4th of July, 2011

My 3 little fireworks!

My most stubborn firework.....the kind that just won't light unless they want to! Ha ha!

My happiest firework!!!!!

Best friends!Corie and her bodyguard! He is so protective over her! I love it!I, for the life of me, COULD NOT get a picture with them all looking or smiling at me. This is as good as it gets!

**********

We stayed in St. George for the 4th of July! Oh my gosh, it was SO RIDICULOUSLY hot and humid outside so, we avoided going outside to play at all. Mike went golfing with his Dad and then with his boss too. The kids and I met up with Grandpa & Grandma McGinnis at McDonald's for breakfast. After that we headed home to play and make food for the BBQ that night. Mike was awesome and took Connor and Rylie to see Kung Fu Panda 2. The kids loved it and Connor came home thinking he was Kung Fu Panda! Then, we went to Mac & Linda's for a little BBQ and headed to see the fireworks. That was ok but, Rylie was scared the whole time and FREAKING OUT so, we decided to go home and do our own fireworks. Of course, Rylie took off and ran into the house until we were done but, Connor had fun and Corie absolutely was mesmerized by the fireworks.

Corie and the Vacuum!

Both Connor & Rylie, as babies, were both afraid of the vacuum as soon as I turned it on. Corie is the complete opposite. When I turn the vacuum on she suddenly has a fascination with it and wants to play with it, like it's a new toy! I think it's so adorable!

Slip Slidin' Away!

Connor sliding down the slip 'n slide!

Rylie's attempt at the slip 'n slide.

Our cute little neighbor boy, Carter

A couple weeks ago I spotted this slip 'n slide for only $5 at Wal-Mart! It's one way to try and keep cool in this heat, and not be cooped up in the house all day. The kids seem to have fun with it. Rylie isn't a fan of sliding on it, she just runs down it. Connor has been getting better and better at it. I'd do it with them, if I didn't think I'd injure something when I hit the ground to slide, ha ha!

Corie - 6 Months Old!

Corie turned 6 months old on June 17th. It's hard to believe that it has already been 6 months since she entered this world! It's gone by wayyyy too fast! I can distinctly remember every detail of her birth and of the pregnancy, like it all happened yesterday. I just am so happy and grateful that she is here and is SO HEALTHY!!!! All of our kids have been healthy children and I feel so very blessed because of that!

*******

Today we went to Corie's 6 month check-up. She's ahead of schedule on her development and is doing great! Here are some of her stats from the check-up today: She weighs 19.4 lbs. (96%) and is 26.77 inches long (83%). So, she is not lacking, obviously! I love it! Corie:

1) Loves to look at herself in the mirror and finds herself quite funny and cute! Connor and Rylie never really got into looking at themselves in the mirror. So, it has been really fun to watch Corie just smile, laugh, and just be totally entertained by herself in the mirror.

2) Corie can sit straight up and be perfectly balanced. Recently she started rocking back and forth on her bum, while sitting up. It seems to be her new form of entertainment.

3) I think Corie might be a soccer player. If you throw an object in front of her, she attacks it pretty aggresively! She reminds me of a dog, waiting to play fetch! She's pretty good and grabbing it fast!

4) Corie has been enjoying her food but, isn't a chow hound, as my mother-in-law calls it. She'll eat around 1 oz. of baby food at lunch or dinner. She still isn't a big fan of cereal and will spit it out at me, thinking it's pretty funny.

5) Corie has learned to growl and a lot of times will grab my face with both hands, open her mouth wide, and attack my face!

6) Corie will sleep through the night ONCE in a while but, usually she wakes up at 2am or 2:30am EVERY NIGHT! Then, once we put her back to bed, she'll sleep until 8 or 9am, usually.

Corie's/Rylie's Bedroom Makeover

These mirrors used to be yellow, purple, and a salmon pink color.

This one used to be purple.

This one used to be yellow!

This one used to be a salmon pink color.

Found these crystal flowers at Tai Pan Trading fror $3.50 each

Mike and I refurnished the dresser

Chimes that I got at Tai Pan Trading for $6.95. Corie loves these and thinks they are fun! It's hanging from the ceiling fan in Corie's room and makes some pretty sounds while the fan is going.The cute bed spread!I love the crib skirt!!!

*********

I've been on the hunt for some really cute bedding for Corie/Rylie's room but, didn't want to & couldn't pay too much. My mother-in-law is an addicted garage sale and she came across the crib bedding set (crib sheet, comforter, bed skirt, square fabric wall hangings, window curtains, and bumpers) for $15.00 and it's in EXCELLENT condition. I haven't put the bumper yet because I'm still nervous about S.I.D.S. at Corie's age but, will put it up when she's older. I had so much fun putting this bedroom together. I've never had a themed bedroom before, or at least as themed as this. I've had fun trying to think of creative things that I can do or add to the room that are cheap. I'm so happy with how the room turned out!!!! The only thing I wish I could do to the room is paint a wall but, we're not allowed to where we live.

Jumping is HARD Work!!!!!

Corie loves her bouncy so, so much! A few nights ago I needed to work on a project. Mike was home but, was in the living room doing some work. So, I put Corie in the bouncer so Mike could keep an eye on her, while I was in the bedroom working on some things. I could hear her jumping and having a good ole' time. Some time passed and I realized it was awfully quiet in the living room. So, I stopped what I was doing to go check on Mike and Corie. Well, Mike had his headphones on and was concentrating pretty hard on a video he had to watch for a case. I looked at Corie and the above pictures are what I found. She was out cold!!!! So dang sweet!

What Era Is This Hair From?

I know this post pretty much qualifies me as a dork, ha ha but, I couldn't resist. I had my hair in a french braid across the top and this is what it looked like when I took it out. Mike said it looked like something from the 80's. I think it looks like I took a shower and then slept standing on my head. Anyway, random....gotta' love it!

Take Me Out To the Ball Game!

My cute little ball player!Connor lined up with his teammates to practice.Hey batter, batter!!!!Just finished throwing back to the coach.

Connor started t-ball a couple weeks ago. As a parent, it is so entertaining to watch! My favorite is when the opposing team hits the ball, and all the kids chase the ball down like a herd of chickens with their head cut off! I get the biggest kick out of it! Yesterday I was taping Connor running from 3rd base to home. His teammate had hit the ball and I was telling him to run. Well, he ran into his dugout and then home. So funny!!!!!

A New Favorite

So, I LOVE to have my toes and sometimes my fingers painted. I figure while nothing else looks presentable on my body, at least my nails can be cute and pretty. A while ago I purchased the OPI crackle nail polish. I've tried it a few times and just haven't quite figured out the best way to do it, that looks good. Well, after much trial and error I think I've finally figured it out! I LOVE IT! It's so fun to have something different done! And, I just found white crackle polish yesterday so, I'm excited to try that one out next.

I Hear You but, Can't See You!!!!

While I was doing laundry a couple of days ago, I heard Rylie yelling, "Mommy! Mommy! C'mere!" So, I went looking for her and, seriously, couldn't find her ANYWHERE! I still could hear her yelling for me but, couldn't see where she was. I finally narrowed her down to somewhere in her or Connor's bedroom but, still had no luck finding her. All of a sudden she popped up! She had been hiding in her doll's pack-n-play! That thing is tiny and she had somehow got herself inside of it and covered herself up with the blue blanket (as seen in the top photo). I get a kick out of how her mind works.

Corie => 5 Months Old

Corie turned 5 months old today! It feels like she has had so many changes the last week or so.

1. We've discovered the Corie prefers oatmeal to rice cereal. When she's done eating she'll either clamp her mouth shut or start spitting at you. She will also open her mouth when she's ready for you to put more food in her mouth.
2. She isn't rolling a whole bunch right now but, when she does roll, it seems to only be from front to back.
3. Corie weaned herself off the binky and attached herself to her thumb and fingers. It's been so strange having a child that is not hooked to the binky! My other kids loved their binky and it was so easy and nice to be able to use their binky as a way to comfort them and keep them happy. So, its been interesting and sometimes I try to give her the binky out of habit. However, I will say that it's SO NICE being able to go places or even be at home and not have to be frantically looking for the binky if it's lost. It will also be so awesome to not have to take the binky away from her when she is older.
4. Corie sits on her own now. She starts up big and tall and eventually ends up in a tripod style. She loves to sit or stand though and HATES to lay down. She seems a lot more content being able to sit up, until she falls over! She also loves to be in anything that bounces/jumps up and down! She's our little frog.
5. Corie can hold her bottle on her own, for the most part. Once in a while she'll be done and just drop it and then get really mad but, she will hold it a lot of the time. My favorite is when she's super hungry and we go to give her the bottle and her arms and legs start shaking in excitement, and her eyes go cross-eyed concentrating on the bottle.

Corie is SUCH A JOY!!!! Her eyes twinkle every time she smiles at us. Her laugh is so sweet and adorable! I love how she looks at me and makes me feel so good inside and like I'm the most wonderful, amazing people in the whole world. She loves us and just ADORES Connor and Rylie! I can't believe she is growing up so dang fast but, she's getting more and more fun all the time!

Mmmmmm! Nummies!

Does this cereal look YUMMY or what?!?!?

About 3-4 weeks ago, right after Corie turned 4 months old, we started Corie on rice cereal! I was very surprised at how well she did eating the cereal. She kept more in her mouth than I expected. Since then she has gotten better but, when she's done, she starts to spit it at me. Corie thinks she is really quite funny and gets a kick out of herself! Since then we've started on oatmeal and in a couple weeks we will start on veggies and fruits.

Easter - Part 1

Connor

Rylie

Corie

I QUIT!!!!

Warning: If there is anyone who even reads this blog, prepare to lose respect for me as a mother, if you had any to begin with.

I am so, so sick and tired of the tug of war that goes on with my son EVERY FREAKIN' SCHOOL DAY after school! From DAY 1 of him starting Kindergarten, we have had the same routine. I let him relax and just play or whatever for about 30 min. Then, I sit him down to do his homework. Yet, every day I'm the bad Mom, I'm so mean, he doesn't want to do it, he fights me, yells at me, cries, whines, etc. This goes on and on and on the entire time. I always start out with a goal to stay calm, patient, kind, and sweet and try to be understanding. Yet, I always end up errupting into anger and frustration. Some days are more intense than others. Some days I send him to time out more times than I can count on one hand, all the while he is yelling and smarting off to me. I get sick to my stomach every time I know that it's time for him to come home from school, praying that he either has no math homework or is in a motivated mood. Then, my night goes to pot because I'm upset, flustered, angry, and have just hit my limit. I've tried every ounce of advice I've been given, tried to relate with other Moms, and somehow feel like I'm failing miserably! Right now I'm so sick of being a Mom, when it comes to this part of being a Mom. In fact, I can honestly say I HATE IT!!!!! I know that makes me a bad person and Mom but, it's too much for me. When does it end or will it ever end? I'm so sick and tired for feeling incapable of taking care or handling my son! Why would God send a child to me that he knows I can't handle and take care of the way he needs to be? My heart hurts, my mind hurts, and I'm giving up on ever being able to reach my son or bond with him. I don't want him to hate learning and feel it's a punishment but, I also want him to understand work comes before play, education is important, that he needs to respect me, and that he can't get his way every time he brings on the water works. THIS JUST SUCKS!!!!

I Looked Out the Window and What Did I See????

For the last couple mornings, we've noticed this hot air balloon floating around St. George. This morning, after I got home from dropping off the kids at school, I noticed the balloon close to our house. Rylie had woken up so, I ran and grabbed her to come outside. It got closer and closer until it nearly landed in the virgin river and skimmed along it for a few minutes. I think it would be SO FUN to ride in a hot air balloon! Rylie calls it a bayoon!