Us Lately

4 weeks later...my arms are starting to get tired

we"re leaving the house a little more

I'm really missing my other 2 kids and our old routine

names are getting all mixed up- Olivia- I mean Eden

It's crazy around here, but wonderful. I remember how crazy it was when Eden was born and thinking we might have ruined everything. Those moments never lasted though and now Taj and Eden are the best of friends. Taj gets Eden her gummy vitamins in the morning. Eden gets Taj his toothbrush. They got their first tag team time out a couple days ago, and while it wasn't fun I was marking down in the book of Smith as a first and like that they have each other.

Only In Utah

August 8th is a big day around here. Among other things it marked Micah's 29th birthday and our 7th wedding anniversary. I was pretty much a bum this year. I did nothing for Micah. I didn't prepare ahead and buy anything. I didn't even help the kids make him anything. We're pretty low key about these things anyway, but I really let this one get away from me.

In a meager effort to celebrate we went out to dinner on Saturday. We left Taj and Eden with Nana and once Olivia was all fed we took off. At the end of dinner Liv started waking up. She was hungry. Olivia's only 2 weeks old so instead of letting her cry all the way home we pulled into a parking lot to feed her in the car. Being civilized Micah pulled off to a darker, deserted area of the parking lot. He went and got us some "Red Mango"- so good. While we were all eating a car pulled up next to us. Right next to us. This was strange since there were hundreds of other parking spots open and we weren't even parked by anything. We were curious and started watching. The dad got out of the minivan and went to the back seat where he got a baby out. He handed the baby to his wife who began feeding their baby. Classic. We laughed and thought, "only in Utah." Micah then said it's definitely time to move. I couldn't agree more.

Apricots a Plenty

Freezer jam
Fruit leather

We have more apricots than we should ever try to eat. Come and get it people!

Oh, yeah

Olivia Ola Smith I forgot to mention that yes, our little darling has a name. Well, not so little anymore. She was born 8 lb. 10 oz. , and is already out of newborn diapers. It's amazing what a little leche can do.

Side notes:

* I'm loving the "Belly Bandit". I totally recommend it.

* Having a baby is up there as one of the most humbling experiences. I feel so needy, but more so blessed. I have an amazing support system who have done more than I knew I needed. This has been a beautiful experience and all thanks to them.

* Babies in the summer are the way to go.

* I know I shouldn't watch Shark week, but so help me, it's so interesting.

* What are my preschool options in Hawaii? We're still hoping to be there soon (ish) so I need to get that figured out for Taj--- HELP!

She's Here!!

* Too many monkeys in the bed.

* Eden and Taj are as in love as Micah and I. They ask "where's my baby?" all the time. "Can I hold her?" They are so proud. I am too :)

It'll be a week tomorrow. Time couldn't go fast enough trying to get her here, but now that she is here time is going way too quickly. Day 4 she woke up and already looked different. the newborn phase is almost gone already. Maybe it's just me, her mommy, but she's definitely not the newborn I held just days ago. It's all part of the fun of the experience I suppose. It's been wonderful. We are so blessed.

Old and New

I kind of hate my infant car seat. It's the one we got with Taj almost FIVE YEARS AGO! That blows me away. It works fine. It's pretty ugly and beat up and heavy, but works. I can't really justify a new car seat to replace a perfectly functioning one.

I decided it's not a big deal, and then we got it out and put it in the car. Ugo's. I took matters into my own hands and made this "car seat canopy". That's what they call them here in Utah. I've been spotting them all over, and besides making a lot of sense it looks a lot better to me than the old car seat.

* Not too many tips on a "bounce back" recovery from pregnancy and labor online, but I was told about one thing that I'm going to try. It's called the "belly bandit". It's a thick elastic contraption you strap around your loose guts and it holds it all in place. It's supposed to help your uterus contract more effectively and let your tummy look flatter in the mean time. I got one, so we'll see.

Water Babies

Swim lessons, fountains, streams. We can't get enough water these days. This is my first summer being sidelined during swimming lessons. I'm a sweaty beast and besides loving watching the kids play it's torture to just sit on the side. I realized that once baby comes I won't be able to get in the water for all of August. Yikes. At least the kids can have fun still while I'm recovering and I won't have the 20 lbs of extra body heat on anymore. Well, slowly it'll come off.

Along with all the anticipation I have waiting for baby, I'm feeling overwhelming love for my little ones, and not so little ones. I know our world is about to be rocked, but in the meantime I'm bursting with love for my family. I feel so blessed and unworthy of these people.

My due date is in 2 weeks. I'm d0ing a little here and there to get ready. Tonight we put the car seat in after I had to have a non stress test because baby's heart beat was "low". Everything is fine and after napping to the sound of the little lady's heart beat I was cleared to go. I've been thinking though, all you moms that have been through labor, what are the secrets out there? Some of you seem to bounce back faster than others. Spill it. What am I missing? I'm running out of time so please tell.

Is it the Wedding?

Me: Not yet. It's the 4th of July today.

E: Will there be princess fireworks?

Me: oh boy. I hope so. We'll see.

We had a great 4th. In Utah it lasts all weekend because fireworks aren't considered keeping the Sabbath I guess.

We had our own private family firework show on Saturday, which Taj and Eden just about exploded over. Taj especially. I worry about him already with the play with fireworks stage coming.

On Sunday we went to Park City for the big family celebration. Apparently our little show wasn't enough. The kids were still into it.

My aunt Rose sets lady bugs free as part of her 4th of July tradition. While all the kids squealed and laughed at having hundreds of lady bugs around Taj and Eden lovingly looked at the little bugs and were very respectful.

We love "fire wands". Eden coined that one. I'm loving the part of parenthood where we get to watch our kids discover holidays and fun new things like fire on sticks and loud pops. It makes it all so so worth it.

Happy 4th of July!

GO DADDY!!!

Micah just played in the Utah Summer Games in Cedar City. We knew he'd be playing a lot, but still wanted to go and watch and cheer, "Go Daddy". We stayed in St. George. The drive wasn't too bad. The kids loved watching movies in the car. Watching an entire movie and watching anything in the car are both huge novelties for them. It was funny how the mini trip shifted from cheer for Dad to Bunk Beds and Pool!

They loved the time with Dad, but the highlight of the trip was the bunk bed. They couldn't get enough.

We loved the pool. There was an indoor and outdoor pool. While in Utah there are tons of pools to play at, they're all pretty wild with kids and squirting things all over. A little goes a long way. These pools were perfect for us.

Taj still knows how to swim. He loved swimming down deep for his toypedo's.

Sorry we only made it to half of one of your games Daddy. You did great.

*Eden had a band aid on "to be silly." Taj has a scabby nose though- not silly. He was skateboarding down a hill last sunday. Changed positions to laying on his belly. A bump stopped the board and he kept going. Skinned him good. Thank goodness he heals like Wolverine.

Sweet little houseguests

After the last snow we discovered a momma bird had nested by our front porch. A couple weeks later the baby birds appeared. They've been so fun and sweet to watch, until a few days ago when the babies were taking flight for the first time. I guess something about them being out of the nest made the Mom extra protective. She came at a friend of ours chirping and basically creating a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's' "Birds". Now we're left with a cute nest and a bunch of poop to clean up. Isn't that a perfect summary of guests? Ha ha.

No rest for the weary

Ready for the cram session to get a little caught up? Since we've been back to Utah we've kept very VERY busy. We got right to some gardening and then:Not even 4 days later it snowed. It only killed one of my precious cucumbers, but snow in May? Yuck.

Eden has done a bang up job of growing up. She took right to "the potty train". I know I'm jinxing myself, but we're going on 5 days with NO accident! Yahoo! My bag feels lighter and I don't have to think about diapers for a couple months!

She also decided to peddle on her bike (looking almost clownish, but in the cutest way ever).Taj officially graduated from preschool. It was a fun celebration that has left me proud and wondering what to do about next year. We're planning on signing up for "Little Scholars" that starts reading and math and other Kindergarten basics. Hopefully we'll sell the house and be in Hawaii for next year. Yup. We're fixin to sell the place. We love the house and family close by but that's not cutting it. We feel the need to get back to Hawaii. Getting the house ready is exhausting- especially with a baby on the way and an absentee husband. He's working like mad during the busy season. Thanks Micah.

We're loving the new pet. Nana just got a beautiful horse, Flash. The kids are loving the rides and visits. He's great.

That pretty much sums up what I've neglected to blog about. I could mention the varicose veins showing up, Taj being a social butterfly, the anxiousness I'm feeling while getting ready for our 3rd baby and all that her arrival will teach us, I turned 30 and had the best birthday/weekend I've had in a long time, had a garage sale... but for now, this should do it.