4th of July with the Trevino Family

The Fourth of July is such and important holiday - it is hard for me to express the love that I have for this country. We are so lucky to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. My Dad instilled in me a great sense of patriotism. He taught me to love and deeply respect this country and I hope that we can instill the same things to Emily. I am so greatful for our founding fathers who had the courage to place God at the center of everything this country did - our politicians of today would do well to remember this idea as well. Everywhere you look Government is asking us to remove God from everything and I think that is why we are in the turmoil that we are. Our founding fathers knew what they were doing when the established this country with God as their partner and knew that with God, all things are possible. I am so greatful everyday for our troops who willingly put themselves in harms way to defend this country and our freedoms. I LOVE this country - LET FREEDOM RING!!!!!

This is our 4th of July celebration with the Trevino family. First we attended church because the 4th was on a Sunday this year and then we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Trevino's for a BBQ, swimming and fireworks.

This is Enrique as he was setting off the fireworks. Emily was mesmorized by them, she didn't even cry - a few times she jumped from the sounds (but I do that sometimes too).
Rayne, Paige, Christian and Sierra watching the fireworks.

Grandma Trevino, Emily and Darla waiting for the firework show to start.

Grandpa Trevino, Daddy, Darla, Grandma Trevino and Emily at the neighborhood celebration at the park right behind Grandma and Grandpa Trevino's house. The Anthem association does all kinds of celebrations in this park for the community. It was complete with a bounce house, all kinds of food booths and of course water games.

Our patriotic Family!!

Grandpa Trevino always finds cool hats to celebrate the holidays, here he is with his Patriotic dreds.

Grandma and Grandpa Trevino trying to entertain Emily.

Rayne, Auntie Lori, Sierra and Paige. Auntie Lori has a application on her I-phone that distorts pictures to make you look chubby. We all took a turn having our picture distorted - even Emily.

Emily getting her picture taken to be distorted.

Emily and Uncle Evan - Evan always has so much fun with Emily. He is so much fun to watch with her, he will make a great Daddy someday. Uncle Evan just lights up when he sees Emily.

This is Daddy enjoying the swing in Grandma and Grandpa Trevino's backyard. There is no better way to celebrate our Independence day than with family, friends, BBQ, swimming, fireworks and a nap.

Auntie Lori, Darla and Lulu enjoying the sun on the 4th of July.

Christian enjoying the family and fun on the 4th.

Emily's New Pool

Emily got a new pool on July 5, 2010. We decided this would be a fun way for Emily to cool off at home during the HOT summer days in Las Vegas. Grandma and Grandpa Blackburn came over for dinner and then we all went outside to watch Emily in her new pool. Daddy had fun playing with Emily in her new pool and Mommy had fun taking pictures of it. Grandpa Blackburn took tons of pictures too. We all kept laughing and giggling - Emily had a blast. We are hoping that this will help transition Emily so that she will enjoy swimming more next time we are at Grandma and Grandpa Trevino's house. Emily really likes her baths now - which has not always been the case so we are hoping that she will just kind of think that this is a really big bath tub. Emily gets a little fussy in the evenings so we are hoping this will help during those times. It is so much fun watching Emily with all of these "firsts" - we are enjoying her so much, we don't really recall what life was like without her - amazing how fast we just forgot what is was that we used to do.

Emily's First Swim

The weather in Las Vegas has been warm lately. We've had unusually cool weather so far. There has only been one weekend where it has been really hot and we were so jam packed that weekend that we did not have time to go swimming. So, we decided to take Emily to Grandma and Grandpa Trevino's to try swimming. Auntie Lori bought Emily this really cute bathing suit and I was worried that it wasn't going to fit her for too much longer so we had to get a swim in while it would still fit. We got her this really cool floating toy that has floating fish in it for her to play with and sunshade so that we can keep her out of the sun. This time I think that we just got Emily at a bad time, hopefully she will begin to like the water!! Enrique and I love to go swimming and living in Las Vegas it is a necessity in order to keep cool. Emily screamed almost the whole time that we had her in the water, it was a little windy too (and Emily is not a fan of the wind). She did not stay in too long, just long enough to get some pictures and then we got her out and she was happy!! We'll try swimming again soon.

Emily's Blessing Sunday; April 11, 2010

Emily Marie Trevino was blessed on Sunday; April 11, 2010 in the Silverstone Ward of the Tule Springs Steak in Las Vegas, Nevada by her Uncle Matthew Lee Blackburn. I asked Uncle Matt if would bless Emily and he said yes! Matt had not had this opportunity yet and I thought that it would be neat for him to do it and I knew that Grandpa Blackburn would not mind Uncle Matt doing it - I am so glad that he was willing to do it. I also thought that this would be neat for Emily, thank you Uncle Matt for being so willing to do it.

Emily's blessing dress was a struggle for her mommy. I wanted it to be just right and I really hope that it is what Emily will appreciate one of these days. We had this beautiful dress that I actually picked out one of the times we were in Mexico for Maddy. Maddy did not end up using it but Katelee did use it and Aunt Hilary was very willing to share it with us. I worried that it was way too big, Emily is such a tiny thing that I worried that she would slip right out of our hands wearing it (I know, I am a first time mom and I realize that this is really unlikely however that is what I was worried about). So, I was contemplating what to do when Grandma Blackburn found the dress that I was blessed in. This dress has stood the test of time quite well, just yellowing slightly. My struggle with using this dress was I didn't know if later in life Emily would think that this was neat or just think that it was silly. So, when Grandma Blackburn sent me a picture of a really cute dress that she saw at Dillards that was reasonably priced, I told her to get it. That is the dress that we used for Baby Emily's blessing - I hope you like it little angel.

While we were getting Emily dressed for her big day Grandma and Grandpa Trevino got to the house. Shortly after that Grandma and Grandpa Blackburn arrived with Uncle Matt, Aunt Anjali and Maddy. So, we were able to get pictures before we left for church. Good thing we did because Emily pooped all over her white dress right after we got home from the blessing, this was the first time that she "blew" through an outfit (now she does it multiple times a day).

Here is the happy little family on Emily's big day!

Here we are with Grandma and Grandpa Trevino and Grandma and Grandpa Blackburn.

Here is Emily with Uncle Matt, all ready for her blessing. After taking pictures we headed to church. There we were met by TONS of family and friends. Those who attended were: Grandma and Grandpa Trevino, Grandma and Grandpa Blackburn, Uncle Matt, Aunt Anjali, Maddy, Kathy Kundanani, Grandma Hybarger, Aunt Hilary, Uncle Chris, Ethan, Katelee, Aunt Lori, Uncle Evan, Aunt Marisa, Uncle Steffan, Elon, Sierra, Christian, Aunt RaNae, Uncle Jim, Tayler, Aunt LaRaine, Uncle Ben, Heidi, Kolby, Logan, Mason, Allie, Rylie, Jean and Andy Williamson, Jerry Wiese, and Brent Kamerath. Those that stood in the circle with Uncle Matt were: Grandpa Blackburn, Uncle Jim, Uncle Ben, Uncle Chris, Jerry Wiese, Kolby Kartchner, Jake McMahon, and Biship Prince. Uncle Matt gave you an amazing blessing Emily, in it he told you that your parents were very excited for your coming and he told you that you could come to your parents with any problem that you have becuase your parents have prepared for this opportunity. He told you that we are good parents and you have good examples all around you. He advised you to surround yourself with good friends that are good examples as well. He told you to be open minded to all religions and all beliefs, he told you that you are strong and that you could overcome any illness that you may have. He told you that you would be a good example to all that you meet. He blessed you that your father loves you very much and that you would find a great mate that will love you like her father loves your mom and that will treat you like the princess that you are. It was a beautiful blessing. I am so greatful for family and friends that are a good example to us and for the support that give to us. I am greatful to be a member of this church and for the wonderful things that I have learned by being a member. I am thankful everyday for the person that I have become by following our Savior's example and I hope that you discover these same feelings and blessings as you follow His example. We love you Emily.

Emily is born March 15, 2010 at 2:22 a.m.

I woke up Sunday, March 14, 2010 around 6:00 a.m. and realized that I was having contractions. They were bad enough that they were keeping me awake and I did not want to keep Enrique awake, so I got up. I started doing things around the house, getting some things done for church. Then I started getting things together for baby Emily who was being induced on March 17th at 10:00 p.m. We already had Emily's bag ready but I began to realize that I might need my bag ready sooner than I thought. Enrique woke up around 10:00 and was going to start getting ready for church when I told him that I was having contractions and they were about 10 - 15 minutes apart. I then told him that we weren't going to church because I did not think that I would make it through, they were hurting too much and I knew that I was not going to be able to sit in the chairs at church. Enrique was pretty excited about this new piece of information . I decided that I was going to take a shower to help with the contractions. Well, Enrique sat in the bathroom while I was taking a shower so that he could time the contractions for me; meanwhile he was eating his ceral while he was sitting on the toilet timing contractions and calling all our family to tell them the progress. After I got done in the shower I started to clean the nursery and get the craft room ready for mom so that she would have somewhere to sleep when she would be staying the night with us. Enrique was vaccuming and running in to where I was so that he could time the contractions. Once we got all of that done we decided it was time to get something to eat. So we sat down and ate a little bit and then the contractions got really bad and were only a few minutes a part and that is when Enrique decided that we should head to the hospital. We got in the car and started driving to Summerlin Hospital and calling everyone on our way. We got to the hospital and they checked me and called the doctor. We didn't get to have Dr. Bartholomew deliver Emily because it was a weekend and we had to use the Dr. that was on call, Dr. Spoon. When the nurses called and gave him my stats he wanted me to go home and wait a bit and come back later; but the nurses gave me the option of staying a little longer to see how things progressed before I got clear home. They figured I would just be heading back anyway. Well, we got to the hospital about 4:00 p.m. and the nurse finally talked Dr. Spoon into admitting me. She came in and told me that she could tell when a woman was in labor and I was definately in labor, so I was admitted. I was glad because we had come to the hospital when they told us to and I was not sure how we would know when it was time to head back. They got me to the delivery room and we waited for the anesthesiologist to give me my drugs. I would not let anybody in the room until I had the epidural so this picture was taken when I would let everybody in the room. Enrique was so excited when I let others in the room because then he got a break. He had to fan me the whole time and I was squeezing his hand - and he even said that I hurt him a few of the times.
Everybody was pretty excited when they got to leave the waiting room and come into the delivery room for a change in scenery.

Here is everyone waiting in the waiting room. Dad doesn't even look comfortable sleeping on this couch.

Excited Grandma, Grandpa and Aunts.

More excited family members......I don't know if these smiles ever left their faces. Matt had to take Dad home before Emily was born so they were not there when she was born. Matt was sick until he got the call that Emily was here all right - see Emily had gone to the bathroom before she was born so they were going to take her NICU once she was born. So, Matt knew some of this and he was worried about both of us and he worried so much it made him sick.

Daddy is always funny and he loves football so here is the pose, he is waiting to catch Emily.

She came into the world at 2:22 a.m. at 17.5 inches long weighing 5 lbs. 13 ozs. She was tiny but oh so precious!! We both loved her right away! True to what the nurses had told us Enrique got to hold her for a minute and I got to see her and they had to take her to the NICU to check her out. Enrique got to go with her there and our moms stayed with me while they finished getting me all taken care of. Emily's nurse came in after about 10 minutes or so to let me know that everything was going better than they expected and that she had the most beautiful eyelashes ever. I could not wait to get to hold her for myself.

Then, I got to hold her myself!!! It was love at first sight. I was so excited to get to meet the little one that I had just worked so hard to get here. At one point I told them I just couldn't do it, I am not sure what I thought was going to happen then. But my nurse, Kathy, told me to suck it up; I was the only one in the room that could do it and I had to be strong.

Enrique loves his little girl with all of his heart!! He loved getting to be with her and holding her. His first words to his littel angel were: "I promise to be the best Dad I can be." Then Enrique said that my first words to Emily were: "Hey sweet pea! I love you!" Good thing Enrique could remember what I said because I did not.

We had a good hospital stay. We had tons of visitors including some people from work. So, Emily arrived at 2:22 a.m. I did not get to my room until about 4:30 a.m. and then the nurses were in there trying to show me how to nurse and everything so needless to say Enrique and I did not get much sleep before we started making all our calls to everyone to let them know that our angel had arrived. I was so looking forward to the night for sleep and then the fire alarm went off - they get that off and decide that they need to make some VERY loud announcements over the PA system. We had just gotten Emily calmed down and asleep when the fire alarm went off, then she had just gotten calmed down from that when they made the announcement. I couldn't wait to get discharged from the hospital so that we could get some sleep. After the announcement they came and got Emily for some more test that had to be performed 24 hours after she was born so they came and got her at 2:30 a.m. and then shortly after they got Emily back to the room they came in for some tests for me. I was so excited Tuesday morning when Dr. Bartholomew came by and told me that we could go home.

Enrique immediately began getting Emily in her outfit to come home in. It was so cute to watch Daddy get his little girl ready to come home. Here she is all ready to come home.

Here is Emily all ready to come home, she looks lost in her car seat. We are so excited to be parents, I am not sure if we are really ready - but we will do our best!! We love you Emily Marie Trevino, don't ever forget that!! We have waited a long time for you to join us and we are so excited that you are finally here!

Preparing for Baby Emily

Here is Emily's finished bedroom. Well, really it is still a work in progress. We hope that she really likes this room because we spent a lot of time getting it ready for her and making it just right. Thanks to Marisa and Lori we got the best furniture ever and we got an amazing deal on it. There was a baby furniture show in town while we were on our cruise. So, we left money with Marisa and showed her and Lori pictures of what we liked and had in mind for the nursery and they picked it out for us and Lori talked them down on the price -- thank you both soooo much!! Marisa said it was very very stressful and she is not sure that she would do it again. A lot of the items in the bedroom were gifts from my Baby Shower; we were so blessed to have gotten so many things from everybody. Emily is lucky enough to have a walk in closet. So along with both dressers being FULL of clothes so is her closet -- and I haven't even bought that much for her -- I know that is hard to believe. My favorite color is purple, so there is a huge purple presence in her room. We also have pink because she is a girl after all!! I also love flowers and butterflies so there are lots of those in the room too but we also wanted animals in the nursery too.
Here are the flowers and butterflies that Daddy hand painted on the wall for Baby Emily. Daddy is somewhat of a perfecitonist so things had to be just perfect. We bought a stencil for these and they were not turning out like he wanted them to, so he did them all by hand. These are all over all of the walls, so there was a LOT of time invested in painting them there. All done with love by a Daddy who already has his little girl wrapped around his finger and she was not even born yet!! Who knows what else he will do for her -- time will tell, but watch out!!

This is a close up on one of the flowers.

Before Emily was thought of this room was used as the junk room. You know how most houses have a junk drawer, well we had a whole room dedicated for it; and it was full!! There was a lot of cleaning and getting rid of things in order to prepare for Emily. I was on a role nesting and it was very frusting for Enrique -- I drove him nuts trying to get everything ready. By the time I was done we took three truck loads of stuff a.k.a junk to D.I. Matt and Dad came over one day to help take it all down there. Once the room was cleared Austin loved to be in there, especially once we started getting the furniture in and getting the painting done. Austin was always in there like he was helping Enrique; sometimes we were worried that he was going to have paint all over him because he just loved to sit right next to the wall that was just painted.

This is how Enrique taped the flowers and the butterflies in order to paint each one. Notice that it is all little tiny pieces of masking tape arranged to the design. It took Enrique hours just to prep let alone the time it took him to paint them. It is rough being a perfectionist, and when there are two in the house look out!!!!

Enrique always loves to pose for the camera, here he is painting the room.

This was taping and preping for the paint to begin. The whole process was so draining. First there was deciding what we wanted (flowers, butterflies, animals and the list goes on and on) then there was picking colors that matched and would look all right together (we must have come home with at least a hundred paint swatches) then we spent hours holding up the different colors then comparing them to each other and talking about a design. Then there was the prep of the room, then painting, then laying out the design, then painting. And we won't even go to how long it took to arrange the furniture in there just right! Then there was hanging the curtain rod, the curtains, the flower sconces, the pictures on the wall, the monkey on the wall, the cross stitched items on the wall, getting the crib stuff all on, installing the ceiling fan (which Enrique and Matt surprised me with), laying the rug in just the right spot and the hours and hours of folding and arranging clothes!! Thank you to Hilary, Anjali, Lori, Marisa, Sierra, Tayler, Maddy, Katelee, and Ethan for helping with that process.

Mom and I made her blanket for her crib, because I could not find one that had all of things on it that I wanted with the colors and everything. Well, I will be honest Mom really made it and I helped every now and then. I also received a lot of beautiful blankets from customers at work; including a beautful quilt and a rag quilt from Aunt Beth. Emily has lots of blankets to keep her warm, all made for her with love by family and friends.

This is Mom getting the quilt ready and below is me picking out one of our mistakes. This blanket alone took us hours and hours to prepare and make. There were a lot of confusing nights trying to figure out how to make this blanket just perfect for our little angel!!

All things aside we had a great time getting the nursery ready for Baby Emily - we made a lot of memories in the process. We hope that our little angel enjoys her room, Mommy and Daddy worked hard on it for you and we wanted it just right and perfect for you, we love you!!! Enjoy your bedroom Sweet Princess!