{Just in case...}

...I forgot to send this anyone. I tried to remember everyone-but I'm sure we missed someone along the way. Here is Alyvia's birth announcement. My cousin Crystal designed them for me and I love them!

{Changing}

...a few things are changing at our house...

Alyvia (although still little) is growing, growing, growing! We weighed her a few weeks ago and she had made it to 8 lbs. Pretty exciting since she is almost 8 weeks!

We get mixed reviews about whom she looks like. Jonas? Nicole? Devin? I say Jonas....seriously take out the bow and put her in blue and she is a very feminine Jonas.

Jonas has had some changes too. He's eating a little better. He's talking A LOT more. (although you have to live with him to understand what he is saying..still...they are words people!!!) He's mastered a lot of new things in his schooling very quickly and we are very excited for all the progress he is making. He will be starting Speech Therapy this week, and a once a week preschool in May. All very good directions for our Jonas Boy.

Since the weather is changing (as in everyday its different-really Mother Nature..just pick a season and stick with it for a while!) we've been spending more time outside. Jonas loves all things that have to do with the Park! He can even say Park (Paka)

One thing for sure that hasn't changed is who Jonas' BFF is. I try and I try...

Jonas is still into sticks...and collecting them. I love how he looks like Noah or something with his walking stick. I don't know how he even picked it up!

Jonas still enjoys watching a "Shhhhow" in the morning-perched in his spot on the couch. He's really into movies right now. I know every line of all 3 Toy Story movies, Cars, and Despicable Me. Its awesome.

I hope this is a preview of their future together. Jonas never touches her unless we tell him to give Alyvia a kiss. He rarely acknowledges her existence. I know most parents pray that their older kids will be soft with the younger ones....and we do too, but we also hope that Jonas will learn to interact a little with is Sister. For now though...I'm OK with him closing his eyes every time we put her near him.

{Whew}

It turns out that having TWO kids has taken some getting used to it. I'd say we have improved, but we're not experts for sure. I also know that Heavenly Father is far wiser than we are. I could NOT handle multiples!!

A common scene at our house. Someone laying with Alyvia-and Jonas getting all up in our faces. He likes to be right where we are.

Jonas and Alyvia got a new ride. I have been coveting this stroller since I found out we were having another baby. We got a killer deal on a brand new one (thank you Craigslist!). Jonas seems to love it. I can't wait for Alyvia to be able to ride a bit more comfortably. She rides behind Jonas with the bassinet part laid flat. I'm sure she is comfy...but it makes me a bit nervous. Anyway--we hope to get a lot of miles out this stroller!!

Jonas is still his happy little self. He hasn't been upset by Alyvia being part of our family. He is patient when he needs to be (mostly), and he doesn't bother her either.

HOWEVER

He has been causing quite a bit of trouble. This lotion bottle was on the table today..and he got the lid off. Needless to say, we smelled baby clean all day at our house.

This picture is from Sunday. This incident was not as easily cleaned up. I left my make-up bag in the bathroom sink in my room. It was zipped up. Jonas was watching a "shhhhhow" as he calls it while I was in Alyvia's room pumping. (This feeling like a dairy cow is not my favorite) Jonas was a little quiet, so I called his name. He answered, so I figured he was ok. WRONG. He got my make-up bag, unzipped it and opened my foundation. Needless to say his clothes, my carpet, and my bed were now a shade of ivory. I laughed though because he had three or four streaks on his face. He knew what he was doing! I did manage to get it out of his clothes. The carpet is a different story. Glad we are renting!

Alyvia turned one month on Sunday. I can't believe it has been a month...but I also feel like I have been waking up in the night for like 6 months now. I think we are getting the hang of things, and bless this cute little one for only getting up every 4-4 1/2 hours. She knows Mama needs her sleep!

She is getting bigger, and to me she has changed so much from her first days in the NICU.

She looks so much like Jonas, and Devin. I swear she mine. Someone made a comment about her being the mailman's child-but our mailman has REALLY dark skin :) Guess she got something from me.

I attempted to take some pictures of the kids together for Valentine cards. It was....not good. Jonas looks like he is in pain in this picture. He's not. He's saying Cheese.

This was my favorite. He really is soft with her. I told him to be careful with her head. This is what I got. (sigh) Someday I will have adorable pictures of them together but for now, I am just working on keeping Lyv alive :)

{Breathtaking}

I can't praise my friend Diana enough for her talent. Its not enough to say Thank You. These pictures are timeless treasures to me. I am so thankful that she is willing to share her talent. This is the best shower gift ever. I love you Di-thanks again for sharing your talent!!

Our Baby Girl

Alyvia Nicole Ure

January 27, 2011

5 lbs 14 oz 19 inches

7:36 P.M.

Alyvia's first (decent) picture.

Just hanging out.

All the tubes and wires on our teeny tiny girl.

Finally time to go home.

Big car seat for such a little one.

Ms. Alyvia made her debut on the 27th. It was a special day for our family. Not only was it Jonas' half birthday, it was also Devin's birthday. I don't know if Devin cared too much for having to share his special day with his wife in labor. We were given an option...sort of. The Dr. asked.."how about the 27th?" I looked at Devin and he said..."Fine with me." So off we went at 7:AM. This time around I progressed much faster than I did with Jonas. I won't go into details...because they are my memories and I want to keep them. But all in all it was a great experience. Alyvia was worth the three weeks of bedrest, the headaches, the heartburn, and everything in between. (That's not to say I am in a rush to remember it all again)

After Alyvia was born the nurse noticed that she was breathing really shallow. She watched her, and tried to suction her out really well, but still her breathing seemed "off" to the nurse. So she called the NICU and they sent a nurse down to watch her. She was keeping her Oxygen up pretty good for a few minutes, and then it would drop a bit low...and then come back up again. It was all pretty hectic for a bit. Not scary hectic, just crazy. So off they wheeled my 58 minute old baby to the NICU..where she stayed for 6 days. Now, I realize that 6 days is nothing compared to what many other babies and parents go through...but for me, it was hard. The back and forth was hard. The leaving her at the hospital was hard. The sleepless nights were hard. The knowing that Jonas had no idea what was going on, was hard.

After the bubble C-Pap machine, and a few days on regular oxygen, a biliblanket, an umbilical IV, and lots and lots of blood work, Alyvia was released on Wednesday, February 2nd. It was a great day! Perhaps the best part of the day was when we got home. We showed Alyvia to Jonas and said.."Jonas, what is this?" He says..."A Baby". Then he gave her kisses (which is so cute-he puts his little lips on her head and then after he pulls away he makes the kiss sound). We brought him home a stethoscope...it was a huge hit.

Thank Goodness for answers to prayers, for a family who is willing to help, for friends who care, and call just to make sure we are ok, and most of all Thank Goodness for Eternal Families, and that ours is one of them.

{A UT Christmas}

We ended our Christmas break back in UT. We celebrated with both sets of my parents, rang in the New Year, and even managed to catch up with a few friends (though not as many as we wanted). All in all it was a wonderful break from our house, and it always feels good to go "home". I did miss MD though. Except for the cold.

My Mom and Ray's Christmas tree. I don't know how she does it, but my Mom's tree looks perfect every year.

Jonas with his Dinosaur slippers.

G&G gave him the Handy Manny Construction set. I think he had as much fun looking at everyone on the box as he did playing with the pieces inside!

Waiting to open the goods.

Grandpa Ray, Devin, and Jonas watching football. As you can see, Jonas was happy as a clam to be watching a movie on Devin's computer. That way everyone wins!!

Back to Grandpa and Grandma Stevenson's. Taryn ended up with a new phone (her first) from Santa. We didn't hear much from her after that. She's sent and received more texts since Christmas than I have in my life!

Jonas telling everyone how excited he was to open MORE gifts. We had a great Christmas in Utah too. We were VERY spoiled. We have such a great family who loves us. We truly felt blessed to be able to spend time with them once again. We know it won't always be that way and we're so glad we got to enjoy it again this year! Thanks for all you did for us. We look forward to June :)

{An Idaho Christmas}

This year we went to Idaho for Christmas. It was lots of fun to see Devin's parents get to watch the grandkids open their presents from Santa. (Devin's brother and his family joined us)

Jonas didn't wake up until after 8 :) Although the other kids woke us up before 6. Their parents didn't establish "the time rule" with them :)

...and we had a replay of our MD Christmas when J wouldn't open any presents until he had something to eat. So Dad rescued him with a quick yogurt....

.....and that did the trick. Then it was off to open presents.

Alexa...almost lost in the mass of toys and paper.

Samantha and Jace. I love their faces. Who knows what they were opening...it didn't matter...they were excited every time.

We had a great trip to Idaho complete with a game of Capture the Flag. Uncle Kerin brought more Nerf Guns than I have ever seen and we shot at each other until we were too tired to shoot. We played hours of the Wii, ate lots of good treats, and made lasting memories. Thanks for all fun!!

{Utah Happenings}

Our first few days in UT are always crazy. Adjusting to time, seeing everyone again, and exploring our surroundings. My Dad had the whole first week off when we got there and it was HEAVEN! He watched Jonas so I could shower and nap. He put J in his car seat, carried him everywhere, got him out of his car seat, and took us where ever we wanted-including to lunch almost every day. It was my favorite part of our vacation. Spending time with Dad is rare-so we really took advantage of it! Thanks for all the fun Dad :)

We rode to Lehi to watch my little sister, Taryn play basketball on the Sophomore team. Since she is a Freshman, it was a pretty exciting event for her (and for us). She played VERY well and scored quite a few points-but I can't remember how many...sorry T.

This is a good picture! Rylee (our cousin) is the one on left facing us in red. Taryn is the other one in red facing us. It was a bonus to be able to watch them both in action :)

I missed T picking her spandex out of her....well....you know. But this does show her sweet shoes :)

She took her turn on the bench too.

Jonas was a great cheerleader. He looks drunk here...but he was just saying "Cheese" for the camera. He squints his eyes because the flash that comes next is so bright. Sooooo we get the cute "Cheese" smile...and the squinty eyes.

Brook was great fun for Jonas. She was willing to play anything with him and was his best bathing buddy ever. He LOVED bathing in the jet tub with bubbles.

Even though this car is for girls :) J loves it. It doesn't work, but Brookie pushed him around in it. She's always lots of fun!

Kaylee (Who stole my camera and took this picture-and still manages to get dates) is also great help with Jonas. She followed him around, made sure he didn't play in the toilet (again), and made plenty of treats for him. She also made sure he ate every piece of candy he found. Jonas learned to take the candy to Kaylee because she wouldn't tell him no!

THIS is how Taryn babysits. I asked her to watch Jonas while I showered. I came upstairs to find her asleep on the heat vent and Jonas in front of the TV waiting for someone to start his movie. Needless to say...she got fired :)

Taryn spent a lot of time resting on the heat vent. Since she gets up at 4:28 every day to get ready for basketball practice...I guess she deserves it.

Taryn decided to make these delicious cookies. Then she started asking questions like....what's soda? What if it says to put Soda and Powder in? Eventually I accused her of being a "Virgin" cookie maker. She threw us all for a loop when she yelled (and I quote)..."I am NOT a Virgin". Don't worry...we had a long talk about what did and did not qualify one as a "Virgin". She's got it all straight now.

This was the end results from Ms. Betty Crocker. Mile High Homemade Oreos. She enjoyed them. :) I love you Taryn :)