Giggling, Growing Boys

Here is a video with some giggling and growing boys... (Don't pay attention to the woman behind the curtain that sounds like a man...)

Lastly - I've noticed lately how they are really looking at each other like "who are you?" Payden has realized that he doesn't like to be hit by Patrick's flailing arms when he's eating or Patrick's flailing feet when they are playing. Patrick has learned that if he wants the toy that Payden wants he just can roll over on his side and take it away from his brother. I didn't know this would start so soon...

Brothers forever, forever and always brothers they will always be..

Yummy Food

Patrick and Payden have really been living it up in the solid food department.

So far they have had:

Rice Cereal
Oatmeal Cereal
Sweet Potatoes
Peaches - (both the Gerber brand and pureed from a can)
Peas (5 spoonfuls each) - I tried them today but they were peas that I pureed myself and I guess I didn't do that hot of a job. Payden was acting like he might be choking and I realized that they were probably too chunky to qualify as a "first food." I guess I will work on making them smoother and just buy the Gerber brand for now.

I found while Patrick just tolerates cereal; he'll eat it but acts slightly disgusted with it. However Payden can never get enough of cereal but doesn't care all that much for the fruit. So yesterday I combined the cereal and the fruit and found that they love it. Payden loves he is getting cereal and Patrick loves that it still tastes like fruit. Definitely a fun albeit messy phase. I try to give them solids 2x a day (once for lunch) and then again before they go to bed. So far they just eat it in their bouncers as we don't have sufficient funds as this point to buy 2 high chairs. Bouncers is a bit easier in that I can sit on the floor and feed them both.

And some pictures:

Patrick

Payden

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

This morning as the boys have been put down for their morning nap; I'm wondering how I'm going to make it today. I have so many questions about raising these boys in their stage of their life right now. And after last night I'm not sure what to do. Payden has always been a champ and slept nonstop from 9:30 to 6am. He's done that for a long time. Patrick on the other hand was horrible. He woke up every hour and 1/2 lightly fussing. I would go in and give his pacifier and he'd be good for another 1.5 hours. Sometimes I would rock him back to sleep. I knew inside he didn't need food because if he did he would be screaming. He gets that way when he's hungry. I'm not sure what to do. Do I leave it be for another night and see if it was just a fluke thing? He usually wakes up a couple times but 4 times is a little much. I would understand it better if he had a fever or was teething but he's not. Maybe he's just trying to get back into the routine of things from being on vacation. I know I am.

My college roommate from BYU posted this video on her blog today. I didn't know how badly I needed to hear Elder Holland's words. As I sat at the computer watching this video and contemplating how I was going to get through the day, I was crying as I felt the Holy Ghost reassure me that I truly am doing "God's work." The very existence that I have these boys in my home to raise is evident of his trust of me and my character to bring to pass his work and glory. Wow, when you stop to think about it that way, it leaves you breathless.

My favorite quote is from the young mother in the program.

“Through the thick and the thin of this, and through the occasional tears of it all, I know deep down inside I am doing God’s work. I know that in my motherhood I am in an eternal partnership with Him.

“It is this realization,” she says, “that I try to recall on those inevitably difficult days when all of this can be a bit overwhelming. Maybe it is precisely our inability and anxiousness that urge us to reach out to Him and enhance His ability to reach back to us. Maybe He secretly hopes we will be anxious,” she said, “and will plead for His help. Then, I believe, He can teach these children directly, through us, but with no resistance offered. I like that idea,” she concludes. “It gives me hope. If I can be right before my Father in Heaven, perhaps His guidance to our children can be unimpeded. Maybe then it can be His work and His glory in a very literal sense."

Here is the video -

A Night to Remember - Introducing Solids

At Christian's house this weekend, we were eating ice cream and the boys both acted like they were interested. We offered them a little and they both liked it. I knew we weren't supposed to feed them much of it. I've been putting off starting cereal because I didn't think they were ready and I knew we didn't have high chairs. It seems that they were definitely ready and the high chairs aren't needed as badly as I thought.

So tonight I sent Christian a text to pick up some rice cereal on the way home from work. I thought that we'd see how the boys do eating in their bouncers. Who knows maybe it will help them sleep better? I've read that it doesn't but we'll see. We started feeding them and they liked it. Patrick still has the tongue thrust and spit a lot of it out but we found that if we put it toward the roof of his mouth, he would swallow it. Payden was a different story. When we fed Patrick, we noticed Payden's mouth was wide open and his legs were going a mile a minute. We fed Payden, he swallowed and then opened for more. He loved it!

I think this moment will always be in my memory. I'm feeding the boys cereal while Christian eats his dinner. He stops and takes over for me so I can start eating. Then we go back and forth like that until everyone (Christian, I and boys) have all eaten. I know that feeding solids is going to be more stressful for me instead of just milk but I think it will be fun too. It's a different stage in their lives and it hits me over and over how much their growing up.

Wednesday Morning Musings

So it's Wednesday morning about 7am. The boys fell back to sleep around 5:45 and Christian started to get ready to work. I had a decision to make. Do I use the time to take a bath or snuggle back under the covers until they awaken? I chose a bath; mostly because I have a doctor's appointment today for myself and would like to be clean. Thank goodness for Christian's schedule today because he should get home by 4:00 today.

We had a good relaxing weekend. I'm beginning to relish them as I spend weeks alone feeding and playing with these growing babies. Last Friday was pretty disappointing though. The one thing that kept me going the entire day was knowing that it was "pay day" and we would finally have money to buy groceries and other things. Only later that afternoon Christian called to tell me that the full check we expected was not to be. We didn't know that he started in the middle of a pay period so it would only be 1/2 a check. It was just enough to pay rent which we were already late on anyway.

On the other hand, there were a couple things on Friday that were pretty cool. My new R.S. Presidency from my ward came to meet me. It was fun to talk to some adults and get to know them better. I could have done without the 3 year old terror that came along and was running up and down my stairs and eventually woke the boys from their naps. Then later in the afternoon the mother of the same 3 year old brought over their used exersaucer that she said we could have. Patrick loves it!! He'll stay in it for about 15-20 minutes. So far he hasn't grabbed for the toys but he really enjoys pushing off with his feet. I think he helps too because I fear they are in the boucers too often.. Payden is still a little small for it and I think he'll like it more once he has better control of his head.

Saturday we woke up as late as the babies let us. They have started sleeping from 9-10:00 pm until 5:00 the next morning. I think I can deal with 7 hours; because after we feed them they'll usually sleep until 7:45 or 8:00. Then we spent the day taking a nap when they napped and watching some World cup soccer. After one feeding we wanted out of the house and decided to take a drive and explore our new home here in Lawrence. We got home just in time to feed the babies before his parents came. They offered to come to Lawrence to take us out to eat and play with the babies. His mom surprised us by bringing us groceries. I was so happy!! We were so grateful and hope that what she brought is enough to last for 2 weeks until he gets paid again. I knew that we needed the groceries and we would probably have to put them on the credit card but I was so happy that we didn't have to. That night we went to a place called Smash Burger. I highly highly recommend it. Anywhere I can finish an entire 1/3 lb hamburger has to be good!! Plus their fries are to die for!! (They fry them in rosemary, garlic and olive oil; yum..) Patrick and Payden were little angels and slept the entire time.

Sunday was also good. Did I mention how much I relish and love my weekends?? I try to soak enough family time and couple time with Christian in order to last the whole week. The boys slept until 5 and then until 8:30. We awoke, played with them and then put them down for their morning nap. While they were napping we got ready for church. Actually I showered, threw on my bathrobe and ran downstairs to make some potato supreme for dinner. Then I ran back up the stairs to get make-up on and get dressed. We got to church and it was Ward Conference. They still haven't received our records and hope to have them soon. The boys fell asleep during Sacrament meeting and then ate during Sunday school.

For the last week or so, I've been trying something new. Payden started to not nurse very well so I gave him a bottle and he took 4 1/2 oz which is more than he has ever taken before. The next feeding was 5 oz and then 6 oz. Usually when I breastfeed him he'll take about 3 oz afterward. It is so hard because I don't know how much he is getting from me. But I feel better about giving them both bottles because: 1) gives me an entire hour to play with them after they eat, 2) I can do tummy time each time they are awake and 3) I always know how much Payden is getting. Did I mention he is gaining weight? He is getting chunky, you can really feel it!! So now I occasionally nurse him in the early morning because there is still that something sweet about that time together. During the day, I always feel rushed have to feel like I have to entertain Patrick who is already done with his bottle. Any thoughts on this? I sat and figured it out... they take about 60 oz a day of milk. I can pump around 40 oz; which makes us having to use 22 oz of formula a day. It's still expensive but I would have to buy it anyway but not as much if I didn't pump...

Babies are awaking - I better attend to them.

Update -

Here is a extra long update of our lives in the past month...

May has been an extra busy month for our family. We made the decision in April to move to Lawrence Kansas as Christian was offered a job there. Due to cost of living, it was definitely the right decision as hard as it was to leave a dear ward and friends that we truly loved.

Christian, I and the boys started driving for Kansas on May 6th. Wow I can't believe that was a month ago!! It feels like 2. We've done so much in that time. We took 2 days to get to my home in Idaho with a stop in La Grande, Oregon and also in Nampa. It was so good to see Grandma and Grandpa although we didn't stay very long. We then stayed in Idaho for almost a week and really enjoyed our stay there. I loved the pictures that I got with the boys and mom and dad and Grandpa. Mom was able to take some really good pictures of the boys smiling. We really cherish those pictures!

On that next Friday we drove to Pleasant Grove by way of Smithville Utah. It was so good to stop and see Amber and the 2 girls that were there. We missed Kaylee who was in kindergarten. I was reminded just how fast kids can grow! We spent the weekend in Pleasant Grove with his Aunt and Uncle. We even visited Kimberly and Joe in Provo. Christian was so happy to find out there was a In-n-Out in Provo which was really good!!! We then started our drive on Monday. Tuesday late afternoon we pulled into Kansas. For the most part the boys did okay in the car. The last couple of days, I fed them on demand, if they cried I fed them and then would try to play with them before they fell asleep again. Maddie had her doggie bed in the front seat but would not stay on it and was always on either my lap or Christian's as he was driving.

The boys recently passed their 4 month old birthday. I can't believe they are getting so big.

Here are some tidbits about the boys:

Patrick

• Rolled over for the first time on May 27th from his stomach to his back. We clapped so hard that it scared him. Now he does it on a regular basis.
  
• Probably weighs 13 or 14 lbs. His rolls of fat are so cute!
  
• He loves to scream and jabber when he's happy
• One of his new things is that if he is fussy and you put the pacifier in, he'll pull it out and play with it and then start to fuss again. Or he'll turn it around and suck on it backwards.
  
• Loves to play with toys and they go right to his mouth
• very ticklish under his neck - I've got him to giggle often by tickling there.

Payden

• Weighed almost 11 lbs about 2 weeks ago. It is so good to see him filling out.
  
• He is a vicious kicker and Christian has given him the nickname of Payden's pistons.
  
• He is our little observer and will just watch and watch you. He loves to stare at his older brother Patrick.
  
• Also very ticklish under his neck and loves to smile.
  
• Just started grabbing for toys that are hanging from the play gym and pulling them to his mouth.
• Giggles from time to time.
  

Our belongings finally arrived on May 26th and Christian's mom was able to help me mark off boxes when they brought everything in. There was no way that I could have done it myself and keep 2 babies happy and fed. We have been so grateful that she has been able to help us unpack and organize the house. The first couple of days were a little busy as I maneuvered around boxes to feed and play with the boys but we finally are moved in. We attended our ward for the 2nd time yesterday and it looks like it will be a good ward. Probably 90% are younger couples (lots of babies and elementary age kids) and then the other 10% are older and look as if they have been in the ward for awhile.

Christian's new job is really going well. I LOVE his new schedule. He is home by 4pm on two days and then home by 5 on another. He only has 2 days that are "late nights" and is home by 7. So much better than his last job when he was lucky to be home by 8pm. I'm so happy that he has a job that he loves!

This past Saturday Christian and I enjoyed our first date together as "parents." It was so good to get out and be by ourselves. Christian's mom had packed us a dinner for us and we found a park on the Internet and used our GPS to get there. Definitely something we'll remember for a while. It was right on the banks of the Kansas River here in Lawrence. We even met the state bug of Kansas, the ever-present mosquito. Consequently we are finding more and more bug bites as the days progress.

And lastly here are some pictures from our trip -

Here is Payden with his Great Grandma Packer


And here is Patrick with Great Grandma Packer


Here are both boys with my parents , their Grandma and Grandpa


Here is a picture of our 2 boys next to Hyrum. He is my sister's boy who is 1 month older and weighs 16 lbs. Isn't he cute? Payden was checking out his brother's ear.


Here is a picture of our new town home in Lawrence, Kansas..


Here is Christian's mom feeding both babies. I was busy crossing off boxes for the moving company.

David's Baptism

Yesterday, Christian, I and the boys went on first extended car ride. My nephew, David was baptized by his Dad (my brother) as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a BIG day for the little guy.

I'll always think of him as little because I remember VERY CLEARLY the day he was born. I was a junior at BYU in Provo and was getting ready for church in my apartment. The phone rang and it was my brother calling to tell me his son was born. As it happened he was born on his mother's birthday (I think it was her 25th birthday). I was so happy for her and excited to have a little baby to play with/babysit that I lived so close to. That day I went up and visited him at the Hospital there.

Other things that I remember about David...

• Helping my brother fold cloth diapers as I was there at his apartment for dinner
• His 1 year birthday party (he got cake and blue frosting all over himself). It was hilarious to watch as he ate his cake. Then a week later (April 20th) I was there with my boyfriend Christian (my husband now) on our 2nd date. Little did I know Aaron and Emma had already noticed something different about this guy and knew he was "the one for me."
• feeding him baby food on more than one occasion
• Entertaining him (ie.. trying to keep him awake) on the road from Pocatello to Logan to visit my Great Aunt Libbie and then we kept on to Provo. I think I was trying to keep him awake so he could eat.
  

The trip went well and the boys slept the entire way to Seattle. However just seconds after we pulled into the Church parking lot, both were awake and screaming. They did pretty good; I think it was because they are on a pretty good schedule.

Here are some pictures from the big day....





Yesterday was also was the last time that I'll see my 2 brothers and their families for a long time as we are moving to Kansas later this week. It's been so great to live close to them and be able to celebrate milestones with them. I will miss them so much when we move.