My Beautiful Babies

Wearing my beautiful girl (and her big sister, too)

2010-10-03T21:56:00.005-06:00

I have decided to write a bit about my experience with wearing my children, mainly my daughters since I didn't discover the great carriers till then.

I hope to put a picture or two of me wearing my kids, but right now I don't have any on this computer, and I feel I should write right now.

When Zach was tiny, someone gave me a snugli or some similar front pack. He liked it much more than a stroller, but it was not extremely comfortable for me, and I gave it up before he was one. Choosing instead to carry him in my arms or hope he would accept the stroller when we were out and walking.

Then I came across a ring sling at the D.I. (Deseret Industries), and decided to try that out. I didn't have a clue how to adjust it or get him in there comfortably. I didn't use it much. It was winter, Zach was a year old, and there was not much time we were out for very long.

Around this time, I had a visiting teacher who wore her little boy in a wrap all over the place. She did not know a ton about how to do it, but I know from what she said someone was giving her pointers. She also looked at how to do back carries and just figured it out. I remember her figuring out how to get her son off her back somewhere other than at home in my living room on my couch. I thought that must be comfortable, and sometime after that started looking at websites for how to make and use different carriers.

When Zina was tiny, I read how and made a pouch sling from a tight old t-shirt. She love to be in it looking out at the world. She looked like a little kangaroo joey looking out like that. And I loved it till she got a bit heavier and the stretch of the t-shirt pouch put her farther away from my body than was comfortable.

Then I learned how to make and use a wrap. I practiced in front of my husband putting Zina on my front mainly for a long time. I felt so great being able to wear her and chase my son. Plus, I only had a single stroller, and my son turned 2 just after Zina was born. I loved my wrap and ventured to put her on my back. She loved it! It was so comfortable for both of us. I remember spring of 2009 wearing her in my homemade wrap on my back and letting her eat off my plate. She felt secure, and I didn't have to worry about her falling off the bench (we were in a school cafeteria). Some people thought it was wierd, but she was safe.

This last summer I attended the International Babywearing Conference in Rigby, Idaho. I was 30-some weeks pregnant and feeling huge. I brought my 2 1/2 year old Zina and decided to try one of the carriers from the lending library. I tried a Baby So Smart mei tai, and LOVED it. I hadn't worn Zina much lately because she wanted up and down so much, and that was a lot of tying and untying the entire wrap. She loved the mei tai, but wanted up and down a lot, too. It was easier for me to do the up and down with it. And I hardly felt like I was carrying her that way. I was sold on mei tais!

Now, with Eliza, I made a pouch sling that I really like for more short term wearing. She is about 12 lbs, and that feels better on both shoulders. I also use my wrap, but it is not my favorite. I bought a mei tai like the one I borrowed from the lending library this summer and am loving wearing Eliza. At 2 months, I am working on getting her on to my back by myself so I can do everything I need to do truly hands free. I wear her on my front quite a bit. We go for walks. At under 1 month I discovered how to nurse her in the wrap. And just this last week I figured out how to nurse completely hands free in the mei tai while walking through wal-mart and not flashing any breast while I was at it. That was amazing to me. How else would I be able to take both my new baby and toddler to a crowded store and meet all their needs? How else would I be able to exercise and chase the other two so easily?

I am so thankful to those that have taught me to wear my babies. I am grateful that I am not the only one that feels the need to keep their child near and still be able to do day to day things. I know that not everyone will choose this way of parenting. But this needs to be able to be a choice for others.

For more information on babywearing and others experiences, please visit here and here. If you want to share your babywearing story, post a blog and link it to these two sites. It may inspire others. And at "Adventures in Babywearing", there is a giveaway for one of those that links there story.

*Edited to add: Also share it at Wrapsody to win a microfleece wrap. I would have posted this without the chance of a giveaway, but with it makes it even better!

Eliza is here!

2010-08-28T07:26:00.004-06:00

(One of Eliza's first pictures, with Grandma's hand and in my arms)
So, I am slow at this blogging thing. Eliza Lida Robinson was born on August 2, 2010 at 6:41 a.m. She weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces and was 21 inches long. She is bigger now!!
(WARNING: Birth story follows. Pictures are all decent, though, if you want to scroll through them and not read. More pictures under the story.)
We planned to have Eliza at home with a midwife because I have always been interested in that and I got a bit frustrated with who I was going to have deliver at the hospital. The midwives were not worried about my past history of having my water break with no contractions immediately following, so that eased my bit of concerns. We were prepared for my labor to be pretty long because that is what often happens when someone has had pitocin in a previous labor.
I was sure I would go into labor as soon as I had gotten everything done I wanted to do that was family related: two family reunions and a bridal shower. The bridal shower was Saturday, July 31. I was feeling really pregnant and wondering how long I could go feeling that way. Sunday, at choir practice, I felt great and even joked that I would probably go late just because I wanted to be at Brad and Lisa's wedding days after my due date.
Early Monday morning, at about 2:30 a.m., I woke feeling kinda labor-y. I don't know how else to explain it. I knew than that I would have her that day. I called Cathy, the midwife, and told her how I was feeling. She told me to try to get some sleep and call when I started contractions. Well, I went back up to bed but couldn't really get back to sleep because I knew it would be that day. I told Steve not to go to work that day because I knew she would be born that day and I didn't think I could get to Steve where he is working. (They have no cell service there and I would have to send someone to get him back, and he was working about an hour from home.) I started having contractions probably between 3:15 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., but I tried to ignore them.
After about 5 contractions, I decided I should time them because I wasn't even dozing between them! I timed two contractions, and that is when they went from 7 minutes apart to 5 minutes apart! I had been told to call when they were 7 minutes apart and not stopping. I called Cathy back, and she told me that she would just take a shower and be on her way. I was sure that would be fine, since I was prepared for a long labor. These contractions were strong from the beginning. Not long after I talked to Cathy, I remember thinking, "If I was in the hospital and this labor was very long, I would probably get an epidural." They felt like the transition contractions felt with my other labors. And it was a lot of back labor, like it was with Zach. Not too fun!
Well, at about 5 I told Steve I wanted him awake. He got up and going and did a few last minute things I wanted done before the baby was born. Then I sent him down to make us breakfast because I had been told that I should eat during labor. I was getting hungry, which should have been a sign that I was getting close because I have never been hungry till nearly transition. During this whole time, I had been timing contractions on the cell phone. It helped me to get through them with a lot of control to know how far apart they were and how long they were. When I saw that they were 2-3 minutes apart before Steve got breakfast done, I threw the phone across the room to our bed. I didn't want them to be so close and the timing was not helping anymore. I didn't want to be alone anymore, so I headed down to be with Steve and wait for breakfast to be done.
About then, at 5:45 a.m., Cathy called and told me she was just past Idaho Falls on her way. I knew that meant more than an hour drive, but I still thought that my labor would be long. Cathy was slightly concerned because my contractions were so close, but I was about to eat so she thought we had a bit of time left.
As soon as we got off the phone, Steve finished the eggs he was cooking for us. I took a bite and the contractions changed. I still thought I just needed the bathroom since I had been in it about every 5 minutes since contractions had started. I told Steve to bring the food up to the room and headed up to the bathroom I was most comfortable with. I knew as soon as I was there that it wasn't a bathroom I needed, but the contractions were getting pushy. When Steve came up, I was sitting on the bed freaking out a bit. I knew there was no way the midwife was going to get there in time! I told Steve I felt pushy, and told him to go get his mother! This was between 6 and 6:10 a.m. I screamed-yelled, but pretty quietly while Steve went to get his mother. During this time, I calmed myself down telling myself that I had done this before twice and that women have done this for centuries with or without assistance. I also reminded myself that Steve's mother had 7 of 9 of her children at home, many without a midwife present.
My mother-in-law came up and told me that everything would be fine. About then, my water broke! That freaked me out again because I have been told that things go faster after the water breaks. That was not the case with me. Contractions completely stopped for 5 or 10 minutes. I told Steve to call Cathy and let her know what was going on. He did and she gave him a bunch of instructions in case she was not there when Eliza was born because the phone is corded and would not reach where we were. He came back upstairs and I had him put the batteries in the camera. Then I remembered his brother has a cell phone that will work in the house (ours won't). He got it and called Cathy, who was quite relieved to be able to talk me through things. She told me not to hold back and that everything would be fine. My mother-in-law told me that I didn't have to push. By this point we were past that choice!
I got a bit worried at one point and asked Cathy where she was, and she said nearly American Falls. I felt better knowing she was on her way and could hear us. I didn't actually try to push, I just let my body do what it was supposed to do. When I felt Eliza crowning, I told Steve, "She is right there, LOOK!" He did, just in time to help guide her out. She was born in less than a contraction from crowning to entire body.
Steve handed her to me, and I was so happy to be holding her! Steve and his mother were a bit worried about her breathing, but she was breathing fine right from birth! After a few seconds she cried, which is more than my other two had done. Cathy told us that she was born at 6:41 a.m. according to her clock. I put Eliza to the breast because she was rooting and demanding to be fed right then! Cathy got there 20 minutes later, and I was just laying there feeding my baby and had delivered the placenta. An hour after that, the student midwife that was to assist got there.
People have said that should be traumatic to me, but it was a wonderful birth. We have a plan to get the midwife there in time if we decide to have another baby at home, and everything went well. My plan if we had been going to have her in the hospital was to get there at the last possible second, so I would have probably had her in the car. I would much rather do it at home than in the car.
Enjoy the pictures that follow. I would label them, but Eliza is wanting me again! I will post more soon, I hope.

Update

2010-04-07T10:49:00.003-06:00

Well, I keep waiting to have pictures to post with my writing, but my computer deleted everything on it as I finished school, and my mom's computer was having problems with its pictures, so I guess no picture! Plus, I better post this soon or it will be REALLY old news!

We are expecting again! This time, a summer baby. I am excited about being able to go outside and not need to bundle the baby up this time! I am due August 13th. Also, we just found out last week that it is a GIRL!!!! A wiggly, kicking, never stop moving girl! If anyone thinks boys are more active in the womb, it is not true for my family! Zach was pretty quiet, only pushing and stretching. Zina kicked and had hiccups and rolled. And this one kicks and moves and makes me feel like she is going to burst right out sometime, and I am only about halfway along! Wow, what a mover!

We are still living with Steve's parents, and it is pretty good. I am starting to wish for a place of my own again. I miss doing things on my schedule and in my own way. Steve is still looking for work, and I am looking a bit. I really want to be a stay at home mom. It is what I told myself I could do when I got done with school. It is what kept me going when it was so hard to be away from my kids. I just told myself, "when I graduate, I can be with them as much as I want". It will work out. I know it.

GRADUATION and CELEBRATION!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-17T14:50:00.003-07:00

Sorry I have taken so long to blog! I have been busy, busy, busy! As you can tell, it has been for a purpose, and I am SO glad I am just a couple assignments away from graduating! I just have a few things for my internship to do this afternoon, and then NO MORE SCHOOL!!!! At least for the time being. I may someday continue on to get an even higher education, but for now I am very content in raising my children and, maybe, working a bit.

Just a bit about the announcement above: Isn't it amazing! Carisa, Steven's 17 year old cousin, took our family pictures this year and then offered to design a graduation announcement for me. She ended up presenting me with four different options, and this is by far my favorite one! It is so fun and cute! And I do actually like this picture.

Well, I better go finish my homework so I actually get a diploma with this graduation ceremony! I promise another blog post in the not-too-distant future! :) And it will include cuter pictures than this, also!

What has been going on with us, and Zachary's new do

2009-07-14T19:58:00.004-06:00

(Zachary and his mohawk! Till Grandma finished cutting it off! He really liked it, that is just his camera face right now.)

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted! I really didn't fall off the face of the earth or anything, just been busy busy busy!!!

Right after my last post, I had finals, then there was getting adjusted to summer days. Following that, we realized Steve was not working enough to justify staying in Rexburg so we moved home with the family the 1st of July. I don't know if I will be able to post any pictures for a bit, but I will look. I am using my mom's computer and there are not always pictures of my kids on this computer.

Since we moved to Pocatello, Steve has had more hours at work, and I have been subbing for a local daycare a bit. Actually, I got two days last week, I worked today, and I will work tomorrow, too, before heading out to Scottsdale, Arizona for the weekend! I feel like I haven't even stopped to breath since this month started!! I promise to post again soon!

Zach's Answers About Me

2009-03-25T09:41:00.004-06:00

(Zach got me to stick my tongue out with him.
He must have been eating chocolate!)

I got this from Kari's blog and thought I would see what Zach would say!

Ask your kids these questions about you and post their answers.

Zachary was 3 years 3 months old(nearly) when I asked him these. I tried to write out his answers as I heard them. I now think Zach is in a very egocentric stage with little compassion for his mother!

1. What is something mom always says to you? nothin'

2. What makes mom happy? nofin'

3. What makes mom sad? the sun

4. How does your mom make you laugh? just haha (makes laughing sounds)

5. What was your mom like as a child? then I was a child of God

6. How old is your mom? you're little guys

7. How tall is your mom? you're not tall guys

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? you like to watch your show

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? your class

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? me

11. What is your mom really good at? nufin'

12. What is your mom not very good at? preschool

13. What does your mom do for her job? nufin', she's little. Don't do anything.

14. What is your mom's favorite food? hamburgers

15. What makes you proud of your mom? this wall (pointing to one with pictures on it)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Tigger show (we were watching Winnie the Pooh at the time)

17. What do you and your mom do together? nufin'

18. How are you and your mom the same? I'm little, you're little, Daddy's little and ZIna's little. We're ALL little!

19. How are you and your mom different? we're not.

20. How do you know your mom loves you? 'cause Zina's grabbing me.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? Mom doesn't like Daddy. She's so sad.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? to the grocery store.

Do you want to say anything else? I'm jumping really HIGH on the trampoline! (he started jumping on the couch)

Nothing like asking your little boy a bunch of questions about you to make you feel pretty down. According to Zach I am nothing, do nothing and like nothing. I am glad Zina is a bit too young to ask these questions about!

Zina, the computer girl

2009-03-09T17:18:00.002-06:00

Zina loves the computer! When she is really grumpy, we get on youtube and play Celtic Woman, or, lately, Jeff Dunham and Peanut. She discovered she can push buttons and make things happen on the computer. Obviously driving her parents nuts. I can't get on the computer without her helping usually. The only reason I am able to right now is she has also discovered the TV and Zach turned on Disney Channel.

Some other things with Zina lately are that she is trying to get the rest of her teeth right now, she says "no" and "please" and "pigs"(her toes), and she is walking all over. I sent her to her grandma's just taking a few steps here and there, and came back to a little girl that walks across rooms with no problems.

Just one last picture. I know, three pictures of the same thing, and not even a face picture. Just ignore the messy desk and I will get some front pictures of her soon.

Zachary's Valentine Stickers

2009-03-08T17:33:00.002-06:00

Zach got some stickers for Valentine's Day from his Grandma Robinson. He was SO excited! He put ALL of them on him at one time. Look how proud he is! This first picture was actually last, but it is so cute I wanted it on top!

Zach in the midst of putting his stickers on himself. He also put them on me and every one and every thing he could get them on! We are still finding them stuck to odd places and things.

Some funny things about Zach right now are:

He asks "why" about everything.
He tries to tell "knock-knock" jokes, but they have no endings
He asks "what did you/he/she/me say" after about everything any one says, including himself sometimes
He is starting to spend more time and patience when he colors. When we go to a restaurant, he will keep busy coloring till the food comes. Once he didn't want to eat because he was TOO into coloring.

And don't pay attention to the date on the picture. I know it wasn't January when I took it, but at least the year is right!

The Mean Blogger Won't let me post pics

2009-02-20T09:35:00.002-07:00

It refuses to load pictures! Blogger is being mean!!! I wanted to put up pictures of my children, whom I am missing and going to pick up today, but blogger just won't have it.
I know that I have been posting a lot lately. Must be all the free time not having my kids with me leaves me. That and missing them.
This post, in its HUGE font, is mainly to put a post between the top of the blog and my foot blog post. I thought people may prefer seeing pics of my babies over pics of my foot. Since Blogger won't let me load pics today, I just typed REALLY big.

Have a great day! And weekend. Post later.

My Foot, one week later

2009-02-19T16:05:00.003-07:00

Okay. Here is a warning if you don't want to look, they are pictures of my foot a week post-surgery minus the bandages. There is a little blood, some tape and bruising. I don't think they look too bad, but I put lots of space so you don't have to see them. The first picture you get to is just the bruising and tape on top, so pretty safe. And on there just for you, Tina. Thought you would like the bruise with your postings on getting hit by a car. It is a pretty good bruise.

Anyway, I finally unwrapped it today and thought I would share for those that want to see. I can step on it full if I want, and it doesn't really hurt. It is a little funny feeling but not bad. It looks great for a week later. I am really happy with how it is healing. I hope it gets even better sooner rather than later. I had this done now with the intention to start training for a 5K race as soon as possible. I am hoping to be able to enter one at the beginning of the summer and one at the end, or more if I can work that out. I want to improve my times between. This is my weight loss plan. Train for a 5K and throw in some pilates and yoga for good measure. I think that will help me get healthier, lose weight and take back my waistline. I want to be a healthy, active mother. I want to be able to do everything with my children, and I want more kids. I don't want to keep gaining weight and inches with each child. I am perfectly fine with gaining the weight and inches while pregnant, but before I am pregnant again I want to be in a better place physically. And after the next pregnancy, I want to lose that weight quickly and healthy. I want to resume my workouts and not miss a beat. I would love to bounce back as quickly as I did after Zina, but the bounce back place needs to be better.

Well, scroll down a bit if you want to see the pictures of my foot. I will put a bit of space between each, and there are five of them.

The bruising. I thought this picture showed the bruising nicely, for those who like to see the bruises.

A pretty bloody picture. The flash made it look worse.

A nearly full foot view.

A close up.

One last picture.

My Little Cowboy!

2009-02-17T19:36:00.002-07:00

Apparently having my babies with their grandmas gets me missing them and looking through old pictures. This is a favorite series of pictures of Zachary. He loves that hat, but it is dying. He played too hard with it. And that jacket, Steve and I call it his "Clark Kent" jacket. I just love the combo on my little guy.

(Sorry for the blurriness above--Zach doesn't hold still and I never use the correct setting.)

Such a cute little guy! Enjoy!

My Zachary Boy!

2009-02-16T11:33:00.002-07:00

I am really in a blogging mood. These are some older pictures. I need to organize my newer ones and post them.
Zach at the park in October. I love watching him run. He is carrying his coat because he didn't think it was cold. He has such personality.

Zach is so proud of his piano skills. I can't play because if I sit up to the piano, he steals it! I am looking forward to putting him in lessons in a year or two. I need to find someone willing to teach him.

My little man! So handsome in his suit jacket, and that red tie! He loves his red ties! He looks so grown up here.

And here is a picture of Zach as a little, tiny baby. I loved holding him this way. I can still remember exactly how it felt to have him cuddled and fit right there. He was less than four months old there.

I am missing my Zachary boy, too. He has been at my parents place since Thursday when I had surgery on my foot. I am ok leaving him there, and I bet things will be even better when he comes back. My mom is working on getting him to poop on the potty, a feat I cannot even get close to succeeding at. Yesterday he told me when I called that he pooped and pee-ed on the potty, and he asked me if I did too. It is so cute! And he is so proud of himself! Maybe this time it will stick with him, and we can count him as potty trained! He loves to talk on the phone and tease his mommy. I love him and his big personality. I cannot imagine life without him!

My Beautiful Girl

2009-02-16T11:04:00.002-07:00

Here are a few pictures of my baby girl! Taken November/December 2007.
Zina at her birthday party at Grandma Jackman's house. Don't you just love the chocolate face! And the pony tail. Oh, and I LOVE that smile! I am sure missing her right now. She is at Steve's parents house, and I am dealing with the weaning all alone.

Zina trying to reach the door. She can reach the door knob, but luckily she cannot turn it yet. She is such a busy girl.

I just love this picture. Zina trying to escape to the bathroom, her very favorite room in the house. She will follow any one to the bathroom, and if you shut the door on her she screams and bangs on the door. She is just so busy!

After I had surgery, the doctor put me on three medicines that should be safe for a nursing baby, but apparently all three together, or maybe just one of them, affected Zina. So, she kept getting sick. Her doctors said to just give her pedialyte or formula until I am off at least one of the medicines. Zina, of course, being the busy busy one track minded girl she is, could not give up the nursings. I decided to stall her for a day and see if maybe it was just some coincidence. She was not sick, so I let her nurse again the next day. A few hours later she was sick again. So, in an effort to make things easier on Zina and I, we sent her to Steve's mom. Zina has never stayed a night away, and she is used to having mommy or daddy with her all the time. I am afraid it could be quite an experience this week. But at least Zina will not be denied nursings with them right in front of her! We will pick her up Friday, and I will be so glad to have her back!

Wedding Reception Pictures

2009-02-16T10:35:00.002-07:00

More pictures from my wedding. These are some of my favorite from those taken before the reception.
The photographers had me pretend to ask for money and my dad to empty his pockets. I really wished there had been something in them.

This was the BEST picture. If only we could have gotten the picture less than ten seconds after this. See how Travis is being shy? Well, as soon as the picture was taken and the other boys leaned back, Travis leaned in for the kiss. It was great! Too bad it didn't get taken. The boys are, from left to right: Travis, Kolton, R.Jay, Kelvin, Brad, Brandon and Greg.

Aren't these two fo the most handsome men you have ever seen? I personally think my hubby is quite sexy in this picture. And Kasey is not far behind him.

Tina throwing her hair back. Just trying to catch some boys. We had so much fun! And she looked absolutely lovely.

Of course, I had to post another kissy picture. I told the photographers I wanted kissing pictures, and they did a great job of it!

Okay, I'm going to go back to pictures of my babies for a while. You never know, maybe I will feel inspired to post some more wedding pictures soon!

Wedding Pictures

2009-02-16T10:20:00.002-07:00

Misty told me she had not seen my wedding pictures, so I decided to post some. I will probably do another post of wedding pictures.
One of our favorites. In the shadows, under an arch. I absolutely love this one.

Holding our beautiful niece. Paige was just months old here. I love this picture.

Us with our grandparents, at least the ones at the temple. Pretty neat, huh.

Steve and the "Fab Five": the last picture we got all the guys together in. Joe, Dan, Steve, Scott and Trent.

Just coming out of the temple. I loved my dress! I felt so beautiful.

Valentine Tag

2009-02-14T19:20:00.004-07:00

1. Who is your valentine? My husband Steven.

2. What are two things you like about him/her? He is loving and sweet.

3. What is something kind s/he has done for you? He went to WalMart and searched for a magazine to entertain me for my surgery Thursday and today he walked me up to the testing center and made arrangements for me to take a test and still do what my doctor told me to do.

4. What is something kind you have done for him/her? I drove us from his parents to ours so his headache could go away (Monday morning).

5. Does he/she know what your favorite flower/candy is? Both my favorite flower and candy change. He probably doesn't know my favorite flower because they change. He says it is any flower from him, which is true. And as far as candy, I really like the Hershey Bliss ones, and he got me the Bliss with meltaway centers. Flowers would be better on my waistline, but I like the candy!

6. What makes your valentine extra special to you? He is the most caring, kind man. He is truly spoiling me right now with my needs.

7. People you want to tag? Anyone who will participate. Just let me know so I can see what you have to say about your Valentine!

The First Five

2009-02-14T19:10:00.003-07:00

(Picture has nothing to do with post, just cute!)

The first five...

The first people to leave a comment on this blog will receive something made by me.However there are some limitations

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make. (You are posting at your own risk trusting in my creativity....)

2. What I create will be just for you.

3. It will be done this year. (might take a while)

4. You have no clue what it is going to be, poetry, shoes, bags or a little invention of my own. I may bake something and mail it you . Who knows? Not you that's for sure!

5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. It may blow your mind!

Here's the catch, if you choose to do this. You must post this on your blog and be ready to make something for five people too. This will be fun! When you receive the fabulous item I make you, you must post a picture of it on your blog.

My babies, foot surgery and some plans

2009-02-12T18:04:00.004-07:00

Okay, I guess I like that title. I have probably used it before.
This is a picture my sister in law, Tina, took for us back in November/early December. I love that both kids actually looked at the camera. I plan to print it as an 8X10, if it will look good that big, and put on my wall and send to the grandparents. You can see Zina's then 6 teeth, and Zach being so protective of his sister. I love pictures of my little ones.
I got a Facebook page and put up an outdated picture of me and the kids for my profile picture, and people keep thinking Zina is a boy. I need to put this picture up. There is no need to have people thinking she is a boy. THIS picture leaves no question.
I will probably post more this weekend since I am supposed to be laying down or sitting with my foot up. I had surgery this morning. About an hour, awake, having something removed from my foot. I was really worried about the being awake for the surgery, but it wasn't too bad. Steve bought me a parenting magazine and Dad let me borrow his Ipod. Actually, I didn't get to listen to all the music I wanted to. I decided to listen to all of Shane Jackman, but only got to about song 25 of 47. I need an ipod, then Dad could put his music on mine. Shane's music is so calming that it made it easy. I don't think I got anything out of the magazing, but it served its purpose. It kept my mind occupied and my eyes busy.
I might post a picture of my foot later. Don't worry, it is all bandaged up and doesn't look too bad. I will put a warning at the top of that post. I think it may have lost its numbness now, but I don't know. I can walk around just fine, even without a shoe on.
Sorry for that story. I should stick to pictures of my babies. I think I will post some more recent pictures of the kids, a couple sewing projects I am working and maybe the charm quilt, if I get it organized. I love discovering this creative side of me!

Hello!

2009-02-03T18:42:00.002-07:00

Zina is my little mirror. Zach was too, especially at this age. But Zina is ALL in, and Zach would just kinda do it.
This picture was taken a couple of days ago, when Zina was feeling pretty sick. Five minutes before this picture, I took a picture of her totally lounging on me and looking so sick. Then she saw my phone light up because I opened it, and she took it down to the floor to talk to someone. She will just make cute noises and tilt her head this way and that. Apparently I talk on the phone too much! She REALLY loves it when someone is actually talking back to her. I just love to watch her.
I haven't blogged lately cause I am busy with school and kids. I am taking 12 credits, broken into 5 classes. One is online, and I haven't started it. One is on research and evaluation, which is hard and boring to me, and it takes a lot of energy to even stay focused on that class. One is a nutrition class, based on mostly the science of food. and two of them are sewing classes, home decor and clothing construction. And then to add onto it, I joined in on a scrapdown. Look for pictures soon. A group of us exchanged scraps and we are making charm quilts. I am excited.

Well, that is about all the time I have. I need to take advantage of both of my babies being asleep to get some class work and house work done!

Gone Too Long...birthdays and holidays missed

2009-01-22T14:06:00.002-07:00

Well, I was going to post pictures, but I am not very technologically gifted and cannot seem to properly open a jump drive. So, you will just have to enjoy the descriptions and hope I can post pictures soon.
It has been more than a month since I posted, and I know I do not have the time or patience to type out everything. I will just give a bit of an overview.
I lasted posted on Zina's birthday, 12/14.
My birthday was 12/19. I am feeling old. Being 27 years old and not quite done with college is a bit sad. At least I can see an end. I will graduate December 2009! (It was going to be July, but I need a class not offered in the summer.) I had a pretty good birthday. School being out for the semester was good enough to make it a good day. My babies were good to me. My husband spoiled me by taking care of most of the housework and childcare for the day. All I really had to do was nurse Zina.
Then there was Christmas. That was a CRAZY day. We had planned to get up really early, do the Santa thing and gift exchange between family, and then head out to both of our parents' places. Well, we slept in. Zach and Zina are not yet equiped with built in alarm clocks on Christmas morning. So, we woke up about 8 or 8:30 and did a quick present opening. Then we loaded in the car, with some pumpkin chocolate chip bread for breakfast, and tried to head out of town. We had to shovel from our door, up the stairs and to our car to even get in. It snowed a TON. We have a tire with a slow leak, so we thought we would put air in it, just in case. That was a bad idea. The air hose was not out, and we stopped on a drift. Luckily, we have friends nearby that were willing and able (big truck) to come pull us out of our predicament. Our friends warned us the roads were bad, but I had called and there were no urgent warnings, so we headed out anyway. The highway and freeway were perfect to Pocatello. In town was nasty. The road out to Steve's parents was closed. So we thought we would just stay at my parents' place. We opened presents and stayed for dinner. Then Steve's Dad called to let us know Brad had gotten out of Rockland and the road wasn't that bad. We hurried and packed up the kids to hurry to Rockland before it got bad again. We arrived and opened more presents. My kids are going to have too much stuff!
There was a reason for our hurrying and racing weather. Zach's birthday was the next day, 12/26, and I don't want him confusing his birthday and Christmas. He did get to open Christmas presents on his birthday because Steve's brother, Dustin, and his family were snowed in till then. It worked out great, though, because we were able to do his birthday with cousins. Zach got new shoes and a game(Chutes and Ladders) from us, and a little train from Steve's parents on his birthday. We had already celebrated it with grandparents. Then, he got to play his game with his cousins, Paige and Kody, for a bit. Paige is 5 and knows the rules, but Kody is just three like Zach and they just play how they want. I got to be the referee.
On New Year's Eve I had a doctor's appointment for my broken foot, and we decided I need to have surgery. So, I get to have that done the Thursday before Valentine's Day. What a way to spend that weekend. He ways it will only put me up off my feet for a few days, but with two kids I don't know how that will work. I guess I will find out.
The reason I have not been able to blog all this is for a few reasons. We had the computer fixed, and it was out for three weeks, then school started and the internet at our place has been patchy. If you got through all that, WOW. I will post pictures when I get internet or figure out how to use my jump drive!

Zina is one!!!

2008-12-16T08:00:00.003-07:00

I am late on this post! I could not get the internet and blogger to participate and let me blog for the last few days, so this is my first opportunity to blog since she turned one. Her birthday was Sunday, but we had a party Friday with Steve's parents and Tina, and a party Saturday morning with my parents, Grandma Sanders, my siblings, Jess and Crew, and we had another party at our house on Sunday. We just spread out the birthday celebration. And added in my birthday and Zach's.

Zina loved her cakes! The first one, Tina taught her what to do with it. The second, she didn't figure out for a while. Then she discovered it was chocolate and went to town on it! Since then she has had a piece of cake, which she destroyed. Her Grandma and Grandpa Robinson and aunt and uncles gave her a new outfit and two little soft ponies. She LOVES the ponies! Tina taught her to make noises for them, and she has been doing so ever since. She doesn't care about clothes so much yet, but I think she looks absolutely adorable in her birthday outfit. From her Grandma and Grandpa Jackman and Kolton, she got a pair of overalls, two shirts, a red winter hat, a pair of sunglasses her Grandpa thought she would like, and a duck rattle/teething toy. She doesn't really notice most of the things her grandparents gave her. She shakes the rattle, and I love how she looks in overalls. Her Uncle R.Jay, Aunt Jess and Crew gave her a toy cellphone and pink soft teddy bear. She likes to push the buttons on the cellphone and hug her bear. We gave her a puppy toy that barks when you push a button. She has the button down, and Zach pushes it whenever she is not. I am glad it has a switch. If only Zach didn't know how to turn it on!

Sweetheart Tag

2008-12-01T20:02:00.002-07:00

Here are 10 questions to answer about you and your sweetheart:

1. Where did you first meet your sweet heart? Well, I first met Steve through a letter while Steve was serving a mission. Steve's friend Joe told me to "write him and [I] can marry him when he comes home". In person meeting was in the parking lot of the Pine Ridge Mall because I convinced him to come to a wedding that he didn't know either person involved just so I could see him in person. That was May 2003.

2. What do you remember about him/her the most? He was driving an old truck, hadn't shaved in a while so he was scruffy, and was wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

3. Who asked who out first? I did. But he never agreed they were dates, we were just hanging out as friends when everyone else was coupled up.

4. What did you do on your first date? I would say it was dinner and a halloween dance, but Steve said it wasn't a date and I had an extra date! Steve says it was Forgotten Carols a month later, even though we went dutch. That is when Steve decided we were dating (even though I thought we had been for a month or more).

5. What was your favorite thing to do together when you were dating? We talked a lot on the phone. He was in Rexburg and I was in Pocatello. We also went for drives a lot, getting us back and forth for our dates.

6. When was your first kiss with your sweetheart? Well, Steve would tell you a couple dates. He kissed my cheek, which was a big deal, on President's Day 2004 after we pretended to be engaged. We kissed, like the real on the lips kind of kiss, after he proposed, I said yes to the proposal, I was wearing the ring and he asked if he could kiss me. It was his first ever kiss. I tell him I just needed to know what to teach him. That was April 17, 2004.

7. When did you first realize you loved him/her? I don't know when exactly I realized I loved him. Probably around Christmas, maybe a bit earlier. We hadn't dated long, I know that. It could have been before we even started dating.

8 Who said it (I love you) first? He says I did, but the exact timing I am not sure on. Probably during a phone call.

9. How did s/he propose? He asked if I wanted to go for a walk to the gardens on campus because neither of us had really been there. It was muddy and not as pretty as other times. I had given him about thirty easter eggs full of candy and he was eating one so I asked him for some. He said I couldn't have that one, but I could have one he handed me. I was okay with that because it was one I had filled with chocolate kisses. I opened it and found the ring. I was so excited I hugged him and probably answered him before he asked. I had known it was coming, but still did not expect it then.

10. What are two things you remember most about your wedding? I remember feeling beautiful and spoiled in my pretty dress. I also remember Steve forgetting his temple recommend in his locker in the temple and my dad having to get it.

Now Tag at least three people: Chalice, because I would love to hear your story from you; Kelly, because I don't know if I have ever heard your story; and Phil and Heather, because I would love to get to know you guys better. I would also tag any one else that wants to tell their story, but I don't know if any one really reads this. Have fun.

High School Flashback Tag

2008-12-01T19:34:00.004-07:00

(Picture has nothing to do with the post, but look close for the pony tail. It is the first one.)

Kari(Steve's cousin) tagged me with this, so I thought I better answer. You answer these questions about high school and then tagged a few people. It has been a while since I was in high school. I hope I can answer all the questions. lol

1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes, I dated a couple guys from high school. Very short lived romances, though.

2. What kind of car did you drive? For my sophomore and junior years I drove a 1978 Chevy Impala Station Wagon. It impressed the guys. It died my senior year and I then drove a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

3. Did you pass your drivers test on your first try? Yes.

4. Were you a party animal? Not really. I did hang out with friends, but it was pretty mild.

5. Were you considered a flirt? Yes, and I did not know it till my junior year.

6. Were you in band, orchestra or choir? Yes, all three for a semester. I did choir all three years, orchestra from eighth or ninth grade on and band my senior year. They needed more bodies for marching band and my friends were all in band, so I learned percussion. Just to fill in the other areas, I played violin and sang second soprano.

7. Were you a nerd? Definetely considered a nerd.

8. Were you on any varsity teams? No sports in high school for me.

9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled? Nope.

10. Can you still sing the fight song? If I thought real hard, probably.

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Mr. Bowman for choir and Mrs. Kinney for orchestra.

12. Where did you sit for lunch? With my friends.

13. What is your schools full name? Pocatello Senior High School

14. What is your school’s mascot and colors? Indians, Blue, red and white.

15. Did you go to homecoming and with who? I didn't go to homecoming in high school, but I went to ISU's homecoming when I was not going to school at all.

16. If you could go back and do it again would you? Maybe the music program, but not much more.

17. What did you remember most about graduation? Not much. It was hot, a lot of people can fit in the Holt Arena, focusing on not tripping.

18. Where did you go for senior skip day? No where. I think I worked the lunch rush at my job.

19. Were you in any clubs? I was in National Honor Society, but didn't participate much.

20. Have you gained some weight since then? Yes, having two kids less than two years apart doesn't give much time to lose. Was already up a few pounds by then.

21. Who was your prom date? Derek Hadley junior year, and Trevor Hill my senior year.

22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? If there is one I am open to it.

23. Did you have a job in high school? Yes, I worked at Subway for two years and babysat before that.

I think I will tag Tina, Chalice and Kelly.

WWWAT-Spontaneous and Unexpected

2008-11-26T01:20:00.004-07:00

Zina's words and things

2008-11-19T16:00:00.003-07:00

Zina has a few words, besides her versions of mommy and daddy. And they come with great stories, too. At least I think so.

*Zina says "Hi". I noticed this when she stole my cell phone and kept saying hi to it. The funniest thing she says hi to is Tina's stapler that she keeps on her bag. Zina just tries and tries to get it off and talk to it!

*Zina says "Bye". It usually doesn't coordinate with actually going anywhere, but she likes to say it.

*Zina says "Up". It usually means, "Take off my clothes!" She says it over and over while trying to take her shirt or dress off. I guess I told her to put her arms up when I change her clothes. Up also means she wants out of her high chair or sometimes her carseat.

Silly Sayings, by Zachary

2008-11-19T15:46:00.002-07:00

Zach has gotten pretty silly lately. I am horrible about writing these down, so I decided I would blog on them. At least I will be able to reference it again later when I have time to scrapbook!

*When Zach wants into a conversation, or most anytime he talks, he says, "Oh, are we?", "Oh, did we?" and "Oh, can we?"

*If Zach does not want to do what I ask, he has two replies, "I'm just happy right now." or "I'm busy right now."

*He retells EVERYTHING we do.

*He wakes up in the night and tells us, "But I'm scared of something." I have no idea what the something is.

*If he sees anything on his carpet, he runs to me and says, "Mommy, there's a bug on my floor!"

*Today he went to school with Steven and I and insisted he was hungry and needed pretzels. We have never had pretzels at the school. Then, when we were eating the pretzels, he takes a bite and says, "Mommy, now it's a button!" Then he changed to saying it was a pumpkin. What an imagination!

*He is constantly "cooking" for me. It used to be just, "Alicious", now it is eggies, cookies and yummy. And if I don't pretend to eat it it offends him.

That is about all I can think of right now. But, then, he is asleep! Just wait till later. I am sure there will be more to add to it!

Couple Pictures of my boy (from a few weeks ago)

2008-11-15T23:33:00.002-07:00

Pictures of my babies

2008-11-12T14:51:00.003-07:00

Just thought I would post a couple pictures. The first is Zina at just about 10 months old. And the second is of Zachary at about the same age. They are about the same size for age now and it is fun to put their pictures side by side.

A great day at Grandma's house

2008-11-07T12:55:00.002-07:00

A few weeks ago we went to my parent's house. I had an appointment and needed a sitter. Of course, a grandma always likes to have her grandbabies. And my mom got it good, she had all three of her grandbabies at one time. I tried hard, and got a great picture of the three of them playing nice together. Zina, Zach and Crew. Together they are so BUSY! I have had all three for a little bit here and there, and it makes me so very thankful I did not have a baby between my two. Crew fits almost exactly between my two. I love it, but am glad I don't have all three busy ones at a time all the time!
And in a bit we are heading out to the Grandma's again. Well, we are seeing both sides, so not going there right now. But it will be great! My babies and my nephew get to play again. And it is a birthday party, too. Yes, Crew will be two! More for that later.

A letter from a citizen

2008-11-05T10:59:00.002-07:00

I couldn't word it better than Ana at Sunrise on the Water. Go here to read a well written letter.

Halloween pictures

2008-11-04T14:54:00.006-07:00

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Halloween. Enjoy!!!!

VOTE today!

2008-11-04T07:58:00.003-07:00

The picture has nothing to do with the post, technically. But I thought it would be good, with the caption, "Duh!!", on a post about voting. He's got the idea!

Please, please vote today! It is a right and priveledge to vote. We are able to choose our political leaders and representatives, and not all have this opportunity. Vote for who you believe will be the better leader, or just vote for the lesser of two evils. Either way, you have a say in our government. And if that does not convince you, just think, if you vote you have the right to complain. That is how I have thought of it in the past. At least I will have a right to complain!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2008-10-31T08:02:00.002-06:00

(I carved this, can you believe it! Well, Steve
did help a tiny bit with the eyes.)

Zina, the wild woman

2008-10-28T16:33:00.003-06:00

Steve was watching Zina while I was reading some homework. Apparently I was really into the book because it took a moment for me to realize what he did. We untied her, just as soon as we took a couple pictures.

I am wondering who reads my blog. Leave me a comment and let me know.

Touching Story

2008-10-26T15:46:00.002-06:00

Geese in Island Park May 2007.

I have been following a story I saw on the Today Show for a while now, and today I read something about it that just touched me so deeply. I had to share with you my thoughts. In August, a couple were in a plane crash and were badly burned. The wife wrote a blog, the NieNie Dialogues, talking about the positive parts of motherhood and being a wife. Her sister writes a blog, c jane enjoy it, that now gives updates on her sister and husband. I encourage whoever reads my blog to check these two blogs out. See how positive they are and how wonderful it feels to read of uplifting things even through EXTREMELY tough times. Read the article c jane links to. Get the kleenex and be prepared to bawl. It is amazing to me. I want to be as positive as these two women are. I want to find the best in life and enjoy every minute of it. I want to find outfits to wear to impress my husband, even if we are just staying home. I want to find the words to write love letters to my husband, and the courage to post them for the world to see. I want to be able to give hope and laughter to those who stumble upon my blog. I want to cherish every moment with my babies. I hope you leave feeling this way, too.

Sick at our house

2008-10-25T19:09:00.002-06:00

Old picture of Zach sick. April 2007.

So, it is an old picture of my Zachary, but no other picture looked right for my post today. We are sick. Zach started it, not eating much for a couple days and then tummy sick all night last night. It seems Zina is following, but definetely milder. And I am feeling pretty yuck as well. It better go away soon! We need to have fun and play, especially outside before the snow comes!

The Piano

2008-10-23T20:52:00.002-06:00

Ignore the mess on the top of the piano. It seems if we have a piece of furniture that is not sat upon regularly it becomes a resting place for anything and everything. Hopefully we will figure out how to stop that problem!

I was so excited to get this piano because I like to play once in a while, not that I am good at it or anything. Well, I get to play maybe five minutes a month by myself, but my boy sure loves it! Doesn't he look so proud of himself!

Zina "Cooking"

2008-10-22T21:21:00.006-06:00

I think the pictures speak for themselves. She loved it. I can tell you she will be in the kitchen with me, sneaking bites, as soon as she can. She tries all the time as it is. She is SO curious. I love that about her, even though it drives me crazy at times. I don't think I had to redirect Zach half as much as I do Zina. She is VERY stubborn. She loves her Daddy, and whenever he is leaving, and sometimes when she wants to be left alone, she says, "Yah Yah" and waves. It is so cute, and it is only for her Daddy. She says mommy, but Daddy is an all time favorite. She will follow him anywhere, and often needs to be redirected at those times. She would go anywhere with her Daddy. Everything she does she does with gusto, from crying to smiling, sleeping to smiling. She loves food, of any kind. She really likes apples. She can hold her own with almost every meal I make. We have to give her the same as her brother or she will yell until she gets it or her brother has no more. I know it will be a short time till she is walking and chasing her brother. She already crawls after him everywhere. I love her so very much. She is such a blessing to me. I am so glad I am her Mommy.

My Zachary

2008-10-21T20:57:00.007-06:00

Zachary swinging.

Zach smiling and sliding. He asked me, "Can I

smile Mommy?"

Sorry to cut off his head, but I love the look on

his face.

Zach wanted in the washer. So his Daddy put

him there. He was so happy!

I realize I post WAY more pictures of Zina, and I take more too. Part of the reason is that Zach runs from the camera or turns away before the picture takes. I need a better, faster camera! I took tons of pictures of him when he was a baby. So many that were him sleeping. Steve says I have a fascination with sleeping babies, and maybe I do.

I love my Zachary. I have always wanted to be a mom, and he made me a mommy. I never knew I could love someone so much so quickly! He is my perfect boy. He is such a nearly three year old, and most days I love it. He drives me crazy one minute and then loves on me the next. His favorite book is Llama Llama Mad at Mama. He begs me to read it over and over again. It is the first book he insists I read over and over again. He loves to say his prayers, and family prayers, and blessing the food. And sometimes he even says prayers before nap so he can sleep good. When he is bored or tired, he tells me, "But Mommy, I'm hungry!" He is learning to potty in the potty, and uses that for more time awake, too. He has to potty when he wakes up and before nap and if any one else is on the potty! He hardly goes in it yet, but he sure gives it his best effort.

I just thought I should post about my little guy. I know sometimes he feels left out, and I should be better about documenting him, too.

P.S. Zina now has 4 teeth: two on top, two on bottom. Her crib is recalled and she is sleeping in the living room in the pack and play. Wish I had the money to buy a new one instead of wait for the replacement part!

Fun at the Park

2008-10-20T22:04:00.002-06:00

Zina playing in the tunnel for the first time. She
was so excited to try it out! That picture captures
her so well!

Zach caught in the moment, just before he put

his feet down. He loved it. And I was taking pictures

while swinging! Not too bad, huh!

We had so much fun! Zina is getting where we can let her play, and she loves to swing. I will post some pictures of her swinging another day. It takes a long time to upload pictures, and sometimes they just won't load. Zach loves to swing, and slide, and just be outside in general. We have a swingset in our backyard hear, but a park is nice on such a beautiful day! I guess it will be one of the last days we can get away with a park outing before winter comes. Then it will be too cold and snowy for MONTHS! We better enjoy it while it lasts!

Pumpkins!!!

2008-10-20T21:09:00.004-06:00

Here is what we did on Saturday. A carmel apple and two pumpkins later, they were so happy.Zach and his REAL smile, at least for the cameras! This is what happens when you ask a nearly three year old to smile.

Zina liked holding a pumpkin. Zach wanted it, too. So, we had to make up for it.

Here are my babies with their pumpkins. Zach did get the one he is holding, and since Zina wouldn't care which one we got, we let Zach pick another one. He chose a green one. Guess he likes green.

Christmas and family

2008-10-13T19:07:00.002-06:00

Okay, strange subject for October, but somehow I do not have ANY pictures from past Halloweens. So, I was looking at pictures and found this one from last Christmas. Zachary is in the middle, and he is next to (in front of, maybe?) his aunt, Tina(Steve's sister). Also in the picture, and identifiable is Greg, Steve's brother. It just made me think of the relationship my children have with Tina.

Tina is here going to school like we are, and we have become quite close. She lived with Steve and I for two weeks just two weeks after our wedding. It was nice to have someone around then because Steve was working REALLY long hours, and I was not working and we did not have children yet (obviously). She did require chocolate, and ate my chocolate chips. Then, the next year when I was pregnant with Zachary, Tina lived with us for about a month, give or take a bit. I was ready this time with many varieties of chocolate. She left for a mission just a couple months after that, before Zach was born. Whenever she would call from her mission, Zach would yell and try to talk to her. We wrote letters (not often enough) and sent a few pictures. When she returned, Zach was about 18 months old, and we were expecting Zina. She again asked to stay with us for a while. She stayed about 3 months, and was such a blessing to us. I had some bleeding in the middle of the night, and she was there to stay with Zach while we made a late night run to the emergency room. She visited with me and played with Zach. Now, she is just living across town, and comes over sometimes. Zina will go to Tina, even when Zina is in a mood for only Momma. We are going to miss her when she is done with school and moves away!

Serious

2008-10-10T13:36:00.002-06:00

I tried to post this picture a while ago, but it refused. This is Zach eating oatmeal. He likes it, really, but it was early.

Sleeping Boy

2008-10-06T20:29:00.003-06:00

I am not very creative, obvious by the titile of my post. But I was quite creative in taking this picture. I was driving. Steve had given Zach his hat so he would be good for the drive, so Zach was wearing his Daddy's hat and his hat is there on the seat. I was between Rigby and Idaho Falls when I noticed he was OUT just like this and knew he would not stay asleep once we stopped. So I pulled out the camera and turned it and pushed the button. Not bad for not looking.

I have a collection of photos of him asleep. Too bad that he will not sleep tonight. He is over tired and upset. His Daddy is comforting him. For all the pictures I have taken of him sleeping, you would think that is all he does. But sometimes it is hard to get him to sleep.

And, just a little note on this little cutie! Zina got tooth number three today! Now she has two on the bottom and one on top!

And on the picture, this is Zina with my Grandma. Grandma wanted a picture with Zina, so we could have the oldest and youngest in the picture. Zina is holding a disposable camera and had just hit Grandma in the head with it. Luckily, Grandma could smile about it as much as Zina did. It makes a great picture.

Zachary and His Thoughts

2008-10-05T11:44:00.004-06:00

Friends of ours recently brought their little girl home and posted on their blog about it. They included beautiful pictures of their little one at home with Mom and Dad. I showed it to Zach asking him who was in the picture, like I always do. He knows them well enough to know who it is. He knew our friend right away but said that the baby was himself. I asked him again, and he again said it was him.

Then it hit me. There was a similarity to a picture I have of this friend holding Zach. Here it is to the left. Scott holding Zachary. In both pictures he is holding the baby similarly and wearing a similar (or the same) shirt. We look at the pictures on our computer often. Makes sense why he would think it was him. Besides the baby wearing PINK!

Video of Zina (Long)

2008-10-04T07:58:00.001-06:00

Zach Running May 2007

2008-10-03T14:39:00.001-06:00

Zach and His Daddy Singing

2008-10-03T13:43:00.001-06:00

Zina Crawling

2008-10-03T13:19:00.001-06:00

Some older pictures

2008-10-02T18:47:00.002-06:00

This is an older picture of Zina. It was taken a few months ago. She had just discovered that the bottles have water in them. This is her TRYING to get a drink out of an empty bottle. For a while she thought ice water was better than anything in the world. And she still chooses water over juice.

This is Zach asleep in the car. Yes, he is unbuckled. I thought Steve had buckled him in, and Steve thought he had asked me to buckle him. We made it far enough down the road for Zach to fall asleep(he was really tired). I looked back and he was undone. We stopped IMMEDIATELY to buckle him in, but we took a picture first. I am amazed he didn't get out and try to drive the car.

I will add some more recent pictures soon. I still need to get them on the computer!

All the Girls

2008-09-23T08:18:00.000-06:00

The picture really has nothing to do with this post. I just have not gotten the pictures from this weekend uploaded to use. And I have learned that I am not good at getting the SD card out of the camera. Other than that, I can do it all. And this picture is a great one of my babies! I love the look on my little girl's face!

Anyway. The weekend was great. We left Thursday morning for Park City and spent until Sunday morning there visiting, eating and shopping. LOTS of shopping. And LOTS of food. We assign the meals to the different families and only plan breakfast and dinner. Each dinner planner brought a dessert. And we were actually low on junk food this year compared with some past years. But there was definetely plenty of food.
The Retreat is called Bernice's Retreat, and it is a time for all the girls in the family over 18 to get together. We are all related to Bernice, either her sisters, nieces, daughters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters and so on. She is my great grandma who passed away when I was very young. I named my daughter after her. Her name was Zina Bernice Bybee. I want my children to know of her.

Going to be gone

2008-09-18T09:58:00.000-06:00

Here is a picture of my little boy last year on his birthday!

I am going to be away from the internet till Sunday sometime. I want to post everyday, but a day or two off will have to happen. So, I leave you with the above picture, and a promise to tell you all about it when I get back!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-17T00:13:00.000-06:00

I am up too late, and I REALLY want to participate in this. I have been reading and looking at everyone else doing it for so long that I really want to do it now that I have a blog! Let's see if I can get it to work.

The theme this month is Beginnings and Endings, and here are my best ideas. I am sure they will be better next time. Here goes.

This is the beginning of our life as parents. It is one of the earliest pictures I have of Zachary on my computer. From before we discovered digital cameras.

And here is the end of my pregnancy with Zina. Comfort comes first the day of delivery. My water had broke. I guess this is also the beginning of labor!

The beginning of another life. Zina just moments after birth. I didn't really have pictures of Zach this early, so I cherish this one.

This is my Great-Great Aunt Mabel holding Zina. Mabel was sure that she would never see me have children, or get married first of all. She was at my reception and has held both of my babies. In the last few months she has had a stroke and is showing her age more than ever. She is the closest thing I have to an end.

Enjoy! And for more WWWAT, head over to Rachel's blog at American Mum.

Miracles

2008-09-16T14:24:00.000-06:00

Okay, there are shadows all over the place on this picture, and it is now over a month old, but this is my little girl. She is chowing down on her first chocolate chip cookie. Steve had been giving her little bites and when I took her, she got ahold of the entire thing. I decided to let her have a go at it. She got about 1/2 of it eaten and the rest REALLY soggy. (And, for Grandma Sandy, those are the tie-dye socks you sent for her. Zach loves his, too, but I have not gotten a picture of him with his.)

I have always dreamed of having children. All I wanted to be when I was little was a mommy, along with a VERY short stint of wishing to be a nurse and even shorter time of wanting to be a witch. Even my formal schooling is focused on that goal. I am a child development major with a minor in home and family living. I love my son so very much, and was excited when he was born, but I think I was even more excited to have this beautiful little girl. I have always wanted a girl. All I have is brothers, so maybe that is why, but she was my dream come true. I had her name picked out from high school, before I had even met my husband. She was going to be Zina Lyn. When we found out she was going to be a girl, I was absolutely elated! I was getting a girl!!! Part of that was that the thought of raising two boys two years apart while finishing college was an absolute nightmare, but part was the longing for a little girl.

I don't know why I went off on that tangent, but maybe it is inspired by another miracle girl that was born just a couple days ago. Some good friends of ours had wanted a baby for so long and were hoping to welcome one for longer than I was. Each time I got pregnant, I was careful to tell them before they got it through the grapevine. I prayed each time that they could experience pregnancy and parenthood, too. I hope that we would get to share that special time together. She was always so excited for me and wanting every detail, and I loved that I could tell her. After Zach was born, they were our main babysitters, offering to take him for my classes, date nights and just for a break for me. When I was overwhelmed with parenthood and my husband was working late, I took Zach to their house and she would provide much needed adult conversation. I realize now they were our support system. Then I got pregnant with Zina and hoped, again, that there time was soon. I secretely wished that we could be pregnant together. It is such a wonderful experience to share with a close friend. I had Zina, and then they announced they were expecting. I was beside myself with excitement! I think I may have been more excited for them than I was for me with either of my children. They were born to be parents and have a touch with children that no one I know can match. And now, they are the proud parents of a little miracle girl. I guess her waiting to come was just to much for her, and she made her entrance quite a bit early. She is doing good, and, from the picture I saw, is beautiful and perfect! If you guys read this, know that I am forever grateful for all you have done for me, and I wish you the best. I won't post names since I haven't asked you about posting this. I know you will know who you are.

What's been going on around here!

2008-09-12T22:22:00.000-06:00

***It doesn't seem to want to post my pictures I had originally chosen, so this is one of my husband and two babies playing a couple weeks ago.***

I promise, really, I will put up some current pictures with a post soon. I would today, but I don't know where we put the cable for our camera, and I don't know how to get the memory card out! I think my hubby better teach me how! Ha!! My husband's the best! Above are two pictures from this morning. One is my beautiful baby girl eating an apple. We started giving them to her to entertain her, and they are so soft that she has been able to eat them, no problem. The other is my little boy eating his oatmeal. He really loves it. Don't believe the face. It was just early!
So, today is the last day of the first week of school. Yes, I am still in school. So is my husband. I think I might get to graduate soon. Actually, on a "student survey" I put my anticipated graduation date as "Not sure--Soon!". Anyway, back to today.
We have concocted a crazy plan to save on child care costs, and to minimize the caregivers our children have. We take them to school with us three days a week. The other two I get a sitter for my class. That way, we only pay for daycare for less than 5 hours a week. That is the genius part of the plan. The crazy part is that we have a 2 3/4 year old and 9 month old on campus for three hours three days a week. CRAZY!!! Zach hates to ride in a stroller, so he is always walking. But he gets tired and says, "Mommy, carry me." I would love to just carry him to minimize his fit, but usually I am carrying Zina. And I can't carry Zina and Zachary while pushing a stroller! And I have the stroller because Zina will sit in it for about ten minutes, and who wants to carry a baby, chase a toddler/preschooler and carry everything needed for a class and caring for those same children.
Today, Zach was pretty funny. We had eaten on campus at their all-you-can-eat buffet cafeteria a couple times this week. Trying to get into the swing of school and family always takes us a bit and our home cooking goes out the window for a few days. We always park at one end of the campus and walk to our classes at the other end. To get there we have to walk past the cafeteria. I promise, I fed Zach before this little trip, but he saw where we were and decided he was starving! I told him we did not have time. So he starts looking for the cookies. We also walk by where they have had cookies to lure students to buy dining options. The cookies were not there. I did the only thing I could think of to stop the tantrum I saw coming. I promised him anything he wanted at the bagel place downstairs. He went for it. He picked out a pudding filled donut and told me, "I want THAT bagel." I could not convince him that it was a donut. And he wanted a juice. So we snacked right there.
When my class was done and it was my turn for the babies again, Steven forgot to warn me that Zach had seen the preschool playground and wanted to play there. I walked right past it, and he threw a full out tantrum. So I offered the smartest thing of the day. We would walk to the park and play and make Steven drive the van down to find us. The walk was about the same, but it didn't take us too long and the kids enjoyed a field trip to the park. We had been skimping on park runs, so I guess I better take them to the park a lot in the next few weeks. Pretty soon it will be too cold and snowy.

Happy Birthday, Steven!!!

2008-09-06T23:10:00.000-06:00

I know this may be posting as tomorrow, but I just wanted to wish my wonderful husband a very happy birthday! Even today, his day, he has been helping me SO MUCH!!! Sometimes I get overwhelmed, but Steven always helps out. Here is one of the most recent pictures of him. I hope for many, many more years with him. I love you.

Zina is Crawling!

2008-09-05T10:01:00.001-06:00

I will put a video up as soon as my batteries are charged and I can get a video, but had to post. I am using this blog, partially, to record what is happening with my children, in case I forget to record it elsewhere. So, for this post, it will have to be an old picture, but it is true. She is mobile! She has been crawling a few "steps" whenever someone was not looking for the last week or so, but yesterday we caught the real deal, for sure, when she started crawling across the whole room to get to what was kind of off limits. Before crawling she mainly scooted on her bottom or threw herself at whatever she wanted.

This picture, along with yesterdays, were taken in April. She has grown so much!

The beginning, sort of

2008-09-04T16:36:00.000-06:00

Well, here we are. My first post as a blogger. This is my family. My husband, Steven, our little boy, Zachary, and our daughter, Zina. Oh, and I am Rayne, the mommy and Stevensprecious. Those two little ones are my beautiful babies! They are my world. Sometimes a bit too much of my life.

I decided I should join in the blogging craze after reading them all the time. I guess it is time to come out of the framework. There should even be a picture when I am done, if I have done it right. Like Tina said, a blog is only fun with pictures. Without pictures, it is just a bunch of words.

That's all for now. I need to get going and be a mommy again!