More family pix

Here are a few family pix from the last 2 months with lil' Kevin.

Kevin Heber Sheffield

Kevin Heber Sheffield
Born March 23rd 2011 @ 8:04 am
8 lbs 4 oz
20 inches tall
Our cute little baby boy! We are doing well and very excited about our new addition to the family.He was named after his Grandpa (Opa) Kevin (pictured here) and after his Daddy, Heber (a name that has been in the family for a long time)!Mariah thinks her baby brother is really cute and makes sure he comes wherever she goes! She is surprisingly not too jealous of Kevin (except when she is tired)!I am still pretty "puffy" these days, but don't we have a cute family?!

Update and personal bios of our family

Heber: I am currently working at a digital agency called "Rain" in American Fork, UT (www.mediarain.com). There I create apps for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. I've really been enjoying it lately, and am grateful to have a good job in these times. In addition to my "day job", I also have also published a few iOS titles on my own (with my graphic-designin' buddy Lance). Our latest app, Puppet Pals, recently has been getting a lot of good press including a mention in the New York Times Technology column. We were contacted by researchers from the Children's Hospital in Boston who have been using Puppet Pals as a tool with developmentally challenged kids (mostly those with autism). We will soon be collaborating with them to try to create an app even more tailored to their specific needs. That being said, the job that I love the very most is that of husband and father. I love spending time with Jenni. We have been trading babysitting with Amber and Mitch for the past few months, so we get to go on dates more often than in the past - yeah! Mariah is a joy and I'm looking forward to our new baby boy (though I'm grateful that Mariah enjoys wrestling with me).Jenni: I am a Stay-at-Home Mom of Mariah (2 yrs old), and I have been cooking up our 2nd baby who will hopefully be born before the 22nd of March. He should be a boy! I am very grateful I can be home with Mariah and have the full-time job of raising her, although I am not going to lie--she can be handful! I try to improve my "wife-skills" by being a proud tight-wad, trying out new recipes (that aren't too weird for my family that likes normal foods), cleaning the house when I have energy (not much lately), and even putting on make-up (which is really hard for me). A few months ago, I began doing yoga regularly, and I thoroughly enjoy it. I also enjoy cardio classes at the local rec center, and hope to have an easier labor and delivery from working hard there throughout this pregnancy. My latest leisure activity has been "professional coloring". I decided I really enjoy it (even during church sometimes ; )--all in the name of keeping Mariah entertained. Heber and I are really in love-so much so that we wouldn't want to gag you with the details, but we'll just say we are the best things that ever happened to each other : ). I am very proud of Heber's work successes, and appreciate all he does to provide for our family. He is a super-star and is super-talented in his work! I am very grateful for the Lord and his bountiful blessings in our life. We have really been enjoying life and our many blessings lately! I love being a Sheffield and consider it an honor!Mariah: I have really come to enjoy the world revolving around me. My parents love me more than anyone else. I always know what I want and am not afraid to say it. Everything I like and see, is mine, thank you. I am very polite, and I know how to communicate very well for a 2 year old. I am exceptionally well at pushing my cousin, Kenzie's buttons, and I try to do that at each family get-together. But it is just because I love her so much, and she responds so actively to what I do. My mom always tells me I am heavy (32 pounds). I am proud of that. I love to have, "a book-a-read," or many each day, and that is really increasing my vocabulary. I know who Jesus is, and he loves me very much. I can pray all by myself, although sometimes my parents help me. I love singing and music, and I sing, "Hap-Birtday," to about anyone or "anything I like at the moment. My Dad has many great electronic devices, and I am becoming quite talented at using them when he lets me. I dread the day my baby brother comes and I lose the spotlight some, but at least I will have someone close to my age to play with.

Baby Boy:
Journal excerpts:
Day 253: Wow, it's dark in here. I wish Mom would at least turn on a light or something.
Day 258: Man, it really sounds like everyone's having a great time out there. I hope they haven't forgotten about me. I'm gonna give Mom a good kick so she remembers that I'm in here... now an elbow..
Day 264: Sheesh. This is the longest time out EVER.

Mariah's 2nd Birthday Party

Well, these pictures are not uploaded in any particular order, but here are some pictures from Mariah's Birthday party on the 16th.

In this one, the kids are winding down, watching one of the Barney movies Mariah got for her birthday. There is Mason, Kenzie, Chantel, Emma and Mariah.

We were trying to get Mariah to pose for her picture after she ate her cake and ice cream, but she was determined to "lose" the hat!
Mariah love her "hat" book: The Cat in the Hat. Her party theme was Dr. Seuss!
This is the Cat in the Hat cake I made. It looked a little goofier than I wanted, but oh well. It is for a 2 yr old, right?!
This is Heber's friend Randall with his daughter River.
This is our own little Cat in the Hat! Isn't she adorable? I know. She's mine

; )

This is the best part of the party: when we broke the pinata! Channy has her Daddy's swing!

We had an enjoyable party and enjoyed our visit from some of Mariah's favorite Dr Seuss characters! When Mariah saw them for the 1st time in the morning, she ran from one to another saying, "Hi Hat, Hi Socks!..." It was so cute!

What Mothers Do...

Linzy had this story posted on her blog, and I thought it was great:

and one of my favorite parts so far in this book
talks about a husband who came home to find total mayhem in his house.
(i have to type this part because it is awesome) :)
"His children were outside, still in their pajamas, wrestling in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house. Inside, he found an even larger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the family room the dog who always stayed outside was curled up on the sofa watching cartoons. The front room (the home teaching room, which was always spotless) was littered with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she may be ill, or that something serious had happened. He found her lounging in the bedroom, still curled in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled and asked how his day went. He looked at here, bewildered, and asked, "What happened here today?"
She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and ask me what in the world I did today?"
"Yes," was his incredulous reply.
She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

Don't you just love being appreciated for what you do as a "stay at home mom?" It is hard to know that your daily tasks are always going to need to be done again the next day. It can be difficult to find meaning in that, but I just try to remember that it is all about relationships and not about having a perfect home (although it is difficult to have a meaningful relationship when there is no food on the table and you can't find anything in all the mayhem of dirt of clutter!).