Grateful for hinges!

As some of you may know, I am the primary chorister in my ward. It is a trying calling for me, but much loved by many of you (if you have any fun ideas, please send them my way!!!). Anyhoo, I have several kids in Junior Primary that make the calling so entertaining. Many of the little ones sing loud and very off key. We were singing "Hinges" and when it came to the very last line, one little five year-old who was singing particularly loud, sang, "I'm so glad I have hinges or else I would crap!" We had about a two minute break for me to catch my breath on that one. Boy am I glad we have hinges!!!

Impromptu girls' night and Scary checkup

(All these pictures are almost a month old--I haven't uploaded my new pics of Rowan)

Yesterday we had Rowan's 2-month check-up. She weighs a whopping 12 lbs 4 oz. and is 24 inches long (the doctor commented several times about how she weighs as much as a 4-month should). She got three shots and did fairly well (just needed a little lovin' from mom afterwards). During the full body check, the doctor found a mysterious object in her eye. Upon further investigation, he realized it was not on the surface, but rather in her eye. To save you the details, he basically had no idea what it was and is referring us to a specialist on the 27th of Feb. up in Spokane, WA. I was only freaked out about the financially end of things yesterday, but today, I am a bit more worried about what this will become. We shall wait and see.

Rowan had been sleeping clear through the night all last week, but for two nights in a row, she decided to wake up 4-5 times. It was maddening! I was VERY grouchy for two days (poor Ian and kids!). I hadn't been able to get anything done during the day either because Niev or Rowan seemed to always need my attention so my house was a disaster. Now some of you might not understand what a disaster is. I define a disaster as not being able to see the floor, not able to prepare a proper meal because all the dishes are dirty and there is no counterspace to cook on, and laundry is piled up. When Ian got off of work, he was wanting to play a game with me so we played one game then I told him I better get to work on cleaning the kitchen and making dinner. He wanted to play one more game. Then Rowan was hungry so Ian asked me to feed her. I was getting very frustrated since it was already past 6 p.m. and I had no idea what was going to be for dinner. Then a knock came at my door and Ian told me to put a shirt on. It was one of my very favorite-est people in the world, Jen from my ward.

Ian had called her earlier in the day while I was at the doctor with Rowan. He planned an entire night out with Jen. We went to dinner and then went to Barnes & Noble. Now to some of you this may not be very exciting, but Jen is a very well-read person. She seems to have read every great book ever written, she has great taste in books (meaning she was repulsed as much as I was by the horribly written vampire book! Sorry to you die hard fans, but it was awful.) and so we just walked around talking about great books, our husbands, and laughing. It was just what I needed. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated Ian for being so kind. He is so good to me that sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve such an unselfish, kind, thoughtful and generous man. He can be a real butt sometimes, but for the great majority of the time, he is fabulous! I came home ready to love my family again and want to snuggle with my hubby. I cannot tell you what a big fan I am of Jen and Ian.

Niev is growing up so big. She says the funniest things and loves Sesame Street (old school episodes, of course, because Elmo annoys me). She loves her little sister and wants to over-love her by laying on her to give her a hug or bite her to give her the biggest best kiss ever!

Niev with her kitchen that her Daddy made her for her birthday

Niev on "Christmas morning" with her Aunt Vickie homemade apron

Rowan's blessing & Niev's birthday

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind (to say the least). Rowan is now 7 1/2 weeks old and only waking up once during the night. Some nights she will even sleep all the way through the night (I count my lucky stars on that one!). Anyway, this is allowing me to be more human and Lora-like. We found out that she was being "colicky" due to the fact that during labor I was given an antibiotic that killed all the good bacteria in Rowan's stomache. She was always in so much pain and now we have that under control so I am beginning to see how people end up with three or more kids. I was beginning to think that only crazy people would have another baby after two kids!

My nephew came home from his mission in Cancun and so I drove alone with both girls to Parma, Idaho to see my family. Ian thought I was crazy, but both girls did amazingly well. While Ian's mom was here for Christmas and New Years, we celebrated Niev's birthday with a pumpkin pie. Then in Parma, we also celebrated Niev's birthday with cake and ice cream. Once I got home, we had a small get together with one of Niev's friends and had cake and ice cream again! Niev would walk around the house singing "Happy Birthday" to herself. She was beginning to think that every other day was her birthday. She is a very fun two-year old. It is hard to think that two years ago, she was as little as Rowan.

Last weekend we had Rowan's blessing. My parents, grandma, brother and sister-in-law, sister and family came into town for the event. It was a great time. I enjoyed having everyone here and playing games while catching up. Rowan looked beautiful in the same dress Niev wore during her blessing. My grandma (who is 87) had made it and will always be a special heirloom in our family. She also made a beautiful crotcheted blanket for Rowan.

Niev used to only respond with "mmm-hmm" instead of "yes" so we have been working on saying a full and real "yes". So now she will say "mmm-hmm yes, yes". It is really the cutest thing.

Sisters are the best of friends!