PRAYERS BY CARTER

Carter's prayers go a little something like this...

Dear Heavenly Father, 

We're grateful for this day.
We're grateful for mommy and daddy.
We pray that we will be safe and kind and happy. 
We pray that Jesus and our sicknesses will be happy...
and that...
and that...
and that...
and that...
we will be safe.
And that Naomi will eat.
We are grateful for (lists the current friends he has played with that week).
We pray for a good night's sleep 
and we say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I don't want to forget what this kid's prayers once sounded like. It takes everything in me and Daron not to burst out laughing sometimes. One thing about it though, hearing Carter pray in that sweet voice of his is pretty much the best. 

And a word to our sweet boy... never stop praying, Carter!

A ROADTRIP TO UTAH TO MEET GENEVIEVE

We packed up and took a road trip to Utah to meet my best friend's baby, Genevieve. It felt a little crazy packing up the kids for such a quick trip but it ended up being worth every second. The kids surprised me how well they traveled. Lindsay Ham tagged along which made all the difference. I'm still a little nervous to tackle this drive alone with the kids. I think once Naomi is done nursing, we'll be game. 

We started out the drive at 9:00 in the AM and didn't pull into my sister's driveway in Alpine, UT until after midnight. It was a long day. But lucky for us, we had Carter to entertain us... that kid!

At one point, we caught him putting dried fruit in between his toes. Lindsay told me to look at Carter but not to laugh! (Because he was being naughty of course). But the moment I saw his sly smile with a dried pear between his toes, I died! I think it was funnier in the moment, but I cried I laughed so hard. 

We pulled in Thursday night. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were filled with sitting on a couch and taking in this sweet new baby. It was so nice to not be rushed for any events or have to split time which is usually the case when we are in Utah. We had one purpose: love on Genevieve. That's all we did and it was amazing!

^^ because, those baby blues!

At one point, we did get off the couch to go take a walk around the neighborhood. The fresh air felt nice and I discovered the back carry in the ergo! Naomi was one happy camper and I couldn't get enough of her sleeping on me like that. That's a rare event these days so I'll take it any way I can get!

These two, Naomi and Genevieve, are so darling together. I've dreamed about the day my children get to be best friends with my best friend's kids. It's surreal the day is finally here! I'm already excited for the day we can show these two pictures of us when we were little, what a day!

Saying goodbye wasn't fun.  It never is. There's so much love for this little girl and we all can't wait to watch her grow. Welcome to the world, Genevieve!

10 MONTHS

Our sweet girl turned 10 months old the Sunday before last. Naomi is really starting to come into her own. A few fun facts about her:

She has no teeth but that's not a problem because she inhales her food instead.
She could really use a hairnet when she eats. She loves to rub any and all food in her hair.
She puts one foot up in her high chair just like her brother.
When she wants more food, she makes an intense grunting sound.
She loves avocado toast topped with some havarti cheese.
Much of her life revolves around food.

She's beyond attached to me. She flirts with other people, draws them in and once they pick her up they almost drop her because she leaps back into my arms. Stinker.
She does the cutest wave you ever saw and accompanies it with a soft spoken, "Hi."
She's light as a feather but her cheeks pack a powerful punch.
She has a fixed gaze on her brother at all times.
Her favorite thing to do is knock over whatever castle he is making with his magna tiles.

She finally graduated from her snake-like army crawl to a normal one. 
The easiest way to make her laugh is to tickle her under her chin.
She has ocean blue eyes and the sweetest rosy cheeks.
She's getting braver and braver with standing.
Her smiles and giggles make me the happiest mom in the world.
And last but not least, no one believed me for a longest time that her doppleganger is Chris Farley but it's true!
(I'll never understand how someone can look so perfectly adorable and cute but also resemble him... a true mystery!)

Happy 10 months, Naomi! 

HER CURRENT OBSESSION

A few pictures of Naomi and her cute tongue that sticks out all day long as of late. It's her go to when she gets really excited or happy. I love this girl and her cute tongue and every other part of her! I don't mind the eye candy that's holding her either ;) 

Happy Monday!

THERE SHE BLOWS!

A video and some photos of our time whale watching last Saturday! Daron originally planned this little excursion to be our Valentine's Day date but I couldn't handle not taking Carter. I knew he would freak! We found out last minute babies weren't allowed so we had to leave Naomi. It felt strange to be without her but it ended up being such a treat for Daron and I to spend time with Carter. 

Carter surprised us on the boat. He was much more concerned about the "rules" than I have ever seen him. He didn't want us to stand for fear that we would fall out. And at one point, we tried to let him stand on a bench so he could see better but he quickly reminded us that "the speaker" told us not to stand on the benches! Who's this rule-following kid of mine!? And how do I get him to do this at home?? ha! We also made "Carter sandwiches" each time he got cold which made him giggle like crazy and let him do some of his own video recording, a first! 

On our way out to find the whales, we stumbled upon hundreds of dolphins. They were everywhere! Daron and I have been swimming with dolphins in Hawaii which was incredible but I have never seen this many at one time before. I kept thinking how much Carter was going to love this day but I didn't anticipate that I would feel like a big kid too! I couldn't stop squealing at the sight of them. We stayed with the dolphins for a while because the crowd was loving them so much. We had about 20 on each side of the boat bow riding the whole time and don't even get me started on the baby dolphins... SO cute!

Carter sandwich ^^

The grey whales were huge! I couldn't believe how big they were. They were more unpredictable so we weren't able to get a picture but they, too, were amazing animals to see in the wild. There were about 5 or 6 of them traveling together and one had a huge bite out of its tail. I could kick myself that we didn't use our nice camera for the day. These pictures and video were all taken from our phones besides a few from the goPro. As convenient as the phone is, it never does experiences like this justice!

^^ "WHHHAAAALLLLEEEEE!"

We couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous day. The sky was a beautiful blue and the swell was big making it fun to be on the ocean. We were also happy to figure out that Carter doesn't get sea sick! And now, I'm begging Daron to take me to the lagoons in Mexico where you can supposedly touch and kiss(!!!) the whales! What!?!?!?

HOW WE FEEL...

about short weeks!

(as Carter would say) 

HOORAY!

TRUE LOVE

So, there's a story and it goes a little like this.

When Naomi was around 3 months old, I was frequently answering a typical question after one has a baby -

"How's she sleeping?!"

Each time I answered this question, I would gush (in bewilderment) how Naomi was sleeping through the night and how I couldn't believe it! I always emphasized how this was to no credit of my own but that she did it herself. This conversation happened about 4 or 5 times in front of Daron. Then, after a birthday party, he and I were in the car driving home and he gently informed me, "Ya know... Naomi isn't actually sleeping through the night. She gets up 3 - 4 times needing her binky. I just get to her before you wake up." 

Enter: total disbelief.

I will never forget how loved I felt after learning Daron was doing such a sweet and selfless act for me. My love grew so much for him in that moment. It's these seemingly simple acts that are, in my opinion, the most meaningful. This genuine, honest, selfless, true love is what I love to celebrate this time of year. Whether this Christ-centered love comes from a spouse, friend, mother or father, brother or sister, cousin or grandparent, it deserves to be celebrated!

So, from me to you, Happy LOVE day/weekend!

And Daron... you already know this, because I tell you every night as I hold on to your arm just before we fall asleep, but I love you!