52 Piece Project

My sister is an amazing artist! I have a few of her pieces in my house and just drool over her website and walls. She is starting a new fabulous give away for those of us who can't afford cheesy Hobby Lobby prints, let alone original fine art. Every week for a year she is going to give a way an original piece. How cool is that?! Check out her project's blog and website! Her work looks great online but the pictures don't do the pieces justice. They are beautiful!

http://52weeksoffreeart.blogspot.com/

http://www.crystaldespain.com

Lucy!

After 6 very cute and handsome grandsons, we finally welcomed a granddaughter into the Dixon family! Lucy Elaine was born to Tiff and Rick on 11/25 (Thanksgiving Day) weighing 6lbs 8 oz and was 19.25 inches. She is so beautiful and we are going to spoil her silly!

Christmas Crafting!

Liam made a count down snowflake chain! What a mess! I think we will be finding glitter for months to come.

poor baby

There were some issues when the drs tried to circumcise Declan as a newborn. Long story short, his foreskin was so swollen it was cutting off blood circulation to the head- which is a problem if we want grandbabies. Our pediatrician called in a pediatric surgeon who rushed over to check Delcan out. He made a slit the length of the the foreskin so release the pressure. We had to wait for him to heal completely before we could try again. So poor kid just got circumcised (11/23). I went in with him and he did great. He was really fussy the rest of the day but has been fine since. I much prefer doing the procedure when they are newborns! I think it is easier on everyone. I am just thankful there was no lasting damage and we were able to get it taken care of.

2 months!

I can't believe he is two months already!!!! At his well baby check up he weighed 13lbs 13 oz and is 24 inches long. He is already filling out some of his 6-9 month clothes- ridiculous!

Happy Real Halloween!

10/31/10

Justin had to work on the real Halloween so we spent it in Loveland at my parents. The cousins came over and we carved more pumpkins and ate candy! My boys were boxes of cereal. Liam was his favorite, Cookie Crisp and Declan was Lucky Charms

Zoo Day

We braved a free day at the Denver Zoo with Katie, Mark and Rodney. It took us a good 30 mins driving in circles to find a parking place. After the zoo we went to Red Robin for dinner. Then the men went to an Avs game and Katie and I brought the kids home and fell asleep :)

10/21/10

Happy Halloween!

The Seamons came over and we carved pumpkins! (10/20/10)

Declan's Blessing

What a sweet sunday it is when you get to listen to your husband and other important men in your life bless your sweet baby. I feel so honored to be married to my husband and to be the mother of my two sons. Declan's blessing was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes.

The circle
October 17, 2010

Sleep!

Liam and Delcan both slept amazing the last 2 nights! Liam usually sleeps 12 hours so that was nothing new. However, 8 week old Declan has spoiled me with 10 hours both nights! I actually woke up before both of them this morning! I can't tell you what it was like to wake up on my own time without my crying alarm clocks going off from two different room! A few asked me how I have gotten Declan to sleep so well. He has been sleeping 7 hours since 6 weeks old. All I can think of is that the trick is the velcro swaddle wraps. They are like straight jackets for infants! Ever since I started using them (I think it is the halo brand) Declan has been falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer! For you sleep deprieved moms- it is definitely worth a shot!

Motherhood

I will post pictures and updates soon. I know I am way behind but I am on my laptop and all the pictures are on the desktop.

I can't believe I am a mom. I know it has been a few years since I held Liam for the first time. However, I am humbled and in awe everyday at the amazing gift that I have been given. Even though both of our kids came a few years earlier than we planned, I couldn't be happier. Never did we imagine that just three years after kneeling across the sealing alter would we have two kids! It was a hard adjustment but it just goes to show that Heavenly Father has his own timeline. It is so humbling to be a mother and know that our Heavenly Father trusts me enough with his precious children. I was reading on my friends blog about her labor experience. She said that laboring naturally was the closest she has ever felt to understanding the atonement. I couldn't agree more. The intensity that it take to bring our children into this world is so humbling and amazing. Through the birth of my children, I have come to have a deeper relationship with Christ and our Father in Heaven. My sweet babies drive me crazy and I get really frustrated (more often than I care to admit). Sometimes I hide in my closet for a few minutes to get myself together, but I can't imagine life without them. I make mistakes all day long but as soon as Liam gives Declan a kiss, or when Declan smiles at me and Liam randomly says "love you", I know that I am doing okay. Heavenly Father won't leave us stranded and alone. He helps me everyday. I feel so blessed to be a women and have the gift and calling of motherhood.

Big Eater!

We went to the breastfeeding clinic today at the hospital. At 10 days old, Declan has already hit his birth weight! He also floored the lactation ladies by eating just over 5.5 oz. They had never seen a newborn eat that much before!

Brothers

They aren't brothers are they? I can't get Blogger to rotate this picture so sorry. Declan is the left and Liam is on the right. They are about the same age in the picture.

Liam has been great with Declan. He is pretty gentle and hasn't seemed to jealous. The biggest issue we have is over the pacifiers. Even though Liam hasn't had one since June-ish he still takes a pacifier and hides in his room and sucks on it. As soon as we come looking for him he throws it across the room and pretends he never had it.

Welcome Declan!!!

He his here! My sweet boy, Declan Craig was born on Sept. 18 at 12:58 pm. He weighed 8lbs 11oz and was 20 1/4 inches long.

Friday was moving day. We got all the boxes unloaded and filled the trailer

with our furniture. On Saturday, some volunteers from our new ward were coming to help unload the last of it. However, Saturday at 12:03 am (yes, I looked at the clock) I woke up (after 45mins of sleep) with a contraction. I knew right then I was in labor because it was completely in my back. I let Justin keep sleeping. At 4am I put a call in to my midwife. We decided it was time to come in since we now like 40 mins away and I tested positive for group B strep. My mom got to our house just around 4:30 and away we went. We left our house in shambles with only our beds set up. My Dad came to the house in the morning to meet the elders quorum. I was admitted around6:15 am (triage took forever!) and was happy to find that I was already at 5 cm after only 6 hours! I continued to labor and cope with the back labor until about 7:30 when I received the epidural. After only 45 mins of sleeping after moving all day I was so exhausted.

About 10 mins after I got all hooked up there was a horrible scream from down the hall so

my nurse went running. Apparently, there was a first time mom who dilated from 2 cm to complete in just a few contractions. That poor women. I could hear her through several closed doors and walls. After a couple more screams the music played meaning she had her baby.

Declan was facing the wrong direction and was very slow at turning. Labor stalled so we broke my water at 8 cm. The contractions were still weak and irregular so we started pitocin. Three contractions later I felt ready to push. Four contractions after that I was holding my sweet baby!

My family was amazing. We came home Monday morning to an unpacked house. Our kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms were all put away. There is still organizing to do but the amount of work they did in two days would have taken me weeks.

Our new ward, which we have never attended, has been outstanding. We are so excited to be in it. The elders quorum president called the relief society after they helped move furniture to let them know we were having a baby. We have had meals from them all week. We didn't expect anything from them and have been overwhelmed with their selflessness and generosity. We are so excited to be in this ward!

39 week update!

Everything seems to be great! Baby is still facing the wrong direction but that is are only issue (which isn't really an issue)! I am dilated to 2 cm! I didn't hit 2 with Liam until I was in labor for like 6 hrs so I am excited!

I-Hope-You-Have-The-Baby-Tonight Cake

Crystal surprised me with a cute belly cake. She called it my "I-Hope-You-Have-The-Baby-Tonight Cake". She found a marshmallow fondant recipe so this was her practice cake! It turned out really cute.

Justin thought it was a little strange.

As soon as we found the baby inside Justin flat out refused to eat it. He doesn't have the odd Dixon sense of humor!

Owie

This is the result about five minutes after a two year's head met a tile floor.

Changes and answered prayers

So the next few weeks are going to be crazy!

First off, we are so excited to welcome our baby anytime. His due date is in 10 days! This pregnancy flew! I can't believe it is almost over (although my body is very ready for it to be).

Secondly, we are last minute moving to Fort Collins this weekend! A few weeks ago we went to the temple and were really struggling with how to make Justin's new work schedule fit with his schooling. Well, we felt like maybe we should look into moving to Fort Collins. Within 2 weeks we found the one and only place in Fort Collins that would take our dog and that we could afford as well as found an awesome young family for our place. This is the perfect couple because they have a young boy so I don't have to undo Liam's cute room I just decorated 3 months ago and they have a really flexible move in date so when the baby comes we can put things on hold without it being an issue.

38 week update

All is well and things are moving slowly. I am already more dilated than I was when I went into labor with Liam which is sad because I am only a 1 but I will take it! Baby sounds good but the little stinker turned around and is facing the wrong direction so, unless he rotates again I will no doubt have back labor again.

One and only belly shot of the pregnancy

My sister Tiffany and I! She is 6 months with her first and I am 37 wks!

37 weeks!

We just got back home from my 37 weeks appt. Everything seems to be going good. The baby's heart rate was a steady 136 bpm. My tummy is measuring a week small but at least I gained some weight this time. I also tested positive for Group B strep which pretty much just means that I have to have an antibiotic 4 hrs before delivery but it doesn't pose risk to me or the baby since we are aware of it.

Wake up Daddy!

Liam had a really hard time napping yesterday so Justin went to lay with him. About 30 minutes later, Liam comes walking up to me and grabs my hand. He leads me back into his bedroom. Justin had fallen asleep on Liam's bed. Liam pointed at Daddy and started laughing and then he ran up and tickled him!

Cloth Diaper update!

After two weeks of cloth diapers I have to say my only real complaint is not having enough! I barely have enough for a day and a half so I keep running out of diapers. Luckily, I still have some disposables on hand but that small supply is dwindling too. Cloth diapering is much easier than I expected! There is so much info and types of diapers and accessories that it seems very overwhelming. However, once you just pick something and go with it, the whole process is much simpler than it seems! I have to admit though, I would definitely not be doing cloth if it wasn't for my handy diaper sprayer. I just might have to buy one to put at my parent's house :)

Wahoo! I'm Two!

Liam is 2! I can't believe it (that is until he wakes up)! We had a fun pool party last night with some family and friends! My mom came up early to show me how to decorate a cake and so with her fabulous instructions I decorated his cake! Liam had a lot of fun playing his his four cousins and best friend Rodney! That was a lot of little boys running around! Liam's favorite gift is the donkey kong monster truck Justin picked out for him. He had to sleep with it last night!

At 2 yrs old Liam weighs 25lbs (18%), is 35 in (63%) and has ahead circumference of 20 inches (93%). Needless to say he is slightly (ok really) out of proportion but he is still cute as a button!

Happy Birthday!!!

New Adventure

So Justin and I decided to brave cloth diapers! We had our package waiting for us when we got home from Steamboat! Liam thinks they are fun to play with. He likes to stack the liners. I can't tell you how it is going yet since Liam is now in his first one. Hopefully, we will like them and get used to a good wash routine before baby comes!

Gramps Camp

We went up to Steamboat Springs this year for Gramps Camp. Unfortunately, "Gramps" couldn't come. So instead of having the whole family like usual, it was the Despains and us. We at least had all the cousins up (minus one but she is in utero still so that doesn't count yet) there! We didn't do to much because of the number of small boys in comparison to the number of adults, my giant pregnant belly, and two babies (well, I guess they are the little boys now) getting sick. We still had alot of fun though. The first evening we braved the murky swimming pool water for a while. The boys went to bed and Crystal, Mark, Justin and I broke out the cards! We stayed up way to late playing Canasta. Crystal and Justin won but I think she made up rules as she went :) j/k but we definitely have a rematch in the near future! The next morning we played mini golf on the 'resorts' course- it was a joke though. I haven't seem such a ghetto course before! The Despains soon headed home and so Justin, Liam and I enjoyed a nice 2 bedroom, full kitchen condo to ourselves. Unfortunately Liam developed a fever so we just hung out at home and enjoyed cable (a luxury we rarely see). We don't even have local channels at home so it was kind of fun. To end our adventure Liam got stung by a bee as soon as we made it back home. Luckily, he isn't allergic like most people in my family! It was a fun vacation but hopefully next time we can get the other half of the family up!

Camping!

We got to go camping with the Seamons last week! We went up to Red Feathers and had a great time! Camping with toddlers was rather tricky but we all enjoyed ourselves! The first night didn't go so well. It took a good 1.5 hrs for the boys to fall asleep and then us adults stayed up a little too late talking and enjoying not chasing toddlers. A few hours after we went to bed Liam woke up. He calmed down finally and we all dozed off again only to be awoken by Rodney's cries. Not long after both boys were sleeping again did we get to be startled awake by our neighbors car alarm. That was the end of the night so we all gave up on the whole sleeping idea and started our day just after 4 am. It took until about 3pm the next day for all of us to have recovered from the night. We took turns sleeping and chasing the boys. The second night was much better but still left room for improvement! We can't wait to go camping with them again next year!!!

Lost Dog!!!

"Who me?!"

Naughty Riley disappeared last week! We went for a camping trip with our friends, the Seamons! We wanted to take the dogs, Riley and Wyatt, but their boy, Rodney can't drive in the car with them. Justin had to come up to camp late so he could finish his last final so his job was to haul the dogs. He dropped Riley off with Wyatt so they could get some energy out and Justin went to the store. He was back in less than 15 minutes and Riley was M.I.A. That was on Wednesday evening. He spent hours driving and walking around trying to find him but he had no luck.

Justin finally made it to camp at almost 11 pm. Camping was great (even though I was worried and missing my dog) but that is for another post. We got home Friday and immediately went to the shelter but he wasn't there. We checked again and again. We had a family reunion/wedding that weekend so we didn't get any lost dog posters out until Sunday.

Sunday night was hard because it was the first night I was all alone without my husband or my dog. Justin finally got home from work Monday about 3am and he sat in the car for a few minutes finishing a chapter on his audiobook. Soon, our cat Sophie climbed into the car through the sunroof and sat with him and then out of nowhere Riley's head pops up in the window!

Somehow that dog found his way home. He has never been to the house he escaped from and rarely do we go on walks around our house. I was so surprised that he actually found us! He seems to be just fine. He lost a lot of weight because his ribs are visible even from across the yard! He is dirty, has a few nasty bugs crawling on him and was collarless.

We are so happy to have Riley back safe and sound!

32 Weeks!

I just got back from my 32 week appt! The baby's heart rate was a steady and slow 136bpm. Liam's heart rate was always in the 150s and high 140s so maybe this means Baby wont be so busy (fingers crossed)?!!!! The midwife said that I am measuring right on and was surprised how low and forward he is (especially his head). She joked that she could almost feel his nose! Obviously she couldn't but it was funny. Baby is in perfect position for labor and delivery so hopefully he stays that way so I can avoid a very long back labor again!

A miracle? Quite possibly!

After 6 grandsons on the Dixon side my sister and brother in law are breaking the trend and adding the first granddaughter to the mix! She is going to be one tough chick with all these boys around!

Nursery!

On Sunday Justin and I decided to switch bedrooms with the boys and give theirs a make over! So, on Tuesday we started painting and by Friday we had all the furniture moved in! I still need to switch the closet contents but other than that it is done! Liam's reaction everytime he walks in is "oh wow, oh wow!". He really likes to touch the stars but "star" is a hard word and it comes out more like "bar".

Day in Denver!

A few weeks ago we went and spent the day in Denver! We stopped by the temple first and then got lost and ended up at the South Glenn shopping center. There was a fun little splash area that Liam loved!

Names

Why are boy names so hard?!

Big Boy Bed!

Guess who is sleeping in his big boy bed for the first time ever?! Thats right...Liam! I put him in bed about an hour ago and he laid right down. He has been abnormally quiet (like no crying or anything) so I have checked on him 2 times and he is still just laying in bed looking at his books. He isn't asleep yet but hopefully he will soon. I will be floored if the transition was really this easy. I am sure even if tonight continues this smoothly, there will be a few battles down the road.

Eagle Project!

My 14 year old brother is working on his Eagle Project (impressive)! He will be building fences along a hiking trail in the mountains. For his fundraiser his goal was to raise $800 by doing a garage sale. After only two days he broke the $1000 mark! Liam had a lot of fun scavenging through the donations!