Sweet Moments

This first picture captures my life perfectly right now. Leaving the house, not realizing that I had two completely different shoes on. Only when I was driving home did I look down and notice my error. I consider myself lucky if I am getting out of the house at all. Rowan is now 3 months. He is starting to smile, laugh, goo, and he tends to run in place quite a bit in fact, he is quite fast in the horizontal running event. I am seeing more and more of his sweet personality emerge, though he still can get sad throughout the day, it is not nearly as bad as it was. When he cries now, it sounds like he is saying "mum" over and over, which kinda melts my heart. 

The other two wild and crazy boys have had a moment each where I felt I had to document it. The boys were all downstairs on a Sunday putting shoes on, and as I was coming down the stairs ready for church Kaj said: "Whoa, mom! You look beautiful!" It was so adorable! The Josh moment came a week later. Sam had gotten him out of bed, and he had been hanging out in the play area for a bit, I was still cuddling with Rowan, though I was awake, and then I saw Josh coming into our room, he took out his pacifier, and came up to the bed to give me a kiss. Oh! I just love these boys sometimes! I love them all the time, but those sweet moments, make me so happy! 

Kaj and Josh are continuing to become the best of buddies every day. They love running around together, and wrestling, and wearing blankets over their heads to crawl around in, and their energy is through the roof. On the Sunday of spring break it was really crowded with visitors in town, and so our family as well as many others ended up in the foyer for whole meeting. Kaj was sitting with me practicing drawing all his letters, and Rowan was sleeping. Josh, on the other hand, was running around like a crazy man, he would run over to this bucket of salt in the entry way, wait for us to tell him to stop, laugh and run away, and do that a few hundred times, he wanted drinks from the drinking fountain a hundred times as well. It doesn't help that he gets a kick out of himself, and it probably helps even less that he actually is pretty hilarious, but Sam was chasing him down the whole time. Sam made the comment that we need a "horse tranquilizer for this kid." That is probably not far off. 

But, as always, I am very grateful for my crazy boys. And I love them to pieces!

Best Buds

Making Cookies

Kaj asked me one day "can you take a pictures of Kaj, mom, and dad?" coming from the boy who never wants to take a picture

Went with my friends and their kids to the museum between 4 girls and 14 kids total there is only 2 girls

My Funny 2 Year Old

Happy Birthday to my little Joshy! We had a great time celebrating Josh's birthday. I did want to make it a special and fun day, even though he would likely not remember. I blew up the whole pack of 24 balloons the night before his birthday and made a trail from his room to downstairs, I decorated the table with balloons, and party hats, and new birthday plates that Sam's parents sent, and I put to good use right away! These seemingly small things I did made the morning awesome. Both the boys were so excited to see all the balloons. Sam got Josh in the morning, and he usually strolls into our room, with Kaj already there we cued him that we would begin singing "happy birthday" when he walked in, as soon as we got done singing Josh's just let out this huge roar/grunt. It was hilarious. I took the boys to the bounce house in the morning, and the playground in the afternoon, and miraculously Rowan was having a very good day, and allowed all of these things to happen, it was his birthday present to Josh. We had planned on having friends over for cake and ice-cream but each of those families had at least one child sick with the stomach flu, but we still had a lot of fun. 

Sam's schedule has been crazy this week. It started out on Monday getting called in at 2:00am and then getting home at 6:30am, and then still go to work the next day. On the Tuesday which was Josh's birthday Sam only had a small 45 min window to come home late after work and spend some time with us before having to go back in till 10:00. He then had another night this week where he had to go in at 11:00 at night and then get back in at 2:30 in the morning. Even though we didn't have a lot of time as a whole family on Josh's birthday the boys helped assemble the little bike we got Josh, and let him ride around on it for a bit, had some cake and ice cream before Sam had to leave again, and the boys loved it.

I have said it before, and I will say it again. I am crazy about Josh. His fun personality is always surprising and adorable. I love that he puts every hat and scarf on, and proceeds to walk around the house. I love that he sets up little obstacle courses for himself, trips on purpose, and then get up and runs as fast as he can. I love the little things he starting to say. The kid spills every single day, and he will always go run for the towel and try to clean it up. I love  the little smirks he gets when he wants you to watch him. I love how easily he shares, and how easily he loves, and how he can laugh at almost everything. He makes our home so happy. He is a best friend to his brother, and is simply a contagious light to be around for anyone. He loves being a big brother, and runs to soothe Rowan when he cries, and tries to help by giving him hugs, and kisses. He is very good at following direction, and he is so helpful even when it may not be actually helpful, I appreciate him trying. An example of that is when he will get into my purse and proceed handing me everything in my purse individually saying, "here you go." He has a delightful energy, and curiosity. He is cautious and careful with new things, but learns to love new activities quickly. He can make me laugh every day. I love his quiet moments when he will actually sit still, and listen to a story, and he puts his little hand on your lap. I love that when I let him pick out his own clothes he actually takes the time to not only look, but then usually picks out the snappiest outfit, and is usually a church going shirt, and I am the one who will ask him to tone it down. He has a face that it is simply hard to ever be mad at despite the craziness he can cause completely alone- dumping nearly a whole box of cereal all over the carpet being the most recent of the Josh damage control, noting that it was not simply dumping all the cheerios out in one spot that is too simple for Joshy, but running around the house dumping them everywhere is more like it. He really is such a great kid. I love Josh so much, and cannot picture my life without him. I am so happy to be his mom. 

Where Have all the Spoons Gone

Being a mom of 3 little boys is a lot of dinosaurs noises, race car driving, muddy hands and feet, rock collecting, running around, and messy fun. Growing up never once did I think that I would have 3 boys. I had sisters. We had Barbie dolls, paper dolls, and dress up…it's different, but I am sure much the same. Josh and Kaj are quite the pair. They have started venturing and getting into everything! Things they couldn't reach before they can now reach, and if they can't reach something they will dump out the contents of a basket to enable themselves to reach. Spoons are a new phenomenon in our home in that they need a spoon for every drink they have. They have also discovered the refrigerator can make ice so they need water with ice, and a spoon to stir the ice. They need a spoon for their chocolate milk so they can slurp it up like soup, savoring each sip…which makes sense to me. But, I seriously am beginning to wonder where all our spoons have gone. 

I am running up and down the stairs a lot. Whether it is changing the laundry or just trying to shower, because, if the boys are downstairs things can change drastically from one moment to the next. One day I was going to shower at a decent hour meaning in the morning- I have to preface this that I had a pan with 2 hard boiled eggs out for my snacks, and 2 cubes of thawed butter out to make cookies. I had told Kaj :" I need your help making cookies later, do you want to help me?" Of course he did. Always before going upstairs and the boys are downstairs I say, "ok guys, are you going to be good?" More a hopeful request than an expectation, because they are crazy and you never know. I went upstairs started the water, and was about to get in, and before doing so, I thought: I should go check on the boys again real fast. Got my robe on, ran downstairs, to find the 2 eggs smashed to smithereens all over the floor, and thawed butter everywhere- on the counter, on the drawers, inside the drawers, a couple of spoons out, and two little boys looking guilty as ever. I gasped, and sat there for a minute to process everything, and also to calm down before I reacted. I asked, "what are you doing?!" Kaj answered that they were making cookies. I knew that is what they were attempting to do, I am not certain but I don't think they would have turned out without the rest of the ingredients, "Well, you have to wait for mom." I actually even managed to laugh a little, and I didn't get that mad about until I started to clean up. Other not as horrendous of times when I come down and both the boys are sitting on the couch eating slices of bread, "We're eating bread, mom!" Kaj will say happily! Ok…? They have been caught out in the backyard on multiple occasions the funniest was finding Kaj with no pants on, and a pajama top, Josh in pajamas, both of them wearing a pair or my shoes, and Sam's flip flips, with their beanies on their heads. So props to them for putting shoes on, I guess. So needless to say, I am kept on my toes all the time.

 

In other stories picking out cards at the store for my mom's birthday was memorable this time, because Kaj knew exactly that we were picking one out for MorMor's birthday, and as I scanned the options I heard Kaj say, "What about this one, mom?" I turned around to see him holding this bum card, and laughed so hard. Because, obviously that is the perfect card!

My dad planned to visit for Rowan's blessing. Sam does not have strong friendships developed with any men in particular here yet, he is pleasant with them all, but we really would not have much of circle, and we thought if my dad could manage to come out when he was up here for work again, it would awesome. So that is how we planned it, unfortunately, by the time we told a member of the bishopric we found out that it was actually going to be stake conference. So we figured that we would just bless Rowan at home. It was a good decision considering he cried the whole time, and stopped as soon as it was over, which was quickly. Despite the shortness of the blessing it was still sweet.

The blessing of Rowan was done March 9th 2014. He was blessed with the desire to learn. And to learn about the Savior, as well as a desire to follow the Savior. He was blessed that he would be an example to his brothers, and to know his family loves him. He was blessed to seek truth from the scriptures, and to go to the temple one day, and to serve in any manner the Lord asked of him.

Kaj has been loving the letter puzzles, again. He now is very interested in spelling names. He came up to me the other day saying "This spells Kaj! K-A-J!" holding up those letters to show me. He then wanted to learn mom, dad, and Mor Mor. The next day he spelled out MOM and DAD all by himself. He then wanted to learn how to spell Pappy, and later in the day randomly he wanted to spell Whitty. What I also love about Kaj these days, if there are ever moments where I am stressed, or cleaning up after Josh who spills every day Kaj will say, "It's ok, mom, we can try again later." This is what Sam has told Kaj. It's sweet to hear from him. 

Rowan before his blessing

Rowan "during" his blessing

The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway

 It has been crazy snowing the last few days! We are big fans of the movie "Frozen" since Mor-Mor first showed it to the boys, and that line circles over and over in my head apparently when we are getting plummeted with snow like this. Also, we listen to the song "let it go" before bed at night, and Josh and I like to do all the dance moves, so it was very exciting to put our snow dancing to good use. This snow is a good and bad thing, because honestly I wouldn't mind the spring to be here, but I also know that we are need of the moisture. So, I guess for the earth's sake, it's ok. It was a fun day. Sam only had to go to work for a couple hours, which meant that he stayed around in the morning to help with the boys, and let me sleep until Rowan was up, and then when he was done with work he took Kaj to get snow boots and sleds. Kaj is always so happy to go with his dad. We bundled the boys up to help us shovel the driveway, and I must say Josh looked pretty hysterical mixed with awesomely cute. He could barely walk, and he looked like he was ready to live in the snow. Kaj hurriedly wanted to get out there and play, and that is exactly what he did. For some reason Josh is the kid that we tend to think that he is ready to try anything, and just love everything as well (I think it is based on how he eats??) but that is not always true. He actually takes some time with new things, and is often quite nervous. Josh mostly stood around in the driveway watching Kaj dig in the snow, and fall into the snow, get thrown into the snow, and then laugh in the snow. In other words, Kaj loved it, and Josh was ok with it. I have no doubts Josh will end up being a fan, but for now he is just getting used to it. We wanted to go sledding as a family, but then with how much it was coming down, and Josh not really taking to it, and then of course, Rowan…not sure if we wanted to send him downhill in a sled just yet, Sam just ended up taking Kaj. I was happy about that, because Kaj was so happy, and Sam said that it was a fun time.

Also, I wanted to share how things are functioning in our family with Rowan now that it has officially been a month since he joined our family. I must say I am pleasantly surprised. I will look over sometimes to see Kaj having full on conversations with Rowan explaining different animals, and about who is who in our family. He will also tell me a lot that, "Rowan is a nice baby," or "Rowan is a new brother…not Joshy. Joshy's not a new brother," or, "Rowan needs new teeth." (He has been very preoccupied with the fact that Rowan does not have any teeth yet) Kaj also really likes to hold Rowan, and then he will look at him and say "He likes me." I am certain that he will. It is very fun to see these interactions especially because when Josh was born I don't even think Kaj noticed him until he was 6 months old. Josh is always wanting to give Rowan kisses, and poke him in the face mostly- but he definitely notices him. It is fun. The times chaos happens is when I am nursing, and I just hear noises. These could be noises that cause suspicion, or just screaming and crying and all I can do is yell "WHAT IS GOING ON?!" And, like always, I hear Kaj say, "Nothing." Naturally. I have actually started creeping out of my room when I am done nursing Rowan nervous to see what took place while I was not available. But, they are funny boys, and pretty sweet boys. I will say this, I have never loved the newborn stage, this is no secret to anyone, I have expressed it before, but I am loving it this time. I think because this time I am really appreciating that Rowan doesn't talk yet, and that quiet, simple, sweetness is absolutely amazing.

Newborn Pictures

These pictures of Rowan's newborns are a few of my favorites. My friend took his pictures as a gift for my baby shower, for one-it was so sweet of her, and I am also so happy about the way they turned out. I love his sweet face so much!

And it's Thomas

For those of you just waiting anxiously by the computer anticipating what Rowan's middle name is you can now rest easy- it is Thomas. We have had a couple weeks of visitors. This last week my mom came back into town! And the week before my dad visited for a couple of days. It was so nice. My parents are amazing people and I am so thankful for them both. They are both such great examples to me. And, I am thankful for the relationships I have with them. They are also such wonderful grandparents to my boys. They are excited to spend time with them, talk with them about silly things, and just stare at newborn baby faces, because that's all you can do with a new baby. 

My dad was able to finish all loose ends in my house in an hour-from hanging up a bookshelf that has needed hanging since..we moved in... to taking down the Christmas tree. We spent one day when my dad was here taking the boys to the park, and then walking to the Old Mill on the trail. It was such a great day outside. The boys ran around like crazy people, and took turns riding on my dad's shoulders. Josh, as usual, is the one you have keep your eye on cause he does not care whether he is with you or not, the fearlessness in the kid strikes fear in me. It was very fun to have my dad here, and nice to have him see where we are at. 

My mom then came back into town. It has been amazing having family come to town back to back to back. We spent many of our days organizing and organizing. This may not sound fun, but it was. Firstly, because my mom beams from ear to ear with every new organized change, and it was just fun being together. She helped me make a lot of things better in my house, and her every suggestion was just spot on to making more sense. Why did I not think of that?? That was pretty much my constant frame of mind. We also were able to take the boys to the pirate park which they loved, and it is always great to have her help and advice with the boys. 

My sister Megan comes into town next. I have to say I am loving my visitors! I can't complain one bit about how this all has worked out. Kaj said to me today "I'm excited to see Meggie." He has started to ask me who is coming next. Meggie will be the last in the line up so I better start preparing him for that now. 

I still feel like I am transitioning, and there are plenty of ups and downs still with the whole family, but there are also times like today when I was just with little Rowan that I couldn't believe it had only been 3 weeks since I had him. It feels like it has been longer. It feels like we have always had him. That's a happy feeling. 

Rowan Thomas Christensen

Kaj holding Rowan for the first time

And Josh being held by a big bear

Rowan ____ Christensen

Rowan and myself right after he was born

In the NICU

Still in the NICU but off the machines

Last night at the hospital

Home

Big brother Josh

Wishing a lot that we had a middle name picked out right about now…but that is all up to Sam, and according to the hospital we have 2 weeks to pick out a middle name. I have a favorite in mind, but anyhow. I finally feel competent enough to write down a little about this little guy. 

He was born on January 5th 2014 at 4:55 am. He was 35 weeks and 6 days which I feel like I can round up to 36 weeks… but the NICU doctors were determined to round down to 35 weeks…ok?? He was 5 lbs and 12 oz and 18 1/2 inches long. As everyone in the family knows I was quite confident I would have him early but there were many moments where I would be think "no, you are way off this time! What are you thinking?!" But I was not thinking he would be earlier than the other boys that was not on my radar. 

Interesting fact time: All my boys were born on a Sunday.

In the days leading up to having baby Rowan we rang in the New Year with a bout of sickness. Starting New Years Eve Josh was having a high fever, and the only thing we ever concluded was that it was his molar breaking through. New Years day was spent with some really grumpy boys, being cooped up in the house for a couple days. After those couple days I went out with some of the girls here and had a great night playing some good old fashioned Bunco, but as soon as Sam and I were getting ready for bed Kaj started wailing much like a cry of when he has a bad dream, I went into his room to see him on his floor, acting really weird. At that point he threw up all over his floor. There was no hurrying a 3 year old to the bathroom, and there was no getting through to him when he was about to throw up. It was a very long night of sickness happening about every hour until we just moved his mattress on the floor in our room just so I could have the privilege of catching his throw up in the bowl. The next day was better, but I was extremely leery of anything he ate. It moved on to the runny bun stage, and that hit Josh but he was definitely not as sick as Kaj, luckily. 

So Saturday night we had planned a game night at our house with a few couples. I began feeling contractions at around 4:30 in the afternoon, very much to the point that canceling made so much sense,  but I felt bad canceling too late. A long with the contracting I was having I also, ahem, was being hit with the same bug my boys had had. As the 8 o clock hour approached when we were expecting everyone I was confined to our room in bed in a very unmoving position clocking the time between contracting and gauging the pain, I tend to trick myself into thinking that it may not be the real thing, but reminding myself that I was definitely in pain. I told Sam I may just have to stay upstairs, he laughed and said "why didn't we just cancel?" but I assured him could entertain easily without me. I did make way downstairs to say "hi" to everyone. The guys were involved in a game of lunch money, and at 9:30 there was no way I could stay any longer. The girls were amazing as they helped me pack a bag which I had not done, as well as volunteer to stay at the house with the boys overnight. I am so happy there was so much willingness to jump right in. It was also so nice, because these were girls that my kids knew, and I felt comfortable leaving them with them, and I knew the boys would be comfortable as well. It made things so much better. 

We got to the hospital at 9:45 where contractions were so painful I could not walk to the doors of the hospital and I then proceeded to throw up in the parking lot, and lets just say I could not control some other functions at that time as well. A very embarrassing way to go into my night, as I was whisked into the hospital by wheelchair. Part of me wished I was delirious so that could be my excuse for my current state, that I just had no idea what was going on, of course I did know, and then I apologized again and again to my sweet nurse because I did know what had happened…and it was no es bueno. So the first part of my night was pretty awful because I was laboring with horrible sickness going on at the same time. At 1:20am my water broke and I was finally admitted to the hospital. I loved my epidural, and I loved my nurse, Jackie. Not necessarily in that order. But, maybe…but I really was so thankful for the care I received while I was there. 

Rowan was born very quickly, and he was quite the little sweetie, little being the key word. He seemed so much smaller than my other boys though he really was only a pound under what Josh was. They let me hold him when I first had him, but then explained that he was having some trouble breathing and would have to go to the NICU. The NICU staff was awesome, as was the doctor overseeing Rowan. I appreciated his straightforwardness, and his dedication. He had to go on what is called a CPAP machine to help his lungs, they did have to suck some fluids out of his lungs as well. But, he was a champ, and with every change they made from taking him off of everything he continued to do awesome. I had to stay an extra night, but we all got to go home together. 

In the meantime, my mom… I can't even describe the thanks I have for her. When I called her to say I was being admitted to the hospital, she said "what are we going to do?" And I didn't really think there was much we could do, she would come out when she had her ticket booked to come out, and that was it. Instead, she spent her morning getting her work off so she could drive out and stay with us for this first week of Rowan's life. She is so incredible, and I could not have been happier when she told me. 

It was not an easy week, though it could have been so much harder. Kaj is still adjusting, and his attitude change in showing that. I think it was very hard to understand all that is going on, as well as what went on when I was gone for days and days. He doesn't know quite how to express himself, and instead he becomes quite defiant. But, he does ask a lot about Rowan, which he usually says: "Morrow" the first time, and then when you say "Rowan" he says his name right. He asks about the baby. He isn't ready to be around him much, but he asks, and then whispers that you need to be quiet. Josh is a lot more curious, and will go right up to him, and say "This?" It will all end up being fun. But, for the next days and weeks I have no expectation. The bar is neither low nor high, it is just taking things as they come. I hope that will help roll with everything, as everyone is adjusting.

But, as for the newest little sweetie. I absolutely love him! I am so excited to have him here with us, and think that he is going to be such a great addition to our family.