I'm not half bad...

I love taking photos, but often do not have the talent that I wish I did to capture what I wish I could... Anyway, I did happen to get a couple of shots of the boys on Sunday and Monday and thought I would share them with you... Please notice, everyone is still relatively happy and healthy and well fed (crossing my fingers that that can continue, though relatively is the key word in the phrase)! Anyway, we are off tomorrow for Beck's wedding in Rexburg-- Zach's first big trip in the car (also crossing my fingers for this one)! Should be a blog-worthy adventure to say the least!!

Oh, I also have to mention a couple more things Isaac is saying... He came to me the other day and said, "Mommy, I your baby woke up and he said he wants more of your milk!" This is still making me chuckle days later:) I just love that boy! He also found out that Grandma Pieper's first name is LaJean, and along with that, he found out that she isn't thrilled about him calling her that, so he decided he will call her that without fail, and sometimes he just chants it because he can... I can't believe a 2 year old can be so good at teasing! He also heard my dad and I talking about a friend we call Jean Jean the Dancing Machine and Isaac decided that that would be a good name for his grandma, so now he's singing LaJean LaJean the Dancing Machine! Oh boy... this should make for an interesting weekend! I'll keep you posted, that is, if I live!

Introducing Little Zachary James

I suppose it is finally time to introduce little Zachary. He was born May 27, 2009 at 7:27am 8lbs 1 oz, 21 inches long- after only 3 hours of labor. So in short, labor was a relative breeze (which I feel bad admitting) and uncomplicated- I'm sure this was a precursor to this little boy's personality. He is such a sweet joy! Zachary is a big eater during the day and a big sleeper at night, which makes for a very very happy mommy! He is very easy going and quite content to do anything we put him up to! As you can see, he was born with a mop of dark hair, darker skin, and dark blue eyes. We are not sure how our boys got so handsome, or so many dark, cute features, but I am pretty sure our girls are going to be powdery white and bald until they're 10! Oh well, we'll still love 'em!

Little Zach-y, as Ike has lovingly nicknamed him, had to spend a couple of days with jaundice on the billi bed, but was quite content to do so... Maybe it is because that is about the only relief he had from Ike, or maybe it was because he likes sunbathing... not sure! He was so good at staying on the bed as much as possible, much to the relief of his parents. He has also been sleeping in his bassinet, which to me is a major accomplishment! After all the trepidation I had in the last couple weeks of pregnancy, this little one has completely won me over. We now cannot possibly imagine life without little Zachy and all of his patience and long-suffering (Ike really loves him A LOT)! We have actually spent the past couple of weeks going about life in an almost normal fashion... Keeping my tradition of being outside walking/running whenever possible, Zach and Ike have accompanied me on walks almost everyday (no running yet:). Last weekend, Ben and I even took a day trip to Fort Collins shopping with the boys. Isaac started singing "I love Fort Collins!" That went on for quite awhile!

I also have to share some of the things Ike has been saying lately concerning little Zach... He'll come up to him and say "Oh, I know baby, I know" (I'm thinking, are they both that disgruntled with us as parents??) He also loves to sing "Hush little baby won't you cry..." He is quick to offer compliments like "Look atcha cute little toes and ya cute little eyes," etc... I was definitely afraid that Ike would feel a little jealousy, etc, but so far, none whatsoever... It's almost like we just gave him the best toy ever! He is thoroughly enthralled! The first morning when Zach was at home, he awoke at 5:30am and must've awoke Ike because he decided to get up then too (he usually doesn't wake until 8am), so all 4 of us were up at 5:30 and decided to watch Beauty and the Beets (as Ike calls it- really Beauty and the Beast). It was a really fun bonding time for all of us, but definitely warranted the nap later that morning!

We have also received lots of visitors and special helpers over the past two weeks and were very very excited to have Grandma Pieper, Sarah, Hannah and Mary come visit from Idaho last week. What a treat! Since recovery for our family has been going so well, we actually even made a shopping trip to Cheyenne with the girls. What fun! I think part of the reason this transition has gone so smoothly is because of all the help we have had, especially from Jen and Jenny Wren visiting so much the first week we were home- they kept us all happy and sane! We also couldn't have done so well without plenty of yummy food and well wishes brought by our friends and family here in town- so thanks to all!

We are also thrilled that Ben's little sister, Mary decided to stay the week in Laramie with us. She is such a helper and joy to have around- we are really going to miss opportunities like this when we move. Ike is just loving her to pieces. In fact, this morning I awoke to Ike singing "wake up Mary" to her from his bed... Luckily she sleeps like a Pieper log, so she wasn't phased! Mary inspired us yesterday to take a little hiking trip to Vedauwoo. We actually did the Turtle Rock trail (I think it's over 2 miles) and little Zach actually did very well too- I only had to stop and feed him at the waterfalls.

Anyway, I feel like typing this post is definitely going to jinx us, but we have just experienced what I think was a tender mercy! Little Zach came to us healthy and very happy and so far, we haven't done much to mess that up! Our two little boys are just the sunshine we need to make it through the next few years of Arizona and dental school. It is so true that the Lord gives us certain things at certain times for certain purposes. We are so grateful for His perspective to guide our lives~ I definitely couldn't have done better!

Last minute fun...

Our trip to the zoo and my much talked about and highly acclaimed 38 week pregnant self

Gotta love the elephants! What a great day:)

Yes, we are getting down to it... I think we are about as ready as we will ever be to add this newbie to our family. I am thrilled at adding to our family and scared to death at the same time! I do think, however, that my endless lists of things to do before baby comes are finally dwindling to an end! Whew!

Andy and Ike playing at the park-- looks like they're up to a little trouble... What else would you expect from these two?

We have had an awesome couple of weeks running around and down to Denver for 3 weekends in a row though, so I guess I should be ready to settle in to Laramie for a few weeks, right? The first weekend in May, my brother graduated from college (yeah!!) We were really happy to get to witness the monumental occasion:) and to celebrate with him too. It was also nice to see warm sunshine and actually have to worry about sunshine, sunscreen and sunglasses for a change! We also went to an awesome little Titanic "muh-zeh-zum" (as Ikey says museum) that had real Titanic artifacts for free (even better)! Of course, our friend and Ben had to weather somewhat inclement weather for our 1 1/2 wait, but it was worth it!

Fun train ride into town

Weekend number 2 was spent meeting up with our long-time friends from Indiana who flew out for the week and our friends from Denver who happen to be related... We are so so lucky! We did a little "pre-celebration" for their arrival and joined in with a flavorful, cultural Cinco de Mayo celebration downtown in Denver. I think Ike's favorite part was riding the lightrail into downtown, Ben's favorite part was probably eating and getting free food, and my favorite part was the warm sunshine and people watching... I so enjoy people watching! Anyway, after that, we met up with our lovely friends at Casa Bonita (I'm telling you, it was a cultural weekend)! We had the funniest, quirkiest waitress of our lives... she asked me- the pregnant woman- if I had ordered a drink from the bar, for example. We spent all day Sunday with them too catching up and hanging out. Don't you just love having friends that you just click with? We are so lucky because these guys know us AND they still like us too (We think...)

Good buddies going for a ride in the chair
Downtown in Denver

Weekend number 3 started for Ike and I on Thursday when we took off for Denver (again) to meet up with our friends and my brother. Our kids are such good little playmates, though a little dramatic, and often sarcastic for being 2 and 3! It was a great time to catch up! We were able to hit up some fun parks in D-town and eat some really good food... You can see from the pics, we are party animals;) We went downtown again to hit up a park and check out the 16th street mall. Ben joined us Friday night and we took our party to the Zoo on Saturday- maybe that's why I'm tired:) What a fun time and last hoorah before this new baby hits the scene. It was so great to have the Whites around and to catch up with the Barratts too. I'm going to miss that this week... Someday we'll all live in the same neighborhood, we keep telling ourselves that (we are secretly trying to pray them all to Phoenix)! We'll see...

Ike looking on at a Capybara (Uncle Casey's animal name) too funny not to publish! No one else around us knew what it was- I even thought it looked like a R.O.U.S. (come on princess bride fans...) but we knew it was just Uncle Capy!

On the baby front, I am progressing right along and feeling very, very good (knock on wood)! I am most often briskly walking now, but jogging a couple times a week (for shorter periods of time followed by more walking, don't worry!) Everyone is healthy and happy and I'm actually feeling very ready to go through labor and delivery, its that month after that scares me... you know, the one I don't even remember from Isaac's life! Ike is really very sure this baby is a girl now, my parents think it's a boy and Ben and I are so unsure, though we do have a few "secret" names... We'll keep you posted, but there is still time to add your favorite to the list:)

"Why don't you name your baby..."

I just had to post this before I forget because it is the sweetest thing ever! Isaac's new favorite conversation topic (and ours...) is what to name the baby... So, everyday, at least ten times a day, Ike comes up to me and says "Why don't you name your baby..." the names have ranged from Carrot Bean Pieper to Carroll to Sheila, but most recently he is stuck on the name "Valen" which he made up... He and I met up with my friend last week who has a little girl name Falyn, but Ike insists that her name is really "Valen- like valentine" he says!
Anyway, yesterday Ike came up to my baby belli and started talking to it saying "Hi baby, how you doin' today? How bout we name you Valen like Valentine? Would you like that baby?" It was way cute! We were looking at baby swings at the store on Monday and ever since then he is so excited for this baby to come out so he can watch it in the swing and name it Valen! Can't beat that!!
Oh, and just for all of you who are as worried as I am that we aren't really ready for two kiddos, Ben and Ike put up the bassinet last night! Whew! One more thing off the list:) Good thing too because Isaac loves to come up to the baby belli and say "don't you want to come out today baby? Come out and play baby!" Cute, but I think this babe could use a few more weeks!

The Month of April...

Snowstorm a couple weeks ago... we had to get out and teach Ike a thing or two about snow before we move to Arizona!

Oh no! April is almost over!! I just signed into my blog to find out that we have 36 days left until our due date... WHAT!?! Time is flying by and I'm not sure I'll ever feel truly "caught up," but I guess maybe that's the essence of life... What would it feel like to think you were caught up and had nothing left to do? I'm not sure I would like that alternative either, so, I guess... Fasten your seatbelts kids because here we go!

We did get a chance to go meet baby Emry this weekend at Joni and Clay's in Pinedale. It was such a special weekend! Emry is a true beauty (I'm not bragging, but she really really is!) and is so well behaved for being 2 weeks old. I had the privilege of holding her a lot and just enjoying her. What a treat! I guess it did re-warm me to the idea of having a newborn. I just can't believe how fast it is all coming! Isaac and Macy also had a great time playing together. I know they miss each other... They are the best little playmates and enjoy making up games and most especially chasing each other and playing hide and seek. What a sight to have them together! This was also a very special time because Emry was blessed this weekend in church. All of Joni and Clay's immediate family were able to be there, which doesn't come along very often... It is difficult enough to get Joni, Andy and I together, let alone both families!

Baby Emry and new baby?? (37 days to go) kicking each other:)
Andy and Joni... cute
New baby Emry... what a doll! (and doesn't Joni look hot for just having a baby 2 weeks ago, whoa mama!!)

I guess I will take a moment to "recap" the month of April, so you can skim this... I just know that this blog also serves as a "journal" of sorts for me, so I better leave a little blip about this month! We started the month off with a bang, as we have had several relatively big snowstorms. Ben's 29th birthday was April 4th, so we celebrated on April 3rd with a surprise party at our house with a few friends and family. I just figured that this was our last chance with our Laramie friends to celebrate a birthday and we do love fun little get togethers:) This was also the weekend of conference, which was especially special because Ben, Ikie and I just hung out at home by ourselves and watched conference while it snowed a TON outside. It was nice to be snowed in with nowhere to go really and a great conference to watch!

Ben's enfamous birthday party... what a fun time!

We also had the opportunity to stay here this year for Easter and celebrate in real fashion by making a few treats and crafts for our friends and family. Ikie's cousin and a couple friends got to help him out too, so that was pretty fun! Ike's favorite part was making easter bunny cupcakes with coconut frosting, raisin eyes and marshmallow ears... He thought they were pretty awesome! Easter weekend we spent Saturday with our friend in Denver going to the temple all day. It was special to have time to spend there because it had been awhile. We traded off Ikie between each other, but got a lot done and had a great spirit around us.

Easter... brr! We did do a little Easter Egg Hunt with just Ike... He's not going to really understand the idea of competition when hunting for eggs, but he had fun:)
You can see the pride in his face as he shows off the fruits of his labors... the bunny cupcake:)

Otherwise, this month we have really just enjoyed some good weather and good snowstorms! I love hard, wet snowstorms followed by melting, preferably when not traveling! In between the hard snows, Ike and I have been jogging everyday we can outside, which is getting harder and harder, but so fun! I am now having to be much more careful, though, as baby is pulling on my muscles so much... A small price to pay for enjoying the spring weather:)

Ben's family was able to come visit us too, which was, as always, a wonderful time! I just wish it could last longer because we always have so much fun together and it seems like the weather is always yucky when they're here! It was also nice to have some workout buddies, though and to hang out with some of our best friends!! (Still waiting to see some pics from this trip... will post soon)!

These two explained they were playing "What not to wear..." Ike has never seen it, but seemed to know what to do anyway.. Gotta love a man with style and a true sense of who he is!

Anyway, all in all, April has been a wonderful month! We have so enjoyed this time as a family and preparing for this new addition to our family. What a great time in life!

Arizona Poem

Arizona

The devil wanted a place on Earth,
Sort of a summer home.
A place to spend his vacation
Whenever he wanted to roam.

So, he picked out Arizona.
A place both wretched and rough.
Where the climate was to his liking,
and the cowboys hardened and tough.

He dried up the streams in the canyons
and ordered no rain to fall.
He dried up the lakes in the valleys,
Then baked and scroched it all.

Then over his barren desert
He transplanted shrubs from hell.
The cactus, thistle and prickly pear,
The climate suited them well.

Now the home was much to his liking,
But animal life, he had none.
So, he created crawling creatures
That all mankind would shun.

First he made the rattlesnake
With his forked poisonous tongue.
Taught it to strike and rattle
and how to swallow its young.

Then he made scorpions and lizards
and the ugly old horned toad.
He placed spiders of every discription
Under rocks by the side of the road.

Then he ordered the sun to shine hotter,
Hotter and hotter still.
Until even the cactus wilted,
and the old horned toad looked ill.

Then he gazed on his earthly kingdom,
As any creator would.
He chuckled a little up his sleeve
and admitted that it was good.

Twas summer now and Satan lay by
A prickly pear to rest.
The sweat rolled off his swarthy brow,
So he took off his coat and vest.
"By Golly," he finally panted,
"I did my job too well. I am going back
where I came from.
Arizona is hotter than hell."

I found this in some stories and poems Ben took home from his mission... Not sure why they had this one in particular in Peru, but it sure fits our life in the near future! We're getting a little nervous for the heat, especially if Satan can't stand it!

ViSiToRs!!

A little art project we sent out to some friends nearby on St Patrick's Day
Ike and the art project... I'm so glad he humors me with all the projects I have up my sleeve!

Green Breakfast

We had a great week of "Spring Break," though none of us are really associated with school right now, there was still a special feeling in the air this week... Maybe it was all of our friends and the students being gone, but more likely it was the BEAUTIFUL weather we had this week! Isaac and I were able to get out everyday this week and jog-- something I didn't think I would get to see for awhile! I can tell Ike missed it as much as me because the whole time we would jog, he would just hum along every song he could think of- what joy! We also spent lots of time outside this week at the parks and walking... Coincidentally, we put off major house cleaning and projects until the very last second all week long. Sometimes you just have to, right!?!

We also had an awesome St. Patty's Day celebration at our house this week... Yep, just call me a early childhood buff... we had green eggs and green grapes with bacon for breakfast (w/ green milk) and then peanut butter and banana sandwiches for lunch (the pb was green)! Then for dinner, we made green chili enchiladas! Ha! I think Ben thought I was nuts, but Ike sure enjoyed it! Oh, we also made green banana bread- Ike can give you all the details about the exact ingredients and what happened when we put it in the oven.. He was really excited to turn everything green:)

Lucky for us (no pun intended!) we were able to welcome a few visitors this weekend too... On Friday one of my old camp buddies, Alonit, came up to visit us. It was so great to catch up and meet her "boy!" Isaac took to them right away and made two best friends. We spent lots of time at the greenbelt that day. We ate lunch at Applebees that day and towards the end, Ike was starting to lose interest... He started chanting in a low, soft voice "I'm bored at Applebees, I'm bored at Applebees..." It was pretty funny. I really love this new phase where he can tell us exactly what he wants and means, though being that descriptive and expressive can sometimes get us in trouble:)

Friday night, we were able to catch up with Jen, Tom and family and "Aunt Ribie" came to visit from Idaho with her new man too! What fun! We had a great evening together catching up and chatting. I love having family around. What a treat! Needless to say, Michael passed our tests and won Isaac's love and admiration too. We're keeping our fingers crossed for this one, (wink, wink)!

Our third set of weekend visitors was my brother and his girlfriend. We spent most of the day Saturday hanging out with them and, once again, going on a nice, long walk along the greenbelt... I told you the weather was great! We hit the mid 60's all weekend! We had a great time with them and really enjoyed having Andy around again, it has been awhile!

Oh, and, of course, Ben was able to get in lots and lots of basketball watching with my family on Saturday... good thing! We even had Isaac fill out a basketball bracket... So far, he's staying very competitive and just might pull off a win over all of us! His favorite teams were Utah (because he knew that's where Jenny Wren was last week), Washington (because he loves Washington Park in Laramie) and Butler (we're pretty sure he loved them because the name sounds a lot like "butter"). Of course, his real allegiance lies with Kansas, but he does have Duke winning it all in the end... we'll see!

Tonight we had our last set of visitors when we had some friends from Ben's work come over for dinner. They have 3 month old twins, who Ike fell in love with! He was very concerned when they cried and kept checking on them while we ate to make sure they were still ok. I'm hoping this is a good sign that he will enjoy being a big brother, but I'm afraid that novelty of tonight will soon wear out when our little baby comes to stay!

All in all, it was a great week! We are now looking forward to a week of "blizzard conditions" and are hoping to at least get a good playtime in the snow before it melts or blows away-- we know we don't have too many more opportunities left for snow time! Here's to week 31!!