Hailey at her finest

I know I am a mean mommy to laugh at her poor speech skills, but you have to admit it is funny.

Hailey when she gets angry...

"I'm the actor of this movie and you're not!"

10 Months Old

The twins are 10 months old today!

Jackson is my little tiny sweetheart. The first few months of his life I would have never believed that he would become so easy going and sweet sweet sweet. He is quite the little chatter box too! He can say "ga ga" and "da da" and he responds when you say it to him. He can crawl quite well, but still can't seem to find the balance to sit up. Oh well, just means it will take him longer to walk. Darn. He has adjusted well to his helmet and is just so darn cute in it. He loves to eat cereal and fruit with his brother, and waits patiently for his turn while Brandon whines that I'm not feeding him fast enough. When he gets sleepy he rubs his eyes a little and yawns, I adore that! He is a thumb sucker like his sister, but hopefully it won't be as long term for him. I just love having him around, he makes my heart flutter!

Oh Brandon, what can I say? This one is way too grown up to be only 10 months old! Sometimes I don't believe they were born the same day, and I'm their mother! Brandon is my little comedian. I can just tell he thinks he is hilarious. When I come into their room after they wake up he gives me a look and laughs his little head off. Hmm, maybe he is really laughing at me. He loves to clap and he loves to get into everything! I frequently find him standing up on one of the bouncy seats trying to destroy my blinds. He has observed Ian using boxes to stand up and get to things and has tried to copy him (this is quite scary to me). He has learned that Hailey can be his partner in crime so he follows her around and waits for her to get into stuff so he can be a part of the fun. I think this one will be walking within a few weeks, earlier than both Ian and Hailey who both walked before their first birthdays. Oh boy! I love his little happy personality, he always lights up my day.
I am telling you, these two are out to get me!

A special moment in the Parrish house

I might have mentioned we have all been sick this week. It looks like Jackson is the caboose of the sickness, lucky him. He has been kind of spitting up more the last 2 days. Today it seems he can't hold anything down. So this morning just as he and Brandon finished their bottles Ian started yelling "Hailey's spilling water all over!" I looked over to find this to be true. Aaagh. I was holding Jackson and set him on the floor, forgetting that he doesn't sit up as well as his brother. He, of course, fell over and started crying. I grabbed a towel, threw it on the water and quickly picked Jackson back up. He started to calm down, but then....

Let me tell you, there was more in my shirt than there was on it.... the funny thing was it ended up quite convenient that Hailey had just spilled water all over. I used the wet towel to clean the vomit off the floor! I think this might have just been Jackson's way of helping me to get a desperately needed shower (I think this picture depicts just how desperately). Or, maybe he just wanted to wear his cute snugly Christmas outfit...
And how, you may ask, was I able to get a shower with all four kids awake?

Don't look so happy to be playing computer games Ian.

So, I guess it was really a blessing in a stinky disguise! =)

Thankful

For some reason this morning I am feeling so much joy and gratitude for my family, my home, and my life. It is a little weird because this week has been extremely difficult. We have all been taking turns being sick, the kids have been throwing up, Adam has been working 15 hours a day, I haven't been able to go grocery shopping so we have been eating PB&J and cereal for days, etc. Despite all of this I can't help but feel so thankful for all I have. I love my family so much. Every time I spend a little one-on-one time with the kids I realize what sweet spirits they are. Last night Ian and I played this silly game where you decide if certain statements are true or false. We laughed so hard, Ian almost peed his pants! It was bed time but we just couldn't stop turning the pages of the little book. I love when I put Hailey to bed and she has to give me about 15 kisses on each cheek. I leave the room covered in slobber but feeling very loved. I love how Brandon gets so cranky because he's tired but when I take him upstairs and he sees that I'm taking him to bed he starts smiling and laughing and patting my shoulder. I don't know if this is because he is trying to avoid going to bed or because he is excited to go to bed, but either way it's cute. I just can't stand how cute and sweet Jackson is. Sometimes he just lays on the floor and reaches for a toy and plays contently for a little while. He is so easy going (and he sucks his thumb which is so cute!). I love the moments I have with my children that bring peace and happiness and laughter in the middle of all the chaos and crying and fighting. I have come to accept that I have to do most of this alone because Adam has such a crazy work schedule, and I want to do better and enjoy more about this time of our lives when my kids need me so much. I have been stressing so much about a lot of things, but it's not worth it, they will only be little once, so why not have a little fun?
I am also so thankful that Adam is able to support our family. I have complained a lot about his job and the hours he works. It gets so frustrating at times, and at this point we have to communicate through emails because he doesn't have time to talk to me at all during the day. I am starting to feel like the murmuring family of Lehi.... I know, though, that it could be a lot worse. He doesn't have to go out of town, and when I really need him he usually finds a way to make it so he can help me. We have a wonderful home and everything we need because he works so hard, and I am lucky enough to stay home and raise our children.
I don't know if it's the season or just the good mood I was in after laughing so much with Ian last night but I am just feeling at peace with my life today. I think it is more Heavenly Father letting me know I am not alone even if I am physically. I am so thankful to know that He loves me and is helping me fulfill my responsibilities in this life. I know that it is by the grace of God, and the support of good friends and family, that I can do all that is required of me. And so I'm thankful.

But Mom, It's our castle!

Maybe Old Mother Hubbord had a 5 and 3 year old...

As glad as I am that my kids are creative.....Really????

Brandon's tip of the day

Don't sleep on your hand...

This was seriously the funniest thing ever! You could even see the fingernails!

Jackson's new "hat"

Jackson has been diagnosed with plagiocephaly. Basically, his head is a little lopsided. We have been in the process of getting him a DOC Band for a couple months, and he finally got it yesterday. So far he doesn't seem to mind it too much, except last night he cried for a while (although that could have been for a number of reasons--congestion, hunger, missed nap, etc.). He has to wear it 23 hours a day for 3-4 months. After that his head should be a nice round shape!

He's not making this face on purpose, the band squishes his eyes in certain positions. I have been told this won't happen anymore after a week or two.

I am happy that we can do this for Jackson (and that our insurance covers it!). Life's hard enough without a lopsided head :)

Ball = Delicious

Company Christmas Party

Adam's company had the best Christmas party this year! It was at a bowling alley, Santa was there, and there was food and presents! Can't get much better than that! Ian was so excited to see Santa again (he was at our ward Christmas party too). He loves any chance he can get to remind Santa that he wants "Wii sports 2" (Wii Sports Resort). Santa gave each of the kids a present, all of which ended up being something we have considered buying for the kids ourselves! Sweet!

Hailey was not as excited as Ian. She had her legs wrapped around me like a little vice, she was terrified! She liked the balloon-making elf though. And she was happy to receive her present from Santa. Maybe next year she'll realize she likes Santa...
The babies, of course, didn't know what to think. But Jackson decided Santa was not his favorite part of the day.
For those of you who can't tell them apart, Jackson is in the stripes, Brandon in green.

"Mommy! This guy is a little scary!"

"I wonder if he'll scream if I pull on that hair coming out of his chin."

Ian had a blast bowling all of our games. We were so busy keeping track of Hailey and taking care of very sleepy babies we didn't get to play. I don't think he cared one bit.

All of the loot they came home with... a big "punch bag lion," Mr. Potato Head, a big pack of Play Dough, a Hot Wheels track, and a V-tech roll around light up ball thingy. I guess we don't need to get them anything for Christmas after all!

Hailey played with Mr. Potato head for about 2 hours that night. Who would have thought?

Earlier that day at school, Ian made a milk carton gingerbread house. He was very proud. He ate the candy off of it today...

My independent kids

Aaaaagh!

Aaagh!
Double Aaagh!

Who said this kid could grow up so fast??

Look who can hold his own bottle!

Ian wanted to donate my whole pantry to the school's "Operation warm heart."

I convinced him to just take what he could carry...

I think the shoes help with comprehension, don't you?

Can we say "TV Junkies?"

Baby Einstein, what would I do without you?

Potato Battle

Our ward Christmas party was a week ago. I volunteered to make a portion of the mashed potatoes. Little did I know I would spend the whole day making 20 pounds of mashed potatoes!! It took over an hour to peel and cut all of them up (I was interrupted a few times of course).

I had to use my 3 biggest pots.

I used my KitchenAid mixer to mash them, I knew my arm couldn't handle it. Seven batches later.....

And what where the kids doing while I was making 20 pounds of mashed potatoes?

Destroying the house of course!

Needless to say, I spent the rest of the night after the party cleaning everything up. I think it would have been easier to cook a whole turkey! I'll have to remember that next time...