This Little Piggy

Scott and I LOVE to travel. In the almost five years we have been married we have traveled all over the United States, into Mexico and Canada, and have been on two cruises. We are constantly planning our next vacation and are hoping to go to Texas later this year and Hawaii next Spring. About two years ago we setup a vacation account we try to add to on a regular basis. Instead of buying each other Anniversary and Valentine gifts we put the money we would have spent into the vacation account. We also use this Little Piggy to supplement the account. All change we both collect goes into the piggy bank and when it gets full we deposit it in the vacation fund. It is fun to see how quickly we can fill it- it usually takes us about 3-4 months and averages about $50. Now that we have Miss Olivia our travel plans may slow down a bit, but I doubt we will be able to stay grounded for long. In fact-we should probably get in a lot of traveling in the next two years before we have to buy her a separate plane ticket.

Olivia Update

I need to change my blog title to "Ode to Olivia" since most of my post have been about her in the last three weeks. I figure since I am terrible about keeping a journal that this is a great way to record her milestones. Plus I know you really don't want to hear what else I have been up to (preparing taxes, getting my hair cut, cleaning out closets, washing bottles, laundry, etc) since it isn't really exciting. Other fun things are coming up!

Olivia was three weeks old yesterday, which was her original due date. She had a doctor's visit on Monday and she weighs 7 pounds 12 ounces and is 20 inches long. The doctor says that she is healthy and I shouldn't worry that she cries every time I change her pants. He thinks she will grow out of it. I tried to mousse her curls this morning after her bath, but they only lasted a couple of hours. It is now standing straight up and is completely out of control- but still awfully cute.

5 Years Ago Yesterday

I was going to write this post last night so that the post would be "5 years ago Today", but Miss Olivia and I fell asleep on the couch. Anyhow... 5 years ago yesterday Scott and I had our first date. We met on LDSSingles.com in early January 2004. I was living in Idaho Falls at the time and Scott was in Orem so we spent the first six weeks talking via e-mail, instant message, and telephone. After spending three weeks chatting online and another three weeks talking on the phone, we decided we should probably meet each other face to face. My cousin, James, who lives in Provo, had a mission farewell this weekend 5 years ago and so we decided that it was a perfect opportunity to get together. For our first date we went to dinner at Spaghetti Factory and then went to the BYU-New Mexico Basketball game. After that weekend we decided that we really did like each other and spent the next five months commuting back and forth between Utah and Idaho before we got married in July. It amazes me that it has already been five years.

Last night Olivia woke up hungry around 2:00 a.m. and I took her into Scott while I made her bottle. This is what I came back to: Miss Olivia and Daddy both sound asleep. I am so blessed to have them both!

Spring is coming (I hope)

I looked out my window at 6:20 this evening and it was still light and sunny outside. Earlier in the day I noticed that amidst the brown and yellow grass on my neighbor's yard there is a little bit of green popping through. There is Easter candy, dresses, and hats in the stores. To me these are all signs that Spring is right around the corner (at least I hope so because I am so ready for it).

Baby Olivia and her beautiful Grandma Hillman

(We miss you already Mom!)

Settling In...

So much for doing a post everyday in February... since we got home last Wednesday I have been terrible about getting posts up. Olivia and I have been trying to get into a routine, but are struggling on the sleeping/eating at night thing. Some nights she sleeps 4-5 hours at a time other nights it is only 2 hours before she wants to eat. I would like to get her on a more consistent schedule... any ideas?

My Mom came down on Sunday afternoon and will go home tomorrow. It has been really fun to have her here and also very helpful. I am finding that it takes me a lot longer to get anything done and she has been a huge help in taking care of Livy so that I can get my laundry caught up, my dishes done, and get a shower in. Plus Livy adores her... she just sits and listen to Grandma talk to her. Mom says she is a very content baby.

She changes a little bit everyday. Her little new born clothes are starting to fit better,she is very alert, still hates baths and having her diaper changed, and loves to snuggle with her daddy. I love this girl!

Happy Valentine's Day

I never thought I would be one of those moms that put big bows and flowers on their daughter's heads, but she looks so darn cute in them, how can I resist?

Happy Valentine's Day!!

We're Home

Yesterday was a really long day that started about 4:00 a.m. Utah time so I didn't get a post in last night. I did not realize how much work it is to travel with an infant especially at the airport. The poor people behind us were probably thinking we would never get through security with all of our stuff. Olivia was fantastic on the plane ride- she slept the entire time we were in the air. The lucky girl is only eight days old and has already flown across the country- I think I was 21 before I flew the first time.

When we got home last night we found our decorated with pink balloons, a big "It's a Girl" sign, and love notes to welcome Miss Olivia home. Livy was able to meet Grandma Magleby, Aunt Crystal, cousins Chase, Camaron, and Callie, Aunt Brittany and Uncle John along with cousin Emma, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Wally, and two of our favorite neighbors Lisa and Jessica. She can't wait to meet everyone else. I think the day was a little overwhelming for her because she had a rough night sleeping. I am hoping that she sleeps better tonight- I know her Mama could use a good nights sleep :).

Today my BFF Jeanna came to visit. It was so good to see her. We have been friends for over 18 years and she is amazing! We took a short trip to Quilted Bear to find hair bows (pictures tomorrow) with cousin Emma and Aunt Brittany.

Its good to be home!

Southern Belle

We are on our way home tomorrow! We fly out of New Orleans at 9:25 and should be in Utah around 2:00.

Our little Southern Belle is a week old today. In the past week we have learned a lot about our little girl: She loves to have her head and ears rubbed after she eats, she ends up on her side in her sleep, she hates having her diaper changed, and really really hates taking a bath. Here is a cute picture of her after bath this morning. If you look really close you can see her curls.



My dad is a big fan of the North and the South Series. Most of the houses I grew up had a southern flavor to them with large porches and columns. I think in a former life he was a Southern plantation owner, so I know he would have loved the plantation we saw today-Oak Alley Plantation. To complete the experience we had lunch at the little cafe on the property where we had fried catfish, sweet potato souffle and pecan pie.

Our first family picture.

Too much time on my hands

We heard today that Louisiana has our paperwork and should sign off sometime in the next couple of days. Our case worker is hopeful that we should be home by Wednesday. Olivia had a doctor's appointment today and she has gained two ounces. The doctor says she is healthy so we must not be messing up too much. Do all first time moms worrying as much as me?

My poor daughter has to deal with me having too much time on my hands. She is going to be sick of pictures by the time she is two weeks old!

The French Quarter

The French Quarter is only a 15 minute walk from our hotel and since it was another 70 degree day (and I really needed to get out of the hotel for a while) we decided it was the perfect way to spend the morning. We walked down Decanter Street to Jackson Square, saw the St. Louis Cathedral, ate beignets (french donuts) at Cafe Du Monde, watched boats on the Mississippi, and checked out the flea market. Olivia slept the entire time even with the loud Jazz music, the boat horns, and crowds of people.

Louisiana Day 5

Another uneventful day in Louisiana- we are definitely ready to go home! We ventured out for lunch and then spent a little time by the pool in the 70 degree weather. It really is pretty here and the architecture is amazing. I got some cute pictures of Livy in one of the outfits that cousin Emma let us borrow. So fun to have cousins close to the same age.

Baby Browns

Our fourth day in Louisiana has been a somewhat uneventful day other than we decided to change hotels. After we got the phone call that Olivia was coming on Tuesday we hopped online and found plane tickets, rental car, and a hotel at about 4:30 in morning. I should have spent a little more time researching hotels. This one fit the bill- it was close to the hospital, had a kitchen space, and was reasonably priced; however, when we got there it was a pretty much a dive. Since it looks like we are going to be here for the next several days we decided needed to comfortable. We are now in a Residence Inn in downtown New Orleans, which is much much better! I am really excited to do a little exploring tomorrow. We are about six blocks from the French Quarter and there are some fun old brick buildings right across from the hotel. We might as well take in some of the sights since we are here.

Now for the real reason you all are reading my blog: Miss Olivia. We were finally able to get some pictures of her eyes today. Aren't they beautiful? I love this brown eyed girl!

Our Louisiana Home

Today we were able to bring Olivia to our temporary Louisiana home- An Extended Stay America in Metairie, Louisiana about five minutes outside of New Orleans. The people here are so friendly and they are so excited for us. Our nurses in the hospital were fantastic. Utah has our paperwork and should be sending it back to Louisiana tomorrow. Hopefully they will look at it and send us home tomorrow, but I am not holding my breath.

Olivia has slept most of the afternoon and I have been content to just lay and watch her. It is finally sinking in that she is ours. The last several days have been a blur and it has been nice today to relax and take in our precious little girl.

In addition to her really long fingers she has really long skinny feet and legs (luckly girl), which she likes to keep crossed as she sleeps. As you can see from the picture she is darkening up a little bit. I didn't realize that African American babies are not born completely brown. Her little ears are the color of milk chocolate and, according to the nurses, she will probably be that color in 2-4 weeks. She is a cutie!! (but I might be a little biased).

Olivia Pics

As promised I have attached some pictures of Miss Olivia. Our birthmother signed off today and so Olivia is officially ours. We got to spend the afternoon with her in the nursery. We will get to bring her home (at least to the hotel) tomorrow around noon. We are unsure when we get to come home home, but we are hoping by middle of next week. She has her daddy wrapped around her little finger already.

Its a Girl!!

Olivia Dawn came into this world yesterday morning around 7:45 a.m. in New Orleans. She weighs 6 pounds 5 ounces and is 19.5 inches long. She has a ton of black hair and beautiful brown eyes. She has really long fingers so I immediately thought she is going to be a piano player but Scott has decided that she is going to be a basketball star. I forgot my USB cord in Utah so I can't post pictures right now, but will be adding some later today.

The Call

My phone rang at 4:17 a.m. this morning- our baby is on its way today. We are headed to New Orleans this afternoon at 2:35. Stay tuned for updates.

A Month in the Life

One of my scrapbook magazines had a really fun idea of taking a picture each day for a month to show what happens in day to day life. Last month I decided I was going to take this challenge and instead of doing a scrapbook I would do it for my blog. So bear with me for the next month as I give you a glimpse in the day to day life of the Magleby's.

Tonight Scott and I got to talk to our birth mom, Janel, on the phone. I am so grateful for this amazing woman that I have never met. We then went to Babies R Us and walked around looking at all of the stuff we are going to need to take care of this baby- a little overwhelming, but definitely very fun. The only thing I bought tonight was a cute yellow giraffe and some baby laundry soap. Its a start...

An Answer to Prayers

Scott and I tried for over three years on our own to have a baby before we started the adoption process a little over a year ago. In some ways those three years were really tough. On the outside and for those who don't know us well, it probably seemed that we had the perfect life- We had each other, we had a beautiful new home, two great jobs and we traveled and played constantly. But what many people didn't see was the strain that not getting pregnant was putting on both of us and how it was affecting our marriage and our relationship. We did (and do) have a great life, but we both knew something was missing.

In January last year we made the decision to start the adoption process. I don't think either of us realized what a process it would be. It took months of paperwork, background checks, and interviews before we were finally approved to be adoptive parents. It then took a couple more months for our on-line profile to be published. We were then told the agency was doing a new website and that we would have to redo our online profile that just took us two months to get published. You get the picture.

It seemed to me about once a week I would hear of a child abuse case (either locally or nationally) of a child who was beaten, killed, starved, or sexually assaulted and I would get so angry. Why couldn't one of those babies come to our family where I knew they could be loved and taken care of? I would say to myself we are trying to do everything that we are supposed so why can't we get the one thing that we so desire? Why are my prayers not being answered? I don't know that my little human mind will ever understand all of the whys.

About a month ago a friend from high school (who I haven't seen since I graduated 13 years ago) found me on Facebook sent me an e-mail that said something like this: "I know this is totally random, but I saw on your blog that you were trying to adopt. I follow another blog and there is a set of African American twins (a bog and a girl) that need a good home. I thought of you." I immediately went to the agency's website and saw that they had seven babies that were in need of families and that the average wait time for placement was 1-3 months. That night Scott and I decided we needed to work with this agency. We turned in our paperwork and our new profile about three weeks ago on a Wednesday. The following Friday, I received a call from the agency asking if we were ready to be included in a matching. I was completely amazed. About the same time, my sweet husband changed our normal prayer to the following: Heavenly Father-we really want to have a baby in our family, but if we are not supposed to please help us understand why. We found out why on Friday.

Our baby will born in Louisiana around February 25 to an amazing young woman named Janell who knew that she would not be able to give this baby the life it deserved. She is unselfishly giving us something that we can not do our our own- a Family. We don't know at this point if it will Nathan Scott or Oliva Dawn, but we couldn't be more excited.