Friday, June 26, 2015

It's been a while

I was looking at our blog a few days ago. I started from the very beginning, and it was so much fun to  read. There were so many things I had forgotten about and it made me realize how stupid I have been for not writing on here anymore. I am going to try to document more as a journal. So much of life is forgotten.
   Since our last post, a lot has changed. We had a baby boy, Beck, 4 months ago. He is such a joy to me. People always say that little girls love their daddy more, and that has always made me a little sad and jealous so I am happy to have my boy. He has the most amazing smile and chubby thighs. He is incredibly patient- I have noticed that each baby I have is more patient than the last. I have come to  the conclusion that it is a tender mercy from Heavenly Father. I worry. I worry that I can't be the mom I want to be to my kids and then I worry more because In don't feel like I am done having children but I'm not sure how to be the mom I want to be. I worry I am failing. I think this is normal. I hope so at least. And I pray that I am doing it right.
  Andi turned 2 in February, the day before Beck was  born. I was so scared that she would hate him and that life was going to be miserable, She was so emotional and crazy for about 2 months before he was born. She would wake up screaming and stay that way until she fell asleep before bed. She had a really bad habit of throwing her self backward when she had a tantrum and would hit her head a lot. I was really panicked, but as an answer to my many prayers, she is happy and she loves Beck the best that a 2 year old can. She tends to be rough but she loves him. Most people don't see the Andi I know. She is a great helper. She will often see me doing something and she'll jump in to help the best she can. I love this about her. she is a goofy girl. She knows how to smile to get what she wants. , something I find very cute...for now. She loves the iPad, chocolate, and loves to say "I ho jew" as in I hold you. She has learned her ABC's, numbers, and I am working on her leaning to spell her name. She isn't as vocal as her sister were at this age, but she is very expressive and we understand what she wants. She sleeps in our bed still. I have mixed feeling about that. She cuddles with Jordan, since I have Beck. I miss our cuddles. I am finding that the hardest thing about being a mom is spending the time I would like to with each kid. I am aware of it, so I do try. Something I want to remember about Andi is that she covers her mouth when she laughs and how she says i'll see you later- I see you  yay-yer.
I love this girl. oh! I saved her life on Tuesday. she was being pulled in a floater by another little girl and nose-dived into the water. I had taken two more kids, other than my own, to a pool and my friend was walking up. All the kids got in the pool with only me there, which I was really nervous about because mine don't swim (each had a floater) and I hadn't had chance to change into my bathing suit. anyway, in she went. I immediately jumped in a scooped her up. Later, as I replayed it over and over in my head, I realized I must have pulled her head out with such force because I bruised the back of her neck trying to scoop her face out first. It was scary. when I told jordan about it, he thanked me fore always being to attentive to our kids. That was really something I needed because I often miss adult conversations because I consatnly need to check on them. Apparently I am what they call a helicopter parent, at least in public places, and that is fine with me. I think  it makes me an introvert or seem that way sometimes.
  ok, on to  Harley. sometimes I worry she is too involved in her own world and may have issues. I have talked to teacher at church and they say she is doing just fine. I remember my aunt thought I had ADHD as a  kid because I was the same way. She loves bugs, poop, stinky things, being dirty, princesses, batman, and holding little toys. she still has her "blue blanket", her harley accent (i.e. she says her name harwee), biggest blue eyes and  long lashes, skinny little body and her all around carefree, lazy personality. She is smart. Really smart, but I think she is often overlooked as being smart because of how she talks and the fact that Kennedy usually seeks attention. I have never seen a kid more creative and imaginative than her. She may not notice when she drops a toy or a piece of trash, but she could tell you every detail of something she saw once.  Lately, she loves for me to tickle her back, I noticed that she is becoming a little defiant like her sister and is getting an attitude. I don't like it. She can't handle being told no, same with Andi ( I call them my Februarys) they both have a physical melt down, when they curl into a ball and cry. They are both pretty sensitive. This helps me to learn that just as everyone has a love language, I need to discipline my kids in the way that works best for them. She can hold her own to kennedy now. She is tring to read to keep up with her sister and I think its great. Her and kennedy play all day long together and have a love-hate relationship. Kennedy will boss her around but she is also very protective of her. At Beck's blessing I had to go nurse him during testimony meeting. I heard Harley's  cute voice come on over the speaker and could tell someone was whispering to her what to say. Then kennedy came on and bore her testimony. I was thinking that an adult helped Harley but learned that it was Kennedy helping her. That was also the first time kennedy went up there and did it alone. Harley is so skinny, and loves to eat a quesadilla for lunch every day. She is slightly pigeon -toed and is probably the most adorable little 4 year old in the world. Jordan likes to call her left field lately.
   Kennedy is my challenge. I often need to remind myself that she is only 5. How is she 5 already and only 5? Most of the time, I feel like I am talking to at least an 8 year old. Sometimes, I think she could totally babysit her siblings, I think she thinks that too because she acts like a little mom. She is brilliant and she knows it. I think it might be difficult to teach her confidence vs. arrogance. I hope she is humble. She often acts entitled to things and makes a point to prove she is better at Harley than everything. It makes me frustrated, she makes me frustrated. She doesn't like to be told no. She throws crazy 40 minute tantrums sometimes. I have a really hard time finding what will work as far as disciplining her.  I don't want her to be a jerk when she is older. She is also a huge help to me. She can keeps an eye on her sisters and baby brother, she helps Halrey and Andi when I am busy with Beck. She has a big heart. On her 5th birthday she got two of the same toy and she gave it to Harley because she said " I think it would make her really happy". She once gave her sweater to a girl in her primary class because she was feeling cold and sick. She has been forgiving of her friend Everett when he was mean to her. She loves babies and animals and school and learning and attention. She learns most things quickly but will get angry when she doesn't learn something right away.  She impresses me every day. They all do. I guess thats why they are mine. I am their  mom. I love it. sometimes I want to run away and have quiet...and I miss them when they sleep or I run to the store. I don't expect anyone to read all of this. Its for me anyway but I have felt the impression to record my thoughts.

Monday, February 17, 2014

I'm back

I have been wanting to update on a regular basis, but I haven't because we don't have a current family picture. Pretty stupid reason, but it annoys me. Andi turned one yesterday, and Harley turned 3 a few days before. We had a Mickey mouse party for them and it was pretty fun. Well, actually no one showed up and that makes me sad but they enjoyed it and family was there too. Life has been busy but good. Jordan is taking his last classes before he starts the credential program this fall. I'm excited for him but also nervous. We'll most likely be selling our first home and moving in with my parents while he finishes. There is a lot of work to be done. Kennedy is getting smarter (and sassier) everyday. She's anxious to start school. she has never gone to preschool and sometimes I feel like I'm doing her a disservice, but I know there is nothing there she doesn't already know. hopefully she'll be starting T-K but again, were not sure where we will be living so it's all up in the air at the moment. She loves princesses, art, movies, games and she is a pretty great helper to me . Harley has been learning a lot too. She likes to spell out words and have me read books. She also thinks she is Batman. No really, that's how she refers to her self. She loves being outside, and mud, bugs and anything dirty. Her and Kennedy are very close, but they do fight too. I love that i had them so close together and I actually wish it would be like that for all my siblings. Andi, my sweetheart, is now one and it's hard to believe and a little scary because time went by too fast. She makes me so happy. She is a mommy's girl and I love it. she took her first steps around 10 months but has been full on walking for about a month. She is an extremely observant baby and tries to copy us with whatever we do. She is happy and so much fun. Jordan is in there Elder's quorum still and I was called to be in the Young Women's as mia maid adviser. I really like it but we still feel pretty disconnected from our ward. Pretty sad since we've lived here for  over two years, but oh well.  So that's what's going on with us these days.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Puj Hug Review

I was given the opportunity to test another product from the company, Puj. I absolutely love their baby bath tub, the Puj tub pujbaby.com. Now they make the Puj Hug and Puj big Hug, hooded hands-free towels. I think the towel is a great idea. I only have a few complaints. First, the towel I was given didn't seem like it was very good quality. Some of the towel was frayed and I though the stitching looked a little sloppy. Honestly, their products are good quality, so maybe this was just a fluke. Next, I thought the size of the towel was too small, even for a newborn- it covered her body but I wish it was just a little bigger. Lastly, I feel like the price of the towel $35.00 is pretty steep. Unless you can afford to splurge, than I wouldn't recommend this over most hooded towels I've seen. There are several good things about this towel though. Unlike a lot of store bought towels, this towel was very absorbent. I love the fact that you can wear it around your neck, making it a lot easier to lift your baby out of the tub. I also really like that it has a tab to hang it up.  Really, if the price was lowered and the towel was slightly larger, this towel would be an absolute must-have for any parent.

(notice the happy baby in the puj tub)


Cute packaging that flips open so you can feel the towel

Just put the tabs around your neck and pick up your baby



Babies don't like be taken out of a warm bath!
Hang the towel up to dry!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Introducing...


                                                               Andi Lee Holmes
                                                                       2-16-13
                                                                       2:11 pm
                                                           8lbs.5oz 20 inches long
                                                          Easiest labor/delivery ever!!



Big sister Kennedy was so excited to "hold"her


all of my daughters...

are so beautiful!



I could eat her up!

after her bath


                                                                We're so in love

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

September: a month of surprises

It's a little scary when I think about how fast time is flying by. I celebrated my 25th birthday last month and I still find it hard to believe, that me, the baby of the family is that old! Crazy. On my actual birthday, Jordan and I had some meetings to go to, so we had a family dinner and decided to celebrate on the weekend. Mike and Dejah watched the girls for us and we went out to eat and did a little shopping. It's always a BIG treat to go on a date, just the two of us. Sometimes I feel like we have to try really hard to have a conversation when the kids are around because it is just so loud. I love being out with just my husband.
    All month long we had been waiting for the anatomy ultrasound. I think everyone figured we were having a boy since this pregnancy has been incredibly different than the first two. I felt like it was a boy. My doctor even said she thought it was a boy (when they did an early ultrasound), so I just assumed that was the baby's gender. We were in the office for less than a minute when the doctor asked "Do you want to know the gender?" "yes!" then... "It's a girl!" I think we were a little shocked and we just kind of laughed. It still hasn't really sunk in. This baby sure had us fooled! Luckily, we make cute, funny, happy, crazy, smart, amazing little girls...so we are happy another one will be joining our family. I'm confident we will have sons one day- gotta fill that hole in my heart =)
We decided this baby's name will be Andie/Andy/ We are still working on the middle name...well narrowing it down between two.
   On Saturday, my sister Arwen took me out for a pedicure for my birthday gift, and when we came home I was greeted with a surprise party!! It was awesome. I have never been thrown a surprise party before! This was the best time to do it to because I had several clues to figure out what they were up to but I guess my pregnancy brain made sure I was oblivious to everything. I do have to say I'm proud of everyone for keeping it a secret because, I am really very sneaky at finding things out. Ha!
 It was a great month, even though it flew by. I love my family so much. It met a lot that they did that for me and I even had a pinata, yes, at 25 I still wanted one.

Friday, August 31, 2012

I want to win!

I don't normally blog about contests, but I really want to win this pack and play. We really need one since February isn't too far away and this baby will be sleeping and getting changed in our room.  The cute blog, 4 Men 1 Lady is giving away the Breeze play yard. this pack and play looks so awesome.  You only have to push a button and it's all set up...hence the name Breeze! It's also a changing station and a bassinet...perfect. I think we should win!

For more information check out 4men1lady.com 
Or the Breeze by 4 Moms

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Puj Snug

We had the opportunity to be product testers for this awesome company, Puj. They recently came out with a spout cover for the bathtub- something every parent should have to prevent injuries in the tub. The Puj Snug comes in three colors, Aqua, Kiwi, and White. The girls loved the fact that it was an elephant and loved the softness of it. One thing I really like about the design is that it is cute but it is subtle enough that the girls don't think it's a toy. The cover comes off easily, but we keep ours on all of the time because it is designed so that we can switch the faucet to either a bath or a shower without always having to take it on and off. It is a simple product, but a great product. For more information on this company and their products, check out the link below.


pujbaby.com