Tyler LeAnn Payne

February 10th, 2007 at 2 am- Our Home changed...and McKenna's world was rocked as she was no longer an only child. It was a good change for us as a family and especially McKenna who was very excited about a baby-as Tyler entered our family.

It was a peaceful, strong and quick delivery-one that looking back represents the kind of girl she is now. John and I both remember she spent the 1st-2 hours of her life crying-with a little raspy old man sort of voice that made me giggle. She's been such a light in our lives- she loves music & singing, the neighborhood animals, running circles around the island in the kitchen, her brother & sister, family & friends, and Dora.

You know me birthday celebrations last at least a week so when the first box arrived the celebration began. Her response to each gift was so cute as she excitedly said, "for me, for my birthday?" McKenna was also excited for the upcoming birthday, a party, cake, presents, what's not to love...other than the gifts were not for her. Luckily Tyler is so good at sharing with McKenna especially when she sees how happy it makes her.

All thing Dora, YEAH!

McKenna and I took a trip to the dollar store to get Tyler a gift. We gave her a few dollars with the explanation that we would be going to get Tyler a birthday gift and that it was a secret and then we "snuck" out of the house. Grandma Harris flew in last Sunday and so she reported that shortly before we left, McKenna came in and showed Tyler the money and told her it was for her birthday present. :) She was very excited and very careful about selecting just the right gift for her.

Lots of Sisterly Love!

Her new favorite camera face

Thanks Kenna for the new jewelry.

Ashley in Washington

Our Dear Ashley came to visit us this last weekend. Well actually she had a track meet at the UW, but we like to pretend it was all for us, so we went up and saw her in action in the High Jump. She wasn't very happy with the results but we thought she did wonderful-and she looked great. It was fun to be there in the excitement of college competition and John found ourselves wishing we had been good enough to compete on a college level.

Tate was excited to meet her :) and the girls couldn't have been more thrilled to have their Aunt Ashley around. We had a great time in Seattle as we stopped at Ivars for lunch and to play with the Seagulls. Poor Ashley had a lot of studying to be done for upcoming tests, we hope she did well!

My Very Own SuperHero!

I've notest a growing number of posts about how wonderful the husbands have been treating their wives. I think this is wonderful and think maybe like birthdays Valentines is a monthly event celebrating love and happiness? Well I am happy to do my own post :) of my sweet love!

I have myself "down" with a really bad cold the last couple of days. Young kids don't understand the need to sleep and rest and having an infant who still nurses at night hasn't helped my recovery process any. John must have noticed the desperate state I've found myself in because at lunchtime he wandered in the door. The girls and I couldn't have been more thrilled. I must have asked him 3 or 4 times when he had to go back to work before it sunk in that he was home for the day to watch the kids.

The weather actually reached about 59 degrees today so he loaded the girls up and took them to the park and then watched them and Tate all afternoon. Sorry I don't have pictures of this good man-but hopefully have left you with warm fuzzies? :)

Here's a lil video of John using his superhero powers to charm our lil Tate'r tot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIiunW9gYiQ

Tate n Tyler

At the request for pictures after McKenna left for school I was getting ready to change Tate's diaper and Tyler came over ready to play. I remembered my SIL Silvia's cute pictures of her 2 boys so thought I'd snap a few of my 2-T's.

Comparing lengths

Keepin her at arms lengths, pry a good idea Tate

So tired and ready for his nap this was his "Go Away Mom" Face

McKenna's Owie

Yesterday McKenna and I left our sick Tyler and Dad at home and went to church. It was nice just having McKenna during Sacrament meeting, to be able to actually lidten instead of just hear the speakers-McKenna even surprised me with a great drawing of a head/face with hair. She's becoming quite the little artist!


I was also the "helper" in McKenna's CTR5 class of 10 kids yesterday. During class she ran up to show her teacher an "owie" she had on her hand. I was surprised because I was unaware of her hurting her hand, so when we got home I took a quick peak and found she had a sliver imbedded in it. All medical things I immediately turn over to John. He tried the non-chalant approach to getting it out but McKenna quickly caught on and then her hand was well guarded and untouchable, so we let it go for the afternoon. So last night after we got her pajamas on we finally pinned her down and got the sliver out-she cried (screamed) and then cradled her hand for the rest of the evening. She even told John she couldn't carry her blanket because her good hand was busy holding the other one. We decided to take advantage of the opportunity to do a little teaching and asked her if she wanted us to pray for her hand. She thought it would be a good idea and so in our Family Prayers last night her hand was included. As we read stories and got into bed John would ask her if her hand felt better and she would respond, "no, not yet, it still stings."


This morning she woke up quite early-for her and came in my room and stared me down until I woke up and found her gaze upon me. She had come to tell me that her hand was "all better" and it was time to take of the band aid. She was in very high spirits for the rest of the morning-So thankful for answered prayers.

Tate-2 Months Old

Tate had his 2 month appointment this morning, complete with weight, measurements and of course the dreaded immunizations. Here's the results:

Tate weighed in at 12.2 lbs (50%), measured 24.5 inches long (90%) with a head circumference of 14.5 inches (I think). He was a trooper for his immunizations-I thought he was getting 5 shots, but they now combine a few of them and so he only had to get 3. It was still hard for us (pry more for him) but he was a trooper and handled them like a champ.

Tate is a good natured baby and will fuss only on occassion, he only cries if his fussing was neglected for too long or if he's really hungry and even then it's a very quick cry out. Since it's been a few hours since the shots his legs are a lil sore and tender and I feel it's going to be a long night-everytime he moves he just screams. It's so sad, his face gets all red and goes round so he looks like a lil tomato with a face. Thank goodness for baby Tylenol!! Call me crazy but I'm always afraid that something like pain will affect the nature of a child-but there is pain in life so I guess this is where he learns to start dealing with it...

Cleaning

Tonight as I was "tidying" up in preparation for our Daddy's arrival home from work :) the girls surprised me by jumping in and "helping". Sometimes you have to document these moments because you know you aren't going to remember them in the future.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear...

McKenna's preschool class had a Pajama Party today with the debut of their 1st class Video of "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr/Eric Carle. McKenna was so cute this morning she was so excited asking several times throughout the morning if it was time for the bus yet. She usually thinks all parties are for her birthday and as I explained that this was a pajama party and not her birthday party she sat there for a minute in silence and you see the wheels turning in her head and then the lightbulb lit and she reiterated what I had told her adding to it with "Keon Pajamas on bus". Keon must be a special friend because he's become a big motivator when it comes to getting on the bus and going to school. :)

I specifically remembered my camera, but in my haste to get both Tate and Tyler up from their naps and loaded into the car I forgot my phone-and then once we got in the classroom and things were about to begin I pulled out my camera, turned it on and found I'd left my memory card in the computer. Of all the rotten luck-so you'll have to settle for my description of the afternoon.

There are about 10-12 kids in the class-only one of those being a girl, Sophia. Anyway the kids were really cute. They began by having the kids sit in chairs at the front of the room and each taking a turn reciting their part with the different animals. McKenna sat through Brown Bear and then she dropped the red bird (who is next) and came running to sit with Tyler and I. Earlier that week the teachers had recorded the kids doing different parts so I was able to see McKenna perform a couple of lines. She was so cute and spoke them very well...I'm really not doing her justice am I? After that we had snacks and then sang a good-bye song and then headed home. It was really fun to be able to go and see McKenna in her class, although she still had a hard time leaving my side...

Here's part of the book McKenna made-I'm such a proud Mom:

Walking down the hallway of the elementary school and seeing the kindergarten class in there...I'm so NOT ready to send her to full time school. I'm ready for her to be potty trained completely- but she's done a lot of growing up since Tate was born taking on the Big Sister Role like a champ. She's very careful and protective of him and actually Tyler too. It's adorable and I love watching her and seeing the love she has (right now) for her brother and sister.

Flies

John here writing on the Blog tonight. I guess this will be an occasional event. I just want to write about raising girls. Last night a fly made it into the house. Not a horsefly or large fly, just a small ordinary, inconsequential house fly. Tyler calls these "bees". She starts pointing and getting worried. Well, the fly landed right on her index finger. I guess it really like the peaches she was eating because he stayed awhile while she lost it! She started to cry and cry pointing at her finger and wanting us to kiss it better. (A fake kiss does in these instances as I am not going to put my lips where the fly had been). McKenna then started to cry because she was scared that the fly was on the loose and after her next. Mel and I just looked at each other and laughed as I grabbed the fly swatter to be the "protector" of home. No, I did not catch the fly but he left somewhere and peace was restored. Now if Tate grows up to do this we might have to worry about the example the girls are setting. On a lighter note tonight at dinner we had spaghetti. It's messy but good and fun. Melanie spilt some on her white shirt and so did I. We just strip Tyler down to her diaper because we know she is going to be dirty. Melanie makes the comment that maybe we should all take our shirts off while eating so we don't get messy. McKenna says, "No, no, uh uh, Daddy you don't go naked in the kitchen, that's silly" It is silly to have daddy naked in the kitchen. What were we thinking. It was a good laugh which I needed. Either the girls were hard today or I just wasn't in the mood. Between Tate peeing on me at church and his bottle spilling out, to having to lift a huge fluffy dress to change Tyler to having to sit in the bathroom with McKenna and hold her hand while she passes the smelliest stool ever smelt, I've had enough. Don't get me wrong, I love being a dad. I'm an independent guy and to have 3 people not big enough to take care of themselves even the basic feeding and pottying is a BIG struggle for me. I guess I'll just need to learn to relax and enjoy the innocence at this age.

PS-McKenna came down from watching Snow White this evening and walked up to Melanie and asked her, "Mommy, you're not a witch. (over and over and then) You're not a Monster are you Mommy?" Melanie's response, "not today."

Tyler and the Potty

I meant to post this next story last night, but I finally got my computer moved down to our main room and out of our bedroom. I shouldn't say finally because John has been working so hard on so many things-but there is so much time to be wasted on the computer that I wasn't able to do. :) That is actually partially true-there are also so many things I "needed" the computer for do get some stuff done while Tate was sleeping. We didn't get internet until this evening, but I'm not complaining. So happy!

Last night a remarkable thing happened: Tyler used the potty...twice! We always have her sit on the potty right before she gets in the tub, trying to encourage her to pee in the potty and not the tub, or around the tub. (you know it's all happened with your kids, warm water will do that to a kid.) So the first time we were very excited-the 2nd time she told John she needed to go potty. She sat on the potty while he read her favorite potty book and as she was looking down between her legs (to see if something is happening) and after John gave her a drink...wa-la she was pleasantly surprised, and a lil shocked by the expression on her face. It was so cute, a lil sheepish and then she went to John for a hug as we all danced and sang her praises.

John got our last cabinet up yesterday as well, which included the silverware drawers. It's all coming together so nicely, now it's time for the fronts. Pictures to come...

Happy Birthday Keira!

My sister had her 2nd little girl Keira a few weeks before I had Tyler, so in my head they are practically twins. This is one of my favorite pictures of Keira from last summer. She was a whiz kid on the "bike". She's a really smart, observant girl who is fascinated with people's eyes. :) Especially her sister's, She thinks they are great for poking. :)

Motherly L-O-V-E

Before Tate was born I truly wondered how I was going to love a lil boy. I have girls and I love my little girls, I love dressing them, playing with them, doing their hair-when they will let me. Although I went through the same inner turmoil before Tyler was born-and having so much love for another baby. This time it just had the added twist of being a male. I still don't know what to do with a little boy, but my heart must've grown because I truly love this kid. Sometimes I just want to kiss him on his squishy lil cheeks and I love watching him when he's content just laying there kicking his feet staring at the ceiling letting out a lil baby noise every minute or so as if he's chatting it up with someone and keeping up with his side of the conversation. These are the moments you live for that keep you going when you feel like you want to "strangle" your kids-even if you don't mean literally strangle them. So you gotta write them down. (After this Susan, you really might stop reading my posts).

I guess it's just a natural maternal instinct and dumb of me to be so worried about this and the fact that the ultrasound made him look and sound like a freak with his long skinny legs & body, small head, big nose and ears... What do the machines know anyway right?

Thar He Blows!

This is more for me than really anyone else as I think it's kind of funny. Today Tate had his first "blow-out" which is funny because yesterday I was thinking about it and how he hadn't had one. Murphy's Law of course kicked in. Anyway it was not only out of the diaper, but almost up to his neck.

Way to go Tate, done like a true blue boy!

This picture was not taken today-I'm not crazy enough to document it in pictures.

It was actually taken a few days ago by McKenna. She's getting pretty good!

Kitchen update

It doesn't seem like much on pictures, but John has been working hard (as usual) continuing his work on the kitchen cabinets. He even got the new Microwave up and running. What a man! Only one more cupboard and some shelves and then he'll be making the fronts and getting them done. Yeah!

Smiles

Yesterday morning Tate woke up at 6:30 am ready to be fed. Needing to use some milk we had in the fridge I groggily took him down and started warming it up. I'm not much of a morning person and there wasn't anything I wanted more than to crawl back in bed. I looked down at Tate and he must've sensed my "unhappy" state because I looked down and he had the biggest grin on his face. Most smiles are fleeting, but this one lasted a few minutes, long enough to John to cross the room to see and to start laughing at him. He is pretty cute!

I got these another time, hard to get something w/out the flash, blinding them...all in good time!

Rain, Rain Go Away-Come On Back Another Day?

It's raining it's pouring, the Old Man is snoring.

He went to bed with a cold in his head and he won't be back til morning...

I've been informed by John that talking about the weather is a Harris' thing to do. I'm ok with that, besides it seems to be making the National News as I'm sure many have heard. It's been raining a lil more than usual around here, so much that 21 rivers have flooding over (some more than 8 ft) and all the State Highway/freeways have been closed due to flooding so that the only way you can leave is to go North and up through Canada or by air.

C-R-A-Z-Y!!!

Who's the Baby?

(Sometimes it's a competition between all three kids)

Tate: 1-month old.

Designer Blog Makeover Giveaway

So Teandra posted as I'm sure most of you have seen about this new site that is giving away a free blog makeover to 3 lucky winners. Her site is really cute. You'll have to check it out. Just click on the Sign:
Go comment on her blog to win. Deadline Jan. 15th! Check it out!

This and That

Need to jot down a few tidbits before I forget, which happens quite easily.

Sunday John was released as the Young Men's presidency, almost exactly a year to the day of being put in. It was a bittersweet departure as he's had to move on to a new calling. He loved/loves the boys and will miss working with them and going on a lot of the fun activities they had planned. He had to go to a planning session of all the activities for the year the day before. A lil torturous as he won't get go camping this year. Maybe we'll get away and go as a family, if I get brave enough to take a baby that is. Sunday he got up and bore his sweet testimony and after he came down and sat down. Tyler the sweetheart she is went to him with blanket and binky in hand and climbed on his lap. She then gave him a hug, touch his teary eyes and then grabbed his nose and said, "honk." Nice!

Tyler has actually become quite the Daddy's girl. Twice now she has reported to him that she needed to go "potty". Like a good father he's taken her in and sat her down and then after reading a book to her, she stands up, wipes (Her favorite part), gets a new diaper and then poops in it. Yesterday she even went and found him and told him she wanted it off, "now!" I'm thinking he should maybe stay home and do the potty training.

Tate is now a month old has begun smiling a few gaseous smiles which we like better than the gassy screams. He's also coo'd a time or two. Nursing and sleeping are hit and miss. He has his good days and bad on both, although since clipping his tongue nursing has become a better experience for both of us. 4 weeks is better than 6 weeks, and John now gets to sleep through the night as I've taken over all the feedings. I dream of a good nights sleep in the far distant future... Although Tate doesn't sleep longer than 45 minutes in the day he sleeps really well from 9-2 or 3 am. (Not too shabby I know, now if I could just get myself to bed before 11:30).
John and I did make it out for New Years. We were lucky to find us a sitter-no easy task with the youth dances and firesides the church puts on. We got the girls down to bed and then we picked up Kendra and made our way out to Enumclaw for the annual Erickson New Years Bash. They had lots of good food, company, and I got my first showing of "Rock Band" and we played Picture Man-a "green" version of Pictionary.

Hope everyone had a good New Years. I think my goals thus far are centered around children. Trying not to yell at them (as much), trying not to have the TV on (as much), getting Tate to sleep through the night (which has a big impact on how much yelling and TV there is). And maybe learn how to potty train my kids?

I shouldn't be surprised but I don't think I've taken a picture since the beginning of the year, well except the ones I took on my phone yesterday of Tate. I'll have to get those up a lil later.

Here's to You

This is a hats off to Mothers, especially those with 2-3 kids under the age of 5. I used to be able to shower almost every day, I even used to get dressed in at least my jeans everyday, and the tv used to be off a lot more than it is now. This post is not meant as a pitty party, and I'm not admitting defeat, but I can see my zone defense needs a lot of work. Come to think of it so does my multitasking and ability to involve my girls in the care of Tate and my household chores.

So here's to "tomorrow's another day", to John who is a great example and supporter of the cause, and to the millions of Mom's who get up each morning and take care of their families and themselves.

Congratulations Ashley!

Just want to say Congratulations to Ashley (John's sister) Who said "yes" to her boyfriend Jordan's proposal. So excited for you!

Christmas Present(s)

As usual I can't believe Christmas has already come and gone. For me it the excitment and anticipation was more than just Christmas. My sweet sister surprised me a few weeks earlier with an announcement that she was coming to visit for Christmas, so I looked forward to Amber and her boyfriend Norm flying in on Christmas Day. We decided to spread Christmas out and have Santa come a day later which was really fun.

(I actually got the idea from my friend Erin who Post-poned Christmas since her husband was working on Christmas day one year.) My kids are little and don't know the difference and we figured it would be more fun to have Santa visit and to have the girls open their gifts while Aunt Amber was here, and it really was.

We did open a few gifts from our Grandma & Grandpa Payne on Christmas morning. The girls were in love with their new clothes and dolls and honestly I think we could've called it good with just those few things they were so happy.

"Yahoo," I think She likes the jewelry box

Being our first Christmas in Washington Santa went a little "crazy" (because he knew I didn't have to worry about traveling and taking gifts back on a plane, not to mentions he found some screamin deals at "Savers." I was almost embarrassed at the amount of toys that had accumulated over the past several months. It was fun nonetheless to see the excitement in their faces and the screams of "presents, presents".

YO-YO Competition

Never enough Dolls

I have to admit I learned a lot about myself through watching my kids. I read several posts from friends and realized I need to spend more time teaching the Real meaning of Christmas with my kids and less time on worrying about the gifts that would be under the tree.