mangos and toes and toys, oh my!

(say that 3 times, fast - I dare you!)

MANGOS
TOYS
AND TOES

Ruby's first illness

This is my sick baby with watery eyes, a deep cough, and losing her voice. Despite the sickness she's remained a happy girl. Ruby is ALWAYS happy and smiley and adds so much to our home already.

Saturday she had a cough, then had a hard time sleeping that night from about 1 am on. So after such a rough week I threw in the towel and called for reinforcements. My dad quickly came over and took the boys for the day - even to church with them - and they stayed through the night and the next day, too.

I'm so grateful for family who are willing to help me in a time of need! Getting that little break gave me time to figure out what to do with the discipline problems here at home. We made some plans and things have been a lot better this week. Having had a classroom of 6 year olds to discipline, I know things will get easier, but it's hard to see it with my own kids! I have faith that one day I won't have to watch their every move - it's so exhausting!!!

Wednesday, June 23

Ruby's almost 2 months old now and the boys are officially 3 and 1 1/2. It was such a fun day, I thought I needed to record some of the highlights.

Wake up call at 5:30
Flowers and vegies removed from their respective gardens. All dirt dumped from pots
3 eggs found under a nesting chicken and 2 of those eggs tossed on porch by Sam
Porcelain star broken from slammed door
More flowers removed in front
Bites taken out of multiple plums, then stuck back in fruit basket by John
Bananas ransacked and smashed throughout the kitchen and all over both boys
Nap interrupted. Lasted less than an hour
Bath water spilled and covered entire floor during an afternoon bath
Fridge and kitchen floor peed on by Sam
Poop found in toilet by John
1 ibuprofen found randomly placed on a high shelf in the kitchen, then sucked on and spit out by Sam
Bites into arms, hands, and finers of a certain little brother for the first time

Then there's the daily stuff, like all the toys dumped on the floor and left out, couch cushions and pillows pulled off MANY times, the decor pulled off the walls and piano, the "no's" from a defiant 3 year old, the teasing and hitting that precursed the crying, and all the chair-pushing to investigate the counter.

I was ready to throw in the towel, but then we got to go witness a young boy be sealed to his parents for time and all eternity in the Oquirrh Mountain temple. That experience gave me back the right perspective. Sure, kids can give me a run for my money and make me want to pull every hair out of my head. But in the long run I'm sure I'll miss these days and laugh at what they did. After all, we're a family forever. Nothing's going to stop us from being apart. And while I wish I had a few moments to myself sometimes, I'm so darn glad I will get these guys with me for eternity!

loving their boots

John has started bringing me boots to put on him. Then he wants to go outside. I wish the weather were better for this! And Sam puts his boots on all by himself when he sees John with his.

I love how they love their boots!

table tent

My sister sent me a photo of a cute table tent. I had never even heard of these, but think it's a fabulous idea! So I made one for my boys (I know it's a bit girlie, but the fabric is a good quality and CHEAP - I made this for around $10!)

The front door opens and attaches with velcro. I put a window in the door and 2 in the back.

Both my boys love it!

brothers

I have to admit, I like dressing my boys the same :) I also have to say, it's hard to get a good picture with 2 kids! Especially when you have a camera like mine that delays a good 3-5 seconds before it takes the picture.

It's with mixed feelings that I lay my camera to rest after a fatal error code appeared on it's screen. These are old pics, but hopefully we'll find a good camera soon and I'll be able to take more pictures. Why is it, when you don't have a camera, you find TONS of things to take pictures of?!!

the many faces of john

We did this with Maisie.

We did this with Sam.

We forgot to do this with John until recently, so he didn't let us "mold" his face like his brother and sister did. I think they still turned out cute, though. I love taking these pictures!

smiley boy

The newest addition to our family is such a joy. He wakes up smiling and smiles when he catches our eye. We've even heard him belly laugh. I love it!

His newest tricks are sucking on a finger instead of his whole hand and rolling over - either direction. He's an active little fellow who doesn't stay put. When I put him in his carseat or swing, he won't bend his legs and almost pops out. And when he's lying on the floor, he rotates all around. Is this a sign of what's to come?!! Such a busy little boy.

john's blessing

At 9 weeks, we finally took John out to be blessed. Our ward has Sacrament last, from 3:05-4:15, so we had family over early for some lunch and mingling. I just counted, and we had 41 people here! - and that was just our parents and some of our siblings with their kids. Elton has 6 brothers and sisters and I have 5, so that makes for a full house when we all try to get together. We had a lot of fun and sure love to see our families. I hope my kids feel as close to each other as I do to my siblings.

Here's our family pic in front of the house. We didn't have a daisy to put in the picture, but we were thinking of our sweet Maisie.

my little cherubs

I'm very grateful to have my two boys. They make me smile and I love them more than I can say.

I believe Valentine's day is for everyone, not just sweethearts, so here's my chance to tell YOU I love you.

Happy love day.

sweet baby john

John. Sweet little John. Already he's outgrown the newborn size and his arms, legs, and feet are too big for some of the 1-3 mos. If only we could freeze time and enjoy those chubby cheeks a while longer.

big brother

Sam absolutely loves John. When I pick John up, Sam follows me around and leans in to give him a kiss. If John is in his bed, Sam peeks in and watches him or tries to get in with him (thank goodness he hasn't succeeded yet!). When John is in his bouncer, Sam sits right next to him and bathes him with wet kisses while bouncing him a little harder than I'd like. Toys and things Sam outgrew now are interesting again because John uses them. He loves to chew on a paci since John does.

I love watching Sam love his baby brother. If only that would last....

projects complete and I finally feel ready!

I bought this fabric for a blanket for Sam. But after making one out of other fabric, I thought I'd save this for the next kid (who knew it'd be so soon?!)The plan was just to put the cute farm on one side and the polka dot on the other. But after other recent quilting projects, I decided to piece the colors in. I love the farm fabric!
And now that I know John will be here for Christmas, he HAS to have a stocking, of course! :)

We don't have space for all 5 - any ideas?

And now that my stuff is done, I feel ready for baby to come...at least with the things he'll need. Who's ever really ready for what a new child brings?

Merry Christmas!

baby update #2

I just had another appt. this afternoon and was sad to hear that I hadn't progressed at all. But then I was surprised when my dr. told me I could be induced on Monday the 22nd. Now I just pray we'll both really be ready so no problems occur.

Because of my group b strep the pediatrician will most likely want to keep John the 2 days to make sure he didn't get it from me, so we won't be coming home after a day (like we have in the past). We most likely will be home on Christmas Eve with our new little bundle of joy for Christmas.

Yay for starting labor!

labor/baby update #1

I don't know how I was so patient with my other 2. Maisie was a week late and I was fine. I knew I didn't have the luck to have her early :) I finished teaching with Sam then was shocked to find out they'd induce me 2 weeks early - it seemed so soon (just a week and a half after school got out!) But now here's my third baby and I'm all ready for Christmas and his arrival...just waiting for him to come. I'm huge and tired and that makes it hard to chase a toddler around most of the day :)

At last week's doctor appointment I had no news (except that I tested positive for Group B Strep - a bit of a stress, but another story) so I'm REALLY hoping that Tuesday I'll have progressed enough that my doctor will induce me. I know, they're high hopes, but I'm getting nervous about having a Christmas baby! If Laurie hadn't already tried all the tricks for an early labor without success, I'd be giving them a try now - even Elton is asking what I can do and if I have any feeling when he'll come...I'll keep you posted, but I still have 2 weeks to go!

getting ready

Okay. There's not much going on with our little family lately. I've been trying to get Christmas ready in case the little munchkin comes early or I just don't feel like doing anything (which is more likely). And for the most part the gifts are bought/made. Now I need to wrap and label them.

Then I need to decide if I'm sending a photo out with a Christmas card this year (would anyone really be sad???), possibly print it, address envelopes, and write messages in the cards that I DID NOT make this year.

I need to make a photo ornament for Sam. (our tradition is a new kid's picture on the tree every year - this year on the back of an ornament I bought)

Somewhere in between the Christmas stuff I still need to: launder baby's clothes, sheets, and blankets; pull out crib pads and anything else I might need; make a blanket just for John; pick a spot in Sam's room for John's bed; get teeny diapers; and do anything else I may have forgotten.

And while I do all that I still need to play with Sam or have a little shadow getting into everything I do. He's so much fun these days that it's hard not to play with him, but it's crunch time and I'm really feeling it. Maybe it's that "nesting" phase :)

I wish you all luck and best wishes as you prepare for your holidays. I know I'm not the only one with things to do - have fun!!!

question

I have a question for all of you mom's who've had more than one baby. Did your tummy get bigger with each one, passing the typical size for each week? I just had my dr. appt. and found out I'm measuring 27 weeks when I'm only 25. I was always right on with my other 2 and have been up to this point with this one. Just wondering, from other's experience, if my stomach is just stretching faster or if I should prepare for a big baby. Hmm, I don't know which one is harder to handle?!!

Besides that, baby is doing well. I really think he moves more than my other kids did. In fact, last night I woke up to him beating me up from the inside. Elton reminds me that it's MY family with the hyperactive background. Nice.