Budding Artist

Natalie really enjoys expressing herself through art. It is one of her favorite things and she is quite good, if I do say so myself. It is fun to watch her work hard at it and improve. This is a piece of art she brought home from school. I fell in love with it. I don't have a scanner so I just took a picture of her picture and the quality isn't very good:

It is a self portrait. Notice the eyes! I wonder what she is looking at.

She pays attention to details and likes to make things as realistic as she can. She must have been wearing her cherry shirt that day. Very cute.

The next drawing is one of TJ's. I have had this a long time. He drew this in September of 2004. He typically doesn't take the realistic approach to his drawings, but I would say that this is a good likeness of the subject.

I have to wonder if this is how I look to my kids most of the time. I have to admit that OCCASIONALLY I feel like this!

Someday I will put this picture on a T-shirt!

Ups and Downs

It must be tough to be a new baby. I don't know because I don't remember it. But, I'm sure getting used to a new body that gets cold, hot, wet, messy, gassy and bubbly (one that you can't even control very well) in a world that is loud, soft, bright, dark and one where you can't really understand too much of what is going on, has to be challenging! You are bound to have your ups and downs.

I have noticed two times when Lydia is consistently content. One of those times is when she gets up in the morning (around 5:00 or 5:30 a.m.). I lay her on the couch and she looks out the window as peaceful as can be. It is such a relief and very enjoyable for both of us.
The other time is typically when she is naked. She loves when her diaper is being changed. She also really enjoys a bath. It is fun although she is super squirmy and I have to really hold on to her.



Now on the other hand. This child really, really can't stand the car. I know, I know, most people tell me how their child loves the car and it lulls them to sleep. Do I have the wrong car or what? Do these people know how lucky they are??? We try to calm her down. Natalie can do it sometimes, but most of the time, we just live with it. Occasionally I can't take it anymore and we stop and I feed her and try desperately to make the crying stop.



Elaina made me laugh the other day when Lydia was crying. It was time for breakfast and she came in to be close to her little sister and said, "I love Baby Lydia more than eating!"

I do too. Yes, she cries a lot, but I love her anyways.

A Tribute to Two Dads

MY DAD
My dad was my friend and my guide.
He led by quiet example and the occassional firm demand.
I would go to him if I was confused or sad or hurt. He would put his arm around me to sooth and heal.
He was fun and liked to do things with our family like water skii and scuba dive.
He and I would have fun playing volleyball and basketball although I don't think I took his coaching tips very well.
He always told me that I could be anything I wanted and I believed him.
He was protective and watchful and never wanted me to be taken advantage of. He never wanted to see me hurt.
He was sensitive and kind and good.
I always knew he loved me. That's the greatest gift he could give me. I know that now. Thank you for loving me Dad.

MY CHILDREN'S DAD
Travis is a great dad.
Ever since we started to grow our family he has had this energy. I don't know where it comes from because I can rarely find it in myself. Somehow he could come home from a long, miserably hot, utterly exhausting day of concrete work and still wrestle, tickle, and play play play with little TJ. Come 4 more kiddos and he is still the same.
He knows how to make the little things fun for our children. Cleaning and working are fun because he makes them a game.
Travis knows how to teach our children good morals and gospel principles. He takes the time to talk with them when they make a mistake or need to take their learning to the next level.
He is kind but firm when he reprimands.
He is happy.
He is an example of what he believes.
He likes to be around his children and he loves their mother.
I have often thought that Travis would have been the better mother, but it is clear to me now that I have the job because I NEED it. I need to learn to be the kind of parent he is.
Thank you Travis for loving and leading our family. You are a wonderful father.

Boy and Girl Fun

This was an exciting weekend for the kids. T.J. had cub scout day camp for 3 days. It is called "day camp" but he got home around 10:30 p.m. each night. I don't know how he survived, being so tired, but he was actually nice through it all!

Here are a few pictures Travis took from the day he went.

T.J. had such a great time. It is so nice that he could go with his buddies and have wild and crazy time and try some things he hasn't done before.

BUT... we couldn't let him have all the fun.

Grandma Laney invited the girl cousins over for a Swim and Sew party.
They had a blast sewing purses, swimming with Grandma, and having lunch together.

To top it all off, we made Father's Day goodies for our dads and grand dads.

Delia practicing her cutting and sewing but mostly cutting.

Natalie has a knack for sewing and even likes it! Elaina, on the other hand, told me she doesn't want to sew anymore. I guess she takes after her mother!
Swimming is more her thing...

We made these super cute faux burger and fries for Father's Day. I saw the idea on the Bakerella blog here . It was so fun and one of the cutest ideas I've seen. Easy too!

And now for the taste test.

And the final product...

I'm Sittin' Here

Family photos with a cranky 9 day old was not my favorite experience, but I am so glad we were able to get the family together and take some pictures. Time keeps flying by and these moments are few and far between it seems.

Ryan, Angie, Faith and Austin now reside in Utah and we rushed to get together before they set off. Thanks Amber for taking the time to come down and take some shots.

This is one fun shot of most of the cousins. I was off with Lydia trying to calm her and Austin didn't make it into this shot.

I couldn't coax a smile out of TJ. I guess he is at the "too cool to smile" stage. I hope not though because I love his smile!

Elaina


Superman (in case you didn't recognize him in his partial Clark Kent attire)

Ahhhhh. Content and pretty as an angel.

The Boys.

Nana & Papa. Gayla and Kimberly. Loren, Ryan, and Travis.

The whole gang.

Just us : )

my new enemies

When it comes to food, usually I am my own worst enemy. Not this time!

Dairy Products: Enemy # 1

Chocolate: Enemy #2

Dairy and Chocolate = very grumpy Baby Lydia, tired and worn down mama, stressed out life!


No dairy and chocolate = peaceful, happy Baby Lydia, happy mama, happy life!

This little girl is sweet as can be, IF and only IF I avoid chocolate and dairy and who knows what else. She has some good days and other days it is cry, cry, cry. Her tummy is tight and she kicks. Did I mention her cry is better described as a scream?
I know we will get through this, but I really want to enjoy it.
Travis has been my angel, always helping out when I am almost to the breaking point. Telling me that I am doing a great job. He has made it so much better than it could be. Thank heavens for good husbands and fathers!

I hope I'm not sounding like I am complaining. It is really hard some days, but I don't mind too much. The kids are so patient and always helping. I am sure the fussiness will pass before I know it and I am determined not to let her infant moments slip by too quickly.

Lydia

On May 29, 2009 we welcomed Lydia Nicole to our family. What a sweet little miracle. Truly amazing! She was born at 6:02 a.m. and weighed 8 lbs. and 9 oz.

T.J., Natalie, Elaina, and Tyler were so excited to meet their little sister.

They may have been a little too excited as I shooed them out after about a 15 min. visit to the hospital.

I really have a great family. It is hard to be a mother and to try and meet the needs of so many.

It is so worth it though.

Besides my wonderful husband, my kids are the great blessing of my life.

They love me no matter what. They are great.

I love this picture, probably because I don't have very many pictures of me and Travis. I really love this guy. I really got the good end of the deal when I said yes to him. He was wonderful during the labor and delivery and well, basically during the whole pregnancy. Of course, he politely left the room when the epidural man arrived. I don't blame him. I didn't want to look at the monster needle either.

Lydia, on Sunday, before church.
I am in love with that hair. Mom, and Grandpa Max say that she looks just like I did when I was born. Nana and Papa say that she has Travis' hair. I guess she didn't have a chance! The girls try to comb her hair down after her baths, but as soon as it dries, POOF, sticks strait up.



After my first baby was born, a friend of mine asked me if I felt an instant love for T.J. The truth was that I didn't. I don't know why, but it took me a while to really get to know him and develop that love. I think it also took a while to adjust to the fact that I was his mother.
It was different this time. Maybe because a mother is my identity now, I don't know for sure. But, when Lydia was born, I felt that loving bond instantly. I want to care for her and be the best mother I can. I want her to never doubt that I love her deeply.