Latest Project

 

I've been meaning to complete this project for a while now and finally got around to it Friday night when Dent was on his monthly campout with the scouts. I can always plan a project and a good movie when he's gone! Each of my children has a notebook that accompanies us to the doctor, for me to record my questions for the dr. and to keep tabs on the kid's progress, new info and immunizations. I finally aquired a book for the new little guy on the way because OB visits sometimes have as much to be recorded as a trip to the pediatrician.

I kind of wish I would have found more neutral colored notebooks to cover so the spiral didn't show something so different, but it's not enough to bother me that much. Cooper's book began when we started investigating in vitro so I could keep all my notes in one place. Our complete journey through injections, medications, embryos, etc. is documented and it transitions into his conception, pregnancy, delivery and now keeps his notes on his well-child visits as well as immunization records.

Seneca's will hold all of the info we have from the first phone call we received letting us know she was in existence- two weeks before she was born and compared to the first two children, this last one seems kind of boring! However, it's interesting to see how a naturally-occuring pregnancy after a C-section develops and it's fun for Cooper to look and see pictures of his brothers... he thinks each ultrasound picture is a different brother.. can you imagine the madness?!

Anyway, the books finally got cute covers and are back on the shelf until the next trip to the dr. Check that one off the list!

First trip to the dentist

Going to the dentist is not typically an especially exciting event for me- I don't dread it and always love the feel of newly polished teeth, but when it's your first time, it's something different entirely.

Coop's almost three, which is when our dentist recommends first seeing children, so he accompanied me to my routine cleaning and check-up today. The idea was simply to get him to sit in the chair, have a little ride and become familiar with the office. I was anticipating that I would go first, Cooper would watch and then have a minute in the seat himself before we left. I was hoping that he wouldn't clam up and not repond to the hygenist, but was fully prepared for that result.

Not so. He went first. He climbed right up in the chair and held on as she moved him up and back. He looked up at her and opened wide! It helped that we were with Mary, she's a fantastic woman who made Cooper feel like such a big kid. She counted his teeth (he has 20, normal, good) and then asked me if I wanted them polished or if that was good for today. I guess it's not typical because the little people have trouble sitting with their mouth open for very long, but no, he wanted them brushed with the special tickle brush. Bubblegum flavor, a tiny vacuum in his mouth and a water sprayer... it was super. I was so proud of him! He even let her floss his teeth- He was a pro! He knew just what to do, and with no coaching mind you.



I know it's not a huge thing, but it was so nice that he enjoyed the experience instead of it being scary. He reveled in his new sticker and toothbrush and climbed back in the chair when the dentist came in to take a look. And I'm happy to report that neither of us came away with any cavities or bad news... we've got healthy mouths at our house!

Faith and Angels

My thoughts on this subject are jumbled today, but I want to get them out while they are so strong.
Simply stated, I believe that we are incredibly powerful beings and are capable of so much more than we take advantage of because we either don't fully understand the power of faith, or we don't exercise it enough. The Book of Mormon lent me some insight today. Mormon 9:21 states that,

"whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."

Why do we live with frustration and unhappiness if there is a promise straight from God that if we ask, it shall be granted? I believe that we must be doing all we can to make the things we desire come to pass, but I also believe that if we are doing our part, it shall be granted. I know it sounds simple, but I also know that our relationship with God does not have to be complicated. Mine isn't.

I also believe in angels. I believe that I, and everyone else, have my own team of angels assigned to me on this earth. Some are known, some are not, some are ancestors, some are mysteries, but they are here with us, everyday. I know this may be a bit out there for some, but again, the Book of Mormon clarified a few things. Moroni 7 is full of reassurance that miracles and angels are present and active on earth today, and I have been the witness to both.

verse 22: "for behold, God knowing all things... sent angels to minister unto the children of men... and in Christ there should come every good thing."
verse 26: again, we are reminded that Christ promises, "whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you."
verse 29: "have miracles eased? ... nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men."
verse 33: "If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me."
verse 37: "for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men."

I know that if we counsel with our Heavenly Father and with our angels, they are here to help us. I have been reminded recently how powerful it is to not wander through this life feeling alone, but to call on the assistance and power available to us and use it. Have faith that God wants the best for us and if we are doing as we should, he is ready and waiting to bless our lives. Be specific in your prayers and desires and press forward to make them come to pass.

"Bear" bottom?

And we were doing so well... at putting our underwear back on after we went potty, that is. I am referring to the little guy, not myself. Then for some reaon, this week, he decided it wasn't quite necessary and goes for as long as possible with a little bare bottom before he redresses. I understand there is an element of freedom to run naked through the house, but we're trying to develop a habit here, one of not coming out of the bathroom until we're dressed.

This week I finally understood that perhaps I was being misunderstood. Denten saw the little streaker dart from the bathroom and head straight for the living room and I heard, "don't forget your underwear!" I intercepted and explained that we can't go around the house in just our bare bottom and that he needed to get dressed.

"What? There is a bear coming out my bottom?!" This said while craning his head around to view his backside and walking in a circle trying to get a better view.
Laughing out loud was all I could do before initiating a wrestling/tickle match attempting to re-underwear the child. I guess the term "bare" has one very specific meaning for a 2-year-old.

Funny number two: I came downstairs yesterday to Cooper pacing back and forth in the kitchen saying, "I so nervous." What? What did you say? Did you just say 'nervous?'
"Yeah, I so nervous, mom." Do you know what nervous means?
"Yeah," while still walking back and forth. What does it mean?
"just nervous, mom."
The moment ended and I began to wonder if I was turning my son into a worry-wart like myself, which would be a very unkind thing to do, but I can not remember even using the term "nervous" in the last week... I have not been nervous about anything in a while and I can't think where he would have picked up that word... again, where do they come up with these things??

A brother for the Coopster

It appears (as clear as an ultrasound can be) that Seneca is going to remain our only little girl for now as we look forward to welcoming a second brother into our family. I have not scanned our ultrasound photos as I have decided if it's not your baby, looking at fuzzy black and white images is simply indulgence on other's part. I figure your reaction, if any, will be the same regardless of whether you see a hard-to-interpret picture of my developing fetus with his legs spread showing off his "outdoor plumbing," as the ultrasound tech so tactfully put it.

I never really had any strong feelings one way or another on this issue, but it did seem a little anti-climactic when the news was reported. Perhaps because Denten was so sure it was a boy that I had dreamed it was the night before, so hearing it was no surprise. I think I felt a twinge of disappointment, although I really can't put my finger on why. Now that I've had a chance to sit with it for more than 24 hours I'm sure things are just as they should be. There are a few concerns I would have had having two sisters so close in age (8 months) considering their unique ways of joining our family and I'm glad I don't even have to think about those things. I'm sure they will all be great pals and know that Heavenly Father knows just what he's doing up there while he's constructing our little family. Choosing a name for the little guy is going to present a few challenges, but let's face it, come the beginning of Feb, he'll have to be called something, so it's no use stressing over it now!

Here is yours truly in all my morning glory at 20 weeks, we're half way there folks! The little guy is 11 ounces, which doesn't quite explain the multiple pounds that my body has acquired, but he's healthy and any sign of vasa previa that was present in my previous pregnancy is not this time. Things are going as smooth as possible at this point.



And for those who requested, namely Cooper's aunties, here is a photo of my goggle-headed boys after Dad got home this week and Cooper was able to show off all of his new tricks in the pool.



It's a little strange to think that I would be a mother-of-boys if Seneca had not joined us. There are many mothers-of-boys I greatly admire and I think I could fully embrace that title, but I'm also so glad for the opportunity to raise little Senny and am so grateful that she is my little companion these days.

Five for Friday

This week without dad has had its ups and downs- a few of the most memorable:

1. Cooper's first experience with a pan of boiling water. After ample warning, he just had to test it himself and put his little fingertip right on the hot pan- bummer! After hanging out with an ice pack and a few favorite stories, luckily it was bedtime and all was forgotten. We've been tending a pretty significant blister for a few days, but I believe the lesson has been learned.

2. Mastering all of the letter sounds, with their accompanying animal and signal. This is also Cooper- he is participating in the zoophonics program at preschool and it is still amazing how much that little mind absorbs. Watching him go through the whole alphabet is so hilarious. P for penguin is the best as he waddles around with his arms down to his sides, hands sticking out saying, "p, p, p." Bless Sister Meadows and preschool. It is a wonderful thing for us all.

3. Quiet time for me. If you haven't checked out the special Family edition of Real Simple Magazine, you are missing out. Really. It is completely full of helpful ideas for a woman like me who is consumed daily with a household and children. We've already implemented a few ideas. Also, I have completed three scrapbook layouts this week- not much to most of you, I'm sure, but more than I've been able to sit and do for about 6 months. In addition, I have tried three new recipes this week- man, this was a bad week for Denten to be gone, he hasn't had a homemade baked good in quite some time!

4. Seneca. That's it. She is a highlight around here, all the time. Don't get me wrong, things aren't perfect, for example, she has learned to go from back to tummy and get stuck there, not always so happily- but for the most part she is so pleasant. She's observing more around her and watches Cooper during the day. She's trying to figure out just how much she needs to eat and how often so mom can go to bed earlier at night, but we've done a pretty good job with that.

5. Last, but not least, we get our jobs done this morning and get everyone buckled in the car for a run to Costco and I have a handy little message flashing on the dashboard, "check left rear tire pressure." Yeah, yeah, we can get to costco and back if it's a little low... wow, good thing I checked. It's dead flat. Another bummer! Sorry Coop, no Costco this morning! Hmmm, why do these things happen when Dad is out of town? Get Seneca settled inside and Coop and I go to work trying to figure it out. Luckily for us, we have a Reddin Evans in our lives- he came and saved the day. Costco is being saved for tomorrow, but we were able to make it to Coop's last swimming lesson this afternoon. Who knows what Cooper and I would have come up with if we didn't have a fantastic neighbor to come help!

Dent should be home by Sunday- we've missed him around here, but we've had a good week. I think he's missed us too, but I'm not sure that he's ready to come home. He just may send for us to join him up north- he's got his friends and mountains and his grandmother's pizza... really, he may never return! Too bad I'm not quite ready to settle in southern utah yet... although I know he's praying pretty hard!

Random Car Conversation

While in the backseat on the way to preschool, Cooper was studying himself in a small hand mirror he came across this morning. "Mom, I have small nose."
"You have a small nose?"
"Yeah."
"That's ok, it fits the rest of your face."
"I want it bigger."
"That's the one Heavenly Father gave you, it's the one he wanted you to have."
"No, I want a bigger nose."

What in the world? Who actually wants a bigger nose, and where does he come up with this stuff?!

Blessings

This morning I attended a memorial service for Alice Jane Burr. She was born still to my dear friend Karen after having the cord wrapped around her neck. It was a sweet memorial and I'm glad we decided at the last minute to attend. Cooper was reverent as we talked about Max's little sister who was going to live with Heavenly Father instead of with Max and his family. My heart has been been full for Karen and Jared as thoughts of them and baby Alice have flowed in and out of my mind this week. I ache for their loss and at the same time feel full of gratitude, both for myself and for the knowledge that they bring to this tragedy. I know that little Alice has an important work to do for our Father in Heaven, but I also know that doesn't make the hurt go away right now.

I have been reminded of two specific blessings this week. The first being that I am enormously grateful for my children. Despite the fact that on occasion I have been willing to sell to the hightest bidder, I am grateful that Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to watch them grow, to laugh, to sing, and to smile. As I checked on a peaceful, sleeping Cooper and wrapped Seneca up before putting her to bed last night, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed at the fact that I have a healthy smart little boy and a gorgeous sweet baby to hold close and another on the way while some are dealing with never getting to enjoy the child they carried for nine months. I need to remember more often to enjoy them instead of merely live with them.

The second thing I am grateful for is the knowledge that I have of the plan of salvation and the fact that if I were to ever lose one of my dear children, I know I will have the opportunity to be with them again. This has brought peace and calm to both myself and Karen this past week as we don't need to live with a permanant loss, but a separation during which time our Father in Heaven is holding our dear ones close. I watched the incredible strength in which Maren and Nick handled the loss of their sweet Stacy and considered it a priviledge to have spent the time with her that they did. I observed the heartache the Hunt family went through after Wade lost his brother, but was impressed with the calm that has settled over Wade as he has come to the knowledge that Reid's life was something to be celebrated, not mourned and that while it can not be explained at this time, he will see his brother again.

As I now ask Cooper for the millionth time to please finish his lunch, I know how blessed I am to be in the presence of these sweet strong spirits and recommit to treat them as such, and heaven, please bless me with the patience and continued insight to do so.

Success

I realize I have used the word "success" often lately to describe little Cooper, but he is finding it around every turn. We decided to put him in an end-of-summer swimming lesson session seeing as I finally have the time and he's come so far in the pool this summer. D liked the idea, assuming it would be a positive experience for Coop and that he wasn't made to feel he had to. I approached the first day as a "trial run," yet inside knew that I'd stick out the session, although I was questioning my committment after the first ten minutes of trauma.

The screams of death stemmed from the back float. I learned this week that putting your head backwards in the water and having your ears under can disrupt one's equilibrium different from simply putting your head in the water facing forward. There was twisting and turning, grabbing of the teacher, incredibly impressive kicking and lots of sad, sad sounds. I felt bad for the two other children, who were fine, but were not getting any attention as the teacher was very, very persistent and just kept pushing Cooper. It got quite uncomfortable for me and I was ready to walk out or intervene when all of a sudden he shut his mouth and held his legs still and somewhat succomed to the torture he believed he was going through.

The next few minutes were teary, but the rest of the lesson was great- they moved onto things he was more familiar and comfortable with and he finished the day with a smile and wanting to come back again, whew! The rest of this week has been terrific. We have practiced the back float as well as his "reach and pull" arms at home and he is anxious and ready each day to go to Miss Erin's for swimming. He has mastered the back float and with the addition of goggles is retrieving things off the bottom of the pool for the first time. We swam together yesterday and I was so amazed at the confidence and strength he has acquired in the last while.

Again, I realize that many will find my content a little much, but I have learned that watching your children struggle and then succeed is one of the greatest joys of parenting. Cooper has grown and developed leaps and bounds recently with the beginning of pre-school, mastering new letters, ways of thinking and social skills. Potty-training has been extremely positive for both of us, giving him new independence and identity as a "big boy" and giving me the opportuinty to refocus on my son, to notice the successes and praise when appropriate. Add swimming to the accomplishments and it's been a fabulous week for mom and Coop. I think Heavenly Father is sending extra angels our way, helping us get along, giving me extra patience, as D is gone for another week and a while ago, that thought would have been too much for me to handle. I was so tired and very short-tempered, but a refocus has occurred and we have had a wonderful week together- here's to one more!

Oh, and good luck to Denten this week as he combs the hills for RePete (he shot Pete last year). He's sighted in his bow and is dead on in target practice, so look out animals, he's so ready for you! As much as I don't want to deal with the product of a successful hunt, I see the passion he has for this and can only hope he finds just what he's looking for and that he comes home satisfied and exhausted- and if it happened before next weekend, that would be ok too!

Seneca Laughs

Senny-baby is delighting us daily with her smiles and coos. Unfortunately my camera is somewhere up in the mountains of Southern Utah accompanied by D who is searching for the largest elk nature makes, so you'll have to take my word for it. She is still an incredibly content baby who goes with the flow and demands little. She is, in short, a pure joy. She rolled over for the first time on Sept. 2- she did it twice and by the time D got downstairs to witness, she was done. He missed another first yesterday as she decided to laugh for the first time- it was hilarious! Watching her little chubby face squish up and laugh out loud was so fun for me. I'm glad that Heavenly Father still enables me to be so taken by such little milestones that I'm sure any non-parent would find insignificant. I have loved being a mom this week. I usually don't mind being a mom, but this week was an especially good one for my children and I.

Three-day Potty Training Success!

We have had a terrific potty-training experience the past few days- not frustrating, not messy, not awful- it has been so amazing. Perhaps my expectations were a little low!

We decided to stick around for the weekend in hopes of getting Cooper potty-trained. Denten is going to be out of town for the next while and I wanted this milestone to occur before he left. I'm so glad we did! Friday night I reviewed my plan, taken from www.3daypottytraining.com and geared myself up for the next morning. We had three days of weekend where we both would be somewhat available, one of us to give Cooper the constant watch and attention he needed and the other to take care of Seneca's limited needs.

Saturday arrived and Denten took the reigns. He put Cooper in underwear (no diapers all day) and explained what was to happen and to be honest, it was such a great day! I was fully prepared with extra patience and knowing that the floor would have to be cleaned numerous times... I didn't clean up a mess all day long! This was such a fun process for him, we were super positive about it and he totally responded and found success himself, it was terrific. He would start going in his underwear, stop himself and say, "I wet!" Run to the bathroom and finish in the potty. We went through numerous pair of underwear, but nothing ever went beyond that- I was amazed.

Day two was Sunday, which I was a little nervous about considering we didn't leave the house at all day one. He did great, keeping his underwear dry all during church. He also stayed dry during his nap, we were so glad that learning the self-control part of all this was clicking.

Day three was similar, he told us each time he needed to go and ran to the bathroom. We went out to eat and no accidents. We put a diaper on him at night and at 11:30 he ran out of his room saying, "I'm wet!" He went to the potty, went back to bed and was dry this morning. Dry. That's unheard of for this kid. I usually have a pretty heavy diaper in the morning, but he waited until he woke up and then went. Sorry for all the details, but this was so different from what I expected to happen. I have heard horror stories about how difficult this would be and perhaps Coop was just ready, but this was really fun for all of us. It was great to see him so pleased with himself and praise him all day long for being such a big boy. We didn't follow the 3 day plan online to the tee, but there was enough guidence in there for me and the phrasing we used and the positive reinforcement was all terrific.

He is currently at preschool and we are both confident that he'll be just fine. If I knew it was going to be this easy, I would have done it a lot sooner, but I also think that he was just ready now. I'm so proud of my big boy and I love that he's so proud of himself! Congratulations Cooper B!

Happy Birthday Linny!

At the moment, Lindsay is throwing herself a birthday bash. It's just the kind of person she is. There will be baked goods of all varieties, great music and an eclectic group of people. I don't know if any of those attending know it's her birthday, but it'll be a great party.

Lindsay is the third sister in our family, an ambitious boatload of fun.
-She has always been the hardest worker of the three of us.
- She loves to travel and is always up for an adventure.
- She's addicted to Coca-cola Classic. Don't try to pass off a substitute, it won't satisfy.
- She is a very thoughtful person, always seeing when someone is hurting.
- She is not a health food junkie. Top Ramen will do just fine.
- She has always been the first to visit me whenever I have relocated to a new city.
- She values her sleep. Very much.
- Fav movie: Snowball Express. She's seen it a million times and will still laugh out loud.
- She is very straight-forward. Expect to hear it how it is, put away your sensitive side.
- She has outgrown the rolls of chub she possessed as a child and has a pretty fine body these days.
- She's got great taste and is usually a walking advertisment for Hobbs on dressy occasions.
- She is bold in her fashion choices.
- Pineapple pizza.
- She is a big city girl. Thrives on the energy of NY.
- She can text message faster than anyone I know.
- Her hair is a very pretty color right now, and looks so healthy.
- Shoes. Lots and lots of shoes. Every variety. Really. a lot.
- She has a facination with big trucks I will never understand.
- She is a swimming teacher, a pre-school teacher in training and is fabulous with children.
Which leads me to the most important aspect of Lindsay right now. She is an incredible aunt. She is fun-loving and patient and kind and loves my children more than I ever thought a non-parent could.

I could go on and on, but I've got to get this posted before her birthday is over. I love Lindsay like crazy and appreciate the fact that she is my friend as well as my little sister. Happy Birthday Harrie!