It was almost two months of make-up posts. I don't like getting behind. I'm sorry grown up Aurora. It was such a crazy time in our lives (isn't it always?) that I missed writing down a few things about you as an infant. Please forgive me! I still love you very much.
History of what's going on with us:
Mike: He has been working hard getting the business/store up and running. They just finished the ceiling, paint, bathroom tile, drywall, framing and all that good stuff this week. Progress. And the back workshop area is looking like a workshop as well. I'm impressed with how fast they are getting it all going. It's Mike, Steve, Gary and Brandon (Mike's friend) so far.
He was just called (with me!!) into the nursery in our ward. He has never been in the nursery or primary before, so this will be an adventure. It is the perfect calling for him right now. He is and will be so busy getting the store ready, it only requires Sunday time, so it will be nice. And I love seeing Mike with children:) He already knew all the kids first and last names by the end of our first day.
He's been able to go out with his friend Nate a couple times, go fishing with Ty and Morgan, and lay out in the crazy heat. I'm hoping in about a year he will be able to take some time off to go camping or do something fun for a couple days;)
He did buy a truck while we were in Ogden a month ago. I love it! It's a 2008 Ford F350, 4 door. It's black and pretty. He even let's me drive it every now and then.
Raquel/Me: It seems like no matter where I live, I'm still just busy cleaning away, taking care of kids and so involved in so many daily things, I hardly do anything extra. I'm still taking piano lessons. "Grandma Great" (Mike's Grandma) lives next door and she comes over to give me a lesson once a week. I love her so much. She is such a sweet lady. I'm slowing learning, but I do love to play.
I am so excited Mike and I were called to be in nursery together. When we first moved here, I said I wanted to be in the nursery because I was exhausted (in a good way!) from being the the relief society presidency in Casper. Or I said I wanted to be in a calling with Mike. Looks like I can have the best of both worlds! It will be fun. I know I'm not the best babysitter, but I'll work on it!
We almost rented a house just down the street, but I'm so glad we decided not to. I'm so grateful to be living here with Gary and Susan. Of course living with anyone has it's challenges for everyone, but it's been pretty good so far. Couldn't ask for anything better, and free helps too!;) I also applied for a job as an X-ray tech a couple weeks ago. It was PRN, very casual part-time. I didn't get it, but I'm happy that I didn't. (It didn't help that I talked about my children the whole time!) It was a good reminder for me to remember how much I love being a stay at home mom and being able to raise my own children. It sounded fun to be able to work outside the home occasionally, but I've done it before and it was too stressful. I just needed to remember how much I love my babies and how much I want to see them grow every single day. I've got the best job in the world:) I'm grateful Mike works so hard for us so that I can be with my children at all times.
When the store opens, I will be doing the craft classes a few times a month. I'm getting super excited to do it! Kim and Annie are going to be doing it as well. We got the fun job:) I'm also leaving tomorrow for Vegas to go to Kentucky for the weekend. It's my 10 year reunion. I'm so excited to get to go see my friends. I haven't been back since I graduated. I'm taking Aurora, so it will be interesting! (So I really should probably go get in bed because it's after midnight...)
Lincoln: He is a wonderful person. I just love his kind, gentle personality. He is my sweet boy. Yes, he can get angry and frustrated, but he's usually pretty chill. I've noticed he does like structure. It's hard because he has a Mom who isn't too organized (but I am at heart!).
His favorite things right now: Skylanders Giants, the Wii, any video game, his blue blanket, living a few houses away from his cousins, his sisters, Grandma's new bunk beds he gets to sleep on. He just watched The Chronicles of Narnia for the first time and loves it! It's been fun to talk about the movie and how it relates to the Savior. He loves his cousins very much. He loves to play Where's My Water, Kingdoms and Lords, and Despicable Me on my Kindle or the Ipad. Waffles, pancakes and peanut butter and honey sandwiches are yum:)
He's not the biggest fan of playing outside. I usually have to make him have outside time. And seriously half the time he is sent out, he either lays down on the trampoline or sits on the big trash can still it's time to come inside. Hilarious. He says he likes football and soccer, so I'll need to get him on some teams down here. He wants to be a keeper:) But really, this boy could play video games all day if we let him. He zones out. He can't play too much, because I can tell a huge difference in him when he does. He's extra sensitive and cries more. Not fun for parents;)
He is reading well! It helps to have a grandma as a second grade teacher and who's very patient. He catches on very well to things he's been taught and has a good memory. I hear a lot, "I know Mom, you already told me that." (Well then why aren't you doing it!!?) He's so excited to go to Grandma's school and get to learn Chinese. One more month!
I think he's hitting a growth spurt because that boy is hungry all the time! It's just the beginning isn't it?? He's getting to be a better eater and isn't quite as picky with foods. He is also an emotional boy. He can cry instantly. He's so sensitive and loves hugs and smooches. He rarely fights, but when he does, he says instantly, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I'm so grateful for my boy. He is my favorite son:)
Sequoia: Oh my daughter. She is and will be beautiful inside and out. There is never a dull moment when she is around. She is an explorer and imaginative. She can invent anything and find a use for EVERYTHING. I've learned to throw old broken toys away in the dumpster because she will come along and be so sad I threw it away and immediately find something to do with it. She will be our pack rat and collector of everything.
Her favorite things right now: Bugs, finding containers for her "rollies," her "cold" blankie, still loves wearing boy clothes, hates having her hair done. She likes it in her face and down. She likes to always have someone else in the room while she's sleeping. She loves her brother and sister so much. She likes to play the piano, with legos, super hero toys, transformers, pretty much any boy toys.
In March I took her for a check up while we were still in Casper. She weighed 29.8lbs (6%) and was 37" (12%) She is our tiny girl. Although when you talk to her and get to know her, she is not small at all. She is so grown up for her age. And this girl is going to be so beautiful when she is older.
She is a sleep walker. It's crazy. About once every two weeks we find her on the floor somewhere between her bed and the bathroom. She is non-communicable. Hopefully it won't last long.
She is so excited to get to go to a new pre-school soon. She is going to Coral Cliffs Elementary. It is a super plus to not have an income right now, because they only take kids who have free or reduced lunches. And its FREE! Yeah! It's going to be crazy running the kids to two different schools (and hopefully at the same time) but they are so excited. It's the first time Sequoia will go to a school all by herself. Next year she'll get to do the Chinese program too.
(July 22, 2013) Aurora: Oh how I love my baby! I've really enjoyed having the girls three and a half years apart, because I can spend a bit more quality time with each child. And enjoy time with my sweet Auri. She is growing up so fast. When we moved to St George she rolled for the first time. Now that we've been there for three months, she has learned to roll both ways, sit up on her own, rock back and forth on her hands and knees, go back to sitting from on her hands and knees, and crawl backwards. She crawled forward two little steps today!! Of course I didn't see it and Mike is home in St George, but Grandma Phister did. Yeah! She is going to be a crawler soon! I love that even at baby #3, we are still so excited about every little thing they do:)
She is not a picky eater, hallelujah! The only thing she won't eat so far is apple sauce. I am so grateful! She likes all her fruits and veggies, loves Cheerios (a necessary food for Mommy to have in public), and has slowly been eating some table foods.
She is hit or miss on her moods. She has had two double ear infections over the past two months so she's been grouchy a lot. We just finished with the last dose of antibiotic a couple days ago. I hope it has fixed it for good, because I miss my sweet happy girl. And I'm guessing in the next couple days her pesky little bottom tooth will pop out. It's white and just sitting right under her skin being a bully.
She is hilarious. She hardly smiles, its so strange. She just stares at people. People try and try to get her to crack, it's rare. Lincoln is the only one so far who can get her to smile anytime, even over me. Lincoln is her favorite person. I love to see them together. She just started babbling more the last couple days as well. Its so cute to listen to her talk. "Mumm, Mumm" and "baba" Her first sounds were Mum Mum, yeah! The other two said Da da first so I'm so happy about that.
I feel so bad, I haven't been writing down her weigh info! Hopefully I can get it all together:/ On March 20, for her 4 month check up, she was 14lbs15oz (60%) and 26" (95%). She was a tall and large baby even then. I'll find the others! At her last appointment for her ears, she weighed 19.7lbs. She is my big baby!! I just love her squishy cheeks and rare smile. And the best thing about her right now is that she is FINALLY sleeping through the night. This is one happy Momma. Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when He made babies. I love every single step they make.
Love my sweet family:)
