Time never stops- weening my baby....

This little girl is growing up so fast.  I don't notice Tyler and Ella growing so fast, until I stop and think about how it is flying by with Abby.  

This has been a great week.  I haven't been ready for this week to come for a while, but The Lord helped me prepare.  I got pretty sick last weekend.  I knew taking medicine would decrease my milk supply but I also knew I wasn't able to take care of my family.  I woke up to feed Abby on Sunday night at about midnight (because she wasn't getting enough milk in the day time).  I sat in her room in the rocking chair Darren refinished for me when we were first married... and looked at my baby.  I had a thought or prompting go through my head that this would be the last time I would feed my baby in the peace and quiet of the night. And that I would be able to feed her with a bottle and it would be all right.   It was a beautiful peaceful moment.  I woke up the next morning, still not having enough milk to feed my baby and knowing she was hungry.  But the decision to ween her and go to a bottle was just fine.  There was that moment of mommy quilt, which is lame! but because of that prompting the night before I felt fine about it.  

I had nursed Tyler for 6 months with lots of tears and stress, I nursed Ella for 8 months with less tears and still lots of stress (because her weight was so low) and I was determined to nurse Abby for 10 months.  It was 10 months I realized.  Her weight gain was fine.  And there were never tears of the topic, but there was stress.  I really haven't ever had to change Abby's diaper because it was wet.  So for months, I knew that she wasn't getting enough liquid.  But she ate great, drank water, and was gaining weight. 

I was so excited to change my first really wet soggy diaper later that day.  She loves the bottle.  We are both so happy, and no more stress!  

(this is Abby with a bath toy on her head that makes her look like a Lego Friends girl... says Ella)

 Tyler still loves to read.  Ella is becoming a more smooth reader.  I love it! and Abby loves to look at books all the time.  She does what she sees!

Ella still does craft projects all the time.  She had all this stuff out and organized to have us write each other love notes the other day.  

The weather has been so beautiful.  We have been out for some nice walks and played out side a bunch. 

Ella is such a nice little mommy sister.  Look at her face expression as she holds Abby.  Abby is heavy, and Ella is trying so hard to hold her still so she can play with the light switch.  She always is trying to make Abby happy!

Two weeks ago we had a casualty.  Abby tumbled down the stairs.  One of her TWO teeth was nocked out.  pretty badly.  It had ripped all the way down and through the gyms.  After talking to my cousin who is a pediatric dentist (and he viewed pictures like these), Darren came home and helped me pull the tooth out.  It was not save-able. It came out with no problem.   She now has some torn up looking gums, but is just fine.  And down to ONE tooth again!

Ella and friend Tadd dancing away at the church history museum.  

Abby.... not always so sweet, has recently discovered unrolling toilet paper QUICKLY, and emptying the cupboards QUICKLY!  We are waiting and hoping to avoid the splashing in the toilet.  She pulls her self up on everything and tries to balance for that split second before she tumbles over.  

Sister Seely's Chicken Noodle Soup

We have been making this recipe for a few years.  Our neighbor has been sharing it with even before that.  It is by far the easiest and best chicken noodle soup I have ever had.  My kids adore it.

It is not very often I measure the liquid... but these are my best estimates and a good place to start.

Cook chicken... how ever you like to cook chicken.  I then shred it up and set it aside.

Start with 4 cups chicken broth.  (bullion, stock, whatever).  Add in carrots, onions, and celery.  I usually have some kind of pureed squash in my freezer.  Spaghetti squash, zucchini, etc... I usually add in a bit of that, to get some extra nutrients.  Bring to a boil and add in homemade egg noodles.

To make homemade egg noodles mix 2 eggs (I like lots of noodles so I double this) with a dash of salt and enough flour (white, wheat or mix...) till the dough is stiff and not sticky.  Roll it out and then use a pizza cutter to cut it into strips.  The noodles will grow bigger and wider in the pot so I cut them small and thin.. Or tiny bite sized for my little kids to eat.  But big long noodles are fun too.

Add noodles slowly to pot of boiling liquid.  Then turn it down and let it simmer for 45-1 hour.  Leave the lid on.  The noodles will get really juicy.  and absorb lots of liquid.  The last 10 minutes you can add several things.  (If you need to add more chicken bullion, go ahead.)

1. Regular store bought egg noodles so you have lots of noodles
2. add your chicken
3. add 4-8 oz of cream cheese.... We didn't do this at first, but it makes the soup so wonderful!
4. Add 1-2 cans of cream of chicken (or you can do cream of mushroom)
5. Add broccoli, corn, peas, whatever.

At this point, I decide if I need more liquid.  If I do I typically just add milk.   If you want it creamier, add that cream of chicken. I almost always use 2 cans.  If by day two the noodles have absorbed all the liquid, then add more milk.  You can add some flour and flour to the soup to make it thicker, but I typically just add a can of cream of chicken.

Christmas and New Years 2013

We had such a relaxing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  This year we spent that time in Logan with Pat and Seth.  It was just our little family and them. Thats were the relaxing and peace and quiet come in.  We didn't run anywhere, or have too much craziness.  It was nice one on one time with our kids.  

We did go for a walk each day.  It was sunny and nice.  We had good food and plenty of new presents to keep us busy.  Off course Abby's favorite gift was the shiny noisy wrapping paper.  But the kids loved their presents.  And they loved watching each other open the gifts they had picked out.  

We had one night of ski racing.  Sundance Ski racing series.  Both kids did great.  Tyler has a really hard competition field.  Ellas field wasn't as tough.  She got 1st place in her division.  Abby was passed out sleeping most of it.  I raced too because it was cheaper to race then to buy a lift ticket and ski with the kids.  I got second place in my division.  It was fun!

We did spend an evening with my Grandma Elaine and my Aunt Linda.  We sang songs, accompanied by Tyler.  It was one of those special moments as my son got to sit and talk in Spanish to his Great Grandma.  My Grandparents and Linda traveled all around the world in their younger days and my Grandma speaks fluently in Spanish.  I sat and enjoyed that moment.  Listening and proud of my son.  

We did spend some time with my family too.  I absolutely enjoyed it.  We all just sat around and visited and ate good food.  My mom was amazing and helped all the kids put on skits.  

I love these quiet moments when I see Darren spending good time with his kids.  I feel sad sometimes that he has to go to work all the time and miss out on things.  So I guess I just need to work on helping him have the quality time when he is at home.  

Then New Years Eve rolled around.  I guess I am old (tired) and boring.  (I had had a sick kid for several days and was feeling quiet worn out.  My sister Jenny was in town and took my two older kids to a fun dance party.  Darren and I stayed home and I ironed for a  little bit while he looked at... things on the computer... All the while talking and enjoying some peaceful time.  The kids came home at 11:00.  The girls all went to bed, but Tyler and Isaac wanted to stay up and watch the ball drop.  So we did!  I haven't made it too midnight for a lot of years.  I kissed Darren and went to bed.  I do love to sleep!  so heres to a new year.  There may be some changes in our life this year, so I will prepare for them, and go with it.  Change and growing is hard, but necessary.

Kid updates... finishing up 2013 and rolling in 2014

Some of my goals for 2014 are:

1.  to try to continue to ski every week like we have for 4 years with my kids.  They are great skiers.  I love it!  

2.  I want them to do some rock climbing.  Last summer I wasn't in a place to take them climbing but this year I hope to be out more.  

3.  My goal is also to have them get out of the house more.  We have been out for a bike ride the last two days.  and actually several times over the holidays.  I run with Abby sometimes and Tyler and/or Ella ride their bikes with me.  I got Tyler to go 6.5 miles the other day with me.  by the end I was drag'n and he was still holding strong. But I don't want my kids to be in playing the computer, video games, building legos... those are the easy way out.  It takes a lot of effort to get out.  But I always come home happy I put in the effort.  

4.  And I want to keep getting Tyler up early to practice, then have a family breakfast together, and read scriptures before school.  We have been doing really well on this.  I just want to continue it.  My mother was such an example of this.  We read scriptures, got ready, sometimes even piano before school, and had a good breakfast almost every single day of my life.  WITH 6 KIDS!  I can be like my mom!

Abby discovered blueberries and cupboards.  

Ella and cousin Leisel.  These two will be into everything and good friends one day!

 My friend brought me over a box of clothes.  This gem was inside.  Ella had me alter it... (cut off the stuff) and now it fits her.  Gems, sparkly stuff... its amazing.   (cough, choke, gag, sputter)  The sleeves I cut off are now used as leggings for dress ups.  Oh its amazing !! (gag!!!)

 These kids are the best for Abby.  She lights up when she hears their voices. They shower her with love and attention.  Abby loves to read book probably because she sees them reading all the time.

 This cute little baby is in the 30% percentile for weight.  I couldn't be more proud.  over 17 lbs is pretty awesome.  My other kids were between 0 and 10% at this point.  She just had her first ear infection.  That was hard. and SAD!  She is sleeping better as of last night and hopefully will have less tears today.  The other day in the car she used the string cheese as a pacifier and sucked on it to go to sleep.  (time to slow down and get naps where your supposed too!!!)