Happy 6 months Rowan Bears

Oh my goodness! I don't even know how to resist this little cutie! He is 6 months now, and I cannot believe how fast the time has just flown by! I have a friend here who recently had her baby, and he is just a couple months now, and we saw her husband at church the other day as he looked at Rowan longingly asking, "how old is he now?" Needless to say, Sam and her husband have similar feelings towards that of newborns. We have laughed a lot about how Sam and I were doing the same things rewind 3 months ago. And now, I can't believe how fast it went. Rowan is a smirky, sweet, and so loved by his brothers. Josh tells me every time he is crying even when I am standing right there, and trying to calm him down, and I have just tell him, "Yes, I know."I can hear him, I think, and Kaj will always ask me if it's ok if he can make Rowan laugh. Rowan just loves being with the family. He loves songs, and music, which makes want to sing to him all the time. He really is stinking cute, his little eyes light up when he smiles, and he smiles all the time. He is definitely the kind of guy who just loves everyone immediately. Anyone who walks into the room, once he catches their eye, he just beams at them. 

At his 6 month check up he was 5th percentile in weight, 10th in height, and 75th with his head! That was a surprising stat! I have not had a kid with a big noggin. He is on week 2 on eating solid foods, and he is doing so well! He got a hang of it really fast. Although, in a time crunch I had to feed him at Costco with one of those baby food to go pouches, and it was the disaster area of my life, and I don't like the smell of peach baby food. Also, I have started to note that he does not seem to like banana…? A baby food flavor that I think to myself: "yes, if I was a baby I would really like this." 

Time is going by pretty fast, and I am finding myself wanting it to slow down, while Sam wants it to fast forward, so I guess the fact that the time will go no faster nor slower is a really good compromised pace. It is wild to me to think in another 6 months this little guy may be learning how to walk..so weird. So, I am just enjoying all the time in between. I love my baby Rowan.

Fourth of July Weekend

We had such a great long holiday weekend! Sam's boss had family in town for the week so we got to spend a lot of time as a family which was a great change. Wednesday we took the boys to the $1 movie and saw "Arthur Christmas." It was actually a very pleasant surprise. Sam had to go round in morning so I hauled all 3 boys to the movie, we originally planned to see "Despicable Me 2," but when we got into the theatre the ticket man said: "Hey just so you know it is really full in there so you won't be able to sit together." Haha, ok I may need to sit next to my 4 year old and 2 year old. Then, he quickly told us that the another movie was playing, and we can just go in that one. So, we obviously opted for that choice. Sam met us in the movie about 20 min in. It was Josh's first movie, and he sat through a little over half of it, and then got a little antsy, but still did great. Rowan was awesome, just sat on my lap, and was the best little baby ever. We went over to REI in Old Mill District afterward, and then enjoyed the rest of the day as a family.
On Thursday we had decided to go on a hike to the Blue Pool Trail. We have this book called Bend Overall and it a great guide to all the hikes in and around Bend. It lists the popularity of the hike, the miles, a detailed description of what it entails, and it also has a list of kid friendly and favorites. The Blue Pool trail.. was not one mentioned on kid friendly. However, when I read about it I knew it was an easy hike, and wasn't very long. Which I learned it was not very long for 2 grown adults. It was a little over 2 miles to the pool, so over 4 miles total. The boys did awesome! They did not complain at all. Kaj did ask a few hundred times if we were there yet, but I do not consider that complaining. Josh's legs were tuckered out about halfway through to the pool, so then Sam was carrying Rowan in the baby bjorn and had Josh on his shoulders. You may also take notice that in all of the pictures Kaj is holding out his one hand in a very tender, fragile, like his hand is broken manner, his hand is not broken, but on Monday he did cut it pretty good at the splash pad, and it is still taking a lot of reminding to please act normal with his hand.

We finally got to the pool in 2 hours! Yes! 2 hours! We did take more pictures and moseyed on the way there, but right as we felt like we were nearing we ran into a biker "oh you are probably 15 min away." I made a mental note, and thought: ok then a half hour. A moment later someone told us 20 min. I felt like our time had just doubled. I even wondered many times:  are we there yet? But, when we did arrive it was beautiful! It was the bluest water I have seen next to Norwegian water. Sam and I would have definitely scrambled down and taken a swim if it had just been us, but it was such a great hike. It was easy, right next to the river, shaded, so great, one we would certainly take visitors too. On the way back we wanted to make time, so we got back to the car in just 1 hour. Holy Moly! The boys both took some spills on the way back, also. Josh landed on a rock with his head, but was ok, and Kaj scraped both legs, and his elbow, but everyone was fine. Needless to say, Josh was again on Sam's shoulders, and Kaj was on mine. I was really happy I could trust Sam not to fall. I kept thinking if he fell with Rowan in front...oh my goodness.
On Friday, which was the 4th, we went to the pet parade in downtown Bend. It was super busy, but pretty fun. Next year, we need to allow ourselves more time to get a good spot and set up, this year we got there 5 minutes before it began and ended up standing. We ended with a little hike, where Kaj fell yet again and split back open his hurt hand, had a water balloon fight, and a BBQ with friends. It was great to spend all this time as a family. I am very lucky to have my little boys. I love them so much, and I am constantly seeing little things reminding how they are growing into amazing men.

"I Heart NY" Family Pics

We got these T shirts a little after Christmas from Sam's parents, they had requested that each of their children and their families take pictures. They have been serving in New York on their mission. I tucked them away, I had Rowan, and totally forgot that I needed to take these pictures. So finally! We have a gate in our backyard that opens up into this nice grassy area with big trees, and what a perfect place to take the pictures.
Of course, a side from just simply putting these "I heart NY" shirts on and taking a family picture, New York actually does have a special place in my heart.
My first visit to New York was with my girlfriends, it was a few years into college, and we had wanted to take this big trip. The first night we got in we stayed at hotel in Brooklyn, and took the subway the next morning, when we walked out of the subway I looked up in the middle of Times Square and fell in love with the big city. There was something about it. I loved the hustle and bustle, I loved that Broadway was right beside, I loved the crispness of the air, and I loved that I was with my friends. It was unlike any trip even to this day.
The second time I was there I went with my parents as a college graduation celebration. I was a little concerned that the second time would not measure up to the first time, however, it was just as great. The company of my parents, who are two awesome people to have a fun time with, in New York City was an amazing combination. We had so many laughs, and great conversations, with great scenery. I have never been disappointed visiting.
Then, of course, to live in New York for a couple of years, and though we were living in Long Island we were still in New York. I truly do "heart" NY.

Happy Fathers Day 2014

Another Father's Day celebration with yet, another child to celebrate with. We tried to spell out "I heart dad" on the little feet in our house to then take a cute picture, and give that to Sam for Father's day, and needless to say, it was the hardest picture to ever capture in the history of photography. Rowan runs in place like he is training for a marathon constantly, and with his movement, and the attention spans I was working with I only had a couple a pictures that even close to turned out, and this was one of them. It was actually really fun, because these boys are fun and so cute, but still difficult to capture. 

But, I just wanted to write a little about Sam today.  Sam… he is a unique man. There are many sides to him, and he can be the fun, funny, and playful dad, and other times he is quiet and patient, and really intent on teaching the boys lessons. 

We got out the boys bikes the other day that we got for each of their birthdays so they could practice more. They are getting better at balancing them, and it helped a lot when our neighbor boys who are twin 4 year olds ride on their bikes all the time. Sam said one night, "maybe now was not the time to get them bikes." Disappointed that they didn't ride them more often, and I suggested, "Well, if you rode your bike around with them, I guarantee they would ride with you." One evening we got their bikes out again, and Sam took a moment, and then got his bike out, the moment he was riding with them they exclaimed, "You are riding with us, dad!" I think that he still realizing how much the boys really admire and love him, and want to learn things to be more like him. I think once he realizes this, it will be a game changer.

 I talked with a mother who had 4 kids whose ages ranged from 7 to 13, and she reminisced on how difficult this time is with small children, and that is very true. I sometimes don't know how I get through each day still smiling, well, probably because some days I am not smiling, but I am still sane. It is nice to have Sam not only reiterate to me how hard it is,  but what a good job he thinks I am doing, and that he will support me any time I need a night away. Being a good husband, and a good dad go hand in hand. We love our boys. Rowan is now 5 and 1/2 months so I can also say with confidence that Sam also really loves him now too. Ha!

 This is an adventure, and an adventure I couldn't do without Sam. 

Not Running Away From Home

 A few days ago I was at the peak of frustration, and it was only 8 in the morning, and I just couldn't believe I had to get through the rest of the day. Josh was not even close to behaving, and with Rowan screaming and crying in the background while dealing with Josh amped everything up. I gave myself a time out first just for a moment to see if I could breathe, calm down, and deal better with the tantrums surrounding my life. It did not work. Josh was continuing his craziness, and then it was his turn for a time out-keeping in mind-Rowan was still going ballistic. I sat outside the boys room and just bawled up. I wanted to cry, and scream, and mostly I wanted to run away from home. Kaj sat with me and said, "Mom, it will be OK." I didn't say anything. "What's wrong, Mom? Are you sad, Mom?" Kaj asked. I told him that, yes, I was indeed sad. I mumbled "I just want to run away from home." Not so loud that Kaj could hear me, and frankly it surprises if I am listened to the first I say something at a normal decibel let alone a whisper. But, Kaj had heard me, his big brown eyes filled with tears as he said "Mom we be so sad if you run away from home. Dad would be so sad, we all would be so sad. We love you." And, I looked at him, and suddenly I didn't want to run away from  home anymore. Kaj really is so tender hearted, and sweet. He has all those very sensitive qualities I saw in myself as a kid. And with that, it has both negative and positives sides. But, if I could teach him to pay more attention to what is going on around him I feel like he will be able to uplift others around him also. I learned a lot from Kaj in that moment. I was so thankful that I have such a sweet boy to realize that even Mom can be sad, but it quickly turned my day around all because of him.

Summer Time in Bend

We moved to Bend last fall in mid September. I was also very pregnant at the time, and we were mostly in transition-hybernation mode with intermittent appearances in the social setting, but summer time in Bend is whole new story! I love it. It is the most pleasant of temperatures every day mid 70s to 80s with a breeze. So amazing! We are frequenters to the river, and the pool, we recently took a ride around the old mill area on a group bicycle called a surrey-I have wanted to do this since I first set eyes on the wonderful invention and is now a must for anyone who comes to visit us. It is so fun, and the boys absolutely loved it! I will say that it confused me a little at first-no not the having to pedal obviously I was doing that-but there are two steering wheels, and as I was steering us around the first loop making sure that Sam and my steering was perfectly in sync with each other so we didn't hit passers by, or run in to any poles, I then realized his steering wheel was the only one with actual control, so duly noted. I have started trail running the loop by the river in the evening, and I couldn't ask for a more scenic run. It actually makes me want to run it-which is saying something. I like to take the boys to walk around by the bridge, and we usually get an ice-cream cone, and look at fish or the ducks, and all the people who float the river. The point is- visitors-come in and visit in the summer. 

The one down side is that there was a wildfire a few days ago. I first smelled it, before I noticed that the whole sky was a dust cloud, and the smoke coming from it was humungous! There was ashes falling from the sky for a day, and it ended up burning 600,000 acres. It has now been contained, but it was a little close for comfort for a day. 

But, because that it not an every day occurrence it should not deter anyone. So it took me a good 8 months to really enjoy it here, but I can say now, I am really loving Bend. 

I Have a 4 Year Old

 Kaj turned 4! I am very late in updating this seeing his birthday was a couple weeks ago, but I also can't just not say anything about this little boy. It is crazy to look at this boy as baby, and see how much 4 years can change. In 4 years we have moved to New York, finished grad school, moved to Oregon, and had 2 more kids. That's what 4 years can do! And that is wild stuff!!

Kaj has always been very tender hearted, and sensitive. I am enjoying him more and more. We have definitely had ups and downs, and challenges, and I am certain there will be many more. But I find that he is very good brother, and cares very much about Josh and Rowan, and wants to protect them. He loves to be with Sam, and he is starting to think of things he wants to do sometimes out of nowhere. Last night he got out of bed, and ran over to me, and asked, "Mom, can we go swimming!?" And when I said yes that we would be going swimming, he exclaimed, "YAY!!!" And when Sam got home from work he wanted to tell him goodnight, and about swimming.

Dictated by Kaj:
Likes:
Playing outside
Playing with his brothers
Angry Birds…(still)
Go to the playground
Play
Have some fun
Go on the Slides
Get on the stairs
Mac n Cheese
Help mom
Help Rowan


Friends:
Alicia and Mom
Conner
Joshy

Dislikes:
Not finding letters

So, there is Kaj for you. Though I would definitely add that he dislikes eating. Actually he is getting much better. But, lets just say at the doctor's appointment for 4 years he is 5% for weight. No surprises here, but my doctor didn't love that. Kaj has always loved the outdoors, and I know Sam is very excited to go skiing with him more, and biking with him more. I know Kaj would also love this. He also loves spending one on one time quality time with people, it could be me or Sam, Mor-Mor or Pappy. I have decided to make a chore chart now that he is 4, and a reward chart as well for good behavior, and when I thought of what his reward could be when I came up with the idea of doing Daddy-Kaj or Mommy-Kaj dates night, I knew that is the perfect thing for him. 

Kaj starts school this fall. I can't believe it. It is only 2 days a week for a few hours, which is perfect for everyone-including me. I think he will enjoy school. Kaj is very smart, and I think it will give a chance to interact with children differently than just playing. I am excited to see what this year will bring for Kaj. I love him very much. He is sweet, kind, and thankful. I know that I need to better and reminding him of what a good boy he really is.