Dear Elliot -- 1 Month

Dear Elliot,

Today, you are one month old.  In some ways it seems like a long time ago that we were in the OR and you were being pulled from my belly.  In other ways, it seems like it was just yesterday that we were headed to the hospital in anticipation of your arrival.  I think my heart my have stopped as it grew five sizes the first time I heard you cry.  I wanted to see you so badly, but you weren't breathing very well.  It broke my heart as I watched the NICU nurses wheel you away before I ever got to hold you.  A kiss on the cheek was all I got to give you before you went on your way.  It was somewhat of a reminder of the little kisses I gave Kingston before he went on his way.  Only this time I prayed for a different outcome. 

You are an amazing baby.  You eat like a champ, you sleep like a baby (awake at least every 3 hours), and you are so adored. 

Scarlet is in deep love with you.  She always has a kiss for you.  She has only thrown a few toys at your head and smacked you a few times, but rest assured, it never phases you.  It's like you're already conditioned to having an older sibling who picks on you.  Don't worry though, it will only be a matter of months before you're bigger than her.  You are almost half her size already! 

As of two days ago, you weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces.  I've had to take you to the doctor a couple of times because you umbilical cord is hanging on for dear life.  Yes, you are a month old and still have your umbilical cord.  That also means you haven't yet had a real bath.  I'm dying to give you a good bath and snuggle with you afterwards. 

I love, love you little toes.  They look like miniature gummy bears.  Scarlet loves your feet too.  She likes to "tickle, tickle" them.  I also love your tiny little hands.  I love kissing them while I'm feeding you and feeling how soft they are against my skin. 

Elliot, I feel so blessed to be your mom.  I'll admit that I was very nervous for your arrival in this world, but you have filled our life with joy beyond measure.  I'm excited for all the adventures we will encounter in the future.  I love you more than words can express.  I'm so glad you're mine.

Love forever,

Mom

Elliot's Life in Pictures

First ride in his car seat.

Grandma and WeeSee Came to California Too

 As you can see, all of my "kids" were super excited to see grandma when she came to California.  Bella lick-tacked, Scarlet snuggled and Elliot just did his thing.  It was so much fun to have my mom here in California with us for a week.  She also brought along my little brother.  We did lots of shopping and we were all spoiled.  Grandma cooked us lots of good food too.  It was very sad when her and Nathan left.  The house was quiet and lonely.  We loved having them here and hope they come back soon!

Hello!

Papa Came to California

 On June 1st, my dad flew into Long Beach to stay with us for 10 days.  He was originally supposed to come before I delivered, but I delivered 2 weeks early, so he got to spend all 10 days with us and the kids.  We loved having him here!  We wanted to have some fun while he was here since part of the time he was here was Ryan's break from school. 

 We decided to drive into LA and go see the La Brea Tar Pits.  It was really cool to see.  If you don't know what the tar pits are, they are these tar pits where animals would go to thinking they were water.  When they stepped in them, they would get stuck.  They would start to send out distress calls which would in turn bring predators over.  The predators would try to attack whatever was stuck in the tar and they themselves would end up stuck.  So far they have been finding about 8 predators to 1 victim.  They keep finding mastadons and wolves and saber tooth cats. 

 Here you can see the grids they go by as they document where they are finding bones.  It's crazy to see just how many fossils they have found so far!

 This is our family, minus Elliot, holding the short-nosed bear's hand.  He was one ugly bear. 

 And here's a random pic of Elliot just for fun.  He has actually grown a lot since this was taken two weeks ago.  At this point he weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces (less than birth weight).  Today I took him to the doctor and he was 8 pounds 2 ounces.  He has got quite the appetite! 

We absolutely loved having Papa here.  It was very sad to see him go home.  We're glad he came to stay with us and help out with the kids while we figured out how to deal with life with two kids.  He also made us a ton of delicious food.  Thanks for coming to California, Papa!

Life With 2

I feel horrible that I haven't updated my blog sooner.  Life has been only a little bit chaotic... or a lot. 

Elliot came home from the NICU, one week after he was born, on May 29, 2012.  We were so happy to finally have him home and in our arms.  Scarlet was absolutely adorable when she first saw him.  She saw him in my arms and just kept saying, "baby?  Baby?"  She still loves him.  She loves to hold him and kiss him.  I'm so excited for her to have a little buddy to play with!

We have had family here since June 1st.  They all just left yesterday.  It was a sad, sad day for me and Ryan.  It felt so lonely here.  It made us realize how much we miss our family back in Utah.  We miss the family get-togethers and having family close by.  Hopefully one day we can be back there and enjoying our loved ones once again. 

Life with two kids is crazy, but heavenly.  I love being a mom.  I love getting snuggles from my kids.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about how truly blessed I am to have my children.  Remember, it was just 3 years ago that I was thinking about doing in vitro.  Now, 3 years later, I have been pregnant twice and given birth to 3 kids!  I'd say that's beyond blessed. 

Well, there should be more updates coming.