7 years and 5 months

We celebrated our 7 yr anniversary on May 20th. No cruise this year :( We're grateful that Zeke goes down to sleep between 7-8pm every night and doesn't wake up until 7-8am. So, we're free to get a babysitter and go on dates after we put him down. We've left him several times now with babysitters after we've put him down for the night and we always say, "We're 99% sure that he won't wake up, but if he does just call us." Then, when we come back 2-3 hrs later they are shocked that he didn't make a peep.

Charles had never been to The Melting Pot so we went. We got cheese and chocolate.

Our marriage gets better and better every year. We've gotten better at communicating and understanding each other. I think me not having brothers and him not having sisters was a real challenge at first, looking back. And, we're still learning but, we're better now. And, our love has grown so much deeper. He is my best friend and I look forward to spending the rest of eternity with him by my side pa' siempre. Lover of my soul- Charles Stewart Jensen.

 And, this little one turned 5 months, 5 days after our 7 yr anniversary. This is our 2nd or 3rd attempt at solids. Still getting used to it. I only offered it a few times a week, not every day.

He started to sit a little, supported, of course so I tried the jogging stroller. I'd been waiting to use it so I could run again. And, then the heat intensified and now I will have to continue waiting until September. Oh, well.

As I pushed and looked at both sets of legs, I remembered that Vince was Zeke's size when I first bought this and that Vince's legs were now as long as Azure's were at that age. Goodness, these babes grow quick. I love them.

Sept. 1, 2010 Vince almost 7 mos

Nothing sweeter than nursing my babies to sleep. It's a symbiotic relationship that I cherish more than almost anything at this stage I think. I am so grateful I've been able to nurse them all w/ minimal issues. I know it can be a touchy subject for some that can't. There are many things other women can do for their children that I can't. And, this is one thing that has just always been special to me and I'm grateful I can and for the fulfillment and joy I get from it. How peaceful to drift off sucking on mommy's warm, delicious milk. Not a care in the world. Sleep in heavenly peace, my Christmas baby.

He started doing this squinty smile bearing his gums. I love it! And, I love greeting him every morning when he wakes up. He's so happy to see me and I'm so happy to see him! Time, slow down!

He had an eczema flare up but, not as bad as Vince's b/c we used the Aveeno Eczema Therapy on it, which keeps it at bay.

Now, some higher quality, non-phone pics. 

I adore this sweetie boy!

 How they watch movies (before we rearranged the living room)

April

Charles and I finally got smart phones (him end of March, me beginning of April). Blessing and a curse I think. Like all technology. I'm now an instagramer and hope to blog more by uploading pics from there to here. Now, that I've finally figured that out!

Zekiel Baby was 15 lbs 12 oz at his appt on May 17 (8 days shy of 5 mos)! Porker. He has been trying to sit up all on his own before even turning 5 months. What the heck?! I was just rereading the blog from when Vince was this age and he was a little more developmentally behind. I think it may be b/c I had double swaddled him for so long- he didn't sleep very well if I didn't. He always had plenty of floor time when he was awake though, so I don't know. I never thought about it until just rereading now.

Here's some picture catch up from April.

Pie Plate Eyes x3 :)

Azure taking notes during General Conference. Makes my heart oh, so happy :)

She made her own superhero costume.

Charlie bought tulip bulbs for me for Christmas. I wasn't supposed to see them, but found them in his trunk. The week after Zeke was born he was out in the back and front yard digging and planting away. On Easter they started blooming. It was beautiful! Tulips are one of my favorite flowers. They don't last long here in the life-sucking heat but, here they are in all their beauty. That Charlie is sure charming :)

 10 days shy of 4 mos. He started rolling like crazy that week from front to back and back to front every time I put him on the floor!

Vince crawled into bed with Azure, so sweet!

 

 Zeke's first and only "couch nap".

 

This girl has been a reading machine lately! It makes me so happy that she enjoys reading so much. We skipped a few months homeschooling before and after Zeke was born, so we'll be working through the summer. I hope to do a post on all the things we've done for homeschool this past year before she starts public sch at the end of Aug.

 

Our monthly temple trip. It is difficult making the 5 hr round trip with these 3, but we have been able to feel the powers of Heaven blessing us as we make the monthly sacrifice to go. This time especially, Charles and I felt the blessing immediately in our marriage. A very memorable trip :)

6 wks-3 months

This little man is 3 1/2 months already. It is soo irresistible to see him grabbing for me, and balling his body up tightly with his mouth gaping open at me wanting to nurse. So, so precious!

2 months

Be still, my heart!

I LOVE snuggling with him- he hugs me SO tight! It's kinda sad when their limbs start stretching out and they stop curling up. I am enjoying this while I can.

He isn't squeaking as much anymore :(

His schedule right now is bath around 7pm. Asleep by 8pm. Awake around 7am. 11 hrs on average. I credit it all to the baby hot tub and his tight double swaddle. Oh, and the familiarity of this exact routine every night.  We have moved him out of our room into Vince's room so he's now in the crib and not the bassinet. We were hoping it would help him sleep in a little and it has. He was waking up around 6:30 when he would hear Charles' alarm clock go off. Now, that he can't hear it, he sleeps 30 mins longer. Every little bit helps :)

His nap schedule varies greatly every day. Usually around 9 or 10am (2-3 hrs after waking) he is ready for a nap and will usually sleep 2 hrs. Ideally, it seems he does well being awake 2-3 hrs and then sleeping 2 hrs but, sometimes he refuses to go down. One of the most frustrating things is trying to get a baby to fall asleep that is clearly tired but, refuses even after multiple attempts! Dealing with that and a defiant 3 yr old throwing tantrums leaves me anxious to leave the house for some alone time as soon as Charles gets home from work.

6 weeks

He can track objects with his eyes and enjoys gazing up at himself in the mirror on the panda (the playgym). In the mornings he is very tranquil and smiley. He is perfectly fine just laying on a blanket surveying his surroundings. As the day progresses he becomes more fussy and needy and incapable of entertaining or consoling himself.

6 wks

A lot of times I feel Charles and I have bitten off more than we can chew with 3 children. Not that we regret the timing at all- remember miracle baby and miracle timing! It's just a lot.

Roll from back to side- 2 mos

My boys (2 mos)

 First time in the Bumbo seat. Azure at dinner asked, "When is Zekiel gonna be able to sit in his seat?" "When he's 3 months probably." Then, I realized he was 5 days from being 3 months and said, "Well, let's put him in it now!" They were SO excited!

Yes, Vince uses Azure's old pink bib now. We had new friends over for dinner and they referred to Vince as a girl b/c of the bib and his long, curly hair!

Vince always asks me to "take a pitcher of me and Zekiel on the panda."

This yellow blanket that he's laying on was knitted by my Nana before I was born. She knitted it for her cousin Nick's son, Russell in 1968. Her cousins came to her funeral (which I intend to blog about) and gifted it to me for Zeke. "It rightfully belongs to you and your children now." I can't tell you how much it means to me to have this blanket. By the time I had babies she was no longer knitting blankets anymore. This is such a treasured gift!

Look at those baby blues!

And, now I'm semi caught up!

My babes

My babes are growing. I've been busy and they are growing before my eyes. Zeke is 25.5 inches long! His head is at the top of the bassinet and his feet are almost touching the bottom! He's not even 3 months yet and his 3 month clothes are getting too tight! I've never had a baby wear clothes bigger than their age yet.

I was looking at this picture today and remembered a vision I had when Charles and I were dating or engaged. Charles made this pouty face and said, "No,no,no,no." In my mind flashed an image of a blonde haired boy making the same face Charles was and saying the same thing. That was a powerful image to me. We knew before we were married that there were spirits eagerly awaiting. I haven't thought about that experience for a long time. It made me feel more tender tonight thinking about Vince. He is that boy I saw 4 years before we created his body.

Today Emily V. came over and as we were talking on the couch Azure joined in our conversation just like she was our age. It was clear she felt comfortable relating her experiences with us, just like she was an adult. I remember doing that at her age, too. She is becoming a young woman. She is growing tall.

Even though sometimes I rush about like a mad woman and shout orders when we're running late, I do take the time to squat down to their level at least once a day and look into their eyes and kiss their faces. I act silly and chase them around and tickle them.

Vince has been saying, "Mommy, you're the best Mommy I wanted." It's like he knows he made a choice to have me as his mother. Maybe he could have picked another woman. But, he picked me. And I feel that. I say to him, "And you're the best son I wanted. I told Heavenly Father, that's the baby I want. I want that one right there."

Having a newborn, or not-so-new born plus 2 other children at home is demanding. And again this baby won't take a bottle or pacifiers. I am 3 for 3. Truth is, in a way, I love being the only one that can give them what they need. Do I complain about that fact at times? Yes. But, I know this time won't last forever. And there is something so very sacred about clutching a baby to my breast and rocking back and forth in that glider that I nursed Azure and Vince in. I thank God for these 3 babes who drive me to insanity and who fill my heart with meaning and joy. Pure joy.