Pretty Girl

Here are some pictures of my pretty girl in her first few months of life. When people ask me about her I am almost speechless. She is so wonderful and such a blessing I can't put words to it. It usually just comes out as "Well, I adore her." She sleeps through the night (something we are still working on with Ethan!) Her second night she slept a solid 5 hours and has done at least that each night since. She is a happy girl and always smiling. She waits patiently until I can help her. Not to mention she is gorgeous. She is a very bright spot in my life, all of our lives, and what can I say--I adore her. 

We ALL love her!!

Craig's parents were able to come out when she was born which was a wonderful help. I love that she smiled for the picture--at only a week old!

What can I say? Gorgeous.

Shanandoah National Park at Fall

Elizabeth's first big outing was to Shenandoah National park for a little hike along the Appalachian trail. We wanted to enjoy the fall colors while "MeMa" was visiting.

So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Craig's sister Wendy and her family were able to join us for the big turkey fest (which took place a day after Ethan's birthday so we had lots of celebrating to do!) Unfortunatley the only picture we got that day was of this exciting scene....looking at the news paper adds for our big shopping the next day!  However, despite the commercialism that obviously was a part of our day, we were also able to sit back and think of some of our blessings.

The Sunday before Thanksgiving a friend in church gave a talk that touched me. In it she mentioned a scripture that I had not really considered before. Philippians 4:11 "...For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." It pushed me to consider my own state and what he meant by "content". I don't think it is possible to be bubbling over with happiness at every moment, but it is possible to be content with life and with our situation, whatever it may be. I think part the trick to this is appreciating small moments of happiness. I also think contentment comes from realizing the bigger picture--or keeping an accurate perspective of life and what is truly important--and realizing that things are not over yet. I love Gordon B. Hinckley's quote "Things will work out in the end. If they haven't worked out, it's not the end." When I think of Paul writing this epistle to the Philippians I can't help but consider all that Paul endured--yet he learned to be content. Just some thoughts I have been considering lately.

As for this Thanksgiving and our learning to be content--we have much to be thankful for this year:

The beautiful blessing of our precious baby Elizabeth
Our healthy and active son
Craig's job that allows him to be at home more and on the road less
Our health
The home we have
Food in our bellies
Friends and family
And most importantly our Saviour, Jesus Christ

Choo Choo Ethan is two!

I am sure I will say this every year, but I can't believe my baby boy is two! Some of Ethan's fun cousins even got to come up from North Carolina for the party--he was in heaven! Unfortunately my photography skills are not phenomenal, but you get the idea.

He is a joy. He is a ride! He is active. He is hilarious. He is adorable. He can be mischievous. He is smart. He is a blessing I never imagined myself worthy of and each time I catch him coloring on the wall I remind myself of this:)

 

(This was his new train set to drive over his new map quilt! Now he knows how to get to Grandma's and Grandpa's houses!)

Happy birthday cutie boy.

Happy Halloween!

It's been a crazy month as you might imagine. Halloween was not exactly top priority. but we did make an effort. The day of our ward trunk or treat it snowed all day. And not just a dusting, it was cold, wet, and white! Ethan went as a chef--Elizabeth had a cute cupcake hat to go along, but she decided to chill in the mothers lounge and eat instead. She actually grew out of the hat by the time Halloween came anyway!

To celebrate on Monday night (actual Halloween day) we carved Ethan's pumpkin and baked Halloween cookies. We had a great time and Elizabeth got to experience her first Halloween!

Introducing Elizabeth Rose Marshall

She is a joy. Born Wed. October 12th at 3:40 in the afternoon. She weighed 6 lbs 8 oz and measured 20 1/4" tall. She looks a lot like her brother and daddy (and if you squint like mommy) but mostly she just looks like our beautiful little Elizabeth. Nick names are still in the air.


Here is her baby blanket I finished the morning I went to be induced...a little late I know, but we only just found out she was a girl.

Proud Daddy!

Pumpkin Hunting

Saturday Oct. 8th was actually my brother Eric's wedding. We couldn't be in Utah for the big event since it was only two days after my due date. (Notice I am still pregnant anyway in the pictures!) So we decided rather than feeling sad we couldn't make it, we would find the perfect pumpkin instead. It was a blast and of course Ethan loved it--especially when he realized there were probably more bugs than pumpkins. Unfortunately the hay ride did not put me into labor as hoped.

In case you ever wanted to see a picture of a seriously uncomfortably, overdue pregnant woman....it's not pretty.

From baby to "Big Boy"

 Ethan has begun his journey to "big boyness". He is doing an amazing job at it. The last week he has enjoyed his own toddler bed in his room--both of which are new. He has also decided the last few weeks to start eating and talking some more. Ethan has been in speech therapy for a couple months now and has had great improvement. Some of his new words include: mama, dada, more, pee-yew, as well as many animal noises. His first "phrase" so far has been "bye by poo"--he yells this every time he hears a toilet flush--it's great at church:)

Another big boy addition has been the potty chair. I actually have no real desire to potty train him yet--he is only 22 months but several times he has come to me and said he needed to go pee pee. So I sat him on the toilet and he went. The other night we decided to buy him his own potty. After we brought it in he opened it up, pulled the potty out of the box, quickly undressed (squealing with excitement all the while) sat down and did his business. I couldn't believe it. Could I really be so lucky to have child who potty trained himself? Time will tell I guess, but the future is looking bright.

He has also been working on his "boyness" I think. The other day Ethan was rubbing something all over his face. I assumed it was his usual fuzz but then he wanted to share it with me. I held out my hand only to have a dead stink bug that had been rubbed all over his face presented to me. Then later that night I caught him placing another dead bug on my side of the bed. Guess I better get over any phobia of bugs because he LOVES bugs.


Because Ethan has been eating more he has also finally gained that extra pound we have been waiting four months for! He finally weighs enough to be in a forward facing car seat! Good timing since the new baby will taking his old baby seat! He has been enjoying his fancy new car seat complete with cup holder.
 

We are pretty proud of our big boy.

 

36 week ultrasound

It's a girl!

My doctor ordered and extra ultrasound at 36 weeks to check on a condition I had with Ethan called polyhydramnios (basically you have way too much amniotic fluid). Not super excited about the condition, but we got to have an extra peek at our little one and now we know it's a girl. 

She is unusually active they said because she has so much extra room with all the fluid. The technician kept saying, "wow, I have never seen a baby move this much this far along...your ribs must be killing you" hmmm...I could have told you that! Everything otherwise looked good they said so we are not worried. We are getting very excited to meet this little girl with my due date only three weeks away!

Ethan is getting ready in his own way. Every time we see a baby he pretends to rock a baby in his arms and then he comes and rubs my stomach. He also looks up at me every now and then and just laughs. I think he does this because he can't see my face when he looks up--only stomach--then he gently rubs my tummy and rocks a baby in his arms. I think he is excited to see meet her also.

Craig has also done his homework to get us ready for the big delivery. After extensive research and considering many options, he has invented his own birthing method. Craig suggests I consider the "jello birthing method" (the book will be hitting shelves soon he has informed me). Similar in some ways to a water birth, the jello he believes offers better relaxation and aroma therapy. It also cures the problem of any hunger or immodesty during delivery. If only the hospital would let us experiment with his groundbreaking methods.

As for mom--one day at a time:)

Pregnancy comments

People always react differently to pregnant ladies. I thought I would share some choice experiences of mine.

My primary class (4 year olds) last week needed to make sure I was aware that my baby had certainly gotten bigger (don't know how I could have missed that since I gained three pounds last week!). Their major concern however was how I was possibly able to fit behind the steering wheel in my car. Somehow I manage I explained.

When I was pregnant with Ethan I constantly got the "are you sure it's not twins" reaction. One that I will never forget though was our apartment manager explaining quite seriously to me that he would prefer to jump up and down until the baby fell out. Glad I didn't follow his advice.

I think my favorite comment though was the other night at the grocery store. We were at the deli ordering dinner. The man helping us asked me how far along I was and if it was my second child. I responded yes and that I was not far enough along. He could tell I was uncomfortable that evening and he said, "you know, my mother had four children. I don't know how she did it but I thank God every day that she did." I smiled and said thanks. Then I came home and cried and thanked God that this man had said something kind and encouraging to me. I am sure he had no idea.

Funny how little comments we make seem to have such an impact.