Edie

Introducing, our Eden:

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Five Months Old

Nine Months Old

Now at eleven months old, she's on the verge of walking and will be a big kid before we know it. She's our happiest baby by far, with a smile that takes up her whole face, and an infectious giggle her brothers love to induce. Welcome to the family, Edie!

Two Years Old

Happy Birthday, Blondie!

Happy Girl

Her day begins with coos and wiggles;
she waits patiently to be retrieved, only crying when lonely from a long wait.
She nurses happily, breaking off to smile at me or her brothers.
She lights up when she sees her Daddy, and my heart melts.

She plays happily in the walker or bouncy seat while the day spins around her.
She naps with her brothers, giving Momma a much needed break from all the activity.
And she smiles wide when her boys are near.

Content, until she needs attention, slowing growing into a child, where once a baby lay.

Three

Happy Third Birthday to my biggest little man!

Baptized into Christ

Eli, Daddy, Momma, RJ, Opa, Uncle A w/JoJo, Auntie K

Opa, Nana, Daddy, Momma w/JoJo, Grandma, Grandpa

JoJo with her sponsors, Uncle A & Auntie K

w/Big Brothers Eli & RJ, all dressed up for Easter

Newborn Portraits

Big Boy Bed

It's official - my baby now sleeps in a Big Boy Bed, his crib sitting empty in wait of his little brother. I won't say the transition was seamless (we may have had one bad night, complete with puke-inducing sobs), but we persevered. On the third night, he discovered how to get out of bed on his own and has since needed some reminding that bed time is sleeping time, but a few minutes in the rocking chair are usually all that's required. We awaken to the sounds of tiny knocks on his bedroom door, letting us know that he's ready for a new day - even if we're not. And while naps are alluding us at the moment, we're optimistic that his sleep schedule will even itself out in the near future and we'll have a well-adjusted toddler just in time to introduce a tiny new person to the family dynamic.

Toddling

365

One year ago today I sat in a tiny, old, one-bedroom TLF at Hill Air Force Base and missed my family. A thousand miles from the nearest friend, I was a lonely mother of a 2-month-old little boy. I yearned for a connection to everyone we had left behind. This blog was born out of my desperation - grandparents wanted updates on the baby, and I needed an outlet. Each afternoon, I sat down to chronicle our life, and through those daily missiles I felt a little closer to home.

It wasn't long until we were able to leave Utah, the source of the most unhappy months of my life, and found ourselves nearer to at least some of the people we loved. But many interested parties were still far from us, and voiced their support for my continuing narrative of our life. I've maintained the daily updates through life in 4 different states now, with visits to many others, and have enjoyed the connection this blog gives me to loved ones far and near.

Not only have I kept in closer contact with those whom we love, but I've also gotten to know many other mommas here in the blogging interwebs. Priceless knowledge and strength has been gleaned from the posts of mothers just like me, raising their families in a manner I would like to imitate. Through my connection to other bloggers, I've learned about myself and how to be a better mother to my boys and wife to my loving Husby.

With the birth of our second child merely weeks away, daily postings are a luxury I'm not sure I'll be able to afford myself in the near future. I intended this blog as a place to hold memories, to be able to look back and see where we've been. And while I've done my best to keep up with a daily post, I've begun to see that this blog and it's readers may benefit from less-frequent, more-heartfelt postings. Thus, I've decided to cease holding myself to a once-a-day standard. Have no fear, little blog - you'll still be seeing me often. But from now on, my visits will be more meaning full and less hurried. My boys keep my busy, and I'm sure they'll keep your pages alive and well.

A Walking Video

Firsts

Today has held many new first for RJ:

Breakfast this morning consisted of Scrambled Eggs and Blueberries, neither of which he has tasted before and both of which he has decided to love. In fact, I couldn't quite keep up with his demands for more - he ended up eating most of my eggs on top of his! Thank you, Lord, for a boy who eats like his father - rarely turning down something new.

On our way out to run errands this afternoon, it was decided that now would be the perfect time to turn RJ's car seat around. (We've been planning to make the change soon anyway, as he'll need to be moved and adjusted before Baby Boy's arrival in order to make room for the infant seat beside him.) He meets both the height and weight requirements to be forward-facing, and Husby was sure that he would love being able to see where he was going. RJ was a little hesitant at first, but once he discovered that he could see Momma and Daddy while he rode, he was thrilled. The whole way to the store, he was giggling and showing Daddy his window.

Our main errand was a trip to pick up new shoes for RJ; as his walking skills develop, his little toes need protecting. We found a simple pair of blue sandals for everyday play, and some nice sneakers for church. He'll need to grow into the sneakers a bit, but the sandals fit perfectly, and we're all excited to try them out!

One Step Closer

No longer does he need the support of holding onto a table, chair, leg, or other stable object - this boy can stand on his own! He has yet to venture out on any more steps alone, but is sure willing to show off his standing skills. It's only a matter of time before we have a walking (running!) boy on our hands!

Steps!

They are few and far between, but we've got 'em, folks!

Just tonight, RJ took 3 consecutive unsupported steps!

Birthday Portraits

More photos available in the Facebook album.

Happy 1st Birthday!

Blueberry Birthday Breakfast

Blue Boy in the Bath

Videos forthcoming, in need of editing as of yet.

More photos available in the Facebook album: click here.

20 Weeks

Momma's Belly - 20 weeks

Halfway through this pregnancy, today was our second ultrasound. Baby is big enough now that details are identifiable - including those of the gender variety. After an hour of examining all of Baby's other parts, the technician invited Husby and RJ in for the big reveal: 

we're having a baby brother!

Baby Boy - 20 weeks
(Not his best angle, but proof that there's a baby in there!)

We're all so very excited to add another little boy to our family - the men especially. I will admit that my mommy instincts told me this baby was going to be a girl, but bring on the testosterone. I have enough female emotions for this family, and boys are what I know. It looks like you won't be seeing any pink in our home anytime soon.

Scoopin'

Eleven Months

Would you believe that a month from now 

we'll have a one-year-old running around our home? 

Oh, my!