Update and random pictures

So Erin's rash is better this morning. It gets worse with heat, so she's in a skirt to keep the skin cool. But it was much better this morning than it was when she went to bed last night. So I didn't call her doctor, since it seems to be under control. Still no clue as to the cause.

Pictures!!

The babies watching a movie while I made lunchErin putting her toys into her little backpack her percussion noisemakers came inWhat the babies are doing right now.

Erin's got a rash.

Yeah, a rash. I have NO CLUE where it came from. It goes from her belly button all the way down to her toes. I gave her some Benedryl before her nap today and it was better when she woke up, but by the time bedtime rolled around she was getting bad again. Ugh. If it's still bad tomorrow morning I'm totally calling her doctor.


I hate rashes.

It feels so strange...

...to NOT be pregnant. I calculated it out today, of the last 46 months (since Aug. '05 when I became pregnant with Cora), I have spent 27 of them pregnant. I have spent a little over half my marriage pregnant. It's weird that pregnant me has become my "normal." Sometimes I see pregnant ladies at the store, and I have to remind myself that I'm NOT pregnant. Not that I really thought that I was, but just that I "forgot" I'm not.

So strange.

So maybe by the time we're ready for another (in a couple years or so...I'd like to try for an 11/11/11 baby) NOT pregnant will be normal to me again...

Happy Happy Happy

I love how white the whites of his eyes are!!

Mother's Day

So, Mother's Day has changed in meaning to me over the years. Obviously for most of my life it's been a celebration of my own mother. She's such and amazing person, and I really admire her. I miss her a lot too. I'm SO excited for her visit in June!

I guess my most poignant Mother's Day memories though, are from 2006. That was my due date with Cora (May 14...but I always told people I was due on Mother's Day). That day was so very hard.

Mother's Day 2007 was hard too, in a different way. I was a month away from delivering Erin, and starting to get very paranoid. And I couldn't figure out how the day applied to me. I had delivered one baby that I couldn't hold in my arms, and I had another one that hadn't yet been born. I was a mother twice over, but I wasn't really a mommy yet.

Last year, Matt was in Oklahoma, so I was a single mother. It didn't really feel like anything but a normal day.

So today....today was my first "real" Mother's Day. Today my sweet little girl cuddled on the couch with me and smothered me with sloppy kisses, and then fell asleep on my lap. Today, I am enjoying every second of those babies I have here with me.

So while I didn't get to see a little girl standing up front singing today, it's okay. I'll get to hear her sing someday.

And Erin sings to me all the time anyway. =p


Oh, and Happy Mother's Day to all my friends and family. Especially my Angel Mom friends, to whom this day hurts. (hugs) to all of you

Wii Fit

Okay, so this past weekend, I decided that I need to seize control of my weight. I gained 25lbs nursing Erin, and so far I've gained another 6lbs nursing Patrick (I walked out of the hospital after delivering him at my prepregnancy weight). A couple months ago, before Patrick was born (or just after?) we got the Wii Fit with the intention of working out with it. Well, I couldn't find the time. The only time I had was during Erin's nap, and during that time I wanted to take a nap! Well, now that Patrick is only waking up once a night, I feel like I can get up in the morning before Erin wakes up. I have worked out every morning this week (except Monday, when Erin woke up at 6:30).

I really like working out on the Wii Fit. Why? Well, because they give you so much positive reinforcement. For instance, when you're "jogging" they have you going down a path with someone pacing you, and they have all your other Miis along the pathway cheering you on. So this morning, who was right at the gate as I started out? Jesus. Yes, we have a Jesus Mii, and I never thought it would affect me the way it did. He was also working out next to mii when I was doing aerobics. Is it weird that I felt like He was really right there, supporting me?

So anyway, I guess what's different this time is my determination. I actually feel like I can change things.

I've also been tracking my calories. I'm frustrated at myself for already wanting to lie about what I eat when I've eaten something I feel like I "shouldn't." I've done mostly well, however. I decided that I would eat a snack between every meal, and one in the evening (8amish breakfast, 10am snack, 12noon lunch, 2:30ish snack, 5ish dinner, 8pmish snack if I need it) because I'm hungry ALL THE TIME. Looking at my caloric intake is crazy (thus the weight gain). But I don't want to feel like I'm starving... It's really helped me stick to serving sizes and stuff, and be aware of what I'm eating. So I'll pull out 15 crackers (which happens to be 3 servings) and 2 slices of cheese, instead of bringing both packages out and just eating subconsciously.

I'm feeling really positive about it! And more energetic already too.

Anyway, I'll leave you with some pictures...Yesterday we went and colored on the sidewalk and then took a walk

A walk and a bath...

Yesterday evening we all went for a walk down to the mailbox to get the mail.

Well, Erin went for a run. She spent most of the time running.


You can see the bunnies better now that the grass is green. That brown lump next to the tree is a bunny.

It ran off...and Erin followed. Faster than we expected, and in the road, so Matt took off after her.


I was wearing Patrick. He really enjoyed facing forward.


Then tonight I took some pictures while giving baths. I was trying to get Patrick to smile, but he didn't want to at first.

But I eventually got him to.
And then Erin got jealous and wanted me to take a pic of her.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming

Yesterday Erin was given her first ever candy necklace in nursery. She spent the two hours between coming home from church and her nap running around the apartment. Literally running. And then she crashed and took a 4 hour nap.


And Patrick fell asleep on the couch next to me. Too cute not to take a pic.
And I have to show off his new onesie. I thought it was hilarious.

Dear Cora

Dear Cora,

I've been trying to write this letter for several hours, and I don't have words to adequately express my feelings.

I miss you.

I am so very glad to have your sister and brother here. They bring me such joy. I just wish I could have seen you play with them. There were so many dreams I had for you. So many things I wanted to experience with you.

We're having a family portrait taken. I hope that it isn't too hard for me, on your birthday, when it's so very obvious our family isn't complete.

I know you have a great work to accomplish. Heavenly Father needed you for something very important, and I know you are busy doing that very thing. I hope that you are happy doing what you are doing.

Do you miss me?

As much as this hurts, being away from you like this, I would rather this than not having you at all. I long for the day when we can all be together. Yet I am content to wait.

I love you my darling girl. I miss you. But I am so glad that you are mine. I am so glad for the great promise I have that you will be mine forever and that I will have you in my arms again.

Remembering you always,
~Mommy~

Totally made my day

So, I was playing on the floor with Patrick, and got this video:


While it was uploading on the computer, I was playing some more and he started LAUGHING! It was truly the most adorable thing. I'll have to try to get him to do it again when the camera is available.