The Girls' Birthday Party

Even though so much has happened since then, I still need to post about the girls' birthday party that was the Saturday after their Birthdays, on the 20th. We did it indoors this year. We have always had an outside party and it's been fun but I was SO glad that we decided to do it inside this year. It was SO hot outside! It was more fun this year, too, to see how excited Livvy was about her party. She understood better and had the anticipation for it.

My mom came down and brought my niece, Missy and nephews, Sam and Jake. Sam and Jake were the most important guests for the girls. Livvy could talk of no one else.

This is my good friend Emilie and her baby. She brought "the girls"-Clair and Ivy to the party.
Dad got a pic of Ella enjoying her cupcake.

If you know Ella, this is how you'll see her a lot. She loves her drink.

Pinata Time! Liv picked out an elephant pinata and loved it.

The girls are watching others hit the pinata, in anticipation.

Jake got it down and the candy was all shaken out.

grabbin' the loot

The Tres Leches cake that I made. It turned out pretty good. Tastier than it looks.

Announcing...

Ashton Gabriel was born August 24th at 4:39 p.m. It was a complete surprise since he wasn't due till September 22nd. We have been caught unprepared and even weren't ready with a name. It took us a few days and I just wrote it down on the hospital paperwork the minute we were leaving.
He was born 5 lb. 12 oz. and 19 inches long. He had labored breathing from the start but they decided he was okay. They took him to the nursery but when his blood sugar levels were checked they were low and they took him to the NICU. His levels increased quickly but for precautionary measures they kept him up there till 3:30 a.m. and checked him every 6 hrs for 24 to make sure that he could maintain the levels. It required supplemental feedings. His billiruben is a little high, just like our girls were, but he was more lathargic because of it after coming home and we are working on that, hoping to not have to do lights.
We both came home yesterday afternoon and have been doing pretty good. The girls are so happy to have mommy back. They are doing better with "baby brother" than I thought they would.
I will share My Labor Story later.

Two Cute

Wednesday was Olivia's birthday, on the 17th. And on Friday, the 19th, was Ella's birthday. We wanted to do something for both of their days so we went swimming on Livvy's birthday and went to Chuck E. Cheese's on Ella's. But it was just fun for the family both days and didn't matter what day was what. We got them big cupcakes and a little present for opening at home. It's so nice when they're little that you don't have to do "big" for them to feel like it's a fun and special day.

She was kindof scared of the candles and Livvy helped her blow them out. The girls are playing with their birthday presents we got them. We got them matching Pascals so there would be no competition for them.
Even though Livvy is in the picture, I love the exitement on Ella's face. She was saying "Yeah! Happy Birthday!"

Ella and Livvy both opened their other gift from us on Wed. It was a trunk of dress-up. It came with super cute dresses, jewelry, tiara and crown.

They both immediately had to put on dresses. Here's a picture of Princess Ella...

Dear Ella,

You are now officially 2 years old and with it, a little more sassy! With all your sassiness and spunk you are also very tender-hearted and sweet. You love to cuddle after getting up in the morning and mid-day nap. You put your head on my shoulder and pat my back.

Some of your favorite things include: balls, puppies, kitties, "choo choos", babies, fruit, "get" (drinks), Tilda, Chuck E. Cheese games, swinging on the park swing, coloring (you call it "colors"), you also love books and talking. In fact, I hear you 'reading' your books aloud a lot ot yourself. It is very cute.

You sing along to the songs Mommy and Daddy sing to you. Some of the ones you know are "Andar en la Luz", "I am a Child of God", "I Love to see the Temple", "Mother, tell me a Story" and others. You point out every bus on the street and scream "Bus!" You make sounds for cows and horses on the paths and highways we take.

You can say so many things. Examples are: "What happened?", "Are you okay?", "I don't want it.", "Mommy, want to color?", you are starting to show more possession too and state that things are "Ella's". You are starting to pray for others in your prayers. You can count really well. You get caught on 4 in English but go right through in Spanish.
You are are very active and very strong. I should have known from the day you were born. As the nursing staff was trying to weigh you for the first time, you were moving all over to the other side, as though you had somewhere else to be. Just as you are physically strong, you are very determined spiritually--it's your personality. You often try things without complaint.

You are a sweet little girl who has blessed our lives for the last 2 years in so many ways. I am grateful to have seen you grow, learn and share your love in this time and that you will continue to bless our family even more.

Four Reals?

Here comes the time of year when we say, "I can't believe they are getting so big" and you really feel it. Where did the time go and how did it all happen? (yet at the same time you were right there, every day, being more than a witness). But still, it doesn't feel like I should have a 4-year-old and that she should be quite so big yet. Before I know it she'll be in school and I'll be crying because I have just left her alone to experience it all on her own.

But about NOW...I want to do what a lot of mommies do and post a little something to remember this age.

Dear Olivia,

Today you are officially 4 years old and the difference from 3 to 4 seems significant. In this year ahead of you, you will learn so many new things...

You may start going to preschool, you may not. You may start to enjoy primary more, you may not. Whatever you learn and however you change we will be here 100% of the way. Your mom and dad love you so much and are so happy to have you in our home and lives.

I thank my Heavenly Father for the blessing me to be a mommy and that 4 years ago you were the one to come and change my life forever.

Some of your favorite things include: Oso is still #1 when it comes to wanting comefort or to sleep with. You like elephants and dolphins a lot; also dinosaurs, dragons, lizards, Ariel and Cinderella. There are phases of favorites for sure....

You love green. You like spending time with Gamma. You talk about going to her new house almost every day & also about seeing Sam & Jake. They are some of your favorite people- and of course, Mommy, Daddy & Ella. You look forward to seeing Buela & Helam and Ethan too. You know they all love you. I hope you always know how much you are loved and adored!