Pizza NIght

We have started a tradition of making pizza on Saturday nights. It's so much fun. Dad and the boys are in charge of making/rolling out the dough. They are quite the little chefs. They each have their own technique; Shep is slow and steady and Marshall is quick and intense. We like to turn on the Italian station on Pandora and jam out while we are cooking. This is a glimpse into our kitchen on any given Saturday night.

Lucy Boo

Isn't she totally adorable!!!

Lucy is it the best baby, we all just ohh and ahh over her.

Lucy is now over two months old and she is so sweet. My best friend Andee Durrant McDonald took these pictures, aren't they gorgeous?!?! She has brought so much joy to our family already. She has started to give us little smiles, and she scrunches up her nose...I just melt. Marshall gave her the best nickname; Boo Boo which has turned into Lucy Boo. Kids really come up with the best nicknames. Last Sunday I was very blessed to sit in one of the best sacrament meeting christmas programs ever. I was seriously in pure heaven rocking Lucy while listening to the beautiful music. Christmas is such a fun time to have a newborn.

It's a Girl!!!

Woman love to share their personal sagas of giving birth and I am no exception. Please pardon my indulgence.

It was October, 9th and Mama Sloan was very pregnant with our little mystery baby, and very anxious to deliver. I went on a long walk in the morning, stepping up and down curbs, took evening primrose, and ate lots of pineapple...still no action. So, we decided to enjoy the fall weather and go for a hike near Hiese Hot Springs. By the next morning I was especially anxious to go into labor because 10-10-10 would be the best birthday ever. So, I took it up a notch and went for a run, it felt fast to me but I am sure it looked more like a shuffle. Still no action.

I was scheduled for an induction on Monday morning at 5:00. I really don't like inductions because they take away your mobility, but when you live far away from family and have two kids you do what you have to do. I have been preparing most of the summer to attempt another natural childbirth, after two failed attempts with Lamaze/Bradley methods I studied Hypnobabies. I am just not made for pain, remind me next time to just get the epidural and enjoy the ride. The hypnobabies worked beautifully during mild contractions, I got several naps during the day (although the soothing voice on the CD's would tell me I wasn't sleeping, I was just in a deep state of hypnosis). But, when the pain intensified (after my water broke) it was a total joke, I could not concentrate enough to do crap (pardon my crass language, it's just the truth). I tried to tough it out, but once again I got to a point that it was just too discouraging; only at a four after hours of intense laboring. So, I was reduced to begging for the epidural. It took about 40 minutes for my wish to be granted, I was a bit of a mess during this time. It was not a pretty sight, lots of "dammit this hurts"...and hyperventilating and screaming "owe, owe, owie!" I got the epidural at 8 p.m. and they checked me right after and I was at a 9. I delivered at 8:45.

As the baby came out Aram announced to me that it was a girl. We were both so happy that we both shed some tears as we held our beautiful Lucy Jean. She was so beautiful. I treasure that moment when they placed her in my arms for the first time, it was such a sweet, tender time. She was 6 Ib. 9 oz, 20 inches tall, and very healthy.

Over the last few weeks we have been taking it really easy and just enjoying getting to know Lucy. She has a very sweet temperment and sleeps a lot. The boys are totally loving her, and will be awesome protectors of their little sis. Marshall has already given her a nickname, Boo Boo. I think it's a good one seeing that she was born in October.

Baby Countdown

We are down to the wire at our house, in less than than two weeks life will forever change by adding another child to our family. We can't wait to see what this little baby will be, boy or girl, and what he/she will bring to our family with it's unique personality.

I remember when we were about to have both Sheppard and Marshall how it was so hard to imagine our family life with another person. Now I can't imagine life without them. I feel the same way right now in anticipation of this new little one. It's hard to imagine the changes that are just around the corner. I can't wait to see the changes and challenges that will come.

First, What in the heck is this BABY!!! Now that I am at this point in the pregnancy I am so glad we didn't find out the sex, the anticipation for that revelation make it very exciting.

Next, what will he/she look like? What will we name it? What will it's personality be like, will she be like Shep or Marshall, me or Aram or totally unique? Will it be a good baby, how will I cope with postpartum?

There are of course the scary questions that you try and avoid thinking about...will the labor go well? Is the baby healthy and strong? With any of these type of thoughts come the realization that if something is wrong we will deal with it and in the end no matter what everything will work out for the best.

Then come the questions of how this baby will change the family. I can't wait to see Marshall become an older brother, and Sheppard further develop in this role. If it's a girl it will be fun to see how Aram is with her, and if I feel differently towards her than my boys.

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind over the last 6 months with the new job, trying to sell the house, then renting the house, living in a hotel, then living in a cheapy student apartment, trying to buy a short sale and the uncertainty that came with it, buying a new house and moving all while being pregnant. But, I am sooooo grateful we are now settled and ready for this new stage in our life. I know life will only get crazier two weeks from now, but I just feel so happy to be settled and have a nest for my little chicks.

Holy Cow I Have Cute Kids

Marshall is absolutely in love with cows. If you ask him what his favorite animal is he'll tell you it's a cow (how many kid's favorite animal is a cow??? wierd, but cute). When I ask him what he dreamt about last night he'll always respond "Cows." So, you can imagine his excitement when we pass a field of cows while driving.

One day as we were passing one such field of cows he exclaims with pure joy "Holy Cow, it's cows!" over and over again. Sheppard jumped on Marshall's and quickly corrected him, "Marshall it's not Holy Cow, it's Holy Ghost." Marshall must have misunderstood and starts exclaiming "Holy Goats, it's Cows."

Oopsy-Daisy

Two words you never want to hear when your wife is cutting your hair, "Oh crap." I have been cutting Aram's hair for almost 8 years now, I think I have gotten pretty good at it over the years. I guess I got a little casual because on this last Do I was just chatting away, and then I realized the attachment had fallen off...it was too late he already had a nearly bald strip in the back. It doesn't help when your wife is just about in hysterics, laughing and screaming "Oh no, oh no, oh no" as she hops around the room. I hope that Aram will look at these pictures some day and find them as hysterical as I do!
We tried to cover it up with a hat...didn't work.

Our Ironman Dad

The Fan Club

The boys and I followed Dad around the town from one leg of the race to another. They were great little cheerleaders!
The Run

This was the very last stretch and Aram looked super strong.

At first, when he got off his bike and started running he was barely at

a shuffle because he was a bit stiff from the ride.
The Bike

Aram's bike is way retro-old. He told me he was a bit frustrated when a husky girl passed him on the bike because of his lack of gears, a piece of humble pie never hurt anyone.
The Swim

This part of the race was the hardest to watch, I just kept thinking "that is soooo long to swim."
Doesn't he look enthusiastic?