Digital Mirror

It is an understatement to say that Andrew loves the camera and he is such a photogenic child! His new favorite thing is the video camera with the screen turned around so he can see himself being filmed. He was such a ham today!! My favorite word he says is "John" - it comes from the song "Are you sleeping, are you sleeping...brother John, brother John..." Love this kid!

FIGHT ON!

August 30th was USC's first game of the season and man was Bryan stoked! He had some training to do in the afternoon, but was ready to watch the game Tivo-ed at about 2:30. I am pleased to say they STOMPED the other team, which made for a very happy husband and a pleasant evening. I have come to embrace football season...I can't quite venture to say I am an avid fan quite yet, but I do enjoy watching the game here and there and joining in the festivities!

The boy's nap times were staggared so they each got to spend some one-on-one time with dad watching the game. Andrew was excited to see "ball ball" on the tv. It is so cute when he says "Go go, ball ball, kick it!!!"

Bryan has high hopes for this year's team - so all I can say at this point is, Fight On!

Handy Manny

I can't describe my jor when I see Bryan and Andrew together - they are the perfect pair. Andrew adores his daddy and loves to spend time with him. Daddy + outside + daddy's toys = a little boy's dream!

Saturday morning Bry was out getting some things done on his car and I came outside to see how things were going and I found this. Father and son working together. It was too cute to see Andrew with a wrench pretending to help daddy! What a great helper he is!!!!

Down Right Disgusting

This has to be the most foul smelling baby food ever made. Amazingly enough - Andrew ate the entire jar. Prety good fora child with a super sensitive nose and serious sensory issues. I had to keep myself from gagging the entire time I fed it to him. Wow - what a lunch. I know it is probably good for him, but I don't know if I can ever buy that one again. Gross!

Baby Genes!

Baby Bryan
(I believe Bryis a newborn , so about 3 months younger than Carter)

Baby Carter

Baby Megan

(Not sure how old I am, but older than Carter since I am sitting on my own)

Okay, I need a better picture of baby Bryan. I think he is a newborn in that shot...I will have to see if I can get a copy of one closer to Carter's age to put on here, but I do think Carter leans a little to the Osmun side of things right now, but I think he has his daddy's nose - I know he will continue to change day by day so I will have to do another comparison in a couple months. All I know is that he is so cute!!!

Our Treasure Books

As a family we have made a renewed commitment to journal writing. I know it is so important, but for some reason it is always on the list of things I want to make sure to get done, but gets bumped to the bottom. Well, today it was at the top. Bryan wrote in his, I wrote in mine, and I even started Andrew's and Carter's. Time is going by too quickly and the days are filled with so many sweet memories. I want to be able to record my feelings and such in my journal, as well as keep a record for Carter and Andrew of their cute things, milestones, and memories. Really, when I think about it - these books are full of treasures, hense our treasure books!

It has been so wonderful to get copies of some of the pages of Bryan's dad's journal. It is amazing how neat it is just to hear what went on in his everyday life. I know it sometimes it feels like nothing super great happened that day to write about, but I know as the years go by my children will like to know what our day to day life was about.

I have been so blessed to have a prime example of journal writing. My mother has been so diligent. I have my journals back to about the age of 5 where my mom would write down what I would tell her. As an adult now, when we would go and visit at her house I would go to her room in the morning or evening (can't remember which) and there she would be with her scriptures and journal.

What a treasure these journals are and will be even more so as the years pass by. Hopefully we can keep this as a priority in our family. We will soon see!

Doing my husbandly duties

So, it has been a while since I made a post on this blog. In fact I have only made one or two posts right as we made this blog. Since then Meg has done such a good job I never felt the need to post, but she tagged me and well I can't be "it" any longer.

3 joys, 3 fears, 3 obsessions/collections, 3 suprising facts and then tag five others... that is my task so here it is:

3 Joys:

1. My beautiful Wife/boys 2. Any combination of peanut butter and chocolate 3. Finally getting a job

3 Fears:

1. Losing my job and having to get into the horrid job market again 2. SC not beating OSU on sep 13 3. (political statement coming up so if you are heated by politics DON'T read it) Obama, I mean Osama, I mean Obama, I mean Osama.... you know who I mean... becoming the next President.

3 Obssesions/collections:

1. I have every Electric Light Orchestra and Pearl Jam albumn (yes I know they are polar opposites) 2. I love watching every episode of a show (one at a time of course) Everybody loves Raymond, King of Queens ... etc. 3. I hate stickiness, if I am watching Andrew and he wants a sucker... he has to go into the high chair... no exceptions!

3 Suprising facts:

1. Even though I am a biology nerd I LOVE technology, if I could make money at it I would just set up people's TV's, computers etc. for a living. 2. I am a Lakers fan too (yes there is another sport in my life other than football) 3. On the same note as the last one I love BYU football too.

Five people:

Shane Hatch, Chris Jones, Matt Masner, Jason McDaniel, Ryan Hambly

Motivation

Ahhhhh - naps! I find naps so motivating - not for the boys, but for me. Let me explain - I find myself staying up way too late too many nights with work and other things to get done. I always think to myself...I am going to stay up tonight and then I will take a nap tomorrow! I am so tired at night and it makes me feel better to think I am really going to get a nap the next day. I really truly have every intention of taking a nap...but I am sad to say it rarely happens. Somehow there are always more things on my To Do list that need to be done. Ah well - what do you do - at least it is motivating to think I will get a nap, and hey - maybe one of these days I will!

"My Words....Never Cease"

We had a wonderful talk on revelation in Relief Society today. Carter had fallen asleep during Sunday School so Bryan took him to Priesthood with him. It was quite nice being able to sit and fully enjoy the lesson today. Our teacher based her lesson on the talk by Elder Holland called "My Words...Never Cease" from last General Conference. We talked about a lot of aspects of revelation, but there was one comment made that really made sense and was a good way to think of revelation.

The woman sitting in the back row said every time she had taken her boys to the MTC for their mission it wasn't until they were walking away, after saying good bye that she thought of one more thing she needed to tell them; something important that they just needed to know. That must be how Heavenly Father feels about us. There are things He knows we need to know and He wants us to be successful and return to him so he speaks to us through modern day revelation.

I am so grateful for the guidance we receive through the scriptures and our living prophet President Monson. I am excited for this next General Conference and the direction I can get to continue to guide my life and my family.

Two CUTE kids!

I can't believe how fast my boys are growing up. Andrew is 2 years 8 months old and Carter is 3 1/2 months old!!! They have to be the cutest faces I have ever seen!!!

I couldn't let this day go by without getting a picture of Carter in this adorable outfit. Andrew took one look at Carter's hat and wanted his too - I just love these boys!

I have come to realize that hardly have any pictures of me with my kids. There are ton of the boys, a fair amount of Bryan with them and hardly any with me...I figure it is because I am always the one to grab the camera. I figure the only way to get pictures of me with them is to take them myself!

Try a little something new

Andrew has been doing AMAZING with his eating. We are down to less than two bottles of pediasure a day and he is trying new foods. He has applesauce and yogurt every morning and even asks to eat when he is hungry! He loves chocolate pudding - he eats that the fastest out of everything. The other day I set a grape on his tray thinking he would play with it as a ball and I came back and there was a bite out of it!!! He now will eat cheese and even ate some chopped green bell pepper!!!


I think he is getting better with the oral sensory stuff in his mouth, but th swallowing is now where the problem lies. He has trouble getting it down. We are going to get him scheduled for a swallow study soon and hopefully we can find a way to help him - I know he will come to love food - one day I won't have to convince him to eat cake!!

He is an amazing kid and is always improving and growing. I am so proud of my little man!

Where is thumbkin?

Carter is discovering his thumb! He really has liked his fist lately, but can't seem to get the thumb...and he found it! He hasn't gotten it again, but I bet he will soon. He does not like a pacifier AT ALL. I believe I will have a thumb sucker on my hands very soon. Hey - at least he can't drop it or lose it or forget to bring it in the car, right? We will worry about breaking that habit later on down the road...for now it is just too cute!

My buddy

...my buddy....my buddy and me!

Playtime with Carter is getting to be more entertaining. Who knew that long lost baby toys would be so entertaining to a 2 1/2 year old. It was like Christmas when I got out the toys for Carter. Andrew is leaning how to play with his brother. Carter just adores his big brother and loves to watch Andrew. He gets the biggest grin on his face when he sees him. Andrew gives the baby hugs, kisses, pats his back, ands still points to Carter's body parts. (we just have to remind him not to poke in the eyes)

Andrew has now learned how to blow air on Carter's bare tummy to zerbert him. It is so cute! I take a turn and then he does. Carter thinks it is so funny - I will have to be sure to get it on tape. These boys give me so many moments to cherish.

Scripture Reading

Bryan and I try and read our scriptures together every night in addition to personal scripture study and reading with Andrew. It is nice to get eachother's insight and to have that quiet time together. Things got a little crazy with moving and such and we just recently got back into our routine. We have been reading out of this book that has commentary, explanations, and questions to add to your study time.

Last night we were reading in Mosiah 23:21-22 which says "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten {test or punish} his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. Nevertheless - whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people."

A note on the bottom read "In mortality, we must learn to have "patient faith in God and his unfolding purposes. We read in Mosiah about how the Lord simultaneously tries the patience of his people even as he tries their faith (see Mosiah 23:21). One is not only to endure - but to endure well and gracefully those things which the Lord 'seeth fith to influct upon [us]' (Mosiah 3:19)" (Neal A. Maxwell)

We all have our share of trials in one form or another and Bryan and I really needed to hear this right now. We always try to make the most of situations and learn from all we are going through. We try to stay positive and look forward with faith, but we had lost sight of those things. We needed that reminder to have patient faith and to endure gracefully. I am so grateful for a supportive husband and a loving Father in Heaven who guides us through the hard times. The scriptures are a wonderful blessing and can give us the help and reminders that we need.

Blog Tag

I have been tagged by Shannon. I think this is the first tag I have actually responded to - so here it goes!

** I was trying to follow the previous posters of this tag with a childhood picture - me and Shell are cute, huh?!**

Here's what I am supposed to do: List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 obessions/colletions, 3 surprising facts and then tag five other people. Leave a comment for the people you tag so they know they have been tagged.

Joys

Andrew's giggle and Carter's smile

Going on walks with my boys outside - near the mountains (I miss Utah!)

Keeping up on scripture reading, prayers, and journal writing (I am so happy when I do it all...I just need to be better at it)

Fears
Earthquakes and scorpions
Not being able to get pregnant again
Losing my mom

Obsessions

Routines - I know this can be good and bad, but I thrive on routines.

Organizing - I don't think I could be organized enough...I love to keep things filed, stored, color coded, stacked, and put away!

Cooking - if I am making something for company or taking it somewhere and it doesn't come out just right I just don't bring it or serve it. I like to think I am getting better, but it is still pretty bad.

Clean babies - I love my kids clean - no matter what the day was like or how late it is - my babies have to have a bath. (I know that is four things, but I just had to)

Facts

Bryan and I cannot agree on what our first date was - I say he took me to see Nemo and he says he made me dinner (we all know I am right!)

I am completely content with having all boys. Strange, I know - but I do love having boys. This came to me after finding out Carter was a boy. I think I would eventually love to have a little girl, but surprisingly enough I really enjoy the boys!

I secretly eat ice cream, chocolate or something of that sort everyday. I know I rant and rave about being healthy and all other aspects of my food intake are pretty good, but there is a strong sweet tooth within me...I have to have SOMETHING sweet, even if it is just a couple chocolate chips. There, I said it - I am not as healthy as so many of you think I am, but I gotta have my sugar.

I LOVE being pregnant, having a newborn and nursing!!! (again, I know that is four things....but some people don't like to be preggo, so I thought I would say this one too.)

I tag:
Bryan (now you have something to blog about!)
Jessica Hatch
Lindsay Mitchell
Jami Baker
Savanna Anderson

Two Minutes Flat

Carter was ready for a nap so I had just finished feeding him and while burping he:

**burped
**pooped and exploded out his diaper
**passed some impressive gas while peeing in the midst of the diaper changing
**peed a second time (I had turned to get another diaper since he peed on the new one)
**spit up
**passed more gas
**smiled the most satisfying smile you have ever seen on a baby!!


But who could be upset at this face!!!!!! I don't think I was even frazzled one bit - maybe because I know what goes in is from me, so in some weird way his poo and pee don'tgross me out. It sure was cute to see him smile after peeing all over himself - silly baby! (see those wet spots by his head? ya......that is pee! He has quite the sprinkler on him!) Who knew a baby could do so much in two minutes!

Drummer Boys

Bry got off work tonight at a decent time and got to spend some quality time with me and the boys. He thought it would be fun to get out his drum to show Andrew...he has not had his drum out in SO long. I am a bit auditory sensitive and convinced him to give his whole drum set away when we were doing a love of moving when we first got married, but he held onto this one. I could see the joy in his eyes as he was playing. One day we will get a garage and I can invest in some ear plugs to dim the noise and he can drum away!

Andrew was a little hestitant if it was too loud, but thought it was fun to hit something with a stick! Needless to say, we will keep these "sticks" put away unless daddy plays drums with him...who knows what else (or who else) he may try to drum on. He is such a fun little kiddo!

This was Andrew by the end - evenings seem to be a rough time for him and he gets a tad on the sensitive side. Bry was doing a drum roll that got louder and louder, but Andrew was not a fan. It was time to put the drum away. What a sad face!!!!

Tubby Buddies

Or should I say - Chubby tubby buddies!

No sense in filling up the tub twice to wash two little bodies, right? Once Carter was able to sit in his tub seat okay I thought I might as well bathing them together and it is delightful. I am a bathtime fanatic...and lotion fanatic (see following post for that one) so I bathe my boys every night before bed.

Andrew goes in first to get washed while Carter lays on the floor on his towel in just his diaper while the tub fills up enough for him to get him. As you can tell, he LOVES the bath. I think he loves the being naked part most.

Look at that skin - so beautiful and perfect!!!!! I love every inch and roll!

Andrew has loved the tub since the day we brought him home. I have SO many pictures of him in the bath - I just love clean kids! Andrew is starting to learn to play with his toys in the bath. He stands them up along the edge and I can hear him laughing as he dunks piglet in the water over and over again. He loves to show the baby his toys as well. When I wash the baby and put water to rinse him off, I have to take turns and rinse Andew too - He is so cute with his brother.

I can't say it enough - oh how I love my boys!!!!!

Oooooh that smell!

Oh how I love "that baby smell". One of Bry's favorite smell is clean kiddo from the tub. Now - the are not just clean in our house - they are lotioned from top to bottom. I am a lotion fanatic - Bry calls me a lotion ball...strange, I know. Anyhow we love the smell of clean babies lotioned from top to bottom - Andrew and Carter both! I was reminded of how sweet that smell is when on Friday night I believe I went in to check on Carter sleeping. It was late and both boys were in bed....I drape a blanket over Carter's bassinet to block the light when we come to bed....and when I stuck my face under that blanket to check on my little miracle.....ooooooh that smell! I just closed my eyes and took a moment to soak it in.

I love to take those small moments to just stop and love life. I am going to try and do that more often and to record it to remember during the crazy times.

Delightful Diaper Duty

I will have to get a picture to describe why I feel this way, but I do love to change Carter's diaper. I think it is because he loves it so much. The little man loves to be naked. He immediately smiles and becomes quite content when I lay him down to change his diaper. I even let him be all natural for 5-10 minutes. I mean, a diaper really can't be all that comfortable to wear all the time, right?! I love his little chubbies on his thighs and his cute round tummy. And it gets quite comical when he decides to pass gas...diaper changes seem to trigger this quite often! I think only a mother can say they love to change diapers!

Now, Andrew's diaper....not so enjoyable - perhaps because he is not breastfed and he is getting a bit older. He is showing signs of potty training soon - that is going to be quite an exciting ride!!!

Football Season

College football season is nearing. I found Bryan watching a rerun of a USC football game from back in the 90s and then at dinner tonight Bry and Rich were talking about the college coaches poll I believe. And the football season begins!

Carter finally fits into this cute onsie Grandma Dianna got him when I found out we were pregnant! I am glad I got it out when I did - he will be growing out of it soon enough I am afraid, but he just looked too cute to not get some pictures!. I just love that gummy grin of his - this kiddo just makes me smile!!!!!!

Water Baby

Andrew has come to love swimming. Grammy's pool has a nice little platform that he can sit on and play. He calls it a bath - it is definitely warm enough to be a bath! He wanted to put some "eyes" on like his cousins and I just couldn't help just laugh! He is such a ham!!!!

Fun at Grammy's!

I have to say I have LOVED having Grammy around - I hope she feels the same with the craziness of my little family.

Shannon and her family and Jess and Chris came to visit this week!!! Yay! This was the first time Shan has seen Carter since the day he was born. She only got to see him for a little bit when he was born...boy has he chunked up since then!

Andrew is loving having so many cousins to play with. It was a priceless moment when we went to my mom's and Aly was there. Andrew went in the house and saw her and said "Aly!!!" and ran right into her arms. He finally had the real Aly, not just other kids he calls Aly. She is such a good cousin to him and he just adores her! Andrew and Rylee actually get along quite well too - I thought it was pretty cute they were reading books together!

***I know Lu - no pics of our kids together yet - one day they will like to play together, right? I just need to teach Andrew not to scream...we will get there!***

Colds in the Summer??!

Carter has now had his first cold. Andrew and Carter came down with a cold this past week. I am not surprised considering all the moving around we have done, not to mention Andrew sharing suckers with his cousins! (Sorry Lu!!). I was pretty worried about Carter. I am used to Andrew being sick and how to manage him and gage if he is getting better, but I don't know Carter's body that well yet. He is fairing much better now. He had a blessing and has been recovering well. I just thought he looked too cute when he was sleeping like this - I had to keep him elevated and on his side in order to get him to get any amount of significant sleep. My poor baby!

Thank You Shane and Jessica!

We have amazing friends to say the least. Shane and Jessica let my little family invade their home for a week or so. We were in the transition/roaming phase of moving and had no where to live in AZ and they let us stay in their guest room with Andrew sleeping in their office. We were slowly taking over their entire house! We really enjoying spending time with them. Their house is so cute and Shane has done an amazing job at adding things and keeping up with the yard. I was thoroughly impressed.

They even took us to a Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers game and we had more fun than I expected! Andrew throught it was great and loved it when everyone yelled CHARGE! Carter did well for the most part, except for the whole nursing in the stands, but hey - I didn't want to go into a dirty bathroom to feed him!!!

We also played the Wii for the first time with them - we played this really funny crazy bunny game! It kinda made me want a Wii at some point - it was really fun and did not take skill at all!!

I am so glad to be living close to them again - they are great friends!!!