My Word

Today is the last day of January. Who knew that this month would challenge, uplift and stretch me like it did. I knew I would have a baby sometime in this month which always brings changes, both good and bad. But I did not comprehend the magnitude of all the blessings and inspiration this girl would bring. Time is rushing by and I want to focus my energy on the good and present in my life

I have had some posts since probably October that I have been planning and wanting to do in January for the beginning of the year 2008. I kept track of all the books I read in 2007 and wanted to post all of them and give my top ten. I wanted to write down my hopes and goals for the new year and I also wanted to post about "My Word" for 2008. I have seen this across the blog world quite a bit and really liked the idea. I am not big on resolutions that is why I wrote hopes and goals. This way I can encompass more than just I will do this and this etc. But I did like the idea of have a word that you focus on in that year to see if it helps you become better. So as I have contemplated and thought about this word. I have finally come to a decision on one and the word is

CAPACITY

Okay, I know what you are thinking. "Lou, of all the words in the entire world, why, oh, why did you chose this one?" Well, I will tell you. I want to increase my capacity in all areas of my life. For example, I want to be able to have my house to be more organized. It I can increase my capacity to go through even one more box a day or clean out one more cubboard or throw one more thing away. This will greatly help in getting my house organized more quickly. I want my capacity for patience to increase with my children and along with that the love I feel for them. I also want to have a greater capacity to do more joyful, happy, productive things in my day. Such as painting, scrapbooking, projects with my son, and having a clean house. So the laundry can be done, dinner thought of and on the table when honey gets home, getting the bills paid and all the stupid paperwork that life makes you do. I want the capacity, desire, energy and time to do these things. I feel if I concentrate on it and organize myself correctly. I will be happier and things will get better. I also want to have the capacity to be more spiritual. Do the things that will make me closer to my Heavenly Father. So here is my word for 2008. I hope it helps in even a little way.

ice cream

Saved by the Bell

How funny is this. Thanks Emily for this fun quiz

One Month and a New Beginning

Sofia is one month old today. This month really has been a whirlwind of craziness although it also has been quite lovely. I have learned so much about myself and my limits as a woman and a mother. I have been stretched physically, spiritually and emotionally to heights I could not foresee. It seems since Sept. we have had one thing after another. Where our family has one emergency or need followed by another. I am tired of being needy. My mom pointed out that it gives people the oppurtunity to serve and the people who love us don't mind being there for us. And they all need blessings also.

Sofia Caroline is so beautiful. I love her sweetness and how she brought some girly into our house. She is a fighter and lets you know when something displeases her. She does calm down quickly when things go her way or she knows it is coming. She loves her ducky swing, which helps Mom get at least 10 min to get something done. She loves cuddling and being really close to people. I love watching Noah learn how to share and learn how to love. He already teases her and he takes his big brother responsibility very seriously. I can really count on him to help out.

Kersten started a new job today. This is one of our many abundant blessings. He is working ironicly for the same company he worked for when we first got married. This job will make it so if we are really careful, I can stay home with our children. He had a great day. And even said like it felt like coming home, There are a lot of people he still knew and the building is the same. One of his best friends that he met there, also started working there again a couple of months ago, so it was really fun. I am so excited for him and this new challenge. I know it is going to be awesome. Thanks honey for always taking such good care of us. I love living this crazy life with you.

Our Prophet

I am so saddened by the passing of our beloved prophet, Gordon B Hinckley. I am sad for the world but not for him. I know some of his grandchildren, I went to school with them and had one of them in my ward for awhile, I am thinking of them today, it is really hard to lose your grandpa. For now I know he is rejoicing with his beloved wife. That was my first thought after I found out. The celebrations and joy they must be experiencing as they all meet again. I loved his sense of humor and clear precise way of speaking and telling us what Heavenly Father wanted from us. He inspired me to be a much better person and I devoured his talks and listened most intently to his words at conference. I did not know him, but my grandpa Lawrence grew up accross the street from him and used to call him "Gordo", I also was blessed to see him randomly throughout my life. The most recent was when he came to his great granddaughter's baby blessing in our ward. It was so amazing to feel his spirit in the room, I feel blessed to have been so close to him recently. I am so grateful that he was our prophet, he has meant a lot to me in my life and has really strengthen my testimony.

Sofia is Home

Sofia is now home. She is doing so very well. Noah had to hug and fuss over her over and over again. He even started to jump up and down. He was so happy that we were all together again. Thanks for your prayers and concern. We love you all and I promise to blog more.

Where I've Been

If you have been trying to find me and wondering what I have been up too since Wednesday, this is where I have been. I got home a couple hours ago just for the night and to be with Noah. A mean thing despite all my vain and valiant attempts to keep it away has surfaced. It's name is RSV. She is doing so much better but she totally freaked her mom out and I am so glad I followed my promptings. Probably will be home in a couple of days. Thank Heavens. Thanks to all the people that have already been so supportive and for everyones prayers. Love you all

Oh and by the way, Can you believe my baby is 4 weeks old today.

Grateful Sunday 1-20-08

This picture shows so much of my life right now and what I have to be grateful for. And it is a little fuzzy, just like life seems right now. I walk around surviving and healing, knowing this is not forever. First of all look at that hot Husband of mine. He looks so good with that sweet babySofia snuggled up so close and cherishing his babe. Can you believe that she was 3 weeks on friday. And look in the background there is a boy called Noah that is full of life and fun. He really is the sweetest boy, He got really sick this week, they thought it was RSV but it was NOT, thank goodness. He has been so miserable that I just want to take it away. He has still been pretty good just a bit whiny. I have worried about the babe and so has our pediatrician, Dr. Katie who has the perfect bedside manner for my parenting style. And who gives some parents her pager so we can talk to her and not her nurse. Hooray! Love this lady.

In the background of this pic you can see a ton of laundry, which seems to have grown 5 times instead of just by one tiny little person. My Mom has been so amazing. She has helped with so much of this laundry. Kersten has also been on top of it. She took me to all my doctors this week and to Noah's appt. She has sacrificed so much of her time to help me out. I have cried and cried to her these past weeks and sometimes even been snippy and irritated at her. And she has loved me through it all. I also have great and amazing Sisters who helped me take down my Christmas tree. bathe my sweet baby for I can not bend over with and open wound, Fold my mounds of laundry. kidnapped me to take me shopping and bought me the new Anita book (heaven to read something frivilous today), came to hold and adore my sweet baby and exclaim over and over again that she has perfect features everywhere and is the prettiest baby around, (mom's could talk all day about their babies) and who also randomly just stops in for lunch so I feel connected to the adult outside world. How lucky am I to have such sisters. Also for a Bro that brings rock band over to entertain my boys while me and Sofia sleep. And who call me to make sure I am surviving. For In-laws who make delicious meals and can't get enough of this beautiful girl and have to visit the minute they get back from Mexico and who let Noah play and be so spoiled by them.

Life is hectic and a little over much,it is nice to have Dr. K exclaim "Wow, you have been through a lot this month," Let's make it better. Oh I have so many blessings interwoven in the crazy loveliness. How often do you just get to hold your children and not have one reason to feel guilty about doing just that all day.

I'm a Big Brother

A dear friend found this shirt for me and Noah had to wear it to Preschool last thursday. He really takes this big brother role serious. Today I called him the "Bro", and he would not have that he is the "Big Brother".

He still likes to sit on the chair with me while I feed her. He now has his official position. I do need both hand so he will snuggle behind my shoulder and lay his head down on it. He will just sit there peacefully or rub her head. He is now the official burper. He Loves to pat her back and he claps when she finally burps.

He always runs to come get me when she starts to cry. A couple of days ago he came to find me and I asked if she needed me and he said "No, Me". I responded "Well, then you better get up there". He has an amazing talent to calm her down. She turns her head to the sound of his voice and looks for him. This girl has amazing head control for such a young little person.

Noah is a big brother dream. So far nothing too catastrophic. I know this will change as they get older but for now it is nice that he loves her and she loves him.

She met my Grandma

I love my Grandma to the very core of my heart and soul. One of the sweetest joys of life is to see her cherish one of my children. How Blessed am I.

Some Sofia Yumminess

Today Sofia is 12 days old. It is so weird for me to think that her original C-section was scheduled for yesterday. I am so glad that she decided to come a bit early. She is a joy in our home. She gets the hiccups at least 2-3 times a day. She also gets overwhelmed by milk each feeding and starts coughing. She does leg lifts while she is eating. She thinks if she is awake she needs to be eating. Her favorite time to poop is between 1 and 5 in the morning over and over while stiffening her legs and crying. At her two week appointment today she still has a bit of a high biliruben so we need to keep up the feeding and pooping. She weighed 7 lbs 9.2 oz which is in the 17-19% and her height is 20 3/4 which is in the 50% and her head circumfrance is 34 cm in the 10%. So I hope this helps you revel in her sweetness. She is such a fun baby

Grateful Sunday 1-06-08

I am really actually a bit overwhelmed with all the wonderful things i have to be grateful for this week. With all the struggles there are so many more things to be grateful for:

Overabundance of Blessings-It feels as if Kersten and I have struggled for so long and just since Sofia's birth, things we have worked for forever, seem to be coming together and making our life so much more abundant and less stressful

Sofia Caroline-She really is the most adorable, sweet baby. I am bias but she is the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen. She really calms down quickly after her burst of temper. She has brought such a sweet, wonderful feeling into our home. We just can't seem to squeeze, kiss, love and cuddle her enough.

Noah Lawrence-I am so impressed with how my boy is handling all this change. He has been really patient with me and his dad. He really wants to geniunely help with Sofia and he still calls her Shaak-Ti like we all knew he would. I am so blessed to have my two children.

My Kersten- He really has picked up so much slack this week. After Wed he has done everything for our family and just keeps going and going. I asked him if he was getting tired of it and he said "Well I am tired but it is well worth it to have you both". He has changed almost every diaper this whole week, played with Noah, made lunches, put kids to bed and cleaned my wounds over and over (a blog for another day). My love for him has grown in leaps and bounds this week.

Medical Expertise-I am so blessed continuely to have doctors and nurses that really care about me. I have been stretched physically this week in ways I only imagined before now. They are so intelligent and really want what is best for me.

My Friends-I am really very blessed with talented, good friends. I have seen how blessed I am to have so many women and their families that truly care and love us. All the friends who have reached out, in even small ways have made such a diffrence. It has really helped and buoy my spirits. I love all of you so much

Brothers with their New Baby Sisters

Noah Lawrence and Sofia Caroline
Yesterday was the first day that Noah actually asked to hold Sofia. He even told her that he loved Shaak-Ti. He really is an amazing Big Brother. He has been really cautious around her. I don't know exactly how he feels about having her around all the time. It has been great for him so far. With the holidays and Dad at home, he has been having a party. He has been playing at Grandma's, sleeping over with Ginny and genuinely having a great time.

He likes to climb on the chair where I am feeding Sofia and sit next to us and rub her hair and laugh at her. The first time he did this he look at me and pointed down and said "Oh mom, Ow Ow on you" and I said "no it is not Ow" He said "But, Teeth ow, chomp chomp". So I explained that babies don't have teeth and that is why Heavenly father made it so that mommies could feed their babies. He had to examine inside her mouth and now each time I feed her. He says. "No Ow, No teeth". I think it is really smart that he even thought of that. He also likes to play with her hands and fingers. He will just sit and stroke them and make sign language signs with them and show me. She just puts up with it. Sofia always has her hands near her face and one way to center her is to hold her hand. Noah always makes a baby voice when he talks to her or about her things. We will see how things go when reality hits after daddy goes back to work. But he has been a trooper so far.

He likes to study and count all of her parts. She has two "boo boo ful" eyes, two ears, one cute baby nose and 10 fingers and toes. She actually has really dainty long fingers and long toes. He will sit by her cradle and talk and sing to her. He is realy cute with her. I am so glad that so far they get along.

Pal the Dog and Rosie
This is Noah's best Friend Pal the Dog, he has a new baby sister and her name is Rosie. Rosie also was at the hospital when Sofia came. Noah let her come home a day early. Pal and Rosie really love each other. They give each other lick kisses, their favorite thing to do is to wrestle each other all over Noah's bed. They both love to bark and squeeze the pudding out of each other. Now, Pal and Rosie have to sleep with Noah. Rosie sometimes gets the honor of hanging out with Sofia but only as a special treat when she has made good choice.

So far so good with these New Big Brothers, Their baby sisters are really lucky to have them.

Sofia (Shaak-Ti)

What is a better way to start the new year than with a sweet new baby. Our sweet girl, Sofia. Happy New Year everyone! I promise my posts will get a bit more exciting with some time. This outfit is a 0-1 month outfit that was given to me by the Erlachers in Austria. It is one of the only things that actually fit her right now. She is seriously such a sweet baby. She has the most beautiful spirit about her. I am definitely a lucky mom. So here are more Sofia pics for your enjoyment. I know I can't get enough


These booties were made by Omi Agnes in Austria. I Love them. She is so yummy. I just love my new baby
For more of Sofia check out my sister Amy's blog and my sister in law Lena's blog. Thanks