A very Christmasy Livvy.

We head out to Arizona for Christmas and New Years. Tomorrow we have Christmas in Danville. Livvy is now crawling and pulling herself up and standing. She is growing up so fast. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! We can't wait to see all of our family in AZ!!

Thanksgiving

What a week of fun, food, and more food. First, Grandma got Livvy a new bouncy toy...and she's a lovin' it.
Thanksgiving morning started with the boys playing some football, while the ladies cheered from the sideline.

On Friday we decided to have a warm-up game for the annual New Year's Day Rosdahl basketball game. And since we're going to be in Arizona for the real deal we were thrilled to play.
This week ended with a little bit of Footloose and nail polish and Veronica. Overall we had an awesome Thanksgiving week and are hit with a massive case of Sunday Night Blues.

Lil' tookie.

Bavarian sugar cookie.

So I am not going to Utah. I have felt unsettled for a while and then on Monday I settled the chaos in my head and gut and canceled the flight. I just didn't feel good about it. I don't know why. I mean there are a million reasons including...Livvy doesn't have her swine flu vaccine, Lincoln couldn't come, but mostly I just didn't feel right about it. I feel better now, but am thoroughly bummed I will not be seeing Brooke at the airport tomorrow morning. I am bummed I won't be seeing everyone...but I am grateful for phones and understanding friends.

On a brighter note I am now 22. Frankly that seems a lot older than 21. I had a good birthday with little miss and my momma. We spent it shopping in the Stoneridge Mall. I loved feeling like my mom's kid again, walking through B.P. and finding the perfect pair of jeans.
The night of my birthday we watched Stranger than Fiction. I love it. Mostly I love the meaning behind the movie and the fact that Harold Crick is an IRS agent who's favorite word is integer. Here's one of my favorite quotes which really says how I feel about doing laundry, kissing Lincoln goodbye in the morning, and playing airplane with Livvy.

"And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives. I know the idea seems strange, but I also know that it just so happens to be true."

A very happy Halloweenie.

This past weekend was fun. Friday night we went to Wicked with Lincoln's parents (they were in town for a little weekend getaway). I had an emotional breakdown before I finally parted with Livvy. I left her with a bottle but lately she has not been taking it so I was really not looking forward to being away from her for 5 hours.
My mom insisted that she would be ok and she was...although she refused to eat or drink anything until I came home. I called at intermission and almost got on a train when I heard her screaming. My mom and sisters are so awesome to handle my little monster!

This is Livvy with a cereal face.

Then on Halloween Lincoln and I hung out in Danville, carved a pumpkin and went out to PF Changs with Devan, Mg and company. Overall Halloween was a success. Now the only trick is to convince Lincoln that singing "White Christmas" is not yet ok...wish me luck he's been singing it since September.

No thanks.

So last night I held out for 2 hours...then Lincoln and I gave in and I held my sweetie and she fell asleep next to me while playing with my face and arms. Her sweet little eyes were swollen from crying and she seriously wouldn't stop smiling after we held her. I wanted to hold her all night.

Lincoln and I both don't think it's the time and perhaps it's not the way to do it. Last night as I lay between my little baby and sweet hubby...I realized life doesn't get much better. I know Livvy can't sleep in our bed forever and eventually we will get her in her crib but we're going to find a process that works for her and us.

I appreciate all of the advice I have been given and think that we will try to be creative so that Livvy feels loved and safe.

Look at that sweet smile! She's got us eating out of the palm of her hand!

Distraction.

We started sleep training Livvy tonight. She is in her crib screaming right now. She has those crying hiccups. I hate those. I didn't want to do the Ferber method. I wanted to try a non-cry-out method. I don't think that crying it out is good for a baby. I am out of options though. She has been staying up really late and waking up a ton. She takes over the bed and refuses to sleep in her crib.

She seems to calm herself down, but then immediately after we leave the room or stop patting her back she is back to her "mad" scream. I just keep telling myself that we are helping her develop her "self-soothing". Part of me wonders if the cry-it-out method is just having your baby cry so hard and long that they pass out. I normally just nurse Liv to sleep and lay her down next to me. It seems like that is a lot more natural then leaving her to sleep on her own.

I'm going to give this whole thing a few days. If she doesn't start calming down then I think I'll try something else. Can you tell I am really not liking this? Everyone has told me to be strong through the crying nights...so here is me trying.

Hot Linc.

Lincoln celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday. We had a pretty awesome day. He had his favorite breakfast (omelet) before heading off to work. Then Livvy and I BARTed in to have lunch and hang out in the city with him. We came home had some awesome dinner and a "Better Than You Know What Cake". He loved his presents and everything about his day minus the working.

Lincoln is an awesome hubby and puts up with a lot. He is always so patient and fun. Here is a list of some random facts about the man behind the glasses.

1. He loves to study and read. Anything.
2. He bought a jump rope to work out with and used it once.
3. He washes his dishes BEFORE loading them into the dishwasher.
4. He always checks the doors to make sure they are locked 10 times.
5. He is risk averse.
6. He sings Christmas songs to Livvy and has been since she was born.
7. He doesn't like rice.
8. He buttons the top button on his shirts when he hangs them up.
9. He gets dressed in the dark so I can sleep.
10. He is the best husband ever.

Thoughts.

Well, it's 10:33pm and Lincoln is still at the office. Today was a cleaning-stay-at-home day. Being alone with a baby all day is so different then going to work. It's so great and wonderful, but it also has some challenges that I did not expect.

I find most days (especially lately) trying to fill up the hours in my day. Lately baking and cooking have taken some of the void. I also clean...I never thought I would be grateful to have a toilet to clean, but I am.

The transition from a full-time student, to a full-time employee to a mom has been insane. I am constantly reminded of President Uchtdorf's talk about creating. If I make a clean room, chocolate chip cookies, or make Livvy laugh I feel better, happier.

Life is crazy. Every phase of life has it's challenges and I guess through all of them we just try to find happiness in the small things.

Today's small things were a clean baby and bedroom.

Almost there.

We are almost done with this busy season only 12 more days to be exact. Lincoln is so ready to be done. I am so ready to have him back at home.

Today we lost a roomie, actually 2. Devan and Rudy have begun to move out. We will miss them. I will miss talking to Devan after work and eating dinner together. Having him around has been so nice. He takes Lincoln to BART in the morning and he makes busy season not seem so lonely for me.

That's all for now folks. Oh yeah...Liv and I are coming to Utah in November.

Can't wait.

Dodged that bullet.

Lincoln got the offer from Qatar for a TRANSFER not a 2 year tour. So he quickly declined and said we were only interested in the 2 year thing (phew!). I am proud of him for getting the offer, but am also glad we'll be staying put for the time being. Maybe some exciting international tour will come up later, but for now a new baby is exciting enough.

Japanese Tea Gardens and such.

Last weekend Lincoln didn't have to work on Saturday (the first one in a long time) so we drove out to San Mateo to hang with Devan and Margarita. Note: Livvy conked out in the carrier...she was so tired!
We went to this sweet Japanese Tea Garden and saw some crazy fish and trees. Then we walked around downtown and grabbed a bite to eat. We have decided that San Mateo is pretty awesome. I have also decided that having a husband for more than Sunday is pretty rad too.

Water.

Our condo has been watered. Not once but twice from the upstairs unit. First their AC unit and now their washer. Puddles of water on our floor and in our walls.

Currently our house is overrun with dehumidifiers and VERY loud fans. We're in good ol' Danville for the night to avoid throwing them out the window. Luckily our neighbors are really nice and have been very good to work with.

Thank goodness for 1668.

No word on Qatar......(yes!)

A debacle.

Lincoln applied for a 2 year international rotation to Qatar (next to Saudi Arabia and Dubai). He had the interview last week and we find out next week if the Middle East group wants him to fill one of the 4 available spots.

We don't know when we would leave or any of the details yet, but those should be coming next week. What I DO know is two years is a long time, Qatar is freaking hot, and I don't know how I feel about it. Part of me thinks it would be pretty crazy and a cool experience (this part is pretty small) and part of me thinks that it would be really hard to leave everything I know (this part is pretty big).

Lincoln is totally stoked at the idea and needless to say I am not exactly on the same page. We decided to put it on the back burner till we find out more next week.

Yikes.

I love my baby girl.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Livvy has started to roll! She goes from her back to her tummy! She also has decided that laughing and talking is pretty fun. Her great-grandparents stopped by yesterday and she yelled at Great-Grandma Peg so loud I couldn't talk over her!
This is what I found after I laid her down for a nap (note the thinning hair).

In other news I bought a Yoga mat and dvd. I just completed my first work out and feel "revived and at peace with the pulse of the world". hahaha no but really it feels good to get a work out in.

Orange chicken and flowers.

On Wednesday Lincy-poo and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary! Due to the nature of busy season we didn't do much, but Lincoln brought me pretty flowers and we had some orange chicken.

Last night we found a solution to our never ending "What do you want to do tonight?" problem. We are going to switch off planning a date every week. Last night was my turn, so Victoria watched Livvy and we went on a bike ride together. It wasn't very long (45 min max) but it was really fun to ride around and talk.

Lincoln says his dates are going to be our ward activities...I told him that doesn't fly.

I'll keep you updated.

Meanwhile...Livvy is rolling from her back to her belly!

Light at the end of the tunnel.

Liv was blessed last Sunday. Lincoln's family came into town for the weekend. They went to China Town and Pier 39. Mostly we hung out at the house and Liv met her other grandparents and aunts and uncles.Mike (Lincoln's dad) loved holding Livvy. He definitely knows how to do the baby bounce and get her calmed down. We had a lot of fun last weekend just hanging out and spending time with the Flemings.
Since the Flemings left we have been able to relax and enjoy the last bit of non-tax season. . We had a great weekend including Lincoln, icy creamy, Marley and Me, a walk in the park, and family. Liv and I are pretty dang-darn happy

2 Months.

Livvy is two months on Sunday. She coos and smiles more than ever. I love to hang out with this munchkin.
The past three weeks have been challenging. I think harder than the first week we had her home. Finally we are figuring things out. I am taking eye drops every 2 hours and my eye is clearing. Livvy is taking the formula and so far pumping is going ok. I really didn't want to feed Liv formula especially after we had finally figured out nursing, but I realized that I needed to get better to take care of her. Thursday I have another appointment and am hoping life will go back to normal then.

I'm starting to realize that sometimes I have to let go of the little things and just take care of Liv. All I know is that I am SO grateful for my mom and family. My mom has dropped everything to help me get to doctors and pharmacies. My sisters have given up hanging out with friends to watch Livvy. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful support system. Whether it's my Dad and brothers calling to check on me or my sisters holding Liv, family has really sustained me through the past three weeks.

Perfect timing.

So this post is a little overdue. Here's a recap...4th of July weekened was a blast. We had a ton of fun hanging out with the family and spending the entire weekend doing traditional Danville activities!

Then we went to Yosemite! I had been so excited for this trip and of course in my normal fashion I got sick the first day. Lincoln hiked Half-Dome and really loved/hated it! I was glad he could go!

At first my throat was swollen huge and then after two doctors visits and two antibiotics it has gone done. Now however I have an intense eye infection that cannot be treated while breastfeeding...so moral of the story life is pretty not fun for the moment but I really appreciate being healthy after being sick. So here's to being healthy soon! Also, I have the best help in Lincoln and in my family (especially my momma), so thank goodness for Grandmas and Papas that can help while I'm down!

Daddy's lil' girl.

Life lately.

This week has been going by pretty slowly. Livvy is sleeping pretty well now for the most part and is getting bigger by the second. The other day she was sitting in her car seat just hanging out and when I started talking to her she got all squirmy and looked for me. Man I love being the momma.

Lincoln is taking 2 weeks off starting tomorrow for his big test on the 15th (I think that's when it is). He has been studying for the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) for a year now...so it's kind of a big deal (cross your fingers he passes)! This weekend we are spending the 4th in Danville and then on Wednesday we are going to Yosemite! Overall life is good and I can't wait for pancaking, parading, pooling, and fireworking.

Smiles.

Almost a month!

The babe is turning a month old on Sunday. She is getting so big! She has been really alert all along and last week she began smiling at us! I haven't caught a picture yet, but I will post a video that I got of her smiling.

Life here on the home front is going well. She is pretty sporadic about her sleeping, some nights I get a solid four hours but other nights I am not so lucky. I was putting some of her clothes away today and am realizing that I need to make sure she wears all of her cute outfits before she grows out of them!

It is crazy how natural it has seemed to have her in our lives. Being a mom is definitely rewarding, but it has been quite an adjustment. The lack of sleep and nursing for the majority of the day is hard at times, but everyday I find things that help keep me going. Last night making cookies was my therapy and today we went to a craft store, perused the aisles and came home with a perfect ribbon to use to make a bow for Livvy's first 4th of July.

I'll post more pictures when I get a chance!

Pictures.

Getting ready to leave the hospital.

Chillin' at home.
First time going to church!The Grouch Face.

Valley of the Shadow of Death

Labor story for those of you who care:

On Saturday I was talking to my friend on the phone about how waiting for the baby was hard when I felt a warm wet feeling down my leg. I then told my friend I had better go because my water broke (4:00 pm).

I had a minor panicky moment and then we grabbed the bags and were on our way to the hospital. My contractions were coming pretty regularly (between 5-6 minutes) as we drove to the hospital.

In triage the doctor told me I was in between a 3-4 cm and was going to have a baby before I leave the hospital.

We walked up and down the halls for 2 hours.

My midwife came in and told me a "fore bag" of water had formed after the initial water broke. She broke the second bag and the contractions hit harder and harder. (11 pm)

Veronica came and I stayed laboring in the shower and bed for hours. The contractions hurt and I wanted to be checked. (2 am) At this point I realized if I hadn't progressed significantly then an epidural may be needed.

Kristin checks me and I am at a 7 cm. (Veronica said my face looked SO relieved when she told me this!) I felt like there was no going back now and I could handle the pain.

The contractions become almost unbearable and I unleash the crazy in pain Vindie. I rock back and forth and said "I can't do this." about 10,000 times.

The doctor checks me and I am dilated to 9.5 cm for 30 minutes (3:30 am). The 30 minutes from 9.5 to 10 cm were SO long.

I begin to push (4 am). My contractions were 6 minutes apart which made the pushing progress slowly. I would take two steps forward and one step back with each push because of the down-time in between contractions.

The midwife gives me patocin and the contractions come quick and with two big pushes the baby arrives (6:30 am).

When my mom asked my grandma what labor was like my grandma said it was like walking through the valley of the shadow of death and then somehow surviving. I would have to say I agree. I am so glad I was able to do it naturally, but the pain was indescribable. Also, the joy and relief once my baby was placed on me was incredible. Livvy is a miracle and I am just so glad she is here and healthy.

Livvy Alice Fleming

Born May 31st. 8 lbs 1 ounce. 21 inches long. Cute as ever.

Patience.

The baby countdown is going up as I continue to carry this baby. 4 days over D-day and counting. I always thought I would have this baby early (my mom only made it to her due date once), but my little girl seems to enjoy making us wait.

Everyone thought she would be here by now and with the days passing Dallin has left for training (he'll be back in 3 weeks) and my parents are going to my cousin's wedding tomorrow and are gone until Sunday. So both me and my mom are kind of hoping she waits until they get back. In any case Veronica is on alert and thrilled to be our back up second in command during labor.

Meanwhile as I wait I am reading three Jane Austen novels. I finished Persuasion and am now on to Mansfield Park, with Northanger Abbey to follow.

Tomorrow I have a Non-stress Test where they monitor the baby for 20-60 minutes and make sure she's still doing a-ok. Then on Monday I have another doctor's appointment, which I am assuming will be where I schedule being induced. I'll keep you posted!

Still cookin'

One day to go to the D-day and no baby yet.  On Friday I went in for my normal doctor's appointment and found out I am dilated to a 2.  I have been having contractions but nothing regular yet.  I have probably walked 112093810382 miles over the past week (especially these last two days), and it seems to be helping make the contractions come more often. 

Last night my parentals took us to Skipolinis to eat their labor-inducing pizza called "Prego".  It was fun to go but I am still not feeling the regular, really painful contractions.  So hopefully washing the car and shopping at Costco will get me there. 

Cross your fingers this babe arrives soon!

Some pictures of the casa.

Before

After (Living Room)

Before

After (Kitchen and Dining Room)

Before

After (Baby's Room)

Here are some pictures of the house. Our room is still not quite finished but I just love the bassinet by the bed. We still have little things to add but it is nice to get the big things done!

The last big thing left undone is to have this baby! I have been having some false labor stuff happen over the past few days, so hopefully I'm not hauling this basketball much longer!