Siena's first day of School

The last month has brought us a new car, new baby, new job, a new house, new ward, and a new school, Siena's first loose tooth, and Siena's first day of Kindergarten! That's a lot of firsts! She was so excited to go and had a great time. I, on the other hand, cried the whole way home!  Tessa had a really hard time walking away from the school. She said: "i love my sister! I don't ever want to leave her!" I kept saying, "My hand is naked! Siena's hand belongs right here!" It looks like she has a good teacher, and it's so nice the school is only a block and a half from our house!!

Siena's latest favorite pose

Tessa, not happy she can't stay with her sister, lol!

The move

We are so excited to be living in Henderson! Las Vegas is finally starting to feel like home! We are still working to make the house a home (even if we are just renting). I am so grateful for my hard-working husband, and amazing friends and family who have helped all along the way (you know who you are!)
We had a great time swimming with the girls once we got all the boxes in :) The blurry images are Thad throwing Siena into the pool and Tessa jumping in - fearless!

Carpinteria Beach

My awesome friend Shauna lives a block away from the beach. So I have to visit her once a year, absolute minimum! The only time it worked this year to visit her was 2 weeks after Leila's birth (shh! don't tell my midwife!) I packed the 3 girls in the car by myself and spent a week with Shauna, enjoying the beach , the beautiful surrounding area and spent some time with my Aunt Sheryl in Ojai, while Shauna was at work. We had a fabulous week!

Teetering Cousins

All of the cousins on my side of the family (minus Leila) just a couple of days after her birth

Newborn pics

My friend Chamrie is an amazing photographer! She took these pics 5 days after Leila's birth. I am so in love with this baby!

Leila's Arrival

I had a distinct feeling that this baby was supposed to be born on my birthday. And apparently this baby thought so too! (I'm sure the 2 -mile hike in the mud with Tessa on my back the day before may have helped...). I could feel my body easing into labor the night before my birthday.

Tessa's holding the baby- everyone's happy :)

I labored for 4 hours with contractions every 7 minutes. Thad had a 2.5 hour drive. I had still been contracting every 7 minutes up until Thad's arrival at 8:45. Leila made sure her daddy was there, and was born 15 minutes later, at 9:00. The midwives arrived at 9:06. Siena was my doula, who held my hand and helped me breathe through the contractions. She turned the bathtub water on for me when it became evident that this baby was coming sooner than the birthing tub. Daddy caught Leila, and we were all surprised that she had bluish-grayish eyes and strawberry blonde hair (with daddy's eyelids and nose). It was a very calm birth, with only our family- dad and 2 sisters. She is such a blessing!

Tessa's a little sad because she's not holding the baby

I don't know why, I just love this one, lol!

8 lbs, 6 oz, 21 inches long

The day before

If you've ever wondered how to get things rolling, or how to convince that baby that it's time to come, may I suggest going on a 2-mile hike up (and down) a slippery and rocky mountainside from the rain the previous day with a 3-year old on your back? Honestly, I already felt strongly that Leila would come on the morning of my birthday, but the hike may have really convinced her that she was ready to come ;)
**more pics to come

Last Prenatals

Siena is turning into quite the photographer! She took these pictures, just a couple of days before Leila's arrival!

What's in a name?

After we found out we were having a girl, Siena and I started discussing names. Siena made up a couple of "names", and then suggested "Leila." That name immediately hit home for me, as is reminded me of my best friend Mijken's sweet boy Leland who had recently passed away. With her permission, we went ahead with the name Leila. I feel like they were kindred spirits before and after Leland's passing. It's comforting to know they both had a little buddy on the other side :)

Leland's sweet little feet

Twinners

Tessa and Her bestie Lexi happen to have matching swimsuits! Too cute!

Bare Brows

She's seen mom do it plenty of times, so Siena decided to take matters into her own hands and pluck those brows off! (Can you see the big hole in her right brow??)

Valley of Fire

I've always wanted to go to Valley of Fire, especially since it's not so far from Las Vegas, where I grew up and where we are currently living. So when Thad and I went to an awesome parenting seminar, my BIL David took our girls for the day to Valley of Fire! I was so excited that they got to go (and tried really hard not to be jealous)!

Baby Shower

My fabulous friends Amy, Mogan and Aimee hosted a baby shower for me. Amy hosted it, Morgan beautified it and Aimee helped put it all together. It was so fun to visit with friends, and go night swimming afterwards (my request). The decorations were  just amazing, almost as incredible as the cupcakes tasted. Seriously, I dream about these cupcakes! I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends.

Happy 4th!

I've decided that holidays are best celebrated in small towns. We were so lucky to visit the grandparents in Superior, MOntana and spend the 4th of July with them. We all had such a great time!!

In St. Regis, Montana, the kids were able to be in the 4th of July parade and throw candy out of the hospital van representing the hospital where my dad works.  We all loved that they were on on the giving end of the candy rather than the receiving end!

We were also amazed at the incredible firework display that night- it went on for over an hour and a half- the kids (and adults) LOVED it!!

smokey the bear

pumped up at the start of the parade

all buckled up, getting ready to sing "This land is my land"

Coeur d'Alene

excited shopper

exhausted shopper

Grandma and Tess by the Moose in downtown Coeur d'Alene

playing in Lake Coeur d'Alene

trip to Utah

at the dinosaur museum

Siena being eaten by a t-rex

in front of the maser building at BYU. Siena's more interested in the snacks...

Jairus giving the girls a ride

in front of the Tecumseh, the Indian that
greeted and kept the original pilgrims alive 

swinging siena

spiderman on the rope swing

Tessa's turn

with grandma

ring around the rosies

Siena and Abigail rockin on

swimming at Saratoga Springs

Rockin away

Siena found Granma's glasses, put them on and said in her most scholarly voice, "Yes, Jamie. Very good."

the kids loving the museum and airplanes at Hill Air Force Base

Playing in the sprinklers in their tutu cute swimsuits