2 on May 22

2 on May 22

5.24.2022

We celebrated Ezra's 2nd birthday on Sunday!!!  I am so grateful to have this 4th little boy and I am so thankful that he still has wrist rolls and chubby little knuckle dimples.  He makes me feel like he's still holding onto his babyhood, at least a little bit.  He's just happy to be alive and along for the ride!  Little people are the best.  

His birthday was bittersweet for me.  Ezra is growing up, one day at a time.  I don't want any more babies, but I would sure give anything to snuggle each of my children when they were newborns just one more time -- feel their weight on my chest, smell the tops of their fresh heads, listen to them suck as they nurse, and watch their yawns and stretches.  Oh, that was heaven on earth!  But so is this current reality, just in a much more chaotic and messy way.  

Ezra is a boy of few words. His vocabulary mostly consists of "go" "shoes" "more" and "mom".  But what he lacks in words, he more than makes up for in personality.  Of all my children, Ezra is probably the most ornery and stubborn.  He makes messes faster than I can clean them.  But he's also such a tease!  Ezra loves to laugh and get a rise out of anyone.  His favorite game is to pinch my naked behind when I get out of the shower!  The boy loves his groceries, especially milk and strawberries. He will never turn down a meal, thus his deserved nickname: Chungus.  I enjoy watching his little diaper butt run -- I mean waddle -- in excitement towards the bathtub or his daddy.  The song Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes is Ezra's jam.  Every time it comes on his tonie box he goes bananas and starts dancing. 

Ezra is the reason I feel a bit more tired at the end of the day, but he's also a ray of sunshine who brings so many snippets of joy.  Happy 2nd Birthday, Ezra!!!  You are so loved.

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The 10th Annual Day in the Life Post 2022

The 10th Annual Day in the Life Post 2022

5.03.2022

Who knew back in 2009 when I started this 'ol blog that it would become a family journal of sorts that I would still be using today thirteen years later?  This blog means so much to me.  I have many of the years printed into hard covered books.  The other day, Jed and Levi were lamenting that I don't love them as much as I love their little brothers.  I busted out the books and proved to them that they were each my whole world at the same ages as Conrad and Ezra are now.  They lit up with big grins, reading through what I wrote about them and seeing their pictures.  That is why I blog.  Or at least one reason.  My memory gets hazy.  This blog brings me so much joy to see pictures and read passages that bring back precious memories I otherwise would have forgotten.  And so I am determined to keep blogging, keep journaling, keep putting my thoughts and experiences to virtual paper.  It helps me process my feelings and is a safe place to store those things that are most precious to me.

Anyway, enough sentimental blabbering.  Welcome to the 10th annual day in the life post!  I chose Thursday April 21st this year instead of waiting til May.  A cold and rainy day just felt more authentic to document.  This winter has felt long and never ending.  Spring just keeps teases us only to disappear!  I wanted to remind myself of the beauty and the fun that really does exist right under my nose.    

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Happy Easter 2022

Happy Easter 2022

4.18.2022

He felt all that was sad, wicked, or bad,

All the pain we would ever know.

While His friends were asleep, He fought to keep

His promise made long ago.

Gethsemane. Jesus loves me,

So He went willingly to Gethsemane.

The hardest thing that ever was done,

The greatest pain that ever was known,

The biggest battle that ever was won—

This was done by Jesus!

The fight was won by Jesus!

^^It's the pointed toes that are making me smile.^^

We made time this week for all of the important Easter traditions like going to church, dying eggs, hunting eggs and candy, eating a nice ham dinner, and I even played my violin in the stake Easter cantata.  (After two years, it's back!  Hooray!)  I always enjoy this holiday.  I never want our annual traditions to become so cumbersome that they take away from time to search out and ponder upon the miracle of the Atonement.  Between General Conference, attending the temple, and participating in the cantata, I feel spiritually buoyed up -- something I haven't felt in quite a while and I am thankful.   

           

^^Handsome goober of a little man!  I just washed all the 3T clothes and "found" this outfit in the closet the morning of Easter.  It's so fun to dress up my boys.^^

^^Conrad half undressed after church for his egg hunt!^^

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Artifact Motherhood | Two at Home is Still a Handful

Artifact Motherhood | Two at Home is Still a Handful

2.10.2022

I deceived myself going into the school year.  With two boys in school full time, I thought I would be able to get some things done with just half my children at home during the day.  How wrong I was!  Two is still a handful.  I'm currently in that phase of life where taking a shower is risky business.  I can never be sure what messes and mischief await me when I step out!  So at 12:45PM every afternoon when Conrad is at preschool and Ezra is down for a nap, I suddenly find myself hands free in a quiet house for 90 blissful minutes.  I have a decision to make: Do I use that time to conquer a chore or do something for myself?

And therein lies my problem.

Fortunately, I am seasoned enough to know that this is just a phase; it will pass too quickly.  So I grab my camera to document the mischief.  I relish how their little hands feel in mine.  I try to really listen to Conrad's high pitched voiced as he spews questions and ideas all day long that make me laugh.  And I savor every time Ezra falls asleep in my arms... because someday I'll have enough time for both the chores and myself.

Right now, my time belongs to them. 

This is Artifact Motherhood -- a project shared with other female artists who are documenting our journeys as mothers and creating memories for our children through our photographs and words.

Please visit the next wonderful artist CARLA MONGE to read her post in our blog circle.

*****

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Shoot Through January Personal Challenge

Shoot Through January Personal Challenge

2.01.2022

About a week into the new year, I realized I'd taken a photo nearly every day.  The thought of doing a 365 project (shooting a picture every day in 2022) crossed my mind, but that just felt like I was setting myself up for failure. So instead, I committed to shooting everyday through the month of January!  It was harder than I thought, but it kept my mind occupied through one of the coldest winters we've had in quite a while.  Of course, I wasn't perfect at it.  I may have skipped a day or two.  And other days, I couldn't possibly narrow it down to just one photo!  So here is my little photo project, all summed up into one post.

Rainy day play.  Also, see Thomas the Train, there? A certain child ran him through my hair the other day and I had to cut it to get the train out!

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Red Neck Hot Tub

Red Neck Hot Tub

1.26.2022

Our backyard hot tub. Check back here for more redneck things to do to pass time in the winter.

In all honesty, I saw someone post pictures of a similar thing with her kids and I just knew Conrad and Ezra would love it... and they did!  So not only a great memory made but funny pictures made too.  My husband saw me filling five gallon buckets with hot water and thought I'd lost my mind. 🤪 Worth it.

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Reflection on an Upcoming First Birthday

Reflection on an Upcoming First Birthday

5.13.2021

At this time last year I was about 38 weeks pregnant. I felt huge and uncomfortable but was eagerly anticipating the arrival of our last little boy. I wish I could go back in time. There's nothing in the world quite like the exciting anticipation of birth. Few other times in my life have made me feel as if I was fulfilling my soul's divine destiny more than caring for a newborn. 

I have cherished Ezra's babyhood as much as humanly possible. I feel so grateful that he joined our family and I was able to enjoy a fourth baby. But babies change so fast! And though I can hug Ezra right in this very moment, each picture I see is a reminder of the child who no longer exists. 

Needless to say, I am feeling a whole range of emotions as his first birthday approaches. I'm grateful, yet sad. 

Ezra's babyhood is slipping right through my fingers! However, I know there are a million and two reasons to smile because there is so much more ahead to look forward to. Ezra's first birthday is simply a very bittersweet milestone for me as my last baby. 

So happy birthday Baby Boy! I love you more than words can say. You've brought so much joy into my life - our family's life - this year and I cannot wait to experience the happiness you'll undoubtedly bless us with in the future.

 

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Ten Months with Ezra

Ten Months with Ezra

4.02.2021

At 10 months old, Ezra weighs a whopping 25+ pounds. He's easily my baldest and fattest baby. And my first to consistently sleep through the night at this age. Baby Boy has graduated to crawling across the house on all fours and has proudly begun pulling himself to a stand as he tries to climb the furniture. He's as busy as his big brothers whom he adores! In fact, he's already part of the crew with his nonstop jabbering, growling, and wrestling. Ezra doesn't miss a meal, obviously. He can sign "more", still nurses four times a day and eats just as many meals in his high chair. Between food prep and clean up, I feel like I live in the kitchen.

But Ezra is such a joy! He is just happy to be alive. I keep squeezing his chubby legs and kissing those round cheeks, just to make sure he's real. I feel so lucky to be his mama.

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Pictures and a Few Paragraphs About Life Lately

Pictures and a Few Paragraphs About Life Lately

3.05.2021

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Eight and Nine Months with Ezra

Eight and Nine Months with Ezra

3.02.2021

Ezra,

Nine whole months with you, Baby Boy! I cannot believe how fast your first year is flying by. I've been desperately trying to cherish every precious moment of your babyhood -- from the way your heavy little body feels in my arms as you nurse to sleep at night to the way you smile and flap your arms with happiness when you first see me in the morning. You have brought so much peace and happiness into my life. You, Ezra, were the one I was waiting on. I intuitively knew one more little spirit was meant to join our family and it was YOU. 

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Snapshots of Life Lately

Snapshots of Life Lately

2.26.2021

^^Moobs = Man + Boobs^^

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Six and Seven Months with Ezra

Six and Seven Months with Ezra

12.22.2020

Some things I want to remember about Ezra halfway through his first year on earth:

::  Ezra is a solid food eating pro. He enjoys snacking on bits and pieces of my meals throughout the day when appropriate and eats one bigger meal of veggies and sometimes oatmeal in the afternoon or evening.

::  He is learning to feed himself!  The first time I gave him some rice crackers was a riot.  He wasn't quite sure what to do!  Rolls from back to front and front to back like it's his job.

::  Ezra has begun sleeping on his stomach and moving around his crib.  Gone are the days when I can come into his room and know which side (breast left or right) I last fed him on!  Lol.

::  Baby Boy still prefers to sleep in his "wing suit" with his hands covered. It must feel comforting to him. Naps without the suit don't last long! So I will gladly fork over $30 for another sleep sack like it.

::  Ezra found his toes!  It's one of my favorite baby phases.  He loves to grab and play with them on the changing table especially.

::  Sitting up to play! But sometimes that heavy head still pulls him to the ground.

::  He played in the snow for the first time! From the deadpan serious looks on his face, he seemed unimpressed -- even as Conrad pulled him through the snow on his sled. It was so funny!

::  He is content to play on the living room floor for at least 10 (sometimes 20!) minutes at a time, especially when his brothers are in the room.

::  Baby Boy survived his first couple of colds.  I often bring him into a steamy shower with me before bedtime to help clear his nose. Ezra loves to hold his hands out in the spray and try to catch the water. It's the cutest thing! I delight in watching him explore the world for the first time.

::  Ezra has found his voice!  It often sounds like a big bird or raptor with his high pitched screams.

::  He was up about twice a night (1AM and 5AM) until Dad decided that Mom could use a full night's sleep and took over night duty one evening. Ezra was pretty mad about skipping his midnight snack! But he now sleeps a solid 12 hours straight through the night.  Hooray!  

::  Ezra admires Conrad and laughs at everything he does.  Conrad is such a distraction from nursing. Haha.

::  Baby Boy weighed over 20 pounds at his six month doctor's appointment. I can no longer zip him into 9 month clothes because his thighs are too chunky! He's also wearing size 4 diapers. It blows my mind how fast he's growing!

::  This mama is very proud of Ezra's squishy rolls, from his wrists to his tummy to his thighs to his ankles. They make me laugh and want to squeeze him. I have never had such a bald or fat baby. Ezra sure loves his mama's milk!

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A Video of Ezra at 6 Months

A Video of Ezra at 6 Months

12.10.2020

I promised myself I'd take some more video of Ezra at 6 months old, so here it is!  It's precious footage of my last baby sleeping in his crib (the lip sucking!), discovering his feet, and showing off his new trick: rolling over.  I love this little guy so much!!!

Ezra 6 Months from Jessie Nelson on Vimeo.

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