My Beautiful is all about being a {MOM}

This Mothers day I had so much gratitude and happiness for the two babies that have given me the gift of being their mommy. Nothing completes me more than their tiny souls. To watch them together completely melts my heart. I love my maddi bear and my vivi lulu more than I ever thought a heart could love... "I lu You"

Where would I be without my best friend my {mom} She stops by the house every morning to kiss her grand babies and to have some girl chat. You really don't appreciate how hard your mom worked to raise you until you are a mom yourself. Thank you doesn't seem to grasp my thankfulness for the amazing woman my mommy is. I love you!

My {Mother} in-law... Over the years we have formed a bond that has been such a genuine, treasured friendship . I have been so grateful to her for raising such an incredible son. Thank you for you wonderful example and your love for my babies. You are such a Wonderful woman. I love you!

I have posted this picture before but had to share it again. I had Trevor snap this picture of me and Maddix when he was about 7 months old. The quote sums up how I feel so completely.

My gift for my mom was a "surprise/secret" photo session of all the grand babies. I ordered a large print and had it framed for her house.

Getting this many small children to smile or even look at the camera and not cry was a lot of work:) but all worth it when you see their darling little faces!

(There are lots of posts to read... so keep on scrolling!)

Life with "Sissy"

"Before you were conceived
I wanted you
Before you were born
I loved you
Before you were here an hour
I would give my life for you
This is the miracle of life.
~ Maureen Hawkins"

I have to start at the beginning...

Pregnancy feels like this long journey, lets face it a long so worth it journey but a process.

Maddix was two weeks early. The first should never be early!

I was on the countdown 3 weeks before my due date.

Walking into the Dr. for my 39 week appointment was a little emotional. Thinking I had a few days left until my due date felt a little crazy . The Doc came in singing "happy due date to you" Trev and I just looked at each other. We thought she wasn't due for another few days. I got more emotional at that point. Overdue, are you kidding me:)

I was effaced 80% and not quite dilated to a 2 this was on April 13th.

Maybe moving into our new home would do the trick. All that lifting and cleaning had to do something right?

Finally the morning of April 16th!!!

I woke up at 6:30 to my sweet baby boy. I got out of bed and instantly realized my water had broke. Trev was on his way into Madd's room in hopes of soothing him into another few hours of much needed sleep.

Instead... I told him to grab the bags because this babe was on her way.

I literally wabbled, knees touching with a towel between my legs to the car. Trevor had to do all the packing. Every step I took made that water leak even more. So we headed to the hospital with me perched on my big folded towel!

The weather was a little chilly but the sunsrise was perfect.

I was checked in right away. We settled into our room, ran through the mile high questionaire with the nurse and reality sunk in.

This is it our little girl will be here today! I can't describe my happiness and anxiety. You wait all this time for your tiny love and now the day is here.

I grabbed some breakfast and started my hours and hours of walking the halls.

Trevor my amazing doula Talya, my wonderful mom and super supportive sisters (my mother in law was able to be there for the first part) were all there to take walking shifts and to be my completely amazing support system.

After about 6 hours of walking I felt like I was getting closer to her coming. Things were getting a little more "feely". I decided to head to my room and get into my hypnobirthing relaxation. I layed on my side, put my headphones in (hypnobabies is amazing!) and went into my own little world totally zoning out everything.

Let me explain my amazing support. Talya calmed me down with her words of encouragement, massage, techniques to get the baby here quicker and her knowledge of birthing. Trev and my mom and sisters massaged me, gave me water and were there for some good moral support. When I would have a contraction I would squeeze Trev's hand a few times Talya and Jessi would counter act the pressure by pushing on my hips/butt and knee (amazingly helpful) I don't know how long this went on. I was in my zone:)

I finally got to a point where I knew I would be pushing soon.... From what Trev said (I was completely silent until I sat up and said "I need to push, I need to push" There is no stronger feeling than that. When it's time, it's time!

A few pushes later the doc said "stop pushing" what!!! How can I stop. Later I found out that the cord was wrapped around her neck.

Finally our baby girl was here. Trevor was so lucky and was able to deliver her. Her daddy was the first one to hold her. Thanks to a good Doc who let that happen.

I was IN LOVE the second that slimy little black haired baby was layed on my belly. I just remember saying over and over "I love you, I love you" How is it that you can be so in love with this little human the second you lay eyes on them?

She needed a little Oxygen to get her sats up, after that I was able to feed her for the first time.

What a completely amazing experience.

If anyone is interested in hypnobirthing or having a doula at your birth go to Talya's web site peacefulbirthing.com . I was so happy with my experience. Having both babies this way was so amazing. I couldn't have done it without my support system... Thank You!!!

Now pictures of miss Vivian Faith McGinty

or as Maddi calls her "Vibi and sissy"

My Wonderful support team.

My Mom, sisters, doula and mother-in-law

Me in all my glory:)

This is my "hospital" memory.

What would a birth story be without a giant hospital mug!

"AAAWAAA" Maddix has his kissing sound effect right before a HUGE wet kiss. He literally kisses her about 50 times a day.

As soon as he wakes up he runs in our room and says "hold you sissy"

I am amazed at how much this boy loves and instantly bonded with her.

Spending a little time talking with his baby sis.

The unofficial photo shoot. I still haven't had a chance to make it to our studio. Throwing my bedspread over a rocker did the trick for now!

{The belly shots}

37 weeks!!! You would think this mama was hiding a big beach ball... a really really big beach ball:)

I had to throw one in of my baby boy!

Preparing for baby

A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do...

So this girl spent some time with the best girls ever!

My sisters and my best gal pal Jessica had lunch at flower girl and dough boys (if you haven't been you have to go) then Jess and I headed to a mani/pedi walk in's welcome salon - Sitting in big plush back rubbing chairs, chatting with jess and enjoying the wonderful foot rub is just what this big pregnant mommy needed.

The result - Girlie painted toes, super soft piggies and a feeling of total relaxation!

I wish I could get one of these more often.

{Baby Showers}

Thanks to my Wonderfully supportive friends who threw me a shower for my baby girl. I scored big with the cutest clothes ever. I can't wait to finally dress baby girl in them!

Thanks again for all your support. I love to get together with these girls... You can never get enough chatting in before the babies melt and time fly's by.

Luck me...

A second shower thrown by my sisters and mom.

My family is always so Wonderful... they throw the best showers and put so much time and effort into making it perfect.

Thank you to all my cousins, Aunts, mother and sister in laws, grammy and sista's for your support. This baby girls is already so blessed with so much love and support.

I was hoping to get this done before but life has been crazy! I wrote this about a month ago and am finally posting it!!!

We have moved and had our sweet baby girl. LOTS of posts soon to follow.

-All About - MADDIX-

Our baby girl will be here soon... Life, posts and time will be about her. SO....

I wanted to do something just for my boy. He has so many silly habits, says so many things that make me shake my head in disbelief and think "you are only 20 months how do you know that" This boy is such an entainer and truly has the most tender heart. I hope to never forget these little things that make him the happy, silly larger than life boy we know.

This is "my" boy - the throw your head back laugh out loud happy little soul

Playing with his horses, cars, trucks and "guys" - What would a day be without his daily dose of these crucial toys.

Raking the grass with daddy - the first sign of warm weather. If only we could have gotten him to stop throwing the yucky old grass onto the neighbors lawn... It needed a little extra, right?

Finding a "cool" worm in the dirt.

His FaVoRiTe treat... Suckers

These are just a few of his favorite things... a few things that my baby boy so special.

Anaphylactic Shock - Words we are getting used to

Last week I got home from grocery shopping. When I walked in the door Maddix and Trev were watching a movie. Trev said "look what Madd likes" (Cashews) this is something we have never given him. Within a few minutes he threw up a little. We didn't think much of it other than he might have gotten a piece stuck in his throat. He then started to get this awful looking rash around his mouth with little hives around it.

I called the Doctor to be sure that we were giving him the right dose of Benadryl and to see if we were doing the right things. They wanted us to go in just to be safe.

By the time we got to the doc he seemed to be improving . Luckily I had taken a few pictures and showed the doc what he looked like before the meds. He looked at the picture of his face and wrote me up a prescription for an EpiPen before he even looked at the rest.

We left the doc and within a half hour the rash, hives and yuck spread through his entire body (torso, back, sides, behind his ears, everywhere) The doctor was really worried and wanted me to touch base every few hours in case we needed to spend the night in the E.R.

Trev and his dad gave Madd a blessing, we gave him more medicine and were lucky enough to avoid the E.R. for the night.

(Actually really really blessed)

- We found out later that it was a really good thing he threw up. Because of that he got rid of a good portion of the nut. If that hadn't happened we would have definitely been visiting the E.R.

The next step....

We were referred to his allergy specialist (he has been once and has a small allergy to eggs)

Once again he got the dots down the back with small doses of each allergen in question

( Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans)

I noticed a huge difference from his first test. his back had large welts and large red rashes. The nurse came in to measure how big they had gotten... she just said "oh this isn't good"

The doc met with us to go over the test results.

He began by saying. On a scale, a 7 is a very SEVERE reaction. His reaction was an 8.6!

My heart sank, I just wanted to hold my baby and cry for him.

He began by explaining the severity of his results and how not only our family but friends, care givers any one in our lives need to be aware of how severe his allergy is.

If he has even the smallest amount of a tree nut he will go into anaphylactic shock. Within minutes his airway could close off.

He stressed that this is a severe life threatening reaction not to be taken lightly.

He cannot have food with ANY amount of nut in it.

We now need to educate ourselves and others.

Reading labels and NEVER leaving his EpiPen will be our new normal.

I am so heart sick for my baby boy and so scared to ever leave him again.

So so scared to accidentally give him food with a nut in it.

Keep my little guy in your prayers.

I now need to completely educate myself and be SO aware of what is in the food we have.

If any of you would like to read more go to epipen.com

Luckily Daddy is a paramedic and had his stethoscope on hand to listen to his lungs. He loved to hear his little heart beat.

The rash starting to spread through his body. You can't quite tell how bad it really was. Really... the pictures don't do it justice. The flash blew out the red on his skin.
Pho

My GROWING BOY

My sweet Maddix has recently hit his 19 month mark. I missed the 18 month post.

I honestly stand in awe every day at this little life that was brought to us. He made me a mommy, he humbled my soul, he has taught me to enjoy every single moment.

Yesterday was one of them...

My days are filled with cleaning, editing for my business, changing messy stinky diapers:),trying to make sense of our stack of bills, more cleaning and more mommy chores.

You all know how that goes.

I decided to STOP!

To turn on some music and have some fun with my little man.

I cranked the music up, picked him up and danced, twirled, spun in circles and laughed till I cried, literally cried.

Maddix LOVED it, he clung on and giggled so loud it made my heart melt.

My Goal this year is to share my little moments. I hope to always stop the caos of life and remember to just ENJOY life...

it goes by way too quickly. Why not enjoy the small stuff. Right!

I have mentioned this before.

But want to say it again. ENJOY YOURS!!!

{This Year is about enjoying Mine}

Take the time to read the words in this song.

I sing this to Maddix every night before bed.

I SO LOVE each word and hope that "My Wish" for my son are always known to him.

"My Wish"

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

And each road leads you where you want to go,

And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,

All the ones who love you, in the place you left,

I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,

And you help somebody every chance you get,

Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,

And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish

I hope you know somebody loves you

May all your dreams stay big

{Wherever you go, no matter what the weather,

always bring your own sunshine}

Oh Sunny, Sunny, Warm St. George I long for your blue skies and snowless grass!

I found the quote above... It was perfect for how I am feeling. Missing the sun and the warm. I just need to remember that I have to bring my own Sunshine! My little guys smile seems to be the best fit for now:)

Last week we packed the car with, treats, bikes, "momo (movie" and "gammy (Trev's mom) and drove into smogless happiness.

It is funny how 60 degree weather makes me so much happier.

We enjoyed swimming, hiking, a date night (thanks to Jenny) and just getting away.

{Snow Canyon}

Maddix couldn't get enough of this soft, squishy sand. We spent hours digging and playing in the sand. This HUGE sand box is just what the doctor ordered for my cute guys.

{Hiking}

We wanted to find a shorter hike...

this pregnant mama is getting big and breathless!

So we stopped at "Jenny's Canyon" Perfect. That is Trev's mom's name.

My heart melted on this hike.

When Jenny would get out of Madd's site he would yell so LOUD " Gammy, are you" "Gammy, are you" he was so worried to get her out of his little sight.

" Weee, Weee"

Maddix ran from slide to slide only wanting to go down head first.

He literally has no fear. What am I going to do when he is a teenager?

{This should be his modo}

And this smile is his daily staple. He is the cheesiest, happiest little boy I have ever seen. I learn happiness from him each day.

I love how he loves life!

{Big Pregnant Mama}

Have any of you women been this large at 29 weeks?

I am getting so excited. This little girl is already so loved and wanted.

I will have an "official" pregnancy session in the next few weeks. Thanks to my cute hubby who snapped a few of us hiking up Snow Canyon.