Being a Mommy

This was one of those weeks when it is clear why the Today Show said people without kids consider themselves "happier" than people with kids. It started out OK, but by about Thursday Gage had turned into a beast. Literally. We teased a little that the boys were 'agents of chaos' and then they worked really hard to live up to it! Gage is doing this charming thing where he whines and cries for two or three hours at a time, begging to be picked up and taken to the kitchen, usually, where he waves his hand around trying to find something he wants to break. He whines when I pick him up, set him down, feed him, don't feed him...yes, he has a cold. But so does Reid--it must be something else. We're betting on teething, but really it could be anything.

Meanwhile, I have begun to wonder about what makes a good mother. Meaning, am I a bad mother if I let them eat a fudge pop for breakfast and Gatorade for lunch, just to get something in Gage so he won't be low-blood-sugar cranky? Or, am I a bad mother if I plop them in their cribs for a nap, let them scream for half an hour, take a shower and get out to find that Reid has climbed from his crib and is wandering around the kitchen (because he learned to open doors) with tear tracks down his face and a bruise on his head? Or if we've watched at least two Disney movies a day for the last few days, in addition to some Backyardigans on demand and even a little Spongebob?

Speaking of opening doors, Reid can. It is unfortunate, but true. In fact, we had to buy a new deadbolt because they could lock & unlock the old one by standing on the second step, and now with their new ability to open doors...well, it was a little scary. So now the deadbolt has to be unlock with a key both inside and out. That should keep them inside! Sadly, I stepped out the other day to water my plants, and left the key in the lock thinking I would only be out for a minute, and they locked me out. Luckily my neighbor has a spare key...otherwise I would have been in bad shape! Won't do that again.

Here are some cute pictures from a trip we took this week to Red Butte Gardens at the U. Obviously this was before the beastie boy made his appearance. Also obviously, the adorable quotient of these pictures shows why we put up with what we do. Aren't they so cute in their hats?

Busy, Busy, Busy

Just another busy week here. I was extra scheduled because of the youth "superactivity" this week, a three-day and two-night event. It ended up going well, but was quite a bit of work for planning and execution. I was just released from the young men's program, but was immediately called as the new ward mission leader--so still no freeloading at church. Janine is always busy, for obvious reasons, and could really use a full time assistant (as I'm sure most mother's could). The boys have continued to create general destruction in whatever region they inhabit. They both are talking a little more coherently, but haven't fully grasped the power of asking for the thing they want with more than grunts. Hopefully soon.

Hope you are all well. We are really excited to see all the family in the coming couple of weeks.

Gage's shoe decision/fetish. I would bet money he was trying to figure out how to get a second pair of shoes on at that moment.














Reid's cute head.














Gage is hungry and unhappy.














So good looking and so hungry.



















Reid loves Uncle Joel. You'll see. Joel, Luke, and Alex spent the night at our place on their way through town, and this morning we got this video of Reid's love for Uncle Joel. By the way, thanks for babysitting for us last night guys. It was nice for Janine and I to escape.

Vegetative

I have a pic and a short video for you today. Hope you are all well.

Now I understand the saying, "television rots your brain." Look at the vegetative looks on their little faces. They are nearly comatose. (Gage - left, Reid - middle, Lukas - right)














The boys and their friend Lukas.

God Bless America

Hope you all had a great Independence Day. To me this is one of the best holidays of the year; a time reflect on the liberty of America. I believe God blessed this country, and I'm glad to be here. And (I won't lie) I love BBQ's, get togethers, fireworks, and most everything else that are traditional for celebration of the day--except maybe parades (I'm not quite sure why those are supposed to be fun). Again, I hope your 4th was great.

Anyway, I've got a few pics and a video for you. Hope you enjoy them.

Gage eating ketchup for dinner.















The boys in the kiddie pool.















Reid doing some sliding. And, yes, he is naked. I only explain that in case you were thinking, "I can't see his swimmy diaper. Is it hidden behind the purple part of the slide? No, that really looks like he's naked."















Brotherly love.