.summer starts.

Summer is upon us and so is the heat.  Most days I hunker down in my basement and only venture outside if need necessitates me to go somewhere.  The last part of May we had unusual amounts of rain and it kept the temperature very cool, which is what I prefer.  So having long stretches of triple digits, like this past week, is kind of hard for me to take.  But with the heat summer also brings long busy days and warm nights, which are also pretty great!  We have been staying busy going to neighborhood park days, trips up the canyon, bbq's, visits from grandparents, and indulging in summer treats of popsicles and watermelon.   Life in general is good.

The wee one of the bunch is starting to really show some personality...some of which is very strong willed.  She has finally started cruising around furniture, and even started walking behind a baby walking toy.  She is a very difficult eater at the moment which causes me some stress, but overall she is a happy dumpling who loves to play ball, and chew on garden bark (I have no idea why???).  I wish I had a good picture of her giant teeth she now has 6 of them.  We all get a kick out her smile, and even her ugly cry sometimes because of her ginormous teeth.

 Roy's parents came to visit us for a couple of weeks and so they got to see Eisley for the first time in person.  She of didn't really want anything to do with them, which kind of broke me heart.  It also didn't help that she had a cold for about 4 days while they were here, so she was extra clingy to me.  But she does give the best snuggles when she is sick.

Little miss M is as busy as ever, and is really starting to enjoy her little world around here.  She requests all things pink and purple, and really likes watching shows.  She is limited most days to just a few, but would easily watch them all day if I let her.  She latches on to anyone who will give her attention.  Daddy is a favorite person whom she can hold onto and love.  Most of the time its all sweetness like this picture on our way to church, but sometimes it can be a little suffocating.

 Roy and Meg take watching frozen very seriously.

 While grandma and grandpa were here, Meg was in heaven.  Someone to color with her whenever she wanted

 And carry her down to the river in the canyon.  Like I said this girl loves to be loved!

Her hair is getting longer and I probably should cut it sometime, but I just think it's so pretty.  I even got her to sit still long enough to do this crown braid one day.  She loved it and kept saying it was Queen Elsa hair...go figure.

Mr. Finn is really growing up so fast.  At the end of May he magically decided he was done with diapers at night.  It has been a total success!  I love that we have one COMPLETELY out of diapers.  He loves building as much as ever, and has really taken off with his lego obsession.  His source of income to pay for his little lego sets come from picking up pinecones in our front yard.  That tree produces copious amounts of pinecones, so he is constantly picking them up for 5 cents a bucket.

 Finn is not a natural risk taker, which I'm completely ok with, but he is slowly stretching his legs as it were and trying new things that are a little scary to him.  Our mini park in the neighborhood is a favorite, especially when grandpa is there to help navigate the monkey bars.

 Among other boy things he loves...throwing rocks...especially when we go hiking in the mountains.

 Finn is my eater and will often eat as much as his dad.  I was a little shocked by this sudden up take in appetite, as he is my first born.   I fear the quantity of food he will consume as a growing teenager...oi!

Last Sunday we celebrated the summer solstice.  We let the kids stay up late watching for the first stars of the night.  They loved eating popsicles around the fire and playing with flashlights in the dark.  It's fun to start doing some family traditions as they get older.  I look forward to spending this summer with my little family!

.little yellow dress.

Meg loves Sundays for one reason...she gets to wear pretty dresses.  When I tell her its time to go get dressed for church she inhales loudly and excitedly says, "ohhhh, princess dress".  She has this sweet yellow dress that we have tried, unsuccessfully, to wear to church about 8 times.  The one and only time we actually made it to church with the dress on was the week that she took off a poopy diaper at the end of sacrament meeting...you do the math.  For what ever reason, spilled juice, food, or pens, we just can't seem to get to church with that dress on.
Today we are attempting our 9th try.  Here's to an uneventful Sunday (fingers crossed).

baby gigi, doggie, her "phone", and the yellow dress

.so much.

Another new month is here, and I have missed  A LOT from April that I so wanted to get on here, so I will just have to do another recap.

April brought Easter, Conference, and Eisley's first birthday all on the same week.  It was beautiful to spend time with family and listen to the words of our Prophets and Apostles.  It couldn't have been a better weekend!  The older two helped dye eggs and especially loved finding them.

Meg in all her pink glory!

have I ever mentioned this one is ALL girl?

I love this little blondie!!!

 The Easter baskets were a big hit, but the most enjoyed gift of all was the hungry hungry hippos game.  I love that they are finally getting old enough to start playing games with us.

We spent the rest of the day over at my parents house with family and enjoyed being with everyone for the annual Easter egg hunt and lunch.

releasing the kids out for the hunt!

 E turned one and is growing.  She is my chunkiest baby yet and is actually in the 5% for weight...that's crazy for our kids.  Her one year check up was the longest dr. visit I've ever had, and of course I decided to take all three in the hopes that it would be quick.  We waited over an hour before we saw the dr, and then it took us another 45 min, before she got her shots.  Needless to say my nerves were frayed, and the kiddos were totally antsy.

Naked and happy for the first 20 minutes, and then it all fell apart!

 She also decided to crawl about a week after her birthday, and is now very proficient at getting around and into things.  She is growing and is curious about everything.  When we take walks she is always looking around, and discovered the other day that we were above her.  What a sweet thing she is!

 April also brought an impromptu snow storm to Utah.  It was such a lovely morning after the storm that Finn and I got out to build a snowman.  I enjoyed it a lot more knowing that it wouldn't stick around past noon.

Finn and the snowman with their carrots.

 Meg's hair is finally long enough to braid, and is way more effort to do then I would like.  I have loved having a boy for that reason...no doing hair, but I'm going to have to get comfortable because I have two girls.

Finn got his first real bike, and it has been wonderful!  We go on walks all the time now that I don't have to figure out how to haul three littles.  I think he loves the freedom of it all too!

Too cool for school!

My parents received their mission call to Nauvoo IL and went into the MTC at the beginning of May. Their very generous neighbors the Giffiths had ALL of us over for a farewell dinner and FHE.  They have a most excellent pool that we all played in to our hearts content.  We are such a tight family, we are going to miss having my parents around for the next 18 months, but we know it is where they need to be.

One last family shot on Mother's day with the kids and Grandma Tiede.  What a blessing these people are to me!

We got to spend some time with our friends the Dalhgrens at a jump park the other night.  Finn and his buddy Lilly had so much fun together.  When I see Finn's face like this, I can tell his soul is happy, and that brings me the greatest happiness!

It's been a busy crazy month, and it's only getting busier it seems.  I think I'll take a cue from E and sleep when and where I can.

.one.

Eisley,
It's a magical thing the first year of life.  So much happens in such a short amount of time.  You started out so fragile and little.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I first held you because of the miracle it all was.

 And of course you had a lot of fighting to do before you could even be home with us.

As hard as those first weeks were, they were spiritually special and something that I won't forget.  It opened my mind, and heart to a lot of things that I couldn't have known any other way.  You continue to teach me things as you grown and learn about life.  Daddy and I will always be your biggest supporter and love you through all the ups and downs of life.  You are our special miracle in every way, and we know God has a purpose and a plan for you!  We LOVE you baby girl!!!

Even though you're our biggest baby (weighing in at 17 lbs, which puts you in the 20%), we can still fit you inside a tiny locker.  You can thank daddy for this.

Sitting and rolling like crazy, but no crawling or walking.  You pulled yourself up in the crib for the first time the other day so that's big news.

Another daddy shot

.11.

Eisley,
The time is getting closer to you turning one, and it blows my mind every time I let myself think about it.  Happily this month has been less exciting then last.  No major health problems, and continued happiness.  The weather has been so warm in February that we spent a lot of time getting some vitamin D outside with your siblings.

Still no crawling or walking, but LOTS of rolling and sitting and playing.  I've really enjoyed having a sitter and player for so long.  I know it's only a matter of time before you start really moving, so I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

A new thing this month is that you're hair is finally long enough on top to put it up in a small little tuft.

you were not happy in this picture as is evident by the red teary eyes, but I just love the bed head so much that I had to take it.

A cute little pink bow on top!

You are chunking up too weighing in around 18 pounds.  Which isn't really a lot, but for my babies it is.  Of course compared to other babies you still seem so little.

Our buddy Jonah is 2 months younger but has already surpassed you in weight and height, but we love our little babies just how they are.

You have started dancing a lot lately and it is absolutely wonderful.  Like your sister, when you hear a song you start moving to your own rhythm.  We really enjoy watching you girls do your thing!

We love watching you change and grow everyday, and are so happy you're a part of our family Eisley.  You make us all so happy baby girl!

.hitting deductibles, climbing out of windows, new mattresses, and sunshine.

My heavens...life really never slows down a bit does it?  Just when I think things start to get into a groove and I can get ahead a bit, something else hits.  I'm just trying to write down some of the things from the last month before I forget everything that happened.  I hate doing month recaps, but it seems all that I'm capable of these past few months.  So here it is in all it's recap-ness.

The BIG thing that happened this month was sick Eisley.  We got our first ambulance ride and everything.  Nothing like meeting your deductible right out of the gate right? (you can read more about that in her 10 month update).

  We are so blessed by good family and friends.  They helped us through all the madness with watching kiddos, picking up cars, and bringing care packages.  We always feel God's love through the kindness of others.  Thank you a hundred times over for your selflessness!!!

someone left us a sweet care package for the kids filled with puzzles, coloring books, and treats.  Finn said it was the nicest thing ever!!! 

Meg, as is well known is our little miss busy body.  She runs me ragged and seems to never stop.  Getting older has only allowed her to get into MORE things, so it's a never ending battle.  In an effort to keep her out of Finn's toy's I tell Finn to shut his bedroom door as she has not quite acquired the necessary height to open the door knob.  The other morning I went in to his room to coax him into getting ready for preschool instead of playing with his legos.  I shut the door behind me so Meg wouldn't come into bother us.  As usual she sat outside the door crying dramatically because she wasn't allowed in.  After a LONG discussion about having to hurry to get ready I got up to go get the girls and me ready.  To my dismay, I realized Meg had locked the door (in our defense we changed the door knobs around so that Finn wouldn't lock himself IN).  So there we were,  Finn and I locked in Finn's room in our pajamas, with Meg crying frantically on the other side of the door.  I panicked a little as I scrambled to find something to open the door.  Finally I realized I would have to go out the window pajamas, bed head, and all.  I can only imagine if any of my neighbors saw me, what they were thinking.  When I got back in the house, Meg was still laying on the ground outside of Finn's door crying like an abandoned child...seriously!!!

sleeping is the only time this one is still...and even then she moves a lot!

We spent Valentines going out on a lunch date, and getting a new mattress.

The best thing about this February has been the absolutely amazing weather. You really can't beat 60 degrees in February!

.10.

Miss Eisley, you broke into the double digits of life with flare to say the least.  With older siblings, it's almost inevitable that you get all the germs they come in contact with.  Finn and Meg picked up a pretty wicked cold that led to lots of coughing.  I wasn't surprised, or even at all concerned when you picked it up as well.  About the fourth day of this cold you were still running a pretty high fever and coughing a lot so I made an appointment with the pediatrician Monday morning.  They put you on oxygen right away as your O2 levels were between 82/90 (anything below 90 gets you a trip to a hospital).  Once the dr. assessed you, it was decided that an ambulance ride up to Primary Children's hospital was what needed to happen because you were still too low without the oxygen on.  I felt terrible because I just had no idea how bad you were.  Sometimes being a quiet pleasant baby has its draw backs.

 A first for both of us...an ambulance ride up to Primary's.

Once we got to the hospital they deep suctioned you out and watched your vitals.  The respiratory therapist  seemed happy with how you were doing on the oxygen and so they put is in the observation unit to watch how you did for 6 hours.

finally catching a little bit of sleep in the ER waiting to be taken to the observation unit.

 After about 8 hours in the observation unit, the pediatrician felt confident in letting you go home with oxygen, so dad and I got the run down on how to work the tanks, and packed you up ready to go home.  Momma was so tired, but had to stay up waiting for the oxygen concentrator to show up around 12:30 in the morning.

 Momma got to spend a lot of one on one time with you the next day.  It was nice to give my undivided attention to just you.
At the follow up appointment the next day the dr. was still concerned with the crackle in your lungs, so he put you on an anti-biotic.  Within 2 days you were doing so much better and the dr. said it sounded like night and day since the last visit.  You were taken off the oxygen which made both of us very happy!

first night in a week that you slept without oxygen...beautiful!

 You have bounced back to your usual happy self, and have even started moving so much more.  And amidst all the craziness, you popped out your first tooth.  We are so happy to have you healthy and well again.  It's a scary thing to have sick babies.
 We love you little Eisley, happy 10 months baby girl!