Sleeping Beauty

This is my niece Jovi. Isn't she cute?!? We are all so excited to have her playing with us today. We love babies at our house. And a girl baby? Well that's just a little too new and exciting!

I remember when I first started babysitting about 2 decades ago....sheesh I am old! I would stand over the baby's crib and wish for him/her to wake up. There were times, too many in fact, that I would actually pick them up from their crib while they were still sleeping just so they would wake up! Besides, what fun is babysitting if the baby is always sleeping? As it turns out a sleeping baby is a lot more fun than an extremely tired and screaming baby!

I've since learned my lesson. NEVER WAKE A SLEEPING BABY!!! Sometimes you must...and even then it seems so wrong. There is something so peaceful and beautiful about a sleeping baby.

So even though we are all dying for her to wake up (well, maybe not Ryker...he is such a jealous little guy :D....and mostly Jaxon, he has a major crush on her!!) we will let her sleep just a tiny bit longer...and I will clean the bathroom or finish the laundry.

Nah! Who am I kidding? I'm going to go watch Miss Jovi sleep for a few more minutes and then I might pick her up. Shhhh! Don't tell her mom and dad :D

Ideas Worth Sharing

A good idea is worth sharing, don't you think? Especially when it makes life easier. It is rare that I ever have good ideas of my own. Usually I just steal ideas from the rest of you.

Idea #1:Freezer Pancakes

Because of Ryker's different food allergies I have to make his pancakes from scratch. Many might ask why we all don't eat his pancakes instead of making two different kinds. I'm sure they taste great (I'm too chicken to try them!) but the bottom line is money. Soy milk is stinking expensive!

So here's what I do. About every other week I make a batch of pancakes for Ryker and one for Jaxon. I cook them up. Serve them what they will eat (usually about 2 each) and the rest I put in individually labeled freezer bags. Breakfast is quick and easy whether they want pancakes or cereal. I simply pull out their bags from the freezer and throw the pancakes in the toaster and toast em up!

Idea #2:Themed Menu

I like to cook. (Really, Brian, I do!) I just have a hard time answering the question "What's for dinner?" I also like to make weekly menus. I've found when I have a menu I spend a whole lot less at the grocery store and it makes fixing dinner a whole lot easier. Still, when it came time to write up the weekly menu I found myself in the same old rut.

The idea of a themed menu came from Brian eating tacos on Tuesday. Growing up every Tuesday was tacos. I personally can't eat tacos every week. It was Taco Tuesday that got me thinking about my family's eating preferences and was the motivation behind our weekly menu.

Here is our weekly menu with a few examples of things we've included:

Mexican Monday: Enchiladas, Taco Salad, Layered Burritos, Navajo Tacos (not really mexican but it fits our theme)

Crockpot Tuesday: Stew, Ranch Chicken, Italian Chicken, (usually something chicken!)

Sandwich Wednesday: French Dip, Hamburgers, Chicken Caesar Salad Roll-ups, Chicken Sandwiches, Subs, etc.

Left-over Thursday: this goes without saying...anything leftover from the week

Pizza Friday: pizza, pizza rolls, calzones, etc. Every other week we order pizza and on the off week we make our own pizza-type creations.

Breakfast/Misc. Saturday: We aren't home a lot on Saturday evenings (especially during football season!) but if we are we make waffles, omelets, french toast, pancakes or try another recipe I've been wanting to try.

Misc Sundays: The regular Sunday roast and potatoes or a new recipe like Sante Fe Chicken (delicious!), Chicken Pot Pie, or one of our favorites...fast Sunday Scones! We eat with family a couple times a month...and those are the best meals ever!!

Where's Ryker?

On top of the caselot items (and being so reverent about it)
Climbing into the wagon

On top of the table

In the cubbies.

Are you seeing a pattern?

The Sweetest Thing

I love this face.

This face shows complete adoration. This is a face in love.
This little face thinks his big brother is the greatest brother in all of existence.

And when the big brother has a face like this it's hard to disagree.

In all my life I don't think I could have ever understood the love between two brothers.

It is the sweetest thing.

One of the many reasons why I feel so blessed to call them mine.

Because Sometimes I Forget

I get in a rut sometimes with the whole playing the piano thing. Don't get me wrong, I love that I can play the piano. It's a wonderful talent that has blessed my life over and over again. But sometimes, especially lately, I've been feeling the whole "all I do every Sunday is sit behind the piano" so sorry for myself kind of blues. Wah.

Since I am in the primary and playing the piano I don't get a lesson...either to prepare or participate in. I should be studying the RS lessons, but let's be honest, I lack motivation and I don't do nearly as often as I need to. During sharing time the teacher in me gets a little crazy with the squirmy kids so I tend to spend the time helping kids sit still, sit quietly, sit with their hands and/or feet off the person next to and/or in front of them.

Yesterday I was grumbling a little more than usual because I had to go back to the church to play for the "Great to Be 8" and "Priesthood Preview" programs. Once again, I felt like my entire day was spent "just sitting behind the piano".

It wasn't until the Priesthood Preview program that the Spirit was able to teach me a much needed lesson. Our Bishop is an amazing man, if you know him you know what I mean, and gave such a great talk. In fact, all the talks were incredible. I sat there listening to the leaders of our ward talk about what a great responsibility these young boys were going to have as priesthood holders and the amazing brotherhood they will be able to experience at camps and in service to others. My thoughts turned to what a great responsibility we have as parents to raise our children so they can be worthy of this priesthood. How thankful I am for the blessings of the priesthood in my life.

It's because I play the piano that I was even there, being taught by the Spirit of our Heavenly Father's love for his children. I get to witness so many baptisms...because I play the piano. I can take part when others bear testimony through song...all because I have been blessed with the talent of playing the piano.

Because I have been given much, I too must give.

18 Months

Our little Ryker-Bean is 18 months! Once again I am shocked at how fast the time has gone. He is such a busy and joyful little guy, so much busier than Jaxon ever was.

Here are 18 things about Ryker at 18 months:

1. Has 10 teeth...and more in the works
   
2. Loves to climb....everything!


3. Is traumatized by nursery


4. Adores his big brother


5. Gets really excited while watching football with his dad


6. Prefers to play with my eyeshadow over everything else in the bathroom


7. Absolutely LOVES to have his teeth flossed and brushed...and then chew on the toothbrush when it's his turn.


8. Has two volumes...off and LOUD


9. Weighs 19.1 pounds


10. Likes his binky and blanket when he's tired


11. Growls at every animal...picture or real


12. 4 letters B. U. S. Y! Oh, boy is he busy!!


13. Plays (pounds!) on the piano daily


14. Knows that putting on shoes mean we're going outside...he LOVES to put on his shoes!


15. Likes hot dogs, pancakes, Oreos, bananas, applesauce, and graham crackers


16. Is very tidy...he'll put anything back where it goes if you ask him to


17. Doesn't like dirty hands or food crumbs on his tray while he's eating


18. Makes our family smile every single day!!

We went to the allergist a few weeks ago hoping for really great news. It wasn't. His milk allergy has gone up 4 times! His nut allergy is also on the rise. The eggs however, are on a downward trend, so we're hoping that at his 2 year appointment he will be egg-allergy free!

There are times when I get so worried, stressed-out, frustrated over his food issues. Little things like the family in front of us at church eating Goldfish crackers and dropping a few(innocently) on the floor. We send him with his own snacks to nursery, but what if he takes a treat from another kid!?!? This is one reason why I'm not too upset over the fact that he won't go. We carry Epi-pens and pray we'll never have to use them.

One thing I've realized through all of this is that it really does take a village to raise a child. I am so grateful for so many people who have helped us with Ryker and his food issues. I have found so many people who have children with food allergies that are willing to share ideas, recipes, and give support. It's definitely not convenient having to read every single label and pack food every time we leave the house, but it's doable, and it could be so much worse.

*pictures by Terra @ Magnifique Photography