Hallie's first word (and other firsts)

Hallie babbles alot, but they are all staccato words like DA, OH, MA, DU,
When Dave asked her where Duck was she said DU!  over and over.  REALLY?!?  Is that your first word? DUCK?  What has duck ever done for you?!?  So inconsiderate!

More Tricks Hallie does
walk (or rather run)

Wave

Clap and smack mouth

San Antonio Take 2

 Before my bestest friend moved to the border of America, in a place I could never reach her (jk) I had to go visit again.  So 2 days after leaving Texas (the Houston part of it), the kids and I went to San Antonio.  The flight there was super turbulent (the worst I've experienced) and I started getting a little nervous.  Dave told me the statistics of how safe flying is (did you know that under 1000 people have died in the past 10 years in airplane accidents - obviously taking out the terrorist attacks).  Anyway, the only accidents that HAVE happened were on express Jets . . . we were on an express jet . . . but we didn't crash, we just bumped around and then suddenly the turbulence stopped!  and we soon landed in San Antonio.

We had a great visit in San Antonio.  Sandra has everything a 3 year old boy and 1 year old girl could need/want, so it makes the trip easy for them, and leave lots of time for us to talk and talk and talk.  We enjoyed the Japanese Tea Gardens, beautiful weather for outside play time, late night movies, delicious food and some steamy hot yoga.  Her husband watched the kids while we went to 90 minutes of yoga and, of course, the 2 girls didn't sleep like they were 'suppose' to, they both had poopy diapers at the same time and then one of the boys accidentally wet his pants due to improper placement while going in the potty.  Lots of crying from my daughter later, Sandra and I strolled into the house completely relaxed and cleansed from the inside out . . . poor Quinn!!  So sorry!

 We decided to eat at Chick-fil-a right before heading home.  We got eating and chatting and I suddenly wonder what time it is . . . 1:15 . . . our flight leaves at 2:07!!!  We panicked and rush 4 kids out to the car (if you know about rushing kids, it isn't that fast).  We arrived at the airport at 1:40 . . .only 27 minutes early.  As I rush into print my boarding passes Jackson is complaining about his pants (he got some hand-me-downs) after a minute, I finally look over and they are down around his ankle with Mickey underwear showing, he is waddling like a penguin.  We race through security and I get the kids on the jogger stroller and run all the way to the end of the terminal (we are at gate 9) when I get to Gate 7 I realize I left my carry-on at security (I usually check it, but didn't have time) so I run 7 gates BACK to security and then 9 more gates back to the end of the terminal, just as they are calling our names.  I am sweaty and out of breath, but we got on and headed home.

This was my worst flight yet!  Jackson was whiney, Hallie refused to sleep, Jackson spilled OJ on himself, Hallie cried unless she was walking in the aisle.  Long flight!   Thank goodness for a husband who can help take over!  We sure miss him!! 

Saturday morning I walked 8 miles to the Gilbert Temple Site with the Young Women in our stake and then I went to a baby shower and took a nap while the kids slept.  I had a good, long, rejuvenating break from the kids.  And come to find out, they are much better behaved in their own element (a time out spot, their own beds, etc) and with full attention from mom and dad.   I admire and feel sympathy for single moms!  I need my husband to help me (both with the kids and also just to support me) so much!

Houston

We took a weekend trip to visit family again.  I left Thursday and Dave came up on Friday.  Hallie is getting more and more difficult since she learned to walk and won't sleep in her carrier anymore.  But we survived the flight and she fell asleep for a few minutes on the ride to the house.

Lori and Jim were great hosts and always made us feel so welcome.  Jackson loved sleeping in Megan's room and they would stay up late talking and singing.  It reminded me of many late nights with my own cousins and I was so glad he will have these memories too.  He slept really well and I think he need a roommate always.

We went to McDonald's for a play groups, played every game in the house, tried out each new toys and enjoyed our cousins.  On Saturday, we got to go to the temple and out to eat while the kids totally wore out 2 babysitters.  Jackson was wild and silly, but recognized that he was silly because he was excited to have a babysitter.  We enjoyed ourselves so much!  Thank you Lori and Jim!

Sunday we had a wonderful church meeting (besides Jackson being irreverent and Hallie pooping out).  I loved having the Kindle Fire to look up all the scriptures, manuals, hymns etc.  I never thought I would like technology toys at church, but I think it really helped me follow along, look up cross references and learn more, plus it is much easier to travel with!

They loaded us up with a suitcase full of hand-me-downs and toys for Hallie and Jackson.  Their boys were so self-less in giving some of their favorite things to Jackson to enjoy.

I always learn a lot from this family in how they parent and run their home.  I am so thankful they share their homes, advice, love and encouragement with us!

We had to cut my trip short and I went home Monday morning with Dave.  I was actually very thankful to be with him and have someone to pass Hallie off to.  Plus, he got her to sleep for a half hour.  At one point all 3 of us were playing angry birds, Dave on his new phone, Me on the Kindle and Jackson on the itouch.  This is a shared activity I never thought we would all do together.  After the flight, our stroller was sent on a plane to Charlotte, but Dave was able to get it back and I picked up our checked bags.

P.S  Some of these photos were taken at midnight . . .don't judge :)

Bedtime nightmares

The latest in the sleep saga with Jackson happened 3 nights ago.  At 4:30 AM Jackson came RUNNING into my room yelling, "The dinosaur ate me!!"  I could tell it was very real and VERY scary to him, so I let him climb into bed with me.  After a few moments of cuddling, I rolled away hoping to get back to sleep.  He started shaking and quivering.  I asked what was wrong and once again he talked of dinosaurs.  I've never seen someone so scared that they shook; it made me so sad.  The entire next day, he was terrified of his room and talked about the dinosaur eating him.  He couldn't go alone anywhere near his room.  We tried reasoning with him (dinos are extinct, they are too big, look, you didn't get eaten! It was just a dream) and then we tried playing along (Dinos are scared of your puppy dog, let's spray some magic dino repellent).  That night, after over 10 times running out of his room and begging us to sleep with him, he finally fell asleep, lights on, door open, clinging to Wilbur (his bear).


Dave and I wonder, At what point does a child need to learn coping skills for fear?  Are we not loving him enough when we make him go to sleep alone in his room?  Should we sleep with him and comfort him?  He is only 3 . . .  Is he going to be scarred from fears that weren't alleviated?  or if we give in, will we create habits that are tough to break?
I, myself, have awful dreams.  I wake with my heart racing and fear running through my whole body.  I tell myself it was a dream and it isn't real, but the feeling and the fear is still real and I am so glad to have someone to curl up to and get comfort from (I think human touch makes reality come back into focus).  So I feel bad making him sleep alone.  I know how scary and REAL dreams can be.  I feel so sad for him.  Any tips or advice from parents out there?



 On better news, today was our first day of pre-school!

 I have been working really hard at creating a group of mothers to swap teaching pre-school together.  I made a few posters (spending far more time than anyone should on a preschool project).  I made very detailed lesson plans (most of which did NOT happen as I hoped).  

I assumed everyone was like Jackson and it turns out . . .they aren't.  Most 3-year-old's don't know their alphabet, aren't potty trained perfectly, won't sit and color or do anything for that matter, won't sing along, don't have an attention span, can't follow directions and can't answer questions.  Obviously, Jackson is my child, so maybe he performed better because he knows me and knows what I do, but I was very impressed at how well he did (and a little unraveled at how to get the other kids to do it).   I am excited to have a chance to teach Jackson with other friends and He's excited to have the experiences with friends as well.   Tonight, I quizzed Jackson on the 3 rules we learned (which was one of the only 'new to him' things) and he knew all three! 

 He is learning!  I LOVE watching kids learn (bet you didn't know that based on my career choice, huh?) and it is even more exciting when it is my own kid.

We had an awesome day with a friend from Orem who was in town.  Her hotel had an awesome 'water park' at it.  We swam in the pool, kiddie area, lazy river and hot tub.  The kids loved it, and even the 'chilly' 70 degree weather didn't hamper the fun.  Thanks for letting us come Stacey!  It was so good to see old friends!  

You're ONE!! Happy Birthday, Hallie!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest girl!  We are so glad Hallie joined our family last year.  She has added so much joy to our lives.  Here are a few observations about our Hallie-Gal:

Have I mentioned that Hallie is a cuddler? We used to think it was just because she was so opposite of our little boy who stiff -armed us everytime we held him, just so we didn't get to close.  But she continues to squeeze us, cuddle with our face or shoulder, give us kisses when we least expect it, and pat us on the back as we hold her.  The other day I was hand mopping the floor and she came up and hugged with with 2 arms around my neck.  I was trying to get it done, so I just let her hug me and she held on for a good 2 minutes while I finished scrubbing.  Then we had a great cuddle.  I just love how loving she is.

Hallie is clapping everytime I say, "Yay!" or "good job" which turns out is alot!  She pats her mouth like an Indian (Native American?) and she like to pat my mouth too.  She is trying out some of the signs I am teaching her, but hasn't done them on her own yet.

She is so expressive.  She smiles with her whole body.  She acts surprised.  She gets nervous of loud noises and fast movement.  She still is so nervous around dogs (but won't cry unless they bark at her).  She just SCREAMS with delight as she tries to gingerly touch them.

She is curious, but not destructive.  She will touch and examine things, but not completely destroy anything.  For example, she can open the door to the garbage can and sometimes I will find something I had thrown away in her hands or somewhere around the house, but it will only be one item.  She took ornaments off the tree to check them out and then would try to put them back on.

She HAS to be with someone at all times.  Sometimes Jackson will suffice, but usually it has to be mom (or dad).  She cannot be alone.  She likes Jackson, but he makes her a little nervous because sometimes he won't play nice.

She sleeps through the night (8-7), but still cries quite a bit to fall asleep for naps.  Her cries are more of whines than the full-on screams Jackson would do, so it is easier to let her cry it out.

I am surprised how much like Jackson she is.  She gets really angry when you take a favorite item (nerf darts, crayons, markers, etc) and will yell.  She is stubborn and doesn't like to be forced to get dressed.  She hates when I try to 'show' her how to use a toy.  I think she is more interested in balls and cars than Jackson was at her age.

First time playing dress-ups, she knew what to do!

She already enjoys 'coloring'.  She can mimic us in quite a few ways.  She knows that socks go on her feet, bows go on her head and she tries to hold shirts up to her body and gets frustrated when they won't stay on.

The other day, Hallie was playing with a board book (she loves to try and get the pages open) and then she came and threw it in my lap and looked at me with this "READ IT!" look.  So I opened it and said the animal names and sounds and she was fascinated.  She loves being read to, and I haven't missed a day since.  When Jackson was this age, I would FORCE him for at least 10 mins (total) a day to read a book to him (it was the library challenge . . .) so I hadn't even tried much with her, but she LOVES sitting in my lap and reading books!

She used to be a great eater, but is getting more and more picky and turning her head at many items.  Mostly she just wants to feed herself.  She STILL hasn't figured out how to use a spoon properly (putting her tongue down or opening her mouth wide enough) so it is frustrating to try to spoon feed her (although she does fine with a fork).

I love this girl so much.  I get so excited to see her after her naps.  I play silly games with her while we shop in the store and I should be embarrassed, but I just love to see her laugh.   I LOVE to hear her and Jackson giggling and laughing together.

We love Hallie and look forward to many more birthday's with her!

Official Unannouncement

During FHE tonight Jackson said, "Mom, your belly is getting bigger!  I think you are having another baby!!"  To all who may be following this same logical train of thought, I would officially declare my love of the holidays, large portions of good food and constant sugary treats in my mouth to be the reason for the pudgy-ness.  Plus, I turned 30 this year - so I have excuses.  It is sad to have more 'baby weight' a year after my baby was born than I had 6 months port-partum . . . don't worry, I've made resolutions :)

2011 Review and a look toward 2012

What a fantastic year it has been!  I am so thankful for the changes that happened this year.  Top ten Highlights include:


#1 Hallie - what an amazing and loving girl.  I didn't know my heart had more love to give after Jackson joined us, but a whole new world opened up to love her just as deeply as I love Jackson

#2 Following inspiration to quit my job and seeing the rewards.  I am so happy I had closure on my 6 year career, so happy to finally be a stay at home mom.

#3 Living in Orem for the summer.  I had an amazing summer with friends and beautiful weather.  I loved learning about my kids and my friends.  I learned a lot about parenting.

(Stacey- I am so sad- I have NO photos of you!!  Do you have any of us?)

#4 A job for Dave!  So many prayers finally answered!  Dave worked so long and so hard despite boredom, discouragement, and all other odds.  He loves our family and is committed to providing for us (in more ways than just financially).  He is a wonderful father and thoughtful and considerate husband!

#5 Moving to Arizona - we've really enjoyed our time here.  We live in a great neighborhood, a family friendly ward, and are thoroughly enjoying the warm weather.

I love the desert sunsets here!

#6 Travel!!  We've enjoyed so much family time as well as seeing some new places.  It is a benefit and blessing I never even considered we'd have in our life.  It is so fun!

#7 Getting to host Thanksgiving in our 'home'  I loved having my family out and showing them Arizona and all we love here.

#8 Anniversary with Dave in Maui - This travel adventure deserves it own post.  What a great time it was to be alone with my husband celebrating 5 years of happiness  in tropical paradise.  The beauties of this world astound me.

#9 Jackson continues to learn grow and surprises us with his knowledge, vocabulary and thoughts daily. He is my joy.  I plan everything around him (and Hallie).  I want to give him the best life I can.

Photo from silly string Hide and Seek on New Year's Eve (thanks to Daddy's fun party plans)

#10 Running in races again and improving my time by 8 minutes.  I would say NO back pain, except for the past week.  So I ALMOST made it a year with no back problems :)

As I look forward, I have no real plans for major changes this coming year.  I kind-of hope we can just get settled into a routine and basic year.  As boring as this sounds, I'm ready for some stability and predictability.  I have the normal resolutions (exercise, be a better person, get closer to God, develop my talents) and hope to improve myself and in the process my family throughout the year.