It's a GIRL!

"Some women are drippin' with diamonds,

Some women are drippin' with pearls,

Lucky me! Lucky me!

Look at what I'm drippin' with

LITTLE GIRLS!" ~"Annie"

After a few trips to Fetal Foto, today I finally found out what we are having. And of course, it's a girl. This is FOR SURE my last pregnancy. I officially decided I do not make babies very well. I've been on bed rest for the past three weeks because of a placenta abruption (placenta tearing away from uterine wall). And it sucks. Both of my last pregnancies were pretty crappy (toxemia with Hailey and c-section from hell with Aubrey). Making babies isn't really my thing. Three kids is it for us and as it turns out, three girls is what heaven sent.

Although I'd really have liked a boy, I am good with girls. My daughters have been the highlight of my life and more fun than I could have possibly imagined, I'm happy to have another little drama queen / dancing machine in my heart. Poor Ben had all sisters and now all daughters. Good thing he's such a great guy. He has attended many tea parties and has almost perfected a pony tail. Hopefully the teen years don't kill him off . . . that may be rough, but I think he can handle it.

I'm ready for a little girl , now if I can just get her here safe and sound.

Rock-a-bye Hailey

Many of you know that we have struggled with Hailey's sleeping terrors for about two and a half years now. We have tried everything known to man to help her with this. We tried regular doctors, counselors, therapists, etc. We did foot-zoning, hypnotherapy, aroma therapy, herbs, etc. We even tried parenting classes and hypnotherapy and counseling for us. You name it, we tried it. Every specialist (mainstream or not) said two things 1) this is a "special case" and 2) she is by all accounts a regular child (with major sleeping issues). Many docs said she would grow out of it.

While we were in the middle of all this, Ben told Hailey that if she slept through the night for 30 days he would take her to Disneyland. Well, for a year and a half a Disneyland sleeping chart hung on Hailey's wall providing no incentive for her. She slept in our room for over two years (the docs said to make it as uncomfortable as possible, so she slept on our floor with one blanket all this time).

Then, one day she said she wanted to go to Disneyland. She knew the terms. Low and behold, she started sleeping in her own room. Needless to say after 30 days it was time for us to pay up. We made a quick (10 hour) drive to Disneyland and had a great time. She was so proud of herself and told everyone at Disneyland why we were there and that she had earned it!

Powell Princesses

I love this picture of Aubrey! This her first time to drive a car. She was determined to do it right! I think her look of sheer concentration. It makes me laugh so hard because this is EXACTLY the face my mom makes when she is uptight and trying to concentrate! I can't wait until Aubrey is 16 and I blow this picture up and hang it on the wall when she gets her license.

Should I be worried that both my girls LOVE to drive cars?

The gals and Pluto! I love that they are still at the age to get super excited to see the characters.

I took this picture our first day. She looks so grown-up next to her daddy. I am so happy that she finally has some peace of mind when she sleeps.

Aubrey's 5th Birthday

For a year Aubrey begged me to have a Hawaiian birthday party. Finally in March, for her 5th birthday, she got her wish. We decked out the house in Hawaiian/Luau theme and had a great time. Each little girl came in her swimsuit and received a lei and grass skirt. Then they received a flower for their hair and a shell whistle after completing the games. We learned a real hula, surfed on a real board and did the limbo! All the girls were darling and Aubrey still talks about his great party!Surfer girl!

Aubrey's Surf Shack

Aubrey and The Hulas.

Dance, Dance, Dance!

The girls joined a new dance studio this year, Jean Taylor Studio 1, in Farmington. I really like the studio, so do the girls. This year Aubrey took ballet and tap. She was darling and loved it. Hailey tried something new. She auditioned for a competition dance team. She did hip hop and jazz. She trained very hard for her competition and did a wonderful job!

I love watching the girls dance. I did ballet for about 14 years, although I was never a fantastic dancer, dance is so much a part of me and a lot of my life was spent in a dance studio. I firmly believe in the benefit of girls in dance. One of my greatest joys is having my girls dance.

Christmas 2009

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year! I love it, and then when it is done, I'm so happy that it is over. It's perfect! Here are a few of my favorite picts from the Christmas season this year!The girls are getting so big now, it is a blast to take them places. No strollers, they can walk pretty fast, it's great! Here we are at the lights at Temple Square. It was a fun night.

Best Christmas Angel ever!

Mary with baby Jesus. (Okay, baby Jesus is HUGE!)