Chaos and Cupcakes

It never ceases to amaze me how overwhelming and instant the love is that I have for each new addition to our family. You’d think I would be, in a sense, jaded after having so many kids already. But each new baby is just as amazing to me as the first. After all, this new baby is my first Sawyer, just as Taylor was my first Taylor. There is no other person in the world like each of my babies. I am, of course, biased and think that my babies are the sweetest, smartest, most beautiful and adorable kids that ever lived. I take that back- I don’t think they are, I know they are!

Sawyer had a weight check today. He has gained weight! He is 6 pounds, 6 ounces. He is 6 weeks old today. The doctor was happy with his weight gain but would be happier if Sawyer’s weight would be on the growth curve chart. He is still in the negative percentile. I’m not worried, though, as Andrew wasn’t on the chart until he was 15 months old and Olivia still isn’t on it, although at 19 pounds and 17 months she is finally getting close to being on it.

The exciting news at the Ottley home is that Cameron is potty trained! We started in earnest on Friday and yesterday (Tuesday) he had his first day without an accident. The trick with him was buying him Batman undies. He loves Batman. He is very excited since now that he is a big boy he can take swimming lessons this summer and start preschool in the fall.

Yesterday, I got a real smile and a giggle from Sawyer for the first time. It is a moment like that that makes the total exhaustion all worth it. Of course, he isn’t really the one causing the exhaustion in the first place! He is such an angel baby. He is so tiny still. He isn’t any bigger than the day he was born 5 weeks ago. It is worrisome, but at the same time it is nice to have him stay in the tiny newborn stage. He has a long body and long legs and arms that are just sticks. Olivia has become obsessed with mommying her babies since Sawyer was born. It is really cute to watch.

The boys keep saying the funniest things. I really need to write them down immediately so I don’t forget them. They use phrases in the right context- sayings that you wouldn’t expect a 2, 3, or 4 year old to know or to know how to use properly. They amaze me. Taylor is a little computer genius. He is his daddy’s child. His primary teacher has told me several times that she thinks he is going to be the prophet one day. We got a little hint yesterday of why she says this. During dinner I asked him to tell me the story of Jesus dying and being resurrected. He told me the whole story in great detail and very accurately. I think he must have a photographic memory. Since I was pregnant with Sawyer, Andrew has been fascinated with pregnancy. He thinks he is pregnant with a little boy named Master Yoda. Jared tried to explain that boys can’t have babies. So then Andrew asked if he could see if I have a penis. We had to then explain that it is totally inappropriate to ask that to people. I sure hope I don’t get a call from his school telling us he asked his teacher or classmates that!
Even though I am exhausted 99% of the time, I love being a mom. These 5 kids are the greatest in the world. They make life very interesting!