Happy Birthday Madison!

This post is way over due, but I wanted to put it up anyway. June is a busy month for us and we started it all with the celebration of Madison's 3rd Birthday. Of course, she wanted a Princess Party and I was happy to go along. It was a great time with family. We played pin the princess on the castle and princess musical chairs and of course had princess cake. The best part for me was afterwards Madison said, "That was an awesome party!" and when I asked her what was her favorite part she said "the cake." How sweet!
All the party guests!

The Birthday girl with the castle cake that I made.
The princess party wouldn't be complete without a princess castle cake. It only took 5 hours to make, no big deal. : )

Where Dreams Come True!

We decided to take a trip to Disneyland this year, just before Madison turns 3 (so we didn't have to pay for her) as a pre-birthday celebration. It was so great. She was so excited and really had a great time. Her favorite ride was the tea cups-good thing she couldn't really spin them very fast or we would have been sick the whole time.
The highlight of the trip for all of us though was meeting the Princesses. However, now I know not to tell a little girl that she is going to get to talk to a specific princess and then have her go dressed up, ready to meet that princess when you can't be 100% sure that the particular princess will be there. Let me explain:
Madison's favorite princess is Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). Before going to Disneyland we got her all exited by saying we were going to talk to Sleeping Beauty, then, the night before Grandma (who came with us) bought her a Sleeping Beauty dress to wear which she didn't even want to take off to sleep (but we made her). So, when we get to the park we head over to meet the Princesses. It was a long slow line and while waiting we discovered that the Princesses rotate every 45min and you never know who you will meet so while in line they rotate and Sleeping Beauty LEAVES! When we finally got to the front Ariel, Belle and Tiana (Princess and the Frog) were there but it was too late, Madison was already set up for disappointment. She walked up to Ariel and said "I was waiting to see Sleeping Beauty." I felt like crying. She posed for pictures but when we left she siad with tears in her eyes "I wanted to see Sleeping Beauty and show her my dress." ...again, I almost cried.



Our only consolation was that we had the next day to try again. We got to the park early, rushed to the Princesses and waited. I went around the back where they came out to see who would be there and...Yes! Sleeping Beauty came out. I breathed a sigh of relief but as the line dragged on I kept watching the clock, panicking- what if they switched before we got up there?! I can't even describe the stress- I just couldn't stand to disappoint her again. Well, as I said, Dreams do come true because Madison got to meet Sleeping Beauty (who left right after Madison met her) as well as Cinderella, and Mulan; you can't put a price on seeing your little girl's dreams come true! It was so great! That just made the trip for us and everything else that happened was just a bonus! So thanks Disney for making this possible (although, I wish it didn't have to be so stressful!)
I just loved how comfortable Madison was with her, she sat right in her lap!


Of course the rides were great too. Madison LOVED the teacups- she could have stayed on them all day. She also liked Small World, the Carousel and the bug rides in California Adventure.


Our Little Princess! She was being so cute for Mahlon, she did this pose all on her own. She's starting to catch on and knows what to do when Mahlon takes her picture!
The other highlight of the trip was meeting Tinkerbell. It was such a cute set up, then made everything big so it looked like you were small like a fairy. We met Iradessa first and she was so nice! We had to wait for Tinkerbell to come out of her house and while she waited Iridessa was making faces at Ellie to make her smile, it was so great. Madison didn't say much, she was being shy but I also think she was just in awe to see Tinkerbell up close. Now she tells all her princess and Tinkerbell dolls "I saw you at Disneyland! I'm sorry I didn't bring you." Its so cute!

It was such a great trip, the only princess we didn't meet was Snow White so Madison keeps saying we have to go meet Snow White next time. Whenever that is...probably just before Ellie turns 3!

YES on 100!

As many of you are aware (and for those of you who aren't) there is a proposition that is being put to a vote in Arizona tomorrow, Tuesday May 18: Proposition 100. I realize that political topics are often a sensitive subject so please do not be offended by this post. We only wish to express to you the importance of voting and letting you know that proposition 100 would directly effect our lives because Mahlon is a teacher. Proposition 100 is a proposed temporary sales tax increase in Arizona by 1 cent for the next three years that will fund our Schools, Public Services (Firefighters, police, etc ) and state health care. This means that you would pay 1 penny more for each dollar you spend. Our state has been in debt for many years and has had to take many cuts in important areas such as education and public service; this tax increase would allow for the state to balance its budget and keep us from getting into more debt. If this does not pass it would directly effect everyone in our state. School districts across the state are already required to cut millions of dollars from their budgets for next year, if this proposition does not pass they would be required to cut BILLIONS of dollars which would mean drastic cuts in education including the arts, music, sports, etc. On a very personal level, if this does not pass Mahlon's job could be cut. We also have a brother who is a firefighter in Flagstaff who could loose his job if this does not pass as well as many many others. Jobs are not the only thing on the line if this does not pass so please check out these websites for more information and go and VOTE TOMORROW!

http://www.yeson100.com/
http://www.arizonaeducationnetwork.com/2010/02/proposition-100-the-1-temporary-sales-tax-increase-your-questions-answered/

We will be voting YES on PROP 100 and we are asking you to look at the information and vote to support education, public service and health care and vote YES as well.
It is our right and our duty as citizens to make our voices heard and go out and vote. So please remember to VOTE YES ON 100 TOMORROW!

Thank you for your support!

-Savana & Mahlon

New Home!

As I mentioned previously, we bought a new home! We moved in last weekend and have been trying to get settled in the past week. We are so grateful for this opportunity, we feel very blessed and are so excited to finally settle in somewhere. Many of you have asked to see pictures, I finally got them uploaded onto the computer today. I took most of these before we moved in so it's empty, but it gives you an idea what it looks like. If you want to see more, please come and visit us!

Front View










Formal living and dining room









This is the main bathroom, it has two rooms, one with the tub/shower the other with the sink and toilet and you can access it from both sides which is nice because there are two rooms on one side and a third bedroom on the other. You can see here the door that conects the two rooms so it's like a hallway.















Master Bedroom and Master Bath
























Family room and dining room
















Here is Mahlon and Madison is Madison's room. Its a four bedroom, which is so great because Ellie and Madison get their own room and I get a room for all my scrapbook stuff!













And my favorite room...the kitchen! The bank that owned the house updated everything (paint, light fixtures, carpet, etc.) and put in all new appliances, we just added the refrigerator but we also replaced the sink so I feel like its a brand new house! Best of all- we didn't have to do it ourselves.









I didn't put up a picture of the back yard, but that is because there is nothing in it. Its just a dirt square so nothing exciting there but, it gives us a project to work on. Fun. We are totally in love and have been "playing house" for the past week since it dosen't seem real to us that it's ours (I'm sure it will hit us once we have to pay the first mortgage payment!) but until then we are living in total bliss and loving it. Anyone who wants to please come visit us, we'd love to have visitors!

Ellie or Madison?

So I've been wanting to do this for awhile now, and I finally got around to it.
When Ellie was first born Mahlon and I both said, "She looks just like Madison did" Then, after a few days we thought she looked different, still like Madison, but with her own "look". Now, I look at her and swear she looks exactly like Madison did. Can you tell which is which?

At Birth
















One Month





















Two months

Answer? Ellie is on the left (or first) and Madison on the right of each set. Honestly, I think if I didn't know I might have a hard time figuring it out. Especially at birth and at two months.

The biggest difference between the two is that Ellie has more, darker hair than Madison did and doesn't have Madison's dimple but none of the above pictures show those differences very well. Everyone says: Ellie looks more like Dad and Madison looks more like mom, but they look like each other. What do you think?

Happy Easter!

Hello everyone! I am sorry I haven't updated in a few months. Yes, I'm busy with two, but not THAT busy! Anyway, I finally got some pictures that I want to post so I'm updating. Here is what we've been up to the last few months.
First, Ellie turned one and two months old. This is her in February




March 10 Ellie turned two months she had her two month check up and had grown, just a little!
Weight: 8lbs. 14oz.
Height: 21 3/4 inches

second, we bought a house! Yep- that is what we've been busy with. We decided to go for it and we're so excited! We should be moving in the next week or two! We can't wait to double our living space! I'll post pictures (maybe) if I get around to it!


Ellie's Blessing was March 7. It was so great to have all the family here!
Daddy with his girls!


Such a sweet baby!

Lastly, I wanted to get the girls matching Easter Dresses (I've always wanted to do this!) So I was so excited when I found these dresses. Mahlon wanted to practice with the studio equiptment in his classroom so we volunteered to be his subjects!


This was the best one we got with the three of us. We still have yet to get one of the two girls together where Ellie is not crying! Maybe next time. At least they were good separately.




I love being married to a photographer! Its really convenient! Anyway, we're looking forward to a fun Easter in Gilbert and moving into our new house. So, if I don't post again for awhile it will be because of the move. Meanwhile, we're happy, growing and doing great and hope you all are too!

It's a Girl!

Ellie Alaine Newton
Born Sunday January 10, 2010
Time: 10:43am
Weight: 6lbs 5oz.
Length: 19 3/4 in.

Well, She's here! We are so exited to have our beautiful baby girl! She is so beautiful, we just can't get enough of her. If you're interested in all the details keep reading, if not, then you can just scroll down and see the pictures!

I didn't go into labor naturally so Sunday morning we went into the hospital at 4am. By the time we got checked in and set up it was about 5, they stared me on the monitor and started the induction with a gel. I had to lay flat for an hour and then we walked the halls for 40 min. I was having the occasional contraction but nothing exciting. When we got back to our room around 7 am they checked me and I was still at 3 cm (I had been 3 cm all week, and about 50% effaced) but now 90% effaced . They put my IV in and started me on the lowest dose of pitocin to start. My doctor came in at 7:30 and broke my water and within a few minutes I was having pretty regular contractions. My doctor was schedualed to be in a c-section at 10 so she said, "we should be having a baby by this afternoon, just not between 10 and 11 am" Well, by 9 the contractions were coming pretty strong and they had only increased the pitocin by one level. I was now about 5 cm. Things were defiantly progressing and moving along. around 10am my doctor came in again because I told the nurse I was feeling pressure and she said she had to go into a different c-section for an emergency but that another doctor was there just in case. They took me off the pitocin to try and "slow" things up. By 10:30 I felt like I had to push but I was only a 9 and my doctor wasn't done yet. She came in a few minutes later and I had a few more contractions while she got ready and I started to push. Five minutes later Ellie was out. She was crying right away and was given a score of 9 and 9. Mahlon got to cut the cord and then they gave her to me. Madison was born under such different circumstances that these last two events were new for us. We hadn't decided on a name but once I held her I knew that she was Ellie. I am so grateful that she came healthy and that the labor went perfectly. We were definitely blessed! It was intense but so fast and totally worth it now that I have my beautiful baby!

Here are a few pictures, there will be more to come!

Happy 2010!

So, I haven't put any pictures on the computer yet for Christmas,etc. But I'll sum it up by saying we had a great Christmas! Now whenever I tell Madison she can't have something in the store she tells me she'll ask Santa for it, I tell her that is just fine! I hope Santa is paying attention, because I'm not keeping track!
We sent 2009 out with a bang by staying in, watching the new Harry Potter movie and casually saying "oh, its midnight, happy new year." Then going to sleep. We are such party animals.
Lastly, no baby yet. Call me crazy, (I am) but I passed up the opportunity to be induced TODAY in hopes of going into labor naturally in the next few days but the Dr. says she doesn't want me to go past my due date (due to concerns about the placenta) so I'm scheduled to be induced this coming Sunday the 10th, but I'm really hoping I go naturally before then. However, at least the end is in sight and I'm so excited to meet the new little one. Check back in a week or so and I'll try to have to blog updated with pictures!

Baby Update

So, I realized I haven't posted anything about the baby that is on the way. I guess we've been really busy with other things, like holidays and Madison that this poor little one is kind of on the back burner. Sadly I don't even have any belly pics to go with this post. I keep telling Mahlon we need to take some and we will, some day when we have time (maybe on the way out the door to the hospital! j/k! Anyway, I figured I better write a little bit for journaling purposes and for those who are interested. I am now 33 weeks and 1 day along (I'm due January 11) So far everything had been great and routine, but the last two weeks we've had some events. Every time I go in for a check up they measure me and I measure small so the last visit I had my Dr. told me she wanted to do another ultrasound to check the babies growth (Picture is from ultrasound, her hands were covering her face). So we went in and although everything looked symmetrical, the baby was measuring round 29 weeks and I was 31 and in the lower 10th percentile of normal baby growth. When this happens they are concerned that perhaps the baby is not getting enough nutrients from the placenta or is under some other stress causing it not to grow. Or, it could be that mom is small. Which is obviously true. They are having me go in again for another ultrasound in a week or so to make sure that the baby is still growing at least at the same rate and hasn't dropped into a lower percentile range. Meanwhile, my doctor had me start doing Non-stress tests twice a week until I deliver. I have to get hooked to monitors and they monitor the babies movements for 20-30 min. They look for 4 accelerations, or movements in that time period and check the heart rate. If the baby is moving and the heart looks good then its a good sign that the baby is healthy. During this they also monitor contractions. In addition to this I have an ultrasound once a week to check on the amniotic fluid levels. So last week was my first one and I was thinking it was all unnecessary because everything was checking out great, baby's great, I'm great, fluid is great so I'm thinking "Why do you have me coming in all the time, if everything is great?" I was frustrated because it was more of nuance to go to the hospital take two hours (including travel and check in) of my day AFTER Mahlon was home from work so that he could stay with Madison when everything looks great. But then, I went last night for the second time and although baby looked great- after sitting there for 30 minutes the nurse comes in, looking very concerned, and says "I may have to send you to OB Triage, you're only 33 weeks and you're contracting every 3-4 minutes" I was a little surprised to hear this because I wasn't even aware I was having that many contractions. I got a little freaked out thinking "What if I'm in labor and don't even know it?-I can't have a baby yet!" (I had been joking about being done being pregnant, but obviously I was not serious!) So sure enough I kept having contractions so the nurse took me upstairs to OB Triage and I had to have an exam and a test done to check for an enzyme that your body creates in preparation for labor. A positive result would say "you will have a baby in the next two weeks" and a negative result will say "you won't have a baby yet, at least not in the next two weeks" Thankfully my cervix was very closed, meaning the contractions were not changing my cervix so I wasn't in pre-term labor, just having pre-term contractions, also, good news my test came back negative so Baby will not be coming in the next two weeks either. Unfortunately, in order for me to go home, they needed the contractions to stop so I had to get a shot of medication to relax my uterus. It worked right away and I didn't have one for about 20 minutes and then I had two more so I had to get a second shot and that time I didn't have any more so they sent me home. A 4:30 apt. that should have been 30minutes long ended up being 3 hours and I left about 7:30pm. What a scare! After last night (and talking to the nurse a little about why I was coming in all the time) made me understand a little bit better why my Dr. has me going in for these tests. I don't feel so frustrated about going, I only hope that I don't have to go through all that again and that I can go back to "everything looks great!" results until I'm a little further along. Other than having a pre-term labor scare everything has been fine and I feel great! And I'm a little more willing to stay pregnant for a little bit longer.

Happy Halloween!

Sorry this is so late!

We had such a great Halloween. I've been hiding Madison's costume for a month because she wanted to wear it all the time! She was so excited to finally be able to wear it. And she looked so cute, but I know my opinion i s a bit biased. We went to a party in Gilbert, the ward Trunk-or-treat and then of course Trick or treating with my sister. Madison got so much candy, we have to store it in two buckets! She LOVED trick-or-treating though, she kept saying "I said trick or treat and I got CANDY!" It was so funny! She also loved to tell everyone who she was dressed up as. "I Tinker Bell!" and it was so sweet of her to tell everyone "my mom made my shoes" after getting compliments on them.
Cute side note: When Grandma Newton brought over this costume and showed Madison she was so excited about the wings. She had been watching Peter Pan and Tinker Bell (as well as a fairy Barbie movie in which a fairy gets wings and can fly) and said she wanted to fly so Mahlon picked her up and "flew" her around the room. When he put her down she said "I fly by myself!" and stood there, waiting to take off. When I explained it was just pretend, that she couldn't fly by herself her little face dropped, she was so disappointed, I felt so bad! She has now accepted it and realizes that Daddy has to be home in order to fly! She also insists on putting on her wings and "flying" up to anything that is out of reach, rather than have me pick her up or get it for her. She's so funny!
Also note, now that Halloween is over Madison has put her costume on nearly every day since.

Posing, making a funny face!

All the loot!

The shoes I made to go with her costume!