NEW YEARS EVE

With or without tonsils being removed we were hosting the NYE party this year.  It made it much less stressful knowing that Ava would be fine and be able to play with all the kids.  We sent all the kids downstairs to play wii and watch movies while we had our own party upstairs.  We had lots of food, treats, a little dance party, maybe a "worm" off with Melissa and I, cocktails and lots of fun.  We also combined parties for a bit with Marilyn and Kim.  We love to host and love having everyone here.  I'm not sure why we didn't take more pictures and why Sun is missing in the girls photo:(
Some of my very most favorite people!

KEEPING TONSILS

Over the last couple of years Ava's Dr and I have been talking about having her tonsils out.  They are to big for her mouth, she snores and always sounds super nasally. Since we had hit our deductible with Sloan and Lance's back surgery we thought we should throw one more in.  So the only open date was December 31st. She was a little nervous but mostly excited to eat ice cream and popsicles all day.
That morning we got to the hospital and they got her all prepped when the anesthesiologist came in to check her and found a heart murmur.  We were not aware that she had one so they called my pediatrician who was not in and so they had to talk to one of the other doctors.  Since it was not noted in her chart that she had one they would not do the surgery.  So we went home!  I was so mad that they didn't do it but at the same time if something happened during surgery I would never forgive myself.  So better to be safe than sorry!

ROCK CANYON SLEDDING

We were looking for some sort of activity to do with everyone over the holidays beside eat and eat some more so we hit Rock Canyon park for some sledding.  It was a such a great time.  Even meem who was not thrilled about going had a good time.  It was also pretty warm until the sun went down.  So once the cold set in and  3 broken sleds later we called it a day!  Next time we will be better prepared with fabulous, non breakable sledding gear!

CHRISTMAS

Christmas came and went to quickly this year.  There was so many things going on with a new baby, Lance having back surgery and my mom moving out that it all was smashed together.  We managed to get it all done and it turned out to be a fabulous Christmas.  We spent Christmas eve at mom's new house for the 1st time.  We had spaghetti, let the girls decorate gingerbread men, open a few presents and played Awkward Family Photos.
I believe that Santa came through for the girls.  Meg was so excited to get Makenna and her Lalaloopsy.  Ava was thrilled for her itouch and guitar.  We spent Christmas morning breakfast with Lances family at Marchelle's house.  Then back to my moms for presents and off to Desiree and Bob's for dinner.
Jenn and Kev got here about noon on Christmas day and spent the week here.  We ate a ton, played lots of cards and even got a girls day of shopping.  I am thankful its over and ready for summer!

I'M WATCHING YOU!!!

Dafney, our elf, showed up on Megs birthday. She definitely had her work cut out for her this year!.  Meg was in high demand of information and correspondence.  The girls were beyond excited every morning to see where she was and what she had done.  She brought them a few prizes and mostly played with things around the house.  Nothing super naughty this year.   She left new years eve and they were so sad to see her go.

MEEM!

I guess it was bound to happen at some point but I still wasn't ready for it!  My momma moved out.  She has been here the last couple of years and it was truly a blessing in so many ways.  It was very much meant to be that she would be here when we lost my dad.  I am very sure of that and she could have stayed forever! It was just as nice for her to be here for us as I hope it was for her.  She kept saying that she cant live with her daughter forever, are you sure???  I struggle with the changing of the basement and knowing that the scene will not be what it was the day my day died.  I know this may be a good thing but it kind of makes it all so final for me.  I think of that day often and I know its not erasing any memories by her leaving, it's making it feel like the next chapter and that is a bit weird   I also worry about her being home alone.  Not for scary reasons but for her sitting at home by herself, even though that rarely happens.   I know she is a big girl and she is really going to be great!  It's just going to take some adjusting.
I am very excited for her to be in her new house and it couldn't be any more perfect for her.  It is so darling and best of all just down the road!  I will definitely miss "keeping track of her" and lots of late nights with cocktails, make overs, movies and everything else.  My mom is like no other and is just amazing!  I hope to be so much like her one day! XOXOXOXOXO

SLOANY IS 4 MONTHS

I can hardly believe Sloan is 4 months already.  The time has gone by so fast.  She is such a happy baby and is pretty well content most of the time except in the car.  She is OK for a little bit but carpool days she is not having it.  She loves to watch her sister play and they are so great to play with her and are fabulous little helpers.  She LOVES her mobile and the johnny jumper. She is also learning how to play with the toys on the exersaucer and turn herself around in it.  She has learned how to scream and does it to hear herself I think.  She is laughing and talking all the time now.  Her laugh is so stinking darling, you just want to eat her right up.
We are on a pretty good schedule right now.  She eats for the first time somewhere between 8-8:30 am and then every three hours after that.  She is eating 5 oz.  She eats the last time between 8-8:30 and sleeps through the night most of the time.  She has been a bit rough lately because her front 2 teeth are just breaking through.  She is a slobbery mess and I really hate bibs.  She is also working very hard to suck her thumb and I will work twice as hard to avoid that!  She is not a snugger and just wants to be put in bed to go to sleep.  Occasionally she will be up for some rocking but if she hears anything she wants to see what's going on.  I am so thankful for her easy going personality and also so thankful she has not been sick in this awful flu season.
STATS: 18 lbs(98%)  25 inches(74%)  17 inch head(98%)
Sloany is by far our chubbiest baby.  She has the squishiest cheeks, amazing lips and a Pedroza bum with a canal as a bum crack.  Every time she poops it goes strait up her crack all the way up to her back!  Lots of laundry and tubbys!  She is wearing 6-12 months in most clothes.  She is just perfect and we just love this girl!

MONSTER HIGH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Meggy's 9th birthday was our first home birthday party.  I have always taken them somewhere but she was so excited to have a monster high birthday party.  It was a ton of work between decorations, gift bags, monster high school workbooks and getting it all put together but it seriously looked so so cute.  We had a face painter come and I gave them 4 monsters to choose from but after Meg had her face done most of them wanted what she had.  The girls ate pizza and worked in their notebooks while they waited to have their faces done. Then we did presents and cupcakes, followed by games.  It was just what she wanted.
For her actual birthday I sent kit-kats to school for her treat and then that night when Lance got home she got to open her present.  We were planning to go out that night but the girls just wanted to play with the  Monster High house so we hit Cafe Rio and then home.
Meggy is such a fabulous girl.  She has a really good group of girls at school that she hangs out with.  Yes we are already experiencing some of the girl drama.  I'm not sure that I am prepared but I will need all the prepping I can get because I believe Ava is going to rock my world!  Meg is getting so great at gymnastics and dance.  She is so close to landing her back handspring.  She is still loving Monster High and Lalaloopsy.  She is reading all the time and loves to play Just Dance on the Wii.  She is such an amazing helper with Sloan and I am so grateful to have a little assistant.  She is still a bit emotional but were getting there.  Weight 67 lbs (53%) height 54.5 (75%) BMI 15(39%) HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET MEG!

LANCES BACK SURGERY

Lance has had his titanium rods in his back since his jeep accident in 1998.  They have always been OK and done their job but he has always talked about having them out.  Over the last 6 months or so he has been having sporadic pains in his back, mostly while laying down, not able to workout anymore or go biking.  He kept telling me it was the rods and I was so super nervous about him having them out.  We saw quite a few doctors whom all had different opinions and then he saw Dr. Justin Holh.  He believed they needed to come out and was willing to take them out and that's all Lance needed for a go!
So on November 19th he went in for surgery.  The surgery was about 2 1/2 hours and everything went as planned.  It was a good thing they took them out because one of the rods were broken   He was up and walking that night as well as eating Taco Bell.  The next day was a little different.  He was so sick all day long.  They had just over drugged him and he couldn't take all the meds so he slept most of the day getting up only to throw up.   I brought him home that night even though they wanted to keep him and he was doing so much better the next day.  He just needed a little detox and his own bed.  I am so thankful everything went so well and he doing so much better now!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

I think we have started a tradition of bowling on dad's birthday. This is the second time we have done this and it's so fun to get together with everyone and celebrate his day, doing something that he really liked to do.
It is still so so hard to get your heart to understand that he is gone.  So often I find myself taking to his pictures as I pass them or throughout the day hoping he is listening.  It is also really difficult to make so many decisions without his guidance and to watch my family do the same.  He really was the glue to hold everything in place and I think we are all learning to adjust to what is now suppose to be normal.  We think of you everyday and miss you so much!

BABY BOY ECKLES

My mom, Kee, Jenn and I threw Meagan a little man shower.  It turned out so so darling thanks to our "creative director" Kee.  It really couldn't have been any cuter.  We didn't play any games but instead we had everyone pick out of the pile a onsie or bib and pick what they wanted to iron onto them.  It was perfect to help with interaction and give everyone something to do, plus Meagan gets to take them all home.  We also made milk bottles filled with taffy and mustache stickers on them as party favors  and everyone was asked to bring a book instead of a card to start his book collection.  Such a great idea!  She had a really good turn out and got a lot of fabulous things.   We are finally getting a boy in this overloaded girl family!  I am super excited for Gage and Meagan and to meet this new little boy!

HALLOWEEN

Halloween came and went super fast this year but we did manage to get in a little bit of fun.  The girls knew very early what they wanted to be so it was nice to have costumes purchased and not scrambling at the last minute.  Sloany was to little so she snugged in her pj's.  The girls got to go to Marilyn's Halloween party again this year.  It is so great that she includes them in the festivities and they love it.  Meg also got to wear her costume to a birthday party and for sure we take a day to hit Cornbelly's.  They keep making it better and better each year and I really like taking them there.  They come home exhausted, filthy but with a fabulous painted face!
This year for Halloween we went to Shan's house for dinner and then headed to a neighborhood near by that  Shan and Haley had loved the year before.  It was fun to have everyone together but hard to keep track of them all being our group was so big.   It was such a nice night and didn't get cold till the sun went down.  The kids were without coats most of the time.  Sloany was perfect and just enjoyed the ride.
What's Halloween without an adult party?!  Lance and I had decided to be gnomes this year.  It was a nightmare to track what we wanted down but I got them ordered.  By Friday night neither of them had arrived.  I was so upset!!  They were awesome! So we had to go into improvise mode.  Luckily Gina had a few back ups for me and Lance hit up Taylor Made.  Shan Clint, Haley and Gabe killed it with their Neapolitan costumes!  Everyone really looked fabulous and it was a great time.  I love to get together with everyone.  Especially if it involves cards or Just Dance!

SLOAN 2 MONTHS

I feel like Lance and I were just talking about having another baby and she is already 2 months.  It is so crazy how fast it has gone.  I am trying to enjoy all the little things knowing that this will be our last. You forget how much you love those gown pj's, and the giant bink.  Or how they cover their eyes while sleeping and that yummy baby smell that makes you want to make out with them. You know what I mean and I can't wait for open mouth kisses!  You also forget how hard it is on your back to be lugging around a 14 lb baby all the time.  She is wearing 3-6 month clothing already and is changing so quickly. I think she may have Meg's body and hopefully Meg's legs but she definitely has her own little look, she is just darling!
Amber bought Sloan some socks that look like maryjanes and the girls just love them.  Since they love to pick her clothes she wears them to bed every night with the bonus that  they never fall off.  Lance has been waiting for one of our kids to get webbed toes and Sloan finally has them.  She has combo Lance/Meem toes, webbed from Lance and the pinky toe that doesn't hang out with the rest of the toes from Meem. We all are just eating her up.  The girls are right next to her every second she is awake.  They love to show her off to anyone who hasn't seen her. I love to see the interaction between them all.  It hurts my heart its so cute!  It really is so much different this time with such a big gap between her and Ava.  I am sure a big part is how much help the girls are and also being a bit older.  The hardest things for me this time is  having to slow down a bit and not getting as many things accomplished that I usually like to and not being able to workout as often as Id like.  I am not willing to take her to the daycare yet so if Lance isn't home then I cant go!
We moved her into her bed at 3 weeks and she has loved it as much as we have. She is sleeping through the night most of the time which means I am finally getting some sleep.  She usually gets up between 6-7 eats and goes back to bed for another 2 hours.  She is not a fabulous daytime sleeper but the nights make up for it.  Really she just wants to be snugged! She is still a pretty happy baby, smiling and talking a lot.  I love the flared nose that comes with talking and pooping.  She loves the tub and is becoming better friends with her bink.  She seems to enjoy being outside and has already had her first of many bike rides. Very grateful for this little girl and we all just love her!

DINOSAUR DAD DAY

Ava could not have been any more thrilled than she was to take Lance to Dinosaur Dad's Day.  I think now that he is gone so much the girls are longing for any moment they get to spend with him.  Really they always want to play with him because he's the fun parent!  They had a great day of crafts, games and digging for bones.  Such a fabulous Dad!

TINY TIGERS

Meggy and her friend Sydnee did a cheer camp at Orem High this week.  It just involved a couple of practices and then they got to cheer and dance at the JV game.  She was super excited and even got to wear Meems Tigerette skirt to the game.  Future Orem Tiger just like her Pa and Meem!  

ANNOUNCING...

I had not decided what I was going to do for newborn pictures this time so last minute we chose to go to Photo works so I would do announcements.   The photographer just ate the girls right up and ended up taking a ton of the big girls as well as Sloan.  They are not my very favorite but there are some cute ones.  I'd like to have some more done at 6 months where Sloan is a bit more interactive.

SCHOOL PICTURES

BLUE BUNNIES

We just finished Ava's first half of the soccer season until spring.  She has loved every moment of it and is a fabulous little soccer player.  She got at least one goal most of the games and really wanted to be the goalie.  She also had a great coach and team.  Excited to see what spring brings. This may be her thing!

BACK TO SCHOOL

I cannot believe it is back to school already.  The girls were so thrilled to be going back and they both got the classes that they wanted.  Meg is in Mrs. Rocha's class and Ava in Mrs.Graham's with lots of friends.   After the first week Meg came home to say that her teacher will be leaving and she will be getting a new one.  I am a little worried about that but we will see how it goes.  So far everyone is loving school and they are loving riding their bikes each day!
I am excited to be getting back into the swing of things and a schedule even though it is going to be crazy.  This fall we are throwing in 3 days of dance, 3 days of soccer, and 2 days of gymnastics.  Most of which I will be doing solo with an incognito hubby!  We will get it done though! 

BLUE BUNNIES

 Ava's first soccer game was fabulous.  We definitely lucked out this year with coaches.  Bronze is awesome and his wife is as well.  They have set up a Facebook page for the team, done treats and taken a ton of amazing pictures of the girls.
Ava loved her first game and even got a goal.   Bostyn struggled through the first half but pulled through in the end with a goal.  I am excited for this season and looking forward to lots of entertainment from those two!

2 WEEKS ALREADY

It is amazing how crazy it is to be back in baby mode and everything revolving around a three hour schedule.  It has been 5 years since we were there and now I am trying to get my groove back with three little girls and no hubby most of the time.
Once we got home all I really wanted to do was snug on the couch so it was good that Lance was in town. I  also had a built in team with my sisters and mom all here and my friends were so great to help with Meg and Ava.  Everyone has been so amazing and I appreciate all the back up  There is such a difference having a baby with bigger kids, my 2 little helpers, Meg and Ava.  They have been so great and LOVE to help with Sloan.  They want to help feed her, pick out clothes and pj's, hold her and basically anything that has anything to do with her.
Instantly after I had Sloan I felt so much better and all of the preggo aches and pains were gone.  Other than being tired, quite emotional around 5 pm and having to recover a bit, this week has gone pretty well.   Lance had to leave when she was 1 1/2 weeks old for a week to Texas.  That is when Soccer, school, gymnastics and dance all started.  It's taking a little more prep but we are making it all happen.
Sloan is a very good baby and is usually pretty content unless she is hungry which is fabulous.  She looks so much like me as a baby, maybe it's the double chin!?!  I do see a bit of the girls in her too.  She is a great eater and does think she is starving quite often.  Based on her 2 week stats you know she is!  I am pretty sure she will have blue eyes though not as bright as Meg's. She is liking her bink and already has a favorite gank.  She lost her cord on day 10. She is typically eating between 9-10 pm and sleeping till 2-2:30 then back up about 5:30-6.  That seems good but that 5:00 bottle she doesn't go back down very well and is super noisy!  So she does end up in bed with me about that time which for sure goes against everything I represent, I'm tired though:(  During the day she is every 3 hours eating 3 ounces.  I feel like she is changing so quickly.  She is so super squishy and we cant get enough of her.  Once she is sleeping through the night we will be golden!
2 WEEK STATS:
WEIGHT-9.28 83%
HEIGHT-21 inches 86%
HEAD-14.5 92%

A NEW RIDE

Meg has needed a new bike this past year so badly!  We were thinking of maybe her birthday or Christmas to get her a new one but they fall in the crappy season so we decided to do a big sister present for the girls after Sloan came.  Lance had been looking for awhile for a SE racing bike and found her the perfect turquoise one.  We can't have just a regular old bike you know.  I was initially hoping for the Monster High one but this is definitely much better.  Its a good thing we have 2 more girls to pass this one down to!  He was probably more excited than she was and he had to wait for 3 days to giver it to her because the rest of Ava's items hadn't come yet.  Meg got her new bike and a helmet that she so much needed and Ava got megs old bike with a new Barbie basket, bell, kickstand and a new seat!  Everyone is thrilled!

SLOAN MARISA DUNCAN

I cannot express how thankful I am to not be pregnant anymore.  I think the only things I actually enjoyed this time was the girls were big enough to understand what was happening and their excitement for a new baby sister.  I also love it when Lance puts his hands on my belly in bed at night to feel her craziness.  The last two weeks I had felt really pretty good but was counting down the days to my induction. I was over heartburn, restless legs, backache and nothing tasting good.  This time around I gained 26 pounds which is pretty close to the girls.  Meg was 22 and Ava was 25.  I am so looking forward to getting back to my normal self.
The hospital had me scheduled for 7 am to be there.  By 9 am I had my water broke, my epidural and was dilated to a 3.  Lance and I just hung out most of the day taking naps while I SLOWLY progressed.  By 6:00 pm I was only at a 7 and waiting to reach that 10.  Ava came so quickly that I thought for sure by 2:00  she would be here.  At 7 pm Dr. Jones came in and I had him check me while the family was still at the hospital. My mom was going to be in the delivery room so I didn't want her to leave and then have to come back.  I was only at an 8 but apparently he thought that was good enough so he set the room up and said lets have this baby.  About 4 contractions later Sloan was born.  The doctors and nurses died when she came out cause she was so big.  They were guessing 8 1/2 pounds.  Close, a perfect 7 pounds 15 ounces and 20 inches long!  Dr. Jones said it was a good thing we didn't wait another week.  I so agree!  They didn't believe me when I said I don't have tiny babies.  I am so thankful that all of my delivery experiences have been amazing and that we have not had any complications.  We are so excited for our new baby girl to arrive healthy and beautiful!
Sloan was named basically from the beginning.  I had loved it from Ferris Bueller and thought about it with Meg and Ava.  So this time I was set on naming a boy or a girl Sloan.  Lance loved it for a boy but not as much for a girl.  It took a bit of begging and pleading and he finally agreed.  As for her middle name I feel like they have to have some sort of meaning or be named after someone.  I really like my name and Meg is named after my dad, Ava after Lance so Sloan should be named after me right???