The Larsen Family Blog

A Few Favorite Summer Photos..

2009-08-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

These are some of my favorite pictures from this summer. Alana has grown so much, so fast. Her first year has flown by, I can't believe it!

Sorry

2009-07-28T20:22:00.001-07:00

I have to apologize that it's been so long since I have posted anything. We have been really busy lately. Mandy was married on July 22 to Matt Olsen and it was a whirlwind planning. They are now enjoying themselves on a Cruise to Mexico. We have also been working on buying a new house in Herriman. It's a beautiful house and we were able to get it as a forclosure. The hard part has been getting everything squared away with the bank and our loan. We were lucky enough to get our garage put in, since it was a model home before, by the bank, so we don't have to pay for it! We hope to close by this friday, July 31. At the same time we have been working on selling our current home, which we haven't yet, but hopefully the right person will come along soon. We have definitely felt the Lord's hand blessing us through this process and know that we are making the right decision.

This past month Jenny turned 26! Whoa, she's getting old. Also, just recently, Alana has taken her first steps. Last night she just stood up on her own and took three steps to Jenny all by herself! What a milestone and what a big girl she is becoming! We love our sweet baby so much and are filled with so much love for her all the time. She is our little angel from Heavenly Father and we are so grateful for her and the joy she brings to our lives.

Rusty also had a milestone this month, it was his first time swimming! We were able to go swimming with some friends on the 24th of July and right after we arrived at the pool Rusty jumped right in to play with Christian without realizing what he was getting into. It was very funny and he loved playing with us in the water.

Some of the things that Alana has been doing lately that I love are (in no specific order):
1. Talking and making sounds through a crooked half open mouth.
2. Growling like a monster, all the time. Especially with Daddy.
3. Standing up all by herself.
4. Laying her head on my shoulder when she's really tired. So precious.
5. Dancing whenever she hears music. She's definitely got rhythm.
6. Eating more grown up foods cause she has 4 teeth now!
7. Answering questions we ask her and sometimes making sense, ha ha!
Ex. Jenny: Are you a monster? Alana: Ya! Rahhhh!
Mike: Alana? Alana? Alana: What.
Mike: Did you swim with rusty yesterday? Alana: No.
8. Being able to copy movements that we do with our hands and sometimes mimick sounds.

There are so many things I love about our sweet Alana. I promise that I will soon catch up with more pictures and videos.

I love video!

2009-06-15T22:28:00.001-07:00

Video seems to capture so much more than just a single photo can. I love being able to catch little moments of Alana's life that make me smile. Here a some of my recent favorites...

Visiting the Cousins

2009-06-15T22:10:00.000-07:00

We had the chance to visit Kaiulani, Amora, and Julien a couple weeks ago. We had a nice time visiting as we took a walk to the beautiful Draper Temple. We stopped to take a few pictures of the babies together.

Monster Baby

2009-06-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

We have been so busy lately and I haven't taken the time to put up all the pictures and videos we have taken of Alana. She is such a sweet girl and is getting smarter, bigger, and more grown up every day. I love this little video of Alana being a monster. She loved to make growling noises. You can see her starting to crawl a little bit here.

New Favorite Pictures

2009-05-18T15:18:00.001-07:00

Here are some of my new favorite pictures.....

Hangin' out with dad...

Hangin' out with Mom...

Ridin' in the stroller...

With Rusty underneath...

And, YES! She's crawling! On her feet =), but nonetheless crawling. Video coming soon!

8 Months Old!!!

2009-05-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that 8 months have passed since I received this little angel to be my daughter. It has gone by so fast and she has grown and learned so much. These are the pictures we had taken to give as gifts for the grandmas (and myself) for Mother's Day. I can't help thinking that Alana is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen, but I'm sure all mothers think that of their children. =)

House for Sale

2009-05-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

Well, here is our finished product after fixing and cleaning and staging our house for a month. We finally have a "For Sale" sign posted on our lawn. And although we are sad to possibly be leaving our awesome neighbors, we are also excited to possibly be starting a new adventure in a new home. We will keep you posted on what happens.....

Here are some pictures of our house.

Swimming with the Cousins!!!

2009-05-06T14:52:00.000-07:00

Alana was able to go swimming in a pool for the first time! We visited the cousins while they were staying in a hotel and had a great time! Alana looks so cute in her baby swimsuit.

Good Weather

2009-05-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

It was so nice this past month to have some warm weather so Alana could play outside while Mike and I worked on the house. Mike has done a great job making our house look great and this is one of the many projects he worked on.

Pulling daddy's hair after he worked all day.

Alana wanted to help work on the house too. =)

Cute Outfits ;)

2009-05-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

This is a crocheted head band that Alana's Uncle Christian made fore her. It looks so cute. Alana loves Uncle Christian. Here is a video of them playing together.

Movin' and Groovin'

2009-05-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

Alana has been growing so fast!!! In the last month she has learned to clap and scoot backwards on her tummy, and she is trying with all her might to start crawling. She is such a joy to have around and never fails to make us smile and laugh.

In the blink of an eye...

2009-03-14T17:18:00.001-07:00

My mom put it best, that " if you blink your eye you could miss it." I sat Alana down on the floor on Thursday and was letting her play. I was right there ready to catch her in case she tipped when I realized she was catching herself before she fell. She had never before sat for very long until today when all of a sudden she could do it! It amazes me how fast she learns and grows. It really does happen "in the blink of an eye."

Poor Sweetheart

2009-03-14T17:08:00.000-07:00

Alana came down with a cold again last Friday and it became worse on Monday with more frequent coughing, so I called the doctor and made an appointment. We went on Tuesday and the doctor tested her for RSV, and the test came out positive. I was so sad. Fortunately, the doctor said I may have saved her because I was sick before her and probably gave it to her, which means my body made antibodies to fight the cold. So, she had developed a very mild version of RSV, so mild that the doctor didn't feel she needed any of the 3 medications he usually gives to help. He said it was the most mild case he's seen! We were so relieved, but have been really trying to help her get over this by running the humidifier, sucking out her nose often, and having her sleep in this car seat. She is now feeling much better than before!

Undefeated Scrabble Champion!

2009-03-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

Okay fine, we've only played three games in a row that I(Jenny) have won, or been on a winning team. But undefeated nonetheless! We had a good Sunday at Tutu and Papa's house eating steak and playing games. I wish I had a picture of the steaks, they were huge!

What a good boy!

2009-03-14T16:26:00.000-07:00

This is Rusty after getting a bath. He's got a shiny, clean coat! Of course his beard is all scraggly already because he got a drink of water. Ha ha!

So I feel bad that we haven't been giving Rusty as much attention lately, so here are some pictures and a video of Rusty doing all his tricks! Rusty has been such a good dog to Alana, even if some times he runs away when she reaches for him. He is warming up to her a little more now and will come up to her and sniff for a few seconds before he runs away again. He is a good buddy and I hope eventually he and Alana will become best buddies.

When I grow up....

2009-03-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

So I just love this picture because I think it's funny and cute that Alana had one foot up on the high chair, and also because her toes are pointed like a dancer.=) I just know she is going to want to dance (I hope=). Of course, maybe she will want to sing too. Lately, once we start driving to go somewhere in the car, she starts exercising her vocal chords like she's singing. Maybe she learned from hearing mommy singing in the car, ha ha!

Jenny's thoughts....

2009-03-07T13:34:00.001-08:00

I have recently been inspired by my friend, Nikki, to share some of my thoughts about this new chapter in my life as a mom...

It is amazing to me every time I think of when I was in the hospital and how everything played out in Alana's birth. We had planned to birth her naturally, with no drugs, because we felt it would be healthiest and best for her. We were thrown off a little when our plans were turned upside down and we needed to have a c-section. Though at the time it was scary, I am so grateful for our doctor's judgement and I am grateful that Alana is here and well. I know that Heavenly Father was watching over us and taking care of me and Alana. The first time I saw her little face peering over the curtain above my stomach, I cried, and felt my chest fill with a deep love for her. It's amazing how that happens. I was so grateful to be able to see her and know that she was here with us.

Becoming a mom has definitely been a change from the life I knew before. I have had to redefine who I believe myself to be. I have been through times where I wondered what I was thinking, taking on such a responsibility and losing all the extra free time I selfishly had, to now feeling that there is nothing more important and awesome in my life than being a mom and spending day after day watching my sweet daughter learn and grow. I love that she knows I'm mommy and reaches for me now. Mike and I love watching her fall asleep and seeing our Heavenly Father's love in her. I feel like she is growing so fast now and that every day time is passing me by and I don't want to miss any of it. I want to learn every little detail about her and memorize it so I can remember forever.

I have also enjoyed watching Mike become this amazing dad. I love when he plays with Alana because I can see how happy she is with him and how much she loves and knows him. He takes such good care of us and works so hard everyday for us. I love Mike so much and my love continues to grow for him all the time. I feel so blessed to have his love and companionship. It truly bears witness that my Heavenly Father loves me to have blessed me with such a perfect family.

Utah Jazz Vs. Houston Rockets

2009-03-05T14:15:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night we were able to go to the Jazz vs. Houston game. It was an Awesome game!!! The Zone, a sports radio station, gave the gun store free tickets to the game to get them to adverstise on their radio station. The cool part was that we watched it from a suite!!!

They had lots of food for us to eat. If you look closely you can see that Mike's sandwich has a different type of bun holding it together. He was happy he could eat.

There was a cute little boy sitting with his parents in the suite next to us. He kept staring and smiling at Alana. Alana just ignored him and watched the game. Hopefully that's what she will do until she's 25. =)

It was a long night for our sweetheart and she fell asleep for part of it. Dad is holding her and trying to cover her ears from the noise.

It was a long, fun night!

6 Month Checkup

2009-03-05T14:04:00.001-08:00

Alana had her 6 month check-up on Tuesday. The doctor said everything looked great! She's doing everything she should be doing; reaching, rolling, grabbing, strong neck, seeing better.

She weighs 15 1/2 lbs, and is 26 1/2 inches long!

Sadly, she had to get 3 shots this time. 1 shot in one leg and 2 in the other. After the appointment, she had a nap and was back to herself in no time!

This is what Alana had to say about it all.

Jenny's New Do

2009-03-02T13:15:00.001-08:00

I got my hair cut in December, so it's somewhat grown out now. But I love having it shorter. It is definitely easier to blow dry and I think it's a new mom thing to need a change.

Alana LOVES Rusty!!!

2009-03-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

Lately Alana has been reaching for and laughing at Rusty. I think she's going to love animals.

Valentine's Day Baby

2009-03-02T12:23:00.000-08:00

Alana loved this rose, but really she just wanted to eat it.=)

Tutu and Papa bought this cute Valentine's sweater for Alana, and mommy and daddy bought the rest of the outfit!

Bowling with Christian

2009-03-02T12:16:00.000-08:00

There is no charge for Awesomeness!!! Or attractiveness!

Strike!!! Of course. =)

My best bowling isn't shown here, but that's because I had to force someone else to videotape me if I wanted to be recorded. I guess I'm the designated photographer/videographer.

I eat big girl food!!!

2009-03-02T11:58:00.001-08:00

Before...
After!!!

Alana started eating baby food after her 4 month check up. She now eats rice cereal, bananas, apples, sweet potatoes, carrots, and prunes! Yummy!

Christmas Time

2009-03-02T11:41:00.000-08:00

What?!

Shhhhh! She's sleeping...

2009-03-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

Baby Play Time!!!

2009-03-02T09:43:00.000-08:00

What a good Uncle Christian!

Alana has such a strong neck! She always arches her back to look at what's behind her.

Alana thinks Daddy is funny!

We had Alana's friend Eva over a couple times to babysit. She loved having another baby to watch and play with.

This video was taken in Las Vegas in our hotel room. Our furniture isn't quite that fancy, ha ha!

I just love the shot from the back cause her cute little feet are sticking out.=)

Alana was 5 months old in this video and rolled over all by herself for the first time!!!

Alana loves to pose for the camera!!!

2009-02-27T15:09:00.001-08:00

Cute Sunday Dresses

2009-02-27T14:11:00.000-08:00

Alana's Baby Blessing

2009-02-27T14:05:00.000-08:00

Our beautiful little girl was blessed by her dad on November 2, 2008. Mike gave an amazing blessing, blessing her with physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health and strength. Tutu (Grandma Renee Grow) made Alana's beautiful blessing dress and headband by hand! Alana's so lucky to have such an awesome family!!!

Halloween and Dad's Birthday!

2009-02-27T11:41:00.000-08:00

Alana was a Ballerina and a Mummy baby for Halloween. She even had a cute little tiara!

Mike and Jenny were army people for Halloween. Mike had camo's for both of us and some to spare. I had to pass on the accessories: thigh rig, vest, magazines, rifle...... Ha ha! We also had a surprise birthday for Mike the next day. Sadly we don't have pictures to post. Needless to say, he was surprised!!!

Rusty was a dragon!! Rawrrrrr!

Bath and Lotion Time Pictures!!!

2009-02-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

Daddy made a soap mohawk!

Watching tv with mom =)

2009-02-27T11:06:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love this picture because she looks so grown up sitting up by herself. And she really is watching the TV. Ha ha!

Cousins!!!

2009-02-27T11:02:00.000-08:00

Kaiulani's little girl, Amora, and Alana sleeping. What cute cousins!

The "O" Face

2009-02-27T11:01:00.000-08:00

Alana started making this cute little "O" shape with her lips and I had to capture it!

First Pictures with Mommy and Daddy

2009-02-27T10:22:00.000-08:00

Alana Leia Larsen is Here!!!

2008-09-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

Our sweet little girl was born at 8:06am on Sept 2, 2008. She weighed 5lbs. 14.6oz. and measured 18.5 inches long. We are so happy to have her here, safe and healthy.

I had developed high blood pressure the last few weeks of the pregnancy and was monitoring it at home. On Monday, labor day, I called the on-call doctor at the hospital concerned because it had continued to stay high. The doctor called back and told me to "come in now!" I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and HELP syndrome and was put on magnesium to prevent seizures, and pitocin to induce labor. Mike and I labored through hypnobirthing for about 15 hours with little progress and only dialated to a 4. I decided that I couldn't continue to labor at that intensity for much longer and requested an epidural. Once I had the epidural, I dialated quickly to a 7, but my blood pressure had dropped so much that the baby was starting to have complications. My doctor soon decided that we needed to get her out quickly and that I need to have a cesarean delivery. Within 5 minutes they had wheeled me into the operating room and delivered our sweet little girl. Though we weren't able to follow our birth as we had planned, I know that everything happened the way it needed to keep us safe. Alana had more complications after birth and had to stay in the level 2 nursery for a few days. She was on IV, oxygen, and under a heat lamp while they had a monitor for her heart rate and oxygen level. Later in the week she was able to come off everything, but needed to have a feeding tube for a few days. It was such a happy day when they took everything off because she was doing well. She is so strong and has overcome all those things. Mom and baby are so lucky to have a dad that did so much to take care of us through all that happened. We have the best daddy in the whole world!

We are so blessed to have such a sweet baby.

We Love Our Little Buddy!

2008-07-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

This is the cutest picture ever taken!!!

First bath

He's a puppy witch!

Rusty's favorite froggy toy

Rusty's So Cute!!!

2008-07-25T19:53:00.001-07:00

Before...

After...first haircut! He's white!

2008-07-25T18:48:00.000-07:00

What a cute boy!

2008-07-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

I let Rusty out in the backyard the other day and he came back with this squishy baseball in his mouth. I think it was hit into our yard by the next door neighbors. Rusty liked it so much he ate a piece out of it.

2008-07-21T18:53:00.000-07:00

Here's the huge waterfall that we were sitting in front of called the "Lower Falls" of Yellowstone.

2008-07-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

This is a picture from Yellowstone where we went on our honeymoon. We are sitting just in front of a huge waterfall, so unfortunately you can't see it.