Madison... Just because

I just have been thinking lately how grateful I am to have my girls in my life and I just wanted to express that her. Madison just recently turned 8 months and is such a joy to the whole family. What a wonderful person. So full of personality and life.

To say Madison is a moms girl is an understatement. She LOVES me. It feels really funny to type that, but if you know her you know what I mean. When she sees me, she literally gasps and tries to claw her way to me. We have tried to get it on film but have failed every time. Madison wants me to hold her All.Day.LONG!!! I can not tell you how many dinners I have made with her screaming at my feet because she wants me to hold her that badly.

The other day during witching hour (3-6) Madison was just screaming. I try to hold her as much as I can, but I also have Kelsey and I had to make dinner. The tension was rising as was the volume of her screaming and I was not handling it well. With dinner half made, I had the distinct prompting to pick up my baby. Everything else can wait. Ethan got home to a half made dinner, a bombshell of a house, but the Spirit was there and everyone was calm. It was a great lesson for me.
I don't know why Madison wants to be held all the time, but she loves it so much.

Madison's love for water has only increased and now she tries to put her face in the water. We watch her like a hawk, but inevitably her face ends up in the water. We grab her all nervous like, but when we look at her face she is just smiling. It is the weirdest and scariest thing.

Madison loves babies. She is always trying to steal Kelsey's babies. It is so cute.

Madison loves to touch and hold things especially grapes, apples, and rocks. When we are outside she has to have her binky in her mouth other wise we find rocks in her mouth. She loves rocks!

She sleeps awesome, eats pretty much anything mushy, and loves to follow everyone around. She spends all day just crawling around, chewing cords, knocking over stuff,  pulling stuff of the fridge and walls, and getting into everything. She is so awesome! I love having Madison around.

Ward Halloween Party

Ethan and I were in charge of the ward Halloween party this year. With the help of an amazing committee, who really did more work than me, we were able to pull this thing off with out a hitch. 

It was awesome and for once in my life I actually had fun at a party that I hosted. You know how it goes.. party anxiety. I think because I personally did so little, I didn't have as much invested, so I was able to have fun in the end. 

Life lesson don't work as hard and you have more fun. 

We spent a lot of time organizing the games and food the day before. Here is the family shopping trip to Sam's Club. 

I love this group of pictures. I am always asking Ethan to take picture with me in them (I'm always behind the camera) and so recently he started going crazy. He think he is hilarious and takes like 14 pictures of the same thing. Even while people are moving out of the picture he keeps snappin'. This perfectly represents what I mean. These pictures crack me up! 

Say cheese

Thats enough Ethan

Ethan!

I spent the morning filling balloons at Walmart. That deserves a blog post in itself but for the sake of my fingers lets just say I got the Walmart love and charm that we all know so well.  I was directed to 4 different people before the right place and ended up tying and stringing the balloons all by myself. Once the two workers filling the balloons with helium, watched me tie and string balloons with my teeth due to a lack of hands, I think they felt bad that I was paying them to watch me fill balloons and they started helping me string them. Whatever,. It got done and in the end I ended up inviting them to the party and talking about the church so it was a good experience after all. When I left we even used first names. We are pretty tight. 

 

We got to the church at 3:30 and with the help of my amazing committee we were ready by 5 for people to come. 

Here's what we did (in case I have to do this again)

~ Hot dogs in the bun in foil so that people just had to grab a hot dog once in line

~ Pitchers of soda on the tables

~ A section for tables a section for games

     Games included

          ~ Pumpkin corn hole

          ~ Pin the Boo on the Ghost

          ~ cup cake walk

          ~ Pumpkin bowling with 2 liter cans

          ~ Face painting

          ~ Go fish

          ~ Guess the candy

          ~ "Hayride" Cardon Jones made a train that you attach to a golf cart. Literally one of the coolest things I have ever seen. 

~Each station had supplies and directions and who to contact for help in a bag waiting for the youth

~ Ethan MCed the event 

The ward provided chips and hot dogs and everyone else brought a side. There weren't very many sides but honestly, I didn't even care. That was up to them and if they didn't provide there were plenty of hot dogs and chips.

For dessert we had candy as the center piece and a cupcake walk for the kids. Again, if people wanted more than that, there was a Sonic down the street :)

 

 

We were so excited because the Randells came to the party. Any time with Jordyn and Kathryn is a good time.

Getting ready to roll some hot dogs. Thanks Subway for teaching me how to roll things really fast. I literally got complimented on my sandwich rolling skills.

All the Cinderellas on the committee!

And then of course there was Trunk or Treat.

We were all cleaned up and home by 8 pm. It was such a fun night and lots of people came. All in all I am really glad that I got to help run it, but I can honestly say I'm glad its over.

Potty Trained

While we were in Utah, Julie was working with Harper to use the potty. One time when Harper needed to go potty, she let Kelsey tag along. While they were in there Julie introduced, "the diaper song" otherwise known as "today I took my diapers off." Its a classic from the 80's and apparently the trigger that Kelsey needed. I guess all the talk about sticky tape and pricky pins that the video sings about really inspired her to give up her diapers.

When we got home from Utah, Kelsey brought me her diapers and said she wanted to use underwear. We haven't looked back.
I didn't really know what to do. There has been many times when Kelsey has asked to wear underwear but never has she asked to stop wearing diapers. See the difference? So, like all the other times I ran with it but wasn't very hopeful. I told Kelsey to gather all her diapers and throw them away. She did without even blinking.

On Thursday October 15th, Kelsey wore underwear all day, but like every other time, she wouldn't actually go.  Once again, I spent the day begging her to go potty, pumping her with fluids, and hoping that eventually she would either go all over the floor or in the potty. She didn't have an accident but she wouldn't go either. That night around 8 pm (yes 14 hours of holding it!!!), Ethan was reading to Kelsey on the potty and she went! I don't know if she got distracted or what but it happened and I'll take it. After that, she wanted to go. I didn't even have to ask her, she just went.
The few days after that I was a little hesitant but after that initial time, she started getting really excited to go. She even was so bold to tell me when she needed to go.
The other took a few more days and a lot of Miralax but eventually that happened too.

It has been roughly 10 days now and she hasn't had a single accident. She has gone at church, at stores, at people's houses, and wakes up every morning dry. Everyone told me that once it clicks it clicks but my goodness were they right!!! She just gets it and loves it. I still bring a change of clothes with me but I'm not really nervous. She LOVES to go potty. She tells me every time she goes.
" Mom, I just love to go potty. It feels so good." "Mom, I love to wear underwear and being a big girl. Its just the best." "Mom, its so fun to use the potty because diapers are gross." What feels like an eternity has finally ended and I think I can finally join the potty trained club.

Whats funny too was that this time around, she didn't need prizes. We gave them to her to reinforce that this was awesome, but she was perfectly fine to go without them. She really was just ready this time. 

As we are still working with her there have been so quirks that we have had to deal with but are willing to do them:
Always telling her that we are proud of her (the first time she asked if we were proud of her and so we say that every time now)
Helping her get totally naked so she can go
Sitting with her while she goes (the record is sitting on the bathroom floor for 28 minutes)
Singing the diaper song or a made up song called the Kelsey song over and over
and occasionally giving her marshmallows after she goes.

Like I said though, all these things are just small prices to pay for the reward of wearing diapers. I literally would do anything to get her out of diapers so I'm totally fine with sitting on the bathroom floor.

We recently had a really funny experience. While we were in Marshall's, she decided that she needed to go and it was going to be a longer trip. After about 15 minutes of just standing there holding Madison and Kelsey's dress I decided to go stand out side the stall (which she thought was SO cool) I thought I had tethered her dress so that it wouldn't get in the way, but I soon learned that I had done a terrible job when I heard Kelsey mutter "Oh no." I went in the stall and found her dress sitting in the toilet. Luckily we were done shopping, so I tried to jimmy rig a blanket around Kelsey so that we could walk out of the store. I wasn't too successful and ultimately Kelsey was sitting in the cart in her underwear. She literally thought it was the coolest experience of her life. Oh to have the confidence of toddlers!! 

Kelsey we are so proud of you and love you! What a big girl you are and what a big accomplishment. I know this is the first of many to come!

These are the things we let her pick out just to make sure she knew how proud of her we were. She didn't need them, but we wanted to make sure we understand how serious we were about this.

Utah

Thanks to Aunt Kay and her buddy passes, we were all able to take a trip to Utah over the weekend. It was fast and furious but my was it fun!

Getting on the plane both times was a bit crazy but we managed. I had two suitcases, two car seats, two kids, two backpacks, and a stroller. We looked ridiculous. Getting on the plane in Phoenix, Kelsey cried the whole way to the ticket counter as I  dragged, literally dragged, everything.  Madison completely covered in stuff and I needed about 4 more hands but we made it. I dont know how but we did.
Salt Lake was a little better because we had Aunt Kays helped but it was still a bit crazy.  I may or may not have, but most certainty did run into the automatic doors and knocked it off the track. Like the door stopped working all together. The glares from the 80 year old women who watched me do it kind of made the whole thing complete. And don't worry, I only dropped everything in the middle of the road twice. No one honked very loud.

And can I just say the girls were incredible on the plane. On the way home our DVD player died before take off and I had packed all of Kelsey's toys thinking that she would just watch a movie. I was freaking out but she did awesome. She colored in SkyMall, looked out the window, talked to the people around us (her ears didn't pop so she actually YELLED at them. It was hilarious) , and of course ate lots of snacks. It felt like all those years (okay 3) of making her just sit and wait paid off. I have always tried really hard to not use my phone as a source of entertainment. Clearly there is a time and a place, but in my house, that time and place is not every time you go to the store.  Kelsey has learned in a small way to entertain herself. Even at church, we are down to a fruit snack, scriptures, and a notebook with a pen. Lets be honest thought, Kelsey deserves all the credit. She is so awesome. And for the sake of being honest lets give a shout out to everyone around us who just smiled at my girls, talked them, picked up lose toys, and just tolerated Kelsey kicking their chair (I really was trying). Also a small shout out to the apple core that entertained Madison from Salt Lake to Phoenix.

Most of Utah was spent visiting the Wings, but we did get to see the Nelson side for a brief time at the Cougar Run. It sort of has randomly turned into a tradition.

Hailey and Whitley both won their races and did so super fast. I couldn't have stayed with Hailey if I wanted to. 

Ethan and I have not been as diligent with our running and the altitude made it much harder than its been in the past, but I still slipped in a third place with a 22:30. Not my best, but I don't think I can really complain when I only run like once a week. I would love to get back in shape though. This race killed me! 

We were really sad to miss the Snelsons this year, but it was so fun to see everyone else.

 

And then there was Kelsey's race. 

Lets get a little back story shall we. 

Ethan and I left Bountiful an hour and a half before the race started. We kept seeing signs on the freeway reading " Major Delays. Take Alt Route." We thought they were left from the night before or something because it was only 7:15 in the morning. There is no way those signs could be for us. 

Wrong! They were for us. We got to Scheels and traffic completely stopped. It was terrible. Apparently they are doing construction at the point of the mountain. Luckily Shara texted us so we were able to get off the freeway and go around the bad spots at IKEA, but by this point we were already 45 minutes behind schedule. 

Ethan pulled up to the track at 8:43, I grabbed Kelsey, and we sprinted across the field to the starting line. She didn't have time to say hi to friends, she didn't' have time to run around, and she didn't have time to put on her shirt. Plus she was seeing Norah and Ralphie for the first time in like 6 months so she got shy. Poor girl. As soon as they shot the gun, she started crying.  Under different circumstances, I know she would have had fun because every day since the race she plays "race" and runs around our kitchen and then gives herself a medal. Excuse me an amulet :) 

Regardless, we had a lot of fun and there was much laughter after her race.

You can tell how nervous she is in this picture. Not as nervous as the girl next to her, 772, true, but nervous all the same.

The Johnsons were at the race.  I miss this family.

Thanks for all the photos Ethan

Some people were much happier with their performances than others

I know right?!

Before we headed back to Bountiful we had a picnic with the Nellys up the Caynon. When I told Kelsey we were going to a park she goes " A park?! Its not too hot!!!"  Cute girl all messed up on her seasons. Utah did not disappoint with beautiful fall weather. I miss fall.

Dear Madison, you were asleep. Sorry we didn't wake you. Hopefully someday when you have children you will understand

The rest of the weekend was dedicated to baby Hayes and Wing family fun. Best weekend we have had in a long time.

I think I saw Kelsey once all weekend. Between Hannah and Emily and Holden and Harper and everyone else, Kelsey was occupied non stop for three straight days.

Okay Ill say it. My babies are so cute!

 

These girls were inseparable. It was adorable. 

 

 

The day that we left Kelsey came into the room while I was packing:

Mom, what are you doing?

Its time to go home Kels. I'm packing our suitcases.

Oh mom. Please let me stay with Harper

   (The kicker was that she said this through genuine tears. It tore my heart plain out)

Just a little bit of Rock Band and "I am a Tiger." (Eye of the tiger but who cares about lyrics right?)

We tried to get a good cousin picture and this is the best that we got

And then the other 75 looked something like this...

This was a little better. A little :)

Our attempts at family pictures. This is great except Ethan's halo

On Sunday we celebrated the October birthdays and no Wing party is complete without the Candy Bar game. I feel like I got Holden back for last year so all is right in the world. Does it matter that he is 6. No it does not.

Could you be cuter?! I think I love this picture because she is in the middle of climbing and exploring. She is so adventurous and just so happy. I hope to be like Kelsey someday when I grow up.

It was sad to leave, but Ethan had already left (on the 4 am flight) so it was exciting to see the lights of Phoenix and know that he was on the other end.

 

We were quite the show...