Blog Out

New Blog

2009-10-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

Finally...I got myself a new blog: http://bennettloveshack.wordpress.com/

The End of Blogging?

2009-07-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

I was happily going along uploading photos to the blog this morning (I've really fallen behind, how quickly a week goes by) when suddenly a terrifying message appeared. It says my Picasa/Google photo storage is full. They are holding all my blogging ability hostage until I fork over $10 per year. I tried to delete some pictures from the Picasa albums but another message popped up and said if I delete there it will also remove the photo from my blog. Pirates! That's what these Picasa/Google people are! Pirates! So this is my last blog until I figure out a way around this villainy.
Here we are around the fire pit at my parent's log home. We had a family reunion of sorts with my dad's sister, her daughters, their parents, and some cousins from Iowa.
Me, Ruby, and my Mom.
Birthday party at Gram and Pop's. "Everyone raise your hand if it is your birthday." But really this party was only for Gram and Tristan.

Tristan got tiny legos from Gram and Pop. I spent a precious hour of my life putting together "The Krusty Crab" only to have it fall apart when Sierra moved it. ARRRAAGGGJJJHHHHH!

simple joys

2009-07-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

Amanda Soule over at SouleMama just created a post called simple joys. She lists a few things that are bringing her joy this morning with incredible pictures to match. I don't have the camera or photography skills like she does, but I have plenty of simple joys in my life. Like...
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby. She is such a smiler these days. Of course I couldn't capture said smile with the camera, you'll just have to take my word for it.
Here she is helping me fold laundry. This particular pile is a joy because Gram came over this morning when she knew I was trying to get out the door for a bike ride. She walked in and said, "Whose diaper can I change? What girl's hair can I brush? What pile of laundry can I fold?" I was nursing Ruby and she folded part of this pile of laundry and visited with me. At the very bottom of this picture you can see my slippers, those are a joy. And my black pants that I've been waiting for months to fit into and now I can, that is a joy.

This picture was taken a few weeks ago. We've been biking like this at least three times a week. We call ourselves explorers and we are in search of a new playground every outing. We've been to nine or ten different playgrounds, ones we'd never been to before. At this morning's park, a dad started talking to me while he pushed his 18 month-old on the swing. He asked if it was hard to have three kids. "Oh, I have four." I said as I pointed to Ruby's car seat in the bike stroller. We talked for a while, him saying that evenings are really tough for him and his wife with the baby and a 7 year-old, me saying that when all four kids want something at the same time (which only happens a few times a day) things get crazy but otherwise I love, love, love having a big family. Sometimes I think the more you have on your plate, the more you are able to accomplish.
A joy to me is to walk downstairs and find these two deep in imaginative play. A neighbor gave them a big box of barbies and other toys yesterday and they are so happy.

Tristan can play with blocks for amazing lengths of time. He loves to sneak off and create his own little world, which usually involves blocks and emptying out the DVD case. He'll bring me little block creations as gifts, I have a pile of them here by my computer. That is a joy. Here he is yelling, "Don't take a picture of me!" He also has purple frosting dye on his lips because he was "helping" me put away the cake decorating kit. Yum, cake....that is another joy.

I started reading "Surprised By Joy" by C. S. Lewis a few days ago. Last night I finally had to just tell myself it is OK to start a book and not finish it if you aren't enjoying reading it. Some parts were really good, very profound, but it was heavy reading and I felt pretty dumb for not grasping 90% of it. He says his definition of joy is "that of an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction...which is here a technical term and must be sharply distinguished both from Happiness and from Pleasure. Joy (in my sense) has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again. Apart from that, and considered only in its quality, it might almost equally well be called a particular kind of unhappiness or grief. But then it is a kind we want".

See what I mean? I'll stick with my simple joys--which I define as things that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Kaia is 5!!

2009-07-13T14:21:00.001-07:00

Notice it reads "Kayak" not Kaia. It could have been Cake Wreck worthy, but my Uncle Steve admitted that because he didn't know how to spell Kaia he said to the worker "Well, you could just put Kayak." So she did. Kaia didn't seem to mind, and the cake was delicious.

New bike from Gram & Pop/Mom & Dad. Sierra sure wishes it was her birthday.
The five layer birthday cake I created over the course of 3 days.
Pool party with her friends from Joy School. A very low key party, all I could muster.

Collage Fun

2009-07-10T20:11:00.000-07:00

click on collage to enlarge

What do you do in the summertime?

2009-07-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

"Oh, what do you do in the summertime?...

When all the world is green.

Do you throw your friend's dad in the pool?

To keep yourself cool

Do you run and swing?

Or jump on the trampoline?

Read lots of books with Gram?

Or eat slices of ham?

Is that what you do? So do I..."
Sing along with this song HERE

The 4th

2009-07-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

We sang The Star-Spangled Banner in sacrament meeting today and the third verse really touched me:

"Oh, thus be it ever,

When free men shall stand

Between their loved homes

And the war's desolation!

Blest with vict'ry and peace,

May the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made

And preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must,

When our cause it is just,

And this be our motto:

"In God is our trust!"

And the star-spangled banner

In triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free

And the home of the brave!

We went to the Purcell's last night for a wonderful 4th of July party. They spent the day slowly grilling ribs and they were divine. Marisa toiled over the desserts (I'm so glad I didn't have to do the work, yet got to partake in their deliciousness). Eric bought fireworks in WY to entertain us all. The kids had a blast in the pool, on the trampoline, and with their friends.

God bless America.

Bread of the Month

2009-06-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

I made bread this month, several times, even experimented with my old stand-by recipe. But I never did take any pictures and nothing turned out well enough to blog about. But check this out:

http://www.cookingbread.com/classes/class_hamburger_buns.html

Someday, oh just someday, I'll have some of these prepared for summer BBQ on the back deck.

Enforced Silliness

2009-06-26T16:28:00.000-07:00

Marty vs. Melman

2009-06-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

Last week when I was packing for our camping trip I felt myself thinking "I can't, I can't, I can't". A while ago my grandparents took my kids to McDonalds and in their Happy Meals were little Melmans that talked. For months I had three Melmans saying "I can't, I can't, I can't" all over my house. I finally got rid of the toys, but sometimes the phrase sneaks back into my mind. Yet, I'm determined not to be a Melman. I want to be a Marty. Marty wants to live in the WILD and he creates "the fun side of the island". Henry David Thoreau has a essay titled Walking and Adam has a copy in his truck. I read it this weekend and felt inspired to "live in the WILD" more often. Thoreau says things like:

“How near to good is what is wild!” Life consists with wildness. The most alive is the wildest. Not yet subdued to man, its presence refreshes him. One who pressed forward incessantly and never rested from his labors, who grew fast and made infinite demands on life, would always find himself in a new country or wilderness, and surrounded by the raw material of life. He would be climbing over the prostrate stems of primitive forest-trees.

I want to be wild. I'm sure any family/friends/associates reading this would laugh out loud at the thought of Mindi Bennett considering herself "wild". But perhaps Thoreau and I share a different definition of "wild". I don't want to be the mamma at the playground with tatoos and black lace Harley Davidson tank-tops (although I have one of those--not a tatoo, a Harley tank-top). I want to "make infinite demands on life...[and be] surrounded by the raw material of life." I want to be like my MIL who says she decided she was going to do more than just maintain, more than just barely stay afloat while raising 6 kids and running a household. I want to 'homestead' some land with my family; have goats and bees and gardens and orchards. But even here in my suburban house where the neighbors hear me shout: "Are you kidding me! Glitter all over the kitchen floor?!" or "Seriously, Sierra?! You can't stand on the couch while holding Ruby!!!" I think I'm surrounded with the wildness of life. The wildness of children, time management, nourishment, and self preservation are all mine. I am living in the WILD, the fun side of the island, even.

'09 Camping Adventure #1

2009-06-22T20:14:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day, Adam (early)

2009-06-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

LESS STUFF MORE FUN

2009-06-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

In December Adam heard about a guy who decided to not buy anything he deemed unnecessary for an entire year. No frivolous forms of entertainment, no new clothes, etc. We decided to try it. There was a car in our old neighborhood that had a bumper sticker that read "LESS STUFF MORE FUN". That has become our family motto. Kaia had to create a "family flag" for Joy School and we put that motto on there, along with our family scripture: "Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness" (2 Nephi 9:51). That last line, "let your soul delight in fatness", is a favorite of mine. Jack Johnson has a great song (Gone) where he says:

"Look at all those fancy clothes

But these can keep us warm, just like those

What about your soul?

Is it cold?

Is it straight from the mold and ready to be sold?

Cars and phones and diamond rings, bling bling

Those are only removable things

What about your mind, does it shine?

Are there things that concern you more than your time?"

Souls that delight in fatness don't get cold. Minds and souls that shine don't waist their time on tv, movies, music, entertainment that dull them. I'm teaching a Sunday School lesson tomorrow on the courage and faith of Joseph F. Smith. The following story has made an impression on me:

Joseph F. and his company had stopped to camp one afternoon when a band “of drunken men rode into the camp … , cursing and swearing and threatening to kill any ‘Mormons’ that came within their path. … Some of the brethren when they heard them coming had cautiously gone into the brush down the creek, out of sight. Joseph F. was … gathering wood for the fire. [He walked up to the campfire to deposit his wood. One drunken ruffian with a pistol in his hand said] that it was his duty to [kill] every ‘Mormon’ he should meet. … In a loud, angry voice [he demanded from Joseph], ‘Are you a … Mormon?’ [Joseph ignored the gun aimed at him,] and looking the ruffian in the eye … boldly answered, ‘Yes siree; dyed in the wool, true blue, through and through.’

“This [surprised] the man; and … he grasped [Elder Smith’s] hand and said,

“ ‘Well, you are the … pleasantest man I ever met! Shake, young fellow, I am glad to see a man that stands up for his convictions’ ” (Smith, Life of Joseph F. Smith, p. 189). The man seemed to be the leader of the group, for when he rode off the rest followed him. President Smith said he fully expected to be shot when he admitted being a Mormon, but he did it anyway.

I plan on telling the teenagers in my class that although they do not face mobs today, they face something equally dangerous. They are battling against devils who seek to destroy their souls by dulling them, thinning them, and robbing them of intelligence through all sorts of entertainment and popular notions that hinder them from forming convictions.

This morning my Grandma's cat was meowing outside our bedroom window at 5 a.m. I loaded Ruby into a baby sling (she was wide awake also) and headed out to visit Vinny. We are taking care of him while Gram and Pop are in California (Gram had back surgery on Thursday and we are all praying fervently that it is successful). I figured I might as well let Adam sleep peacefully until his alarm went off at 6:25 (he had a long bike ride to fit in before our busy Saturday of attending two wedding receptions) so I settled in at Gram and Pop's house. I started reading scriptures, D&C 93 to be exact. The Lord says, "I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth" (v. 41). In verse 36 we learn "The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth". I pondered that for a while. We are commanded to raise our children in light and truth which is intelligence which is the glory of God. Now I just need to figure out how to nurture children with fat souls and shinning minds and convictions that are "true blue, through and through".

p.s. Check out Common Sense Media for great movie reviews and advice for parents.

p.p.s. Check out www.picnik.com for cool things to do to pictures like adding text... for FREE.

Picture Post

2009-06-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby is 1 month old.
The girls' soccer season ended recently. Kaia told me before her last game, "Mom, I don't want to do soccer again. I want to be a ballerina." Here is Kaia with her buddy, Cooper.
Sierra on the other hand, loved soccer and was the second most competitive/aggressive kid on the team (she was only outdone by the coach's son).
I almost posted a before/after shot of my new hairstyle but the "before" (after I cut my bangs myself) was so hideous that I couldn't bring myself to put it on this here blog. But this is me "after", meaning after having a wonderfully professionally done hair cut by the talented Erica Niles. She said I wasn't the worst self-haircut she has tried to fix, more of a yellow than a red (to use her words), but it took almost an hour and a half to get the desired result. I like it a lot. So does Kaia, obviously.
I wish I could have gotten to the camera faster at this moment. Tristan came in my room while I was nursing and performed a hula dance. I think he saw his sisters dancing a few weeks ago and decided to give it a try. I laughed till I cried.
Oh, Kaia. I think she may have laughed till she cried when she saw this picture.

Mother Artist

2009-06-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

I was listening to this song today in the car and it got me feeling all artsy. I started daydreaming about getting back into painting. When nap time fell apart I strapped the baby into the Hug-a-Bub and pulled out the watercolors. As expected, Sierra and Kaia were soon at my side wanting to paint too. There is a book that has been on my night stand for way too long (The Creative Family by Amanda Soule) and in the few pages I've read there was a statement about not separating your kids from the "good" art supplies. Essentially she's saying let your kids create with the expensive stuff, not the 2 for $1 water colors. Well, I just can't bring myself to do that, although it would have saved me an argument and having to get all the kid paint down from the closet. Anyway, I painted unproductively for a while then spent twice as long cleaning up the painting mess my girls made. And all this made me think of a conversation between friends last night. We were discussing the talent of one friend's husband who is amazing on the piano/organ. Another friend mentioned that she would sure like to have a talent like that. Another friend's husband piped up and said something to the effect of, "Your talent could be Motherhood." Those words really stuck with me and reminds me of the quote I have on my fridge: "She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, ... deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God." --President David O. McKay

So I'm going to share my paints (but only the dollar store variety).

Things you just shouldn't do...

2009-06-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

*Cut your own bangs. Especially if said hair cut takes place in the wee hours of the morning and is performed by a sleepy (and insane) momma with a pair of sewing scissors. The result will be a look from a husband that reads "that looks terrible, but I'm not going to say the words out loud". Always remember if you see a hair style in a movie, someone with a whole lot of training and talent created that hair cut. I was trying to go for this:

I don't look anything like Kate or Zoe. Maybe I'll post a picture of myself someday. But probably not for another 6 months. I've confined myself to wearing a headband and a lot of hair pins for a really, really long while.

"Our Name Is Our Virtue"--Jason Mraz

2009-06-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm supposed to be sleeping. Adam has the "three noisies" at the pool so you would think conditions would be perfect. I was up till who knows when trying to get Ruby to fall asleep last night, so I'm definitely tired. Nap time just didn't happen for anyone today so again...I'm tired. Sweet little Ruby was sleeping soundly until a few moments ago. I tried to nurse her back to sleep, but to no avail. Maybe it is because everyone in the neighborhood decided to mow and/or weed eat their lawn tonight. Is that a chain saw I hear too? I dunno. Adam took the camera to work a few days ago and I decided I was way behind on taking pics of Ruby. I started using Photo Booth here on my Mac. Something about the camera made Ruby's stomach decide it was time to eject buckets of milk. That is what is happening in the picture above. But to prove she is a delightful little cutie see photo below:
Reddish brown hair, blue eyes, light olive skin, delightful personality--maybe I'm biased. I think she is mad about her name, though. Oh, she likes "Ruby", we all do. It is the middle name that is the problem. I want her middle name to be "Josephine" (my dear Grammy's middle name--well, her birth certificate says "Joe" because her dad wanted her to be a boy, but her mother always called her "Barbara Josephine"). Adam wants Ruby's middle name to be "Danger". He is still upset with me for not letting him use that middle name for Tristan. Pfssshhh, like I'm in any shape to raise a "Danger" for Pete's sake.

So what do you think? Should it be "Ruby Josephine", "Ruby Danger", or "Ruby No-Middle-Name"? We'll keep putting off the baby blessing (just like we did with Tristan) until this is resolved. Ruby needs your help.

Overboard

2009-05-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

In the movie Overboard Kirt Russel comes home to find Goldie Hawn completely overwhelmed by motherhood and homemaking. She is sitting in a chair, mumbling "baa baa baa" over and over. I was pretty sure that was how Adam was going to find me when he got home from work tonight. It may have been thus, if Gram hadn't called and invited my kids to play in her back yard and insisted that I go for a walk. As I walked along the path lined by giant Cottonwood trees who are shedding little bits of "cotton" right now, I was struck by the beauty of the evening. I thought about the events of the day:

A much anticipated trip to the zoo to ride the train. The girls had earned "tickets" by doing morning chores for 7 days in a row about two months ago and as a reward they wanted to ride the zoo train. It has taken me this long to make good on that deal.
I'd been putting off writing "thank you" cards because in my mind it was a monumental task. "Take a nap while the baby is sleeping and the girls watch a movie, or write, address, stamp, mail the 'thank you' cards?" I would ask myself. I find that I say this a lot. "Sleep or vacuum, mop, clean bathrooms?" or "Sleep or exercise?" or "Sleep or Spiritual nourishment?" I wish I could fit it all in, but I've got four kids who all seem to be clamoring for my attention these days. While I was trying to finish up the "thank you" cards this afternoon Sierra and Kaia were bombarding me with all sorts of requests. "Make a modest swimsuit for my Barbie!" Kaia demanded for the 100th time (my attempt to wrap ribbon around said Barbie had failed). "Read me another chapter of Fablehaven," Sierra begged. "Can we hold the baby?" they both repeated insistently. Finally I kicked them both out of my room and told them to find "a new activity" (have you heard the comedian Brian Regan use that line?). I thought they would go into the kitchen and make a big, huge mess. Which they did--involving peanut butter, chocolate chips and raisins. But they also made their own "thank you" cards and addressed them to me. This is what Sierra's looked like:

I told her I would keep it forever. And I will, just in picture/blog format. They surprise me with their thoughtfulness everyday (right after they surprise me with how much they can bicker, argue and fight). I love my kids.

BolderBoulder

2009-05-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

I heart Boulder, Colorado. I really wanted to go there while my MIL, Le Anne, was here. It kept getting put off until the day before she left I insisted that we get up there. That was Monday, the same day the BolderBoulder Marathon took place, the same day the Boulder Creek festival was happening, and the same day it decided to pour cats and dogs. Traffic was horrible, but we managed to find a parking spot and get to the festival just as the rain clouds opened up. But in typical Colorado style, the rain didn't last long and soon the sun was shinning.
There was a wild life exhibit (indoor) at the festival with moving animals to boot.
Here is the clan as the rain started to let up. Kaia is munching on a free sample from The Melting Pot, chocolate with strawberries and angel food cake. Yum. We stocked up on all the free samples, just like a Saturday in Costco.
Here is Le Anne protecting Ruby from the rain.
We were all impressed with this tent in a trailer. But this is about the point where I noticed my sandals were rubbing my feet so much that they were bleeding and I was finished with the festivities.
Here we had a nice family picnic overlooking the Flatirons. A few moments later Tristan found a big ant pile to stand in and experienced his first red ant attack. Poor little guy.

Joy School Graduation

2009-05-23T17:07:00.001-07:00

Kaia graduated from Joy School on Friday. Here is the graduating class led in march and song by Joy herself.
ErynShae, Neveah, Cooper, Kylie, Emily, and Kaia.

The graduates and their Moms (the teachers).

Don't be fooled. Under this grumpy facade she is bursting with joy.

Pictures from last week

2009-05-20T13:14:00.001-07:00

Ahhhh, nap time. Kaia is on an every-other-day nap schedule. She usually gets woken up by the little squeaker and when I return to the bedroom I find her happily holding and singing to Ruby.
Sierra and I got into a few arguments yesterday. She ended up with a double punishment (sent to her room and not being allowed to run through the sprinkler) and took this picture of herself to document her sadness.
Tristan was helping Grandma Danna in the kitchen. He does not like loud noises and the 4-horse power blender is very loud. Grandma made "alligator shakes" with fruits and vegis and Tristan loved it.
Our first family picture with four kids. Just so happened to be a beautiful sunset that night.
Ruby is one week old!
Grandma Danna has been here to give all our kids their first home bath. Ruby loved it.

Tristan wore his "Lederhosen" to church on Sunday and was a big hit.
Ruby has very flexible feet.
Grandma Shelli and Ruby (notice the pile of laundry in the background, that is only half of the baby clothes Le Anne brought down from WA for Ruby).
Sierra's Field Day at Tarver Elementary. She jumped rope 18 times and was very proud of herself. I think she's been practicing her jump rope skills every day since. Dad, Kaia, Tristan, and Grandma Danna were there cheering her on. I remember lots of ribbons on Field Day, but I guess ribbons have been cut out of the budget. No first prize winners anymore, everyone is a winner.

I Almost Wrote Something Spiritual & Intellectual

2009-05-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

During nap time I read a profound speech by Merrill J. Bateman given at BYU January 5th, 1999 (see HERE). I was on the verge of expounding on my thoughts and feelings, but nap time has abruptly ended.

For anyone who read Eric Snider from the BYU paper and who loves Ben Folds Five should see HERE (aka Lorie).

Birth Story

2009-05-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

So after this, Adam and I were off to the hospital. Contractions slowed down while riding in the car so we stopped off at McDonalds for breakfast (a rare treat for me). By the time we got to the hospital contractions were probably back to 10 minutes apart and wimpy wimpy. We walked into "the starting place" (as the sign said) and no one was there. We walked back into a nice lobby area with a tv, couches, birthing balls, bathrooms, etc. No one bothered us in there and I had everything I needed. But after about 30 minutes with no progress in contractions I told Adam we needed to leave the hospital and go for a walk. We moved the car to a long-term parking area and all the while Adam was trying to convince me that we should go to a movie. He even started looking up movie times and locations on his phone. Wolverine was playing at 12:30 p.m., but at this point it was only 10:30 a.m. I knew I wasn't going to make it that long and ignored his silly idea. Instead we walked through a historic neighborhood just north of the hospital. We held hands, we looked at the beautiful gardens and houses, he made me laugh a lot (like when I would complain about how small and weak my contractions were he'd say, "You mean it is just a baby contraction?" and then laugh at his own joke). I really have to say it is one of my favorite memories I have of Adam and I together, that 30 minute walk before our forth baby was born. We got back to the hospital, bought a whole wheat bagel from the cafe, and contractions started to pick up. It was a really busy day at St. Joseph's Labor and Delivery. Nurses and receptionists were in a flurry. Some attributed the rush to a change in the weather or cycles of the moon. At any rate they ended up having twenty two births on May 11th when normally they have less than ten. After check in my midwife found me to be dilated to a 5 and said I could stay. They moved me to the most wonderful birthing room with a giant jacuzzi, state of the art bed, and leaves imprinted into the ceiling tiles. Adam and the nurse filled up the tub and I can't ever remember being more comfortable (in between contractions, that is). I really mean it. Something about hot water and the massaging jets put me totally at ease. A few months ago I was considering hiring a doula for this birth. In the end I told Adam, "You will just have to be my doula. Your job is to put hot washcloths with drops of lemon oil on the back of my neck and to give massages." He didn't protest and even picked up a little bottle of lemon oil for me. Well, while I was in the tub he came in and dropped a dozen or so drops of lemon oil in the water. At first I thought this was a great idea, it smelled so wonderful, then my skin started to burn like it was on fire. It really hurt everywhere the oil touched my skin. I tried to ignore it and keep on enjoying my bath, but after a few minutes I knew I needed to stand up and try to soap off my skin. I kept telling myself, "You just needed some variety to your pain. This is a good distraction from your contractions which are getting stronger and stronger." Nonetheless, it was so very hard for me to get out of that tub. Adam felt really bad about the lemon oil problem. He dumped some on his arm to see if he would have the same reaction, but he never did. After about 20 minutes my skin stopped burning. Both the nurse and the midwife came in and said, "Didn't you enjoy your bath? Why did you get out so soon?" I resisted the urge to point at Adam and say, "I loved that bath but HE ruined it by pouring in oil that burned my skin off!" After the bath I was at an 8 and things moved pretty quickly from there. Transition from an 8 to a 10 was pretty rough, in fact I don't want to think about it (let me just say I'm so grateful for Hypnobirthing and all the mental & physical prep I put into this birth). Pushing was short but painful and I don't want to think about that either. But THEN, before I knew it I was holding my perfect little Ruby in my arms and saying "thank you thank you" over and over. Thank you to her, thank you to the nurses, thank you to my Heavenly Father that I didn't die, etc. My mom and siblings came to visit about 30 minutes after the birth. Adam left at about 7:30 and Ruby and I were on our own for our first night. It was a good one, I'd say. Ruby is a natural at nursing and you just can't ask for much more than that in a baby. Adam brought Kaia and Tristan with him to pick up Ruby and I while Sierra was in school. I'll never forget Kaia's wonderful reaction to her new sister. She just held her and sang to her and loved her right up. Tristan was more excited to see me, but also happy enough to meet Ruby (that morning Adam said to Tristan, "We are going to the hospital today to bring baby Ruby home." Tristan's reply was, "And mommy?") After 24 hours in the hospital, filled with interruptions and surveys, blood draws and room service, we were on our way home. Everyone seems to be adjusting so well. Tristan hasn't acted jealous at all. In fact, he has turned into an eager napper suddenly. Ruby's presence must make him sleepy. Sierra and Kaia are constantly at war about whose turn it is to hold Ruby and who has held her the longest. Adam's mom is here for two weeks to help. I can't say enough good things about her. She currently has the house rearranged and torn apart in an organizational effort. She and Adam had great success at a garage sale this morning (found a really nice dresser, a baby pack, a pack-n-play, clothes, etc) and now she's moving dressers all around the house. I'm delighted about it. Mostly because she tells me to go rest and she'll take care of everything. And she does. I'm on cloud 9 with nursing hormones, my beautiful baby, and my wonderful family.

Kaiaism

2009-05-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

Kaia: (running down the hallway, chasing her Dad, using a sing-song, teasing voice) "Dad, you smell like 'one two'."
Adam: (looking at Mindi with questioning eyebrows)
Mindi: "Kaia, what is 'one two' and what does it smell like?"
Kaia: (whispering to Mindi) "In the movie Madagascar they say 'You look like a monkey and you smell like one too."
Mindi: (laughing till she cries)

Ruby Video

2009-05-13T18:09:00.000-07:00