My very long monkey

Danny is already TWO months old! He is such a little stud and has brought so much joy to this house, that is when he is not screaming! As the weeks have gone on he has gotten better and better. Now he has a few fussy times during the day, but he is sleeping 8-9 hours at NIGHT! I couldn't be happier for that. It is so nice to get a full nights rest. At his 2 month appt he was:

• 23.6 inches long (75%)
• 11.4 lbs (50%)
• Head cir was in the 25%

He really does look like a cute little monkey. He has such long arms and a tiny little head just like his daddy. I still can't quite figure out who he looks like. Most days he looks more like Tyler and than every so often he looks a lot like my brother Mike. I guess time will tell who he will look like! Danny is starting to smile a lot, but sadly we never can get any pictures of him smiling. He is also stating to talk and interact a lot more. Oh he is so fun! Danny is not super cuddle, but he always wants to be held. He wants to be in the middle of the action and watching everything that is going on. He loves to look at colorful things, like his mobile and loves when you talk with him. We call him our high maintenance baby, but we love him for it. Its fun to see a tiny bit of his personality shining through. Here are some pictures of us from the past month. Can you tell he has an older sister. Sorry Danny, but she loves to play with you!

In his church clothes.

He has been able to hold his head with since 6 weeks old!
Whenever I go to take pictures of Danny Aspen likes to jump in them.

Grandpa Inkley

Shirl Bawden Inkley 1928 ~ 2010 Our loving husband, dad and grandpa, Shirl Inkley, 81, passed away June 12, 2010. Born August 13, 1928 in Granger, Utah to Louise Merelda Bawden and Edwin Christopher Inkley. Married Elaine May Kendrick on February 27, 1947; solemnized later in the Salt Lake Temple. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with an unwavering love for his Savior. He served in many callings including Bishop, and Ordinance Worker at the Jordan River Temple. He worked as an auto mechanic and a general contractor, building chapels for the LDS Church. He also served a work mission for the Church for two years. He showed his love for his country by serving in the U.S. Navy. He enjoyed sharing his love for the outdoors, including boating, water skiing and flying with his family and friends. His greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his childhood sweetheart, Elaine; daughters; Susan (Dennis) Jordan, Sandi (Glen) Beckstead, Shirlayne (Neal) George, Tammy (Ronald) Tye, Kathy (Allen) Mason; sons; David (Rachel), Mark (Chris), Paul (Beate); Navajo daughters; Sylvia (Derrick), and Lorraine; one brother and three sisters; 58 grandchildren; 49 great grandchildren and one great-great-grand daughter. Preceded in death by parents; daughter-in-law Jillynn; two great-grandchildren, Brenden and Brianna; and two sisters, Maurine and Diane. Special thanks to the Staff at the VA Hospital and Love Hospice. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 12:00 noon at the Oakhill Ward, 955 West 4800 South. Viewings will be held Tuesday, 6-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and Wednesday at the church, 11-11:45 a.m. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park.

Published in Salt Lake Tribune from June 13 to June 14, 2010

He will prepare the way

At the beginning of the year I sat down and actually wrote some goals down on paper. I have always thought of goals, but haven't been very good about writing them down. One of my biggest goals was that I would be able to serve more. Within weeks of writing my goal down I was asked to bring 3 sisters in my ward meals. I love cooking and this was a great opportunity to help someone out. I also was able to go and visit with some sisters in my ward. Than a few months later I got this feeling that more service was about to come about. I read in the topical guide all about service and felt this was a very important part of my life. Well 2 weeks ago I called into the bishoprics office. I didn't really think much of it becuase they didn't call in Tyler. As the second counselor asked me to be the compassionate service leader I kind of laughed. At first I thought he was calling me to the committee. Than after he read the actual calling to me I asked him specifically, "am I on the committee or the leader"? When he responded that I was the leader I got a big smile on my face. The Lord had been preparing me for this calling all year so this was not a shock at all. To be honest I am very excited about his calling. I know it will be hard, but I am excited to get to know the sisters in the ward better. I am excited to work with our amazing Relief Society president. She has so many good ideas in store and I am excited to help her incorporate them into our ward. We just got a new Relief Society presidency along with pretty much all new leadership in visiting teaching and everything else. Change is good and I am happy to be apart of these changes. Now I just need everyone's prays that I can do this calling! As of right now I have NO committee so I have a lot of sisters I need to get called. This calling will really push me, but I really am excited. I have prayed for opportunities to serve and that pray has been answered in a very big way! Does anyone have any good tips or things they have liked in their ward that would help me out?!?

4 moms, 9 kids and a lot of fun

Last week a few of the Sperry clan and all the kiddo's went up to the zoo. Danny was a bit fussy in the morning, but after I fed him he was a champ. Aspen is obsessed with animals and loved hanging out with all her cousins. She especially loved going back and forth between Kelly and Janei'as strollers. They both have the sit and stand strollers when she could get out on her own. I really need to get one of those. It was so fun to see all the cousins playing and to be able to talk to all the moms. Girls I love ya. One of my favorite moments was when the older boys saw the cougar and told us it was the BYU cougar. What smart boys! Anyway here are some fun pictures.The group: Cade, Jaxon, Tiff, Aspen, Danny, Janei'a, Kaia, Kelly, Kylee, Michael, Brooke, Summer and Audrey

The first few weeks

Danny has already changed so much. Here are a few pictures of him throughout the last 2 weeks.

"Zoolander face"

Danny at 2 weeks:

• 8lbs 4oz (45%)
• 21 3/4 inches (90%)
• Sleeping 3-4 hours at night

Its so weird to have a baby above the 10th percentile. Aspen is still so tiny and has never been above the 10th percentile in anything. Danny has already gained back his weight he lost at the hospital plus some. He is such a great nurser and eats every 3 hours. He sure lets you know when he is hungry.

Danny and I are starting to get the hang of things. The first few days home from the hospital were the hardest for sure. Danny wanted to be held all day and night. The first week is survival week and I do whatever it takes to keep my babies happy, so Danny came to bed with me. Danny was also not happy because my milk was not quite in and he was so hungry. We did supplement a little with formula, but he did not like a bottle at all. I pumped after every feeding trying to get my milk to come. I was stressing out a little because with Aspen I never got engorged and it took me a long time to actually have enough milk for her. But on day 3 I got engorged. It hurt to even take a shower, but after 2 days the pain went away. I am so thankful I got engorged and that Danny is such a great eater! I have enough milk for him and I am enjoying nursing again.

My amazing mom stayed with us the first week home. She truly was great. She took care of Aspen, cooked (breakfast, lunch and dinner), cleaned, helped with Danny, kept me company, went grocery shopping, cut out all of Danny's bedding, sewed a little bit, and helped Tyler clean our couch and carpets in our front room! She also watched the kids so Tyler and I could go out to dinner for my birthday. Everyone should be as lucky as me to have such a great mom. The best part of having her here was being able to talk and spend time together. My mom lives in Provo so we never get to just spend a whole week together! She is one of my best friends and I am so lucky to have her. My kids will be very lucky if I can only be half as good as a mom as my mother is!

I am so lucky to have such a great mother-in-law to. She watched Aspen while I was at the hospital and even took her to the zoo. Pretty sure Aspen didn't miss me at all. She also watches Aspen whenever I need her to. Right now she takes Aspen about once a week and plays with her all day. It is so nice to have a day where I can get things done or just hold Danny. She also made dinner for us twice last week. It was great!

Aspen's first taste of cotton candy, not quite sure what to think!

Kathy, Aspen, Nick and Sarah with Aspen at zoo

So between family, friends and my ward I was spoiled. I had lots of visitors and treats brought by my house and I had dinner taken care of for 2 full weeks. Thanks everyone. You made my first two weeks home a lot more enjoyable. I didn't know how I would have done it without you.

I really feel like I am getting the hang of things. Two kids is not as hard as I thought it would be, but of course it is still hard. I am lucky that Aspen has adjusted so quickly, but Danny is pretty fussy. Danny has the saddest cry and unfortunately we hear it often. He just wants to be held all day and of course I can't do that. He also can't stand being even a little bit wet or dirty, which means I am changing about 12 diapers a day! Right now I am exhausted, but I hear once you start having kids that really never goes away. Its also hard to have a newborn around the house and trying to schedule everything we do around his feedings. I forget that I can't just run errands whenever I like and that I only have a 2 hour window to get things done. But Danny is worth everything and I am just so glad THAT I AM NOT PREGNANT ANYMORE!!!!

The Big 26

Yesterday someone asked me how old I was and I replied 25. Than I had to quickly correct myself, no I am 26. With Danny being born on my birthday and things being so busy I forgot I had a birthday! It was an awesome birthday and I got to celebrate a bunch of different times.

The Wed before Danny was born we celebrated my b-day at Tyler's families house. We had dinner and I got a yummy dessert, Oreo mud pie. I also opened presents. Than the morning of my birthday Tyler and Aspen woke me up with my present and a yummy breakfast, Belgium waffles with strawberries and an omelet (and yes I did eat the whole thing because I knew I wouldn't be allowed to eat once I got to labor and delivery). Than of course I got the best present ever, DANNY!!!

On Sunday my family came over to our house to celebrate with dinner. I had my usually dinner, turkey steak, salad and twice baked potatoes. For dessert, strawberry shortcake! And I got to open some more presents!

A week after Danny was born Tyler took me out to Outback for dinner. It was so nice to get out without any kids and have a nice dinner. After dinner we walked around Barnes and Nobles and looked at books and talked. Of course most of our conversation was on our 2 kids at home. We have 2 KIDS!!!! Way that is so crazy. I had such a great birthday. I am so sad these are the only pictures I took.

This is the childrens hymn book with lots of pictures. I love it!

Big Sister

Of course every mom wonders what the older children will be like when a new baby comes home. I thought Aspen was just young enough that she wouldn't know any different and I was right! At least so far. She has been so cute to him. Always wanting to help me and hold him. She constantly gives him kisses and she gets so worried if he cries for a long time. Aspen has not thrown any extra tantrums and has been nice towards me. She is not a big fan of daddy when he is holding her though. When daddy is around he is usually playing with Aspen, so she doesn't want to share him. But even that really isn't to bad.

When Aspen first came to the hospital she would NOT come to me. She kept looking at my IV and I think it scared her to see me in a bed like that. But she was as cute as can be with Danny. Of course she was a little confused at first. For the last 9 months she has been pointing to my belly when we asked her where Danny was, but she caught on fast. When she came to visit me the second day my IV was out and she was much happier. She played with me on the bed and continued to give Danny lots of kisses.

Danny was crying, so Aspen moved the chair over to him and was trying to put his Binky in his mouth. It was so cute.

The real test will come next week when my mom leaves and she is not getting as much attention. Thankfully my mother-in-law lives close and is planning on taking her once a week during the day and Tyler is planning on taking her swimming once a week to. And since it is so nice we should be able to go out to the park once a day. So I am hoping she will still do okay, but I am sure there will be more tantrums than this week! I am so thankful that Aspen is such a sweetheart and I feel blessed to be a mother of 2 healthy kids!

The perfect delivery

I woke up April 9th to Aspen and Tyler singing me happy birthday. I got to open my presents and than Tyler made me a big yummy breakfast. Than I got to take a shower and get a few things ready for the big day! We took Aspen over to my mother-in-laws and got a call from the hospital saying they were ready for me to come in. We headed over about 11:30. It was so nice to have the morning to relax before heading to the hospital. Most scheduled inductions start around 6am, but luckily it was spring break and my doctor needed to be in the office during the morning so I was scheduled for the afternoon.

The doctor came in at 12:30 and broke my water and started the pitocin drip. He told me that Danny was really low and he thought I would deliver very quick. Of course I didn't believe him. Aspen's delivery was 12 hours long and I had to push for 2 hours. So I came into delivery planning on it being hard and long. I got my epidural around 1:30, expecting it not to work that great. When I had Aspen it didn't work at ALL and I felt everything. Around 2:30 the epidural was still not working and I was getting nervous that I was going to be in a lot of pain again. The anesthesiologist came in and injected a very heavy dose. I was so thankful for him because the anesthesiologist at AF hospital never believed me that it wasn't working and would not help me out. The Timp doctor was great and did everything he could to help. At around 3:00 the epidural started working and I didn't feel a thing the rest of the delivery! Wow I can't believe how nice it was to have an epidural. I felt great.

By this point I was only dilated to about a 6 and still thinking labor was going to be forever. At 4pm my doctor came in and told me to start pushing. Within 1 push Danny's head had already come out and by push 4 I was able to hold my little guy! It was such a miracle and everything happened so quick. My labor was only 3 1/2 hours and I didn't feel a thing. Also with Aspen I hemorrhaged really bad. The nurses and doctors took extra precaution, but it was not necessary. I actually lost less blood than the average mom.

I feel so blessed to have had such a great delivery. And I have been even more blessed to have such a great recovery. I was up and moving within hours of having Danny. Even when the epidural wore off I really wasn't in much pain. I was able to be released from the hospital after only 1 day and now I am at home. I honestly feel great. Danny is healthy and happy. He rarely cries and sleeps a ton. I am sure that will change soon, but I am enjoying it for now! Danny latched on really well and is a great nurser. Now we are just waiting for my milk to come in.

Thanks to everyone for all the texts, calls and prays. Your prays on our behalf were heard and we are all doing good!!

Danny Sperry Mason

Danny has arrived! He was exactly 8lbs and 19.5 inches long. Both Danny and I are very healthy. More to come on this cute little guy!

The Easter Bunny came!!

Easter weekend was great. On Saturday we took Aspen to an Easter egg hunt in Tyler's parents neighborhood. She loved going to around and getting the eggs and was very excited when she learned how to open them to get her treats. The Easter bunny even came, but Aspen just kept starring at him!

Than on Sunday the Easter bunny had hid Aspen's Easter basket and left a few extra eggs to help her find it. She was happy just with the one egg, but we helped her to keep looking and she found it. Kids really do make holidays so much more fun. The rest of the day was spent with loved ones. We went to the Mason's for a yummy Easter dinner and than we went to the Sperry's to celebrate Easter and Kylee's birthday. It was a perfect day.

Pregnancy Update: Not much new has been happening. I have tried a drive up to Park City, brisk walk, primrose, curb walking, jumping on a tramponline, and stairs to put me into labor, but obviously nothing has worked. I can just picture Danny in my tummy laughing his head off at all the things I have tried! But the good news is I will be induced this Friday, which is only 4 days away!!! 4 days seems so close, but at the same time it feels like FOREVER away. I am pretty much miserable at this point. I can't sleep and I am so uncomfortable all the time. But at least there is an end in sight and it will all be worth it soon. I can't wait to hold my little Danny!