Zach sings!

Zach Turned 2... (ehhem, last month)...

That's right, our "baby" has joined the rank of "toddler!" How that happened, I'm not so sure, but I have to say, we are pretty proud parents! Zachary is such a light and joy to our family. There is no way to be unhappy around this little guy. You can already see that he is a clown and has a little sense of humor. Here is a snapshot of our little brudder...
*Zach LOVES his brudder! He is constantly saying "Come on Ike-ah-boy." In Ike's words "Zachy is my BFF!" We often find them hugging and kissing each other to the ground, locked in brotherly embrace. Finally Zachy has learned to hold his own:) They go everywhere and love everything the other loves!
*Zach loves playing make-believe- These two boys are always SOMETHING ELSE (another common phrase from Z)! Firefighters "spraying the fire, or smoke," Divers in the ocean (i.e. my bathroom shower, Astronauts in my closet (always headed to Jupiter, their favorite planet), construction "work guys," Chefs baking "shlock-ette chips" (another of Z's favorite words), and on and on... Never a boring moment!
*Zach also loves the afforementioned "shlock-ette chips" Everything in his world somehow relates back to chocolate, dan-o's (donuts- he calls them dan-o's even though he is perfectly capable of saying donuts), pie (especially one they have made up called "crusty pie"), cake, cupcakes, ice cream, candy, etc. If it's sweet, it's a guaranteed winner in Zach's book

Birthday Breakfast tradition of Waffles and Ice Cream and Happiness:)

*Zach's sense of humor has made it's own way already! For instance, when he went to meet his pediatric dentist the other day (Dr. Ostler), he went right up to him and said "Hey shlock-ette chips Ostler!" He had called him Dr. Ostler all morning, but just felt the need to tease him immediately! He also called Daddy, "Aunt Ben" today:) LOVES a good healthy teasing. I don't see this easing up in the future... do you?
*Zach's favorite colors are Pink and Orange (depending on the day). He knows all of his colors, but since blue was already taken by his brother, and Pink never is, he decided on the latter:)

Birthday Party at the Splash Pad

Swimming party *almost* in his bday suit!

*Zach is also counting and knows some letters. He THINKS he can read, and count and write, but I think we're still learning:) He loves books and art and exploring. Pretty much anything brother can do, he wants to do too (typical?!)
*In case you haven't noticed, Zach has an extensive understandable vocabulary. He is easily able to tell you all about it! He isn't afraid to make his needs known (thus the reason he was whining "mommy, go poopy right now!" during Stake Conference today! True story... he was letting us know HE (not me!) needed to go right then, no waiting! Also, he had to get his blood tested for lead poisoning (routine checkup, and he passed!) Anyway, when they went to take his blood, the needle poked him and he starting saying "Ouchy ouchy, hurts momma, in my aaaarrrmmm!" Over and over. The nurse was almost in tears b/c she said usually at that age they just cry, but he was so vocal and breaking our hearts!
* Zach knows what he wants and isn't easily swayed. He often is not too interested in eating exactly when we're eating, or on the color of plate Ike has set for him, or the color of fork, or the color of the milk carton from which I poured his milk... It is a battle of the wills *most* of the time (and I ALWAYS win.. mwhaahaha!) Well, ok, i give in on some things that don't really matter. I'm proud of his exertion of independence and am not afraid to let him walk around with his skeleton shirt on and plaid shorts 9 months after halloween. weirdo.
*Zach is WALKING and climbing and thinks he is "running!" He has made leaps and bounds this year. Although he still is working on it, his improvement has been amazing and I am thankful and proud everyday to see his skill. I know it's not a huge challenge, but to us and to this little guy it was a GREAT BIG FEAT!

Happy Birthday Budda Belly!

*Zach insists on "rock-a-baby" before going to sleep at night. Bedtime routine is: read scriptures, say family prayers, do family cheer, brush teeth, then rock-a-baby... If I try to skip this last (of a gillion) steps, we get the whiny cry "mmaaammmaaa roooocckkk-aaaa-bbbbaaaabbbbyyyyy" Breaks your heart (and mine too!) So, I rock him in the wooden rocking chair in their room that my parents so prophetically bought me right before Ike was born, and we sing. and he sings too! He LOVES singing! Just like big brother! His top 10 right now 1.Popcorn Popping 2.Turtle Song 3. Monkey Song 4.Donut Song (you aren't surprised, are you?) 5. Rock a bye Baby 6. Puppy Song 7. Book of Mormon Stories 8. I am a Child of God 9. Daddy Song 10. "Peanie butter and Jelly" or our new rendition, bacon and eggs
*Zach loves the water! As you can imagine, we swim A LOT and play in the water the rest of the time in Arizona, so this boy is quite used to the water. I decided to skip swimming lessons for him this year while he focused on his walking skills. So, now he THINKS he cans swim and is always telling me "Let go Momma!" in the pool. He loves to get splashed and dump water on his head and he loves to do it to his brother too. He is getting a little tan being outside so much and LOVES his "simming trunks" In fact, I'll be honest, he pretty much lives in them! 
*Zach is working on potty training himself. Thus the reason for the outburst at church today mentioned earlier:) He wears a diaper, but often during the day will tell me he wants to sit on the potty and get a "jammie bean" (just one, don't judge!). If I learned anything from Ike, it was to embrace what they are willing to do, and not sweat it. So, I'm not. He's perfectly coming along and we'll be ok with that!
*Zach is in great shape, loves to eat everything (just on his time table, or in order to get the sweets!) He weighs about 23lbs. (5th percentile) and is in the 70th percentile for height. Typical Pieper boy for us.
We love this little monster! I really can't imagine life without these boys. I know with all my heart that he was sent here to our family straight from our Heavenly Father. He is a blessing to us and a gift. I know we are the parents he needs too. Thanks for bearing with me while I dote on this little guy. I sure love him!

Mothers Day Thoughts

Apparently I'm the one who takes most of the pictures recently b/c these were the only pics I had with the boys and I!

Mothers Day always brings up such emotion in me. This year is no exception. When looking inward, I still remember the days before I was a "mother" when I so desperately wanted to be a mother. One Mother's Day in particular, I remember coming home from church and just crying and crying. How unfair it feels sometimes when our life isn't working out just the way we thought it should. Thank goodness Heavenly Father gave me this experience, this deep desire (even though at the time it just felt awful and lonely and even a little hopeless). When I was a young(er) single girl, I knew I wanted a family, but never had that same yearning. I mostly thought of it as far in the future when I had accomplished a gillion other things. After my miscarriage and subsequent struggles to bring a baby here, that desire deepened and deepened within me until I wanted that little baby here more than almost anything. Thank Heaven!
      After having Ike and now Zachary, I know that there truly is no better calling, commitment, job or joy we can have than being a mother. I know the Lord instituted motherhood and family. I know no task or responsibility will ever be as important as being a mother. I love it, even when I question my ability or the responsibility I've been given, I know THIS is where Heavenly Father wants me right now.
      Secondly, I have had a chance today (thanks Ben) to ponder the other women in my life and their examples of motherhood. I look at a dear friend and family member of mine that Heavenly Father called home this year. Let me back up. Last night I was feeling a little down. About lots of things. I was thinking how inadequate I am, how underappreciated I felt and how guilty I felt for feeling underappreciated. All unfounded, I was pretty much just really tired. As I prayed last night, I asked to please be helped in putting my life back into focus. I didn't want to feel that way and I usually don't, but in those quiet, strange moments, it is an awful feeling. Anyway, last night I had a dream about this wonderful mother who we lost this year. I awoke this morning thinking of her, her suffering, and how I could help her family. She was such a selfless mother, even in the end when she was so full of pain and suffering, she never let her son know. She waited until the very end for him to even know she was going to the hospital for treatments while he was at school. She never used her fast moving, life threatening illness as an excuse, she lived for her family and showed ultimate love and sacrifice for them. I love her and am glad to have known her shining example.
      I also thought of another family member who just had a new baby. She is young and beautiful and starting a darling little family with her husband. They found out at 20 weeks gestation that their baby had a chromosomal defect that would cause her a very short lived little life once outside the womb. They have shown such faith and courage. She writes of the joy she has felt knowing this little girl inside of her and knowing that our Father in Heaven has a plan for them. They have welcomed this little girl with triumph and such joy as I've never seen. This little angel baby is still going strong and I know that this miracle is possible because of their unwavering faith. I love them and am so grateful to have such a wonderful example of faith, love, and courage.
     My third mother this year is not a mother as you might think. She is a young, beautiful, single woman I have known for a decade. She shows my kids so much love and support. She is a wonderful example to them and all the children in her life of loyalty, service and love. She shows care and concern for them and for all of us in a way no one else does:) I think all women are mothers in one way or another and this woman excels at it.
     You can see why I sometimes feel inadequate when I know such amazing women all around me, but right now all I feel is true love for each of them and honor in knowing them personally. I love our Father in Heaven. How inspired He is to give us each other to help us and inspire us. Please know today I am thinking of each of you. Thank you for being mothers and helping me to be a little better too. I'm so grateful for the opportunity he has given me to be a mother to these two sweet little boys. They amaze me everyday and make me a better, happier person than I've ever been before.

Tutu Cute:)

Maybe it's because I have boys at my house and I'm trying to over compensate, or maybe it's because almost everyone I know has had a baby girl in the past six months, but I have becoming a Tutu making queen! They are fun, simple, and easily embellished. These are my first three... Appropriately for Macy, Adrie, and Emry the sweetest little nieces who just happened to have birthdays while I was experimenting:) Apparently they are very well loved and worn to pieces, just as I would want them to be! Enjoy girls:) And stay tuned...

Some of the Girls

I know everyone teased that I was going to take this photo home and blog it... Well, I did. Couldn't help it:) In case you didn't know, I live in a house of boys. All boys. And me. I'm a girl. So, after 2 years of dental school and 3 boys 24/7, I think when a girl time arises, I just might jump on it. Ok, it happened more like this... Natalie, my dear sweet, very pregnant friend (above, in white) is about to pop. In an effort to keep her mind off the ensuing popage, she invited a bunch of us to go see the new Jane Eyre with her in Scottsdale at Fashion Square. Hehe. When I asked Ben about the idea, he insisted I go. I think it was in an effort to a.) not have to go with me to Fashion Square b.) not have to see Jane Eyre and c.) not have to eat sushi. Well, I guess we both won:)

I have to say, I love my family. I love doing things with those crazy boys all the time. But, after an afternoon away, I think I appreciate them more. So, if it's been awhile since you have "taken a break" as it was for me, I highly recommend it:)

P.S. These girls are fabulous (we missed you who couldn't come)! We had a great time. I love Jane Eyre, but I would've gone with these girls to see most anything just to be in their company! They are amazing wives and mothers and I think I'm a better person just for knowing them:) Thanks girls (and thanks to my boys for being ok without me for a few hours).

Easter FHE Resurrection Eggs

I saw these last year and just HAD to do them this year:) For Family Home Evening Monday before Easter, our family spent some time opening the eggs, numbered 1-12, finding the symbolic little item and looking up the scripture associated with it. I think it left a huge impact on all of us in reading specifically about some of the things Jesus Christ experienced the last week of His life on earth. We are so blessed to know what we know and to have this peaceful time in our lives to be able to reflect on Him and His mortal ministry. I love Easter because it gives us a chance to rejoice in our Savior overcoming sickness, sadness, sin, and all the world for us so that we could live with Him again! What more is there than this?

Here is the lineup for the eggs:

1. Message -- Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm branches.
   Passage -- Matthew 21:1-11
   Item -- Piece of palm branch
2. Message -- Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet.
   Passage -- John 12:2-8
   Item --  cotton ball with perfume on it
    
3. Message -- Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
   Passage -- Matthew 26:17-19
   Item – a piece of graham cracker 
4. Message-- Jesus suffered for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane
    Passage-- Item-- I printed a small picture of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane
5. Message -- Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
   Passage -- Matthew 27:3
   Item -- 3 dimes  
6. Message -- Jesus carried His own cross.
   Passage -- John 19:17
   Item – I fashioned a cross out of toothpicks and hot glue
    
7. Message -- Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.
   Passage -- John 19:2
   Item -- thorny piece of our bush
8. Message -- Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat.
   Passage -- John 19:23
   Item -- a small die  
9. Message -- Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.
   Passage -- John 19:18,37 & John 20:25-29
   Item -- A nail
    
10. Message -- Jesus' body was prepared and wrapped in linen for burial
    Passage -- Matthew 27:57 Item -- small piece of linen
     
11. Message -- The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away.
    Passage -- Matthew 28
    Item -- A small, flat, round rock
     
12. Message -- Jesus has risen! Passage -- Matt 28: 5-8