The Little Man

The past three weeks I have been enjoying snuggles from our newest family member. He is a dream baby and I can get enough of him. Here are some pictures I took of this sweet little man when he was just over a week old.

He is very alert just like his sister

Baby feet are my favorite!

 PS.
He was a little stressed about the Germs finals

I'm The Toddler In The Box

Ever since Peanut started crawling she has loved boxes! She would climb on and in any box she found. She would also beg her daddy give her rides around the apartment in them. She even used them to hide her special treasures in like our phones, shoes, Tupperware lids, etc.. We usually would let her play with the boxes we got from Costco and fruit stands and would throw them out after a few day.

The race car and treasure box

Practicing being a mountain goat while unpacking

After our Utah visit Peanuts love of boxes has grown even more! Since returning home we have had at least one extra large box to play with/in. The first two boxes came with her new car seat tucked safely inside. Seeing these boxes I immediately wanted to use them to build forts, castles, and pure childhood joy. I put the Germ in charge of cutting out the windows and doors while Peanut and I decorated them (aka I colored while Peanut ate crayons).  Below are the finished result:

The "Castle Tower" box complete with draw bridge and windows

The "Tunnel" box complete with crazy windows (Peanut usually kept a blanket in this box)

Peanut playing peek-a-boo out the window

Watching a little Sesame Street from the comfort of her box

  These boxes were the center of Peanuts life for a couple of weeks. She would go in them to play peek-a-boo, throw a tantrum, look at books, horse around with dad, and if she had any "serious business" to do (if you know what I mean). The first box to give up the fight after life with a toddler was the "tunnel" box. It just couldn't handle Peanut trying to sit on the top of it. Apparently, it wasn't build to toddler OSHA specifications. A week later the tower box was starting to show the tell tale signs that "retirement" was imminent. I tried to help it limp on a little longer with a duct tape face lift but knew we would soon be parting with a dear friend. I was starting to wonder what we were going to use to fill the void in Peanuts imaginative play when that box finally got recycled. I was also wondering what I was going to do because that box made things like dishes, dinner, and using the bathroom by myself possible.

Thankfully, my new stroller arrived in the mail shortly after the duct tape face lift, complete with a huge and extremely durable box.  I have been to lazy to "Pintrestatize" it but it has been the source of many giggles. I can even fit in it with Peanut.

opening the door

Running out

When this box retires I think it will be time to start building living room forts again. Sadly, those require more clean up then the boxes. Here's to many more boxes that fill our houses with giggles and laughter.

Baking

Over the summer I decided I wanted to learn to make delicious bread. I have since learned to make English muffins, french bread, Baguettes, Pita bread, Italian bread, and various types of rolls. I have really loved making bread and have enjoyed eating hot bread smothered in butter even more! Goodness I sure love my Carbohydrates and saturated fats. 

Baking my own bread has been awesome for reasons other than making my butt size expand. The first being that I have control over the ingredients used. This has been great with Peanut since she has milk and soy allergies. It becomes frustrating when you read the label and find that soy is in almost EVERYTHING! Most store bought items like bread and crackers are out of the question because of soy. Another benefit of making my own bread is that it is a lot cheaper to make bread especially, specialty breads such as English Muffins and Pita Bread. Finally, it is helping me build a skill that can be used to help create memories with my children (hopefully positive ones to boot). I have so many memories of eating warm bread with my Grandma and helping her make cinnamon rolls for Halloween. Some of my most cherished memories are those of time spent in the kitchen cooking and baking together as a family.   

Lately Peanut has been wanting to help as I bake and cook. So I let her help while making bread by giving her some utensils and a big pile of flour to play with. I think the following pictures show how much she enjoys it!

      

I love watching her explore with something new! Goodness, I also love that Peanut is getting older so she can "help" more often. It also means we can do more sensory activities! I love sensory activities! Now I just need to find a way to make a cheep sensory table...

-Dooney

Dearest Peanut #8

Going to visit dad at school (you miss your daddy!)

Dearest Peanut,

The past few months have been some of the best months of your life! We finally figured out what was causing you to be fussy and grumpy all the time and why it was getting worse. The evil ingredient is Soy (and maybe dairy we wont know for a few more months). Dad and I feel so bad that it took so long for us to figure out what was causing the fussiness. We were finally realized it was food related when the projectile vomit started and got exponentially worse each day. Once we changed you to a Soy free formula (practically had to take out a loan just to pay for it...but its worth every penny) you turned into a who new person! You have been happy all day, you giggle all the time, and mom can walk out of the room for a minute without there being a total melt down.

You little cheeser!

Can you please forgive us?

Love you lots,

Mom or
 MAMAMAMAMAMA (as you call me)

PS. How can you be 10 months already? That is only two months a way from being a YEAR old!

PPS. I know you love climbing the stairs (and everything else) but we really need to work on your ability to descend the stairs without going head first!

Helping unpack

Dearest Peanut #7

7 month pictures

Dearest Peanut,

I know you were born with fiery red hair, extra helpings of independence and stubbornness, and a flair for the theatrics BUT could you please take your medicine? I REALLY dislike the whole weeping, whaling, and gnashing of teeth bit (OK just one tooth) while I pin you down and practically force medicine down your throat. I tried giving it to you nicely but you would just scrunch your nose, clamp your jaw shut, stick your bottom lip out about a mile, and turn your head every which way. I even tried the special Binky with hole for the medicine and also mixing it with your bottle.  The first would end with you spitting it out as soon as you tasted the medicine. The second only worked the rare times you felt like eating which coincidentally happened to be AFTER we forced medicine in you. I may have cried a few times out of frustration.

Between teething and this ten day virus that causes a fever, throw ups, diarrhea, pinkeye, and runny nose we are both exhausted.We are finally on the down hill slope and all that remains is the runny nose, goober eyes, and long naps (heaven!). I am happy to finally see your smiles and hear your giggles again.

Next time please remember that even though the medicine may taste gross it does help you feel much better.

7 month pictures

Love you always!

-Mom


PS. Dad thinks you were just holding out for bubble gum flavored medicine. Please say it ain't so!

PPS. You are going to be eight months old this week!

PPPS. After weeks of kinda crawling you finally feel good enough to crawl all over the place (even when we are watching).

Trials and the Atonement

***excerpts from a talk I gave a few weeks ago****

My most recent and favorite calling has been becoming a parent.  Since becoming a parent my understanding of heavenly fathers plan has greatly increased. Now I often wonder how heavenly father feels when he sees his children struggle, make bad decisions, experience pain, when they overcome a great personal challenge, or when they become a loving parent.  I also have gained more understanding as to why he allows us to face challenges.

When Sienna was two weeks old she had to have the PKU screening done. This involved Justin holding our new little baby while the nurse made a small cut on her foot and collected several samples of blood. Sienna with her limited understanding and I being in my postpartum state were both emotional wrecks. Every fiber of my body wanted to grab her and protect her from this pain. It also included a strong desire to smack the nurse for hurting my baby. So why did I not do that? It was because I understood the importance of the PKU test and its vital role in protecting Sienna. The pain she experienced from the test is nothing compared to the pain and heartache she would face if Phenylketonuria went undiagnosed.  These few moments of pain were in essence protecting her from suffering greater pain in the future.

Likewise, Heavenly father has allowed us to face some challenges now in order to prevent us from facing greater trials later. The word of wisdom may be difficult to follow especially, when your peer group (at any age) is constantly tempting and tormenting you for following it, but it is there to protect us. It protects us from the greater trails, pain, and heartache that can be caused by substance abuse. The other second type of trial involves strength.

Until recently Sienna hated tummy time. She would scream bloody murder entire time. Why did I continue to subject her to this if it made her upset and my ears ring in consequence? I did it because she needed tummy time to build the strength and coordination required to hold her head up, crawl, and eventually walk. She needs this to build up her strength so she can progress, grow, and to experience greater happiness.

There are times when heavenly father gives us our “spiritual tummy time” to help us build our spiritual strength and coordination required to return to him. As a result we will eventually experience incomprehensible joy and happiness.

Like any parent would do, when sienna experiences the pain I hold and kiss her, sometimes even shed tears with her. When she is doing tummy time I lay on the ground next to her trying to make to the experience more bearable for her, maybe even enjoyable.  Heavenly father does not leave us leave us comfortless. He provided us with a perfect savior to comfort and strengthen us.

  Deuteronomy 4: 30 and 31 state:

When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the lord they god, and shalt be obedient unto his voice.

(For the lord thy God is a merciful god;) he will not forsake thee, nor destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers.

In a quote by Elder Bednar he states:

The savior has suffered not just for our iniquities but also for the inequality, the unfairness, the pain, the anguish, and the emotional distresses that so frequently beset us. There is no physical pain, no anguish of the soul, no suffering of the spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, “No one understands. No one knows.” No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, he has perfect empathy and can extend to us his arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor,- literally run to us-and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power.”

Sienna can choose to accept the love and comfort I provide or reject it. We similarly can choose to accept, ignore, or reject the saviors’ perfect love, comfort, and strength.

While going through trials we understandably think: “why me?” “Why my dad? He is so kind and understanding. Why does he have to experience so much pain?” With our limited view we don’t fully understand the “why’s.” Many times during our trials we forget about the strengthening and enabling power of the savior. Often we pray to have the trial to be removed instead of asking for the strength to endure and learn from it or even the strength to change it ourselves.

Elder Bednar said,

“As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for the strength to change our circumstances rather than praying to have our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted up.”   

Mosiah 3:19 says,

“and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and Becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”

Even though trials may rage against us, the Saviors’ all-encompassing atonement will strengthen and enable us to overcome and change it. The atonement will remind us that these trails will be but a small ripple in the grand view of the ocean of eternal life.

In the words of our savior in John 16:33

“These things I have spoken unto you, that ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”

If we turn to our savior we too shall overcome. Faith through affliction is always pointed with hope toward the future.

I know the savior will comfort, sustain, and strengthen us during times of trial if we allow him too.

LOVE

This past year has been a year of LOVE. My love of others has grown immensely this past year! In return I have felt more loved then ever before.

  Last year, the Sunday before Valentines, I found out I was pregnant. I never knew that I could love someone that I had never met, seen, or felt. I only knew she existed because I had peed on a little stick. Yet, the love I felt for that little Peanut was already immense! It grew even more when I felt those first little kicks in my belly. Then my ability to love surprised me when my heart over flowed with love when she was born My love for this sweet and feisty little girl continues to grow as I get to see her flourish and bloom!

My valentine at 4 months

4 months and still loving that fist!

Consequently, Peanut made me realize how much I loved The Germ and how much he loved me! While I was in the throes of morning (all day/most of pregnancy) sickness, he held my hair and rubbed my back while I "worshiped" that porcelain god. He made me plain toast, brought me orange juice, and did the dishes so I could avoid the vomit inducing kitchen. I realized just how endless his love was, when he quickly forgave me after I accidentally threw up on him. He indulged my cravings of hot fudge sundaes, milkshakes, peaches, pastrami burgers, and waffles. He slept on a tiny portion of our full sized mattress for several months, while I struggled to get comfortable. During those post pregnancy days when hormones, lack of sleep, and breastfeeding were causing regular emotional breakdowns he was there to support me. He would come home after work and take over all of sienna's night feedings, so I could get some much needed rest. I don't think I could have done it without him. I am so grateful I get to call this wonderful man my Hunk a Hunk a Burnin' love! 

Wedding day 2009

   Getting to know each other at the Hospital

Life is pretty good when you get to love these cute faces and have them as your Valentines!

  

4 tips to aid with the transition to parenthood

Becoming a parent has provided me with the most exciting, wonderful, terrifying, and frustrating experiences of my life! Especially, during those first few weeks when exhaustion and hormones are taking their toll! I remember crying (one of the many times during those first weeks) and thinking, "I can't even sit! How in the heck am I supposed to take care of this baby? Let alone trying to feed her with these rock hard balloons attached to my chest!" Thankfully, that phase has past and things are going much more smoothly! I was recently asked by a friend, who is expecting their first baby, if I had any advice. I pulled from my experiences and from what I have observed professionally while working families to come up with a list. I came up with four main ideas that will help with this transition to parenthood.

1 - IF IT'S NOT WORKING TRY SOMETHING NEW

Sometimes we get so focused on what the experts say that we throw our common sense out the window. If forcing your baby on a schedule isn't working then stop! If your newborn grunts so loudly in their sleep that you can't get any, then co-sleeping might not be beneficial. Give something a fair try but if it’s not a good fit for you and the baby then try something new! Sometimes a trick that didn't work in the past works now and vice versa. For example, in the past we would have to wrap peanut in a blanket in order to get her to eat but now she eats better with both hands free. Our old trick stopped working so we adjusted.

2- NEVER SAY NEVER

In order to survive those early days you might find yourself doing things you never dreamed you would. Things you might have even sworn you would never do! Before peanut was born I didn't plan on giving her a bottle until I started going back to class. The Germ was very supportive and got up with me at every feeding to help when he could. Even with his support nursing was still difficult. When exhaustion and a screaming baby were taking their toll on me I had him give her a bottle. Yes I still wanted to nurse and cried because I felt like a failure for giving her a bottle, but I NEEDED A BREAK! Getting six hours of uninterrupted sleep did me wonders mentally, spiritually, and physically. Peanut didn't suffer from the dreaded "nipple confusion" and she still nurses just fine.

I believe as long as everyone is safe and healthy, then it is just fine to change your ideas. Keeping your sanity and enjoying your baby is far more important than sticking to some vision you created in your mind while pregnant.  I know many people who had to have their baby sleep in a swing in order to keep their sanity.

3 - FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY

When The Germ and I first got married we decided to enjoy whatever stage of life we were in! College students with no money - great! We will have fun doing spontaneous and cheap vacations over summer break. Yes we were impatient for the future and ready to be done with our low paying jobs but we never forgot to enjoy the journey. When Peanut was first born I remember crying in the shower because I was having a hard time adjusting. I was worried that we would have a screaming baby FOREVER! I soon realized that I wasn't enjoying being around Peanut anymore even though I loved her tremendously. That realization made me feel so sad because I wanted to enjoy being around my sweet baby! I reminded myself that I was on a new adventure going through unknown territory. Difficult times are part of every adventure and I needed to focus on the good parts of the journey. Yes, I mourned the loss of only having to worry about The Germ and myself because life seemed so simple then (it really wasn't). I also looked forward to when Peanut could sleep through the night. These feelings were completely normal and often arise when a big change occurs but I reminded myself she will only be this little 6 pound baby once. Soon the dread I felt when she started crying was replaced by small moments of joy- the smiles she gave while sleeping, how far she would arch her back when she stretched, and the little squeaks of contentment when she was done eating. Focusing on those small moments made the changes in my lifestyle easier.

4- TALK TALK TALK

Communicating honestly to your spouse/significant other helps with the transition. Asking for their help, thanking them, and expressing your love will make life more enjoyable. Hearing The Germ tell me how much he loved me and appreciated what I was doing made me feel valued. Asking The Germ to help with Peanut instead of trying to do it all on my own took some of the burden off my shoulders. There were times when we had to “tag team” the baby. I would try calming her and when I began to feel frustrated he would take over. There were nights when this would go back and forth several times until we were able to calm her. TOGETHER we found what worked best for the Peanut, NOT by doing it alone. Also, talking about our struggles and fears helped us find ways to ease these feelings. 

Becoming a parent is not easy but it is worth it! Those early days may be full of tears, hormones, and no sleep but you’re not alone. Parents all over the world are taking home their newborn baby, wondering how they are going to do it. Hopefully, remembering these four things will aide you as you begin this new adventure!

Dearest Peanut #2

Dearest Peanut,

I don't know how to break the sad news to you but I feel it's best to be honest. It is with deepest regret I have to inform you that the Christmas tree will be coming down this week. The thought of taking down the tree makes me feel like the proverbial evil stepmother. Who forbids her step daughter from seeing her best friend ever again (your much to young to want a prince)!

The tree was there to console you, usually between 7 to 9 every night, when nothing else could. This sparkling beauty filled your eyes with wonder and amazement particularly, when all other lights were out. The trance like state it would put you in would allow me to shower, eat dinner (while it was still hot), and get you to sleep at night. Indeed, I too am mourning the thought of disposing of the most useful tool in my "mothering toolbox."

I know this parting will be rough on the entire family (and the neighbors), we may even regret this decision for a time but we will pull through. I am trying to focus in the positive aspects such as decluttering the living room and having more floor space. I just hope our new friend the bouncy chair will help with the transition. Be patient and find joy in watching the washer spin round, while you bounce in your chair. My smelly armpits will thank you for it!

 

With all my love,
Mom