Sunny age 3.5

My last post, I wrote all about Olivia and her 2 month milestones.  I realized I didn't mention Sunny. So here we go.

Sunny loves to play in her room. Now that it's finally organized, she has more pride in it and actually wants to spend more time in there.

Sunny's room wasn't always organized. I finally had it one day and spent a good Saturday getting it done. I organized all toys and put them in cubes in the closet. Lego, blocks,  puzzles, misc. stuff, all has a place.

I consider myself a neat freak and Sunny knows I am not happy when her room gets messy.  It gets messy a lot
Today her room was a huge mess and after a week of that mess, I finally cleaned it myself .

Sunny has a huge imagination.  I will often hear her talking to herself in her room while she pretend cooks. She loves to pretend she is baking something and will ask me to try her soup or her cakes.

Sunny loves her stuffed animals and sleeps with about ten of them.  She feels more secure in her bed now and rarely gets out of bed in the night . Her bedtime routine is always in bed between 6-8 pm and always requests a few stories and songs and then prayer. She always makes sure to bless the missionaries. Dad usually does the bedtime routine pretty good.

Sunny has a little nook area I set up for her so she can quietly look at books. Because her room is so tiny, I had to be creative in setting it up just right.

Sunny loves having her own tree in her room. Makes a great night light too.

She is doing well in preschool . Getting her there on time has been my challenge. She is learning great social skills and academics as well.  I am so proud of her.

She loves going out with grandma. Today she went to see Moana with her and was so happy to get her own popcorn.  They also went to get a cupcake after and when I picked her up she kept asking me when she could do it again.

She makes a great sister and loves her baby so much . I do get a bit nervous when she kisses her too hard or tries to pick her up, but I am trying to relax about it more.

I love ya Sunny. You are growing up way to fast.

2 Months

How is Olivia already 2 months? These last two months have been pure joy. Of course there are challenges associated with having a new baby, but I would really like to focus on mostly the positives here.

Olivia is starting to sleep better at night and not so much during the day anymore. Actually, hardly long naps at all, mainly cat naps.  A nap is a nap and I'll take it.

She has acid reflux really bad. Ya, that's spit up right during the picture.

She spits up all the time where a bib is mandatory. Somedays it is so bad we go through several bibs and changes of cloathes. Acid reflux is common and she should outgrow it in a couple months, hopefully.  I have spit up on my carpet that I need a deep cleaning one day.

She takes formula in a bottle. I really love Enfamil Enspire the best, but it's very expensive.  She doesn't do well with other formulas. She nurses at night and a little during day. I have my problems with nursing and am so close to quitting. I just can't seem to do it.

She loves to be held. This can become a problem, I know. Everytime we put her down she fusses until she's held again.  Then she's happy.

She loves stroller walks. I stroll her around the gym track and it puts her to sleep.

She loves to be sang to. Part of the sleep training I am doing this time is putting her in her crib while she is awake, not nursing her to sleep.

She prefers to sleep while elevated, never flat.  She also loves tummy time and would prefer to sleep on tummy at night if it weren't forbidded.

She has hardly any hair. Most of it is in back.

She had her first cold at a month, caught from her sister, then I caught it too. That was rough.

She sleeps with a humidifier due to really bad stuffy nose in morning. She hates when we use the nasel aspirater on her. Can't blame her.

Vaccines are coming up. I always stagger her vaccines apart. It is a personal choice and I respect how others choose to do their child. My feelings on vaccines are quite controversial and I usually keep this to myself.  I am thankful for them but I do not believe in overloading an infants system with what doctors recommend.

Anyways, that's all for now. 3 months is sure to creep up soon. What a fun age.

Happy Two Months my love.

Olivia's Blessing

 Today was our little Olivia's blessing day. It was not perfect, but it did go well. Let me explain, but before I do, I will remind you that over 3 years ago, Sunny was blessed. Problem was, the microphone was broken and I did not hear a single thing Rodney said. So it didn't go as I wished, but I got over it.

This time around, I dreamed about everything going great. Not perfect, but great.  For 2 months I imagined what her special day would be like. I am super emotional during any blessing and I just wanted to make a very special memory of today.

We got to church at about 10:30 because we needed to sort out some last business stuff and get a good seat. Rodney's mom and brother came and we wanted to make sure they also got a seat.  I made sure my bag was packed and ready just in case Olivia needed a last minute change. I feared she would have a blow out since she has been having them lately.  As I walked into the chapel, I realized I forgot her wipes. I had her diapers, but no wipes. Darn.  I sat down and sure enough, she had one and I needed her wipes. I went and changed her really quick, without the wipes. Yuck!

I didn't see my mom. She never misses choir practice so I thought she was sick.  Sure enough she arrived.  We had a good seat, and everything was going as planned. I still had some fear that Sunny would start freaking out or Olivia would began crying during her blessing. but so far everything was good.  I asked Rodney if the blessing was done before or after the sacrament. I couldn't seem to remember the order and I wanted to double check. He assured me it was after the sacrament.

About 5 minutes into sacrament, Sunny started freaking out over her game not working. She started begging my mom to help her and my mom kept saying not now, not now, which only made Sunny act worse.  I started growing concern that Sunny would get more frustrated and began crying, and during the opening prayer she did.  Rodney was holding the baby and asked me to take her out and I refused to get up during the prayer. It just seems irreverent,  so I waited. Sunny started crying louder and louder making a scene. So I took her out. I figured I would have enough time to calm her meltdown and get back in time for the blessing. There was no way in hell I would miss my baby's blessing.
Once in the bathroom, Sunny would not stop with the drama. She only got worse.  Why was this happening? Why on this special day I waited for so long.  I almost began to cry.  That is when a sister came into the bathroom and told me my baby was being blessed. What!!!

She told me she would stay with Sunny out in the hall while she cried so I would see and hear my baby be blessed. I rushed inside only to walk in during the blessing.

Sure, It was not supposed to go that way. It was not how I envisioned it to go. But again, I got over it.  I am realizing more and more that life never goes as planned.  If it weren't for sister P coming into take over Sunny, I would of missed the entire blessing. I am not sure I would ever get over that.

I am so thankful for the observant members in my ward. Someone saw me walk out with Sunny and someone knew I had not returned. Someone knew and felt prompted to intervene and take over and just the right moment. I will forever be thankful for this sister who did just that.

We had a barbeque at our home after the blessing and swooned over baby Olivia. She is the sweetest and most angelic baby I have ever seen. The bond I have with her is indescribable.  I can not imagine life without her.

Life is never meant to be perfect. Believe me when I say I try to make sure events go perfect, but they never do. I can't forget when I packed my hospital bag for Olivia's arrival. I had everything I would need, only to have my water bottle spill over everything and not have one dry item of clothing for either of us.  What a wreck that was.  But the point of all this is not to focus on the negative aspects of what happens, but whether the positive.  Today did turn very positive and I am so grateful and thankful for the sweet life of my baby girl.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

There's this movie called Patch Adams that I love. Haven't seen it in ages, but Robin Williams plays a goofy doctor who believes that laughter is the best medicine and would purposely make all his patients laugh with each round.

This movie really makes me realize how much we all need to laugh on a daily basis. Whether it be while watching a silly movie, telling jokes, reading a Dr. Seuss book (Funny Things Are Everywhere) or just laughing at our precocious toddlers, we just need to let go and just laugh.

This week I have been laughing up a storm. It must be the sleep deprivation. When I don't get enough sleep, I tend to laugh at everything much more.  Here is one hilarious line I want to remember from my own family this week.

From Sunny

Sunny:  "Daddy, mom's eyes are turning black."

Dad: "Are you sure?"

Sunny: "Yes and she is going to turn scary."

This conversation took place in the hallway while I sat in the recliner nursing my baby.  I just sat there laughing as I listened.


There are other silly things Sunny says on a daily basis and I wish I spent more time writing or typing up what I remember. I don't want to forget this cute stage she is in or some of the darndest things she says.

My mom has always been really silly and witty. I remember my nieces and I would stay up late during sleepovers and giggle at things my mom did that day.

We would sing and dance to certain Christmas songs while wearing huge glasses and perform skits to make everyone laugh on Christmas Eve.  Those were the days!

It seems after having kids, life got too serious. The day to day hustle and bustle seemed to drag me down.

Sunny brought me her toy guitar the other day and asked me to play. So I did. But in a serious way. Two days later she asked me to play it again . That time I decided the serious mom was not happening anymore.  I took the guitar and danced with her and we both laughed.

I have decided to stop sweating the small stuff.  I love having a perfectly clean house,  a spotless kitchen, and an organized routine. Those are what have kept me serious. Letting my house become a disaster this week was difficult,  but it made me less serious and more fun.

From now on I think Sunny will enjoy a more relaxed and down to earth me.

Whatever Will Be, Will Be

I am so thankful to be a woman in the gospel. My ward is like my family. Each week I see the same familiar faces and I instantly feel peace and security.  There is just something so calming about having a ward family. We call each other brother and sister in our ward for a reason. We really are siblings to each other.  We have each other.

I know my ward family will always be there for me. How comforting to know.

I am so thankful to have my mother in my ward. I am so thankful she can pick up Sunny occasionally and take her out for pizza, ice cream and movies, giving me that little extra break I need.

Speaking of Sunny:

Sunny has decided to start going potty in her pants.  yep, it's been fun around here.  Not only will she not use a real toilet, but refuses to use a public one.  This means we either put an expensive pull-up on her, or she just freely goes outside, hippie style.

This child of mine has a real stubborn personality.  I mean to the extreme.  I knew that when she was 2.5 years old and still wouldn't give up nursing,  no matter how worn out I was trying to make her stop.

I also knew how stubborn she was when she wouldn't try any new foods and only stuck to her 7 staples she eats on repeat.

I knew her refusal to take naps was part of ger stubborn disposition as well. No matter how long I would lay with her to help her sleep.

It never would happen.

Sunny, my dear stubborn child. You definitely have my work cut out for me. My life wouldn't be as exciting if I didn't have you to challenge me as you do.

I remind myself daily that my role as mother is like a chapter book. Each chapter I am moving towards the ultimate resolution.  That resolution is raising her to adulthood,  to her 18th birthday.  The day she will be legally able to make her own choices.

I also remind myself that I can do hard things.  This affirmation reminds me that the Lord wouldn't send his child to me if He knew I couldn't handle it.

These precious children all come with unique personalities and challenges to this earth.  As their parents, it is up to us to guide them on a righteous path. In no way is that expected to be easy, but it will be worth it.

Election Day, Home Improvement & A One Month Old

It's Election Day!!! Today is HUGE for my family and I. We plan to make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and have a little party around our couch as we watch intensely as the results come in. I am just so glad this is almost over. I am sick of the negative ads and overall drama from both candidates.

In other news, I have a one month old now. I may be biased, but she is the cutest baby I have ever seen.

                            pink and blue

She is such a good baby. So easy going. Sleeps all day and up most the night.  I know it will change soon. I don't mind a bit. I just LOVE her!!

She caught her first cold from her sister. poor baby.

                           Halloween baby

                            sister love

I haven't forgotten about my Rugrat Sunny. She insisted I take her picture too.

We love our new fireplaces and have used it a few times.  It was the best house investment we could of done. it heats our house so well and we can now save tons of money this winter.

            Home sick from preschool

I finally ordered us a new kitchen table after I bought this one at the Boulevard.

I liked it in store but as soon as I put it in my kitchen, I hated it.  It does not go with my country kitchen theme. It has a granite type surface and is very nice, just not for my kitchen. I am very picky about stuff like this.

I am returning it and can't wait until my bright white table and chair set comes. It will match my white cupboards, white french doors and white shelves.

   debating whether I should put the fall away and bring on the Christmas.


Here is a final picture of some home improvement.  Newly planted grass. It is doing great! I am thrilled to finally have some green rather then a dirt yard.

Grateful Sunday

I realized after my last post how negative it was. I decided that I needed to write something positive today.  I feel so grateful for what the Lord has blessed me with. I know I need to reflect on the good I see and that positive changes can start with me.  I've said all these things before and I will say them again. I am so grateful to be in the gospel, married to a hardworking husband who lets me stay home with our children, who goes to school full time and will be graduating in a few months with a degree in business/accounting.

I am so grateful to be blessed with children.  after experiencing the heartbreak of years of infertility,  I feel God is so good.

I am so grateful for my house. although its a fixer upper and it drives me nuts, I love our home and never want to move anywhere else.

For my sweet friends. I have made amazing mama friends who I love doing playdates with, who I can count on for favors.

Today I woke up and decided I really wanted to improve my relationship with Sunny. We have cuddled up next to our fireplace as it burned wood (so awesome) anf read stories. I need to give my time to this girl and do more then drag her along when I run errands. That is not the quality of time she needs from me, my frazzled mama brain gets that now.  She needs me as much as I need her.  I have already seen improvement in her behavior.

Sunny was lucky to have 3 Halloween parties to attend this year, one being tomorrow.  She talks about Halloween everyday and can hardly wait to go trick or treating tomorrow.  We are keeping traditions going of making our annual dinner in a pumpkin recipe along with pumpkin pie.

The holidays are approaching and I couldn't be more grateful to spend them with my loved ones.