The Future

This morning's play:

Isaac and Eli are spinning around and around in the middle of the living room. They laugh. Then dizzily take off in the direction of the wall, and purposely run into it. This is then repeated a few times. 

I watched them thinking about what this will turn into in 5, 10, 15 years. How about crazy? Hmm... do you think our nice dishes will survive their adolescence? 

I hope their childhood is one of discovery and epic fun. So far their imaginations seem to be taking them in that direction!

Poem of the Month

This month I chose... wait for it... LANGSTON HUGHES! About time, right?! (Every month I pick a poem to share that I think is cool, or relates to how I'm feeling.)

About a month ago Matt and I spoke in church. 

(Mormons don't have a "preacher," instead people from the congregation are assigned a topic one to two weeks in advance, then present a 10 to 15 min talk on the topic.)

Anyway, we could choose are own topics off of General Conference talks that were given in the past two years. 

(General Conference: a world wide broadcast, 4 two hour sessions, twice a year, given from Salt Lake City.)

I picked Ann M. Dibb's talk from October 2009 General Conference "Hold On" (click here). And I opened the talk with this poem from Langston Hughes:

Mother to Son

Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

This poem needs to read out loud, for sure! (Click here for one being read out loud.) I did my best to keep my southern accent under control when I read this to the congregation. It was so hard! Not sure if I succeeded. Some people out here say I talk funny, so I do my best to cover up the "funny."

Why did I choose this poem? Well... 

... This past year has been crazy. Nothing that Matt nor I expected. A few heart surgeries, a birth of a third child, a change in career paths, another change in career paths, a move to a different city, more student-family poverty stress. To name a few. 

And though I am grateful we always had shelter over our heads and food on the table (even if it was cereal) I haven't been handling everything as well as I had hoped.

But this poem, wow, slapped me in the face. Each day will come. And life is hard, but that's what it is supposed to be. Just keep going, keep climbing, do your best, and things will work out.

What do you think? 

Sound It Out

Isaac and I have been working on his speech. Many may know that he has a hard time saying words. Words with Sh, S, R, N, L, G, or C sounds. Cat is "Tat."  Shark is "tark." Golf club is "off tube."

He gets frustrated and embarrassed. Especially in front of other people. So lately we have been working on sounding out words (and he is willing!), one syllable at a time. 

Word: Octopus

Me, "Oc."

Isaac, "Ah."

Me, "to."

Isaac, "cah."

Me, "pus."

Isaac, "uss."

We do this faster and faster. Each syllable sounded out. 

Then, Me, "Octopus!"

Isaac, "Ah-uss!" or "Ah-cata-cata-uss!"

Mmm... not quite. 

Today, however, Isaac not only said all the right syllables together, but actually said the word pretty correctly. Success! 

(Our speech work reminds me of the episode in Friends where Joey and Phoebe are working on his French. So funny! Check it out here.)

Titus At 3 Months

Holy smokes, Titus turned 3 months old. Wow, that went fast! 

Titus weighs 12 pounds, and if I remember correctly 23 inches. Wonderful! He was such a skinny little thing for so long. It is fun to see little bottom checks, leg rolls, and double chin. (When he was born he had no bottom checks... seriously!)

He loves a bath, 20 minutes long isn't unusual. Not a splasher, just content to sit/lay in the warmth. (I think it helps relieve gas pressure/pain, he always lets out lots of good, big gas bubbles.) Typically he gets up once a night around 3. If I want him to sleep the rest of the night I put him in the swing... which I usually do! (I have to have good sleep to keep up with these boys.) He is starting to coo and make noises, which is so so sweet. Loves to smile. Rolled over once, though pretty sure it was an accident. Still not a fan of car rides, but the constant screaming has gone down dramatically. Oh! Loves to be around people and watch his brothers play. Gets ticked when put in another room devoid of action. 

(I have determined why we really don't have clothes for this guy's 3-6 month stage.  Isaac didn't have many clothes in this stage, and mostly it is heavy winter stuff. Eli at this stage last summer was recovering from his second open heart surgery. He chilled in really cute pjs and never really went out of the house. I'm excited for the excuse to go shopping!)

Tried to take pictures of him smiling at me with the 50mm lens all by my self. Hard stuff to do, I tell you! But some turned out okay... 

Titus is getting out of the newborn stage... I'm not sure how I feel about it. I like it, but it makes me sad. Normal feelings. Matt and I love this little man and hope he continues to grow healthy and strong! 

He's 4, For Sure!

Let us go down memory lane...

... four years and a week ago, I looked like this.

Isaac Boy was to arrive in 1 week. Matt and I were excited, nervous, and totally unprepared.

Isaac came. Whole, well, and relatively easy. 

7 lbs 8 oz, 21 inches long

His daily activities comprised of sleeping, eating, burping, and pooping. 

A good baby. Neither hard nor easy. Just a baby.

**Fast-forward to present day**

Isaac is now 4 years old. 4 years of life under his belt!

During that time he has become a big brother... twice!

He has handled the change quite nicely.

Isaac's height is now 41 inches, and he weighs closer to 35 pounds.

A good, really fun and creative boy.

Growth and Accomplishments of this past year: 

- Potty Trianed

- He has learned to say his name! And his friends' name!

- He can count objects and up to 11

- He has tried baked chicken, and loves pork chops

- He ate a grape! But then threw it up... 

- He tried watermelon and cantaloupe. He likes watermelon. Will deal with cantaloupe. 

- His knowledge about ocean animals has greatly expanded. Show him a shark, he can name it, no problem. 

- Overall his vocabulary has quadrupled. He is willing to try and sound out words. For the most part things are understandable.

A few of his Favorite Things: 

- Favorite Foods: Honey Nut Cheerios, peanut butter and honey sandwiches, apple slices, chocolate granola bars, cheese, yogurt, Gold Fish 

- Favorite Animal: Great White Shark

- Favorite Jet: A -10

- Favorite Show: Go, Diego, Go!

- Favorite Prophet: "Awesome" Moses

- Favorite Clothing: Jet Shirt

- Favorite Songs: "Follow the Prophet" (the Moses and Daniel verses), "Nephi's Courage" 

- Favorite Activities: Building with Legos... for hours! Wrestling Dad, water-painting, being active, beat-boxing songs and different rhythms (Isaac doesn't sing, he beat-boxes) 

Happy 4th Birthday, Isaac!

Da' Boys

I love 'em all...

... and Eli may love Titus too much. 

T-Shirt!

Okay, now say the title "T-Shirt!" really loud and in a British accent. Go on, no one will really judge you. Growing up me and my sisters had fun talking in a British accent and especially saying "t-shirt." My mother, bless her heart, would try to join the fun. But her British "t-shirt" would come out more like "t-*curse word*." And the best part was that she kept saying it: "t-*curse word,* t-*curse word,* t-*curse word,*" trying to get it right! Great memories, right there. 

Anyway... 

(okay, now say "anyway" really long--especially the "way"--and in a deeper voice. Yes, me and my sisters did that too!)

This summer I have been blessed with lots of wonderful t-shirts. 

Starting with this one, which Matt gave me on Mother's Day. And very much so brought me to tears. 

I love Florida State. I do, I do, I do. BUT there is history with the design. In 6th grade I found this FSU shirt at the thrift store. It was perfect. Fit perfect. I wore that thing out! It started to fall apart my sophomore year of college. I had to retire it in 2008 after I graduated college. Sad times. Buying this for me shows that Matt truly knows my heart. 

The next t-shirt was a gift from my in-laws. They got it for me the weekend I had Titus. It is so awesome! I LOVE Lynyrd Skynyard! Totally grew up with a dad who sang their sweet songs (off pitch, of course) to us girls all the time. 

This t-shirt we found at Old Navy (clearance, baby!). I went to the Final Four NCAA Basketball Championship Game this year, and Duke won. Duke won!! (I'm an ACC girl, if you cannot tell.) I didn't have a Duke shirt, and this fit the bill. 

Oh Chick-Fil-A. How I love thee. This my mom knows, and this mom my bought for me. Great news: Chick-Fil-A is coming to Boise. *Happy Dance!* There is not one Chick-Fil-A store in ALL of Idaho. It is opening at Boise State University... I'll be visiting often. 

I have to tell you, Boise has the best thrift store I have ever been to. Seriously, Savers is the BEST! Clean, organized, and if you bring a bag to donate you get a 20% off coupon on your purchase. This t-shirt, now one of my favs, I got at Savers. Love it. 

It has been wonderful getting these t-shirts. I am loved. 

Isaac Stories: Year 3 In Review

Isaac boy. You make me smile, make me cry, make crazy, and make me so happy. I guess this is what motherhood is all about. Please know that I love you. It's been so hard for me to become a mother, but hopefully you are not too scared from my immaturity. Your father loves you so much... so much! He was so happy for you to come into our family. You guys are best of buds, and two peas in a pod! You are picky with food, he is picky with food. You don't like to leave your comfort zone and neither does he. You hate stuff on your hands, and so does he. Seriously, two peas in a pod. 

Well you are close to turning 4 so it is time to close your "Isaac Stories," and on to a new chapter. This time we will call it "Our Kids and Their Stories," because Eli and Titus have things to "say" too!  

Isaac, here are your stories from your 3rd year. You silly, lovable boy! Cannot wait to see what your 4th year will bring. 

We are on our way to Isaac's first day of preschool. 

Isaac asks, "Are there lots of preschools?"

Me, "Well what do you mean?"

Isaac, "My preschool, Daddy's preschool."

Me, "Daddy goes to Boise State, it is a really big school!"

Isaac, "Oh, I didn't know that! I didn't know Boise State had preschool!"

September 2010

It is 1 o'clock in the morning and Isaac has woken up sick, sick, sick! His head is over the toilet and he is emptying his stomach hard core. Matt is in the bathroom with him, rubbing his back. Isaac looks up in the middle of throwing up and says, very positively, "There lots of awesome pink stuff coming out my mouth!"  

August 2010

I am trying to get Isaac dressed for the day. But he wants to spin and jump around. I say, "Isaac, come here!" He replies in a deep voice, while jumping to me, "I need to spit in my bathroom!"

August 2010

Me, "Isaac am I a girl like Grammie and Nana?"

Isaac, "No."

Me, "Yes I am. You are a boy and I am a girl."

Isaac, "No, you're a mommy!"

Me, "Okay, but is Daddy a boy like you?"

Isaac, "No, he's a dude!"

August 2010

I'm showing the boys a picture of Christ being baptized in the river Jordan. I explain, "And Jesus was baptized in this river by John the Baptist--"

Isaac, "There some Great White Sharks, Whale Sharks, Thresher Sharks, and MAYBE some Mako Sharks swimming in there!" 

August 2010

Me, "You know when you eat things and they go in your tummy, they come out your bum as poop."

Isaac, "And diarrhea too." 

August 2010

Isaac, "Mom when I get bigger I will be like you! And my head be big like yours!"

August 2010

Isaac, "Daddy can you fix my wife [knife]?"

Matt, "It's knife. Can you say the 'nnnn' sound?"

Isaac, "No, I just can't say 'nnnn.'"

July 2010

Isaac is watching me nurse Titus. A confused look: "Mom he chewing on you?"

June 2010

Isaac to Matt, "Titus eat milk, be strong, so you can beat him up?!" 

June 2010

I am singing a tune from Hairspray. Isaac starts to cough and says, "That [song] make me cough, Mom. Don't do that anymore."

June 2010

Matt, "Isaac do you want to take a bath?"

Isaac is silent and stoned faced.

Matt, "Or do you want to be pounded on?"

Isaac, with a big smile, "YE-AH!"

June 2010

Me, "Isaac, want to go on a car ride to the mountains?"

Isaac, "Yeah! We go see lion, and owl, and cow, and deer, and snake, and tiger. But we need to be careful for the tiger, he will eat your foot and hand."

May 2010

Isaac walking to the car: "Mom, did you hear that? Did you hear that? I tooted, I tooted Mom. Out my bum. It went 'BOAM!' [motioning with hand] out my bum!"

May 2010

Isaac describing thunder and lighting, "Mommy, wook: its SHOOTING!" 

April 2010

Isaac: "No E-i, not 'da da,' it 'pa-ha' [pasta]."

April 2010

Isaac sees my bare, very hairy, legs. While rubbing his hand on my knee he says, "You have lots of owies on your leg."

Me, "The hair?"

Very seriously he responds, "Yeah, we need to get all da hair off your leg Mom."

April 2010

Isaac, "My tummy hurts."

Me, "It does?"

Isaac, "Yeah, my baby in my tummy is kicking me."

April 2010

Isaac, "I have boogers, Mom. I have boogers, Mom."

Me, "You do?"

Isaac, "Yeah, but I eat them."

March 2010

Isaac has been in bed for 45 minutes. Matt and I hear a noise in the hallway. Isaac comes around the corner, bright eyed, with his dinosaur book in his hands, "Mom, Dad, wanna see T-Rex eat meat?" 

February 2010

I explaine to Isaac all about Noah and his ark.

I ask, "What other animals do you think Noah had?"

Isaac answers, "Croc-dile and a T-Rex!"

February 2010

It is 2:30 in the morning and we notice the hall light flip on. Matt goes to check things out. Isaac is curled up on the bathroom floor crying, his eyes sealed shut, saying, "I have pink eye!"

February 2010

Me, "Isaac where do we live?"

Isaac, "Recbird."

Me, "Isaac where do Nana and Mume [grandpa] live?"

Isaac, "Umm... Boi-he State!"

February 2010

I am in the bathroom... you know, using the bathroom... and Isaac runs in. I say, "Isaac could you give me some privacy?!" He then starts to search and says, "Where, behind me? Where, behind me?"

January 2010

Isaac had a terrible fall off of the back of the couch, head first onto hard wood floors. This caused him to pass out. Later that day he tells the story to his aunt: "I fall off da couch. I hit my head, and my eye, and my hand, and my pee, and my bum, and my knee, and my other knee, and my feet!"

January 2010

Isaac chose his shirt, pants, and coat for the day--all in very dark colors. I casually say, "Isaac, you are very black today," referring to the color choices. Isaac then says, "I not black, I yellow. See my face, hands? Yellow."

December 2009

We are barley 30 seconds in house from church, and Isaac is stripping down. Off goes his coat, off goes his sweater, and then he has trouble: "Mom, I need my Nursery Shirt off!" Also known as his White Button-Up Shirt.

December 2009

Isaac gets stage fright while using the restroom,
so I am told frequently: "Mom, dit out my baf-room!"
When flushing to toilet Isaac bids farewell,
saying "Bye pee," or "Bye poo."

November 2009

Isaac is on a major sugar rush. He is running up and down the hallway from the Living Room to the Dinning Room, and back again. Each time he passes in front of us, he jumps and yells, "HUMPBACK WHALE!"

October 2009

Before heading out the door I tell Isaac, "We're going to D.I." (Dessert Industries, it's a thrift store). In the car half way there,
Isaac asks, "Mom, go to A-E-Ah-I-O?"
Me, "Do you mean D.I.?"
Isaac, "Oh yeah! D.I. Mommy!"

September 2009

I am putting Isaac to bed and we discuss everybody who loves him; including friends, my friends, and all the family. Then right before we say goodnight prayer this conversation happened:
Isaac, "Mom, all my friends poop."
Me, "Yes they do."
Isaac, "Eli poops too, Daddy poops too, you poop too."
Me, "Yup, everyone poops."
Isaac, "All your friends poop too?"
Me, "Yes, all of my friends poop too."
Isaac, "Yeah, all your friends poop too."

September 2009

"Our Kids and Their Stories" may run through the whole year. But it probably get too long, so it will most likely be updated every 6 months. Just a reminder the stories go from newest to oldest. 

Preschool and Other Accomplishments

Yes! Isaac has started preschool, but we'll get to that. 

First, Titus--now 2 and a half months old--weighs 12 pounds! And has become a happier baby in this last week. Titus is a gas monster. He can make gas out of nothing. But he does not enjoy this bodily talent of his. In fact I would say he has baby colic. So a huge thanks is in order. Thank you, thank you, Aunt Angie! She gave me a herbal tea to drink that helps make the breast-milk easier for the baby to digest. And, voila: 

The tea is equal parts Chamomile, Fennel, Catnip, and Peppermint (like an ounce each in a big zip lock bag).  I drink two big mugs of this a day, then a mug after something iffy. I call it my "leaf juice," so Isaac isn't confused about tea and such! (Us Mormons and conventional tea don't mix. Called The Word of Wisdom. If you have questions you can email me at shandud@gmail.com.)

After two days of drinking this Titus' mood greatly improved. Now he still cries, but not endlessly for hours at a time... Hooray! And the past two nights he has gone down at 9pm and woken up around 4 or 5 to eat. Heaven. (He was getting up 3 or 4 times.) I am loving all the smiles!

Eli, almost 17 months old, is finally taking a pacifier. Well, sort of. He steals Titus' and chews and chews on it. Little stinker! Why didn't you take this when you were an infant!  

Isaac's first day of preschool was thursday. 

We started the morning with pancakes. 

The boys were all about helping... mmm... maybe not: 

I was finally able to make some beautifully oval pancakes! 

For some reason mine almost always look like mutant pancakes, that are thick and unflattering. 

But not these pretties: 

After my morning run, we had some Clifford the Big Red Dog cuddle time. Yum! 

Then Isaac was off to school! 

Isaac, almost 4, is in the "Little Class." He'll have two years of preschool before kindergarten. I think this will be good for him. Away big boy time to himself. 

Funny story: We are on our way to his first day of preschool.

Isaac asks, "Mom, are there lots of preschools?"

Me, "Well what do you mean?"

Isaac, "There's my preschool, Daddy's preschool."

Me, "Daddy goes to Boise State, it is a really big school!"

Isaac, "Oh, I didn't know that. I didn't know Boise State had preschool!" 

I love this boy.

Just need to mention that Matt, now 27, has completed two weeks of the MBA program at BSU. So far, so good! He is in the ROTC program too, and yesterday he ran his two mile in 14 minutes and 10 seconds. Crazy! 

And I, Shannon, close to 25, ran 4 miles today! Took me an hour, no joke. But I did it. 

Pity Party

I have been having a Pity Party for myself for the past few days. I'm over it. I'm sure Matt's over it. And I know the boys are over it. 

Kids fight and play. Babies cry. Dishes and laundry always need to be done. That's life. I'll be able to go to school sometime soon. We will be able to move from this god-forsaken apartment complex in 6 months. And one day we will have a salary so we can get financing for a second car. 

As Elder Scott said during is address at Matt's graduation: "Smile. Everyone has problems, but nobody wants to know yours."