And it begins...

Very soon I am going to have two mobile children.  I already cannot keep up with Memphis so having two children that run is going to be way too much fun.  Kayzee gets up on her hands and knees but just can't get going on the whole crawling thing.  She has no trouble getting around though.  She can push herself backwards in her walker and she rolls and scoots anywhere she wants.  I love my precious Kayzee Lynn and her chubby cheeks:)

Memphis keeps me laughing and says new words everyday.  I LOVE how he counts to ten and he loves counting at the park whenever he climbs up anything with steps.  This is how he counted to ten the first time I heard him (which was a surprise to me because I have never taught him how so who knows where he learned it).  "One, two, three, four, five, sis, siete, eigh, nigh, ten"  The video clip is Memphis and the movie cars.  He surprised us by singing the "ugh" and flashing his adorable grin at us.  Please excuse my laughing in the background.  We also had some fun with the camera.

We are slowly working on our HUGE backyard.  We bought the house because of the huge lot size  and someday it will be how we want it to be.  It is going to take a lot of work but thanks to Danny's friend Chuck and Fugals, they got a lot done in one day.  Danny borrowed some Fugal equipment and that helped a lot.

We have had a lot of fun the past two weekends with both sides of our families coming to visit.  I miss them all so much and wish we lived closer but what fun we had!  Memphis LOVED playing with all of them.  And Kayzee LOVED being passed around.

I had a HARD week at school last week.  I planned on a softball week because I was not able to use my gym but the rain would not stop coming down and flooding the field.  So most of my classes had to have PE in the health trailer crammed full of desks so no running around for them.  Lets just say we were all miserable.  I took Friday off because I had had enough and I got to spend more time with my parents.  Now I am going to be taking Monday off too because I am sooooo sick.  Very bad food poisoning...NO FUN!  I only have one more week of students and then one more week of end of year fun and cleaning so I can't wait to be done with this school year!  Can't wait to be home with my babies all day and just enjoy learning and growing together.

8 Months and Ties

8 MONTHS
Kayzee will be 8 months old tomorrow May 4.  Time is going by too quickly.  But I don't mind because I can't wait for summer so I can be home with my two adorable children.

At 8 months Memphis was devouring all kinds of food, sleeping 13 hours at night, crawling and walking holding onto things and standing by himself.

At 8 months Kayzee is FINALLY eating a couple bites of baby cereal and baby food but seriously only a couple bites.  She LOVES biter biscuits and yogurt melts.  She is sleeping about 8pm to 8am most nights.  Once in awhile she will wake up to have a bottle at 6am.  She is scooting backwards and rolling around the room.  She is trying so hard to crawl.  I can tell she wants to so bad but her chubby body just won't cooperate.  She is definitely not developing as fast as my 9 month walker Memphis but THAT IS OK!  I don't mind her taking her time and being my precious little baby girl just a little bit longer:)

TIES
Awhile ago I asked how moms kept ties on their sons for church.  Most said wait till they are older.  I guess that was all Memphis needed.  He now LOVES to wear a tie to church.  He picks out the one he wants to wear each Sunday.  And it stays on the whole time.  Sometimes he doesn't want to take it off when he gets home.

And since he has discovered ties, some weekdays I actually find him dressing himself and the tie is a definite must!

Memphis surprises me everyday with new words and phrases and songs that he knows.  Since I work obviously he is learning new things at Day Care and he LOVES NURSERY.  If his teachers are not there he gets so sad.  He loves giving his teachers hugs and his favorite part is when they put a table half up and let him slide down.  One thing that I will be forever grateful for is the nursery's clean-up routine.  I have never really had Memphis clean up his room or toys around the house so I decided it was time to start.  I had no idea he knew this but I just started singing the clean-up song and picking up his toys hoping he would see my example and to my surprise he started singing along and he cleaned the whole house!  THANKYOU NURSERY!!!  He helps clean up every night now.  He also surprised me and sang wheels on the bus for me:)  So awesome.  He can sing along with his favorite cartoon songs and can count to 5.  My son is growing up:(

The only thing I don't like that he has learned is to hide or put things between us so that I can't catch him.  It is really annoying sometimes.  But sometimes it is hard to get mad at him.  This morning when we were getting in the car to go to Day Care he ran around to the other side of Danny's car and when I started to go around to get him he just ran around to the opposite side.  He kept the car between us knowing I couldn't reach him and he is too fast for me.  He thought it was funny and kept laughing and I couldn't act mad because I couldn't stop laughing so yes we were late but oh well.  I know that is why he keeps doing it because I just laugh along with him.  I LOVE my son.  He makes me laugh so hard everyday.  And he still loves to give me hugs and kisses.

MY KIDS ARE SO PRECIOUS TO ME

7 months/ 28 years

Kayzee is now 7 months old.  Still can't believe it.  She is sitting up on her own, rolling around the room, and scooting backwards.  She is all smiles, big open mouthed grin, and she LOVES watching her crazy brother.  She is still only drinking formula (which is getting expensive).  I try feeding her all kinds of baby food and nothing gets swallowed.  I try everyday but she just doesn't get it.  Oh well.  I know she is getting enough from formula because she is wearing 12 month clothes.  Little miss chubby cheeks:)  Here are some cute pictures of my sweet pretty baby girl.  Thanks mom for the cute shirt and sweater!

I had my birthday April 2 and yes I will admit how old I am...28!  Everyone tells me it is not really that old but I just feel old next to my 23 year old husband who doesn't hesitate to bring it up constantly.  I had a great birthday weekend!  All 7 of my Friday PE classes sang to me.  That night we got a babysitter and Danny and I went bowling and out to Cold Stone for ice cream.  We bowled 3 games and I actually broke 100 (104) and beat my husband at one game (yes, he was bowling left-handed) but YAY for me!  Saturday we went to lunch at Brick Oven Pizza and then just hung out as a family watching movies and playing games. I got all the books I have been wanting to read so now I have 8 new books to read.  AWESOME!  Jodi Picoult's newest book, Hunger Game Series, and Uglies and Pretties Series.  I also got gift cards and money so shopping I go!  Thanks everyone for the Happy Birthdays and the gifts!  Now each day I get closer to 30---UGH!

Memphis in his new Sunday suit and shoes.  He was not happy to be going to church during his naptime.  We were loving going at 9 but our ward changed buildings so we had to move to 1.  Right during both of our kid's naptimes of course!

Falling Behind!

I kept telling myself to blog at least every two weeks.  HA!  Life has been so busy.  I am trying to get fitness testing done at work, both kids have been taking turns being sick, etc.  One WONDERFUL thing that I have to report since my last post...drumroll please...Kayzee has been sleeping through the night and she doesn't cry long hours anymore!!!  How much better life has been when mommy gets sleep HA HA.

The one idea that I got the most from everyone was that she was just overtired and needed to be put to bed sooner than I was letting her.  I had no idea since Memphis was a champ at sleeping when he was an infant.  It definitely works.  THANKS everyone!  Now she has a bottle at 7:30, I put her in her crib at 8 and she sleeps till about 7:30!  Once in awhile she will wake up at 5 or 6 to eat but not every night anymore.  LOVE IT:)  She is such a happy smiley baby now and she is just trying to grow up too fast.  She decided to outgrow her 9 month clothes in about three weeks so now she is wearing 12 month clothes.  She is also getting good at rolling around the room and scooting backwards.

Here are some pictures of Kayzee for her first St. Patrick's Day (see, here is proof I am behind on my posts).  My favorite is the adorable little bracelet she is wearing.  Our day care babysitter Kim made it for her.  Thanks Kim!

TOO BIG

So Memphis loves to play with his old infant things that I got out for Kayzee.  He is definitely too big but he sure has fun and he loves trying on all my shoes.  Memphis is growing up and talking a lot better. He knows a lot more words and loves to copy movies, cartoons, and commercials.  He is really good at singing along even if he doesn't get the exact right words at least he is trying:)  He is also doing better at obeying and not letting daddy or mommy get to 3 because he doesn't like time-out.  Can't wait for warmer weather because he is so much happier when he can play outside each day.

Well, my birthday was last Saturday and Kayzee is now 7 months so I will try to post about them sooner than later.  Kayzee is really sick right now (fever and throwing up) so hope she gets better soon.  And I have spring break next week.  I am so ready for a break:)

6 MONTH ZOMBIE!

Kayzee is now 6 months old!  She weighs 17 lbs and is 27 in long:)  And I am the zombie...I am going to be venting below so if you don't want to read a mommy's rantings and ravings just enjoy the cute pictures!

Truth be told Kayzee is so much cuter (I love dressing her up) but she is so much harder to deal with.  Especially the last 4 weeks.  She is colicky, constipated, teething, etc.  She only sleeps 10pm to 4am.  5am if I am lucky.  The girl who watches my kids while I work says she is great for her and naps but when I get home with her she has to be held, won't take a nap, and loves to cry.  And cry, and cry, and cry.  I have talked to many people and our pediatrician and we have tried everything (if you have any ideas PLEASE share.  I am open to trying anything).  

Maybe I just find her harder to deal with because I am only getting 5 hours of sleep every night because I am either up with her, or Danny is snoring, or Memphis is up.  And I don't get naps because my kids have had their naps at Day Care.  Why doesn't my husband take over some nights?  Danny works long hours and he sleeps so hard I can't get him up and he definitely doesn't hear them.  Oh motherhood!  This no sleeping thing is not helping me with my marriage or my teaching job.  Just don't mess with me!  HA HA:)  I lost 11 lbs last month eating better but this past week I have put back on a couple pounds because I am stress eating.  Need to get back on track!

It's Saturday and guess what is going on.  Danny is out of town, Memphis is taking a 3 hour nap (thanks Memphis) and Kayzee is what????....you guessed it!  CRYING!!!  She has been fed, medicated, teething goop on, given a laxative, bounced, walked around the house, etc.  So I just put her in her bouncer chair to scream and I am blogging.  What else can I do???

Danny asked me what I want for my birthday and I told him I wanted a hotel room all to myself for a night with a hot tub to soak in to enjoy reading a book and no babies screaming in the middle of the night.  I told my mom that and she told me I probably won't be able to sleep because it will be TOO QUIET and I will still wake up like my mommy self does every night.  HA HA so not funny (tears)...

On a happier note here are some cute photos of Memphis, and my cousin Aja's boys Aiden and Sam.  I watched her boys the other night while she went out with her hubby Mario and the boys had some fun racing around the house:)  So glad I don't have 4 kids right now!  Oh, and Memphis' newest phrase is, "I told you so Mommy!"  HA!

CHEESE!

I told them to make a silly and this is what I got!

Life these Days!

Life is BUSY!!!  We seem to have something going on every night.  It has been a challenge to have even one date night and our kids are growing up way too fast.  I just thought I would give you an update about each of us and include some pictures:)

Our Aunt Julie (Portray Design) took this picture of our family 

and the cute pictures of our kids.  

DANNY
Danny is busy playing racquetball, being a bear leader, playing basketball, ice fishing, fixing cars, working, etc.  His ward basketball team has won every game except one that Danny didn't make it to.  They said it was all Danny's fault because he makes the most points on the team.  His last game he made 45 of the 58 points and about half of them were 3 pointers!  GO DANNY!!!

Memphis loves jumping off the top steps into Daddy's arms:)

ALEENA
I am still trying to deep clean our house.  The previous owners were filthy (our neighbors tell me I have done a great job fixing and cleaning up since they have moved) and I have the kitchen left to work on.  It is going to be a lot of work so it might not get done till summer when I am not working.

I finally got sick of trying to figure out what to make for dinner and we got sick of the same things over and over again so I came up with a meal plan!  I bought a bunch of good cookbooks and wrote done all the ones that looked the best for our family.  I put all the recipes in alphabetical order and I cook in alphabetical order each night throughout the weeks.  I don't repeat a recipe until we have tried all of them.  Days that fall on a letter that doesn't have any recipes we eat leftovers.  It has worked really well for me and I am finally actually enjoying cooking.  I plan the meals two weeks in advance and go grocery shopping every two weeks.

I am trying to lose all my weight I have gained since I met Danny three years ago.  My goal is 80 lbs!  I lost 100 pounds in college so I know I can do it:)  I have just really needed someone to motivate me because obviously I wasn't doing it on my own.  I am doing a biggest loser with my cousin Sarah.  We weigh in every Tuesday and then once a month the one who loses the least has to buy the other dinner.  I track my calories on myfitnesspal.com and it figures out calories lost from exercise and how much weight I can lose if I follow good habits.  I am doing a Slim in 6 workout program (with Danny) where the workouts get harder as the weeks go on.  I am also going to start running when the weather warms up.  No more soda for me (my downfall), no more fast food, and I make a treat only once a week (just a little reward).  My first week I lost 8 lbs!  GO ME!!!  

Memphis and I had a date night one Friday night and made a fort together.

Memphis loved it and loved that Mommy would play in it with him:)

MEMPHIS

Since he has turned 2 it is like a lightbulb went on in his little head and he can do and say so many more things.  Everyday I am amazed at new things he learns or just starts saying:)  He loves jumping, rolling, climbing, eating with us and not in his booster seat anymore, playing with cars, reading books, solving look and finds, figuring out shapes and clapping when he gets it right, giving kisses, blowing kisses and candles out, knocking on doors, playing at the park or outside, etc.  He can count to three, and count to one on his fingers (we are working on two) and knows what a circle is.

His current words and phrases (the ones I can remember right now):  wow, whoa, ooh, uh oh, what's that? what is that? yay we did it! where is it?  there it is!  color, thankyou, that, no, uh uh, go, jump, hi hayee (hi kayzee), and of course toddler gibberish.

At his two year check-up Memphis was 36 inches (3 feet) tall!!!  And he weighed 30 pounds.  Both about the 80th percentile so he is above the average two year old physically and developmentally.  He is also now wearing size 3T clothing.

Brother and Sister!

KAYZEE

She is 5 1/2 months old already!  She doesn't lay down in her swing or bouncer chair anymore.  She has to be sitting up observing everything (she loves watching her brother).  She has gotten really good at sitting up by herself, rolling, holding her own bottle, laughing, attracting attention, crying, teething etc.  Her bellybutton hernia is still causing bowel problems so we can't start her on solids yet but she loves apple juice.

At her 4 month well-baby check-up, Kayzee weighed 14 lbs and was 25 in. tall.  Both average for her age.  She has definitely grown since then because she is now wearing 9 month size clothing.  She goes in for her 6 month check-up the beginning of March.

Kayzee's 4 month pictures

Kayzee all bundled up to play in the snow

Such a big girl!

5 months old

Along with our family pictures I sent out this letter too to our family and friends this year.

Our 2010

January: Memphis turned 1-had been walking for 3 months already

February: Found out we were going to have another baby

March: Officially all moved in our new home in Lehi, UT

April: Our little family of 3 sealed in the temple on Aleena’s birthday!

May: Found out we were expecting a baby girl!!!!!!!

June: Celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary

July: Celebrated the 4th in Blanding, Aleena flew to Washington and made a trip to Bear Lake 8 months pregnant with crazy Memphis without Danny (never doing that again:)

August: Aleena started teaching a new school year.

September: Kayzee born very quickly on the 4th at 10pm 1 week early 7 lbs. 10 oz. 19 in. long

October: Kayzee cried A LOT!!!!

November: Blessed Kayzee Lynn, spent Thanksgiving in Logan with family and very sick kids:(

December: Spent Christmas at home and New Years in Blanding.

Danny: Still working as an auto mechanic for Niels Fugal and Sons, playing softball, basketball, golfing, fishing, fixing up cars, stay at home dad for our kids on Fridays, bear den leader.

Aleena: Still working as an elementary school PE teacher,  being a mom, chasing Memphis, cuddling Kayzee, scrapbooking, deep cleaning the house, reading, blogging, RS pianist, bear den leader.

Memphis: Being a two year old, running everywhere, talking in sentences, getting into everything, laughing, giving hugs and kisses, taking care of his little sister, and being sick a lot.

Kayzee: Teething, sleeping, screaming, smiling, being cute, rolling over, trying to sit up on her own, watching her crazy older brother.

Hope you all have a wonderful 2011!  Love the Royers,

Daniel, Aleena, Memphis, and Kayzee