Christian is FIVE!!!

I can't believe I have a five year old.  Suddenly he seems all grown up.  Now that he's five he will be going to kindergarten, he can be in the REAL level swimming lessons, and he is too big for toddler clothes.  Five is a big deal.  And it has already begun, as Christian had his five year checkup and got all his shots for Kindergarten.  Crazy.  But let me tell you that he was so brave!  The nurse said he was the only kindergartner she's had lay on the table all by himself.  And he barely even cried.  He flinched on the first two shots and then the third really hurt him, but he was trying so hard not to cry.  He got pretty sad and tears fell, but there was very little crying.  What a brave little boy!  Jake told Christian that when he had to get his shots for kindergarten he kicked and screamed and they had to tie him to a chair at the doctor's office.  His mom had to trick him to get into the car, making him think he was going to get ice cream instead.  Poor Jake!  So I suppose Christian must take after me in the bravery department.  :)  And for the past two days Christian has been hopping around, claiming that his leg hurts too much.  Although he told me, "The pwoblem is that when I walk it hurts but when I wun, it doesn't. That's the pwoblem, Mom."  Fortunately tonight after dinner, suddenly he decided it was all better and walking worked too.  So funny!  :)


Here are his stats from his check-up:
Height: 43.5 inches (63%)
Weight: 40.25 lbs (47 %)
BMI: 15.0 (34%)


Christian is growing and changing so fast I can't keep up.  He surprises me every day with new ideas, new words, and new skills.  Here are some things I don't want to forget about Christian at FIVE:

1.  Christian is a classic, tormenting older brother, but at the same time he loves his little brothers.  He is so sweet to Owen and loves to play with him, make him laugh, and sit by him.  If I ever need to get Christian distracted from something, Owen is a great decoy.  :)  He also plays really well with Ethan, and is particularly good at telling Ethan what to do, in every way.  What Christian says, goes. Thankfully, Ethan is a pretty good sport to go along with it, most of the time, although Ethan is putting up a bigger fight these days.  It has been fun to see Christian starting to give in and let Ethan have his way every now and then.  Really, these two are such good buddies and I think they'd be so lonely without the other one.

2. Christian is a smart little boy.  He is the smartest in his preschool class and is beginning to read.  He constantly amazes me by reading various words and phrases.  He is also a thinker and comes up with creative ways to solve problems or create things.  He is becoming a good little artist, and is very attentive to detail in his work.  Very attentive--his teacher says he is always the last to finish, and often she tells him he'll have to finish it at home.  :)    He is a good boy at school too, as he has been able to pick out of the "sports bag" three times for filling up his VISA card--very impressive student actions.  This day he had picked this bug catcher watch out of the sports bag.  His teacher asked me if he was always so well behaved, and said, "He must be this good all the time!"  Christian certainly has his moments of tantrums at home, but I'm glad to hear he is so well behaved at school.  :)

I love this one of Ethan watching so carefully as Christian paints.  

3.  Christian loves to be read to and can listen to a long story.  I love the rare quiet afternoons when Ethan naps, along with Owen, and Christian and I sit on the couch and read books.

4.  Christian has had an obsession with bandaids lately.  Or maybe it's rather an obsession with delaying his bedtime.  Before Christmas came, every night after being tucked in bed, all ready to fall asleep, Christian would call me back into his room and start pleading, "Ow, ow ow!" and demand that he needed a bandaid.  Never did these owies require a bandaid during the day and often they were not even visible.  And NEVER were they bleeding.  But as soon as he got a bandaid, he would go right to sleep.  So for awhile I just gave in and figured eventually he'd get over it, but Jake got tired of the bandaid saga and decided it would be put to an end.  And so the bandaids disappeared.  The story goes that the Elf took them.  And so on Christmas morning, Christian received a box of bandaids in his stocking with a handwritten note from Elf himself.  (See below.)  And he keeps that box of bandaids on his headboard.  So now if Christian wants a bandaid, I just tell him to get one out of his box, but to make sure he really needs it because the Elf said he wouldn't be able to bring more until next Christmas.  :)  Fortunately, this has solved our bandaid saga.

5. Christian loves to make things and always asks if we can "do a project."  He builds with Lego blocks, train tracks, race tracks, and anything else that will fit together to make a road or a bridge or a building.... For his birthday Jake gave him a model rocket, with they built together and then launched on Uncle Conner's rocket launcher.  Connor said it was the best launch to date!  

6. Christian loves playing in the snow and comes in and out, snow clothes on and off, five or more times in one day.  This particular day he took some cars outside and drove tracks in the snow.  This kept him entertained for hours!  

7. Christian loves to be silly, and loves when his parents do silly things to make him laugh.  I love to hear his uncontrollable giggle.  I should be silly more often.  

8. Christian is up for adventure and loves to do things with Daddy.  This past week he has started riding a two-wheeler!  Daddy took the training wheels off, and just like that he took off!  He still needs to practice stopping and needs to learn how to get started by himself, but he's doing great.  He told me "Daddy was the one who taught me."  He wanted to make sure Daddy got the credit.  

9. Christian loves to help me, whether in the kitchen with dinner, making cookies, or even scrubbing the rug with a toothbrush.  He loves to be close by me, but he can also play by himself for a while.  

10.  Christian has an amazing attention span for sporting events.  Last week he went to a Jazz game with Jake and he sat through the entire game!  He doesn't ask for snacks, he doesn't whine to leave, he doesn't ask to go buy a toy, he just sits and watches the game.  And he even kept updating Jake on who was winning!  He has also done this at Bees baseball games and BYU basketball games.  What a kid!  I think this year we'll look into putting him on a team of some sort.  I think it's in his blood.  :)

11.  Christian loves to sing!  He has come a long way in just a year in primary.  As a sunbeam, I don't think he ever sang.  He just sat there and soaked it all in.  But this year in primary he has become one of the loudest singers and knows all the words!  It's been really fun to be in primary with him and see this progress.  He really loves music and knows TONS of songs!

12.  Christian is a sweet little boy, with a bright smile and sparkling eyes.  I love to listen to him tell about his day, and tell about tomorrow.  He always wants to know what we're doing tomorrow and sometimes he has big plans we need to do...like build a racetrack out of cardboard.  I love how Christian is easy going and willing to be flexible.  Like if I say, "Let's go do this!"  Christian usually says, "okay!" and doesn't complain about it.  

Christian, I love you so much!  I can't believe you are getting so big and on your way to kindergarten this year.  My how time flies!  I am so grateful for you and all you help me with and teach me every day.  You will always be the very best Christmas present I have ever received.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love, Mommy

Owen, Nine Months

My baby is nine months old!  He is growing like a weed, babbling up a storm, and ALMOST crawling.  And still flashing the most charming, melt-your-heart smiles.  Love, love this baby.

Here is a glimpse of Owen at 9 months:
-He is a GREAT eater!  He has given up baby food for the good stuff--tablefood!  He pretty much refuses to eat baby food unless confined in his carseat and starving to death.  But if it's real food, than he will chow it down!  For example, on Christmas we ate Borscht and Owen couldn't get enough!  At his checkup his iron levels were very healthy, and I'd say it's because he's such a good eater.
-He loves his binky and can put it in all by himself.  He also loves his blankie.
-He is getting pretty intrigued with his reflection.

-He can say aaah, ba, ma ma, and da da.  And if he drops something he says "ah-ah" with the inflection of uh-oh!  Cute!
-He loves to click his tongue and smack his lips. He thinks he's pretty tricky.
-He hasn't quite figured out the hand foot coordination of crawling to make himself go forward yet, but he's a movin'!  He can go backwards and roll all over to get where he needs.  He's us and rocking on all fours, and he's SO close to crawling.  Then we're all going to have to be on our toes a little more. Christian and Ethan, put your toys up!
-He's a good sleeper and good napper, although he has a cold right now, so currently the sleeping is struggling.
-He still has no teeth.
-He still has his ear-piercing squeal, but he doesn't use it as much.  He started replacing it with a growl.  I'll take the growl over the squealing any day!
-He is still nursing.
-He loves to pull himself up when you hold his hands and he thinks it's so funny!
-There is getting to be a HINT of clingy-ness, but not too bad yet.
-His eyes are still a gorgeous blue and his hair a shiny blond.
-Daddy says he needs a haircut.  It is getting a little shaggy by the ears and starting to curl out, but has yet to have his first haircut.
-He LOVES, loves to take a bath!  Especially if it's all by himself, which is a rare occurrence.

-He is overall a happy, content baby that we all adore!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my three handsome fellas!  

A Charlie Brown Christmas

"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!"  Charlie Brown exclaimed.  

Good thing Linus knew exactly what it's all about....

It's about the shepherds who followed the star....

And the wisemen who came from the east...

And most importantly, it's about the Baby Jesus, in the manger...  

"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." 

 And Mary and Joseph were there too, except Joseph was taking the photo :)

We are so grateful for the Baby Jesus and his humble birth on that Christmas night.

Seven Years!

Supposedly we've made it to the magic number....they say if you can make it to seven, you can make it.  Who's THEY?  I don't know, but I guess we made it!  :)  Happy seven years to my best friend!

 Remember how is was SO cold on our wedding day, and I kept trying to warm my hands in your armpits?  That bouquet looks good in your hands.  :)

 Here we are one year into marriage, looking young, matchy-matchy, and blissfully happy, sitting in our Jodell living room.  Speaking of Jodell, Happy Anniversary to the Whiting Faces too!   :)

Seven years, and still blissfully happy, but more.  I love you!

A Present from Owen

Owen wants to give you a present...

This afternoon he joined the presents under the Christmas tree.

He didn't think it was much of a predicament, since he had presents to play with, Christmas lights to suck on, and ornaments to grab.

That't what happens when you are learning to crawl, but your only motion seems to be backwards.  Unless of course, you are rolling around to get yourself from point A to point B.  In that case, you think you are very funny.  At least Owen does.

He is one happy camper now that he can get places!  He was a happy baby before, but now I'd say he's giddy.  :)

And by the way, Owen, I think you are the best present of all.  :)

Rub-A-Dub-Dub...

THREE boys in the tub!

Hey Diddle, Diddle

Christian had a nursery rhyme program at his preschool this past week and he did so well! He always memorizes his parts for his little programs, but he usually ends up making his teacher feed him the lines. But this time he did it all by himself! And he even made the cow jump over the moon at the right part. It was so cute. :) 

Christian and his teacher

His friend Madison doing Three Little Kittens (we carpool with her and they are the best little friends)

His friend Taylor with  Humpty Dumpty.  I loved this one.  :)

Hickory Dickory Dock 

Mel's Birthday!

The boys' favorite Aunt Melissa had a big birthday and of course it was cause to celebrate! We had a kids' party, complete with a pinata, musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey, and party hats! The kids had a blast. And even Owen got in on the fun!

We are so lucky to have Melissa in our family. First, she's the best little sister. Such an amazing girl, full of life and excitement and ambition to enjoy it all, and an incredible example to me. She's also so much fun to be around! And she's an awesome aunt! Everyone needs an Aunt Melissa in their family. We are so glad we get to see her so much more now that we live close.

Happy Birthday, Meliss! We love you! (Even though you're a quarter of a century now...)

'Tis the Season

I have yet to write about Thanksgiving, or even Halloween for that matter, and here we are in December already. But I can't think Halloween when I am surrounded by all things Christmas, the most beautiful season of the year. I worry that this month is going to fly by as I am busy with primary to-do lists, scheduled parties, anniversary, birthday and the daily tasks of keeping up with life, so I am making a great effort to do something "Christmas" with the boys every day. I already wish I had made an advent calendar to pull activities out of every day, but it's on next year's list already. So for this year, we'll just try to do them. And hopefully create some fun memories and traditions in the mean time.

First and foremost, the Christmas tree. It's up and decorated and filling our home with that special Christmas magic already. I love the feeling of a darkened living room, lit only by the glow of the Christmas tree. That is my favorite moment, when we first light up the tree. As tradition goes, we joined the Merkley family Thanksgiving weekend for the annual hunt, where we cut down our own tree. We did this before we had kids and moved out of state, and then last year Jake went without us because there was too much snow and I was pregnant. I was pretty bummed about that. So this year we took the whole family. Although the boys were cold and sad by the end, they really did pretty well, and Owen did the very best! Luckily we had some help from aunts and cousins so that we were able to leave the three boys at the fire while Jake and I hunted out the tree. I love picking out a tree with Jake--it's so fun, and climbing the mountin in a couple feet of snow is so peaceful, serene, and even romantic. :) Hence the disappointment last year. Despite the suburban getting stuck in the snow for a bit, all in all it was a great day and a successful tree hunt. I was worried it would leave bad memories for the boys, but when I asked them what they liked that day, they said getting a Christmas tree. Hopefully next year they'll want to go again.

This was an assignment Christian had from school.  Christian drew it and wrote it, and I just helped with spelling.  It says, "My favorite Christmas tradition is cutting down the Christmas tree. I like to watch it fall down."

So on Monday for family night we got the tree in the house and decorated it! Complete with Christmas tree cookies for our treat, which the boys and I made that afternoon together. It was especially fun to watch Ethan's excitement as he successfully hung his first ornament. He was clapping and jumping when it didn't fall off the tree! SO cute. (even with a blurry picture)

To Blog

Blogging is good for me. It reminds me of how blessed I am. How cute my kids are. How much fun we have together. That's good for me, especially on nights when I've used up my very last drop of patience and bedtime becomes a battle. A loud battle. And sometimes I don't know if I'm going to make it through it. But somehow, I always do, and then everything seems better when the house is quiet. Life has been so busy and crazy that I haven't found much time to blog. But I really need to make more time for it, because it's good for me. And I love doing it. I'm so far behind on my blog, sometimes it's overwhelming, but I am going to make a much bigger effort to post more, because it is good for my soul. I have to remind myself that it's not a task to blog, a checklist to complete. I love my family. I love my husband. I love my three little boys. Now let me just make some time to write about it. :)

Box O' Fun!

If you chance to acquire a large appliance box, don't throw it away. It will provide hours, days, and even weeks of entertainment! This box started out as a dishwasher box, and then became a lion's cage, by just putting it on top of the boys and "feeding the lions" by handing snacks down with a ladle through the top hole. Then we decided to cut a door, and a couple windows and it became a house. Eventually we added another door, transforming into a tunnel, where it remains. But the fun didn't end there. The boys colored on it, added stickers, colored some more and had hours of fun with this large piece of cardboard. I only wish we'd thought to keep the oven box when we got a new oven back in March, but that was on the day Owen was born, so I guess we were a little preoccupied with other things. (We have almost exhausted all the appliances in this apartment...only the fridge is left! Luckily we have an awesome landlord.)

Crib Buddies

I love these pictures because I love to walk in on this scene. Ethan always insists that he gets to go see Owen before I get him out of his crib, and he prefers to go up to Owen's room alone. (This is his favorite thing when Christian's at preschool.) I almost always find this scene upon entering the room: Ethan laying next to Owen, talking to him, smiling at him, or just watching him. Owen isn't always this happy to see Ethan, and Ethan sometimes torments Owen instead of making him smile, but often I get to see this happy scene. And usually I leave them alone for awhile like this before I come get Owen. Such cute brothers!

Owen, 8 months

Owen turned eight months last weekend!! We are loving him to pieces. In all seriousness, I cannot get enough of him. He is so much fun and brings so much joy to our home! I love to stick my face in his and make him giggle. I love when he sticks his face in mine. I love, love his beautiful blue eyes. I just love this baby. I cannot express it, but I love him, adore him.

When people ask "Now how old is Owen?" and I tell them he's eight months, everyone has been saying the same thing: "So he's crawling and all that." No, actually he's not. My babies don't tend to crawl as early as most, which I am completely fine with. In fact, just today I was telling Owen that is was a good thing he couldn't crawl yet, because the Christmas tree situation would be a big nightmare. So I am grateful that he is holding off on this milestone so we can have a little less stress this Christmas season. (If you recall last year Ethan pulled the tree on top of himself twice.) The picture above makes it look like he's pulling up on things and standing, but he's actually just holding on tight to the table and leaning against it. It's deceiving.

Right now Owen has two things that will define his eighth month: squealing (piercing, screaming type of squealing) and vibrating his lips together, or "spitting" as Ethan calls it. It's so cute! He does it all the time. Even when he's half asleep while nursing he'll sit up and start "spitting." He makes me smile.

I am starting to see Owen's personality, which is so fun! He loves to laugh, and loves us to make him laugh. He loves his brothers, especially Christian, but gives Ethan lots of smiles too, as long as he's not tipping him over (a frequent occurrence around here). He is pretty good to go to anyone, but I am starting to see a hint of "mama's boy" in him. Of course, I don't mind because he's so stinkin' cute. :)

Owen, you are so, so, so loved.

Ethan's Eye: Blood Tests

Today I took Ethan to Primary Children's to get some blood tests done. The best part was that we found this awesome car right in the front entrance, and Ethan insisted on driving it the rest of the time. He drove it to the registration desk, he drove it to see the train display, he drove it to the lab, and then he drove it all the way back to the front entrance. He begged to drive it to our van in the parking lot, but I told him we had to leave it at the hospital. He was a little boy in heaven!! It was so fun to see him so excited about driving this little car. He turned the steering wheel as if it was really turning the wheels. It was so cute! And he insisted on entering the and exiting the car through the NON-door side. A little more difficult, but he managed. While in the waiting room, he parked the car next to a soft bench and used it as his jumping pad. He would climb out of the car onto the bench, then jump off the bench onto a soft play mat on the floor, then repeat. He was in heaven! I was having so much fun watching him. It was a moment I wish I could freeze in time. I am so grateful for moments like that with this sweet little two year old of mine.

As for an update, Ethan's eye still seems to be getting worse, maybe not in the third nerve category, but in his use of it. It seems like he is "giving up" on his eye, and his brain is working to mainly use the good eye. When you cover the good eye, suddenly Ethan's left eye kicks into place and will track an object. As soon as you uncover the eye, the left eye falls out of place again. It's crazy. The brain is an amazing thing. So we talked to the doctor yesterday, who wants to see him on Friday, and we went in this afternoon to get some blood tests done first. We will get the results on Friday and see what the doctor has to say.