8 thoughts for the New Year

1. 'Baby Roof' is 3 months old. 15 lbs of complete joy. When she is on a schedule, she is an angel. Tonight after I fed her, she kicked on the floor for 1 hour, then I changed her diaper and wrapped her up like a burrito. I placed her in the cradle wide awake and turned off the light. Did I mention she sleeps through the entire night? I feel so blessed. Paul calls her a 'smiling fool'. She LOVES to smile and coo at people.




I literally giggle whenever I hold her. Only Heavenly Father could create something this precious.

2. My Before and After project this week. I love white paint.

3. Andes de Menthe cookies are scrumptious. They are perfect for dipping in hot cocoa, frozen or nibbled right out of the box.

4. Christmas cards are wonderful. I don't want to take them down. It makes us feel loved and connected to all of you. 5. Eden playing with Nicolas. She has grown up so much this year. These two are so fun.

6. David in the cutest coat. What a beautiful child. I am so happy he has green eyes like me.

7. Hoping in 2010 Eden can respect Ruthie's personal space.

8. My 2010 New Year resolution is to be more POSITIVE.

Merry Christmas

Make a Smilebox greeting

Having a very merry day. Thank you for all your Christmas cards. They are beautiful, we LOVE them. Promising next year to send one in return.

New Orleans

Things we only do on vacation...

1. Walk back 8 blocks just to get our picture taken with a Jester statue.

2. Ride the transportation ferry because our kids want to go on a boat and we are not about to spend $50 for the cruise ferry.


3. Argue with Paul for 3 minutes about whether this is a statue or a real man. Of course I was right and he is a real man...amazing!

4. Pig out at Cafe Du Monde and other yummy southern cuisines.

5. Forget our swimming suits. Spend $23 on a swimming suit for Eden. Put David in underwear. Then muster all the courage I have to put on a sports bra, undies and an oversize t-shirt and jump in the pool with my kiddos. They had a blast.

6. Let David ride the train 2 times because he was so darn cute trying to reason with Paul. He told him: "One more time dad, ok? Just one more time."(as he holds up his little pointer finger )Other highlights:

- Having a drunk, homeless man laugh at Paul who is trying to take a picture of Eden & David smiling.

-Listening to a really gross, stinky old man tell us his family's secret for crying babies...peppermint & spring water.

- Paying $56 in parking...have you ever?

- Riding the trolley just for 3 blocks because David kept blowing kisses and begging us to ride it.

-Watching people try to calculate our kids...twins?...How could they possibly have 3?

-Eden loving being the big sister. She is such a helper.

* Being together as a family. We did it! Paul and I feel accomplished and exhausted.

4 years old

Today has finally arrived! The past week you say every morning, "I can't wait until my birthday."

You love doing your hair...your way. You will spend several minutes in the bathroom fiddling and then come out and say, "how do you like my hair, mommy?". You still love dresses and have perfected some ballet moves. You absolutely love baby Ruthie. You beg for me to let her sleep with you. When talking to her, you use a sweet, high pitch voice. You usually copy whatever I say: " hi sweetie, give me a smile...you're so pretty."

You like to tell me: "I have an idea..." or "how about this idea..." or "Here's an idea...". You are very conscience of phrases and words. You correct Dad and others who say "oh my gosh" to say "oh my goodness". I smile inside because you get a serious face and say, "Mom, we can't say that." When someone says stupid or shut up on TV. David teases, pokes, tackles and throws things at you. I think he does it because he likes you :). Recently you guys have been hitting each other. You are maturing and sometimes understand that he is younger and learning.

You like to whisper things in my ear. You also enjoy cooking and baking. You like to stand on a chair and help measure, pour and stir.

You are particular and like to have things a certain way. If you had it your way, you would get ALL of my attention. Daily you say: "mommy, watch me...with two eyes!"

You have so much of your father in you. You have the same pouty face.

You are my first baby love. You have been with us for 4 years and we have loved every minute. You are so tender and precious to us. We love you Eden Beaden.

3 years old

Today you woke up crying so I crawled into bed with you and we snuggled. You went back to sleep and I stared at you. Three years ago you were born. You were the perfect baby. It seems like so long ago. The last 4 months you have really grown up. You are speaking clearly. For lunch we went to your favorite place of ALL time..."the chicken place" (is what you call Chick Fil A). Your prayers sound something like this: "Heaven Father, umm...mumble, mumble...Church, go to chicken place, Jesus, mumble...Eden, David, Mom, Dad, Roof...mumble, mumble, AMEN."

This picture describes you perfectly. I can never keep you clothed, playing with trains or cars and smiling big for the camera. You always 'over do' your smile. You like to chomp your teeth and chase Eden around pretending to bite her. Eden screams and it usually ends in tears because someone has thrown something. I would be scared too...look at those pointy teeth.

Although Ruthie has taken your spot as the baby you don't mind. You can buckle your own car seat and have gone pee in the potty once. You like to say, "I can't do it" when we ask you to do something. I know you can do them, you are strong and capable. You have an understanding of what is right and wrong. You heed to my voice in danger. Without you, Dad would be so sad. Yesterday you two watched videos of airplanes on YouTube, it made Dad so happy and he commented "I'm so happy I have a son". We love you forever, Day Day.

On the camera

The only thing on my camera is Ruthie's precious face. Eden and I have been trying to get a picture of her smiling. She has no future in modeling.

No smile...but look at her watch David eat that chip.

Today Ruth is my favorite child because she doesn't talk back, hit her brother, steal the Christmas tree ornaments and hide them under her bed, splash all the water out of the tub, spill the milk down the wall, refuse to eat anything besides marshmallows and hot chocolate for breakfast, empty every article of clothing out of her drawer, take off her poopy diaper and run around with a poop bum, lock all the doors upstairs or pick her nose. This house is crazy...no wonder her face always looks like that.

Paul's Birthday

Take 1

Take 2

Happy 34th Birthday. I have 34 plus reasons why I love him. Reason #1: among all the craziness he laughs. I am starting to see why having a December birthday is so crummy. Especially for Paul who has exams next week. He spent the day in the library. Although he did take a small break to enjoy a homemade German Chocolate cake. It was delish. Recipe HERE. I am a believer. Homemade cakes really ARE better than the box.

2 months

We wondered why she was sleeping so long in her car seat...



Our pirate is 63 days old.


Ruthie is smiling and turning her head at sounds. Her hair is now a dark brown with faint golden strains at the scalp. I can't decide if she loves milk or sucking more. She has little fat rolls down her legs. She is almost sleeping through the night (a 7-8 hour sleep stretch). She must be wrapped up tight when she is tired.

I love to put my face against her soft cheek and smell her. Even if it is the baby throw-up smell, I still sniff. I want to relish every moment. She is a little butterball. She is our baby girl, which makes her too adorable to explain.