Halloween 2020

 Today was different than our traditional Halloween’s, not only were a lot of things cancelled due to Covid-19 but we laid Justin’s sweet grandma Ruth to rest today. She lived to be 101 years old and was such a sweet lady. She always made me feel loved and welcome and for that I’ll always love her! The service was beautiful and I know that she is in a better place, I am sure it was such a sweet reunion when she was able to be with her husband and loved ones again. 

After the services we went home and prepared for our Halloween plans. Aunt Emily, uncle Logan and uncle Brady came to visit since were blessing Hailey tomorrow (11/1). When they got here Logan, Justin, Brady and Lexi went for long board rides and then we got ready and went to Justin’s brothers house for a party. Justin took Lexi trick or treating and she had a blast. She ran from door to door and for so much candy! We played games ate great food and enjoyed each other’s company. What a great Halloween! 

Hailey Jane: 3 Months

 10.25.20 

Three months! I cannot believe you’ve been a part of our family for 3 months already. Time really is a thief, we’ve had such a fun month! You went with me, Lexi, aunt Dorothy and Mariah to the pumpkin patch. You met aunt Emily and uncle Logan for the first time over conference weekend, attended church for the first time and your first funeral for your great grandma Ruth. Last but not least your first Halloween! What a month, and the family holiday fun has just started! 

Well you’ve started to be a little picky in your eating, you used to nurse on both sides and for long periods of time but for a couple of weeks you only would eat on one side off and on for short periods of time. So I took you into the children’s clinic to make sure you were gaining weight, and luckily you were! You are 10 lbs. 2.5 oz and have the cutest rolls! You still have that head of beautiful red hair and are in size 1 diapers and  3 month clothes. 

We sure love you Hailey, you’re such a joy in our lives. We love watching you learn and grow each day, I especially enjoy your sweet coos and the special bond you have already with your sister Lexi! 

Pumpkin Patch & Halloween kick off 2020

 10.01.20

We took our annual family trip to Swore Farms to get our pumpkins, and boy was this one for the books. This year we went on opening day and they weren't quite set up so we took one of their wagons and hiked to the pumpkin patch. It wasn't a cool day mind you so we were hot and sweaty by the time we got there and then we had to pick the pumpkins off the vine. Haha! Even though it wasn't quite what we expected we still had a great time and enjoyed each others company. 

Later that night we had a visit from the Spooky Ooky Spider, he spun his web around Lexi's room to lead her to some fun Halloween surprises. He is a magical spider who visits our house until Halloween night to make sure the kids are well behaved. He left the girls pajamas and a couple of books for our Halloween collection. Sure love making memories with my sweet girls! 

Hailey Jane: 2 Months

 09/25/20

Hailey girl I can't believe we've already had you as part of our little family for two months, the time is just flying by! You are still the favorite in our family, haha your sister just adores you and loves to be around you each day. Every morning and night she makes sure to come and say good morning or goodnight to you, followed but lots of hugs and kisses. We've been trying to keep busy here by taking outings here and there. We've made it to friends houses, parks and visits to grandma and grandpas and or uncle Matt's on most of the weekends. Last weekend (9/20/20) we had a family BBQ with our extended family and it was so much fun! Most of the cousins we haven't seen since Christmas. 

Hailey you have such a sweet demeanor about you, we just love how easy going you are. You have really started to be more aware of your surroundings, and each day are more and more alert. We've seen some very cute smiles from you and you're talking more and more, I love hearing your little coos. You are growing so much lately, I think that is why you sometimes want to eat after 2-2.5 hours but most the time you can go 3-4 hours between each feeding. You have done a few weeks of sleeping 5-6 hours at night but lately you've reverted back to waking up every 4 hours to eat. You are wearing size 1 diapers and just about out of most your newborn outfits. 

We had your two month checkup today 9/30/20 the doctor said you are growing at your own curve haha which is so true for you and Lexi. He also said that you looked great and you are gaining weight still, which is awesome! You weigh 8 lbs 9.5 ounces and are 20 3/4 inches. We love you so much sweet Hailey! 

Lexi Anne: Pre-School- Year One

09/01/20 

My sweet Lexi girl, today is your very first day of Pre-School! When I first considered putting you in school this year I wasn't sure how you would respond, but since telling you that you would be going to school you have been so EXCITED! Your dad and I took you do to a little back to school shopping mainly because you needed new pants haha. The night before your first day we started a new tradition as a family, each year before you girls start a new school year we as a family will come up with a theme to work on throughout the year. This year I picked "Kindness Begins with Me" from the primary song. I figured that the world we live in now is getting harder and harder and less nice so I wanted to make sure to instill that in my kids. That night we did a little lesson on speaking kindly to people and enjoyed some of grandmas yummy  chocolate chip cookies. I got you some cute ABC pajamas that you were excited about and got your outfit and backpack laid out for the next day! 

On the morning of your first day we had mini muffins and milk for breakfast, you were so excited about your first day that you barely ate anything. You kept asking me every 5 minutes or so if it was time to go. :) You wore a cute pink jumper dress that our friend Ashely got for you, and I curled your hair all cute for pictures. I went a little all out and bought a fun Back to School box from a small business in Utah that had fun decorations and a tiny school bus that you loved! When we drove you to school I asked you what you were most excited for about Pre-school and you said "My teacher, Mrs. Karissa!" I am so glad you have such a great teacher! We took you inside and you were a little shy at first but you warmed right up! After school was over your dad and I picked you up and I asked you what your favorite thing about school was and you said "the roller coaster." I was so confused but luckily my friend is a teacher  there and she told me they had a fun car with a track in their backyard for kids to play on.  Haha that is so you, you really like cars! 

I can't wait to see how much you learn and grow this year baby girl! We love you so much, knowledge is power and I can't wait to watch you learn each year! 

      

      

Hailey Jane: 1 Month

 8.25.20

Hailey I can't believe you are already a month old, this month has brought on some crazy times and some fun times! We started off with you loosing way to much weight for my liking, you were born 5 lbs. 9 oz and when we left the hospital you were 4 lbs. 13 oz. at your first Dr appointment you hadn't gained much so we decided to put you on a supplement schedule to help you gain. It was a rough start, because you are considered a preemie baby it was hard to get you to wake up to eat and get you to eat the whole time. But with lots of persistence and trail and error we have figured that out. 

I am happy to report that by the time you went in for your 2 week check up you had gained weight you were 5 lbs. 7 oz and were almost back to your birth weight! The doctor told us to keep up our supplement routine and to continue bringing you in to get your weight checked. I took you in last Thursday (8.20.20) and I am thrilled to report you are now 6 lbs. 5 oz!! Hooray! 

Lexi absolutely adores you, she has to be right by your or in your face constantly. :) You have been practicing some tummy time, its never a favorite for you kids at the beginning but you are getting better each time. You have been more alert lately and love to watch your surroundings. We have had fun watching you observe things and can't wait for more fun milestones! You are currently wearing preemie and newborn clothes and have just moved out of preemie diapers to newborn. You are my first baby to fit into preemie things and its cute but also a little scary. 

This month has brought on lots of visitors, aunt Hillary and her family, the young women's presidency in our ward that I serve with, and lots of cherished friends! Because I got postpartum depression with your sister I have really made an effort to get us out of the house at least twice a week so that we can enjoy the sunshine and friends.

 Hailey you are such a joy to our family, we're so happy you are here with us and we can't wait to watch you continue to grow and learn in the coming months!  

36 Weeks: Hailey Jane Almond

 July 24th 2020 

Around 3 am I woke up with a lot of pain in my back that kept coming. I woke up your dad and told him that I thought I was having contractions but that my water hadn't broken so I wasn't sure what to do. He told me to call Labor and Delivery to see what they thought, when I talked with the nurse she  told me we could come in to be safe or wait to see if they got closer together. I decided to just try and go back to bed and see if they got worse. 

By 8 am I was in a lot of pain so we called aunt Dorothy and asked her to come sit with your sister Lexi while we went in to get checked. When we got to the hospital we went straight to labor and delivery and they hooked me up to the machines to hear your heart beat and the nurse checked to see if I was dilated. I was already to a 3 but she said I could be there for weeks before progressing. The resident Doctor had them give me a shot to try to slow the contractions and prescribed me some pills to help slow them as well. Because you were only at 36 weeks they also had to give me shot to help your lunges develop just in case you came early. We were there for a little over an hour and a half before they released me. 

I spent the rest of the day at home laboring while your grandma Almond watched Lexi for me. By that night I was so ready for this to all be over but they weren't close enough together for me to warrant going back into the hospital.

July 25th 2020

12 am I was in a lot of pain, I would have to sit up during each contraction and grab onto the side of the bed to keep from screaming really loud. I remember just praying that this would all go away soon because I don't remember this pain with your sister.

Again by 3 am I was done, I had been up off and on for 24 hours and was in so much pain I just wanted it to end. I woke up your dad again and told him what was happening and he wanted to go back to the hospital. I wasn't thrilled with the idea because I knew they wouldn't do anything to help because I was only 36 weeks and 2 days and that was too early to break my water. I tried to wait it out another half hour but by 15 minutes I was ready to drive up to labor and delivery. We called cousin Mariah to have her come stay with Lexi and headed back up to the hospital.

When we got there and they hooked me back up to the monitors the nurse came back in to check me. To my surprise I was dilated to a 6 and low and behold my water had broke but because my contractions were so intense I wasn't 100% sure if it was my water or if I had peed my pants. (this go around it wasn't a gush like with Lexi) The nurse looked at us and said "you're having a baby this morning." At this point I was just relieved that the pain was going to stop and also praying that you would be okay. 

Dr. Shelley was the on call OB that morning, sadly we weren't able to get our favorite Dr. Jones but she was very friendly and open and told me how she does her c sections. by 4 am we were set and ready to head down to the OR room and have a baby! When we got to the room the anesthesiologist came in and got started on my spinal tap, by the time he was done I sighed with relief. One because the pain was starting go away and two because I hate needles and it freaks me out but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The rest of what happened was all a blur of techs and nurses and doctor lingo that I didn't understand but I just knew that you would be here soon. 

4:30 am 

We heard Dr. Shelley say "oh, she has red hair." and I looked at your dad and we both started to cry. We have both always wanted a red head and we were so excited! Next thing I know the doctor is holding you up over the curtain and I heard your sweet cry and it reassured me that you would be okay. With you coming at 36 weeks there was a chance your lunges wouldn't be developed all the way but thankfully because of one of the shots I got the morning before you were doing better than I anticipated. They told me you were 5 lbs. 9 oz. which is smaller than your sister Lexi but not by much, they also said you looked healthy and you were doing great! Your dad got to go with you to the nursery to hold you while the doctors finished sewing up my stomach. It felt like hours and in reality it was because I didn't get done and back to my room to see you and your dad until 6:30 am. (That happens when you have a resident doctor working with the OB haha) 

When I finally got back to our room I was in awe of how tiny you were, and the fact that you came 3 weeks early was so crazy to me. I told your dad that we needed to pick a name for you, I think we both always knew we wanted your first name to be Hailey but we couldn't agree on a middle name. I liked a couple and your dad was leaning more towards no middle name. But I felt like you were a Hailey Jane so that was the name we agreed on. We took a little nap and let our families know you were born, took lots of pictures and even did a few facetime calls to show you off to your sister and our families. 

Tuesday July 28th 2020

We were finally able to go home, we only had to stay in the hospital an extra day because you had dropped more than 10% of your birth weight. (It's always so scary to me but you were able to get back up to 5 lbs. 7 oz by the end of your first week home, it took a lot of nursing and pumping and supplementing but I was happy!) We packed up our bags and loaded the car and were headed home by 1 pm. I was so anxious to see your sister I hadn't really gotten to see her much before you were born, I also couldn't wait for her to meet you! When she got to our apartment with your grandparents and I saw her big smile when she saw you with your dad I started to cry. I always knew you two would have a special bond I just wasn't sure if it would happen right away and I was so happy it did! 

Lexi loves everything about you, she is always so excited to hold you, and give you hugs and kisses and it just makes my mamma heart so happy! Hailey I hope you know how loved you are by all of us! We are so happy to have another sweet little girl in our home!