Trimming the Tree

Last night we decorated our tree. There are pictures to follow. The girls were such great helpers and the bottom half of the tree had more ornaments than it could hold until dad got home and helped them decorate the top half. I was untangling the hooks and putting them on the ornaments so the girls could put them on the tree. I must have been doing a wonderful job because Marin was so excited and encouraged me by saying,

"Mom, you are a good hooker!"

Coloboma

So when Karis was born, I noticed that her pupils were oddly shaped. I didn't know if it had something to do with the birth or if they had been bruised in delivery because she was bruised around her nose and eyes when she was born. I asked the pediatrician about it at her 2 week checkup, but he couldn't see that they were misshapen. When I went back for her two month checkup, it was totally obvious. He referred me to a Pediatric Opthamologist and I found that her condition is called Coloboma. The bottom part of the iris didn't form, so her pupils extend down to the bottom of the iris. She looks like she has kitten eyes.

The doctor said that she couldn't see any damage to her optic nerve or her retina, which was good news, but she also said that her vision is not as developed as it should be at her age. The doctor also said that this condition can affect more than just her eyesight. We don't have any definite answers as to the extent of the effects on little Karis, we basically have to wait and explore possibilities through more testing and by keeping track of developmental milestones.


All I know right now is that she is sensitive to light because her pupils are larger than normal. I think she keeps her eyelids half closed because light hurts them. She always looks like she is sleepy.

She is just the sweetest, happiest little baby girl though. She is gaining weight well and is smiling and cooing and loves to eat her hands. We are so thankful for this little blessing in our home and the wonderful spirit she brings to our family.

Jolie Turns 2!

She is spunky, sassy, silly and knows it! Jolie is such a fun girl to have in our family. She tests my patience multiple times daily and succeeds in driving me crazy, but I don't know what I would do without her. She is a monkey and a menace, but she makes me smile and melts my heart.

Ella is so good with Jolie and such a great help to me. We both find her hilarious.

Smile from Mar-mar.

Having some "Daddy Coke". It was her b-day, so I let her chug a bit.

Have to get every bit of wrapping paper off before opening the box.

Killer boots, man.

Now everyone has a horse to ride (no more crying about it!)

Daddy's girl.

Happpy Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year with a week of celebration. We had a ward trunk-or-treat, the girls both had parties at school and then we had fun going trick-or-treating with our cousins in Mesa.

Marin loves to 'pose' for any picture.

My Skeletar.

My dress up was the black lipstick. Ella made a beautiful witch.

My family was more festive than I was. Ashlee is Princess Leah and Patrick and Stacey sure do look SUPER.

Collecting our LOOT.

Baby Karis

So these pictures were taken when Karis was only 10 days old and she has filled out a lot since then. I need to take more pictures of this little sweetie, but these will have to do for now for everyone that hasn't seen her. Karis Nicole Hatch
8/4/09
7lbs. 120z.

She is loved and adored by her big sisters. Alex and I are totally enamored with her too. She is a sweetie and is already amazing us on a daily basis. I will try soon to catch a shot of her smiling which she has started in the past few days. She brings such a sweet spirit to our home and family.

I know, I know

So everyone has been asking for pics of little Karis and I know I am late getting some posted. When I am not crazy busy, I feel crazy exhausted. My house is a constant disaster area. Jolie is starting to show her frustration of me not having as much attention for her. Ella is a HUGE help with Jolie when she is here, but she started school yesterday and I miss having her home so much. Marin and Jolie don't get along that well so most of the day they are butting heads. Alex is working 12-13 hour days right now. Waa, waa, I know. I really didn't get on here to post a sob story, this is just a fraction of what my days are like right now. We are loving having a little baby to adore. She is so sweet and her big sisters love her so much. I promise to get it together enough to post pictures soon. Love you all and thanks for all your well wishes!

Fireworks Galore

We had a great Fourth of July. We spent the day in Mesa swimming (hence the red cheeks) and then went to a friends parents' house to watch the fireworks show. It was amazing. The fireworks were so close and so loud. I thought Jolie might be scared, but they all just watched in awe.

Here they are waiting for the show to start.

Jolie Alexis = Mini Alex.

I love Ella plugging her ears. We were so close that they were seriously so loud.

Me and my big girl sweethearts.

It was a great day together to celebrate the birth of our nation. I am so grateful for the freedoms we enjoy that I often take for granted.
**USA**

Swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's House

The girls FAVORITE thing to do in the summer is going swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They pretty much beg me to go out there every day and never get tired of splashing around. This particular day, they were out in the pool for 7 hours only taking a break to eat lunch and not going in the house once (even for a potty break). Ella is a pretty good swimmer and Marin is making huge strides with swimming this summer.

Sunburned cheeks and a sweet smile.

Squinting and smiling all day.

Here's me with my little Oreo eater. She loves to open them and lick the frosting. Who doesn't, I guess.

All 3: Daddy's girls.

CHEEEEESE!

Winding down for the day with red eyes and pink cheeks.

Already silly for the camera.

Even Jolie is more brave in the water than I am comfortable with. She isn't content to just play on the steps anymore, she like to jump right off into the water to try to keep up with her sisters. She has learned to hold her breath under water and is learning to kick her feet to move around.