A couple of letters

Dear Winter,

You are not my favorite weather, in fact, you're my least favorite. I'm sorry we no longer get along like we did when I was a kid. I'm sad that I can no longer tolerate a cold nose and numb fingers. I wish I had the patience and confidence to drive on your icy roads. I regret not thinking that building a snowman is worth my time. I appreciate the moisture you bring. I dig getting to wear my sweaters, boots and super cute coat. I love that the kids got to miss one day of school because of snow. I even like the occasional foggy mornings, but I'm done.

Please, please, don't take this the wrong way, but its time to move on. We both know it. You're getting lazy (what good is winter without snow), and I'm looking forward to seeing other weather. Namely Summer, but you're going to have to be long gone for that to happen.

So anyway, thanks for being around for a little while, but get lost.

Yours truly,

Rochelle

Dear Summer,

I anxiously await your arrival for fun in the sun, time in the pool, bike rides, evening walks, playgrounds, and an all around good time.

Devotedly yours,

Rochelle

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: Encouraging Good Behavior

Even kids need new years resolutions sometimes. I have been working diligently to reduce Dexter's temper tantrums for a few weeks now, but he kept forgetting. Grandma Marde gave me the great idea to have a tantrum calendar, and put a sticker on everyday that he doesn't have a tantrum, so he feels like he gets a reward. He also gets a treat on Saturday's if he gets 5 stickers in a week. I didn't want the other kids to get jealous so I came up with some areas that they could use some improvement too. Corbin has an annoying habit of talking in baby talk, so we decided to get rid of that. Ivy's is a little more complicated, she's (very slowly) potty training. Right now she is getting a sticker as long as she's willing to sit on the potty a few times a day. We'll increase the difficulty as time goes on. (Grandma also sent the calendars and stickers, thanks Marde!) Anyway, so far so good. Hardly any temper tantrums or baby talk, and Ivy is loving the potty. It feels great for me to be less annoyed with them, and it feels great for them to get to accomplish something. I hope they keep up the good work.

Ivy practicing her potty skills. Still nothing in the potty, but she'll get there.

Check this out: Dexter is SMILING for the camera! I think this shows that he is much happier without feeling like he needs to be angry or sad all the time! He barely looks like himself! (ps, isn't the picture he drew adorable? Its supposed to be Daddy!)

I don't have a picture to demonstrate Corbin's lack of baby talk, but he's basically cut it out, cold turkey! Its very nice to be able to understand him on a regular basis.

Randomness: Update

So I had a couple questions about my last blog from a couple of different people, so I decided to just answer them all at once with one blog. Here goes:

Modge Podge:

I am by no means an expert on the subject. I do not know the definition of what it is, because I've never even really heard of it before the relief society activity. From what I gather, it involves scrapbook paper being glued to wood (and possibly other things), adding some vinyl lettering and sanding some edges, and voila....a cute little wooden sign. I didn't sand the edges like recommended because I was tired......maybe someday I'll get around to it. But here's how it turned out. I hope that answers questions.

Pregnant Itchiness:

Many of you pointed out that my itchiness is likely caused by the stretching of skin, a very likely cause. However, I have been pregnant three other times, and I have experienced that very thing every time. I'm not saying your wrong, but this time is different. I am experiencing the itchiness in other places besides my abdomen and breasts. For example, the inside of my elbows, or crelbows, if you will. I took a picture so you could see what it looks like and then give me an opinion about it. I think its PUPPP (which apparently is harmless but itches like crazy!). I have an appointment with the doc very soon to show her whats up, and in the meantime I have switched to fragrant free body wash and got some goldbond anti-itching powder (so I smell nice and medicated!). Here's to hoping I get a little bit of relief.

Randomness

How do you feel about frozen juice concentrate? I struggle with the idea of making juice with it because I'm so tempted to just eat that deliciously flavorful frozen juice with a spoon. I never have eaten it like that (besides a bite or two), but I try to justify it every day!

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Ivy had her 2 year well check yesterday (we're a teensy bit behind schedule), and she weighed 26.4 lbs. Thats the 50th percentile! Can you believe that? Its an enormous jump from the less than 3rd percentile she's been pretty much since birth. The doc was like, "What happened? What changed?" and I was like, "I don't know, but she sure loves to eat!" I still think it may have just been a mistake when they weighed her, but who knows.

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I went to a relief society activity this week and had my first ever experience with modge podge (is that even how you say it or spell it? I really don't know). Anyway, it was SUPER EASY and I was pretty surprised. It turned out so cute, and I really enjoyed talking with the other sisters in the ward. Plus, I'm getting craftier by the day!

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Tell me formerly or currently pregnant women out there.....Do you get itchy while pregnant. I'm not talking an itch here or there, I'm talking like CRAZY, RIDICULOUSLY ITCHY SKIN!! I am a regular sufferer of itchiness, so its not a big surprise, but the last 2 weeks or so my stomach and *ahem* breasts are so itchy its practically interfering with my life! This week I also developed a pale rash. There are tiny red dots working their way across my abdomen. They aren't bumpy, just a little pink, but man, they are ITCHY! Please tell me there can be relief before delivery because I'm only half way done, and I don't think I can take it for 5 more months!!

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: Warm and Fuzzy Feelings

Dear Scott (aka Scontra/Scizzott/Stinky Pete),

Just over eleven years ago you told my friends I was gorgeous. When they told me about you an hour later I thought of my raggidy pony tail, and un-made up face. I looked down at my gray, long sleeved shirt, and old holy-kneed jeans, and thought He must be crazy. I'm a total scrounge. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and went to school the next day ready to find out who you were. You were that annoying kid in my seminary class (the complete opposite of how I feel about you now). You remember right? You sat front and center everyday, and talked a lot. You had really big hair, and beautiful blue eyes, and when you spoke to me briefly at the end of class I saw your amazing smile for the first time.

Now you've been smiling at me for more than a decade (sounds crazy, right). My hair is a boring color, I hardly ever wear make-up or even do my hair, I'm a little (okay a lot) chubbier, and I still wear holy-kneed jeans, yet you tell me I'm gorgeous all the time. You're sounding crazier by the second.

I relish every minute we spend together, and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Thanks for being so great. I still feel like a scrounge, and I still think you must be crazy, but I'm so glad you had the courage to speak up that day. Love you!

Love,

Rochelle (aka Beauti-potomus/Puke-a-hontus)

Awww, Our first date. January 8, 2000 (is it me, or do we look ridiculously silly?! I'm leaning way too far and my belly is hanging out, and your head looks so long!)

Year in Pictures

Okay, so I am a teensy bit ridiculous when it comes to taking pictures of my family. Seriously, on average I take like 300 a month, with some extraordinary months exceeding 1000 (probably less than one percent have me or Scott, but hey, the kids are the super cute ones)! Most people never see any of these pictures, so I went through them all and decided to pick one fun picture from every month to show, hopefully you haven't seen them before. Enjoy.

January 2010

Corbin decides to try out the monkey bars. He's actually pretty good at it, even though he's got those skinny little arms that look a wee bit wussy. Ha ha! Sorry Corbin!

February 2010

Ivy (and Corbin's legs) enjoying the under-the-coffee-table fort. Ivy looks so little!

March 2010

This was a hard month to choose from, but ultimately marshmallow face takes the cake. What a Cutie McGoo right?!

April 2010

My kids with their cousins (Jeff, Andrew, and Regin) when they came to visit for Easter. What do you say we make this an annual visit guys? We miss you!

May 2010

Dexter was obsessed with hats, Corbin was obsessed with the automatic timer thing on the camera, and thus memories are made.

June 2010

Ivy is practicing her sun-bathing skills. She's not very good at it yet. (Doesn't the beautiful sun make you want to cry? Oh summer how I miss you!)

July 2010

Ivy and Grandma sliding together at Stacy's Squishy Park in Sandy (not the official name, but that's what we all know it by!)

August 2010

The average morning at the Brunson house. I love the messy hair and sleepy eyes. I don't know why, but Dexter's adorable face is totally making me laugh. Stinkin' cute kiddos!

September 2010

Scott, the kids and my parents walking the streets of old St. George after visiting the park and the temple (which is only like 2 blocks from their house).

October 2010

Dexter trying on Mommy's boots. He threw a major tantrum right after I took this picture because he hates to have it taken sometimes. Its probably nothing compared to the tantrum he'll throw when I show it to his girlfriend when he's a teenager.

November 2010

Sorry this picture is sideways, I was too lazy to turn it, but I LOVE that face. This is my darling husband one second after he chugged his delicious liquid laxative for the first time, the day before his colonoscopy. Still super sexy even with the yuck face!

December 2010

Corbin has something stuck in his teeth, Dexter is annoyed by Jessie, and yet they find time to cuddle in their jammies. Love those boys!

Yay for a new year with new pictures! I can't wait to take a million more!

Things are looking up

For Dexter.......and me! Since our talk earlier this week things have really changed. The day after everything he didn't have a single tantrum and was completely pleasant the ENTIRE DAY! And now a few days later he's only had a few minor meltdowns, and has only been slightly grumpy at random times. He's been pretty compliant when it comes to getting ready for school, and he hasn't taken Jessie out of the house. Today, he even feels like a dream come true (the exact opposite feeling from the other day), because I somehow hurt my back super bad this morning and am really struggling to even move so he's been helping like crazy. I asked him to help me pick up toys, garbage and stuff off the family room floor, and he jumped at the chance to do it. He runs to help me in an instant, and I am grateful for him (and Corbin too, they're both being really helpful and understanding). I'm feeling better about the whole situation, and I'm just hoping it continues to be good. He really is a great kid, and I just want to see that greatness more often.

Thanks for the help today Dex, and thanks for trying to keep the tantrums at a minimum. Love you dude!

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: Hooked on Phonics

Worked For Me.....

Do you remember that slogan? Is Hooked On Phonics even still around? I'm just curious, but its kinda beside the point.

Corbin is (as I've mentioned millions of times) ridiculously smart. Today while I was in the kitchen I heard him telling Dexter the story of Toy Story 3. My kids are totally obsessed with the whole Toy Story franchise, so this was not a big surprise. But as I listened to what he was saying I realized how specific he was being and that he was using words that weren't a regular part of his vocabulary, so I went in the family room to investigate.

There I found him and Dexter sitting on the floor surrounded by all their toy story toys, and Corbin was reading a book he got for his birthday. This was not just an easy sight-word type book. It's a regular book, and not one that he's heard enough to memorize. I stood silently and watched him read for a few minutes, I noticed that when he would come across a really hard word that he couldn't figure out he would just skip it, so I knew he was really reading, not just repeating from memory. I almost cried, seeing how well he could read when he didn't know I was watching or listening.

I finally stopped him, sat on the floor with them, and made him start over from the beginning and read it to me. I helped with the words he'd previously skipped, and then watched and listened in awe as he read the whole thing.
It's amazing to watch my little baby grow up and do these things with such ease. I barely have to push him to learn something new, he does most of the learning on his own. I wish I would have taken video of it, because he seriously did so well, but I'm sure everyone else gets sick of my boasting about my kid-genius anyway, and I was too busy gushing over it.

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In other not so braggy news. I had a major blow-up with Dexter this afternoon because of his temper tantrums. One might say I had a temper tantrum of my own. There was a lot of yelling and threatening to throw a certain toy in the garbage (Jessie from toy story). I even threatened to rip its head off (the toy, not the boy). Needless to say, its a moment I'm not proud of. It was seconds before the kids needed to be at school, which is why it was so tense, and Dex has a knack for throwing his fits when we're running late (or causing us to run late by throwing fits). Its frustrating and I lost it. After I walked him to class and got back in the van to run to my doctors appointment, I cried over having handled it so badly. I felt awful about it for the rest of the day.

After school I picked them up and as they sat down for their afternoon snack, Dex and I had a heart to heart conversation. I apologized for freaking out and explained to him why I did it, but that it is never okay for me to treat him that way. I asked him to stop throwing tantrums and to start trying to listen more. I also told him he couldn't take Jessie with us everywhere we go anymore (which is seriously the root of many of the tantrums), and he agreed to leave her home. I told him I loved him and we hugged it out. A good long hug that we both really needed. The rest of the day he was PERFECT. Not one more tantrum. He even told Daddy when he got home from work, that he was not going to bring Jessie places anymore, and he's going to stop crying over things. I am so proud that he actually listened to what I said, and is making an effort to make things a little more pleasant for all of us. Hopefully he still remembers once he wakes up.

******NOTE******This blog post is not meant to boast about one child while ragging on another. I really think that Dexter is taking a step in the right direction now, and this will lead to more bragging about him and less frustrating moments. Sorry Dexter, I love you so much, but being three is hard for you!

Ps.. Please don't judge me for my actions, I know I was out of line. I'm trying to make it right.

A Saturday Well Spent?

On Saturday I got this urge to clean. I cleaned the front room and the family room as I always do and then moved on to the downstairs bathroom. A room that doesn't get a thorough cleaning often enough. I put on the rubber gloves and dove in. Scott took the kids upstairs and kept them out of my hair while I scrubbed that bathroom top to bottom until it shined! Scott even commented later on how "white" it looked. I felt so satisfied with the beautifully cleaned bathroom that I moved on to the kitchen. This is a room that gets cleaned everyday, but not scrubbed. So I got to work. I did all the regular stuff (dishes, countertops etc.) and then moved on to the not so regular stuff. I cleaned out the fridge, making sure to polish each shelf. I cleaned out the pantry, throwing out some expired stuff and getting rid of clutter. I polished all the cabinets, and de-cluttered drawers. All in all, I spent several hours making our house look beautifully clean.

Afterward I sat on the couch put my feet up and cuddled up with my sudoku. I felt exhausted, and my back and feet were killing me, but I also felt great. What a satisfying feeling to look around and see nothing but clean. I didn't mind that I just used up the majority my Saturday to do it. I drank it in.

Then Sunday night came around, and as we walked the kids up to bed I looked at my recently scrubbed house and realized something. It wasn't clean anymore. In a matter of twenty-four hours my family had managed to make it almost as messy as it was before. Suddenly I didn't feel so good about wasting my Saturday cleaning. I should have taken a nap!

Bonus Blog: What's that smell?

Hey I already blogged today, but I had an experience I really wanted to share.

Yesterday when I picked the kids up from school, Dexter's preschool teacher, Ms. Shylo spoke with me about a strange smell coming from my child for two days in a row. She asked if we had a dog that had a run-in with a skunk! I was mortified! I wanted to cry. How can my child be the stinky kid in class? I bathe him, he wears clean clothes, I don't get it. She suggested that maybe his coat just needed a washing. I walked home embarrassed and ashamed. As soon as we got home I ripped off his coat and started sniffing. I couldn't smell anything. I put it (and the other kids coats) in the washer anyway and started sniffing Dexter. I smelled his hair, his clothes, his breath. I still smelled nothing. I was confused and horrified that maybe we all smelled bad and I just didn't know because I was used to the smell. Or, I thought, maybe Ms. Shylo is just picking on us (she's mentioned Dexy's messed up glasses more than once), and maybe she was just rude!

Today I bathed him right before school paying special attention to wash every inch of skin! I smelled his already clean clothes to make sure they were fine, and put them on him. I smelled his newly clean coat and it was "Gain" fresh. We went to school and I dropped him off, careful not to make eye contact with Ms. Shylo for fear she would see my shame. I went home, and worried. Thoughts going through my head were that the teachers think I don't bathe my kids, or I dress them in dirty clothes, or I don't care about hygiene. I was terrified to pick him up.

I walked to the school fearing what she would say, and when I saw her walking my way holding hands with Dexter, I felt sick and thought, she's going to try to teach me about hygiene. She said, "I figured out the smell! It's his new shoes! It must be the leather, they have a funny smell!" I have never been so relieved in my life! I immediately started laughing and telling her how mortified I was that my child was the stinky kid. She apologized and told me how it is never an easy subject to bring up with a parent, and she is glad that it wasn't him. I agreed!

This experience has taught me a very important lesson. Don't buy shoes at Walmart!

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: Obsessions

This week I've decided to "brag" about my current various obsessions. I have several, and I'm a tiny bit embarrassed about a couple of them. Please don't judge.

Obsession number one: Crocheting. This should be no surprise to anyone that knows me. I started my first crochet project just over 10 years ago after my little sister Kim taught me how to do a double stitch (or granny square). I made Scott a giant blanket for Christmas, (that is actually on our bed as I type). Its kinda ugly, and far from perfect, but super WARM. Since then I've expanded my crocheting to include different stitches and different types of projects. It's a little embarrassing as most people would categorize it as an "old lady" activity, but I just love doing it. A few things I've done lately: A couple of scarves, several beanies, baby blankets, and some amigurumi projects. I should start a business!! j/k.

This is Corbin wearing the beanie I made for my nephew Dallin for Christmas. In case you are wondering I saw them on Nienie Dialogues and made my own version.

Obsession number two: Sudoku. I know. It was so trendy like 5 years ago, so I'm technically out of style, but I can't help it. I just love it. I've actually been practicing my sudoku skills for a few years now (see I'm not THAT out of the loop), and once I get into a sudoku mood, its tough to get rid of it. Scott's mom gave me a new book of 100 of the puzzles for Christmas and I feel like I haven't put it down since. I'm almost halfway through it. I swear its keeping my mind sharp and helping me avoid dementia in my later years.

A completed sudoku puzzle from my new book.

Obsession number three: Rubik's Cube. Yes, our family still has cube fever, although, its gone down a lot in recent months. Scott is as good as ever and continues to better his solve time and practices regularly, while I am more of a practice when its convenient kind of "cuber". I tend to bring it to doctors appointments to see how many times I can solve it before they call me back (and impress other prego's in the waiting room), or I leave it in the diaper bag so if there is ever a boring occasion I can easily get it and practice. Regular people have phones that they play games on, we have our rubik's cubes. I think these will help steer off dementia as well.

Scott with his beloved and newly stickered cube back in June. It looks a lot more trashed now.

Anyway, those are just few of my many obsessions. I'm actually pretty embarrassed about all three of those, so I hope you enjoyed the view of my hidden dorky qualities! I hope you aren't judging me harshly, its not like I'm a closet LARPER or anything. (I sincerely apologize if you are a larper and I just offended you. I'm not making fun, I'm just not into that sort of thing.)

Our Fortunate Lack of Furniture

Sometimes I feel like our house seems empty and boring, like we need to fill it with more furniture. But Grandma Marde and Grandpa Ross gave our kids a Christmas gift that makes our lack of furniture seem like a good thing. Until summer comes anyway. They gave the kids a trampoline. A semi-medium sized one (8 ft diameter, 3 ft high), that we put up in our living room when they came to visit a few days after Christmas. The kids have been loving jumping on it. Especially Dex and Ivy, who would stay on that thing all day if they didn't have to eat or sleep.

Here are the kids enjoying the new toy in the front room.

I wasn't loving it in our front room (which is usually clean in case visitors drop by), so after about three days we decided it needed to go. Its FREEZING outside, so we didn't want to put it out there yet, but we didn't want to give up space in the garage for it either. We finally settled on moving it to our family/tv room. We moved all the furniture to one side of the room and put the trampoline on the other. Its cramped, but fun, and we'll only have to deal with it for a couple of months til the weather gets warmer. The kids are in heaven. I have a feeling most of you are thinking we're nuts, but they are only young once, and I'm pretty sure they will have nothing but good memories from it. Thanks for our new trampoline Gma and Gpa!

Here's Dex (who practically sleeps on it) jumping in the family room. We just got home and he didn't even take the time to take off his coat!