Milestones...

OK, so just being able to write another post with this new baby is the FIRST milestone of late! Actually, we have been experiencing quite a few milestones around these parts as of late. I'll share more in a bit. OK, back to baby. Even as I write this, baby Spencer is desperately competing for my attention. He is getting so spoiled because of the many willing "holders" - he doesn't know how to behave on his own. Scary I know. I don't care, I love holding my baby! If anything it gives me an excuse to force my other kiddlins into independence:

"Sorry, Mommy can't help you with that because I'm holding Spencer."

Or,

"Sorry JD, you have to learn how to cook those eggs on your own now because Mommy is feeding Spencer."

Or, my personal favorite (since Christian is potty training),

"Sorry buddy, but you can't have any accidents because Mommy can't clean you up - I'm holding Spencer."

I'm not sure how much longer I can hold off my other darlings, but I have a feeling they're going to catch on to my system soon enough.

Anyway, back to the milestones we've all been experiencing lately...

Christian's Milestone

My little sweet man is finally potty trained! How do I know this? The other day he came into my room first thing in the morning and asked me to wipe his bottom. What? You pooped by yourself?? Saweet! I know this may sound strange to anyone that hasn't experienced the joy of potty training, but this was music to my ears! It meant that he was putting his own big boy underwear on and going potty independently. Another reason I know Christian is potty trained is my neighbor called today and asked if I could come over and wipe his bottom. Yucky you ask? Not at all! It was a proud moment in my journey of raising Christian - he didn't have an accident while busy playing! Joel and I are convinced that the easiest way to potty train is to wait until they are ready - usually around 3 years is the magic age. We bought Christian this little "potty watch" timer gadget. It didn't really help - he just kept pushing the song button over and over. I snapped a picture of just such an occasion:

Camryn's Milestone

So Joel and I decided Camryn needed to learn how to ride her bike without training wheels. She begged me to take off her training wheels thinking she would just hop on and take off. I don't think she realized it was going to take some work. She didn't like that part. I tried working with her in front of our apartment, but we both got frustrated. This job belongs to the master: Joel. Once he had time, he took her to a church parking lot and voila - she could ride by herself! Now steering, stopping and starting are a different story! I'm sure it'll come soon.

JD's Milestones

So Joel and I have been working so hard to convince JD that he is in control of his attitude and that having a negative attitude affects the family dynamics. Something clicked in his head recently because he is doing so great! He admits that we have peace in our home again because he has been praying for a good attitude lately. Hallelujah! Another milestone of JD's has been his desire to memorize the Articles of Faith. He has never ever ever ever wanted to do anything like this before. But again something clicked in his little head and boom - he has memorized 12 of them in like a week. We're working on #13 this week and I know he'll get it done.

Joel's Milestone

Dusting off the old books and studying for boards. Enough said. He stays late after work every other day to prepare for the early August exam.

Heather's Milestones

Well I've had quite a few to share - some bigger than others. Finishing a post - finally! I'm back on the treadmill and I've been able to run 3 miles (with a potty break here and there - hey, I just had a baby!). I put Spencer in a little chair and place him right next to the treadmill and he falls asleep watching his belardo (translation: beached whale lardo) mom try to burn off some baby fat. It must be too much for his little eyes to handle. Another milestone happened last week: I went grocery shopping with the kids - and it was pleasant! Enough said. I'm also cooking dinner again. I'm obsessed with using up a bunch of our food storage before we move. As a result, we've been having some interesting dinner combinations. Poor Joel. Oh, I almost forgot - I took a shower the other day and it was uninterrupted - that's a pretty big deal!

Spencer's Milestones

Watching mom run on the treadmill. Enjoying taking baths. Smiling - such a treat for mom and dad!

Grandpa's Milestone

This is the best one of the bunch. After months of chemo and radiation, my dad just got the thumbs up from the Huntsman Cancer docs: he's cancer free! Yeah! Now that's quite a milestone.


So hats off to us - we rock!

Christian's Surprise Birthday Bash

Now by surprise birthday bash I don't mean the kind that was a surprise to Christian. No no, I mean the kind that came as a complete surprise to me! What the heck? Just when I felt like things were kinda sorta settling down with the new baby, here comes a birthday party to plan! I was so unprepared for Christian's 3rd b-day party this year. I had to throw his first "friend" party because he had been talking about it for a long time. I didn't have time to put together invitations or anything - just some phone calls - how lame! Anyway, in the end it turned out to be just perfect for Christian's little 3 year old personality: treats, games, more treats and presents.


The day before his party Christian was so excited he could hardly contain himself. Every time I would mention a game we were going to play or a treat we were going to eat, he'd run up to me and kiss my leg. So cute. He showed his appreciation at the end of the day by looking me straight in the eye and saying, "THANKS MOM!" It was all the sweeter when he followed that up with a big kiss - made my day.



The friend party was hilarious! JD and Camryn wanted to be my helpers. JD was a fabulous helper! He came up with some cute games like an easter egg hunt and a treasure box hunt. He provided the treasure box with the prize inside being his own candy stash! He also rummaged through his loot upstairs and found some markers that he generously donated to the party goers. That kid can be so dang thoughtful sometimes! Camryn was a bit young to be a "helper." She was just as excited to be part of the party - not really liking the idea of foregoing treats and presents.


The 3-year-olds were hilarious. This age group doesn't really know how to play any games so planning the party was really easy. I knew all I really needed to do was provide them with lots of treats and prizes. I made up about 6 different activities (cake walk, jumping in the jumping castle with balloons, popping bubbles with their hands, easter egg and treasure box hunt, decorating cupcakes and opening presents) with a prize following each. They were confused most of the time until I said something like, "OK, who wants a prize?" That usually did the trick.



Christian chose to go to Chuck-E-Cheese for his "family party." He had been planning this little outing for weeks - thanks to all of the Chuck-E-Cheese commercials on the cartoon channel! I decided to stay home with Spencer to avoid all of the germs - because there are PLENTY at that joint! Joel braved our sugar-induced children and the oh-so-crowded-on-a-Saturday-night pizza parlor to make Christian's birthday complete. What a trooper.

We ended the evening with presents for all. My favorite present by far was Camryn's. She spent a good part of the day before the party collecting "treasures" for Christian. It was hilarious watching his reaction to Camryn's bag of garbage. He was truly interested in her treasures like an old muddy purse and a dirty ribbon. These two are so fabulous!





I can't believe my little man is 3 already! He has quite a personality and it's been so fun raising him to this point. He knows who his friends are and loves to call them on the phone and ask them to play. In fact just tonight his Auntie Jenny called him to wish him a happy birthday and as soon as I put the phone to his ear he said, "Can Alex play with me?" Too funny. When he calls over to his buddy Lily's house to play, and she can't, he always asks Lily's mom if his other buddy Katelyn can play. Too funny. He loves to push the limits right now (coloring all over himself and the house and leaving his boundaries) and I seem to not get as upset as I used to. How can I? He's hilarious. I'm beginning to understand the phrase, "They grow up so fast." I look forward to enjoying many years to come!


Happy birthday my little man!