Kate Turns 1...A Farewell to Babyhood

Our darling girl has indeed turned 1--April 26. I can't believe that it has been a year already! It has really flown. I remember not being sure of what I had gotten myself into when I was pregnant with her, and now I can not imagine living without her.
She was such a wonderfully easy and adoring baby. I ate up all of the cooing and cuddling. She has been such a petite little thing it has been like having a baby for much longer as well. She has made it seem easy to love her and really gives you an ego boost on being a mom since she is so easy to console and has been so laid back.

I would love to post some pictures of her first birthday party, but it looks like they may have been accidentally deleted. If any of you have some pictures, we would REALLY appreciate them! She had a princess party at Hogi Yogi corporate on her real birthday! It was the first actual big party I have thrown for any of my kids and I think it went pretty well. We were so very lucky that so many friends and family could attend. It really meant a lot to us for so many to show up and support our daughter. We were especially blessed to have my ENTIRE family present. My mom, dad, and Michael were in town from Texas for Will's college graduation(YAY WILL!). It was the first time they have been able to attend one of my children's birthdays and it made me very very happy to have them there. We had several little guests so we had a craft table with foam crowns and wands they could make as well as necklaces. Or they could color in coloring books. Kate was very good during the whole thing and enjoyed all of the action and attention. She especially enjoyed the balloons! She kept yelling "Balloon Balloon!" and pointing at them. She loved her cake (cried when we moved it away from her to slice it after blowing out the candle) and dug right in (at the entire slice! and even licked frosting off the floor later during cleanup...ewww) She was showered with beautiful gifts and was extremely spoiled! Thanks everyone! Dallin cried during gift opening (all those presents and none for him...sad LOL) All in all it was a fun day.

It is with celebration and a bit of sadness that I bid farewell to the first year and to baby hood. My little pixie has crossed over and has lost the little baby look. She is looking more like a toddler every day. As the picture up top shows, I even did her hair this week (and tried it again for 1st birthday pictures today at JCPenney). Hats off to Annie and other moms who have great dos on their kids. I almost couldn't get the rubber bands in without yanking her hair out just to give her antennae. I thought it turned out cute though, and it makes her look so grown up. She has started babbling more and talks with her hands to make a point. She is getting braver every day and takes short bursts of steps quite frequently. New words are appearing almost daily("dance", "I did it")....and my easy going laid back girl has started showing a little streak of independence and feistiness. We have had several tantrums (kicking, screaming, hitting, throwing things as she starts to test her wings...oh yes, the joys of toddlerhood.) She is growing up so very quickly. Here's to a beautiful first year, and to surviving (and loving) the toddler years!
We love you Kate Alivia--our little princess!

Fluke Virus or Post Party Hangover?

Is that really water in that bottle? Had anyone popped their heads in yesterday they may have wondered. Our poor little princess was so sick and lethargic. She sat comatose for most of the day in nothing but a diaper...whimpers and wails escaping periodically.

A trip to the doctor confirmed it was a quick onset somewhat violent virus they have been seeing lately. She was completely fine Monday, but by Tuesday morning she couldn't even keep water down. She projectile vomited all over the waiting room at the doctor, down my shirt,and in my mouth (NOT a moment I treasure...LOL) God bless the sweet lady behind me in line at the dr who grabbed paper towels and cleaned up my baby's puke as I wiped off my face and dabbed at my shirt.
Katie Bug is doing much better today. She only threw up once this morning, but has acquired some mean runs. She has managed to eat a little today and her fever seems to be gone (a big yippee after burning up all night last night on the air mattress with mommy in the living room). We expect a completely normal Kate by the weekend. Don't these pictures just break your heart!? It was so pathetically sad I couldn't resist. Poor thing! She's getting lots of TLC!

Moments I Treasure

I have many events to write about from the weekend...it was craziness incarnate, but tonight I am feeling reflective and wanted to write about some of the little things my kids do before I forget them. I read a quote the other day that really rung true to me
"Enjoy the little moments. One day you will look back and realize that they were the big moments." In that spirit, I share the following:
1. Today Dallin kissed my boo-boo and looked at me so hopeful that I had to fib a little and tell him that my newly sprained wrist felt much better.
2. Kate is trying to walk but her right foot keeps turning in so it looks like it is attacking her left foot as she tries to walk around...LOL(I DO plan on asking the doctor about this next week, but right now since I am in a state of blissful ignorance and can't do anything about it....it looks pretty funny)
3. Dallin grabbed the portable DVD player and wanted to go sit on the potty so he could watch a movie (this one is way funnier in person)
4. Kate fell asleep in my arms today and I held her tiny body and stroked her hair and kissed her face. She looked like an angel.
5. Dallin stole Kate's phone she got for her birthday and carried it around in "his purse" (every mother's dream). Later he keeps telling us he can't find baby's phone. Later still Papa (in SLC on business) calls....it was in his briefcase and all of his business associates were quite amused when he pulled out his purple Disney Princess phone in the fuzzy bejeweled carrying case. LOL Thanks Scott and Annie :) and especially thanks to Dallin! I have laughed all day over that.
6. Dallin keeps insisting that his shirt is a "dress" "Stop touching my dwess!' "I want to wocket dwess" "Baby pulled my dwess" "My dwess is a mess". I correct him every time (again...every mother's dream...LOL)
7. Papa was over last night and Dallin comes upstairs from his bath in a towel. Papa asks him "Are you squeaky clean?" Dallin whips off the towel, throws his arms out, and in all his nudie glory yells "TA DA!" Oh Dallin, my love, someday you will be so embarrassed.
8. Kate (the ever constipated) pushed for a half hour and got nothing tonight. I got her undressed for her bath and tried to help her...still nothing. As soon as I turned my attention to Dallin...she laid what looked like a big ol' poo egg on my carpet! YOWZA! Seriously, that thing was WAY too big and round to come out of someone so small. I don't know whether I was more disgusted or amazed.
9. Kate talks to everyone...intently. She goes on and on and on in this serious tone. Oh...and she talks with her arms, waving them about for emphasis. LOL, what a girl!
10. Dallin hugged me tight at bedtime tonight and asked for "one more kiss mom" after I had already given him 2. Then I tucked in Mickey on one side and Minnie on the other and wished him a good night. Someday all too soon, I will miss this terribly.
11. Mickey and Minnie have begun joining us for snacks and meals. One day Dallin just sat them each up in a chair at the table because they were "hungry" and wanted "cheese sandwiches". So I made teeny tiny bite sized cheese sandwiches (one for Minnie, one for Mickey one for Dallin one for Kate and extras in the middle) Sometimes they also have a veggie stick or something. Nevermind that Dallin would never eat these items before. Now, he eats them like they are going out of style. Is it the tiny portions? Is it that is what Minnie and Mickey "like" so it must be good? Who knows, but it is adorable watching him tend to their every need.
12. Kate took a trip to the park today. Touched the dirt with her feet (through her sandals) and started to cry. Oh so girly. Grass was questionable.
There are more I am sure I am forgetting...too many beautiful little moments to even remember. How blessed I am every day to have little glimpses of heaven.

Mommy's Helpers

Dallin has been such a big helper lately. He is always wanting to help so he can get a sticker for his truck reward chart. The other day he came in all excited because the dishes were done and he asked me to help him put them away so he could get a sticker. LOL What a sweetie. Yesterday, I went grocery shopping for the week and after getting the cold stuff put in the fridge carelessly left the rest in the bags in the kitchen to get some rest while the kids were asleep. After naptime, the kids disappeared into the kitchen. I could hear some rustling and decided I better go see what they were doing. What a sweetheart! Dallin helped Mommy and put all the groceries away....

in the dishwasher.
LOL All of the bags were empty on the floor and Dallin (and to a lesser degree Kate) had put everything away for Mommy. They were really proud of being such big helpers. I thanked them and then had them help Mommy put the food in the cubboard, etc. so we could use our dishwasher. It kept a smile on my face all day!

The Longest Shortcut EVER!

Have you ever had one of those days where so many little things kept going wrong that by the end of the day you are just laughing your head off because it is so dang funny? That was my day today.
Sorry this is so long(Tammy I know you won't read this so I talk bad about you later....LOL...or maybe not...mwa ha ha you won't know unless you read it ALL!!)
It began last night when I allowed Dallin to play with the car keys (BIG MISTAKE!) Bed time rolled around and I could not find the keys. I began searching. By 10pm I had not found the keys so I went to bed and Christopher continued the search. By 3:30am he had not found the keys so he woke me up and went to bed himself. I began searching again for the keys. Somehow bleary eyed and at the end of my rope, I saw our keys stuck behind Dallin's booster seat and wrapped around the spindle of the chair. OF COURSE! So it was about 4am and I decided I might as well go in to work.
Work went well except for how tired I was except that today was my last chance to take the general manager promotion at work...and I passed. It is bittersweet. I LOVE my children and I am a mom first. It is a decision I made before I ever had them, but there are days when it seems thankless and when others keep getting promoted while you stay behind it can be hard to remember that not only did you do the right thing but your rewards are far greater than some extra money and recognition from people over the age of 5. Still, it stung a bit when Mike (though completely innocently) joked about how Dallin was so excited about my work and why couldn't I be that excited about work. Well, here are my reasons:
They will always come first. I would also like to take this opportunity to say to all my mommy friends out there (my mom, Annie, Kimberly, Laurie, etc) GOOD JOB! This is a hard hard job and you all are so inspiring to me. Even when it doesn't seem like it: others DO see how hard you work, your children ARE reflecting the time and effort you put into them and the fact that you are educated and capable of sustaining any career but CHOSE the hardest of them all is commendable! WAY TO GO LADIES! YOU ROCK!
I had to drag the kids all over during their appointed nap time waiting for Christopher to finish class because I needed the car to go on some errands today for church. So we looked at the pets at Petco. Kate liked the little red dog. She pointed at it "ooh ooh". It saw her, got excited, and pooped the floor. I think the owner was ticked. Ummm...sorry? Dallin wants a gerbil (or a "cat") "Look Mommy they wunning!" I got the kids back in the car to head to Ross and "look at toys" Oops got to Ross, stubbed my toe in the parking lot (wearing flops). Now bleeding all over, realized I don't have my diaper bag anymore. Load screaming children back into car "No! Mommy I want look at toys!" Drive back to Petco and retrieve diaper bag. Kids STILL screaming. (Plus Kate falls asleep every time I start the car and starts sobbing when I wake her up to get her out). Get to Ross. The Ross carts are super tiny carts so Dallin has to walk with mom (yeah right). The whole time in the store, he is running around putting toys in my basket (and in a suitcase with wheels that he rolls around behind him) I am following him about "Dallin come back Dallin stay with Mommy! Dallin, do you need to ride in the cart" After some time in the store, I have to go potty. Great. Now I have to balance one child on my lap while keeping the other from touching nasty public bathroom toilets and crawling under the stalls. Oh...did I mention he is a PEEPER ! He is totally peeping into other stalls! "Dallin, stop that stay by mommy" I am holding Kate with one arm and desparately trying to get my pants off with the other. I wonder how bad it would be if I just peed my pants. Would people just assumer it was one of the kids? The thought is provoking, but I achieve success, and take care of business. After some time in the store, Dallin is crying and wants to go home. ME TOO! LOL He ends up in the cart so I can keep an eye on him. I check out and head to the door. Oh crap! Those stupid Ross carts have big poles on them so I can't take it out of the store to unload my kids. I have to unload them in the store (put on Dallin's shoes for the 50th time) and try to keep them corraled to get into the car.
Oh...lest I forget my kids are FILTHY MCNASTY! I should no better. They are redheads (and very attractive children I must say) and I have yet to leave the house since I have had children without being stopped at least once wherever I go with people commenting on my "beautiful children" or at least their hair. So I try to make sure they look like catalog kids when they leave the house (and not to pick my nose) because people are ALWAYS looking at us. It used to creep me out, but now it is just part of life. So, of course, we go a million places today and my kids are dirtier than ever. They missed their bath the night before because we had company (and it was sorely needed). They had something all over their faces. Kate had crusty crap in her hair (that Dallin started pulling out and EATING in one of the stores...no this is NOT a JOKE!) I finally had to tell him to stop because he was pulling her hair (and it was gross). Also they had stains all over their clothes from meals on the run all day. Dallin insisted on wearing his Thomas water shoes with his Thomas overalls instead of his nice sandals so he looked like an orphan whose parents can't afford a pair of shoes. Kate lost her shoes halfway through the day thus proving the whole "can't afford a pair of shoes argument". They had dirty "mom never cleans me" faces and Dallin had fallen so many times (and crawled around on the ground) that his knees were all black and gross. Great! I usually look kind of frumpy but today we really looked like a family who had never seen a bathroom. So of course, I think at least 15 people stopped us today. Sigh...no, really, I keep my kids clean!
I bribed Dallin with going to Hogi Hogi to get him to stop screaming and leave Ross. We ate lunch (well, I ate...Dalin picked at his food and ran around the restaurant while I told him to sit down...we are working on not using a high chair anymore...this sucks.LOL) Kate put more food in her hair, on her face, and all over her hands. I tried cleaning them with wipes, but it was futile. Dallin wanted to go on a "ride". So we rode the elevator to the second floor where he ran all over corporate offices. You're welcome! LOL I followed saying "Shh shhh!" Marissa talked to the kids for a bit and showed Dallin another cool ride "spinning on the office chair" Way cool! Scott came around and talked to Dallin a bit (after scaring him...my manly kid screamed like a girl..LOL) Then I realized I had to go to the bathroom again. GREAT. I opted to use the corporate bathrooms because at least they are upstairs and somewhat more confined and cleaner. I was headed that way whispering to Dallin so he wouldn't start yelling "Mommy poop! Mommy pee!" on our march to the bathroom. Before we reached our destination, Scott intercepted Dallin and took him to his office so I could use the bathroom in peace. Yeah! It was nice to just juggle one and not have an audience and running commentary ("Mommy pee. Mommy wipe. Mommy flush. Wash wash wash your hands Wash them every day" LOL) I went to Scott's office and didn't see Dallin. I paniced and assumed he was MIA, but Scott said "no, he's right there" He was sitting in a big office chair in front of a computer watching Thomas. My surprise at him still being in the same room and SITTING still in a chair must have showed because Scott said he was "really well behaved" After my day so far, I don't even care if it was a lie or if he was just being nice. Scott you are the best! Thank you so so so so much! You have no idea how much I needed some private potty time and a few kind words today! It really meant a lot. So Dallin watched Thomas a bit and Kate crawled all over Scott's office (Dallin wandered a bit...even though he was "working") He really enjoyed talking to Scott (who speaks toddler pretty well and actually acted interested in what he was saying) Even Kate crawled over and let Scott pick her up (which was a mighty brave move considering how crusty she was...sorry Annie...it wasn't sick crust though :) So thanks again to Scott for being so nice to us today and letting us crash your office for a few minutes while we waited for dad. It was really nice of you!
I got home and tried to put the kids down for a late nap...it was a no go.
Then the Costco trip...I was going to go to Costco today to pick up some things for the RS activity tomorrow. I am overcoming my strong desire to be a bah humbug and try to participate. So far...I am not finding it very enjoyable. Could it be because they don't really want my input? Or maybe it is the fact that I had to figure out how to get the car from my husband so that I could have the kids miss their naps and spend my money (although it is reimbursed) to buy RS items while the well-intentioned sister in charge accompanied me (even though she had me check out all the prices, etc a few days earlier)? I was kind of expecting her to just tell me what to get so I could avoid the hassle. But no, I think the best reason it was unenjoyable today was that I had to listen to her go on and on and on about what a challenge Dallin was and comparing him to the kids she watches. "He didn't take a nap!? Gasp! He is really testing you! He sure is a handful. Oh you will DEFINITELY need my help to do this" I really think I moved up a whole kingdom in the eternal perspective just because I didn't punch her or yell at her on 5 hours of sleep with 2 cranky children. (a side note: Dallin was pretty cute actually and kept calling her his "fwend" He actually cried when she left and said "No, fwend don't go!" He probably enjoyed the half peppermint stick she pulled out of the bottom of her purse that she explained was "probably from Christmas but was still clean" LOL I am NOT JOKING! (insert laugh track here) It just becomes funny!
So we put the lettuce in the house so it won't wilt (she only told me 25 times....I mean I worked food for a long while, but I have no idea what to do with lettuce...LOL) and went to visit Christopher at work. Dallin started putting chips, cookies, and everything else we DON'T buy in my cart as fast as he could. LOL Can't blame a kid for trying. So, I put him in the cart. (BTW-Annie they are having their Clorox wipes on the caselot for 1.50 each.) We had dinner with dad and Dallin, of course, would not stay seated. On our way home (it is about 2 minutes from our house) we cross a railroad track. Today there was a train on it. It was long. It was NOT moving. Both kids were crying. I was friend. I thought...hmmm...I bet I can figure out a shortcut around this train and get home since it is still light out. Anyone who knows me knows that I must have been deliriously tired because I have no sense of direction AT ALL so this was just foolishness. But away I go confident in my nonexistent abilities. I drove and drove and drove. I called my mom. I chatted. I had NO IDEA where I was. I don't even think I have ever seen that part of Provo before (maybe it wasn't Provo...who knows?) I laughed at my inabilites. I laughed about my day. My mom could sympathize (I got this deficiency from her). I passed a house I HAVE to get a picture of and send to Jay Leno (if only I can get back there) It was next door to what must have been a Habitat House. It was a little bitty white shack of a house on a big lot and it looked like it was going to fall down. All the paint was peeling off and it needed a new roof. But the Habitat people put the billboard for the house next door too close to the property line so in front of the nasty shack was a big sign that read "This project funded by Habitat for Humanity!" HA HA HA! I laughed and laughed. And then I passed my street! Hey! 5 blocks later I turned around and was on my way home! YEAH. 40 minutes later I made it around the train and back home. It was the longest shorcut ever...maybe I should have waited for the train to move, but I would have missed the Habitat House!
Kids home, crying, bathed, and in bed. Here is to a better tomorrow (but may I still find lots of things to laugh about!)

A Close Shave

Here it is...a testament to my truly amazing mothering skills.
Before you are horrified and calling the authorities, let me assure you this actually looks MUCH worse than it is. In actuality, it is 2 very small cuts/nicks on his upper lip, one on his lower lip and one on his finger. And yes, I did check to make sure he was ok BEFORE I snapped this picture.
Now the story behind the gore. I was upstairs being lazy and watching Kate crawl about. I realized I hadn't heard Dallin in a while and quiet=trouble so I called for him. When he didn't respond right I away, I started to saunter down the stairs. When he heard this he came bolting up the stairs and I soon came face to face with my son covered in blood. "I beeding, Mommy." At first I was freaked out wondering what he had done and how bad it was. After I dabbed off the blood with a wet rag to see the real damage, I realized it was several small nicks on his face and one on his thumb. By the type of cuts and the evidence left on the bathroom counter it didn't take long to realize that Dallin had indeed given himself his first shave. So, I grabbed a camera and took a picture. Ahhh yes, that shave made a face that WAS smoother than a baby's behind into a slightly swollen and reddish one. Hmmmm...I was very glad that is wasn't worse and have vowed to keep a much closer watch. We were going to do pictures this week...but maybe we'll wait. LOL
OTHER CUTE STUFF:
Dallin points out every Hogi Yogi we pass and says "There's Mommy's wok Hogi Hogi" It is so cute! He also does front rolls all over the living room and has started singing the song I sing to him whenever he washes his hands. (To the tune of Row Row Row Your Boat) "Wash Wash Wash your hands. Wash them every day. Rub your hands together and germs go down the drain" His version goes like this "Wash wash wash hands wash wash day rub hands hands wash hands" He is so proud of himself. We have also started using a little reward chart that is a truck he can put stickers in for good behavior and earn a prize or some TV time. He gets really excited and is always asking to "fill my twuck" He is absolutely adorable.
Katie Bug took her first step today! She stood up, balanced, took one step, and sat down on her butt. I was so excited I called Christopher then my mom and then my mother in law to tell them all. Kate ate up all the attention and looked like the cat that ate the canary. Then she did the exact same thing about 4 more times looking more and more pleased with herself. I think by her first birthday she will be a walkin fool. I am so happy that she FINALLY took the chance and did it, but it was a little sad for me too. She has been such a fun baby and it was like her last step out of babyhood and first one into toddler hood. Here we go! She is starting to talk a lot more too. She can say "Mama", "Dada", "Elmo", "Ball", "Bubble", "Baby" and the ever popular "Mine" (I guess this is necessary with an older brother) She repeats everything so I really have to watch what I say. We are really looking forward to her first birthday. What a sweetie!

Diabetes

For those of you who aren't aware, the reason for the big gap in the posts is that we have had a lot going on here with Christopher's health. For some time he had been super dry and always drinking water/going to the bathroom. He had also dropped quite a bit of weight very quickly. I don't know if it is as obvious in these pictures (they were taken about 3 months apart) but he dropped about 30 pounds in 2 months. We went in and had his bloodwork done and he has diabetes and his thyroid is not working.
We found this out about 2 days before his 27th birthday (happy sucky birthday to you..LOL). The doctor wanted to see us right away. His numbers came back as bloodsugar 330 and his AC1 was about 14. This means we were lucky he wasn't hospitalized as his average bloodsugar over the past 3 months was around 400-450(normal is 80-100). At 600, you can slip into a coma or have a stroke. The doctor has put Christopher on 3 medications right now. Synthyroid for his thyroid, a medication to lower blood pressure and thus protect his kidneys from being damaged by such high bloodsugar, and a medication to bring down his bloodsugar. Right now, he is on the lowest possible dose of all three. However, dosages will be adjusted as needed over the following months as we get more bloodwork back. We have also drastically altered our (especially his) diet and once he is feeling better (he has been ill) we will add in exercise. Eventually, we hope to be able to control his diabetes with diet and exercise, but for now we just have to get it under control. Slowly, but surely it is coming down. When we first started testing a week ago, it was averaging about 270 and now it is averaging about 245 (with the lowest test so far at 230) We are sticking to it and hope to have more results soon. We will be meeting with the doctor again next week and hopefully at that time will be set up with a nutritionist. Unfortunately, his bloodsugar will not stabalize overnight (especially since it was so high) but he is sticking closely to a healthy diet and really tracking his health.
This has been quite a change and a lot of emotional stress for our family. We are still going through some emotional adjustments and would appreciate support. However, we are quite sensitive right now to unsolicited advice and criticism(however well intentioned) Please know that we will try to keep you all informed and we are doing everything within our power (and that of our doctors) to make positive changes and to ensure Christopher has a long and healthy life and (God-willing) to ensure that our children will not be the 5th generation of diabetics.