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.

Mom has had some crazy big bruises (or so she thought) on her abdomen and thighs. She has been getting all sorts of tests to figure out what it is. She was diagnosed a few weeks ago with Morphia, also known as Scleraderma which is an immunodeficiency disease. She had to wait a few weeks to know the severity of her case. Poor thing was having a horrible time with it. We have all been hoping for the best since in it’s worse case it can be deforming, debilitating, and terminal.

We all got wonderful news that it is a mild case. Her skin discoloration will never go away where those large “bruises” are but other than that she should be doing pretty well.

Through the last few weeks, talking with her and a woman in my ward who is undergoing cancer treatment I have learned or been reminded that even the more horrible terrifying trials are a gift and a blessing from Heavenly Father–not a punishment or a test. It is through the hardest things that we can learn the most. It is also when we can feel the love and strength of our family, friends and especially our Father in Heaven.

Though I do not wish these difficult things on anyone, especially myself, I do envy the cherished experiences that come from them. The experiences that these women wouldn’t trade anything for.