Win their hearts with love

Putting the children to bed last night was an unexpectedly sweet experience.  I was, as usual, very tired and oh so anxious for their little eyes to close.  Little Lucy was the first to close her eyes.  Sweet and tired she drifted off to sleep.  I kissed her chubby little hands and cheeks and laid her in her bed.  1 down!  Miriam lay on her bed anxious for a mommy snuggle.  Just a minute I told her, I have to get the little ones down, then I would love a Miri snuggle :)

 Little Eliza had taken a much need nap during the day, and was not about to go to sleep anytime soon, so I moved on to helping little Hazel.

As we talked, she snuggled up to me, and asked me about her "book of life", the Hazel Book as we call it,  I am not sure why, but I mentioned once that we all have a book in heaven that tells our story, the angels write in it all the good and the bad we say and do.

  This made a very strong impression on her and we talk about her book a lot.  She was very worried about having bad things written in her book.  "What about the mean things I do mommy?"  I reminded her about repenting, and that when we repent Heavenly Father erases the bad things from our book forever, we then talked about all the good and beautiful things she had done throughout the day, like making Lucy giggle, washing all the chairs without being asked, so our house would look "like a temple", sharing with Miriam, hugging Mommy when she was sad, and so on.  She struggled to keep her eyes open as she asked me, but Mommy, what if I forget to repent?  I'll remind you! I said, contented she fell asleep.

I looked towards Miriam's bed...she's was out! 3 down.  Just a small pang as I realized she had fallen asleep waiting for me to snuggle her.

Eliza was still bright eyed and playing with some bug stickers she had found.  She stuck them to her fingers as she held them upside down and said over and over again, "stick like jam!" (repeating the game her older sisters love to play)

As I laid by her I began to drift in and out of sleep...I could hear her little voice prattling on..."Someday, I will be a mommy like you...uh-huh!...then I will walk around and cut pizza!...Mommy, I''m really hungry....I want choco-milk...wake up mommy!"

I was vaguely aware of Jared and Jacob listening to stories from the friend, giggling about something or other, talking about their newest idea of something to invent.

I fell in and out of sleep until I realized my sweet little Eliza chatter box was twigle-ing her ears, a sure sign sleep was moments away.  Daddy and Jacob were asleep, peace...settled over the house.

The next thing I knew I heard Miriam whimpering.  Mommy I just can't sleep, you never snuggled me...I laid down by her, she held my hand, instantly alseep...

More whimpering, little Lucy has a cold, must be held upright to breath....it's now 4 a.m. on Monday morning and I'm awake, my thoughts????

I want to do everything I can to win their little hearts through love.

Woofin' Hot

So I can't help but chuckle as I think about my kids emerging personalities.  Hazel has coined another classic phrase, when she experiences something extreme, like super hot weather, she uses the word "woofin'" to describe it.  For example, we got into the car today and she said, "phew, it is woofin' hot out here..."

Eliza makes me giggle when I think about her "isms" she has a knack for naming things, her lastest is her doll whom we must all address by the full name of, "Razzberry tazzberry dripple" Yeah, I know it's cute.  She also was trying to describe why she loved woot (that's her code name for root beer), she told it was delicious because it was so scrubby!

Miriam loves imaginative play, and sometimes when I turn on a movie for the kids to watch, Mirisms says, "I wish you wouldn't turn on a movie, now no one will play with me!"  She takes my baking  pans and wash cloths and bake cakes, cookies, cupcakes, even rainbow soup.  Whatever it is she can be heard say, "YUMMY SCRUMMY!!!"

Gotta love um...

Counting My Blessings

They may be small, but we see a lot of each other. 

hmm...

How can I get more attention?

Look them in the eyes?

Add a big grin

fiddle with my dress

Hope they notice me....

Eliza will tell them

Oh bother. I fell asleep again!

Ahhh...Daddy kisses

sigh

Captain, we are ready for blast off!

Yes, the high chair is secure, we are set to arrive on the moon at 0-7 hours....

I know, I'm such a doll

The moon was great, we should all go next time!

Okay mom, I'll say CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Self portrait, by Miri-uptum

off to a slow start.........

The Backseat

They aren't always this happy, but it sure was cute to see them all buckled in.

yummy gummy

Diary of an almost 4 month old....

Okay, this is me, I'm cute, cuddly and only cry when absolutely necessary!

These two, they are called the big kids and they have to help me alot.  Like when I need a friend...

This little girl is Eliza-Jane, she likes to bonk my head when she kisses me, but I'm pretty sure she loves me!

Meet Daddy...he's a total push over.  All I have to do is wimper and he is on the run.  I love this guy!

Miriam is great.  I mean she stands there for hours putting my binky back in.  She doesn't know I spit it out on purpose because I like to see her happy smile.

Yes, you are right that is Eliza again, she will definately be tough to keep up with as soon as I can walk, but she sure comes up with fun games and names for her dollies.  Names like Omingo and Ochinga

Yes, Eliza can be fiesty sometimes, but what a cutie!

This is me again, little Lucy Mae.  See that smile, that is the please please please pick me up smile

This little rock star is Hazel.  I really couldn't do without her!  She always knows where my stuff is, my binky, my blanky, and my toys, and did I mention she plays me lullabies?  Over and Over again...very soothing

This is the big kids having their "quiet time" right before bed, the funny thing is, it isn't very quiet :)

This smile gets me anything I want, especially from daddy or jacob.  Seriously anything, I'm talkin ice cream at Costco, even a Popsicle once!

This is me after I got what I wanted...you have to smile after they give you a num num so they know you liked it...

Sometimes I just can't figure out what is going on...lots of noise and running around...

and just so you know, I am ALWAYS watching and learning

See me with daddy?  Yes, I really make him work before I go to sleep and he always makes sure I am warm and dry.  Did I mention he spends a fortune on my diapers.

This is one of my favorites,  when Jacob plays with me I always spit up, which totally grosses him out, but hey, babies will be babies

I know, she's almost 3 but we are binky sisters hard core...mommy's working on that

This is how I feel when I get ignored.  Don't worrry I just cry a bit and everyone comes on the run.  Easy-peasy

See that!  Wasted!  A delicious treat.  I had  to sit there and watch it melt.  I can't wait until my legs work!

I just have to show mommy my sweet little face and she picks me up

and if that doesn't work, crying usually does the trick.  Mommy's pretty good though.  She can carry me endlessly :)  And that is how I like it!

I always get to be part of the fun

Do you like my hat, thanks Jacob!

Ahhh.... mommy and I are best of friends, how could you not love someone who shows you the world from her arms all day!

This was totally fun.  For Father day they had a Daddy dance, and I got in on the action.  I really felt like I was dancing when Daddy made my legs do the cha cha!

I love this picture because guess who got the best spot on Daddys lap?  Yep, me.

These two are great friends

really, they are

always together

having fun

and learning to choose the right!

Yes, Eliza loves bright colors, she wants everything to be rainbow

See, theres the proof.  Daddy helps me experience my world.  I love it!