The Adventures of

Our Little Guy

2012-01-05T22:36:00.002-08:00

A quick picture of our little babe.
Reef is now 9 month old.
He LOVES to be standing and does lots of "cruising" around
everything.
He never took to crawling a ton,
he does a good army crawl,
to the closest thing he can
pull up on and stand.
Happy as always, just like our other 3.

Maybe someday we will do more postings.

Oh yea and for those who don't know, I now have braces and "look like I'm 14" who needs surgery to look younger!

Family Pictures

2011-09-25T20:01:00.003-07:00

Family Photo Session August 2011

Raining days

2011-08-20T08:32:00.005-07:00

Some days it seemed like the rain would never

end. The kids didn't seem to mind,
as long as playing and splashing was involved.
Our puddle rules are....
If you have boots on splash away anytime
and anywhere!
Just don't get anyone else wet.

Summer Activities Pictures

2011-08-14T22:11:00.003-07:00

Little Mama

2011-07-11T22:25:00.007-07:00

Azure is the BEST little mama.

She always wants to help,
(She has a "mother's heart"
which is what Miles always says about me)
I love to watch her.
Kenya can get her to do just
about anything,
even if that involves coming downstairs 10 times
after being tucked into bed
to tell us all the things Kenya "needs"

I enjoy seeing her in action.

This last weekend we went "back woods" camping.
(camping out in the woods, alone)
The kids ran around and got as dirty as they
wanted. Jovi was eating a cheese stick,
in the mean time she had gotten dirt on her hands.
(I was on my way to Jovi)
Azure ran over to her, put Jovi's cheese stick in her
pocket. Wiped Jovi's hands off, then pulled the cheese stick
back out and said "here you go Joves, you're ok"

Not to mention the long period of time she told us she had
a baby in her belly :)
(or maybe still does, she just hasn't told us recently)

She is SO sweet and I know she will be a great mama.

Too Busy

2011-05-27T08:26:00.007-07:00

Blogger is being slow at the moment so enjoy the few pictures.....

Some days I wish I was still picking out Azure's outfits for the day

In the kitchen with my babies

One of the best smiles captured

Both my babies, random little kids (some I don't even know)
ask me often "why do you have 2 babies?"

Jovi still climbs, climbs and climbs, the table
being her favorite place.

Kenya enjoys holding Reef and when he
wants- he does a good job helping.

Of course my puppy..... that I don't always enjoy
BUT I still think EVERY child should
have a dog. Having a newborn and
a puppy (2 weeks later) isn't
wonderful but the future will
only be more busy.

Meet Jimmer

2011-04-04T22:40:00.004-07:00

My birthday present (1 month early) this year is
this cute little guy....

Meet Jimmer our little 9 week old puppy.
Miles, Reef and I drove up a little past Seattle (3 hours, each way)
to pick him up.
Thanks to my mom and sister Karli
Kenya, Azure and Jovi stayed home and
played.

Miles has been a HUGE help with Jimmer.
The kids love him LOTS.
I'm thankful for my steam vac,
and that he doesn't smell like a dog.
Jovi plugs her ears when Jimmer
cries and howls
from being in his crate.
He likes to be
next to us as much as
possible,
his breed is also known as "the velcro dog"
Our neighbors probably hate us
BUT since most of them rent and have
dogs that I hear all day, I think oh well
Happy to have a puppy!
(for now)

Our Newest Little Bambino

2011-03-22T17:19:00.020-07:00

Reef Thurman Johnson
was born Saturday morning
at 5:45am
7ibs. 7oz.
19.5 inches
Everything went very well.
I was able to leave the hospital
Saturday night only 14 hours after
checking in which was GREAT!
We are all doing well.

These are the only pictures of Reef we have on
our computer right now.
Miles took them right after he was born, more to come....

The beginning of our Jovi

2011-03-17T13:40:00.001-07:00

Now that Jovi JUST turned 16 months old it's the perfect time to

recap her birth or maybe a better reason is because little baby #4 is ready come anytime he wants.....

On November 9th I checked into the hospital at 6:45am, being 15 mins. late since Miles needed gas in the car of course- we only live 2 miles from the hospital

I was being induced because my amniotic fluid was low. My Dr. said he wanted to induce me (2 days before I was 38 weeks) even though the non-stress test showed the baby was doing very well, she could possibly benefit more being born.

After all the set up and paperwork things finally got going...

At 8:05am the nurse started my pit drip at 1 ml a min. since they knew my labors go quick they wanted to start it lower then normal.

At 8:20 my Dr. broke my water I was- 2 cm.

9-something, the nurses turned down the pit. drip to .5 ml per min. they said the contractions were "too strong" and could stress the baby

At 10:05 the nurses shut off the pit. they said there was too many contractions to keep the pit on (I wasn't very happy, good strong contractions mean a baby will soon be born, I asked them several times if they would turn the pit on, they said no, especially since I was still having contractions on my own- just not the good ones) my contractions were now a steady 2 mins, apart

At 11:05 I was 4 cm

At 12pm I was having heavy contractions, my Dr. came back to check on me

At 1:15, 5 cm

At 1:55, 7 cm

At 2:45 I was 9cm, they paged my Dr. who made it right in time. They called the "on call" Dr. into my room, seconds later my Dr. ran in. If it wasn't for the FEAR on the nurses faces telling me not to push until my Dr. arrived Jovi would of been born sooner. Is it ever really nice for them to tell you not to push?

2:54, Jovi was born after about 4 min. of pushing and 3-4 pushes.

Jovi Atha Johnson

6 ibs. 15 oz

19 1/2 inches

This birth was the best for recovery since I had no tearing or stitches but it was also my longest labor, being about 7 hours. I know it would have gone much faster if they left the pit drip on.

Miles and I walked the hall for a few hours to keep things moving. But after having nurses chase me down time after time asking if I could feel the strong contractions (of course I could) and then telling me they would rather if I stayed close we just hung out in the room

Cloth diaper bum.... aka brick bum

right from the start Jovi was getting
used to a mama
that multitasks

First bath with papi- I hate how
the nurses try to take over and just do
everything, at least this is my experience

One of Jovi's first glamour shots.

Miles has a co-worker that tried to dress
up to look like this and took a picture-
strange I know, trying to picture a grown man
copy this picture.
(this picture is the one Miles sent to people at work)
I wish I had the picture.

I think Jovi looks like a dead frog
under the heat lamp
but she was super healthy

brand new

I really really hate being in the hospital. I would rather have a baby in the parking lot then hang out at the hospital for hours and hours. If I felt it was safe I would also rather have my babies at home. I would love to have a water birth but I never want a midwife.

I always try to get released as soon as possible, with Jovi the "on call pediatrician said I had to stay 24 hours after Jovi was born (the longest I have had to stay) so I was stuck. After the hospital we went and got her ears pierced.

I could probably think of a million complaints about staying in the hospital, I don't enjoy being waited on one bit.

But my main complaint this time would be after Jovi was born and her sugar levels dropped really low, (they needed to do footprints so I waited for them before nursing her, when I knew she needed to eat). After a nurse tested her sugar she told me I needed to give her a bottle of formula, of course I refused.
The nurse tried to pressure me into feeding her the formula and even told me she would get me a syringe so I wouldn't have to give Jovi a nipple.
I still said NO, I'm not giving her formula I would instead nurse Jovi and then they could test her sugar again.
She called in a "baby nurse" who also told me that I needed to give Jovi the formula because babies whose sugar levels drop so low, almost never go up on there own. Jovi could end up in the ICU with brain damage,
SO she wanted to make sure I was making "an educated decision."
I continued to nurse Jovi and when they tested her again her sugar levels had jumped really high. I will admit I really wanted to say "I told you so," as they both were surprised by the results. One thing I have learned quickly as a mom is to do what I want and what I feel is right no matter who tries to tell me differently.

We are thankful for our sweet Jovi, she is ALWAYS so happy. People have always asked us from the time she was born if she ever cries, she hardly does and she is hardly ever grumpy either. I sometimes wonder if it is possible to have a more happy baby.

Having 2 kids was super easy for me it wasn't much different then 1.
Moving up to 3 kids was harder and more of an adjustment,
I also had a lot of other things going on like daycare.
I'm not nervous about 4, I think I'm ready and even if I wasn't
too bad since our little guy is coming at any time.
Which might be the next post.

Seattle Trip

2011-02-27T17:58:00.010-08:00

When we decided we were getting a puppy from our breeder
I asked Miles if we could go visit when they were little,
his reply "we will see" since I get whatever I want (so does he )
we did exactly that. Yesterday we made a
trip up to Seattle, Wa. which is about 3 hours away, each way.
We got up early and left since we had
an entire day of "adventures" planned.

First stop Tacoma, Wa.

Lowes has a free kids
workshop a couple of times a month. You get a kit to
build something, along with an apron and goggles to keep.
Each time you go to the workshop you get a badge to sew
onto the apron.
This time the kids made race cars and love them!

Little Jovi gets to hang out on my back so we
don't have to chase her down. Most of the
time she doesn't mind, as long as she can see whats
going on.

Next adventure was Seattle.

We went to the pike market, they have
lots of vendors who have things
to sell. Most of it was in a covered building but also FREEZING
so we didn't stay long.
There was pigeons that walked around
everywhere, the kids liked chasing them.

Each of the kids took turns on my back,
in our hiking pack. Miles had Jovi in a
different pack, while Azure was on my back.
Jovi couldn't see
well so we traded. Then Azure didn't like
being on Miles back so she was on his shoulders for a while.
The market isn't very kid friendly
and people didn't seem to watch out for the kids
at all if they walked, even though they were right
next to us holding our hands.
Kenya really likes being in the hiking pack so he got the last ride.

We were going to go on a boat tour, since it was SO cold we
decided to skip it.

Next stop was the space needle.

Kenya was SUPER excited about this-
he has seen the space needle on the
Little Einsteins so he was happy
he could visit it.

I had this camera when I was little,
the kids like to play with it and "take pictures"
It has a flash which makes them like it even more.
Kenya wanted to bring it along to take his own
pictures.

Last stop was to see the PUPPIES-there is 6.

Not the cutest puppies I have ever seen
(saggy and chunky things aren't that cute to me,
including chubby babies)
but the MOST pretty dogs.

It was hard for the kids to stay entertained. The puppies are
only a month old and can't even really run yet.
Because of this we did our best to have the kids stay
on their knees and crawl around next to them, not an easy task.

Once Azure realized she could sit and hold
the puppies she had more fun.

3 kids and 6 puppies made non stop movement so
we didn't get very many clear pictures.

OTHER HAPPENINGS:

Last week (2 days) of babysitting. I'm excited!!

Jovi has been sleeping in her twin bed for a few weeks and does a very good job-no more crib.

4 weeks until my due date- hoping for less

5 weeks until we pick up our puppy

1 week until we stay at my sister in laws and watch their kids (total of 8 kids and a puppy) while they are out of town for 8 days (hoping the baby waits to come until after that)

Jovi went potty on the toilet tonight. She stays dry for long stretches, but last night she did dribble ALL down the hall right after I got her down from the toilet. Thankful once again Miles bought me a steam vacuum for Christmas- to keep me sane.

Azure turns 3 on the 14th of March, waiting for her naughty stage to pass!

Still loves being a "princess" and doing spins. Jelly cat goes everywhere with her, she tucks her into bed (making sure she sleeps on her tummy, and is covered). She told me "Jelly cat is my best friend, she is my pet" I never thought at stuffed bunny rabbit would be SO loved.

Jovi also has a Jelly cat that she loves to sleep with and pack or sometimes she will have a baby. She still does good talking a little and signing a little. My favorite sign that she does is dog, she signs and says "puppy" at the same time.

Jovi likes to get the toothpaste tube out and suck on it, even with the lid on, Azure did the same thing as a baby.

Kenya still loves to learn, cut, color, glue, watch "in the womb" ask LOTS of questions and the meanings of words. Also asks for quite time everyday instead of a nap. Is very good at playing "angry birds"

Miles got a new phone from work :), continues to train for hood to coast, working with the scouts with involves camping about once a month.

I had an ultra sound done on Thursday to make sure the baby has enough fluid since it was a little low with Jovi, and ended up being induced at 38 weeks.

Our little BOY looked great, kept his legs crossed and has plenty of fluid.

They estimate he weighs about 6 pounds right now. Babies can gain UP TO 1/2 Ib. each week the last 3 weeks of pregnancy. I hope he is born around that size, I love small little babies.
Our family is getting over colds and I have lost about 3 ibs from being sick so there is a chance he can still be small. I'm still measuring "smaller" then normal, the Dr. told me since the baby looks good in size etc.. I'm a trim and lean pregnant person---- I will take that as a compliment.

Our Jovi

2011-02-19T00:18:00.005-08:00

Here are just a few random pictures (mostly of Jovi, she hasn't made an appearance on the blog much, mostly because I don't blog often)

Camping,

which we really like to do.
We have never let babies, pregnancy or anything
else prevent us from going camping since we have been married.
The kids LOVE camping
The "baby" at the time sleeps right next
to me of course. Jovi did great during the summer
camping trips.

Bath time in the kitchen sink for fun
(if you look close you can see this is after we
painted the house, the kitchen/living room
is light gray)

A quick trip to Ka Nee Tah resort
for a few hours
of swimming on the way to bend, OR.
to go camping.

Azure has next to no bum, which makes it
hard to keep her pants up. I have to watch
closely when Miles puts her on his
shoulders. If I didn't she would
walk around all day showing people at least half her bum.
Pretty sure
this comes from the Johnson
side of the family (Johnson boys have no bum)

Jovi loves to swing high! There was a
new park just build 2 miles away from our house so
if I'm feeling energetic I will run there with the kids
in the jogger.

We love the beach and little baby hands/feet

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T11:01:00.003-08:00

Free rexbox code: Use promo code BEMINE @ checkout for a free 1 night DVD rental, only works today (you can get 1 free movie with each credit card you use)

Kenya folding diapers

2011-02-06T20:27:00.004-08:00

I LOVE my cloth diapers and wipes
(yes, I use cloth wipes as well). I have no
desire to go back to disposals. Unless you use cloth diapers
you probably have a hard time believing this but
cloth diapers ( at least the type I use) work much better
then disposables. I also use cloth swim diapers.

The kids enjoy helping fold the diapers and wipes

This is Kenya having a merry time folding diapers.

I rinse the poopy diapers in the toilet, the kids
take turns being "the flusher" as I rinse them.
There has only been a few wipes that have slipped
by and been flushed.

The kids know it's important NOT to let the diapers
or wipes be flushed. I have made sure to explain to them what can happen,
so they have never been tempted to flush diapers down.

On a few occasions the toilet has been accidentally
flushed when I wasn't around- while there were diapers and
wipes that I needed to rinse.
Kenya has bravely reached in and grabbed the diapers
before they have gone down the toilet. He then very proudly
ran to tell me he "saved the diapers", by reaching in and
holding the diapers so they couldn't go down to the sewage.
**This is a big deal to Kenya, since they were poopy diapers.

Kenya and Jovi

2011-01-13T06:57:00.006-08:00

It seems like Kenya and Jovi have always had a special

friendship, maybe because he just turned 3 when
she was born, so he understood more and
was excited to have another baby join us.
(Jovi was about a month old, I was trying different ways to take all
3 of the kids in the double jogger to go running.)

Kenya liked holding Jovi,
once I started running she slept.

Kenya always wanted to hold Jovi
and would sit for long periods of time.

The kids were not allowed at the hospital
when Jovi was born because of the H1N1 flu
precaution- so they were very excited when
we came home the next day.
Kenya easily held Jovi for 45 minutes
without wanting to get up, unheard of for this little guy.

I was thinking of a few cute things Kenya (and Azure) would
do when Jovi was new to our family.

The kids would always ask why Jovi was crying each and every time.
I would tell them what she was "saying"

I want my diaper changed, I want to eat, I'm tired, I'm hungry,
I want you to be done changing my diaper.
They would follow me around all day long asking
"what is Jovi saying" each time they heard her cry.

Kenya would ask me many times a day when Jovi's umbilical cord
would fall off and if he could see if it was still there.

Kenya would ask me non stop
"where is my friend Jovi"
"Can we keep my friend Jovi?"
If we were leaving the house he would ask " Is Jovi coming too?"
I often hear from Kenya "I want lots of babies"
which means, he wants me to have lots and lots of babies,
but he still doesn't like the idea of them being boys.
I'm so thankful for my kids, how much they follow
me around and how they love to help.

At times it's hard to have them all
at my feet following me around like ducklings
but I fear the day
they are grown up and not longer little babies
or toddlers- my favorite age.

Taken just the other day- Kenya wanted
to hold Jovi, I think she happily endures
a lot from Kenya and Azure.

2011-01-10T08:17:00.002-08:00

Azure has to do spins, anytime she wears a "princess"
What is a princess? Azure is the one who decides
but most of the time it's a dress, skirt, or tu tu and
sometimes a shirt that is a little puffy. If it flows through
the air when she spins, she is very excited and
calls it a princess.
Azure decided to do a spin in the
kitchen with socks on, she wasn't hurt and
thought it was funny to watch after.

Glamour Shots

2011-01-09T17:01:00.006-08:00

The kids get the camera and take LOTS and LOTS
of pictures, we thought these were
funny ones of Kenya.
Of course we didn't know they were taken
until we put the pictures on the computer.

Side Notes:

Jovi now seems like such a big girl and started walking at 13 months old, giving up crawling all together.

Azure still sucks her thumb (thankfully only when she is in bed or really tired.)She is always pushing her limits. Miles has a hard time saying No to her or giving her punishments.

Only about 20 more days until I will once again only have my children in my house, I didn't have to babysit for most of December and it was very nice.

At the end of the month we will find out if we are getting a puppy,we are 3rd in line for a female, and are very EXCITED.

Hopeful thinking, 9 more weeks until we welcome our 4th baby (11 weeks until my due date, which I have never had to wait for)

We bought Jovi a mattress and in a couple of weeks she will no longer be in a crib.

Miles is training for Hood To Coast Relay, wishing I could join him-maybe someday when I'm not pregnant or nursing I will.

Kenya loves learning. Does a good job of drawing people, they have hair, eyebrows, necks- the important things. He works long and hard while coloring to stay in the lines and use as many colors as possible.

An evening outing with the Johnson's..... to the Grotto

2010-12-09T11:37:00.005-08:00

For scouts last night Miles was going to be visiting the Grotto, and invited us to go along so we could see some Christmas lights. I had no idea what the Grotto was until I looked it up, this is what I found. The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, popularly known as The Grotto, is a Catholic sanctuary. The following are a few pictures I found.

As we walked along the paths Kenya and Azure didn't like that it was dark for such a long time besides the little lights on the path. Kenya kept saying "this sure is a dark, spooky forest." They has speakers around the lights that read scriptures and talked about the birth of Jesus.
There was a life size nativity. Azure thought since the people were life size that baby Jesus should be alive and moving. She kept asking me why baby Jesus wasn't moving. There were candles burning all around. Kenya asked why there was SO many candles and then informed us that he was going to blow them out. He was on Miles shoulders most of the time so he wasn't able to get too close. He still tried to blow as hard as he could but wasn't close enough. Azure walked right up to the candles and had all intentions of blowing the candles out, if I wasn't close to her she would of.
There was a petting zoo that of course our kids enjoyed. Last stop was the chapel, they have lots of different choirs sing inside. We didn't have enough time to stay and watch so we quickly walked through. We almost made it out without the kids doing something naughty. Kenya was next to Miles and only a few feet from the door. Miles turned for just a second to talk to the scouts. Kenya took this perfect opportunity to SPLASH in a bowel of holy water, while saying "whats this" I was close enough to pull him away but he managed to splash the back of at least 3 people sitting in the back bench.

At times I wonder if my kids are normal or just trying to see how much they can do to embarrass us. After over 4 years of being a parent it takes a lot, most of the time all I can do is shake my head, take care of the problem and move on.

What we have been up to.... Azure

2010-10-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

It seems we are always busy and I'm sure things are only going to get busier.

Feeding the geese, Azure walked in after them.

Catching baby bunnies at one of our many trips to bend-to go camping.

A flower from our flower bed, I wish I had a flower this BIG for a headband :)

We do many hair-dos, all curled for church. Lots of moms ask me how I am able to do so many things with Azure's hair, PRACTICE...she doesn't always love it but I'm a mean mama and I make her endure it. Miles always says Jovi isn't growing hair because she watches Azure get her hair done.

Azure's "herd" Jelly cat, baby, cow, and Olivia.
Jelly cat and cow wear cloth diapers-as Azure requests.
Sometimes she would carry more then this all around the house,
and would know exactly who was missing. She nurses jelly cat.

"painting" the van

cleaning rocks

playing with MO- 1 of our guinea pigs

at the Woodburn tulip festival

Azure thought she was pretty funny

went to the park/pond thinking the kids would play a little in the
water.....they ended up completely soaked

At the dentist, Azure has hardly any fears, unless there is
a fly, bee or spider.

Too brave for my taste, Azure thinks she is bigger then
she is, luckily she hasn't been hurt too bad

Loving Kenya's scooter- notice the snacks right behind her,
one of Azure's favorite things to do is EAT

Azure calls this "her bed" it's the crib she sleeps in when
we stay the night at my parents. sleeping on curlers must
not of been that bad.

The kids always get super worn out when we
go to Salem/Turner. Azure fell asleep while I was putting
her curlers in. There is not after picture because her
hair was crazy messy, I should of put the curlers
in a different direction

They are always kissing the things we catch.
special fishy lips kiss, just for the fish

Kenya and Azure LOVE to play dress up-they
always get into the winter box

This always makes me laugh
Miles doesn't know what it's like
to be a girl and have a swimsuit wedgie
which means I'm fixing it or reminding Miles to.

Azure got some glasses-

We see a lot of this

holding a snake at the library- this one smelled like popcorn.
Azure had to encourage Kenya to hold the snake too.

Here she is with food again. This was at baby Keisha's blessing

popcorn, our 2nd piggy.

At the pet store in Pocatello when we
went to Keisha's blessing. I love this place.
very time we visited Adam and Ashley
I made sure we went here. Even when Azure was
1 day old and we just picked Miles up from the airport.

Summer full of LOTS of otter pops, Azure
insisted on having a towel every time
so her hands wouldn't freeze.

Adam's HUGE frog

Azure has been saying she has a baby in her
tummy since I was about 5 months
pregnant with Jovi. She has to be about
15 months pregnant now.
Sometimes she will add a ball in her
shirt, but most of the time she just sticks out her
tummy.

Wearing her "princess" of course.

Ready to go play in the rain. The kids
always have boots and rain jackets so when it rains
they can splash in puddles as much as they want

My (oldest) baby is almost 4!!!

2010-08-31T23:46:00.008-07:00

These pictures were taken shortly after we moved to Washington.
We took a trip to the Portland Oregon Zoo. Kenya was
almost 2.

Of course Azure is bundled up in the wonderful Moby (4 months).
(Miles tells me IF the baby is in the Moby all covered up,
they aren't really in the picture, I say NOT true.)

My first and oldest baby will be 4 on Sunday and
I can hardly believe it. It was fine when he turned 1 and 2,
it seemed a little strange once he was 3, and now 4.
For now we have 3 kids!!
People either tell me~1. I don't look old enough to have 3 kids
or 2. They think I'm much older then I am because I DO have 3 kids.
Time goes by SOO fast, I will probably be saying that
the rest of my life.

Yellow Jackets

2010-08-10T07:36:00.006-07:00

I always look forward to summer,

when we can go out and pick all sorts of berries
and fruits. I missed this when we lived in Idaho.
I'm happy to say the kids
enjoy it as well. Kenya is a good picker sometimes,
he doesn't want to stop. He likes to eat
a lot of what he is picking.
Azure does pretty good too, especially for a 2 year old.
Jovi just hangs out in the moby.
I have a friend from church (Jerry) who has raspberry
bushes and can't make use out of all the berries.
She told me I can pick whenever I want, we have gone
close to 10 times.

In Jerry's garden there is a big plastic
toy house the kids would play in.
Last month we all went raspberry picking.
Miles and I picked, the kids wanted to play in the toy house.
I was on my way to check on the kids, when Kenya says to
Azure "just go see mami"
I assume he was not being nice- since Azure started crying.
I look at Azure and can see right away she has been bitten... twice
by a yellow jacket.
Jerry got us some ice. I held Azure down
to hold the ice on her and Kenya tells me what happened.
They were playing, when they saw lots of yellow jacket, Kenya decided
to swat at them AND the hive. Azure was the one the angry yellow
jackets went after. Honestly--- Kenya might of pushed her
in front of him, he does this when they get shots
at the doctor, he wants her to go first.
Other times he protects her and shoves her out of the way.

her eye was close to swollen shut.

Azure is the first of our kids to ever get stung.

Final count 4 bits..... 2 between her eyebrows
and 2 on the side of her eye.

Kenya knows better then to bother bees or wasps and kept
telling me "It was just my fault, it was just my fault" over and over again
Hopefully in the future they will be more wise. (the little house is in the background)

Little Ham

2010-08-09T14:06:00.004-07:00

Jovi is ALWAYS happy.
She will smile at mostly anyone who gets her attention.
Here she is a 7 months, playing with some toys.
Kenya seems to be her favorite and he favors her too.

She started to sit alone at 6 months, crawling at 7, now at 8 months she is a good crawler who can get around VERY well. Jovi climbs to a standing position on any object she can, including our legs when we stand still. She is now beginning to cruise slowly (walk along while holding onto something). She has a little table she stands behind and pushes. She is growing TOO fast, and we love her SO MUCH!

Jovi's beginning to foods...

2010-08-09T13:42:00.009-07:00

Jovi enjoys to eat with her fresh food feeder, she was eating watermelon and didn't want to stop (7 months).
I make ALL her baby food, she starting eating at 6 months. Jovi enjoys most her food. One of her favorites is oatmeal mixed with mommy milk. She hasn't refused any except for avocados, the first time she ate them.

Azure and the Scooter

2010-08-09T13:03:00.004-07:00

Azure Loves to ride Kenya's scooter

Why we should probably get a truck sometime in the near future...

2010-08-06T07:45:00.010-07:00

When we had 2 kids, we had 2 cars. I have learned that Miles will always make what we have work. I wanted a bail of hay for decorating in the fall a couple of years ago and this is how we got it home.

When I was pregnant with Jovi we started to look at getting a van. Miles came across this one and got a great deal on it (it was trashed in my option-I ripped the entire inside apart to clean, and found more fast food then I have eaten in a lifetime under the carpet. I'm fine buying things used BUT I have to take it apart and clean it) It was clearly a leased van from people who didn't take care of it. To top it off I thought it smelled like wet dog-I can smell ANYTHING when I'm pregnant.
So now that we have a bigger Vehicle- Miles transports bigger items- If Miles goes to Lowes with the van I'm always waiting to see what he will come home with. A few examples are, a whole sheet of plywood, full sheet of sheet metal, lots and lots of sand( for the kids sand box) and many more. Sometimes the van is empty and sometimes the whole family is with. Miles says it's easier to fill the van instead of just borrow a truck- he even thought about loading the van with sod BUT I have my limits

When we had the white car he tied our Christmas tree on top. Once we got the van he just put it inside.

Tiny Tot

2010-06-01T07:36:00.002-07:00

To me Azure looks so tiny in this pictures-- it was taken in September when she was 18 month old on our trip to the coast for crabbing.

A tiny update

2010-05-18T16:52:00.007-07:00

I know it's been a long time.... Life with 3 kids is busy(plus babysitting) Miles always tells me "we are busy people" when I get frustrated that I don't finish everything I want to. Sometimes it seems like Miles is a friend that eats dinner and hangs out with us for a few short hours every night (the nights fly by) I really try to focus my time on our little family, the kids grow too fast. Even though I would LOVE to have kids until the day I die, I know it's not realistic, so I try to enjoy it as much as I can. Here are a few pictures of recent activities, Playing at the park, going fishing and feeding ducks, The kids just hanging out, which is what we do most of the time. Kenya is my BEST helper and loves it when I give him jobs.

Jovi is 6 months now, time really does go by fast- she has 1 tooth and 1 ready to pop any day, she rolls over both ways and is getting better at sitting up. She is SO SWEET and very very happy, people ask me all the time if she ever cries, of course she does but it's not that often. Jovi likes to be laid down in her bed and fall asleep on her own- most moms would love this but not me, I love to hold my babies and rock them to sleep. Jovi also has started to sleep through the night from time to time by her own free will-I DON'T believe in "let them cry it out" (I think it's mean) I believe babies cry for a reason. I miss the nights I wake up in the morning and realize she didn't wake up to snuggle with me. When Miles wakes up for work and doesn't see Jovi he asks me where she is--- he misses her too :), Kenya even came in one morning and asked where Jovi was when he didn't see her in our bed.

Azure talks A TON, she likes to get into things. Even though it hasn't been that long since Kenya was her age and did the same things, it seems like forever ago. She does great going potty but was a yo-yo in the past with it, like when she was getting her molars-being dry all day and telling us when she needed to go potty seemed like the last thing on her list. She has a melt your heart SMILE and the sweetest little voice, she gets whatever she wants especially from her papi. Azure is still a little thumb sucker, I ask her not to suck her thumb from time to time, just today she looked at me with a reply "I need to".

Kenya is the "greatest" helper as he tells me, and truly is, but can be a BIG beast at times too. He was a good 2 year old, not so much 3 year old- he can be sassy and likes to talk back and shout! He loves preschool and being with friends, he enjoys "his shows" and really likes music, especially music mixes from Oliver. We went to Idaho for Keisha's baby blessing and he wanted to stay and live with Adam and Ashley... he kept asking over and over. I guess even though I try to be a fun mom--- to a 3 year old I can easily be replaced.

We hatched our baby quail chicks, they are now a week old-- 9 total- the kids like to hold and play with them.

Praying for fish

2010-04-09T15:46:00.007-07:00

Miles takes the kids one at a time on a "date", for now it's just between Kenya and Azure, until Jovi is older. Miles is always a little nervous to take the kids if they are nursing, or more clingy to me.
Azure is 16 month in this picture, it was one of her first dates and she was SUPER excited (little side note, this blue jacket is size 3-6 months- Jovi wears it now, Azure just stopped fitting it a couple of months ago)
Kenya was almost 2 in his picture.
At times the kids get upset if it's not their turn which turns into tears with the one staying home. Miles does simple activities on dates a few are-getting an ice cream, going to the park, or taking them shopping. I am jealous at times, it seems like the kids get more one on one with Miles and Miles gets more one on one with each of the kids. I would like to go on little dates with the kids but I think it would be hard for me to take just ONE of the kids out for a couple of hours.
Miles came home from work early today to take Kenya fishing on his date. Kenya said the prayer for lunch and this was part of it.
Kenya: "bless Papi to take me fishing, that I can catch a BIG fish so we can cut it open and eat it"
The kids prayers are always so simple and sweet, and half the time I have to try hard not to laugh in the middle of them.

Puppies

2010-03-09T13:56:00.005-08:00

Miles has been playing "puppies" since Kenya was a baby.
The kids love it.
When Miles first started with Kenya they would crawl around and
bark or hiss at each other. (When you watch the video you will see they are puppies one minute and cats the next.)
Now it involves much more like- building puppy houses and pretend eating.
The kids never want to stop this silly little game.
I needed to get a few things done so I asked Miles if he would moby Jovi, he told me he wouldn't be able to play puppies if he did-- I quickly reminded him you can do ANYTHING with a moby. Miles is a GREAT dad, (I would say the best in the world.)
He always hangs out with us as much as possible.
I wish there was more hours in a day so Miles
could be with us more.
I'm proud to call Miles my husband.

3 hits later: updated

2010-03-05T21:06:00.008-08:00

This morning Miles called me to tell me he had been in ANOTHER accident. These pictures are from accident #1 (in October), Miles was on his way home from work. He was driving in the right lane, and a car that was in the left lane tried to get into the right lane so they wouldn't have to stop and wait for the person in front of them to turn left, they weren't paying attention and ran right into Miles. We were told the car was totaled.

Accident #2 (in November) Miles was on his way home from work again. He was at a red light, it was raining so he didn't want to start off too fast and peel out, he ended up stalling, the lady behind him wasn't watching and ran right into him. You couldn't see much damage on the car the second time around, the bumper was knocked down. Miles neck and back hurt for a couple of days but went away.

The 3rd accident (today, March) Miles was waiting in line at Costco to get gas, next thing he knew the guy in front of him had back up lights on and then gunned it-right into Miles. Miles was not able to back up before it happened because cars were behind him. The right side of the bumper has cracks along with a few other marks on the car.

We are glad Miles had made it out of ALL 3 accidents without being badly hurt. We are also glad that NON of them were his fault. Miles had made claims with all the accidents and I guess the only good out come has been getting a little spending money. I'm not sure how much more this little blue car can handle but I'm pretty sure Miles will continue to drive it until it's dead. 2 out of the 3 accidents involved guys.... maybe girls are better drivers???

Getting excited for summer

2010-03-01T17:32:00.006-08:00

We love to look back at old pictures, the kids think it's funny they use to be smaller. Kenya always says they are "baby Kenya pictures" Azure thinks all her baby pictures are Jovi, but even Miles gets confused about that. We are excited for summer, so we can play in the water and catch little creatures like frogs.

Looks like we will be doing ducks again this year. The difference is we will have 6 if all the eggs make it, not 18 like last year.

"Game Shirts"

2010-02-24T23:41:00.000-08:00

Kenya LOVES getting dressed and being able to pick out EVERYTHING he wears. It's all up to him and some days I wish he would let me pick out his clothes again.

This is a do-rag that I bought when I had braids in the fall of my senior year of high school. Kenya considers it a hat and wears it whenever he feels like wearing a hat, sometimes that means in public too.

Everyday (except Sunday) Kenya wears what he calls a "game shirt" I have learned from him what a game shirt is.

It has to have numbers on it always or some type of ball

It doesn't matter if I think it looks like a Basketball shirt or football shirt- Kenya is the one that decides what type of shirt it is.

I took pictures of his shirts for a week but these are the shirts he wears all the time. I had Kenya sit down and tell me what sport his shirts are for. Kenya waits for some of his game shirts to be washed and sometimes wears the same shirt twice in one week.

This is a Football shirt

Football shirt. He wanted to wear the shorts but I told him he had to wear pants if he wanted to play outside so he put pants under.

Basketball

Football

Basketball. I think this is Kenya's favorite game shirt, as soon as he sees it in his closet it's on his body. He will ask me sometimes if his game shirt is clean, I'm not always sure which one he is talking about.

Some nights Kenya will tell us he doesn't want to have a bath because he doesn't want to take off his game shirt. His shirt was clean at the end of the day so he wanted to wear it to bed after his bath.

Kenya really likes wearing this outfit- when he first started calling it an outfit it sounded like elephant. I think it's pretty darn ugly but he always looks for it in his drawers. If he had to pick between this or his game shirts it would be close, but it would probably be his game shirts.

Kenya is ALL boy. He is very competitive, of course he learned this from Miles. I know it's gone too far when Miles has them race from the bathroom to their room every night, then they race getting dressed and many more things.

We were at Winco Saturday, the kids help me bag the groceries every time we go shopping

Kenya looked up at the lady across from us bagging her groceries and said "were going to beat you, were fast" Azure of course does and says everything Kenya does so she repeats over and over in her sweet little voice while looking at the lady "were going to beat you, were fast" The lady thought they were cute and just laughed.
Azure tries to race the kids in nursery by running from one wall to the next, the other kids don't understand what she is doing and just watch her run back and forth.
Miles plays Basketball on a church team. He takes Kenya or Azure with him on Wednesday nights and we all go watch on Saturdays. While Miles plays we sit on the stage. Kenya now tells us we have to sit on the "stage" (couch) while he plays his "game" he has taught Azure to cheer him on, she sits and says "go Nenya (Kenya) go Nenya" Kenya is very particular about the "court" he moves everything out of the room besides the hoop and his ball.
Kenya doesn't care who he competes with. If he sees older boys playing basketball he wants to be right next to them playing. There is a BB hoop down the street and he always talks me into walking down there so he can shot some hoops.
"You can't end on a bad one" Ex: I tell Kenya 2 more shots and we need to go inside. If he didn't make his 2nd shot he will continues to shoot until he makes it and then he will stop. This came straight from Miles. I remember Miles telling me the same exact thing when he would take me out to practice football in Rexburg.
Kenya watches sports on tv with Miles. I will hear Kenya ask "papi what color do we want to win", "I wanta see it again" He always wants the tv to be re winded a couple of time to watch "a nice shot" or "good play"
I'm a little worried if he is this competitive at 3 what he will be like when it really matters. If Kenya looses while competing he gets a look of disappointment on his face. I have told Miles before if he is one of those dad's on the side lines putting too much pressure on his kids he will have to stay home.

Halloween is LONG gone

2010-02-16T08:34:00.001-08:00

But it's one of my favorite holidays so I'm writing about it. Pictures are in random order

Here is all the goods.
I had a bag and every once in a while the kids
would empty their buckets so they had room for more treats.
I couldn't believe how much they got!

I mentioned before the kids wore the same customs as last year.
Kenya wanted to be a spider again.
I didn't find anything I liked for Azure
and since she is so small she still fit into her
last years lady bug costume. The size of it is
6-12 months and she is a little older than 18 months here.

Miles did the carving, the kids enjoyed watching.

They look like they ate pumpkin but we just got done eating spaghetti for dinner- a favorite for them, so they have food all over.

Azure loved playing in the pumpkin guts,
She had them all over by the time we were done.
Kenya didn't hardly touch the guts.

The kids got SO MUCH candy this year.
we went to 3 different neighborhoods and one
trunk or treat. Kenya wanted to keep goingand Azure didn't mind, we finally told them we
were done.

When we told Azure it was time to go out

trick or treating she grabbed these guys to
go along with us

Some last year fun.

We went to a school carnival with Miles's sister, Jesica and her family. Miles and Kenya went down this slide.

Kenya with his friend K.C.

We met up with my mom, Albert, Karli and Bryon to go to Roloff farms. The farm is located in Hillsboro, OR. There is a show called" little people big world" that features the Roloff family. We thought it would be cool (except for Miles) to go and visit. Albert is obsessed with these little people and their show, he probably would have bought a jar of dirt that is WAY over priced from the Roloff farm IF my mom let him (yes they really sell jars of dirt)

We waited in lines all day. I took a very very long time to get to the farm,
there was a line miles and miles long.
We were surprised to see there wasn't much
to do at the farm.
So we decided to go on a paid wagon ride,
they drove us around the farm and showed us their property.

There is a little person up there.

This is the little person mom.
Another line we would of had to wait in so
Karli, Kenya, Azure and I just stood behind her
for a quick picture.

Last year they had 2 different costumes, here is their second ones.

Azure Caught on Camera

2010-02-11T20:49:00.005-08:00

This is Azure when she was sick and grumpy. When she realizes she's on camera she acts like a celebrity attacking the paparrazi and another of Azure when she clumsily runs into the camera . . . hilarious!

Bundleme, another favorite baby product

2010-02-08T14:09:00.005-08:00

This is called a bundleme, and I LOVE it. If I picked my top 2 baby products it would be this and my moby wrap. The bundle me is a cover for a car seat, jogger or stroller. The bundleme is like a sleeping bag, it's so nice and warm on the inside.

Whenever we go out with our babies we cover them up, it keeps them nice and warm. We don't pack our kids around in the car seat unless they are sleeping and it's going to be a quick trip. They are almost always on my chest in the moby.
If they are in their car seat, the thing I like the most besides them being warm and cozy away from outside elements is keeping strangers from touching them. I hate the fact that when your pregnant strangers think it's ok to walk up and touch your belly. When you have your baby they think they can touch them too. To top it off they touch their face or hands. You could say I'm a mean person, I keep my babies covered or in the wrap and if I don't know you, I don't want you to touch my children.

I found a lite bundleme for a great price. It's not as thick and cozy inside, we will use it once the weather gets warmer. The bundleme has opening for all the buckles, so your baby is completely covered, the zipper goes a little over half way up on both sides. Sometimes I wish it zipped all the way like a mummy bag but I'm sure if it did some people would suffocate their babies.

I have a home made car seat cover that folds over on all four sides, that works well. My sister in law made it for us but I haven't really used it, I think the bundleme works better and is worth the money. None of the kids in the pictures belong to me, I got them off the website.

A day at the park

2010-02-06T22:09:00.009-08:00

Since Miles bought me (us) a newer camera for Christmas

we have been recording lots of videos. It's easier than using our video camera.
The kids LOVE to watch the videos and ask anytime the
computer is out.
Here are a couple of videos when we went to the park last week, the first
warm day in a while.
There was a lady there throwing a frisbee to her dog.
Azure ran right over to pet the dogs (she loves all animals/creatures like Kenya) and kept
asking to throw the frisbee, the lady was nice and let Azure throw as much
as she wanted. The dog would catch a couple
of Azure's throws but got sick of the frisbee not going far, or getting
off the ground so he would push it over to my feet or his owners.
Kenya was playing with the ladies little boy, rolling around and getting muddy.
Jovi was in the moby. WE can't wait for warmer days so we can play outside more often.
The first video Azure was trying to hand the dog the Frisbee,
but he wanted to catch it so he kept running away.

In this video Azure is trying to get the little dog (who I thought was VERY cute)
to take the frisbee but she didn't want to. When you hear Azure talking she is saying "doggy, come here, he's waiting, GO, waiting, mami"
The dog was trying to get me to throw the frisbee at the end of the video.
He was AMAZING at catching the frisbee just about EVERY time- just not when a
toddler throws it.
:

The rest of our pictures

2010-02-03T23:07:00.009-08:00

These are the rest of our pictures we had taken. Kenya and Azure's were taken at Picture Me in October before we tried out Sears.
Azure wanted to take along her little puppy and got mad when we took it away, so we let her hold it. She went through a phase were she would pack around little beanie baby animals ALL the time. I let her take this little one in a store and we ended up losing it :(The rest were taken at Sears in December. Azure was a stinker and didn't want her picture taken, you wouldn't know if from the pictures. I put her in a cute little dress too but she kept opening her legs WIDE open, not very lady like and she didn't like it when we tried to get her to close them.

This was the one we had taken last year also at Picture Me the kids did great. This picture was the first and last shot.

Kenya and Miles Blazer Game

2010-01-31T14:57:00.007-08:00

The local library did a reading incentive program. And since Erin takes the kids to the libary all the time Kenya was able to get free tickets to a Blazer game. He was looking forward to going for a long time (he's a big fan-we watch the games when we can on tv) We went in November to see them play Memphis. We had to park far away and traffic was bad and we didn't want to be late so I had to run with him on my shoulders - which he loved. When we got to the rose garden I handed Kenya his ticket before we walked in. He wanted to hand them the ticket himself and go through the turnstiles. As soon as we walked in he had the biggest grin on his face. He dropped his ticket on the escalator (on our long trip up to the nosebleeds) which caused a minor breakdown because he thought they wouldn't let him in to the game. We recovered his ticket though.
He paid attention to the game and was really excited to be there, he loved exploding with cheer and applause at the "bam dunks" as he calls them and other great plays. We saw blaze, he cheered loud and he was fascinated with the little entertainment things like the floating car dropping prizes. He wanted to wear this jersey outfit that looks somewhat like a Blazer jersey. It was just too cold a night for that so I made him wear his jammies underneath. He looked pretty hilarious. It was an awesome night we had some great father and son time and it didn't matter that they didn't win.

2010-01-29T21:50:00.003-08:00

We took this family picture at Skanska's Christmas party. The kids didn't want to go near Santa. I'm a mean mama, I make our kids do things I KNOW they WILL LIKE-even if they kick and scream to begin with. Almost 100% of the time they do like whatever I made them do. This might be the only picture Kenya has taken with Santa his whole life where he is not screaming.
We had eaten dinner at the beginning of the party. Azure choked on some of her food and threw up all over her clothes and ME. The rest of the night she wore her baby legs, a onesie, panties and her shoes. People kept telling us how cute she was and that she looked like a little aerobic instructor-like I would really dress her that way. I was lucky enough to smell like puke all night.

2010-01-29T16:50:00.002-08:00

Azure does whatever she has to in order to get where she wants to be.

Jovi announcement

2010-01-29T16:15:00.004-08:00

This is what we decided to do for Jovi's birth announcement.

2010-01-28T15:56:00.004-08:00

We do family pictures once a year. We went to Sears and were happy with the pictures as well as the price. This is the picture we ordered for my parents as a Christmas present.

Where is Azure

2010-01-28T15:20:00.004-08:00

Azure has such a fun little personality. She enjoys doing things like hiding anywhere she can fit.

2010-01-24T20:29:00.003-08:00

Kenya and Azure along with the 2 kids I babysit on Thursdays. T.V. time is a special privilege in our house, most of the time I only let the kids watch a couple shows each day. The kids were running around one minute, and the next they all sat down to watch the little Einsteins. This is still Kenya's favorite show and Azure would like to think it's hers too. She has been watching it ever since she was born right next to Kenya. Truthfully she doesn't last long while watching it. Kenya on the other hand will ask to watch the same episode over and over especially if there is a new one. He knows them all by heart and never tires of them. I have a bunch of different shows I record to make him have some variety, a new one he likes to watch is how it's made.

Library Fun

2010-01-24T15:13:00.004-08:00

The kids and I go to the library at least once a week. They enjoy going to story time and playing with the other kids that are there. Fridays the library has story time for babies which is the one we attend most often because babysitting and preschool fills up the rest of our week. Kenya and Azure like it because there is more singing and dancing around. When we attend story time for preschoolers they have little activities to do when story time is over. Most of the time it involves glue, markers and tape so the kids like it a lot. Below is a example of a project we made a few months back.
Kenya wore his elephant hat for most of the day and loved it.

Kenya my cooking guy

2010-01-19T10:24:00.002-08:00

Our kids love to help in the kitchen, no matter what it is we are doing. Here is a example with Kenya last year when we made sugar cookies.

2010-01-15T23:41:00.003-08:00

This was one of Oliver's frogs we had fun playing with last year when he came to visit. His name was gumbo-now he lives in heaven.

Good news for us

2010-01-12T14:20:00.002-08:00

Azure is potty trained and we are pretty excited about it!!!! we didn't know if she would be fully potty trained at the same age as Kenya was (21 months) but she did! We are so proud of her.
She is talking sooo MUCH and we think she is pretty cute.

2010-01-08T09:08:00.003-08:00

CLOTH DIAPERS.................

I LOVE THEM, more and more each day. Last night Jovi had the biggest, fullest poopy diaper (picture worthy). I loved using pamper newborn swaddlers, I thought maybe I would miss them but I don't. The diaper I changed last night would of been a guarantee BLOW OUT! In ANY other diaper, but it didn't even get outside of my wonderful cloth diapers onto the diaper cover. Miles was even impressed and that says a lot since he still doesn't love me using cloth. He shouldn't care too much, he has a free ride of no diaper changing EVER unless he really wants to learn how to pin, which I'm totally fine with.

Top baby product

2010-01-02T22:21:00.007-08:00

I have talked about my moby wrap before and how much I LOVE LOVE it. Now that I have my 3rd baby I have found a few baby products I wouldn't want to be without and the moby is on the top. Jovi loves it! There are a few places Jovi sleeps, in the moby, in our bed, on the love sac and probably the least time is spent in her bassinet. If Jovi gets upset and fights going to sleep, we put her in the moby and she settles down.

Jovi's head looks like it's bobbing, but our kids have really strong necks from the time they are born and she is actually pushing back on the wrap.I had to talk Miles into wearing the moby with Azure, with Jovi he is much more willing (I think he secretly likes it). I still moby Azure sometimes and even Kenya who asks (one of the last times I put Kenya in the moby I was about 5 months pregnant with Jovi and we were hiking down from our campsite)

Yes I have 2 moby wraps. The first one I bought when I was pregnant with Azure, there was few colors to pick from so I got navy blue. When I was pregnant with Jovi I saw this hot pink one at a second hand store, It was brand new and less then half price. (I have talked to people who buy them and never figure out how to use them). Most baby products I buy are neutral so I can use them for both sexes. I liked the color and it was a great price, plus Miles and I could both wear one if we needed to wrap more then one of the kids at a time. A added bonus with the pink moby- it protects from UVA and UVB rays with a special invisible harm free dye process called Rayosan .

Let it snow!

2009-12-31T23:23:00.001-08:00

Tuesday it started to snow late afternoon, so we all went outside to play after there was enough snow to play in. Miles saved his last couple of days off so he was home with us that day. It's a great thing he didn't have to work, traffic was HORRIBLE. A co-worker of his lives about 12 miles away from work he left at 3:45pm and didn't get home until 9:25pm. I was babysitting Maddie that day as well. It took her dad just under 1 1/2 hours to get to our house when normally it takes about 15 minutes. I don't even want to think how long it would have taken Miles to get home, on a good day it takes about an hour.

Miles and the kids got right to work at building a "frosty the snowman"
Jovi of course was in one of her favorite places the moby.... all covered up
I took the kids out the next day before the rain came and melted all our snow and frosty
Azure's little suit is size 12 months, it was a little small but worked. She is still tiny, but eats a TON. Azure still wears 6-9 shirts to 18 months and her pants are 12 and 18 months.Kenya worked on making snowballs
Azure was stomping, kicking and putting her feet in the water. I had just taken off her mittens because they were soaked (right before I did the video) when we went inside her socks were soaked too.

Kenya knew his frosty was going to melt as soon as it started to rain and warm up so he spent as much time as he could playing on it.

2009-12-24T21:03:00.000-08:00

The kids and I were looking

at some of our old videos and we came across this one.

Just a little reminder....

Miles was in Washington/Oregon for work

and also looking at houses to buy.

Kenya and I went to visit Adam and Ashley

until Miles got home. I was 38 weeks

pregnant, my doctor told me I could leave town

but I went into labor that night.

Ashley brought Kenya to the hospital and he wasn't interested in Azure at ALL.

Oh Holy Night

2009-12-24T15:26:00.004-08:00

This is Miles performing Oh Holy Night at a Christmas party. You can't see him because of the lighting, but you can hear him. All the old ladies in the ward love him. When anybody doesn't recognize me I just tell them that my husbands the one that sings.

How do I run with 3 kids

2009-12-18T15:14:00.003-08:00

I wasn't sure how I would be able to go running once I had 3 kids but I have tried a few different ways and I might have found one that works. I started running when Jovi was a week old just like I did when Kenya and Azure were babies. I know your not really suppose to exercise until around 6 weeks but my doctors have never told me not to and I don't ask :)

Things I have tried

1st is going once Miles gets home, 6pm is about the earliest. With it being winter it gets dark early so I have to run alone at night which isn't very safe. Our neighborhood is right next to the freeway with mostly dark streets.
2nd is taking one or 2 of the kids with me and Miles can watch the other so I am not alone. I have put Jovi in her car seat and set it in the jogger seat so she is covered good and Azure is in the other seat. Sometimes Azure and Kenya go and Jovi stays home.
3rd I laid Jovi in the jogger with a few quilts to stay warm and Azure sat on Kenya's lap. They both liked it, I know it doesn't look very comfortable. I thought this would be the only way I could take all 3 at once.

I planned to go running when Miles got home today, on Fridays he normally gets done early but I knew it would still be dark. I decided to have Kenya wear the baby bjorn pack and put Jovi inside of it. That way Azure and Kenya would have their own seats. I came up with this idea after I talked to my grandma, she asked why I didn't have Kenya hold Jovi while I ran. I knew just letting him hold her wouldn't work, his arms get tired when he holds her at home in a chair. When I told Kenya I wanted to put the bjorn on him and have him hold Jovi while we went running he was pretty excited.

It worked pretty good, Jovi slept the entire time. I just need to have Kenya work on holding on to her better, Jovi was leaning to one side when I got them out of the jogger.

Party

2009-12-17T22:23:00.004-08:00

The night before Halloween we went down to Salem for a party Miles's sister Crystal had at her house. Don had just got home from his mission so we were able to hang out with him too. There was food and a haunted house for the kids, EVERYONE was suppose to dress up.
Miles and I both don't like dressing up for Halloween but we did it for the party, we got this idea from Oliver. I was almost 37 weeks pregnant, I am a referee holding the ball (my belly).

Don was surprised to find out the "ball" was really my belly. we thought it was funny when he poked my tummy and said "is that your belly, wow it's hard" The moms around him explained of course it is. There is a baby is in there, with bones. Miles is a basket ball player. Kenya remembered being a spider from last year and didn't want to be anything else. I didn't find a costume I liked for Azure so I let her be a lady bug again this year.

Ryan and June's family (they dressed up as black people)
June put a blanket in her pants to make her bum look big

Andrew and Lorelle

12 Days of Christmas

2009-12-14T22:44:00.004-08:00

Miles came home from work this evening and told the kids and I to stay upstairs. He came back a few minutes later with a rose and a little note saying......

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... a rose and tomorrow a rose garden.

(he gave me 2 tickets to a blazer game and I guess I will take him along)

Miles, me and Jovi will be going to a blazer game tomorrow night.

Since I don't leave my babies until they are

MUCH MUCH older and our little Jovi-Jo is

only a month she will

spend the evening in

the moby wrap, right where she belongs :)

Miles is doing the 12 days of Christmas, so from now until Christmas

I get a present everyday and I'm pretty excited about it!!!!

I always ask Miles questions about my Christmas presents a few weeks before and if I try hard enough I can guess almost all my gifts. This way we both win.

(And for all those office lovers (I'm not one of them) I'm sure your wondering if that's where Miles got the idea from, but he said he planned this out a while back)

Pumkin Patch Fun

2009-12-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

For preschool Kenya took a field trip to an older couples house from church that had a garden and grew lots of pumpkins. Kenya tried to collect all the little ones and told me he wanted to take them all home. He ended up with about 5-they are our inside pumpkins and will probably be around until they are rotten.

We got some big pumpkins too.

We went to a SUPER fun pumpkin patch early in October as a family.

To wash the pumpkins they have a hand pump that uses the same water over and over from a tank.

The farm has tractors that take people up to the pumpkin patch and back down. This was Kenya's favorite part.

Dried up corn taken from corn husks, the kids could of stayed in here all day

Kenya kept looking for "the biggest pumpkin in the whole world"
Pumpkin launching is another activity we did at the farm. Kenya really liked doing it with Miles last year but wouldn't even consider it this year, so Azure took over.

There is some farm animals we were able to pet and feed, the kids love doing this. This was one of the turkeys that had there. Azure reached in the fence and tried to pet it.

Hay maze, the kids didn't want to get out when we finally told them it was time to move on

There was lots more we did, it was a fun filled day for us. The kids were free to get in, for Miles and me it was $8 each which included a free pumpkin (any size) and a hot chocolate.

Raspberries

2009-11-18T21:47:00.002-08:00

We LOVED berry picking this summer. My mom, Ashley and Karli got us lots of raspberries from Salem and gave them to us. Miles and I made lots of raspberry jam but we also ate lots. Kenya and Adahleigh enjoyed hanging out and eating them together.

I tried to post about some things we did in October but after trying for about 30 minutes and pictures not uploading I GIVE UP for now. Snuggling my baby is more worth my time-so I will try again.... later

2009-11-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

I went to check on the kids during their nap yesterday and this is how I found Kenya. My mom and I were laughing SO hard. When Kenya woke up I showed him the pictures and asked him what he was doing, he just laughed I never got a straight answer out of him.

Jovi Atha Johnson

2009-11-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Our little princess arrived safely Monday afternoon at 2:54pm. Everything went well and we are all doing great.

Jovi Atha Johnson

6 ibs. 15 oz

19 1/2 inches

more to come later.... and yes her ears are pierced

(Atha is my grandma's name)

We got home Tuesday afternoon, they made us wait to leave until Jovi was 24 hours old. Miles and I were glad we could finally leave.

Results are in

2009-11-06T23:04:00.001-08:00

I had my ultra sound today which was pretty quick. We took the kids with us

and they did MUCH better then last time.

The lady that did the first ultra sound commented a lot and would point things out to us. The lady that did it today didn't say much unless we asked questions,

which made me a little nervous.

When she was done measuring everything she told us she would be back in a few minutes.

She came back in and told me I needed to go see my doctor so he could talk to me about

the ultra sound. This made me a little more nervous.

The nurse told us the fluid around the baby is

less then it should be, it is 6.4 and it should be 8 or higher.

The doctor checked my cervix and I'm still about 2cm same as Tuesday, he did some stripping of membranes.

The baby isn't tiny it's in the 53% The ultra sound measures everything and
puts it into an equation which guesses about how much the baby weighs,

we were told it's about 6 pounds 13 ounces,

the technician said it's probably closer to 6 pounds.

The baby is in a very tight ball it's head is down, legs are up by my ribs and somehow it's foot was kicking it's own head, it's been that way for a while. She was unable to check the

sex of the baby- there was a leg in the way and no way to see anything but the bum.

The doctor said he would want to induce me next week

since the baby isn't getting as much fluid as it should.

He told us this is the safest way to go and the baby isn't going

to benefit that much being inside of me for the short period of time left.

After asking some questions we were told this is probably just a special case and just because it happened this pregnancy doesn't mean it will ever happen again.

Nobody really knows why this happens for sure.

He set up an induction for Monday morning, I have to check in at the hospital at

6:30am. I will be 2 days away from being 38 weeks.

He told me I needed to go right to the hospital and

do a non-stress test for the baby.

If the baby wasn't doing good I would be induced tonight.

I was there for about an hour and the baby looks great.

They hooked up a couple of monitors on my belly

and watched the heart beat, especially the way it reacted to my contractions.

I have lots of contractions but they are not stay at the hospital and have a baby contractions.

Unless I have the baby this weekend which is possible

(my doctor stripped my membranes with Azure and

I went into labor later that day.) I will be having

a baby on Monday.

We tried to take the kids to the hospital last week to

show the kids around so they would

know what to expect when they came

to see me. Sadly because of the flu being such a threat

Nobody under the age of 18 is allowed to be on the baby floor

and I am only allowed to have 2 people visit me counting Miles.

The kids will have to wait to see our little baby until

I get home.

good news we ALL have the flu shot and the H1N1 shot

so we should be safe if it works....

We have been trying to get Kenya to tell us names for the baby
he told us Venus for a while (we were watching ESPN and he heard the name)

Lately he has been telling us to name it Rocket (from the little Einsteins)

Today I told the kids the baby is ready to come out soon like we have

been telling them for a while.

Kenya started talking to the baby like he does

often and said "baby are you ready to come out"

then he told me the baby said it's not ready yet.

Talking to my belly again he said

"baby we are going to go see you on the t.v." (ultra sound)

Azure is sure she has a baby in her tummy too-

she lifts up her shirt sticks out her tummy, pats her belly and

says BABY in a deep voice.

She also likes to walk up to me, left up my shirt

until she sees my tummy- pats my belly and says BABY, BABY

Don Returns

2009-11-06T08:40:00.002-08:00

Don came home from his mission in Arizona on October 29th. We went to the airport to meet him.

Trying to get there was not so fun- I took the kids to the library in the morning and our van battery was dead, I found a neighbor to jump us. When we tried to leave the library the battery was dead again so I had to find a stranger in the parking lot to get us started. Kenya was full of questions. I told him the van has batteries just like his toys and sometimes we have to change them. He knows when we change batteries in his toys most of the time we have to turn them over. Kenya told us the van was too big and heavy to turn over and change batteries.
The 2 kids on the left of me are the other 2 kids I babysit, since I had them that day they came along. Kenya was a little unsure about Don for a little while, and didn't want to look at the camera.

Everyone who went to the airport. After I was done babysitting we drove down to Salem from Thursday night until Saturday. We were able to listen to Don report on Thursday night. Don is by far the most normal return missionary I have ever been around. Miles told me it's because he was in the states. He hasn't changed much, and it was fun to be able to hang out with him. We are thankful for the good example he has shown our kids(especially Kenya)this far.

Welcome home Donny Boy

37 weeks

2009-11-04T21:50:00.002-08:00

I had my appointment yesterday. I am now dilated to 2cm, I have thinned out more- the doctor didn't give me a percent and I didn't think to ask, but he could feel the babies head. My strep B test came back negative which I was glad about. I asked the pediatrician how long I would HAVE to stay in the hospital and he said normally 24 hours after the baby is born. That would be the longest I have EVER stayed after giving birth and isn't something I want to do. BUT he told me if my strep was negative I could go home earlier.

The doctor asked me if I want to be induced, after he asked me about my last deliveries. I told him about Azure's birth. I checked into the hospital at 12:30am, had her at 2:30am, when I checked in I was dilated 3cm and didn't push long. He seemed a little worried I might not make it to the hospital in time, we only live about 2 miles away so I think I'm safe. Last week he had a patient deliver in the ambulance. Truthfully I don't really want to be induced but I'm not totally against it either. Before I left he said I could deliver anytime and that he would see me next week if I'm still pregnant. I have my ultra sound Friday.
To make things clear- the baby was measuring close to what it should have been all along and then it slowed down and is now under what it should be, but the baby is still growing.

We are all getting ready and excited. Miles is nervous if I have the baby now it will be too small. Everyday when he leaves for work and throughout the day he tells me "no baby today" wait until next week at least.

Preschool

2009-10-28T22:14:00.001-07:00

Kenya started Preschool a few weeks ago. There are 5 kids all together, all the kids are in nursery together too. The mom's take a turn teaching at their home from 9:30am-11:30am every Wednesday with some field trips in between. It started in September and will end in June. When I was first asked to join I REALLY didn't want to. Since I babysit Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. If I had Kenya do preschool I would only have one FULL day to do whatever I want with my kids whenever I want to do it. Kenya wakes up close to 9am on most days and Azure normally wakes up after 9:30. I would have to rush Kenya and wake Azure up to take Kenya. I HATE waking up my kids, I want them to get the sleep they need. I knew Kenya would LOVE it, he is a social little guy. I tried it out one week and was added to the teaching schedule. Azure gets mad when we drop off Kenya, because she doesn't want to leave him. When I tell her it's time to get him she says "Nenya" "Nenya" all the way there.

First day of school....

Today was my turn to teach, we do a subject, number and letter. We did Halloween stuff, made Orange Flubber and handed out treats.

It was a little crazy, hopefully since it was my first time, taking potty breaks for Azure wasn't easy either. Azure wanted to be right with the

other kids or to be held which was hard at times. She climbed onto the table

a couple times and ate the pencil erasers if I didn't make it

to her in time to spit them out.

Kenya does love it, one of his favorite parts is helping pack his lunch and I will endure for him. It's really not that bad just another thing to add to our busy lives.

36 weeks

2009-10-27T20:31:00.003-07:00

I had my 36 week appointment today. I'm dilated 1 1/2 cm and thinning, baby's head is where it needs to be. I'm still measuring small. Doctor said it's not likely I will go past my due date, not that I really thought I would. The count down begins for sure, nesting like always. Made 78 Cloth diapers and about 50 cloth wipes. Just some organizing left and I will say I'm ready.

Summer time

2009-10-23T16:38:00.003-07:00

One of the BEST things about summer.... Washing cars as a family!

Pregnancy update

2009-10-19T07:38:00.007-07:00

Since I have not talked about my pregnancy basically at all this might be long. I am currently 35 weeks pregnant as the side counter shows. I feel great just like my other pregnancies, I really can't complain NO sickness, swelling or anything most other pregnant women deal with. I do have a varicose vain I got when I was pregnant with Azure on the back of my calf that bothers me every once in a while but I would rather deal with the occasional pain then wear support hose. I have felt the most tired this time then the last two but I'm sure that is probably due to having a lot more going on. I babysit for 2 different families (Monday and Tuesday I have a baby and Thursday I watch a 4 year old Girl and her little brother) I also have a house to take care of not a little apartment, possibly the biggest reason..... I have 2 kids of my own that never stop.

32 weeks

I still run at least 6 miles a week. I run some hills which causes pelvis pain (since about 6 months), which I didn't get until the very end of my other pregnancies . After mentioning it to my doctor-who happens to be very supportive of me running, said it's probably just from my uterus causing pressure. Even though it's not fun to deal with I still think running is good for the baby and me so I will continue.

I have an extra ultra sound scheduled for Nov. 6th to make sure the baby is getting enough fluid and to see the growth of the baby. The last couple of times I have gone in I have measured smaller then "normal". I have also not gained any weigh for about a month(I actually lost a couple pounds). Dr. Chen (my OB) is not worried that something is wrong but wants to take this extra step to make sure.

Worst case scenario is the baby is not getting the nutrition and fluid it needs. If that is happening they will watch me closer and possibly induce me 2 weeks early (he has already offered to induce me one week early if I want) Dr. Chen said the reason I am small is probably because I have small babies, IF I had 9 or 10 pound babies in the past then he would be worried. In Rexburg I didn't go to an OB, I went to a very laid back family doctor (who I miss at times) which is probably why I never did an extra ultra sound. Especially with Azure, my doctor commented on me being small with her but said since I was gaining weight he wasn't worried. The baby was about a week smaller then "normal" when I had my 1st ultra sound, Azure was about 2 weeks smaller so they changed my due date with her. This baby and Azure have not been up in my ribs like Kenya was so maybe they will be about the same size- I would love to have another little tiny. I for one am glad we will be able to peek at the baby again just a few weeks before I am due.

35 weeks
I REALLY don't like these kinds of pictures, most of the time it makes people look bigger- I did it to show my belly is big but looks like a big ball.

I can't tell if I am bigger this time then my other pregnancies. Some people tell me I look bigger, but most of the time people are still telling me how small I look. Either way I don't think it matters too much, whats more important is how you look after you have your baby.

UP UP and away

2009-10-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

When Adam and Ashley went to Oregon to visit in July they came to our house a couple of times. It was really hot, so we decided to go to a water park close by. It has a swimming pond for people to play in, a little splash park and also a playground. The kids and I went there a lot during the summer. Adam throws his kids HIGH in the air, we do occasionally but not as much or as high. Whenever we will be around Adam I start to prepare our kids by throwing them up and telling them Adam will probably throw them up. Adahleigh likes it and it's nothing new for her.
Azure didn't seem to mind much and went along with it. I tried to get Kenya to let Adam throw him too, but he didn't want anything to do with it. Everyone around us was amazed and watching close throw after throw.The sand is were Kenya likes to hang out most of the time. Little Charles was sleeping.

The rest of Azure's 1st B-day

2009-10-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

Now that Azure is 18 months old, I guess it's time to do the rest of her 1st birthday party.

We decided to let Azure take a little nap bef0re the fun began, so she wouldn't be grumpy. But this princess needs her sleep and wasn't wanting to wake up and play with everyone who came to see her- she was a grump for a while.

This was the cake I decided to make.

Azure's very own cupcakes

Starting to be a little happier

She didn't care much about presents, but she liked this cardFiguring out the Rody. This is a really fun bouncy toy, it's suppose to be a horse, you sit in the middle, hold onto the ears and bounce, I bought a rocker separately so Azure could play with it while she is little- it takes balance to bounce on it. After looking and looking at presents for Azure (really our kids have enough toys) I finally decided on this, even though it was a bit expensive.

Our little bug. Another present from us was her little outfit I made with the help of Miles (he is my project supporter) and Kenya (he held still better so I had him try things on so I could fix them) Wings, and a tutu, I also put the little cupcake on her shirt. Most little girls like to dress up as they get older, this is the start of the collection. NOW anytime I put on Azure's tutu she gets crazy, runs around and dances-which leads to Kenya asking for a turn.
My little helper, helping me make her tutu
Finally my happy baby, reading a new book with Papi and Kenya!

We had fun celebrating Azure's birthday. We are thankful for everyone who came to play, and see Azure. We had over 40 people come all but a few were family, it was crazy and crowed. Miles and I have since re-thought who we will have come over for birthdays. We love our family but we have lots and our house is not big enough to have so many adults and kids at one time in basically one room. We could tell it was too much for Azure too, she was looking around at everyone probably thinking why are all these people in my house.

GREAT DEAL, FREE

2009-09-14T10:20:00.004-07:00

I never wanted a nursing cover, I just like to snuggle my babies in a blanket but this is a good deal.

Go to uddercovers.com and type in CUTE for the promo code and you can get super cute nursing covers for FREE. They are normally $32.00 (you just pay $9.00 in shipping)

More Kenya quotes

2009-09-04T14:50:00.002-07:00

This little character will be 3 tomorrow. Time goes fast, I wish I could kept my babies (yes I still call them babies, and I probably will for a while. I just stopped calling my little brother and sister babies and they are 12 and 14) small forever or at least longer.

Kenya likes to do things that make us laugh and then he will do them over and over trying to get us to laugh every time. The above picture is a perfect example.

A couple quotes from him lately are....

Last night while watching the University and Oregon game vs. Boise State (Boise being blue) Kenya thought some of the players were really blue (his favorite color) since the field was blue and so were the uniforms.
A little later in the game Kenya said "mama those guys are black, they are just really black" (talking about some of the black players)

We were in the line at the store today, they had a computer that you can do a job application on. Kenya started to touch it. I asked him to stop and told him it wasn't a toy he looked at me and said "no mama it's fine, I'm just checking my email"

I have lots of summer blogging maybe I will do it more often or maybe not.

Azure

2009-08-20T15:20:00.002-07:00

Our little peanut just turned 17 months and is doing great potty training. I take her potty during the day probably every couple of hours, most of the time she will potty or at the very least push. She goes both pee and poop and looks forward to her treats- which are currently candy corn or cheese. Anytime she sees someone going potty she makes a potty sound pssst pssst, which is what we have used with her to get her to go. Azure of course tries playing with the toilet paper, she will grab the end of the roll and act like she is wiping but ends up pushing a bunch or toilet paper in the toilet instead.

I think she seems like she is more willing to go then Kenya did but that could also be because he was my first child and I know what works and what doesn't. She is on the right track and I hope to have her completely potty trained by the time the baby arrives- she will be 20 months old. Kenya was 21 months old and potty trained day and night. If she's not then I will back off a little to give her time to adjust. It seems like Kenya and Miles are able to get her to go potty just by being in the bathroom with her and telling her to go, I have to do a little more encouraging.

It's hard to believe

2009-08-11T15:00:00.003-07:00

that during winter we had to dress like this
to play outside
Miles could make a pile of snow this big with JUST the snow from our yard

Kenya could drink SOOOO much postum, he wanted that over chocolate milk
Miles and Kenya-mostly Miles could turn that huge pile of snow into a tunnel
The snow kept coming and covered our cars this much

up to Miles's elbow

that it got so cold and icy we could do this with our cars

Our ugly bushes did this (we have since pulled them out)
Azure had this little of hair (with her cousin Bryce-the best with babies, he loves them)

And Kenya had SO much hair

Our wagon would be so hard to pull Kenya couldn't get enough of it. We felt like we were back in Rexburg and that's not a good thing. This was the main reason I wanted to leave.... It was too cold.Our kids looked this small

When just a little while ago it was SO HOT, 106 being the hottest for us. The first year we moved to Washington we have had the most extreme winter and extreme summer. Last thing that is so hard to believe.......... fall is right around the corner

2009-08-04T17:48:00.002-07:00

Our kids LOVE LOVE LOVE cheese! Anytime they see it they want it. Sometimes I think Azure can sense that it's out of the fridge. If we get it out for a meal she almost always happens to look on the counter and sees it. She will say "cheese, cheese" until we give her some. Tillamook is my favorite kind, the kids love any type of Cheddar. If we have cheese in a meal like melted cheese sandwiches Azure will pull the cheese off, eat it and then eat her bread. Miles always says we will need a second mortgage to pay for all the cheese they eat. I wonder how much we could give them until they decide they have had enough, no matter how many slices they get they still ask for more.

The best part of Azure loving cheese is..........We use it as her potty treat and it works pretty well. If she goes potty on the toilet she gets some cheese. We tried candy but cheese works better. Of course Kenya thinks he needs cheese for going potty too.

1st of Azure's birthday

2009-08-02T17:16:00.002-07:00

Azure turned 1 on March 14, 2009. Miles was in the middle of his football season down in Salem, so we had to put off her birthday party for a couple of weeks. A tradition we started with Kenya was giving them a ice cream sundae on their birthday if they had to wait for their party.

Azure liked the taste of her ice cream but didn't like the cold.

She was done after freezing her hands.

Finished off with some Red vines

Water babies

2009-07-28T08:55:00.003-07:00

We love to take the kids out to play in the water...

Azure 16 months, Klineline Pond in Washington. Look close she has her mouth open and is smiling BIG but she didn't have any water in her mouth.
Kenya 9 months, Rigby Lake in Idaho

Karli's new look

2009-07-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

Karli had wanted her ears pierced for a while. She likes to play the "Erin how old where you when?......" game to see if she has the right to get something yet, most of the time I don't tell her. I know I had to wait longer to get my ears pierced by at least a couple of years. Karli's birthday is in December and she was trying to talk my mom into getting her ears pierced. I had already asked my mom if she would let me take Karli. I told Karli I would take her without our mom knowing (of course she knew). Karli said she would only go if my mom didn't let her go on her birthday. I'm glad I didn't take her alone, she was pretty freaked out and nervous before she got it done, I thought she would chicken out of sure especially without my mom holding her hand. While we were visiting for Christmas we took Karli out.

Karli right before she got her ears pierced.

I wanted to take her to a tattoo shop, like I have said before they do this a lot and know how to do it well. It was only $10 to pierce Azure's ears in Idaho when she was a baby, the cheapest I found in Salem was $25. First ear: he made marks on Karli's ears, then he lined up a cork screw in the back and pushed a VERY sharp needle through to make the hole, and finished by putting in the ear ring. We were telling Karli to breath during the process she was not loving it and doesn't do well with pain.

Some close up shots
Happy to be done, afraid to have to change her shirt because her ears hurts. That's what she gets for trying to tell Miles I am a wimp.

How to give your neighbor a heart attack

2009-07-21T07:31:00.001-07:00

Azure LOVES to climb EVERYTHING!!! One day back in May I was sitting at the desk Azure was behind me playing, I turned around to check on her and this is what I saw.
Just as I was getting to the window to have her get down a neighbor that lived across the street and down a few houses was walking up to the window to make sure she was OK and not going to fall. I don't encourage my kids to risk their lives but I wasn't too worried about her knocking the screen out and falling. We were on the 1st floor and she doesn't weigh that much, plus I know she had just climbed up.

Our little Monkey

2009-07-20T13:27:00.001-07:00

Kenya loves to hang on things and has ever since he was a very small baby. If he can hang and swing he enjoys it even more. Azure swings/hangs from things as well, she tries everything out that she sees Kenya do.

Mowing the grass

2009-07-20T09:12:00.002-07:00

Miles does a great job keeping our yard looking great. Most of the time he comes home from work on Monday's and cuts then edges the grass. Kenya doesn't like loud sounds and most of the time he asks to stay inside until Miles is done. Sometimes we are able to talk him into wearing ear muffs so he will/can play outside.

IT'S A.........

2009-07-19T22:30:00.000-07:00

(I typed this up a few days ago and it didn't save so I had to start over.)

BABY GIRL!!!!! I had my hour long ultrasound on Monday the 13th and everything looks GREAT. I hoped I would get a 3D ultra sound, but the doctor told me they only do them with people who have problems with their pregnancies. I was instructed to drink 32 ounces of water and have a full bladder an hour before I went in. I had gone running a few hours before my appointment and ended up drinking about 53 ounces of water. Miles came home early to go to the appointment with us, I was VERY glad he was there to help with the kids. I knew having a full bladder of water would probably be painful and uncomfortable and it was. I asked to use the restroom as soon as I checked in but they told me I had to wait. I tried walking around to ease the discomfort, sitting made it worse. Miles kept telling me to just go potty and I almost did. The sonogram technician told me I could empty my bladder after she took a quick look, I was more than happy.

Following is all our baby shots we got.

#1 Face #2 Bladder

#3 Between the legs #4 Bladder

#5 foot #6 Profile
#7 profile #8 feet

#9 Between the legs

Right before I was done with my ultra sound the technician asked if I wanted to see or know anything else. I asked her if she would look between the legs again, she looked about 3 more times and got this really good shot. Below are the "three lines" or the labia that people talk about in ultra sounds when it's a girl. The technician said it really looked like a girl to her but of course they will never say "it's 100%" When you look at this picture imagine the baby is sitting on a chair and your looking up from below.

I was again hoping for multiples at least twins or more, I guess I will have to keep hoping for them. Unless this little baby ends up being a boy we were wrong in our guessing. Miles was right with the sex of Kenya and Azure so I assumed he would be again. I asked him about guessing a boy from my moods and my size and he told me it's hard to tell with moods. When I was pregnant with Azure we were packing to move out of Rexburg, buying a house, getting ready for graduation and everything else that was going on. For my size he said he forgets I am already 5 months along. I know for me it doesn't seem like I am as far as I am because we kept it a secret. Five months and on is when my babies decide to show themselves.

The following are when I was about 20 weeks with each of my babies.

Kenya
Azure (I had broken my right wrist a couple of weeks before playing football)

Baby #3

I never care what sex the baby is, I'm just happy to have another baby. Miles of course would love to have more boys but he is happy getting another little princess that can be wrapped around his finger. We hope Kenya will have a brother sometime soon. Kenya understands this time a little of whats going on, we have been talking about things and I have shown him pictures. Here are a few things from Kenya: I had told him that when the baby got bigger he could feel it kick, once my tummy started to get bigger he said "mama your tummy is big, now I can kick the baby". I had to explain it to him again so now he will say "mama the baby is big, now I can feel it kick". A couple of weeks ago he pointed to my belly button and said the baby will come out of there, I'm not sure how I will explain that to him. I'm fine telling him the truth, I just don't want him to talk to people about it. I am sure he would say to someone he doesn't even know something like my mami has a baby in her tummy and it's going to come out of...... you get the point. We do have a few names picked out but as always they will be kept secret until the baby is born. When we ask Kenya what we should name the baby he says "Charles" which is the name of Adam and Ashley's little guy.

Side note:Our little angel is doing really well with her potty training, she is now 16 months. She has gone poop a few times and goes potty often. If we ask her is she needs to go potty she runs into the bathroom and puts her potty seat on the toilet. She will push as soon as we put her on.

4th of July

2009-07-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

We started our morning off swimming in Salem at Grandma Dawn's. Next we went out to Turner and hung out with my family, Adam and Ashley are visiting for the month and it was fun to hang out with them. Late afternoon we went up to Portland for my great aunt Hilda's (my dad's aunt) 89th birthday party (pictures to come later) She was a hoot, dressed in a flag dress and ready to Party. Kenya asked her to dance and she got soooo excited, hoped right up and danced with him. She had SO much energy and you could tell she was happy to be alive. We have enjoyed visiting her since we moved back, the last time we went she was working in her garden and let Kenya pick some yummy peas for us.

We ended the evening buying some fire works and watching them at home.
When Kenya was a baby he LOVED the fire works, the last two years he has HATED them.
We started by sitting in the back of the van hoping he would enjoy them. This is how it started....... covering his head with his blanket and crying telling us he didn't want to do fireworks. People that live around us started doing fireworks a few days before and Kenya let us know he didn't enjoy the loud sounds.
Next we got him to wear some ear covers to try to get him to at least look. He uncovered his head but was still crying and wanted us to shut the back of the van. We bought small fireworks so our kids wouldn't be scared but our neighbors had loud ones that went up in the air which scared Kenya the most. Kenya and I sat in the back of the van with the door shut, and his ears covered. I told him he had to at least watch the fireworks, and he was fine as long as I was holding him and the door was shut.

Azure loved every second of fireworks and stayed outside the van with Miles. She has no fear.... at least not yet. We saved some sparklers for Kenya to see if we could talk him into doing them the next day.

After lots of talking we finally got Kenya to do some sparklers. He was ok with them because "they were the quiet ones." He didn't want to hold them alone, every time Miles let go he would scream.

Fan

2009-07-09T15:42:00.005-07:00

In May I talked Miles into buying us a ceiling fan and putting it up in our room. This was a BIG step since Miles is not really a Mr. Fix-it. When we first moved I actually thought renting the rest of our lives might be a better idea, to save Miles the stress of everything our managers were responsible for that now we had to do.

Most of the time I am the one who fixes things or is taking something apart to see if I can fix it or make it better. If Miles doesn't have time to fix something or put something together I don't make "honey do lists" I just do it myself. I am more stubborn and less willing to give up until it is complete. It took a couple of hours and me reading the directions over and over again to Miles to make sure we were doing it right. I must say I am glad I didn't have to do this project. A couple of times Miles got frustrated so I climbed up on the ladder and worked-which wasn't too easy. We have AC which we are very thankful for (It was one of the tops things our house had to have or we wouldn't of bought it). But our room is big and has vaulted ceilings so the air doesn't move around too well. It was probably the hottest/ most stuffy room before we bought the fan.

BEFORE

AFTERI love it! I prefer to have the window open and fan on, Miles doesn't always like it but it beats being too hot. I made a comment to Miles while he was working that I hoped he was doing it right so the fan wouldn't fall off and hit us. For a couple of days after the fan was up Kenya would say something along the lines of.... I don't want the fan to fall off and get us.

Fishing

2009-07-08T16:50:00.006-07:00

We bought Kenya his very own fishing pool over the weekend. It was just like Miles's, Kenya was so excited!
On Monday we all went out to a pond so Kenya could practice casting his pool. Miles took Kenya fishing last night again, and this is what they came home with.He couldn't wait to show me. Look close, he is holding the fish through it's mouth. He kept giggling so it was hard to take a picture. Azure was amazed and just stared at the fish. Kenya and Azure both wanted to stand on a chair and watch Miles clean it.

SURPRISE

2009-07-07T15:01:00.000-07:00

We have a little secret that I have finally decided to let our family share.....

I am pregnant with our 3rd baby. I am 5 months or 20 weeks however you would like to count.

We are expecting our new little bambino on November 25th, 2009 (1 day before Thanksgiving). Possibly sooner if this pregnancy and delivery go along as great as my last two. We are very excited to have another baby join our family. Azure and the baby will be 20 months apart, Kenya and the baby will be a little over 3 years. I feel GREAT as usual. Not a single day of morning sickness for the 3rd time (I think it's safe it say I won't ever get it, thanks to my mom) . I still run between 6-9 miles a week, most of the time pushing the kids in the jogger.

I'm sure lots of you are wondering why the heck I waited so long to tell anyone. I have known since I was about 3 weeks along. I kept telling Miles and I don't think he fully believed me until he told me to take a pregnancy test and it was positive. I was 7 weeks when I took the test and he told me "I doubt your that far along." My signs were my temps being high (I chart my cycles) being a little more tired then usual, and waking up at night to go potty.

The reason I waited is I wanted to see how long it would take for someone to look at me and ask if I was pregnant, people always tell me I'm small when I'm pregnant, so I wanted to test it. I know I will probably never get away with this again.

We went to Salem on the weekend for the 4th and I decided to let Kenya be the messenger, the kids have know for a long time. Nobody had asked me up to that point but I was starting to think it would happen any time and I felt guilty knowing someone would find out before my mom (who is always the first person we tell when I'm about 6 weeks) We went to visit my mom at work and told Kenya to tell her our secret so he said "mami has a baby in her tummy." When he told Adam and Ashley, Adam said does he always say that, Miles laughed and said no, only when she does.

Miles kept telling me people knew and he would be surprised if someone didn't ask. Even now that we have told our close family, some are saying "we knew" or "it's not a surprise" All I will say is if my own mother didn't think I looked pregnant enough to ask then I have high doubts that anyone else can say I did, or they knew for sure.

Oliver asked me a few times if I was pregnant but I avoided answering. Since he was asking on the basis of knowing I want lots of kids, and that I like to have them close together, not from seeing me, so it didn't count.

I am seeing an OB this time around. The doctor and hospital are only about 2 miles away from our house which is great. I decided not to go to the doctor until I was 15 weeks along. Since this is my 3rd time and most of the time I feel like it's a waste of time to get weighed, get blood pressure taken and pee in a cup.

Before deciding to go with the doctor my tops questions were. 1. Will they induce 2. How long will they make me stay in the hospital after I deliver. I would love to do a water birth but as of now I refuse to use a midwife- I don't like the fact that they have to step aside if something goes wrong. Even though my deliverers are super quick and easy it's not something I want to have to worry about.

We find out next Monday the 13th what the sex will be, if the baby allows it. We are thinking BOY. I am more mellow and nice when I am pregnant with boys, I also don't have as much energy and I get a little bigger with boys then girls (of course this is comparing when I was pregnant with Kenya to Azure) Soon enough we will know for sure.

I really am trying to talk Miles into cloth diapers AGAIN, I tried the last 2 times but Miles won. If possible I want to do it the real old fashion way- making the diapers and everything. I know some people buy cloth diapers and use them, if you have experience with it please let me know.

Michael Jackson

2009-06-30T22:06:00.004-07:00

Miles came home from work today and this is what he said

Miles: "did you hear what they are going to do with Michael Jackson's body?"

Me:"What" ( Thinking Miles was being serious)

Miles" Melt down the plastic into toys, so little boys can play with him"

Someone at work told Miles this joke...

Cinco de Mayo

2009-06-19T18:44:00.006-07:00

This is how we celebrated Cinco de Mayo, and the kids loved it!!!

Con: We taught Azure how to swing/ hit with a stick. The stick is from our easel board and is easy to take off. I have to watch Azure close to make sure she is not swinging it at someone or something. Kenya uses it for a bat in the house every chance he gets.

Papa Bob's visit

2009-06-19T18:17:00.003-07:00

Back in January Miles's dad came up to Washington to visit us. We gave him Blazer tickets for Christmas and he invited Miles to go along with him. While he was here he played LOTS and LOTS of basket ball with Kenya, who is also up for playing basket ball. Kenya also learned some new phrases like, BAM DUNK, SWISH and BANK SHOT. Recently Azure loves playing basketball too, Kenya and her play basket ball often during the day.

2009-06-10T12:09:00.002-07:00

I pulled the swimming pool out of the garage yesterday and blew it up. The kids had a blast playing inside with it all day with blankets, pillows and books or whatever else they wanted. Azure liked to climb in and out of it and Kenya just thought it was so cool, especially since it was blue his favorite color.When I put it in Kenya's room and told him he could sleep in it he had the BIGGEST GRIN on his face.