Enough

Enough. I wish Tyler could understand that when I say it to him. I don't understand this kid. He is way to active for me and to top it off he doesn’t like to sleep. He used to sleep really well during the night. Now he gets up early and sometimes once through the night. This wouldn’t be so bad, but he doesn’t nap. Usually an hour each day. If it’s more I’m lucky.
Today I put Blake down for a nap and Tyler too. Tyler of course screamed for a while and then I got him up. I always tell him its okay if he stays up as long as he lets me get things done. Today my house is a disaster. Lately it seems like it always is, but I clean and clean and its still the same. Same with laundry. I swear all I do is laundry. Monday and Thursday’s are my laundry days. I did 5 loads on Monday, and today is Wednesday and I’ve done 7 loads! (thanks Tyler) He must think I need practice. Anyway, my whole enough post is really this…I got Ty up from his nap, gave him medicine and he threw up instantly. All over. Luckily in the kitchen. Thought he was done, set him in the living room…nope. More throw up. My goodness Ty! Strip him down. Clean living room floor. Proceed to kitchen to mop up. It’s quiet. I thought it was nice, oh wait. Never good when quiet. Then I hear a little giggle and I see this:



Seriously? Climbing stairs? I know, everyone is probably saying, “Do you ever watch your kids?!” Especially after my last post. Tyler thought it was funny. I thought it was cute…for a minute. And then told him enough! You can’t climb stairs yet. I won’t allow it.

Burn

Yesterday was yet another eventful day. Blake had an evaluation to see if he qualified for a preschool class, so we were getting ready early. (Early being about 9..sad huh?) I was putting my make-up on, Tyler was crawling at my feet and Blake was driving his car on our bathroom counter. Next thing I knew my straightener fell to the floor and Blake was screaming in pain. Blake got burned, and I could tell just by looking at it, that it wasn't just a small little burn. I hurried and moved my straightener thankful it didn't fall on Tyler, and rushed Blake's hand under cold water. I will spare the details since it was traumatic for me. Probably the most traumatic thing I've dealt with as a Mom. I don't like burns, and I hate the blisters that come with it. Chris luckily escaped from work and took Blake to the doctors for me.

Blake actually quite liked his bandage. It had to come off though because he got it wet. The blister is huge and intact still. When the blister breaks we will have to re-bandage it and clean well. I told Chris he is completely responsible for Blake and his wound. I can't deal with it. Chris thinks I'm weird and can't understand it. It's just one of things that make me sick. I even traded changing diapers of life if he will just take care of it. Not a bad trade in my eyes. Chris gladly accepted my deal.

Couldn't forget a picture of Ty. He was a trooper all day. He had to be REALLY patient with me since my focus was on Blake. As his reward, I let him stay up this morning when he woke early. Lately he has been waking up between 5:30 and 6am wanting to be up. Today was the day I let him. I love my boys so much, and I'm so thankful that Blake only got a minor burn and nothing worse!

Blake is thankful

For Family Home Evening I sat with Blake and talk about Thanksgiving and how we should be thankful for all our wonderful blessings. We made a hand turkey and listed 11 things Blake is grateful for.

I wish I could say he told me all these, but really I just asked and he would say yes or no. Notice Mommy isn't on the list. He said no on that one, but I know he really is :). Daddy was working late and Tyler was playing by our side while we did this. I love spending time with my boys and I am so grateful for them! Here is my top 10 list:
I am grateful for:
1. My Savior
2. Chris
3. Blake and Tyler
4. My home
5. My family's health
6. Chris's job
7. Our extended families and the support they are to us.
8. President Monson
9. Good neighbors
10. Scriptures

It's Official

Tyler is growing up too quickly. He's seven months now. This morning I was upstairs with Ty and I had to run downstairs to help Blake go potty. I come back up the stairs to this:

I can't believe he is pulling himself up! Just the other day I thought I needed to document that Ty is crawling so good now. Well, forget about crawling. Now he is pulling himself up and wanting to stand. He keeps pushing himself off of whatever he's holding on to, just to see if he can stand. He has already bonked his head too many times to count. What a little determine boy he is!

Our Weekend

Friday. Blake went to school. It was hard leaving him because he had a melt down and really didn’t want me to leave. I stayed for a few minutes out in the hall to make sure he was okay. It was hard to tell if he had settled down because there were 4 other kids having melt downs too. The kids had a long vacation from school, so it was hard for them all. I was nervous for Blake too because he wasn’t wearing a diaper or pull-ups, but I was confident that the teacher and aides could help him.
It was nice to have a break from potty training that morning. I really needed a break from being inside my house, so I gladly went off to Hobby Lobby and spent my time there. I picked up Blake and they were changing him in the potty room, as they call it. He had just had an accident. I guess they took him twice to the potty, but he wouldn’t go for them. Oh well I thought. I knew it was bound to happen. He had been naked for the past two days, so wearing clothes and going potty was a change for him. After school we went to lunch with Dad, which we always enjoy!
The rest of our afternoon was a challenge! I was trying to get Blake to wear at least underwear, instead of being naked. Well, Blake loved the underwear, but we ended up having a day full of accidents. I felt like all my hope in Blake potty training fast was gone. The rest of the day was extremely frustrating.
Friday night we were off to stay overnight at the Cutler’s cabin. Heather and Scott invited us to come stay the night and have a birthday breakfast for Heather. We didn’t get up to the cabin until 9. We decided to go after everyone was off work, which worked out great. I was so glad once we were there, because I had had a horrible time getting ready and packed for it. Chris worked late, so it was up to me to pack everything and deal with Blake’s accidents, and let’s not forget my attention craving baby Tyler. Once we were on the road it was my turn for a little melt down.
Oh. And it was great once we got to the cabin because it was so scary driving there! The roads were icy and steep…I was a nervous wreck! My stomach hurt, my head hurt from pulling my hair, and my face hurt from digging my fingernails into my face. I think all us girls are that way in my family!
It was a good night though. The cabin was so nice, and there was a bed for everyone, which made it nice. The kids played ‘til they zonked, except Blake. He was up until I went to bed, which was after 1am. The boys + Heather played Monopoly, while us girls played Scategories. It was a fun night.

Saturday. We woke up and ate a fabulous breakfast. Heather made the best syrup I’ve ever had (I want the recipe Heather). We had waffles with strawberries, eggs, bacon and ham. Breakfast is my favorite meal by far! After we opened gifts, chatted, and then went out and played in the snow. Ah, let me rephrase that. Everyone else went and played in the snow. I watch a bit and then went back in the cabin. Blake had fun sledding with his Dad. I’m so glad Chris will go and do all those kind of things with Blake. I’m not much of a snow person.
We left the cabin mid-day; sad we couldn’t stay longer. Thanks Heather and Scott for inviting us! We had so much fun!
The rest of the day was filled with moving stuff, haircuts, and shopping. Blake was horrible for his haircut. He needed one badly! Our friend Shay mention he looked just like a Lego man…helmet hair. Well, like I said he was horrible for his hair cut and wouldn’t hold still so he ended up with a chunk of hair out of his head because he whipped his head right into the clippers. Whoops! I’ll get pictures of it soon. Jess does a great job at cutting his hair! Especially with how horrible Blake is!
Saturday night I left to go do a little Christmas shopping. I love to go shopping. I do have different shopping moods and this night I was in the mood to just be by myself so I could take my time. It was so nice and relaxing. I didn’t get home until after 10 it felt great! Plus I got to spend money, which is always fun. (at least when you have budgeted the money to spend!)
Oh, let’s not forget that it was a great day of potty training. Only one accident.

Sunday. Oh, today started off so great! Blake woke us up in the middle of the night because he had to go potty! We were thrilled! And he woke up dry! We are so proud of him! He also went the whole day without accidents! YAY!
After church we went over the Mower’s. Jackie made a great Thanksgiving dinner. Her stuffing is the best I’ve ever had! We celebrated Jim’s birthday with a great dinner, and then headed off to celebrate cute Brayden’s birthday who turns 3 this week. It was so nice to see everyone and catch up with them. Happy Birthday Jim and Brayden!
Now, the kids are asleep and we are about to relax. It was a great weekend!
Pictures of everything will hopefully be coming soon.

PT Day!

Well, I started potty training today; and not so much because I wanted to. In fact just yesterday I was talking to Tracy and told her I was going to wait a bit. I did buy little underwear and potty's because Blake started showing an interest. So yesterday I had the potty's out and he went in one of them! I was so shocked. I decided it was time; I was just going to do it. I made a late night run to Walmart to stock up on all his sugary favorites...cookies and rootbeer. Yes, I let him drink soda...what horrible Mom I am! Anyway, this morning we had the 'big boy' talk and threw away all the diapers. I pulled out all the blankets to cover my carpet and let him go naked all day. I put a little potty out by the TV, where we sat all day, and just concentrated on going potty.
I was nervous to start potty training because Blake has his own way of doing things. I cannot bribe him with anything! He could care less about getting a new toy or a treat. So today I just let him do his thing. It was amazing. I didn't have to tell him to go sit on the potty he just did. We only had two accidents today. One while he was eating lunch, and the other time because I had put underwear on him. I was worried about the whole #2 issue. Blake does not like to be looked at or around anyone when he is doing his 'thing'. Can't say I blame him. This afternoon though, he kept trying to hide from me. I knew he had to go. Finally I got him to sit on his potty and I left the room. Much to my surprise he went! By the end of the day he was even taking his potty to the big potty and dumping it. I am so proud of him today! I'm a little nervous about tonight though. I don't believe in pull-ups. Just because I feel like that is just another diaper and I'm trying to get away from diapers. Who knows though, if I'm up a few nights in a row changing sheets I might change my mind! We went and bought a nice little mat for the mattress and are just trying the whole no-diaper thing. I'm anticipating changing sheets tonight, but it's worth it.
I'm hoping tomorrow is just as successful. Tomorrow he'll have to wear underpants at least. He has school on Friday, so that will be a little hurdle to jump. Wish me luck!
Sorry to all those that could care-less about my potty training day, but I am just so proud of Blake!

Fatherhood

This made me smile. I had share.

Husband Tag

What is your husband's name? Chris
How long have you been married? 4 Years
How long did you date? I think we decided 8 weeks, engaged 3 months
How old is he? 26
Who eats more sweets? Definitely me.

Who said "I love you" first? He did
Who is taller? He is

Who is a better singer? Neither
Who is smarter? He is, unless its common sense (think Chris!) ;)
Who does the laundry? Both. I'm really good at getting everything washed, its the putting away I have a hard time with and that's where Chris steps in. I'm getting better though...right Chris?
Who pays the bills? Chris make the $, and I write the check.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do.

Does he snore? Sometimes. Not after I nudge him to roll over though.

What does he do in his spared time? Spare time without kids...RELAX, or watch sports, or spend time with me, um..I'm not sure other than that. Chris's always says he likes to do whatever I want to do. What a good husband huh!

Who mows the lawn? He does.

What is his favorite candy bar? Reese Peanut Butter Cup

Who cooks dinner? That's a good question. I wish I could hire someone to cook. It's usually me though.

Who drives? He does

Who is the first to say they are wrong? He is. Chris has always been good at that. I'm a little stubborn

Who kissed who first? Chris kissed me first. And boy was it a kiss! We have a great first kiss story! Maybe I'll tell it another time.

Who asked who out first? I asked him. He was trying to play hard to get.
Who wears the pants? Both of us. Sounds cheesy, but it's true. Although some days it feels like Blake wears the pants
Does he say he love you every day? Sure does!

Chris, you're the best husband in the world and my perfect match! I love you!

I tag Ashlee, Mary, Liz

TY

our sweet tyler, oh how we love you!

Institute Memory

My last year at SUU I took an Institute class with two of my great friends, Brittany and Emily. Emily didn't have a class before Institute so she would always make us lunch that we ate in class. Mmm...those were some good lunches. Emily was so creative with lunch! Anyway, I loved that class. Our teacher was Brother Gudmundson, and he was one of the best teachers. We were studying the New Testament and the lesson for the week was on preparing for a celestial marriage and the responsibilities of marriage. Bro. Gudmundson wasn't being too serious but he told us girls that if we wanted to be the best wife ever that there were three things we needed to do.
1. Have dinner ready
2. Put a ribbon in your hair
3. Look fresh
Emily quickly added, "look like you want to get fresh with him." We laughed so hard...I looked at Bro. Gudmundson and he just smile and nodded.

Ah...good times. I loved college.

My Ninjas

So Halloween wasn't what I expected this year. Since we were all still sick on Halloween we didn't do much. Blake didn't want to get in his costume, and by Halloween night I was too tired to care. We had too many sleepless nights for me to put up a fight. Blake was just enjoying seeing all the other kids come to our door and giving them all candy. Once Chris got home though, he was excited to go trick or treating.
We got Blake and Ty in their costumes and went outside. First Blake just wanted to play in the yard and ride his 4-wheeler. Eventually though he went off with Chris and trick or treated around the block.
It was so fun to watch his sudden excitement! He ran from house to house and laughed the whole way. Hopefully by next year he will actually say trick or treat!
A few pics of my Ninjas! They looked so cute! I wish Blake would've sat still for a picture, but here's what I got.