Happy Birthday to the hottest, raddest guy ever

Braden turned 28 yesterday. This is the first birthday he seems to be struggling with. He says 28 is the point where you round up and now he's practically 30. What a drama king huh? Personally I think he should enjoy his age and appreciate the advantages of it. I mean imagine if he were 9 months old no matter how high he stretched his arms up in the air, they would still never reach the top of his head. Or imagine crying 13 times during one day. The juice is gone-tears. The movie is over- tears. Your baby bear is missing-tears. He's not even recognizing the fact that although his body may be a bit more achy after sports, at least all his parts are porportionate to one another and his emotions are stable. These are things generally overlooked and thus underappreciated by the bulk of us. Plus, when he is actually in his 30's and karaoke comes up in a casual social setting he can say, "Oh yeah, wow, I did that in my 20's", since we did that this weekend on our birthday getaway trip. He had accumulated Marriott points while working with ESD and I decided to surprise him and use them. The girls had a sleepover at a friends house and we got to have a night to ourselves. For free. (I even had movies and pictures of the girls on the camera which I did not watch once. Go me for detaching myself). It was fabulous. Then last night we had a few friends over for cake and ice cream. And he got two tickets to the Avett Brothers concert in April from his parents. I have to go now. I'm fixing large amounts of cow for dinner followed by a back massage and a car wash because he hasn't said who's he taking yet. Pick me, pick me, pick me, pick me, pick me....

And it should be noted that the title of this post has nothing whatsoever to do with wanting to be picked and should in no way be viewed as "sucking up" or "buttering up". Rather, it only depicts my true and sincere feelings for my adorable and amazing husband on his birthday.

Lila, in general

Little Lila Kristine is 9 months old today. Can I just say, Holy Chickens! How did that happen? I could have baked a whole other person in that time. I haven't, and I feel great about that decision, but you know...I could have.

Let's be clear about one thing-she's a good eater. A few weeks ago at the hospital she weighed 19 pounds. In the last few weeks everywhere we go, everyone comments on how much weight she's gained. And she's still been so happy. If everyone I saw called me fat and grabbed my thighs I don't think I would handle it as graciously. But that's Lila for you.

These last few weeks have been huge for Lila. At the same time she really started to pack on the pounds and look great and healthy, she also seemed to come to life in other aspects. She has started to catch up on everything all of a sudden. She rolls, claps, chats & babbles,puts things to her mouth, self-feeds, yells when you take something from her, and tries to move around. She says, "DaDa", which is super fair because he sees her for 20 minutes a day. But also convenient because when she wakes up at 3am I can say, "Honey, Lila wants you". She also says what sounds exactly like "Li-La". So she's got half the family down.

In the NICU they were always concerned that she didn't cry when she was hungry. She just always hung out, totally chill, and they thought it was tied into her medical mess. I now know that indeed that is just Lila. I go days without hearing her cry. I have to be careful not to take advantage of her goodness and accomadating personality.

Much to our disdain, disgust, & dismay, her favorite food seems to be peas. I tell myself that good moms feed their children peas, so I fight through the smell. But I do think it's very brave of me to do so. Often when I feed her, her eyes start to water and her nose starts to run so she still sees her allergist twice a week. Which I think is helping tremendously.

It seems that she has finally turned the corner and is starting to really thrive. Can you hear my huge sigh of relief? In the beginning the neurologists told us they weren't sure if there was any brain damage, that we would have to see if she met milestones to know. And then she didn't do much for this whole time so I was preparing myself for delays. But now I am hoping that she will continue to progress like she has in these last few weeks.

She and Anabelle crack each other up. It is not uncommon to hear uproarious falsetto laughter from both of them in the back seat or in their room. Is there a better noise? I submit that there is not.

There is no way to describe the way she makes me feel. She absolutely lights me up inside. She has always been such a delightful little soul and her sweetness melts my heart. She radiates love and peace and gentleness.



Good thing she's wearing the headband to keep those luscious locks out of her eyes.

We hear she looks just like her Dad because of her facial expressions

Demonstrating the mad clapping skills

Here's one thing I know about Lila- strawberries and blueberries are something she takes seriously.

Oh how I LOVE the dimples, creases, rolls and chub.

Our favorite new smile that she does. Maybe she's trying to prove that she does have a neck.

Oh, how well she knows me

An interview about Mom. From Anabelle, age 2

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Yes! I want to go potty!

2. What makes mom happy?
I make you laugh

3. What makes mom sad?
You don't cry!

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
I don't know. We don't push our friends.

5. What was mommy like as a little girl?
Me.

6. How old is your mom?
I don't know. One? I think I can exercise with you.

7. How tall is your mom?
I don't know. BIG!

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
I don't know. Play with me.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Plays in my room

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
I don't know

11. What is your mom really good at?
houses

12. What is your mom not very good at?
You're not bad at!

13. What does your mom do for a job?
Flowers?

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
You eat crumbs and cheese

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
We're gonna play together this morning. You and you and me! (pointing to Lila and I)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
You are my friend

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Play together and smile

18. How are you and your mom the same?
You are the family.

19. How are you and your mom different?
How are you different from you?

20. How do you know that your mom loves you?
I don't know. Can I watch a movie? I want to watch a movie Mom.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Because he's to work.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Wal-Mart


At a Mardi Gras parade last week

Sisterhood: A Full Contact Sport

The concept of p e r s o n a l s p a c e is as foreign to Anabelle as trigonometry. She LOVES Lila. In her pure passion-live out loud-in your face-hands on-all or nothing-sort of way. Everyone who spends time with Lila comments that she is ALWAYS smiling. And I agree. But somewhere in the back of my head these images are flashing through my mind. So for honesty's sake- she doesn't ALWAYS smile. And I guess as long as I'm being honest-these pictures are only a small sample of the collection I really have. And the collection I really have is only a small sample of the real life moments. And I could count the times Lila has cried because of it on one hand. In fact, usually when we go to bust Anabelle for licking/squishing/feeding/poking/smooshing/sitting/nibbling/kicking Lila is erupting in giggles.
May they always be this "close".

Holding Lila close today

Our dear friends Brooks & Bethany have a baby who was born with a heart defect requiring three open heart surgeries in order for her to live. Her name is Emma Kate and she born not too long after Lila. She just had her second surgery last month, which was successful, although she has had some complications and a long stay in the hospital. About a week ago, Bethany made a request on her blog to pray for another family whose baby girl had the same condition as theirs, and was requiring the same surgery. I clicked on this family's link and immediately my heart ached for them. Each day this week I have checked their blog to see how little Gracie was doing and it has constantly been weighing on me throughout the week. Having recently gotten just a tiny sliver of an idea of what they must be going through, and having a little girl about the same age, I couldn't help but be overcome with compassion and heartache for their situation. I can remember 2 distinct days last summer, one in June, one in July, when I was faced with what it would be like to lose Lila. I remember one night in Children's hospital finding out finally what they really believed she had, and when I researched it online I found that it almost always kills infants. I remember the gravity of the situation hitting me like a truck. I don't think I'll ever forget what that night felt like. I think some of my most sincere prayers have been said kneeling at the side of a hospital bed and pleading with the Lord for Lila. For those nights I will always be grateful- because it was in those moments that I found where I stood with the Lord-what my heart is made of. I found out something about me on my knees- and that is that the life of my child does not determine my devotion to the Lord. I found that regardless of the trial, I will follow Him and be faithful. He knows that, and I know that. And I think that is what those moments are about. I guess all of that is why I have been so drawn to this sweet family in Utah that I have never met. This morning they are going to take her off life support and let her go. I just cried my eyes out when I woke up and read that. My heart absolutely aches for what they must be feeling. I also feel reminded of the great miracles we have been given in the gift of our two healthy girls. I feel grateful that today I get to be home with them and go to storytime and wash their laundry and clean their spilt juice. I feel grateful that Emma Kate's surgery was successful and that she will be okay. Mostly I feel grateful for the knowledge we have about eternal families and grateful that Gracie's family is strengthened by that too. For me, today is one of those days that you cherish your temple covenants and the sealing power that binds your family, come what may. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the comfort and love of the Savior that graces us, and ultimately has the power to heal. Please say a prayer for the Gledhill family for what today will bring for them.