Oh Baby

I'm sure you've read in the past about my dear friend, Judy. She's fabulous; and fabulously talented. We go way back...to a time when we used to giggle during church (causing the bench to shake as we attempted silent laughter), pull out our hair (somehow we both shared this comforting, yet unattractive past-time), and play horses with a salty jump-rope; taking turns being horse and driver. She used to make my high school parties more popular (she lived in Pasadena, so the boys always wondered if my 'hot' friend would be making a cameo!).
Anyhoo, she happened to be in town the week after Beckett's arrival. These pictures are among her generous gift to our family. It was so fun to see her gorgeous kids and spend some much-needed time with her.

Thank you thank you, dear Judaluv! (and please check out her photo blog at judyphanphotography.com

Baby Beckett

Easter morning before Boston, Cassidy and Trav headed up to his mom's for the annual egg hunt.

Brothers.

Our new little arrival is finally here after what seems to have been the longest pregnancy ever! It was a bummer that my mom was in town last week as the doctor had been telling me he hoped to induce at 39 weeks but changed his mind. At 40 weeks we opted to get the show on the road.

We checked in the hospital on March 31 at about 9 a.m. and I was hooked up on some pitocin (to augment labor) by about 10. The doctor came in and broke my water at noon (I know the men reading love details like this!). I got my epidural around 2 which took a while to take effect (panic!). The anesthesiologist came back in and redosed me (aka made my legs disappear!) so I tried to rest for a few minutes. I never did actually fall asleep but all of a sudden I didn't feel tired anymore. My hands started to shake a little and my body was telling me it was game time (which was pretty remarkable considering at this point I was not feeling even pressure from contractions).

Travis remembered my 'game face' from Cassidy's birth so he immediately called the nurse to come check me. Sure enough it was time to get the doctor there. After prepping for the delivery and getting the baby nurses in the room (and some extra NICU nurses just as a precaution because there appeared to be meconium in the fluid), they told me to start pushing. I attempted a push or two and little Beckett eagerly 'crawled out', popping a little arm out while they were still suctioning his mouth.

It was amazing, and I'm so grateful to have had Travis and Bridget there supporting me and giving me words of encouragement. (They say you shouldn't eat during labor, but Doula Bridget hooked me up with a protein bar and some candy...not to mention rubbed my feet!). Beckett is just gorgeous with his blonde hair and little button nose.

Overall we had a great experience at the hospital with fabulous nurses and so much help and support with Boston and Cass while we were away. Six fabulous neighborhood friends even came in and cleaned the whole house during my hospital stay!

Travis is off work all week, which has been such a blessing. He is the best! He's been getting up in the night to help out and has been building snowmen (yes, snowmen in April...argh!), toy shopping, and getting stuff done around the house with the two 'big kids'. He is a champion, so I'm sure the tears will be flowing when we have to get back to 'life'!

The kids so far are excited about the new bundle, though they've been full of extra energy and a little moody, which was to be expected.
More soon!

Tiny mobile upload.

Angels

I took a few photos of the kids before Christmas thinking I'd get to sending a card or something out for Christmas. There was just too much going on and the idea of even tracking down addresses in the craziness that was our house became overwhelming.


I love these two kiddos. They are so different. I guess I never fully understood what my parents meant when would talk about their love for us...not only the depth of it but how they loved us the same, but also appreciated and treasured our individuality. I'm now beginning to understand!
Some words that describe Boston would include: sensitive, aware, persistant, tender, fast-learner, athletic, energetic, and good friend.
Boston loves the Wii and is obsessed with Legos these days (especially those of the Star Wars variety!).
Cassidy key-words would include: loving, affectionate, dramatic, expressive, grown-up, unafraid, determined, outgoing, outspoken, and so so precious. Cassidy loves animals, but that's where the maternal instincts end. She wants what Boston has and would usually pick a car or Lego over a doll.

In my mind I already foresee some of the challenges and triumphs each may have simply because I know them and watch them and see who they already are. I embrace their differences and love that I have the opportunity to learn different things from them.

Turkey Day

I guess Thanksgiving needs to be mentioned at some point! We moved back into our house the week before turkey day, and though there were moments we wondered if we were crazy for hosting, the day was ultimately a success and the food divine. Trav's mom and stepdad came a couple days before and helped us re-situate boxes and dig out kitchen supplies from the garage that had been boxed for months since the flood. We couldn't have done it without them.

The best part of the day, for me, was when we went around the table and talked about what we were thankful for. I was surprised at some of what I heard, and grateful for the family in our lives. They are imperfect (like us!), quirky (like us), and all trying to make the most of what they've been given and the circumstances at hand.


This year was Trav's family's year, and his mom seemed mortified that we opted for plastic plates. It had to be done, and, truthfully, Travis and I want to make this OUR tradition. It was so fun to have easy cleanup!

The kids and Aunt Ellie.

The kids wanted us to play board games, but, at some point, Sarajane and I realized we were the only ones playing!

This is a famous "Alan Sandwich". Every year my dad would make the best turkey sandwiches. They are amazing. I made several over the course of the post-Thanksgiving week. I added a gravy layer to switch it up. So delish.

A Doorbell

Sometimes I hear Cassidy describe little puppies or cute stuffed animals as 'a doorbell'. That's her term for adorable. She's pretty precious.

Diggin' this guy's voice. Somehow he is a cross between Travis and Charlotte's hubby, Brady. Both men I adore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp2APWPJZz0
I may venture to say I have an internet crush on him.

Looong

I hate that I haven't been able to post any holiday or kid birthday pictures yet, but alas, the house is coming along and (hopefully) soon we should have our built-ins done so that we can set up a mini office station.

Today we have double pink-eye at our house and it's another gloomy winter day, but luckily Trav built a ginormo fort downstairs and the kids are playing contently.

If I could complain for a minute it might be about not having a dishwasher yet, backed up gas bills (the most recent being $270), still not having all my kitchen in tact, a living room full of uninstalled cabinets, a mile-long list of stuff Trav and I have to do before I become larger (and thus birth another munchkin), and the majority of my job these days involving managing 'stuff'.
BUT...
I could also describe a million little things that make me so grateful lately...the opportunity to have another baby (not to mention friends of mine being blessed with new heavenly treasures soon as well), this new beautiful kitchen that makes it more fun for me to plan meals and entertain company, our health, the blessing of having Trav's sister and my brother live with us for a while (so much better than I anticipated...thus far, at least!), and a husband that, with a little help from Dr. Pepper, is an Energizer bunny. Even after a long day at the office, he swoops in to help with the kids, does after-hour projects, and is genuinely interested in fulfilling my needs. Of course two of my greatest blessings are my two kidlets who constantly amaze me with their giant personalities and beautiful potential. I smile at them everyday, and laugh at their uber-honest utterances!

If Cassidy is uninterested in a conversation or is busy, she may ask that you don't talk to her because she is 'nervous' or 'anxious'.

After teaching the kids a little about stranger danger and the sacredness of their own bodies, Cass asked me, "Mom, are you the only one who is allowed to touch your big tatas?" (she's learned this word from her brother who only heard it once when he was two...though I've tried to change the vocab, this is the one that won't quit!)

Boston asked the other day what 'exquisite' meant. A few days later I heard him from the other room telling Cassidy, "You are exquisite, Cass. That means you are beautiful." When he's not provoking her, he cares for her with a precious tenderness.

So while it seems life is a bit chaotic and a whole lotta work, I'm grateful to be where I'm at and also very thankful for the journey that has brought me here. I wouldn't trade my college experiences in good ol' Rexburg, my 2 years with Travis in our little 'shoebox' apartment, the starving student days, the moves, late-night therapy sessions with my family, and the highs and lows for anything.

Words

Greetings from my laptop! Looking forward to posting some pictures from Christmas and the updates in the house since we've moved back. We still don't have a complete kitchen, but it's coming together, and everyone's been so much more at ease.

We're grateful (again) for the well-wishes, neighbor gifts, cards, and service everyone has offered. We love our neighborhood, our friends and family.

Is it bad that I'm sort of glad that Christmas is over? It was a fabulous one, but normalcy is high on my priority list right now. Ahhh.

Love to all of you!