FHE: Forgetful Fred

This is a really simple FHE, but definitely a favorite. It's just a review of stories from the scriptures... since Fred forgot! I chose too many pictures, so by the end the girls were ready for treat. But we couldn't decide where to go! Heavenly Father to the rescue, Joe and the girls flagged down the ice cream man who passed right at the precise moment we needed a treat!

I wish I had gotten a better picture, but Maria ate the black gumball off spongebob and had a little black mustache just like Hitler. Quite memorable as she was pretty insistent on going to Dairy Queen... now looking back though, she was just starting to get sick.

Pump It. Pump It. Pump It.

So I've been wondering what we're doing and I realized it's one of a few things:

1. Pumping Milk

2. Feeding Milk/Formula

3. Going Potty

4. Reading Books

5. Feeding Older Children

I'm hoping in a few months things will add to the list. :)

But as for excitement, my little love has started smiling! MELT. MY. HEART. This little guy is going to get away with anything he wants because he is absolutely adorable and gorgeous!

Maria got a runny nose on Tuesday. Poor little thing. She tries so hard to be happy, but when you're sick, you're sick. She's watched Sleeping Beauty at least 5 times since then and that seems to help out quite a bit. :) Prince Phillip is quite the charmer. I mean, they managed to fall in love in less than 2 minutes. Definately best looking prince out of the bunch. Although the beast is my fav (pre-human because after the magic, there was no magic).Christina is still loving school. I wish I could see who she is playing with and what is going on. I despise not knowing. I mean really, what if she's not at school and going to get doughnuts with friends... it's in her blood. At least she's able to tell me multiple things they've done at school. She really enjoys the computer. I think she'll be starting her own blog within the next year.Packing is... well. I'm blogging, not packing... so does that tell you anything? I'm excited to move, just not all the stuff. Perhaps we should just adopt a new lifestyle of minimalism and Zen. Although I found this great table (seats 10) on craigslist... now we can fit people!! I covered the chairs with plastic, so fingers crossed, perhaps they will last a little longer! The guy at the store assured me all bodily fluids would wipe off, so if not I'm having a bonfire and we will picnic from now on.

Moving!! Hoo-ray!

So we close on our new house on Aug. 31!! We are very excited and very blessed. The appraisal from the bank came in $20,000 more than what we are paying, so we have some equity already! Although, we don't plan on selling anytime soon. :) Today the girls and I played in the backyard of our future home for a half an hour. I hope we don't get arrested for trespassing. I just love everything about the house. Our real estate agent Carol has been wonderful and worked with us for over a year! Sometimes we'd see her 3 times a week! Talk about a trooper. I've seen more houses than I've ever wanted too. But now we're done. God is very good to us. We'll probably move in mid-September.

Maria and a 25 Cent Wig

There are some things in life that just make you smile.

Underwear Queens

Sometimes I wonder about my children. For example, today they played with 40 pairs of underwear Papa and Yaya bought them for 30 minutes straight.

Yes. This is a picture of my boob.

I still have hope. My good friend Emily (who is an angel!) let me borrow her pump and I've been pumping every 2 hours. I put out 1 oz. total per side. I'm taking fenugreek and smell like maple syrup. But I still have hope. I'll be OK with whatever happens, but for now we're plugging along with breast and bottle. Joe is still on a nipple shield but is sucking much better. Thank you Heavenly Father! We shall see what time and patience bring us.

Better than the Library

I must say, I love books. And I love that my children love books. As we are packing, most of the boxes are boxes of books. Current favorites include: Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes (The Pop Up Version), The Green Queen, I want my Potty, M is for Monster, and the Elephant Tree.

Adjusting

Well. Life is always throwing you curve balls. This beautiful boy isn't "thriving" as my wonderful doctor put it. He was 3 oz. under birth weight at his 3 week appointment and said I needed to start supplementing. I was quite distraught. In fact I was so stressed out I couldn't eat and got sick. I NEVER wanted to bottle feed. I know there is NOTHING wrong with formula, it's just I had such wonderful experiences with my girls for the 2 years (each) I breastfed them, that that's all I wanted to do. I asked my doctor what they do in Africa when there is no option for formula and she responded, "They die by age 20." And is it any wonder I panicked? Which is really good for milk supply.

I was quite sad to put it lightly. I'm still trying to breastfeed, but I have to give him formula so he'll grow. My doctor said it's probably a problem with my supply, but I don't think so. I feel multiple let downs. He just doesn't suck that well at the breast. He has to be on a nipple shield to even get on. I still have hope, but at the same time I know he needs adequate food. This has been very hard. Ah, adjustments.

I didn't have bottles at my house, the baby was crying, the girls had been stuck in the doctor's office and car for 2 hours... so I stopped by Alicia's house. It was all I could think to do. I was in tears and she was so helpful. She was really a comfort to my soul and I don't know what I would have done without her kindness. I also got some great comfort from my friend Angela who helped a lot with multiple questions I had. It's not the end of the world. It's just a change of plans. I think reading my scriptures put things more into perspective. I read in the book of Alma about how Christ was the "infinite and eternal" sacrifice. My moments of sorrow are nothing. I have hope and happiness through the knowledge that my family is eternal and we will one day return to our loving Father and elder Brother.

Isn't this so silly. It's just I really felt like a failure. But I'm not. And everything will be OK.
And I weighed him today (4 days after the doctor) and he was up to 8 pounds. So yeah.

Adoring Sisters Angelic Helpers

This little man is quite lucky to have so many adoring fans. And we are so lucky to have such a mellow laid back little man to adore!

FHE- "And my father dwelt in a tent."

For FHE Joe got out the tent and we talked about the prophet Lehi and his family. The girls were super excited and they even decided to sleep in it for the night. However, once it was dark Christina got a bit nervous and every 5 minutes was asking if they could go sleep inside. Maria passed out and even fell off the mattress onto the hard ground without a blink. 9:00PM they were inside comfy in their beds. Lesson learned: Grateful we weren't asked to do what Lehi was asked to do.

Self Potty Trained!!!

Maria is constantly saying, I need to go to the bathroom. I've been lazy about putting underwear on Maria, so Joe did. And guess what, no accidents! She's been wearing underwear for about 2 weeks now and has been doing great! 2 years 4 months and using the potty. Hoooooooray! Great job little beauty!! Talk about brilliant!! I might have already posted info on this, but please bear with me... it's just too exciting!

High 5 Chart

About a month ago the girls started getting a little whiny at bedtime. Granted they were tired. But I wanted bedtime to be a happy time. Plus they would play and sing in bed or the bathroom shower after we expected them to stay in bed and fall asleep.

I tried time outs. And that didn't feel right. They were just playing and being happy. Who am I to punish them for loving each other?

So this is what I came up with! The High 5 chart! It has been the solution! It has worked perfectly for the past 2 weeks. I drew some simple pictures of a child staying in bed and a happy face and a big ear for good listening. And for every night that bedtime went happy and they stayed in bed sleeping, in the morning we put paint on our hand and they high 5 the chart. Once it's all covered, we'll start a new one and Christina asked for ice cream sundaes, so there ya go. It really has made all the difference! Sometimes they jump on the bed with their toothbrushes and all I have to say is, uh-oh... does that earn you a handprint? Ahhh.... thank you Heavenly Father for your inspiration and ideas!

What am I thinking posting this picture...

I know. I look like I'm in labor. Or on meth. But really, I'm in labor. Why might I post this picture? Because it really represents our marriage.

Joe is the best husband and best friend anyone could ever ask for. I'm so blessed to have him as my eternal companion in life and after. I am so weak and he is so strong. He is constantly doing and never complaining. The past 2 weeks have been so smooth and happy because he's been home and doing everything but breastfeeding. I've been able to sleep in every morning while he gets the girls dressed and fed. He stays up to talk to me so the 12:30 feeding can go quicker :) He cleaned the tar off my car so I don't have to drive in shame AND put my hubcap back on. (Although the back window has now broken and won't role up... 2 down, 2 to go....) He's done dishes, laundry and even cooked! He's taken the girls to the park and played lots of soccer outside. He's held the baby and changed diapers. The list goes on and on. He's just always thinking of me and what he can do. I'm constantly bombarded by fresh bottled water while feeding the baby.

I'll miss him when he goes back to work and his busy schedule. This time together has been greatly appreciated by myself. I don't deserve all the love he gives me. But it's because of him and all his support that I'm able to be the type of mother that my mother was to me. He really does remind me of my dad sometimes, sacrificing so that our house can be a home.

Odds and Ends

The little man at 2 weeks. I know, I could eat him up too!

Maria likes to "move" a lot. However, she'd be perfectly content just holding her baby brother all day long if I'd let her. Very maternal and loving. She also sings to him and talks to him quite a bit in the car.

They just get more and more beautiful every day. What am I going to do!

The Old Folk

Ahhh... my parents. The best grandparents in the entire world! Don't they look good for being almost 80?!?!

I can't even begin to express how helpful and loving and wonderful they have been. It sure makes life easy when they are entertaining, feeding and playing with the girls so I can breastfeed without plastic tarantulas hovering over my boob while Joe eats. Not to mention frequent trips to the store so I don't have to expose him to Ebola.

JoJo - My little piece of Heaven

I must say all of my children are heavenly. The newborn stage is a very nerve racking one for me. Are they eating enough? Are they gaining enough weight? Are they sleeping enough? Are they growing properly? When will He come off the nipple shield? However, I love snuggling. Joe sleeps on my chest mostly but he also does good if I set him down and rub his back. He is very calm and peaceful. We've given him a few baths. I use the term "we" loosely. It's mostly me hovering while the girls rinse him with water gently. I can't even squeeze in!