Reese Marie

Right after she was born
Welcoming her to the world
The first family picture, Lily LOVES her little sister.
Our beautiful girl
On Dec. 30th, 2010, starting around 10:15 AM or so, I started having mild contractions about every 5 minutes. I started to get excited, considering I was over a week overdue. I called the midwife letting her know what was happening and she told me to drink some tea that would relax my body and let my uterus do what it needed. I drank the tea and soon after my contractions slowed WAY down. I got really bummed. I was sure that today was the day. Well soon after they stopped, they started right back up again and not only were they at 5 min again, but they were starting to get stronger. Around 3 PM we called the midwife again because the contractions were getting much much stronger, and fast. We quickly finished blowing up the birthing tub and Grandma took Lily out to do their own thing during the delivery. The midwife soon arrived and she started rubbing my feet with some essential oils to keep the process up. By this point, I was definitely in transition and the contractions were HARD. As soon as she finished with my feet, I got my suit on and got ready to get into the tub. By this point I was feeling some strong urges to push but the midwife wanted to check my cervix first to make sure I was where I needed to be. Well, she couldn't even feel my cervix because the water was bulging so badly. She asked me if I wanted her to break the water or just let it happen the way it was. She said it would take some pressure off so I told her to break the water. As soon as she broke the water, HOLY MOLY! Talk about pain to push that baby out. So my midwife showed me how to push effectively, and I started the strenuous process of pushing. Poor Todd, I think I scratched his back pretty bad because I WOULD NOT let go of him. Within about 4 or 5 good pushes, her head was out. At this point I had been on my knees and once her head was out she had me sit back so the rest of the baby could come easily. I sat back and felt down and felt her head before the rest of her came out. It was SO cool! One more contraction and she was completely out and in the water. I picked her up myself and got to hold her instantly. Her cord was super short so I couldn't pull her up very far. At this point we still didn't know if it was a boy or girl but I was the one to check and was happy when I saw the girl. I would have been happy either way really. It was such a special, spiritual, painful yet fulfilling experience. It was perfect, she is perfect and we are so happy to welcome our beautiful daughter to our family.
She weighed in at 8 lbs 14 oz and 19.5 in long. She was one inch longer than Lily and almost 3 lbs bigger... just so you know!

39.5 Weeks

39.5 weeks and counting!
This is how I really feel... hehe jk

We have made it to almost 40 weeks now... CRAZY! I never thought I would make it this far, but that's fine! We're getting really antsy and super excited to deliver this baby. This morning I set up the tub and everything and can hardly wait til we get to hold our precious little one. It's funny because we're excited for Christmas and all, but MUCH more excited for the baby to get here. My midwife seems to think that we'll probably have a new years baby which totally bums me out, but we'll have to see how it goes! I have been having a LOT of contractions, just not any regular ones yet. I'm fine with that though because I know something is happening at least! :) We feel so blessed to have made it this far and not have anything wrong happen. It's been weird for me to experience such a problem free pregnancy, but SO wonderful! It doesn't mean that I don't worry all the time though. I am such a worry wart! Lily is starting to get excited and talks about feeding the baby and changing the baby all the time. It's been fun to have her along the ride this time. She even helps the midwife find the heart beat when she comes, She's pretty good at it too. :)

Thanksgiving

This past week was so much fun! Todd's entire family was here to celebrate the holiday. It was busy and full of lots of laughs and eating. We were able to get some family pictures with everyone here, even though in a couple of weeks it will be outdated... that's fine. Lily wasn't a huge fan of the cold snow but she had a blast with her cousins and aunts and uncles. We are hardly going anywhere in the next few weeks because obviously I'm pretty much ready to pop... and not just because of all the food I ate :)

almost to 36 weeks!

I have definitely grown in the past few weeks! I have been feeling it but it's making me super excited! We only have about 4 weeks left until the due date! The rest of my appointments are going to be at MY house and after next week we're down to one appointment a week! Any bets of when we're gonna have this baby?! hehe I'm hoping mid-december... but we'll see! I'm trying not to get my heart set on a certain date.

St. George Temple

This past weekend, Todd was gone to a wedding in CA while Lily and I stayed home and tried to make it through without a daddy around! For a day or so we were in St. George at my brothers house and taking care of his two youngest, which by the way was a lot of fun. Friday Lily and I had a few hours to kill and decided to go walk around the temple for a little bit. We have a picture in Todd and my bedroom of us in front of the temple, as soon as we got there Lily points up and says "Mommy, Daddy kiss!" She totally knew where we were! It was really cool! She loved being there. It was fun to take her there and think about what that temple means for us and our family!

Our Super Fun Halloween

Lily with her pumpkin! Our good friend Robert actually carved it but she was very proud of it!
Todd and his Nacho Libre Luchador Mask! He is also very proud
ohhhh scary!
Lily as a princess!
Todd and I as A Bun in the oven and the Baker! :)

We had a fun week this week getting ready for Halloween! We got really into this year because Lily was SO excited! She definitely got the idea of Trick-or-Treating. She got some really good loot too! Todd took her while I passed out candy! It was super cold so they didn't go very far but I think they had fun. Lily was really excited about the whole candy thing!

Pumpkin Patch!

"It's HEABY!"
Let mommy help!

Last night we went to a pumpkin patch down here to pick out our pumpkins to carve for this year! Lily was SO excited to go! She couldn't stop talking about it all day yesterday! She got a pretty good pumpkin for herself there! It was a LITTLE heavy for her but it's just her size. It was fun picking out a pumpkin with her and watching her eyes light up when we said we were taking that one home!

32 weeks!

Oh man! I definitely feel like I'm 32 weeks along! The awful sleeping has begun... well it's been happening for a while now! The baby doesn't do too many huge movements any more. They are more just little jabs and what not. I am SO ready to have this baby! I have forgotten what it is like to be completely comfortable, but I'm willing to go through it to get a healthy baby. hehe. Lily is getting more and more excited about having a baby sibling. She loves to give my stomach kisses and talk to the baby. She always says, "Hewwo Boots!" It's adorable!

The Monday after we had our last ultrasound, Todd was talking to Dr. Sanders. The doctor had looked at our ultrasound and said, "Ya know, it wasn't exactly clear that you're having a girl, so you guys should probably come back in so we can see for sure what you're having!" I just busted up laughing when he told me that. So right now we're having a surprise! We'll have to see if we ever get back in for an ultrasound or not. At this point I'm just fine having a surprise.

I went to our midwife yesterday, I love our appointments! They are so much fun! So far I have only gained 10 lbs from my original weight! That is the best news I have had in months! :) But I had lost 11 lbs in my first trimester, so all in all I have gained 20lbs. I'm still not complaining AT ALL!

Week of Family and Funerals

Jeremy, Lily and Robbie
Todd finally jamming out with someone else
Todd teaching Lily how to bowl... do you see that foot action?!
Visiting family bowling


This past week was the funeral of Todd's grandpa, so there were a LOT of family in town. The funeral was a very nice dedication to a great man! It was long, but what to expect for a man who lived 94 years?! After the funeral on Thursday there were still family here to enjoy the time. We got to spend a lot of time with them and really enjoyed what we got! All of Todd's siblings were here which is always a lot of fun! Plus many many many cousins! One of Todd's aunts has 14 kids and this was the first time in 8 years that all of them were together. Lily played her first game of bowling and did pretty well for a 2 year old! It was definitely a busy week full of laughter and tears!

To a Great Man

This Sunday a wonderful man, that I am so thankful that I got to know, passed away. Todd's Grandpa Fisher left this world to be joined again with his beautiful bride and two sons. I feel very privileged to have been able to know this amazing man, even if it was for just a few years. As soon as I met Grandpa I knew he was special. He was soft spoken but always had a wit about him. He always reminded me of President Hinckley. Even though I didn't know him very long, he gave me great words of wisdom. When Todd and I got married, he sent us a sweet card that stated, "Remember in marriage you are equal, unless she is giving birth, then she is more important!" :) I will never forget that!
The many times we visited him as he sat in his chair, he always gave a great nugget of knowledge. Some of my favorites were when he told Todd to always hold my hand in public and show affection because his wife never let him. When he told us his version of when grandma had their first baby, while we were preparing to have Lily. The warm July evening as he spoke Chinese to us and gave his version of why he doesn't eat Chinese food. Anytime we would walk into the room his eyes would light up and he would say, "WELL HELLO!" The little hand squeezes he would give to assure that everything would be just fine, and they always were. Calling Todd, Toad in the most loving way! :) Listening to his stories of his life, because he always made them so interesting! Always being willing to listen to even the smallest of children and giving them a hug at the end. Singing to him during Christmas time. There are so many wonderful memories involving him and Todd's family.
I have always had a hard time calling Todd's family Mom or Aunt or any kind of title like that. I don't know why, but I know that it has never been difficult to call Grandpa by just that, Grandpa. Because I definitely considered him to be MY Grandpa. He will be deeply missed, but after 94 years of life and 14 long years away from his wife, he is finally reunited with her, along with his two sons that passed before him. I can just imagine the reunion they are all having! Grandpa we love you and are so happy that you are now where you have longed to be!
In the words of Kaitlin, See ya later!

Fun Weekend

So this weekend we had yet another birthday party for Lily and another cousin. Her cousin Robbie and her are 10 days apart and are seriously just best friends! They have so much fun together and love each other so much! It's the best watching them interact together. Well since Robbie was visiting this weekend we decided to do another little party for them for both of their birthdays. It was basically just a bunch of us getting together at the park so they could play and eat some cake and ice cream. The pictures of them together was right before the party, but right AFTER they had just made a huge mess in the bathroom with the bathtub. Hence the no pants on. :)

Turning into little miss crafty!

I got this idea at a relief society night to make pillows out of place mats and honestly it was the EASIEST thing ever! This pillow cost me $3! Just take a little of the seam out, stuff it and then stitch it back up! It's amazing! I love it!

Gibson's Memorial

http://namesinthesand.blogspot.com/2010/09/gibson-fisher.html

We were able to get this memorial done for Gibson by some amazing people in Australia. Go check it out, it is so beautiful!

oh yeah... by the way if you haven't heard, we got another ultrasound and it turns out we're having a GIRL instead of a boy... go figure! hehe

Conference Sunday

I honestly love where we live just for the views! It is gorgeous to drive up Cedar Canyon and look at all the beautiful sights. I have lived here now for five years and it never gets old! Especially in the fall when the leaves change. On conference Sunday we decided to drive up the canyon and have a picnic. It was a fun and beautiful outing! Love how blessed we feel right now!

We needed a day out!

Gage and Lily throwing rocks
Making sure Lily does fall on her face!
CHEESE!
The beautiful view!


This week has been kind of tough for us here... Mostly just because Lily and I haven't really gone out TOO much this week and Todd has been stressed out at work so when he gets home, it stresses me out too. So I was talking to my friend last night and she had a very similar week. She and her family were going up Cedar Canyon today to Navajo Lake to go fishing and to just enjoy the day outside. She invited Lily and me along for the ride. So we went up there for a good chunk of the day today and had a really good time. Lily and a bit of a tough time walking on the rocky terrain but other than that it was fine. She loved throwing rocks into the water and taking care of their daughter who is about 9 months old. Jesse, my friend, has a son who is 2.5 years old named Gage and he and Lily are good little buddies! It was fun to just enjoy the day !

The Big Party!

The morning of the big party! Our beautiful nerd! :)
Her new gloves and "princess shoes"
Hanging out while all the big kids were playing games
Her amazing cake! To see other cakes that Patrice has made, go HERE!

This year for Lily's birthday, we're basically just joining up with cousins who's birthdays are around the same time. On Saturday, she had a birthday party with my niece Shayla. Shay was turning 10, while Lily is turning two so Shay had a lot of friends there while Lily was pretty much happy to hang out and play outside. We have a ward member who is is starting to make cakes as a business and needed practice, so we definitely volunteered for that! Her cake was PERFECT! Lily loved it! It was a lot of fun! She got a few toys and here in a couple of weeks she's probably going to have a party with her other cousin Robbie when they come to Cedar City. We figure she won't be too upset about that since she's only two and just happy to get new toys! :)

Getting My Craft On!

So a few weeks ago my relief society had a night where they talked about how to save money during the holidays and birthdays! I got SO many cute ideas! This was one of them and as soon as I saw them I knew I wanted to do this! These are coasters that I made out of tiles and scrapbooking paper. It was probably the easiest thing in the world to do! It was my first attempt at modge podge and I feel like it went pretty well! The tiles are seriously 16 cents at the home depot! SERIOUSLY! When all was said and done I probably spent around $8 to make 16 coasters. Super good ideas for family gifts or neighbor gifts! I am in love with them! :)


Directions
ok, so you need 4 X 4 glazed tiles ($ 0.16 @ Home Depot)
*clean the surface of tile
*paper (i used scrap book paper, you could also use pretty/festive napkins which would be CHEAP!)
*cut down to size I did mine about 3.75 inches square
*modge podge the back side of the paper
*place in tile and smooth as good as you can with out tearing it (I used a credit card to smooth out the paper)
*when dry (maybe 30 minutes or so) apply another coat of modge podge on top of your paper
*when that layer dries, I put a layer of polyurethane (water based) on top of that to help seal it
*i found cork board at Staples in the bulletin board section, for the bottom of the tile so it won't scratch the tables. (the directions recommend the thinnest cork board and covering the full bottom, but I didn't want to buy that much cork, so I bought the thicker stuff and improvised :)

27 weeks

This is me at 27 weeks with Lily...
This is me at 27 weeks now...

If you can't tell, he is a LOT lower! Lily loved to play in my ribs and he has barely even touched them. That being said, he completely hugs my bladder and cervix ALL the time! it's almost a constant tick! :) This weekend my mom came down and we made a few burp cloths and receiving blankets, I actually attempted to sew again! Awesome! It's making it a little more real! So exciting!

Beautiful Pictures of Lily!

Ok, so last week, I went down to St. George and Alecia Talbot took some pictures of Lily! She said she needed more pictures of girls and I hope we gave her some good practice :)! They turned out SO SO SO SO SO good! I loved them! She was so good during the picture session and was so expressive and so beautiful! We got some really good ones that show her personality and how fun she is. I love the goofy pictures just as much as the picturesque ones! I thought Alecia did a wonderful job and she was a lot of fun to work with because she had a lot of fun ideas! Thank you again Alecia we were so happy with what we got!