Roses

Here's my astounding life analogy this week ... parenting is like a garden of roses. It is beautiful but it sure has its thorns!

We've just been hanging out around home not doing much exciting.

Jake went to help out at girls camp for four days. It wasn't too bad being by myself, aside from the one thorny day I mentioned in a previous lengthy post. I got creative figuring out ways to keep the boys busy, and thus my sanity in check. There was a lot of playdough, puzzles, games, painting, water park splashing, and games of kickball. One day they helped me make raspberry jam, which I will add, turned out so good. My best jam ever! I can say that since my only other attempt was strawberry jam at least 5 years ago. It was so runny it worked well as syrup.

Last Sunday, one of the junior Sunday School classes made flags as part of their lesson. Alexander was so jealous and wanted his own flag. I promised him we would make them as a family soon as daddy got home. Friday night we made flags. Square of felt, decorate with markers, staple to a stick, and you get the happiest kid ever. Alexander is still sleeping with his flag just over a week later. I'll have to get a picture of him and his triangle flag. It's not actually a triangle shape but the only thing he wanted drawn on it was a saw-tooth triangle border, that's what he got, and thus, his triangle flag.

Alexander was also pestering me to go swimming, not just to the splash park. I certainly didn't have the gumption to take all the kids by myself so I made him wait until dad got home. I researched and found some places around here we could take the kids. There are no public pools, but there is a lot of water in the way of rivers and run-offs.

The place we chose to take our picnic lunch is nicknamed Monkey Rock. It was a little hard to find based on descriptive driving directions and no actual address for this little hidden cove.

It was perfect, and a lot of fun. It's partially man-made. The waterfall is the overflow for the canal above the river.  It's fairly shallow. Jake could walk clear out to the waterfall and it was at highest up to his chest. The undertow this day was really strong so we didn't dare let the kids walk very far away from the shore. 

It sounds like this is the place all the college kids go to be dumb as they 'ride' the canal down the waterfall and jump off the bridge into the shallow water.

We had it to ourselves this day. Perfect for rock throwing and getting as dirty as a little boy can.

This week I was focused on trying to get a smiling picture of our biggest baby yet...I will have to go look at previous posts highlighting the boys at 6 weeks old to confirm that I'm not lying.
I took Breahna to an appointment last week to get some medicine for acid reflux. My no dairy diet doesn't seem to be helping, and so far the medicine doesn't seem to be useful either. She was almost 6 weeks when we went. They did the usual measurements weighing her in at 10.5 lbs and 22 inches long. I knew something was up. She sure loves to eat and has a double chin to show for it. I know a lot of you won't be impressed. With a sniff you'll say, my baby is far chunkier, so HA! But, for our kids, she seems like a chunk.
She doesn't sleep very well at night as she thinks she needs to eat every two hours. If I don't comply she has a wail to let me know I am failing her demands. I may be the owner of this eating establishment, but she's the manager and what she says goes! She does make up for this by doing all sorts of fun things like laughing, smiling, and talking. She has always had great head support. From day one she wanted to sleep on her stomach and I went with it because she would pick her head up and was constantly switching which cheek she was laying on. She loves tummy time and already gets up on her hands to look around. She also has great leg and torso strength and loves to stand up and bounce in our laps. She will also roll from her stomach to her back and tries to sit up. This girl must have some grand plans and places to go because she seems to be rushing through this baby stage.
I have been trying without much success to get some pictures of all this fun. She's too wiggly and won't cooperate. Soon as the camera comes out she wants to sit with a melancholy expression and stare at the amazing black contraption aimed at her face.

I think I will remember her as the baby with big eyes and crazy hair. I'm sorry we gave you such crazy hair with crazy calics (I had previously written cow-licks, it was so funny I should have left it for the sheer value of humor).
Just when I think her eyes can't possibly get any wider she'll see something new and exciting and they seem to pop out even more.

Her brothers tell me she cries a lot and is loud. I often hear "mom, that baby is crying again, tell her to stop, she's loud" The boys walk around a lot with their hands over their ears.

 Smile for the camera ...

 There we go, got the tale end of it ...

 Stop moving so much ...

 Now all you want to do is stare at the camera ...

 I give up.

I realize I haven't mentioned much about the boys and what they've been up to. That's because there really isn't anything to report. They drive me crazy and make me laugh all within a few minutes. They are brothers through and through with their fighting one minute then laughing and chasing each other the next.
This is how Kaleb watches movies (or sits on our recliner for that matter):

All in all, things are good here at the Stevens' place.  We're going crazy one minute, laughing the next.

Some Day

I haven't had time to take any pictures this week. Jake has been gone helping out at girls camp. That was one of my favorite times as a Young Woman. It makes me miss it and it brings back vivid memories of all the fun.

As I sit here nursing Breahna, again, I have a lot of thinking and sitting time. I find I need to remind myself, seemingly every morning (and throughout the day) of how precious this time is.

Yesterday was a rough day for me mentally. I had not only one kid who wanted to be held constantly, but two. And the boys seemed to be constantly yelling "mama I need this" or "mama he did that" "mama this and mama that". I'd try to get the boys playing with puzzles, or watching a movie, or anything beside yelling at each other. Within seconds Alexander would be yelling "mama!" Then he would come looking for me. I was usually holding the baby trying to get her to calm down and sleep for more than a few minutes. Telling myself to relax, calm down. She's not trying to annoy you, she's trying to communicate. Alexander wasn't really sad he just wanted to be held. Wanted a reassuring hug, but didn't want me holding the baby and him. There was always one of them that was crying because they were put down from my lap.

I was trying so hard to be patient mentally. I had so many things I thought I NEEDED to get done. My dishes, crumbs stuck to sticky fingerprints, and that pile of laundry that never seems to get washed or folded. Everywhere I looked something or someone needed my attention, and it didn't feel like they were getting it. Or they weren't getting enough since they kept crying.

After an entire day of holding for a little while then washing a couple dishes, holding for a little while, washing a few more dishes I finally got fed up and declared, I'm not getting anything done!

Then Alexander came running to find me with his arms outstretched and the happiest look on his face, asking to rock with me. That's when I realized, I am getting a lot done. I am letting my kids know they are way more important than a clean house, or me getting a shower, or anything else in this world. They are still so little and need me. I don't want to miss a minute of any of this.

Alexander lately has begun to throw tantrums like it's his job. He screams "No!" for everything and always has to contradict whatever you say "wow, you have a red car" "No! it's blue!" Okay, it's for sure red but it's not worth the argument. He has also become Mr. Bossy-Pants telling Kaleb everything he can and can't do. Telling his brother how to do everything, where to sit, what to say, etc. At times like these I have to take a big breath and remember to focus on all the sweet and adorable stuff that comes along with this difficult stage. As he whiningly begs me to hold him at the most inconvenient times by yelling "hold me now!" I need to forget the fact that it's an inconvenient time and remember that there will most likely be a day when he doesn't want me to hold him anymore. 

When the kids are stalling bedtime asking for another drink of water with the most fake dramatic, dying in the desert cough. Or going to the bathroom for the eighth time or begging for one more story or song. I need to remember that I can't tuck them in for the rest of their lives (contrary to what the book Love you Forever portrays. I just don't see myself climbing through any 2nd story windows in the middle of the night when they are adults). I need to enjoy this brief time I get to spend with them. Even if going to bed takes over 3 hours.

As I look at Breahna I remember this magical time with the boys. I think about all my newborns and when we were alone in a hospital room, just us two. That sweet newborn smell and soft fuzzy head. Time seemed to stand still as my heart seemed so full it would burst. Each one was such a miracle. Each time I couldn't believe how blessed I was to be a mom [again] to have this perfect little spirit in my care. These early days are so busy. Changing and feeding and staring in awe at little fingers and toes and wide-mouth yawns. Pretty soon I know these days will be gone from me forever. No more quivering chin, tiny balled up body on my chest, no more little onesies. It goes so fast. 

Some day my laundry will be done, folded and put away, and my house will be quiet and still. My little ones will be off, independent, living their lives, and I'll be home in my clean house. I'll pull out a little scribbled drawing, a special tiny outfit, or a worn out photograph, and remember these crazy, chaotic days when little people needed me. Needed me to hold them and love them and tell them stories. Needed me to worry about them and calm their fears and listen to their stories. Needed me.

Even though it seems like there is not quite enough of me to go around some days, I'm so blessed to be the one everyone needs. Because it's really me who needs them more than anything.

I am so blessed!

Enjoying the Moments

More often lately I find myself wondering where time went. It seems time is moving way too fast as my children grow. Wait, slow down, I'm still enjoying this stage! Hard to believe Breahna is a month old already. It still seems like I should still be pregnant. She is starting to smile more and follow us around the room. She loves laying on her stomach and uses her legs to kick and launch herself off the blanket or pillow. 

We're still in trial and error stage as we try to figure out what makes her tick. She seems to have acid reflux so I'm trying no dairy for awhile to see if that helps. Unfortunately I keep messing up and eating something I shouldn't ... how can you say no when someone hands you a slice of strawberry shortcake with a dollop of whip cream on top? But, I've been doing pretty good. Only time will tell if this helps her or if we need to resort to something else. 

We sure are in love with this little girl. Her brothers seem to have adjusted just fine. Alexander loves her and already protects her. He tells me when she's crying, brings her a binky or blanket. When we drive anywhere and we're getting out of the car the first thing he says is "don't forget Breahna". He seems to be having the hardest time sharing me though. Oftentimes he just needs to rock or cuddle or he only wants me to help him. I'm trying my hardest to make sure all three kids have all the love and attention they need while maintaining my own sanity - ha haha - who am I kidding? Sanity left 4 years ago.

I love life, it is fantastic! Loving every moment as I tell these kids to stop growing so fast.

 

We can't get Kaleb to ride his bike, or especially to wear the helmet. Alexander has no problem using his brothers birthday present. We might not need to get another bike for Alexander's birthday.

The Star-Spangled Banner

This has been a great week, I love Independence Day, and not just for the pyrotechnics and BBQing.

Sometimes I think being born in this country makes one oblivious to what it really means to be a citizen of the United State of America. It seems the freedoms we inherited are taken for granted. Today I thank this country and it's people, who in spite of struggles to make up our minds on how, when, and where to do it, we still provide free education, free medical care, free breakfast, free lunch, and free housing to the underprivileged. We are still free to complain, protest, and change out government. Today I am thankful that Jake is getting a fantastic education without much thought or struggles, that we own a car, have a solid roof over our head, we can travel the world, we can choose whatever career path we want to pursue. And most importantly, we can go to church and worship however we want.

Today I honor all the ethnic groups of this great United States of America, because it is our spirit that makes us great.

Happy birthday America!

Wednesday the 4th Jake and I woke up bright and early ... the baby was awake so we would have been up anyway. We cooked bacon and sausage (made a double batch of crepes the night before). We finished loading the car and then headed to the church. We missed the flag raising but were able to enjoy breakfast and a fantastic program. They weren't expecting 125 people to show up for breakfast at 7am! There was barely enough food but there was lots of friendship and a great spirit of love for this country. They showed a video that shared the story behind Francis Scott Key's The Star Spangled Banner. I never knew the story before, it was great to hear ... I encourage you all to look it up. It made me swell with pride for this amazing country. There was blue grass music and singing.

We left right after to drive South and spend the rest of the week with family.

We stopped to play at Pineview Reservoir with all of Jake's siblings. It was insanely packed with people. After lots of sweet talking they let Jake only drive into the parking lot to drop me and the kids off then he had to leave. He ended up having to park almost a mile away. The boys enjoying playing in the water and despite teeth-shattering shakes and blue limbs they didn't want to get out. I stayed under an umbrella with Breahna and sweltered in the heat of the day reflecting up off the blistering sand.

We drove down the canyon to grandma and grandpas house to BBQ tri-tip and set off fireworks.

I soon realized Alexander was turning red, but only in certain spots. I obviously didn't apply the sunscreen very well. He looked like he had been slapped across the face.

We spent the rest of the week at Jake's parents house. It's technically still their house although they live elsewhere and just his sisters live there now.
Hailey and her two kids Carolina and Jesse

Alexander loves his Aunt Shawna

We were able to spend one day with the other Shawna. Jake and I both have a sister Shawna, and they were born one year, and one day apart.

We took the kids to a splash park to play

 A day with Shawna and Matt wouldn't be complete without a stop at Menchie's frozen yogurt.

We spent half of Saturday with my parents. They grilled steaks for lunch -yum! We hurried back to the Stevens to spend time with Jake's mom and dad who were able to come up for a visit.

We enjoyed a pizza picnic out on the lawn

Dad's make the best jungle gym:

The next day Hailey's boy Jesse had a Mickey Mouse birthday celebration fin honor of his 3rd birthday:

Jake's brother Dan and his wife Hannah and their girls Peyton and Oakley

Hailey made a fantastic Mickey Mouse cake that had black and blue fondant that also doubled as a great teeth dye:

It was a great week and weekend with family. It never seems to be enough time to spend with everyone. We're at the point now where it's too hard to move the boys between houses.
We did make time for one stop on our way back home; my grandma: It's always great visiting with her.

Now I need to get laundry washed and put away all our luggage, until next time! Plus put away all the extra items we seem to bring home with us. That's the downside of a small town with minimal shopping options. We stock up when we finally are around the stores we need. Good thing we have a big car now!