Naiya's First Progress Report...

"Babya"

Before Adia was born, I had heard many stories of jealousy between older siblings and new babies. I was worried, definitely. But, Jonas (and Naiya too) have pleasantly surprised me. Jonas can't say Adia... he calls her babya. Every once in a while I'm mommya. He's so loving and attentive with her. She had a Doctor's appointment a couple of weeks ago. Adia wasn't enjoying the exam, to say the least. After what seemed like an eternity of screaming, Jonas (who was seated on the other side of the room) started waving his pointer finger at the doctor while yelling all kinds of baby expletives. His protective older brother instincts kicked in. It was so cute.

Jonas, Adia, Naiya. I had to put pictures side by side of these three 'cause I can't for the life of me figure out who Adia looks like. Naiya and Jonas both had the Gardner look... and still do. Adia...?? Any opinions?

Adia is a month old now. I can't believe how the time has flown! I made it through the roughest part of my post partum blues mainly thanks to my mom and sister BriAnne. Thank you to all those who helped with the kids and dinners etc.. My sister is an angel, she came over at the drop of a hat anytime she heard tears in my voice. On the days that she had to play catch up on her own life, and I was left "alone"... Edward saved me. Yes, Edward and Bella got me through my post partum. On days when BriAnne said she couldn't come over, just before completely breaking down, I'd think... "It's okay.. I have Edward." Or if Jamis had meetings, or hauling hay, or basketball, and I was left alone in the evenings.. again Edward came to my rescue. So for all of you who have not read the Twilight series... you are so missing out!!! My sister tried for two years to get me to read these books. I have nightmares about cheesy chocolate syrup horror movies there was no way I was going to read a book about vampires! Not what I was expecting. My only regret about reading these books is that I read them way too fast and now am feeling a void having said goodbye to the characters I came to love.

ADIA

Adia was born by c-section on the 20th of August at 9:28 a.m. She was 8 lbs 2 oz and 19 inches long. She has such a calm and peaceful disposition. We'll see how long that holds up around her brother and sister. I love holding her and smelling her sweet baby smell. Everytime the nurses bring her into me after she's been in the nursery, I get all gitty and excited like it's Christmas morning. She's absolutely gorgeous. Naiya has been sick with a little virus, so the first day my mom brought the kids to see Adia, we made her sit across the room and just look. Naiya was so amazing about it, understanding that she didn't want to get the baby sick. She just sat on a chair across the room saying over and over "she's so beautiful!" Jonas excitedly squeals almost constantly "baby, baby, baby!!!" Naiya was feeling better and had been fever free for 2 days the day after Adia was born, so with a mask and a good scrub from her elbows to her fingertips, she was able to hold her baby sister. She's so sweet with her. It's amazing how fast we have fallen in love with this new little spirit come to join our family.

Horse Rides Up At Blackhawk

Dad and Jonas on Amber. We went on one last camping trip before Kate leaves on her mission. We took 5 horses and the fam, and went up to Blackhawk campground. It was fun to be with everyone. Jonas was born to ride horses. Jamis took Jonas for a ride, about an hour long, when they got back and started getting off, Jonas started screaming and reaching for the horse. So, Jamis took him on another hour long ride. Jamis said that as they rode, Jonas would lean back on him and hum. So cute.

I haven't blogged for about a month now, not because I've had nothing to share, more like my life seems to be running away from me. July has been insanely busy. I told Naiya to go put on some cartoons for her and Jonas one morning, a few minutes later I heard non stop giggles. This is what I found when I went in to the living room. They're so cute when they behave...

Here is the undefeated team in Leadline Horsemanship. Naiya and Grandma. They're getting a little cocky. Naiya is so proud of her trophy, but what's so cute is that she's equally proud of her third place ribbon she got in another class. Horse show days make for long, hot days. We started about 9:00 am on Thursday and went until 6:30. Friday was 9:00-4:00 and by the end of the day both kids were having
melt downs about every 3 minutes. Jamis is in Moab, river rafting with the young men for youth conference. He left on Thursday morning. When he's gone I realize just how much he does for the kids and I.

Naiya. She just turned 5 on the 10th of June. I can't believe my little girl is 5. She will be starting kindergarten in the fall and asks me EVERYDAY how many days she has until she gets to go to school. I love being a mom to this beautiful, amazing little lady. She brings such joy, laughter, and love to my life. Along with the occasional challenge... :) I LOVE HER! As many of you know, until the beginning of May we were living with Jamis's family in Lake Shore. One day his aunt Jana Rae came over and said to his mom, "Shauna your yard is beautiful". Naiya, upon hearing this got a little shy and said "Oh, I'm not yard, I'm Naiya". She's so innocent, curious, full of life. I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father trusted me enough to send her to our little family.

Naiya had a horse show 2 weeks ago. She showed her pony Nicki. She was soooo good! She did all the things her Uncle Jordan has been teaching her. It was a long 9 hour day for Jonas and Naiya. We also had my 2 nieces visiting from Arizona, so it was a little chaotic. But so fun to see Naiya riding well and so proud of herself.

Naiya at the cemetary on Memorial Day. It was a cold, wet, rainy morning.
Jamis and Jonas trying to keep warm.
This is right across the street from where my brother is buried.
My brother would have been 29 this August.

Jamis got sworn in on Friday the 23rd. His parents and my dad came up to the Salt Palace with us. It's official! Yay!! Here are his mug shots.

The first picture is Naiya and Jonas on Naiya's pony Nicki. She has a horse show this weekend here in Spanish Fork and is so excited. The second is of Jonas at the public library. I just love his expression. I let him keep sucking on the nasty railing just so I could get this picture. The next is of Jonas first thing in the morning.. notice his big toe sticking out of his pj's. And the last is of Naiya at pre-school graduation. She loves school! She asks me every day when she gets to start kindrgarten. It's going to be a long summer!

We have some Exciting News!!! We have been anxiously awaiting a letter in the mail and last week it came. Jamis Passed The Bar!! Yay!! Now they can take the asterisk down from beside his name on the office door. (Licensed in AZ only). And hopefully we can stop mooching off of his parents and get a place of our own... We also found out yesterday that We Are Having Another Little Girl! We were both completely shocked because the Doctor had said at each of my appointments that the heart beat sounded like a boy. A normal heart beat is between 120 and 180 bpm. Normally the boys tend to be in the lower numbers and the girls higher. Our little girl is chillin' at a cool 133. Naiya is very excited to be having a sister. She can finally stop carrying her Sunday dresses around the house singing to them and calling them her little sister. She'll actually have a real one!