Hiking at Red Rocks

We thought the people up ahead looked like little ants marching. We were all headed up Bell Rock near Sedona and most everybody got farther than us with out little hikers.

This is us, including little Jeremiah on his first hike (in the daylight anyway) on our way back down. We had just about perfect weather to enjoy the beautiful scenery... about 60 and sunny!

Audrey and Bennett had a hard time waiting for me as I was being extra cautious not to trip/slip with Jeremiah strapped to my belly. We'd love to do it again sometime soon with just the two of them to see how far we can get.

Guess we wore them out. Here they are a few minutes into our 2 hour drive home.

Thanksgiving family reunion!

Here's an impossible shot. With Lisa, Sydni, Krystal and me all yelling to our respective children in an attempt to have them smile at the right moment. This photo is going to be a part of our family history you know. What if my child is the one throwing a tantrum or sticking his tongue out. So they're not all smiling. At least no one got hurt.



This is our first family photo with all six children, they're spouses (for those with spouses) and all nine grandchildren... plus two on the way! Yes, both Krystal and Sydni are expecting!!!

Blessing Day

Little Jeremiah was blessed last Sunday, the 26th. Rob did a beautiful job and we enjoyed the day with both our parents here to celebrate his birth.

Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures of the whole group. Here we are with Rob's folks. We're so glad they could be here for Jeremiah's special day and again for a long weekend this week! Rob's cousin, Lauralee was able to come visit from Chandler for a scrumptious lunch before church. We've been very blessed to have our wonderful family help us out during this first month with Jeremiah. Thank you to all who have come and to those who have sacrificed so they could be here! My parents were here till Tuesday when Dad returned home to work and Mom flew on to Utah to be with Ryan for shoulder surgery... what a woman!

Born for the stage!

Audrey starred in her Kindergarten's 5 minute rendition of Goldylocks and the Three Bears this last week. Her part as Goldylocks consisted of doing what the narrator (little girl at far right side) said... You know, tasting the porridge, trying out the chairs and finding the bed that was "just right" for sleeping until the bear family came home from their walk. She did a great job but got a bit of stage fright at the last moment and could only manage small movements with a huge grin across her face! She was precious!

A few more pics

Here's my mom (aka life saver) out on the porch swing with the babe during our Halloween photo shoot.

I meant to post this one with Jeremiah's birth pics... he's less than a day old here. I love how happy he looks.

We all went to church this last week. We only stayed for Sacrament meeting, but hey, we were there! Here's Jeremiah as we were heading out the door.

Here he is snuggled up on the couch. Grandma sure likes to make him all cozy.

This was our first outing, just the two of us. We got all dolled up to go see the pediatrician for his 1 week check up.

One loved baby

Audrey and Bennett love their baby brother. They are sweet as can be with him. This comes as a great relief since I feared some retaliation and jealousy from Bennett. He's not been a complete angel, but what can we expect? It was several days before Bennett asked to hold Jeremiah. I hadn't even thought to offer to let him hold his new brother! He whispered "I love you Jeremiah".

We've survived the 1st two weeks!

Here's Jeremiah's first bath at home. I think he feels okay about bathing in public and that he won't hold this posting against me. He's had two baths now (just one a week is what the doctor recommends) and has not enjoyed either one. He hadn't begun screaming in the photo below... but you can see it coming, can't you.

Everyone's feeling a little sleepy these days. I really can't complain because I have a wonderful support system. My mom's been here for the last week. She arrived the day after Lisa returned home. She's the official night nurse and consistantly gets me a good 2-3 hours of sleep to start off the night. Thank you Mom! Rob has been able to be home a lot as well and helps with so much of the work. Yet, there are some parts that only I am equipped to handle. In the end, we're all in need of a nap.

Jeremiah seems to be the only one getting all the rest he desires. We love to watch his dreaming smiles flash across his face. He's already starting to smile with his eyes open too... so sweet.

Jeremiah

Here's Stacey looking more beautiful than any women should look going into the hospital. Lucky for her she thought she was just going in for a stress test and she wasn't actually in labor yet.

The stress test went fine but since she was already at a 5 they decided to jump start the party by breaking her water.
5 Hours later Jeremiah Thomas came into the world at a beautifully healthy 8lbs 3oz, 2o inches long. He was born just after midnight on the 8th because Stacey and Rob thought the 8th was a better birthday than the 7th.
Here's Rob, doesn't he look like a proud papa!
Mother and baby are both doing great!
Here's the first family gathering. Audrey is quite the proud big sister and Uncle Ryan drove in from Costa Rice just in time to join the celebration.

He's a very sleepy baby but Stacey got this great picture of those beautiful blue eyes
Spencer and I arrived that night. I have the hard job of holding the baby!
Here's a big yawn as he tries to avoiding being awake again!
More pictures and Stacey's version of the story coming soon! Lots of Love Lisa

You guessed it!

Congrats everybody... you're all very smart. Think I'll do away with the other two letters before the great unveiling. My mom was actually the first to guess right on Sunday... without any extra hints for those who think I might favor her. We'll definitely let each and everyone of you know shortly after the big event. Thanks for playing our game - I love you all!!!

Here's the give-away

I realize that this letter makes the possibilities somewhat slim. It's fun to read all of your guesses and I admit that there are a few we hadn't thought of but really like. Krystal, your comment about the saw and sandpaper made me laugh. Anything could happen I suppose.

Next Clue

Thanks for your patience everyone... you're all being good sports!

Clue for the name game

Here's the next letter on the wall... the way it's going to stay. That is, the letters are in the correct order. Thanks for your guesses - no, we don't have a winner. We've decided that the winner will get the first phone call when the little guy comes out. Does anyone have a problem with a 3am phone call?

The name game

We'd like to announce that we've finally made a committment to a name for our soon-to-be-born son. We have actually purchased these wooden letters and drilled holes in the nursery walls to hang them. I suppose we could still go back, but we feel like this is it. This posting's for you Em, although that's not what we're naming him. These are just two of the letters in the name we want you to guess. I'll give you another letter in a day or two. Oh, just humor me and make some guesses!

1 month to go...

We're in the final preparation weeks before our unnamed baby arrives... he's due exactly one month from today! This week we purchased a "birthing ball" (really just an exercise ball) because that seemed to provide a little comfort during Bennett's birth. I also dove into a paint-the-nursery project a few days ago. It's going to be two shades of Apple Green - just the lightest shade is done so far. Here's me carefully teetering on the ladder while the kids "help".

Our little olympians

Apparently, our Olympic fever was catching. While we stayed up way too late watching amazing athletes, our kiddos dreamt of winning the gold! We found them both in this position during our nightly check on them on one of these late evenings.

A visit from Andy-Sue

My dear friend Andrea and three of her four beautiful children spent the afternoon with us two weeks ago. They were in town to visit Andrea's in-laws in Mesa but managed to squeeze us in. Matthew is so grown up since we saw him last summer - a real cutie! The girls (Hannah and Leah) had a great time in Audrey's makeup while Andrea and I made dinner. Then we were off to swim at the YMCA and frozen yogurt at my most favorite new discovery: iSwirl. We made quite a scene getting self-served fro-yo for us and five little kids and we all had a great time. It was so fun to see them! Unfortunately, Andrea and I forgot to take any pics with us in them. You can check out Andrea's blog at http://fowlesflock.blogspot.com/