We were fortunate to be able to bless our sweet baby RJ while we were in Utah over the winter break. Though a snowstorm postponed our original plans, we were able to have a beautiful blessing on New Year's morning. Truly committed and loving family members dragged themselves from bed after celebrating the new year the night before, driving up to an hour and a half to be there at our side. RJ has come into a wonderful family!
RJ was named after his father, Ryan, and his grandfather, James. He has a lot to live up to with a name like that. Or perhaps it is better to say that he has a lot to look up to with a name like that!
About a month before Christmas I realized I had not been utilizing the best thing that Santa has to offer... the threat of no presents! The little girls were skeptical. Each time I put his name forward, it was pushed back at me with a practical response.
There seem to be few great surprises in life, so when Ryan and I found out we were expecting again we decided to wait to find out the gender. We envisioned the moment when the child would be born and we would hear the words, "It's a ...!" To my disappointment, at the 20-week ultrasound I discovered the sex of the baby. We would be having another girl. I mourned for two weeks over the boy we thought we would have. Ryan was aware that I new but did not want his surprise spoiled, so I never told him. It wasn't as hard as you might think, we just didn't discuss it. There was no mention of setting up a baby's room, or shopping for baby items, or even baby names. Inside my heart I came to terms with my "little Liv" who would be joining our family and was grateful for the mental preparation I was given. I felt badly though for Ryan who absolutely new we were having a boy to cap off our family and for Braden who so badly needed a brother.
The father/daughter camp out is an annual tradition in our ward each September. In the past it has been a night Emmry and Dad enjoy camping out with friends, sleeping in a tent, eating outside, and hiking together. For me it has been a night of trying to please the ones left behind: toddler twins oblivious to the fact that they are being left out and a jaded boy old enough to know what he is missing out on. In my craziest attempt to satisfy the latter troops, we ventured into Phoenix to a Cardinal's baseball game. Not my greatest idea.
What does a seven-year-old girl want for her birthday? As Emmry becomes more grown up, we are learning that princesses aren't nearly as magical as they once were and they are definitely not cool. We gave up the Tinkerbell backpack this year for a black and white one with peace symbols all over it and the Tinkerbell nightgown is rarely worn. So I found that pretty much all a seven-year-old wants is a party with all her friends. Not the greatest thing for a pregnant lady, but thankfully Ryan had the foresight to buy a carnival birthday party given by the young women of our church at a fundraiser last spring. The party came complete with invitations, games, prizes, cupcakes, set up, and clean up. Emme was thrilled... but I don't think quite as thrilled as I was! I'm sure she didn't realize that the party was actually a present for me!
With the friend party behind us we had a few gifts of our own to supply. The little girls had picked out some craft supplies and Braden a lava lamp night light. Both a success. And what was left for Ryan and me? We were giving her a "hair styling head" doll. Go ahead and laugh. I know I did. I remember several years ago my girlfriend was buying one for her daughter's seventh birthday. Braden was also turning seven and I was likely shopping for some battling toy. I remember saying to her, "I always wondered who bought those things." 
Well, the mother of a seven-year-old girl that's who. And why not? I already have three little heads of hair to do. Perhaps I can train Emme to do a few. If this last one comes out with a pink bow as well, my investment will be well worth it!