We Survived!

We survived! We survived endless days, lonely weekends, daddy-less dinnners, lots of car repairs with two kiddos in tow, mommy story time (seriously I am horrible at the made-up story), and seriously late lonely nights.  Sorry is that too dramatic?  Well all I can say is I NEVER want to be a single parent because there is no rest for the wary pregnant mom who is on call 24/7 without a backup and life is lonely. So to me it felt that dramatic.  (blame it on the pregnancy?) But it is over and having daddy home makes everything better.  And why not?  Daddy is a better lego builder, a better story teller, a better cuddler, a better imaginary play companion.  Who wouldn't miss their daddy?  But we survived and it is over for now...

In other news, to celebrate Daddy's return to the family, we enjoyed an ultrasound to find out that this SLOWLY growing baby is a. . .

GIRL!

And we couldn't be more excited!  As a perfect ending to the night, Tom and I ran over to the hospital to see our friends the Jackson's new baby girl whom both of us got to snuggle for a minute. That made us both even more excited!  Porter was hoping for a girl so he is ecstatic and is drawing pictures for her as we speak.  Jack hasn't a clue what is even going on but I fear he is going to have a rude awakening when this baby comes and ousts him from his throne as reigning baby!

Conference, Bedsheets and Halloween Costumes

After a day of wallowing in my own self pity in what are very trivial issues, I decided the best thing for me would be to review what touched me at General Conference:

As I just hinted at my self pity, I must say Elder Holland's talk definitely hits home to a number of emotions I have been feeling lately.  The picked on feeling of why it seems like my life has much more opposition than those around me (ok, just some, obviously not all, I'm strictly speaking of the day to day grind here not any huge trails which I know may offend some but I'm only human).  His words hit me like a ton of bricks, "May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those."

"The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through and let the distress of earlier hours, real or imagined, fall away in the abundance of the final reward."

I took comfort in so many of the messages shared at conference and since I'm a quote person, I thought I would share some of my favorites:

"I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."- Elder Holland

"Our Father in Heaven did not put us on this earth to fail, but to succeed gloriously."-Elder Scott

"Our Heavenly Father did not launch us on our eternal voyage without providing the means whereby we could receive from Him guidance to ensure our safe return. I speak of prayer. I speak, too, of the whisperings from that still, small voice; and I do not overlook the holy scriptures which contain the word of the Lord and the words of the prophets -- provided to us to help us successfully cross the finish line."- President Monson

"We may not be at our very best every day but if we are trying, Jesus' bidding is full of encouragement and hope, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." -Elder Andersen

I also felt inspired and challenged and as stated before, lovingly chastised finding myself coming away from conference with a renewed sense of purpose and a better focus:

"Just as the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is at the center of the plan of salvation, we followers of Christ must make our own sacrifices to achieve the destiny that plan provides for us."-Elder Oaks

"Each day, ours is the challenge to access the power of the Atonement, so that we can truly change, become more Christlike, and qualify for the gift of exaltation and live" -Elder Oaks

"Discipleship is believing Him in seasons of peace, and believing Him in seasons of difficulty, when our pain and fear calmed only by the conviction that He loves us and keeps His promises." -Elder Andersen

I have always enjoyed Conference but I definitely wish I had the incredible anticipation and excitement that Porter holds for Conference.  His childlike delight when we constructed his Apostle Chain naming and coloring every apostle was adorable and I must confess inspiring.  After we made it he danced around the room twirling and explaining why he loved each of the apostles and which ones were bald.  On Saturday evening while Tom was at priesthood he informed me that rather than Superhero Bedsheets he would like Apostle Bedsheets.  What?  Who makes a request like that?  I'm not entirely sure how I go about explaining to him that there is no possible way those will be an option.  

And after weeks of contemplation (yes we like to be prepared around here) Porter has declared that he would like to dress up as Elder Perry for Halloween.  Although an easy costume, really an apostle?  Is that blasphemous?  I've never heard of such a thing. Why Elder Perry you ask?  Well because his name is the same as Perry the Platypus.  Although Elder Cook holds a close second in this boys mind because his last name "means like baking and I love baking". I'm often questioned how Porter has developed such an amazing testimony and love for the church and although I wish I could take credit, honestly I believe this child was sent here more spiritually mature than I and feel humbled to be entrusted with such a sweet spirit.  (don't get me wrong, Porter commits naughtiness on a daily basis and faces the same listening challenges as all 4 year olds)

Happy Birthday Cubs!

Two years, seriously?  Will we ever quit asking where the time has gone?  Maybe these years went by so fast because this crazy ball of energy always keeps me on my toes and running!  The sleeping thing with this babe has been rough over these two years, but I think we are finally getting there (no thanks to any how to make your child sleep books)  The odd thing is he LOVES to go to bed.  Yesterday he said led me into his room and tried to climb in his crib.  He hates any sort of bedtime routine.  Forget the fluff, he doesn't want a song or a story or even a snuggle, when he is ready he is ready and snuggles right in with Mickey and Elmo.  All he insists is that he gets to turn off the light.  Right now I am loving everything about this little boy. He truly is my constant companion right now as the only breaks we take from each other lately since Tom is always gone are when I volunteer at Porter's preschool.

He may quite possibly be the BEST eater hands down anyone has ever seen.  From lettuce to meat to any vegetable and practically anything I make, this little boy can't get enough food and is constantly shoving his face as if he has been starving. His favorites:  pasta, pineapple, cottage cheese, hamburgers, rice cakes, and bagels with cream cheese (yes all of these are pregnancy cravings of mine so it is nice to have an eating companion to share with)

Jack is definitely my crazy hyper ball of endless energy which is somedays hard on his exhausted mommy. He loves to hop everywhere and say "hop" while he is doing it.  He is a runner.  I have two seconds to lock the door when we leave before he is halfway down the street with Porter and I chasing after him. He also loves to wrestle.  We have a true little boy here and sometimes Porter can't catch a break because Jack is always trying to wrestle.  And if he could choose he just might live outside.

He LOVES Elmo and all the characters of Mickey Mouse Club House.  Oddly enough, he doesn't really like to watch Sesame Street but Elmo has a special place in his heart.  And a new found favorite is Ferb.

He may not say much but he is one smart boy and can problem solve his way out of anything.  My favorite words he does say are Elmo, Elephant, Hello, and Be Happy!

Although it is hard to believe, I feel like I'm loving this boy more and more EVERY DAY!  I love him more than life itself and am so happy he is part of our family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CUBS!

One More From Porter

Like I said, Porter has been talking about wanting to be a paleontologist when he grows up.  The other day, we were with my mom so I thought I would pose the question to him again.  Oh, he didn't respond with what I thought.  Instead he said,

"I don't know, maybe like a Prophet or something."

Because normal kids think about wanting to be something like that when they grow up right?

OH Porter

I couldn't let anymore time pass before I documented some memorable things for Porter as of late.

First up, Porter is OBSESSED with dinosaurs.  He knows probably more than most adults know now about them and has by far surpassed my knowledge even when I am often the one looking up the information for them.  His current "what I want to be when I grow up..." is paleontologist.  At preschool this week they are learning about dinosaurs.  His teacher held up a dinosaur figurine and asked the class what it was she was holding.  While she was most likely expecting to hear "dinosaur" instead Porter informed her that it was an "Ankylosaurus which is an herbivore from the Cretaceous period".  Yes folks, I do believe we have a budding Paleontologist in our midst!  For all of us who have no idea, this is an ankylosaurus:

 

Last weekend we had some friends over.  Jillian is one of Porter's best friends but they also fight like brother and sister.  We carpool with her to preschool and spend a lot of time with them.  Well, at dinner the other night they got in a little fight and Porter proceeded to throw his shoe at her.  Yes, his shoe.  While was sat their discussing with him why his actions were wrong and also trying to console his crying he yelled tearily, "Blasted Barnacles, I don't know why they are making fun of me."  Considering the other choices of words out there I guess I prefer this one, I just couldn't keep from laughing at him when he said it.  

Speaking of tears, Porter has shed a lot lately.  I don't know if it is because he is having a hard time adjusting to Tom being gone or it is just him being 4, but seriously we cry or whine daily.  Yesterday I told him he needed to stop whining.  He desperately informed me that he couldn't find his happy voice and if I could tell him where to find it he would use it instead.  Apparently the child doesn't understand that he is in control of his voice or emotions.  He also gets so mad when tears stream down his face and yells at them to stop.

I love my sweet little boy.  I love that he is such a good helper even when he informs me that he does everything.  I love that he loves the scriptures and that he enjoys reading them with me.  I hate that he has inherited my foul temper and uncontrolled emotions as I can see my childhood taking shape in his own and I feel sad when I see him work himself up to the point of no return.  Hopefully since I do understand it I can help him take more control over it.

Just Hanging Out

Life has been lonely lately without our daddy around, but we are managing to keep ourselves busy despite the nausea and exhaustion I can't seem to kick.  Today's beautiful weather, (minus the crazy wind gusts) took us to Nanny's house where Porter assisted Nanny in preparing her grow boxes for spring planting.

 Yes my cubs has inherited the love of hats!

And of course we must always have a friend tag along.

As all little boys, my kiddos could live outside.  Only one problem: no real backyard here in our townhome so we are forced to venture out to parks, nanny's house and the zoo (which was amazing yesterday and we watched the tigers and the gorillas eat and my boys were speechless!).  Which isn't all bad, but again, I can't get a grip on the tiredness so keeping up with these two is exhausting.  Especially when daddy isn't around to even put them to bed.  6:30 comes all too early to sneak in 20 minutes of breakfast time before he leaves.  Sheesh.  Here's to overtime right?

Oh and we have been doing one more thing.  Porter and I have a goal to finish the Book of Mormon together this year.  Cubs usually isn't interested, but here's how I caught him yesterday:

Never mind that they are upside down, look at the concentration on this kids face.  Oh, and his scrumptious belly!

Cap, Snock Hops and Sleep

We've been busy around here. With what I don't know, but it feels like life is busy.  Maybe its the whole single parent thing that is exhausting!?  I've been trying to come up with exciting and different activities and every once and  while I am successful.  Case in point:

Porter meeting his idol Cap at the Safe Kids Fair

 And the Storm Troopers.  Elmo was there but cubs was too scared to even get remotely close.  Who knew a FREE event could be so exciting for the kiddos?  Mental note, I need to find more of these activities to keep us busy!

My kiddos were thrilled to attend the Sock Hop Birthday Party for their cousins Tillie, Sisi, and Olivia!  How cute is this?

 Porter was convinced this was called a Snock Hop and ever since this party we have had to play the CD and have a Snock Hop over and over again.  Quite exhausting let me tell you!

In Jack news, he has been SLEEPING!  Three nights in a row the entire night!  How pathetic to say this about an almost 2 year old, but it has been magical!  All you parents with children who sleep, count your blessings because you have no idea how hard life is when they don't.  He must be getting ready to grow because he has been sleeping a lot lately.  I always get nervous when things get quiet, but love it when this is what I find:

Yes my child is so vampire like in his paleness and yes that is a GIANT Fruit Loops box he may have confiscated from the cupboard.  But who can resist a SWEET sleeping babe?  He has been completely obsessed with Woody and the gang.  It is no small feat to haul all three of them around the house with those little arms with hats to keep track of too!  I love my cubs!~