Fourth of July 2010

It's been a month since my last post. Wow.  I've been dreading editing all the pics I took.  

Collages will have to do.

It was nice to have three days to celebrate our Nations Birthday!

Our Saturday was fun but busy!  Starting with a neighborhood parade.

Right down our street made for easy picture taking. :)

Then we headed to Provo to my parents for some family fun.

I can't believe I have four kids!  And frankie a month old here.

We had fun swimming and playing on all of Nana's new cute retro patio furniture.

I finally got some pics of me and Frankie.  Mmm I love him so!

Frankie got to meet my friends baby that I wrote about here .  Their due date was 6 weeks apart but born one day apart.  It was so fun to compare their size and weight!  Holding both felt a little off balance. :)

After a fun filled day at my parents playing with cousins, we came back to be with more cousins!  My kids have been in heaven all summer spending time with cousins!

Fun Memories.

Garden Park

I had couple hours to myself a few weeks ago and while frankie was in a deep sleep, I whipped up these dresses for the girls.  I've had the fabric for two years and the pattern has been bouncing around in my head for months now.  So I seized the moment and got them done.  They were super easy.  The girls LOVE them and I think they'll be perfect for the fourth of July!

We went to my favorite photo shoot spot at the garden park church building.

It's beautiful there!  These pictures really don't capture the beauty of the place.

The girls ran all over the place!  They thought they were on real castle grounds.

This is when Sadie exclaimed, "I WISH I COULD LIVE HERE!"

Here they are singing at the top of their lungs.  

"My little pony, my little pony!"

They are not shy one bit.

I can't believe how many shots I got of Sadie actually looking at the camera!

She hates getting her pictures taken.

But not here, she felt like a model.  She even brought a change of clothes. Ha.

Her favorite dress.  From Old Navy.  I just can't compete!

Hope you all have a great holiday weekend!

dear frankie,

Today was the day you were due.  

Thank you for coming four weeks early and thank you for being so healthy!

The day of your arrival, I had been contracting all day.  Some big ones, some small ones.  Close together and far apart.  I just wasn't sure when you were coming.  I had scheduled 3 haircuts for the day.  One by one, I got through each one of them with some big and small contractions.  But still not sure of what was to come.  After my last client left at about 7:00 p.m. my contractions were much stronger and more regular.  And by 9:00 p.m. I was dying to get to the hospital.  So afraid to be sent home, I begged the nurses to let me stay.  To everyones surprise, I was at an 8.  The next hour seemed to fly by like seconds and before I knew it, you were here!  

11:11 p.m. June 3rd 2010.

We were SO excited to welcome you into our family!  We couldn't wait to meet you!

Your siblings were so excited to meet you!  They couldn't get over how cute and tiny you were!

They welcomed you home with lots of excitement...

and so did Nana and Grandpa.

Your sisters just giggle at your cuteness.

Cole is so happy to finally have you here.  His brother.  I'm near tears anytime I see Cole interact with you.  

It's just precious. 

Leaving the hospital you had jaundice.  My prayers were answered and you were able to come home with me.  As long as we used lights at home.  

After 4 days of using the billi blanket, the doctor ordered the billi bed for the weekend.  I cried and cried(I'm such a wimp).  All I wanted to do is hold and love on you.  All weekend you were a champ in there and I cheated plenty and took you out to hold you.  Thankfully by Monday, your health improved and we no longer had to use the billi bed.  I was ready to throw all that equipment out the door!

Now you're 4 weeks old.  Wow time has flown!  

I love how you are still little.  Weighing 6 lbs. 6 oz.

and the same size as an American Girl doll.

I do everything I can to enjoy these new moments with you.

Taking lots of pictures sure helps a little!

I can't even express in words how much I love you frankie!  

Your beautiful little eyes calm my soul.

Happy due date!

Lately...

if you were to stop by my house,

you'd be greeted with scooters, bikes, colorful chalk along the walkway and a house full of undoings inside.   Uncombed hair,  a sink piled full of dishes, dirty laundry overflowing the baskets and remnants of activities from the kids' day.  Crayons, paints, Lego's, jet planes, dress ups, swimsuits, dolls...

all because I'm busy.

Busy holding and kissing this sweet little baby frankie.

I don't want to do anything else.  

Do you blame me?  I can't get enough of him!

I'm so afraid to get busy with life that this time will disappear!  When I'm busy, the day goes by fast.  And I don't want any of these days to go by fast.  I'm trying to just soak them in!

Because this won't last forever.

As for the dishes, I've discovered paper plates and cups to be the best gift ever after having a new baby. 

So I can be productive enjoying my newborn and kids. :)

Catching up...

in bulk through mega photo collages.

Top row:  Back in May, Kevin went on a week long business trip. We missed daddy so much that Sadie had planned a home coming celebration.  With party hats, posters, hula hooping and all!  

Bottom row:   One hot day after school we enjoyed a little sprinkler fun.  Anticipating summer. 

Sadie had her end of preschool program.  She wanted her hair done in a low side bun with the flower to look like a spanish girl.  Her new favorite dew.  The side thing.  She and MaryJane put on a show for me in their little rock band.  I love Sadie's imagination!  She is always playing something whether it is artist, dancer, princess, doctor, mommy, chef, school, the list goes on!  MaryJane is thrilled to be her little shadow.  She copies everything Sadie says and does!

Kevin's taught Sadie how to ride a bike.  She learned pretty quick.  Sadly, she's not that into it.  She can ride it but gives up after she gets to the next house and is done.  Not exciting enough for her I guess.  

Cole has Kevin's old Redline dirt bike(which is a little big for him) and loves it!  Cole bought himself a horn from Walmart for $5 and toots that thing non-stop!  It is hysterical!  We can here him all over the neighborhood squeezing that thing.  

Memorial Day and my Mom's birthday landed on the same day this year.  This was just 3 days before frankie was born.  If only I knew what was around the corner.  

Kelly don't kill me. 

But, I just have to!

This is Kelly, a friend I grew up with.  She was due in May with her baby #4 and I was due June 30th with my #4.  Here she is 10 days overdue on Memorial day.  We thought we'd take a pic.  

Who would have known that we'd have our babies a day apart!  Hers on the 2nd at 9.6 (and natural, you are my hero Kelly) and mine on the 3rd at 5.12.

The last thing Kelly said to me was, "don't put this on your blog!"

Sorry, Kel.  Love you!  Congratulations!

A little slice of Heaven

Before I go back a little bit to catch up, I'd thought I'd give you a little more Frankie to love on.

Despite his adorable chubby cheeks, he is still quite little weighing 5lb 9oz today.  

This little boy is so darn cute!  I can not get enough of him!  

I have been very emotional over his sweet little spirit.  It is just radiating!  

We are all so in love!  I found him napping like this today with his little hand under his check.

Perfection.

Poor little Frankie has jaundice and has had to be wrapped up in this Light blanket everyday since he's been home.  

I call him my little glow worm.  I can not wait until we are done with this thing!  He has had little heels pricked everyday this week to check his levels.  In fact today, he didn't even cry.  Maybe he's getting used to it.  I'm not.  But I'll take it. 

 I feel so blessed that he has been healthy enough to come home with me.  For having Down syndrome , he really is a champ and could'nt be doing better!

I don't know what pulls at my heartstrings more.  Watching my baby holding my baby.  

Just last week MaryJane was my baby.

It is always so hard to watch my baby grow up overnight into a toddler.  MaryJane seems so big now.  She is absolutely adorable in every way and her personality is so bright and cheery!  

She literally lights up the room!  I love her to pieces!

She LOVES her baby brother!  She is always saying that, 

"I love my baby brother, frankie, frankie, franke!"

I can't believe he is a week old!  Time is going by WAY TO FAST!  I can't take it all in enough!

P.S. Thanks for all the sweet comments!  We feel so loved!

Introducing...

My sweet little angel surprised us all and was born 4 weeks early at 11:11 p.m. on June 3rd.

I was so not expecting his early arrival!  I still can hardly believe that he is here!

Safe and sound. Strong and healthy, nursing like a little champ!

We can't get enough of him!  Kisses...

kisses..

kisses!

He just melts our hearts!

We love you to pieces Frankie! 

My heart is so full of gratitude.  Boy do I feel lucky to be this sweet little one's mother.

I am so blessed.

Oh the things she says...

If you know me well, you know how much I love to cuddle and kiss on my little ones.  I often remind myself to stop what I'm doing and love on my children just to take it in because I know it won't last forever.  My favorite thing is to ask MaryJane  "Will you please stay two?"  and she loves to reply with a giggly open mouthed "No!".  I'm so afraid that I will terribly miss these early years.

Sadie has been so patient, caring and sweet to me this pregnancy.  On most days, when I have gotten up at 6:30 for the gym, I am worn out by 1:00.  Without any fuss, during MaryJane's nap, Sadie allows me to take a little nap on the couch while she quietly colors, plays or watches Tom and Jerry.  

Bless her heart.  She must know how much I live for these naps!  

Today during rest time,  my heart was filled with so much gratitude for Sadie's easy going nature that I scooped her up, kissed her all over and asked her if she knew how much mommy loved her.

And her response, "Not very much because your kids are such a pain in the butt."

Where did she hear that?  

Hmm.  

She went on to tell me that because of my "big fat belly" it makes it hard for me to pick up after my kids.  I better stop complaining.  6 more weeks.  My poor family.

Sadie got a major tickle torture for that response.  I've been laughing ever since.