just 5 am

Yes, it really is 5 am.  


No, I am not a morning person.  


I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse.  Am I being prepared for the middle of the night feedings/changings?  Probably.  Perhaps, I will be grateful in a month...


I've tried EVERYTHING to get to sleep for the last 2 hours.  Yes, even yoga.  I feel better stretched, but not any sleepier than I was 2 hours ago.  Therefore, while the house is dark and the kids in bed, I will post the most recent event in my life: 

My New Baby's "Welcome to the World" Party

37 weeks - officially full-term 10.18.11

I feel so blessed to have friends who wanted to throw a shower for someone who's on their fourth baby.  Honestly, for me each one of my pregnancies has not been like the other, each has felt like the first time. (Mostly due to a lapse in memory, I'm sure.)  In addition, the reality of this new life being in my arms while it's still in my womb has felt - surreal.  It's these parties that make it more of a reality.  Life has gotten busy for us all, and the years melt away.  I was able to see friends & family last night that I don't get to see very often and for that I am so grateful.
  

Thank you to all who came & all who wanted to come!  

Now, when is she going to come?

just a ringing in our left ears

Here we are happy as clams basking in the sun on an Oregon beach...errr, I mean happy as clams can be watching the Foo Fighters play live in Salt Lake City!  It was glorious to be a clam last night.

Foo played for 2.5 hours (22 songs, if I counted right) and hit all the right notes.  It was melodic and raging, acoustic and ear-drum damaging.  (Literally!  Our left ears especially have a lovely, continuous ringing still.  Does it sound crazy to say it was worth it?  If you're a fan, you'll say, "Of course!")  The following highlights were particularly memorable: walking up the stairs into the venue right as they played the first notes to the opening song, "Bridge Burning"; listening to Dave describe his experience writing his most favorite song, "These Days," then hearing the band play it afterward; listening to an amazing Pink Floyd cover from The Wall; hoping for a few acoustic songs and getting more than we bargained for--Dave sang "Long Road To Ruin, Best of You, and Times Like These" from an elevated platform, which transitioned into and culminated with the entire band completing the finality of "Times Like These"; witnessing the on-screen, backstage banter between Dave and Taylor, who argued over how many songs to play during the encore (they ended the show with six!).  The best Foo Fighters concert I've seen to date (this is Aaron writing, not Tana) ended with "Everlong" and an invitation to come back, following the completion of the next album.  I hope our babysitters put this on their calendars, and we hope the opportunity presents itself.  All grandparents and Aunt Lacey would dive at the chance to have another overnight romp with our four tikes, right?

just reflections part II

Phoenix had entered the reflections contest last year and did VERY well.  This year we prepared him to be happy for just participating and to be happy for whomever won. (Due to the fact that he entered into the Visual Arts category, which is usually the most popular category.) 

To our surprise...

...his project was 1st place!  

just seven

Hard to believe, but true.  Phoenix is seven!

Sparkler candles do not blow out, they go out.  Luckily, kids don't usually realize this, at least this kid did not!

The next day, celebrating with friends.