Happy Halloween!!

Today is Josephine's official due date! Now here we are with a 12-day-old. 

On another note, where are all the trick-or-treaters!!!!! We had NO trick-or-treaters come to our house! I don't get it. We had nice jack-o-lanterns to welcome them and lots of candy, but no kids. We thought for sure we'd have tons since we don't live in a private neighborhood anymore. Is our house too scary or something? Well, at least we have lots of yummy candy to eat!

Kevin and Josie's matching shirts

Our cuddly little teddy bear!

One with Grandma Money

Week 2.

My mom came in this week to help with Josie. She is having more of a relaxing vacation though, cause so far Josephine is a pretty easy baby. She very rarely cries and sleeping is what she does best. She still has her days and nights a bit confused so she sleeps almost all day and is more active at night. Even still, she gets a decent amount of sleep at night anyway. We are hoping she'll figure it out soon and sleep at night like she does during the day. When she is awake, she is so much fun and super sweet. She just calmly looks around and likes to study your face. She is so even-tempered! We are not getting our hopes up about her staying this way. After all, it is only week 2. I am afraid everyday that she will decide she likes crying better than sleeping and will be really difficult. But we'll enjoy it while we can and stock up on sleep. Who knows, maybe we are just lucky and she will end up staying an easy baby! We are just enjoying our new threesome and dressing our little doll up and playing with her. I am just excited for when I am completely healed and can get out with her. I am getting impatient with the healing process. I am excited for week 3!

Hair bow courtesy of my cousin Katie.

Bath time!




This is her most of the time. If you look closely, you can see her holding her binky in her mouth so it won't fall out.

For you "Office" fans.....

For those of you that watch "The Office" and have always wanted a Dundee, be jealous. Kevin had this made for me for when I had the baby. He gave it to me while we were at the hospital. Awesome. Best labor gift ever!

Week 1

Josie is 6 days old and changing everyday! We are doing really well and are incredibly happy. She had a check-up today to check her weight and everything looks great. She lost 8 ounces and weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces on Thursday. They don't like to see them lose that much so they checked again today and she had gain a couple ounces so everything is good. She is such a great baby so far!! She sleeps REALLY well and Kev and I feel a little guilty about all the sleep we are getting. She hardly ever cries and seems to be one tough cookie. She was pricked and prodded at the doctor and she hardly gave a whimper. We are amazed with this little human and are loving the new things we discover about her each day. I am recovering well and enjoying spending time as a family. Kevin has been home this whole week and we have never been able to sit around in our sweats all week before. It's great! Even though the labor was hard, I have already forgotten it and am excited to do this again someday. It's amazing that something that was the hardest thing you have ever done, seems like nothing now that it's over and we have a precious souvenir from it. I guess I just went through what everyone else goes through to bring a new person into the world. Anyway, here are a few pics from the week.

She always looks so serious!

Kevin trying to read her a book. She was having a hard time paying attention. I understand, I'm that way with books sometimes too. 

Same spot, different day.

They both do this together a lot.

She doesn't like her binky falling out, it seems, so she holds it in her mouth while she sucks. It's quite helpful.

My war story....

We are home now and trying to adjust to parenthood and the exhaustion that comes with it. The surprise of Josie's early arrival has left us in quite a spin. She is a great sleeper so far except for the fact that you must hold her most of the time. She has been sleeping almost the entire time we have been home. Probably won't continue but we'll see how it goes. 

So, for anyone who hasn't already heard it, here's the big story. As you know, Saturday was our 5 year anniversary. To celebrate, we got tickets to see Natalie Dessay in "Manon" at the Chicago Lyric Opera. Since we knew it would be our last time out there before the baby came, we decided to go to the temple there as well. To celebrate the special day we did some sealings and then went to the opera. I was feeling fine except the baby felt extremely low and I was getting some weird twinges here and there, but no contractions. We had a great time and began the 2 hour drive home. We got home and finally got in bed around 2:30. About 20 mins. later, I felt a really strong contraction and a little bit of fluid. I checked it and figured it was just my mucus plug so I tried to go back to sleep. Immediately, I felt another contraction and more fluid. I woke Kevin up and started freaking out. We called the doctor since I kept leaking fluid. I still was not convinced it was really my water breaking, but we went down to the hospital anyway. Fortunately, we had packed hospital bags "just in case" even though I was sure we would not need them for another 2 weeks at least. We threw everything in the car and drove the 20 mins. to the hospital. They checked me and confirmed that it was amniotic fluid and I was therefore in labor. I was shocked. Not only because I thought she was going to be late, but also that my water actually broke at home. Last wednesday, at my last appointment, I was not dialated at all, but about 50% effaced. When they checked me at the hospital, I was still only about 80% effaced and not even dilated to a 1. We decided to walk the halls and bounce on the birthing ball to get things moving. We walked and walked for hours! The contractions were still mild and about 5 mins apart. Finally, about 9 hours later, they checked me again and I was still only at about 1 1/2 or 2. Normally, I probably wouldn't even be at the hospital at this point but because my water broke there is risk of infection if you are in labor too long. The doctor told me I was going to need some pitocin to move things along so I wouldn't risk infection. I really didn't want it, but didn't really have a choice. Our walking wasn't working. After the pitocin set in, things really got intense. I went from 5 mins. in between to only about 1 min. in between contractions. They came hard and fast and I could hardly breathe through them. Fortunately, Kev was there to coach me and keep me focused. I wanted to wait as long as possible before the epidural and hopefully not even have one at all. After several hours of agony, they checked me again and I was somewhere between 5 and 6. I had already been in labor for over 13 hours at this point and wasn't sure if I could go another 13. I decided to get the epidural finally at about 6 p.m. After it set in, I was in heaven. I was not able to sleep, but I was at least comfortable. Before I could really even enjoy it, they informed me I was almost fully dilated and could push soon. I began pushing at about 8:00. I was very excited and in good spirits at this point. I hadn't slept or eaten in over 36 hours and had already gone through 17 hours of labor, but I didn't care. I was so excited to finally meet her! We started pushing and about 30 mins into it, I started noticing that my legs were starting to get more feeling. Apparently everyone reacts differently to the epidural and my contractions were so strong, I could feel then clearly through the drugs. It was incredibly painful, but I just kept pushing. After about 2 hours of pushing, they noticed that her head was not really progressing any further. I had been pushing as hard as I could, but I was too weak and her head was stuck. At this point, I completely lost it. I started crying and telling them to put me out of my misery. I think I seriously wanted someone to come and knock me out. They told me I could either get an emergency c-section or they would have to use the vacuum extractor cause she was not going to budge. I asked if I could try some more and Kevin decided I needed a blessing. He laid his hands on my head and gave me a priesthood blessing there in front of everyone. Immediately, I was able to pull myself together and focus. The pain became more bearable and I started pushing again. 30 mins later, she still was quite lodged. We decided to allow the vacuum for a couple of pushes, just to get her past that spot. Another 30 mins. and several rounds of vomiting later, she was out!! 3 hours of straight pushing were totally worth it to be able to finally hold her. Sorry about the graphic description : ). They allowed us to hold her as long as we wanted and Kev cut the chord. We just sat there with her on my chest for over an hour before we finally let them weigh her and clean her off. She even peed on me which my dad says was her "marking her territory." Lol......

The next few hours were such a blur of shock, excitement, awe, exhaustion, and every other emotion. They checked her and she was very healthy at 6 pounds 12 ounces and 19 inches. For about an hour or 2 after, I was in a bit of shock and couldn't stop shaking and was in quite a daze. I finally got about 3 hours of sleep while she was in the nursery. What a difference 3 hours makes!! Anyway, this is getting quite long. We decided that we would take advantage of the nursery and sent her there for the night so we could recover a little. They just brought her out for feedings. I was able to get a full 8 hours on Monday night and felt amazing the next day. We got to bring her home on my birthday and so far everything is great! I am recovering quite well and I feel pretty good. We feel so blessed and thankful that she is finally here and healthy. Even though she caught me off guard, I really wouldn't mind having all my kids at 38 weeks. We are so grateful for all your prayers and sweet comments. It was nice to know that so many were waiting to hear the good news and we apologize for keeping you waiting. We couldn't be happier! We are so thankful the Lord has sent us this beautiful girl to complete our family. 

Best Birthday Present Ever!!!

Still at the hospital and typing with one hand. We are going home tonight and and are doing really well. Recovery has been great and we have gotten some rest. Some of us more than others : ). Still no time to fill in much detail, but here are a few more pics.


Our little tree frog in here favorite place. She loves her daddy!




Our little cone-head. At least there's hair!

Welcome to Earth, Josephine Lillian Packard!

Our little Josie has finally arrived! What an ordeal it was! This will be brief, but just wanted to give a little update. We are still at the hospital and will be going home tomorrow night (on my birthday!) Whole story will follow later when we are more rested. My water broke at home at about 3 am Sunday morning. After about 20 hours of labor we finally got to meet her at 11:04 pm. It was very rough and several hard decisions were made, but she came out healthy and absolutely perfect. She has dark blonde hair, long fingers and the cutest button nose. She was 6 pounds 12 ounces and 19 inches long. We are enjoying the new parental bliss and trying to rest up for the journey ahead. I haven't slept since Friday night since we drove through the night on Saturday to get home from Chicago. We were only in bed about 15 mins. or so when my water broke. Anyway, until I have time for the whole story, here are a few pics from the hospital.

The Bunny Rabbit is Burrowing Out...

Kevin here, reporting from Birthing Suite 5 at South Bend Memorial Hospital. Emily and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary last night at The Lyric Opera of Chicago, and didn't get home until about 2:30am. Emily kept saying that it felt like the baby was digging at her insides, like she was trying to tunnel out "Great Escape"-style. We went to bed and were awakened at about a half hour later with a sudden gushing of fluid. Since Emily has been house-broken for some time now, we figured it was something else. We are now sitting here, waiting for her grand debut, and need to go for a walk now. We'll keep you posted..........

October 18, 2003- The best day of my life!

*This post will include video and more pictures at a later time when we aren't having a baby.

(From Emily) 5 years ago today, Kevin and I were married. What a magical and amazing day it was! I never knew how happy I would be and couldn't really comprehend how much we would love each other more each day. Kevin is everything I could ever want.

*Emily's part is unfinished due to her going into labor. : )

(From Kevin) Do you remember what it was like to view a year through the eyes of a 10-year-old? That was like, 5th grade, right? Do you remember what a difference there was between 5th and 6th grade? I remember it clearly, because for one thing, that was when a year still seemed like an eternity; but most importantly, a year could mean the difference between you being a totally different person than you were the previous one. Are you picking up what I'm laying down? For instance, one year meant the difference between being a dorky comic book collector, and selling the comic books to another dork so I could take a girl to the movies (well, it was more like going to the movies with my sister and her friend, and her friend's sister being there too, and all of us meeting up and my sister's-friend's-sister and I sitting together. Still, pretty cool!) One year meant the difference between being in Primary, and having the Priesthood!

What is the point of this? During those days, older people always talked about a year like it was a week. As of today, Emily and I have been married for five years, and it seems like it has been a few months. After a lovely evening of Italian food and fabulous conversation, we were watching the videos of our wedding, and though I still felt the sweet nostalgia that comes with seeing two wonderfully naive people united in marital bliss, I was also amazed at how far we have come together. Though it feels as if we have only been together for a short time, and in the scheme of things it really has been a short time, I don't like thinking of what life was like before her. Everything always seemed like it was very temporary and incomplete. Emily is the greatest person I have ever known and not only will she willfully be seen in public with me, but she loves me just as much as I love her. We continue to have so much fun together, and though at the time we married I knew it was the best day of my life, something tells me that sharing the joy of welcoming our child into the world may well surpass that. I am overjoyed that I get to see her every day, I get excited to come home to her, and I will enjoy spending the rest of Eternity stock piling evidence that proves I am worthy to be her husband.

Look at it this way: we have lived in 3 states, built up 3 drum companies, traveled across 3 countries, shared 2 apartments and 2 homes, wrecked 2 cars, conceived 4 babies, burned up 4 Disney Annual Passes, survived one Star Wars convention, worked 12 NAMM shows, rocked with countless bands, stayed awake through 12 operas, rubbed shoulders with celebrities, earned one College Degree, done work in 6 different Temples, magnified 9 callings, and done more together than most married couples do in a lifetime......and yet our song plays on and keeps getting better. That, my friends, is marital bliss at its finest, though we could still do with a little more sleep. You got better? We beg to differ!

Nursery, belly, and other fun pics!

I took some pictures of the nursery so far. It's turned out better than I thought it would and I am excited to keep adding to it. We were finally able to get some furniture including a really nice walnut crib. We got the changing table for $15 on craigslist. Can't beat that! We got every item Babies R' Us had that matched our bedding set, so it all goes together. We still will probably change a few things, including moving the decals up to border the ceiling instead of over the crib. We'll see. Anyway, we have a pack n' play in our room that we will probably use for the first week or so, but we would like to get her in her own room and crib as soon as possible. SO EXCITED!! I thought I would be nervous, but at this point, I just want her to get here soon!

The walls were a hideous yellow color, the window had dark shutters, and the closet was a really ugly brown. We pretty much changed everything. This is what it looked like when our landlord lived there. Yuck!

Here it is now! (I recommend enlarging the pics to see details : )  )

I painted the shelves and took down the shutters and put up girly curtains instead.

I love this picture my mom got us of Joseph Smith with his baby girl. So sweet.

The closet used to be an ugly brown so we painted it white.

So way back in June, I did an opera ( "Don Giovanni") with the St. Petersburg Opera Company. After moving everything to Indiana, I went back to Florida for a month to do the rehearsals and performances. It sucked being away from Kevin, especially while pregnant, but it was so much fun. I am excited to start auditioning again as soon as I can. I miss singing! Here are a couple pics from the dress rehearsal. I didn't have stage make-up or hair for the rehearsal. 

Me as Zerlina singing to my lover Masetto.

Dancing at the party. Yes, in a wedding dress. I laugh now cause I was 5 months pregnant and TOTALLY thought I was showing. From the pics, you can tell it was all in my head I guess. I was at least still a skinny minnie compared to how I am now.

Here is this weeks belly pic. I had an appointment today and I'll spare you the details, but things are moving along and she is preparing to come out. I only wish I knew when!

Building a History

Having the folks in town last week was successful in bringing to mind a furry of memories back to life; particularly as they relate to the current state of the Kemily Packards. As we wait impatiently for our little bunny rabbit to make her grand debut, I have been thinking a lot about what made my own childhood spectacular, and what I want to do to make hers even spectacular-er!

Papa Packard was not one for playing catch or momentous moments of paternal bonding with his number-one son, but we did take a lot of drives. Sunday drives up Little Cottonwood Canyon, weekend drives to Central Utah, and even the occasional UEA-inspired business call treks to points far-reaching were the norm in my childhood. As he was old-school even when he was young, there was
not a lot of musical middle-ground between my sisters, him, and I; so normally the soundtrack was Fresh Aire (and occasionally Dan Fogelburg, which my dad didn't love, but endured because it was more mellow than the Osmonds, or Howard Jones later on.)

What was it about the Mormon sub-culture that made it so strongly embrace Mannheim Steamroller? I know that many of you who grew up during this era in our neck of the populace were also raised on this bizarre mix of baroque, new age, and early synth music. I have no idea why I still love those first four Fresh Aire albums, and I know I bug Em to death with it as it is still my favorite Sunday driving music. Maybe it is because the sounds of these totally low-fi recordings hearkens back to simpler times, beautiful scenery, and the scent of pine trees and propane (it would take too long to explain.)

These are the kinds of memories I want to create for my little girl. Having heard many examples of what Fatherhood is meant to be in General Conference last week -particularly in Elder Holland's talk about Angels- I really want to be that for her. Sure hope I can.

On a different note, you know that Police song "The Bed's Too Big Without You"? It is totally true unless "You" is someone that is 9-months pregnant. I am not complaining, I just want to make sure Em is comfy because she gets no sleep, and it seems like every time she does, I wake up with my face in her neck and she has to push me away so she can wrangle herself back into that ONE comfortable position within her vast network of pillows. So what do you do when it is too big without you, but too small with you? Pray, friends, pray.

Sad that it's almost over
Glad she is almost here
Scared that I won't be equal
But I won't be bound by fear