Press Pause

Boston at 4.5
Your favorite color is green.  I automatically give you the green cup and plate and bowl at every meal.  You prefer milk over water, but your favorite is orange juice.  You love loft house cookies, fruit snacks, mac and cheese, and "white" vanilla activia yogurt.  You love ranch with almost anything, especially chicken nuggest "the ones in the freezer".  You love the show Wild Kratts (you used to call it Wild Craps).  You want me to scratch your back every night for you to fall asleep.  You hide from daddy when he comes home, you think it's a fun game.  You tell me playing inside is boring, and you only ever want to play outdoors and with all your friends.  You are mostly a big boy, independent, smart, funny... but the other night while I laid with you while you slept, I caught some glimpses of your baby-ness.  You still played with the hem on your short sleeved pajama shirt, and you make a sucking sound and motion when you fall asleep and close to when you wake up.  You call your dreams "sleep stories" and sometimes if I'm with you right when you wake up, you tell them to me, and you think they are real memories of things that really happened.  You mark time by how many "sleeps" or how many mornings until something happens.  You like to negotiate and make deals.  You are getting good at it.  When you tell me something you want or need and I say "yes" you sometimes say "is that a good idea, mom" or "that's a deal".  You love Rowen.  You love to carry her when I let you, and you are so helpful with her.  She loves you a lot too.  You eat a lot of breakfast, but hardly any lunch.  You never get your own soda, unless I get you a happy meal, but you love to  have sips of mine or daddy's, but especially dads mountain dew.   You call Naomi, "Maomi".  You want everyone around you to be happy.  You never exclude friends, you never bully, you are a sweet and gentle boy.  You always make me differentiate between grandma's and grandpa's.  There is a "california grandma" and a "no-ped grandma".  You told daddy that you don't want to live in Utah, but you want to live on an island with pirates and treasure.

Naomi at 3.5
You are all girl.  Tough as they come, but girly all the way.  You love princesses and pink and purple.  Tangled and Gnomeo and Juliet and Princess and the Frog are your favorites.  You are smart as a whip.  You memorize songs and movie lines, it never ceases to amaze me.  You are a firecracker.  Sweet one minute and sassy the next.  When you get in a mood, you say "NO!" in your sassiest voice as a response to anything anyone says to you.  Anything.  You are snuggly and still love to be babied.  You fall down a lot, are a little clumsy, but usually just pop back up with no tears or drama.  The other extreme is that you can be the most dramatic girl I know.  You love Rowen.  You are so good and gentle with her.  You are always so concerned about what she is doing, if she is crying, hungry or if she is awake.  You love to take care of your babies with me and do with them what I do with Rowen.  You love to talk about "when I was a baby" and even things like "when I was a mommy".  You are a talker.  Always talking talking talking.  In the car, to yourself, to me, to anyone who will listen and even those who won't.  You love for me to do your nails.  You ask to take your gummies first thing every morning.  You hardly ever eat any breakfast, but devour lunch and would probably eat 3 lunches if I let you.  You are the.messiest.eater. of all time.  Hands down.  Sometimes you get lazy and want to be spoon fed.  You give great compliments and love to tell me that I'm smart and pretty.  You like to dress yourself and almost always put your underwear on backwards.  You say a few things in your own way that I love.  You say "bix" instead of fix.   You hate to have your teeth brushed.  You are freakishly strong and solid muscle.  Your tiny body is so tight and toned.

Rowen at 9 months
You are the smiliest baby I know.  You are so social and stare people down until they make eye contact and smile at you.  You are crawling fast and climbing up to stand at everything.  Even though you are so mobile, you still love to be held.  You love daddy.  One night when you were sick and I brought you to our bed, it was pitch black but you heard daddy'
s voice in front of you and you just leaned your head forward until your forehead was leaning against his face, and you left it there.  You dive for me if someone else is holding you.  You get a little nervous if I walk away while a stranger is holding you.  You turn on your mobile in your crib when you wake up.  You put one of your pointer fingers in your mouth when you are being cute and a little shy.  You like to nurse on all fours.  It's the funniest thing I have ever seen a baby do.  You moan and grunt and thrust your body when you want me to feed you.  You love cheerios and any food we will give you.  You are ticklish and sometimes laugh when I take off your diaper.  You are impossible to change because you roll around like crazy.  You are so chubby and huge, people can't figure out where you came from.  You are a good sleeper, sleeping through the night and sleeping in pretty late in the morning (like 9am).  You love to roam around the toy room and find whatever you can get your hands on.  You love Boston and Naomi, and get so excited when you hear their voices.  You have no teeth yet, and no real signs of them coming soon.  You rarely snuggle now, unless you are very very tired.  When I can get you to snuggle with me, I swear I would hold you forever.  I'm obsessed with you.  I can't get enough of your smell, your chubby body, your gummy smile, your luscious lips, your pudgey hands.  I just adore every bit of you, even when you are naughty and a pill at church.  I could just keep you 9 months forever.  

A Joint Birthday

Boss and Naomi turned 3 and 4 this year!  Last year I was so sick and pregnant and homeless during their birthdays, we kept it super low key.  I swore this year would be more memorable for them.  Turns out I was exhausted with my 3rd baby, and even though she is months old and I'm out of excuses, I was not up for planning some extravagant parties for my toddlers.  I set it up to be held at the Kangaroo Zoo in Pleasant Grove.  It's a happy coincidence that we have lived really close to their 2 Utah locations.  My kids love that place, and it made the whole thing as easy as can be for me.  I just had to show up and write a check.  The kids had the time of their life running around that place like they owned it, with all their favorite friends (mostly our awesome neighbors).  I brought peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bags of chips and capri suns, and the kids blew out candles in their funfetti cupcakes.  Easy peasy.  We had that party between their 2 actual birthdays.  On their real birthday's, we just treated them extra special, took them to pick out their own presents (a camera, and a nerf gun for Boston, and a Tiana polly pocket thing and a lip gloss set for Naomi), then I made their favorite dinner (lasagna for Boston, chicken fingers for Naomi) and had cake.  Then they opened their gifts from their grandma and grandpa.  It was perfect.  Really low key, just like us.  Sorta like how John and I spent our last anniversary.  We aren't about fluff in our family.  No one will be asking me for party planning tips or coming to my blog for creative ideas, but it suits us juuuuust fine.

Making the most of a dry winter

We have literally had the lamest winter season!  There was probably 3 snow storms when the snow actually stuck to the ground.  The kids would BEG to play in the snow and build snow men and go sledding.  Our neighbors got them these sleds at their birthday party, so one day, when John was off and there were some remnants of one of our sissy snow storms, we went searching for a sledding hill.  They had a blast, and it was a great reminder to me and John that it really doesn't take much to please these two.  This was the smallest hill ever at a random church in Cedar Hills, and they thought they were the bravest!  John and I rode down with them a few times, and they looked at us like heros.  Meanwhile, Row slept soundly in the car like the good little babe she is.

Life at Grandma's

We have been living here with John's parents for 2.5 months. Things have gone really well and we are at about exactly our halfway point. We should (emphasize should) be moving into our new home at the end of May. We have plenty of space here, and couldn't ask for betters hosts. The very best part - besides the rent, wink wink - is the toys, swing set, sport court, and endless playmates. Boston wants to play outside, rain, snow, or sunshine everyday. Their plethora of cousins who all live close by are here daily, and so usually the first thing the kids ask when they wake up is "who's here" because they know we are never alone in this house.

We have had our struggles with discipline, and eating habits. To be fair, it hasn't been all easy peasy since moving in. Grandma is famous for spoiling the grandkids like crazy, so time-outs were a struggle. Picture me wresting my naughty toddler to the naughty steps and my child wailing "GRANDMA!! HELLLLLP!" Ugh, so not fun at all. Then, every meal can be a battle when I want the kids to eat what's for dinner, and all my kids want is the ginormous plastic bin full of Cheese Puff Balls. Seriously?? WHO EATS THAT?? It's getting better... but we will have some major adjustments back to normal life when we move out. They will be demanding play dates daily, and won't know what to do with themselves that they won't get treats after every meal. It's going to be rough.

How do you spell trouble?

N. A. O. M. I.

Covered head to toe in Desitin diaper rash cream, which is water repellent by the way. And this happened twice in one day. TWICE!

Eyeliner colored all over her face. Expensive, waterproof eyeliner.

Pulling all her clothes off the hangers in her closet.

Pennies in the disc drive of my lap top.

Pennies in the DVD player in the van.

Eating the last 8 doses of Rowen's acid reflux medication. Impossible to find anywhere, going to cost me a fortune to replace. Have to go the weekend without it. I'm still furious about this one. So mad I can't even write about it in full sentences.

Messiest eater EVER. You always know where Naomi sat at our table because it looks like a food grenade exploded there.

Asks several times a day "mom, can we say crap?" "oh my gosh, is that ok to say mom, oh my gosh?" "we don't say damn, right mom"

New favorite habit, getting things stuck in her hair, that have NO business being anywhere near her head to begin with. Like the automatic geo trax cars, her hair all wound up in the wheels.

Everything in her mouth. STILL. STILL??? When will it end? Pennies, paper, wrappers, orange peels, bottle caps, small toys.

So sweet Naomi, you are quite the handful. I can't wait to tell you all about the hell you raised at this age someday when you are older. And I might make you pay for my botox, because I think all these early wrinkles are thanks to you.

Just before...

Talk about bad luck. 3 days before my C-Section, I was driving home in American Fork around 8:30 pm, in my van, thankfully alone, when I was hit. It's the worst accident I have ever been in and really scared me. It was a 3 car pile up, someone clearly paying no attention hit the car behind me and he in turn hit me while I was sitting at a red light. Thankfully I was fine, and I was lucky. The guy in the middle got the worst of it, car crushed on both ends and he was badly injured and taken to the hospital right away. Every cop and firefighter and passerby that saw me and my huge tummy was sort of at a loss for words - like they expected my water to break any second or something, but I felt fine, no whip lash, my stomach miraculously didn't hit the steering wheel, and I could feel the baby moving around like normal. I felt confident that I was OK so I didn't go to the hospital, and my car was driveable, so after all the police reports were done, I could go home. My first thought during the accident (you know how time sort of stands still during things like this) all I could think was "thank goodness my kids are not in the car with me." I'm almost NEVER alone, so this was lucky. My whole back end is crushed and glass went everywhere, they would have been so traumatized, let alone that they could have easily been cut with all the flying shards of glass. When I got home and told John more of the details of the crash, he said how lucky I was that there was a car in between me and the guy who caused the accident. I know that sounds awful, but for sure me and the baby would have not been in good shape had we been in that vehicles spot and not mine. So I feel lucky, but also super annoyed that the timing couldn't have been worse. I had literally just latched the infant seat in my car, along with my other 2 seats (which all had to be replaced) along with my nice stroller that was covered inglass (also being replaced). The police and paramedics asked me a few times how far along I was and I would say "I'm having my baby on monday." So we had to be car-less for a few days until we could get a rental and have the van towed from our garage. This all had to happen while I was going to be in the hospital, such a pain.

Sunday afternoon my mom came to town. We took her for a drive around the Alpine Loop, though sadly the week before it was much prettier. We got her all settled to stay with us for the next 10 days, and did all the last minute preparations for our 6:15am check in time at American Fork Hospital. One of the last things I planned to do to prepare and excite the kids, was have them open gifts I got them from their new baby sister. In real life it was cute and exciting, but between John and my mom taking pictures and me video taping them, we still got some pretty crappy coverage of the event. Maybe the blurry photos tell a story though... they were pretty excited. In their gift boxes, they each got a little stuffed puppy, some suckers and smarties, a pack of markers, a note pad to color on, and a disposable camera. They got to bring their cameras, treats, and markers and note pads with them in the morning when they came to visit us and meet the baby at the hospital. They were really excited. So excited apparently, that Boston couldn't go to sleep. My mom was on a late phone call, and John and I were downstairs, only to come upstairs and find Boston wandering around with his goodies from his gift. I got in the bath and left it up to John to put him to bed. Apparently John didn't know that, so when John came up to our room and I got out of the bath, John lifted our comforter that was on the floor and found that something was in it, or under it. It was Boston, curled up in a ball, holding half his gifts, fast asleep. We died laughing that he fell asleep while he was clearly trying to hide there. Then I asked John to go collect the rest of his gifts from his room so we could take it to the hospital with us, so that it wasn't forgotten in the morning when John's mom brought the kids down. We cracked up when we found all the contents of his gift box laid out all over his floor, along with one of my cameras. On that camera... were pictures he took of his things. He is so funny, he loves taking pictures. I knew the cameras I got for them for the next day would be a hit.

Drama Queen

She is tough, smart, silly, funny, wild, sassy, brave, feisty, and loud.

She talks like a 16 year old. Which is great for communicating what she wants or needs.

It's not so great when she cusses in nursery at church, or turns around the threats that were originally used against her - such as "you don't talk to me like that" or "don't you dare say that to me, mom" or "daddy is going to spank your bum, mom". All in proper context. All loud enough for people to hear. All enunciated perfectly. Her latest obsession: potty talk. Heaven help us.

She is a lover and a fighter. She wants to snuggle you for .5 seconds and gives kisses and hugs without being asked, but will turn on a dime and pinch you as hard as she can to get a rise out of you. She picks on Boston like a big bully, but has fiercely defended him on play grounds or from cousins she thinks are being mean to him.

She doesn't take anyones crap, and I LOVE it about her, except when she thinks that means she doesn't have to take mine. She doesn't let anyone tell her what to do, which I find so funny between her and Boston or with her friends, but it's not funny that she feels the same way about adults. She says "YOU don't TELL me!" Seriously. No one taught her that. So much attitude packed into one tiny little body.

So do you see what I mean? She is all over the place. Every 5 minutes there is a whirlwind of emotion coming from this girl, and it could be something sweet or something nasty. You just never know. Most of the day I'm either laughing at her hilarious comments and personality, or trying not to let my head explode with frustration.

She is a wild one. We are rolling with it, after all she is only 2.5, so what can you really expect? But let me tell you, thinking about her teenage years keeps me up at night. Seriously.

6 months of cell phone pics

For much of the 6 months of living with John's parents, I was sick and hardly pulled out my camera at all. This is 20 cell phone pics that needed to be documented somewhere, as proof that my kids were alive and well during that time, even though I wasn't.

1. Boston dressed up as "the King of the FARN!"

2. Jumping on the trampoline in the snow.

3. Pulling each other on the sport court.

4. Fruit Loop necklaces.

5. A trip to the mall with mom always includes a Mrs. Fields cookie.

6. Naomi's Fruit Loop necklace.

7. One of many of Boston's breakdowns while John was traveling for work.

8. Another questionable dress up choice from Boss.

9. A trip to Krispy Kreme.

10. Kangaroo Zoo.

11. Kangaroo Zoo.

12. Kangaroo Zoo. They are obsessed.

13. Painting with pudding.

14. Me and Boss's typical "rest" during Naomi's nap.

15. Pooped in the backseat after watching the cousins soccer game.

16. Boston's own little table set up (all his creation).

17. My growing tummy.

18. Boston and his tool box holding his favorite toys.

19. Boss & Naomi.

20. Napping with Daddy.

Thrown in the towel

I used to think I would be the mom who's kids looked cute all the time. You know the ones, the mom's with the kids dressed in Gap clothes, hair done, clean fingernails, wiped noses etc. For a while I think I was that mom. Then, this summer happened. As the temperatures raised and my belly grew and grew, all my vanity about my kids flew out the window. They get bathed and their teeth brushed, and I still wrestle them to clip finger and toe nails, but that is the extent of the grooming. Naomi's poor hair has hardly been done for months, Boston looks dirty and sweaty all.the.time from wearing his helmet, and I scarcely pull out the wipes to clean their dirty faces. The fact that we are living on a cul de sac that currently has 2 homes under construction doesn't help. Check out these pictures John took a few weeks back.

.

I promise the kids had a bath after this. Maybe they did...

Or at least I let them play in the shower for a while.

Workin' at the car wash

We spend most of our days in the front yard/garage. On this day, the kids wanted a bowl of soapy water to take their bikes, cars, strollers, and shopping carts to the car wash. Maybe John could put them to work at the Gorilla Wash in Lehi this fall. And yep, Naomi is wearing her princess pajamas and it's like 2pm in this picture. She is opinionated, that girl.

PS, I know my pictures totally suck lately. My lazy self has hardly picked up my Canon since I have been pregnant. This Nikon point and shoot needs to be put away. Pronto.

Just in the first 2 weeks...

The kids made some artwork while I rested on a hard day.

On that same particularly difficult day (I had quite a few after we moved, it seemed to exacerbate my pregnancy symptoms) the kids completely tore apart the loft. I took this picture because it looked so bad, but to be honest, it has looked worse since. Far worse.

John hired landscapers before we had unpacked a single freakin box. No joke. The kids and I would sit outside and watch the tractors dump dirt and watch "the workers". The kids liked to take them "pos-ca-pels" popsicles and water bottles.

Our first Sunday here was Father's Day. I have lucky kids.

After about a week of staying here, we discovered we had a pretty severe plumbing problem. Really long, frustrating, disgusting story short, the pipes that connect our house to the city sewer were full of gravel and therefore not draining. After 2 days with a basement full of waste water, and therefore having no running water in our house, this humongous hole was dug in our front yard to fix the problem. It was a nightmare. I never want to talk about it again. Moving on...

Elaine got us tickets to take the kids to the Princess Festival at Thanksgiving Point. It was probably the hottest day ever. Elaine was brilliant enough to bring some Knight costumes for the boys, which was perfect because Boston cried all morning when he realized Naomi got to wear her Tiana dress and I wouldn't put him in one. The highlight for them was Naomi getting her face painted and Boston getting a black dragon tattoo on his arm that he appropriately named "Toofless" aka Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon.

Maybe you noticed, so maybe it's worth mentioning, that Naomi is crying in 2 of these pictures. All I can say is that she is 2 and I have never in my whole life met another 2 year old who gave her mom more of a run for her money. We have reached a stage with her that I would call a serious power struggle, among other things. She is too smart for her own good, and I swear you have never heard such sass. I'm literally exhausted just thinking about it. Hopefully things calm down a bit before October. But if they don't, please pray for us.