14

Creighton now has 2 canines on the right side erupting. Those make teeth 13, 14. Yes- that is AHEAD of schedule. He is just BEGGING for a steak. I am so glad he has started enjoying toothbrushing.

 Don't report me to the Idaho State Board of Dentistry, the dentist I work for, or even other hygienists... but Creighton doesn't have his teeth brushed regularly. I know, I know... but he HATES IT. Well, did... until tonight! Perhaps because it feels good on his teeth/gums where the new teeth are erupting. But he brushed for a record 5 minutes. After I helped him do it properly of course. I hope this love of brushing continues and toothbrushing will become an enjoyable and regular (2 times daily) habit.

Now that the fear of the toothbrush is gone I just have to get him to stop sucking that thumb. People say, "You know he's going to need braces, right?" Actually- a 14 month old who sucks is thumb isn't destined for braces. People just like to repeat stuff that they think makes them sound knowledgeable. But he sure loves that thumb-so I better start now to try and kick the habit. Because an 8 year old that sucks his thumb? Yeah... more likely that he will need the braces.

Motherhood is Emotional

When I was pregnant I had terrible mood swings. It was only a GLIMPSE of how emotional I would be as a mother.

Most days I feel so happy to be a mommy and stay home (mostly full-time) with Creighton. But other days I feel so cooped up and would rather do anything than stay at home. Pushing cars around on the floor saying, "vroom-vroom"... some days doesn't seem so fun. Good thing Creighton likes to browse at TJ Maxx. Sometimes I cry when I think about how much I love him and when I ponder how special he is. Occasionally  in the middle of the night I go into his room, pick him up, snuggle him, and tell him how much I love him. Funny... when he was an infant and wouldn't sleep at 3:00 am I felt so frustrated. I never would have imagined I would CHOOSE to be up in the wee hours with him. Sometimes I am regretful because I feel like I was a mean mommy that day. I didn't play enough with Creighton, I raised my voice to him... The list of "I shouldn't have..." can get quite long. I get scared when I am not with him. I fear that something scary or upsetting might happen to him and I won't be there to comfort him. However, this is just plain silly. Creighton is delighted to be with anyone, doing anything and I'm sure most of the time doesn't mind I'm gone. I feel so loved however when I do return and he gives me his special grin and reaches his arms for me. I do feel an immense amount of pride to be his mom. When I see him accomplish something new I think, "That's MY boy!" I get scared thinking about how quickly the time has seemed to pass. I laugh as we wrestle with daddy on the living room floor and at night as I tell Cason about the events of the day. I get angry when I read in the newspaper or watch on the TV about people abusing children... and then I sometimes cry. I get defensive when people make comments such as "Well, those ears are something, aren't they?" or "He's kind of skinny... doesn't eat much, eh?" And I feel supportive of all other mothers because we are all going through the same things.

Some days I feel like a wreck-how is it possible to feel so many things? Men and woman are SO amazingly different in their capacity to feel emotions. I am grateful to be a woman, and a mother, and experience them all. Sometimes all on the same day.

Proud of our Papa

After spending more than half his lifetime with the City of Pocatello, Papa Chambers thought it was time for a change. Instead of being the Director of Planning and Development for the city of Pocatello, he will now be an instructor at BYU-Idaho in Rexburg. Friday the city held a special farewell party. LOTS of kind things were said (they were ALL true), many people cried, and he received many awards/plaques/gifts. He will be missed by the city, but he is excited for the change-and we are so happy for him. We are so proud to say that he is our dad and papa. He is a hard worker, a great leader and good example.

We LOVE YOU Papa Chambers!

All About Creighton

 Creighton deserves his own post. He is growing so fast and learning a lot-here are some fun things to know about him...

He LOVES to have his picture taken, but his eyes are usually closed ... In this picture you can see his beautiful BLUE eyes! He looks great in blue and his eyes look even brighter! Mommy always likes to make sure Creighton looks his best and she usually raises her eyebrows when daddy dresses him. We have also been styling Creighton's hair in a faux-hawk. But it's so fine even with gel it falls down. Daddy puts his foot down to me using hairspray on Creighton.

Creighton is a well-behaved boy. Even when he's "grumpy" it's usually not too bad. His temper-tantrums include: pouting, lying flat on the ground for a few seconds, and then going back to business as usual. Lately Creighton has been hearing a lot of the word "no". He pretends like he doesn't know what it means. In fact, he's very good at flat-out ignoring you. Here's a funny "game" we've been playing lately: Creighton will open the bathroom vanity drawer (he finds treasures in there) and I say, "No Creighton". Then he shuts it and I say "Thank you". Then he opens it again and so on. He thinks it is so funny. Generally all things are funny to Creighton. It is super easy to make him smile and giggle.

Creighton is a treasure hunter. He is always finding small objects and delivering them to me via his mouth. If he's swallowed anything-I haven't yet found it in a diaper. He is also good at hiding treasures. Mostly mommy's things. My mascara seems to be always missing. Creighton would usually rather play with non-traditional toys, but when all the bedroom doors are shut, cupboards baby-proofed, and all items picked up off the floor he has no choice but to play with HIS toys. His favorites are Legos. The Legos went on vacation a few weeks ago and only mommy knows the location. (I was tired of stepping on them and discovering them in every corner of my house). He is really good at entertaining himself and can play on his own for a long time. He may grow up to be an engineer... he is interested in tiny details. He also loves phones and the camera. I am surprised they are both in working condition.

 He can usually be found with one sock on and one sock off. Why he pulls one off and keeps the other on? Beats me. He has been keeping his shoes on more recently however because he has learned they help him walk better. Creighton CAN walk, but chooses not to. He has three speeds-fast speed: crawling, medium speed: knee walking, slow speed: walking. When he learns how to turn walking into fast speed, then I'm sure he will do it more often. As far as the sock thing is concerned, lately he's been going barefoot because we've been playing outside in the nice weather. Creighton loves to look for rocks and study the grass while mommy is outside working in the yard. He is such a big helper! His 2 favorite chores? Unloading the dishwasher and folding laundry. I hope I can keep him interested till he's big enough to actually do it correctly!

For a while I thought Creighton was on a hunger strike, but it was just me who needed to learn more about him. Creighton isn't a very picky eater-but he does not like to eat the same things regularly. One day he LOVES macaroni and cheese. But don't try feeding it to him for at least another week or he won't eat it. I guess he likes a varied diet. He will ALWAYS eat: Ritz crackers, mommy's canned peaches, and ICE CREAM. I am surprised that he likes spicy foods: sausage, pepperoni, and mexican! He is his father's child. He is learning to use silverware-but not for the usual purposes.

Creighton is amazing.

Moms and Sisters

This weekend we got to celebrate moms AND sisters!

My sister Whitney graduated from ISU with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, emphasis in Human Resources, with a minor in Psychology PLUS graduated with HIGHEST honors. AND she's been accepted to the Master's of Counseling program and begins in the fall. Yes-all those ropes around her neck mean she's the smartest one in the family. So far...

I also had other sisters graduate... My sister-in-law also graduated from ISU-now she's a pharmacist! She has a nice job lined up at Bingham Memorial hospital. Two of my step-sisters also graduated: one with a Bachelors degree from BYU (she also has a job) and the other from law school at the University of Arkansas. My dad made the trip from Arkansas to see Whitney's accomplishment!

Creighton and his daddy helped me to feel so special this Mother's Day. I am blessed to have them.

I am happy to be a mommy and grateful for mine who taught me how to be a good one!

A Chambers Easter

Let Creighton teach you how to dye Easter eggs.

Step 1: Call your Grandma and tell her that your mommy isn't dyeing eggs this year. She will feel so sad for you and invite you to her house.

Step 2: Dip your hard-boiled egg into the color of your choice.

Step 3: Lots of clanking with the spoon and splashing will ensure your egg is completely covered in dye. It will also ensure your hard-boiled egg gets broken and that your pajama pants are covered in green dye.

Step 4: Check your egg for the desired color.

Step 5: If you desire a deeper shade, place back in dye and continue with more clanking and splashing. Squeals help the process go quicker.

Step 6: When your egg is just the right color, set it far away to dry.

Step 7: If you are allowed to do more, pick your next favorite color and REPEAT!

The Easter Bunny visited our family...

Creighton just loves to wake up in the morning to surprises!

Big boy cups were among some goodies left.

Daddy and Creighton were hyped-up on sugary cereal this morning. Froot-Loops for Creighton and Fruity Pebbles for Daddy.

 After the Froot-Loop effects wore off it was time for Easter Dinner. Creighton loves to visit Grandma and Grandpa's house... Always so many to play with!

 Aunt Sidnie taught Creighton to color and she read him books. Uncle Brady taught Creighton to throw Easter Eggs at Aunt Sidnie...

 More treats? OK...I'm just glad to see him eating. Despite whatever junk it might be... (Heard about the hunger strike at our house?)

 The Easter Bunny even visited Creighton at his Grandma's house! Sandbox toys... Mommy just might convince Daddy to buy that turtle sandbox.

Another spoiled holiday at our house... And if you didn't get enough sugar, please stop by ours and pick some up. PLEASE.