30 Years Old!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUSSELL!!!
Today Russ turned 30. You would never guess that was his age if you saw him in person, not that it is old, but he is just such a kid at heart and has such a young spirit about him, that he doesn't look his age.
On monday I threw a little surprise party for him, with the help of our good friend Ian it was pretty successful. The only thing that might have gone better was the accidental text message I sent to him instead of going to Mike the guys who's house we had it at. yes, I totally botched the surprise. I literally cried for 5 minutes, and then realized I couldn't do anything about it, but put a smile on my face and just let it go.
Russ was still impressed that we got so many people to come, I just told him it is only because you have so many friends and they would all do anything for you. It was so great because both of our families were there, old friends, new friends, it was so fun!
Here are some pics from the party.

the boys!

Lani, Kevin (some guy i don't know) RussThe Larkins

Russ's awesome family, I love you guys!
P.S. it was a crazy sweater theme, Stephen and Alex were the only two that got into it.

I need to apologize

So I need to apologize. First to my wonderful daughter Halle, whom I love more than I can say, and second to all of you who I tried to scare away from having babies. I shouldn't have talked to anyone before I was out of the "I'm crazy" stage. I think I made having a baby sound like the worst thing in the world, which I have come to realize couldn't be further from the truth.

Although it is the hardest thing I have ever done, it is also the most wonderful thing, besides my husband, that I have ever experienced. I just needed someone to tell me that after the first 2-3 weeks, you will feel more normal and you will figure things out, and understand your baby better. I also needed to realize that my life would never be the same, and that is ok. It took me a while to stop being selfish and realize that I love my baby and she loves me, and needs me.

Being a mom is truly wonderful and I can't get enough of my Halle! She has been smiling and cooing so much lately, it is so fun.

So sorry Halle for making you sound so bad, and sorry everyone for scaring you.

P.S. If you want to see all of the pictures from Halle's photo shoot go to this link
www.russpage.net/halle

A little hint

Hi girls, this is Russ.

I asked Lacey if I could make a quick blog post when I noticed she had a link on her blog that said "Mod Mum Baby Slings." You know, Allison's baby sling business?

I work in marketing, and the Internet is one place I focus, so I thought I would show you all how you can help Allison's business online by using your blogs. If you link to her site from your blog, you should also use the word "Baby Sling" at the end of ModMum when you make a link. Like this ModMum Baby Slings. It's one tiny trick of hundreds, but this will help increase the chances of her site ranking better in the search engines when expecting moms start researching baby slings.

Link away.

Project

So my sisters and I have decided to get together once a month, or at least as often as we can and do a little project and a meal. Our first little get together we went to Color Me Mine, we actually did it the day before I started contractions. Anyway, this month we made these frames, it was is always fun to be with the sister's and being crafty.

Halloween & Birthday

Thanks Russ. He took me to The Roof for dinner. My mom watched Halle. It was the first time Russ and I had been alone together since Halle was born. We actually both missed Halle more than we thought, and were only out for a couple hours. It was nice to be alone though.

I know it is a little late for halloween, but time is really going by fast! We had a fun night with our friends the Larkins and their family. We ate soup and went trick-or-treating with their daughter Claire. Halle slept through most of it, but she was a good girl.

Photo's

So I have been so excited to see the pictures that we had done with Skye Johansen. I check her blog all the time, and finally today they were there! They are so cute, if I do say so myself, and I can't wait to see the rest of them! To see more go to Skye's blog, the link is on my blog in "The Site's" section.

Family

So I think Halle has the best family support ever! Her aunts and uncles, grandma's and grandpa's absolutely adore her and her cousins just love her as well. We are so lucky to have the best family's in the world, whom we know love and support us so much and would do anything for us! WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

1 Month Old Today

Halle is one month old today. Can you believe how fast time goes by? She is doing really well, and Russ and I are doing much better after spending a week at my parents house letting them help us out! She is sleeping much better at night and we are just loving her more and more. She just gives us grief from 9-12pm. I think she gets gassy. I don't blame her, everyone know's I can relate!
Here are some pictures!

Landry sure loves her new cousin Halle.
Russ is all tuckered out from being a new dad.
Halle loves her Aunt Jen!
Bath time with daddy! Halle loves the bath as long as she is in the water!
This is Halle at one month.

Pictures of Halle

Here are some pictures of Halle. Mostly sleeping and taking a bath. Obviously she doesn't do much else.


P.S. I guess the only time 's I have taken pictures with her Dad is when he has his shirt off, which really hasn't been that many. I don't know he was trying the whole skin on skin thing.

I have a Baby!!! and the Best Husband

Hello everyone! So I have been a little crazy and unable to get on the computer and thank you all for your comments and encouragement.
So yeah . . . I have a baby and haven't slept for 5 days, been crying and smiling a lot, but I have to tell you all that I have the best husband in the world. I would not have made it these past few days without him. He loves me and takes care of me and he helps me to feel like I am capable of this extraordinary challenge of being a new mom. I love him so much and love to see him with our new baby.
It has been quite a whirlwind of emotions and figuring out this baby thing. Breast feeding is the most challenging thing in the world, ad trying to stay sane on no sleep is really hard, but it has been so rewarding to have my baby sleeping in my arms and just looking at her perfect face, which looks so much like Russ, it is crazy!

Halle Rae Page

That's my name.

Halle Rae Page. My dad has already been calling me Halle Bear.

Curly Sue

Nope. My name isn't Sue, but here's a little view of my curls in my new 'do (well, the curls of what hair there is). You should be able to click on the photo for a closer view.

I'm only minutes old here, which is why I'm laying on the scale. Mom was still across the room getting sewed up after my noggin passed through, and my dad was snapping so many photos he might as well have been a tourist.

New video

My dad made a video of me. I think he should spend more time coming up with a name.

I may not have a name, but...

I may not have a name yet, but I've got the cutest hiccups, and I like to stare at my dad when he holds me.

Would someone please tell my parents to give me a name! They've been calling me all sorts of things, and I guess just none of them have stuck yet. You think you're anxious? I'm still just "baby Page."

new baby

I'm trying to get some visuals online, and the hospital has controls in place that won't allow me to upload videos . . . grrrr.

I also left my cord at home that allows me to transfer my photos . . . oh wait, light bulb! My computer has a camera on it.

- Russ

4:12 a.m.

First let me just say I have no idea how you ladies can push a baby's head through the birth canal. I'm still literally in awe of what I saw this morning.

Lacey was a champion. She pushed for 2.5 hours before the doc came in and performed an episiotomy so our little girl's head could push on through to the other side.

Naturally, she began life with a head of curly hair, and it is absolutely darling to see on an infant. She's got my hands because they're HUGE and Lacey's little chin (we both think she looks more like dad). She's only 90 minutes old, but singing calms her, and she really likes to lay next to her mom.

8 lbs. 7 oz.
20.5 inches long
Born at 4:12 a.m. almost 48 hours after Lacey's contractions began.

We're all exhausted.

- Russ

A little video

No baby yet. Here's a little video though . . . I've taken over Lacey's blog for the time being. Wha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Baby update

UPDATE No. 2
So, it's 12:53 a.m., and Lacey is dilated to a 9 plus. She's almost there, but her body (she) is being stubborn or something. The doc originally thought it would be 10:30, but she has been moving along slowly...bring on more caffeine.
--------------
Hi girls. This is Russ. I just wanted to give you all a quick update on Lacey.

Lacey woke up yesterday morning and started having contractions, but they eased up throughout the afternoon. They got intense again last night and were very frequent, so we went to the hospital at about midnight and got her a nice little shot of morphine to dull the pain.

We came back to the doctor this morning, and she was dilated to a 3, so we went to Costco for a walk and came back tonight and they admitted her (at a 4 plus).

They since broke her water, and she just had an epidural.

The best part so far?
I think the best part of this whole experience (thus far) was last night when I dropped her off at the main door before I went to park. I sped off pretty quick because I wanted to hurry and when I got back to the main door Lacey was bawling. Because I sped off so quickly, she thought I left her her at the hospital to fend for herself. (Must be the hormones).

UPDATE: 6:51
She's now dilated to a 5.

New Car

So we got a new car yesterday. We are excited about it. It is our "hip mini-van" for our new family. It's a Scion xB. I didn't really like it and didn't really want it, but once russ told me the gas mileage and safety and how roomy it is he convinced me, and I like it. It is just nice to have a new car that actually works and will be great for our little family.

Nursery

Here are a few pics of the nursery. It's pretty cute if I do say so myself.

Single Digits

Wow can you believe it? I have made it to the count-down of single digits to my due date. I am large and in charge and I am just waiting to get any sign that I am going into labor. Nothing really happening, but everything is looking good and right on schedule. Russ, is getting excited as well, telling me to take my cell phone wherever I go, be where people are, and he is always asking me if she is still kicking and moving, and just being a good husband. Anyway I will keep you all posted and let you know if anything is happening.

Nursing Bra

Hello all! So as you all know I am getting ever so close to my due date and I need your help! I need some advice from all you moms out there. What nursing bra or bras have you found that you like, if any. I have tried a couple on and . . . yeah they are struggles! So I thought I would go straight to the source and ask people I trust. At least hearing what you like about the ones you have found will help! Thanks all, and I will keep you posted on when that baby comes!

Zucchini Bread

Does anyone have a good Zucchini bread recipe? My mom gave me a zucchini from a neighbors garden and I want to make bread. Anyway if any of you have any suggestions you can comment it to me or email it to me.
THANKS

Happy Birthday Laura and Megan

Laura and Megan are two amazing girls, and two incredible friends. I am the luckiest person I know because I can say they are my friends. I have so many wonderful memories with these girls.
Laura - September 1st
Junior High, checking out Rob and just boys in general, making bead necklaces with your fam, laying out on the tramp, Highschool going running, talking about everything, going to the cabin, running through the sprinklers at sugarhouse, and every other crazy thing we did together.
I love you Laura and am so grateful for our friendship. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Megan- Sepetember 8th
I remember meeting you in Junior High, but not getting to know you until Highschool Basketball, which we totally rocked, the good times in the pooh van, stalking boys in the suburban, shakes at shivers, late night talks, bowling.
College: carrying "pretty" up to yoru dorm room on the third floor, driving to sacramento, working at Jerry's, football games, being best roomies ever.
I have so many fun memories, and I can't thank you enough for your friendship. I love you, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2 YEARS

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!
So Russ and I were married two years ago, September 3rd. It is crazy how fast time goes by. I love Russell more than I ever have. He takes care of me, he makes me laugh, he impregnated me, and everything else in between. I am so excited that he will be my child's father, seriously, I think he will be teaching me how to take care of a baby, I am SO lucky!!! Russ has more passion and more ambition than anyone I know, and he lives life with purpose, he does what he wants to do and he soaks in as much knowledge and experience as he can. He is a wonderful husband and will be an amazing Dad. I love you Russell!!!

The Joys of Pregnancy

So I just want to say that my pregnancy has been wonderful, I really don't have anything to complain about. There are of course things about being pregnant that are just funny and not fun. Comments people make, the changes in your body and mood. I would like to share with you some of the comments I have received since being pregnant.

lady in grocery store: "When is your baby due?"
me: "End of September."
lady in grocery store: "oh I saw a lady earlier today who looked just like you and she said her baby was due tomorrow."

friends boyfriend: "so how far along are you?"
me: "about 7 months"
friends boyfriend: "wow aren't you really big already?"

niece Landry (4years old): "what are you going to name your baby?"
me: "I don't know yet, what do you think I should name her?"
Landry: "Sprinkle"

rite aide checker: "are you having a boy?"
me: "no it's a girl"
rite aide checker: "oh usually your butt gets bigger when you are having a boy, do you feel like you but has gotten bigger?"

co-worker (Hispanic doesn't speak English very well): "your arms look different"
me: "what do you mean?"
co-worker: "they just look more like pregnant woman arms"
me: "oh, you mean fat?"
co-worker: "no I mean they used to be smaller, leaner."
me: "so you mean my arms look fat"

co-worker (Bosnian): "This (indicates my belly) is okay. This (indicates the width of my butt) not okay."
me: :(

I think most other cultures are ok with pointing out that you are fatter. It really is hard being pregnant and just getting bigger and bigger and not really being able to do anything about it. All I would have to suggest to you ladies that will be getting pregnant in the future. Be in the best shape of your life before you get pregnant and keep up your workout as long as you can. I made the mistake of saying I would get in shape after I had the baby. So I wasn't in shape at all and it has just been so easy for my body to put on the pounds. I still have the goal to get in shape after the baby is born, but I know it is going to be really hard.

Baby Gear

So after being home I have been trying to get ready for this baby that is on it's way. I did my research and made a couple of purchases. I got a swing and a car seat. They are from the same collection. Anyway I have a lot more to get, but you gotta start somewhere?

BABY SHOWER

So Megan and Laura threw a fabulous baby shower for me. It was so wonderful to see everyone and their babies. We had some delicious cupcakes and raspberry sherbet, and some wonderful conversation! I appreciate their hard work, to throw this shower for me. Of course I pulled a classic prego brain cramp and forgot my camera, so I don't have any pictures, so I stole this one from Laura's blog. Thanks for remembering your camera Lar! thank you everyone for you fabulous gifts. I appreciate them more than you know, because I don't have anything, your gifts are a great start!