A Few Favorites

When Carter was a little boy my dear friend Suzanne gave him the cutest green sweat suit. I dressed him in it often for as long as he'd fit into it. I am thrilled that Caleb can fit into it now. He wore it yesterday and received tons of compliments. I think with his redish hair, green is his color! The pictures of Carter were taken in late January 2006, so he's about the same age as Caleb is now. I love the comparison.

Favorite Outfit

Favorite Color

Favorite Boys

Huh? and Other Cali Related Stuff

I am just amazed at how big this girl is getting. This picture was taken this summer, and it is so very Cali. We have a lot of boy stuff going on here right now, Cali and I are officially out numbered. So, I thought I'd post an update just about this fancy woman.

1. On Friday she is having a little ear surgery. Way back when she was three she had tubes put in her ears. Well, one tube fell out in it's own due time...the other didn't. The tube is causing a hole in her ear drum, which may or may not have contributed to her failing her school hearing test. No worries, it's all fixable. They will take the tube out and patch the hole and she'll be as good as new. Then I will be able to tell if the "Huh's?" she gives me are real or if she just has selective hearing.

2. Apparently there are several first grade boys who think she's "hot". Yes, "hot" first graders say hot... a lot. One such boy was too short to kiss her, so he kissed his fingers and pressed them against her lips. Gross gross and triple gross! She was mortified, but in true Cali fashion, too scared to tell the teacher {she has an insane fear of telling the teacher and getting in trouble...} Anyway, she came home from school elated two days a go when he "dumped her". Thank the Lord! Here's how she managed to get "dumped"
"Mom, you only put a headband in my hair today and it looked pretty plain, then I wore only a plain brown shirt today, I tried really hard to make myself not look too cute, and it worked....{boy's name} dumped me!" Oh Cali, if we all had the luxury of trying to make our selves look un-cute!

3. She has also taken to song writing. She penned this one the other night. P.S. don't even try to steal these lyrics...her song writing abilities are going to pay for Christian's medication in his old age!
"I have no kloo what you are talking a bout ecsept I know what I am talking about. I am talking about crazy crazy crazy. Don't you know crazy crazy crazy ya ya ya. Your story sownds like nonsence. Do you know crazy waves or crazy crazy stars. Oh ya ya ya ya. up on the crazy mountains the snow blows blows blows. Do you know what I am talking about. Now this crazy vrzin will blow you a rownd rown ya ya ya ya oh ya. Snap it up ya ya!"

So, never a dull moment. Really. I don't know what I'm going to do with a teenage girl in a few years. Scary. Or crazy crazy crazy ya ya ya!

Happiness Is...

Taking a bath. Or, watching Caleb take a bath. There's just nothing better after a long day of doing what babies do!

Baby Toys...Not Just for Babies Anymore

It amazes me that with all the toys Cali and Carter have, that the baby toys are their favorites. They try to "help" Caleb play with his toys, but the truth is...they just want to play with them. On Saturday night I caught them "sharing" Caleb's toys! One of these days Caleb will be big enough to reclaim what is rightfully his, until then, he'll have to settle for this!

Passing the Torch

It seems that Caleb has a new best friend...his thumb.

Just in time for Carter to stop sucking his. On Saturday we rearranged Carter's bedroom, while we were reorganizing his toys he said that he was ready to put the Yankee Blankee away. When I went to check on Caleb during his nap, I found him sucking the life out his tiny thumb. Oh the irony!

Here are some of the things Carter told me throughout the day:

"Mom, Yankee Blankee will be fine without me, he'll be in my closet and my stuff animals will keep him happy."
"Mom, this is hard, but it is going so-far-so-good."
"When I feel my thumb coming into my mouth, I hide it under my covers."

So far, so good, is right. It's been two full nights with no blankee and no sucking. He's well on his way to going to Build A Bear on Saturday. Where, he has informed me, he will make a Koo Wa Wa {or in other words, a Koala}.

Flashback Friday {Thumb Sucking Edition}

This is a picture that Christian took of Carter on February 9, 2006 when Carter was three months old. Although he'd been trying to suck his thumb for about a month, it was on this day that he finally got it....really got it.

Now, here we are four years later, and he's still got it...I mean really got it. He has limited himself to sucking only at night, and only with his Yankee Blankee, but it's got to stop eventually, right? Last night I told him that if he stopped sucking his thumb I would take him to Build A Bear and let him build a friend for his dinosaur, Topper. His reply, "Ok, I'll start trying in April."

So, now Caleb is working hard at finding his thumb and I have mixed emotions. It's cute and peaceful at three months old, but not so cute at four years old.

Cali, Calee, & Madisen

The adventures of these three silly girls cannot be contained to one blog post! When we were in SLC on Monday we met up with our good friends from Herriman. We all moved into the good old Hamilton Farms neighborhood at the same time, and our kids all happened to be around the same ages. We were sad when we moved, but glad that we've been able to keep in touch and see each other from time to time.

The girls were beyond thrilled to spend some quality time together running around a McDonalds playland. It's so funny to watch them together, they didn't skip a beat!

When they were younger we had to distiguish Cali and Calee by calling them big Calee and little Cali. Well, little Cali grew to be the size of big Calee, so we had to revert to calling them by their middle names. So here, Calee Jean is doing her usual bunny ears thing.

They are all getting so grown up and beautiful. We were sad that our visit was only an hour, but are looking forward to some summer time visits. Madisen was was sad and started to cry as we left, it broke my heart.

Check them out here. This was at Cali's third birthday party. I just can't believe how they've grown and can't wait to see what the future holds for these three friends.

Two Month Check Up....Check

On Monday we observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day by filling up the day with doctor appointments. We got up early and drove to Salt Lake where we met at Bethany's apartment for some lunch. Bethany watched the boys while I took Cali to have her ears checked {this check up and resulting surgery I'll save for another post}.

After Cali's appointment we loaded up for a quick trip to Costco and then onto the pediatrician for Caleb's slightly belated two month check up. Here are some stats and insights about this deliciously handsome man:

1. He weighs 16 lbs 6 oz, which means the 12lb weights I've been lifting seem pretty light!
2. He is 25.5 inches long, so just over two feet long.
3. He spends his days smiling, cooing, and laughing.
4. From time to time he smiles so big that he gets his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.
5. He has tentatively discovered his thumb....good for sleeping now...hard to stop when you're four {just ask Carter}.

Flashback Friday {Time Flies Edition}

Here it is folks...Picture proof that time flies by way too fast. Most the time when I look at Cali and Carter I still see these little Meowzers from January 2007.

However, I am quickly reminded that they are no longer babies. In fact, they are tinylittle adults complete with their own personalities, vocabulary, and ideas. It's so cliche, but I guess that's why it's true, time really does fly.

You Know You Want Some

Cali's girl scout troop is participating in the annual girl scout cookie sale. Which, may or may not, be the whole reason we {she} joined the girl scouts in the first place! Well, not really, but the cookies are a huge deal. All the money raised stays within her troop and will fund their activities for the year along with a service project. This year the girls are making fleece blankets to give to the hospital here in Rock Springs, it's VERY cold and there are people who don't have enough warm blankets for their newborn baby. Cali is very excited to participate in the service project and I am very excited to buy thin mints by the case...yes, I said case!

If you would like to support troop 1857 in RS Wyoming, or would just like to single-handedly devour a box of gs cookies, they are $3.50 a box. If you live in the greater RS area, I will deliver them to your house. If you live somewhere in the great state of Utah, I go there enough, I will deliver to you as well. If you live outside of these two great states and would still like to order...I will ship them to you, no charge!

We HAVE to wrap up our orders by FEBRUARY 2, 2010. Email me, comment on this post, Facebook message, call me...I'm around!

A Happy Day in a Young Girl's Life

Last Friday I took Cali to the eye doctor. She insisted that her glasses made her, "world look fuzzy". She's had her glasses for about a year, so she was due for a check up.

Well, miracle of miracles, the eye problem she was diagnosed with last year....cured this year! Her eyes made a change of 50 points in one year. Which, according to the doctor, can be good or bad. If they change that much every year she'll be nearsighted in no time...But for now, Cali is sans glasses.

When we left the doctor's office she flung them at me and said, "mom! take these!" She tried to quit smiling, but she couldn't. I didn't even know that she hated them that much.

It's Not Snow

It's pretty and it's freeeeeezing, but it's not snow. The weirdest stuff has been landing on the barren trees around Rock Springs. I think it's frozen fog....

After the fog cleared this morning, the trees looked like they had been sprinkled with powdered sugar. When the wind blows it off the branches, it looks like pounds of glitter flying around. Truly beautiful, and frightfully cold!

The Royal Tenenbaums

Several years ago my sister, Bethany, introduced me to a quirky little movie. The movie was The Royal Tenenbaums, and although the plot is strange, the cast is amazing...Gweneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Owen and Luke Wilson, Gene Hackman...The list goes on. From time to time we have been know to quote random lines from such a random show...For example, instead of saying goodbye, I can {on occasion} be heard saying, "fly Mordicai!" It's only relevant and possibly funny to those who have seen the show, or have a deep appreciation for the very random!

Anyway, in the movie, Ben Stiller's character dresses his boys in matching Adidas sweat suits. See picture below...In real life, I have also chosen to dress my boys in matching Adidas sweat suits. See further below!

Flashback Friday {Back by Popular Demand Edition}

Last spring I started posting a flashback each Friday. Somewhere between running around all summer, and having a baby in the fall...I neglected this addition to my blog. So, here it is, back by popular demand....And by popular demand I mean, some people asked me about it. But, they were really popular people, therefore....Back by popular demand! Here's my first flashback of this year.

This is a picture from our wedding reception. Aren't we cute. I love to tell people that I was almost 19...which really just makes me 18 in this picture. Christian was 22, and at least 22 pounds lighter! Quite possibly the best wedding reception ever. My aunt Ruth, uncle Dean, and cousin Thomas put together a wonderful display of real lillies. It was spectacular to say the least. A killer combination of my mom, her friends, and my mother in law, put together a spread of food yet to matched {in my opinion} in the county of Emery. This picture also features three of my all time favorite people. Christian, of course, and my Grandma and Grandpa Cook.

We had a lot of good times with my grandparents, I am so glad that Christian was able to join our family to get to know them while they were on this earth. Especially my grandpa, who just 18 months later was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. It's a really horrible disease that I do not recommend to anyone. He passed away in October 2006, and my grandma followed in April 2008. I am positive that I will never recover from the loss of my grandparents.

After my grandma's funeral my mom decided to divide up her fashion jewelry and broaches among the grand daughters. There was no shortage, she was a very fancy woman! We all took turns choosing a few pieces. When I got home and was arranging my choices in my jewelry box, I noticed that I had picked the very broach that she wore to my wedding, and she's wearing it in this picture. Chances are, I'll never wear it, but I thought it was very special that after all those years, I would...without knowing...pick the piece that she wore to my wedding.

So....We Think We Can Dance

Christian bought Just Dance for the Wii...Quite possibly our best investment ever! Hours and hours of dancing entertainment. Christian thinks he's good at it, I think his exact words were..."I can't lose I have perfect rhythm". My sister Bethany really can dance, many years of professional dance training will do that to a person. Cali's coordination is getting better, think Elaine dancing on Sienfeld...only cuter. Carter has some crazy natural coordination, he must have his dad's rhythm.

And me...I just plain rock! That's all there is to it! Although my formal dancing career was short lived {thank you Laurel Johansen for your patience} I can break it down. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of me bustin' some moves, you'll just have to come over and witness the magic. Dance party at our house!

Two Months Old

On Sunday Caleb turned 2 months old. It was also his blessing day, so here are some 2 month/blessing day pictures of this handsome man. My mother in law, Vicki, picked up this cute little knit sweater set for his blessing outfit. He looked like a like a white little angel. But no true Wyoming-ite can survive without a pair of boots...Right? My very dear and very creative friend, Nicole, made these boot booties for him. They were the perfect addition to this outfit, don't you think?

It's a good thing we didn't wait a moment longer to bless this little man cub. The pants were nearly leggings and you may notice the buttons pulling away from the button holes. When my mom saw the pants she said, "it's a good thing they're knit...they'll give a little." And give they did!

Cousins and Grandparents

Just for posterity sake, here are my kids with all of their cousins and grandparents. I have a few pictures like this of me when I was about Cali's age. There once was a time when my Grandpa and Grandma Peacock could hold all of their grandchildren. Now, I have over 50 first cousins. So, we'll see how this family grows and changes in the coming years!

But, for now, here they are!

Caleb's Blessing Day

I cannot even being to explain where the last two months went, not to mention that past six years. Wow! Check out these three kids...yes, count them three! We had a great Sunday, Christian gave Caleb a beautiful blessing and then back to our house for tons of food and family. We tried to take a few pictures, but it was hard to know which camera look at, which will account for many of us gawking off in strange directions.

I promise, it really was a happy day. I guess Christian wasn't too happy about the endless photos. I think he really just wanted to eat. I did too...But I managed to at least try to smile. Oh well...Here we are!

The Peacock side of the family. We were so sad and missed Dory {my youngest sister had to start school in Cedar on Monday} and Jayna & Mike {the sister closest to my age and her husband live in Washington state}. So minus Jayna, Mike, and Dory here we are back row from left to right, Tyler Gilson {brother in law} Bethany Gilson {sister} Brandt Peacock {my one and only brother} Neal {dad} Gwen {mom}. You know us on the front from left to right...Carter, Christian, Cali, Cammie, and Caleb.

The Pollastro side of the family. Back from left to right Carson Pollastro {brother} Nykelle Pollastro {sister in law} Mia Pollastro {niece} Devin Esplin {brother in law} Melissa Esplin {sister} Parker Esplin {nephew} Dustin Pollastro {brother} Brittany Pollastro {sister} Vicki Pollastro {mom} Carl Pollastro {dad}. You know the rest!

Blessings

I think it's safe to say that our three kids have been the biggest blessing to our lives. It's just amazing how each one landed in our family complete with his/her own personality. We had the opportunity to bless Caleb in our ward yesterday, it was a great day filled with family, food, and fun. I have more pictures to share of the event in coming posts. However, I thought it would be fun to see how all three blessing days compare. Pretty funny!

This picture was taken yesterday January 3rd, 2010. Caleb was exactly two months old. My sister Bethany took this for me in between other family pictures and getting the lunch ready. It was a crazy day. I only wish that I could've found Christian to be in the picture with us. We did get several family shots, which turned out pretty well.

This one was taken on February 2, 2006 at Carter's blessing. Our first generation 2.1 megapixel camera doesn't really appreciate being cropped or zoomed, as you can see by the fuzziness. When Carter was blessed our church started at 2pm. So we hosted a little luncheon at our house before church. I think that's why most of the picture we have of him on this day are of him in his carrier. Either way, we managed to get this shot of us....Now I kind of feel bad that there's not just one of him and me to match the other ones.

And finally, if you've been reading my blog for a while you might recognize this little gem from one of my flashback Friday's. This one was taken on the morning of Cali's blessing September 28, 2003. Once again, my sister Bethany took this for me. She stayed over at our house the night before and took this picture of us before we got in the car. Cali was blessed on one of the most beautiful fall mornings, the weather was so perfect we had a picnic at the park afterwards.

Happy New Year

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season. We sure did. I can hardly believe another year has come and gone. We have been blessed beyond measure, and are truly grateful for the time we had this season to thank and think of our Savior. It's obviously something that can be done at any time during the year, but is especially poignant during the holiday season.

The next several posts chronical our Christmas comings and goings. Not so much for entertainment, but more for my own record keeping purposes. However, if you do choose to scroll down you will see some pretty hilarous photos of our never dull life!

Better to Give than to Receive...

Well, at least that's what I'd like my kids to learn. This year Cali and Carter were both old enough to pick a present for each other. Sure, we've done this in years past, but I usually end up buying something and then telling Carter to give it to Cali. This year was a whole new experience. Cali and Carter both methodically and thoughtfully picked a gift for the other, and carefully and excitedly wrapped it up. It was fun to see their excitement as they gave their gifts. Carter had a hard time holding his secret in, but every time he almost told Cali what it was, she would plug her ears to make sure that the secret was safe.

For Carter, Cali picked "The Fallen". She paced and searched the store until she found it. Then she paced and searched and checked out a few other toys just to be sure it was the perfect one. Carter loved it!

For Cali, Carter picked a Barbie. He was so thrilled that the Barbie came with a puppy and had legs that would move as it rode the matching bike. He was right up in her business to show her how it worked. She was grateful that her brother had picked such a great gift.

Christmas Morning

Most people would have to agree, Christmas morning is the best morning of the year. Well, the first day of school is right up there, but Christmas morning is tops for sure! Our kids woke up nice and early ready to see what loot Santa had left them.

This year Santa brought Cali her own desk, or her "office" as she likes to call it. A perfect gift for a little girl who is up to her eyeballs in glue, glitter, tape, pens, and crayons. A day never goes by that she doesn't make something or sneak into my craft room to use the glue gun. I only wish I had the space to keep EVERYTHING she makes, we'd need a storage unit for her creations alone.

Carter was thrilled to see that Santa left him the Devastator Transformer, or as he calls it, "The Demostrator". Either way it's much too complex for me to wrap my mind or fingers around. It's six separate Transformers that come together and make one giant one. I don't know who Santa was kidding. Does he not know that we still haven't figured out how to transform the ones we have? Carter also loved his mitt and ball, and is now ready to play some baseball. Only six/seven more months and it'll be warm enough to play catch outside!

Caleb's First Christmas

This cute young thing is going to have a slew of "firsts" this year. So, here's one of many! Caleb's first Christmas. I think he liked it as well as any two month old can. Mostly Carter "helped" him open his presents...Thank goodness for big brothers!