sick days.

My poor boy has been sick since Monday. Though I would never know it until diaper changing time. I finally called the doctor today and they said there is a 7 day stomach flu going around. He's got it. And my Mr. too. But, I don't mind pampering my family and playing nurse for a while. I especially love the extra snuggles! 

Yesterday was our first time taking Charlie to the park this year! He loved it! He's lucky to have such a wonderful big sister. She was right with him, protecting him every second. Makes the mama proud! Right now, she and daddy are at the STEaM Expo at school. Charlie and I stayed home where we can privately change his entire outfit every time he needs a diaper change...

Mr. W and I are slightly addicted to Downton Abbey at the moment. We haven't watched any of it until the past few weeks, so it's been a marathon watching all 3 seasons at once! A very good marathon I might add. (we are currently watching season 3, so no spoilers please!!!) It's our little treat every night after we tuck the children in bed! I can't wait to see what happens tonight...

And oh yes, I finished both Easter outfits this week. Now to finish preparing for the Easter Bunny to fill those baskets!

this boy...

this boy LOVES his books. 

*he is talking to the baby in the book*

i love this baby.

today.

Today this baby walks! He has been taking steps for a few days, but today he's walking everywhere. Freedom for my sweet boy! He laughs as he walks, mouth wide open of course, which makes us laugh. It is wonderful to see him master each milestone he has worked so hard to achieve. He is brilliant!

This baby's mind is beautiful. He is so aware of his accomplishments, and so determined to conquer the next one that lies ahead. I am so lucky to be his mommy. He is a wonderful teacher.

Halloween 2012

Halloween was so fun this year! It always is. My toadstool went to 2 church Halloween parties, Halloween Recital at USU (she play "Arioso" by Bach, accompanied by daddy), school festivities, and 2 of her friends came over for trick-or-treating last evening. My little owl dressed up for the school festivities yesterday, but since he goes to bed at 7pm we skipped out on the trick-or-treating for him. He helped me give out candy instead!

Lizzy had so much fun trick-or-treating with her friends. Mr. W walked with them for about 2 1/2 hours, then they came home for hot chocolate and checked out their loot. It hit me last night that her trick-or-treating years are numbered. That's strange...

Today I packed up the Halloween decorations and brought out our few Thanksgiving ones. I LOVE this time of year! It was a HAPPY Halloween, and now we are ready to celebrate Thanksgiving.

++ A quick note about the girl... She captured a fly (walk) last night and named him Ralph. He went trick-or-treating in a tea basket with her. This morning when I was doing her hair I told her "I love my girl" (as I always do) and the tears came. She pulled the empty tea basket from her drawer and Ralph had passed away. She is so sensitive and sweet. She even has a place in her heart for flies. I love my girl!

happy birthday little one.

Happy Birthday my sweet little boy! I can't imagine my life without you. It's hard to believe you have been with us (in person) for an entire year. We are all so happy you are ours! You are the sweetest baby when you wake in the morning and from nap time. Daddy and I love to hear your sweet voice first thing in the morning, calling to us like a little bird from sister's room. Oh how I love that wide-open-mouth smile of yours! I can't help but feel happy when I see it.

You are one tough baby boy. You had a rough start to life. (thanks to mommy's antibodies and your dairy allergy) But, as tough as you are, I felt your tender spirit from the first moment I held you in my arms. That tenderness is more and more obvious as your personality emerges. I have loved watching you grow and learn this past year and nine months. In many ways, you have helped me grow and learn too. Every day is a new adventure with you my little one. I look forward to many more. I love you sweet boy!

xoxo,

mommy

first teeth!

(hurry up little teeth, you're hurting my gums!)

Before this very important date slips my mind, this little boy got his first tooth on Tuesday! The likely lower central incisor. The neighboring tooth is following closely behind. It's almost through those swollen little gums! He's a few months ahead of Lizzy, she didn't get her first tooth until she was 14 months old. But who's counting... I'm just happy to avoid the dreams of having my infant fitted for dentures because she is the only 1 year old with no teeth!

our summer in pictures...

because right now, there's no time for words!

school is out & mobiles!

 Yesterday was Lizzy's first day of summer break!

She decided to attend a new school at the beginning of fourth grade, and she made a very wise decision!

It has been a year of exploration, wonder, fun, art, and learning. She adapted quickly to her new environment, and made friends easily. Academically and socially she excelled. 

I would say fourth grade was a success!

 signing autographs while the paparazzi shoots away

 field day/water slide

And as usual, summer break means much crafting for my girl.

(the word "bored" is a naughty word in our home)

So, our first project was adapted from this mobile tutorial. We finished baby brother's, and almost completed hers. I especially love how it looks from his prospective lying in his crib!

Already today, she made a handkerchief that she designed, cut, sewed, and monogrammed herself! I love her creativity. I love that she finds ways to entertain her mind and hands, and that this very moment she is outside playing and rarely finds herself being entertained by electronics. 

I am so excited for summer time with my girl!

Baby had his 6 month immunizations yesterday.

By evening he had a fever and was vomiting. Babies are amazing how they throw-up, then 

the next minute are giving you the scrunchy nose smile. 

I hate seeing him so weak and tired.

But, it was sweet to have him sleep between us and hear him breathing next to me all night.

Thankfully, he is still nursing well...

Sis is off to school. It's early release Wednesday, so she was excited about that. 

She has big plans with the neighborhood children this afternoon. Last night they invented a new game 

just before she came in for the evening, so they will meet up after school! 

Mr. W has had much on his mind. He was offered a full-time Pharmacist position! He has 3 other opportunities in his field that he's considering. I've watched him carefully consider every aspect of our future, trying to make the best decision for our family.  I know he will do what is best for all of us.

I'm thankful he seeks spiritual guidance when he's planning for our future. 

Together we agree, quality of family life (time) is our ultimate goal.

We look forward to this new phase. 

five months ago.

This is what we were doing five months ago today. It was the third most beautiful day of my adult life. (first being my wedding day, and second was Lauren's birth) It's hard to imagine life without our little chubbers. What a miracle! I'm still in shock how this little person came into our lives. He has brought with him a little piece of heaven. 

I am amazed how much room there is in my heart. It felt so full when I found Mr. W. Then even more so when we were blessed with Lauren. I felt happy and content with our first little miracle.

 Little did I know there was space waiting to be filled by our second little miracle.

I'll never forget the emotion of that day. Mr. W and I, waiting to see this beautiful baby we had created. Lauren's excitement for this brother she had waited nine years for. 

Mr. W whispering the sweetest words to me while I labored. His voice is so soft and tender. 

He held my hand and told me he had never loved me more. 

I still get butterflies.

Then when he finally arrived, we all cried. He screamed, then he peed on the doctor. 

(way to make an entrance into the world my little boy!)

Then he started to calm, and he stared at his sister as she held him. She said she didn't expect to cry.

I tried to take it all in, trying to file away every moment into my memory. 

As the two of them put on his first diaper, I laid there and watched my Mr. become the father of a newborn again, and my little girl become a big sister. 

I sobbed.

This is the sweet baby that has taken his place in all three of our hearts. The past five months have been beautiful. (even the typical moments of newborn struggles) 

We're glad you chose us. You were worth the wait!

Love,

Mommy 

oh baby!

-spring break kite flying-

-dad teaching sis archery- 

-dying coffee filters for her projects-

I can't believe how quickly time is slipping away.

Next month my girl will be 10 years old. 

Is that possible?

In 3 days my baby will be 5 months old!

He has brought so much joy to our family.

I love watching the two of them. They love one another so much.

He has given sister so much confidence and a sense of belonging. 

This morning I when I was changing his diaper he was crying.

Until she talked to him. 

She said, "he cries when he looks as you, but he's happy when he looks at me. I must have the magic touch!" 

And that she does!

I love family. 

I love the family I was so blessed to come from, and the family my sweetheart and I have created.

Typically I go to bed at night exhausted, but it's  a good exhausted. I know this phase will pass so quickly. While mom was here visiting last week she said this is the sweetest time in life. 

I believe so too.

...and oh yea, Mr. W is starting his LAST rotation in 1 week! Graduation here we come! He went back to school in 2003. For some reason it doesn't seem like that time slipped away so quickly...

oh how I love these two!

Every morning sis comes in our room to give brother his morning greeting. 

He loves her, and she loves him. 

It completely melts my heart. It melts Mr. W's too. 

Some mornings we just sit in bed together and observe what we've created. 

It is a beautiful thing.

I love that we have a 9 year old and a newborn. It's wonderful to watch the chemistry between the two of them.

I love to say that I have "children." It gives me butterflies in my tummy!

I feel so blessed everyday.

(of course bear bear is with them too)

 This is what sister has been up to lately. She's working on the longest picture in the world!

She loves the Ed Emberly drawing books she got for Christmas.

I love how she always has to organize her crayons and markers into a rainbow when she's creating!

I made baby some pants out of a t-shirt...I always have to embellish the bum!

(I can already hear him say, "oh mom, do you have to say that?)

Check out the chub! I think he needs some bigger socks for those ankles.

settling in.

I can't believe my baby boy is 10 weeks old.

My heart is full.

Full of love for these two incredible children I've been blessed with. I feel like I'm settling into this new role. Mother of two, and mother of a newborn. I love it. My little boy knows I am his mother. I can speak to him from across the room and it comforts him. When he sees me he smiles. And I do too! I'm learning to stop mid-whatever to come to his rescue, and be okay letting things (cleaning) go. I'm learning that the best product of the day is not the the tangible, like sewing something from start to finish,  but rather a happy and content baby and 9 year old. These days I'm doing good to get my exercise done and the house cleaned before it's time to pick up sister, and I love it! My days are full of everything I've dreamed of. 

This little boy loves his sister so much.

 This morning on the way to school I was watching her in the rear view mirror. She was resting her head on his seat and staring at him. She helped him grasp his toy and taught him all about how to play with it. She has been amazing. Even more so after being the only child for 9 1/2 years. 

Life is sweet. Happy. Beautiful. Lovely.

good afternoon sweetheart.

Hello my love!

We're having a great day.

I hope you are too!

Brother is sleeping away in the bouncer, in the crib. 

Yippee!

Sister has a friend from school over having a play date.

Yippee!

I hope you enjoy the pics!

Sis is too busy playing to take her picture.

I Love YOU!

(i think i'll hurry and make caramel!)

my gift to you!

Good evening my love.

Today, my first gift to you is this post...

these pictures of our beautiful children.

Aren't we so blessed?

...and thank you for helping me with the tree skirt this morning.

Doesn't it look much better?!

My second gift to you is this batch of

perfect fudge

that I made for you today!

My third gift to you is my daily exercise.

I sacrificed my routine to make you this treat.

Because I knew how happy it would make you.

And how much you would look forward

to eating it after your long day away.

I. Love. You.