Count Down time!

So, as of yesterday I only have four weeks left in the semester! I am really excited not because I am taking the summer off but because I will have more time with Mackenzie and Hyrum. I am so excited to start taking them to Gymboree more and doing more projects around the house with Mackenzie and just cuddling with Hyrum. For example, this morning he was up at 6:50 am. Mackenzie was still fast asleep, so we have moony/ son time. He nursed for about 20 minutes (which is wonderful!) and then I changed his diaper and clothes. After which he played on his play gym while I began cleaning up after tornado Mackenzie. He was just enjoying mommy talking to him and smiling away. I love having this individual time with the kids. I know that this time fleeting and so I want to take advantage of every moment I have.

Mackenzie is getting so big. Last night I called on my way home from class and Eric decided to put me on speaker phone. Mackenzie started talking up a storm to me. She even said "Mackenzie sad. Mommy come home." Well that did it. It was extremely hard not to break traffic laws and speed home as fast as possible. While it is hard to see my little girl grow up, it is also exciting to see her personality come through. She is so much fun.

Right now I am working on my first sewing project (all by myself). It is just a simple blanket for Mackenzie with monkeys and stars on one side and sparkly pink fabric on the other. (Pictures soon I promise). She has no idea about and I am so excited to finish it and surprise her. I love it when others teach me but I am also enjoying learning on my own. Next step remember how to set up my sewing machine and get started on quilting it. My goal is by the end of summer to be able to make her and Hyrum so clothes. We shall see if that come to fruition. I do have say that Mackenzie is definitely a Cunningham, she loves going to the fabric store with me, which Eric is eternally grateful for. I can not believe that this fall she will be in preschool and possibly dance as well. Where has the time gone. I am just grateful for the loving relationship that her and I are developing. This summer is going to be a blast. Between our garden, sewing projects, Spanish and art and Gymboree with the Kids it is going to fast too! I hope you all are enjoy the beautiful spring weather with your families too.

Civic Duty

So, this week has been crazy. Monday, I went back to class and had a presentation in the evening about literacy and biliteracy. I also took Hyrum for his four month appointment. He only gained a few ounces but is 25 and half inches long! Tuesday I had a huge project due and Hyrum came to class with me, because Eric was way too tired to watch both children. After that I thought I would have a quiet end to my week. However, I was also on call for jury duty and I got called yesterday. There were close to sixty others so I thought there was a slight chance I would be selected and of course I was. I also was elected foreperson, so I had the full experience. I am grateful for the experience but it was one of the longest days of my life. It would have been more fun if I did not have a family that depends on me. I missed my children and my husband and was extremely tired when I finally got home yesterday. I am now trying desperately to catch up on laundry and dishes and get the house in order again. I know it is my duty to serve and I am grateful I was able to gain a greater understanding of the legal system but I am also grateful I don't have to worry about again for two years. I do feel that justice was served and I am grateful for my hand it. Well I am off to bed to catch up on all the sleep I have missed, especially since Eric is home. Oh, one more piece of good news, it looks like Eric will soon have a full time job. He will be switching from printing Book of Mormons to helping print the Ensign and Liahona. I am so excited for him!

Hyrum's little girlfriend

So I know Hyrum is only four months old but there is already another little woman in his life that can make him smile. Mackenzie and I can do a pretty good job but this little girl just make him the happiest little guy ever. It is our next door neighbor little Victoria Sheppard. She is really cute and just makes Hyrum so happy. I hope that they will always be friends. Here are some pictures of the two of them together.

She is a couple of months older than him, but I guess he is just taking after his popa ;)

Sibling

So, today i finally was able to download all the pictures we have taken from our camera onto my computer. As I was doing so I found so pictures of Mackenzie and Hyrum together and similar photos from when they were the same age. So I thought I would share them with you.

 Here is Mackenzie very upset

 And then there is Hyrum when he is angry. They are not sibling at all!

 Here is Mackenzie busy helping us clean the living room

 Here Hyrum is trying to help in his own way. This is a look that my brother Jeff always pulled.

 And of course they love to lay next to each other. It is funny how they are almost two years apart and yet they look so close in height and weight, for now.

Mackenzie loves to have her little brother right next to her. We are so lucky to have two kids who love being around each other. They are so similar and yet so different.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

So today is a holiday that we take very seriously. We all wear green including baby Hyrum. It is funny that Eric is more in to it than I am. You see I am Irish. Not that you could tell from my skin tone or anything and Eric is English. However, he loves the day. He made sure that Hyrum was wearing green and even made sure that the shade of green I was wearing met his standards. Mackenzie seemed to enjoy it except for the fact that her outfit was a little too big. Eric took pictures of all of us and we took a few of him. It has become harder to get Mackenzie to smile for pictures. I think it is really the fact that she has to sit still and all she wants to do is explore the house.

 Here is Eric is all is Green Glory

 Mackenzie is playing hard to get

 I forgot to smile. I was so focused on getting her to smile.

Here daddy snuck a picture. Can you believe she can still sit in the cradle without breaking it. Hyrum was the only one who got out of pictures due to nap time. Don't worry there will be more pictures of him soon. He is almost rolling over. It won't be long before he is completely mobile.

Mackenzie's budding musical talent

So, my amazing dad has been able to reclaim his living room, since all of my brothers have moved out. With this he was able to clean it up to where we can sit in there and chat. Also Mackenzie can play to her heart's content. One of our first Sundays there she discovered the piano. Needless to say she decided to give it a try. At the same time I had just been able to get a new Iphone 4. So I thought I would try out the video feature on it. So here is Mackenzie in her first concert. I think her Tinkerbell pajamas make it.

The was her own original love song. It was difficult to stop filming but when she reached for the headphones I knew she wanted her privacy. She amazes me everyday.

He is famous

So... for my educational technology class I was given a chance to do a little extra credit for my photoshop lab and decided to use one of photos of Hyrum for the class. Let's just say not only did I get full credit but my professor loved it. So here is what I learned.

Here is the original photo. Isn't he so cute and peaceful.

Here is what I did for my class. It was fun, and I love the fact I could use pictures of my kids for my class. I thought about using one of Mackenzie but the hat just made this one better. So what do you think of my photoshop skills? I know I still have a lot to learn but I enjoyed doing it! So maybe a will do some more and keep you posted. Here is the other photo I did for the lab itself. I think it turned out pretty well to.

This one was tougher to do just because of the subject matter but I think it brings the information across. What do you think?

Health is being regained

So, I am on the mend and I have to say I have the best group of doctors ever. Eric was so sweet and made me stay in bed. He e-mailed my professor so I could rest and do my Spanish later. Also he tried very hard to help around the house. Mackenzie was my nurse. She would come in and check on me every so often and insisted on laying down next to me all the time. Finally Hyrum, sweet little Hyrum was the best medicine. He would smile and giggle at me all the time, which really helped. I am so thankful to have a family to help through illnesses. It is so great to be needed and wanted. When I was single I had my parents and my friends who cared about me but it just different when it is your own kids. Here is a little bit of the best medicine for all of you too. Hyrum is a little stingy with his smile and we have to say the magic word "Victoria" to get these wonderful smiles out of him. Enjoy!

 Who could not smile at this sweet little face! He is such a cutie and so is his big sister!

Mommy needs medical attention, finally!

So, we have sickness in and out of our house lately. So far I have been able to stay pretty healthy. I know this is the result of divine intervention. I have so much to do, I just don't have time to be sick. That is until now. You see Spring Break starts this week-end and I woke up this morning with an earache and sore throat. I am starting to feel better but I know that I will need to take it easy to get back to 100%. That is easier said than done, when your husband works graves and your kids need you and you really want to get laundry and dishes caught up. Hopefully if I take it easy this morning I can get more done this afternoon. I hope you all stay healthy and happy. Being sick is no fun, but at least have a really cute nurse (Mackenzie).

The Harsher Side of Life

So I needed to express some thoughts so that I may be able to sleep a little bit more peacefully. I am currently taking an education class in technology, where we have been required to come up with a final group project within our content area. Mine being history and being grouped with two guys, the decision was made to focus on the Holocaust. While I can handle it old feelings of disbelief and dismay have resurfaced. This time they are more personal because of where I am in life. I look at my two little children and wonder how the mothers who were victims dealt with the loss of their children and even spouses. Then I become even more thankful for the gospel for I know that someday they will all be together again. I can not understand anyone hurting a little child. They are innocent and pure. Even when Mackenzie writes on the wall with a tube of destine or Hyrum screams at the top of his lungs for food. I know that these precious little spirits are just that precious and to be treasured. They bring with them so much that they wish to share with all who are in their lives. With this need to research the dark side of the past, I truly appreciate the knowledge of the gospel even more.

We are currently working on a project called a web quest, where the students in small groups will be required to come to the conclusion of what kind of justice is needed in the aftermath of the atrocities of the Holocaust. While I know that man's justice can never fully heal the wounds that were created by the cruelty of man, I know that in the eternities our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ can and will heal the wounds of the past. It is hard to understand why these incredibly horrible things happen. However, we need to remember that we have been given agency to choose for ourselves between good and evil. With this agency, there needs to be opposition in all things, which means that not everyone will choose to follow the eternal truths of God. However, no matter what horror, depravity and evil are perpetrated on this earth, our father in heaven has given all of us a chance to be cleanses through his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Christ has truly felt all of our pain, sorrow and sins; including what was done to many helpless and innocent, decent people during the dark days of World War 2. I know that these innocent people are now at rest and will have the chance to live again. I hope I can hold on to these truths as I delve further into this darkness and that I will be able to keep the hope and light of Christ within me at all times, and in all places. May you each feel his love and comfort too is my hope and prayer.

We have entered the princess phase

So, Mackenzie has been a pretty diverse child. She loves, dinosaurs, trains, princesses, bug including butterflies and the colors pink and purple. I love the fact that my little princess loves so many different things. It makes buying toys for rewards and holidays so much more fun. However, she has discovered the joy of dressing up as a princess. She loves to wear her princess crowns all day and rock her sullala babies (a.ka. Cinderella). Also she is the best big sister. She is not much bigger than Hyrum, only 26 lbs and 2 oz according to the doctor on Tuesday. However, she loves to try and hold her 13 or so pound brother. It is pretty cute but he definitely swallows her. As of Thursday she has started to run around the house looking for me whenever Hyrum starts to cry. Hyrum loves his sissy and how she makes him smile and laugh. I can not believe he will be four months tomorrow! He is already teething, trying to talk and trying so hard to roll over. He can get onto his side and almost all the way over but then gets stuck. This evening he figured out how to move his little body through wriggling and squirming in order to reach his sister's cardboard box to chew on. Of course we took the box away but were so proud of him for the movement. Where does the time go! I do have to say though I love it when he giggles and then Mackenzie laughs. It is so hard not to smile and laugh right along with them.

Paging Doctor Winslow

So, I know my last post was a downer so I thought I would share a little fun with all of you. This past couple of weeks we have had sickness in our family. Mostly just little colds, nothing too bad. However, since Hyrum was born Mackenzie has been fascinated with all thing medical and health related. So, in our infinite wisdom as parents we got her a medical kit for Christmas. She has been wonderful with it. Checking everyone's heart rate, breathing, that our eyes are healthy and our reflexes still work. The only thing missing from the kit was a thermometer. We did not think anything of it since most her patients were of the stuffed variety. That is until last week. She decided it was time to started checking more on the living members of the family both two-legged and four-legged. So last Thursday she decided to take Charlie's temperature. Of course that meant using our nice thermometer, which she can now obtain from the linen closet with no problem. She also fingered out how to open and shut doors all on her own. Well we had no idea what was going on until Eric went to feed Charlie and take him out, and he found the broken thermometer. You see in trying to give Charlie dignity, Mackenzie out it into his mouth, where he began to chew on and took the metal tip off. Eric found the tip luckily. However when he showed me the thermometer all I saw were the wires billowing out of the top of the thermometer like a bouquet of flowers. Well with that I took it in stride and told Eric we would just have to get another one. Of course, then Mackenzie got an ear infection on Tuesday and I was unable to take her temperature. All I could tell the daughter was that her entire body to was hot to the touch. When he asked why I couldn't take her temperature I had to tell him the truth. And he gave Mackenzie props for her budding medical talents. All I can say is it is never a dull moment with a 2 year old in the house. She sure does keep us guessing and gives us smile. It is just also heartbreaking when she is ill. Thankfully though she is on the mend and being her normal curious self again. I am actually looking forward to going through this stage again with Hyrum. While it is challenging it is also rewarding. Parenthood is truly an amazing blessing worth waiting for. For I know I cherish it so much more. I hope you are all well and got a little chuckle with our budding medical drama and comedy here in the Winslow house.