Christmas 2008

This year was a great Christmas. Being both nurses Michael and I had to work some of the holiday. I had to work Christmas eve from 6am-2pm and Michael had to work all of day Christmas. So we felt the best time for Esther to open present would be Christmas eve after I got off from work. You can look on Esther's blog to see what she got. Michael got from the Kirbys, books from his childhood mostly Beverly Cleary books. He was so excited. I am sure he will have fun reading them again. From me Michael got a remote control helicopter and new underwear. It isn't Christmas unless someone gets underwear. I got from the Kirbys an awesome activity binder with all kinds of fun learning activities for Esther when she gets older. I can't wait to use it and help Esther learn. Michael gave me new pajamas and a new robe, which I have been wanting for a long time. Michael and I also got new shoes from our friends Jason and Amanda, who have been staying with us for the last couple of weeks. Michael's parents gave us our Christmas gift in November, a trip to Costco for some much needed food storage. Later that night was the annual Russon family Christmas party. The food was great and so was the company. We always do a sibling gift exchange at the party. Jill and her husband Michael had me and Michael. Michael got "The Office board game and I got a magnadoodle, I think that is what it is called. My parents have one and I am always steeling it from the grand kids to play with. Thanks you one and all for the wonderful gifts, we have and will enjoy them all. Christmas day Esther and I went to the hospital to have lunch with Michael and my mom, who was also working. After lunch we came home and both took a nap. Then we spent the rest of the day at my parents house. Christmas has come and gone and memories created. Christmas is definitely different when you have children. I wonder what traditions we will instill over the next several years as out little family continues to grow. Merry Christmas and have a happy New Year.

Thanksgiving

I thought since Thanksgiving was last week maybe I should blog something about it. I have been looking forward to Thanksgiving since the first of November. I have been craving a thanksgiving dinner for a while now. I don't know if it is the pregnancy or the fact that I love pumpkin pie and Michael's mom’s leftover thanksgiving dinner casserole. Anyway, Michael's parents came to our house this year. They arrived Monday night the 24th. We were so glad that they could come and spend the whole week with us. Tuesday I had to work so Michael's mom got Esther all to herself while Michael and his Dad spent the day doing things in the bathroom, it is getting closer to being done. Wednesday we spent the early afternoon at Costco. This year for Christmas and birthdays Michael and I asked for food storage. Since Michael's parents were here we got Christmas a little early. There is nothing like seeing your pantry full of good food for the next year. That afternoon I had my second Dr.'s appointment. Everything is going well. We heard peanuts heart beat and a small kick. I am hoping that we will find out what we are having on my birthday next month. Thanksgiving Day was a busy day. Well at least for Michael and his Mom. They did most of the cooking. I wish I could have helped more but someone needed to attend to Esther and we all know that Michael is the better cook. All I can say is yum. By the time dinner was ready Esther was fast asleep. I think that this will be the last Thanksgiving we have with the children asleep during the meal, so I enjoyed it. Michael had to work the next day and his mom was not feeling well so they left early in the morning. Here it was 9am and just Esther and me. The house was quiet and lonely. It had been a busy week so we spent the day taking naps and watching "What Not to Wear" on TV. Another Thanksgiving come and gone. We love and miss you guys and hope all is well.

What do I say?

I didn't think that miracles could happen in the same year let alone two months apart. Michael and I are very pleased to announce a new addition to our already blessed family. We are very excited and stunned at the same time. This testifies to me even more that Esther was supposed to be with our family and that she truly is a special person to have picked us as her parents. Heavenly Father truly does listen to our prayers and knows us and even though we may not know his timeline for our lives he is mindful and loves us so much. I am a better person because of the struggles that I have had to endure over the years. I would not trade those experiences because I would not be having these exciting experiences now. I know that life will have many more ups and downs with having 2 children under the age of one but I say bring it on, I am ready.

Chef Michael does it again

Waiting for comments from Michael. TBC

2nd Wedding cake

Halloween 2008

And the winner is?

The annual Russon family Halloween party was this last Saturday. We had a great time. I always look forward to the Halloween party to see what crazy costumes my family can come up with and every year we get a little more creative. The party usually consists of dinner, this year we had soup, salad, and rolls. It was the best dinner I had all week. Then an activity, Jill created a fun scavenger hunt which had us driving to a graveyard, smiths, a church, and Cabela’s. We had so much fun trying to find the next clue before the other team. Then there is the costume contest. Kevin, the golfer with the ball in his head was the winner this year. The winner gets to take home the coveted trophy. I can't wait till next years Halloween party. If you can't tell Michael is corn, I am a carrot, and Esther is a pea pod.

Favorite PJ's

These are pictures of Esther in her favorite PJ's, well at least that is what Michael says. I know that they are his favorite pajamas for Esther. She does look cute in them and they keep her warm at night which is a plus with the weather getting colder. The first picture is just of her in her car seat. Michael thought she was so cute and wanted to take a picture. Everything is going well in the McNeilis house. Michael is in the process of making another wedding cake for a co-worker. I will post pictures when it is done. I am just enjoying being at home. My first day back to work will be Nov 3rd. I am going to be working just one day a week. I am a little nervous going back. A lot of things have changed at work and I am worried that I have been gone too long. I am sure once I get settled in I will remember what I am doing. Esther is doing great. She has been getting up only once at night which I have loved. She now fits in the 3-6month clothes. She will be three months on the 29th.

What we won't do as parents

This is what Michael does to keep Esther happy while I get the bottle ready.

Here are some random pictures that I felt like adding of friends and family. We are all doing well. I have had a cold this last week. So far Esther does not seem to be affected. She has been a little stuffy but that is it. I have slacked off in taking care of myself these days and I guess I need to do better. I am going to try and eat better and get to the gym more often. I hope that we can all remember to take the time to take care of ourselves.

First play date

Our neighbors had a little girl, Presley, the 6th of July. So on Sunday we got the girls together for their first play date. We took several pictures but these are the only two where someone wasn't crying or squirming.
An update on the sleeping. We moved Esther out of our room on Monday night and put her in the guest bedroom, since the nursery is still not done, and she has been sleeping so much better. She now has no problem sleeping in her own bed.

Calling all mothers

So I am trying to adjust to motherhood. The first couple of nights were long but I am getting used to getting up at all hours for who knows how long. I really can't complain. Esther is a good baby. She hardly ever fusses and usually it gets resolved with a bottle. It has been a little bit harder adjusting to being home all the time. I am used to just going and going on my days off because I always had a list of things to get done. I have had to adjust to a slightly slower pace and it is OK that I am still in my PJ's at noon. I am sure many of you can relate to your first baby after working full time for years. So I have a question. Esther the last two nights won't sleep in her own bed. She sleeps great in the cradle during the day but at night after she is done eating and asleep in my arms I go to lie her down and she wakes up. She has spent the last two night sleeping in our bed. I don't want her to be 2 and still sleeping in our bed. Any suggestions?

Esther

I am going to try to update this blog along with Esther's blog as much as I can. Esther's blog will mostly be about her since we set it up for the birth mom. So check both blogs for all the info.
Michael's parents have been here for the last couple of days helping us get ready for Esther to come home. We have been finishing the dry wall plaster that was left from when we had insulation put in the walls back in February. The ceiling has been textured and a new ceiling fan will be installed. We are hoping to get the walls primed and the hardwood floors sanded tomorrow so that we can spend Tuesday putting the lacquer on the floors. Then all we need to do is paint and do touch up stuff. I think in another week we will be ready to move in Esther's clothes and bed. I think that it will still be a couple of weeks before she comes home. We are shooting for the first part of September. She just need to get stronger and take all her feedings with the bottle. Michael and I are hanging in there. It has been a lot to get used to but we can't wait till we can bring her home and feel like a real family.

Garden Update

So everyone keeps asking how the garden is doing, as you can see not bad. We have eaten several of the onions. We ate our first green pepper last night and I am waiting for this one to get a little bit bigger. We don't have any tomatoes yet. Only half on the spinach row can up but it grows fast and tastes so much better than the store. The beans are struggling so we shall see. Yes I know we need to weed.

Garage Sale

So our neighbor Debbi from across the street has been cleaning out her garage and going to have a garage sale. We asked if we could get in on the action. So last Saturday was the garage sale. We sold old camping stuff, pictures, old VHS tapes, our vacuum and our friend Jason's Forerunner. Yes we sold a car at a garage sale. Jason and his wife Amanda moved to Maryland and ask if we would sale the SUV for them. It has been sitting in our driveway for about three week now. There were a lot of people at the garage sale so we just stuck a piece of paper that said for sale on the window and waited. It was gone by that night. Other than the car we made about $80.00, which I used to buy a new vacuum. That night after the garage sale was the street block party. Everyone was supposed to bring their own meat to BBQ and either a side dish or a dessert. We just held it on our front lawn. It was great to get to know everyone better and the food was fabulous. As you can see the month of July has been busy for Michael and me.

Michael's parents stayed for a couple of days after the party. Michael and his parents attended one of Thomas lacrosse games; I had to go to staff meeting that night. The next day Michael had to work so his parents and I along with Jennifer and her family attended the Aquarium. My favorite part is always playing with the sting rays; of course they don’t have stingers. Then Michael's mom Judi and I went and got pedicures. She had never had a pedicure before but loved it. She also helped me put together invitations for a block party that our street was having. Thankfully Judi is creative. She has such great ideas when it comes to making cards. I think they turned out great.

Ethan's Birthday

After Michael and I got back from St. George his family came to visit us. Michael's brother in-law, Randall, parents live in Salt Lake County so Jennifer, Randall, Spencer, Connor, and Ethan came up north. After spending a week in St. George they were going to be spending the next week in Salt Lake. So Michael's parents decided to come too and stay with us. Since everyone was going to be in town Thomas planned a birthday part for Ethan and Parker. Parker is the son of Thomas's finance Sara. We had a blast as you can see from the picture. We went to the Kangaroo Zoo. It has a ton of those big blow-up slides. Michael volunteered to make the cakes. Parker loves Mickey Mouse and Ethan loves dinosaurs. The blue frosting did turn our tongues blue though.