Lovin' the Life

Lovin' the Life

Saturday, October 3, 2009

General Conference

I like General Conference.  I love that we get to hear from the prophet and leaders of the church and there is always lots of great stuff to hear.  Usually I make the whole family attend the first Sunday session and Dan and I usually try to get to one alone.  The rest we enjoy watching from the comfort of home, where we can multi-task and not have to keep children quiet- we can just send them away!

This year, with having a crusty-eyed new baby, I wasn't sure we'd make it to church.  Then we learned that it would not be broadcast to our chapel- only to the stake center.  I hate going to the stake center, so that ended any thought of hauling the family out to view Conference in a church setting.  

I do like to go to the church.  I feel like I skipped Sunday if we don't go. I will admit that it is a bit distracting to watch from home.  I feel like I can get more out of it at home, simply because I don't have to worry about what the kids are doing so much.  They were good about staying quiet today, and I got to watch both sessions.  I always enjoy President Monson's comments and I thought the themes today were especially pertinent to me- mostly the listening to the Holy Ghost parts!  Yes, something I certainly need to work on.

I was trying to feel the Spirit as I watched conference, but I'm going to tell you right now, that for part of this afternoon session, I had a really hard time focusing on Conference and keeping a properly sober mindset.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!




Yes, she spent a good 20 minutes wearing Callie's underpants like a ninja!

Who Loves Rylee?

Before we proceed to the meat of this post, I wanted to talk about something totally not baby.  I wanted to share something about Joshua.  He has decided he wants to play the violin!  I am actually really happy about this. My friend Shelly moved away.  How is this related, you ask?  Well, in addition to being my friend, she was also Joshua's piano teacher.  In an excellent twist of convenience, Shelly would pick Joshua up from school, take him to her house, teach his lesson and then let him stay to play with her son for a bit.  And then she'd drive him home.  I know!  It doesn't get any better than that!  

I was looking for a new piano teacher after she left and I was not enthusiastic about having to drive Joshua (and therefore everyone else!) to a lesson.  And I was less enthusiastic when I realized how much more expensive it would be as well.  So when Joshua came home from school with an interest in the violin, I was delighted.  Much cheaper than piano, plus, no work required of me!   What's not to love?!

Joshua brought home the violin on Monday and every spare moment has been spent with it.  He has practiced it twice every day, polished it, examined it, checked the bow, rosined the bow.... he is quite excited about this violin thing!   He even managed to move the chin rest to the other side, because he is left handed.  I hope the enthusiasm continues.

And now onto our regularly scheduled stuff....

Joshua loves his sister.  He is not as effervescent as his sisters about it though. His is a big-brotherly love.  He's not really interested in the day to day aspects of caring for a new sister, but when he says prayers...... it melts my heart to hear his pray for baby Rylee with such sincerity and care. 

This one could care less.  I think this is the only time she has held her sister.  Marian is not that maternal.  She thinks its all interesting, in an academic way, but the crying, the pooping, the spitting up.... not a lot of fun there for her.  So she's content to just observe when she feels like it.

Callie LOVES her sister.  Callie asks at least 20 times a day if she can hold her.  I say yes more often now, because Callie only holds her for 30 seconds, and then she's done.  Of course, she asks to hold her again 5 minutes later.   Callie loves being a big sister again.  She wants to be a helper and to do whatever she can for baby Rylee. Its very sweet.  Occasionally annoying, but very sweet!

Delaney also loves having a new baby.  I don't think she quite understands that Rylee is not the same as a doll.  And I don't think Delaney quite understands that she is not a baby herself.  She wants to climb into the swing and bouncy seat and car seat herself.  She also wants to help me carry baby, and old baby.  It is cute, mostly.

Daddy loves his new baby.  He does not like his picture taken, but he does love his little girl.  He hands her right back when she cries, but when she is content, he is happy to hold her.

As for me, I love my baby too.  She is so cute and sweet.  Right now she's a bit crusty and gross though.  She has gunky eyes and she's been spitting up a lot the last day, so she's a little on the icky side.  I keep hoping that this is as bad as its going to get and she's not going to get the crud we've been fighting all week.  I think all the kids are healthy today, maybe some residual coughing, but the runny noses and sore throats seem to be over.  I'm crossing my fingers that Rylee doesn't get sick.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

All Baby, Baby!

Rylee is a sweet baby.  She's starting to get a cute little face, although it is still the round, featureless newborn face .  She is still sleeeping all day and not as much at night (although it is getting better).  They mystery for the ages is this:  How is it that she can sleep 3-4 hour stretches during the day, but is incapable of going more than 2 hours at night?!  And what's up with the 4 hour awake periods in the middle of the night?  I know, it takes about 2 weeks to re-regulate them to sleeping more at night and being awake during the day.  So far this is what I only get to see at night:

Yep, open peepers.  That's about the only time she is wide awake and happy to look around.

Aack!  Stop with the flash, Mom!

What's that?  No, I don't want to sleep!  I'm checking out the world!

Well, maybe I am a little sleepy.

And now, a big thank you to my friend Lanie.  Had she talked to me, I'd have said, no, I do not need a swing.  However, she just dropped it by and I LOVE her for it!  Its the fantastic cradle swing and Rylee has happily spent the last 2 days lazing away in it, and I have been hands-free!  Check out my cutie pie and lets see what she does all day...
Sleeping baby is emerging into hungry baby.  See, the fist comes up and gnawing begins.  Eyes not quit open yet, but the hunger is coming!

Open eyes, looking for food.  Mouth is working.  Perhaps a yawn occurs.

Then it is angry time.  Where is the food?!

Hungry and unhappy, there's the pause to see if the demand is being met.

It has not! Crying begins in ernest and Mommy better put the camera down and take care of business!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Fun Photos

Someone had a birthday!

Someone had a baptism!

Someone is silly!

Someone had a good time with his newest granddaughter!

Someone is truly adorable!

Someone thought Baby needed a baby to keep her company.

Someone got a super-cool tree fort, courtesy of his 2 grandpas.  Thank you  Grandpas!!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Counting with Rebecca


1- The number of tired, crabby new moms in my house.
2- The number of surprise guests yesterday.  (Dan's brother and his wife came up for Dan's birthday and to meet Rylee, and left today.)
3- The number of hours I spent in my bed last night.
4- The number of grandparents present at Rylee's Blessing this morning at church.
5- The number of children we took to church this morning.  The same number went back to church this evening for Joshua's baptism.
6-  The number of diapers I changed today.
7- The number of people now travelling places in our van.
8-  The number of times I thought maybe this was too much to do in one day with a 4 day old baby.
9- The number of days old I had hoped Rylee would be today!
10- The number that my family and friends score out of 10.  I have a great family and great friends!