dresses

the top black dress is not just a Sunday dress... it is an everyday dress.  Pepper has worn it 3 days this week, and then I hid it.   Since then she has been wearing this pink dress (bottom picture).  She is in love with dresses.  She got a couple for her birthday and I have gotten her a couple more since because she wears them so often.  Now we just have to teach her how to match.

Rosalie

Rosie and Tabor are pals.  They are about 6 weeks apart and the kind of cousins who will always be excited to see each other.   She is a common topic of conversation in our household.  We love you silly Rosie girl!

time and all eternity

It's official, Claire is married.  It is weird how fast time goes.  One day Bruce and Lori have 9 children at home and the next they are all gone.  Seven out of nine are now married and the other two (Hannah & James) are on missions- or at least James has his call.  Time is already playing tricks on me.  I have a 3 year old!  Before I know it she is going to start school, soccer practice, dating and then going off to college.  This week Robert and I will have been married for 5 years.  Please time... slow down!

the more we play together the happier we'll be

Korver has a serious talent for steering this wagon. He weaved in between small children and around bikes without a single accident. I am impressed.

don't they look cute?

motorbike rides with Grandpa... One of Tabors favorite activities

Kitt, enjoying her walk

Tabor and Pryson on our family walk

these two can (and do) swing for hours

we found a bird in Grandpa & Grandma's house

eating popsicle's from their dear grandmother

fishing at FHE

These people can do this swing without me pushing. A dream come true.

making faces at the babies

at the reptile zoo

games with grandma

The Lavenders

The 8 grandkids (oldest being 3) under one roof. We are in for a crazy go nuts week!

Visit to Harborview

On Sunday evening we went to a cousins birthday party. Adults were either playing cards or chatting on the couch and the kids (ages 2-11, mine are the youngest) were playing up-stairs. I was getting ready to feed Kitt when we heard a loud bang on the hardwood floor. Tabor had found his way through the banister upstairs and fell down 10-12 feet into the entryway.

The first sign that he was seriously hurt was that he was not screaming, he was barely whimpering, as if that was all he could muster. We called 911. Robert and his dad gave Tabor a blessing and the ambulance was there shortly afterwards . While the paramedics were discussing which hospital to bring him to, he threw up. I think this is what made them decide to pass Overlake, Swedish & Childrens hospitals to bring him to Harborview which is known for their top care for head trauma. They would not let me in the ambulance, they said they might have to do some procedures on the way there which would be hard for a parent to watch. I would rather have watched the procedures then watch them drive off with my terrified 2 year old.

When I got to the hospital I was happy to learn that they had sedated him in the ambulance right away... this way he was not in pain and he didn't have to worry about where he was going or where his family was. After they up-dated and ID'd us they brought us back to him. 29 doctors surrounded his bed. Yes you read that right, 29. If something worries a parent, it is 29 doctors around your child's bed.

But fortunately that is where the real excitement ends. They did all sorts of tests and x-rays and found nothing wrong with him. He had a concussion but no brain damage, no swelling, no broken bones, no punctured organs, NOTHING. That was a blessing sent straight from heaven. The Head Pediatric Doctor said she would keep Tabor in the hospital 36 to 48 hours just to make sure nothing showed up.

It felt like dozens of doctors visited Tabor Monday morning. They had both occupational and speech therapists work with him as well. Everyone said he looked great. I thought it was a little over the top, but I would rather him have to much care then not enough. By early afternoon he was jumping on the bed and laughing at Robert's tricks. Our nurse brought the Head Pediatric Doctor in, when she saw him she said he looked like he was ready leave. She met with several of the doctors who had evaluated him and they decided to let him go home early.

His only complaint has been about where they tried three times to put the catheter in. Zero complaints about pain from the fall. He does not even have bruises to show for the fall. What an absolute miracle.

P.S. while I was at the hospital I missed breast-feeding 3 times (Kitt was with grandma). I unfortunately didn't have my pump with me... since then I have been low on milk. I start out breastfeeding and finish up with a bottle. I should have thought more about my milk supply, but my mind was on other things.

Around the House

Kitt is a social baby. If I am chopping vegetables she wants to be on the counter in her bumbo watching. If we are eating dinner she wants to be on my lap. If I am playing a game with the Pepper and Tabor, Kitt is happy to lay on the floor as long as she is right by us. She will sit in the exersaucer and laugh as the kids dance around her. She loves to be in on the action.

Pepper and Tabor have always played next to each other but not necessarily together, until lately. They have taken up playing house. They are the parents and put their kids to bed. At least Tabor is holding strong to his boyhood and using dinosaurs for kids.

Pepper is into things that shine and sparkle. She found some stickers and said she was decorating her hand so she looked like a princess.

The ladies in my ward threw a 4 way baby shower. It was for 2 boys and 2 girls. It was a battle of the sexes theme. It was so fun to get to know my neighbors/ward members better. This is Kitt ready to go and be adored.

Tabor makes me LOL every night as we brush his teeth. His toothbrush vibrates and as we brush he always giggles while repeating "that tickles me". Here he is on the bathroom counter.

My three babies. Growing up to fast.

Pepper no longer naps so she has taken up helping me in the kitchen. We make dinner, bread, granola or dehydrate fruit. It is so fun. Pepper is so cooperative when Tabor is not around (no competition for attention or something).

PEPPER

This little lady has a big personality. She has an opinion on everything. I was trying to find a dress pattern she would like and with each dress she would say something like "It might make me to hot, but it might work" or "it looks a little too short, but I kind of like it". And I asked her what she wanted from the Red Robin menu and she pointed at the chicken fingers and said "It looks kind of yucky, but I will try it".

She loves to dress up and wear as many accessories as possible. She does lots of pretend play with her dolls. She is the mommy and often makes Tabor be the daddy. When he is uncooperative she tells him he is not allowed to be the daddy anymore. He is usually happy with this punishment :) She is sassy, full of spunk and just down right hilarious. Happy 3 year old birthday Pep!

Taking pictures is fun...

for everyone besides mr. grumpy Tabor

Tabor is Two!

The very second Tabor walked out of his room Sunday morning he exclaimed "It's my birthday mommy". We went down for breakfast where he had a balloon tied to his seat and he said "I like balloons, they make me happy". I then gave him his breakfast which was made into a face shape and he said that made him happy too. Went to church, opened presents and then went to Grandpa and Grandma Salmons. He was super excited about his cake (as if you can't tell from the picture). He wanted his cake to look like a red ball. So Grandma Vicki made it for him. She added some other balls so we wouldn't look back and wonder why he had a red circle cake. This morning he came out of his room carrying balls, a bat & his garden tools. He has been dragging them around all day. He loves his presents. He is such a happy boy.

Reptile Zoo

For all of you who live in the Seattle area... take your kids to the Reptile Zoo in Monroe. They have nearly every kind of reptile under the sun. My personal favorite was the snapping turtle. He stays perfectly still while he leaves his mouth mouth wide open, the end of his tongue looks like a worm and when a fish comes to get the worm then SNAP! The albino alligator, giant boas and monitors were cool as well. The kids can touch the turtles and pick one of four snakes to hold. So fun... my kids loved it.