most wonderful time

don't worry - we are still in UT having a grand old time. Happy New Year everyone. I'll post pictures when we get back to MN!

advice?

So I am needing some advice from the mothers that read/check/glance/pass by my blog. I have two wonderful children. Darla will be 2 on the 28th of December, Bennett is 3 1/2 months old. Frequently there are times where both of them are crying at the same time. This happens at all different kinds of moments. The one that happened tonight; Darla didn't want me to nurse Bennett when it was time for him to eat. I began feeding him and she cried the whole time - which made it difficult to feed Bennett because he kept crying on and off since he could hear her. That is just one example. Other times they are both crying for whatever reason. That happened this week and they both were crying for about 30 min straight. Mind you - I was trying to get them to stop some how, some way.
So, mothers - anyone - what do I do? How do I not let it get to my nerves. How do I stay calm?  Sometimes I just break down and cry with them, other times I am so frustrated I cannot think, I feel like I'm just reacting (which is no good). Oh the joys of motherhood right?

december

I love the month of December. My whole life it has been full of birthdays, holidays, family, friends, vacation, delicious food/treats, music, and celebration. Darla and I celebrated our birthdays together by going on a little Mommy-Darla date. We were lucky enough to go see Disney on Ice. She didn't move for two hours straight. She'd never beheld anything like that in her whole life. What a wonderful adventure to share together. On my birthday I woke up to Darla saying "Mommy, there's a happy birthday for you downstairs mom!" We walked down the stairs and she ran over to the kitchen table where there were a few wrapped presents, "Open them for you mom? Yeah? Sure?" She was so excited. I felt VERY celebrated. But I do have to say this is the first birthday that I have ever thought twice about my age. 26 has made me feel like I am actually getting older. Or may be it's the fact that I am a mother of two children? Who knows? I love my little family.

This week I had the energy to throw together some Christmas Sugar Cookies. Darla was a great help and LOVED that she could eat the dough (in comparison to Play-Doh, yuck).  She also thought it was pretty neat that she was making her own little gingerbread man. This Tuesday we are off to Utah for about a month! I'm so excited. Instead of taking the presents to SLC we are going to have our own little Christmas morning tomorrow! Darla must have been a good girl if Santa is coming to our house tomorrow and Crazy Grandma's house on the 25th. :) Erik has just a few more finals to wrap up and then he'll be ready for the last semester of his Masters program. How crazy is that? You can do it Erik - we are so close. For all of you who don't know this . . . Erik is incredible (simply put). Once again I love the month of December.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Once again Darla was in tears on Santa's lap. She had been talking about going to see Santa all day long and as soon as the moment arrived with the man in the red suit - break down. She was very thoughtful and polite through her tears saying "thank you" for the Christmas pin he gave her. May be next year Santa. Cute girl. What is it about Santa that scares kids so much? When we were done, Erik said "That would be the worst job. Sitting in a chair waiting for crying little kids to come take a picture with you." Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas.

hard at play

Hours and hours later the play-doh is almost dried out. It was a great purchase at Target this week. But, then again look at Bennett - who needs play-doh when life is already so great? :)

thanks

Happy Thanksgiving. I am full of thanks today as I watch my two beautiful children. How lucky am I to be able to be a mother, especially the mother of Darla and Bennett. Every single day I am awed and amazed at these two little people. Darla is almost two - her personality ever so present and character so kind. The conversations that we have will be forever cherished. Bennett is growing, and learning - interacting with him is one of my favorite things. I love newborns. Why does that stage have to disappear?
I was talking to my sister the other day and she said how she loves that the world hasn't quite figured out how to commercialize Thanksgiving - meaning they go from Halloween straight to Christmas. Thinking about it, I'm not surprised. The world doesn't have time to slow down and give thanks - it goes from "where's the candy" to "give me presents". If only it would slow down and be grateful, just think what a difference that would make. May be then in those moments of thanksgiving all would notice that there is something greater. Someone who gives all. Someone who loves all. I'm grateful for that Someone because He has given me my life - my family.

My Darla Anne

I love this picture!

two little kids

I finally got up the courage to give Darla a little trim. I didn't know if it was going to be crazy to try and have her hold still. She held very still - considering she was glued to the Little Einstein's DVD.
Once again it's another weekend and I cannot believe it. I have decided that time disappears because the days and nights all run together right now. There was a day this week that suddenly turned into night and then the next thing I knew it was 7 AM and I was doing the dishes - had I slept? It was already morning? :)
These two little kids continue to teach me. This week my mom (an incredible mother) gave me a piece of advice that she received sometime in her life - treat your children like they are your best friend. For example you wouldn't get frustrated if your best friend was walking too slowly, you would most likely slow down to walk with them, or if your friend broke something, or got something dirty you would most likely react patiently and help them. Ever since she said this, I have been thinking about Darla and our interactions, about Bennett and our interactions. I hope I can apply this idea as I strive to raise my children with love and patience. There is much to learn. I love being a mom.

Happy Family

Bennett is two months old today. We had his doctors appointment and he is 13 lbs 13 oz, and 25 inches. He is our big boy. Both Erik and I have said today - that Darla grew up last night. There is something about her. I cannot believe I almost have a 2 year old.
Erik is busy with applications to PhD programs. I'm excited to see whether we are staying here, or taking off next summer. Honestly I hope we are staying here. Yes, the winters are long - but other than that we've loved it. That's about it for now - life is moving ever so quickly.

Bennett's Blessing

Another part of this past weekend was the blessing of our little Bennett. Erik's parents were able to be here which makes moments like these seem a bit more like home. We wish we could have been with all our family, but if anything we realize how blessed we are to have a great ward family and friends. Once again I have a baby in my arms so I'm keeping this short. What a brilliant life this is.

Down on the Farm

Happy Halloween! Personally I believe she made the cutest chicken ever. I am typing with my left hand while holding Bennett in my right arm - so I apologize that I'm not writing more. This weekend has been full of wonderful memories.

can't think of a title

I am way too tired to think of what to call this post. Mondays seem to be the recovery day after Sunday. Every one is just slightly off. But Tuesdays seem to be better. Shouldn't complain when I have the most darling children. Bennett's smiles are the best! Darla's phrases/sentences are hilarious! We had a ward party this weekend and Darla went in her Halloween costume - I am waiting to post those pictures until Halloween just in case I get even cuter poses from her. I love her costume.

I told Erik the other day that it is strange to me that we have lived her over a year now. We are no longer experiencing the "firsts" for living in Minnesota. We've already done a Halloween here. So this past weekend when I was putting Darla in her costume I was having flashbacks of last year when she was a small little indian only 10 months old - not even walking.

That moment made her seem so grown up. Stay tuned for Halloween pictures later this week.

bliss

These are the simple joys of life - a proud father holding his son. A mother breathing in the scent of her baby boy. A darling big sister posing perfectly. A little brother getting a well needed bath. As cliche as this phrase may be . . . the days are flying.

second child

I always swore that I would take as many pictures of my second child as I did my first. Well, now I understand why everyone told me that would never happen. We have taken pictures of Bennett, but lately it is quite the ordeal to takes pictures of anything. As soon as Darla sees the camera she wants to sit on your lap and for the next FOREVER have you scroll through the pictures/movies. Any time we say, "Ok, this is the last movie" she agrees, but then throws a dramatic display of emotions as soon as we put the camera away. This battle has been tricky. So, in order to get more pictures, I need to first figure out my almost 2 year old. I will also say that now I understand why people get behind on their blogs. . . or lives in that matter. Two little people sure keep you busy. This week I had one day of feeling quite overwhelmed with being the mom of two. The next day I had my friends two darling kids over (pictured above) and realized that it will get easier. Darla loved having them to play with - instead of just me to rely on. It not only gave me a vision of what the future will be like, but also made me excited for when Darla and Bennett will play together. I know that that time/season is going to come all too quickly. Darla has been getting interested in dancing, dresses, and dress-ups. She no longer sits still whenever music is playing. I LOVE watching her dance. I love how every person comes with their own little moves and rhythm. Time is moving quickly. I cannot believe Bennett is already 5 weeks old today. What a great season this is.

sPoNtAnEoUs and quick

Happy to be with BOTH Grandparents!

Yes, this is Darla. When all the cousins were playing the dress-ups she said to Erik, "Make me cute Dad."

Diaper Party with Rachel

Rachel, Darla and Kate - we LOVE cousins!

Erik's Mom called last week and said that we were needed at home this past weekend. So we arrived in Salt Lake on Saturday afternoon and returned to Minneapolis Monday night. Quick? Yes. Worth it? OF COURSE! (Yes we were able to fit in a quick stop at Cafe Rio) Erik's Dad was made Bishop of their ward and felt that it was important to have his family there. We were happy to able to be there, especially to show off our little Bennett. I never thought I'd be hopping on an airplane three weeks after I had my baby - but when family calls - we are there! If anything it just made us even that much more excited for Christmas time when we will be able to be there for almost a month. Another bonus of the whole trip was that we were able to see my brother Matt who has been in Moldova for the past 2 1/2 years with the Peace Corp. I loved that he was able to meet Darla and Bennett - it meant the world to me actually.

Now we are back to real life after our weekend that ended up feeling like a dream. Seriously I woke up Tuesday morning and felt like I had made up the whole weekend. When we were pulling into our parking lot after the drive home from the airport Darla said, "I see Darla's house! Fun adventure Mom!" It was an adventure. There is nothing like being with/seeing family. We love and miss you all.

eyes open

There was a request for pictures of Bennett with his eyes open. Aren't very many, but these will give you an idea. Quite different than Darla when she was a newborn - her eyes were ALWAYS open.

love

Thanks to Aunt Laura for the Princess Dress! She hasn't stopped wearing it!

First Bath. He slept through most of it (typical of him).

Darla sure loves her Crazy Grandma. We miss you!

Darla is the best older sister. We are having the time of our lives. I thought it was amazing to watch Darla grow - but it is even more exciting to watch two little people change right before your eyes.

Beautiful Boy

no need for words on this one.