Christmas Morning 2010

I think I was a little more excited than the kiddos because I could not sleep passed 6am. But when the kids finally woke up at 8am, they could not wait to get downstairs. We did have to wait for Luke to stop crying. He was so upset because he had a dream that Santa came and only brought him a lump of coal. He was so convinced it was true! So we wiped the tears and they went downstairs. Santa did not disappoint. In fact, I think he sort of outdid himself! Here are the favs:
Luke's fav- his new pet fish Fin
Harlee's fav- her walk and giggle doll. She refuses to name her because she is actually not real.
Nash's fav- all his Buzz stuff. He also loves Harlee's pillow pet. I think Sant maybe needed to get him one too!
Gray's fav- his activity blanket
What a great year this has been and what a wonderful Christmas. I am so thankful for all of our blessings.

Christmas Jammies

Each Christmas Eve the kiddos get to open some new pjs. This year we went with the snowman theme. The kids all seemed excited about them but then Harlee started to cry. When we asked her what was wrong, she said she was sad because she did not get the same jammies as her brothers. Nash and Luke both have royal blue and I guess she wanted that color too! So cute. But she felt a little bit better once she saw Gray's pjs were a different color. She was not the odd man out! So cute that she just wants to be one of the boys. Thankfully she has that girlie side for her mom! Last night we also let them open the presents they bought for each other. Joey started this tradition (and he swears he is not a tradition guy???) this year. He first took Harlee out shopping for her brothers and she got to choose their presents. She bought Luke the new Diary of a Whimpy Kid book, Nash a Backyardigans ball and Gray a pig toy. Then I took Luke out shopping. He bought Harlee a Tangled doll, Nash a Zu zu pet, and Gray a talking snail. It was so fun to watch them choose what to buy but it was even more fun to watch them open them. After Luke opened his book and was so excited, Harlee said "Luke Hug Me!" It was the cutest thing. I love teaching them that the true meaning of Christmas is giving. This must be working because last night we gave a special gift to Jamie and Mindi. We try to do something nice for a family each year. So as we were driving away after giving them the gift, Luke said "Giving is the true meaning of Christmas!" What a smart boy. I just love these kids and I am sitting downstairs waiting for them to wake up and see what Santa brought!

Family Pictures 2010

On Tuesday Mindi came over to take our annual family pictures. She was so nice to do it and she borrowed a super nice camera. Since Joey is so not a fan of pictures, free photos are the way to go. It was quite the ordeal to get everyone to look at the camera. But after 300 pictures we found a few good ones. What beautiful children we have. So blessed!

Here is our favorite family shot!

Our second favorite!

A Visit to Santa

Today Erika and I took the kiddos to see Santa at the SouthTowne Mall. Joey had the day off so he kept Gray with him. We were a little disappointed to remember that unless you purchase their pictures you do not get a shot with Santa. Since the cheapest was $23 we opted to just visit. Santa was so nice to the kids and asked each of them what they wanted this year:
Luke: a fish
Harlee: Walk and Giggle Doll
Nash: Buzz
Riley: Stampede
He reminded them that he was watching so they needed to be nice, especially to their Mom! Love him!! After the visit we went and had pizza for lunch and a Mrs. Fields cookie for dessert. Then the kids wanted to ride the merry-go-round. I think this was Nash's first time and I have never seen him smile so big. He was loving it! It was such a fun day. So crazy how easy it seemed without Graby. So cray how your perspective changes with each one.

Nash's Two Year Check-up

Today Nash had his 2 year checkup with Dr. Stampful. Since school is out for Christmas, Nash was not alone. It was the Childs' circus- all four kids with me in a little Dr. office room. So I am impressed that I even heard any of what the Dr. had to say but here goes. Here are his stats:

Weight: 32 lbs- 90%
Height: 36 inches - 90%
His BMI is in the 75%

He is doing great! He is growing and developing just as he should be. The doctor is a little concerned about his speech. He always says "uhhh" for everything. If you ask him to say a word he can do it without any problem however he does not usually initiate conversation. They had me take an autism test which he passed, so they are not concerned about that. But the doctor does feel that he should be talking more. This has been a concern that Joey and I have had for awhile. So he gave me the number for Kids on the Move. This is a speech program for kids under three. I will give them a call and hopefully we can help Nashie talk a little better.
*Love this picture! This is the squishy smile Nash now does whenever we break out the camera. Too cute!

Nash is Two!!!

Seriously when did this happen? I swear he was just born. On the other hand though, I cannot remember our life without him. He is truly a blessing in our family. On Saturday, we spent his birthday as a family. He was so excited to open his presents and you guessed it, all revolved around the toy story theme! He got Buzz Lightyear PJ's, a buzzlightyear car that goes after you shake it, and the Toy Story 3 blue ray. We watched the movie together as a family and then it was nap time. After naps, we celebrated with Toy Story cupcakes. Then we got in our PJ's, got dinner to eat while we enjoyed the Thanksgiving Point Christmas lights. He seemed to love the lights. It was such a fun day! Happy Birthday big boy!

Mimi's Annual Christmas Making Party

On Friday my Mom had her annual afternoon with the grand kids. We usually decorate Christmas cookies but this year we made cookie trains. Joey kept Gray home so it was a bit easier to do this with the kids. Luke was really good to work on it until it was done. It was fun to watch everyone else do their trains. Audrey was so into it and wanted to do it all by herself. I am so grateful for all of these cousins our kids get to grow up with. I did not have any cousins that I remember, so it is so fun to watch them all play together and enjoy each other's company. After the trains, my mom made cupcakes for Nash's birthday. They gave him a Buzz Lightyear blanket and days later he still is dragging it around with him. We then went to Joey's fam's for Nash's presents. He was so excited about the woody (toy story cowboy) guitar they got him. He is so into Toy Story and it is so fun to watch his eyes light up whenever he sees any character from this movie.

Gray's Journey Continues

On Friday while Luke was singing his heart out I was with Gray having more tests done. We went to the Riverton Primary Childrens first for a GI test. They strapped the poor guy down and fed him with a tube. All of the anatomy looked normal. Then we hurried up to University of Utah hospital to meet with an ear, nose, and throat doctor, Dr. Park. He checked and did agree that Gray's tonsils are large. He wants to do another swallow study in 2-3 months. If the poor babe is still aspirating then he will perform a broncos copy. This is where they put Gray under anesthesia and scope him to see if there is anything going on. Until then we are to thicken his formula and keep him on the reflux medication. I talked to Dr. Pheffer this morning. She is requesting another chest xray in mid January. We will go from there depending upon the results. I talked with his pediatrician, Dr. Stampfl, today and he said if he is still aspirating and his lungs don't look better, then we would need to do a feeding tube. I am just praying that the steps we are taking will help and we can avoid that. He was so upset on Friday when they had to use the tube for a few minutes. I cannot imagine how upset he will be if this is a part of his daily routine. I will do whatever it takes though to make sure our little Gray gets better. Keep you posted!

Luke's Christmas Concert

On Friday Luke had his Christmas Concert at school. I was not able to make it because I was with Gray at his doctor appointments but Luke knew I was thinking about him. He even sang his songs for me before I left. He sang A Christmas Lullaby and I Want a Hippopatumus for Christmas. Joey, Harlee, and Nash went to watch the "standing room only" concert and said it did not disappoint. Luke was front row but even with the camera zoomed we did not get the best picture. I look forward to being there next year with the whole family.

Little Things

Tonight as I was laying with the kids before bed I started thinking about how lucky we are. My mind was full of the little things that they do that remind me of all of my blessings. It is in the way Luke holds the door open for everyone at church or how he brings home cute cards for me that say "To someone beary special". Luke is also so good to bring me my favorite purple propel whenever I am thirsty or to sing Gray his song when he is sad. It is in the way Harlee loves her brothers and always wants to hold and snuggle Gray. It is in the way she wants to spend time together when Nash and Gray take their naps. Nash is always quick to run to me and snuggle my leg. Tonight when I laid down with him, I put his blue blanket on him and he gave me his other favorite football blanket to cover up. I am reminded of my blessings every time Gray does his huge open mouth smile or the way that he snuggles with a lady in my ward who definitely needed a snuggle! These children are so innately good and I feel honored to be their mom. What blessings they are to me and I appreciate all the little reminders I am given.

Gray's Journey

Last week I took Gray to a pulmonary specialist. She listened to him and immediately suspected he was aspirating his food. We went yesterday to Primary Children's to have a swallow study. It was positive for aspiration. So we go on Friday to have an upper GI study done and then over to the Ear Nose and Throat doctor. They are concerned about his tonsils being so large. I am just hoping that they can get all this figured out so that he does not suffer long-term damage. I think of how happy this sweet guy is and how much happier he will be when he feels well. Hang in there Graby! We are all praying for you!
PS- This little man is now sporting a new smile complete with 2 little teeth! He is getting so big!

Luke's Prayer

I have made it my goal to read scriptures with the kids and pray everyday before Luke goes to school. Don't be too proud, we have been doing this only 3 weeks but I really hope this continues. So this morning after a few verses it was Luke's turn to say the prayer. He stood up and gave the sweetest prayer. At one point he said:
"I want to have a good day at school today. Please let kids be nice to me. If they don't like me please let them know that I am just trying to be like Heavenly Father."
What a sweet boy and what a great example to all of his friends. He has been struggling a bit with Riley. I think he gets insecure when Riley plays with other kids and not just him. He is so sensitive. I know this will be one of his wife's favorite things about him, it is just hard right now. So hard to be his mom and not be able to fix this for him. I know he will get through and be stronger for it. I love you Luke for so many reasons, one being your big heart!!

First Day of Basketball

We signed Luke up to be on his first real Jr. jazz basketball team. We went through Dimple Dell Recreation Center and the only person he knows on his team is Riley. To say he loved it is an understatement. After his first clinic/game he played out front with Joey for hours. He wore his jersey for the whole day. He only took it off to get in his PJ's after telling Joey he needed to put it in a safe place! I am so excited that he is liking it. He has seven more games so more pics to come!

Gray's 6 month checkup

Can you believe it is already? Our little man is 6 months old! He is just a love. We are so enjoying having him in our family. Here are his stats:

Weight: 19 lb 4 oz - 80%
Height: 28 1/4 inches- 95%

He is doing pretty good. His lungs are still sounding pretty bad. So the doctor recommended that we take him to a pulmonary specialist. He is thinking that he might have asthma. Poor guy. I guess the waiting time to see the specialist is about one month. So we are going to do his breathing treatments daily and hopefully lessen the weasing. He is right on track with development. He is still the happiest kid. He rolls everywhere and hates cereal/veggies just like his brothers did. He is doing great in his crib but he still does not sleep through the night. Guess he can't be perfect! We love you Gray and feel so blessed to have you in our family.