Summer with a newborn

Okay, so honestly it has been better than I thought.  So far, my kids have been really good and super helpful with Kori.  My main dilemma is that three older kids do so much better when we are out and about- they are less likely to get on each other's nerves, but Kori is hard to take all over town.  Kori is awesome at home because he gets to sleep in his nice swing and is not sweaty from traveling in his car seat.  The other dilemma is when I do not get any sleep from the previous night and still have to be super mom all day… however I really cannot complain.  Kori is so sweet and somehow Matt and I have found this crazy patience within ourselves that we did not have for the others.  Anywho- here are some random pics from our summer so far:

Gratitude

"How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?"
                                                            -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I have felt overwhelmingly grateful to the many people who have given meals, gifts, offered to take my older children, texts, etc since I have had Kori.  I have felt so loved and supported, which is a good thing when you have a baby.  I quickly remembered how much time is devoted to a newborn, but instead of wishing this time to pass and see the rainbow, I am going to embrace the rain and know that this will be my last newborn.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!

Honeymoon is over...

The first week with Kori was pure heaven.  I sat and stared at him and wanted to hold him all the time.  I am actually still amazed at my patience level, especially during the night.  However, last night I had a really bad fever, it felt like someone had punched me in the boob, and a week of not getting the best sleep all came crashing down.  I have mastitis and I feel horrible!  It feels like my body was run over by a car, even my teeth hurt.  Today was a rough day, but I am determined to still breast feed and get through the pain.  Luckily Kori is so sweet.  When does the pain go away?

Kori Jensen

 He is here!  I thought I might be the first person to be pregnant forever.  My doctor set up an induction date two days after my due date.  I really did not want to be induced, I wanted him to come on his own, but I also wanted him to come before the kids got out of school so we wouldn't be trapped in the house.  Monday for Memorial Day we went to our usual ward party, I sat by the pool the entire time- Kalli left the pool only twice in five hours.  Anywho- that night I started getting stronger Braxton Hicks, but ignored them because I have had them for the past two weeks.  They started getting a little closer, at 11PM I told Matt we should go to the hospital now since I came so fast with Kalli.  Checked in at midnight, epidural at 3:15am, doctor broke water at 7:30am, Kori came at 8:40 am.  My induction was scheduled that morning for 9 am.  Kori is perfect.  Matt and I felt instantly connected to him- he looked just like Keia when he came out, but the next day he looked like Mattix.  He was awesome in the hospital and I'm loving having a newborn for the first time.  I love all my kids of course, just not newborns- it feels like a whole new experience and the kids love him.  I feel so grateful for another healthy child- I still can't believe I am a mother of 4!!!  Welcome Kori, we love you!!!

Mothers

Yes, I am still prego.  This kid really likes me, maybe it has been all the sugar I have been feeding him! Anywho, as I wait patiently (okay trying to be patient), I found these inspiring quotes about motherhood- by far the best job I have ever had.  Being a mom is enough for me at this point in my life- later I will pursue other things.  However, I am hoping being a mother of 4 doesn't bring out my crazy=)

"Motherhood is near divinity, it is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind."  
Howard W. Hunter

"Everyday with all the little things you do in your home, in what may seem mundane, routine, and unexciting, you are actually teaching the Gospel."

"The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation."
James E. Faust

"Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children.  What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply, and in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
M. Russel Ballard

Still with child..

I am due this week and am still with child.  I was reading natural ways to induce labor and some women swear by putting a pineapple upside down for a while, then eating it can induce labor.  This is what I will be doing tomorrow.

True Strength

Seven.

Mattix turned 7!  He is completely all boy now.  He use to be cool playing with the girls because he wanted someone to play with, but unless it involves a ball, then he is not interested.  He would rather be throwing the baseball, shooting baskets, kicking the soccer ball, bowling etc.  Mattix also loves to go surfing with Matt, which is his father's dream.  It is so fun having a boy, even though he can be really loud and gets super silly!  I am so excited for this kid to have a little brother who is going to look up to him.  Mattix will be a great example, he always remembers for us to pray, he does kind things and thinks of others, he is our most willing kid to help us.  However, I don't think he will outgrow his sensitivity, therefore one comment or action can set him into tears or get really angry.  I can't even count how many parenting books I have read to help cope with his moods, but I will take that over a kid who is not sensitive to others.  When Mattix is on, he is on.  I love you dear boy, I love how you tell me every detail of your day at school, I love how OCD clean you are like me and help keep the girls in line- reminding them to wash their hands or wipe the sink after they brush their teeth- your room is NEVER dirty- ahhhh dream child.  I hope to keep watching you grow and spend many more birthdays together.

Kalli turns 4!

Ms. Kalli turned 4 on Earth Day.  It was the year for the girls to have parties.  Since I am 9 months with child, I decided to not entertain 3-4 year olds in my home.  We had her "Sophia the First" party at the park.  I figured as long as the kids got cupcakes and a piñata, they feel like it was a great party.  Kalli had fun playing with her friends at the park and I got to hang out with the moms.  It was a nice morning.  My friend thought to take pictures at her party (not me), so when she sends me them, then I will post some.
What do I say about Kalli- by far my easiest child, yet likes to push the boundaries.  She has always seemed older than her age and now it seems her whole life is going to change now that she is 4.  Days leading up to her birthday she kept telling me that she will only do something once she is 4.  Kalli is definitely one of the kids now and not the little toddler.  She loves to play anything girly with Keia and is my buddy during the day.  I love going to lunch with her and she is so easy to run errands with.  I am curious to see her as a big sister and no longer the youngest.  Kalli you are so sweet and I am so glad that we still have one more year together before you go to school.  I can't get enough of your silly faces and big brown eyes.  You like to get sassy and stubborn, but it is not very often.  I do think you may be the rebel in the family.  I love you and look forward to many more birthdays to celebrate with you!

Happy Easter

                                                Happiest Easter love the Huffman House!!

Easter

Jesus Christ was the promised Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, the son of the living God.  He was with the Father before He came to earth in mortality, the Creator of the earth upon which we stand.
In His mortal ministry He walked the dusty roads of Palestine, healed the sick, raised the dead, taught His gospel, gave His life on Calvary's Hill, and rose on the third day, a perfected, resurrected being, breaking the bands of death for us all, thus becoming "the first fruits of them that slept."
The Savior paid the price for all of our sins.  The prophet Isaiah saw the gift beyond the price of the Atonement of Jesus Christ:
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5)
We testify that Jesus Christ was resurrected and that He lives today as our Savior and Redeemer.

President Thomas S. Monson
President Henry B. Eyring
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

7 weeks

Keia

                                                                           Mattix

Kalli

I have a little over 7 weeks left before we meet our new little boy.  Name is still undecided, but getting closer.  This kid loves to go wild at 10 PM every night.  I just watch my stomach go totally crazy like he is in a concert, maybe he's reacting to me laughing at Jimmy Fallon every night. 

 I have mixed emotions about having another baby, but overall I feel really excited.  I think about the happiness my kids add to my life and we are going to add to that, but I also think about raising another child in this world when I can't even get myself to go on Facebook.  I am a little behind the times.  I am excited for another chance, hopefully some of my parenting skills have improved.  Here is my list of what I am looking forward to with the new babe, and what I am NOT looking forward to:

Can't wait:

*having him sleep on my chest, love that

*the innocence and excitement of the first five years of life

*baby hair- love the smell and softness- so many kisses on the head

*first smile

*first words and mispronunciations- we let Keia say Keanut Butter until first grade.

*little bodies

*tubbies & blowing bubbles

*being called Mommy

Please Skip:

*potty training!!!

*not sleeping through the night

*teething

*poopy diapers

*tantrums

*fighting with siblings

*18 month olds who are very mobile but cannot communicate