Introducing Paige Alayna Stagg!!

Yes, it finally happened. It was a bit faster/earlier than we anticipated. But now that she is here, we couldn't be happier. Paige's due date was August 30th and she was born on August 21st, the day after Addison's birthday!!

On the 21st, I went in for my weekly doctor's visit and my blood pressure was quite high...never been like that during the pregnancy. The doctor was very concerned. She had my blood pressure taken a few more times just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. It was high and she said, "looks like you're going to be having this baby today." Of course, I started to cry. I wasn't ready for this at all. We didn't bring anything to the hospital, Addison was in school...what do we do with her? I was scared and taken by surprise. We started the walk from the doctor's office down the hall to Labor and Delivery. We delivered at McKay Dee Hospital and my doctor's office happens to be in the actual hospital.

Labor was officially induced at about 11:30am. I had Paige at 6:12pm. I cannot believe how much she looks like Addison! She has Addison's nose (which is Brett's nose--so he can know for sure they are his girls ;) ) and looking at Addison's baby pictures, they really do look a lot alike. Paige has been a good girl and is such a joy in our home. I can't believe we were finally able to have another child. She is a blessing and I am so grateful to The Lord for allowing us to care and raise her. She was 6lbs 3oz, 18.1 inches long. Addison is loving being a big sister. She loves to hold and kiss her sister. I think she might be a little disappointed that her sister doesn't talk or play back with her. She loves to sing to her and Paige loves to stare at her.

So, not only did we have a baby, but we did have Addison's birthday. We decided to have her party the week before her birthday (good thing). She wanted an all girl party and she wanted to go swimming. We set up the blow up pool and let the girls go out side after doing a crown craft and playing some games. It happened to be a little cooler that day, so the girls didn't play too much in the water, but they had fun none the less. On Addison's birthday, we went to Chuck E. Cheeses. I am not sure what a child's facination is with that place, but I wanted this birthday to be special for her since this would be her last birthday without a sibling. She and Brett had a lot of fun playing the games.
The other event that happend this month was Addison's first day of school. She was so excited to be in 1st grade. Here are some pictures of her on her first day. Also, the only "belly" picture I have. Addison loved to kiss my tummy goodbye everyday. :)Well, that is all for now. I am doing well. Because of the preclampsia, the doctor is still monitoring my blood pressure. I guess it can sometimes get worse after labor, so she wants to make sure everything gets back to normal. It has been great to have such great friends and neighbors. Everyone is so willing to help and we really appreciate it all. It is so weird going from an almost independant child to a totally dependant child. Thank you all for your love and support!

One Crazy Summer!

I know! I know! It's been a long time since I've posted anything. It's been a crazy month. I get home and just want to get to sleep...and if I do have energy, I want to get the last little organizational projects done before the baby. But, today, I decided to get this done.

First, Addison was in swimming lessons this summer. She loved them! She is now sticking her head under water for 10 seconds in the bath tub and wants to be one her own with her floaties whenever we go swimming. Here is her kicking at swimming lessons.
She LOVES jumping in the water--even if I am not looking. She doesn't seem to mind to go fully under water-just as long as she comes back up. Here she is jumping into her teacher's arms.


Here is her holding up her Swimming Advancement Certificate.She finished her dance "season" right around the time that swimming started. Needless to say, I am so glad that it is over. I am not cut out to be a "dance mom". Because Brett is still out of a job....and the fact that dance is expensive and time consuming, Addison will not be continuing in dance. Instead she wants to try Gymnastics. It costs less, so we will see if we can squeeze it in the budget.

Here is her in one of her outfits holding up the flowers mommy and daddy gave her.


Here is Addison backstage at her dance recital.

Here is Addison posing for us...she LOVES to pose. Her recital was held at Weber State University.

Not only did Addison dance her little heart out at the end of June, but she danced a tooth right out as well. Here are some pictures of Addison and her 2nd lost tooth.
For the 4th of July, we went to Idaho for a family reunion. We had a lot of fun with my cousins from my dad's side of the family. At the end of the fun, Addison went to Casper, Wyoming (Brett and I's hometown) with her Nanna and Pa Howard (my parents). She had a lot of fun while there. She was there for about a week. Brett was able to go up to pick her up. It was so strange to be away from her. I really missed her! It was really strange for Brett and I to drive in the car and not have her in the back seat.

While in Casper, Addison went to Garden Creek Falls with her Stagg Cousins. Here are some picutres of her at the falls.





She was also able to visit Brett's parents. Here is a picture of her with Grandma and Grandpa Stagg and her Uncle Ben (Brett's brother).

On their way home, Brett and Addison stopped by Martin's Cove. Casper is only 50 miles away from this Historic Pioneer area. The Casper Stake was asked to help with getting the area ready for dedication. Brett and I were able to be apart of cleaning up the Cove to get it ready for it's dedication by President Hinkley in 1997. I had a great, great, great grandma in the Martin handcart company. So, Martin's Cove has a special meaning to me. We really haven't been back since then. Brett was excited to go back and Addison enjoyed it. Here are some pictures of her pulling a hand cart.
Here is Addison...again, posing...that is Devil's Gate in the back ground.
With Brett not working, he and Addison have been able to go out and do some fun things. One of those things was the 24th of July Parade in Ogden. Addison had a good time, but was disappointed that there wasn't a lot of candy. When we were in Idaho for the 4th of July, we went to the parade in Ashton, ID and they had a TON of candy. I think she still had fun despite that. :)



So, with me getting closer to delivery, my place of work threw me a baby shower. I asked Brett if he and Addison would like to come into SLC for it. I thought it would be fun--more so for Addison than Brett. :) So, they headed into Salt Lake and hit some construction traffic. Everyone slammed on their breaks. Unfortunately, the person behind Brett couldn't get his pick-up stopped in time and rear-ended Brett. Brett and Addison were okay. They didn't get hit very hard, however it gouged out some of the back bumper and it dented the trunk. The guy's insurance that hit us has been great. They got the car in and got Brett a rental car. They found that there was about $1200 worth of damage done! Who would have thought that a little rear-ender would cost that much. I guess it doesn't help that we were in a little Civic and he was in a pick-up truck. I am just very gratful that Brett and Addison are okay and that no other damage was done.
So, onto other news. Brett still hasn't been able to find a job yet. He has been getting more interviews, which is very encouraging. We are just trying to have the faith that things will work out and he will find something. I am very grateful that we are financially prepared for this and so it hasn't been as stressful as it could be. He has some freelance prospects, so we are hoping that something comes from that.

I am almost in my 38th week. I am ready to not throw up each day and to be able to eat. The end is near. Now I am getting nervous....we have no idea what to call the baby. We have some names, but none that jump out at me. I guess she will have to be born for us to decide.

Addison will be starting 1st grade next week! I can't believe she is that big. She is excited. She will also be celebrating her 6th birthday this weekend as well. Whoever said that time stands still when you are young and then speeds up when you get older was right. Brett and I have been married for 11 1/2 years and Addison has been with us for 6 years of that. It seems like she has always been with us.

Well, there is probably a lot of things that I have left out, but I will not bore you further with all the mundane aspects of our life. Good bye for now. :)