Yummy Dinners

Cami, one of my best friends ever, arranged for 6 lovely women to bring us dinner after Levi was born. All of them were absolutely delicious! I had to share pictures...

Roast beef sandwiches with au jus sauce, cheesy potatoes, salad, grapes, & watermelon. For dessert, smore cookie bars (not pictured but sooo yummy!). Thank you Kirstin!

Cheese ravioli, green beans, crescent rolls, apple juice, & chicken nuggets for Max. For dessert, ice cream sandwiches (not pictured, but just perfect!). Thank you Lindsey!

Braided bread stuffed with beef, sauce, and cheese along with ceaser salad. For dessert, caramel popcorn balls (not pictured, but so cute and yummy!). Thank you Vanessa!

Spinach cob salad, watermelon, & pumpkin bisque. For dessert, banana muffins and chocolate chip cookies. Thank you Emily!

Okay this isn't my picture (We ate outside and I didn't take my camera), but this is what dinner looked like. It was delicious pizza and pasta salad from Pita Jungle. Thank you Julie Y.!

Chicken, rice, crescent rolls, & salad. For dessert, brownies & ice cream (not pictured, but sooo good!). Thank you Julie J.!

I am so so grateful for these dinners that were so lovingly brought to us. It made life that much easier for us for that week while I was recovering. I know that all seven of you have busy lives of your own and I feel very blessed to know that you care about our little family enough to take time and energy to do this for us. Thank you all times 1,000,000!

I'm an AUNT!

My niece, Clementine is finally here happy and healthy! Isn't she gorgeous?! She put Mommy through the ringer, but I'm sure Mommy would agree that she was well worth it.

Proud Aunt :)

Max has been such a good sport these past few weeks. With Mommy gone a lot at the hospital along with a new baby brother, he has been building a strong relationship with Daddy with all the time they are spending together. Daddy has been a great sport too! Thank you My love and My Baby for making this easier for me.

Levi has been going to and from the hospital with Mommy and for the most part being cooperative. Here he is at the hospital while visiting his Tia Soin and new cousin.

Congratulations on the arrival of your new angel, Soin. We all love you both very much.

Brothers!

Max gets buzzed!

Before

During

After

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

My mom bought me these muffin pans for giant muffins because she knew that I really wanted them. So, I made my favorite muffin recipe and they came out soooo delicious! Oh man, I'm kicking myself for making them now because I've been trying to eat healthier. This did not help at all, but I was going through baking withdrawal and had to do something about it!

Levi- 10 days old

Little Levi is soo sweet! Just look at those eyes! :)

We think he has a calmer temperament than Max. He doesn't cry very much at all. I think this will make he and Max good friends! They will compliment each other's personalities. Maybe I'm reading too far into it being that Levi is only 10 days old...ha! I'm just so excited for them to be good buddies! Max is such a good big brother and already loves Levi so much.

As you can see, it looks like he might have more of mommy's skin tone. Max and Levi might be like Mommy and Soin! A whitey and a brownie! How fun! :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Maximilian!

Max had his actual birthday on the 3rd and we just went swimming and had a little cake (made by "Aya").

We love you, Maximilian. It's amazing how fast two years went by. You are our pride and joy. Everyday you impress us with how much you already know and how sweet you are. From the first time you smiled at us, to when you learned how to give us besitos, to your sweet words, "I wuv you Mommy" and "I wuv you Daddy," words can't explain how much love fills our hearts knowing that you're our son.

These two years with you have brought Mommy and Daddy's so much happiness. We love you more than you'll ever know. Always know and remember that. We look forward to all the years to come, as we watch you grow.

Thank you for being our son, Maximilian. Happy Birthday.

Levi Marshall - 8lbs 2oz, 19in

Levi gave us a nice little surprise as he came 3 days early (well actually 10 days early from his due date). I was scheduled for a c-section on August 31st and he decided that he would make mommy go into labor anyway… knowing full well that Bishop (Dr. Bruce) was out of town. Okay, maybe he didn’t fully understand that part ;)

So here I go on Saturday, the 28th at about 5pm getting mild contractions. I had joked about going into labor before the c –section but I never actually thought it would happen. 10pm rolls around and they are pretty painful and I was sure I was in labor. So Mike and I put Max to bed and packed our things and left Max and Aya (Soin) home while we headed to the hospital.

By the time they finally checked me, I was dilated to 4cm. They immediately called Dr. Lythgo and Dr. Lythgo told them to have me ready in 30 mins! Ah! Woah, it was all happening really fast!

This time I was awake during the surgery. What a weird experience! I felt all the pulling and tugging and pushing, but no pain. It was really scary. The benefit was that I was able to hear little Levi’s first little cry and I actually conscious enough to hold him and nurse him and admire him right after he was born. I also had my wonderful husband there telling me how great I was doing the whole time and how beautiful I was.

We came home on Wednesday and so far recovery is going well. Nursing is a bit of a challenge, but not nearly as bad as it was the first time around. Mom has been in town helping with Max while we adjust to having a newborn again. Max absolutely loves his baby brother. He calls him "Baby Tummy," Not Levi. Sometimes he'll compromise and call him "Baby Tummy Levi." I guess he understands that this is the baby that was the one that was in Mommy's tummy. Oh well, I think it's cute :) He's adjusting pretty well. It's easy to see that he craves extra attention. I try to give it to him as much as possible. Ever since we got home, Max has been telling us he loves us all the time. He says, "I wuv you, Mommy" or I wuv you, Daddy" and "I wuv you Baby Tummy." He's such a sweet boy. Geesh, I'm so blessed! I have not 1, not 2, but 3 of the sweetest boys in the world for the rest of my life!!

What a miraculous thing it is... giving birth. It's amazing what the female body is capable of.

We are so blessed to have another perfect little boy. We love you Levi and Maximilian.

Here he is:

Levi Marshall. 8lbs 2oz, 19 inches

Sooo tired here!