Tahoe trip #2

My parents were kind enough to rent a cabin at Tahoe for the weekend for us and it was the best way to camp at lake Tahoe. We had a clean kitchen to cook in and clean beds to sleep in and a fully equipped bathroom to use. We loved the experience! Friday night was mostly filled up with getting ourselves acquainted with the cabin but Saturday morning we were up making blueberry pancakes and preparing for a hike. I must say the hike was not the most beautiful nor the best experience as Jason decided we were heading up the mountain off trail, so we did a lot of bush whacking but when we got to the top, the mountains around us were a sight to see. When we got back everyone packed up and headed to the beach. That was a very fun experience with the boys, Eden mostly just wanted to nurse and be held so Jason did most of the playing. After the Lake we made dinner and the boys went on a small hike with Jason then of course we made the S'mores and called it a night. Everyone went to bed early and Sunday morning we were up cleaning the cabin and packing up. Then we were off to Church. We attended a ward in Tahoe and when we arrived found out that they didn't have a organist so even though Jason was on vacation he was still happy to play the organ for this wonderful ward who during the summer have more guests than ward members and are some of the warmest members of the church we've met. Needles to say this was a memorable weekend and I would love to make this a yearly experience with my parents and my family.

 a couple of years ago there was a fire that scarred the mountain side. This was our view from the top of the mountain.

 Eden made the hike with Jason and myself.

 Eric and Josh stayed back and played at the cabin while we hiked the mountain.

 Josh the water boy. He had no fear jumping in and playing.

 Eric decided land was more to his taste so he sat in the rubber ducky on the beach.

 Back at the cabin with Eric and Papa sitting on the porch.

 At the big rock at the end of the boys hiking trip.

 Time for S'mores

Everyone enjoyed the yummy marshmallows.

Hope to go back next year.

Big boy

Josh is going to be starting Kindergarten in a few weeks and we finally sat down and had a talk with him about how boys who go to kindergarten don't have their mommy's dressing them. So Now Josh dresses himself and even though he comes up with some interesting combinations he is doing it all by himself.

Things Learned

I had a epiphany this morning and was enlightened by just a small thought. As parents we have these moments often when our children have been trying to tell us something but we weren't listening or were so distracted that we missed what we were suppose to learn. I firmly believe that we were sent to this earth to learn and being parents is a life long class that we either receive an A or we completely bomb the lesson and receive an F and everything in between.
Since Eden was born my two year old has really struggled with no longer being the baby of the family but the dreaded middle child who to often is forgotten in the shuffle of a busy family. I was struggling with his constant tantrums, refusing to take naps and acts of aggression towards me. I spoke to others trying to get a grasp on the situation and was told all was normal and he would out grow this stage. I tried to just ignore the bad behavior. It wasn't till I stumbled upon another mothers blog that I had received my answer as to what to do about Eric. In the mother's blog she spoke of similar struggles with her little one and spoke with a family member who worked as a child psychiatrist and pediatrician. He told her that all the acting out was caused by the stress over a new baby in the family. Her son was acting out because he needed the much needed attention that his mother out of pure exhaustion was not able to give. Her response was, well Daddy can give him all his attention when he comes home from work. Her family member shook his head and told her that no amount of attention from Daddy will replace the needed attention from Mommy. Mommy is the sole nurturer of the family and even though she was tired and dealing with a new baby she still needed to fulfill her responsibility as a nurturer to her son.
That really hit me, it made me realize that I'm a 24-7 , 365 days out the year Mom. I have a responsibility to three amazing and patient children. Even though I struggle with other things I still need to remember my children and their needs before the acting out occurs. I'm not a perfect mother but I'm learning everyday. So instead of just putting my children in front of the TV I turned the monster off and we played together. The afternoon went much smoother and we had no acting out from the two year old and only one tantrum from the five year old but that has to do with his up coming excitement over kindergarten and new baby in the family. I'm sure he'll have some more moments till he has a constant schedule.
When life is overwhelming and we have trials all around remember who's important, our children.

The most important thing I will ever do on this earth wont be in a office climbing the corporate ladder, but teaching my very own children in my home.

Grandma's birthday

Paula's birthday was today and we were able to celebrate it yesterday with the family. We look forward to another year.

and we found our first red tomato of the year today in our garden :)

Video

it made me laugh thought you might like to laugh too. Don't mind Josh he's not the part that was funny it's Eric giving big kisses. This is the view of Eric that I get every morning.

One month

 Josh at one month

 Eric at one month

Eden one month

It's fun to go back and look at my children's baby pictures, this time I noticed that Josh and Eden look so much alike that if you were just looking at their faces you might mistake the two. Eden has a chubbier face though.

This was me at one month. There seems to be a bit of a resemblance.

Four weeks old

Eden is about two days away from being officially one month old so I figured close enough, Jason and I celebrated our seventh anniversary yesterday and as a surprise Jason gave me a new camera. My old one was being held together by duck tape and not holding up very well. So to give my new camera a good first use I dressed my pretty little girl up and took some one month pictures of her. I still can't believe that she is one month old already and doing very well. When she was delivered she came to us a little over three weeks early and thrived from the day she was born. She weighed 5lbs 8oz and 18 inch long. My smallest baby up to this point. One month later she is 7lbs and 21inches long. She is a happy baby and so far not much of a drama baby. I have to say Josh was my most dramatic baby and that was not very dramatic so Jason and I are grateful for these sweet calm babies that have come to us. she loves her soothy and Jason and I are finding we can't go anywhere with out it and she loves to nurse and be with her mommy. That may change when I'm no longer the only one feeding her. We love her very much and are so grateful to have her in our family. We look forward to all her changes and developments in the future.

This picture is for my mother who hates head bands on baby girls.

fashionable two year old

I love Eric's age because he doesn't know that boys and girls are not suppose to wear each others clothes and he is still very innocent. It's fun to see Eric run out in my shoes and giggle and tell me that he stole my shoes. Thats the fun of having children now I really will be in trouble when Eden is two or, sixteen because then my clothes, makeup, jewelry  and shoes will not be safe.

She makes me smile

Josh and Eric were busy watching Mickey Mouse club house this morning and during the show they have whats called the Hot Dog Dance. Both boys love to jump up and Dance with all the characters. That makes me smile every day and this beautiful little girl who is such a good baby. I've been blessed with three good kids who's spirits warm my heart. Today was suppose to be my due date but I sure have enjoyed having Eden around for these last three weeks. 

Brother, Sister love

Josh loves Eden, thats just a fact, he picks out her clothes, tells me what bows look pretty on her and generally just wants to be with her all the time. This morning he grabbed the camera and asked me to take some pictures of her. My mom told me that the third child doesn't get to have as many pictures taken because mommy is so busy with the other kids, but with Josh always grabbing the camera and asking me to take the pictures Eden ends up having her picture taken more than the boys do.

 queen of the house

I hope their relationship strengthens over the years.

Tahoe Day trip

Every year for the last five years we have been going camping with Jason's family up at Meeks bay camp grounds in Tahoe. This year because of Eden's arrival we had decided that I was not going. While Jason and the boys were going camping with his family. But then we ended up being double booked and Jason had to go just for the day Saturday so Eden and I at the last minute decided that there was no reason we couldn't go too. It turned out to be a lot of fun and I'm so glad we went. We were still able to sleep in our beds but have all the fun activities with the family. The bad part was because of the extra moisture this year the boys and and I were covered in bug bites, I managed to protect Eden. The next Tahoe trip for our family is in two weeks with my parents but that will be in the comforts of a cabin so we better bring bug spray for when we are outside.

 everyone went hiking except for me , Eden and Paula.

 Hikers

 Eden just before we left.

 Jenna and Kyle took Josh and Eric on a boat ride.

 Josh being Josh

 Dilyn loved holding Eden

Eric on the beach

 This is pretty much how Eden was the whole time we were on the beach

Getting ready for another boat ride.

Trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

One week after Eden was born Jason's parents came and picked the boys up and took them back to CA with them for the week. The boys had a great time and we might have to make it a tradition to send them to the Grandparents house for a week every year. While they were there they played at the park and went boating. the only loss was Josh's hat when it blew off his head while on the boat, but other than that the boys had a great time and I was given two full weeks to heal from my C-section. We are so lucky to have two sets of Grandparents for our children that love them and take the time to do things with them.

 playing at the park

 Josh on Grandpa's boat

 Eric and uncle Kyle riding the tube.

 Uncle Kyle and Josh

 Grandpa and Josh

 Can you tell Josh is having a blast?

 Eric and Aunt Jenna

Eden's two week check up

Well today was the two week check up and Eden is doing great. She is now two inches taller than she was at birth making her 20in. and she is now weighing in at 6lbs 5oz. When we left the hospital she was weighing in at 5lbs 3oz. Once again the Pediatrician was surprised at her progress given she was a premature baby but she is my second premature baby that was a big eater. So Eden is doing really well and so are Josh and Eric who have for the most part adjusted to having their sister around.

pretty girl

Now I have a question for everyone. Does anyone else experience this, I have been asked by most people who find out that I have two boys and a girl why I would want more children. What are we in China where your only allowed a certain number of kids. I love my children they bring Jason and myself the greatest happiness Why just stop because the world says we have enough. I want to be blessed with at least one more to complete our family. Now that is not going to be for a couple of years or more but I know that family is a gift from our Heavenly Father and not something determined by the world.