Announcing Ruben

We are proud to announce the arrival of our second son!

Ruben Price Triant was born at home at 7:32 the morning of November 23, 2011 as the sun rose, along with the tiny cusp of a waning crescent moon. He weighs 8lbs. and 12oz. and is 21 inches long. It was a wonderful day to be born as it is also his Nonna's birthday! Big brother Miles was happy to meet his "Baby Ruben." Michael and I look forward to watching our boys grow together!

We hope everyone is enjoying this Thanksgiving holiday. Today we are especially thankful for our newest family member, and incredibly grateful for all of the love and support we have felt from family and friends! Please share in our joy by celebrating the things you are thankful for in your life today!

We will continue to update our "Family Story" on the blog if you care to follow along.
We will be moving officially from The Triant Trio
to The Triant Quartet now that Ruben has joined us!

Lovingly,
Sally, Michael, Miles & Ruben

"Sippy Tommy"

OK - First of all, they are called "truly spill proof cups" and yet I found myself wondering, could it be true? Could it be that my "Sippy Cup Drama" has finally come to an end?

After reading about my dilemma my sweet friend in South Africa told me about Tommee Tippee cups. She even sent one as a gift for Miles... and after much skepticism I was shocked to find that in fact, the said cup, seemed to be leak proof.

This sent me looking for more, and I found this version. He loves them, I love them, life is wonderful!! Sometimes you just have to take time to appreciate the little things!

In their own words: "The Clever Bit: Unlike other valve systems our active sensor valve is designed by a physicist to be both so sensitive that liquid flows on demand, yet truly spill and leak proof. ~taken from the TT website." And p.s. I have not been compensated by my new favorite company in any way to make these claims. (Though I would not say no to a lifetime supply of these gadgets! :-)

I knew that was all we needed - a physicist to take on the challenge!! Now my smile matches the one on Miles' face when I see that there are no more leaky spills on my floor, in my car, and on my couch!

When Miles goes to his drawer and asks for juice in his new favorite cup. He asks for his "Sippy Tommy." Precious!

Birthday Cake

We woke up this morning thinking about our friends in South Africa. Last night we lit a candle before we went to bed upon learning that they were in the beginning phases of labor, and that soon their baby boy would be born. It is truly astounding to me that after all these years of knowing each other we have been pregnant at the same time on opposite sides of the globe, and that our babies will be born so close together.

Yesterday hundreds of geese stopped by on their way South and took a respite in the pond. I watched them and I wondered what it is inside them that tells them it is time to go? How does a caterpillar know to begin it's cocoon. When does a baby get the signal to leave the womb? These are the things I woke up still thinking of this morning. These are among the many reasons I am constantly in awe of the natural world. No matter how many advancements we make with technology, I know that I will always be filled with wonder by the magnificent tasks that nature makes look so easy. As a woman it has been a privilege to take part in one of those miracles and grow both Miles and this new baby inside me. That said ~ just like my dear friend so far away ~ I am ready to end the waiting game and I would love to hold this baby in my arms.

So this morning we decided to bake a birthday cake for both of our babies. We were hoping the smell of chocolate and raspberries would entice this baby to come join us. Miles helped me mix cocoa and cream cheese for the frosting ... all the while our candle flickered on the windowsill - a constant reminder of the journey our dear friends were in the middle of.

My cake decorating skills still have much to be desired (as you might remember from Miles' first birthday cake) but what it lacks in presentation it made up for in taste! Miles was beside himself at the prospects of tasting something that he personally blended large quantities of sugar, buttermilk, and bittersweet chocolate into.

I love the look on his face as he admired the finished product, and the ring of chocolate left around his mouth from helping "clean" the icing knife. He just kept saying "birthday cake," "baby," and "special treat" over and over again.

So we will continue to wait as patiently as we can. (A virtue I have been aspiring to learn all of my life!) I know that soon there will be a new South African baby boy in the world... and not long after and American playmate on this side of the "pond."

Let it Snow!

For the second time in his life Miles has experienced the first snow of the year! We had a beautiful morning that began with a walk ~ hoping to induce some contractions ~ and then we ran around in the yard for a bit. The fall skies were filled with sun, then clouds, then sun again in the way you can only experience in Michigan. We decided to harvest the last of the Brussels sprouts from the garden, and as we did suddenly the snow began to fall! It was subtle at first, and then it began bombarding us in a downfall of small pellets. Miles was amazed!

We ran up to the house and I grabbed the camera. Miles knelt down mesmerized and determined to uncover the mystery of this white stuff that had suddenly appeared on the ground.

Much to his dismay he came to the unpleasant conclusion that it was COLD ~ COLD ~ COLD!

So we decided to head inside and warm up with a bowl of hot oatmeal for lunch! That improved his mood!

Winter has arrived in the form of flying snow here! Hopefully this new baby will do the same very soon. I am hoping this change in weather and perhaps tonight's full moon might move things along. I guess only time will tell.