Chunky

Just a quick update on Kade. I feel like I left a lot of people wondering. And for awhile I was wondering if I'd EVER get Kade to drink formula. We tried all the stuff... medicine syringe, dixie cups, tubes, straws, and even a bit of Nestle and chocolate rice milk to flavor the formula. Last week he gave in and now he's taking around 12 ounces a day. And I even think he's getting a bit chunkier! YEah!!! No Children's Hospital feeding clinic for us!

In the meantime, we're without internet (I'm at the library) and I'm finding that we can actually survive, except for Kent. He does, afterall, work for Bestbuy.com!

We're looking forward to a visit from Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Betty starting tonight! We want to cram it full with swimming in our little pool, walks in the woods, trips to the park, picnics, zoo trips, and lots of reading and games!!

Pictures later!

cuteness

swing time on a sunny day

The favorite little house up at camp.

Malia played in the honor band last month and spent an entire weekend of practice. It was intense, but I think she enjoyed it. We certainly enjoyed the concert!

Another great camp moment!

Levi loves to smell the flowers. And these lilacs are from our bushes in the backyard.

The trampoline is starting to get more use, and Levi's getting a little better at staying on his feet. Love his smile!

We've been trying to get to the park almost every day. This was early May so we still needed warm hats some days.

Gotta love the toothless grins! DJ is going through the awkward/irresistibly cute stage of losing his teeth...and getting his big ones!

Yum!

It doesn't take long before they figure out that licking the beaters is the perfect way they can "help mommy." I keep thinking how nice it would be to feel this flexible!

This was Kade's last day in his bouncy seat. He was getting a little too good at sitting forward and "helping."

Love this picture

I see this picture at least a million times a day, or so it seems, as I come down our stairs. I love it! Just wanted to share this with some of you who have never been to our house.

Homemade Pizza

I used to ask myself why I even bothered making homemade pizza after the whole ordeal. It's a lot of time in the kitchen for one day, but I've come up with a more workable plan...for me, anyway. I use a basic pizza dough recipe and triple it so I can make four pizza doughs a day ahead of time(three to eat and one to freeze for a quick future lunch). Then I partially bake them and have them ready to top with toppings (which I can chop and slice earlier in the day). We like to use lots of veges and herbs and sometimes I grill some chicken to put on top. I feel like I can make this work around babies and still have healthy food to eat!

New stuff

I've never been very good at handling lots of new things. Sometimes the very things I wish for I might resist just because they're new! But when it comes to spring, that I CAN handle. I love spring and have always especially loved May. It's my birthday month which I loved sharing with my mom and the extra bonuses were lilacs, strawberries, blooming trees, goslings, tulips (depending on where you live... up here in MN it's MAY because we're behind everyone else).

if any guys read this blog...I'm pretending you don't. This is a mommy topic that follows so beware. :)

So, my little Kade is too little. That's my new news today. He's developing and growing but he's not getting enough milk from nursing. I've tried lots of things, mostly just feeding him often, and supplementing with herbs that are supposed to help. But he's merely maintaining and not gaining enough to keep up with his growth. So, we're back to formula. And he doesn't like it...not one little bit. It's as if I'm playing a mean prank on him. I think he really thinks I'm out to get him because he gives me the worst looks. I've tried giving it to him in a bottle and in an SNS tube thingy (which I used with Levi...Levi actually liked it because it was all he ever knew). The nurse said it'll take some time for him to get used to it, but that perhaps daddy should do the feeding. I think it's rather funny that the yucky taste is now supposed to be associated with daddy. :)

Oh well. I can be such an idealist. I wanted to have the perfect nursing experience with Kade but it's not happening even though I'm following all the "rules." I'm inspired to go out and buy huge quantities of greens and juice them up tomorrow and see if that helps. Isn't that what cows eat...insane quantities of greenery? :) I just might try it. It's funny how eating/food can become the prevailing train of thought ALL DAY LONG when a baby isn't getting what he needs.



To be thankful for tonight:


My beautiful new hydrangea plant from my mother-in-law

My new clothes from my thrift store treasure hunting

DJ is really catching onto reading

Some good friends are moving two houses down

I met a homeschool mom at the park today and we exchanged addresses

I'm learning to give up what control I think I have over others and life circumstances

My God is good and is with me and loves me!

New Belts

DJ, Malia, Kalai, and Tana all tested for their next belts in Tae Kwon Do on Saturday. They've all worked hard! Tana has reached a rather momentous goal....her black belt. We're very proud of her hard work and determination! She has put in lots of hours and paid much of her way with time and money. Even though I'm not the least bit skilled or trained in this area, I've come to appreciate the technique and difficulty in achieving these levels from watching the girls work.