Sleep Baby Sleep

Nolan 4 years old
Taylor 5 years old
Jessy 11 months old
Precious little ones! When I look at these pictures of these beautiful children I see so many different things that I hope to never forget. Taylor sleeps like her Dad, usually on her stomach or else with her arms over her head. She packs her bed with stuffed animals and books, I used to find rocks in her bed all bedded down for the night. She loves to listen to puff the magic dragon on repeat, get rocket rides to bed, two kisses and two hugs, and if she needs more than that it means she is thirsty or on the verge of a meltdown.
Jessy has slept through the night a handful of times in her short life, and started out by only being able to sleep on her tummy. She would move so much that we had to use the weight of her body as a newborn to hold her in place. She literally got herself half way out of her bassinet before she could roll over. She doesn't like a lot of snuggling, but will humor us every now and again. I will find her laying on the floor sometimes with her head resting and say awhhhhh, instantly she pops up as if to say, "what, I am not tired."
Nolan my boy doesn't like to sleep in his sheets, only on top of his blanket with his big blankie over him. I am not sure he could sleep at this point with out that thing. It is more comforting than I will ever know how to be. He doesn't like kisses, but every so often tells me, "Mom, one kiss, only one, on the cheek today." I'll take what I can get. He doesn't like his wallpaper in his bedroom and has slowly been pealing it off, I have given up on that, because truthfully I would do the same thing if I didn't like it. He is definitely my sweet and sour boy, underneath it all he is the sweetest little guy that can absolutely melt my heart.
Sweet dreams.

Trick Or Treat

We had the pleasure of spending Halloween with Barney, a black spider man, a one eyed purple people eater, and a giraffe. We went to a childrens carnival at a school this year, and were happy to be warm and safe. Jessy chomped down two suckers...quickly. The big kids had a blast and went down the big slide at least 50 times. They surprisingly weren't disappointed when the collected a bag of candy and could only have 1 piece. So much work for one piece. Halloween pictures are so priceless, and such a great way to compare them year to year. I can almost guarantee I wont get Nolan into a one piece spider man suit when he is a teenager. Precious!!

Fall

Fall is here....my favorite time of the year. The leaves are beautiful, the weather around here is usually awesome, and the excitement of the holidays around the corner. The kids went to the pumpkin patch with Jay this year and each had a pumpkin carving night at school with their Dad. Things seem to be going by quickly as we don't seem to be make a whole lot of progress around here. Kudos to those of you who have jobs and still get your yard work done. We are busy trying to wrap up things we never got around to over the summer. I am proud to say we kept it together during our first year with three kids. It has been an adjustment with three, if plan to get something done we know we just can't stop working until our heads hit the pillow. Jessy is more than keeping up with her brother and sister. She started walking at 9.5 months and is now climbing onto the furniture and trying to hop to the next piece of furniture. I can't believe all that she can do for only being 11 months. Taylor and Nolan have taken to her sooo well! They adore their baby Jessy. We are excited to spend Thanksgiving in Sandpoint this year, and to no suprise the kids have started making their Christmas lists, which include every toy seen on any commercial they watch...no exclusions. :)

Birthday Week!

Happy birthday to my two beautiful oldest kiddos. We now have a four year old and five year old running the household. We are wrapping up the week of birthday celebrations around here, which is a lot more like mardi gra than a birthday party. Nolan couldn't understand why we weren't getting together with people again today. The kids had a lot of fun and we really enjoyed them loving every minute of attention. We totally put off most things the kids want us to buy by saying we'll put it on your birthday list. So at birthday time we have tried to follow through. On Taylor's list this year she had; squishy things, bendaroos, and a nintendo DS. Nolan had a spider man craft kit, wooden train tracks, a DS, airhog helicopters, and about every other toy in Target. We followed through with the DS's and what a hit, I love, they love them...how could you not.

They also started preschool this week. I can barely keep up with the schedule now a days. I am totally missing them. Although being a helping mom in the class was hard to keep up with having two in school, I miss not seeing the other kids and their parents. What a wonderful age to interact with. They are growing up fast right now and life is a blur.

I love you guys and want to wish you the best birthday wishes ever!! XOXOXO

Wallawa Lake

Taylor on her soap box

Very serious hunters

Love them boys

Fun Fun Fun

Had a great time at the lake, a beautiful relaxing place for a family vacation. The kids were a riot together, and out numbered us finally 8 to 6. Nolan and I went tubing, you would have thought I was cliff jumping for how scared I was. We took the kids on a snype hunt in search of a big, red and white, butterfly shaped snype that smells like french fries. In the end the snype left them a gift, but never revealed itself. Too cute watching the kids banging sticks, chirping, while in undercover bright lion masks. I already want to go back, although family vacations are a ton of work it is always worth it. Lots of memories made and great bonding time for the parents and tykes.

Annual Columbia River Run

We recently had the chance to get out on the boat with the kids and the grandparents. For living so close to the river we definately don't get out there near enough. The kids had a blast and got to drive the boat, catch a bass, collect clams to fill a chum bucket, have a picnic, and run up mountains. Really it was just a sand dune, but when I ran up it I nearly passed out. Jessy loved her first boat ride and loved the water, and even had time to take a nap on the beach. Great time!

Summer

Absolutely the best and busiest time of the year for us. Just a few highlights. The kids took two weeks of swimming lessons and went from not putting their hair in the bath tub to diving in and swimming under water. It amazes me every time. Taylor did a one week crash course in ballarina school, and loved it. Both older kids did two weeks of vacation bible school, which was a major turning point in Nolan's three year old life. He went from difficult to angel...literally. Four is the majical age for him. We still have out moments, but much fewer and farther between. We did one quick trip to Bend, OR for a family reunion. Nolan played soccer with the big kids, and when I saw he was on a verge of breaking down of exhaustion I asked if he wanted to come home with me and snuggle. He said yes, and turned to the adults and said, "Good game guys, I have to go home with my mom now." I wish I had it on video, it was so cute as he was almost crying due to being overwhelmed, proud, and tired. Jessy is standing on her own and seems no reason she shouldn't be walking except that it is probably slower for her than her monkey crawl. She is so easy going that sometimes I forget she is there, then I hear the dog water spill all over the floor. We have a few more adventures before preschool this summer, our yearly boat trip, a family vacation at the lake, and Taylor and Nolan will be playing on the same flag football team. GOOOOOOO Westies!! If they could do every activity together I would be all for it, takes away a lot of stress. Definately a great summer, our yard and overall progress toward the 5 year yard plan was definately ignored. Maybe in the fall...or never...who knows.

Weekend Split

What a fun weekend! Grammy Dee and I took Taylor Dee to Seattle for a fun girls shopping weekend. We hit up some great locations, visited a beautiful home on Mercer Island, had dinner with friends, driving adventures, and an all around great time. Taylor was an absolute trooper, she didn't complain and had a positive attitude about everything down to the gas station bathroom. She aquired three new pets along the way and so much more. Grandpa gave her a $20 to spend, and she held onto that bill for dear life and budgeted well. She chose to buy a stuffed animal, vase with a flower, heart shaped ice cube tray, and a keyboard. Very cool!

Jay stayed home with Jessy and Nolan and had a great Daddy kind of weekend. They went fishing, to the boat races twice, and to a football game. I am not sure I would ever have that kind of energy. Nolan said he had the best day ever. Worth all the effort when they say that. This was our first split the kids trip and it was great! Looking forward to Mom and Nolan day soon! I will post bigger pictures and some girl ones soon.

Your Mom

While I am writing this post my kids are crying in the background, so what better time to talk about me. I recently took a new job and will be working for an environmental assessment company in Richland. I start mid July. It sounds like I will be doing a lot of different things. I will be working a lot in the field, in the lab, and some clerical work as well. I am super excited to get back to work, especially in my field of study. By the way kids, your mom is a biologist, or something like that. I am also anxious. I am not going to pass up this great opportunity, but wish Jessy was a little older. I find that it is hard for me to sleep lately because I already have anxiety about waking up early and getting the kids ready...yatayata. I will have to let go of a bit of my planning and do a lot more going with the flow. It is only part time and sounds perfect...I look forward to passing along some updates.
I have also been selling Scentsy on the side, mostly because I love the way the kids say "scentsy." Just kidding. I love the stuff and want everyone I know to own some scentsy. Warning, it is only for those who want their house to smell amazing. I love the stuff and will post a link to my site.
Still working at Entrees Made Easy, and the dog kennel. I like to keep my feet in a lot of doors I guess. People who shop at Entrees Made Easy are smart, the smartest people I know. Seriously, what a time saver and great food. I may always work at the kennel, I have gotten attached to so many customers and their dogs, and to be honest am not in love with dogs. Wierd....I know. Love to see the family succeed.
I wish I had more hobbies, but am okay with the sacrifice for now. The Internet makes having no real talents more bearable. For instance, I can scrap book my life in less than an hour, put together an amazing collage, tell a joke, connect with millions, purchase anything...you name it. You kids will be shocked to learn one day that I lived during a time where the Internet didn't exist. LOL...my parents can say that about color tv and DVD's. I can only imagine what you will be telling your kids about the things you did with out. I love my blackberry curve, and will never have a phone with out all the bling again. In my perfect world I would walk and swim a lot more, you guys could be a little more cooperative you know. :-) I love being your mom, it brings my life so much joy, happiness, guilt, frustration and unconditional love. FYI If you ever meet a mom without guilt or frustration, she isn't being honest with you. I feel stressed to go back to work because I feel it isn't in your best interest, and that is how I have tried to raise you and make decisions. Instead I am leaving you with family, and we will all have to make some sacrifices. I am thankful for my life, opportunities, and the help I receive to make it all happen.
P.S. you aren't crying anymore so don't think I just completely ignore you

Yee Haw!

A few cute pictures of the kids getting ready to buck hay, some of the fun chores us country folk look forward to. The first pictue is of course a Taylor and Nolan camp out in Nolan's room, we promise to take you real camping one of these days.

New Earings!

Taylor got her ears pierced yesterday, I am missing the really cute but sad picture of when they were actually doing it and hope to add that soon. I was told by friends to make sure that they have two people doing it simultaneously, and they were right. We didn't do it that way, and it was such torture to talk her into doing the other side...it felt so wrong. After the first ear was done, it took a good 20 minutes to talk her into the other. What finally did the trick was her picking out some sweet yarn ball looking earings.

She had been talking about getting it done for a few months now, but always changed her mind. This time she brought it up and was very confident that she wanted it done that day. It felt like some sort of right of passage. Watching your child go through pain to do something so trendy and popular in american culture. Ouch!!

A Blast From The Past

Ahhhhh man, they are growing up so fast. Look at my cuties. My little Taylor and Nolan are two peas in a pod. They are best friends about 40% of the time, and the other time is full of lots of surprises. Lately Taylor's mischievous side is taking over and she is trying to suck Nolan in. These two crack me up time and time again. We are into the full swing of summer, but haven't spent as much time outside as I was planning. We have been busy busy on the new playhouse in the sky, a huge project!

Today Nolan got stung by two bees, and Taylor ran inside immediately to get him chocolate milk. She made it herself and spilled a lot more on the ground, it was so sweet. She then brought him marbles which did the trick. They love to have sleep overs in each others room. They have a wild fun imagination that I love the most. Right now I believe Taylor is dreaming about worms and Nolan is dreaming about trains. I love you two to the moon and back and back again and into your heart!!!

My "AH Ha" Moment

I have heard the phrase, "child rearing hips" so many times in my life, but never really got it. I thought that meant a particular build of women that was preferable to having kids. Stocky, tall wide hipped women. Now I know they are the hips you get after having kids that are wide and have sweet padding all over. I am in the club.

Jessy Bessy

Jessy had her six month well check today, and is doing great. She is weighing in at 17lbs. This is a huge weight gain from her last apt. She is in the 25% for height and 60% for weight. She is doing exceptionally well sitting up and maintaining her center of balance. Out of all the kids she is definitely a mover, I expect her to be walking before she is 1. Such and easy baby, we have been lucky lucky parents with all of our kids. By the way, I can't resist calling her "Jessy Bessy." If you say it out loud in a really shrilly voice it becomes addicting...try it.

An Entabiologist

Taylor has recently informed me that she already has a job. She said she takes care of bugs, animals, and plants. So I said you are a entamologist, biologist, and a veterinarian. "Well, yeah," she says. Lately she has been telling me that she is and entabiologist. A girl of my heart. She combined the words on her own....way too cute! So today she is borrowing a field guide to North American Insects and Spiders. She is going on all kinds of adventures with her book to find bugs she can look up in her guide. She is getting to the right page, a proud mommy moment. You go baby girl!!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Sports season has begun in our family, a time of year where the West children become their Daddy's biggest fan. There is just something about eating cotton candy and having concession snacks. I mean really, I can't think of one bad memory that involves cotton candy.

A Play House In The Sky

For those of you who have met my Dad or Jay, you would probably agree that they are project guys. They love to stay busy busy. One can talk the other into just about anything. The newest project is the play house in the sky for the kids, or for them I am not sure. It is going to be the cutest thing and the kids are going to love it for years to come. Each day a new idea pops up for the play house and off to Home Depot they go. This is stemming from wanting a playhouse for the kids, like a small plastic one, and then running into an amazing lofting playhouse at the home show this year. FYI, beware of going to the home show with DIY, it is tough on the pocket book. Looking good guys!!

From Vines to Wine

Jay and his brothers have taken the first step toward and idea, dream, adventure...I can't quite get that part out of them. They recently planted 300 or so grape starts and this is it so far. I am looking forward to watching them grow, there is such a sense of pride in that, and usually no fail as long as you keep them watered. Good thing I am not in charge.

Welcome Baby Jackson!!

Congratulations to Kelly, Grant, Ella, Hailey and family! They proudly welcome baby Jackson into the family. Jackson weighed in at 6lbs 15oz and aproximately 19 inches long. Watching him enter the world was truly amazing and a memory I will never forget. He is a beautiful boy and we all are looking forward to watching him grow and be loved on by his sisters. His Dad came from a family with two sisters, so will have a lot of advice to give him I'm sure on making it in a world of dress up, make up, and sooooo much more. So happy for all of you!!

Congratulations Wendy and Verni!!!

One of my best girlfriends, Wendy P tied the knot this past weekend.It was a beautiful wedding.Wendy has always been the kind of person that not only makes you smile, but laugh until you cry. She is seriously the only bride I have ever seen to make her wedding just as much about everyone else. She accomadated everyone and welcomed everyone. She said I just want everyone dancing with a drink in hand. I think she danced to every song, including a sweet rendition of Micheal J's, Bad. Wendy was such a gorgous, radiant, and joyfull bride. Wendy, you are such a breath of fresh air, don't ever change. Congratulations to you both...cheers to a long and happy life!!! Oh, and many children too!! Love you girly!

Updates

Taylor 4 years old at preschool

Jessy 5 months old sitting up on her own first time

Nolan 3 years old with his favorite wood train set

It seems like these guys change every minute. What fun ages they are at! We have the 5 mo old that just grows like a weed and is exploring everything. Babies are so great, and what a joy Jessy has been. The first time I was stressed and didn't know what I was doing. The second time I had a one year old and was trying to keep my head attached, and this time I am able to relish the absolute miracle in every moment. I love to look at Jessy when she is sleeping and admire her beauty, and enjoy the slowness to life babies bring.

Nolan loves, loves, loves, I cant emphasize enough his love of his trains. He loves putting the track together in as many ways as possible. If I could could predict his future I would say he may be an engineer. He is very much a Daddy's boy right now. If I gave him a choice between Disney Land and a day at home with Dad, he would choose his Dad hands down.

Taylor is a little whipper snapper. She is one smart bean. She has memorized every character on my soap opera...not a score for me. She is very "with it," and a very thoughtful girl. She covered me up for a nap yesterday, asked if she could get me anything, and then left my door a little bit open so I wouldn't have to turn the knob. So sweet.

Yesterday during story time she said, "my heart is hugging itself." I love to hear what comes out of their mouth, and I fear it as well. Taylor and Nolan have formed some what of a gang....a special one that noone can join. They gang up on their little cousins, and I don't know what to do. They just love each other what can I say.