hi baby

Often times when I see Ruby I greet her with "Hi Baby". Why, I don't know. But I love that she is a baby and that she is mine.

We started her on solids last week. Starting my babies on solids is probably one of my least favorite kid-related things to do. Recent research shows its better to start solids younger and they certain foods have been cleared for them to eat before they are 1 (like peanut butter, eggs, some dairy). I started Jane and Siri at 6 months, so since Ruby is tiny for her age anyway, I feel like I'm really just making a mess of a bib, not actually putting food in her tummy. But, practice makes perfect so we'll keep on trying.
We sleep Ruby in a woombie and have recently taken one and now both arms out since she's rolling around so much! Seeing babies, and children in general, make progress is such a rewarding thing as a parent.

Today Siri told me the neighbors garage stinks because it smells like cat hair, and that she wants Mark and I to take her on a special date to go ice skating. Jane told me that Avery's mom is pretty and that she wanted a popsicle after her slushie drink.  Mark and I went to Winco and loved the bulk section-hello macadamia nuts :)  We are trying new recipes and buying things we've never made before...like turnip and rutabaga fries and bison breakfast patties...I'll let you know how that goes.  We are also enjoying our central air that actually works! There goes our fund to send us to Italy for the temple dedication next year, but we'll figure out a way to get there anyway. Maybe instead of a lemonade stand we'll have a rosemary focaccia and tuscan lemon muffin stand.

I need this encouragement every day

I went to Jordan River temple a few weeks ago, but this week we got to go to the Draper temple with our nephew Noah who is going on a mission in September

family dinner at the park

miss mess

24th of July at Aunt Joan's

Family

We blessed Ruby last Sunday. Happy to have our special lady on the records of the church and to have her dad able to bless her.

Better to have upside down pictures than none at all...

Me and Liz trail running on Naomi's birthday

Free slurpee day!

self portrait

before

after

Me and nephew Enzo after Ruby's blessing

When we blessed Jane I didn't want the stress of having everyone over. It was still a nice day, and we quickly went home after Jane's blessing since she had a huge blowout :)
But this time  we were sure to do  it on a  Fast Sunday (I wanted to share my testimony during Sacrament meeting) and we excitedly had all our families over for brunch afterward.

LOVE this picture. Thank you talented husband!

I often send Jane to the garden to pick lettuce for my lunch salad

a visit to Snowbird

Happy Birthday Naomi Jane

Naomi is our niece.

One year ago.

Late the night before I got a call from Liz that she'd had some contractions. About 3am on July 10, 2012 she excitedly called to say they were on their way to have the baby. I couldn't sleep and called Dan to check on things and see how Liz was. I've never, ever, had such a sinking crushing feeling inside my body before.  Naomi was stillborn and Liz was being rushed to the hospital.

Heartbroken.

Time has passed.  We have grieved. Liz, Dan, and Sam have figured out how to carry on.

Liz Dan Sam please know of how many of us are thinking of you today, and that we think of you often all the other days. Little reminders, here and there, of Naomi's absence.

Happy Birthday Naomi girl, we miss you dearly.

I wanted to share what I said at her graveside funeral one year ago...

"I don't understand the fine details of what happens after our physical bodies lose life on this earth, or why we each will have our lives end differently and at different times. But, I believe that there is much much more beyond what our eyes can see. I don't understand how Naomi can be here with us, but you must know that she is. So sweet girl, I want to talk to you.

None of us got to know you much outside of the womb, but you became a part of our lives the minute Liz and Dan told us they were expecting you. Since then, you've become a wonderful member of our family. You know the smell of bacon and eggs cooking in the morning. You probably love fruit from what your mom ate. You went on so many walks to the park that I'm sure you have the route memorized. You know your funny big brother likes to say “I can't want to” when he doesn't want to do something. You know the Cat in the Hat story and the songs from the show Dinosaur Train. And you know that your brother heard your heart beating so many times.

You took a shortcut home. Right now I don't know why, but you sure have made a huge space in our hearts for such a little girl.

Naomi, along with all other infants like her, are literally perfect. I believe that there is purpose to each of our lives. Not just to live life, but to learn, to be in families, and to continue living after our experience on Earth. Just as Liz and Dan love their two kids so dearly, God, our Heavenly Father has an infinite amount of love for each of us. I'm so grateful to be in the family I am with the people that are in it. Naomi had lots of hair, and the cutest little nose-she definitely belongs in Liz and Dan's family. I'm sure she has so much gratitude for you, to creating her and bringing her into your family.

Liz and Dan you are good, you are strong, you are happiness. The love you have for each other and your kids is beautiful. I have seen armfuls and armfuls of love poured out upon you guys. I know that you will able to reciprocate that love and help others who have and will be in the same circumstances. Know that here today are moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that grieve with you and for you. Who love you Sam, Dan, Liz and Naomi."

MRI #2

Ruby and I were at Primary's bright and early today at 7am. She had an MRI to follow up and see how the mass is changing. Getting the IV in her was not pleasant, but she fell asleep quickly with the sedation. She woke up with about 5 minutes left to go and they had to give her 2 more sets of drugs. Seeing your baby's body so limp is just not a comforting feeling. She had a rough time waking up, but is doing great. Mark came up to the hospital about 11am after dropping off the girls with Grandma Sandy.  We met with Dr.Grimmer and he was all smiles...her mass has not grown!!  Pretty sure we were told after the biopsy when she was first born that the cells were dividing. So the mass would grow, but slowly.  Kinda really awesome that it hasn't. Very happy and thankful.
I walked up to see the new Ronald McDonald family room (rooms for napping, fireplace, full kitchen, donated food, computers, etc) and Sophias place (a music therapy room). Love that hospital and so thankful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the primary for starting it!
Mark then went home to get the girls and work on the house, then came back up to the hospital again so I could go play soccer. Liz stayed home with the other two and put them to bed. So nice!

so grumpy waking up :(

she couldn't eat this morning, so she finally rested after some milks

The next step is another follow up appt in about 3 months with Dr Grimmer. I don't think surgery would happen this year, but we aren't anxious about that anymore like we used to be. Glad to have a healthy child.