Breakfast

I reached a new low as a parent today. Instead of the usual brown rice cereal and soy milk, I fed Spike the organic/wheat free version of cocoa pebbles with chocolate soy milk for breakfast. Honestly, chocolate cereal with chocolate milk! I don't know what I was thinking (yes I do, the chocolate milk was in the fridge and a new box of plain milk was downstairs). Anyway, if you want to make your 1 year old's morning, might I suggest a chocolate fest. Spikey likes it :)

Confessions of a Slacker

Well, I'm coming clean. My house is a wreck. Yep, I said it. It's a wreck today and it was yesterday and probably will be tomorrow and most likely will be in a year and 6 days from now. I hear that the first step to any problem is acceptance. Here it is, I hate cleaning. I really, really hate it. Some may say that you hate cleaning but hate a dirty house more. Not me. I hate cleaning. I hate laundry. Rarely is my house clean and my laundry done. Crap falls out of my cupboards when I open them. My laundry is in a giant pile. Sometimes the pile is so bad I can't open(or close, depending on the location of the pile) my closet door. We save money on paper by drawing in the dust on the piano instead. I've lived in my house 6 years and the high windows have not been cleaned on the outside. I think I last washed the walls just to clean them and not to clean off a spill in 2004.

This isn't a new phenomenon. Think of what part of my life you knew me and and you'll find an example of my mess.
Grade School: Mine was the desk that the lid didn't really close because it was loaded with crap.
High School: Giant backpack filled with everything you might need...if you could find it.
College: Dorm room from hell...clothes everywhere but in the dresser.
Work: Doesn't a messy desk mean that you are good at multi-tasking? Thank goodness Randall had a messy desk to. He's forever endeared in my heart.(messys have to stick together)
Mom: Well...come on over, but don't call first.

The real problem is that I have intentions of being all organized and clutter free. I just have so many other things I'd like to do more. Before you call social services though, my counters are wiped off, dishes are always done and the bathrooms are clean. The rest just gets away from me. I learned in college that there is a big difference in effort required between an A and an B+. Pretend that my house is a B+ ...even though it's probably close to a C or D. So, if you come over and see my house in it's natural state, know that while you'll have crumbs between your toes, you won't get a disease. If you come over and it's clean, know that I tried, but don't look too close. Close your eyes and ignore the details. Focus on the fact that I'm so happy you're my friend and love me in spite of my slacker tendencies.

Grateful

What a miracle it is to have children in our lives. From the moment they enter the world and we first hold them in our arms, our lives are never the same again. How grateful I am to have held my babies on my chest and comforted them as they fell asleep. I feel blessed to be able to bathe their perfect bodies, feed them endless meals, and buy new clothes as they grow out of them. These things let me know that their bodies are growing and they are healthy and strong. I'm so glad for the constant noise of our home. The tantrums and silliness let me know they are individuals and I'm glad they can express themselves. I'm thankful for the constant questions and crazy stories and new "invented" words. Where would we be without the passion and imagination of children? I love this time in their lives when I can make anything better with a hug and a snuggle. I love the way they smell when they sleep, their rumpled hair and messy faces.

This time with my boys is such a small part of our lives. So, given that, I've resolved again to say "yes" more often. To spend more time at the park and less time on the internet. I will listen more and ask them to be quiet less. I will play games that I hate. I will sword fight, play Star Wars, and operate diggers. I will read the same book 3000 times more and I will like it. I will like it because I am a mother. I am a mother who is loved. I am a mother who gets to watch my children sleep at night. I am a mother who gets to watch my children grow. I am blessed. These days may be short, but I will not wish them away. I am a mother.

The Jesus Store

On Tuesday I took the kids with me on quick shopping trip to Provo. We made it to three stores without a meltdown! The highlight of the day was the Distribution Center. We were walking through the store and Carter was, of course, bored. All of a sudden, he noticed there were pictures. This is what was heard by fellow shoppers:

Carter : "Mom, look, there is a picture of Jesus! Look, there is another one of Him! Mom, this is the JESUS STORE!!"

Me: (laughing) " Yes, Carter I guess it is. Do you know what is happening in this picture?" (picture posted above)

Carter: "Mom, see this guy and this guy (pointing to the two on the far sides of the picture) they are robbers. And Jesus, I don't know what he did to get on that cross. Too bad for him."

Me: "Carter, would you like to pick a Jesus picture for your room?"

Carter: "Um, no Mom...I would like a transformers poster."

I think it is time for us to invest in the Liken movies or a similar product. Any suggestions?

Spike Update

Okay, so it has been a week of good news and drama with our sweet little Spike. After his 12 month check up and weighing in at 16lbs, our pediatrician decided it was time for Spike to see an allergist. After a month of waiting, we went to see Jeff's allergist. I told her the story of Spike, the choking/projectile vomiting, the icky poop, the screaming, the food sensitivities, the rashes. Her first words were, "wow, he's really really small." Um, I know that. Beyond that, why is it the end of the world to be small? Anyway, she tells me she thinks he'll need to see a GI, but that we'll do some other testing. They did the scratch test and apparently he has a severe egg allergy, but no immune response to wheat or lactose. This is great news because intolerances are less severe and the chance of him growing out of them is much better. After my lesson in the epipen (which I am to carry at all times due to the egg allergy), I was ready to leave and happy with the day. The doctor said that she thought we should do a "sweat test". I didn't really ask what it was for as I assumed it was something digestive, what with all the talk of seeing a GI. As I went to leave, the receptionist told me my appointment at Primary Children's was at 2:30.

I had some time to kill while Spike napped in the car, so I called Cindy to give her the update. She asked what the sweat test was and I told her I didn't know. As the internet answers all our questions, she said she'd look it up. There was silence on the phone. Weird, awkward silence, and she hung up. Jeff called about 10 minutes later and said, "are they testing him for cystic fibrosis?" I assured him that they weren't...certainly the doctor would have told me. Eventually we got all checked in for the tests at the hospital and as they are beginning, the girl doing the test said, "we're checking for cystic fibrosis only." WHAT!!!! I told the girl that I thought it must be for something else, something digestive. She told me that no, it was for cystic fibrosis and the symptom's could be digestive and my baby was "clearly failing to thrive." KNIFE TO THE HEART!!! Anyway we did the test and finally got home around 6:00 that night, 8 hours after we left the house...a long day for me and Spike.

The results were supposed to be back in 2 days. However, after a week of worrying and avoiding the internet, I called the doctor's office yesterday and freaked out. Anyway, the PA called back and said he definitely doesn't have CF, but she doesn't know what else to do now, because the doctor didn't write it in the notes. As instructed by our pediatrician's office, I called the Primary Children's GI department for an appointment. Apparently they can see him when hell freezes over....or maybe December if I call on a magical day and the phone rings 6 times and the receptionist is wearing purple.

Long story short, after a week of drama, Spike is the exact same now as when it started.I don't think he is failing to thrive. I don't think he has a terrible condition. I think he's a cute little baby who is into everything, whose smile melts my heart, whose giggle is like music, who has a sensitive tummy. That said, I have a call into our doctor and I'm sure months from now we'll see a GI to find out that he is healthy. --Update....I spoke with our regular doctor on the phone and he said that since Spike is growing I don't have to do the GI think. THANK GOODNESS!

Bad Day/Great Day and Some Swearing

Today was one of those days when just as everything is going terrible, something wonderful happens. It was our first day back to "real life" after Jeff being on vacation for all of last week, so it was a bit of a reality check. I decided today was a good day to get passports for me and the boys so that we can go on vacation in October. Um, that was until I realized I can't find Spike's birth certificate. I thought I knew EXACTLY where it was. Apparently not. While I was freaking out about that, I heard Carter yell "uh oh" from upstairs. I ran up to find Spike sitting in a pile of rice krispies. Like a full box that he'd dumped on the floor and smashed up. (picture to follow) Have I mentioned that his cereal costs a fortune? It does and we had to throw all of it away because it had been smashed to pieces. Beyond the cost, the biggest pain is that I have to go to Provo to buy the cereal. I think Carter could tell I was about to lose it, because he said, "mommy, let me clean it up". He was so cute, he worked so hard and vacuumed it all up. That was when the night turned around. After that, Carter was my best helper. He helped make dinner and even helped clean up. Jeff got done with work late, but we ended up walking the trail around Deer Creek. It was perfect! The kids were great and we got to enjoy the last little bit of summer. It was one of the first times all summer that Carter really got out of the stroller and hiked. He ran races with Jeff and I, saw two bunnies, found animal bones and rocks, and peed in the bushes. Could life be better?

On a final note, the day also taught me that Jeff and I need to really start watching our language. Carter is a super swearer. I think it is because he comes from a long line of cursers, but really, he knows how to place the words perfectly. For example, tonight while making dinner, I tried a piece of pasta to see if it was done. Carter looked at me and said, "Mommy, why are you eating that damn hot pasta?" Last week, he watched a movie and said, "that guy is kicking his ass." I hate to admit it, because the swearing really is bad, but it is so funny that I laugh every time. He's just so serious about it. Wish me luck on watching my language and keeping a straight face while listening to Carter.

Wise Man said What?!!!

So, whoever said the "wise man built his house upon a rock"obviously has not paid an excavator. Ca-ching is all I can say. That said, we are SO excited that our new house is getting started. The main excavating/hammering is done. I'm sure all of the future neighbors hate us. When I shared in the relief society "good news minute" that the hammering was done, there was cheering. Apparently anyone close to our lot (most of midway) enjoyed 5 days of house-shaking hammering. Anyway, the foundation is poured and the framing should start sometime this week. The contractor is on the ball...now we're just freaking out about selling our current Heber home. If you know anyone that wants a great, affordable house in Heber, send them my way!