A great girl in our ward, Kathryn, has been coordinating some very poorly attended park days each Friday. Normally we go to Murray park but this last time we went to Big Cottonwood park. It was fantastic. We ended being there for almost two hours before we realized we had better get the kids home for naps.

While we were there Eden played so well. We went on the swings together and she climbed all over. Then she wanted help on the rings and monkey bars. She is so strong! While she was hanging from the bar four feet off the ground and I was waiting for her to tell me to help her she started to say “Feet up, feet down, feet up, feet down.” She was going back and forth to a pike position!

I couldn’t wait to show off her new trick to Chad. We had a dinner picnic at the park and let Eden show all her new found abilities.

Yesterday Chad took part of the day off. Apparently he had a day coming and when he woke up with a bit of a sore throat he thought is was a good day for it.

We had a really nice day together. All of us went to Eden’s dance class and then to the zoo. Eden is getting so she can actually stay in one play and watch and enjoy the animals. It is cute.

We went on a little train ride together. Eden must have seen a tiny bit of the carousal because she took off running toward it and asking for a ride. How could we say no. Chad took Eden and I stood on the sidelines and watched. It was suddenly so precious. There was this beautiful carousal with a little girl sitting pretty on top of an okapi with bright eyes and a broad smile. I was holding a little snuggly adorable sleeping boy, and Chad, my favorite person ever, was there to enjoy it with us. Somewhere Over the Rainbow started playing and almost every time the ride went around Eden could be seen on a new animal. I don’t know why it was such a happy moment but it was wonderful!

At ten weeks old I am starting to enjoy this new mom thing. I am not getting any more sleep yet, but Alden has started to chirp and coo and smile every so often. It is so nice that Alden is becoming responsive. It makes a huge difference for me. I am really enjoying our little staring contests and just can’t give him enough kisses. He is such a beautiful little boy!

It is also nice to start feeling like I can recognize his needs and wants better. I am not tortured with wonder at what the problem is each time he cries. I can usually pinpoint the issue or non-issue pretty effortlessly now.

Alden is a really pleasant baby. He is very easy going so far. He does great on his tummy which has made him really strong already. We are also getting the hang of his sleeping. He is learning how to relax himself to sleep really well. Before naps we swaddle him and give him a pacifier. We have a song and sometimes a story (when Eden is helping). Then we just sit still and quiet together. Lately it doesn’t take long before Alden has decided he is ready to sleep. He turns his head into my chest and nestles himself in with his eyes closed. When I see him do that I put him in his crib and he does the rest. Phew! It is a really sweet time together too.