Daddy Day Care

24 hours from now I will be checked into the BYU dorm, beginning my high adventure as a Women's Conference Attendee!

Please keep a wee little prayer in your heart for the Mr., who will be flying solo until my triumphant return sometime Saturday!

The Best Friends Ever

I want to take this midnight opportunity to thank you for always having my back when I solicit input and advice. Just this week you have come through for me on scooters and baby sign language. I am surrounded by the most reliable resources on the planet and I truly value your myriad expertise in all of my weak subjects.

Now that I have gotten your attention with shameless flattery...

Justin has requested asparagus for his birthday dinner vegetable. I'm afraid it's been at least 35 years since I last prepared asparagus.

Please help. Where. do. I. start?

Rollin' Kid

Crew rolled off the bed for the first time today!

Awful, huh? Yes, I felt really guilty and panicked some.

But it's also very exciting at the same time!! He has officially become untrustworthy on the bed! Wahoo!! Milestone!

Baby Signing

If you have used Baby Sign Language materials for your children, please tell me your best recommendation.

My Favorite First Grader

Eclipse Trailer

We finally saw New Moon after tax season. I liked it, but I think I would have liked it a lot more if Justin hadn't made fun and groaned with boredom all through. Once upon a time, my main squeeze actually kinda-sorta enjoyed the Twilight movie and if this new trailer is any indication, I think he'll dig Eclipse as well. New Moon was my least favorite book of the series and Eclipse was arguably my very favorite. The trailer gives me high hopes!

http://www.eclipsethemovie.com/

The Peanut Gallery

Justin (with exaggerated eye roll): No wonder he cries whenever you put him down. Look at all the nuzzles and love you give him!!

Hmm... the impertinence.

I can't decide.

Thank him for insinuating that I am A Doting Mommy? Or smack him...

Bye, Bye, Spring Break...

Kinley has been home with us, off track, for the last month. The first few days were a little crazy, but we settled in quite nicely. She goes back to school in the morning and I will sorely miss the little princess.
She has been borrowing a neighbor's scooter to fearlessly careen down the hill at a pace that makes me weak in the knees.


Our corner is the place to be. Come visit! We're a fun bunch!

We'll miss her, won't we, Tanner?

Lawn Foibles

This is our lawn.This is our lawn patch fertilized by stray deer.I need some serious dung.

Baby Fang

I spoke way too soon about Crew returning to his normal sleep-trained self. He has been a beast ever since I made that post, some days/nights worse than ever.

HOWEVER... last night at the park, in the fading sunlight....

He showed me the four new teeth he has been working on. He has one that must have popped through in the last 48 hours and three more that should be through by the weekend (oh, please be through by the weekend...)

I feel silly.

This explains so much.

Right There In Produce

I had a sweet experience this morning at the grocery store, one that has brought the last few years full circle. I was standing by the cabbages, trolling through my grocery list for the last time, making sure I hadn't left anything behind. In that moment, I was stopped by a woman with her own cart full of kids and groceries.

She rushed over to me and said, "You have a blog, don't you?! You are a digital scrapper, right? You had the twins?"

Yes, yes, and yes. That's me! (Plus or minus a few pounds...)

She then shared her feelings about our family, and told me how she has followed our story from the beginning. With emotion, I introduced her to our critters, including little Crew. I then met her small boys, including her new baby who was actually very nearly named Crew.

We hugged. Because that's ok in the produce section.

What a small world.

What a beautifully small world.

Is it lame that I was so relieved that we were all freshly bathed and the kids were well enough behaved that not a single one of us were in tears?

Little Hoopster

Spud Kinley is goin' all the way!

We bought her a basketball a few weeks ago and Coach Daddy took her to the court and gave her some pointers on Friday. She is all about the game these days. Dribbling in the driveway is no longer sufficient. We can't drag her away from the hoop until she has made at least 30 successful baskets. Last night she made 45. She has certainly found a new obsession. I can think of worse ones, so I'm not complaining.

Swish!
Nice form!
Scholarship?
She has a great coach.
Tanner trying his hand at it.

Fairies

My sister Courtney gave us a book of fairy things to "make and do" a long time ago. We do so love "making and doing" all things fairy. This week we spent an afternoon making 3-dimensional fairy card habitats. My only disappointment is that we really need to locate some flesh-colored card stock.

Crew Is Back!

Crew slept for 11.5 awesome hours last night! Welcome back, tiny prince!

Shhhhhhhhh!!! He's Sleeping!!

Daddy returned in triumph last night just after 7. We ate a leisurely family dinner of spaghetti, caesar salad (Kinley's new fave) and soft, fresh (store-bought) rolls. With orange juice to drink, 'cause that's what I found in the freezer. We were so tired that all we did after dinner was pile the whole family into two recliners and watch Survivor together. Speaking of which, I can't wait for the reunion show. "Making history", indeed!

I spent yesterday preparing the house for Justin's grand arrival. His yearly present is an obsessively clean, sparkly house, delivered with a wan smile on the evening of April 15th. Crabby Crew thwarted some of my final laundry efforts, but it was still enough to bring a goofy grin to Justy's face. Nothing says "I love you" like fresh vacuum tracks and a tidy fridge.

Kinley and Tanner have been camping in the basement the last few nights while Crew relearns his midnight manners. The first night that we put the kabosh on his shenanigans was very sad and very loud. He cried for an hour at midnight, an hour at 4, and was up for the day at 6. Last night he did much better. He cried for 10 minutes at 3 and was up at 6 this morning. At 6, I'll confess that I did bring him into my bed, where he went back to sleep until 8:30. It's an improvement, at least. It's not 12-14 solid hours of uninterrupted sleep in his crib all night or anything, like we've enjoyed for the past 6 months....

Today Justin is sleeping in. I'm going to Provo this afternoon to get my hair cut, repair our vacuum, and visit the cemetery. A sweet friend offered to take our kids tonight, so Justin and I (and abandonment-anxiety Crew) are going out on the town! Wahoo!!

I'm So Excited!!

I just can't hide it!

I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!

Welcome home, DADDY!!!!

The Midnight Monster

Crew was sick a few weeks ago and we slept on the couch together for most of several nights. I braced myself to hold him the entire night, if necessary, but whenever his fever went down, he wiggled, arched his back, and whined until I put him back in his bed where he wanted to be.

He has slept happily and contentedly in his crib for the last week, 12 blissful hours each night, just like his old, sleepy self.

For the past two nights, we have been back on the couch together. (I choose the couch because Justin has to get up before dawn to work, so I leave the bed for him during midnight madness events.) While he is napping fine in his bed during the day, Crew has suddenly decided that the only place he can sleep after dark is in the crook of my arm. What in the world? Crew!! You are not a newborn!

He shrieks like he's being boiled in oil until I nuzzle him up tight and practically suffocate him with snuggles, pinning him between myself and the couch cushion. Then he relaxes and drifts into deep sleep, putting my arm into its own deep sleep.

On the one hand, it's very flattering. And kinda sweet. He smells so delicious.

On the other hand...

I CAN'T SLEEP LIKE THIS!!!!

We have mean plans for our little prince tonight. Unless I intend to hold him in the crook of my arm on the couch until he's 5, I have to make my move. I'm already so sad for him. I'll probably cry almost as much as he does. I casually suggested to Justin that maybe the tiny guy could join us in our bed long-term if he was really really quiet. Denied!

I'm about to pop open my second Diet Coke.

T-Minus 45 Hours

Tax Day is almost here! I know that it's still a few days away, but I feel happy and energized inside as though it's already arrived, like I'm emerging from a cocoon. We did it! We survived Tax Season 2010. Overall, I think we did pretty well, though there was a rough patch in March where I cried lots and slept little. And I could certainly have done without the myriad illnesses that have swept through our home over the last few months.

But we'll not speak of that.

Instead we'll celebrate! Kinley is still off track for another week! We have actually enjoyed a few hours of sun in the last few days! And tax season is all but over!

Tangy Apricot Pork

My friend Jennie gave me a delicious recipe for shredded pork. We've made it several times now and it's a new favorite for the entire family. Kinley and Tanner love it by itself as a main dish; Justin eats it on sandwiches and I enjoy it on salads. It's different/unique and yummy and even better the second day!
Ingredients:
2-pound pork sirloin tip roast (the 4-packs at Costco are perfect!)
1 cup apricot preserves
3 tbs yellow mustard
3 tbs worchestershire sauce
2 and 1/4 cups water (divided)

Directions:
Put roast into crock pot with 2 cups of water. Cook on high for 4 hours. Take roast out, shred with fork and dump out crock pot, removing any ickies from the bottom. Put the shredded pork back into the crock pot. Mix preserves, mustard, worchestershire sauce, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl. Add to crock pot and mix until pork is well coated. Continue to cook on high for 1-2 more hours. Serve warm.

Wear Them Out And Put Them To BED!

For those that seek daily validation from the gratitude-challenged, it's very rewarding to be told that you are "the triple-double-double best mommy in the whole entire world". Such was the flattery I received when I took my kids to Jump On It.
We have been watching all of the original Star Wars movies as we wind down tax season. Kinley's blond mini-buns are a nod to Princess Leia.




This sign reminds me of the episode on Friends where Joey tries to use air quotes. Can someone please tell me what it means to "supervise" my children "at all times"? And exactly how tall are those that are "4" ft and under?

Make Your Own Word Search

I found a cute little site online where you can make your own word searches for free! I made one for Kinley with all the names in our family and further personalized it with other words that are important to our family culture. It took me 5 minutes and Kinley loves it!

Clicke here to make your own!

Midnight Manicure

I'm typing this with my hands encased in latex gloves and neosporin. My pitiful little fingers are falling apart: dry, cracked, and bleeding all over the place. I can't find the aquaphor, but neosporin seems suitably slimey.

I think this will get the job done, but I can't shake the feeling that there must be a... less creative solution that I don't know about. I'm soliciting advice from my gal pals that know a little about skin care and such matters.

How do I reclaim my dainty digits? Am I on the right track or is there something else I can do?

Dang all that handwashing...

Catering to the Diva

It's official. The Princess does not like sausage on her pizza. We have had it from Pizza Hut, 5-Buck Pizza, and Papa Murphy's.

She begs me to order her half a sausage pizza every time.

I humor her every time.

And she hates it every time.

I think she had a dream once that she liked sausage pizza and can't get it out of her mind. Now that we have sampled all three possible chains, I think I can safely assume that she doesn't like sausage after all.

I've convinced her of such. And I shall never order another sausage pizza ever again.

She is polishing off my pineapple-mushroom pie as we speak.

I'm still kinda hungry.

I guess there is half a sausage pizza available.

Again.

Big Boy Oatmeal!

Crew ate about a dozen bites of big boy maple and brown sugar oatmeal this morning! He only gagged a few times and threw up a little bit once. All in all, a successful big boy breakfast!

Crew's Eval

PT Julie came and spent the last few hours with us, testing Crew. I was kind of dreading it, but was very pleasantly surprised with the results!

Crew is 17 months old chronologically, but his "adjusted age" is 14 months and we base all of our expectations on his "adjusted age", when he should have been born. The purpose of this testing is to see how far he has progressed, requalify him for services, and to evaluate where he is on the general continuum of development.

The results are in:

Gross motor: 8 months. This is about what I expected. His body movements, strength, and skills remind me a lot of Tanner and Kinley at 8-9 months. He continues to show steady progress in this area. His muscles continue to loosen and his coordination continues to improve, pushing an official Cerebral Palsy diagnosis farther from our radar. He needs time and work. Time we have; work we're willing to do. I have a private unofficial goal to have him walking by his 3rd birthday. Or before!

Fine Motor: 12 months

Self-Help: 12 months

Social/Emotional: 12 months

Language: 13 months

Cognition: 14 months!

I wasn't sure what to expect in all the other areas and was quite giddy with his placement. Not bad for a little guy born without a heartbeat who wasn't expected to live through the night, eh??

GO, CREW!!!!

He also continues to improve with his chewing and swallowing. I'm not ready to call in a feeding therapist yet, though they stand ready if and when I think we have reached an impasse and need their assistance. I can't justify the intrusion right now if he continues to progress, however slowly. He eats, chews, and swallows a little bit better every week/month.

Well, the little beast is worn out from his big day and needs a snuggle and a nap. I just couldn't wait to report the good news!!

Window Well Covers Continued

Our townhouse had the metal grates over the window wells, so that's all I'm familiar with. Has anyone ever used the plastic ones from Lowe's or Home Depot?

Living in the Wild Wild West

Our neighbors put up a fence on one side of us. We have no fence yet on the other side and there are several undeveloped lots down the street on the open side. Gusty winds blow from that direction. Do you see where I'm going with this?

Our back yard is a DISASTER AREA and it's all collected into a massive heap on the fenced side.

I know what to do with the garbage that has blown back there (boxes, papers, bags, bottles, miscellaneous trash) but the tumbleweeds are stumping me.

What do I do with an entire back yard filled with tumbleweeds? I can't just throw them over the back fence like I used to do when we had that undeveloped area behind our townhouse in P-town. Tanner votes that we stuff them down our window wells with the rest of the tumbleweed collection from last fall. What do normal people do with an overwhelming mountain of tumbleweeds? You know, besides staring balefully out the window at them every day?

Lock Up Your Lightsabers

Tanner: Mommy, last night I had a dream that I was at Max's house.... and I stole his lightsaber and brought it home. But don't worry; it was just a dream.

(I think I know what to get him for his birthday anyway.)

Tack Sesan Countdown

Kinley made a "Tack Sesan Countdown Chain". The basketball and baseball at the end represent Daddy's expected responsibilities when he returns in triumph from the bowels of his office in 9 days. Tanner has his glove all warmed up and Kinley is a basketball dribbling fool.

Easter Locusts

All of Justin's siblings and their families came to spend a fun-filled weekend with us. Here is a line-up of the Easter Locusts. They are all set with their hunting spectacles.
Tanner got into the spirit of the hunt this year, though I had to convince him to stash and dash and not peek inside every egg.
The locusts made quick work of the several hundred eggs that we hid. The whole thing was over in about 5 minutes, but everyone was happy and satisfied with their haul.
Crew says, "what's this you have in here? You got some loot for me?"
Baby Tora getting in on the action.
Baby Karlee showing off her plunder.
Baby Ellie on the hunt.
It was crazy fun to have all the cousins together. On Saturday night, we held a special Family Home Evening about the resurrection. We enjoyed General Conference, Easter, and Danny's birthday. Even Justin was able to participate in most of it. We've got to do this a few more times before some people move out of state!

I Can't Believe It's Real Butter

Kinley: Yuck! There is something wrong with this butter and honey sandwich that you made! It's terrible, I think I'm going to throw up! I can't eat it!

Tanner: Yeah, this is terrible and disgusting. I'm gonna frow up!

Mommy: They are exactly the same and the bread is perfectly fresh. (tasting one) It's totally fine.

Kinley: No, it is not fine! What is different? Why are they so gross? What did you do to it?

Mommy: Well... I usually use "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" but tonight I used real butter on your sandwiches. Most people would consider that "the good stuff".

Kinley: Not me, that's for sure.


What have I done?

(For the record, "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" is a clearly a misnomer.)

Happy Easter

Widdle Cwew

He's all betta.

And he slept almost the whole night, except for a coughing fit that woke him for a widdle snack at 5:15. I can accept that. Gladly.

Cruddy Crew

Blech. This has been a nice week because Justin's sister Kayla has come into town and we've been able to enjoy spending time her and some of our cousins that we don't get to see very often. It's been a cruddy week because Crew has been sick.

He is much improved, but really gave us a scare on Wednesday night by presenting with a midnight 103.3 fever. That was with a full dose of ibuprofen in his system for a few hours. In fact, it may have been higher, but it was taking so long to climb the thermometer that I opted to stop taking his temp and get busy pulling out all the stops to get his temperature down. That was a pretty scary night.

He has been extremely cuddly, which would be enchanting if he hasn't been otherwise so pathetic. His cough has greatly improved and he is sleeping better. He still has a low appetite, but he continues to eat enough to satisfy my expectations. His fever is very low and sometimes nonexistent. His breathing hasn't been compromised (Chronic Lung Disease what??) Now he's mostly just fussy and wants to be held and carried about. And his boogies are none-too-charming.

I'm crazy tired since I haven't slept many winks since Monday night. Our couch is beautiful, but I've discovered that it's not that comfy, especially when it's shared with a fevered, hacking, wiggly little critter. I did get a 22-minute nap this afternoon in my sweet bed, which wasn't nearly long enough. Kinley and Tanner are still enjoying their naps and they are pushing 3 hours now. Little luckies. I just got Crew back down to finish his previously interrupted nap, but I don't dare lay myself down now, at almost 5 pm.

We have a nice weekend planned, if all goes well. Crew is so much better and I've already pre-fluffed my pillow in anticipation for tonight's good sleep.

Only 13 more days of tax season. I. think. I. can.