Liam's Two Month Pictures

Liam is now three months old and is such a sweet, calm, pleasant, happy, and easy baby. He smiles a lot and looks up at me like I am the most important, beautiful person in the world. I feel so priviledged to be his mother.

Here are a few photos of him at two months old in his blessing outfit, taken in early June by my sister-in-law, Renee.

Happy Birthday, Princess Ari!

Our Ari-girl celebrated her 3rd birthday last week!

Ari at Age Three

Personality: carefree, sweet, stubborn, adventurous, daddy's girl, smart
Likes: gymnastics (she just started a little class and loves it), climbing on/jumping off anything, playing outside, playing in water, helping take care of Liam, watching Go Diego Go, watching/singing songs from Tangled, reading books, coloring, staying up late playing in her room (no matter how many times Mom and Dad tell her to stay in her bed) and then sleeping in, getting in to mischeif with cousin Ella
Favorite Food: likes anything (if she can sit down long enough to eat it), loves sweets
Favorite Toys: dress up stuff, princess dolls, baby dolls, trains, legos, Little People stuff

Ari holding a stuffed sheep made by Great-Grandma Capel and a dress-up dress from Grandma Morrill.

 Ari and cousin Ella at their birthday party at Jungle Jim's playland.

 Ari's princess cake and cupcakes.

Ari with cousins Gareth and Zander on the swing ride at Jungle Jim's.

Ari got this scooter for her birthday.

Our New Trio

Ari, Robbie, and baby Liam at the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point.

Ari is a sweet big sister and loves to help take care of Liam.

Robbie loves his little brother, too, and thought it was so fun to take a bath with him.

Welcome to the World, Baby Liam!

William Joseph Morrill (Liam for short) joined our family Thursday, April 7th at 12:02 pm. He was 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 19.5 inches long.  He is a calm, cuddly little guy with a voracious appetite. We are all happy he is here and are adjusting well. Robbie is a sweet big brother who likes to give Liam an occasional hello and pat on the head before getting back to the business of playing, while Ari is a little "mommy" and likes to help take care of the baby (and is also experiencing some of the inevitable jealousy and sadness at having to give up her spot as the youngest in the family).  Mom and Dad are starting to recover from the initial exhaustion a new baby brings.

Here's the story of Liam's birth, if you're interested. After the doctor stripped my membranes at my 39-week appointment Tuesday morning and hours of regular contractions, we were sure I was in labor Tuesday evening and went to the hospital. Turned out to be a disappointing false alarm.  Real labor finally began very early Thursday morning, so at about 8 a.m. we dropped off the kids at Grandma and Grandpa's (again) and headed to the hospital. I wanted to be SURE it was really time, so we walked around the neighborhood near the hospital for a while before we even went inside. Luckily by the time we checked in at about 9 a.m. I was dilated to 5 cm and definitely in labor; we were relieved to find out they wouldn't be sending us home again. The doctor broke my water at about 11 a.m. and after a very intense hour (I went without an epidural again, this time by choice) Liam came into the world at 12:02 p.m. He was beautiful and perfectly healthy!

We feel so blessed to have this new little one in our family and are grateful for all the help and support we've received from family and friends.

 Liam just minutes after birth.

 Robbie's first time holding Liam, with Grandma Morrill helping.

 The whole family together on the day of Liam's birth.

 Proud Dad Nathan just a little while after Liam's birth.

 Grandpa William Rondall Morrill, who Liam is named after.

 Liam with Uncle Skyler, Aunt Ember, Grandma Capel, and Aunt Keli.

Ari's first time holding Liam, with Grandma Morrill.

Ready to Go

 Baby Liam is due in less than two weeks (April 13th, the counter at the top of the page is a little bit off). The room is ready and decorated, the baby clothes are washed and put away, all the "gear" is unpacked, the hospital bag is even mostly packed, now we're just WAITING for this new little one to arrive!  Robbie and Ari are excited; every time I drop them off at Grandma and Grandpa's to go to the doctor Robbie asks if the baby is coming out today. He's always disappointed when I tell him no, not yet.  He's not the only one getting anxious--I have to keep telling myself to keep busy and just enjoy this calm before the "storm".

The amazing quilt my mother-in-law made for the baby.

Joining the Mini Van Club

We have now, somewhat begrudgingly at first, joined the ranks of Utah County mini-van driving Mormon parents.  I never imagined that I would actually LIKE driving a mini-van, but its amazing how much easier it has made my life already and I'm sure when #3 makes his appearance this vehicle will be a life saver.  The kids love it too (I'm glad they're still young enough to think that mini-vans are the coolest cars ever). Hip, hip, horay for mini-vans!

First Little Mani/Pedi

Today I painted Ari's fingernails and toenails for the first time. She was so excited! She kept looking at them and saying "That's pretty cool!"  Its so fun to have a daughter!