Vacation Time......at Home!

We had so much fun the days just before and after Bryan's graduation. Dave, Susan, and the kids (Tristin, Brandon, and Shaylee) drove up from Mississippi. Bronson and Whitney (Bry's nephew and his wife) drove up from Virginia. His parents and my Dad and Valerie all came from Utah to visit. While they were here, we went to New York City, Valley Forge Park, and Intercouse, PA (Amish Country). They all stayed at the same hotel for a week and the kids all enjoyed playing in the pool. It was so fun to have everyone here. It was so great that they could be here to support Bryan. I know that Bryan was so grateful that they could come and we all loved having time to spend with each other.

Trisin, Alyssa, and Shaylee found teh Shetlund Pony at the petting farm while we were in Amish Country. Alyssa is still talking about it. She really wants a pet.

Val, posing by the entrance to Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA.

A glance at what the village looks like, at least part of it. We really had some troopers keeping up with all of the busy kids. Tom did a good job getting around. So glad he is finally able to utilize his foot some more now that he is back home.

My Dad, the farm kid. He was in heaven with all of the farms around. The Amish really keep up their farms nicely. They are beautiful.

Look at the Molens.......lookin' good! Standing at a monument in Valley Forge.


The kids ran around this monument again and again. Do they look worn out? No, because they weren't. They kept going, and going, and going. I will never forget Trisitn running around with out shoes on almost everywhere. She loves to be barefoot! And Brandon and Mason played so well together. In fact, they all played well together. We don't see them nearly enough!

This is a cannon in Valley Forge. I am not sure if this is an original, or a duplicate of an original. I assume it is a duplicate because the kids climbing on it wasn't a problem.

For Grandma Dot.....

.....and any one else that is interested! :o)

Vivienne is such a good baby. Granted she is 37 weeks gestation and thinks she should be sound asleep in the womb. We just can't get her to wake up. I should enjoy this, but in some ways it makes it harder. We have to be really disciplined in making sure we wake her up through the night for feedings because most likely she would sleep through the night. I've been cautioned before, "don't ever wake a sleeping baby." I guess this advice just can't be because she is considered a preemie and has to eat so she can grow. She is so cute. She is my little peanut. But Alyssa is claiming the title, "Peanut I." Viv has to be "Peanut II."

Nursing.......it's for the birds. So this is a little personal, but I hate to nurse. Why you ask? Take a look. You see the 10 little drops in the bottom of the container? That is after 20 minutes of double pumping.....OUCH! And, it doesn't get much better than this. Sorry Viv.

Vivienne in her tanning bed. The nurse said she laid in there like she was enjoying a day at the beach. :o)

These are her first pair of sunglasses. She is going to be fashion Savvy. I can tell already!

This is the outfit she came home in. It was a little big on her, but after one week, she is starting to grow into it.

I love her profile. It will always remind me just how tiny she is and how cute and dainty her little features are.

Alyssa and Mason always preferred, the NUK brand. Viv likes the Soothies that they give you in the hospital. I am hoping I have seen them at Target. My friend told me how I could fancy them up a little bit. Notice, it's as big as her face?

I love my little "Beefum" This is what Mason calls her. He cannot say Vivienne, he says "Beefum." Or Viv is "Beef." If we really get him to pronounce it he will, but then it's back to the name calling. It's grown on us.....she is our little Roast!

So tiny!

A ballerina in training. My friend gave her this tutu. It is the only dressy thing we have that fits her right now.

Step 1 - other steps (pictures) to come when Tricia feels better

Now it's really going to be tricky to get caught up

First things first.....
Alyssa was part of a very cute dance recital, back in April, yes I said April.
Then she had a very fun birthday and party with friends and family.(pictures to come as promised) I am so horrible working our scanner.
Bryan's graduation was next in line. Family arrived on the 14th of May. Friday, Art Museum, Rocky Statue. Saturday, New York City. Sunday, gave a talk on 'Finding Joy in the Journey.' Very appropriate for me considering I needed to reflect on just that under chaotic circumstances. After church, more walking, out at beautiful and historical Valley Forge. Monday, Amish country....Intercourse, PA to be exact. Much more charming than it sounds and will be a favorite pretzel hot spot for me for years to come! Tuesday, The BIG day! Graduation day! Congratulations Dr. Bryan Molen! What a momentous event for our family. Wednesday, said some goodbyes, did a little shopping. Thursday, Said more goodbyes, shed tears. Friday, now the 22nd, peaceful, relaxing, and an opportunity to finally get a much needed pedicure. Bryan did his best, but he is not a cosmetic podiatrist! :o) Friday, after pedicure.....contractions.....huh? My actual due date was still 4 weeks out and I still had 3 wks until my c-section. "I'm not going to the hospital just to be sent home".....my first thought. "My contractions are pretty close together, should I be worried?"....second thought. Go to hospital, get monitors stuck on.....tracking contractions. "Hmmm...strange. these are getting closer together, uncomfy too. They'll slow down.....(contraction) oh, maybe not"....third thought. By the fourth thought, I was having so many thoughts....."careful what you wish for, looks like I am not going home, I hope Viv is healthy, I am just rotten for asking for this, ouch......ooh, big ouch.......AHH, this really freakin' hurts (tears) get her out!!!! Dr. comes in, doesn't look like I am going to regress, so they prepare the OR for a c-section. At 2:30am on May 23rd, 2009, Vivienne Leslie Molen was born. It is also my Dad's 70th birthday today. And she is one month early. Now I will sit in this Hospital until Tuesday. I will have some time to figure out how to post some pictures for all of this past weeks excitement.....but maybe when the Percoset wears off.

Thank you to everyone who came to support Bryan and me for graduation. We really miss our family and wish they could have stayed two days later. But, I got what I asked for....an early, healthy baby....and the bonus is she is as cute as a button at 6lbs even and 18.5" long. She is my littlest baby....and she isn't strong enough to give a good scream yet....she lets out the tiniest little chirpy scream I've ever heard. I've fallen in love all over again! Thanks to so many good friends who have helped us out with this early delivery!

We are very blessed with the timing of things and to have our health. This is going to make our transition to Michigan much more smooth. And that she is healthy was the most important thing! Tomorrow, Bryan will be back with me at the hospital and he wants to help me get some pics posted!

Ok, these are some strong drugs I'm on.....getting loopy.....but I will get caught up! Good night!

So much to share.....

.......So little time. I am still alive. More to come soon!!!

Happy Birthday Alyssa!

It is true, Bryan and I have a seven year old! Wow! Time flies. My mother died when I was pregnant with Alyssa. My Mom knew she was coming before she left this life and was so excited for us. It was a blessing to have been pregnant with her at that time because she gave "new" life when life was taken. It kept me hanging on. I always told her to be strong and to help Mommy be happy, before she was even here! Well, it worked. From the beginning, Alyssa has always been very determined and eager. She didn't want to make getting here exactly easy on her Mom, but she arrived safe and sound. Some things that I love and admire about Alyssa: I love her curiosity to learn and discover. I love that she thinks of others and tries to make them happy when they are sad. I love that she is assertive and can really "get her way" in life. Sometimes, this attribute is a little tricky on her her parents, but will serve her well as she gets older! I love that she is a little prankster.....just like her dad. She is always pretending to attack me with a spider or something gross. I love that she is so inquisitive and thinks way beyond her years. Her ability to reason is incredibly mature. I love that she is the oldest! She is an independent leader and Mason and her baby sister do and will look up to her so much. She is a wonderful example to all of us how to get the most out of life! Happy Birthday Alyssa! We love you and are so happy you are in our family!! Happy Birthday Peanut! Love Mom and Dad!!!

Pictures to come (I have to figure out my scanner....uhg!)

Check!

I love to write lists and check them off. it gives me a great sense of accomplishment. I will even go to the extent of making my bed, then writing it down on my list just to quickly check it off. This gives me a good head start. I even write down, "Take shower, Hair and Make-up" for more things to check off. Ridiculous, I know. Sometimes, I get too far ahead of myself when I don't even have all the information i need to make lists to check. For instance, I started looking for places to live back in January, and I had no idea where we were even moving to. So you can imagine my frustration of not being able to Check that off my list. This is part of my impatient side......eeek. Well, this weekend, we found a place to live, checked out our new ward, and Alyssa's school. Check, check, check!!!! Things are really coming together! Now if I could just get my house put back together! Uhg!