Follow up

It seems like my blog has left a few things "up in the air" lately so today I'm going to let you know the end result of a few things.
First, I ordered a blog book through blog2print.com (thanks Jill!). I love it!! It cost me $30 for a 90 page book, but I did have a discount code. I know many of you have tried blurb.com and loved it so I might have to try that site next time. I had to use my discount code before Jess gave me a code to use for blurb. However, it did sound like others were able to use it. My blog book is available for anyone to see. Just let me know!

Second, Brooklyn's mouth has healed nicely. I was really worried there after a few days of swelling, but all is well again. I know at least one of the four stitches has fallen out already.

Third, Eliza weighed 18 pounds 6 ounces at her one-year appointment. Tiny! The nice thing about the second child is the doctors aren't worried because Brooklyn was the same way. I'm sad that Eliza will continue to sit backwards, but maybe in 5 mouths we will get to turn her around. :) Let's hope it doesn't take that long! I turned Brooklyn around at one year, even though she didn't weigh enough, but I'm a little more hesitant with Eliza. And besides, this way Brooklyn and Eliza can still look at each other.
Also, Eliza has not had any other problems with her breathing since the last scare (knock on wood). She still catches every virus, but she's doing great. Phew.

And last, Thanksgiving was a hit! We survived and now have lots of leftovers to enjoy. I guess there was some benefits to all that work. We also enjoyed not having to drive anywhere that day. Hope everyone else enjoyed their holiday and now on to the next!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I love this holiday. No presents, just time to get together with family and remember all the blessings we receive daily. I'm grateful for my family, including a wonderful husband and two beautiful girls. I'm grateful for parents who have taught me by example and for three brothers, two step-sisters, and in-laws who make my family complete. It's wonderful to be surrounded my so many people who love me and who I love and admire. I can't imagine life having so much joy without my family.
I'm also grateful for knowledge and especially the knowledge I have from being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm grateful for a plan to come down to this Earth for experience and to gain a body. I've been reminded just how incredible our bodies are this week as Brooklyn's mouth has healed itself. It's a true miracle to watch. I feel truly blessed by so many things, but I will stop with these.
I hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday! We are having our turkey feast at our house this year with my mom and brothers. It was....stressful, but I hope it will turn out OK by the end of the day. Happy Thanksgiving!

Stitches

I know I just posted, but I have to share this as well. Brooklyn received her first stitches today. She was invited to another birthday party (side note: this is the 3rd friend party this month). This time, it was for a boy in our ward and it was at Jumpin' Jacks. Brooklyn has been asking to go there again since she loves this place. When she got the invite in the mail, she was so excited. I already had plans for the day to go with my mom to see New Moon for her birthday so her dad was in charge of the girls. When Brooklyn received the invitation, she called her daddy at work to see if he would take her. He, of course, didn't want to disappoint so he agreed. He had a lot to do today, but took the time to take her over there as much as he probably didn't want to. :)
She was having a grand time with her friends and dad jumping and sliding. From what I have heard, she was going down the big slide one more time before they were going to leave. Marty stepped away to calm down a tried, ornery Eliza and left her with her friends and the birthday boys grandma. Next thing he knows, Brooklyn is crying and there is blood everywhere. Marty said it was so bad that it was all over her face, shirt and pants (he even said it looked like she had been shot). Blood was also all over the grandma and the employees were running to clean up the blood. It was chaotic! Brooklyn was screaming and hard to calm down. Marty got the bleeding to stop and then took the girls home.
So what happened? From what we heard, Brooklyn went down the slide and before she could move, another girl came down and hit her. Brooklyn says the girl had shoes on, but no shoes are allowed so I'm not sure if she just assumed it was shoes since she hit her so hard or if the girl really had shoes on. I don't know, I really wish I was there so I knew for sure.
Brooklyn was exhausted from screaming so much that she fell asleep. I know, I know, don't let your kid fall asleep when something like this happens, but it's easier sad than done. So when she woke up, Marty was able to see the damage better and realized how bad it was. Her lip was gashed open so he made the decision that she needed stitches.
By this time, I was leaving the movie theater and driving my mom home. Marty called to tell me what happened and what he was doing. First, he took her to her doctor's office at Copperview Medical Center and they checked her and told them they couldn't help, but that he should go to the Emergency Room because she would need a surgeon so it wouldn't ruin her smile. Talk about scary!. So I'm driving to them trying to catch up with them and Marty calls to say he's now on his way to the Riverton Hospital. My chase continues.
When I get there, lucky the Instacare is empty (Marty assumed it was the ER) and they have Brooklyn back in a room checking on her. They tell us that it's our choice, they could leave it and it would heal or they could stitch it up. I decided we should stitch it up since we were there and I was worried about it closing up properly.
Poor girl, she then was moved to a procedure room. The doctors and nurses were worried about stitching her mouth because most 3 year olds have to be sedated. Not my girl! She was so brave!! They wrapped her up in a blanket that they called a burrito. We do this to her at home so she was used to it. And then one nurse held her head while another held her feet and the doctor did the stitches. Marty was told his responsibility was to talk to her and sing, if needed. Brooklyn was very cooperative and didn't need to be held down at all. She was perfect and got a Popsicle and a princess sticker for her reward. What a good girl! She ended up with 4 stitches.
I had to post all of these pictures because this is how she posed when I told her to show me her mouth.
Then I told her to close her mouth.
Then the inside (sorry a little bloody and gross).
She doesn't like that she can feel the stitches in her mouth and her lip is still incredibly huge. But we'll get through this just like anything else. We're just glad it wasn't worse.

Birthday Fun

Eliza enjoyed her birthday this year. I think Brooklyn was more excited for the day though. It was a fairly boring morning and afternoon getting things ready for the night. Brooklyn loved making cupcakes and helping me by cleaning up all of her toys. Eliza just took her naps and treated it like a normal day. She did love being called "Birthday girl" and hearing "Happy Birthday" over and over.
Brooklyn was so excited that she kept saying "it's taking forever for grandmas to get here". We had invited all of their grandparents over to celebrate with us.
Once everyone was here, Eliza and Brooklyn both loved all the attention. Eliza was wearing her "the birthday tutu". Brooklyn wore this for her birthday so I put it on Eliza too. It was cute! She quickly found the presents on the floor and began climbing.
Brooklyn helped open the presents, but by the end Eliza was getting the hang of it. She, of course, loved climbing on the boxes and playing with the paper more than anything.
We bought her a doll and doll set and she was so excited to hold the baby.
Time for cake and ice cream. We always do cupcakes for the 1st birthday. Here's her first taste.
She loved it! She loved the ice cream more. Before too long, she was shivering because she was so cold!
All cleaned up, warm again and ready to play with some of her gifts.
Here's her loot! Minus the baby doll that her big sister has been sleeping with every night.
It was a fun night! Thanks to all the grandparents for celebrating with us and for spoiling our little girl.

Happy Birthday Eliza!

One year ago, Eliza was born into our family. We are so grateful for her fun, little personality and all that she adds to our home. Here's some fun things about her at the ripe old age of 1.
*She has three teeth (all on the bottom).
*She drools constantly.
*She loves to pull everything out or off of things.
*She LOVES a good game of peek-a-boo. All we have to do is say "Where's Liza?" and she will instantly put her hands somewhere on her head. They usually end up on her ears. And then she will drop them and we all say "Peek-a-boo". It's cute!
*She loves to practice her balancing skills and when she's doing it, she expects applause.
*She loves to play with a ball.*She adores her big sister and does everything she does. When Brooklyn gets hurt and starts crying, Eliza follows. Brooklyn has a laugh that sounds a like her laugh. So Eliza will watch Brooklyn carefully to make sure not to laugh until she knows Brooklyn is laughing too.
*She loves to feed herself and doesn't like us to feed her anymore.
*She refuses to wear a bib anymore. She will rip it right off once it's put on.
*She's the best sleeper. She takes two good naps and sleeps 12 hours at night. One of my personal favorite traits. :)
*When she's excited, she opens her mouth really wide and flares her arms.
*She sounds like a pig when she's mad.
*She gives the best hugs and wet kisses!
*She loves to play in the bath tub and splash water.
*It's fun to tickle her and make her laugh. I also have a funny face that I can pull that will make both of my girls giggle at any time. If Brooklyn laughs, Eliza will laugh too.

I really love this age! She's so curious and loves to do anything. I know the independent/tantrum throwing stage is coming soon so I'm trying to love every second I get with my sweet little girl. I'm also so excited that she's one and can now eat just about anything. I'm excited she can drink whole milk, eat peanut butter and citrus fruits. I love when all the restrictions are removed. Plus, I know I will love it after I know she weighs 20 pounds so I can turn that car seat around. She goes in for her well-child visit on Friday so we'll cross our fingers. Happy Birthday, Eliza! Here's to lots more learning, growing and adventures in the years to come!

Birthdays

November is a busy birthday month for us. So far, we've already celebrated my oldest brother and my dad's birthday, but this week brings three of Brooklyn's little friends, my mom and step-mom. Then next week brings Eliza's 1st birthday, two SIL's and one BIL. Woah! My head has been in a constant swirl trying to remember everything I need to buy, plan and do still. It's very overwhelming! And among all of this, I'm trying to be a good wife and plan something for Marty's birthday that's coming the second week of December. It's a big one for him and want it to be fun. He wants me to surprise him. I'm used to planning everything with him (with him doing most of the leg work) so it's been stressful for me to plan it without him and hope that he loves it.
I'm not complaining at all. I love birthdays and I love to make people feel special on their special day. It's just all coming down on me at once and it's hard to keep track of it all. Brooklyn and Eliza have been loving it too. They love seeing everyone and being a part of the party. It really is fun! So to all of you November birthdays....Happy Birthday!!

Blog Book

One of my friends, Jill, recently printed her blog into a book keepsake. Because of this I have been thinking about doing the same. She went through blog2print.com. Has anyone else done this? If so, please share who you went through, the cost, what you thought, etc. Thanks!