Milk

Taken a few months ago...                                                 

Taken today after a diaper mishap.....

 

 

 Milk.  It does a body good.

Am I a terrible mom that I can't stop laughing at the 2nd picture?  She looks like the Michelin Man!

Thankful

More than ever before I have SO much to be thankful for.
I'm thankful for my husband.  He's kind and sweet and BEYOND patient with me.  He can fix anything.  He fixes all my crafts that I start. He helps me cook and clean when I feel overwhelmed. He tickles my back every night.    He's an AMAZING father. He's a great provider.  He's my confidant, my best friend, he's my EVERYTHING.




I'm thankful for my beautiful daughter.  If I had known at 20 that having to wait 13 more years to be her mom would result in her, I wouldn't have been so impatient.  She was worth the wait.  Her smile undoes me.  Knowing that at times I'm all she needs completes me.

I'm thankful for my parents.
I'm thankful for my sisters/best friends.
I'm thankful for my brothers.
I'm thankful for great in-laws.
I'm thankful for friends both near and far.
I'm thankful for the gospel.
I'm thankful for my warm cozy house.
I'm thankful for my job that allows me to keep O with me.
I'm thankful for our car that still starts up every morning and allows us to get out of debt little by little by not making a car payment.
I'm thankful I live in America.

I'm just thankful.

Working Girl

When I first found out I was pregnant I was worried about what we would do about the loss of income when I would have the baby.  I've always know that when I finally became a mother I didn't want anyone else taking care of Olivia.  It was really important for Jeff and myself that we were the ones taking care of her.  I knew that that would mean a lot of sacrifices.  But I knew it would be worth it.

 When I told my boss that I was pregnant he right away said that I could bring the baby to work with me and that they would be flexibly with my hours.  It felt good that they wanted me to stay so much that they were willing to work with me.
On the other hand I'll be honest that I would rather be at home taking care of Olivia and my home and Jeff full time.  But we're working really hard to get out of debt (I'm now done to 1 credit card from 8 when we got married) so that I can stay at home full-time.
But at least I get to take little O to work with me and I'm the one taking care of her.    And she sure does make the work day go by faster.  When you divide your hours into every 2 there's a feeding, diaper change, playing and trying to get to sleep, it zips by!!
On Friday's I have Med clinic so Jeff usually takes her to work with him.  We've been extremely blessed we have flexible work situations so we can do this!

She is SUCH a trooper.  And everyone at both offices falls in love with her the minute they see her. 

She will pretty much fall asleep anywhere!  Thank goodness for the bassinet loan from auntie Kelli:)
And you'll notice we're training her to earn her keep early:)
She LOVES daddy's new office space!

It's FALL!!!!

Even though we hit digits in the 90's this week, the Oklahoma Hale's are officially decorated for fall! 


I think it was around September 1st (or possibly sooner) that Livy and I pulled out the Halloween tub from the garage and starting putting our decorations up. 
I introduced her to all our witch friends.  She loves them!



On my birthday Jeff took me Halloween shopping and we showed Livy a witch and she would laugh and smile, it was so cute.  We showed her a ghost and no reaction....This girl takes after her mama!

Last Friday started out as a horrible one.  I had to work about 9 hours and Jeff took care of little O.  It was my first time away from her for so long.  It was horrible! (this is a picture of the little stinker after she pooped her pants at papa's and daddy's office.  I couldn't stop laughing, she looks like she's ticked off at being in only a diaper, but don't worry she's still wearing her bracelet).

  But it ended up great because her daddy took us out to dinner and on the way home we found this:

It's the cutest little pumpkin patch place here in Edmond.  Jeff said they have been there for years.  I was literally squealing with delight.  We got there the first day they opened. 

We loaded up our wagon with pumpkins and mums (and a little baby).  We also got a bale of hay and a cornstalk for our front porch.

Little O even got her own pumpkin for free!

The best part about this place is that we didn't have our checkbook on us and they just gave us an invoice and told us we could send them a check!  I love small town places like this.  They've earned our business for years to come.

And for the first time I wasn't sad to not be in Boston for the fall.  Sure I miss it, but this is my home and look at the fun things we get to do right in our own little town! 

I'm glad we're making memories for our little family to look back on in years to come.

Here's a picture (taken through my car window) of our front porch.  I love this time of year!

Our Sweet, Funny little girl

Being a mommy to Olivia has surpassed any expectations I had before she was born  She has been such a love right from the start.  It probably didn't hurt that my mom stayed here in OK for the first 2 weeks of her life and then made the road trip to Utah with us to meet her Slade family.
Some of the highlights from Olivia's life so far.




Grandma!  My mom was a HUGE blessing the first month of Livy's life.  I wouldn't have made it without her.

Smiling!  Her first smile was at her Mimi within minutes of her birth.  She hasn't stopped since.
Sleep.  She is SUCH a good sleeper.  Her first night home from the hospital she slept for about 5 hours at night.  When my mom came to wake me up to feed her I couldn't believe how long she had slept! And at 5 weeks she started sleeping through the night!
Traveling!  Olivia has been to six states and 2 National Parks!  She even has her own Nation Park Passport.  A Hale family tradition. 

She was an AMAZING baby to take to Utah and back.  I don't even know why I was worried.
Cuddler.  She loves to be held close to mommy and daddy.  Some of my favorite times are after I feed her in the morning we snuggle up with a blanket together and go back to sleep for an hour in the chair that papa gave us.
Daddy Time!  Olivia LOVES her daddy.  Everyone morning Jeff comes and takes Olivia for an hour or so, so I can get a little more sleep.  He actually gets upset if he misses it.  And at night before bedtime he plays with her on the floor to tire her out.  Most nights he gets her ready for bed as well.  I could absolutely not imagine having another father for my daughter.  He's amazing with her.
Cooing!  Livy has started to Coo and talk.  I'm obsessed with it.  She's SO adorable.

Content.  Olivia is SO happy and content.  The only time she cries is when she is cold or hungry or tired.  The rest of the time she is such a lovie. 
I am BEYOND blessed to be her mother. 
I like to think Heavenly Father sent me this special spirit because I had to wait so long to have her. 
I'm completely in love with her.

She's Here!!!

It's been awhile since I've updated this blog....We've been a little busy here on the Prairie:)

I wanted to write down Olivia's birth story before I forgot the little details.
My mom arrived early, early, early Friday the 20th.  We slept for a few hours and woke up and went to my last Dr.'s appointment before my due date.
When my mom and I got there, I got my blood pressure checked and it was pretty high, so my Dr. decided that they would induce me that day!
We ran home grabbed the hospital bags....and Jeff, and returned to the hospital.
I was started on Pitocin around noon....and then the waiting began!
In all total my labor was 18 and a half hours.  I pushed for 3 and a half.
At about 2 hours in I started to get REALLY weak.  At around the 3 hour mark I begged my nurse to bring the Dr. in.  I was convinced Olivia and I were going to die there in that bad.  I didn't know how I was going to push one more time.  I just wanted to close my eyes and go to sleep.
Dr. Buchinger came in shortly thereafter and I felt an immediate calm come over me.  I knew that somehow he would take care of us.  He is the MOST amazing Dr.  I wouldn't have my babies anywhere else.  I've been spoiled,
So, he came in and it took about another 20 minutes of HARD pushing.  Towards the end of it, I think he could see how exhausted I was. We were to the point that he started talking about options of vacuuming Olivia out.  And if that didn't work I was going to have to have an emergency C-Section. I was ready to give in just to get her our safely.
I believe that Heavenly Father was watching out for both Olivia and myself, because about 2 pushes later out came my little miracle.

She was born at 6:22 a.m. weighed 8 lbs. 11 ounces and was 21.25 inches tall.
My mom, Jeff's mom, Jeff and Jennifer were all there to greet our sweet little Olivia.
She's wrapped everyone who meets around her little (long finger) ever since.
I'll write more later about what we've been up to.
It's been fun, exhausting, emotional, joyful and scary!
I'm SO grateful that I've been blessed by my Heavenly Father to raise this precious baby.

She's a love.

Best Husband Award

I haven't had too many cravings this pregnancy.  I'll eat something for about a week and then get sick of it.  There haven't been too many times when I've HAD to have something.  Only 2 that I can really think of. 
But wouldn't you know that when I've wanted those things it's been late at night?  Of course it has.
And wouldn't you also know that my sweet husband has come through both times?
The first one was a turkey sandwich.  I just had to have one!  We drove all around Edmond looking at Subways and other shops.  All closed.  Of course it was around 11:00 at night.  We finally found a place open until midnight.  It was the most delicious sandwich I've had.  And Jeff never complained once about the time it took to find it.
A couple Saturdays ago, after working on projects for our house and nursery ALL day I just HAD to have a sugar cookie with frosting.
You would think this would be an easy task right?
We started at Uptown Grocery.  No luck.  All they had was those gross Lofthouse cookies which I refuse to touch.
Next it was City Bites.  They close at 8:00!!  What??  I was so annoyed.
Then we tried Sunflower Market.  Where as luck would have it they had sugar cookies but no frosting readily available.  (That's what you get for going to an "Organic" place.
So we bought 2 cookies and headed to the next stop.
We thought surely 7-11 would have a can of frosting so we stopped by the one near our house.  Nope.
I was just going to give up, but Jeff wouldn't.
He was determined that I was going to have a sugar cookie with frosting.
He drove all the way across town again to the Walmart Market and got a can of frosting.

I swear it was the most delicious cookie I've ever eaten. I even had a leftover for Sunday the next day!

And yes, that is Judge Judy in the background.  We Hales' LOVE court tv.  It's a staple in our home:)

He really has been the sweetest most supportive husband throughout this pregnancy.  I can count on foot rubs whenever I need one.  And always done with a smile.

I simply ADORE him.  Everyday I think how lucky I am to be married to him.  He was DEFINITELY worth the wait to to turn legal:)

To show my appreciation I try to make Jeff food once in awhile...... Jeff food is meat and potatoes.  I made these ribs a couple weeks back.  They were so good I almost cried.  The picture doesn't do them justice.  A little crunch on the outside and tender to the point of falling off the bone on the inside.

And that is probably my biggest secret to a happy husband.  Give that boy some meat and he's putty in my hands.

Love you SO, SO, SO much Jeffrey!!!!!!!

Thanks for taking such great care of me and little bird. 

Your Grandma

Dear Olivia,
Just a quick little post to let you know what a LUCKY little girl you are.
You aren't even born yet and your Grandma Slade has already spoiled you rotten.  At last count she has already made 3 blankets for you.  Two of them are crocheted.  And one is a beautiful quilt made by her loving hands just for you.
I use to tease your grandma that by the time I had kids she would be too worn out to make any more blankets.  And maybe some of the fun of grand kids would have worn off.
No way!
You would think you are the first little grand baby instead of the 27th to be born.  When your grandma came out to help your mama set up your nursery and organize our new house  a couple months ago, she was a woman on a mission.
She had to find just the right socks for you.  Just the right receiving blankets.  Just the right bassinet.  Just the right bows and headbands. Just the right nightgowns.  Just the right onesies for the HOT Oklahoma summer you are going to be born into (sorry about that).

And the other day you got your first (of many I am sure) packages from your precious Grandma Slade.
She loves you almost as much as I do sweet Little O.
Let me tell you a little bit about your grandma Slade.
She is the mother to 10 kids.  I know right?
She sacrificed EVERYTHING to take care of us.
I remember walking home from school on rainy days and getting excited because there was always a good chance that she would have a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup on the stove (or if we weren't so lucky ham hock) and fresh bread sticks waiting for us.
She use to put pink curlers in our hair every Saturday night. 
She drove to ALL of your aunt Phoo-Phoo and my cheer games.
She always waited up to hear about our dates and our high school dances.
She had this look.  That if you got it, you knew you were in BIG trouble.
She married your grandpa in the temple.  And she taught her kids that, that was the only place to be married.
She gave your mama the blessing of the gospel.  Which in turn I will be able to give to you.
She taught me how to cook, by letting me help her, even though I'm sure I wasn't always much help!
She let me go grocery shopping with her.
She taught me how to take care of a family.
She taught me that the most important role I will ever fill will be that of a mother.
She somehow made me feel like I was the most important person to her, even though she had 9 other kids.
I never wanted to disappoint your grandma.  When I did that was the worse feeling in the world.
Being a mom and grandma is EVERYTHING to her. 
I hope I can be half the mom to you that my mom is to me.  If I can accomplish that, you are lucky.
I want you to know Olivia that your grandma Slade loves you SO much.  And you can always turn to her when you think your mom doesn't understand.  I'm pretty sure she'll take your side:)

Date Night

Jeff and I took a break on Friday from trying to organize our new home after the big move, and went on a date!

Just me and him.

It was WONDERFUL.

Have I mentioned I'm slightly obsessed with my husband.

I feel like lately I haven't gotten to be with just him having fun.

So we went to the "Hunger Games." We have both read the books and both wanted to see the movie.

And because I am my mother's daughter we arrived about an hour early to get in line. It's a habit I am super grateful for. And since we got there early, we got to have our favorite seats in the house!

Apparently my legs haven't seen the sun in 200 years. I love the seats right in front of the railing. Plenty of room to stretch out.

The movie was great! The bag of popcorn and Diet Coke was just what the Dr. ordered after a long day at Med Clinic where a "person" told me I was large for having 4 months left before I gave birth. True story.

And Jeff didn't even tease me as I was sobbing during Rue's death. He's a smart guy.

I love nights like this when I get to spend it with my best friend. Just the 2 of us. I'm slightly obsessed:)

Little Piece of Heaven

I got to go HOME 2 weeks ago.

It was just what I needed.

I got spoiled by my mom

If you ask Jeff he'll tell you I've been talking about getting breakfast in bed made by my mom for weeks. The way only MY mom can make it. She didn't disappoint. She's the ABSOLUTE best mom ever.

I got to meet the 2 newest members of the Slade clan.

One is 4 months, the other 6.....Can you tell which? I couldn't get enough of them!

Olivia got BEYOND SPOILED at a shower with my sisters and mom and a few close friends. We had it at Red Lobster. Can you think of anything more perfect? I sure can't. I had to take 3 pictures of her loot to send to daddy back in OK...

She's going to be one well dressed/well read to/well blanketed little lady. She doesn't know how great of a family she is joining!

I'm still working on thank you notes......

It's hard to pick a favorite day I had.

They were all SO wonderful.

But Sunday was practically perfect.

We had an early St. Patrick's Day treasure hunt for the kiddos. We barbecued. We ate. We talked. We laughed. And we were entertained by the funniest kids you've ever met.

Here's a picture of my dad sitting in the kitchen. At one point I looked at him and he had this big grin on his face. I know there is nothing he loves more than when his family is home.

This is of my niece Sammie. I now know her mom's secret to being so skinny. I was worn out just watching her. She had me laughing all day. She reminds me so much of her dad. She is adorable. Excuse the cackling in the background by me:)

Here's a video of Sophie and Ty chasing each other on the table. They were dogs. Of course.

I remember looking around as I was sitting on the couch and thinking that this is what Heaven must be like. Surrounded by family that you love more than anything on earth.

The only reason I didn't cry on the way home is because my mom will be here on THURSDAY!!!!

I'm so grateful I have an Eternal family. I'm hoping for an eternity of days like I had at home.

Last Night

Dear little Olivia,

Every night before I go to sleep your daddy tickles my back and plays with my hair. It's seriously the best. I don't even have to ask him. He just knows. So last night, after we got done talking, I gave him a kiss and said "You know what it's time for. He said, "I know tickle your back." He is just the best husband ever. I hope you find someone that treats you just as well someday.
Anyhow.......As I was drifting off to sleep your dad called my name and said he felt you move. I thought it was just another of your little flutterings that I live for.....Which by the way, I'm convinced you know we are trying to feel you, and you hide from us. Tricky little girl:)
I think I said that's nice, but he said no it was more than that.
He was rubbing my side and felt your little foot! He said he felt the clear outline of it!! And when he put his hand on it you kind of kicked it away!
I was so excited I couldn't sleep. And also a little bit jealous that he got to feel you first before me!
But, I like to think of it as your present to your daddy. After all, I get to have you inside me all by myself for nine months before I have to share you. It was probably your special way of saying hi to daddy, and that you love him! Way to start early on being a daddy's girl!
But....I wouldn't mind to feel you next!!!
We love you sweet little girl!
P.S. Your Auntie Phoo bought your bedding last night. Mommy is beyond excited to start on your room when Grandma Slade gets here in 2 weeks!

Little Olivia Stephanie Hale

Dear Olivia,

On Sunday your dad and I (and lots and lots of family) found out that you are going to be a girl. I even tear up just typing this.......For a couple months now I was pretty positive you were going to be a boy. But in my heart I couldn't let go of the thoughts of tu-tu's and leg warmers and bows...and well you know:). Needless to say I couldn't be MORE thrilled that I'm having a sweet little daughter.

When your aunt Stephanie and I were little girls we always said that we would name our first born daughters after each other. You already have a little cousin named Brooklyn Alicia that was born last year. Now we will have a little Olivia Stephanie born about 10 months later. You 2 will even be in the same grade. Your aunt and I are already planning the first trip we will take you guys on. The American Girl store in New York. How perfect is that?

And your precious Grandma Slade already bought your take home outfit. I've already spent hours looking for the perfect bedding for your first room. I'm having SO much fun!!

You are already SURROUNDED by SO many people that love you! You are the luckiest little girl in the world. Your cousin Courtney started planning a party to reveal whether you were going to be a boy or girl the minute I told her I was pregnant. She went to SO much work to plan this party. And your Aunt Cindy (her mom)hosted it at her house. Your going to love your aunt Cindy's house. Especially at Christmas time. There's a whole tree of barbie ornaments!

Here are some of the pictures from the party. If you'll notice your daddy is wearing a pink and blue tie. He had to stay impartial. And even though I thought blue for months, I chose that Sunday to wear a dress with pink flowers. Fate? I think so!

Here are the family members who were on "Team Pink." Your "Papa" snuck in both pictures:) Mimi is so excited for another little girl to join the crew!

Here's your great Grandma Lill and Kenneth. They always make a special effort to come to family events. Your great Grandma Lill is your daddy's grandma.Here's your daddy. When he saw a whole crock pot full of meat, I think he cried tears of joy. No. Really. He did.

Before we ate the meal your Great Uncle Rick said the sweetest blessing on the food. He talked about how loved you were and how excited your family was to meet you. He also said you would be raised in the Lord's name. You absolutely will. Your mom started crying. Surprise!

Here is the video of us cutting the cake to find out! We had your Slade family in Utah on Skype. It was pretty exciting!!

I love you my sweet little baby girl. Your dad and I are so excited to meet you. But you just stay where you are and continue to grow healthy and strong and come when you're ready.....We'll have a whole bunch of people ready to greet you.

Love, Mom

Nice Night For A Walk

Usually when Jeff and I get home from work, we'll get something to eat and then settle in on the couch for the night to watch TV/go on our computers/play on our phones.......Which don't get me wrong I love doing that most of the time! But sometimes I just get the urge to go outside and go for a walk.

Now living in Oklahoma doesn't always make that possible. Especially in the summer! It can be so hot and humid that just stepping outside makes you feel like you need a shower. And if it's not hot the wind can be overwhelming.

But there is that rare perfect evening when there is no humidity and no wind. Tonight was one of those nights.

.

When I picked Jeff up from work, I told him I wanted to go for a walk. He took me to Hafer park. It was absolutely GORGEOUS outside.

I didn't realize how big the park was and how many different little paths and parks they had. They even had this little pond with ducks and fish where we started our walk. It was so charming.

Excuse the pasty white skin. I haven't been outdoors in awhile:) It felt SO nice to be outside. And I know it's good for me and the baby to exercise!

Jeff has so many memories of different scout gatherings, baseball games, swings being built, concerts in the park etc......That he had gone to at this park.

It was fun listening to all of his different memories. He really LOVES this town. I loved looking at all the pretty scenery around me. It's doing things like this that make me feel a connection to my home.

We had a really nice time together.


On the way home, we stopped and Subway and you guessed it, parked ourselves on the couch for a night of TV.

I feel like my life is pretty perfect right now.

Well it will be perfect after Jeff goes into the kitchen and makes me and little bird a rootbeer float:)

I don't think I have written a blog about how magical my time was at home before the wedding. Because it was. Totally magical.

While it was incredibly sad to leave Boston ( I think I've mentioned a time or two how much I love that place), the 2 and a half months I spent on the Flats in Milford was just what I needed.

Ever since I caught the traveling bug at 19 I've spent most of my adult life away from home. It was beyond wonderful to spend so much time with the people I love (and am slightly obsessed with).

So I spent those 2 plus months, planning my wedding, working on my brother's pig farm (True story), driving security at the pig farms (including 1 ghost pig farm that use to FREAK me out), taking walks in the beautiful country, having my mom do my laundry, going to Cedar with the girls, game nights, having my mom make me toast, 4-wheeler rides and MOST importantly spending time with my favorite Milford/Minserville crew.....With the occasional visits from the city cousins!

I had my base camp at Joel and Maria's. They have 3 ADORABLE little boys. They have this one little guy named Ty.....He was my shadow the whole time I lived there. Most mornings when I would wake up it would be to Ty either knocking at my door and saying "Sheesha, you in there?" or him just turning the knob and coming in. We had SO much fun together while big brother was at school and newborn baby Jack was sleeping. We went on LOTS of walks together.

It usually started out with Mr. Ty IN the wagon but would always end up with him trying to pull it. It was a 3 mile loop around the neighborhood. Sometimes it took forever. But I loved every second of it.

Sometimes I would take my buddy Spencer by himself. Don't think I'm a bad influence by letting him smash beer bottles. It was seriously SO fun to smash them! We would have races to see who could find them first. Usually Spencer was on his bike so he would totally beat me to them!

He reminds me SO much of his daddy in this:)

And at least once a week, we would head to Minersville and pick up my other favorite little guy and go get Frazzles and go to the park. Seriously, could these kids be ANY cuter?

And sometimes I would take Bridger all by himself to Alco to pick out a prize. We occasionally threw one in for Grammy!

I'm excited I get to see these cute faces in March (along with all the other ones)! How could you not be excited when you get texts like these:

Don't worry, I say they're ALL my favorite:)