7 month comparison

Mackenzie at 7 months old.

Brooklyn at 7 months old. (I think you can definitely tell they came from the same parents. I'm glad we don't have those questions :)

The first 7 months of Brookie's life have flown by. She's been such a happy smiley easy baby for us. We'll see if she turns into the "intense" toddler (that's what the pediatrician calls it) that her sister is. Robert and I adore her and most of the time Mackenzie does too. She rolls all over the place, sits up, and has 2 bottom teeth. I have heard these words many, many times: "What a cute baby...I love chubby babies."  

Sweet

Sometimes they're sweet!!

1:28:05

I did it- without puking or even walking (except at water stations)...the Provo River 10 mile race. Thank goodness it was all downhill! There is satisfaction in setting this goal and actually accomplishing it. It's rewarding to know that I started out jogging 5 minutes at a time after having Brooklyn and now I can apparently go 10 miles. (I guess that's one good thing about being really out of shape). I had forgotten how much I like the Provo River Trail.

We spent the night in Provo so I could feed Brookie as close to the run as possible. She's appalled by bottles. Robert is such a good dad and always willing to help with the girls. I'm always surprised how well he does without me. I guess I need to get over myself :) He got them all ready and brought them to the finish line and it was so fun to see them cheer me on. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY !!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! Afterwards we got a quick visit with McOmber cousins and finished off our time in Provo with a trip to J-Dogs :) -a great hot dog stand near BYU. What a great day.

The Art of Distraction

I haven't mastered it yet but I have come to see the incredible value of "the art of distraction," as I call it.

You just can't reason with a two year old. It's pointless and frustrating. So what do you do instead of explaining things like if you don't change your poopy diaper your bum will hurt or if you don't wash your hands you get the house all sticky? Well, you talk about anything in the world that may happen to catch some interest and distract them long enough...how many butterflies are on your shirt, where did your tongue go, etc, etc. Sometimes I forget that you can't force or explain (at least without screaming or tears) and the art of distraction doesn't come naturally to me but I try.

Exhausting I tell you!

Sisters

UPDATES

MACKENZIE...

Starting in on the questions. Here are some common questions as of late:

-why?...why?...why?

-what cha doing mommy-girl?

-what cha doing daddy-girl? (yes, she says that and I love it)

-where's daddy-robert?

-where ya going mommy-karin?

-where'd my big bird binkie go?

-what's izzy barking?

-what's its name? what's that girls name?

-where are all the boys? (the first thing she asked when she walked into nursery the other day)

BROOKLYN

-got her first tooth

-rolls over both directions

-lots of smiles

-never misses a meal (love those cheeks) 

-sleeps thru the night (i hope this doesn't jinx it)

A Day Late

THE MOTHERS IN MY LIFE
My beautiful mother is my best friend and the best mom and grandma ever. I call her almost every day because I know she'll be interested in hearing the non-exciting things going on at our house and she'll want the latest update of what Mackenzie and Brooklyn are doing. It's probably a good thing that I don't live in Fallon because I would rely on her way too much!
Here's my mom and I with all the beautiful colors up Weber Canyon. She's the most enjoyable person to be around of anyone I know. She likes all people and is great with kids.
Here's Grandma Jean, my mom, and Kevin a few years ago. They were visiting us in Provo and Robert made crepes. My Grandma is kind to everyone, especially her grandkids. She works hard every day of her life and is great at staying busy and serving others. 

I have great memories of playing at her house when I was little. I'd spend the night and loved it because she had an electric blanket. She'd play cards with me and pay me to wash the "wash basin." I'm lucky I've had her example in my life.
Here's Robert's mom with Baby Brooklyn, Mackenzie and cousins Halli and Olivia. Carol is amazingly giving and kind to our little family and all of her kids and grandkids. She's dedicated and loving and she's had to do it alone for many years- which I cannot fathom. I'm grateful she did such a good job with Robert!

Help

I'm hosting the recipe group for our ward this week. I need to serve a "spring time" recipe (anything spring-y...salad or fruit or basically anything). Suggestions?