what we do on rainy days

advent.

the inspiration:

the creation:

It's WAY cuter in person.

after the homework is done...

we head outside to play. They get more inventive everyday.

metopic craniosynostosis... or not

Today we took Levi up to CHOC to see a neurosurgeon. Talk about being at the very bottom of the list of things you ever want to say, let alone do.

About a month ago, I noticed a very definite ridge forming vertically on his forehead. I mentioned it to our pediatrician while we were in for his 6 month well visit, and he agreed, it was prominent and at first he said let's just keep an eye on it. Then, he examined his head and said, okay, actually, let's go get it looked at. He was concerned because the back of his head is becoming asymmetrical, too.

Thankfully, the neurosurgeon after an exam, which included examining my head, Stacy's head and talking about Kaleb's large noggin, he was actually more impressed with Kaleb than Levi, he graciously gave us a clean bill of health. He even went so far as to say with 100% certainty that Levi does not need nor will ever need surgery. PHEW. How often can a physician say 100%?? He was great and was very complimentary of our pediatrican, calling him one the top 4 in all of the OC, which I already knew, of course.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful doctors and to be able to sleep tonight knowing that our little Levi is perfect. Thanks for all of your prayers, emails and texts.

baby food

I bought this cute little contraption at Costco a few weeks ago and have been loving it. I decided that I am going to make all of Levi's baby food. I didn't for the other kids because I thought it would be too time consuming, but it really isn't. Earlier in the week, I experimented with pears and broccoli. Today, I whipped up some silky smooth applesauce, peas and a banana-avocado mixture that I wanted to eat myself.

I'm so excited to make sweet potatoes, squash, green beans and cauliflower. It's not only healthier, but it's going to save so much money!

I was inspired by this article in Parents magazine.

This is Andreas Berg.

So, in first grade, the kids get to do a Heritage Doll project. They spend the month learning about each others' heritage and family traditions. The Mormon kids in the class should have this project in the bag, right?

Here's "our" doll.

I loved it that the paper explaining the assignment said, "we expect parents to help" or something. And help I did. Okay, I did let Ethan do some things. He got to pick out the country, the color of the felt, glued on the felt and drew the face. Oh, the face. It took a few revisions. The mustache wasn't planned, but was necessary to cover up a failed attempt at nostrils.

Then, they have to do presentation on the country their ancestor is from and when and how they immigrated to America. Pretty cool.

Here's the real guy. I seriously love this stuff.

Halloween '09

catch up

Well, needless to say, life has been a bit crazy lately. We are ALL (minus Levi) getting over a stomach virus. So. Much. Fun. It's amazing to me that it ripped through our entire family, despite vigorous hand washing, bleaching of every surface, Lysoling couches and doing probably 10 loads of laundry in 3 days. What's more even more remarkable is the fact that the baby didn't get it. Breastfeeding truly is a miracle, as time consuming as it is. I feel so lucky that it has always just worked out for me.

We're getting settled into a school/homework/still having enough time to ride bikes routine. First grade is definitely a lot different from Kindergarten. Ethan is rising to the challenge and doing great with his school work and has learned that homework is now just a part of life, so the complaining has stopped, for the most part. Now, we just need to get him to realize that it's okay if the routine is deviated from a tiny bit. (He had a major panic attack or something yesterday when my mom took him to school. It ended with him being returned home after Stacy tried to get him from underneath the back bench in the van for 2 hours. I was at work, I guess my family does need me.) We had a long talk this morning, contracts were signed and promises made. He is now confident in how to handle his (perceived) problems of thinking he is late and girls chasing him on the playground. And, he knows that this behavior will not be tolerated. We take school very seriously around here. We are very lucky that he has a great teacher that happens to hold a Master's degree in Psychology. A bonus for me and my crazy, anxious child.

Kaleb is in his second year in preschool, much to his chagrin. He cannot wait to be at the big school with his brother, but he does love preschool. He just wants to grow up. He is impressing us with his reading ability and is obsessed with Star Wars and the computer. He is liking, not loving soccer. He is pretty much the opposite of aggressive so trying to get a piece of the ball with 7 other 5 year olds is difficult. However, he does not care. He's just happy to be there on the field.

Asher continues to blow my mind with his energy. He wakes up at 5:30 am, doesn't nap and doesn't stop until his head crashes on his pillow around 6:30 or 7 pm. He starts to get wild and crazy just as I'm hitting the wall at 3 pm. Not a great combination. But, he is still very sweet and is the first kid to jump up to help me with a chore or unloading the car. He LOVES riding his bike. Now that the weather is cooling off, I love sitting out in front watching him.

Levi. Oh Levi. Such a sweet baby. He is napping great, doing fairly well most nights. He's not doing 8 or 9 hours like he used to but he'll do 5 or 6. We've moved him into his crib in Asher's room. Mostly because he's too large for the cradle. I take him to the dr for his 6 month check up next week, but I am guessing he's tipping the scales. He is getting a head full of darker hair and can almost sit up on his own. I started rice cereal last weekend and he's not quite sure what to think of it. All of the other boys loved food from the get go, but he's kind of ambivalent. He is always happy, has the cutest smile around and is a pure joy.

Well, that's about it. Same old for the parents. Travel, work, laundry, dishes, cooking, etc.

A small request. Please put my friend Kelley, her husband Gary and their tiny, tiny babies, Adam and Ava in your prayers. Strength in numbers and power in prayer. You know it's true.

at the pumpkin patch

rice rice baby

not lovin' it.

firestation open house

just like ridin' a bike

AHH-mazing.

Missy took some pics of my kiddos yesterday. She did an awesome job. I can't wait to see all of the rest, Miss!! Check out the pics on the right side bar, too. SO, SO great. Isn't she awesome?!?

5.

Happy Birthday, Kaleb!

Kaleb James. Where do I start with you kid? You definitely keep me on my toes. Today, for example. You were having some kind of melt-down in Sacrament meeting (while your dad was giving a talk, no less), complete with hitting my arm, flicking a SLEEPING Levi's feet and whisper shouting "I WANT TO GO HOME!" Wow was that fun. Then, tonight after everyone was ready for bed, we had a family tournament with the new Wii game you got for your birthday when Ethan ran upstairs sobbing because he didn't get to go first. Your response was to go up and hug him and tell him he could take your turn and go first. Annoying and compassionate all at the same time.

You started playing soccer for the first time a few weeks ago. It's so fun to watch your games. You don't love being in the mosh pit when the rest of the kids are clobbering each other to get to the ball, but with some encouragement, you get right in there and attempt to get to the ball. You definitely don't need the glory, but you do have the most fun out there, smiling the whole time.

You have amazed me and pretty much taught yourself how to read. I am guessing because Ethan can read, you feel like you have to keep up with him. You love preschool and have a gigantic smile on your face when I pick you up.

You learned to ride a bike this year and LOVE it. LOVE it. And, you are pretty excited about your new Hot Wheels scooter you got for your birthday.

You are silly and funny and moody and dramatic. All at the same time.

And WE LOVE YOU!

3

Can you even believe THIS was 3 years ago? Last night, I spent a few more minutes after reading him a story to rock him, which I rarely do because Levi needs me. I held him like a baby and told him the story of how he entered into the world. He stared at me wide eyed and asked if he was holding his breath when he was in my tummy. Kind of, I answered. He asked if he cried when he left Jesus. I said probably. I was on the verge of tears, having this tender moment with my son when he abruptly sat up and declared, "Okay, Mom. I'm done being your baby. Me big now." Not even Mommy. Just Mom. I told him he was right. Three year olds are big boys. It's sad, but fun at the same time. He's growing up and getting smarter and smarter and crazier and crazier.

It's going to be an interesting year. I have always said give me a terrible two over a torturous three any day. It must be hard to be three. He has kicked into full gear the past few weeks.

Yesterday, I was sweeping and was thinking about my little Asher. Suddenly, the song from the Sound of Music, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, popped into my head. It fits my boy to a T. (Exchanging the She's for He's and taking out a few parts like the curlers in her hair.)

He climbs a tree and scrapes his knee
His shirt has got a tear

How do you solve a problem like Asher?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Asher?
A flibbertijibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!

Many a thing you know you'd like to tell him
Many a thing he ought to understand
But how do you make him stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand

Oh, how do you solve a problem like Asher?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

When I'm with him I'm confused
Out of focus and bemused
And I never know exactly where I am
Unpredictable as weather
He's as flighty as a feather
He's a darling! He's a demon! He's a lamb!

He'd outpester any pest
Drive a hornet from its nest
He could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl
He is gentle! He is wild!
He's a riddle! He's a child!
He's a headache! He's an angel!

Really and truly, as soon as I'm about to choke him, he comes over, squeezes my neck and says, Mommy, I love you SO much. He does have some great qualities, too, don't get me wrong. He has amazing manners, always says Please and Thank You, is the first to thank us for fun things, asked to be excused, etc. He nearly comes out of his skin when I have time to spend with just him, usually we just sit at the counter and color. He can say his ABC's and count to ten, knows all of his colors and shapes. He has a heart of gold and lives very passionately. He's my fun-loving, kind, crazy boy. And, most of all, I love him just the way he is.