Girls Night In

So, my two guys went camping on a Father son's campout in our ward.  I was left to my own with Naomi and Linda Grace.  We went to Costco, cleaned house, played Rapunzel, read stories, cleaned bathrooms, took a bath.....tickled, and well just stayed home and chilaxed/ kindof.  Really, can cleaning and shopping for food be considered relaxing.  It is relative.  Anyway, I decided to journal  a bit tonight since it is late and there is a hockey game recording and I am bound to the computer so as to not change the sacred channel.  Naomi tells me that as soon as the light comes into my room (yes I let her sleep with me when E'lan is away), she says that it will be "up time" as soon as the sun get s up.  I try to best to explain that it is okay to sleep whilst the sun be awake...oh sleep where have you gone?  I hate giving my kids shots.  Linda got her first set this week and has not stopped sleeping for two days!  It is nerve racking for me because I have a weird fear that she will contract the disease instead of build immunity.  So, she is starting to coo and smile.  She rolled around one month old!   What the......I know she will be crawling soon...haha.  She was able to withstand the family croup/cold that all of us got.  By the grace of God she did not get anything!  Joshua is nearing the end of Kindergarden, and I confess I am looking forward to summertime. We have lots of fun things planned, movies, swimming, sea world, time togehter.  I do not look forward to him being gone until nearly 4pm next year.  But, such is life.  He is doing really well reading and learning addition/subtraction.  He is learning about counting money, tellnig time, and all kinds of stuff.  
     E'lan is nearing the end of his first semester in the MPA program at ASU.  It was a challenge for him, and us.  But, hopefully this enables him to become what he wants or place him in a position to make a difference in our crazy little world.   My list of priorties:  (in their proper order) God, Family, Friends, Chruch (not same as God), Community.  Notice that politics are not in the list :)  I unfortunatley do not have the gift of tact all the time, so I prefer avoid it so as not step on any toes. 
   Regarding myself, when oh when will I get back to the gym?  Who cares...right, I just had a baby, well I CARE!   Why does it take me sooooo long to recalibrate?  Well, Becky's wedding was my goal, now I am like ummmmm maybe next January.  I love my life and I am grateful for being home with my kids.  My son is so sweet, he took my shoes off the other day as I was trying to change baby diaper, pick up toys, cook, answer my phone, and play with Naomi....yes all at same time.  :)  Enough rambling, can you tell I am all alone and bored?

Bits and pieces

Proud  Grandpa with grandchild #9.  He is always there for us and goes above and beyond call of Grandpa!  Thanks dad.  Love you mucho.

 Joshua and Naomi holding Linda Grace for first time in the hospital. 

 This is Naomi's hand.  She wanted to hold the baby's hand.  I love this picture.  I had to hold her on my chest skin to skin for the first few days to get her blood sugars up. 

 She sucks her thumb!  My first baby to do this, and she hates the passifier, as did Josh and Naomi. 

 At night, for the first month, she had to sleep on top of you...otherwise she would not sleep.  It was precious.  She loves to be snug and comfy on your chest.  She will only sleep on her belly!

 Linda's first bath in the sink.  You can see her little umbilical hernia....no biggie will go away when she walks.

Craft day at the Vallenders.  E'lan was home in the afternoon since he went to work way early in the am.  They made silly glasses and all kinds of stuff.  He is the best dad.  They are the best kids!  God has truly graced our house with lots of love!