Rosie's Blessing Day

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On Sunday, May 3rd, 2015, Rosalie Maybelle Harper was blessed and officially given a name on the records of our church.

Rosie got all dressed up in our family blessing dress (made from the same fabric as my mother's wedding dress).  She was wrapped in my family's shawl and a blanket from her Grandma Harper. And just like the angel baby that she is, she slept through the entire thing!

Through the power of the priesthood, her Daddy blessed her and promised her many beautiful things. We have recorded those important words for her to read in the future, but a couple things stood out: Rosie will grow up to be known as a sweet and kind young woman who will help others to see how wonderful and important women are; And she and her sister will become great friends.

 Rosie is also wearing my little pink slippers

 eventually they'll like each other

but sometimes it will feel like this

Many family members were able to be with us for the blessing and were also able to come over to our house afterwards for lunch.

the pic that Hylan took and Auntie Sheree is holding Rosie

the pic Sheree took

family closeup

We had a delicious feast that my mom helped me to prepare.  I made these yummy Sloppy Joes.  We also made Mexican Macaroni Salad, Pea Salad, Pineapple Lush Dip (served with vanilla wafers, graham sticks, and fresh strawberries), my sister brought perfectly yummy deviled eggs, and we also had chips, cream puffs, various chocolates, and this ice cream cake: 

It was a wonderful day of family and celebration.  I can't believe how well I felt for two and a half weeks postpartum.

 another attempt at a family pic

 

 about as good as it was going to get

 my family!

I'm so happy.  So lucky.  So blessed!  And my angel baby let's me get good sleep.  It helped a lot to have Hylan home for a week and a half, my parents in town for two weeks, and Hylan's mom ready to help when I need it.  So many things are different this time around, and I am definitely not missing the anxiety and depression I had with that cute two year old up there.  I'm much better able to appreciate and relish life this time around and I do not take that for granted!

Families are Forever!  :)

Rosalie's Birth Story

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Let's start with the doctor's appointment on Tuesday, April 14th where I was told my "bishop's score" was too low to schedule an induction like I had hoped to do.  In fact, the doctor looked up my ultrasound which showed a due date of April 27th (instead of April 20th).  Talk about depressing! So, the only thing I could do was schedule an appointment with him for a week out and play the waiting game some more, even though I had really felt like things were changing and I was getting really close.

Fast forward one day later.  I woke up really tired, but I still made yogurt pancakes for breakfast because it's one thing I can get Naomi to eat!  After cleaning up, etc. I sat down for awhile but could not keep my eyes open so I went to lay down in bed for about an hour and a half.  Naomi climbed on me for a little while and then entertained herself with her princess clip dresses and some episodes of "Sofia the First."

After lunch and putting Naomi down for a nap, I found some energy to do some prenatal yoga.  I had stopped exercising for about a week prior because I thought I was close to delivery and the strength exercises I was doing were giving me all kinds of lower body pains, but since I was now thinking I had another week until delivery, I knew I needed something, something like yoga!  

After I finished that up, I felt great, so I took a super long soak in the tub with some Epsom salts.  I was still trying to console my pregnant body, after all.

I was going to not cook dinner that night, but I had this idea to make pasta carbonara that I couldn't get out of my mind, so I made it.  Since I knew Hylan would probably be late getting home, and because I was hungry, and because Naomi still doesn't really eat the food I make for dinner, I ate my pile of pasta and peas alone.  After I finished up, and before I had a chance to clean up the kitchen, I sat down to change Naomi's dirty diaper and...then...I felt the gush...and I knew my water had broken.

Although every article you read says that the water breaking thing happens more in the movies than in real life (like 10% of the time), it has happened with both of my daughters now.  

At this point, I wasn't all that concerned, but I was really surprised since I had mentally prepared myself for another week of pregnancy.  As I was standing in the tub and using up all the towels in the bathroom, I kept thinking that I'd be able to get to a point where I could go clean up the kitchen, make sure Naomi was taken care of, pack a bag, and call Hylan to get home (maybe even have enough time for him to eat dinner).  BUT...then...and this is the weird part...after I got up from the toilet, there was this water balloon-looking thing hanging out of me.  Um...wait...what?

It was weird and uncomfortable and I still hadn't gotten to my phone to call Hylan and Naomi was not helping (she was happily playing with her princesses on the edge of the tub).

Did I mention that after a crazy wind storm the day before, this day it was SNOWING and there was at least 6 inches on the ground (pretty much the biggest snow storm of the whole year--go figure!)? And because of that, and the late yoga/bath of the day, and because I had made dinner, and because I wasn't planning on going anywhere, and because I was mildly depressed about being pregnant and tired, I decided to be a scrub and put my comfortable clothes on, pony tail my hair, and leave my face bare.  

Up until the strange water balloon thing, I also thought I would have a few minutes to freshen up my face before heading off to the hospital.  With Naomi, my water broke at 4:00 am and slowly leaked, but I had no contractions and didn't go to the hospital until about 2:30 pm, so that's why I wasn't panicked and thought I still had some time.  

This time contractions hadn't started yet either, but the water balloon thing...what the...?  It was a bit alarming and confusing so I started to play the "what if?" game and knew I needed to call Hylan right away, but I felt kind of trapped in the bathroom. 

Needless to say, I got my phone and called Hylan who did not answer the first or second time because he was in an appointment, but he did call back within five minutes (this was around 6:30 pm) and I told him he needed to get home immediately.

Meanwhile, as I'm still standing in the tub, I'm trying to google "water balloon hanging out before delivery," but it was not yielding any information, all whilst Naomi is blissfully unaware playing princesses and watching TV. 

Hylan's parents showed up soon thereafter and then so did he.  We decided to call 911 because no one knew what the heck was up with the "water balloon" thing and I wasn't really sure how I could get myself put together and sit in a car and drive to the hospital.  

So, in dramatic fashion, an ambulance came and whisked me away VIP-style to the hospital.  My contractions had just started about then, and I still was calm, but I felt relieved to be in the ambulance because I felt like I would probably make it to the hospital in time and hopefully my doctor would be able to get there.  (By the way, real contractions are a lot less painful than purely pitocin-induced contractions.)

We arrived at the hospital and the EMT guys wheeled me right up to labor and delivery, the nurses called my doctor and hooked me up to all the monitoring devices, but still no one had any answers on what the water balloon thing was. And they sure didn't hold back on the poking and prodding.  Ugh.  

I had plenty of time to order an epidural.  Hylan had time to register at the front desk and get some dinner.  My doctor showed up and was the only one who had an explanation for the "water balloon" thing, which if I understood it correctly was part of the membrane of the amniotic sac that had filled up with amniotic fluid (just like a water balloon).  He had a technical term for it which I wish I could remember, because still no one else has ever heard of such a thing.  Apparently, it wasn't really that serious, but how were we to know?  I sure didn't want to tug on something and have a baby's head pop out.  That would have been scary.

Until I had the epidural, I was uncomfortable (so much leaking...ew) and in some pain, but just relieved to be in the hospital and also still kind of in shock that this was all happening when one day ago I was told it looked like we were still at least a week out!  After the epidural, I was a lot more comfortable.  The nurses started me on some pitocin to help me get going a bit faster.  And we just relaxed, watching a few episodes of Property Brothers on HGTV.

I asked the nurse if she thought I would deliver a "tax baby" and she thought it wouldn't happen until after midnight.  

At about 10:30 pm, she checked me and said that she would come in again in about an hour and probably call my doctor at that point.  And then my doctor walked in.  He did some checking and said, "it's just about time to have a baby."

They prepped everything.  I was super relaxed and comfortable from the epidural.  He said "push" and a few minutes later, a small episiotomy, and about 4 pushes, Rosalie was born.  It was kind of amazing how fast that part went. She was was born at 10:58 pm, tiny and cute!  

Rosalie Maybelle Harper

April 15, 2015, 10:58 pm

6 lbs, 6 oz, 17 inches

Daddy snuggles!

I was there too, though this is the only picture of "me" there is.  ;)

 

cute sign the nurses made

Now I understand why people prepare and pack their bags for the hospital days/weeks in advance because all I had was literally the shirt on my back. So, the next morning Hylan went home to shower and get some clothes for me and Rosie as well as my cell phone charger.  

first outfit

flamingo hat

We left the hospital the next day around 6:30 pm (it would have been earlier but do you know how efficient the discharge process is?).  We were just ready to get home to Naomi and be done with the hospital and all the poking and prodding and laying around.      

And I felt okay this time around, not like with Naomi where I felt awful and dysfunctional physically and emotionally.

Daddy and his girls!

flamingo butt!

Rosie girl has been a dream baby!  I can't believe how well she eats, sleeps, and doesn't cry.  I keep thinking she is going to grow out of this, but so far she is a super happy and contented baby.  And we are actually getting enough sleep around here.  That makes everything better!  Husbands should be home from work more often.  :)

I'm recovering well, much faster than with Naomi and that third degree tear. Not to mention, I've been able to stay upbeat and positive this time around too. And no stress/anxiety with the whole breastfeeding craziness either.  (The Baby Brezza Formula Pro has been one of our best investments!) Everything is going so well, that Hylan, the girls, and I have already made a trip to Costco by ourselves. I've been able to stay on top of keeping a house clean and clothes laundered as well.  What a difference this time around.

Life is good.  What a pleasant surprise to have such a happy baby.  We have had so many friends and family offering help, giving us gifts, and making us meals.  It is so appreciated!  

And now my parents are in town to help out for the next two weeks.  These are special times!

April: Easter, Anniversary, & Rosie's Namesake

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We had another dinner party on Easter Sunday, April 5th!  This will likely be my last hosting event for a bit, but I had just enough energy (and a spiral cut ham from Costco) to motivate me.

Again, my sister's family came over, bringing their funeral potatoes.  YUM.  I spent the Saturday before making this festive carrot cake.  

I spent Sunday morning making these hot cross buns.  Also a hit!

We had dinner (really lunch) in between LDS General Conference sessions. There was the yummy ham and potatoes, peas, pickled beets and eggs, and the baked goods.  I also found some cute Easter lollipops at a local candy store called Peppermint Place. It was certainly enough food for our party of 9 (4 adults, 5 kids).

We also did an Easter Egg hunt in our backyard because I wanted Naomi to have the experience.

Naomi was so excited to receive a Cinderella Magiclip.  She had been watching youtube videos that featured these toys with their dresses and how to make new dresses out of play-doh.

She plays with it for hours every single day.  She also got a Little People Belle and Beast, but Cinderella is her most favorite!  I found it at Smith's Grocery story, but we have since bought a whole set from Target so that we can use the princesses as bribes for something in the future.  :)

...

Well, anyway, so yesterday was our anniversary.

Hylan surprised me by rearranging his schedule so that we could celebrate last Saturday!  He has been working so hard in preparation for taking time off with Rosie baby and I thought he was going to put in a full day Saturday and an even fuller day on Monday, so his efforts to clear some time for just the two of us were greatly appreciated!

He had intended to take me to see Insurgent but I wasn't feeling up to sitting through a movie when we left, so we ended up getting slurpees at 7-Eleven and then going to Target to buy a double stroller.  

After that, he took me to get a much needed pedicure!  I have been wanting one for so long and it felt so good to be pampered a bit.

And then dinner at The Chef's Table, one of my favorite restaurants!

This was waiting for me when we got there. :)

Of course I took no pictures of the food except for dessert, but trust me it was delicious and worth every penny!

Cheesecake for Hylan

Chocolate Dome with Raspberry Sauce for me--THE PERFECT DESSERT!

I really appreciate a quality meal with the best ingredients prepared with the finest techniques!

It was a great day and a much needed date because we rarely get out without taking Nomie girl with us.

...

So now the countdown to Rosie continues!  My due date is Monday, April 20th, but today I will schedule an induction, most likely for Friday, if she doesn't come before then.  

A note on her name.

Little miss Rosie is being named after my grandmother's mother.  Her full name will be Rosalie Maybelle Harper.

My grandmother (Naomi's namesake) lost her mom when she was just 4 years old, a point that has defined her whole life (my grandma is now 91).

Maybelle Rosalie Christina Lewis

with her husband Simeon David Conger

My great grandparents

Maybelle was born in Salt Lake, married in St. George, and passed away in the Las Vegas area.  She was a wonderful singer and was even invited to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at age 19. She also loved the church and attending Sunday School.  She just seems to me to have been a person who was happy and loved life.  She had 11 children, each of which has long since passed away, with the exception of my grandmother.  

I feel strongly connected to my ancestors and can't think of a better way to honor them. I think our meetings and reunions will be so sweet in the after-life!

And so we are excited to meet and love this new little girl who is coming into our lives very soon!  I think I am better prepared this time around and hope to have a better recovery (at least mentally, if not physically as well).  

I also hope that sisters Nomie and Rosie will become close and share a special bond.  

We are about to become a family of four!   

...

And now this blog is current.  PHEW.  Just in the nick of time.  :)

18 Months

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This little munchkin is officially a nursery-bound 18 month old with growing feet!  So, maybe we celebrated with a little retail therapy.    

I have been wanting to buy her pink cowboy boots for a long time and found the perfect pair at Target, but then when we went, I found this pair which were also totes adorbs.  You can see we went with the more sophisticated pair.  We also bought the little Nome some sneakers.  Hylan quickly discovered that she loves them because they increase her speed significantly.

I tell you, this summer continues to be splendid.  I hate that everyone is talking about "back to school."  The funny thing is that I keep thinking, "oh, how great, that doesn't apply to me (snicker snicker), but then I realize for the last 6 years I've been teaching fitness classes at a University, so it DOES apply to me, but in a different way.  My back to school shopping is a few new yoga pants and tops.  HA HA.

Anyway, here are some highlights from the last few weeks.

The aforementioned Highland Splash Pad that I didn't have pictures of before:

 in. out. in. out.

 ahh, not in my face

 sun bathing rock like Ariel's

I love this fun water, Dad!

One night Naomi didn't want to go to bed and this is what the sleepy head looked like after I took out her piggy tails!  :)

Last Friday we had an impromptu family date night that ended up being spontaneously fun!  We ate at Shoots (one of my faves!), and played arcade games at the Beach Resort like Deal or No Deal, and capped it off with a Dole Whip float!  Um, yeshhhhhh pwease! 

The next day we investigated the Alpine Splash Pad.  It was fun because it felt remote and serene.  Nomie modeled her new babingsuit (yes, I meant to spell it that way).

I mean, that's precious.

Ha ha, I have so many shoe videos, but I had to round out her obsession with girly heels with her new found admiration for sneakers.  She was walking around in these until I got out my camera.  Still cute, though.

Nomie highlights:

• Still loves shoes
• Has discovered fruit snacks and will never refuse them :)
• She sleeps and eats quite well (unless she is teething, then all bets are off)
• Speaking of teething, she now has the top central and lateral incisors, and the bottom central incsiors (her first two) with the lateral incisors finally pushing through.  Sheesh, we still have a long way to go.
• Loves playing outside (chalk, bubbles, pools, splash pads)
• Now has separation anxiety (taking her to basketball is starting to be difficult, leaving her in Nursery is also becoming difficult, she even sheds a few tears when I leave her with Grandma. I'm hoping she breaks out of this when I start teaching again and she gets used to other company when Hylan and I are gone--it's only a couple hours). 
• She doesn't talk (except Momma, Dadda) but she is increasing her signs every day!
• She loves her new sign language pop-up book and asks for it every day by doing the sign for book.
• She loves to help Swiffer the floors.  She'd help with the vacuum too, but that one doesn't work out as well.
• She will usually sit and let me do her hair.
• She mostly hates getting her diaper changed (unless she really needs it or she is feeling really calm).
• Every morning she will grab her Betsy (blanket doll) and Minnie Mouse to take with her out of the crib.
• I bought her telephone cord bracelets that she adores and rarely takes off. ($2.00 at Target for 10. Perfect size for her. They were mislabeled hair ties. Score for us.)
• She still watches parts of Frozen and Tangled nearly every day.  

What a life!  I love my family!  And I am still loving this summer!

A Baby in Shoeland

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Naomi loves shoes!  She loves going to the shoe bin or closet and picking out shoes either to wear or play with.  She is also well aware that putting on shoes means going outside which she also loves to do!

When we bought Naomi some new flamingo flip flops she wanted to wear them (and apparently nothing else) and practice walking in them.  You can see the video on my YouTube channel here.  

But when she puts on Mommy's heels, it's just over the top cute.  Many days I catch her doing/wearing something like this:  

It's always hard to get a good picture because you know these moments only last for so long and then the babe is off to something else, but although the above picture is a bit blurry, I think it's so funny that her little toes are peeping through one of my slide on heels.

Here is a video of her walking in the same shoe a different time and on the wrong foot, of course.

On that same day, she found some slightly more complicated heels that were fascinating to her, though not very walk-able for tiny feet.  Again with the peep toe, I die I die.

Baby dolls girls are so sweet. Sugar and spice and everything nice!