Here's another one!

So tonight I was reading Abby stories before bed and she got the chills. I said to her, "Did you get the chills?" and she said back to me, "Yea and I peed too!" I laughed though the rest of the book.  Of course she thought it was funny I was laughing so she had to make this fake laugh with me through the whole book! I was kind of in a bad mood from everything today and my little comedian made my night.

The Things Abby Says!

Were should I start!
-This morning Abby was eating pancakes and she said, "These are Scrumptious!" 
-We were walking up the stairs to go take a bath and Abby walked to the top of the stair and looks down at me and says, "Come on mommy, you can do it."  I am walking up she just kept cheering for me - come on you can do it, come on.  Then when I got to the top she enthusiastically says, "Good job, you did it."
-When Sam was in the tub he peed and she said, "He just did something."
-After I got them out of the tub Abby put on LaFaunda's watch and said, " I'm a rock star and I am going to dance in the shower." So she goes and opens the shower door looks at Sam and says, "Sam you lay there and think about your members and how you go pee pee." Where in the world did she ever hear "your member?" I know it was not from me, and I am pretty sure it wasn't from Stu either. I just busted out laughing!
-She also took a brush and started brushing her hair and said, "I am brushing my Ariel hair red, I beautiful!" (As she is rubbing her hands through her hair) Her mannerisms are best part.
-We went down stairs and I asked if she wanted to watch a show she said, "I want to watch Booladdin."  We have been reading princess stories lately and I think she is getting Mulan and Aladdin mixed together.  When the menu on DVD came up she said, "Mommy we need to cord it."  I think that is because we can record shows and sometime she wants to watch a show that is not recorded so I tell her we can't watch it because it in not recorded. 
-She just said, "Mommy I am trying to sleep I'm princess Jasmine."
Those are the Abbyisms from this morning.

Just Had To Say...

I just have to say how much a love my little family.  I love my husband for taking the time to just sit and have a cup of hot chocolate and talking with me last night even though he has a test tomorrow and really needs to study.  Also, for just coming up from behind me yesterday and wrapping his arms around me just out of no where.  I love my little Abby for doing interpretive dancing for me every time there is music and saying, "Look at me mommy" and for her cute little voice, I just love to listen to her talk.  I love to hear her say, "Mommy you play with me", or "which one you like?" or when she talks about her baby brother Sammy boy.  I love my little Sammy for wanting to hold my finger every time he has a bottle, for his sweet little giggle and for the huge smile he gives me when I walk into him room in the morning and he sees me. Sorry this is so cheesy but I am just so grateful for my little family! 
I love you guys!

9 o'clock Church

Trying to make it to 9:00 church on time with two kids is impossible.  I am going to have to start getting up at 6am to make it on time.  Today Abby did not want to go to church.  She went and got her Minnie Mouse pants and lolly pop shirt and started putting them on.  She was not going to put on a dress.  I was not ready for church at 9 so I sent Stu. He went and took the sacrament and came back to help.  We finally woke Sam up at 9:20 and got him ready.  We were only 40 minutes late.  Hey, at least we made it!

Photography Giveaway

Hey I heard about this photographer that is giving away a free photoshoot.  You should check it out!  She does a beautiful job. Her website it http://www.helgalaing.com/

New Calling

Guess who is the new Primary Chorister?  If you get Jane, you were right!  Got the put last week.  It will be fun...hopefully!

Diversity

We are learning about diversity at our house. ( : Today in the tub Abby had a pig and a penguin they were the mommy and daddy and there baby was a duck.  She was singing to them, "Families Can Be Together Forever."

Nap Time

So... I put Abby down for a nap today and went upstairs to do all the things I needed to do today.  A couple hours later Abby came upstairs and said, "I got a good nap?"  and I said yes you did sweetheart.  Two hours was good enough for me.  Then later today I went down stairs to get something and the TV was on in my room I didn't really think about it, I just turned it off.  Then when I went to put her to bed some of my shoes were in her crib.  I don't know if she even took a nap.  I think she may have just played downstairs and watched TV.  She is too smart.  She figured me out- if I don't bug mommy I don't have to nap.  Stinker!

Date Night!

Tonight LaFaunda and Mark watched our kids so Stu and I could go out!  It was so nice.  We just went to Lonestar for their 2 for $25 deal.  It was so good and it was so nice to enjoy talking with Stu and not having to entertain kids.  After we went over to our friends the Lowder's to see their new baby boy.  Once again it was so nice to just sit and talk with friends with out having to chase Abby around or bounce Sam.  After that we went and enjoyed "peaceful" shopping at Target.  I have to say we found the best thing ever at Target they are Kraft Mallow bits.  They taste like Lucky Charms Marshmallows.  I am so excited to put them in some hot Chocolate.  Stu tried them and said I am going to put those in my Wheaties.  Thanks Mark and Lafaunda for giving us a night alone!

No More Monkey's Jumping on the Bed

Today Abby woke up before Stu left and she didn't want him to leave.  He said he had to go to school and she said to be a doctor.  Then later she was jumping on the couch and she was singing, One more monkey jumping on the bed one fell off and broke his head, mommy called the doctor and DADDY said,  no more monkey's jumping on the bed.  Mommy had to call doctor daddy!

 I love this woman who ever she is!  Thank you to my friend Emily for sending it to me!

Don't Carpe Diem

Posted: 1/14/12 11:57 AM ET

Every time I'm out with my kids -- this seems to happen:
An older woman stops us, puts her hand over her heart and says something like, "Oh, Enjoy every moment. This time goes by so fast."
Everywhere I go, someone is telling me to seize the moment, raise my awareness, be happy, enjoy every second, etc, etc, etc.
I know that this message is right and good. But, I have finally allowed myself to admit that it just doesn't work for me. It bugs me. This CARPE DIEM message makes me paranoid and panicky. Especially during this phase of my life - while I'm raising young kids. Being told, in a million different ways to CARPE DIEM makes me worry that if I'm not in a constant state of intense gratitude and ecstasy, I'm doing something wrong.
I think parenting young children (and old ones, I've heard) is a little like climbing Mount Everest. Brave, adventurous souls try it because they've heard there's magic in the climb. They try because they believe that finishing, or even attempting the climb are impressive accomplishments. They try because during the climb, if they allow themselves to pause and lift their eyes and minds from the pain and drudgery, the views are breathtaking. They try because even though it hurts and it's hard, there are moments that make it worth the hard. These moments are so intense and unique that many people who reach the top start planning, almost immediately, to climb again. Even though any climber will tell you that most of the climb is treacherous, exhausting, killer. That they literally cried most of the way up.
And so I think that if there were people stationed, say, every thirty feet along Mount Everest yelling to the climbers -- "ARE YOU ENJOYING YOURSELF!? IF NOT, YOU SHOULD BE! ONE DAY YOU'LL BE SORRY YOU DIDN'T!" TRUST US!! IT'LL BE OVER TOO SOON! CARPE DIEM!" -- those well-meaning, nostalgic cheerleaders might be physically thrown from the mountain.
Now. I'm not suggesting that the sweet old ladies who tell me to ENJOY MYSELF be thrown from a mountain. These are wonderful ladies. Monkees, probably. But last week, a woman approached me in the Target line and said the following: "Sugar, I hope you are enjoying this. I loved every single second of parenting my two girls. Every single moment. These days go by so fast."

At that particular moment, Amma had arranged one of the new bras I was buying on top of her sweater and was sucking a lollipop that she must have found on the ground. She also had three shop-lifted clip-on neon feathers stuck in her hair. She looked exactly like a contestant from Toddlers and Tiaras. I couldn't find Chase anywhere, and Tish was grabbing the pen on the credit card swiper thing WHILE the woman in front of me was trying to use it. And so I just looked at the woman, smiled and said, "Thank you. Yes. Me too. I am enjoying every single moment. Especially this one. Yes. Thank you."
That's not exactly what I wanted to say, though.
There was a famous writer who, when asked if he loved writing, replied, "No. but I love having written." What I wanted to say to this sweet woman was, "Are you sure? Are you sure you don't mean you love having parented?"
I love having written. And I love having parented. My favorite part of each day is when the kids are put to sleep (to bed) and Craig and I sink into the couch to watch some quality TV, like Celebrity Wife Swap, and congratulate each other on a job well done. Or a job done, at least.
Every time I write a post like this, I get emails suggesting that I'm being negative. I have received this particular message four or five times -- G, if you can't handle the three you have, why do you want a fourth?

That one always stings, and I don't think it's quite fair. Parenting is hard. Just like lots of important jobs are hard. Why is it that the second a mother admits that it's hard, people feel the need to suggest that maybe she's not doing it right? Or that she certainly shouldn't add more to her load. Maybe the fact that it's so hard means she IS doing it right...in her own way...and she happens to be honest.
Craig is a software salesman. It's a hard job in this economy. And he comes home each day and talks a little bit about how hard it is. And I don't ever feel the need to suggest that he's not doing it right, or that he's negative for noticing that it's hard, or that maybe he shouldn't even consider taking on more responsibility. And I doubt anybody comes by his office to make sure he's ENJOYING HIMSELF. I doubt his boss peeks in his office and says: "This career stuff...it goes by so fast...ARE YOU ENJOYING EVERY MOMENT IN THERE, CRAIG???? CARPE DIEM, CRAIG!"

My point is this. I used to worry that not only was I failing to do a good enough job at parenting, but that I wasn't enjoying it enough. Double failure. I felt guilty because I wasn't in parental ecstasy every hour of every day and I wasn't MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT like the mamas in the parenting magazines seemed to be doing. I felt guilty because honestly, I was tired and cranky and ready for the day to be over quite often. And because I knew that one day, I'd wake up and the kids would be gone, and I'd be the old lady in the grocery store with my hand over my heart. Would I be able to say I enjoyed every moment? No.
But the fact remains that I will be that nostalgic lady. I just hope to be one with a clear memory. And here's what I hope to say to the younger mama gritting her teeth in line:
"It's helluva hard, isn't it? You're a good mom, I can tell. And I like your kids, especially that one peeing in the corner. She's my favorite. Carry on, warrior. Six hours till bedtime." And hopefully, every once in a while, I'll add -- "Let me pick up that grocery bill for ya, sister. Go put those kids in the van and pull on up -- I'll have them bring your groceries out."

Anyway. Clearly, Carpe Diem doesn't work for me. I can't even carpe fifteen minutes in a row, so a whole diem is out of the question.
Here's what does work for me:
There are two different types of time. Chronos time is what we live in. It's regular time, it's one minute at a time, it's staring down the clock till bedtime time, it's ten excruciating minutes in the Target line time, it's four screaming minutes in time out time, it's two hours till daddy gets home time. Chronos is the hard, slow passing time we parents often live in.
Then there's Kairos time. Kairos is God's time. It's time outside of time. It's metaphysical time. It's those magical moments in which time stands still. I have a few of those moments each day. And I cherish them.
Like when I actually stop what I'm doing and really look at Tish. I notice how perfectly smooth and brownish her skin is. I notice the perfect curves of her teeny elf mouth and her asianish brown eyes, and I breathe in her soft Tishy smell. In these moments, I see that her mouth is moving but I can't hear her because all I can think is -- This is the first time I've really seen Tish all day, and my God -- she is so beautiful. Kairos.
Like when I'm stuck in chronos time in the grocery line and I'm haggard and annoyed and angry at the slow check-out clerk. And then I look at my cart and I'm transported out of chronos. And suddenly I notice the piles and piles of healthy food I'll feed my children to grow their bodies and minds and I remember that most of the world's mamas would kill for this opportunity. This chance to stand in a grocery line with enough money to pay. And I just stare at my cart. At the abundance. The bounty. Thank you, God. Kairos.
Or when I curl up in my cozy bed with Theo asleep at my feet and Craig asleep by my side and I listen to them both breathing. And for a moment, I think- how did a girl like me get so lucky? To go to bed each night surrounded by this breath, this love, this peace, this warmth? Kairos.
These kairos moments leave as fast as they come- but I mark them. I say the word kairos in my head each time I leave chronos. And at the end of the day, I don't remember exactly what my kairos moments were, but I remember I had them. And that makes the pain of the daily parenting climb worth it.
If I had a couple Kairos moments during the day, I call it a success.
Carpe a couple of Kairoses a day.
Good enough for me.

Chillin with Mom!

I love my Abby!  We were just watching Peter Pan and she came and made herself comfortable!

Sam's 4 Month Check Up

Sam had his four month check up today!  He is getting so big too fast.  I grabbed this outfit this morning because nothing was clean thinking it will be too big because it was a 12 month romper, but it fit perfect.  I had to take Abby with me to the appointment so it didn't run as smoothly as the last one but Dr. Gustin says he is grown just fine and that he is such a big boy!  When she was examining him she said, "Wow, what a sweet little spirit, is just the best little baby."  Either she says that to everyone or she has seen a lot of kids and can tell that Sam is a really easy going little guy.  He was just as happy as could be then they had to give him two shots and an oral vaccine and it made him so sad he just zonked out the second we walked in the door.  Abby was a hand full at the appoint me, but I had to laugh because we always play pretend doctor and in one of her books the elephant gets a scrape and had to see the doctor.. well Abby had a scrape on her knee and as soon as Dr. Gustin walked in Abby slowly started pulling up her pant leg and started quietly pointing at her scrape.  Dr. Gustin was so sweet and acknowledged what she was doing and took a look at it and told her it was almost better.  Abby replied, "No it's not better!"

Length- 26.77 inches (96 percentile)

Weight- 17.53 pounds (92 percentile)

Head circumference- 17.1 inches (83 percentile)

Sam tried his first real food tonight.  I think his face tells all.

Mmmm! Squash!

Sam is just such a happy little guy.  He will lay under his "jungle" little gym for hours at a time I swear.  The only time he ever fusses is when he is tired or hungry...or get startled (which happens frequently).  He loves it when you look at him and say Samurai Sam or boo, he will just giggle! He is so ticklish, his belly, neck, arm pits, feet, back.  I loved to hear him giggle so he gets tickled a lot.  He loves to sleep in his swing, unlike Abby, and does NOT like to be in the saucer, unlike Abby.  From 4 months on Abby lived in the saucer.  Sam would rather just lay on the ground especially in his jungle.  He hates tummy time.  I think he might almost be rolling if he would do more tummy time.  Dr. Gustin tried it out and she said he is definitely strong enough.  He is doing great at sleeping through the night!  Most nights he sleeps from 6:30ish to between 9:30 and 11:30.  Then we feed him and put him in his bed and he usually sleeps until between 6 and 8.  Last night he slept from 9:30 until 6:30.  It was heavenly!  He is laying in his jungle right now just talking away and spitting.  I just love to listen to him.  On Sunday in Relief Society he and Jade Tullis were spitting back and forth at each other from across the isle.  It was so funny.  They were so noise.  During the closing remarks the woman, I don't remember who it was said, "and we are so thankful to have these little ones in our ward."  Ya...are they really thankful?  ( ;  What else can I say about Sammers- we call him mister stiff!  He is always stiff, he will not sit, he likes to stand very straight. Sometimes it is so hard to hold him because he does not bend.  I just love to snuggle him.  We love him to pieces!

Me, Me, Me

Last week after play group Abby was determined to put her own coat on and I just could not tell her that she had put it on upside down. 

Abby and my old roommate Rachel's little boy - Harvey Watson

Our Cute Family!

We tried to do family home evening and it lasted about 2 minutes.  At least I tried! I just love these stinkers!

Doctor Abby Is Back

I walk upstairs and Abby had found some rubber gloves and she came up to me and said, "I'm doctor Abby."  Sometimes I wonder how she learns these things.  When had she been to the doctor when the doctor wore gloves?  The pediatrician doesn't and the ENT doesn't ether.  I am sure they have in the past but not recently.

New Years Day!

We left our shoes out on New years Eve and Santa stopped on his way back to the North Pole and left us all a little something.

A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse puzzle

Minnie Mouse panties.  She opened them and said, "Oh Cute!"

Such a happy boy!

Sam got a new car

Some cookies for her kitchen

New Year's Eve

This year we spent New Year's Eve with just our little family.  We played with the kiddos and after we put them to bed we enjoyed a deep fried night.  We deep fried mozzarella sticks, homemade cheese dogs, corn dogs, sweet potato fries and anything else we could fine around the house- broccoli, Oreo's.  I am sure we tried other things, but I can't remember what else.  We were going to do Fondue also, but we were too full by the time we finished all the deep fried stuff.  We did Fondue on New Year's Day.  It was a fun night.  We are excited about our new traditions.  Anyone who wants to join us next year is welcome!