The Crosby Crew

Head Under Water

2012-01-17T22:58:00.000-06:00

Wow. With all of these new changes in our lives, it's hard not to feel overwhelmed. Chris' new job, my new job in child care, new schedules, new responsibilities in my church calling (Nixa Ward Relief Society 2nd Counselor). Add all of that with my old (yet continuing) responsibilities at home, and I have a guarantee to stay busy for a little while. I feel as though I have so much on my plate, and if I lose my grip for even a second, it may all come crashing down. But, as I strive to accomplish my long "To Do" list, I am reminded that if I keep things in proper priority with the right perspective, the Lord will help me. Today, I sang my favorite hymn, "Be Still My Soul."

Be still, my soul
The Lord is on thy side
With patience bear
Thy cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In every change
He faithful will remain
Be still, my soul
Thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end

As I sang this song, it brought me peace and comfort. I love a good, uplifting song that helps me see things as they really are and smile.

On a different note, yesterday was a No School day, so Micah stayed home with us. He played with Paige a lot, and that gave me more time to play with Devon. We read several books. (Both of my daughters love to read.) We rolled a ball back and forth. We built towers with blocks. We played with a few puzzles. Just the two of us, we had a lot of fun together.

"Um, hello. I'm busy with a puzzle here."

How can you look at that face and not smile?

During our Family Home Evening activity, Paige was using markers to color on some construction paper. As I was getting Micah into his bath, Paige had the unfortunate opportunity to do this.

"Aw, Mom, you didn't even let me paint my nails."

"But, I'm still so darn cute."

It's a good thing those markers were washable. My two precious daughters. What a joy they are! Life as a mom is quite the adventure!

Life Happens Fast

2012-01-13T00:03:00.000-06:00

I know that events in our lives can come and go quickly. In this case, the event I am talking about is Chris finding a job. Yes! Only out of work for two days, and then he's back to it! He will start working for State Farm Insurance tomorrow. We are very excited that he was able to find work so quickly. What an extraordinary blessing this is!

This doesn't mean that life will be easy. We will need to work very hard to make ends meet. But, opportunities and possibilities are out there to help us get by. We will make it. The Lord has blessed us in several ways so far. I know He will provide.

On a different note, this week I have been sick with a strep throat. The prescription I received has helped out a ton, and I think I am ready to run tomorrow. On Saturday, I will be running 18 miles with a friend. I'm excited and a little nervous, because I missed a few runs this week from being sick. So, I hope to end strong. Must keep training and working hard! The marathon is going to be here before I know it! I'm so excited for Chris and I to run this together. Running has been a great thing for us to share.

Uncertain Times

2012-01-11T23:04:00.001-06:00

At one point or another in our lives, we are uncertain of what lies ahead. The Crosby family is uncertain of what will be happening for them. Our family is possibly facing many changes. Chris lost his job today, the job we were hoping would be his way to better provide for our family. Don't misunderstand; he has always worked very hard to make sure the family has the necessities. This new job was a way for him to possibly make much more money without the horrible work environment of his previous job. So, now what happens? We don't know.

We have had a few people already tell us of job possibilities. This gives us hope that Chris will find something and start working soon. The Lord has blessed us in other ways as well. This Saturday, I am going to meet with a woman who needs child care a few hours a day, a few days a week. If all goes well, I will be working again and able to help pay the bills! Exciting news!

I am a little excited (and anxious) to see where we will be in a few days, a few weeks, and a few months from now. I am very confident in Chris' talents and abilities, though. I also believe that with trials come opportunities to learn and grow. I have a feeling that all will be well. Please keep our family in your prayers!

You wouldn't know she was a preemie by looking at her.

2011-10-11T15:26:00.000-05:00

Devon had her 18-month check-up last Friday. It went well; the doctor said she looks healthy. Here are her stats:

Length: 31 1/2 in.
Weight: 24 lbs.

I asked the doc if there's a certain point where she has fallen too much. He chuckled and said, "Well, children at this age do that a lot." Yes, true, but Devon falls a lot... and more. She is more of a monkey than Micah was at her age. She tries climbing everything! All of that falling doesn't seem to have affected her mental development, though. I can tell that she understands quite a bit, even though she doesn't talk much right now. I have had several comments on how much my two girls look alike. I guess I never really noticed it before, but they do look quite similar. My two beautiful princesses.

Fun Times With the Family

2011-09-17T23:06:00.002-05:00

Lately, I have felt as though my life has been getter better and better. At the center of my existence is my family whom I love so much. We are learning and growing together, and that's what it's all about.

Micah is doing well in Kindergarten. I can see his progress, and there are a few things we are working on at home such as learning his lowercase letters, writing his name, and memorizing his address and phone number. He loves using his scissors to make projects; he even got an award for his cutting skills. (Yeah, that's right, my son has skillz.) He is making new friends. When we went to a Family Fun Night at his school last Thursday, there were a couple of kids who went up to Micah to say "hi". Micah tells me stories of playing with his classmates during recess. And, he went to a birthday party today! He played so much that he missed the food and face painting. Luckily, he got to take home some cake.

Paige is learning like crazy right now! I have more time to dedicate to her now that Micah is in school. She really knows her alphabet, upper and lowercase letters. Chris told me that while I was picking up Micah from the birthday party today, she cuddled with Chris and told him all of the objects in this butterfly toy with wings that flip like pages of a book. She told him all of the shapes at the end, and she even spelled triangle! Chris was impressed when she corrected herself after saying a letter wrong. Wow! That is impressive. And, Paige runs now. Yes, I said that right. Paige (until now) would not run to get somewhere. If we were racing in the backyard, she would just walk. It was like she was saying, "Nah. If I run, I'll be going too fast." She is definitely a unique child. The new commercial for Dr. Pepper says you can only describe Dr. Pepper as tasting like Dr. Pepper. How would I describe Paige? Paige is like Paige. There is just no one else like her.

Devon is such a little monkey! I put an exclamation at the end, because I think she is even more active than Micah was at her age. Maybe I should put more. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There. I hope that tells you how active and all over the place she is. Devon is constantly getting up on chairs, couches, and tables where if she fell off, it would not be good. So, I'm now on the Devon lookout, not getting much done unless she is asleep or in her bouncy toy. I limit how much time she spends in that, though, because I want her so run around and play. That means I have to make sacrifices to make sure she is safe. That's ok. Who really wants to do the dishes anyway? Devon is also learning words and trying to talk more. Her smile is so contagious, too.

If you follow Chris' weight loss blog, Heavy Steps, you know how well he is doing. He has come such a long way in such a short amount of time. He has lost almost 90 lbs.! Running is becoming an addiction. He is training 4-5 days a week for a half marathon in November and is constantly improving. Today, he ran the ADA Stop Diabetes 5k and finished it in 32:59! That's at about a 10 min per mile pace! That's a huge improvement from his first 5k time, 43:50. The healthier lifestyle he is implementing in our home has definitely been and will be a positive influence for our family. We eat healthier meals, do more activities together, and have more fun! Chris is my best friend, and I will love him forever.

As for me, same ol' same ol', lol. No, that's not true. I am also training for the same half marathon in November. I unexpectedly registered for another half last Labor Day. The weather was gorgeous, sunny and cool. The course had some incline but wasn't really hilly. It was located on a trail surrounded by trees and was both paved and dirt. I have to say that I liked running on the dirt trail a little better than the paved area. It seemed a little softer, like I was on a cloud. Physically, I was feeling a little high, floating around. I love it when the adrenaline kicks in, and I get the "runner's high." I felt great and smiled big as a sprinted fast the last leg of the race. I finished in 1:46:16 and got first in my division! It was pretty darn cool!

Before Micah started school, I decided I was going to become involved in his school activities and parent organizations. I wanted Micah to see my desire to help out with his education at home and at school. I also thought it would be a great way for me to get involved in the community, which is something I've been wanting to do for awhile. So, I decided to become a homeroom mom! We are already planning a carnival to raise funds for the school's teachers and needed resources. Not long after that, we will be having a Halloween party planned for the students. Another homeroom mom and I will be planning that plus a Christmas party, Valentine's party, and Teacher Appreciation Week. It sounds like a lot of work, but thankfully, I am not the only one planning for our class. It will be a lot of fun, and I am already meeting several cool moms and making new friends myself. It's a win, win!

Needless to say (but I'm going to say it anyways), life is good, and I have so much to be thankful for.

Micah's First Day of Kindergarten

2011-08-17T14:59:00.001-05:00

I woke up this morning around 6:00, thinking that there was something important going on. A few seconds later, I realized what it was. Micah's first day of school! Oh shoot, I should have woken up earlier! So, I rush to get myself ready. Before I can get to Micah's room, he walks in our room. I asked him, "Do you know what day it is?"

"It's my first day of school!"

He puts on the clothes I set out on his bed last night while Paige and Devon wake up for breakfast. I hurriedly make their morning meals and Chris' lunch, hoping I don't miss the bus. Micah comes out of his room dressed handsomely, and here's the proof.

Micah eats his oatmeal and gets his school stuff, his backpack and lunch box.

We walk out the door after breakfast, around 7:30. I'm hoping we didn't miss the bus, and after 15 minutes, I'm wondering if it will come up our street at all. The transportation director told me it would come up here, right? I'm kind of stressing, thinking of a plan if the bus doesn't come. But, silly me, I stressed over nothing. The bus showed up around 7:50, and Micah was eager to get on. Here's a picture of his backpack boarding the bus. (I almost forgot to take a picture at all. I guess this is better than nothing.)

I introduced myself to the bus driver and stepped back as she closed the door. I can't say I didn't get emotional as I waved to Micah, heading off to school. But, I'm so excited for him! Although he has a teacher and is at school most of the day, my job to teach him is not over. I still have a responsibility to see that he learns what he should to progress and (eventually) leave our home to be on his own and raise his own family. I know, that point in his life is a long time away. But today, I reflected on how much ALL of my children need me to nurture them. It was a fresh start for both Micah and me.

My Oh My, How They Grow... And Scream

2011-07-22T23:08:00.000-05:00

Both Paige and Micah had check-ups at the doctor's office recently. Paige is 3 feet tall and weighs 27 lbs, tall and skinny. Only one shot, and she actually handled it pretty well. Micah, on the other hand, was a different story.

I decided to be truthful from the start, when he asked me if he was getting shots that day. From that point on, Micah was very concerned about it. He would ask over and over again, "Am I getting shots today?" After the doctor took his measurements and so on, Micah anticipated that the shots would come next. For about 15 minutes, he screamed, "I WANT TO GO HOME! I WANT TO GO HOME!" (My apologies to the doctors and nurses who had to hear that.) I tried to calm him down, but the only way to do that was to go home. He needed those shots for his health and in order to attend school. A male nurse came in and held Micah down while another nurse gave him his immunizations, FOUR of them. Both were very nice, telling Micah how brave he was. After all was done, they even gave him a couple of certificates to Taco Bell and Incredible Pizza. So, after that, he decided that the next time he got shots, he would be extra brave. :) I'm just glad he won't need them again until he is 12.

Paige's 3rd Birthday

2011-07-20T22:01:00.000-05:00

On June 26th, Chris and I had family over at our house for Paige's birthday celebration. It was fun to host dinner that Sunday. Paige wanted brinner (breakfast for dinner) for our evening meal. We served pancakes, eggs, and bacon. And then, she opened her gifts. She received books, a puzzle, and clothes that she needed. Of course, there was dessert (even after our really sweet dinner): Mickey Mouse cake and ice cream.

Micah, Me, Paige, Aunt Sarah, and Uncle Joe

PAPA! (He's her favorite.)

Paige loves to read. It's a good thing she got more books!

Madi, the fun and very active cousin

Grandma and Devon

Devon loves cake... to be on the wall as well as in her mouth.

Aunt Jeni, Madi, Grandma, and Devon watching Paige open her presents.

I'm sure Paige enjoyed spending time and playing with her family. We always have great times together.

Feelin' SO Good

2011-06-22T22:22:00.000-05:00

The cameras flashing reminded me of glitter shimmering in the sunlight. The screaming threatened my ears... and my own throat. I didn't think that these moments would happen. I didn't think that I would be able to listen to his voice live and in person. But, it happened, and I was there. I watched Michael Buble perform at the JQH Arena in Springfield. What an amazing experience!

Yesterday, my mom-in-law and dad-in-law (with a couple of their friends) went with me to the concert. I had been waiting for this day since we bought the tickets a couple of months ago. I felt like a giddy teenager as I walked through the arena doors.

The warm-up act was a group called Naturally 7. They are an acapella group, and they performed amazingly. Each person was able to imitate an instrument like drums, harmonica, scratching records, and the bass.

Around 9 pm, one of my favorite songs, Cry Me A River, started playing. And every song after that was so enjoyable. The live band was superb! Michael Buble is such a great entertainer. He not only has an awesome voice; he is also really funny! Everyone in the crowd was eating out of the palm of his hand.

When he went through the crowd, there were several of his security men (in the orange shirts) there to protect him.

It was a dream come true. If he comes in town again, I will definitely be trying to attend another of his concerts.

It's Hard to Hold On to Her

2011-06-22T21:28:00.000-05:00

Devon has really brought out more of her personality lately. She has a dramatic temper, and it's hard to hold her, because she is so squirmy. Devon loves to climb. A few days ago, she used a step stool to climb up onto the couch. Then, she went from the couch to the fish tank stand. What a monkey! She copies her sister quite a bit; she does the same hysterical laugh Paige does. Now that she's seen how to clean up from her siblings, she has started doing that more on her own. She can pick up her spoon from the tray and feed herself. Devon is also so close to walking; she will walk with me a few steps only holding one hand. Just in this last month, I've seen her grow so much.

Last Friday, she had her 15-month doctor's appointment. Here is how she measured out:

Length: 30 in.
Weight: 20.6 lbs.
Head Circumference: 18 in.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Devon grow. She sometimes reminds me of Micah. For example, today she was walking around the house as she was pushing the laundry basket. I remember when Micah did that in our little apartment in Idaho. Lots of fun memories!

Learning In The Classroom

2011-06-08T21:47:00.000-05:00

Well, summer is here, and for Micah that means school. He is attending a Pre-K Summer School, and three days into it, he has had a lot of fun. He still doesn't know his teacher's name, and he's not sure if he has made any new friends. But, he is still really enjoying it, and I have to say that I'm enjoying it as well. The house is so much more quiet in the mornings. :)

On the first day, Micah got a time out. His teacher gave him several warnings not to run away from the class when they are in the hall. Well, he obviously didn't listen, so it should be no surprise that he was crying about it when I picked him up. When I saw him crying, I thought, Oh no, Micah doesn't like school! Thankfully, he likes school, just not time out. It's kind of funny what he did, because he also liked to run away from his Primary teachers as well. They were able to bribe him with candy to help him be reverent. Man, oh man. His behavior is something else. I blame Chris. His mom has some similar stories she has shared with me.

On a positive note, Micah tells me of the times he plays in the playground, colors and cuts out pictures, and listens to stories read by a teacher. He gets to eat his lunch in the cafeteria with his classmates. Overall, he is adjusting really well. I'm so happy for him! Below are pictures of Micah showing off a frog he colored and cut himself!

Since I'm down one child during his school hours, I'm trying to take the opportunity to focus more on potty training Paige. I didn't realize how hard training a middle child could be with two others needing my attention at home. Especially since Paige hardly wants anything to do with the potty right now anyways. My goal is to have her using the potty consistently by the end of the year, before she will graduate to the Sunbeams class in Primary at church. Wow. I'll have two Primary children next year. Devon will be able to go to the Nursery class in just a few months. That's just crazy.

Cox Medical Mile

2011-06-04T14:25:00.000-05:00

All of us woke up at 5:30 this morning... No doubt an unusual thing that happens here. But, we woke up excited to participate in this year's Cox Medical Mile. Micah trained for this race, and he was really looking forward it. We started out strong, and Micah kept a good pace with us. He jogged the whole way! He finished the race in 13:29!

Chris and I ran the 5K afterwards. Mentally, it was a tough race for me. I really had to tell myself to keep going. But, I ran the whole way and finished it in 25:20, a personal best. Chris finished it in 40:41, doing a one minute run/walk. We had a ton of fun! It was so cool doing this together. We didn't get any pictures at the race, but here we are post-race.

Bored in Bed and Other Kid Stuff

2011-06-01T22:55:00.001-05:00

"Mom! There are diapers in Devon's crib!"

"What?!"

I jogged down the hall and through the door to find out that Paige was bored in her bed. Or, she just wanted to be a little stinker. She decided to throw all the diapers she could into Devon's crib. It wouldn't be so bad except Devon chews on them. Not exactly the teething toy I was looking for.

The kiddos are a handful, but I have discovered their imagination. Micah decided he wanted to help with vacuuming without the huge noise, so he made his own vacuum. He took one of the legs from his workbench and attached it to a separate container that usually holds bolts and screws. How creative! The funny thing is that even though he doesn't like the noise, he will make sounds while he is "vacuuming."

The children are growing up so fast. Micah is starting summer school next week, and Paige is getting pretty tall.

Micah had his last running class today. The instructors had their students run another mile, and whoever improved their time the most won brand new running shoes. Chris and I had our eyes on the prize. Micah didn't, however, and he decided that he didn't want to put a lot of effort into running today. Granted, he did feel sick and throw up earlier today. Ugh. Poor boy. He didn't improve his time, but he did finish the mile as all of his classmates cheered him on at the end. Chris and I made sure to tell him how proud we were of him for doing well in the class. After all, that's the most important thing: finishing the race. What a trooper!

Bring It!

2011-05-25T22:46:00.001-05:00

A few weeks after Chris started running this year, I decided to start the P90X program. For those who are somewhat fit, it is an excellent program to gain more strength, balance, stamina, and overall fitness. I finished the 90-day program a couple of weeks ago, and now I've started it back up again. I love it, because it gives such a variety of workouts targeted on different parts of the body. As I start the program up again, I'm doing chest and back, plyometrics, shoulders and arms, yoga (my favorite), legs and back, and kenpo in one week.

This stuff works! I feel as though I'm in the best shape of my life. But, the journey doesn't end for me. I have goals to improve my strength. There is more definition in my arms, but I would really like to be able to do more push-ups and pull-ups. It's been really cool to see improvement, though, and I'm so glad Chris decided to get in shape. If he didn't, I would still be kind of doing the same ol' routine maybe a few days a week. Chris is such an amazing leader in our family!

Life Has Many Beautiful Colors

2011-04-27T22:14:00.000-05:00

Many exciting things have happened and are going to happen for our family. Last Saturday, Chris and I ran our third 5K, the Lacy's Hope 5K! It was lots of fun for me, mainly because I ran in the rain. I enjoyed the feel of each drop splashing my running suit, drenching my skin. As I focused on moving forward, the fact that I was soaked didn't bother me. I finished it in 26:29, and it was only after I stopped and rested for awhile that I felt cold from being wet. I was hoping to make better time, but it is a personal record, and I placed third in my age group.

Chris finished this 5K in 42:57, a time he was also hoping would be better. He was going through a difficult phase to stay motivated, but he has now found a program to give him the structure and support he needs, the Jeff Galloway Program. Chris is really excited to be preparing for the Bass Pro Marathon. The American Cancer Society is involved in this marathon, and Chris will be fundraising and running on behalf of his Grandpa Crosby. I am extremely proud of his decision to get healthy, and in the process, be involved in the community. Chris and I have had an awesome time working together to be healthy.

On that note, Chris and I volunteered to work a station for the Frisco Railroad Run, passing out water and food to the runners. The biggest race in this run is 50 miles! Holy crap! I thought a marathon was crazy enough, and that's only about half the distance! Amazing what people will do.

Micah had his Kindergarten screening last Friday. He did well, scoring in the 94th percentile in motor skills, 64th in concepts, and 58 in language. The school would like to see the students be at least average, which he is. He is super excited about starting school. Chris and I are considering signing him up for summer school. For the month of June, Micah would be in class, meeting his future classmates and getting to know the school and the school rules. It sounds like a no-brainer to me, and Micah would love it.

Life for the Crosby's has many beautiful colors. We are truly blessed.

STAND Fit for 5K

2011-04-13T21:53:00.004-05:00

Last Saturday, (as I'm sure some of you may know) Chris and I ran our second 5K. It was surprising. Chris ran it in 40:53, which is about 3 minutes faster than his last race. That is not what was surprising. I knew he would improve his time.

Chris crossing the finish line.

What was unexpected was my time, 26:42. That is also 3 minutes faster than my last time. As I was running, it didn't seem as though I was going any faster. I actually thought I was going slower because of the several hills.

Me crossing the finish line. Steven (my bro-in-law) was only 2 seconds behind me.

This race was a pace race. When I registered, I had to guess what I thought my time would be. I decided to challenge myself and write down 29:00, which is about 40 seconds faster than my last time. Whoever finished in the time closest to the one he or she guessed won. Needless to say, I was quite surprised when I ran much faster than I thought I would. Even though I didn't go home with a medal or donuts (yes, they were giving out donuts as prizes), I was happy about my accomplishment that day.

The race crew (starting left): Katie, me, Steven, Paul, and Chris

I am so proud of Chris for beating his last time and finishing the race strong. He's come a long way and has accomplished a great deal. Losing 57 pounds is not easy. I want to be there for him all the way.

Chris and Paul (his running mentor and friend)

My girls and I after the race.

Blessed

2011-03-30T22:43:00.001-05:00

That is exactly what the Crosby family is. Blessed. In this year, we have seen positive changes in our lives. More are coming our way...

Last Sunday, our stake presidency announced to the Springfield wards the addition of a new ward, and we are within its boundaries! We are really excited for this change! The Church is growing! We loved 5th Ward, but now we are starting fresh in our new ward, Nixa Ward. There will be several members from our old ward with us, and it will be fun getting to know the new ones as well.

Yesterday, Chris had an interview with a company called HealthMEDX. He will use his degree with the position he applied for (Training Specialist.) He rocked the phone interview last Friday, because they called him back maybe a few hours later for a second interview (which was yesterday.) He must have really rocked that one, because they called him half an hour later for a third interview on Friday and e-mailed him some forms to fill out. We hope that this job works out for him. He would be so much happier there than where he works now.

On Friday, I am going to call the elementary school to set up an appointment for Micah's Kindergarten screening. I'm not sure what the screening entails, but Micah is looking forward to starting school. He seems ready to me. He knows his alphabet. Today, I tried to teach him simple math using blocks and the magnet numbers on our door; he did pretty well. He knows his numbers. He can spell his name with upper and lower-case letters. He knows how to cut with scissors. And he needs to find some friends. He and Paige get along well enough; they can play together. But, he needs a boy to play with often. He used to play with a boy I babysat for awhile, Enzo, but now they only see each other every couple of months. So, it would be great for him to find some new friends.

Joey and Tashio are the family's cat-dogs. They are cats, but they act somewhat like dogs. They are needy for attention. They will come to us when we call their names. Tashio will eat almost any people food we leave out. (I caught him licking tomatoes a few days ago.) It's pretty funny.

Tashio loves to sit on Chris' lap when he relaxes on the couch after work. It's their daily thing.

Tashio trying to find some fresh water. I guess his bowl isn't good enough.

Joey is one of the most beautiful and friendly cats a person can meet.

In this picture, you can see his awesome tiger stripes.

About a week ago, I fed the kids ravioli. Paige took it to the extreme and decided to smear the sauce ALL over her face (and a little in her hair.) I couldn't resist getting a picture of it. She is too cute!

Until next time... This is Jenn saying, "Good night."

I feel stronger.

2011-03-26T23:36:00.000-05:00

For the last several weeks, I have been working out using the P90X program during the week and a group strength weight training class on Saturdays. Chris says I've become buff. I do feel stronger, in the best shape of my life, but I know I could be even better. I tried to do a pull-up last week, and I could barely do it. That's one goal I've set for myself: to do a set of pull-ups. A set includes at least 10 pull-ups. It would be amazing to achieve that goal. I haven't been able to do a pull-up since maybe elementary school.

Chris continues to lose weight. He has lost 53 pounds so far! Not only has his body be changing, but his attitude about exercise has changed also. It's been a really positive experience for the whole family. Everyone is benefiting. We are planning on signing Micah up for a running class. This class will help him train to run a mile, which we will be doing June 4th, the Cox Medical Mile. Micah will get his own t-shirt and runner's bib. He is super excited!

She can't fit in the tub anymore!

2011-03-23T22:01:00.000-05:00

Devon was amazing at the doctor's office today! We waited an unusually long time to see the doctor, and she was easy to please with a book, playing pat-a-cake, or snacks. She had two shots and not one cry, not even a whimper! The physician's assistant, Christi, was very impressed.

Devon Stats
Length: 29 in.
Weight: almost 19 lbs.

I remember when she was so tiny, giving her baths in a pink foot tub (see the above picture) or dressing her in infant clothes I thought would take her forever to grow out of. Now, she has pretty much caught up developmentally with an average one-year-old. I'll always enjoy my earliest memories of my youngest child. Even while Devon was in the NICU, I have fond memories. I enjoyed reading to her, feeding her, changing her diaper, and just looking at her. She amazed me. She still amazes me now, seeing how far she has come, and yet she still has a long way to go.

I love being a mother. Although there are difficult moments with my children, I am grateful for the opportunity to nurture and love them more than I do myself. Not only are they learning many things from me, I am learning many things from them. And those difficult moments...that's exactly what they are, small moments. Those times aren't nearly as many as the joyful times I've had raising 3 beautiful children.

Pictures of The Kiddos

2011-03-16T21:55:00.000-05:00

We took some cute pictures of the kids for your viewing pleasure.

Paige

Devon

Micah

Chris and I have decided to start a garden this year. We are going to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, jalapenos, and cilantro. It will kind of be our salsa garden. Chris will be planting grass seed soon, and we are also planning on planting flowers in the front yard under Micah's window. This is exciting stuff for us. It's one way we are making our house OURS and making our home our home.

One Year Ago...

2011-03-09T21:59:00.001-06:00

My water broke, and I told Chris that we needed to go to the hospital. Our normal lives were put on hold. After the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Devon, our lives became better.

The past year has really flown by. Devon went from being a preemie to the active girl she is now. Crawling everywhere, standing up on her feet to explore, making tons of noises with a mouth filled with 7 teeth. Her brother and sister love her and help me take care of her.

Devon is turning one-year-old this Friday. We will take pictures and post them so that you can see how she has grown.

A Day of Accomplishment

2011-03-06T00:58:00.000-06:00

The weather was extremely cold. The wind was harsh. Nevertheless, Chris and I rocked the Viking 5K today! We both finished well, achieving our goals for the day. Chris finished his run in 43 min. and 50 sec. He was hoping to finish it in 45 minutes, so he did great! He has worked really, really hard to get where he is now. He started the process to become healthier when his lifestyle was almost completely sedentary. Presently, he works out 6 days a week and has lost 43 lbs! I am so proud of him!

My goal was to complete the race without walking. I wanted to run the whole thing, and I did! After Chris and I finished the race, I felt on top of the world. I had so much fun doing it, too! My run time was about 29 min. and 40 sec. I was really surprised; I think I underestimated myself. I wasn't sure if running would be something I could do well. So, imagine my surprise when I found out from a good friend, Bill, who attended the award ceremony (and who also ran with us) that I won first place in my division! He and his family came over to my in-laws' house (where our family was having breakfast) to give me my medal. I thought that was pretty darn cool. Chris told me how proud he was of me.

Below is a picture of our running crew (from left to right): Paul (a good friend and Chris' running mentor), Bill, Chris, me (Jenn), Steven (my brother-in-law), and Katie (one of Chris' co-workers).

Chris follows a blog called Ben Does Life, written by a guy who's lost at least 120 pounds himself. Ben likes to point in his pictures, so Chris thought he would do the same thing.

You might be able to see Bill, Steven, and myself in this picture.

Chris and Paul are in this one. Paul is in the bright orange shirt, and Chris is on his left.

Steven and I running the last leg of the race. What a feeling!

After coming home from the celebration at my in-laws', I played with the kids, got laundry done, cooked a good dinner, and hung out with Chris after putting the kids to bed. Then, we decided to treat ourselves to some chocolate chip cookies. Yum! It really was a treat, because we rarely make or have sweets like that anymore, not even for our children. It was an amazing day.

We're running a race!

2011-03-02T22:04:00.002-06:00

This Saturday, Chris and I will be running a 5K! Neither one of us have ever done this before. It is nerve-wracking and exciting. Chris has been training for this since the beginning of the year. I haven't had any official training, but last week, I ran 2 miles, so I'm hoping that I can go a little farther. I have been working out 5-6 days a week since Chris started the Couch to 5K program, so I won't be going into this cold either. Still, I will be definitely testing myself. I haven't run distances like this since college.

I am excited to be participating with my husband. He has worked really hard for this. I want to do what I can to support him. And, it should be amazing fun! Wish us luck!

I am grateful.

2011-02-26T22:05:00.004-06:00

For the last several weeks on Saturdays, Chris and I have worked out at the gym together. I absolutely love it. I feel good physically because of the exercise, and I have so much fun with my husband. I have really enjoyed watching his progress. Today, I ran 2 miles! I haven't done that since my freshman year in college.

We participate in a Group Strength class together. This class is not for the weary. For us, it can be extremely challenging. But, we do enjoy a challenge. We do lots of squats, lunges, bicep and tricep curls, and ab exercises. I am amazed at how Chris pushes himself to do his best. I have surprised myself on my physical abilities as well.

Although it may seem that I did nothing too special today (exercise and stay at home), I did find moments when I looked at my life and felt so much gratitude. I love my husband. I love my children. We have all that we need. Most importantly, we have the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have found so much truth in it, and with that knowledge I have also found peace and happiness.

Will this last forever?

2011-02-23T21:18:00.005-06:00

Micah has developed a sense of defiance. He has a hard time obeying me. This morning, I gave him a choice to either sit in the living room or play in his room while I finished some things before waking up the girls. His response was, "I don't care!" So, I decided for him. He wasn't happy.

Later today, he had another hard time doing as I asked. I sent him to his room. He wasn't happy. I came back a few minutes later and asked him why he was sent to his room. He knew why, but then he proceeded to say, "I don't care about listening to you." I wasn't happy. I have learned the importance of listening to Micah, even if he suggests something I may not agree with. It could mean avoiding a bad argument completely.

Paige screams when she's upset. She loves to express herself loudly. It drives Micah nuts, so he yells at her for yelling. So, I'm trying to teach him to help her feel better instead of making the noise louder. And, of course, teaching Paige to not scream will come with time.

I hate to say this for risk of announcing a favorite child, but Devon is absolutely adorable! She is crawling everywhere, so the only thing I get frustrated with is her constantly trying to get into the cat food. But, oh my goodness, she is so cute! She has the most adorable giggles and sounds. While Micah's defiance and Paige's screams won't last forever, I'm hoping Devon's cuteness will last awhile.

Chris has made some great progress in his weight loss journey. He is freaking amazing!!! Check out his blog to find out where he is in running and on the scale. http://heavysteps5k.blogspot.com

Look at her go!

2011-01-27T21:05:00.003-06:00

Devon is crawling now, and the house is her playground, maze, and jungle gym. She loves to sneak into the cat food. I have to make sure the floor is clean, or she might eat whatever is on it. Micah received a Thomas the Tank Engine for Christmas that runs by itself. He figured out that if he turns it on and puts it in front of Devon, she will chase after it. Just today, Devon used our gaming chair to hold herself up on her feet. It won't be much longer before she is walking with us.

Chris has made some more progress toward his weight loss goal. He has lost a total of 24 lbs. so far in almost 4 weeks! He started at 330 and is hoping to be at or below 300 by the end of the month. He still has a few more days to go, so we will see where he will be by then. Thanks for your encouragement and support!

Unexpected And Exciting Changes

2011-01-19T22:31:00.004-06:00

My husband decided awhile ago to become a healthier man. Last December, he became excited about running and told everyone about his plans to work out and lose 100 lbs. by the end of the next year. He started a Couch to 5K program the first week of this month. The program trains an aspiring runner from the couch to running a 5K in 9 weeks. On the days he doesn't run, he still goes to the gym to do some weight training. He even spoke with a nutritionist about an appropriate diet for him. To be more accountable, Chris made a blog describing his weight-loss journey. There are many people watching his progress and cheering him on.

Both Chris and I have needed to adjust our lives in order for him to stay on track. Now, we both get up at 5:00 a.m. That time of day is not the most desirable time for me (or him) to wake up. We motivate each other to do so. For the first week, Chris went running in our neighborhood while I did some exercises in the house. When he got back, we would stretch together. Since the weather has become colder since then, he has been going to the gym, and I still stay at home to work out. It feels great to get my work-outs done in the morning. I used to do them at night, but now I have more opportunity to relax and do the things I'd rather do instead.

Chris' new diet has helped us analyze what changes we need to make to eat healthier as a family. Good-for-you meals and smaller portions are key, but Chris has even told me how he hopes this new meal plan will help us teach the kids proper eating habits. I have also discovered a huge weakness of mine: sweets. I need to discipline myself and eat cookies and cakes as a "sometimes" food. "Instead of desserts, let's encourage more fruits for after-meal treats," Chris has said. I'm really excited about how this lifestyle change will positively influence the children. They will see their dad and mom work hard to stay healthy.

This experience has also helped Chris see how some of his former habits were having a negative effect on the family. He has decided to stop playing World of Warcraft, seeing how it took up too much of his time and how obsessed he became of it. Now, he spends more time with us, and I am loving it!

His decision to change his life has helped me change mine...for the better. The experience so far has taught me that there is always room for improvement. I'm developing habits I didn't know I needed. My husband has such strength and courage to change his life. I love him very much.

Devon is 9 months-old!

2010-12-18T22:30:00.003-06:00

It's almost hard to believe that we have had her in our family for that long. She is growing like a champ and learning many new things.

I may have mentioned this before, but Devon is cutting 4 teeth at once right now. She certainly doesn't act like it, though. She's only really cranky when she wants food, and even then she doesn't cry. She just makes loud noises, really loud noises.

Devon is rolling and rolling everywhere! It has worked pretty well for her to get to where she wants to go. She hasn't mastered sitting up on her own yet, but she is improving. Devon can get up on all fours, so Chris and I think she may be crawling soon.

She had a doctor's appointment last Wednesday. Here are her stats:

Weight: 15 lbs. 15 oz.
Length: 28.25 in.
Head Circumference: 17 in.

She is a long and skinny girl. The doc wants me to take her to the laboratory to get her checked for anemia (she was once anemic) and possible jaundice. He said her skin color looks a little "squash-y" like if she'd loved to eat lots of carrots or squash. She does eat carrots but not that much! Other than that, she looks healthy and strong.

Thanksgiving & Such

2010-12-02T22:02:00.003-06:00

This Thanksgiving, our family hosted a dinner at our house with my parents and my brother. We decided to do all of the cooking (we've hosted a potluck-style dinner before), and we were a little nervous about it. We planned what to cook, how to prepare it, and what to cook when. It turned out really well. Chris did most of the cooking (compliments to the chef!), and I did most of the cleaning as we went along. By the time dinner was at the table, the kitchen wasn't a mess! The dinner itself was excellent: turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, cheesy carrots, yams, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and rolls (to be covered with turkey gravy, if we so desired.) We bought apple and pumpkin pie for dessert, and my mom brought over her famous pumpkin cookies. It was delicious! We shared a great day with great food and lots of laughter. I only regret not getting any pictures. That's OK. I still have the memories.

The next day, I did not do Black Friday shopping. Last year, I was pregnant trying to figure out how to get the KitchenAid food processor I wanted to the check-out counter. I ended up getting stuck in a mosh pit of people by the cheap movies. Yeah, it was an adventure for certain. This year, however, Chris and my brother went to Wal-Mart to get some stuff at its midnight sale and came back with some great DVDs and a few family gifts.

But Saturday, Micah helped me put up the Christmas decorations as we listened to Christmas songs on the radio. It was pretty fun. Since it was Micah's first time helping me...actually, I don't think we had a tree up since Chris and I's first Christmas together...it was a little frustrating for me at times. He loved playing with the lights and ornaments. Pushing that aside, I still enjoyed my time with him, and I hope he did, too.

Before the snow falls...

2010-11-30T22:08:00.007-06:00

...the leaves fall from the trees.

A few weeks ago, I was out with my kids in our backyard. The weather was mild, but the wind was blowing fairly hard. (I'm glad we went out, because lately the temperature has been freezing. The high today was 40 degrees! For us, that's cold, too cold to go out!) Most of the leaves had fallen, and Micah and Paige enjoyed to the fullest throwing the leaves, diving into the leaves, making piles of leaves, and so on.
The leaves swirled everywhere, and then most of them ended up in our neighbor's yard, even after I asked Micah not to throw the leaves by the fence.
Paige didn't throw them so much as she did dump them.

It was tons of fun watching my little ones. If we want to go out again soon, then it's time to buy some really-cold-weather gear so we're not stuck indoors for the next few months.

On a different note, Chris and I discovered that Devon is cutting 4 top teeth all at once! That's the most I've had with any of my kids. She is hardly cranky at all, so if I didn't actually look for the teeth, then I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. She will be 9 months old in about a week. Wow.

Halloween

2010-11-24T22:19:00.005-06:00

Last Halloween, the kids got a massive amount of candy from 2 Trunk or Treats, and they also went trick-or-treating on Sunday. There was a lot more candy than last year, because Paige joined in the quest of collecting the sweets. (I wish I had a picture of the candy in our biggest bowl.) Micah decided to be Thomas the Tank Engine. Paige was a princess, and Devon followed the tradition of being a Tootsie Roll. Chris and I were gangsters. Speaking of that, Micah sort of looks like a gangster in the bottom picture the way his hat is.

What's That In Her Mouth?

2010-09-22T09:47:00.002-05:00

Devon is getting her first two teeth in! And now, I am wondering how long I will continue nursing her.

My 6-month-old Baby

2010-09-19T22:03:00.004-05:00

Devon is 6-months-old as of the 11th of this month. Wow! That came up quick! She went to her doctor's office for a check-up. You know what's coming next.

Weight: 13.15 lbs.
Length: 27.5 in.
Head Circumference: 16 in.

Physically, she is doing very well. I've started feeding her solids. (She does not like rice cereal.) She still has a bit of the preemie head (more flat on the sides), and she is still wearing 3-6 month clothes. Small, yes, but she is so loud! Holy crud! She doesn't cry; she just gets our attention by making loud noises. She started out as my quietest, but she definitely also took the opposite title. It's her way of saying, "Hey! I'm here! Pay attention!" All right, I think, as I scoop her up and see a big smile on her face. I'll post pictures of her (and the other kids) as soon as our camera gets new batteries.

They're still growing!

2010-08-20T23:01:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I had a WIC appointment to re-certify Micah and Paige. WIC updates their records by measuring the kids every 6 months. Here are their stats:

Micah
Height: 40 3/4 in.
Weight: 35 lbs. 10 oz.

Paige
Height: 34 1/2 in.
Weight: 26 lbs. 3 oz.

For both of them, their height is about average and their weight is a little below average. There you have it. Healthy kids.

Micah has become quite the chatterbox in the presence of family and friends. It's a challenge to be patient with that sometimes, especially when he constantly asks "Why?". I thought for awhile he was past that stage but apparently not. I'm glad, though, that he is so inquisitive. Encouraging him to ask questions will help him develop a love of learning.

Paige is quickly learning new words. In the book If You Give a Moose a Muffin, she can point and tell me all the things in the scenery the moose makes for his puppet show. She loves to sing "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam," and she'll sing the alphabet song with Micah in the store. If you listen carefully enough, you can catch her even counting to ten. Today, she saw me play "This Little Piggy" with Devon's toes, and afterward, she tried to do it as well. I have to admit, that made me giggle.

Devon turned over from her back to her stomach for the first time today! It was so good to see her learning. I often wonder how Devon will develop, because she was a preemie. But, she seems to be doing alright. Overall, things are going great with the kids.

Sleeping

2010-08-03T22:00:00.003-05:00

For about a week, Paige has been sleeping in her new bed, a toddler bed. As is usual, she loves to get out of bed and walk around. Comparing frustrations, I feel as though I get less upset with Paige than I did with Micah in the crib-to-bed transfer. Either I'm becoming more patient or Paige is just easier to deal with. Maybe neither. Maybe I've just found a better way of teaching Paige about using the bed. In any case, it's going pretty well. Some nights are better than others, but that is to be expected.

Continuing on the subject of sleep, Micah is officially not required to take naps. A few weeks ago, I was having a hard time getting him to take his naps. Since then, I figured he is at that age where he really doesn't need to nap anymore. So, instead of sleeping after lunch, (after I put the other two kids down) I give Micah Classroom Time. For half an hour, I teach him things he should learn prior to enrolling in Kindergarten. One day, it's numbers. The next day, letters. Another day, shapes, etc. After that, he is allowed to play quietly in his room while I (try) to get stuff done. The past couple of days, however, he has snuggled in bed of his own free choice and slept. I try not to let him sleep for too long, though, or it will not be easy for him to bed down at night. If he does decide to take a nap (of which I do not object,) he gets Classroom Time after. Pretty soon, we will buy some safety scissors and have him practice cutting paper. Ooo, scary!

Micah had his 4th birthday!

2010-07-20T08:14:00.002-05:00

That's right! I am a mother of a 4-year-old! Micah is funny, sneaky, wild, active, considerate, and smart. He has also been known to unleash a monster of a temper at times, but we are working on that. We are actually also working on preparing Micah for Kindergarten. The school district in Clever has a waiting list for Preschool, and the daycare in town has an expensive Preschool program. So, he is being schooled at home until next year. We are teaching him how to recognize numbers and letters (not just say them,) his name, shapes, and how to use scissors. He'll also need to be able to completely go to the bathroom on his own, which he has done lots of times. Now, for our sleep's sake, he also needs to learn how to do that at night, too! As is normal, he's afraid of the dark, and yet, it's funny how he will walk all the way to our bedroom (on the opposite side of the house from his bedroom) to have company while he is using the potty. He can stand right outside his door, turn his head 90 degrees to the right, and there is the bathroom! Like I said, it's funny.

Micah had his birthday on Sunday, the 18th. He received a pair of Lighting McQueen pajamas, a race track, a booster seat for the car (he no longer needs a car seat!), a toy monster truck, and a Handy Manny plush toy. We ate over at Grandma and Papa's for a birthday dinner, and the dessert was a race car birthday cake. He loved it! He said that he had a happy birthday, so I'm glad about that. Every mother wants their child to have an awesome birthday.

Devon's Stats

2010-07-20T08:07:00.003-05:00

Our little miracle is doing amazingly! Last week, she had her 4 month appointment, and here are her current stats:

Weight: 12 lbs.
Length: 25 in.
Head Circumference: 15.25 in.
Overall: She is developing well. For her length, she is actually in the 75th percentile! Great news considering she was born 7 weeks early! She is a little behind on some of her motor skills, but with preemies that is to be expected or at least accepted more. My favorite discovery lately has been her random smiles. She is too precious!

Is Paige a "Terrible Two" Toddler?

2010-06-30T23:09:00.003-05:00

Nah. She's not terrible, but she can scream really high and loud if something doesn't go her way.

Paige is now a two-year-old! Her birthday is on June 27th, but we celebrated it the week before so the whole Crosby family could have a party. She received two books, a bubble wand, a pair of pajamas, a swimsuit, a baby doll, and her absolute favorite, a Perry the Platypus plush toy. Her (and Micah's) favorite cartoon is Phineas and Ferb. She lights up every time we turn it on. Perry is with her every night. :)

Paige had her doctor's appointment today. Stats are below:

Height: 33.5 inches
Weight: 26.2 lbs.
Overall: She is doing great! She says more words and phrases every few days. She LOVES the dirt. She likes to climb on me when I am nursing Devon. Chris and I wonder if she will be a tomboy, especially since Micah is the older sibling and plays with her.

Speaking of Micah, he finds rude actions to be funny. Like spitting or not listening to me. Yes, he'll laugh when he spits at me or laugh and run away when I'm trying to talk to him. Ugh. Today, he got a lollipop from his aunt and uncle. But, I told him he couldn't eat it until after lunch. He went to his Papa and asked if he could eat it. Papa came to me to ask, and I said, "No, not until after lunch." The matter is settled, right? We are driving home after Paige's appointment when I hear a crunching sound.

"Micah, are you eating that lollipop?" Nothing.

"Micah, are you eating that lollipop?" Nothing.

With more feeling, "Micah, are you eating that lollipop?"

"Yes..."

I pull the car over, take the lollipop away from him, and say, "You are not getting anymore of this lollipop, because you did not listen!" Of course, he is upset. I know, because later on down the road, he yells, "Mom, Phineas and Ferb, now!" (He means he wants to listen to the soundtrack.) Um...excuse me?

"No, not until you ask nicely."

Sigh... "May I please have Phineas and Ferb, please?" (He always says "please" twice.)

"Yes, you may. Thank you for asking nicely." Sigh... Will they always be like this?

The Latest on Devon

2010-06-24T20:44:00.003-05:00

Devon is a whopping 11 lbs. 4 oz. and about 22 inches long. The young women at Mutual last night were laughing over her chubby leg rolls. (I was recently called to be the Beehive Adviser. And I just realized how weird that must sound to someone not Mormon.) Devon's cheeks are getting pretty chubby as well. It's amazing to see how much she's grown already, but she still has a long way to go. What a trooper!

Devon is a very pleasant baby. She cries only when she wants to be fed or be held. She can hold up her head when she lies down on her stomach, and she also sleeps through the night (right now). Although it seems I have more interactions with Micah and Paige, I do try to read to her when I feed her and hold her when we play outside. She's fun for me.

Balancing 3 kids, a husband, and a house is a lot of work. Plus, I'm trying to give myself more "me" time by picking up old hobbies or working out. Or blogging for that matter. It's a process figuring it all out, but I feel like I'm slowly getting there. I hope I do, because something like that is important to me.

Some Accidents Don't Just Happen

2010-05-30T00:07:00.001-05:00

A few days ago, Micah told me after going to the bathroom that he peed on our cat. Ooo-kay, I thought, Maybe he's just making up a story like he sometimes does. A few minutes later, I find our cat, Joey, wet. Now I'm thinking, Well, maybe Micah just poured water on him. Later in the day, I found a huge section of Micah's comforter wet. I pushed the bed away from the wall to find a drip line. Finally, I take further measures and smell the bed. Sure enough, it was pee.

"Micah Adam Crosby! Did you pee on the cat?"

"Yes..."

"You are in so much trouble!"

After putting the comforter in the washer and cleaning the cat the best I knew how, I talked to Chris later that day and told him the frustrating story. He agreed Micah should have been in big trouble, but he also said,

"You have to admit, it is kind of funny."

I smiled and said, "Yeah, it is."

Micah's Silly Quote

2010-05-19T22:31:00.004-05:00

Micah decided to play with his sports water bottle (filled with water) by putting his hand in it. Well, his hand got stuck, and he was making a mess trying to get his hand out. Paige decided to play with the water mess he created, and here's what Micah said:

"Paige Adam Crosby! Do not play in the water!"

He must think "Adam" is a universal middle name. This bout of sillyness made my day. (Oh, and Micah did get his hand out of the water bottle all by himself, which he followed up by saying, "I am so strong!")

Devon is finally a newborn!

2010-05-12T08:36:00.006-05:00

Our little daughter is out of the "premie" stage and is now graduated to being an infant! It's strange to think that she is already 2 months old, but she is just now at the physical stage of a newborn baby. For that reason, our doctor told me not to be surprised if she is also behind in the other areas of development. Still, she is growing well, and below are her stats from her doctor's appointment last week.

Age: 2 months
Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz.
Length: 21 1/4 in.
Head Circumference: 14 in.

Devon is even tempered, I think, until it comes to a really full diaper or a really empty stomach. She is very alert when awake. I read to her when I feed her; she benefits from that even at her age. I've also started nursing her! Before, I was pumping her milk and giving it to her in a bottle. Last week, I thought I would try nursing her, and she took right to it! Now, I don't have to pump all day just to feed our baby, only on occasions where I need food for a babysitter. That made me very happy!

Oh, and one more thing to note. Chris and I almost regret spelling her name with an "o" instead of an "i". We were told that spelling with an "o" is most common for girls. However, there have been a few times already when someone pronounced her name "Dev-ON", not "Dev-IN". I hope I don't have to correct people (in a subtle way) too often. :)

Playing in the Backyard

2010-04-14T22:19:00.011-05:00

We recently had a fence built around our backyard. According to our subdivision covenants, if we were to have a fence, it would need to be a 6 ft. privacy (wood) fence. It is finally done, and now our kids can play in the backyard without running off too far. I can easily keep my eye on them whether I'm outside with them or inside the house. Below is a picture of the kids getting dirty. (Paige is the little speck by the fence.)

Our cutie is covered in dirt! Oh well. Let them be little.

This handsome little man is also covered in dirt. And later, he tracked it into our house!

Devon is doing very well. She eats, sleeps, and poops. She is not too difficult to take care of, but I am always watching her to make sure she is okay. It seems as though she is growing; I know her appetite is! I will have more stats on her later, after her next doctor's appointment which is the first week in May.

Our little miracle. She is such a joy and blessing. And I guess the other kids are, too. :) Just kidding!

Wow, I can't believe I have three kids. Three wonderful, awesome, amazing kids. That many children and a house is a lot of work and responsibility. Chris and I are a great team, though, so we handle it well. At least I think so.

Our Little Miracle

2010-03-18T12:35:00.003-05:00

On March 9th, I had a little accident. Around 1:30 p.m., my water broke. I was doing some cleaning after getting the kids to nap. In the middle of my duties, I felt some leaking, more than a normal accidental amount.

That's strange, I thought.

So, I went to the bathroom and pulled up my pants only to feel more leakage afterwards.

Something's not right, I continued.

After another round of leaking, I called my doctor's office. I left a message and called Chris who also did not answer me right away. While I waited for a response, I kept cleaning, hoping it was no big deal. The doctor's office called me back, and after I had explained the situation, they told me to go to Labor and Delivery to determine if my water broke. Chris called me right after I had talked to the doctor's office and came over to the house as soon as he could. I was only babysitting Easton that day, and he was picked up not too long after Chris arrived at the house. I normally watch him and Enzo on Tuesdays, but since Enzo's grandparents were in town, I didn't have to watch him that day. It's the only Tuesday I haven't watched Enzo! Similar situations and blessings have followed us along the journey.

Chris and I dropped our kids off at Grandma and Papa's, and then we hurried over to Labor and Delivery. It was confirmed that my water broke, and I would be spending all of my time at the hospital until Devon was born. My OB/GYN said it could be 24 hours or 24 days, nothing was really certain. After 2 ultrasounds and 2 days in the PCU, my doctor and a neonatologist determined that Devon should come soon. Although she had a good heartbeat, she absolutely would NOT move during each ultrasound, even after much poking and prodding. Between the ultrasounds, I had a contraction (which I didn't happen to feel), and Devon's heart rate actually dropped. So, it was determined that I would need a C-Section to give birth to our little girl; that way, we wouldn't be stressing her out.

On March 11th, 2010, at 12:18 p.m., Devon Crosby was born. She weighed 4 lbs. 13 oz. She's been in the NICU ever since but doing well. She doesn't need assistance breathing. She is now able to bottle feed, which I have done with her twice now. Chris and I do our best to see her at least once a day, usually in the evenings when she is scheduled for a feeding. She is our little miracle, and we are now an awesome family of 5! Thanks to everyone for your support and prayers!

And they grow, and they grow...

2010-03-04T14:39:00.004-06:00

Last Thursday was a busy day of appointments but also accomplishments.

My OB/GYN appt. at 1:00: Our future baby girl, Devon, is doing quite well. She measured at about 4 lbs. and looks and sounds healthy. The ultrasound technician tried to get a picture of her face, but she wouldn't move her hand away. Still, we are looking forward to seeing what she looks like after she is born.

The kids' WIC appt. at 3:00: Nothing too exciting. Just re-certifying them in the program. I'm grateful for WIC as it helps with grocery expenses. :) Here are some stats for Micah and Paige:

Micah weighs 34.6 lbs, and he is 39 1/2 inches tall.
Paige weighs 23.2 lbs, and she is 31 5/8 inches tall.

I was hoping Micah would be somewhere near 40 lbs., so we could get him a booster seat for the car. But, he still has quite a ways to go. Paige is a lightweight as well. Her cousin, who is 9 months younger, is only about 2 lbs. lighter! Crazy!

Paige's doctor appt. at 4:00: The most frustrating part of the day was around this point. My WIC appt. went on and on. I called the doctor's office around 3:45 to let them know she would probably be late. Finally, the WIC appt. concluded and overlapped Paige's other appt., and I was rushing the kids to go across the street where I thought the doc's office was. Well, it turns out they had moved...to the building I had just come from! So, I scrambled them back into the car to go to where I had once just been. We were 45 minutes late, and I was pretty panicky. I did NOT want to make another appt.! So, I rushed to the check-in desk to find out...

...that since I had made that phone call, they were expecting me late, and I could still keep Paige's appt. Thank goodness! I was so relieved that even Micah running around and not listening to me didn't bother me. :) Lesson learned: When scheduling appointments, do NOT set them only an hour apart, even if they are both in the same building.

What happens after the kids go to bed.....

2010-01-13T23:58:00.000-06:00

I know what all of your are thinking... And I wish it was true.. but the truth of the matter is. Once the kids go to bed at 8:30 we start the list. Yes the list that consists of all the chores around the house that are impossible to do with kids under your feet.

Last night... Hang pictures
Tonight... Change kitty litter and burnt out light bulbs, start laundry... you get the point.

Once we get our projects done, Jen and I try to spend some time together by watching TV or a Movie ect. When I say Jen and I... I really mean, me. Once the show starts you only have to wait 5-10 minutes and Jen is OUT COLD! Trying to get her to wake up afterwords is like getting Sarah Palin to say something intelligent.

Tonight for example, I love Ghost Hunters and Man Vs Food. They are both on TV Wednesday nights. Those are our Wednesday night shows. We site down to watch and 8 minutes later... Jen is sawing logs. Man Vs Food was a rerun, but we both wanted to watch how they make a sandwich that has Fried Chicken, Onion Rings, Mozzarella Sticks, Potato Wedges, Hamburger Patties, and to top it off.. Mac and Cheese! (I will post pics when we make it) I woke Jen up to help me remember the ingredients so we can make it some day. She said she was awake. They constructed the work of deliciousness and I turned to Jen who was asleep again. Like any good husband.. I woke her up and said "Hey! What was on the sandwich?" She looked at me and said, "Mac and Cheese" then feel back asleep.. It was pretty funny.

Needless to say, Jen turns into a zombie after 9pm. She will look you in the eye and promise she will stay awake and in the same breath fall asleep. I have seen her do it.

Hello 2010!

2010-01-11T21:10:00.000-06:00

After reading my friend e's blog today. She called me a LAME-O! I realized I do need to blog more often. It's the start of a new year and I'm going to blog my little heart out.

I have several goals for this year. I always talk big, but this year I am going to live big. I guess it shouldn't be to hard.. I am a pretty big guy.

Goals for 2010
1. Write and preform a stand-up comedy act.
2. Lose 60 pounds (I hope before my 10 year high school reunion)
3. Take a picture everyday.
4. Blog at least twice a week.
5. Be a better Dad and Husband.

I am going to work hard on doing these things, and I plan on reporting to everyone in my blog posts on how I am doing.

When I was in school, we were given a project to do a week long photo journal. I kept it here on my blog. I am going to do a photo journal one week out of every month. I love photography and feel like I am good at it.. but I have not been able to do much after college. No more excuses! Be looking for that first post starting next week.

And The Tie-Breaker

2009-12-07T16:36:00.002-06:00

We are expecting another girl! Chris and I went to an ultrasound appointment last Wednesday. All is as it should be; the baby seems very healthy. The only trouble we have is picking out a name.

What should the name of our baby girl be?

New Baby Update

2009-11-19T15:39:00.001-06:00

Well, Baby #3 is on its way! I had an appointment yesterday with Dr. Stamps of Primrose OB/GYN here in Springfield, MO. For those of you in the area who need an OB/GYN, I highly recommend him. We listened to the heartbeat, which my doctor said was "perfect." I gained 7 pounds in the last few weeks since my last appointment, but he's not worried. Neither am I. I don't feel overweight for this pregnancy...yet. Maybe that will happen the last month or so. :)

I have an ultrasound scheduled in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, we will be able to find out the gender of the baby! Actually, I suggested to Chris that we wait until the baby is born to find out (since we have both boy and girl stuff), but he said absolutely not! He hates surprises. That's OK. We are excited to for our "tie-breaker" baby to be here!

Here We Go Again!

2009-09-24T14:21:00.003-05:00

Chris and I are expecting our third (and last) child! I am about 9 weeks along now and definitely feeling the morning sickness. My appetite goes up and down like a roller coaster; it's unpredictable. I usually don't want to eat anything in the morning, but the rest of the day, I don't know what I am going to feel. I either feel nauseous or I am starving! So, because I am feeling somewhat sick like I did with Micah, I'm wondering if it's going to be a boy. I didn't hardly at all feel sick with Paige.

What do you think I will be having?

Our Kids (No Longer Babies)

2009-08-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Well, I have said a lot about our new house, but I need to catch everyone up on the real important stuff, the kids.

Micah: He is such a handsome boy. He turned 3 last July, and he is SO independent. Seriously, he wants to do everything by himself. It's interesting. I've obviously gotten myself into a habit of helping him with the little things since he couldn't do them before, like pouring his milk. Here, let me share with you a typical breakfast meal. We go into the kitchen, and he has to turn on the lights. He gets his own cereal or oatmeal, milk and juice out of the refridgerator, and spoon. The only reason I get his cup and bowl is because he can't reach it. He sits down in his chair and pours the cereal or oatmeal, milk, and juice by himself (with my supervision.) I just watch to make sure he doesn't pour too much or spill. When he's done, I ask him to put his dishes in the sink. (It's funny how I have to ask him to clean up by himself.) After that, he has to be the one to push a dining chair to the sink to wash his hands (and face if need be.)

Going to the bathroom is similar. I get him started by turning on the light (the bathroom is really dark,) and helping him pull down his pants. Once he starts going, though, he asks me, "Please go." So, I go, and let him do the rest. I'm not complaining about him doing things by himself, because he needs to learn those things. Sometimes I do get annoyed when I do something for him, and he has a huge temper over it, like I can't do anything at all for him anymore. Wow, kids want to grow up so fast.

Paige: Our little girl is a feisty one. She has a temper like Micah's; her screams can blow up your eardrums! (Seriously, it's loud.) She likes to hit things (and people) right now, and throw her toys. She's just starting to learn how to put herself to sleep. For awhile, it was WWIII if I didn't rock her or rub her back to help her go to sleep. She is very much attached to her mommy. Honestly, sometimes it's annoying, but most of the time, it's really awesome. Paige is completely off of baby foods; she graduated to adult food, just in much smaller bites. She has also recently stopped using a bottle, so she is using whole milk in just her sippy cup. Now, I need to focus on getting her used to more juice and water. Milk shouldn't be her only drink, I don't think.

Paige took her first step last week! She hasn't done anymore by herself since then, but it was one step closer to learning how to walk. Right now, I think she feels just fine with crawling. It gets her where she needs to go.

Finally...

2009-08-28T14:07:00.005-05:00

Below are the pictures I said I would post of our house (with Micah on the driveway.) Yesterday, I described what was finished on the inside the last time we looked at it almost 2 weeks ago. However, our realtor (Laura Roberts of Carol Jones) called Chris today, and she said that our house is done! Sweet! We will make an appointment with her to take a look at it, since I'm sure the house is locked up now.

New House Pictures...

2009-08-27T23:00:00.002-05:00

will be coming soon! I keep putting it off for some reason! We're really excited, and we want to show everyone how it's coming along. We believe they may even be done already! In the last post, we showed our house as just a frame. Since we last took a gander, they finished the siding, roof, driveway, and our part of the sidewalk on the outside. On the inside, they finished painting the walls; texturing the ceiling; putting linolium (sp?) on the floor; installing the cabinets, appliances, sinks, toilets, and bathtubs. If we go back to look at it, we may not be able to go inside if everything is done! Our contractor is also seeding the land, so we don't have to put in our own grass. We will eventually have to purchase a fench, though. Still, it's awesome to see everything coming along!

Pictures of Our House

2009-07-11T23:34:00.004-05:00

Well, here they are, pictures of our house. We are pleased with the progress our contractor has made. Of course, they can't take too much time to work on it. We'll be moving in before we know it; the house is supposed to close Sept. 30, and we will be moving in the beginning of October! That's less than 3 months away! Incredible.

We believe the whole house is framed and that they will be putting on the flat boards that go on the roof soon. That's what we found on the gravel "driveway."

The driveway will go up somewhat; Chris estimates an 20 - 30% incline.

This picture shows our future address in the front, 204 Spruce...I think it's "St.", but it may be "Ln."

For a look at our floor plan, go to the Together We Learn blog.

We will keep you posted with future pictures. We are, of course, excited!

Stats on Our One-Year-Old, Paige

2009-07-02T00:33:00.004-05:00

Paige went to her one-year check-up today. She did really well holding still while the doctors looked at her eyes and inside her ears. No crying, but no shots, either. Hopefully, she'll have those done next week. Here are her stats:

Length: 28 in.
Weight: 18 lbs.
Other comments: She looks and acts great! No other concerns.

On another topic, Chris surprised me by deciding to take our family to the lot where our house is being built. They have laid the foundation down. It looks a lot smaller right now, but I'm sure it will look more like the home we are expecting as the walls and roof are put up. We will put up a picture here soon.

Exciting News

2009-06-29T23:54:00.002-05:00

A week ago, Chris and I decided to stop giving Micah training pants cold turkey. It has been the best decision for his potty training. Although, he's had several accidents (as expected), Micah has really progressed with using the potty and telling me when he needs to go. To me, that alone is worth the accidents he's had. Oh, and Micah finally went poop in the potty! I caught him trying to go in his underwear when I rushed him to the bathroom. He finally did it!

Paige waved "bye-bye" for the first time today! Grandma and Papa Crosby were over at our place to help us get Paige's new (and very pink) car seat in our car. When they left, she waved "bye-bye!" That's also something we've been trying to teach her for awhile. It's so cool to see your children grow!

Today for Family Home Evening, our lesson was about baptism. Since this is a new concept for Micah, I tried to think of any activity that he could relate to. I decided to have Micah wash and rinse his toys in buckets of water like the June 20th activity I posted on Together We Learn. I told him that we are "dunked" and become clean in a baptism just like we are dunking and cleaning the toys. It was simple and fun for him. Paige wasn't too shy getting into the bubbles either. :) For those of you who are curious, you can go to http://together-we-learn.blogspot.com for a picture of the floor plan for our first house. Tomorrow, I will be posting a healthy oat bran muffin recipe. Yum!

Want to see Paige walk?

2009-06-20T12:48:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, on my Together We Learn website, I posted a video of Paige walking with her toy walker. It's pretty dang cute! Today's TWL post is about keeping your kids cool outside while they help clean. Sounds good, huh?

Appreciating Your Spouse

2009-06-10T23:04:00.002-05:00

Take a look at my new Together We Learn blog post about appreciating your spouse. Chris said that it was kind of kinky. Curious? See for yourself! Tomorrow, I will be asking for your thoughts on potty training. Please visit the website and enjoy!

New TWL Post

2009-06-08T23:06:00.002-05:00

Check out my new post on Together We Learn. FHE Lesson: I Am a Child of God. Learn how to make homemade pot pie tomorrow!

http://together-we-learn.blogspot.com

Jenn's New Blog

2009-06-04T23:18:00.002-05:00

Together We Learn is my new blog that brings ideas to one place, ideas that may help a family somehow become more united or find ways to just have fun. Below is the website address:

http://together-we-learn.blogspot.com

Check it out, and please e-mail me your ideas and suggestions to macpcmommy@gmail.com. I am excited for many to participate to bring color and variety to the posts and discussions. Thanks in advance for your support!

Just Talking

2009-06-04T21:27:00.002-05:00

Well, our offer on the house we want to build was accepted, so now the contractor is in the process of buying the lot from the developer. That may or may not close this weekend; hopefully it will so they can get started on building our home. I'm getting pretty anxious and excited about it. I can't wait to go down and see our home in progress. And, of course, we will take pictures for everyone to see how our home is coming along.

On a very different note, I think I have decided to stop my late night fix: chocolate. I was looking in the fridge for something to eat at 9:00. I knew I would feel guilty about ice cream or a chocolate bar, even though they taste so good. It's my addiction. So, I decided instead on an orange. Then, I thought, why don't I make this kind of choice every time I'm hungry so late at night? I can't guarantee myself that I'll always choose the healthy snacks, but if I want to stay healthy, I need to eat that way.

Our Journey Towards Getting Our First House

2009-05-25T23:58:00.000-05:00

Not too long after Chris felt secure and comfortable at his job, we were considering the possibilities of buying a home. We were tired of renting and "throwing our money away". Yes, renting an apartment provides a place for a family to live, but we wanted our income to invest in what would be ours, a house. So, Chris contacted Laura Roberts of Carol Jones Realtors, a friend of my mother-in-law, very friendly, helpful, and professional. She gave us a contact at OakStar Bank to help us apply for a pre-approval.

After several weeks, we had a pre-approval of a rural development loan. Not long after that, we started looking at houses; a few of them were houses many years old and needing some extra work (i.e. new roof). But then, Laura took us to Clever, MO, 20 minutes southwest of Springfield. The town's population is a little more than 1,000 but growing. The first house we saw was awesome! The original purchase price was $116,000, but since it was on foreclosure, the new selling price came down to $83,000! Laura, however, told us we would have to bid the full amount of our loan (not including closing costs) to even be considered a buyer. The best bid is what wins on foreclosures. We thought about trying it, but we didn't have a few extra thousand to pay for the closing costs.

As we kept that option in our heads, we toured a few houses on sale in a newly developed subdivision called Westview Fields. We liked what we saw and decided to build through a contractor. We just needed to pick a floor plan and lot. On our next appointment with Laura, she took us to a home (not in Clever) we had not toured yet. It was built by a contractor who also owns some lots in Clever. Chris absolutely fell in love with it, and I liked it but didn't love it as he did. As we thought about it and after we showed the house to our family, we decided it would be the floor plan best suited for us.

Our new home will have 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a two-car garage. The living room and dining area are open to each other, and the laundry room is right by the kitchen. It is a nice home for our little family, a good starter home. The day we decided that was what we wanted (last Saturday), we also picked our carpet, counter tops, and cabinets. We completed the paperwork of our offer to the contractor (Cantrell's Patriot Homes) as well. Laura says it should be accepted, because we are offering to pay for everything they are asking for.

We will keep everyone updated, and of course, post pictures of our developing home. The house should close Sept. 30, and we will move in not long after that in October. So, our new address from that time will be:

204 Spruce Ave.
Clever, MO 65631

If for some reason that address changes, of course, we will let everyone know. We are super excited and grateful we received this opportunity! We are truly blessed.

A Perfect Day

2009-04-28T14:07:00.003-05:00

My birthday was last Friday, and it was the best! On my last birthday, it snowed. The birthday before that, I was sick! I was overdue for a fantastic day to remember.

The day started out as I woke up at 6 a.m. to work out. Yes, I wanted to work out. My birthday especially should be a day of feeling good, and I feel good after I exercise. The kids didn't wake up until after I was done, which doesn't always happen. For breakfast, we had cinnamon rolls. Yummy! After everyone got dressed and ready for the day, Chris and the kids drove me to my 9 a.m. appointment for a massage, pedicure, and manicure. Chris drove around and watched the kids while I got pampered. It was SO relaxing! It was my first time, too. During my massage, I could just feel all of the stress being pushed out of my body. Needless to say, it was very nice.

After feeling refreshed and getting my nails painted a pretty purple, we went out for lunch at Lucy's. I love Chinese food, so it was a good meal. Chris' sister, Sarah, works there, and hooked us up with some extra egg rolls and Crab Rangoon. Next, we took the kids home to take their naps, and I got dressed in nicer clothes for a date with my man that night. Jeni, my sister-in-law, straightened my hair. I completely trust her with my hair; she does a good job. At 3:30 p.m, I had a facial appointment. Also awesome, relaxing, and my first one. I felt pretty and relaxed after who-knows-how-many lotions the beautician put on my face.

Our evening started out with dinner at Gilardi's, a very nice Italian restaurant. I ate with my mom-in-law, dad-in-law, Jeni, Sarah, as well as (of course) Chris, Micah, and Paige. I got a pasta with creamy tomato sauce and mushrooms. Very delicious, and good service, too! Everyone seemed to enjoy it, so that made me happiest of all.

After our bellies were full, Chris' family took the kids home while Chris and I had our date at a Springfield Cardinals game. We arrived at the field, and one of the stadium workers found us our seats right behind home plate a couple rows up. He brushed off our seats for us, too! We watched a good game as we ate cotton candy and ice cream in a bowl resembling a St. Louis baseball hat. A man with roses gave one to each lady in our section. We were treated like royalty! The score was tied 5-5 in the middle of the 9th inning, but the Cardinals swung hard and hit a home run bottom of the 9th. Great way to end the game! Plus, they had fireworks afterwards! Nice ending to the perfect day. Finally, we went to the 'rents home to pick up the kids, and pretty much just crashed in bed. Like I said, a perfect day. And I have my husband to thank for it. He wanted to make sure I had an amazing birthday, and I did. How is he going to top it next year?

2009-04-21T14:54:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, Chris and I decided to try putting Micah in some underpants. We hoped once he saw that they don't work like diapers or training pants, he would ask to use the potty so he wouldn't get wet. WRONG! He went through the whole pack we bought him. The last pair of underpants he had on was during lunch. Just as I was about to ask if he needed to go potty, he wets his pants, the chair, and the floor. So, I take him into his room to clean up. As I was doing that, Enzo (a child I care for during the week) drops his plastic plate half full of grapes and eggs. So, now I need to clean up pee, eggs, and grapes. No big deal, I thought, I'll take care of it. (All the while, Paige is hungry crying.) I put Micah back on his seat after cleaning up some of the mess as to not sit in it. As he normally does, he decides to stand up to eat, stuffing his mouth with grapes... and starts choking! But, he doesn't just cough up the grapes, he throws up the rest of his lunch on his seat, the floor, and his clothes! At first, I was surprised, but then I caught some of his puke in my hands to dump in the sink. Yikes! So, once again, I cleaned him up and put him to bed for naptime. (He wore 5 outfits yesterday!) Enzo had a good lunch before dropping it on the floor, so I just put him to bed. I gave Paige a bottle, and while she ate, I cleaned up the mess: pee, grapes, eggs, and puke. Then, I swept and mopped the floor to make sure it was really clean. While I was doing this, though, I had a little grin on my face, and I was glad I didn't feel overwhelmed. I was able to step back and figure out what I needed to do, and it all worked out great! I wanted to add that Micah is doing well using the potty. He doesn't go in there all the time, but he is still learning. That's all I can expect or even hope for.

Has it been this hard for anyone else?

2009-04-17T15:07:00.002-05:00

Micah has been frustrating the crap out of me these last few days! Is it really this hard to be the mother of a two-and-a-half year old? I have been praying for more patience lately since that's what I feel I need more of. I have learned the importance of taking "mommy time-outs", a few minutes to regroup and refocus. It's a good thing for both me and the kids. As frustrated as I get sometimes, I don't want to take my anger out on the kids; I need to still be a good example. But even that isn't easy. I'm trying to teach Micah to listen to Chris and I and do as he's told. That is still a work in progress. I'm also trying to make potty training a positive and encouraging experience. Micah gets to put one sticker on his rubber ducky for a pee pee and two stickers for a poo poo. (Still waiting for the first poo poo in the potty.) But, the only time he wants to go is right before he takes a nap (so he can postpone his bedtime). I ask him if he needs to go, and he says, "No. Playing with (insert name)." So, right now, he still doesn't see the importance of taking a break to use the potty. It's much more convenient to just go in his training pants if he is busy doing something he likes. The need for patience comes when he takes a really long time to use the bathroom. With the child care I do for 2-4 other kids most of the week, I don't have time for him to play with the soap or take a few minutes to pull up his pants. So, my lack of patience and frustration is not helping in making this a "positive and encouraging experience". I hope I'm not the only one who has felt this way.

Our 9-Month-Old

2009-04-07T14:49:00.004-05:00

Last Wednesday, Paige had a doctor's appointment. At 9-months-old, here are her stats:

Weight: almost 18 lbs.
Length: 27 1/2 in.
Head Circumference: 17 1/2 in.

Standing Up and Laying Down

2009-03-27T15:17:00.007-05:00

Paige is progressing on how to stand up and support herself. At first, she would stand on her feet using objects close to the floor. Now, she can use the door to completely stand up! Amazing!

Paige is also getting her two top teeth, which explains her random crankiness. But, other than that, she is a very happy baby. When she "talks", it just makes me giggle.

I wasn't sure if I should post this picture of Micah and I being bootelicious. He is actually helping me work out on the Wii. Lots of fun!

Paige's Growing Hair, the Monst...Monkey, and "My Kids"

2009-03-11T23:17:00.011-05:00

Her hair has grown to the point that I can actually make little ponytails or piggytails. It's exciting for me. I love to do her hair. I can't wait to put little clips in next. Aunt Jeni actually made her first ponytail, but yesterday was her first day for piggys, which I did.

A few days ago, Chris thought it would be good to stop calling Micah a "monster". The name was intended to be a way for us to joke around about how much trouble he can cause. My husband was sweet enough to think that calling Micah a "monster" was mean. So, we both decided it would be best for us to stop calling him that for good. We still call him a "monkey", though.

Below are pictures of the children I care for throughout the week. They can be quite a handful all together, but somehow it's all still fun.

Molly, 3 years old

Kyle, almost 2 years old

Enzo, 18 months old

She's everywhere! Micah and the challenging potty!

2009-02-24T14:30:00.000-06:00

Paige is now crawling, and she doesn't hesitate to move around to get something that she sees. A lot of times it's my foot, a toy, the blinds in front of our patio door, or the doorstops attached to the floorboards. Once she gets it, she chews on it, so I steer her clear of the blinds and doorstops. She can also climb up onto her knees and feet while being supported by something close to the floor like our toy box. Yes, I have pictures of this, but they are on my phone, so I need to get some on our digital camera. Anyways, that's the latest scoop on Paige.

Micah is the usual monkey/monster of a child. He is a lot of fun to watch and play with. Potty training is a slow process. He loves to go potty at church, at Grandma's house, and just about anywhere else besides home. He does use the potty at home, but not every time he needs to. While he lets me know he needs to go at all the other places, he doesn't tell me that at home, so I have to ask him constantly (and of course, sometimes I forget to ask). I need to somehow make the potty at home more fun. Right now, when he goes in his training potty with the removable bowl, he gets to dump the pee into the toilet and wash it out. (He likes to do that.) He has yet to go poop in the potty. I've told him to let me know when he needs to go poop, but that has yet to happen. I'm not in a hurry to have him fully trained; I'm not worried about it. But, I can see that it's going to take awhile. And don't worry, no pictures of poop or Micah on the toilet. :)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2009-01-25T14:56:00.000-06:00

Last night was Jenn and my date night. We (Jenn) decided to go see Benjamin Button. I have heard a lot of good things about it. My mom and sister worship the ground it was created on.

I didn't mind the movie. I will admite, I am a softy and when emotional things happen and the music is just right I will cry. I shed a tear, much to my frustration. After the movie I felt I just saw the.love child of The Notebook and Forest Gump. I am slightly frustrated at how some of the story panned out and flowed. The strength of acters carried the movie.

Overall I give the movie a B rating.

Quick Paige Stats

2009-01-12T15:16:00.000-06:00

Paige had her six-month appointment last Wednesday. Here are her stats:

Length: 26 1/2 in.
Weight: 17 lbs. 1 oz.
Head Circumference: 17 in.

The doctor said she looks great! We are going to start feeding her veggies next week. Weaning her has been a challenge, but the doc said to just keep trying different nipples...bottle nipples, not boob nipples. (Awkward.) And either she doesn't like the infant cereal or the feel of the spoon...or both. It's been a harder transition compared to Micah, but we'll get there. Speaking of Micah...

He's been doing pretty well with potty training. Sometimes he doesn't want to use the potty, and sometimes he will. At Church yesterday, he told me he needed to go, so I took him to the bathroom, and he went! He is making some progress, it seems.

Paige's First Tooth

2008-12-30T13:56:00.002-06:00

Well, the waiting is over! Paige has her first tooth coming in! You know what that means, don't you? That's right! I need to start weaning her ASAP. After all the hoop-de-la of New Year's is over, I'm going to start the weaning process. I just hope it doesn't take a really long time. It will be nice when anyone can feed her; Chris and I need longer date nights. We really enjoy having our alone-with-each-other time.

But, anyways, the tooth is on the bottom left...her left, our right. She already looks so cute with a toothless smile, so it will be cool to see a smile with some pearly whites.

2008 Christmas Letter

2008-12-18T15:18:00.002-06:00

To Our Friends and Family,

We have had an amazing and busy year in 2008. Chris, Jen, and Micah are blessed with a new addition in the family, Paige. She was born on June 27th and weighed 6 lbs. 1 oz. A small package, but what a wonderful gift she is. Chris graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho on Micah’s 2-year birthday, July 18th, and then we moved back to Springfield, Missouri where both our families are close by. In October, he found a job in a company called Gannett who owns the Springfield News-Leader. He works in a collections call center as a systems technician setting up workstations for the other employees, reviewing credit applications, and as the manager’s assistant. Jen is at home with the children; she is doing her best teaching them and helping them grow. She also baby-sits a 16-month-old named Enzo four days a week. The extra income is always helpful. Micah is a wild, energetic toddler. He is determined to do things on his own and be independent. He just started potty training; it will be nice when we won’t have to buy him diapers anymore. Paige is now almost 6-months old, and she certainly isn’t the scrawny little baby she used to be. She can roll over and chew her toes. It seems as though she is teething, because she has been somewhat cranky and drools quite a bit.

The poem below describes our family right now to the tune of The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…) Enjoy!

Graduation, then Chris was hired
Micah’s taking off his clothes
Peace and quiet, that’s what Jen desires
And Paige can roll and say some “Oh”s

But the children grow, their eyes, their ears, their mouth, their nose
It makes our days and years so bright
Pretty soon, Paige’s hair will have bows
And Micah will use the potty just right

We have great blessings every day
We thank the Lord; His love guides us when we pray
No worries and no fears not even sighs
To see how we will get through or get by

And so we’re offering this simple phrase
To friends and family, all of you
Although it’s been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you!

Have a happy New Year, too! May your days be filled with the Lord’s love and blessings. With best wishes for you and yours,

The Crosby’s

My Poor Baby

2008-12-11T15:49:00.002-06:00

Unfortunately, it turns out (after a doctor's visit) Micah has a throat infection. He has a fever of around 101 degrees. We're trying to encourage him to drink lots of juice. He hasn't really eaten anything today besides part of a banana. We are to keep him rested, and he has a prescription as well. This is only the second time he has been seriously ill. I'm not really worried, just concerned. I'm sure he will be his old self again soon.

Micah and...gross!

2008-12-10T14:31:00.002-06:00

Well, Micah had a re-certification appointment for WIC today. They measured him and asked questions about his diet and so forth. I asked them about the Parents As Teachers program where they provide info on how your child should be developing mentally, emotionally, and socially depending on the child's age. They also teach parents how they can help their child develop in those areas. They offer to come to your home to "assess" your child or (as I am doing) you can go to their office (which is right by the WIC offices). It sounds like a good, helpful program. So, here are his stats:

Weight: 28 lbs.
Height: 35 1/4 in.
Other comments: The WIC nurse says he is growing normally. I told her I didn't feel like I was giving him enough veggies, so she gave me some ideas about that. The Parents As Teachers consultant said that Micah is doing very well in his vocabulary and in matching. She suggested giving Micah some easy puzzles to work on and to not be afraid to challenge him. She looked at Paige, too, and said that she is developing well also. She can roll over both ways, and she is absolutely fascinated with her hands. I'm pretty darn sure she is teething, because one second she is her normal happy self and the next second she is screaming. She is still sleeping well through the night, though. I'm grateful for that!

Oh, now the gross part. Micah threw up his dinner and his lunch...all over Chris yesterday. Later, we were watching the preview for "Four Christmases" where the baby pukes on Witherspoon's character. We laughed as Chris said, "Yep, they never stop throwing up on you." It was quite the mess, but we got it cleaned up, so no worries...unless he throws up again. :) We'll just hope he doesn't.

Paige Update

2008-10-29T14:50:00.000-05:00

Today, Paige had her 4-month appointment. Here are her stats:

Length: 25 in.
Weight: 14 lb. 10 oz.
Other comments: The doctor says she is really strong. She looks like it what with the chubby baby rolls she has. She is developing normally. She can roll over from her stomach to her back, and when she is on her tummy, it seems as though she is trying to crawl. She'll be moving around with Micah before we know it.

Chris felt a tooth coming through the other day. She has been a little more fussy than normal. And, she likes to suck on her lips like crazy. So, she has started teething! It's exciting for me to see her grow.

Pics of the Kids

2008-10-14T14:59:00.022-05:00

Paige is to the point where she can roll to her side and grab her feet. She can also scoot across the floor using her feet. She has the familiar fat rolls I remember with Micah, although not as big. She sleeps best on her stomach and all through the night. Most of the time. Even if I have to feed her in the middle of the night, she'll still go right back to sleep afterwards. I'm wondering, though, how much that will change once she starts teething. She will almost always smile if you smile at her. She seems very happy!

As far as our other child goes, to put it frankly,
Micah is a bossy brat! I mean that in the most loving way. He is becoming so independent! Mentally, he is ready to use the regular seat belt in the car instead of his car seat. He doesn't really like using the high chair at the dining table. He definitely has his preferences about certain things ("No kisses!" or "Sophie, hush!" or "No water!" or "No bath!", etc.) He loves to wrestle with Enzo, the 1-year-old boy I now babysit, and Enzo doesn't like it as much. EVERYTHING is "mine". He's up and down, in and out, all over the place. Even though he has a strong personality, he is still a lot of fun. I just need to teach him how to treat others nicely.

Chris has been promoted to IT Specialist at Gannett! For Chris, it's more responsibility and lots of learning. For us, it's from $9 per hour to $15 per hour! Yeah! Baby, movin' on up! It may even be a salary position later on down the road. We figured that since they want to give him a Blackberry, or in other words, a leash. He has a big fancy desk, and he can wear jeans to work every now and then. We plan on moving out Saturday, November 1 into the same apartment complex we were in before we moved to Idaho (Golden Pond Apartments). We looked around, and they seem like the best bang for our buck without going out of the ward boundaries. Blessings are just pouring down on us, and we feel tremendously grateful.

I am so proud of my husband!

2008-09-30T15:01:00.000-05:00

Chris has been jobless since we moved back to Missouri. That was about 2 1/2 months ago. We were able to get by with my babysitting income and Chris doing photography work on the side. During that time, though, it was really hard for him. It was hard for all of us. We wanted to be making money to support the family. We wanted to have our own place. We felt as though we were up against a brick wall. "Where were we going to go? We can't move forward!" We were both confused as to why no one would even schedule an interview with him. He has an impressive resume, but it was still hard for him to sell himself on paper. Once someone gave him the opportunity to show himself in person, it wasn't hard at all! He interviews very well, let's put it that way. Oh, finally, this huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders. The brick wall is down; now it's time to move forward. Pretty soon, we should be able to move in to an apartment. I'm excited, and I hope Chris enjoys his new job!

I'm a working man

2008-09-30T05:33:00.002-05:00

Hey Gang,

I am spreading the news. I got a job! I know your all saying, "ABOUT TIME YOU LAZY BUM." I couldn't agree more with you. I am now employed with the Springfield Gannett. Gannett owns about 85 newspapers and 20 something TV stations. So I have lots of room for growth in this company.

My official title is "Credit Specialist". I bet your asking yourself what does that mean. Well it means I am working with the collections department. I run credit checks on people who have outstanding debt with the company. We set up payment plans to help them get out of debt and also stay our customer. As Brother H always said, "It's easier to keep a customer than to get new ones." These people who are Advertising through the different media Gannett offers nation wide. So I get to work with my degree as well as learn a lot of new things.

Anyway, I am happy. It was up at 4:30 am today because I am so excited to start my new job. I think I am really going to like my new boss. She seems really cool. I will keep you all updated!!

Micah Update

2008-09-26T14:50:00.002-05:00

OK, so this morning, Micah had his doctor's appointment. He really wasn't due for one yet; we are just trying to get established with a doctor here in town. Here are his stats:

Height: 34 in.
Weight: 28 lb.
Comments: Once again, since I am babysitting all day today, Chris had to take Micah to his appointment. I missed him while he was gone. Anyways, the doctor said he is very advanced in vocabulary for his age. Awesome. I can't help but be proud of that. He is about average physically (50th percentile), and if he keeps growing at the rate he is, he will be 5' 8'' at the age of 18. So there you have it! If anyone is interested, I can give you Chris and I's stats when we go to the doctor. :) We don't even know when we are going; we just know we need to.

Paige Update and Some Good News

2008-09-24T17:36:00.002-05:00

Paige had a doctor's appointment last Monday. Since we had trouble with Medicaid here for awhile, her two-month appt. is actually a three-month check-up. Here are her stats:

Length: 24 in.
Weight: 13 lb. 1 oz.
Comments: Chris had to take Paige to her appointment since I was babysitting all day. That's the first time I didn't go to one of our kids' check-ups. Chris was getting kudos all around at the doctor's for being the dad and bringing her in. He said the doctor was pleased with Paige's health. She is growing right on track. It feels good to know she is doing well.

Chris is employed...sort of. He is registered with Penmac, a temp agency. Right now, they have three jobs he is highly qualified for. So, let's keep our fingers crossed...actually, let's fold our arms and bow our heads that he can find something soon. I'm excited and feeling extremely positive!

This is what you do when you are unemployed

2008-09-13T03:14:00.005-05:00

Welcome to Dragon Cave

This is a game that people play with blogs and forums. You can find and steal dragon eggs then raise them as your own. The trick is that you need people to click on your eggs inorder for them to hatch. So I have four right now. People please feel free to click on them. It doesn't take a lot of time and you feel like a real nerd when you do it!

Go team. Here are my eggs, click away! If you do this tell me and I will help you as well. You do not have to sign up to at least click on them for me.

My Beautiful Children

2008-09-06T16:19:00.001-05:00

Micah is growing and learning everyday. He is a sponge, soaking up just about anything and everything he sees or hears. He is a monster of a two-year-old; no surprises there. But, he is a good kid, sensitive and kind to others. He has an awesome sense of humor. Right now, he is speaking two or three-word sentences such as "Thank you, Papa" or "Water, please". Yes, he is very polite. He also says, "I farted." :) He's figured out how to climb over the really tall gate we put up in front of his room. Quite the monkey. He is obsessed with the movie "Cars"; he quotes it all the time. I have enjoyed watching him grow. I hope I can teach him well the things he needs to know.

Paige is a two-month-old chunk. She has grown to about 10 lbs. She knows how to eat very well and makes the best poopy diapers. I love her so much, and I can't wait until her hair grows so I can put it up in ponytails, etc.

Well, there you have it. An up-to-date description of my kids. Until next time...

Wordle

2008-08-16T03:13:00.004-05:00

Wordle is a cool little website the creates graphics showing the words used most on a website with Blog or blog feed. Anyway here is mine. Check it out for your self.

All About the New Baby

2008-07-25T09:51:00.000-05:00

Paige is almost one-month old already. I thought I would share with you some of her characteristics so far. She is very active. Unless we wrap her up like a burrito, she will always kick off the blanket that is on her. She can't be by herself for very long; she likes to be held quite a bit. But, no one really minds, because she is so cute. Her days and nights are becoming more normal. At the very first, she would sleep all day and stay up all night. Now, she will sleep during most of the night, and I have to get up to feed her once or twice. I'm starting to put her in a routine, and I am figuring out as I go how long she should stay awake and how long her naps should be. Nothing to really worry about, though. Once I figure it out, it is going to change anyway. :) Nursing Paige is going really well, which I am happy about. I had trouble breastfeeding Micah, so it's nice to be able to do this for her. I really enjoy being a mother of two. I enjoy watching them develop, and I even enjoy the challenges (after they happen). :)

Photo Series - Rexburg Protest

2008-07-12T16:44:00.001-05:00

I love BYU-Idaho and Rexburg, but there are times that I get so frustrated with the way things are here. So for a photo series I have been working on I have made this protest.

The pictures are typical things you would see when you are in Rexburg. The two models represent the protest for me. The guy is showing frustration but is dressed really nice. It represents students frustration of school, finals, and being the perfect little mormon. His nice dress is showing the high dress standards of this school but he is wearing a black shirt showing he still has his own thought process (most everyone here has white shirts). The girl represents all the pressure the girls have up here to be perfect, pretty and ready to have babies. She is dressed up nice and posing like a fashion model. I have seen to many people forget who they are by trying to be someone they are not. That is why she is wearing a mask. Anyway I had a lot of fun doing it. I hope you like it.

Enjoy.

Paige no cry

2008-07-12T11:40:00.000-05:00

Micah does not mess around when it comes to his big brother responsibilities. Like all good big brothers when it comes time to boss your little siblings around he stepped up to the plate. Paige does not cry very often (its a blessing) but when she does its because she is hungry or messy. So when Paige starts crying now Micah tells her "No cry". He tells her this because when he is crying I tell him not to cry.

Also when Paige is crying Jen will tell her she is coming. So Micah being the mamas boy he is, he will follow up with a "Paige coming... coming..." Its pretty funny to be honest. I think he will be a great big brother, because I am speaking from experience. I still terrorize my siblings.

Something else my son has started doing is tapping his lips and saying umm umm while he thinks. It is really funny. Jen will ask him what book he wants to read and he will stop, think, and tap then pick his book. I think he does it now because of the reaction he gets from Jen and I. Or maybe he really might be thinking about. I'm not sure where he picked this one up but it sure is funny! Oh the joys of parenthood.

On a side note I am so close to graduation I can taste it. Thursday had to be one of the hardest days of my life but somehow survived. I had two major group presentations and a couple of big photo projects all due on Friday. I went to school at 7am and I got home at 10pm. Some how I got everything done with only a few ulcers and migraines. I still have a hard week ahead of me but I feel like I can make it after what I did on Thursday. 6 days left!!!!

Sí, se puede (Yes it can be done)

2008-07-09T08:50:00.000-05:00

Soooo 9 more days until I graduate! I am so excited but I can not believe its coming. These next days are going to be the death of me. If I can make it, I think I will be able to do anything. I am just excited because we are down to the single digits.

Here is a little history of why I am so excited to be done with school here at BYU-Idaho. I started school here the Summer of 2000. That is right. 8 years ago. I know what you are thinking. A lot of people go to school for 8 years... Yeah they are called doctors and lawers. But oh no. I am getting my Bachelors in Communication. Technicaly I have not been here for that long because I took 2 years off for my mission to Long Beach. Then I took a year and four months off to get married. So 5 1/2 years isn't to bad but it feels like 8 years. BUT still, I am 26 in school.

I am the old man with two kids on campus. My sister who is 7 years younger than I am is going to be a sophmore at the end of this semester! I have had a teacher here who I am older than. I was on his board when he did New Student Orientation here at school. Now he teaches!

Anyway.... I am just ready to be done and start working!

Lighting

2008-07-07T03:02:00.000-05:00

Rexburg is not known for its electrical storms. They just do not happen very often. When it does they are not very exciting. Well tonight I was working on some homework and Jen's phone started ringing. She was taking my Sister home. It was our friends the Greers. Rebecca had some questions and then she told me to go look outside because there is a lot of lighting right now.

I ran outside and sure enough we had lighting and a lot of it. So I ran into my room and got my camera stuff ran outside and started photographing. Here is my fav of the night. I got about 4-5 others that I really like. I will get around to posting them later.

Cheers

More fun with pictures

2008-07-03T01:57:00.000-05:00

I really enjoyed taking pictures of my experiences and posting them. It felt more journalistic for me. So I might not be posting every day but I do want to document more of my life via photos. I will then post and write about them.

Here is how I found Micah in the morning yesterday. he was stuck but wanted to make the best of it and play. He is a monster but it makes for a fun time!

Day #6 Diaper Rash

2008-07-01T22:24:00.001-05:00

Brian thought I would of sent him a picture of a dirty diaper but I thought I would post a picture of me buying diapers. It can be a huge task for a guy. I took the photo so it looks like the shelf is falling on me. I had to be quick about taking it because I know they do not like people taking pictures in the store. So it was an adventure of buying the right kind of diapers for both of my kids and not getting caught! Who ever thought being a dad and photographer is boring needs to think again!

Day #5 Sleep Deprived

2008-06-30T23:58:00.001-05:00

I forgot how little sleep you get when you have a new born around. So every time the baby is asleep one of us get a chance to sleep while the other takes care of Micah. It was Jens turn and I really wanted to be asleep as well. So I took a picture.

Day #4 Vindicated

2008-06-30T00:57:00.000-05:00

As soon as I brought home our daughter my son has decided that he is going to be on his worst behavior. He will not do what he is told and sometimes will do the opposite. Well this picture kind of vindicated me. He would not eat his dinner last night or his breakfast this morning. It took a lot of coaxing to get him to eat this dinner. A family in our ward brought over enchiladas that were slightly spicy. Micah doesn't handle spicy very well. So he ate his beans and salad. He took one bite of his enchilada and it spiced him out. So I took the meat out of the tortillas because that's where the spice was. I then told him to eat the tortillas. Remember he is still mad at me. So he took a big bite out of the meat. The freak out that ensued after was classic. This is right after he drank the milk to cool the spice down. It goes to show. Don't mess with Dad!

Day #3 Car seats

2008-06-28T23:16:00.000-05:00

When I pulled out the old car seat I had a wave of memories and emotions come over me today. We went through a lot with our first one. I really didn't enjoy carrying the stupid thing everywhere. I didn't have to think twice about putting it in the car. It was all second nature. So I thought it would be fun to photograph the car seat that I get to carry around for the next year. I left the hat on it because it represents paige getting to use it now! Oh the joys of having a kid.

Day #2 Paige is here

2008-06-27T20:12:00.000-05:00

Our Daughter Paige is here. She is 6lbs 1oz. She has a full head of hair. I am going to post more photos on my website. Micah her big brother was 2 lbs heavier. He was also 3 inchs longer. She is a little cute girl. Anyway my life changed a whole lot today

Day #1 Steak

2008-06-27T01:43:00.001-05:00

This photo was the one that I had picked out for today because for me it represented the celebration of 9 long months for my wife and our family. We are having our daughter Friday and we wanted to have a nice meal before our life gets thrown back into chaos. They look good and they tasted great!

Art 260 Assignment

2008-06-27T01:41:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I have been given this assignment from Brother Atkinson. He is doing it along with us so check out his blog. I thought I might post my pictures here as well with a little explanation of why that photos means something to me.

Art 260 Assignment

This week (beginning tomorrow) you are to keep a "daily photographic journal" similar to Byron Wolf's project entitled "Everyday". I suggest that you read the introduction to his book which is posted at the end of today's lecture notes, and then start the day tomorrow with your camera at your side. I will participate along with you and you can view my images each day at: www.mileposts.blogspot.com. Please have your images emailed to me (art260@q.com) BY MIDNIGHT each day. I WILL NOT COUNT IMAGES THAT ARE SENT AFTER MIDNIGHT! If you miss a day - it cannot be made up.

It is my hope that this project will cause you to consider some of the things around you that make up your visual world. Try not to make 'contrived' photographs. Try using the camera as a visual diary - just record your life as it happens.

Remember: NO WEEKLY IMAGES DUE TOMORROW. This assignment takes their place. Also, TRY to have next Tuesday's photo's (day 6) emailed a little bit early.

Have fun!

Shun the unbeliever shunnnn.......

2008-06-16T09:27:00.000-05:00

So my good friend Kirby Heyborne went from Mormon Hero to Mormon Leper (they are really going to make him ring a bell and say unclean when coming around other Mormons.) He is in a Miller Lite commercial! I can not believe he acted in a commercial. How dare he make money for his family. The fragile minds of the Mormon empire are in a frenzy. Kirby didn't you know, peoples testimony's are based on your acting choices.

This is what Corbin Allred (another LDS actor) had to say about this.

Oh...and this is a message to anyone who enjoys judging my friend Kirby, HOW COME NOBODY EVER GETS MAD AT ME?! I'M MORMON TOO! AND I KILL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME ON TV AND IN MOVIES!!! I guess pretending you smoke or drink beer is worse than STRANGLING PEOPLE WITH AN ELECTRICAL CHORD...maybe I just don't understand. Does the guy who plays Judas in church videos get hate mail? Remember folks...IT'S NOT REAL!!!

I am tired of people passing judgment. This is between him and his family and GOD. No one else. I can not believe that people have been sending him HATE mail. I am so happy we as Christians really embraced the whole concept of love one another by sending them hate. Loving one another is something that we need to do always, even if someone is in a Beer commercial. Go team go!

So needless to say. Kirby I am sorry that people are are retarded. Wear that bell proud. Yell unclean at General Conference!

My Son the Artist

2008-06-10T23:20:00.000-05:00

Micah has really been spreading his artistic wings today. He has also been walking a thin line. Micah decided that after he pooped he was going to put his hands down his pants and paint with what he found.

Needless to say I smelt something funny and looked over at him smearing his own poop on the floor! Then he looked up and me and said.. "ewww Yucky". Something told me this day would come but I wasn't ready for it! So Micah got an early bath. This story is not over.

So we put him down to bed. Jen usually stays in the room with him until he falls asleep. Sometimes we don't and he is pretty good about going to sleep. So we put him to bed. I went into the bed room about 30 min later to get my shoes on to check the mail and guess who was in my room with an empty bottle of Desitin. That's right you guessed it, Micah!

We he thought the floor, my hat, mirror, his foot, and clothes all needed a white coat of baby rash cream. I think Jen was about to kill the little guy, with kindness of coarse, so I put him back down to bed. Right now he is sleeping but I will let you know if he decided to make another master piece in the morning!

Hi my name is Chris... I might annoy you

2008-05-15T11:22:00.000-05:00

So I have this bad habit of taking my friends name and making a little song or saying out of it. Here are some example... (Warning they will get stuck in your head) My friend Emily when I see her I start singing "Emily my friend partner in many schemes." I think she hears it and sings a long the first time but after about 20 times in an hour she wants to kill me.

Lets move on to Steve. I watch Homestarrunner.com and one of the Strong Bad emails is about a cartoon he makes. One of the people in the cartoon says HEY STEVE! ALSO... I really like Flight of the Conchords. One of their songs is Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros . One of the lines in the song says, "Did Steve tell you that per chance........ Steve....." So every time I see Steve I manage again to say this about 500 times I see him. I even sing the song when he calls.

Now lets talk about Lisa. We all know the name Lisa is a name from the Simpsons and one of the episodes has a guy pretending to be Micheal Jackson and Bart and him sing a birthday song to Lisa. Micheal Jackson really does sing THIS song. I like to sing it to her every time I see her. I think she has a hit out for me.

The best thing is that I have a class this semester with all three of them.... at the same time.... oh yeah!

So just a warning if you want to be my friend... It comes with a risk.
See what I do to little kids...