We had a baby...last year:)

I have some catching up to do....

Part I

There were a couple of notable events in the few days before Cael was born. Here is Micah mailing off the final papers to sell a property (that shall remain un-named) that has plagued our lives almost since the day he bought it years ago. We joked that maybe our little Bandito was waiting to come out until we had that property off of our hands so that we could be stress free.

On March 21, 2013 I was 6 days overdue so when Micah asked if we wanted to go with him to an auction near Bear Lake we couldn't refuse - otherwise I'd sit home and just wonder why my baby wasn't coming out yet.

 Sure enough, I went into labor at midnight that night - property sold, new Bear Lake cabin purchased - and 11 hours later (only 3 of which were hard labor, but oh my goodness it was hard. The little guy was posterior and I was in a birthing center and I can't believe I survived it. The first thing I said to him when he came out was, "You were hard to get out Buddy.")

 Here's our happy family of 4. None of us "recognized" him when he came out because he had all this dark hair and we couldn't see any resemblance except for that he weighed the exact weight that his sister did when he came out - 9lbs 3 oz.

March 22, 2013 at the birthing center

March 25, 2013

My new life as a mother of 2.

 My little wolverine. March 27, 2013

Grumpy old man, but Sister sure is happy:) March 30, 2013

 Grandma Chelle holding Cael with Kaylyn and her two cousins.

Kaylyn having snacks (which were usually always little oranges or apple slices at this age) while watching Signing Time on the couch.

Who doesn't love a photo of their husband sleeping with their baby? Aren't they sweet? And so handsome?

Some of his first smiles.

Ward Clerk. Gotta love that receding hair line:)

Below are some pics that Aunt Amy took just three weeks after Cael was born while we were all hanging out in St. George. Amy is our family photographer - engagement photos, family photos, baby/kid photos, you get the idea. She is one talented lady. 

Audrey and Drewby hung out at our house while their parents were at a BYU rugby game in May. Kaylyn sure loves her cousins. Audrey is the cutest little mama. Micah said that the pic of Drew & Kaylyn reminds him of an awkward dance pic;)

I had a brainstorm session with Audrey and Drew to decide what we wanted to do before their parents got back. They came up with the idea to have a lemonade stand. We set up on the corner by Brick Oven where everyone from the rugby game would be coming by.

Audrey couldn't believe we were really doing it. I love this pic that Micah snapped as Audrey laughs in disbelief and excitement.

 The little entrepreneurs at work. 

Drew was a great sign holder. He's got his game face on.

Here we are checking out the progress of the former Provo Tabernacle that's being restored and transformed into the Provo City Center Temple. How exciting!! The entire building was being supported on stilts as they excavated under and around it.

For Mother's Day Micah let me choose what to do. I wanted to go up to Sundance after church and have a picnic with our little family. We had done the same thing for Father's Day and it was so enjoyable. This little lady is so full of personality. She makes us laugh every day. Her little mind is so amazing and bright.

Sam & Ellie also got to stay with us for a couple of days last July while they were going to BYU sports camp (lacrosse and soccer) and Kaylyn couldn't have been more spoiled by their attention. 

 They tired her out with all of the fun. She was fast asleep as Sam carried her up to our condo. She called affectionately calls him "Ham"

But she tired them out too - or maybe it was playing lacrosse all day in the hot sun. 

 4th of July with Grandpa Allen and Grandma Janny. This crew couldn't be more American!

Kaylyn and Grandpa Craig dancing to Uncle Jason's band "Hectic Hobo" at Pioneer Park in Salt Lake during part of our Richards Family Reunion July 13, 2013

Kaylyn's older cousins love dressing her up. 

She obviously enjoys it:)

At the fish farm just below Grandpa Allen's house

What would a family reunion be without swimming at Grandma Gwen's?

To be continued...

California Babymoon

President's Day weekend Micah and I decided to leave Kaylyn with Grandma Chelle and fly to warmer weather to enjoy some time with just us two lovebirds before 'lil Bandito joins our family and takes over our lives and hearts next month. Kaylyn slept better those 4 days at Grandma's house than she does at home and Micah and I had a fabulous trip filled with an unlimited food fund, the beach, two movies at the theater, warm weather, and fun.

To kick things off we got a very appropriate fortune...I'm due in a month! Can't wait to meet that short stranger:)

We flew into LAX and drove south on Friday afternoon. I got fish and chips and Micah got wings at a busy little bar restaurant in Seal Beach. We slept in every day and had breakfast for lunch - my favorite! Saturday we spent all afternoon on Balboa Island near Newport Beach.

Saturday at noon on Balboa Island we were driving for quite some time looking for parking when suddenly a spot opened up right in front of this delectable little restaurant.

Those hash browns were gooood!

We loved this unique little gift/art shop on Balboa Island's main shopping strip.

I love this! I must have baby on the brain...and in my belly:)

They did so many cool things with license plates in this little shop, but this was my favorite. Each state cut out of its own license plate - very cool and creative.

We walked along the water looking at all of the expensive houses crammed together on the island.

I loved seeing this kind of snowman...er, sandman...instead of the ones we've had in Utah lately. So nice to get a break from the cold!

Famous Balboa Bar.

We couldn't resist when we saw this sign. We got two beach towels (we didn't pack any with us), a few old books, a cookie cutter, and a cool old coin purse all for $3 and some change. 

I was sooo tempted to get this. I love the frame and am so curious to know the story behind this beaded diary cover from the 1800's that belonged to Marie Louise Seiffert. I'm having non-buyer's remorse.

After Balboa we drove further south to go to the beach.

I ended up falling asleep and waking up to this lovely scene...

...while Micah surfed the net looking for our hotel for that night. So classic. 

Saturday night we went to see Les Miserables at the movie theater. I cried like a baby. The story is just so moving and filled with lessons on selflessness, sacrifice, and forgiveness. So inspiring.

On Sunday we attended church in San Clemente. The chapel is set on the top of a hill  with a huge parking lot and open land next to it. It's a prime piece of land with an awesome view. 

San Clemente Pier.

You'll never believe what we just saw...
jk - just a great shot captured of Micah:)

Monday - lunch for breakfast at The Sugar Shack in Huntington Beach. One of our favorite places!

Huntington Pier.

We went to see a matinee on Monday afternoon before catching our flight home. We saw Lincoln. Quick review - the story itself is amazing because the history is incredible, but the movie was just okay. It focused more on the workings of politics than the stories, heroes, and inspiration of the Civil War and abolition of slavery. That said, I did come out of the movie feeling so grateful for freedom and those who fought - in actual combat and in the government - to make that possible for everyone in this beloved country. I'm proud to be an American!

It was such a well spent weekend. After being there alone together for a little while I quickly got over my nervousness about leaving Kaylyn (every mom feels that, right?) and told Micah that we should do this more often. Micah commented about how couples often stress the importance of having regular date nights together and that for him it's about getting my undivided attention. With kids Mom is always a little distracted in taking care of their constant needs, which is right and good, but Dad needs that care and attention too. I always thought of date night as being a way to keep the romance alive - and while it serves that purpose as well, I totally agree with Micah. We always laugh and say that Chancha steals Dad's tickles (Micah loves back tickles) so I was sure to give him lots of back tickles on our trip:) As we were driving to the airport to catch our flight home Micah said that in the end it's our relationship (as husband and wife) that is most important - not the kids. They'll grow up and get married and have their own families and it will be him and me again. We're working toward eternity together and we should be each other's priority. We only have one kid and as more come I can see how easy it could be for me to get so wrapped up in their needs that I neglect Micah's. I'm grateful for the reminder of what's important and for those moments of truth and clarity - thank goodness Micah provides those for me quite often! I'm one lucky and blessed girl.