Saturday morning breakfast: an 11 month old's perspective

If your sister is only giving your a few "Lucky Charms" (because momma told her just to put a few of them on the chair for you) and you are a resourceful 11 month old, you just pull said bag of cereal off the edge of the table where sister had put it in plain view. The contents of the entire bag proceed to spill all over the clean floor. You laugh as if that's the funniest thing you've ever seen and sit down and begin your feast.

Momma who was sleeping on the couch heard the sound of spilling cereal with dismay. She wishes she would have taken a picture. But the mommy instincts kicked in which were: sweep this up before it gets dragged all over my house!!!!

Conversations around the house

Joseph: "I don't like it when I turn into a grandpa."

Me: "Well, then don't."

Joseph (with frustration): "But that's what people do!!!! First they're a baby, then they're a kid, then they're a mom and then they're a grandpa and grandma!"

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Joseph doing "this little piggy" to Theo: "This little piggy had roast beef, this little piggy had water, this little piggy had pajamas, this little piggy had a bed..."


(self-portrait by Joseph)

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Rebecca: "I think 5 kids is enough. Any more than that is too much."

Me: "Daddy had 7 kids in his family!"

Rebecca (astonished): "How did they all take a bath?"

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Can't get enough

I'm going to be one of "those " moms and post a bunch of pictures of my adorable cutie. I just can't get enough of this little guy. He is the happiest, silliest baby I've ever been around. He'll bite our toes and then laugh and laugh, like he is the funniest guy on the planet. He'll blow raspberries on my arm or cheek and look at me and laugh and laugh some more. He plays peek-a-boo, patty cake, so big and in the course of the last week has gone from a beginning walker to trying to run. (His sister taught him about running...) He has been my sweetest blessing during this whole year of uncertainty in other areas of life.






People from church or even strangers at the store are constantly commenting on what a happy baby he is. All I can say is, it's true! He's one happy kid.



I love watching him interact with his siblings. They absolutely adore him and are proud of his every accomplishment. They make each other laugh and love each other so much. It is the sweetest joy of motherhood I think.



I'm so grateful for my little Theo, no longer a baby...already a toddler...oh where oh where does time go...

Moments like these...

I love motherhood. I have been so happy lately. I feel like I have grown a lot these last 7 years of motherhood and have gained greater appreciation day by day for the little moments. I love it when my kids dress up and put together random outfits. I love stumbling upon their little games and happy moments with each other. I'm truly incredibly blessed to have this opportunity in life and I'm trying to treasure each day.



Theo has discovered he can climb! He decided to get into the lincoln log box.

Goodbye, Grandma Darlene

In the middle of February, in the middle of all sorts of other things going on in our life, it was time for my Grandma Darlene to move to Arizona after 50 years in California. It was an emotional change for me. She has never been further than an hour away for all the time I've lived in America (minus BYU years). We've been through her ups and downs, my ups and downs and borne each other's burdens. She has enjoyed watching my kids grow and has been there for school awards, ballet performances, baby blessings etc. when neither set of grandparents could be there due to distance. So she has been the one grandparent (even though she's a great) that has always been here. It is good timing for her to go, but we will miss her.

Theo the charmer

We should all be this happy looking at ourselves!
This is a short movie of Theo looking at himself on the camera LCD.

Walk like a Man

Theo has been walking a few steps here and there since my parents were here over Christmas. But we had to trick him into it. Now he'll let go of things himself and start walking for a few steps. He's such a fast crawler that I still think it will be a little while until he changes over to walking full time.