Changes: The Good Kind

I can't believe I have neglected my blog for this long! I'm so sorry to those who have kept up with me, I am going to try harder from this point on! All of you who have new posts every day ,I'm so impressed with you and you are my inspiration!
With that being said, quite a bit has happened since I've last blogged. Christmas was a memorable time with London joining us this year. I'm so excited that this new year will bring so many new milestones for my girls. I have thought so much of what I can do to better myself as a wife and mother and try to work on those goals every day.
We will be moving this year. There, I said it. I'm so sad that we will be leaving QC because of our awesome neighbors and friends that we've made. Cole and I both have prayed and thought about what we should do and where we should go, and we both feel good about moving into the Mesa area. Our amazing realtor found us a house that we both instantly fell in love with and we put an offer on it a few days ago. Now we are playing the waiting game and hoping that we can call it home someday.
The last few days London has been sick with RSV. It's so sad to see her this way! Just as I was getting so used to sleeping 8 hours, this hits and she's up every other hour of the night! Thursday night London wouldn't snooze, so Cole scooped her up and took her on a car ride at 3:30 in the morning even though he had work the next day. That Cole, he's so thoughtful and this is why I love him!
So this is my life for now, days are filled errand running, park going, cooking, nursing, story reading and every other thing that you can think of! I just wanted to throw a shout out to all you bloggers that are such amazing examples of genuinely good people who I aspire to be more like!
More to come soon, I promise!

B

Santa's Little Helpers

These little ladies have been anything but naughty this year (ok, not really - but close!) Really though, I can't believe how good Bella has been this year! She has learned so much and I hate to say this, but when I FINALLY get her potty trained, she will probably be going to preschool next year! You heard me right, she isn't potty trained yet and is turning three in April. I'm not proud of this. She's gone a few times. All I have to say is... baby steps....
We have loved the last four months with our new little treasure and I would be just content as can be waking up Christmas morning and seeing that little ham under the tree! She has such a little personality and is just so happy all the time - with the exception of being ravenously hungry every 2 hours or so! This year is so different. This year I feel like we are an actual family! It's way more fun for me and Cole now that Bella is finally excited about everything, like all of the lights, the baking (but who doesn't like that?)and all the fun Christmas movies on the tube! She's even learning all the words to all the Christmas tunes!
On the 23rd, we'll be going to the Aston Family Christmas Party where London will sit on Santa's (Papa's) lap for the first time and I can't wait to see how she reacts to this big man all dressed in red with a big ol' beard!
Here are some pictures of my little Christmas Treasures by the tree!






Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Blessing Day

Make sure to check the last 2 posts!

The day finally came- London's day was amazing! She got the chance to wear the same dress that Bella wore on her blessing day and it is so gorgeous! During sacrament meeting I made sure to give Cole a big kiss and tell him that I thought he was going to do a great job with London's blessing, then he held my hand and to my surprise it was all cold and clammy! He never shows when he is nervous, but this time I could tell! Cole ended up doing a wonderful job and I'm so proud that I married such an amazing man that was able to give our little girl her first blessing.

London's Newborn Pictures

We don't remember what life was like before this little one...





and I don't remember what sleep was like either!!!

Halloween!

I can finally post now that I have a second - the girls are finally taking a nap at the same time today! Every year at the same time everything just gets so busy, and adding an infant to the mix just adds more craziness! Halloween was a blast this year with both Aston and Thornton Family parties. Bella turned out to be the cutest little ballerina that I've ever seen, and London was a darling little pink cheetah complete with a little tail and whiskers!




Cole and Isabella

Me and the little cheetah!

It was so fun to see how much Bella loved Halloween this year. Last year she was terrified to go to anyone's door afraid she would get attacked or something. I was also glad that Halloween landed on a Saturday this year so Cole could join in on the fun!

Cole, Bella & London: I love you!!

Here's London's room! I was so glad with how cute it turned out!


This little boutique dress bow holder was a gift from my sweet sister in law, Megan. I will be making more bows soon!

These pictures just melt my heart! Cole loves snuggling with these girls! Bella has really gotten closer to Cole since I've been so occupied with London this past month and hate to keep telling her "Go ask dad!", but what else can I do?? Cole has been so helpful since London has been here: He stays up with her at night so I can snooze for a few hours, he does the dishes almost everyday, he takes Bella out with him almost everyday - even if it means getting the tires rotated and the oil changed at Discount Tire...and the list goes on and on! Thank you hunny for everything you do for me!!




London is so lucky to have such an amazing big sister like Bella! She has been such a big helper! She always grabs a diaper for me every time London needs to be changed, she gives her sister about 100 kisses each day, and every morning she is dying to see her baby sister!

Here's the Little One heading out on one of her first outings!


I love my girl




Bella has some natural curl in her hair, so the other day I decided to flip it out - and it turned out so cute! Just look at the adorable little profile!!

London is Here!!!

It all started Monday August 31st at my 39 week appointment....the week prior I was 2+ centimeters dilated and nothing was really happening. At my appointment, my doctor decided to strip my membranes (couldn't tell you exactly what that involves...) and he did and I was on my merry little way. I went with my mom and little sis to Costa Vida afterward and then went home to spend a little more time with Cole before he had to take off to work. That day and the rest of the night I was in major nesting mode! I cleaned up the whole house - dusting, vacuuming, laundry and attempting to mop, but didn't get to it. At 7pm I decided to be crazy and hop on the elliptical - I went on for a half hour, keep in mind I was going slow as molasses, and then was waiting for Jenny to come over so we could have a girls night.
When we were eating, I was having the same braxton hicks contractions as usual, but just a little more frequent and then we popped in a movie at around 9 or 9:30 and that's when the real contractions mildly started. At 10:30 we started timing them and they were all under 10 min. but not consistent at all. I called Cole on his way home to tell him and he got so excited that he didn't even get his Del Taco on the way home because he thought it was more serious than it was. At midnight Jenny left and Cole and I attempted to sleep. By 2:30 they we're 6 min. apart and I hopped out of bed because they hurt so freakin' bad! I tried to labor as much as I could at home so I just started watching t.v. and by 3am they were 3 minutes apart! I got Cole and Bella up and we got dressed and took off. When we got to triage, they checked me and I was dilated to 7! They wheeled me to L&D and in about 4 pushes London came out!
It all happened so fast that now that I look back on it, it all doesn't seem real! We are adjusting so well to London - Bella has been so sweet with her everyday giving her loves and always wanting to hold and kiss her. This little girl definitely has my heart and we all can't get enough of her!