Cam Jackson Waite

Born December 29th at 2:19 in the afternoon to us, his parents, to 2 very excited older brothers, Brody & Ryder, and also to a very unsure older brother, Nash.

Cam could be called the 'runt' of our 'litter' considering he came out the smallest. Measuring 20 and 1/4 inches long and an even 8 lbs that makes him more than an inch and a whole pound less than any of his brothers were at birth.

We feel so very blessed to have welcomed this new and healthy baby into our lives!

Independence Day 2014

What better way to 'announce' a happy FOURTH of July?

Brody goes to School

Is anybody in as much denial as I am that the time has arrived for our Mr. Brody Jay to be going to real live school? I seriously cannot believe it. We've talked about it for weeks, and here he is a whole 3 days into his first year as a student.

A few days before school started we had the chance to go to an open house where Brody got to meet his teacher and see his classroom. He couldn't have been anymore thrilled than he was. I kinda wanted to just drag my feet along and prolong this time for as long as possible. I just was so not ready!!!

After the meet and greet of sorts we had just a few days to get any last minute things done. Not only did Trevor run through a whole long list of do's and dont's at school he also gave Brody a father's blessing. If you aren't a member of the Mormon church, that's just a special blessing any Mormon man holding the priesthood can give. We have special blessings for things like baptism, but we can also receive a blessing if we are ill or have big events coming up in our life. This blessing was just one of many I hope Brody will receive each year before starting school. I didn't ever have a blessing of this sort growing up and did just fine, but I find such comfort in knowing my kids will grow up having them. I think it teaches so much more than I could even explain...

But, moving on... That night Brody chose his clothes for his first day and laid them out. He went to bed happy as a clam and ready for what the next day would bring! I was not as fortunate. I tossed and turned. I got up multiple times. I just could not sleep. I had first day butterflies, and I wasn't the one going to school!

I took the traditional first day photos, and in my anxiety even spelled kindergarten wrong. That's how bad my nerves were. Brody? Not scared. Not nervous. Just READY! 

Trevor met us at the school so he could be there to walk Brody in. He was one of the first kids in class. I held the tears back as my big boy settled in. I could feel the familiar burn behind my eyes and in my throat as I held the flood gates back. Trevor kept saying "it's only half day kindergarten. Just a few hours." I knew he was right, it's just.... That day was the beginning of something totally new. Our life, will never be the same. We will always have kids in school for years and years to come. School signifies huge change to my life as a stay at home mom. Sure, yes, I have one less at home, but that is not a consolation prize for me. Brody is about to have a whole life of his own, so to speak. He will make choices and friends without me there to guide him. He will be learning and growing each day and I will not be there to watch every moment of it. It's not just that I am  losing control of what goes on, it's that I'm trusting others that don't love him like I do to help him. It's beyond weird that Brody will be doing his own Brody things separate from us. I know I just have to rely that the teachings he has at home will help him when he is away.

As he cheerily waved us away and we walked out of the school my tears freely began to fall. I was embarrassed for anyone to see me this emotional, even Trevor. I got the other 2 boys in the car, said goodbye to trev, and REALLY began crying. Lucky for me, my comic relief was in the car and said to me, "that's not even a real cry mom." Oh, excuse me if my crying doesn't live up to your standards, Ryder! It did lighten me up though. I explained to Ry that it's just really hard for me to watch all of them grow up. Ry told me he 'wont grow up' and I asked, "you promise?" before driving away.

My good friend, holly, is as much of an emotional puddle as me so we met up and drowned our sorrows in pancakes after we dropped our cute kindergarteners off. It was probably the best decision of the day. It was good to have a kindred spirit with me, and we killed some time before picking up the kids!

I may have driven by during Brody's recess, and shortly after school was over! Once again I got teary-eyed just seeing my big kid come out of class all grins. He had a great day! I asked how it was and he said, "I didn't get in trouble at all!" I guess he really listened to his dad... As we walked out past the office he pointed over his shoulder and told me, "I didn't even get sent in there!"  I would be shocked if he ever got sent there, especially on his first day, but it was good to hear.

All in all, it was a great day for Brody. Really, a great few days so far. I'm coping and surviving, but it is so much easier to do because he makes it easy. 

Now, he just wants to convince me to let him ride the bus because the "bus is just really fun..." We will see. Baby steps here people. Baby steps.

Lost Tooth

Brody informed us quite sometime ago that he had a tooth that was loose, and was so excited about it! Every family member was informed of this tooth, from grandpa and grandma's, to aunts and uncles. The tooth wasn't really ready to come out and it stayed loose and in his mouth for a long time. Until last night that is....

We had a healthy dinner of hotdogs,corn-on-the-cob, and Jell-O salad(can you tell how ready we are for BBQ-ing season?), but I noticed that Brody was eating funny. Every bite he took was from the side, instead of the front. I asked him why and he had said his mouth hurt because of the tooth. I wiggled it and was surprised at how close it was to coming out. Trevor then felt it and told Brody how easily he could pull it out. Wrong thing to say. Brody became extremely nervous. On the verge of tears, nervous. Trevor and I assured him that it wouldn't hurt, but if it did it would only last for a second. Still not a chance is going to let us pull it out. Trevor told him "just take a bite of your corn that will make it come out." Brody went back to the table and said, "okay but it still might hurt a little bit.." We were fairly convinced that he wouldn't actually do it. Next thing we know he's saying, "I did it, I did it!" We hurry over to him and sure enough there's a hole in his mouth, but note tooth to be found. Trevor thought Brody had swallowed the tooth. I did a quick scan of the corn and found the tooth disguised amongst the kernels. Talk about an exciting new thing for Brody!

Trevor ushered Brody to the bathroom so he could climb on the counter and get a look for himself at his new hole-y grin. There was a bit of bleeding so we had to stop that before pictures could be taken. I got a few on my phone, but sometime between those pics and getting out my 'real' camera the tooth was lost! We searched high and low and could not find it. We came to the conclusion that it probably fell down the drain. Nothing like losing a tooth out of one's head to then turn around and promptly lose it down a drain.

Brody wasn't the least discouraged (he was still on the tooth losing high), and especially not when I said maybe we could leave the tooth fairy a note. I wrote one out explaining the circumstances, Brody signed the bottom, and we sealed it up in an old jewelry bag of mine and put it under the pillow.

I woke up today expecting to hear excited little voices telling me of the spoils the toothfairy left. So not the case. I went to make Nash a bottle and walked passed a very somber 5 1/2 year old laying on the couch. Brody soon followed me in stating very seriously (and with tears nearly in his eyes), "I have some bad news. The toothfairy didn't come!" I was like, "whhhaaat? Are you sure? Was your note in the bag still there?" Apparently, Brody forgot about that so he went back to check. Lo-and-behold a grinning boy came back holding a bag with quarters! Brody said the bag was in the back of the bed by the pillow. I'm sure the toothfairy put the money in a more noticeable place, but the tossing and turning of a little boy during his sleep, caused it to move some. However, Brody thinks the toothfairy was up to some trickery! He told me with that new one-less-tooth grin on his face, "that toothfairy is a STINKER!" 

You're probably right, Brody boy.

Thanksgiving Thankimony

Once a month at church we have a fast and testimony meeting during sacrament (the first hour of our 3 hour block of church). It is a chance for members of the congregation to get up and share their testimony at the pulpit. It can be such a spiritual meeting, but sometimes it leaves me.... Ummm.... Underwhelmed?!?

One of Trevor's biggest pet peeves is when people get up and say what they are thankful for. That is not a testimony, he says. A testimony is when you get up and say what you KNOW. It isn't a "thank-i-mony" it's a testimony.

BUT... Guess what?!? This isn't church, it's my blog. It's also thanksgiving and a time to reflect on our blessings. Instead of discussing all the tasty dishes we ate at our 2 thanksgivings, I think I'll just have a Thankimony of my own!

*I'm beyond thankful for the man I married. For his good heart, his strong work ethic, for the great dad he is, and for always upholding his priesthood.

*I'm thankful for each time I have become pregnant, and that my body has carried the babies full term, and then safely delivered.

*Speaking of delivering babies, I am eternally grateful this last one was easier than the last!!!

*I'm grateful for my mom. For the constant lessons she has taught me. I would say the majority of any good parenting skills I have, have come from her. She's been a rockstar, as far as moms go.

*My in-laws I appreciate more and more each year. Besides raising my good husband, they are pretty great grandparents. I know without a doubt that they love my kids to pieces. They are also some of the most reliable people I know.

*I am proud, and glad to call myself a Mormon. When I think of all the decisions I've made in my life, I realize they are all tied to the teachings of my church. I'm so grateful for the knowledge and blessings I have because of the gospel.

*Despite having a current president that I did not vote for, I'm grateful we live in the United States where we CAN vote and choose our leaders.

 

I have so much to be thankful for. My list could go on for days. I need to take the time more often to recognize my blessings and to thank our Heavenly Father for them. 

I hope everyone else has as full of a heart as I do this year!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

A week ago we attended the baby blessing of my sweet nephew, Hudson. Afterwards we were treated to a luncheon at Spenser and Stormy's home. There was lots of yummy things to eat, but I especially loved the muffin/cupcakes. Stormy's sis-in-law, Tara, had done the cooking so I had to get the recipe from her. She has a great blog where you can get recipes, tutorials, and great ideas (http://saltandpeppermoms.blogspot.com) but I believe this recipe is one she found floating in the lovely land of Pinterest.

Here's what you need. Just 3 things really! 

1 spice cake mix (yellow cake mix if you can't get spice)

1 can of pumpkin

1 cup chocolate chips

*pumpkin pie spice (not necessary but I added a few shakes, and if you use yellow cake I would definitely use it)

I, of course, had 3 extra helpers. Luckily, this is pretty simple so they could help dump things in without making a ginormous mess.

After dumping the cake mix and pumpkin in I used my hand mixer to fully incorporate it all before folding the chocolate chips in. It is a fairly thick and sticky mixture.

While the oven finished preheating at 350 degrees the boys lined 2 regular sized muffin tins (24 muffins total).

The muffins are so thick and will come out of the oven looking exactly like they do when you spooned the wet mixture into the paper cups. If you don't like this textured appearance wet a spoon and smooth the tops.

Once the oven is heated set your timer and bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

I personally did not smooth out my muffin tops for 3 reasons: 1) part of the reason this recipe is awesome is because it's so simple, why make it hard?  2) I honestly don't have the patience and 3) neither did my teething baby.

In the end it didn't matter what they looked like, it was all about how they tasted and trust me, they were gooood! Just ask my boys!

Halloween 2013

Like most holidays I did my best to make this Halloween a fun day for our kids. 

I started the day by making chocolate chip pancakes. I let them choose to wear the costumes all day. At lunch we didn't just have pb&j's, oh no, they were cut out into the shape of bats. We participated in the annual Halloween parade where Brody, Ryder, and Nash got to sport their costumes and march around a small area of town. Finally, and most importantly, we did the fun trick-or-treating....

....now, now.... We did do all of the above. There just might be a few minor details left out. I meant to make a half batch of pancakes, but that was scratched when I poured the last ingredient, milk, in at the normal quantity and had no choice but to make the big batch and waste most of it.

The boys did choose to wear their costumes all day, but minutes before leaving Ryder had a meltdown wanting regular clothes on. There may have been tears and yelling and threats of no trick or treating involved on mine and Ryder's parts. 

My bat sandwiches were cute, but the chocolate milk cascading across the table and onto the carpet by the 5 yr old I had just told to eat and quit messing around wasn't.

The baby that had to be interrupted from nursing so I could find a towel to mop up the aforesaid milk mess because Brody suddenly didnt know where towels were wasn't too thrilled, and i can't say I blamed him because I wasn't either.

The parade was ok until the very end when somehow someway my poor Nash slipped out through the bottom of his stroller onto the pavement towards the end. I think the blanket I had all around fell out too and broke his fall because not a single scratch was on him, but man, did he cry. I was mortified that he had fallen, worried about his well being, and embarrassed that I didn't double check how secure he was in his seat.

Trick-or-treating nearly didnt happen. Well, it nearly didnt happen for me and Nash. I felt so guilty I thought I should stay at home with him and keep a watchful eye on him. Trevor wasn't there to see the fall, but he assured me through my tears that Nash was ok.

Needless to say, I'm glad this Halloween is over. I lost my temper, I yelled at my kids, and I was neglectful. Bad parent of the year award goes to me. I am feeling incredibly guilty and yet, I still think if you asked Brody and Ryder how their day was they'll think it was great. Thank goodness kids are quick to forgive and forget our shortcomings as parents. Talk about tender mercies.

2 Whole Months

Little Nash has reached 2 months of age! What a fast 2 months its been. He is such a joy to have in our home too. I have felt so so good post delivery with this baby and have felt like I have enjoyed Nash every second!

Little Mr is growing like crazy! He weighed 14lbs 1oz at his checkup the other day, which puts him in the 93%. He's also in the 84% for his height. If you compare Nash at 2 months to Brody and Ryder at that age he's right in the middle. A little smaller than Ry was, but a bit bigger than Brody.

Nash has really started to smile lately and I love it! He'll grin and grin when I talk to him, but I have to talk like an idiot to get him to do it. Each time my boys have hit this stage where they recognize my face and smile big at me I get emotional. It's pretty lame, but that gummy grin makes tears well up in my eyes as I realize how lucky I am.

Sleeping has not been horrible with Nash, but just this week it has become quite wonderful! I feed him and get him to bed around 9:30 or so and then he has slept until 5-5:30! Can you say heaven?!? Agh! So nice. I feed him again and he goes back down until around 8-8:30. Oh my gosh, it's the best! I always love my babies, but my love reaches a whole other level when we both get better nighttime sleep!

This blue-eyed boy is oh so sweet and already making me realize that he {hopefully} won't be the last baby!