Our Family Update

This is one of those posts that will just help me document about my kids and what they like these days. Also a quick update on Justin and myself. Since I have all but quit journaling, my blog is in a way, my journal so here goes.

Timmy is still so much fun! He can have fabulous days where he's in a great mood and loves to help me clean and talks my ear off, and then he can have super whiny moody days where I just wish he were still napping. He LOVES math and I'm surprised by the things he knows already. For example, last night he asked me, "are there 10 2's in 20?" I told him yes and he said, "I thought so since there are 5 2's in 10." Justin has also taught him pi to 25 digits and he loves to do math problems. He can even do some multiplication and really really enjoys it. He also loves to play video games, is a big fan of Mario and still likes race cars. His latest pastime is to build domino runs and build with legos.

He also loves school and I was worried that he wouldn't want to go every day, but I was wrong, he goes every day without a problem. He has already been on field trips to 7-Eleven and the Zoo and loved them both. There is a boy in his class that picks on him a little and I must admit, that is one of the things that has worried me as a parent. I have always known that marrying a redheaded guy might mean freckled red headed children that seem to be picked on more than other kids. This boy Porter has said or done 3 different things now but Timmy doesn't seem too affected by it although he has told me about it. If it continues any more, I think I'll mention it to his teacher. He is also getting better at reading. He can read simple words now and we are slowly going through the baggy books sent home by the teacher. We are on Book 11 of the first set. He doesn't love to read yet and we only have success when he is in a good mood. He is also drawing pictures now, and I LOVE LOVE it!

Timmy is a great little boy and loves his brother sooooo much. Many times I need to save Mikey from all the love Timmy gives him but it's so cute. Timmy is definitely my little helper and I love him so much :)

Allison is all girl. She loves pink and purple and dressups and hair and dolls and frilly stuff. She is very opinionated though so sometimes I have to draw the line on what she can and can't get away with, especially concerning fashion. It's hard when I buy really cute clothes and can't get her to wear them.

She currently loves Angelina Ballerina, Strawberry Shortcake, Tinkerbell, Dora the Explorer, Hello Kitty and Ariel. She will not go to preschool (I signed her up to go once a week and she wouldn't even go once) but she can't wait to start Kindergarten like Timmy. She still loves summer clothes and she is currently wearing her swimming suit even though it's 36 degrees outside. She loves to follow Timmy's lead although occasionally she will have her own opinion.

She really likes me to read to her and her favorite books are the Pinkalicious books. They are really cute and since she loves pink, she really likes the books. I tried to sign her up for a 1 week dance class and she wouldn't go in at all, but I wonder how she would do if I tried again. She is really into dancing and I know she would love a dance class if she could get over her initial fear. She also loves baby Mikey and smothers him quite a bit, but she is also a big help finding binkies and playing with him when I need some help.

Mikey is still my adorable baby. He is now 7 1/2 months old and finally sitting up. Justin and I both feel he will not develop as quickly as the other kids. Timmy was crawling by 8 months and Allie by 7 1/2 months but I think Mikey won't crawl til at least 9 months which is still normal, just slower than my first 2 kids. He still will roll on his belly but can't roll back. He has occasionally rolled back over but gets frustrated when he gets stuck. He is eating baby food and loves mostly fruits and a few veggies. He also likes cheerios and baby puffs and bits and pieces of our food.

He is still the best tempered baby. He rarely cries hard unless something is really bothering him. He still naps so well, better than my other 2 kids. They were both 45 minute nappers until about 9 months but not Mikey. He will still nap 1-2 hours in the morning and afternoon and I love it. He is also a great sleeper. He goes to bed around 7 and wakes up at 6 for a bottle and then sleeps again until 7:30 or 8. Wow, could I be any more lucky? Now if only Timmy and Allie would sleep until 7 like they're supposed to instead of 6, uggh.



Justin is also doing well. He interviewed for NG in California and they made it sound like he had the job, and then pulled back and offered it to someone else. He didn't mind that he didn't get the job but he didn't like how they made him feel like he had it in the first place. Oh well, no move to California for us, yay! He also interviewed with L3 but they haven't ever confirmed that he has been hired so it's not very likely that he will get the job. They keep telling him he's in the running and to call back in a week or two. However, his current work knows that he's been searching a bit and they have offered him another job as a Nuclear Safety Manager and so he'll probably take it. He will learn new things as a program manager and get a raise but who knows how long it will last or if he'll really like this position. I say this because Northrop Grumman in Clearfield, UT is going to start fading out in the next year or two since their contract with the government is ending in Dec 2012. Who knows what will be in store for us next?



As for me, I'm doing well raising my kids. I really enjoy having 3 kids, it makes me feel so grown up. I can't believe I'm turning 32 in a week, I still feel like a young 20 something. I can honestly say I am at peace with being a mother. When I first had kids, I dreaded the baby stage having to do everything for them and it really was a struggle for me. Well, I guess I have gotten used to it or I just know it needs to be done because it doesn't really bother me anymore. I am a Mom and this is just what a Mom does. Taking care of a baby is okay and I don't envy those who don't have to do what I'm doing (well, at least not all the time, lol!) I am looking very forward to having all of my kids in an independent stage but that time will come and I will enjoy it when it does come.

Well, that's our family for now! We will keep moving forward, living the gospel and doing our best to be good family members, neighbors and friends to you all :)