Flexburg

Sometimes I call Rexburg Flexburg. When me and Travis were dating he once referred to Rexburg as Flexburg, while flexing his rippling bicep (he is a genius at finding opportunities to flex). After two days in SLC we drove to Rexburg for two days. I was really glad that we were going to be there because I have a special place in my heart for Rexburg, ID. We stayed with Trav's Grandpa. I walked around barefoot for the whole time. The soft green grass is not something I take for granted. I have tried to go commando (without shoes that is) in Raleigh, but it was very painful. I had Sunday morning in Rexburg all to myself. Everyone went to church except for me and the little man (if I have learned one thing it is "never wake a sleeping baby"). I ate a banana outside, and walked around the beautiful apples trees (I think Travis helped plant them). It was so relaxing and peaceful. I also talked to my hunny for a while on the phone.

Sunday afternoon we got together on a blanket behind Aunt Jan's house. Once again, so peaceful and enjoyable.


Grandpa Linford has this toy room in his basement and the kids LOVED it. There is something so enticing about old (in a good way) toys.

I think Addie and Phoenix are going to be buddies in a few months.

So I hadn't seen Janae for a few months, she must have gotten extensions because nobody's hair grows this fast! No offence, but it totally felt like horse hair.

In reality she took a horse tail hair thingy (not sure of the technical term) and we carefully incorporated it into her hair. It kinda looks legit, right? Jared thought it was crazy.

SLC

When we finally got to SLC it took at least another hour to get everything from baggage claim into our TINY rental car. (note to all parents...or people that pack more than a mid size suitcase, pay the extra $5 per day and get a mid size car). We got to our hotel room and the wonderful people at the Best Western had already set up the porta crib in our room, a small thing on their part, but it was a huge relief to not have to worry about it. We met my brother, John, and his beautiful wife Brooke for dinner at Wingers. It had been 3 years since my last sticky finger experience. Unfortunately, the chicken had been sitting around (I hate that you can tell/taste the difference!) and it was less than fulfilling. But the company was good at least. The next day I saw Heather (Trav's sister), Ryan (her beau), and my younger sister Michelle. It was good to see everyone.


This picture is at John's apartment, they have a dog named Oliver and Audrey was obsessed with the dog, and Phoenix was obsessed with Ollie's cage (hmm...this gives me and idea...)
On Saturday my wonderful Aunt Nancy organized a get together with my cousins Kristen and Jenny and my Aunt Donna and Uncle Dennis. I so grateful that Aunt Nancy did this, it was so much fun. When we were there my Aunt Donna introduced Audrey to me as Lydia (one of Kristen's girls). I found it funny because look at all of the blondes! All of the kids look alike!

Kristen, Michelle, yours truly, and Jenny

It was fun to have a day to spend with Michelle, me and her haven't had a lot of one on one time for way too long.

When we were in Utah I wore pants almost all the time. The reason? Because I could. It is so sticky hot here in Raleigh that some days it is too hot for shorts...let alone pants.

The Plane Ride

I'm back! We (me and the kids) went to Utah on Thursday (July 22nd) and we are back in NC. I decided to bring the kids out to Utah/Idaho...a decision that was hard to make for the sole reason that I would have to fly with both kids by myself. I was not worried about Audrey at all, but Phoenix...I was terrified. We had to legs to the trip, Raleigh to Atlanta, then Atlanta to Salt Lake City. The first plane ride was perfect, for the first time in like 4 years there were a few extra seats on the plane, so a flight attendant gave us our own row (Awesome!!). Then the flight from Atlanta...it started off badly with an announcement that the flight was full (I HATE HATE HATE 100% full flights...especially when you add children into the mix). Me and the kids got situated in our seats and there were only a few minutes left till departure. The seat next to me was empty (I always hope that whoever is supposed to be sitting next to me will miss their flight) and just as I started getting really hopeful that it would remain that way a mother and her teenage son walked onto the plane. When they realized that one of them would have to sit next to me the mother said "Oh my gosh!" in a way that said "kill me now". They proceeded to argue over who would have to sit next to me (I heard everything because they were right next to me) and apparently the teenage son lost, because he sat down. He warned his mother that if she got up to go to the bathroom that he was going to take her seat (they were both in the aisle seats next to each other). The plane took off and Phoenix started crying....and didn't stop. I tried everything, formula, gerber puffs, fruit snacks, wrapping him up in a blanket and rocking him, singing softly to him...nothing was working. A nice flight attendant walked by and the mother of the teenage son asked him (the flight attendant) if there was anything he could do to shut the baby up. The flight attendant got really mad at the lady and told her not to tell him how to do his job, and he informed her that she was riding on public transportation. He also told her in a condescending way that we were all babies once. Then he asked me if he could get me anything. I asked for some juice to put in Phoenix's bottle. That actually worked...for about 2 minutes. Then the crying started again. By this point I was totally turned away from the mother and her teenage son, and I was wiping back tears and trying to think of happy things...such as the plane ride being over. Audrey was trying to be so helpful and if she hadn't been with me I think I would have lost it. Seriously...who is that rude? The flight attendant came back and offered to hold Phoenix. It didn't go over very well with Phoenix. Then the flight attendant told me I could go in the back and hang out there for a while. Once we got to the back the flight attendant (sorry, I never found out his name) said that he couldn't believe that lady. Then I started to cry. He gave me a hug and told me that he couldn't have two crying people to worry about (Phoenix was still screaming). Then he left us alone and Phoenix fell asleep in about 5 minutes. Audrey had a blast playing around. I stayed in the back (where the flight attendants sit for take off and landing) until they had to bring the carts back. Of course as soon as I went back to my seat Phoenix woke up, but at least he had a little nap so he was ok. Although he did touch the teenage boys hair and the teenager acted as if Phoenix had burned a hole through his head. Then Phoenix pooped. And I didn't change his diaper...intentionally. (I know, I am so bad). The flight ended and as I was walking out another flight attendant came up to me and said "we're cool". Lol.

When I got to baggage claim I saw that lady and her son. I walked up behind her and gave her a little shove with the stroller. She fell onto the baggage belt and her long hair got stuck. It was awesome. The airport people had to come and cut her hair off. Sweet, sweet revenge.

Ok, the baggage claim part didn't really happen, but I wished it had. I am too nice to do something like that though.

More to come on my trip later, but here is a little teaser. One of Phoenix's nicknames is "lil fella". On this trip a fussy was inserted to make it "Lil fussy fella".

Rejection...

...is never fun, but it is heart breaking when it happens to your child.

Audrey is usually outgoing, especially in public places like stores and restuarants. Today me and the kids were in Target and Audrey asked if we could get some popcorn, and me, being the ultra cool Mom that I am, immediately gave in (I am a sucker for the cherry Icees at Target). So we were in line and Audrey saw two little boys sitting at a table. She told me that she was going to go play with her friends and she went over and sat down next to them. The boys immediately started yelling "Go away!". It took her a few moments to process it, but she did. She came walking back to me with the saddest face and I picked her up and she burst into tears. It was so sad. So I got her the popcorn and the Icee (well, that was mainly for me) and then we went home and I have been spoiling her all day. I didn't even try to make her go down for a nap.

I have always thought about how I cannot control what my kids will have to deal with outside of our home, but I want to make sure that they always feel loved, accepted, and valued in our home.

Not Poop!

You know where this is going with a title like that....

This morning Audrey came out of the bathroom asking me to help her out. I assigned Trav to the task because I was getting Phoenix some food. I overheard this conversation...

Trav: Audrey! There is poop everywhere!

Audrey: (in a very offended tone) It's not poop! It's diarrhea!

....a few minutes later....

Trav: I am going to start calling you Poop girl!

Audrey: (again in an offended tone) Not poop girl! Diarrhea girl!

I am just glad I didn't have to clean the mess up this time around!

Phoenix at One

(This is his really really happy smile...I think he is loving showing off his 4 teeth!)

At 1 year old Phoenix is crawling on his hands and knees (he was army crawling for a while) and he stands up to everything (even if that means digging his paper thin nails into my calves), and he recognizes his name and "no" (but he thinks "no" means "hurry! stuff it in your mouth as fast as you can!"). He lets Audrey carry him and he really enjoys playing with her. His favorite toy is probably the play kitchen I made for Audrey (pictures to come, but it needs a few finishing touches first). He still sleeps with his binky (still the green kind from the hospital) but as soon as I pick him up in the morning he takes it out of his mouth and throws it back into his crib. He gets very aggressive when he wants something (especially if I am eating the thing that he wants). He cannot wait to be able to eat everything that we can. He loves green beans from the baby food jars, I do not understand who would like those things all mushed up and in a near liquid form but our little guy does. He still wakes up once per night (sometimes more if he is teething) but he goes back down in about 5 minutes...and he usually sleeps in late (9-10) so I can't complain too much. Whenever I try to carry him up the stairs he always wiggles until I put him down so that he can crawl up himself. He loves to chase me and Travis around our couch, it is surprising how fast he can move when he crawls.

I took him to the Doctor yesterday and he is 30 inches tall and almost 19 lbs (the last few weeks he has been teething and sick so he probably lost a little weight during that time). I am on a regime to help the little guy beef up. I told Audrey we needed to get some fat on him and she had a really hard time understanding that. Even from 2 days ago his appetite has improved so we are off to a good start.

The Doctor acted shocked that Phoenix hasn't said any words yet. I was almost worried but then I thought about it and Audrey definitely was not saying any words by the time she was 1 (at least words that had meaning). So, I am patiently waiting for him to say "Mama" (assuming that will be his first word ). I already have a 4 year old that pretty much talks non stop, so I am not necessarily in a rush for him to start.

Phoenix's Party

Here are a few pictures from Phoenix's party...

Audrey is blowing a whistle directly into his ear in the picture above.

He kept this hat on almost the whole night!

The remnants of the chocolate cupcake (Audrey's request) that he threw off the tray after about 15 seconds.

I think that even though babies might not know exactly what is going on, they can always tell when all of the attention is on them, and they love it!

Routine

The hardest part of the day is mid-afternoon to evening. I dread it. Up until a few weeks ago I felt like I had a great routine. I would put BOTH Audrey and Phoenix down for a nap around 3:00ish and during that time I was able to get a lot of stuff done. Every day I looked forward to watching Gilmore Girls at 5:00 on ABC Family, and I would usually do work while I was watching it (paper work organization, fold laundry, clean the kitchen, prepare dinner...you get the picture). I would also usually relax for a few minutes and eat a candy bar, or make myself a smore...something to help make the moment of peace even better. Well that wonderful time during my day has come to a screeching halt.

Audrey figured out how to open her "child-proof" door knob to her room, so now she is waking up about an hour earlier in the morning and she takes a nap during the day probably every 3 days or so (so that means I have a cranky girl on my hands). Phoenix has been having a hard time with his nap schedule. He still goes down, but the times are all wacky. And when he is awake he is about 100x crankier than Audrey...and for those of you that need reminding, a cranky 1 year old makes it really hard to do anything. And to top it off, Gilmore Girls hasn't even been on the last few days.

I am really hoping this is just a phase (me and Trav will have to figure out a new way to keep Audrey in her room) and that the old schedule will resume soon. Tomorrow would be great.

4th of July

We had a low key 4th Celebration (we decided it would be better to take it easy than push the kids...aka Phoenix, to do more than what he would want to do). Travis bought some fireworks (nothing big) and we lit them in our drive way. All three of the kids (Travis included) loved it.

O.C.D.

I am not sure how many people know that I suffer from O.C.D. Obsessive Cullen Disorder that is... (so lame, I know, but I absolutely could not resist!)

I felt the deep need to release the twi-hard in me for when I went to see Eclipse, I almost wore my goth cape and fangs but I thought it might make the girls I went with uncomfortable. I just about couldn't sit through Twilight, New Moon was better, and Eclipse was finally how the first one should have been done (aside from a few casting changes that I still wish they would make...don't get me started). I am going to start planning a Breaking Dawn party because I saw way too many cool ideas to not use.

One year ago today...

...we welcomed this little handsome fella into our family. The year has flown by! I remember when Audrey turned one I thought that she was such a big girl, but with Phoenix he is still my baby (he loves it when I rock him in my arms). Audrey thought that Phoenix was going to start walking today because I told her that he would start walking when he was one (it will probably be at least another month, but one of the joys of the second child is that we are in no rush for him to start walking).

Phoenix loves to eat "big people food", he has basically weened himself (off of formula that is). His favorite snacks as of today are baby goldfish (the crackers of course) and pieces of chocolate cupcakes (he had a lot of those today). He loves playing with Audrey, and he has lets her carry him around (considering the fact that she weighs only 10 pounds more than him...he is putting a lot of trust in her!). Phoenix loves dancing and wrestling with Trav. And he loves me to hold him...all day...every day. Despite the fact that my right arm is constantly sore and my back...let's not even go there...I cannot say no to his adorable little face. We all love Phoenix so much.

Happy Birthday little fella!

My 1st Cake

No, not literally, but this was my first "fancy" cake attempt, it was our final project for my cake decorating class that I took from the University of Michaels...ok, Michaels is not a real University. I know that because the tuition was $17. Anyway, I have always wanted to do the basket weave with frosting and I learned how to do it! I am looking forward to improving my cake decorating skills.