Slippery Fish

Eden ADORES the song "Slippery Fish" (swimmin' in the water!) and now she is one!! This little fish was a little too comfortable for our taste last year when we spent time at the pool so I wanted to make sure she was getting some experience and learning how to be safe in the water before summer time arrives. This is Eden's first time to take any kind of lessons or class and I think she's really going to love it!


She was such a sweetheart - raising her hand so eagerly to volunteer to do everything first! She only has two other boys in her class. Her coach seems to be really good and she had them do a lot for the first lesson - bubbles, superman, floating on back and jumping in with total submerssion. So glad they didn't waster any time and that she was A-OK with the pace.

She loves to make big kicks!
Eden wanted to say goodbye to her coach before leaving but she had already started a new class and what was the first thing she said when we were walking to the car? "I want to go to swim lessons again. When do I go? I want to go now"
When we got home Claire was running around in her suit playing with the hose! Eden was excited to get in on that action!

This was right before they fell over =) A little too much love!

My baby

Eden a.k.a "My Baby" is 3 and 3 months... how can she be such a big girl already?

She asked me to take this picture of her after her purple class at BSF! She just cracks me up! My friend Crystal said it perfectly today after we were walking behind her watching her talk to herself with the biggest hand gestures (it was hilarious!) -she said "She's just full of personailty!"

Here are a few things to remember:
- A few weeks ago I was going to the store and asked "Eden, is there anything you think I should get at the store?" (a loaded question I know but they do help me remember!) and with a long pause and holding her chin she said "BEEF!" She does favor beef over chicken =) I didn't get beef that trip so the enxt time she was at the store with me she said "Mom, last time you didn't get beef at the store. We need to get beef." What 3 year old requests beef?!

- Although she gets a ton of attention for her curls, she wants "long hair" like Claire. The grass is always greener... Her hair is actually to the middle of her back when it's wet and Claire always tells her "Look Eden! Your hair is long!"

- She wants to do everything sister is doing and likes/dislikes whatever Claire does

- Jumping is her favorite activitiy - last night she jumped on a friends trampoline for over an hour and was still wanting more. She outlasted all the other older kiddos!

- Still loves all the villians - her current favorites are the Rat King, Green Goblin and Horax

- She has started praying the most precious prayers at bedtime and dinner - just love to hear her pray for her friends when they are sick or to keep them safe. Her thankful list is so sweet. I pray she always knows that we are to come to Him with all tings big and small with a pure heart!

- Tonight she kept coming out of her room with her panties and pajamas around her ankles just shuffling along and the last time waving her arms around... she was just looking for the attention while having a hard time falling asleep... Neil and I had to stiffle our laughs so she knew she seriously needed to stay in bed!

Eden lately

Our sweet and funny girl... don't want to forget a few things that have happened or said the past month:

- The last line of our traditional meal prayer at my parents house is "thank you Lord for daily bread" and Eden quickly put her hands up in a question and scrunched up her face while saying "I don't have any bread?"

- The picture above is of her bible she got on Sunday. She already has a couple and one with her name on it but when we picked her up from bible class she ran aka. galloped down the hall while waving it in the air. She then had to bring it into the restaurant that we stopped for brunch. She had such excitement and joy to have her bible! Oh what an example of how WE need to be excited and joyful to have God's word at our fingertips. Thank you Eden for your genuine spirit and pure heart!

- Her continued love for rolly pollies, villains, rocks and squishy amphibian toys.

- We asked her a question at the table (in the picture above) and she said VERY slowly "Hmmmm.... let me see...." and after 2 seconds of pause she put her pointer finger to her chin to "think" We laughed SO hard and the best thing? She laughed too!! She knew it was funny =) I love that she can laugh at herself and doesn't get her feelings hurt when we laugh. Claire had a hard time with this even at a young age and still does but that's what makes them each unique. My girls can be night n day!

Eden's 3rd Birthday Party

We had Eden's birthday party with a hand full of her closest friends! It was the first time we've invited friends so Eden was especially excited. She wanted a Snow White party and I had so much fun with the theme! We took it out to the neighborhood park and were blessed with beautiful weather. I was so worried it was going to rain but it all worked out! Thank you to everyone who was there to make her celebration special! I can't believe my little girl is 3 years old

Happy Birthday Eden!

I can hardly believe that my baby turned 3 today! I can remember that time in my life like it was yesterday... we had been anticipating Eden's arrival any day with me on such strict bedrest but her arrival still threw us for a loop! And she's kept us guessing and on our toes ever since!!

As I remember that day, I'm so thankful that we were able to hold her right after birth for a few minutes before they had to take her to the NICU. Not being able to hold her, touch her skin (we had to wear gowns and gloves), kiss her, feed her and then having to leave her there on Thanksgiving day was one of the hardest times. I praise our God for protecting her and growing her stronger everyday so that she could come home sooner than most babies in the NICU.

We had a party out at the park last weekend which I'll post pics of soon but today the 4 of us went to Pump It Up for open play so she could jump to her hearts content (my mom and dad stopped in too)! We then met Abbey and Lydia for some McDonald's lunch, did a little shopping and finished the evening with dinner and cake with grandma and grandpa! What a fun filled day!


Grandma made her a yummy bday cake... of course she refused to eat dinner but after everyone else was eating her cake, she finally "swallowed her pride" and ate so she could have a piece. Oh, is this just the start of 3? She's stubborn but tonight was a whole new level!
She wanted Claire to help blow out the candles but she actually blew them herself for the first time!

Finally enjoying her cake =)

Happy Birthday baby girl!!! I can't wait to see what this year brings for you!

Totally Batty for Candy

This pictures CRACKS ME UP!! Earlier this week this girl was caught red handed with the most fitting shirt for the occasion=)



I was getting ready for work and Eden just seemed a little more mischevious than usual so I thought "I'll make my shower REALLY quick". As soon as I got out I called for her but she didn't say anything. Of course my heart started racing and I first checked the door to make sure it was locked. It was so I kept calling her name and I finally heard her. She was in the pantry with the door closed. I opened the door and there she was with chocolate chips in her hands and all over her mouth. She looked at me and said "I sowwy". It was the cutest thing and I had to just hold my laughter! Oh she keeps us on our toes!

Eden's first day of school

Well, I've been a little MIA lately but ready to do some catching up!! Eden and I had two weeks together after Claire started school and she started her school year. I can't begin to tell you how much she grew up those two weeks because she wasn't competing for my attention. It was such a precious time for us to have our one on one time we had never had before - especially before baby comes. Her language has exploded and she has become a little less hesitant in new settings. She is still my guarded girl around new people =) She is going to the same MDO on Tuesday and Thursdays while I'm teaching. Her "meet the teacher" day was on my first day of work so Grandpa took her. Thank you SO much dad for sharing in this special day!
My dad was shocked to see the quiet, withdrawn, cautious side of Eden when in new situations. It's something I've talked about a lot but she is never like that with my parents so they haven't experienced it.

Eden LOVES her teacher Ms. Meagan and loves being part of the red class. She is also part of a purple class for BSF so you will often hear her say "two classes - red and purple" - too cute!
Her first day of school was on Sept. 6th and it couldn't have gone any better. She went right in and started playing right away. Her teacher has been WONDERFUL! Her favorite class is music with Ms. Heather. Here she is on the first day - she had to wear a jacket because Claire wore hers to school. It was about 65 so it was a little cool for us - a nice break from the sweltering heat!

This picture was taken on the second day of school and I couldn't help but post. I just love her rainy froggy shirt!
Eden....like I said before has changed SO much the past month. She is such a goofy, silly girl at home and when she is in comfortable situations. I just LOVE this side of her but am so thankful for that cautious part of her personality. She will be such a leader and be herself. I don't see her being easily persuaded so I guess that stubborn streak will be a blessing!
She continues to be my boy at heart - loving to climb, run, bounce, throw but is learning more and more everyday what it means to be gentle. Her empathy for others sometimes surprises me when seconds earlier she was oblivious to others. Her personality is so multi-dimensional... i just LOVE this girl to pieces! Always keeping me guessing =)

Here are a few things I want to remember:
- When asked what her favorite color is she always says "Brown" and always goes for the brown crayon first
- She favors the scary parts and villains in any movie or show. Not sure exactly what that means but it makes me laugh when she says "I like that guy" or is obsessed with the "Mean Queen" from Snow White.
- She is extremely into shoes and purses and I often find the most random assortment of things stuffed in the many purses around our house including the cell phone I couldn't find =)
- She has surprised me with how well she has transitioned to her bunk bed. I'm SO proud of her!
- The past 3 weeks Eden has caught on to the sticker folder that sister has been doing for a long time. If they don't go to time out all day, Neil puts a sticker on their nose before bed and they go nuts to put it in their folder. Amazing how much of an incentive this can be but we still have our days full of time outs at times. She is definitely improving!
- her favorite phrases "tiny bit?", "oopsy daisy" (just started this one), "I want" - we're working on this one,

Bunk Beds

Look what these girls and their bed head are so excited about...
they got their bunk beds!!! We finally sold Claire's bed to a sweet family from church so we were able to get the bunk beds ordered and moved in before school started - yippee!! They really love having them and it's been great to get more space in the bedroom. The stairs on the bed have drawers so we can have more storage. Something at a premium when moving kiddos in together.
They especially love the top but Eden is doing fine with having to sleep on bottom. She is doing great at staying in bed and sharing a room - even better with the beds instead of mattresses on the floor. I think it's because they can't see each other and it isn't as easy to get out =)

This is a big step for Eden - her first big girl bed! Do you think she likes it?
Our big girl keeps growing up right before our eyes! I'm SO thankful that this transition was actually pretty easy (especially compared to Claire) and it's one more check off the list to getting things settled while we wait for our little guy!
Bottoms up!!

Eden's 2 and a half!

Last week our baby turned 2.5!! She has changed so much – especially the past three months as she is turning into such a big girl. Eden’s sweet spirit and strong will keeps us on our toes!! She has such a complex personality! I’ve had this conversation with a few people as we say “You can’t just describe her in two or three words” like a lot of other kids her age. I’m still trying to figure her out sometimes but I do know that she is just the way God made her: empathetic (concerned with anyone upset or crying), an observer, gentle spirit, class clown goof (always trying to make someone laugh), stubborn with a capital S, determined to accomplish things herself (doesn’t easily give up), creative and imaginative, nurturing,

Now for things she really loves and is into! She still gravitates towards a lot of typical boy interests such as trains (especially a train book we got a few weeks ago!), building blocks, roly pollies, turtles & balls. Not sure how much of her love for dolls and kitchen play is her or because Claire has instilled that in her. She certainly has the nurturing, mothering side with her dolls! She continues to love animals of all kind and playing outside. About 4 months ago she mastered climbing the rock wall at the playground in seconds flat which amazed me! Everyone always asks me "how old is she?" I have to really keep an eye on her =) If she isn't on a slide, she's scaling the wall. Eden also continues her innate love and skill for music. She has been able to keep a steady beat for months and match pitch since I can remember - I often find her playing the piano!

Here are a few pics of our sweetheart!

"Share-you-go" - this is what Eden says if she wants t o give you something and it's SO cute! Neil and I LOVE this and will be so sad when she stops. Ever since she could talk she would say "share" if she wanted you to take something from her (her cup, plate, toy, etc.) It slowly turned into "share-you-go" which comes out sounding like one word. Here she is sharing her cupcake with Daddy - two of her loves!

Eden is still trying to grasp the idea of our adoption as she continues to wonder where the baby is in my body =) She has still lovingly patted my chest asking "baby?" but the past three weeks when I've asked her "Does mommy have a baby in her tummy?" She will say "no" and I will explain as best as I can in her words. Two weeks ago she prayed for baby brother in her night time prayer when thanking God for everyone and when asked the question again about me having a baby in my tummy she said "no, Birth mom" - pretty much brought tears to my eyes to see her starting to get it the best her little 2.5 year old mind can.
Loving the water these days but will cling to us in the pool! Will be doing lessons in the fall =)


One of our biggest milestones the past three months was potty training!! After her time with the stomach bug was over about a month ago, she has been completely out of diapers both nap and night time. This blows me away because although Claire was potty trained at this age, she was never dry at night so she was in diapers for a very long time. I think I hindered her a bit in that area so as soon as Eden was dry twice (we watch her evening liquid intake closely), it was bye bye diapers!! We went straight to panties which worked for both girls but she was pretty self motivated and for the first three weeks of trying the potty she was motivated by chocolate chips! I'm so blessed that she didn't make it into a power struggle because that's what I anticipated. I think because I took it so layed back with her and took HER lead, she felt like she was in control and it was never something I was making her do. I don't know - just glad she's done and we can now work on moving her into a big girl bed =)

I'm going to sound like a broken record but here it goes again - time is FLYING by and although she will always be my baby, she's moving on and growing up too fast!