Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

My grandma used to say that every single time we pulled up in the driveway when we returned home from being out. Every so often someone in my family quotes her, and it makes us all smile. I miss her. Even her grumpy face.

Bringing a new baby home always makes me think of those who have passed on, those who are no longer here to meet this sweet little fresh angel face that we all get to enjoy. I'm sure they knew each other, though, before he was mine. I like to imagine him moments before his birth, surrounded by all the people we know and love, and especially with the Savior, sending him off and wishing him good luck, telling him they'll be watching and guarding, and that they'll see him again soon. (I know, it's kinda Saturday's Warrior-ish, but I still like to think about it.)

But we made it home on Friday evening, after our beautiful new baby boy was born on Wednesday, Janurary 7th at 5:03 pm. Journaling of his birth story will come soon. For now, I'm just trying to enjoy these first days when he's still so new, before it's gone forever. I'm trying to not worry about the house or that my hair is a mess or that I still fit into nothing except those wretched maternity pants. (I always swell up even more after the birth. Go figure.)

Thanks to everyone for all the phone calls, emails, texts, cards, flowers, gifts, and especially to those who prepared meals and helped with babysitting our other little monkeys while we were in the hospital. You guys rock.

Merry Christmas to All

The girls are at the perfect age for Christmas. EVERYTHING was exciting and received a high-pitched "Oh, my goodness! I can't believe it!" squeal from DC. Yes, even Ariel panties. Miss Priss has renewed faith that Santa really does exist. How else could she have gotten the snowglobe from M&M world that she totally wanted??? And I should have taken the advice of The Man and stuck with just one or two gifts for Mini Man. One dump truck and he was done ... and in heaven. Unfortunately we spent the morning making sure it was all on video, and so I have no still photos. Oops.

Christmas Eve was great. We spent it with my sister's family over at her place. Tons of food, playing games, and the opening new Christmas jammies.


Our story this year was The Legend of the Candy Cane, a gift from some friends of ours. I love all the great Christmas stories out there that give us the simple reminder of what this season is all about. It never fails that by the end of the story I am teary-eyed, the words are hard to read out loud, and the kids are all asking me why I'm crying. But I love looking up at my husband, sister and brother-in-law afterwards to see that I was not the only one who felt the spirit the story brought.


Christmas Day was nice and relaxing. There were new toys to play with, a new Nintendo DS to play and new games to learn, Easy-Bake Oven cooking to do, Star Wars on the wii, Christmas Eve leftovers, and a nap for mommy. Aahh, perfection.



We stayed home to ring in the new year. I'm not much for partying when I have to waddle around through crowds with this huge belly. The kids went to bed early (no one's able to make it to midnight yet), and we watched a movie and fireworks on tv. Nothing exciting, but just what I wanted this year.

And now tomorrow is the big day! We check into the hospital at 8:30, and hopefully our little guy will be here shortly after. Wish us luck, and pray that the drugs are strong.

P.S. We're still not totally settled on a name. Any good suggestions? We need 'em quick!