The life and times of an absent blogger ...

Christmas happened, didn't it? Or I think it did. Maybe it was one of those dreams I had when I was getting a two hour nap. Two hour stretches of sleep is about all I got this time around, for nearly two months, since Carson had so many feeding issues. Folks, I have a new definition of "tired" now. No, make that "frantic with exhaustion." "Tired" is not an adequate description. But I think things are on the up-and-up because there appears to be a dim light ahead in this tunnel that I have been driving in.

Well, anyway, assuming I didn't dream it all ... my dad made these awesome wooden toys for the kids for Christmas. I love how each toy he made is just perfect for each child. It suits their personality to a T.

Clara got a gumball machine. It has a few quirks to operate it but Clara, our extreme-sugar-loving child, had it all figured out in about four seconds flat. I am happy to say that she very generously shares gumballs with both of her sisters, whenever she gets one for herself. Although, she is reticent to give them the green ones because green is her favorite.

 

Sophia got a wooden rocking horse for her dolls. She loves her dollies! This is an exact replica of the larger wooden rocking horse my sisters and I spent many hours rocking on as children. I love it! My dad sized down the pattern himself. I was very impressed!

 

Meredith got a wooden treasure box. She is the Queen of Collecting Stuff and thinks every single item (especially ones that her mom wants to throw away) is just the most special treasure.

 

Carson got this awesome personalized car, with his name and birth date on it. I'm sure he will play with it at some point but, right now, it is looking snazzy sitting on his night stand.

 

We enjoyed Aunt Megan, Uncle Kc, and the boys' visit from Dallas. Grant and Carson both shared their "First Christmas" together, even though they are nearly a year apart. Grant's birthday is December 29 and Carson's is December 2. Here they are on their first Christmas!

 

We got a ton of snow the day after Christmas. It was so fun. This California girl will always love the snow. Kevin took the kids sledding several times. We thought it was going to be a blizzard so we packed up and spent the night in Kevin's parents' basement so we could get snowed-in with cousins. I can't believe how crazy we are, to do that with a newborn. But it was fun, despite the fact that we didn't get snowed-in after all.

 

We hosted New Year's Eve this year and had so much fun learning to play "FUNO" a crazy version of the "UNO" card game, which Kc taught us. We also played some games with just the little kids that they thought was fun. It was a very memorable NYE. Here we are watching the ball drop in NY at midnight.

 

My parents came from Southern California. We had such a relaxing time together and really enjoyed their visit. I'm so glad that they got to spend time with the kids.

 

My dad is a ham and the kids love horsing around with him.

 

 

So, these are the things I remember about the last few weeks, thanks to the fact that I documented them with a camera! Life is busy, and fun, and I'm exhausted. But I wouldn't trade any minute of it. (Okay, I would trade in the sleepless nights. But that's about it.) ;)

Miss Congeniality Turns Three

Sophia, our little Miss Congeniality, turned three on January 21. On the eve of her birthday, I went to kiss her goodnight. She was already asleep in her bottom bunk. Suddenly I got really wistful. I realized how much I would miss my little two-year-old. Although I am pretty sure she will still be as cute as a three-year-old, as she has been this last year, Sophia is growing up so fast. I cannot imagine enjoying a toddler more than we have enjoyed Sophia. Kevin and I talk about how, "Joy" was the perfect middle name for her.

Sophia is a little fire cracker, full of energy, full of life, full of laughter. She loves to dish it back to us when we tease her. She says the funniest things. She thinks she is SO big. And she really is. Her ideas and her antics often seem far beyond her short years. Her teachers in a mom's group I attend always remark at what a good artist she is. (She should be since she likes to copy her sisters, who draw constantly!) I am so glad Sophia is part of our family. I could not imagine life without this little girl.

Here she is at her birthday party. She wanted "All the Princesses" on her cake. (Well, truth be told, she wanted to copy Clara's idea of an Ariel birthday. Clara was really upset since Sophia's birthday comes first and she didn't want Sophia to steal her idea. So we convinced Sophia that she could have "ALL" the princesses and she liked that idea. Ahh, the politics of having daughters!! It's all about diplomacy, I tell you.)

 

Granny gave Sophia three dollars in her birthday card and Sophia thought she was one rich lady! You crack us up, little girl.

 

Here are a few older pictures of Sophia I meant to post but, alas, time flies. She is adorable in every way. We love her. Sophia loves her baby dolls. She can often be found pushing her dolly in her doll stroller, a favorite pastime.

 

Sophia is my little sidekick and my helper.

 

Clara has become Sophia's best friend (and roommate), although Sophia enjoys many special times with Meredith as well.

 

Here she and Clara are helping me clean. I put them to work cleaning the woodwork on the stairs and they act like they enjoy it. Boy do I have them fooled!

 

Smiley Boy

About two weeks ago, I got to document some great smiles!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carson Michael

Poor little fourth child.  Discretionary time has been really limited lately so I haven't been able to carve out the time to update my blog as often as I would like.  But I have been cuddling with my sweet baby every day, as much as I can.  

Today is Sunday and I had every intention of going to church.  But we had a rough night (again) and it ended up not working out to go.  I won't lie.  I enjoyed having a quiet morning with just me and the baby.  He is in high demand around here, with his three sisters vying for his attention.  But today it was just me and my boy.  I played with him, got a few smiles out of him, and held him, with his cheeks pressed against mine, until he fell asleep in my arms.  

Someday, when I have lots of time to write, which I really do miss, I realize I will miss these days even more and I will never be able to have them back.  Carson is precious and we enjoy him so much. I am trying to slow down and savor the fleeting time with my baby.  

Three weeks:

Four weeks:

Five weeks:

 

This is the first family picture we got. Carson was six weeks old.  I said to Kevin, "Can you believe we haven't had a family picture until now?"  He said, "YES!"  Life was just really crazy with a newborn at Christmas and all his feeding issues that followed.  We are survivors!  It's not a great picture but ... we FINALLY got one!!

Six weeks:

Seven weeks:

I love him!