Kalei's 1-year check-up went well. She's developing just as she should and unfortunately continues to grow every day (I want to know when I'm going to get one that understands their supposed to stay a baby instead of growing up on me!) Here are her stats:
Height: 30in (90%)
Weight: 20lbs 8oz (50%)
Head: 47.8 cm (off the charts, but just barely)
Yeah, one thing all three of my kids have had in common is LARGE heads. Tavita at least hovered at the top of the charts, Brayden and Kalei both don't even register. It's obvious that Kalei is active and mobile now as she did not gain much weight the past 3 months but she's still a healthy little chunky monkey.
Here are a few things about our little Lei Lei:
Sleep: Sleeps 7:30 til 5:30 eats then is back to sleep until about 7:30 (It's been a heaven send) Also naps for about 3-4 hours or so during the day sometimes in one nap other times split in 2.
Words: Dad(favorite word, puts a lot of emphasis on the final d), Mom (only if she's cryign and wants to nurse), dog (usually "dog,dog,dog), up, that, this, attempts at Brayden and Tavita. If we ever call them then she calls them as well. It's really funny to hear but obvious she's trying to say their names
Play: Newest love is the sandbox, she'll entertain herself forever in there. Still longingly watches her brothers run around playing, she's going to be trouble once she's fully mobile. VERY social, loves to have people play with her, HATES to be left alone. Also enjoys blocks and anything that makes music.
Eating: Continues to follow in my footsteps and loves carbs: breads and cereals. Also really enjoys cheese, chicken, ham, berries, peaches, pears, and carrots. Kalei is a very good eater and there's not much she turns her nose up at.
Personality, She's full of it! This girl is always haming it up and if you give her attention she hams it even more. However, she has WAY more stranger anxeity than either of the boys did. There are only a few select people outside the family she'll willingly go to. She'll sit there and wave, grin, giggle and do anything else you want to anyone as long as she's securely in our arms. However, she really does not like going to others. She's very much into imitating and will attempt to copy and face of noise we make. Loves music and is great at bouncing around to "Sunbeam" (our favorite song for Family Home Evening, we sing it at least twice every week!)
As with each of our kids, Kalei adds her own unique flair to our family that makes us feel complete. We can't imagine life without her and all the laughter she brings into our home. She's my little cuddle bug that loves to snuggle on my shoulder yet a firecracker that won't be crossed or told what to do. She's already standing her ground against her brothers (and unfortuantely already hitting, especially if she feels they are encroaching on her time with me). She loves to laugh and smile and it's very contagious.
I was at a baby shower this week and it made me realize how quickly she is growing and made me long for the little baby that fit all the tiny outfits that were being unwrapped. Yet at the same time it's been so fun to watch her grow and discover the world around her. I am so grateful for each of my babies and love the opportunity I have to watch them grow each day!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Did you miss us????
So I figured since you all must be going through some serious Shum update withdrawls I'd give you not one, not two, but FIVE new post to enjoy. Hopefully you all can now get a good nights sleep and continue about your normal routine now that you know what's been going on in our lives!
Lei Lei's 1st birthday
I can't believe this:
was an entire year ago!
Man how time flies, and in the case of your children, it flies WAY to fast. Kalei's 1st birthday literally took us by surprise. We were talking about two weeks ago and were shocked when we realized how close she was to being one. She goes in for her appointment on Tuesday so I'll do that post later.
We had a fun BBQ with some neighbors and friends. She didn't have a clue that they whole bash was for her but she thought all the excitement was pretty great.
Brayden got this idea to take his gumball machine and the jar of candy we have and dump it into a cooler and greet all the guests with an offer to select a piece of candy. I suggested it might be better to just have the jars instead of the cooler but he insisted on the cooler. "Everyone will think it's SOOO cool Mom!" So he and Tavita greeted all our guest with a giant cooler with some candy and gumballs sprinkled on the bottom. He was right the kids did think it was SOOOO cool.
I had made the concious decision to have Kalei come around the end of May/beginning of June so there would be nice weather for her birthdays. However, you can't count on that in Utah. The forecast for her birthday: rainy with a high of 53 degrees. I was so frustrated however luck smiled upon us and despite a wet, cold morning, it dried up for the party and was even nice enough people sat outside for a short while but eventually everyone filtered inside for warmth.
My favorite part of the whole day was Kalei eating her cake. For Tavita's 1st birthday we gave him his own personal cake (a grocery store here hands out free cakes for 1st birthdays) and he went NUTS! He didn't eat much of it but man did he have fun playing in it. Kalei was the complete opposite. She was so dainty and clean about the whole ordeal. She loved eating it but it got no where but her hands and mouth, so I helped her out some!
When we first striped her down and plopped her on the table cloth she was trying to figure out what was going on.
Then I brought the cake and she was suddenly intrigued.
Then came the singing and she was estatic! She just bounced up and down, huge smile plastered to her face, looking around like, "You're all focused on me!"
When the cake was set down she poked it a bit then sampled a bit
Decided "hey, this isn't half bad" and started eating away.
Being the lady that she is, she offered to share with anyone that would like some. Of course even 5 minutes into the whole ordeal she remained clean
So I helped her out some by having her pat her chubby little cheeks
Not at all phased she continued with her feast
Finally she got a little dirty, Emma decided to help her eat like a lady once again, she was so dainty about the way she put the frosting in Kalei's mouth
After cake it was present time! She wasn't quite sure what to do with it all.
So all the other kids helped her out. She wanted to play with each thing that was opened, but they'd plop another one in her lap before she got a chance to take a 2nd look at anything.
was an entire year ago!Man how time flies, and in the case of your children, it flies WAY to fast. Kalei's 1st birthday literally took us by surprise. We were talking about two weeks ago and were shocked when we realized how close she was to being one. She goes in for her appointment on Tuesday so I'll do that post later.
We had a fun BBQ with some neighbors and friends. She didn't have a clue that they whole bash was for her but she thought all the excitement was pretty great.
Brayden got this idea to take his gumball machine and the jar of candy we have and dump it into a cooler and greet all the guests with an offer to select a piece of candy. I suggested it might be better to just have the jars instead of the cooler but he insisted on the cooler. "Everyone will think it's SOOO cool Mom!" So he and Tavita greeted all our guest with a giant cooler with some candy and gumballs sprinkled on the bottom. He was right the kids did think it was SOOOO cool.
I had made the concious decision to have Kalei come around the end of May/beginning of June so there would be nice weather for her birthdays. However, you can't count on that in Utah. The forecast for her birthday: rainy with a high of 53 degrees. I was so frustrated however luck smiled upon us and despite a wet, cold morning, it dried up for the party and was even nice enough people sat outside for a short while but eventually everyone filtered inside for warmth.
My favorite part of the whole day was Kalei eating her cake. For Tavita's 1st birthday we gave him his own personal cake (a grocery store here hands out free cakes for 1st birthdays) and he went NUTS! He didn't eat much of it but man did he have fun playing in it. Kalei was the complete opposite. She was so dainty and clean about the whole ordeal. She loved eating it but it got no where but her hands and mouth, so I helped her out some!
When we first striped her down and plopped her on the table cloth she was trying to figure out what was going on.
Then I brought the cake and she was suddenly intrigued.
Then came the singing and she was estatic! She just bounced up and down, huge smile plastered to her face, looking around like, "You're all focused on me!"
When the cake was set down she poked it a bit then sampled a bit
Decided "hey, this isn't half bad" and started eating away.
Being the lady that she is, she offered to share with anyone that would like some. Of course even 5 minutes into the whole ordeal she remained clean
So I helped her out some by having her pat her chubby little cheeks
Not at all phased she continued with her feast
Finally she got a little dirty, Emma decided to help her eat like a lady once again, she was so dainty about the way she put the frosting in Kalei's mouth
After cake it was present time! She wasn't quite sure what to do with it all.
So all the other kids helped her out. She wanted to play with each thing that was opened, but they'd plop another one in her lap before she got a chance to take a 2nd look at anything.
Brayden's Preschool Celebration
Brayden's first year of preschool has come to an end and they threw a great party. One of the boys in the school has a rockin grandpa who has built a private park for his family and his children all live in houses surrounding the park. They have a killer play area that is covered so they can use it year round, swings, trampoline, soccer fields, walking paths, sand volleyball, basketball, a pavilion, a fountain to splash it, a "witches" wood cabin, and a CASTLE (he built it for all his kids and grandkids to have weddings and what not in). The kids had a field day where they went to different stations to play then we all went into the castle where they put on a cute program and then we were given these adorable quilts the kids had made throughout the year along with a little scrapbook. It's been such a fun school and they are so creative. I'm sad that Brayden is returning and Tavita isn't going to have the chance to go to this school. Unfortunately they have a lazy mom that doesn't like driving 15-20 minutes to preschool so I found one that is closer by. If any one lives near Lindon, give My SmartWorld a try!
Tavita was glued either to these diggers or the tramp the whole time. Anytime I tried to get him off of this he'd say, "No Mommy, I have to do my work"
Brayden playing soccer with his friends. He may have been the goalie but he was sure excited that his friend made a goal!
Going through the tunnel that leads from the witch's cabin to the castle
Tavita hanging out at the cabin
Brayden sliding trying to escape the mean witch...aka his teacher
Daddy and Lei enjoying the festivities
Getting ready for the show
Singing away
Carrying out his little solo with pride!
Kalei discovered swings and she LOVED them!
Brayden with Miss Megan. He's sure going to miss her!
Tavita was glued either to these diggers or the tramp the whole time. Anytime I tried to get him off of this he'd say, "No Mommy, I have to do my work"
Brayden playing soccer with his friends. He may have been the goalie but he was sure excited that his friend made a goal!
Going through the tunnel that leads from the witch's cabin to the castle
Tavita hanging out at the cabin
Brayden sliding trying to escape the mean witch...aka his teacher
Daddy and Lei enjoying the festivities
Getting ready for the show
Singing away
Carrying out his little solo with pride!
Kalei discovered swings and she LOVED them!
Brayden with Miss Megan. He's sure going to miss her!
Mother's Day
I felt so loved and spoiled on Mother's Day. It actually started the night before thanks to Brayden. We had been out working and hiking all day (see previous post), did some shopping then headed home. I was totally pooped and while I was getting the kids ready for bed Brayden started giving me a foot massage. The following conversation ensued:
B: "Mom, you're a very special lady. You are beautiful!"
(This made me feel good because a few days earlier he wanted to pretend I was a "for-real" pretty lady like Hannah Montana)
M: "Really, you think I'm beautiful"
B: studied me for a minute then said, "Well, maybe if you combed your hair and tried to look beautiful, then you would be."
(He was darn lucky that I was completely frazzled and my hair was everywhere and I could have done a whole lot to improve my looks)
M: "Can't argue with you there. This feels so good, it's the best Mother's Day present ever!"
B: "This is your Mother's Day present, I got you flowers." his eyes got wide and he clamped a hand over his mouth, "Oops, I mean pretend you don't know that, when Daddy gives you them pretend you're surprised okay!"
M: laughing uncontrollably, "Okay, I will"
Junior gave them to me that night anyway and they were beautiful.
The next morning I got to sleep in and was woken by two cute little boys rubbing my head and softly saying, "Happy Mothers Day Mommy". Brayden gave me his present he made at school (he had been hiding it under his bed all week and would tell me to close my eyes so he could pull it out and look at it then put it back). It was a cute card with his footprint then a flower pen and notepad.
A few minutes later they came up with a big box and card with a recorded message of the boys. They had gotten me a magic bullet with all sorts of attachments. Then Junior came walking out with a cute black dress and on the hanger was a strand of real pearls. I about had a heart attack until he told me he'd gone with our neighbor and they stood in line forever at Goldsmith Jewlers who were doing a promotional and giving them out. It was so sweet that he went through so much effort and saved me from having a heart attack about the $$$ spent. Apparently the boys thought long and hard and picked out the Magic Bullet and the dress.
I went downstairs to a delicious breakfast (I'm not a breakfast in bed person, I like being down with the family) and we were off to church. Junior then let me take a nap while he made a yummy bbq rib dinner.
I felt like a queen all day and am so grateful for my 3 beautiful children that bring me so much happiness every day. I'm especially grateful for their handsome, superstar daddy who is my rock!
A couple random photos that have nothing to do with Mother's Day
One day we were cleaning up dinner while the kids played and Bowzer ate his dinner. We looked up to see Kalei sitting there with Bowzer's dish in her lap and the both of them chowing down on the dog food. I busted up laughing and they both paused and looked up at me like "What's so funny" then continued about their business. By the time I got the camera she had set the bowl down but still makes me laugh. Am I a bad mom that I didn't stop her until I got the pictures???
On Tuesday we went to a place called Pirate Island which is kind of like a Chuck E Cheese with a pirate flair to it. While we were there Brayden kept saying he had "germies bitting the top of his feet". I thought he just had an itch so didn't pay much attention to it. We got home and he was getting ready for bed and said he was really itchy. He took his clothes off and he was HEAD to TOE with hives. We gave him some Benadryl and rubbed him down with some anti-itch cream and had him sleep in with us so we could keep an eye on his breathing. He slept fine and never woke up through the night but when he woke up in the morning the hives had turned viciously red and looked so painful. I gave him some more Benadryl and they died down a ton. I just kept him drugged up all day and by night it was just down to red spotting over his body and by the next day it was largely gone. We can't figure out what caused it. He had eaten at Pirate Island once before and gotten the same thing. He and Tavita shared both the pizza and the drink and Tavita didn't have anything. They don't really have a play area where he would have been crawling and rolling around, it's mostly just arcade games. We thought through everything we could and had our neighbor take a look at it, we're still not sure what it was. We're thinking he either had a severe allergic reaction to a bug bite or Bowzer picked up some poison ivy up at the canal behind us and rubbed it on Brayden. Brayden is positive the pizza "poisoned" him so he may not have any desire to return to Pirate Island any time soon.
B: "Mom, you're a very special lady. You are beautiful!"
(This made me feel good because a few days earlier he wanted to pretend I was a "for-real" pretty lady like Hannah Montana)
M: "Really, you think I'm beautiful"
B: studied me for a minute then said, "Well, maybe if you combed your hair and tried to look beautiful, then you would be."
(He was darn lucky that I was completely frazzled and my hair was everywhere and I could have done a whole lot to improve my looks)
M: "Can't argue with you there. This feels so good, it's the best Mother's Day present ever!"
B: "This is your Mother's Day present, I got you flowers." his eyes got wide and he clamped a hand over his mouth, "Oops, I mean pretend you don't know that, when Daddy gives you them pretend you're surprised okay!"
M: laughing uncontrollably, "Okay, I will"
Junior gave them to me that night anyway and they were beautiful.
The next morning I got to sleep in and was woken by two cute little boys rubbing my head and softly saying, "Happy Mothers Day Mommy". Brayden gave me his present he made at school (he had been hiding it under his bed all week and would tell me to close my eyes so he could pull it out and look at it then put it back). It was a cute card with his footprint then a flower pen and notepad.
A few minutes later they came up with a big box and card with a recorded message of the boys. They had gotten me a magic bullet with all sorts of attachments. Then Junior came walking out with a cute black dress and on the hanger was a strand of real pearls. I about had a heart attack until he told me he'd gone with our neighbor and they stood in line forever at Goldsmith Jewlers who were doing a promotional and giving them out. It was so sweet that he went through so much effort and saved me from having a heart attack about the $$$ spent. Apparently the boys thought long and hard and picked out the Magic Bullet and the dress.
I went downstairs to a delicious breakfast (I'm not a breakfast in bed person, I like being down with the family) and we were off to church. Junior then let me take a nap while he made a yummy bbq rib dinner.
I felt like a queen all day and am so grateful for my 3 beautiful children that bring me so much happiness every day. I'm especially grateful for their handsome, superstar daddy who is my rock!
A couple random photos that have nothing to do with Mother's Day
One day we were cleaning up dinner while the kids played and Bowzer ate his dinner. We looked up to see Kalei sitting there with Bowzer's dish in her lap and the both of them chowing down on the dog food. I busted up laughing and they both paused and looked up at me like "What's so funny" then continued about their business. By the time I got the camera she had set the bowl down but still makes me laugh. Am I a bad mom that I didn't stop her until I got the pictures???
On Tuesday we went to a place called Pirate Island which is kind of like a Chuck E Cheese with a pirate flair to it. While we were there Brayden kept saying he had "germies bitting the top of his feet". I thought he just had an itch so didn't pay much attention to it. We got home and he was getting ready for bed and said he was really itchy. He took his clothes off and he was HEAD to TOE with hives. We gave him some Benadryl and rubbed him down with some anti-itch cream and had him sleep in with us so we could keep an eye on his breathing. He slept fine and never woke up through the night but when he woke up in the morning the hives had turned viciously red and looked so painful. I gave him some more Benadryl and they died down a ton. I just kept him drugged up all day and by night it was just down to red spotting over his body and by the next day it was largely gone. We can't figure out what caused it. He had eaten at Pirate Island once before and gotten the same thing. He and Tavita shared both the pizza and the drink and Tavita didn't have anything. They don't really have a play area where he would have been crawling and rolling around, it's mostly just arcade games. We thought through everything we could and had our neighbor take a look at it, we're still not sure what it was. We're thinking he either had a severe allergic reaction to a bug bite or Bowzer picked up some poison ivy up at the canal behind us and rubbed it on Brayden. Brayden is positive the pizza "poisoned" him so he may not have any desire to return to Pirate Island any time soon.
Bridal Veil Falls
Now that we're finally done with our house (well pretty much), we have made it a family goal to get out and discover Utah. One thing I have to hand to this state is that they have GORGEOUS mountains and the best part of it is there are loads of hikes just 10-20 minutes away. We decided to kick start our discovery of this grand state by "hiking" to Bridal Veil Falls. We see the falls every time we drive through the canyon and I remember hiking it as a young girl. The boys were beyond excited for the hike for the entire week (Brayden even opted out of a birthday party to go) and were rearing their heads bright and early in the morning. After suffering through an eternity of Daddy and Mommy working in the yard they were practically floating to the car when we finally said it was time to go.
Turns out there was an avalanche several years ago that severely damaged the hiking trails. So the hike turned out to be a leisurely 5-10 minute walk on a paved trail. The falls were very nice but they boys did not accept that as the hike. They were dead set that we had to head off the beaten path in order for it to count as a real hike. We continued down the paved trail (it's a beautiful trail that meanders all through Provo and up into the mountains) until the boys got a glimpse of a sorta kinda trail through the trees and asked if we could follow it.
Junior and I thought they would go up a short ways then want to come back down. WRONG! Those two are a couple of mountain goats. The trail went from an uneven dirt trail to just a bunch of rocks but they could hear a waterfall so they kept going. Brayden led the way. Junior followed with Bowzer, then Tavita (who never once complained even though he was using all fours to get up), and Kalei and I behind him (it was very obvious that I'd been out of commission for the past 2 months, but I held my own). Turns out there was a waterfall, and the boys were elated. They were sure they had made a discovery and were standing where no man had stood before. Brayden's only complaint was that he wished he were a dog because they can climb so much better (we let Bowzer off and he was going all over) and they're allowed to go in the water)
I LOVE that my boys have such an appreciation for the outdoors and find so much joy in hiking. While we were on the paved trail they mumbled a bit but the second they were off exploring they could have walked all day. Brayden did the entire hike to and from the car with only a 10 min ride in Daddy's pack. Tavita got pretty pooped on the way back and rode in the pack. He was like a animal severely lacking some nutrients. He kept using the back of Juniors sweaty neck as a salt lick, it was pretty nasty yet all so hilarious.
Of course we ended our day of exercising and enjoying the outdoors with some fatty burgers, fries, and shakes!
Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure. They're in no particular order, I HATE the way blogger does photos and couldn't be bothered to order them all and comment on them.
After a day of working and hiking a nice long bath was very much in order!
Turns out there was an avalanche several years ago that severely damaged the hiking trails. So the hike turned out to be a leisurely 5-10 minute walk on a paved trail. The falls were very nice but they boys did not accept that as the hike. They were dead set that we had to head off the beaten path in order for it to count as a real hike. We continued down the paved trail (it's a beautiful trail that meanders all through Provo and up into the mountains) until the boys got a glimpse of a sorta kinda trail through the trees and asked if we could follow it.
Junior and I thought they would go up a short ways then want to come back down. WRONG! Those two are a couple of mountain goats. The trail went from an uneven dirt trail to just a bunch of rocks but they could hear a waterfall so they kept going. Brayden led the way. Junior followed with Bowzer, then Tavita (who never once complained even though he was using all fours to get up), and Kalei and I behind him (it was very obvious that I'd been out of commission for the past 2 months, but I held my own). Turns out there was a waterfall, and the boys were elated. They were sure they had made a discovery and were standing where no man had stood before. Brayden's only complaint was that he wished he were a dog because they can climb so much better (we let Bowzer off and he was going all over) and they're allowed to go in the water)
I LOVE that my boys have such an appreciation for the outdoors and find so much joy in hiking. While we were on the paved trail they mumbled a bit but the second they were off exploring they could have walked all day. Brayden did the entire hike to and from the car with only a 10 min ride in Daddy's pack. Tavita got pretty pooped on the way back and rode in the pack. He was like a animal severely lacking some nutrients. He kept using the back of Juniors sweaty neck as a salt lick, it was pretty nasty yet all so hilarious.
Of course we ended our day of exercising and enjoying the outdoors with some fatty burgers, fries, and shakes!
Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure. They're in no particular order, I HATE the way blogger does photos and couldn't be bothered to order them all and comment on them.
After a day of working and hiking a nice long bath was very much in order!
Weenie Roast!
We purchased this fire pit a couple years ago and it has been well loved and used. The boys love using this thing rain, shine, snow. They look forward to our roasts for days. We had our first "warm weather" roast a couple weeks ago. Wasn't exactly warm but tolerable enough to actually eat outside. The boys roasted their hot dogs then continued to roast marshmallows along with anything else the could find to throw in. True boys, absolutely facinated with fire!
The Shum men wrestlin up some grub!
Lei Lei wasn't quite sure what her brothers were so excited about but enjoyed the evening outside out nonetheless!
The Shum men wrestlin up some grub!
Lei Lei wasn't quite sure what her brothers were so excited about but enjoyed the evening outside out nonetheless!
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