Macy needs some representation

Heather got mad at me for not posting more pictures of Macy. So this is for you Heather! Macy is now 2 months old. She smiles and coos alot. She is slowly gaining control over her arm movements (though I'm probably the only one who can tell)! As you can tell from the pictures, she is a fat little baby! I took her to the doctor last week and she almost weighs 13 pounds. I love her chub, but it is causing some minor problems. She has this big yeast infection in her neck rolls! The doctor said it likes to grow in dark, warm, moist places. Her neck rolls definitely fit the description seeing as how they've never seen the light of day! She is a sweet baby, and it is fun to have her be more and more responsive as she grows. Oh yeah, she's our first baby whose head size is on the charts and we couldn't be more proud (even if it is still in the 94th percentile)!

My Little Preschooler!

Carston had his first day of preschool today. I hadn't planned on being emotional about it, but I was. It is the beginning of a new chapter in both our lives. For the last four years, he has been my little buddy and spent almost every hour of every day with me. And now he's forging out into the world on his own. I know it is only preschool (a few hours a few days a week), but 1st grade is right around the corner, and then he will be spending most of his day with people who aren't me. I hope that I have given him a good foundation and that he will only want to choose the things that will bring happiness into his life and the lives of others. He is such a good kid and I marvel at how old he is getting. The years when your kids spend their days with you, when you are their best friend, are precious. Driving home, he asked me if I missed him while he was gone. He makes me smile.

Are All People Excited By the Things That Scare Them, Or Just Kids?

Carston totally cracks me up. He had a playdate with a little boy his age and he was so excited about these little Star Wars figurines he had at his house. I told him that we could see how much they were, and he could buy one with his own money if he had enough. So we went to the store and he debated forever about which one he wanted to buy. He finally settled on Darth Vader. He was all decked out with his mask and black cape and light saber. Anyway, he played with it all day, didn't want Avery to sit on it, made sure when I held it that I wouldn't let it get lost, etc... So tonight I'm putting him to bed and we decide to stand him up on his headboard until morning so he won't get broken. Five minutes after I leave his room he starts calling for me. "Mommy? I don't want the Star Wars guy in my room because I'll get scared. And I don't want the pirate book on my bed because it's scary (the pirate book from the library that he read for almost the WHOLE entire day when he got it!)" It seriously cracks me up.

I miss my Grandma

Today, I miss my Grandma. I miss taking my babies down for her to hold. I miss making her plates of food and cutting it so it is easier to eat. I miss seeing and waving to her through her window in the backyard. I miss her saying to my kids, "Let's have a dance!" I miss her desk in her room with all the things so she could have them close by. I miss her calls telling me how much she enjoyed visiting. I miss her saying how she thinks one of these days she's going to walk again. I miss her telling me what an angel I am. I miss hearing her talk with Grandpa. I miss her asking me if I read the Ensign yet because there is a great article in it. I miss the way she smelled. I miss her hands, and her asking my kids if she could hold their little hand. I miss my Grandma.

Love

I have tried to post on this blog a million times only to be interrupted by little ones who can't be put off! I wanted to write about my gratitude for the people in my life who I love, and for the people who love me. Over the past six months or so, death has appeared several times (in my life and in the lives of friends). Death truly does cause contemplation. I've thought about a lot of different things, but in the end, my thoughts are always turned to love. I know it sounds like a clique, but when you honestly contemplate and try to decide for yourself why we're here and what the purpose is of our whole existence (not just on earth), I think it all comes down to love. Love is the essence of living, it is the purpose for all things. I am grateful for the people in my life that I have the privilege of loving. I am grateful for the people who love me. And I am grateful for God who loves me.

Summer Stories

This summer has been pretty busy. We went out to California with my family at the beginning of the summer. It was quite crazy making the drive out with my 8 months pregnant body. Good thing we had already prepared to be the epitome of the stereotypical Mormon family and had the minivan in place. I was able to stretch out in luxury! I first realized I was the Newport Beach tourist attraction while body surfing at the beach. There were a few people on the beach that were quite obviously taking pictures specifically of me. After seeing the pictures my Dad took though (does that stomach even look real!), I can understand. As you can see, I was quite an anomaly! I had several strangers say that I must be due ANY minute. I guess there aren't quite as many pregos out in Cali. We had a good time despite the paparazzi.

A month later, I was nervously induced and Macy Saige made her entrance into the world. I was grateful not to be the girl in the room next door whose baby didn't wait for the anesthesiologist. Her screams pretty much vetoed any idea I entertained of doing it "natural." Epidurals all the way. Macy followed the lead of her siblings and came out big and chubby with lots of hair (8 lbs. 8 oz.). She sleeps and eats well and hasn't made life too difficult (aside from the fact that I can no longer do shopping of any kind until Carston starts preschool)!

Less than a week after Macy was born, an event we've all anticipated and dreaded occurred. My sweet Grandma Gladys passed away. Most of you know how close we were to her. She lived with us in a basement apartment from the time I was twelve. She had bad health for such a long time, but there was no one who could derive more joy out of the circumstances of life than her. She was a light in the world. It was such a blessing to have her be such an integral part of our lives, and it has been hard not having her with us anymore.

Heather came out from Iowa for her funeral and was able to stay for a month. That sure made life go by fast. It was fun hanging out with her and watching our kids play together. We went to the zoo, swam, shopped, did fireworks (Carston is a mini version of my brother with his noise-reducing headphones!), and just hung out. Family is seriously the greatest blessing in life. Overall, life has been good for us this summer. It will be an interesting adjustment later this month when I send my first kid off to school (even if it is just preschool!)

I'm giving into the trend!

So I received a link to Micaela's blog and that was the last straw. I decided I'd give in and start one myself so I can at least have the links to everyone else's blog in one centralized location. So here is our family's blog. TADAH! Here is the background on our family, which anyone reading this probably knows. John and I have been married for 6 years. We have three kids now: Carston is 4, Avery is 2, and Macy is 6 weeks old. I have just barely returned to the land of the living now that I'm not pregnant! We live in Orem and pretty much lead a normal life. This blog will probably consist of pictures of my kids, details about the silly things they say, and maybe every once in awhile some adult conversation will be thrown in.