Normal and New

After all of our trips and having our little girl we are still keeping busy, but most of all having fun now that I am 100% of a stay at home mommy, while daddy is full time in school. Doing what, you ask?

Getting back to normal .......

Going to church (our new ward) after not attending for a few weeks(new baby- so many people). Going for walks (with Rachel in a sling and James in the stroller) to so many different parks, including the new Spanish Fork one with the splash pad. A big hit! Having friends over, BBQ's and hanging out. Holding and kissing Rachel over and over again. (Big brother gives her kisses everyday without me telling him to and he asks to hold her at least once a day). Creating entertainment in so many different ways with music, dancing and art.

Learning new songs, like head and shoulders knees and toes. Supporting BYU football and hanging with the cousins. Visiting Temple Square (Jesus' house) while daddy's at a Doterra convention Taking in the last month of swimming at Seven Peaks. (Rachel went for her first and last time this year. I just really wanted to put this stinking cute swimsuit on her before she grew out of it). Snuggling. (One night I got home a little later after being with my mom and went to check on James like I do every night. I loved what I saw. No greater vision than daddy and big guy snuggling and totally sleeping together. Josh crawled into the crib and fell asleep with him. At night James always prefers daddy over me and wants his daddy right next to him holding his hand. It is so dear how much James just loves his Dada.) James' Superman and Batman cape has been a major hit. He prefers superman most of the time, besides when he is riding his bat dog or wearing his batman belt. He's loves pretending to sward fight and is still learning that he can't just hit someone and call it good.One of James' favorite things to do is to ride his bat dog while shooting his gun and running around. I play dead with him all the time and he thinks it's a total blast. He also knows what BYU looks like. Whenever he sees someone wearing a BYU shirt or if one is on the ground he always points and slurs BYU in his own language and he gets so excited when I dress him in BYU. One of the things we have done quite a bit this summer as a family, since we moved is going on walks and stopping to get our favorite summer treat- snow cones. We all share the Big Kahuna(which is probably the size of James' head), our favorite is tigers blood. Then we stroll over to the park for slides and climbing. James seems to always make a friend there. He is quite social with other kids. We have loved ever second spent with Rachel, she has struggled a bit this last week with gas and digestion. I hear her rumbles in her tummy and I can just tell it hurts a ton. She is sure to tell us how she feels with her cries. It makes me sad that I can't really do anything for her. (Check out her cute onesie that has a superman symbol and reads "My daddy is superman and my brother is the Hulk". Love it, one of my old students made it for her. James is so curious and loves learning anything new. He learned about shadows and footprints this week and I just love how engaged he is. We spent time playing in the rain and making footprints one afternoon. He thought it was pretty cool. He kept on wanting to do it over and over again and couldn't understand why they would disappear. James is still being the incredible big brother to his sister. I am praying it lasts forever. He loves to cuddle and give hugs for SHORT times and always kisses her or helps when she is sad. He is such a great help getting wet wipes and diapers for me and he even knows which ones are his and hers. He always loves putting garbage away for me. Sometimes I don't even have to ask him and he will just pick it up and put it away. He is super helpful at putting things away for me and bringing things to me. It is most helpful when I am nursing. We had a great weekend with the Nielson's in Henderson, Nevada. James made it to his twin cousins birthday and ate yummies and played. We always love visiting them because we always have so much fun and feel so loved. James has always loved trains and shows so much interest in Thomas the Train. While we were at the mall shopping, he was so excited about the train that we had to take a ride. We had a blast riding the train around the mall, but most of all, I just had fun watching his reaction. Rachel is so alert and even gets to be sung by her big brother. I am one proud mother to have 2 adorable little ones and life couldn't be better. I mean I love changing more than half a dozen diapers a day, wake every 3 hours in the middle of the night to nurse, am always tired, sometimes don't even get ready for the day, clean up continually and LOVE THESE LITTLE ONES NO MATTER WHAT! Really, I have the best job and it's the little moments that make it all worth it. I am so glad that I am fully recovered and feel normal. We are now back to being normal and I really like the new me, as a stay at home mom. This is now normal and my 2 sweeties are learning tons of new things. How exciting that I can witness every step along the way.

A Big Thank You

To everyone for supporting us and sharing this excitment together.

I was spoiled again with 3 showers. Josh and I just couldn't believe how kind and giving people were at such an exciting time of our lives. The first baby shower I had was in May, towards the end of the school year. One of my students, Karina (and her mother) spoiled my family by putting us up for a night in a honeymoon suite and having a baby shower with my 3rd grade class the next morning. We had such a great time, playing games, visiting with the parents and my kids(students) , unwrapping all the gifts and eating of course. Thank you class for being so great and easy to love and teach. We had such a great school year last year. Now I get to be a stay at home mom. I guess I give up great for something even greater.

The next shower was thrown by my mother in law. She is so great and so thoughtful. She threw more of a family shower, the few from my side of the family and many of Josh's. At this shower we basically visited, she had everyone write something thoughtful about me, eat and unwrap all the great girly things. Thanks family for always being their for me and sharing this exciting time with me.

My friend shower was hosted by Amanda with the help of Cassie, Taylor and Stacey. It was decorated really cute and we visited, played guessing games, ate yummy food and unwrapped even more cute pink stuff. All I got to say is my little girl is going to be styling, thanks to everyone and their cute gifts.

I can't wait to use everything.

Rachel will be my own personal dolly to play dress up with. It is so much fun just thinking about all the pink, bows and mix/ matching her new outfits.

Hugs and Kisses to all of you. I love you and thanks so much for making Rachel and I a priority in your busy lives. XOXOX

A Special day....

Rachel's Blessing

We are so glad we have the gospel in our lives and that our little angel could get a special blessing from her daddy. The blessing promised many great things and explained how incredible little Rachel is and will be in the future.

Sunday, September 5th 2010 @ 11:00 am Spanish Fork, Utah 1 month old I am a Child of God

As a mother all I desire is that I will be able to raise my daughter in the ways of the Lord. I hope and pray that I will help her learn how to choose the right and become a true follower of Christ. I want her blessings to be endless and the promises she was told in her blessings to follow her. My mother did an amazing job raising me, I hope I can be as good as an example as she was.

She was a pure heavenly angel dressed in white.

All of our loved ones made the day even more special by attending her blessing. She was held, kissed, loved and stared at all day long. After church we all went over to the park to visit and eat yummy baked french toast, fruit and muffins.

Those who attended: Mommy, Daddy and James/Grandma and Grandpa Leavitt/ Nana and Papa Smith/Jason, Melissa, Chandler, Carter, Harry, Ben and Amelia/ Allyse, Siarah, Marisa , Bryson, McKay and Eliza/ Joel, Marissa, Warren, Charles, Audrey and Scarlett/ Jarod, Cade and Beckam/ Craig, Jessica, Molly and Sawyer/ Brother Cox/ Sevey Family/ Willardson Family/ Fisher Family/ Potts Family

Her dress was pure white, soft and crocheted. Her hair piece was especially made by me, her momma, with love. Rachel, your father in heaven loves you so much and has granted you a wonderful life. You are so special to your earthly parents and we will be here for you always, no matter what! You are such a good girl.

Rachel's Picture Perfect

Looking at these photo's of my sweet 2 week old baby girl, Rachel, makes me so proud to be a mother. Every single day she relies on me for everything and I just love holding her close and falling more and more in love with her each second I have with her. I honestly believe that time spent with another is what makes your love grow. As I snuggle with her I can feel a touch of heaven and am constantly thanking God for the angel he sent down to us. She is pure, innocent, perfect and I just love her to death. I know I may be bias, but everyday she becomes more and more gorgeous. She is a sight to see and my little dream come true.

Big Brother, James, at 21 months

I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be. I can't imagine doing anything different with my time. I can't imagine loving anyone more than I love my 3 babes. There is no greater prize in life than waking up each morning and being with my little family of four.

Thanks again to my incredible sister, Amber, who is talented in so many ways, especially her way of capturing my little daughter at the beginning of her life. Amber and her husband came down to meet Rachel and take some pictures. Even though we stayed up until 3 am to take them, because of the rushed visit, they look perfect. Thanks again, these pictures will be cherished forever. We had the greatest time with you guys here, I just wish we lived closer to each other!!

First Few Weeks of Life

The first week was nice having my parents here to help me out. I was able to relax in bed and around the house, and my only concern was to nurse and tend to Rachel. Mom and dad took care of James, dinner, cleaning and everything else. I seriously have never been so lazy. I am the kind of person that is always go go go. Josh always comments on how I don't know how to relax. So this time through everyone wanted me to rest and relax because I never do, not even with James did I take it easy, and the recovery was quite hard. By the end ,of the 1st week I felt much better. Yet, I didn't want my parents to leave, it was way to nice having them take care of me and my family. The second weeks was a total adjustment as I had to learn how to juggle James who is very active and loves for me to play and be with him, while nursing and cuddling with Rachel who is the newborn. Along side of that cleaning and cooking and doing all the odds and ends that a wife manages to do. There were some days that I never got ready and was still in my PJ's by the time Josh got home. At first I felt bad that I didn't have dinner ready on the table and have a spotless home. His response made me smile when he said, "Shannan don't worry about it, your doing everything right, you're taking care of our children." He is such a great man and has really made me recognize what really matters. There will be days like those and that is alright.

Yet, after a week of being home and recovering, I had to get out of the house and do something. So the last day before mom and dad left, we went out to eat at the Olive Garden. Rachel did pretty good, I only had to feed her once while we were out. It was nice to get ready for the day and enjoy each others company. I sure love my parents ,they are great supporters and have been a tremendous help with my recovery and James. As you can see, I have decked my little lady up in pink and a big bow in the middle of her forehead. Oh, she is just too cute for words.

Rachel's 2 Week Doctors Appointment: Weight: 8lbs 9 oz (When she left the hospital she dropped down to 6 lbs 10 oz. That is about 2 lbs in 2 weeks) Length: 21 inches Head: As Dr. Savage held Rachel she nestled her in her arms and said she was beautiful and perfect. She is completely healthy and getting plenty of milk (as you can tell with the weight gain). She is pretty alert for a newborn, when she has wake time she opens her dark blue eyes and just looks around. I often wonder if there are angels in the room as she seems to be in a deep gaze and focused on what seems like nothing to me. Ever since day one, Rachel has had a pretty strong neck. Lately she has been bobbing her head up and down as she is trying her very hardest to keep it steady. Our little girl has been spoiled with snuggles. She is always held and loves it. Bed time has been a little difficult because she wants to be held during this time too. I have had to try so many different ways to make her comfortable and content during the night. During nursing she drinks real well and will fall asleep on me, she sure lets me know just how much she wants me to hold her and to be close to me. She doesn't like the bassinet much, yet I have found the best thing for her is to place her in her car seat, which I place in her bassinet right next to my bed. I am still figuring out what works best with her. As for me, I am lacking sleep because I do let her sleep with me a little during the night, but I am only partially asleep during this time. She is feeding most nights between every 2 to 3 hours, depending on her crying. So when the morning hits and James is yelling to get out, I pull my tired self out of bed and start a new day. I guess moms will always be tired no matter what. And isn't it all worth it?

Rachel is amazing at how well she latches on and drinks. Rachel is either sleeping, drinking or looking around. She wears newborn clothes which are still a little big on her and drowns in anything else.

We always call her our little bug or as cute as a button.

She is just so little and so dependant on me.

I wish she could stay this little for longer.

I love when she holds tightly onto my finger.

She also loves my hair.

(Maybe it's a comforting thing, she knows it's her mama or it's just something to hold onto.)

I have never seen a baby held so much. She is spoiled with love.

She prefers someone holding her or laying next to her.

I can tell she is most content when she has that body heat next to her.

(I try to trick her and nestle her with blankets, it works only sometimes.)

She likes her little brother who is constantly kissing her.

And her brother adores her and will get sad when she cries.

She is a happy little girl, but does have a pair of lungs when she is hungry.

Her hair is awesome and brown.

Mom says she looks like me when I was a baby from the nose up.

I love putting flowers or bows in her hair where ever we go or even if we are just at home.

She has major bm's that are a mustard color a few times a day.

Rachel has added a new excitement to the lives of the Nielson's.

This is the beginning and it will only continue......