our house these days

lots of diapers, lots of books, lots of sofa time nursing, little sleep, 

two outings to town-- one blitz run with B, me and Hannah to Clay's 30th birthday party and an all day town run with my mom for cookie decorating, park time with the geese, library, grocery store and errands. 

"playing" with Hannah

outside time

and inside time

with my girls. 

at the hospital

Here are a few from the hospital exactly one week ago. I can't believe it has been that long and I can't believe it's only been that long. . . does that make sense? 

 Meeting Hannah for the first time. All I could think was "it's over. it's over. it's over. she's beautiful. she's beautiful. here she is. here she is. it's over. it's over."

 One healthy chica. The nurses said her APGAR score was phenom-- 9 out of 10. 

 Did I mention it's over? 

 Liesel meeting Hannah for the first time. 

 I love tiny little baby feet and sleepy little newborns. 

 Our family of four. Brian is really getting outnumbered these days!

And one more of little Hannah Marie her second day home:

Introducing . . .

Congrats Brian! You found this last little rhyme

the gals are lucky to call you father for all time!

One last question: so who wears the pants? Is it me? Is it you?

Well, I think we're a team-- but there lies your final loot!

So head to wear I store my pants and search until you see

a little token of our love and appreciation for all you do for our family. 

WE LOVE YOU!

 we are blessed to announce our new little girl has arrived healthy and screaming 

she weighed 8lbs 6oz

and her tiny fingers and toes amaze us every day

and make us feel like Liesel is ready for kindergarden, potty training and taxes-- she seems SOO BIG!

we love her so much already

and can't wait to get to know her little personality more and more. 

patience

My attempt at jump-starting labor. Beautiful scenery, but no luck on the labor! 

It has been EXTREMELY nice to have my mom and Lindsey here with us for a few days. For some reason I could be totally rational and completely un-eager for the baby to come for 9 months-- then I suddenly hit my due date and I'm desperate?! Having people to hang out with makes passing the time much easier.  

 Not to mention Liesel is very happy to have Grandma and Auntie L to play with. 

I didn't get a good photo of Liesel's black eye, but last week she got a killer shiner that she's been sporting for the past week. 

that's odd.

Every morning the clocks in the house are all between 13 and 36 minutes faster. And they aren't synchronized. One will be 14 minutes faster and the other 28. I find myself distrusting time. Am I really using the bathroom at 4:24am or is it 3-something?

Due to the extreme lack of humidity and my insanely heavy-breathing (a prego thing only- I swear), I wake up in the middle of the night with the worst cotton-mouth in the history of cotton-mouth. I can't even swallow and water does nothing. So weird. 

This morning I was playing in the puddles all over the slick rock with Liesel when a gnarly storm rolled in and threatened to destroy us. I hopped on the bike and listened to L say "scary thunder!" as I peddled down the hill. 

I found three things at the store for 10cents yesterday. I didn't know you could still buy anything for 10 cents. 

petroglyph of mom and child playing in puddles. . . some things don't change (especially the largeness of the mom).

hello fall in the Needles. It is nice to see you.

it's coming up . . .

fall in the blue mountains

 Yesterday the family ventured out into the Abajo mountains in Monticello, UT. They were originally called the Blue Mountains by the settlers and I think that is a more lovely name. Brian and I went there once about three years ago to backcountry ski and since we're pretty close these days, we decided to head up into the mountains for a dose of color and cooler temps. 

 While I was getting things packed up that morning, B was looking for a good hike for us to do. Keep in mind I'm like, two weeks from due. We get into the car and I ask: "so did you find a hike?" "yeah. Abajo Peak." You know, just going to summit the highest peak in the range.  . . but to his credit, it was perfect. There have been very few occasions where he hasn't picked the perfect outing. . . I noticed that even when we were dating. There's actually a road that goes all the way to the top but we hiked the last 1.4 miles in perfectly cool sunny weather and then looked over the Needles and then into the Colorado. It's amazing how much wilderness is out here.  

 It was fun chasing this little one around. Lots of leaves and deer. Trisquits and cheese. Soft dirt and pinecones. All things she loves. 

 I was pretty astounded at the color. It was so beautiful. I think fall is my favorite time of year. I love the food: soups, pumpkin, spice. I love that I'm not trying to shed my clothes any chance I get (maybe that's a pregnancy thing?) and I love the crisp mornings, cool evenings and beautiful days. And the yellow leaves and white aspen trunks. 

The only thing I'm missing this fall is a climbing trip to Indian Creek. Ironically we live IN Indian Creek but being pregnant kinda puts a damper on the whole wearing a harness and hauling yourself up a crack thing. . . soon enough though we'll be back at the crag. We might need to enlist a few more babysitters/belayers this time though . .  .