Pillowcase Dress!!

Leslie sent me this link (http://www.jenleheny.com/pillowcase-dress-instructions) to make pillowcase dresses. I thought it would be fun to make swimsuit covers for the girls, but when I was at JoAnn's, I found this fun patriotic batik. I decided to make them dresses to wear the week of the 4th! Didn't they turn out cute!

My Book!!

I can't believe I was so blase about my scrapbook in the last post! This has been the highlight of my week!!! I had wanted to get into digiscrapping for a while because I was really tired off the gluesticks and paper pieces all over the place. My friend and college roomie, Amanda, is quite talented and really inspired me. (Check her link below!). I started in November 07, working from the present back to May 2005 when I had quit printing pictures because I took so many boring ones.

I was immediately hooked and as soon as the girls were in bed, I would run to the computer (who am I kidding, I was 7 months pregnant...I didn't run) and stay up all night working in Photoshop. This album, with only a few of the 101 pages shown, covers 2005 and 2006. Most of 2007 are done and I am working furiously on Layla's first days.

When this arrived from Shutterfly, I showed anyone who came within a 40 foot distance of me. I threatened to make it its own backpack so I could carry it around with me.

I will send you the Shutterfly preview by email if you want to see it page by page. However, I don't think I'll send it to you, Amanda, because I scraplifted some of your pages...

Next time, I will do the journaling in Word so that I can employ the spellchecker. Now that Ava is a pretty good reader, I have her asking me why I wrote "ocaen" instead of ocean....

Some sample pages....

This is my favorite page. I took pictures of a boxful of worksheets and displayed them on a spread for Ava.

I did this book entirely out of freebies off the internet. Check out ikeagoddess.blogspot.com for continual updates of freebies.

Happy Mother's Day!

Ava and her friend Bryson created their own personal water slide in the backyard on Saturday. I don't know how they roped Mark into letting them do this, but it looks like they had fun. The shower was filled with grass after we made her come in and bathe!

Layla is now 3 months! She loves her boinger-boinger chair and will sit in it as long as she can see me. She can really get it rocking and will watch the sounds and lights for a while before getting frustrated. When I lay in bed at night, I think I can hear the electronic tunes being played over and over again. "Here we go loopty loo, here we go loopty-laa. All on a Saturday night." I'm sure everyone has a toy like this...

Nothing Exciting!

Nothing noteworthy to report. Layla has been sleeping all night--until 5 am! I LOVE her! 10 more days of school for Ava, then first grade. We have been doing swimming lessons. I finally got my first Shutterfly "Print Your Digiscrap pages." Hope everyone is doing well!

We are planning to be in SLC from May 27th (or so) until July 6th. If anyone else will be there, let me know. How come Utah and Salt Lake County seem to be home base for so many of us who aren't actually from Utah?

Gotta put the monsters to bed.

Proud of my boy!

Mark ran in the Salt Lake Marathon last Saturday. He was really nervous because it was snowing when we arrived on Tuesday night, but the weather was perfect on race day. I dropped him off at the U about 5 minutes before it started then went home to get the girls and his mother.

Even with a map of the race course, we had a hard time getting to him. I kind of miscalculated how quickly he would run it. I thought I could drop him off, then go home, eat breakfast, see a movie, knit a sweater, then go see him at mile 2. The above picture is mile 16 I believe.

Above is the finish line. 3:47:46!

The massage. Enough said...

Mimi Takes a Tumble

About 4 minutes into our outing with Crystal, Dre, and Fin, Mia slipped on the concrete water pad at the Santan Village Mall and hit her head. She fell asleep in the car on the way home and woke up vomiting. Hoping to avoid the emergency room, we went to our pediatrician's after-hours care to get checked out. He was concerned about the vomiting episodes that occurred more than an hour apart and called over to a pediatric ER doc at Banner Desert to arrange for a head CT.

I had to truck the whole family with me since Layla is nursing. I thought maybe the phone call had given us a free pass into the ER, but alas, it was not to be! We waited in the waiting room for 90 minutes before seeing the aforementioned pediatric ER doc. Then we waited another 30 minutes for radiology. Meanwhile, Mark was in the car with Layla and Ava because I did not want my other healthy children, especially my infant, mingling with the other ER patrons. (I will have to blog about the psycho chick who came in screaming that her teeth were driving her insane!)

After about 14 calls on my cell phone from the parking lot, I traded spots with Mark, and he got the good prognosis from whoever. Just a mild concussion! Nevertheless, I was able to sleep that night not worrying about a brain bleed.

I just have one question. Why is it called an emergency room if no one who works there has any urgency like there are emergencies going on? My child was alert and vigorous, with healthy vitals, but we just felt like we were inconveniencing the hospital and doctors.

Thank goodness for TiVo which saved "The Office" and "American Idol" for us. Anyone know where I can get a copy of Hunter's album? (Inside Office joke...)

Two Months Old!

Layla is two months old! We celebrated by giving her a fever and 24 hour nap from her immunizations!

Some Maui pix

Here are some random pictures from our fabulous spring break in Maui!!!
The trip really helped get the girls over the funk they had been in since Layla's birth. It was very relaxing, like always. Make sure you get to the end of this post and watch a little video clip Mark made!

I love this girl! She is so cuddly, my most cuddly baby by far.

Rare photo of her awake

My MIL would sit with her on the lanai and watch for whales.

Ava on the beach

Layla's blessing day--random placement I know. She wore my blessing dress as the other girls did. I went on eBay and was able to find two other identical dresses so each girl can have their own. Can you believe that? The original dress is 30 years old!

Mia on Ka'anapali Beach

Layla in the cabana on Ka'anapali beach. I believe I am chatting with Leslie on my cell phone while I take this picture.

Photographic proof that Layla went to the beach

After Ava nearly drowned in a "washing machine" wipeout, we enrolled her in a private lesson with a local named Kekoa. Check out his prodigy!

BTW, I have LOVED everyone's comments about Twilight. I plan on reading book number 4. It is my BYU alumni/Mormon mom duty.

Alicia Lindsay asked what was on my bedside table:

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

(They are making a movie of this starring Rachel McAdams (The Notebook))

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.

(Starts extremely slow, but picks up.)

Interred with Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carroll. This is DaVinci Code a la Shakespeare.

You are all going to hate me...

..but...

I really did not like the Twilight series. Okay, I did like the first book, and I thought Jacob was the best part of the second book. I felt obligated (I also felt obligated to see all three Star Wars prequels, and the LOTR trilogy) to read the third book and was so relieved when it was OVER!

This is why I did not like it: I thought Bella was WAY too dramatic. Puh-lease, the atrial fibrillation with every kiss, and the clumsiness, and the drama. I guess I was like that at 16, but at 30 I want common sense and a good sense of gravity in a main character.

Now that you have all started mentally composing your comments and prepared to remove me from your links list, just know that I will probably see the movie and read any sequels or her new "adult" series. Just know that the universal love being proclaimed across the blog world really doesn't extend to here. Anybody with me on the drama part?!?

Just Another Day in Paradise

I took Ava snorkeling off the beach yesterday. It is a spot we have gone to for years, with a million of the indigenous fish and sea turtles. I have snorkeled this spot at least 2o times plus two scuba dives so I really know the ropes. Ava and I entered the water and got comfortable. We saw lots of Moorish Idols and Humuhumus. Then we ventured around the wall to really see some amazing fish. However, I began to really look at the sea floor, about 35 feet down and started to think about sharks, eagle rays, and even humpback whales. I really started to panic, envisioning one of these creatures making a one in a million chance of visiting this location. I did not want to worry Ava so I casually suggested we return back to shore. She agreed and I think I broke swimming world records swimming back to the beach. I must be getting old.

Layla made her first poolside appearance at the Marriott pool. We sat on a lawn chair next to some 15 year old "prostitots". I must be getting really old. I wanted to tell them to put more clothes on.

Denial, Grief, Anger, Acceptance

I am a horrible blogger. Granted, I have been a little busy the past 41 days. I have a digital camera full of pictures of my gorgeous Layla and lots of other fun things, but I can't seem to get to posting them. I can't even post pictures now because we are in MAUI and I don't have my downloading cord thingy.

We blessed Layla on March 9th. It was a double-dip weekend with our niece, Laura Merrill, being baptized, so we were joined by Mark's mom, brother Scott and family from Lehi, my dad (Mom was with her ailing mother in IL) and the Merrills in Chandler and Mesa. It was a great blessing with Mark getting choked up. He is usually pretty stoic so it was touching to see him show emotion.

Poor Layla has a scorching case of baby acne and I was kinda wary of her for a few days. It is slowly clearing up. She is getting so fat too. I wish it was in proportion to me getting skinny, but it is going to take some gym time.

Since we could not go to Maui at Christmas, we had to reschedule before April 15th. I was nervous to bring a 5 week old on vacation but it has been great. Layla mainly hangs around the house sleeping and Mark and I take turns going on adventures with the girls in 3 hour increments. The whales are here in abundance and we have seen many breaches, spouts, and whale tails.

Ava and Mark went surfing yesterday. We put a life jacket on her and Mark pushed her into a wave. She was doing great until a second wave came from the side and knocked her off the board, and flipped the board over on top of her head!

It rained like crazy today so we have been homebound.

I will add pictures when we return on Sunday. Hello to all my friends out there!

Good Guesses!

It is funny that they look so much alike now, but look how different Ava and Mimi turned out!

They are actually:
Ava
Layla
Mia
Ava

Name That Baby

Here are pictures of each girl as a newborn. See if you can figure out who is Ava, Mia, and Layla!

I'm Alive!

We have survived our first 10 days!!! Layla is such a good baby. She hardly cries and eats like a champ. She slept 5 hours in a row last night and I feel amazing! I love her. My mom has been here the past week and I don't think I would have survived without her!

Ava and Mia love their sister and are trying to be gentle and I am trying to give everyone attention.

The 30th birthday was fun too. I only cried once that day! We also have been out twice, with Layla in tow of course.

I am flying solo as of 2:oo pm this afternoon.

Layla Merrill

Layla Merrill arrived on Tuesday, February 5th at 1:02 pm. She was 8-2, 20.5 inches and a spitting image of her sisters. Eyebrows say another blondie. No hair. Very quick and easy delivery. No stitches for Mom. Good baby! More details to come. We are very happy!

She was a whopping 11 days early (I guess my OB was using 16th as due date so already scored major points with me!) Doc stripped my membranes on Monday afternoon and contractions started Tuesday at 3 am!

I Can't Make This Stuff Up!

I was walking with Mia this morning and a woman stopped traffic and unrolled her window and told me, "You look like you're about to pop!".... I hate her...

20 days and counting!

No, not the countdown for the baby.. I actually have another big even coming up on February 13th! I am turning the big 3-0! I am actually excited for it. It really sets off another era in my life. As most of you know, my birthday sets off "Lovefest" for Mark and I. Birthday, V-Day, and anniversary in a 4 day span. We're hoping not to throw another birthday in the midst!

Here are some shots from my early years!!!!

My fourth birthday

My dad with me the day they brought me home!

Pictures

Check this out. It has its own zip code

My girls were playing Sacrament meeting in the driveway yesterday. Ava is leading the music and Mia is playing the violin. THey are singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing."

Some people are idiots!

I have forgotten about all the obnoxious comments I get near the end of my pregnancies. A lady at the ballfield actually had the nerve to touch my stomach. She said she had twins and looked just like me! Can you believe that? I think I know what it is like to be a celebrity. I half expect someone to take a picture of me with their camera phone!

Anyway, 3-4 weeks left. She is so dang low though, I have to hope that is counting for something!

Thanks for the comments on the baby names. So fun to hear what people think.

Baby names!!

So here's the list of names for el baby. Some of you know what we are leaning towards, but tell me what you like.

Kate
Tatum
Layla
Zoe


and Mia's contributions:


Linga
Laka
Zoe Pumpkin

So Sorry!

I have gotten a few complaints about my lazy blogging (Crystal). It's just that when I sit down at the computer I usually am looking for something, or totally engrossed in my new passion, digiscrapping (thank you Amanda).
I have about 4 weeks left and my OB said this baby might break the 9 lb mark.... Please pray for early for me.
Christmas was fun. The best part was Mia's bike, a beach cruiser similar to Ava's. She is so into it. We didn't think she'd be big enough for it, but she can cruise.

Mia said the funniest thing the other night. We were talking about family prayer and I asked her why we kneel together. She replied, "So we can see the future." I wish she'd tell me some stock tips or when the baby is coming while she is down there on those knees....


Here are some photos...

Ava doing tricks on Mia's new bike.

Mia's new wheels

This was a month ago!!! (31 weeks) Can you believe how low she is. I can actually breathe.

Mia's bike

Ava and her Maria Sharapova racquet.