Halloween 2016

This year we decided to dress up as zoo animals. We already had a bear outfit for Kimball - I think it came in one of the big bags of boy clothes I bought when I was pregnant with Aidan - so we planned our other costumes around his.

Jayze was an elephant, I was a zebra, and Aidan was a tiger. Obviously, we had to get a little creative with the elephant ears and nose and tiger ears. All credit goes to Jayze.

Aidan wasn't much of a fan of the face paint; he kept rubbing his nose, so by the time I took pictures, most of it had rubbed off. He also wasn't really a fan of the tiger ears. I tried not to call too much attention to them, because if I ignored them, he did too. It was only when I bent down to adjust them, he pulled them off. All night long, Jayze and I kept asking him what sound a tiger makes, and all night long he said, "Roar! Roar!" Until someone else asked him, then it was more of a mouthed, "Roar!"

Our ward celebrated Halloween early and hosted a chili cook-off and trunk or treat. It was Aidan's first trunk or treat. We didn't go trick or treating or trunk or treating last year because it's always soooo cold in Rexburg around Halloween and Aidan was only a little over a year old anyway. So this year I was excited to walk him around to each car and teach him how to say, "Trick or treat!" and put candy in his pillowcase (didn't you ever use pillowcases as candy buckets when you were little?). :) I don't think he really knew what was going on. He's really shy, so he mostly just mouthed, "Trick or treat," and "Thank you," but I think he liked it anyway.

One of the ward members was holding his son's toy light saber. Since Aidan couldn't stop staring at it, the ward member let Aidan play with it. Aidan was fascinated by it! He couldn't stop pushing the button that lit it up and made the light saber noise. I think that might just go on his Christmas wish list...

That night Jayze and I read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," out loud after we put the kids to bed. It was both of our first time reading the actual story. It was so fun, and I think it might become a Halloween tradition.

Tonight for FHE we're going to crack open the mummy pinata my mom sent, play the Halloween Memory Game my mom made, and eat some chocolate. Thanks, Mom, for helping make our Halloween more fun!

Happy Halloween from the Flake Family!

Checking In

As much as I'd love to say that everything went perfectly with my goals last week, that's just not the case. However, I did make a lot of improvement, and I'll just hang on tightly to that.

Get up at six: In my last post, I wrote a few goals I wanted to work on for a week. I'm happy to say that I got up at six o'clock most days. On the days I couldn't exercise right at six because I was feeding Kimball or because Aidan woke up earlier than usual, I still tried to get my scripture study in or the dishes done while Jayze exercised. Like I said, it wasn't perfect, but I feel good about the progress.

Pray: Praying and relying on God more really made all the difference in my daily schedule. Although, I think Satan took it as a personal challenge to deter me in any way possible, which was hard. But God provided miracles, tender mercies, strength, and peace, and for that I'm grateful.

Journal: One night I turned to Jayze and showed him the dates on my journal. I told him, "I love it when it's like this," and proceeded to show him that even though I missed a couple of days, I had written almost every night. There's something special about preserving your own life. It helps me to go back and read and see that yes, I did learn and grow when I thought I hadn't.

Outside: On Sunday, Jayze had a church meeting in the evening, so it was just me and the kids. Aidan was dying to go outside, and to be honest, I was too. There's something so magical and serene about the evening air. The sun was just about to go down, but still warm on my face. It smelled like fall. The grass was turning poky, but still soft beneath our bare feet. Aidan could hardly contain his happiness as I chased him around the grass outside; Kimball giggling as he bounced on my hip. At one point, Aidan took my hand and steered me across the parking lot to where more grass and trees were. It was a joyful moment, and I'm glad we took advantage of the beautiful evening.

Less time on phone: This was a struggle for me, especially on the days Aidan didn't take a nap and I really needed a break to retain my sanity. I'd set up a little video for Aidan and then check my email, catch up on text messages, and check in with Facebook and Instagram. I feel like those things are fine, but not at my child's expense. I'm planning to come up with other activities this week to help both Aidan and me with the daily boredom that comes from not having a car every day. Any fun, indoor or outdoor activity ideas are welcome!

Smile more: As I made a conscious effort to not take things too seriously, my mom-load lightened. When Aidan wouldn't listen or get into things he knew he wasn't supposed to, I'd take a deep breath and try to find the humor in it all, or at least be as patient as I could (again, not perfect). The other day I came back from the bathroom to find Aidan in Kimball's room, with his sunglasses on, sucking on Kimball's pacifier, and going through my jewelry box. I really wish I had had my camera, but that moment will forever be filed away because it was so funny.

Look for the good: There was so much good this week. There were also hard and stressful times, but really, it was mostly good. I think Satan is a big mean-o and when he gets me to look at the bad, that's all I see. But when I look at the good, it's really not as bad I think. Things worked out, some nights my belly was sore from laughing so hard, and the perfectionist in me shrugged off the non-essential things like leaving a couple of dishes in the sink or the clothes in the dryer until the next day.

All in all, this was such a good exercise for me. On hard days, I found myself led again to my posted goals and became motivated to accomplish them. I believe it is empowering to write down goals and dreams, and I plan to do it more in the future.

In other news, Kimball rolled over for the first time yesterday! I jumped for joy and whooped and cheered, and Aidan got in on all the excitement too. Way to go K-man.

Right after rolling over for the first time.

New Goals

Lately, my thoughts have been scattered, and it has been hard to put my feelings into words. I think that writer's block is a real thing, and I'm trying to take Stephen King's advice of, "You must not come lightly to a blank page" (On Writing).

It seems that the past few weeks - probably ever since we moved to Kansas - I've had up and down days. One day I'll be super motivated and get so many things done. I'll happily check things off my to-do list and feel proud of what I accomplished that day. Then the next day I'm in a slump. The crushing, overwhelming realization of all I still need to do hits me. The motivation I had the previous day leaves, and I end up feeling discouraged about my seemingly poor efforts in my roles as a mother, homemaker, and wife. It has been quite the roller coaster, to say the least.

"When you're in a Slump, 

you're not in for much fun. 

Un-slumping yourself is not easily done."

(Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places You'll Go!)

Many different thoughts and ideas have crossed my mind of what I can do to do better and be better - as a person in society, in church, and in my home. Yet, it seems there's not enough time in the day, and my priorities tend to get off course. It has been a struggle finding the precarious balance between giving my all to all of my different roles. 

As I've pondered this and more, one thought that keeps coming back is to just keep working on myself and everything will work out. Don't waste my time comparing myself to others and utilize my time for improving me. So, naturally, the question popped up, "What can I do to improve me when I already have so many things to do that others need?" 

For example, moving to-do's like car registration, unpacking boxes, and organizing in such a small space, and so on. Daily to-do's like feeding my kids, changing diapers, playing with my kids, dishes, dinner, laundry, and cleaning the house. All of these "to-do's" affect me and make me feel less stressed when they're done, but I'm left wondering when I can do simple things for me, like reading my scriptures, taking a shower, painting my nails (anyone who knows me knows I love painting my nails), blogging, exercising, sometimes even brushing my teeth (gross, I know).

Sometimes a mom/wife life is hard. It's stretching yourself thin, making sure everyone else is okay first and then checking in with you. So, since I've been feeling a little stretched thin lately and want to find balance between it all, I've decided to set new goals to help me un-slump myself and be motivated at least 80% of the time, instead of 50%. 

My list is small and simple, but do-able. These are what I'm going to work on this week, and next week I'll check in with how I did.

• Get up at six every morning and exercise (a goal both my husband and I have set).
• Pray more. Even if I can only do it in my heart at certain times. Try to kneel and say my prayers out loud as much as possible.
• Write in my journal every evening.
• Get outside with the kids more, especially Aidan. 
• Spend less time on my phone.
• Smile more. Be happy. Don't take things too seriously. Some things just aren't worth getting mad over.
• Look for the good.

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."

~Thomas A. Edison~ 

Pictures from yesterday while waiting for Jayze to get off work.

Celebrating Aidan

Aidan turned two years old on September 25. I don't think words can ever express how much love I have for him in my heart. He is my bright light, my little fire of hope, and I love him so.

He is obsessed with cars and trucks. He loves planes and making animal sounds. He also loves throwing and kicking balls. His vocabulary has taken off, and he says so many words now in addition to learning new words every day.

His imagination has taken off, too. I'll walk in on him playing and interacting with his stuffed animals or making his cars and trucks crash. At lunch time, bananas turn into planes, and at dinner time pasta turns into revving cars.

Aidan is the sweetest little boy. Lately he wants to pray at the most random times. The other day I walked into the living room to him kneeling down by the coffee table with his arms folded, a little mumble jumble escaping his lips, and a very pronounced, resounding "Amen!" at the end.

He has the cutest, cheesiest, funniest smile and the most adorable, contagious belly laugh. He loves it when Jayze and I wrestle with him on the floor, chase him around the apartment, and drive his trucks around with him. His dad and I essentially turn into jungle gyms whenever we lay on the floor or couch.

He also enjoys books so.much. If I tell him no to watching a movie and ask him if he wants to read a book instead, his face lights up, and he runs to his room yelling, "Booooooooook!" If I'm changing Kimball's diaper or busy with something else and can't read to him when he asks, he'll read the book by himself and is so good at it. My inner English nerd is pretty much overjoyed at how much Aidan loves books.

Ever since he was old enough to understand Jayze and me more (I don't remember his exact age - possibly a little over a year old), when we would put him to bed, he would just talk and talk in his little voice words only children his age, angels, or Heavenly Father understood. Sometimes he would laugh and laugh as if someone were making faces at him or playing peek-a-boo. Even now, at two years old, he'll giggle and laugh and talk as if someone was there playing with him. Every time it makes me wonder if it's Alma. Children are so close to heaven, and I'd like to think it is Alma in there with Aidan, establishing a brotherly bond even though they are apart. It makes me smile, and I can't wait to see if the same thing happens with Kimball.

On rainy days or while dinner is in the oven and we're waiting for Daddy to come home, Aidan and I will snuggle on the couch and watch Mormon Messages (we've probably watched the "truck one" aka "Bearing Our Burdens With Hope" about a million times) or little clips of Disney on YouTube. His favorite movie, though, is definitely Cars, with Planes being a close second.

He is the cutest little helper. If he sees me unloading the dishwasher, he's quick to pick up a dish and hand it to me while I put it away until the dishwasher is empty. When it's time to switch over the laundry from the washer to the dryer, he'll stand at the open dryer and I'll hand clothes to him one by one and he'll put them in. He loves to firmly shut the dryer door when I say, "All done!"

He is the most meticulous toddler I've seen. He's been that way since he was a baby. I know I need to vacuum when he comes up to me with a crumb or piece of lint squished between two fingers and asks, "Trash?" and when I say yes, happily puts it in the trash. Little things like that in other areas as well don't escape him, and I think it's safe to say that if he had a resume, "attention to detail" would be on it.

There are so many more things I could say about my little man. The way he gives me a hug (and he is not a natural hugger or cuddler) when he sees me cry. Running his daily run from the kitchen to his room and back again. The way he imitates whatever Jayze and I are doing. His hunger for learning. How bittersweet him growing up is for me. His calm, reserved nature and (mostly) quiet happiness.

Happy Birthday, Aidan buddy. I'm so grateful for the light and hope you helped bring back into my life. I love you forever my sweet boy.

 

 

4 Month Stats

Good news! Drum roll please....we now have a pediatrician for the kids!

I am SO excited! I have been stressing about this since we moved from Rexburg. Babies need to go to the doctor so often, and I have missed keeping Kimball up on his vaccinations and knowing his growth rate.

Even though Kimball turns five months old in four days, today was technically his four month visit. So, here are his four month stats.

Height: 25.5 inches (31%)

Weight: 17 lbs 7 oz. (69%)

Head: 17.05 inches (74%)

He is definitely a growing boy! He already fits into 6-month clothes and into 9-month pajamas. I was kind of excited when he started fitting into 6-month clothes, though, because we have such cute outfits in that size. And he has two teeth! (both are on the bottom) Babies growing up definitely comes with a bittersweet feeling.

Some of Kimball's favorite things:

• Grabbing onto his feet. Aidan never did that without some prodding from me, so it's been really fun to see how much Kimball does it on his own. 
• Attention. 
• Smiling.
• Talking and being talked to.
• Chewing on his fingers.
• Being tickled.
• Having his diaper changed and getting dressed.
• Being held. Seriously, he is my cuddly baby, and I can't get enough of it. 
• Grabbing onto things like my hair, my face, my shirt, his toys, Aidan's toys, his blanket, his burp cloth, his bib, his pants...pretty much anything within his reach.
• Getting his hair brushed.
• Taking naps. Although he has an aversion to sleeping very long in his car seat when it's not in a moving vehicle (aka stroller or van).
• Watching Aidan run and play. 
• Standing. Sometimes he'll only burp after eating while he's standing up.

 I'm eagerly anticipating how he'll react to solid foods. We'll try rice cereal soon.

All in all, Kimball is a very chill, sweet baby. I love his gray/blue eyes, his dark hair, the way he loves his family, and all of the milestones he's reached and will reach in the very near future.