Forrest Gump Was Wrong

"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know which one you're gonna' get."

Yes. I suppose life is like a box of chocolates, but I always know exactly which one I'm going to get. The nasty maple creme filled dark chocolate one. Without fail. I wake up each morning with plans for wonderful things to happen. A clean house. A shower before 2 pm. A restful nap in the afternoon. A baby who will entertain himself for even 10 minutes while I try to do one of these things. Maybe I'm asking too much here. Maybe... but I don't think so.
I probably should have read the fine print on motherhood. Most days I spend the better part of the morning keeping the baby fed, clean and semi-entertained while I wait patiently for that wonderful moment when he fades out for a nap. Nap time is GOLDEN. Unfortunately, it's never guaranteed and when it does happen, I never know how long it will last so I end up wasting it in menial tasks like dishes or vacuuming. This post may sound doom and gloom (it is), but there is a flip side. Over these past several months I've developed some very important skills. Mommy skills. Here are a few:

1) I am a diaper and baby wipe connoisseur.
I know which diapers work the best, leak the least, and will give him the smallest amount of diaper rash. Also, which wipes will keep his bum from getting ripped to shreds.

2) I learned to bake bread and do it regularly to avoid buying bread at the store. It tastes SO much better than store bought.

3) Through extensive mommy research I've found several "toys" around the house that provide him with hours of entertainment, beyond what his purchased toys will. Current item of interest: the TV remote (best if batteries removed before he plays). Other "toys" he loves: measuring cups/spoons, bag clips and anything else that can be used to make LOTS of noise.

4) Constipation cure: The Jumperoo
He LOVES his Jumperoo. Not only does it provide him with lots of bouncy fun. It's a laxative.

5) The power of distraction.
This one is a VERY effective and important Mommy tool. It entails doing anything and everything to make the baby forget he's mad, hungry, or anything other than happy.

6) You really can survive on small amounts of sleep (less than 4 hours a night, total), but the world feels like a really crappy place when you do. Naps during the day are essential.

More on this list later.

So, what else have we been up to. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking.

Alex graduated!
He actually graduated back in December, but we went to Utah in April so he could walk. It was nice closure for the 2 years of stress he endured at BYU.


We had a very short time in Utah, but were able to see our good friends, the Browns. Their son Carson is exactly one month younger than Robert. Mandatory Fathers & Sons pic.

Robert.
Somehow he always manages to work his way into this blog.

Robert wanting to know how Carson gets his skin so silky smooth.

Mission Reunion with the senior couples. This wasn't the best picture of the group, but it was my best picture... and since it's all about me....

A thumb sucker in the making. He used to be equal opportunity and go for the whole fist, but he's getting more selective in his older age.

What's up, doc?
He wasn't sure what to think of the carrot for his teething gums.


Making a new (old) friend.
Last time they met they were only a couple months old.




Back home.
We've been trying to get Robert used to his baby carrier. He's still not sure what to think.

Check out my newest trick - nose scrunching!


Looking at Dad to see what he's going to do next.

... and now it's time for an intervention. Robert happens to be throwing a fit in the other room as I type. Shocking.