How are you on this Thanksgiving day?
Very thankful.

What are you thankful for this year?
I’m thankful that I’m no longer in pain and that I’m no longer pregnant and that everybody is healthy and wealthy and wise.

What are you least thankful for this year?
That I have to go back to school on Monday.

How did you and Calvin decide to have Baby #2?
Peyton was so much fun and so cute that I decided I wanted to have another.

How did you land on the name Emerson Hayes?
When I was sick and in the waiting room, I was paging through a People magazine and read an article about Teri Hatcher, and it mentioned she had a daughter named Emerson Rose, and while I’m not a fan of the name Rose, I was a fan of the name Emerson.

In detail, tell us of the operation to deliver Emerson.
The operation was scheduled for the 11th of November, but I had an appointment on Monday and my doctor told me there was no way I’d make it that long. Sure enough, by Tuesday night I was in the hospital. Since I’m so tall, the epideral didn’t reach far enough so they inverted the table so the fluid in my spine ran up to my head and then I’d be numb enough because they had to get it up to a certain rib so they would know where to start. There was a great deal of tugging and prodding and I smelled my skin burning from the cauterizer machine and they had to push her out of me with their hands and then, there she was, screaming her fool head off!

How is the new baby affecting your semester at USD?
I haven’t been to school since she was born and I have a test I will need to make up, but she is not throwing too much off.

Do you ever wonder what it would have been like if you were a normal USD student living in the dorms?
I wouldn’t like it. I wouldn’t want to have to share a bathroom with everyone and I wouldn’t want to have a roommate.

You seem to have a low tolerance for pain. What currently aches?
Nothing. And I do not have a low tolerance for pain anymore.  But there is some bleeding on my uterus and that is starting to hurt again.

Out of Peyton and Emerson, who do you think is more likely to be a rebellious teen?
Peyton. She’ll be mouthy and won’t listen.

Someone asked me the other day what you were taking up in college. I had no idea. What exactly are you doing that’s so secretive?
I am between majors right now, trying to get into nursing, but have to be accepted first. Previously I was a Psychology major.

If you had to entrust either me or Alex to watch Peyton and Emerson, who would you choose?
(long pause) I would say Alex. He would be more comfortable with the baby, although I think you would do equally fine with Peyton.

Who do you think will win the Super Bowl?
I don’t even know who’s close to being in it.

Are you in awe that the largest domed stadium in the Dakotas is right outside your window?
No, I’m not.

What was the most boring three-month stretch of your life?
During the summer of 2004 I was bored out of my ass.

Are you ever going to use those pins by your computer desk that Calvin asked about earlier?
I doubt it.

If one former grade school teacher had to move in with you here at the apartment, who would it be?
I’d say Judy Folkestad. She and I get along really well. I actually send her Christmas cards and pictures of Peyton and Emerson and things. She’s a lot funnier when you get on her good side, as Alex can attest to I’m sure.

What were your thoughts on the Carpenter Bash this summer with my friends and the Polish girls on the farm?
It wasn’t nearly as fun as the first one. I liked the group of people better last year. It was more fun with Travis.

Which person that you know only from my website would you find most intriguing to meet?
I’ve always thought that Kayla [Laursen] seems like she’d be fun.

If Emerson or Peyton had been boys, what would the names have been?
Cooper, but we hadn’t decided on a middle name. I liked Jack, but Calvin didn’t like it.

What is a typical day like for you?
I usually wake up whenever Peyton gets up, which is usually around 8am. Then, we take Peyton to the bathroom and put some underwear on her. And then we watch Nick Jr. and eat breakfast. At about 10:45 we take Peyton to daycare and of course there are some Emerson feedings and diaper changes mixed in. And then we sit around and watch TV in the afternoon, and do laundry and dishes while sitting around. Then I go get Peyton at 2:30, and play play-do or color. Around 5 she “helps” me make supper and do the dishes. Then Calvin is the one who is in charge of bathing her most nights. And then she watches a movie. We struggle with her going to bed for an hour and a half every night while she screams and kicks us. Then I go to bed, and do it all over again the next day. Doesn’t it sound like fun?

You are turning 21 this week. How will you celebrate?
I’m going to buy myself enough booze to get myself drunk off my ass. Not really. But I probably will go buy some Mike’s Raspberry Lemonade.