Cuteness

I love, love looking at pictures of my kids and I'm hoping that you do too because I'm posting some. I found a good way for Jayla and Blake to hold Melia on their own because they love to hold her. I've just been so surprised with how affectionate they have been with her. I thought Blake would be major jealous because he's a mama's boy but he has been so great with sharing me with Melia.

Oh my goodness! How can you not love them!?

Melia gives me these almost smiles all the time. She does smile now but it's still not a lot but I will take what I can get. It's amazing how a little smile from her can totally make my whole day. She has been such a good baby and I couldn't ask for better...okay maybe for one that sleeps through the whole night but I guess we have to be realistic here.

People are always asking me who I think she looks like. At times I think me and other times I think Daniel so I've decided that she's her own. She's got the best of both of us. How is it that from two people can come three totally different babies? It just astounds and baffles me.

This is the first picture that I have of these two together. When she was born Daniel was the camera guy so we didn't get any pictures there and he's really nervous around little newborn babies and so the times he held her at first were few. Then she got sick and was still really little. Finally she's at a size where he's more comfortable holding her and I finally remembered to take a picture. And plus, Daniel doesn't like his picture being taken, hence he's not looking at me or smiling. I love the look she's giving him like, "I don't know about this big guy." No, she really loves her Papi. He can always get her to stop crying just by talking to her. She LOVES the sound of his voice.This one is my favorite of these two together so far. I love how Melia is holding Jayla's finger and looking right up at her. The bond of sisters has already begun.

Happy Early Anniversary To Me

Mine and Daniel's anniversary isn't until July but about over a month ago I told him since it was going to be our 5th anniversary that we should at least go out to dinner together and have a real date. I guess that got the wheels turing in his head and so he bought me a gift. Right after he bought it he informed me that he got me something but was going to wait to give it to me. At first I didn't really like that idea but I really do like surprises so I got over it. Well, Daniel didn't I guess because he kept dropping hints of what he got me and then one day a little later he calls to inform me that it's actually been over 5 years since we met so we should go out and celebrate that. He couldn't wait any longer. (It had only been maybe a week after he bought me the gift)

We went out to dinner and had a nice Italian meal and after we were done eating he told me to close my eyes. When I opened them there was a black velvet box in front of me. I opened the box and SHAZAM I was blinded! He got me this beautiful, beautiful ring. He told me there were five diamonds for the five years we have been (or going to be) married. Awwww! Of course I got a little teary-eyed over the whole thing. To be honest I was a little worried about his gift before I saw it. The hints that he was dropping before, I kind of suspected it was going to be jewelry and he hasn't scored big points in that area in the past. We just have totally different tastes. But he has more than made up for it this time.

I'm just so impressed with how thoughtful he was. I'm just more in love with him and it's not just because I have a huge diamond ring, but it was the thought and symbolism that he put into it. Never did I suspect to get something like this. I have wanted to "upgrade" my ring but he totally superceded my expectations. I love you baby! You are the best husband and father and I thank you so much for your love, thoughtuflness, and devotion.

Now the question is, "What the HECK am I going to get him now?!"

Our Fun Easter

I know, I know, I'm pretty late at getting this post up. But better late than never, right? After some delicious food and in between conference sessions we had our annual easter egg hunt at Grandma Gregory's. When I was a kid we took a picture exactly like this one above with my cousins. The numbers are a little fewer now but we still have a good time.

It was so fun to watch Jayla and Blake collect eggs and candy together. They worked like a team. Occasionally Jayla would find one for Blake and put it in his basket and then Blake would find one for Jayla and put it in her basket. I guess because there was a ton of candy that they felt like it was okay to share and help out eachother.

Here they're starting to spread all the loot. Even though we don't have as many kids participate there's still the same amount of candy. That's not good for me, especially when there's stuff like Reese's and Snickers.

I say this about every family get together but I'm going to say it again...It's so good to be with family and we always have the best time around each other. I seriously have the best family! Who knew that we as siblings would feel this way with all the fighting we used to do.

Tiny Dancer

This past February Jayla got to take her first dance class. She is in love! She's such a good student, too. She pretty much listened to the teacher the whole time. In the picture above she's doing her princess walk.

The teacher was so cute with them and she taught them a little dance and they got to wear these furry bracelets at their last class while they did their dance.

She always had to be by her teacher, front and center.

We signed her up for a community class that was only 6 weeks long but I thought it was perfect. It introduced her into dance and now I know it's something that she loves doing. We'll definitely be signing her up again.

It is way past due for a new post. I'll just pick up where I left off...After a 10 day stay in the hospital we finally got to come home. On the 9th day I was at my breaking point and I told Heavenly Father this and He listened. I told Him I couldn't do it any more and He knows me and made it possible for Melia to come home the next day. The doctor wanted her completely off oxygen and on room air before they sent her home and once they started weaning her she did really well. We were so blessed to be at Primary Children's and the medical staff there are incredible, especially the nurses. What would we do without them!? And what would I have done without my family, my mom mostly. She was definitely my angel through out all of this. She had Jayla and Blake for most of the time and bless her heart. Diane, Kate and my Grandma Gregory also helped out a lot and I wouldn't have survived without all of their help. I am truly, truly blessed to have such a wonderful, supportive family.

Melia is growing like a weed! Soon after she got home she was taking 4 oz feedings every three hours. That's a lot for a little girl! This picture was taken two weeks ago and she's already bigger than this.

This was after her first day of church. I wore this same dress when I was a baby.

Isn't she just so precious? And I love her red hair. I didn't think I would like having a red-haired baby but I love it and she gets so many comments and compliments from people.

Of course I couldn't leave out Jayla and Blake. They did so well through out the whole ordeal and I couldn't ask for better kids. When we were finally all home Blake asked me if I was coming to Grandma's (he thought he was going back). I told him no and asked him if he wanted to stay here and he said, "Noooo." I aksed him if he wanted to sleep in his own bed and have mommy here. Again he said, "Noooo." Even after all that time he still wanted to be with Grandma.

Getting back to life took an adjustment. I was feeling very overwhelmed just being back to real life and then on top of that more responsibilities from our business fell on to me at the same time. I was having major anxiety but I had been through that after I had Blake and knew how to handle it. I am now grateful for my previous experience because it helped me through this time much quicker and easier. Thank you again to everybody for your help and prayers and thoughts through our difficult time. When stuff like this happens it truly makes you realize how blessed you are in many aspects of your life.