Smiles
So I was watching the news last night, and there was a report on babies smiling at their moms. Apparently some scientists did a big study on how seeing how your baby’s smile might affect your brain. They could see on scans that the body releases “feel good” chemicals to the rewards center of the brain as baby smiles at mom. Ummmm…does anyone else out there think this was the biggest waste of research funds ever? It seems like a no brainer to me. What mom’s chest doesn’t threaten to burst with joy when they catch a glimpse of that first real cheeser? Heck, even the gas grins make us giddy. I would venture to say that it doesn’t change all too much as our children get older either. When my boys happily flash their pearly whites, I can’t help but smile too. It doesn’t take a brain scan for me to know my kid’s smiles make me feel good. I can’t get enough of them. Early this morning I came into Eve’s room to feed her. As I laid her across my lap, she looked up at me and her face split into the biggest smile west of the Mississippi. Ahhh! A huge, open mouthed grin with her tongue forward and touching where her top teeth will be. Who could feel bad about being awoken early in the morning with a greeting like that?! She’s getting more and more smiley each day. Love it.
The other day we were jammying up all the kids in the front room. Miles thought it was pretty fun to lay with Eve on her blanket. Before long Brenden started noticing all the attention they were getting and had to join in on the fun. The boys are so cute with their little sister. They’re surprisingly sweet with her, and Brenden is already fairly protective. I love that she has big bros to watch out for her.
Well, I guess we’re finally back in the full swing of things. It’s been a pretty big adjustment getting used to doing things with three kids. Last Sunday was my first Sunday back at church since Miles went into the hospital. Church is a bit of a logistical challenge now. We’ve been totally late both Sundays. Getting all our bags and children where they need to go after Sacrament meeting is a spectacle. (Heaven forbid Greg or I need to stop and make copies.) Miles has actually been doing pretty well with his Sunday meals, snacks, and shots. Few of you out there will understand the stress that this has caused. The nursery leaders have been great though. Last Sunday I stayed in nursery for the first half so I could manage snack time. I was thinking that that might work fairly well. I nursed Eve and counted up the carbs Miles was eating. However when I went to give him his insulin for what I thought he ate, one of the leaders happened to mention two kids had eaten some of his crackers when I wasn’t looking. Grrr…so I almost shot up my kid with too much. Thanks. Little punks! I joke..they’re just kids after all. How were they to know the trouble that would cause me. This week went better. We took a little different approach and I didn’t leave before I was sure both leaders knew exactly what I wanted to happen. (Shoot…I’m kinda a Nazi now.) Anyways, I feel like I have two callings now: Young women’s president and nursery leader. Note to the big man: Any time you want to release me would be great. :) Again…I joke. Go Young Womens! On a more positive note, I love dressing up little Eve in her Sunday best. It’s really way too fun. She’s such a good little doll.
This is the two of us ready to go last Sunday. Let the oooo’s and aahh’s ensue.
Reese said,
July 21, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Oooooooo….Ahhhhhhhh!!
No really, you are breathtaking and your kids are gosh darn cute! I love how Eve is checking out Brenden’s funny face.
Seeing all of your pearly whites makes me happy too and I’m not even your mother. Can’t wait to see you THIS WEEK!!!
Amy Tucker said,
July 21, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Oh man, I don’t know how you do it!!! Three kids…one needing to nurse all of the time and then keeping track of Miles’ snacks. Being Young Women’s Pres. all at the same time. You are pretty much like Wonder Woman!!! I admire your optimism. I would have called it quits by now. My Dad has severe diabetes and it is hard on him…a grown man!!! Little Miles is a super hero as well!!! Eve is adorable. I love all the cute pictures of your kiddies!
Lauren said,
July 21, 2008 at 3:20 pm
WOW, and I thought church was complicated. You are amazing! I’m sure it doesn’t always go perfectly, but I was just discussing this with another toddler-mom yesterday… when your kids are young you get blessings for just going, whether you get anything out of it or not!! Sorry for the worry about little Miles… hopefully he will be watched over carefully so you can do what you have to do. I am looking forward to Maddie starting nursery in a couple months.
I don’t think I have ever seen your hair so long!!! It’s beautiful, not to mention the little baby pretty in pink!
Lorisa said,
July 21, 2008 at 3:59 pm
You look great! That picture of your three kids smiling is adorable. How did you get eve smiling in a picture? Brogan is so random with his wonderful smiles, I can’t wait till I can get one on camera!
Jana said,
July 21, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Wow, Melinda, you look Hot! When did your hair get so long? You look so great, there is no way you just popped out a baby!
Oh and I am our ward’s Nursery leader and let’s just say I am starting to question my testimony! Just kidding…
Debbie Tucker said,
July 21, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Adorable! You are gorgeous and so is Eve! I hope we can get together sometime. I agree with Amy, you have to have some super powers to hold it all together all the time, but with church WOW! (LOVE your hair!!!)
Gwenny said,
July 22, 2008 at 7:59 am
That’s a definite Oooooooh Aaaaaaaaah!! Talk about gorgeous, starting with the mother of all the cute kiddos. Melinda, you are so beautiful. I’m telling you what. I showed your blog to my sister-n-law, Diana. That was her very first comment and I’m totally there with her. Can’t wait to see you this weekend.
Bethany said,
July 22, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I love her little dress Melinda! Your kids are so much fun, we really miss not having them around to play with. We can’t wait to see you this week!!! Great job with church and nursery. Were the leaders ok with what had to happen or were they a little bit freaked out about the whole thing? At any rate… the Lord is for sure blessing you. You are a strong woman and I love learning from your example. Thanks for all of the great tips about our little Claire. Can’t wait to learn more. :)
Noelle Murray said,
August 1, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I’ve loved looking at your new sweet baby girl. Eve is so precious. Congratulations! I love the blanket your mom made also. Miles and Brenden are getting so big… I can’t wait til we’re home at the same time again. I want to see Eve!
Mama Q said,
August 4, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Got to get in another Ooooooh Aaaaaaah! You are quite amazing girl! And I do have the cutest grandchildren in the world!!!
camey said,
August 5, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Such cute kids—and not a bad looking babe as their mom either!
Katie Mortensen said,
August 6, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Hey Melinda…do you remember me? We used to be neighbors & Debbie Tucker told me that you have a blog so I went to check it out! So cute! I can’t believe how much Brenden has grown up…I never did get to meet Miles before we moved, but I did remember you having that name picked out. Such a nice family! I started a blog recently too…there’s a link to it from Debbie’s blog…we just had our third boy! Crazy, huh?! Hope you’re doing great!