Loving being a mom for Christmas!

It's all about the KIDDIES!!

Merry Christmas,

from our family to yours!

New Addition

Meet Heidi.

She likes to sleep.

& sleep.

& sleep.

Somtimes she needs a diaper change,

but she mostly sleeps.

& sometimes she gives us one of these.

But mostly, she just sleeps.

She is just SO cute!

THIS is Good

When I see THIS . . .

THIS comes out . . .

And THIS . . .

And THIS . . .

And we do THIS . . .

While we listen to THIS . . .

And we top it off with THIS . . .

+ THIS.

THIS truly is the best time of the year!

Banished

Since we ARE (banished from the crowds and germs of the world, I mean), we celebrated Thanksgiving with our little fam of four.

This was Heidi until it was time to eat (at which point she made it clear that it was time for her to eat, too).

MMMMM. Pinwheels . . . this is the last of them.

The "feast:" Pre-cooked/cut ham (for which I give MUCH thanks to the merciful cookers/cutters of ham and the store owners who stock them), dinner rolls, corn, stuffing, and yams.

Really had to resist the urge to make the mashed potatoes and gravy. But we already had more than we could eat (in a week).

I swear I learned to used the oven. Why did the yams, stuffing, and pies come out ALMOST done (even after cooking them 10-15 min longer than directed)?!?! And who on EARTH decided to can pumpkin in cans large enough to have to make TWO? Now we have more pumpkin pie than anything else at the "feast". . .

. . . I have recently deemed pumpkin pie a breakfast food.

The queen sat at her usual post (the head of the table), and directed the giving of thanks ;)

Big Sister

Okay. These are the funniest/scariest pictures of Breanne's love.

Just in case you were wondering, life preservation has taken on a new 24/7 meaning in our home!! ;)

If you listen carefully, you can almost hear Breanne say, "MEEEEP."

Can you hear it??

Question . . .

How does one (take me, for example) nurse a newborn while entertaining a toddler (about the age of Breanne)?? Any takers?

P.S. Here are some pictures for comparison!

Breanne about 1wk old

Heidi about 1 wk old.

Fears, Prayers, and Baby Girls :)

Heidi

came Wednesday morning at 9:54!!

My Dr gave me the option to induce.

I had never thought of it until he asked . . .

. . . sounded good to me . . .

. . . So I went in and he broke my water at 7:20am. I kept telling him that I wanted to wait to get the epidural. So, I waited . . . I was only dilated to a 4 or 5 before I couldn't handle the pain anymore (I was already shaking REALLY bad, I am just a big sissy). I signed me up for one, then had to wait what felt like forever.

I always heard that epidurals slowed things down . . .

Heidi came into the world an hour later, facing forward. Bree would have, but the doc turned her for me. He did no such thing this time and it took everything I had left to just get that poor little one in my arms. I was so weak afterwards that I had to ask Chad to help me hold her.

But I held her, and she nursed. She eats so well.

They aren't allowing anyone younger than 14 in the hospital as a visitor, so it was just Heidi and me for most of the two days I spent there. And it was SO nice just to get to know Heidi. But I missed my little Bree terribly.

I still miss her. I can't hold her or touch her right now because she came down with a fever of 102 the night we brought Heidi home. I miss my little Breanne so much. It is so hard to keep my distance, but I love Heidi, too, and she is why I can resist the urge to give Bree kisses and hugs. I don't know what I would do if Heidi got sick so soon. Dad takes care of Bree for now and has to resist the urge to hold Heidi (until he washes his hands, anyway).

I have barricaded myself in the room with Heidi. It is funny because Chad and I were expecting a sleepless night when Heidi came home because we had one when Breanne came home. We did have a sleepless night this time, but it was not because of Heidi . . . it was because Bree got sick. I kept thinking, "If Chad gets sick, I am going to have to be able to take care of all three without contaminating this new little life."

The next day we took Bree into the Dr's office and they ordered a test for H1N1. I really don't think she has it because the fever was completely gone when we got her to the dr's office. But, they said with a newborn in the house, we can't be too cautious.

We find out the results today.

With the sleep deprivation, worries, and hormones I can't say how often I have been in tears. I was so mad when Bree came down with a fever. I did everything I could to keep her healthy for this week, and it made no difference.

Breanne is still sick, but it really seems like it is on its way out. Hopefully it has left the rest of us unscathed. I guess only time will tell.

Other than that, everything is going well.

Heidi is healthy and SO cute.

We aren't accepting visitors at all. I am so paranoid. Someone asked me how it felt to bring a baby into the world this winter season. I said, "Do you honestly want to know?" When she said yes I told her about Breanne coming down with a fever the night we got the baby home. She seemed to understand my feelings about it. But we have the Priesthood when it comes necessary.

I really think prayers right now are doing so much. I have no idea how many times I was on my knees that first day we brought Heidi home (even before we realized Bree was sick). And then even more so after.

And we all seem to be doing so well.

And Heidi eats so well.

That is such a big deal to me. Hopefully if I DO get it (whatever it is) I can manage not giving it to Heidi and she can just reap the benenfits of antibodies when it is past.

I forgot about Halloween this year. I usually love seeing all the fun costumes and cute little faces so excited for candy!! And then I remember being young and getting home and then the real fun starts with the candy swaps! It was so fun. Oh so fun. I listened to all the trick-or treating from my room this year, but I look forward to future years with our kids.

We just have to brave one small winter . . . ;)

Waiting . . .

Just wanted to let you know that we are still here . . .

. . . And still pregnant . . .

. . . And waiting.

. . . in the meantime, I LOVE fall. Maybe it is because it is right after the hottest part of summer?? Maybe it is because the overload on summer colors makes me appreciate even more the fall colors?? Hmmm, maybe it is the fast approaching holiday season which means family and friends??

I don't know what it is, but I am so excited for fall. Even a pregnant one :)

Have you ever tried to write a song??

. . . Maybe I have . . .

. . . Maybe it didn't turn out so well . . .
. . . Maybe you will never know . . .

But this is a music video created by an OH-SO-TALENTED band.

Watch, listen, and LOVE.

I DARE YOU!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXHzmDCjGqE&feature=player_embedded

Nursery

WELL . . .

For those of you who don't know,

we have been slaving away on a nursery that would fit two . . .

I thought I had pictures of the nursery before the remodel, but I was wrong.

Here are some pictures of what the ceiling tile and walls looked like:

Ceiling tiles . . . need I comment??

Think '70s wood paneling painted and textured . . .

. . . again, need I comment??

This is a during shot- that red wall paper went throughout the room . . .

And landed all through our house before this expedition was over!

(Ask me why I hate wallpaper, I dare you!)

Final product:

Current ceiling- textured and painted . . . I LOVE it!

Current Walls- I hope you can see the details. Chad did such a good job.

This is a mini shelf thing that runs the perimeter of the room.

Another nice touch.

Last, this is the trim for the window and door.

There are more details, but unless you're a carpenter, it might not interest you.

This is just my favorite part :)

Although we aren't 100% done (well, I'm not 100% done), I think this is a HUGE improvement to the way it looked before. The best part about it is that it is warm for the winter and child-proofed.

I LOVE it!!