Kids Grow Up Way Too Fast

I've been trying to fall asleep tonight without success. My mind has been racing over the day, the week, the month. Suddenly, I had the urge to go and kiss all my sleeping angels one more time. I did and I feel a little better, but not entirely. While thinking about each of my three precious children, I experienced the powerful and painful realization that kids just grow up way too fast.

Adelyn won't always mix up her b's and d's when she reads, making darling stories about "sab doys on the bark deach." Or somehow manage to get her shoes on the wrong feet nearly every time, ever after three years of insisting she do it herself. Or laugh hysterically while I give her butterfly and Eskimo kisses, as if it were the first time. She won't always ask me a never-ending stream of questions about things I've never even thought twice about. Or want to hold and rock her baby sister every minute of the day. She won't always follow me around and want to help me do everything from cooking and cleaning to making a grocery list and scrapbooking. Or skip into preschool with her bouncing curls in piggy tails.

Preston won't always walk around on his tippy-toes or say scissors are "shark" instead of "sharp." He won't always carry his blue afghan (which is filthy because he hides it from me on laundry day) around in one hand and a car in the other. Or make tiger and bear noises or stomp around pretending he's a "rhinosaur" (T. rex is his favorite because it is "scaaaaaary"). Or come sneaking into the family room with food hidden behind his back and say in his sweetest voice, "Hi Mommy." He won't always spill his juice six times a day or insist upon sitting on the counter to eat. Or let me hold him in my arms and sing him Primary songs before bed. He won't always insist I hold his hand while we climb the stairs.

Annalise won't always let me hold her for hours at a time and let me stroke and kiss her soft hair and precious skin. She won't always hold onto and pet my hair while I feed her. Or smile in her sleep. She won't always cry her head off in the car, only to calm down immediately and coo at me the second I get her out of her car seat. Or mark her territory with spit up and ensure that I change my clothes at least four times a day. She won't always give me kisses when she's hungry and rooting for food. And she definitely won't always be so small and delicate.

Motherhood makes me laugh. It definitely makes me cry. I've never before felt so ill prepared and under qualified for something I've wanted so badly to be great at. The days are sometimes painfully long, but the weeks just fly by. Some days the only rewards are more poopy diapers and dirty dishes. Being a mother is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life and I don't think experience necessarily makes it easier. I feel less and less sure of myself everyday. But one thing is for certain. I love my children more than words can express. They bring me joy and and a sense of completeness. They fill my heart with more love and pride than I thought myself capable of having. They say and do the silliest things. . . and they are all growing up way too fast.

Newborn Portraits

We got these newborn portraits taken of Annalise when she was just 8 days old. She slept through most of the session, but woke up for the last few naked poses. Now she is already one month old! It is hard to believe how fast the time goes.

In Daddy's arms (this one didn't scan very well because
it was too big for the scanner, but it is my favorite).

A darling little yawn

A sleeping angel

Little naked girl

Holding hands with Mom

First Day of Preschool

Adelyn started preschool this past Tuesday. Although she is perfectly content and loves it, Preston and I aren't quite sure if we are ready for the change. Preston misses her terribly and asks about her every 15 minutes: "Where Adelyn go?" or "When Adelyn come home?"

I cannot believe she is already 4 1/2 years old! Time goes by way too fast. She is VERY smart and eager to learn. She has really enjoyed this new big step in her life. We are excited for her and all the great things she will learn this year.

Two Dollar Tuesdays

August was a great month courtesy of Thanksgiving Point. The kids love going there, but Mom and Dad (of course) like to wait until it's less expensive. In August, all the venues are just two dollars, so we took full advantage this year and went five times in four weeks! I took the kids to the dinosaur museum two days before Annalise was born; Ryan took them to the gardens the following week; I took them to the farm on the third Tuesday; and we pulled a double header on the last Tuesday: the dinosaur museum in the morning and the gardens in the afternoon. We had a fabulous time! Here's a few pictures:

The kids at the gardens with Ryan.

Adelyn posing in her swim suit. Ryan apparently let her run around in her swim suit the whole time after they played in the water area (much to my horror when I saw all the pictures).

This is a neat shot of Preston taken by Ryan.

Ryan and Preston in front of the tiered fountain.

The kids loved Farm Country too. We saw a brand new baby goat and baby horse. They were so precious. We waited in line to ride the ponies for almost 45 minutes, but Preston still managed to give me a big cheese.

Adelyn loves riding the ponies. Preston chickened out last minute and screamed "ALL DONE!" before he even got on his pony.

The First Week

Preston and Adelyn were very excited to meet their newborn sister for the first time in the hospital. Adelyn was completely enthralled with every move or sound Annalise made.

My sister-in-law Alison (Doug's wife) and her three kids. Alison made Annalise the most beautiful baby afghan I have ever seen. I'll have to post it. It is the prettiest shade of purple and is so well made. She is amazing!

My good friend Heather and her two darling boys came to visit too.

"Do we really get to take her home?" Annalise's first ride in a car was fortunately only five minutes long. . . she cried the whole way.

A smiling sleeping girl. She's been sleeping in this bouncer chair because she, like my other two kids, has reflux. But she is a fairly good sleeper so far. Knock on wood.

Adelyn wants to hold Annalise ALL of the time. She is a great big sister and will be a big help.

The proud papa. Ryan thinks Annalise is a complete angel baby.

This is my good friend Patty. She and Mitch were some our best friends from our Provo ward. We were so happy they came to visit us, all the way from Wyoming. They are expecting their first baby in November. We are very excited for them.

Annalise has brought many new joys into our home. Her car seat, for example, is one of Preston's favorite little hide outs. While I fed the baby, Adelyn spent about 15 minutes loading Preston up with toys. By the time she was done, you could only see Preston's eyes, nose and mouth. They were laughing hysterically the whole time.

Our New Arrival

Introducing: Annalise Nicole Rocque

Born: August 6, 2009 at 8:34 am
Place: American Fork Hospital
Weight: 8 pounds 6 ounces
Length: 20 1/2 inches

Proud papa just after delivery.

We made it! Mom and baby are doing very well. The delivery was the best of the three so far. We feel so blessed to be healthy and recovering so well.

First family photo.

This is my most favorite thing to do. Annalise has the softest little head. I just love her her precious peach fuzz hair.

Another fun angle of her sweet little head.

It looks like she's smiling a little bit in this one. I love seeing Ryan just adoring our new little girl. It has been so fun to be able to stay in the hospital and get to know and bond with our baby Anna together.

Happy Birthday Preston!

Preston turned two this past Friday, July 31st. Ryan made this amazing "Cars" cake for him, complete with Lightning McQueen, Mater, Red, and Sheriff. Preston LOVED it! He and Adelyn were so excited.

Reading a card from Grandma Rocque.

Trying out his new Hot Wheels trike.

Preston blowing out his candle. We love our Preston boy so much! He is such a silly little guy. He is so full of love and cheer. He has a soft little heart, but absolutely loves to tease. He still gets into everything and constantly makes the biggest messes in the world. He loves friends and playing, but hates nursery. He loves to mimic noises and can make sounds for almost anything.

Preston's Favorites at Two

Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Shows: "Cars," "Diego," "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Veggie Tales."
Favorite Toys: "rhinosaurs" (dinosaurs), cars, balls, Adelyn, blankie.
Favorite Outings: park, Donalds (McDonald's), zoo, swimming.
Favorite Songs: "Popcorn Popping," "Flowers" ("I Often Go Walking..."), "I am a Child of God," "Sunbeams," "Wheels on the Bus," "Old McDonald."
Favorite Foods: strawberries, cookies, ice cream, hamburgers, pancakes, graham crackers, fish sticks.
Favorite Animals: tigers, dinosaurs, cats, cows.
Favorite Book: "Goodnight Moon."

Happy Birthday, my sweet little boy!

Liberty Land

We took the kids to Liberty Land for the first time on Preston's birthday. We had a blast! Pretty much everything is targeted for kids; they were able to ride almost all of the rides with us. We had a great time.

Ryan took Preston on the speed track. Preston loves cars, but I think Ryan drove a little too fast because about half-way through, Preston was no longer enjoying himself. Ryan, however, looked like a little giddy school boy the whole time.

The little rickety train inside was fun. The kids love trains (probably because we lived next to the train tracks for several years).

Ryan is training Preston to be the next PGA Tour champion. Preston, however, had a hard time understanding the purpose of mini-golf. Thinking he was being so helpful, he kept proudly bringing us our balls after we hit our first shot.

Our little golfers.

Adelyn going up for a slam dunk in the bounce house.

There were lots of these quarter-operated toys inside. Fortunately, I discovered long ago that kids have just as much fun on these things whether or not they are actually moving. Preston spent about 15 minutes playing in this safari truck and we didn't spend a single quarter all day. We also went on the bumper boats, upon which Ryan and I spent the entire time squirting water all over each other and laughing hysterically. The Rushmore Roller Coaster was a little too much for Preston and I. It was much faster and more jerky than it looked. I probably wouldn't recommend it for any other women who are 9 months pregnant. :)

Around the House

Just a little sample of some candids we've taken over the last month:

Preston with Mom.

Preston with Dad.

Adelyn took this picture of the three of us. She did a great job!

Apparently Preston thinks that sitting in Adelyn's doll stroller reading books is a great way to spend the afternoon. (Do you like his new haircut? I cut it this time.)

The kids love trying on our shoes.

Painting! Please disregard Preston's apron. Trust me, it is essential to cover him from head to toe, even if he has to wear purple flowers.

As we've been getting everything out of storage and ready for the new baby's arrival, Preston has taken upon himself the responsibility of testing everything to ensure that it's safe. This mesh baby bath passed his inspection--it was able to hold the weight of a boisterous two-year old. In case you were wondering, the baby's crib can also withstand very large amounts of weight and jumping forces without collapsing.

Playing tennis with mini-rackets.

My cheesy little swimmer.

Adelyn's super-hero swim party.

On Pioneer Day morning, the Stake Primary had all the kids put on a Pioneer Parade and march around the neighborhood. This was my not-so-successful attempt to dress Adelyn up like a pioneer.