Yesterday, Wayne and Elaine took us to see Gladys Knight at the Hollywood Bowl. I've never been there before and it was really nice to get out and enjoy the nice cool California breeze. I liked seeing all the fancy picnics but it was really funny to me to see them eat their meals on the side of the road, underneath stairs, on rocks, off the walkway, etc. I told Tim that he needs to bring me back to another concert and have a romantic picnic with me. haha.
We finally got our diplomas in the mail today! All that sweat, blood, and tears for a fancy piece of paper. But this fancy piece of paper officially says that we are both well-educated and ready to move into the real world. It also allows my smart hubby to make me some money... I mean ...allow financial stability for our family. =o)
Last night we went to a Dodger game and it was really fun and relaxing. It was Mormon night and Elder Robert D. Hales threw the first pitch! Pretty cool, huh? Another pretty cool thing is that I didn't get beer spilled on me! CELEBRATION! For some reason, I have really bad luck at baseball games with being around fat, drunk men that manage to spill their beer on me. Let's just say, it was really nice being surrounded by Mormons. Marisa had fun too and she was pretty easy to deal with. She just spent her time screaming (happy screams), drolling, and spitting up. Especially on Tim.
Marisa rolled over today! I have been doing a lot of tummy time with her lately because she really needs to gain upper body strength to do a mini-push up, plus she started developing a flat spot on the side of her head that we need to fix. Marisa hates being on her tummy, but she is getting used to it and it's paying off. She's getting stronger! 
Marisa Mae Hart was born on April 17, 2007 at 2:16 pm. She weighed 6 lbs 9 oz and was 19 inches long. She had a TON of beautiful dark hair and really long eyelashes. In fact, the doctor and the nurses very first comments were about her eyelashes. One nurse even came into my room, looked at Marisa's eyelashes and said, "Look at those eyelashes! You're the pretty baby that all the nurses have been telling me to go see." All during my short stay at the hospital I would continuously receive comments and compliments about Marisa's eyelashes. And to be honest, I loved it! =o)
On the other hand, I had tears coming down my face as I just stared at her from across the room. Within a few minutes I was able to hold Marisa in my arms for the first time. My first reaction was that I couldn't believe this was all happening! My little girl had finally arrived. For 9 months I dreamed and daydreamed about this moment. I would also dream about what she would look like and what I would feel after she was born. After I said hi to her I just spent the rest of the time examining her in amazement and I couldn't stop smiling. Her eyes, her little nose, her little lips, her little face, her whole little body was a beautiful miracle right in my arms. It was definetly love at first sight.
The nurses styled her hair with gel and put this cute little pink bow on her head. She also had a big green pacifer in her mouth that looked half the size of her head! We just laughed because she looked so dang cute! Marisa was so small, especially being tightly wrapped up, that she felt like a little football that you can just toss around. Her skin was so soft and she smelled brand new. Her eyelashes stood out more because it didn't have that gunk covering her eyes. When I held her again, she opened her big brown eyes to look at me and they were piercing beautiful. 
Because I was induced, Tim and I had to arrive at the hospital at 7:00 am. Once they showed us our room and I was hooked up to everything you can possibly imagine they started the pitocin. Just after a little bit I was officially in labor. Dr. Judd then came in and broke my water and the contractions started. I only felt a few contractions before I got my epidural. The contractions weren't very strong but I still didn't like it. How can anyone not get a epidural is beyond me. I was a little scared about the epidural because I didn't know what to expect but it was so easy. The anesthsiologist was super nice and walked me through the whole thing. He really made me feel at ease. Tim wanted to watch but he wasn't allowed to. I guess many guys faint.
I was in labor for only 4 1/2 hours! Tim would always tell me when I was having a contraction by looking at the monitor and I wouldn't feel a thing! I would always reply to Tim by saying, "Oh really! I wouldn't know!" haha I was quickly dilating and only a few hours later I suddenly felt pressure. I didn't really know what it was but I knew I wanted to push. (No one really explained much to me about labor.) And of course, after the nurses checked me it was time to push. Pushing was a little wierd because I couldn't feel anything but the nurses and Tim assured me everything was going well. After awhile, Marisa got stuck so Dr. Judd had to come in and use forceps. The rest was easy. Dr. Judd pulled Marisa out and it was the best experience in the world to see her come into this world.
One of my favorite moments at the hospital was when Tim and I walked over to the nursery to see Marisa. The nursery was in the middle of the hospital with big windows. We first stopped at the window to see if we could find her first. You couldn't miss her! There was a long line of clear baskets with babies that were white, bald, and with no eyelashes or eyebrows. Right there in the middle of the line of babies was Marisa with a head full of dark hair and a cute little pink bow glued at the edge of her hairline. She was bundle up so tightly and nicely in her blanket just sleeping. She was soo beautiful to look at. Marisa literally looked like she fell from heaven. A flood of powerful feelings entered my heart as I looked at her through the window. It was at the moment I felt like a mom for the first time. "That little baby girl is mine," I thought.
Marisa slept through the night!! (Sleeping through the night for a baby her age is 5-6 hours. Not quite 8 hours, but still.) She slept from 11:15pm-5:15am, ate, then slept again from 5:30am-9:30am! It was HEAVENLY!! Especially since I have a cold. This is the second time she slept for 6 hours. Last time was during the beach house. Marisa usually sleeps 3-4 hour stretches in the night, so I can't complain there because she used to be every 2 hours around the clock, 24/7. But, come on now...6 hours is definetly a treat! Hopefully this is a start of something extremely exciting!
So, it's the week of the beach house. Tanya, Marisa, and I were at the beach house over the weekend, but we'll be spending most of the week at Wayne and Elaine's. I decided not to ask for a vacation after only 2 weeks of work.
We also took Marisa to the water to get her feet wet. I don't know if she liked it, but she didn't cry.
To add to Tim's comments above, the Beach House was really fun as it is every year. When all the Harts get together there is never a dull moment. Especially when sharing a condo with Tanner. Breaking news: Tanner and Tanya broke up. haha.
Tanner left me for Marisa. He always wants to be by her, touch her, talk to her, and has to know where she is at at all times. If he doesn't see her he sadly says, "Where's Marisa?"
Funny story: During church Tanner sat by me and Sara. Out of nowhere he stands up, looks back at us with mischievous eyes, and toots! He then replies by saying,"Oopsies." As we all start laughing uncontrollably Tanner then proceeds to walk towards Marisa and says to her, "Hey, Marisa, I farted!" He said it several times to her as if waiting for a response. haha.
This year's beach house was a blast. Many fun and funny things happened. We are already excited for next year! (I also heard a rumor that Wayne and Elaine are taking their kids and spouses to the Virgin Islands next year???)
