Little Lady

In honor of our Little Lady Aliyah turning one month old, let's revisit the day she joined us.

Some where around 6-6:30 a.m. on August 20 (two weeks and one day before my due date), while still in bed, I realized my water had broken. We went about our morning (no contractions). I finished packing my bag and tossed a few things in a bag for the kids. Rob got the kids up and fed them breakfast. We dropped the kiddos off at a friend's house at about 9 and headed to Ogden Regional. Still no major contractions.

My doctor was out of town, which I knew before hand. The nurse reminded us that with this delivery being a VBAC (my third VBAC), my deliveries are considered "high risk". She consulted with the on call doc at the clinic and got the go ahead to start pitocin. The nurse kindly, and as gently as she could, also had to remind me that a c-section still might be needed (precautionary measures). In my mind I did my best not to let those words psyche me out.

At about noon, pitocin was started. I wasn't set on getting an epidural. However, at about 3:30 opted for one. When time came to push and the doc came in, it was discovered that our baby girl was sunny side up.

What?!

That's when I had to again force the word "c-section" out of my mind.

The doc handled the situation marvelously. With every push, he was able to turn Aliyah a little bit at a time to get her into the proper position.

This is when I was extremely happy that I got the epidural!

With the baby in position, we were able to welcome her into our arms just a few pushes later. At 5:21 p.m. our precious Aliyah Leilani was born.

This is the first baby I've had near family. It has been nice that they can be more involved than with my previous babies.

We've received an abundance of love and support from family and friends that I am extremely grateful for. Meals, gifts, meals, and gifts. Friends that have Dyl over while the older two are at school allowing me to have quality alone time with Aliyah, or with my pillow.

Flowers to beauty my home.....

Decadent chocolates to indulge .............

(Shhhh! My kids don't know about these treasures!)

MANY thanks to those near and dear to my heart.

I am savoring every minute with this little precious soul.

Every minute..........

The big 13

Today, September 14, marks our 13th wedding anniversary!

It's tradition for Rob and I to each take an anniversary to plan (usually keeping it a surprise) and we alternate each year. This arrangement has worked out very nicely for us.

A couple of times, I've been swooped away for a surprise over night get-away. Sometimes it's been a very enjoyable evening of dinner and a movie.

One of our most memorable anniversaries was 2 years ago, September 2007. We had just moved to our current home the month before. I was in charge of the planning this particular year. The plan was to go on a family bike ride to a nearby park, then to a mini church carnival. The next day, we were going to bring the kids to my sister's to stay the night and enjoy a pleasant romantic day at Temple Square alone, with out our precious children.

On Friday, September 14, Rob, the kids and I set off on our family bike ride. We arrived at the park and enjoyed family time there. Unfortunately, that's where the fun ends.

We didn't make it to the church carnival that night. The kids didn't stay the night at my sister's house so that Rob and I could enjoy our romantic day together.

You see, there was an accident at the park.

Rob just happened to break his collarbone while doing a jump on his bike. That put a quick end to our weekend of celebrating.

This year there were no broken bones or misfortunes. With a new baby to love, we didn't have any big plans. In fact, sadly, we aren't even together on our anniversary. Rob had to leave town for a business trip.

However, Rob's mom planned to come for a visit on Saturday so we used that opportunity to escape for a couple of hours to see a matinee. Yes, we actually left all 4 kids!

We ventured out and enjoyed watching this movie together.


Then we returned home to grill some hamburgers and enjoy tasty smores with our kiddos.

The kids produced a fabulous photo shoot.........

What's a family photo shoot without at least one silly picture?

Our low key celebration turned out to be just perfect. Rob and I had some fabulous alone time, and then got to celebrate with our beloved children. After all, our life, our marriage, would be so different without these little amazing souls.

It was a Happy Anniversary indeed. I'm looking forward to many more......

What were you doing.....

8 years ago from today?

(pic found on creativecommons.org)

How did you find out about the terrorist attacks?

I was living in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Parker was about 21 months old. My phone rang early, at about 7 am. It was my friend Laurie.

"Jamie! Have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"You need to turn on the news and see what's happening."

So I did.

Needless to say, my plans of going to the mall that day didn't happen.

My story is mild and boring compared to other's. I'm actually incredibly grateful.

So many lives were strongly affected that day. Forever. Yes, the events of 9/11 affected my life, but nothing like other people who lost loved ones.

I am richly blessed in my life. Today is a significant reminder that I have much to be thankful for.

What were you doing on 9/11/2001?

Our New Love

Introducing.....

Aliyah Leilani Donigan

What's with the name?

The name Aliyah (ah LEE yah) has a few different origins; Hebrew, Arabic, and Swahili. My favorite meaning is from Swahili which is "exalted".

Most people know that Rob is from Hawaii. A couple of his siblings have Hawaiian middle names. We liked the idea!

Leilani (lay-LAH-nee) is a compound Hawaiian name. Lani meaning heavenly, spiritual, majesty and lei which is of course a garland or necklace of flowers: hence "heavenly flower".

We welcomed Aliyah into the world on Thursday, August 20 at 5:20 pm. Two weeks early! Today (Sept 4) was actually my official due date. No complaints here!

Aliyah weighed 6lbs 14 oz. My biggest baby! She was 19 inches long.

Daddy enjoying some quiet time with our little lady before the visitors started to arrive.



Parker, Lexi, and Dylan were SO excited to meet their new little sis. They were beaming. I was beaming watching them.

Throughout my pregnancy, all three of the kids found a name that they loved and wanted to name their new sister (besides Peanut). The name that Parker fell in love with was actually quite fitting for him. Are you ready for this............Parker wanted to name his new sister Blaze. Sounds like the name of a basketball team, or a race horse. Doesn't it?

Parker actually got this name from my friend (thanks A LOT Sarah H.;)). Apparently her dad wanted to name her Blaze. She shared the story with Parker and he, of course, thought that it was the coolest name ever.

Then we have sweet Dylan.

Dyl was sitting at the table one day, by himself, enjoying a snack.

He looks up at me with an "AH HA! I got it!" look on his face. Then he says, "Rock Star! Mom, that is what we should name the baby, Rock Star!"

How could I not chuckle at that one?!

It gets better.

Dyl was at the doctor's office with Rob, Aliyah and I. He asks me, "Mom, what's Aliyah's middle name?"

I answer, "Leilani."

Dyl sweetly replies, "So can her last name be Rock Star?"

I tried to nicely explain to Dyl, without crushing him, that her last name is the same as the rest of ours.

Oh, how I love this boy!

Next, we have our lovely Lexi.

Alexia has been so EXCITED for this moment. When she could finally have a sister!

Rob and Lex were looking at baby names on the computer one day and they came across the name........Aliyah. They both liked the name. This became Lexi's top pick. Right there next to Parker's "Blaze" and Dylan's "Rock Star".

Delivery day comes. Rob and I are in the hospital. Our sweet baby girl is born. We still don't have a name. Aliyah was on the list of three names we considered. (No, the other two were not Blaze and Rock Star.) We didn't finalize until the next day. Aliyah Leilani Donigan. We are pleased. :)

As for nick names, she already has several. Rob likes to call her "Ali" (i.e. Allie). Parker claimed he was going to call her "Blaze", but hasn't happened much. Lexi often calls her "Li Li" (lee lee). Dylan has pretty much stuck to "Aliyah". My nick names consist of Ali, Love and Little Lady.

Aliyah did not enjoy her first "sponge" bath. Do they ever?

The nurse brought our perfectly smelling sweet treasure back to us all snuggled up, burrito style, with a pretty pink bow in her hair.

We were able to pack up the day after delivery to head home. This cute little red outfit was the same outfit that Alexia wore home from the hospital. After we pulled it out of storage, I showed Lexi. She beamed and asked, "Can it be the first outfit the baby wears too?" Great idea, Lex. Great idea.

With our car all packed up and Aliyah dressed to go, Rob and I waited for her to come back from her final tests and assessments. Then we would be free to go.......so we thought. Our departure was delayed for a couple of hours.......

But we FINALLY snapped her in and hit the road for home!