Meet Mariah!!

Quick stats:  Mariah Harper - named 12 hours after birth :)
 born 7 am 3/27/13
9 lbs 3 oz
21.25 inches long


WARNING: TMI, TMI . . .if you don't like birth stories, don't read ;)

Dave's grandma passed away on Saturday and we wanted to attend her funeral this Thursday (in Utah).  That being only 6 days before my due date, there was no way he could go unless the baby was here already.  So I moved up my weekly appt and got my membranes stripped (Terribly PAINFUL process!) Apparently I have a posterior cervix which means that just being checked is pretty difficult and uncomfortable, let alone being stripped.  I had been having light contractions all morning before the stripping and continued with light, irregular contractions all day.  I tried to walk and move quite a bit.  In fact, we walked to our local Wal-mart, which is about 2 miles round trip.  By the end of the walk I was very sore and having painful contractions fairly close together.  As soon as we got home, I didn't have another contraction for an hour.  They continued about hourly, and then were completely gone by the morning.  I was so sad and discouraged.  All those contractions and hope and nothing actually happened.  Plus, Dave was going to have to miss the funeral.  About 4 pm on Tuesday I started have some strong, real-feeling contractions.  They were irregular and some were spread out 10-15 mins, but they felt very strong.  Throughout the evening I was wondering if I was in real labor or not.  When it got to the point I could barely talk through them I figured it was real labor.  Jackson was so excited he couldn't sleep until after 10:30.  My cousin came to sleep at my house at 10:30 and we headed to the hospital.  My contractions slowed way down and spread apart, even though they were really strong still.   In triage, two different nurses had to work to check me. .  .I hadn't progressed at all since Monday... I was still a 3 +.  I was so discouraged!  I felt like it was going to be a labor like Jackson's.  Lots of pain and very little progress.  They let me stay for an hour to see if I progressed.  After this the contractions became very close together and strong.  I was shaking and in a lot of pain.  I was so discouraged and thought that if they sent me home I didn't know how I was going to do it, the contractions were so painful.   Luckily, an hour later, the cervix wasn't quite so posterior and I was at a 4+ so they admitted me.

I felt so relieved to be admitted and on my way to an epidural.  I had a sudden naseaous spell and threw up several times.  This has never happened during my labors, so it caught me off guard.  Then I started shaking (mostly during contractions) and couldn't stop.  My legs and arms and hands were just shaking out of control until I forced myself to relax before another contraction.  The epidural was heavenly as always!!  It was now 2:30 in the morning and I was desperate for sleep (for me and for Dave. . . I wanted him to have a good experience, too).  My blood pressure kept dropping sending off the alarms on my machine.  So every 10 minutes I would be woken up.  Then my water broke (also a first for me) and I was checked to be at a 5 dilation.   I was light headed and naseated.   I then started getting a bit panicky or nervous about the baby coming.  Nervous about the pain and the pushing and meeting her.  I think all the junk running through my body contributed to the anxiety.  Finally, at 5:00 I felt the need to push and I was fully dilated.  However, my doctor was delivering a set of twins (pre-term) so I was not first priority and I held off for a couple of hours.  It wasn't hard or anything, I felt pressure during contractions, but didn't feel a strong need to push. I had been laying on my side and when I rolled onto my back, the baby was completely on my right side. . . in fact my belly button area was concave, my left side was completely empty and the right side was all baby.  It looked so funny!  I wish we would've gotten a picture.   Finally, around 6:40 the doctor came in and I started pushing.  My epidural was so strong I couldn't feel my legs and had a hard time telling how to push.  The baby was face up, so that made the pushing even a bit longer.  Even so, I pushed for about 20 minutes and out she came.   As soon as the doctor saw her he knew she was at least 9 pounds . . . sure enough she was 9 lbs 3 ounces and 21.25 inches long.  She had chubby cheeks and a double chin.  She cried a bit, but calmed down quickly too.  Also, he movement were not so frantic and wild as my other kids (which is what I experienced with her in the womb.  Her arms are not always flailing and she is able to be calm and even soothe herself.

I didn't tear or get an episiotomy.  The epidural wore off in 2 hours and I was able to walk and move.  I feel like I will recover quickly.   I only itched after the epidural for an hour and after eating I my nausea and headache went away and I started feeling great.  I am tired from not sleeping last night, but happy that I feel like this will be an easy recovery. 

She nursed and gulped lots of colostrum.  However, since she is so big, they have to measure her sugar levels every hour and she wasn't meeting the requirement, so we have to supplement with formula after feedings.  Even then she is dropping her sugar levels before the next feeding.  It is a bit of a concern so we are continuing to feed her formula.  She is going to continue to be a big baby I think.  Because of this problem, she still hasn't bathed, so we don't have a photo of her cute hair yet.



The kids came to see her at 1:00.  Hallie gave her so many hugs and kisses and would just leave her lips on the babies lips.  She kept saying, "baby come out!"   She just loves her SO much.  Jackson was equally in love, but shows it in a more mild way (thank goodness).  He wanted to hold her an feed her.  The baby didn't mind being squished and kissed by Hallie one bit and didn't complain about it at all.   She is a tough little girl. 



She has lots of dark hair, cute little nose and perfect everything.  I think although she has some features of my other kids, she has her own different look.  Her eyes look much darker and I wouldn't be surprised if they are brown soon.


I already feel so in love with her and can't imagine life without her (although just yesterday I couldn't imagine life WITH her :) )

Way behind...

At end of my pregnancies I just feel so lazy . . . and yet anxious.  I sometimes forget about living in the here and now.  I haven't taken many photos in the past few months, but I will catch up to the present with a few photos and some journaling.  Then at least I'll be prepared to blog about the new arrival!!

We took a trip to Utah in early February to go through the temple with Marcie (mission call to Kennewick, WA) and say goodbyes to Melinda (headed to Ukraine Donetsk mission - Russian speaking).  We had a great time in the snow and being with family.   Unfortunately, the only photo we got was with Dave and the kids playing outside.  I just love AZ and didn't have any desire to play around in the snow.  The kids loved it though!

In February, I got my AmEx rewards . . . and I went on a shopping spree through Costco.  It was very exciting for me :).   I got all of this pictured, plus two packs of socks for the kids (the were wearing them already).  I understand there are plenty of people who swear by the envelope or cash form of budgeting, but I just can't understand why you wouldn't take advantage of earning rewards, cash and free things just by swiping a card (which is so much easier to boot!)  Anyway, getting a Costco gift card is a dream of mine, so this was a close 2nd.  

 Here we have Hallie in all her messy hair glory.  She loves to climb into my bed and read books, pictures or not, she loves to turn pages and read.   I love that she poured through my scriptures for 15 mins one day!

 Here is our one photo of V-day.  Hallie made sugar cookies at a neighborhood party while Jackson had a Valentine's day party at school.  Dave and I made steak and twice baked potatoes and for our 'date' put our kids in front of a show so we could eat dinner 'alone' for a half hour.  Pretty romantic, eh?

 Dave's mom came to visit us in February.  It was just perfect weather for showing off our new residence.  I think she may just come back every February for the entire month!  It is gorgeous here!

 The Mesa temple and the grounds are beautiful.  We are glad to have a temple so close and another one opening up before next year!

 The cactus garden at the temple.  Who knew there were some many different kinds of cactus?

 We were going to hike to the 'A' for a family activity and then when we got there, Dave's mom realized she had bad knees and I realized I was 8 months pregnant and we ditched out.  Dave still had to drag 2 little ones up to show them the A.  Hallie is hiding behind the trees, but she did NOT want daddy and Jacks to leave her!

While my mother-in-law was here, we decided to pull out a sewing machine I bought at a garage sale for $5 to see if it worked.  It did, in fact, work and we went to get some things I would need if I ever actually wanted to USE the machine.  I knew if I didn't try to do a project or something, I would never actually learn to use the machine.  So right at the store, I pulled up a pin that I had recently pinned on pinterest and we bought what we needed to make these awesome baby carriers.  I had enough material left to make 5 of them, plus this gave me lots of practice with sewing, threading, doing a bobbin, making a button hole, etc.  Thank goodness my mom was there to guide me through it because I know I would have thrown my hands up and given up (those are always my thoughts when I am sewing!) but she helped me finish and then I finished 4 more in the next few days.  It does give a sense of accomplishment to complete a project!  I think including the cost of the sewing machine, it was about $30 to make 5 of these.  If you have a little girl with a birthday party coming up, you might be receiving one!

 Friends from my old ward and also friends from my new ward planned a meal out and threw me a couple of 'showers' for our new baby.  It is so nice to be thought of.  I love that just because it is baby #3 doesn't mean she is forgotten or loved less.  I had a great time eating out with them!   and talking and talking as only girls can!

Finally, St. Patrick's Day.  Jackson reminded me that a leprechaun had visited at his cousins house last year and wondered if he would come again (his memory is amazing).  So, he did visit with a yarn maze and a message.  Jackson was thrilled with reading the words pinned to the yarn.  Hallie just loves tagging along, too.  They found a pot of gold with skittles rainbow just inside our doggie door where the leprechaun must have snuck in. 

I just hit full term on my pregnancy and I am feeling it.  Just last week I thought 'this isn't so bad, I can handle it', but every second of the last few days have been 'unbearable'.  I remember now why I complain so terribly about the last 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. . .. it is miserable!  I can't sleep or get comfortable in any position- sitting, standing, laying, etc. Heartburn is rampant.  I can't bend down (which is what a mother of 2 toddlers does ALL DAY LONG).  I don't want to move at all.  It is in the 90s here and I am still wearing compression stockings that are making me itch always.  None of my maternity clothes cover my belly anymore.   All that being said, I probably don't have room to complain since I have not gained nearly as much weight as previous pregnancies, nor  do I have the back/tailbone pain of the past.  I should just be thankful for what I have.  Mostly, I am, but I think this may be God's way of pushing a woman to the point of wanting the baby out more than in . . . regardless of the pain of labor, delivery, and recovery, sleepless nights, soreness of nursing or other consequences of having a newborn.   I think I am to that point now . . .if only we had a  name!  I can't wait to meet this little one!

Resolutions?

I love new years resolutions.  I love goal setting and reaching my goals.  I love the feeling of accomplishment when I check things off my list.  However, this year, resolutions were very difficult.  I am not working out because I don't have a gym membership and I can't run, so setting a workout goal was not an option (nor do I really want to).  Typically, a physical goal is a top priority so I was missing this.  We have discussed and planned our finances a lot since buying a house, so again, not really an option to set new financial goals.  I am out of energy and feel like having a baby makes so many things 'unknown' so I felt like it was difficult to set any other social or family goals.

Anyway, in my search to find fulfillment in setting and reaching goals, I remembered a friend of my who is doing a 101 goals in 1001 days.  Since it is such a long period of time, I could set goals now, to be accomplished at a much later date.  Also, I could start working on projects to finish much later.  Plus, there is a million things piling up that I need motivation to do, so starting this list was therapeutic for me.

I started on Jan 20, so I will end on Oct 18, 2015.  I am missing a couple of goals because I thought I could add some come next year :)   I realize some of these are out of my control (Witness a miracle, Add another best friend) and others are lofty, but I think that by having them in mind, I am more likely to accomplish them. 

1 Hire a photographer & take family photos outdoors

2 Read 50 adult books

3 Visit 20 temples

4 Print blog into a book

5 Make 72 hours kits

6 Make a list of food storage needs

7 Decorate a room!!

8 Vacation with just Dave

9 Do an online class (relicense for teaching?) - work on ECE license

10 Go on a mommy/kid date with each kid

11 Finish Wedding album

12 Put important document in one place for emergencies

13 Watch 25 movies I've never seen

14 Try a different hair style

15 Go a month without sugar

16 Go skiing

17 Treat both sets of parents to dinner

18 Write and send $ to sisters on a mission

19 Send birthday cards to people who are important to me 

20 Send Christmas cards before Dec 12

21 Have 24 Date Nights

22 Make dinner for someone in need

23 Go camping

24 Go to a drive in

25 Plant an herb garden

26 Make a recipe book of my favorites

27 Try 50 new recipes

28 Ride the tracks/frontrunner from the airport

29 Ride the light rail in phx

30 Fingerpaint with the kids

31 Buy a full outfit for myself complete with accessories

32 Plan halloween costumes before October 20th

33 Visit AMY in Mesa

34 Fly to New York

35 Visit Florida

36 Visit 3 places I've never been

37 Refinish baseboards in our house

38 Run 3 races

39 Complete a triathlon

40 Complete personal history (on blog) and print

41 Make lunch for Dave and leave a note in it

42 Go on a trip with friends

43 Have people over for FHE 3 times

44 Get a massage

45 Make sushi

46 Go to a new Hawaiian beach/island

47 Take the kids bowling

48 Buy a new table set

49 Add a new best friend

50 Print 1st year scrapbooks for Hallie and #3

51 Freeze 40 meals 

52 Sew something

53 Wash all the blinds in the house

54 Attend Gilbert open house and dedication

55 Buy a van

56 Do 12 on the 12th photo collage for a year

57 Finish and publish '365 activities to do with a baby' 

58 Do a good deed for a complete stranger

59 Refinish bunk beds

60 Sew a quilt for new baby

61 Learn 5 new songs on the Organ

62 Teach Jackson to read

63 Teach co-op preschool for Hallie (3 year old)

64 Hike Camelback

65 Picnic at Papago Park

66 Go to Hot Air balloon show in NM or Glendale

67 Digitize my parents photo archives

68 Make my own laundry detergent

69 Read 1000 different books to Hallie

70 Read 1000 different books to Jackson

71 Get a mother's necklace

72 Have a technology free weekend

73 See the Grand Canyon

74 Complete 15 activities pinned to pinterest

75 Eat at 5 new restaurants

76 Volunteer in Jackson's class

77 Plan a party for Hallie's 3 year old

78 Find the perfect gift for Dave

79 Make photo calendars for MIL and Mom before Dec

80 Visit all 3 great-grandmas with a plan to do something specific with them

81 Learn to fix-it myself (complete a project on our house/car/etc)

82 Stay within all budgets 3 seperate months

83 Play tennis

84 Plan a fun group date

85 Throw out clothes I haven't worn in over 2 years

86 Only buy clothes I LOVE

87 Take a community photography class/course

88 Complete and print 2012 scrapbook

89 Make a travel photo album (double page spread per travel destination)

90 Pray uninterrupted for 15 mins once a month

91 Read the BoM - with a study guide

92 Read Japanese BoM - all of 1 Nephi

93 Contact an old friend 

94 Witness a miracle

95 Hike Havasupai

96 Have a gospel centered conversation with a someone who is not LDS

97 create a family mission statement & display in home

98

99

100 save one dollar for every item completed (Splurge on something)

101 Make a new list when this one is done

Here's what I'd like to accomplish .  . . what do you hope to do in the next 3 years?

This week

US Airways offered all its employees free entrance to the children's museum this month so we took advantage.  The kids loved it as always.  Jackson really likes this mini ice cream stand where you dish out balls into foam cones.  Hallie was scared and hesitant at first, but eventually ventured out and enjoyed herself.  She likes having Jackson around.

We had a family date night including games, ice cream sundaes and a movie, Brave.  FYI: Brave is SCARY!!  with bears fighting and the mom turning INTO A bear!!  This was not a good choice for a very sensitive little guy.  We just cannot find any G rated movies to watch together.

It rained on Saturday in AZ . . .ALL DAY!  It was definitely a rare sight.  I don't think I've seen rain here since July.  This being the first rain in our new house, we discovered that we get puddles all over our yard.  The kids loved playing in it.

Hallie enters the 'terrific twos"

Hallie turned 2 on January 6th.  She ate her favorite meal and what she will ALWAYS ask for . . . EGGS for breakfast.  

We had church and she had a melt down so she spent the rest of the day on our laps (both Dave and I were teaching, so we were worried, but she sat on my lap without moving or talking so it was fine to teach the 6 years olds with her.

Hallie got a kitchen and a cookie set for her gifts.  The hats and aprons were gifts from my mom for Christmas.  They fit right in.  My mom also gave her the jogging suit in the photo.  She had one from Rich and Ashley when she was younger so I love that she has another one now.  

The hardest part  of her birthday was getting Jackson to let Hallie open the gift and play with them  (or at least get the first chance to play with it). 

We had a little party with cake with 2 of her friends that she loves to hug and tackle, Luke and Tanner.  They are actually much younger than her  . . . "all the better to attack them :)"  I think she had a great day.  

At her 2 year check up she was 30.8 lbs (90%)

35.75 inches (90%)

She is our happy, sweet, loving girl.  She loves to laugh and when she thinks something is funny, she will laugh and try to get Jackson going with her.  They can laugh and laugh for a long time.  

When someone is sad or crying, Hallie will try to hug and give kisses and try to make it better.  Jackson was crying because he got his blankie taken and she gave hers to him (even though he got it taken for being mean to Hallie).  

She gets pretty stubborn and will say NO to everything, including candy, treats, games, etc.  She will get her mind set!  Anytime Jackson say mine about anything, she will get riled up and start arguing right back that it is hers.  Unfortunately, this makes Jackson more likely to tease her.  

She loves to read books and can entertain herself for nearly an hour looking through books.  My favorite is how she imitates the looks of the characters in the books or finds something funny and gets antsy in anticipation of that page and picture. 

She uses 3-7 word sentences not and her language is really developing.  She is able to say "baby-sitter" and other long words very clearly, but still struggles with Thank you (gank, gank) and Jackson (Dax).

She LOVES the 'new baby' and will randomly give my belly kisses and pats.  She is so excited for a baby in the house. 

Hallie loves sitting on the potty, but has yet to succeed in actually going.  She is very aware of when she fills her diapers and will let us know it is time to change her. 

I just love this girl.  She adds so much happiness and joy to our family.  She is loving and cuddly.  Jackson and her have a special relationship.  She misses him ALWAYS when he is gone.  

We are so happy she is in our family. 

The winner of our family tie is . . .

The GIRLS!!  Baby #3 was found to be a healthy, active baby girl.  Both daddy and I were thinking it was a boy, so we have to re-adjust our thinking and quickly come up with a suitable name.   We spent a good 30 minutes staring at images of this little one moving around in my tummy.  A 28 week ultrasound makes it so much easier to make out images and visuals of the baby.  It didn't hurt that the baby was head up and face out (lets hope she turns downward in the next month).  Both kids are thrilled and so are we!  I can't believe how close we are getting to having her join our family!

Christmas 2012

Enjoying the activities and carousel at Bass Pro Shoppe.  Hallie warmed up to riding the deer and then loved it.





Before Christmas, we did basically every Christmas tradition we could think of: Temple Lights, Gingerbread trees, Lights on the street, movies, books, hot chocolate, Ward Parties, etc.  We had a great season and both kids were old enough to enjoy.  Except Hallie did NOT like to sit on Santa.  The concept of Santa was thrilling and she loves to see photos or books, but the actual man scared her to death and she would beg for moms lap.  Jackson changed his wish list from a "woody" action figure to a giant dinosaur (because he played with one at a friend's house).  This sent us on a last minute chase for the 'perfect' gift and how to get it up to Utah.  Watch the final video to see what he ended up with.  It was a hit!

We were still waiting for an empty flight on Sunday, but we got to go to church in our own ward and dress the kids up a bit.  Hallie found a necklace in my jewelry box and even though it was an expensive one I thought, "Someone should wear this, since I don't!"  She kept it on for all of church along with her headband!

We made a flight to Utah on Christmas Eve morning right before the white Christmas blew threw.  We had a wonderful Christmas morning (bright and early . . .like at 4:30 am!)  

Hallie was in heaven!  She got a doll that she gets to change her diaper, abby cadaby doll, dress ups, blanket, books, slippers, and outfit, jammies, etc.  She loved every gift (except the scary one Jackson got).

 

Here is when Jackson finally actually receives his giant dinosaur..  He was one happy little kid!

 

Jackson was pretty excited about most presents.  This is how he acted about a thomas the train lego set.  Pretty easy to please (although the Toy Story 3 movie was tossed aside without a second thought . . .)

Jackson got a book of Mormon at Church in Sunbeams.  He already has one (he got when he was 2 1/2) so he decided to give it to Hallie.  I know this is young to get a full version of the Book of Mormon, but both kids love to open the book up and pretend to read and they repeat what Dave and I say.  She is pretty excited for a book full of words :) 

Dave got a Laptop and I got a new phone (but get to keep my number! YAY for a data plan!!)  and a Chi straightener.  We had a most enjoyable and Merry Christmas!