Camping

This summer we have camped a lot more than we did last year, and ironically i took less pictures. Odd.
Here are some pictures from our trip over the 24th. It  was almost a week long trip. We went up Tuesday night after the parade and spent the day Wed. Me, Brandon, Brooklyn and Parley went down and slept at home Wed night so i could take Parley to his well child check up North Thursday and so Brandon could work. Ky got to stay with Papa and Grandma Jo. The 4 of us went back up Thursday night, and spent the night, Brandon (bless his heart) drove back down for work Friday, and left us up in the wonderful cool mountains and rejoined us and stayed with us till Sunday Morning when we all packed up and went home. Phew, that was a long exhausting trip, but so wonderful at the same time. Just imagine the laundry from a family of 5 after 5 days of camping! :)
There was lots of Can Am rides, 4 wheeler rides, fishing, skipping rocks(kyler new favorite activity) and just sitting around chatting and getting toes done by Aunt Jo.
Kyler caught 3 fish on his very own pole. I think they are the first he has actually caught on HIS pole. It was pretty exciting. He even carried a conversation on with the first fish he caught. Oh he is a joy to watch!

 Benko and Lisa came up...the minute Kyler spotted that Motorcycle in Benkos truck he was a goner. He wanted a ride so badly. Bless Benko, he took Ky for 2 rides. Time of that little boys life.

 The men tending to their dead body. lol. They dug a pit buried hot coals and put the dutch oven in and buried it. We came back from a long 4 wheeler ride to a delicious Roast Beef dinner. Perfectly cooked. We joked that when the buried the coals and dutch oven it looked like a fresh grave.

 This is our friend "Moley" we spotted his hole and set up chairs and watched this critter for over an hour. What a hard working little dude! I have to admit, i enjoyed just sitting there watching him push dirt out of his hole. Kyler was fascinated, and when we all walked off, his curious mind got the best of him and he couldn't leave that hole alone. I told him he was scaring the little guy and to leave it. But, instead he cover the hole with dirt. I came back and saw it, told him that wasn't what a good friend would do, and how mean it was that he ruined that moles hard work, it had taken him HOURS to dig that hole. He apologized, i told him it wasn't me that needed the apology. I went back to tending to Brookie, Parley and dinner. I came back 30 minutes later to see he had dug the hole back out for our "Moley". Its moments like that that make teaching and loving these kids worth it. He asked if the mole would be happy. I told him a resounding yes. Thanks for being a good friend.

 Kids chomping at the bit to go for another ride

 Brooklyn LOVES getting her toes done. Sadly, though all that hard work was pealed off the next day. Just ask Brookie, she'll admit she is a "picker"

 We love Uncle Travis...he went and picked a wildflower bouquet for Brookie, she sadly, denied it. Little sinker. Finally after some sweet talking (look at him down on one knee!), she took them, and then immediately gave them to me. Oh littlest girl, you are a gem. Look at that stubborn face in the pic above! Oh and yes i do dress my daughter awesome dont I!! :) She had an accident and all i had were Kyelrs shorts. So her hand-me-down boots, Kys shorts, her crazy helmet hair and sassy attitude, oh my little beauty i love you dearly.

**Parley was there, somehow he was never photographed...poor 3rd child.

Blessings

At the end of the day. When its quite, my mind is slowing down for a moment and I stop to think about my day these 3 little crazies are all that matter.
The last 3 weeks i have been struggling with things on my mind. Mean people, small town drama, and a huge fear that my little reputation that i have here that was good, or at least i think so, is in danger because of mean people and that small town drama. Its torn me from one side to the other. Nothing like being bullied as an adult. Its pathetic i let it bother me, but in the end, i do care what people think of me. I do. Its just a fact. I guess if i deserved to be hated maybe i'd be more careless about what people think, but alas I care cause i like to think of myself as a nice person who tries to serve others, and to have that challenged cuts me down nothing but a pathetic pulp. I find myself thinking about it too often, stressing, thinking what i did wrong, what i do now, and on and on. It truly has overtaken my life. I hate to admit that.
But, as i sit down tonight, after a wonderful evening with my family, looking at a picture of my 3 beautiful children in front of that beautiful temple, knowing that they are mine, my husband is mine, my dad, my brother, grandparents are all mine for all eternity. They are all that make me perfectly happy. That temple, that family, thats all that is important. Mean people are mean, they always will be. I shouldn't let them control my thoughts, thats what they want, and im giving it to them. So tonight, right now, i resolve to be better. To occupy my mind and thoughts with these 3 babes i have been blessed with, or with my perfect for me husband who has gone above and beyond for me lately while i wallow in nothing positive. He is my angel, he is wonderful to me. Bless him and his endless patience and love
My perfect babies. They are so special to me.

Milestones

Milestones are so happy and yet so sad. It means babys grow, kids grow. Darn it all freeze babies, freeze your growing up so fast. . . .and yet, way to go babies, you stronger than I was, Smarter than I was, your going to be unstoppable when your bigger.

Todays milestone we are celebrating is Mr Parseys is now eating food. Our amazing, brilliant and wonderful Dr Bean (pediatrician). Im in love with her. I was mentioning that my milk supply with this baby has something to be desired. Its nothing like the others. I have never had to worry about it, but this time I do, often. Parley is a good 3 pounds lighter than the others were...now thats not bad, he is staying little longer, but it also tends to worry me. He is still healthy, even the dr said not to worry. But she did say at 4 months im good to go at solids and to not feel guilty. I have always felt bad to push food on them so i don't have to nurse as often, but she made me feel so much more at ease about it. In fact she said that now research says you can feed them ANYTHING (except honey) starting at 4 months. Insane how much science changes from baby to baby...and mine are only 2 years apart!! 

Im just rambling, sorry. So tonight we officially gave him food (we have given him a tad of broccoli and mashed potatoes, zucchini, and such in the last week, he loved it.)

This little critter, he did A.MAZ.ING. He never pushed any out, unless i put too much on the spoon. He has that tongue functioning down!! Wow. He loved it and it may become a daily thing now. Maybe it will help him not be so demanding in the food department. Mommas wore out! :)

Here are a few pictures of this milestone. Sweet boy, mommy loves you! 

 Oh while im at it, this boy, he loves TV. What 4 month old watches TV!! None of the others liked it at that age. Oh my im in trouble. Its another Chase!!! (only funny to those who know Chase and how he gets sucked into that TV)

 and dont we just adore those hands that are always linked this this. Aww littlest man, i love you!

Parseys

 Oh Mr. Parley or Parsesys as your big brother calls you and its kinda stuck....You are precious. We love having you in our family. You are the apple in everyones eye and i really mean it. I adore you to death. You giggle and smile and coo at me and it makes my heart sing. You prefer me to anyone else and your only 3 months, i would be lieing if i said i didnt like it. Cause i DO! Your daddy adores you and steals you away and chats with you whenever he is home. You love him too, you coo and talk and giggle for him too. You kinda like your parents i think. Your brother and sister cover you in kisses. They always have to hug and kiss you before they go anywhere and ALWAYS before bed. You get pats and pets on the head all day long. Your Brother tries to pick you up, which scares mommy and lets me honest, it scares you too. Your siblings talk to you, your on edge at times, cause they are so loud and move so fast you are nervous what they are going to do to you, but if they slow down long enough, they too get those golden smiles and coos.
You are staying smaller longer, mommy loves it. It makes it seem like your not growing up at fast and I'm 100% cool with that. You tipped the scales at your well child check just after you turned 3 months at 12lb 6oz. You fit nicely in 3-6 month clothes. You are handsome. Really, you are. Eveyone tells me, as if i didnt already know! :)
You got your first haircut. We cut almost a whole inch off it! You hated it, you cried the whole time. But you look so handsome with your spikey doo.
You love your muslin blankeys, you bring them up to your face and suck on them. If your upset, i give you the blankey and you calm down most of the time. You also love your taggie blankey that Grandma Nancy made for you and brought it here when she visited your when you were brand new. You rub the ribbons on your cheek.
You are a gem in the car. You just sleep or talk to your brother, or suck on your taggie.
You love your mobile, and carry on long conversations with it.
You are ticklish under your chin and i get great giggles when i get ya.
You love to dance with mommy, i get awesome giggles when we dance.
I love you to death little mister. I could eat you up your so perfect and wonderful.

dreamy baby boy

can we just say Ahhhh

right after the hair cut

Stats from 2 month check up, that was done at 3 months (his pediatrician is a busy woman!)
weight 12.6LB 11%ish
height 23.5 20%ish
Head:16" 50%

Pictures from his hair cut:

Before

 During

"This is not nice of you two, no, im not enjoying this!"

I can just hear him...."Aunt Jo, stop taking pictures and SAVE ME, PLEASE!"

 AFTER

Parley and his pile of hair...not too shabby for a 3 month old.

2 Months

Goodness i am slacking....
Now that he is almost 3 months lets do the 2 month write up!

 My sweetest little man. You grew overnight. You went from that slender little newborn to my chubby monkey infant. How did it happen so fast!? (seriously, take note in the pictures in the last month he has thin newborny pictures and chubby monkey ones, its amazing how fast that pack on those pounds!)
In that last month you have started

His Cooing face...too cute!

So strong sitting in the bumbo

Yes, i know bud you have a pink binki, but you were so happy with it and we were celebrating the possibility of you taking a binki....you dont really, it was a fluke. Rude to lead us along that night, we were pretty excited.

*cooing...mommy favorite. You talk and talk. You talk to get my attention, and i adore that. No screams, just a beautiful coo. Ok so you do scream at me, but when your in a good happy mood its that musical coo that babys have. You talk more than your brother and sister, and im soaking it all in. I cant wait to see you and how vocal you will be when you get older.

*The spitting up has lessened....slightly. You still spit up a TON and WAY more often than any of the other babys, but your tummy is getting better at keeping food in and not on mommys shirt.
*You will take a bottle...even formula. We have done it maybe 3 times. But, really in the end, i prefer to just take you with me everywhere and prefer not to make you take a bottle. I might regret it, but hey im loving you and wanting you all to myself, i cant be put down for wanting that!

Look at that sad face, isnt it ADORABLE! :)

*Your smiles melt me. They came overnight. Literally. You hadn't really smiled that adorable social smile ever. Mommy did a developmental test on ya (because i was trained and im a freak like that) it said you should have been doing them for a while. I stressed. I prayed i could help you learn what you needed to. No joke, that next morning you smiled a big ol grin for me. As if you were saying "gosh mom i can just didnt want to yet, but now that you asked, ill do it!" You havent stopped yet. I have to work for them, so they are hard to catch on camera, but they do happen and they are adorable.

Your sister loves you

*You love your play mat, it concerns me cause your brother, sister and all our other friends that play daily try to pick you up and play with you too while your down. But, you take it all in and dont mind a bit.

*Your brother and sister adore you. They hold you kiss you, rub your head all day long. Kyler calls you "parseys" its super cute. Brooklyn calls you "parlay" I call you, but not limited to, Par Par, Party Poo, Par Jay, Little Mister.

You love your mobile

*You love your daddy, you look right at him when he talks even across the room.

*You love to be bounced. Your bouncy chair is your BFF. You spend a lot of time in there when we are getting you to sleep. You just love to bouncy bouncy!

Strong boy!

*You are still sleeping in mommy and daddys room. You have taken up residency there until your room is available which it wont be till the basement is finished. You lucky boy. By  now both Ky and Brookie were long gone from our room. I wont lie, I like you in there with me.

You love your rocker chair

*You are a champion sleeper. You go down for the night around 8-8:30 and will sleep till 5:30 before you eat and then go back to sleep until 8 or so. Then you take a cat nap in the AM then a long winters afternoon nap that lasts around 4 hours, then your up besides a short 30 min cat nap in the PM before bed.

Loving your bath

 *You still have oodles of hair. Mommy keeps wondering if you should have a hair cut. But its thin, so im afraid if i cut it you will look funny. So for now, I apologize, people will continue to think your a girl with your long locks.

We love you Parley

Mini Missionarys

While my mom was visiting when Parley was born Kyler was fascinated with her tag. Part of it because it was magnetic and that's always cool, the other part of it, because she always had it on.
So when she left she told him she would send him a tag. He was so excited. I heard about it from time to time. Then the day came that his tag arrived. Oh my happy boy. He was slightly disappointed that it was not the cool magnetic one that grandma Nancy had, but that soon faded. He just thought the tag was great. We have since had 3 FHE's on missionary's. What exactly they do, teach, act. He is learning. I love it. He loves to wear his tag. Someone gave us a hand-me-down church shirt that had a front pocket. Its a little too big, but it has the pocket and Ky is loving wearing his tag.
And to top it off on all our teaching about missions and what we do on them. Our sweet neighbor is the cutest grandma to my kids and daycare kids for that matter. She gives them flowers a couple times a week from her flower garden. Anyway, we send eggs over to them when we have an over abundance (which is weekly) in return she gives him a dollar for delivering them for his mission fund. She tells him every day, i know cause he runs back to the house and puts it right in his money jar and says this is for my mission! It makes me happy. She is an amazing women creating great memories for my kids.
Brooklyn got one too...she has no clue what it is about. It seems to get in the way when she is flopping around in Sacrament meeting. So off it came, she can have hers when she is a little older...and not so floppy crazy. :)
Here are some pictures of the kids in their tags

Future Elder and Sister Childs

Potty Time

Tonight I cant help but to be full of pride for my little girl. Yes, to be prideful is never a good thing, but in this case, i think there should be an exception... (dont tell my high school seminary teacher, he would disagree, but he isnt a mom that has a girl potty training) :)

My sweetest Brooklyn. Let me tell you a story about this sweet one. We attempted potty training a couple months before Parley was born. It was unsuccessful to say the least. I was well prepared. Tons of juice, pull-ups, candy, prizes, mentally (I thought). We geared up sat her on the potty, we sat, and sat, and sat. I wasn't as mentally prepared as i thought I was. I got frustrated. She cried and wanted off. I wanted to be firm and get her to pee once on the potty. I knew if she did she would be good as gold to be trained. She WOULD NOT. She is a suborn girl. A beautiful stubborn independent little girl. I finally let her off and she immediately peed on the floor. I gave up then and there. Pathetic, but hey i was pregnant and apparently not totally sold on the idea. 

Fast forward to the present. For the last week she has wanted to sit on the potty at various times in the day. I hate that. Its such a pain. She is still in diapers. Its a whole ordeal to get her undressed, on the potty for a 10 second try and back down, then i have to put a diaper back on....you get the idea. It was not fun. I was hating it. We went camping over the 4th and she wanted to do it several times in the trailer. SUCH A PAIN! So Monday, on a whim and by a whim i mean on a whim. She woke up, she was soaked through her diaper...in my head i thought ENOUGH! So i took her into the bathroom told her to go pee on the potty. She didnt. I took her into her room told her no more diapers. She was big girl. We put panties on and away we went. I asked her if she needed to pee, "No" ok so we went longer and longer and longer, finally put her on the toilet, no pee. Down we went. Went about our business. Then, "Uh Mommy, i wet". We proceeded to run to the bathroom to try and see if anything was left, nope. So new undies. again a few questions if she needed to go, nope. Finally after a couple trys SHE DID IT! Happy dances, high fives, mommy squealing like a little girl. Another accident, and another, pull-up at nap...wet. Thats ok. Woke up, peed on the potty! Happy dances, high fives, mommy squealing like a little girl. After dinner, Peed on the toilet.Happy dances, high fives, mommy squealing like a little girl. Pull-up on for night. Woke up wet. Thats ok. Onto the potty we went first thing. She went! Happy dances, high fives, mommy squealing like a little girl. Got dressed, played a little. Mommy asked, "Yup mommy I pee" she did. Happy dances, high fives, mommy squealing like a little girl. This continues all day. Nap time, NO pull-up (she refuses, more on that in a minute) she woke up dry, ran to the potty, almost made it...literally in the door way she was loosing it. Plopped her on the potty, she finished! Yea! Happy dances, high fives, mommy squealing like a little girl. Running around playing. "Mommy, I need pee!" Run to the potty...she did need to go, but went poop! Way to go princess! Success! 

Long story short, no accidents besides a slight slip right after a nap. Pretty dang awesome. One day and she is doing awesome. Only problem right now....she refuses unders. Thats right, she went commando all day today....we tryed all the unders i have for her, nope. Told her mommy wears them, Ky wears them, even the daycare kids pulled their unders up to show her they had them on too, in effort to get he naked girl some unders on. FINALLY, at 5PM she decided she would. It was a slight force on my part, and giving in on hers. But hey a little give and take is a good thing. 

So here we are at 11PM, she is in bed, no pull-up...she refused it. Oh well, not the first wet bed i have cleaned up and wont be the last. I will be amazed if she wakes up dry, she is usually quite soppy in the mornings. But, we are doing it! Here goes nothing! 

Way to go baby girl, Your so big! You learned so fast. You make mommy so proud!