nursing

I claim to be a healthy person.  Someone who eats whole foods.  So naturally I believe in breastfeeding.  But it seriously stresses me out.  I reach a point where I feel like my milk supply is not keeping up with my child's appetite.  My visiting teacher is a lactation specialist and has helped me along.  I was drinking mothers tea, eating oatmeal for breakfast and trying to pump when I could (hard to find the time between my 3 kids).  Kitt was still fussy so I started supplementing with a bottle, which of course lowers your milk supply even more.  So I will just spit it out.... I quit nursing almost a week ago.  I am kind of disappointed in myself.  But hey, no matter what she is eating she is still beautiful!

from one generation to the next

When I was younger (quite a bit younger :) I would ride my bike up and down our street over and over and over.  For some reason I never got tired of it.  My kids are the same.  Rain or shine they make sure we get our bike time in each day, even if it is just in our garage. 

this and that

We have been abnormally busy lately.  I have had a visiting teaching lunch-in, 2 cub scout meetings and the missionaries to dinner all over at my house in the past week.  I have also attended a relief society service auction, taught cub scouts, went to both grandmas for mothers day, went swimming at the great grandparents, planted seeds in 2 garden boxes, on top of the regular errands.  I have also started jogging 5K 3 times a week.   It has been nice change up to have more structure to our schedule.  Although I have a feeling I am going to miss the flexible schedule in a few years when I am overwhelmed with so many things to do.

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).