We bought a house!!

Closed on it last Monday. Painted and packed like crazy people and moved in Saturday. We are all feeling rather exhausted but excited to have a home we can call our own.


I feel so grown-up.

Dancing in the rain

It's been a slow day. Gray and cloudy. Then it started to rain and there was only one thing to do:






Dancin' and playin' in the rain.


Getting warm and dry. I had hot chocolate and Samuel had chocolate milk as a treat. Lillian just watched us, safe from the rain, in fascination.

For Whitney

Whitney has claimed that I don't put enough pictures on my blog of Lillian. I guess I can't really argue, it just seems to take so much time. So, here are some pics and a video of our adorable girl. I also need to update pictures of my charming little boy who is growing up so fast. He's just not my baby anymore, so sad. :( So, here's for you Whit.


Samuel and Lillian hanging out on the couch.



Lillian showing off her cute dress!

And she can do the Elvis Presley lip thing! Yep, definitely my daughter.


Here's Lillian being a Badger!

vis a vis: http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/

Quarterly Report

Remember my New Year goals? Well, I'm proud to inform you I've since run a marathon, completed my Masters degree and read the entire Bible (yes, even all the begats). Just kidding - April Fools.

In all reality, this first quarter of the year has been mainly survival mode. With a newborn and a 1.5 year old, life has been lived day-to-day. I'm happy to report that each day gets better and our family is definitely getting it's "groove" back. Samuel regularly showers Lillian with kisses, Lillian regularly smiles and coos at me, and Carlin and I have plenty of hugs and kisses to share with everyone.

Spiritually, I have started reading the corresponding lessons for Relief Society each week and find that I am getting more out of Church this way.

For my intellectual growth I read "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It was a Christmas gift from Carlin's brother and sister-in-law and I loved it. Seriously one of the best books I've read in a while. I loved reading an honest, unbiased look at the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It sends a strong message of how important it is to educate people, especially the women of these nations. I am all for education - especially of women and think all women, no matter their nationality, should improve their minds through study and education. I've also started to experiment in the kitchen which leads me to my last goal... physical development.

For this last goal I've studied the Word of Wisdom (a law of health that the LDS church follows). As I've studied I've realized there is more to it than just "don't drink or smoke." It says to "eat meat sparingly" and to not do more than you are capable. With this in mind I have tried to cut meat out of our daily diet, finding "vegetarian" meals to supplement. Beans have just as much protein as meat and are over all a little healthier for you. I've slowly been introducing non-meat meals to our menu and we have been eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and beans. Overall, I'm feeling much healthier and have watched the scale drop a few more pounds. I've also started taking a Yoga class which I find both invigorating and relaxing as it gets me out of the house and strengthens my body. Keeping in mind that I shouldn't push myself too hard, I am easing my way back into exercising. Two c-sections in a year and a half really does a number to your body!

Thanks for reading this post if you've made it this far. I'll report more as the year goes on.

Friends

Samuel has two of the bestest friends. Lydia and Zacharie moved here last August and it's been nothing but good times since. They dance, play, and laugh together. We are sad because Zacharie and his family are moving back to France in May, but until then we are enjoying our time together and capturing precious moments on film. (Merci Marie for taking pictures, I always seem to be found without my camera).

My First Flower!

You (the reader): "Ummm, Aubrey, what's up with the weeds?"

Me: "They aren't weeds! They are the first flowers my son has ever picked for me. Aren't they just wonderful?!"

My Beautiful Girl

Yes, yes I know. It's been forever since I have even mentioned Lillian. And she only has one post dedicated solely to her. Please, let me remedy that. Lillian is growing so fast! She can hold her head up and sit with some assistance. She has the cutest little cheeks that you really do just want to pinch. She is fairly easy, hardly ever crying and just sitting back and enjoying life. She adores her brother, and will spend many minutes just watching him and smiling and cooing at him.

Speaking of her smiles - they are absolutely beautiful. Her smile starts in her lips and ends in the twinkle of her eyes. And it's so easy to get her to smile. Things that make her smile: Mommy, Daddy, brother, and her mobile.




One thing I am loving about having a little girl. All the fun stuff we can dress her up in:



And a couple more pictures, including the promised photo of Samuel holding Lillian.


We love having our beautiful girl as part of our family.