Catching Up!

Feels like I never get a free moment sometimes and we've been having a few challenges with sleeping since we've been home from our trip...so I'm finally getting around to updating while Ben watches the kiddos! If you want...scroll down as I've posted 3 posts today! Hyrum was such an angel on the long day home from Portland that we rewarded him with a "wack weeder" (weed wacker). He love helping Ben mow the lawn and now can help him trim!

Below just my cute smiley girl in her jammies. Hyrum has picked up on our little baby talk we say to Alison and says "hi smiley" (which sounds like hi smelley from his words) and "hi cutie pie." I love seeing them interact!
Hyrum loved this play mat as a baby and looks like he still does! I've been using it with Alison the last few days and Hyrum insists on playing with her on it!

Going for a walk!

Yesterday we were invited to go to "Rigby Days" parade with some friends. Hyrum and Brooklyn and Tatum(the middle girl turned around) not happy as I tried to picture them in the sun!

And...because I can't resist showing her off...my darling girl this morning before chruch! Her hair is all curly and she's in this cute dress we found at costco in Portland! Love it!

Love those smiles! Now...if only she'd sleep!

Time is flying by...my baby is 11.5 weeks and I go back to work Thursday! Sad day! I have loved every minute of being home and find myself jealous of those stay at home moms! I do love my job once I'm there...its just so hard to leave!

I turn the big 25 on Tuesday. Not any big plans but just enjoying my last few nights before even less sleep comes! All I want for my birthday is a nap!

We are so happy and loving our kids so much! I love being a mommy and I love watching Ben be a daddy again and Hyrum be a big brother! My dreams have all come true!

First Airplane Ride...

Ben had a short week so I talked him into taking the week off and flying us out to Portland to visit my mom and brother. The week flew by and we had a blast but it is good to be home...we're working on returning to normal. Traveling with 2 is hard!!! Above is my cute cousin Rachel holding Alison. She just graduated high school! Congrats Rachie!

Below is 4 generations on my side. I have a picture like this of myself as a baby with my great grandma so we couldn't pass up Alison's opportunity!
Cute picture of us!

My mom lives near a pond with ducks and we visited it a couple times and Hyrum loved feeding the ducks.

We also went to build-a-bear in Portland and Hyrum loved this. Here he is washing his doggie. We now have doggie#1, doggie #2, and puppy at our house that all sleep with him. (fyi...puppy is the biggest of the 3 dogs!)

Hyrum's favorite daily and sometimes twice daily activity was the hot tub! I need one of these!

On Memorial Day we went to the zoo...Hyrum and my brother Nate posing.

My mom, Nate, & Hyrum swimming!

Hyrum enjoyed his great grandparents.

Great Grandma holding Alison.

Nate & Hyrum playing lacross.

Nate holding Alison.

So fun to see everyone!

Meeting Family & Blessing

On May 22, 2011 Alison Ruth Butcher was blessed by her daddy. Her Grandpa Butcher, Uncle Ian, and Cousin Matt were all present for her blessing. What a special day!
The kiddos with Grandparents on the blessing day.

Our family of 4!

Grandpa Butcher holding Alison for first time.
My friend's mom sent me the cutest outfit for Alison...I'll be so sad when she grows out of it! Such a cutie!

Another of my favorite outfits...from Hyrum's speech teacher. I love smocking!

Grandma Butcher meeting Alison for first time!

It was so great to have family to welcome Alison in to our family on her special day! Thanks everyone!

Too Cute!

Just too cute not to share! My t-ball player and my smiley girl!

Awareness

One of my room mates from college shared her story about infertility. Last week was National Infertility Awareness Week and I felt I should share our story as well for any of those who read this that might have to go through the same thing. (Thanks Krissy for being so inspiring!)

Overall, I have to thank my Heavenly Father for how He has blessed us. Over the last 4 years my testimony has been challenged and at time I didn't feel I deserved to have a baby...let alone 2 due to my lack of faith. We were blessed with Hyrum that after trying for 1 year we got pregant. It was a long year and towards the end of it we had started pursuing infertility help but got lucky! We now have learned what a miracle Hyrum was/is!

When Hyrum was 1 we decided we'd start trying again due to how long it took us the first time. 2 months later I was pregnant! Hooray and scary all at the same time ( I wasn't ready to have them so close.). 3 weeks later I miscarried. This was devastating to me but my dr told me this was normal...forget it and move on. 7 months later I was pregnant again but again lost the baby early on. Dr again said it was normal. Ben & I decided to take a little trip (Hawaii) and relax and give it a little more time. We tried IUI in the mean time with no success. Finally 14 months had gone by with no success. We decided to consult for IVF.

I have to say I had to eat some words when I decided to do this. My first REAL job in a big NICU in Virginia taught me that IVF was not a good idea and was pushing the limits. I saw premature after premature sets of twins or more born that eventually became blind, deaf, and had a very poor quality of life. Then a close friend had just gone through IVF and had delivered beautiful 37 week twins. My idea started to change. I saw some more success stories even here in our small NICU in Idaho. I was softened to the idea.

So we consulted and sure enough we would need help. One of us had an issue that prevents us from easily achieving successful pregnacy. I was thrilled that it should be an "easy fix" for us.

We had to go to Utah for about 6 weeks on and off to do this. Unfortunately it was a bad time for our families to help us so Ben & I really leaned on each other. We spent a week in Utah during the thick of it which was a really hard week but we made it! Shots, blood draws, and ultrasound every day for weeks were tedious and unpleasant but worth it in the long run.

We put two embryos in and 2 weeks later found out only 1 had made it. I was so grateful to just have one though and actually relieved...I was so worried about twins and Hyrum! We don't have many family/friends here to help us so 1 was great.

I can honestly say I've never been so happy. We had some scares during pregnancy but thankfully Heavenly Father pulled us through. I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for letting me have such an understanding and patient husband that was willing to take this journey with me. I'm also so grateful for our two beautiful, healthy children! My heart is full! I'd love to have one more and as I relfect on the journey to get to here...I cringe. For now I'll enjoy every minute with my new baby and Hyrum!

I'm so grateful to be a mom and this is honestly one of those things I've always wanted to be more than anything. Happy Mother's Day!

Butcher Happenings...

We're alive...and busy! But I couldn't resist posting some pictures of our family and especially Alison! Here are some pictures of our 5.5wk old over the last few weeks!
(I made her tutu)

Pictures of Alison's first Easter! Hyrum LOVED Easter this year! It was so much fun! First Easter as siblings! Hyrum was very helpful finding Alison's eggs!

We tried to take some Easter pictures outside...the best we got.

Right after her bath...check out her curls over her ears! Her hair is actually pretty curly if i don't brush it.

Last Saturday we went to Bear World! The kids did great and it was so much fun! We'll have to come back!

After Bear World we went to Gator Jacks for lunch..yum! Hyrum and the alligator!

More Bear World...the roller coaster rides Hyrum loved...oh disneyland we wish we could visit!

Petting zoo at Bear world....Hyrum petting the deer.

Our little bear cub!

Hyrum and I were bored and decided to start our garden...but it keeps snowing so we decided to start inside. Hyrum helping!

Last Sunday...my cute family.

Cute girl!

We've been enjoying our family of 4! May will be exciting with Grandma and Grandpa Butcher coming to visit in a few weeks, Alison's blessing on May 22, and us leaving for Portland to see Grandma Breese & Uncle Nate! Gotta pack things in before returning to work! 6 weeks down, 6 to go.. It's going WAY too fast!

Professional Pics!

Alison had some newborn pictures taken professionally by Caralee Case Photography. Check out the preview at www.caraleecasephotography.com. It's under Alison!