2 Months Old

2 months old today.  How did that happen??

* Sleeping 8-10 hours at night
* Smiley - SUPER smiley
* Starting to coo and "talk"
* Loves watching his brother and sister
* Definitely loves his mother

We love you baby boy!

 

Just...can't...keep....eyes...open...

I pulled over to take this picture.  James fell asleep on Seth's carseat.  And Sariah is conked out as well.  So precious.  Why is it so much easier to be patient with your children when they are asleep??  The reminder of how angelic children truly are is much needed.

Seth's Blessing

We blessed Seth today.  He wore the blessing gown that my mom made for the twins 31 years ago. That gown has been on every grandson in our family (minus a couple that didn't live close enough at the time).  It was a wonderful day.  Family was near.  The spirit was strong.  And I love that my husband is a worthy priesthood holder, who is able to perform this sacred ordinance.  My love for him grows each day, as I watch how tender he is with our children.

Mistakes

I had a hard morning with my Sariah Vene.  It was hard on me.  It was hard on her.  We just couldn't get along, we couldn't talk to one another, and we were both emotionally exhausted by the time 11am hit.

It all started with a yard sale across the street.  One of our neighbors was having a yard sale and she really wanted to go see what there was.  Personally, I love finding treasures at yard sales and was excited to pass this treasure hunting skill on to my daughter.  We went into the house, opened up her piggy bank, and saw how much money she had.  I thought 50 cents would be enough, so that's what we got out.  When my back was turned, she got into James' piggy bank and took some money of his.  I don't think she did it maliciously...I just think she wanted some more money and knew that I didn't want her taking all of HER money.  So decided to supplement.  When I discovered what she had, I asked her to put it back and let her know that it is not alright to take her brother's money.  Meltdown #1.

Once we got that discussion under control, I went to get James so we could go look at the yard sale goods.  As James and I exit the garage, we see the garage door is open.  Sariah had left without permission, crossed the street on her own, and was in her tiny jammies and not dressed.  I sternly called her back and let her know that it is not alright to leave without permission, or while in shorts where your underwear is showing.  Meltdown #2.

She reluctantly stomps into the house to change.  She dilly-dallies.  By the time she is dressed, the yard sale has closed up shop and their garage door was down.  Who closes up a garage sale at 10:45am?!?  Anyhow, it was all over and now that she had her own money and was dressed...she couldn't even go over there.  Meltdown #'s 3, 4, and 5.

As only a hormonal teenage young woman can (and she's only 6!), she belly flopped onto her bed and just sobbed.  "I'm having a HARD morning, mom!" she cried.  And cried.  And cried.  I sat on the bed below hers and listened to her vent, yell, sob, and let it all out.  And then she mentioned the word.  Mistakes.  She had made a lot of mistakes that morning and was distraught.  So we talked about mistakes.  We talked about how it's alright to make mistakes because that's how we learn.  New mistakes - like taking your brother's money out of his piggy bank - are ones that we haven't made before.  We learn from them, and we remember not to do them anymore.  Old mistakes - like leaving the house without permission - are mistakes that are made a few times before we learn.  I was upset with her for that one, which made her even more upset.  But I reassured her - we all make mistakes.  It's how we learn.  It's how we grow.  And no matter what mistakes she makes, I love her.  I always will love her.  And we will always talk about them, and help each other through.

I love my girl.  But there are mornings like this that completely drain me.  I don't like arguing with my daughter.  I don't like getting upset at her.  I don't like lecturing her.  But I am her mother and it is my job to teach.  She doesn't always have to like it, but it is a divine responsibility.

We ended the morning by going swimming at my parent's house.  She loves to let the wind blow in her face.  That settled her down and we had a GLORIOUS afternoon together.

And then we reached bedtime.  Meltdown #'s 6 through I don't even want to count.  I hope we survive this.

7 Weeks

He's 7 weeks old, and just happened to be wearing the same color scheme as his dad.  Had to document it.  Just had to.

Yes, he fits...

James and small spaces.  I will find him all folded up and in the most random places!  If I ever need a good laugh, I tell James to go hide.  I laugh every time I find him.

Here he is, sitting in the bag that I pack with all of our swim gear.  It's not a big bag.  But somehow, he wriggles in there!

And then he fell asleep, laying like a bridge over 2 chairs.  Don't ask because I don't have the answer.

This kid will seriously climb into anything he can!  Love him.

Reality

My day. All day right now. 3 kids is hard and I haven't ever been so busy in my life. But I love it!  And it will get easier.  And it will be gone all too quickly.

Sariah - 6! 6! 6!

I love her more than I have words to express.  I am so glad she is mine.

Happy Birthday, Sariah Vene.  May you always know how much you are loved.