2009 Year in Review

Now that things seem to be slowing down and routines are getting back to normal I am feeling sad at how much I have neglected my blog. I started this blog as a way to journal the Rogers' life. 2009 was a pretty pathetic blogging year for me. I want to be better. I know that we are headed into March but I thought I would, over the next few postings, play a little catch up.

My Six Children

Cause heartburn.

On a blustery day...

Two years ago, Emily Lynn arrived. At 12:09a.m. I wanted a Valentine's Day baby. She said "NO WAY." It was in the cards for this kid to be stubborn. She has not proven us wrong so far! I have never met anyone with more personality. Happy Birthday 'Tator-Tot! We love so much about you!!

Tis the Season

For Some Turkey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!!!!!

I am Grateful for So, so, so many things this year!

Happiness!

Maddie gets to come home today!

Therapy

I have not had a moment to post in quite a while. I cannot believe I do not have pictures up of our newest addition. I will get to it, I promise. I even have some summer pictures and Halloween fun I plan on putting up. But for now, I wanted to blog for therapy.

Madeline will be three weeks old tomorrow. We all knew from the beginning of my pregnancy what a special spirit we were being given. No matter how shocked and surprised we were at first, our baby- on- the- way never felt like an "accident." She was definitely meant to be.

Madeline was born on October 23rd at 7:08pm. She weighed 7lbs 2ozs. Her hair was dark and she had a TON of it. My labor was a little longer than I thought it would be, but actual delivery was a piece of cake. She cried immediately and has barely cried since. She is such an angel. Her sisters and brother were instantly in love and have been so sweet to her. Audrey wants to hold her every second of the day and Emily is absolutely positive that it is "her" baby. She laughs EVERY time Madeline so much as squeaks.

Our sweet baby is an angel even when she is in pain. As most of you know we have been in the hospital with Maddie since yesterday when they diagnosed her with the flu (H1N1). Nothing has been harder than to see a brand new baby hooked up to IV's, and machines. Her sad little eyes stayed closed most of the day because the fever made it hurt to open them. But today...she is doing better. Her fever has been under control for almost 12 hours now and she is eating perfectly. She even had a bath! The doctor is very positive she'll be able to go home tomorrow. It is truly a miracle that she is not worse. The nurses here at the hospital are heaven sent! They have taken care of Maddie beautifully! I feel so blessed that I could be here with Maddie, that I could feed her, and hold her, and sleep by her side.

Thanks to everyone, family and friends, who have sent well wishes and prayers our way! They worked!!!! Jeff and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Blogging???

Yes. I am working on it.

The Final Count Down!

Tomorrow is October and that means it is Baby Month!!!!!! I cannot believe we are down to the final weeks. Panic has taken over as I realize how much I need to do to be ready! Thankfully I do not have a lot of shopping to do. We are soooo good on the whole girl stuff department. I have bought a couple of new girly things, and we need a new baby car seat but other than that I just need to organize and finish rearranging dressers and stock up on diapers. At my doctor's appointment today she told me the baby was already in position, head is giving pressure, and I am dilated to a one! Woo hoo! Can you believe I am here again???? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was blogging about having my last baby. Oi!

Fantastic Day!!!

Saturday was a wonderful, wonderful, day!!! My parents were sealed for time and all eternity in the Washington D.C. Temple. For those of you who have known our little family for a long time this was a very, very, momentous occasion. I have been waiting for this day since I was nine years old! I am so proud of my parents. It had been a rough year for them, and to think that they have come so far is just a miracle! Being sealed to my parents was truly an overwhelming experience. Beautiful. I am so grateful to have the knowledge that this life is not the end of our families and that we truly will be together forever! So many wonderful people were able to be there..old friends, new friends and family! Thank you for coming and making the day even that more special.

Counter

Evidently overnight I went from 4000 views on this blog to over 11000 views. Hmmmmmmm. I think there may be a glitch. Orrrr... I suddenly became vewy, vewy, popwulaaarrr.

Emily's Dance

This is proof of the Emily Dance...we can still get her to do it every once in a while. The best way we can describe it is a cross between the chicken dance and the Elaine (from Seinfeld) dance.

First Day of School

The first day of school this year was a whirlwind with new schedules, new schools, new teachers, and new clothes.

Dallin, the beaming first grader.
Elizabeth, the proud second grader, who is now at the "BIG" intermediate school.
And Anna, our woman-in-the-making, middle school student.

They were nervous and I have to admit I felt every bit as anxious as they did! Poor Audrey was devastated that they left her behind! (Did you notice her in the picture with Elizabeth, peeking through the , oh my, very hand printed, window...so sad). I tried to appease her broken heart with promises of preschool starting in October, but that did not seem to suffice.

Anna kept telling me that she would be okay if she could just make it through the first hour.
(I think the thought of getting to leave an hour and a half early to sneak off to a Killers concert is what really made the first day okay! And Dallin and Elizabeth were soothed with the idea of having a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's!)


Man, I am a cool mom!

Wanted: Personal Designer

Is there anyone out there that would come live with me for a month and tell me how to redecorate my house??? I do not pay and all I have to redecorate with is a whole lot of hand-me-down crap. I might be able to swing some paint. I would expect you to do all the work while I put up my feet and watch the Notebook and eat dark chocolate. Thanks.

Really Tired

It's 4 am. I'm tired. I am in the grips of pregnancy insomnia. There is nothing on T.V. There is no one on Facebook. My e-mail is all checked. My google reader is empty. I am bookless. What's a girl to do???

Anna Wants a Bird

For a week now Jeff and I have been bombarded with bird facts, bird supply lists, bird pricing, bird pictures, bird e-mails, and bird pleas! Anna has decided she wants a bird. She is obsessed with the idea of little birdies in a cage singing her praises. She has been a bird researching fool. Saturday she came home with a ton of bird books from the library. She wants to use her own money to buy the bird and all the supplies. She has even convinced Elizabeth and Dallin to contribute their allowance money and their share of lemonade stand money. As re-payment she has lovingly promised them a share in the bird responsibilities. I am seriously waiting for lobbiest calls from her friends. She has the world convinced that birds are GRRRREAT!

Does anyone have a bird? Does anyone know anything about birds as pets? Anna really wants a zebra finch? Any advice, tips? Jeff and I told her we would make a decision soon. A bird would be a big pet step for us, we have only ever had fish.

My One Green Thing

I love the idea of going "green." Actually becoming green is whole 'nother story. My brother-in-law and sister are light years ahead of me. Way to go Cyndi and Ben! I do admire your determination and ingenuity, even if I tease at times. You really are the only people I know who have a worm composter!

I do do one thing Eco friendly...I hang dry most of my clothes. Sadly, for me, it really has nothing to do with saving the environment (side benefit I guess). I do it to save money on electricity (I'm trying to make sure I NEVER have another 900 dollar electric bill) and I like my clothes to last a long time. I am always looking for laundry ideas because it is the bane of my existence. Five children worth of laundry is enough to make one go insane!!! Today, I stumbled upon this nifty contraption.... http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/07/diy-laundry-room-drying-rack.html Me likes! Me wants to try!!!!!

Funny

Jeff sent this to me. Made me laugh!

This will come in handy one day...when I'm not pregnant anymore!

I stumbled across this blog today, while reading this blog.

I love that they find all the modest clothing styles from all your favorite stores and put it all in one place. So cool!

Happy Birthday Anna!!!!

We took Anna out to dinner last night (Japanese Steak House) and to see the new Harry Potter movie. It was so fun to have a Mommy-Daddy-Daughter date with just her. She LOVED every second of it. Loved the food, Loved the movie. It is so hard to believe that she is eleven.

She is turning into the loveliest Young Woman!

Happy Birthday Audrey!!!!

July is another one of our CRAZY birthday months! My birthday was last Saturday, Audrey's birthday is today and Anna's birthday is on Tuesday.

Audrey started the day, by sneaking in my room, climbing into my bed, lifting up my hair and whispering, "Mommy, today is July....it's my birthday, and I'm Three!" It's going to be a fun, fun day. We are planning a picnic at the park with lots of friends and family to celebrate.

It sure does not seem that long ago that I posted this... http://nicole-rogers-family.blogspot.com/2006/07/presentingaudrey-nicole-rogers.html

Happy Birthday Audrey! We love you!