22 Months

This little boy has had me wrapped around his tiny little finger for almost two years. He boasts a 23 pound frame. He's our little guy. Most days, most of the time all I have to do to make myself smile is watch him run or play. He is still my baby. I think I give him too many kisses. He thinks he's a big boy. He loves to play. However most days he is the annoying little brother. I think he seems to have a lot of joy being Daisy's little brother. He takes her toys (all in fun) and loves to wrestle with her. He is so happy anytime he gets to play with another little boy though. He has a few little friends from nursery. 

Rocky is all boy. He is messy. He is loud. He falls every few steps, but hops right up and keeps going. He knows how to use his eyes as a very effective communication tool. He is learning new words everyday. He has also started to say a few sentences. The other day he discovered he was strong enough to flush the toilet. After he pulled the lever down he looked at me with his big eyes and hands clasped at his chest, so pleased with himself and said, "I did it!". It made me happy. He likes to play games (iPad) a lot, like I need to watch out because he would play games forever. He also likes Mickey Mouse. He was pleased with himself when he figured out how to say mouse. 

Every morning I look forward to snuggling up to this kid on the couch. There are favorite parts of my days, my morning snuggle with Rocky is one of them. He is calm and melts into my lap. 

I think he is going to be a handsome man. Obviously I am biased but he is the cutest little boy to me.

Aaron has a bike right now. Every time we walk through the garage, which is multiple times a day, Rocky stops and touches the bike and excitedly says "bike" while touching various parts. Every time.

I Shouldn't Complain But Here I Go...

I'm kind of worth out. I know we all get tiresome and burdened down from time to time. It's part of our human experience. I have been having migraines for a year and a half. I know that for some migraine sufferers, they are in horrible pain and have to lie in a dark room for hours while trying to keep nausea at bay. My migraines are different. I used to get those life stopping head aches but now they have morphed into something less and more all at the same time. I still get a painful head ache but I am a Mom now and have had to buck it up. No quiet dark rooms for me. I get vertigo and am slightly nauseas. Tingling in my hands and feet sometimes happens. The worst though is how they affect my cognitive abilities and mood. I get irratible. I know when I start to crave chocolate one might be popping up soon. Once the migraine lessens because I am lucky the pain usually goes away about 15-30 minutes after I take my ib profin, my mind stays fuzzy and unable to focus very well. I feel like I have been hit in the head. All the information I need is in my mind but it takes me longer to recall less firmiliar things like an old friend or a random ingredient to a recipe. I cannot function after 10 PM on days I have a migraine. My head is so heavy. Anyway they come every few weeks and I have been dealing with them because I could. I could still get done everything I needed to. Not to sound like I am super tough, I'm not. Yet the last few months they were getting much more painful. So after putting off a visit to my doctor (I have been hoping they would magically disappear) I finally went in. That was two weeks ago and so far not much better. He said that I suffer from rebound head aches which are head aches that occurs because of the original migraine. So that was new information. Since I have a variety of symptoms and the migraines could be caused by a variety of things he put me on a medicine that treats neuropathy, sleeping disorders, and depression. It's a very low dosage meant just to treat the migraines. That was almost two weeks ago and I have had two migraines in that time, plus I think this medicine makes me kind if blue. So I am quitting it and now the next step is the nerologist. If these are never resolved I will be okay, they don't alter my life dramatically. They are more of a very pokey rock that keeps getting stuck in my shoe. But tonight I wish I could just take off the shoe.

I Love to See the Temple

"I love to see the temple, I'll go inside someday". I have been eagerly awaiting this temple. I grew up with a temple close and was blessed to attend it often. I love temples. I want my children to love temples too. We didn't make it to the Gilbert Temple open house so this was Daisy and Rockwell's first time inside a temple. Originally we had planned to go later in the month and not take Rockwell, but a last minute reservation changed that plan and I'm so glad. Rocky was very good. He kept pointing at the chandeliers and saying "pretty". He needed to be there, it was important. Daisy was good too, when we got into the celestial room she wanted so badly to sit on the couches. She kept telling me, "but Mom there are couches!". Every temple is beautiful and this temple is no different. The stained glass is amazing. Even undedicated, there is still a peace in this temple. Can't wait to come back again.

I took this picture at the end of the tour walking outside the temple, it was the first time Rocky saw the Angel Moroni. Can you tell how excited he was? Best picture ever.

He was very impressed with Angel Moroni, he spent most of his time looked at him.

Since Daisy is almost 4 she no longer smiles in pictures, but that's okay. She still had a good time, even if her face doesn't show it.

The had this statue of the Christ in a make shift visitors center. I'm not sure our kids knew what to think.

Pumpkin Delight

Some days are special. A pumpkin patch is special place in the fall, especially for small children. Children have the unique gift of making the simplest things the most magical and special. This was Daisy and I's second time at Tolmachoff Farm. Their pumkin patch has the works. It features a corn maze, petting zoo, bounce houses, play grounds, train rides, and free ice cream sandwiches. Rocky got lucky last minute, he wasn't planned to go but a quick change in plans meant he got to come and have fun on his big sister's first field trip. I'm not going to lie, it was a long morning. I also was in charge of kailynn, one of Daisy's preschool friends and one of my day care kids. But it was all worth it. Some fall treasures are worth the work.

This picture does not accurately portray Daisy's day. She's rather forlorn here, but she really was having a good time.

This face pretty much sums of Rocky's day. He had a blast.

 See a much happier pumpkin picker!

A Taste of Fall

Me, Daisy, Rockwell, Bode, and Laine made the drive up to Pinetop for the annual fall festival. Grandma and Grandpa put big foot in the parade and invited grand kids to come and throw candy. Bode, Laine, Mike, Ben, Daisy, and Rocky were the lucky grand kids that could make it. Even though this was a very quick trip it was so nice to feel a true fall breeze and see grandma and grandpa.

Rocky, king of the stump.

Big Foot was one of the last entries in the parade so we had a wait till we actually got to go and be in the parade. These kids waited and played. Laine knocked over a dead aspen tree, it was pretty exciting.

Mike, sporting Grandpa's Duck Dynasty's beard.

Rocky wasn't too sure about this beard.

He is very kissable.

Rocky was terrified of this creepy big foot. He wouldn't even get in big foot.

Maggie looking forlorn. 

I like this picture.

Bode made his own float after the parade, then all the kids decided it was the best place to color.

Daisy was a great girl. She loved throwing candy and did it until the candy was gone. Her and Laine played the entire weekend. She's getting bigger, my almost 4 year old.

Grandma's house is full of preschool treasures that she is so nice to let her grand kids play with. Ben and Rockwell were enjoying the puffs.

My Dad and I snuck away for a showing of Gardians of the Galaxy. When we got back I found Rocky making messes. This picture makes me laugh.

Grandpa asked Rocky if he wanted to watch football and he must have wanted to because he did for quite a while, all while snuggling up to Grandpa.