latest edition

Rex Lee Christiansen

9 lbs 3 oz

20 inches long

arrived 6:35 am, Wednesday

 He came so much sooner than I mentally planned for! I really thought I would get through the move first. Not to be. And, actually, that's just fine by me. 

He's a darling little boy, but so different looking than his siblings! Despite being my biggest baby, he doesn't have the characteristic jowels I'm used to. He seems so small! He's been a CHAMPION sleeper. Wow. Cross your fingers it lasts. He's a pretty good eater when he wants to be, although I do have to wake him up for it (on dr's orders since he's lost a little more weight than they like and would easily sleep four or five hours between meals if I didn't).

Mostly thought, he's just a sweet new presence in our little world of moving chaos. I feel lucky to love and hold and call him mine.

Pictures! By Stanford

We were lucky enough to have Stanford (my brother-in-law) stop in somewhat unexpected a few weeks ago. My kids love Uncle Stanford (he's pretty hard not to love) and were super excited to get to play with him for a little bit. Of course he brought his camera and documented for us our current family of four and our soon-to-not-be apartment...

 Our little family of four... soon to be five! (Crazy, right??)

The belly shot. I think it was right at about 37 weeks. 

Us at home. Our kitchen is so small (I won't miss it!) Our living room looks huge here (and it definintely is the best feature of this apartment). Raymond, like I mentioned in my last post, is way into super heros. Here is Superman complete with cape and "boots."

Thanks, Stanford!! If any of you ever need a photographer (he lives in Vegas, but comes to Utah easily), he's the best!!

Well hello there!

I hate those blog posts that are just apologies or excuses for why I haven't blogged much... lame-o. And truthfully this is one of the reasons I've stayed away so long. What to say? Where to start?

Times and seasons, I guess.

I'm actually (I think, anyway) handling pregnancy and toddlerhood fairly well. Just totally exhausted. Otherwise I'm happy and generally optimistic about it all. I feel healthy and according to my midwife have excellent blood pressure, glucose and iron levels, and "look good"... albeit "big" (measuring about a week or so ahead... just like with my last two).

For the most part I (more or less) am staying on top of keeping my house in semi-order (dishes done, etc.) and we are gearing up for a move in about three weeks (yes, two days before my due date to be exact). I try to not stress about how all that will work out (pack, clean, move, have baby, keep track of two very active toddlers...). But it will in the end be SO worth it. It's a house! With a yard! And a place for a toy room! And a kitchen that will fit a table! And it's only about a block and half away and in out current ward. I feel blessed.

Did I mention it's been in the upper 90s every day for the last two weeks? With no end in sight, it seems. But despite that, I am packing boxes. Hooray for box fans and living in a basement where it's generally cooler than outside.

In happy news, Raymond and Ginny are actually more adorable than ever before (is it just my sentimental pregnancy hormones that makes me constantly enamored by them?? Or am I one of those parents?) Raymond is way into costumes lately. He lives in his Super Raymond cape. Ginny is into interrogatories. Everything is repeated as a question and it's  killer cute. She also is all about colors lately. "Wook! A red one, Mama!" etc. She's right about 75% of the time too... which astounds me.

Anyway, friends, I give you my sincerest apologies for letting blogging slide. And for not actually feeling all that guilty about it. Hopefully I'll at least send word when this little fellow makes his debut (before the move? after? only time will tell...).

All my love,

cj

37 weeks today! Full term!