painting

Heidi loves to paint.  Not fingerpaint...that makes her messy and she hates that.  She loves to water paint.  Yester-morning (as Heidi calls everything that happened in the past) Heidi drew a baby.  I thought it was so cute.  A little orange head and yellow legs. This really happened weeks ago, but I finally got around to posting it.

the backyard

So I promised pictures of the house and I may post a few but since my blog is public I am not sure how many or what I will post.  Plus, the pictures just don't do it justice.  We love where our lot is located.  We are on 1/2 acre and the backyard faces the Uinta mountains.  They look a lot closer than the picture shows and when we get a good sunset we just can't stop staring out the windows.  Our great room is floor to ceiling windows and we love the view as we walk up the stairs.  Heidi has a huge window in her room too and because it faces the back we always tell her she has the best view in the house.  Yes, that is Jeff's giant pile of wood that I never finished stacking because 1) I got too big and uncomfortable and 2) I realized we would just have to re-stack it when we did the yard this spring.  The cows behind our lot Heidi lovingly refers to as her "pets".  That's the perfect pet for us!  I would be lying if I said there weren't times I missed Utah.  I never thought we would leave Utah and I felt like I connected with so many people there.  However, I also love it here for so many, many reasons.  I love it because Jeff has a wonderful job and he loves what he does and the people he works with.  Even though I get frustrated that we have to travel to do a lot of errands, it really helps you decide what you really need and it makes life so, so much simpler.  There isn't an overload of things to do and the best word I can use to describe it is simple. I feel like there are less distractions and we have more time to focus on what really matters: our family and raising our little ones.  Once I make some good friends, I think it will help.  We of course wish more than anything we had family here.  We love that the schools are so amazing here and that class sizes are small.  We love how family oriented and conservative it is.  We love being so incredibly close to camping and hiking.  We love how genuinely kind and down to earth the people here are.  We love the mild summers.  We love not having state income tax or food tax.  We love the clean air and not having an inversion.  On the days Jeff is home and I don't have to be stuck on the treadmill, I have loved finding new places to run.  We really are happy in our new little town and cannot wait until spring hits.  I can't wait to walk to story time at the library.  I can't wait to get the yard in--even though it is going to be a ton of work.  I can't wait to head to the mountains.  Most of all, I can't wait to watch my girls grow in this house and in this town.  It's the perfect fit for us.

2 1/2

 Today marks half-way to three!  As Heidi likes to repeatedly remind me, "I'm just growin' up!"  Yes, Heidi Bug, you are.  Now if we could get you to go somewhere, anywhere for 2 seconds without mom, potty train, and feed yourself...

We of course don't know how long Heidi is, but according to the hospital scale, she weighs a whopping 23.6 pounds.  Of course she hadn't eaten in four days, so perhaps she is slightly higher than that.

*Counts from 1-10.
*Can write her name, but needs help on the D.  She
 writes it backwards though: IDIEH.
*When she draws, she usually writes a million H's while saying, "line,line, cross".  Then she comments on each one.  "Good H, Heidi!"  "Wo!  Look at that funny H!"
*In the last few months she has started using pronouns such as  'I', 'Me', 'You' correctly.
*Hates, hates, hates being messy. Can't stand to have anything on her hands.
*Favorite color is blue, blue, blue.
*Loves spaghetti, pizza, grilled cheese, bananas, and anything sweet.
*Everything has a nickname, even colors--pinky stinky, bluey smooey, greenie meanie...you get the point.
*Has no problem with self-esteem.  "I look adorable!"  "Don't I look cute?"
*Loves stuffed animals and hauls them around all day.  Says things like, "I just love this big guy!  He is so lucky to have me!"
*Favorite things to play are party, dance party, kitchen, play dough, legos, and doctor.
*When she wants to do something she will say, "Should we play kitchen mom?  Should we do that?"  How can you say no?
*Great big sister most of the time.  She has recently decided however that whatever toy Savanna has in her hand is definitely the toy she has been wanting to play with for the past year.
*Still lets us know how much she hates taking a bath in spite of the fact that she has taken one almost every single night for the last 2 1/2 years!
*Very cautious.
*When she falls she says, "Wo Biffins!"
*If you ask her what her name is, there is a good chance she will tell you first, middle, and last and it's quite a mouthful!
*Very sensitive.  Always concerned when someone is crying.  If she sees mom cry she automatically breaks out in tears.
*Has the cutest little dance moves you've ever seen.
*Comments on what she is doing all the time.  "Look at me running so fast in my cute brown boots!  I have brown boots just like dad!"
*When you ask her why she is doing something, the response is generally, "'cause I'm cute".  For example, "Why are you throwing your play dough on the floor?"  "'Cause I'm cute."  Like I said, no problem with self-esteem.
*Has an unbelievable memory, especially with names.  If I ever forget someone's name, I just ask her--seriously.
*Girly girl.  Loves her nails painted and getting dressed up.  She tolerates her hair being done, but can't stand braids for some reason.  If I try to braid it, she pulls it out.
*A little OCD about things being in the right place.  She especially cannot stand to see a door open.  "WHAT IS THAT PANTRY DOING OPEN???"  She will stop whatever she is doing to race and close any door that is left open.
*Anything new or different is always scary or traumatic.
*Prefers mom to do all the basics--bath, teeth, feeding, diapers, etc.  Prefers to play with dad.
*Reminds me all day that she is dad's cutie and mom's girl.
*Always tells Jeff, "I have brown eyes just like you 'cause I'm your little cutie."
*We have yet to find a book she doesn't find cute, darling, or precious.  She will disappear in her room and sit and read books forever!  Then she will come downstairs and say, "I was reading so cute!"  Again, no problem with self-esteem.
*Great imagination

We absolutely love her funny little personality and feel so lucky 

to have little Heidi Bug in our home!

can we have a valentines do-over?

We were so excited for Valentine's Day around here.  We had valentines we were ready to fill out, treats to make, and hearts to cut out.  Then a certain little 2 year old woke up at midnight Tuesday screaming.  I went up to find her sitting in a pile of vomit.  We bathed and changed sheets and laid back down only to start the process over again every hour to two hours.  We were hoping it would end sooner rather than later but Wednesday Heidi continued to throw every little sip right up.  Then the fever hit.  We weren't sure if we should take her in since it had gone on for so long, but we figured they wouldn't do much for a stomach bug so we waited.  Finally Thursday night I decided I better take her in because she was getting worse and worse and the fever kept getting higher.  They found out she had strep and gave her a penicillin shot.  I thought it was odd she had the vomiting with it but the doctor said they see that in kids a lot.  So we took her home and hoped for the best.  The next morning she acted slightly better but still wanted nothing to drink or eat.  The fever had gone a little but she was so lethargic and only wanted to sit and be held.  She kept screaming in pain saying her tummy hurt.  Before I knew it, we were back to throwing up again.  We decided not to wait this time and just headed to the ER because she was no longer producing tears and her mouth was dry.  She had already gone 3 long days with nothing to eat or drink.  They gave her a shot of zofran and we had to wait for her to eat a popsicle and see if it came back up.  It didn't so we went home with a prescription and a tired little girl.  The doctor said she probably had a stomach virus on top of the strep to have so much vomiting.  We got her home and she was acting a little better.  Then all of a sudden she got really hot again and started screaming that her stomach hurt.  I hurried and gave her more zofran and she at least didn't throw up.  She is acting a lot better today but it is still a fight to get her to drink and she is of course very weak.  At least she has some interest in playing "party" with daddy.  I am so glad it's the weekend and Jeff is home.  It has been a very, very, very long week for mama.  Trying to meet Savanna's needs while tending to a very sick little girl has definitely been a trial.  I wished more than ever before that there were two of me--one for Heidi and one for Savanna.  Of course the house is a complete disaster and I have about 6 loads of laundry and sheets to fold.  I think we have had an average of 1-2 hours of sleep a night since Monday night.  We have really lucked out this nasty flu season and we really hope this is the first and last bug we get.  We are praying our little hearts out that Savanna does not pick this bug up because it's a nasty one! We are glad Heidi is feeling better and we are SO happy to hear her happy little voice again!

i'm going there someday

Last Monday for family night we talked about temples and built a temple out of Heidi's big lego blocks.  It was really simple and really fun.  When we talked about the angel on top she went and tried to put her angel baby doll on the top.  It was very cute.  Ever since our family night she talks about how mom and dad got married in the temple and dad wore a funny suit called a tuxedo.  She is at such a fun, teachable age and we are loving it!  Next time we head to Utah I guess we will be stopping and walking around the temple grounds!

reflections of motherhood

I did a post after Heidi was born about all the things I felt after becoming a mother. I thought I would do the same thing again since I am now a mommy to two little ones and I don't want to forget how I felt with two little ones under foot.

*I never knew how much my heart could love two different little people so much.  I was so worried when Savanna came that I wouldn't love her as quickly as I loved Heidi. When I finally got to hold her I knew it wouldn't take very long.
*I feel guilty all the time.  I can't spend every second of every day talking to, playing with, and reading to Savanna like I did Heidi.  I can't always feed Savanna the second she needs it or put her down for her nap at just the right time.  When I am spending time with Savanna, I feel guilty that I am not giving Heidi one on one attention and vice versa.  It is so hard!!  Sometimes I just wish there was two of me.  I constantly feel I am not meeting the needs of one of them.
*I don't feel nearly as isolated as I thought I would.  Due to the horrible cold and flu season we have pretty much been staying home as much as possible. We live in a new town and I don't have a lot of friends, but keeping up with the house and the girls seems to keep my mind from getting down.
*Going anywhere is almost more trouble than it's worth.  I hate going anywhere because it takes longer to get the girls ready and buckled than it does to actually get some place.
*Ever since Savanna joined our family, Heidi seems so grown up. I can't believe how much she has changed in two and a half years.  It seems like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital.  This realization makes me want more than ever for time to just slow down!!  As hard as some days are, I absolutely love, love, love having little ones around.  I am trying so hard to live in the moment and appreciate each little stage.
*Nighttime is the most exhausting part of the day!  It seems like one kid is crying and the other is screaming! Heidi is usually throwing a fit about how she doesn't want to take a bath.  The poor girl is just so picked on.  Savanna is usually screaming her head off because she is tired and wants to sleep but I am desperately trying to keep her awake so she will go to bed at the right time.  And of course, both girls only want mom at this time of night!  Luckily Savanna likes her bath and I have been putting her in the tub at the same time as Heidi.    Thankfully once baths are done Heidi is usually happy as a clam an plays happily with her dad while I get Savanna settled down.  I am also thankful that Heidi has never fought going to bed (knock on wood).  She has always loved a routine and once we read scriptures and say prayers she jumps in her bed.
*As I have said before, Savanna is really not the most stellar sleeper.  This time around it is so much easier to deal with.  Don't get me wrong, I am totally and completely exhausted every. single. day.--and the giant bags under my eyes prove it!  It's amazing how your body adjusts to so little sleep though.  One look at Savanna's huge grin in the morning reminds me how much I love her.  She is just growing so incredibly fast and I know at some point she will be able to sleep.  So for now, I just try to focus on other things besides lack of sleep!
*I feel like I can't keep up with anything!!  No project ever seems to get completely finished!  As soon as I finish cleaning the kitchen, Heidi will have spilled something all over the floor, or pulled every pot and pan out.  The second the toy room is clean all the stuffed animals magically appear again.  If I start dinner it's a guarantee Savanna will wake up just as I start to cut the chicken.  When Jeff gets home I am sure he wonders what in the world I do all day long.
*I still miss teaching, but I can't even imagine having a full time job and being a mom.  I feel so incredibly grateful that I have the opportunity to stay home.  I am so glad I don't have to drop them off anywhere or miss one single thing they do.  Perhaps there will be a time later when I can go back to my career if I want to, but for now, I am so, so, so happy that I get to be at home.  I don't feel as torn as I used to about not being a teacher.  I know that my girls need me right now and there is no place I would rather be.
*Having two kids has made it even harder for Jeff and I to have time together, but having kids has also connected us in such a wonderful way.  Jeff is the only person in the world who loves these little girls as much as I do. Watching him play with our girls has only made my love for him grow.  Heidi and Savanna are so lucky to have a dad like him.  No one can make Heidi laugh as hard as he can.  I love how he plays with her and talks to her and tells her how cute she is.  I love watching him try desperately to get Savanna to laugh and how patiently he carries her around singing to her during the bedtime routine while I am trying to get Heidi in her pajamas.

I really feel so blessed to have these little girls in my home.  I want nothing more than to be a good mom and most days I feel like I am failing miserably.  I wish I had more time and more hands!  I blame myself for everything that they haven't mastered yet.  I wonder if there will ever come a time when Heidi won't scream the second she thinks I am leaving.  I worry so much about Savanna not having enough attention.  I worry she won't be as verbal as Heidi.  I just hope they feel loved and will forgive me for all of my shortcomings.  I am so lucky I get to be their mom and I hope they will always know how much I love them.

pictures of the girls

We love our new house for so many, many reasons.  One day I will post pictures of the finished product.  It's hard to get pictures that do the house justice.  Not only do we love the inside of our house, but we love where it is located.  We love the town, we love the view, and we love our neighbors.  

 The best part is the neighbor right next to us is a photographer.  Their third car garage is her studio and it makes it a dream for getting pictures of my little ones.  I can just run over when it's a good time for both of the girls.  I have some frames I have been wanting to fill so we went next door and got these cute pictures!

 If you know Heidi, you know she does not do well in new situations.  She freaks out and becomes a bit out of sorts.  So these pictures show how amazing my neighbor is because I didn't think we would get any smiles out of this little two year old!!  Of course today she has been begging to go over and see Juneau and play at Juneau's house.  The more we go over there, the better Heidi will get at not freaking out (we hope).

 I can't wait to get the pictures I ordered and decorate some of our walls with my two sweet little girls!!  I can't believe I get to be their mom.  I am sooooooo lucky!

happy birthday

Happy Birthday to the greatest man!!  I am so lucky he is my husband and the girls are so lucky he is their dad.  I love what a hardworking, dedicated husband and father he is.  We love him for so many reasons.  I asked Heidi a few questions about her dad.

Me: What is daddy's name?
Heidi: Dad. Dad starts with D.  What does Care Bear start with?  F.

Me: What is daddy's favorite color?
Heidi: Green and brown and even black.

Me: What do you like to play with daddy?
Heidi: Kitchen

Me: What is daddy's favorite food?
Heidi: Soup.  Does dad like soup?  Maybe enchilladas.

Me: What kind of cake should we make dad?
Heidi: A cheesecake.  I want to make dad a birthday cake right now.

Me:Are you a daddy's girl?
Heidi: Mom's girl for now and dad's cutie for now.

Me: What does dad like to do?
Heidi: Draw with Heidi.  Does he like to draw with Heidi?

Me: What is daddy good at?
Heidi: Putting wood on the fire.

Happy 31st Birthday, Jefferson!!!  We hope your day is fantastic and we can't wait for you to get home so we can celebrate!!!!

three months

 Time really goes way, way, way too fast.  Savanna is already three months old!!  I love watching her grow and change, but I sure wish it would just go a little slower.  I love this little one so much.  She is growing and getting stronger every day.

*Savanna has a happy, happy little temperament.  The second you look at her she just lights up the hugest grin.  You can't help but smile when you look at her.
*Coos the most before her bath when she is laying on her diaper pad.
*Loves laying on her diaper pad.
*Only likes to be held facing out and isn't a huge cuddler.  She prefers to hang out on the floor under her play mat, on her diaper pad, in her bouncy seat, or in her swing.
*Has laughed a few times, but I am the only one who has really heard it.  We try and try to get it to happen more often.
*Looks more and more like her daddy every day except for her piercing blue eyes.  I am really hoping they go green so she will at least
one of my features!
*Has no trouble with nursing or taking bottles of pumped milk.
*Wears mostly 0-3 month clothes.  Can fit in a few newborn things--mostly pants or sleepers.
*Most nights she sleeps from 8 to about 1 or 2.  Then she sleeps again until 5 or 6 depending on how bad her reflux is bothering at that point.
*Her reflux medicine seems to help because it stops the dry cough and gagging, but it definitely doesn't last the full 12 hours it's supposed to.  At her 4 month we will look into upping the dose or putting her on something else depending on what her throat and ears look like.
*Worst time of day is when I am trying to get dinner ready (naturally). I am trying to get better cutting chicken one handed.
*Absolutely loves her baths.
*Not a fan of tummy time and I need to be better about making her practice.
*Loves to watch her older sister.
*Her hair is thinning and getting lighter and is totally, completely unruly.  It is so annoying!!!  I try to make it look decent and the second it dries it just fluffs out so it looks like she has wings.  We call her our little baby chick.  She is also starting to get a bald spot in the back.
*Loves pat-a-cake an loves if you move her legs.
*Blows lots and lots of bubbles.
*Likes her binky but also likes to launch it.  I wish she would take a different kind because those hospital drive me nuts.
*Loves to stand.
*Usually takes a short nap in the morning, a longer afternoon nap, and usually needs a little catnap in the evening to get us to bedtime.
*Light sleeper.  She has a hard time settling down if there are people around or commotion.  I think it must be hereditary.

I love my sweet, happy little Savanna girl.  She has brought us so much joy and I am so grateful I get to stay at home and spend so much time with her.  It all goes so fast and I don't want to miss a thing!

blessed

 On Sunday our sweet little Savanna was blessed.  She wore my blessing dress that my grandma made for me just like Heidi did.  She looked beautiful.

 Jeff gave her a beautiful blessing and she just smiled at all the men in the circle.

 Savanna was such a good sport the whole day.  Between so many people holding her and all of her naps getting interrupted, she couldn't have been happier.

No matter how many times she wakes me up in the night, I am so in love with this little girl.  I can't imagine not having her sweet little spirit in our home. 

 I am so grateful to have the priesthood in our home so that Jeff could give her the beautiful blessing.  

We felt so blessed to have so many people come and help celebrate Savanna's special day.  Jeff's parents came Saturday night, we had my brother Mark and my brother Michael, and about 30 other people.  We had so many people come from Green River and my dear friend Heidi Cliffy and her family made the trip from Utah.  We were overwhelmed by the love and support we felt.  My parents, sister, and older brother were missed, but we look forward to seeing them another time.  Happy Blessing Day, Savanna!!!  We love you, we love you, we love you!!!