Tuesday, April 29, 2008

It's been awhile since I have blogged (sorry about that to all of those who check every day). I have some fun highlights:

1. Last Saturday was a beautiful day out. Preston and I went to the store and bought the bubble solution and played with our Big Bubble Wands. They were so fun to play with. Then we did a terrible job at washing our car - but it was something fun to do in the sunshine. We had a girl come to babysit Preston. It was the 3rd time we have ever had to pay for babysitting. She did a great job and had fun with Preston. We took Wesley to the Johnson wedding at the Plateau Club which was really nice. I had 2 pieces of cake because it was so good.

2. I haven't been blogging because I have been reading the book "The Glass Castle" every night. It was an amazing book and I highly recommend it. It will make you appreciate your life. On Sunday there was a talk given that talked about making the best decisions (not just good choice - but the best choice) - I am trying this week to make the best choices and not watching as much TV and spending time doing "best" things.

3. Sunday was absolutely crazy with my little ones. Tom had another Ward Conference so I was there by myself. Both Wesley and Preston were in the worst moods. As soon as one of them would calm down I would have another situation with the other one. Wesley is drooling and uncomfortable with his teeth coming in (which will hopefully happen soon). By the end of church I was grumpy myself and lost it a little bit with Tom after church. I came home and took a nap and woke up a little bit happier. I never really understood how moms feel like it is so hard to go to church sometimes - until I had 2 grumpy children and no husband at church.



4. Sunday night Tom came home holding a bag and said he caught a "Small" frog for Preston and wanted something to put it in. So we took my large vase on the table and filled it with leaves, branches and a rock. We took it outside so Tom could dump the frog in. Well - it was a HUGE frog that totally grossed me out. Tom put it on the dining room table and as I was laying in bed that night I got a creepy feeling thinking about that frog getting out or Lily getting it so I went downstairs and put it in the bathroom. "Sally" the frog spent 2 days at our house so we could show both grandmas our new pet. Today Tom and Preston took the frog back to see his family. Gross!!!!



Here is my drooling Wesley:



5. Yesterday I went to the doctor and got my custom orthodics to go in my shoes. Because I have been going to aerobics my plantar faciliitis is not healing - but I didn't want to admit this to the doctor. I am not sure what to do. I really can't stop aerobics but I want my feet to heel :(

6. Marc came into town on Sunday morning. He is home from college for a week and a half and then he goes to China for an internship for the summer. We are already having lots of fun with him.

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

HAPPY 26TH BIRTHDAY HEIDI!!

Today is my sister Heidi's 26th Birthday. We celebrated it by going to Chipotle for lunch, then shopping at Target (her favorite), and then went to my mom's house for hamburgers and cupcakes made with applesauce.

We also played "Button Button: Who's go the button?" and I won "drop the matches in the glass" game (two games we played all the times as children).

My sister Heidi does so much for our family - we love her. She is so wonderful with children and has so much patience. She also has such a mellow personality and it great at calming Preston down. She can read and play with Preston for hours. I also love that I can talk to her about EVERYTHING. She is a great person to vent to. She also has good style - she makes me branch out with my clothing and it always pays off. We love spending time with her and Branden and just hanging out with them. I'm soooo excited for her to be a mom and so I can finally pay her back for all the help she gives me. She is one of my best friends. Happy Birthday Heidi!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The last 2 days I have spent recouperating from this past weekend. I have needed (and taken) a nap both days. Even with all the laziness I have some highlights to share:

1 - My Aunt Denny and Grandpa and Grandma Smith came into town on Monday. I have not seen my aunt for about 2 1/2 years now and it was great to see her. She is so loyal about reading my blog which is such a compliment to me. She loved seeing Preston and Wesley - however the baby snatcher (my mom) kept taking the baby away from her! My mom is terrible. Aunt Denny, mom and grandma came over this morning to give the baby a bath and Wesley initiated them by tinkling 2 times (making sure to get them all). It was so fun to have them here - and it's always such a short visit :(

Here is a picture of Wesley in his bath - I love bath pictures:

2 - My aunt gave me this great book - perfect for moms. It's called: Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. Every day has a quote and a short essay to read about various topics that make you appreciate life more. I can't wait to use it every day. Thanks Aunt Denny!

3 - I have a strict policy that when your baby wakes up in the middle of the night you give them zero stimulation. Both of my boys have learned night time/day time really fast because of this. I never turn on the light, change a diaper (only when it is really bad), talk or look them in the eyes. Well - last night after I got done feeding Wesley I looked down and he had the biggest grin on his face (usually he goes right back to sleep). He started talking to me too - it was so cute. I couldn't help myself so I unwrapped him and started kissing him under his neck and he started to laugh and laugh. Well.... I paid the price for my weakness. It took me about 45 minutes to get him to sleep again because he kept wanting to play. With your second baby you just get so relaxed because you realize this time is so short (but I also do need to sleep) :)

Pictures of my Red Head up to no good:

Both of my boys are sound asleep and I am going to join them now (even though it is only 11:15pm). I must be getting older. Busy weekends wear me out!

Part 2: pictures

By the way : last week I went and got pictures of my boys. THANKFULLY I took Heidi and Mom with me because it was long and crazy. Lesson learned - have the people who come to your house do it next time ;) We got some cute pictures though: (the word Zazzle is on there because of copyright purposes)

Sunday, April 20, 2008

This weekend has been seriously the busiest weekend of my life. It's been really overwhelming and full of craziness. I just have to record all my "doings" for future reference:

1 - Friday afternoon I left to go up to Bellingham with some of my best friends for a girls get away. We all had so much fun - ate dinner at Anthony's on the water, went and got ice cream and stayed at my in-laws townhouse. We also had 2 wonderful walks around the lake together talking and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Tom had surprised us by putting together a basket of goodies (fondue stuff, sparkling cider and candy) and we each had a letter from our husbands. It was so sweet of him to do. I planned this girls weekend about 2 months ago when they wasn't anything scheduled on my calendar for this weekend. Then it all came crashing down so Saturday morning I had to leave early - fun with my girlfriends was cut early :( I will defintely be planning another one as we all needed it. Preston had sleepover at Heidi's and Wesley had sleep over with Grandma Hollie :)

2 - Saturday afternoon I had to speak about the Holy Ghost at the baptism of a boy in our ward. My talk was exactly 1 minute long (no kidding). I had memorized the whole talk and when I got home I realized I left out this hold chunk of it - Lesson learned: ALWAYS bring your notes (even when you had it memorized). The baptism was great because this boy has been a friend of our family for awhile. I babysit his sister and him a lot. His parents and sister are not members so we were all pretty shocked when he wanted to get baptized on his 8th birthday. I am in awe at his courage and faith to make this decision so early in his life. It was such an honor that they asked me to speak.

3 - Saturday night Tom and I served dinner to the youth at prom that 7 stakes in the area put together for the Priests and Laurels. We went with the Nelsons and had dinner with them beforehand. I enjoyed hanging out with them before the dance. We got to serve Hannah and her friends so that was super fun. It made me grateful that I am NOT 18 :)

4 - Today during sacrament meeting Tom had ward conference so I was by myself in sacrament meeting. Preston says, "I need to go potty" so I handed Wesley off to Wes (Wes N. loves to sit with us on Sundays) to take Preston to the bathroom. When I came out Teri was in the hall holding Wesley because he had gotten cranky (have I mentioned yet he is getting teeth at 3 months like his brother?)

After sacrament I handed off Wesley to my mom and headed to teach Sunday School about member missionary work. President Moffit (Seattle Mission President) came to our class!!! I was so calm for some strange reason and it actually miraculously turned out great (probably because he was there). After Teri and I taught our lesson we went to the kick off meeting for our Youth Mission Week where I got to give each of the youth their packets that I had worked on all week.

At the last minute I was asked to give the closing prayer and when I got up there no words would come out and I just started to cry. I was just so overcome with the spirit as to what the youth were about to do this week as they "Stand as witnesses of God" Teri told her conversion story which was so touching to hear. President Moffit bore his testimony where he said, "How great will be your joy....." and he just stopped there and I felt this overwhelming joy thinking of how great this work is.

After church my dad kindly reminded me that I needed to learn the word "No" which made me start to cry again so I ran out to the car and came home which brings me to this point now..... you know that poem about the mormon woman who did everything and then she died?.... hopefully I don't die when I go take my nap :)

Next project is cleaning my house for my aunt because she is coming up to visit tomorrow and I haven't seen her in 3 years - I'm super excited for her to see my boys :)

Thursday, April 17, 2008

I have not been able to blog the last couple of days because I have been so busy. This week has been crazy and this weekend is going to be even crazier - one of the busiest weekends of my life. I can't wait until Monday comes!

So in the midst of this craziness I have some things to be very grateful for:

1 - Today our freezer in the garage broke and stopped working. I noticed it about 11:30am and all the food was thawed. I thought maybe the door was a little bit open so I closed it really tight and checked it in 30 minutes and it still was not cooling. I called Heidi and she offered to give us their freezer. Someone had given it to them and they don't really use it. I was thrilled to say the least (especially since this past Monday I sent a significant amount of money to the IRS). I called my mom and she was up here in 15 minutes with the truck and watched Preston and Wesley while Tom and I went over to pick it up and Branden rode in the back of the truck to our house holding the freezer so it could stay upright. I wish I got a picture of it because it was hilarious. I followed behind them and laughed the whole way. Now we have this big freezer in the garage (our other one was a fridge/freezer). I'm really excited about it.

2 - Today after Playgroup my friend Rachel came over and helped me put together the dumb (sorry) Missionary Packets for this Sunday. She was super quick and we got them done in 45 minutes. I had SEVERAL friends offer to help me. She came to help me so I could get a nap today because I have had 3 sleepless nights (for various reaons). But then the whole freezer thing happened so I am off to bed now!

3 - Yesterday my totally pregnant sister came up and watched my kids and cleaned my house while I worked. I know it seems like they are always helping me - but they are. They always say that I help them out, but I really don't. I feel like I'm always taking taking taking and never giving to them. I hope hope hope when Heidi has her baby I will be able to help her as much as she helps me.

I have tons more to write about, but I'm exhausted. I probably won't be able to write until Monday which then I will have plenty to write about with my crazy weekend :)

Monday, April 14th, 2008

I've had such a busy day that I feel like my head has been spinning all day long. Here was my list of things to do today:

1 - Teach aerobics (and I came up with 2 routines this morning in about 30 minutes - I don't know what I was thinking doing that today of all days!)
2 - Next week is Youth Mission Week where the youth in our ward basically live and do activities like they are on a full time mission. Since my calling is ward missionary, I have been busy creating and putting together these packets to give the youth.
3 - Because I was sick for 2 days last week I was behind 2 days of work.
4- And on top of that everyone in this household needs their laundry done so I had about 8 loads of laundry to do.
5 - The house is a disaster just like it is every Monday (why does Sunday always result in such a mess when we aren't even here on Sundays??)

So you can see I had a busy day. Well in the midst of all these things to do today, Preston had 2 "accidents." One accident happened by the front door while he was trying to get Lily to come in the house. The other accident happened on our couch!! while he was taking his nap because I didn't have time today to take him to the bathroom before his nap knowing that he just had 2 full sippy cups of water.

Then Tom gets home and I tell him he needs to take care of the kids while I get stuff done. About 15 minutes later I hear Preston screaming. Tom changed Wesley's diaper and he tinkled all over Tom's shirt and almost in his mouth. It scared Tom so he jumped back and kicked Preston right in the chest.

So basically tonight my house stinks like urine and cleaner. What was the deal???

For dinner Tom went and bought 3 soft tacos, 3 bean burritos, 4 hard tacos at Taco Bell. And of course, no FHE tonight.

Just one of those days :) It's over... I'm going to bed..... I know one day I will look back and miss this time of my life so I'm trying to enjoy every "tinkling" moment.

Friday, April 11, 2008

I'm back..... for the past 2 days I was sick in bed with the horrible flu. However, since no one else in my family caught this "bug" I have a feeling it might have been food poisioning. Yesterday I was sitting on my couch and I said a prayer that my mom would come over because I was dying (I couldn't get a hold of her by phone). Ten minutes later she walked in the door and I started crying. I am so grateful for inspired people in my life. I went up to take a shower and then fell asleep -when I woke up it was 4 hours later. She had stayed until Tom got home from work.

Today around 9:30am Heidi came over and picked up the 2 boys and took them down to my mom's house. My mom brought them home at 4:30. I'm just the luckiest mom ever!! I slept until 2:30 when I woke up I had some soup and then started to feel better.

The sun was shining today and so we went to the park when the boys got home. Tom played basketball with Cam while Kamaile and I watched Preston play Aerobie with his new friend Vernon. While they were playing Preston came over and said, "I have to go potty" so I took him over to the bushes (because there are no bathrooms opened at this park) and let him go tinkle. Then Vernon said to his dad he needed to go to the bathroom. The dad said, "We need to go home then" and he said, "I want to go to the bathroom over there" (pointing to where Preston had just gone). Then the dad said, "We don't do that, we go home and go potty" I just smiled and said, "Sorry I just taught your son bad things" and the dad smiled and waved at me. Oops! Can't men rejoice in the fact that they can do this? because I am sure jealous they can.

Here is Preston showing me his dirty feet from running around the grass and Tom playing basketball:



Preston at the bottom of the slide:


Tonight Wesley had a poopy diaper. So I laid him down on the ottoman while I went to get a diaper. Preston came over and said, "I want to change Wesley's diaper" so he took off his pants, unsnapped his onsies, gave him some zerberts and then when he went to take off the first tab he said, "I don't want to do it, it's mommy's turn" What is it about men that they do not like changing diapers? Even at this age when it came down to it, he couldn't do it. Here is Preston giving zerberts.


Preston loves the camera and sometimes he captures moments that I don't see until I download the pictures. For instance:

He took a picture of his legs after he colored on them with permanent marker.


He took a picture of Wesley almost falling out of his swing:


And he took a picture of what he was watching on TV:

I guess that pretty much sums up his day (this was yesterday while I was sick in the morning)

The lamb and the lion (I am not sure which one is which): In a typical day in our house I say over and over: Preston - leave Lily alone, don't pull her tail, she doesn't need to be burped, don't chase her, when she is under my bed you need to leave her alone, don't sit on her, don't put your finger in her ear, etc., etc., etc. I wish Lily would scratch and bite him because she just sits there and takes the abuse. It drives me crazy. The other night Tom called from upstairs, "Heather, come up here and check this out" I went upstairs to see the two of them cuddling:


I guess unconsciously they really do love each other :)

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

One of my mother-in-law's common holiday gift to me is to give me some cute decorative holiday socks. She loves wearing them and showing them off. Usually I put them in my sock bin and I forget about them (sorry Jan) so they go to the very bottom to be sadly forgotten. This is because I only wear ankle socks due to the fact that I am always HOT.

Well since I have been wearing my funny plantar facitiis wrap things that go around my ankles I have been in need if higher socks that cover my ankles. Otherwise it digs into my skin.

So for the past week I have dug to the bottom of my sock bin to find this colorful holiday socks. And I have found that they actually give me a little happiness in my day and they are really fun to wear. Even when they absolutely do not go with my outfit. I find myself randomly picking up my pants during the day to look at them and smile. Who knew that I would get such a kick out of them too.

Today's socks featured lips and hearts (from Valentine's day). Maybe I will start collecting these fun socks. I will probably give them to my daughter-in-laws someday too. Thanks Jan for a little big of happiness in the midst of my plantar facitiis. :)

Monday, April 7, 2008

What a great weekend we had. I love my life. I especially loved it because it was Conference weekend which means a lot of hanging out in my Pajamas all day being inspired. I told you I had some cute pictures to share so here you go.

I think Preston is just doing so well with Wesley and loves his brother so much. If Wesley is seperated from Preston he FREAKS out! When he wakes up in the morning or from nap his first question, "Where is Weswee?" He also reminds everyone who comes over to "Squirt" their hands (Purell Hand Sanitizer) Here are some cute pictures of the brothers:



Here are my highlights:

1 - General Conference. I know everyone is talking about how amazing Elder Ballard's talk was but I just want to add that I thought it was one of the best talks ever. Even my friend Wendy this morning said, "I think he is my new favorite." I felt like he really knew what he was talking about ;) For those of you who missed it, he talked about Young Mothers and then gave counsel to our husbands and children ;). The other talks were so good too - very inspiring. And it was neat to see our new prophet in action. It felt strange to not have Pres. Hinckley there.

Heidi and Branden came over and watched with us. Heidi LOVES baby Wesley. She can't wait until she had her own. She finds out boy or girl on May 5th.



2 - At Relief Society Enrichment we had a service auction. My service was my husband doing a trip to the airport (hee hee). But I think I got the best thing of all - a sign made by one of my favorite friends Carlen. She dropped it off yesterday - she put a cute bow on it and I thought it was so adorable I left it on. Here it is hanging in my house. It is my new motto: Be Nice or Go Away.


2 - Boys Hair Update: Preston went last week and got his haircut from the one and only Lu. Lu has been cutting Preston's hair now for 2 years. Preston used to be so horrible about getting a haircut and scream and duck (he even kicked Lu in the privates one time). I went to Lu because he could cut it in about 5 minutes and they have an airplane for him ride in and movies to watch on TV. Now Preston doesn't mind it at all and so Lu can take his time. Good ol' Lu. We get to see him every other month (something annoying about having boys). I might get up the courage to cut it myself now that Preston is good about it. We will see.


Now for Wesley's Hair - It's growing great. It came in all even and perfect. He looks different now that he has hair and we no longer can call him Grandpa (he also has perfect eyebrows):



3 - Wesley is already watching TV - oh no! (I wish I could edit out all the mess - oops! You can see all my Rockband equipment hee hee). I just couldn't resist showing this picture. TV watching is just inevitable in our house.


4 - Our little Lily Bell. I am sure she is thinking, "Not another one." Tom says at least once a week he is going to get rid of her! She is such a sweet kitty and loves to be around people and cuddle. Sometimes when she sleeps with me she snuggles up so I am holding her like a baby. She really is my 3rd baby (well firstborn baby). We had to go buy $20 allergy medicine so our friends Cam and Lance could come over because they are allergic to her. Still - I love my Kitty Bell.


5 - This weekend we stayed over at our friends house watching their dog Bicho (pronounced Bish-u - it's bug in Portagese). This is the 4th time we have done it. It's fun to do for a couple days and it reminds me to NEVER get a dog.

6 - Wesley still has a cold so yesterday Tim and Tom gave him a blessing. It was short and to the point. Tom blessed him that his immune system would be strong and we would know how to help him. That night his cold was almost gone and today he only had slight sniffles. What a miracle! Especially after almost 6 weeks of this cold :(

Friday, April 4, 2008

I am playing catchup over the past couple of days:

1 - My foots is getting better! I have been doing everything the doctor ordered (except I did go to aerobics Wednesday and Today). I wear these funny braces on my feet all day that have an air pock where my arch is. It actually feels really good to have my high arch supported.

2 - I took Wesley yesterday to his 2 month check up. He got 4 shots. They still are not worried about the cold he has had for 4 weeks now. There is a nurse I always get that is SOOO slow when giving shots. My mom and my friend Rachel told me to talk to my doctor and request that she not give the shots. I couldn't do it - I'm such a wimp :( She did much better this time though. And it helps so much that I give him Tylenol 30 minutes before we go in.

Last night was horrible for the little guy. He kept waking up every 2 hours. His cold was even worse and he would drink 1 oz and then fuss. I was so tired this morning I knew the only way I could make it through today would be to go to aerobics. Tom needed to go to work so I called my mom :) She came over and held Wesley so he could sleep (he loves sleeping in Grandma's arms and will sleep a long time!) while Preston and I went to aerobics.

3 - Sadly, yesterday I packed up the newborn clothes and put them away. Wesley is now in 3-6 month clothes which fit him perfectly. I guess I kept the newborn clothes out a little too long. The pants were up to he knees. It felt strange to put them away for the 2nd child. Time just goes by so quickly.

4 - On Tuesday night I went over to my friend Wendy's house for our "Healthy Living Support Group" that I talked her into starting. It was so great and got me motivated again. Hopefully I will have good news to report on Sunday :)

I have some really cute pictures, but Tom is at a scouting event and took the camera. I will upload them later.