In a Boys home

Sometimes I sit and contemplate where the direction my life is going, and has been going since we had been blessed with our first boy. Sports, body odor, voice changes, stinky bedrooms (Though apparently that is universal and not strictly a boy thing :)Scouts, Missions,Camp outs etc... I get exhausted thinking how much food I will have to prepare for my boys who both already eat more then I do. Knowing my evenings will be filled with games, watching sports and other like shows, doing massive amounts of laundry and always having to mend up clothes that have been ripped through rough housing! There is so much more then I have listed! I have been asked by mothers who have only girls how I like having only boys and sometimes I have to pause and really think about it-not really about if I LIKE having boys but how I could even imagine NOT having boys. I don't know what mothers with girls do so I can't compare it but I can say that I LOVE having boys. I know boys and demolition is kind of a joint package but these sweet boys are so much FUN! I love the boys running to bring me their cars or every time they hear an engine yelling for the plane. I love the giggles from them doing something disgusting like blowing bubbles with their spit and watching mommy be grossed out.
Besides in our home I am the princess-the delicate one who the boys (Through massive amounts of training from their daddy) help and pamper. OK maybe not so delicate but I am pampered :)

Watching my two boys who are so close in age I am always reminded how wonderful it was to have two so close-(I say this because there was alot of skepticism from me having them 14 months apart) they are built in best friends, and I am grateful that the second WAS a boy-besides all the convenience of already being well equipped for another little rascal I realize that in the future these two will probably remain close. I know brothers and sisters can be great friends-some of the best examples are from my own family, but I am grateful that MD has a brother to rough house with and to play sports with and frankly it makes me feel less worried about both my children with each to watch the others back.

That being said I am not against girls, I would welcome one into my family and I think I would be willing to share the princess spotlight. It might be fun to have someone who I can fix their hair and put them in cute clothes. It certainly seems that those with girls enjoy them :) Heavens knows it would be fun to watch Michael handle another girl in the family. But I am SO happy with my family and am grateful for my fun loving, life livin, stinky feet boys who keep me on my toes.

Conversations with a two year old

Me: Eat your dinner
MD: No dinner!
ME eat a bite and you can have some Cantelope
MD: Bite Dinner-bite cant-lope?
ME: Yes
MD:Hy-yah bite dinner bite Cant-lope!

Me:Go put your dog in your room (toy dog)
MD with a sad look goes and sits his dog at the table and I am about to inform him that that is NOT his room when he tells his dog
MD: Sit down and don't get up!

I go to tell Michael what happened and MD followed me. Upon hearing what happened Michael told MD to put his dog in his bed and this is the conversation that followed

MD: Doggy bed?
Michael: Put your doggy to bed
MD put his dog in his bed, covered him with a blanket crawled into the bed next to him with Hyrums bottle and placed it next to the dog and started rubbing the toys head.
Me: You think MD is showing us the kind of behavior he wished we should show him?
Then MD picks up the bottle looks at it and says
"Doggy no water-Juice!"

MD: mommy is mommy monster!
ME:mommy monster??
MD: Mommy monster! I monster you mommy monster! (He LOVES cookie monster)

And as I am typing this MD walks in, points to the bed and says:
Night night! Mommy go night night!

It is crazy having a kid repeat every thing he hears

I am still trying to figure out what to do when the kids and I spend 85% of the day inside.The boys are going crazy but they are learning valuable things-like catch phrases from their favorite movies :)

So after deciding NOT to turn on Elmo for the 3rd time I put the kids in the tub and turned on the bubble blower. Didn't take pictures of that but I did catch this little guy running off to his daddy!Lost the towel!
Afterwards we had some Peanut butter play-dough (I know I probably should have done this before the bath :) The kids loved it because I had chocolate chips in them-And I was missing some ingredients which is why it looks disgusting!
Big spoons for big boys! Cheesin it up for the camera!

And Ta-da! Hyrum now has a "happy face"

Cars

MD was playing with his lightning McQueen car and I heard him exclaim
"Caah-Mah-Keen" (Car McQueen) "PuhCHOW!!!"

Updates=LONG post!

Since we moved it seemed that both my kids went through growth spurts and learning spurts (For lack of a better word). I was shocked to hear MD start talking to me in sentences, and to have Hyrum start talking at all! So before I forget anything to major I figured I better hurry and write them down!

MD: This kid is a ball of energy. He is constantly running around the house screaming and squealing at the top of his lungs. Some of his favorite things to scream are "ALL RIGHT!!" and "NO!!!!" both of which are usually followed with him laughing hysterically.

Some of my favorite things he has said are:
"I'm just TOO tired"
"It's just TOO hot!" (He sticks the word too in front of things to really make his point)
"Love you"
"time go night-night!"
"Sorry Hy-yah!" (He says this to Hyrum every time Hyrum gets hurt regardless if MD has something to do with it)
"Outside-time go outside!" (We asked him what he wanted to do for the Family Home Evening activity Monday and this is what he decided on :)
When we were going around the room asking MD what certain objects were he responded to the pillow as "I beat up mommy!" ??????
every time I say his name he responds with "Yes?"

Favorite things:
*Stuffed animals-he claims any stuffed toy he comes in contact with-so much so that his bed has turned into a zoo and it sometimes is hard to spot the kid among the toys
*Singing. I LOVE hearing his sweet voice. He's got some talent too-any song he hears he starts to sing along -matching his voice to the notes he hears. He knows the songs "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" "I am a Child of God" and his own song that I sing him every night-"I love you truly".
*His Airplane shirt. He asks for it every day and most days I have to distract him with other things so I can get a different shirt on him. The best shirts I can distract him with are his Truck shirts and his Basketball shirts.

Some of MY favorite things
*Going to kiss him at night and having him wrap his arms around me and kiss me several times and then ask me to stay.
*After I stop reading our book him telling me to "still read"
*Him enthusiastically showing me any new discovery.
*Him responding to me after I tell him I love him "love you!"
*His obedience and desire to be good.
*His treatment towards Hyrum. Every once in awhile he gets this maniac gleam in his eyes and turns into Tornado MD where his whole goal is to inflict damage to anyone or anything he comes in contact with-but for the most part he is very aware of Hyrum and allows him to play with him and is very concerned anytime Hyrum is upset. He shares his food, toys and space with Hyrum without much complaints. If fact for the most part he seems to enjoy Hyrums company.

He is very aware of me and my feelings-If I am cranky or sad at all he comes up to me with a sad look and strokes my face asking me if "you tired?"

MD you are such a fun, silly, smart, happy, handsome little boy and we are so grateful to have you in our family!


Hyrum: Has hit Toddler hood! He is so busy and has such a different personality then MD that it has been a bit of an adjustment. He is such an easy going-fun loving kid that he keeps us smiling through much of our frustrations. Unlike MD, Hyrum has no desire at all to be obedient! He doesn't care about discipline and will resume whatever we have tried to stop him from doing and does it with a laugh and a smile. He is a WONDERFUL actor. We have discovered that every time he realizes he is about to get in trouble he opens his mouth in shock and gives a short little wail. As soon as he thinks he has us fooled however, he stops crying immediately and resumes his activities with his little smile. Not sure what to do about him but he keeps us laughing!

We have realized that he understands so much more then we give him credit! Michael and I both have treated him like he was too young to understand things so he got away with so much! He can bring us things-Take things to the kitchen, return toys he has stolen from MD, and help clean up. Now we are clued in so watch out buddy!

Some of his favorite things:
*MD's animals-everytime MD is out of the room Hyrum runs and climbs on his bed and snuggles with one of his toys. We have given Hyrum his own, but they don't have near the appeal that MD'S toys do.
*Strawberries. Hyrum LOVES them and will whine and pull on me until I get him one
*Milk from a bottle. If it isn't milk-he doesn't want the bottle
*MD. For the most part Hyrum follows him around everywhere!

Some of my favorite things
*His huge open mouth kisses! MD did close mouth kisses from the very start so it cracks me up to see this toddler open up wide to give a smooch!
*He signs the word please with such enthusiasm! also the sign for please stands for more and thank you :)
*His run. Hyrum runs everywhere!
*His happiness. He is such a happy child that it improves my mood just being around him. Life holds such excitement for him and I love that he exudes such joy.
*His talking-He is slowly starting to communicate-He says More, cat, dog, mama, dada, and Amen every once in awhile and he usually scream the words :)
*His chubbiness. I love hugging him. He is still my baby in so many ways and I appreciate that I have him to cuddle with.

Hyrum is teaching me to be a parent all over again! I love his happiness and his excitement, and the sweetness his laughter brings into our home.

US:
We are adjusting well. I love the scenery and most of the people. So far my overall opinion has settled into two categories-It seems the nicest and the rudest people live here :)

To give an idea: Driving here I realized that everyone here speeds! Not just 5-10 miles over either, more like 20-30 miles over! I was in shock when I was getting people riding my tail, giving me dirty looks and cutting me off all over the place!

Also we bought a Costco membership card and the first trip there I had a man reach over yank my cart out of his way (While I am holding onto it) so he can get something that I was looking at. Maybe not a big deal but it shocked and insulted me! Not an apology or an excuse me either.

However those are so minor compared to the kindness we have received. We had several members from the Elders quorum help us move in, and One of those members stopped by with his wife to see how we are doing. Our ward is friendly and outgoing, and have made me feel very welcome. We have had offers from members to watch our children and to help if we needed anything. We have had a cousin I had never met before help us move in, invite us over to let the kids help in their garden and play with their horses, and have made us feel like we have family here. I have really enjoyed living here so far and we are so grateful for the warm welcome!

Pics from the Park

I am loving having so many options so close to our home! Most days we get out as a family and go visit a cousin and their garden, go play at parks, go up to the mountains for a little hike-and the kids are getting enough outside time that I feel like I am taking advantage of the wonderful summer! Last Saturday we went for a mountain drive and stopped at the Park to eat lunch and let the kids get out, stretch their legs and play to their hearts content!

The boys were holding hands and I tried to capture it on film though I did a poor job

Hyrum felt left out so Michael picked him up and ran-Hyrum loved it :)
Climbing the stone wall-MD was very impressed with his daddy
My boys-All three were exhausted by the end of this trip!

Also I don't know why the pics are a little funny-They look fine when I down load them on my computer but when I upload them onto this blog they look a little blurry.

A lesson in folding your arms

help from daddy
oops! overshot it!
Got it!

Tummy ache!

I am sure there is one in Hyrums future! This kid was eating a cookie in his high chair and I must of put him too close to the bucket of blackberries because I walked in on this:
See the empty bucket???

Not a bit sorry!

Daddy's helper

One Happy Kid!!!!
Testing it out :)

Don't know why the lighting is so bad in most of the pics- Oh well
Callie we LOVE these blankets-Thanks so much! MD is in a big car and tractor stage so these were a big hit.

Letter from Grandma!

Don't let these serious faces fool you-They were SO excited to get the letters!

Brushing teeth

Just thought this was a sweet picture between father and son

What to do about Nursery.

I miss my mom. Sundays, while still the hardest day of the week, were made so much easier when my mom took both my kids in nursery with her. MD LOVED nursery. We used to be able to get him to do things faster on Sunday by telling him he would get to Nursery- He knew exactly where it was and would make a bee-line to it as soon as the closing prayer was said.

Here MD has decided he HATES nursery. At first he gets excited (I think he keeps hoping to see my mom in the room) but as soon as he spots the Nursery leader he breaks into sobs and clutches onto me screaming. This is the conversation we had (through the sobs)

MD:MOMMY!!!!! (LOUD SCREAMS)
Me: MICHAEL! I'll stay right here with you (Said with slight frustration)
MD: TIME GO!!!
ME: Lets sing a song
MD: Outside! Go outside!
Me: Old MacDonald had a Farm
MD: Night Night-Time go Night Night!
Me: You want to go to bed?
MD: Night Night! Want Daddy!

So I got his daddy so I could go and play in Relief Society. Each Sunday gets worse and I am not sure what to do about it. I know my mom would just take the kids and let them scream it out -unfortunately all the Leaders are my age or even younger-have no children and have 15 kids, so I think they already have their hands full. Plus MD looks like he is ready for Primary so most of the leaders are confused as to why this big kid is pitching such a fit.

Luckily for me MD actually prefers his daddy to me in Nursery-So Michael stays in with him.

On another note MD keeps telling me "I miss Poopah...miss Poopah" he says this with a sad face and walks to the door in hopes we will let him run next door. Dad Michael Dunn MISSES you! We miss you to.

(I feel like I should post a sad picture of MD to go along with the mood of this post but I haven't taken any of those lately :)

Just a quick note

Well for all you who still check my Blog (Mom) I finally have an update! well in reality I have lots of updates but the big news is that I finally have Internet.

We are pretty much moved into our new apartment which we both LOVE! Coming from a 600 square foot bunk house into a 1100 square foot apartment feel luxurious. The boys don't appreciate the move so much though, Michael is sick of the house and wants the yard he has grown accustomed too and going outside here is not nearly as fun as at his grandparents houses. The park is now out of the question because we discovered that Hyrum is allergic to the wood bark that they have at all of them. Why wood bark? no idea. Poor kid the first time developed a small rash on his hands and feet, and then the second time it spread up his arms and his legs into his torso.

I think we are going to like the ward though we really are struggling with the time we meet-it is at 1:00. Thats a great for me because I like the morning to get everything ready, but the kids both are super cranky and last week both fell asleep in Sacrament meeting, Michael slept through Sunday school, woke up for in time for 1 hour of nursery which he hated. I picked him up sobbing again and clutching a stuffed animal that he had found that his leaders were trying to take away.

Moving here has once again reinforced the idea that the best gift I have given Michael as Hyrum and vice versa. These kids are best friends. Both hate having the other take naps and are so bored that they hang around me whining. I have realized that mothering was a lot easier on Hyrum then it was for MD-MD is practically the one who entertains Hyrum 75% of the time!

I am so grateful for everyones willingness to help. This move was made alot easier then it could have been.

These are some pics from a playground-the biggest attraction was a hill that we all ran down :)Loving that hill!
It's a race
Running with Hyrum who felt a little left out
Cheesin it up :)



The end