Suggestions please???

I have been reading a LOT. Having a new baby in the dead of winter makes it so that I can't leave the house much, and I've discovered that reading really helps my cabin fever. I've ran out of book ideas, and I need suggestions. I love to read anything. I love both fiction and non-fiction. Historical fiction, a good (clean) romance, mystery, fantasy, religious, and I love memoirs. Really - anything. So give me any ideas of books you have loved, and please help me get out of the house (mentally) for a few minutes out of the day! THANK-YOU so MUCH!!! And if anyone out there wants ideas too, I've got lots.

My little artist . . .

My sweet sister-in-law watched Aiva for me for a couple of days last week so that I could get some rest. (First off, thank-you, thank-you Sarah! I love you, you are a life-saver!) On Friday she had put Aiva to bed in her son's room and she had been asleep for a couple hours when Sarah heard some noises coming from the room, so she went in to check on my daughter. She walked in to find that Aiva had found some markers and was busy drawing on EVERYTHING. I guess she'd decorated the window-seat and walls you see here, the carpet, her son's sheets, and all over her own face, clothes, and body!!! At least the markers she used were washable! The crazy thing is, Aiva has never done anything like this at home. Here comes karma to get me, I'm sure!

Introducing Our Newest Arrival . . .

Emma Noelle

born December 20th

7 lbs, 11 oz & 20"

Our little Emma made her grand debut on December 20th at 12:21 am. The delivery was a BREEZE. I was admitted to the hospital to be induced, already dialated to a 4. I got my epidural good and early, and didn't feel a thing. I went from a five to a seven to a ten in under an hour, and then was told "don't cough, don't sneeze, don't laugh, or the doctor won't make it!" My OB walked in, I pushed twice, and little Emma made her entrance. Seriously, not to brag, but I wish I could relive labor over and over. It's such a beautiful experience...especially when you can't feel anything!

Aiva's first meeting with her sister. She was so excited to see her. She ran in and jumped in the bed with me and kept saying, "Hi Emma!" and showered her with hugs and kisses.

The girls

Daddy and his girls. He's completely outnumbered, and doesn't care.

Mommy and Emma the next day

Aiva and Emma at home. Happy to report there haven't been many issues with jealousy here. Aiva is just so, so in love with her baby sister, and can't get enough of her. Neither can the rest of us. We are all just so excited to have her finally here with us!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! We hope that you all had a wonderful holiday. We sure did. I'm posting few photos below of our fun and merriment. Cheers!

Aiva and Santa Claus at our ward Christmas party. She was pretty scared at first, but toughed it out. When he asked what she wanted for Christmas, she said "presents!" and then jumped off his lap. After thinking for a bit she asked to go back ("just stand, not sit") to tell him that she really wanted a baby doll. :)

These came up quite out of order. Opening presents at my mom's. These are my two beautiful sisters.

Christmas morning. Daddy and Aiva showing off their new sunglasses. I know Aiva's look silly, but she LOVES sunglasses, and Mike just grabbed a goofy pair at the dollar store for her stocking.

Mommy, Aiva, and Emma

Grandma Vicki's house. Aiva wanted to open everyone's presents for them. Her favorite thing was ripping of the paper - of course.

My step-brother Josh and his new fiance Tiffany. Yay! We love you guys!

Aiva fell asleep for her nap in the car on the way to Grandma Margaret's. In her lap is her new baby doll. Good thing she thought to go back and tell Santa that was what she wanted!!

And, the best Christmas present of all, our new baby girl, Emma Noelle!

More of that to follow in the next post . . .

Random happenings . . .

Okay, so here's the photos I promised. Just random documentation of the stuff we've been up to as of late.

The yearly trek to temple square to see the Christmas lights. Aiva loved it! She hasn't quit talking about going to "see the temple" since.

We bought Aiva her own kid-sized snow shovel so she could go outside to help Dad in the driveway this year.

Carrying her shovel over her shoulder like Daddy. Too cute!

We've put the crib back up to the baby height, and I've put up the bumper and mobile. Aiva of course wanted to jump right in. She looks so big (sniffle). I can't believe there's going to be a new baby in there soon.

And . . . a pregnant shot of me, putting up our Christmas tree. Ready to pop, as you can tell. :)

Pregnancy update . . .

I am so excited, I have to post! I went to my doctor's appointment today and got checked for the first time and I am 75% effaced and am dialated to almost a 3!!! HOORAY!!! You mommas out there know how great it is to hear that kind of news. With Aiva I was dialated a half centimeter for 3 weeks without progress. He told me I could come any time, and if the baby doesn't come in the next 2 weeks, he'll induce me the weekend of the 19th. YEAH!!!! My due date is the 30th, and I've been hoping and praying that she would come before Christmas. Who wants to have their birthday in those doldrums right after Christmas when everyone is broke and exhausted and doesn't feel like celebrating any more??? So I am beyond excited to hear that I will be done in 2 weeks tops! (Although my doc's not sure I'll last that long.)

Oh, some additional good news, almost as great as the first: it's looking like this little girl will be more average-sized than Aiva's 9 lbs. OH, that is GOOD NEWS for my girl parts. Yes, indeed! Ripping and tearing are not our favorite things to do. Graphic, sorry, but when you have a 9-pounder, it's not pretty.

Anyway, I'm absolutely euphoric about my good news, I had to share. (Overshare. Again, sorry.) I really need to post some pictures. We've been having lots of Christmas fun the last few days, plus I really should post a pregnant photo. I'll get around to it soon, I'm sure . . .

Introducing Andria Grace . . .

This week has been a week of blessings, miracles, and trials for my family. On Tuesday, October 27th my sweet little sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl! She is currently in a situation where she is not able to give her baby girl the life she wishes she could, and she courageously chose to place her daughter with a family that can give her all that and more. She chose an absolutely amazing family for her baby, and our family has been blessed with the opportunity to get to know Kim and Shane personally. We love them, and we know that little Andi will have all of the love that we would have been able to give her, and more. This is quite personal, but it has been such a meaningful, difficult, yet also beautiful time in our lives that I wanted to share this experience. I have a younger sister who is also adopted, and consequently we all have strong positive feelings about adoption. It really is all about love. There is no greater love than that for your child, and no greater sacrifice, in my opinion, than the sacrifice that my sister has made for her baby girl.

Paige and little Andi Grace

This is my sister and Kim, Andi's adoptive mother. Love you, Kim!

My first meeting with my niece

The next day. Isn't she gorgeous?!

We had the privilege of having Andi at home for a day after they were discharged from the hospital. While it made it harder to say goodbye, we have some beautiful memories with Andi, and we were able to take lots of photos of her.

Aiva instantly fell in love with her little cousin. She wanted to help feed her and showered her with kisses.

We set up a bunch of props in the living room and had a little photo shoot with Andi and my sister Paige.



My mom with her second granddaughter. We told Andi over and over that she is the most loved baby in the whole world. So many, many people love her and just want what is best for her.

These next few are of our photo shoot with Paige and Andi.

to Paige: I love you so much, and I am so proud of you, and my love and prayers are always with you!

to Kim and Shane: We love you and your family so much, and we are so grateful to have such a special and cherished relationship with you! We know that Andria Grace was so meant to be your daughter, and are so touched to have been a witness to your finding each other.

to Andi Grace: We love you, baby girl! Lots of hugs and kisses always sent your way. Be happy, and smile lots. You are the best-loved baby on earth!