{ love } this little face.

i love this little face.

So far in his {1 + month} life these are the expressions I can't get enough of. 

 I'll take all the smiles I can get even if they aren't on purpose.

 The life of a newborn is rough... he's just so exhausted.

 I adore the wrinkly face! 

 The often serious stare.

This face greets me every three hours to let me know he's a hungry little man.

{ Stretch }

{ Frown }

{Big Frown }

 And then he sleeps....

& sleeps so peacefully.

{ newborn photoshoot }

A friend that was in my ward in Chicago now lives in Houston and offered to take some pictures of my little Mr.

 She did a fabulous job! Check her out here for photography in Houston.

Jack had just passed the 10 day mark- and he was WIDE awake for most of the shoot which wasn't the plan. Sleeping babies are much easier to work with. Amber was SO patient! The little stinker even pooped on her blanket. 

Here are some of my favorites.

{ my thoughts on pregnancy }

(I meant to write this post before the baby came, but that didn't happen.)

We all go through our own challenges and heartaches that shape us and change us. For me infertility was one of the hardest things I've ever faced. It forced me to grow and stretch my faith. It humbled me. So many tears were shed. After I got pregnant one of my fears was that I would forget. I didn't want to forget all that I had learned through this trial. I didn't want to experience pregnancy as if I had never struggled getting pregnant. I wanted it to be different. I hope that I remained changed. I hope that I was a little more grateful- a little more happy- a little more in awe- a little more sensitive - a little more embracing of the experience- and a little more humble. I know I wasn't even close to perfect, but I'm so grateful for the perspective infertility gave me. I don't want to lose it.

{ adjusting well }

We're all adjusting quite well to our family of three... or is it four?
I think we need a sign in our house that says "Pippa is JUST a dog."
To remind not only her, but us too.

Ever since Jack was born her anxiety has been back in full force. Maybe she's afraid that every time we leave there's a chance we'll be bringing home another baby.

{ jack thomas meier }

We could not be more thrilled to welcome Jack Thomas Meier to our little family! 

This little man came 2 weeks and 1 day early. It never crossed my mind that he'd come so soon! So many girls are itching to get their babies out, I wasn't really one of them. I still had about 20 things on my "To Do Before Baby Comes" list and most importantly my mom wasn't here yet! The day I went into labor I had gone to my pre-natal yoga class and another girl there was wanting so desperately to have her baby. The teacher kept joking that we were going to get her baby out! Well I don't know about her, but between all those stretches and squats my baby decided it was time to make his debut. The best part of the story is that Jared had just taken a Tylenol PM 30 minutes before my water broke. 

(3 days old)

Jack was born April 19th, 2012 at 1:59 PM weighing 6 lb 15 oz and 18 3/4 in. long.

We are so grateful for this sweet little man and we are just having the best time loving him! 

{ random everyday }

Get ready for what should have been about 10 blog posts smashed into one!


Jared just got called to serve in the Young Men organization in our church! We are super excited because I am in the Young Women's program, and really who doesn't love working with teenagers?! We took a youth temple trip.


I made my last drive to San Antonio before the baby comes! I babysat Peyton while Heather was on a field trip. It was great to have some one on one time. She kept saying, "I think we are having the MOST fun!"


I just love my sisters! (Can I say that enough?!?) It always feels way too short when we are together.


A temple worker asked me if I was having twins... after I told her I was due in 3 weeks. :)


We went to the Houston Rodeo! We took Ashley with us to see Blake Shelton.


I love dating my husband.


I am NOT a fan of the nasty creatures of Houston! (I know Utah has nasty stuff too, but I have never experienced so many awful critters in such a short time.) We've had roaches, mice, dead mice, spiders, earwig looking things, silverfish, a tick, etc. all in our little apartment.


This baby is growing like crazy! I'm feeling very pregnant and trying to embrace the experience fully!


I made rolls for the first time without my mom! She wasn't answering her phone either... luckily Heather let me call her about 20 times.


I love this boy.


I'm not complaining that I get to see him in a suit everyday, even though he'd rather be in a DARE shirt and cargo shorts.




Jared and I went ice skating! This was our first date and we try to go every year! Ashley came to stay with us a couple of times while Tracy and Kev were traveling. We had lots of fun!


Tracy had a birthday!

We cut and colored Ashley's hair while she was here!
Herman Park may be one of my favorite things about Houston. It's a gorgeous park full of people and puppies!

{ i love having a sister in TX }

My sister came to visit with her three kids! It was so much fun! Her girls have been wanting a puppy, so we were very excited to share ours with them. I was thinking they might not want a dog after being around the real thing- one that can bite, poop, and doesn't always listen- but I think they actually adored Pippa! Sorry Hoey you aren't off the hook. :)

Peyton insisted on holding Ky.

Jared was excited to show off some of Pippa's tricks! Pippa knew she could usually get a treat out of Peyton.

I love Sunday walks! What a gorgeous day in February!

Adorable girls!

This is a miracle picture. Heather doesn't like dogs and she let Pippa sit on her lap! I wasn't even home at the time, so I know it wasn't to appease me. I think she secretly liked her.

There was even a drinking fountain for dogs.

We cut Ky's hair! No more wings.

It was so much fun just to be together! I always love being with family!