My Little Miss

As mentioned in the previous post, last week I was able to take Mary and Sam out on dates. 

Mary already knew exactly what she wanted to do. She has been saving her money for months for this activity.  She wanted to go to Build A Bear.

So, off we went. 

We chatted in the car about how she is doing. She asked me questions about Ben and I dating, and we were able to just connect and have fun.

We went to the bank first, because Mary had bags of coins.  I taught her how to put them in the machine that counted them. She thought it was awesome, so did I.  She then took the receipt to the lady at the desk, and was given cash back. 

Then it was off to the mall. We browsed through some stores, and I chuckled at Mary's style and the things she thought were pretty and cute. I love her style, it fits her. One lady even gave us a free pair of earrings for looking at her shop. Score!

We arrived a Build A Bear, and Mary got a huge smile on her face. It was so cute.
She spent a long time picking out her bunny, and an even longer time picking out the outfit.  It was so fun to watch the process she went through to pick everything out.  She is such a smart girl.

She just kept on hugging her bunny and whispering to it. She was told to make a special wish before she put the heart in her bunny. She closed her eyes and concentrated to hard before smiling, opening them, and placing the heart in the bunny.

Her bunny is absolutely adorable. I love the outfit she ended up with, after trying on about 20 different things!   She named the bunny Suzan and calls her Suzy.

Mary literally skipped out of the store, and then it was off to the snow shack. Mary loves the rainbow snow cones, just like Sam. 

On the way home, I asked Mary what her wish was, in Build A Bear. She told me that she wished that all of her other stuffed animals would like Suzy and be nice to her.  My heart melted. What an unselfish and thoughtful wish. So cute!

I sure love Mary and the girl she is becoming. I am grateful for a daughter and for the chance we have to be together. I look forward to many GNO's in the future with her!

My Little Man

Grandma JoJo was here last week, and amidst tons of things I was able to get done, there were two things that were the most important.  Time with Mary and Sam.

  William and Luke have plenty of attention right now, but Mary and Sam spend so much time romping around outside with friends and blasting in and out of the house, that I feel like I have lost some connection with them.

So, I asked Sam out on a date.  He said yes, and I was happy. 

I let him pick the activities. 

We went to the pet store first, and spent a long time looking at all of the animals and talking about them.

Sam held my hand the whole time, and I loved it.

Next, it was off to Target. I let Sam pick out two things he wanted (within a price range). I had to really bite my tongue and force myself to say, ok, when I saw what he ran to.

I have never seen a kid grin the way Sam did when I handed him the sword and the mask. It was amazing and so adorable. He was over the moon! He immediately started fighting the bad guys, right there in the isles at Target. He made sure we were safe the whole way back to the car. No bad guys got us. Few!

Next, it was off to the snow shack. It has been hovering around 100 degrees here for the past week or so, so the snow cone was the perfect treat. Sam got a rainbow one, and ate the whole thing, while holding his sword.

We talked in the car, I told him how special he was and talked to him about some of his talents and strengths. We connected, and we were happy.

I love my Sammy boy so much. 

And guess what...he asked me on a second date, and I said yes!

William

I came across these pictures of William on my phone the other day, and had to document them.

The one below is of William sitting in Luke's car seat, drinking the bottle that we can't seem to get him away from. He is watching his all time favorite show...America's Funniest Home Videos. What a crack up!

 

This is what happens when William gets his favorite food...an ice cream cone.

William sat in an ant pile, and got over 30 bites all over his body. So sad!

William's favorite thing to do outside.

We sure love our William!

One Month! (week 4)

Luke is one month old! I honestly can't believe it. Time flies.

Luke stretches out his feedings to almost 3 hours!

A weekend trip to Pocatello to be with family and introduce them to Luke. It was full of fun, laughter, good food, and relaxation. It was a great break.

Father's Day celebrations. (we got Ben a grill, and can't wait to use it)
I am so grateful for my dad, whose teachings, example and love, have helped make me who I am.
 
 I am also grateful for an amazing husband who is an excellent father, and chooses to be very involved with our children...

 

even if it means wearing dorky lazer tag helmets to please his sons.:)
 

Luke is starting to try to smile...any day now. We can't wait.

Mary had a great time talking with aunt Kelsey and Uncle Tyler as she learned to weed the garden.

I drove to Pocatello by myself with all four kids. We made it in once piece, after three stops.

I got the ok to start working out again, lightly. I mowed the lawn for my first work-out, and loved it!

My brother and sister-in-law had their first baby. Elias Wright Belnap. He is adorable and looks exactly like my brother.

Luke had a bath in the "grandma spa," complete with a towel lined sink, lavender bath lotion, a massage, and a view out the window.

The "good neighbors" from Colorado Springs, Mike and Mel, had their baby boy.  We are so happy for them and miss them so much.

Moved the guinea pig cage outside, and made a great big home for them. No more smell inside, and happy pigs outside. Hooray!

Luke loves to be snuggled and swaddled, but when he is awake, he prefers to stretch out on his back.

Mary and Sam continue Super Sports Camp, and have a great time.

We are loving summer and all it has to offer.

Life continues on, and is ever changing with a new baby and new schedules. Some moments are crazy, some are calm, some are stressful, some are peaceful, some are full of love and laughter, some are full of counting to ten and taking a deep breath.  Come what may, we are a family, and there is nothing else I would rather have.

Week 3

Mary and Sam attend a few days of "Super Sport Camp" at the rec center. 4 hours a day of sports, swimming and fun! Awesome break for mom, and great exercise for Mary and Sam. They love it!

Mom resumes piano lessons and has a new student.

Luke shows his true nature as an extremely good baby. He has a very calm and peaceful spirit about him and rarely cries other than when he is hungry.

Luke eats every two hours and is starting to get chubby cheeks and legs. So kissable!

Luke is circumcised, mom decides to watch this time, and ends up getting sick and has to sit down. ;)

Luke is 8 pounds.

William becomes a pro at the trampoline and the scooter.

Go through the usual ups and downs of adjusting to a new phase, and of course, hormones shifting back to normal.

First family night with our new fire pit. It was so much fun and we all had a great time being together in our own backyard, swinging on our swings and eating s'mores.

Mary starts a tumbling class at a gym close to home, and does four back hand springs in a row for the first time. Now she is working on her back hand spring back flip!

We are starting to find a routine again, and are kind of getting some sleep!

Ben is super dad and adjusts his work schedule as much as he can to help with everything.

Enjoying summer evenings outside in the front yard talking with neighbors and friends and soaking in the fun, relaxed summer schedule.

Headed to grandmas house for a weekend filled with family and Father's Day celebrations.

Week 2

Grandma was here, and it was wonderful, to say the least.
Daily Jamba Juice...tripple energy boost.
Figured out more with reflux and stomach issues. Got Luke comfortable. Hooray!
Sleep deprivation
Went on Mary's field trip hike, and had to call for a ride back home. (guess I am not back to normal yet, but loved being able to be with Mary and her school friends)
Lots of snuggles and kisses with Luke
My first few days alone with all 4 kids. A little scary, but going well.
Kind neighbors and friends offering to help.
Umbilical cord came off
Luke's first blow-out, and first bath.
Kids outing with grandma....food, toys, clothes, FUN!
Grandma left....tears.
Slowly getting into out new normal and new schedule.
 Celebrated mine and William's Birthday.
Blessed

Our Birthday

  William and I celebrated our Birthday yesterday. There is something so special about sharing this day with my little guy. It creates a neat bond between us.

It was the big 3-0 for me. I have been dreading this Birthday, but it actually wasn't that bad. I am excited for my 30's and for the phase of life we will be in. I think it will be great. I never would have imagined that I would have just had my 4th child by my 30th Birthday. Crazy! I feel very blessed.

William turned 2. He is such a happy, fun-loving boy. He has a very fun and contagious personality.

He loves to be outside, and spends about 6 hours a day out there romping around.  When he is actually inside, he is either watching Barney or Cars. His two favorites.

He is still a very big boy, and we kiss on his chub all the time.  He is big, but he is extremely coordinated. It is fun to watch him try new things. He recently figured out how to ride Sam's scooter. He talks extremely well, and he has an adorable little way of saying things.

William woke up to balloons and pancakes...two of his favorite things.

 

I woke up to a nice card from Ben and some jewelry and chocolate he got for me.

We kept the day low-key, because Ben and I are very sleep deprived at the moment.  It was also my first day alone with all of the kids.  Ben came home at 1:00 though, so it was manageable.  I am so grateful for his flexible job at times like this.

The day was filled with phone calls, messages, flowers and visits from friends and family. I felt very loved, and I know William did too.

Later in the evening we had pizza, cupcakes, and opened gifts. Ben surprised me with a fire pit for the backyard! I am so excited!

 

William got a Geotrax Christmas train, and literally yelled with excitement. It was hilarious and so adorable. 

We had a great Birthday together and it was a great time to remember what life really is all about.

Hospital Pictures

I finally got the computer to download the hospital pictures...here they are.

We love our Luke!