As of Late...

My love.



Reading time.



Karin and Chris (our old downstairs neighbors) are back from England and living in Orem! She's been over to visit and it has been so much fun to talk and let Arthur and Croz play.



Pizza-making crew



Croz and I getting ready for my "Bunco and the City" night



Night with the girls



My guys!



It is hard... I don't have the time to blog that I wish I did. I can't fancy it up at all right now, it's bare bones... one of these days...

Little Ones

Croz and "new puppy"



Mignon McLaughlin, journalist and author, said: "Only where children gather is there any real chance of fun."



I love kids. I always have. Truly I could spend longer than the average person around kids because I am just in love with them. Their sense of what's around them is so pure and uninhibited. I wish this would always be so throughout their lives. For instance, I never want Croz to feel like it's weird to feed his stuffed animals.

Anyway... speaking of fun!



Cupcakes are one of my favorites. I had to bake (surprise surprise) the other day. Codi & Lucy happened to be swinging by to play that day, and when Lucy took her coat off and my eyes beheld this AMAZING shirt, I about jumped for joy. Cheeseball of me, I know, but really... how CUTE can she be?! We decided on blue-frosted cupcakes with sparkly white sprinkles. So January!



Waking up to the big snow on Sunday morning was actually a delight because D could be home to stay in with Lennox while Croz and I played (and shoveled) our hearts out. He was in great need of a snow romp.



And so eager to shovel! He demanded that I use his wooden spoon to "shovel" while he used the real shovel. Can't blame him! I think that wooden spoon trick's getting old.



Croz was standing under a tree and I couldn't resist banging the snow off the branches above him so it would snow on him. As I started to do that though, he looked up at the tree and a huge layer of snow heaped all over his bare face! As soon as I started laughing, he did too. What a baby guy. I love him to pieces. We had so much fun spending time in the sun and snow.

3 Months

Dear Lennox...

Happy 3-Month Birthday to You!



It is no secret that your dad and I and even Crosby are oozing with love for you, baby! You are such a pure joy and have made our home happier than ever before. There are many many things about you to gush about, but here are a few:

-I love how when I'm rocking you to sleep we stare at each other for a while and then when I touch your nose it makes you close your eyes
-Oftentimes when you wake up to eat you don't even cry, you just start talking - you are SO low-key!
-Every time I see you smile it makes me feel excited for the future and how lucky I am to be your mom and see you grow up
-Not only do you smile with your mouth, but with your eyes too. So I find myself quickly trying to look at the cute shape of your mouth as well as your twinkling eyes before your smile is over
-It is fun to see you watch Crosby, kind of like, "What's he gonna do next..." and I wish I knew what you were thinking
-I love how you talk to me through your bink as you're on your way to sleep

Today at church Dad was holding you and making you bounce/dance. All of a sudden I heard what I thought was a laugh but I didn't want to make a scene so I kept to myself about it and later at home Dad said it was for sure a laugh. I had a hard time believing it so later in your crib I put you to the test... I kept "sneaking" up on you and you were laughing so hard! If you could have seen how happy it made me, you might be embarrassed. Let's just say I enjoyed every second of your first laugh, and it happened today!

We love you so incredibly much,

Mom & Dad

Minor (Major) Detail

I was so gung ho about wrapping up 2010 that I forgot an important event... Lennox's blessing... it was short but very very sweet. We had it the day after Christmas and didn't have the typical get-together afterwards. It was nice to do it that way because with it being the day after Christmas, we gathered at the meeting for his blessing but then all went home to our individual families to spend a cozy Sunday at home.



When we got home I saw a paper sticking out of the diaper bag. A lady in our ward had written down what D said in Lennox's blessing and slipped it in our bag... we were thrilled and couldn't have asked for a greater gift!

Lennox truly is an angel boy. He gives off a very palpable sense of calm, humility, and love... all packaged in that cute tiny body. Love you sweet baby.

Ready or Not, Here Comes 2011

... Ready!

Any complaints I'd have for 2010 would be me scraping for something to whine about... the year has been mighty good to us... safety, peace, healthy baby, happy family... who could ask for more?

However, I don't know if I've ever hit the last week of December and not found the idea of a new year very enticing!

Especially when I'm spending day in, day out with these two:



Can't wait to see what's in store.

Here comes my melange of holiday pictures (even before the holidays are over!)

Eden and I had to document twin pants. I love her.



Brad and Lennox seem to be bonding



Got to spend some quality time with Milo... talk about infectious smile! And he is crawling EVERYWHERE!



After weeks of good intentions, D and I never got around to that magical Trolley Square Santa we were told about. So day before Christmas Eve Lindsay and I toted the four kids and I snapped what I later found out to be an off-limits photo. Santa's giving me demon eyes. However, it was magical for Croz to meet Santa and officially tell him he would like a garbage truck for Christmas!



I constantly remind myself through thoughts and prayers how lucky I am to have two incredible people for parents! They are the BEST Nan and Grandpa! So blessed to have them in my life.



Here's Lennox on Christmas morning around 5:30 am, so willing to fall prey to the Santa suit! This guy is my Boogaloo. Whatever that's supposed to mean, he is. He is my joy. He is also an intuitive little boy because Christmas Eve I enjoyed a FULL SIX HOUR stretch of sleep, uninterrupted. Counting sleepless nights of pregnancy + nightly feedings since his arrival, I can truthfully say I haven't slept an uninterrupted six hours since last February! Merry Christmas to me from Lennox, now I can conquer the world ;)



Christmas Eve dinner at my parents'. An unforgettable steak dinner - so wonderful!



Croz & Luce on Christmas



Adult games



Kid games



After Crosby opened presents and we were headed out, D and I attempted to allow one toy on Crosby's lap in the car, but he insisted on holding his HUGE garbage truck too!



Christmas night at the lights downtown. (Croz unzipped his new winter coat in the WalMart parking lot without me noticing; it is lost forever. Glad I found something to bundle him up in until we can find a new coat-)



D went for a run Christmas morning so he wasn't there when Croz woke up. I had to stall for him to open presents and I'll never forget that short space of time we spent together; lights on the tree were the only lights on... soft against his face... looking surprised that Santa really did come... talking about ornaments and the birth of Christ... he is my darling, sweet baby guy always!



First family (of four) pic ever!



I am not one to make New Years' resolutions, though I have no problem with resolutions in general. It is nice to think about, but I would be silly to think the new year ones are any different than the perpetual push I have to maintain a balanced life. A balance of happy times and sad, times to learn and times to enjoy what I already know, staying healthy, staying grounded spiritually, spending time with husband, friends, children, family... all the while recognizing the abundance of blessings we enjoy...

Happy Holidays to all who read this! We treasure our loved ones and wish you a Wonderful & Happy New Year!

R.I.P.

The time has finally come to part with our beautiful black futon. Yes it happens to be the ugliest, nastiest-looking thing on the face of the earth, but... it's been part of our family for the 8+years D and I have been married. It was our best snuggle spot ever. As you can see in the picture, D salvaged the comfort level by adding a foam pad here and there, and we never dreamed of parting with it because it fit us so perfectly. A few nights ago though it fell victim to Crosby's throwup episode and try as we did to clean it, let's just say it is no longer allowed in our living space. After a little mourning period, I know we won't be too bent out of shape to start looking for an actual couch!



Obviously I'm a new mom... not enough sleep... but last night gave "Rest In Peace" a whole new meaning. After maybe two hours of combined sleep, I hear Crosby scream at 4 am, only to find him covered in throwup on his bed :( He has had this flu for around 6 days now, our poor baby guy. D and I spent an hour-ish giving him a bath, clean-up, new sheets, do the laundry. Back to bed at 5. Lennox squirms at 5:15. Erggggghhh!!! I feel sooo bad for Croz but I can't be a very helpful mother with ZERO sleep. So. Really what I want to say is that I am VERRRRRY grateful for something that is worth its weight in gold. My eyemask.



This is how I look on the weekends, walking around the house like a weirdo sleepless Indian chief. Sometimes I forget it is on my head. The routine is D takes the boys for as long as they'll last while I try to get some shut-eye. I love our HUGE windows in our room but once daytime hits, light fills the room and I can't sleep. I have to say that this dinky little mask (I think I found it in an airplane kit from YEARS ago) has saved my sleep life time and again. It was plastered to my eyes countless first-trimester mornings where I was sick as a dog and sunlight was making me uber-sick, the time D and I had to sleep on the floor of the Singapore airport, etc. etc. It is one of my most prized possessions! Now all I need for Christmas are earplugs :)

What's Next?!

Crosby has been waking up at 6 am consistently enough that it's got me a little worried. He quietly makes an entrance into our room and shows up by the side of our bed, usually saying, "Hi Mommy. Hi Daddy. What can we do? I just woke up."

Hmmm.

Around 6:30 am when I finally pull my sleep-deprived self out of bed he's saying, "Let's jump, Mom, come on!" I cringe as I think about the downstairs tenants trying to find their happy place.

The other night I had Croz in the tub and was tidying up in the other room when I hear him yell, "Mom.... WHAAAT's NEEXXXT?! What's next, Mom?"

Should we wrestle? Should we color? Should we find something to do? Should we watch my puppet show? Should we go to Nan's house? Should we call Daddy? Should we sit in my thinking chair? Should we should we should we. And if I don't respond right away, am helping Lennox, using the bathroom, or what have you I usually get hit with one of Crosby's signature whines or screams until I bristle and yell out of frustration, "Crosby, what do you NEED?" And he responds with (real) tears in his eyes, "You."

It got to me the first few times but after reminding myself I can't possibly appease him every second I've tried to not feel too guilty about our one-on-one time being limited to almost zero.

The other day I bundled him up, sent him outside with a wooden spoon, and crossed my fingers for it to last even 10 minutes.



I should have known better... he LOVED it! So what's been our missing link? The great outdoors.



Wow do we miss summer/fall... even just if I could take them on a walk it would help so much! I just don't feel good about taking Lennox out in the cold/inversion yet. So Croz will have to settle for solo playtime on the patio. And way too much time in the house.



...while I steal some precious one-on-one Lennox time. I really do feel like I have to secretly ooh and ahh over my precious newborn because I know Croz is getting sick of me DOTING all day long over this little one. I try to be mindful of it, but it is tough.



Hopefully things will level out someday soon where I don't have to be on poor Crosby's tail all day. I want him to feel happy and know how much I adore him too. Until then though he's on his own a lot of the time, just Croz and a pile of BBQ chips. best. mom. ever.