Garlic Bok Choy
2 days ago
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Halloween
We started the Halloween festivities with Ivan's work party on Thursday night. They had a great set up with a ton of games and activities and Emery had a blast.
Emery refused to let me take a picture of her. Take one ..
Take two ...
Take three ..
I finally gave up.
One of the employees is sisters with a Utah football player, Matt Asiata. Ivan was so giddy and excited and asked to have his picture taken with him. Go Utes!!
I tried to get the girls in a cute picture together. It didn't turn out so great, but at least I have one picture of them together in their costumes. My cute little ladybug and witch. 
On Saturday, we went over to my friend Mandy's moms house to Trick or Treat and hang out. The weather was horrible - it was freezing cold and windy. Luckily, I grabbed Emery's heavy snow jacket before we left. We ended up Trick or Treating for about 15 minutes and Emery went to about 10 houses. I was pushing Paisley in the stroller and she was a trooper. Mandy is the best and carried Emery around since she was cold and said she was too tired to walk.
I had to bribe Emery to get this picture of her. I told her I'd give her one more piece of candy for a cute picture. I think it was worth the extra piece of candy.
Here is Emery's loot from Trick or Treating. I do have to add that I think half of the candy came from Mandy's mom and dad. Every time Trick or Treaters would come to the door, Emery said Trick or Treat to Mandy's kids and nieces and nephews and they gave her candy.
Thanks Mandy and Ross family for having us over and sharing the Halloween festivities with us!
Here are some recent pictures of Paisely. This is from this week during her one hour/day without her harness. She loves that hour of the day as much as I do. It's so nice that she can kick her legs around and be "free". I also love that I can snuggle up with her. It's the best hour of our day.
After bath time. Paisley loves her baths. We are bathing her in a baby tub in the kitchen and as soon as we move into the kitchen and she sees the lights, she gets excited. She kicks her legs and squeals.
Emery refused to let me take a picture of her. Take one ..
Take two ...
Take three ..
I finally gave up.One of the employees is sisters with a Utah football player, Matt Asiata. Ivan was so giddy and excited and asked to have his picture taken with him. Go Utes!!
I tried to get the girls in a cute picture together. It didn't turn out so great, but at least I have one picture of them together in their costumes. My cute little ladybug and witch. 
On Saturday, we went over to my friend Mandy's moms house to Trick or Treat and hang out. The weather was horrible - it was freezing cold and windy. Luckily, I grabbed Emery's heavy snow jacket before we left. We ended up Trick or Treating for about 15 minutes and Emery went to about 10 houses. I was pushing Paisley in the stroller and she was a trooper. Mandy is the best and carried Emery around since she was cold and said she was too tired to walk.I had to bribe Emery to get this picture of her. I told her I'd give her one more piece of candy for a cute picture. I think it was worth the extra piece of candy.
Here is Emery's loot from Trick or Treating. I do have to add that I think half of the candy came from Mandy's mom and dad. Every time Trick or Treaters would come to the door, Emery said Trick or Treat to Mandy's kids and nieces and nephews and they gave her candy.
Thanks Mandy and Ross family for having us over and sharing the Halloween festivities with us!Here are some recent pictures of Paisely. This is from this week during her one hour/day without her harness. She loves that hour of the day as much as I do. It's so nice that she can kick her legs around and be "free". I also love that I can snuggle up with her. It's the best hour of our day.
After bath time. Paisley loves her baths. We are bathing her in a baby tub in the kitchen and as soon as we move into the kitchen and she sees the lights, she gets excited. She kicks her legs and squeals.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Paisley's Hip Dysplasia
The Diagnosis
At Paisley's 2 week check up Dr. Ring mentioned that she felt a click in Paisley's hips. She scheduled Paisley for an ultrasound at 5 weeks old as a precautionary measure. Dr. Ring said that we shouldn't worry and she didn't expect to find anything at the ultrasound and that it was routine to do an ultrasound when they hear clicking in the hips. I didn't think anything of it and spent less than 10 minutes googling clicking of the hips in newborns.
Three weeks later, I took Paisley to the ultrasound on Tuesday, 10/26. The radiologist came in to go over the results and told me that Paisley had hip dysplasia. I lost it right there and started crying. I tried really hard to listen to what the radiologist was telling me but my mind was running a million miles a minute. He told me that Dr. Ring would be calling to refer us to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon to have Paisley put in a harness. I remembered what the harness looked like from the few minutes I spent googling it and my heart sank.
I cried all day Tuesday. I was a wreck. I was so scared and worried about my little girl. I felt like I had done something wrong to cause this. I was worried about her being different and being judged. I had fear of the unknown. I was sad that due to the harness, she wouldn't be able to wear all of her cute clothes. Between tears I spent the day on the internet doing further research.
We had a follow up appointment with the pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Holmes, on Thursday, 10/28. The nurse was great and spent some time talking to us about hip dysplasia and answering any questions we had. It's amazing what you can learn from the internet - we basically already knew everything that the nurse told us.
The Game Plan
The good news is that Paisley's hip dysplasia is very mild. She will be wearing a Pavlik Harness 23/7 for five weeks. Luckily, we get to take it off for one hour a day and still give Paisley normal baths. At five weeks, we will go in for another ultrasound. If Paisley's hips are back in line, we will start to wean her from the harness and she will wear it at night for four weeks. We will do another ultrasound at that time and if her hips are still in line, we will be done with the harness. We will have follow up appointments at 6 months and 1 year to be sure her hips have stayed in line. Dr. Holmes is confident that four weeks of the harness should be sufficient.
After meeting with Dr. Holmes and hearing the game plan, I feel so much better. Dr. Holmes put the Pavlik Harness on Paisley and she didn't even react to it. However, when I got home with her a few hours later, she had a crying fit for 15 minutes. I tried everything to soothe but nothing worked. Paisley never really cries so it was tough. I took the harness of and she was fine. We put it back on a couple hours later and she's been fine since.
The doctor is still surprised that Paisley has hip dysplasia. There are common factors that put babies at risk for hip dysplasia, being:
Here is a cute picture of Paisley in the Pavlik Harness. She's basically covered in Velcro from head to toe. But, we have to remember that Paisley is not in any pain whatsoever from the dysplasia or the harness. It's much harder on Ivan and I (well, me) to see her in the harness than it is for Paisley. The tough part is that she can't wear pants at all. I will be purchasing her a bunch of dresses and leg warmers so the baby actually has some clothes to wear and keep her warm.
At Paisley's 2 week check up Dr. Ring mentioned that she felt a click in Paisley's hips. She scheduled Paisley for an ultrasound at 5 weeks old as a precautionary measure. Dr. Ring said that we shouldn't worry and she didn't expect to find anything at the ultrasound and that it was routine to do an ultrasound when they hear clicking in the hips. I didn't think anything of it and spent less than 10 minutes googling clicking of the hips in newborns.
Three weeks later, I took Paisley to the ultrasound on Tuesday, 10/26. The radiologist came in to go over the results and told me that Paisley had hip dysplasia. I lost it right there and started crying. I tried really hard to listen to what the radiologist was telling me but my mind was running a million miles a minute. He told me that Dr. Ring would be calling to refer us to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon to have Paisley put in a harness. I remembered what the harness looked like from the few minutes I spent googling it and my heart sank.
I cried all day Tuesday. I was a wreck. I was so scared and worried about my little girl. I felt like I had done something wrong to cause this. I was worried about her being different and being judged. I had fear of the unknown. I was sad that due to the harness, she wouldn't be able to wear all of her cute clothes. Between tears I spent the day on the internet doing further research.
We had a follow up appointment with the pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Holmes, on Thursday, 10/28. The nurse was great and spent some time talking to us about hip dysplasia and answering any questions we had. It's amazing what you can learn from the internet - we basically already knew everything that the nurse told us.
The Game Plan
The good news is that Paisley's hip dysplasia is very mild. She will be wearing a Pavlik Harness 23/7 for five weeks. Luckily, we get to take it off for one hour a day and still give Paisley normal baths. At five weeks, we will go in for another ultrasound. If Paisley's hips are back in line, we will start to wean her from the harness and she will wear it at night for four weeks. We will do another ultrasound at that time and if her hips are still in line, we will be done with the harness. We will have follow up appointments at 6 months and 1 year to be sure her hips have stayed in line. Dr. Holmes is confident that four weeks of the harness should be sufficient.
After meeting with Dr. Holmes and hearing the game plan, I feel so much better. Dr. Holmes put the Pavlik Harness on Paisley and she didn't even react to it. However, when I got home with her a few hours later, she had a crying fit for 15 minutes. I tried everything to soothe but nothing worked. Paisley never really cries so it was tough. I took the harness of and she was fine. We put it back on a couple hours later and she's been fine since.
The doctor is still surprised that Paisley has hip dysplasia. There are common factors that put babies at risk for hip dysplasia, being:
- breech in utero
- family history of hip dysplasia
- first born
- female
Here is a cute picture of Paisley in the Pavlik Harness. She's basically covered in Velcro from head to toe. But, we have to remember that Paisley is not in any pain whatsoever from the dysplasia or the harness. It's much harder on Ivan and I (well, me) to see her in the harness than it is for Paisley. The tough part is that she can't wear pants at all. I will be purchasing her a bunch of dresses and leg warmers so the baby actually has some clothes to wear and keep her warm.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Paisley - One Month
I cannot believe Paisely is already one month old - time is flying by. She is the best little baby. She only cries when she's hungry and other than that, you almost don't know she's around.
She's a chunker - she weighs 10 lbs (based on my home scale). She's eating roughly every 3-4 hours and about 4 oz of formula. She's a great sleeper too - she usually wakes up around 3a and 6a to eat and then she goes right back to sleep.
She is just starting to stay awake a little more during the day. Her limit is an hour and a half. Anything past that time and she's exhausted and ready for bed. She loves the bath and has really good head and neck control. She's starting to smile and it's the cutest thing.
She's a chunker - she weighs 10 lbs (based on my home scale). She's eating roughly every 3-4 hours and about 4 oz of formula. She's a great sleeper too - she usually wakes up around 3a and 6a to eat and then she goes right back to sleep.
She is just starting to stay awake a little more during the day. Her limit is an hour and a half. Anything past that time and she's exhausted and ready for bed. She loves the bath and has really good head and neck control. She's starting to smile and it's the cutest thing.
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Flu Sucks!
I have been dealing with the stomach flu for 7 days now. I had it for 2 and now Emery has had it for 5. I am up to my eyes in throw up and poop. I wish it would end already. Luckily, Emery is still in good spirits and just has her moments where she is whiny, cranky and really needy.
Carter has been protecting Emery all week. Isn't this the cutest picture?
She's still in good spirits while eating toast and drinking water. 
She fell asleep between the couch and the ottoman with her bum in the air. I knew she couldn't be comfortable but I didn't have the heart to move her. She was exhausted and needed a little nap.
Luckily, Paisley has steered clear of the flu. I'm crossing my fingers it stays this way. Here she is enjoying a little tummy time on the boppy pillow.
Emery just has to try out all of Paisley's baby gear. Here she is in the bouncy chair. 
Carter has been protecting Emery all week. Isn't this the cutest picture?
She's still in good spirits while eating toast and drinking water. 
She fell asleep between the couch and the ottoman with her bum in the air. I knew she couldn't be comfortable but I didn't have the heart to move her. She was exhausted and needed a little nap.
Luckily, Paisley has steered clear of the flu. I'm crossing my fingers it stays this way. Here she is enjoying a little tummy time on the boppy pillow.
Emery just has to try out all of Paisley's baby gear. Here she is in the bouncy chair. 
Cornbellys
We headed out to Cornbelly's last Thursday for some Halloween fun. I had never been there and I'm so glad we went. I would love to make another trip this year but I'm not sure if it will happen before they close. I just wish they opened earlier during the week, 4p is late especially when it gets dark and cold by 7p.
Emery with all of the boys in the corn maze. She loves hanging around the boys and being the only girl. We went through the easy corn maze that should have taken us 30 mins. Emery led the way all the way to post #7 out of 10. She was doing great with navigating us through the maze - she obviously gets those skills from Ivan. After post #7, we were lost. Some of the kids started to get scared that we were really lost. We ended up getting out of the maze after an hour - and we came out the entrance. Oh well, after an hour of the corn maze, we were all over it anyway.
There was a little princess land that Emery loved. She went into this doll house and didn't come out for like 30 minutes. It was so packed and after 2 other kids had to be rescued by their dads I started to get worried. I didn't even know what was inside the house. I finally asked a little girl what was inside and she told me a ladder that leads you up to a little loft area. She also told me the only way down was by ladder. I got worried and headed inside. Emery was up in the loft just hanging out. I am reminded everyday how big and grown up she is. So sad!
They also had an area where the girls could pick out dresses and play dress up. Emery was in heaven!
Emery with all of the boys in the corn maze. She loves hanging around the boys and being the only girl. We went through the easy corn maze that should have taken us 30 mins. Emery led the way all the way to post #7 out of 10. She was doing great with navigating us through the maze - she obviously gets those skills from Ivan. After post #7, we were lost. Some of the kids started to get scared that we were really lost. We ended up getting out of the maze after an hour - and we came out the entrance. Oh well, after an hour of the corn maze, we were all over it anyway.
There was a little princess land that Emery loved. She went into this doll house and didn't come out for like 30 minutes. It was so packed and after 2 other kids had to be rescued by their dads I started to get worried. I didn't even know what was inside the house. I finally asked a little girl what was inside and she told me a ladder that leads you up to a little loft area. She also told me the only way down was by ladder. I got worried and headed inside. Emery was up in the loft just hanging out. I am reminded everyday how big and grown up she is. So sad!
They also had an area where the girls could pick out dresses and play dress up. Emery was in heaven!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Paisley's Newborn Pictures
I'm way late on posting these, be here are Paisley's newborn pictures. They were taken at 8 days old and she was so good the entire photo shoot. She seriously slept through 95% of it and only woke up to have a quick bottle/burp session and then she was back to sleep.
My friend Amanda took them and did an AMAZING job. I can't wait for her to take our family pictures next month. You can see her work and contact her at: www.loulouphotography.com
My friend Amanda took them and did an AMAZING job. I can't wait for her to take our family pictures next month. You can see her work and contact her at: www.loulouphotography.com
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Breaking Point!
I've been stuck in the house for 5 - count that - 5 days! I haven't done my hair or make up for 5 days either. I came down with the stomach flu on Friday and it was still lingering on Saturday. Then, Emery came down with it on Sunday (after she puked all over me, the kitchen floor, the kitchen sink and herself) and she's still fighting it. She seemed to be better yesterday, but today she said, "my bum is throwing up". Gross, I know, but it's how she said it and I think it's cute (not the actual act of it, but how she described it).
I am not a home body. I have to get out of the house EVERY SINGLE DAY. I go to either Target or Wal Mart literally 3-4 times per week just to get out of the house. I was doing ok with being stuck in the house up until today. To be honest, I was either sick or taking care of Emery so I didn't even think much of it.
Well, after Emery seemed to be doing better all day yesterday, I decided we would go to the Aquarium today for a couple of hours. I was so excited. Once I realized she was still sick today and we couldn't leave the house, I started to feel the pressure inside me. I then made a small grocery list and decided we would do a quick trip to Target. Then, I had the idea to go to Smith's Marketplace instead - the honest reason was just so I could drive further and be out of the house just a little bit longer.
As the day went by and Emery's "bum was throwing up" more and more, reality set in that 1) I shouldn't take her out of the house and 2) I shouldn't risk giving someone else what we have. By 5p, I was counting down the time until Ivan would be home. I even started thinking that I would go to Smiths Marketplace after he got home - at 930p. Then Ivan texted me that he was going to his friends after school and I almost started crying. I needed out of the house! I needed a break.
I have been a 100% full time MOM for 4 weeks and counting. I have had one 3 hour break from both girls to go to dinner with my girlfriends. By the way, Ivan struggled with the one 3 hour time frame that he took care of both girls - he just doesn't get it.
Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying being home, but it starts to hit you when you pretty much do 99% of the care taking for 2 kids and 99% of the middle of the night feedings for a newborn. I'm still keeping up on the laundry and shopping to top it all off. I have been taking Emery to Grandma Lola's a few times a week and Paisley once a week so I have gotten a break from having both of them 100% of the time.
So needless to say, I've hit my breaking point. I had already made plans for Grandma Lola to watch Paisley while I took Emery to the Children's Museum on Thursday. Well, once I hit my breaking point, we had a change of plans. Grandma Lola will now be watching both Emery and Paisley and Mama is getting a well deserved break. In fact, I'm getting a massage and then going to sit at Sanctuary for as long as I would like in their relaxation room. I think I'm going to take a few magazines I've been meaning to read and just RELAX! I now have some ME time to look forward to and I already feel better.
Now I'm off to feed sweet Paisley. I wouldn't change it for the world, but inside I am counting down the hours until I get my massage and ME time.
I am not a home body. I have to get out of the house EVERY SINGLE DAY. I go to either Target or Wal Mart literally 3-4 times per week just to get out of the house. I was doing ok with being stuck in the house up until today. To be honest, I was either sick or taking care of Emery so I didn't even think much of it.
Well, after Emery seemed to be doing better all day yesterday, I decided we would go to the Aquarium today for a couple of hours. I was so excited. Once I realized she was still sick today and we couldn't leave the house, I started to feel the pressure inside me. I then made a small grocery list and decided we would do a quick trip to Target. Then, I had the idea to go to Smith's Marketplace instead - the honest reason was just so I could drive further and be out of the house just a little bit longer.
As the day went by and Emery's "bum was throwing up" more and more, reality set in that 1) I shouldn't take her out of the house and 2) I shouldn't risk giving someone else what we have. By 5p, I was counting down the time until Ivan would be home. I even started thinking that I would go to Smiths Marketplace after he got home - at 930p. Then Ivan texted me that he was going to his friends after school and I almost started crying. I needed out of the house! I needed a break.
I have been a 100% full time MOM for 4 weeks and counting. I have had one 3 hour break from both girls to go to dinner with my girlfriends. By the way, Ivan struggled with the one 3 hour time frame that he took care of both girls - he just doesn't get it.
Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying being home, but it starts to hit you when you pretty much do 99% of the care taking for 2 kids and 99% of the middle of the night feedings for a newborn. I'm still keeping up on the laundry and shopping to top it all off. I have been taking Emery to Grandma Lola's a few times a week and Paisley once a week so I have gotten a break from having both of them 100% of the time.
So needless to say, I've hit my breaking point. I had already made plans for Grandma Lola to watch Paisley while I took Emery to the Children's Museum on Thursday. Well, once I hit my breaking point, we had a change of plans. Grandma Lola will now be watching both Emery and Paisley and Mama is getting a well deserved break. In fact, I'm getting a massage and then going to sit at Sanctuary for as long as I would like in their relaxation room. I think I'm going to take a few magazines I've been meaning to read and just RELAX! I now have some ME time to look forward to and I already feel better.
Now I'm off to feed sweet Paisley. I wouldn't change it for the world, but inside I am counting down the hours until I get my massage and ME time.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The Witches at Gardner Village
We headed out to Gardner Village today to see the witches and had a great time. The weather was perfect!
Duncan, Quinlan and Emery
Here's a picture just to show what you get when you try to get the "perfect" shot with three kids between the ages of 2 to 4 
I was feeling guilty for never taking pictures of Paisley on our outings so here she is sleeping peacefully in her car seat.
Then I decided I wanted pictures with her so I dared to take the sleeping baby out of her car seat. I wasn't sure if I would regret it later or not but to me, the pictures and memories was worth it. I got lucky and she went back to sleep as soon as she got back into her car seat and snuggled away with her blanket and binky. We seriously have the best babies (I hope I didn't just jinx myself)
Grandma Phyllis and Paisley
The whole gang..
Duncan, Quinlan and Emery
Here's a picture just to show what you get when you try to get the "perfect" shot with three kids between the ages of 2 to 4 
I was feeling guilty for never taking pictures of Paisley on our outings so here she is sleeping peacefully in her car seat.
Then I decided I wanted pictures with her so I dared to take the sleeping baby out of her car seat. I wasn't sure if I would regret it later or not but to me, the pictures and memories was worth it. I got lucky and she went back to sleep as soon as she got back into her car seat and snuggled away with her blanket and binky. We seriously have the best babies (I hope I didn't just jinx myself)
Grandma Phyllis and Paisley
The whole gang..
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Family Zoo Day
We headed out to the zoo on Sunday and it was seriously the best zoo trip I have ever had. We had great company, great weather and the animals were all out and playing. We left Paisley with Grandma Lola because I was a little unsure of the weather and so that we could focus 100% on Emery.
First, we had brunch at Ruth's Diner - it was so yummy! Emery even asked for more of their awesome biscuits and jam. It's very rare for Emery to ask for more of anything.
All day long Emery was asking to see the giraffe's. I never knew she was so into giraffes until this trip to the zoo. Of course, once we got to see them, she was all about the train ride. She looked at the giraffe for about 30 seconds and then said, "ok, let's keep looking".
Emery loves carousels as I'm sure most kids do. The last time she rode one was at the fair about a month ago. When the carousel at the fair first started, Emery was holding on for dear life to every inch of my body she could hold on to. This time, she kept pushing my hands away from her. She told me to go ride the animal next to me. It's amazing how much she's growing up and how quickly she is changing.
Don't you wish you could sleep on one thin rope like this?
Family picture on the train
Playground time!!!
First, we had brunch at Ruth's Diner - it was so yummy! Emery even asked for more of their awesome biscuits and jam. It's very rare for Emery to ask for more of anything.
All day long Emery was asking to see the giraffe's. I never knew she was so into giraffes until this trip to the zoo. Of course, once we got to see them, she was all about the train ride. She looked at the giraffe for about 30 seconds and then said, "ok, let's keep looking".
Emery loves carousels as I'm sure most kids do. The last time she rode one was at the fair about a month ago. When the carousel at the fair first started, Emery was holding on for dear life to every inch of my body she could hold on to. This time, she kept pushing my hands away from her. She told me to go ride the animal next to me. It's amazing how much she's growing up and how quickly she is changing.
Don't you wish you could sleep on one thin rope like this?
Family picture on the train
Playground time!!!
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