Cute pics...what else?

Here is Lily looking at her pretty self!

Here she is before Church last Sunday . This is the dress we bought the day we knew she was a little girl!
I think she should try out for American Idol! What do you think?


Anything in my mouth! AWESOME!

How was your Christmas?

Did everyone have a good Christmas? I hope so!
We had our own little Christmas here on Christmas Eve morning. We opened presents at 3:30 in the morning, because we were all awake! Can anyone beat that?
We went to Vegas on Christmas Eve and came back Christmas night. Lily and I have both been fighting colds since then and hope we are on the mend!
Here we are at 3:30 opening presents! Don't mind my beautifulness!




Here is Lily on our way to Vegas. Isn't she cute?
Here she is on Christmas morning staring at her favorite present...it lights up, sings songs, says Good Morning and Good Night in three languages, and can fit in her mouth! What more could a 4 month old want?

Christmas Card

If you read this on Google Reader, then you won't see my Christmas Card to you...so come check it out!
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Some pictures....too tired to write words!

Here are some pics of our little goober.


Here is Rob making our beautiful Gingerbread house!
Here she is trying to roll over!
Here she is kicking it on the couch and drooling all over herself, as you can see!
Here we are at our Ward Christmas Party.

Thoughts About Birth

I read a blog about natural childbirth and I had to share my views on the opposing end of the spectrum.
I am in favor of epidurals and childbirth in hospitals. Here is my thoughts on why--you can agree or disagree, but I have to share my point of view. I am not trying to "justify" my choice at all. I am just sharing my experience.

1. My husband watched me endure enough pain. My husband has watched me endure many physical trials in our marriage--miscarriages, kidney stones, gall stones, surgery, and labor included. I did not feel that he needed to watch me endure any more. It almost killed him to watch me in as much pain as I was in already.
   
2. My labor was 40 hours long. I was in labor for 30 hours at home. I was in labor for 32 hours before I got my epidural. I was so exhausted by the time I got the epidural, that I was not mentally there. I wanted to be mentally present for the birth of my child.
   
3. I was able to rest before I gave birth. After the epidural I was able to rest, have a sweet discussion with my husband about what a great thing we were doing, and mentally prepare myself. If I had been in pain straight through, I would have not been able to rest or appreciate what I was doing or how great this was.
   
4. The birth of my child was a very spiritual experience. I felt fully present for the birth of my child. I was way more concerned about her, about how she was doing, about how blessed we were. My thoughts did not center on "getting through" this experience and toughing it out. I felt the heavens open when she came into my life. In my experience, being in less pain made it more spiritual because I was more open to promptings and not so worried about the pain I was in. I have heard other people insinuate that having a natural childbirth makes it more spiritual. I am not saying one way is more spiritual than another, but for me, my experience was a literal opening into heaven.
   
5. I was not going to take any chances if anything went wrong. I have a sister and a nephew who may not be here if they had not been in a hospital with all medical advances in the world available to them. That is pretty sobering. I also had two miscarriages and had some other complications, and was not going to take any more chances. I wanted every medical advance available to me in case something did go wrong.
   
6. My doctor, nurses, and my whole birthing experience was great for me. My mom was able to be there holding my hand and encouraging me right as I was pushing my daughter into the world. My doctor encouraged me and gave me such great support. My husband was there and supporting me. I wanted the experience to be about my baby coming into the world, and not about helping me to "get through" this experience. Everyone was very encouraging and supportive. But, we were all focused on this sweet little spirit, and not worried about me and how much pain I was in.
   

Now, you can agree or disagree. I am definitely not saying one way is better than another. I am saying, that for me, what I did was right. I am still a good mom. I still had a wonderful birthing experience. I don't think that women who have natural childbirths are better moms, women, or laborers than those who use medical advances to help them through labor and childbirth.
Women used to die from childbirth, and I think that not taking advantage of the medical advances available is a tough choice to make.

I am sorry if this sounds preachy, but I had to get my thoughts out there! Agree or disagree, we all have our own opinions.

December! I can't believe it!

Does anyone else think it is crazy it is almost December?
We stayed here and had our own little Thanksgiving dinner with Rob's friend from school and his wife. It was very fun. I cooked a turkey, stuffing, homemade rolls, spinach salad, relish tray. It was very fun! I was very proud of myself for my beautiful turkey!






This is Lily's crazy hair after a bath.


These are my beautiful flowers from my husband....just because.
This is Lily kind of sitting up on her own----a little bit leaning but pretty good!

Here is our tree....a real one....Rob insists!

These are our cute stockings we just bought! I love them. They make me very happy.