Fall 2012

 

What we've been up to

So I realize it has been a LONG time since I've posted, not sure anyone will even check this blog these days, but might as well document still.  This year has been a whirlwind in one way and yet a LONG slow 2012 in another.  A LOT has happened!  Malia joined the fam on leap day, Trip to Disneyland/Seaworld in May, trip to Utah in June, trip to Idaho in July, Family from out of town visited off and on, in June we had the opportunity to buy a bigger home sort of fall into our laps (were not out looking to buy), packed up/cleaned, etc and moved to the larger home to rent in the meantime, Spent HOURS and HOURS and did I mention HOURS ripping out carpet, pad and subfloor in our old home to redo for renters (FINALLY completed this weekend!!!!!!! :) :) ), Searching for renters now (hopefully will have them in very soon . ;)  Just started purchase process of new home, Kids started school again a month ago and LOVE it,  I LOVE having two in school all day ;), Malia just turned 7 months, and now making another trip to Utah in Dec for my little bro's wedding.  Oh, and my niece, kids' new cousin, will arrive tomorrow!  We are all SO excited to meet her, and so HAPPY to only live 1/2 a mile from them.  And my mom is coming to visit in 2 weeks! Below are a variety of pics, didn't want to bombard anymore than what I have below, so not everything is on here, but some stuff.  No particular order.

 

 Both boys are playing soccer right now and loving it.  They are both doing great and definitely more aggressive this year which is fun to watch.

 This would be one of Baylee's best friends, Jeffrey.  Here they are cheering at the boys first triathlon that took place last Saturday

 Tayson and Erik (Jeffrey's big brother) after completing the triathlon.  They LOVED it!  What a great event this was!

 Tayson at the finish line, sure wish this would have been the finish line for my triathlon at the beginning of this month.  How cool would that be?!

 Tayson running!

 Camden, and Meagan and another friend at the finish of their triathlon.  They also LOVED IT!

 Camden at the finish line.

 Cam and Meagan getting on their bikes

 Camden swimming (both boys did great, but Brady had to run out with Cam to get him on his way, so wasn't able to be there for Tayson's swim, and he had the camera so no pics of Tayson swimming, but they rocked it!)

 Sydney, Hannah, Tayson and Erik, all great friends!  All four Rocked it!

 These two are a piece of work!

 All four smiling at one time!  Its a miracle!

 We haven't seen this face much the past 7 months, at least nothing compared to the other three, so when we get one, we've GOT to try to capture the moment!  After 5+ months, she FINALLY improved on the colic, and her stomach/gas didn't seem to be so bad.  We thought we were on the mend and on our way to a happy girl, but now she likes to just voice her opinion and Cry and/or Scream everytime you put her down or walk away and not give her attention.  AHHHH!  She wants to be held Constantly and this week, even more so is fully attached to her mommy, not wanting anyone else to hold her.  Baylee was very similar in this way and we were hoping Malia would be better about going to other people, but I have a feeling she is on the road to being the same way.  We'll see, as of now its hit or miss if she will cry for anyone/everyone else.  But basically this is why we say it has been a LONG 2012.  Accomplishing much of anything is almost impossible without her having to just sit and scream.  Unless she is napping (which she loves fortunately now! and so does mom!)

 Still working on that balancing. ;)

 A typical Malia face unfortunately, "how dare you put me down mom!"

 Ah, caught standing on a chair picking blackberries and eating them. 

 

 She has become a thumb sucker!  I know in 3 years I may be kicking myself, but seriously I couldn't be more grateful for it right now!  Her only way to self soothe herself at times.  It doesn't cure everything, but sure helps.

 

 She no longer takes naps, but over the summer she was run ragged at times and we found her out cold on the couch more than once throughout the days.  This time she was being so quiet I went in to check on her and found her sitting in the picture above hidden in the pillow, when I went over to look at her, she was sound asleep like this.

 She has been GREAT at entertaining herself when her brothers are not around.  I would go in her room and find her doing something new, such as sitting in the laundry basket playing her drum.  She keeps us smiling!!!

Camden also played baseball this spring/summer and LOVED it!

 

 

Well, that's all the time for now, but glad I accomplished something. Enjoy!

A Long 4 Months

     Well, I've appreciated all the advice we've received over the past 4 months.  I know everyone just wants to help and make things better and we've taken advice and tried more things that I can even remember or count. Sometimes it seems like there is an improvement after trying something, but then we realize it has nothing to do with what we tried. 

   3 weeks ago while Malia was screaming, I got a great glimpse of the roof of her mouth and thought it looked a little unusual.  Wish I could get a good pic to post, but this is the best I can do.  Anyways, she has her gums/jawline, but then there is another ridge that goes around on the inside of that.  I have no idea if that is normal, never looked in my babies mouths or any other baby's mouth for that matter.  I began to wonder if that was what was causing her to take in so much air when she eats.  Originally we thought she just sucked too hard.  We had switched her to bottle and pumping, because she was even worse when she nursed and had even more gas and fussiness. 
    Well, today she had her 4 month checkup and I was a little nervous as to what the doctor would say when he saw her mouth.  I was relieved to find out that he was not very concerned about it.  I had read a lot about high palates, etc and different suggestions as to how to help them eat better, etc.  Also read that a lot of babies with it when it is associated with other things, also tend to deal with malnutrition.  She does have a slightly high palate, but not too bad.  He said sometimes high palates are related to different syndromes and such, but doesn't feel that is the case in her case.  She is developing perfectly and growing great, definitely not malnutritioned! 
    Her tongue does slip when she is eating, but he wasn't concerned because she is still eating well and in a timely manner.  And she seems to be improving more little by little.  Her spitting up is reflux, but there is no acidity to it, so no need for reflux meds because they don't control the volume that she will spit up, but the burn, but she doesn't appear to have any burning (we did try the reflux meds, but didn't help at all, so it all makes sense).  She does not seem to be allergic to or have any big issues with anything dietwise, etc either.  So he has suggested that adding rice cereal to the bottle to thicken it might help to reduce the amount she spits up or make it easier to swallow it back down.
    He said she simply is Colic.  We've tried what we can and will wait it out.  And I feel peaceful about that, I'm DONE going crazy over figuring out what is bothering her.  She has definitely made improvements over the last month or so, but I know its still a long road.  I'm just grateful for the peace of mind that came today (along with what feels like a renewed dose of patience to continue on).  She is Healthy and having more happy moments during the day too, so I can't ask for too much more.
   I felt that we were warned before she arrived that there was going to be a period of DIFFICULTY!  When I was pregnant and feeling FABULOUS (seriously! by FAR the easiest pregnancy), I had the feeling that there was something coming down the road so enjoy it now.  And I DID!  And I remind myself very frequently of that as I struggle now.  Gives me the strength to hold on and not go insane. ;)
   These pictures are a big improvement over all the crying ones I got in the months earlier, she has more happy/content moments than she used to, so we will take it! :)  (Don't expect many to read all this, but wanted it for my record).

Malia Brianna

In some ways its hard to believe its been 3 weeks since this little girl joined our family, but at the same time in other ways lets just say its been a LONG 3 weeks. ;) 
   Malia joined our family the afternoon of Leap day.  Weighing in at 7 lb 8 oz (our smallest baby, though not by much).  She also has a LOT of hair, which is something new for us for a newborn.  She was breech for so long in the womb, turning just 2 weeks beforehand, so for the longest time she was most comfortable with her legs up as high as she could get them once she came out.  Her legs have finally begun to relax a little. 
    Most pictures of her are while she is sleeping, lets just say that is because she's not the happiest girl awake. So it doesn't cross my mind at the time to take a picture. :( 
   The kids adore her, and there are no jealousy issues with any of them, especially Baylee which is a HUGE blessing as we are dealing with Malia crying so much.  Hoping that improves in the near future and she figures out some sort of sleep schedule at night.
  This was by far my easiest pregnancy, and all along I wondered if maybe it was because the Lord knew we might have a difficult newborn coming or something.  So I have to remind myself daily how grateful I am the pregnancy was so enjoyable (to give me strength to handle these first few months that likely lie ahead).  The Dr. gave her a perscription to see if by chance she has acid reflux and see if it might help her to feel better and be happier, it took 4 days to get the compound pharmacy to finally get it completed which was agonizing, so hoping we might see some relief in the next few days.  If not, then we'll just have to wait out what is likely colic in the weeks ahead I guess. 
   Malia is still perfect and precious in every way.  We wouldn't change her for the world.  Labor and delivery went well, all things considered.  To put it short, the epidural did not work correctly but considering what others were going through on the labor and delivery floor at the same time as me, I was just grateful to be dealing with what I was dealing with, vs what others were.  It made it bareable when I needed it most.
   Life is good, even sleep deprived.  Brady's mother came and helped in the beginning which was great and then my mom came shortly after which was also great!  The extra help was wonderful and I am so grateful to both of them for it!  Wish they were still here. :)  Spring break started today for Camden and tomorrow for Tayson.  They are excited and even more excited that Tayson got a 2 hour delay this morning because of snow.  They enjoyed playing in it this morning.  I always have to laugh when school is canceled or delayed because of a little snow on the ground, so different from Utah, but that's fine by me.  I LOVE only having snow once or twice a year.  Crazy though that it is coming SO LATE this year.
   We've had some odd weather this winter.  It had been in the 50s for a while and then the day Malia was born it decided to snow.  Then 4 days later on my birthday it was in the mid 60's LOL.  I've heard there's been crazy weather all over the country though so I'm not surprised by our weather (such as hail in Hawaii).  Just would be nice if it looked/felt like spring this week and next for "Spring" break.
   Well, that's all for now, just proud of myself for finally finding time to post. YAY!
  
   

Life

I know I need to get some more pictures up here, but at the moment I'm not in the position to do so, but felt I ought to at least put a new post up with happier things on it.  Its hard to believe its already Feb. 12th!  As an update for my cousins, Ryan and Kelly are both home from the hospital and continuing to recover.  Kelly had to go back in to the hospital for a little while because of an infection I believe, but I think she is home now.  They have received so much help financially through fundraisers and donations, etc it is amazing.  I know they are still far from having what they will owe for hospital costs, etc (especially since the other driver unfortunately had no insurance), but every little bit helps!  We are so grateful to all those others, especially strangers who have pitched in to help.  What a blessing! 
    It is hard to believe that in 2 1/2 weeks we will become a family of 6.  Am I ready for a new baby?!  No.  But I HOPE to be by the time she comes.   I am excited to meet her, but at the same time in NO rush for her to come right now.  I know life will only get crazier.  This really has been the greatest pregnancy I could ever ask for and I feel VERY blessed and am very grateful.  Its made it so easy to just enjoy the pregnancy and enjoy the time we have before life changes again.
   As for names, we still don't have a clue!  I thought since we knew it was a girl beforehand this time around it would be easy to come up with a name before she arrives.  But no such luck.  So any suggestions are great.  I'm sure we'll eventually figure it out.  Baylee is very excited about the baby coming, but I think she will also have a hard time adjusting.  Hoping it goes much better than I am expecting.  I have no doubt she will adore her, but at the same time she LOVES having mommy to herself when her brothers aren't around. 
    To me, Baylee is still my baby, so it all just seems so weird to me that she won't be the baby for long.  She's short for her age so she seems so little still, but yet she talks CONSTANTLY and I'm always asked in the store how old she is.  Everyone is surprised she talks so well for being so young.  She cracks everyone up with the things she says and once she realizes that people think she is funny, she REALLY puts on a show.  Very different from the boys at this age. 
   I know when the baby arrives, suddenly Baylee will seem so much bigger to me, just like Tayson did when Camden was born and just like Cam did when Baylee was born.  I'm just not sure if I'm ready for her to seem suddenly bigger/older to me.  Oh well, ready or not.
   We made it through Brady's Chicago trip this past weekend which is a relief just to know he will be mostly nearby these last couple weeks just in case this little one should have a mind of her own and choose to come earlier than planned, but I doubt she will and that is A okay.
    Life is good, we are happy and grateful for it.  That's about all for now.