(Schades 3 and 1 Year Old) Monday, September 7th 2015

To My Sweet Littles,

We just kicked off our annual trip to Bear Lake and wanted to just stop and send you a little note. This is such a great family tradition, and one I love more and more as our family grows. I remember the first time Blake got to come on this trip. He looked so cute in his little hikers and flannel shirt by the camp fire. But then I mom-failed and he bonked his eye on the edge of his crib in the tent and had a bruise for the rest of the trip. I vow not to let that happen to Everly this year. Promise! And it will be made easier because we got to try Conestoga Ranch this year. They have beautiful canvas tents, mattresses, and down comfortors to keep us all cozy and warm. And while there is still the pack-n-play for Everly, there is no air mattress. Phew!

Looks like it will be a cold one this year, and I am not sure how much time we will get to spend out on the water--but that doesn't matter. We will still have fun and spend great time together. Just you wait and see.

Love always,
Your Mom

(Everly 1 Year Old) August 13th 2015

Dear One Year Old Girl,

We made it! I still cannot believe you have been part of this family for a year. Time has flown by and yet I can hardly remember the time when you weren't with us. It has been such a great year of fun, and travel, and new adventures. I love you more every minute. You have so much personality for such a tiny human. You make us laugh all the time and we all love you so much.

Nothing seemed better than celebrating such a spit-fire of a girl at Lagoon. So that is exactly what we did. You were too little to ride some of the rides, but you still had a riot and even crashed hard this afternoon, taking a nap in the stroller despite the excitement constantly thrumming around you. I can still see your hair sticking to the side of your sweaty face when I pulled you out of the stroller. I love my summer baby so much! Cheers to many more years of fun baby girl!

Love,
Mama

Schades (3 Years and 10 Months) Monday July 20th 2015

To My Sweet Travelers,

This has been an eventful summer for trips. This month we traveled to Canada to see Grandma and Grandpa Great in Canada. G.G. made the trip with us, and it was another long drive. You guys were rockstarts for sure. I am so grateful you travel so well. That is not to say it was easy, but we made it there and back with little fuss. It was so good to spend time with them and see the home again. It has been too many years since my last visit. I forgot a lot of things about that place, and being back there brought back all the good memories. I am not sure either one of you will remember this visit, but I sure will.

Love,
Mama

Schades (3 Years and 9 Months) Monday June 1st 2015

Hi Kiddies,

We just got back from a long visit to Arizona. It was a great trip and you both did very, very well on the drive. Actually I was surprised at how easy it was to travel. It is absolutely because of my amazing family. They were so willing to stop whenever we needed a break and help out with distractions while we drove just one more hour. Gosh I love them and I love you.

In Arizona we shopped, swam, rode horses, and laughed with family every night. It was so laid back and relaxing. No plans except for spending time together. I hope as you get older you can appreciate the value of time and togetherness. It is the most fulfilling part of life. Nothing else on this earth can compare. I love you so much and am so grateful for each moment we have together.

Love,
Your Mama

Schades (3 Years and 8 Months) Thursday, May 14th 2015

Hi Kids,

This has been such a great trip to California. I have enjoyed every minute of sun and beach and water with you and am sad our trip is nearly through. We have been to the ocean and had dinner on the pier. Today we visited the shops at Disneyland and the Aquarium of the Pacific. Both were pretty amazing. We head back to Vegas soon before making the last leg home. I took a million pictures and can't wait to go through all of them with you when you are older.

Love forever,
Your Mama

(Schades 2 and 3 Weeks) Monday August 25th 2014

Hi Babies,

Today we all went together to celebrate our Anniversary. We drove to the Timpanogus Temple where our family was sealed. Then we made our way to our favorite restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory. I am happy to say you both did very well on our little date. I couldn't stop smiling, looking at the bunch of you and knowing you were mine forever. It was such a good day.

Love,
Mama

(Everly Not Even 1 Week) Saturday August 16th 2014

Little Lady,

You are here, safe and sound. We are so grateful to hold you in our arms, see your tiny face, and look in those precious little eyes. Your arrival was a long one, and admittedly I wasn't prepared for how long it would take. The doctor almost tried to send us home, but your daddy stepped up and made sure we could stay the night and make your transition into this world as seamless as possible. I am grateful every day that he is my chosen companion on this journey. He knows exactly how to look after this family and provide us with anything we might need. His support and strength means the world to me, and I hope you are lucky enough to find someone just like him to give your heart to.

I already love you, beyond words and so does your daddy. Your big brother still is not completely sure what to do about you--but he is trying his best. He made sure to get you a little gift, a small Piglet. And Grandpa told me just before you made your debut in the hospital, Blake sat up in bed and said, "Baby sister is here." Somehow he knew, and even now this little reassurance of your bond brings tears to my eyes. Siblings are special, and there is nothing like the love of a brother or sister. I hope you learn that and nurture that love.

Good gravy, you are already a bright light. I can see the spark of determination in your eyes, and know that you are going to test my patience in the days ahead. And I pity anyone who tries to stop you from getting what you want. You are going to do just fine in this family. I can't wait to see your little life unfold.

Love Always,
Mama

(Baby Girl Week 36) Monday, July 21th 2014

Dear Baby Girl,

I took your big brother and ran some errands this morning. Initially we were on the hunt for something specific, but ended up taking a couple of detours to do some shopping. We ended up buying you some new clothes and I couldn't help but marvel at how soon you will be here. Hopefully you will be arriving in less than one month! We are all getting very excited to meet you, name you, and bring you home with us to stay forever. It is such a sweet thought in my head, but I can't say I am ready to meet you just yet. There are still a few things to do before you get here. I mean, clothes are not the only priority.

Perhaps the most pressing thing is your room. We are making room for you in the house little girl. Slowly, very slowly, we have been cleaning out the office and turning it into the cutest little girls room. G.G. and Auntie Laina were helping me a couple weekends ago to paint and clear and organize. Most of the main parts of your room are coming together, and we will just have to sort out some details over the next few weeks until you arrive. Big brother and I have spent several quiet hours just sitting in there talking about you and your new room. I have to say, I think big brother is a little jealous of your crib. He keeps trying to get in the "baby bed," and is upset when I tell him he is too big for it.

Well, we have another check up on Wednesday to measure you and see how things are coming. Then I think maybe just one or two more appointments and you will be here! Thinking of it on that schedule really puts things into perspective. I better get hustling.

Love You Always,
Mama

(Blake 2 Years Old) Saturday, July 19th 2014

My Dear Blake,

You are such a joy, especially lately. Yes, you have your moments of tantrum and break down. They are getting a little more frequent as you express frustration and figure out all these emotions you are dealing with. I get it and try to be most patient with you during these times. However, the rest of the time you mostly just amaze me. 

First, you talk so well. You can almost always tell me what is going on, what you are up to, and a whole bunch of other things. There are three particular places you like to chat: at the breakfast table, in the car, and laying in my bed right before your bedtime routine. One thing I have really noticed talking with you is that you love having a plan. You like talking about things we did during the day and then you simply must know what we are doing the next day. Then, you remember it all in the morning. Amazing. For example, today you were going to a movie with Grandpa, Tio, and Papa. It has been all you've talked about for days. You get this big smile and can't hold still, just talking about it. It brings such light to my life. 

Next up, you have this innate sense of direction. Somehow you always know where we are, or even when we are almost to something. At a certain corner about 6 blocks away, you know we are almost to G.G.'s house. Same goes for LaLa's condo. And, just the other day, you told me when we pulled up close to Burger King and Wendy's. Yes, this probably means we eat too much fast food, but it also means you know where we are. That is just astounding. Today you said, "Oh, almost to G.G.'s," as we rounded that familiar corner and your dad and I were just beaming. 

Finally, I am always amazed when you happily give out hugs to me when I need them. I am going to really hate the day when you are too good to hug your mom. I love those hugs. They make everything better. Sometimes I forget to ask for those hugs, and I can really tell that those days are not the best. Usually those are the days I am frustrated, you are frustrated, and no one is happy. Honestly, those are the days we both need hugs the very most. So, yes, I'll be asking for more of those hugs in the future. 

Well, you are just plugging along in the development stages. Can't wait to see how much more you learn and grow in the next few months. I also can't wait to see how things go with baby sister joining us in just a few weeks. You will make one awesome big brother, I think. 

Love you!

Mama

(Baby Girl Week 27) Tuesday, May 20th 2014

Dear Deuce,

Well, the name game has long been going on around this family. There are several names your Papa and I like, but some Lala or G.G. don't, or some the Greats don't, or some the other family members don't. I feel like I am starting all over again, just as I did with your older brother. Really the bottom line is your Papa and I have to like it, your older brother has to be able to say it, and then none of the rest matters--that much, at least. The list is narrowing, but still nothing concrete and I have to say, that is just the way I like it. I wish I could call you something in my head, or put a face with some of the names. Then I really think about it and would much rather save that for our first meeting in August. It is such a precious and culminating moment. The NAME! So until then, you will not have anything solid and I will just keep calling you Deuce or Baby Sister in my head.

You on the other hand, while I waffle with names are solidly set in your ways. I am getting bumped and kicked on a regular basis, almost on a regular schedule by you. It is a delight to settle in on the couch and watch you, feel you. At times this pregnancy seems a little surreal, like it is moving too quickly and too slowly at the same time. But in those moments of quiet, just you and me settling in, there is nothing more real to me than your growth and existence. Just now you are putting on quite the tumbling act in there. My phone is sitting on my belly while I type and it is bouncing rhythmically while you shift. I love it. I rejoice in it. I count those little kicks until my heart is just bursting. You and me and this family--forever. Love you always little one.

Love,
Mama