kid update cont.

So I remembered what I was going to say yesterday in my kid update. Some of you may know that I had a really hard time potty training David, well we didn't have a lot of peeing accidents, I'll just leave it at that. He has been great for that last 8 months, but I thought it would be forever before he was out of pull-ups at night. I just didn't want to have to wash the sheets everyday or even every other day. So it was a welcome surprise that David has woken up dry every morning for the past 8 days! And last night (for the first time in months) he woke up and peed in the potty in the middle of the night. Well it was 4:00 am. I was so excited. Hopefully Timothy will be potty trained soon, and then no more diapers, at least not until the next one comes around.

Happy Birthday Greg

Today is my BIL Greg's birthday. Actually he is married to Aaron oldest sister, but I guess that's still a BIL, right? Anyway... He is a great father of 4 brilliant children. He is a podiatrist and had been very helpful to Aaron in giving advice on everything from residency to financial aid, and raising a family while finishing school. Greg will forever be remembered by Aaron as the guy who broke Aaron's finger while playing basketball. It was before Aaron's mission and the fingernail never grew back the right way. Greg also comes from a family of 11 children and his youngest sibling was recently married. His parents and all siblings and their spouses were in the sealing room. What an amazing experience that must have been! I hope you have a great birthday Greg!

kid updates

I taught David how to play Skip-Bo. It has now replaced UNO as his daily card game. He does pretty well. He sometimes needs to be prompted to play from his pile first. And he doesn't have any kind of strategy. He understands that there can only be 4 piles to play on, but for some reason doesn't want to have 4 discard piles. He puts them all in the same pile. But he loves to play whether he wins or not.


Timothy and I have been working on learning colors. I think he might be getting it. At snack time I gave him a blue bowl and he said, "No, I want an onange (that's the way he says 'orange') one." I repeated, "You want an orange bowl?" Then he looked at his blue bowl and said, "No, I'll have a blue one". Later we were playing with duplos and he was sorting them by color. I asked him to point to the red ones and he got it right. He also pointed out the blue and green one correctly too! We'll see if he still gets it right tomorrow.
I thought there was something else I was going to say, but now I can't think of it. Oh well, I'll have to wait for another post!

Babies

I had a great time at a baby shower yesterday, (I have another one this week). This shower was for two second time moms who had already had their babies. So I was privileged to hold two different tiny babies. As if I wasn't baby hungry enough already! Ashley's little boy was so handsome and slept so peacefully. And Richelle's little girl was so sweet and tiny (well, compared to size of my boys). While I was holding her David came up to me and was so sweet. He pointed out all of her "little" features. She had cute little shoes on and he asked, "Does she have little toes too?" He was so gentle has he touched her head and fingers. He always was good with babies, little brothers on the other hand.... not so gentle! David melted my heart with how sweet he was too her. My friend Lyn said, "Watch out, you're looking a little too comfortable there." If only she knew how much we want a little girl. "I'll take her home," I answered. Someday...

Happy Birthday Kristy!

Wow, I know a lot of people with birthdays in February! Today is my cousin Kristy's birthday. She is 19! I wish she didn't live so far away! She has lived in Virginia for most of her life, but we've been able to see her a couple of times in the past few years. We all took a trip to SF a few years back and we saw her in Utah when David was about a year old. But the only picture of her on my computer is this one:

I hope she will forgive me. Send me more pictures! I have others printed, but my scanner is still unreliable. Kristy is tons of fun and very bright! I hope she is enjoying her first year of college! Have a great day!

Book Tag Game

This was on Leslie's blog so I decided to play.

The Rules of the game:
1. Find the nearest book to you.
2. Name the book and author.
3. Turn to page 123.
4. Go to the fifth sentence on the page.
5. Copy out the next 3 sentences and post to your blog.

The book on the desk is a book my Dad gave us at Christmas time.
It is called: "Leadership - Promises for Everyday". It is by John C. Maxwell. It is a book of daily devotionals. Here's the quote: "But the more time Peter spent with Jesus, the more he learned the difference between mere activity and accomplishment.
"Like Peter, great leaders sift through the many things that demand their time, and they discern not only what needs to be done first, but also what doesn't need to be done at all. That starts with a passion to excel."

So now it's your turn!

Made in China

Have you ever heard about the poorly translated things that come out of foreign countries? The Wall Street Journal did an article recently on how China is trying to change the bad translations that are plastered all over. The Olympics will be in Bejing in 2008, and they didn't want tourists to make fun of them. Although some argued that it would decrease the charm of China. So I had to take this picture when I found a funny translation among my kids' toys. This is on the back of a soldier's breastplate costume:

If you can't read it it says:
CAUTION
The simulated protective device was not safety device and offered no protection Made in China

Here's picture of David wearing this "device" over a year ago.


I can't say that I have never made a mistake in translation with the very little Spanish that I know. But you would think corporations and the government would be able to hire someone who spoke decent English, rather than relying on literal translations from a dictionary.

3 weeks and counting

The rank order lists were finalized yesterday. Match day is in 3 weeks. It's coming so soon. When Aaron and I started dating almost 8 years ago, I never imagined how quickly it would pass. Undergrad and medical school seemed like it would take forever. He has completed STEP II CK and CS. The only other test had has left is MMD, oh and they probably have some in ICE too. I am just excited to finally know where we will be for the next three years!
Aaron is off to a conference this weekend, and then he starts a two week pedi-derm rotation. He is always involved in something! But I have loved the time he been able to spend at home especially to take care of some household things like getting the oil changed and tires rotated! I hate waiting for the car with kids, they usually get bored and start running me ragged. And I got some Visiting Teaching done while he was taking care of the car. I am going to miss him being around so much for the nest few years!

sleeping babies er... kids

I think we finally are all healthy at once. It seems that for the last three weeks someone in the house has been sick. It's not fun to wake up multiple times in the night because someone is coughing like crazy or is complaining of a sore throat or has a fever. But one thing has been great the kids tend to sleep more. They sleep later and take naps. They fall asleep at odd times and in strange places. Here's a couple of fun examples.

David had an ear infection a few weeks back, but apparently the Amoxicillin didn't work. So less than two weeks later he had a double ear infection with radiating pain in his jaw. He was just fine during preschool, but was getting a little irritated toward the end. By 3:30 Aaron got home with the car and we rushed over and got the last appointment with the pediatrician. Now he is on Omnicef. It's funny how David reminds me that he needs to take his medicine. Anyway... David doesn't usually nap, but he's fallen asleep three times this week. This one was on Thursday (before I knew he was sick). He fell asleep facing backward on the couch. You can see his bag of Valentine Candy sitting next to him.

Timothy has been sick off and on for the last few weeks, and was finally able to go to nursery yesterday. I was so glad. Aaron and I sat in on the Family Relations class (Bishop asked him to) and decided we wanted to finish out the course. It's always good to be reminded of how to improve your marriage! I always get off topic don't I? Well, as I was trying to say... Timothy also has slept more. Last Tuesday he refused to take a nap and then at 4:15 pm he was looking at a book on the couch while I was playing UNO on the floor with David. I turned around and saw this:


So now that everyone is healthy, hopefully everyone will sleep better at night! Although last night Timothy woke me up every 15 minutes for about a hour, until I picked him up and took him out on the couch where we both fell asleep. I always feel bad that I leave Aaron in our bed all alone, but sometimes, it's just easier to put him on the couch, than to wake up at every whimper.

Another Birthday

Happy Birthday to Brooke T*! (I wish I had a recent picture of her, but again my scanner isn't working well). She was my first best friend. She and I were in the same ward when we were 3. Here are some memories:
We went to the same preschool.
We became best friends in the 1st grade (or maybe before I really don't remember).
We were in Bluebirds together, her mom was our Campfire leader.
Her mom was also our Beehive leader.
We did everything together.
We even had sisters about the same ages.
We were in band and choir together.
Playing in her backyard and having the back gate open to Mandy and Christy J*s back yard.
Jr. high - lots of sleepovers and playing BS, spades, and speed.
After our freshman year of high school she moved to Boise, ID and we didn't see each other much. But I'm so glad we were able to keep in touch. Neither of us are great at correspondence (email is the best invention), but I love how we can pick up right where we left off. I visited her in Idaho a couple of times in high school, and she came back to visit for our high school graduation. She came to my wedding reception, and most recently (July) we got to see each other for our mutual best friend Noelle's wedding. I wish she was closer than Rhode Island, but I'm glad that we can still be friends even with distance and time between us! Happy Birthday Brooke!

No more WIC !!!

I think I have gone to my last WIC appointment! It was the best one yet. Last time they gave me a DVD to watch with the kids and all I had to do was fill out the survey and turn it in. I waited 10 minutes and I got my vouchers. David turns 5 in April so he is done with WIC after March. And Timothy's next appointment is in the middle of May. So if we are moving at the end of May or beginning of June then there is no point in going to the recertification. I would have to bring a lot more paper work since they won't have Medicaid any more, and it would only be for a couple of weeks. If we end up staying here I might consider going to the appointment to get WIC until we get a paycheck. But even then I'm not sure it's worth the hassle. So farewell to WIC, we won't qualify in Seattle or in Houston, after residency starts. So I'll use up the vouchers and be very grateful for the help I have receive, but I am glad to not have to need it anymore!

Happy Birthday Bryan

Today is my BIL Bryan's birthday. He is turning 12!!! When I met Bryan he was 4. And he loved it when I would read to him. He didn't say much to me at first but he would bring me a book so I could read it. Here is a picture from my wedding he was so little! I wish I had a larger picture (my scanner is on the fritz right now!)
Bryan is smart and a lot of fun. When we were in Idaho last May he was so good to let David play with some of his favorite toys. He even read a book to David when David asked him to. Now he gets to attend Mutual! Fun things are ahead for him! I hope Bryan has a great birthday!

Happy Birthday Beverly

Today is my SIL Beverly's birthday. She is just about a year older than me and has four fun little boys. She is a successful mother with a successful Modbe business. (I'll refer you if you want to buy something!) She is fun and motivated, and is so creative. When I first met her she was expecting her second boy. She did all of the flowers for my wedding, which were beautiful. As I look back on it I still can't believe I asked her to do that with a 2 month old baby. But she never complained and was happy to do it! She is great at scrapbooking and card making. She can recreate beautiful home decor at a fraction of the cost! She's also got tons of ideas on how to raise boys. She is an inspiration to me.
Happy birthday Beverly! Have a great one!

Finished Again

I finished reading the Book of Mormon again today. It never ceases to amaze me that I can read this book a million times and still learn something. And it's not just about the story. I learn about me and more about Christ and how I can be more like Him if I want to and try to. It gives me the insight I need on hard days, an appreciation for the things I have. Today we lament the loss of the thousands of people that have died in the wars going on. But in the final battles in Mormon chapter 6, Mormon talks of the final 24 Nephites left. He lists all of the military leaders and how they each "fell with his ten thousand" In all 230,000 people died in those battles. That's not including the women and children that also died.
I am so grateful to be living in the fullness of times. One of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon is 2 Nephi 25:26 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophecy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." I am grateful that I can be reminded everyday where I can turn for peace, for answers, and for comfort. This time through I tried to color code some topics (I got this set when I graduated from college, and I haven't marked it up much). I marked the words of Christ, and anything that Heavenly Father or Christ has done, will do, or their characteristics. I also marked whenever faith was discussed. Next time through I will pick new topics and give them a different color. It's given me something different to look for while I am studying. I look forward to studying it again tomorrow!

Illness and funny words

Timothy is sick. He has been since Friday night. He just coughs and coughs. He is so congested. Sometimes he coughs so much he vomits (I hope you're not grossed out). Then he got a fever Saturday night. He was giving me a hard time about taking a bath, so he stood in the tub while I basically gave him a sponge bath - he whined the entire time. Then I wrapped him a towel and put his lotion on. He wouldn't roll over so I could put his diaper on, so I tried to do it upside down, then I got his pajama bottoms on. By now he had stopped whining and had fallen asleep. So I put his shirt on and put him in his bed. Poor guy. I kept him home from church with me yesterday and sent David to church with a friend. This is how awful he looked yesterday:


And here he is trying to smile:

But on the bright side today his nose is runny rather than congested, so I hope that means he is on the mend.

One of the reasons I started this blog was to document the cute things my kids say. And Timothy reminded me of one he said at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He calls the umbrella "brel-lel-la" with the emphasis on the middle "lel". My siblings thought that was the most hilarious thing they had ever heard. The other cute thing is with all of the tissues we have been using when ever he sneezes or has runny nose he says, "I need a bless you." So even when my kids are sick they still make me smile.

A Light at the End of the Tunnel

I have been thinking about all of the things that are going to happen in the next few months, and it seems like were are being pushed out the door. Are we really almost done with school? Will we really be earning a real salary in four months? Here are some things that we have had to discuss lately:
*graduation is May 22nd - Who is coming?
*graduation party/cruise
*looking for housing in other cities
*do we need to fly out after match day?
*match day is March 15th! (6 weeks!)
*Aaron's AAAAI convention trip
*graduation announcements
*rank order list is due Feb. 21st
*CS exam is on Feb. 16th
*Yearbook page
*STEP II is on Feb. 9th

All these things signal the end of a wonderful and busy time. It's like a count down. I am also remeinded of the things I want to do before I leave H*, if we leave. So much to do and so little time. And this is just a small portion of the list!

Let's Get Together, Yea, Yea, Yea

Thanks Tara for a wonderful visit yesterday! It was so fun to get together and just have some good girl chat, while the kids kept themselves entertained! I hope we get to see each other again soon, especially after your little girl arrives in a few weeks! And since you left your snack bag here I will have to come and see you!
As we chatted I realized that I really want to make sure I get to see all my friends that have moved but are still nearby! I might be leaving in 4 months, and I would hate to go without having seen them. So we need to all get together, you can come see me anytime, or I need to do some serious day trip planning and go see you! When's a good time???