Ever Growing Everett

I should be posting this next week when Everett is officially 3 months old.  but the growth that has taken place this past week has been amazing.  I think we've turned a corner in the baby growing process.  Everett is holding up his head more and more and can now sit in the corner of the couch which he really loves.  Since these two new developments Everett has been a bit more happy.  With less crying and more play time, Everett has been proudly showing off his new skill of smiling.  It melts my heart.  He lights up when i enter the room and will often time give me smiles when I change his diaper.  

The last couple of days Everett has had a ruff  cough and when he sleeps he works hard to sleep. 

My baby boy hard at work

Sitting in his favorite spot

Trying out the bumbo

Everett is still a little too young for the bumbo, he head isn't quite stable enough but I'm afraid he'll get too chubby for the bumbo before he can actually sit it in so he gave it a try anyway.


Tonight Everett gets to play the part of Baby Jesus in the Relief Society Program.  I'm pretty excited to have him in our family at this special time of year.

the Big Fixer

Mama:  I need to fix the lights (talking about the christmas lights hanging in our window)

Grace:  No, Papa is the big fixer

I'm so glad I married a fixer.  Not only does he fix the house, the cars, the yard, he fixes my heart and helps me to feel happy.

This weekend James had a busy but productive weekend.  Saturday he went to a Continuing  Education class on spinal cord injuries, then he came home a cleaned the house while the kids and I where out.  Sunday morning he work up early and went to Church meetings, came home and watched Grace so I could go to Church.  (Grace has had a nasty cough all week.)  He picked up a fireplace insert, went home teaching and came back home to make dinner (fish and chips) and we all enjoyed an evening of Christmas lights and Holiday movies.  Monday morning James watched the kids so I could go work out at the Church, then he took the girls to pick up some lavender plants for our yard and future bees.  He came back home and got to work planting plants and building a stairway on the side of our house.  We went to home Depot for Family Home Evening and bought a few needed items to install the new fireplace insert.

James is a wonderful fixer and the kids and I want him to know that we all love him and notice his hard work.  This morning as he was getting ready to go to work Gwenevere woke up and gave Papa a hug before he left.

Tonight he will come home and go straight the the Relief Society dinner and perform in the program.  I know he really loves be because James hates performing but he's doing it and not complaining all because he loves me.

I' am so grateful for James and all that he does.  I love you James.

PS while reading this post to the girls Gwenevere wanted me to add "I love you too Papa"

Saturday night cuddles

Smarty Pants

Mama:  Grace stop braking the crayons

Grace:  I'm being an artist.

I guess that makes since most artist do weird things when they create.

Christmas activities and festivities

This past weekend was full of some of my most favorite holiday activities, unfortunately due to schedule conflicts we weren't able to participate in all of them  (sad face).  But we had a blast with the activities we where able to enjoy.

 Friday night we took the kids to see a ballet called "The Nativity".  Grace loved it, Gwenevere enjoyed most of it (she was hungry and couldn't wait till intermission to sample some yummy cookies) and Papa and Everett slept through most of it.

The pictures below come from the Metropolitian Ballet of Tacoma facebook page

Then bright and early Saturday morning we drove down to Portland to catch the Wilcox Family Progressive Dinner Bus.  Each year James's Mother's side of the family get together and visit all the Aunts and Uncles houses to show off Christmas decorations and eat a lot of food.  

The bus crew

Everett's first time on a bus

The inside of the bus

James guarding the little ladies

Grandma Sharolee at the wheel

Everett's first time on the bus

Lexi and Gwenevere leading to way to the first stop

 Our first stop was the Jacobson's home for Cinnamon rolls and hot coco.

Uncle Max and Everett just chillin

  After the Jacobsons we stopped by the 7 Eleven for frosties.  Yep you can never eat enough on a progress pig out day.  This stop is Gwenevere's favorite.

Then we drove to the Packham's home for breakfast casseroles and some caroling of the bells.  Gwenevere found Grandma's phone and entertained the kids.  LOL  oh dear the phone phase already.  This is why I refuse to have a smart phone.

 After a yummy breakfast we loaded up the bus once again and headed to the Wilcox home for yummy pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw.  the drive between houses was about an hour so to keep entertained we took self portraits and passed Everett around on the bus.

After the Wilcox home we drove to The Baertlein home where we ate yummy veggies (which was very much needed) and listened to Aunt Val read a story

After the Baertlein home we went to Grandma Sharolee's home for tortellini soup and then finally back to Grandma Wilcox's home for pinata, crafts and pizza.  To say the least.  the whole day was a blast.

That night we crawled in bed and huddled up close since Grandma's furnace decided to give out.  The next morning, Grandma Sharolee watched the girls so James and I could sleep in.  It was wonderful.  Then we hurried to get ready for Church.  The nice part about going to Church with Grandma is we also get to see Aunt Tessha and Uncle Patrick.  It was a great Sunday.  After Church we gathered together at Rebecca and Max's house to celebrate Uncle Austin's 20th birthday and to spend some time all together.  Grandpa Roemhildt joined us and Rebecca provided a wonderful ham.  We played catch phrase and laughed hard until we where too tired to laugh anymore.  

Monday morning we woke up packed up all our belongs, went Christmas shopping, wrapped presents, ate lunch and then headed back home.  It was a fun filled weekend.  and we are still recovering.  Today while hanging out around the house I took these fun pictures.

Grace goes between wearing her Hello Kitty hat gangster style to wearing her pink princess crown.  

Today Everett found the corner of the couch to be the perfect hangout spot.

Gwenevere showing off her Angelina Ballerina moves

And Grace doing likewise

I sure love spending time with my family.  It's the best way to celebrate the holiday.

I just need to write.

I don't feel like posting on facebook but I feel I just need to write out my feelings and then I can move on with today.  So here it goes

My anxiety has been getting the best of me lately.

I saw this on my friends post and it hit me hard to the core.  That is exactly what I've been feeling but haven't had the time to stop and think about it.  Now that it is in front of my face I have to address it.

Having three kids has been hard on me. I feel like I can't help any of them.  They all need more love, more time, more attention than I can give them.  With this overwhelming feeling I have neglected their needs and have put my needs first.  I must admit, at first it felt good.  My 30 minutes of working out despite a crying baby and two little girls running around the house making a mess did feel good at first.  But after my workout I would be face with a pile of trials still too overwhelming to face, so what would I do, sit the girls in front of the TV and try to keep composer.  (Ahhhhhh that sucks.  grrrrrr I hate feeling like a failure.)  then when I had enough and couldn't take it anymore I would bundle up all the kiddos and go spend some money.  Getting things that aren't really needed but can be very useful.  I  haven't overdrafted our account but I have spent way too much money and I know it.  I've been ashamed to tell James what I have spent and that is a big sign that what I'm doing is so wrong.

So with this off my chest and the tears flowing down my cheeks I will turn off the computer and keep trying.  Tonight I will try to get a better night's sleeps, and tomorrow I will not spend any money.  that is all I can commit to at this time but hopefully it will lead to progress.

Here's a reminder of what I'm trying to be

I know I can do this!

Ever growing Everett

most people gain weight over the holidays, Everett included.  It feels like he's gained a pound in just the last few days.  But that's not the biggest change i've noticed in Everett.  it appears that overnight Everett has learned to smile.  He enjoys babbling and now plays on the floor for longer periods at a time.  I love the growth!  Here are some beautiful pictures my midwife took at my last visit. 

My three happy children

one minute he's awake, the next minute he's asleep 

This is Everett's all time favorite position 

He Rarely excepts being held in any other position

Maybe he likes the smell of my breath, lol

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Today we set up our Christmas tree and decorated our living room.