Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time

I honestly can't believe Christmas is on Friday!! It's so funny how when you're a kid the month of December just seems to drag on and on, now it's like I blink and December is over! It's been a fun one though! We've had lots of fun Christmas parties. My Grandma Betty had us all to the Little America brunch to celebrate, then threw her traditional sugar cookie party for her great grandkids. Sara didn't do much decorating...Then Ryan and I went to our first Christmas party with Cottonwood Title last week, and I got together with my girlfriends for our little Christmas dinner and gift exchange. I always love seeing these two- it's going to be sad when Lisa moves to Seattle :( I'm going to miss you Lis!

We also had the annual Walker Christmas party on Friday night where Santa comes and hears what all the kids want for Christmas. Sara is always talking about Santa, but apparantly didn't like sitting on his lap too much... We've been meaning to go to the lights at Temple Square, but haven't really gotten around to it. So, the other night we drove through the Layton City Park lights. Sara really loved it, so we'll have to try and get to Temple Square sometime this week. We also have my parents party on Wednesday, Ryan's Grandma's and Mom's on Christmas Eve, then it's Christmas! So crazy! I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas!!

Festival of Trees

This last weekend Ryan and I thought we'd take one of our first outings as a family of four and go to the Festival of Trees.It's been a tradition of ours for a few years now and we didn't want to skip a year, so we packed up the girls and headed down for our first little Christmas experience with the four of us.So far having two kids has been great! Everyone warned me that it's going to be "a lot harder with two" but when you have two little angels, it's not too hard at all. Della never cries, and Sara has always been such a good girl, sure- she has her moments, but for the most part she's super easy. So just looking forward to celebrating the Christmas season with our family of four.

Meet Della

Della May Goodrich was born at 7:30 a.m. on November 25th. She weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. It all started at about 4:30 in the morning when I felt my first contraction. I definitely knew the feeling, but didn't get my next one 'til 10 minutes later and the doctors always say don't come in 'til they're at 3-5 minutes apart and very consistent, so I thought it was going to be a while. So, they were coming every 10 minutes 'til 5:00 and I thought I'd get up and walk around maybe get something to eat and watch TV to get my mind of them. Well, as soon as I got up and walked to the kitchen then next one was 4 minutes later and strong. I was thinking to myself, "should they hurt this bad this early?" So, I made myself some breakfast while they kept coming strong every 4 minutes. It was only 5:15 but I thought I better pack our last minute things just in case this was it. As I was pulling out our bag, Ryan woke up and asked "is it time?" and I just nodded my head saying "I think so."

So, we got Sara and headed to the hospital. I couldn't believe we were going to the hospital when my contractions had only been regular and 4 minutes apart for like 30 minutes. But they were so bad! They continued the whole way there and just kept getting a little worse, I didn't think we were going to make it to Ryan's parent's to drop of Sara so we had his dad meet us at the hospital. As I was signing in, the nurses were looking at me kind of funny, and asking "has your water broke or anything?" probably because I haven't been having contractions for very long, and labor usually takes hours. (one nurse actually admitted later she thought they were going to send me home 'cause she didn't think I was in true labor)

So, they got me in a room and just kept asking me questions, not really acting too concerned while I was just in this agonizing pain! Finally they checked me and said I was dilated to a 7. As soon as they realized how far I was they called 2 more nurses in the room and got the bed ready, called the doctor and anesthesiologist. I was worried I wasn't going to get the epidural in time, but he showed up pretty quick and gave me the kind that is supposed to work faster. It really started working instantly. I was an 8 by the time I got it, then a 9 the first time the doctor checked me. He said he'd be back in 10 minutes to check me again, and by that time I was ready to go, and it was time to start pushing!

One push later and Della was here. Ryan started saying "It's a girl!" I really didn't believe him I had been so convinced my entire pregnancy that it was a boy. I said "No way." He said, "Look!" So I really had to look and see for myself that we had a girl. I couldn't be more excited about it, even though I was sure it was a boy, I wanted a girl. Just because she and Sara are going to be so close together, I thought it'd be fun if they were both girls. And we also have everything girl, so I can use a lot of Sara's stuff for Della.

We couldn't believe how much Della looked like Sara. She seriously looked just like Sara when she was born. But it's funny, now that she's home and a week older, she doesn't look like Sara quite as much. She kind of has her own little look that I love.

I haven't been real good at taking pictures since she's been home just because she's been in those lights. But, now she's out, so hopefully I'll be better at taking more. I can't even explain how much joy these girls bring to my life. Ryan and I couldn't be happier right now and are loving being parents of two. There really is nothing better than having a newborn in the house. Good thing this isn't my last! 'Cause it's going to be sad when that day comes. So, I'm going to enjoy every minute while I can!

and then there were four...

Well, it's almost 7:00 a.m. and I've been up since 2:00 just keeping an eye on Della, so I'm gonna make this brief. Just wanted to post a few pics of our newest addition. More pictures and the hospital story to come...The reason I'm up at these hours is not because of a crying baby, but because our baby has to be on the bilirubon lights as much as possible and she can't be in them unless someone is awake and watching her at all times. We want her to get better as soon as possible and the doctor asked that we keep her on them all night, so... here I am. The main reason I need to stay up to watch her is to make sure those little goggles don't come off, it was so sad putting them on her for the first time, but once we got her under the warm lights she didn't seem to mind it at all. And here is the meeting of Sara and Della for the first time...To be honest, I wasn't sure how Sara was going to react- but as you can see in the pictures, she was absolutely ecstatic! She kept giving her kisses and little pats and just saying "Baby? Baby?" over and over. We thought things might change once we got home, but she still loves Della just as much as that first day. If we're ever going anywhere she gets all frantic saying "Baby? Baby?" and we have to show her that the baby is coming with us so she'll relax. Every morning that's usually the first or second word out of her mouth, and she's already learned how to say "hold" or "hoe?" when she wants to hold the baby, and sits down wherever she is with her arms out, 'cause she knows she has to be sitting to hold her. She already knows that Della means the same thing as the Baby, but when we tried to teach her how to say Della it sounded a lot like Dada so... I guess we'll stick with Baby for now.It has been so much fun with these two girlies. I just love them both so much!!! I know they're only 16 months apart but even if I could choose I wouldn't have waited any longer. I know Della was supposed to join our family right now, and not later. So far she's been an angel, lights and all. Let's just hope it stays that way :)

9 MONTHS

I can't believe 9 months is already here! It does feel like I've been pregnant forever, but it's probably just because I was pregnant with Sara not too long ago. But I must say, this pregnancy has flown by! I mean, everyone keeps asking me, "Are you ready for that baby to come out?" and surprisingly the answer has always been "No, not yet!" Just because I first wanted to make sure we were in a home/house. Now that we're in one, I need to make sure everything is settled and ready for a baby- (just trying to get all the clothes washed and room set up now), then of course I can't have this baby before New Moon! Ha ha just kidding, but I really do have tickets for this weekend and am planning on going to see it Saturday. Then, my Mom is going out of town Thanksgiving weekend and so I either want to have the baby before she goes, or wait 'til she gets back! Then I think it will finally be alright for little Landon or Della to join us :) Although I'll be happy to take him/her whenever! I had a doctor appt. last Thursday and was actually dilated to a 3 and 70% effaced! I was a 3 when I went into labor with Sara- so, I thought that was pretty crazy. My doctor said I definitely won't make it to my due date, which is just fine with me! So that's my little pregnancy update! Ryan and I are finally homeowners, well- I guess technically this is the second time we've owned a home since we bought our condo, but this is the first time we've owned a house! It really is so so crazy! But we are both loving it! I'll try and update again before the new babe gets here, until then I'll just be running around trying to get things done!

Halloween Festivities

Well, our Halloween weekend was quite exciting. I started it out by attending the Halloween parade at TJ's school on Thursday. Sara and I got dressed in our Halloween attire and went to see Sponge Bob Square Pants march around the cafeteria to "Ghost Busters" music. Sara was loving all the kids in their costumes.Then Friday was the big Halloween Party at Ryan's parent's house. They usually throw one every year and everyone is supposed to dress up. Then we have a best costume competition.Ryan actually almost won! It was a tie between him and Riley, so they rock-paper-scissored for the prize, but Riley won. Here we have the Bumble Bee, Fairy and Present...all homemade costumes- although I can't take credit for Sara's. My cute sister-in-law Whitney made her the skirt and wings. They turned out SO cute!Then Saturday was Halloween! We made sure Sara got all rested for the big night- even though she really only went trick-or-treating to two houses. But she sure looked cute in her fishy costume!So it was another successful Halloween. Can't wait 'til our kids are a little older and will be bringing home bags full of candy. I'll just have to keep stealing TJ's until then. Hope everyone else had a Happy Happy Halloween!

Traditional Halloween Friends Trip to Bear

As some of you know, we have a tradition of having all our friends up to Bear Lake for a Halloween party. Some of you may not know how long it's beeen going on. Well, Ryan claims that he and Ty started it right when Ty got off his mission or maybe even before that- but that was before they started inviting their girlfriends, I started going as soon as that tradition started and haven't missed a trip yet. Last weekend was our 5th year! I think the only other couple that has made it every single year is Kelly and Melissa, and hopefully we can keep it going!

2005

2006

20072008 2009We have a few traditions to go along with our Halloween weekend. We always carve pumpkins Saturday night, sometimes watch a scary movie, tell scary stories and try to play the Dare Game. We choose a dare and whoever picks up the Ace of Spades has to complete the dare. There have been some good ones! Kelly, Ryan, Melissa H and Melissa E have all had to jump in the lake (keep in mind it's freezing this time of year). Melissa E had to try and eat a tablespoon of cinnamon and Melissa H has had to walk through the graveyard. Every year it seems more and more people wuss out when it comes time to play though...

Still, it's always fun to get everyone together and celebrate Halloween!