Baby giggles

Noah and Macie already think that Jacob is the best thing since sliced bread (and they really really like sliced bread!) But, today marked a whole new level of love for him. He giggled. Not just a random giggle, a full out belly laugh. Noah was holding him and kind of rocking a little bit and Jacob must have either really enjoyed being held by his big brother, or being watched by his big sister, because he laughed. He loved it! I wish my camera was nearby to catch the moment, but I'm sure there will be more giggling moments! Jacob is a very happy baby, we all love it!

Little girl update

{So, I previously posted about the little girl who was in critical condition in the ICU, and thought I should probably post an update about her, since I asked for prayers and all. }

A miracle has truly taken place. This little girl is a fighter. She had been recovering at a remarkable rate. No one ever thought she would be making the progress that she is. As of last night, one lung was back to its normal function and the other was well on its way there. The doctors had cut the oxygen back by half, and were hoping to have it completely off by today. They put her body in an induced paralysis so she would be able to heal. She contracted pneumonia and was fighting a fever, and they wanted her to be able to rest and get it through her system as quickly as possible. When they do wake her from that, they will be able to assess the brain damage, if any. It really is a miracle that she is at the point she is. I think about her everyday. I think about her mother, and the brave woman that she is. She was able to give her daughter CPR, confidently. Apparently, she had just recently taken a class on it, offered from a guy in her ward. So it was fresh on her mind, and was able to perform it. It really saved her life. Though, it did not resuscitate her completely, it helped get oxygen to her and her brain, which was crucial in something like this. What a blessing that was for her. My heart still goes out to this family for having to endure this ordeal. But, things are looking up. I'm sure the prayers offered on her behalf were heard, and will continue to be heard. She is a fighter and she is fighting hard.

Baptism

We have had the privledge of having the Sister Missionaries teach Rob the discussions in our home. It has been an awesome experience. We have been able to see his complete conversion to the gospel. His first lesson, he knew it all made sense, but as we all learned together, you could literally watch the change in him. At first he was waiting for the angel to come down to him and tell him that the LDS church was the one to join, he thought that's what he needed. But after much discussion, he had a change of heart and was ready to make the necessary changes in his life and be baptized. Adam was able to perform the baptism. It was a very sweet baptism.

Noah and Macie were so excited. Everytime the missionaries would come over they would get so giddy. They never sat still through one of the lessons, but they were just excited to have them in their house. The Spirit was always so strong. The week before the baptism, I would tell them about baptism, and what we were going to see happen. They were so excited about it. The day of the baptism, as we were getting ready, they could hardly contain themselves. It was so cute. And then as Adam actually baptized him, they watched in awe. And now keep asking when Daddy can baptize them. I'm so glad we got this opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful thing.

Sitting up.

Have I mentioned that Jacob is huge?! I know, I know, that's all I talk about! But, it's so true. He's huge. He's AT LEAST 20 pounds by now. He's only like 3 and a halfish months. Jeesh. But, since he does have all those extra rolls and fat in his belly, he kind of sits up already. I don't think he's developed completely to hold himself up on his own just quite yet, well, for longer periods. But, I put him against the Boppy pillow, and he sat there for a good minute and a half before he toppled over. I was impressed. He ALWAYS wants to be sitting up. It's funny, he kind of just leans forward and rests his body on his belly. Oh, ya gotta love those rolls. Every single one of them.

Strong Man.

Jacob is so strong. From the day he was born he's been able to hold his head up very well. He never really flopped in his carseat. Macie did a lot, but Jacob has always been so strong. Noah was as well. I just have strong boys. It's so funny to watch Jacob look around. His head perks up and he just looks around. Noah loves it. Jacob is changing everyday. I can't believe it. I forgot how fast this stage is! It needs to slow down, however. I want my baby to be a baby forever!

A little girl needs our prayers...

When we lived in Palmdale, we knew an amazing family. They had three young boys, and a little girl. The little girl was in Macie's nursery, and the cutest little girl. She was very energetic and ALWAYS had a smile on her face. You can tell she is the princess in the family, of course, she is the only girl, but her brothers ADORE her.

But, I heard the most hearbreaking new yesterday. This little girl {who will remain nameless at this time} suffered a terrible accident. I don't know the complete story firsthand, so I don't want to butcher anything, but she was playing, as most little kids do, and somehow got a dog leash wrapped around her neck, strangling her. Her brothers found her lifeless. After her brave mother's attempt of rescue breathing failed, the paramedics were able to get a pulse after using the paddles to revive her. Obviously, the oxygen was cut off to her brain, and there is swelling. One lung collapsed, and there is still an excess of fluid in her lungs. She is a fighter, however. She woke up for a minute today, which is something that they didn't think would happen so quickly, but she woke up long enough to know that she wasn't at home, and start to take things out of her arms. Poor little girl. It breaks my heart to hear this story, and to even retell what I know of this story. Like I said, I don't know the COMPLETE firsthand story. The doctors don't know the extent of the damage to the brain as of yet, however, there is still some activity, which is a very good sign for this little girl.

I cannot even begin to fathom what this family is going through right now. Accidents are something that happen everyday. Accidents like this are so tragic and so heartbreaking. It takes just 6 minutes to cut off all oxygen to the brain resulting in death. Just 6 minutes. That is such a short time. It is not possible to watch your children 24 hours a day. You need showers. You need a bathroom break. The phone rings. The doorbell rings. A diaper needs to be changed. There are so many things that take you away from that constant watch over your kids. This little girl has such a brave mother, a mother who knew to give her daughter CPR. I don't know CPR. I have learned it time an time again, but I haven't really paid much attention, I just always thought in my head, that someone else would be there, it wouldn't just be me. But, that isn't always the case. I NEED TO LEARN THIS! The safety of my children depend on me. I need to be there for them when they need me the most, and in a time like this, that is when I need to be there for my children. What a scary situation to be in, and to be so helpless. My heart seriously aches for this poor family as they watch their daughter go through this ordeal, and not know the outcome, and not be able to make it all go away.

As I heard this tragic news, I instantly wanted to help. But, I am so far away. And then I realized that the most help this family and this little girl need right now is my prayers. My most sincere prayers and pleas to my Heavenly Father to spare the life of this gorgeous high spirited little girl. My prayers to help the doctors help her. My prayers to help her lungs function as they should. My prayers of comfort to the family to help them see God's hand in this and in everything. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of His children. I pray that whatever the outcome may be, that will of our Heavenly Father will be seen. As members of the LDS church, we have also been given the most wonderful gift. The gift of the Holy Ghost to comfort us when we need comforted. This family needs comfort right now.

Please, pray for them. Pray for this little girl. She is a fighter, but she can't do it alone. I can't help them face to face, but I can help in prayers and in thought. And so can you.

cute flower clips

My cousin Erica has started a little Etsy shop selling way cute bows/flower clips. They are so darling. So, you should go here, and buy some.

Happy Birthday, Barbie!

Barbie turned 50. Last Monday, I believe, was her birthday. Stores had the anniversary Barbie doll on sale for 3 bucks. We never did find one, but luckily my mom did! Thanks, Mom! I had gotten an e-mail at the beginning of the week that Toys R Us was going to be having a birthday party for Barbie. It was perfect. Noah was going to a friends party that day, so Macie could go to Barbie's party. Barbie was going to be there to meet and then you got to decorate hats and cookies. All week I got her excited to go, and she was very excited for Barbie's birthday party. I woke up Saturday morning and thought I should call the store just to make sure they were doing it. I called at 10, the party was at 12. When they answered I said, "Hi, I got an e-mail about a birthday party for Barbie, are you participating in that?" The girl on the other line responded, "No, we are not. Sorry." Disappointed, I hung up the phone.

After I dropped Noah off at his party, I took Macie to Toys R Us anyway, just to look at toys and calm her down because she was so upset that she couldn't go to Barbie's party. As we walk in, they are taking down balloons and things. I asked a worker if they had the Barbie party, and yes they did. I was SO mad. They specifically told me they were not doing it. So, I told them this, and they were like maybe they thought you were talking about the $3 Barbie, we are all out of it. I'm like no, I know what I said and what the girl told me, I was a little upset. But, they gave her the party hat, and she was happy. I was more mad, I think! Dumb girl at Toys R Us!


Anyway, I decided that we needed to have a birthday party that Macie missed. I went home and made cupcakes. In the meantime, Macie fell asleep. So we decided to wait until after church on Sunday. I got a "wonderful" idea to dress up as Macie's Barbie. I got my wedding dress out, and tried it on. The waist fit just fine...it was the upper part that wouldn't zip! Maybe after the nursing days are over it'll fit!;-) It was fun, though. Macie loved it. She loved Mommy's princess Barbie dress! It was very cute to see her little eyes light up when I walked downstairs in it! It was great! We sang a little birthday song and ate cupcakes, all in honor of Barbie!

Jacob and Noah

Noah LOVES Jacob. The first thing he does in the morning is find Jacob and give him a kiss. It's so cute. He's always asking where Jacob is. If anyone jokes that they are going to take Jacob home with them, Noah cries. That is not a good joke. He gets so upset. It's so sad, but so cute. He still asks to hold him all of the time. And everyday he asks me if he's big enough to play with yet. Noah wants Jacob to play with all of his toys and go to Disneyland with him. He's pretty excited about it. It's so great to watch and see how much Noah loves him. He's such a good little helper and a great big brother!

3 month comparison

The only feature that all three children share is their chin. They all have the same shaped chin. Macie and Jacob have a few more, however! It's so funny how they can be so different, but still the same! You can tell that they are all related.