One Year Older

A year ago today I was an emotional, sleep-deprived wreck with four kids, one of which was less than a week old and another with head lice. We were talking about it this morning over breakfast, and I made the statement that there have been 3 really HUGE trials in my life: my brother's death, Joe losing his job, and what we will call the head-lice incident. Knock on wood, but I (we) are in a much better place in life right now!!

Grant's birthday: we woke up early and he opened his presents before breakfast, which was Captain Crunch cereal (Grant's choice). We had a daytime party, and Grant invited 4 four-year-old boys over for a pirate party. We read "How I Became a Pirate," walked the plank, looked for treasure, and beat the pirate pinata. For lunch we ate traditional pirate food. . . fish sticks, gold fish, chocolate milk, apple slices, and chocolate cupcakes. We continued the partying when dad got home with some pizza, salad, apple juice, and more chocolate cake. 

I bet you don't remember what a milestone "4" is. According to Grant, when you are four you become a superhero, you can kill bad guys, break out of jail, and make your own sandwiches. Grant was very sad, though, when he realized that being four does not mean you get to go to preschool the next day. We are working on getting him into preschool in the fall--but that sounds forever away for him.

It was stormy on his birthday, and the picture below is a friend's mom showing her bravery while holding the pinata (and talking pirate) for all those 4-year olds with a wooden bat. 

oops, I guess this picture didn't get turned the right way.

I'm pretty sure Grant took this picture. 

Ammon turned one on Thursday, but we took advantage of his innocence and didn't do a thing to celebrate until Saturday. OK, we sang him "happy birthday" at least a dozen times. He smiled. 

On Saturday we had cinnamon rolls and eggs for breakfast, pizza for lunch, and chili for supper. Chili, believe it or not, is Ammon's favorite food. He growls at us if we don't feed it to him fast enough. The other kids whine and complain that it is too spicy or too tomatoey. But Ammon loves it. 

Joe's family came on Saturday to help us to celebrate. This picture had the most people in it, so that's why I put it on. 

I love this picture because the three big kids were so thoughtful and helpful (lol) while Ammon attempted to open presents. PAHAHA! I just looked at the pictures and realized that is me sitting by Grant. . . I thought it was Madison. Madi is on the left in the fluorescent yellow uniform. 

I actually think he got the hang of it faster than the other kids on their first birthdays. He started ripping that paper off! 

Here he is with his stash! 

I did not feel like making him his very own cake like I did with the other kids on their first birthdays. We just ate cupcakes and cake a week ago for Grant's birthday, so I felt caked-out. Instead I made a berry-poke cake with whipping cream and berries on top. I know it's still not healthy, but it seems a little lighter somehow than chocolate and frosting. He got the biggest piece, though. 

As you can see, we stripped him down to his diaper and let him go. He ate about 1/3 of it, then he threw the cake on the ground and started licking his plate. I think Joe got a picture of that on his phone, but I don't have it right now. I'm not sure if a few silly pictures are worth the huge mess (which, actually, I didn't have to clean up because Joe's mom cleaned the kitchen while I bathed the boy. Thank You!). 

Here he is enjoying his second bath of the day. 

Happy Birthday Boys! 

S

Ammon's last day to be 0.

What a difference a year makes!! 

For some reason I have this idea with each baby that 

he (or she) is going to stay a baby forever. 

And then--BLINK! 

Tomorrow Ammon turns one. I look at him and wonder how he ever fit inside of me.

Just like I look at Logan, Madison, and Grant and wonder the same thing.

Ammon is walking almost everywhere. 

He's figured out how to stand without holding on to anything.

He is nursing twice a day. I think we could easily go down to one, or maybe none at all.

But for all I know this will be the last time I will ever nurse a baby.

And call me crazy, but the thought is really sad. 

So I'm hanging on to that last feeding. 

Ammon can wave, clap, blow kisses, say "MOM" and "DA" and "HI."

He looks really cute when he pulls his head down to the side to get your attention.

It's not so cute when he screams to get your attention.

His hair is wild. It's got the electrocuted, static-cling look all the time.

It's actually pretty cute.

So here he is on his last day to be 0. See the blue on his hands and the books missing on the shelf? Some of his favorite things to do include finding markers, pulling the tops off, and writing all over himself. And pulling books out of the shelves. Lucky boy's got lots of book to pull out and some brothers and sisters who spoil him by hiding markers all over the house. 

March=Birthday Madness!

Or: Trying to get ahead before I fall behind.


Do you remember last year's Grant's Birthday post?! I was 9 months pregnant and too tired to plan anything for his birthday. Add that to some pregnancy hormones and I was a crying mess.

This year I am determined to do something!! Too bad his birthday is only 4 days away. . . So I talked to him and we made some plans and are inviting a few boys over to party like pirates. I will include pictures and details (hopefully) in about a week, but I wanted to talk about my two March babies for a few minutes before it just didn't happen.

 First of all, I LOVE having some space between #3 and #4. Don't get me wrong, I loved having Logan and Madi close together (21 months), and then there was a nice 2 1/2 year gap between Madi and Grant. . . but I feel bad for Madison. She never got me to herself! I was always tired and worn out chasing two toddlers around and then adding another baby to the mix. I think I have kind of forgotten that, but when I think about it I remember that it was kind of hard sometimes. :) But now. . . Logan and Madi head to school and it's just Grant and Ammon. Two! And the older two can do so much! I could write a long, long time about this.

Most of all I'm happy for Grant because he finally has some one-on-one time with me. And it's so good!! I have found that when he has my undivided attention for even 30 minutes in the morning he is so helpful and cheerful the rest of the day (and if not. . . life is harder for both of us). And he finally knows his letters, his speech has improved leaps and bounds, and we have a good time!

So here's how we do things: Dad takes the kids to school at 7:30. Ammon wakes up at 6:00, so he is ready for a nap soon after the kids leave, and Grant and I have the next hour all to ourselves.
We clean up breakfast. Then we hop on the wii to do "just dance for kids" for some exercise. And then we do something fun/educational for about 30 minutes.

After our time together we clean, cook, run errands, etc. It is so functional!

So about Grant: He LOVES to help. Lately, if I am cooking, he gets his apron on and asks to help. He also likes to wash dishes and help me clean whatever room we are working on. I love it! His speech, as I said, has improved SO MUCH. We are working on "sh" and "ch" sounds right now, and I'm so proud of him!! He loves to dress up--especially as Darth Vader, Superman, and a pirate. He is just so very fun! Also, he LOVES the headlamp dad gave him for Christmas.

And Ammon. This year we will have a small family party to celebrate his first birthday. And every year after. . . sadly. . . if there is a birthday party, they will probably get to party together, as their birthdays are 9 days apart, and I'm just not sure I will every be up to planning 2 parties so close together. Even getting one in is a feat for me.

Ammon is my baby. He is so easy-going, wanting to get into everything, loving his big brothers and sister, just a good boy. He is almost ready to walk! He gets a lot of love and attention. Sometimes I wonder if the older kids feel jealous that he gets so much of me, but I think they adore him as much as I do. Today Madison was holding his hand and helping him walk around the house, and he just looked up at her with happy eyes. And it was SO CUTE to look over and see Grantee sharing his precious apple (seriously loves apples) with Ammon, and look at Ammon looking at Grant with awe! I just wish that the clock would slow down a little bit. I'm not ready for him to be a big boy! (Also, I have had a lot of people asking me if we are done. Like the ladies on Madison's soccer team. . . I think they have a morbid fascination with someone who already has FOUR kids and might possibly want more? Anyway, you know, when the baby turns one I start wondering too!)

I tell you what, it is a beautiful thing to be a mother and to see your children talk and play and help each other. Yes, there is fighting. And I certainly have my share of mom time-outs. But it IS wonderful!

Joe's Birthday

Did I tell you about the time in May or June that I found Joe's facebook left open and decided to get even with him for all the times he'd left funny things on my status? I changed his birthday for the next day and everyone started wishing him happy birthday. I thought I was pretty hilarious; him, not so much. He then broke into my account and changed my relationship from married to single and people started commenting on my changed status. That didn't make me too happy. He claimed he was just playing a similar joke; I stand firm in my belief that the two jokes were not equally funny. 

Anyway. Today really is his birthday. And I am about to play a little joke on him (he's on his way home in the car, surely he won't read this before I get my chance?!). I'll tell you about it later. But instead of me writing some gloopy corny post about how wonderful he is, I thought it might be fun if you left some kind of memory you had of something he said or did. Because he's getting pretty old, and pretty soon he will be forgetting everything, so help me give him the best gift of all: written memories. 

hehehehe. please play! leave a comment!

The Boy Who. . .

Today the boy who made me a mommy turned EIGHT! Here is how his day went:

 He woke us all up at 6:00 a.m. We made everyone get dressed before opening presents. Grandma and Grandpa stuck Halloween cards in the birthday box for everyone, which explains the money, but not the funny faces.

Logan opened presents. He got some very cool Transformers from Grandma and Grandpa, a Darth Vador Lego watch from Mom and Dad, some Phinneus and Ferb school supplies, and an Optimus Prime Lego set. 

I chose a Darth Vador watch for him because I thought the Darth Vador man was very cool.

Logan requested Coffee Cake for breakfast (just a yummy (whole wheat) cake. The McGregor's don't drink coffee).

And this is what the kids did as soon as they got home from school. (Madi took this picture)

During school Mom made a cake and included another surprise toy--Master Yoda. If you were wondering, this says, "May the Force Be With You." In case you didn't know, it is pretty hard to write with those frosting spray cans. It looked easy, I thought it would be easy, but it tricked me.

Grant, Ammon, and I surprised Logan at school by joining him for lunch with a Sonic Kids Meal. Grant and Ammon were perfect and Logan was excited to see us. (The only hitch is that Grant is no longer content to stay with me at home. He spent the rest of the day talking about when he turns five he gets to go to school, too.)We will have to do it more often. 

Logan requested breakfast burritos for supper. Yum! We didn't have to fight anyone to eat!

Logan won't tell us what his wish was, but it doesn't matter because he didn't blow all of the candles out the first try. Grant was very helpful. (And Logan very understanding.)

Then for Family Home Evening we carved the Halloween pumpkin. The kids had fun sticking their hands in the slime. Logan chose what to do for the eyes, Grant chose a circle nose, and Madison picked out the mouth (they drew them on a separate piece of paper as practice). 

We lit a candle and turned off all the lights, but alas, we do not know how to make the camera's flash turn off, so you cannot see how truly spooky it really is. 

In honor of his eight years, here are eight things you should know about Logan:

1. He is very aware of others' feelings and emotions. He is also very sensitive to what people say. He loves a kind word and feels very hurt when someone is upset at him.
2. He is an awesome reader. His favorite books include Harry Potter, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and anything Star Wars.
3. Logan loves Star Wars and Transformers.
4. Logan loves to help his brothers and sister, and he is also helpful around the house.
5. He is a little shy at first, but silly and fun when he starts to feel comfortable.
6. Logan is business oriented. Once in a while he surprises us with his ideas (for example, one day while in the car he said, "If I had my own store, I would sell things cheaper so that more people would come and buy things. I would sell more, which means more money." When I went to buy a birthday treat for his class I asked him what he wanted--cupcakes or cookies; he told me "whatever is cheaper." I ended up buying the more expensive cupcakes with Transformer rings on top because 1. a few weeks ago he told me how cool he thought they were, and 2. I wanted him to know that he was totally worth the few extra dollars for cupcakes.)
7. Logan loves the gospel. He wants to start fasting, and he recently set a goal to read the entire Book of Mormon by himself. He has read through the kid-versions of the Bible and Book of Mormon many, many times. Just a few months ago he told me his favorite day of the week was Sunday because he gets to go to church.
8. Logan loves to make lists and write down his plans. I love finding his little papers all over the house--well, I love reading them; I guess it would be nice if they weren't all over the house, but oh well.

Logan, you are the best boy a mom could ask for. We love your personality, thoughtfulness, and good example. You are a wonderful big brother. Thanks for being part of our family and for being YOU!

Six Girly Years Gone By

OK. . . seriously. . . aren't you just laughing at the variety of clothes my children are wearing?! It is so revealing of everyone's personalities. Logan is up bright and early and already dressed for church. Madison is wearing WINTER pajamas in the middle of summer in Texas, and Grant has on his pajama bottoms and no shirt. HAH!! I love it!

The kids spent the entire day in front of the playhouse. At least there is a boy doll and an airplane there. . .right?

(can you tell the outside is white and the inside a very light shade of purple?) Also, I don't know where the rest of the Barbie furniture is. That was fast!

Wahoo!

I should be snoozing in my bed. . . but since the only time I seem to have to myself is late at night I am creating another tired day tomorrow. Ah well. Such is life. :)

Madison turned SIX yesterday, and I couldn't help but stare at her all day and try to remember what it felt like to cradle her in my arms. I can remember getting her ready for bed and just giggling together. I can remember her reaching up to me and saying, "Pick you up! Pick you up!" She meant, of course, "pick me up!" A million little memories I can remember, but the only way I can remember what she looked at throughout the years is to look through pictures. (click here to see her 3rd b-day.) I just spent too much time looking through old photos and wondering which sibling she looks like. ? I wish I had gotten a picture of her in her church clothes; she looked so cute today! I'm so grateful for cameras!! I love having a little girl. She is spunky and spicy and oh so sweet.

This year I bought her a huge doll house from craigslist (for a steal of a deal) and painted it for her. I found some barbie furniture on sale after Christmas. I've been hanging on to her birthday presents for so long that I'm not sure how much of a surprise it really was. Still, she loves it. In fact, Logan and Grant love it too. Even Joe hasn't said anything about the boys playing Barbies with Madison.

Six things you should know about Madison:

1. Madison is our social butterfly. She gets her people skills from her daddy.

2. Madison is a girly tomboy. For example, she likes to carry around purses. . . filled with cars. I think it's a happy medium. :)

3. Madison has the longest tongue I have ever seen (but only because I can't see mine).

4. Madison loves to help. She wants to help me cook and clean and take care of baby Ammon. I need to soak it in all I can before she changes her mind.

5. Madison loves to write. I find notes all over the place. . . some that say "I love you," some that say "you made me sad today" and some that have lists of everything and anything you can think of. The day we left she hurriedly scribbled a note on a pink card and passed it through the window to Grandma and Grandpa that said, "I just wanted to say I love you." Awww!

6. Madison can be very sweet and loving. . . or downright mean. It's a glimpse of what we've got coming the next few years. What I've found, though, is that she mirrors me. . . so that's some responsibility I've got, huh?

6 1/2. Madison has the BEST conversations to eavesdrop on (is that how you say it?). A few weeks ago when we were at my parent's house she was talking to my grandma (her great-grandma) about the Star Wars movies. Some how it led to the war in heaven. Then I heard something that went like this.

Grandma: Oh, I don't like the war in heaven.

Madi: Yeah, I guess you're going to be going there pretty soon.

Grandma: Then I'll get to see my sweetheart.

Madi: What do dead people look like?

Grandma: Oh, they look like happy people who are sleeping in a pretty box.

Madi: Well, I'm sure gonna miss you.

Well I was shaking with laughter and slightly horrified, but my grandma wasn't offended and I guess it was actually a really sweet conversation about death.

I just love her to pieces. She's beautiful. But more importantly, she's smart and good and sweet and she's mine!!

Her she is doing a hand-clap with my mom. Can't figure out how to turn it, so you'll just have to turn your head!

Grant speaks!

I think he's so cute! Of course, when I hear other 3 year olds talk, I realize that he sounds/talks more like a barely 2 year old--but he has made so much progress over the last 5 months with his speech teacher. Turning 3 means he no longer qualifies for ECI (early childhood intervention).

But... he got tested at the school district... and he is in the bottom 7% for speech (although he is over 100 for communication, which is wonderful). This means that he qualifies to start speech with the school speech pathologist every week. I know... 7% sounds horrible, right? It is probably the only time in my life that I will be happy that my child scored so low... had he been any higher he would not have qualified. Needless to say, we are thrilled!

He starts speech with his new teacher, Miss Sarah, on Friday.

#3 turns 3

Picture taken by Ashlee Jenks

Why it's nice to be the third child:

• You always have friends.
• Parents know a little bit more about parenting.
• You know how to do "Eenie Meenie Miny Moe."
• You know all about Star Wars and Transformers.
• You get more attention than the older kids.
• You get to play with all the older kids at the playground.
• You are pretty dang tough.
• You have more unsupervised play time.
• Mom lets you eat more sugar than the other kids got to eat.
• You get to watch movies that other 2 year olds don't get to watch.
• You get mom all to yourself when brother and sis go to school.
• You have so many people to love you, take care of you, and talk for you.

Why it's not so nice to be the third child:

• You have to share. Everything.
• Fewer pictures.
• You learn phrases like, "You're not the boss" when you are 2.
• You also learn that you should always, always blame it on someone else--who no doubt "did it first."
• You have more unsupervised play time.
• Other parents might think you live in a very violent household because you want to play Star Wars with the other 2-year olds; everything is a light saber. Or a gun.
• You have to watch everyone go to school and other fun activities. You still have to take a nap.
• You don't have friends over that are your age unless Mom is babysitting.
• You don't get a birthday party. Or a nice cake. Luckily, you don't care. Yet.

Well, these are just a few things, off the top of my head. Maybe I will continue to add to this list as I think more about it.

Grant, we LOVE you! Madison and Logan have been waiting for you to open their presents for weeks. They woke you up early this morning so you could see the 15 balloons scattered across the floor (which you have all popped by squeezing them to death). They couldn't believe we were making you wait until after church to open presents (because Dad had early morning meetings). The most heartfelt gift was Logan's gift to you: a stick.... I mean, a Harry Potter magic wand. He made sure it had a notch in just the right spot, he wrapped it for you himself, and then he taught you how to hold it. You thought it was awesome.

We took chocolate cupcakes to nursery for your friends (probably to your teacher's dismay). Mom had a crazy moment that made dad worry. She only made you half a cake because she didn't think we needed any more sugar (the other half was made into the cupcakes). She was too tired to do anything fancy.... well actually, your mom just isn't that talented or fancy to begin with. She did, however, let you decide where to put your candles. Logan and Madison thought it was sad that you didn't have a cool cake, so they got some Star Wars characters, washed them, and stuck them in the cake (they asked you if you wanted Transformers or Star Wars--you chose Star Wars). When mom went to put the cake on the table, they had all fallen over and looked quite dead. Madison came to see what all the noise was about and stuck the people in very deep so they wouldn't fall over again. Mom laughed hysterically for about 3 minutes, which turned into tears. You said, "Mom, you crying?" She then actually burst into tears and had to leave for a few minutes to save face.



Being the third child is wonderful in many ways, and hard too. Hopefully next year I am up to doing a little bit more for your birthday. But I don't think you minded today. In fact, you had a very good day. I think that Madison and Logan sang you "Happy Birthday" about 20 times just today.... that's not including the many, many times they have been practicing and getting you ready over the past several weeks. When we asked you why you got to open presents, you would say, "Because I'm good?" And you are! We can't wait to see how you grow and progress this next year. I know you will be a wonderful big brother!

Turning 1

Joe and the kids are making chocolate chip cookies. Joe said he'd cook if I'd blog. They say hi!

Grant turned 1 on March 20! It was hard choosing which baby picture to put up: crying and slimy, or sleeping and peaceful. I chose sleeping because he is a happy and content little boy. He's not walking yet, and I don't think he's got any interest in walking yet; although today he did think it was fun to walk with mom and kick a soccer ball. He plays well with the other kids, but definitely knows how to scream and fight back when he wants something, especially if that something was taken away. All in all, the past year has gone incredibly fast, and I suspect that the clock will continue to tick faster each year. We love you, Grant-e!

We had a very small, very simple party for him--we returned home from Texas the midnight before. I (mom) felt a little bad that we did so much less for his birthday than for Logan's or Madison's, but luckily Grant doesn't seem to know or care.

 

(Insert joke about eating the high-chair strap when food is gone.)

Unlike Logan a nd Madison, Grant had lots of cake and even some ice cream before turning 1. 

Here's Madison and Logan on their first birthdays. Who do you think Grant looks most like?

Joe Ages

He is a husband, a father, a son, a grandson, a brother, a lawyer, and our favorite guy ever.  He turned a secret number (if you ask I'll tell) on Nov. 4.  He had a busy day: ate breakfast burritos in the morning, voted, visited the dentist, worked, gobbled lasagna and cheesecake, and spent an evening with his lovely family.  WE LOVE YOU!!!