Pictures of Raegans Birthday

I got Easton a book for Raegan to give to him for her birthday :)

If I see one more princess, I'm gonna scream! J/K. Raegan loves princess anything, makeup, and nail polish!

All the kids that came to Raegan's birthday party.

Raegan opening up her present from Aunt Alisa and Uncle Daxton.

Package from Grandma Seegmiller.






mmmmmm. Cake!!!!!

I love her smile!

Wrong way, Callie!

I couldn't get the tie to stay on their faces.

Uncle Kevin helping Raegan with her bat for the Pinata!!






I'm a sucker for girl birthdays!!!

Raegan's 4th Birthday

Raegan turned 4 years old today. I can't believe that it's been 4 years since the day she was born. I don't remember much about that day. I've been so busy trying to keep up with her ever since. It was an amazing experience, though. One that I will always be grateful for. That sweet little girl is one of the best gifts ever given to me. I can't imagine my life without her.

I had a very good pregnancy with Raegan. Other than a couple little bumps, I was fine the whole 8 1/2 months The night before I found out I was pregnant, I woke up in the middle of the night throwing up. I had taken 5 or 6 pregnancy tests months prior that were negative so, I figured I just had the flu. Cory had been sick so, I thought I just got it from him. Also, we ate at Los Hermanos that night so, I thought maybe it was something there. Well, that morning I took a test and it was positive. I was so so so excited! Since Cory wasn't feeling well, was a bit grumpy. I didn't want to tell him until the timing was perfect. We only had one car then, so I drove him to school and then went to Paul Mitchell (where I went to school). I couldn't keep it in and told all of my friends there. They were so excited for me and then asked, "what did your husband do when you told him?" When I said I hadn't told him yet, they all just looked at me with the wierd eye. I know, it was bad. So, when school was over I went to pick him up and while we were driving I turned on Phil Vassar. There is this one song that says, "then one night, she came to me with tears in her eyes and an E.P.T saying guess what? Ya, BABY ready or not! I turned the song off right after that part. Cory said, "why did you turn it off?" I just gave him a look. He thought about it for a second. And then said, "Serious? So, that's why your were throwing up last night!"

I was fine after that night. Was a little bit sick here and there until 6 weeks. I was SO sick! I couldn't eat anything but tator tots. I'm so serious. 6-12 weeks were awful for me. But, after that I was fine!

Cory and I lived in California while I was preggo with Raegan. I'd try to let him feel he kick and she never would when he'd put his hand on my stomach. On Father's Day she was kicking and I went to tell Cory to try and feel. Then I thought twice about doing that bc I didn't want him to be sad if she stopped. I did it anyway. And she kicked like crazy! It was the first time he felt her kick.

Since we were only in California for 4 months, I still kept my Doctor in Utah and just went back twice for an appointment. For the 1st ultrasound, Cory and I went back together. I was so sick with a sinus infection and being pregnant and flying! I was miserable!! It was so hot when we got there and I had to go right away to the Dr. appt. We borrowed a car to drive out there and the A/C decided to stop working. I remember just being so sick and hot! I couldn't breath at all! When we got to the appt, I sat on the table and they started the ultrasound. Right when I looked at the screen and was able to see my baby, I remember not feeling sick for a small moment. I was totally fine. I was so happy and grateful to see this little tiny thing inside of me moving around. And then, finding out that it was a girl!! Right when I got off the table, I was sick again.

At 36 weeks I was diagnosed with Pre-eclampsia. If it's not monitored closely, it can be dangerous. I had to go into the hospital often to have stress-tests done and to have my blood pressure checked. It got so bad that I was told by the Doctor that the baby could come in a week. I was pretty miserable that whole week with symptoms from the pre-eclampsia. I was ready for her to come! I still wanted it to be a surprise for everyone, so I waited until the night before I went in to be induced to tell them. It was fun calling them all to tell them she was coming the next day when they were expecting it to be 3 more weeks!

The morning that we went in to have her delivered, I was so nervous. So nervous that I didn't want anyone around but Cory. When we left to go to the hospital at 6 a.m. he got in the car and I told him to hold on for a second. I went back in the house, threw up, and then went back to the car. I couldn't keep anything down me bc I was so nervous. Once we got to the hospital, I was even more nervous. Rightfully so. It is not fun what you go through to get a child here. Especially someone like me who has very low pain tolerance. But, I'd go through it again and again. Maybe not the I.V. part. But, everything else was so worth it. And it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I remember getting ready to text people at 4 pm telling them that she wasn't here yet and that it might be a while. The nurse came in to check me and said, "ummmm. This child is on it's way. HOLD ON UNTIL THE DR COMES!!!" Ya, kinda hard to do that when she's ready. Right when the doctor came, Raegan was outta there!!! She was beautiful! I got to hold her for a while until they had to take her up to the NICU. While I was watching them clean her up, I realized that the Dr was still working on me. I couldn't feel anything bc I had an epidural. His face was red and he was sweating. I didn't realize that something was wrong. He had been trying to stop me from bleeding. I had hemoraged. They finaly had to give me a shot to help stop the bleeding. Once again, I'd go through it all again to have this little princess in my life!!!

Raegan woke up today and saw all of the decorations for her party set up in the living room. She said to Cory, "DAD! Who did this?" He told her it was me and she said, "Oh my gosh! Mommy is the best!" She gave me a lot of kisses and hugs today saying, "Mom! You're the best ever!" Her party started at 5. At about 3:30 Easton woke up from his nap and wasn't able to breath very well. He was starting to get sick a couple days ago but, was doing fine. His temperature was high and he couldn't breath. I was so scared. Cory went to the hospital and found out that he had Croup. They gave him some medicine to stop the swelling of the vessels in his lungs and a breathing treatment. We ended up having Raegan's party outside and keeping Easton inside away from all the kids. It was so sad! Cory and I just took turns sitting with him while the other would help with the party. Raegan had a great time! We had cake, opened presents, and had a princess pinata. It was a very eventful day! I love you Raegan!!!!!!!!!

Raegan and Mommy Night Out

Today, I decided that Raegan was getting too old to take naps. It was starting to become to difficult with the whining and crying. Not that her doing that means she is ready for no-naps. It's just that it drags out forever and by the time I've finally gotten her to take a nap, Easton wakes up. Where's any of the me time in that? So, I now just put little Easton down and he goes to sleep in 30 seconds. And then I "make" Raegan sit on the recliner and watch a show. She's not allowed to talk to her mommy at all during that time and she can't get off the recliner :) It's working okay so far.
Tonight, I was leaving to go run some errands. As usually, Raegan flips out because she doesn't want me to leave. I wasn't going to get anything done if I let her come. Especially since she didn't have a nap today. It was 7:30 too and she usually is in bed by 7:00. Well, since I'm the mom, I can make changes to plans, right? I told Raegan to get her shoes on. Fastest I ever saw her put them on. She was so excited. I took her out on a mommy-raegan night out. We went to the park, outdoor mall, princess store, got an icecream, and lots of singing in the car. My favorite is how she sings sleeping beauty. Here's how she sings it. " I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream. IIIIII know you, your eyes are of such a wonder familiar a gleam. But I know it's true that visions are sometimes some they seem. But I know, I knowwwwww, I know what you knowwwwwww. And that's it. She is so funny! I love her so much!

Shelves!

Cory and our good friend, Richard, putting up shelves in our laundry closet. Yay for more storage space!!!!!!

Buffalo Billy

Growing up, I used to watch a show called Buffalo Billy with my family. It's a ventriloquist that does a lot of different acts with puppets. We all loved it! This song was the theme song for the show. I haven't seen it in years. The other day, I was watching a show about the best pranks ever done. One of them had to do with this song. When someone was being pranked it would be when they went to click something on their computer and the music video would come up. This prank was going on all around the world. It's hilarious! Cory, if you're reading this, I'd LOVE to go see this show sometime in Vegas when school is over, mmm, k?

Home Improvements

It's time for Halloween Decorations!!! Yay! The kids love this little singing/dancing Frankenstein! Our friend is throwing a big party this year and every family has to have a theme. hmmmm. what could we do as a family theme with a daughter who is demanding to be Sleeping Beauty? Any ideas would be great!

After living in our new apartment for 2 months with a lot of pictures not hung up and knowing that we'll just be moving in a year, I decided to put them on top of our kitchen cabinet. The Pictures sat down too low on the cabinet so I got a bunch of cake boxes and put them underneath. Looks pretty tacky, I know. I'll fix it if Martha Stewart decides to ever pop in!

Sweet little Easton is pretty maticulous about a lot of things. He did this the other day and I thought it was adorable. Lining up his little car toys which he loves! He plays with them all day!

President Uchtdorfs Talk at Women's Conference

President Uchtdorf Reminds Sisters of Five Things to “Forget Not”

“No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love.”
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, gave this loving reminder during the General Relief Society Meeting on September 24, 2011.
Using the forget-me-not flower as a metaphor for his remarks, President Uchtdorf noted that although the flower is small in size, and easily unnoticed among larger flowers, it is still beautiful and vibrant.
President Uchtdorf tied the five petals of the forget-me-not flower to five things women should not forget.
Forget not to be patient with yourself:
President Uchtdorf reminded women that everyone has strengths and weaknesses—that no one is perfect, even those who may seem so.
“God wants to help us eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal,” President Uchtdorf said. “It is OK that you are not quite there yet. Keep working on it but stop punishing yourself. “
“Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others,” he added. “Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.”
Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice:
President Uchtdorf defined an acceptable sacrifice as giving up “something good for something of far greater worth.”
“Dedicating some of our time to studying the scriptures or preparing to teach a lesson is a good sacrifice. Spending many hours stitching the title of the lesson into homemade potholders for each member of your class may not be.”
President Uchtdorf noted that every situation is different, and suggested asking, “Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?” in order to distinguish between good and foolish sacrifices.
Forget not to be happy now:
Using an example from the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, President Uchtdorf described how one of the characters, Willy Wonka, hid golden tickets within chocolate bars, promising to reveal wonders to five people who discovered the tickets.
“In their anxiousness, people began to forget the simple joy they used to find in a candy bar. The candy bar itself becomes an utter disappointment if it does not contain a golden ticket,” President Uchtdorf said. Whatever a “golden ticket” may represent to each person, President Uchtdorf warned Relief Society sisters to not put their happiness on hold as they wait for a future event, or golden ticket, to appear.
“The lesson here,” he said,” is that if we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us.”
Forget not the “why” of the gospel:
President Uchtdorf said that sometimes, in the routines of daily life, the vital aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ are unintentionally overlooked. “We sometimes see the gospel as a long list of tasks that we must add to our already impossibly long “to do” lists. We focus on what the Lord wants us to do and how we might do it, but we sometimes forget why.”
President Uchtdorf reminded the sisters that the gospel is not an obligation, but a pathway leading to happiness and peace in this life and “glory and inexpressible fulfillment” in the life to come.
Forget not that the Lord loves you:
In closing, President Uchtdorf said, “Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time.”
“You may at times feel a little like the forget-me-not—insignificant, small, or tiny in comparison with others,” he said, noting: “I hope (the forget-me-not) will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet.”