Rough N' Tumble

 Afternoons are sometimes rough. With a late bedtime for the kiddos, an early start to the day, and a fun morning at the park, I decided to put Joe for a nap. While he was sleeping Camilla got in some reading and a work sheet. Joseph woke up sweaty and SUPER cranky, and I wanted to send him right back to bed. Instead we plopped down on the couch and I tried to calm him with the worlds longest hug (while he whimpered for a hug) and nurse/console Finley all at the same time. My lap was full. No amount of hugging or loving was calming Joe, so we got comfy and decided to just wait it out. For the next half hour he cried on my lap while I closed my eyes and tried my darndest not to nod off. Eventually I layed him down beside me because I was too tired to sit there anymore. Before I knew it, Finley started making eyes at him and giggling. I plopped him down on Joseph and all of the sudden I had my smiley two year old back. Next time I will definitely pull that card a whole lot sooner. They were so cute I had to take a picture.

Then before I knew it it was time to tidy up the house and get dinner in the oven so that we could skip off to soccer.  Dinner produced a nice mixture of emotions ranging from yum-I-love-this to there's-no-way-in-the-world-I'm-going-to-eat-this. With the clock ticking away I tried to convince one child he was old enough to feed himself, while another child licked his plate clean and requested seconds and the last child took their time to enjoy it. I topped up Finley and reminded them to keep eating from the livingroom. Then we put our shoes on and raced out the door to drive to the field. Hyrum played super well! 

And when you look like this at the end of a long day, you just know it's been a good one!

Go Bananas

Today was a bit of a nutty day. One of my favorite moments from today was watching Joseph take on the role of a doting, loving older brother. He adores his baby brother and loves to try and feed him. Today we tried bananas for the first time. It was quite the adventure!

Love this "proud big brother" face.

Camilla had to get in on the action too, but Finley wasn't really feeling the bananas. After his nap he woke up and puked all over the both of us and then some. It just kept getting worse and soon the poor guy was puking but had nothing left to come up. It was the saddest thing ever. Health link recommended going to a walk-in clinic or Emerg. I tried my luck at our clinic and ended up waiting there for over four hours with all the littles in tow since Daddy was away at a course. Finley finally nursed after five hours of puking, which made me feel a bit better. By the time the doctor could see us he was smiling more and wiggling around again. The doctor didn't think it was a reaction to the bananas but didn't have any answers as to what it could have been. All of my research says bananas are a great first food and easy on the tummy. Not sure if we'll try bananas again for a while...

The Legislature

Today we woke up and left bright and early for a morning at the legislature. If you ask Camilla she'll tell you it was her idea, but Daddy's idea to go today. I was so excited to see the pink blossoms on the trees and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I love being out with the people I love most. It was fun watching the kids and their different personalities as they explored. We got there pretty early in the day and had the whole place to ourselves. The water was brisk, but still fun to dip our feet and relax. We spent a good chunk of time in each of the wading pools and finished off with the deepest one. We all had a lot of fun and I am looking forward to many more visits this Summer!

Out and About

We have been taking full advantage of this warm weather! This week we hit up a few favorite parks around the city and even had our first spray park experience of the season. Finley went on a tiny swing ride. Given the fact that he can't quite sit yet, he just kind of hung out while I pushed Joseph. I could munch those leg rolls all day though!!

A Time and Season

I have being thinking a lot lately about this particular season in my life. The season where my days are full and busy but I feel like I get nothing accomplished. The season where our days start at the crack of dawn (or even before that) and I feel like I'm constantly making food. The other night before bed I sat in the rocker nursing Finley and began thinking about all of the things I wanted to accomplish. I wanted so badly to submit an essay for publishing, but the deadline is at the end of the month and there is no way I will make it. I want to craft and create and make our home beautiful, but I can't seem to find the time for that either. Sometimes I long for the "me" before I become a mom. The me who enjoyed sports on a daily basis, and had time to play the piano with feeling and emotion (and not the kids pounding on the base notes or screaming at your feet kind of emotion either). And as I sat and thought, and missed "me" I let a few tears fall. I love being a mother with all my heart, and my life is nothing short of amazing, but some times the days are so long and trying that I ache for my "old" life.

The kids have been spending most of their time outdoors lately and I think all of the extra fresh air is tuckering them out. The last few mornings they have slept until after 7:00am which is a miracle around here. The first morning Joseph slept in Finley woke early, peed all over his crib when I changed him, and then overflowed his diaper with poop moments later. The next morning I was able to blend a smoothie and send Daddy off to work and even enjoy a few minutes to myself before I heard their little feet clunk down the stairs. Mornings always go better when I can wake up before them and collect my thoughts. 

Yesterday we had an awesome start to the morning. I signed up for a 5K run in July with my siblings and have been procrastinating training for it. Now that the littles are good on their bikes I've decided to push the younger boys in the double stroller while the older two peddle their hearts out a few mornings a week. I'm pretty sure we did around 3K (with lots of water breaks for the littles). I was quite impressed with them and their little legs! It felt good to run again and do something I used to be so passionate about. 

After a quick shower we took off to conquer Costco. I was in need of a few things and I am in love with their triangle buns. I met up with an old friend who told me I was brave to come to Costco with four littles. I smiled and thanked her for the compliment. Then I got about ten "wow! You've got your hands full!" comments. And then there was a sweet lady who came up while I stood in line at the checkout and asked, "Is this your family?" I proudly told her, "yes". And she went on to compliment me and praise me with a sympathetic been-there-done-that tone. She commented on how well behaved the kids were and told me I must be a good mom. As she left she patted my shoulder, smiled, and said, "Bless you!" It was so refreshing to hear someone being supportive. I then ran into a favorite elderly couple from way back home who now live in the city. As she went to talk to the kids Camilla piped up and said, "I'm the big helper!" You can tell we get talked to a lot. Camilla knows just what to say. It made us both chuckle. Joseph proceeded to scream and throw an awesome tantrum as they rang my groceries threw and stuffed the cart. He wailed all the way to the doors and across the parking lot. It didn't even phase me, I'm so used to this. 

We came home, unloaded the van, fed the baby, had lunch and snacked away the afternoon. The kids spent most of it outside jumping on the trampoline and playing in the sandbox. It was nice. While Finley napped I got in a blog post and then before I knew it I had to get dinner going before soccer. The kiddos scarfed down their dinner and then we were off!

It is super fun watching the kids play soccer and seeing them improve. Tonight I felt so discouraged though after Hyrum proudly ran up and asked, "How was that!?" He had scored a goal, and I missed it because I was so busy watching Joseph run all over the place. This field is particularly close to a busy road and I have to keep a sharp eye on Joe the entire time! Thankfully Mr. Stannix was there to help for a while. Near the end Joseph thought it was hilarious to run away despite my pleas for him to stay close. Daddy had to leave for Young Men's since he was the only councilor there tonight. Which left me bouncing a crying baby and shuffling Joseph back to our spot with my legs as he giggled and flopped around on the grass. Finally he sat on my foot and hugged my leg begging for a ride. I laughed out of frustration and lugged him back to the stroller on my leg while trying to get Finley to sleep in my arms. Just as I got the baby to sleep, Joseph decided to make a run toward the road again. I plopped Finley in Camilla's willing arms and dashed across the field to grab Joseph. We had five minutes left, but I had had it. I belted him into the stroller and walked the short distance to the van to drop him off kicking and screaming. By the time I made it back to grab the chair, Hyrum had finished and happily ran off the field to meet me. "I scored FOUR goals tonight, Mom!" he excitedly told me. I high fived him and acted as excited as I could, telling him how awesome he played (even though I maybe only caught two minutes). 

Joseph had cried himself to sleep by the time we pulled into the garage. I carried him in the house only to have him swiftly wake up when the word "jelly beans" was mentioned. Everyone went to bed pretty well and I was really looking forward to having a quiet night. It wasn't long before Finley woke up and needed to be snuggled back to sleep. Shortly after that Joe woke and screamed for the next hour and a half. As I bopped between bedrooms and boys. Mr. Stannix arrived home in time to save my sanity with a slushie. He helped with Joseph while I nursed Finley in the rocker, sipped my slush, and cried. I was so frustrated. I spent the rest of the night trying to console Joseph and the last half of my slushie spent the night melting on Camilla's window sill. We finally determined that Joe had an ear ache and I succumbed to spending the night downstairs watching Treehouse in hopes of distracting him from the pain and getting some sleep. It worked, mostly, but it was still a rough night. 

I know this is only a particular season in my life. I know that one day I will have time to do the things I once loved. I adore my children and feel privileged to be their mamma, to comfort them and wipe away their tears and play away these days of imagination and happiness. People tell me all the time, "this too shall pass" but sometimes it just doesn't sooth the frustration or sadness of a particular moment. I like to write about the crazy, real life stuff every now and then because I know that while I will miss all of the amazing things and the awesome milestones, I will also miss this. I will miss the monotony of it all. I will miss dressing kids, brushing teeth, doing dishes, sleepless nights, kissing owies, and having someone to care for constantly. Because I know that, it makes it a little easier to relish this season in life, even though it is trying and difficult some times, it is beautiful and amazing. I am so grateful for each of my children and the things they are teaching me each day.

Five for Finley

 Finley is FIVE months old today. I can hardly believe it! These past few weeks have been filled with lots of late night snuggles as he is cutting his first tooth. It is so wonderful to be able to snuggle him close and comfort him. A few times this week my eyes have been filled with tears of gratitude as he nestles into my shoulder and I kiss the top of his fuzzy head. I thank Heavenly Father daily for my healthy, happy baby. 

He has started eating rice cereal already. I watched him smack his lips together for a week and show interest in our food at the table and thought it was time. This is the first time I've made my own rice cereal and I love it! I love knowing exactly what he's getting, not to mention it's pretty cost effective. I'm excited to move into purees and flavors! The kids get so excited when it's time to feed him and ask a million times if they can do it, even Joseph wants to help. It's great having such big helpers. Our chunky little guy is well loved for sure! 

Finley is such a happy little guy, always smiling! He always has his tongue stuck out feeling that new tooth. Lately he is always screeching happily away while jumping in the jolly jumper, or playing with his siblings. He also likes to compete for attention so if everyone else is talking loudly he will join right in with his happy screeching. He is pretty content to play on his own, and is never short on entertainment with three older siblings. He loves them to pieces and adores when they talk to him or bring him toys.

 He has started really exploring the world around him with his senses. His is constantly reaching, grabbing, touching, feeling and sticking things in his mouth. He loves to grab faces and hold fingers. I can't eat very well with him on my lap anymore because he is constantly trying to pull my plate off the table. He loves grabbing his feet and still loves sucking on his fingers.

While this stage is super fun and exciting, I have been missing those newborn snuggles lately! He seems so big to me and so little to everyone else! I am in love with his ever growing leg rolls and his double chin. He gets a lot of smoochin' and lovin' from me and everybody else. Joseph can finally say his name, so he is no longer "baby wee-wee" but "fwin-nee". We sure love our little guy!

A Two-Wheeler

 One of the things on our to-do list today was to teach the kids to ride without training wheels. We all walked to a nearby field where there was lots of space and a cushy landing. Camilla was a little hesitant but Daddy knew she was ready. He held onto the back of her seat to get her started and then she was off. It only took a few quick tries before she mastered it! By the end of the afternoon she was starting on her own, making turns, and using her brakes to stop! I felt extremely proud of our little lady, like similar to the way I felt watching her take her first steps. I also loved watching her Daddy coach her. This parenting thing is pretty sweet most days! Hyrum gave it a shot, and is determined to keep practicing until he gets it. I'm sure he won't be far behind!

Laugh it off

 We have survived another busy Sunday. I subbed for our regular organist which left Mr. Stannix with his hands full on the bench. We took the long way to church in hopes that Joe would fall asleep and it worked like a charm! He slept on the bench for most of the time I had to play the organ and Mr. Stannix put Finley to sleep part way through the meeting. All things considered, I'd say it went relatively smooth. When something didn't go according to plan we found ourselves trying to laugh it off and enjoy the day.

Finley was starved after the meeting, but had to wait until I played the opening song on the piano for Primary. Switching from the organ to piano right away isn't as easy as one might think. For the first bit of Primary I had "organ fingers" and kept stumbling to find my notes. Then I fed the baby, played, changed the baby, played, and bounced the baby to sleep. Finley slept for the last bit of the third hour and then it was time to round up the kiddos and head home.

We ended up having to wait a bit while Daddy did some stuff for young mens. The kids were getting hungry. We drove home with two kids screaming in the back and hit every red light possible. When the last light of our drive turned to yellow I half laughed and exclaimed, "You've got to be joking me!" Mr. Stannix and I had a little laugh over it and then finally arrived home!

Joseph had removed his socks and shoes and then freaked out when Camilla helped him get them because HE wanted to do it all himself. It resulted in a nice little backyard tantrum soothed by a freezie. We all needed a little boost to help with the low blood sugar. Joseph's hair was too good not to photograph. Another tactic to help cope when your kid is throwing his gazillionth tantrum of the day.

Daddy hung onto Finley while I whipped up some biscuits to go along with our white bean chicken chili. I loved listening to them interact and I loved hearing Finley giggling away.

And at last, dinner was served. As per usual my kids arms magically stopped working and before I knew it the requests for spoon feeding had begun. "Show me your arms..." I said. They held them up. "Okay, now wiggle them," I asked. They all wiggle them. But for some reason they just don't work for eating. Hyrum ate his whole bowl full with help from Daddy and I spoon fed Camilla until she got tired of the big bites and chose to feed herself. All the while Joseph had dumped a glass of water into his bowl, smeared biscuit all over the table and made a mess of his face. Mr. Stannix and I both looked at him with his foot casually resting on the edge of the table and the sly smirk across his face and had to laugh. That boy may or may not be taking years off my life!

Hard Working Man

 We had a nice lazy start to our long weekend complete with Pj's and a big breakfast. We finally got going in the afternoon and Mr. Stannix accomplished everything on his to-do list including changing the winter tires! He takes such good care of us!

 When Finley was napping I snuck out to the garage to admire my handsome man at work.

 Joseph thoroughly enjoyed being his little helper and was quite amused with the whole thing. He repeatedly told me how Daddy was "fixin' the car". 

We ran some errands in the afternoon while it rained on and off and then finished off our day enjoying ice cream cones in the backyard. These two were so cute together I couldn't help but snap a picture of them visiting on the edge of the trampoline. Joseph's feet were absolutely filthy from running around all day without shoes. It made me smile. Summer lovin' at it's best!

Precious Moments

(Photo courtesy of Hyrum)

Time is so precious with these little ones, the good and the bad. Today I had a heart melting moment with Joseph. The last pan of cookies had just come out and we escaped to the back deck to enjoy the sunshine. After a few minutes Joseph put his chubby hand on my shoulder and looked at me with those gorgeous eyes of his and said, "I love you, Mom". It was so sincere and sweet. A moment I will definitely treasure forever.