Hanging Out With The Kids

Julia has been growing into her role as big sister. She loves to give Ethan hugs and kisses, and is always concerned when he cries and makes sure to notify a parent until one of us picks him up and she determines he’s “better.” She’s been expanding her vocabulary to include a lot more fun words, such as “gross,” “messy,” “a-ma” (grandma), “a-pa” (grandpa), and “eth” (Ethan). Ethan has started cooing and surprised his parents with sleeping for a whopping five and a half hours straight the last few nights. We’ve been a little superstitious about the whole deal, and have made sure to use the exact same blanket to wrap him up every night since and repeat the same motions for fear he will go back to his three hour routine.

Julia’s routine is to wake up early from her naps so she can come snooze in the parents’ bed. Here both she and Ethan are sound asleep.



Hanging out with the neighborhood cat (“Mao” as Julia likes to call her) Julia always looks forward to seeing and playing with her.

Julia just loves her dresses and having her hair done “special”

All ready for the pool

It’s hard to tell here, but Ethan has been adding some meat to those bones. At his last doctor’s appointment (1 month check-up) he weighed 8 pounds 13 ounces. Everyone says that he looks like Joshua, but we think he actually looks like his Uncle Nathanael.

$$$!!!

Last Wednesday we found out Joshua received a fellowship to compensate him for the time he spends doing research throughout the summer, which makes two scholarships this summer! He’s so smart and we are really proud of him.

FAMILY VISITS

Last month, we were lucky enough to enjoy visits from the Swifts and the Littles to celebrate Ethan’s arrival. Living in Stillwater, OK, we are used to the fact that visitors are usually few and far between (let’s be serious, there’s not much to see out here unless you’re into entomology). We had a quick visit from my mom soon after we got out of the hospital and then Mom and Dad Swift along with Tianna and James and Talitha, followed by a final visit by both of my parents. It was great to have a full house and we were reminded how lonely we get during the rest of the year when we don’t get to be around family. When the Swifts were here, we had almost a complete Swift family reunion with Joshua’s uncle and his family and Joshua’s grandparents. Then we put my dad to work with Joshua redoing our kitchen floor and we’re really happy with the results! Thanks to all who came to visit and we hope to see you again soon! Julia especially loved seeing her grandparents and bonding with them.

Four generations of Keiths!

Grandpa Swift and Julia hanging out on the porch

Grandma and Grandpa Little with the grandchildren. Ethan was blessed this day. He is all wrapped up in a blanket, but underneath he was wearing a full suit (tie, coat, and everything)!

Welcome Ethan!

On Wednesday, May 7th at 2:45pm, Ethan Keith Swift joined our family! He weighed in at 6 lb. 11 oz. and was 20.5 " long. Everything about him seems healthy and well, and we're thrilled to have him!

He came a little before everyone expected him, especially us! When I went to the doctor on Tuesday for my normal checkup, she said his head was not facing down (birthing position) like it was supposed to and is necessarily for a normal non C-section birth.



So we scheduled for me to come in the next morning to see if she could push him back into position, and if it didn't work, she'd have to go ahead with the C-section. When I came in on Wednesday, we discovered he'd moved back into the right position! So I was induced before he had the chance to move again, and out he came, healthy and happy that afternoon, albeit a little on the small side!

We are so excited to have him, and I'm recovering very quickly. We realize we're extremely blessed, and so grateful for this precious little son.

Below are some pictures of the fan club--Julia was watched by some friends on Wednesday, but joined us at the hospital that night to check out her new baby brother. She's going to be a great big sister! She and Joshua spent the night at home, and then most of Thursday at the hospital. We enjoyed our time together there. We checked out yesterday and spent a wild and exciting first night at home. I think everyone's still adjusting and hopefully we'll get it all figured out soon.

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful time celebrating Easter here in Oklahoma. On Saturday morning we set up an Easter egg hunt for Julia and she loved finding all of her little surprises. Then on Sunday we tried to really focus on Christ and express our gratitude for the gifts that He has given to us. We are truly grateful for the testimonies of the Savior and of the atonement and Resurrection that we have.



All of Julia's Easter goodies before she has had a chance to find them.

Julia with her basket full.

Julia in her Easter Sunday dress. She is crying in this one because she wanted to play with the camera instead of have her picture taken.

Here she is in her Sunday dress a little happier.

New Things

During Spring Break we decided that it would be a great time to try out some new things. First we had Julia start sleeping in her new bed. In less than two months she is going to lose her crib to her little brother so we thought it would be best to get her used to the bed before he comes around. She loves it. The first time she tried it out she tested the waters a few times by peeking out the door at us to see if she really had to go to bed, but after we assured her that she did she got back in the bed on her own and went to sleep. She has been doing great with the new bed ever since. The second new thing is our recent purchase of a table. It is a big one (room for 8 chairs) so with this purchase we were planning well into the future. We think it is a little big for our house now, but we still both really like it. There is a thirty day return policy from the store so I guess for a while we are still in the trial run phase with this table.

Julia in her new bed. She loves cuddling with all of her stuffed animals.

Big picture of Julia in her bed. Check out the folded up quilt at the foot of the bed that Rebecca made as a birthday gift for Julia.

Our new table. Unfortunately we still have our old chairs.

Sunny Day

The weather here has been off and on. For a couple of days it will be in the 70s and then it will drop back down to the 40s or 50s again. When it is one of the sunny days we like to take advantage of it and spend a lot of time outside.


Julia telling us it is time to go out. She usually is the one that lets us all know when she wants outside. Her routine is to grab her's or our coats and then she stands at the front door.

Sitting on our porch swing.

A front view of our house.

Another front view of our house from a different angle.