Family Vacation 2015

One of our goals is to take a family vacation every year. . . Well, that seemed quite impossible this year because of three little people schedules, a baby that hates the car, and mom that finds it difficult enough to handle Walmart all together--let alone traveling.  So for our vacation, we went to exotic Salt Lake City, Utah. 
Day 1
We potty trained Taya about two weeks ago.  She did a fantastic job.  Like only 2 or 3 accidents total.  I had promised her that if she went on the potty then I would taker her to the city and visit the princess store (Disney).  Now my kids are quite sheltered.  We only visit the mall a couple of times a year, and really don't leave a 20 mile radius other than going to grandma's, so this whole trip was a bit over stimulating for them.  Taya walking into the Disney store and instantly found the play castle that they have there.  At the front of the store they had their swim suits and dolls.  She found a brave doll and said that she loved it. .  .  .  That was until she saw that they sale princess dresses.  She instantly throws the doll on the floor and says, "I hate toys.  I need an Elsa dress."  :) My little diva.  She will pick clothes/shoes over toys all the time.  I sure love my tiny. 

The only problem with this dress, is that it is so big and poofy, and NOISY.  She of course refused to take it off for the rest of the trip.  Which meant she slept in it.  She and I shared a bed, and oh wow, she is a mover in her sleep.  Plus the Elsa dress, and yikes, it was not too restful of a night.  Plus she is a cuddler.  She insisted on holding my arm, laying on my face, snuggling my back, all night.  Most moms at this point would make her change into PJ's and sleep in separate beds... but I couldn't... she owns me:)

In the evening Milo got to go to the planetarium with Chris to see a space show.  He loved it.  He even got to pick out a toy rocket after, and he thought that was amazing.   The planetarium was also super busy and chaotic.  He did kind of look like a deer in the headlights coming out of there, but absolutely loved it. Milo has the most infectious smile and laugh.  It makes it so fun to make him happy.  



Then it was chicken nuggets and off to the pool.   We always have so much fun swimming as  family.  This was the first time that I let Crew get all the way in the water with the kids.  He loved it.  Milo would go under the water and then poke his head up.  Crew thought that it was amazing.  He would giggle and giggle every time that Milo would come up.  Milo loved being the entertainer, and played with him until he was light headed from holding his breath.  Taya is not pictured in this swimming section because she had to keep going to the bathroom... like I said we are new at this potty training thing, and apparently the pool was a new experience.

By then everyone was wiped out.  We put Crew to sleep (in the hotel bathroom) and let the big kids do treats and a movie.  Jurassic Park was on TV, and thanks to grandma Bird's exposure, they love that show.  We ate doughnuts in bed and snuggled all together.

Vacations with kids are so much fun. . . but with that said, I always feel like they are so much work that I need a vacation after our vacation:)  So, that is exactly what we did.  The next morning we dropped Taya and Milo off with grandma and started round 2 of our vacation. 
It was almost an adult vacation, except we had to adhere to Crew's schedule... which actually didn't dampen our fun.  We had to take naps and go to bed early.  Chris and I really lived it up.  Every day we ate continental breakfast (usually twice), then did some shopping, worked out at the hotel, ate dinner somewhere fun, including 2 taco carts, and then had dessert and a movie at the hotel.  It was so fun!  I loved being able to just walk around the city with Chris and have some time to actually talk to each other.   Our life together is a bit crazy.  We signed in for 3 kids under 4, and we love it, but it sure is busy right now.  It was so fun to get some time for just us (well, just us and Crew). 
Crew loved the city.  He was content on my hip, and loved looking at the buildings and being the only child for once.

  I even let him have some ice cream for the first time and oh boy, he was in baby heaven.  He latched on it like it was a bottle, and it was so hard to pry it away from him. 

He also go ahold of my Jamba.

 

and we took him swimming at hot tubbing at least once a day.  He really enjoyed being catered to!

This was such a fun break for our family.  It wasn't California or Hawaii, but felt so glamorous even though we were only 30 minutes from home.  Hopefully next year we can go somewhere with sand, but if we just end up downtown again, I'll be thrilled.

 

 

 

 

 

Glutton

My ward had a Women's Conference a couple of weeks ago.  It was wonderful.  It truly helped me recharge my commitment.  One of the classes was called building your testimony while navigating grief.   Two sisters who lost their mother to conference were the speakers.  They had some amazing experience and were awesome examples of followers of Christ.   I was so relaxed, and childless, and I remember the thought, "wow, I wish that I had experiences like that.". . . then I thought, "wait, wait, wait, what am I wishing on myself here?"  I wrestled with myself for a couple of minutes.  Trials are testimony builders. . . but with that said, isn't it so nice when your life is seemingly trial free? Now I in no way had a trial anywhere comparable to those two sisters, but I came home to find my faith builder waiting for me. 
Crew had croup during the last week of January.  We got the steroid shot, and other than being exhausted, we survived.  Then on the Saturday of the conference he was super fussy.  Sunday was a joke, and by Monday morning I had to take him in.  Double ear infections and RSV.  Now I vividly remember RSV with Milo.  I remember him crying and choking and gasping for hours, and I would wrap him and bobble him and cry too.   Crew's RSV seemed so much different.  His nose wasn't really snotty, he just acted like he felt terrible.  He couldn't sleep for longer than about 20 minutes, even though he was so tired.  By day 13 of RSV, he seemed to be getting worse, not better.  On Valentine's Day, he started having so much trouble breathing it was scary.  Through the night he couldn't stop coughing.  It was so confusing, because his nose was 100% clear.   I hadn't had to even wipe it once that whole day.  But in the night you could hear the tightness in his chest and throat.  He literally couldn't stop coughing.  I'm saying like at least every 15 seconds he'd have a coughing fit.  He sounded like he had smoker's lung.  I kept thinking he's already on antibiotics, he doesn't have a fever, no congestion, what in the world could be wrong?  So at 4 in the morning I headed to the 24 hour clinic.  From there they sent me to the emergency room.  I can't even begin to explain how exhausted I was at this point.  It had been over 20 days of no sleep, not only no sleep, but Crew is high maintenance.  If he's not feeling well, you have to be bouncing to keep him happy.  I mean like full squat bouncing 24 hours a day, even while nursing.  I was a teary zombie, with noodle legs, and unwashed hair.  They made me pin him down to flush his nose.  Then they drew blood.  It was so so sad.  Crew is usually very opinionated, but by time they poked him, it was like he was too exhausted to even put up a fit.  He just whimpered and cried this weak, raspy, quiet cry.  Just watching his quivering bottom lip was enough to send me over the edge.  Poor little baby.  Then they sent us for chest xrays.  This was also not pleasant, but we survived.  Finally around 8 a.m. they decided that he had bronchitis, RSV, and some type of atypical infection in his lungs.  His oxygen levels were high enough that they let us go home, with some high dosage meds and a follow up apt.  By then I was seriously at the breaking point.  When your kids are sick you would do anything possible to make them feel better.  I knew that we had done everything possible, and had to just ride it out.  However, I honestly didn't know how much longer I could make it.  Physically I was a wreck.  I'd been surviving off of high doses of peanut butter fingers and hot fudge sundays.  If I chose to take a shower, that meant that Crew would be crying on the floor and it worried me that he was going to get too worked up and not be able to catch his breath- so it was easier not to.  Mentally I was fried.  Like pregnancy dumb x100.  All of my energy was going into stressing over how to help him.  I was so short with Milo and Taya.  They had been surviving on high doses of Little Mermaid, and Goldfish crackers.  Honestly, I think that we rented 5 redbox movies in 3 days, just so I could try to keep them occupied while I struggled with Crew.  Poor little things were neglected, but I couldn't do anymore than I was doing.  Every night I went to bed exhausted from the day, disappointed that I hadn't been a better mother, and nervous about how I was possibly going to make it through the next day.   
Well after what seemed like forever, peace restored to the house.  The supercharged antibiotic that they gave Crew worked wonders within a couple of days, and finally for the first time in 3+ weeks I saw him start smiling again.  It was like having an entirely new baby.  You could tell that not only was he feeling better, but he was super excited because during those terrible couple of weeks he had developed and got stronger.  All of the sudden he could grab and manipulate things, he was strong, like almost strong enough to sit up by himself, he could roll over and push up like he was a muscle man, and oh boy was he ever so excited to be able to eat again.  We're talking nursing, baby food, pancakes, macaroni, everything and anything he could get his little mug on.  It was amazing.  It made my heart so happy to see him healthy again.  It made me feel complete to have at least one arm to play princesses with Taya, and tractors with Milo. 
Those couple of weeks seriously kicked my butt.  I cannot explain how excited I am to see an early spring and end to cold season.   Trials are funny things.  After they are over, you can so clearly see your foolishness and desperation, but oh man, in the thick of it you feel like you are downing and there isn't possibly any good that can come out of so much difficulty.
Sometimes it takes a long time to understand why/how a trial strengthened you.  This time I must confess, that I can see a glimpse of why Heavenly Father wanted us to go through this.  I have always loved Crew.  Like all 9 months, every movement on the ultrasound screen, and I was absolutely smitten as soon as he was born.  But I must confess, some of the excitement about a new baby had worn off by #3.  Don't get me wrong, I was proud, in love, and thrilled to be his mother, but I didn't even realize that something was missing.  Having to hold him so close for 30 days.  Pleading with Heavenly Father to help strengthen his body and let him rest. Wracking my brain to make sure that I had done everything possible to make him comfortable. All of these things led to this amazing, new, and different bond.  He demanded the center stage, and that first smile after so many restless nights absolutely warmed my heart and soul.  I am SO happy that February is over!!!  But I am also so grateful for the trials and blessings that February brought to our family.

6 Months...

So this blog was originally titled "6 months, sleep training, and sanity". . .  Well, we were sane for a minute:)  Unfortunately this month Crew got croup, followed by RSV and double ear infections.  Poor little man.  He has been a major mama's boy, and we caved and bought another exercise ball to bounce/rock him on.  But apart from sickness, my little man is growing into such a little stud. 

He is by far our biggest baby.  He skipped entirely over Milo's 3-9 month clothing, and is wearing what Milo wore at 1+.  I'm not going to lie though.  Baby #3 is totally about convenience.  I rarely get Crew dressed in anything but PJ's.   He's just so snuggly in them, and I never have to find socks:)

He is developing such a personality.  He loves bath time.  He has recently discovered that he doesn't have to lay down anymore.  Now he wants to sit up and splash, or even better yet jump and jump and splash.  Crew always has this giant open mouth smile.  Whether he's mad, or anxious, happy, or excited, I swear it always hangs wide open.  Crew loves Milo and Taya.  Taya kind of just likes to burry him in toys, but Milo listens really closely to how I talk to Crew, and will repeat whatever I say that makes him smile.  He is an awesome big brother, and Crew just loves him to pieces.  Crew also loves to be outside.  He is finally figuring out how to be somewhere other than mom's arms, and can actually make it around the block in the stroller.  

There isn't too much that Crew doesn't like to eat.  He was clearing 5 jars of baby food a day before he got sick.  He loves cheerios and baby treats, but usually screams when he eats them, I think because he's worried that there won't be more after he finishes what is in his mouth.  He is a stinker like Taya, and doesn't take a bottle.  he loves nursing (usually) and is starting to do pretty good on a sippee. 

Crew, like Milo, is VERY particular about how things are done.  Definitely a high maintenance little man.  I would worry about it, but Milo grew out of his peculiar demands and I'm sure Crew will too.  For now I indulge him to keep him happy.  This means, very little time in the car, not too many people, being swaddled and bobbled, no loud noises, and lots and lots of reassurance from mom. 

It's funny the things that you worry about with your first baby, and the things that you don't by your third.  I remember feeling frantic anxiety all of the time with Milo.  Even if he was behaving, I was so worried about when he was going to lose it.  Crew loses it all of the time, but it's so much easier for me to laugh it off and chop it up to him being a baby.  Taya loved everyone and cooed at everyone as a baby, but the boys are stingy with their affection.  They make you work for it, but then when they do give you that smirky little smile, it absolutely melts your heart and makes your thousand attempts worth it. 

I keep trying to hang onto every stage that Crew goes through.  He is our last, and my baby forever.  He truly does make my heart happy.  He's the last part of our family and I feel like he has made us all become complete.  He's the little brother, mama's little turkey, and daddy's little man.  I can't believe that we're already half way to one.  It really goes too fast, and I hope that I always remember how wonderful this time in life is-trying, but wonderful.  

 

Christmas 2014 Happened

 It's almost February and I still haven't caught up on December.  I thought things would calm down after the holidays, but I swear it only got busier. 

Well Christmas this year did not disappoint.  We kicked off Christmas Eve at Hotts's house.  Milo and Taya were in heaven.  Both of them were thrilled about opening presents.  Milo opened one tractor and didn't care about opening another-he was just so delighted with his toy.  Taya on the other hand got excited for every present.  She would get all big eyed, and gasp in excitement for every thing that she opened.  Then she'd say, "I love it!"  She tried on every piece of clothing, every little necklace, and hugged every mermaid. 

Then we moved on to Christmas at the Church with Grandma and Grandpa Bird. 

The kids got more than a little bit spoiled!

And as if Powerwheels for each kid wasn't enough, they each got a special present to open too.  Talk about little kid heaven!

We were worried that Taya and Hallie would be a bit too small for the cars, but they LOVED them.  They were crazy drivers (especially Tay), but they kept right up with the big kids.

Anna and Brave :)

This year I insisted on a quite Christmas morning at our house.  It was amazing!  The kids got up around 7 and got in bed with us.   Somehow they had forgotten about their new toys, and that it was Christmas morning.  It was so fun to just cuddle in our big bed all together.  Then Chris said, "Hey guys, last night when I was sleeping I heard Santa's reindeer on our roof."  All of the sudden it clicked.  Milo started screaming, "ahhhhh, it's Christmas!!!!"  I've never seen two little bodies get out of bed so quickly.

Milo got an astronaut suit and space toys.  Of all of the nice things that he got, I think that he liked the "rocket pack" the best.  Santa may have crudely fashioned out of two liter bottles and tape.

 Taya loved her doll house.  It was worth every minute of effort to see her enjoying it so much.  She had luckily forgot all of the girls that we bought off of KSL.

I really loved it when they played astronaut and dolls together.  I can finally admit, having two kids this close together was a good idea:)  They play so cute now. 

Then it was on to Grandma and Grandpa Manning's house.

Again, spoiled rotten!  Tay was adorable with her toys.  She just loved everything. 

Grandma put a lot of effort into gifts this year, and the kids were delighted.

Although we toned down all of the running around this year, it still was busy!  Especially when you're trying to be considerate of a 5 month old's not so perfect schedule.  But Crew did awesome.  He usually isn't a big crowd fan, so I had planned on one of us always having to be in the other room, but there he was,  laying in the middle of tons of gifts, people, and Christmas chaos, just beaming.   

Then to top it all off, we had a cousins sleep over.  I imagined everyone being way to exhauted to really enjoy the sleepover part (especially the morning after Christmas/sleepover part), but the kids loved every minute!

I was so worried about how things would turn out this year.  I missed my brother. I worried about him.  I wished that he was there for even one small part.  But kids help ease all.  They were so happy, that I couldn't help but be happy.  Christmas 2014 will be a hard one to beat.