October 2010

Beck turns 1!
October 12, 2010

Here's my baby boy, Beck, turning one! His first year really went by quickly. It's been such a joy to have a boy, and he is doted upon by his older sisters. (sometimes too much!) He is such a playful little guy with a quirky sense of humor. He loves to pull funny faces and will laugh when others are laughing (like he's 'in' on the joke). He has started to exhibit a drama factor which I thought was only reserved for girls. He'll throw himself on the floor and roll around with an extremely frustrated and mad-sounding wail to show how upset he is when he wants something. He loves to 'pat' those whom he loves (esp. his Dad) and will follow us around like a little puppy dog wanting to be picked up for a grown-up vantage point. He doesn't really like to cuddle or sit still but loves to climb the stairs and anything that's climb-able. He is an active one and loves to be outside.

He had a monkey smash cake for his party which we celebrated on the 9th and shared dinner and cupcakes with his guests. He is one loved little boy.We sure do like having him in our family.

The rest of October flew...so fast! We got a swagger wagon (van) at the beginning of the month and said goodbye to our great RAV4. Without any prompting or pleading on my part, Andrew was the one to suggest we get the van for sanity. The kids all fit in our RAV but it was tight enough quarters to have constant arguing, complaining and annoying-of-your-neighbor every time we got in the car. So we officially own a mini-van. Lily started swimming lessons and passed her first course. Beck started taking his first steps and then walking and got his second molar a week or so after his birthday.

We took advantage of some fall festivities and enjoyed the warmer weather when we could. Beck, I and my mom got to go with Zoe and her preschool to Black Island Farms and participate in a trailer ride around the farm, picking a pumpkin straight from the patch, hay slides, corn/sand boxes, pig races and barrel-train rides. Then, that weekend, we had a Halloween lunch and party at my mom's house, and all the cousins got to see each other's costumes and have some fun before venturing out Halloween (eve) night. We had a trunk-or-treat at the church which ended up being the greatest thing. The kids got scads of candy in an hour or so and all right before it started to rain. Andrew took the girls trick-or-treating for about half an hour in the cold wetness, and they'd had their fill. We had very few trick-or-treaters come knocking what with us being in a culdesac and it being under construction, so it was a quiet night. Here's the baby cow, the pirate princess and the cheeky monkey in their Halloween attire. Trick-or-treat!

September 2010

Here's Miss Zoe ready for her first day of preschool at Barneck Preschool. She was a little nervous but seemed to be having a grand time when we came to pick her up. She was excited for her own backpack and to get to share in the school experience.

Beck's 1st haircut. I took advantage of Beck being quite sick with a stomach bug and cut his hair for the first time. He did so well and I think it turned out so cute. Such a little man.

Duck Pond. We go to the Jensen Nature Park as often as we can and feed the ducks. The girls have a grand time surrounded by a hundred ducks and especially love chasing them back into the water.


Lagoon Day. We had the opportunity to go to Lagoon early September. We enjoyed fun activities/games and food with my stepdad's company and then let the kiddos get their ride on. Lily was a daredevil and couldn't get enough of all the speed, height and rush. Zoe rode most of them as well but was not as keen on the 'scarier' rides.

August 2010

Lily's 5th birthday party. My dad was here visiting from Kansas City, and we enjoyed his company for a few days while he stayed with us. Lily had lots of friends and family that came to spoil her, but she was a little upset that I didn't organize a friend party this year. She got her much wanted pillow pet among a lot of other things. She loves playing with friends and makes them easily. She looks forward to kindergarten but not the homework; however, she loves the art center and is always bringing home stacks of art projects to gift to us.

Davis County Fair. We have gone three years now and absolutely love it. The girls love the pony rides (and we love them because they're free). They got to pet the farm animals, watch a dog show, get a balloon shape and enjoy the festivities. Good times.

Zoe had her adenoids and tonsils removed--her second surgery in her short 3 1/2 years. She doesn't like the anesthesia after-effects, but I suppose no one really does. She was a champ and only had one day of bad soreness. She bounced right back and now doesn't snore.

Welcome Home Hermana Fedor!

After 18 months we got to welcome Torrie home from her mission in San Salvador, El Salvador. What a great example of hard work, dedication and service to the Lord and people of El Salvador. We love you, Torrie! It's so good to have you home!

Lily at 5!

I thought these portraits taken at Target turned out so great. It helps when the subject matter is so cute!

Soapstone Camping

Well, it's official. We finally went camping. My kids have wanted to go for a while now, but I've just not the motivation or the camping skills to accomplish such a feat. So a HUGE thank you to Andrew's side of the family for organizing the whole thing and making it more bearable for us city-grown people by having a flushing toilet and other niceties like four-wheelers.
I'm not much of a tent-sleeper. The last time I went camping was at girls camp 12 years ago, and I got to sleep in a cabin. I survived the one night on the ground although I didn't get much sleep, but it was worth it to have my kids enjoy the experience.
It was fun to be with so many of Andrew's siblings and their families. Along with camping we also got to have a swimming party and barbeque in the past week. Extended families sure make life that much sweeter. Thanks, Pedersen Fam!

First day of Kindergarten and such

Well, we've started on the long road of formal public education...good, old kindergarten...just as much a milestone for me as for Lily. She was nervous but is quickly acclimating as I knew she would. We have two weeks of short days, days off and testing and then she'll start the demanding schedule of three hours, five days a week...(whew! I wish the first year of college was like that!) I think one of the hardest things was how much Zoe wanted to join Lily. (She doesn't get to start preschool until September and just wants to have that same to-do for her right now)

Here's the Beckster...He will get up in this position or in the crawling position and then won't move his feet. Then he gets tired from doing push-ups and flops back on his belly and bawls....I guess patience (or lack thereof) must run in the family. Surprisingly, he's now older than both my girls were when they started crawling. They say boys usually do the physical stuff earlier, but I say, to each his own! He gets around by rolling and using his arms to turn around in a circle. He's also figured out how to propel/kick his legs while sitting on his bum to scoot himself along the tile in the kitchen...why do things the conventional way?)

Diaper Deal at Amazon

I just came across a fabulous diaper deal at www.amazon.com. I read about part of the deal at www.mrsmoneysaver.com and then expounded upon that with my own smarts :o) Here's the deal as found on that site. My added discount idea is posted at the end in red. You have to get either Parents magazine or Parenting Early Years magazine (August 2010 issues) to really get a steal. (The card may also be found in other family/parenting magazines--these are just the ones I get and have found)

Amazon is offering 30% off select diapers, wipes, and baby care products right now, plus free 2-day shipping! I just got a case of 204 Luvs diapers (size 3) for about $25, coming out to $0.12/diaper.
To get your discount:1. Check out the products included the sale. Some quick diaper links:
Seventh Generation, size 2, 160 ct- $27.99
Huggies Snug & Dry, size 1-2, 192 ct- $23.79
Luvs, size 3, 204 ct- $25.12
Earth’s Best, size 1, 176-ct- $31.49
Pampers Baby Dry, size 4, 128 ct- $25.77
Pampers Baby Dry, size 3, 204 ct- $28.34
2. Click on the product you want. The price shown at this point will not include the 30% discount. (If you want to order more than one item, you’ll have to order each individually.)
3. Select a delivery option for Subscribe & Save on the right side of the page. (It doesn’t really matter what you pick, since you’ll want to cancel later.) Then click “Subscribe”. You’ll only receive the discount and free shipping if you’re ordering through Subscribe & Save.
4. Go through the checkout process to receive the 30% discount and free 2-day free. No coupon code is necessary.
5. Once you place your order, the order confirmation page will include a link to “Manage your subscriptions”. Click to manage, and find the order you just placed. Select “cancel” and work through the steps to cancel the subscription. Canceling will make sure Amazon doesn’t ship you another order at regular price next month!

So I read about this deal and then remembered that I saw a bright orange insert card in both my new Parents magazine and Family Fun magazine (August 2010) for 20% off diapers at amazon.com. So I did as the website said to get the 30% off and free 2-day shipping and THEN added the promo code from my orange card. (space to enter promo code is on the right hand side when completing your order). I did the deal two different times so as to use both my orange cards and sign up for the subscribe and save. (I think as long as you order different types/sizes of diapers you can sign up for the 'subscribe and save' option with each one, netting you the 30% off code each time) My grand total: first transaction--Luvs Sz 4, 180 ct. = $17.94 ($0.10/diaper) and second transaction--Pampers Baby Dry Sz 4, 176 ct.=$20.99 ($0.12/diaper) I am going to cancel the 'subscribe and save' option under My Account, Subscription Info after I get the confirmation email saying my order has shipped. That way my current shipment will be on its way, and I won't be responsible for paying/getting future automatic shipments.

Beck is 9 months

I could just eat him up! He's so cute and huggable and is getting so big. I can't believe he's already nine months old. He loves to bop his head and kick his feet. He waves bye-bye/night-night, plays peek-a-book, loves to eat--especially cereal puffs and is getting very good and feeding himself. He doesn't crawl quite yet but gets around via rolling and turning with his arms on his belly. He has his two bottom teeth, is a good sleeper and loves to squeal and make himself known. We sure do love having him around.

Summer Me

Here's some more pictures of our summer so far. Lily had her training wheels taken off her bike and was riding solo the next day. She rode it to the Syracuse Parade with Andrew running right along behind her (just in case). We got buckets full of candy at the parade--literally. I wish Halloween was as easy as that. I guess it helps when you sit at the beginning of the parade when the candy is in full supply (and it also helps when your kids are so cute!).

And here's us at Eaglewood in North Salt Lake for the annual Independence Day fireworks and picnic. The kids got nice and sandy, we got fed good food and saw some awesome fireworks. Beck really loved the glow stick/ring and was happy to be around so many people.

And I guess the summer wouldn't be complete without a trip to the swimming pool. Luckily my mom was able to come with us to help as a third adult. The girls had fun playing with their cousins who also came. Beck loves water and is such a handsome little dude in his new swim trunks. So far our summer hasn't been too shabby, and school starts next week for Lily. It's been short, but I think it'll be good for Lily to have some more structure to her day. I'm not the most fun when it comes to taking all three kids to places every day...I just don't have the sanity to do that. (Hey, it's an accomplishment for me to finally get this pix posted)

Zoo

Finally getting around to posting pix from the last 6 weeks. Here's us at the zoo with all my mom, siblings and nephews. It was such a perfect day weather-wise. We had a lot of fun and didn't have to stay the whole day for the kids to feel like they had a good time.

Pomp and Circumstance

I am guilty as ever of being a picture procrastinator. If I'm lucky I download maybe once a month. This spring has been no exception. But seeing as I was 'forced' to catch-up in order to make/order a photo book for Andrew for Father's Day, I will now take the time to actually post a few. It really is quite pathetic when my life revolves around sales...(gotta get this done/go shopping before this sale is over...) Oh well, no matter the motivation, it's getting done :o)
Here is Lily graduating from preschool. Two years and she's already moving onto Kindergarten. Because of a year-round school schedule here she will be starting in less than two months, before she even turns five. Is this really my baby? Perhaps I've had too much time to reminisce due to the picture project album I put together for Andrew. I spent hours reviewing pictures I've taken from the minute Lily was born to the present day...almost five years of pictures. And the cliche is true...each subsequent child seems to get a little less of the camera light. Not because I find them less important or loved, just because I am more busy and am often too harried to be thinking about picture moments. I am trying. I guess on the flip side, it makes for less photos that have to be scrapbooked.
So here is Miss Lily...Preschool graduate, on to bigger ponds called Elementary school. She is my sensitive one. She hates it when other people are upset and will do all in her power not to get in trouble or be the one to diffuse a tense situation. She is very conscious of her weaknesses and has a strong desire to develop good traits that she sees in others. She LOVES to play with friends and will forgo eating to just play. We all went to the Discovery Gateway as her last preschool field trip, and I am always amazed at how quickly she can play with random children and make friends in a few short minutes. She has no fear in that aspect, and I admire her greatly for that endearing quality. She didn't enjoy soccer quite as much as I thought she would have, but she is very active and loves to be outside. She is growing up so fast, and I lament that I often take for granted the everyday, the mundane and the 'regular' part of each day. And here is my Zoe. She is my baby-lover, be it doll or human. She is my little home-body buddy and prefers to stay home most of the time. She has tried to branch out a little and will venture on one or two play dates with Lily every once in a while. She loves to play in (and still eat) dirt and water. She is terrified of dogs but is not phased by horses or other big animals. She loves to sing especially during sacrament meeting when the hymn is being sung. She'll crawl on my lap and ask me to point her finger at the words as they're being sung. She will then hum/mumble the words with me. She is my little limit-tester. She has no desire to just be told when something if off limits or not such a great idea. She'd rather do it anyway and reap the consequence/experience. She definitely keeps me constantly sharpened when it comes to be creative with discipline techniques. (And I still seem to be searching for that perfect one) She tends to be a little more tentative in play-group situations but has no fear of making friends with adults and willingly talks to whomever will listen. Her thumb and her blankets are still some of her favorite possessions and are her constant comfort objects when she's nervous. She is my little helper and loves to cook and eat. And last, but definitely not least, is my little man, Beck, at 7 1/2 months. He is starting to be quite the little mover and gets around via rolling and twisting like a clock. No crawling yet, but I always find him in a different position/place than where I left him. He loves to eat as well and enjoys all kinds of baby food and gumming down Cheerios. He hasn't quite got the hang of the sippy cup and would rather chew on it. No teeth yet but his hair is growing quite fast and is no longer sticking up like it used to. His cute little fuzzy halo is becoming more coarse and thick. He likes to bat at things to get a better idea of his orientation with them and loves to babble and laugh, especially at Zoe, who feels it her daily duty to find a new way to tickle his funny bone. He is getting sick again after only enjoying a few weeks of being healthy after his last cold. Definitely not my favorite thing for this little guy. He's usually pretty laid-back and happy, and we like it that way.
This picture is a typical one around here. Lily watching her tv show (her current fave is Tom & Jerry). Zoe with her thumb not really wanting to cooperate for the camera, and Beck just loving the fact that Mom is so close and actively engaged. Sure do love my peeps!

More Catch-up

Here's Beck at 6 months!! I can't believe he's half-way to a year...definitely like a whirlwind in slow motion, slow days that turn quickly into fast weeks and months.

And here's our little Easter weekend pictures. We went to the Syracuse Egg Hunt, had one of our own and dyed eggs. We enjoyed Easter dinner at my mom's after Conference, and the kids had a jelly bean hunt there, too. The whole week was pretty devoid of plans. Lily had no preschool or soccer, so we spent a lot of time trying to stay occupied. It could have been warmer, but that's how the egg cracks sometimes.
We all got sick--colds of some sort. My stupid allergies seem to get worse every year and almost sideline me some days. I could deal with sneezing and itchy eyes, but my head and ears get so full and congested that I feel like my head is going to explode. NOT fun, and I really wish I could find some magic combo of drugs to alleviate it until the season passes. And the funny thing is is that I never even had allergies until I got pregnant with Lily, and I've had them ever since. Shouldn't it be the other way around? You're a mom, so you shouldn't get sick or afflicted with stuff like that?

Long Overdue Pix from March

These pictures have been on my memory card for far too long, and I'm finally getting around to downloading them. So here's some of March's highlights... Beck started solid foods and took to them rather quickly. We had plenty of cold weather mixed in with the occasional warm day or two. Lily started recreational soccer and loves it...even when it's freezing outside. (Mom, on the other hand, didn't so much like standing in the wind while juggling two other cold, bored children for four practice in a row). Zoe celebrated her third birthday and had so many family and friends come to support and celebrate with her. It was our first, big 'unveiling' of our new house, and it was SOO nice to have the room to accommodate a large group. Andrew actually enjoyed it (and he's usually not into the party scene). She is getting so big and keeps us on our toes with her want to 'help' with Beck.

Settling In...

Here we are getting settled in. Things are coming together, and we are feeling at home.
Good things come to those who wait...

Moved In...sort of

We are officially in our new house as of last Wednesday, but this is the first day we've had internet. It's been a crazy and long week so far, but we are slowly rising out of the boxes and chaos. Thanks to family and great friends we've been able to accomplish much more than we thought possible in such a short amount of time. The pictures and decor have yet to find a home, and I think once they're up it'll feel a little more complete.
My favorite thing about our house so far is the shower in the master bath. It truly is a sanctuary, and I have to remind myself that I can't stay in there as long as I'd want because the water bill would be sky high.
We are excited to be in Syracuse and are getting to know the neighborhood and ward. It's been good so far. The kids are adjusting nicely. Lily started her new preschool (which is actually her former preschool from last year in Clearfield). Zoe is off her mattress on the floor and is on an actual bed. Beck is finally able to sleep in his crib, and I finally made it to the gym...woo hoo!
Pix to come later when I actually feel motivated to go through all the boxes in the office and get organized.

accomplishments?

ever have one of those days where you feel like you do a TON but no one really notices? I guess the only way to get people to notice is to not do stuff....ha! That always gets a reaction.
I am so excited that we are T-4 weeks until closing! the house is going really quickly.
There has been the disappointments...everything is going swimmingly and then you discover when the big plastic bubble is off your house that the stucco is shockingly darker than you thought....(or as Andrew says, "it looks like poo.") Not so great. Here I am thinking we've done a pretty good job of picking out contrasting colors of brick and stucco, and now it's all one monochromatic color. sigh. money is short, can't afford for it to be painted--hopefully once the fascia and soffits are up it won't be so one color. At least the inside looks good.
We are looking forward to tile, cabinets, soffits, fascia, garage door and possibly carpet in the next week....oh, i hope, i hope, i hope.
We did go out and buy a table for the kitchen so that we won't have to eat on the floor, so that'll be nice to get the week we move in.
Why is January so long? Zoe has been barfing, Beck has a nasty congestion/cough problem, Andrew's conveniently at work making money, I feel like I've done nothing but clean and wash all day, and yet there's not a whole lot to show for my tiredness.....And yet someday I know I'll look back and miss being a young mom (just not today).

Beck is 3 months!

At three months Beck loves to smile--especially at his mom, the bird on his swing and anything that may catch his fancy. He likes to hold his hands in front of him and likes to play with his tongue. His hands have been his new discovery for a few weeks now, and he loves to put them in his mouth all different ways (fist, fingers, thumb). He has had many good nights of 8-10 hours at night but is still adjusting and has plenty of 'off' nights too. (Mommy doesn't much like those nights). He is loved A LOT by his sisters who love to watch him sit in the "bumble" (Bumbo seat that Grandpa Fedor got him for Christmas). I really look forward to this more alert time of his development and love how he loves me so much...