Nine Months, Baby!

I know I sound very repeatitive when I describe Seneca, but I'm grateful that what I have to report is that she is one healthy, happy little girl!

In the 50% for both weight and height, her little squishy body is perfectly proportioned!
Weight: 18 lbs. 5 oz.
Length: 27 inches

The one bit of news to report about this little one is that she's finally getting her first little tooth! Aside from the bouts of excessive drool, she's handled the teething process pretty well so far.



Heavenly Father knew we needed this little spirit in our family- He knew I needed this one personally in my life. She is a delight, a calming influence in our home, increasingly more curious and active and a beautiful little girl. We love her like crazy!

Photo Editing

Denten's new photo software has arrived... a few of his first creations:

For my sisters

If only it was possible to squeeze her long-distance!

Hall of Flame

Continuing with field trips... we joined friends today for a trip to Phoenix's Hall of Flame firefighting museum. We wandered through LOTS of old fire engines, learned a little about fire safety and deemed the best part the real fire engine at the end that the kids could climb in, on and all over... it was terrific! It was super fun for Cooper and I really enjoyed the opportunity to chat with friends and simply be out of the house! Thanks everyone for a great outing!

Side note: Cooper and I have been playing the "grateful game" a lot lately, especially in the car. We got lost on the way to the museum today and stopped to say a prayer that we could find our way there and enjoy the morning with our friends. Immediately after, I had the brilliant notion that the fabulous vehicle I was driving was equipped with a navigation system... so we punched in the museum and Dutchess (the talking GPS lady) led us right to it! Our car's name is Dutch and as we pulled into the parking lot, Cooper exclaimed, "I am so grateful for Dutch!" Me too, kid. Me too.

State Tournament

Denten's cousin was playing in the State Basketball Finals here in Phoenix this week, so we took a family outing... each of these pics pretty well captures the essence of my children right now.

Seneca is a happy girl- really, she is straight from heaven this one! She and Grandma Bitsilly couldn't get enough of each other. Grandma slept over last night and it was wonderful to have her spend some time with her great-grandchildren.

Little Beckham followed his brother's example and has attended basketball games before even going to church! Hmmm... somebody better straighten out those priorities!

And was there any question why the woman sitting in front of Cooper relocated to a different seat partway through the first half?? The energy just pours off of him and you gotta be ready!

We were sitting among a crowd that was dominantly Native American, and cheering for a team that was comprised mostly of Native girls as well and I was surprised that I got a little emotional as they were announcing the starting lineup... I know I can attribute a bit to hormornes (how much longer can I use that excuse?), but there was something else... it could be that I just really love the electricity of a great sporting event, but I could see Seneca in some of those girls- it sounds silly now to try to explain, but I often wonder about her future and what it holds. If her dad has anything to say about it, the future will include basketball, but her heritage is so rich and I felt close to it as I was surrounded by that community. It was a great family field trip!

My boys

Gastroesophageal reflux. Yeah, it's not fun. Little Beckham has been dealing with some internal issue for a while and we finally narrowed it down. A change of formula did not do the trick, but after a blessing, lots of prayers and a very smooth visit to the pediatrician, we have a diagnosis. and medication. the dr. discussed "next steps," but I'm confident that what she perscribed will do the trick. We're anxiously awaiting the return of our happy little guy. He's so dang sweet...

And now for the second one, who is really the first one... He hasn't even been home a week and my patience left a few days ago. I've gotten very caught up in noticing the negative, the naughty, the things he's doing wrong, the annoying... and besides driving me crazy, it's taking it's toll on our relationship. Thus, I've stepped back and taken a few notes about the things I am grateful for regarding Cooper.

I'm grateful
- that deep down I know I am supposed to be his mother, that he chose to come to this family and that both of us are right where we should be.
- Cooper has a desire to be independent
- he is a good eater
- he is a sound sleeper
- that he is developing a wonderful imagination

- he is capable of playing happily by himself
- for his strong, athletic body
- he knows he has angels protecting him and our family
- he is aware of, loves and watches out for his siblings
- he loves to read
- he enjoys singing and dancing

- he is not mute
- he exudes positive energy in our home
- for his big blue eyes
- for his sense of humor
- for his smart little brain
- that he enjoys making his sister laugh

He's Baaaaaack!

Dear Cooper returned home Friday, accompanied by Grandpa Ben. Both the energy level and the volume in our home increased significantly over the weekend. I missed the kid, but man, he is loud! I had a great couple of days with my dad; it was great to see him enjoy my children, to interact and play with them. I appreciated our conversations and the wisdom he left behind. We also enjoyed lunch and shopping, always a good thing with dad. I'm so glad he was able to be here for a few days.

There are a few things on my mind today that need to be blogged out at some point, but I'm not going to take the time right now to think it all through. Among the topics swirling around in my head today:

• Engaging more fully with my study of the Book of Mormon. We have a wonderful Sunday School teacher who is completely motivating in the way she thoroughly loves the book. It makes me want to know it as well as she does.
• Faith and the miracles it can assist in when mine is functioning properly
• Acid reflux and the mystery it might be concerning my baby.
• The power of a priesthood blessing and the things that make it effective
• Getting our stars/marbles in place for Cooper to earn his way to something... haven't decided yet what would be incentive enough to get this program running yet.
• Establishing a field trip day maybe twice a month to help us enjoy the things our city has to offer, and something to look forward to...
• Being more consistent with my energy circles, refining them so they can bless me.
• Writing thank-yous
• Getting my bedroom clean, which is what I'm off to take care of next.

there is discrepency in my mind regarding our trials and the purpose for them in our lives. I truly believe that we go through things to learn lessons Heavenly Father would have us learn, but I also believe that it's possible to learn those same lessons in a way in which fewer people have to suffer, but I think we have to be in the right frame of mind to learn those things without being put through the "refiner's fire," so to speak. I think a great deal of the things that cause us stress, pain and anxiety can be lifted if we know how to summon Heaven's powers in our lives... haven't quite worked this one out in my head thoroughly, but it's one those things swimming in there today.

Thursday Grateful

I'm grateful for

- Gripe Water
- Formula
- Having CVS and Fresh and Easy close and convenient
- New commercial growth in our neighborhood
- A comfortable home
- Sweet baby sounds
- A pleasant and smiley Seneca
- Cooper's grandparents
- Lindsay and Ben
- Quiet evenings with Denten
- The Pheonix Suns, Nash in particular
- The opportunity for quiet projects
- Naptime
- The internet
- Dear friends providing both food and much welcomed company

Tuesday

It's been pretty quiet around here the past two days. Yesterday I got most of our taxes done... one more way having Seneca enter our family is proving to be a huge blessing! Who knew the adoption tax credit would be so fabulous?!

Today my project was to get some pureeing done. Several of my blogging friends have mentioned Jessica Seinfeld's book "Deceptively Delicious," and seeing as I'm recommitting to healthy meals around here, I decided to check it out. My freezer now contains a few bags each of zuchinni, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potatoes and butternut squash. I figure I better stock up so I'm ready to go with them next week when Coop is back.

I've also been enjoying this read:




I've had it on my shelf for over a year and either didn't make time or is didn't suit my mood, but I decided to give it a shot and at the half-way mark, I'm quite liking it.

Mostly, however, I'm enjoying this:

and this:

However it still seems he is like this more during the daylight hours and less at night, but we're working on getting that turned around! A few benefits to being wide awake from 3-6 a.m.? First, I got a fair amount of reading in and second, the three of us all slept very soundly from 10 a.m. until noon! I can not remember the last time that happened!

Next projects: get titles and journaling finished on the scrapbook layouts of our cruise and get clean sheets on the guest room bed in preparation for dad. Man, the things you can accomplish at home if you never leave the house!

p.s. Katelyn has big big news... I could share, but it would be worth your time to check it out yourself... let's just say I'm beyond excited!

This Week

This one's for Emily...

• I'm grateful that Denten's parents have been able to spend a few days with us. They got here just in time as minor complications took Denten and I to the hospital for a few hours Thursday night. It was a complete blessing that they were here to stay with the kids so we could go make sure everything was ok.
• I'm grateful that my children have fantastic grandparents who care about spending time with them. Hopefully they will survive when they realize their mama isn't going to hold them all the time when real life returns around here!
  
• I'm grateful for a few quiet hours I had today as Denten, his parents, Coop and Senny went to the Heard Museum to the World Native American Hoop Dancing Championship. Here is a little of Denten's photography from this afternoon:
  
  
  Dianna and Cooper
  

Tell me this isn't the sweetest little face you've ever seen.

Coop and Grandma watching the dancing.

• I'm grateful that Seneca is growing and developing just as she should. She has taken to the stairs today and is fearless.
• I'm grateful that Seneca is sound asleep and that she has a calm and patient daddy. She pulled herself up on a kitchen chair this evening and slipped, hitting her mouth on the way down. I'm grateful she did not cut herself worse than she did and I'm grateful that the first big fall is over. It's a little heartbreaking to see that much blood and not be able to take the pain away quickly.
• I'm grateful Cooper has the opportunity to spend this next week in Utah with my parents, brother and sister. He is looking forward to his time with them, playing in the snow and with Lewis (the dog). I am grateful that I love him enough that I know I will miss him. I have learned the past few weeks that in moving from two to three children, it hasn't been the new one that has been the frustration. I am grateful that Cooper has handled the arrival of Beckham into our family really well; however I am aware that when I am not feeling spectacular, my patience level leaves much to be desired. I thought I would be looking forward to this break a little more than I am tonight- perhaps his sweet moments really do beat out the aggravating ones.
• I'm grateful to spend a quiet week with my babies. They are growing and changing so quickly, it is amazing to me. I'm looking forward to working on a few projects around here and simply being with these little ones.
• I'm grateful for Amy and for the creation of this website. As I continue to improve meal planning and dinners around here, I plan on utilizing this creation frequently!
  
  

Good-bye Grandma!

This is what 10:00 p.m. looks like at our house... feel free to be amused!



The dialogue: which one do you want to feed? do we have milk made for Beckham? I'll get senny, oh, turn off the light. don't let her wake up. don't let him fall asleep yet! dent found it quite humorous and needed to capture the moment.

My mom has been with us for two weeks, and while she has fully put in her time around here, I am sorry to see her go. I know we all need to move on, but she has been such an amazing help to us. She's definately done more cleaning at my house than she does at her own (she has people, you see)! Between the vacuuming, the constant laundry, keeping meals on the table and the kitchen clean, dusting all of my blinds and hauling the garbage out... well, she's gotten quite a work out and our house is in great shape! Now if only I can keep it this way after she's gone!

She has also been able to simply be grandma, feeding three children different things at different times of the day, reading endless stories, playing make-believe, giving out lots and lots of cuddles and kisses and tucking them into bed. I truly hope they don't go through severe withdrawals after she goes, and that they practice a little patience as it will take a while for me to be as efficient as she is at this! Mom, I know you sacrificed a lot to be with us for so long, and that dad and ben think they are going to die without you, but Denten and I are both so grateful you have been here. Thanks a million!

Photo Update

Pleasant Seneca




We have been taking full advantage of the built-in babysitting grandma provides and enjoyed an evening out with friends to celebrate Dent's birthday. Little did I know that would involve him on a saddle and our server yelling at the top of his lungs!



Another evening out... the picture includes Cooper... the date did not!



Baby Beckham, doing what he does best! This week I am grateful for a fabulous pediatrician. She answers all my questions and at the same time somehow makes me feel like I'm doing an amazing job at being a mother. This little guy has finally hit six pounds... nice work little man!

The Irony...

Isn't a bit ironic that during the late high school/ early college years one can function on very little sleep, and often did even though nothing extremely pressing was keeping he or she up at night, yet now, when one is older and there are children to attend to during the night, one somehow needs all of those hours at night in order to avoid feeling like a zombie the next day? Couldn't we request a change and somehow train our bodies to only require, say, four hours in order to be a lovely present, pleasant mother? Yeah, I'll get used to it, I have twice before, but we could also call it ironic that I was up more last night with Cooper than with Beckham... this kid has notoriously fantastic reasons for getting out of his bed... even at 4 a.m.! and 4: 30, and 5:00... Once again, bless my mother for the opportunity to take a nap. Heaven help me when she leaves!

On Hold.

life. my life. on hold. waiting, watching, observing. sitting, resting. on hold.

I'm a mother of three, yet am not yet able to jump into that calling. I'm still waiting. I've been warned several times, by anyone and everyone that life is going to be difficult for a while, but be at peace people- that life hasn't really started yet. I'm not able to lift two of my children, one of which requires a lot of lifting daily. My driving has been restricted as well as other household duties. I know I should appreciate the time to rest, and I do, however, I feel like getting comfortable with my changed lifestyle is going to require me actually participating somewhat fully in the process and I'm still on hold. I think I was ready mentally to embrace this new challenge, but physically I can't, so I wait. I watch and I wait. I'm grateful Seneca has her grandmother here to attend to her every need.

The issue was not made better when I had my first fainting spell this morning. No, i don't recall that ever happening before, but the past few days I've gotten a bit dizzy each time I stand up. This morning, dispite my holding onto the wall for dear life, everything went fuzzy for a bit and I didn't realize what had happened until I was in a heap on the floor and my ribs were aching like crazy. Denten and Coop were both rushing at me and I realized I had landed on the end of a dumbell set- the weights digging nicely into the side of my body.

A few observations about this ridiculous experience: first, I am grateful to have sore ribs. I'm grateful I didn't hit my head or my stomach, because right now, either would be worse. second, I am very very grateful I was not holding Beckham. I carry him around frequently these days and I have restricted my thoughts as to the possibilities had I been holding him when I went all tipsy. That thought scares me to death.

My incredibly thorough husband insisted I call the dr. and we're working on low iron and low blood sugar- problems we can easily remedy. Just add those things to the other minor ailments that accompany post-abdominal sugery and I'm working my way back to normal slowly.

As my body continues to heal, I will be grateful to simply be. Grateful for the opportunity to rest and enjoy observing my children and attempt to temper my desire to jump in at every turn. Grateful once again for an attentive husband and a mother, both who are keeping the show running around here while I'm on hold.

Happy Birthday Dent!

I didn't get to this post yesterday and I'd like to say it was because I didn't have time, but really I just didn't make time. I have been puzzled as to how to approach it. Yesterday was Denten's birthday and a big long testament as to how wonderful he is just goes without saying, and besides, Shellie wouldn't read it anyway (she's not a fan of my ramblings...).

So I think I'll just mention a few interesting tidbits about this guy I'm attached to for eternity. Depending on how well you know Denten, you just may learn a few things.

- He needs a nightly dose of ice cream before going to bed. He usually prefers to have vanilla with his own mix-ins.

- D is an avid hunter and prefers to use an bow and arrow as opposed to anything with a bullet. I fully support that part of this activity. When we lived in the city and hunting was a less frequent activity, he was a part of the Columbia Archery team.




- The part of this hobby I struggle with is that when he spears something he's especially proud of, it becomes part of our family. I currently share my office space with Bruce and Pete. The deer and the elk.



- He used to work as a security guard at the local middle school in Cedar City, Utah.

- While in NY, D learned to knit- has a few winter hats to prove it. It was an interesting time as we both spent our evenings on the couch knitting...

- he prefers dark chocolate.

- Dent is a member of the Navajo Nation and is extremely proud of his heritage.

four generations of bitsilly's

- His favorite place in the world is Horse Valley. He would choose to be buried here if it were legal.

- His first jobs as a married man included working at a youth center and with juvinile sex offenders.

- Adreneline rush: catching the BIG one...



- If we had no children, Denten would frequent the club scene much more often. He really likes to dance and the summer we spent apart he was a clubbin' fool.

- My baby is a two-time state basketball champion, and a former high school basketball coach. A love for the game runs deep in his veins.

- A hobby he wishes he had more time for: photography.



- He can make an authentic Italian pasta sauce like nobody's business.

- Dent has as part of his achievements a Juris Doctorate degree from Columbia Law School.



- He used to own his own carpet cleaning business.

- When asked what was most memorable about his 30th year, he mentioned two things: first, we added two children to our family, and they weren't twins.. and second, he didn't get his elk. sore subject.

I really shouldn't post this without mentioning that I really am grateful that I found someone so incredibly patient- one who I never have to doubt whether he will provide, be a fantastic father or my best friend. As our lives continue to change and as we see a few more challenges ahead, I am blessed beyond belief to be approaching them with Dent. Happy Birthday Baby!



p.s. we also need to send a shout-out to Grandpa Dale who shares a birthday with Denten. A man with as much character and integrity as any I know. And, he's awfully pleasant for me to be with. We love you!