The Packing

The packing started with sorting through things and paper with the hope of decluttering and getting rid of things we don't really need. I went through our filing cabinet and shredded like there was no tomorrow. Much to my dismay, the kids found the bag of paper shreds. Naive me...I was making dinner and heard the kids laughing, jumping on the bed, yelling "candy bar!" over and over. I thought, " how nice, they are getting along and having fun." Then I walked into this.
Paper shreds EVERYWHERE! As I attempted to clean it up my little party kids spread it throughout the house.

It reminded me of those little red fluoride pills dentists will give kids. Does anyone remember those? You are supposed to chew them until gone, and they turn all your teeth pink. Then you brush your teeth until they are white again.

Well, those paper shreds were the pink coating on my house. The next step was to vacuum, shake out sheets and cushions, and vacuum some more until every last shred was off the floor. eventually all the "pink" came off. However, I must have forgotten to floss, because when we moved all our things out we found little shreds of paper in almost every room. Oh what fun it was visiting memory lane.

6 Stages of Tired

As I was packing and sorting through things I came across this article in an old American Baby Magazine. I thought it was funny, particularly because I have just re-entered this cycle. I couldn't find a link to it online, so I guess I will type it.

"We Know How You Feel... 6 Stages of Tired" by Jen Singer

1. Bliss. You've been running on adrenaline from the moment you brought the baby home from the hospital. Though you haven't slept through the night since at least Tuesday, you don't care because you're all hopped up on hope, pride, and that sweet baby smell. Motherhood is an adventure, and the all-nighters must be followed by years of restful nights...right?

2. Disillusionment. You're starting to wonder if all this sleep-deprivation nonsense is really necessary. You've got the overnight TV schedule memorized, and the only way you know the difference between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. is by checking whether it is light outside. And yet your husband woke up today all smiley and refreshed. You start to imagine doing evil things involving diapers and his briefcase.

3. Despair-After weeks of interrupted sleep, you're getting a little forgetful. That's why you've just brought home a seventh bottle of oregano from the supermarket. It's also why you fear you're about to lose your edge. Judging by the sweatshirt you've got on backward, though, that boat sailed some time ago.

4. Delirium. Now you're so tired you've got a word stuck in your head: "lollapalooza." [or in my case a Thomas and Friends song] You heard it on TV, or was it at the pediatrician's office? No, it's everywhere you go. Hey, the nurse just called you last name: "Lollapalooza." And-gasp!-so did the baby, who had faked you out by sleeping through the night on Monday-and only Monday. But now you're back to the usual nighttime, uh, what's that word? Oh yeah, lollapalooza.

5. Relief. You wake, startled by the sunlight coming through the window. You rush into the nursery to find the baby sound asleep. Then you take a deep breath. And suddenly, you feel like you're going to by okay.

6. Bliss-You've had several full nights of sleep now, and frankly, life seems sweeter. You've got a spring in your step, a smile on your face, and something crusty on your shirt...but at least now you're rested enough to care about removing it before you head out of the house. You are mother, hear you roar! Well, maybe later. The baby is sleeping now. Shhhh!

To my wonderful expecting sisters and friends...I am excited for you to join me in the sleepless nights club. Especially because that means you get to take off the big bellies and enjoy your new little ones.

He's Here

Chad Henry was born just after midnight on Monday morning - not bad since Mom and Dad didn't arrive at the hospital until 11:30pm. To say the least it's been a very exciting last few days. He is the new heavyweight record-holder on BOTH sides of his extended family at 9lbs 4oz and 21 1/2 inches long! Interestingly enough though, he's really not as chubby as his weight might suggest. He has the skinniest legs and arms. He just seems to have the appearance of a two or three-week-old. For all we know he was overdue!

Mom and baby just came home earlier today and both are doing great - now. Chad was born with a pneumothorax, which is a hole in the lung and causes air to leak into the chest cavity. He had to have his little chest punctured with a needle to remove the air, after which he healed on his own. Apparently the condition isn't entirely uncommon in newborns. He had to stay in the hospital a couple of extra days for observation. We're glad to have him and Mommy home now. Daddy is especially glad to have Mommy home - this single parent thing is tough!

-Christian

Seconds after birth...

Cleaned up...

Derek and Audrey enjoyed their visits to see Elizabeth at the hospital...

Especially so they could watch the TV on the wall from the comforts of her nice recliner bed...

And play with the curtain in her room...

First day home with his proud Papa...

He is the sweetest kid...

Super September

September has always been one of my favorite months. I love the beginning of school, the feeling of fall approaching, and of course birthdays. I already blogged about how excited we are for joy school to start...secretly I think I was the most excited as I finally got to buy school supplies again (I don't know why, but I LOVE buying school supplies). At the end of our first week of school came the long anticipated "Pooh Bear Party."

Audrey chose to have a Pooh Bear theme for her birthday about FIVE months ago, and has been looking forward to it ever since--good memory for a three-year-old eh. Anyway, it was cute, she had a lot of fun with her little friends, and loved playing with all of her awesome birthday gifts!


Our lunch at the hundred acre woods



The proudest little three-year-old ever

Our gift to Audrey was a "big girl bed." She has wanted one for some time, and with the baby almost here, we needed another bed for her. So I searched all the ads for a cheap, cute bed frame. I found this one, which I refinished (with the help of my friend Maren!) in a beautiful princess-looking white. I love the way it turned out and Audrey is thrilled to sleep in a very comfy big girl bed.


Next came my super cool birthday party!
This year we had to make a big deal about my birthday, as it was the last single digit trinumeral day until 3001--9/9/9. Pretty sweet eh. So Christian started by getting very creative with invitations, researching all the weird numerical facts about nines and the fact that 9 + 9+ 9 = 27 (which happened to be how old I turned).
For the party, Christian mowed a 9 hole mini golf course into our back lawn, shaped dozens of cookies into the shapes of 9's, decorated with 9's, and even made everyone sing the most amazing 9-round version of happy birthday for me!
It was an awesome birthday! I had so much fun, and felt so loved with all of my wonderful family and friends who came to celebrate with me.




As if starting Joy School and having two big parties weren't enough...Super September continues!

Once the parties were done, we were able to refocus our efforts on our forever long house hunt. We looked through so many homes, and eventually found not one, but two homes we really like. We felt very fortunate (and tortured at the same time) to have the dilemma of deciding between two great, but VERY different homes, as offers on both homes were accepted. So after much debate we finally did it! We made a decision! Hooray! Barring anything terrible happening in the finalization process, we should be the proud owners of our first home...here in Bountiful.

Since I love September so so much, I have to pack one more thing into this super month. Amidst the inspections, packing, and teaching my week of Joy School...I am going to have a baby. Unless he comes in the next few days, I will be induced next week! We are all so excited to meet him. I am so excited not to be pregnant anymore. And we are all looking forward to the new changes in our lives.

So in short, this Super September has been wonderful, exciting, busy, exhausting, special, and well, SUPER!

JOY

Joy School has brought us just that, JOY. Derek and Audrey went to their first week of Joy School last week. They love it to say the least. They are even willing to do their chores when I ask so they are not late for Joy School. I am loving it. It is nice to have scheduled stimulation time for my two little kiddos. So, hooray for Joy School!

The Bump

The bump is getting huge! This picture was taken last weekend when we went camping with friends in Ogden. I honestly can't believe that I still have a month to go...this time around it feels like I should be done already! So, we are ready when you are little one!

Family Reunion & Quidditch

Once again, my post is a little delayed--as our family reunion was a few weeks ago, but here it is anyway.

I just have to say that it was great to be with every one (even if we were all sick). We miss all of you, and wish we all lived closer so we could hang out all the time.
My children especially miss their cousins.

boys playing trains up the stair case

random picture of super cute Hayden

Best girlfriends!

A great pitch and hit...from two of a kind

Lastly, here are some pictures of our annual Quidditch match [game from Harry Potter for those few people who haven't read the books], which is truly awesome and great fun.


Complete with Harry Potter face painting


Great sportsmanship Uncle Matt

Tori's action shot

The spectators

Family reunions are great!