9 months!!!

This girl is 9 months old!

 

We like to document every month till a year and then make a baby book from 0-12 months for every kid.

 

Time seems to go by faster the more kids you have.

I've loved 8-9 months. It really has been fun the last couple of months seeing her personality come out.

 

She reminds me of Jace. She's a tease. She likes to go after the kids stuff. And if the kids are near by her she loves to pull at them (their hair, clothes, mouths). Now that she's crawling (yep she's perfected crawling and moves pretty fast) she goes after their stuff and them. It's funny to watch. Jace does pretty good with having patience with her but you can tell he's starts to get bothered. Talia is older so she just laughs and giggles with me as she does goes at it. Jace is getting a little of his own medicine as he harassed Talia a lot.

 

She reminds me of Talia in the sense that she doesn't like me putting her down in public or by strangers. She's sensitive that way. She's a Mommy and Daddy's girl. She's not as cuddly as Talia but I'm starting to get to be able to rock her a bit.

 

Her first word is MA MA! I've never had a kid that hasn't said Dada  first. She's starting to make more sounds like babababa, mama, smack her lips, scream (like her sibling ;) ), ahh. It's fun hearing her become more vocal.

 

She knows her Grandma Low well. She can actually be held by her fine.

 

She still is a great 11-12 hour sleeper. Has 2 naps, 1 in the morning (if we're not out and doing stuff or she sleeps in the car) and one in the afternoon. She eats great and we're starting to give her more of our food. We usually share my cereal most mornings.

 

She's just learning to pull herself up. She's up on her knees.

 

She's got brown hair and it's coming in.

 

She only has one bottom tooth still. Crazy because she's had it for at least a month or maybe even a month and a half. It's so cute.

 

We just love her. My kids adore her and they all play great. It's fun to see Penny get in on the playing action.

 

The one tooth!

 



Recently

 

We took a photo together! This was New Years Eve. We went to dinner with my bestie and her husband, Amanda and Carter Kearl. Went to the Cactus club. It was SO good. We're looking a little tired and rough here... Jason's hair is long.

 

 

Not sure why I posted this photo. Oh I think Jason was working today and the three kids just wanted to be by me. Thought it was funny because I posted it on Instagram and someone was saying Penny's expression scream "hey what's up" and then another added "I've got the remote, whaaaat'



 

 

 She started crawling and I love it! Now she's free!!! Everyone says oh you'll hate it but they obviously have forgotten. There come s appoint when your baby is fussy because they want to move. We hit that point now she's good to go.

Amelia introduced me to the mitts of shame. Her girls were scratching so whoever scratched had to wear them. Jace was scratching and I had enough of it and he really doesn't care about time outs... so out came the mitts of shame. They needed to taped on because I knew (and he did) would try to take them off. He DID NOT like this. And I'm happy to report he hasn't scratched again. 

I needed to post this picture because we need to remember how many "kissy" lips Talia has and puts on all at once! 

This little ballerina started dance. I have mixed feelings. I'd love her to be into basketball, track, and volleyball, but right now this girl LOVES dance. I must admit it was really cute watching her in her dance class.

Fun magnetic toy from Nana and Grandpa Pizzey

Some nights we just need a family outing and Jason will just randomly say lets go here... so we went to Chucky Cheese. The kids loves it and it's awesome during a non holiday and week night.

This was a virtual roller coaster ride. It was actually fun. Jace was a little unsure as you can see her has a death grip. Talia liked it and went a couple of times

So sad our kids got pink eye. This night Jace was going crazy with it. His eyes were swollen shut and it looked like he had been itching forever!!! Anyways I got to hold him and we gave him Benadryl which as you can see in the next photo he's zonked! 

He's been pretty funny at night lately. I'm sure he doesn't think it's funny because he's scared. Anyways he gets night terrors and night mares.

1.) He woke up one morning at 5 50 am! Actually it was Christmas morning. Not because he was excited about toys but because bees had come to attack him in his bed. Couldn't get him back to sleep. Long day.

2.) He woke up the other night at like 10 pm or something. Jason and I heard his door open pretty hard and he came running out crying. He came down and said "Mom help me, the honey bear is going to eat me!" Who knows where a honey bear came from? Jason and I couldn't help but laugh. He insisted on sleeping in the basement. Jason said when he took him to the basement he said to Jason, "Close the door and lock it so the honey bear wont get me." Must have really scared him

3.) and like 2 nights ago he came in our room at 2 30 AM scared of the wind and some random dream relating to wind.

Poor guy so troubled when he sleeps. Makes for good cuddles and good stories.

 



 Amazing eye lashes

We went to the toy hutch this passed Friday. It was fun and the kids got out a lot of energy. They did get gastro Saturday but who really knows where it came from? And I don't regret taking them places because they need to get out. Shockingly though with all this sickness Penny never got sick AND we had visited the triplets and Benson (before we knew they were sick- 5 hours before they puked) and thankfully none of them got sick. We would have felt horrible. Those babies don't need to get sick yet especially gastro when they're so little, and really know one likes puke and small babies

Our visit before the gastro! Who would have known they had so much fun playing outside. We forgot our snow stuff that was all packed nice at the back door. So thankfully with donations they had extra snow suits. They all look so cute. Benson's come out of his shell and talks to much now, it was fun to see him.

Hopefully they were ok with me setting up the babies this way. I thought they're not really holding them and that pillow is awesome. Talia has Mason, Jace has Thomas, and Benson has Luke. Funny we asked Benson who he had and he either really knew or guessed right! Mason has the Orange soother/ blanket, Thomas has blue, and Luke has Green. I think she patched the colors well :) I get to go help with a feed tonight, fun!

 

6 kids four and under, but what's crazier is 5 BOYS two and under.

It's been a fun January. We started up with a busy schedule. I had a little panic with how I could do it. But it's manageable with my mom help and Jason's home some mornings. We had Monday swimming only for half an hour, Tuesdays Talia has school, Wednesday Talia has dance for an hour (that's more tricky if I have to bring Jace and Penny... mostly Jace), Thursday we take Talia to school then head to Beaumont for Jace's sport ball, then after that's done go pick her up. So basically every morning we have something. Maybe I've over scheduled? But you know we'll have school every day next year, and really these things Talia's in has helped her SO MUCH socially and to come out of her shell. She's mostly doing dance because she's asked to it for a year or so. I want them in swimming and sport ball is for Jace to get out and have something that's just for him. Sport ball is a community program you register in where kids his age are introduced them to different sports. They run, do warm up, play "popcorn" with balls, then play the sport they're introducing. We play soccer last class. It was fun to see him have something he can do rather than just watching. BUT if he wants to start swimming and go to preschool he has to be potty trained...

 

So for Penny our afternoons are free and she nap then. :) She just comes wherever we go.

 

Coming up post- Penny turns 9 months today!

I'm tentatively booked eye surgery for March 27th! We'll see how the assessment goes and then I'm sure it'll be good to go. Can't wait. I haven't been able to see a clock during the night since I can remember. So excited

 



It's a new year

 

Well usually I have a new years post of optimism and goals but this year I really found myself lacking that and not wanting to even think about goals. How negative it that? I don't mean or want to be negative it was just something I couldn't do this year. However I was able to reflect on the passed year (1.5 years) and realize a lot of good things happened but mentally and emotionally it was a hard year. So here goes my reflection.

 

This passed year has probably been the hardest mentally/ and emotionally. I guess if you want to throw in physically because I had a baby and still need to loose a bunch of baby weight... but really that's fine because that's life and I'm going to go through that a few more times. Story of my life ;). So much good happened in the year but when I look back I feel sad, drained, anxiety, and alone. Really alone.

 

I guess it didn't just start at the beginning of 2013, my "year" for me started August of 2012. Jason was called to Young Men's President. Enough said right? Kidding! That wasn't it, but it added to it. I was pregnant. And for those that know me pregnancy is not easy. Very mild vain depression comes, weight comes on and stays easy, I'm sick blah blah blah.  I have no problem with babies. That's why I do it because I LOVE babies, mostly my babies. But anyways so that's hard but again it's not that bad because there's an ending in sight with an amazing miracle. I think having 2 young kids with Jason gone A LOT with his job and the church calling I felt a lone. I had less patience with the kids (being pregnant and all), felt like an inadequate mom (sometimes lots of times still do), felt tired, to drained to help myself, and a huge disconnect from God and my husband. How lame does this sound? 

 

I began to question why is Jason in this calling and me enrichment coordinator when I can barely survive right now? It's tough because we're taught to accept callings and do your best and know that you were called for a "purpose". I struggled and still do with this. Obviously explaining and writing it all down no major trial happened in my life but I was drowning in life. Does that make sense? I needed my husband home, I needed help.  With the guilt of almost not supporting your husband in his calling, and the guilt you have for failing at life when nothing crazy was happening it just made me dislike my self even more. How could I go to the Bishop and say hey I don't think we can do this right now  we're "busy" because everyone's busy. As if a Bishops not as busy or more busy than you.  It's like going to admit to someone I may look sane BUT I'm not as good as some people and can't do it or I need more help than other people I can't do it on my own.  Jason did his calling to his best, helped out at home as often as he was home, and worked like crazy to provide for our family. I made him feel guilty for "choosing" church callings over me. I know he didn't but it felt like that. Maybe that's where guilt came in. How do you question a calling? Does the Bishop really know me and what I'm going through? No. But doesn't the Lord? Why would the Lord call him to this and me to my calling if I needed so much extra help (love and support)?  Does the Lord not know?

 

This is what I struggled with this year. I've NEVER question my testimony. I know that there is a Father in Heaven who loves me. I know Christ lives, and I know he died for me, my kids, and everyone so we can live with him again and together as Eternal families. That's never been a question or a doubt even to this day. I've been blessed with that, that I just know. That being said, the more I became frustrated with local church here, the more I became disconnected. The more bad thoughts about myself as a Mother, wife, and person came in.  I think what  I was scared to pray or ask for help. What I mean by help is I didn't need physical help. My mom would come in an instant if I called. I could handle kids, my house, dinners, etc. I needed a spiritual bone or something. I thought I needed Jason's home (I did and love him home), but looking back I needed to reply on the Lord more, ask Jason for help with where to start, and improve. And maybe if it was still to hard, it's ok to go talk to the Bishop and explain what's going on, but I wasn't doing anything. (A whole other story as to why Jason's calling was harder than it should have been but just as a side note- he was being secretary as well).

 

So I saw two things recently that have stuck. It was an article I think about the phrase "God never gives us more than we can handle." This passed year I thought this is more because I can't do it on my own. And in the article she doesn't see it that way. I agree. Before you jump all over me let me explain. She went through the scriptures and there's never been anything that out rightly says that you'll never be given to more than you can handle. (Maybe there is? She didn't find those words, I haven't researched) Wherever it is, I think it's implied. What she got from the verse or wherever it is in the scriptures, is that he gives us more than we can handle so WE CAN rely on God and he can make up the difference.  Did I do that this year? No. I needed to. But sometimes it's easier to not try than to try and feel like nothing has fail. Story of my life fearing failure.

 

The second thing I saw was a video. It was amazing. It was talking about perfection. God doesn't demand perfection, he wants improvement. It was so hard not being this person that could handle everything. And I'm not one to look at social media and be threatened by others lives. I'm happy for people, especially for moms that can do it all. I think yay them!!! It was so individual and such a disappointed feeling in myself. So I stopped improving. I just thought what's the point?

 

So what does this year bring? Am I back on track?

 

Well I am not totally "me" or where I want to be. But a major blessing has been our ward did split in September and Jason wasn't recalled to Young men's president. How awful does that sound? I didn't ask for him to be released but it saved me from getting to that point. I know it sounds bad, but callings, life, and responsibility can really bring a lot of guilt. I know Jason was called in and one the counselors of the stake presidency did say you have young kids and there will be time in the future to have such callings. I felt like the Lord was looking out for me. Jason was fully capable, but I obviously wasn't. Talk about a slap in the face of humble pie.

 

What this year means to me is improvement, and relying on the Lord. I know my testimony, can't ever doubt that, I just need to feel something. I need to be "spiritually filled". I used to be able to go to church and listen and be great for the week. But things change when you have 3 kids 3 and under with one who doesn't sit through sacrament. I need to work at it at home.  I don't want anyone to get the idea that I'm a bad member of our church and that I don't support callings. I do. It's just a fine line when you want to serve you're best but know maybe this is not good for you right now especially when you're doing it on your own and not allowing the Lord to help.

 

So many good things happened in the year. We had a baby, and she's such a blessing in our lives. We all just can't get enough of her. Talia's come out of shell. Jace has sat through sacrament many times now (not without some warnings ;) ). We went on fun vacations that didn't have stress. We had fun! I don't want people to get the perception that everything was bad and dark. It wasn't. It was just when life got hard or stressful I felt so alone. And that's what was breaking me.  I know I'm not a lone. I bet other people have felt this way. I have a very caring husband who I can always rely on (even when I seem crazy), and I know that my Father in Heaven with my effort can make up the difference.

 

So this year, improvement and spiritual growth. Hopefully the rest will follow. I've been blessed with so much.  I can testify that life is much harder when you don't allow the Lord to help you. This year will probably be very similar with kid stresses and being a mom, but I'm hoping it will be easier because I will be more prepared.

 

Well that was a long rant. I want to blog more emotions along with our pictures and updates on family. It's my journal and I hope my kids can know that we have trials, we feel, we doubt ourselves abilities, we all aren't perfect but we can improve and not just endure but really enjoy life as we stay connected Savior and Father in Heaven.

I guess just a random side note, whenever I felt so alone and discouraged the song I feel my saviours love play in my head. I love music and I know I've been able grow my testimony through singing arrangements of some hymns and playing he piano and this song means a lot to me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Christmas Eve and Christmas

Well I did HORRIBLE this year for taking photos at Christmas. I didn't...that's how bad I was. So I've received photos from family. The sad thing is that it was our first time ever with our own little families with kids sleeping at our own house and doing stockings at our own house. But I did video tape it so kids if you're reading this, go to our home videos and we have Christmas morning on video. But really I don't have a single photo of the kids opening gifts... #mommyfail (ha, I also laugh at hashtag sayings but definitely a mommyfail)!

Anyways Christmas this year was a Pizzey year. Christmas Eve was with my parents, siblings and their families minus Paige. She's on a mission. So we ate, played games, and did our little program. Every sibling had to do something. We then dressed the kids up and read in Luke about the birth of our Savior.

 

Here are pictures from

Christmas Eve:

 

Singing their song for the program

 

Yep not the best view but it was documented. I sang and played the piano for our part of the program. I sang the song "Guard him Joseph." I heard it while in Cardston during a Relief Society Program. It was the most amazing program I had been to. They had men dressed up as the Inn keeper, wise men, Shepard, and Joseph, and my sister in law Cammie  as Mary (she sang Mary did you know and did amazing). They had a script and musical numbers to go along with it. I've probably never felt the spirit so strong.

 

The song Joseph sang was Guard him Joseph. Everything about the song was amazing. Especially the spirit that was present. I obviously have thought about Mary and Christ during this time of year but never have thought so much about Joseph and our Father in Heaven as I have after I heard this song.

I'm not an eloquent writer and have dyslexia (why I have anxiety about public speaking or being put on the spot) but I will try to write how I felt about it

 

I thought about burden/responsibility/humility/love that Joseph must have gone through to be this adoptive Dad. What an amazing man. He had to love this baby as his own, and also know that he was God's son.

 

Then I thought of our Heavenly Father. I thought about Him giving his own son up to come to this earth. He was able to raise him, and He had to watch his Son go through trials. I guess what made me feel so much was I've never been able to relate to our Heavenly Father's love till I had kids. And this song really triggered it. I can't imagine not raising my child, watching him go through things you wishing you could take away, and just trusting He will be ok. I tear up everything time I think of it.

 

Anyways I loved the song. If I had had 2 more weeks I could have played it perfectly. I didn't take piano lessons long and quit, I think, in grade 2. But I've taught myself to play difficult songs, it just takes longer. And the way I learn them and the timing is by ear and singing. Anyways I cried through the last verse... next time I play this song I'll do it better justice.

 

 The Lyrics to

Guard Him Joseph:

 

Guard Him Joseph, as He slumbers, There behind the stable doors,

Let no errant sound distress Him, Tear though softly on the floor,

Linger watchful round the manger, Hush thy voice and still the beasts,

For though hast with in thy keeping Christ the infant Prince of Peace

 

Guard him Joseph, through the darkness, watching o'er Him til the dawn

Bid the shepherds enter meekly, stand in wonder, gaze in awe

Trim thy lamp and shield thy candle, See they burn all through the night

For though has with in thy keeping Christ the ever lasting light

 

Guard him Joseph, from all danger, Keep thy vigil nigh his bed

Let no harm nor grief befall Him, Stand thou in a father's stead

When his mother's arms be weary, Hold Him gently as thine own

For though hast with in thy keeping, God's own well beloved son

God's own well beloved son.

Mary and Joseph. Jace was so cute. He took his role with pride. And he really sat still and did great. A Christmas Miracle.

 

A very cute Wiseman. She loved her gift- jewelry!

 

Blake and Lindsay with the kids

Grandpa reading from Luke about the birth of our Savior.

My goal this next year is to take more photos of Jason and I. Making our calendar this year... we had one! How ridiculous!

Our Children. Jace picking, Penny extremely tired, and Talia with another bruise on her head from Jace being a little rough. But how cute are they??? 

All the Pizzey grand kids so far

 So after we got our PJ's on we went home. Got cookies out for Santa, and got the kids to bed. Then I think we watched Mickey's Christmas carol and went to bed. Santa came sometime in the night... he did come though!

 

Funny story though. On our way out the door from my parents I reminded my niece to leave cookies out for Santa. She then reminded me carrots too! I was confused and was like ya because carrots are good for your eyes...

She then replied, "Um for the reindeer's..."

"Yep that'd make more sense."

 I was out smarted.

Christmas Day:

 

So like I said I don't have pictures from the morning but one thing I would like to remember. Jace he woke up at 5:50 am. NOT because he remembered Santa had come but because he woke up from a nightmare. His nightmare was that bumble bees attacked and were in his bedroom. Pretty random to make up in the middle of winter. But I could not get him to sleep in his bed. We were done opening our gifts by 7 am or just shortly after.

 

Off to my parents for brunch at 10. And we made it because we were up SO early.

 

Hugest turkey EVER!



Talia went with Jordan for a ride while Jace and Jason napped

Games

 

 

It was fun. I loved sleeping at our own house. And Christmas is just fun because it's great being around family.

 

Jason's parents came here on the 31st. They watched our kids while we ate out with the Kearls that night at the Cactus club. Then we came home and had our second Christmas with them. Our kids are spoiled not only in the gifts they got but also with having two great sets of Grand parents. They loved seeing them. Next year we'll be in Cardston and hopefully get to play with lots of cousins from that side.

 

Pizzey (extended family) Christmas

So we used to do Christmas Eve always with my extended Pizzey side, but since we're all getting older and having our own families it's just getting too big. So now we pick a day before Christmas and have a party.

 

We usually do subs with lots of other food, mingle, and play games.  The great-grand kids (my kids and other cousin kids) get a gift from Santa, white elephant gifts for all the grand kids (me and my cousins), and my parents exchange their sibling gifts (they still do a sibling draw- love it). It's fun to see each other. Growing up we used to do monthly Sunday dinners together and we are really close, just harder to get together, so it's nice.

 

We played outside, skated, trampoline, fire, and had a fun time. Here's some pictures:

 

She was forced to see Santa like 5 times this year and every time was met with a reaction like this. Poor girl...

Cute story my cousin Tanner Santa was announcing what gift was next. He started off by saying, "This little girl's been REALLY good this year..." and before he could finish Talia just knew it was here so she got up. Luckily she was right and it was her gift. ha!

This little boy has never had a problem with Santa. He's just too cute and always thinking about his next move...

All the babies born this passed year. Left to Right: Brooklyn- Kensey's baby born in May, Colby- Taren's baby born in Aug, Lauren- Kenda's baby born in July, and my little Penny born in April.

Singing Away in a Manger. She sang so loud and is really starting to get singing and notes. Jace was a bit shy but he knows the song as well. They alternate "Asleeps."  For the Sunday before Christmas we all went to my moms ward. And while Jace was in nursery, Sister Amy Appleton (who happened to have taught me voice back in the day) was their instructor. They were singing Away in a Manger. And I guess they weren't singing the "Asleep, Asleep" version. Jace spoke up and said "Hey we didn't do the Asleeps!" So Amy of course was thrilled to do it and I guess Jace did what we taught him at home and sang the second "Asleeps," Cute!

Doing a little charades! 

Drunk Uncle? No Drunk Baby! She was beyond tired. She cuddled with anyone that would hold her. 1.) she's not a cuddler and 2.) she plays shy, so she must have been tired.

Penny turned 8 months!

I've been bad at blogging and I'm finally getting caught up. Well, finished with 2013. Anyways, I couldn't forget that our sweet little Penny turned 8 months.

 

She's really is so sweet. Smiles all the time and loves her family.

She's quiet, doesn't babble much, but is starting to take on her siblings' screaming.

She's starting to move and trying to get around. (Now closer to 9 months- she's army crawling and taking 2-3 real crawls)

We all adore her.

She loves her food.

She's 15 lbs 5 oz (10th percentile- guess she's ours!)

Her head is less than 3rd percentile.

She's starting to get hair, and it's the same color as mine.

And did I mention we all just adore her?