It's Time For a Move

Hello Freinds -

This will be my last post.

Don't be sad.

I shall continue to write my enthralling tales at

http://www.thisismyjoy.wordpress.com/

Please come and visit us there.

Much love,

Sarah Grange

Tough Day

Me and Skye had a hard day. It was the first time in her 11 days of life that I held her and cried tears of frustration and utter exhaustion.

I was still in my pj's at 6:30 pm when my neighbor came by with dinner. My prayers were answered through her today! And my Mom who brought us mini candy bars and hung out with Talia while I napped.

Roo has picked this time, of all times, to potty train herself! Without encouragement, she insists on wearing undies and using the potty. I begged her to wear a diaper until Daddy got home today. She did. But it kept coming off, along with her clothes, so that she could sit on the potty and I had to re-diaper her about 20 times. She had several successful runs, a few not so successful.

I didn't get to a single thing on my list of 'to-do's today. They were all very simple, like 'Get milk and bananas.' Talia did make it to the bus on time, dressed and combed. (I forgot her homework packet and the snack she was supposed to bring for her class Pilgrim feast however!) I was going to do laundry for the girls, (Skye spit up about 12 oz. of milk today. Soaked 3 outfits with milk, 2 with pee.) but only had the energy to clean out the washer. There was dirt and concrete and some serious grime left over from the weekends battle with DJ's work clothes.  I dread winter husband laundry.

Still wouldn't trade this life.

Golly, LIfe is Good

I was dressing miss Skye this morning, wrapping her little hands in those cute fold-over-the-top sleeves, and thinking, "I just love this. My life is so fun!"

Not all mornings have been great. I think I might have frightened a neighbor on Wednesday when I opened the door, looking like the walking dead. Bloodshot eyes, filthy hair, blank stare. Wha . . . ?

Anywho. Good night or bad, I am really loving my life right now. It's not all sweet however. DJ has been working his tail off in Park City all week, 4:30 am to . . . late. Most nights it is at least 8 or 9 before he gets home. That's been tough on all of us. I miss him. I know he misses being with the girls. But, there's no other way, and there's no use whining about it. We soldier on.

My car is back together. The heater is not fixed. I drove around for about an hour yesterday and it never warmed up. AHHHHH! The frustration. DJ looked like he might cry when I told him. I know he worked so hard to fix it on his own. We have no idea what to do. Good thing I don't have many reasons to go out, and a garage.

So, here is why I am still a very happy woman. Ready for more lists? Here were go.

I LOVE THE WAY THAT SKYE:

• pulls her little legs up to her tummy when I try to change her diaper.
• makes happy little grunts and gulps when she eats.
• knows when I am holding her, and turns her head to find me when someone else is.
• cries like a baby tiger when she has a bubble. It sounds like "Rarrrrr! Rarr!" Not a continuous wail, just sharp little hollers.
• has a perfect little tushy that fits in my hand.
• puts her hands above her head when she is totally relaxed.
• has warm milk breath and super soft hair.
• looks like both of her sisters, and just like herself.
• loves me.
• smells like heaven.

I LOVE THAT I CAN:

• wear my silky pj pants all day. Makeup optional.
• let the girls watch lots of T.V. with minimal guilt.
• rock my baby in a comfy chair in a warm house while I watch the snow fall outside.
• eat cereal for breakfast and leftovers for lunch.
• take a warm bath every night and not struggle with a big awkward belly when I get out!
• wear jeans and tie my shoes.
• lift Ruby and hold her tight to me.
• cry when I feel like it. (Mostly for happiness.)
• leave the lights low and turn on lamps at 5:00 pm. (This does wonders for the bedtime routine.)
• turn off my phone and choose who I want to talk to.
• nurse my little girl.
• NAP!
• Be slow and quiet and gentle.

Hope that you are all tucked safely in your homes tonight. Snow! Snow! Snow!

One Week

One week old.

Isn't she lovely?

Oh, baby angel of mine. I love you! .



The Isle of Skye

Lots of people have asked where the name Skye came from. Well, here's what I know. Skye is an Irish name, and there is a great big mountainous island with the name. It has lots of rugged coast line and beautiful cliffs and green grassy hills and history that goes on for ages! I think Skye is a beautiful and unique name, we chose it for no other reason than that. No Irish blood in our family. (That I know of.) But maybe we will go there some day just because that is our baby girls name!

Rena, (pronounced Re-nay) is DJ's great grandma Granges' first name. His grandpa Mar's mother. When we were searching our family history records for an ancestor to borrow a name from, this is the one we both liked. To be honest I know very little about her, we'll have to find out!

When I very first discovered that I was expecting Skye, I felt that she was a very special child, that she would be a strong spirit, and that her life would be important. (As I did with the others, so don't feel left out big sisters!) I so wanted her name to be special! DJ and I really had a time choosing. I didn't want it to be to 'matchy' or sound to similar her sisters. People are bound to mix them up as they grow older anyway with all this blonde hair and blue eyed business, no need to make their names alike as well. I am happy with the way that Talia, Ruby and Skye all have different qualities and each sound unique from one another as well as for each child.

Naming babies for me is serious stuff. After much consideration, I think we nailed it

Six Big Days

In honor of Skye being six whole days old, I have a few lists I'd like to make.

6 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. My bathtub - good for lots of sore body parts, and the nerves.
2. My neighbors and friends who bring us dinner!
3. My Avent pump and Lanolin - if you don't immediately know why, then don't worry about it.
4. Little tiny Pampers
5. My new recliner - worth every dime!
6. My incredible body. 

I have enjoyed Skye so much this week. She has been such a complete joy. I am basking in each moment. I think our time has been especially sweet because I am so relaxed. My mothering skills are more in tune and I don't get uptight like I did with my first two. (Talia particularly!) We just roll with it. Spit ups, no big. Tummy aches, not a problem. Up at 2:00 am, time for each other. I feel like I know how to handle her little body and all it's wonders, and therefore have much more time to love her, to soak in her sweetness, to feel her spirit and smell her little head.

SIX THINGS I HAVE LEARNED THIS WEEK: (or relearned!)

1. Mellow Mommy = mellow child.
2. Mothering is my job right now. Not clean dishes, not perfect house.
3. Time is a precious, precious thing. I won't get THIS time back.
4. Being patient with myself and my children invites the Spirit into our home.
5. Family is everything!
6. You can ask your Heavenly Father to help you with anything, even baby gas bubbles.

Talia and Roo have been super this week. Only a few melt downs. T is a capable babysitter, Ruby has about kissed the hair off of Skye's head. Daddy is steady as always, and looks so handsome holding a baby!

Some Moments To Always Remember

My labor coach suggested that DJ get a picture of Skye's birthday - the actual day! It was so beautiful and clear. When I saw the sun come up from our labor room I was so glad that the day was crisp and bright, it gave me courage. So there you go baby cake - your birthday.

Goofus Roofus. She loved my mug of ice water.

I wanted to put this photo in, not only because in it are my dearest loves, but also because you can see me and Skye's recovery room. MB5. I want to remember it because I had the most intensely spiritual moment in this room, and I want to be able to recall it years form now, forever.

I had Skye all tucked into her car seat and my new purple leather diaper bag on my shoulder, standing at the foot of the bed. DJ had gone ahead to make a trip to the car with some other bags and my balloons. Love those balloons!

I gazed at my baby girl, and then around the room to say good bye to the place that we spent our first few precious, irreplaceable hours together. Where there was nothing that mattered but me and her, where the world could not be, where time stood still for a perfect day. All of a sudden I was so moved with gratitude that I could hardly breathe. I couldn't move. It washed over me in a wave so real I felt like I'd been bathed in cool water.

For a brief moment I felt as if I stood in a Holy place. The meaning of life was crystal clear and the eternities where open for me to view. I bowed my head and tears fell from my eyes as I pondered my great gratitude for life, for my incredible body, for my perfect child, for my own mother, for the Plan.

As much as I wanted to be home, I was reluctant to leave. Those walls have seen  many a miracle I believe, mine and countless others. The hospital can be clinical and harsh, but for me it was a place of joy and wonder. 

I'll take my bed and shower over theirs any day however, and eventually DJ came back to wisk us safetly home. There was much happiness in walking out of the doors too, home to my world.

I am most grateful. Thank you Heavenly Father, for my miracle!

Skye

In all of God's great universe there is nothing more glorious than a new born child.

I love you Skye baby.

She Is Here!

Skye Rena Grange

November 10, 2011 3:29 p.m.

7lbs. 15 oz. 20 in.

We are in Love!

Still Pregnant

Just in case you breezed by to check - I am still pregnant. My due date has come and gone. I am pretty chill though, as you can see me here with no makeup and my velvet PJ suit. Feeling pretty good.

Having a bit of an internal struggle about whether or not to be induced before Saturday - my Dr. is going out of town for his sisters' temple sealing to her adopted children. A noble reason! But it leaves me with a big decision to make.

Check out what action went down in my garage last night! The Pontiac is G.U.T.T.E.D. The dealer wanted $1,450 to fix our heaters actuator door. (A little doo-dad that opens up the air flow from the motor side of the firewall into the cab. The little plastic hinge is busted, so it wouldn't slide open.) I was ill when I heard the news. DJ, of course would not be daunted by what the dealer estimated as a 12-14 hour job. He called a buddy, and several other random acquaintances with automotive knowledge - and commenced to take apart the car. Seats, steering wheel, electronics, everything! Luckily he had a friend with actual dis-assembling knowledge to come by and assist him. They worked for 4 1/2 hours.

I SO hope it drives when everything gets put back together. Right now I am a tad leery of the air bag and transmission parts sitting on top the freezer. Hey, at least I will be able to vacuum those hard to reach areas between the front seats, right? Anyone want to borrow me a vehicle in case I go into labor before this mess gets put back in order?

Here are my little 'cakes' and their neighborhood friends waiting for the bus. This afternoon is bright and cool and gorgeous. I had to bring the camera along and capture all the goodness of the day. Me and Roo took a walk after T got on the bus, we played with sticks and visited the horses and finally put the lawn rakes away. Lets' be real, I am not going to rake up the 50 leaves that are still on the grass. They can hang out there until spring.

Dear Girlies

Hey Girlfriends,

Today we had lots of fun together. We got up early and dressed for town, complete with scarves and hats for all, then had breakfast at McDonalds! (I said we could go where ever you wanted, and even though I pushed for Kneaders and their endless Cinnamon french toast I took you to the golden arches.) We sat in a window booth and watched the snow softly falling outside. You two split a big breakfast with hotcakes. 2 chocolate milks. Talia ate all the bacon. I, of course had a sausage and egg McMuffin with OJ. There were lots of older gentlemen in the restaurant having breakfast and they kept looking over at us and smiling. I am sure we made a pretty picture!

We dropped the car off at the GM dealer to have them fix the heater next. We played pool in the lobby and waited for grandma Norr to come and rescue us. Ruby hitting the pool balls was very funny! Talia, I will teach you how to play for real some day. Then we went to T.J. Maxx to shop for a new diaper bag/purse, photo frames and something fun for each of you. Pretty sweaters!

I know that the next week will bring big changes to your life. I know that I will be busy and tired and emotional. I wanted today to be about us, and just us. I love you. I am glad you are my girls. You are each beautiful and special and truly loved. Be patient with me this week, I will try try try to be so with you. (Success with that all day!)

Can you believe that there will soon be 4 girls in our family? What fun! There will be many more "girl days" to share together. Hugs and kisses,

Mom

P.S. Roo, today you are my little one. I know that I will see you sometime this week and wonder where my baby went. Ooooh! My heart!

Bye Bye Blue

I felt really good today. So guess what? I painted the babies room. The whole thing! Top to bottom, gathered the gear, repaired the holes in the the walls (There were a few big ones, Roo pulled a huge towel hook and her headband hooks out a few months ago, Ergg!), sanded, taped the ceiling, polished the baseboards, everything.

To spare my Mom any anxiety I won't talk about how many times I moved the chair and crib around the room or how many times I climbed the step ladder, and then had to get off.

It looks awesome. I am wiped out!

I've been working for 12 hours. It's 9:40 pm.

Can't wait to get my gorgeous new dresser in there and fill it with sweet little baby things. I almost have the crib quilt bound. Things are coming together.

Any time Little Bit, anytime.

Happy Halloween 2011

 Meet miss "Flango-Mango."

Meet the lovely Cinderella.



Meet Roo pumpkin, Jack - "the spooky one."



Meet neighbors Stella and Sam.

We had a marvelous Halloween. Me and the girls carved fresh Jack-O-Lanterns on the front porch in the sunshine, it was lovely and warm on the west side of the house. Roo and Tali squealed and laughed while we 'gutted' the pumpkins. They used their bare hands and got orange goo all over the cement. Daddy was a little late getting home because he had a tow job to do. So me and the girls hurried into our costumes to haunt the neighborhood in the last light of day on our own. It turned out to be not so on our own, the streets were crawling with friends and neighbors, we loved it!

Rubys little chirp, "Trick or Treat!" was the cutest thing. Her big pink booty was the next. All evening she was clinging to the Flamingos head and chewing on him. Talia wore her aunt Jenna's white prom gloves and a new pair of white sparkling shoes. It took a while for me to convince her that Cinderella didn't wear a crown to the ball. After that she didn't even want her hair done. O'well. It's the right color anyway.

The girls filled their buckets (from McDonalds) with lots of treats, and there was chocolate on all the costumes before we got to Grandmas. We had Taco Soup and chocolate popcorn at Deven and Kaylee's. Mmm. That's my kind of treat! What a swell evening.

I have been trying all day to keep my hands out of the candy bowl in the pantry. There were way too many snickers left in there last night. One week until Little Bit is due. She won't get to eat candy for a long time, I had better have a Snickers for the both of us.

HOPE YOU HAD A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!