Our Pianist

Sparing Partners

At a Chinese restaurant the other night my two boys picked up the chopsticks and began sparing with each other. It was hilarious to watch them go at it.

Discovery Gateway

I've decided Benjamin is still a bit young for the Children's Museum but after striking out on all the other exhibits, he finally seemed to enjoy the car. Crazy that a little 8-month old knows how to turn the steering wheel.

Mardi Gras and Valentines Day

After hosting a stellar Mardi Gras Party last year...




This year was a quiet little after-thought of a celebration at home with just the three of us. I didn't even have time to make a king cake or go find the beads. But at least we made a little effort to pay homage to the raucous parties of the city where I served my mission, good ole' New Orleans.





Then two days later Dave and I had a romantic Valentines dinner at the Rumbi Island Grill. Not the one just down the street from us but the one all the way out in Murray. Why? Because that is where we met for the very first time in the Fall of 2007. We both made an effort to attend an institute activity at that very restaurant and got to know each other briefly. Sadly, it took us almost another full year before we were reintroduced and began dating but we still count our encounter at the Rumbi Grill of Murray to be a crucial part of our subsequent courtship and marriage.

Downton NO!!!!!

I think I am way too caught up in the goings on at Downton Abbey. Last night's episode put me in a real funk. I know, I seriously need to get over it. It is, after all, just a fictional show. But really, how could they kill off two main characters in the same season?! That darn Julian Fellowes.

To put me in a better frame of mind, please enjoy the following video. It reminds us of happier times at the Abbey.

A New Trick

Once again trying to get up the stairs, now blocked off with bar stools, Benjamin gets himself in trouble. Up and over the rungs, all the while holding a lotion bottle. Tricky kid.

Nursing, part 2

Remember how hard and emotional it was for me to nurse Benjamin right after he was born? (If not, read here.) Remember how I cried and cried but pushed on and kept at it? Well, Benjamin and I both got the hang of it and though we continued to supplement with formula, he became a very good little nurser.

But now I have to wean him and I'm an emotional wreck all over again. It's hard letting go of something I worked so hard to achieve.

Last night I dressed Benjamin in his pajamas, turned off the light, settled down in the rocking chair, and opened up shop for the last time. I knew it was our final day but I didn't think too much about it--until Dave came in to say goodnight. "Now I don't want you to come downstairs all teary-eyed after this. Be happy!"

Well that broke the dam. I cried for the next hour as I cuddled my little boy and nursed him for the very last time. He fell asleep and I laid him in the crib with a sad feeling of finality. He's not my tiny baby any more.

But the whole reason I had to wean him is because we are going back to the doctor to go through another round of IVF. We are hopeful that it will work the first try this time around. We should know the results later in the Spring and I promise not to keep it a secret from my adoring blog fans.

In the meantime, enjoy this KSL news story featuring our wonderful fertility doctor, Dr. Russell Foulk! If you look quickly you can see Benjamin's birth announcement on the wall of announcements toward the end of Lori's story.