My Baby is Growing Up

Braden recently turned one and he has definitely changed from baby to toddler.  He loves to get into trouble and likes to get caught.  It is a fun game to him (in fact the older he gets the more he reminds me of Macy and how she was).  He likes to put items in anything including garbage cans.  He also likes to put his hands in the toilet and eat toilet paper.  Rocks and leaves are another favorite treat of his.  He has become quite the mover and loves to climb stairs.  He has an interesting crawl.  On carpet he crawls with his right hand in a fist, gorrilla style.  On tile the hand is flat like normal kids.  Might be a texture thing.  He is so proud of himself that he can stand and loves to show off.  In fact in the doctor's office when we were discussing his development he decided to do a new trick.  He was in the middle of the floor and pushed himself to standing and just beamed at the doctor like "I am the man.  I can get to standing all on my own."  Of course eventually his showing off led to him face planting it right before the dreaded shots.  So he was already in tears when those came.  He isn't walking YET.  He won't really walk and hold your fingers unless he wants to.  However, when no one is looking I have caught him a several of times trying to take some steps.  It is actually the funniest thing to watch because he looks at his feet trying to will them to move and then one foot will slightly tap and scoot forward.  He won't be out done by his sisters and makes sure we know he is around.  He is not a silent child and ever since I flipped his carseat around the rides are lot noisier.  Even his Grandpa Alan commented on it one night when they took him somewhere.  The first time he was forward facing I stopped and got a drink.  He saw my drink and immediately started to yell-grunt and then when I would turn and look he would smack his lips.  We repeated this several times.  I know he wanted that drink and he was using his own sign language.

The day before his birthday we had family come over for pizza, ice cream and cake.  He would have liked opening his presents but I gave the go ahead to the girls to help him understand and from that point we couldn't get the girls to slow down.

He loves balls of all sizes.  Yes that is a pink princess ball, but that was not his present and yes the girls and his uncle tied his balloons to his pants.

He still likes to eat everything in sight.

The handsome fellow standing at one of his new toys.

The adult's cake courtesy of my good friend Alacey.  I saw her post about this cake and I knew I needed to try it.  It was soooo good.

The kid's cake.  I have finally learned for babies it is best to go with white frosting and white cake.

He was so excited for his cake.  He couldn't believe mom just plopped it on his tray.  Of course he had to smash it to pieces before eating it.

Luckily my siblings didn't do "so big" with him.  They did this with Macy and she had it all through her hair.  She was a mess.  He did a good job digging in and staying somewhat clean.  He ate quite a bit too.  No we didn't throw the ice cream on the tray too.

One of Braden's new push toys.  As you can see he does more riding than actually pushing.  The girls think it is funny.  They forget that he can't get out sometimes and then he isn't happy.  He does do some pushing when they are not around.  He also likes to put balls in it.

 
Here are the stats from the doctors visit.  He has gone long and lean.  He hasn't put on tons of weight since his last appointment but he sure has grown in height.  He is only 21 lbs (25%) and 30 3/4 in (88%).  We might have problems with clothes not being long enough or being too wide.

Happy Birthday my little guy!

Days Gone By

There are days when I wish I could go back to when I didn't have to worry about a place to live, putting meals on the table for others, and all the other responsibilities that come with growing up.  Those were the days when I couldn't wait to be an adult with a job and/or family.  I didn't really appreciate that I never had to worry about providing the basics because my parents took care of that.  I took for granted that the fridge was always filled because my mom went grocery shopping.  I could take showers because someone remembered to pay the utilities.  Oh what I would give some days to have my only worries be about getting up on time, finishing my school work, and hanging out with friends. I can't go back so I will just have to go forward and figure out how to enjoy my responsibilities again (my mind sometimes forgets to do this).

Here is what we have been doing while Macy has been off-track:

1. Had FHE with my family at the South Jordan Rec Center.  It was Braden and Ellie's first time swimming and both seem to be water lovers.  Macy loved the water slide.



2. Spur of the moment trip to St. George.  We took a hike, went to dinner, did some swimming and tried to thaw out.  Mostly we relaxed.  On the hike the girls had to have their pictures taken about 100 times.  Kelsey was the worst and wanted her picture taken every few feet.  This was a complete 180 because for some time she has hated the camera.  Not sure what changed.  If you ask Macy she hates hiking although she seemed to enjoy it the whole time.  We got lucky and only Kelsey only had to make 2 pee breaks in the short timeframe.  We found an old candy store right by the Tabernacle and a delicious sandwich shop near Croshaw pies.  The quote of the trip was from Kelsey.  The pressure in her ears was off and it was making her made because she couldn't fix it.  She shouts out, "I hate ears.  I wish I didn't have any."



3. Brian has been working really long hours.
4. I am working on my first real estate deal.  I am helping my cousins find their first home.
5. We finished swim lessons.
6. Braden turned one.  (This requires a post of its own.)
7. Easter came and went.  It felt a little like Christmas because there was snow on the ground, but instead of presents there were eggs hidden.  For the first time the girls were so excited for the Easter Bunny to come.  They kept asking when he would come.  On Sat a friend came to the door.  When Macy saw her she started jumping up and down screaming the the Easter Bunny was going to come that night.  This in turn got her friend jumping and screaming.  Kelsey then had to join the fun.  Easter morning came and as I was lying in bed I heard some high pitched whispering.  The whispers were talking about "there is your Easter basket.  Where is my Easter basket?"  "I see some eggs.  Where is your Easter basket?"  Soon Kelsey came in complaining that Macy found her Easter for her and that wasn't fair.  In their Easter baskets was a baby Zhu Zhu pet (they have been begging for these for months).  This small gift consumed all thoughts.  They didn't even care about finding eggs because Macy's Easter basket hadn't been found yet.  They didn't even care that the Easter bunny had put money in the eggs instead of candy.  I thought for sure the money would excite them.  Alas, the hamsters stole the show.  We did have one tragedy.  The Sunday before the Easter bunny visited a friend's house to drop off Easter dresses.  Macy came home crying after church because the Easter bunny didn't bring her a dress.  I told her the Easter bunny doesn't bring Easter dresses because Grandma Carol buys dresses and she could wear the dress the Sunday after Easter.  That didn't really comfort her and she was upset the the bunny left her out.

Here are the Easter pictures.  We had very few good ones because we did mostly video of the day.

Braden sporting his new Easter duds.  The girls received an outfit from Grandma Wendy and a dress from Grandma Carol.  Of course Kelsey only wore a portion of her outfit on Easter and we forgot to take a picture of Macy in the new clothes (that and she only had on part of hers for about an hour, too much accessorizing I guess).  Then yesterday I thought they would wear their new Easter dresses that they have been begging for.  Only Macy would wear hers. Kelsey said it was too cold for hers.  Then I forgot to get pictures of Macy.  I even put on a outfit to match thinking it would make for a cute family photo.

Here is the picture of the baby Zhu Zhu hamster that stole the show.

Swim lessons and Grandma Bonnie

Macy is off track again for another couple of weeks so I signed the girls up for swim lessons.  Macy was so excited.  She could hardly wait for Monday.  Kelsey balled for 10 minutes when I signed her up.  She said she didn't like swim lessons and she wouldn't go.  I told her this is the one thing I am forcing her to do at 4 years of age.  I even bribed her with a new swim suit if she would go twice without crying.  Eventually she said, "Fine. I will go to swim lessons."  Monday has come and gone and she keeps asking why she couldn't go to swim lessons today and when did she get to go to swim lessons.

After swim lessons we went to see my Grandma Bonnie.  I have saying we would visit for months now.  Monday I finally kept my word.  We had a good time.  We played Old Maid and ate all her chocolate covered raisins.  I asked her about when she had met my grandfather.  I still need to get some details but she admitted that she didn't like my grandpa at first.  It took a long time for her to finally agree to go out with him.  It was 2 years before he proposed and most of that time they did things in a group because she didn't care much for him.  She said it was a good thing he was so persistant and stubborn because she might have been an old maid.  She claims she was awkward and backward around boys back then.  She said she was really shy.  She also had an amazing set of girl friends that she had gone to elementary, junior high and high school with.  At that point in her life she was having so much fun doing things with them that marriage and dating were not on her mind.  This same group of friends continues to get together to this day.  She says she doesn't know what she would do without them.

After that little visit we stopped by the mall.  There is something about the mall that causes us to not look our best.  Here is a picture of Braden.  In the picture you can't really see the blood that is smeared under his eye from when he scratched himseld with his long fingernails.  His hair is all over the place from his nap and of course he has pulled off one sock in the car.  You add his bump to the mix and he looked like a wreak.  I wonder what people thought of this poor child.

After Braden gouged himself, I took the time to clip everyone's fingernails.  I have no idea why but Macy and Kelsey cry out that is hurts.  When Macy was little she would cry saying it hurts.  Kelsey has picked up on this and sometimes they will specify which toes I can and can't clip because it hurts.  I far as I know there are no nerves in nails.  I sure hope they grow out of this.  It is like when I come their hair.  Some days the hair will be so knotted and they don't even notice the comb.  Other days the comb will give the slightest tug and they give a blood curdling scream.  I just don't get it.

It May Be Time to Move On

There are days when I wonder if Brian's parents are ready for us to move on. This thought usually occurs on days when my kids pick all the unripe plums from the tree, or when I find buggers wiped on the wall, or when there is crayon on the wainscoat, or when there are stickers all over the bunk bed, or when the kids are running laps around the couch screaming at each other and Braden joins in. This thought occurred again when I found more damage. The above mark is completely unintentional. They stuck a window gel sticker on the wood and the pink leeched into the grain. It is not coming off anytime soon. Kids don't mean to destroy things but they do. That is why I told Brian that we are going to completely remodel our next home once all the kids are grown and out of the house. If they want to come back Brian and I will really have to think long and hard.

Braden is not becoming shy about mischief. His favorite destinations are the girls' room, the shower (he likes to climb inside and shout), and the garbage can in the bathroom. His new love is the stairs. The other day I ran upstairs to change the laundry when I came out of the laundry room I found Braden at the top of the stairs with the biggest grin. He was very impressed with himself. I know have a hard time keeping him away from the stairs. The gates don't work for the staircase so I have had to move a big trunk in front of them to keep him from going up. It drives me nuts to see that trunk there but if it keeps the kid safe. I have had to pull out cabinet locks. He broke the first lock I put on. I am hoping it broke just because it was older.

Things sort of change with the third child. This kid already likes to have 3 meals a day. He has eaten chicken nuggets, hamburger, lunch meat, apple, oranges, eggs, etc. There is no holding him back. With other kids, I waited until they were at least one before giving them those things. He is also decent at a sippy cup. It took the girls awhile to grasp that concept. The things that happen with the third. The next big step, whole milk. My grocery budget can't wait for the savings next month. Does a new shirt for mom fit in the category of "grocery"?

Good Bye Home

Well after 10 months we can officially say good bye to our home in Phoenix. It is a bitter sweet farewell. I loved that house even though I complained and said some mean things about it. Now that I look back I realized there were some other things going on that made me curse items I was unhappy about. I am sad to see it go. On the other hand I am over-joyed. I feel like I can move on. (Of course that is not happening fast enough in my mind, I mean it closed on Thursday so shouldn't I be in a permanent residence by now?) I wouldn't recommend the route we had to take because it wasn't pleasant. I sometimes feel bad for having to short sell it, but that is done and over with.

So long large living space,

so long open kitchen,

so long refreshing pool,

so long palm trees,

so long bright sun,

so long great neighbors,

and keep growing little orange tree (maybe someone else will know how to get you to grow big and blossom).

Some other good new this week. I got my car back from the repair shop. It looks as good as new and I am so happy to have it back. The sun has also been peeking through trying to warm it up a little. How I love to see the sun! And Brian and I bought a new mattress. I have owned the old mattress for 14 years and it was starting to do the taco thing. Now we have to figure out what to do with the old set. Give it away for free on KSL.com or take it to the dump? I feel bad for giving it away because it is dirty and worn, but Brian's brother said you can't imagine what people will take for free.

My World of Craziness

So the other day my sister went to the mall. She was looking for a parking spot when she saw 3 kids and a mom. The mom was digging around in her purse and then at time turning backwards to the kids. The kids were 6 to 10 feet behind. The oldest child was pushing a stroller with one of the other children in it. The stroller also happened to be weaving and bobbing down the parking lot. The third child was weaving and bobbing along with the other two. My sister thought to herself, "what kind of crazy mom would let her kids behave like that." Then she took a closer look and it was her sister and nieces and nephew. Yes I was that mom she was thinking bad things about. But let me explain. They were not in the way of traffic and Macy was doing her best to control the stroller. She would not let me push it. They were behind me because it seems that no matter what pace I walk at they will always stay that far behind. I have tried walking slower and they start walking even slower. That is why the crazy lady kept turning back; to make sure they were still coming, to herd them along, and make sure they were not going to get hit.

As I am writing this post I have been looking out the window because my kids were headed to a friend's house to play. I wanted to make sure they got there. Well this was quite the ordeal for them. They first had to get in the power wheels jeep to drive to their destination. I noticed that they made a detour at another friend's house. I guess Macy was dropping Kelsey off to play there because Kelsey was no longer in the jeep. Macy then went on her way. Well she has come back to the circle and went to the same house Kelsey is at. I guess Macy's friend wasn't home. It probably took them 15 minutes to do all this. If they had walked it may have taken less than 5. The house they are at is 2 houses down.

So Macy is quite observant. The other night she asked, "What if dad had to go #2 and #1 at the same time?" I told her to ask him what he would do. She didn't want to do that. Instead she came up with her own solutions to the problem and then divulged them to me. However in divulging she of course had to do some exaggerated actions. It was quite funny and I think they probably would have worked. She still wouldn't ask her dad. I think she was being silly and trying to see if I would consider it potty talk.

My Workout Buddy

This morning Braden was my workout buddy. He likes to help when he can. Most days he likes to get up early to make sure I get out of bed instead of hitting snooze. This morning he decided to help in another way and I am not so sure I want him as my trainer. As I was doing the abdominal workout he decided I needed a little more weight to lift. He put his hands on my upper body and then peered down into my face with a huge grin. He thought he was so funny when I would lift the both of us. It quickly turned into a game for him. Of course I didn't appreciate it too much. Not only was it more difficult, but he was making me laugh which made it near impossible.