My Little Man

Motherhood is unpredictable. All of you more experienced mothers may be thinking - well, no duh - but in my newly-stay-at-home-mom naivete, I am just learning that the unpredictability is just about all I can plan on. I wake up every morning without any idea what the day might bring. A happy, caring, sweet child or a day of tantrums and breakdowns.

Today was a great day.

Morgan cleared his plate after breakfast all by himself. Both kids got baths. There were no incidents during the 2 hours of playgroup fun (which may not seem like a big deal, but if you read on you will understand that this was a major breakthrough). I did not have to send Morgan to a single time-out all day, Chloe took 3 naps and I got to spend one-on-one time with both kids. Seth got to come with us to the library, where we checked out 10+ books and then came home and read nearly all of them. And, I even made dinner.

But the best part of my day was before Morgan's nap when we read One Fish, Two Fish by Dr. Seuss. Reading this book is a normal part of any day. In fact reading it 2 or 3 times is typical, but today, he read with me. Nope, he isn't a prodigy child who reads at 2 1/2, he just has a photographic little memory. He can quote more than 50% of the book - and it is a pretty long book. He looked at the pictures to determine which rhyme to say and then finished my sentences with a look of pride that only a 2 year-old can pull off. So cute!!! It was just one of those mothering moments when you think, "Man, I am sure lucky that Heavenly Father sent this kid to me!"

Morgan is a pretty sweet kid. He loves to share, he loves to play with friends, and he is always trying to help, but lately he has been exhibiting some aggressive behaviors - especially when we play with other boys. I have come to realize that it is probably his coping mechanism for stress - it got significantly worse during the holidays and has calmed down since. After months of searching, we finally found something that works and it is all about reinforcing positive behavior! He gets a "good mark" on his hand every time I catch him doing something kind, helpful or obedient, and he wants to get good marks all day long. He is so proud of those little lines on his hand and I am so happy that he is back (fingers crossed) to being the sweet little boy I know and love. And boy do I love him!

A Call for Favorites

I have never really been much of a cook. It isn't that my cooking isn't edible or appetizing, it is just that I have never really had the time or desire to do it frequently. Well, the time has come, and I am excited about making dinner for my family regularly.

There is one problem, though. I don't have nearly enough recipes to keep things exciting. So I am asking for your favorite tried and true recipes. I am especially interested in soup and crock pot recipies and anything that is pretty quick and easy - after all, I still need enough time to update this blog.

And don't worry, I won't go publishing your prize recipes or anything, but my family will thank you for getting rid of the monotony that is our dinner menu!

Coos and Giggles

Chloe loves snowshoeing! She is definitely a girly girl but she has this fun little adventurous side just like mom. Today I got to carry Chloe in the backpack while we snowshoed. The entire time I heard coos and giggles in my ear. I am not sure whether it is the fresh air, the snow, or watching the dogs run around like crazy, but she loves it! She was even a good sport when we sledded back to the car in our sleds filled with snowshoes, backpacks and poles.

Morgan was adorable too, but it is no surprise that he loves adventure! His favorite part of the snowshoeing was making it "snow" by hitting every tree branch within his reach (Seth veered slightly to ensure many opportunities) and when we got back to the bottom, he wanted to sled again!

And I can't forget the dogs. They got the workout they had been craving jumping through the fresh powder! They always get excited when they see us getting decked out in snow gear, and Callie starts her "I'm-so-excited-I-can't-stand-it" whining as soon as we pass REI - she knows where we are headed!

DATE NIGHT!

I recently decided that Seth and I need a regular date night, so tonight we started what, we hope, will become a weekly occurrence. Before tonight our last date was doing a couple of quick Christmas exchanges in the middle of the afternoon and the previous 4 or 5 were going to the temple and grabbing fast food on the way home - I know - it is pathetic.

So, tonight we hit the town! We went out for dinner and a yummy dessert at the Cheesecake Factory and then made a few kidless stops on the way home. Holding hands is so much easier when your arms aren't filled with kids! It was so nice to be childless and not in a hurry to pick them back up. Thanks Grandma Becky, Grandpa John, Uncle Michael and Uncle Stephen for watching the kiddies!

P.S. Chocolate coconut cream cheesecake is heavenly!

The Power of A Girl

Every day, I love Chloe a little more. Her little smiling face is intoxicating. Her big bright blue eyes can suck you in and win your heart in seconds. Her sweet nature and sensitivity are captivating. Her fake sounding laugh is so sweet that you just can't help joining in.

The other day Seth and I were talking about this very thing. "I am going to have a really hard time telling that little girl no," he said. And he will - he can't stand to see her upset. At least he's honest about it!

It isn't just Seth that is wrapped around her finger, Uncle Jess always wants to hold Chloe the second we walk in the door (and she can't wait to see him either), and Aunt Shanae is never far behind. Grandpa John doesn't even wait until we get in the door - neither does Uncle Stephen. Grandma Becky can never come shopping with us without buying something cute for Chloe. And Morgan just can't get enough of his baby sister! Nobody can stand to hear her cry - not even for 5 minutes when she is trying to fall asleep (unfortunately, she has figured this out and doesn't give up when she knows people are over).

And, to be honest, I have to admit that I am as much a culprit as anyone. I just want to give her kisses and hugs all day long. I am so grateful for my sweet little princess!

This is just an everyday moment of Chloe playing in her room and eating something off the floor - in a cute shirt Grandma Becky couldn't resist (much to my happiness)!

Sledding

Today we took the kids sledding at the park and had so much fun. We took over 400 pictures, but here are a couple of my favorites!

A Tribute to my Buddies

My sweet friend Heather gave me a wonderful Christmas gift - she gave me a cd with a bunch of pictures she had scanned in from our days as roommates up through the present. It has been so fun to reminisce about all the fun we've had!

So, to all my dear friends old and new, thanks for being a part of my life! You make the good times even better and the not-so-good times a little more bearable! Love ya!

Plugged In

Seth and I got Zunes for Christmas. I wasn't convinced that I would really use an MP3 player, but now, I am hooked. It is as if I enter "Jen's World" (a pretty great place as you can imagine) every time I pop in those headphones. Naptime was always pretty great, but now that I can listen to my tunes it is actually rejuvenating. Housework, cooking and even working can be rejuvenating when those magical headphones are plugged in.