A Whole Lot of Carters

Back in July (Yes, I'm behind), we had a get together with Scott's family. His sister Sandy came up from Mexico with her family and his sister from Pocatello joined us. His parents were also here. It was fun to see everyone. We hung out at our house and ate good food and let the kids play together. Addy was super duper happy to see her cousin Dallin again and spent all day basically pulling him from one spot to the other making him play with her. Scott's dad was the favorite with Ellie. She sure loves her grandpas! And I think they like her too...

I didn't get a ton of pictures because we were too busy! And I had a lot of cooking to do! lol. But here are some I did get. I think Grandpa must have wrapped that baby doll up about 100 times.

Addy loved Grandpa's hat :)

Grandma brought the girls these wonderful dresses that she made! I can't wait for Fall time for them to wear them to church! They've been wearing them all around the house since they got them. They were so excited that the dresses would spin out that this was the absolute best picture I could get. They would hold still for nothing...Thank you Grandma Carter!

It was great to see everyone. We even put in motion a Carter family reunion for every other year starting next year :) We are really excited to see what Mom and Dad Carter plan. :) I really loved seeing Sandy. I forgot how much we laughed together when they lived here. It was entertaining to have them here again. And it was nice for everyone to meet Gracie Boo. Thanks for comin'!

My Sunshine

I've always known that Addy was the absolute epitome of perfection. But today she proved it! I was exhausted...and it was only 5:30. Bedtime was two hours away and even then I had too much to do to go to bed with the kids. And besides, the baby probably wouldn't sleep then anyway. Addy wanted me to read her a story, but I was falling asleep doing it. I told her that I was so sorry but that mommy was just really tired and could we do something else? She told me to get in her bed and sleep on Dora (she has a Dora pillowcase). She then proceeded to cover me with her blanket and lead Ellie by the hand out of her room and close the door. I giggled to myself and thought I would play along and that she'd be back in a second to say, "Wake up mommy!" as she usually does. But no. 25 minutes later, I woke up with a start. How long had I been sleeping?! Where were my kids? And then I heard Ellie laughing. I called to Addy, who came into her room with a "good morning mommy!" and a hug and kiss. I thought, "oh, thank goodness. They're alive!"
Then Addy says, "Look what me and Ellie did!" And I automatically think crayon on walls, bookshelves emptied, cleaning supplies spilled (guess who's so perfect she can open child protection cupboard things at age 2?). But she pulls me into the living room. Which has been cleaned. Every single thing picked up off the floor. The toys piled on the chair because I was sleeping in the playroom. And she says, "Look at all the work I've been doin'!"
Guys. I almost cried. I picked her up and loved on her and told her thank you until she asked me to quit lol. Not only had she managed to clean the living room but she managed to keep Ellie happy while she did it. I'd been trying to do that all day with absolutely no success (thank you teething). I was more proud in that moment than I ever have been.
And also thankful for her dad, who she learned this from. Each morning he gets Addy all settled with a drink and some books before he showers so that I can sleep until he leaves for work. This morning he even cleaned my stove and kitchen floor. I love them both so much. She made my day today.

No Rest For the Wicked

Sunday. A day to renew our spirits and refocus on life. A day to rest from all our labors. I must be doing something wrong...

It seems like to me Sunday is a day of harder work than the rest of the week! I have to get myself and my three children up, dressed, fed, and groomed by 8:30. And then we go to church for 4 hours (I play piano for choir after church) and wrestle our active, and then tired children. By 1 I'm absolutely exhausted.

Yesterday was one of those Sundays where you just wish it would be Monday...Forgive me for my honesty. I woke up at 4AM to, not the baby crying, but my husband, puking his guts out. Awesome. So I got him some water and mouthwash and got back in bed. Took a while to fall asleep, then woke up to the baby being hungry at 5:30 or so. Rolled out of bed at 7 to find my husband not in bed. He was out in the living room with Addy who had been up since ... way too early. Great, I thought. She's going to be tired. Rushed to the church to practice the organ duet for the choir number that day. Came home to Scott still feeling very sick and realized that I would be taking the kids to church alone. All three of them. There was no way he was going to be able to keep them.

About 8:40 I rushed in to get Grace up and dressed and fed before leaving. I was so going to be late. And while I was changing her she pooped. Projectile style. All over my white shirt (serious?!) and the carpet and herself. Awesome. So by the time we walked into church it was 9:05. And I was impressed by my speed... The kids did okay. Ellie was grumpy but a kind woman in my ward took Grace for the first two hours. I had several people offer to help me. A wonderful friend offered to play the piano for choir practice so I didn't have to rush home, put the kids down and turn around and come back. I love her for it.

Came home to a still sick husband and later my kids both got fevers too. Ugh. It was just a long day. Scott usually helps so much with the kids Sunday. But he was so sick. I hope and pray I don't get it. Luckily everyone is fine today, so it must have been a 24 hour thing and I hope it passed me over.

Last night as I fell into bed at midnight after feeding the baby I thought, Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. What am I doing wrong? I was feeling frustrated. And then I thought of the Savior, who was questioned and accused for working on the Sabbath when He healed the man waiting by the pool of Bethesda. When questioned about whether or not he should be "working" on the Sabbath he said, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." Serving the Lord, or working, on the Sabbath is the example the Savior taught. In another situation, when questioned about healing on the Sabbath, the Savior asked, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?" And those questioning him had no answer. And then I realized. It's not a day of rest, per say. It's a day to do the Lord's work.

And just look at my work. It's beautiful.

Patience

Those of you who know me understand that I am not a patient person. I like things to happen quickly. I like to see the fruits of my labors right away. I'm also somewhat lazy. I like to say efficient, but we all know what that means. If there's an easy way that's maybe slightly less than best, I'll take it. :) This makes losing baby weight a personal hell for me for the following reasons:

1. I have to work out. Like, every day.
2. It takes time to see results.
3. Doing the same workout more than once is just plain boring.
4. As shown above, when I work out my face turns red. And stays red. For hours. No joke.
5. I have to work out. Like, Every. Day.

For these reasons, I have just decided that I'm okay with being fat. I'm never going to be a size 2 again, so why bust my behind every time I have a baby (which I do kinda fast if you haven't noticed) just to feel good for a month, maybe, before being pregnant again? Yeah. I'm okay with being a size 8. I can handle that. Except, with each baby, nursing gets less weight off and I keep a few more pounds...and if I do that 5 more times I'll be morbidly obese. :) So, to be short, I have no choice. I have to do something about this!

So for over a week now I have been doing (and please, don't laugh) Billy Blanks' (Tae Bo man) boot camp. Yeah. The first few times, basic training kicked my basically-out-of-shape butt. However, it's gotten easier every time! Tonight I did Power 90 phase 1-2 and it was cake. Which, let me tell you, it would not have been a week ago. So, even though I'm still...squishy...I'm getting somewhere. I'm going to keep it up. I realize that sometimes it takes up to 6 weeks to see real results. This is torture for me. I get done working out and look in the mirror and think "Sheesh! I feel like I should look skinny! But, yep, there's that mom tummy..." and I get a little discouraged. 

So this is me taking a step back and looking at this in the light that I should, but can't always. My body is freaking amazing. Do you know what it takes to be pregnant? To create life? I won't go into the gory details, don't worry. But one fact stands out to me. That thing called a uterus? It's freaking tiny. Like, water balloon size or smaller. And it stretched to grow an entire child! It blew up to 900 times it's original size. 900 times! My body fed and nourished that baby while I was pregnant and continues to do so now. My body can chase constantly energized toddlers around the house after recovering from childbirth. My body is amazing. Because not only can it do all that, but with some effort, it can recover from all that too. I can get in shape. I can shed a few pounds. Because my body works. It is doing what it was created to do. I'll never like my stretch marks. I'll never like that little pouch that won't seem to go away. But I can love my body. Because Heavenly Father gave it to me. So here's to becoming a better me. :) Bring it on Billy! :)

Our Fourth 4th!

Hey, hey! It's been a while! This is Scott and my fourth Independence Day together as a couple :) We've found special ways to enjoy each one! We started out at the parade in Rexburg. The girls LOVED it and got to collect candy and watch horses trot on by. It was fun to see some people from our ward participate! I'm sad I didn't get pictures of the actual parade...lame I know.

 Then we headed home to enjoy our day! We started with a nap, which was much needed for our kiddos! It was a really hot day and they were worn out after being in the sun all morning long! Next we set up our little pools and played away! Addy got to play with water balloons, and as a special treat, daddy made her a bubble pool with my dish soap...

 Check out Addy's face in this one...I crack up every time!

Then we lit some really lame sparklers and fireworks...it was anticlimactic, as none of them worked and we had to just hurry through because the girls weren't interested...Good thing we only paid 3 bucks for that pile of worthless junk...next year we are buying real sparklers...these ones were supposed to be "safer." Which, I suppose, they were because they wouldn't stay lit longer than 2 seconds. Literally...but the girls enjoyed those few seconds lol.

Before starting, I explained to Addy about pyros and how they light fireworks and do cool stuff with fire...this is what she got from that. Now let me just say: we do NOT watch, read, or talk about violence with our two year old (or ourselves really). So I have NO idea where she got this idea...

 This was her reaction to those black snake ones that look like poo growing out of your cement...

 I'm not sure what spurred this face...

 Ellie was pretty amazed by her sparkler. Next year I want to get real ones so she can see what happens when they stay lit and you can write with them. She's so cute!

 Waiting for fireworks and rehydrating :)

 Ellie was HILARIOUS during the fireworks! She pointed and oohed and awed at every single one, even the ones that people set off in their yards. She was seriously amazed the entire time. I love watching fireworks with kids. They are so excited about everything and it's like seeing them for the first time yourself. Grace slept the whole time, and Addy still talks about it and asked for days to go see more. She was pretty sad when I explained they only happen once a year...

Our kids were so good all day long! They didn't whine, even though they were up really late, and they played and laughed all day. It was really great. I am so thankful for the freedoms that we have in this country and pray every day that our government will remember what freedom and independence mean. Happy late 4th!

Routines

Six weeks ago, I had a baby. And this is the first weekend we have had at home on our own. We've had so many visitors and guests. It's been helpful. It's been fun. It's been good. But I am SO ready to establish some routines. I always say that my kids are creatures of routine. But really that's just my cover. Really, I'm the one who can't stand randomness. 

Anyone who knows me knows that I like a plan. Spontaneity isn't attractive to me. It never has been. I don't like surprises. I have no clue why. I just don't. I like having a daily schedule. It's flexible(ish) but I like things to happen in the same order. Things just run more smoothly for me when I have a plan, a routine, a set sequence of chores/tasks. So yes, I'm the routine junkie. But my kids like them too :) And they've really helped in adjusting to the new baby.

After we had the baby (obviously) our routines got thrown off. Addy was the one who had the biggest adjustment. She started being naughty to get attention and learned how to push every button I have. While my mom was here, we really focused on setting a routine for bedtime and naptime. These were my hardest times. Addy wouldn't stay in bed, she'd throw fits, she'd spend two hours in her room playing but wouldn't nap. I thought maybe she didn't need naps but then by 4 she'd be absolutely monstrous. By the time Scott and I got any time alone together we'd both be too tired to enjoy it (welcome to parenthood, right?). Anyway, my mom was super helpful. I think Addy needed someone other than me to enforce the new routine at first and I am so thankful to my mom for the help. She explained in a very matter-of-fact way that it was nap/bedtime for Addy, but not for mom and dad. Then she'd read a book to Addy and then let her read it for a few minutes. She would then go back in and have Addy put the book away and climb into bed. And guess what? Addy took a nap. Three days in a row. Then my mom let me try it :) I felt like a little kid again. And in a way, I am. I have no clue what I'm doing. And my hormones are so messed up that anything is enough to overwhelm me lol. At bedtime we would start by having a small snack and reading scriptures. Then brushing teeth, saying prayers, and then right into the same routine as nap time. Addy loved that too. Anyway, the last 3 days my mom was here, I did bedtime and naptime with Addy and it went like clockwork. I was worried that when my we brought the kids home from my mom's they would be back to their old mischief, but they weren't! In fact, Addy has been so obedient and kind to Ellie and helpful with Grace. I think it helped her a lot to have to share with Jet for 2 weeks ;) Bedtime is still a dream. I've even moved to letting her read a few books after our story time and letting her decide when to go to sleep. She can read as long as she stays in her bed. And guess what? It's usually no longer than 5 minutes before she decides it's bedtime. For us, routine is golden, apparently. I know that Addy thrives on it when she'll say, "Mom, it's time for lunch and then you'll read me a story and then I can read a story and then it's bedtime!" She just likes knowing what is going to happen. She likes predicability. She gets it from her OCD mother...

Ellie likes routines too, but she's not as picky as Addy. She knows that when we go into her room and turn on the white noise (trying to wean her off it...wish us luck) that it's time for prayers. She folds her arms the whole time :) I love it. And then as soon as we say "amen" the thumb goes in her mouth (not looking forward to the day we try and wean that) and she's ready to go down. Her adjustment issue with the baby is just attention. She's so quiet and entertains herself during the day that sometimes I just forget about her. I mean, I don't. But she definitely gets the least attention. Addy talks at/to me all day and Grace has to eat every two hours and Ellie...she just kind of floats in and out. I need to work on this. I've started having a time when I read books just to Ellie. Addy gets to go play in the playroom or play a game on my phone for 10 minutes while I just be with Ellie. And it's been nice. That's helped her a lot. She's also quite the daddy's girl. And she's at his favorite age, so he manages to give her plenty of attention when he's home. 

Grace needs to learn to sleep at night! That's the routine I want her to have...unfortunately, you can't reason with a 6 week old baby. But if I could, I would tell her that she has to eat on both sides until she's all the way full without falling into the world's deepest sleep that only lasts 1.5 hours...That baby will not stay awake for a full feeding! And I can't wake her up, no matter how hard I try. The last couple nights she's slept one longer stretch at night...like 4 hours. But usually it's more like 2-3. But she's getting to the point where she's awake longer during the day so I'm hoping she'll naturally transition to longer stretches at night. She's also learning to smile on purpose, which makes midnight, 1:45, 3:00, and 6:00 feedings a little more bearable...

Cleaning. That's the other routine I have got to get back on. I have a daily list of things to do so that my house stays clean all the time. There's always some mess with 3 kids but the floors are consistently vacuumed and the kitchen and bathrooms are sanitized. Anyway, I've got to get back on that now that we are on our own again. 

Working out. This one is pretty much impossible. I really think I would literally die if I had to wake up before my kids to work out. But by 8 when they're all asleep, I'm so exhausted that the thought of working out makes me physically ill. Nap time is okay except then when am I going to shower? I don't want to get up in the morning and shower and do my hair only to ruin it and get all stinky halfway through the day...so I'm still working on figuring out the best time for exercise...half of me would rather be fat, but that's the half of me that I want to lose... :)

Ok, this was kind of a random post. And here I am, saying I don't like random. But I wanted to remember these thoughts. Maybe if my goals are written down I'll remember them and actually accomplish them. To routine!

Our Week With Mimi

This post-partum recovery has been so easy! I have felt great and have had a surprising amount of energy despite Grace's sleeping habits. So it was really fun to have my mom here. Even though the kids were sick and the weather was crap, we had a good time. Poor Levi got so bored though! I didn't really think about the fact that, while I have a room full of toys, the developmental age group and gender that they entertain is definitely not 7 year old boy...We did get the pool out Thursday, Friday, and even made it to the water park on Saturday. It was a great week.

 My kids always seem to love my daddy. And theirs. Maybe it's just men. But for whatever reason, my dad is the only one who can coax intentional smiles out in the first month of life. I mean really. Look at that face! And it wasn't just the one incident. This went on for about half hour!

 My mom brought some fun things with her. One of those were these bouncy balls. Addy hasn't quite caught the hang of it yet, but she loves just bouncing in place ;) Levi, on the other hand, was all over the yard. Jet wasn't too enthralled, but gave it a good effort for the camera lol.

 Scott was Levi's buddy. The moved pine needles and worked in the yard together, Levi got to ride the lawn mower, (which I am totally bummed I don't have a picture of, I'll have to steal my mom's), which was definitely the highlight of his week. He drove that thing all around! They also played catch together with those velcro things that my mom bought. Levi has quite the arm!

 Juju LOVES "Gracie." He took every opportunity to lay by her, hold her, kiss her, etc. So cute!

 Our water park adventure. We sure loved being there with Mimi!

 This pose. She does this with her hand all the time. Such a drama queen! So prissy and fun. I love her.

 Even fat mom (that would be me) got in her swim suit. I didn't look good, but hey, I could at least get it on, right?!

 Eating popsicles while waiting for dinner. Kind of backward, I know, but hey, it's summertime.

Mimi teaching Addy to dance. It was hilarious. I guess the music teacher at her elementary school taught all the kids this dance and they did it for their principal at the assembly where they celebrated her retirement. Addy is quite the dancer! I'm not a good dancer, so, while we listen to a lot of music and sing a ton, I've never really taught her any moves. She was copying Mimi really well and even adding some spice of her own. It was so fun to watch! I'm gonna have to learn to dance!


Ellie is learning more and more words. It is so fun and exciting! But this is one of my favorites :)


Anyway, we had a great week with Mimi and are so grateful to Grandpa that he brought her and then came and got her. As a bonus, they took Addy and Ellie to Spokane with them for a week! It was so helpful! I'll get to that in the next post :) We love you Mimi!