Our Christmas in Pictures

Christmas Morning...Santa came!!

The rest of the day was spent playing with Lizette's toys...

Saying goodbye to Aunt Abby yesterday. Lizette loves Aunt Abby!

It snowed last night! Finally we get to play in the snow again!

A Pink Pony and a Jump Rope

Lizette has visited with Santa twice now and has been very clear that she wants a pink pony and a jump rope for Christmas. Santa was very pleased to hear that her request was so nice and simple. However, when Santa went shopping for her jump rope, he found out that finding one might be a more difficult task than he originally thought. Shouldn't every Wal-Mart, Target and Fred Meyer on the planet carry jump ropes? You would think so, but this is not the case. Santa was worried. He found some online, but they were pretty plain. Not the caliber of jump rope he would have hoped for...especially for his sweet little Lizette. She needed a spectacular, pink or purple, very girly and fantastic jump rope.

The other night Santa decided to check out the dollar store. Maybe they would have some that would do. To Santa's delight, they had some that would more than just do. Oh yes. He found the most perfect jump ropes on the planet for Lizette. Disney Princess jump ropes! He almost cried tears of joy! Lizette loves the Disney Princesses almost more than she loves her mom and dad. This was going to be perfect! Belle, Cinderella, Ariel and Tinkerbell (another of Lizette's favorites). Lizette will get four jump ropes. And Santa only had to spend $4!

A Christmas miracle indeed.

Moments to Remember

Lizette received the most wonderful gift in the world the other day. A tutu from Aunt Lora! Two tutus in fact. One is for Lexi to use someday. Lizette puts one or both of them on every day and dances. Here she is pictured with her cousin Katelyn. Tutus make awesome dress up clothes!

Survival for me means being able to put Lexi in the baby carrier so that I can vacuum, do laundry, wrap presents...
Right now, I complain about my back hurting at the end of the day.
Someday, I will look at this picture and miss being able to snuggle with my little baby all day.

Jeff loves his girls. He loves to hold them when they are sleeping. They love it too.

So Much to Blog About!

Wow, have I taken a serious sabbatical from blogging or what? Honestly, these past couple of months have been pretty tough for me. Wonderful, but tough. Bringing Lexi home has been a joy, but it has definitely turned my world upside down and sideways for a while. (Upside down and sideways...is that a common saying? Or did I make that up in my head? Knowing me...probably the latter.)

Anyway, I've been feeling like a total wimp for being so overwhelmed with two kids! I'm around women all the time who have 4...5...6 kids and they seem to handle it just fine. I bring home baby #2 and go into a complete tailspin! Things seem to be getting better and I'm hoping that this was just a brief phase of insanity that goes with caring for a newborn. Someone...please tell me that's what it is! :)

Each day with our little Lexi is an adventure. She has been a little more fussy than what I remember of Lizette at this age. However, this may be due to the fact that she has to be left to cry for longer periods than Lizette ever did being our firstborn and having two parents that were available to pick her up at the first sound of a whimper.

Here is a story all of you mothers can relate to:

The other day at about 4:00, just before Jeff was due to get home, Lexi went into an all out screaming fit. Just as this started, Lizette said "I'm going!!", which means get me to the bathroom now. She has been doing great going potty on her own, so I told her to run to the bathroom and to let me know if she needed help. Two seconds later, I was covered in Lexi's spit up and Lizette was standing in a pool of pea in the bathroom. Two seconds after this discovery, all three of us were crying! Thankfully, after we were all cleaned up, calmed down and back to normal, I was able to laugh about it. I guess these are the things that I'll look back on someday and miss, right?

Well, I don't want to take up this entire blog entry whining about the challenges of motherhood. Some really fun things have happened too. We blessed Lexi two Sundays ago and it was a lovely day. Jeff did a beautiful job and Lexi looked like a little angel. She wore the same dress that Lizette wore, which my sister Abby crocheted. Totally sentimental and beautiful. We used the beautiful crocheted white and pink afghan that Hilary made for us this time! I forgot it when Lizette was blessed and I was so happy to have another opportunity to use it. Thanks Hilary...and sorry we missed using it the first time around.

Here are some pictures of that day:

Beautiful.

This is a typical portrayal of life at our house right now.

Happy family

We also had the annual Rigby family Christmas party at our house that weekend and it was a blast! Tons of kids and pure chaos, but still a lot of fun. We bought a bunch of already prepared food from Costco for the event, which made my life much easier. (By the way, the Pumpkin Streussel muffins from Costco are oh so yummy!) All of the little cousins made ornaments for Grandma and Grandpa Rigby who are on a mission in Houston right now. That was fun and they turned out so cute. The sister-in-laws made a craft, and the boys talked everything from politics to Tiger Woods.

We forgot to take very many pictures of the party, but managed to snap a few:

All the little cousins at dinner time.

Watching the family DVD that Jeff puts together every year.

Other things we have been up to:

Lizette and I at the Festival of Trees

Lizette got to meet Santa and she told him that she wants a jump rope and a pink pony for Christmas. She was a little too scared to sit on his lap, but very excited to meet him!

A sweet smile from Lexi

Well, that's it for now. I'll do more blogging and catching up soon...I hope!

Enjoy the Season!

Hi all! Long time since I've blogged...I know. Most days I don't shower before noon. Life with a newborn is busy to say the least! I wish I was prepared with a ton of cute pictures to post, but I'm not. Just wanted to say 'hi' to my handful of followers and let you know that I'm still alive. :)

I also wanted to tell you all to enjoy this beautiful season. Who doesn't love Christmas? I know we all do, but I hope we can all remember the reason we celebrate this wonderful holiday. The Savior who was born and died for us is at the center of our hearts this time of year. We love Him and honor Him and hope each day to be more like Him. He is a comfort when things are tough and our biggest cheerleader when things are great. Our big brother and best friend. His example reminds us of why it is so important to give to others and love them with all of our hearts.

December is going to be awesome! Enjoy it!

I'll post some pictures in the next few days...I hope.

I'm off to shower while I have a chance!

Jackie

Lizette's October

Hi everyone! Lizette here. My mommy has been pretty busy taking care of my baby sister lately and I've noticed that she is a bit behind in her blogging. So, I thought I would go ahead and bring you up to speed on what I've been up to.

My sister, Lexi, was born on October 9th. The day before my birthday! I really love her. She is so cute.

I turned 3 on October 10th. I didn't get much of a party because we were just getting home from the hospital. Hopefully, my parents will take the celebration up a notch next year. I realize Lexi was just born and everything, but come on people! You only turn 3 once for Pete's sake!

My preschool took a field trip to a pumpkin patch and it was awesome! I mean really awesome. We took a hayride and got to pick our very own pumpkins and see farm animals and lots of other fun things too.

Aunt Abby came to visit and we had a great time. She took me shopping and to lunch and it was lots of fun. She bought me lots of fun things and I must say that she has excellent taste in toddler's clothing.

One of the other highlights of the month was Halloween. Aunt Abby bought me a beautiful Belle dress up dress and that was my costume this year. I looked like a princess! Daddy took me trick or treating and I got lots of candy. I like Halloween.

Here are some pictures of me:

Alexis Rose

Surreal

Alexis Rose Rigby was born Friday, October 9, 2009. 7 lbs. 15 oz. 20 inches long. Healthy and beautiful.

The labor and delivery was long, but great. (No pain thanks to the epidural!) We had an excellent nurse coach us through the entire thing and she couldn't have been more helpful.

Jeff and the doctor talked a little politics and Fox News. Thankfully, the doctor sees things the way Jeff does!

I relaxed most of the day, eating ice chips and taking little naps here and there.

The doctor broke my water (finally) at about 1:30 and from there, things progressed quickly.

She was born with no complications and it couldn't have gone better!

I think one of the most amazing experiences in the world is becoming a parent. It's difficult to describe the overwhelming emotion and love I felt when Alexis came into this world. It was truly humbling. I love both of my little angels so much and am so grateful to have the opportunity to be a mother.

Here are some pictures of the big day:

I'm sitting here at 3:45 a.m. wondering how exactly it is that you are supposed to sleep the night before you know that you are going to be giving birth? I hadn't thought about that when we made the plan to be induced.

How do you stop thinking about the huge life change that is about to happen?

I wonder how Lizette is going to react tomorrow...

Did I stock up on enough diapers?

Will I get my much wanted epidural in time?

What will Alexis look like?

I wonder how Lizette is sleeping tonight at Jamie and Spencer's house.

It feels strange to sleep in our house without Lizette in her little bed.

I wonder if Lizette and Alexis will fight when they are teenagers.

I wish I could go back to the Moppet Togs consignment sale and buy more stuff for my girls.

I still can't get over seeing Nienie on Oprah. What an inspiration.

I wish my mom were here.

Do they have Wi-fi at the hospital so we can send pictures and stuff?

I don't know if we should get the H1N1 vaccine or not.

I hope Lizette likes her birthday presents. I need to remind Jeff to pick up her cake.

Wow, I'm tired.

I hope the labor and delivery nurses are as cool as last time.

I hope the doctor likes the gift we got him.

I'm so glad to be married to Jeff.

I can't wait to meet Alexis.

Tomorrow's the Big Day!

We are so excited to welcome little Alexis Rose! Pictures will be coming soon...

Ode to Cankles...

Today at the doctor's office, I took off my socks and Jeff was in shock to see how swollen my legs are. I hadn't noticed as much since I was able to wear sandals for most of my pregnancy. But now that the weather has turned cooler and I am wearing socks, it is funny to see the appearance of my "cankles". Yes, my legs look like I am wearing knickers or something. (Remember those?) Lizette was intrigued by the whole situation and kept staring at my legs as well.

Aaaah...the joys of pregnancy.

The good news is that we only have to wait a couple more days to meet our newest little angel! I'll be induced on Friday morning.

So long cankles! And heartburn. And maternity clothes. And uncomfortable sleep. And (the embarrassing problem you have to use preparation-H for). No, I'm not one of those people who think pregnancy is the most beautiful time. I don't even have it that bad either! I just complain about every little discomfort. I'm a selfish person basically. I like to be comfortable. I do love to feel the baby move and hear the heartbeat and see the ultrasounds. But, the rest....I could do without!

Wow, I'm really a whiner, aren't I?

:)

My Sidekick

Lizette at one month

Lizette at almost three

These last few weeks leading up to the birth of our second little girl have made me so sentimental about the time Lizette and I have had together. She has taught me more about life than I could have ever imagined. She amazes me every day. I look at her baby pictures and just cry because she is growing up so fast!

I think having your first child is always such a special experience because it is all so new. Everything they do is just amazing. You can't help but feel so proud of every little thing they learn and catch on to.

I am thrilled to be having another one and she will be such a joy for our family. I just wish I could go back and cherish every moment with Lizette one more time. I've loved my time with my little sidekick. I love you Lizette...my little stinker!

Love,
Mom

Grocery Store Etiquette

I just returned home from Wal-Mart not long ago and have to vent about my experience.

As I walked the aisles, it seemed that I could not get away from a family with three of the loudest, most obnoxious kids. Not toddlers. These were older, grade school kids. I mean, Wal-Mart is huge and if you can hear kids screaming from across the store, you know they are being loud. I tried to ignore them and focus on my shopping, but much to my dismay, I ended up having a slight run-in with them and their mother.

I was in the dairy section, trying to get to the sour cream. These kids were jumping around all over the place between the yogurt and other dairy products. I tried to wait patiently until they moved, but they and their mom were oblivious to the fact that other people may actually want to get to the products they were so rudely blocking.

Finally, I made my way around them to the sour cream. As I was reaching for my last pint, their mother pushed around me, stepped on my toe and reached up to grab some cottage cheese. I seriously thought I was going to blow a gasket! I mean, here I am 9+ months pregnant, trying to be polite, and she has the nerve to basically push me out of the way! She gave me a quick apology, but at this point I was furious. I grabbed my cart and headed for the bacon.

As I was walking to the meat section, I could see out of the corner of my eye that they were behind me and gaining on me. I decided that I needed to do something to inconvenience them just as they had been inconveniencing other shoppers all night. So I waited until they were fairly close, swerved my cart over and cut them off! They didn't say anything and probably were oblivious to this just as they were to everything else in the store tonight. But, I have to say that it made me feel better. It may not have been the boldest move ever made, but I was satisfied.

Maybe next time they will think twice about coming between a woman and her dairy products.

Ten Years

Today it has been ten years since my mom passed away.

My mom was a little giant. She went through more trials in her life than most people I know, yet she had the strongest faith and really believed that things would always work out...even in the worst of circumstances. She was so kind and gentle, yet tough when she had to be. She made everyone around her feel special and loved. She loved to laugh. She swore when she stubbed her toe and always blamed it on being raised in a logging camp. She would have fought to the death for any one of her children or grandchildren. She loved near beer. She loved church. She had friends from all walks of life and loved them all dearly. She loved to dance in the kitchen when good news came her way. When I wasn't accepted into a girl scout troop in the 4th grade, she held a grudge against the troop leader for the rest of her life. When my high school boyfriend dumped me, she took me shopping that night to get a cute new outfit to wear the next day so that he would regret his decision. I could go on forever about my mom.

I was telling Jeff today that I normally don't get very sentimental on this particular day of the year. It's not this day or her birthday or Christmas that cause me to miss her as much as all of the days in between. It's the days like Lizette's first day of preschool, or moving into our house, or feeling the baby kick non stop for hours, or completely ruining another dinner, or Jeff getting a promotion, or when I completely embarrass myself in front of someone (which happens all too often), or when I wonder why being a mom can be so hard...gosh, I could go on forever.

I loved sharing all of these types of things with my mom. My heart still aches to be able to just call her and talk. In fact, a lot of times, I do talk to her. Yes, I might be a little crazy, but I like to tell her about the events of my life. It makes me feel better. I think she would want it that way.

Wow, ten years...After she first passed away, I really didn't think I could survive. She was my best friend and I missed her so much. I still miss her and think about her every day, but I've learned that I'm stronger than I thought I was. She raised me to be strong and independent, and she definitely wouldn't want me sitting around feeling sorry for myself.

So, life has gone on. I married a wonderful man who is my best friend and whom I know my mom would just love. We are raising our family the best way we know how and she would be proud of that. She would be proud of all of her kids and grand kids and so happy about all of the fun things happening in our lives.

I know that I will get to see her once again when this life ends for me and what a fun reunion that will be. I imagine lots of laughter and tears and lots and lots of hugs.

Mom, I miss you dearly. You will be part of my heart forever and ever. Thank you for raising me the way you did and teaching me how to survive in this tough world.

I love you!
Snickelfritz

Pre-school

Our little sweetie started pre-school last week and she LOVES it. I wondered how she would do, being the shy little thing that she is. I stayed the first day to observe and I was amazed at how much she enjoyed it. It almost made me cry to watch the excitement in her face. This will be so good for her and I am beyond thrilled that she is enjoying it so much.

There are six families who have formed a co-op, so we each take a turn teaching at our homes for a couple of weeks at a time. I think it is going to work out great. Being sort of new to the whole pre-school thing, it's nice to be in a group with other moms who know what they are doing!

First Day of School!

Showing off her new backpack. (Possibly the most important thing she owns now.)

Lizette's Favorite Songs

(Before you hit play, scroll to the bottom of the page to turn off my playlist music)

"I Am a Child of God"

"Do As I'm Doing"




"Popcorn Popping"

Pudding Love

Homemade vanilla pudding. Oh, how I love you. You are scrumptious. I realize that I might be going overboard making 4 batches in 4 days and eating every last, yummy bite. But I cannot help myself. You are the last thing I think about before I go to bed and the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning. (Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but not much!)

A pregnant woman is entitled to at least one craving, right? With Lizette it was bacon. With this baby it is homemade vanilla pudding. Who knows where these cravings come from, but should we really deny ourselves and our babies of these delectable treats? I think not. Batch #5 is chilling in the fridge as I write.

Looking forward to more pudding...

Doesn't look like much, but Yum-O!

Gone in about 1 minute...

So sad that there is no more pudding...

Time to make more!

In case you would like to try this delicious sweetness, the recipe can be found on page 132 of the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. This is the version I use...I have it memorized:

3/4 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons cornstartch
3 cups milk
2 beaten eggs
1 Tbsp. butter
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix sugar, cornstarch and milk in medium saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly, then cook for two more minutes. Remove from heat. Gradually add about a cup of the milk mixture to the beaten eggs. Add egg mixture back into saucepan. Cook and stir again over medium heat until almost bubbly, then turn down heat and cook and stir for two more minutes. Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla and stir. Pour into serving cups. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and chill. (Whatever is leftover after pouring into serving cups can be easily devoured in about 30 seconds by taking a large spoon and shoveling it into your mouth as fast as possible.)