The St George Carousel

One night, we were particularly restless so we got ready in our swimmie's and went over to the splash pad.  To our great surprise there was a legit carousel chilling in the park.  Rad right? Obviously we took Marilyn over to it and put her on immediately.  She loved every second, she loved listening to the Disney music playing as her horse road around and around.  She was screaming "Pan Music! Pan Music!"

The first time around she couldn't quite figure out where to wave...She waved to everyone except me...

Then She figured it out and got it every time after that! So sweet to see her face smiling right at me every time she passed me. 

The splash pad was fun too...She loved running wild and getting her hair wet!

And, she seriously slept GREAT that night...all and all, a perfectly fun summer night!

We Went To The Lake

As you know, it's HOT in St George and we are deep in the middle of a seriously hot summer.  Tom keeps telling me it's been a mild summer so far, but I say anything over 105 is too hot.  It doesn't matter if it is 107 or 115.  Anyway, one way we keep cool is going to the lake.  Marilyn LOVES playing in the sand and the water and building things with her dad! It is totally adorable to watch her figure out how to use her sand toys and bring water from the lake to the sand.  I have loved spending time outside this year.  We are tanner than we have been in years, and we are loving this summer!

Play Dough Fun

 

Uncle Jeff gave Marilyn Play Dough for her birthday and Tom found the perfect time to use it! Marilyn absolutely loved it! She made hats and tea sets and animals and people.  She couldnt' get over how it felt and that she could make it into anything...Tom was so adorable with her too! It was a fun moment to watch...

The Actual Birthday

Marilyn's actual birthday actually did come...and we were so lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa J here to celebrate with us! Of course we made a cake and Marilyn demanded we all wear aprons. She picked a funfetti cake with pink icing...it was adorable! She loved making the cake with Grandma J, she got to stir and lick the spoon...it was so fun!

Then we had to wait for it to bake...it was pretty hysterical because this picture was taken about 3 minutes after we put it in the oven...she REALLY wanted it to be done!

Grandma and Grandpa took Missy shopping at target to pick out a birthday present and this is what she picked...once she saw the horsie it was all over...nothing else had a chance!

I think the cake tasted as good as she could have imagined...she LOVED it and she was so happy when we sang Happy Birthday and she ate way way way too much cake and ice cream! But seriously, its her birthday...and the last celebration needs to be big!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! Since we had such an eventful weekend with Marilyn's party and tons of family, we took it easy on the actual 4th.  Marilyn went to bed on time and that means I did too...We did light off fireworks with some friends after these pics were taken, but I had to put these up on the blog because Marilyn picked our her own outfit...and seriously it's so Marilyn.  I had her dressed to perfection all weekend and then this day she picked this outfit...

We LOVED doing sparklers and Marilyn loved wearing not one but two tutu's for the event. 

Let the Celebration Begin...

Marilyn's birthday is on July 10th, so in the future I know that I will try hard to avoid celebrating on 4th of July weekend, but this year it made it nice because my family could come into town to celebrate with us.  It was a crazy fun weekend and Marilyn loved that Grammie and Far Far came to our house to play. 

The weekend started with an evening out at the St George splash pad, downtown.  We brought dinner and the girls ran around like maniacs until Marilyn literally asked me to go home.  It was a great way to start because we just sat around and chatted and ate way to much...like we Nielsens do...

Then the next morning, the PARTY started! We had a morning party, a morning breakfast party, a morning breakfast make-your-own waffle party.  It was super fun and we were so grateful that everyone came and had fun. 

Jeff and Tom were in charge of making the Orange Julius's (J and J 's recipes...which is rad that they let us use it)...basically they are delicious!

Marilyn seriously wanted to wear those pink shoes...I mean did she not notice her PERFECTLY planned and coordinating outfit to both the day and the party? Have no fear, she wore the perfect red patent leather loafers...

Marilyn got some rad gifts...Grammie made this for Marilyn's big girl bed.  She got sand toys, and Elmo movie, some pretty amazing sunglasses and this beauty set...

I think Marilyn loved most of all the time we got to spend with Grammie and Far Far and Cami...cause seriously...aren't they so so so cute?

We got Marilyn this trike...she loves it, but it's a little too big so all she can do is sit on it...One day, one day!

Marilyn's Birthday Celebration Begins

In true Jorgensen fashion, we celebrate birthdays big and for more than one day.  (We can't decide whether to celebrate for a whole week for kids, like we do for me...but it seems we did this year).  Marilyn's birthday is July 10, 2009.  This is what she looked like the day she was born. 

I wonder if a mother can ever forget the feeling right after her first baby is born.  I remember feeling relieved (that it was over and we were both alive and doing well), I also remember feeling grateful that we had such a beautiful sweet spirit that was ours.  I remember feeling nervous, what if I can't do this? But most of all I remember feeling the most love I have ever felt.  I felt a new kind of love for someone else, my sweet daughter, Marilyn Noreen Jorgensen. 

Other stuff I remember from that day:

* Marilyn's eyes were open from the second she was born until we were moved to our recovery room almost 2 and a half hours later

* I LOVED the water bottle the hospital gave me way too much

* We listened to Jewel's Lullaby CD for 4 hours while I was pushing, and now whenever I hear it I feel calm

* I remember my mom being there supporting every breath I took all night and day

* I knew Tom was nervous, but I never heard him worry out loud.  He knew I was nervous too and was so supportive and sweet for the entire 20 hours. 

* I remember Mar Mar and Far Far coming in to the delivery room MINUTES after our Marilyn was born...which was shocking but welcome. 

I am surprised that I don't remember more horrifying details of labor and delivery, but I guess that's our body's way of helping us move on. 

This is Mar Mar the Great (my dad's mom), we named Marilyn after her and we can only hope that Marilyn grows up to have as much spunk and love as she does for everyone and everything in her life.  She is SUCH a great example of giving.  I am grateful that our Marilyn has a someone as wonderful as my Mar Mar to look up to. 

Seriously, look at those eye balls! So amazing...