Playing Catch Up

We've had a busy few months since I last updated this thing.  First, we had a grand time the rest of March with a quick trip to DC to see our sisters when Rick's mom came out to visit.  It was a really quick turnaround trip.  We went to the zoo, and enjoyed Easter with Sarah and Maria and Scott.

During Logan's well check I expressed my concern over his snoring at night.  For the last year, he would wake up randomly, screaming and crying and then go back to sleep.  His pediatrician said that his tonsils were huge, so she referred us to the base ENT who very quickly got us into an appointment and informed us that the tonsils and adenoids would need to come out.  Just a week or so after that we discovered a nasty infected boil on Logan's finger that had to be lanced in the ER and he had to have a round of antibiotics to take care of the infection.  Well, after that trip to the ER, the next week Rick and I took him to the hospital where he had his surgery.  The base did such a great job of taking care of him.  We were there all day.  The two week recovery was not fun, but he bounced back so quickly.  It's amazing how much he's changed since he's had his tonsils taken out.  He has had no issues with potty training now, you can understand him a lot clearer and no more sleeping issues.

In April, Evan had the cutest kindergarten performance.  They sung about bugs and had the cutest little dances.  May was a pretty busy month as well.  Evan ended up in the ER this time because he fell on the kitchen floor, smacking his glasses against his eyebrow line pretty hard.  He had to get stitches, which he was not happy about of course.  The rest of the school year passed by quickly.  I can't believe how much he's grown and how good he is at school stuff.  He does so well with math and reading, and his natural curiosity is just growing more everyday.

June was a busy month as well.  I've been doing pretty well with my pregnancy, but wanted to do a bunch of stuff with the kids to try and keep them busy since we were going to be stuck inside for a few weeks after I gave birth.  We went to splash pads and parks with friends, and enjoyed our time outside as much as possible.  We also are doing swim lessons this summer to try and keep the kids occupied.  I'm also thinking of signing the boys up for soccer this fall, if I feel brave.  Of course, Rick will be knee deep in his research and thesis work at that time, so who knows if I will feel like doing that or not.

In June, Evan had to get his eyes dilated to see if there were any potential issues.  Poor boy's right eye is so much weaker than the left eye.   Doctor told us that we needed to patch his left eye to give the right exercise to become stronger.  He said that most kids eyes stop developing by the time that they are 7 or 8 which kind of freaked me out since he's 7 in just a few months.  So far we can tell that he's doing pretty well.  His right eye seems to straighten a lot easier than it used to.  He's been staying busy this summer with his ABA therapy, swim and Speech/OT.

I started measuring big this pregnancy at about 28 weeks, so they wanted an ultrasound at 30 weeks.  At 30 weeks he was apparently over 4 lbs already, and he just kept getting bigger.  I was a little alarmed because I've only had babies 7 lbs 3 oz or smaller.  One of the doctors took pity on me and suggested that I get induced on July 5, when I was 39 weeks pregnant.  I agreed, even though I had some reservations.  I definitely prefer to keep them in as long as possible and try to get them to come out on their own.  So, we had a quiet Fourth of July since I went into the hospital late that night to get started on my induction.

Sadie's 2nd Birthday!

Having two birthdays in the family within three days of each other is totally exhausting.  At the moment, with the two being so young, I want to make sure that each of their birthdays is separate from the other.

So, I made Sadie's cake on Saturday night, and we wrapped presents that night and it felt like dejavu because we had just done that only a few days earlier for Logan.  It was totally worth it though.  It's kind of nice to also get two of the kids birthdays done within the same week.  I love them both so much.

It's hard to think of my current baby as already being two years old.  It seems that the more kids I have the faster time seems to speed up.  I am also so weepy (I'm going to blame it on my pregnancy hormones) because I seriously cry every time I think of her hitting her 2 year mark.

She's such a great addition to our family.  I love her so much, and she is so much fun.  She loves to play dress up and with girly, princess things.  Her favorite movies are the Care Bear movies from the 80s.  She also likes to just watch what the boys watch.  It's also kind of fun, because she likes to try and play with legos as well, enjoys getting dirty outside with the boys, and zooming cars across the carpet, just like her two big brothers.  She enjoys books and loves to snuggle in our laps as we watch movies or read together or pray together.  She loves nursery at church.  As soon as that closing prayer is said in Sacrament meeting, she tries to bolt past Rick like nobody's business.

I love how much she enjoys shopping, and wearing hats.  She likes to spend time with our family, and loves other kids her age.  It's amazing how social she is compared to the two boys.  They're getting better, but Evan and Logan are totally cool with just each other to play with.  She loves them, but she also just likes kids in general.  She's starting to get her words, even if it is coming a little slower than it did with Logan. Some of her favorite words are:  "Hi", "Ball", "No", "Daddy", "I (her possessive for toys instead of "my"), "nana", "bye", "oh no", and "uh oh".  She is so smart. She knows exactly what I am saying and follows directions so well (at least right now).  And she's super short--apparently 0% for height but somewhat average for weight.  Her BMI is in the 80th percentile (rolling my eyes at a BMI chart for two year olds!)

I love how much the boys try and take care of her.  They're getting so good at sharing with her and she loves all the attention that she gets from them.

Anyways, some pictures from her birthday.

The birthday girl right after church.  She left a shoe in the car!

Daddy and brothers helping her open gifts.

What is it?

Maybe, starting to get the hang of it.

She loved the shopping cart.

Trying on her fairy crown.

She got the bike from my parents, and that cute little fairy wing, tutu and crown set (also came with a wand and headband) from Rick's parents. 

Sadie's cake.  I love how feminine and sweet it turned out.  Those are sweet tarts as the polka dots.  The dressing is actually a buttercream that I love that had raspberries added into it.  It was so good. 

She kept trying to blow out the candles here before we sang to her.

Ignore the drawing on the wall in the background.  That was probably Logan.

I told Evan to keep his eyes open for this one and he sure did.  Wow.  Logan didn't get the memo though.  Also, he needs pants. 

Her cake layers were pink and purple and the kids LOVED it.  Such simple, small things that make them happy. 

Sunwatch

We went to Sunwatch Village a few weekends ago because the weather was beautiful outside and I didn't want to keep the kids cooped up inside the house.  It's a recreated village based on the research that archaeologists found at the site.  I love history, so it was kind of fun but a little exhausting with the kids.  It's nice to go to historical stuff like that with the kids when they're older, I think.

The kids had fun being outside.  Sadie liked picking up sticks and trying to whack the boys with them.  Logan and Evan loved just running around and trying to break into the huts.

Logan posing in front of something.  I haven't talked about that butchered haircut.  It was pretty bad.

Evan

Sadie + Pigtails = adorable

I love how Evan is in front of Logan.  Ha ha.

Just ignore that hand/arm holding Sadie next to her brothers. 

Always chasing after the boys!

Evan in front of a hut. 

Rick with the kids.

Family selfie.  Poor Evan.  And too bad the camera got some dirt on the lens.

Evan and Sadie.  

Logan's 4th Birthday

Logan turned 4 yesterday!  It's crazy to think that he is already 4.  He's such a big guy and says the funniest things.  For example, the other day we were walking to the commissary through the parking lot.  He sees this guy in his ABUs (like daddy wears) and he says, "Hey, that's not Daddy.  What's his name?"  It's so random and funny and abrupt.

He also gave his very first talk in Primary last Sunday.  He did such a great job, whispering into the microphone and then shouting out the words he was more familiar with like "Jesus" and "tents" and "AMEN".

Evan was running a fever this week so he was home yesterday for Logan's birthday, which is such a rare thing.  It was so nice having them all home the past three days.  They're such good kids and love each other so much.  And, he's only in his undies in the pictures because we were trying to keep him cool.  Plus, he and Logan hate wearing pants around the house.  I don't know if it's a little boy thing, but Evan is usually better about it now...

Logan was always my easy baby.  I remember when he was born I was just so calm about everything and I think that was partly because of his sweet personality.  He still loves to cuddle and snuggle with me.  He gets his feelings hurt very easily and is quite sensitive, which is definitely not a bad thing.  He's starting to take care of his baby sister and shares things with her without me telling him to.  He loves playing with legos, creating and taking apart, and he's always talking, doing imaginary play.  He idolizes Evan and loves Rick and me as well and he loves to ask a ton of questions every day.  He's my helper in the kitchen, always wanting to help make things and stir things.  And he loves to create art and craft.  His favorite books are usually about Legos, but he does like The Napping House, Pete the Cat, and Miss Spider as well.   We really are so blessed to have him in our family.  It's so neat watching your kids turn from newborns to infants to toddlers and preschoolers and watch how their personality changes and grows with their independence.  Definitely bittersweet, but it's one of my favorite things about being their Mom!

So, here are some pictures...

He saw the gift pile the night before so we decided not to tease and let him open them up in his jammies. 

Presents, balloons and laundry.  You can tell what goes down in our house.

Sadie still waking up. 

Evan watching Logan admire his presents.

With his rocket lego set from nana and papa. "I love this!"

With a present from Aunt Sarah

It's a Snoopy game!!!

Logan making a funny face by his lego cake. 

Logan's lego cake.  It took some effort---the legos are made from a silicone candy mold and candy melts.  Logan loved helping me decorate it.  Evan wants one for his birthday as well.

Logan "this is my cake!"

My three favorite kids. 

Evan was a little sensitive to the loud obnoxious singing.  Logan was so excited to blow out his candles.

Logan can't stop smiling at his Lego cake.

Enjoying their pieces of birthday cake.

Valentine's Day

This year for Valentine's Day we invited some friends over to decorate sugar cookies.  It was fun, and we had a big turnout, which is great, except Logan gets a little overwhelmed when people come over and play with his stuff.  He got over it though, especially since everyone eventually left.  I don't think he's much of a people person, at least with large crowds of people.  

The day before the party, Evan and Logan helped me cut out sugar cookies.  The first batch took forever with their help.  After they "helped", I put on a movie to distract them a little bit more, so I could finish cutting the hearts out faster.  

''helping''

Logan has been very enthusiastic about helping me cook and bake

They also got a Valentine's Day package from nana and papa.  Logan was super excited about the Rocket valentine's day card from my parents.

Evan also got a Valentine's Day card and candy (along with Sadie, who was still napping).  This face though.  I swear this kid has the greatest smile when he doesn't make strange faces.

Some of the kids decorating cookies.

Some more kids.

Sadie just really wanted to eat her cookie.

Logan concentrating on something.  Next to him are Sarah and Miriam.

Sadie enjoying her cookie by completely stuffing it in her face.

I love Sarah's face here.  

Logan concentrating on decorating his cookie.

I had a lot of fun.  I do love hosting people over, and especially for little preschool parties like this.  Poor Evan missed all the fun because he was at school, where he had his very own party and a valentine exchange with his class.  He was even lucky because Rick doesn't have class on Fridays this quarter, so he had Daddy come in and help with his party.  I gathered that he was very happy to see Rick once he realized that he was there.  (Nobody ever said that Evan wasn't oblivious on occasion).  

On Friday night, we went out to eat at Applebee's.  Rick's sister Leslie sent us a gift card, and since we didn't know when the next time we would be able to get out as just the two of us, we decided to take the kids.  I've been craving fish and chips for about 2 months now, and I ordered that.  The only problem was that as soon as I had one bite of it, I was completely satisfied and remembered how greasy fish and chips are. I couldn't finish the rest, it was too much.  

We spent Saturday grocery shopping, including getting all the stuff for our Valentine's Day dinner on Sunday night.  And then Saturday night, we just hung out with the kids and went to bed pretty early.  

On Sunday, we went to church and I was released as the primary president in our ward.  It's definitely been a great experience, and it's been bittersweet dealing with it.  But, I know that it will be okay.  Honestly, I just really love the primary and I love to serve, so being without a calling after putting so much time and effort into one is a little hard to grasp.  I have been planning on relaxing a bit and trying to catch up on some stuff around the house (and this blog) that have been neglected.  

On Sunday evening, it started snowing again.  Rick and I decided that for Valentine's Day this year, we would make sushi!  We have always wanted to try and we decided that both of us were smart enough, and there were several tutorials online, and youtube videos that we could figure it out.  We also made gyoza which is our favorite appetizer to order when we get sushi.  I also made "candy sushi" for dessert for us and the kids.  The kids ended up eating lunchables because we didn't get around to rolling the sushi until after their bedtime.  It was a bit of a process, with a lot of little things to do.  We did a shrimp tempura roll, because I won't eat raw sushi while I'm pregnant.  So that added another element of cooking.  

Rick rolling the sushi.

With all the stuffing for the rolls.

candy sushi, shrimp tempura rolls, pork gyoza

They didn't turn out pristine or anything, but they sure tasted good and they looked enough like sushi to me.

The sushi candy that the kids weren't quite sure about. 

Pork gyoza.  It was so much fun to make these.  And they tasted so very good.

Me and Rick selfie.  

I'm so grateful for Rick and everything that he does for our family.  We had such a great Valentine's Day.  I'm glad that he always likes to try to learn new things and is willing to do dates from home as it's so hard to get out with our kids a lot of the time.