In Review

Most of the pictures I post on here were taken with my phone. Since my phone automatically uploads all movies and pictures to Google+, that's where I often go to find blog inspiration. 

I was perusing my files yesterday, looking for something post-worthy, when I found a little gift from the folks at Google+. It's a year in review, made up of the footage I've uploaded.. Some of these pictures have been on the blog before, some are new. When I saw it I thought, "That's perfect for my last post of the year!" And yes, it made me a little weepy. Sadly, it does not include pictures of Sophie, but you can scroll to any of the other posts since her birth and look at those pictures and imagine that she's part of the movie.

Happy New Year!

Gifts

The children have spent the last few days engrossed in their Christmas goodies.

Peter has split his time between his Lego book, his new almanac, and The Dangerous Book for Boys. Cooper has been engrossed with his new Batcave, his Darth Tater set (which Bryan found on clearance for $5, because he has skills), and his new doctor kit. Consequently, I overheard Phoebe today as she used the stethoscope, "Wow, my heart is really healthy!" Phoebe, in what is not a surprising move, can't decide which she likes more, her princess storybook, her princess castle, or her new princess costume. (Both of the latter were also found on clearance; did you know that Costco does clearance very well?)

I'm thrilled that they love their new toys so much. I'm even more thrilled that some of those toys are books. The best part? I've been able to spend less time playing referee and more time with my favorite Christmas present:

Without a Title

In naming the first three children, we had quite a bit of debate. We would go back and forth suggesting names we liked, vetoing names we didn't. But when they were born and the doctor held them up for the first time and asked if we had a name, we always did.

Not this time.

If we had gone with the most recent name we had been discussing (which is what we did with Cooper), her name would have been Autumn. But when the doctor asked, we looked at each other and knew that Autumn did not feel right.

So she was known as baby girl. We called and texted family and friends to give the exciting information: "My water broke on its own, then they had to give me pitocin which really got labor going, then an epidural, but the epidural didn't have time to take full effect before she was ready to come! She's our biggest baby at 8 pounds 10 ounces and 20.5 inches long and has a head full of dark hair. Oh, her name? We don't know that yet, but we'll tell you when we do!"

Each nurse that came on duty would ask her name and I would have to say I didn't know. The woman that filled out the complimentary birth certificate worthy of framing kept coming to our room and asking if we had picked something. Each time I sent her away empty handed.

Why the delay?

We had a short list of names that were in the running. My favorite name on the list ended up having kind of a weird meaning and was dropped from consideration. That left a few names that Bryan had suggested. I kept trying them out when I would talk to her and only one name felt right.

And here's where the problem comes. The one name that felt right was the name that I really didn't care for. How could that be? I couldn't give a child a name that I didn't completely love, could I? And the name was popular, which went against my naming policy. It did have a great meaning, but still, I must not be listening correctly for this inspiration.

Except I was pretty sure I was.

So Bryan and I talked and we prayed and kept trying the name. And when he and the kids came to take us home from the hospital, we introduced them to their baby sister, Sophie.

She has a middle name too, but of course I never put middle or last names on the blog. Just know that her full name looks really nice written out, it has a sort of visual balance to it. And look at all four kids' names next to each other: Peter, Cooper, Phoebe, Sophie. They look like they fit, you know?

No, it's not my favorite name, but it's her name. I needed to move myself out of the way to see that. And I sure love this little girl, no matter what her name is.

Christmas Comes This Time Each Year

We had an excellent Christmas with almost no pictures to prove it. The gift opening didn't begin until 9 AM, which was pretty great, though the kids might not agree. The children spent most of the day playing with new toys and reading new books. In fact, the draw of the stuff was so strong that they took it up again this morning and chose to forgo meals in favor of playing. Thank you to both sets of grandparents, great-grandma, and aunts and uncles for their part in making Christmas so fun.

At the top of the stairs, waiting to come down and open presents.

Speaking of meals, Bryan flew solo for most of the food prep this year. I was otherwise occupied taking care of our smallest family member. Christmas dinner was delicious.

Our lovely Christmas dinner.

The only item that I was really responsible for was the pumpkin pie. As I was opening the pumpkin pie spice to add it to the batter, the bottle slipped from my hand, flipped through the air, and landed on its side in the bowl of already measured ingredients. I have no idea how much went in. I had a moment of shock, then dismay, then the realization that there wasn't much I could do other than throw it out or keep going.

I kept going.

It's the best pie I've ever made.

The big news to come out of Christmas dinner (and the whole day) is that while he was chewing, Cooper lost his first tooth.

Cooper, sans tooth.

Bryan discovered it as Cooper was talking. What did we fail to find? The tooth. We think he swallowed it. Also, Bryan told Cooper that he was pretty sure the Tooth Fairy doesn't work during Christmas break. With no tooth to go under a pillow and a delay for the break, I hope the Tooth Fairy remembers to come.

This is what she did while we opened presents, and ate dinner, and even while I took a Christmas nap. It was lovely.

Christmas Christmas

Peter wrote the lyrics to a Christmas song and asked me to write the music. I asked if I could share it on the blog as a poem. He said yes.

Christmas Christmas

Christmas Christmas
It's the time of year to show our kindness, peace, and cheer to everyone
We celebrate this Holy day by Jesus' birth.
Christmas Christmas
Kindness, love, and cheer.
To show our love this Holy day.
Christmas Christmas
We show our gratitude for the Holy day Jesus Christ was born.
Christmas Christmas
Kindness, love, and cheer
To show our love this Holy day.

Nothing says kindness, love, and cheer like a picture of this sweet girl.

Merry Christmas!

One on One Time

Guess Who Decided to Join Us

Hey Guys, I Know Kung Fu

We experienced our first kung fu testing and advancement ceremony this week. We thought it would last the duration of their regular one hour class. We were wrong. It took almost three and a half hours. Three classes were tested together, no doubt to inspire the newbies to keep going so they could someday achieve the awesomeness of those testing for their black belts. Lots of "ooohs" and "aaahs" followed the more advanced moves. My favorite was when they were testing with equipment and I heard Peter yell out from his position on the sidelines, "Nun chucks!?!"

It sounds kind of mean, but if I had known it was going to go so long (an hour and a half past bedtime), I would have sent Bryan and the boys without us. I am glad I got to see them show what they've learned, but man, that thing was loooooong. Thank goodness I had food stored in my bag. Phoebe and I shared an apple and what was left of a bag of goldfish crackers.

Here Peter and Cooper are being presented with their new white and yellow belts, a step-up from the white belts they previously wore.

Now they're turning and showing their certificates saying they passed that first level. Also, the whole room applauded for them. The teacher called kids up in familial groupings, probably to both save time and provide good photo ops for the parents.

Here's the whole group that tested and advanced and their teachers. This is why we sat on folding chairs for three hours.

A handful of moms came over and said they were so surprised to see me there and how they thought I'd have been home with a new baby. One told me that she kept thinking about me on my due date, hoping I was well. The sweet feeling of camaraderie among the kids and the moms is my favorite part of this kung fu adventure. It's also good that someone else gets to hand out discipline for an hour twice a week.

Tiny Dancer

This week Phoebe's dance class held a parent observation day and had a little holiday party. They also performed a short Christmas dance. I'm pretty sure it was the first time they had all done the routine together. The kids got to choose where they stood and were invited to wear costumes. Rumor has it that they'll start learning more actual dance steps in the new year.

Bonus Level

I'm four for four now folks. Another due date has come and gone without the arrival of a baby.

The good news is that I was able to attend both Phoebe's parent observation day in her dance class and the boys' first kung fu belt promotion. I wouldn't have been able to go to either if the baby had already been born. The not so good news is that I'm still pregnant.

I do like the kids to come when they're ready, but I will admit, this is the most uncomfortable I have ever been during pregnancy. And that might be a bit of an understatement. Walking and rolling over in bed are both quite painful, as is changing position from sitting to standing and vice versa. I have officially started to waddle. I'm pleased that I put it off as long as I did, but I couldn't escape it forever.

What's funny is, if my due date wasn't changed, I would still technically have a few weeks to go. And there's a chance that the first due date was the right one. I keep reminding myself of that to try to keep me patient.

Here's to my bonus (or maybe not) week of pregnancy!

Every Day a Princess

I've written a few times about Phoebe's intense love of all things Princess. It hasn't diminished. She still spends time each day in a princess dress, or a crown, as this picture illustrates. Every book that she picks from the library either has to be about princesses or ballerinas. Again, see the picture.

The week of Thanksgiving we took the kids to see Frozen. We all loved it and I cried more than once. This movie has not one, but two Disney princesses. It also shifts focus from romantic love to familial love, something that I appreciated, though there is still an aspect of romance. The music is fantastic, we've been singing it since we saw it. I recommend it if you haven't seen it, though it does have a few scenes that might be too scary for tiny kids (there's a giant ice monster and some sadness in the beginning).

I think the combination of that movie and the princess audio books Phoebe has been getting from the library led to a new question.

Phoebe: Mom, what's true love?

Me: (trying to figure out how to accurately answer that question in a concise and age-appropriate manner for a three-year-old) It's when you really like someone and want to be with them all the time and don't just think they're handsome or pretty.

Phoebe: Oh. Does Daddy have true love for you?

Me: Yes.

Phoebe: And do you have true love for Daddy?

Me: Yes. And when it's true love you want to do kind things for them and they make you want to be the best person you can be. If you're mean and grumpy when you're with someone, that's not true love. True love makes you want to be good and kind.

She seemed satiated by my answer. I didn't expect to have to define that concept quite so early for her.

One other side effect of the princess stuff? Think back on all the princess stories you know. How many of them have both parents still living? Most of her games now start with, "Let's pretend our parents died. You're our aunt and we live with you."

I don't love that game.

Can't Catch Me

Cooper gets a homework assignment each week. Sometimes the work is solitary, sometimes it requires group participation. Last week our whole family was asked to decorate a paper gingerbread man. I could have taken charge and dictated what it would look like, handing out tasks to each of the children.

But I didn't.

Cooper and Peter had equal say (though Peter really wanted to call the shots) and Phoebe's biggest job was practicing with her safety scissors nearby. I mostly supervised and then drew the face. Sadly, Bryan was at work and didn't get to join in the fun.

Peter designed the pants (are they a form of lederhosen?) and mittens, Cooper got really excited about the buttons, the hair, and the trim. I'm just glad we got it done.

I do wonder, what is the point of a family assignment? Are they concerned that we aren't spending time together so they're creating family togetherness? Maybe they want the quality of the work to improve? Or are they just running out of things for a Kindergartner to do on their own?

True Blue

We don't follow sports, but we really love BYU. This made me smile, and maybe a little misty-eyed.

Fog Lights

Did you know that fog can freeze? And that when it does it leaves an even sheet of ice on everything?

We had our first school cancellation due to inclement weather yesterday. I thought it would come from snow, but no, it came from freezing fog. Bryan went into work a few hours late to give the roads a chance to thaw, and even then he said there were a few hills that he almost wan't able to climb.

I had originally planned yesterday as a major grocery shopping trip, one where I would restock our pantry so it would be all ready for a new baby and a mom that probably won't be cooking much for a while. When school was cancelled, I changed my plans. Cooper was kind of sad and assured me that they would be really good if I took them all to the store. I didn't exactly laugh and say, "Yeah, right" though my response may have been along those lines. Mostly I didn't want to drive on the ice skating rink the roads had become, but I also didn't want to wrangle all three kids and my giant belly through the grocery store.

Instead we spent most of the day in pajamas (or comfy pants) and played Old Maid, read books, and watched movies. I did insist that some cleaning and homework take place, but we mostly relaxed. And while it would have been nice to fill up the pantry shelves, I really liked not having to fight with anyone to get dressed or eat breakfast or wear a coat.

Comfort Over Beauty

I reached 39 weeks a few days ago and thought it was time for another picture. 

Do you know what else it was time for? Comfy pants. I've gone almost this entire pregnancy without a pair of comfy pants. That's unthinkable. On Monday I paid a visit to Target and rectified that. I might live in these pants for the next few weeks, depending on when our girl decides she's ready to join us.

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

I've been checking off more items on my stuff-to-be-done-before-the-baby-arrives list. This past weekend I wrapped all the Christmas presents. I woke up the next morning to the sound of tissue paper being ruffled. I pulled myself out of bed and hobbled to the loft where Bryan had moved all the gifts. Phoebe was sitting in front of them, watching. I told her not to open anything.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because we want them to be surprises," I said.

"Okay," she responded, "I'll only look in the boys' bags."

Thankfully, nothing has been opened, though upon seeing everything wrapped all the kids asked if it was Christmas morning. Except we still have more than two weeks to go.

Is this what it feels like to be organized?

Bundled Up

The kids have been mourning the fact that it's snowing in Utah and not here. They all miss the frozen white stuff. On Friday morning they got their wish. We woke up to a Winter wonderland. At least, we woke up to snow. There was just enough everywhere to make driving slick, but not much more than that. And we learned that they don't plow the roads here. I'm glad that I have so much driving-in-snow experience, otherwise I might have called an unofficial snow day for the boys.

School was not canceled, however. And though the snow wasn't deep, it sure was cold. I guess I felt the difference between arid cold and humid cold. The boys wore their snow boots and heavy coats to school. At pickup time I saw one of the older classes out playing in the snow. Several of the kids were in sweatshirts and shorts. I got cold just looking at them. When the boys got home in the afternoon I sat in my house, wrapped in a blanket, and watched the kids play in the snow in the backyard.

Now I truly appreciate the beauty of the fully-fenced backyard.

Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod

On Wednesday I moved Peter's bed into the playroom. He was thrilled when I asked if he'd like to have his own room. Cooper, on the other hand, was less excited about the idea. He didn't want to be alone. But about thirty seconds after his initial dejection, he perked up and I heard him say to himself as he looked around his newly empty room, "But now I have all this room to run!"

Bedtime came and I separated the kids into their own rooms. Phoebe was the first one asleep, which is how it usually happens. Peter snuck into Cooper's room at one point with the tempting offer of coming and jumping on his bed. Peter is good at suggesting activities that will get someone else in trouble. Cooper made the right choice and just came and told me about it rather than participating in the mayhem himself.

Amazingly, Cooper joined the world of slumber shortly after Phoebe. I was feeling pretty good about this move. Now I just had to wait for Peter to finally succumb to sleep.

I am so naive.

Every time I thought Peter was finally asleep he would wander out of his room with a question or a concern. I finally went downstairs because I was starving and almost dropped the dinner dishes I had been clearing from the table when he startled me from the stairs. It was 10:30 at this point. I'm afraid I was not particularly nice or patient anymore and told him (repeatedly) to go back upstairs and go to sleep. He kept saying no. It wasn't a pretty scene.

Apparently the new freedom brought with it new fears. While I was on the same floor, he could stay in bed. Otherwise, he was too afraid of his closet, his room, I-don't-know-what-else. He asked if he could go back and sleep on the floor of Cooper's room because he was lonely and afraid. A talk with Bryan calmed Peter to the point that we thought he would be able to sleep and he finally stayed in his bed.

When I checked on him at 11:50 (desperate for sleep of my own at this point) he was awake, reading. I'm really not sure what time he went to sleep.

Phoebe woke me up at 6:20 yesterday morning because she had to go to the bathroom, something that didn't require my assistance. In case you're wondering, that's not enough sleep for me. The morning... was rough. And until about 1:30 in the afternoon yesterday, I wandered around in a sleep-deprived haze. I finally plunked Phoebe down on my bed, put Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on my laptop, and fell asleep holding her hand.

I must say, I was a much nicer mom in the afternoon and evening than I had been in the morning.

I am happy to report that last night Peter was asleep by 10:30, a full two hours earlier than the night before. He still wanted to move back into the old room, but he seemed more accepting when I said no.

Maybe tonight he'll shave another two hours off his bedtime. Not likely, but it would be lovely.

Like an Elephant, He Never Forgets

Packages often arrive at our house. Bryan is a big fan of online shopping and I'm not always aware that purchases have been made until a brown box shows up on our doorstep. At this time of year we've also been getting packages courtesy of the grandparents, so we're used to hearing a knock, then opening to a cardboard cube.

Since I rarely know what's in the boxes, I can usually say in all honesty, "I don't know," when the kids ask about the contents. When I do know and it's a surprise I just say that I'm not going to tell them. When it's not a surprise I share whatever knowledge I have.

Yesterday two packages arrived. I knew I wasn't supposed to open the first. The second was a complete mystery. Phoebe and Peter crowded behind me as I stepped onto the chilly porch to retrieve it. Peter's first question was, "What is it?" I told him I didn't know. Then he asked, "Is it a Christmas present?" Again, I didn't know.

At that point he turned back to walk into the house and said nonchalantly over his shoulder, "Oh I know, it must be my laminator."

Pros and Cons

Thanks to those that responded to my sleep question yesterday.

One benefit to your children staying up three hours past their bedtime is that they'll be exhausted the next night and fall asleep relatively quickly.

One downside is that you might get a call from the school principal letting you know that your kindergartner decided to add his own artistic flair to the exterior of the school by way of a crayon smuggled out in his pocket during recess.

We're in the process of deciding who we'll move to the other room.

Another Post About Sleep

Why is sleep so elusive?

We're almost to the point of separating the boys into their own rooms. I really don't want to give up the playroom. And more than that, I don't want them to get used to having their own rooms. For some reason I think going off to college and having a companion on their missions will be easier if they've had to share a room.

But we're at our wits end. Every night we send Cooper to bed while Peter sits and reads in the other room. This was a fine solution for a while. Cooper would nod off while Peter got in his reading for the day. Lately, however, Cooper won't go to sleep. He stays up two and three hours past his bedtime, all while Peter keeps asking if he can go to sleep yet. No one is sleeping enough and it's showing in daytime behavior.

Also, Bryan and I have discovered that we really need that quiet time at night. Our kids are constantly talking and moving, so by bedtime we're beat. I feel kind of guilty that we need time away from them, but watching the occasional movie on the couch or talking after they go to sleep are the only dates we get. And dates are important, aren't they?

Last night we told them that they would go to sleep in the same room, just at their slightly staggered bedtimes. Bryan talked about how we would need to be better at bedtime by the time Baby Sister arrived. He had the boys come up with their own consequences for when they got out of bed or started goofing off. We had high hopes.

It didn't work.

We reached the point when all of the consequences had been doled out, some repeatedly. Nothing. The boys were still not sleeping. Bryan finally had Cooper go to sleep in the playroom. At 10:30 both boys were asleep. For the record, Cooper's bedtime is 7:00 and Peter's is 7:30.

And so, unless we can find a miracle cure, I'm afraid the boys will be getting their own rooms soon. At least then if one of them stays awake, they won't have the other one a few feet away to bother.

Thanks goodness Phoebe sleeps at night.

Do any of you have any magical sleep suggestions? Short of drugging them?

Squishy

I've reached that stage of pregnancy where my feet and ankles swell to epic proportions. It happens every time and yet I'm always surprised. I've completely given up wearing anything other than slip-on shoes, though this might have more to do with my mid-section than my feet.

Over the Thanksgiving break I picked up a cold. My timing was perfect because Bryan decided to take that time off from work, so I actually got to recuperate by sleeping and staying in bed until noon on Friday. It felt like a real break, which I think we all needed. I'm still not well, but at least I'm well rested.

It was thanks to this extra sleep that I discovered the trick to getting rid of my swollen ankles. All I need to do is sleep for ten consecutive hours and my feet and ankles return to their normal size. If only I could figure out how to accomplish this every night...