3 months old

Hard to imagine our little Jaida is already 3 months old. She is the sweetest thing! Her brothers absolutely adore her. They often fight over who gets to hold her, feed her, sit by her, you get the picture. They love entertaining her to, she is very patient with them and hardly ever complains. She recently loves to be in her exersaucer or her "throne" (Bumbo chair). I never had the Bumbo with my boys.. it is awesome! Thanks to my wonderful Grandma Colleen who got it for me. She loves to sit in it and watch her brothers play!

Her check up with the dr. went well she weighed a whoppin' 13 pounds! Yahoo! She is in the 60th percentile! We also found out the results from her sleep study. Not so good news. She is back on continual oxygen. She had some desats in her oxygen levels as well as several apnea episodes, both central and obstructive!

We are trying to stay positive, it gets hard sometimes. I feel like sometimes people think that because she is home we are just fine. We are, don't get me wrong, but we have our moments. I am glad they they are just moments though. For the most part I have really been proud that I have done so well. I never pictured life like this, but I wouldn't have changed anything I have gone through. I feel like I can do hard things and have learned who I can rely on. My faith in God has strengthened and I know he knows me and loves me. I just feel like I need to write these things down so that one day when I look back I can remember the good things that came from the hard things. I have so many blessing and often find the tune, "Count your many blessings" come into my head.It is so true.

I realize that many other people have way harder challenges in life and to others this may seem like a piece of cake. I am in no way complaining. I love life, I love my family and friends. So many people here in Maryland have reached out to me as well. It is incredible the support I have here, even sometimes from complete strangers.

I know that my prayers have been heard and answered. Not always the way I thought they would but they do get answered. I need to write this story down too: When Jaida was in the hospital, I was having a really hard time one day. Every time I went to visit her she would be asleep. I felt as if she wouldn't know that I came to see her, or even know I was her mother. The nurses would always say things like,"as soon as you leave she is wide awake for us!" This was devastating to me. I felt so bad. I was laying in bed that night and was saying my usual prayer that she would get better and just come home soon. When I had the feeling that I was praying for the wrong thing and that I needed to pray for more specific things. That night I told my Father in Heaven what I was feeling and that I just wanted her to know me and know that I was her mother and that I was coming to visit her. When I arrived at the hospital the next day She was awake and looked right into my eyes. I started crying. She stayed awake the entire 3 hours I was there visiting. We just gazed into each others eyes. I knew that my prayers were heard and answered. I know that it sounds simple and dumb, but it wasn't to me. It meant the world.

Sorry to go on a little tangent, I just had to write these things down so I can remember them.

I thought this was a SLEEP study?

On June 14th Jaida and I had a girls night out together. We stayed at the Mt. Washington Hospital so that she could have her sleep study that we have been anticipating for some time now! We arrived at the hospital at 8:30. They checked us in and then began preparing her for the night. The plan was for her to start off without oxygen to see if she still needed it!

After they hooked her up to 50 million leads, cannula, other nasal insert, pulse oximeter, etc.. the restless night began. Jaida was a good sport and was happy even though she was being bothered and had some uncomfortable belts and wires everywhere, not to mention the sweet head wrap they did!

A peak at the electrode board! Sheish!

Well it was a rough night. She was tossing and turning all night. The nurses came in and out what seemed like every ten minutes. I can't believe they think that it should resemble any other night. Are you kidding me? After only like and hour of her off oxygen they came in and turned on the oxygen and said that she needed it. I was so discouraged. I have been hoping that this would tell us she was over her apnea.. NOPE! It was a rough morning, they woke us up at 5 Am to tell us time was up and to go home. I was so sad for my baby girl. I felt horrible, had no sleep and was emotional to top it off! Hopefully she will be able to get off of it soon. She is back on oxygen as long as she is asleep... which is pretty much all day long. They tell you to not get your hopes up, but it is so hard not to. We just want what is best for Jaida and can't wait for the day when she is off FOR GOOD!

Toys Story Disney Store

Ha, ha! This is one of those moments when I think I was more excited for this day then they were. A couple weeks back while at the mall the lady at the Disney Store was hyping up this upcoming Saturday when they were having a Toy Story event in honor of the new movie coming out.So I kept reminding the boys of it through out the week letting them know that they could dress up in their Buzz costumes and go to the mall. The lady had told me to bring a camera because their would be a "unique" photo opportunity. I thought oh they must behaving a character come to the store! Hahaha .....

I guess I thought wrong! As you see this was our "unique photo opportunity"! hahahaha I almost had to laugh out loud when we arrived and saw this. I am sure I looked pretty funny that My kids were completely decked out in costume. arriving 10 minutes early for this event because I was sure that their would be a huge amount of people attending!

Doesn't he look so thrilled!

Here is proof that we were the only ones who showed up! hahaha! Well at least the boys had one on one attention for the craft time that they provided! The boys still had fun, I guess that is all that counts right!

The National Zoo

While my sister was here we went down to the Washington, D.C. National Zoo. I had been there once before when I was a little girl and remember thinking it was amazing. Well true to form, it was pretty cool.

My favorite part was seeing the gorilla baby. So cute. I also loved watching how the mom was trying to get away from the baby, she would hide and then when it found her she would let out a sigh. Comforting to know I am not the only mother who does this!

What is better than waiting to hold Panda poop. Yes, my boys were so extremely excited to get to hold it. YUCK! What is with boys obsessions with bodily functions.. I didn't see one girl waiting in line to hold it.

Pierce and Brock were sure excited to see the Pandas. They were out and super active which was nice. They are such amazing creatures.

It was a pretty hot day and a lot of walking. Thank goodness they had those misting stations all over the place there. In fact I asked my boys what their favorite part of the zoo was and they said getting wet in the water, go figure.

Annapolis

On Memorial Day we drove down to Annapolis and walked around. Since moving here our boys have been dying to ride on a "ship"! That is all they talk about. Not sure where they came up with the obsession. Anyway, so we thought with family here it would be a perfect opportunity.

We grabbed lunch before boarding our ship at the highly acclaimed Sammy's Deli. Our sandwiches were pretty tasty and would have never thought to put a slice of Granny Smith apple on a turkey sandwich. It was good.

Once aboard our ship the boys were so excited. They were pointing out everything!

Don't mind my awful booty shot. We had a great time. We were sad to have this day end. It meant my parents and Cam would be leaving. :( We were so glad to get out an explore more of where we live. We love having visitors.

Gettysburg

I love this picture.. totally makes me laugh. It looks like Pierce is flinching from the cannon being shot or something!
After Jaida's Blessing we decided to take a nice Sunday Drive to Gettysburg, PA. The ride was not as long as I had expected and quite peaceful actually. It was really neat to visit the place where so many lives were lost in order to give us our freedoms.

This was the battle that had the most causalities in the American Civil War. Pretty incredible!

Over looking the battlefield. It really is so gorgeous there.

My dad insisted on getting out to see who the statue was and of course the boys had to tag along!
The ride back wasn't so peaceful. My mom was sick, the boys were restless and it seemed like it wasn't going to end. We drove downtown Baltimore afterward to show Camron the ghetto and where Trent works. My mom fertilized a tree and we saw the Sun Products plant, Cam just started working for them in Utah.

Good News Update

First: Brock had his allergy test for his peanut allergy. He had to go in to the doctor and eat peanut butter under supervision, to make sure no reaction! It was pretty funny the doctor asked him if he was ready to try peanut butter and he said," I am allergic!" anyways he took it and said,"mmm... this is yummy tastes like cookies!" After waiting for two hours... drum roll please..... No more Peanut allergy! Yahoo! To celebrate we had Thai peanut chicken for dinner and peanut butter cookies! One more thing to cross off my list of worries! Hallelujah!

Second: Today after talking to Jaida's doctors.. they advised us that she is now able to be off her oxygen during the day! SUCH A RELIEF! It is such a hassle carrying all that around. Not to mention all the planing you have to do since each oxygen tank only lasts like 5 hours. WE ARE THRILLED! I am sure she is just as happy to get all that off her face! Next goal to get off oxygen for good!

Blessing our Sweet baby girl

We blessed Jaida Mikelle Belliston on May 30, 2010 while all my family was out here visiting. It was a wonderful day. Trent gave her such a beautiful blessing and I couldn't help but cry!

We had a great get together after with a party that Pierce designed the menu for. Hamburgers and hot dogs with watermelon and salads. It was a sunny day and turned out perfect. We had support from family and friends including Greg and Ameri Belliston and kids, Jayme and Katie Blakesley and kids. My family and Trent's parents too.

It is hard to get a family picture these days.. especially when for some reason my eyes are closed in all of them. Not sure why!

Jaida wasn't cooperating for pictures either.. I think she was just glad that we took those blasted oxygen stickers off her face for the day! we also removed the oxygen for the pictures.. I am sure she was glad to have those cannulas out of her nose!

Her Dress was absolutely beautiful, my mom brought it from Utah. When Pierce saw it he was so excited and insisted on laying it out the night before, socks and shoes too! He is the best big brother, he loves her so much. Brock is a great brother too.. always singing to her and making sure I don't forget about her. He is constantly saying when she cries, " get over there and take care of my sister mom, she needs you!"

We are so grateful to have her in our family, she really is such an angel in our lives!

NinnyMa

We have been anticipating the arrival of my sister and Camron forever it seems. They finally came Memorial weekend. We were so excited! We were hoping to take then to the beach with us but the weather wasn't cooperating. So instead we decided to take a Short drive down to Washington, D.C. since Cam hadn't ever been there before.The kiddos and Grammy and Papa Russ, and of course the Washington Monument.

At the Lincoln Memorial...

The house where Lincoln Died! Love that we are all smiles about that!

My mom, Jaida, and I. Trying to stay cheery as we carry all her gear around, man that can get heavy carrying her oxygen and monitors everywhere. I am getting pretty buff!

Ford's Theatre, we didn't go inside because you have to pay and the line was so long to get in. Not exactly something that the kids would enjoy anyway! I would like to go back someday and see it!

Jaida being a trooper. We pretty much drug her around everywhere and she didn't complain once!

NinnyMa and Pierce at the National History Museum. He wouldn't leave Cam's side. He has been talking about taking Cam to the museum for a good month.. can you see how excited he was to finally be doing that!

We had a great time and great food at Potbelly's. It was so much fun having my sister here and Cam. They met Jaida for the first time!

Baltimore Harbor

Our Cute little family at the Baltimore Harbor, Behind us you can see Ft. McHenry, the birthplace of the National Anthem.

After visiting the Aquarium, Trent met up with us and we ate a fabulous dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Then we walked around the harbor and showed my parents the sights. We found a place to run through the water fountains. At first the boys were shy. Then Papa Russ had the great idea of running through stroller and all, and then to our surprise Pierce ran through them. He was laughing so hard and having the time of his life.

Brock after running in the fountains. He was so wet that he couldn't keep his pants up. It was hilarious to watch him try to run.

One of the many fabulous moments of Pierce laughing. That kid is all about having a good time. He has the best laugh. I just love it!

Papa Russ and the boys in the fountains!

Planning their next move!

So cute to see him having a fun time.

Papa getting the boys warmed up! Man he is crazy, but that is why we love him.

*Another funny thing was when my mom and I were walking a little ways behind Trent, who was holding Jaida, we could hear other peoples comments about her. One lady said," oh look how tiny that baby is, she is on a feeding tube. She is see the wires that go into that backpack. Oh, she must be pretty sick." I laughed out loud and wanted to yell silly lady that is oxygen not a feeding tube!

When we were in the aquarium we walked by a little boy who yelled to his mom, " Hey mom look that baby has a Mohawk, did you see that?" Pretty funny!

The National Aquarium in Baltimore

This past weekend my family visited us for Memorial day. We haven't had a lot of opportunities yet to get out and explore Maryland since moving here for obvious reasons. I have had a list of things I have wanted to let the boys do. One of them being to go tot he National Aquarium in Baltimore. We actually ended up buying a year pass there because it is so AWESOME! As you can see my parents flew in, this was my Dad's first time meeting Miss Jaida. The aquarium has so many interesting things, and an amazing dolphin show that the boys couldn't stop talking about. Pierce's favorite creature was the octopus.

Eating lunch in the harbor.

Jaida and Grammy. This was a great day! The boys were exhausted and fell asleep as soon as we left the place.