The rest of life before the baby

Here’s the rest of what has happened in the more recent past, because if I don’t write about it and post it I forget what has happened and that’s just sad.

Mark was the first of the kids to have his school program.  He got to be in a little dance number for which he was happy.  After the program we went down to his class room to see his portfolio.  There he and I had a little cursive writing competition and he challenged Grandma to the multiplication race. Abbie had a blast at her kindergarten store.  Of the things she bought she was most excited to show us the goop and two little Yoda puppets. I had a doctor’s appointment on the morning of Jessie’s rescheduled track meet, so Spencer and I stopped by afterward to visit and chat and see how the day went.  She and her friends were entertaining themselves with cat’s cradle. After that Spencer and I headed over to Centennial Park to wait for the kindergarteners who were walking there from school.  It was so funny watching those kids plod along on their walk and then as soon as they hit the grass near the park it was an all out race to be the first to play.  And Spencer was so excited to be included.  He even got a water bottle and one of the girls shared her granola bar with him after she opened it and remembered that she in fact did not like granola bars.  That evening I was surprised to find that I had gotten a sunburn out there…I just forget that the sun still burns even when it’s so pleasant out.Next we had Abbie’s kindergarten graduation.  Spencer had fun singing along with all the songs Abbie had taught to him.Jessie’s last 5th grade project was a “State Fair.”  And I was so confused!!  I thought the state fair was in the middle of the summer….anyway…. it was actually that each of the kids picked a state, Jessie got Indiana, and did a report about it.  They had to draw it’s flag, and make a diorama with a question about something in the state and then pick a famous person from that state and dress up to look like them and prepare a short 45 second report on them.  Then the all the kids from the school and parents can come to the fair and see their stuff.Jessie chose to be Jim Davis the creator of the Garfield comic strip.  She did a fabulous job!  The dress up part was supposed to be like a wax museum and so each of the kids had a paper button on their desk to push so you could listen to their report.  Spencer was our button pusher as went went around to all the kids in her class.Mark has been working on some cub scout requirements.  Here he and Abbie are trying their hands at soap carving.  It wasn’t as easy as they thought it would be, but it sure was fun.  Mark’s penguin was reshaped into a snowman once he accidently cut off the beak. A couple Sunday’s ago the kids were trying on my shoes.  Why?  Who knows… anyway by the time we rounded up everyone for a walk Spencer was all decked out….my riding boots, his cape and sombrero…isn’t he cute!

For a reward for getting all the little daily chores done (making beds, practicing piano, doing a math sheet, etc) we got the kids each their own “fancy” water gun.  After chores Mark wrote Abbie’s name for her…she was so excited.  What a great brother.  This has been a pretty fun thing, although some days we’ve gone through many changes of clothes!I took the kids to play mini-golf.  Jessie enjoyed it more than she thought she would, but was so disappointed that she hadn’t worn more white to glow in the black lights.  I love this picture of her staring down her ball for not going in. At one point Spencer hit his and Abbie’s ball into the little lake hazard, and Abbie almost couldn’t cope…how come summer makes it SO HARD to get kids to go to bed.  It’s driving me crazy.  They gave us another ball to use, so it was ok in the end.

We celebrated Jessie and Grandma’s birthdays on Memorial Day with Ken’s family.  I forgot my camera, but Ken’s mom took some pictures… I did get to make some really cute cupcakes with ants carrying away watermelon slices…pictures to come soon.

Jessie wanted to open her presents from us on her actual birthday…so we did.  And boy was she making some funny faces for the camera!  Ken’s good friend and his family came by for a visit too and it was a great evening.Jessie wanted some breath mints for her birthday, so we hid a package in each of the gifts she  unwrapped.  She got a reading lamp for her bed, double dutch jump ropes, The Secret Garden (book), and a hairpin lace loom.

We had a friends party on Saturday and made these cute cake wedges.Then went outside for a little water balloon fun. Then had rainbow cupcakes with chocolate butterflies.  It was a fun day.

And that brings us up to date.  Wheee!

Welcome Home Neil!

The kids came up to the hospital on Monday with Ken and spent 1/2 the day.  Remembering Mark’s comment they brought a movie to watch while they weren’t the lucky “baby holder.”  They all got a cup of ice to munch on and one of the nurses gave them each a packet of cookies. They were all excited to watch Neil’s first bath…which he screamed through.  And the boxes of gloves posted all around the room were just too tempting to be left alone. After 48 hours the hospital said we had worn out our welcome and it was time to go.  (Actually, the hospital staff complimented our children for being so helpful and considerate when they visited.  Do you think that means there’ll be less teasing at home?)  Before leaving we decided to name our little sleeper Neil Ross, and no one argued.  This picture of him is compliments of Jessie.Yesterday Spencer spent the morning pushing Neil’s new stroller around the house.  He especially likes the “hidden pocket” by the handle and has claimed it as his own personal “secret spot.”  Notice that it’s already full.  The only problem is that the stroller is bigger than him and so he ran it into just about everything/person that was around him.Abbie especially hasn’t left Neil’s side since our arrival home (except for when we had to eat lunch).  She and Spencer love to hold his hands and tell him stories.  And Mark I think held him for half and hour just enjoying. And Abbie LOVES to comb is hair with the little sponge brush from his bath.His first night at home wasn’t too bad as far as getting some sleep.  And not only did I get to enjoy Neil’s company Jessie joined me too after her bad dream of scorpions in her bed.

That’s about it for our Neil update except that we’re waiting for the results of his second bilirubin test…and I sure hope he wakes up soon…cause I’m so ready for him to eat again.

It’s not boring when you’re holding the baby!

We enjoyed company this afternoon; it was really nice to visit with everyone who could come.  After about an hour, Mark made the salient observation that “It’s not boring when you’re holding the baby.  But if you’re not the one with the baby, there’s not much to do here.”  Words of wisdom.

Our newest family photo.

Grandma had the honor of the “first hold,” and had an attentive audience.

We decided the kids would hold the baby in order of ascending age, except Spencer wanted to go last.  But as soon as he saw  Abbie have her turn, he decided he wanted to go next.  Silly boy!

My sister Stephanie and her husband McKay are expecting their first in early November.  From the looks of it, they’re shaping up to be great parents.

Dad and Randy came up later in the evening.

No, we still don’t have a name picked out yet… but we will before we leave.  (Maybe they’ll let us stay longer if we take our time??)

He’s here!

Hi there – Ken here.  Julie’s not quite up to blogging right now, so the duty falls to me. 

First, some pictures:

Yesterday Julie began having hints that the baby was coming soon, so I spent most of the day trying to figure out when I could put it on my calendar.  (Type-A personality trait, I guess.)  Julie didn’t feel like she was progressing at all, and told my Mom to have a good night sleep because nothing was going to happen.

At about 2:40 this morning Julie began rubbing my back.  As I woke up, I thought, “Gee, that feels nice, but I’ve got meetings at Church starting at 7:00.”  So I thanked her for the nice back rub, thinking she’d get the hint and I could get a few more hours sleep before Bishopric meeting.  She asked if I’d like to call my Mom. My  first thought was, “No, I’m tired.”  Then the brain kicked in, and I called Mom.

We arrived at the hospital at 3:15.  Four hours later, Eli (or Neil, or Wyatt – we haven’t found his nametag yet) arrived.  He’s 6 pounds 14 ounces, and 20 inches long. 

When Spencer was born, there was a full knot in his cord that was pretty scary.  Well, this one wanted to one-up his older brother – in addition to the same knot, the cord was also wrapped around his neck.  He swallowed a bit of blood during birth and was having a little trouble breathing at first.  But after an hour with the CPAP machine, he was pink, perfectly healthy, and looking for breakfast. 

In our unbiased opinion, he looks beautiful.  We’re grateful beyond words to the Lord for His kindness in blessing us with our son.

Here’s a view of  him wearing his CPAP mask:

He’s now eating contentedly.  Mom and Baby are doing great!