Monday Memory #5

This weeks memory is when we brought Lily home from the hospital. We had lots of visitors it was fun.

Lily was so cute and little.

Maria came to visit us.

Other extended family came as well

Jonathan's Grandparents came to see Lily for the first time.

Daddy is out of a job!

The girls decided they wanted a visit from the tooth fairy and we were out of floss. Jonathan uses floss to painlessly extract all loose teeth. The girls didn't want to wait. So they took it upon them selves to do the dirty work.



The first day we heard Emma exclaim from the bathroom "I took out my tooth myselth" (that's how she says myself. We are trying to get her to say it the other way)


She was so proud of herself.

The next day we heard the same thing come from Lily only she said myself correctly.

They both got to go to the store and spend their tooth fairy money. Poor Jonathan's services weren't needed.

Benjamin's Eye Lashes!!!!

All I have to say is IT"S NOT FAIR!!!! Why is it that guys always have beautiful eye lashes?

Benji has these eye lashes that are really long, full, dark, and they curl. Mine on the other hand are short little things. Just go figure my baby BOY has better eye lashes than me. I guess that is why there is mascara.

Pregnancy Journal Week 14

So I'm a day late at posting my week 14 update. I had an appt yesterday but it got cancelled and I found out right when I got there. So I got to choose when I would reschedule. So today at 9 am I finally went to my appt. that has been cancelled 3 times already. Hey Dr.'s have very unpredictable lives. So I went to my appt and everything checks out great. I got to schedule my big ultrasound for April 27th. at 3:15. I'm so excited for this day to come. It's going to be great. I just hope the baby cooperates and isn't too modest. This is the only time I want my kids to forgo the modesty thing. I found out that I'm down a total of 4 lbs so far. As I've said before I can't eat the sweets and I really think that is the key. So I'm obligated to visit the vampires again. My Dr. wants to check my Thyroid again and make sure it's doing ok. I have a really low metabolic rate, and the Thyroid medicine helps me. So we are going to make sure that pregnancy hasn't made it worse, because it can. So I go back in 3 weeks. Other than that it's been same ole same ole. I'm just glad I'm in too the 2nd trimester. The best one by far.

My Mother-in-law's health blog.

My Sister-in-law Maria set up a health blog for my Mother-in-law. It will have updates, and ways to help. We are trying to plan fundraisers and silent auctions. We need all the help we can get.

Monday Memory #4

This memory is about the day I became a Mother and Jonathan became a Father.
When I was almost 37 weeks pregnant with Lily I left my work early to go to a Dr's. Appt. It was January 16th 2002 on a Thursday. I had felt kinda odd that day during work. My co workers said that my face would go from normal to pale white over and over again. So I was glad I had a appt. that day. When I got there I got the normal stuff done. But a couple of things were off. 1st of all my blood pressure was abnormally high at 82/153. Mine is normally 100/60. I also was producing protein in my urine. YUCK sorry. Anyway my Dr. said that he could either induce me the next day or put me on bed rest for a week and risk death for me and the baby. He didn't feel comfortable in the second option so he said that a nurse would call me the next morning and tell me when to come in. I was in utter shock. I wasn't expecting this to happen at all. So I drive to go pick up Jonathan, and head home. I was instructed to lay on my left side and not really do anything. So when I got home we let Jonathan's mom know what was going on and she came right over to wash all the baby clothes as I hadn't done that yet. I thought I had plenty of time. About 10 o'clock came we got a call from the hospital and said that I could come in that night. I thought well it's going to happen why not right now. My mother-in-law suggested that we get a good night sleep and go in the morning, because I had been up since 6 am that morning. I was just too anxious to sleep so I decided to go to the hospital. I got hooked up to the pitocin about 12 am and didn't sleep at all. When my contractions got kinda hard I asked for something to help. They gave me Stadol and that stuff made me so loopy. It was funny as I just got it put into my IV I was out in less than a minute. Jonathan said I was talking until I passed out. After I slept for about an hour they checked me and I was at a 6 and my Dr. broke my water. After that the contractions came fast and hard. So I begged for that wonderful epidural. After I got that about an hour past and I was ready to have my little girl. I pushed for about 45 min and it felt like I had a bowling ball on my spine. Lily arrived at 1:24 pm on Friday January 17th. The nurse guessed Lily's weight at over 9 pounds. HAHA!!! After she came out they weighed her and she weighed 6lbs 10oz. She measured 19 1/4 inches. When they gave her too me she smiled right away.


Me after a long night in the hospital.


Jonathan helping me through a contraction.

Lily's first bath.

We got visitors all day and it was so much fun.

First time Grandparents.

Trials Only Makes Our Faith Stronger!

This last week has been a whirl wind of shock, fear, sadness, faith, confusion, and drawing closer to our Heavenly Father. I've prayed harder than I have in a long time. My wonderful Mother-in-law has been diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma at stage 3, and there are only 4 stages. It's a cancer that is very bad and very rare. The survival rate is up too 5 years. It requires intense chemo treatments, and it is most likely to come back. By statistics stand point it looks very discouraging. But I'm an eternal optimist, and by two witnesses I know that statistics don't matter in this case. Our Heavenly Father is a God of miracles, and if we exert our faith strong enough we will see a miracle.

There are many wonderful qualities this woman has portrayed in the eight years I have had the privilege to call her my Mother. She is the most giving woman ever. She always helps anyone who is in need. She has love for all that are around her. All of her little grandchildren adore her. She is filled with the spirit, and shares that spirit with many. She is always trying to be her best, and so many other qualities that have effected many that I haven't mentioned.

So I'm asking for all the prayers we can get sent Margaret's way. She has a long hard road ahead of her.

Peter can sleep anywhere.

I found Peter asleep on the office chair the other day. The kids were playing games on the computer and Peter fell asleep. Sheesh boys can sleep anywhere. Oh and he loves to dress up as Batman all the time.

Pregnancy Journal Week 13.

2nd trimester here I come. I'm out of the dreaded 1st trimester and feel allot better. If I eat anything remotely sweet there goes my day. It's a really good thing that sugar has me feeling so awful. I'm scared scared scared to eat it. I really think it will keep the baby weight to a minimum this time around. I am so for that!!!! As weight goes I've lost 1 lb so far. I'm not trying to diet so don't worry about that. I've just had a non existent appetite. I can't eat very much in a sitting. I think from all the nausea I've shrunk my stomach. Other than that I listen to the baby daily. It's nice to know that it's still alive. I'm going to find out what "it" is in about 5 weeks or more (hoping for sooner than later). What we want to do is find out at the end of April and not tell anyone what "it" is until Jonathan's Graduation in May. We are getting together after the ceremony for lunch. We want to make a cake and put in pennies with letters on them that spell out the babies name. So they would have to find all the pennies and try to put together the name. I love to do cool things for telling others our babies gender. So we would have to keep a secret of the gender for about a 1 1/2 weeks. It's going to be really hard for me (and Jonathan), but if I'm putting it on here I have to stick with it.
I'm starting so show a little bit. I really hope I don't get too big this time around. I was measuring 4 weeks ahead at times with Benjamin. Lets hope for a small but healthy baby.

A Great Idea!

My neighbor showed me this trick and I think it's brilliant. I get to push both boys and not take up two swings. I just think it's annoying to have both arms stretched out just to reach both kids at the same time. It also stabilizes the baby so he's not flopping every where. Peter loves it and insists on only swinging this way. It won't work once they both get bigger.

Oh I think it looks like I'm starting to show.

Monday Memory #3

This memory is about my first baby shower. I remember it was January 11th on a Saturday afternoon. My sister-in-laws Maria and Christina put it on for me (my mother-in-law did lots of the work as well). I got lots of really cute (and pink) baby girl clothes. It was really fun. It was good that we had it at that time because Lily came just 6 days later.

Maria wrote down everything I got and Christina handed me presents.

My mother-in-law Margaret made this beautiful food arrangement for me.

More of my loot. Lily wore this outfit a lot.

Here is some of the preparation it took to get the party going. Thanks everyone for such a memorable first baby shower.

A New Do For Lily!

Since Lily's accident I have been having the hardest time keeping her scar covered. It needs to be protected from the sun, and every day when I pick her up it's exposed and I wonder if it's been that way all day. So today before I sent Lily off to school I cut her some bangs. I think she hasn't had them since she was 2 or 3. I found that Lily looks really good with bangs. I think I'm going to keep them on her. They cover the scar and it keeps hair out of her face as she likes to have her hair down. Lily says she feels older with bangs too.

My Pregnancy Journal Week 12.

Well it's 3:17 am and I can't sleep. Oh the joys of pregnancy induced insomnia. It's just what I expect to happen. It's just happening earlier than ever. Maybe not, I really hope not. Well now that I've complained a wee bit I'll go on to recording whats been happening with my pregnancy this week.

Morning Sickness......... is so much less now. I still do have bad days. Those bad days are very few and do not include being sick the entire day. It's like just part of the day. I've decided to stay away from all sweets this pregnancy. First of all they are a small part of the reasons I feel sick. I eat them and I just feel awful the rest of the day. Second of all I'm really trying to keep my weight gain down to a minimum. I've actually lost a pound as of a week ago. I'm watching my calories as well. I'm not going under 2000 a day. A pregnant woman should have 2500, but I didn't get all the weight off after Benjamin so I think I could eat a little less. Good thing is I'm craving fruits and vegies allot. Oh and subs (just so yummy). Not too high in calories as long as you have it in moderation. I hear the baby's heart beat daily. I'm SOOOOOOO glad I have that doppler. My Dr. keeps pushing back my appts. If I didn't have a way to check on the baby I would be a nervous wreck. Since the baby has gotten bigger it's easier to hear the baby, and it's louder. Before it would measure at the 130's BMP, but now it's consistently 160's. I think I have felt the baby move too. I do hear it kick the doppler, and at the same time I feel the sensation of a bubble popping. It's nice to feel it so early on. I didn't feel Benjamin until 17 weeks. I have my appt next Wednesday, and I will be out of the first trimester. I'm so excited to be at 12 weeks because the risk of miscarriage is so much less. I just can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl. If it's a boy I'm ok with clothing, but a girl I have nothing considering I had a girl 5 1/2 years ago. I'm still thinking it's a girl. Jonathan and I can't even imagine this baby being a boy. I guess we will see. I'm excited for the second trimester because it's the best one for me. So highlights to come.

FREEDOM!!!

Jonathan has done it. It's been on our shoulders for 8 long years and longer for Jonathan. Jonathan finished his very last class of college. He has been working so very hard to get his degree. He has a demanding job, and a demanding home life. Yet he persevered and he fulfilled his requirements to get his bachelors. Some one else in his situation might not have endured such a long and demanding feat. With all his obligations it is quite amazing. Jonathan you are my HERO! What a great example you are for our children, and for me. Funny thing Emma said today was...... Mommy you know Daddy now knows EVERYTHING. I asked why does he know everything. She replied..... He's all done with school so he knows EVERYTHING.

Peter took a really long nap so he was awake when Jonathan came home for the last time from school. So we decided to make him a little sign of appreciation.

Peter was so excited to welcome Daddy home.


Jonathan walking through that door with Peter greeting Daddy home.


We are so proud of you Jonathan.

Monday Memory #2

My Memory this week is basically our first year of marriage. It seems so long ago that we were just us. We actually went to school together at CGCC for the first part of the year. It was fun for us to have all that time together. With no kids you get lots of time. In June I found out I was expecting our first baby. It was such a joyous time for us.... yet scary. I had to find out all that I could know about pregnancy and babies. So I spent so much time researching on the Internet. I'm so glad I did that as I didn't have some of the first-timer worries. It was a great year, and I'm so glad it was such a happy year. Jonathan and I have grown to really know each other on such a deep level throughout the years and this year was the start of it all.


A scene long gone. Just Jonathan and I.
Our first Christmas as a married couple. Oh by the way I'm 7 months pregnant with Lily at this time.

Still 7 months pregnant and my tummy didn't get very big with Lily. I'll have to put a comparison with Lily's pregnancy and Benjamin's. I got so much bigger.

Our first Anniversary. This is the top of our cake. I wouldn't eat it, and Jonathan did. He said it was so gross. I think he had an after taste in his mouth for a long time. EWWWW. Mind you he just had a idy bidy taste and that's all.

I have to say that a snagged a great guy. Jonathan is a great husband and father and was from the start. He loves me so very much. He has a great heart and he adores me. I'm such a lucky girl. If I've said that before it's because it's true.

Funny things Peters say!

Peter and I were lying on the couch having a little talk and he laid his head on my tummy.
And it went like this
Me… Does mommy have a baby in her tummy?
Peter… Yeah, did you eat your baby?
Me… No it’s just growing in my tummy.
Peter… Is it in water?
Me… Yeah it’s in water
Peter… In a boat?
Me… No it’s just floating in there.
Peter… Is your tummy a backyard?
I just laughed and gave him a big hug. Kids are so cute.

Dr. Seuss Week.

It was Dr. Seuss week at the girls school, and today was dress like a Dr. Seuss character. Emma is a Star Belly Sneetch.

Lily is a Zep on your Step from "There's a Wocket in your Pocket"

Happy Bday Benji Bug.

My baby boy turned 1 yesterday. He was oblivious to every thing, but loved every time we sang happy birthday to you. We didn't do much, but he attacked his own cake and got some presents. He wasn't feeling to good yesterday as well. He got some immunizations the day before and had a small fever. His 1 year old stats are 24lbs 11ozs, 30 inches tall, and 19 inch head circumference.



this is the before picture
After the destruction of the cake. He had cake ever where
Benji's cake (not much to look at)

Peter insisted on a batman cake. As you can see I'm not good at cake decorating. At least it satisfied Peter.

My Pregnancy Journal Week 11.

This week has been good but bad. I actually have days that I don't feel sick, but then I have days that make up for the non sick days with being really sick. I think I'm reaching the end of the tired, sick, and just felling like I've been run down with a truck period of the pregnancy. I think the second trimester is the best trimester by far. I can't wait to feel good enough to clean my poor neglected house.

I went to the Dr. yesterday for an ultrasound. I wait a really long time in the room. He's always so long. It's funny because there is lots of time to think in there. Seriously I'm waiting like 30 to 40 min for him. I let my mind wander. Like for example I was thinking what if there is two in there. I know I just saw one before but what if one was hiding behind the other. Oh no we wouldn't fit in the van if that was the case. It's funny that I have to check myself back into reality so many times during that wait. Other than the waiting I got to see my little bean again that is always fun. It was moving around quite a bit. (I had some candy before the appointment for that reason). I saw that it actually looked like a mini little person. It's heart beat was 173bpm which they said immediately "sounds like a girl". I know you can't go by that but it did get me excited. It was confirmed that I'm still due Sept. 23rd. I hope I go exactly two weeks early on 9/9/09 that would be so cool. Now just 7 to 9 weeks before we find out what this little bean is. I can't believe how fast this is going.

Monday Memory #1

I have been organizing pictures for the last week and what a huge job that turned out to be. I deleted around 30,000 duplicate pictures. After doing this I thought of the idea to blog about a memory every Monday. I started my blog a couple of years ago and I want to post pre blog memories.


I thought I would start off from the beginning.
Jonathan and I got engaged on October 20th after 5 months of on and off dating within that 5 months we seriously dated for 6 weeks. We first planned on having a March wedding, but my friend talked us into a end of December wedding. That's ok because right after 12:00 am January 1st 2000 I got the distinct feeling that I was getting married that year. I thought it was a crazy thought as I didn't have even half a prospect. But the rest is history, and I'm trying to capture that. As a friend said recently that "I was so excited to see you guys get married. You got the man of your dreams". You know what!?!? I did.


This was days after we got unoffically engaged. But it quickly turned offical as everyone could read me like a book.




This was the picture we used for our annoucement. My friend Lindsay took them for us.


Our first Christmas together. Actually 3 days before we got married.


Just coming out of the temple. It was such a magical day for both of us. Sealed together for eternity on Dec 28th 2000 at 9:00 am.



We had a HUGE line. I just needed everyone special to me in that line. Jonathan needed that as well. As I look back at that wonderful day I know that I couldn't have it any better (other than the children we brought into this world). Oh and don't we look so young.