The First Week

Emily and Nathan were busily digging a large hole in the backyard when we arrived hole from the hospital. They were in the middle of a multi day dam/swimming pool building project inspired by the boxcar children. It didn’t take them long to realize their “swimming pool” was actually a mud pool, but that didn’t slow them down one bit. They worked hard in the upper 90/100 degree weather, not even stopping for red ant bites (Nathan had 15 on his legs alone, and the blisters are no joke). They had so much fun filling it up with water and wading in it.

Laura ran up and was so excited to be with baby Lydia that she didn’t even want to give Andrew or I a hug when we walked in the door from the hospital. She ran right to her and sang primary songs. Those first moments of everyone holding Lydia for the first time are so precious.

Grandpa Moose read the entire first boxcar children book to the kids while he was here for a few days.

We’ve been reading Little Town on the Prairie the last two weeks. In the story Mary goes to college for the blind, which started the conversation how people that are blind read braille. Emily found a metal rod under the deck that she sharpened to a point with a rock. Initially it was a pencil, but then she realized she could press it into paper and create raised dots and write in braille.

Lots of snuggles with Lydia and watching her sleep.

Grandma Moose did fancy hair with Emily.

On Sunday we had sacrament meeting in our bedroom. Grandma Moose was holding Lydia who was a little bit fussy while we sang I am a Child of God. This is one of a Laura’s favorite songs that we have been singing for months and Lydia calmed down immediately upon hearing it. All the kids were singing and it was a very special, sacred moment.  

Lydia absolutely recognizes all the kids. She calms down and loves being held by them. Emily in particular will come sit on my bed and hold her for as long as possible. On Sunday I read to her for an hour out loud while she held Lydia.

Nathan joined me in bed on Sunday evening and we played Trouble together, just the two of us, with Laura playing with all the extra pieces.

Emily and my mom sewed a beautiful skirt for her doll and then my mom made a blouse to go with it.

Laura packed a bag with a bowl, playdough, and little toys to make soup for Lydia and I. She made a few different versions and “fed” them to us.

Emily discovered she has a loose tooth!

Walks with Grandma.

Emily made a button mobile for Lydia’s bed.

Here we all are – alive after one week together – right before sending Grandma Moose home.