Miss Mariah

We have a 9 year old...pretty sure she was an infant yesterday so I'm not sure where the 9 years went. But it has been a delight watching her learn and grow. Thankfully she still thinks the yearly interview is cool: 

Mom: What is your favorite color? 

Mariah: I think my favorite color right now is teal and turquoise

Mom: What is your favorite food?
Mariah: Waffles (There was a  lot of pondering before she decided on waffles. She always makes sure to remind me on Saturday mornings that it is waffle/pancake day.)

Mom: What is your favorite animal?
Mariah: I really like dogs still and I like horses but I also like cheetahs. (Mariah loves to play with Gus. I love listening to her giggle at his crazy antics. She has taught him some new tricks like "pretty" and to catch a ball in the air.)

Mom: What is your favorite book?

Mariah: Harry Potter and The One and Only Ivan

She's still a huge reader. I'm constantly on the hunt for new books for her to read. Each night we have to go in and tell her to stop reading and go to bed otherwise she stays up way too late. 

Mom: What is your favorite movie?
Mariah: Bed Knobs and Broomsticks (She also makes sure to remind me that Friday night is movie night)

Mom: What is your favorite song?

Mariah: Locked Away (She didn't know the name of the song but sang it for me and I had to look it up. I'm not up to date with all the hip music. Mariah rarely sings known songs; she usually sings her own originals. And when she invents one she really likes, she'll sing it over and over and over.)

Mom: Who is your scripture hero?

Mariah: Captain Moroni, I really like him. (She does a great job reading her scriptures each day. A few months ago she made a goal to read the New Testament so now she reads from both the Book of Mormon and New Testament each morning.)

Mom: What is your favorite dessert?

Mariah: Moose Tracks ice cream of course! That's just delicious; I love fudge. If it comes to vanilla, I really like Mint Chocolate Chip. 

Mom: What do you like to do for fun? 
Mariah: I like to play Uno with dad and my brothers, I like to make believe I'm an animal, and I like to climb the tree house tree and swing on the swings. 

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Mom? 

Mariah: I really like to talk about funny things with you. (One of the most delightful things about your children getting older is that you get to have such great conversations with them.)

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Dad?
Mariah: I like when he reads books to me, or when I read books to him. 

This was an awesome note and drawing that Mariah made for Tanner

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Chet?
Mariah: I like to swing on the swings with him and I like to pretend to be animals with him. 

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Austin?

Mariah: I really like playing with toys with Austin, because it makes him happy and he gets this little high pitched voice.  

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Eliza? 

Mariah: Give her piggy-backs. (Mariah is really good at looking after Eliza. She tries to be patient with her even when she gets into all her things.)

We are so grateful that Eliza and Vivi have Mariah for a big sister. 

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Vivienne?

Mariah: Hold her and talk to her. (She has been such a huge help with Vivi she holds her for me when I'm making dinner and even sings her to sleep.)

Mom: Who is your best friend?

Mariah: Thats a good question, I think it would be Chet. (Those two are so close. There is a lot of fighting, but I don't think they'd know what to do with themselves if they weren't together.) 

Mom: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Mariah: A mother and a naturalist because I like to study animals and plants. And maybe a pianist and maybe a singer.  

Mariah works so hard on her piano. She practices each morning without complaint and even creates her own songs. 

She is starting to get embarrassed about things. One day when dropping them off for piano, their teacher's husband answered the door and let them know that there wasn't any piano that day. When they got back in the car I just said, "Whoops, I forgot you didn't have piano today." Mariah then said, "Mom that was so embarrassing!" I just told her she was going to have to get used to it because I'll probably be embarrassing her a lot. Pretty sure thats in my job description. 

The other day Tanner came into the room with his shirt tucked into sweatpants pulled up as high as they could go. Tanner got just the reaction he was hoping for when with a look of horror on her face Mariah said, "Dad, have you lost all your dignity?!" I have also let the kids know that if they want to be "cool" they probably shouldn't recreate any of Dad's dance moves in public. "Cool" is never Tanner's goal. 

At Christmas time Mariah came home from the neighbors and told me they had taught her a little about their religion. "There's this elf that watches them and makes sure they are being good so that Santa will give them gifts. He moves around the house and does funny things. I told them it was just a toy but they said he is real." She had such a confused look on her face; it was all I could do to not laugh out loud. I then taught her the basics of Elf on the Shelf. Their neighbor friends were kind enough to let her know that she could get her own real live elf on Amazon. The whole situation just made me so happy. 

One day in school she was working on the plural form of words. When she got to pants, she looked up at me and said, "pantelones?" We had a good laugh about that one. 

Mariah is able to do more and more of her school by herself which frees up time for me to help her siblings. She has amazing focus and will do her work through the chaos of her four siblings. She and Chet have loved their online class. They get to discuss what they have learned with kids from all over the country (and even Mexico!). Their cousins from Washington are on the Zoom as well so they love getting to see them each day.

Mariah and Chet started soccer right after her birthday. She felt nervous before their first game, but said after she started she just felt excited. She made a great kick into her own team's goal. She said she just turned and saw an open goal and didn't hesitate. She handled it like a champ though and we had a good laugh about it later. 

Mariah is a great example to her siblings in so many ways. They all want to read their scriptures, play the piano, and do their schoolwork because they see her doing it. It makes my job as a mom a little easier. We are so grateful for all the light and joy that she brings into our home. 

That Crazy April Week

Anniversary/April Fools, Tanner's birthday, Mariah's birthday/Easter/General Conference....it's exhausting. But this year I had lots of help which made it actually all possible. 

Mariah decided she wanted her cake when both grandparents were here. Grandma Young decorated the cake and everyone helped me put together a Passover meal, which I normally would do the Thursday before Easter, but I knew that probably wouldn't happen without helpers this year, so we did it early. This is only the second year we have done it but I love giving my children a little idea of what the Savior would have been doing before his crucifixion. We do a watered down, much shorter version but I feel like they still get an idea of what it would be like. Everyone really enjoyed all of the grape juice. 

Mariah wanted a rabbit cake and I was so glad Grandma was here to do it. Mariah was excited to help decorate and she did a great job. It was beautiful and tasted delicious. 

Mariah serenaded herself during the song and I love how her excited face while opening presents is the exact same. She doesn't hold back. 

We didn't do much for our anniversary. Ten years...A year ago Tanner said he wanted to go to Hawaii for our ten year anniversary. I said I wanted a baby. We all know who won that. Tanner made Tacos and we took a selfie, where I look like I have five children and one of them is a newborn...real life here. Tanner can never take a serious photo the first time and I love how I start to look more annoyed with each photo. Bless him. 

A lot has happened in ten years. We have gone through joys and sorrows, sleepless nights and sleeping in mornings, exciting trips and the day to day life. We can annoy each other but mostly adore each other. I'm so grateful for all of our growth these last ten years and I'm excited to see what the next ten years bring. Five more kids? I kid...maybe. 

My kids were very disappointed that I hadn't done any April Fools pranks in the morning. Especially after they saw their cool Aunt's prank on Facebook. Sorry kids, no one can compete with Aunt Mandy. I did manage to sneak a craisin into their toothpaste and Chet was the one to find it at bedtime. The look of disgust on his face was great and they decided I was an ok mom for finally pranking them. 

Tanner's Birthday was the next day. He woke up on his own and fed the kids Stroopwaffles to buy me a little more time in bed. We decorated the front window for him to see when he got home for work. The kids came up with their own presents for him. Mariah regifted him a box of bandaids from Christmas that she has never used. "He can use them if he gets hurt or for his patients!" Chet gathered up a bunch of scrap wood that Tanner has given him and put it in a gift bag and Austin found a bag of nails to wrap up. Eliza packed her backpack full of odds and ends and declared them all for dad's birthday. They were all so excited to give him their gifts. I got him the wrong pair of slippers...which is probably what he expected from me but was a good sport about it. I'll get it right eventually.

The Strawberry shortcake was good though so I'm going to call it a win. I promise he was happy...he just had already maxed out his monthly allowance of photos the day before. He is such a good sport about the small amount of attention he gets on his birthday and we love him for it. 

That night, Brittany's family came. They showered Tanner with confetti when he opened the door and brought some fancy drinks and popsicles for him. It's always more fun when there's a bigger crowd singing happy birthday. Heather arrived late that night with her cat and kittens which Gus spent the whole weekend trying to eat. He was almost successful two times and I'm sure Callie was very happy to leave our house when she did. 

The next day we took the kids to the local easter egg hunt. Brittany and I both forgot about Easter baskets so they used plastic grocery bags. I was feeling a little guilty about that until I heard all the cousins talking excitedly about their bags, "I got a Walmart one like you! Look! We both have Target bags! Mine is a gray one!" May they always be so easy to please. We showed up at the hunt right before it started and it was over in minutes. Eliza had a very concerned face the whole time and finally asked me, "Mom, why do they have chocolate on the ground?" I guess I should have prepped her a little beforehand. 

We came back home in time for the first session of general conference. The kids ate their weight in candy from that morning so we didn't have to bring out the special conference snacks we had bought. After the first session we went outside to enjoy the sunshine and eat hotdogs. Brittany made us her delicious sushi for dinner and the kids spent the rest of the night playing outside. 

My mom wanted each of us to take a picture of the sunrise and read the Easter story. I told her I would if Vivienne was awake. Vivi must have heard because she woke up right at sunrise...

I love the symbolism of a sunrise, especially at Easter. The darkness never lasts, eventually the light will come, ushering in a new day of hope. 

Mariah woke up nice and early too, excited to open her presents. 

Mariah's cousins got her these tulips and she loved getting her own flowers. 

Tanner made crepes for breakfast and Baydon put on the Easter scavenger hunt for me. I asked him if he would come up with eleven clues and set it all up the day before and he did way better than I would have. So I'm just planning on him doing it every year now. I like there to be some excitement on Easter, as long as they remember what it is all about so this scavenger hunt works well because they are remembering the Savior as they read the different scriptures. Baydon put eggs all over the place inside and out so the kids had a lot of fun running all over. 

After the hunt,the big girls got pampered by Heather. My skin felt so nice after all the different fancy products. 

Mariah requested ham for her birthday dinner so we had that between sessions so Heather could leave right after the second session. 

Most would think having guests over less than a month after your baby is born would be crazy. But when the guests do most of the work for you it's no problem. I went to bed early each night and caught up on sleep while everyone else snuggled my baby. They made meals, put together the scavenger hunt, and cleaned my house. They can come back whenever they want. 

I was so grateful for the messages at General Conference. I especially loved the session where they had speakers from all over the world. And I was thrilled to learn that there will be a temple in Elko, Nevada! I'm grateful for all the preparation made for a wonderful weekend of encouragement and inspiration. 

And I'm grateful for all of the help that made this crazy week possible. 

One Month with Vivi

 

At the end of the month, we had one day with both sets of Grandparents here. We decided that it would be the best time to do Vivienne's baby blessing. The Bishop came to our home and we were able to do it here. 

Tanner gave a beautiful blessing and Vivi was an angel the whole time. 

This little girl is so so loved.

We are so grateful for the VanderMartin's friendship. 

Grandma and Grandpa Crossley were the first to come after Vivi was born. They were so helpful and we are so grateful for everything they did. So many meals were made, laundry and dishes done, and the house was nice and clean. 

This is a picture of Grandpa vacuuming...he's a national treasure. 

Grandpa Crossley worked hard on the property and in the house. He made breakfast each morning and always did the dishes after. He also cleared out another section of timber. Before they left, he gave Chet and Austin work gloves to thank them for all the help on the property. They were so excited about them. 

Grandma Crossley read lots of books, helped with piano and made delicious dinners every night. She also helped Tanner take out carpet and paint trim in one of the rooms we have been working on. After finding a thorny locust tree she made a crown of thorns for our Easter decorations. She was always encouraging me to go and sleep, which was so helpful.

One night the older four built a fort and slept in it. I was ok with them doing it, especially Eliza, because I knew Grandma and Grandpa Crossley were down in the basement too and would be able to hear any problems. Grandpa Crossley sent me this picture when he went down to sleep. 

Then my parents came. I was so spoiled this month having so much help. My mom made dinner every night and a bunch of freezer meals. She kept the kids entertained and let me nap whenever I needed to. She helped me decorate my front room and get it ready for family pictures. My dad took my kids on long drives where he tried to talk to farmers and embarrassed my children. It's good for them, thats why I turned out so well, all the times my father embarrassed me. One day he took them to see a bunch of brand new baby calves. They also went and looked at tractors and the kids got to sit in a big Combine. There is a little ice cream place by our house and I'm pretty sure my parents took the kids there at least three times. 

Grandma had her obligatory tea party with lots of treats.

And now a little about our sweet little Vivienne

• She's finally starting to fall asleep faster after her middle of the night feedings. I'm so grateful I had helpers around when she was keeping me up 3-4 hours in the night. 
• We think she might have reflux. After meals she acts like her stomach is hurting and she spits up a lot. I've started feeding her less at each feeding but more frequently throughout the day and that seems to help. Maybe...or maybe I need to feed her more? Maybe it's dairy, could be chocolate...Or the cycle of the moon? Basically, I know nothing...
• As long as she's being held, she is a really happy baby. Once all my help left, I started putting her in the wrap in the morning so I could get things done and she sleeps away. 
• Her siblings have all been so helpful. Mariah and Chet hold her for me and Austin and Eliza run little errands like getting her diaper or binkie. If I'm still asleep when they wake up, they all just get to work on their Big 6, piano, feeding the chickens and Gus. I guess I'll keep them.
• She takes a binkie! After having three who wouldn't take one, I'm so happy. 
• She has the least amount of hair of any of my babies and has a pretty great receding hairline. She wears it well though. 
• Her soft, girly cry is so sweet. She also has the best little pucker that melts me. 
• She hates baths and getting dressed but doesn't seem to mind tummy time. 

This month has flown by and we're all so in love with our little Vivi. She's the favorite. 

Her cleft chin and dimple just kill me...

Here's one photo that the photographer sent early...sweetest little bebe. 

Harry Potter World

A few weeks before Vivienne was born, our friend Tyler called Tanner to let him know that he and some of their other med school buddies were going to Orlando and would love for us to come too. Tanner thanked him for the invite but let him know that I would have a newborn so we wouldn't be able to go. I was so bummed for Tanner that he wouldn't be able to see all of his friends and was telling my mom about it and she suggested he go with Mariah and Chet. She and my dad would be here so they could entertain Eliza and Austin and help me. 

It took some serious convincing, but Tanner finally decided he could at least look into it. And then we remembered Harry Potter World. Ever since we started reading the books as a family our kids have been obsessed. They bring up something from Harry Potter daily and Mariah knows more about the books than I do. So Tanner took the plunge. We decided we wouldn't tell the kids until the day of. That way Austin wouldn't have time to think about it. 

The morning they were going to leave, Grandpa took all four of the kids fishing at the neighbor's pond. After an hour of untangling fishing line and no fish, Grandpa decided that might be the one and only time he will do that. About an hour before they were going to leave, Tanner broke the news to Mariah and Chet. Austin handled it so well, and Eliza immediately began packing her backpack to go with them. Luckily Grandma and Grandpa saved the day and took the younger two to Pizza Ranch. 

It's hard to be sad with all-you-can-eat pizza and ice cream.

After pizza ranch, they went grocery shopping with grandma and grandpa and picked out lots of treats that mom never buys. Thats what grandma and grandpa do best. 

They spent a day at the auction where Eliza insisted Grandma name every cow.

 They also got to make cardboard box cars and have a drive-in movie in them. Austin slept in Mariah's bed and they played so well together.  

The big kids and dad arrived in Florida at bedtime but woke up early the next day to head to the beach. It was a cold day but luckily there was a heated pool and hot tub right by the beach. 

These friends were such a blessing to Tanner during Medical School. Pretty sure they spent more time with him than I did those two years in Kirksville. We are so grateful for their friendship. 

These guys were babies just yesterday right? 

The next day was spent at Harry Potter World. 

Mariah's unintentionally rocking the Hermoine look in this picture. They tried butterbeer (at least four times, according to Chet), went on a few rides and wandered around the park. 

After spending all day at HP World they met up with the Robertsons. They got a huge mint chocolate chip shake at the Chocolate Emporium.  

The next morning they headed back to HP world. Mariah and Chet got wands and had a blast casting spells all over the park. 

Mariah and Chet loved Ernie. They came to see Ernie an hour later and he said, "Hello, Mariah." Witchcraft...

Mariah's favorite thing at the park was the Hagrid's motor cycle roller coaster. "I liked when we got caught in Devil's Snare and fell to another track." Chet's favorite thing was riding the Hogwart's Express. "A Dementor came and Harry got it to go away!" 

They had a blast and couldn't stop talking about it when they got home. They also got Austin a Sword of Gryffindor and Eliza a stuffed Hedwig. Tanner was super-dad and had to deal with some unexpected kid-related hurdles on the trip and handled it like a champ. We were happy to have them home and hear all about their adventures.