Water Painting

The girls have had a touch of house cabin fever.  With Logan's arrival and the girl's having the flu, we have been housebound lately.  I asked some friends for some ideas of ways to engage the girls at home.  One idea that was shared was painting with water outside.  I loved the idea as sidewalk chalk can be so messy.  The girls have loved playing with the brushes, buckets, and water in the sunshine for many afternoons this week.

Newborn Pictures

Logan Nelson Yates

6 lbs 4 oz

18.5 inches

April 8, 2016 at 11:36 am

I took some makeshift, homemade pictures of Logan today.  He is such a handsome boy.  I see a good mix of Lily and Emily in him.  I love his patient, loving personality that seems to already show.  We all love him to pieces.

White Dresses

Emily is completely fascinated by temples and getting married. One of her favorite things to watch is our wedding video. She loves princesses because the movies end when they get married. Emily loves to ask to go to the temple. I tell her she can when she gets big. She bags to wear a white dress to which I say she can when she gets baptized. We went to get Logan's blessing outfit the other day and she was mesmerized by the white dresses. In this picture Emily is telling lily she gets to wear this dress when she gets baptized. I love her live for the temple and hope it always stays strong.

Emily the Big Sister

Emily adores Logan!!  She loves to "watch him" and give him many kisses a day.  Whenever Logan wakes up, Emily squeals in delight and rushes over to see him.  She loves to watch him play, talk to him, and give him loves.  Emily is sweet to try to share with him too: cars, princesses, and even a crown.  I love the way she is so sweet with him.  I know they will have a special relationship together as I see it in their eyes as they talk and watch each other now.

Logan Nelson Yates

On April 8, 2016 we welcomed Logan Nelson Yates into our family.  He is a special little guy that we all love dearly.  At over 39 weeks pregnant, I was to be induced on Friday, April 8th.  I was a little concerned to go in with Lily having the stomach flu the day before, but was excited to meet him.  Logan seems like a patient, easy going baby so he may have waited longer, but we couldn't.  It has been a special experience - just as with Lily and Emily - to wait for Logan's coming.  I have felt his tender spirit in many moments of challenge over the years to comfort, strengthen, and care for me.  As we each of my children, I feel a special bond with him - my son. 

Nelson and I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am.  By 7:00 am, I was dressed and ready for the coming of our son.  Once the IV was started, my doctor, Dr. Kathleen Langer, came in and broke my water at about 8 am.  Nelson and I enjoyed some time visiting about this new little addition and our many blessings of change over the year:  new job, new baby, and new house in September.  All great blessings, but nothing can compare to his arrival.  Soon my mom arrived.  It has been neat to have her share this tender experience of our babies arrivals.  We were glad she could be there. 

By 11 am, I was ready to push.  Logan came at 11:36 am, weighing 6 lbs 4 oz and 18.5 inches long.  As I heard his first cries and held him for the first time, tears filled my eyes for this incredible miracle and blessing.  There is something magical - spiritual as a baby is born.  It is a time when heaven and earth meet.  Each time my children have been born I have felt angels in the room bringing them there.  Though I do not know of everyone that was beyond the veil there, I do know I have felt my Grandpa White there each time.  What a tender mercy to know he was there.

After I had some tender moments with Logan, Nelson held him.  Nelson has been so excited for a son!  As I gazed upon them both, I know there too is a special connection between those two.  Nelson's eyes beamed with pride, joy, and love.  He is an amazing father and definitely my better half.

Later that day, my parents and Melissa came to visit with the girls.  We have been talking about baby brother coming for months.  I anticipated seeing the girls reaction to Logan.  As the girls entered the room they were anxious to sit with me and see Logan.  Emily, however, eventually warmed up to Logan.  She was excited to stroke his feet and hands.  When I tucked her in the next night, Emily said, "Thank you for getting baby brother at the hospital."  She has loved caring for him by getting diapers, wipes, and showing him lots of toys.  I know Emily loves having him around.  On the other hand, Lily is still not quite sure about him.  However, she is gradually warming up to him more and more.  I know they will all share a special friendship and love for each other.
  

Even after coming home from the hospital, the girls have been sick.  I have worried about them and keeping everyone else healthy, especially Logan.  I know many angels have and are attending to us.  I am so grateful we are lucky enough to have Logan in our home.

Big Sisters

By Friday for sure, these two princesses will be big sisters!  They are growing and changing so much each day.  I look back at their first month pictures and am incredibly amazed at the many ways they have grown and the fun adventures we have shared.  My heart has so much love for them both!  I often wonder how my heart can love another, but I know it will grow.  We are all excited for Baby Brother's arrival.  I know both girls will love and cherish their little brother so very much - they already do.  I hope to be the best mom that I can for them all.  This is one of my fears is to be enough for them all.  I hope they know how much I love them - each uniquely and deeply.  Being called a mother brings me great joy.

Jumpin' Jellybean

Emily loves to jump on the trampoline.  She has become quite brave this year in jumping all around the tramp and doing a few tricks.  Her favorite trick in landing on her knees after jumping.  Emily loves to jump with Nana and Daddy on the trampoline.  They give her good bounces that brings big smiles and giggles.  Today I caught a few of them on camera.  Cute jumpin' jellybean!