2014 House Face-lift

Our house has had a big face-lift this year!

No more bushes, new fence, new roof, new paint!

YARD BEFORE:

DURING:

AND AFTER:

FENCE:

ROOF:

and last but not least, PAINT! It's like a whole new house!

Next years project is to get some grass to grow!!!

It Clicked

Jack and Owen are two years apart. Owen arrived two days after Jacks 2nd birthday. People always ask me how Jack likes having a brother and I usually say he's fine about it, doesn't mind much either way. He ignored him for the first few weeks of Owens life then took a while to make the connection that this little thing was "bebe" like he'd been practicing and he was here to stay. Jack is in his own world about 90% of the time. He likes to observe others playing rather than play with them(which is quickly starting to change.)

But today something was different. Jack said, "baby Owen" for the first time today and kept saying it. He brought toys to Owen to play with. Jack gave him a ring, watched him play with it and when he dropped it, picked it up and put it back into Owens wobbly, uncoordinated hand. I had laid Owen on the bed and was stroking his back when Jack came in and hopped up right next to his brother. They giggled at each other when Jack jumped on and off the bed. I left and peeked in 5 minutes later- they were still giggling at each other. Later, I laid Owen on a blanket on the floor and Jack laid next to him, smiled and said, "Owen!" Over and over!

The biggest thing that ssurprised me today was when Jack offered his blankie to Owen. His blankie. That he takes everywhere. That he cries when anyone else touches it. That he's chewed the corners to shreds. This blankie, the thing he loves most in the world, he gave to Owen. It was so sweet I actually started to well up some tears! Granted, he took it back after what looked like a very nervous 10 seconds. But he offered it to his brother. Totally the sweetest.

I can already see them pushing each other in go carts down the street, fighting over toys, sleeping in the same bed, going everywhere together and getting into the toothpaste or food storage peanut butter, wheat and macaroni(if you know my childhood stories, you'll get that reference).

Siblings are the best.


(written November 1 2014)

Daddypile, Knobs and PJs

So. I have a few stories to document.

Jack is going through a phase where he goes without clothes 87% of the day. It's only been a problem a few times. He escaped out the front door completely naked and ran across the yard. Luckily, the only person that saw was our neighbors who were driving by. They are sisters that live together and thought it was so funny.

The other day, Jack was routinely running around the house completely naked when he jumped up on the couch to look our huge front window- head to toe visible, watching the neighborhood.

Daddy-pile. Every day when Colin walks through the door from work, Jack immediately says DADDY!! and insists that daddy run in circles with him and throw him on the couch. Daddy is his favorite for sure! And Jack keeps him busy!

I was doing dishes the other day and put Owen in the bumbo on a short table so he could watch. All the sudden, I turned around to find he had reached the drawer, pulled it out and was sucking on the handle. Thankfully I deep cleaned these things a few months ago. But this kid puts everything in his mouth!! I can already tell how different he is from Jack and he will give us a run for our money!!

We haven't done Christmas PJs before but I really wanted to do them this year but didnt want to pay an arm and a leg for them. So I thought I'd make some! How hard could that be. I found some really cute material and a pattern online. I made a shirt in 12 month size for Owen(he's 7 months). But when I went to put it on, it didnt fit over his head- not a chance. It was the wrong kind of material. It wasn't stretchy. Seriously? Talk about a bummer. So I gave up. Until we got some Christmas money from Colins Grandpa and I knew just what to use it for! I found the boys Christmas PJ tops for a reasonable price! Christmas PJs 2014- Check! We did it. Now I can't get Journey out of my head...

Life with the boys

Christmas is almost here. I cant believe it's already been another year for our family!!

 

Jack is now two and a half. He hates wearing clothes and it's not that I don't try to keep them on him. I will dress him multiple times a day but after a few minutes, 30 if I'm lucky, he wants them back off. Luckily, its winter and we stay inside most of the time. I guess if it were summer, I wouldn't care very much either. This is a battle I choose not to send in my toughest cavalry.

His speech is starting to explode. Still working on multiple words but its comin along.

Current vocab selections:

MING- green, his favorite color

SET GO!- then runs and runs and runs

MAWEEEE- mary from the nativity

TWEE- Christmas tree

DUM!- jump, which he does off everything more than an inch off the ground

BOO BA- blue bath, every bath must have color

GO, BYE-BYE, HOME- things he says when he wants to leave, usually right when we arrive

ANG ANG EEAH- blankie. HIS blankie. Origin: ang-ie, ang-ang-ie, ang-ang-eeah. Cracks me up.

BOOK- but only nice, thick expensive ones. Thin ones are boring. Kids books- also boring.

EES- said with teeth together. Eggs. He drops them onto a plate- coolest thing since sliced bread.

BABA- bottle. With milk. All day. Every day.

FWIESSS- French fries. He could eat this for every meal. But I'm not that bad of a mom.

 And of course Mommy and Daddy. His favorite is Daddy. By far.
 

 Owen is 7 months old. Anything and everything within reach goes in his mouth. Jack was not like that so I am constantly picking things off the floor. It doesn't help that Jack so lovingly shares everything with Owen. The other day, I looked in the back of the car to see Owen had the bag of trail mix from Jack and had dumped the crumbs all over his head while thrashing the bag around. The violence.

He still doesn't sleep through the night. I think the longest hes ever slept is 5 hours. One of these days I'll sleep train him. And potty train Jack. And keep on top of laundry. And practice my cello. And paint the bathroom. Just add it to the list of things I want and need to do. 

 

Colin has had a great year. He got into the Saint George Marathon and we went down as a family for the event. It was a crazy weekend. Colin finished a few minutes slower than he wanted but finished with an injured Achilles! He had a coworker who crossed the finish line, collapsed, and woke up in the Hospital a few hours later from extreme exhausted and dehydration. We count our blessings!

 

His work has been going great. He is so blessed to work with great people. He loves what he does and who he works with. He has been traveling more but only during December-March. It's definitely worth the sacrifice. We are very blessed.

 

I stopped teaching cello and piano when I had Owen earlier this year. I didn't know if or when I would be able to take back any students; mothering two kids is a full time job! After playing with a few of my former students for our stake Christmas program, I now feel ready. Not to mention one of them hasn't gotten another teacher, practices every day and it shows! I'll be taking a few students back at the beginning of the year and we'll see how it goes.

 

I feel like I am constantly pulling my phone out and taking pictures of these hooligans. My phone usually fills up pretty fast from videos and pictures. They are growing up so fast. They drive me crazy sometimes, but I love the sweet moments when they make each other laugh or when Jack falls asleep while laying on me or when Owen smiles and snuggles in my neck. To me, it's those precious things that make the insanity of raising kids worth it.

 

 

Jack decided to open a present before Christmas. They are now put away until Christmas day.

 

 One of the best things about having really little ones- you can work on their presents right in front of them and they don't even know! He's a pretty cute helper too:)

 

 

 

Out on a winter walk. There's no snow yet so we bundle up and venture out!

 

 

 

Owen with cousin Kayla.

 

 

 

Trip to Winco. Have you tried these carts? They should require a special license to drive but are awesome.

 

 

 

Jack talks to Owen when they play. Gibberish now but they will be bossing each other around soon.

 

 

 

This is not the best picture of me but figured I should put one of me on it. It's so classic- Jack with a comfort bottle, I did my hair(miraculously) but forgot about makeup, Owen is chewing on his sleeve, and the muffin on the table has a few Jack nibbles from it.

Merry Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas from the Campbell Family!! This was the boys first experience with Santa. This will be a classic in our family I'm sure!

During the Christmas season, we want to wish everyone well. Midst the trees, ornaments, presents and lights, lets not forget to remember the true meaning of Christmas. He is the gift and the meaning of Christmas. I love this video. brings the spirit and is beautiful!

 Our new nativity this year.

Time in the garden

I planted my garden late this year so it hasn't been super fruitful. When I do work in the garden, Jack usually roams our massive yard pushing his lawnmower? Dragging the hose or pouring something from one container to the next. But today was different. I was picking plums off the tree and putting them into a bucket. He came over and immediately caught on, wanting to be held up to where he could pick them off the tree himself. After it was half filled, we went and picked the single struggling zucchini that made it to full size. Plop. Into the bucket. Basil, lots of it- into the bucket. One string bean- into the bucket. Then we came to the jalapeño plant. There were four ready and about six that were halfway there. I helped Jack pick four then went to get the hose. Upon return, he had picked three more and wasn't about to stop. He helped me water each plant and I think he almost drown a few. I tried to entice him in the house for bedtime but he ignored me and I could see him through the garden gate, flooding the garden pathway and jumping in the mud. (I've just accepted that he get dirty and there's nothing I can do about it) What would I do without that little one? He is my everything. He teaches me every day. Next year, we'll plant a bigger garden, on time, and work in it every day! I promise, my little Jack. 

Life in pictures

I am not a writer. I always struggled in English and writing classes. Writing is not an avenue through which I can fully express myself. The arts speak to me. I like to share my life through photos. Instagram is the best way I do that. I can share a picture or two every day and use it like a journal, printing the pictures in a book at the end of every year.

 

Here is our lives lately:

 

 

 Before and after kitchen counter remodel. I spent weeks researching how to do the concrete counters and backsplash then put my knowledge to the test! I think it came out pretty good!! We have the other half of the kitchen to do but are making headway!

 

 

 

 

 Ellie and Jack. We have been able to spend more time with cousins the past few months and I love it. Family is what life is all about.

 

 Morning milk party.

 

 Jack helping mow the lawn.

 

Owens toes barely hit the ground but he liked the flashing lights!!

 

 Not quite ready for potty training. Potty "exploration" for now.

 

I built a tree bookshelf. I saw one similar to this on Pinterest but made my own plans. Still needs paint but I am loving it so far!

 

 Sleep training. Something had to be done. Three and  half months old and Owen is still getting up every two hours with a stretch of 4 hours every few weeks. I. can. not. function. I needed help. I reached out of facebook for advice and had an outpouring of love, advice and support. I am not the only parent in the world who never sleeps! I was referred to a book and have been implementing the plan for about a week. For some kids it can take two days, others a few months but this is a proven way to teach your child to sleep through the night and take better naps. After a week, Owen was still fighting. I got him finally fall asleep and laid in bed and cried. I have NO IDEA what I'm doing. Is there some parent manual out there that I don't know about??? But like with most problems, I just went to sleep and felt much better when I didn't wake up until 2am! Miracle. Owen ate then slept another 4 hours. Miracle again. A glimmer of hope. Someday, I will sleep all night. but for now, I am trading it for smiles, boogers, naked bums, laughter, and love. I guess I can deal with that.

 

Our first instacare trip. Jack fell at the church running around in the gym. We didn't notice until the next morning, when he wouldn't walk on it and was crying, that his ankle was swollen and bruised. I got someone to watch Owen and took Jack in. Every time someone had to get too close or touch him, He freaked out. To get xrays done, I sat on the table with him and pinned him down while he screamed. Thankfully, it wasn't broken, just sprained. We survived. It's still tender but he is playing in the backyard today. No slowin this kid down.

Notes to my babes and things I want to remember

I don't always have my tablet out to blog. Nowadays, it's mainly used for watching Mickey Mouse in the car. I finally got batteries for the keyboard and rented Toy Story for Jack top watch on the TV so for the time being, I have reclaimed my tablet.

Most of the day, I am moving. So many times, it's not til the end of the day when I'm laying in bed looking at Owen that I have a minute to write something down about that day. I type them on my phone. So here are: notes to my babes and things I want to remember.

JACK
July 5 2014
At two years old, you are still obsessed with your little blanket. If I let you, you would only drink milk from a "baba" ALL day.
You love your little brother. You say "hi bee" and nuzzle Owen and hold his hand while you giggle. You're already best buddies.
You figured out how to open the back door. You come and go as you please and almost always leave the door open. The high all week was 99 degrees. I'm fully expecting our air conditioning unit to bite the dust from overuse.

July 8 8 2014
If something can be poured, you will find it. You want to pour everything. I just gave you a bowl of olives, you ate 2, found another cup and poured them back and forth for 10 minutes. pouring is the coolest thing since sliced bread.

August 3 2014
At 1 in the morning, 1:14am to be exact, I was sitting with you on the kitchen floor sharing a yogurt. We had gone to Jordan Hogansens wedding reception where you where you had run down and back a paved trail for an hour. You got hot and sweaty and were breathing heavy. You didn't want to eat much at the receptions and went straight to bed when we got home at 9:30pm. So there we were, 1am, sitting on the kitchen floor only an hour after I had gotten Owen to fall asleep. You looked up at me and smiled your adorable, round faced, dimpled smile before each bite. for you, getting out of bed at that hour was a treat. You know how to work the system. You will always be that precious little boy to me: always small enough to carry to bed and snuggle with, to give rides to around the living room and kitchen. I'm exhausted, haven't slept through the night in months and if permitted, could sleep for a week straight, but I wouldn't change that smile in the dim 1am light for anything. I'll love you for always.


OWEN
July 5
At two months you started smiling. You stare at my face as I make crazy sounds at you and your smile kills me. You're adorable. EVERYONE tells me that!
The other night, you slept for 6 hours. After two months of sleeping for two hours at a time, it felt amazing. But it was short lived. You are back to your normal schedule of two hours at a time.
You giggle in your sleep sometimes. I wonder what your dreaming about. You also bark in your sleep.
You blow out your diapers more than anyone I've heard of. Jack had his first one at two months old. You have multiple one every day. Too  many to count. You are a high functioning poop machine. Thank goodness for Shout stain remover!!

July 12 2014
You're two months old today! You've started reacting to me crazy baby talk. You do a wide mouth smile then pull the corners of your mouth in and say, "aawwwwooo." It's the cutest thing in the WORLD. You make me giggle from your cuteness.
A few weeks ago was Bethanys bridal shower. Uncle Phil's sisters were there. Sheryl was holding you while I got some food when she said, "oh Naomi, Owen blew out his diaper." It was all over her arm!! She was totally cool about it. I was mortified. It was the first time we had met and my child pooped on her!!!! Embarrassing.

August 4 2014
You are sitting in your jumperoo and Jack is spinning the seat around with you in it. You don't play with toys yet but Jack does!! You look at him and smile! You are his toy for now until you can 'fight' back. You love watching Jack be crazy! It always makes me smile.

Our newest addition

I am now the mother of two children. I can't believe I am saying that! So many wonderful things have happened in our family in the past few years. The most recent events are somewhat of a blur and I don't know where to begin!

A month before I was due, I found out my doctor was going to be out of town the two weeks around my due date. Unless I was 6 days late, he would miss it. He had great on call partner doctors so I would be well taken care of no matter what happened.

I was a week overdue with Jack. That was such a long week. I was fully expecting to be overdue with Owen as well- my mom and sisters almost all went to their due dates; most went overdue- It's in the family genes. I was due Sunday May 11th- Mothers Day. Colin said I could stay home from church if I wanted but there was no way- the Bishop teaches Relief Society and gives us treats. I was going to church. So at 40 weeks pregnant, I sat through three hours of church and they chocolate, fruit with fruit dip and treats were SO worth it- despite the sore tailbones:)

I was half expecting to make it to at least Thursday or Friday and still be pregnant. Monday, I had an appointment where the doctor said Owen was posterior. That kind of freaked me out but after reassuring words from my sisters, I realized that wasn't a sure sign of difficult labor as I had expected. The doctor stripped my membrane and I went home.

Tuesday morning, I felt the same as I had on Monday. But in the afternoon, I started to have more regular contractions- about 8 minutes apart. At 6pm, they were 6 minutes apart. I was in denial and called my sister Miriam. She said I was definitely in labor. That hit me like a brick wall- in labor? Already? But it was only Tuesday and my water hadn't broken! I wasn't supposed to have a baby til the end of the week! By 8pm, they were 4 minutes apart and I was starting to really feel them. I called my cousin to come stay the night with Jack and we headed to the hospital. 

I got checked in, changed, had a popsicle, and it was only 11pm. I was expecting to not have a baby in my arms until LATER in the morning. Owen had other plans.

I labored for a few hours without pain meds. Miriam got there and helped me get through the harder contractions. She is amazing. She helped Colin to help me through my contractions. It made contractions not only more bearable but less scary. My water still hadn't broken but I got to the point I wanted to cry and couldn't talk through the contractions so I asked for an epidural. The nurse said they could break my water first then get an epidural because there was an on call doctor just down the hall finishing a delivery. I agreed and she came and checked me. I was at 8cm! I got that far without an epidural! She said my water sac was bulging so she suggested I get an epidural first because once my water broke, he was going to come fast. The anesthesiologist got there and got me some relief within about 20 minutes. I laid down and 2 minutes later my water broke on its own! Good timing.

The next 30 minutes was a blur. My heart rate dropped slightly so they gave me an oxygen mask, they rolled me on my side to get Owen in the right position, nurses started coming in with all the delivery equipment, and re-positioned Owens heart rate monitors. The on call doctor came in then all the sudden, the nurses told me to push. I wasn't ready! How was this already happening? It was only 4am!

I pushed five times, the doctor gave me a little cut, pushed one more time and he was there. Screaming right away. 4:11am. I was so overcome with emotion, I could hardly breathe. It is so hard to put into words what it is like to give birth to a child. Your own little creation. My body did that- grew him and brought him into the world. 

Sometimes, with all the different debates and issues going on with birth control, abortion, and the objectifying of women, the sacredness of what women do is pushed aside. Carrying a baby is a sacred experience in of itself. But giving birth is the most sacred and amazing things I have done. I am proud to be a mother. It is my calling. It is my life. And I love it. 

There he was. My little Owen. They put him on my chest, we were both crying. His little body was so beautiful. I didn't want to let go of him. I wanted him to be brand new for always. To hold him close like that. For him to need me. I know he will change. But for that moment, he was brand new.

Your heart swells to capacity when you have a child. How can you have more than one? When you have your second child, you love them just as much. Your heart expands bigger than you ever knew it could go. 

Owen Robert

5.14.2014

6 lbs 14 oz

4:11am

Birth photo credit to Miriam Hone

Newborn photo credit to Hannah Dunnigan