Ms. Madelyn

This is going to be just a quick post, but I wanted to put a current picture of my little Madelyn on my blog. Hooray! I have my new camera so I am enjoying playing with it. Maddy will be 5 months tomorrow. Shocking! We sure love our smily girl (even though we would love it if she'd learn to sleep better at night:))

Also...keep posted for our fun Disneyland pictures. (I might get to it tomorrow--We'll have to see how the day plays out.)

Girl Problems

I'm having a few minor problems with my little girlies and am wondering if you have any good suggestions.
First is my little Alyson.

She is very good about brushing her teeth. In fact, if I forget she will remind me. However, I haven't been using toothpaste for quite some time because she eats it. She won't spit it out but swallows it instead. We have practiced spitting water in the sink, but she won't spit the toothpaste out. She just swallows it down. Any suggestions?

Next girl problem: Taylor

One of Taylor's jobs for the past year, if not longer, has been to make her bed in the morning. It's not her favorite thing, by any means, but she does it. Lately, however, she completely refuses to sleep in her sheets. She sleeps on top of the covers with a blanket we keep at the end of her bed. That way she doesn't have to make her bed in the morning. I get complete breakdown, sobbing hysterics if I make her sleep under her covers. I keep thinking if she gets cold she's climb under, but this has been going on well over a week. Should I just leave it alone and figure she'll get over it? I've been trying to do that, but it makes me a little crazy. What do you think?

Whose daughter is this?

Last Sunday after church we took a quick trip to the Tri-Cities. It was a last minute decision. I wasn't planning to go because it's such a hassle packing everyone up, and it was such a short stay; leave Sunday after church and come home Monday evening. Plus 3 1/2 hours each way with three crazy girls. However, Stuart had just got home from another trip and had only been home for one night. After church, when I thought about him leaving again it made me sad, so I decided we'd all go (Lucky Stuart--He says he likes having us come, and I know he does, but it does add an element of chaos. I would like to point out that I beat him at our"who can get 10 trivia cards first" game. I hardly ever win, so when I do I gloat a little. I'm working on being more gracious.)

In the end I was really glad we went. We saw Staurt's parents, which is always good (they always feed us--LOVE it). We stayed with my parents (because I still get homesick, I know it's pathetic), and I got to spend the afternoon with my sister and her children. Alyssa has three children, Brooklyn, Conner, and Kylie. Brooklyn is the oldest and turns 6 this month, Taylor LOVES Brooklyn and when they get togehter they like to "get wild". On Monday the craziest thing happened. After moving the cows (you know no trip to the Tri-cities is complete without some cow contact), Taylor and Alyson stayed outside with their cousins, Brooklyn and Conner (age 3), and Grandpa. I went in the house, happy the girls were getting fresh air, and were quiet. After a bit my dad came in to report the kids were having fun but getting "really dirty". I'm thinking, "my kids don't get dirty--they don't like dirt" (If Taylor could have her way she would wear a dress every day and only recently tolerates sand; Alyson freaks out if she gets anything on her--water, food, baby spit-up, etc...) So I went to look out the back window and there is Taylor picking up handfuls of dirt and dumping them on HER head. Unbelievable! There is this dirt hill behind my parents house (I should add a sidenote here--My senior year of high school and my summers during college I worked at an agriculture consulting firm--I have many stories I could tell from that job, but the first thing I learned was not to call dirt dirt. The proper name is "soil". I was corrected many a time my first few months. As a result, I usually say soil. Bob would frown at me, but this is definately a dirt hill.) Sorry for the random tangent:)

Anyhow, I couldn't believe my eyes. Alyson was mostly clean and was concerned about having gotten dirt in her shoes, but Taylor and Brooklyn were scooting down the hill (Taylor is, of course, in a skirt), rolling in the dirt, and Taylor was pouring dirt on her own head. It completely caught me off guard. I took pictures of her because I couldn't believe it, and it was pretty funny, but since I still haven't bought a new camera I have resorted to a disposable one. (Again, I know it's pathetic and my goal for the week is to go buy a new camera, I'm just having a tough time deciding which one to buy.) Sooo, I can't share these funny, crazy pictures with you. You'll just have to imagine a filthy little girl in a skirt with so much dirt in her hair you can't even see her scalp. I had to shake her down and strip her down outside, put her straight in the bath and bag up her clothes, shoes, and hairband. I ask, Whose child is this? This isn't the Taylor I know. However, I think I'm probably in for more suprises than just getting filthy dirty. I hope I'm up for it.

Happy Birthday Fu-Fa!

Today is my younger sister Alyssa's birthday! Happy Birthday to you! (Alyssa is on the left, than me, and then my youngest sister, Emily.) When Taylor was little she couldn't say Alyssa, and somehow came up with Fu-Fa. (I have no idea how she got Fu-Fa out of Alyssa, but I thought it was cute and did all I could to encourage it).

Some quick Alyssa trivia for you:

*Alyssa (and Emily) use to memorize trivia pursuit cards, so she is very hard to beat when we play--She can even get the sports questions.

*Alyssa hates to get up in the morning.

*She was the founder and president of the bridge club in high school.

*Alyssa know everything about history and the US presidents.

*She likes poetry, and her son's middle name is Walter, in hopes he will be a poet.

*My daughter, Taylor's middle name is Marie, the same as Alyssa's, in hopes Taylor will be like her aunt.

*Though she originally wanted to be a lawyer (she likes to argue her point), she got a business degree and works part time for a great company in the Tri-Cities.

*She makes a wonderful apple pie.

*She had two pet guinnea pigs, named Napolean and Napolean's wife's name (whatever that was--I forgot)

*She was on the stardards committee at Ricks.

*Alyssa is an avid reader.

*She has always been a good example of a follower of Christ.

*She is one of my favorite people on the planet and I often call her for advice because she is very smart.

Happy birthday Alyssa! I love you!

(I haven't mailed your present yet, but you'll get it soon:)

Shopping for a new ward!

Okay everyone, before I continue with this post, let me say we LOVE our ward. It is filled with WONDERFUL people who are truly amazing. They are angels. Last week is a perfect example. I had gotten sick. I had Stuart make one phone call to cancel pre-school (I was suppose to teach the next day), and before I knew it, I had people watching my children for the next two days and bringing me dinners. It was amazing! No, we are not shopping for a new ward--we love our ward. However, this funny thing happened on Sunday that made me laugh.

Stuart has been traveling a lot for work lately. Two Sundays ago he was gone, then we had general conference, and then he had to be gone this last Sunday, again. It makes church a little crazy, but really I only have to survive Sacrament meeting and then I'm fine. (BLess the primary and nursery workers, and Ashley Marshall who always takes Madelyn so I can teach my class). Back to Stuart. This last Sunday Stuart had enough time before his flight to attend the Cascade Park Ward (that meets at 9 am in our building) sacrament meeting so he could get a little church and take the sacrament (He invited me and the girls to go with him, but I thought one sacrament meeting would be PLENTY.) He came home from church and basically had fallen in love with this ward. Actually, mostly it was the activities the ward was doing. THursday night was a debt reduction/budgeting class (Stuart's favorite topic ever--In fact, he still wants me to go because "You take good notes." Whatever!) Friday night the ward had a chili and pie cookoff (If you know Stuart, he is very competitive and also thinks he's a master chef). Saturday morning the stake (That's right, this isn't even our stake) is having a 1mile walk/5-k or 10-k run, which he is really into at the moment. To end the week, Saturday night the ward Elder's quorum was playing dodge ball/ family potluck. Quote Stuart, "I've always wanted to live in a ward that plays dodgeball." I thought the whole thing was pretty funny, but that also meant we got to spend the drive to the airport talking about how if he was ever in our ward he would remember how fun it is, which is such an important part of church anyway (And to help him remember how fun we are I signed him up to be in charge of a booth for the Trunk or Treat activity at the end of the month). Also, we had to talk about if he isn't careful he is going to be the next activities director and will be hating life (at least I would be hating life, but I'm sure there are people who would actually enjoy it--I'm just not one).

I had thought the experience was kind of funny (my mom laughed about it when I told her), so I figured I'd add it to my blog. I sat down Monday to write about it, but got distracted. Then, when I did get back to it, I decided it wasn't as funny as I thought it was and not blog-worthy, so I deleted it, but apparently I didn't delete the title. That, in and of itself, was kind of funny. So to everyone that called or commented, No, we are not really shopping for a new ward. We love our ward and are here to stay. (probably:))

Gentian Violet pictures (But no Bumbo)

I know I have been so bad about posting. My excuss is I am cameraless at the moment and I love posting pictures. However, on the bright side, I think I found a replacement camera at Costco, so soon I'll be back at it. What I'd really like to post is a cute picture of my little Madelyn sitting in her new Bumbo seat (thank you Karen Hill!) Oh my goodness, I love this thing. If you have a baby between 3 months and 14 months (that's what the box says) you NEED this. Alyson and Taylor also LOVE this and I have to keep telling them NOT to sit in it. (grumble)

However, since I have no cute picture of the Bumbo seat and Ms. Maddy, What I do have is pictures of Madelyn with her dark purple mouth. Shortly after she was born, Madelyn developed Thrush, which is a yeast infection (I think) babies sometimes get in their mouths. It is this white, gucky stuff on their cheeks and tongue. (There is probably a more scientific term, but you get the idea). I took Madelyn to the doctor and she put us on Niostatin. For two weeks we had to use a Q-tip and swab the inside of her mouth four times a day with this stuff. (plus I got to swab my nipples four times a day--probably more info than you wanted to know, but it was mostly awful.) This did NOTHING. We went back to the doctor and got plan B--Gentian Violet. It was soo funny. The doctor starts by saying when I buy this DO NOT get alarmed at the scull and cross bones on the label. (I wish I had a picture for you). Yes, she said, it is toxic if swallowed, but your baby will not be swallowing it. (Are you sure about that?) I just had to use a Q-tip and swab her mouth once a day for three days (and yes, I get to swab my nipples again, too--Love it!). So I'm thinking, Why didn't we start with this, it's so much easier. The doctor when on to explain it will turn everything dark purple and it does not come out. Also, the last piece of advice was not to take my baby out in public because people will freak out. It's now a little clearer as to why this is plan B. However, the scull and cross bones should have tipped me off.

So, off to the store I go, bought the Gentian Violet (scull and cross bones and all) and gave it to

Madelyn. Stuart thought she looked like a Black Mambo snake and was ready to sue the doctor when Madelyn died from poisioning. The damange to her clothes and mine was kept to a minimum, but she wore the same outfit two out of the three days, and could only use one blanket. However, it was worth it. The Gentian Violet worked like a charm. It took a day or so for the purple to wear off, but the Thrush was gone.

Gone, that is, until two weeks later I noticed some white spots on Madelyn's lip again. Sooo, we go three more days with purple mouth and nipples (you're jealous, huh?)

I am hoping the second time does the trick. I guess I should be grateful, though, because Thrush is pretty minor on the list of diseases/sicknesses Maddy could have. And I'm pretty sure purple bras are in fashion.

Will you marry me?

Today I had one of Taylor's friends, Clark, in the car with us for a little while. It was amusing to me to listen to their conversation. Somehow it came up that some mutual friends, Grace and Braden, where going to "get married". (Were you aware of this, Laurie?:)) Clark asked Taylor who she was going to marry. Taylor responded she was going to marry Clark. Clark thought this was funny and all, but then reminded Taylor HE was going to marry Audry. Taylor then began an active campain, trying to show why she was the better candidate and Clark should abandon his love.

Taylor: But Audry moved, Clark.

Clark: But I could go there for the wedding.

Taylor: Anyway, I think she is going to marry her dad.

Clark: (laughing) No. He's already married, Besides, he's old. He's going to die.

After that, the conversation changed to another topic. I guess Taylor realized you just can't argue with true love. However, she's still on the lookout for somone to marry. (Can't I choose for her? I'm suddenly all for arranged marriages:))

The baby blessing and cattle drive

I'm a little concerned about starting this blog and am not really sure what I'm doing so I hope you will be patient with me while I work it out. I'm really excited about it, thought. And thank you everyone that has given me suggestions and help.

As of late I have had some camera problems. In fact, at present my camera is at the repair shop (not that I'm grumpy about it or anything. I had a cute picture I wanted to take today:))- But since I brought up the carera issue, What do you think? Should I pay $120 to fix the camera or buy a new one for $220? Because I am cameraless, I'm going to write about my labor day weekend, even though it was two weeks ago. I hope that's allowable.

Over Labor Day weekend we went to the Tri-Cities, where both my husband and I grew up. We also have both sets of grandparents and brothers/sisters/cousins..etc..that are living there. We had decided it would be much easier for everyone if we had our little daughter, Madelyn, given a name and blessing there instead of having everyone come here. It was a hard decision, because we love our ward, (the church we attend), and feel like they are our family, too. In the end it was just easier, and I actually quite love the Tri-Cities, (which are Kennewick, Richland and Pasco) so I was okay with it. Stuart doesn't share my love, which is why we live in Vancouver.

One of my favorite things about going home is taking my girls to visit "the farm". My parents live just outside of Kennewick on a little farm. It's not a full blown farm, and actually my dad is downsizing since he recently retired and my parents are thinking about going on a mission, but he still raises cows and chickens. I love it because that's where we get our beef each year and we always come home with fresh eggs. I also like that my girls get the "farm" experience. Taylor likes helping grandpa with the "farm chores". She followed after Grandpa gathering eggs, feeding the cat, things like that.

Alyson helped me gather yummy grapes--That's more her style.

(I'm sorry the pictures are sideways--I was just happy to get them on the post. I'll figure it out soon:)) My parents neighbors have llamas, and they love baby carrots, so we usually feed them at least once a visit. So far we haven't been spit on. My brother wasn't so fortunate.

On Sunday Madelyn was given her name, Madelyn Jane Robertson, by her father and a blessing. I know it's no shock, but I always cry when my babies are blessed. She cried, too:) Maddy wore the same dress her sisters were blessed in and was wrapped in the shawl I was blessed in. Stuart makes fun of the shawl because it's old and a little yellow (he calls it the holy grail), but I love it. And I loved having family involved and around us all day. It was a great day. Stuart's mom made this amazing dinner.

Monday we had a BBQ picnic at my parents. My parents had invited a bunch of neighbors and it was fun to see families I grew up with. Because there were a fair amount of people, by father decided it would be a good time to "move cows". This is a phrase from my childhood. I'd be lying in bed on Saturday morning enjoying that I didn't have to get up early for school and my dad would come in at the crack of dawn (at least it felt like the crack of dawn) and announce we were going to "move cows". Moving cows involves moving them from one pasture to another. This is all good and fine, but the pastures are usually not connected. In fact, sometimes they are a good ways off. To get the cows where he wanted them to go Dad would station us kids along the way to show them, so to speak, where to go. Basically, when the cows came towards you, you waved your arms and yelled. It works well if there are lots of people, not so well with limited numbers. I've been involved in many "not so well" cow moves. However, sign of relief, this one when without a hitch. And it isn't really a trip to the farm without some cow experience. (In December I was home alone with my girls when I noticed all the cows were out--gotta love it).

I tell Stuart he's lucky he married a "farm girl". His trips would be so boring if all he did was play golf.