Dressed Up

Kate was playing dress up this week. She wanted Marianne to play along, so Kate made Marianne a queen.
We took M out to run some errands and it was a rainy day. She got to wear the bear suit. All of our kids have worn this bear suit. I wasn't sure she would ever because it is not really cold here, but we found a day.

The weeks just fly by and some how this little angel is 8 months old today.

She has mastered the scoot. She cries "Mamamamama" when she wants to be picked up or fed and she just wants to be in the action, stealing game pieces and coloring crayons that Sam and Kate are using. Today we went outside on the grass while Kate and Sam played outside. We sat in the shade and petted Cola and she giggled like crazy. She has a new squished up nose face. I cut off her mullet last night. Jake teases her that now she has a boy haircut. It looks much better though and I think it will grow out nice and even. And she had her 1st real people food (brocoli chicken casserole) pureed for dinner tonight.

I always tell Jake that if I could have any super power,

it would be the power to heal.

I'd start with the kids, and they would have have perfectly working tummies that never hurt.

I've decided if I could have a 2nd power, it would be the power to freeze time, or slow it down. I guess to manipulate it however I choose.

If I can't have that then at least a super detailed specific amazing memory, so I could at least relive each moment of this speedy life.

Because my babe is going to be one in just a blink.

And that really stinks.

Pony Tail Up.

Mom finally decided to do Marianne's hair

It only took seven months.

Here is an after pony tail, and before pony tail shot.

She is adorable either way, there is no denying it.!

Enjoying Spring

I took both these photos while we were playing in the backyard today I uploaded them and thought they were funny. Funny because the top is the best picture of the older kids I got. Hair all messed up, funny faces and in the dirt... with lunch on their faces and what was around the third outfit for one of them for the day. A contrast to miss Marianne. She looked so perfect in her spring dress. Smiling at me with her toes in the nice green grass.

Marianne

Minutes from crawling this one is.

and getting more adorable every minute.

My Dad made a comment this week about how I must love Marianne extra special because my entire blog is devoted to pictures of how fat she is.

It is true. I have an obsession with this beautiful baby of mine, her smile, her charming ways, and even her fat rolls.

I Like Big Babies....

I cannot lie.

The Girls Too

Cute pictures of the girls in my life. I've been playing around with my portrait lens today. The blog has been over run with Sam lately. But these two beauties are copy cats of me, and one another. Kate even likes to take a cup of ice to eat when she gets in the car.... that is totally a me thing. Sometimes I can't get Kate to even look at me when I am trying to take her picture. Today not only did I get a smile, I got posed hands for my strong willed daughter.

6 months old.

documenting the rolls above.

My Marianne is 6 months old.

My baby.

How did this happen?

I have shed actual tears over it. More than once.

I love her so much.

It certainly doesn't seem like just 6 short months ago we didn't even know how wonderful she was yet. It seems like we have known her for ever.

She has literally consumed my heart.

She has brought me smiles during some harder than usual months.

She always has smiles for me.

I call her "my beauty" and "my angel baby"

At six months she smiles and jabbers around. Saying "hi" "mom" "mama" "dada" of course just randomly and in no way aware of what she is saying. The kids love when they catch a word she says and always tell me "Marianne said..." I can't wait until she actually says words.

She usually falls asleep without too much of a fight.

She rolls over and over and over until she get stuck under the furniture.

She sits up. She reaches for toys. She scoots to reach things she wants.

She laughs at everything.

She loves to eat, and eat, and eat. She has only turned away food or a feeding a handful of times in her lifetime.

She still sleeps beside me from around 3:00 am until 7. And I love it. I wish I could cuddle her more. Take a nap together a few times a week like I was able to with my other babies.

My Marianne. I am so glad you are mine.

Day of Love

Valentines Day should be a big deal around here.

It is basically the day Jake and I decided to get married

We had been broken up for almost four months.

Jake asked me to go out with him and his friends for the night (to see if we could be friends again)

They had a fun little party for the evening.

I'm not sure if it was because it was Valentines Day and love was in the air,

or his huge muscles and sweet smile,

but we ended up totally making out.

We had been the on again off again sort.

We had said we were not going to date anymore unless we were going to get married.

I think that unspokenly mean we weren't allowed to make out unless we had agreed to get married either.

So that night kind of sealed the deal.

We've rarely been apart since.

I attempted a photo shoot for Valentine's Day last week.

It didn't go well.

There are no picture of Kate because she was literally running naked through the house screaming because she didn't want to wear something red. I gave up on her.

Sam wasn't so cooperative either. As you can see.

But Marianne.

She never fails to give me the smile I want.

That smiling pile of chubbiness.

When I was attempting to take Sam's picture he pulled a decoration off the mantel. It crashed down on to my head, splitting it open. Blood gushing from my head I called for Jake to help me. I think it resulted in a concussion because I've had a headache for a week now.

Oh the silly things I do.

Funny enough the picture Jake took of my head, so I could see the damage, looks like a blood red heart.

Oh Valentine's Day.

I Love Babies

I am thinking about renaming the blog

something like

"The blog about Marianne and nobody else"

It seems fitting.

I love babies what can I say.
In particular this one.

Who tipped the scales at just under 18 lbs today. 17lbs 12 oz

Not bad for a 5.5 month old baby.

She was seeming particularly large this morning.

Maybe because I had to sweet chance to hold a new nephew last night. At one day old he weighs 8lbs 11oz but still seemed to tiny.

Why do babies grow up so fast. I just love babies.

I didn't always.

Before I had my own children I didn't really care to hold other peoples babies.

I didn't have that natural ooohhh and awe for them.

I was not dying to go see the babies my friends and family had. I didn't get it.

Then I had babies.

Babies who grow too fast.

And now I get what is so precious about a brand new little baby.

Because what once was 6lbs 9 oz, is now 18.

What once would sleep in my arms for hours on end, is now a rolling, giggling, food eating, baby.

This blog seems like it should be named "The blog all about Marianne and nobody else"

I do have other children. They are just usually grumpy and streaming snot these days. We have new colds it looks like today, and ear infections.

Some how M seems to stay a bit healthier then the kids.

I just don't know what to do anymore.

I refuse to put them on antibiotics again. They've only not been on antibiotics for about a 12 days since we moved.

They are coughing and sitting next to me on the couch.

I miss when they were healthy and we had fun all day.

I miss them.

When they are not sick they are funny and charming and silly and sweet.

Sick they are not very much fun. I don't blame them.

If I was ever going to have a full on mental break down.

It would probably be around now... don't you think.

Good thing I have a fat happy baby to cheer me up.

Meeting A Name Sake

Marianne with MaryAnn Wood her maternal maternal great-grandmother.
Marianne with her Great-Aunt Carol. She really is great too. We have been so lucky, Marianne and I have spent a lot of time with Aunt Carol this year.

I had put my camera away before Marianne was held by her other great-aunt. So no pictures. But Marianne almost immediately spit up all over her Great Aunt Marilyn too. What a trooper.

Sunday seemed like the perfect chance to go and visit my Grandma Wood. She only lives a little over an hour away now. She has had a lot of health problems lately so we haven't been able to visit yet (my three loud kids are overwhelming to anyone). But Sunday my Aunt Carol as well as my Aunt Marilyn and Cousin Tina were all there. So Marianne and I decided to make the trip alone. Marianne was named for this beautiful grandmother of mine and I thought it about time they meet.

Marianne really turned on the charm for everyone.

Doing all her best tricks, like smiling, giggling, goo-gooing, and rolling all around for the better part of 5 hours.

She won over everyone of course, even me. She was simply delightful to enjoy without the other kids around.

I enjoyed visiting with these four wonderful women.

Grandma Mary Ann is one tough cookie. She has has a hard life, and continues to, but she is always full of grace and love. She seemed proud to have a great grand daughter named after her. I know I am proud to have a daughter with such a wonderful namesake. Most of all I enjoyed a still moment watching Marianne and Grandma cuddle together in grandma's bed.

Marianne Sleeping, Play Dates, and Mountain Moments

This chubs is still adorable as all get out.

This is how Marianne sleeps. She rubs that blanket-that silky blanket- all over her face, and in her mouth, and then sucks her thumb and falls asleep all covered up.

Just some pictures to post, and this about today.

A few weeks ago I signed our family up to host the ward play date.

We went to one before, it was fun.

So why not welcome everyone to our home to play.

So at nine am they started coming.

I think we ended up with 12 moms and about 30 kids.

It was crazy town.

Meltowns over toy trains, slammed hands in the door, every snack I had in the house gone,

crazy town.

I always think my house is kid proof. I have three kids you know.

But I am always wrong.

I ended up collecting things and pilling them on the kitchen counter.. until one of the little girls figured out how to pull the stool from the bathroom and use it to climb up there too.

Nothing and nowhere was sacred.
Jokes aside, I was happy these women felt comfortable enough to bring their children to my home and chat with me about homes and preschools and toliet training for the better part of two hours.
But next time I host, I think I will do it at the park.
After the chaos had exited I inlisted the kids to lysol down the house.
Then we piled in the car to go to Costco for lunch. But then I realized I had lost my card. So happy meals and the park were what came about.
They were happy about it. And so was I. Me and M sat on the bench together while the kids played. The sun warmed me up despite a little wind. And it felt like spring at home.
The park was quiet but us, the airplanes buzzed over head, I sat finishing up the loose ends of the kids happy meals and I could see. THE MOUNTAINS.
and it did my heart some good. Things felt like normal.
Like so many afternoons spent at our Wheeler Park, with the airplanes, and the sun cutting through the cold breeze, and the quiet park, and of course much larger mountains.
Almost like a late May afternoon in Heber.
We will take that for a start to the weekend thank you.

Rolly Polly

She rolls around the floor like it is nothing now. Back to front, front to back, in circles.

She is darn cute doing it too.

And pleased with herself.

A Little Lunch for M

Little M ate some food today.

Rice cereal, that lucky girl.

She had tried at Christmas, since she had opened some for Christmas as a gift.

But couldn't do it. swallow I mean.

Today was different.

An entire bowlful

Both mom and baby were pleased with these results.

We were back at the doctors for shots today.

Height 25 in 70 %

Weight 16.25 lbs 80 %

Head 16.5 60 %

Is that flat head effecting her head size? because my kids have never had a head below 80%.

A note- that means she has gained 1. 1/2 lbs in about 18 days.

Mom is Crazy but it Makes for Fun

I'm a little nerotic when it comes to my kids. Especially their health.
Have you seen me whip out my full size can of Lysol at the resturant and spray down the table, or at the grocery store and spray down the entire cart.
Well that is me.
A few weeks ago our new pediatrican mentioned M's head was getting a little flat.
She has had some Torticollis since birth, and flat out refuses to turn her head to the right.
I'm sure those heavy cheeks don't make it any easier to lift that head.

I've tried to sleep her on a special pillow I got a few weeks ago, but she just screams and screams for an hour, and then I move it and she falls asleep sucking on her left thumb in less than 30 seconds.
We do stretches, and force her head to the right. When we remember- and hey we've been a bit busy ya know. And now that we are paying attention more, it seems like the toricollis is worse than I realized. And every minute I'm not holding her I feel like her head is getting flatter and flatter.
And it will make me so sad if her beautiful dark haired head gets stuck in a helmet.

So last night I ran out and bought a Jumperoo.
I had the idea one might help her at 7:00 pm. Looked on Amazon for ten minutes then decided I couldn't wait for two day shipping so I went to the store.
I hate Jumperoo things. They are expensive. They take up half the living room. And I feel like they make me a lazier mother. I have successfully avoided the purchase of one for my 1st two children. But I folded.
Partly out of guilt that the move distracted me so much the past two months that I didn't even notice her flat head. And that despite the pediatrician's instruction since her 2 week old appointment that we needed to stretch her neck, we have only done it a dozen or so times amist the chaos.
But mostly because it is a great idea. It was my own idea for therapy thank you.

I think the Jumperoo is going to work very well.
She can stay in it much longer than she can sit in her bumbo chair because it supports her better, and anything that gets her head off the ground is a plus...and the seat spins so hopefully something to her right will interest her and she will stretch those muscles a bit on her own.

The older kids love it. They asked if they could wake M up this morning so they could watch her play with it. They make the buttons go off and are always asking about when she can play in it.

Perhaps they are envious it didn't show up for them in their own infancy.

Sometimes I'm a little nerotic, but this time at least it ended up in some fun.

Tiny Traveler

M and I were jet setters this week. With a quick trip to see what our new life looks like in person.

She was the best tiny traveler I could have asked for. This is her at the airport waiting with me. Though she lost out on a lot of sleep, she was still the perfect angel. We had a great flight there, even though we had a 2 hour layover. Luckily our late night seat was next to a granny who happened to also be a twin and loved babies. She was understanding of the few cries, and attempted to be super helpful. When we were getting off, some business man said to me that he flies three times a week for work and had never seen an infant do so well. On our trip back home the airline attendee tracked us down while we were waiting at the gate and bumped us to a direct flight at no extra charge because there was an open seat so instead of getting home at midnight we got home at eight. Seriously flying with her was such a breeze. In fresno, it was kind of special to be able to give her some much attention. We even took a nap one afternoon together. Another morning, grandma watched M and I ran some Christmas errands. It was only two days, but I felt so relaxed. It was such a great trip. Then I returned to a house in chaos mid packing, two more children with needs, and the stress of buying a home and moving. I kind of with M and I were back on vacation.

M is 2 months old

My gorgeous baby is already two months old.

Crazy Stuff.

She is such a precious addition to the family.

All four of us just love her so much. She has had a little bit of a rough start, jaundice, low sugars, low birth weight, thrush, ear infection and strep throat all in her short life so far. But that hasn't stopped her for the most part, being a sweetheart and growing like crazy.

We love when she smiles at us and "goo's" at us most of all, and when she falls asleep in our arms.

She had her two month apt. yesterday.

Weight 11.6lbs 66% up from the 12%

Height 23.5in 88% up from 47%

Head 16 in 90% up from 82%

Perfect as can be.... well except for that ear infection she has had from birth, it is still there and didn't respond to the antibiotics. Hmmmm????? At least it is not currently bothering her.

That is some good growth. In fact our pediatrician joked she was the size of some 6 month olds.

Way to go Miss Sis!

But don't grow up to fast.

Got it!

my adorable chubby cheeks miss M.

I finally got a smile on camera