Happy Three Years to Us

Today marks three years of being married to my best friend!

We talked about it last night and decided that this year was the best so far.
Of course, we say that every year :)
This year brought us our sweet Maisy Jane, a new house, and so many new experiences.
I'm sure this next one will be just as wonderful, if not so much more!

love this

deep beauty,
the kind of beauty that shines from inside out.
it is beauty that cannot be washed off.
it is spiritual attractiveness.

elaine s. dalton

blessing day

On September 11th, our Maisy Jane was given a name and a blessing by her daddy. It was such a great day filled with the spirit and lots of time with family.

I was obsessed with how cute she looked in her dress :) She was lucky enough to get a custom-made blessing dress from her Grandma Willcox who is an award-winning seamstress! She looked like a little princess. The blessing was was short and sweet. Maisy got some stage fright and started to cry about a minute into it... But it was okay, I think Stu was impressed to say all of the most important blessings first and it was perfect. I'm so grateful for a husband who honors his priesthood, who has been able to bless our family so much through his worthiness. Maisy loves her daddy and it's clear why :)


I keep thinking back to the nights when I was pregnant and Stu and I would discuss name possibilities, we couldn't decide on one that we felt was THE ONE for our little girl. "Maisy" didn't make the list until about 2 months before she was born. I was working when I first heard the name and I remember looking it up when I got home. I found out that it means "pearl" and that pretty much sealed the deal for me... To me, pearls symbolize beauty and purity and I loved the added meaning behind the name. Stu still needed some time to be sure, but there was no doubt that she was Maisy Jane Milne when he saw her for the first time :)

We had a little family get together after church with some yummy food at my parents house. It was so nice to be able to spend time with all my family in one place. My grandma, Maisy's Great Grandma Laverne, was finally able to meet our sweet girl. It was so neat to have four generations in one place!

We love you Maisy, and are so grateful for the light you bring to our lives :)

Happy Birthday Goonie!!!

Twenty-six years ago today, the world became a happier place because this guy:


was born!!!

There are so many things I could say about this man... But I'll try to keep the mushy gushy stuff to a minimum :)

My Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Stuart Parrish Milne:
(let's be real though, I have countless reasons...)

1. He is the kindest person I know. He is always thinking of others and always reminds me that everyone is fighting unseen battles, and I should be kinder to them too...
2. He's a manly man with a soft heart :) He will go play football, watch action movies, pump iron at the gym; and then come home and love on his girls and watch Extreme Home Makeover or Pride and Prejudice with me all snuggled up on the couch. And I know he looooves it.
3. He has always been super protective of me, and now as a dad, he is always looking out for both his girls. He still keeps a bat under his side of the bed, so watch out.
4. He makes the best pancakes this side of the Mississippi! Chocolate chip banana pancakes with peanut butter and syrup... Mmmmmm :) But really, he is such a great cook! And he's always willing to help with dinner (or pick something up) if I'm not too excited to cook that night.
5. He's the strongest, bravest, most loving man I know. And he is a HOTTIE with two T's.
6. He is the best snuggler in the world. I'll crawl into bed after a hard day, he'll wrap his big arms around me and I will melt off to sleep... every time.
7. One word that totally classifies Stu, is "hardworking." He works hard all day long to provide for his family and comes home exhausted, but will still help me fix dinner or wash the dishes. His last semester of school, he worked full-time and took 6 classes! He was gone from 7am to 10:30pm every day with no complaints... Honestly, I complained about it more than he did!
8. He is such a good daddy to our little girl. I love how he looks for her when he comes home and gets sad if she's taking a nap :) He loves to play with her, cuddle with her, and watch Monday night football with her. It's the sweetest.
9. He can always find a way to make me laugh. I know it's kind of cheesy, but you know that part in the movie Legacy, where Eliza makes her hubby promise to make her laugh everyday? Yeah, I asked Stu the same thing when we were getting married, but I should have known that wasn't necessary. Our life is full of laughs because of this silly guy :)
10. He makes me a better person. (I won't go into this one though because I know it will be all mush and I won't be able to stop myself from crying all over my computer)

Happy Birthday love! I am so grateful for you in my life :)

This picture cracks me up! He is the greatest, truly.

Two Months!

Maisy is two months old today! And my has she grown in the last two months! We haven't had her check up yet, but I know what we'll find out... that she is a little gainer! She is already over 13 pounds and deliciously chubby. I love snuggling her and nibbling on her chubby arms and legs. Oh, and those cabbage patch doll cheeks! She is soooo kissable. We have just LOVED these last two months with our little girl. I can honestly say that although learning how to be a mom has been the hardest thing I've ever experienced, it is the greatest blessing. Thank goodness for my man Stu, who has eased into parenthood like a pro... We lean on each other a lot and I am so excited to keep learning and growing together as parents!


At 2 months, Maisy:

-is a great sleeper! She takes 3 great naps a day (most days) and sleeps about 6-7 hrs solid at night!
-is such a happy baby! About 4 weeks ago, we were concerned because she was so sad all the time :( we later found out that she had a pretty intense outbreak of eczema all over her body (we thought it was just baby acne for a long time) turns out, it is extremely itchy and uncomfortable, which is why she was always fussing. I felt terrible. But now that it's under control, she is so happy and smiley! I'm SO glad she's feeling better.
-needs to be swaddled tight, otherwise she will not fall asleep... If she breaks free of her swaddle, she will not fall back asleep for anything! She is VERY particular about her swaddles too. It just makes me nervous because I worry she'll get too hot, but she loves it...
-has discovered her little tongue! She loves sticking it out and making faces. Sooo cute.
-has the BEST hair! People stop me in the store to comment on it, some even asking if they can touch it (yeah, I'm gonna say no...) Her little faux hawk is so cute and can't be tamed! We try to brush it down after her baths, but it just ends up sticking straight up anyway...
-is our little water baby! She loooves bathtime and swimming with mommy and daddy in the pool. Plus, she is dang cute in her little swim suit :)
-still has deep blue eyes. The left one has a little bit of orange-ish color around the pupil, making me think that she may have her daddy's "sunflower eyes" after all. I'm not getting my hopes up though...
-loves her swing!
-sits up tall and proud in her bumbo! She loves sitting in it! She is so strong and loves to just sit and look around.
-seriously loves her daddy. She recognizes his voice when I'm talking to him on the phone and she perks up like crazy! She loves when he comes home and just stares at his face. So sweet.
-eats like a champ! Not too many know about my hard experience with nursing... I almost gave up soo many times, but she eventually got the hang of it and now she eats so great! I'm so proud of my little MJ. It's probably one of my most favorite things to nurse her and hold her close :)
-has her parents hearts, completely. We can't imagine life without our little joy.

This weekend we are flying up with my family to Oregon to be with my Gramma Billie. I am nervous/excited to take our baby girl on her first plane ride! I'm sure we'll have lots of pictures and stories from our trip!

sunday goodness

I watched this video today and thought it was too cute not to share...

How sweet is Elder Scott's story about his wife?

"Marriage provides and ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to become selfish or self-centered. Don't withhold those natural expressions of love. Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer and more pleasant and purposeful." -Richard G. Scott

Even from the very beginning of mine and Stu's relationship, I never had to doubt his feelings for me. He is the kind of person that shows his love in everything he is; whether it be by what he says, how he acts or the service he performs, it is all done out of love. I told him a couple days ago that sometimes when he says "I love you" I think to myself, "I know." Not like in a "well duh, of course he loves me" kind of way, but more that I can feel it without him ever having to say it. I hope I'm doing enough to make him feel the same way :)

Every day I thank Heavenly Father for the blessings of an eternal marriage. I love my husband too much. The idea that it could all end one day is just unimaginable. One of the men they interviewed in the video said, "It just has to be forever. It doesn't make sense for us to come this far and have it get this good and then not be perpetuated." AMEN brother.

preoccupied...

Everything has gotten a little busier around here the last 5 weeks. I have a beautiful baby girl taking up most of my time so there is little time for blogging, cleaning my home, fixing my hair, eating... etc. I wouldn't change a thing. I love being with her every day, learning how to be a better mommy to my Maisy. She is changing so much! She's getting some delicious rolly-polly arms and legs, she's more alert and looks around like crazy now, and she smiles so big! (and not just when she lets out a toot haha) Some things haven't changed: she is still so sassy, cuddly, silly, energetic, and totally capable of melting everyone's heart... She has Stu and I wrapped around her little finger, we can't help it. Eventually, I'm sure I'll get back to posting more often and maybe even post my weekly meals and recipes again... But for now, I'm just loving life with my baby girl and sweet husband.

life is sweet.

25 days old and 25 pictures

I have been so bad at getting my camera out for pictures of baby Maisy... I feel like every time I do, she starts to fuss anyway... even her newborn shoot was a bust! Thank goodness for camera phones (and instagram, which I am completely obsessed with!) otherwise I'd probably only have a few photos of our beautiful baby girl!

so new and so perfect :)

love love love those cheeks!

hearing screen... stu thought she looked like she was rockin out with headphones in...

going home

her favorite face... this one's called "blue steel"

such an angel

she loves to be outside! and spend time with daddy :)

bathtime... more like complete-total-relaxation time... she LOVES her baths!

dressed up for a playdate with friends!

obsessed with her cute toesies

so in love with daddy

Happy 4th of July!!!

Maisy and Grandma (my mom)

so happy

The last 25 days have been complete bliss... Not saying that there hasn't been hard times, but the happy, wonderful times FAR outweigh the not-so-great ones. We are so in love with our little babe, and can't seem to get enough of her! I love her sassy cry, her chubby cheeks and that she already has little wrist rolls, her fluffy hair, the way she smells (ohh my gosh it's heavenly), bathing her, taking a nap with her in our bed and waking up to her sweet face, how she calms down instantly when her daddy holds her close, dancing around the living room with her to Michael Buble (her fave), waking up with her at 3am to feed her and just cherishing the quiet moments with her.

what a beautiful little blessing she is.

introducing...

Maisy Jane Milne
born June 15, 2011
7 lbs 13 ounces
20 inches

It's taken a long time for me to get around to writing this post... Getting used to life with this baby girl has been a fun/amazing/difficult challenge. It's hard for me to even get away from her to take a nap, let alone blog about her. She is just so amazing to me, I just want to look at her and hold her all day long. (sorry to those I haven't called/text back the last week, I promise I'm not ignoring you!) All I know is that Stu and I could not be happier, we just LOVE our little Maisy so much and can't seem to remember life without her.

So I started having contractions the morning of the 14th, not even an hour after I told Stu that "Today is the day! She's coming, I just know it!" Little did I know... I went to work like normal and after having 4 contractions during one treatment, I decided to start timing them. They were coming in at 15 minutes apart- no big deal right? After two hours they were about 12 minutes, then another two hours brought me to 10 minutes apart... We were only scheduled to work until noon that day, and by the time I left the contractions were about 7-8 minutes apart! I even went around and gave all the girls hugs in case I wasn't back the next day- I was so sure she was coming :) Haha. Stu decided to leave work to have lunch with me because we were thinking that we should probably have some time "just us" if she really was on her way! Well I got bummed because right after lunch, the contractions went back to 15 minutes apart! Dang it... That night I went and got a pedicure with two of my sisters and then went home after helping my little sister pack a little for college- noticing that my contractions were getting more uncomfortable as the day went on. About 9pm that night, they started getting downright painful, but still 7-8 minutes apart. (my Dr told me to come in once they were 5 mins apart) Finally about 12:45am I decided they were too uncomfortable and told Stu that we were going to the hospital and that I needed to shave my legs. (yes, I know.. I'm ridiculous) My contractions were only 6 mins apart, but while I was in the shower I had a few that were less than 3 mins apart! At this point, Stu started to freak out a bit and quickly got everything together. I had already put the emergency bag in the car that afternoon, so we were all set! We headed over the hospital and were checked in at 1:30am! We called my mom on the way who immediately left for the hospital to be with us. They checked me out and found out I was already at 6cm (I was at 3.5 cm at my last Drs appt). The nurse asked me if I was ready for my epidural in between contractions, and at first I wasn't so sure I needed it yet, but boy did that next contraction change my mind!

about 3am, after getting the IV and epidural... SO swollen and tired...

It took 4 tries by a nursing student before they got a successful IV... OUCH. But once that was in, they were able to get the epidural going! Once the epidural was in, we were all able to relax and Stu and my mom were able to get some rest because they told me it would be a few hours. It was so nice being able to look at the monitor and see the peaks indicating contractions and not feeling a thing :) I couldn't sleep a wink, I was so anxious! They kept checking me about every 2 hours and by 6am I was dilated to 8cm and Dr Huish came in to break my water. I was able to start pushing a little before 8am... This was probably the worst part (of the delivery) for me. I couldn't figure out HOW to push! I was numb from the belly button down for crying out loud... But I had good support in the room that kept me going :) I am so grateful for Stu and my mom, I really could not have done it without them! They were amazing. Finally, after the most tiring hour of my life, Maisy Jane Milne was born at 8:52am! Her lungs worked PERFECTLY- she had the cutest little cry right from the beginning. Stu was there to cut the umbilical cord and did a great job! (her belly button is sooo cute) As soon as I saw her, I feel like a gush of emotions just flooded from me... I just started bawling, which was kind of embarrassing, but I couldn't help it! I instantly felt an all-consuming love for my precious little girl. "Oh she is so beautiful," I kept saying over and over. Stu was right by my side the entire time and held both of us close, I know he was feeling the same way. We were already so in love with our little girl :)

The nurses then took Maisy (she technically wasn't named at this point) to wipe her down a bit and get her measurements. She was a perfect 20inches and weighed in at 7lbs 12.5oz. They gave her back to me to try and nurse her for the first time, and I just remember her feeling so small in my arms. She didn't really get to latch the first time because I started feeling some intense pains and the nurses took her away from me so they could see what was going on. They handed her off to Stu who kept watching me to make sure I was okay... Thankfully, Stu's mom and my sisters came in to see us about this time distracting him from what was going on with me. He proudly held her and showed her off to our families while the nurses took care of me.

The nurses knew soon after that something wasn't completely right and called my doctor back. Before I knew what was going on, I was getting rushed to the OR and was knocked out for a procedure because I started hemorrhaging. I remember looking around the room to make sure my two loves were taken care of. The next thing I remember is waking up in the ICU without my baby... It was terrible. Luckily, Stu was right there when I woke up. It took a while for me to understand what had happened, and even longer for me cope with the fact that I couldn't hold my little girl. Good news was that they were able to stop the bleeding to save me and my uterus for future Milne babies... The nurses reassured me over and over that our little one was perfectly healthy and that they were taking good care of her in the nursery. Stu spent most of his time with me, but he went down every so often to feed baby girl and spend some quality daddy-daughter time with her. They told me that she would need to stay in the nursery until I was well enough to go back down to the post-partum floor... I was devastated. She was able to visit me late that night though, and it was the greatest thing in the world to be able to hold her and see her sweet little face again.

I think I was a little bit determined to get better and back downstairs with her, so I did everything I could to heal fast! I ate every last bit of my meals, drank insane amounts of water, took all my meds and I even told the nurse to take my dang catheter out so I could show them that I could walk and use the bathroom by myself! Well, it worked :) I got to move down the next afternoon, and our family was complete again! So happy!!! Sidenote: I am so grateful for my husband, he is the most amazing man I know, and the most incredible daddy to our little girl. I've always called him my rock and my happy place because he keeps me grounded and can make me happy no matter what. He was so amazing during the whole thing---but he told me I'm NEVER allowed to scare him like that again... Oh I love him so much! And I know little Maisy ADORES him... She loves to stare at him and melts in his arms (kinda like her mommy). And we can't figure it out but she LOVES sucking on his, ONLY HIS, finger... so funny! We are so lucky to have this man in our lives :)

Anyway, we had to stay at the hospital a few more days so we were so grateful for the amazing support from our family and friends who did so much for us through prayers, service, and even just bringing us food or coming by to visit. We LOVE you!!! And seriously, our doctors and nurses (minus one...) were SO amazing! We could not have asked for better/kinder people to be working with us!

my mom, so happy to be a grandma

going home, finally!

We are so happy and have been so blessed since this sweet little girl joined our family.
She is incredible and we love her soo much!

pure sweetness