I'm Not Rocking Her to Sleep Anymore

She's Okay. Just in case the title made you scared. But I'll get to that.

First, Wow. It's been a long time. 3 years since I've posted. I don't know why really. Maybe I didn't need it anymore. Maybe life became so routine that there was nothing new to say. She hasn't changed a lot, only gotten bigger, heavier, longer. Same beautiful face. 

There's been a few big changes in the last few years. I'll get to those over time. I'm not sure why I had the urge to start blogging again. Maybe it's because she's started school and I want to document what she might learn. Maybe it's because my Mom and StepDad are going on a mission. Maybe life has finally calmed down enough... hahaha... yeah no... that's not it ;-)

The blog I have in me tonight though is about rocking her to sleep. I sleep trained all of my babies. Except Sophia, of course. Until a couple of weeks ago, I have rocked her to sleep every night of her life. I would give her medication, hook her up to various machines, wrap her up and rock her. Once she was out I would transfer her to her bed. Stepping carefully so as not to trip over the cords. It used to take a long time, so I would usually sing a song or two and then turn on the TV. In the Hidden Hills house I even put a bench and extra chairs in the room so the kids could watch TV with me. 

But over the years it has taken less and less time. When we moved into the new house, I didn't see a need for any extra furniture, as it wasn't taking too much time away from the others to put her to bed. But I did think that it would be something that I would do for her whole life, no matter how big she got. And I liked that idea. 

Well it didn't turn out that way, but life is like that sometimes. For several months now she would wake up when I transferred her, which was turning into a problem. So a couple of weeks ago, I decided to try something new. I wrapped her up, held her and sang her two songs. Lay her down, then sat down by myself in the chair and sang "You Are My Sunshine" over and over until she fell asleep. It worked perfectly, she fell asleep beautifully and we didn't have to worry about the transfer. 

So now I sing her to sleep instead. Our rocking days are done. Unless she gets sick, I suspect there would be a fair amount in that case. It makes me a little sad, but... well... that is that. It is what it is. <3

Here's a recent pic of our family since it has been a while. 

My Sisters

 The #lighttheworld suggestion for today is to highlight the most Christlike person you know on social media. Since I'm not on, I will highlight here on my blog :-)

I chose to highlight my sisters. Holly, Ahna, and Amelia. When I think of my sisters, I think of Christlike attributes, mostly because they are mothers. These women get up every day, in the face of insurmountable trials. And I don't mean almost insurmountable. I mean, actually insurmountable.

But they get up anyway.

They get up and they work and they try. Every day. Even when they can't. They find a way. They teach and protect. They provide unconditional love, compassion and even shelter and food. They sacrifice everything for their children. And they have amazing children because of it.

If sacrifice is a Christlike attribute, these women have got it down. They're simply amazing and I love them.

Girls, you are my hero's...

Lava Hot Springs

 Tonight I'm grateful for the opportunity to take Sophia to a beautiful hot spring and make a memory. We sat in the water for about 30 minutes and she was very happy. Cooing and smiling. She always looks so relaxed in the water. It's one of those things I'll always remember ❤

#givethanks

My Four Babies

 Tonight, I was sitting around talking with my MIL&SIL's about giving birth. So tonight, I am grateful for my four babies. My girls were natural, I needed epideral's with my boys. But they all made it, safe and happy. And I'm so grateful that my family is complete(ly done)!

#givethanks

Here they are....plus my bonus kids....on my birthday last week :-)

Thanksgiving 2020

 Tonight I'm grateful for a wonderful family in law, for food, and for little things that remind me of a great childhood. For example, tonight I'm sleeping under a cotton blanket with ribbon lining...remember those? ;-)

Night

#givethanks

Cousins on thanksgiving...

The only pictures I took on thanksgiving. I guess I was too busy stuffing my face ;-)

Dang it!

I forgot to post gratefullness yesterday! Ack! It's just SO busy....so MANY things to do to keep everything in this family running smoothly! Well, I guess I will post an extra day so that I still get 7 posts in ;-)

TODAY I am GRATEFUL for sleeping children on the way to Idaho! 

Whoops....guess this one wasn't sleeping lol

I'm grateful for a lot of other things too. And I'm sitting in the car, so I will list them...

I'm grateful for...

-A nice car that fits our family (even if I have to sit in the back bc Sophie gets the good seat ;-)

-Family

-Sophie's machines. Namely the machine that helps her breathe when she forgets, the machine that concentrates oxygen for her, the machine that aerosols medication and delivers it to her lungs, the machine that shakes the mucus in her lungs loose, the machine that helps her cough it up, the machine that sucks it out, the machine that tells me if her heart rate or oxygen drops, and...oh yeah...the machine that feeds her! Each of these special machines keeps our girl comfortable, and alive ❤

-I'm grateful for a lovely house, big enough for each child to have their own room and Jason an office.

-Family

-That my husband lost his job, bc now he works from home!

-Family

-Lots of Friends

-Friends who are like family

-Family

-The Gospel

-The Prophet

-Our Country

-The President and First Lady (yep, I said it! I like Trump!)

-The Scriptures

-Living on a culdesac

-Our cute little animals

-Family

-Therapy

-My adorable and perfect children

-Sophie's smile

-Sophie's wheelchair

-Soccer games

-Cello concerts

-Band concerts

-Patriotic programs

-Mild weather this fall

-Family

-Holidays

-Temples

-Trees

-Cliffs

-Mountains

-That I've ALWAYS had a roof over my head and food in my belly. Like, my whole life, THAT'S pretty great.

-My hard workin man

-That I can watch the sunset behind the mountains, from my living room/kitchen, every night.

-The schooling I've had, and the schooling I plan to continue one day

-Dreams

-Inspiration/The Holy Ghost

-Jesus Christ

-Joseph Smith

-Family

-Did I mention family? ;-) Seriousy, my family associations (immediate and extended) are just about the most important thing to me.

#givethanks

Night Nurses #givethanks

 Tonight I'm grateful for our night nurses. We didn't have one last night, for the first time in a long time. I forgot how much we depend on them! Thank goodness we have full time nursing. It's such a necessary blessing.