Gearing Up

Oy, so we've pretty much all had strep in some form or another this past week. I was REALLY hoping Peter wouldn't get it, knowing how impossible it is to get him to take medicine. (Also because we're leaving on a road trip to Utah for vacation in a few days. We've never taken a road trip of this magnitude before, and I think I'm finally mentally coming to terms with it. It's going to be intense, but I think we're as ready as we can be, plus I'm just excited to get out there.) So a few days ago, it started to get really bad. Peter's been drooling through several shirts a day, never swallowing, waking up all night whimpering, and has red welts all through his mouth. Poor guy. I called the doctor, who was nice enough to just write us a prescription without another appointment. But that first episode with the medicine wasted three doses....seriously? He would rather hold a full dose in his mouth indefinitely than swallow. He was screaming, spitting, struggling, and all Paul and I could do was laugh. Especially when through all of this he sobbed, "I...DON'T...WANT...TO...GO...TO...UTAH!" We felt horrible. Especially that we had threatened as much if he didn't.
So around 6:00 this morning, through some miracle, the boys came into our room with a plan (I think Benjamin must have heard our frustrations the night before) to mash the medicine into some frozen blueberries.....and Peter took it! I still have no idea what to do about the missing doses.
I guess I found it funny because I distinctly remember being just as difficult as a child. Same with Paul, so I guess we had it coming!  I have no idea where Benjamin came from. He takes the syringe, zaps the stuff into his mouth, swallows it immediately, then takes a swig of water. No struggle whatsoever. It's times like these that I really love that boy! I love all my children, but there's something really magical about growing up.

Family Pictures!

We got our family pictures taken at the Botanical Gardens earlier this month by Julie Matthews, so I'm excited to have them back! I love how they turned out... 

Farewell, Elder

Well today was the day. My youngest brother David left for the MTC on his way to Oaxaca, Mexico as a missionary! It's been about a decade since our family has had a missionary serving. I'm going to really miss him! I think it's great for Benjamin and Peter to see their uncle doing this. Benjamin and I talk about missionary service every now and then, and he tells me about all the places he wants to go. I think Utah is high up on his list- that way he can live with his Grandmas. :) I sometimes wish I could have served a mission before I got married, but I really do feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be at the right time, and that is raising my own little investigators. I'm excited for the day when Paul and I get to be little old missionary companions, though!

Also today, we went to the pool. The boys were in heaven, going down the slide for well over an hour.

Even Nora warmed up to it this time. For some reason, her first experience with a pool was bad enough to even turn her off of baths. But she and the pool are at least on speaking terms now.

 Peter was excited to show me how he could "swim" in this shallow area!

All in all we had a great time. My favorite thing about the pool though is how it wears their little bodies out. The kids were all asleep tonight by 6:30 pm, which is a record these days. You may think that's early, but I don't. Not when they're waking up anywhere from 5:30 to 6:30 am, regardless of when they went to bed.

It was a great day. Good luck, David. We're so proud of you!

I Surrender

Remember how months ago I said I was going to reupholster this Queene Anne chair? Well, it's been sitting in this sad, ugly state ever since. And I'm finally big enough to admit defeat. I'm never going to do it. Recently, I've had a little help recently from Stephanie, a Utah-based decorator/blogger. She convinced me to give up on the idea and go for two matching chairs instead. 

I found this pair of chairs on craigslist for a steal, and they look MUCH easier to recover.  Goodbye, mismatched rocker and Queen Anne!

It's been really helpful to have someone to give me focus and direction where normally I'm scatterbrained and cheap. I'm so excited! Now to get to work...

My Guy

Since being married, I have learned that no two dads are alike. I think this is a wonderful thing. I feel so blessed to have always had a strong father in my life, and now father in law. When Paul and I were first time parents, there were some new adjustments to be made. He remembers vividly when I accused him of practically destroying Benjamin when I caught him watching TV with our then 2 month old...I was a little crazy as a first time mom. Since that time, it has been amazing as I've gotten to know Paul as a father. He really was born to do this.

He has a special way with our kids. They are always elated when they see him come through the door at the end of the day, and for good reason. He rough houses with them, and plays ringleader to this three ring circus. He is a lot of fun!

He is so sweet with Nora. These two are becoming very good buddies.  

Paul has an infectious enthusiasm for life. He is a natural teacher and leader, and works with our kids individually on things they are learning. He is unwaveringly anchored to the gospel, which is the greatest blessing of all. I really couldn't ask for a better father to our children. He's perfect, even if he occasionally indulges in a little tube time with his babies! ;) Happy father's day to all the great fathers in my life!

Obligatory TP Shot

Nora's been hanging out in her diaper a lot while we wait for the AC to be fixed. It's really hot. This is where I found her this morning:

Nora, June 2011

We all have some version of this picture, don't we? 

Sarah, 1984

Eleven Months

 Another month has passed, and this girl is just 30 days away from being a year old. Crazy.

 She's around 20 pounds and still has just one tooth...

...and a recent love for cars. She makes a "vroom, vroom" sound while she pushes a small car around, and loves to honk the horn and turn the wheel on this ride-on. She's also starting to get a lot more possessive, and has a pretty decent fake cry when someone takes something or when she's empathizing with an inconsolable Peter. Funny girl.

Family, Friends, Fun & Food

I'd say Benjamin's fifth birthday was a great success. 

He loved all the Star Wars/Transformers/Iron Man/

Spiderman/little boy presents...

He loved playing at the park with his friends...

 ...and sharing cupcakes with all of them.

He had a blast playing at the McDonald's indoor play place afterwards 

while enjoying lunch with many of the same friends. 

He was excited as ever to have Patrick, Abby
and Gloria join us for an evening celebration...

 

...complete with yummy homemade pizza and monster truck/patriotic
party ware. We all felt very American.

I remembered to make the cake as we were sitting down for dinner, 

hence the melted whipped cream and raspberries sliding off. 

Even so, it was delicious. 

Benjamin made sure to show Daddy the treasure map he'd found 

that led downstairs to a very special present- a bunk bed! 

Included was a promise that the mattresses and sheets would 

follow in a few weeks. He was thrilled!

 Abby even made ice cream for everyone in her new ball contraption. 

The boys had a blast helping her make it.

 It was a happy birthday indeed. 

Many thanks to everyone who made it so great! 

Benjamin is one lucky five year old. 

Five Years with Benjamin

Newborn

2 Months

5 Months

10 Months

One Year

Two Years

Three Years

Four Years

I have now been a mother for five years. It's crazy to think about. I'm definitely out of the stage of life where I can call myself a new mother, but I still sometimes see myself that way. Benjamin came into our lives about six months after I graduated from BYU, and during Paul's transition from his Bachelor's program to his Master's. He came on the day his ultrasound predicted he would, and about three days after I felt like he should. I remember his labor well. We had been tending another baby for about eight hours, and when we finally laid down to go to sleep around midnight, the contractions started. I wanted to go natural, and I felt lucky that I was able to. About nine hours later (including one and a half hours of pushing!), he was born. His hair was as red as it is now, and his hands were extraordinarily big for all 8 lb. 8 oz. of him. He was physically very strong, and it wasn't long before we noticed he had a personality to match that strength. From the time he was six months old, all he ever wanted to do was walk holding onto our hands, and by ten months, he was able to walk on his own. He was also potty trained really early, and was interested in reading from the very beginning. He really was born ready to be big.

Yesterday

And nothing has changed since then! I am grateful for my Benjamin, and for the opportunity that I have to be his mother. He has taught me a lot, and continues to help me grow. When I look at my scrawny little five year old, I sometimes miss his baby chub. But I have a feeling the best is yet to come with this one! Happy Birthday to my first born. We sure love you!

Three Things

1. The cicadas have officially gotten insane. I know they're harmless, but my heart races a little bit every time I have to go outside for fear of one flying into my face or landing on me.

2. SYTYCD is on HULU now!!!!!!! With all of our shows over for the summer, this is especially exciting. We've been out of the loop for a few seasons, so it feels good to be back. Hooray for Salt Lake!

3. Benjamin came to me yesterday morning and told me that I needed to exercise because it was one of my goals at the beginning of the year. Oh, yeah....so I got out the Pilates DVD and did a little workout with him. I was far more entertained by his intensity though: