3 years ago...

Three years ago this morning, I crawled out of bed shortly before 7:30 to use the bathroom (one of many trips since I had gone to bed the night before). I headed back to bed and snuggled up to Mike, as close as I could get with my big baby belly. I remember thinking I was going to lounge as long as possible since we knew that I would be induced the next evening. It would be our last Saturday morning without a baby, so I might as well enjoy it. Moments later, my water broke, and we were on our way to the hospital. My fluid had meconium in it, so there was some concern to move the process along. My body was not in agreement, and nothing happened the first 2 hours in the hospital. Therefore, the pitocin drip was started. Things still progressed rather slowly, and I didn't start pushing until almost 5 pm. My doctor started noticing some concerning decelerations and soon we were on the way to the OR for an emergency c-section. Because my epidural had worn off too much and time was of the essence, I ended going under general anesthesia at the last moment. Dane was brought into the world at 5:40 pm and was soon wheeled out to meet Daddy before heading to the nursery to be cleaned up. A beautiful, healthy, 7 pound 11 ounce baby boy! I finally came to a few minutes later and immediately asked Mike if we had a boy or girl. I remember being so excited to have a little boy since we knew that Jeff and Renee were expecting a little boy in a few months. Best buddies-t0-be! My blood pressure needed to be monitored closely for a few hours, so I didn't get to hold my baby until almost 10 pm. The sweetest moment in my life-

Now three years later, my little man blows out his own candles on the cake Grammy made him today.
On Sunday we had a party for all Dane's buddies. Here is his cupcake cake- chocolate of course!

Lunch at the little people table.

Opening presents is a group effort!

We're still trying to find room for all the wonderful gifts Dane received. I'm sure Grammy and Grampy will post more pictures later. They have been here since Friday, and we all have been loving it! We will be sad to see them leave on Friday morning, as they head back to North Dakota in hopes that their house is still on dry ground!

Time with Grampy and Grammy

Many hours and many batteries have been spent with Dane's train setup from Jeff, Renee, and boys. I think Grampy likes it almost as much as Dane!

Posing with Grampy on the walk to the park.
Snuggles with Grammy.

Big bubbles in the backyard.

Naptime sweetheart- she loves to snuggle with her Blankees.

Dane found this old palm frond and used it as his broom out in the desert today.

Nora's first slide.

Here comes big brother.

Dane's version of a heated pool- Daddy brings out warm buckets of water!

Cali usually runs from Dane, but she seems to be much more tolerant of Nora. A little pull on the tail!

Little Leprechauns

Happy St. Patty's Day! Don't forget your green!

Not bald anymore!!

She wasn't exactly happy about the wig here, but I believe this is the first picture in which her teeth have been visible!

9 months

As of today, Nora has been "out" as long as she was "in".

So many more new things this past month has brought. Learning to hold herself up on things to stand, eating finger foods and absolutely loving them, giving kisses, and babbling, to name a few. Still no interest in crawling whatsoever, but that keeps things simpler for Momma and Daddy. She absolutely loves her brother, and I can see that they will be the best of friends. This makes me happier than words can express. Little Peanut, YOU make us happier than words can express.

Last week

Date night with Jeff and Renee. Our hubbies surprised us with a limo for the evening. I know, it's tough being married to such a great guy!

Poppies in the conservatory at the Bellagio.
Tyler, Kim, and Avery met us for lunch on their way through town. Always fun to see them!

The aquarium at the Silverton.

Dane has started holding his hands behind his back while he concentrates on taking everything in. It's pretty cute.

Here he is again, watching the kite Daddy bought for him.

Trying very hard to catch it.

Daddy and Nora fly the kite together.

Dane and Nora with Allysa after her final high school choir concert. She'll be graduating this spring!

Little girl loves finger foods.

Sweet little kisses.

Still counting...

Dane has still been dry every morning for 2 1/2 weeks. He has only had 2 accidents during the day when he was a bit busy playing, so I'm ready to declare victory in this battle (I think!). I got off early this afternoon, so we spent the afternoon outside. After we cut Dane's hair, we shot some baskets, played in the sandbox, rode trike, played on his teeter-totter, and rode around in his Hummer. Sounds like a lot, but it really doesn't take Dane long to do all of the above! He had to stop to give sister a kiss, pulling off her hood because he still loves the smell of her head!

Sweet little girl just watched all the action from her walker.
Sandbox time.

Big grins on the teeter-totter when Momma would rock him up high.

Driving the Hummer, but not really paying attention to the road. Guess we'll have to give him lessons about not kissing girls while driving before he gets his license! (I know the picture is a bit blurry, but too cute to not post- I was trying to back up far enough to get the picture while staying close enough to catch Nora in case she toppled!)

Brought the tools out for some "fixing."

Hugs for Teddy.

Loves all the finger food recently!!

Big grin. Still won't show us the teeth for a picture yet!

Standing up in the crib. She doesn't pull herself up yet, but she's learning to hold on to things to keep from falling when she stands. She likes to stand for a while, then she'll start fussing because she wants to sit down but doesn't know how to sit without falling yet. Looks like the crib mattress needs some lowering!

The other day, I had to put on these cute little scrubs that Nora got as a baby gift. She is almost too big for them, so I had to take a couple of pictures. All her stats are on the pocket.

Standing so big!

The girls all "scrubbed up" together.

These last three are random pictures taken on my phone over the past month. The cute bunny ears we bought Nora at Target a while back.

Every now and then while we're riding in the car, we hear Nora squealing in delight and hanging on for the ride!

Nora is happy to play with her pink spoon while the rest of us eat frozen yogurt at the great new yogurt bar near our house. It's self-serve and you pay by the ounce. At least 10 different flavors of yogurt and all the different toppings you can imagine. They have lots of fresh fruit- strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, blackberries, blueberries, pineapple. So yummy! (Recognize the shoes, Sarah S.?)

Grampy and Grammy will be here in less than two weeks to help celebrate Dane's 3rd birthday! We can't wait!