Home.

We made it home from the hospital at about 3 this afternoon. Carter is a champ and is doing so well. I'm so impressed by my little man. He's amazing and is turning into such a little personality and his own man. He didn't even cry when they took him away. He waved goodbye and blew us kisses as we left the room, they had us leave the room first, which I think was pretty genius. Mike and I then hid around the corner to watch as he walked down the hall in the arms of the doctor in his hospital gown, clinging to the docs shoulder with one hand the other hand clasping the tail of his tigger. I wish I had a photo of that to document our brave little boy. I'll write more and post pics tomorrow.

I'm off to bed. I am totally spent.

Anxiety.

We take Carter in tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. to the hospital to have tubes put in his ears and have his adenoids removed. I am filled with anxiety and trying to pack his bag. Not a good combination. It leads to me yelling at Mike for 1. not helping and then 2. helping and asking too many questions.

Instead of the outpatient center they are having us go to the hospital because of a blood thing in my family, low protein S. After a discussion with the anesthesiologist and our doctor they decided to move the surgery location and to admit him afterwards to monitor him more closely rather than releasing him right away like they normally do. So we are potentially in for a 23 hour hospital stay in the pediatric unit. Ultimately it is up to our doctor to release us when he feels that Carter is ok. We're hoping for the afternoon.

My mom came in this afternoon to take care of Owen so both Mike and I can be with Carter tomorrow. Lucky for us the hospital is just down the street and not in the medical center. Wish us luck.

Sleep.

The house is quiet... both babies and Mike are fast asleep. I should be sleeping too. But I can't. Not sure why, just anxious tonight I suppose.

Waiting to see if Owen will wake up, it always seems like as soon as I lay down and am just about to hit my REM cycle he wakes up. Although, in his defense, we've had two great nights where he's slept all night, 8-10 hours. Can't complain about that. He's taken two great naps the last two days and is falling asleep on his own with the mobile instead of me rocking him to sleep - we're making progress.

Oh, and in the last day, he's become a rolling man. Put him on his tummy and he flips right over as soon as I turn my back. From his back to his tummy needs a little more practice and determination. He gets to his side and just can't figure out how to make it all the way over. I give him a few days, then like my sister said, I may have to invest in some Velcro to keep him in place.

So in the mean time, I'm sitting here, on the computer, in my flannel pj bottoms, wearing Mikes t-shirt, with an open box of mini nilla wafers, blogging and surfing facebook. Yes, I finally realized that I was the only loser not on facebook and I joined. Want to be my friend?

Back to bed for me... just maybe I'll fall asleep. If not, see you on facebook.

The Stair Climber

It was going to happen sooner than later...

and I held him off as long as possible...

but when he is determined he is hard to stop...

he did go back down on his tummy like usual in this video...

but now he's working on climbing down the stairs too...

when did my baby turn into a toddler...

pardon the no pants...

he just got up from a nap...

complete with sippy cup...

I give you our little stair climber.

*Please excuse the mommy commentary. Sometimes we all need a little coaxing.

The Week in a Nutshell.

Another week came and went and I'm happy to report we survived. We enjoyed a weekend together and have been refueled for another week.

Big News this past week Owen had his four month check up.

Height: 26 inches 75-90th, Weight 16 lb. 11.5 oz. 75-90th, FOC 42.5 50th

Owen is on track developmentally (even though he's only rolled over twice they said that counted). He does however have an ear infection and is on antibiotics for the next ten days.

What is it with my kids and ears these days? Carter has been battling ear infections since December and will be having surgery on Friday to have ear tubes put in and his adenoids removed.

Owen is very personable already. He loves to talk with you and is happiest when he has your full attention. I love it when I walk into the room and spot him and he coos and flaps his arms and legs with excitement. His sleeping schedule is hit or miss lately. Sometimes he'll sleep through the night 8- 6am, other times he's up at 3 and 5. Right now it is every other night, don't ask me why, if I knew I would do whatever I could to fix it. He's not eating when he gets up but wants to be held and rocked back to sleep. I'm a sucker and because he's been sick on and off for almost six weeks with reflux and colds I don't have it in me to let him cry it out. Sooner than later I'm going to have to move him into the other room, but for right now I'm too nervous to move him. I'm hoping once his ear infection clears up we'll have a couple good nights in a row and I'll feel better about the move.

Carter keeps me on my toes and cracks me up. I love his budding personality and love to see him smile and care for his brother. He's so attentive to Owen. Whenever Owen is on the floor Carter runs over to lay down with him or if Owen is in the excersaucer Carter runs over to play with him and show him all of the cool toys he has. The past week Carter is becoming a pretty good helper. He's started to get things across the room that we ask for like diapers or the phone and last night he helped carry in the groceries. Granted once we got into the house he didn't want to hand the shopping bag back over and preferred to walk around the kitchen with it on his arm. None the less the extra help is so exciting to me. He's also helping to clean up his toys and has a better understanding of cleaning up. It also helps that we sing the clean up song from nursery while we pick up. I'm beginning to see the light at the end of this toddler independence tunnel. Hurray for helping I say! We went to the park on Saturday and fed the ducks. These ducks were no strangers to being fed and once we parked our car they were already chasing us down for bread. Carter immediately hid behind my legs, but after five minutes he seemed to warm up to the ducks and enjoyed feeding them a little more. Poor Owen didn't make it out of the car seat, it was getting cold and dark too fast to make it worth while to get out the stroller. Next time little man.

The one time I didn't have an extra outfit in my diaper bag for Owen he had a pretty bad leak at the gym. So I changed him and put him in the car seat with just a diaper and used the burp cloth for cover him. I love this picture of him, I just want to kiss him and squish his cute chubby cheeks. That's one serious Mohawk, since then I've trimmed his hair and took about two inches off of the top. The gym lady called this hairdo the Jimmy Neutron do, so I decided it was time. Here are the boys after church today in their matching polos. I'm really starting to love dressing them alike. What amazes me now is how much Owen is starting to look like Carter.

Well, that's the week in a nutshell. Here's to doing it all over again.

Lessons.

I'm a teacher for Relief Society, a women's organization within our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Tonight as I was finishing my lesson for tomorrow morning about fulfilling our purposes, I ran across a talk from Pres. Hinckley from Nov. 2006 about the Relief Society program and what is means.

I've been having a hard time finding my role and purpose as a mother of two such young children with a husband who works long hours to support our family. I know Mike works long hours and works hard because he loves us so much and I'm grateful for the sacrifices he makes to support us. But I have been struggling and feeling alone in taking care of the boys. Except for this weekend, Mike has been home and it has been absolutely wonderful to have him here. Like I said, I found this talk tonight and found such peace and reassurance in the words. This is what I needed...

Relief Society means sacrifice. I am always moved by this simple verse of Anne Campbell, written in behalf of her child. Said she:
You are the trip I did not take;
You are the pearls I cannot buy;
You are my blue Italian lake;
You are my piece of foreign sky.
(“To My Child,” quoted in Charles L. Wallis, ed., The Treasure Chest [1965], 54)

Many of you are mothers. You are responsible for the nurture and upbringing of your children. When you grow old and your hair turns white, you will not ask about the fancy clothes you once wore, the cars you drove, or the large house in which you lived. Your burning question will be, “How have my children turned out?”

If they have turned out well, you will be grateful. If otherwise, there will be only small consolation for you.

I have written elsewhere: “God bless you, mothers. When all the victories and defeats of men’s efforts are tallied, when the dust of life’s battles begins to settle, when all for which we labor so hard in this world of conquest fades before our eyes, you will be there, you must be there, as the strength for a new generation, the ever-improving onward movement of the race” (One Bright, Shining Hope [2006], 18).

Some years ago in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, Elder Marion D. Hanks conducted a panel discussion. Included in that panel was an attractive and able young woman, divorced, the mother of seven children then ranging in ages from 7 to 16. She said that one evening she went across the street to deliver something to a neighbor. Listen to her words, as I recall them:

“As I turned around to walk back home, I could see my house lighted up. I could hear echoes of my children as I had walked out of the door a few minutes earlier. They were saying: ‘Mom, what are we going to have for dinner?’ ‘Can you take me to the library?’ ‘I have to get some poster paper tonight.’ Tired and weary, I looked at that house and saw the light on in each of the rooms. I thought of all of those children who were home waiting for me to come and meet their needs. My burdens felt heavier than I could bear.

“I remember looking through tears toward the sky, and I said, ‘Dear Father, I just can’t do it tonight. I’m too tired. I can’t face it. I can’t go home and take care of all those children alone. Could I just come to You and stay with You for just one night? I’ll come back in the morning.’

“I didn’t really hear the words of reply, but I heard them in my mind. The answer was: ‘No, little one, you can’t come to me now. You would never wish to come back. But I can come to you.’”

There are so very many like this young mother, who found herself in loneliness and desperation but was fortunate enough to have faith in the Lord, who could love her and help her.

A Week of Photos.

To say that life is easy right now would be a lie. Life is challenging in more ways than one right now. I feel like a duck, trying to smoothly swim on top of the water, giving the appearance of complete control and ease, so no one knows that in actuality I'm pedaling like crazy underneath to stay a float. Mike made a special effort this weekend to come home while Carter was still awake and to help me with the boys. Carter misses his daddy and I miss my husband too. Thank you Mike for making the effort.

At times a picture can say more than words. Here are my words for this past week...

You may not be able to tell, but in the picture above Carter and Mike are licking beaders from the sugar cookie frosting. They both had a good time making grandma dille's frosting.

Owen Jabber.

All of sudden in the past week Owen has become a jabbering man.

This morning at 5 a.m. he jabbered and squealed in his crib for half an hour. Completely content and happy. He's become a happy little man and we find him jabbering to himself several times a day. I can't help but giggle and smile when I hear him now. We were able to catch him talking a few times today and I thought I would share. Hopefully it will make you smile too. Enjoy!

Enchiladas, Donuts and Roses.

Valentines Day at the Dille house consisted of Mike working all day, me and the boys making it to the gym this morning and then taking long naps as it rained outside. Mike made it home at around 6 and we decided at the last minute to throw everyone in the car and go out for enchiladas and some chips and salsa. It wasn't a quite romantic dinner, but it was loud and crazy and a good reflection of our life with two little guys. After a long week of not seeing Mike we were happy to be together as a family of four. Even when Carter was being Carter and dipping his pop tarts in Mike's enchilada sauce. Apparently to his toddler taste buds that was better than anything else on the table.

Carter and Mike dancing to the mariachi band.

Owen was awake and happy during dinner too.

Although the mariachi band made him cry, a little too loud for him.
Owen 4 months chilling in the car seat after dinner.

My darling husband also brought me red roses and a chocolate donut from Shipleys. Simple and just the right thing for my sweet tooth.

Enchiladas, Donuts and Roses. Not a bad way to celebrate and spend Valentines Day... Not every girl gets to have three valentines. I'm pretty lucky.

A shout out to Grandpa Dille - Happy Birthday Val!

We hope you made it out of the office and out to dinner or somewhere else fun!

Birthday Wishes.

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday dear mom and grandma...

Happy Birthday to you!

We think you're pretty great and are lucky to call such a wonderful women our mom and grandma. I love you mom and I'm so glad to be your daughter. Thank you for being there for my family and for spending your off time at work with me and my boys. We love having you here. I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

PS- When you come back to Houston lunch and carrot cake on me! Oh, and I'll have your calendar finished.

Bigger and Better.

Owen is getting stronger every day and is able to hold up his head better allowing him to move onto bigger and better baby gear. Owen is finally big enough for the excersaucer, as pictured above. In the last week, he's decided that he'd rather be in the bumbo instead of the bouncy seat and he's no longer stuck in the car seat when he's in the stroller. I'm able to strap him into the stroller and prop him up to look around. He loves it and is full of smiles and jabbers. Owen is also getting better at focusing and is always following me around with his eyes. He's starting to bring his hands together and this week he managed to get a toy into his mouth to suck on.

Owen is a joy to have around and really goes with the flow, as long as I'm around. He tends to freak out if he wakes up and I'm not around. This we'll need to work on. :) Carter loves having him around as well. He is starting to bring Owen toys when I prop him up on the couch. Right now Carter brings him his cars and books. I can't wait to see them play together when Owen is bigger and can hold his own a little better. I still have them sitting by each other in the car. I was worried about leaving them together at first, thinking that Carter would launch things at Owen. Surprisingly enough I think they both enjoy each other and having someone else to entertain them. As we left the mall yesterday I put both boys in the car, put the stroller away and peaked into the backseat to see them holding hands. Melted my heart. Boy am I lucky to have two wonderful children.

Here are a few more photos of my chunky monkey. He's still tipping the scales and staying in the 90th percentile. Look at those rolls and you'll see why.

Carter is still Carter. Busy as ever. This morning he climbed into the bath tub in his pjs and slippers and managed to turn the water on. He was happy as a clam to splash around as I ran into the bathroom to grab him. He's becoming more determined and is trying to figure things out and do them on his own. He is walking up the stairs, as long as you are there to hold his hand, and here he is trying to put on his slippers. There's a lot of growing happening in our house this week, exciting and bittersweet.

Carter trying out the rocking chair. Thanks Grandma & pa Dille and thanks daddy for taking time out of your busy schedule to put it together.Sitting in his rocking chair watching the last of the Super Bowl with daddy. He was so excited!

Pirate Dance.

We are big fans of the Wiggles* in our home now. At least twice a day. Thank goodness for the DVR, we have 10 or more episodes at our fingertips. Carter loves to get super close to the tv and dance, or sometimes he'll sit in my rocking chair and watch. More times than others, he's up close and personal getting his groove on. :)

Thank you Wiggles for providing this dancing opportunity for our happy toddler.

Goodbye.

Our good friends moved to Austin on Monday.

I am sad.

So is Carter.

We all loved Stacie, Tony and her boys.

She has four boys and Carter always fit right in with them.

He loved to wrestle with them and chase them around.

They put up with him beautifully and always hugged and loved him.

They took care of our dogs, and sometimes I think our dogs liked them better.

Stieger and Casey also miss you.

They lived around the corner and were always a pit stop on our walks.

I don't think we'll be able to walk that way anymore.

Carter cries if we go by their house and he doesn't get to say hello.

Imagine how shocked he'll be now when he discovers they're no longer there.

Stacie took care of us when we needed extra help.

She was my "Carter fell what do I do," the "I'm sick please take my kids," friend.

She provided such selfless service for our family.

She was and is a truly amazing friend.

Come Back.

We miss you already Stacie.

Craig, Mike, Owen, Carter, Anthony, Eric, Tony and Nathan.

The pictures are from last Sunday when they came over for dinner.