I am thankful for...

Ok, it's Thanksgiving.  I love Thanksgiving.  I miss the Thanksgivings that I had as a kid when my family spent the whole day together.  I've been peeling potatoes since I was 4 or 5.  I remember helping my mom in the kitchen for my entire life and Thanksgiving reminds me of my times with her.  I am thankful for the good memories I have with my mom and the positive connotation I have with Thanksgiving because of it.  I hope I can pass that on to my kids.

I'm thankful for my husband and the 3 amazing children he has given to me.  I have the most amazing husband.  He is kind, smart, funny, and he kisses me like I'm still the 19 year old he met 10 1/2 years ago.  I love my husband and he is the best thing in my life.

I'm also thankful for my babies.  I have learned SO much about living from them.  I'm learning patience and I've learned to slow down and enjoy the journey.  I never knew I could love someone as much as I love my babies.  It's a totally different love from the way you love your spouse and I am thankful that I've been able to experience life as a mom.

I'm thankful for my family.  My aunts love me like my mom did.  They treat me like a daughter and I am so lucky to have them in my life.  My gramma and papa are so wonderful and I'm thankful to have them around and be able to call and chat with them.  I'm also thankful for my big brother.  He's such a good brother and I'm glad that we have gotten through the hard times in our life together.

I'm thankful for yummy food.  I love food.  Thank you for all of the yummy food that we are able to make and eat.

I'm thankful for God and for the gospel.  I'm so grateful to have found the gospel and to have this new community in my life.  I'm thankful to know it is true and to have a testimony of the gospel.

I'm thankful for sleep.  I know I am thankful for SO much more but I am deliriously tired.  I just HAD to write this before I went to sleep.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Aspen's first 2 weeks of life

Aspen has been here for 2 weeks.  It is SO hard to believe.  The first week passed really quickly.  We came home from the hospital on Wednesday and Brian stayed home all week.  The next week was spent begging Brian to come home from work early, which only happened one day I think.  Other than that I was on my own and scared.  I managed to leave the house everyday and to get Hunter back into his schedule.  Unfortunately, this week he is home all week and his normal classes are mostly canceled.  I really wanted to keep him on his schedule as part of the adjustment to baby Aspen.  Life isn't always in my control though.  :-)

These little guys are best little buddies.  It's funny how they influence one another.  Hunter has always hated being naked, but Landon LOVES being naked.  Once Landon got naked, Hunter did too.  I love how they interact these days.  Most of the time anyways.

 They are watching me give Aspen a bath.  She was unhappy and they both came running in to let me know that I should stop doing what I was doing.  Very cute.  They are SO protective and loving with her.  Both of them.

 Elizabeth.  My wonderful doula/midwife.  She came for my postpartum visit and is just the sweetest woman.  I adore her and am so happy to know her.

 We're trying to get Landon' big boy room ready.  We really want him to make the decision to move into his big boy room.  He asked to sleep in his big boy bed but after 30 minutes of him talking to me, I decided to put him in his crib.  Now when I say "it's time for bed" he trots down the hall towards his big boy room. I catch him and put him back in his crib but I would love for him to move to the big room soon.  I can't believe how fast he's growing up! He wants to be potty trained and move to his new room.  Such a big kid!

 The boys LOVE sitting on Landon's bed and watching the airplanes getting ready to land at LAX.  It's pretty adorable and Landon asks every morning to go watch airplanes.

 My big brother came to town! I get to see him almost never given his rigorous schedule as a Resident in Neurosurgery.  I actually got to see him 3 times this year.  Amazing.  Anyhow, he came to visit for 2 full days and we had SO much fun.  Hunter is obsessed with him and misses him SO much already.  I loved having the help and having my brother around to talk to (and beat at Scrabble).

 Uncle Jeff got tackled in the sand.

 Little boys loving their uncle. And tackling him in the sand.

 What a good big brother - sharing his hot chocolate!

 Uncle Jeff was letting Hunter help him play Scrabble.  Maybe that's why he kept losing so pitifully (yes, I'm going to keep rubbing it in as much as I can.)

 The 5 of us at the beach.

 How cool is this! Evidently, the trees on the pier are new for this year and I think it is pretty awesome.

 Uncle Jeff keeping the boys from falling overboard.

 And running after Landon - thank goodness he was there.

 At night, Hunter requested that Uncle Jeff read books with them.  So cute.  My 4 favorite guys.

 Landon has really warmed up to Aspen.  In the morning, he calls for me to come get him out of his crib.  Then he asks for "baby."  He crawls into our bed and snuggles me and Aspen until Hunter wakes up.

 And snuggles!

My beautiful little girl in the bath tonight. 16 days old.

Landon in his big boy bed!

This is the first day of church!  Doesn't she look stunning?! And how cute are her little cheeks?

 On Saturday we had family pictures taken down by the beach.  We did family photos and then we had the kids dress up as an elf, Santa and Ms. Santa.  I couldn't get over how cute they were.  Look at Ms. Claus.

 Jeff and Landon at the park.

 We went to the aquarium.  Uncle Jeff took good care of the boys while we were there.

 And night #2 of reading books.

 Hunter joined Landon in his crib.  They love to get in there and play.  I can think of better places for them to play.

 Me, Ms. Claus and Santa.

I'm doing well with the 3 kids.  I feel back to normal, although when I do too much my body tells me so.  I have left the house with the 3 kids, by myself, several times.  I'm very proud of this accomplishment.  As always, I love having another newborn and I love being Mommy.  I love my kids and am so thankful for them. I'm not going to get into gratitude today though, that's a post I'll write tomorrow.

Dear Camera,

Dear Camera,
Where are you? You have pictures of my brother visiting and many adventures of Aspen's first 2 weeks of life.  Please show up soon.  In the mean time, I will continue cleaning the house until I find you.  *Do you think Brian hid my camera to get me to clean?*

We are doing great.  I've actually left the house with all 3 kids by myself...and I survived to tell the tale.  Landon is adjusting GREAT and after waking me up with a "MOMMY!" every morning, the first person he wants is "baby."

When asking Hunter what he is thankful for, he responds with "that my uncle Jeff may come back to visit."  When I ask if he is thankful for anything else the answer is "no, nothing else."  How did my brother win him over in 2 days?

Ok. It is way too late for me to be awake.  I promise I will upload photos as soon as Mr. Camera comes out of hiding.

By the way, I will be 30 in 2 weeks from tomorrow.  Seriously? I don't mind aging - at all - but when did I get to be 30?!

Pictures from Aspen's first 4 days

These past few days have been amazing.  We've had some visitors, but mostly we've just been home as a family.  We've tried to get out once a day so we don't go too stir crazy.  I'm known for going stir crazy.  I can't handle staying home with the boys.  They get crazy and they just need to leave the house.  And I need to not hear their little voices yelling at me...

Anyhow, I uploaded all these pictures from 2 different cameras, so they aren't in order chronologically, but I will explain them as we go.

This was, obviously, right after her birth.  I love this photo.

This is me in labor.  I was actually having some breathing contractions.  That wonderful woman sitting next to me is my doula/midwife, Elizabeth.  She's amazing.  Funny enough, I ended up delivering in just this.  I mean, I delivered the boys in a sports bra.  But with Aspen, I was still wearing a skirt.  I guess to deliver a lady, you have to act like a lady :-)

RIGHT after she was born.  I flipped over and the doctor handed her to me.  She's still attached via the umbilical cord.

 A first look

 Just disconnected.

 I have a feeling I will see this face a lot as a teenager.

 This is my doctor, Jessica Schneider. She is great friends with Elizabeth and has been like a friend to me.  We were both SO bummed that she missed the birth despite being IN the hospital.

 Jessica, me and Elizabeth

 My sweet baby girl.  So in love already.

 Our new addition!

 And Daddy is in love too.

 Look at that perfect back and tush! I just love the baby wrinkles.

 The boys came to visit.  Luckily Rachel had just stopped by.  They were a mess, fell asleep in the car - it wasn't a good decision to have them meet her in the way they did.  Landon screamed any time he looked at her or if someone said "Baby" or "Aspen".  All they wanted was to eat snacks and see Mommy.  Or abuse me, as the case was for Landon.  He isn't having as easy of a time as Hunter is.  But here we are snuggling.

 Hunter is loving on Aspen while Rachel holds her.

 Pretty little princess - I took some photos after the boys left.

 Ready to go home!

 How tiny is she in this carseat?!

 Rachel made us a welcome home sign - so cute.

 And (yay) the boys were interested in her.  I had Brian bring her upstairs and I just got to greet them with hugs and kisses.  I think it was because she was on their turf - they had a much better time with her.  Landon will say "Baby! Baby!" but then he walks away.  So, he's the perfect amount of interested.  He is pretty mad at me though and hits me and cries a lot.

 Hunter is obsessed with her.  If she isn't nursing, he is holding her.

 Me and my baby.  I really wanted to go take a shower.

 So many thoughtful people sent BEAUTIFUL flowers, balloons, cookie arrangements, etc.  So kind!

 Her first bath was on Wednesday.  She screamed through the whole thing (as both the boys did).  Hunter got really mad and said "She doesn't LIKE that!!" He wanted us to stop bathing her.  So cute.  He's already super protective of her and even told the doctor not to touch her head when we went for her check up!

 Sweet little girl.

 Landon is somewhat interested.  I think he loves her in his own way.

 He's holding her and giving kisses.

 The boys fight over who gets to sit by mommy.  Sometimes I end up with both of them in my lap while I'm nursing.  It's somewhat frustrating and cute at the same time.

 Sleeping baby

 Daddy and his Angel

 Mommy snuggles!

 The tutu I brought to the hospital was too big for her - but this one fits perfectly.  I so love to dress her up!

 Sweet little face.

 Little big man thinks he wants to potty train.  He has an issue with wearing diapers all of a sudden and refuses to get off the potty.

 So on Thursday night we went out to Fleming's steakhouse for dinner.  It was one last date.  I went there the night before Hunter was born and 2 nights before Landon was born.  We were hoping!!  Brian said "That dress makes you look super pregnant."  I replied "It's not the dress." Ha.

 Ready to deliver!

 Let's DO this!!

 All the monitors.

 Thank God for Brian's big strong hands.  He is SO good at getting me through contractions.  And so supportive.  I love my husband.

 Missing an "a".

 Just after birth!

 Sweet baby girl in her Mommy's arms.  I'm so excited to have a baby girl to bond with - and even out the numbers at home.

 Sleeping soundly in postpartum.

 The clinical partner made this hat for her.  She was a bit obsessed with Aspen and even made me take a picture of her holding Aspen! It was a little bit strange, but the hat was amusing so I left it.

 Sleeping with my girl

 Beautiful Rachel

 Oh this was when the boys first got there and got to see Aspen.  She was just 1.5 days old.

 Daddy and his girl

 Hunter wanted to hold her again.  So sweet!

 Aspen got the boys some fun gifts.  She got a new scooter and a balance bike.  We went to the park, which was a mistake.  I thought I felt fine but later that day my body told me I needed to chill out a bit.

 On the new scooter!!! He's doing So well with it (it's ages 5 and up).

 Go Hunter GO!

 He wasn't so interested in the balance bike, but he started to get the hang of it after a little bit.

 Landon riding the old scooter.  Such a sweet little face.

 Yummy cookies!!

 And guess who monopolized her again....

 So, I am Strep B + which means i need an IV of antibiotics before I deliver the baby.  Th first nurse couldn't get the IV into my vein (right arm).  Then they sent in a specialist.  As she was working I was thinking "this is crazy - you're out of time."  They literally got it into the vein right before my water broke.  My water broke literally 2 minutes before she was born, so she wasn't at risk at all anyways.  Regardless, I have these NASTY bruises on my arms.  I'll be wearing long sleeves for the next few weeks.

 Sweet baby girl

 Landon and Aspen sleep at the same time, so Hunter and I made cookies together.  I think he needed the one on one time.

 Oh and my wonderful Aunt sent this wonderful fruit arrangement! Thank you Millers!!

Things are going great so far.  I don't plan on leaving the house next week except to go to friend's houses and take the boys to their classes.  We love little Aspen and the boys are adjusting.