And the Baby is....

Christopher!

Most of you were right, good job! I have people telling me all the time how much he looks like Steven, and secretly I think, "No he doesn't, he looks like Christopher!" But apparently they do look a lot a like, they're brothers for sure!

Speaking of Christopher, he had his 4 month check-up today and he is a healthy well developed little boy! He is 15 lbs 13 oz (75%) and 25.5 inches long (75%) and his head size is in the 75%. Which reaffirms my assumption that he is a perfect little boy!

...Except for his sleep habits. Lately he's had trouble falling asleep, and I mean he's developed this high-pitch cry that he likes to show us when he feels he has been unjustly placed in his crib. I was hoping the doctor would say, "Yep, looks like teething. It won't last long." Or, "Ooo, it looks like an infection. Have him take this medicine and in no time he'll be back to normal." Instead I heard that he might know what's going on when I start to rock him, and he doesn't want to be placed in his crib alone to go to sleep...not an easy fix.

So now we'll try again to have him cry it out. I've kind of stopped this because I felt bad for my neighbors, but apparently it's gotten out of hand; I need to put in ear plugs more often, stop being so considerate of others, and start telling myself I'm not a bad mother for letting my child cry, so he turns into a well adjusted and happy sleeper!

He sure is adorable though!

Who's this Baby?

Jacob sent this to me and I honestly had to hardest time deciding which of my boys it was, so I thought I'd let you guess too.

Is it Steven or Christopher?

What Makes a Great Day?

A good hair day

Wearing a new necklace Jacob bought me (it makes me feel a bit more dressed up for the day)

Going to Jo-Ann Fabric Store and getting amazing Simplicity patterns for $1 each. (they are usually $15, so I saved $105) Awesome! I also didn't know that they had craft patterns, so I got a pattern for:

a quite book
shoes for a certain puffy-foot baby I know
fabric fruit, eggs, cupcakes, and recycle bag
adorable purses
aprons
and skirts

The sales on until Monday, so hurry and have fun with some new projects! I may have to go back and get some for Halloween costumes.

Getting 2 new shirts on clearance at Old Navy with additional 50% off, and 1 pair of flip-flops for Steven for $5.

Going to three stores without much hassle from the boys

Getting 3 loads of laundry done.

What will make the rest of the day great?

Yummy soup and homemade rolls for dinner

Playing outside with the whole family. I love it when Jacob can come home early and it's nice enough to be outside.

Watching Curious George on our bed with the projector, eating lots of treats, and loving the joy Steven will have watching "George" on a HUGE screen. I can't wait!

A Tale of Two Strollers

Ever since we knew we were going to have Christopher, we've been looking for double strollers. Mostly on KSL, because let's face it we can't pay full price for anything now a days. We narrowed it down to either a sit and stand stroller or a jogging stroller. After Christopher was born Jacob's brother and wife came over to see him and asked, "Oh ya do you guys want a double stroller?"
"umm..yes. Yes we do."
So they generously gave us one they had ordered on line, but didn't need. They had bought it off of Ebay for $12. That included shipping. Amazing deal or what!? It was so nice of them to give it to us. It's been a life saver as we have started to run again in the warmer weather. Thank you Ben and Emily!

Our next tale begins with me saying goodbye to Jacob as he's leaving for school at 6:00 a.m. I hear the door open at 6:30 a.m. I ask if everything's ok. He said I should come down stairs and take a look at what he brought home. This is what I saw.



Jacob found this beauty on the side of the road with a "take me" sign by it. Like I said, we've been wanting one of these, but haven't been quick enough to grab a good deal off of KSL. So we washed all the fabric and wiped everything else off, and it actually works pretty well. Granted it's not in the best shape or looks the best, but beggars can't be choosers. And it fits our needs. And did I mention it was FREE. Enough said.

Motherhood

I've been reading a lot of great books and articles that have helped me find joy in my job as a mother. I've gone from simply trying to survive my days to truly enjoying the time I get to spend with my children. My favorite book was "A Mother's Book of Secrets" by Linda Eyre and Shawni Eyre Pothier (mother and daughter). It's filled with ideas that have helped them find joy in being a mother. A lot of ideas my children are too young to try with, but more than anything I saw how much these women loved being mothers and enjoyed being with their kids. And I wanted that. I disliked the fact that I had to count down the hours to nap time or bed time. What changed that for me?

I stop what I'm doing and PLAY with my kids, LISTEN to them, LOVE them.

I was trying to get too much done during the day and therefore brushed my kids aside so I could get the house clean. I learned it's ok if the clothes stay in the dryer an extra hour or day even. The other day I told Steven I was going to fold some laundry, to which he said, "no launry" I insisted that I needed to do it. He again tried to hold me back and said, "no launry." So I listened to him. He led me into the bathroom where we shut the door and turned off the light and played with a light-up toy for 30 minutes. We drew pictures in the air, we hid it, we saw how high we could throw it. I loved it. I'm so glad I listened to him and didn't do the laundry, because it did get done eventually. We probably had to give it an extra 10 minutes to get the wrinkles out, but the fact is: I thoroughly enjoyed Steven. And that's what really matters.

Yes, it's hard for me to leave the big mess in the kitchen and follow Steven in his room to read to him, but it's made all the difference in our days. And you know what? When I do spend more time with him when he's tugging at me, he lets me have the time to cook dinner, or fold the laundry. (For the most part) We've become a happier more productive family.

Another thought that I've loved and gives me a new light to motherhood I found on my friend's blog where her sister mentions,

"When I dress my children, I am clothing the naked. When I feed my children, I am feeding the hungry. When I take care of my children, I am doing what the Savior asks me to do."

How can I think my job as boring, hard, and mundane when I look at it in this way? My job is service, rewarding, and noble. I know it's hard sometimes. This Sunday I was coming home from my parent's house in Idaho, and I dreaded it. I didn't want to come back and have to keep up a home. It's hard work. And yes, all three of us were crying in the car on our way back to Utah. (Jacob had to stay and work) But that still doesn't mean it's not all worth it. I am doing what my Father in Heaven wants me to do. What I was destined to do. Everything in me wants to give everything I have to my family. I just need to remember it when I'm driving down that hard stretch of road.

Recently I love....

These boys:




I love that Steven's favorite show is The Andy Griffith Show. He knows Andy, Barney, and Opie by sight, and the theme song. Also, if you say, "Also starring.." He'll say, "Don Knotts"

I love that Steven knows the library by sight, from a block away.

I love that most of our day is spent reading. We love to sit on blankets in the middle of the floor and read to our hearts content. He's starting to read along with me when I pause, he'll add in the words. I love it.

I love that Steven knows and likes the DI. The other day we were in the car driving and I asked Jacob where he wanted to go and Steven said "DI."

I love that Christopher is starting to talk. Adorable

I love that Christopher is sleeping a good 9 or 10 hours at night.

I love Jacob.

New Talents