How to Eat Graham Crackers

Have a cup of milk for dipping.

Get comfortable.

Be social.

Drink every last drop of milk.

Sometimes it can get messy.

Very messy...

Don't cry, yell or get mad at spilled milk. Take pictures instead.

Clean it up.

Any guesses at the culprit?

Crackers are messy. Wash up.

Often times a bath is necessary.

Have two handy helpers.

Follow your crackers with a healthy dose of freshly washed baby.

Memorial Day 2012

Gramps Gunnell organized a family breakfast and trip to the cemetery this morning. The kids slept until 7:30 (so did I!) and Phil had slept over at his parent's house studying for boards. With our late start we didn't make it to the pancake house for breakfast and I wasn't feeling up for mommy battle with three little ones at a crowded restaurant, especially without my co-pilot. We swung by to pick up Phil and drove together to the cemetery. It was packed! But I am so thankful that Gramps got us all together to visit the family graves. The kids enjoyed running around the grass with cousins, Kate had an epic tantrum that Uncle Reed captured on video-all the cousins watched in awe and I know that Kate was embarrassed with the extra attention.

 

We stopped by Camden's grave and captured our little family all together. It has been almost one year since our last visit and I was pregnant with Rhett.

Phil's sister Wendy had prepared a FHE for her family on the holiday and shared with us a story she viewed online about some soldiers in Afghanistan. It is easy to get wrapped up in our personal lives and not reflect upon the true meaning of this holiday. It is not just a free day from work and school. I know that I take much for granted and am certainly guilty of living in my bubble. I am grateful for the selfless sacrifice so many men and women have made on behalf of our country; securing our freedom and opportunities. 

Rhett: 8 Months

8 months. Rhett is cruising through his first year. 

Quite literally cruising now. The next few pictures portray how busy the boy is, always moving, exploring and scooting along on his belly. He prefers the army crawl, pushing off with his toes. 

He can get into a sitting position on his own now.

We have also ventured into self-feeding territory. A bit of freedom for us both during mealtimes. The boy thought he was in heaven! No food is off limits right now, he is a really good eater and has a sweet tooth, preferring fruits over some veggies. He occasionally protest what I am serving him and we set aside the vegetable and try something else. He loves yogurt, watermelon, bananas, applesauce, green beans, lasagna, beans, blueberries, pears. 

He hates to have his face washed and nose wiped. We have lots of boogers right now with teething and the boy can see you coming with a tissue/washcloth a mile away. If you approach his face he immediately turns away, arches his back, etc. Anything to get away from the torture of face hygiene.

Rhett loves to take a bath! When we enter the bathroom and turn the water on he screams happily, kicks his legs and flails his arms about. I need to get it on video. I love his enthusiasm.

He still has just two teeth, #O and #P. He takes 2 naps a day now, sometimes a 3rd little catnap is necessary and he goes to sleep with ease thanks to his trusty little fingers. He sleeps from 7:30pm-6:30am.

Rhett loves to be around all the action, if we move into another room he does his best to follow or hollers at us to come and get him. He gets excited to see Phil along with the rest of us and we just love this babe to pieces.

10 on 10: May ~ Park Edition

I forgot. Again. I even told myself that I needed to put it on my calendar so I would remember, but I thought to do this a few days after the 10th... Ahem. Luckily I did take pictures that day so I am running with that.

This was May 10th, the day after a glorious thunderstorm and we enjoyed the beautiful 70 degree weather. I packed us a picnic lunch, some blankets and we headed out to a neighborhood park.

Max is never without his hat. It goes everywhere, even to bed with him. It is an old hat of Phil's, is too big and completely shades his face. It is always slightly crooked and bends down his right ear. I love it.

Mmmmm, crackers...

I could kiss his face off. Oh, wait. I do.

Dining on tuna crackers and clementines. She is getting too big.

Ear curl documentation.

Mug shots of me and my gang. No one cared to cooperate.

Tell me how you really feel about pictures, Kate.

Pucker up, orange peels are bitter!

We had fun. Rhett tried to eat grass and leaves, Max and Kate played barefoot and I got to take pictures. Win-win for everyone!

Mother

With medical school I have come to have zero expectations of Phil in regards to gifts, holidays, etc. I know that it isn't truly important but will admit that it is nice to be thought of. So when he came home close to 10pm last night and said that he had something for me I was skeptical and cautious. I opened the front door and there were two twiggy fruit trees. Sweet man. We have talked about wanting more trees in our yard and he said he was wandering around Wal-mart last night (nothing like last minute!) and came across a plum and pear tree. He snatched them up and declared them my gift, because trees "last forever" and don't die within the week like flowers. I'll take it! Sadly, we won't be around to see them mature and bear yummy fruit but it is the thought that counts.

We planted the trees in the cool dark evening and finally crawled into bed just before midnight. This morning he got the babes out of bed, got them their milk and brought me a hungry Rhett. He played a bit of starfall.com with the kids and then packed up and headed out to study for his finals this week. I married a good man. We love him.

I fed the kids breakfast, we played, I showered, and they read books in my closet while Rhett napped. I dried my hair and got ready for church, dressed Max and Kate and together we woke Rhett. Poor kid, no one should have to be woken from a dead sleep, especially startled out of slumber by two boisterous toddlers.

Before we left for church I wanted to take a few pictures of us together. Again since we are flying solo today, the mirror and my not so long arms assisted. Rhett is the only one who somewhat cooperates for photos but the mirror scene perfectly captures what my life is like. Two busy, busy, camera averse toddlers and one happy baby.

I waffled back and forth about attending church on my own and just went for it, hoping that through my desire to attend the Lord would bless me with cooperative children. That and a well packed church bag! We made it through with minimal outbursts, two packages of fruit snacks, crayons, magna doodles and lots of whispered "sit downs!". Bless all those that sat behind us. One of these days I will get there on time so we can snag seating on the carpet to muffle our chaos. I quit while we were ahead and packed up the kids and headed home for naps. Dinner is prepped and once the babes awake we will settle in for a quiet day at home. Hopefully our dad will join us before the night is over, but I'm not holding my breath. I am grateful to have four special spirits in our family. Three children here on earth to help me learn and grow, who are teaching me how to mother. I am grateful for the examples of motherhood I have in my own mother and mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, sister, aunts, cousins, friends... I am surrounded by wonderful women. Happy Mother's Day!

So Long, Farewell, Auf wiedersehen

Monday before the move we met a the park by our house with friends, though certainly not all of our friends that we have made and love during the first half of med school.

We did a potluck dinner and let the kids run crazy at the park and eat whatever they wanted so we could visit. It was hot and we got sweaty, our food melted but we still had a good time. I so enjoyed my time in Peoria and getting to know and love so many wonderful women. It is critical to have a support group around you, those who completely understand what you are going through and to help pass the time. We are going our separate ways for the remainder of our training, a few are coming to the East Valley.

It isn't until you leave that you wish you had done more, taken more opportunities to be together. But I am grateful for what we had and for what is to come. Love you girls, I wish I could take all of you in my back pocket.

Elise, J'lene, Me, Shanna, Amy, Candice

Rhett: 7 Months

He's done it. Gone and turned another month older. And I have gone and gotten behind in posting his monthly updates. At least I am consistently tardy.

 

This sweet babe is in a hurry to be big. He loves to eat table food and when we are dining as a family he knows the difference between our food and his. And he prefers the real deal, none of this puree stuff. He doesn't really give you the option of not sharing, he has eagle eyes and a far reach. 

We have started enjoying the season's watermelon and he is in love! He prefers to have his own slice. I trim off all but 1/4"-1/2" of flesh and let him gnaw and suck on the rind. Don't even think about taking it away from him either. He will yell at you. We get a kick out of his pleasure and passion for food.

He is sleeping through the night and lately even sleeping late into the morning. My early bird who used to rise in the 6 o'clock hour has been sleeping in until 8 and 9am! We'll see if it lasts. 

He is down to nursing 4 maybe 5 times a day and must have food to fill in the gaps. He is a very efficient eater. I have been trying to get him to take a bottle so I can pick up a few days of work here and there but he has no interest. It is a toy to him and I know that this time will be over in a few short months and there is no real need for me to work right now. All in due time. To be honest, I am not ready to leave my babes, even for a few hours, especially Rhett.

He has two teeth and has been a great teether, only one day that he was a bit fussy, sleepy and warm. He still smiles at everyone and is very social. He is also on the move! He gets up on all fours and starts rocking away and has taken a few "steps" on his knees but mostly scoots all over the place. My favorite is when he is on his belly and is kicking his legs like a frog and pumping his arms at the same time. 

We love him so much, that goes without saying but he truly is a doll. Look at those eyes below! And his precious little fingers. Gah! I still eat him all the time.

He loves to take baths with Max and Kate but I am loving our deeper kitchen sink for tubby time now. He is still a slippery guy but this is so much more manageable than keeping hold of him in a big tub with big toddlers. Too many bodies to keep track of.

He is just plump enough and I love his squishy little body. I am always amazed how fast my babies grow. It is most evident when nursing and where their bodies used to curl up close and tight against me, they all too soon have sprawling legs hanging off my lap. 

Sweet Rhett. I love you. Stop growing so fast darn it.