St. Patrick's Day

I love holidays, even if they are 'Hallmark' holidays. OK, I know it's some type of Irish holiday... right... but it's always a good excuse to have a little fun as a mom. The sneaky leapracun struck again and left a mess of green confetti trailed around the downstairs... and at the end of the trail he left the kids a little present. Taylor got a beret hat and Brent was left some new swim trunks... Peyton got a good luck kiss from the lepreakun. ;) Our breakfast was even turned green from the mischievious visitor. The kids loved every minute of it and made it for a fun morning.

Peyton"s Photo Shoot

My sister, Angie came into town for a few days last week and was able to take some pictures of Peyton for me. Thanks Angie! They turned out so cute!

Peyton's Special Day

On Sunday we blessed Peyton! The Jones' came in from the desert and Grandma and Grandpa plus Granny also came up for the blessing. We haven't seen the Jones' since Halloween and were going into withdrawals... we kept planning get togethers but with my bed rest, and then Peyton coming early, every good intention of getting together didn't happen. The kids screamed when they got to the house, and I barely saw Taylor the entire two days they were here because she was having so much fun with Emma and Claire. "Crameron" (Brent's name for Cameron) was Brent's best buddy and they had fun playing the Wii together.

Grandma and Grandpa and Granny were our only official family able to be at the blessing. Our parents were sad that they weren't there, but both our moms were so sweet to already come and help me earlier and Brad will probably come in the next few months. We wish we lived closer to our parents...

Eric gave such a beautiful blessing. I am so grateful for such a worthy husband... he is just the best. We were able to all come back to the house and have lunch together. We had Chicken Cordon Blue, Green Bean Casserole, Chicken with Mushroom rice, fruit salad, and rolls. We continued our eating fest with brownies and strawberry shortcake for dessert. ok.. now I really need to go on a diet...nursing just isn't doing it for me this time around.

Valentine's Weekend

Eric's brother, Curt and his cute wife, Whitney flew down from Rexburg ID to spend the long weekend with us. We had so much fun hanging out with them. They were so helpful with the kids, they made life with three kids so much easier-I like the ratio of four adults: to three kids. It seems more fair. THANKS Curt and Whitney for all your help. Brent idolizes Uncle Curt and Taylor was at Whitney's side mimicking her every move. I'm so glad my kids have such great examples.

On Friday we took the kids bowling. We will never go bowling without using the gutter bumpers again! It was so much fun not having the bummer of gutter balls. We went to THE HAT for lunch. They have legendary pastrami sandwiches, they are so big that Eric and I shared one. (That's saying a lot, he doesn't usually share with me)

Friday night Eric and Curt took Whitney and I out for our Valentine's Dinner. We went to Mastro's Ocean Club Fish House in Newport Beach and ate the BEST FOOD. Eric and I love eating great food, and it's even better when you don't have to make it yourself or clean up. Peyton went with us of course and the kids stayed at home with a sitter. Peyton did amazing and slept through the whole dinner, didn't need to be changed or fed. That was a present in and of itself! Whitney and I had the Chilean Sea bass and Eric and Curt got the steak, we shared giant shrimp for an appetizer and calamari, and the sides were to die for: Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese, Lobster topped garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. For dessert we all shared their signature Butter-cake and their chocolate ganache cake. WE WERE SO FULL to say the least!

Saturday morning we woke up and CUPID had left us some presents, and we had our traditional Valentine's Breakfast; (by tradition, meaning we did it last year too, and I hope to continue the tradition...) :) Heart shaped Banana Nut muffins with a Breakfast souffle/ quiche in heart shaped ramekins. Can you tell I LOVE VALENTINES DAY! ...and food...
We spent the rest of the day exploring Newport Beach. We ran around on the beach, scared the seagulls, collected shells, and got all sandy. (By 'we' meaning them, I was in the car nursing Peyton) I love to nurse but sometimes it means missing out on the action. I have no problem nursing in public, but it was cool and breezy...
We ate at the Ruby's diner out on the pier, took the kids to the park on the beach, and Aunt Whitney taught Taylor how to do a back flip off the swings. Aunt Whitney is so cool! Then we took the kids on the Ferris Wheel in Balboa. We had so much fun, we were tired by the end of the day!

Higgins and Currans Visit

Ashley and Patrick Higgins were in town on a Disneyland vacation the other week and came over for dinner. We both lived in the desert and moved away around the same time over a year ago. They live in Salt Lake now with their two adorable boys; Jackson and Crew. It was so fun to see them and catch up. Jenn and Brigham drove all the way from the desert so we could all have dinner together. Since it was such a fun occasion, Eric and I wanted to make the trip worth while for everyone so we cooked a great dinner. It was a Bobby Flay night... (for those of you who aren't familiar with the food network... he's an Iron Chef and has a few foodnetwork shows and also owns a few restaurants.) One of our favorite restaurants of his is Mesa Grill and so we cooked a few dishes from his Mesa Grill Cookbook.

Appetizer: Cotija-Crusted Quesidillas with Basil, and Red Chilies

Entree: New Mexican Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with a Cherry Ancho Sauce, Cilantro Pesto Mashed Potatoes, and Sweet Corn Cake

Dessert: Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee topped with fresh raspberries

We were so busy cooking that I didn't take any pictures... I can't believe we forgot! Bobby's recipes are so colorful with vivid colors from the peppers and sauces. It was all so delicious and so much fun to be with friends who we don't get to see very often. We miss the Higgins and Currans. Nothing like good food to enjoy with good friends

Baking with Brent

Brent and I made brownies the other day while Taylor was playing down the street. We love to bake together, probably because we both love to eat treats! Peyton took a great nap while we made a mess of the kitchen.
I just love Peytons little socks, they are trumpettes and they come in all different colors and it has the little mary jane shoes stitched into the sock so it looks like she's wearing the cute shoes, but really it's just all sock. ... So CUTE!

Getting Chubby

Peyton is growing by the day... so far it's all in her cheeks. Don't you love how newborns put on weight? ! ... first the cheeks, then tummy, then thighs and arms. I love it! She is such a great baby. I love her newborn grunts, and neighs. She loves to eat and sit in her swing. If she fusses, Brent is the first to her side. He quickly turns on the mobile above her swing and fluffs her blankets and tells her "it's ok baby." ... so precious I am so grateful for my little bundle of joy!

(The picture with her bow on is her first day of church) We have church at 1pm, it took all morning to get everyone fed/ clothed and ready for church on time. Good thing we have late church!

Taylor's Performance

Taylor's first grade class performed "The Little Train" the play adapted from the book, the "Littlest Train." It was an adorable muscial including all of the children in two classes. It was done really well and so cute. I was so impressed that first graders could memorize so much, and remember who went when. Taylor was the MC that greeted everyone by blowing a train whistle, and in the cutest, loudest voice yelled, "ALL ABOARD! WELCOME TO OUR PERFORMANCE OF THE LITTLE TRAIN".... ENJOY THE SHOW" Then she was a passenger in the silver train... we were so proud. She did such a great job. YEAH, TAYLOR (One of her favorite parts was the stage makeup... gotta love the lipstick :)

Eric's Perfect Week!!

All in one perfect week Eric's:

Third child was born a celebrity as his amazing wife pushed her out 22 seconds after midnight making her the first baby of the New Year in all the Pacific Time Zone. (according to our own research:)

Utes beat Alabama as a complete underdog in the 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl ending their season ranked #2!!! Just behind Urban Meyer's Gators.

I think the third thing was... that the Utes Basketball team had an amazing victory against a strong team... ok sorry I don't remember the teams name. This is what I get for posting this waaayy after it happened. ... i'm trying

THE STARS WERE ALIGNED.... IS WAS ONE PERFECT WEEK! too bad we don't play the lottery

Our New Arrival!

Peyton Lyn Gillis is Here! And she came with a bang! As the ball was dropping, I was pushing... and she arrived just 22 seconds after midnight. Weighing in at 8 lbs. 3 oz, and 20 inches long. -at 37 and a half weeks... I'm so glad she came early otherwise we would have had a really big baby...

I couldn't believe the timing... and no it was not planned that way. It just worked out and as far as we know she is the first baby born in 2009 in the state of California. So ten hours after delivery we had TV camera's and the OC Register in our room videoing and asking questions. Yikes.. just a little soon for me, but thank goodness I packed makeup and something to wear other than the lovely hospital gown. Around 7 am the nurses started popping in and saying.. Channel 11 just called and wants to know if its ok with you to do an interview... then it was channel 5, 2, 9, and then I lost track. But it was all very exciting.
(if you look on cbs2.com/ the OC register's website/ and the other channels websites you can see the articles and newscasts... sorry I didn't link them... I'm so not high tech...)

I went earlier that day to my Dr.'s appointment and I was dilated 4cm and 80% effaced and she didn't think I'd make it through the week. So I asked her to strip my membranes, that way I at least knew it would happen in the next few days... something about knowing a time frame made me feel a little more in control. After that she said you'll probably be back in this afternoon. I wasn't as convinced but took her for her word and called Eric for him to be on alert. ... we'll we were back in the hospital by 6pm, and dilated to a 5 and completely effaced. I delivered Brent so quickly (after about 30min in the hospital) I didn't want to take the risk of waiting too long to go in. So I felt like it was better to be safe than too late. So after a few hours of contracting, then walking the halls with Eric and my dancing partner (the IV) I still was only 6 cm dilated. I was really wanting to go natural and not have any petocin- because I was going natural and petocin just makes the contractions that much harder. So at 11:15pm she broke my water to speed things up. At that point my contractions went from hard but manageable to very intense and I was ready to push at 11:45. My midwife joked with me and asked if I wanted to wait a to push and have a New Year's Baby... and I was like no way... I am getting this baby out now. I couldn't be quick with the words while in so much pain, but I was not really in the mood to joke around... I just wanted to push her out. As I was pushing I kept hearing more people in the birthing suite with us... and I'd here, 'only a few more minutes.' Or 'thirty seconds'.... (part of me is thinking... 'I didn't invite these people into the room to witness the birth of my child' and then I'd hear encouragement and cheering for me so I guess I didn't mind... trying to forget that I was in the most vulnerable position... after giving birth there is just no dignity left for a woman. Then I pushed her out 22 seconds after midnight and at that point I swear every nurse on the floor was in my room cheering and clapping and they brought Eric a bottle of sparkling grape juice and everyone was congratulating us. They asked if they could take pictures with the hospital camera and got our signatures for clearance. By morning we had the head PR guy from the hospital in our room with the Head OBgyn Dr. and Midwife/ Nurse congratulating us and making sure it was ok to let the cameras/ and news crews into our room. It was crazy how many people we met.

We were treated like celebrities and even beyond the whole being the first baby born... all the nurses and staff at the hospital were just amazing. It was such a beautiful hospital- Kaiser Hospital in Irvine- it just opened this past year, so it was immaculate and high tech. It was so nice to have these huge birthing suites and postpartum rooms. We even got a congratulatory meal the next night with sparkling cider, salmon, mango chicken and dessert.

And I have to say how great Eric was through the whole thing. I read a natural childbirth book just a few weeks before this and it put so much empahsis on the 'coach' of your birth. Which would be Eric for me and I kept thinking I need to have Eric read this and how we should have taken classes so the chance of giving birth naturally would be higher for me. Well there just wasn't time for him to read the book and he told me... "Katie, I'm am a coach.. I don't need a book to tell me how to encourage you" which just made me laugh. Because coaching someone giving birth is a little different than coaching football or little league soccer. But really he was just amazing.

He has been SUPER DAD the last three months. With me on bed rest and not feeling that great he has been the mom and the dad. ... Coming home from work and making dinner, cleaing up and doing alot of the bedtime routine on his own. He never complained and even would request his honey do list on Saturday mornings and say... ok... what can I do for you today.. just make me a list. Or... "don't stress about it Katie... I'll do it, just write it down on a list and I'll get it done" I just can't say enough wonderful things about my husband... I'm so grateful for him...

The kids came the next day to see their baby sister and the looks on their faces were priceless. They were so excited to have a baby sister and they were so gentle with her. Brent couldn't understand why she wouldn't open her eyes for him, so that was frustrating for a little three year old to grasp. It was really surreal to see my three kids all in the same room for the first time. I looked at Eric and we both had the same look for each other... I can't believe we have three kids.

What a blessing, we are so grateful for this wonderful little spirit we have been entrusted with. What a blessing from the Lord. It is a perfect ending of a beautiful holiday season, and perfect beginning to our new year.
Welcome Peyton to our family, we love you!