a hadfield retrospective

Jack is as cute as ever and getting more grown up every day. He runs, climbs on the furniture, initiates wrestle matches with his brothers, insists on eating with grown-up silverware, and keeps the entire family well supplied with kisses and hugs.





We've instituted the tradition of Waffle and Water Wednesday. We make overnight waffles and eat 'em on the porch or under the maple tree.




We also make sure to include some water play in our Wednesday. Sometimes we run (or in my case: waddle) through the sprinklers, and sometimes we go to the pool, but we all love visiting our favorite spot by the Provo River. There's a sandy bank and the river is very shallow and slow there. We take along some friends and a picnic lunch and spend a few pleasant hours enjoying the river...



...there's also a gigantic old tree (with a swing!) that the boys love to play on. It's been a house, a boat, a rocket ship and who knows what else.




We're still a little weird, too. Makes life interesting.

for the quote board:

Daniel during sacrament meeting (not in a whisper):

"Mom, there's a golden eagle up there on top of that flag! I'll bet it's a bald eagle. Bald eagles are distinctly American."



(he also gave running commentary while he drew a picture of the Hindenberg exploding. Our sacrament meetings are never boring)

Ta-da!!

We did a little updating of the homestead this week. Can you tell what changed (besides the overgrown bushes and bigger trees)?

Before (circa: 2007)

After (circa: tonight)







Didja figure it out?




Didja?

The correct answer: we got some fancy-pants awnings and we love them. Not only did they up the house's cuteness factor, they've also done a great job of keeping the house cooler-- always something a pregnant lady can appreciate.

the name game (this one's for you Nana)

Even though the ultrasound showed baby girl, we're still in a bit of denial. After not even daring to hope for a girl for so long, our recent news hardly seems possible. Maybe thinking more seriously about names will help the reality of a daughter sink in?

So far, when people have asked us about prospective names they've been greeted with our blank stares and shoulder shrugs-- not because we're being secretive or tight-lipped on the subject, but just because we haven't really thought about it for reals.

We still may reserve the right to wait until after little Miss Hadfield arrives to finalize the name choice, but here's a list of a few we've been considering lately (meaning, the ones that I found today while perusing the SSA name index's most popular girl names from 1890 to 1940):


Tier I (most likely)*
Ella
Jane
Lucy
Margaret (Maggie)
Sally

Tier 2 (Steph likes, Joe could tolerate)
Ruth
Stella
Evelyn
Clara

Names that absolutely will not grace our baby girl's birth certificate**:
Gladell
Delightra
Blondeen
Faundaree
RaDawn

*Names are in no particular order of importance within their tiers.
**These real names came from the Utah Baby Namer website-- which I highly recommend if you're in need of a good laugh.

ultrasound results

We had an ultrasound today. Baby looks healthy and wonderful.

Oh yeah, we decided to find out the gender this time. Wanna know? Here's a hint:

for the quote board

A couple of weeks ago, Joe attempted to persuade the boys to pick up their toys and put them away before we began the Friday night movie.

"But I just can't do that, dad," moaned Daniel.
"C'mon, how old are you?" Joe asked.
"I'm one."
"Then you're too young to be watching movies."
"Oh, I'm like 49."
"Then you should put away 49 toys before we start the show."
"Really I'm just four."

to the mamas:

I have been richly blessed to grow up and grow into motherhood surrounded by wonderful mothering examples. I feel deeply indebted to both my own mother and Joe's mother for much of the happiness that exists in our little home-- the lessons on love and family that we learned at their knees has stayed with us and influenced the way we parent. I have grandmas and grandmas-in-law who are all strong, beautiful matriarchs, and there are so many traits that I want to absorb from all of them.

I have many sweet neighbors and friends who love and look out for my boys, and who show me (without even knowing) things I can do better as I mother my sons. My life is richer because of their examples, their understanding and their encouragement.

I wish I could heap flowers and gifts on all the wonderful mothers in my life. Don't you?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!