Christmas

Steve had to go back to work the day after we got home from the hospital, but my parents' flight didn't leave until that afternoon, so the three of us hung out with the babes while they tried to determine if their flight was still happening or not due to the crazy snow/ice storm. They ended up getting off OK, and I was left for a couple of hours until Steve got home. I survived, and was quite proud.

Getting some sun upstairs. She loved it.

I already miss this! Right at two weeks, it became a chore (and still is) to get her to sleep, and cuddling doesn't do the trick anymore. I remember thinking that this is why I had another baby!

I missed the Sunday before Christmas, so I really wanted to get to Temple Square to see the lights and nativities, try to get in the Christmas spirit. It was our first outing as a family of four, Lyla was 5 days old. She loved the carrier and Parker loved the snow. Success!

She's been smiling since about a week old, and I don't care what anybody says: these smiles are legit.

Ann had her brother, Harry, dress up like Santa since we never got a chance to take Parker to see Santa this year. BIG MISTAKE. Steve and I have never seen Parker so scared for his life, shrieking, shaking and clinging on to Steve! It took an hour to calm him down, and if anyone brought up Santa after that, he'd immediately get anxious and say "Santa go bye-bye. No like uh Santa!"

We're hoping he's not scarred for life...

The next morning we slept in like normal, ate breakfast, watched "Joy To The World", and opened presents. Grandma gave Parker candy

and trucks. He was as happy as could be, and Steve and Grandpa may have had just as much, if not more fun with his new trucks. Steve and I didn't get him a single thing, and we only feel a little bad....

I didn't even get him Christmas PJs this year, that's how laissez-faire I chose to be this year.

The next day we met up with some old friends at Kneaders for breakfast, then stopped by my Grandma Packard's to introduce her to Lyla.

First date after Lyla, and Steve made me leave her at home (10 days old) for a friend's reception at The Grand America, where we spent our wedding night. Such an incredible hotel!

Sledding and Red Robin with Aunt Lori, Parker screamed like a little girl each time he went down.

After Steve faceplanted Parker into the ice while pulling him in the sled.

Happy New Year's Eve! We put Parker down early, Steve went and grabbed the new Star Trek and some treats, and the three of us cuddled and relaxed on the couch. It was perfect.

New Year's Day, Lyla and I met up with Linds, Ash, and Brooke for a much-needed dinner out. It's so fun living here with them again!

Again, with the smiles. She knows exactly what she's doing.

She's not all smiles. Bedtimes have been somewhat of a nightmare--I know she's tired (she's yawning with droopy eyes), but she screams and kicks and arches her back and fights and fights and fights. This particular night was two hours until she finally fell asleep. That moment when she finally does fall asleep and stay asleep for more than two minutes erases the past two hours of frustration in an instant. I love her so much!

I tried to put her on a schedule, and putting her down semi-awake so she falls asleep on her own, but she also wasn't having any of that. It's OK. She still gives me those smiles.

We tried to potty-train for like a day, and then got over it. We'll wait until he's asking us.

When I rinse her hair, she leans her head back, closes her eyes, and soaks it all in. She never met a bath she didn't like (except the very first one).

Parker has always been very loving and nice to Lyla. If she cries, or even if she's not, he comes over and strokes her and says "Awwww, Lyla!" or "Awwww, I'm sorry Lyla!". Except when she cries in the car, he says, "Wanna no like it baby little seester!" or "No like uh Lyla!"

The day prior to this, I lost count of how many time-outs I put him in, and lost count of how many hours I spent rocking and holding an inconsolable newborn. Steve came home to me on the floor, holding Lyla, crying. And that definitely wasn't the first cry of the day (nor has it been the last since). One thing I've learned in all of my years of being a mother is that it always gets better. There will be bad days, bad meals, bad nights, but then there will always be better ones. There will be happy moments, moments when you can't imagine being frustrated or upset. I think as long as I expect the hard days, and remember the good ones, life will go on just as it always does.

One month with this beautiful little one. She's now six weeks and is a great eater (about 10-15 minutes), has a 5-hour stretch at night, then about 3-hours the rest of the day, has been cooing for about two weeks, found her hands and figured out how to haphazardly lick and suck on her fingers and little fists, and just started making the cutest high-pitch squeaks. She does get pretty colicky most evenings and some mornings, but we're just waiting out the storm. We'll keep her.

Watching tennis. 

Steve's been doing great at the VA and Moran. He's learning which patient population he does and doesn't like working with. The patients compliment him constantly, and he can't wait to be on his own. So close!

Met up with the Tuckers at a chaotic, smelly place that was perfect for the kids to run around. We all needed to get out of the house, and the kids missed each other.

The Andersons were showing the house again after church, so we took an impromptu trip to the Draper Temple. I realized Parker hadn't seen a temple yet, and they probably talk about it in nursery, so I thought we should make it a little more concrete. He ran around with little red fire engine, we talked about the temple and pointed out Angel Moroni, and played on the grassy hill. He'll get it later...