A Valentine's Trip

Valentines Day this year was spent at one of our favorite places to be...Grandma and Grandpa Jensen's house. They sure know how to make us feel loved, and we had so much fun. Ryan especially enjoyed getting to know the grandpa whom he got his middle name from.

They were pretty cute together.

The kids were SO excited to drive the golf cart...Grandpa is pretty brave to turn the wheel over to them! It's every kid's dream!

The "after church, before everyone changes" picture...

This was an especially fun trip because we had a chance to sit down with Grandpa and listen to his fabulous stories. The kids had a list of questions asking him about his childhood, his courting and marrying Grandma, his time in the army, etc. He also told his stories about Old Nellie, bear hunting, the deer with the cherry tree growing out of its side, and the cat that came home with its head in its mouth. Aimee was concerned that we wouldn't know which of his stories were true. That was a valid concern! We video taped it so that we'll have his stories forever. Grandpa is one great story teller....it was pretty cute. Maybe we'll make him tell us some more on our next trip! We did the same thing with Grandma Yancey (Scott's grandma) at Christmastime. I could sit and listen to their stories for hours. They are the best!

Nathan was pretty devastated when it was time to go home (probaby partly because Grandpa was pulling jelly beans out of his ears like crazy...) I'm grateful the kids know their great-grandparents so well, and that they have fun memories of visiting them.

Six Months!

It's hard to believe, but this cute little guy is six months old today! I can't even describe the joy he's brought to our family...we are crazy about him. Scott came home from a late meeting the other night and went straight for Ryan. He said to him, "I was thinking about you during my meeting; about how sweet and special you are." I think we all feel the same way...so lucky that we get to have this little baby to play with, to snuggle with, and to love.

Ryan is finally starting to LOVE his baths. He gets a kick out of splashing in the water and bubbles. (I'm thinking this will last until he's about three...that's the age Nathan started to despise the tub!)

Ryan's got the sweetest smile...he's kind of a serious little guy around people he doesn't know, but at home he's so happy and fun. He certainly has plenty of people to play with! Nathan is the expert at making him laugh.

Oh, and this is his newest "thing." If there is something Ryan can see that he wants, he puckers his lips as far out as they can go....like if he reaches far enough with them, he can reach whatever it is! It's too funny. What a cutie! And did I mention he's sitting up all by himself now?

This baby's also got some serious eyelashes. So angelic, don't you think?

We sure love you, sweet Ryan. What a fun first "six months" it's been!

Five Months

This cute boy is five months old today. I can't believe how fun it's been having him here. He's falling in love with his brother and sisters. He gives them huge smiles when he sees one of them coming to play. Nathan is the master at getting him to laugh. This age is so fun. He's so interactive, but still little!

Everyone asks if he is a good sleeper. I've had to answer "no" until about a week ago. He started taking some great morning naps (yay!) So in that one to two hours I run around like a crazy woman trying to get things done. The rest of the day he does little 20-minute power naps. We'll take those too! Nighttime....well, we're still working on that.

It is strange to me that a year ago I was so sick I could barely get out of bed. Those days are etched in my mind from January 2 (the day I found out I was having a baby) on out. Every day I think "a year ago today, we were doing this..." I can still feel the weight of discouragement and sickness, and just wanting to eat and feel well again and have my life back. That was so hard. It makes me so grateful for everything....waking up in the morning and being able to eat breakfast without feeling horrible for the rest of the day, walking the girls to school, playing with Nathan, making dinner for my family, going to Young Womens, going to Anna's poetry reading that I missed out on last year, cleaning (yes, I love cleaning because I can do it!), and so much more. The boys and I got caught in a super heaving rainstorm coming out of Costco this week. It was insane, Nathan and I were soaked through, my cart full of stuff was sopping wet, and I didn't even care. I was so happy to feel well, it was no big deal. Maybe that's one of the blessings of being so sick for so long....I am just grateful for a normal life, crazyness and all. I can handle it.

Happy "five-months" Ryan. We're so happy you're here, and we love you soooo much!

My Big Five-Year-Old

I can hardly believe this little guy is turning five today. When I was pregnant, I was sure we were getting another girl. That was fine...I had tons of cute girl things, and three sisters would be so cute together. So, I was completely floored when the ultrasound showed "boy." My first thought was, "Oh, no. I'll have to send out a missionary!" (That has to be one of the hardest things a mother ever does.) I was certainly excited for another baby, but not quite sure if I'd know what to do with a boy.

Well, months went by, and one morning in early January, Nathan decided to make his appearance. He was my fastest and easiest labor (thanks to a great epidural). The first time I laid eyes on that sweet baby boy face, my heart melted. It didn't take me long to realize that there is a special bond between a mother and her son. All I wanted do was sit and hold him and look at him. He was so sweet.

Nathan has done a lot of growing up in 5 years, but I'd still use the word "sweet" to describe him. He's always got a hug and kiss for me, and my heart jumps a little every time I see that cute smile. I have absolutely loved seeing what a fabulous big brother he is for Ryan. We've got a super special little guy here, and we are so lucky he is in our family.

Five things we LOVE about Nathan:

1. His Aunt Crystal always says that he is the perfect little boy (and I would have to pretty much agree!) So cute, so sweet, and so much fun.

2. He's got the best smile, and shares it freely. When he was one, he fell off of a rocking chair and got a big bruise on his cheek. A few days later, I noticed that he had a dimple in his left cheek where the bruise had been. Strange, huh? So he's got a dimple for a scar....lucky.

3. Nathan loves to share. Everything from toys to candy to the cooked carrots on his plate at dinner last night. Hmmm....

4. He is ALL BOY and loves trucks, balls, muscle cars (he loves the yucky smell of Scott's 60's-era Mustang exhaust....he is truly his father's son!), dirt, animals (especially reptiles, bugs, and dogs), sticks, and just plain being outside.

5. Nathan is always making us laugh with the funny things he says. He came home a few months ago from the Father's and Son's camp-out telling me he got to "go tinkle on an artichoke." I was totally confused for a while until Scott clarified. I guess he relieved himself on some poison oak. I love his cute little voice, and how his "r's" sound like "w's". I know he is going to grow up on me way too fast!

Happy Birthday, Nathan. Love you lots!

Good Buddies

The other day I went upstairs to grab some clothes for Ryan and came back to this:

What cutie boys...

Little Man

Look who's three(!) months old today...

Time is flying...and we're having SO much fun.

Ryan gave us his first laugh last Sunday. Nathan got it out of him. It's happened a few more times this week, but I have yet to get it on the video camera. We have plenty of smiles though. He's not stingy with those!

Ryan also loves to hear us sing to him...his current favorite is 'The Wheels on the Bus.' He lights up when we start the arm movements with him. Very cute.

I hear all of that time that he looks like a little man. It's true! He has such distinct features for a baby. When Scott is holding him I think they look so much alike. I love Ry-Ry's little dimples on the sides of his mouth when he smiles. Aimee got one, and he got two....luckies!

Everyday I pinch myself...we really get another baby to love! We are so lucky. Ryan has brought so much happiness to our family in the three short months he's been here. This is one child that will never wonder if he's loved. I think he holds a special place in all of our hearts because of the sacrifice all of us made getting him here. It was definitely a family effort!

Love you, little Ryan....Happy three-month birthday!

My Sweet Aimee

Today is a big day for this little girl...

...today she is EIGHT years old!

I can't believe how time flies...

and I also can't believe what a sweet, beautiful young lady she is becoming.

Aimee is eight years old....

going on twenty!


Eight things I LOVE about my Aimee-doo:


1. She is so generous. Aimee loves to share what she has to make someone else happy.
2. Aimee is very thoughtful and concerned about other people and their feelings.
3. This little girl is one of the most productive people I know. She can accomplish more in one day than most adults!
4. Aimee is an amazing sister. Her little brothers adore her, and she is Anna's best friend.
5. She is an awesome blogger. Last time I checked, she was keeping up four of them!
6. Aimee is very smart. Sometimes a little too smart...
7. She is hilarious. Aimee is always making up the funniest words or phrases (shubbs; S.O.F., S.O.F...) that we all catch on to. She definitely keeps us laughing.
8. Aimee loves to do "grown-up" things and is extremely ambitious. She wants to be a mom, a photographer, a teacher, a chef, and a hair-stylist. I honestly believe she could do them all if she decided to.

Love you, Aimers! Happy Birthday!