Snow balls + airplanes + petting a zebra = happy summer

We took the kids to the beach on Friday. Lincoln had the day "off", so we drove up to Gun powder falls SP. We all got in the water, so I have no pictures. Yes, you read correctly- We ALL got in the water!....Simone loved it!! It was so fun. On the way out of town we got snowballs. That is what they call a snowcone in Maryland. They were the first snowballs for the Tidwell family! =)

Is it possible to see your own tongue? =)

We have heard of the "airport park" from several friends for a while now, but finally made it there ourselves. We ate a picnic dinner and watched the planes land. The kids loved it.




Lincoln took these pictures of Talia on the slide! He had too much fun with my camera! =)

Simone liked the Airport park too.

We went to an amazing petting zoo with a big group of friends. It was such a nice day! We went on Hayrides, saw a pig race, fed tons of goats, milked a cow, pet little bunnies, had a picnic, met horses, and even got to pet a Zebra.

Yep. A Zebra at petting zoo. Pretty cool.

quick photo post.....

Mom my checks my blog everyday....so I will do a quick post just for her! =)

I took Natalia out to catch butterflies. Just kidding, I told her that so I could take pictures. We saw 3 little purple butterflies, lots of white, and 2 yellow. She was so excited, but sad because she couldn't catch them. I need to get her a net.

For the photo above I finally yelled at her, "Natalia just LOOK at me!!!!"

Don't you love that dress....I think she looks so cute it it.

My boy! I have loved having him home all day for the summer. He is such a joy!

Little Simone. We have a had a hard week. I really thought the Zantac was making a difference. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last week were AMAZING!!! I can't believe the changes. She was cooing, and smiling, we had feedings that were so sweet ( that it makes me want to cry), and it was heaven. This week hasn't been so great. Yesterday was horrible. Five meltdowns, to the point that is was impossible to calm her. Today was a little better, so I have my fingers crossed that tomorrow will be great.

I took this on one of the happy days! Isn't her smile the sweetest thing?

I picked up Simone, and turned around to see Natalia prepping her babydoll for a photo shoot. She did this for quite a long time, so I was able to sneak my camera out and capture her in action. When you push the shutter on her cindrella "camera" it says, "You smile just like a princess." Too funny!

kid funnies

The night my water broke we were trying to get out of the house, and Natalia woke up. I could tell she was worried, so I told her we were going to the hospital to have the baby, and that everything was okay. I hugged her tight, and sent her to bed- but this is Natalia we are talking about so of course she didn't go. She hung out on the stairs. I got to the closet down stairs and my shoes were not in there! I was so frustrated....I didn't want to go searching for shoes. My Mom said, "Which ones do you want?", and of course she knew where they were.

Then we heard little feet clomping down the stairs and a little voice saying repeatedly, "I got your shoes Mama, I've got them."

I looked up to see my darling daughter with my green shoes. My heart just melted. Oh how I love her. Don't these look like the perfect shoes to go have a baby in? (No, I wore my nikes)

These are my favorite shoes. I love them. I got them in NYC, and I just found out they now make them in black...so I bought the black ones today! They just happen to be named "BLISS"! How perfect is that?


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The other day I was eating BBQ chicken, and holding Simone. (I can never put her down...I am holding her right now too.) I dropped a super messy piece right on her little neck and cheek. She was so saucy, but slept through the whole clean up.

In our family if you make a big mess it is turned into a nickname.

I am chili face.
Wyatt is spaghetti shoe.
Lincoln is soda arm.
Simone is the BBQ baby.

I asked, "What is Natalia's name?"

Without missing a beat Wyatt said, "Natalia is saucier." ( with a lovely French accent.)

(I don't recall when she earned this nickname...but it is totally fitting! She always needs a sauce, just like her daddy! We laughed so hard.)

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I gave Simone her medicine and she threw up all over me....for the second time this week. OH WAIT!!! That isn't funny at all!!!!! I hate to give it to her, & she hates it. I can't even tell if it is helping her. It seems to make a difference exactly 50% of the time.

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I said, "Natalia would you rather have Shepard's pie, OR should I heat up a pizza?"

"Let's have a piece-a-pie!" she shouted.

Was that a choice?

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Pick one.....

Lets pretend that I get my act together, and I send out a birth announcement for Simone. (Yes, I know she is three months old...but these are so cute!) Which one do you like? I would have to design the inside as well, so tell me the theme/colors you like the best.

Happy Father's Day!!!!

We love you Daddy! We think you are the greatest Dad in the whole world!

The story behind these pictures is too funny not to share. I waited for Wyatt's fever to go down from 103 to 101 before we went outside. I gathered up the chalk, camera, and baby and walked to the end of the drive way. I yelled up to Wyatt to bring the broom. Just as I was drawing the first "D" the wind started blowing really hard, and I looked up to see black clouds rolling in. "Quick, Quick," I said.
Wyatt was first, and it was very hard for him not to look terrified. "Just relax," I said with a laugh. He didn't think it was funny. I frantically drew the "A", and Natalia got down next to it. This is the only shot I got of her, because right after I hit the shutter there was a huge clap of thunder, and she sprang up from the ground. Next was Simone, she was the easiest one. Look how sweet she is! Wyatt kept saying, "if you stay out here you're going to be......," and would slice his hand across his throat.

I thought it was convenient that the rain came and washed away all the evidence of our photo shoot before Lincoln came home!

We had two severe thunderstorms and one tornado warning last week. Lincoln is always out of town for the scary stuff!!! My kids are so scared of bad weather, and the worst part is that I am too. I had to pretend it didn't bother me all week, so during the tornado warning we sat in the basement and ate popsicles from the basement freezer!

Growing

Simone had a doctors appointment today. She weighs 10 pounds exactly and she is 22 inches long. (She is 13 weeks old.) My doctor agreed with me and thinks she may have reflux. We are trying medication to see if it helps. She has been crying super hard lately and broke a blood vessel in her eye from screaming. It breaks my heart, so I hope the medicine works.

She had to have 4 shots, and one oral immunization. She is miserable! Poor thing.

Wyatt had a really high fever today, so he missed his last day of school.

Natalia is still really rashy. I thought it was fifth disease, but it keeps moving around. I asked my nurse about it, but forgot to ask my doctor.

What a fun house this has been this week.

Safe

October 2004

Taken on Natalia's second day of life. Notice the security band around her ankle....it has the word "safe" on it. This one of my favorite baby images of her....I love Lincoln's hands, and the texture of his jeans, I love her little mouth in the top corner, and I love to remember the day she arrived. What a sweet day it was! I thought it was a fitting image for this week.

She is ours. It is our job to keep her safe.

The past week has just been strange. The MAN who gave Talia the giant bird, kept giving her gifts. (Smaller ones.) He and his wife have lived near us for over a year, and never spoken a WORD to us. Now it seems that every time we were outside we would hear "Talia, I have a present for you." We don't know his name...I don't know how he knows Talia's name, except I do yell it a lot. Lincoln went to his door and asked him to STOP! He actually had to say, "I need to speak with the man who is giving my daughter gifts." I wish I was as brave as Lincoln. I was there all those times, Natalia was always afraid and never would go up to him. I am grateful for that. The man agreed not to give her anything again. I don't want to see him again...there is such a awkward feeling there. Why was he doing this? Everything I taught my daughter about strangers was being ruined by these dumb gifts.

We have installed extra locks, so she can't go out or open the door for someone. Both of which she has done in the past. She is my little shadow, but there are times in the day (I do shower.) when I can't be there. Do I really think he wanted to trick her into trusting him? I have to assume that, I don't care about him....I care about my little girl.

pictures in june

We went Strawberry picking at my favorite place. Simone cried every time I would bend down to pick, so I just took pictures and enjoyed watching Natalia eat her weight in strawberries.

Simone at 12 weeks. Doesn't she look like a little doll?

Cyrus had his SEVENTH birthday!

Natalia at the wedding in her beautiful dress.

Talia reading The Little Red Hen to me. She can't understand why the animals won't help the hen. She kept asking me questions like, "The pig doesn't want to help EITHER? Why?", and "Why won't they help her Mama?". She truly loves to help me. If I ask Wyatt to help with something she races to do it before he can.

THIS IS NOT A "THANK YOU"

If your sweet neighbor happens to notice your sharpay running around the neighborhood, and she brings her back to you, just leave it at that. Say thank you.

DON'T say, "Here Natalia I have a present for you since your Mom saved my dog."
DON'T hand her a GIGANTIC stuff bird while they are at the bus stop.
DON'T make her mother carry it home. She will have to carry this bird with one arm on top of her head. While she carries her BABY with the other arm.
DON'T think that just because you don't want this ugly bird THAT WE DO.
DON'T watch as I carry an over stuffed black garbage bag out of my house next garbage day.

PS. My kids are fighting over the bird now. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

A happy post

Last week we flew to Utah for my younger brother's wedding. I am so glad we made the trip! Simone was an absolute angel (a sleepy one) on the plane ride to and from Utah, and I am so relived. I was worried about the long flight, but it was a cinch! It was so wonderful to see my family, and have a few quiet and not so quiet get togethers. Natalia loved seeing "Grandma Great" again. We also got to spend a little time with Adam's family (Lincoln's brother's fam, Grandma Eaton, Aunt Grace and Bethany too.), and The Hunts (Lincoln's Aunt's family). What a wonderful way to spend a week.

The wedding was absolutely perfect. What a special day to be a part of. Almost ten years ago Lincoln and I were able to be married by my parents' cherished seminary teacher, Robert J. Matthews. He was the Temple President of the Mount Timpanogos Temple at that time. A few weeks ago my Mom went to the temple, and just happened to see him again. She asked him if he would be available to seal my brother to his sweet bride. Of course he accepted, and it was such a wonderful experience to hear his wise counsel again. It was a beautiful ceremony. I love to go to the temple. I love the spirit I feel there, and this day is one I will always remember.

I got to take a few photographs of the wedding. Mostly group stuff...I am actually kicking myself for not taking something more traditional of the happy couple for blogging purposes. =) My friend Stephanie inspired the photo above....I didn't get it exactly how I wanted it, (my sun flare is so weak) and now I need to find a bride and groom to practice on! =) (Steph...what lens to you use for your flare shots!?)

This photograph is one of my favorites of all time. My father's hands, and my baby Simone.

This is my niece Ciara. She told me she wants to be a photographer or pet photographer when she is older. We talked about photography...and I LOVED IT! She is so big now, and I hardly recognized that little lady! It's been 2.5 years since I've seen her family.



Wyatt and Caleb posing for me. It is nice to have cousins that love a good duel.


Natalia or "mother nature" as Ciara called her. She joined in the fight, and would hit her boy cousins with that bouquet of weeds! =)


I will do another post with more images later. =) I have so many.

Ultra sound update....

I thought I would post a quick update for those of you that might be worried about Simone's head ultra sound. If you didn't know she needed one, don't be surprised. I didn't even tell my Mom, and I thought I had. I was so worried, I guess I just kept it to myself and acted like it wasn't going to happen.

The ultra sound was done to rule out Periventricular leukomalacia. Don't google it. It sounds HORRIBLE. She had one ultra sound on her head when she left the NICU, and they wanted to do a second. I don't know exactly why they wanted to do a second. I don't know if it is routine for pre-term babies. I didn't ask very many questions (or the right ones) because I was a little shocked and surprised they wanted to do another one.

The ultra sound today went well. The doctor and the tech said things like, "This should look like a little tail." and "See this fluid here." to each other. The last thing they said was, "Everything looks good." I held my breath the entire time....the doctor noticed, and told me to breath. =)

I am relieved. I still need to hear from her pediatrician, but I am not as worried as I was. She was an angel while all that gel was squished around on the top of her head. I hated having to hold her head still, she kept looking at me with such a funny look on her face. After the tech left I just held her, and enjoyed her in the quiet room. I can't describe the feeling in my heart. It is full of love, worry, hope, and gratitude for this little girl. We are so lucky to have her as a part of our family.

I will do a Utah update later...I am so worn out, and I need a nap.

10 weeks, and a new van

Yes, I said VAN.

Goodbye pathfinder, I will miss you so much!

It is is a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country. It is black. It is large. It has a table, and swiveling seats. Two dvds. It's not sassy at all. It is much easier to load my kids....I don't have to open the doors now, they do it with a button.

Buying a mini van is like turning thirty, it is not as bad as you think it is going to be.

Simone is doing so well. We had some really bad bad bad days last week, and some really GOOD ones too. I gave her a bath this morning, and she didn't scream one time! That is a first. =)

She can still fit a preemie onesie, but just barely!

Blue or brown??

I need to retake this, so I can get one where Simone doesn't have a smooshed face.

Wyatt found a four leaf clover. He almost missed the bus because of it, but he found a four leaf clover.

(This blog was typed with one hand.)

otolaryngologist

We took Natalia to the otolaryngologist yesterday to have yet another doctor look at the bump on her neck. He was not too worried about it and doesn't want to remove the whole thing. It goes up her neck and is possibly attached to muscle, and he is the first one to say he thinks it goes down towards her breast bone as well. He plans to remove just the part that is visible. She'll be trading a bump for a scar, but he said he would try to make it as small as possible. He doesn't think it is a brachial cleft cyst like we have been told in the past, but just cartilage that formed while she was growing. Then he said it is our choice when to do the surgery. I wish he would have just said, "How about June, does that work?" There are so many things to consider now; Healing time, when Lincoln will be out of town, pre-school this fall, a new baby that takes a lot of my time, and I am so scared for her, etc. I guess, I should just pray about it.

This picture shows the bump very well because of the lighting.

I luv yoo

Mother's Day this year was wonderful. On Saturday I got to have a little time to shop with Simone, and some friends. I got some new makeup, and some makeup I was running very low on (it doesn't count as *new* if you have used it before.), and two new tops. Lincoln took the kids to see Speed Racer. We all had dinner together as a family. I was surprised with pineapple plant. It is the cutest thing ever! I have a thing for pineapples!



{My quirky pineapple list.
*I have a crystal necklace from Hawaii, that was a gift from Lincoln's Mom. This was the first pineapple.
*Lincoln always grills pineapple with brown sugar. Seriously- at least twice a month.
*I have a welcome mat with pineapples on it.
*You know how "they" compare the size and weight of a growing baby to a vegetable or fruit...well, the week Simone was born--she weighed as much as a pineapple.
*I stopped a girl in the street with a cute pineapple tank on to ask her where she got it. It was from J Crew, but they were sold out! I found it on EBAY! Lincoln won the auction and beat out a bidder named "pineapple posh." He was in Vegas and used his blackberry to win it! Never mind that pineapple posh pushed him to spend $40!
*I found out on my trip to Lancaster PA, that pineapples are a sign of hospitality. I like to think Lincoln and I are hospitable people. There was a gorgeous white handmade quilt with a subtle pineapple design. I didn't dare ask the price...I am sure it was outrageous.
*A year ago, we saw a whole pineapple on the side of the road on the way home from the gym. We went to the gym A LOT last summer, and we saw that little pineapple everyday until it was a shriveled black pineapple. Every time we drive on that road my kids still look for it.}



In the evening I ran out again, to get pedicures with Scarlett, Christie, Barbra and Elise. I almost didn't go because I thought it would be hard with Simone. I am glad I went, my feet needed it! =)

Sunday morning Lincoln and the kids brought me a DELICIOUS yogurt parfait and a glass of orange juice. Strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, blackberries, granola, and vanilla yogurt. Yum! After church we ate a quick lunch, and then we all took a very long nap. Dinner was amazing. Lincoln made my favorite Bolognese pasta, and we had root beer floats later that night. What a wonderful day.

Wyatt made me a great card at school. Inside it said "I luv yoo". He also gave me a painting of 5 flowers. Purple crayon flowers with green painted stems. Each stem was different; curly, straight, zig-zag, double, and wavy. He said "It took me TWO DAYS!"

8 weeks

Simone is 8 weeks old. I wish I knew how much she weighed, because I think she looks SO much bigger. She is doing well. Still screams a lot, and sleeps a lot.

I think this is the funniest picture. Look at her pinky! Both my girls slept with their pinkies like this as newborns. Are those ballerina legs I see?

I learned how to round corners today! =)

a sweet conversation.

The cherry blossoms are gone now. I have so many pictures that I love...here are two more.