Erin's Hair

Since Erin doesn't have to be to school till 11:00, I've been having some fun experimenting with her hair. I've had some help from a few other blogs (shedoeshair, cute2tryhairdos, and girlydohairstyles), but here are some of her do's:

I think I did three or four twists and then just tucked them under one ponytail.

This one is so easy. I usually just do the front three and leave the rest of the hair down. Then the next day I pull it into a side ponytail like this. (We don't wash hair as much since our bathtub has been out of commission, so I try to make the styles last.)

This was today's style.

Just thought I'd throw one in of her face. She was running away from me because she didn't want me to take a picture of her hair. Usually I take it so she can see what it looks like.I love the next two. They are so easy. The second one is a variation from the day before.

The next two are also variations on a theme. I kept the front part and changed the back.
I was just experimenting with this one. I like the hair wrapped around part.I like this one a lot, but I don't think the picture does it justice. I'll have to try it again sometime.

Just another braided crossover variation. I think the possibilities are endless!

Change

Nothing is as constant as change. I've realized this more this week as we have moved things around in the house. After months of Alex sleeping on the Erin's floor instead of the crib in his room, we finally got him a toddler bed and they officially share a room. I ended up going through all of the kids' clothes which was a huge job! Erin and Alex's clothes are all in their room and they all fit them (this is a note to Jared since he usually just pulls out whatever is on top not caring that the shirt is a 2T when the child is a 4T-I've had some good laughs at some of the outfits he's assembled).

I was sad to put away all of Marissa's 0-3 month clothes, but when I pulled out all of the new stuff (and Erin's old stuff) I was excited again. I'm pretty sure she has the most clothes of anyone in the house, but nobody gets spit-up, drool, and poop on their clothes as much as her either (except maybe me-usually I don't realize it till I'm in public either). Anyway, since Alex is way too mature for a crib, Marissa gets a great big bed to roll around in and a room all to herself. We're putting away her swing and mini co-sleeper and getting out the high chair and walker. Will the day ever come when I will have to put all the baby gear away for good? How bitter-sweet.

A couple of days ago Alex was eating a bagel with strawberry jam on it, so he had it all over his fingers. My back was to him when I heard him say "Marissa's sucking on mine finger." I turned around to see her sucking away at it. A while later he was eating some ham when I heard him say it again. Once again she was loving that hammy finger. A minute later Alex said "Marissa's sucking on mine ham." Sure enough, she was just going at that piece of lunch meat. Do I turn my back on my kids too much?

It was after this that I figured I could probably try some rice cereal. The other kids spit most of it out the first few times and even after that they never loved rice cereal. Marissa however has scarfed every bit down every time I've given it to her. I've never seen a baby eat it like that, especially one that still hates the bottle (maybe we should spoon feed her milk instead).


Unrelated...
One weird quirk I have as a mother is that I sing everything. It usually happens unconsciously and I only realize it when my kids start singing everything too, which is really funny. So I will sing things like "We're going to make grilled cheese for dinner, for dinner, for dinner..." or "We are marching to the bathroom, we are going to brush our teeth" or "Let's go find your shoes, find your shoes, find your shoes..." (It's much better with the music.) I find myself putting almost any phrase to different tunes like "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" or "If You're Happy and You Know It" or "I Love to See the Temple" to name a few. I have a song for getting dressed, getting in the car and a song I sing for each one of their names. I have no idea why I do this, but it just dawned on me today how much of my life is put to music (maybe I secretly wish I could live in a musical). I have no idea what my kids might think of this later in life, but at least right now they think it's perfectly normal. I don't seem to be singing any less so they're going to have to endure it!

Been there? Done that?

The things I've done are in bold. I hope to do some of the other ones in the next year, although I don't know if I really want to do everything on the list (see #75)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David-the fake one in the plaza (the line was too long for the real one)
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted- by a sketch artist
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Portfolio

This week I found out that I got the scholarship for the School of Architecture that I applied for! It took a while to take pictures and put everything together in Photoshop, but I guess it paid off and now I have at least some of my portfolio done for the future. Check it out.

Alex is 2!

Today was Alex's second birthday. We had a busy day so we had to celebrate this morning. He woke up way too early and a little cranky, but once we showed him the amazing cake Erin and I designed, he was happy. Since I only have once muffin pan, I made 12 cupcakes and one round cake. Then I decided to do something with them. It started out as a train, then cars, then a spaceship and finally a weird alien robot. It was a hit with the kids, especially eating it for breakfast.
We gave him a couple of puzzles (he loves puzzles and is really good at them), some little cars and a mat to drive them on, and a soccer ball (he also loves balls). He was so cute because he kept singing "Happy Birthday to You" all day.

Here are some reasons why we love Alex:
He is a very cuddly child. I never thought I'd have one because I'm not cuddly, but I guess he takes after Jared. Whenever he's sad all he needs is a 20 minute hug and he's fine (a little time consuming, but at least I know what to do to make things better with him). He's the first to yell "HUGS!" after any prayer and gives the tightest ones. We got a good laugh one time after the sacrament prayer when he yelled "HUGS!"

Not only is he cuddly, but he is very loving. He is so sweet with both his sisters and always tells us "I love you!" Here's one of him with Marissa today.
He's a pretty smart kid. Someone had given us some shirts that said "Neighborhood Kids Preschool" on them (Erin's school) and a week later when we pulled them out Alex pointed to it and said "Neighborhood." It was just so funny because I never mentioned anything about the shirts to him, but somehow he paid attention and remembered it. It's actually a little hard to think that he is only just barely 2 because he speaks really well and does so many things that Erin does. I really think he believes he is the same age as her.

He's a little obsessive about some things that just make me laugh (also taking after Jared). In the car there is a sunglasses compartment above the rear view mirror. If I don't close it immediately he will say "Close it, close it" until I do. He also always has to close the door behind him when coming out of his room in the morning for example.

I love his laugh and his huge smile. He has brought so much happiness and fun into our family. We love you Alex!

Oh, here's a bonus. The other day I couldn't find him and it was way too quiet. He had climbed up on a chair to get some bubbles on a high shelf and was sitting on the stove blowing bubbles. Incidentally, most of the bubbles ended up on the floor and that patch of tile is the cleanest part of my floor right now. Thanks for the help kiddo!

Mobility

Marissa is now four months old and is such a joy. She weighed 12 lbs 8.5 oz at the doctor last week and only cried a little when she got her shots... then she found her thumb. I may hate it later, but it is sure nice to have that comfort item handy any time she wants it. Just a side note, I love our pediatrician (he's new as of April). After almost three years of having an okay one, we finally switched to Dr. Rotlewitz. I don't know what it is with the Jewish doctors, but they are great. It seems like he actually likes kids, unlike the last one. My midwife was also Jewish and I couldn't say enough about her. I also must say thank you to them for having so many Jewish holidays so that we get lots of ramdom days off from school. There are many things to love about south Florida!

Marissa is becoming very mobile. A few weeks ago I'd put her down and she would do 360's around the blanket. Now she has mastered rolling and changing directions which can lead her almost anywhere. I always put her down on a blanket but inevitably she ends up on the tile...


...or the hard floor (asleep--note the blanket she was on)...

...or under the couch...

...or she just falls asleep on the carpet giving herself carpet marks on her face. I don't know why I even bother with the blanket at all. I guess it just makes me feel better knowing she could choose something soft and comfortable, even if she hardly ever does. My goal for at least one of my children is to not have them fall off the bed. Since I failed with the other two, I'm crossing my fingers for this one. I do have to keep reminding myself that she is very mobile and must not be placed on the bed. There is hope yet!

It's always a little sad knowing the newborn stage is over, but this stage is also very fun. It makes me laugh to see where she has ended up. And she is really starting to laugh herself which is a great stage too. I love seeing her personality come outt even though I can't believe she is already so old.

Interview with a 4 year old

I saw these questions on a couple of blogs and thought it would be interesting to see what Erin would say.

What is something mom always says to you?
Put your pants in the laundry hamper.

What makes mommy happy?
When I help you.

What makes mommy sad?
If I don't listen.

How does mommy make you laugh?
When you give me a tickle torture.

What was mommy like as a kid?
I don't know. Um, a turtle?

How old is mom?
22 (just 10 years off)

How tall is mom?
Reaching really high "This tall---really, really big!"

What is mom’s favorite thing to do?
Um, eat. (this is really good for my self image)

What does mom do when you're not home?
Clean, like when I'm at school.

If mommy was famous, what would she be famous for?
What does famous mean? (I explain) Oh, for being happy.

What is mommy really good at?
I don't know.

What does mommy do for her job?
Go to class.

What is Mommy's favorite food?
Candy. (close, it's cookies... but she's not supposed to know that)

What makes you proud of your mom?
Cleaning up.

If mommy was a cartoon character, who would she be?
Blue (from Blue's Clues. I have no idea why)

What do you and mommy like to do together?
I like you to play with me.

How are you and mom the same?
'Cause we're both girls.

How are you and mommy different?
We don't have the same color. Like shirts or something.

How do you know mommy loves you?
Because you give me presents.


Questions for the mama...

What time do your kids wake up?
These days they are up before me so I don't know (7:30 or 8:00)

On a good night, what time do your kids go to sleep?
To bed or to sleep? Bed by 8:30, asleep by 9:00 or 9:30 (they are in the same room now)

How long have you been a mom?
4 years 4 months

How old were you when you became a mom?
28

What is your favorite kid show?
Veggietales is pretty clever and the songs are great. Hey, "Sunday morning values, Saturday morning fun."

Least favorite kid TV show
Teletubbies.

Favorite meal to cook?
really don't like to cook anything. Honestly, I can't think of anything I like to cook.

What's the meal cooked most often?
Rice with gravy or spaghetti.

What is the kids favorite meal?
Rice with gravy or spaghetti.

What are your favorite things that Jared does with the kids?
Plays with them and makes them laugh. Also helping to put them to bed.

What are 5 things that make you smile while being a mom?
1) After family prayer Alex yells "HUGS!" and everyone gives each other hugs (I especially love watching the kids hug each other)
2) Watching my kids play so well together
3) Listening to the really funny things they say
4) When they learn something new or show me something they've drawn
5) Singing songs together

Where do you want to take your kids someday?
To live close to family.

When was the last time you and your husband went out without the kids?
Tonight, but it was an investment dinner... not all that exciting, but no kids.

One thing you said you'd never do as a mom?
Spank my kids (so far so good)

Favorite past time with your kids?
Having family fun days with them and seeing how exciting it is for them (like the zoo, Disney on Ice, Universal Studios, etc.)

Advice for a new mom:
If you think you are a good person, just wait a few years until your kid grows up a little and they will bring out feelings you didn't know existed in you. (I guess that's not really advice, but it will happen).

When was the last time your kids said "I love you"?
Today.


More questions for the kids...

Who are your best friends?
Clara, Azlyn, Brelyn, and Nathan

What is your favorite thing to do?
Play with Alex.

What is your favorite movie?
Dancing in the Clouds and Charming Birthday (both My Little Pony movies that someone gave us when they were getting rid of stuff)

How can I be a better Mommy?
If you don't scream a lot.

What is your biggest challenge?
When I don't share and Alex starts crying and then I get mad 'cause he took it from me. (Funny thing, that is one of my biggest challenges too.)