Fishing buddies

Last week my cousin Darin was visiting from Colorado. He loves to visit with us every year and we love having him visit. One of Darin's favorite activities is to go fishing. Since we have the perfect fishing lake 2 miles from our new home he decided to bring his fishing poles this time. He got a one week license and fished all but 2 of the available days. He had fun teaching the girls to fish. Dakota loved it the best and she would fish with him for hours.

He loved to see that Alexander had a fishing hat just like his.

Dakota and Darin on their first fishing trip.

Dakota caught a fish on her first day and caught the fishing bug.

Megan liked to fish too. She didn't like the waiting for a fish to bite part so she would hold the pole for about 2 minutes and then she would start to slowly real in the line. One time as she was reeling in the line, the line started to fight back. I couldn't believe she had a fish! I wanted to help her real it in because it seemed to be a big fish and she struggled a little to bring it in but she is very independent and let me know that she could do it. I couldn't believe how big this fish was that she reeled in. She got it to shore and then Darin (who couldn't wait to see the fish and was practically biting his hands to keep from taking the pole from Megan) brought it in the rest of the way because it was too heavy for her. She had caught a HUGE catfish. I wanted to take a picture of her with her fish but she wasn't about to get close to it so Darin held it for her.

This is Megan's big catfish.

After catching her fish Megan was done and decided it was more fun to go and feed the ducks. I had a hard time convincing her that she couldn't hold the ducks. We had so much fun fishing with Darin and can't wait to do it again.

On the move.

Alex just keeps growing faster everyday. He is 5 months now but he sure doesn't act it. This is supposed to be a great time with baby because they don't cry as much now and you can set them down and they don't go anywhere yet. Yeah, right! I don't think Alex has stayed still a day in his life. Even in the womb the ultrasound tech said she had to chase him so that she could get all the measurements. I know this is normal for some babies but this is the first time I have had to chase such an active baby. Just trying to change his diaper has become an Olympic event.

He is not just on his hands and knees rocking back and forth anymore, he is really crawling now.



This was actually two days ago. He is so much faster now. It amazes me how fast he can go when he wants to get to something he's not supposed to have. He is a really good eater as well. He loves to eat real food. He loves fruit and some vegetables. He doesn't really like the meat flavor of baby food and he absolutely HATES the green beans but I would have to say I don't blame him...just the smell of the meat and the green beans makes me want to gag. He still begs for our food and it is really hard for me not to just give it to him. He eats so well and acts so much older that I forget his little digestive system is still developing and not ready for prime time meals yet. I'll be so glad the day I can just set him in his chair with a plate of food for him to enjoy. He has also gained so much weight these last 3 weeks. He had to go to formula full-time. He was a skinny little kid (because of low milk supply in my opinion) but not anymore. He has filled out nicely now. He has gained as much weight in the last 3 weeks as he did in the first 4 months. It's amazing what actually getting enough food will do to a little guy. The down side to his new food supply is that he isn't sleeping through the night anymore. Oh well, what can ya do. He is still so much fun! Even though he has enough energy for five babies he never ceases to dig his way deeper in to our hearts every day. He is such a happy baby. He tries to smile even when he is crying. He laughs so much and he loves to be sung to. He has a way of getting into your soul just by looking at you. What a precious little spirit we have been blessed with.

Here are some pics just for fun.


Safe in daddy's arms.


Having fun with Lizzie.

Sleeping with his monkey and his thumb. He is so cute when he sucks his little thumb. He is already starting to out grow it though so I'm not worried about him having to kick the habit.

This was just such a cute video that I wanted to share it.

Cabin Fever

I have been working really hard in the back yard trying to get it ready for grass. The older girls have been really good at helping me with Megan and Alex so I can get the work done and be done with the yard so that we can finally enjoy the summer. Megan hasn't really been able to go anywhere because of this and has developed a really bad case of cabin fever. One day I wanted to get her out of the house so I asked her if she wanted to go to the store with me and she got so excited. We got in the van, went to the store, and came home. Megan started crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said that we didn't go play with McKenna (her friend that lives back in Orem where we moved from.) For days now she has asked when she gets to go play with "Tenna". I keep telling her that Momma's busy right now and we'll go visit and play with McKenna as soon as we can. I guess that wasn't the right answer for her. Yesterday, mid-morning, as I was on the computer taking care of some business for CJ before I headed back out to the backyard Megan came up to me and in her broken 2 yr. old language said, "Tenna at house, I see she sleeping like this, (she put her head on her hands, closed her eyes, and started snoring) I play now." Trying hard not to laugh at how cute that was, I told her that if McKenna was still sleeping that she couldn't play right now. Megan just smiled and left. A few minutes later she came in to show me that she had put her shoes on (she's still in her pj's) and I asked her where she was going, she said she was going to go play and left the room. She came back in with a bag in her hands and started to go out the front door by herself. I asked her where she was going and she said, "I go play with Tenna now. I be back latter." I looked in the bag and she had packed it with about 5 diapers for the trip to McKenna's house.

I guess when she told me that McKenna was sleeping what she really meant was that she was going to go to her house for a sleep-over. I thought it was so funny that she actually "packed" for the trip. She was so proud of herself for being such a big girl. I felt so bad that I once again had to tell her that she couldn't go, it really broke my heart...hers too. Rebecca took her to a neighbor's house and they played in the water so she was able to get out and play for a while but she still has her heart set on playing with "Tenna" as soon as she can.

Private Bounce House

Two days ago Rural Housing had another open house for group 26 (we were group 20) in our neighborhood. For this open house they rented two bounce houses for the kids. We were busy for the first hour of bouncing but took the girls to jump for the last 30 minutes...who can pass up a bounce house that gets the kids energy out, especially when it is only a block from your house. When we arrived there were about 3 kids in the houses but after 10 minutes those kids left and it was just our kids and two girls from our build that the girls love to play with. It was their private bounce extravaganza. They had so much fun jumping all over with out fear of hurting another kid or getting hurt by another kid. The only one who didn't like it too much was Megan. This was her first time in a bounce house and she did not like it at first. After some time and a lot of cuddling by Rebecca she was able to hold on to the netting on the side of the house and jump.

The kids were able to play until they were so tired they couldn't jump anymore, then they got to watch as the bounce houses were deflated. They thought it was so cool that the houses only took a few seconds to deflate. I can't wait until the next (and last) open house in the neighborhood so the girls can have one last "private" bounce house experience.

My flowers

A while ago I was able to get out and plant some flowers. My favorites so far are the yellow lilies. I put those in for my mom who wanted me to have yellow flowers in my yard. All of the flowers are doing really well so far considering this is really the first time I have planted a real flower garden. It is a work in progress and I am looking forward to working in my flower garden year after year.

Music is in the air

We have been blessed with a trumpet recently. We got it thinking that Dakota might want to play the trumpet in the band when she gets in Jr. High and thought it would be so nice to own the instrument instead of renting an old one from the school. When Dakota heard that we got the trumpet she was sooooo excited...in fact we all were. What a gem we found! We went to the store and got a book that teaches beginning trumpet. We were all so excited to play that poor Dakota only got to play on the trumpet twice because everyone decided that they wanted to learn to play too (except Rebecca, she's not really in to musical instruments.) We had so much fun just trying to get a note out of the horn. I played the trombone in High School but it is a little easier than the trumpet, plus it was my second instrument (my first is the clarinet) so while I was able to make noise, it took a while before that noise actually became a note. As soon as I could play one note I got so excited I couldn't stop. I kept going, learning note after note until poor Dakota looked at me with puppy dog eyes and asked if she could please play. We played until after midnight because we were all having so much fun.


Dakota showing us our beautiful new trumpet.


Dakota did very well on her first attempt at a brass instrument. She plays the recorder at school and does a great job. She quickly realised that a trumpet is going to be a lot harder to learn, but can't wait to get started.


Daddy wanted to see if he could make a note. He did so good with his first try that I'm thinking he is a natural horn player. He has never played a wind instrument before and is also eager to learn to play the trumpet.


Seeing everyone play this really loud new toy Megan wanted to try too. It is really heavy for a 2 year old so it was all she could do just to hold it to her mouth for a few seconds. She thought she was so cool though "playing" the trumpet just like everyone else.

Who knows, maybe she will play the trumpet in the band someday too.

4 months already

I can't believe it has been four months since our little man was born. I think that 4 months isn't really that long and that he should still be more like a newborn but 4 months is like an eternity to a baby so he really has grown so much. He is such a happy baby. He will smile and talk to anyone who looks at him (especially little kids.) He just brightens up the room. He is sooo cute too, and that's not just from his prejudiced mother. I took him to a funeral with me last week and even total strangers were coming up to me and asking me if they could hold him and take him to show their families because they thought he was so cute. People in the store will stop and play with him because they just can't resist his sweet smile. Makes me wish I knew a good modeling agency. With his smile and sweet personality he could make enough money to pay for his college education. Alas, he will just have to be Payson's best kept secret I guess.

Anyway, He just had his doctor visit yesterday and again he is doing really well. He hasn't gained as much weight as a typical baby does but there is no concern as long as he keeps gaining. He now weighs 12.5 lb. The doctor asked what he is doing developmentally and I ran down a long list. He is rolling over front-to-back and back-to-front, reaching for objects with both hands, pushing himself up when on his tummy, talking and laughing, taking lots of steps when we stand him up, and trying to crawl by getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth. The doctor was impressed at how advanced he was and sat him up to see if he was ready to sit on his own since that was the only thing on the list that I didn't mention and have him do. I think Alex probably would have sat up if he wasn't so wiggly. The doc said that because of the excellent control and strength of his mid section he wouldn't be surprised at all if he started sitting up earlier than usual. Remember...this is the same baby that was so active at his 2 month check-up the doctor had a hard time examining him and couldn't believe how active he was then either. When Alex watches his sisters play, his arms and legs go crazy and he tries to jump out of my arms as if he could get down and go run and play with them. I honestly think that if his tiny little body was strong enough he would be running and playing already. One good thing about all his activity though is that he really wears himself out. His little body is so worn out by the time he goes to bed that he sleeps for 10 hours every night. I recently started him on cereal because he is always so hungry and he totally acts ready for solid foods. I know that it is better to wait until 6 months but I had to do something for this poor starving little boy. He took to eating from a spoon on the first try like he had been doing it forever. None of my other kids have ever taken to eating so quickly. He was so excited to eat, he kept grabbing the spoon and trying to feed himself.

Come on Alex...just try to be a baby would you. He is just so ready to grow up. Well, he may be ready to grow up but I'm not ready for him to so he will have to listen to me calling him my sweet baby boy for at least another 18 years.

Out Takes

Just for fun the kids wanted me to post some pictures from the mini photo shoot we did last week.

These first two are from the picture that we are using for the blog. They really loved Alex and Megan's expressions.

I love Megan's expression in the first picture. This is also how we usually find Alex...with something in his mouth. He is the hungriest little boy.

Alex looks nervous in this one and Megan looks a little tipsy.

I wanted a picture of the two men in my life in their white shirt and ties. I love this picture.

Trying to get that picture though I got this one first and couldn't stop laughing at Alex. It is such a goofy grin...I love it.

Mother's Day

What a wonderful Mother's Day it was yesterday. This day really snuck up on me. I couldn't believe it when my family asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day. I thought that it was still pretty far away but then they said it was only a few days away and I couldn't believe it. I gave the same answer to them that I give every year...I already have everything I want for Mother's Day...I have the most wonderful children ever and I couldn't ask for more. All of my children (even the big one who takes care of us all so well) are the greatest gifts I could have ever received and they make me so happy I can hardly contain it. I really do feel so blessed to be the mother to each and every one of my children.




My special day started with lots of hugs and kisses and tons of smiles and then I was presented with gifts for me that the kids had worked really hard on and some beautiful flowers from my hubby and Elizabeth, all followed by one of my favorite breakfasts. Then we went to church where the spirit was so strong I couldn't hold back the tears of gratefulness and love. When we got home the house smelled soooooo good because CJ had started dinner before we left. He made me a really good slow cooked smoky pork roast. Mmmm, yummy! After dinner the girls and I went through some memory books and had fun just being together while CJ kept the baby occupied. The day couldn't have gone any better. I hope all the other mothers out there had as wonderful of a day as I did.

Graduation

Believe it or not our little Rebecca is moving on to Jr. High. These are her last few days in Elementary school. I can't believe that my little girl has grown so big. I'm so glad that she still lets me call her my baby girl. She went through so much in her first few years of life with her eyes, eventually needing 4 surgeries just so that she would be able to see like you and me. She has always had a love of reading, even when she was just a baby she LOVED being read to. She still reads a ton to this day and I think that is what keeps her eyes so strong. She loves to sing and act and is a big help to anyone she meets. I think her favorite activity second to reading is giving service. She is so happy when she is serving others. She looks for opportunities to help everywhere she goes. She has done well in school considering she has had to switch schools so often. She has attended 4 different elementary schools. That makes it hard to make friends but we are here to stay now so hopefully she can find some good friends that she never has to leave behind. Rebecca is a special girl and I feel so blessed to be her mother. We love you so much Rebecca. Now begins your journey into young womanhood.

..............Kindergarten.............

................1st Grade................

...............2nd Grade..............

................3rd Grade.............


...............4th Grade............


...............5th Grade...........


..................6th Grade..............



This school does not have a formal 6th grade graduation like her last one did but they did have these pictures taken. I don't know that I was entirely ready to see her in cap and gown just yet. It's a good thing this is just a graduation from 6th grade and not school all together. That will be a hard day...anyone got a tissue.

Nap time

When Megan started climbing out of her crib I figured it was time for the big girl bed. Just a toddler bed to you and I but to her it spelled "freedom". She loved it so much. The day after her first night in the bed I was helping Liz with some school work and I realized that the house was too quiet. I looked around to see where Megan was and couldn't find her in her usual places. I finally looked in her room and this is what I saw.



I asked her why she was in bed and she said, "I sleepy momma." Can't argue with a two year old who puts themselves down for a nap.

A Big Thank You

I just wanted to thank all those who have commented, called, or stopped by to help me through this rough patch. You all are so special to me. I really appreciate all you do for me. I am doing better. I try to keep busy so that I don't have time to be blue. It has really helped. The hard times are when I am alone. That's when the sad thoughts begin to creep in. It helps to know I am not alone and that so many are there to buoy me up. Thank you so much again.

Baby blues

I ususally get the baby blues around the second month after the baby is born. I have been watching for them and trying really hard to prevent them. He is over 3 months now and I thought all was well. Guess the blues found me anyway. Here's hoping they don't last too long.

Sprinklers

Finishing sprinkler system...ground full of rocks...sore muscles in the hands and arms...very tired.

Thank You

Thanks so much for all the great advice. It really helped just hearing how you all have gone through the same thing. It's funny how this is my fourth child and yet this is the first time I've had to go through a problem like that. Anyway, I am happy to report that so far things are getting better. She still fights nap time but I don't back down so she just gives up and goes to sleep. Each day she fights a little less. It doesn't hurt either that she does have a cold right now so she is a little more tired than usual. I'm so grateful for my support group. You all are the GREATEST!