A year ago today, and two weeks before she was due to arrive, I called Dan at work and told him he had better come home. It was my Monday off, and Lilly and I had been playing all morning. My contractions were not painful, but they had been steady for hours and getting closer together by the minute. When we arrived at the hospital, the nurse said I didn't look like I was in enough pain to have a baby. After she checked me, she instructed us to walk up and down the short hallway for two hours. I remember thinking, "We should just go back home. I have meat in the fridge that I was going to cook up for dinner. The talent show is this week and I have open house the next week. I'm not planning on having my baby now anyway..." We had gone through this before with this pregnancy. I had contractions throughout the entire 2nd and 3rd trimester, had to go to the emergency room for an iv, and was admitted overnight at 35 weeks. We joked with the nurses every two seconds when we passed their station. They were pretty sure I was going to be able to go home since I wasn't in agony. Yet, when our two hours were up and the nurse checked me again, she said, "Make your calls. You're having a baby tonight." Dan and I were shocked. I was so bummed about missing open house. I wanted to be sure everything was taken care of. Heather finally told me to let go of work, and go have a baby. AND that I did! Iris
Ray-Lynn was gracefully born around 9pm. She was out with one big push and no tearing at all! Dan says it's because of her little head, but I know it's because she loves her mama.
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, MY SWEET IRIS. I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH. XOXO, MOMMY
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Here's a few shots of the birthday girl at her party. These were taken by her loving Uncle Brian. She was adorable. We could not believe how much she loved her cake! Grandma made her smash cake and decorated the cupcakes. They were beautiful! I made her tutu. Saturday, I will post more pics of the craftiness that went into her party. 
We took these pictures back in September at the Muckenthaler Mansion in Fullerton , and we finally put them up in our bedroom. I'm so pleased with how they turned out. We attached them to the wall with those 3m mounting strips. Our friend, Lisa Ibarra, was our photographer. She is very talented and for hire, so let me know if you are interested!!.JPG)
Some trivia for you... Did you know Iris was made in Hawaii?
Party prep in under way this weekend. We have only one week left before Iris' birthday celebration. Her invitations said, "ONE upon a time, there was a beautiful baby girl..." Everything is coming together beautifully. We can hardly wait!
Iris has been a little uncomfortable lately with two new teeth working their way in. She was really soothed by chewing on this apple. I cut little slits in it, so she could taste the juice and we got about twenty minutes out of it, so I could make dinner, besides she looked so cute chomping on it!
This is what happens when I try to put dishes away!!! Lilly sprinkled Iris with milk from her bottle; both girls thought it was hilarious. I, on the other hand, did not. Lilly got a huge time out, had to help me bathe Iris, and had to "mop" the floor. Good times...
Iris is not walking yet, but boy does she get around!! She is a super fast crawler, loves to stand for as long as she can, and puts anything and everything in her mouth. I can't believe she's going to be a year old soon. Party planning in now in full effect at the Michael household.
I can't believe it's been almost two weeks! Last weekend, we got to meet Baby JJ because James and Kristy came down from Washington. This weekend, we started putting in the garden. I can't wait to take some pics. Dan built 2 new garden beds! Baby Iris cut her third tooth just this morning, and is now 11 months old. Birthday party plans are in the works.
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