About Me
We finally got family pictures taken. And then we finally got them printed. Today’s task is to finally send them out. We made this little card to go out with them today. It took only a few seconds for each person to do their part, but we captured this moment in our children’s growth indefinitely. I love it when creativity and technology get together!
Scott and I have enjoyed quite a few milestones during his first week since birth. Here are a few pictures to go along with all our accomplishments!
Scott was born by C-section on 1/1/11 at 9:34 am. He weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and was 21 in long.
Scott has established a fairly consistent eating and sleeping schedule!
Scott has two periods of very awake and alert times during the day, just right for getting to know his sisters and show us all his bright eyes.
Scott lost his umbilical cord last night. Sammi is very happy about that because the cord kind of freaked her out, a LOT.
Mommy and Scott have survived two trips into town for appointments.
Mommy can now get in AND out of bed all by herself! It took 6 days before I could get out of bed by myself.
Mommy can stand up and sit down while holding Scott.
Mommy can walk and hold baby Scott at the same time!
It’s been a busy week of healing, growing, eating and sleeping. We have loved every moment of Scott’s life in our family at home. We are particularly grateful for all the love and food shared by friends. I am so excited to see how he changes as he grows and what things he does that are “all boy.”
While Brent got to participate in the Air Force’s version of summer camp for grown ups (think flying a Cessna, being a firefighter, parachute simulators and other such fun), the girls and I headed off to Utah to visit grandparents and friends. Flying with the two girls was a whole lot better than I had expected, with particular thanks to the USO lounge in the Denver airport that we hung out in both ways.
We spent time with both sets of grandparents. At my mom’s house the girls enjoyed playing in the dirt in their princess dresses. I loved how Sammi held her dress out with one hand so she wouldn’t drag it in the dirt. Such elegance!
We also took a day trip to the Farms at Thanksgiving Point. The girls had a lot of fun riding the horses and playing in the little room they had to teach kids about the agricultural process from garden to market.
The girls loved celebrating their birthdays early. Each one got her very own cake with her name on it. Sammi put the right number of candles on each cake and they loved blowing them out. We sang Happy Birthday twice so I could get pictures of each girl with her cake. They loved it! They also adored their Disney princess Barbie dolls they got. Elli of course got Cinderella, her favorite, and Sammi got Snow White, her favorite.
We continued a tradition we started last summer by attending the Princess Festival. Elli was particularly excited this year because she was dressed up and knew she was a princess. They had so much fun meeting princesses and princes and helping them escape the evil witch’s spell. Elli charmed Peter Pan into pushing her on the swings and Sammi got her picture with Snow White.
We also revisited the Orem Public Library, one of my favorite libraries anywhere. We participated in Laptime and browsed through all the books. It was heavenly!
I think we had so much fun at Brent’s parents’ house that I didn’t take very many pictures. But the highlights included eating peas from the garden every day, playing under the tree in the front yard with the neighbors and going on walks with Grandma. We were also excited to see aunts and uncles and a cousin visiting from out of town. I was so happy our trips overlapped so we could see them, too!
The trip home had its own adventure. Just as we were boarding the first plane, Sammi tripped and hit her lip on the doorway of the plane. She got a huge fat lip and was so very sad. We got her some ice and Tylenol and she calmed down. She was a trooper for the whole flight. We got more ice in the USO lounge and by our second flight, she and Elli both fell asleep and were peaceful the whole ride. I got to read a new book and it was rather relaxing!
We have had such a fun and busy summer. There are so many stories to share and even some exciting news! First, the news.
This is our newest little one at just 6 weeks. This was my first ultrasound so early (they do them to confirm pregnancy here) and I was surprised by how much the baby really does look like a peanut! I was given a due date of December 31 so I guess we’ll bring in the new year at the hospital!
Just before our summer trip, I had another appointment. The batteries died in the Doppler fetal monitor so we got another glimpse at the baby. Sammi came to this appointment with me so she could hear the heartbeat and was amazed by seeing the baby. It took her a little bit of time to process that she was seeing the baby in Mommy’s tummy. Once she got it, she was thrilled. Also, she was very sure that this baby was a boy.
At the next appointment, I actually got to hear the baby’s heartbeat. I love that moment! We also scheduled the 20-week ultrasound at this appointment. Another exciting step in the pregnancy. Then almost two weeks later I got a call from the doctor that my hormone levels were really low and they were worried about a genetic disorder with this baby that typically results in miscarriage or death shortly after birth (Trisomy-18). At that moment, I realized that we hadn’t done that blood test with either of the girls and so this was totally new to us. The doctor scheduled an ultrasound and a consultation with a genetic counselor for the following week. That was one of the longest weeks of my life. Brent and I cried and prayed and hoped for the best.
Can't find the ultrasound pics 
But here's the lionfish from the doctor's office where we met with the genetic counselor.
At 18 weeks Brent and I traveled to Knoxville for the appointment. Fortunately, the ultrasound showed a healthy baby. They didn’t see any of the markers that are typically identifiable by ultrasound at 18 weeks. The baby completely rolled over and away from the ultrasound wand. The tech was able to see most everything, including the four chambers of the heart, but not inside the heart. So I’m scheduled to return for a follow-up ultrasound at 22 weeks to get a better look at the heart. So while we’re pretty much sure that the baby is healthy, there are a few concerns that remain about the baby’s development. I’ll have monthly ultrasounds to monitor the baby’s growth and I’ll have extra monitoring the last month of the pregnancy.
The one piece of news the baby showed very willingly was the gender. We are excited that this baby is a BOY and hope that he will be healthy and not have any growth limitations (I would feel so guilty if this boy is short while his sister are so tall!)
I feel very blessed to have such a positive outcome for how scary the situation could have been. Our family has been comforted and we have peace in knowing that our family is together forever.
Ugh.
Mrs. Baker
Bleh.
The piano. Ugh. Bleh. And double yuck.
I resented that piano with it’s massive size. I resented its placement in the room. I resented being tucked away behind it where no one could see me. Or more importantly where no one, especially Mrs. Baker, could hear me.
I’m sure first grade consisted of more than sitting behind the piano, but that’s all I really remember. Anytime I talked at all in class, I got put behind the piano so I couldn’t distract the other students. As soon as I was released from that isolation someone would say something to me and I would respond, “Shh, don’t get me in trouble.” And next thing I knew, I was back behind the piano. Mrs. Baker only had ears for my voice. I admit, I talked a lot. But I was bored a lot. And I’m an only child with a mother who, at that time, was earning her bachelor’s degree in business. We didn’t really have a lot of time to talk and when we did, they weren’t usually little kid conversations. I was hungry for socializing.
As I was remembering first grade with my mom this week, I told her I could already see my future as a parent in parent-teacher conferences. I’m sure teachers will tell me that Sammi is a smart girl who gets her work done quickly, but she talks too much and distracts the other children from doing their work. My mom chuckled since this is exactly what every single one of my report cards from elementary school through middle school says. But her response to my teachers was that I was an only child who thrived on social interactions. She could see how this gift would help me as I went to college and needed to form study groups and succeed in my classes. And for that reason, she didn’t see it as a character flaw to be squashed out of me, but rather a talent to be put to good use. Aren’t moms the best!
As I’ve spent a little more time thinking about first grade, I do remember participating in the first grade “play” where I was a ladybug with my best friend Cara. My hair was pulled back tight in a bun and I wore a black leotard with huge red pom poms sewn on the back. It’s one of my favorite pictures from first grade. Too bad it’s in Tennessee and I’m in Utah. I’ll have to add it later.
Mrs. Baker always made mugs for her students. They were designed to look like denim jeans and each one had a student’s name written on the label of the jeans. I spent the last few months of the school year worried that she wouldn’t make me one because she didn’t like me. But, she was a better teacher than that! I did get my mug with my name on it and I cherished it for many years even though I didn’t really like first grade at all. But I managed to learned everything required to move on to second grade, which was a happy, happy day for me!
This post is linked up with Mommy’s Piggy Tales. Check out other great stories about first grade experiences.
Welcome to another edition of Mommy’s Piggy Tales! The girls and I traveled all day yesterday. During our very long layover, I had Sammi interview me about my life when I was her age, which is three. We did a cute little video and it was really fun. But when I went to get it ready to share, it has NO sound. Bummer. So I’ll share some of what she asked me and add a few other memories.
Sammi wanted to know all about how I looked: my hair, my hands, my feet, and how big I was. My hair was blond and to my shoulders. I had short bangs way above my eyebrows and in most pictures they are curled under. This was important to Sammi because she wants to grow her bangs out and grow her hair long, long, long! She’s also recently started cooperating for me to curl her hair for church on Sunday. In general, I was a little bit smaller than Sammi (because she has such a tall daddy) but we look an awful lot alike.
I remember getting a pair of tie-up shoes when I was almost four or so. I was so excited and wanted to be able to tie them myself. I remember I spent all day practicing over and over again. As far as I remember, I mastered tying my own shoes on that one day. But my mom may have a different story to tell about that!
We lived in a little red brick house when I was three, before my parents divorced. I remember my dad used to fly me around the living room and call me buzzer bee. I remember that my room was off that main living room. My parents room was next door also off the living room. They had a waterbed and I remember sitting on it and watching Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood on a tiny black and white TV on my mom’s dresser.
The kitchen was also off the living room. My mom would make me sandwiches for lunch. She always took a bite out before she gave it to me. One day, I guess I was getting bigger or maybe she was distracted, but she didn’t take a bite. When she handed me the sandwich I gave it right back and said, “Fix it!” She looked and it and couldn’t figure out what was wrong. She gave it back. But I refused it again and said, “Fix it!” That happened a few times. Finally she took a bite out of it and gave it back. I smiled, said thanks, and ate my sandwich.
If you’d like to find more stories or are looking for inspiration to write your own story, check out Mommy’s Piggy Tales.
My parents found themselves unexpectedly preparing for a baby’s arrival. They had not been planning on having a baby. At least not just yet. But they also found themselves filled with joy and a desire for this baby to join their family. When my mom went to the doctor the first time and they discussed the due date, he came up with some day at the end of April. My mom said something like, “Oh that’s close to my birthday which is April 28th.” At which point the doctor said something like, “Well, then, April 28th it is.” And wrote it down as the official due date.
Time passed and the baby grew bigger and bigger. My mom drove a zippy little sports car at the time. One day she drove into the grocery store parking lot and caught the eyes of most of the guys getting into or out of their cars. As she parked they all seemed to wait breathlessly to see the hot chick who would emerge from such a fantastic car. She lumbered and struggled and finally emerged, her and all eight and a half months of me. Suddenly all the guys turned away quickly and awkwardly. Mom went home that day and told my dad they were selling the car.
At a doctor’s visit near the end of the pregnancy it was discovered that I was breech. Frank breech, to be more specific. The doctor said they would perform a c-section since delivering a baby’s bum first was not a formula for success. He offered her two dates and she snatched the sooner one. Hence my May 3rd birthday. The surgery went fine; I was healthy; and my mom eventually recovered. She said it took a long time for her to feel like herself again. After two regular pregnancies and births, I can only imagine how difficult it would be to recover from a c-section. I have always loved the scar on her tummy from where they pulled me out. But I appreciate even more now how moms sacrifice their bodies for their babies.
At some point during the pregnancy my parents were eating dinner at JB Big Boy’s hamburger restaurant. They were situated where they could see this adorable little girl that was being so cute. Her mom called her Amber and they thought it was a cute name and a cute little girl. They decided if I was a girl they would name me Amber.
So I was born on May 3rd and my name is Amber. What’s your story?
This story is linked up with Mommy’s Piggy TALES where you can tell your own life story in 15 posts over 15 weeks. Won’t you join us?
I’ve spent the last couple days trying to update the comment system on the blog so I can reply more personally to all the great comments you leave. It’s been a headache and I’m still in the middle of it but I just realized it’s been two days and I haven’t posted anything because I’ve been working on the upgrades when I get a free minute.
Today I thought I’d check in and tell you a few random thoughts to get you through till tomorrow when I’ll share some great book recommendations 
1. Elli’s favorite letter is W. I came home yesterday and she was wandering around saying “W” all over the place. Today she is also saying the sound of the letter W.
2. I was behind on laundry when I decided last Thursday to get caught up. Only to have the washer flash an error code at me! I finally got it fixed THIS morning. Yea, we’ve been recycling clothes from the floor and it’s been pretty bad. I’ve never been so excited to do laundry before!
3. I really want to go to the Evo ’10 Conference in Park City, Utah. I keep forgetting to ask my mom if she’s up to taking care of the girls for two and a half days while I go. I don’t like being two hours ahead of her. She’s just not ready to talk at 8 am my time!
4. I’ve been way too tired lately and just found out my iron is low. I’m hoping the twice a day iron supplement the doctor wants me to take will improve my energy.
5. We are a weekend and three days away from the end of the semester. I am so excited for Brent to be finished, at least for a little bit, and for the two road trips we have planned. So. Excited.
6. We had fun at a local National Park last Saturday. It was a beautiful day and we were all in a great mood. The pictures in this post are from then. Sammi took the one of me and Brent. She’s a budding photographer.
I love to celebrate birthdays. Yes, even mine, which was yesterday. So I’m in the birthday mood and thought I’d share some of the reasons why I think birthdays rock.
1. Yummy cake. My friend made a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and it was heaven! Best part, she left the rest for me to devour.
2. Parties. We have experienced some killer kid birthday parties here in Tennessee. We’ve had Dr. Seuss themed, Mad Hatter tea parties, Superheroes and princesses. For grown up parties we’ve had terrific potluck dinners. That’s what we did yesterday and it’s so fun to see all the kids running around playing and giving the parents time to be grown ups and have extended conversations. Definitely tops on my list.
3. Handmade cards from my girls. They insisted on doing them ALL by themselves with absolutely no help from Brent. Sammi has started spontaneously writing letters. Both her cards were filled, front back and inside, with letters: h, s, a, m, i, and f. Definitely going in the keep pile.
4. Presents. I got some fun presents from friends at the party, sweet smelling things and jewelry. I also got the experience of having a manicure and getting my nails tipped for the first time. So fun! I’m also shopping now for the choose-your-own-gift presents I got. I’m thinking a jewelry box of some sort or a pattern book to get the most out of my serger.
5. A clean house. I got a little extra help from Brent to get the house all cleaned up for the party. Then everyone helped clean things up after the party. It feels good at the end of a busy day to have the house cleaner than when I woke up this morning.
6. Lots of birthday wishes on Facebook and yesterday’s post. Birthdays are a great excuse to pop back into an old friend’s life and say hey. It’s been fun to hear from so many friends from so many different stages of my life. Speaking of, to celebrate my birthday, I’m hosting a giveaway from Baby Cribs Plus. It’s a choose-your-own prize pack. Go on over to that post and enter. Please! I’ll feel so loved
7. Extra phone calls with family and friends. Even though Sammi cried through my whole conversation with my dad, it was still great to get to talk with him. I forget how much a familiar voice can melt my heart till I get a special chance to chat on the phone.
8. Birthdays start with a brand new life. A day becomes important because it celebrates someone’s existence. And new babies are so captivating. My friend is having her baby today and I can’t wait to see her new little one. As I think back on the birth day for both my girls, I am amazed at how much they’ve grown and how much my love for them has grown.
9. Birthdays are a time for new beginnings. Just as the initial birthday marks the beginning of a new life, each birthday is a new beginning. The coming year holds untold possibilities and potential waiting to be reached. Any chance to start over at goals is welcome to me. I think it also has something to do with my birthday being in the spring, the symbol of new life. It’s great to reflect on the year past and plan for the year to come.
10. Birthdays are about love. Birthdays provide a good excuse for such an outpouring of love that we don’t get on a daily basis. My hope is that everyone feels how much they are loved, especially on their birthday. That our lives matter to somebody else. Whether it should or not, that feeling {of mattering to someone else} keeps us going. We never know when someone is struggling. It’s hard to acknowledge that those close to us could be having a hard time. I hope we jump on any opportunity to show love and appreciation for those in our lives.
I think this birthday has given me a new perspective on birthdays. I’m looking forward to the girls’ birthdays this summer and the chance to shower them with love. We’re linked up with OhAmanda‘s Top Ten {Tuesday} which is being hosted-today only- at it’s come 2 this.
Why do you love to celebrate birthdays?
After a few rough days that were seriously lacking in sleep, we headed to the doctor again yesterday morning. Turns out I have strep throat and Elli has allergies and maybe strep. At any rate, we’re both on antibiotics. A sweet friend let Sammi play at her house for almost four hours so I could nap while Elli napped. It was heaven. But I still feel yucky so I’m taking today off!
I’ll be back tomorrow with some great books for Feed Me Books Friday.
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