A Switcheroo

One view of the boys room. It is hard to tell, but it is a cowboy themed room.

Entering the room..

Grace's room.....her favorite piece is the lamp.

One side of Emma's room.

The other side.

We've been busy the past few days....last night I decided that we should switch the kids rooms around. We decided to eliminate the nursery putting the three boys together in the two adjoining rooms. We then moved Emma into Garrett's old room and Grace into the twins old room. Grace LOVES her new room and it brings me so much joy to see how happy she is about it. Jeff spent the morning hanging curtains for her (and Emma and the boys), putting on her new bedding and putting up a pink message board. And, it is organized so well, which makes me extra happy. The part that makes me sad though is that she is growing up and getting so independant. She knows that it is a big deal to get her own room (must mean she's growing up) and she appreciates it. Now, that is BIG! She's also lost two teeth this past week.

Garrett isn't sure what to think about sharing a room. He keeps saying, "No baby, that's mine". I asked him if he liked his new room and he said, "No, I no like my bed in Emma's room".

I think this new arrangement will work out really well though. The twins are always wanting to play in the playroom, but to get to it, they had to walk through Grace and Emma's room and always found things to get into. Now I don't have to worry about them getting into the girls things.....well, unless they leave their doors open....

I'll post pictures tomorrow for those few of you who actually care. LOL.

Grandpa's

This is Emma's tribute to her grandpa's.

Today I was at a Mommy and Me class that I help with monthly and one of the helpers was a grandpa aged man who is so sweet and wonderful with the kids. He helped Emma with her craft and all the while he got her to talk, talk, talk. It was such a blessing to have him giving Emma some one on one time since it is rare these days. Anyway, she said a few things about her grandpa's that I have to record here. The conversation went like this,
"you can call me grandpa if you'd like...it's easy and I'm a grandpa".
Emma, "No, I already have grandpa's".
I guess I loved that she gets enough love from her grandpa's that she doesn't need to take on any others. Of course the response she gave wasn't kind in the strictest sense, but she was honest and I know he understood that she had no idea her response could have hurt his feelings.

Later on, I heard Emma tell him that one of her grandpas has someone elses heart, and although this is true, we've never told her that. I've always just said that he got a new heart, or if I'm talking to another adult, a heart transplant. I guess I was just struck that she knew his new heart used to belong to someone else.

Honesty

My "delights"

I've been thinking today about a lesson I read about honesty. It reminded me how important it is to Jeff and me to raise honest children. Children that don't have to think twice about doing the right thing. I love this scripture found in Proverbs:

"...they that deal truly are his delight" (Proverbs 12:22).

I pray that my children will grow up to be honest individuals who truly are His delight.

He's following the leader.....

John walked tonight. A lot. Today I was by the stairs and I saw Jacob walk around the corner from the kitchen, down the hall and into the family room. So weird. Now John is following his lead. John is so cute. He claps for himself after he reaches his goal. They're OFF!

Oh, and did I mention how BIG they are? Jacob is 22 lbs. 11 oz., and John is 21 lbs. 15 oz. They will be 15 months next week. I can't believe it. Also, Jacob's head has levelled out on the growth curve and so if it continues like this, we have one more worry we can cross off our list.

Friends.....

To my kindred spirits; my friends:
Love this quote.
What is a friend?
A single soul dwelling in two bodies.
-Aristotle

family anagrams...

I saw this on my friends blog, and I thought it was so funny. Here's the website to check out your own: http://wordsmith.org/anagram/index.html
Angie Lee:
a gene lie (my favorite)

Jeffrey Lee:
fee jeer fly

Grace Lee:
race glee

Emma Lee:
am eel me

Garrett Lee:
late regret (2nd favorite)
rage letter

Jacob Lee:
cajole be

John Lee:
eel John

Jacob is walking!

Jacob
John with his walking machine....

Tonight we were over at the Bush's house and Susan was playing with Jacob. Ryan called to Jacob and he walked over to him with a unique side step, but like he's been doing it for awhile. I couldn't believe my eyes. After he realized that he walked across the room to Ryan he practiced some more. Jacob is now a walker....not just a kid taking steps sometimes. Walking. My twinnie is walking.....any bets on when John is going to follow Jacob's lead?

Oh, for anyone with computer savvy out there...how do I flip these pictures right side up?

Best Friends

Yesterday I asked Garrett who his best friend was. Without hesitation he said, "daddy my friend". I asked him if I was his best friend too. He said, "no, you not my best friend". I had to laugh. One never has to worry about a child trying to be diplomatic. I'm glad that Garrett has such a good friend and daddy.

Garrett turned 3 this month and got some really cool toys.......here's a picture of one of them.

comparisons....

Everyone asks me about Jacob and John's personality differences. Their temperments are quite similar though, and until recently there were alot more similarities than differences. Here's a few new developments though:
*Jacob is our more aggressive twin when it comes to toys and food and basically anything he wants. As you know from a previous post, he's also our selective biter.
*John is hands down our cuddle bug. He loves to give hugs and kisses on demand.
*John is our fit thrower. And this is very recent. If he really wants something and things don't go his way he lays down and thrashes around for a bit before going on to his regular business. His temper is sparked more quickly than Jacobs. John also crys the loudest right off the bat when he is mad.
*Jacob is our messy eater. You'd be amazed at their different appearance after eating the same meal.
*John uses more words and sounds than Jacob and knows how to find an on/off switch on an electronic device quicker than you'd believe possible.
*Overall, Jacob gets into more mischeif than John.
*Both are just plain FUN!

Toe biting fetish?

I'm starting to wonder about Jacob. Does he have a toe biting fetish, or what? When we were in CA my sister was feeding her baby in her high chair while Jacob was standing up and playing by Sofia's feet. All of a sudden, Sofia starts crying and there's Jacob standing innocently by with her sock in his hand. I apologized for him and thought, "hum, I need to keep an eye on this". Today, new house, new baby. Baby is sitting in his high chair happily drinking his bottle when he starts to cry and Jacob is once again standing by with a sock in his hand. I go over and sure enough, there is a tooth mark in the babies toe. Fast forward. Floor play time. Again the baby starts crying, and there is Jacob with the babies sock in his hand and there is another bite mark. Are you kidding? The weird part is that he doesn't try to bite John's toes. Or his own.

Then I'd really start to worry.

Vacation bliss...

So, here we are, half way through our vacation. We've accomplished half of what we wanted to, and the rest has come to a standstill. Our 15 hour drive down turned into 17 and we rolled into town during the coldest week of the year. Despite the cold, we braved two days of Disneyland clad in coats, hats and gloves and the twins caught something pretty dreadful.....the last fews days have been spent cleaning up vomit, administering fever reducing medicine, and going through about 50 diapers each day....it's so sad to see the boys so sick. And, you should see my hands. Yikes!

the way it goes

When John started climbing the stairs I tried working with him to teach him to crawl back down. He would have none of the instruction. UP, UP, UP! I gave up. Then one day I'm watching John climb the stairs, he gets half way up and then starts climbing back done. Mission accomplished, although it wasn't my instruction that taught him to do it. A few weeks later, Jacob starts climbing the stairs. I try the climbing back down instruction with him. Nope! UP, UP, UP. Last night I see John climbing down the stairs. Jacob decided he wanted to go down too, so down he went. Hum!!!!! How do they learn these tricks?

My hands.....

I know this is random, but I've been paying a lot of attention to my hands in the past few days. I don't take very good care of my hands or feet for that matter, and in the winter they crack and bleed. I have cracks on all of my fingers and one particularly bad one on my pointer finger right where it bends. I've felt a dull throb in my hands for days, and many activities each day cause sharper pains that make me take notice. Because of this awareness of my hands that the pain brings me, I've been thinking about them A LOT. Where would I be if I didn't have my hands? I couldn't change diapers (one of the causes of the cracks-washing after diaper changes), I couldn't cook dinner, I couldn't clean my house, I couldn't do laundry or dress my children. I couldn't do any of the day to day tasks that are required of me. Most importantly though, my sense of touch as I know it would not exist. What would I do if I couldn't caress my children's faces with the tips of my fingers? What would it be like to not be able to feel my husband's stubble or baby soft skin after he shaves? How could I test the water temperature with one finger, type or do a million other things that I use my hands for? TODAY, I am thankful for my hands.......which begs the question.......if I'm so thankful for them, why don't I take better care of them? I could really get Jeff going on this one.......but that's a whole different post! :)

Ever wonder?

Ever wonder what 3 days worth of laundry looks like for a family of 7? Wonder no longer....and, in case you are thinking "that's not that much"......there are 3 more stacks behind the ones you see.

Note to self......

*Stop buying Charmin......although soft and thick, it clogs the toilets.
*keep Juanie (that would be baby B) away from all power switches on computers. Desktop, notebook, it's all the same. He can turn them off in an instant.
*even if you are tempted to let the kids eat a quick something in the car, don't do it. You'll pay later.

2007 is here!

Ok, Heather! This one is for me, but the credit goes to you.

Lists: 2006 & 2007

2006
*Grace: finished kindergarten in Oregon, met lots of new friends. Took a German class, started ballet and joined Brownies. Grew and grew and grew.

*Emma: started ballet, began Sunbeams, and had about 7 UTI's and a million doctors appointments. Kept a smile through it all.

*Garrett: started using his words and really developed his sense of humor.

Jacob and John: cut 6 teeth, learned to crawl, stand and climb stairs. Started eating table food and graduated to whole milk.

*Angie: settled into new home, met lots of new friends, became a blogger, and stayed active on monoamniotic.org.

*Jeff: began a new job with Target, honed his interpersonal and management skills.

2007:

*Grace: moving up to CTR 7, continuing ballet and brownies and learning to be a better reader. She will also begin 2nd grade this year.

*Emma: Will move up to CTR 5, continue with ballet, and start Kindergarten.

*Garrett: work on his speech and continue to be a bundle of energy.

*Jacob and John: learn to walk, run and TALK!

*Angie: (this is my hope list)
read my scriptures more, have FHE more frequently, make more diverse dinners, be more patient, and SERIOUSLY consider loosing a few pounds.

*Jeff: I'm assuming he'll continue doing all the great things he already is, but I'd have to ask him his New Years Resolutions! :)

the newest trick

John is on the hearth

I just had to share the twins newest trick. Climbing up on the fireplace hearth. They are pretty proud of themselves for managing this, and I don't have the heart of say no when they flash me such winsome smiles.

the day after.....

Emma and Grace
John and Jacob
Garrett

Christmas is officially over, but we still feel pretty festive. Here are the kids the day after.

Christmas magic

This is DEFINITELY John

Emma
Jacob
I think this is John, but I'm not positive.... (I was wrong...checked the PJ's)

Grace got an MP3 player and I-Dog that plays her music and has "emotions".

Garrett

Christmas came and went so quickly. I wish Christmas Eve fell on Sunday every year. It was so nice to go to church and have a nice Christmas service with beautiful music. This Christmas Eve we went to the Parson's house after church and then had a ham dinner at our house on Christmas Day. We were at our own home for the first time in years, and it was so relaxing and joyous. So, here's my list of Christmas memories:

*wondering how the chapel was so packed that we had 4 seats for 8 people and hearing such a beautiful voice at church that I got goosebumps and forgot all about my discomfort.

*Grace telling me that Christmas was better than great.

*being able to video tape this Christmas, thanks to Jeff's Christmas present to me.

*watching the twins crawl on top of and over their presents but having no desire to actually unwrap them.

*seeing Garrett's excitment as he opened each gift.

*hearing Emma's giggle each time she got something she really wanted.

*feeling Jeff's lips on mine when he kissed me Merry Christmas

I hope the joy my children experienced this year is repeated each year. They really do bring the magic of Christmas home.

Upon our doorstep appeared......

This is a picture of Grace.....she had the opportunity to carol at a nursing center and in a parade. Although she is MY caroler, she is not one of the carolers I talk about below.

In my mind, I have memories archived of Christmases past. This year, we had a caroling experience that will be held in that vault with other events that left me happy, thoughtful or nostalgic.

Last week we had a knock on our door in the evening. Emma ran and opened the door (even though she knows she's not supposed to) and quickly shut it and ran away. I heard singing and went to the door. There upon my doorstep were two families who had come to sing Christmas carols to us. They were obviously two musically inclined families because they sounded great. Really great. They even had accompaniment from what I thought was their car stereo. At the last song I peeked around the porch and saw that the trumpet I heard was live. The trumpeter was out on the street so that he didn't overwhelm the singers. It was pretty spectacular as far as caroling goes, and I'm thankful for those two sweet families who braved the cold and dark air in order to sing to my family. Oh, and did I mention they also brought really, really yummy smores?