Days of Thanksgiving Day #14

I am grateful for cute little voices!

Andrew loves the Very Hungry Caterpillar. Emma has some great things come out her mouth but I love listening to my little boys' voices. And here's another video with Weston's cute voice at the end (and in the background) and for anyone that hasn't spent time with Dr. Emma you can hear what she sounds like and how she thinks. She has a unique voice and an imagination.


Jamie is grateful for Gospel Essentials class
Emma is grateful for pretty dresses
Weston is grateful for tickles
Andrew is grateful for Jesus

Worth it

Emma was asking me the other day how babies get out. In the most gentle way I could, I explained that mommies have to push the babies out of their bums (because that's our word for the back and the front hole). Her face was a mixture of horror, amazement, and disgust (and yes, all these reactions are appropriate for any age). She then asked me if it hurt. "yeah, it hurts a lot," I told her honestly (especially without an epidural but I think she's learned enough for one day). But then I decided to take the opportunity to let her know how special she is so I told her, "it hurts a lot and it's a lot of work but you know what...it's worth it! Because now I have you and Weston and Andrew! And all the pain, I was glad to take so you could be in our family."

Andrew was by far, my most traumatic labor ( I had a seizure during labor) but that only made the sight of that healthy baby boy all the more emotional for me and oh how I was grateful he was here and he was well. And I was glad that all the pain and difficulty was mine alone and not his. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and love (even more so than my first whose labor was relatively easy). It gives me a small understanding of how our Savior can love us so much, because he suffered so much on our behalf.

Then the other night I was kneeling and noticed some spider veins in my leg. They've been their since I was pregnant with Andrew as well as some other choice marks on my stomach. Physically this child has taken his toll on me in many ways and the effects are longer lasting than expected. But I rarely think about these marks and count them as proof of my love for these little ones. Because physically the affects of motherhood aren't pretty but emotionally, spiritually you will never know love and understand your Heavenly Father and Savior like you will when you have children. Sacrifice is giving up something good for something better and I have found that something better. So, yes my dear Emma, it will hurt but it is worth it!

Prince Training

Emma's putting Andrew through the prince training program.

Days of Thanks- Day 5

Today I am thankful for:

The Library

Your kids get a new collection of books every week or two, plus stories on tape, and movies for free! What's not to love about that? Okay, some of the books at our library are really old and worn but beggars can't be choosers right? I also like getting movies for Jamie and I at the library. Free date night! Okay, so I'm starting to show how cheap I am, but you can take your chances on a movie and not have to feel like you wasted your money. They even have exercise and informational movies that I've enjoyed, like when I got "Sweatin' to the Oldies" just for kicks and last week I got "The Mormons" special shown on PBS. And we've caught up on some movies we missed.

And of course there's storytime which is the reason for our visit today. The lady that does our storytime goes all out with scenery, costumes, props, the works! She always has a creative craft at the end and a handout with the songs and books listed. That's Ms. Sheila in her owl costume up in the "tree." It's a packed house but fun!

Andrew never sits for storytime he just goes around to visit everyone sitting on the floor. He rubs people's backs and stares at little girls, then he runs out the door with the first person to leave (since mean momma won't let him eat the crayons or gluestick). He never even stops to check where I'm at, he's just content with strangers. Gotta keep an eye on that one! I find it pretty sweet though.

Our Third Child

A long time ago my sister-in-law tagged me to do a post on Andrew. Like I don't put up enough pics and gush enough over this baby, but I guess he's the baby that hasn't grown up around the family. I decided since Shayla delivered a new cousin for Andrew, lil' Seth ought to get to know his soon to be best friend. So, here's getting to know that Georgia baby!

Name and meaning: Andrew Knight Steed- I had a boy in my first grade class (as the teacher) named Andrew. He was a cute kid and I guess it stuck with me. It was on my list with Weston but Jamie just never gave in, then he reread "Ender's Game" (Orson Scott Card) and suddenly it was in our top three for boy #2. Knight is a family name (through my mom's line) and church history name and we thought it would be cool with Steed. Weston was originally going to be Weston Knight Steed but at the hospital we changed our minds so it was fun to have another boy to use the name.
Age: Andrew is 13 months and nine days old. I'm still getting used to the idea that he's one now.
Nicknames: When I was pregnant I did not want him to be called Andy and thought I would just call him Drew but that really hasn't happened, maybe when he gets older. Emma sometimes thinks it's cool to call him Drew. I often call him "Baby." Jamie and the grandpas call him "Ender" because that's cool and manly-like. Others that come up are: "baby love," "sweet pea," "lil guy," "sweetie pie," "lambkins," "stinky pants," "monkeyboy," "wigglypants," and so on. We like to mix it up. We're like Raymond that way.
Favorite Activity: Playing silly games. He loves peek-a-boo type games. If I'm holding him but busy doing something else he leans in front of my face with a big grin to get a reaction or will turn my face towards him and back again to initiate a game. He loves running around with the kids giggling and squealing. He's a people person and loves to feel involved!
Favorite Food: This is a sensitive subject right now. He's too big to accept me spoon feeding him but too little and too picky to handle many finger foods. He does love oatmeal, cheese, and any handheld wheat product (crackers, waffle, toast)
Least Favorite Food: meat (texture issues)

Favorite Music: Anything with a beat he can bounce to. He loves dancing and shakes and bounces around, sometimes he uses this motion to ask for music.

Favorite Toys: Cars! He's been really into cars and will focus intensely as he drives a car around making the sound effects. He also has a thing for stuffed animals and will snuggle right into a bear or Emma's big Elmo, which is so cute!

Favorite Book: He likes to look at and turn pages on books (and rip) but he doesn't seem to have a preference yet in titles or types even.

Favorite Item of Clothing: Andrew hates getting dressed so maybe pajamas with zippers because it speeds up the process (I know mom loves them). Although, today he tried on Weston's reindeer slippers that we pulled out and was amused by the fluffy reindeer.

What Makes Him Happy: People! He loves people smiling at him and playing with him. He likes playing with the kids. He likes going to story time when even the adults sit on the floor and he can go around and meet people. He'll just go up and chat with some dad or lean on some lady sitting on the floor.

What Makes Him Sad: The kids picking on him or closing the door so he can't play with them (he hates being left out of potty time), Mommy cooking dinner instead of holding and playing with him, and ouchy bottoms.

The Boys are Back in Town

Okay, after my sob story a couple posts ago about losing my camera, I figured I better do an update. Our camera's back in business! Jamie fiddled with some settings and threw it and suddenly it started working again. Go figure! I admit, I was secretly a little excited at the excuse to consider splurging on a better camera (Christmas and anniversary are coming-I was justifying treating ourselves) but I'm glad to see we can continue in our frugal ways and can hold out on that camera! So, pay your tithing right?! Well, the next day Andrew threw our phone in the toilet and neither cordless is working well anymore. hmmm. He's getting in that fun exploration stage. We find toys in the toilet, bottles in the trash can and he eats trash from the garbage and acorns in the yard. When it's not the phone it is actually pretty cute to watch his curiousity. Anyway, to celebrate the revival of our camera I thought I'd post some random cuteness of my boys from the last week! Sorry nothing good from Em this week. Now, you can see why our camera's having issues. Filling our 1GB card with pics and videos in a regular week, our poor camera just can't keep up with me :-)

Silly naked boy with cute hair

(prior to his first real hair slaughtering..er..."haircut")

Awww, okay cutie you go ahead and throw your toy in the toilet.

Weston sometimes sleeps with his eyes open. Freaky huh?! It was weird when he was a baby and I wasn't sure if he was really asleep or not. My brother does this too.

Perfect weather here right now and we're loving our backyard! Andrew's enjoying all the goodies that fall from the trees.

Andrew's trying to get used to wearing shoes and walking on the uneven ground outside. Emma's setting up the tee for teeball in the back, the kids love that thing!

"OOOO", Weston does this weird wide-eyed face a lot that's hard to read the meaning of but I think it basically means he's about to do something psycho that usually ends up in a head injury!

Andrew's big boy hair and shirt. I think this face basically says, "oh no, Weston has that look again." :)

Andrew discovered this little fort during Conference today and was so delighted with himself! He sat in the corner of the box looking pleased with his find and then got up to squeal out his pleasure! he gets so happy and excited when he has the family audience. Such a cute thing! Did I mention I find him adoreable!?

Tribute to Andrew

Today's Andrew's first birthday, so here's a picture tribute to a sweet baby's first year! I'm so glad Andrew got to go to Las Vegas so our family could get to know our happy little boy! He's a wonderful baby and an absolute joy to have in our home! Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

Mom's part of the family too

It's bothered me lately that we have only a couple of pictures of me since our wedding (nearly seven years ago). I take lots of pictures of the kids but there is little photographic evidence that they have a mother in their life. Not that I'm good in front of a camera but I still want to have my kids look back and see what I looked like and know I was involved. Anyway, with this thought I pulled out the camera and attempted to take a pic of me with my boys (Emma was at a friend's). I first tried a pic with Andrew but got smacked in the eye just as the flash went off. Not very flattering.

Weston climbed up on the rocking chair with us so I got the three of us. The boys aren't looking perky, but at least they will know now that mom was around and smiled sometimes :)

Then Weston wanted to rock and feed the baby. He can be so sweet and gentle! What a good brother (when he's not pushing or bossing baby)!

Emmatation is the Highest Form of Flattery

Weston and Andrew just want to do whatever Emma's doing. Especially Weston, who's always trying to copy her actions and words. It's cute to see how they look up to her! Now that Weston talks a lot it's funny to see how he's picked up some of Emma's mannerisms. He was bossing Andrew today, telling him that the cans were not a toy and that he needed to be careful (so Emma). Wish I had a video of Weston's Emmatations, but here's Andrew trying to read with Emma. He's big on pointing now and you can hear him saying, "that, that, that." Watch his face. Okay, this is probably not entertaining to you, but something about him acting like a big kid just makes me smile and giggle.

Andrew Loves the Pool

Sorry there's so many pics, but I just love taking and looking at pictures of my kids and I'm sure everyone else does too :). We got this little kiddie pool when my brother came to visit and the cousins enjoyed it but today was the first time Andrew went "swimming" (the water's like 4 in deep-does that still count?). He loved playing in the water with the big kids!

Do you think he liked it?

He didn't even mind getting squirted by guns and splashed. He participated in some splashing himself. Oh what fun it is to be 8 months!

And then he discovered something wonderful and forgot all about the water.

He had to play in it! But mommy sent him back to the pool.

Maybe mommy won't notice if I go out this side instead. Oh wait there she is with the camera again. Drats!

So he pulled some to play with in the pool instead. I love the consecration and discovery on his lil' face! He's the only child I haven't encouraged to study nature here, because he discovers everything with that sweet mouth of his. But he was glad to have his grass collection.

He was glad to sit with mommy and just watch for awhile (which he never does). Not a great shot of me, but I just wanted to show there is a person behind this camera and posts

Enough already! Can't I even go out in a swimsuit without you snapping shots of me! Sheesh, give a guy some privacy

Swingsets Steed Style

My mom got us a swingset when she visited and my brother assembled most of it and Jamie finished it (those things take a lot of time and frustration to assemble). But it was worth the effort because the kids have enjoyed it. My kids have never had a backyard before so they weren't sure what to do with themselves when we first moved here and I pushed them out the back door. But they know what to do with a swingset and do things their way.

This is the way the Andrew swings. Yeah, for baby swings (we had to buy this piece seperately).

This is the way the Emmy swings. She's learning how to pump her legs. Her lazy mom appreciates her independence.

This is the way the Emma cheeses (is that a word?)

This is the way the Weston swings. Also independent but lacking skill :)

This is the way the Weston cheeses. This is the first time he's done "cheese."

This is the way Weston plays with the twirly. He doesn't like sitting on it just pushing it and he won't let Emma sit down and help.

This is the way the Emma slides. It's even more fun with the pool at the bottom.

Thanks for the swingset Nana, we miss you!

Andrew- Baby on the go

Here's an update on Baby Andrew because he's growing up so fast (he's 8 months and I already can't keep up with him) and I need an excuse to post some cute pics of him :)
Most these pics were taken yesterday before his bath when his hair was greasy and he had food smashed on his face, but I still think he's cute!


Andrew sits up by himself and crawls everywhere (army style). He also is climbing stuff, which is much too early for me. He's a very active baby and the squirmiest I've seen!

So now he's into everything. He loves pulling out all the diapers.

With Andrew on the move, Weston is even more paranoid that the baby's after his stuff...and he's usually right.

But he's a happy baby!
He likes people now (besides mom). He realized Daddy's great and he loved Jesse when he visited (he can tell the guy has experience with boys).
He's a sweet baby and lots of fun!

My Little Jamies

I was looking through some old Steed pictures and found some familiar faces. This is another reason to marry a man you like to look at, because you might find yourself surrounded by his clones.

The last of the 3 pics here is Jamie the other two are his clone Weston.

Sorry, I spent a lot of time trying to line these in a row but finally gave up

On the top is Andrew's Grandpa Steed, the middle is Andrew, and Andrew's dad on the right

Here's Baby Emma. It's weird to look back at her pictures now because to me it looks like Andrew with a dress and a bow