Random happenings

This is what my son is doing right now. It is 10:34 am. I have one word - Alleluia! ( I looked up the spelling) He is finally making up for the 2 spider nights we had. Yesterday he needed a nap about 30 minutes after he woke up. He was on the edge all day long! He cried over everything. I even drove around for and hour hoping he would fall asleep. When he wouldn't fall asleep we ended up at Target's Food Alley eating hot dogs. Finally, at 4:30 I got him to take a nap. Unfortunatley, we had to wake him up at 6:30 to go out to dinner with Steve's family. I think he took a long enough nap to take the edge off because he had a great time and was really well behaved the whole night. I am so glad that he is sleeping now. The poor little guy needs his rest. (Not to mention I have been able to get several things done around the house)

Last night as we were driving home from dinner and Thomas was playing with this toy. It is a little matching toy that usually goes on the refigerator. The whole way home from dinner he kept pushing the buttons to play the song. It goes like this...

You made a match

look what you've done

you made a made a match

hear a horse sound.

neigh!

Thomas must have pushed that button and sang along with the song about 20 times. He had a scratchy voice for some reason which made it even sound more cute. He would sing as loud as he could and pump his arms up and down. After the song it says "did you know a baby horse is called a foal?" Thomas would answer back "yes." He is so entertaining!

I need some advice...I can not get Thomas to eat breakfast. He is usually a pretty good eater, but lately he will not eat breakfast. Yesterday, in an attempt to get him to eat, this is what I made for him. It is cheese cut out like numbers, a Nutra-Grain bar cut up like numbers, some grapes, and some peach applesauce. He ate maybe 3-4 grapes, one bite of applesauce, and drank his orange juice. My pediatrician says that they do go through eating phases, but I really feel like he should be eating breakfast. I guess I need to calm down and not worry. He will eat when he is hungry.

Clara at 2 months, 3 weeks

Clara at 2 days old

The other night Clara had on the outfit she wore when she came home. I knew she was much bigger, but this made me kind of sad. She was swimming in the outfit the day we brought her home. Now it is getting kind of small. The sleeves are now 3/4 length instead of long, the top is getting a little snug, and the legs are now capris instead of long pants. It is sad to see her growing so fast, but it is fun becuase she is getting such a little personality. She is smiling and interacting more and more everyday.

I promise, there are no spiders!

The last couple of nights have been pretty rough for Thomas. On Monday night, he woke me up at 3:00 am to let me know there were spiders in his bed. I just pulled him into bed with us and tried to get him to fall asleep. I didn't want him to wake Clara who was in the bassinet next to me, or Steve who had gotten to bed late. He kept sitting up and making the movements like he was brushing bugs off of him. He would not lay still so I ended up taking him into his room. He was quiet for about 10 minutes and then made his way back into our room. Steve took him back and gave him a cracker and a drink and then came back to bed. Again, 10 minutes passed and he was back at my bedside telling me there were spiders in his bed. I took him back to his room and showed hime ther were no spiders. He wanted me to change his sheets, but I was not going to do that at 4:00 in the morning. I ended up getting a blanket and sleeping on his floor until he fell asleep. It was a rough night.

Last night, the same thing happened but he waited until 4:00am to start this time. We went through the same motions as the night before and I started to fall asleep on his floor. At 5:15, Clara started to cry because she was hungry. Thomas had fallen asleep so I went and got her and went to nurse her. About 5 minutes later, Thomas opens his door sobbing that I left him.

I was so frustrated, but I kept my cool. I felt bad for him, I am sure he was having some bad dreams about spiders. I also can relate to him because I was the same way as a kid. I totally remember waking my mom nightly, probably until I was 12 years old (she will tell you older than that I am sure). I was so afraid of the dark and scary night time things. I think Thomas has this same characteristic.

I guess I am learning the definition of "paybacks."

Visit from Granddad

Steve, Chuck and Clara

Last night Steve's dad came to visit. He is in town for a few days. We had Danny, Amy, Erik, and Emily over for dinner and rough-housing last night. It was a lot of fun. Thomas was excited to see everone. Around 4:00, I told them who was coming. He wanted me to list everyone who was going to be there. After I told him everyones' name he looked at me and asked why Grandma Barb wasn't going to be there. He missed her and knew she should have been there too. I told him that she had a cold and had to stay home so she wouldn't get us sick. I don't think he liked that answer too much. Here are a few snaps from the festivities.

Erik and Thomas. We had to trick Thomas into this picture.

Trying to get a shot of all the cousins. I need to learn to take them at the BEGINNING Of the evening and not the END. Notice that Thomas is down to his diaper, T-shirt and one sock. He was fully dressed when eveyone got to the house. I still don't know where his clothes are this morning.

Clara and Emily. Emily is so good with both the kids.

I tried

On Sunday, I dressed the kids in matching outfits. Well, Thomas didn't wear a dress. I guess I should say coordinating outfits. They looked really cute and I wish I could have taken their picture together, but Thomas had a meltdown after church. I took this picture while he was getting ready, and then the picture of Clara was taken after church.

You are going to have to use your imagination to picture how cute they would have looked together. Also, notice Clara's first ponytail.

Family Fun Day

Natalie, Stephen, Thomas and Carolyn

This past Saturday we drove out to see some friends of ours in the valley. It was a fun trip and we had a nice visit with the Jensens and the Robisons. Tim and Katie are going to be packing up and heading back to the east coast to live, so we wanted to see them one more time before they left. We also made a quick stop to see the Jensens. Thomas was thrilled to play with Stephen and Steve and I had a nice chat with Carolyn and Natalie.

Stephen took Thomas outside to play. I tried to get out and take some pictures of the two of them, but Thomas would not give me the ime of day. I asked he to look at me and say "cheese." In this picture he is actually saying "cheese" but would not look at me. He was too busy!

Natalie and Clara. Natalie usually does not wear her hair in a formal up-do. She was having hair practice for her wedding.

The drive out there was a little interesting. I don't know what was in the air that day, but Thomas was pushing all the right buttons. I think 3 year olds must have some kind of sixth sense that allows them to know when to "ambush" their mothers. He has really been on a mission lately to see what he can get away with. On Saturday, while we were driving, Thomas kept on taking his feet and pushing them up against my seat (he sits in back of me in our really cool mini van) and then trying to rock me. I started off being really sweet about it. I told him he needed to stop and that I didn't like being pushed in my seat. He stoped and then a minute or so later he would start up again. After the second round of "lets get mom" I reached back and pushed his legs down and said to stop a little bit more firmly. Again, one or two minutes pass and he starts up again. I about lost it. I whipped the seat belt off and turned around in my seat and told him to stop. I think there was smoke coming out of my ears at this point. When I first turned around he was smiling, but as soon as I opened my mouth to say something he started to cry. I then felt bad, but what can you do? I have got to discipline him.

The other day on Oprah Kate Gosslin was one of the guests. If you are not familiar with her she is a mother to twins and sextuplets. The sextuplets are just a few months older than Thomas. Oprah asked the question, "I'll bet your glad to be out of the terrible twos." Kate laughed and said "oh, threes are much worse than twos. Don't you know threes are the new twos." I laughed out loud. It is so true! Thomas was an angel in his 2's. He is still a really good boy, I have nothing to complain about but he is starting to talk back. We have had to do more time outs lately. I know it is because he is trying to assert his independence. He wants to do more things on his own. I guess this is part of parenting. You have to let them grow up, but it is hard to let your baby turn into a little boy.

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Pictures from our week

Thomas eating a washcloth. I guess I need to feed him more.

Thomas and Clara. She loves her brother and he loves her.

Never before seen! Thomas actually fell asleep watching TV the other day. This has never happened. He must have been really tired.

Clara taking a bath in my bathroom sink. I don't know how much longer she will fit in it. Just like all women, she loves to take baths.

You know your getting old when...

Ashley and Thomas - Feb. 21, 2008

Yesterday Thomas, Clara and I had the opportunity to attend a wedding. The little girl I was a nanny for in High School got married. It is so hard to believe that she is 24 and married now. I remember when she was baptized, how can 16 years pass that fast?

The wedding was really nice and We had a great time. My friend Robyn came with us and helped me with the kids. It was so much fun to see old friends and catch up on things.

Thomas and Clara were quite the hit. Thomas was talking to and hugging everyone while Clara was smiling and flirting with anyone who would look at her. Thomas was such a good boy the entire time. We got to the wedding around 1:15 and left at 4:30, that is a long time to behave for a 3 year old! He sat perfectly still during the wedding, he was really interested in what was going on. While the bride and groom were taking pictures, he sat and drank his "up-up" while talking to several people. I had to go nurse Clara during this time and he was perfectly fine sitting and talking to people he had never even met. He sat at the table to eat dinner and was so polite to people. I was very proud of him.

Thomas is a little carbon copy of his father. A teacher from high school was there. I knew her and babysat for her also. She looked at Thomas and said "he looks just like his father." I couldn't remember her ever meeting Steve, but it ends up she was one of Steve's teachers in high school. I always thought that Steve left an memorable impression, but that just proves the point.

Clara and me. I love this little dress. It had matching shoes and a matching blanket, she looked so cute!

Here is Thomas checking out the dance floor. He danced for about 15 seconds and then said "I don't want to dance with the girls."

I came accross this tonight on the web. I had to laugh becuase before I had kids, this is how I felt about people talking about their kids. I just couldn't understand how wonderful kids were and why everyones' kids were "perfect." I was a teacher - I KNOW FOR A FACT that not all those kids are perfect.

Now the rolls have changed. I am now one of those people who talk about their perfect kids (and just so you know, mine really are perfect). They are wonderful, funny, entertaining and such a joy to be with everyday. I count my blessings. I love being a stay at home mom and I love being married to Steve. I couldn't imagine doing anything else at this point in my life.

She's Growing

It is really hard to believe that our little Clara Jane is 2 1/2 months old. These past couple of months have gone by so quickly. We went to the doctor at the end of January and she was already 11 pounds 14 ounces. I am sure she is close to 13 pounds right now. She is so alert and such a happy baby. She smiles whenever anybody pays any attention to her. She is also quite the talker. She coos all the time and almost laughs. I am sure that the laughing will happen within the next couple of weeks.

Thomas is such a great big brother. He loves her so much and tells me all the time. He says, "Mom, I love Clara so much. She is so cute and tiny." One of the things he loves to do is lay in the crib with her and look at the mobiles I have hanging over the crib.

She loves to look at him and just smiles and talks to him. The two of them are so sweet and such great kids.

On Saturday, all of us went out shopping. We took Steve's car because mine needed to be fixed. I had Clara's car seat right next to Thomas. I looked back there and Thomas was holding Clara's hand. It was so cute.

Germ X,You must be doing something right.

I feel the need to write about what happened in our house a week ago, last Sunday. I am going to try to write daily about what is going on, but this story must be documented.

Sunday mornings have taken on new meaning with 2 kids. Up until January,we went to church at 11:00 am, now we go at 1:00. Although I do not like going in the afternoon, I don't think it would be possible for us to get ready any sooner. Steve has his meeting at 10:30, so it is up to me to get us 90% ready. Steve gets home at 12:30 and puts the finishing touches on Thomas while I finish dressing Clara. We don't like to dress the kids until the second before we leave the house. There are too many ways they can get their church clothes dirty, we don't like to take our chances!


This past Sunday I had FINALLY gotten Thomas to take a bath. He was playing in our tub and I was sitting on the bed nursing Clara. I could see him, but not every "part" of him. This is how the conversation went...



Me: Thomas, are you okay?



Thomas: I'm okay



There was a pause.


Thomas: Mom, there's poop in the tub.


Me: What?


I place Clara on the bed and she begins to cry because she is hungry. I go over to the tub and grab him out as fast as I can. Mind you, this is all taking place around 11:30, while Steve is at his Priesthood meeting. I am already feeling rushed to get ready for church, now we have a problem.


Me: How did that happen?


Thomas: because (the new answer to EVERYTHING!)


Me: Go sit on the toilet and finish up.


I begin to "go fishing" while he finishes his duty. He thinks the fishing part is a great new game. (I am starting to have concerns for future baths)



Me: Thomas, you can't poop in the tub. There are germs in poop and we are trying to get the germs off ou us when we take a bath.



Thomas: Why mom? (Yes, we are into that phase right now)



Me: Because of the germs.




I then got out the bleach and cleaned the tub. He ran around naked for a while while I finished nursing Clara. He then came and stood on the ledge of my bed and started to talk to me.

Me: You know, you are going to need to get in the tub again. We don't have that much time.

Thomas: Why? No, I already took a bath


Me: I know you did, but because you pooped in the tub, we need to take another bath to make sure all the germs are off your body.

He stood there deep in thought for a couple of seconds.

Thomas: I have an idea.

Me: What?

Thomas: We can use the Hand Sanitizer.


I had to try not to laugh and explain to him that hand sanitizer is only for our hands. We have been using it constantly to try and stay "illness free" during the flu season. It seems to be working, but maybe I have been using it a little too much if he thinks he can bathe in it.

He is getting so big, and it is so much fun to see him learn and try to reason out things. Steve and I LOVE this age. He has been getting a little mouthy lately, but the conversations we have with him and to see a little man emerging from this 3-year old is so worth the meltdowns and tantrums (which are few and far between).

Amazingly, I was able to get him back in the tub and ready for church - and we were even on time! What a morning!

Happy Valentines Day - A Day Late!

Yesterday was Valentines Day and we had a pretty good day. Steve had to work, but Thomas, Clara and I were home. While Clara did what she does best, sleep, Thomas and I made sugar cookies. If you know our Thomas, you know that he is a budding chef. He LOVES to cook. He has been "helping" me cook since he was old enough to stand on a chair.

We rolled out the dough and cut the shapes, while singing the to the Wiggle song "Dough, Dough, Dough." We baked the cookies, but by the time it came to decorate them Thomas had moved on to another activity. I should have known. Most kids would be more anxious for the decorating part, but not Thomas. He is more interested in the mixing and baking part.

Steve and I decided that we would celebrate V-Day on Saturday night and take the kids out to dinner. We decided to go to Red Robin, for Thomas's sake, and had a great time. The couple sitting next to us began commenting on how beautiful Clara is and we started talking to them. They had a little girl who was about 2 1/2. Thomas looked at her and waved and then blew her a kiss. We were laughing about it and still making small talk with the other family. When it was time to leave, Thomas wanted to get out to say goodbye to the people. Thomas went up to the little girl and gave her a hug, and then kissed her - on the lips! It was really cute, but I couldn't help but thinking about germs. Oh well, what can you do? I guess he knew what he wanted for Valentines Day

Keeping you posted

I have finally made the decision to start our family blog. I am always thinking to myself, "I need to write that down somewhere." I was surfing the web the other day and found a site where they will take your blogs and publish them into a book. PERFECT! That is exactly what I need. So, family, friends, and anyone else who stumbled upon this blog... Here is our life.