Neighbors, the Suns & Swim

{THURSDAY} Our neighbor friends Bonnie, Katie & Abby came over to play. It was a warm day out so we pulled out the pool to cool off. Sadly, our good friends are moving back to Texas in a couple of weeks. Oh, how we are going to miss them!


{FRIDAY} We met my parents at Desert Ridge for a short visit before they headed off to California for the summer. The water pad is always a fun place to take the kids...as long as I have other adults around to help me :-)


{SATURDAY} We had a going away party for another neighborhood family who is moving back to the South in a couple of weeks. It was a potluck and everything was yummy. Ryland managed to grab hold of Landon's cupcake and snag a bite. I thought this photo was so cute.


{SUNDAY} Precious moment of Hank and the kids relaxing and watching game #3 of the Phoenix Suns vs. the L.A. Lakers.


{MONDAY} The much dreaded day has come and gone. Taylor and Landon started their swim lessons. Let's just say Day #1 didn't go so well.


{TUESDAY} Ta da! Ryland loves to get himself in this little pose. He is so close to crawling on his knees. But for now, he gets around by the army crawl move. Isn't he yummy!

Rough Waters

As Taylor's last few days of school are coming to a close, swim lessons are ramping up for the summer. I've kind of been dreading swim lessons because I thought Landon would have a tough time with them. Little did I know, he would actually fare better compared to his big sister.

I started well over a month ago prepping Taylor for Miss Sarah and swim lessons. Miss Sarah was able to teach Taylor the basics of swimming all within a few sessions last summer. Taylor caught on quickly and amazed Hank and I with her ability to learn something new and to learn it so quickly.

Since last summer though, she has forgotten almost everything. And a month ago, I had to jump in the pool fully-clothed to rescue her proving she needed more swim lessons in her future. Landon has never had lessons, but now that he is two...he's ready.

Yesterday was a nightmare at swim lessons. Not just for me or for my kids but for the other parents watching. They all felt so bad for us. Miss Sarah just told me not to worry, the kids will get over it in a few days. Honestly though, I wanted to take my kids out of the pool and leave. I felt horrible for "tormenting" them and causing Taylor and Landon so much stress just because I want them to learn how to swim. What if they aren't ready? What if they are still too young? Heck, I never had lessons as a kid and I eventually learned this skill.

I had to walk myself back from the ledge yesterday and decide this: Are swimming lessons worth all of the stress, energy, tears, cost, anxiety, etc.? My answer was yes. Because I want to have a little bit of confidence with toting around three small children in the summer in Arizona. We will be at the pool almost every day this summer.

Today at lessons, Miss Sarah suggested that I sit inside her beautiful mansion with the air conditioning and watch the kids discreetly so they can't see me. I had to be so strong for this. Because all I could hear my kids screaming was, "Mommy, don't leave me. I need you!" It kind of makes me want to cry just thinking back on this.

I kept on walking though. Within minutes of me leaving their side, they calmed down a bit. I guess they cried in between their turns when they were sitting on the deck. But they didn't cry in the pool so much. Miss Sarah was really happy with the progress. It stinks though that I have to physically remove myself from the kids for them to operate effectively. Are we co-dependent? Is this normal? I sure hope so.

I think I deserve a Pepsi for all of this :-)

9 Months & Counting

{SATURDAY} I took Taylor to get her nails painted. Nothing like some good mother-daughter bonding time. Of course, she picked neon pink with glitter. I've discovered the more bling the better for little Miss Taylor. I think we might be in trouble. Daddy better get a second job!


{SUNDAY} We had such a busy day today. A birthday party for Sam, Gymboree, the park...we are wiped out. Whoever said weekends are relaxing must not have young children!


{MONDAY} Landon got some new sunglasses today. He totally picked them out. The sticker said they were toddler size, but they did seem a little big. He really liked them though and who I am I to deny my lovebug? I think Landon looks quite cool in his new shades.


{TUESDAY} The kids love to grab all of the couch pillows and throw them on the floor to create a wrestling ring. Even Ryland has been getting into our new family activity. I was taking photos of the kids wrestling, but this photo captured my heart. I think the boys look somehow related but totally different.


{WEDNESDAY} Today we changed Ryland's carseat from the infant carrier to the convertible carseat. Ry Ry was getting so heavy. Come to find out today at his 9-month well-check, Ryland is 29.75 inches tall and almost 20 pounds. He was 30th percentile for weight and 90th percentile for height. Our pediatrician let me know that the new recommendation is to keep Ryland rear facing until he is 2 years old. Our friends in Sweden keep their kids rear facing until they are at least 3 years old...even longer in most cases. My kids are pretty tall so we will just have to see how long he can sit that way.

Deer Valley Airport

My friend Carrie introduced the kids and I to the Deer Valley Airport today. We were familiar with the place and Uncle Josh used to work there, but we had never actually gone there...until today! Landon kept screaming in a high pitch the closer we got to the airport. "Airpane, airpane, airpaine," he would shout.

We first ate lunch at this big table facing out a window that overlooked the runway. The waitress came to our table and said, "I just have to ask, are all of these children yours?" We were like yep, they are, want one? There were six kids and two moms.

Lunch was good. The service was good and the view was great! There were tons of seniors hanging out and lots of grandparents with their grandchildren. I was so happy that we found this hidden little secret place in our city.

The kids shouted and squealed as we ate our lunch...furiously stuffing our faces as we take care of 4 very happy children who can't sit still because of the excitement and 2 babies. It was great! Carrie had make cupcakes for our friend who had to back out at the last minute. It was definitely her loss, our gain as we all devoured red velvet cupcakes that Carrie made. She is quite the baker! Taylor ended up snagging two; Landon and I each had one even though we wanted more.

Taylor and Landon were a bit fearful of the planes after one loud one roared by, but they will have to get used to it. If I had another adult with me to hold one of the kids, it would have been perfect. They wanted to see the planes, but wanted to do it in the arms of someone they know. These are the times when I wish I had three sets of arms!

Celebrations & Sickness

Thursday night, Landon awoke from his sleep with a 102 degree temperature. The poor boy was so HOT! We ended up cancelling all of our plans for the day and stayed home on Friday. It was not a fun day, but sometimes we have to stay home when one of us is down and out so that person can get the rest needed and not infect anyone else. I was constantly making sure that Landon didn't share a sippy cup with anyone else, BUT I couldn't totally isolate him from his siblings. And I probably hugged and kissed on him more than normal because he wanted and needed that affection. The three kids really enjoy each other and constantly make each other laugh. It's so fun to watch them together.


Since Landon still had a high fever, he and Ryland stayed home with Daddy while I took Taylor to our neighbor Grace's 3rd birthday party. It was a princess birthday party so of course Taylor had to dress up. She has a ton of princess dress-up clothes and thought it was fun to play along with the princess party theme. She had so much fun that she didn't want to come home. But I knew Hank was home with a baby and a sick toddler so I thought we better go home so I can help out.














Our Mother's Day plans were altered a bit. Landon still wasn't feeling well so we skipped church and spent the morning at home. He still had a mild grade fever and was not his normal self. You could see it in his eyes that he was under the weather. So we headed to my in-laws for brunch. During the meal, we noticed that Landon was having great pain eating and swallowing. I took one good look at his throat and decided to take him to urgent care. I was pretty confident that he had strep throat.

The doctor took a good look at Landon and said he for sure had a double ear infection. Then he looked at his throat and said it looked pretty bad. He didn't want to test for strep because he didn't want to spread bacteria in the process and make it worse. He assured me that strep throat or not, the antibiotic that he planned to prescribe would knock out all infections. Fortunately, we were only gone for a couple of hours and were able to rejoin everyone to finish our lunch and spend time with family.

Sadly, we had to cancel plans with my parents for dinner. Not only was it Mother's Day, but it was my Dad's birthday. I felt horrible cancelling, but I had to think of Landon and what was best for him. Sorry Mom and Dad! We'll make it up to you.

Back in the Saddle

I got home around midnight on Sunday evening. And I was up around 5:30 am on Monday...talk about bright and early. My boys tend to be early risers...and I don't know how to fix that problem. (Clearly, I am not a morning person.) It's not like it's bright in their room. I think they are just hungry...or something.

I knew the kids would change while I was away. Sure enough, within the two days I was gone, I came home and Ryland was army crawling everywhere. This adds a whole new dimension to my daily management. Now I have to make sure Taylor and Landon don't drop small toys around that the little man could crawl to and put in his mouth. It's amazing to watch Ryland scoot anywhere and everywhere just to get that piece if Kix cereal.




I bought a few things for the kids and Hank while I was away. One of the things I purchased were bubble guns. They're cool, laser light guns that make the best bubbles. Unfortunately, Landon dropped his gun this morning and it broke. Now we are down to one bubble gun and two kids...doesn't sound good huh?




Wednesday I took the boys to the library. We had more fun hanging out in the toy section than in the Baby Steps class. Landon always enjoys playing on computers, and he was able to play as long as he wanted on the kid's computer.


I've been hearing a lot about these baby crib recalls. Every time I investigate them, they aren't my cribs. So when the latest recall came out, I thought surely it wasn't our crib. And then yesterday around lunchtime I received an email from Babies R Us saying that the crib I purchased from them 2 years ago was recalled. They advised to stop using it right away due to deaths caused by suffocation and strangulation. No way was I willing to chance another nap or another night in the crib for my kids. So I came home and took apart Landon's crib, putting everything in my car including all 3 kids and headed to Babies R Us for a trade in. We were just about to transform Landon's crib into a toddler bed anyway. I didn't have much time, energy or sanity with 3 kids with me and I needed to purchase something in stock so we came home with a simple white toddler bed. He took his first nap in there today. Thankfully, he only came out a few times. I think he likes his newfound freedom!

My Little Getaway

The 8th Annual Girls' Getaway has come and gone. My mom is nice enough to allow me and a couple of my girlfriends to tag along with my mom and her buddies for some fun in the sun. All we really do is eat, sleep, play games, shop, get pedicures and relax. It's one of the best weekends of the year for me. I am so thankful that I have a husband who encourages me to get away and refresh and a mother who makes this weekend happen.

My 48 hours away from the kids was all that I hoped it would be. I was able to read a great book, play games for hours and hours, and laugh so hard I was crying. Herpes and Toyota Jackson are words that will never be forgotten and continue to bring a smile to my face every time I think of them.

But as the song goes, "back to life, back to reality", I'm kicking off this week with a thankful heart.