Yesterday, as Darek charged at his pediatrician screaming "No! No! No!" and trying desperately to push her out the door the moment she walked in, I wondered where we'd gone wrong. Earlier during that same visit, a nurse had to take Mia from me so that I could chase Darek, who had run out of the patient room through the halls and into the waiting room. What had a doctor ever done to him? (Sure enough, he did have to get a vaccine, but he didn't know that beforehand!)

When we left the doctor's office - where Darek had dumped a box of 144 crayons on the floor (that belonged to the office), pulled that white paper off the exam table onto the floor, and strewn several books and toys - I felt like I should leave a generous tip for the doctor and staff.

Darek's Photo Shoot

Two weeks ago Darek had his picture taken by Miranda Johnson, an incredible photographer in our ward. On the day of his appointment he had an ear infection, had not napped, and was incredibly grouchy. I knew that it might have been smart to reschedule but I had made the appointment weeks in advance and I felt like it was one of those things where if we didn't do it that day, we'd never do it. Sure enough, he threw fits and cried during most of his appointment - but because Miranda's amazing, she managed to get some AWESOME pictures. These are just a few of my favorites:
(You can find Miranda's photography blog at www.sweetpea-photography.blogspot.com )

Darek is getting to the point where he wants to do absolutely everything himself. It's driving me crazy. He even wants to wipe his own bum when I change his diaper. It takes 10 times longer to get dressed for the day or get ready for bed because he wants to take his clothes off and put the new ones on by himself - so after he struggles unsuccessfully for several minutes by himself, he'll finally let me help. And it doesn't end there, he has to do everything on his own - or at least try. I thought the whole independence thing was supposed to kick in during the teenage years - we're fighting already! Is this what Terrible Two means? Or is there more coming? Please say NO.


Kevin was lying on the ground throwing a ball up in the air while he talked to Blayne, so Darek had to lay down next to him and do it too. (And he made Dad join in.)


Another picture from Mia's Blessing weekend.



After Mia had cried for quite awhile, Papa took her and laid her on his stomach and she stayed there awake, but perfectly content, for a long time.

Since You've Been Gone...

Blayne will be home tonight after leaving early on Tuesday for Twin Falls. He has overnight trips regularly, but this time, well...
I didn't shower or even change my clothes from the time he left. I didn't brush my hair (but I did brush my teeth :). I didn't clean the house or leave the house.
Thank goodness he didn't come home early. Now I've gotta run and make myself look like a wife worth coming home to.

More Blessing Pictures

You Go Girl

We blessed Mia on Sunday and while she cried through most of her blessing, I thought about how lucky she is to have been born into an extended family of such faith. And the line of women she has to look up to, wow! Between my mom and Grandma Crowder and Blayne's mom and Grandma Musick, I hope that she inherits their love of the Lord, their faith and steadfastness, their commitment to home and family and gospel principles. These are women that I admire and that have been wonderful examples to me, and I'm grateful that my daughter will have them to look up to as well.

My mom, Paula, at the hospital the day Mia was born (making sure Darek was kept in line)



Blayne's mom, Teri, on Mia's blessing day



Blayne's Grandma Musick on Mia's blessing day. Grandma Musick crocheted Mia's blessing dress and she looked absolutely beautiful.

Hallelujah

For the last two nights Mia has gone to bed by 12:30am which I realize doesn't seem incredibly early, but before then it was between 2:30-4:00am every night. I feel like a new person!

Darek has an ear infection, our kitchen disposal broke, then our dishwasher broke, our shower was backed up - but with a good night's sleep it's all good.

Party On

Darek's 2nd Birthday was Saturday, March 7. We went to Target to let him pick out a toy and got lunch from McDonald's, woo-hoo! We're so in love with this little boy.



He's coloring in his new Elmo coloring book with Uncle Kevin. Kevin tried desperately to get Darek to stay on his own page.

This may be sacreligious, but it is a hoot to listen/watch Darek pray. While he actually knows a lot of words, when he prays it's all jibberish with a few real words thrown in here and there. Like many kids, once he sees the video camera, he stops what he's doing but we did our best to capture "A Child's Prayer." (The 2nd one is the best.)