Martin's cove and Devil's gate

On our way to Utah, we stopped at Martin's cove and Devil's gate; it was cold and WINDY!! While there we went through the visitors center. We then hiked for a mile to devil's gate. James and I kept talking about the pioneers and how hard it was for them to cross the plains. They gave up so much to gather in Utah and we complain about our 8 hour car ride. We had winter coats and comfortable shoes and that little hike wore us out! There is such a special spirit there of sacrifice and conviction. It was well worth the visit!!

The kids at the visitors center

Preston throwing horse poop at Dorothy

At Devil's gate!

Violet's blessing

We blessed Violet on Sunday. James did a wonderful job and it was such a special day for our little family!!!

Sick little baby!

Little Violet had a high fever last week and the doctor told us to take her to the ER. After running tests they could not figure out what was wrong, so they admitted her to the NICU. It was baby abuse!! They ran a million blood tests and did X-ray's, a spinal tap and a bunch of respiratory tests!! I cried though them all !! She stayed for four days and finally came home when they figured out it was just a nasty virus! We are so grateful she is home and everything is OK!!!

Baby's first bath!

Violet had her first bath!! As you can see she really hates taking baths.. and she still does a month later!! But Dorothy just loves playing with her new "little doll!"

Violet's story!

Since this is a journal of sorts I wanted to write the story of Violet's birth. I had my C-section scheduled for January 22nd (Dorothy and Preston were both C-sections) Around 2:00 am Saturday morning January 17th I woke up having contractions. They were too painful to sleep so I and started doing laundry... Wondering if this was more braxton hicks or labor I decided to take a warm bath around 5:00am. The contractions did not go away... I laid down hoping to sleep for a bit and then wake up James and go to the hospital. While trying to dose off I felt a huge gush, thinking my water broke I looked down and saw blood. Well needless to say I started screaming and woke up everyone in the house. 5 min. later the kids were in the car and being dropped off at my friend Maria's house. We made it to the hospital at around 6:00am and I was still in hysterics. I could not get the baby to move so at this point I assumed that I had lost the baby. They hooked me up to the machines and the heart beat was fine. The nurse checked me and my water had broken and I was dilated 2 cm. The on call doctor arrived and they started prepping me for my C-section. At 9:09 am Violet was born. They still are not sure the reasons for all the blood...most likely my placenta had begun to detach but still in the early stages so the baby was not in jeopardy. The C-section went well and I recovered in record time! The hardest part of having this baby was the doctor telling us this needs to be our last. We still are hoping to have one more baby!! We are planning on waiting a few years and getting a second opinion.

What we have been up to...

Well I am still recovering from the C-section. But feeling better everyday! My wonderful mother in law came out when I had the baby and stayed for a week and then my wonderful sister Allison came out and deep cleaned my house! It has been so wonderful to have so much help! Dorothy and Preston and adjusting to the baby pretty well. Dorothy is Violet's stylist picking out her outfits and pj's everyday! Preston is well being little buddy- He loves the baby and is always kissing her!

Preston dumping his dinner on his head!!

Dorothy and Violet in their matching outfits!

It's a girl!

Tricia went into labor early and had the baby on Saturday, 17 Jan 2009, at 9:09 A.M. Violet was 6 lbs 10.5 oz and 18.5 inches long. (She also got a 9,9 on her Apgar score). Mommy and baby are doing great. Here are a few pictures; Tricia will post more later....

Dorothy is sooooooo excited that it is a girl.

The flash was bothering Violet, so we turned it off. It made these pictures sort of blurry.