Patience

Not something I have ever really had a lot of. Then I got married and really haven't had a lot to lose my patience over... until my 16 month old entered the terrible two's early. Wow. At least I hope that is what this is, because if it gets worse at age 2, maybe we could just skip to 3?

I think I'll be working on this virtue for a VERY long time.
Maybe I'll start tomorrow.
Right now I need to go eat a gallon of ice cream.
(Did I mention I've recently learned I am an emotional eater?)

Day 5: Classic Case of Irresponsible Parenting

We didn't put the bedrail up last night, so right before going to bed I thought, "I'll put a kitchen chair next to the bed on the other end to keep her from falling out tonight." After doing that, I decided I would put our laundry basket full of clothes behind it because the chair is so light I worried it would tip over. Oh, and I put the comforter over the top of the chair so it would be soft if she hit it. And remember, this whole set up was next to the stacked rubbermaid bins on the other side of the bed. The whole thing is a little ridiculous. Anyway, this morning when I went in to get her, this is how I found her. She used the comforter as means of pulling herself up onto the stool and then climbed into the laundry basket to play with the laundry(one of her favorite things to do).

Toddler Bed: Day 4

So far Emma hasn't figured out that climbing out the bed is an option. She plays on it and waits for me to come get her when she wakes up in the morning and at nap time. I hope this lasts for a while, but I'll take what I can get!

She apparently moves around when she sleeps. A lot. And she falls out of bed in her sleep. A lot. So I blocked about 1/3 of the length of the bed with Rubbermaid bins and she still manages to roll off. I have a big comforter on the ground next to the bed, so it doesn't normally wake her up when she falls, but it still makes me feel bad. I bought a bedrail today so hopefully that will help keep her in bed.

Last night I was up feeding Madelyn and went to check on Emma. She must have fallen out of bed and not had the energy to climb back in, because she was sleeping standing up and leaning in between the bins and the bed. I wish I had the presence of mind to go find the camera at 3:00 AM, but I'm sure the visual you are forming is pretty good, too. ;)

Unexpected change

Today I set up Emma's toddler bed, just planning on letting it sit in the girls' room for a while so Emma could get used to the idea of it before actually having to use it when Madelyn outgrows her bassinet and needs the crib. As I was putting her down for a nap, on a whim, I just laid her on the toddler bed. Guess who apparently doesn't mind it at all? The problem is now I have to stick to it and I hadn't really prepared myself for that! Growing up way to fast.

In case we weren't convinced...

Madelyn woke up this morning with the intent to prove to us how adorable she is. She hasn't stopped cooing and smiling at me all day. Oh, and all I want to do is kiss those cheeks!

Summertime Finally?

I hope so! But regardless, today was gorgeous and we enjoyed it! After Jared got home from work, we turned on the sprinkler and played in it. Emma wasn't sure what to think at first. We put a golf ball in the water, and then she wasn't nervous to get wet at all.

I Am a Mother

I was given the book "I Am a Mother" before Madelyn was born, and I absolutely love it. It helps put things in perspective. One of my favorite things that the author, Jane Clayson Johnson, says is, "...Many of us don't remember often enough that we are daughters of God, doing his work." I often forget this. Both girls fell asleep and I started my nightly routine of picking up the same toys, the same books, sweeping the same floor, cleaning the same high chair again, I went into their room to put some things away. As I peeked into Emma's crib as I often do, putting a blanket over her, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I am a mother. These are my children, children of God, entrusted to me, and I am doing his work. And it is important. Really important. It seems like I remember that best when they are sleeping, so I snapped a couple of pictures of them sleeping to help remind me.

Spirit of Magic Valley 5K

(Rock Creek Park- where the race was)

Last weekend Twin Falls had the first "Spirit of Magic Valley" 5K and half marathon. Jared, his brothers Kyle and Derek, his sister Mandee, sister-in-law Connie and I all ran our first 5K of the year. We decided it would be a good way to get us running and ready for the half marathon in Pocatello labor day weekend we are all registered for. I decided 2 weeks before this run that I could be ready. That night I got the flu. A week later I got the nasty cold that has been going around. So I ran 3 times since having Maddie and this race. Since I was running with Connie and Mandee, though, I did way better than I thought I would. My time was 34 min. 33 sec. Jared didn't run much before the race, either, but still had a great time of 28 min. 6 sec.

Memorial Weekend In Howe

We had planned to go to my Grandpa's Ranch in Medicine Lodge Memorial Weekend, but the weather wasn't very cooperative, so we hung around my parents' house in Howe instead. We took the kids over to the farm(my Dad owns a dairy) to see the animals.

Funny moment at the farm: We buy pork and beef from my dad, so Jared jokingly smacked his lips and said "Yum, yum!!" to Emma when we showed her the pigs. She now thinks that is the appropriate reaction to all animals and smacked her lips at the cows later.

This was the only calf that Emma liked and would pet.

Riding the 4-wheeler with Dad.

Eric, Aubrey and Katie riding the 4-wheeler.

Aubrey giggled so hard every time she would pet a calf- she is such a fun, giggly girl, and pretty much all smiles all the time. Eric's nickname was "Chuckles" when he was a baby, so maybe "Giggles" would be fitting for his daughter?

Jackson telling us a story and loving the only tame cat on the farm. Jackson is such a smart, sweet kid, and he is so good with all the little girls.

Sunday morning came a little too early for most of us, so Zane, Heidi, Jared and Maddie snuck in a nap before church. Heidi is such a spitfire and is so full of energy.

We celebrated my mom's birthday Sunday afternoon. Love you mom!

We also got to be there for Clint's Eagle Court of Honor. We are so proud of him!! Congrats, bud! I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of him all dressed up! He also just recently had a birthday- my baby brother is now 16 and several inches taller than me! I conned him into going for a run with me Monday and it was a lot of fun for just the two of us to spend time together.

I am so blessed to have such an amazing family.