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Saturday, October 27, 2007
Fun at Gma's Halloween Party!
Today was our annual party for Grandma's Birthday and Halloween. This has been a hit with the kids for over 20 years now!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
That child....
Alex is always coming up with the funniest little comments. I suppose if you don't know him, and if you can't see his little 2-year-old self spewing out all of these words of wisdom, then it's not that funny. But, being the mom, and being with him all day, I just get to see the best glimpses of his ever-changing personality. His latest:
Jackson was fussing (okay, crying... loudly) and Alex said to me, "Mom," (with the most serious 2-yr-old face) "That child needs a mother! That child really needs a mother, Mom!"
I think I need a mother...
Jackson was fussing (okay, crying... loudly) and Alex said to me, "Mom," (with the most serious 2-yr-old face) "That child needs a mother! That child really needs a mother, Mom!"
I think I need a mother...
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Ahhh, poop.
Here's a tale that many mothers can relate to...
The other morning, I was doing the morning bath routine, when I realized Baby B had a messy diaper. When I undid his pajamas, I realized that this was a full-on blow out - you know... the kind that goes out the legs, down the pj's to the toes; up the back to the neck; almost (but luckily not) soaked thru the pj's onto the bouncy seat and everywhere but the diaper kind of poo. So, being the "talented" mom that I am, I proceeded to undress the baby, successfully removing the onesie without getting poop smeared all over his head. Then I proceeded to clean up the mess with an arsenal of wipes. This wasn't just any poop, mind you... This was a formula fed baby that doesn't process his milk so well, been stuck in the intestines for three days kind of gooey muck. (I'll spare you the green, icky details. ha ha.) So, anyway, as I wiped, I threw the dirty wipes into the toilet. Of course, once I flushed the toilet, it backed up on me - yep, clogged. As I was taking care of that, Baby B (now diaperless) decided to add to the fun by going #1 all over the place; yep - automatic sprinkler. I finally got him into the tub and got him all cleaned up. My messy, stinky baby now smelled deliciously clean, smothered in baby lotion with yummy Downy fresh clothes on. Mmmm... Just as I did the final snap on his onesie, I looked at over at his brother, Baby A. You guessed it! He was red-faced and grunting. His turn for a poop! (And, yes, of course, he had already had his bath.) So the cycle continues. *sigh*
As I started out.... Ahhh, poop.
The other morning, I was doing the morning bath routine, when I realized Baby B had a messy diaper. When I undid his pajamas, I realized that this was a full-on blow out - you know... the kind that goes out the legs, down the pj's to the toes; up the back to the neck; almost (but luckily not) soaked thru the pj's onto the bouncy seat and everywhere but the diaper kind of poo. So, being the "talented" mom that I am, I proceeded to undress the baby, successfully removing the onesie without getting poop smeared all over his head. Then I proceeded to clean up the mess with an arsenal of wipes. This wasn't just any poop, mind you... This was a formula fed baby that doesn't process his milk so well, been stuck in the intestines for three days kind of gooey muck. (I'll spare you the green, icky details. ha ha.) So, anyway, as I wiped, I threw the dirty wipes into the toilet. Of course, once I flushed the toilet, it backed up on me - yep, clogged. As I was taking care of that, Baby B (now diaperless) decided to add to the fun by going #1 all over the place; yep - automatic sprinkler. I finally got him into the tub and got him all cleaned up. My messy, stinky baby now smelled deliciously clean, smothered in baby lotion with yummy Downy fresh clothes on. Mmmm... Just as I did the final snap on his onesie, I looked at over at his brother, Baby A. You guessed it! He was red-faced and grunting. His turn for a poop! (And, yes, of course, he had already had his bath.) So the cycle continues. *sigh*
As I started out.... Ahhh, poop.
Friday, October 5, 2007
The chocolate-chip-cookie diet...
I want so much for my children to gain testimonies of their own, and to be strong in the gospel. I loved this discussion from the October 2007 Ensign, and I hope you don't mind my posting a bit of it here.
Sister Elaine Dalton of the Young Women general presidency said:
"When I ask youth, 'What's the hardest thing you do?' many say, 'It's going to parties and being offered a drink and not drinking it.' So I ask, 'Why are you at the party?' And they say, "I go to be a good example to others.' Then I always respond, 'You bring your friends to places where they can feel the Spirit. Don't ever walk into places where the Spirit won't go. Avoid them!'"
Sister Julie Beck, formerly of the YW general presidency, then relates:
"Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy has an analogy. He says that if you're on a non-chocoloate-chip-cookie diet, yet you go into the kitchen just after the cookies have been baked -- it smells delicious and you can picture the chocolate chips melting as you pull the cookie apart -- how long is it going to be before you sample one? How strong are you really? That's resisting - or trying to resist. But if you're on a non-chocolate-chip-cookie diet and you don't go into the kitchen where they're baked and you don't bake them yourself, then you are avoiding temptation. That's easier!"
I hope my boys can avoid temptation, not just resist it. I feel like my responsibility is so great, but the scripture, "Be still and know that I am God," always provides comfort.
Sister Elaine Dalton of the Young Women general presidency said:
"When I ask youth, 'What's the hardest thing you do?' many say, 'It's going to parties and being offered a drink and not drinking it.' So I ask, 'Why are you at the party?' And they say, "I go to be a good example to others.' Then I always respond, 'You bring your friends to places where they can feel the Spirit. Don't ever walk into places where the Spirit won't go. Avoid them!'"
Sister Julie Beck, formerly of the YW general presidency, then relates:
"Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy has an analogy. He says that if you're on a non-chocoloate-chip-cookie diet, yet you go into the kitchen just after the cookies have been baked -- it smells delicious and you can picture the chocolate chips melting as you pull the cookie apart -- how long is it going to be before you sample one? How strong are you really? That's resisting - or trying to resist. But if you're on a non-chocolate-chip-cookie diet and you don't go into the kitchen where they're baked and you don't bake them yourself, then you are avoiding temptation. That's easier!"
I hope my boys can avoid temptation, not just resist it. I feel like my responsibility is so great, but the scripture, "Be still and know that I am God," always provides comfort.
Thank heavens they're fraternal!
Now, I have nothing against identical twins, but thank heavens mine are fraternal! During those confusing early days, I could barely keep straight which baby I had fed, which I had changed, who had slept, who needed a nap, etc. If these boys had looked alike, I'm sure one would have been fed every hour, and the other would have never eaten!
I'm also glad that they are so different, because I want it to be easy for them to be individuals and not just "twins." It's also harder to get to know two babies at once. Neither child gets the time and attention that he deserves. However, I've done my best to pay attention to each as an individual, and here are some of my observations.
Andrew: Drew has always has been the patient one. From day one, if his brother was hollering louder, he didn't mind our attending to his brother's needs first. He waits so sweetly and patiently. When he does finally cry, it's always heartbreaking, because he's tried so hard to be brave for so long. He also has the warmest, sweetest smile that lights up his whole face and makes his eyes twinkle. However, this smile is reserved for his closest family members and friends. Otherwise, he is an extremely shy baby who is very sensitive to crowds, noise and too much stimulation. He is a darling, chubby baby, with the roundest cheeks and the fattest thighs of any of my boys. I just wish I could eat him up. :) I see him becoming a true spiritual leader someday. There's just something special and divine about his little countenance.
Jackson: Jax has always been the alert one, super aware of all his surroundings. He looked us in the eye from day one, and was ready to smile and socialize with anyone in view. He is so outgoing and never stops moving. He is so energetic and wiggly. He does have moments, however when he is the biggest snuggle-bug. While his brother wants nothing but to lie down at bed time, Jax wants to be held and snuggled, and will occasionally even fall asleep in our arms. Those moments are so precious. He is slimmer, yet still chunky, and is what I call a "Gerber baby." His features are so perfect and handsome. He too is sensitive to too much over-stimulation, but not as much as his brother. I see Jax becoming quite the social leader. I think he'll be good at getting his way not only with his family, but with his friends as well. He just lights up a room with his chattering and smiles.
Anyway, I could go on and on about their differences. Their hair texture is different, their developmental milestones have come at different times, their body shapes and sizes are different, their facial features are different, they eat differently, they sleep differently, they cry differently, they smile and laugh differently, etc. It's been such a joy to watch them grow. I wasn't sure I could handle this, but the Lord has been generous in his blessings. These little guys are such a joy!
I'm also glad that they are so different, because I want it to be easy for them to be individuals and not just "twins." It's also harder to get to know two babies at once. Neither child gets the time and attention that he deserves. However, I've done my best to pay attention to each as an individual, and here are some of my observations.
Andrew: Drew has always has been the patient one. From day one, if his brother was hollering louder, he didn't mind our attending to his brother's needs first. He waits so sweetly and patiently. When he does finally cry, it's always heartbreaking, because he's tried so hard to be brave for so long. He also has the warmest, sweetest smile that lights up his whole face and makes his eyes twinkle. However, this smile is reserved for his closest family members and friends. Otherwise, he is an extremely shy baby who is very sensitive to crowds, noise and too much stimulation. He is a darling, chubby baby, with the roundest cheeks and the fattest thighs of any of my boys. I just wish I could eat him up. :) I see him becoming a true spiritual leader someday. There's just something special and divine about his little countenance.
Jackson: Jax has always been the alert one, super aware of all his surroundings. He looked us in the eye from day one, and was ready to smile and socialize with anyone in view. He is so outgoing and never stops moving. He is so energetic and wiggly. He does have moments, however when he is the biggest snuggle-bug. While his brother wants nothing but to lie down at bed time, Jax wants to be held and snuggled, and will occasionally even fall asleep in our arms. Those moments are so precious. He is slimmer, yet still chunky, and is what I call a "Gerber baby." His features are so perfect and handsome. He too is sensitive to too much over-stimulation, but not as much as his brother. I see Jax becoming quite the social leader. I think he'll be good at getting his way not only with his family, but with his friends as well. He just lights up a room with his chattering and smiles.
Anyway, I could go on and on about their differences. Their hair texture is different, their developmental milestones have come at different times, their body shapes and sizes are different, their facial features are different, they eat differently, they sleep differently, they cry differently, they smile and laugh differently, etc. It's been such a joy to watch them grow. I wasn't sure I could handle this, but the Lord has been generous in his blessings. These little guys are such a joy!
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Mommy, don't be naughty.
So, I'm feeling the guilt and stress of parenting 3 kids, ages 2 and under. The other day, Alex was acting up, I was short on sleep, the babies were tired and fussy, the house was a mess, etc. etc. Poor Alex got the brunt of my exasperated feelings. He was being a stinker (just typical 2-yr old stuff, nothing major) and I was losing my cool. It finally escalated into me yelling at him, and him cowering in his time-out chair. With innocent little eyes, and a partially frightened look on his face he said, "Mommy, don't be naughty!" *sigh* Man, oh man... I'm feeling the guilt.
What is it about a 2 year old that can bring out the devil in me? I've never been a short-tempered person. I rarely get in disagreements or arguments with anyone. And here I am (not the first time, unfortunately) totally blowing my top over a tiny child... I've been praying so hard to not let this happen. I'm getting better, but yesterday proved to me that I have to always be conscious of my mood and actions.
One of the many lessons I've learned from this is that it truly is divine to be child-like. Alex is the epitome of love and forgiveness. I can be yelling at him one minute, and the next minute he has totally forgiven me and is full of hugs and kisses. He never brings it up again, and he totally trusts me to provide the love and care that he needs. He never looks back. Can we as adults do that? Never bring up past hurts, be full of unfeigned loved, open and willing to take our offenders in our arms and tell them that we love and forgive them? I definitely need to work on that. Thank you, Alex, for teaching me so many important lessons. You are truly a special child of God.
What is it about a 2 year old that can bring out the devil in me? I've never been a short-tempered person. I rarely get in disagreements or arguments with anyone. And here I am (not the first time, unfortunately) totally blowing my top over a tiny child... I've been praying so hard to not let this happen. I'm getting better, but yesterday proved to me that I have to always be conscious of my mood and actions.
One of the many lessons I've learned from this is that it truly is divine to be child-like. Alex is the epitome of love and forgiveness. I can be yelling at him one minute, and the next minute he has totally forgiven me and is full of hugs and kisses. He never brings it up again, and he totally trusts me to provide the love and care that he needs. He never looks back. Can we as adults do that? Never bring up past hurts, be full of unfeigned loved, open and willing to take our offenders in our arms and tell them that we love and forgive them? I definitely need to work on that. Thank you, Alex, for teaching me so many important lessons. You are truly a special child of God.
Some pics
I love Alex's eyes, and this picture sort of shows their beauty, but I need to take some photography classes to do them justice. Here's a cute picture of Drew and Jackson. And finally, a picture of "soccer guy." "Alex?" I say, "What are you doing with those socks?" "Mom, I'm not Alex, I'm soccer guy! And these are my goalie socks!" With a look of, duh, Mom! Don't you know ANYTHING? ha ha.
Dad?
A few random thoughts:
1. "Dad, you don't have to go to work today?" That's the question Alex asks his daddy every morning. "Is today Saturday?" And each day, Daddy has to say, "Sorry bud, but I have to go to work today." The answer is always followed by a large frown, and a totally dejected look. Today, however, Alex remembered that Daddy was going to take the day off. First thing he said when he woke up this morning, "Dad! You don't have to work today!! Yeah! What we gonna do, Dad?"
I am just so grateful that my boys have such a wonderful father. They all worship the ground that he walks on. He is such a "hands-on" dad. He bathes them, feeds them, changes them, but most importantly, he plays with them and makes them laugh. He makes sure that they always feel adored and loved. Could a kid ask for anything more than the security of knowing that they are loved and accepted 100%? I don't think so. Thanks, Mark, for being such a fabulous Daddy. The boys sure are lucky! Love you Mark!
2. A month or two ago (yes, I know I'm not a great blogger, but finally getting high-speed internet helps), Alex took a little plastic Easter egg, and opened it up. It was still connected by a tiny sliver of plastic, so the two halves opened up side-by-side. Anyway, he placed the opened egg on Jackson's chest, and said, "Look, Mom! Jackson has 'breasteses' ." Can it get any cuter than that? Already fascinated with that female anatomy. Ha ha...
3. The twins are great. Man, I didn't think I'd survive those first 3 months, but thanks to all the many volunteers who gave so freely of their time and assistance. I'm SO grateful for the help, or I seriously would have gone insane. Props especially to my angel mother who still comes over twice a week to help out. She has been my lifeline. Ahhh... words could never convey what an angel she is. Our latest goals: organizing this insane house of mine. Feels so nice! Love you mom!
1. "Dad, you don't have to go to work today?" That's the question Alex asks his daddy every morning. "Is today Saturday?" And each day, Daddy has to say, "Sorry bud, but I have to go to work today." The answer is always followed by a large frown, and a totally dejected look. Today, however, Alex remembered that Daddy was going to take the day off. First thing he said when he woke up this morning, "Dad! You don't have to work today!! Yeah! What we gonna do, Dad?"
I am just so grateful that my boys have such a wonderful father. They all worship the ground that he walks on. He is such a "hands-on" dad. He bathes them, feeds them, changes them, but most importantly, he plays with them and makes them laugh. He makes sure that they always feel adored and loved. Could a kid ask for anything more than the security of knowing that they are loved and accepted 100%? I don't think so. Thanks, Mark, for being such a fabulous Daddy. The boys sure are lucky! Love you Mark!
2. A month or two ago (yes, I know I'm not a great blogger, but finally getting high-speed internet helps), Alex took a little plastic Easter egg, and opened it up. It was still connected by a tiny sliver of plastic, so the two halves opened up side-by-side. Anyway, he placed the opened egg on Jackson's chest, and said, "Look, Mom! Jackson has 'breasteses' ." Can it get any cuter than that? Already fascinated with that female anatomy. Ha ha...
3. The twins are great. Man, I didn't think I'd survive those first 3 months, but thanks to all the many volunteers who gave so freely of their time and assistance. I'm SO grateful for the help, or I seriously would have gone insane. Props especially to my angel mother who still comes over twice a week to help out. She has been my lifeline. Ahhh... words could never convey what an angel she is. Our latest goals: organizing this insane house of mine. Feels so nice! Love you mom!
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