Happy 6th Birthday Ellie

December 16th 2005 - I was 8 months pregnant with baby #2 and was sick with the flu. I was dehydrated and having very regular contractions, but not feeling so much pain that I wanted to go to the hospital. I finally got to sleep for the night and found out the next day that Sophie Joan, Ellie's closest cousin, was born on December 16th. I think my body was having sympathy contractions for my sister, Angela, and I also think that Sophie and Ellie just wanted to stick together.
1 month later - Aaron and I went to a neighbor's house with some other couples to play a board game late at night. I was feeling a little uncomfortable, so my friends were giving me advice on how to induce labor naturally. I decided I would try some of their advice the next day(I can't remember now what all of it was).
Jan 21st 2006 - Well, I didn't get a chance to try my friends' advice because in the middle of the night (about 4 am) I was awakened with a very painful contraction. We called my sister, Jennifer, who lived 1.5 hours away. We checked into the hospital and started watching "A Cinderella Story" (for some reason I was really excited to watch a movie while I labored at the hospital), but the contractions were so bad I had to turn it off. Jen and Aaron coached me through a VERY painful, 7-hour labor (again, I had the Pit, but no epidural). My dr. was out of town, so his partner, Dr. Ruby, was my dr. that day. The nurse who was with me said, "When it comes down to it, you wouldn't care if it's the Boy Scouts of America who deliver your baby, just as long as you get it out." I pushed for 1.5 hours and Ellise Suzanne was born at 12:30 pm. She was 8 lbs. 3 oz and born posterior - I was so proud of myself, but vowed right then and there that I would definitely get an epidural next time around! January 21 2012 - I have a sweet, loving, playful, and beautiful 6-year old Ellie. She is loving kindergarten and is doing really well with her reading. I have been impressed with how well she adjusted to school and also with how well she makes friends. In the past year she has really matured and become more independent without Carly constantly by her side. It was nice (but sometimes boring for her) to have her home with me last year while Carly was at kindergarten. And now that Carly's gone all day, Aubree and I really enjoy having Ellie with us in the mornings. I've learned that as a Mom you still need to get to know your own kids and I feel like I've been able to understand Ellie better this past year. Anyway, it's been fun to "get to know" her. I am so grateful to be her Mom.

We had a pizza party at our house for Ellie on her birthday. Everyone had a great time! We even had Aunt Angela there with her kids and Aunt Steph came too.

Happy 5th Birthday Carly Nicole!!!

Flashback to 5 years ago....

It was 16 days before the due date and I went in to my regular doctor's appointment. We were living in Rexburg at the time and I wanted to go to Utah for a family reunion with my siblings that weekend. Well, the doctor told me I wouldn't be going to Utah, but instead I would be going to the hospital (I was dilated to a 6 and didn't even know I was in labor). Ha ha!!

Well, NINE, exchrutiatingly painful hours later (with pitocin and without an epidural!) Carly Nicole was born. I never knew that I could fall in love with someone so fast - truly love at first sight!!! She was 6 lb 12oz and perfectly healthy. We had a hard time naming her. We couldn't decide between Nicole or Carly so we made Nicole her middle name. (We also liked the names Kelly and Aubree.)

I wish I had some baby pictures of her on our computer...maybe next year. But, here are some recent pictures of the little cutie.

For her birthday this year my parents came and took us to Lagoon. The girls of course LOVED it!

Even though Carly is barely old enough to go to kindergarten we decided (a long time ago) that we would hold her back. This way she won't be the shortest of the shortest when she starts school - she'll just be average-short :). And her and Ellie will only be a year apart in school which will be nice for them I think.

Today she woke up so excited that it was her birthday. She was sure that because she turned 5 she would finally be able to read. So, she picks up one of her books and starts reading it (the story line was right, but the words weren't exact) :). She is getting really close to reading on her own though. She knows all the letters' sounds and can sound out short phonetic words. She loves to write things with my help and just loves to learn in general. Aaron and I seriously think she's a genius (it's her birthday, so it's okay if I brag, right?).

She is the most amazing little singer - memorizes songs SO easily and has perfect pitch! The primary presidency is always commenting on how well she sings and they asked if she would sing a solo for the primary program this year.

Well, I could just go on and on about how smart and cute and wonderful Carly is, but I need to get ready for church. And chances are some of you are getting bored with this already (could it be possible?).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARLY!

Angela & Jimmy's Baby is Here!

Scotty Randall

8 pounds 13 ounces

21 inches

born Monday, May 11th

Ang, Sophie (3 yr. old - now a big sister), and Jimmy

My sister, Angela, had a baby boy on Monday! (This is their fourth baby.) She labored at home for about a day and went into the hospital Monday morning and found she was already at 8 cm. She did it without an epidural (which is what she had wanted to do)! Way to go Ang!!!

What exciting times for my sisters!

Aubree Lynette

Born Thursday, February 5th 2009
7 pounds, 18 ½ inches

I went to the hospital Thursday morning to be induced. I was on pitocin for 3 ½ hours which did NOTHING as far as progressing me, but put me in a whole lot of pain. I then got an epidural (my first – totally AWESOME) and they broke my water. Three hours later the doc arrived at the hospital – I had one contraction (pushed twice – UNBELIEVABLE) and our little baby was born!

This was such an awesome labor and delivery for me, mostly due to the fact that I had an epidural and the baby was not posterior. With Carly and Ellie I went into labor naturally and was on pitocin with both (without an epidural). I labored for about 6 ½ hours and pushed for about 1 ½ hours with both of them (they were both posterior). So, this was seriously amazing for me!

We had the hardest time naming her and didn't officially decide until we got home today. Aaron and I really like the name Aubree mainly from the song by Bread (hopefully I'll figure out how to put that song on my blog), and of course we just think it is a pretty name. (We also think that Bree is a cute nickname.) Her middle name, Lynette, is my Mom's name.

So far, both baby and I are doing really well and we were able to come home today. Aubree sleeps a lot and is a good little eater (she would nurse constantly if I let her I think). We are so grateful for how well the delivery went and that we had a healthy little girl to bring home.

Mommy's thinking: "Yes!"

Baby's thinking: "Oh Man! Did I take a wrong turn somewhere?!"

Nanny Nette and Grandpa Johnson with Aubree

Her little newborn outfit just drowns her! It's amazing how tiny they are!

Carly can hardly get enough of her

This is a video of Ellie holding her for the first time.

Welcome to the World Blake James

Aaron's brother and his wife, Brett and Heidi, just welcomed the newest little addition into their family... more than 4 weeks early! (Heidi was originally due just a week before me). He's still in the NICU, but hopefully he'll be going home soon.

Blake James

Born on January 5, 2009

weighing 6lbs 14oz (huge for 4 weeks early)!

CONGRATULATIONS to Brett and Heidi and older siblings, Megan and Brock!