The Big Move to California

Be proud of me, I'm tackling the mountain of posts I haven't done. After this I should be only a year behind...

The move went as well as we could have hoped. My parents came in to help and did a fantastic job! Moving would have been a total nightmare without them and I'm so so grateful. I was slowly packing up throughout the last few weeks in Texas, so it was actually pretty quick in terms of moving them to the 26 foot rental truck. We were going to have help come in the evening, but my dad and Sam did it by noon! So we decided to just leave that afternoon instead of the next day. My mom and I cleaned what we could (I did pay for a cleaning service, so that made it a lot less stressful). I took pictures just in case we needed to find new renters in a year, but our renters told us they are staying for another year, so the pictures are just for this blog instead. Here's our back porch:

I forgot that little girl cut her bangs. She's still super cute!

Love this house!..even though we had to do so much for our renters in a year (roof, painting cabinets, new dishwasher, freon for AC, new facia in the back, new water heater...) Be good house!! No more breaking down on us!

No pictures really of the actual trip, but Sam drove the big truck (huge kudos to him, that was so scary!), my dad drove Sam's Kia, and my mom and I drove the van filled with little goblins I mean children. Instead of two long days, we did two short days and a long day. Did I mention that the whole trip was solely on I 10? That made it easy! We stayed in the middle of nowhere Texas the first night. Then we drove just past Phoenix the next night, then ended in good ol' Lala Land. I don't recall any major incidents so we were very lucky. The only picture we took of that exodus was Sam's:

Really, I can't imagine driving this thing!

We had three ward members come and help us move (Rex, David, and Alex) and they were super nice. Sadly we couldn't fit our nice couches through the door of our house, so they became the garage couches. The garage became a cool hangout space, with many toys, pull out bed, fridge and microwave. If only it had a bathroom it would be complete!

My parents stayed a few more days to hang out with us and babysit for our TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY! We couldn't do anything fancy or too long (I was still nursing) and I was in the "this place is soooo expensive" mode, so it was a dinner and movie kind of anniversary date. 

Checked out the beach. 

Sand fortress.

Look at these lovebirds. I didn't realize Sam
was wearing crocks. Bahaha!

Best decision of my life! 

We could still use some practice with dipping...

We downloaded gift cards from our AE rewards and treated ourselves to Ruth's Chris. All amazing except the house dressing on their salad. That has to go back to the drawing board.

Now to be like an Instagammer and post a picture of our food.

We had time to spare so we went to Redondo beach to take a romantic walk.

Had the place to ourselves! (Almost. Some people walked in after this shot)

We went to see Cruella, and I thought it was well done. 

My mom sent a picture of this while we were gone:
Don't worry, it was cherries. Or was it...?

Sam had a few days to spare before he started so I requested he make a swing set. As most projects are it costed us more than I thought but the finished product was really nice and perfect for our needs!

We are definitely going to try to take it back with us.

Noah's seat came in and Eli was the first to try it out.

This is what I envisioned!

Another thing we did before Sam started was head to Leo Carillo State Park. Joseph was really into tide pools and this is what he was really looking forward to. There aren't any good tide pools near us so we went an hour north up to Malibu. The north part of the park was closed, but where we ended up was super nice! It's always an adventure taking four young kids (including a young baby) wherever we go, so Sam and the boys did a lot of exploring while I looked for wild life in between the rocks.

Cold morning looking out for new creatures.

Look at this anemone!

Look at this crab!

Explorations start.

Elijah always has a zest for life.

Look at this sea cave!

*swoon*

Time to go through the cave.

Turns out the north part of the park was closed
because they were filming there. Whoops!

Time to go back through!

Look at this little guy! He's grown so much
since this picture was taken a year ago.

Crabs, crabs, everywhere.

Dead lobster head.

So many sea anemones. 

Then it was time to relax and play in the sand.

These kids can get along so well when they want to.

I guess Eli was our favorite to take pictures of this trip.

I know I posted pictures of this little guy during his monthly updates, but I mean, look how little he was!

I forgot to put sunblock on Noah at the beach and part of his face was pretty burnt. 😬😬

Now for the fourth. It was on a Sunday, so other than going to church, we went to see fireworks at the temple. It's on a hill (as they tend to be) so we could see fireworks across the city. Very beautiful.

Look at his little outfit!

Eli's outfit.

Eden's too.

Look at this temple at night!

Our view.

Even the temple was celebrating.

We have been very blessed to have this temple so close to us.

I'll end the blog post here because next was a visit from Sam's parents and sister (with her daughters). That deserves its own post.

Sam's Residency Graduation: the Eye Ball

So, it's been over a year since this happened so I'll try to remember the details. Sam graduated from his ophthalmology residency program over a year ago in June 2021! We got a babysitter and brought our little Noah with us to enjoy the Eye Ball. It was a nice celebration (although I have to admit the Eye Ball last year was tough to beat). It was held at a Mexican restaurant, where we ate our dinner while the "graduation" portion was played on a projector. They didn't hold a residency graduation at BAMC, but decided to provide a virtual portion for our Eye Ball. It was so hard to hear, honestly so it was the perfect time to ignore it and socialize while we ate.

Cute cute decor.

The time has come for us!

Food. Yum.

The next portion was the videos. Sam really takes pride in his video editing skills and made a hilarious staff roast where they jested at the doctors they worked with. Since it was like pulling teeth getting everyone to join in, he just did some voice overs on already made movie clips and whatnot. And enter this masterpiece:

No one said the next portion better than Sam, so I copied it from his journal. I'm sure he doesn't mind!

"In years past, I was always annoyed that the EyeBall seemed to be about a single resident who got all the awards. This year, I was sure that resident was going to be Bryant Giles, who is a stud and amazing at everything he does! Not only was he the best co-chief resident to work with this past year, he also did more cataract surgeries in his residency than any other resident in the history of the program (he did more than 100 more than me!). He is an entrepreneur with his own website, and he has created several medical devices and has patents on several others. Plus, he is a member of the church and one of the best people I have ever met!

Well, turns out I was wrong. Bryant didn’t steal the show at our EyeBall – I did! I ended up getting several of the awards given out, including:

• The Michael Lambert MD 2021 Outstanding Ophthalmology Resident Award: In Recognition for Excellence in Leadership and Clinical Sciences (elected by the staff at BAMC and WHASC)

• Resident Excellence in Teaching (elected by the residents in my program)

• Legault Davies Award: Top OKAP Score (for receiving the highest score in our program on the national in-service exam, the Ophthalmology Knowledge Assessment Program, in 2021) 

• Commander’s Award: Housestaff Scientific Research, First Place in Resident Surgical Research (awarded by BAMC/WHASC Housestaff Council for the best surgical senior research manuscript submitted by graduating residents within SAUSHEC)

• The Air Force Commendation Medal for Outstanding Achievement (an official medal for my uniform given by my military commander)

"

I mean. I knew Sam is amazing, but it's so amazing to see that everyone sees what I see. I'm one lucky girl. Sam felt really bad taking them all, but I don't think there was any communication between everybody and everybody thought of Sam. 

Overall it was a nice Eyeball. Not pictured but all the moms in the room got an award. 6-8 moms either had babies or were pregnant, and as Dr. Davies said, it was the most fertile resident group he's worked with. SO. MANY. KIDS. It was so nice to have a group that had very similar experiences to ours. It was sad to see this part of our lives come to a close...but also a relief. Congrats Sam! 

Receiving the outstanding resident award given by the staff.

Resident teaching award!

Receiving an award from the first years.

All of Sam's awards and gifts. Woo!

Now we can move on to California!

Dear Joseph,

Happy Birthday, 9-year-old! It’s hard to know what to say, you are growing up so fast! I’ve probably said this a few times, but you are truly one-of-a-kind. There is no one like you, Joseph. It seems like everyone who knows you knows that too.

 

You’ve grown so much this year, and I have an inkling you will be taller than me in just a few short birthday letters. You grew your front teeth in and now your smile is very different. You look so grown up! You are a pretty good eater, eating things your siblings don’t touch. Your favorite food is sushi, but you also like beans, tuna, ramen, carrots, mango, and honey mustard. What’s really interesting is that you are “not a fan of chocolate”, or mac and cheese for that matter. Funny boy.

 

Your interests change so rapidly I can’t even list them all here. The main theme I see is science. Whether it’s zoology, meteorology, geology, or paleontology, you just love science. The most current obsession is invertebrate fossils, notably a nautilus, but boy has there been a lot since your last birthday: Pokémon, axolotls, extreme weather (tornados, notably), crystals, geodes, Harry Potter (he slipped in there) and now the fossils. It’s little things that you experience that blow up your world. It’s really all you can think and talk about. Anyone who knows you knows what you like. I wonder what will be the next thing…

 

You are in third grade at Overland Ave Elementary. This school has been so good to us. Your teacher and especially the student teacher seem to adore you and the classmates are nice to you too. You say you don’t have friends, but after some digging, I found that to be a personal choice. There seem to be kids at school who try to include you or talk to you. You even had a crystal-making play date with the twins in your class! You prefer to wander about and “think” while your classmates do their thing. I’m trying to teach you that a friend is more than someone you play with. It can be people that you talk to or share interests with. Regardless, I’m glad you’ll be returning to Overland for another school year. 

 

I’ll admit that I’m on a different frequency than you are. As I’m trying to rush you to do things (get ready for school, get you out of the car or through the door, do homework, get ready for bed), you prefer to think about other things. You are my pokey little puppy. You don’t like to be rushed and call me mean sometimes. Maybe I am! Patience with you is something I can work on, but hopefully, there will be a day when you can function with minimal prodding and poking. Regardless, I can see how hard it is to rush to do things you don’t want to do when there are far better things to think about or do.

 

As far as being a big brother, you like your siblings. You call Eli your best friend. You really like Noah and carrying him around (sometimes you tug him out of my arms, hold him for five seconds, then place him somewhere on the ground or couch for me to retrieve instead of handing him back). Eden’s at the age where she is harder to tolerate, but you do nice things for her like make her a necklace or draw her pictures. You share a room with your brothers and although it can be hard for you when you have a hard time sleeping, I think you handle it pretty well.

I’m sure I can go on about you and capture who you are at nine years old, but it’s time to close up this letter. I just want to say how much I love you, Joseph, You really opened up my world and taught be how to be a mother. I’m still learning a lot and feel there is much to be improved, so thank you for your patience as I navigate each stage of life. I’m excited to see what new things you will discover and teach me about. Remember how much we love you and your Heavenly Father loves you!

 

Love,

 

Mom

Dear Noah,

 

Happy first birthday! What a bittersweet moment for your mom. You just kissed your babyhood behind. You are a fine final addition to our family (although if Dad had his way you would not be the last, but I’m pretty set – four kids has been wild!). You are adored by your brothers and sometimes tolerated by your sister. And Daddy and I just cherish you so much.

We haven’t hit the doctor’s office in a little bit so we don’t have any stats on your growth. But you do wear size 4 diapers and in 18 month clothing. You like food, but have been more suspicious of what we feed you. You’ll spit it out immediately whatever it is and then will start eating it by the second or third bite. If you are done with food it is immediately thrown to the floor, so feeding you has gotten quite messy unless we feed you ourselves! Your favorite foods are apples, sweet treats, and cereal. You always plop right next to me if I have a bowl in my hands and we share breakfast. 

    

You are making strides in your development! You’ll sometimes copy us if you are in the mood. The same goes for standing and walking. It has to be your idea otherwise you don’t cooperate much. We do catch you standing a lot and you have been letting us use our fingers to help you walk more. I totally think you are capable of walking, so we’ll see when it happens. I’m guessing within the month, but who knows! You babble quite a bit and will be happy screaming in church quite a bit, until you are actually screaming. 

   

One of your favorite things to do is play catch with a little basketball Eli got for Christmas. We’ll see you throwing it all around the house and you are so delighted when someone sits down and passes the ball back and forth with you. You like to crawl around outside and run away when I need to change your diaper. You’ve gotten so wiggly! But you like to be held by Mom a few times a day and nurse. You still wake up twice a night whining for milk, and since we moved you in with your brothers I can’t really let you cry it out. We’re still trying to figure out the best rooming situation. You and your sister make it a little hard! 

Your brothers do love you though. Eli loves to cuddle and play with you and Joseph likes to pick you and walk around with you, even if you don’t like it nearly as much. Eden doesn’t like you getting in her toys, so she hasn’t taken you quite like your brothers. Hopefully you guys will be better friends and playmates when you get older! You seem to be a mix between Joseph and Eli in terms of facial features, but I never expected to have a toe head! You are really blond. I did notice you had a lighter hue to your hair when you were born compared to the other three, but boy did it lighten up! 

     

Overall you’ve been a good baby! Very tolerant of being taken all around as I take kids to and from school, go to extracurriculars, or going shopping. You can entertain yourself pretty well, we just have to make sure the toilet lids are down and the dishwasher lid is up! You can be a little mischievous, but it comes with the territory of toddler. I only hope you don’t get destructive when being curious! 

Although having a fourth has been challenging, I certainly wouldn’t change it. I love having you in my life, Noah. I only hope you will offer me sweet cuddles for a little longer. I love seeing you grow and learn so much this year. Thank you for being patient with me when my attention had to be split in many directions. I just wish I could truly slow down and cherish my last baby, and it’s a shame that I have to be so busy when saying goodbye to that stage of life. I adore and love you, little Moogie (or Noby, or Nogie, or Scooby, or Scoogie, or whatever I felt like calling you this year). May Heavenly Father bless you this coming year as you continue becoming your own little person. 

Love, 

Mama

Noah at Eleven Months

+On the go go go

+Likes to play with things he shouldn't

+Like remotes or the toilet or Legos

+Starting to walk with his walker

+Likes to be dipped backwards

+Started picking up basketball

+Poops A LOT

+Still likes food

+Still likes to nurse

+Decided to wake up in the middle of the night again

+Shouldn't be growing this fast

++++++++++

We are a month out to his birthday and a short one at that! I realized this would be my last month to month post as the next one will be his first birthday letter. It's really bittersweet because these will be the last moments we will have a baby in our home, but there's a reason I don't want more! I really wish there was a way to relive moments, but since I can't, writing it down is the next best thing.

Noah is such a cutie! As long as he's close to mom, he gets very smiley at other people. He also has teeth which give him even more personality. He is very loved by all of us, especially his older brothers. Joseph loves to hold him and put him on the bed or couch, which I have to rescue him. Eli likes to play and cuddle with him. Eden likes him, too (sometimes). 

Noah is getting closer to walking, but I feel we are still a month or two out from that. He's content crawling around and pulling up to things. He does walk with his walker! Noah also likes this basketball Eli got for Christmas and will bounce or roll it all around the house. He's learned how to pass it back and forth between us. As much as he likes to be on the go, he's really gotten more content sitting in the stroller, which is nice because we've been walking to school or sitting there for Eli's martial arts lessons.

He has been experiencing a lot of diaper rash recently. I think it has to do with how much he poops! On days he poops less his bum looks like it's healing, but days where we have 4-6 poopy diapers it's so red and raw it will start bleeding, even when he's smathered with diaper cream every time. Maybe it's TMI, but I think it's worth mentioning, haha!

Now to start planning his first birthday (and my 30th!)

Cuddles in the morning!

Bouncing his favorite toy...which happens to be Eli's

He gets into mischief, like pulling out Joseph's underwear drawer,
 throwing out all the underwear and climbing inside!

His smile gets me every time!