Baby Blessing

Thank you to everyone who attended Halli's baby blessing. Sorry we didn't get around to posting it sooner. I have very limited pictures of this event as we had purchased a new digi cam and didn't think to get a memory card. Who knew it would limit our picture taking to 13 pics? All of baby and none our guests. So as we are waiting for others to "be developed" please enjoy the cutie pie pics we did get. It was a special event and we were glad those of you who could did come and share the event with us. And a special thanks to Mom (Colleen) and Monica for helping out by bringing the extra and super yummy muffins. We were surrounded by family and great friends and the wonderful spirit that filled our hearts and home will always be cherished. Halli's blessing was Sunday December 7, 2008.

Happy Thanksgiving

We went to Dad and Moms for Turkey. It was nice to visit with family and to see how everyone has changed. The food was great the pies were fantastic and the day went by to fast. Funny that the whole production of turkey dinner takes so long, and the actual din part is so short before your so full and tired you can't think straight. Or in my case remember what your talking about half way through the conversations let alone finish a sentence and make sense. Thank you Halli for lack of sleep and what I'm sure was entertainment to anyone trying to visit with me. Sorry to all that I tried to talk to and couldn't get it right. On that note. Sorry to those of you who have received a Baby blessing invite only to read my mistake on calling it a shower. I completely blame post pregnancy brain. We are grateful for our many blessings, family, friends and many treasures. Mostly We are thankful to each other and our kids who put up with us. Much love to all this Holiday season we love you all and are grateful and Thankful for the presence you've had in our lives. (Grandma I counted my peanuts from my Thanksgiving cup and realized my blessings and things I'm Thankful for and let's just say my cup runneth over.)

Baby Blessing notice

I am such a procrastinator! I am sending invites out for Halli's blessing however my intent on being crafty is a failure. I am thinking if I were a smart woman I would have just ordered the birth announcements from the photo shop. But no I tried to think I could make something cute. Of course my ideas and my abilities are two different things. So they are coming. But in case you need advanced notice to schedule. Halli is being blessed on Sunday December 7, 2008 at 9AM at the chapel located on Angel street. (between Gentile and Weaver Lane. I'll get address later. Keep an eye open for you invite. To those family members who I have forget please forgive me in advance and know you are welcome to join the event.

Nicholas made it

Due to our travels to Texas and having a baby just before Nicholas' 12th Birthday we were a little off track... However We just wanted to congratulate Mr. Nicholas for being ordained today into the priesthood.

Thank you Dad, mom, Kyle, Nate, Hunter and Sierra for attending such a great event.

Sorry Nick-ie boo for being an emotional mommie and crying over you getting so old and for crying over the very special and heart warming blessing Dad offered in your ordination. We are so proud of you and we love you so very much!!!!

What is perfection?

Everyone has a different idea of what perfection is....
This one is mine. Miss Halli Marissa...

Halloween

Halloween 2008

Danielle dressed as a Ninja Princess

Nicholas was a Grim reaper under neath he was a Star wars trooper but wouldn't show off his creation.

Eric was a Dark side skeleton

And Emily was a Genie.

Danielle stayed home to pass out Candy and Nate helped me baby sit Halli who was dressed as a baby ghost. (More pic's of Halli to follow)

The rest of the kids headed out with Michael to trick or treat.

Hunter was batman
and Sierra was a water fairy from the new Tinker bell movie. (Nate has pics still waiting for some from him on them.)

The kids enjoy a baby too

Here are a few pic's of Halli's brothers and sisters enjoying her, but not as much as her Daddy and Mommie do that's for sure!!!

where has the time gone already?

It's cold weather, the leaves have fallen the holidays are upon us. And I'm still hibernating at home with Baby bug. I can't believe how fast time has gone by. Time passes much faster now that Halli is here then when we were waiting for her. She is 5 weeks old almost 6 and growing faster than I'd like her too. Amazing how different she is already. She has the sweetest cooing voice and makes many sounds. From grunting to squeaking to little laughs and small chatters of nothings. She is growing so fast and looks like a baby now not a newborn. Oh the love she fills our lives with is amazing. Even though she still wont sleep through the night, we love her so much anyways. Here are a few more pictures of my precious bug. Enjoy and if I ever find a spare moment I'll update on other things.

Also included the very special visits with family and such over the last 3 weeks included. I don't have pic's of all her visitors but here are some I do have.

Halli Marissa Negrette

I'll give you the short version to spare the lengthy icky details.
We went into the hospital on Thursday Sept. 25 at 4 30, by 5 they had me all hooked up and ready to go to start the induction with pitocen. I had to have antibiotics through my IV before they could break my water. It was so quiet and boring nothing on tv and no real progress. A couple hours later I was only at a 4.5 dilation (we were in the middle of watching Greys anatomy) my Dr.came in and broke my water. Holy batman. My little contractions I was barely feeling got intense and came one right after the other. Oh yeah my dear Husband kept telling me to breath through them. lol' ok ya sure. I planned on going natural, but after 15 min. of intense pain I was like oh no way. get me drugs. LOL. They came in and put a pain reliever in my iv. Um It hadn't kicked in before I was asking for and epidural. Just my luck there wasn't enough time. I guess at some point I just told them I changed my mind I couldn't do it this way and begged for a c-section Just as she came out. LOL. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I couldn't believe I had done it. Yay it was over and I felt instantly better. I had 2 tares that they stitched up and I felt just fine after all was said and done.

Halli Marissa Negrette
Born Sept. 25 2008
at 10:05 PM
weighing 6 lbs. 8 oz.
length 17" (short)

Halli had been a little slow on the go and it took them awhile to get her moving and crying. We were able to hold her and love her but she was having trouble breathing so they took her away to get her stable. They came back to check on me and I guess not only was Halli having trouble after delivery so was I. I felt fine but had started to hemorrhage and they couldn't figure out what was wrong and why I was bleeding constantly. They had to call the Dr. back to the hospital because we had assumed in the hour after delivery everything was as it should be. After much checking an ultra sound, a whole lot of different drugs (used to stop the bleeding) pushing and prodding my uterus they discovered that she was born so fast (within the hour of breaking my water) that she had ripped my cervix. Oh joy. I was put under and wheeled away to surgery. They had to stitch the cervix from top to bottom and then performed a D&C and to extract left over placenta that they hadn't caught on the ultrasound. I was left in the recovery of L&D all night on oxygen and drugs.
As for Halli they ended up doing a few blood cultures her white blood cells were elevated so they instantly started her on antibiotics. They did chest ex rays to determine if she had residual fluid in her lungs or not. She was very grunty and they couldn't figure out why. All tests over the next two days came back negative except that she had started to become jaundice however it wasn't bad and so they agreed to release her. We both got to come home on Sunday. But were warned no visitors for at least 48 hours. Aside from 2 short visits by parents and Michael's sister who brought dinner over. (Thanks Sherry) we were settling in.
Unfortunately it was anything but a quiet night. Halli was having trouble breathing again this time it wasn't just grunting but actual wheezing and snorting because she couldn't breath which meant she couldn't eat which meant no one slept out of concern and fear. So Monday we headed right back to the Dr. He checked her lungs and airways and tested her jaundice. We have yet to get the info back on jaundice level, but her poor breathing is seemed to be caused by pall ups in her nose that are blocking the airway and the congestion she developed can't drain. She is currently on drops to relieve it and we will know if we are being referred to an ENT specialist by end of week if her breathing hasn't progressed.

Other than that she is safe at home and resting a lot. We're very excited to have our little princess home with us as we enjoy every moment and squeaky noise she makes.

Induction set for today

I didn't sleep at all last night. I was to be induced this morning. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight, call the hospital at 6 AM and plan on getting set up at 7AM. Well needless to say of course my luck kicked in. The hospital had an out poor of laboring mothers last night and my induction has been pushed back to 4pm today. Sad, no sleep for no reason. Oh well maybe she'll be born around 10PM tonight!!! If not maybe tomorrow. I do prefer even days over odd number days, but Nicholas was more excited that she was coming 3 days before his Birthday than just two. So at this point only time will tell. We'll update when we get home in a few days. It's not like taking a vacation and getting to leave home for a few days. I'm headed in the boot camp of delivery. LOL. But the slimming effects will be worth it and the little prize (trophy) we bring home will also be worth it!!

Early 12th Bday for Peanut

With the upcoming expected arrival of baby sister Halli, Nicholas opted to celebrate his birthday early! Not that any year is a typical birthday celebration for him anyhow.

After much deliberation on what he wanted and a last minute change of mind a few failed emails of the pictures of what he wanted and then down to the wire decisions we pulled it all off and he was genuinely pleased.

We decided to go bowling. (at least Nicholas decided too, with Michael and the kids) I got to sit and watch because Nicholas wouldn't have forgiven me had I bowled and come home with a baby girl from his party. We then headed home for cake and presents. We kicked Nathan, Hunter and Sierra out of bed Saturday night at about 9 30 to join us and then took them home again about 11 maybe 11 30. Sorry Bro' if you were super tired for Church the next day but thank you so much for joining us! Nicholas loved having his cousins there and I of course enjoy having my Bro' around.

The night before we took Nicholas out for Dinner (At KFC, I know don't ask, I had a craving Nicholas thought it was a good idea too, but then I remembered why I don't like that place, so much grease its yucky) Then because we were impromptu, we took him to the store and let him pick out his own gifts (with a few suggestions besides just star wars toys) He picked out a star wars ship, an action figure, a new auto spring light sabar and after about an hour plus of shopping we convinced him to get some real toys for boys his age, so we headed to the sporting goods department. He selected a sling shot with the help of dad. We took them home and Saturday afternoon Nicholas helped me wrap his own presents. Its a good thing he's 12 and didn't care. Later his bro' and sisters surprised him with a new BB gun, since his from Christmas was overly jammed beyond repair. So of all things said, he loves the star wars things but is most excited about his new sling shot!!!! I couldn't be happier that he likes those things as I remember how much fun we had with Nate's when we we're young. And I'm not concerned about him playing with them, just concerned that someone else if around them will loose an eye. So he's able practice when no one else is around. Others can observe when he becomes an accurate shot and responsible with them.

I love you Peanut and Happy Birthday from your Mommie, Dad, Sisters and Brother (and kick kick from Halli)

On a side note, stop growing up so fast! You're making me old.

I'll have to share more Birthday pics later. But enjoy the ones posted!

Why does Murphy always slap down his law?

Everything could be going OK. But my pal Murphy who lurks around every corner I come to turn, rears his ugly head again. I'm just kidding, some people say things happen for a reason I'm just trying to find out what that reason is most of the time.

So my Dr. is back in town. I'm tired of being with child, and I am ready to have this little one. Low and behold I caught a screaming head cold last week. Well over the weekend it reared itself into a chest cold and a small flu bug (maybe) Lets just day I cough so hard I puke and then I feel unsettled and puke so hard I cough. Darn the bad luck. Murphy take your laws and go pester someone else. Now I have to wait out the extra time until this bug goes away to have my little baby. I don't want her to get sick just as she makes her grand arrival. So here's to waiting out another week. And hopefully much as I had hoped she'd come early now I'm hoping she wont.

But much thanks to my sweet little family whose trying to be so understanding and loving. I can't tell you how hard it is not to kiss the ones you love when your sick. And how hard it is for them not to kiss me better. I realized more than ever how affectionate we truly are with one another. I'm very grateful for my family and the love they give to me (or in the case over the weekend the love they want to give me all the time)

Antelope Island

Because school is starting and we have the kids around a lot less than usual we took some good family time and spent the day at Antelope Island. Aside from a few hiccups we had a great day. It wasn't too hot but then again hotter then I enjoyed. We all got a little sunshine on our cheeks. Who would have thought. Here are some pictures for you to check out. The weather is going to cool down soon and we will move on to other outings. This was Michael's first time going to the island and I think for Eric and Emily too. Unfortunately Danielle wasn't with us. But Nicholas and I have been there several times before. Enjoy.

Its not her cell phone its her alarm clock

As of last week, we have been informed that this little princess could arrive at anytime!!! Yippie, is all I can say. We are scheduled to induce labor on the 25Th of Sept. (Ya, keep in mind Nicholas is not thrilled she's coming early) But really she could make her grand entrance at any time. I'm already preparing for her and my body as much as myself wouldn't mind sending her an eviction notice in the next week or so. Only a couple things to worry about, 1. my Dr. is out of town next weekend, I hope Murphy's law doesn't kick in, and 2. Auntie Char is hosting a shower for us and I'd hate to be in labor then. So much as I wish she would rise and shine early I have to try and wait until the 15Th. Then anything goes! I really wanted an Oct. baby but I'm not against another September baby at this point. I'm so over this pregnant thing.

Bu bye Summer

Yes! I am so excited to be getting into the Autumn season! I am so over Summer. Not that it has been terrible hot, just that I have been so restricted this last summer I am happy its all over. Besides fall is my favorite time of year! I love the colors, the coolness, the smells. Hmmm yes the smell of fall. I like the crackling of the leaves when they turn colors and start to fall to the ground. Reminds me of the childhood I dreamed of having. LOL. I should write a children's book to live vicariously through. I'm happy to report that our weekend in Park City went very well. It was nice to get away (even if it wasn't very far) It was still a vacation to me. Michael, Nicholas and Myself enjoyed every moment of it. From the food to the sights and to the shopping!!!! Of course due to the rainy weather we were limited in what we initially wanted to do but that just means that next time we will still have stuff on the agenda to follow up with. From the Olympic sights to the Alpine slide, coaster and zip line. And the next time we're there I'll be able to do those things and not be left out. So all in all it was a good way to close out a summer! We are now just preparing for fall and for baby! Both coming soon!

One word? Just one ?

Thanks Auntie Char. Hope you don't mind that I stole this from your blog!!!

I was told I could only type ONE Word to each question! Not as easy as you might think. It's really hard to only use one word answers.

1. Where is your cell phone? pocket
2. Where is your significant other? working
3. Your hair color? brown
4. Your mother? Bubblegum
5. Your father? comforting
6. Your favorite thing? serenity
7. Your dream last night? repeated
8. Your dream/goal? unknown
9. The room you're in? Office
10. Your hobby? Shopping
11. Your fear? FIRE
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Vacation
13. Where were you last night? Park
14. What you're not? Fake
15. One of your wish list items? BMW
16. Where you grew up? Utah
17. The last thing you did? Texted
18. What are you wearing? Stripes
19. Your TV? off
20. Your pet? Spouse?
21. Your computer? running
22. Your mood? Tired
23. Missing someone? Yes
24. Your car? Stolen
25. Something you're not wearing? earings
26. Favorite store? Nordstroms
27. Your summer? miserable
28. Love someone? fiercely
29. Your favorite color? Orange
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? weekend
32. Who you want to Tag? You.

Odds N Ends

ugh I'm so uncomfortable today. Could it be the crown burger from yesterday or the fact that my baby belly reaches places before I do? Only 8 weeks left. I don't know that I can make it that long. Ugh. Every once in awhile it seems that time goes by too quickly while at other times it just doesn't move fast enough. I'm caught between both scenerios. I have so much to get done before Halli arrives and feel like I have no time. I don't sleep, I can't sit still, can't clean enough or rest enough and on and on and on go the mumblings. There are still so many things I need to get to even be ready for her arrival and yet I know I'm not getting them done. Somethings I think will have to wait until after she gets here (poo-poo I'm pouting). I procrastinated thinking I'll see if I need it later. lol. Silly me. I wanted to have everything stocked and ready by Aug. 1st. And here I am just starting and its Aug. 5th already. Panic mode has started. Other people call it Nesting. Not for me its pure panic mode. Maybe I'm just getting ahead of myself. I like things to e organized and ready and waiting unfortunately life takes over and doesn't always follow my idea or plans. Such as life I should say. I will eventually get it done. I'm giving myself the next 4 weeks to try to get what I can checked off my lists. So while I'm at it any suggestions for things that MUST be done before the baby arrives? My PBD (Pregnancy Brain damage) kicks in and I forget many things. LOL>

While the kids will play the mom will stay

Oh its a hot Monday and I'm stuck here at work while my cute little family is at ... Yes the place for cool refreshing water and fun... Cherry Hill!!! Oh, so sad. I wish I could be there too. So while Michael has his hands full of all 4 kids and the water park I figured the next best thing I could do was treat myself to a little crown burger. (Garden burger and onion rings) Yummy!!! So as they play and have fun, I will stay at work and try to enjoy yummy food instead! Ha ha ha. It really is a treat because I don't let myself eat there often. Its not exactly cheap food for fast food and its so bad for you!!! So cheers to all of us for something special on a Monday!

Memories light the corner of my mind

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! (And if you only know me through blogging, then leave your favorite post and why you keep coming back! :) )2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It’s actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don’t want to play on your blog, or if you don’t have a blog, I’ll leave my memory of you in my comments.

It's hot and I want to get wet too.

It's so hot and I want to go swimming. But given the situation w/ the outbreak of Crypto from last year and the few reported cases this year I can't get wet at the water parks or even in my own back yard this year. The kids really enjoy the pools and sprinklers and I can't join them. Needless to say I have been able to steer their activities in a different direction thus far. But that wont hold forever. Its summer. Bummer I hate that they will get to go have fun in the nice cool water and I'll be stuck on the sidelines baking. Nicholas is going to be home this summer for a week and I have to figure out where to take him on an overnight camp out and get him to some type of pool to splash around in. Otherwise I think he would be bored if he had to chill out in the house w/ his old mom. Michael and all the kids will eventually make it to the surf N swim (I'm sure, their going without me). They all seem to enjoy that place. While I'm more of a fan of Cherry hill. So here's to one hot passing summer that I have to just get through and let go of. Why is it that we only want to go do things when we know we can't? Next year maybe be better for water sports and fun for the whole family. Thanks to my family for putting up with our set backs. But I guess its like they say Good things come to those who wait. (wink wink)

Let's talk about the #1 subject of my excitement

umm, Hello this would be my little bundle in the oven. I never thought I would be doing this again. I was completely content with Nicholas and for years swore I didn't want another child. Who really wants to go through that again? Well that silly biological clock runs on its own energizer batteries. Yep needless to say 11 years later it started ticking. And right on the same time frame as it did with Nicholas. They shared the same original due date, ultrasounds were 11 years and 1 day difference, and they both made me super icky sick for months on end and uncomfortable to boot. So many things are the same and yet so many things are different. Nicholas obviously being a boy and this new bundle is a girl!!! I'd like to say that as for my dad and that side of the family(Monica, Nate and Allison) I kept the trend going, Boy first then girl (anything after is fair game). I really thought I wanted another boy, I was dead set against wanting a girl. Having to deal with bows and ruffles and pink and purple, dolls and princess things wasn't something that interested me. I really thought I'd prefer frogs and bugs and blue and red. Well now that I know its a girl I couldn't be happier and realize I didn't want anything other than her all along. Yes her closet is being filled with all the girly things you'd imagine. I'll give you the short story on her name because I think is pretty cool. At first we thought of the name Marissa. Michael fell in love with it. Then I went through a few maybes, sort of and what abouts. I wasn't sold on Marissa and seemed irritated when Michael referred to her as Marissa. So he suggested Alana. I liked the name but after about 2 days decided not for our little girl. Then I decided I loved the name Savannah. Well Michael didn't much care for it. So we went back and forth for a bit on Savannah Marissa or Marissa Savannah. To the point where I decided I really didn't like Marissa anymore (this was like the 5th time I decided it). I'm not one to just settle so I told my dear husband I couldn't name her something I didn't absolutely love. So we dropped the idea for a while. Then I got the news that my sweet grandpa had been rushed to the hospital suffering a stroke. (Now keep in mind I can't imagine my Grandpa not being here even though its selfish of me I begged him to stick around until this little one meets him ha ha , I love him so much and have a very special bond with him obviously.) So I went to the hospital to see him and had quite the conversation with him. When I got home that night it hit me. The perfect name for my little girl was inspired by my Grandpa. My Grandpa's name is Iowa Hall. Being that I can sometimes be creative I decided to take the -I- from Iowa (much as I love him I couldn't forward a name like that to my child, so I improvised) and added it to the end of Hall. Thus giving us the name Halli. I love my husband too very much and I didn't want hurt his wishes so I told him I thought we should call our baby Halli Marissa. He loved it. And decided that he could still refer to her as Marissa. So If that's what he'd like to do ok, but I'm glad that so far he's only been calling her Halli or his baby. lol. Now I have the perfect name and I'm expecting a perfect baby girl come October. I hope she comes on her due date the 2nd even if its highly unlikely. I am crossing my fingers that she doesn't completely follow step with her older brother Nicholas and come on the 28th Sept. I really would love an October baby. It's my favorite month of the year and favorite season too. The last of the warm and start of the cold and the brightest the leaves are before they fall. Until then I am growing in more than one way, ha ha. Mostly growing excited about this little one to arrive. I can't wait to hold her and let her little fingers and toes wrap around my finger. I can't wait to see her and I can't wait to be her MOMMIE!(**you will see mommy spelled this way a lot from me, its a special thing that Nicholas and I started back when we were changing the spellings of our names and such. It's as he says what makes us different from everyone else and that we are**) I will carry the special meaning with Halli too as her name is spelled unusual as well. We all are unique.

For all the great things I am... I was first a toe head

Enough said this is my first attempt at blogging. Believe me the title runs true.

I may talk myself up to being the great this or that but when it comes down to it I'm still just a toe head. (I say that because calling myself blond is dead give away and since I color my hair often no one would have guessed it.) I have no clue what half of the stuff in this blog set up means so, If the blogs don't work you can blame me. Just don't tell me about it. ha ha.

I figure if my bro. can do this so can I. (Oh wait he's in school learning this stuff and I'm not.) OK well if my other family members can do it so can I. (Oh wait they are in school learning it too or know someone who already knew it.) Where is my trustee husband when I need him? He always does things for me that I can't or don't want to or just wont do. hmmm. Michael?????? Wanna do this?

Check, Check, Test-Test is this thing on?