Valentines 2015

 The kids had class parties on Friday, the day before Valentines. They were excited to see their friends and have their parties. 

Emma made this Valentine box for her class party. She did all the decorating and choosing all by herself. I just helped cut out the paper to box size and she helped me adhere. The rest was all her.

This was a little note she wrote to her teacher Miss Connell. So cute!

 The kids had in mind what they wanted for their Valentine cards and then Daddy helped design them. I think we found the dinosaur one online and he made some adjustments.

 Friday morning Valentine breakfast. We decided to do our big breakfast the day before Valentines because we knew Emma had a birthday party the following morning. We had bacon, pink pancakes, and eggs. I think Derek and I were looking very tired because let's be honest...we are! :) Lots of wakings in the night from little Amelia lady. :)

 Here is a note and treat to Thomas' teacher, Mrs. Ridge. Love it!

 And they're off to school! They are my cute little munchkins!

 The morning of Valentines!

Thomas is showing us his hot chocolate mug he got. It was toast, nutella, strawberries and hot chocolate for breakfast. 

 We had a visit from Grandma Phair. She brought the little munchkins some V-day treats and snuggled with Amelia.

 On Valentines day, the kids were able to hold Amelia for the first time. We hadn't let them before because of coughs and colds but we were safe now. I love them. This really is what life is all about, isn't it?

 Derek planned to make a special Valentine dinner for the family. He had some good help from Emma and Thomas. They made steaks, potatoes, salad and asparagus. It was delicious!!

 Emma set the table.

 Thomas preparing salad.

 Derek also bought all of these amazing foreign cheese and we had ourselves a picnic on the family room floor with all these cheeses, crackers and fruit. He is really awesome.

Happy Valentine's Day from our family to yours.

Baby Amelia has arrived!

Baby Amelia Ann's Birthday!

 

 I was scheduled to be induced on February 4th to deliver our little munchkin, just two days before her due date. This time, I was extra nervous. I don't quite remember what my nerves were like when I was induced with Thomas, but they felt extra jumpy this time. :) 

 My sweet delivery nurse was Donna from Alabama. She was so good to me. 

I told her my history of deliveries and we figured that this little gal would be coming as quickly as my babies; Thomas and Joseph. 

I wasn't quite sure when to receive the epidural but wanted to wait just a bit after the pitocin was given to me at 7:40am. 

 The contractions got a lot worse and intense really fast. They were about two minutes apart.

By the time I requested the epidural and received it, she was coming too quickly and the epidural didn't kick in. Pushing this little lady felt like a life time, probably one of the harder deliveries for me but when I saw that precious little purple body come into this world it was the most amazing feeling. She came at 9:51am. The emotions were so real and strong and we were SO in love. What a miracle.

 She came out showing us her very strong lungs, just like Thomas did. :) Derek saw a little bit of Emma when she came out but I saw Thomas in her right away. A few minutes later we both agreed that she is SO Thomas. :)

 After they cleared her lungs and mouth, they brought her right over to me. This is my favorite part. We were amazed at how strong her little neck was right away. She held her little head up to look at me with her dreamy eyes. Oh how I love her.

 I love her chunkiness and look at those little dagger fingernails. I mean seriously, they could do some damage. :) We've been keeping little gloves on her little hands to keep her from scratching herself.

 Then I could see a little bit of Joseph in her too. :)

 Dr. Young had a scheduled surgery the same morning in Provo because he was not expecting my baby to come so so quickly. His partner, Dr. McCarter came to deliver her. 

Later that morning, Dr. Young came to visit and we got a picture taken with him.

 Aaaand we were EXHAUSTED!!

 She had a visit from Grandma Phair and later that evening, Aunt Deb, Uncle Russ, and Annie came to visit.

 Her first bath at the Nursery.

 She loved getting her hair washed.

 I love this picture of the both of them. Derek is so awesome. He did so much taking care of me, going home to take care of the kiddos, then come back to hospital to be with me. 

Also, our mothers were life savers as they took care of our little munchkins and for that we are very grateful to them.

 It was finally time to leave the hospital and take our sweet baby home.

 We had some cute little visitors come the morning that we were leaving. They all came with Emma the first night to see their little sister but I didn't get any pictures. The last morning, they were anxious to see her again. Joseph's expression was so priceless. He just smiled from ear to ear and giggled. 

When we brought her to the car, the boys couldn't get enough of her. Joseph kept pointing to her ears saying, "Ears!!" and then lovingly jabbing her in the ear. :)

 Emma had organized and planned this big surprise for me with this big sign that her and her friend Courtney painted together. And there were balloons and streamers everywhere. It was so sweet of her.

 This note from Thomas was on the chair when I first walked into the house.

It says, Love, Thomas. Mom look in pillow for a special surprise. I love Mom. It was a beautiful green ring. :)

 Emma's second grade class wrote notes for me and Amelia.

 She decorated the table and picked out these flowers and arranged them and decorated the vase for them. She even gave me the reddest apple she could find and wrapped it up for me. :)

 Emma's sweet note.

 Emma's friends came over right after school. They chalk colored our front porch steps and left these beautiful weeds on the front door step. They really are so thoughtful.