Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Monster Birthday Bash
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| Party Invites |
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| A little preview of the monster party favor bags I made for all the kids. they took forever to make but were definitely a hit! |
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| Cute group of kids!!! |
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| Monster Cupcakes for the kids |
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| Singing Happy Birthday! This boy gets nervous when all eyes are on him (just like his mama)  |
The Big 5
I cannot believe I have a five year old. Gray turned five back on October 25th and we had a nice day spent with family. We woke up, I made him his favorite pancakes with chocolate chips and then we opened presents and waited for everyone to come over so we could spend a few hours at Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point.
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| Getting things ready for the big day! |
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| First picture as a 5 year old, snoozing away Zzzzzz |
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| My birthday boy!! Such a handsome devil! |
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| Opening presents goes by way too fast. He flew through them! |
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| With Uncle Griff!! + this was Griff's first time meeting Charlotte! |
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| With Papa Tom and Grandma Suzanne |
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| With Grandma Trish |
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| Me and my buddy!!!!! |
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| Two of my most favorite ladies... |
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| With Uncle Jeff |
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| With Grandpa Craig & Grandma Jen |
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Blessings
We had Charlotte's baby blessing this past Sunday. My older brother Ryan adminstered the blesssing and did a wonderful job; I'm so thankful he's a priesthood holder. It was a great day and Steve and I are so blessed to have such amazing, supportive families!
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| So in love with this girl and her outfit :) |
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| My Mama and her kids and grandkids |
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| My Dad & Jen and my siblings with my babes |
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| My sweet in-laws, brother-in-law, and the cutest Grandma "Grandy" |
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| My Sister and her hubby with my babes |
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| All tuckered out after a long day! |
Monday, September 8, 2014
Charlotte Nicole Jones
I just realized I haven't updated my blog since before Charlotte was born, and she'll be 3 months this week! So bear with me because this is going to be a long post.
Aside from my recovery, these past few months have literally been pure bliss. Before we get into that, I want to take a little flashback to when Grayson was born. On Friday, October 23, 2009, I went to the doctor and was given some news I didn't want to hear - that I'd have to wait another week to meet my sweet little man. I was so big and uncomfortable and was just ready to be done. The next morning, Steve had been invited to go to the Utes game with my dad and brothers, but really didn't want to leave me and kept saying things like, "what if your water breaks?" and "what if you go into labor?" I assured him it wasn't going to happen and made him go to the game. They left extra early to do the mormon version of tailgating, and he hadn't even been there that long when he got a call from me saying, "You're gonna kill me, my water just broke". My Mom came to get me and then Steve took the trax, which has a stop directly in front of the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. After hours (and hours) of long labor and pushing, our stubborn little guy hadn't even budged - no progression whatsovever. He was also face up, and every time they tried to flip him over he just flipped right back, so I ended up having an Emergency Cesarian Section. Gray was born just after midnight on Sunday, October 25, 2009, and we quickly found out, he wasn't so little - he was a whopping 9 pounds, 11 ounces, and 22.5 inches long! No wonder he couldn't fit through the birth canal. Largeness aside, he was a healthy baby and that's all that mattered. In fact, they said he had the lowest bilirubin (jaundice) test they'd ever seen. I will never forget the love I felt that day, it's unconditional and a love I soon wanted to share with another child.
As many of you know, it took us about two and a half years to get pregnant this time around. But I can tell you, this little lady was well worth the wait...I found out I was pregnant on Saturday, October 5, 2013 and will never forget that day. It was conference weekend and Steve had gone with my dad and brothers to Priesthood session while my Mom and I took Gray to Gardner Village for dinner and shopping. On our way home, I had this feeling I should stop and buy a pregnancy test. I didn't tell anyone what I was doing in case it was just another negative result. And to my complete surprise, this one was positive! We were seriously in shock because every time I thought I had been pregnant in the past, I'd get a pregnancy test, take it with a negative result, and then start my period within hours of taking it. It was beyond strange. And every time my heart was crushed. I had been watching my friends through their pregnancies and while I was so happy for them, it was so devastating that I was having such a difficult time getting pregnant this time around. I spent so many nights in tears praying for another little one and on that day my prayers were finally answered. Early on, I expressed to my doctor that I wanted to try a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarian). I knew from the very beginning that there was a good chance that I'd need to have another c-section, but really, I mean REALLY, didn't want one. Dr. Stephen Terry, who by the way is the best OBGYN in Utah if not the Country (the man literally walks on water), told me it was possible to have a VBAC, but the baby would have to be on the smaller side and I'd have to go into labor on my own. I had 9 long months to sit and stew about having another c-section. It's a major surgery and a longer recovery time and something I just didn't want. The week before the baby was due they took me in for an ultrasound to get measurements of the baby to try and determine just how big she was. She was already measuring in the 8 pound range at that point and because I wasn't dialated or effaced, he told me the best option for me was to have the already scheduled c-section that following Wednesday. On the morning of June 11, 2014, we were asked to report to the hospital by 6:00am. We were so anxious to meet her that we were even there a little early. Oddly enough, I started having contractions the night before, go figure. While a huge part of me was anxious to meet our little lady, I was also petrified of having another c-section. I was a hot mess in the OR, just blubbering away on the table. The anesthesiologist saw how upset I was and thought it was because I was scared of the epidural and I was thinking, "nope, I'm scared of having my stomach cut open and my insides taken out....and then put back in." Having a cesarian section just isn't ideal, but it's the cards I was dealt and the two beauties I've gotten out of them were more than worth the pain and horrific recovery!
At 8:03 am on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, we received an angel fresh from heaven. She weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 21 inches long and she was (and still is) just perfect. I mean, the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. And I know my cute husband felt the same way. He was holding Charlotte and said to my Mom, "I am so in love with this girl. I'm going to have to tell Nicole she's got some competition". Steve is the best husband and father. I scored big time with him.
Just a forewarning, I'm posting photos from my surgery, so scroll past if you don't want to view them :)
Aside from my recovery, these past few months have literally been pure bliss. Before we get into that, I want to take a little flashback to when Grayson was born. On Friday, October 23, 2009, I went to the doctor and was given some news I didn't want to hear - that I'd have to wait another week to meet my sweet little man. I was so big and uncomfortable and was just ready to be done. The next morning, Steve had been invited to go to the Utes game with my dad and brothers, but really didn't want to leave me and kept saying things like, "what if your water breaks?" and "what if you go into labor?" I assured him it wasn't going to happen and made him go to the game. They left extra early to do the mormon version of tailgating, and he hadn't even been there that long when he got a call from me saying, "You're gonna kill me, my water just broke". My Mom came to get me and then Steve took the trax, which has a stop directly in front of the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. After hours (and hours) of long labor and pushing, our stubborn little guy hadn't even budged - no progression whatsovever. He was also face up, and every time they tried to flip him over he just flipped right back, so I ended up having an Emergency Cesarian Section. Gray was born just after midnight on Sunday, October 25, 2009, and we quickly found out, he wasn't so little - he was a whopping 9 pounds, 11 ounces, and 22.5 inches long! No wonder he couldn't fit through the birth canal. Largeness aside, he was a healthy baby and that's all that mattered. In fact, they said he had the lowest bilirubin (jaundice) test they'd ever seen. I will never forget the love I felt that day, it's unconditional and a love I soon wanted to share with another child.
As many of you know, it took us about two and a half years to get pregnant this time around. But I can tell you, this little lady was well worth the wait...I found out I was pregnant on Saturday, October 5, 2013 and will never forget that day. It was conference weekend and Steve had gone with my dad and brothers to Priesthood session while my Mom and I took Gray to Gardner Village for dinner and shopping. On our way home, I had this feeling I should stop and buy a pregnancy test. I didn't tell anyone what I was doing in case it was just another negative result. And to my complete surprise, this one was positive! We were seriously in shock because every time I thought I had been pregnant in the past, I'd get a pregnancy test, take it with a negative result, and then start my period within hours of taking it. It was beyond strange. And every time my heart was crushed. I had been watching my friends through their pregnancies and while I was so happy for them, it was so devastating that I was having such a difficult time getting pregnant this time around. I spent so many nights in tears praying for another little one and on that day my prayers were finally answered. Early on, I expressed to my doctor that I wanted to try a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarian). I knew from the very beginning that there was a good chance that I'd need to have another c-section, but really, I mean REALLY, didn't want one. Dr. Stephen Terry, who by the way is the best OBGYN in Utah if not the Country (the man literally walks on water), told me it was possible to have a VBAC, but the baby would have to be on the smaller side and I'd have to go into labor on my own. I had 9 long months to sit and stew about having another c-section. It's a major surgery and a longer recovery time and something I just didn't want. The week before the baby was due they took me in for an ultrasound to get measurements of the baby to try and determine just how big she was. She was already measuring in the 8 pound range at that point and because I wasn't dialated or effaced, he told me the best option for me was to have the already scheduled c-section that following Wednesday. On the morning of June 11, 2014, we were asked to report to the hospital by 6:00am. We were so anxious to meet her that we were even there a little early. Oddly enough, I started having contractions the night before, go figure. While a huge part of me was anxious to meet our little lady, I was also petrified of having another c-section. I was a hot mess in the OR, just blubbering away on the table. The anesthesiologist saw how upset I was and thought it was because I was scared of the epidural and I was thinking, "nope, I'm scared of having my stomach cut open and my insides taken out....and then put back in." Having a cesarian section just isn't ideal, but it's the cards I was dealt and the two beauties I've gotten out of them were more than worth the pain and horrific recovery!
At 8:03 am on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, we received an angel fresh from heaven. She weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 21 inches long and she was (and still is) just perfect. I mean, the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. And I know my cute husband felt the same way. He was holding Charlotte and said to my Mom, "I am so in love with this girl. I'm going to have to tell Nicole she's got some competition". Steve is the best husband and father. I scored big time with him.
Just a forewarning, I'm posting photos from my surgery, so scroll past if you don't want to view them :)
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| Just arrived at the hospital, getting ready to meet her. |
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| Bubbering away on the OR table |
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| And just like that, she was here. Truly a miracle. |
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| My whole world right here! |
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tender Moments
Last night Gray hopped in bed with me so we could cuddle. He was saying the sweetest things to me, things I've needed to hear especially since you don't feel the greatest when you're almost 8 months pregnant! He was telling me how pretty he thought I was and how I'm the best Mom in the world and that I'll be his favorite forever and ever and ever! I just love these tender moments with my little man and am trying to soak them all in! I have to say I'm going to miss these times because things are definitely going to change when miss Charlotte arrives! Don't get me wrong, we are so excited for her arrival, especially since it's been about 3 years in the making (totally worth the wait), but I'm also trying to cherish these last few weeks with my little guy as my only child!
Anyways, as we were laying there quietly, he had his knees tucked up to his chest so his shins were pressed right against my tummy and the baby let out two very large kicks. Gray looked at me wide eyed and said, "Did you feel that? The Boom Boom?" And I told him that was his sister and he said, "What?! I felt her first kicks!" He was so thrilled that he finally got to feel her. He is going to be THE BEST big brother ever and I'm excited for the addition to our family in June! The Joneses are ready!
Anyways, as we were laying there quietly, he had his knees tucked up to his chest so his shins were pressed right against my tummy and the baby let out two very large kicks. Gray looked at me wide eyed and said, "Did you feel that? The Boom Boom?" And I told him that was his sister and he said, "What?! I felt her first kicks!" He was so thrilled that he finally got to feel her. He is going to be THE BEST big brother ever and I'm excited for the addition to our family in June! The Joneses are ready!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Goodbye my friend...
My family received the most horrible call last night. A call nobody wants to receive or should ever have to receive. I lost a dear friend; the world lost an amazing person. I have been friends with him for as long as I can remember and have so many fond memories of time spent with him and his family, who are like family to me. Knowing how I'm feeling about his loss, I can't even begin to comprehend what his parents, siblings and entire family are going through. Brandon Mitchell, I love you. And I, among so many others, am so saddened that you are no longer here. You seriously were one of a kind and will forever be missed! Until we meet again my sweet friend. Mike, Deanne, Miranda (Miles), and Madelynn...I really hope your family is able to find peace and comfort during this extremely difficult time!
This is a great reminder to us all to cherish every moment spent with your loved ones and to never take any moments for granted because you never know if those moments will be your last!
A few pictures I was able to find of Brandon and I - way back in the first grade!
This is a great reminder to us all to cherish every moment spent with your loved ones and to never take any moments for granted because you never know if those moments will be your last!
A few pictures I was able to find of Brandon and I - way back in the first grade!
Monday, January 20, 2014
IT'S A GIRL!!!!
Steve and I went to the doctor on Friday the 17th and found out we are having a GIRL!! Everything is looking good so far with her and we are just hoping and praying she is healthy! We are so unbelievably happy because we both figured we'd be blessed with all boys since they tend to run in the family! Grayson is so excited too! He's already talking about how he can't wait to hold and hug her and share his toys with her and have her sleep over in his room. It is seriously the most sweetest thing! So, Steve had guessed boy and Gray and I both guessed girl...I had this gut feeling that I was having a girl and kept referring to the baby as a "she". Plus my pregnancies have been quite different. When I was pregnant with Gray, I was sick during the first trimester and all I craved was sweets and junk food and Dr. Pepper throughout my pregnancy! So far with this pregnancy, I didn't get morning sickness - just frequent migraines during the first trimester, and then so far I've been craving lots of fruits and salads and water - Dr. Pepper doesn't even taste good (definitely a good thing)!
With the help of my Mom and Amanda, the gender reveal party we had with family was a success!! I'm so grateful to all those who were able to come and share the special day with us!
Now we just need to agree on the name. I love the name Charlotte. Steve does not. However, I have this feeling Steve will come around and just agree on this name. I've told him it can be his "push present" to me :) Plus, all our babies have the last name Jones...isn't it fair I get to pick the first name?!! jk
With the help of my Mom and Amanda, the gender reveal party we had with family was a success!! I'm so grateful to all those who were able to come and share the special day with us!
Now we just need to agree on the name. I love the name Charlotte. Steve does not. However, I have this feeling Steve will come around and just agree on this name. I've told him it can be his "push present" to me :) Plus, all our babies have the last name Jones...isn't it fair I get to pick the first name?!! jk
Monday, January 6, 2014
Christmas 2013
I'm a few weeks too late on posting, but better late than never! All in all, we had a great Christmas. We are excited for 2014 and for what it has in store for us! I'm very blessed to have the most amazing family EVER.
We spent Christmas Eve with the Joneses and had a wonderful dinner and gift exchange afterwards:
We spent Christmas Eve with the Joneses and had a wonderful dinner and gift exchange afterwards:
Someone was really excited for Christmas morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christmas at my Dad's house with all the siblings :)
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