Snow

1. Snow fort
2. Sledding
3. In the ice at newton reservoir
4. Lindi x 2
5. Gone fishing

Quiet Time

I felt to enlist help after I sensed how tired my boys were getting. It was very timely as my left leg and SI joint have been bothering me. I think part is Samuel growing and perhaps part my body coming together after nursing. It's been a huge blessing! Loading and unloading is a strain and i'm done with the lugging Samuel in the carseat...Charles has graciously picked up the grocery shopping til spring.  So grateful for Kaaren's service and structure for the boys. Matthew commented Friday or Saturday that, "it's not quiet time because Kaaren isn't here." The boys love having Kaaren come. They love staying cozy at home.

Miraculous, all 3 boys resting for a moment simultaneously...thank you Kaaren!!!

Quiet time with Lindi.

Another dose of Tough Love

First dose was stretching Sam to soothe himself thru the night so Mom could finally get sleep. Now the second dose, stretching Sam to soothe himself to sleep after Mom puts him in bed awake. So far, 3 nights of crying for 30-45 minutes and some burping from Mom and soothing here and there. I (tiff) hope we're making progress. Thursday, December 10th, was the last nursing. I had hoped to nurse a little longer, but like his brothers, Sam was more distracted, wanting to visit, and not settling with the nursing...it was the same for a few nights in a row, unsettled, rough, snack before bed. I went back and forth, but finally let it go. It was a window to wean, so we're done with nursing. Really, he's becoming more independent and playing more even with the bottle feeds and looking around.

I feel like each transition is huge with Samuel or rather it's a very gradual process to move him to the next step. I've been watching more for his cues and readiness.

This week was busy with a piano recital, the kids first with their excellent teacher, Benjamin's Kindergarten program, and the Ward Christmas party, as well as the school Geography Bee for Jonathan. I was grateful Charles took Friday off to give us an extra day to work on things. He did some great work on the cars and lots of odds and ends to help pull our home together once again on a Saturday.

Sucking his left thumb.

One of my favs...wild about Mommy.

"Oh Sam"

Since Samuel is awake and mostly in my arms during daylight, this is what I say often as I talk to him and share the news of the day or exclaim "life is so crazy, are we gonna make it?!" Or "I love you!" I've said it this week as I've cried for my friend and hugged and kissed my Sam all the more.

First of December...a second tooth cut through, right next to the other...two front bottom teeth making their way up now. A slight roll in his bed the other night. Better arm control...pieces of bread to his mouth! Yay! He ate a piece of bread as I finished getting ready early this morning. His left still seems to be dominant, but he's reaching & grabbing w/ his right more. He tells you he cares when you take something  away that he wants or had first. He's communicating more clearly about food...when he's done mostly :). Beginning to stand/support himself w/ his legs while I practice "standing up" in my lap w/ his chest supported by my hands, lifting him up. Continual improvement with sitting skills, but still needing support. I think he's figuring out he can move his arms and legs.

Today Samuel noticed and reached for the Sacrament as it was passed. He also soothed himself to sleep in my arms during Sacrament meeting without me having to stand up. His head has felt heavier in my arms this week. Tomorrow is his 9 month well check. I'm so grateful for his health. He seems strong. A slight cough/cold began with a cough, but was short lived with immediate intervention of the humidifier at night.

Thanksgiving

My weary travel companions on a first morning of break when we could actually stay home!

Yay for Thanksgiving break!!!

Cute kids at church.

Maybe he's finally getting the idea...

Sleep after you've been fed!!!

Record weekend napping with Friday afternoon and Saturday am/pm naps...1 hour to 2 and 1/2 hours each, plus a Sunday pm nap. If only the weeks could be as calm and kick back with nowhere to go...sigh.

Found his fingers...

his toes, his ears, and now his voice!  A week away from 9 months: 2nd week of sleeping on his mattress, no bouncer; 11 of November dropped the morning nursing; continues to live off 15-20 minute power naps during the day; some nights in a row this week with no crying episodes. I sleep so much better with Samuel actually sleeping in his crib! And I sleep all the better when he doesn't cry for some unknown reason. I've kept a monitor on him, but the first week I turned it off when he'd cry and prayed I would feel the need to attend him if it were really necessary. He'd have dried tear trails from his eyes to his ears some mornings last week, but I really think he's improved this week...no tear trails. So funny, we watched a video of the early days at home with Samuel and I said I thought he was getting used to sleeping. Ha! It's been 6 and 1/2 months and just barely beginning some sleep through the night! So I was a hopeful optimist! Charles had more sense at the time and hopefully had more rest. I was exhausted and always hoping the next night would be better. Felt great gratitude recently that the emotional/physical strain has significantly decreased. I feel so much better and more able to take care of our family.

Other notes: Less spitting up so much; still occasional spit up messes most often on my clean pair of pants :); no ice cream for Samuel yet...he tried a few tiny bites of mint chocolate chip and I kinda feel it was the cause of some tummy troubles for the night. No ice cream or onions for mom either...sleep is the more important priority! Feeding with 2 spoons now because Samuel wants to hold one and "help" with getting food to his mouth.

Last night (18 Nov) a thought came to mind that I never really had considered as we ALL sat around the dinner table, Samuel happy sitting in my lap, softly, tenderly making his contributions to the conversation. He loves to be at the table and closely involved with the family. I wondered if being with us at the table is a moment of pure joy for Samuel. Before Samuel arrived, It seemed I'd often feel someone was missing most often when the family was at the dinner table. And now he's here experiencing this beautiful mortal moment that perhaps he was anxiously waiting for...who knows, but the thought made me pause and reflect as I watched his happy expressions at the table.

Restoring Balance to the Force

You would've thought it was the best Christmas gift ever after we did Subway for lunch today mainly because the cupboards were bare. Honestly, kudos to Subway for a great surprise in the kids meal! Thanks for making it a great day Subway and feeding my children too! Light "savers" from Star Wars!

We're celebrating that Samuel has improved significantly with his sitting up skills. His eating as evolved staring with the Bouncer, moved to the borrowed Bumbo, some switching from the booster to Mom's lap, and now he's consistently eating in his booster seat! Yay Sam! Sitting up has been the priority so we could progress with eating now a focus to more movement on the ground with rolling over.

Absolutely cute when he tries to taste the toys on his walker.

Matching shirts today :) captured w/ a selfie.

We stayed up late thoroughly entertained as we watched some family videos the other night. Have to add it was great fun watching 7 Brides for 7 Brothers...so love my kids like some good ol' classics/favs of mine...Friday or Saturday night. The kids have grown so much in just the 3 years since we landed in Newton! I so love they're still little, but they're growing and changing so fast. I just don't want to miss anything! Feel so blessed to be part of their lives!

Little by little, line upon line, starting from where we're at, we're getting back to life, pulling up and out of survival mode, and defining some routines. I have such hope and anxiously want to change all for the better NOW, but have to constantly remind myself to be patient...it'll come, we'll get there, it'll all work out! Restoring balance to this awesome force of Olson kids/family! Sure love them! I commented to Mom and Dad Olson that these boys keep me on my toes. Mom said it best saying they keep me on my knees. Yes, I carry a prayer in my heart for strength & sensitivity to listening to the Spirit as to what I need to do each day for all of my kids.

It's quite the action packed year. Today I felt the strain of our schedule as tired Matthew asked whose house we were going to this morning. He just wanted to stay with me. It took a good patient talk to help him with a decision to let me get to my workout. I teetered today whether it was too much work for me and too much for the little boys. So grateful for a good friend to willingly watch the boys. It's my only consistent once a week, one hour, care for me. It's held me together. I sincerely asked Matthew to let me do this so I could better take care of him and the family, like help him out of bed, put on his shoes, hug him, hold him. I asked him if he remembered when I hurt my back and I told him I didn't want to hurt my back again, so I stretch and workout/strengthen it regularly now. It was as much a pep talk for me as it was encouragement for Matthew to stay with Samuel at Clara's house. We're ready for a great Thanksgiving break!

Cozy with Lou & Mom.

Another Writer is Born

One of the most joyful experiences for me has been to witness young minds developing. Such excitement to hear my children begin to read and to see the beginnings of their writing. It's really tops of my favs!

These writings came as Benjamin felt so empowered to write names of the family. He was in the focused mode, so I feed his little brain with the names he could sound out from the phonograms he knew.

He learned early to spell "love" and after practice mastering 2 with a curly loop, it's one of his favorite numbers to write.

 

At 8 months

Some real splashing in the tub last night. A very fun first for Samuel. He's made huge gains with sitting up. With sitting up, a better focus on eating. Before Samuel would play and focus more on my hands and fingers. Now it's all food! A greater interest in food. We introduced Rice Krispies and Cheerios this weekend. Can't remember the night, I think it was last weekend I attempted to move Samuel into a bedroom. Rough night for our Lindi attending to crying Samuel, so I backed out of moving Samuel in with the kids and instead, moved him into his old room by himself all in the same night. So begins phase two (Samuel sleeping in a bedroom in the crib---still in his bouncer, but sleeping more-or-less successfully thru the night). Some nights are better than others, but usually it's just one crying session. Phase one was getting Samuel to actually sleep through the night. Phase three will be transitioning Samuel from the bouncer to the crib mattress. And the final phase will be moving Samuel into a kids bed with the other kiddos...the girl's room. Still trying for some daytime napping and feeling at this point, I just need to be consistent with some feeding times and attempted nap times for Samuel in his room. Feedings are progressing, napping...it's comin'. I joked with Charles that I forgot to tell Samuel it was daylight savings this morning. I forgot about it myself feeding Samuel at 5 when it was 6 on Sam's clock. And Sunday is a different schedule all together. Needless to say, it was an off day.

He's growing!! Today he was rather vocal in Sunday school class...he has the sweetest voice!!! So love to hear his tender voice!!! I've noticed his foot hasn't twitched in a while. It would shake/tremble randomly (I think it was often as he was settling down). I haven't noticed it though. I'm so grateful he has been able to nurse. I think it's really helped him calm and find some rhythm. More and more, it seems we're finding our rhythm. His little internal clock has been so shaken up.

I'm feeling so much better. I don't think I realized how rough I felt until now that I can tell I feel better. Kinda like, "Wow, I feel like doing things again!" I'm just so tremendously grateful to feel well and have sweet Samuel feeling well and have us as a family doing better. Little by little we get our home back together. This weekend it was the office. I have to work at most things little by little.

The most relaxed lunch times are when Benjamin and Matthew are restrained in carseats on the way to Newton for a Relief Society meeting. Sure, they look calm, but lunch is a circus at the house when Benjamin gets home from Kindergarten. What a novel idea a friend had to install child restraints at church. Let's extend that idea to the dinner table and living room couches for those moments when wiggly kids need some restraining :).

A nap with Lindi. Always searching for ways to get this kid to rest. Lindi has been my lifesaver (as have all the kids to help hold, care, and entertain Samuel)! 

Sitting up and more lumpy solids.

Oh, and I can't forget how much I love to watch him taste everything with his tongue!

Better control of back and arms.