Happy Birthday Eliza

October 31st, 2003 - Eliza's First Halloween

2004 - 2nd Halloween Bunny

2005 - 3rd Halloween Geisha

2006 - 4th Halloween Cinderella

2007 - 5th Halloween Snow white

2008 - 6th Halloween Jasmine

2009 - 7th Halloween Kitty

When Eliza was born I was really stressed that her birthday was always going to be on Halloween. But over the past 6 years we have had so much fun making it special and having some great parties! She (so far) has loved having her birthday on such a special day and loves that it seems easier for people to remember!

Lily 3 weeks

We love her to death! She is such a sweet little girl and feel like she has been a part of our lives for longer then just 3 weeks. She is now a great eater, a pretty good sleeper and tolerates all the hugs and kisses from her brother and sister. I am trying to slow down and take the time to enjoy her while she is little because I know how fast she will grow.

Boys against Girls

Matt got tickets to the BYU game in San Diego and decided to take Porter for a boys day. So Eliza, Lily and I decided we would have our own girls day!

Here is what the girls did:

1. We went to a Fall Festival where they had tons of fun old fashioned things for the kids to do. Eliza churned butter, squeezed orange juice, made a beeswax candle, they had a petting zoo and a fairy garden, neckalace beading and picked a pumpkin from the patch. It was at this cute little place that used to be a farm back in the day. Those are hard to come by here in California so alot of people were amazed by it!

2. We went to Party City and picked out Eliza's Halloween costume. She was so excited that I let her decide whatever she wanted to be.

3. Then she picked out her plates and cups for her birthday party. We decided this year we would just do a family party and keep it low key. I guess it inevitable that she is growing up because there was no talking her out of picking Hannah Montana as her theme!

4. We went and got Pedicures with Auntie Heather! Eliza loves doing this! She got purple nails and pink toes both with white polka dots.

5. Ate dinner at Outback with Auntie Heather and our friend Lindsey.

6. Rented a Barbie movie.



Here's what the Boys did:

1. Washed daddy's car and fixed stuff around the house! Porter loves to put on work gloves like Matt and follow him around doing fix its.

2. Got lunch at Wendy's!

3. Took a "Road Trip" to San Diego for the BYU game. Matt and Porter have been waiting for this for a long time. They have been counting down the days and Porter has been telling everyone about it.

4. They got an icecream treat, cheered many times "GO COUGARS!" and high fived each other at every touch down!

5. Stopped for dinner at Taco Bell and watched the Cars movie on the drive home!

Eliza's Episode of Yo Gabba

Set your Tivo's to record! The episode of Yo Gabba Gabba that Eliza is on will finally air tomorrow! Remember over a year ago when I posted that she filmed it. Well now you can finally see it! We are so excited for her and hope you will enjoy it too! The title of the episode is called "Dress up" in case you miss it tomorrow you can find it again when it reruns. It airs on Nick Jr. at several different times during the day.

My Little Batman Helper

Round Up Rodeo at School

Eliza was excited that the day of her school carnival they call Round up they get to dress up in country western attire. We were just sad we couldn't find her cowboy boots. That would have made her outfit complete! That night Matt took the kids to the school where they have different booths of fun things to do. The kids came home with a lot of loot and excitement!

So much to be excited about...

Visitors

I had so many visitors while I was in the hospital. I loved that! I felt the excitement from everyone who came. I was so spoiled with flowers and gifts and I wish I would have taken more pictures with all those who came. We were so lucky that Lou and Jolyn (Matts brother and SIL) happened to be in San Diego that weekend for some conferences. We were so happy that they drove all the way up to see us and meet Lily. Matt's other brother Mike and his wife Pepper live close by and they were also able to come for a visit. All of my family that lives in town, many friends and ward members came too! Some might want to just rest and not have visitors but I loved and welcomed each one! It made the experience all the more special.

Going Home from the Hospital

I love the hospital experience after having a baby. Am I crazy? Every delivery I have wanted to stay as long as they will let me. This time, I wanted to stay even longer! I love just sitting in the hospital bed, not worrying about anything else except my new baby. I love the hospital food, I love that they will take my baby to the nursery for several hours at night while I put in ear plugs and sleep, I love that they come in to check on me and give me advice when I need it, and at this new hospital, I loved that they had vanilla, chocolate or strawberry milkshakes I could order anytime during the day!!

I had Lily early thursday morning and was discharged saturday morning. Somehow I didnt even leave until almost 2:00 saturday afternoon. It was nice to enjoy the last day of alone time for awhile! The kids were so excited for us to come home though! They made cute posters welcoming us home and we just sat on the couch taking turns holding her. It was a very nice day!

One awesome friend!

My friend Brittany (a friend from Dental School days) and her family surprised me the day I got home from the hospital. They live in Arizona and hadn't had plans to come visit. But friday night after Lily was born, Brittany decided she just couldn't wait to meet her. I can't tell you how much this meant to me. Her and her family just jumped in the car on saturday afternoon and then left sunday afternoon. Saturday night Nate and Matt took the kids swimming at their Hotel so Brittany and I could just catch up and enjoy Lily. She also brought me a huge box of girl baby clothes she has been collecting for probably 6 years now. She is pregnant with her 3rd boy and had decided she no longer wants to hold onto them anymore. I am more than thrilled that she gave them to me because Brittany has awesome shopping abilities.

Thanks Brittany and family for making the trip and for saving me sunday morning! It was a hard morning with Matt having to go into school. Thank you for just taking over and making me sleep. You are a terrific friend and I love you like a sister!

Lily...1 week old!

We are loving her more and more everyday! She is so sweet and good natured. We feel very blessed. We are still trying to figure out our days and nights (which is never easy), but thanks to good family and friends that live close by I have been able to stay home most of the week to just enjoy her and rest. Porter is having to adjust to not being the baby of the family anymore but he just loves her so much and wants to kiss and hug her all the time....maybe a little too much!

Right now I am still in my bed on saturday morning at 10:05. How? Because my awesome sister Nanette and her husband Myles took my kids for the weekend! I am exhilarated! Yesterday was a hard day for me. For some reason I was hit with a bit of the baby blues for no reason at all. But when the kids were dropped off, I really felt so much better. It was nice last night for Matt and I to be able to just enjoy Lily and not have the stress of putting the other 2 to bed. Of course, Lily then slept so good. She only woke up once and then slept in until 8:00. I really needed the sleep! Matt and I just laid in bed and loved her for an hour. Then I decided to blog about all the happenings while matt is downstairs making me breakfast! Not sure what the rest of the day will consist of, maybe even just sitting on the couch of doing nothing.....the possibilities are endless!

Lily Odessa...1 day old