Recent Savannah pics!

I was changing JM's diaper in another room and Savannah was absolutely hysterical. All of sudden she's quiet, and I think "uh oh." But, alas, it was just Levi bringing Savannah flowers to help make her happy :o)

For a long time, this was her favorite place to sleep: Mommy and Daddy's bed!

She does a lot of yawning! The ducky is courtesy of Levi :o) He wanted her to play too!

I know it's kind of mean, but I promise I didn't run to get the camera just b/c she was crying. I was already taking pictures, and she all of a sudden got upset, and I just couldn't resist! She's even cute when she's crying!

She looks deep in thought, no?

Smiley baby! For the most part, she's usually quite the happy camper!

Tummy time on the boppy.

Under her mobile. She LOVES that thing! And I love her big bright eyes!

Mommy and Savannah = BFF

A sign of the times...

How wonderful the times we live in...Savannah can get to know her grandma through voice and sight, half a country away!

Blessing Day

Savannah was given a beautiful blessing by her Daddy last Sunday.

{I have to give a special shout-out to two very wonderful women here that helped make her blessing a success! Chris Burtoft made that dress especially for Savannah. It was breathtaking. People kept asking "Where did you buy her dress?" ;o) It fit her personality so perfectly. We couldn't have been more happy! And Cleo Miller (Mema) made that beautiful bonnet you see Savannah wearing. It was simply gorgeous! She made a handkerchief and then turned it into that bonnet. When Savannah gets ready to go through the temple, she can snip the stitches and it turns back into a beautiful hankie she can take with her!}

It was such a special day. We feel so blessed to have this wonderful daughter of God here in our family. She is perfect!

We had planned on the weekend before. All of Joe-Z's brothers and their families came to town for the special event. Unfortunately, Joe-Z (and John Morgan) woke up with (what we can only imagine was) the flu on Saturday. Joe-Z was still in bed come Sunday morning. Bless his heart. So, we opted to wait for the next Sunday and asked a few of our good friends to help with the blessing. It was hard. We have so many good friends here. Our list was way too long, so we decided to go with the people we've known the longest. We had a great bunch!

A special thank you to: Brad Wonsch, Bill Miller (Papa), Danny Roberts, Andrew Harris, Seth Brock, and Drew Blimes (not pictured).

Mama's Holiday Wish List Meme

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

- A new, post-baby wardrobe! (on second thought, maybe I ought to wait until a few more pounds are shed...lol)

- A sewing machine - having a baby girl makes me want to teach her all the things she'll need to know in life...so I guess I need to get busy learning myself!

- A trip to Disney to see Candlelight with the hubby (I'm totally dreaming here...)

- A mantel for the fireplace...it would add SO much to the living room!

- To go see a movie at the theater, with no baby in tow!

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

- It'd have to be the blessing dress that was made for our little Savannah. It was handmade with love especially for her and it it gorgeous!

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

- I really want to learn how to quilt so I can give out quilts to soon-to-be-mommies!y

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

- Hmmmm, Christmas was always wonderful for us. The first gift that came to mind was a mini-pinball machine (our Dad gave us money for Christmas that year and took us out the next day to go shopping for ourselves!)

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

- They're loving anything sports right now. And anything pretend-play-oriented also seems to be a big hit. I personally really want to make them a flannel board, but every time I start I get discouraged with how bad everything looks - I'm just not that great with scissors I guess.

6. What is your favorite holiday food?

- Cranberry Salad, hands down. Wouldn't be the holidays without it!

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

- Well, said flannel board is in the mix (maybe...) and I saw a cute template for free recipe cards and a holder that I might try to pull of.

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

- A Mom For Christmas (ever seen that one...with Olivia Newton-John? Too bad I can only find it on eBay and it sells for like 40 bucks!)

9. Favorite holiday song?

- Silent Night, for sure. I sang it to Levi all the time as a baby...it was kind of our thing. I'd add on "Levi mommy loves you at the end. It was very sweet.

10. Favorite holiday pastime?

- Driving around to look at Christmas lights. We've already been out once this year...makes for a nice family Sunday drive.

You should all go over here and enter to win for yourselves! Just make sure that if you win, you share your winnings with me ;o)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you're all having a wonderful day!

Going Up?

Funny Sportscenter Commercial.

Savannah Update

Well, I apologize for the lack of postings about Savannah. She's had a cold since she was 2 and a half weeks old. And she'd been really sick the last week 2 weeks.

And it has made. life. tough.

But for 3 days in a row, we've all been enjoying our sweet, non-coughing, non-throwing up, non-diarrhea, non-cry-all-day-and-night-long Savannah.

Let me assure you that she. is. amazing. And beautiful. And sweet. And she smiles! And coos back to you.

We love her so much!

{And you will too...once I find the time to upload the pictures and videos. Stay tuned!}

myself again

I went to the gym for the first time tonight since Savannah was born.

It. Was. Heaven.

27 minutes, 1.75 miles, and 188 calories later, I feel like myself again.

Not too intense. Just enough to give me a taste of how I used to feel when I made the time to exercise. I feel good physically, but even better mentally. For me, life is SO much happier when I can run. Why, I'm not sure. But, hey. I'll take it!

Bring it on, YMCA!

30-Day Giving Challenge

Alyssa (from Keeping the Kingdom First) is hosting a 30-Day Giving challenge over on her blog. Basically, the challenge is "to grab a journal next month and GIVE in some fashion every day in November. This could be large or small, simple or extravagant."

Take a second and read all about it here.

I'm so excited about this. I have a feeling that my giving will likely be more about my time and energy than a monetary gift. Probably particularly involving my family. I think this is going to be great. And I can't wait to gain some perspective on the full-circle blessings of giving to others.

Savannah and Co.

We {heart} Kim Brock of KimBE Photography.

Savannah at 3 weeks:

P.S. I know I have yet to tell her birth story. Work with me - I'm juggling 3 kids 3 and under!

Smilebox

Make a Smilebox slideshow

To a child, Love is spelled T-I-M-E

Have you seen this video?

Take a minute or two and watch it if you would. Maybe it's seeing how big my boys look compared to Savannah...maybe it's just my Mommy hormones...I don't know. It just really touched my heart this morning.

They're what it's all about:

{ This is the only photo we have of the three of them together - (you have to be quick around here!) they're trying to get her to hold onto their fingers :o) }

Like brother, like sister

So, Savannah is pretty much Levi's twinner.

She really is a spitting image (except for her nose...Levi had a rounder nose).

And apparently, they both have a lot on their mind as babies :o)

Savannah's First Fotos (Hospital Pictures)

She looks so big in these pictures, but in person she's so itty bitty!

Family Photo Shoot (pre-Savannah)

We had some pictures taken by Carrie Stroud the week before Savannah was born. These were the "sneak peek" pictures she sent us!

LOVE her!

It's Go Time!

We're headed out to the hospital!

Joe-Z, smile and nod and tell me "it's understandable." You're gonna be the best coach ever baby!

Boys, be good for Mema and Papa. We aren't leaving you. You'll come see us later. You're gonna be the best big brothers EVER. I just know it. I love you both so much.

Mom, please get your bum on a plane and get here by in the nick of time to help her out into the world!

Cris and Kayla - who's going to feed me ice and fan me with a folder? I guess I'll have to fend for myself :o(

Friends, thank you for your prayers!!!

And Savannah, I can't wait to meet you and hold you and kiss you and snuggle you and feed you and dress you in a million different girly outfits a day! I love you so much already! (p.s. - come out quick, k?)

Heavenly Father, please bless our doctors and keep the both of us safe.

Savannah Banana is almost here!

This is her as of today, at 37.5 weeks.

What a cutie, huh? She's got those same cheeks like the boys, but I personally think they'll be smaller (Joe-Z says "let's hope!", lol).

Upon my doctor's recommendation, we've decided to induce on Monday. She'll be 38 weeks. According to the ultrasound she weighs 7 lbs, 15 oz today. So, (give or take a half a pound for accuracy of the ultrasound and adding a half a pound for how much she'll gain in the next 5 days) she should come out somewhere between 8 and 9 pounds on Monday (my tired old body feels like she'll be on the high end there, but something inside me says the lower. We'll see!). That'll make her our smallest yet!

My doctor (who we love) and the rest of his office will be out of town from the 1st to the 6th, which is the week before our original due date. As of Tuesday, I am at 2cm, 80% effaced and completely soft. I've been having contractions (I think...never really had them on my own before, but it feels just like what "they" say they do) since last week, but nothing consistent yet. He doesn't think I'd make it to 40 weeks, and I really don't want to go into labor and have a doctor deliver my baby that I've never met before and has no idea about me or my wants and wishes for childbirth, you know? Florida is pretty uptight about VBAC's, and I was lucky enough to find a doctor that is pretty willing to let me take the liberties I'd like (within reason). I don't want to risk the chance of losing that opportunity and ending up with a doctor who's ideas could differ so drastically from mine.

I really wanted to go into labor on my own this time. To see how big one of our babies would actually get if we left them in there to cook the whole pregnancy. To have to wake up Joe-Z in the middle of the night and say "I think it's time." To make our way to the hospital in excruciating pain wondering how far along I've progressed. And then to sit in the silly waiting room to be seen by a nurse while I'm obviously in pain and to hear them say "Yep, you're in labor." I guess I just wanted to know that my body actually could have a baby on it's own. Even though I've had 2 children, one c-section and one natural, sometimes I don't really feel like a true mom since I've never gone start to finish by myself.

Maybe next time.

This time, we're taking the side of safety and security over letting my emotions run wild with the "I wanted to's."

Unless, of course, I go into labor before Monday morning. That's what we're praying for anyway, and if we could, we'd like to ask for your prayers as well! {I'm thinking Sunday afternoon, after church and nap time. Think I can tell Heavenly Father that??? :o) }

As I type, the first load of baby girl clothes is running through my washer with Dreft (love the way that smells!!!). For some reason, I found myself getting teary-eyed as I carefully selected the first outfits she'll wear. Can we really be bringing another little spirit into the world in a couple of days (and can we really be having a little girl)? Are they cute enough for her? Will they be comfortable enough? Will they even fit, lol.

We'll keep you updated and pictures will be soon to come!!!

One person's Craigslist Ad...

is one little boy's treasure!!!

His Noah's Ark, actually!

We found this awesome toddler bed for Levi's 3rd birthday on Craigslist for 50 bucks! SCORE! Our friends had given us a toddler bed a while back, which the boys loved...for playing on...no sleeping happening though. And then they broke it. So we needed to get a new one, and this one is perfect!

He loves it! He slept the whole night through last night (even though it took him an hour and a half to actually fall asleep)! I woke up a little sad...my baby didn't even cry for me once!

It's okay though. I guess it's just preparing the way for

Savannah to get here :o)

John Morgan likes it pretty good too :o)

28 days to go!

Soon we'll be meeting Savannah, and I think all of us are ready! ;o)

We're thinking she'll be smaller than the boys. The ultrasound we had at 28 weeks had her measuring in the 40th percentile! I said, "Are you sure?" Lol.

At my last appointment the midwife felt around on her and

then said she doubted she'd be that small and noted that I measure ahead for the first time this pregnancy. Only by about week and a half though. I really trust the ultrasounds...they were dead on with both of the boys. So, we'll see! We'll have another one in a week or two to give a birth weight estimate, so that'll be fun!

So, without further ado, 36 week pictures!!!!

A prayer from the heart

On September 1st Levi offered his first prayer (unassisted by me or Joe-Z). It was one of the sweetest moments either of us have experienced since we became parents almost 3 years ago. He's said the goodnight prayer every night since. Tonight, he took it to a whole new level.

His prayer went like this:

"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank the for our door. Thank thee for family. Thank thee for this day. Thank thee for our cribs. Thank thee for food. Thank thee for John Morgan and Levi and Daddy and Savannah and Mommy. And for Dora and for Boots and for Blue and for Sprinkles. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

I haven't smiled so big in a long time. It was just so sweet and sincere...Dora and Boots and Blue and Sprinkles? Gotta love it!

Update: On Thursday night, I asked Levi to offer the blessing on the food for dinner. He said the longest prayer I've ever heard, lol. He thanked Heavenly Father for EVERYTHING! He also thanked him for 1, and for 2, and for 3, and for 4, all the way up to 20. As much as he loves numbers, I have no doubt that he really was thankful for all those numbers! SOOOOOO cute!

Free $10 Mall Gift Card...

Hi friends! Just saw this sweet little deal and thought I'd pass it on!

Go over to Shop Smart, Look Fab to get your free $10 gift card to a local mall near you! (In the Tallahassee area it's to Governor's Square and as of right now, there are 354 gift cards left to give out.)

You fill out your information and they send you an e-mail confirmation to print out and take to the mall to redeem for your gift card during Shop Smart Days, starting September 17th.

(Once you get to the main page, make sure you wait for it to scroll through to the second offer...the first one is for $10 off a $75 purchase...the second is the free gift card.)

Have fun shopping! I know I'm gonna enjoy getting Savannah something cute...for free!!!

More Levi-isms...

Yesterday I asked Levi to pick something up for me. He brought it over to me and I said, "Thank you baby!" Walking away, without even skipping a beat, he said, "You're welcome baby!" Lololololol.

Today Levi woke up early from his nap. He said "I wanna lay on the couch." I said, "Do you want a pillow?" He said, "Mmmm hmmm." I laughed and said "And a blanket?" "Yep" he said. I laughed again and said, "Levi, you're SO funny!" His response, "I AM so funny!" I laughed again and said "Oh my gosh, you're SO cute!" He nodded emphatically and said, "I AM so cute!!!" After that we were both in hysterics.

What a crack up this little boy is! Such a sweetie!

"It's a long story..."

This morning, as I came from the kitchen to the living room, I noticed the lack of one Mr. John Morgan. I couldn't find him anywhere! I checked our bedroom door (we have a child lock on the outside) and it was closed, so I figured he couldn't be in there. After a few minutes of searching with no luck, I went back to the bedroom and opened the door to find JM quietly talking to himself while taking all of the food off of our food shelf. Nice. I must have left the door a smidge open earlier and he was able to push it open, then fully close it behind him. I turned to Levi (who was assisting in my hunt) and said, "Levi, how in the world did he get in here?!?!" He looked at me and with a very somber face said "It's a long story, Mom." I said, "What?" And he repeated "It's a long story." Lolololololololol. For some reason, this really tickled my funny bone! The really strange thing is that I don't even use that phrase...I wonder where he picked it up? Little cutie.

Thanks Grandma!

You know the way to his heart!

Perspective

I've been feeling huge lately. Like massive. Humungo. Gigantic.

So, I decided to get some perspective.

Whoa.

Granted, I still have 9 and a half weeks to get to where I was at in the first picture. I guess I'll take what I can get for now! Those days are coming too soon to sulk about how I look now!

A pain in the...

arm.

This is what happens when you have Thrombophlebitis in your arm (blood clots). It hurts for days and you think it's a pulled muscle or just a side-effect of pregnancy. But then it spreads and it's getting worse, not better. So, off to urgent care. I asked how long I have to keep this semi-cast on...luckily he said it should be gone in 2 to 3 weeks...WHAT?!? I guess I'll be wearing ponytails and we'll be eating frozen meals and the boys will potty train themselves for the next 3 weeks. Sweet!

Truly though, I am grateful to know what's wrong. And that it's not a clot that can break off and float to your heart or lungs...that'd be bad!