Scraped knees and constant bruises
Monday, March 23, 2015
Thursday, March 19, 2015
all in a day's work
I realized there was a day a few weeks ago where I took more pictures in one day than I normally do. Some reason it just felt special to me! So here are a few moments from one day of our life in an unorganized manner.
Caught Maxson holding Quinn's hand while selecting all the white noise sound on the iPad. tender motherhood moment!
b. TWINNERS! We have out wonderful relatives Jim and Jan to thank for these ones, it gives me a little anxiety dressing them exactly the same and then again it's really cute. I would guess Bryson is on the left.
b. I think it's so funny when Max decides to join the babies under this play toy.
b. Got out the next size up in clothes for the babies which means NEW OUTFITS! Hooray!
b. Unloading dad's wallet=pure joy for Maxson and pure anxiety for Casey, hashtag where's my credit card!
Also, remember my phone fast? It's going great! I'm truly so happy with the change I've seen throughout my day. I feel so free now that I'm not absorbed in checking my phone all day long! Funny enough, the days after I wrote that post I read these articles that were about that exact same thing:
The affect of parents on phones in front of children here
What happened around a guy when he did a weeklong phone boycott here
Thus far I've noticed than when I do check various media platforms there's too much to go through now that I don't care about, and I don't have enough time to see the people that I really do care about! So I'm taking my time to weed out my Instagram and Bloglovin to people I want to follow that I sincerely care about and to read. For Facebook I click on the link that says show me less of this person's updates because I feel bed unfriending them even though I'd really like to...
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
An unsuccessful excursion to story time.
Thank goodness Maxson has stopped fighting us on naps! He's back to being awesome at going to sleep 90% of the time and now that he's back in his bed he doesn't wake up during the night and cry for us. ROUTINE people, routine. So here we are, nap time and I'm blogging!
Today I tried going to story time at the library today with the kiddos by myself. I'd say I felt 35% successful.
Things that were successful
1. We got there
2. Max participated and listened maybe 40% of the time
3. There were no huge tantrums
4. Max was obedient on the way into the library and helped push in the stroller
5. Babies didn't cry cry during story time much
Things that were unsuccessful
1. I planned for the babies to be asleep the whole time, they woke up as soon as I got them out of the car
2. Max suddenly turned all shy and was standing by the wall far away from everyone else and wouldn't participate near others, even his friends. I was kinda surprised.
3. As soon as story time ended Max bolted for the door out into the ginormous library. Max runs really fast, the third time he did it we went home. And he still managed to escape 2 1/2 more times while I tried getting us ready to go
4. Max played with the name tag table for 20% of story time and made a huge mess pulling a bunch onto the ground
5. We couldn't check out the book Max wanted because I left the library card in the car and since it's under Casey's name she wouldn't let me (other branches have!)
6. During said check out time, Max ran almost far away 3 times
7. Yelling/tears ensued when we couldn't leave with the book
8. I had to carry him yelling and push the stroller out of the library and maneuver through small doors
9. I let him down to push the handicap button on the last door out. He then ran outside as fast as he could bolting to the street. I in turn chased after him before a car could hit him and right when I turned around the stroller was right behind me racing towards the street
10. Once to the car Max wouldn't stay in the car while I was getting the babies in and ran 2 car aisles away before I could catch him.
Fun, huh?
Overall he did just fine during story time, I will give him credit for that, it was the whole post story time that was awful. Maybe next time we will just bolt out the door as soon as story time is over…that is if there's another story time in the future. Honestly Max just isn't quite old enough/obedient enough for me to take all 3 kids by myself somewhere. The babies are both kinda demanding with needing bottles or being held and Max, from what you read, just runs away.
Any suggestions on toddlers running away? Other than a leash?
And a picture because we love pictures. After our trip we rearranged the car again. We brought the 8th seat back in so all the kids could be in the front row. It's working out super well actually! I love looking back there and seeing Maxson holding their hands!
Today I tried going to story time at the library today with the kiddos by myself. I'd say I felt 35% successful.
Things that were successful
1. We got there
2. Max participated and listened maybe 40% of the time
3. There were no huge tantrums
4. Max was obedient on the way into the library and helped push in the stroller
5. Babies didn't cry cry during story time much
Things that were unsuccessful
1. I planned for the babies to be asleep the whole time, they woke up as soon as I got them out of the car
2. Max suddenly turned all shy and was standing by the wall far away from everyone else and wouldn't participate near others, even his friends. I was kinda surprised.
3. As soon as story time ended Max bolted for the door out into the ginormous library. Max runs really fast, the third time he did it we went home. And he still managed to escape 2 1/2 more times while I tried getting us ready to go
4. Max played with the name tag table for 20% of story time and made a huge mess pulling a bunch onto the ground
5. We couldn't check out the book Max wanted because I left the library card in the car and since it's under Casey's name she wouldn't let me (other branches have!)
6. During said check out time, Max ran almost far away 3 times
7. Yelling/tears ensued when we couldn't leave with the book
8. I had to carry him yelling and push the stroller out of the library and maneuver through small doors
9. I let him down to push the handicap button on the last door out. He then ran outside as fast as he could bolting to the street. I in turn chased after him before a car could hit him and right when I turned around the stroller was right behind me racing towards the street
10. Once to the car Max wouldn't stay in the car while I was getting the babies in and ran 2 car aisles away before I could catch him.
Fun, huh?
Overall he did just fine during story time, I will give him credit for that, it was the whole post story time that was awful. Maybe next time we will just bolt out the door as soon as story time is over…that is if there's another story time in the future. Honestly Max just isn't quite old enough/obedient enough for me to take all 3 kids by myself somewhere. The babies are both kinda demanding with needing bottles or being held and Max, from what you read, just runs away.
Any suggestions on toddlers running away? Other than a leash?
And a picture because we love pictures. After our trip we rearranged the car again. We brought the 8th seat back in so all the kids could be in the front row. It's working out super well actually! I love looking back there and seeing Maxson holding their hands!
Funny, thus far when I've asked him "is that baby asleep or awake?" he'll look at them and yell AWAKE! From what I've learned thus far, if the baby is awake he yells awake in excitement. If the baby is sleeping he yells awake to wake them up. We're working on the proper actions and responses to the question.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Working out post baby 2&3
I am officially on week 8 of Kayla Itsines workouts. Go me? Yes, indeed, go me. And I am oh so proud of myself. I've missed 2 days of her workouts (I was sick on one and we had just driven through the night on another) and maybe a handful of the cardio days.
If I don't exercise during the babies first nap of the day it's reeeeeeal hard to find a place for it otherwise. I have energy from breakfast still but I'm not too full (oatmeal for the win, I absolutely have CRASHED during my workout the days I only eat cereal), I can get the full workout done in 40 minutes if I start immediately after I put them down and then if they take a short nap I'm not frustrated with them not napping long, win win!
My workout time is Maxson's designated "media" time. For the most part this is the only time of day he gets to watch a movie (always requesting "go?!" aka Frozen, still trying to get him loving more manly movies). Once my workout is done I turn it off and we go make "moo-ee!" for ourselves-- smoothies. It's a good little pattern I feel like we have and I don't feel guilty because it's "media" time and then he doesn't interrupt me much during my workout and we're all much happier.
If any of you are interested in the Kayla Itsines workouts I'd highly recommend it for a few reasons:
1. 3 days a week you do her workouts. They take me 40 min from warm up to cool down.
2. Since the workout is just a pattern of exercises you follow for a designated amount of time you can easily stop real quick to help a child (or run to the bathroom) without feeling like you're missing "the workout" like a video.
3. The other 3 days a week you find some sort of other type of cardio workout. She recommends low intensity but I like feeling super tired after a workout so I usually do Insanity.
4. I love that my workout days always are switching around and I can play with it a little.
5. She definitely does a great job at targeting women's trouble areas which I appreciate
6. There's little to no equipment used. I pretty much get by with a chair and two 5 lb weights.
So, friends, if you're looking for something to do I highly suggest this one, I'm loving it so far! You can get a free 1 week trial here. If you do want to buy it, there's often 10-15% off codes around, just look around or ask me!
Picture of post workout courtesy of Maxson, see them sweaty armpits? Yip, it's that good!
PS- I am not doing the designated eating plan at this point, I have little to no self control/am not desperate enough for that yet, wait until I'm done nursing and then I'll tell you how I feel.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Phone fast
I've realized I am addicted to my phone and I am not proud of it. As soon as I'm not doing anything I turn my phone on and mindlessly click to some form of social media: instagram, blogs, Facebook, email, or pinterest.
It's time for an intervention.
yesterday I deleted all the apps on my phone I constantly open. I deleted my email so I couldn't access it. Pretty much the only apps I open now are the Gospel Library app and my photos one. I did actually keep instagram on but in a less accessible spot and I only allow myself to check it in the evening once the kids are asleep.
Just today, I can't believe how many times I picked up my phone to "just quickly" check IG, Facebook, blogs etc. I'd read a text from someone, exit out of that app and immediately try to open IG. I want to be so much more present with my children. I want to have time to just ponder life and not always be entertained by something. Sure when I'm nursing I can't do much so I'd always flip through my phone. Now I sit there watching Max play more, thinking of activities I can do with him, what household chores need to be done, reflecting on the scriptures I had already read that day.
For me, my phone is so constantly accessible. It's not always in my pocket and it is often lost, but it does find its way into my hands more often than I'd like to admit and I'm sick of it, I'm sick of the addiction that I have encouraged.
I still get on these various forms of social media, but only on my computer, and let me tell you, as a mother of 3 children less than 2 years apart, finding time to physically open my computer is pretty much never found, literally it only gets opened at night and once the kids are in bed or maybe at nap time.
I don't think all these apps I love are a bad thing though, in many ways they are super awesome: connecting with friends that are good influences inspiring you to be better about x, y, or z, blog posts/pins about being a better wife, mother, friend, or homemaker. Facebook helps me plan events with friends and get advice on raising twins. I need these mediums of social media on my life, just less of it constantly throughout my day. Media can be a tool for good but I've let that "good" become to excessive and it's turned into evil I believe.
I want to be more overall present in MY life, not looking at my phone and interested in other people's lives continually. Of course I need breaks, but I've given myself too many. I want more time to just sit and think to listen to my thoughts, to be able to be quiet and still enough during me day to listen to the spirit, not reading about what someone ate for lunch or pictures of what my friends are doing all day long.
So, we'll see how this week goes. At the end of it I will re-evaluate, do I want those apps on my phone or even my life? Will I put them back on? Am I happier with myself? I will let you know.
Join me?
It's time for an intervention.
yesterday I deleted all the apps on my phone I constantly open. I deleted my email so I couldn't access it. Pretty much the only apps I open now are the Gospel Library app and my photos one. I did actually keep instagram on but in a less accessible spot and I only allow myself to check it in the evening once the kids are asleep.
Just today, I can't believe how many times I picked up my phone to "just quickly" check IG, Facebook, blogs etc. I'd read a text from someone, exit out of that app and immediately try to open IG. I want to be so much more present with my children. I want to have time to just ponder life and not always be entertained by something. Sure when I'm nursing I can't do much so I'd always flip through my phone. Now I sit there watching Max play more, thinking of activities I can do with him, what household chores need to be done, reflecting on the scriptures I had already read that day.
For me, my phone is so constantly accessible. It's not always in my pocket and it is often lost, but it does find its way into my hands more often than I'd like to admit and I'm sick of it, I'm sick of the addiction that I have encouraged.
I still get on these various forms of social media, but only on my computer, and let me tell you, as a mother of 3 children less than 2 years apart, finding time to physically open my computer is pretty much never found, literally it only gets opened at night and once the kids are in bed or maybe at nap time.
I don't think all these apps I love are a bad thing though, in many ways they are super awesome: connecting with friends that are good influences inspiring you to be better about x, y, or z, blog posts/pins about being a better wife, mother, friend, or homemaker. Facebook helps me plan events with friends and get advice on raising twins. I need these mediums of social media on my life, just less of it constantly throughout my day. Media can be a tool for good but I've let that "good" become to excessive and it's turned into evil I believe.
I want to be more overall present in MY life, not looking at my phone and interested in other people's lives continually. Of course I need breaks, but I've given myself too many. I want more time to just sit and think to listen to my thoughts, to be able to be quiet and still enough during me day to listen to the spirit, not reading about what someone ate for lunch or pictures of what my friends are doing all day long.
So, we'll see how this week goes. At the end of it I will re-evaluate, do I want those apps on my phone or even my life? Will I put them back on? Am I happier with myself? I will let you know.
Join me?
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
a video: Jan and Feb 2015
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Pros and Cons
Pros I often think about for the future when we move into a HOUSE.
1. An enclosed backyard. Just letting Max out the back door to explore and have fun without worrying about him wondering off, running in the street, being adbucted, etc. JUST GO PLAY. And a trampoline. A trampoline goes hand in hand with a backyard, that will be one of our big purchases post graduation. The three boys will have so much fun on a tramp.
2. A garage. Reasons to value a garage: A) When you go out of your house to get in your car the kids are still in an enclosed area to run off down the street, play with trucks, run etc. Same with when you get home and have hopes to get from the car and into your house B) a warmer car C) no snow to scrape off your car D) less bird poop on your car E) easier access to vacuum out your car
3. No one to come in my house on on the first Thursday of the month to turn all my fire alarms to check them and then wake up all my sleeping children
4. No sharing walls with neighbors and being worries your exercising too loudly or feel bad you're having your kids cry a little more to get to sleep and your neighbors can probably hear it. Oh yeah, and being able to cheer super loudly for BYU football games
5. A bigger kitchen and bathroom. Enough said.
6. Three bedrooms. Oh how I wish so badly we had 3 bedrooms, cue tears.
Cons I often think about for the future when moving away from Starr Street.
1. Having to pay for all my utilities.
2. No handy man at my beckoning call to come fix everything/replace anything as needed for free.
3. Taking charge of your yard for snow removal, raking leaves, mowing grass, killing weeds, upgrading areas
4. Paying for internet and probably not having cable (goodbye HGTV and Food Channel).
5. A street full of amazing neighbors in the same situation as you educationally, emotionally, family wise, and financially.
6. Backyards that aren't all connected because when you see one friend playing in their backyardish area you invite yourself over to join in on the fun (yes, you can do the same in the front yard but it's just not quite the same)
Starr Street friends, what am I missing?
Also what were you most excited about when moving into your first house?
1. An enclosed backyard. Just letting Max out the back door to explore and have fun without worrying about him wondering off, running in the street, being adbucted, etc. JUST GO PLAY. And a trampoline. A trampoline goes hand in hand with a backyard, that will be one of our big purchases post graduation. The three boys will have so much fun on a tramp.
2. A garage. Reasons to value a garage: A) When you go out of your house to get in your car the kids are still in an enclosed area to run off down the street, play with trucks, run etc. Same with when you get home and have hopes to get from the car and into your house B) a warmer car C) no snow to scrape off your car D) less bird poop on your car E) easier access to vacuum out your car
3. No one to come in my house on on the first Thursday of the month to turn all my fire alarms to check them and then wake up all my sleeping children
4. No sharing walls with neighbors and being worries your exercising too loudly or feel bad you're having your kids cry a little more to get to sleep and your neighbors can probably hear it. Oh yeah, and being able to cheer super loudly for BYU football games
5. A bigger kitchen and bathroom. Enough said.
6. Three bedrooms. Oh how I wish so badly we had 3 bedrooms, cue tears.
Cons I often think about for the future when moving away from Starr Street.
1. Having to pay for all my utilities.
2. No handy man at my beckoning call to come fix everything/replace anything as needed for free.
3. Taking charge of your yard for snow removal, raking leaves, mowing grass, killing weeds, upgrading areas
4. Paying for internet and probably not having cable (goodbye HGTV and Food Channel).
5. A street full of amazing neighbors in the same situation as you educationally, emotionally, family wise, and financially.
6. Backyards that aren't all connected because when you see one friend playing in their backyardish area you invite yourself over to join in on the fun (yes, you can do the same in the front yard but it's just not quite the same)
The first picture we ever took of our Nebraska "home"
Starr Street friends, what am I missing?
Also what were you most excited about when moving into your first house?
Sunday, March 8, 2015
picturas de iFono
Some randomness from the phones shall we?
My cute little Bryson.
For Valentine's Day, the stake put on an adult Valentine's dance the night before. WE begged our awesome friend Katie, in Casey's dental school class, to come sit at our house after the kids went to sleep so we could go. Oh man, it was such a blast. I love dancing and it had been way too long. Everybody probably thought I was dancing like a fool but I didn't care a bit, it was so much fun to just dance again. There were about 4-5 other couples in our ward/friends who went and that was so fun goofing off with them.
a. Casey's new birthday tie
b. A very squished rocking chair.No room for more, ha!
Putting kids to bed. Casey is the master put-Max-to-bed-er
a. Max helped himself to a heaping class of pure powdered chocolate milk and he was quite excited about it.
b. rocking babies.
QB
My cute Quinny.
a. Our awesome new side table Casey and our friend Josh built, gracias Josh for the help!
b. Casey and Max walked to the gas station on an exceptionally freezing day and was lucky enough to pick up a lollipop while there.
Maxson's Valentine's presents included 2 new puzzles, a box of Frozen fruit snacks, and a water coloring paint set.
Max sharing his toys with Q
a. The babies have begun joining Maxson on bath time! Yay for bumbos! So much easier bathing them all in one go.
b. Bryson
a. backing away from his hugs he just gave Quinny
b. Bryson asleep at the wrong time because he chose to cry for most his nap.
b. Bryson asleep at the wrong time because he chose to cry for most his nap.
a. Just Bryson's cute baby face.
a. Everyone loves daddy.
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