I have had an amazing and eventful couple of days! What a blessing it was to be able to attend one of my very best friend, Crystal's labor and help her make it through her labor and delivery, completely pain med and epidural free despite being induced and on magnesium! She did amazing and made it look easy. Her labor reminded me so much of mine with Mark, just a few hours longer. She was 35 weeks pregnant and had preeclampsia and her blood pressure was not going down.
I won't go into details of the labor but sweet little Alessia Mae was born at 450pm on December 29, 2009! She is so beautiful and tiny. She's 17 inches long and 4 lbs 8 ozs (1 inch and 1 oz less than Taylor was). I have had the opportunity to hold her twice already. Once for a while yesterday and again today. My kids could never have been THAT small! Except two of them were that size or smaller! Alessia will likely get to go home tomorrow, with Crystal! She's amazing. No time in the NICU at all, not even for observation.
I feel very honored that Crystal would ask me to be there to help her through her labor and that she would trust me enough to help her and share that sacred experience with her!
Yesterday I was supposed to have an appointment with the sports medicine doctor but I rescheduled to be with Crystal. I saw him today though. He was concerned that my rotator cuff tear is not going to heal on it's own and my quality of life is hindered by the pain and my range of motion is poor in that arm. He said that he is not a surgeon and does not push surgery unless he thinks it is absolutely the last option. Having tired steroid shots, NSAIDS and physical therapy for a couple of years for my neck and shoulder, he thinks we have no other options. He did tell me that he had a similar tear and tried everything, like I have, and he needed the surgery and after three weeks of not using his arms and three more months of therapy and recovery (so an almost 4 months process) he is doing SO much better and it was the best thing he could have done! I go and see the orthopedic surgeon on Jan 7 and if he agrees that I need surgery, he will go in and stitch up the tear and fix my joint by shaving off extra bone that makes me more susceptible to rotator cuff tears. I may need this surgery on the other shoulder at some point but right now it is ok. The right side is worse because of my collarbone break as well. I think that if the surgeon thinks this surgery is best, I am going to go ahead and go for it. Recovery will be painful but I am in constant pain anyway, that is getting worse. The pain will be bad right after the surgery but it is supposed to go away as it heals! That would be wonderful!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Christmas Is Coming!
Christmas is coming and I am so happy I finally got around to changing the blog! The new picture I put up is with Santa last year. I am hoping to get a new picture from this year up soon though. We love this Santa and Mrs.Claus.
My mom and I went to a Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband, Christmas concert tonight. It was a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit.What a fun concert! Instead of singing corn dogs they sang egg nog and instead of singing The Devil Went Down to Georgia, they sang, The Grinch went down to Whoville.
We got our tree up right after Christmas and the kids all love it. It's so fun to see Christmas through the eyes of Children! Leata and Taylor helped decorate this year and had so much fun doing it.
A.J. gets home today, since it is technically Friday already, and we are so excited to see him!
My mom and I went to a Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband, Christmas concert tonight. It was a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit.What a fun concert! Instead of singing corn dogs they sang egg nog and instead of singing The Devil Went Down to Georgia, they sang, The Grinch went down to Whoville.
We got our tree up right after Christmas and the kids all love it. It's so fun to see Christmas through the eyes of Children! Leata and Taylor helped decorate this year and had so much fun doing it.
A.J. gets home today, since it is technically Friday already, and we are so excited to see him!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
A little bit of this and that.
It's been a while since I have written. Three kids keep me busy. Shoulder problems are slowing me down a bit (although I refused a sling as it would have slowed me down more) and life is just happening.
We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving at home this year. My parents and brother and sister (Collin and Ann) came for dinner and we had a nice day. My dad held Mark a lot and played with the girls. We had lots of good food and watched the parade in the morning before anyone came over. It was our first time making a turkey on our own and I think it turned out well. We got a new table a few days before, which was nice because we had enough room for everyone to eat around it. Just barely though!
Since then we have just been doing normal stuff. Nothing too exciting but we are happy and loving life.
Last week we went to a Christmas party for A.J.'s work at The Grand America Hotel in downtown SLC. That was a lot of fun and an interesting experience with two little girls. Mark stayed with my mom so he wouldn't be exposed to more germs than needed. It was an enjoyable experience and it's always fun to catch up with the families of the people who A.J. works with.
A.J. is working in Sweden right now. He will be home soon. We miss him a lot but are grateful to my family for helping us out while he is gone. He was supposed to leave Saturday but forgot his passport. He was lucky and could fly out Sunday for a change fee and hardly missed any meetings. He is enjoying it in Sweden and says that Malmo is so beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. We can't wait to see what fun things he returns with!
There has been lots of snow here. I really don't like the snow and cold. Silly of me to live in Utah? Probably. I shoveled our sidewalks today. It's really light fluffy snow. My poor shoulder is feeling it now. Good thing I have a nice warm bed to sleep in!
I have been spending some time talking with one of my close friends. Her baby girl isn't due to be born until Feb 1 but there are problems and it looks like she may have to come much sooner. I know a lot about this and I have been trying to help her understand what's going on and what to expect. I hope that I have been of some help to her. At this point her baby is estimated to be about the size Taylor was when she was born and she is at a point right between when Mark was born and when Taylor was born. If you would be so kind to pray for her, I know she would appreciate all the prayers they could get that the baby will be ok and strong and healthy and that she and her husband and the doctors will know what is best for her and the baby.
So, we are doing well, just busy and having fun! I hope you are all well and enjoying this Christmas Season, which reminds us of our Savior and all that He has done and does for us!
We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving at home this year. My parents and brother and sister (Collin and Ann) came for dinner and we had a nice day. My dad held Mark a lot and played with the girls. We had lots of good food and watched the parade in the morning before anyone came over. It was our first time making a turkey on our own and I think it turned out well. We got a new table a few days before, which was nice because we had enough room for everyone to eat around it. Just barely though!
Since then we have just been doing normal stuff. Nothing too exciting but we are happy and loving life.
Last week we went to a Christmas party for A.J.'s work at The Grand America Hotel in downtown SLC. That was a lot of fun and an interesting experience with two little girls. Mark stayed with my mom so he wouldn't be exposed to more germs than needed. It was an enjoyable experience and it's always fun to catch up with the families of the people who A.J. works with.
A.J. is working in Sweden right now. He will be home soon. We miss him a lot but are grateful to my family for helping us out while he is gone. He was supposed to leave Saturday but forgot his passport. He was lucky and could fly out Sunday for a change fee and hardly missed any meetings. He is enjoying it in Sweden and says that Malmo is so beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. We can't wait to see what fun things he returns with!
There has been lots of snow here. I really don't like the snow and cold. Silly of me to live in Utah? Probably. I shoveled our sidewalks today. It's really light fluffy snow. My poor shoulder is feeling it now. Good thing I have a nice warm bed to sleep in!
I have been spending some time talking with one of my close friends. Her baby girl isn't due to be born until Feb 1 but there are problems and it looks like she may have to come much sooner. I know a lot about this and I have been trying to help her understand what's going on and what to expect. I hope that I have been of some help to her. At this point her baby is estimated to be about the size Taylor was when she was born and she is at a point right between when Mark was born and when Taylor was born. If you would be so kind to pray for her, I know she would appreciate all the prayers they could get that the baby will be ok and strong and healthy and that she and her husband and the doctors will know what is best for her and the baby.
So, we are doing well, just busy and having fun! I hope you are all well and enjoying this Christmas Season, which reminds us of our Savior and all that He has done and does for us!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Happy Birthday, A.J.!!!
Today is A.J.'s birthday. He's 32 today! Ten years ago today, I celebrated his 22nd birthday with him. It was his first birthday after we met. It seems like such a long time ago and it seems like it was just a short time ago. It's hard to believe that we have known each other over 10 years!
I could write 32 things about A.J. but I think I will write the top ten for his ten birthdays that we have celebrated together.
10. He's a pro at changing diapers! :-)
9. He's really good at playing Princess Memory.
8. He's pretty good at choosing out little girl outfits! ;-)
7. He makes a great Prince Charming (just ask Leata and Taylor)!
6. He helps around the house, a lot!
5. He's happy to help others whenever he can.
4. He works hard to keep a roof over our head and to take care of us.
3. He puts his family first and will do anything for us.
2. He loves Leata, Taylor and Mark SO much!
1. He loves me!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, A.J.!!!!!! We love you!
I could write 32 things about A.J. but I think I will write the top ten for his ten birthdays that we have celebrated together.
10. He's a pro at changing diapers! :-)
9. He's really good at playing Princess Memory.
8. He's pretty good at choosing out little girl outfits! ;-)
7. He makes a great Prince Charming (just ask Leata and Taylor)!
6. He helps around the house, a lot!
5. He's happy to help others whenever he can.
4. He works hard to keep a roof over our head and to take care of us.
3. He puts his family first and will do anything for us.
2. He loves Leata, Taylor and Mark SO much!
1. He loves me!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, A.J.!!!!!! We love you!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Boo At The Zoo
We went to Boo at the Zoo on Saturday with the kids. We had lots of fun trick or treating and looking at the animals. Leata was Tinkerbell. Taylor was a duck (just like Leata was when she was two). Mark was Mickey Mouse. They were all so cute! While we were there we saw a baby giraffe, a baby elephant and two baby tigers. The girls loved seeing all the baby animals! We love the zoo and love having a membership so we can go whenever we want for as long as we want and have fun! This is our third year with a membership and it is SO worth it to have it! The girls just love going to the zoo.
On the Train
Taylor the Duck
On the Carousel
Happy Mark
More Candy, Please?
Baby Elephant
Tinkerbell Leata
Waiting for the Train to come
On the Train
Taylor the Duck
On the Carousel
Happy Mark
More Candy, Please?
Baby Elephant
Tinkerbell Leata
Taylor and Leata Ready to Go!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Historic Wheeler Farm
On Saturday, we went, as a Family, to Wheeler Farm. I had heard about it many times and had wanted to go for a long time. We went Saturday to enjoy the pumpkin patch, hay ride, and corn and hay maze all made specifically for little kids in mind. It was a beautiful day. The girls wanted to look at every pumpkin in the pumpkin patch to choose just the right one. They had to go down every path on the maze and really loved going on the hay ride.
Wheeler Farm is an awesome place to take the family where you can spend no money and just run around and go walking on the paths, looking at animals and climb on the tractors and have a picnic. You can spend a little and do some activities while you are there if you want to as well. They have seasonal activities and we decided to do the seasonal activities on Saturday as well as the free stuff. The girls enjoyed the seasonal activities but I think they enjoyed the free stuff even more. What a beautiful place to go and enjoy nature and let your kids get exercise and fresh air. They love the animals as well. The favorite was climbing on the tractors they have out though! The girls could have done that all day, that and the tree house. We will be going back in the future. It's worth the drive to go and have a fun, inexpensive, simple day!
Pictures coming soon!
Wheeler Farm is an awesome place to take the family where you can spend no money and just run around and go walking on the paths, looking at animals and climb on the tractors and have a picnic. You can spend a little and do some activities while you are there if you want to as well. They have seasonal activities and we decided to do the seasonal activities on Saturday as well as the free stuff. The girls enjoyed the seasonal activities but I think they enjoyed the free stuff even more. What a beautiful place to go and enjoy nature and let your kids get exercise and fresh air. They love the animals as well. The favorite was climbing on the tractors they have out though! The girls could have done that all day, that and the tree house. We will be going back in the future. It's worth the drive to go and have a fun, inexpensive, simple day!
Pictures coming soon!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
30
I turned 30 yesterday (the 14th). Guess what? I don't feel any different today then I did two days ago. Thirty isn't old people! ;-)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Pictures from AZ
The amazing bridge they are building to bypass the Hoover Dam!
We saw these big horn sheep just before the Hoover Dam.
Leata and Great Grandpa
Mark and Great Grandpa
Taylor and Great Grandpa
Taylor and Great Grandma
Leata and Great Grandma
Such a happy picture of Leata and Great Grandma!
Sarah(me), Sarah(my Grandma) and Mark
Taylor, (or Taydee as she has taken to calling herself) upset about something, at my Grandparents house.
Mark, just chillin' with Dad.Arizona
As many of you know, my Mom's parents in Arizona, have been struggling with their health for a while. My Grandpa just recently had a mini stroke and is having other health problems that he has not been bouncing back from as he normally does. We decided this would be a good time to go and visit and just spend time with them.
Last Thursday we left in the afternoon. We found a hotel that was reasonably priced and nice, with breakfast, in Mesquite, NV when we went in January. So on the way there we decided to take it slow and stay the first night there. The girls had a hard time in the hotel but did finally go to sleep and it broke the 13 hour drive in to a 5 and 8 hour day. A very nice way to go.
We stayed with our good friends, Brad and Kae while we were there and we are very thankful for their kindness in letting us stay with them and feeding us, and just having a great time hanging out and relaxing with them when we were not at my Grandparents house. We had so much fun with them and wish we lived closer.
It was so wonderful to see my Grandparents also. They were so happy to see us and LOVED seeing the kids.
We also were able to see my Uncle, Aunt and cousin while we were there. We were lucky enough to be able to go and visit my friend Amy and her daughter Hailey. I have know Amy since I was 14 and I will be 30 on Wednesday, so more then have my life! We enjoyed seeing her and hope we can meet up again soon.
We spent the days with my grandparents and evenings with Brad and then the last evening with Brad and Kae as Kae was out of town most of the time we were there. The kids had so much fun and Leata and Mica are such good friends. Mica is 6 and she and Leata had a great time playing together.
It was a crazy, buzy, fun weekend. We just love having so many friends and so much family to visit when we go down there and hope to make it down again soon!
Last Thursday we left in the afternoon. We found a hotel that was reasonably priced and nice, with breakfast, in Mesquite, NV when we went in January. So on the way there we decided to take it slow and stay the first night there. The girls had a hard time in the hotel but did finally go to sleep and it broke the 13 hour drive in to a 5 and 8 hour day. A very nice way to go.
We stayed with our good friends, Brad and Kae while we were there and we are very thankful for their kindness in letting us stay with them and feeding us, and just having a great time hanging out and relaxing with them when we were not at my Grandparents house. We had so much fun with them and wish we lived closer.
It was so wonderful to see my Grandparents also. They were so happy to see us and LOVED seeing the kids.
We also were able to see my Uncle, Aunt and cousin while we were there. We were lucky enough to be able to go and visit my friend Amy and her daughter Hailey. I have know Amy since I was 14 and I will be 30 on Wednesday, so more then have my life! We enjoyed seeing her and hope we can meet up again soon.
We spent the days with my grandparents and evenings with Brad and then the last evening with Brad and Kae as Kae was out of town most of the time we were there. The kids had so much fun and Leata and Mica are such good friends. Mica is 6 and she and Leata had a great time playing together.
It was a crazy, buzy, fun weekend. We just love having so many friends and so much family to visit when we go down there and hope to make it down again soon!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Mark's Blessing
Mark was given a name and a blessing on Sunday September 6. We had some good friends of our who came out from Colorado Springs for the weekend. It was great to see them! Their two little boys and Leata and Taylor had a great time playing. Leata decided that Michael was her husband. The two of them were laying on an air mattress and she said "Oh good! Finally, someone who can be my husband!" Such a funny little girl.
We went to the zoo on Saturday. We all had lots of fun and lots of good exercise walking up and down those hills. We saw baby tigers and lots of other animals. The kids had fun on the carousel and the train. Then we came home and watched the BYU game. That game was great.
Sunday we were tired after a long day but all of us and a lot of family and friends came for Mark's blessing. It was nice to have my dad here from Colorado and all of our family who live around here. There were 32 people here at our little house after for dinner and cake. We had fun seeing everyone and celebrating our sweet little guys life!
A.J.'s Dad, A.J. and Mark, all wore this outfit when they were blessed!
We went to the zoo on Saturday. We all had lots of fun and lots of good exercise walking up and down those hills. We saw baby tigers and lots of other animals. The kids had fun on the carousel and the train. Then we came home and watched the BYU game. That game was great.
Sunday we were tired after a long day but all of us and a lot of family and friends came for Mark's blessing. It was nice to have my dad here from Colorado and all of our family who live around here. There were 32 people here at our little house after for dinner and cake. We had fun seeing everyone and celebrating our sweet little guys life!
A.J.'s Dad, A.J. and Mark, all wore this outfit when they were blessed!Wednesday, September 2, 2009
3 Trivial Pursuits, 2 Balderdashes, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
And some other things as well...
I guess a quick shower is too much to ask for these days...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
For Future Reference...
If your two year old decides that it is a great idea to spread diaper rash cream all over her face and she ingests a little, poison control will tell you that she should be fine, except for maybe a small tummy ache.
She was just fine, by the way...
She was just fine, by the way...
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