So even though this crazy kid has an awful cold it just doesn't stop him. These pictures were taken about 5 minutes after a huge crying fit and tugging at his little ears because of the infection. I think the ibuprofen kicked in right about then or something. He definitely doesn't get his pain tolerance from me. Chillin in the rocking chair
Gotta love chocolate Teddy Grahams

No he didn't lose any limbs he just climbed inside the air vent.. don't even ask!

Carter 4 months

Carter is now 4 months old and he is so much fun. He likes to laugh. He loves to be held. Loves to smile and show off the dimple. He can almost roll over but gets high centered on his side. He likes to try to grab anything near him as well. Carter is an awesome sleeper and sleeps 12 hours at a time. He is allot of fun now. He is growing and progressing well (he better to keep up with his big brother) We love you Carter and we hope you know it! He looks allot like Mike in this picture

Obstacles

I am really blogging for my kids. So I figured that I will need to make a post about the not so great things that happen in life as well as the good times.

This has been a crazy couple of weeks. It all started last week when I got word from my daycare kids mom that they are moving to Arizona within a couple of months. They have been talking about it for a while but I got the "official" word that they are leaving. So I have been preparing to get my I.C.C.P license by taking a C.P.R. class and going to I.C.C.P. orientation. I.C.C.P means Idaho Child Care Provider. This program helps me to watch children in my home as well as providing low income families with assistance from the state.

On Monday Mike lost his job. Somewhere between then and now the kids have come down with really bad colds. I took Mikey and Carter in for their regular checkups today. I found out that they both have RSV virus. Mikey has a double ear infection. Both of the boys are on nebulizer treatments as well. PHEW!! Things usually are "peachy" for us so I'm not used to all of this.

So the real reason why I wanted to post this was not to complain about this and that. The real reason was so I can tell my children that life isn't perfect and when obstacles get in our way we just have to head right through them and have faith that Heavenly Father will help us, while helping ourselves. Even though Mike has lost his job I feel calm. For those of you who know me that's unusual. I just know that as long as we pay our tithing and continue to keep the Lords commandments as well as actively seek out work and any other direction Heavenly Father wants us to go, we will not fail. Will we get the EXACT blessings that we want? maybe, but maybe not. All I know is we will be blessed how the Lord sees fit and that's all that matters. The boys both got blessings today and I'm sure that they will be feeling better soon. As far as my job is concerned I feel like I am preparing myself enough so I can get more children to watch. We really are blessed. We still have a roof over our heads, and each other. Last but certainly not least we have the gospel.

My main man Mike Dan

These pictures were taken by a professional photographer while Mike was working on a sign. The first picture really portrays what Mike has to do on a daily basis. Not only can he fall from this height but he also runs the risk of getting electrocuted. I am grateful that he puts his life at risk in order to provide for our family. I also think its awesome that he loves his job and he can see himself there for a really long time. You are so so so cool Mike and I love you!

Big Night

We finally got Mikey a new toddler bed. It is small and fits perfectly in his room. We also got Carter into a crib now. Carter's sleeping habits are awesome! I put him down between 8-9 pm and he doesn't wake until 9am! It is great! Mikey had a BIG night when we first got him his bed. We set it up in the living room first and he was so cute. He would sit in the middle of the bed and spread out his blanket and then roll around in it. We then moved it to his room. He practiced until he knew how to climb in and out of his new bed. That night that we got him the bed he ran a 102.5 fever.. his first ever! Well I put him in his bed anyways and he slept through the night and did such a great job. He is still doing great! Its harder to put him down for a nap because its brighter in his room and he wants to get down and play but he eventually gets tired and falls asleep. Since his bed is in the room now he has grown up sooo much it seems. His room is now kid proof so he comes and goes in his room when he pleases. He likes to shut the door (already) one day he actually gave my leg a shove and tried to push me out the door then closed it behind me. Yeah I know I'm going to have my hands full but at the same time I just have to laugh! The last picture is of Mikey is in a weird position asleep between the safety bar and standing up on the floor (which couldn't have been to comfortable)

Everyone loves Carter

Thought I would post some pics since Carter is 3 months old. Carter is getting allot more personality now. He loves to smile and coo. He's a blast just to sit around and watch. Although he tends to be really fussy we really love him and just learn to deal with it. Carter has little tummy problems and is on acid reflux medication. I bet I change my shirt at least 3 times a day, but will do it for my little Carter. Mikey is getting to be really attached to his brother. Mikey is normally a rough kid to be around but he just changes around Carter and is so gentle and loving. I don't think Carter knows what to think of him yet. Mikey giving Carter loves and a kiss on the head
Carter loves his little chair

Carter looks like an older baby to me in this pic, I think its just because he is changing everyday.

Little troublemaker

Mikey is really starting to get a little personality. He now climbs up on the bottom drawer to reach the silverware drawer and the counter top. He does look like me but he acts just like Mike. He does things to just get a reaction out of people. He is into EVERYTHING he's not suppose to. Just the other night we had my parents over for dinner. I had undressed Mikey to get his bath water ready. He is so stinking cute. He started walking around and was talking on his little cell phone. Well it was really cute until he pooped on our floor! For those of you that have received pics from me before you know how I like the naked baby butt picks! I can't do this until hes 16 so I might as well take advantage of him still being a little guy.

Its hard to believe 2 months have gone by since his 1st birthday. Time flies. Especially since I have to chase after this boy!

Sledding at CDA golf course

Here we go!
Mikey's looking down the hill

Kickin it waiting for Dad to take him again

off the jump (Mikey wasn't too impressed by it)

walking back up the hill

We took Mikey sledding for the first time on Saturday. He is still a little young. Mike took him down the first time and there was no reaction from Mikey. Then Mike took him down a second time and took him off a jump. Mikey wasn't too interested in it. He didn't cry but he kinda whimpered enough to let Mike know he wasn't too into it. Maybe next year he will like it better.

A blessing for Carter

Carter's blessing was wonderful! Mike did a great job and said some inspiring things that I believe Carter will need when he grows up. Carter did a good job and only cried towards the end of the blessing. The first picture is of everyone that was included in his blessing. We are grateful for good friends and family. I am so glad that Mike holds the Priesthood and knows how to honor it. I am grateful that we can ask for a priesthood blessing and be able to receive the comfort that comes from it. The second picture is of Jackson and Carter. Jackson is 4 days older than Carter. They both got blessed today. Hopefully we can take a picture of them both getting baptised and going on missions together.

Mikey surrounded by girls!

This picture is of the three girls I watch. I love this pictures because all of the girls hair is sticking straight up from the static in the blow up car. They normally don't all play together like this so when I saw that all FOUR were in the car I had to take a picture. Mikey is already getting into trouble with girls!

Uncle Steve & Uncle Dave

Even though it was a short trip it was nice seeing them both. The picture you see of Uncle Dave is pretty much what he spent ALLOT of his time doing. He helped Mike get his bug running and Mike is way stoked! Thanks Uncle Dave! Mikey adored Uncle Steve, you could tell because he just kept looking at him the whole time Steve was here. Uncle Steve was also working along side Uncle Dave getting his car ready to go back to California. I felt bad for both of them because I think all they did the whole time they were here is work on cars and shovel snow. They went to Mikes work with him to fix Dads snow blower and they got both cars stuck. The snow plow at Mikes work had to get them unstuck. Finally when they got the cars pulled out of the way the snow plow got stuck. Oh, and poor Uncle Dave had such a hard time with this cold weather. I'm sure he is glad to be home in warm California now. We miss you guys!

Carter 2 months

Our little baby is getting to be so big! He is 11 pounds 12 oz now and he is in the 50% for everything. He smiles all the time. He likes to coo and talk to us now too! He loves to talk with his eyes and eyebrows. We are going to have so much fun with this little guy!

Jack frost nipping at your nose

Most of the snow from these pictures is from 24 hours of snowfall. The first pic is taken from my front door of Mike before he leaves for work, poor guy has to be out in this yuck! The last pic is taken off my back patio. Out of the 10 years that I have lived in Idaho this is the most snow I have seen fall overnight. I am loving the snow. Its gets a little old after January though. I used to hate the snow anytime of the year but I am learning to love it. I don't even mind driving in it. Its kinda fun except you have to watch out for crazy drivers (sorry Ryan & Carrie) Another thing I can do without is the cold. For about 5 days straight it has been in the teens during the day and down to zero at night.... brrrrrrr! Plus it was really windy on top of it all! Poor Mikey's cheeks are wind burn along with a runny nose!

Picasa Rocks!

I have this program called Picasa and I love it! I have recently started playing around with it more and more. You can retouch your pictures. See if you can guess how the before and after pics are different (other than the coloring and the image appearing sharper) NO CHEATING! After Before

Give up? He has drool coming out of his mouth on the left side. This program is soo great I have covered up stains on shirts and scratches and blemishes on faces. I have even made double chins look better! So... If you don't have a program that can do this and you have a killer pic all except that one little thing. E-mail it to me or whatever and I would be happy to fix it for you! Oh, although this program rocks my socks it can't take away inches away from hips or thighs, I already tried!

Say cheese, don't get a flat head please!

Little Carter is starting to smile! I can't wait to see his little personality start coming out. He can support his head better too. I'm totally paranoid about Carter getting a flat head because he doesn't get to be held all that much. I have to chase Mikey around allot. Mikey is totally on whole milk now in a sippy cup, it was a really easy transition until Carter came along and now Mikey sees me feed him a bottle and he gets cranky. So allot of the times I end up holding both of them in my lap. Poor Mikey, I usually will be holding Carter when Mikey wants to be held so I just lift him up by one arm allot. I know I'm not suppose to do that in case his arm comes out of its socket but that is all I can do. Anyone that wants to come over and give Mikey lots of attention or hold Carter would be awesome!

Some peoples kids!

I come home from the grocery store and go to the bathroom for maybe a minute. I come back into the kitchen and find you know who in the cupboard. He also managed to take his shoes and socks off during this time frame. Stinkin kid! But you can't help but love him.

Just for fun

Wanted to post this pic of Carter since he is growing and changing everyday.

These pics were of Mikey walking. He is walking more and more everyday and he is finally able to walk with shoes on. It is hard to keep shoes and socks on this kid because he is always pulling them off. The last pic is of Mikey laughing. He has recently started to laugh a little different he has these cute deep belly laughs now and it is impossible not to laugh with him when he starts. By the way... can you see Mike in Mikey at all besides the dimples? He is the boy model of me!