Spring in Instas

There isn't a ton for me to document via my phone from the first half of this year because we were down and out most of the time. But I want to record a few things before we move on to an active summer and fall.

We didn't do anything very festive for Valentine's Day (we spent it in the ER) or St. Patrick's Day, so it's a good thing my mom pulled through and sent the boys Valentine's buckets. And Kindergarten pulled through and sent the kids home with homemade apparel.

Crew was pretty excited to join his big brothers in the bathtub. And Troy and I were excited to see Les Miserables and relive our first date - in a slightly modified fashion.

Crew started out the year by flatlining on his growth charts. He had to have some blood draws to make sure everything was normal. It was heartbreaking to see him all bandaged up. He was much happier to take a little swing snooze in the fresh spring air, stand on the dishwasher, and get his first "crew" cut.

Once Troy could finally start putting some weight on his foot, he spent lots of time on the trampoline with the boys, throwing them around. We ended the spring with two big milestones; Blake scoring his first soccer goal and Crew taking his first steps on the same day.

Even though some fun events were sprinkled in over the last few months, we are not too sad to put this spring behind us.

Love is spelled T-I-M-E

We had a wonderful General Conference weekend. It was in my favor when President Uchtdorf stated in his talk, "Love is spelled T-I-M-E." I may or may not have frequently restated that phrase to guilt coax my husband into quality family time. We ventured out of the cabin to discover so much changing color all around us.

Don't let that fall foliage fool you, it was absolutely gorgeous and HOT outside. We have meant to take Blake to the (manmade) beach all summer but time ran out on us. Thankfully we had one last chance to feel the sand in between our toes and play our hearts out in the water. It was the perfect family activity in between Conference sessions.

I'm having a hard time pulling out the pumpkins when we are still enjoying nights like these. Not that I'm complaining!

Grandma has collected a bushel full of rubber ducks. Because of the extensive collection, bath time has become a favorite activity at the cabin. I love that I can stick the boys in the tub together now. They really love each other. And love is all about spending T-I-M-E together.

Finally Fall

We finally had a wave of cooler weather around here. Blake loves that he gets to wear his coat now. We had a wonderful weekend enjoying the cool, rainy weather while watching General Conference and eating yummy food with family.

Blake gets really nervous when I don't immediately shut the compartment that holds my garage door opener.

I'm not sure if it is the fall weather or just the second trimester itch, but I decided that my hair needed a change.

After battling traffic to attend the BYU/Salt Lake Real Soccer game on Friday night, we headed up to the Tanners' cabin for conference weekend. One of the fun things about the cabin is that Blake's Grandma has collected tons of rubber ducks for him to play with in the tub.

We enjoyed some hammock time on the deck in between conference sessions.

It was really cold and rainy outside and I absolutely loved it. I don't know where this desire for cold weather is coming from because I usually detest any sign of fall. It must be the baby.

Blake thoroughly enjoyed himself in his little cocoon.

Blakeisms

I know I am always saying this, but Blake is at such a fun age right now. He is starting to develop some true "Blakeisms."

"Look, mom, I built these towers all by myself! OK, maybe I had a little help from Grandma."

Blake loves, loves, loves to eat. He honestly opens his mouth this big in anticipation of every bite.

What is his favorite toy you ask? It's still paper. Although he is taking a liking to spatulas and yarn as well. He also loves to open and shut doors and drawers.

His name is trouble. He found my pen, and made a big streak across his face.

Blake has become a pro at the army crawl. He can get anywhere he wants to go, across the room and back, in just a few seconds. He kicks and scoots his legs and drags his little belly along.

He likes to get into his Grandma's quilting scraps.

He is starting to hold himself up against furniture.

He would stay in the bathtub for hours if I let him. He prefers measuring cups over bath toys.

He has crazy long hair!

Blake has also started to wave. I'm not sure if he knows that he is waving, but he scrunches his fingers open and shut when he sees people.

Single Mommyhood

Troy is in New York for ten days on a business trip which has left me to conquer life as a single mom. I definitely haven't been bored with all of the projects I have been working on, but I am a little lonesome. Evenings are the worst without my buddy to hang out with. When Blake wakes up from his late afternoon nap, I think, how can entertain him for the next three hours till he goes to bed? I am used to Troy coming home during that time. Blake and I have stayed busy with a lot of friends which has helped pass the time. I know I am a big lonely wuss. Some of my friend's husbands have been gone for months at a time for internships or military service, but I still miss my man.

We got together with some of my friends from Michigan that I grew up with. Coincidentally, all three of our moms got together the same day for lunch back home.

Thad and Blake.

Trying to get a picture of Thad, Kylie, and Blake while they were happy was impossible.

I volunteered to watch all three babies while Kourtni and Alyssa were occupied with something else. I was pretty confident that I could handle it, until two babies were crying at the same time. I already had one baby in my arms, and no more arms to help the other one! I don't know how moms with triplets do it (or twins for that matter).

My friend Kristen came over and we had a girls' night. We watched movies that Troy wouldn't be caught dead watching and worked on scrapbooking projects. She also practiced a shiatsu massage on me because she had to demonstrate it the next day for her students at the massage school. I felt so spoiled.

I also had a true idiot mom moment. I guess I didn't realize that Blake is clearly too big for his infant tub. I was just in the habit of always giving him his bath there, and I never noticed that he outgrew it. Kristen about died laughing, and said, "I've never seen a baby that big in one of those tubs before!"

Needless to say, we transitioned to the real tub and it fits Blake much better.

10 Days Old

How time flies! Blake is already 10 days old and I feel like we are going to be sending him off to college any minute. I'm a little hesitant about him growing up. It is so much fun to see his little personality developing already. Here are a few of Blake's likes and dislikes in his first 10 days of life:

Likes

• Sleeping on his dad's chest
• Rooting towards anything that touches his mouth - clothes, fingers, blankets, etc. (He looks like a little bird)
• Trying so hard to suck on his hands
• Cuddling with mom in the middle of the night
• Getting his picture taken
• Being swaddled tightly, and trying to get his arms out (He is very strong)
• Eating! Eating! Eating!
• Observing his new world with his beautiful big blue eyes
• Grasping onto his mom or dad's finger
• Being swung from side to side
• Trying to smile and grin

Dislikes

• Getting his diaper changed
• Having cold air touch him
• Getting his sponge bath (So much screaming!)

Overall, Blake is a very good baby and is beginning to sleep longer stretches (hooray!) He has brought such a wonderful little spirit into our home and continues to amaze us with how much he learns and observes.

First night at home, all bundled up!

The woman in Blake's life.

Blake's favorite place to sleep.