The rest of the best!

I thought it probably seems that I am neglecting my other children as I have blogged about Chase so much.  So, here is an update on the rest of the best kids in the world!  

 Bailey- The last few months have been busy for Bailey preparing for dance recitals and end of 5th grade testing. She loves to play on her ipod, ride bikes, and play barbies.  One day Elli and Bailey were playing Barbies and they got in a fight.  Turns out the fight was that Elli wanted the barbies to date in their game, and Bailey said that wasn't right cause it might make them want to date and they are too young.  It was so cute.  It is already pretty clear that this is one kid who has her head on straight and we wont have to worry about her!  I asked her if she ever fights with her friends (Elli does constantly) and she said no and looked at me like I was dumb for asking.  She is very even tempered and easy going. We have only very recently started to see small signs of the pre-teen sass, but so far, nothing we can't handle or laugh about!

 Elli- This little girl thinks that she needs to grow up much faster then her momma would like her to.  She is all about being fancy, wants a cell phone SO bad, fights like crazy with her friends, and is very worried about passing her 3rd grade tests.  It seems to me that the things that she is experiencing right now are things that I remember from about age 13, not 8!  Sometimes its hard to remember that she is only 8 because in some ways she truly acts older.  But in other was, she is still just a sweet innocent little kid.  My singing and snuggles comfort her above anything else.  She is very good with Chase.  Very protective and proud, however she does not handle his crying well at all. Elli loves boys, seafood, high heels, reading, ipod, doritos, and her school teacher.  I am impressed with Elli's testimony.  She is very interested in the second coming, hates hearing bad words, and is good at apologizing when she makes mistakes. 

Carter has been loving his little brother so much. The last few months he has been so good. He is suddenly happy, obedient, and cooperative.  He has his moments of course but he is just so happy all the time it is wonderful.  I have been really stressed about my milk supply as it has been too low for Chase. I have had to supplement with formula and been trying everything I could find to increase my supply.  Anyways, Carter and Elli heard me talking on the phone about it and asked what I was talking about. I explained it to them saying I was frustrated cause I had tried everything and nothing was working.  Carter said matter-of-factly, "Have you prayed about it mom? If you pray about it I know Heavenly Father will give you more milk." At that moment I felt like a real idiot.  I told him the truth, I hadn't really prayed about it.  I thanked him for thinking of that for me and told him I thought it was a great idea.  He said, "I will pray for you too mom."  I saw him praying several times during the day, and he included it when we said family prayer as well.  So cute what we can learn from our kids.  Makes me want to be a better person every day.

1 year older and wiser too

"Birthday's are good for you. Statistics show that those who have the most, live the longest"

Even though I have been dreading this #30 for a while now, I guess it's time I accepted the fact that I am getting old.  I got spoiled this year-as usual- and got a new ipad and case, along with a cute new purse.  It was a fun family day!

1 month

Chase 

1 month 

 9 lbs 4 oz 50% 

22" 90%

Graduation

 

I can't believe that I finally graduated.  It is such a good feeling!  It has been a long journey but I am so glad I did it!  After I got divorced and knew I may have to provide for my family on my own, I had to make the decision to go back to school and what to study.  Before I had kids I was going into nursing.  I hadn't made it very far but I had a decent start.  For some reason though, I didn't feel that was the right direction to go.  Around the time of debating these things, I got a job at the elementary school where Elli was in Kindergarten. I worked in the lunch room and as a teachers aid.  I loved it!  Yes, even the lunchroom which was crazy, I actually enjoyed.  I was praying like crazy to know the route to take for myself.  The answer I received was the most clear answer I have ever received.  I knew that I was supposed to be a teacher.  I just knew. With not a single doubt.  I started school a month later with just one class for the first 2 semesters and then gradually working up to my full time schedule during the program.  It was a wild ride but I really loved school, I just hated being gone from my kids so much.  But thanks to so many amazing friends and family, we made it work and now I can say I did it!  Even with all the changes during the time I was in school, there were always challenges but always rewards.  The weird thing about being done is that I am almost sad.  I truly love learning and when you are studying a field you have a real interest in, it makes it just that much better.  I hope that I can return to school to get my Master degree sometime.  I would love to get a Masters in Child Psychology or even just education again.  That will be a goal for a ways down the road, but I look forward to it.  

A lot of people have asked what I am doing now.  I plan on taking a year off to just be a mom.  My kids need it and so do I.  Not to mention having a new baby. I can't imagine taking him to day care.  I hope to sub and have already had several teachers ask me to sub for them which is great to keep my foot in the door and stay up on educational advances. 

We took the kids to graduation so they could see what I have been working so hard for. They have sacrificed too!  I hope it inspires the to continue their educations when they get there too!

Sunday

We took Chase to sacrament meeting on Sunday. It was nice to be there again. My last several weeks of pregnancy I didn't make it to church much except for sacrament. I am looking forward to attending all my meetings next week. But who can resist another opportunity for a cute baby picture!

Cousins

Chase is lucky to be born amongst many little boys.  On my side we have Makai 10 months older, and Kelsee's unborn boy who will be 4 months younger.  On Steve's side Zach is 5 months older. Lots of fun to come with all these boys I am sure!  But oh how I love little boys!

 Makai was so cute meeting Chase.  Without any encouragement, he came in and immediately went to Chase and started kissing him.  He would pat his head and smile and kiss him some more.  Chase wasn't so loving.  He cried and slept but it didn't phase Makai! So cute!

In just 5 months look at how much they grow!  Zach didn't know what to think of the crying little guy we kept putting by him.  He would just look at him then back at us. Chase was extremely grumpy that night as you can tell!  Seeing Zachs smiles made me excited for Chase to start smiling!

Tubby time

 

You may think it started out well, but this only lasted about .2 seconds and then we were to this...

Every bath after this one, didn't even begin well.  It was screaming the whole time, every time. We have tried the sink, two infant tubs, and a sponge mat in the regular tub.  The kid just hates to be cold so apparently the warm bath doesn't make up for the cold of being naked.  Too bad he spits up so much so he has to have baths frequently or he stinks.  Lucky for me I just love the smell of a clean little baby so I look forward to the after snuggles.