turned 73 on December 23 so it was wonderful to spend the day with him.  After visiting Neola, we traveled to Vernal to be with Grandma Chelle and Grandpa Dennis, Brandon, Bree, Ben, and Isla Mae.  Ben and Bree have built a beautiful new home and it was fun to see it! We enjoyed seeing family for a few days and returned home to be in our own beds Christmas Eve.  We have no chimney, so the children left a note and cookies for Santa next to the window :)  Christmas is so much more magical with kids!  

We've enjoyed being together this week during the Christmas break.  Tyson took the boys to the Basin to ice fish over the weekend and the girls and I played at home and at the mall.  It was fun to go mosey around with nothing to do but see the world in the eyes of my girls.  They got cookies and nibbled as we walked around the mall, threw pennies in the fountain, rode the train, and played tag with new friends on the play equipment.  The boys are learning and growing and becoming quite the manly little men.  Teryn is playing Jr. Jazz and loving it.  Ryder is really bummed because all he gets to do is run laps around the gym while his brother plays basketball.  Adria is as bouncy as ever and loves making new friends with anyone who will talk with her, and Tev loves to be anywhere and do anything that you least expect.  That little girl is more mischevious and makes more messes than all my other kids combined, but she's also the cutest, most cuddly, loving little thing.  

It's amazing the differences in each of the kids.  I love seeing their natural desires and talents shine every day.  I admit, when Tyson took the boys over the weekend and it was just me and the girls, I couldn't believe how easy it was with just two! And I realized why some people think I'm crazy for having four, and having them so close.  But I wouldn't change a thing.  I know our life is chaotic now, but time is moving so fast and I'm trying to stop and take it in every chance I get.

I look forward to blogging once a week, starting today.  I know it will be a good, sabbath-oriented activity to indulge in on Sunday evenings when the children are in bed :) Until next week, here is a current family picture :)

Invest In Your Marriage

When was the last time you invested in your marriage?

Maybe date night?  Gifts?  Vacation?

That was a trick question, because I’m actually not talking about date night :)  I’m not talking about gift exchanging or vacation, because at the end of the day, you can go to dinner with your dad.  You can go to a movie with your brother.  You can buy gifts for your neighbor and you can go on vacation with your sister.  The only thing that sets your marriage apart from all other relationships in your life is intimacy.

Think about that.  Let it sink in for a moment.

Those of you who share my LDS faith, I’d like to shed light on the concept of intimacy and the way it is discussed (or more commonly not discussed) within our faith.

Consider the temple. From a very young age, we learn of the temple.  We hear testimonies of temples, we sing songs of the temple, we learn lessons and make goals to one day attend the temple.  We understand the sacredness of the temple and we do not share the activities that go on inside the temple; however, the beauty of the temple, the blessings of the temple, and the reasons we should keep ourselves worthy of the temple are all common discussions in our culture.  We know from a young age, the temple is beautiful and talking about it s normal and comfortable.

What if, just what if, the temple was never discussed?  What if we didn’t bear testimony, what if we didn’t sing songs or learn lessons about the temple?  What if we didn’t study temple-related scriptures or attend temple prep classes? If you had never talked about the temple, what would your first experience with the temple had been like?  And what would your relationship with the temple had become thereafter?

Intimacy.  In most cases, intimacy and sexuality are not discussed.  The topics are uncomfortable and even taboo for some.  If you’re like me, you learned about your body and a little bit about sex at maturation day in 5^th grade and no one openly discussed it with you past that point.  You lived your teenage years learning about and conceptualizing sex based on Hollywood and discussion among your peers.  Somehow you made it through your teenage years and into your adult life and the time came for you to get married.  Maybe someone had “the talk” with you at that point, but chances are, you went into your marriage with little to no knowledge about the world that was now open to you.  What was your experience like? How did that experience affect your relationship with intimacy thereafter?

Here’s the thing.  We need to talk about sexuality.  Just like we talk about the temple, the morality of our families and especially our children depend on our discussions of sexuality.  We cannot expect our children to have the ability to respect their sexuality if they do not understand it, and they will never morally understand it without our ability to be knowledgeable, understanding, and open about it.

And we cannot be knowledgeable, understanding, and open about it if we are uneducated ourselves.

I am very passionate about what I do. I create a safe, appropriate, comfortable environment for women of all ages and relationship status’ to learn about their bodies and how to better their sexual health and enhance their relationships.  We do not discuss personal intimate activities, just as we do not discuss the sacred things that go on inside the temple.  But we learn about the divinity of our bodies and how they work and I am amazed by the little things I am able to teach women that make a world of difference in their relationships.  Truly, I believe I am increasing anniversaries and decreasing divorces!

So I’ll ask again, when was the last time you invested in your marriage?  What is it worth to you? 

Leave the kids with your husband and come join me.  You’ll be glad you did :)

Why You Need To Party With Me

On every page you scroll through social media, you see advertising for MLM companies and in-home parties. They're everywhere! Everyone is looking to make an extra buck to support their family or their lifestyle. But let me tell you why my in-home parties are different and why you need to party with me.

Do you remember Maturation Day? That awesomely awkward day in 5th grade when you learned about your reproductive system and puberty?

 That's not a hypothetical question. Do you remember it? Highly unlikely.

Here's the thing. Even if you remember, the things you learned that day were taught on a 5th grade level. Fifth grade level and adult woman level are not equal. If you're one of the majority, you were instructed when you were 12 and no one has talked with you since. Likewise, if you're one of the majority, your body has experienced significant changes during each phase of your life and those changes have influenced your sexuality, which in turn have influenced your relationships.  And you're supposed to understand how to remedy those changes based on your 5th grade education?  Good luck!

This is the reason you need to party with me. No matter your age or current life circumstance, you will find a safe, comfortable, mature learning environment where you are able to ask questions and consider options for improving your female health and enhancing your relationships. You will find that the struggles you may experience are quite common and you will be surprised how easily those struggles can be overcome by proper education. When we're through, you will leave with greater knowledge of what your beautiful, amazing female body is capable of! And to top it all off, it's not just informative, it's FUN! It's the ultimate girl's night out!

A few excerpts from "Pure Romance Between The Sheets" written by Patty Brisben, the founder of Pure Romance:

"As a mother, I have raised four children to be knowledgeable, confident, and respectful of their sexuality." (This is one of my life's greatest goals.)

"I have created a safe, trustworthy place for women of all ages and from all walks of life to air their fears, disclose information, and find reliable, accurate information that has the power to transform their lives."

"What began as a simple party is now a mission to educate, empower, and inspire women to respect and treasure one of the most vital aspects of their lives: their sexuality."

 "...If you simply open your mind and your heart to the possibility that you don't already know everything about your sexuality, then you will be giving yourself a remarkable gift: the gift of learning something new about yourself that can lead to a richer, fuller, more meaningful life."

Will you give yourself that gift? Or if you're not yet ready to give yourself that gift, will you give it to your friends and family? I'm not just a woman who owns her own business, supporting her family. I'm a woman who knows the beauty and significance of my sexuality, and I'm on a mission to support all women in realizing the same.

Party with me.

What Is Pure Romance?

Since starting my business with Pure Romance, I've received all kinds of responses ranging from "Good for you!" to awkward silence and quick topic changes ;) It's obvious that what I'm doing is considered taboo, for whatever reason, and I've decided to put to rest the 3 most common misunderstandings people have that make it so.

I'd like to start by answering the simple question: "WHAT IS PURE ROMANCE?" 

Pure Romance is an in-home party company, similar to Pampered Chef or Scentsy, but it's a romance party for women only.  I offer a safe, appropriate, respectful environment for women to get together and learn about sexuality.  In addition to educational discussion, Pure Romance is a traveling boutique with superior quality, pharmaceutical grade products for women's health, beauty, and intimacy needs and I present products and offer education regarding sexual health. 

Common misunderstanding #1: Pure Romance parties are naughty parties. False. Sure, the topics at hand make it easy for such parties to become "naughty," but generally speaking, Pure Romance parties are comfortable, enjoyable, and entertaining for all guests. Do we talk about sex? Yes we do. We promote sexual health and self-confidence, not promiscuity. We also do not discuss personal intimate activities.  I assure you, we keep it real and appropriate and everyone goes home with their clothes on ;)

Common misunderstanding #2: Only kinky women attend Pure Romance parties. False. Pure Romance is for all women. Young and old, married and unmarried, Pure Romance has something for any woman who cares about her health, beauty, and/or intimacy. 

Common misunderstanding #3: As a consultant, I'm a salesperson. Mostly false. Obviously, I have products I'm selling, but that's not why I started my business. Can we all agree that a marriage will suffer if intimacy is an issue? That considered, I believe that the products and information I share in my parties will improve intimate relationships and strengthen marriages.  I like to tell people, I'm in the business of increasing anniversaries and decreasing divorces :) I love the opportunity I have to educate and empower women and I cherish the relationships I'm building with women in my parties. I do not consider myself a salesperson, I consider myself a coach, confidant, and friend. That is the #1 reason I started my business with Pure Romance; selling is only a bi-product of it. 

Lastly, be assured that all orders are confidential.  Anyone who orders gets to meet privately with me and goes home with a black bag.  No one will know what you're up to unless you decide to share for all to see :)

Come! Make the time to see the party for yourself! You'll be glad you did :)

I'm proud to be part of Pure Romance and I love what I do. And that's a wrap!

The Last Piece of Our Heaven

Baby Quatro is here!

Its been about 30 hours and I'm still in a state of surreality. I am sitting in a hospital bed, looking at a beautiful baby that should have been in my tummy for one more week.  The labor and delivery were nothing like we anticipated.

I had an appointment on Thursday and I was dilated to 4 cm and 90% effaced.  Dr. Williams told me he could take me right back, break my water, and I could be holding my baby within a few hours. The problem was, the Holly Fair was the following two days and I had been preparing for it for months and didn't want to miss it.  He told me he would release me in the morning and I could make it.  So tempting!!!  I called Tyson to tell him what was going on and we talked about what timeline we might want to be on. We decided we would stick with the original plan of being induced  the next Friday, November 14th if nothing happened on its own before then. Dr. Williams told me I wouldn't last that long. I asked if he wanted to bet on it and he offered his shake without hesitation.

It was a significantly uncomfortable night and I was so anxious about the Holly Fair that I just really didn't sleep well. When it was time to wake and get going Friday morning, I wasn't feeling the best.  My body was achy and I was having a hard time getting around.  I had a really strong feeling that if I didn't take it easy, I would have a baby.  I sat at my booth all day with my legs crossed to make sure I wouldn't lose anything important :)

Every person I know who saw me that day wondered when the baby would come.  I kept saying I just wanted to make it through that day but that I hoped it would come the following day, November 8th.  You see, the boys in our family all have "3" birthdays: Tyson's is the 3rd, Teryn's is the 13th, and Ryder's is the 23rd.  Then my birthday is the 18th and Adria's is the 28th, so we needed an 8th to complete the "8" birthdays! I'd actually been saying for months that if this baby was a girl, she would think the "8" thing is cool and she would come on her own on November 8th :)

So I made it through the day, despite my discomfort and infrequent contractions, but thought it would be worth a shot to try some things and see if I could get this baby here after midnight. I borrowed some essential oils from a friend and planned to rest for a few hours when I got home so I could wake at 11:00, apply the oils, and take a walk around the block. I ate dinner, set an alarm for

11:00 and Tyson and I went to bed at 9:00.

Around 10:40, a strong contraction woke me from my sleep.  I laid there, groggy, and decided to pull up an online contraction timer.  The contractions were strong, but they were 6-7 minutes apart, so I wasn't sure how serious to take them. That was my first time experiencing contractions at home so I really didn't know what to think.  I did feel like walking the streets at midnight probably wasn't the best idea and thought it might be better to get to the hospital and walk the halls there instead--but I was afraid that Labor and Delivery wouldn't admit me because my contractions weren't close enough.  In the meantime, Betty texted me to see how I was feeling so I chatted with her for a bit.  I decided to text my good friend Lindsey for her opinion and she pretty much told me to get to the hospital because I was probably progressing more than I realized.  I had a feeling she was right, although I still wondered if I was just psyching myself out.  I asked Betty to come stay with the kids and finally woke Tyson to tell him what was going on.  I grabbed our toothbrushes, some face wash, the camera, and a notebook (Tyson and I laughed about the difference between the bulging hospital bag of our first birth and this last-minute, needless bag), and we were on our way as soon as Betty showed up.

As per our tradition, Tyson kept notes throughout the labor and delivery.  I'll add my thoughts in parenthesis.

11:50 pm: Show up to hospital

12:06 am: Nurse checked Dani. Dilated to 8. (!!!!! I hadn't just been psyching myself out!) Watching ESPN. Ordered an epidural.  In pain.  (The contractions still weren't very close, but they were pretty intense.  Tyson was great and let me squeeze his fingers off while I breathed through them, ha!)

1:18 am: Spinal block**.  2.5 milligrams.  Super happy.  (I was too far along to get an epidural so they gave me a spinal block and it was awesome.  When Tyson says "super happy" he isn't joking.  It took everything I had not to giggle everyone out of the room, it felt so good.  It was wonderful to be able to just sit back and soak it all in.)

1:25 am: 2 min contraction spacing.  (And I didn't feel a thing! Hallelujah, ha! I was just so happy to have relief--Adria's birth is still all too fresh on my mind.)

1:30 am: Dilated to 9 cm.  Nurse called Dr. Williams.

1:40 am: Dr. Williams showed up.  Broke Dani's water. (He wasn't the doc on call, but he had already talked to the nurses and told them he wanted to know if I came in.  He wasn't at all surprised to see me.  He won the bet :) )

1:48 am: Baby is here.  Girl.  Itchy from Spinal.  (The anesthesiologist warned me that the spinal block would make me itchy.  He was right!)

And that was it! Weighing in at 7 lbs 8 oz, 18 inches long.  Tevya Brooke Todd was born.  When I say it felt like a dream, that isn't an exaggeration.  The way everything progressed and came about was perfect.  It was neat to experience contractions at home and the natural progression of labor.  I experienced it with Teryn, but in the opposite order since my water broke first and there was no question what was happening from that moment on.  It was so different trying to tune into my body to figure out what was going on this time around.  It was special.

And I didn't have to do anything to make it happen.  She came on her own on the 8th because she thinks the "8" birthday thing is cool ;)

 

 

Although, she came out screaming like we forced her to come.  She screamed and screamed, unlike our other 3 who came out and cuddled right up to my chest without a peep.  After 20 minutes of screaming I finally decided she must be hungry and sure enough, when I pulled her to my breast, she took to me like a magnet to metal.  She is a little eater!

Tyson and I wanted our close family and friends to see our "surprise baby" in person before announcing the gender publically.  We posted this picture on Facebook just to drive everyone crazy ;)

I texted Greg a little after 6:00 a.m. and let him know the baby was here.  Right in that moment he was getting in his truck to go to our house and watch kids so Betty could go home and be ready to leave for the city at 8:00, so he was at our door within 5 minutes of my text.  Then Betty came to see us just before she left town and my parents showed up soon after her.  It was so fun to see everyone's reactions to a baby girl! 

When I called grandma and grandpa Todd to let them know, grandma asked "do you have a name?" and I told her we didn't yet.  She replied, "I was hoping you would tell me a name so I would know what it was!"  She giggled.  I laughed back and replied, "You're sneaky!"  I totally would have told her and ruined everything!  Luckily, Tyson really hadn't decided on a name yet!  When grandma and grandpa showed up, grandpa couldn't get enough of her.  It was very sweet to see. 

Several other friends and family showed up over the course of the day.  Michelle brought the kids to meet her after their naps that afternoon.  Teryn was very excited to see his baby sister!  Ryder was happy, but a little unsure of what was going on.  Adria was the most excited and wanted to be right with her.  She got Tevya's first smile.  She reached out to hug her and Tev distinctly reached back and smiled.  Look at this.

No one skipped a beat!  No questions, no jealousy, no discomfort.  It's like Tev has been with us all along.  Actually, I told Tyson, I feel like Tevya is the baby I've dreamt about.  Not in a "dreamy" sort of way, but that I've actually dreamt about her.  I knew she was coming.  And now she is here, our family is complete.  She is the last piece of our heaven.

Nazy, me and Elle at our booth at the Holly Fair.  My last pregnancy picture! 38 weeks and 5 days.

My last belly-shelf moment.

After my spinal block.  Feeling euphoric!

She's here!  Look at those lips!

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

**Many people have asked what the difference between an epidural and a spinal block is.  There are three major differences.  1) An epidural is meant for longer-term pain management.  It has a self-help readministration button for a patient's use when previous administrations wear off.  A spinal block is a one-time shot.  It's pain management abilities last only as long as the initial, only administration.  2)  Epidurals take a little more time to take affect.  A spinal block is immediate (hence the reason I received a spinal block rather than an epidural- -things were going to happen much too quickly for an epidural to help.)  3) Epidurals pass through the placenta and can affect the baby.  Spinal blocks do not. 

Just some interesting information for anyone planning their labor and delivery :)  Having had 2 epidural-medicated deliveries, one natural, and one spinal block-medicated, I would choose the spinal block overall.  It was awesome.

Quatro

Why didn't someone tell me when I had Teryn, not to do so much for my first child because I would never be able to do the same for the rest?  When I was pregnant with Teryn, I took pregnancy pictures and documented nearly every doctors appointment.  When he was born, I made baby books and took zillions of pictures.  Now here I am, pregnant with baby #4, and I've taken a few pregnancy pictures but have documented hardly anything.  I never got around to making baby books for either Ryder or Adria, so heaven knows I won't get around to it this time either.  This is only my SECOND blog post about this pregnancy and I only have TWO WEEKS LEFT!  My goodness!  More than anything, all I can say is "How time flies!"  And there's the ever-present two edged sword of "There is so much going on, I don't have time to blog!" and "I need to blog about everything that's going on!"  The merry-go-round. 

Well, better late than never I s'pose.  I am about 37 1/2 weeks along with baby Quatro.  That's what we call "it."  As per Tyson's request, we have not found out the gender, and I'm proud to say I've refrained from finding out behind his back.  He didn't think I could do it, so I had to prove him wrong ;)  We have no idea- -no intuition, no feelings, no dreams- -no idea what we're having.  Tyson went through a phase when he swore it was a girl.  Then another phase when he thought it was surely a boy.  Back and forth.  The other night I asked him, "What are we having today?"  He replied, "It will have reproductive genitalia."  I hope he's right ;)

I initially thought it would be a girl because my first-trimester sickness was exactly as it was with Adria.  But since the sickness subsided, I have felt great like I did with both of my boys.  I really haven't had many symptoms.  A little carpal tunnel, but that's about it.  Physically, I feel great.  I was just telling Tyson last night, this is the first pregnancy I've had that didn't leave me longing for the chiropractor every few weeks.  I slow down significantly if I do too much, but my joints feel great.  That might simply be thanks to the memory foam mattress pad we bought last year? 

On the topic of food, I have eaten a lot of Nutella.  A. lot. of Nutella!  Ha!  That's really the only significant craving I've had that I can think of.  I've lost my appetite more during this pregnancy than I remember ever losing with the others.  There are things I normally love, like instant strawberry oatmeal and toast, that I have lost taste for.  Only time will tell whether I get it back.

I started contracting about a month ago.  I actually wasn't aware that I was contracting, I was only aware that my abdomen was abnormally tender and that it hurt when the baby moved.  Dr. Williams ordered me to L&D where they monitored me for 7 hours and that's when I realized I was contracting.  The nurses were never able to pin point what would make my abdomen so tender and finally gave me a shot to make my contractions stop so I could go home.  I was tender for a few days following and had to take it easy.  But then at my next doctor's appointment, Dr. Williams looked at my chart and could see by the tests they ran in L&D that my white blood count had been high which meant I had an infection somewhere that my body was fighting and it made my uterus sensitive.  That being said, he wasn't concerned about the status of my pregnancy and sent me home with orders to stay hydrated and take it easy.  It took a few weeks to fully recover, but with the help of friends who vacuumed my house and brought food for my family, I made it through and I've felt great ever since.  I will say though, those few weeks during which I was "taking it easy" were SO hard!!  It was an experience that opened my eyes to those around me who have to endure bed rest during their pregnancies.  Whenever I am able, I will be the friend who takes care of my bed resting friends!  It was so miserable. 

(My sweet friend Lindsey mowing my lawn.  After she spent the morning caulking the trim of our remodeled master bedroom!  She is a gem.)

 

So I've just kept myself busy to pass the time.  Remodeling, preparing for the Holly Fair, play dates, fun with my kids, etc.  This pregnancy has gone by pretty quickly!  And now I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I can't believe I'll be snuggling a beautiful baby in just a few short weeks.

15 Weeks 

  20 Weeks

 

24 Weeks 

28 Weeks

  32 Weeks

 

34 Weeks

 

37 Weeks

Onyx Dobe Jr.

ONYX DOBE JR.
November 9, 2013 - August 31, 2014

We will always remember the way you stepped on our feet, as if to claim us as your own and make sure we knew you were there to protect us.  We will never forget your energy and how you paced and paced back and forth, room to room, making sure you knew where everyone was and what we were up to.  We will reminisce about how much you LOVED kids.  Your most comfortable, enjoyable place was with children.  If ever we had play dates in our home, all you wanted was to be with the kids- -TOUCHING the kids.  You were such a cuddly teddy bear!  And oh, how our kids loved you.  One day at the park, Teryn got hurt and when he came crying to me, all he wanted was you.  "I want Onyx," he cried.  Ryder loved to roam outside with you.  You never left his side. There were a few times when he got out of the yard and wandered down and around the corner.  He was returned to us by strangers, and you were always with him.  But the one who loved you most was Adria.  You two had something special.  You were going to be the most protective brother she ever had.  That's what makes me the saddest.  We often imagined the years to come with you in our family- -the good times we would have and the powerful bond we would all share.  We will never forget you.  I, especially, will never forget you.  As the one with the responsibility of training you, I was by far your toughest, even meanest family member.  But regardless of how many times I got after you about licking, jumping, running out the door, staying out of the kitchen, staying in your kennel, laying down, staying off the furniture, etc. etc. etc., you were the most loyal to me.  You always listened, you always protected, and you always loved me.  Unconditionally.  There has been something missing in our home since you've been gone.  We think of you often and miss you more than we expected.  You will never be replaced. 

Adaptation

(Written September 25, 2014)
Our ability to adapt is amazing.  Really, it's amazing.  Life inevitably changes and sometimes those changes are so drastic that, in the moment, we can't imagine ever getting used to them.  I've been thinking about that concept a lot lately.  The first major change I remember experiencing was my mission.  Oh boy, words can.not. describe the intense anxiety and unsurety a new foreign missionary feels.  To go to another country is one thing.  To go to another country with the weight of a mission is another.  I couldn't handle the food.  I couldn't understand a thing people said.  I had never felt such humidity.  For so many reasons, I doubted whether I would adapt to Korea.  But by some miracle I did.  So much so that it was even MORE difficult to adapt back to America after my mission.  But again, I did.  It just took time.  

When Tyson started working at Nabors last year, it was a difficult schedule to get used to.  He went from working 40 hours a week to 70+ hours a week.  I found every way and reason to get out of the house for as long as possible every day so we could keep our minds off of him being gone.  Especially in the evenings when husbands and daddies are usually home from work.  It took a few weeks but we got used to it.  So much so that if Tyson ever got off work early it threw our entire schedule off.  Then, Tyson was recently assigned a new work schedule.  7am to 7pm, 7 days a week.  No.days.off.  98 hours a week.  We have pretty much been husbandless/daddyless for almost 6 weeks with no end in sight.  I can feel the sympathy of friends and family around us.  Truthfully, its not easy and it's not at all enjoyable, but we've adapted.  I wasn't sure we could, but we did.  Just like every other difficult change in our lives.  When life gives you lemons, whether you squeeze them nicely or stomp them to pieces, you'll make lemonade.  You'll adapt whether you think you will or not.  It just takes time.