The baby phase however, THAT I am crazy sentimental about. I LOVE babies, their smell, their smiles and giggles. Their physical milestones of crawling, walking, even smiling! It is so full of joy and miracles. It is equally if not more so full of physical exhaustion, messes, insurmountable logistics, and worries. But it has been and is WONDERFUL.
I want to capture and hang on to as many memories and day to day little things as I can because just as the baby phase is slowly drifting into the past...this new phase...I don't even know what to call it...sort of young family life?...it is going to pass just as quickly if not more so.
For Example:
This is what packing for 5 kids (just the kids) looked like in 2014. notice the 2 port-a-cribs there on the left? When we went down to St. George a few weeks ago I packed ZERO porta-cribs, not 1 stroller, no bottles, formula, burp cloths or baby bjorns etc...It was CRAZY! The kids could get into the car without stepping on luggage and Chad could actually see out of the rear view window!
So, just to capture a few snippets of life right now here are a few pictures from my phone (let's just ignore that fact that I have an incredible DSLR camera that I never use and my children's childhood will mostly be captured on a little iPhone ok?)
These three are like the 3 Musketeers. They are ALWAYS together...as you can see in this little gem of a picture. Lucy was adamant that Grant should have his hair brushed after bath time just like hers and Gracie's. Grant was THRILLED and held perfectly still for the entire 10 minute styling session. Lucy is the Pied Piper for these two and they will follow her lead everywhere we go. When they go to childcare at the gym Grant and Grace- who LOVE the gym- won't step foot into the kids area until Lucy goes in first. I love their little threesome and although it is of course not all love and kindness...there is going to be a lot of sadness when Lucy starts all day 1st grade in the fall. Assuming I let her go! I'm not sure I can do without her!
Jack is obsessed with erasers. Not regular end of pencil erasers. but toy erasers that apparently come in every shape size and style. Food erasers, car erasers, animal erasers, iPhone erasers...you name it, it comes in the form of an eraser. Jack is a master trader because he comes home with new ones every day and I have yet to actually buy him one...how is he getting these? Any way the kids are all enamored with his collection and were thrilled when he set out each and everyone for them to ooh and aah over during our post FHE dessert. Dessert just happened to be our favorite cookie ever...ROLO cookies!!!! I could pretty much each those all day every day and never get sick of them. It's a toss up which part I like more; eating them or watching my kids' little fingers unwrap each rolo (eating only a few), rolling them up in the dough (tasting only a little), and then rolling them in the sugar (licking their fingers only a few times). Awesome.
The "You are Special Plate" was out in honor of Jack and Marian going 2 whole days without fighting once!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are currently on day 5 (knock on wood) and though I know there will of course be squabbles again eventually, this cease fire has been a breath of fresh air. Every morning this week I have told Marian and Jack how much my heart is exploding with happiness with the way they are treating each other and what a difference it is making in our family. Because really people..this has been huge!
This is me just about every day. Not the hiking back pack and red rock nature scenery part...but the other part. The part where my kids are surrounding me, wanting to be right by me. Expressing their independence (hence the empty back pack) but still wanting to stay close. Chad jokes that they just follow me around like ducklings and it's pretty true. Alone time is rare...hence the new membership at the gym! This picture also captures my typical appearance... tired but mostly happy...disheveled hair and thank goodness exercise clothes are at least sort of acceptable attire for going out in public because most days that's what I'm wearing...need to work on that. Life is so so good! I am constantly amazed at all our blessings amidst the chaos of daily life and so grateful for Chad and our rowdy crew that keep our hands and hearts full.
