A Big Ol Update

It has been so long since I have updated this blog. It has felt like our lives have been so busy and so crazy that we can hardly keep up. So much has happened! We moved in mid-September to Provo. Some of you are aware that we were VERY VERY ill all summer (and basically since we moved to Payson). To make a long (and painful) story very short, we found that our home was LITERALLY making us sick. There were parasites coming from a bathroom leak and we were all constantly infected and there was a lot of black mold in the kitchen and the bathroom. Kate and I actually ended up in the hospital to be rehydrated and tested in September because we became so ill. It was so sad to see our tiny little one with an IV in her arm (which had to be left in for 24 hours at home to make sure they didn't need to put it in again). My mom actually came out to help us because we were so very ill that I couldn't take care of myself or the children. Hello Depends! LOL As soon as we discovered this was coming from our home, we found a new apartment and moved. We found a BEAUTIFUL townhouse in Provo that was a blessing sent from God! It was really a steal of a deal. It is about 1000 sq ft., 2 stories(typical townhome style) with the 2 large bedrooms and bathroom downstairs and the kitchen and living room upstairs. It has a dishwasher, central air conditioning and heating, washer and dryer clost area. It is in an apartment neighborhood (not the nicest area), but these are the nicest in the area. Also our apartment is in the rear of the building so it feels very private. Our front bay window faces the parking area/ a large open field, and the Y mountain in Provo. It feels very private and secluded. The neighbors here are MUCH quieter and better than before. Our old neighbors were frightening. Huge parties, yelling, screaming, police, alcohol, etc. all outside in our old 4 plex. So it is a million times better. Also, it is now 4 min from Christopher's work, 15 minutes from my work, and 20 minutes from Christopher's school. The rent is a little more than before, but because of the savings in fuel and utilities it actually turns out to be much cheaper. The old landlords also refunded our deposit and new renters were found to fulfill the last month of our lease so we were able to just pay for this place in October instead of both apartments. We have been truly blessed. I won't publish our new phone number and address online, but PLEASE contact us by cell phone or email me at valerieakellogg@gmail.com and I will give you our new information! When I get it looking more like home, I will take some pictures and post them.
At the end of September, Dallin turned 2! I can't believe we actually made it. Now, if he can only make it to 3. It is truly the best of times and the worst of times. He can be so darling and adorable, discovering new things, talking, and exploring or such a little snot with the terrible 2s yellling, screaming, biting, hitting. It is really a learning and growing experience for Christopher and I. About a week before his actual birthday (Sept 29) we celebrated Dallin's birthday with an Elmo party! Dallin LOVES Elmo. Tammy (Will's wife) and I made an Elmo cake and decorated it! It was my first time to do a Wilton cake (or decorate any cake for that matter). It turned out so cute and Dallin was so excited yelling "Elmo! Elmo!" whenever he saw it. Tammy and I also wrapped all of Dallin's gifts in Elmo paper--he was so excited! It was a really fun birthday for him because he was old enough for it to be really magical and fun for him--even if he doesn't totally grasp the concept of a birthday party. He DID know it was all about him and was totally stoked! Emma, Luke, and Jenna Higginson and their mother, Jenn, as well as his grandpa and grandma Kellogg and Uncle Will and Aunt Tammy came to his party. Grandma and Grandpa K even brought him some really rad Elmo balloons! He woke up from a nap (with some super nap hair) and all his guests were here. We ate pizza (Dallin's favorites)...Dallin was a little teary since he banged his head on the table...but he quickly recovered, ate, and opened gifts. Dallin emoted over every gift. In fact, it was taking him so long to open his gifts that we had the other kids help him open them and then show him what he got! LOL He received a horsey flashlight from the Higginsons that actually neighs, pop corn ("POP!!!" Dallin thinks this is the best thing EVER and lots of Elmo coloring books and sticker books from Grandma and Grandpa K (and a really cool play food set a month or so earlier that he LOVES!), Everyone Poops and The Gas We Pass books from Uncle Willie and Aunt Tammy (Thanks Uncle Willie! He won't stop saying "I gotta poop!" now), a nice winter coat from Uncle Michael, new shoes and socks, Book of Mormon stories, I am a Child of God book as well as Elmo in Grouchland DVD from Nana and Papa Sharp, and Play-Doh clown, Elmo bedding, and Very Grouchy LadyBug book from Mom and Dad. He also later received an art kit from Uncle Jose, Aunt Carrie and family. It took him forever to open all his gifts because he kept stopping to play with his gifts, get a snack, try on his new clothes, etc. He LOVED it all! Thanks to everyone for making his birthday so very special this year. After presents, we did cake and ice cream and then packed up the kids and headed out to Kangaroo Zoo to let the kids bounce all that sugar out. Even the adults who came paid to play and had a blast climbing, jumping, and sliding. It left us all breathless (literally and figuratively). Kate was a good sport through the entire party. She had a moment or 2 but really enjoyed herself as well. She spent her time charming her grandparents, and amazing us with her gymnastic flexibility. She could get her bum about a foot in the air with her arms and feet on the ground and at one point had her feet and bum curled up over her head so she looked like the letter "c". She even curled up with a good book or 2. It was a fantastic birthday! Dallin was adorable, sweet, and shared very nicely! Wow! We all had a good time. At his 2 year check up, Dallin weighed 31 pounds (85%) and was 3 ft tall (90%). He now wears size 3T one piece outfits/tops, 2T pants, and size 7 shoes! He is beautiful and that red hair and those brown eyes are really show stoppers!












































Kate Alivia has been getting her share of attention as of late. Christopher had told me she was shaking or shivering sometimes when she would fall asleep. He had seen this 3 times in the past 2 months. I thought nothing of that--kids jerk sometimes in their sleep or maybe she had a shiver. Then about 2 weeks ago, I was rocking her and she was almost in a deep sleep when I witnessed it myself. It was not just a small involuntary movement. It appeared to be a small seizure. It involved her entire body convulsing as if she was shivering. It lasted approximately 15 seconds. She was almost asleep at the time and was completely asleep when it was over, but it really scared me. Christopher and I talked about it and he said the shortest that he had seen was 5 sec and the longest was about 30 sec. They do not appear to be grand mal or to upset her or bother her. She is meeting all of her milestones and is alert, happy, and otherwise healthy. However, Christopher said that the one time he tried to disrupt one, he was unable to wake her. This concerned us greatly and we took her right in to her pediatrician. After speaking with us, he referred us over to the seizure unit at Primary Childrens Medical Center in Salt Lake City. We met with a pediatric neurological specialist there and he spoke with us and ordered some further tests, and EEG and an MRI. She went and completed her sleep deprived EEG this past Thursday. It was very difficult to keep her from taking a nap and staying awake until her test at 3pm. By 1pm, I was rubbing her, moving her body, jiggling her, and talking to her etc. desparately trying to keep her awake. I must have looked like a sight running a limp baby into Primary Childrens rubbing her back and telling her to "Wake up!". LOL I got her in there at 2 and they took her in early as I was already trying(and failing) to keep her awake. I finally took a wet paper towel and started undressing her and rubbing her down in the waiting room. They took her in and pasted little electrodes all over her tiny head (there were so many they practically covered all of it). Then they had to wrap her head in bandages and bundle the wires through the top so that she would leave them alone. Then they had her sleep for about a half hour (which she did happily). We still do not have results, but hope to be able to get them tomorrow. We are asking for prayers that the doctors will be able to find anything that they need to treat and treat it appropriately. Also, that it will not be anything serious (and hopefully nothing or something minor that she will grow out of). In the meantime, we are supposed to time them, try to see if it is possible to wake her/disrupt one, and keep blankets, etc out of her sleeping area in case she has a seizure in her sleep. On the way home, she kept crying (so so tired) and Dallin reached over, took her hand and told her "It's ok....it's ok baby" It completely melted my heart!


Christopher's parents were able to come out for the week and help us take care of the kids and provide a listening ear while we were going to and fro and trying to take care of appointment after appointment after appointment all week. (We also managed to go to the dentist for the first time in 8-9 years....wow! Christopher needs 2 wisdom teeth removed, a root canal/crown, and 5 fillings. I need 2 fillings for areas where I brushed my tooth away :( Also we both need deep cleanings...ouch both physically and financially). The kids had a blast with their grandparents and Dallin spent every spare moment either asking for grandma and grandpa or being with them. They could barely leave the room. LOL Kate too enjoyed all the extra attention. Smiles smiles everywhere. It was nice having them available.







And finally yesterday, our beautiful nephew Caleb Michael Kellogg was sealed to his mother and father and we were blessed to be able to attend his sealing at the Provo temple. It was beautiful (they were all in white and just the most beautiful FOREVER family!) and not a dry eye. The spirit was so strong and I am STILL feeling the Spirit so strong today that when I saw him I just wanted to squeeze the stuffing right out if him. It is so amazing how much deeper the family bond is after the sealing (even when you thought it was strong before).




Caleb celebrated his first birthday after at Golden Corral. He was so funny with his cake. He would barely touch it. He kept looking at his parents as if any moment they would tell him no. When he finally got some on his hands, he kept opening and closing his fingers just feeling it. When his mom finally put his hands in the cake, he got some in his hair and on his face and started to cry. LOL What a cutie. He loved opening his presents and especially enjoyed throwing his ball with his friends Gavin and Isabelle (the older kiddos) He would laugh and laugh and that big crooked smile and deep dimple were so adorable! We had a great time. The kids are so cute together, and Caleb is a doll! We are going to have Christmas together in Coalville this year and are really looking forward to having the kids together for the holidays.













PS Today's Dallinism...While they were passing the sacrament at church, Dallin took the bread very politely. Then when they started coming around with the water, he got very excited and gasped "Pop!!!" LOL That's our boy!
Also, he has started to say prayers at dinner and before bed. Mostly, he just jabbers quietly and says the word "food" no matter what you tell him to say...LOL I guess he feels that we bless the food a lot. However, I have heard him bless "Cake" (Kate) in his bedtime prayers...so sweet. He is even getting adament that she folds her arms for every prayer as well. What a little man :)

Kate's 3 Month Pictures

This is just a quick post. We got Kate's 3 mo pictures back today and they are sooo darling! Here they are. Sorry they are so grainy. I could not figure out the scanner today so these are pictures of the pictures....hopefully, I will update this post will actual scans soon. There is a baby photo contest going on and I am thinking of entering the kids. Let us know what picture you think we should use (and if you want any of these :)
Keep checking back for more updates....the kids are growing up so fast!

Kate the Great (and other updates)

My how the time has gotten away from me. It does tend to do that this time of year. A few new things have happened.
Kate is growing like a weed. All of the sudden she just seems so big and grown up. She has officially lost the newborn look . She went in for her 4 mo checkup last week. She is now 23.5 inches long (25%) and 12 pounds 2 oz (20%). She is just into her 3-6 mo clothes now. Her hair keeps coming in (red...just like her brother) and her eyes are staying a beautiful blue :) She can roll from front to back and back to front and will even tuck her little legs underneath her and scoot about the house. She is a girl on the go and she gets where she wants! She will talk and coo and loves to laugh and giggle. She is VERY ticklish under her arms and her neck. She has also recently discovered toys (wow are they ever great!) I have even caught her smiling and cooing at herself in the mirror. We should be getting her 3 mo pictures back this week...so watch for them on the blog. They are sooo cute! I can't wait to get them! Katie-Bug is so darling. We are sure enjoying her.
Dallin is almost 2 and boy are we ever feeling it! He is definitely trying to grow up...testing his boundaries and learning new things every single day. This picture of him was taken after he ate the tip off my black marker (his knee is STILL decorated!) He is talking more and more now. He asks LOTS of questions. His favorite right now is "Who's that?" At the grocery store, on tv, at church, on the phone...."who's that?" He will also repeat things....he copied my counting the other day "2...1....7" It was really funny. He is officially in his big boy bed now and Kate has moved into the crib. He really enjoys her company. He tries very hard to take good care of her. This week, he tried to feed her corn chex and a cheese stick. Yum! Mom spoiled all the fun though and took it away. Dallin saw his first fireworks this week and was impressed for all of 2 minutes....oh well. He was very excited about mom's birthday today. He wished me "happy" several times (birthday was too hard to say), signed my card, and helped blow out the candles. I am really looking forward to his birthday at the end of the month.
Christopher has gone back to school with 14 credit hours. Algebra, history, Japanese, and health this semester. Three of his classes are online which means he only has to be on campus MWF from 12-1. This makes his work scheduling and his time at home much better! Valerie and Christopher (and Dallin) were also diagnosed with a parasite! After 200.00 in medications, they are feeling much better. Apparently, this parasite is epidemic in Utah right now...so much so that they have closed all the public pools in Utah county. We had not been swimming this year, but an added benefit of this parasite is that after a person has it, they can pass it on, Yeah! Anyways, we are feeling much better (which is much appreciated after being so ill for a month!)
Hopefully our blog will stay updated now that we are feeling better! Be sure to check back!