To Be Two

This post has been sitting in my draft pile since February 5 and I started writing it as Kate and I were in a heated naptime battle, thus the slight voice of frustration in the beginning.

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Screaming is the language of choice nowadays.

Don't get what you want? Don't want to take your nap? (Ahem Kate!) Scream so your brother can't sleep and you have to be removed from your bedroom. Scream so you have to be put in your parent's closet in a pack n' play because we have no more free rooms to put you in. Put up quite the fight but once you realize you are going to take a nap, surrender and sleep.

Someone takes your toy, shovel, car, cup, fill in the blank... then scream. Scream at the top of your lungs and for good measure yell "mine!" over and over and over again. If that doesn't get the point across and what you deem rightfully yours is not turned over immediately and your mother has to come and intervene then you should throw your body on the ground and kick your legs. Thrash around like a violent fish especially when your mother picks you up to deposit you in your crib until you calm down. But don't calm down. Scream some more and then more, even louder! Scream so the neighbors can probably hear you. Repeat throughout the day to drive your parents crazy and test the limits of their patience.

Be both exasperating and completely adorable.

Ask the same questions over and over:

"What you doin' mommy?"  "What is it?"

"Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom...(repeat until I acknowledge)"

Be cute and concerned over your siblings: "Max is crying", "shhh, Kate is sleeping, a night-night".

Be smarty pants and make us proud by knowing your ABCs and being able to recognize both upper and lowercase letters everywhere we go. 

Provide a constant dialouge when we are in the truck; pointing out every "big truck!" "a cahr (car)" "a bus!" and hot air balloon. Say "bye-bye" to the aforementioned trucks, cars, buses and balloons. Tell me when the traffic lights change "green means go!".

Play peek-a-boo.

Get crazily dirty in all your playing endeavors.

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I feel like much has changed since I first started writing this almost 3 months ago and yet not much has changed at all. The biggest change has been in language skills, so many words are spoken, clarity has improved and actual sentences are used. They love to count, say their ABCs, read, do anything creative.

2 1/2 year old check up Stats:

Max:

Weight: 26 pounds 6 ounces, 14th %

Height: 34.5 inches, 11th %

Kate:

Weight: 24 pounds, 4th %

Height: 34 inches, 10th %

My worst flaws as a mother are shown to me through my children in how they react to one another and back at me when I am disciplining. I am crafting little people and have much to improve on. Despite my shortcomings they are wonderful children.

They are tender and kind to one another and to Rhett. They come and get me if someone is crying and I am not in the room, they share and generally make sure the other has the same.

They have the most amazing relationship and I am so glad they came together and have each other.

Most of all I am glad they are mine.

Happy 6th Birthday Camden!

I am sitting down to write and schedule this post a few days early since we will be in the thick of moving on your special day. Instantly I become somber and my throat thickens, tears pool in my eyes and my heart aches for you.

I cannot believe that six years have passed. I am always aware of other children close to your age. You would be in first grade, soaking up the world around you, going off to learn things without me. I wish I could watch you grow. I imagine you would be a vivacious sweet boy. Full of life and energy. Proud to be the big brother, a wonderful helper to your parents and an example to your brothers and sister. I know that they would love you to pieces. And as much as my heart aches for you, I think I am more saddened that they will not know you in this life. Goodness, the tears are flowing now!

A tender mercy has been your brother Rhett. When your dad first laid eyes on him he thought Rhett looked just like you. I like that. And I like that maybe I am getting a chance to "see" you through him since our time together was so very short. I know that you are different children and I love you individually but I am grateful for this glimpse of you.

                                                                     L: Camden                                                                                                             R: Rhett

After you passed away I told your dad that I wanted to watch the footage we have of your life each year on your birthday, to keep you close in our hearts and minds, to remember those raw emotions. We haven't done that together yet, when I ask your dad he tells me it hurts too much. But we will.

I want to tell Max, Kate and Rhett about you, show them the few pictures we have of you. They will know you, I will teach them. Through you we have an intimate understanding of the Plan of Salvation. We know that we will see you again and I am forever grateful for our Savior, that through Him this is possible.

Camden's final moments with us. Out of the NICU, free from wires, needles and tubes. 

We love you. We miss you. We will see you again.

All my love, Mama

Embrace the Camera

A blog I have come across has a weekly feature called "Embrace the Camera", you can click on the link to read about the premise but basically it encourages you to take pictures of your kids with YOU in them. I haven't been good about making this a regular occurrence but want to be more deliberate in doing so. One of my challenges is that I do not have a wide angle lens to fit us all in the frame while I am holding the camera out in front of us and I don't like to use my point and shoot. When life quiets down (ha!) I want to get more creative with this series and figure out my timer and/or buy a remote shutter release. Until then I will just make do.

Here is a series from February.

2.20.12

"Cheeeese!"

It is kinda hard to juggle three kids on your lap! Oh how I love them.

Easter: Part 2

Our ward meets at 1pm. Not a good time for napping toddlers. As the morning wore on it was apparent that a nap was not going to happen for Max and Kate. They were happy and playing so we decided to just go and see what happens. I put out the kids' Easter clothes and we commenced the circus of dressing everyone. Neither of them wanted to wear what I had chosen, naturally.

Before we headed to church I wanted family pictures. Kate was having a tantrum about what shoes she wanted to wear and we were beginning to regret the no nap business. The boys and I headed out front to snap a few shots and Phil handled the shoe crisis.

Earlier in the morning Max wanted to dress himself and he chose his khaki church pants, a plaid flannel shirt and his navy baseball tie. He looked like an 80s high school teacher (plaid flannel, mismatched tie) or a la Kurt Russell from Overboard.

I was going to let him go to church like that since I thought it was hilarious but he changed. Still a handsome fella though.

Rocks are very distracting.

Please indulge my multiple photos of the same scene. I just love my kids, love that I am in the picture with them and each one has adorable faces that must be shared. It took several attempts with the kids but I finally got one of all the kids looking at the camera, I only had to switch out Rhett's eyes on this last one since he was mid blink and out of focus. So, yes. I cheated, thank you Photoshop. But! They were all looking and a little eye swap is nothing.

Pictures done, we loaded up and went to church. We were actually on time! This never happens since the kids usually nap and we let them sleep so we can survive the remainder of the block. We made it through most of the first hour and it was rough. I used all the books, quiet toys, colors, snacks, etc in the first 20 minutes. As the meeting progressed Max was getting more disruptive and defiant. Rhett was fussing and I stepped out in the hall and a few minutes later Phil comes out with a kicking and screaming Max. I take him outside and soon Phil returns with Kate and our bag. Max continued to put on quite a show, he was past his limit and screamed all the way home. I put all the kids down for a nap, Phil returned to church for his nursery calling and I prepped dinner. Disjointed church and spotty attendance. Story of our life.

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Last Saturday we drove to Mesa for the Gunnell Easter get together. The kids had fun playing with cousins, we enjoyed visiting and good food. I love family gatherings and wish we did them more often. And with three kids to tend to I always leave feeling like I didn't get to talk to anyone. (Of course I visit, but never as in depth as I like and there so many interruptions I feel like a space cadet and can't hold a coherent conversation.)

The kids had so much fun playing and getting loves. They loved the pinata activity. Each child got to swing 5 times, starting with the youngest and the oldest grandchild, Kyle, got to finish it off and break it open.

Apparently swinging a bat requires intense concentration and tongue action.

Candy!

I love that Grandpa Great was on the floor playing with all the kids. They love him.

My kids are so loved. I love our family.

Thank you Andrea for taking a family shot.

Easter: Part 1

Easter Weekend Midwestern University had their annual Egg Fest, a really fun family event with an egg hunt, pictures with the Easter Bunny, games, crafts, etc. Last year we were 10 minutes late and we missed the entire hunt for our age group. I talked to Phil about going this year and he couldn't afford to take off time from studying. I accepted that and was just going to stay home with the kids. I wasn't really wanting to go solo with three kids to a busy public venue in case of unpredictable toddler tantrums.

The kids and I were just hanging out at the house and I guess I got a wild hair or something but on a whim I decided to just go for it. I put on my big girl panties, loaded up the kids, BOB stroller and baby carrier. Phil helped buckle everyone in and as I was getting into the truck he said "don't come home mad!". Meaning: you are crazy, if things go awry there is no one to blame but yourself.

We pulled into the parking lot, unloaded and walked to the center of campus. We were already 20+ minutes past the starting time so I didn't expect to see this scene as we rounded the corner.

Eggs everywhere! I quickly sprinted back to the truck, pushing the double stroller and wearing Rhett, to grab the closest thing we had to gather eggs in; the kid's sand buckets. One quick swipe with their hoodies to get rid of most of the dust inside and we hustled back to the scene just in case it was starting soon.

The hunt wasn't starting for 30 more minutes so we headed for the shade of the main ramada, spotted some friends and sat down to color. Then we went to decorate a sugar cookie and Max and Kate sure enjoyed that! Too busy eating to look at the camera.

Patiently waiting for the hunt to start.

Finally it was time! The announcer exclaimed "Go!" and I told Max to run, run, run! He interpreted that literally and just took off! He then got to the center and was overwhelmed by the masses and started crying. I called him back over to us and we got busy gathering eggs. I was too busy helping Kate to snap pictures of the start but my friend Julie was on the other side of the lawn. I saw this picture on her blog and had to steal it since we were all in it.

They scored stickers and fruit snacks in their eggs. No chocolate. Which was smart since the eggs had been sitting in the sun all morning, the fruit snacks were melting so I was grateful for less mess.

The hunt was over in minutes and we went back to our table to examine the spoils.

Rhett was happy to sit in the stroller, play with toys and "eat a wrapped granola bar. Loved that crinkly noise.

We chatted with friends for a little while longer and called it when Rhett was ready for a nap. 

I am so glad we went! The kids did great and I am sad that this is our last event on campus. My only regret is that Phil wasn't able to join us.

10 on 10: April

One photo every hour for 10 hours on the 10th day of the month.

(Er, more like 10 on the 14th but whatever...)

I totally spaced this project until I saw my friend Lori do her post. I figure it is more important that I do the project than worry about the actual day it is done. Here goes.

Toddlers and boxes = endless entertainment. These are their "beep-beeps". Last week Max pulled a box over his body and started driving around. Brilliant! We got out the crayons and colored the boxes, I cut out yellow circles for headlights and they helped glue them on. Then a week later I stole them so I could ship some textbooks. Shhhhh! So these "beep-beeps" haven't gotten the full treatment yet. And they most likely will not be embellished due to the extreme likelihood of my using them to pack something.

Packing with little helpers is fun!

Max: "What you doin' Mom? What you doin' Mom?"

Me: "Packing, Max."

Max: "Ohhhh, packing?"

Repeat 12 more times. :)

Rhett was down for a nap, I snagged a shower and then came out to the hall bath to supervise the natives and try to get ready. Try being the operative word. I got as far as one coat of mascara and blush.

Easter cupcakes ready for transport to Mesa for the Gunnell party.

(Let's pretend this was taken in the 12 o'clock hour, close enough)

I put Max and Kate down for their nap which they vehemently protested, wailing toddler obscenities at me. I shut the door on them (hooray for being in cribs still!), walked away from the ruckus and grabbed my babe who was also going to go down for a nap. We like to play in the mirror, there is always a really adorable baby smiling back at us.

Short nap for Rhett and a phone call from a friend has us going for a truck ride to help move an armoire.

*Missing a few hours due to two big kids who played for 2 hours in their beds instead of napping, preparing for the road trip to Mesa and actual driving. All three kids crashed 15 minutes into the drive. Phil studied for his boards and I obviously drove.

Max and Stanley at Grandma and Grandpa Gunnell's house.

The rest of our evening was fun with family, food and a pinata! We packed up three tired babes after 8pm and headed to our Talbot house to snag more moving boxes. We didn't come prepared to tie them down in the bed of the truck so we shoved them all in the back seat with our kids. Crazy. They were good sports about it and we couldn't see them with the cardboard limo window we had going on. Home around 9:30pm, jammies, brush teeth, nurse the babe and everyone in bed. Phew! I will be happy when going home from family events means just a 5 minute drive.