Events from January

Special Events: A great drawing from church, "Going to the temple makes me happy" from Austin, Isaac napping in his "chair," Wesley's first piano recital, landscaping, Wesley ALWAYS hitting the tetherball (even before he takes off his bike helmet or backpack), Levi sucking on anything, basketball season, Austin's wart removal...and the saddest picture of Isaac trying to keep up with his brothers on his bike as they ride off to school.

Isaac turns 3

Eggs, Toast, Bacon...I hungee! Isaac sure did love eating on the special red plate for his big 3rd birthday this year. He is a chatterbox as he told us "moo fetters and paw corn" was what he wanted. So, we took the boys with Gpa Lowe to go and see "Tin Tin" at the theaters for their matinee showing. It worked out great!

He was a bit shaky on his new balance bike, but loved walking it around the park with his brothers. Lemon Heaven cake for dessert.

Isaac:

Still drags me in to go potty and help with his pants

Follows Austin around all day

Huge sweet smile

Runs over to greet me when I come home

Loves graham crackers and milk/ crackers and cheese/ whipped cream/ orange juice (drinking it from the carton)

favorite movies: tarzan, robots, Ice Age 3, Dinosaurs

A Gratitude Challenge

It was WWII at my house this morning. I don't know why I think I can prepare my Gospel Doctrine lesson THE MORNING of, while getting my 4 boys ready, nursing the baby, curling my own hair, doing the breakfast and clean up duty, stay calm and have patience...all alone by 10:30! It never happens and never will.

So, while I am trying to put together my thoughts about Lehi's Dream, I had sweet Levi trying to stay content amidst his brothers wrestling in their church clothes all around him! No wonder he can't relax, he's overly stimulated by their screaming and yelling all day long. I kept hollering at them to go read, go play piano, go have some quiet time, go get dressed, go brush teeth, etc... but alas, none of it happened without some serious anxiety on my part. I can't prepare a spiritual lesson when I myself have NO spirit! Needless to say, I was a train wreck by the time Jared pulled up to take us to church at 10:50am...asked me to say the family prayer...yeah right! In no mood to do any of that!

Fortunately I did change my attitude, and by the time my class rolled around, it was one of my better classes (and lessons) taught...

I want to count my blessings tonight.

10 physical abilities: to see, taste, hear, touch, kiss, walk, multi task, laugh, type, read
10 material possessions: house, car, refrigerator, microwave, boots, shower, dishwasher, disposal, windows, money
10 living people: Jared, Wesley, Austin, Isaac, Levi, mom, dad, good friends (you know who you are), living prophets, family
10 deceased people: Joseph Smith, Jesus, Grandma Guzman, pioneers...
10 things in nature: sunshine (hello, Arizona!), rain, green cut grass (hello, Arizona!), birds, flowers, mountains, fresh water, bees, shade, beach
10 things about TODAY: a great SS class, Parmesan chicken, doctrinal chit chat with Gpa Lowe, playing U-no with the boys, hot curlers, red slippers, caramel syrup, hot shower, the Ensign, gchat
10 places on earth: Arizona, Argentina, my home, SUU, Temple grounds, Mexico, Mountainside Fitness, my back yard, Olive Garden, my bed
10 modern inventions: internet, cell phone, plumbing, reverse osmosis, netflix, tylenol, bicycle, camera, in-styler, binkie (which Levi is refusing as he is still crying it out in his crib right now)
10 foods: bread, cheese, tortillas, fruit, rice, spicy spaghetti seasoning, veggies, chocolate, marshmellows, yogurt
10 gospel things: restoration, eternal families, prayer, living prophets, Sunday church, General Conference, Visiting Teaching, missions, tithing, Book of Mormon

I'd be very grateful if I could get baby Levi to sleep through the night tonight!

Belated birthday party

I always feel bad when Christmas comes and goes, as well as birthdays for Jared and Wesley. So, I decided to do a belated birthday party for Wesley. That day he went to school for "hat day" with his brother Austin, dressed up in their cowboy gear. How cute is that!

Wesley invited over: Colton, Barik Boley, Cody Ashton and Mason Ashton. I made pizza dough and they put on their favorite toppings. Tetherball and U-no were the activities. Those boys were very competitive and some tears were shed as the ball bumped them in the noses and hurt their feelings as they would lose the match.

Fun presents! A remote helicopter, Bop it game, Football and Game Cube Star Wars.

Wesley's baptism

Wesley Jared Wilson was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He was so excited to get to the church building. This was a picture of him posing in the backseat of the car in his new suit, Book of Mormon in hand. He was not nervous at all and had a sweet demeanor during the morning. Friends and family were in attendance. Glenn Wilson gave the talk on baptism and Jared (dad ) performed the ordinance.

We celebrated afterwards at Macayo's, as well as the winter birthdays for the cousins.

Wesley said he wanted to be baptized so he could follow Jesus' example, and to become a member of His church.

Gavin's visit

Tio Gavin came to visit us from Utah for a week. The boys LOVED his company, often begging him over and over to play football, tetherball and to go on bike rides. I know Gavin felt their love for him, and they kept him plenty busy!

Spoiled baby

I am spoiling little Levi. He refuses to leave my arms...ever...for...more...than...10...min.
I have turned into "one armed Wanda" as I call myself. So hard to do things like cook dinner, email, scoop out pasta onto a plate, do my eyeliner, etc.

He is 6 months old and 17 lbs...85% and healthy...all good reasons to start sleeping!

The angel side of me tells me that it's okay b/c I am enjoying him, he is secure, he is happy and well fed.

The devil side of me tells me that I am not letting him form self soothing methods, that he is lacking sleep, and that I am going to be stuck with a clingy toddler.

I have got to figure something out with the nighttime routine. I have tried to let him cry it out, but he has NEVER cried himself to sleep...even after an hour of sobbing and rolling around with a sweaty head :( Last night I tried the "pick up/put down" method, but he wouldn't calm down after I picked him up...would arch his back and start deep screaming. Jared went in around 3am and tried to soothe him, which made him MORE upset...sounded like someone was beating him up! You can hear his sweet little belly grumbling for food, but it's more out of habit. I really wanted to give in and just nurse him, but he somehow fell asleep with Jared, only to wake up crying 30 min. later (in which I did give in b/c it was 4am by that point and I figured he had earned a snack).

Right now he is up in his crib wailing away, after only being asleep for an hour (it's 8pm). I put in ear plugs, I leave the house, I distract myself with a movie...but my heart is aching for my sweet baby. We even bought a musical night light to help him out...if only Mr. Turtle light had all the answers!

With the AZ Ragnar Race approaching in 5 weeks, I have GOT to figure something out or give up my running spot. Levi refuses formula, won't eat cereal, doesn't sleep through the night, and only wants mama mama mama.

Every baby is different, and this particular Mr. Levi is going to take a lot of time to figure out.

Here was an article from Meridian magazine my aunt Estela sent me:

People ask me all the time, “Is she a good baby?”

The real answer is, there is no such thing as a “bad baby.” All babies are heaven-sent. But I know what they’re getting at. Some babies are just, well….higher maintenance than others. Spirited, if you will. Some babies simply know what they want and won’t take “no” for an answer. Prized qualities in any well-rounded adult!

So let’s just hope Jane grows up to be a well-rounded adult.

Jane is as good as gold when she’s being held. Even better when she’s being nursed. All I have to do is hold her and nurse her all day long and we don’t have any problems!

Obviously, we have a problem.

“Just a minute, my darling! Mommy has to use the bathroom!”
“Just a second, sweetheart! Mommy has to strain off this gallon of boiling, hot water from the pasta!”
“Momentito, my angel! Mommy needs two hands to chop these vegetables!”
“Honestly. Jane. Life if not that bad.”

We’ve tried slings, wraps, backpacks, and crying it out. But like I said, she’s a woman who knows what she wants and won’t take “no” for an answer. So we nurse and giggle and coo and the house is a mess. My left arm is disproportionately muscular and my left hip sticks out at a weird angle now…but my baby is happy. A good baby.

Sleeping in locations other than my arms is not her strong suit either. She doesn’t “transfer” well. That’s why all the shushing and the blatant threats about being quiet when she’s napping. Hey, I wasn’t kidding. Keep your voice down.

My little, ol’ grandma of a neighbor cast a loving look at the bundle on my left hip as we chatted out by the mailbox the other night and asked,

“So, is she a good baby?”

My answer, “Yes. If she’s being held.”

And with the wisdom that can only come via years of experience, she said,

“Then just hold ‘em. Just hold ‘em.”

Okay. I will. But can we invest in a sound-proof door for the nursery too?