I have a whole new appreciation for single moms after a week of having Geoff gone (not that he hasn’t left before, but this was my first time alone that long with two kids and a baby). I got just a glimpse at how hard it must really be. By the end of the day I am beat. Geoff usually does the bedtime routine with the kids to give me a little break. With Geoff gone I was about at my breaking point by the end of the day. And then Lucy decided to start waking up in the middle of the night…generally while I was feeding Kate. This made for some very long nights and very early mornings and a very tired mom. Needless to say, we were all VERY happy to have Geoff back.

But this smile makes it all worth it.

The birth of Kate has been such a blessing to our family. After the struggle and heartbreak to get her here, everything seems a little sweeter. The kids can’t seem to get enough of holding her and Geoff and I just sit and stare at her at night when the other kids are asleep and we have just her to focus on. How did we get so lucky?

In the Latter-day Saint church, we give our children a name and a blessing soon after their birth. Geoff was able to do so at our home this past weekend, surrounded by family and close friends. It was a special day, for our very special Kate Naomi.

Of course she didn’t really cooperate for pictures for me that day, so we’ll have to do a re-shoot of her in her amazing dress that my mom made and that Lucy also wore on her blessing day.



All the men who participated in the blessing.

Proud parents.

Kate and Grant (my best friend Amy’s baby). Grant got very serious about his church outfit for the blessing.

I would just like to apologize at this point for all the pictures of me to come. Apparently I was a little camera hog that day.

We had quite the spread. Thanks to Geoff’s mom and sister Kim who worked their fingers to the bone getting the paninis out to everyone. And a special thanks to my little sister Laura who did most all the prep work with me in the days before and even holed up in the guest room slicing apples when the breaker shut off and she and I had a near heart-attack.

With all my family present. I’m so lucky to have so many of my siblings and grandparents in Utah. Sadly, I wasn’t able to round up all of Geoff’s family before they left for a picture.

Geoff and I winding down after a crazy, but lovely day.

Many years ago when Geoff and I were both in school at BYU, we had a design class with a beautiful and talented girl named Katie. This girl is a mamma now, still beautiful and still designing. In fact, she and her husband are the owners and designers of Puj Baby, a company that makes products that makes parenting easier. She was kind enough to think of us when we had baby Kate and sent us a Puj Tub. We love it, and most importantly, Kate loves it! It’s so easy to use (two snaps and you’re done), super comfortable for your baby (no more crying), lightweight and easy to store (a must have for apartment dwellers). Thank you Katie!

Just chillin.

My parents have been in town since Wednesday. Anyone who knows my parents knows that any project that may have needed to get done around my house was finished within days of their arrival. They’ve built shelves, mended clothes, fixed meals, entertained the kids, given haircuts, painted…the list goes on and on. I’m so grateful for them and their love for our family.

This little lady has been doing 5.5hr stretches at night which is down right glorious for a week old in this family of terrible newborn sleepers.

My mom giving Kate a bath. She clearly hates being cold.

The cutest clenched buttocks ever.

My dad, painting in Kate’s room.

My parents brought supplies to make a pig pinata with the kids. Who doesn’t travel with art paste these days?

My mom also brought fabric to make pajama pants with the kids.


Isaac with his baby.