Apology

Dear 911 Dispatcher,

Our sincere apology for the prank call you received from my husband's mobile phone yesterday. It was the handy work of our 2 year old. Yes, I know we should have been supervising him closer, but my 2 month old was nursing and my husband was getting ready to take me out on a date, which is a rare occasion, so we were both obviously distracted and did not realize the cell was sitting on our bed.

Also, I want to thank you for calling us back so promptly and for being so understanding. It is nice to know that the system is working.

And I need to acknowledge my husband for answering the return call. Had he not done so, law enforcement would have showed up at our house unnecessarily and what a spectacle that would have made for all our neighbors.

Again, I'm sorry and thank you.

Regards,

Embarrassed mother

Terrible Two is Terribly Cute

DISCLAIMER: Another Journal Entry...Read at Will

I don't think it is a mistake that God makes two year olds so cute. It is to keep you from killing them during the multiple tantrums they throw every day. Our version of a pet--the backpack Puppy that goes with him everywhere these days
When women in Relief Society would comment on how they have to pray for patience with their toddlers or how to discipline their children because time-outs weren't effective and they were verging on an all out smack-down, I would look at my sweet baby laying idly by in his car seat, sleeping the 3 hour block away and think "What? How could I ever even think of having to smack this sweet child?" To all those sisters whom I silently judged...my sincerest apologies. God knew I was judging your parenting skills and he is teaching me a lesson.So independent this one...wants his own chair

This cute little one can throw the best of fits. He has been testing his boundaries and exploring his attention seeking behaviors for a few months now and I once again have found myself tuning into SuperNanny. The only thing I get from that show is that we aren't as bad of parents as I feel sometimes, things could be so much worse, and yes, Max is just being 2.

There are lots of adjustments being made at our house. We no longer take him to the store or dine-in restaurants, for instance, unless there is absolutely no way around it. As much as he begs to go, it's just not in any one's best interest these days.

Max's first time helping Mom make cookies
When we aren't trying to keep Max on the time out step or out of things and places that are potentially harmful, our two year old is really so much fun. I keep telling Ryan that it is the cutest age and the hardest. Max is really starting to show interest in certain things. He has always wanted to be doing whatever his Mom and especially his Dad are doing, i.e, sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, mowing. Most recently he wants to help clean the dishes and help cook. He loves playing with any type of ball, with bubbles, and especially with his cousins, uncles and grandparents. He prefers that you get down on all fours while playing, and if you don't, no worries, he will assist you in getting down on his level. That way he can be sure that he has your undivided attention. Beware, there is a strong chance you will have to be his horse when you get down on all fours. You might find our 2 year old trying to pump milk out of his belly these days as well. He definitely spends all day watching his Mom! He puts the burp cloth over his shoulder and lugs around the diaper bag as well. Ryan had put some magazines in my Easter basket a few weeks ago and the other day Max was perusing my style magazine and pointing to all the cosmetic ads and would say "Mom...Wook (look)!" Pointing to the mascara ad he would say "eyes" and so on for the lipstick, etc. I am grateful when 6 pm rolls around and it's all about being outside in the dirt when Daddy comes home! Thank goodness his behaviors and mannerisms are mostly typical of the male gender or we might be worried!

Max has always shown a real love for music and dancing. He loves to listen to the iPod with our running music on it. His current favorite...Beyonce's All My Single Ladies. A few months ago he started to lip sync with all his little Wiggles songs. Then we were watching The Incredibles with him one day and we noticed that he was quoting lines in lip sync as well. This boy is funny. The next Milli Vanilli?


He also has to have his guitar in hand if the Wiggles are playing guitar or if they are driving the big red car, he runs into his play room and grabs his 4-wheeler to drive.

We are just completely smitten by this terribly cute, terrible 2 year old.

And I Quote...

Another RYANISM

Speaking of sleep...
"I can tell what time it is by the way my mouth tastes."

Those of you who really know my husband wouldn't be shocked by such a statement. He is usually the one who will say what every one else is thinking, but no one will say...except in cases like this. I don't know who else thinks these things. Yes, these are the times when I think to myself...What did I marry?

Luke's Blessing Day

Mom, Luke, Dad,Max

We decided to bless Luke on Easter Sunday, just as we had Max ironically. Ryan had meetings starting at 6:00 am lasting until just before church started, so he wouldn't be there to help me get the kids ready for church. His parents were so kind to come down at 7:30 am to help me out so that we could all be at church early. It was a tremendous help. Mom left Idaho at 4 in the morning and Kelsey and Justin left at 6:30 am from Logan to make it for the blessing. We were so touched that our families would get up early and travel just to be there for us and Luke on this special day.

The Hassman Girls and Luke

Ryan gave a beautiful blessing that touched everyone. We were so pleased that so many of Luke's uncles and his grandpa were there and able to stand in the circle as well as Mike Van Dyke, our good friend. I was grateful for everyone who helped me organize the lunch afterwards and for all who contributed to the meal.

The Men on Blessing Day

It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed spending time with our families. After the lunch, we had a little egg hunt in the back yard for the little ones. Max was so excited about all his cousins being at his house that he didn't touch his lunch, so when he hunted all that candy, he sat down and inhaled it practically.

Max & Addie post egg hunt

What a beautiful Easter and special blessing day it turned out to be. We are so blessed to have little Luke in our family. We can already sense what a strong spirit he has and we look forward to seeing him grow.

Jolea, Elizabeth, Calli

Happy Keester...uhm, Easter

Egg Hunt and Sarah's Keester

Easter weekend was fun filled and packed. We blessed Luke on Easter Sunday (as we did Max) so I had much more than Easter Bunny responsibilities to get ready for. I somehow managed to get it all done, even with a trip to Stockton for the Johnsen family Easter Party at the Hogan Farm, a.k.a. "Plantation", on Saturday afternoon. Max had a blast at the Farm as Uncle Bill indulged Max's fascination with cows and took all the grandkids on a trailer ride out to see the new baby calves. Ryan went with him and the report came back that he was in "utter" heaven. Next was the egg hunt which he loved, but the highlight of his trip to Bill and Jill's house was the castleland and indoor slide built in the basement for the little ones. I think Max wants to live there with his older cousins Sam and Jesse who played with him for a long time on that slide.

Daddy, Max & Uncle Bill Hogan on a tractor ride

PaPa plays with Max

Saturday evening we went to Jolea's house to dye eggs and visit with Carrie and Brandon who had come down for the blessing. I have to give kuddos to my husband who championed the egg dying and helped a bunch of excited little ones color some eggs.

Coloring Eggs with Max and the Beatty cousins

I was up until 1 am finishing my list for our Sunday lunch with both our families and I almost forgot that the Easter Bunny had not prepared baskets for the family. So I pulled out the goods and set them all up on the coffee table downstairs. Come to find out, Ryan left for his meetings Sunday morning and didn't even notice them. Max only briefly saw the basket and tee-ball set before church, and I removed all the candy from sight until after everyone left...so we indulged in our Easter baskets late Sunday night.

Max colors his first Easter eggs with Daddy

How grateful I am that we were able to be with so much of our family this holiday. I am grateful especially for our Savior and for his sacrifice and resurrection. Max doesn't understand much more than who Jesus is in a picture, but hearing him point to him and say his name and to mutter little words in his prayers warms my mother heart everytime I hear it. What a great reminder little ones are of our Savior's love for us!

Spring Gerneral Conference

General Conference this year did not disappoint. I am grateful that every six months we get to be instructed and uplifted by the council and instruction directed from our Heavenly Father and delivered to us by our prophet, President Monson, and the other leaders of the church. I again feel a renewed since of responsibility to make sure that my home is place where my children will learn and grow in the knowledge of Jesus and Heavenly Father, a place of love and beauty and where the Spirit can dwell. I feel that starts with my personal habits and have recommitted to do more and to be better. I am grateful for the themes of provident living, of saving and preparing for the future, of sacrifice and attending the temple often and making your home a sanctuary from the world.

Every year we go to Ryan's parents house for the Sunday sessions. His parents always make "thanksgiving dinner"--a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, etc. It was delicious and always so great to be with the Loveless family. After such a fulfilling meal, we are all fighting the post turkey sleep in the afternoon session. This coupled with a newborn and a 2 year old made it more difficult to catch every talk. Thank goodness for DVR. I am able to rewatch conference as I do Ryan's ironing! Max helps Grandpa with lunch dishes

After Conference we took Luke over to meet his Great Grandma Johnsen. She was turning 89 the next day and we wanted to wish her a happy birthday and to get some pictures of her with Max and Luke. Luke gets loves from his Great Grandma J and Daddy

She always likes to spoil Max and sent him home with animal cookies and M&Ms. He even gave her a hug and kiss good-bye!

Grandma J and the Loveless boys

It was a great visit with Grandma J and we were so glad we stopped by.

Calli, JoAnn, Luke, Grandma J, Ryan & Max on Grandma J's couch

Six Weeks

Luke is six weeks old today. That means Mommy had her post natal check-up today. I'm cleared to start RUNNING again! Yeah. I know it's going to hurt, but I am so READY to work out again. Ryan keeps reminding me to PACE myself so as to not get so sore that I can't move for days at a time.

It's hard to believe my sweet BABY is already 6 weeks old. Any day we know he is going to get the day and night thing down...Right? He is such a sweet little guy. Exactly one week ago, at 5 weeks old, we got the first of many real SMILES. His whole little face lights up, especially the eyes. That's how you know the smiles are real...you can see their little spirit shining through in their EYES.

Luke is getting so big! He is nursing so well and has the CHEEKS to prove it! He loves warm baths, to be held, and to sleep in his SWING during the day. His digestion issues seem to be getting a little bit better and so he is sleeping better on his back in his little bed at nights and he is even going 3 hours between feedings some nights! YEAH! It's funny how 3 consecutive hours of sleep feels like 9 or 10 hours at this point. Ryan sleeps by the baby because he is better at sleeping through the endless grunts and groans that Luke emits consistently throughout the night.

Max LOVES his little brother and always wants to be in his face. He gets right up to him and in his best baby voice says "Hi, Hi, Hi, Baby". He wants to hold the baby every day, usually for only a few seconds at a time. He takes the burp cloth, slings it over his shoulder and says "Hold Baby." Then he tries to get Luke to burp, which I am all for seeing as Luke is very stubborn about giving up his burps. When we first brought Luke home, any time he would cry, MAX would cry too. He didn't like it when the baby was sad. He is pretty much used to it by now, but still doesn't like when the baby cries.

We are tired but happy. SLEEP deprivation can only last so long. We can't wait for another 6 weeks!

County General...adieu.

A sad day has come.

Ryan and I had to say goodbye to our favorite ER Doctors on Thursday night.

I believe we have been tuning in every Thursday night since we have been married or at least setting the DVR and catching up on Friday nights. Ryan has been a follower since the days of Clooney and Dr. Green. I caught it here and there but became a fan just in the last few years. It was a pretty anti-climatic finale but it wrapped up story lines and left you feeling bitter sweet.

The genius of the finale was of course the fact that Rory Gilmore made the episode as a new doctor on staff. Tell me though, where was she the last few years? They so should have brought her on when her journalism career tanked and she decided to become a doctor. What a great way for the show to go out though. And so County General...the Loveless' bid you farewell.