Help me!

So, I have a couple of questions about parenting and I need some advice from you awesome parents out there:

1.  We have a 3 bedroom townhouse.  Right now we have Hallie in her own room, Saige in our room still, and a toy room.  I am debating about whether we should have the girls share a room or not.  I planned to have them share for the whole bonding thing, but should I just wait until the next baby is on his/her way? (It hopefully won't be for another 3 years or so.)  I am worried about them waking each other up or me waking Hallie up when I go in to nurse Saige.  It would be way easier with our set up for the girls not to share, but I don't want them to miss out on what could be a great way for them to grow close.  Thoughts?

2.  When did you talk to your kids about stranger danger?  We haven't gone there yet and I don't know if I am doing it way later than I should have or if I should hold out a little longer because I don't want to scare Hallie.

Any advice you have would be great because sometimes Eric and I are just stumped.

Ken and Lella

Meet Ken and Lella:

Lella joined our family last year when we went to Dinsey World and Ken joined us a few months ago when Hallie had her first poo on the potty.  Hallie sleeps with them, eats with them, bathes with them, and carries these two with her everywhere that we let her.  If she forgets to bring them upstairs with her at bed time, she will ask for them and then tell me EXACTLY where they are down stairs.  I am always surprised that she remembers the precise place she left them.  Until yesterday, they were always naked.  She would rip Ken and Lella's clothes right off them the moment we tried to put them on.  The bad part about that is that she likes to make them kiss.  Sometimes I have to tell Ken and Lella to get a room.  Eric and I often wonder if we show a little too much PDA in front of Hallie as we watch her play with them.  So, yesterday Hallie and I finally made them some clothes that she approves of.  Now she can take them out of the house.  I am hoping for and looking forward to fewer awkward intimate moments.

Ken still doesn't have a shirt because Hallie didn't want it, but hey... it's progress!

My profile

It's the moment you have all been waiting for... my mormon.org profile is officially up and running.  Check it out here.  And explore the site if you dare.  It's very informative and interesting for all faiths.

Rat Tail

She's bringing it back.

4 months

Four months ago today, almost exactly to the hour, my life was forever better.  Saige was born.  It's so heartwarming to think back to that day, our first moments together as mother and daughter, our instant bond, the wholeness she brought to an unknowingly missing piece of my heart.  I think back to my pregnancy with Saige and am so embarrassed.  It was a real struggle for me and I was so negative and faithless.  I was so stressed with the daunting reality that I would now have two little souls to provide for on our meager student budget, but if I would have only known... she is just what I needed.  She is my little comforter, our families peacemaker, warmth and happiness.  She is the absolute perfect baby, has been sleeping through the night since 4 days old (that's not a type-o), only fusses if she is tired, hungry, or being held by a blonde (weird, I know).  I thank the Lord everyday for blessing me with another one of His perfect, precious, daughters to love, because truthfully I think I need them more than they need me.

I posted the lyrics to the song Brave by Nicole Nordeman shortly after Hallie was born, but I just love it so I want to share my favorite parts again.  It is my anthem of motherhood and the absolute truth about how my girls effect me:

'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave

I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall...

I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me
That changes everything

I LOVE YOU SAIGE!

Gram came.  I miss her.

  We found Saige sleeping in deep thought.

 I lived in this spot on the couch for the first 3 months of her life.  It was nursing headquarters because it has the best view of the TV.

 Love Saige's face here.  Attack of the kissing sister.

 Best. Dad. Ever.

  Her blessing day.

Mother's Day.

I love her creepy smile...

... and her cute one too.

Her hair likes to do this a lot.  I don't know what to call it other than awesome.

LOVE her.

Eric's big sis

Rachel came through our airport the other week.  It was SOOOOOO good to see her!  Eric and I are so blessed with great mother's, brother's and sisters on both sides.  I seriously count down the days til we can finally return home to AZ and be close to everyone we love again.  3 more years...  but until then, I love it when our family makes the long trek out yonder.

I wonder...

...if these girls are sisters????  Can you tell who's who?