Just Keep Running, Running, Running. . .

The other day I left William sleeping contentedly at home with Joel while I decided to get ambitious and take the older kids jogging with me (they were in the double stroller). I ran with them pretty frequently last summer before my pregnancy but it has been almost a year since I have tried it. I have to get back into shape sometime; it might as well be now.

I decided that since I don't have the distraction of an ipod or anyone to talk to, I'd take advantage of having the kids with me. I made a deal with Everett and Ashley at the beginning of our trip that if I ever stop to walk, they are to tell me "Go faster, Mom!" They thought this was a good idea, but of course they never did it.

"Everett! We're going slower now. Why aren't you telling me to speed up?"

" 'Cause. . ." he'd half-heartedly reply.

" 'Cause. . ." Ashley would chime in cheerfully.

I quickly realized I was on my own. Sometimes I would try to involve them in conversation to get my mind off the plodding (yes, plodding) sound my feet made when they hit the gravel path.

"Hey Ashley and Everett, do you think you can see any ducks?"

"DUCKS!" Ashley would squeal.

"When can we get out? Why we keep going around? Why we going this way?" Everett would say.

(a few minutes later:)

"Wow, look at all those butterflies over there!" I desperately heaved the words out of my mouth.

"Butterflies!" Ashley would squeal.

"When can we get out? Why we keep going around? Why we going this way?" Everett would say.

If they would reciprocate with more conversation, even a little, I might have thought it was worth it to keep talking. As it was, I couldn't help but feel that it took me more effort to think of a conversation starter and to speak through breathy gasps than it did to keep my feet moving along the path. So I gave up, except to answer Everett's many unhappy "why"questions involving our purpose in going around the lake.

Generally I have two rules for myself when I go running:

1) Take it easy! Don't push it; you want be able to get back out here and go again.

2) Come on! GO! Push it! You can do it! You'll never get better if you don't get sore after this! When I feel I can't go any farther, I always pick a landmark a little ways in front of me and tell myself I have to make it to that spot. Then I reward myself with a very short walk.

As you can see, I frequently feel very conflicted.

A few times as I was huffing and puffing around the lake I would feel my muscles start to give out on me. Then, looking for a good reason to keep my muscles burning in protestation, I would gasp, "Look at that tree, Everett. I'm going to run all the way to that tree. Do you think I can make it?"

"No." He'd reply, matter-of-factly.

"No!" Ashley would chime in.

Whether he was using reverse psychology, challenging me, or simply was a defeatist, the most important thing was that he was right. Every stinkin' time, he was right.

That boy is just lucky he's too young for real smugness. I am just lucky I could run at all; next time I'll come closer to claiming the entire 2.5 miles. To my father-in-law, who has run many marathons, that distance is probably laughable. To my legs, it's almost reachable.

Firsts

Number one first this week: William has smiled! I have been working on him for a long time, since he has pleasantly been cooing for a good while, but I didn't have any luck. Joel gets to claim William's very first smile (to my disappointment--he wasn't even trying to get one!), but I get to claim the majority of them.

Yesterday we went to a carnival on campus that was hosted by one of the residence halls as their yearly service project. It was great! Among other things, they had a miniature petting zoo, three inflatable bounce houses, lots of food, face painting, and balloon animals.

Ashley enjoyed her very first pony ride. She had no fear and happily sat on the animal while it was led around the grass, even though Joel and I remained at the starting point.

Everett, though, was not so interested in riding the horses. He was much more interested in the activities of the other animals "the Llama is looking at me, Mommy!" Also, I think he was a little scared of getting up on the horse.

The kids also enjoyed their first taste of cotton candy. I love cotton candy--don't ask me why. Everett seemed to agree with me and downed his (fortunately the people operating the machine gave the kids small amounts).

Ashley, though, was not so impressed.

I guess I don't blame her. It is kind of strange stuff, isn't it?

(As a side note, this week has been Ashley's first week in a ponytail. I'm really liking the simplicity and practicality of it.)

William enjoyed the carnival as well. . .from the safety of our homemade moby wrap. I love this thing. I have his head popped out of the wrap in this picture, but usually it is like swaddling him to my chest, which means he'll contentedly sleep whenever he's in it. I can do anything, even make beds, with him in this and he doesn't flop around at all.

When we got home from the carnival, I was exhausted and sick, so I decided to give the kids "paint" to use in the bathtub so they would stay in there for a little while and let me have a few minutes to put my feet up.

It wasn't really paint. It was two drops of food coloring in a little water I had put in cups, but the paintbrushes must have made it feel authentic. The whole thing kept them entertained for a while and there was no clean-up. And yes, I let them paint each other as well as the bathtub.

BUT, the "first" that happened this week I'm the happiest about is this:

Everett has finally learned how to ride a tricyle!

(Ashley has claimed this green tricycle as her own--they are all up for grabs around here--but she can't reach the pedals quite yet. Everett has claimed this tiny red one because there is a place in the back to carry his extensive rock collection. There are "cooler" looking tricycles around here, but Everett doesn't care about that yet.)

Everett's legs have been too short to reach the pedals until recently, and he has also had a lot of trouble getting everything coordinated (plus, the tricycles around here are a little rusty and some are hard to pedal), but he is now riding like a champ. I think he'll be ready for a little bike this summer.

It's a little thing, and it is something most older two-year-olds can figure out easily, but it has been hard for him. Everett was always on track (or early) with physical development as a baby, but as he has gotten older, he has been a little behind. He couldn't jump off the floor until he was almost three, and Ashley can do that now. I think this is all related to his delayed speech; I think his muscle tone is somewhat immature.

But, we play outside for two or three hours every day (partially to get the kids stronger) and I am happy that now he spends a good amount of that time riding around like a little racer. So far, so good.

Look If You Dare

The Johnson women first thing in the morning. . .

Hey, at least we're smiling!

Storytelling

When I was growing up, my Mother used to tell great stories. She gave each of us an important role in the story--we were princesses, princes, and knights--and we each had a special horse with a special name. Courage and bravery and intelligence were our characteristics; swords and shields were our weapons. We loved it. I have great memories of listening to her spin tales all about us. I have, as I have mentioned before, a Supermom. She did everything, and she did everything well.

Today I decided to tell stories with Everett. I have always wondered if he would sit still for a story without pictures, but apparently he can if I include the right things.

The stories began with Everett running outside to meet a giant red robot that just landed in the sandbox. Everett pushed a green button on the Robot's stomach (here is where we would add sound effects and hand motions) and open a door, also on its stomach, revealing a special chair inside for Everett to sit in, and a window to the outside world.

You can guess what would happen next. They went on adventures together--to the moon, to a candy factory, to the forest--and the story would always end with the robot bringing Everett home as it was getting dark. Of course, Everett always had to ask his mother for permission to leave the house, and she always granted it.

It was really fun to stop during the story and say, ". . .and what do you think he said?" or ". . .what did he do next?" to see Everett working out some problem-solving ideas. This child has a great imagination. He also enjoyed participating in all the sound effects and hand gestures, the dimple in his cheek making an appearance with each one. Everett was captivated for a half hour and still begged me for more. Maybe we'll have to make this a consistent thing.

So thanks, Mom, for showing me how fun it can be to make up stories. You're the best!

An Apple a Day

The kids love to eat apples. Everett likes to eat the apple right down to the core, and Ashley likes it when I make one into an "apple boat" by cutting it in half and de-coreing it. I like doing that as well, because if I just give her a whole apple she'll just nibble off the peel and, like a little Gretel, leave a trail of peel scraps all over my floor.

Today they came into my room with their apples while I was feeding William, so I snapped some pictures. It's times like these that make me wish I had a good camera and the know-how to use it. There are a lot of pictures but you can sure see their personalities--this post is for the Grandparents.

On the Road

Everett goes to preschool twice a week at a school near by. He loves going to school, and I love that he is improving his speech and articulation while I am getting two hours of peace and quiet. I also love that he gets to take the bus--his class runs during nap time and this way I don't have to worry about packing sleepy kids in the car.

(not his usual expression)

Putting Everett on the bus is always fun. He is thrilled to see it coming for him and happily climbs up the steps while the bus driver is getting his special car seat ready for him. He and I have a little ritual: when he sits on his seat, I stand back on the curb a few feet from his window. Everett cranes his little neck and angles his head just right so he can see me standing there. Then he waves and grins at me while the driver straps him in, he waves and grins while she gets the bus going again, and he waves and grins until they round the corner and are out of my sight. I stand out there and wave back until he is gone; I can't help but smile, myself.

I don't think I will ever tire of meeting Everett at the bus. According to his regular bus driver, as soon as the bus pulls into our complex and circles back around to our building, Everett begins to excitedly anticipate meeting me.

"Mommy! Mommy!" He'll declare, over and over again. When he can actually see me, he grows even more excited.

When the bus stops, the doors open, and the assistant driver unbuckles him from his seat, Everett bounds down the steps and bursts out with an exuberant "Hi Mommy!" The assistant driver hands me his backpack while Everett turns around and happily says goodbye and thank-you to the drivers.

I take Everett's hand while we walk inside and he chatters excitedly about his day. When we get inside, Everett invites me to sit on the couch with him while he pulls out his latest projects from his backpack. "Let me show you, Mommy!" he says. I ooh and ahh, and occasionally tape something up on our door at his request, then I offer him a snack.

As much as I sometimes wish my two hours of peace and quiet could be extended a little, I love getting my Everett from the bus and hearing all about what he did at school. It is fun to experience a little of his delight, and it is fun to greet a boy who is still excited to see me. Someday I'll read this again and maybe it will bring back some of these memories. Until then, I get to live them!

Baby Face

William is a cute baby, a sweet baby, a nice baby, and I love him dearly, but he is not necessarily an easy baby. Right now he is the easiest he will ever be, I think, because he still sleeps for hours and hours.

However, he is a bit finicky. I spend many nights walking with him or attempting various gas-relief remedies and holds to make him more comfortable so he can settle down. Eventually he always does, whether what I did works or he gives up out of pure exhaustion.

Even though things aren't always easy, especially at night, I am finding myself enjoying this time completely and unequivocally. There is something deep within me that tells me I need to enjoy every last second of this baby, to soak it up, to remember it, to not waste a bit of it--I haven't ever felt this languishing sort of feeling before. I can already feel the time slipping away from me; William is growing so fast. So, I comfort myself by feeling his hair with my face, smelling his sweet, milky breath, and letting him sleepily snuggle right into me as often as I can. Thankfully this is pretty often. It makes me sad to think this time is almost up.

Today while Ashley was napping and Everett was at preschool, I sat in my room enjoying William. I had the camera nearby and took way too many pictures. This is one of those posts that serves as evidence that I plan to order books of what I've recorded on this blog. These pictures will be fun to look at when William gets older. Feel free to skip them.

I captured, mostly by accident, a wide variety of expressions for such a young baby.

Here we have the sweet, bambi-eyed look.

. . .Which can turn into this. . .

. . .in less than a second.

But eventually he'll calm down and start looking around again:

Out the window

Oooh. Feeling a little rumbly. . .

*urrrp*

That's much better.

I can't really feel irritated with the little guy when he gets all gassy and upset, as he tends to do.
(Still figuring out if it's something I'm eating. No consistencies so far. Any tips?)

How could I, when he gives me pitiful looks like this?

If this face doesn't move you, your heart is completely worthless.

Fortunately we have a little remedy that generally works well for gas.

(not ours. His.)

Introducing: Gassy Hold. This--or a variation of this--works (almost) every time.

There you have it--the many faces of William Warren Johnson. If you've made it to the end, I'm impressed and you deserve a treat. Too bad I'm not nice enough to give you one.

Cheap Thrills

Car Train, as conceived and engineered completely by Everett.

We have to get a little creative around here sometimes.

(password: car)

You Know It's Getting Warmer When. . .

The kids fill up the sandbox with hose water!

Ashley was thrilled that she got sprayed as soon as she stepped into the sand.

As you can see, she showed great amounts of enthusiasm for the majority of her time outside.

(/sarcasm)

Fortunately Everett helped her warm up to the situation.

Fun little Everett. Boy, do I love that kid.

But I also have a special place for my sweet, strong-willed Ashley.

So Cool, Right?

A few days ago, after a little banter, Joel made a playful comment about me within the earshot of my oldest child.

"Mama thinks she's so cool. . ." Joel said, sarcasm practically sprouting out his ears.

Everett thought this was hysterical. Putting on his best squinty, sarcastic look and adopting a tone of deep mockery, he went around repeating this phrase for the better part of two days. The only problem was that, as is his habit, he left out a few key words he must have felt were extraneous.

"Mama's so cool. . ." Everett would spout off in his best punkish demeanor.

I grinned every time he said it. To the unaware eavesdropper, it sounded like Everett was indeed praising my coolness. To Joel, the whole thing was a big joke, and he took great pleasure in egging our boy on. Every time Joel used his original phrase to question my relevance, Everett would spout his version off like a compulsive parrot. I was pleased; it sounded like I had an adoring fan.

Today, Everett must have decided that this statement no longer applies. When Joel tried to use it again, things went a little differently.

"Mama thinks she's so cool," Joel said as he fixed a quesadilla for lunch.

"No, Papa, No! Mama's not so cool!" Everett declared, shaking his head obstinately and extending his hand like a traffic controller. He turned to me with a proud grin on his face, pleased with himself for defending my honor.

The only problem was, again Everett left out a few key words. Words that left his statement in complete conflict with his intentions. Words that gave Joel reason to let a hefty dose of smugness spread quickly across his face. Being handed a brand new, perfectly-timed inside joke will do that to a person.

"Mama thinks she's so cool. . ." Joel stated again, looking right at Everett with a teasing glint in his eye.

"No, Papa! Mommy's NOT SO COOL!" Everett shouted back.

Joel grinned triumphantly. Everett scowled. I sighed.

It's going to be a long couple of days. . .

The View From Up Here

Our nightly ritual.

Makes me want to finger his sweet lips and kiss his cheeks all over.

Egg Hunting

My kids got to go to two different Easter Egg hunts this year. They were thrilled. I was not so thrilled about them bringing large amounts of candy into this house, as I don't really want them to eat it all in the first place. However, this isn't usually a problem because Joel sneakily lays claim on at least 70 percent of the stash all in the name of "daddy taxes." The kids never question the fact that the candy supply diminishes much faster than is possible with just the two of them eating it.

They will sit and polish off as much candy as they can get away with. Depending on my mood, I am of two schools of thought: one is that they may have one or two pieces at a time over a period of several days or a week.. The other is that they can gorge themselves and let Joel finish the rest, therefore removing all candy from my house swiftly and completely.

Mostly I favor the second approach. Get it all out of everyone's sight.

One egg hunt was held outside in our complex's playground area. It was well-planned and very enjoyable; a visit from the Easter Bunny himself was the icing on the cake.

Standing at the ready.

Ashley was very much excited at the prospect of candy-filled eggs.

Everett, though excited, collapsed in tears when I left him to go help Ashley among the younger kids. I decided to let her fend for herself--she doesn't care to have help with much of anything--and Everett and I enjoyed finding eggs together. I looked over to Ashley periodically and noticed that she was quite content holding a single egg in one hand and her empty bag in another.

The other egg hunt was held inside our community center. It was also very enjoyable, with slightly more eggs for the taking. Everett was one of the older kids in this group; I had to severely limit his egg collection so the littler kids could have a chance at some as well. He was even (very sweetly) willing to give some of his eggs up to a girl about his age who didn't find very many.

Everett quickly became a fan of the entire production.

Again, Ashley was content with a single candy-filled egg, which she promptly opened and consumed. Then she happily wandered around the building with a mouth full of candy and an empty bag.

Here she is after having finished her candy. I showed her a stash of eggs, and, wanting to replenish her blood sugar level I'm sure, she enthusiastically built a nice little collection of chocolate and jelly beans.

It was a fun holiday. The candy has been eaten, the plastic eggs have been done away with, and though it was fun, I am glad to have it all out of my hair. Five hundred square feet of living space is not a whole lot of room for two sugared-up toddlers to run around in!

Surviving Conference

We enjoyed our first day of the church's General Conference. We only lost track of a few talks due to sleep--laying with a warm, sleeping baby doesn't do much to combat sleep-deprivation-induced fatigue.

Ashley had a good nap during the first session (it starts at noon here), and Everett contented himself with painting rocks. We enjoyed the speakers and felt uplifted.

The second session is a little trickier, as both kids are bouncing with energy and no naps are in sight. This year I got out our play tent and we filled it with stuffed animals, blankets, pillows, and books. It was popular for less time than I was hoping, but the kids still enjoyed it while Joel and I got to listen to the speakers.

(Ashley is glaring because she wants to hold the camera.)

Everett went from mopey to wired every five minutes. You can guess which he is in this picture.

I also went to the library this morning and checked out a couple of videos I thought the kids would like to watch. Since Joel and I watch the speakers on the internet, it means the TV is available to the kids, and I wanted to take advantage of that. Fortunately the kids enjoyed the movie.

Ashley only watches for one or two minutes at a time.

Everett asked for Bob the Builder, which I got for him, but here he is watching an animated Stuart Little movie.

Unfortunately it rained earlier in the day today, but we were happy to see that it was nice and sunny after the second session of conference ended. I was eager to shovel the kids outside and it was nice to see them play.

They have gotten so used to each other since we were cooped up so often during the winter that they play together without thinking about it.

It makes me glad to see them enjoy playing together. Ashley is still young enough that she will mostly do what Everett says. Once she gets older and speaks for herself more, I'm sure I will hear a lot of bickering.

Tonight, while Joel is gone to the priesthood session of conference, I wanted to get a sewing project for the kids done. William was a little fussy--I assumed it was due to gas, as usual--which meant I wouldn't be able to finish the dress-up capes for their easter baskets tomorrow. I decided to lay him on the table with my sewing machine running, and it put him right to sleep. I finished the capes in no time at all and was thrilled that I also had a contented baby.

This child loves sleeping on his stomach. He wakes up and fusses within a few minutes whenever we try to get him to sleep on his back (we keep at it, though). This position helps his gas make a swift exit, which is a blessing for us all, and which means I use it often even if he is just laying this way across my lap.

Tomorrow we get to enjoy another day of general conference. I have another movie for the kids and hopefully they will be having fun with the things from their easter basket so Joel and I can enjoy the majority of the talks without too much distraction.