It’s 4:30 a.m. as I write this letter; the only time in our
hectic household that lends itself to quiet contemplation. There’s a light snow
on the ground outside, but I sit beside a warmly lit tree, a full mantle of
stockings, and a softly snoring Australian Shepherd at my feet with a feeling of
immense gratitude and wonderment at where we are as a family. In ninety minutes,
at least one of the babies will awake – if it’s Harper, it will be with a “Mama,
I’m awake!” or “Milk, please!” – and the
daily flow will begin. But, for now, I get to pause, sip my coffee, and reflect
on the year quickly coming to a close.
Following five years of major life changes (moving a few
states over, buying a home, starting a law firm, adding two new babies), this
year’s transitions feel relatively modest. Robert continues to thrive with the
Salt Lake Lawyers, enjoying the benefits of working with good friends and
controlling his calendar. With Rebekah tending to babies, Robert and Aidan
shared numerous adventures this year including a weeklong trip with both
grandpas to Robert’s old stomping grounds in Washington DC. They visited the
Supreme Court, the Vietnam Memorial (a special experience for my father in
particular), and the Spy Museum. In addition to DC, Robert and Aidan sailed from
Long Beach to Catalina in September to celebrate my nephew Bob’s 13th
birthday, went on a 70 mile canoeing trip down the Green River in Wyoming, and
snuck away at our annual Bear Lake trip to ride ATVs. I’m not sure how they can
top these adventures in 2019, but I know Robert will try.
After three years of pregnancy and snuggling beautiful
babies, I’m ready and excited to move into the next phase of life with two
toddlers and a teenager. Most days feel like a 14 hour marathon, but I try to
take as much time as I can to enjoy this fleeting stage of wobbly first steps,
belly laughs, unprompted hugs, and everyday discovery. In March, I started a
new position at the Marriott Library as a digital humanities librarian and
continue to feel engaged and energized by my work. I took on a new challenge in
2018 as the Utah Library Association President and have enjoyed developing leadership
skills and getting to know librarians from every inch of this state.
Aidan graduated from Dilworth Elementary School in June and
started Hillside Middle School in September. While he still feels like my
little boy, I now literally look up to him as he grew past me this year and is
slowly gaining on Robert. When we can pull him away from Fortnite and YouTube,
Aidan enjoys his monthly Boy Scout trips, which in 2018 included a biking trip
to Moab, snow caving up Big Cottonwood Canyon, and climbing at City of Rocks in
Idaho. Aidan just started rehearsals for the Hillside production of “The Little
Mermaid,” which will premiere in February 2019. He continues to grow into his
role as a big brother and is universally adored by Harper, Ashton, and Stan.
Harper is three and all that entails. She is sweet and
selfish, hilarious and exuberant. Her whirling dervish nature and the messes
she leaves in her wake have earned her the nickname “Harpnado,” but it’s usually said more in love than
exasperation. Obsessed with super heroes and Paw Patrol in equal measure, she
races around the house in her Batgirl or Supergirl costume clutching her
blankie and exclaiming, “I’ll save the day my own way!” She loves being in the
Orange Room at Wasatch Presbyterian Preschool with Ms. Heather and Ms. Gloria
and revels in her role as big sister. Blessed with an uncanny confidence of
both her place in the world and in this family, Harper hasn’t engaged in much
sibling rivalry and loves “her baby” unabashedly. Harper hopes to try skiing
this winter, which to her means wearing goggles, drinking hot chocolate, and
going fast.
In typical youngest child fashion, Ashton is laid-back and
cheerful, content to roll with the chaos that surrounds him. Ashton is a good
sleeper, still taking two naps a day and sleeping 11-12 hours at night. He took
his first steps a few days after his birthday and enjoys his newfound freedom
as he toddles around the house after Harper and Stan. He is just starting to
babble “mama” and “baba” and wave goodbye. He is our chunky, cuddly, blue-eyed cherub,
and I try to soak up every minute with him before the baby stage is officially
complete.
This year our family is lucky enough to include an
additional member, a wonderful au pair from Germany named Chiara. Chiara moved from
Stuttgart to America in late October to join our family and experience life in
Utah. She brings her experience as a kindergarten teacher with four siblings to
our family, and we already feel so blessed by her presence!
We wish you a warm and
wonderful holiday season filled with love.
Robert, Rebekah, Aidan,
Harper, Ashton, Chiara, and Stan
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