Miracles, Milestones, and Memories

Photos

2009-07-06T02:39:00.004-04:00

I've been doing some photo updating and I have the kids' portraits sorted finally, here they are! Also another update to come this week!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028286&id=1356099624&l=e30daf8908

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028289&id=1356099624&l=ac9748a70c

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028291&id=1356099624&l=9b9be51152

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028292&id=1356099624&l=d3a01912f6

June is almost over...

2009-06-27T20:59:00.009-04:00

...And hopefully with it some of the madness! Jeremy has had the fun of being on multiple bad weather trips this month and returning home a day later than expected, thus working several 12+ hour days and also losing 2 days so far of off time (which may not sound like a lot, but when he's only home for 12 days a month, 2 days really is a lot!) as well as missing his cousin's wedding and seeing his sisters. All the kids have also been taking turns with ear infections and sinus infections, so we've been doing multiple rounds of antibiotics twice a day for the last 6 weeks, which really can get old fast! The cat has also started going downhill, so we had to take her in to the vet and after a rather pricey round of blood and urine tests we found out she has kidney issues and a UTI and requires a special diet and antibiotics- but no explanation for the loss of bladder control and why she has stopped grooming herself. I had a killer 24 hour flu bug earlier in the month and still haven't quite got my energy level back yet or shaken the nausea, so hopefully that will go away soon. We finally got a meeting with the DDA (Developmental Disabilities Administration) and apparently they don't actually work much with kids, mostly adults. The upshot there is that they will not help out with paying for an assistant for care/therapy for Jonah, however when he is 21 he is already approved to have funding to be institutionalized if we request it (which of course will never happen). Go figure that one! They did offer to help with the copay for a wheelchair/feeding seat at least, if we can ever get insurance to cooperate, and we might qualify for a few hours of respite care.

But in good news...
We came home from Ohio and found out that our ward split and we are now in Salisbury 2nd ward. Unfortunately, the majority of families with small children are in the 1st ward, and our new Primary consists of 6 kids, plus the 3 in Nursery. We have the youngest kids in the ward now, and the majority of folks in the ward would be considered in the "very experienced in life" age range. But we all will just roll up our sleeves and get to work! Jeremy was called as the ward mission leader, a calling which he really enjoyed in Florida and seems to be enjoying again. I was put into the Primary Presidency as 2nd counselor, which is great because I get the fun of being in Primary but none of the headaches of being the responsible one as President! ;) Jonah has started Sunbeams, so since there isn't a Sunbeam class he starts out with me in opening exercises and music time, and then we go down to Nursery to play with Julian and have snack, so it seems to be working out well. The Primary has really made an effort to include him and it warms my heart that people are so caring.
Jonah has been in exceptionally good health the past few months with this month being the first time since Thanksgiving he needed antibiotics. He has been doing so much better with sleeping at night and putting himself to sleep. Also his trunk control with sitting up and also his awareness, eye contact, and following directions have been improving steadily. I am very pleased and not entirely sure if the credit belongs to the extra BTI treatments or the dental surgery or just time in general, but it's wonderful to see. He really seems to be enjoying being in Primary for music time, and then he goes into Nursery to be with his brothers for snack and a lesson.
Julian has been expanding his vocabulary by leaps and bounds and is quite the little chatterbox. He is also very animated when he talks and everything becomes an event of gigantic proportions. We have been potty training this past week and he does really well unless he is wearing a pullup which he seems to think it's ok to poop/pee in. In underwear he stays dry but has had one or two accidents. We're making progress though- it cracks me up when he's doing something and all of a sudden yells "oh! pee comin'!" and runs to sit on the potty. He loves to sing, and knows all 4 verses to "I am a Child of God", and sings along with our special songs at night. He seems to have lost all fear of going to Nursery and plays better there than he does at home! He loves to call Bompa and Grammy on the phone, and constantly watches the door for when Daddy comes home ("Daddy comin'? Daddy work!"). He is also quite the little helper with fetching diapers, wipes, baby food/spoons, etc, and can put his own dishes in the sink and his dirty laundry in the hamper. He runs to tell me when "baby wake" and has become very polite- he says "thank you mommy, thanks much" all the time as well as "scuse you daddy" to burps and also "bless you" to sneezes and "you k?" to coughs. He still loves Elmo, Blues Clues, and Baby Einstein, and now has a special fascination with Dora. He runs and jumps everywhere and is becoming quite the escape artist- we are going to have to get extra deadbolts for the front and garage doors to keep him from running into the street- and he is just as accident-prone as I was when I was small, leading me to wonder if we should get his vision checked sooner than planned! He eats like a horse, and loves pizza, pasta, salad, chicken, any fruits, and cheese. He is so very two- raining down wild tantrums one minute with "no" being the favorite word and stealing toys from the baby- then giving Jonah pats and hugs and saying "la mew"(I love you) the next. This age changes so much from day to day, it's just so amazing!
Caden is 8 months now and has starting a half-scoot/half-crawl to get around, and is pretty quick at it. He just started sitting up but is still a bit shaky, and is already working on pulling up and standing too! He is so much more serious than Julian, preferring to sit back quietly and watch the action and get to know a person before deciding if he's comfortable. But when he does decide to smile it's literally like a ray of sunshine lights up his whole body! He is not nearly as adventurous and outgoing as Julian, and seems to be much more sensitive, more like Jonah's temperament. He has been going through seperation anxiety lately and has been a little on the clingy side when we're in unfamiliar environments. He is so laid back and calm and content- and as long as he has a full belly he is happy as a clam to just "people watch" and chew on something. He has 3 teeth in now and working on the 4th. He has had some trouble with ear infections and the doc thinks he may be needing tubes, but for now we will keep an eye on things. He seems to have strong allergies like Jonah which may be affecting his ears as well. He has begun weaning, he is down to just a couple of nursings a day now, with the rest being expressed milk combined with organic formula in a sippy cup. He eats about 6 jars of baby food a day, stage 2 and 3, and is starting on some table foods as well. He loves bananas and applesauce the most. His favorite song is "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam"- it always make him smile! He is making some vowel and consonant sounds, and I think he might be getting close to talking, his "chattering" is definitely picking up lately.
We are looking forward to heading up to New York and Connecticut to see extended family in a couple of weeks, and then planning for the big family reunion in August! I will be trying to get more pictures posted and organized shortly!

happy may!

2009-05-03T23:58:00.026-04:00

The latest update-
Baby Caden just turned 6 months this week and his first tooth is about to break through any day now. He is very laidback and adores his brothers, he always reserves his biggest grins for Julian. He is very serious sometimes but when he smiles it just lights up his whole chubby face! He is rolling both directions all the time and scootching a little, and trying really hard to sit up. He is a little roly-poly at 20 lbs and has been in 12m clothes for a couple of months now. He has been eating baby food for a couple months and just loves bananas, he is eating about 2-3 of the 4oz jars a day plus nursing about 5 times a day, and sleeping 11-12 hours a night and 3 daytime naps. We moved him and Julian in together since they are both on the same sleeping schedule and it seems to be working out well.
Julian turned 2 about 3 months ago and it is amazing how much he changes and learns week by week. He is a solid 35 lbs and shortened up a bit on the growth chart but is still pretty tall next to most kids his age, he is in between and 3t and a 4t. Thankfully he gave up the binky on his own right before his birthday. We have been introducing the potty now and then and he has had a successful time once or twice but really isn't seeming all that interested just yet so we aren't pushing it very hard at the moment. He is so definitely 2 when it comes to tantrums and getting into trouble, and he makes me laugh one minute and want to cry the next! One of the latest escapades was getting into Mommy's lipstick! He is currently in the "parrot phase" and wow it really makes you aware of what you say and do when a little person copies it all! He likes to repeat the last couple words of any sentence you say back to you and then nod his head like a wise old sage, it's just super cute. Thankfully I don't think we have too many dastardly vices he's aware of yet! It kills me to see him walking next to daddy, almost running to keep up so he can be a big boy, it's too adorable. He is definitely a daddy's boy that's for sure! He loves his brothers and is trying to learn how to feed each of them, and he is a great helper with running to get diapers and wipes for everybody. His chores are making the baby smile, and also helping me push the wet laundry into the dryer and collecting the dirty clothes from his room and Jonah's room to go in the washer- he thinks that it's great stuff, hopefully that will last another ten years before he decides it's no fun anymore! He now knows how to open the fridge and pantry ("hungee mommy") and loves the icemaker/water dispenser so that makes for some "fun" times for me cleaning up the messes. He is going through an independent phase of "no hep" with just about everything and it's pretty funny sometimes. He is learning how to count, and sometimes I hear him with his carrots- "five, seven, eight, yay!". He is also figuring out colors and knows purple, blue, and sometimes yellow and green. His favorites are ice cream, balloons, balls, cars, planes, baths, Blues Clues, Dora, cats and dogs, lions and tigers, cheese, and music. He loves to dance and he is starting to sing along to his favorite songs now- we have about 5 or 6 we have to sing before naptime and bedtime without fail- I am a Child of God ("Igaga"), I Hope They Call Me on a Mission ("missin"), I Love to See the Temple ("bompel"), Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam ("beam"), and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star ("tinkle"). He is starting to say his own prayers now too, and of course the part he knows best is "amen"! He has been in his full-size big boy bed for a few months now and he sleeps pretty well in it, a 2-3 hour daily nap and about 11 hours at night. He has become so affectionate and really loves "gugs" and kisses.
Jonah is 3 1/2 already and looks like such a big boy- there is no toddler look left to him at all now, it kind of makes me sad sometimes how fast he is growing. He is about 29 lbs now and a few inches shorter than Julian and in a 3t. He has changed a lot in the last year as far as his alertness and awareness of what's going on, even his doctor noticed how much he has changed recently with being less "droopy", making eye contact, responding to and locating sounds, responding to light, and trying to reach out with his hands somewhat. He is getting stronger with sitting up as well, several times on recent flights I have been able to buckle him in to a regular seat so the baby can sleep in the carseat, and he has been sitting up really well. Just last week I have been surprised when I caught him grabbing the baby's hand and also turning his head and kissing the baby's cheek several times. He is also starting to listen to and respond to more complicated requests. The recent Brain Therapy treatments in Philadelphia really seem to be making some major improvements with both his awareness and his fascia strain. He loves his brothers and seems to enjoy when they are all "wrestling" with each other. Jonah also loves music and sometimes he moves his mouth along with it as if he was trying to sing, and it really calms him down when he's tense. He had major teeth surgery about a month ago to get the bad enamel fixed up and while it was fairly traumatic for us, he seemed to sail through it. He is now eating faster and more easily, and actually sleeping at night for several hour stretches, and no longer seems to be in pain when we brush his teeth, so it seems to have been a success. He is also in his own big boy bed now, a twin with side rails all around, and foam bumpers and a wedge incline to make sure he doesn't roll out and he stays elevated to help improve his breathing. He still has a lot of allergy issues but we have managed to not need antibiotics since Thanksgiving! We have figured out a routine to get right on it as soon as he gets a cold or his allergies get bad and it seems to be working, although I still suspect that he will need his adenoids removed in the near future.
Jeremy and I are still "same old, same old", nothing really new. We really enjoyed our recent Florida vacation- by working on his schedule strategically Jeremy was able to turn 5 days vacation time into 3 weeks, so when we went down for Jonah's surgery we stayed for another week and a half of fun in the sun, and then flew up to Ohio to visit some friends for a few days. Our ward just split a couple of weeks ago so we are waiting to find out if we are getting any new callings. We are gearing up for some traveling this summer- plans are for New York, Connecticut, DC, and Ohio at this point in time.

easter photos april 09 columbus, ohio

2009-05-01T01:48:00.000-04:00

little travelers Florida mar/apr 09

2009-04-18T23:52:00.009-04:00

We just got back from a 3 week jaunt to Florida and Ohio which was fun. Jonah has needed some major teeth surgery for a while and we finally got the chance to purchase dental insurance in January, so it was scheduled for March 31st. We were pretty worked up about it, since you never can tell how someone will react to anesthesia, but he was a little trooper and didn't fight them at all, and he also recovered very quickly! Jonah had all the nurses raving over him and the anesthesiologist was quite impressed by his amazing story. He had a bunch of stainless steel caps put on his molars, an extraction, quite a few strip crowns, and they filled in and sealed all the nastiness that was decaying so his teeth look quite nice now and don't seem to be bothering him anymore and he is even eating and sleeping better! I had felt strongly that his teeth were causing him pain even though the dentist didn't think it was possible, and judging by the results since the surgery I'd have to say it was a good decision and he seems much more comfortable now.
So since we were already in Florida, and Jeremy was already using up his vacation days, we decided to stay for another week and enjoy the sunshine. We got several nice beach days, and also got to visit some friends and family. Julian is such a beach baby- it was all we could do to tear him away from the sand and water when it was time to come in, he just absolutely loves it! All in all it was a great trip!

Julian's 2nd birthday party Feb. 21, 2009

2009-02-24T02:47:00.000-05:00

We did a "puppy party" theme for Julian's birthday. We had hot dogs and mac n cheese in "dog bowls", frosted paw and bone shaped cookies, played with balloons, and had a puppy cake I made. It was casual with just a few kids from nursery, and it was lots of fun!

Julian in pictures- 2008

2009-02-21T18:24:00.000-05:00

Julian with his binkies- apparently you can never have too many!
... throwing a tantrum...

Julian LOVES spaghetti!
...on the climbing mats.
Julian meeting Gramma Sally for the first time, Seattle, WA.

Being goofy!
Brushing teeth
At Golden Corral- Julian polished off two plates, then launched into Daddy's leftover steak!
Julian likes to listen to Baby Einstein music with the headphones in the van.
Helping clean up the van on a sunday after church.

"Loving" the cat.
Trying on hats at snacktime.
playing on the porch with a ball.
...excited to sit on our brand new potty seat!
going down the big boy slide by ourselves!
going on a walk with Great Gramma Williamson
loving our new baby

Hmmm.... mainly updates and such.

2009-02-18T15:57:00.010-05:00

After taking a glance at our family website, I realize we need to do something drastic. The last time the pictures were updated was when our now 2 year old was less than 1 year, ouch. I threw a few updates up in early 2008 but have been sadly neglectful ever since we got addicted to Facebook and how easy it is to post pictures there. So, I have decided to check out this blogspot site since it seems to be pretty quick and easy to post updates- we just don't have the time for an elaborate website anymore with 3 boys under 3 to take care of! I will be posting shorter updates more regular and lots of pictures!

So- the last 6 months in a nutshell...

We found out the baby was a boy- Caden Levi- I finally had him via c-section 2 weeks late on Halloween. He was breech and stubbornly refused to turn around and be born properly! At least he was healthy and strong- 9 lbs 6 oz and 22 inches, slightly smaller than Julian was. He is now 16 lbs and 24 inches and 3 months old! He is a very calm and patient baby who loves to smile and laugh and recently just started sucking his thumb. He rolled over from tummy to back a couple weeks ago, and enjoys doing "push-ups"; it looks like he will be doing some scooting soon. He has blessed us with sleeping about 8 hours through the night by 2 months, and the last couple of weeks has started going almost 12 hours!

Julian is turning 2 this weekend, and has entered the terrible twos with a vengeance! He runs around giving everyone hugs one minute and is throwing a tantum the next- hopefully this stage will pass soon! He is a big helper to Mommy with getting diapers and wipes. We are almost ready for potty training, he used the potty once but doesn't yet tell me when he has to go. He loves to sing, talk on the phone to Bompa, watch Blues Clues and Baby Einstein, and play with cars. He is in Nursery now and enjoys playing with other kids, especially girls. He knows his shapes, some colors, and the numbers 2 and 5- we will probably start doing preschool at home this fall. He also gave up the "ginky" a few weeks ago. He is very caring and runs to tell us that "baby cwy" or pats Jonah's belly and gives him a "gug" when he's upset. He adores his brothers, and we have to keep reminding him that we have to love baby gently!

Jonah is doing well, staying pretty healthy with just the occasional cold and the usual allergies, thankfully no more bouts with pneumonia. He turned 3 in September and shortly afterwards took his first steps with help, which was a huge deal! He is eating and drinking so much better this year, and his fascia tightness seems to be responding well to the BTI treatments at the Hope Center. He has been having some trouble with his teeth, due to a condition that softens the protective enamel, so we have a major overhaul with strip crowns, bridges and extractions coming- the surgery will be the end of March and we are praying all goes well. Normally with baby teeth it isn't that big of a deal, but he will probably be delayed with getting his permanant teeth as well so he will have these teeth a while. Hopefully his permanant teeth will come in with no problem. He started in the Sunbeams class in Primary, and really seems to love music time. He loves being around his brothers and several times has reached out to grasp the baby's hand when they are next to each other.

Mommy and Daddy are pretty much the same- definitely busier with running after 3 now! We made our first plane trips with all 3 kids, to VA for Christmas and FL last week, and it went pretty much okay. We are looking forward to having a longer stay in Florida next month, even though we will be there for Jonah's surgery we will still have some relaxation time in the warm weather! Jeremy has been at his company for 1 1/2 years now and hopefully will be unaffected by the upcoming furlough. We were fortunate he was able to take a couple months off with FMLA to help me out after the c-section. My grandmother and then my mother came for about 3 weeks each as well so that was great to have the extra help. I am just busy with the kids all the time, and am so far behind in my scrapbooking! We tried to do mostly handmade gifts for Christmas this year so I was able to get back into some sewing and remember how much I enjoy it, as well as learn how to make jewelry.

I have to keep reminding myself that the first 6 months is the hardest and then it gets easier as the baby gets more independant. It is overwhelming at times to have all 3 so needy right now but have to say though that I never could have imagined how content and happy I would feel when everyone is quietly cuddling on the bed together- that feeling is what makes it all worthwhile! And even though it's hard now with them all being little and close in age, I pray they will be better able to stay as close to each other as they get older. Someone asked me a few months ago why would you go through all this work as a parent, what was the point- I realized after thinking about it that being a parent is the closest we can come to truly knowing God on this earth. All the frustrations, exhaustion, hard work, and messes seem to melt away as I look at those three angel faces sound asleep, or I see a beautiful smile, or feel a little hand squeeze mine or a soft contented sigh on my neck while I'm holding someone, or I watch my husband holding all 3 boys at once and giving hugs out and making them laugh. It's an indescribable feeling that radiates through my entire soul and it constantly amazes me that the heart can possibly hold that much love and pure joy! I wouldn't trade my being "mommy" for anything in the world!

florida trip Feb 2009

2009-02-14T02:41:00.000-05:00

Florida Trip June 2008

2009-01-19T21:50:00.000-05:00

Seattle trip May 2008

2009-01-04T22:07:00.000-05:00

Daddy and Julian- Julian was shy at first meeting his cousins and aunts and gramma for the first time but he warmed up pretty quickly!

Gerald checking out the camera
Katie modeling her new shades
Julian and Gerald wrestling

Katie and Julian playing "cooking"

Aunt Jessica watching the kids playing together

Aunt Danielle and Jonah chillin' on the couch

Aunt Jessica reading to the boys
Aunt Danielle and Aunt Jessica with Jonah and Julian
Aunt Jessica with Jonah and Gerald

Gramma Sally with Jonah and Julian
Gramma Sally and Julian
Aunt Danielle with Jonah and Julian
Gramma Sally with Jonah

caden's birth october 31, 2008 easton, md

2009-01-04T01:55:00.000-05:00

me still very pregnant on my due date.

with Julian at 42 weeks waiting for a c-section for my breech baby

just after the c-section, introducing Jonah to his new brother

Mommy after nursing new baby Caden

Caden Levi; 9 lbs 6 oz, 22 ins

Caden day two

Mommy and Caden ready to leave the hospital on day 3

Daddy and all 3 of his boys at home