Little Gym-- We're Being Brave

Lately, I have been struggling to keep Porter engaged at home, especially when dealing with a fussy infant. He has embodied everything I've ever heard about 2 year olds. Now I don't want to give you the impression my kids are "Bad or naughty" they're just children. Priya is a fussy baby, she has days where I can't put her down unless I'm willing to listen to her terrible screaming, she cries herself horse in a hurry. I am beginning to think combined with the reflux she does have colic tendencies. Then you add in a 2 year old who is working hard to discover his boundaries and I've got my hands full. Right now I feel like I'm programing Porter. His mind works in IF...THEN... logic. I know that if I do my job correctly delivering correct consequences and strong boundaries I'll be a much happier mother in the long run. I am determined, but that doesn't mean it's easy. So, I spend my time giving warnings, using my firm voice, watching my toddler out of the corner of my eye so I can put him back in time-out when he tries to get up before he's done the time. Just when I think we've reached a solid boundary we leave the house and he has to learn it again for the new environment. My weariness at home has lead to something good though. Getting Porter Out of the house and Out of my hair. We enrolled him in Little Gym last night after a free trial class.

As a special needs Mom I've really hesitated to put Porter into community type activities because they can be very uncomfortable for me. Before we go out I worry, "Will other's accept him? Can his instructor handle including a child with special needs? What if someone says something ignorant? Can I keep from going ballistic on them if they do?" Then there's always the staring, people don't do it to be mean but it's hard to tell what's going through someones mind when their transfixed on your child. Well, with a little push from Porter we just did it and decided we were willing to deal with our discomfort for his good. We want and expect Porter to be included in society and that starts now.

I'm pleased to say we were pleasantly surprised. The instructor was a little awkward at first but she treated Porter just like any other kid and by the end of class she was excited to have him. She's working on a degree in Early Childhood Development so this experience is good for her. Some parents stared, but even the rough and tough Dad who was a little scary in appearance rushed over to keep Porter from getting hurt. Then there were parents that it didn't even phase, love them.

A friend of mine refers to Little Gym as Gross Motor preschool.

I took the pictures far away and through a window so they aren't great. Porter is running in the big circle with everyone.

Getting ready for his forwards flip. He loves doing them, just needs more practice.

Dancing & following directions with scarves.

exploring the beam

On the beam, he was a little nervous.

So much moving and so much fun. Even through the wall I could hear Porter yelling out of excitement. His Dad reported that he loved it and had a ton of fun.

Priya slept like this until the last 5 minutes of class. I didn't know what to do with myself, I kept checking facebook on my phone, read a little and even put my feet up while I watched. Then Priya woke up screaming so I picked her up and she pooped out all over herself and me. That ended the mommy break pretty quickly.

I'm excited to share more about Porter's new class with each week!

The Back Yard Just Got Cooler

That's right a POOL! Not only that but a pool shaped like a whale that sprinkles on you! Special thanks go to Uncle Tim & Aunt Megan for a Porter Perfect birthday gift.

FHE On The Go

I have it in my mind that posts need to come in chronological order. "I can't post about this until I post about that." I'm just going to let that go of that, so I'll try to put a date/time frame on things for you.

This Monday Porter and I had eye exams. We have to drive quite a ways to see the Dr. I like so I knew our window for F.H.E. (family home evening) would be right after we finished up our appointments, you know before grumpy hour hits. So I threw a picnic quilt in the car with this in mind, "We'll improvise". We ended up eating dinner on the temple grounds. Porter and I walked hand in hand while I sang him "I am a Child of God" he sang along (no words were clear but he had the melody)... yes there were momma tears. I forced everyone to take pictures because we don't get opportunities with such a pretty backdrop often. It was relaxing and very nice.

The pictures say the rest:
*mommy note* I've already protected the photos and it's hard, at least it is for me, to add captions after that so just so I remember. The photo of Priya was taken right after we got her out of her carseat and that is her great big girl stretch.













Is your Dad so cool that he'll let you put the corner of a blanket behind his sunglasses to keep the sun out of your eye? Porter's Dad is. ;) Sorry babe, I had to post it.

Priya 2 Months

I'm sorry this should be like 5 average size posts but instead it is a Priya biography. At least you'll enjoy the pictures. If you tucker out with the words, I understand. I write them for my memory anyway... my point- skim away.

Priya Lynn 2 Month Stats:
Weight: 12lbs 4 oz
75th Percentile
Height: 22 1/4 in
25th percentile
Head Circumference: 41 1/2
95th percentile

*Long Exhale* So, she is big, just like I thought. I can already hear Aaron talking about his cousin who had such a big head as a baby he couldn't sit up for a very long time. We may be in the same boat. Overall this little girl of ours is plain and simple healthy. It is really weird for me because Porter is only 20lbs at 2 so I keep thinking she's huge. She's just big and her brother is small, major opposites.

Her doctor is putting her on an acid blocker because of her reflux. We're hoping she'll grow out of this with a little time, but right now she can't sleep more than a few hours on her back so she's been in her bouncer almost every night and because of that she's developing flat head. It's very mild at this point and she should grow out of it if we sleep her flat but to do that we need to treat the reflux.

Priya is a very happy and content child when her reflux isn't bothering her. When it is she fusses a lot and I don't blame her.

Things we're seeing her do and learning about her:

• Smiles whenever you talk to her/give her attention.
• She loves being read to.
• She clasps her hands and brings them to her mouth to soothe.
• She can roll from her tummy to her side.
• She may never learn to roll completely over because she enjoys being on her tummy and falls sleep like that often.
• Baby coos! I love them and have so missed them. Hearing her talk back to us makes my insides all gooey like the middle of a cookie fresh out of the oven. LOVE IT!
• She uses her eyes to follow us around the room. If I can't hold her she likes to be on the kitchen counter in her bouncer so she can see me hustling after her brother.
• Her hair is getting darker all the time and between us parents we think it's the same color as Porter's and curly like her dad's. We hear all kind of differing opinions though. Same goes with which of us she looks more like- the verdict is still out on that.
  
• She can sleep 7 hours a night. She doesn't always do it, but it has happened
• She's a gusher, she gushes over Daddy, Mommy and Porter (when he's not laying right on top of her to chat face to face). I adore this about her. She just lights up, smiles,coos, and I swear she's bashful in the way she responds to us. It's darling.
• Bashful is actually a great word to describe her so I'm giving it it's own bullet
• Takes her binkie well and finds her thumb often.
  
• Digs bath time, until you have to take her out and the cold air attacks that baby warm skin.
• She's a good sport. The girl can get flaming upset, to the point that you think you'll never be able to calm her down and that you quite possibly have traumatized her for life and you're positive this will come up in future therapy sessions. Then you cuddle her close, whisper that everything is going to be alright in her ear and she forgives you just like that. That's how shots went today. I hate shots all the time but it seems particularly mean at this age.

To sum it up she is a DELIGHT and the perfect addition to this family. We live crazy busy lives in this household and it isn't perfect by any means. But Heavenly Father watches over us, He is happy to see us try so hard and love each other so well. I'm learning that if we're together and healthy everything else can wait. It probably will to because keeping a 2 year old and a 2 month old healthy and happy is an around the clock jig. :)

If We Don't Answer We're Out Back

That's what you'll read on the blue sticky note on my front door when you come to visit. Porter lives for outside which is why he must endure me lathering him with sunscreen every morning before he even gets his britches on.

No wonder the kid loves the back yard it has so much to offer:

dirt, grass, wide open space, sun, fresh air, rocks, bugs, plants, puddles, a swing set, digging, climbing, picnics, little sisters in the shade, changing weather, K9 friends, and numberless other possibilities.

Feel free to join us around back. We be having good times. ;)

*the majority of the photos were taking with my phone*

Father Thoughts

(Aaron is working on installing Linux on a laptop for me and when he's done I should be able to play catch up and get this blog back to it's former glory ;) you know post with picture, ect.)

I just wanted to take a second to write down some of the random thoughts I've had about Father's on this day when we celebrate them:

• Tonight I was in a room full of people gathered to celebrate a wonderful Father/Father-In-Law-- Randy --. The room was warm with love, laughter, and smiles for him.
• I remembered my own Daddy --Casey--, his face kept coming into my mind and I wept. As complicated as that relationship was, despite the hurt and hard dynamics of his addition towards the end of his life... I am FOREVER grateful he was/is my father. I learned so much from him and love him dearly. I miss him and right now I can think of nothing I'd enjoy more than a hug from him.
• My step Daddy --Gregg--. When I think of Gregg I think of his as wonder Dad. He loves us and takes great care of us. He's such an awesome grandfather. I'm always touched by how quickly he scoops Porter up and takes him back to the barn when we visit so Porter can see the "Horsies".
  
• I thought about the father of my children-- Aaron --. I remembered the look in his eyes when my Mom told me my Dad had taken his life his heart was breaking right along with mine. He hovered over me in the months that followed and did everything thing in his power to protect me, help me, and comfort me.
  
• Then I thought about how my kids know Aaron --Daddy--. He is so proud of his children and adores them. He ran his first Ragnar relay race this weekend and proudly crossed the finish line with Porter screaming in pure delight on his shoulders. Aaron was so great to me this morning when I rolled over and said, "Sorry the house is a mess and I didn't get a chance to pick up your gift. Lame Father's Day- I know." (I promise I'll get his gift eventually) He really could careless. He's just happy to spend time with us on a lazy Sunday morning. We had both the kids in bed with us and groaned about the fact that they woke up at 7 after a late and wakeful night. However, even though he was exhausted he was happy to have his family all within arms reach and we all felt his love for us. Little moments like that are the most powerful and moving to me. Aaron is a good father because of the way he makes his children feel his love for them in every moment he's with them. He never takes them for granted. What a blessed little family we are to have Aaron!
  

We love all of our Dads!!!

Priya Lynn

What we have a second child?! It's true... slacker Mom.

Here is a list of things we know about Priya:

• She is a good baby, although not as content a baby as Porter was. The girl is blessed with a good set of lungs.
• Has Blue eyes. If there was any doubt. I'm pretty sure all our kids will have blue eyes.
• She doesn't have colic like the doctor thought, but she has really bad reflux. :(
• She is a squeaker and grunter. If you move when she's comfortable she makes a ton of complaining grunts. She squeaks at most anything, it's so cute!
  
• When she sleeps she burst out into the saddest sobs you've ever heard. We're pretty sure this is when her reflux acts up, breaks my heart. She usually doesn't wake, but crying in your sleep is still sad.
  
• She is a great sport about Porter loving on her, but hates when he touches her hands. When he's being good with her, she just smiles and stares at him. When he's not good Mom is there to remove him and if I'm not fast enough she cries. *sigh* We're working on it.
  
• She has grown so much SO fast! The girl was so slender when she was new, now she has the darling baby rolls.
• She's a sleepy eater and it frustrates me, trying to wake her to eat is so difficult. I sometimes have to take her pajamas off and tickle her to wake her. She hates that.
• She is also a noisy eater, not sure I'll be nursing her in public much.
  
• It's funny because her clothes fit her really well, except she's too long for them. So her sleeves hit her forearms instead of her wrist.
• She was out of newborn diapers at 4 weeks.
• She actually doesn't hate being on her tummy and falls asleep 50% of the time. We'll have to strengthen those muscles some other way.
• She has a sensitive tummy, I've given up cows milk (oh how I miss it), tomatoes, and chocolate. This alone is evidence of my love for the girl; that's my desserts, ice cream, and Italian food. It's worth it to help her be happy.
• She has daddy wrapped around her finger. If she whimpers he goes rushing to scoop her up.
  
• We're seeing social smiles more and more.
• She mimics facial expressions and loves being talked to.
  
• She clasps her hands to soothe herself.
• Starting to enjoy bath time.
  
• Gets to cuddle with Mommy after her late morning feeding before Porter wakes up.

Writing all this out makes me want some photos of these things so I'll add those later.

We've fallen hard in love with this little girl!