Every time I make this someone asks for the recipe and I very rarely get around to getting it to them. So, for everyone who have asked and those who have not (which probably means you just haven't tried it) Here it is-

Mango Black Bean Salsa!

1 can black beans - drained and rinsed
1 can corn- drained and rinsed
1-2 mangos- peeled and diced
1 bunch cilantro
1 small onion
cumin
garlic salt
lime juice

You can chop/dice/cut in however small or big increments you want. I usually like chunky salsa so I don't spend much time dicing.

I also don't usually measure spices. I just do it to taste, which I think is the best way to make anything.

One more thing- this salsa tastes better after the ingredients have had time to blend and sit together. Over night, or a few hours at least. Enjoy!

I started a new blog. I've been "blogging my brains out " as John likes to say. So if you still haven't sent me your email addy or left a comment, please do. I'd hate for you to be missing out on all my blogtastic posts about my family and other nonsense like breakfast burritos.

I'm not sure what to do with the SPA. I will leave it up for a while. Maybe have a book made? Anyone know of anywhere I can have that done?

BTW, BFF, I sent you an invite and you still haven't accepted it. All that talk about taking back the charm...

I'm making my blog private. Boo Hoo. It's something I've thought about doing since the creation of this blog. If there happens to be anyone out there who wants to continue reading about my fascinating life, leave a comment with your email address and I will send you an invite. Don't be shy. Everyone is invited.

And if you happen to think that I already have your email address, I don't. This includes family and close friends. You see, everyone I know has changed their email address multiple times over the years and I can never keep track. I've had the same email address for over 10 years. So if you prefer to email me instead of leaving a comment, you are welcome to. morgankelly@hotmail.com
Hope to hear from you!

The other day I was reminiscing about the days before we had kids. I don't do this often, and this particular time I began to miss those days terribly. I wasn't quite sure what exactly it was that I was missing but I knew I felt something inside of me that wished if only for a day I could go back to that time. I mentioned this to John before we went to bed one night and began listing the things I missed. It went something like this...

"Remember when we could go to bed early if we wanted to...or we could sleep in as late as we wanted...remember when we'd take naps on Saturday afternoons after we strolled through the farmers market at a leisurely pace...or when we'd nap after church before we went to my parents for dinner..."

I then realized what I was missing: SLEEP!

Okay, so I haven't gotten any sleep in the past 8 weeks. But I have gotten something else in return. I think she's worth it.

Devan insisted on wearing a white dress just like Lilah. I tried to keep a sweater on her but it didn't last long. It's never too soon to start teaching modesty, right?



I love this photo. Every time I see it I think " I have kids!" Crazy.

Note: This post contains postpartum details again. Those of you who are not interested can stop reading.


Good News: Lilah slept from 10:15 to 4:15 last night! This is by far her longest stretch yet!

Bad News: My breast infection turned 8cm abscess/staff infection left me in the hospital for three nights in isolation, unable to nurse or even see my baby. I got horribly sick with chills and fevers and my Ob sent me to the ER. I got this infection while in the hospital with Lilah, but didn't do anything about it until it was too late. I mean, when is a good time to leave a sick baby in the hospital, anyway? By the time I had the abscess drained (3 times. most escruciating pain of my life. seriously, I'd rather have a baby) and got the Ok to breastfeed I was left with basically no milk. Now I get to focus all my energy on getting my supply up and trying to get Lilah interested in nursing again. Advice on this topic is welcome. I have a pump and am pumping away.


Here are only a few tender mercies that have been on my mind over the past six weeks:


We live near great hospitals. I mean, we couldn't live any closer to a childrens hospital. I can't imagine having a baby in the hospital and having to commute every day to see her. The nurses and staff were amazing! So accommodating and super nice.


Family. We have said a hundred times, had we moved to Chicago and had no family near by the past six weeks would have been a whole lot worse. Every weekend since I had Lilah we've had my Mom or Mother in law down here helping us out. They have both been willing to drop everything and come help us. What would we do without our mothers?


Our ward is amazing. We haven't even had to ask and people have brought us meal after meal, and taken Devan everywhere for me from church to the beach.


Our doctors. We had great doctors in the hospital, a great pediatrician who not only told us to take Lilah to the hospital in the first place but also visited us in the hospital and called to check up on us. And has always made same day appointments.


My doctor. I have the tendency to feel emotionally attatched to the men that deliver my babies. My OB is AMAZING! He has always been totally available. I can always get ahold of him. I've called him at least once every week since I delivered for some problem or another. He always fits me into his schedule even on holiday weekends when he is booked and has even taken the time to sit down with me when I stopped by without an appointment. He got me into the ER super fast when I was sick with my mastitis and came to see me every day in the hospital. He's been sensitive and accommodating to my every wish since the beginning of my pregnancy. Seriously, if you live in south OC and need a good OB, call me.


My hubby. I don't think there's many men who could go through what we have gone through and survive. John totally stepped up when I was in the hospital and played Mr. Mom. He got up at night with the baby and took care of both Devan and Lilah during the day. He has taken off a ton of work and been totally understanding every time I've broke down crying (which has been alot). He's never hesitated to do anything I've asked and has always been willing and available to help. I think I'll keep him around for a while.


Here's little Lilah @ 6 wks. No more picc line. No more antibiotics. Same goes for me. Here's to hoping our future is hospital free for a long, long time!

One that doesn't involve hospital food.

Or me staying in a hospital for three nights.

Or me coming home from the hospital with an IV still stuck in my arm.

Bascially, I need a vacation that does not involve hospitals AT ALL!!!

If you guessed sleep, your wrong.

If you guessed we stayed up with a screaming newborn and a vomiting three year old with a fever, your RIGHT!

So, just to remind me of better days...


Here is little Lilah, back in the days when she used to sleep. Boy did she have us fooled...

I don't measure my laundry detergent. Ever. No matter the size of the load I do the same thing. I just pour some in. (I use liquid detergent). I have no idea if I actually get 32 loads from one bottle of detergent, either. I'm guessing I don't. But seriously, whats the point of measuring? Seems like an unnecessary extra step to me. Do you measure your detergent?

When you are up all night with a newborn and then have to stay awake all day with a 3 year old? I'm serious. What do you do? Lilah has had more bad nights than good lately. She's still a way better baby than Devan was, and I don't think she has colic, but she tends to have these bad nights where she's awake and fussy. Not screaming, just fussy and won't fall asleep. I've tried keeping her up during the day and it doesn't seem to make a difference. Is this normal? Am I going to have to get used to getting 2 hours of sleep until she starts sleeping through the night? And at what age do babies start sleeping through the night, anyway? (Can you tell I'm sleep deprived? I swore after I had Devan I would never have another. I'm starting to feel that way again). Any advice is welcome. Advice and free babysitting.

Here's a few of little Lilah and some people that love her!

Is it wrong for me to wish she was older than two weeks? I guess I just miss having some type of schedule/routine. Apparently two week olds don't have either...
Lilah is doing great. She weighs over 7 lbs and though she's had a couple fussy nights, she still seems to be far more mellow than Devan ever was.

Lilah has already had a few "firsts". She's been to the park, the mall, Target, Doctors office, etc. Oh yeah, and she's been to the beach twice. The first time she was only 5 days old. I know. I'm crazy. No, I would have gone crazy if I didn't get out of our apartment that first week. Am I the only one who gets baby blues? I get seriously emotional after having a baby. I HATE it. I would totally be popping Prozac or something if I wasn't nursing. Either way, I feel like I'm over the baby blues phase and now I'm just sleep deprived. And, Lilah was totally bundled up inside the sling at the beach while I sat on a bench and watched Devan and John chase seagulls so it's not like she was hanging out on a beach towel catching the swine flu or anything.

Devan LOVES her little sister. But not so fond of all the changes little sisters bring. I feel bad a lot because I know it's hard for her and I miss spending time with her. I guess things will all smooth out eventually, right? My Mom has been here and she's leaving tomorrow. I can't believe next week I'm going to be totally alone. Wish me luck...

Lilah’s Story

I remember looking at Lilah in the hospital the day after we had her and thinking “She’s only a day old and yet it seems like she’s always been with us”. And it did- for 9 months we waited for her, talked about her, included her in our prayers and had nights where our entire family had their hands on my belly feeling her move and twist inside of me. When we finally got to meet her face to face it was like seeing her again after being apart for a long time. And after nine months of not being able to decide on a name, I knew the instant I saw her. “Little Lilah” I thought. She was little, an entire two pounds smaller than her big sister and this story is about her- our little Lilah bean.

Friday morning didn’t come soon enough. The days leading up to my planned cesarean seemed to drag on forever. And as any pregnant woman in her last few days can tell you, you start to get a little crazy. And isn’t it funny how no matter how badly you wish the day would come, you always find yourself wishing it didn’t come and go so fast? I do. Even as I sit here and type, my little Lilah is only five days old and I can’t believe I really just had a baby, stayed in a hospital and am already home. I guess some things are meant to be, and Lilah is one of them.

So back to Friday- we got to get up early (4am!). I was surprisingly calm as I walked into the hospital knowing that in a few short hours I would have a baby. It was still dark out, the hospital was calm and quiet and I got all settled in a small L&D room. Wrist bands, IV, hospital gowns, the whole thing. I kept glancing at the clock wishing time would go by quicker. John and I didn’t talk about much, just watched some TV and made the occasional comment on wishing the time would go by faster. I remained quite calm until I saw my doctor walk in around 6:45am. He looked ready to go and it finally hit me that I actually was having a baby! When I finally did get the OK to head to the OR things started happening quickly. John had to wait outside while I got my spinal. I started shaking I was so nervous and remember saying to my doctor that getting an epidural is a lot easier when your in labor! My doctor asked me what kind of music I wanted to listen to and I wasn’t sure what he was talking about- until I realized that he brought his ipod. He ended up turning on some salsa music and joked that the baby might come out moving her hips! John came in and just like that the surgery began. (Okay I have to say- when John told me that they had already started cutting me open I thought to myself “Aren’t we going to have a prayer first??”) The surgery went quick and the next thing I knew I heard my doctor say “Who wants to see a baby?” and John jumped up with the camera. As soon as they held her up over the curtain a huge feeling of relief came over me. I made it! She’s here! Everyone is okay! “She’s screaming!” My doctor said. “As long she doesn’t scream for three months” I said. “Oh no, that would be terrible. I don’t think she will. I have a good feeling about this one.” was his response. So far, he’s been right. Lilah is the kind of baby the phrase “sleep like a baby” comes from. We are only hoping that she stays this way!

Our recovery room was great- big, beautiful and most importantly, private. John got to stay with us every night and all the nurses were so nice. Some friends of ours from church had a baby two days before and we got the room right next to them so John had a buddy to hang out with when Lilah and I got boring. The food was very good and all in all the stay was wonderful! The best part of course was being able to bring home a healthy baby. So far Lilah is a great baby. I’m trying to enjoy her as a newborn, because I know it goes by so quickly, and even though I am excited for her to grow and be able to go do things as a family, I know that her time as a newborn is short and I want to cherish every moment I can. I finally believe all my friends and family members who told me that yes, you will love your second baby as much as your first! Lilah is like a dream come true. A dream John and I have had since before we even knew each other and are beyond grateful we were able to help our Heavenly Father in bringing her to this earth. We love you Lilah, and will be here for you for and with you for every step you take on your journey through life!

The newest addition to the Wallet family!

Name: Lilah Anne Wallet
Info: 6lbs 9oz, 18" Long

We welcome this precious little girl into the world. She was born this morning at 7:34am via c-section. Both baby and mother are doing wonderfully. We are so excited and blessed to have her in our lives. Check back for more pictures.

I finally bought a batch of strawberries that wasn't very good, and was able to make some jam. Devan was thrilled to help me, which I loved. She was my masher and did such a good job! She put on the cupcake apron I made her and mashed away.

I love this photo. I tried different photoshop tutorials, but when I tried the vintage one I knew it was meant to be. I think it has something to do with her hair being in a bun, wearing an apron and mashing berries for jam. It just feels so right. And I love her little arms working so hard. Devan absolutely loves everything about life and wants to try everything and I think this pictures captures that in a small way. I love her.

Not much going on around here...just waiting for the big day and trying to find ways to keep myself busy besides shopping. This will probably be my last post for a while...I'm not very good at jumping back into the swing of things post baby, so we will see how this one goes. Wish me luck!

This morning we went to our wards Easter Egg Hunt /breakfast. It was a lot of fun, and you can't tell by the photos but there were a lot of kids running around. The eggs were all found within minutes. I hope my photos don't look totally dark to everyone. On my Mom's computer every picture I post looks a lot darker than it really is. Maybe it's my computer? Anyway, if you are thinking they look like they are too contrast-y just know I didn't do it on purpose. Hope everyone has a happy Easter!

Remember our awesome family vacation last year? I was pregnant then. And I'm STILL pregnant! With the same baby!!

I've been begging my doctor every week to break my water but he's not convinced it's a good idea. The good news? My asthma is way better. AND I only have 9 more days! Now all I have to do is find things to keep me busy so I don't go insane!

What I love most about these photos is that you can spot John in almost every single one. Devan has no idea how lucky she is to have such a great Dad!

I came across this website this morning and loved this quote.

“Friend, you cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. And what one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government can’t give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody. And when half of the people get the idea they don’t have to work because the other half’s going to take care of them, and when the other half get the idea it does no good to work because somebody’s going to get what I work for. That, dear friend, is about the end of any nation.”

Dr. Adrian Rogers

Have I ever mentioned how Devan is the luckiest girl in the world? While I often wish Devan was like every other LDS kid and had dozens of cousins to grow up with, I often find myself getting a little emotional when I think about her losing her "only grandchild" status so soon. Either way, she definitely had no shortage of love (and gifts!) on her birthday.

Birthday Photos

Every time I see this photo I want to kiss her cheeks! (And since she's mine I can, and do, all the time!)

Playing with the new sandbox/table toys that my mom got for her.



Kitty, who apparently partied a little too hard.

The best and biggest cupcakes from Costco!

Devan showing off her new cupcake bandaids.

Quite possibly Dev's favorite gift- her jelly sandals.

And, trying out her new scooter from Q & Grandma.

These are only a few of the many gifts she received. See what I mean about being lucky? Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who helped maker her birthday the best!

Here's our brand new three year old getting ready to make her cake!


Here she is posing with her cake/blowing out the candles.
Getting excited for presents. (She LOVES making weird faces for the camera, these days).


Modeling her apron and showing off her princess shoes.
And the dress John got her. She loves it. She's worn the dress with her princess shoes for the past two days.


And yes, she's already asked me several times when she gets to start preschool and her dance class! Happy Birthday Devan! Thanks for the best three years ever!!

I window shop online sometimes. And I say sometimes because sometimes it's window shopping and sometimes it turns into real shopping. Well, tonight I surfed over to one of my favorite stores and found something so cute I'm debating whether or not to get it.


Baby Bojangles (our temporary name until we find a more permanent one...) seriously does not need any clothing but this has a giant strawberry on it! And I'm not sure whether or not I've mentioned this before, but I LOVE strawberries. I was born and raised in strawberry country and my Dad used to buy flats at a time and I would eat those berries until they were gone. Every last one. This month alone I've bought strawberries three different times with the intent to make jam, and every single time I've eaten them all before I could even think about getting the jars out!
So, baby bojangles doesn't need a suit. In fact, she has one that my Mother in law bought for Devan with a giant pineapple on it:


I don't know what it is about fruity swimsuits, but I love them! And I love how chubby Devan was. Chubby and bald.

I think I've been able to talk myself out of buying the strawberry suit. At least until I find it on the clearance rack, marked down about three times!

Like most almost three year olds, Devan loves to do everything all by herself. This is good when she wants to do things that she actually can do by herself, and bad when she wants to do things that she could never do herself (Please please please let me use the drill to hang the curtain rod in my room! I can do it all by myself!!)

One of the things she can do is pick out clothes and dress herself (almost). The problem I've found is that she has a hard time remembering what clothes are in what drawers. I came up with a little labeling system that seems to have worked so far.

I printed this free packing list and cut out the pictures I wanted.
I made them into little labels, tied them on with bakers twine and voila!


They are so cute I almost want to make some for my drawers, but I think John might think I've really lost it if I did.

Now I just need to train Devan to put her clothes away as well as take them out!
Happy St. Patty's Day!

Unless this is your first time visiting our blog, you are well aware of the fact that John and I are having a baby. In less than 5 weeks!

Naturally, I am full of many emotions. Some days I find myself getting so irritated with Devan that I want to pull my hair out-(I do not usually feel this way and I totally blame the pregnancy for it!) and some days I find myself holding on to her so tightly and wondering: Is it actually possible that I'll love my new baby as much as I love her?

On the baby front we have almost everything ready. Devan is finally potty trained and I am thrilled that I will not be buying diapers times two. Devan is seriously looking forward to being a big sister. She can't wait to teach the baby how to do everything.

On the home front- just as the condo that we've been waiting on for oh, six months or so was ready to finally enter escrow we changed our minds. This is a little discouraging for many reasons, but the good news is we found one we like better. It's actually a little smaller but almost completely remodeled and looks beautiful! Now I won't have to worry about moving and having a baby at the same time. If all goes to plan, we will be proud first time home owners in six months or less! ( Can you sense my sarcasm?)

Questions:

The girls bedroom in the new condo is SMALL. The dilemma: Should we buy bunk beds? Bunk beds tend to scare me. I'm leaning more towards a trundle bed. This would obviously be for when the baby is out of a crib. Any thoughts?

Crown molding. Have you put it in yourself? Is it easy? I am convinced that John could easily do it but he is in denial. I think he secretly just doesn't want to.

Hospital bags. What do you pack in yours? I tend to totally over pack or totally under pack and even though I've had a baby before I don't remember what I used or didn't use. Should I bring anything different for a planned cesarean?

I thought I had more but I guess that's it. Thanks for the advice!!

Devan has a birthday coming up. She is SO excited about it because when she turns three she gets to do all the things she's been begging me to do for the past six months. Mainly go to preschool and start a dance class. I've yet to explain to her that these things don't happen immediately when she turns three- I don't know what will happen when I tell her that she can't start school until the fall. In the meantime, I've been working on a birthday present for her. Seeing as she has more toys than she will ever be able to play with, not to mention we are absolutely out of room for anything that's bigger than a DVD- I decided a nice handmade gift would be best. I found an easy apron tutorial and got to sewing this morning. I have to say, it came out so stinking cute I want to make one for myself.




Last time we were at Target Devan spotted these sandals and insisted that I put them on her birthday list.
I thought they were pretty cute, and now that I've made the cupcake apron I figure she's got to have them. It's only fair, right? Happy Tuesday!

She's growing up. Way too fast.

A few weeks ago right after she woke up I asked her if she had any dreams. "Yes" she said. "What did you dream about?" I asked. "Boys" she said.

I asked her the same question today and she answered with crocodiles.

I recently became tired of waiting (and waiting!) to hear about our short sale and decided to go ahead and set up baby camp. I've spent quite a bit of time these last few days trying to make things like beds, furniture and clothes fit. (It's not easy getting a family of almost four to fit into 1,000 sq feet). The other night I stood in the middle of the girls room and looked around to see if there was any other furniture arrangement I hadn't tried, hoping to come up with some miraculous idea that would somehow double the size of their room. Devan was sitting on the bed and noticed me in deep thought. This was her response:

"Mom. Think about ME, not the baby!"

Of course I lovingly reassured her that I am in fact ALWAYS thinking about her, whether or not she believes it. But really, can you believe that? And since when does a 2 year old call their mother Mom? I thought I'd get at least a few more years of "Mama" or "Mommy"!

On a side note, here's Devan, a few moments after they pulled all 8lbs 9oz of her from my guts. Notice the big frownie face. I should have known from the beginning she'd be a stubborn one!

Here's to hoping the next one is born with a smile!