Brooks 1 year check up (9/22/2020)

Stats:

Ht 29.1" (73.9 cm)

Wt 8.99 kg (19 lb 13.1 oz)

HC 46.2 cm (18.19")

BMI 16.45 kg/m²

Brooks is on the shorter, more slender side. So far he seems to be following the same trend as Jonas.

He got 7 shots! He did cry when he got them, but immediately stopped afterwards. Poor guy, but it's always better to just stay on track with the vaccines.

Brooks is still a momma's boy, but he does love dad too. He still spends much of the day exploring, but loves being outside best. He can be frustrated inside, but if I bring him outside, he will play and play for hours and be completely content. He likes to swing, get on the trampoline and "jump". You know that jump where your feet never really leave the ground. He also likes to get in the garage, try to escape to the street, get pushed on the scooter, kick or throw balls and now try to pet the chickens.

The boys all adore him. And so do David and I.

Spiritual Gifts, Blogging and Chickens (9/28/2020)

This morning I read the boys' baby blessings.  Yesterday I had fasted that I would recognize my boys' spiritual gifts and get a glimpse of how Heavenly Father sees them.  Then yesterday evening we were sitting outside and for Come Follow Me we started talking about the boys' spiritual gifts.  This prompted me to read their baby blessings.  It was tender to read those blessings again and to see who they are.  I need to be reminded of this as I mother them and love them.  I want to help these gifts to grow and to be shared.  

Once I was on my blog, I began reading other posts.  I have to be better and recording these memories and experiences.  They are so fun to read and remember.  So, here's to trying once again to get back to blogging.

This past week we got chickens!  6 of them to be exact.  1 white leghorn, 2 red leghorns, 2 australorps and 1 ameraucana.  The boys have loved them!  Mason became the first to master picking them up.  He is now able to pick up two at the same time.  And, if they are "naughty", they get put in the chicken coop for time out.  After being a little nervous about picking them up, Jonas has also figured it out.  He said he follows one into a group of chickens and then he's able to pick it up because it has no where to go.  Both of the boys talk to them.  Jonas is especially tender.  He will sit down and talk to them while rubbing their head.  Mason will actually take them on the swing with him.  Porter doesn't spend as much time with them, but the younger boys are teaching him how to pick one up.  He did it for the first time yesterday and was so excited.  Brooks also loves the chickens.  He'll walk all over the yard and will even pet them.  He is not afraid of them.  Brooks also loves dogs and is not afraid of dogs.  Of all my boys, he is the most willing to walk right up and try to pet them.  

Lately Brooks has been giving us the biggest, cheesiest grin.  It is hilarious.  He is definitely a ham.  

Priesthood Blessing (9/9/2020)

Tonight David gave myself and Jonas and Porter blessings for this upcoming school year.  I recorded the boy's blessings, but I did not record mine, so hopefully I can remember things that stood out to me that I need to remember.

set boundaries with the boys.  as i set boundaries, their love and respect will grow.

be a missionary.  act upon the promptings I receive quickly and exactly. (Today I received a prompting to give Heather Polikoff a copy of the Book of Mormon along with the Book of Mormon Come Follow Me manual.)

remember that Christ cleanses us completely.  give over those parts of my spirit and myself that I am holding back.

use my gift to listen and realize that those that stop by are not by coincidence.  Give a space to listen to them and teach my boys to give me the space to do this.  

prioritize school and our day with the boys.  take time throughout the day to stop and re-prioritize as needed.

this is a tender time to have these boys in our home.  Jonas starting kindergarten at home will help him to learn structure and will help Mason to learn structure also and will give Mason a friend.

Porter needs to learn that he is part of a family and this is important.  

My faith is tender, pure and solid.

Be open with my passions and excitement with David and my friends.

It was a very sweet, tender blessing for myself and the boy's blessings were also sweet.   I have loved listening to blessings lately.  It really is a glimpse into their soul and their divine personality.  And, I always coming away knowing that God is aware of us as individuals and that he loves us deeply and knows us intimately.

Bountiful Temple- Summer Garn 9/8/2020

Today was a special day.  Summer Garn took out her endowment at the Bountiful Temple and I was able to be there to participate.  I have missed the temple and it was so special to be back.  I was emotional as things stood out to be during the session and I thought about the Garden of Eden and earth now.  There are ways we are constantly trying to beautify this world whether it's through planting flowers/trees, etc or beautifying the earth through our interactions with one another.  I also was reminded of the welcome we will receive when we are welcomed back Home. 

Brooks Turns One! (9/5/2020)

I can't believe that Brooks turned one.  How has a year flown past?  I love having him in our family even if I have not slept through the night for this entire year.  

Lately we have really started to see Brooks's personality shine through.  He is a tease.  He can be found wandering around, climbing on things, putting everything in his mouth, throwing tantrums, getting into everything, splashing in the bath and "wrestling" his brothers.  He isn't much of a snuggler, but he will sometimes walk right into my open arms and let me embrace him.  Then he's done and he moves on.  He will say "bye-bye", wave and then slide himself down the stairs on his tummy.  He can say "da da", "bye bye" and "that".  And I'm pretty sure he tries to say "Jesus".  He loves when Porter's swings him around and plays a little rougher than I like.  I am still his favorite person, but who knows how long that will last.  He tries to jump and today I found him splashing in the toilet... YUCK.  He has little bruises all over his head. I assume these are from his tantrums where he throws him self forward on the ground or backward and then scoots until he hits something.  Or, maybe they are from his brothers.  Mason often hurts him when he doesn't mean to.  Brooks loves to be outside, does not sit still for his diaper to be changed.  I have to try and distract him and sometimes physically hold him down so I can change him.  Before bed I have to get him ready early so that it's easier and he isn't so fussy.

I love his big toothy grin.  He will throw his head back and laugh.  He walks and holds my hand if I put it out for him.  But, usually he just goes off on his own.  I get to push him around on the Radio Flyer scooter and he stand and holds on.  

It's amazing how much you can love your little boys.