WHAT HAPPENED?!?!

We are not sure when it happened, but the switch has been made.

Jack used to be a fantastic sleeper (yes, a light sleeper, but he would sleep FOREVER) and now Sage has taken on that roll. He wakes up and comes to get us several times a night and wakes up super duper early. The other night he was up 6 TIMES! One of those times he was putting lotion on his legs and came to get us because he was concerned that his hands were dirty. It wasn't just lotion, it was what we call his special-penis-lotion....Desitin.

We are to the point that waking at 5:30 am is okay. Today he was up at 4:50. We sent him back to bed. He woke up at 5:20 needing to go poop (yeah right). After threatening him with an inch of his life, he is in our bed right now still sleeping.

I've told him that I love him so much and love to see him as often as I can, but I need my sleep in order to be a happy mommy. Just ask Joel...you sure don't want to wake me up early....

Feelin' Hot Hot Hot

The past two days have been almost 100^F. I already have my face burned bright red. This afternoon, after nap time, Joel had a great idea - we went up to his folk's house, turned on the sprinklers and hose and made our own slip and slide with a gigantic tarp. It was A LOT of fun. Joel insisted that the best way to slide was to do a belly flop, but I just couldn't do it right, only making it half way down the tarp, Jack dousing me with the hose. Sage had a hard time watching me run away from her and my screaming from delight. Fun afternoon.

After dinner tonight, Jack decided that we needed ice cream. So Joel is at the store right now, with both kids, getting some. What a good daddy. (And anyone who knows Joel, ice cream is his all time favourite food, so Jack didn't have to twist his arm too much.)

Stay cool!

Huh?

I've been riding my bike a lot this week, towing the kids in the bike trailer. I figure I'm pulling 1/3 of my body weight around. It has been really nice to get some exercise. But do you know what? My arms are sore! Really, how many people do you know that go for a bike ride and come home with sore arms?! Wierd, I know.

Today and Thoughts on Moms

Today was one of those days that has me reflecting about what being a mom is all about. I thought I knew what I was getting into before becoming a mom - the joy and love I would have - and I did know that it wasn't going to be perfect all the time. But I didn't realize how hard it would be and then but the best thing in the whole wide world all in the same whirlwind day - 4 seasons in one day.

The day started out terribly, with disobedience, not sharing, sand flinging, broken plates, broken pickle jars, time outs, being bit while breastfeeding, a broken computer, an entire paint container squeezed out and smeared over the porch, patience wearing thin. Oh how I love nap time. And then this evening was one of the best you could have imagined - smiles, a bike ride, sharing, word usage, laughter, playing in the dirt nicely, family time, the sun shining, peace. An emotional roller coaster.

But, do you know what? I wouldn't trade it for anything. At the end of the day I LOVE my kids, I LOVE that I get to be home and raise them. This is definately the hardest thing I have ever done. It is the most selfless thing I have ever done. But it is also the most rewarding. Kudos to all you moms out there - keep up the good work.

The Count Down Begins...

Weaning! Woohoo! She is not going to be a baby anymore! Freedom! I'll miss our snuggles but I'm sure looking forward to starting the process of reclaiming my body. (Joel is ready to be pregnant again.) We are taking away one feeding a week until her birthday. It worked fantastically for Jack and for my body, so we'll see how she takes it.

Update since last update: she now has 5 teeth, is saying "mamama", LOVES climbing on the couch, copies Jack's every sound including his rooster and cow noises, is a major giggler when you tickle her, and has been standing independently a few seconds at a time, and is just so dang cute I can hardly believe it.

Wish us luck!

Way Back When

(Not a very good picture of any of us, but it is the only one I got when Britt and mom were here)

At the beginning of April my sister Brittany and my mom came up for a visit! It was so great to have them here. It is not often that I get to spend time with my sister without her kids, and I know that my kids just ate up the attention. Sage especially took a liking to Britt. My mom said that next time she comes she won't bring Britt so there is no competition. My mom and dad and little brother are coming this weekend, so I thought I should at least make mention of this visit before another visit.

It was General Conference weekend, and we just sat on the porch listening to it via internet (we don't have TV) while Jack played in the sand. It was soooo nice to do it that way. Painless.

They flew into Portland and so while we were there we got to drive by our old house. It was amazing to me the things that I remembered, that looked familiar to me. Nothing in particular, but a building or the general feel. Granted, this is all from a 6th grader's memory, so I was surprised. We also stopped off at Multnomah Falls on the way back. That I do have lots of memories of - like the time I fell in the river on top of the falls, or when my dad fell and slid down the sidewalk and ran into the sharped-edge garbage can but was acting all tough even though it hurt like a bugger. :)

It was really great having them here.

Potty Training Progress

Jack was been absolutely amazing with potty training. He got peeing outside down the first day. We slowly moved to learning how to aim. He loves to go in the dirt, or on trees, or my car tires. He is keeping his underwear dry during his naps, and has been waking up with dry diapers in the morning. I think on Monday, after my folks and brother leave, we are going to try for underwear at night! Number 2 is a different story...without any details, I'll just say that we are still working on it. He knows when he is going and isn't being defiant, but just prefers not going in the toilet. We've made a deal that when he needs to go #2 we put a diaper or pullup on. I'm happy with this arrangement, much MUCH better than the alternative. But as in all things with Jack, when he is ready, he'll be ready and have no problemo. I'm sure this is just what everyone wanted to read...but there you have it.

Battle Wounds

So one of these is legit, and the other just because Joel said it wasn't blog worthy. I beg to differ...

A few weeks ago, Jack and I had a tough week. Sage knocked some of my sewing stuff off of the wall and it landed on my foot. It hurt. I knew it was bruised, even if you couldn't see it, but Joel thought I was just being a baby. In this picture, with a lot of light adjustment, you can see that I really did get bruised!

Okay, now seriously. We went over to a friends house. The kids were outside playing and the grownups were inside talking. I looked at the window and saw their big old goat, tied to the fence. Jack had just walked up and starting petting it. I asked if the goat was friendly, and then the thing started to attack Jack! It knocked Jack to the ground and was just going at him with its horns. Jack was screaming, of course, caught between the pummeling goat and some sort of water barrel. I had a mommy adrenaline rush and ran out with my barefeet, grabbed that goat by its horns and saved my little boy. I found a bunch of goat-heads in my feet on the way back. (I know, boohoo) Jack was really tough and didn't cry for too long. He insisted that his teeth hurt. He had some scratches on his face and bruising on his shoulder in addition to the scratching on his belly. Poor little guy! We haven't been back there again, so I'm curious how he is going to be around the goat, who is now labeled as the mean goat. I'm just happy it was a goat and not a horse or cow. He really is an animal lover and needs to develop some sort of healthy fear and respect of them. There hasn't seemed to be any long-term effects. That boy....

Sage Stats

Little Miss Sagebrush is 10 months now. I took this picture when she was 9 months. As promised, here are her 9 month stats: 19 lbs 4 oz, 50th percentile, and 29 1/4 inches long, 90th percentile. Her head is in the 90th percentile too. I see a lot of me in Sage when I was around this age. This little girl is getting so much personality lately. I sure love it. She loves her brother intensely, and loves to do what he is doing, including playing with cars and climbing on everything.

6 Years Ago...

Sunday Joel and I had an anniversary. For days preceding the big day, Joel kept on talking about how long six years is, like it was a terrible thing. For me I haven't ever lived anywhere, done anything or ever known anyone for that many consecutive years. It does seem like a long time. But it has been a great thing! I can't think of anyone else that I would rather spend the last 6 years with. A few things I remember:

The night before, Joel realized that he forgot to pick up his tux. So he had a friend go pick it up from the store, meet another friend to pass on the suit, to bring it to Joel while we were waiting at the temple after we got married. Usually you have to wait for the bride before leaving the temple, but I was waiting for Joel to get ready.

We got married so early in the morning that I did my own hair and makeup in the car drive to the temple.

There was a person in the sealing room that day that had something going on, I don't know what, but they had the most sour look on their face, that it was hard for me to listen to what the sealer was saying. Sad, I know, but true.

I never felt more majestic and beautiful than I did looking in the mirror right before going in the sealing room.

Though not a memory of that particular day only, Joel's smile melts me every time I think of it.

Happy Anniversary baby, you have proved yourself to be more than what I have could have asked for. I love you dearly.