our kids are awesome.

Well- here are a couple videos because I don't have time to upload real pictures and write a real blog. You take what you can get, right? If videos are not your thing, do not proceed. For our friends and fam far away...

This is Lincoln rolling over like a little rolling champ. One day last week I had just nursed him first thing in the morning and I plopped him down on the floor so I could tidy for a minute before The Diva woke up and just then he rolled. I was tickled PINK that I witnessed it first hand and that I didn't miss it! He just did it, bam, like an old pro. He can do it from his back to his tummy but not his tummy to his back yet. He gets stuck and it makes him SUPER angry. We caught him with the camera the next day.

Next slide please.

This is a cute little clip of Isabelle making Lincoln laugh. Again, first thing in the morning, we were all eating our cereal together and he was just cracking up over nothing. He is seriously the happiest baby ever, will smile at anyone. Bonus- me without makeup. You are welcome.

And finally, Isabelle doing her ABC's. Now, this one is AUDIO ONLY mmkay? She likes to recite them before bed and we have yet to bribe her well enough to do them on camera for us, so Jazz used his phone to capture the sound. Again, THERE IS NOTHING TO WATCH. So just turn your sound up cause it is cuuuuute. My favorite part is the end when she says "next time won't you sing with ISABELLE SHAW SORENSENNNN!"

And now I can't center the videos CMON I DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THIS. Whatever.

visiting the ent

It is apparent I am having a hard time finding the time/energy to blog. This is definitely my worst blogomonth in a long time.

Actually as I type this Lincoln is waking up and my time is probably fleeting but that's okay. Having two kids is more time consuming than having just the one, that's for sure. Linc is starting to be awake a lot more than he used to be. Totally awake, ready to play, wants to be entertained. Really super fun, but time consuming.

Me and my circus went to Davis yesterday for a check up appointment for Baby Linc. When he was first born, the pediatricians at the hospital were concerned with the state of his chin. I know, it sounds weird. Basically his bottom jaw is sort of tiny and small and they wanted to make sure it didn't choke him (!) or cause feeding problems (!) or sleeping problems or whatever. I was drugged so I was like yeah sounds awesome whatever. So he sleeps on his side per their request.

We had an appointment in February which we missed, mostly because I could not bear to think of my nursing newborn, in the car, with my two year old, driving almost three hours to Davis for our 9 am appointment. We would basically have to leave at 4 am. Soooo not happening. Anyway, yesterday was our rescheduled appointment and mom went with me, obviously so I did not lose my sanity. And also because she is awesome.

Lincoln's appointment was at 3:30 so we got there at 3:15 just like we were told to make sure we were registered/insurance given/ etc. Isabelle was asleep so mom stayed with her in the car and I took Linc up to be seen. At the front desk I asked about how long the wait was since I had to nurse my babe eventually and wanted to plan accordingly- she assured me it would be 15-30 minutes. Lincoln was going to be hungry at 4:15 and I thought by sure we would HAVE to be done by then so I could nurse in the comfort of the car before heading back up to Redding.

You guys. I was so wrong it wasn't even funny.

I waited from 3:15 to 4:00 in the waiting room.

Then I waited from 4:-5:15 in the exam room.

Where I almost lost it. I'm not kidding I was thisclose to freaking out and wreaking havoc on that room and leaving in a big huff screaming obscenities. I had to nurse there, which usually isn't a problem because Lincoln is a champ but I didn't have any arms on the chair or a pillow or anything and if you are large chested lady, its kind of like trying to trying to shove a sack of flour into a baby's mouth through a hole the size of a pea. Having some support is helpful. My dad called about 5:00 to see how the appointment went and I was all, "I DON'T KNOW DAD I AM STILL WAITING AND I AM ABOUT TO EXPLODE." The doctor was next door and heard every word. Not sure if it was a bad thing.

He finally came in and apologized to me but it was hard for me to hear him since my eyes had turned into dragon flames and were about to shoot burning knives at him.

Maybe the worst part of the experience is that I thought we were seeing a pediatric ENT. We were not. Just a regular ENT. So none of their equipment was set up for infants. He did his initial exam on Lincoln which was kind of ridiculous, literally pinched the fat on his arms and legs (through his clothes) to see if he was fat enough. He said he usually likes to see babies double their birth weight by 3 months and Linc just wasn't quite there. (I always thought it was 4-6 months. And also, that would mean my niece should have been 19 pounds by 12 weeks old. I'm thinking not so much, but thankssss.)

He started telling me what causes certain physical aspects of our babies by discussing chromosomes to me and paused to say, "Well, I'm not sure what your level of education is so..." LIKE I'M STUPID. I told him that I have a Bachelor's of Science and assured him I could keep up with his 8th grade explanation. I may be a woman, with a baby, in stretchy post partem clothes with sweat beading on the bridge of my nose but you are not allowed to judge me, old doctor man. I'm smart.

I was also concerned about his hoarse voice, and asked if I should be concerned when he cries and talks. "Oh he's not talking yet, just babbling. Unless he is a genius!" NO KIDDING.

"Has anyone checked for a cleft palate?" Uh yeah we did that first thing, like when he was born.

"Have you had an ophthalmologist look at him? Do you have one in redding." Ummm. yeah, his name is Mike Sumsion. he is THEE optho in town. Aaaand he's my father. I'm gonna go now.

He couldn't really give me any answers except that he wants to do a genetic screening and a check up when Lincoln is one year old. Took a couple of pictures of Lincoln's head. It was a five minute appointment. When I left, the receptionist was gone because THEY WERE CLOSED FOR THE DAY. Deep breath deep breath deep breath.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate medicine and physicians and their time and knowledge. But if you have to schedule your last clinic appointment at 3:30 to be seen by 5 pm, you are doing something wrong. And I'm sorry but my time is valuable too! Not once did someone come in and tell me what the doctor's status was, or that he was running late, or maybe that he was on a flight back from Mexico or something because two hours is a ridiculous amount of time to wait for five minutes with a man that I have about 30% confidence in.

When I came out, Mom and Isabelle were throwing pieces of paper over a heating grate on the ground to see how high they could fly. Bless them. I have the best mother in the whole world.

So, after driving for 2 1/2 hours and waiting ALMOST AS DANG LONG, with this doctor's charming bedside manner and condescending tone, we will not be returning to the ENT clinic at Davis. Thank goodness for Cheesekcake Factory's Adam's Peanut Butter Ripple cheesecake, one of the greatest creations in our modern civilization.

Lincoln at 3 Months

Three months already! I couldn't quite get the normal camera angle that I usually get because I dropped my lens on Easter and it is having issues with the shutter. Awesome. Had to get my zoom lens out which makes it harder to get a far away shot. Anyway. I'm an idiot.

Lincoln is such a good baby. Have I mentioned that? Such a good baby! He is getting good and chunky now, really a solid little guy.

Linc still eats every 3 hours during the day and pulls out all the stops at night- usually sleeps 9:30 to about 4 am.  I told you he was a good baby! He loves to fall asleep with his blanket on his face or something soft around his cheeks, makes him happy. Also, he is kind of a mamas boy, definitely goes to sleep faster/ without a fight when I am holding him. Sorry Jazz.

He is wearing size 3-6 month clothes, size two diapers, and is 13 pounds and change.  We had to take him in to see his pediatrician last Monday because he lost his voice.  Have you ever heard a hoarse baby cry? It's like the saddest thing ever. I was concerned he was having some reflux issues and sure enough, he is. Our doctor recommended to feed him shorter more frequent feeds (just what every mom wants to hear.) So far he has done WAY better just by stopping to burp him every 5 minutes instead of every ten minutes. Hoping he grows out of it.

Lincoln is such a happy baby. He doesn't care who is talking to him, he will chat right back and give HUGE smiles. All the old people at church eat him up like a sandwich.

Also, can I just say.. nursing this baby has been a completely different experience than nursing Isabelle. I struggled with her from day one, in fact we started supplementing her in the hospital. I wrote a couple of posts how she just had a hard time latching and how eventually months later we had to switch her to Nutramagen, super expensive formula for sensitive tummys, and I always felt guilty I wasn't able to nurse her the way I wanted to. Especially after having a c-section, I felt like that was strike two for me, another big failure. We later learned that she was tongue tied and we should have had it clipped when she was born, but we didn't know. This time around I was DETERMINED to have a better experience and it has been so much better! Lincoln was just naturally better at it from the get go...That's not to say that nursing isn't hard or time consuming or painful, but just in case you had a difficult experience, IT IS POSSIBLE to have a different one the next time around. Lincoln has almost doubled his weight since he was born, we nurse basically on a baby-demand type of schedule which ends up being every three hours. It's a big commitment for sure, I have never been able to be away from him for more than two hours at a time.. We haven't had to supplement him and he has never had a bottle. Three months doesn't seem like a long time, but realizing I have nursed him over 1200 times is a big deal to me and I am so proud of my body for sustaining another human being. Anyway.

When Lincoln is tired and I swaddle him in the patented Miccolene Double Swaddle, he gets a paci and nestles in the nook of my arm. His little burrito body wraps around my extra fluffy chest like we were made for each other. He fits perfectly in my shape, his head burrows into me and his eyes start to flutter like he is in his own personal heaven. I'm so thankful to be his momma. Every single day I am so thankful to be a mother.

Are his eyes blue or what!

Are we the only ones that burp babies like this? My friend thinks I'm weird.

Yes I am aware the bumbo is pink. 

And just in case four hundred pictures weren't enough...

Easter festivities

I wouldn't be a proper blogger if I didn't put up some pictures of my babies in their Easter outfits. We had an Easter Egg Hunt at my parents' house on Saturday morning and the weather was really perfect. Plus, I found the Golden Egg (in the pool!) which once again confirms the fact that I am the favorite child.

Special thanks to Grandma Bobbie for this dress!

Once we got outside and she figured out what to do there was no stopping her.

Aaaaaand thats my mom. 

Pretty much the best picture we got before Isabelle realized that Kira was pilfering her basket. 

Me with my children that look nothing like me.

Going through her treasures.

Easter morning is kind of like a mini Christmas morning. I mean, we have to set crap up the night before and tell her some strange mythical person is coming to bring her treats...that pretty much goes against everything we teach her about accepting stuff from strangers. As she pulled things from her basket she exclaimed "My favorite!" and held everything to her face. After she had opened everything, she was so pleased that she picked up a tiny 2-inch decorative Easter bunny and said lovingly, "Oh, sank you Easter bunny, sanks very much!" then proceeded to feed it fish crackers in her doll high chair.

After that, we had pancakes and dressed everyone up for church! Boys are so much easier than girls.

Tiny man overalls! 

Special thanks for Grandma Cindy for this dress. Between the two grandmas, we don't buy many clothes for her.

Church was a circus, as always, but we made it back in time for ham and potatoes at my parents' house. Love me some honey baked ham. OH and bonus- we watched the 1956 version of The Ten Commandments. Really an excellent four-hour tradition.

Today we colored eggs, because I am a day late and a dollar short. She just wanted to keep putting the eggs back in over and over again until her fingers were pink and Lincoln was hungry.

Playing with dye = clothes optional.

Hope you all had an eggcelent Easter. See what I did there. With the egg thing. I need a nap.

Isabelle at 2 1/2

This is for SURE my favorite age. FOR SURE. I know I keep saying that but this stage is blowing my mind, it is so much fun. Her voice is so special.

Isabelle is such an independent soul, she is constantly telling me, "I do it myself!" Then she has to undo whatever I have done so she can do it herself. That includes putting on her shoes or taking off her coat or brushing her teeth or anything.

She continues to be extremely sweet. Always says please and thank you, though it sounds like "sank you" coming out. When Lincoln got his immunizations, she sobbed because she was so sad he was crying. The nurse had to take her into the hallway for a sticker to fix things. Right when we got home, she got Leilani for Lincoln to sleep with...she is so thoughtful. Anytime he is crying she says, "oh, he need his milk." And when he has a bad diaper, she says, "He has stinky pooh!" which makes me laugh every time.

She loves to play pretend, put on a tutu, and have a tea party with her babies. When something is missing she puts her hand on her hip and her finger on her lip and says, "Hmm, where could it be." She has learned to say holy cow but it comes out "oh my cow!" She loves to help- always wants to sit on the kitchen counter and mix or stir whatever I am doing. She is a great eater- her favorites are french fries, broccoli, cheerios, V8 juice, and anything with sauce. She uses the term "favorite" all the time. Strawberries are my favorite! Olivia is my favorite! Pink juice is my favorite!

She has started singing lately, all on her own. I had no idea she knew so many songs until she just started singing them one day and she knows all the words! Popcorn popping on the apricot tree, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, The ABC song, Spider song. Also, she loves the Spoonful of Sugar song from Mary Poppins..she just repeats "Medicine go down..medicine go down.." over and over. And she can count to ten! She knows a handful of colors, and if she doesn't know it she just assumes its blue.

She calls her forehead her rainbow. When we are doing pretend makeup, she says, "Some for my wips, some for my cheeks, some for my wainbowww." When we were down in Disneyland she picked up an ariel barbie doll in the store and proclaimed, "FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!" She definitely has us figured out.

I've mentioned before she knows I am semi helpless when I am feeding Lincoln. I mean, if she was in danger I would for sure get up, but she knows she can get into the pantry and get out a fruit snack without me taking it away. She is very sneaky. Today after I fed Lincoln I found her stuck on the counter in the bathroom, pulling all the floss out, yards at a time. We have implemented the count to five timeout thing for her and it seems to be working when she is especially defiant or super not listening. She also hates to pick up her toys.

She continues to be the light of my life and my best little friend. So thankful she is in our family. 

where we've been.

Did you miss me?

I think this is the longest I haven't blogged in a really long time. Turns out, we were out of town and then we were recovering from being out of town and so now I'm back to update. Guess where we went? I will give you three guesses but you will probably only need one.

The Park.

Our most favorite place on earth. We love to convene there with our giant family because it actually fits us all, we can come and go as we please, no one has to cook, and there are churros. 'Nuff said. I wasn't planning on attending this trip seeing as Lincoln was only 10 weeks old but some circumstances changed and it was decided we would come after all. Best decision ever, we had a great time.

Part of the reason why this was possible was Scott and JaNae offered to take Isabelle with them down in their car. They were driving their own two girls down anyway, and the thought of driving 9 hours with Lincoln having to stop to nurse just wasn't feasible for me. Isabelle rode with them down and back while I flew with my parents and the baby making it SO much easier! I really owe them hugely giant big time. Isabelle had a blast, I'm not sure if she was more excited to ride with Madilyn or actually go to Disneyland.

I also got to use our new double stroller and its official, I'm obsessed with it. One of my favorite baby purchases of all time, I'm sure I'll do a separate post on why it is so awesome. Lincoln was a champion traveler... I was so worried it would be hard to nurse him in weird places or that he wouldn't sleep well or that he would be fussy and he was basically perfection. Every three hours at the park I would disappear to the baby care center for an hour or so then pop back up with the family, having so many adults around made it easy for me to leave Izzie with them. They take care of her like I would take care of her.

She had such a great time. She was so incredibly happy and so excited to see everyone. After one particularly long day, I made her little bed by folding the comforter on the floor and setting up her pillow and her babies. She saw her little space and exclaimed "oh mama, thank you for this bed. And mom, thank you for this hotel." My sweet sweet baby.

Sean is a professional photo bomber.

She wore her mickey ears pretty much the whole time.

Matchy matching!

These girls are the best of friends. Anything Madilyn did, Isabelle had to do too.

The only photo of the three of us. Hard to coordinate such business.

She was much more excited to meet Minnie this time- last time she was terrified. Though, she doesn't look thrilled here .

Sadly, this was before the Puke Fest for the Southern Sumsion family. They all got the flu and we didn't get to see them as much as we wanted to. I felt so bad! 

Funny story. I left to go on a Grown Up Ride for a few minutes and when I came back, some special people had kidnapped my camera and taken some choice shots, mostly of plants and signs, but this one was a particular treasure.

Morgan is a ginger! And also very pregnant!

This is my favorite picture from the trip..it's just exactly Isabelle. She kept running around and around and around and then she would "hide" to the side of the tree like we couldn't see her. (Morgan, just like Bobby?)

This trip was very humbling for me. I needed to see my family, particularly those who live far away from me. Like a big deep breath of fresh air.

I also really gained a testimony of the power of prayer on this vacation. There were so many things that could have gone wrong- mostly small things- but that really would have been difficult for me to deal with by myself. I prayed for Lincoln to do well on both airplane rides. We were the last ones on our southwest flight to Orange County and I found myself seated between two businessmen. I prayed I wouldn't have to nurse Linc in that situation, and I didn't. I was constantly praying for him to nurse well and be able to nurse where ever we were. Prior to this trip we had successfully fed and home and at church and that's pretty much it. I prayed that I would have enough milk when he needed it. I prayed there would always be a chair available for me at the baby care center, and there was. I prayed that he would sleep, and sleep he did. Most nights until 5:45, so I could get a solid chunk of sleep before feeding him and getting ready for the long day. I prayed for energy and strength so I wouldn't be tired, despite lack of sleep and such big days at the park. 

Every small thing I asked for, I received. Lincoln ate well, he slept well, he traveled well. Prayers were answered. 

I feel renewed. Disneyland can really do that to a person.