Happy 9th Birthday Téa!

Tay's birthday dinner choice: Cheesecake Factory

Toren's Blessing

Do you see that smirk on my face? That is the face of an excited expecting-mother. I knew that within the week I would have a son

. . . in my arms, not in my belly.

Some women have peaceful pregnancies. I do not. It's a rough road for nine months.

But so worth it. Every moment of it is well worth it.

Due to my pregnancy-induced neuralgia, I was induced 3 days before my due date on a Monday morning. Ben and I left at 6:30 am, leaving behind 2 very excited sisters - and one sleeping, oblivious 2 year old - home with their Grammie. Nine hours later our lives changed once again.

There was now six of us.

We were instantly in love with our little boy. He was healthy and beautiful.

Our girls got to meet Toren later that day. Eden was not sure what to think and was a little frightened. She warmed very quickly and still continues her "Mommy, I hold it" chant still today.

We love him and have already made huge strides in this huge (and very cute) adjustment.

Baby Toren

Introducing our sweet Toren.

He was born 2 weeks ago on a Monday afternoon.

8lb. 10 0z. - 20 1/2 inches

We are madly in love.

More pictures to follow soon (I promise).

Eden is Two

I don't think you could pack more personality in a little 2-year-old body if you tried.

She's amazing and a huge light in our family.

Happy Birthday Edie. You are our World.

Loose Ends

Ben accidentally locked Avery out when he went for a bike ride last week. I got home, grabbed Aves and we ran some errands - only to find Ben sitting on the porch when we returned. He was genuinely locked out. Not planned - but perfect. Avery was thrilled and felt like they had a locked-out bond.

When Eden's babysitter came over we had just gotten the stroller out. When I came back 2 1/2 hours later, they were still out walking Pig. She had a fantastic time, and a "fantastic" sunburn.

What I found when the upstairs got unusually quiet on Saturday.

Téa being the comic relief while Nervous Avery's ears were prepped to be pierced.

AIGA 100 Show.

Three of Ben's art pieces won a place in Salt Lake's professional design association's yearly award show. One of the pieces won the Copper Ingut (one of the top 10 pieces.) I was a very proud - and very pregnant - wife.

Cruising the Cul-de-sac

I happened to look out the front window to luckily

catch a glimpse of this little beauty just cruising by.

Avery Turns Seven

Avery is my baby. I still call Eden "Avery" on accident because Aves was the little one for over 5 years. She is definitely not little anymore.

Her birthday was a 3-day family event.

It started with a surprise trip to get her ears pierced (something she has BEGGED for for over a year). That was followed by a trip to get her a new bike, a quick pit-stop at Ben and I's friend's art show (which was made fun with a HUGE lollipop and rocking horse) and "front row seats" at the Mayan for dinner and a diving show. The weekend-birthday was capped off with cake and ice cream on Sunday with her cousins.

But being 7 means nothing to me. When she's 70 she will still be "little Aves."

Me and Edes

The result of keeping Avery company while in the shower.

Keeping Ben company when we visit him at the shop.

For the past eight months, it has just been me and Eden for the majority of the day.

She is my little buddy and we do everything together.

I get the older girls off to school, Eden stands at the door and waves until they are out of sight, then she looks over to me and says "Mommy seat? Mimi? Joosh?" Translation: Come sit with me and watch a cartoon with a sippy of juice.

That is how our day begins. Just the two of us. Everyday.

Our daily routine is in for a big change in the next month.

I get sentimental about the time we have now and admittedly-teary, but that quickly turns to excitement for all of us.

Eden and I had 2 full days home alone together. I didn't feel well and as it turned out, neither did she. After 2 days of her refusing to leave my lap - or stomach - I saw that she had cut 4 teeth all at the same time.

Sweet little thing. . .it was good we had each other.

Super Market Sweep

I had to grab a prescription from the pharmacy.

Eden had to go for a run.

I wasn't feeling well and didn't have the energy to fight her.

So off she and Bebe went -who was "sleeping" in its "bed" by the way - running the aisles in pure bliss.

After about 20 minutes she wore down and I easily scooped her tired body up and out to the car.

I brought her home for a well-deserved nap.

Perfect.

The girls have begged to get a pedicure for a very long time.

Well the day came and I think it was all they had hoped for.

Both girls left with bright blue toes and the biggest smiles I've seen in a long time.

Chat Room

A lot of times when the girls get home from school, they run down to the basement and "call" their dad on iChat. They love to give him the blow-by-blow of what happened at school that day. I've learned to not freak out when I suddenly hear a man's voice downstairs talking to my daughter.

There are days Eden just cries for Ben and points to the computer, so she'll call him too.

Ben recently emailed me these screen shots. He's been saving them every time we log off.

I had no idea.

Ben's a cute dad.

Our cute neighbor, whom we lovingly call Fancy Nancy, dropped off these hats for the girls the other day. She said she saw them and couldn't resist. We happened to be going to a party down at The Mandate that night so the girls made sure they got used. Eden was very aware of all the hat-hoopla and was sure to grab hers out of her drawer. . . perfect for her jammies.

Sunday at the Park

Getting ready to go out for lunch, Eden brought me this entire ensemble.

I've taught her well.

Katie and Mindy (who I've known for over 26 years collectively!) threw me a baby shower for our first little boy. It was so fun and so nice. I love them to pieces. Thank you!!

Last week Ben and I needed to switch cars. At 8:30 pm (well past the girls' bedtime) Ben called and told me it was no use. . .he had truly lost the keys to the car and I was going to have to come get him.

I loaded the tired girls into the truck and we headed downtown to pick him up.

And of course, enroute, he finds the keys.

And of course, enroute, we found ice cream on the way back to the house.

Getting them to bed was another story.

The girls are still hoping Ben will lose the keys again soon.