Valentines Day Massacre

Valentines Day Card For Birth Mom

What you need:
-Crayola Finger Paint in Red (make sure it's non-toxic)
-Paper. Have a few on hand in case the perfect card you made gets destroyed by paint.
-A little hand that likes to squish paint between her fingers by making a tight fist and shoving in mouth
-Paper towels to clean paint out of mouth and off of face
-A Plan "B"
-A little foot that does not have the ability to clench

Mix all together and you should have a VERY homemade looking card that has the cutest footprints you've ever seen.

*note that red paint can make this situation look like a scene from the movie Carrie. Make a conscious effort to use a different color next time.

new view

Things are going to change around here.

I've always worried about what people have thought about my blog. Maybe it was because I tended to be a little judgmental of others or maybe it's because I'm insecure. Who knows... I've come to realize that I can really only be me. To an extent I have been by sharing pictures, trips, and mostly recently adoption things, but I've left out a lot of the details of my struggles with infertility and the woes of my broken body. As I embark on yet another dose of a drug called Lupron, I've decided I need to get my feelings out if I'm going to make it through with a good attitude. Back when I discovered I had edometriosis I didn't really have anyone I could talk to or relate. Through the blog world I've found others going through similar things and it's helped me more than I could imagined. I thought about starting a new blog to focus on my endo and such, but in all honesty I have no extra time for that. I rather be playing with Emme. So things might be getting a little more personal up in here. If I can help one person suffer a little less than I did then I've done my job.

Love is...

Cleaning up my throw up.

Yep, you read right.  I had a rough week as far as my body is concerned.  I came home from work Tuesday in immense pain from cysts on my ovaries making my endometriosis  flare up to no end.  When my body couldn't take the pain any longer I threw up down the hall, all over the bathroom, all over me, and finally into the toilet.  TMI, I know, but I don't really care.  The last time I threw up was in 11th grade when I had the flu, so it was a surprise to me.  I felt like I was five years old and unable to make it to the bathroom on time.  Gregg was right behind and said "Just go to bed I'll clean up everything."  Well, I had to shower first, but when I got out I had clean clothes waiting on the bed and a garbage can next to the bed in case I had another episode. (Which I did.)

The point of all this is to share what a great husband I have.  He has a horrible gag reflex and yet throughout the years he has cleaned up my puke, emptied my bed pans, held my hand while I screamed at a gyno appt, gone to the store millions of times to buy "feminine" products, and given me blessing after blessing to comfort and heal my broken body and heart. 

I'm positive he got the raw end of the deal when we said "I do." We're still standing seven years later.  We've been a little beaten up a long the way, but we're stronger and blessed beyond comprehension. 

Happy Anniversary.

Raining Pink

WOW

That's how I felt.  I was amazed by the love and support when Emme was born.  I had many friends and family ask if they could throw a baby shower for Emme and I.  We had a total of six.  Yes, six showers.  Three diaper cakes which I was so excited about because I always wanted one.  I was honored and still am.  The week before Emme was born I had many, and I mean many, clients drop off gifts.  Our new ward even threw us a shower and I hardly knew anyone at the time.  It made me realize how many loved ones were mourning with us through the difficult times, and there to celebrate with us through the happy.  Thank you all so so much.  Your kindness will never be forgotten.  I promise to pay it forward. 

Unfortunately, I don't have pictures from all of them, but here are a few.


Idaho Shower

Everyone at the shower made a page for 

Emme's ABC book.

Here is an example.

Ward Shower

The young women of our new ward made me a diaper cake and quilt.  So dang cute and thoughtful!

Jackson Shower

My cousin Carla made this awesome fruit bouquet.

Here is the after pic.  It was delicious.

My cousin Trevor made this awesome diaper cake.

Emme getting all the attention she deserves.

4 months

Emme's third month and the start of the fourth has consisted of continuous ear infections (most likely due to her reflux), a trip to the ER, eating real food, and my two favorites... sleeping 12hrs at night and giggling.  

We're hoping the ear infections are over.  It took 24 days on Amoxicillan and 5 days on Arythomyocin sp? to take away the infections in both ears.  Because of her reflux she gets milk trapped in her nose which we think is causing fluid in her ears.  Poor girl!

Out of the blue Emme became super cranky and upset and was screaming for an hour straight.  This is very unlike her.  She finally had a bowel movement and was happy as a clam.  When I went to change her diaper she had blood mixed in mucous and poo.  Sorry for the gross details.  I called the Dr. and she said to take her to Primary Children's ER.  We got right in and actually had a good experience there.  I've heard horror stories.  Emme giggled her head off while the Dr. was checking her stomach and the nurse that checked her blood pressure said babies always cry for her, but Emme just stared her down.  She smiled while they did x-rays and everyone loved her.  I'm sure most babies are pretty sick though.  Anyway, we found out she has an issue with protein in milk, maybe an allergy and had to change to a formula Gregg calls "liquid gold."  It's the smallest and most expensive formula as far as we have seen, but we would do anything for our little girl. 

Stats
Weight 15lbs 15oz   90%
Height 25 1/2in        90%
Head                         23%

Eating bananas for the first time. The Dr. wanted her to start due to all the other issues she been having.

Ready for church.

December Wrap Up

 We had a great Christmas season this year.  It's been hard to find time to blog lately, so this is for sure the bare minimum of all the exciting events that occurred.  


Jones Family Party

Emme loved all the attention.

Most of the babies born in 2010. 

 Christmas Eve

Emme's Christmas outfit from her birth family.

Lots of attention from Great Grandma.

Always getting kisses from cousins.

 Christmas Morning

Coming to see what Santa brought.

 Jackson Party/New Years Eve

J

Onesie pajamas.

My favorite white elephant that night.  Kayson was pretty excited.

Cousins.

The grand kids with grandma and grandpa

Silly faces

3 Month Photos

On the anniversary we were approved I took Emme to get her three month pictures done.  We're pretty much in love with her rolls and chubby cheeks.  Oh, and her blue eyes make everyone around her melt.  I found out a few days after she had an ear infection so that could explain the absence of smiles that day.  She was not interested in the girls taking her picture AT ALL.  The minute I took her and put her regular clothes back on she was talking and smiling away.  She is Miss Stone Face to new people and it makes us laugh. 

They had to pull out a hammock they've never used because it's too big for most babies.  She didn't fit in the normal one.

This is the one smile we got out of her.  The owner came over and final got her to smile.

Emme's birth aunt gave her this necklace that says "daughter" and gave her birth mom one that says "mother".