Westin turns three!

Michael:

was on call Wednesday and Friday, but he had Thanksgiving off. He also had Saturday off, which was Westin's birthday, so all things considered his schedule felt pretty lucky this week. He's officially Bennett's favorite parent and I'm realizing we will just always need a baby around here if I want to be anyone's favorite. Once they're big enough to wrestle someone, Michael is the winner. Well, it was a good year of having a mama's boy. I'll go enjoy my stolen moments of peace and quiet now when both boys are following Michael around the house! On Friday Michael and I built a play kitchen for Westin to wake up to on his birthday and it was fun. One of our first dates together at BYU (after pseudo-dating at the Jerusalem Center) was building an IKEA dresser for my apartment. It was fun to remember that and build something for our little birthday boy together.

Maddie:

started getting sick on Tuesday and it just became worse all week until today. It kind of sent me into an adrenaline rush of pushing through because I knew if I didn't do Thanksgiving, we wouldn't have Thanksgiving, and I'd be sad all day. So Westin and I made food all day Wednesday and again on Thursday morning, then we had our own little Thanksgiving feast together. It was fun, even though we missed family. A Costco pumpkin pie for 4 people is a little overwhelming. But, you know, nothing we can't handle with time :) I was so excited for Westin to wake up on his birthday. He has seemed 3 to me for a while, so this birthday didn't make me emotional. He has been so excited for this day for a while, so I was just excited for him. My brother's dog passed away this weekend and I have been so sad for their family. They got their dog while I lived close to them in Utah, and then I lived with them for almost a year right before I got married. Seeing the pictures of them saying goodbye to their sweet Sprocky just made me cry and it was one of the times that I feel so bad about being too far away from family to do much for them.

Westin:

woke up Saturday and loved opening a new firetruck from Grammy and Papa. He didn't even really notice the new kitchen, which looking back, is because I should have somewhat wrapped it. He was just focused on the presents around it and didn't even register that it was there. But he's been playing with it ever since we pointed it out and it's fun to see him in his element at home. When we drive to Cafe Rio (like twice a month, let's be real) we pass an Applebee's and Westin always says "There's an apple on that restaurant!" When he found out we could eat anywhere he wanted to on his birthday he immediately chose the apple restaurant, and loved that they sang to him. Applebee's, what Westin's dreams are made of? His close second pick was the "statue horse" restaurant (P.F. Chang's) and I was so crossing my fingers that it would slide into first place in the end. Maybe next year.

Bennett:

LOVES animals and was in heaven with Rosie the golden retriever we watched all week. She was our favorite dog we've watched yet. (Do I always say that? This one really was.) Bennett loved to just cuddle her and follow her around and be by her as much as possible. She went home tonight and we were all sad to see her go. He's starting to stand on his own quite a bit, and when he finally takes those first steps we are going to be so excited for him. He's such a sweetheart, and is usually only ever angry if he's hungry or being changed. Changing Bennett's diaper or clothes feels like my workout these days, he's so strong... and uncooperative. But sweet.

I love these boys. Seems like a rare moment when they'll both just hang out like this for a few minutes.

Westin and Rosie 

Westin decided he wanted a fire and s'mores for his birthday,
so he blew out sticks instead of candles and roasted marshmallows instead of cake.

Applebee's birthday ice cream. After they sang their little song to him (which he listened to with staring wide eyes and slight confusion) he said, "That wasn't the Happy Birthday song..." which made me laugh. 

Bennett doesn't like noodles, and Westin doesn't like mashed potatoes. These are confusing traits to me.

Gate goes up when dogs come around and these two are constantly calling for a lift over.

Found them relaxing like this. Rosie's the only dog who has managed to be allowed on our couches.
I'm telling you, she really won us over.

How I frequently find my phone (...Bennett...)

See my note about Michael being the favorite parent above.

I know no one's Thanksgiving food pictures look good to anyone else, but I had to document this.
We had a smoked turkey breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade rolls, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, spinach apple salad, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
And we're still eating it.

Toddler Thanksgiving verdict:
Three rounds of sweet potato casserole.
No mashed potatoes or turkey or stuffing, please.

Rosie liked to sleep right here and it almost 100% alleviated the anxiety I get when Michael is at the hospital overnight.
Should we get a dog? Talk me into it. Or talk me out of it. 

Yes, we went to Taco Bell for dinner the night before Thanksgiving after cooking all day. And this wall made me happy.

Someone diagnose my dryer.
And then tell me why we've had more washer/dryer issues
in our 18 months here than we had in 4 years in our last place. 

Just taking a ride together around the kitchen in a Costco box. I was good for like two spins around the room before I was dizzy and couldn't breathe, and Westin was so disappointed. I'd try to explain I was sick, and he just kept saying
"But why? Why did you get sick?" And sometimes you're just like, "Dude, I don't know!" to those toddler questions.

He dumped out his entire toy box (which he has never done) so I was bugged and told him he had to go clean up his room.
I looked down the hall a little while later and saw him just sitting in the empty toy box playing.
I snapped (what I thought was) a sneaky pic and I hear him call out, "So, who you gonna send that to?"
Made me stop and contemplate what it must feel like living in a well-documented childhood generation.... what do you do.

Our friend Emma invited us to her friend's turkey farm on Monday and it was such a fun outing.
We just tried to not think too hard about the life of a turkey at a turkey farm this time of year...

Sweetest little chicks!

The bedtime ritual turned suspiciously quiet and then I found these three.

Cedar Time

Michael:

missed us! But we're back now and all is well. He was so busy at the hospital while we were gone. I made some food and bought some food for him to have on hand when we were in Utah, and 95% of it is still in the fridge and freezer. So... next time I'm not going to stress about that! He was just hardly home. On Saturday Michael took us to a super fun place that I had never heard of. We visited a nearby fish hatchery with lots of play equipment and interactive displays to teach you about fish farming, and then tons and tons of fish to look at with free food to give them. Westin loved feeding the fish so much. We'll definitely be back. Bennett just wanted to swim with them... we keep waiting for him to develop some survival skills but he's still ready to go head first into water, off beds, over couches, just anywhere really. Gotta keep a close watch on that kid.

Maddie:

loved being at my parents house. I also feel like we're getting a good routine of our 8.5 hour drive between here and there. It was pretty smooth both ways. I get so much done when I'm in Cedar City -- you can seriously get anywhere in that town in like 6 minutes, it's magic. I had fun running errands with my mom, eating my favorite tacos, getting pedicures and dinner with DaNae, staying up too late eating snacks and watching TV like I was in high school again, and watching my boys love Grandma and Grandpa. We loved being there, and loved combing back to see Michael. I have the best people!

Westin:

loved hanging out with grandma and grandpa, and found out how great grandpa is at drawing. He started making specific requests (see the dragon below) and I just love that my dad has always been the best doodler ever. We are trying to figure out the best way to handle Westin's toddler anger, but when he's sweet he's oh so sweet. His vocabulary is huge and his little expressions are my favorite. I feel grateful that he is able to communicate with us so well. I just wish he wanted to communicate more pleasant things some of the time instead of previously mentioned toddler anger... :)

Bennett:

became way more mobile just during the week at my parent's house. Something about a new space to explore, I think. He also stopped wanting me after we were there about four days, and would just cling to grandpa if I tried to hold him. It's fine, Bennett, I only do LITERALLY EVERYTHING for you, but go ahead and replace me :) Grandpa is great, I get it. He used to be a total mama and grandma boy, but now it's all about Michael and grandpa. This is directly related to weaning, I'm pretty sure, and it makes me feel like I have to nurse my last child until they're 5. I'm not going to do that. But I do wish I could stay the favorite around here a little longer. Bennett has such a funny trick of "playing dead" when I scare him, just laying down flat and staring at the ceiling with a face that looks like he thinks he's hiding from me. My parents and I just cracked up at him doing that so much this last week.

We loved our Utah time! Now we're ready to have some Thanksgiving and Westin birthday time. This week will be a party!

Michael was putting Westin to bed and then it was quiet. I found these three like this. I knew that toddler mattress by Westin's now-open crib would be a Michael trap. Westin usually wakes up on it, so it's a necessary precaution.

Fish hatchery! It was so much fun.

Bennett wore his pajamas there... I pick my battles, and pick my efforts.
It's getting chilly and they're his warmest clothes, so, easily justified.

Super heroes are grandpa's doodling specialty.

Instagram:
I road-tripped my two little boys to my hometown this week, and this is why. Taking them through the new Cedar City LDS Temple made me feel profoundly grateful.
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I think I see my hometown and the years growing up there with rose-colored glasses at this point, but that honestly just makes me feel extremely lucky. Basically, I’m obsessed with Cedar City, even though I haven’t been there longer than sporadic short visits in ten years.
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Temples represent God’s love to me. This one is filled with paintings of red mountains and columbine flowers that make me feel at home, next to mahogany from Africa and stone from Israel that remind me how home has become a stretched out term to me. Temples keep me centered on eternity in a world lost in the now. They have shown me heartbreak, and comfort, confusion, and answers — just like life. But unlike life, they provide a pause.
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My boys won’t remember walking through today. But I wanted them to come and see and feel something. Bennett stared at chandeliers and Westin rubbed smooth large doors. I hope they grow to love hometowns and childhoods and temples and God. And mostly that they know He loves them individually, too. 

We loved meeting Jamie and Finley for lunch! It meant so much to me that she drove down from
Northern Utah that weekend and took time to meet up with us.
Pizza Factory and good friends. That's been a favorite combo for as long as I can remember.

These two have just grown so much since we were last together in Fresno!

Sisters <3

Red mountains = best mountains

Back to Cedar

Michael:

had long days this week and Westin is trying to get used to that again. I kept Westin up late Wednesday night to see Michael before the boys and I left town, and he was so happy to see daddy. Michael makes up good stories before bedtime, and Westin always asks me for repeats on the days he isn't there. He took the side of Westin's crib off Wednesday night because we just need to initiate this change with baby steps or Westin is going to be a kindergartener in a crib. Then Michael spent the last half of the week alone since the boys and I are out of town. Poor guy. He worked most of Saturday and Saturday night at the hospital.

Maddie:

got my carpets cleaned Monday and it made me extremely happy. We're pretty much the best renters in existence, I'm pretty sure. Too bad that gets us nothing but... a rent payment. I am figuring out how to seriously systemize our Utah road tripping and I think it's a little easier now that Bennett's hardly nursing. But if he's like Westin was, 15-21 months will be the worst travel age. That's also the age Westin was when we drove and moved across the country so... that was fun. I met up with some friends from high school on Friday and loved seeing our kids together so much. Driving around Cedar City makes me so happy. I'm convinced it's the perfect place to grow up.

Westin:

did really well his first night of sleeping with the side of his crib down. We put his toddler bed mattress on the floor by him in case he fell out. In the morning I asked him how he liked sleeping in his "big boy crib" and he said, "I woke up down there, and climbed back up, then woke up down there, and climbed back up..." He never made any noise though, so nobody knew there was a lot of commotion happening. Once in a while I really wish that we had a video monitor. :) But not enough to get one! He did a really good job on our road trip to Utah, and he has been loving his time with his two older cousins and Aunt Ali. He seems so much older when he's hanging out with cousins. It's just so new to see him being pretty independent for long periods of time with them. He has loved playing at the park with cousins, watching ping pong games, being out on the trampoline, going on walks, looking at pictures on Ali's iPad with her (an articulation app, pretty sweet to have a speech language pathologist as an aunt), feeling like one of the big kids, and FaceTiming daddy.

Bennett:

loves all the attention from grandma and grandpa and cousins this week. He's crawling so much and so fast. He would swing all day if someone would push him all day. He eats SO much, I can hardly keep up. Sometimes I get really grumpy about how much of my life goes to food management. I just try not to think about it. (That doesn't really work. I still get grumpy about it.) He's sleeping through the night even while traveling and that just makes me want to give him a thousand kisses. Which I probably do. He's such a sweetheart. He did pretty good on our drive but then cried almost all the way from St. George to Cedar, but at that point I was committed to just getting there and there was nothing I could do for him but end his driving experience as quickly as possible. We're having so much fun this week, and we can't wait to go to the Cedar City Temple open house in a couple days!