Happy Birthday Oaklie!

Our sweet little baby girl, Oaklie, was born happy and healthy last Friday.  She was born the day before Dallas was supposed to leave for Boise for training, so her coming early was definately a tender mercy for us, because once they established that I was in labor, she was born three hours later, not exactly enough time to drive home from Boise!  The labor and delivery was AMAZING, it couldn't have gone better.  My epidural actually worked this time and it was fabulous--I dialated from a 6 to a 10 while I was taking a cat nap!

The previous evening, my mother-in-law talked me into taking castor oil (and I'm very glad she did).  Turned out you only need to take 2 oz to induce labor, I took 8 oz (only swallowed about 6) while I was pregnant with Amaya and I'd already take 4 oz twice with Oaklie--and none of them actually put me into labor.  So, I was skeptical that it actually would work this time, but I guess the fourth time's a charm.  We went to Tyson and Meagan's that night and got home and went to bed about 1:00 a.m.  At 2:30 a.m. I woke up having contractions, so Dallas and I ate toast, timed my contractions, and watched "Home Improvement" until 5:00 a.m., when we dropped Amaya off at Aunt Shacie's and headed to the hospital.  4 cm, only 1 more that I was on Monday, and after two hours, still no change.  However, Dr. Leavitt, being the wonderful man he is, decided to keep me at the hospital until I showed some sort of change, and at 12:30 p.m. we had success so they broke my water and I got my epidural and shortly after that she was born.  I was so grateful that Dallas had been able to be there--Dr. Leavitt let Dallas deliver Oaklie like he did Amaya and it was so special.  It's pretty amazing that she was able to go directly from God's hands to his.  When she was born I just cried and cried because I was so thankful she had come and was so healthy, and that Dallas had been able to be by my side for the whole thing!

At 6 pounds 12 ounces, she's quite a bit smaller than Amaya was! (Amaya was 7 lbs 9 oz).  Holding Oaklie is like holding a little china doll, so small, so perfect, and so sweet!

Brand New

Proud Daddy

Tired Mommy

Dallas is a pro at giving baby baths, he actually taught me how to bathe Amaya when we got home from the hospital with her.

Doesn't he do great work?

Our First Family Picture

Amaya was really happy to see us, but not very happy when Dad wanted her to hold the baby.  She had a rough couple of days, but she's really starting to warm up to Oaklie; this morning she helped me burp her and actually got a pretty good one out of her! Thankfully, I have two wonderful sisters that have been keeping Amaya happy and well taken care of while I'm recovering, and she's had lots of cousins to play with, but I'm looking forward to her coming home for good tonight (hopefully!), because I've missed my little redhead like crazy!

Dallas had to leave for Boise just a couple of hours after we checked out of the hospital, which was hard, but we were able to spend a little bit of time together as a family and take some pictures before he had to leave.  He'll be home for a few days in September before he leaves for good (on to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, then Iraq), so we're really looking forward to having some time together as a little family then.  Thankfully, my mom has been here to take awesome care of me while I recover, and I'm so glad to live close to her and to have such a great mom!

Oaklie is such a sweet little baby.  She hardly ever cries, loves to cuddle, is a great sleeper, and miraculously, she's been a good nurser so far! I'm so grateful to be able to be the mom to another one of Heavenly Father's daughters and we're so happy and proud to be able to say that we are the parents of TWO happy, healthy little girls.

Welcome to the family Oaklie! We love you!

My BIG Girl!

Amaya is getting SO big! I realized this morning that she's really not a baby anymore--she's a toddler! Amaya finally decided to get off her lazy little bottom and start walking, which is such a relief since this baby is coming soon! She's been crawling FOREVER (6 months) and she was so content that she had no interest in walking until the other day.  Above is a 5 second video clip of her taking off. 

Tomorrow I'm officially 37 weeks (YAY!) so we decided it was time to kick Amaya out of the crib since we're going to be using it soon, so we moved her to her "Big Girl Bed" aka a toddler bed.  I think it's so cute, it looks like the beds the elves would sleep in at Santa's workshop :)

Amaya loves climbing up and down of her bed.  We've definately had some sleepless nights and napless days trying to get her acclimated, but I think it's starting to pay off because she's been sleeping much better lately.

And for good measure, here's a picture of Oaklie's bed

 

Yes, the bedding was free.  Gotta love hand-me-downs! :)

Tomorrow Dallas, Amaya, and I are heading down to Utah to see Dallas' mission president and his parents.  No, technically I'm not supposed to be traveling, but since I was induced with Amaya at 39 weeks, I think the chances of me going into labor on an overnight trip are pretty slim.

More pictures of our Utah trip to come! and hopefully some of our townhouse, if I can get it all ready in time for our baby to arrive.

Mini Picasso

Amaya LOVES to color with crayons, but look what I caught her doing earlier today!

She had eaten the tips off of four crayons! Get ready for some colorful diapers!

The Joys of Life

A couple of weeks ago Amaya and I went to Bear Lake for the Abrams Family Reunion.

(Dallas was in Boise again)

I didn't take a ton of pictures but in the one above you can see the lake behind the house we stayed in.

Amaya passed out after a swim in the lake.

On Friday, Amaya turned

ONE!

How did this happen?!?!

I still can't believe my little girl went from this:

to this:

in what seemed like the blink of an eye! Doesn't she look so old in this picture? She was so proud that she could sit up on there all by herself!

Amaya and I drove to Boise so we could see Dallas for her birthday party!

Amaya gave Dallas a book she made all by herself that can been read if you click HERE!

(click on it, you know you want to read it)

Amaya took her present opening very seriously.  No diapers or clothes--all toys! Can you think of a better birthday than that?

Her very favorite present we saved for last--her first baby doll!

Amaya didn't waste any time giving her hugs and kisses and patting her back.  She's going to be such a good big sister!

I went into Amaya's room to check on her the other night and this is what I found:

Sound asleep, holding her doll's hand up to her mouth to kiss.  I love having a little girl, it is so fun!

We love you Amaya!

Amaya's birthday was a little bittersweet because we found out that a family we know, the Sullenger's, little girl past away that day.  (http://www.patrickandashley.blogspot.com/) A tragedy like this effects not only their family, but every family, because we all have a little girl that we love. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.  Preslee's death reminded me of the day we brought Amaya home from the hospital.  We were about to load her into the car in front of EIRMC and a lady came up to us and asked if she could see our baby. She told us that her uncle had passed away at the hospital the day before Amaya was born, and seeing our little baby was a reminder to her of life and the goodness of God.  We are so thankful we have had the opportunity to raise this beautiful child for the last year, and we are very grateful that she is part of our forever family and that our little family is continuing to grow. Life is not without challenges, but our blessings more than make up for them.

 

12 things we love about our 12 month old:

1. Her curly red hair.

2. The joy and excitement she always has for everything in life.

3. Her contagious smile and adorable laugh.

4. Watching her learn and grow every day.

5. Her love of bananas, hotdogs, candy, and juice.

6. Amaya's hugs and kisses.

7. The fact that she is kind and friendly to every person she meets.

8. Her babbling baby talk (BA! Jubajuba mamama!)

9. The closeness we feel to Heavenly Father when she is around.

10. Her adventurous attitude.

11. Amaya's unconditional love for everyone.

12. Her beauty, inside and out.

Also, guess who's turning 25 tomorrow?

Party Over Here

Last week we went down to Utah to visit Dallas' parents and they took us to a fun petting zoo at Thanksgiving Point.

After trying on the cowboy hats to prepare, Amaya was ready to ride.

At first she was a little tentative, but pretty soon she was riding solo and racing.  Pretty impressive for a girl who can't even walk yet.

"Don't worry Grandpa, I've got this."

But alas, all good things must come to an end.  Poor Amaya has seasonal allergies and being outside and around all the animals made her so sick.  It was sad because I'm sure she would have had tons more fun if she was feeling better. (This is probably my favorite picture of the bunch)

Dallas feeding the chickens

This poor animal was so pregnant she looked like she was about ready to pop, sitting in the 98 degree Utah weather.  I knew exactly how she felt. :)

Amaya and Dad feeding the goat.  Originally she tried to eat the corn, but after awhile she figured it out.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Abrams for a fun trip!

Dallas leaves tonight for Boise and will be gone for his (Jul 20) and Amaya's birthdays (Jul 16), so we had a double birthday bash at our house on Friday.

We had lots of fun racing these little 50s until our neighbor called the cops on us!

Dallas' cupcakes

Amaya's

It didn't take Amaya long to figure out the cake eating . . .

I couldn't get her to smile because she was so focused on her cupcake. :)

Thanks everybody for a fun party!

Saturday we had a barbecue with some of our family and set off fireworks

(not our fireworks, although they were pretty impressive)

It was really cool to have the 4th of July on a Sunday this year, although I bawled through the opening and closing hymn in Sacrament meeting.  These lyrics seem a little more personal than they used to.

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

. . .

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

It was wonderful to be able to attend church as a family and remember the many people who have sacrificed so much for us.  We are so blessed to live in our country where we can worship our Heavenly Father and raise our families in peace.

 

Today is the 4th of July softball tournament that Dallas plays in every year. Last year I was HUGELY pregnant and roasting in the hot sun and, what do you know? I'm pregnant again this year! What a fun tradition. :) Amaya and I snuck home for her to take an afternoon nap, but we're heading back out later to catch the final games.  So far they've won both of their softball games! Way to go!

Dallas hit a great triple this morning, but it's taking FOREVER for videos to load, so I'll have to put it up here later.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!