How I knew Jilly was stubborn from before her birth

 I decided with Jilly I would try to induce a day or two early. I had friends that it had worked for, so I thought, why not? 

 40 weeks, with the most comfortable preggo pants ever. They might not be super attractive, but they were so much more comfortable than anything with a waistband. 

 A picture I took so Michelle could see the largeness. Grandma Chickens agreed to come down for the scheduled induction, and while I was "laboring," Grandma taught Evelyn the art of eating whipped cream out of a can. 

Followed by a well-deserved bath. 

 We went in really early, before 6 am I think. They got me all set up, and I waited. 

 And waited. I look really uncomfortable, huh? I was actually just really hungry by this point. 

 Evelyn even came to visit and check on the progress of her baby sister. 

 She found a whole lotta nothin', except my ice chips. By this time, I'm hearing the nurses mutter that this is totally not going to work and that something needed to happen (I'd been on pitocin for 10 hours by now without a single pain, dilated only to 1.5 cm, and little cervical effacement). I decided at that point that I wasn't going to sit there for hours on end, and I was definitely not having a c-section, so I mentally bailed on the induction at that point. An hour later, my doctor came in and said that either she could try a different drug, or I could opt for the c-section. I asked if I could go home (I had just seen a commercial for steak on TV and I was so hungry). She checked with the floor doctor, and they released me. Mom Cluff made me a delicious steak when I got home. I had a few hard contractions within an hour of arriving home making me think I may actually go into labor, but all was quiet and relaxed when I went to bed. What a waste of time! Jilly wasn't going anywhere until she was good and ready. 

 The next day we drove up to visit Grandma and Grandpa Green and one of Grandma Cluff's good friends. 

 Grandma took fun pictures of Evelyn playing on the playground and got her grandkid fix. 

 Halloween arrived a few short days later, and we took Evelyn to Deseret Towers on the advisement of some friends. I was surprised, but Evelyn quickly figured out the drill, and all the female residents thought she was the cutest monkey they had ever seen. 

Evelyn latched onto this one piece of candy, and couldn't have cared less about the others she received. Halloween came and went, and no baby!

Off to the MTC we go

My brother Bryson was set to depart into the MTC in late October, so my family came to visit and stay a day or two while doing this. They stopped in Eastern Idaho first and stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Hill so Tyler and Nicole could say farewell, and then they headed south. 

 All squished on the one couch we had. Our Wymount apartment was so small. 650 sq. ft., no room for really anyone but us. A double-sized air mattress took up the entire living room floor space. I don't miss it at all! 

 Evelyn chugging her milk down while sitting on Bryson. 

 Me with my "due" belly. 

 Evelyn and her "sweet potato" hat, as Aunt Patricia had called it. She'd given it to Evelyn. She's given so many gifts to our kids over the years, and they're not even her grandkids. 

 Finding treasures in Aunt Lyndsey's makeup. 

 Grandpa reading a story to Evelyn while she tries to take off her socks again. 

 Milk and pajamas. 

 The morning of MTC admission. By the time he would get back from Torreon, Mexico, Evelyn would be 3 years old. 

 My family, minus myself and Nicole. 

I remember it being a cold morning, and felt really big and pregnant this particular day. 

One last shot outside the MTC with my parents.

No baby arrived either. I thought that would have been perfect timing. Unlikely, but good timing. 

The first half of October

I was awaiting the impending arrival of Jillian. She was due October 29. 

 Evelyn was becoming better entertained by the TV, for which I was grateful, with a new baby on the way and all. Baby Einstein was her favorite. She'd also watch the original adventures of Winnie the Pooh. 

 Learning how to ham it up. 

 Riding the duckie floatie around with Dad. We got this from Grandma and Grandpa Cows, and still have it! (6+ years later). That's a record for this household. 

 I got into doing pilates with an exercise ball shortly after Evelyn was born, as it helped my body put itself back together after pregnancy and delivery. Evelyn was sitting and bouncing on the ball, just like she'd seen me do. 

 Ben flew down to California for the wedding of a co-worker who he'd become close friends with. Kyle had taken Ben and I out to dinner a few times before Evelyn was born, and we were so excited for him when he finally found Kate. Kyle was the one who got Ben hooked on BYU sports and college football. 

 The wedding was at the Los Angeles Temple, and Ben got to stay with Uncle Dan and check out his new house. 

Evelyn and I hung out and kept busy while Ben was away for that short trip. I actually ended up getting a sinus infection while he was gone, but no baby arrived either, so I considered myself lucky. 

Aunt Michelle and Uncle Nate's Wedding

 Aunt Michelle and Uncle Nate were married in September, and I was 34 weeks pregnant. Michelle told me when they were making wedding plans, they laughed at the thought of one of their bridesmaids being pregnant. Little did they know that I would be! I made my dress which turned out very nice, although a bit shorter than I would have liked it. It was fun to be part of a wedding. 

 Getting everything together before the ceremony.

 I walked down the aisle with one of Nate's brothers. 

 Aunt Michelle and Dad Cluff. 

 The way this picture worked out, it looked like Michelle was getting up close to Evelyn, and I thought it was so sweet. Then a few years later, I realized she was hugging Grandma Green, so the way the picture turned out was a happy accident. 

 Pictures were taken at a beautiful park nearby. 

 The wedding party. 

 Nate, Michelle, and the Cluff parents. 

 Grandpa and Grandma Hafen at the wedding reception. 

 Dad and Evelyn. I made Evelyn's dress as well, it was fun seeing her get around in this big, satin dress. 

 I got to stand in the reception line, and Evelyn eventually got tired of waiting for me to come and hold her. 

Michelle and Dad Cluff have the bride's dance (I think that's what it's referred to as). 

 We tried to do some dancing, but Evelyn wanted to right there with all the strangers around. 

 The three siblings - Ben, Michelle, and Dan. 

Cluff family wedding picture. It was  really fun weekend. We stayed with Aunt Patricia and Uncle Tom in their new house, and got to visit with all the guests staying there. Evelyn did really well despite missing naps due to the wedding chaos, and I felt good in spite of my being 8 months pregnant.