Hey kid

We got to take a peek at our little boy this week. And he is handsome! There is something about seeing those little peanuts wiggle around on screen that makes me giggle. It's an euphoria that is hard to explain. With Ellie it was the same. It seems more real after this point. I'm not just puking and feeling off for nothing. I am really growing a baby.

I feel him move every now and again, but this kid was doing somersaults during the whole process, and waving and kicking -- I, of course, couldn't feel any of it. I loved it. I've been on a bit of a high ever since.

(4 month baby bump)

And in case you missed it . . . it's a boy!

Payson Lakes

Two cold, restless nights - oodles of sun and sunscreen - yummy good food (Mom White's dutch oven classics, yumm) - plenty of cousins - fishing - canoeing - kayaking - falling overboard (Brian and Ellie anyway).(My babe's awesome bedhead and sleepy eyes)

(daddy and daughter)
(Aunt Laura and cousin Erin having the time of their lives)
(Uncle Brad, cousins Erin, Nate, and Natalie, and Brian)(Pre-toddle overboard -- I can't understand how she fell over :) Erin held onto her until Dad could get over to rescue, and Grandpa took pictures)
(Post-toddle overboard- surprisingly unscathed and wanting to swim. That's my girl)

This time was different

Not one stinkin' OPK. No ultrasounds, blood tests, urine tests, temperature charting or lunar calendars. No poking, no prodding, no monthly date with that friend (or foe) Mr. Clomid. No consultations, no roller coaster of hormones and emotion. Just a hunch . . . just one HcG detection kit . . . and a confirmation. What a sweet, sweet gift.

(baby #2, January 2011)

Summer Baby

I am not going to even try to recount the milestones that Ellie has blown through these last few months. She has gone from baby to a coordinated verbose little girl (although I still call her my baby). No one could have ever explained the pure joy that an 18 month old during summer is. The minute our bikes or stroller are pulled out she jumps up and down clapping her hands saying "so fun so fun."She eats fruit by the fist full and doesn't flinch to stick a rock or weed or anything that looks squishy into her mouth. Despite this very broad diet she remains our little twiggy. She did however, for the first time ever, make it onto the growth curve at her 18 month check up. Yup, this chunky monkey officially made it to the 2 percentile. Wootwoo . . . we still have to keep her car seat in backwards.We are so in love with this little girl. I love how she tells me stories, using every word she can think of and it makes complete sense to me. I love her kisses. I love how she says "oopsie" and "oh my." I love that she twirls and jumps and runs when she is happy and cuddles when she is sad. I love that she gets a hold of my phone and, verbatim, repeats my end of most of my conversations, even though I'm pretty sure she has no idea what she is saying. At night Brian and I recount all the funny or cute things she has said or done that day and fall more in love with her.

7 months, a move and a bunch of stuff later . . .

April 10, 2010 we said good-bye to our chateau in the mountains and moved to a cottage in the valley. Our Idaho home sold (cue angelic choir) thus ending our housing swap agreement. We are now renting a charming small home in Holladay. My first impression was that it was a combination of both my grandmother's homes, complete with floors that squeak in predictably comforting ways. In the hallway are those built-in drawers where grandma Horner would keep toys for the grandkids. The front room's large picture window looks out at wise-looking old trees that rustle, even without a wind. I try to keep that window sparkling, just like grandma Henrie always has hers. I like to think that when she had her little ones running around she too had the occasional finger prints, and nose prints, and kissy-fish-face prints on her otherwise crystal clear windows. (Ellie and cousin Jenna)

The neighbors are as charming as the house. There aren't many children on our street but plenty of grandmas and grandpas. They make good neighbors, always doting on Ellie and putting up with Annie. A few weeks after moving in, we met a sweet older couple in our ward that lives on the street over. Perhaps you have heard of them, Tom and Francine Monson. A surprise and a treat be to say the least.