Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
{Kortlen's Blessing Day}
For four months, Ryan and I have known we were going to speak in Sacrament Meeting, the last week in August. When my mother-in-law planned a family reunion for the 28th, I figured the 29th would be a great day for Ryan to give Kortlen his name and a blessing in Sacrament Meeting. Not only would Ryan's family be in town for the reunion, but between our families, we figured our boys would be taken care of while we talked.
By 8am, all five of us were dressed and ready to go. The house was relatively spotless, and ready to recieve our guests after our meetings for a light lunch...I felt pretty good about the morning.
Our little man, all dressed up...
My mom made his adorable blessing quilt...perfect for the fall weather that greeted us this morning!
I'll be honest, I was deathly afraid his blessing outfit was not going to fit him. I made the newborn size, which was good for up to 12 lbs, but when weighing both of us and then just me and doing a bit of math to figure out how much he weighed last week, I wanted to cry. I had no idea if I was going to be able to squeeze my 12 lb baby into his special outfit! Lucky for all of us, it fit. And he didn't even have a blowout in it!
We arrived a few minutes early to get our kiddos settled and waited for our families to arrive...we waited, and we waited. I had to chuckle when people started asking if they could help with the boys after looking at the program and realizing that we were speaking. We have such a wonderful ward, and such wonderful friends in it...I knew we'd be taken care of if our families didn't show up...but they eventually did. Just a minute or two before the meeting started. (I suppose this was due to my brother, Keith, getting locked in our house...he couldn't get out for the child locks on the inside of the doors. They had to put some meat in our oven to heat while at church, and when he went to leave, he was helpless. In his defense, Ryan and I are the only people who can open the door with the child locks on...maybe it's not such a good thing.)
Ryan gave Kortlen a beautiful blessing and our talks went well...I may or may not post mine as an entry for posterity...My topic was on Teaching in the Home, and Ryan's was also on Education.
Because our apartment is teeny-tiny, we planned to have our guests eat outside. While doing some last minute preparations, Ryan had to go find the tote in the garage with all the winter blankets, and bring them out on the lawn for kiddos (and some adults) to keep warm. I had been praying for a beautiful day that wasn't raining, but not blistering hot, either. I thought the weather was absolutely beautiful, and just right. Everyone else was freezing.
When most of our family had left, my parents and siblings stuck around to have naps before their long drives home. Deseret was a trooper and helped with Tanner and Taylor, building a tent in the yard with the clothes line and the dozen blankets on the lawn.
We ended our wonderful day by spending a few hours hurrying Tanner to the bathroom...he got the yucky 10 hour flu that his daddy had a few days prior...and that was the beginnig of our sickly adventures. :)
By 8am, all five of us were dressed and ready to go. The house was relatively spotless, and ready to recieve our guests after our meetings for a light lunch...I felt pretty good about the morning.
Our little man, all dressed up...
My mom made his adorable blessing quilt...perfect for the fall weather that greeted us this morning!
I'll be honest, I was deathly afraid his blessing outfit was not going to fit him. I made the newborn size, which was good for up to 12 lbs, but when weighing both of us and then just me and doing a bit of math to figure out how much he weighed last week, I wanted to cry. I had no idea if I was going to be able to squeeze my 12 lb baby into his special outfit! Lucky for all of us, it fit. And he didn't even have a blowout in it!
We arrived a few minutes early to get our kiddos settled and waited for our families to arrive...we waited, and we waited. I had to chuckle when people started asking if they could help with the boys after looking at the program and realizing that we were speaking. We have such a wonderful ward, and such wonderful friends in it...I knew we'd be taken care of if our families didn't show up...but they eventually did. Just a minute or two before the meeting started. (I suppose this was due to my brother, Keith, getting locked in our house...he couldn't get out for the child locks on the inside of the doors. They had to put some meat in our oven to heat while at church, and when he went to leave, he was helpless. In his defense, Ryan and I are the only people who can open the door with the child locks on...maybe it's not such a good thing.)
Ryan gave Kortlen a beautiful blessing and our talks went well...I may or may not post mine as an entry for posterity...My topic was on Teaching in the Home, and Ryan's was also on Education.
Because our apartment is teeny-tiny, we planned to have our guests eat outside. While doing some last minute preparations, Ryan had to go find the tote in the garage with all the winter blankets, and bring them out on the lawn for kiddos (and some adults) to keep warm. I had been praying for a beautiful day that wasn't raining, but not blistering hot, either. I thought the weather was absolutely beautiful, and just right. Everyone else was freezing.
When most of our family had left, my parents and siblings stuck around to have naps before their long drives home. Deseret was a trooper and helped with Tanner and Taylor, building a tent in the yard with the clothes line and the dozen blankets on the lawn.
We ended our wonderful day by spending a few hours hurrying Tanner to the bathroom...he got the yucky 10 hour flu that his daddy had a few days prior...and that was the beginnig of our sickly adventures. :)
Thursday, August 26, 2010
My father's daughter
I had a few minutes to myself between running errands the other day, and stopped in at Deseret Industries, intending to find a pair of pants for my boys. Instead, I found treasures.
From top to bottom:
Upon first glance I thought it was just nursery rhymes, but after getting home, it's nursery rhymes all put together into one big fabulous story! The one below is my particular favorite. My dad and Grandma Crandall used to sing it, and this is exactly what I pictured, a baby dressed like a bunny!
Whitefoot the Wood Mouse, Thronton W. Burgess, Grosset & Dunlap, 1922 ($2)
"It was early in the winter that Whitefoot found a little hole in ta corner of Farmer Brown's sugar-house."
I can't wait to find out what kind of adventures Whitefoot has! With only three pictures in the entire book, we'll really have to use our imagination! (My personal favorite way to read a book, or at least listen to one.)
New Plane Geometry revised edition, Virgil S. Mallory, Benj. H. Sanborn & Co., 1943 ($1)
Boy, the price of text books sure has gone up! I bought this book for one reason, and for one reason only:
I couldn't stop giggling! If you can't read it, it says, "In case of fire, throw this in. In case of flood, stand on this; it's dry." On the opposite page, Larry Milligan's contact information is scribed. Telephone number 264-J. He's from North Cache...wonder if he know's what a good laugh I got from his text book!
In the preface, the text reads: "Well graded original exercises lead to theorems in such fashion that most are first solved as original exercises not more difficult than those that have been solved previously. Thus: (1) Each new unit of work is based on concepts and knowledge which are familiar to the student; (2) only one difficulty is introduced at a time; (3) adequate practice is given to make the student thoroughly familiar with each new development; (4) the student is led to make discoveries for himself; (5) statements of these discoveries are tentatively made, subject to verification by proof. Thus observation and critical analysis make the subject vital and interesting."
Wow. If only we could teach like this now-a-days, instead of teaching to cram to make the students pass tests for funding.
The New Down the River Road, Mabel O'Donnell, Row, Peterson and Company, 1949 ($4)
Don't the illustrations just pull you in and you want to read this right away? Well, we did! I read a chapter each night for four nights, at bedtime. I sat in the boys' room with my back to the light in the hallway, and told them they needed to imagine the pictures in their minds. Tanner was pretty excited the second night when he had discovered that there were actual pictures in the book, and loved looking at them the next morning.
For many years during my youth (I remember particularly from the time I was about 9-14), my dad would read to us in the hallway. At the top of our stairs was a landing, with our bedrooms off to each side. He would sit on the floor while we were tucked snugly in our beds and read from the classics; Black Beauty, Robinson Crusoe, Swiss Family Robinson, Little Women and others. I remember letting my mind wander so much with the images and 'pictures' that I would often get lost in my own thoughts and have to ask my dad what had happened when I came to...I can still hear him say, "Just listen!" Pretty soon my brothers would say the same thing from their room. Guess they got tired of me interrupting.
The Pony That Ran Away, Elisabeth Hubbard Lansing, Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1951 ($2)
This beauty is next on my list of reads for bedtime. I love the pictures in this one, as well. So simple! I can hardly wait to see how the pony ran away and if Ted and Sue and baby Robby ever get him back.
It took me an entire day to tell my husband that my treasures cost me $13, but what can I say? I love a good read, and thumbing through crusty, yellowed pages of something wonderful.
From top to bottom:
Upon first glance I thought it was just nursery rhymes, but after getting home, it's nursery rhymes all put together into one big fabulous story! The one below is my particular favorite. My dad and Grandma Crandall used to sing it, and this is exactly what I pictured, a baby dressed like a bunny!
Whitefoot the Wood Mouse, Thronton W. Burgess, Grosset & Dunlap, 1922 ($2)
"It was early in the winter that Whitefoot found a little hole in ta corner of Farmer Brown's sugar-house."
New Plane Geometry revised edition, Virgil S. Mallory, Benj. H. Sanborn & Co., 1943 ($1)
Boy, the price of text books sure has gone up! I bought this book for one reason, and for one reason only:
In the preface, the text reads: "Well graded original exercises lead to theorems in such fashion that most are first solved as original exercises not more difficult than those that have been solved previously. Thus: (1) Each new unit of work is based on concepts and knowledge which are familiar to the student; (2) only one difficulty is introduced at a time; (3) adequate practice is given to make the student thoroughly familiar with each new development; (4) the student is led to make discoveries for himself; (5) statements of these discoveries are tentatively made, subject to verification by proof. Thus observation and critical analysis make the subject vital and interesting."
Wow. If only we could teach like this now-a-days, instead of teaching to cram to make the students pass tests for funding.
The New Down the River Road, Mabel O'Donnell, Row, Peterson and Company, 1949 ($4)
For many years during my youth (I remember particularly from the time I was about 9-14), my dad would read to us in the hallway. At the top of our stairs was a landing, with our bedrooms off to each side. He would sit on the floor while we were tucked snugly in our beds and read from the classics; Black Beauty, Robinson Crusoe, Swiss Family Robinson, Little Women and others. I remember letting my mind wander so much with the images and 'pictures' that I would often get lost in my own thoughts and have to ask my dad what had happened when I came to...I can still hear him say, "Just listen!" Pretty soon my brothers would say the same thing from their room. Guess they got tired of me interrupting.
The Pony That Ran Away, Elisabeth Hubbard Lansing, Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1951 ($2)
This beauty is next on my list of reads for bedtime. I love the pictures in this one, as well. So simple! I can hardly wait to see how the pony ran away and if Ted and Sue and baby Robby ever get him back.
__________
It took me an entire day to tell my husband that my treasures cost me $13, but what can I say? I love a good read, and thumbing through crusty, yellowed pages of something wonderful.
{I am my father's daughter.}
Saturday, August 21, 2010
a little reminder
I have a problem. I feel the need to sit at my computer every time I walk past it. "So, turn it off!" you say...it's not that easy.
Our computer chair is the most supportive and comfortable place to nurse Kortlen, so naturally, I always swivel it so I can read the news, listen to music, blog, facebook, look for new 'ideas' etc while my little guy is eating.
I made a simple desktop today that I hope will be a good reminder of my priorities.
It fits right on my computer screen, and the icons for stuff we use line up just right on the left-hand side, where the green is.
Here's to remembering my little ones and all that they need from me!
Our computer chair is the most supportive and comfortable place to nurse Kortlen, so naturally, I always swivel it so I can read the news, listen to music, blog, facebook, look for new 'ideas' etc while my little guy is eating.
I made a simple desktop today that I hope will be a good reminder of my priorities.
It fits right on my computer screen, and the icons for stuff we use line up just right on the left-hand side, where the green is.
Here's to remembering my little ones and all that they need from me!
Little Pinches
I noticed that our local health department was doing free immunizations for children. All my boys are caught up, but Tanner would be needing his shots for Kindergarten next year. Since he was on track to get them between his fourth and sixth birthday, I decided to just take him in.
Poor kid, didn't know what he was getting himself into. After signing and seeing all the needed paperwork, the nurses began to get things ready. Tanner was engaged in a world map on the wall, till he noticed what they were doing.
"Mom? Do I have to get the little pinches?"
When I answered that indeed he did, so he wouldn't get sick when he went to school, the poor boy cried and cried and screamed and screamed!
I must have a cold heart, because I found his reaction too funny and very dramatic. I tried not to let him see me laugh, and reassured him that I had to get shots and that he would live to tell his kids about it. I also promised him a balsawood airplane from my scout treasure box if he was brave and had the courage of a four year old.
After getting five shots, but in four needles, he got four cool band aids. (His arms were pretty sore for a day or so, but it didn't stop him from wrestling and goofing around with his brother!)
And he got his airplane. (Even if it only lasted for three hours.)
Poor kid, didn't know what he was getting himself into. After signing and seeing all the needed paperwork, the nurses began to get things ready. Tanner was engaged in a world map on the wall, till he noticed what they were doing.
"Mom? Do I have to get the little pinches?"
When I answered that indeed he did, so he wouldn't get sick when he went to school, the poor boy cried and cried and screamed and screamed!
I must have a cold heart, because I found his reaction too funny and very dramatic. I tried not to let him see me laugh, and reassured him that I had to get shots and that he would live to tell his kids about it. I also promised him a balsawood airplane from my scout treasure box if he was brave and had the courage of a four year old.
After getting five shots, but in four needles, he got four cool band aids. (His arms were pretty sore for a day or so, but it didn't stop him from wrestling and goofing around with his brother!)
And he got his airplane. (Even if it only lasted for three hours.)
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
{Goodness}
While Ryan and Tanner and Taylor were picking these:
I was busy finishing this:
Finally! It's done! I do hope the newborn size I made will fit our almost 12 pound 6 week baby boy.
Even if it doesn't, we have 16 cups of purple goodness to put in our home-made ice cream and pancakes that will make everything better. (Well, almost better, I might cry a little if it doesn't fit!)
I was busy finishing this:
Finally! It's done! I do hope the newborn size I made will fit our almost 12 pound 6 week baby boy.
Even if it doesn't, we have 16 cups of purple goodness to put in our home-made ice cream and pancakes that will make everything better. (Well, almost better, I might cry a little if it doesn't fit!)
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Time is flying by...
It's hard to believe that just one month ago today, we had this little bundle of joy:
(Thank you to Stevie of SC Photography for the BEAUTIFUL pictures and moments she captured with Kortlen! The pictures above are a few of my favorites that she took when Kortlen was brand new, just five days old.)
I can't believe how quickly time is flying by. Our baby is now one month old!
Ironically, I'm trying harder with Kortlen than with the first two to soak up every minute. Kortlen is such a sweet baby. He's a good sleeper, a good eater, and a good pooper. He's also a good baby brother. I rarely get a chance hold him just to hold him, because I've realized that Tanner and Taylor are much more manageable when they get time with mommy after Kortlen is fed and goes to sleep.
Ryan and I were recently asked to speak in our ward Sacrament Meeting at the end of the month. My topic is on Education, particularly in the home. As I've been preparing my topic and organizing my thoughts, my heart is full, that I have this opportunity to be home with my children. I am learning much, and trying to put into practice this specific thought: To be happy and not complain about what a 'terrible, no good, horrible, very bad day (or moment or whatever) it was when Ryan get's home from work. After all, he's providing so I don't have to. This concept is not new to me (of not complaining) but it is a very BIG weakness I have. And one I am trying so hard to overcome.
Anyway, this wonderful post about our now one-month-old has gotten off track...my point? Time is slipping away. I want to enjoy every moment, and not just endure it.
I can't believe how quickly time is flying by. Our baby is now one month old!
Ironically, I'm trying harder with Kortlen than with the first two to soak up every minute. Kortlen is such a sweet baby. He's a good sleeper, a good eater, and a good pooper. He's also a good baby brother. I rarely get a chance hold him just to hold him, because I've realized that Tanner and Taylor are much more manageable when they get time with mommy after Kortlen is fed and goes to sleep.
- Kortlen is starting to have longer periods of wakefulness, which is more fun for big brothers. He's also starting to give us a few smiles. Even though sometimes we gently tickle his cheek to get a grin.
- He's not real fond of baths...and I haven't even let his big brothers get in the tub with him yet...if he's unsure now, Heaven help us when he's old enough to get really dirty and I throw all three of them in the tub to clean up!
- He's not loving the binky, either. The more he starts sucking on his hands though, the more I am encouraging the binky. However, it's not a crutch yet. He doesn't have to have it to calm down, or go to sleep.
- Though he typically likes to be burrito-ed up, he is starting to kick and roll and arch his back just enough to get out and let us know he's upset. I secretly like to see him upset because it's so cute...plus, he rarely cries.
- He does this pirate thing, where he'll peek at you with one eye wide open, then shut it really quick. It makes me laugh.
- I love watching his facial expressions and listening to him when he's sleeping...and I DO get to hold him. Usually it's his midnight feeding that I relish those moments.
- Both brothers call him Kort-wen. Neither can say their "L's". Taylor calls him his baby, and occasionally tries to feed his stuffed animals with his belly button. Tanner and I have had numerous conversations about how Kortlen is fed. I try not to ignore his curiosity, but definitely let him guide the conversation and only answer what he asks. Boys. Gotta love 'em!
_________
Side Note: I am loving this 'new job' I have of being a mom. Just yesterday I went to my District Director and visited with her, and let her know that I would not be returning to my position as the Bonneville County Family and Consumer Science Assistant. I have mixed feelings, but mostly, I am excited about this new journey, and being home with my children. Yes, I will miss the social aspect of being a working mom. Yes, I will miss having 'something to do and somewhere to be'. However, my thoughts are turned to my children, and how much I will miss by being 'gone', for time is flying by. I know there will be hard days, and hard moments, and just when I think I can't take any more, it will get worse and I'll be more frustrated, but I know it will be worth it. I have a quote on my piano that says, "Grant me patience to deal with my blessings." I read it every day, and count my many blessings, three of which are my most precious given gift, my children, and another, my sweet husband. I love them each so very much.Ryan and I were recently asked to speak in our ward Sacrament Meeting at the end of the month. My topic is on Education, particularly in the home. As I've been preparing my topic and organizing my thoughts, my heart is full, that I have this opportunity to be home with my children. I am learning much, and trying to put into practice this specific thought: To be happy and not complain about what a 'terrible, no good, horrible, very bad day (or moment or whatever) it was when Ryan get's home from work. After all, he's providing so I don't have to. This concept is not new to me (of not complaining) but it is a very BIG weakness I have. And one I am trying so hard to overcome.
Anyway, this wonderful post about our now one-month-old has gotten off track...my point? Time is slipping away. I want to enjoy every moment, and not just endure it.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
How to paint a rock...
...without the messy paint to clean up or wash out.
(I got this idea from my good friend, Stevie...she got it from another blog...we loved this fun "ativity" as Tanner calls it.)
(I got this idea from my good friend, Stevie...she got it from another blog...we loved this fun "ativity" as Tanner calls it.)
First you have to find your rock by going "Rock Hunting".
Then you wash your rocks while mommy makes and bakes cookies. While you're eating your hot-out-of-the-oven cookie, your rocks should be getting nice and warm. (I baked the rocks for about 10 minutes on 350 degrees F.)
Then you get your painting station ready by peeling the paper off old crayons and putting down a thick paper sack.
After nicely asking your mom to take the rocks out of the oven and put them on your paper bag, you carefully "paint" the rocks with the crayons!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Really Quick...
We went to the Bonneville County Fair...
...in short...it was nice to not have to work this week, but I missed it, too...not bad enough to be there every day, though.
We spent about an hour there...it was about all the boys could take. Obviously.
We've been working on our batting skills. Both boys are obsessed with throwing the ball up and then batting it, just like daddy.
We've been playing in the sprinklers...even though our budget is tighter than tight, we caved and bought a hose and a cheap sprinkler to get us through the rest of the summer, fill up the kiddie pool, wash the car, those sorts of things. (When our neighbors moved, they took their hose with them :) ...of all things.)
Kortlen got to spend some one-on-one time with daddy the other day while he was looking for jobs online...
Kortlen is by far our best sleeper, eater, and overall, baby. Maybe it's because we're trying NOT to make the same silly mistakes we did with Tanner and Taylor (like assuming that because they didn't want to go to sleep, that they didn't need to sleep...or if they were crying, they were hungry...so I'd whip out their dinner every 20 minutes or every 2 hours...)
We're on a tight schedule around here...give or take 30 minutes...and it has made all the difference in the world. *sigh* Heavenly Father must want us to have more children...eventually. I love watching my babies sleep...and love how their hair goes {fuzzy like a ducky} after a good sponge bath. mmmm! His little 'dreaming' smirks and smiles give me warm fuzzies, and remind me how precious these moments are...not just for Kortlen, but for me to spend time with his older brothers.
This is the only way I can ensure I have two hands. Kortlen loves the wrap. He goes right to sleep in it...and I have two hands for his two big brothers.
We spent about an hour there...it was about all the boys could take. Obviously.
__________
We've been working on our batting skills. Both boys are obsessed with throwing the ball up and then batting it, just like daddy.
Watching Taylor twist his entire body cracks me up. Every. Single. Time.
Tanner hits the ground with his bat three times before every swing...just like in the big leagues. He is hilariously serious about this.
__________
We've been playing in the sprinklers...even though our budget is tighter than tight, we caved and bought a hose and a cheap sprinkler to get us through the rest of the summer, fill up the kiddie pool, wash the car, those sorts of things. (When our neighbors moved, they took their hose with them :) ...of all things.)
It only took Tanner about 10 minutes to figure out how to turn the water down just enough so Taylor would go and take a drink from the 'baby' sprinkler, then Tanner would turn it up full blast, right in his little brother's face. Boys. Gotta love 'em!!! And I love mine.
__________
Kortlen got to spend some one-on-one time with daddy the other day while he was looking for jobs online...
__________
Kortlen is by far our best sleeper, eater, and overall, baby. Maybe it's because we're trying NOT to make the same silly mistakes we did with Tanner and Taylor (like assuming that because they didn't want to go to sleep, that they didn't need to sleep...or if they were crying, they were hungry...so I'd whip out their dinner every 20 minutes or every 2 hours...)
We're on a tight schedule around here...give or take 30 minutes...and it has made all the difference in the world. *sigh* Heavenly Father must want us to have more children...eventually. I love watching my babies sleep...and love how their hair goes {fuzzy like a ducky} after a good sponge bath. mmmm! His little 'dreaming' smirks and smiles give me warm fuzzies, and remind me how precious these moments are...not just for Kortlen, but for me to spend time with his older brothers.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
{untitled}
Suddenly things like showers, brushing my teeth, and using the bathroom have become more important than blogging...or even facebook.
Believe me. I have a good dozen posts written up in my head that I want to cut lose, but I have a lot on my plate right now...
Come to think of it, I just have a pb & j on my plate, but three is definitely a change from two, even though the third is a fabulous baby.
Loves to you all.
Trying to keep up via google reader...
...and if I don't comment, it's because I'm nursing and hate typing one handed. Though I must say, my left hand is getting REALLY good at using the right-handed mouse. :)
Believe me. I have a good dozen posts written up in my head that I want to cut lose, but I have a lot on my plate right now...
Come to think of it, I just have a pb & j on my plate, but three is definitely a change from two, even though the third is a fabulous baby.
Loves to you all.
Trying to keep up via google reader...
...and if I don't comment, it's because I'm nursing and hate typing one handed. Though I must say, my left hand is getting REALLY good at using the right-handed mouse. :)
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