The Baker's Menagerie

Well, I know a week went by. More than a week actually. But in my defense, I spent Sunday night in the ER. Thats normally my blogging time. So you can blame it alllll on Madison. She will probably just hit you with something and glare at you, daring you to do something back. Now, I am going to try to remember what we did this week, forgive me if I miss something.

On Monday morning we headed to the Wilson's home. I met them while they were stationed in El Paso with us. They are from Jared's home unit and Liz and I became good friends and so did our kids. I got to see her lovely new house and her huge backyard. I am so excited for them to be able to have a place of their own. They have already started the updates and are moving along with the interior. The kids got to play out on a little splash pad thing Liz bought and we had sandwiches for lunch. The girls then tore apart their downstairs and Madison, of course, got hurt when she fell down the stairs and cut the back of her leg open. Sigh. It was really nice seeing them though.

On Tuesday I stayed home. Yep, thats right. I laid around the house all day, let my kids spend the whole day outside. I seem to remember leaving the house at one point, I just cant remember for what. Oh! I went and picked up a cheerleading outfit for Kayla for the game on Thursday. Sheesh. I spent an hour driving around the campus because I forgot how to get there. Embarrassing to not know my way around the campus of my favorite sports team in the world and the place I hope to one day attend. Oh well. Jared pulled up a google map and talked me through it. Got the outfit and they gave Kayla a free stapler. Yep, a STAPLER.

On Wednesday we once again stayed home. I felt zapped of energy and just not myself. So, another quiet day, until I got the brilliant idea of washing my mom's dog. I used half a bottle of shampoo and she still stunk. So I dried her off and called a pet groomer. Well, turns out she was waaaaaay behind on her shots. So I made an appointment for that. Took the dog in while my mom watched the kids. I thought I was getting the better end of the deal until I took her. What a spazoid! The vet ended up being from El Paso and still had family living there. Small freaking world huh. We spent 45 minutes talking about the changes in the city and even the changes since he had been there last. He is actually driving down the same time we are. I jokingly said that we would see him along the way. They have a caravan of 5 cars so I bet we will.

On Thursday morning I took the kids to my cousin Kristin's house to play with her kids. Ours are similar in age. She also has a 2 week old little girl and I wanted to see her at least once. She also has a new home and it is adorable. I cannot wait until I can own my own home! The kids played outside for the most part. The girls didnt know how to interact with the boys and they didnt know what to think of them. They got along well though, with the boys pushing Kayla around on a bike. Maddie got hurt again. Fell on something or other. We had sandwiches for lunch and the kids didnt care. Too busy playing. They thundered to the basement and made a mess while I held Alyse. It was nice seeing them. That night I got to play Bunco with my inlaws. We had a great time! I even won most Buncos! I usually win lowest score but that night, I got something better. Go me. It was also nice to leave the kids to my mom to put to bed. Cant complain about that!

Friday I stayed home again. Why am I staying home so much? Well, plans change! Things get cancelled, shifted, etc. I just try to fit in what I can when I can but when I have a cancellation its hard to find a last minute engagement. Its ok though. My mom was home and we got to hang out for the day. My little brother was moving to ID so he had left his kids with my mom and I got to help herd all four little monkeys. We all survived even though at the end of the night I had to separate my kids because all the kids were tired and grouchy. The girls and I just spent an hour reading and playing in their room.

Saturday was a blast. I went early to the McCumber's house to help set up for little T's birthday party. He is turning 2 tomorrow actually. My kids played in their house while we set up and then uncle Corey bought them happy meals and they ate peacefully for about 5 seconds. The party started and there was a ton of food. I ate a hamburger, and a hotdog, and a bunch of fruit, and a million veggies and dip. Dunno why, but that dip was the tastiest thing I had ever eaten. The kids finally wore completely out around 6:15. I gathered them up, and their fun little goody bags and we went home. They got squirty toys in their bags and played in the shower with them for 30 minutes straight. I had to force them out. We then cuddled on my bed and read the new book they got, Where the Wild Things Are. I know that should be underlined, I just dont care.

Sunday, I went to church but lasted only long enough to listen to my mom talk. I left Kayla with them and took Maddie home for a nap that never happened. Maybe that is why shortly before dinner Madison fell. Not sure how or what. I was inside, and they were out. Kayla brought her in and she would not stop crying. Maddie gets hurt A LOT. But she never cries for more than a minute or so. I put her in a warm bath with her squirty and she just kept gathering all the toys to her chest and hugging them while still crying. I got her to laugh once and then she started crying again. I noticed at this point she was favoring her left arm. I pulled her out of the tub, put a diaper on her and tried to make dinner. She wouldnt have anyone but me. I made her a bottle and cuddled with her while Mom made dinner. She cried every time she tried to use her left arm. At that point I was getting worried. I decided right after dinner to take her to the ER. Off we went. Luckily, they felt she was rather important. She was laughing when we walked in, but at one point she took off running and tripped in the waiting room and started screaming in pain. We got back right after that. Off for x-rays. On the way back, she tripped again (I have mentioned she is a total clutz right?) and another bout of screaming. I got her calmed down and the doc brought her some orange juice and graham crackers. He has a daughter the same age. Nice. Maddie got bored (duh) and climbed off her bed and started walking around. She tripped, AGAIN. Another bout of screaming and all the other patients in that wing (they were all there with injuries, not sick) were trying to get her to calm down. People were singing, making funny faces, etc. Finally they came in with her splint and gave me instructions to be seen elsewhere. Now I just had to worry about keeping that splint on until she got her cast. Wish me luck!

I didnt take many pics this week because it was a rather quiet week. I doubt that will last for much longer!

Looking pretty happy waiting for her turn for x-rays

checking out her hospital bracelet. She did not like this

After she got her splint. Waiting for her release

My cousin Kimberlee was in town and stopped in to say HI!

Well, another frantic, hectic week has quickly passed me by. Hard to believe I am almost halfway through my time in UT. I havent seen half the people I wanted and I know I will never get to everyone. It makes me really look forward to moving back here one day so that at least I can not be so stressed about every day.

This week started out slowly enough. The girls and I stayed home on Sunday because we were all a bit sick. On Monday I took the girls to the aquarium with my darling friend Lauren and her son Teagan. The kids all must have taken crazy pills because they were all misbehaving. We still got to see some cool fish including some that would squirt their food out of branches. We then took off to Paradise Bakery for some sandwiches and soup. Madison was being her usual terrible two self and I spilled milk all over the floor. It was a blast though. I love spending time with them!

Tuesday was quiet but we got to go to dinner with my brother in law and my future sister in law. We saw their new house and puppy and cooked hotdogs, corn, pasta, and beans. My kids terrorized their lovely house and were terrified of their dog. I got scared to death of a wasp that Alisha smacked and ran inside. I am such a wuss I know. I still wonder what they thought when we left. It was either "holy crap, we never want kids" or "those are the worst behaved children ever!" actually I am sure it wasnt that bad because I have awesome family and for some reason they like me!

On Wednesday I dropped of Kayla with her Grandma Baker for some much needed family time. I took the opportunity to take Madison swimming in a big pool for the first time. Within one hour I was exhausted and close to tears. The little monster would climb out of the pool, run to the deep end, and jump in. Didnt matter where I was. She drank a lot of water and I had to fish her out a bunch. She kept going and going. The floatie I bought her sucked monkey butt and didnt do much other than force her forward into the swimming position. It will be awhile before I have the nerve to take her swimming again.

On Thursday Maddie and I went to my aunt Jeri's house for a cooking/pan lesson. She showed me all her professional grade pots and pans and told me the benefits and drawbacks to each. My grandma came to play with Maddie while Jeri and I cooked and it was awesome watching them sit on the kitchen floor drawing with markers all over each other. Jeri and I made ratatouille. It was my first time eating it and it was awesome. Maddie even ate some! Cant wait to get home and make it but I may have trouble finding eggplant. Maddie wore out my poor grandma and Jeri's pugs. My favorite quote from my grandma was "With Maddie, all you can do is follow her and prevent her from hurting herself." She has her own mind and own direction. Mom and I finished up the evening by going to Stella's grill where I had my favorite french onion soup and an amazing burger. NOMS!

On Friday I got to go to lunch with my Dad. Mom watched Maddie while I drove downtown and we went to this little Italian cafe. I dont know the name but it was pretty tasty. It's nice connecting with him one on one. I got some awesome pics from his office too. I then went and picked up Kayla from her Grandma's care. She had a blast but was actually happy to see me! I was happy to see her as well. We piled in the car then headed home to get ready for a fabulous family party that night.

Saturday came quickly. And so did two of my nephews and one niece. We were watching them while their mom got a little girl time. The boys had a blast playing the Wii and their handheld games and Kayla and Cosette played picnic, mom and baby, and pretty much every girlie game you could think of. They played outside and ate a ton of blackberries right off the bushes. I had fun having them around. After they left, I dressed the girls in their swimsuits and we headed to East Canyon to play at the splash pad. The restaurant had been closed so after we were done and had a bunch of mosquito bites, we headed into Morgan to have Mexican from and acquaintance who owned a joint there. It was tasty. We took the long route home through Ogden and took the scenic drive along Legacy highway. Beautiful!

Sunday was normal. Got up, went to church. Maddie threw her trademark hissy fit. Unfortunately, as I was standing out in the hall, the Prophet had decided to make a quick stop in to his home ward and was walking out as I held a screaming flailing Maddie. I was stuck in a crush of people and couldnt move. I barely contained her and prevented her from kicking the poor guy as he rushed right next to us and out the door. Phew. That would have made headlines. "Little monster kicks head of church in stomach causing internal bleeding!" Seriously. Thats what it would have said.

Well, that was our crazy week. Below are a few pics I gathered and I hope you enjoy as I head into week #3 of craziness! It only gets crazier from here!