I can see where this is headed!

Today during torture time, I mean, tummy time, I had to acknowledge this:

Yep. The poor kid is already losing his hair. Here's the thing. My boys were born with such luscious, long, thick locks. But by two months, they start rubbing their way to massive bald spots. The problem is, what should I do about it? I hate to shave his head. First, because I LOVE HIS HAIR. Its awesome. He looks like one of those treasure trolls. He even has a face like a treasure troll. Big, wide open eyes, button nose, chubby cheeks...If I dyed his hair hot pink he could be a treasure troll for Halloween. And the second reason, because I don't want to take clippers to a little tiny baby, with his sensitive, soft baby skin. It would scare him to death. So I'm at an impasse. I do need to make a decision soon however, before it turns to this: Sorry its blurry. This is the only picture I could find. I am really a horrible photographer. This is Wyatt. Basically the whole back of his head was bald. I would try to give him trims to minimize the difference between hair and no-hair areas, but it didn't really help. I kept thinking it would grow in, but it never did until I shaved it all off. I think the new hair growth itched, so he would always rub his head when he was on his back. The above picture showing the result of such actions. I'm ashamed/embarrassed I let it get so bad. After I shaved it off, it came in nice and thick, no more bald spots.

I don't know what to do with Micah's hair. It kills me to shave it off, but it is starting to look ridiculous.

Other Micah-journal stuff: At his 2 month checkup he weighed 11 pounds 1 ounce, 23.5 inches long. Average. Average. I think he looks chunky, but its just because I've never had a baby who weighed in above the 10th percentile. At any point in time.

This is just a cute picture of Wyatt from the other day:

I love LOVE LOVE my boys!

Be Prepared!

Susie's house almost caught on fire today. Really, really scary day. Wildfires came within a few hundred feet of her house; she and the rest of the neighborhood were evacuated. Fortunately her house did not receive any damage, but it really got me thinking. How prepared am I in the event of an emergency? The thing that frightens me is that I am not prepared at all. While Susie was telling me about running around her house, trying to grab what she thought she needed, all I could think was how unprepared I am for such an event. I started mentally going through my house, trying to remember where we keep the important documents, pictures, what clothing would we need, what supplies I would need for the myself and the boys, where I would go, etc., etc. It really freaked me out. The leaders of the church are always telling us to be prepared, have an emergency kit, and to have a plan. And in my stupidity, I keep putting it off. Especially lately. We've been so transient, it was so easy for me to say, well, I'll take care of this once we get settled. But emergencies don't wait for us to be settled. It was a very eye opening experience. Needless to say, getting a 72 hour kit and an emergency plan put together are at the top of my to do list right now. How prepared are you?

PS Susie got some great pictures from her camera (this one was from her phone). I'm sure she will post them on her blog soon.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

We're moving! Hooray! Yippee! Jake's temporary assignment in San Francisco has officially been made permanent. We are moving in three weeks. We were able to rent this really cute little house. I love it. Its right on the water, close to the church, has a big back yard, and I am so excited to move in!

Jake was a busy boy this week. His honey-do list included the following items last week:

1. Get a job

2. Get a house

3. Get a car

He did all three! We got a new car on Friday! Its a hybrid Toyota Highlander. I absolutely love it. It is so nice having the room for both boys and leg room in the front at the same time. Plus trunk space. Its weird driving a hybrid, because it doesnt feel like its running when you start it, but I am getting used to it. Wyatt is in heaven. He follows me around the house, asking "new car? new car?". He has this huge grin while he rides in it. And now he can't reach his brother and rip off his blanket, snatch and throw his pacifier, and try to rip off his feet. Wyatt has a thing with baby feet. Very strange.

I tried to get Jake to do the "toyota jump," you know from those old commercials "I love what you do for me...Toyota!" and then the person jumps with arms overhead, legs kicked back, and then they would freeze frame that moment? Well, he wouldn't do it. It would have been a great picture, but you'll just have to create the mental image instead. Maybe Susie will pose for me next time I see her.

Time to start packing!

Behind all this fog is a sunny day...

We got back from San Francisco on Friday night. Whew! What a week. Four people, one hotel room. Very few naps.

Great trip though. The kids did pretty well on the flight, but getting through the airport was a nightmare!! We barely made it through, even with two adults. Geez Louise, I hate carseats. They are the most cumbersome, awkward, heavy things ever. I have to fly alone with the boys in a few weeks, and I am already getting panic attacks. I don't know how I am going to get through the airport by myself. I'm not worried about the flight, just getting to the gate. I only have two arms, but I have two kids, two car seats, whole lotta luggage, stroller...arghhhhh! Can I request a golf cart please?

But anyway, the kids and I spent the week looking for a house to rent. Not much luck. We found ONE place that looks promising, but there are other people interested in it, so say a prayer and cross your fingers that the landlord wants to rent it out to us! But that was about it. Nothing else that I could imagine unpacking my stuff in. Hmm. While not house hunting, we hung out on the (very cold) beach, took walks, went to the Marine Reserve, and to Golden Gate Park. I wish we had more time (and my beloved double-stroller), there was so much fun stuff to do! Its a great place for kids. However, all my previous apprehensions still hold. It was even colder and foggier than I anticipated. Houses are expensive and tiny. There aren't many young families. BUT, after spending a week there, I feel much more comfortable about the situation. Not at ease, but more comfortable. I think it will take me awhile to adjust, but I will get there. There ARE a lot of great places to eat...

Its still not a for sure thing, but its looking that way. I'm so excited to move for the third time in a year! Hooray for packing and unpacking, having stuff break, get lost, furniture get scratched, dented and broken (thank you Heber 5th ward young men)! ;) Seriously though, like I said before, I really just want to get settled somewhere. The facility where Jake works is very nice, and the staff are great. He really likes working there. Happy husband=happy wife!

I didn't get many pictures because I forgot, as usual. And I was usually carrying Micah in the sling, trying to keep Wyatt from leaping into bodies of water, so I had no hands left to whip out the camera. Sorry.

This is the beach in front of our hotel. This was right before Wyatt ran directly into water, and then spent the rest of the day whining because he got wet.

At Golden Gate Park in the city. Beautiful, super fun place! I wish we could have spent more time there. Anyway, we got ice cream cones, and most of Wyatt's ended up on his face, neck, hands, and clothes. We got a lot of worried/panicky looks from elderly women. What? That's what baby wipes are for!

Micah's Baby Blessing

Micah was blessed by his dad on September 6th. We did it in the Foothill Ward so that we could bless him at the same time as the Demkes blessed Jay. My parents came, as did Jake's dad Randy, and some cousins and friends. Afterwards we had a get together at the Demkes. Great food. Thank you so much to everyone who came! It really meant a lot to us.

The blessing was so special. It always is, right? But when its your own kid being blessed, it means so much. The thing that really stood out to me was when Jake blessed Micah to serve a mission, and I felt so strongly at that moment that Micah will one day be a great missionary. One of the amazing blessings of being a parent of more than one child is that I get to see the unique personality traits each one has. Even at such a young age, they are so different. Micah is a strong boy, physically and in his personality. I can't wait to see what he is like when he grows up, but I think these traits will help him impact the lives of those he associates with, for the good!

I am so thankful to be a mother. Being a mother is the most humbling gift I have ever been given. My boys test me, they try me, and they make me grow. But I am so thankful for each minute. Not a day goes by that I don't spend a moment in complete awe of the responsibility I have been entrusted with, to raise these special spirits of our Heavenly Father, to teach them, to protect them, and to love them. Being a mother is a terrifying thing; our world is a scary place. I wish I could protect them from everything, but I know that's not how the Lord wants it to be. So I have to teach, by word and example. Right now I don't feel like I am worthy enough for that challenge. But I am working, every day, to be the kind of person I want my boys to look up to and emulate.

Wyatt laying on the love...

We are a happy family...most of us anyway.

Randy, me, Micah, Jake, Wyatt, my mom, my dad. We love our family!

Dad and Micah

Not from the blessing, but he looks so cute!

Things I Know

1. I'm 90% sure Micah has colic. :(

2. I'm 100% sure Wyatt has ants in his pants. :)

My eyelid is twitching

Why? Because I am starting to get stressed out. And that's what happens when I get stressed. My eyelid starts spasming. More stress=more twitching. Its a direct corollation.

Jake has been in San Francisco (actually Pacifica) for the last month, working at a facility up there. Its a great building, one of the best in the company actually. He was filling in because the previous administrator quit to run his own building in Utah. Jake had been told he probably wouldn't be assigned there permanently, so I didn't really give moving there any thought. But Jake has been pushing for it, and he was told yesterday to find a place to live, and to plan on moving his family up there. But he was not told that this is a permanent placement. Most likely, it will be, but just not yet. So I guess we are moving? We are all flying up next week together. The boys and I will check out houses for rent, and play on the beautiful beaches while Jake works. I hope we can find a place to live in less than a week. I don't know what the week will be like, all of us in one hotel room. With one person who likes to wake up every 3 hours. Not to eat, just to be reassured that mom will come running. But thats another story. I'm trying to pretend that this is like a vacation, and not get freaked out about trying to find a home in a place I have never been. In a very small town, with very few properties available. All of which are NAUSEATINGLY EXPENSIVE. It will be fun.

My thoughts on the whole thing: to be honest, I am not really excited about moving to northern California. I like the sunny south. I know its dry, dirty, crowded, and kind of ugly (let's be honest) down here, but I like it. I like the year round sunshine, the warm beaches, Disneyland, and having so much family and friends close by. I feel comfortable here. I like our house and our routine here. It feels like home. And now we have to move (pronto) to the cold, foggy north? Where I don't know a soul? I've never spent any time in the city where we are moving, which I know contributes a great deal to my trepidation. Also, we JUST BARELY UNPACKED from our last move!

I know I will make friends there, and find fun things to do with the kids. I am determined to make the best of whatever situation I find myself in. When Jake and I agreed to this job and career path, I told him I was willing to go wherever he was assigned. And I know I will be happy there. Eventually. But just not right now. I need some time.

I think after this trip up I will start to feel more excited. Its hard for me to get excited when I don't have anything to visualize. Jake says it is absolutely beautiful up there, right on the coast. There are lots of coastal trails, state parks and beaches, and a lot of outdoor activities, which I know I'll love. The houses we have looked up online are all small, old, and ugly. And ridiculously priced. Sweet!

I am looking forward to being settled. Having our family split up like this for so long has been really hard on all of us. I don't recommend it to anyone. It has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through. Jake loves the building and the staff where he is working. We are all looking forward to a little bit of stability in our lives.

So that's how I feel about things right now. Hopefully after our trip I will come back super excited to move and get settled up there. I'm trying to have a positive attitude. It will be great, right?

Week at the G's

Last week the boys and I went to my parents' house in Clovis. I got bored being by myself at home. It was nice having someone to help me out with the boys, and even cook dinner for me! The only problem is that Micah got SPOILED by always having someone to hold him while he was sleeping, and now he won't sleep by himself! Who can resist a snuggly, sleeping baby? It was a super fun trip. Wyatt cried for Grandma and Grandpa for about 20 minutes when we started the drive home. :( We'll be back!

Wyatt hanging out by the pool. Check out his hot bod!

Eating ice cream. Yum! Peanut butter and chocolate with brownies and chopped peanuts.

A prize if you can guess who made this sundae.

Wyatt giving a kiss to his brother.

Grandma with the boys.

Grandpa tickling Wyatt.

Micah in his cute church duds last Sunday. He's so cute. When he's not screaming.