Family Photos

We had Shauna Eskelsen do our pictures this year.  It was nice going with a professional again and I'm so thrilled with how they turned out.  We went to her parents house in Hooper by their barn.  Wyatt was the only one not cooperating very well and kept throwing fits.  The twins were a little hard just wanting to be on the move.  I'm so glad we got them done and they turned out so well.  It makes me smile when I look at them.  Life has been so hectic and interesting the past year but looking at these photos make me realize it's been so hard but it's worth it and made us stronger as a couple and family.  We've relied so much on each other and every person has had to make sacrifices and pitch in for us to survive.

Sawyer photo session

I took some photos with this black romper of Oaklee when she was about 3.  I knew it would be getting small on Sawyer so I knew I had to take advantage and get some pictures with Sawyer.  I took her over by the mailbox and snapped some cute shots.  She was more awkward to photograph than Oaklee is.  It was so funny trying to get her to do some poses.

Sawyer Birthday

We had a few celebrations for her birthday.  We went to Lagoon to celebrate as she's been so into pumpkins this year.  We also celebrated up at Amanda's over UEA.  We took her to Build A Bear and she chose to make a Lalaloopsy.  We went to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and then went to do some presents at Amanda's after and had cookie ice cream sandwiches.  When we got back the next week we did a party at our house.  She wanted pumpkin theme again so we did Halloween activities.  We played Halloween bingo and made carmel apples.  It was an easier party although we had issues with the apples.  It was such a fun month doing Halloween activities and celebrating her all month long.  She's such a fun little girl and so loveable.  She's pretty content and easy.  But, if she's throwing a fit or crying, don't yell at her.  We have to calm her down and talk on her level.  We can't even ignore the situation or her.  She's got the sweetest voice and just so cute and loves to cuddle.  I'm going to miss every girl thing about having a little girl.  They've been such fun times with these girls.  I don't have any pictures uploaded to my computer yet...oops.  When I do, I'll add some up.

Sawyer is 3

Sawyer turned 3!  She went to the Dr this past week and wasn't to fond of it.  She's such a tiny thing it seems but she's only 4 1/2 lbs smaller than Oaks.  It's interesting to see them grow quite similar to each other.  Sawyer potty trained in September and literally was great by day 4.

Weight: 27.4-15%
Height:34.2 inces-3%

Her answers:
~Favorite food:Quesidillas
~Favorite fruit:oranges
~Favorite veggie-corn
~Favorite color:orange
~Favorite character:ponies
~Favorite toy:little doll sets
~Favorite movie-Sofia
~Favorite show- Sofia
~What do you want to be when you grow up? Pumpkin...I won't scare anybody
~What do you like to sleep with? Troll & Blankie
~Favorite drink: juice
~Favorite breakfast:Cereal
~Best Friend: Kota

*Loves her blankie
*Off a binkie
*Will not sleep in her bed since June after our vacation to Amanda's...we try to put her in her bed but she'll only last a few hours and come into our bed.  So, we're trying to get her to sleep on the floor of our room and then go back to trying in her own bed.  We've been more lax about it because we feel it's her alone time with us and the attention she needs
*Loves playing with toys (barbies, ponies, princesses)
*Wears 3T (huge) clothes and 6-7 shoes (7s are so big but it's what we have from Oaks so we make it work)
*Knows her colors, some shapes, and can count to 11
*Speaks in sentences so well
*She loves dresses and skirts and gets upset if there aren't any clean ones...she also loves to pick out her own clothes
*She loves braids in her hair and loves to pick what I do to her hair...loves bows in it
*She isn't into makeup, lipgloss, and jewelry like oaks was
*Naps occasionally but still really should have them daily!
*She'll play with the twins but not for long periods

Twins are 1!

Blogging is harder these days and I'm not so sure I'm even going to keep doing it.  It is like my journal but I do write in one occasionally too.  I did want to leave with the babies stats and what's going on with them.

Their personalities are starting to show and become what is normal for them.  As I'm reading how they were at 9 months, most of it is still the same.  Owen is still the bruiser and Griffen is complete opposite! 

Owen:

Weight: 20lbs 6 oz-33%
Height:2 ft 5"-16%
Head Circumference: 17.3-5%

 

Man it's crazy that Owen is only 2 lbs heavier than Griffen.  He feels so much heavier.  It's got to be how his weight is proportioned because they're the same height. 

*Size 3 diapers
*6-9 month and 12 month clothes
*Eats solids 3 times a day with a bottle after breakfast, lunch, and bed
*Sleeps better but gets fussy at 9:00 wanting to go to bed.  Fusses at 7:30-7:45 to be up.  Wants to eat by 8:30.  He doesn’t cry hardly during the night.

*Roams and roams and destroys!  He loves pushing trucks and this little elephant.  He'll push the elephant that moves and then chases it!  He wants to be around people, but doesn't seem to play or stay by Griffen.  Very busy boy and doesn't have much attention span to sit and play.

*He crawls and pulls himself up to everything. He'll walk along stuff. He's even standing for a few seconds on his own.  He'll be walking in no time.  

*Not content being along anymore.  He's been so fussy lately (I think more teeth coming in) and goes around crying what seem most of the day.  And poor boy because I don't ever get many times to just sit and soothe him.

*Loves going to the pantry and fridge (when it's open) and pulling things out.  He also loves the dishwasher and drawers in the kitchen that he can reach.  He does about pulling so much out!  I can always tell when Owen's been in the room!

*Likes the binkie a lot and is the binkie thief!

*H'e more picky on food than Griffen.  It's hard to find food to feed him.  He loves all fruit and corn.  Peas, olives, and beans on occasion.  

*Mommy's boy STILL...seems to prefer me over others.  He will go to Kyle though if I don't help him.  But if he sees me when Kyle has him he'll try to get out of his arms and into mine!

*He gets so happy when he sees his siblings

*7 teeth-3 top and 4 bottom

*Hates getting dressed and diaper changes.  It's so tiring the fight I go through every day.  I have to hold his hands down with my feet to change his diaper.

*Has turned into a screamer...he screams so much it's exhausting.  

*From what I can remember, he is unlike any of the other kids as babies.  I don't know where his personality came from.  He is stubborn and will fight for what he wants until he gets it!  He will get far in life with that attitude but I think he will be a challenge to raise!

Griffen:

Weight:18 lbs 3 oz-7%

Height: 2ft 5"-7%

Head Circumference-17.7 in-19%

Griffen seems to have multiple personalities.  He's very unpredictable.  He's always been more fussy but does seem to soothe down easily.  He seems harder to entertain and wants to be held or being interacted with. This bolded description of Griffen still seems to hold true.  If he has a binkie when he is fussy that does seem to soothe him.  He does throw quite the tantrums though.  It’s not just screaming or crying when he’s upset (Owen just screams and cries).  He will throw his body around.  He also gets onto his tummy, put his head down, and rock and kick his legs.  I’m scared for the tantrums he’ll throw when he’s older.   This is why I document!  This is the complete opposite of how Griffen is as of late.  He's the calm and quiet baby.  He doesn't scream or throw many tantrums.  He seems to be by himself a lot.  He will be content in one spot for a while playing with toys.  He doesn't roam too much like Owen does.  I think Griffen will be the peacemaker of the family.  I hate to write this but it's the truth.  Both the older kids "prefer" him.  All 3 of them gravitate towards him.  

 *Size 3 diapers

*Size 6-9 and 12 month clothes

*Eats solids 3 times a day with 3 bottles at breakfast, lunch, bed

*I think he's been sleeping a bit better...Kyle has said he's gone in multiple times a night to give a binkie but I haven't heard them crying so I guess I can't give an accurate view.

*Crawls but didn't crawl first like I thought he would

*Pulls up to things but doesn't walk along them too much

*Loves playing with toys

*Loves pulling down the DVD’s on the bottom row in my room...this is true for both babies now!  

*Hates hates hates diaper time and getting dressed.  This is the time when he throws himself around in a full on fit.  I feel like I’m wrangling a alligator changing him.  I have to pin him down too! 

*Doesn't seem to have a preference on a person...just anyone willing to hold him or talk to him

*He lights up anytime Oaklee is around. 

*Has 8 teeth...4 top 4 bottom

*Eats better and less messy than Owen..Loves fruit too and corn.  Peas, olives, and beans are hit and miss.

*Has had another ear infection.  Since he's been born I think he's had 4.  He may need tubes the Dr said if he gets another within a month or so.

They are busy busy boys and keep me cleaning!  They would be happier babies if I could give more of myself to them.  I need to work on giving more love and attention to all 5 kids.  They have been a huge adjustment but I know a huge blessing will come from being obedient.

Mother's Day

It's been quite the year with so many changes and adjusting...but we're here and surviving day by day.  I haven't been nearly as good at taking pictures especially of our outings (which I think you can figure out why...outings with 5 is enough let alone remembering to take pictures).  I'm so glad I remembered to take a picture of me and the kids.  I am going to be better at getting shots with us parents and kids!  I am slowly very slowly and needing to be reminded daily just what my calling is.  I read a quote tonight about my calling as a mom.  Neil L. Anderson put it, “Motherhood is not a hobby. It is a calling. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.”

I'm so guilty of not making the time for motherhood.  I've been putting cleaning and exercising above my children.  I need to and will try even harder to make more time for them.  Make more time to actually be with them in their element doing what they request.  I'm tearful knowing how much I've missed of their lives.  I want to go on more adventures and explore.  Here's to a new week.

This was a picture to document the babies at 34ish weeks out of womb (I have a 34 week  pregnant pic to compare to)

9 months!

They are still interactive with each other.  Owen seems to be the one who wants to be with Griffen.  He gravitates to him and is constantly climbing, laying, mauling Griffen.  He also is the binkie stealer.  Griffen usually has to have a binkie and Owen will always go take it even if he already has one.  Griffen doesn’t seem to want to be messed with and cries when Owen is by him.  I’m having a harder time bonding with Griffen but I think that’s because Owen wants me and will constantly come to me.  Griffen just seems to cry and thrash and doesn’t care who takes care of him.  I’m trying to bond better with him.  There were no problems at the Dr except making sure they are drinking at least 20 ounces of milk daily and should also be having foods 3 times daily.  They don’t want much milk especially after their food.  I’m going to cut back on how much oatmeal/food combo I give and see if they’ll drink more milk. 

Owen:

Weight: 18 lbs 9 oz-29%
Height:68.8 cm-6%
Head Circumference: 42.7-3%

Still such a chunk!  He doesn’t eat much different or more for that fact.  It’s so interesting to see him weigh as much as Boden who is 3 months older and had a bigger start!  He’s starting to look thinner though especially his face.

*Size 3 diapers
*6-9 month clothes and a few 12 month
*Eats solids 2 times a day with a 3-5 oz bottle, a 2 7 oz bottles (one being bedtime)
*Sleeps better but gets fussy at 9:30-9:45 wanting to go to bed.  Fusses at 7:30-7:45 to be up.  Wants to eat by 8:30.  He doesn’t cry hardly during the night.

*Sleeps in his own crib…I had them together in the same crib but Owen wakes up earlier and would seem to wake up Griffen.  It wasn’t a bad thing as it kept them more on the same schedule forcing Griffen up.  But I moved them into separate cribs when they were puking 2 weeks ago.  They seemed to also do better in their own cribs since they weren’t forced to be on the edges of the crib.

*Loves the jumper and roaming from room to room.  He occasionally uses the swing (I used it for their morning naps up until a month ago when they just didn’t seem to be sleeping as long). 
*Loves to chew on darts!  He doesn’t seem to play with much just scoots to all areas of the house exploring. 

*Not crawling only scooting.  He gets up on all fours but then just plops down.  He’s been scooting since around 7 months.  He has been getting into the sitting position by himself though.

*Sits for long periods of time

 *Still content being on his own and not being held but does love attention.  He loves when others talk to him

*Likes the binkie a lot and is the binkie thief!

*He does not do very well with chunky food…if it’s chunky he’ll either gag or spit and blow raspberries.  He’s becoming more picky on his food choices.

*Follows me from room to room and gets around FAST!  So fast he’s fallen down both flights of stairs.

*Mommy's boy...seems to prefer me over others.  My favorite thing is when he’ll crawl to me when I’m standing and hold onto my feet or lay his head on my feet.  He also loves to come untie my shoes while I’m exercising.

*He gets so happy when he sees his siblings

*He loves to push down the bumper pads in the crib to see out

*Looks like he’ll get his top 2 teeth first and one of the top any day now

Griffen:

Weight:16 lbs 8 oz-6%

Height:67.4-2%

Head Circumference-43.5 cm-10%

Griffen seems to have multiple personalities.  He's very unpredictable.  He's always been more fussy but does seem to soothe down easily.  He seems harder to entertain and wants to be held or being interacted with. This bolded description of Griffen still seems to hold true.  If he has a binkie when he is fussy that does seem to soothe him.  He does throw quite the tantrums though.  It’s not just screaming or crying when he’s upset (Owen just screams and cries).  He will throw his body around.  He also gets onto his tummy, put his head down, and rock and kick his legs.  I’m scared for the tantrums he’ll throw when he’s older.   

 *Size 3 diapers

*Size 3-6 clothes, 6-9 jammies and some 6-9 month

*Eats solids 2 times a day with a 3-5 oz bottle, 2 7 oz bottle

*He’s been getting fussy 2 times at night.  Once at like 2-3 and then again at 6.  All he wants is a binkie so I’ll keep multiple ones in the crib but I usually get up twice to give it to him.  I do let him cry for a few minutes before going in.  He does sleep in longer in the morning especially now that he’s in his own crib.  Wakes about 9 and goes to bed same time as Owen 9:45-10:30.  He doesn’t take great naps unless I put him in the crib with the door shut and no interruptions

*Scoots since about 8 months.  About 3 days ago he’s started getting in the crawling position and seems to want to crawl more than Owen.  I won’t be surprised if he crawls first.  *Loves the binkie and does not soothe for much else

*Starting to love to roam but seems to stay in the same room

*Loves pulling down the DVD’s on the bottom row in my room

*Loves the jumper

*Hates hates hates diaper time and getting dressed.  This is the time when he throws himself around in a full on fit.  I feel like I’m wrangling a alligator changing him. 

*Doesn't seem to have a preference on a person...just anyone willing to hold him or talk to him

*He lights up anytime Oaklee is around. 

*Has 2 bottom teeth.  You can see a top tooth coming in (maybe a week away?)

*He’ll also come to my feet and hold on but not as often

*Does better with chunky foods and feeding himself

They have been a lot more fussy the past few months.  They have had a few colds in that time plus it’s got to be the teeth!  I’m noticing if they are crying hysterically and it’s not time to eat it’s because they’ve pooped.  They poop so much and have the worse butt rashes.  I’m not sure if teething causes acidic poop or if it’s the food we’re giving them.  The rashes could be from the acid food or because I’m not always quick to check if they’ve pooped.  They are getting to be fun and wanting to interact and play.  They love when we are down on the ground with them.  

8 months and Random!

She insisted on putting herself and minnie to bed on my floor

Oh Oaklee is all things girl and loves posing

Wyatt's Baptism

Wyatt had such a special birthday.  His baptism was on his birthday the 24th of April at 7 pm.  It was a Sunday and we enjoyed having it on Sunday.  It was the perfect way to end the Sabbath.  I can't believe I have an 8 year old!  He wants to do what is right (most of the time ha ha) and tries so hard to get things right.

7 Month Twin Pics & Easter

The pictures pretty much explain themselves.  It was our usual festivities of Easter except we didn't get together with my family.  Easter seemed to come quick this year so we didn't do any new activities.