Mom, I'm Hungry...

Okay, I will post some pictures and updates on how the holidays went, but first I want to comment on the newest trend in our littlest munchkin's dietary habits (or lack thereof...).

I have remained consistent and strict in my enforcement of the "eat what is served or go hungry" policy for most of the month. It has hit Rodas and Noah pretty hard. The toughest thing is that there are so few meals that ALL my family eats that rarely is there not someone eating only carrots and apple slices--or nothing at all--for dinner. I do feel that we are rounding a corner, though, in that for the past few days Rodas has been voicing her hunger. Constantly, actually. And at all times of the day...such as the other morning when she woke me up at 5 in the morning with a "MOM, I'm HUNGRY." To which I responded that breakfast would be at 6:30 and she could eat then. I reminded her later that if I didn't eat dinner the night before, then I would be hungry early as well. That's why I choose to eat my dinner, even if it is not exactly what I want. At breakfast she proceeded to eat two bites of Rice Chex (the only cereal she will eat now) and then said she was full. One hour later she was following me around saying she was hungry. Snack time is at 10 and if she doesn't eat breakfast, then I choose the snack--which is always a fruit. I finally got her to try banana and apple, both of which she spit out. But at least she tried them.

She is trying more things, and now has decided she likes my hashbrowns and fried potatoes. Before Christmas, I weighed her and she had actually lost 6 ounces from her weight at coming home...but we truly think she is getting better. It is simply exasperating--especially when she chooses to not eat and then constantly comments on her hunger or gets angry over what is served (she was soooo NOT happy about a bagel with peanut butter on it for lunch one day...). Over Christmas break I catered to their choices so food would not be such an issue, and so a little regression and anger is probably due to that.

Speaking of Christmas vacation, it was wonderful. We celebrated Christmas here, and tried not to overdo it (not my forte) so as not to overwhelm or feed the entitlement, if you will, of any of our kids. The girls enjoyed it and didn't seem too overwhelmed. We left the next day to spend a Mortenson Christmas in Salt Lake City, which was fun. We saw the Temple lights and the kids had a blast playing with all their cousins and the girls enjoyed being cuddled by their adoring aunts.

We then traveled to Grand Lake to introduce the girls to the Armstead-side of their family. They were equally doted on by them and they had a wonderful time getting to know all their cousins and aunts and uncles. It was so special that everyone was able to make the trip to meet them, and it truly felt as though the girls have always been a part of the mix. The girls went sledding and ice skating for the first time, though Tsegereda enjoyed more dancing on the ice with her Aunt Maretta as opposed to actually skating. (0:

A wonderful bit of news came in the mail today...the girls' Certificate of Citizenship! They are now documented in the federal system as U.S. Citizens Tsegereda Rosalie Mortenson and Rodas Reyne Mortenson. WAHOOOOO!


We
Are
Blessed.