From The Mouth Of Babes.

This week was full of funny and sometimes uncomfortable words spewing from my girls' mouths. I figured I should probably document them and you all might appreciate a laugh on this blustery Monday.

First:
Let me preface this by letting you know we went to Cafe Rio two weeks ago and had a free meal.

I took the kids to McDonalds on Thursday for my daily Diet Coke.
Nora: (to the guy at the drive up with long hair) "MOM is that a boy or a girl?!"
Me: Awkwardly smile at the nice boy.
Stella: "MOM don't pay. FREE MEAL!"
Stella and Nora in unison: chanting "FREE MEAL, FREE MEAL, FREE MEAL!
Me: Hurriedly handed the poor boy my $1.08 and drove off as red as a beet.


Second:
Sweet Mabel learned some new words this week.
"NO!", "Mine", and "That's Gross"
I guess I can't prevent the fact that she will learn from her sisters earlier than each previous kid.


Third:
While at Target Nora and Stella were trying to convince Aaron to buy them a Lego Star Wars set. He told them maybe. I don't know if it was to annoy him or try to persuade him but they both started marching down the aisle holding the set and chanting in unison "Slave Leia!, Slave Leia!, Slave Leia!"
....they got the Lego set.

We Party Hard Over Here.

Here are the photos from our 1st birthday celebration for Mabel. We opted for pizza and applesauce since they are Mabel's favorites. A big thanks to the University Federal Credit Union for the Costco gift card the day of the party that funded it and to my mom for providing Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes at the last minute after a cupcake "malfunction" earlier in the day. Also, i'm pretty sure that for every future holiday I am going to cover the table in brown paper again. It was one of my better ideas. Thanks to everyone who celebrated with us. Love you baby, Happy Birthday!

October Bliss.

I was made for October. I was also born in October as well as some of my most favorite people on this planet. That crisp wonderfully smelling air is nearly impossible to beat. Oh and did I mention my favorite outfit is jeans and a t-shirt with a hoodie at the ready. Perfect October attire. This year in October we celebrate Mabel's 1st birthday, bittersweet. And Aaron's 29th, our last year before he hits the big "30" and have to pretend we are actually adults. But this October 1st marks a very special day on my calendar. Stella Sue is officially potty trained. Holla! And she did it all on her own. I am one proud Momma. Happy October 1st everyone. I hope your day has been as fabulous as mine. Here's to Stella, the feisty little firecracker who does things her way on her own time just like her stubborn Momma. And to Mabel, my sweet little Red. Happy Birthday tomorrow! Don't get too old.

Dear Mabel.

Little Red,
The 11 months you have blessed our lives so far have been the fastest and craziest months of my life. You are trying so hard to keep up with your sisters. You walk along all the furniture, stand and climb everything. This month you cut your bottom two teeth and decided while doing so that you wanted a binky. There was one left in the toy bucket that you discarded as an infant and now wont let go of. You are starting to self ween and after all the grief nursing has given me I am really sad about stopping. Baby food is a thing of the past and you like to eat everything. Blueberries are by far your favorite. You have quite the little vocabulary for one so small, saying "Dada" "Mama" "Dah" (Dog) and "Nana" (Eat). You hold a very special place in my heart my sweet angel girl.
Love you to the stars,
Mama

Mommy Shoot.

I expected that the last post would leave you wanting more and I am happy to oblige. My friend Sam has got some serious talent. Sam is new to the biz and is wonderful! I was seriously in shock when I saw how well these turned out because I felt so frazzled the entire time.  Trying to wrangle three littles who were dying to play at the park after I forced them into an impromptu photo session was hard work. But Sam is just that good. She captures the pure beauty of daily life and I would bet that she can bring you to tears too. Check her out: Samantha Kelly Photography.  Oh and I forgot to mention she works with her sweet hubby Chas and does video too!: Kelly Arts Films.  I have big plans for a Halloween family video so stay tuned...and check these guys out. You wont be sorry.

Dear Mabel.

My dearest Mabs,

I am sorry I missed last months letter. Life has been flying by and I can't seem to catch up. So, happy seven and eight months little one! You continue to bring sunshine to our family on a daily basis. Seven months brought new adventure because are officially on the move. It didn't take long after you learned to sit to decide it wasn't exciting enough and you took off crawling a few weeks ago. You are fast. And for some strange reason are attracted to the tightest spots and get your self wedged between furniture over. and over. and over. You are still as stubborn as I am and refuse a bottle so you are always by my side. Thankfully you started to sleep better since we moved you into the basement room with Nora. I think you like the cooler temperature down there. You have acquired a love for food but only if I let you pick it up and feed yourself...like I said, stubborn. But I love you to the stars sweet one. Forever.

Love,

Momma

Picture taken by the talented Samantha Kelly.

Dear Mabel.

Sweet Maymo,
Three months suits you well. You smile at everyone, baby talk and love to play with your Ikea hanging toy. You are still a great sleeper and champion eater. We are all still unsure of where you got your cute looks since you look so different from the rest of the family but you fit in just perfect. I love watching you grow and thank you for being so tolerant of your crazy older sisters. Love you to the stars sweet thing.
~Momma

Girls, Girls, Girls.

 

Photos taken by the talented Christine Olson.

Blessing Day.

Two weeks ago Mabel received a very special blessing from her daddy in a quaint get together at my parents' home. A big thank you to them for hosting and to my Aunt Rachel for making Mabel's beautiful blessing dress! You can read more about why will give a baby a blessing and what we believe here.

Announcing.

I'm sorry none of you will be receiving these in the mail. We reserved the actual announcements we ordered for the great-grandparents who aren't as computer savvy.

On The Day You Were Born: Mabel's Edition

 

Sweet Mabel. You were my hardest pregnancy. I was so tired/hot/huge (I have vowed not to be pregnant in the summer months again) and I couldn't wait for you to make your arrival. I had been having contractions for months. The week before your arrival I hardly slept because they were so strong during the night that I would have to relax and breathe through them. I was sure you would come before your due date. You were due on October 1st. I had an appointment with the midwife that morning and we had talked about inducing me if I hadn't had you by then. I was hoping I would get admitted that day so daddy took the day off and we went to breakfast with your sisters on the way to the appointment. I was only 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced before this appointment and when I went in there was no change. I opted to have my membranes stripped in hopes it would get labor going. The midwife (Gretchen Faucett, CNM) told me to wait and see what happened. She said that she would either see me at the hospital later that day if I went into labor on my own or she would admit me the next morning and break my water. In a desperate attempt to get things moving daddy and I took Nora and Stella to the zoo to walk around for a bit. I started bleeding and thought I would go into labor. I didn't. Later that evening we met Katie, Oliver and Alice at Gateway for some more walking and to meet Mike for dinner later at Litzas. Nothing worked. I drove back to Herriman discouraged, sore and tired. After being up most of the night with contractions we packed up the girls in the morning and headed back to SLC. We dropped your sisters off at Grandma Wagstaff's and headed to LDS Hospital. We arrived at 9:45 and I was hooked up to IV fluids. Gretchen came in to break my water and they started me on Pitocin to get my contractions more regular. By 11:30 the contractions were coming on strong, even though they had barely given me any Pitocin.   Dad had gone to grab something to eat and and soon as he walked in the room around 12:15 I told him to find a nurse, any nurse, and tell her I needed an epidural ASAP. The contractions during your labor were the worst pain I have ever felt. I thought since having already given birth twice I knew what to expect but I had no idea. I felt like I was dying. You weren't tolerating them very well and your heart rate kept dropping so they put me on oxygen and had me switch laying on different sides. Around 12:30 the anesthesiologist came in to administer the epidural. I'm sure the whole process only took 15 minutes or so but it felt like an eternity. I just laid there and cried while squeezing dad's hand as hard as I could. They checked me and I was at a 5-6 cm and completely effaced. The epidural kicked in and within 30 minutes I was 10 cm and ready to push. I pushed for about 15-20 minutes and after only four hours of labor there you were. October 2, 2012 at 1:58 p.m. Purple and perfect. The cord had been wrapped around your shoulder and then around your neck. I was so scared to see you so purple and not making any noise but you soon started screaming and pinked up. They laid you on my chest where you proceeded to poop all over me (just like Stella did) and then calmed right down. After I got some time with you resting on my chest they took you to get checked out while I delivered my placenta...which we saved to make into capsules...and got me all cleaned up. You were my easiest delivery once the pushing began. I didn't even tear! You weighed in at 7 lbs. 9 oz. and were 20 inches long. My tiniest baby yet. Our hospital stay was brief. We checked out 24 hours later. There were so many babies born that week that the hospital was crazy busy. It must have been the full moon. I love you to the stars sweet Mabel! I am a very lucky Momma.  

 

Photography by Christine Olson.

Dear Mabel.

Sweet Mabel, 

My little peanut angel baby, 

This first month has flown by. You have taught me to believe in miracles.

I love you to the stars!

Love, Momma

Picture taken by the talented Christine Olson.

Meet Mabel.

Mabel Lois Edwards

October 2, 2012 @ 1:58 p.m

7 lbs. 9 oz 

20 inches long

Blonde hair and blue eyes.

We love her to the stars!