March Madness

Yes, Brian did get to enjoy some of the "March Madness" in Las Vegas as he cheered his cougars on in the Western Conference Tournament. BYU played some great games, I heard, but this post isn't really about that kind of march madness.

When I was pregnant with Eli, we heard this cliche saying that goes something like this: "When you have one child, you play double-team; when you have two children, you play man-to-man; when you have three, you play zone defense; and more than that you play self defense!"

I would have to agree, except the self-defence part kicks in at child #3! I admit that a lot of my blog posts are of the highlights of our family life. That's what I want to remember about this time in my life afterall. But the past few months have been especially difficult for me (and all of us, I should add). Brian has been traveling a ton more than usual. At the worst point, this last Sunday, he was home for 12 hours before he had to leave again (from 3am to 3 pm in the afternoon). The kids cried because they missed their dad so much and he was leaving again. And I was having a hard time keeping it together.

Something about fate is that whenever he is out of town, the kids get sick. All mothers know what it's like to take care of sick kids. No sleep. Fussy Children. I won't get into details. I am beat, stretched thin, and feel so overwhelmed at times that I have felt a nervous breakdown coming on! It's not just the  constant taking care of small children, but a demanding calling, teaching yoga, keeping the house clean, and training for a relay race of which I am the captain. I had no idea that I would have so much on my shoulders several months ago....

But here I am. And there isn't anything that I can change about it.

The Young Women's president in my ward began sending girls over each afternoon to help me out. An hour or two break from the kids was all I needed to be a better mom, get some things done for my calling, or even iron the clothes....A few ladies even brought dinner. All of this was so so so appreciated!

Through these past months I have learned to appreciate a few things a little more: Single mothers (my heart will forever feel for them), busy women who still find time to serve others, moms who have more than 3 children (bless you all!), prayer and priesthood blessings.

Sooo ya, I struggle. But I have been reminded, and know, what is important for me to do right now. And not everything will get done....on time.

 

 

Punky Brewster

Not to leave anyone out, Zoey also has her update. I look a these photos and think "Punky Brewster!"She has a fascination with crawling on countertops and getting into whatever she shouldn't. This day, it was my jewelry...all of it! I couldn't help but think it was cute. Although she didn't like me too much when I took it all back and put it away! She has these moments when I think, yup-she's all girl!

She graduated to a  big girl bed, is trying hard to learn her colors, has her potty training down really well, and loves to have someone read to her. She is full of questions, half of which I don't think she knows what she is asking, but copies Jackson's inquisitive personality and thinks it's the thing to do. She asks all the time when she can go to school. She likes to play tea party, loves her pink blankie, and sings herself to sleep. She's the best and the worst at times. She can be a real sweetheart and I'll think there is nothing sweater, but then she'll have horrible tantrums that make me think...well, otherwise! We love her!  

Jackson

Jackson is growing and learning so fast, and in so many ways. Yesterday, Annie offered to tend the kids for an hour so I could run and get a a break (Brian has been traveling a lot, so it was really appreciated)!

While Eli and Zoey were napping, Jackson and Annie went to a bike ride around the church parking lot behind our house. A conversation went something like this:

Jackson: "Do you see Jesus in Primary?"
Annie: "I am not in Primary, but I try to feel Jesus when I am at church." She then starts to explain about the Holy Ghost.
Jackson: "Can you lose the Holy Ghost?"
Annie: "Yes, sometimes you can."
Jackson: "Next time you lose the Holy ghost, you call up Heavenly Father and tell Him to get you a new one!"

So cute! I love that my children can learn principles like this from our family members...we have such a great environment for them to grow up in. It's nice to know that these teaching moments aren't wasted when I can't always be around.

5 months!

Eli is now 5 months old, I can't believe it! He has started eating solid foods, which means I have started making baby food. I am excited about this, it was one of my resolutions to make/puree/freeze baby food this year, and I think it will be better tasting, healthier, and cheaper. He likes carrots and bananas and rice cereal so far. I am going to try sweet potatoes and butternut squash this next week. He is ravenous for food! Loves it!

You will also often find him doing this:  

He loves his hands and tries to fit his whole fist into his mouth, but particularly his thumbs...which has me a little worried. Since he was born "tongue tied" he had to have his tongue clipped. But since then, he has been exploring the new freedom his tongue has and often reminds me of a lizard or snake. His tongue is constantly on the move, in and out, in and out....

He will have nothing to do with a bottle or binky. He sleeps well, and is really happy. He is my first baby to be "smiley" to strangers. He has the most interesting laugh i have ever heard. I love the uniqueness of it. When he gets really going on his laugh, he makes himself cough, which makes the family laugh even harder. 

Eli is also rolling now and will get on his knees and rock back and forth, so I'm sure crawling is just around the corner...as well as teething. 

SO far his eyes are still mostly blue, but they are starting to change, speckles of green and brown are appearing. I am always so sad when the eyes change....I wish they could stay the same forever. Not that he won't have beautiful eyes in another color, but I do feel sad that the eyes I have known for the past five months will be different. It's a sentimental thing of a mother, I guess. 

In a nutshell, he is awesome!