Baby Slingin' and Family Picture: FAIL

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my ring-sling. It's the best little invention in the whole wide world. Aja loves it too.


She especially likes to suck on the edge.


Until she falls asleep.


Ah, the family picture. I think we took over 60 pictures and not ONE turned out. Ugh..So I guess this next weekend we will go for round two. Our main problem was that little boy on the right...yah, the blond one.


Thanks Cohen for making this SOOOOO easy!


I could go on...


I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

One November afternoon when my daughter was in kindergarten, I picked her up after school. She bobbed out to the car and crawled into the back seat.

"What did you do today?" I asked. She couldn't wait to tell me.

"We learned that boys are different from girls," she chirped.

Looking into the rear view mirror, I could just see the top of her head.

"My teacher told us that boys have a thing the girls don't," she added.

"Well, yes they do " I said cautiously.

I couldn't think of anything else to say, so we were quiet for a moment. Then she piped up again. "That's how girls know that boys are boys," she said. "They see that thing that hangs down and they know that he is a boy."

I mentally calculated the distance home. Our five-minute commute already felt like an hour.

"Did you know that when the boys see a girl they puff up?" My palms were beginning to sweat. "Um…well…"

I was still searching for something new to say, to change the subject, when she asked, "Why do the girls like the boys to have those things?" Well, I didn't know what to say. I mean, what woman hasn't asked herself that question at least once?

"Oh, well…um" I stammered.

She didn't wait for my answer. She had her own. "It's cause it moves when they walk and then the girls see that and that's when they know they are boys and that's when they like them. Then the boy sees the girl and he puffs up, and then the girl knows he likes her, too. And then they get married. And then they get cooked."

That last part confused me a bit, but on the whole I thought she had a pretty good grasp on things.

As soon as we got home and I pulled into the garage, she hopped out of the car, fishing something out of her school bag.

"I drew a picture," she said. "Do you want to see?"
I wasn't sure I did, but I looked at it anyway. I had to sit down.

There, all puffed up so to speak, looking mighty attractive for the ladies, was a crayon drawing of a great big Tom Turkey. His snood, the thing that hangs down over his beak, the thing that female turkeys find so irresistible, was magnificent. His tail feathers were standing tall and proud.

She was a little offended that I laughed so hard at her drawing, and I laughed until I cried. But when I told her I loved it – and I did – she got over her pique.

That was the end of that, for her anyway. But I'm not so lucky.

Every year I remember that conversation.
And to be honest, I haven't looked at a turkey, or a man, the same way since.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING

My take on the "Twilight" movie.

I have to admit, I am disappointed.

There are no words. I know it's not humanly possible to fit the bill for Edward, but honestly, they could have picked someone a little more "good looking" than Robert Pattinson!! There were times when he really did it for me (when watching previews online before the movie came out), but after seeing that movie...Barf!! I groaned outloud at the "hang on little spider monkey" line..PUH-LEASE!! Honestly, if Mitch had said that to me while were dating I would have said "you know..Your nice and all, but this just isn't going to work". OY! The SUNGLASSES! Which ERA did you get those from buddy! He said a few funny lines, but all in all he was a great disappointment for me. I know some will disagree and that is fine. No hard feelings, ok?

Bella blinked WAY too much. I also didn't feel any "spark" between her and Edward.

Jasper, Alice, Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, Charlie were all great. The special effects..Need help. The baseball seen was terrible..I full body shudder at the memory of that scene.

The movie needed to be so much longer, it felt so rushed. There were some parts in the book that are supposed to be romantical and mysterious in a way and they totally hack-sawed it.

Meh..I would like to hear those who have seen it thoughts on the whole ordeal. Also, just got word from a friend..They gave the green light for New Moon..HOPEFULLY they will pick a different screen writer.

BUT, my Junior Mints were really good.

Cohen's name for Peyton

Cohen's speech therapist was concerned because Cohen didn't have a name for Peyton. Here it is:



If you couldn't catch it, it's Pee-pee. Sorry I couldn't get it full size, I really don't know what I'm doing here. If anyone wants to help out with that part, great!

Enjoy!

I'm so tired.

It's not even 9 and I'm about to fall asleep at the computer. I got up at 6:30 and the nights sleep was pretty decent even though Aja was sleeping in my bed and Peyton and Cohen were sleeping on the floor next to the bed. Also, I slept through Anessa cracking nuts (the girl grinds her teeth, BAD and someone else (I haven't figured out who) has taken to doing the same). I got in the shower and got ready (including blow drying my hair YAY!) got the kids out the door, got Aja and Cohen ready and then we headed off to thera-PLAY. Aja of course wouldn't stay with the "sitters" there and so I had to take her with me. It's not easy rough housing with Cohen while holding her.

There is a little boy there who is getting into the habit of hurting Cohen every time he sees him, and it's starting to piss me off. Today he kicked Cohen in the back and in the head. So I did EVERYTHING in my power to avoid another situation, I got side-tracked by another mom asking how I was holding up and the kid runs after Cohen and pushes him down, and Cohen knocked his head pretty good. UGH! I know that the kid has really no control over what he does and I'm trying to be patient, but any of you who know me know that I'm SUPER protective of my kids and I'm having a hard time with this.

We get home and I feed everyone, including inhaling a lunch of my own (I'm apparently not allowed to eat according to Aja) and then had to hold Aja for a few hours and finally got her to sleep. Then the Lord smiled upon me and made it so Cohen went to sleep too! I thought, YES! I can do a few things...Nope. I got a call from my work and I talked to my boss. She lives in California and her house and business (my work) burned down this weekend so she was giving me all the details on that. I feel so bad for her. Her mom died this year, she had to have back and knee surgery, then her two front teeth broke and then her house burns down. Wonderful year for her, huh? Anyway, I have made arrangements to send her some things since she now has no clothes. Then Aja and Cohen get up, Anessa gets home and it's time to run Peyton to gymnastics. We get home at 5:45 and yet again I feed everyone and I'm allowed to eat a sandwhich and that is all! LOL! Then it's off to take Anessa to basketball practice and we didn't get home until 8. I then tried to do a bit of work while Aja played in her saucer (not having it) and Anessa and Peyton go shower. Cohen did what he does best..wander. I FINALLY got everyone down at 8:45 and who decides that she needs to wake up? I'm hoping she will go back to sleep on her own, but I think that is a vain hope. Anyway, this was my day. This is how my typical day is every.single.day. Can you see why I'm tired?

My only saving grace is that I get to see this on Friday, and I can't wait!

My 5 month old baby girl, and Basketball Anessa!

Aja is now five months! The time is just flying by, I can't believe it! She is trying to crawl, the little bugger! She rolls around everywhere making it very insteresting to change her diaper. She also growls, it's so funny! I can't have a conversation on the phone without her having to put in her two cents worth!

Here is Aja's first taste of some applesauce. She loved it!


And of course we have to be a big girl and try to feed ourselves.


Oh Mom, you want me to SMILE for the camera?? Too bad. I just won't ever do it.


Mini push-ups!


We just put Anessa into basketball. I'm so proud of her. She's tall enough that she could get pretty good at the sport!

Update on our trip to Primary's.

I love Aja's neurologist. He's such a great guy. She actually has 2, but I can never remember the girls name. I love her too. Anyway, they told me that Aja's head is too narrow in the front and too "bulgy" in the back, but they want to wait and get more head measurements before they do anything. So, it's a wait and see thing right now. They aren't sure if it's the shunt that is causing all the narrowing in the front or what. So that is basically all that happened. Informative, huh? Other than that, she is perfect. I'm going to serial-post later on, but right now. I'm going to chill in my p.j.'s and do laundry. It was really good to see Mitch. Love that man more than anything.

P.S. Thanks Dad for helping me with kiddos during our appointment! You are a life saver!

Heading to Primary's.

We have an appointment with Aja's neurologist on Thursday at 1:40 p.m.

After doing a lot of research on-line today with the small amount of information I have, the condition I think she has is called craniosynostosis. Fancy word for the sutures of the skull fusing too early. Looking at some pictures of it as well, I'm pretty sure that Aja has the condition. Her head is very oval, very long (meaning from her forehead to the back of her skull) and she has weird bumps all over the place.

Anyway, I won't be on-line much the next few days, but will be sure to update as soon as we get back Thursday night. We may visit Mitch while we are down there. I miss him so much.

Please keep Aja in your thoughts and prayers the next few months.

It may get ugly. Really ugly.

As I mentioned a month or so ago, when Aja saw her new pediatrician he pointed out that her soft spot is super small. Smaller than my finger-tip and I have small hands. So I've been keeping an eye on it and just monitoring it. It's gotten smaller and it's really hard. I can't really push it anymore and have it spring back on me like a normal soft spot would. It feels like bone is growing in there.

So I called her neurologist and left them a message with the info and they called me back yesterday. Not good news. His nurse, who is really nice and super helpful, said that when this happens kids usually require craniofacial surgery. The reason being is that this could now be hindering the growth of her brain. So they would have to go in and spread the bones, again. So my daughter who had too much space now has too little space and needs to be monitored.

I'm so scared for my little girl. I'm also so frustrated. I feel like I have just been knocked down over and over again this year and it's getting harder and harder to pick myself up again.

The Brave Little Soul:

THE BRAVE LITTLE SOUL

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. She especially enjoyed the love she saw there and often expressed this joy with god. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day she saw suffering in the world? God paused for a moment and replied, Little soul, do not be sad for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts. The little soul was confused. What do you mean she asked. God replied, have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone. The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their hearts, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer to unlock this love to create this miracle for the good of all humanity.

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain herself. With her wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied, I am brave, let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle! God smiled and said, You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you. God and the brave little soul shared a smile, and then embraced. In parting God said Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so though my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed! Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through her suffering and God's strength, she unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys some regained lost faith- many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased.

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I've cried so much today. I have been so touched by many stories I have read lately. This one was pretty darn good.

Tagged by Shelly

Rules:
1. People who are tagged need to post these rules, and 8 random habits/facts/quirks about themselves.
2. At the end of the post you need to choose 8 people to get tagged and list their names.

1. I'm the most cold person you will ever meet. It could be 8 billion degrees outside and I would still be wearing a house jacket. I dunno, a comfort thing I guess?? House jackets are so convenient becuase as I go around the house during the day, I stick stuff that is laying around in my pockets and put it away as I go.

2. Finishing a drink?? Never. According to my husband and my mom, I never finish a drink. I WOULD, but my wonderful husband never gives me the opportunity, he just finishes them off for me first now.

3. I CANNOT stand to watch my kids eat. It's gross. Anessa and Peyton sit at the counter for a reason. Cohen?? I kind of angle him out of my peripheral vision and I just keep my eyes on my plate or look around. ANYWHERE but where my kids are during the mastecation process. Ugh..I don't know what their deal is, but they incorporate both hands and have to TOUCH all their food..It drives me nuts and icks me out. I'm trying to work on that part of their manners, but man, when we are at home it seems that all manners go out the window.

4. Mitch used to take this personal until I explained it to him, but I'm not huge on kissing. I never have been. I get really claustrophobic and have to break away in order to feel like I can breath. Lame I know.

5. I know all the words to "Baby Got Back" and "Ice Ice Baby". Again, I know I'm lame.

6. I trip, a lot. Mitch finds it quite humerous. When I was pregnant with Cohen, I was waddling (see how I didn't say walking) and accidentally kicked one of Peyton's many swords under myself and totally biffed it. I was fine, but Mitch sure thought it was great.

7. I think I have had more flat tires than anyone. On every car I have ever owned (on #6 now) I have had either one or more flat tires. Mitch changed the brakes on my GOLD van once and I had 2 flats. Who knew??

8. When I get really nervous or stressed I bite my lips until they bleed. It's horrid. So if you see me and my lips look all funky and are super red, you know something is going down.

I tag Liz, Janita, Heather and Ashley!

Never Too Late For Pumpkins!

We took these a few weeks ago at the Logan Pumpkin Walk, and of course I was a dope and forgot my camera so my sweet sister-in-law took some pictures for me and sent them.

Here is Yoda Cohen. His head fit so perfectly in the cut-outs it was so funny! I love his face in this picture!


Aja as our little Ariel. That hat she is wearing was a big hit! She looks like a mini Aunt Jemima.


Peyton as Winnie the Pooh. He wanted me to post him as Snow White..uhh..No.


Princess Anessa. So fitting as she is my kindest most loving girl.


Alrighty then...The boy kept running from image to image!


We had a lot of fun that day as you can tell!

Can I say this..

I hate moving. I hate everything about it. I hate having to make sure my house is clean every minute of every day in case of a showing. I hate that Anessa has to leave her posse when they are so nice to her and she's feeling better about being at a new school. I hate that I have to leave all my friends that I just made. We have such a wonderful neighborhood and ward. I was really worried when we moved here because Saratoga was SO horrible with the whole Mormon mentality, but we haven't run into that here. We have had so much support.

I'm glad, however, that Mitch got this job. I was secretly rooting for it and he got it. It's an awesome offer, and it was one we couldn't pass up because it was so good. The health benefits, believe it or not, are better at his new place of employment than at the university, which ROCKS because, well, we have to have health benefits at all times. I know I should be thankful, and I am... I just am sad to be leaving everything. Logan is so great because it is in between both our families and the right size that I felt relatively safe. I'm sure things will be great when we move to SLC. I'm also going to miss my hubby very much. He's a good husband and a good father. He's worked so hard to provide for our family and I am so grateful for him.

Okay, my petty rant is over.