DOCTOR Jeremy Thueson!

Jeremy. My little brother. The one I used to beat up on. And hang out with. And tease. He graduated. From medical school. After four looong years at the University of Utah. And he is now, officially, a doctor!!! My dad, who is one of the finest doctor's to ever grace the earth, retired from being a doctor (at least at hospitals) this past December, so he passed on the torch to my little brother. I've never known how people survive without a doctor in the family. It definitely makes a difference in my life. Jer will be in Seattle for 5 years doing his residency in psychiatry. We've got a lot of "crazies" around so he'll be useful. Hopefully he and Ashley will move back to Utah when they're done. I'll need someone around to get me drugs! :)

Way to go Jerry. We're pretty proud!!!

I wonder.

Sometimes I wonder how my kids are going to make it through this life without me completely screwing them up. Because to be honest, I have no idea what I'm doing. And as my children get older and enter new phases of life, I almost have to re-learn how to be a mom. And to teach them. And to set them on a course of success.
Sometimes I'm delusional, and convince myself I'm a good mom. But then days like today happen, and I have to stop and say a little prayer "Please God, let them turn out okay despite my lack of parenting skills". Because truly, sometimes I have no.idea.what.to.do.
Jaida. Dear Jaida. Love her. To death. And wouldn't trade her for anything. But she's stubborn. And controlling. And has a mind of her own. And has recently decided she doesn't want to go to school anymore (or primary). So when carpool comes to get her, she refuses to get in the car. And when I'm holding Carter, and have Mya hanging on my leg, it's a little difficult (and embarrassing) to try and force her in the car and make her stay. And I'm at a complete loss for what to do.
I threaten (not with bodily harm....yet). I make promises. No reward or punishment is good enough or seems to matter at all. Because she's going to do what she wants to do. And I admire that. And I hate it.
So today I had to drive her myself (after I excused the carpool). And she wouldn't get out of the car. So I unbuckled all the kids, and pulled her in. Because if I let her stay home today, it will just be worse tomorrow. She sobbed the entire way. And her teacher had to peel her off me. And I ran from the room. And then stopped in the hall and thought to myself "Really? Really?"
No idea. I've asked if something happend. But she also likes to lie, so I have no idea what's truth and what's not.
And she has agency. And I'm kinda sorta not liking it.
Wish me luck in the future. Because today, I'm pretty sure I'm a terrible mom that has no idea how to persuade my child to do what has to be done.
Hopefully telling them I love them and giving them lots of hugs makes up for a lot of other things. 'Cause right now, that's all I've got.

Sneaky Mya

Mya thinks "sneaking" is the coolest thing ever. She likes to "sneak" candy...and chips...and capri suns into the toy room. And she thinks she can leave the house and "sneak" to her friends house. She'll leave. I search. Find her. And she says "But mom, I sneaked".

So a few Sundays ago, we were at church. And the sacrament came. And Mya snagged two pieces of bread. Then she proudly (and quite loudly) announced "I sneaked two pieces". Well done, Mya. Well done.

Rice cereal.

I never gave Rice Cereal to my girls. The stuff is disgusting (yes, I've tried it). But Carter thinks he needs to nurse every 1 1/2 to 2 hours (WAY too often for me) so I'm trying to fill his belly with something else. He didn't cry, but definitely managed to spit most of it out which horrified the girls. They were shrieking. "He's puking. He's puking" I'm thinking we'll move on to bananas. They offend me less.

We've got a roller

Carter has officially rolled from his front to his back (a week or so ago) AND his back to his front (my favorite). He gets his arms pinned under him. It's pretty funny. No more couches and beds for this guy.

He's also starting to sit in his seat thing (not sure what to call it). Problem is, it has wheels and I'm sure at one point the girls will be shooting him across the tile kitchen floor.

He's spitting up less and I took him off Prevacid. He's crying less, and smiles ALL the time. Very smiley boy. He still doesn't laugh much, but he'll give you a big dimple smile on cue. He loves to watch his sisters be crazy, still loves getting his diaper changed, and likes it when we take his clothes off to change them (weird).

He's already started trying to put everything in his mouth even though he has very little control. He tends to poke himself in the eyes alot.

Thankfully the days are gone of hours and hours of screaming. Sweet mercy.

And maybe I just caught Mya dragging Carter across the carpet by his arms. Somebody help me.

Sick, sick, sick....

....and more sick. Someone in our little fivesome here has been sick since last Wednesday. Going on lots of days here. Yea for the stomach flu. Bodily fluids everywhere (sorry for the visual). Mike's the last one and then we bid it good riddance.
I just had one of the longer days of my life filled with drama and excitement (for lack of a better word). It's 9:50pm. I'm spent. And headed to bed. Only to be woken (is that a word?) in a few hours for midnight snacking. Livin' the dream, people, livin' the dream.