Shut the Front Door! Are You Kidding Me?!

It's totally and completely true.  My boys are 6 months old today!!! You'd never guess by looking at them though:) These two have completely turned our lives around.  In a good way.  Jacob and I absolutely love being parents.  We love these two boys so very much and can't get enough of them!  As nice as it is to have a break for a bit (which rarely happens), I somehow can't wait to get back to my boys and all of their chubbiness. Which by the way, did you notice how chubby my Sammy is?  I think he is around 14 pounds now.  No. I am not kidding you.  He is so darn chubby.  It looks like we wrapped rubber bands around his wrists and thighs.  Drew is getting bigger as well.  He's just not quite as big as Sammy yet.  I bought these onesies when we first moved to CA in July.  I bought three of them thinking I would have my three boys to put them on.  It was hard for me to pull them out-as is everything that I have three of.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about our Dalton and how much I love and miss him.  However, I am so grateful for the two sweet boys that we do have have here with us and I thank Heavenly Father everyday for them and for the opportunity I have to be their mom.  I love being a mom.  I love taking care of them.  I love taking care of the house.  I love being a wife.  It is the busiest job ever, but I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.

We have an appointment scheduled for March with the pediatrician.  Jacob and I are both eager to see how much the boys weigh and where they fall on the growth charts.  Sammy can sit up in his Bumbo seat now and I think Drew will be able to soon as well.  They are both such strong boys and each have their own funny personalities.  So far they are nothing alike:)  We have loved watching them grow and want to enjoy every minute and every stage with them.  We have a whole list of fun things to take them to do while we are here in San Francisco and can't wait to be able to take them out!  We love you Drew Boy and Sammy!!! Thanks for being our boys!!!

Dreams

It has been a while, and I know I promised to be better at this whole blogging thing.  But you see, I have a perfectly good reason for my absence.  You see, we were busy making our dreams come true.  'What might that be?' you may be asking yourself.  Well, it's pretty simple.  Going home to California to be a family.  I am pleased to announce that we have finally made it back home and have been enjoying every minute of life together as a family of four.  Yep!  We are all under the same roof!!!!  Something I thought would never ever ever happen.  I can't begin to tell you how many times and how many hours were spent in the NICU dreaming of the day we'd be back together, under one roof and be able to see each other every day.  Many days I felt like it was only a dream that would never actually come true.  I am here to tell you my friends, dreams do come true.  I am now living my dream each and every day.  I get to wake up each morning to the sweetest husband and two baby boys.  I get to take care of a house-MY house, I get to cook MY groceries in MY kitchen.  It may sound like regular chores to anyone else.  But to me, it is truly a dream come true.  I can't express to you the relief that it was finally over and anxiety that completely left as we drove out of St. George for the last time...for a long time.  I need time away from that place.  From EVERYTHING there.  I need time to heal from all that took place there.  How long?  I don't know, but I do know it will be a while before I feel I am ready to go back.  I am so grateful for all the help, love and support we received while we were there, and continue to get from those that are there.  Jacob and I have wonderful people in our lives and we are grateful for each and every one of them.

I know that the Lord does not give us bigger trials than we are able to bare.  However, I can't tell you how many times I felt I had reached my limit and had reached a breaking point.  And trust me, I had many break downs.  I know our trials can make us stronger and better people.  I can only hope that I am a better person from all we have experienced over the last 6 months.  I had a wonderful conversation with one of the strongest and wonderful women I know; my Grammie.  She said to me 'you know, you just have to laugh in life.  I get up every morning and the first thing I do is read The Funnies and I laugh.' Thanks Grammie.  That is great advice.  Life brings all sorts of unknowns to us each and every day.  And lots of times the only way to get through them is to laugh....what else can you do?  So many things we don't have control over.  We just have to make the best of what comes to us and know that we have a loving Heavenly Father watching over us, wanting so badly for us to be happy and make wise decisions.  The conclusion I have come to though is that life is good.  I love life and I always want to feel I am living it the best I can.  With that said, I'll move on to more interesting and fun things:)

The boys.  Oh how I love my boys!!! They are growing-almost too quickly!!! I'm pretty sure Sammy weighs 50 pounds now.  At the last visit to the doctor, he weighed in at a whopping 11.9 pounds!  Okay, so maybe he doesn't weigh 50 pounds. But he is growing so fast.  Not just in size.  He talks to me all day long.  He smiles, he coos and has discovered how much he loves chewing on his fist. He has about outgrown all 0-3  month clothing.  Take a look for yourself:)

Drew.  Drew is also growing and weighed in at 8.9 pounds at our last visit.  I know he is growing as well because he is about out of all his newborn size clothing.  He is the sweetest little one and makes us laugh all the time.  His face is full of expression. He studies everything in detail.  You can see it on his face.  The way he stares so intensely, furrows and raises his eyebrows.  I love it.  He still cries.  A lot.  But the poor kid has some twisted insides and a sore bottom from a pretty bad rash.  So we cut him a break:)  He has a free pass to cry when and how much he wants.

Before I leave y'all, let me just thank you for your love, support and prayers.  I love being a wife and mom.  Truly it is the greatest and I can't imagine having any other job.  Life is good.  

Do You?

Do you have a sister who packs her baby and husband in the car on a moments notice and drives for six hours when you have an emergency c-section? Do you have a sister who makes frequent trips to see you when your husband is 1,000 miles away and your babies are in the hospital for months and months? Do you have a sister that you can call and cry to for over an hour because you miss your husband, babies, home and having a life of your own?   Do you have a sister who wants to come over and watch the move Pollyanna with you because it brings back memories of being little girls and watching it with your mom-all snuggled up together on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn? Do you have a sister who is angelic, kind, sweet, thoughtful and willing to do anything to lighten your burden? Do you have a sister who takes a day or two away from her own family to spend time hanging out with you doing things like pedicures, foot rubs, back tickling and watching HGTV just because you need some "chill" time?

Guess what, I do. And let me just tell you, she is THE coolest sister ever.  Just thought I'd let you know.

    

Confessions

Today's Confession Time is brought to you courtesy of my obsession with food blogs.  Seriously.  I never knew how much time I could spend on the computer until I spent so many night time hours awake with my Sammy.  I could spend hours and hours-late night hours, that is, looking at food blogs. Strange, I know.  I guess you could say it's my guilty pleasure? Call it what you will, but I love them.

I've discovered that many of my favorite blogs are traps. I say that because one blog has links to other equally interesting blogs.  Which then means more time spent on the computer.  I find myself saying "Oh my goodness!  That looks SO yummy!  I HAVE got to make that!" at almost every recipe I see.  And so I mark it with the intentions of making it.  And tonight, I found several recipes I am dying to make.  For example, the Nectarine and Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula recipe I found at new favorite blog of mine. I am determined to make that one.  For reals.  In case you also share in my love of food blogs, I have a few of my favorites linked to my blog.  Just in case you are as strange as me:)

Funny Boy

It is 1:00 am and I can't sleep.  Why? Maybe it's because I am anxious to go home to California and actually live with my husband. And introduce our boys to all the lovliness San Francisco has to offer. Or maybe it's because my mind wanders one million miles and hour thinking of all the things I want to do or thoughts of the person I want to become or the mother I want/need to be.

At this very moment it is because my five month old son who is sleeping in his crib next to me sounds like a wild boar.  Im not kidding you.  This kid doesn't JUST grunt.  I'm actually not quite sure how to describe the noises he makes.  All I know is that they are loud.  And very un-human like.  On top of that, he has a serious case of the toots.  Am I completely immature to just sit and laugh at him?  Oh well if I am.....

And that's only a couple of the reasons why our Sammy is a funny boy.

Sincerely,

SJ

A New Beginning

In my last post, I indicated that the whole blogging thing hadn't been going as well as I had intended when I started it.  I also noted that there would be some changes coming.  Well my friends, the time has come.  I don't know if anyone even reads this, or really even cares.  Regardless, I am making the changes, even if it is just for me.  You see, I feel with all that has gone on the past 6 months, (yes, that is how long all "this" has lasted) I need somewhat of a "new beginning" or a fresh start.  Besides, with the new year and all, isn't it the perfect time for a change?  I think so.  With that said, (I guess written would be more appropriate) I am ready to do things a bit differently around here.  

For starters, this blog is not going to be solely about our sweet baby boys.  I need to mix things up a bit.  I have decided that in order to make blogging more enjoyable, I am going to post about everyday life.  This means my posts might be a delicious recipe I made, something funny or interesting, something that has been on my mind, a project I made or anything else I feel is noteworthy.  Yes, I think that is the change I need with this blog.  Besides, isn't variety the spice of life?  I think so....

Over the next few weeks, months and year, I would like to refine my skills in many areas.  Particularly my photography skills (okay, I don't think I even have any photography skills to refine), cooking skills (I absolutely LOVE to cook, bake and be in the kitchen in general...L.O.V.E it), sewing skills, wife/mother/sister/friend skills (is that such a thing?!  In my book it is), and this blog will be used as a place to document those things. 

Basically, this blog will be whatever I am in the mood to make of it that day.  So I hope you enjoy it.  If not, sorry.

And so it begins.  Out with the old and in with the new!  Yay for new beginnings!

Sincerely, 

SJ

Catching Up

Okay, so this whole blogging thing isn't going as well as I had planned.  I have been trying to catch up on everything, but kept putting it off.  Why? Because our Sammy came home!!! I am now the mother of one child at home and one in the NICU.  And it is NUTS!  Sammy came home on December 11 and we are hopeful that Drew will be out in the next week or two, but who knows.  He is doing well, just struggling with some apnea issues that he needs to outgrow.  When I brought Sam home, he weighed in at 5 pounds 15 ounces.  "What does he weigh now?", you ask.  8 pounds 10 ounces!  And he grows more and more everyday!  I always knew I would love being a mom, but I never imagined just how incredibly much! It is by far the MOST rewarding and enjoyable role!  I know it will be twice as rewarding when Drew gets home.  I can honestly say that I love waking up with him in the middle of the night to feed him.  He is chubby and squishy and oh so kissable!  Who wouldn't love snuggling with a chubby baby?! Although I had originally planned on being home in CA for Christmas, we ended up spending it in St. George at Jacob's mom's house.  It was so nice to have Jacob for two whole weeks! He was able to see the boys for the first time in 2 1/2 months. I'm pretty sure there was some major father/son bonding going on in those two weeks.  I think Jacob finally feels like a father now. Yay for that!  I feel like WAY too much has gone on for me to document at this point, so we will call it even by posting a bunch of pictures instead:) I hope you're the type of person who likes that kind of thing...'cause that's all you're getting this time around.  Enjoy!

   Best buds-or at least they will be soon.

                 Drew has the cutest little body! It's pretty much impossible for me to not kiss him all over.

      That's one proud and perfectly content dad. And a handsome one too:)

  Snuggle time for Drew and the mama.

Drew passed his car seat test!

       If you thought holding one snuggly baby was the best, try holding two. It's even better.  Trust me.

 If you're wondering if this baby boy is as cute in person as he is in this picture, he is.  Just sayin'......

 All decked out for Santa's Christmas Eve visit!

My most wonderful sister Koni and her new sweet baby Garrett.  If you could only see just how sweet,         squishy and kissable he really is:)  I'm in love with him.

FYI- I have big plans for this blog.  I'm talking HUGE, GIGANTIC, ENORMOUS....okay not really that big, but I am going to be making changes regarding the format and style of this blog.  And soon.  I just need to get my act together.  So stay tuned.

P.S.- I know the format of the blog is all messed up....Im working on some changes and that's one of them I'll make.  Just be patient:)