Up's & Down's

What would life be if everything was predictable, we loved every choice we made, and we never had to take a little time to recoup from being under the weather? Well, it wouldn't be my life, that's for sure!

But when do we stop being sick? And when do I get to stop feeling bad about making everyone else sick??? That's really what I feel bad about... is knowing that between our dinner on St. Patty's Day with the Hatch's where I guess we infected their kids :( and my fun FROZEN party we had where all our kids were together with even more little kids.... well we are up to three families with little babies with Croup now. Who gave it to us??? I swear my kids my never go back to church! (joke, but seriously?!)

Trying to feel a little better
by laying out in the warm Spring weather

Mickey Mouse Club house
during SO MANY of our hours
watching t.v. while sick

Last of the rash

poor little one has head to toe rash,
and now it's all over his face

So, that's really what we've been up too: Severe Hives, Countless hours on the couch for the boys and I with countless hours of studying for Travis (even while sick), some school time in PJ's, three or four trips to the Pediatrician, a date night for Travis and I, a few sleepless nights, got my MRI scheduled (finally) for my foot to see if we can pin point what's going on and..... one other thing happened that was pretty big: 

Yep... I chopped it

There it is.... all gone. 

Ta Da

Shorter than I've ever EVER
had it before! 

With the glasses also looking
older, Travis says. 

So there, and I cut it for me and no one else. Ha ha.

And these next few photos are for me and my record. I don't know if anyone remembers my post about how Travis fAILED to buy me a good outfit for Valentines Day:) And that if I ever lost some of that weight I might... MIGHT post before and after photos... well: 

116lbs... 6more to go!

From Valentines Day to Now

Finally tightening up

110lbs

FROZEN PARTY!!!

THE MOMENT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

We finally received our copy of Frozen in the mail, and we got our party on! 

After some fun time over at Little Mattix's birthday party where the kids had a blast running out in the sunny weather, we headed home and prepared for our Frozen Party! 

Some of our treats. Powdered Donut Snowmen, and
white Chocolate Popcorn

Yum!

Jello ice cubes!

White Chocolate wands:)

Snowy Marshmallows. 

Soo... good.
Thank you to: Mackenzie, Taylor, Mercedes, Slade, Brenna, Travis, Maddix, Aaron, Camille, Maverick, Hadley, Ace, Camille, Ben, Mattix, Davin, Drew, T, Nate, Greg, Fernando, Cassidy, Colton, and.... I think that's everyone who came, Thanks for coming! 

St. Patrick's Day

Oh the Luck o' the Irish
Maddix was a big help in making the pancakes. He helped me flip them, as well pull them out of the pan. 

St. Patty's Morning Pancakes 

I think we did a pretty good job.

As we were having breakfast, there was a knock at the door and we were so excited to receive our bike trailer! 

Well... some of us were excited

Testing it out! 

Took the boys to my mom's while I went to work

 At my mom's they made fun St. Patty's day cookies for all of us and even wrote our names on all our containers... they had so much fun! After we picked the boys up we high tailed it over to the Hatches with our Green Applebeer:)

Having Fun

Next set of boys! 

They were so nice to have us over for dinner. They even made us Homemade Cafe Rio!

Chalk March 17th up to a very successful day!

Pleasant Grovian's...

In Poland, you're Polish. In Provo, you're Provonians (I think :). Here in Pleasant Grove, would we be... Grovian's?
No matter the name, we are loving the area. Each day, Maddix wakes up all too happy to have a big house to rome around in, a large yard to explore, and some happy routines! Some things we see on typical days:

Naps. Thanks to daylight savings, our schedule has been a bit thrown off; however, for the past three or so days, this temporary new schedule has been so nice. We sleep in until almost 8:00am! It's incredible. Then Aaron has been napping from 10:00am-12:00, and again from 3:00-4:30! Then he goes to bed at 7:00pm. If I could keep this schedule for ever and ever... I'd probably choose, heck ya!
Wild Life. Being out here I've woken up to see deer in our yard, a random dog scavenging our Ice cycles, a cat that comes over to play with Maddix probably once a week, I think we're his every once in awhile home:) We have a GIANT next housing a magpie family,  and of course... turkeys just chilling on our wall! 

Play Time. The other day Maddix was very excited by the sun that was shining so he went out on our balcony and played for quite some time. This was pretty out of the ordinary since he always wants someone to be outside playing with him. But the poor boy had been cooped up inside for so long getting over this yucky cold, he was all too happy to get out and enjoy the warmth:) He laid on the rocking swing, watched the cars go by, drove his car along the railing, and eventually brought his scooter up to ride back and forth. It was at this point he came in to tell me about all the fun he was having:)

Babysitting. I've mentioned too that I've been working a lot lately, so the boys have constantly been watched my everyone else. I'm so grateful that Travis was able to watch them a ton before diving back into studying, and that I have so many other family members around so I know the boys are having a good time. Today, this is what I came home from work to find:)

That's right, that's my dad
on the skateboard, with
Maddix trailing behind
on his scooter:) 

They were having a great time out
in that beautiful backyard.

I Love it out here. I love the privacy. The simplicity of such a small town area, the fact that we live pretty close to my family who come over for dinners, lunches, play dates with Maddix, yard projects, and to help babysit.
I've never had a lot of family time like this really my whole life and I'm so happy we finally have an opportunity to get to know my family more than just seeing everyone every other week at Grandma's house.

It's also been fun watching Aaron grow so big and learn so much! This house is perfect for him to crawl around in. We have a fun routine at food times where he starts up at the table eating his finger foods; this is when I prep all our food. Then he takes a bottle while we eat our meal. After he finishes his bottles, he crawls out of the carseat where I always prop him up to eat and crawls back to the kitchen to eat all the fallen food off the floor. At that point I try to clean up the dishes. It usually works out pretty well:)

He went to town on his pancake!

So Good!

Spare No Hair, and other happenings

As many of many of my blogs state, Maddix is growing too quickly for me. It's one thing that he's three years old, and it's a whole other thing that he is SO smart. The only thing that keeps me from crying each time I see him grow up a little more is his baby curls. Nowadays they're long locks of love that wave and mop top all over the place, but still, I see them and I see my baby. 

 However, recently Travis MADE me (and deep down I knew it had to be done) get him a big boy haircut. So for the very first time in his life, he went to a salon to get his hair cut (Trav has always just trimmed it up). While there, we learned that Maddix has a TON of cow licks, and it's a good thing his hair is longer, thicker, and curly or the poor boy would look somewhat crazy :)

So hansom 

Look at that grown up child! 

Travis: 

 I call him the Do it All man because that's what he is. Since arriving home he has dabbled in a little bit of everything. He's gone from being a bachelor living all alone with no noise or interruptions each day to being a full time father, student, husband, man of the house, and Master (for Nala ;). He came home just in time to help me with my broken and and to purchase a new one. He arrived in the nick of time to help me with Nala's surgery decision. Since he's been home it seems that all my sitters have disappeared and he's become a full-time babysitter while i've been working 6 days a week. Not only does he watch the boys, but he's SUCH a GOOD dad. He's been working on Maddix's baseball skills with him in the backyard. He's turned on the fire pit and taken the boys out in the evening to have some time together. He brought his skateboard out to Grandma's and goes out with Maddix's scooter and they just ride for like an hour. He's taken me for some runs because I've been feeling down about being out of shape.

Hanging out with Dad
(only word he can say)

 He's gone for family walks with us while the weather is nice. In an attempt to convince me to move to the South for Residency he spent his entire Sunday cooking, while watching the boys, and making a GIANT Southern meal consisting of Buttermilk Chicken, Gumbo soup, Cajian fries, potato salad, and fabulous peach pie. He's just been so amazing in providing everything for everyone. Also I recently found out I can't run for awhile until we figure out what's wrong with my foot so I'm having to switch to biking. So he wasted no time in finding me a bike, fixing it up, ordering me a trailer to hook to the bike for the boys, and finding an App on my phone so I can track my progress while I bike. OH, and the other night he even saw me driving down the road, ran to the garage to open it for me so I didn't have to get out and open it, then had the bedspread turned down with my pajamas nicely folded on my pillow. He's just the best. Throw in a few back tickles and massages, and you can see what he's been busy doing... this is all on top of continuing to study for his boards exam. Now it's been so nice having him around, but today we had to officially turn him back over to his studying. Our new schedule from now until June will essentially look like this:

Mon-Sat

 5:30- Wake up and study in the office

8:00- Breakfast, leave to the library

8:30-Study... all day...

 6:00- pack up, head home

 6:30- Dinner

7:00- End of night questions

 8:00- Work out

 9:00- Shower

 9:30- Lacey time (usually we'll watch an episode or two from the week)

10:30- Bed

Sun:

These are completely off from studying and are going to be our favorite day of the week. 

 Throw in a date night once a week, and a temple trip once a month... and if we're lucky he can join us for a quick f.h.e activity on Monday's and that's his week; fun eh?

Aaron killed them both! 

Lacey 

I've been so blessed to be working just about five and six days a week this past month! It's been tiring and I really miss the boys at times, but with having to get a new car, a trailer for the bike, Nala's surgery, and life in general, we've had the real opportunity of not struggling financially. Like a said, the Lord has really been watching over us, and I'm so grateful.

 Other than work I've been going to the podiatrist on and off for my foot that has been giving me problems the past two years. I have Lateral Column syndrome, where I run and walk on the very outer edge of my foot; so with too much repetitive impact on that cuboid bone I've fractured and re-fractured it and now we're not sure what sort or remaining damage has been done. With working so much lately, it's made it tricky to go running without my feet killing. My Podiatrist told me to stop running and switch to biking (as mentioned above). I'm bummed about sitting out another running season, but I can't wait for my bike trailer to show up so I can load the boys up and kill two birds with one stone. I'll be able to just put them in and get them outside while also getting a work out. 

I've been so happy since moving to Grandma's; there is so much space for us. I love grocery shopping... THAT'S really where I spend a ton of money each month. But I love buying the healthy fruits/veggies and whole grain bread that really feeds the body vs. the cheap crap we're used to getting; it makes me happy to open my fridge and see nothing but healthy meal

options and snacks! I've really fallen behind on blogging and I've been too cheap to buy a new journal. I really need to do that because we've had some great moments that I've already forgotten most of since it wasn't written down! Also, two funny things Maddix has said lately. The first was over a Victoria Sectret Swimsuit Magazine that came in the mail the other day. There was a girl on the cover in a tiny little suit with a gorgeous body, of course. He looked at it and then said to me, "Mom this girl looks just like you!" I was so flattered until he finished with, "Yah, she has the biggest ears in the world, just like you!" Sigh, he should've stopped before that. Then another day I was getting ready for work and he asked me why I use make up. I told him, girls use it to look pretty, and he told me, " I think you're already pretty mom." It got me thinking about what we think we look like, what others think, how are kids see us, and how God sees us... I hope I look "good" to all them (a good person that is). 

1/2 face with make-up, other 1/2 without

Oh, one last thing, I made my first ever Cheesecake! It was a Reese's chips and cherry cake. I was pleased with it's turn out. 

Maddix

 This boy is a whirl wind of energy, imagination, and emotions. He's been sick lately, so that's really where the emotions come from. That, and he doesn't sleep well so he's so tired. He and Aaron wake each other up all night and every time I think we're done with the middle of the night wake ups, they prove me wrong. He's still wicked smart and is dying to be challenged more. We've created some school lessons and are now starting "home school," today being the first day back into it; he's working on tracing his letters, numbers, and shapes, recognizing three letter words, memorizing his phone number, and reading the time on the clock/knowing what we do at that time of the day.  He's tired of having me work so much, but has been a good sport since he's been able to play with his daddy. I think it won't be so nice for him once it's other ppl babysitting him again. He also loves living out here, and that makes me happy.

Hiking on one of our Wednesday Outings

 Aaron 

HE is on the go all the time. Crawls everywhere. Talks all the time in his baby talk. Eats... always... and everything. Wants his brothers stuff. Loves to pull hair and earrings. Puts everything his mouth. Crawls up the stairs. Desperately wants to walk, and can with his walker toy. Always smiles. Is now giving kisses. Laughs at so many things. Loves pulling dishes out of the dishwasher. Has been super sick and doesn't like anything.... if he's not eating or sleeping he's crying, which has been very hard for me. And just wants to be a big boy so he can keep up with his brother.

Nala 

 Recovering from her hysterectomy and has recently taken the cone off. She wants to run and play and jump and eat and chew and snuggle.... and that is her saying she is back to her old self!!

Baby Update: 8 Months

Sleep: Well this is something I'm very happy to report:) You go to bed at 6:45pm and fall asleep almost instantly. Occasionally you wake up during the night and cry for a few minutes, but this is only because you share a room with your brother who wakes up multiple times a night with bad dreams and wakes you up while he's yelling for me; however, you go right back to sleep and stay asleep until 7:00-7:30am. The cutest thing though, at night when Maddix wakes you up and you see me in the room, you instantly stand up, wide awake, and you're just too happy to see me :)

Roasting marshmallow's around
the fire

Weight: You seem to be chunking up! Not sure exactly, but we finally found a formula that doesn't make you spit up, or vomit all day long and you're also eating a lot of solids. You basically like to eat all day long so I'm hoping the doctor will be satisfied at your appointment next month.

Likes: Well you pretty much LOVE everything. You love sitting up to the table to eat finger foods with us. You eat your bottles on a blanket placed in your car seat (because you've been so congested you can't breath/eat while laying flat on your back) and you think it's so funny to finish your bottle then sit up and play around in your seat. You think you're so big as you rock it back and forth; you then use your weight like a lever that lowers your seat down so you can crawl/flop out of it:) Cracks us up. You like showers lately. Love your brother. Love when we play any type of game with you, you just eat up attention. You love all the women in Relief Society at church. You still have an obsession with paper and putting ANYTHING in your mouth. This would include pens; you really like chewing on those. I think you actually like nap times, and you love seeing us come in the room to get you. You love your fingers; you've always been a finger baby, never wanted a binki. I didn't mind it so much because you instantly sooth yourself when you go to bed, but now you want them every minute of every day! It's terrible. You're drying them out and they're red. I know we need to figure out how to stop this but I'm also afraid of making the change. You love love love talking/gabbering/chattering at everyone. You get right in people's faces and talk talk talk. You're so funny!

Dislikes: Being left in a room alone. Still don't care too much to be in a car seat, but you don't dislike it like before. You don't like it when you run out of food. Can't stand being left on the floor for too long at once or then you begin to cry and you don't stop. You can be a bit moody. You DON'T like being sick... at all. You're miserable and don't sleep well, so then you're cranky. And you also are trying to wake up too early from your naps which leaves you more and more crabby. While you've been sick, our days have been really hit and miss. It really makes me feel bad to leave you with daddy and sitters each day when I go to work.

Anything Else: Well you zoom across the floor, you're fast at crawling these days:) You can climb up the stairs and are beginning to learn how to go down backwards. You pull yourself up on everything and want to walk so bad:) You love to "help" me with the dishes by unloading the dishwasher. You steal all your brother's toys ( I think you like to tease him), love getting your ribs nibbled, feet tickled,  and cheeks kissed! You have learned how to give kisses and even make the muah noise when you do it. You give hugs, somewhat wave, a few times you've attempted to clap. And I think it's so funny when we look at you and you want to be picked up you'll throw your arms in the air and give a cheesy smile to be picked up ha ha, makes me laugh. When you're sad, you'll also cry and crawl across the room to wherever I'm standing and throw your head back. If I don't pick you up right away, you then climb up my leg and start protesting to be picked up! You make everyone in the room feel special. You smile ALL THE tIME. Except, you've been sick lately an you have been so whiny, congested, angry, and miserable. You won't play by yourself and you won't settle for being held while I'm sitting... I must be moving. Overall, people say things like "you've grown into your eyes!" "You're the smiliest baby!" "You're the best baby in the world." "Where do all these smiles come from?" "And how did you get lucky to get the perfect baby?"

We're just pretty lucky 

to have you and your brother!

You guys were all hugging each other
without any prompting from us. 

I missed the cutest of the photos, but you were being so cute
that cousin Ali just had to hug you, so Maddix had to hug her, so Keili
had to hug him and you guys were just laughing... well,
you were a little squished there on the bottom of that pile:)