Happy Belated New Year!

Who wouldn't love waking up to this sweet smile every morning? Morning Maren is alert, loves to smile, and has been trying her best to coo...she's almost got it! Night Maren can still be a little cranky, but we love her anyway. Happy New Year to all!

Baby M's First Photo Shoot

These photos are already a little outdated...we took them when Maren was just 9 days old (and she turned 1 month old on Sunday!). Thanks Raquel for doing a beautiful job. I don't think Chris or I realized how much babies pooped until we had Maren naked for 30 minutes. In the end, I had to wash Chris's shirt and pants, my shirt and pants, several towels and I sent Raquel home with some poop on her back drop. She assured us it was normal. We are so pleased with how they turned out, and we are now realizing how much babies change in such a short period.

A Few More Pics

She likes washing her hair...

...and sleeping


...and she loves her mom.

She's Here!!!

At last Maren Lucille Nielson has joined our family. She weighs exactly 8 pounds, is 19 inches long, and is perfect in every way. She was born at 8:25 on November 28th. I'm writing this post for Autumn as she is recovering. Here is a picture to hold you over until I can post more...

Winter Songs

For those who love Christmas music, might I suggest this new Christmas album. Fiona Apple's "Frosty the Snowman" is what caught my eye (being a Fiona Fan and all), but I really love the rest of the CD.

Happy Anniversary!

"A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' come together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences."
- Dave Meurer

It's been a wonderful seven years!

Happy Wednesday!

Just had to share some happy news this morning. First, I want to reveal in the joy of waking up to new snow. This is a picture from our bedroom window. Second, the library bond for the building of a new library in Springville passed! Read more details here.