Stuck in bed...

Not much else to do but watch the olympics and blog.

This past week has been crazy busy for our family. I had New Beginnings on Wednesday which meant a lot of work beforehand. A LOT. The Mutual theme for this year comes from Joshua 1:9. "Be strong and of a good courage". We decided our New Beginnings theme would be "Be strong and of a good courage - It's a jungle out there!" We set out to find anything that could contribute towards our jungle theme. It just so happens that a lady in our ward had a jungle in her attic! Seriously. She had everything we needed! We put a mosquito tent thing up and decorated that with pink and white sheers. She had palm trees and safari outfits. She had stuffed jungle animals as well as wooden ones. She was so generous in letting us use her things. She helped decorate as well as my secretary and her sweet daughter. I had to leave the decorating party early because Griffin needed a nap and he was pretty sick. I came back later that evening (tuesday) and they had done so much work without me! I feel blessed to have friends who give of their time and talent... I needed to be home with my baby and they saw I was in need, and jumped right in to help out. Wednesday came and the program went great! They walked into the jungle and we had really cool jungle music playing - thanks to Ingram. The girls really enjoyed the evening and learned all about the new Personal Progress program. They received their new Personal Progress books and the ribbons that they've earned thus far. They really loved the jungle animal cupcakes Ginger and I made and want to learn how to make them one Mutual evening. So... New Beginnings was a success! During all the stress of getting ready for this event, Griffin was sick. We were certain it was just a cold but it seemed to be getting worse. I called the pediatrician's office on Wednesday morning and they asked if they could call me back. I said that was fine and didn't hear back from them all day. I took it as a sign that Griffin didn't really need to see the doctor and it was just a cold that he would recover from soon. That night was awful. I got home late because I had to clean up from New Beginnings. Ammon had to pack for a trip to Minneapolis. He was leaving at 6am Thursday morning. Griffin couldn't sleep. He hadn't eaten at all this week. I was starting to get worried. Morning came and Ammon left for Minneapolis. The boys woke up and Griffin immediately started screaming. I couldn't comfort my baby. He wanted me to hold him but wanted down at the same time. He was writhing and touching his ears. He was crying like I'd never heard before. We sat on the couch - both of us sobbing. I called the pediatrician again and they asked if they could call me back. I said no. I told them that they said the same thing yesterday and that I never received a call. She tried to argue this point with me and I asked if I could just make an appointment. 9:30. Great. We were there early. I told Noah that he needed to be a big boy and do what Mommy asked. He whined at first but as soon as we got to the doctor's office, he was great. I was really proud of him. As soon as the doctor walked in, I had to fight the tears. I needed her to fix my baby. She listened to his lungs. They were clear. Phew! She looked in his throat. Slightly red. She looked in his right ear. Infected. Left ear. Infected. :( I was grateful for a diagnosis but heartbroken because I hated to see him in so much pain. We got 2 prescriptions and headed to Walgreens. Prescriptions were filled and as soon as we got home, I gave them to Griffin. He napped 4 hours that day! I missed Ammon like crazy while he was gone. He called late Thursday night and I cried to him for 30 minutes about all sorts of stuff. Another sleepless night. Friday I was determined to be happy for my kids but I was starting to feel sick too. We stayed home but I got them bathed and clothed and played WITH them all day. Griffin started eating again - thank goodness. He went 4 days without eating. Ammon got home from his business trip and I felt a sense of relief. Our monthly temple trip was scheduled for next Saturday. Gigi and Pap watch our boys when we go to the temple but they'll probably be in Texas next Saturday because we're getting a new nephew any day now!! Hopefully sooner than later, for Joni's sake. : ) We called Gigi and Pap and asked if they were available on Saturday to watch the boys. They were. We moved our temple appointment up a week and felt great that we didn't have to miss this month's trip. We've gone 14 months in a row! I'd hate to mess up that streak... Gigi came Saturday morning to pick up the boys. I felt horrible but still wanted to go. We went to the temple and then ate at Panera. Yum! I wanted to go to Target because they were having their semi-annual home clearance. I scored some curtains, napkins, and potholders. We also got Griffin some frog rain boots to match Noah's, easter basket fillers, and super hot swim trunks for Ammon. They're adorable. It was fun to spend a little money. We got back up to Gigi and Pap's house and the boys had a wonderful time. Saturday night, no one slept again. Griffin woke up in obvious pain. At first we didn't know what was wrong but through our own diagnostic testing, figured out it was stomach pains. Ammon gave Griffin a father's blessing and I rocked him until he calmed down. I put him in bed and he couldn't fall asleep. Ammon laid with him til 1am. Noah woke up at 4am and woke Griffin up too. We told them it was still nighttime and they went back to sleep until 6am. Noah and I have caught this sinus junk and I feel miserable. The boys and I stayed home from church - which I hated. I had a lot of responsibilities to take care of but there was no way I could go. I sent Ammon with a list of things to do for me. It was our ward conference today. Ammon took great notes and shared those with me when he got home. We sat at the table and I listened to him talk about the different things that he was impressed by at church. I watched him clip my coupons. I've never had to ask him to do that for me. He just does it. Cute. Ammon fed the kids, bathed them, jammed them and got them ready for bed. They're sleeping now. I'm not really sure what the point of this post is... I'm exhausted. And sick. I feel like my blog is all pictures and no words. So there ya go. Some words.

Project Life

Noah took this picture before we left for church. He wasn't pointing it at us so, that's why we're leaning so bad. At least we're in focus. Noah loves taking pictures... I think we'll get him his own camera one of these days.

Both of my babies enjoy the "I Spy" books. They spend lots of time pointing things out to each other.

Ammon grew up with a wood stove and has wanted to put one in this house ever since we bought it 18 months ago. We found a used one in great shape and with the help of Pap, got it installed in our basement. Ammon is thrilled and so am I! I am always ice cold and this has helped a lot!

Stud.

During playgroup, the boys decorated Valentines cookies. Well, Griffin did more licking than decorating. : )

We stopped by Daddy's truck while he was playing racquetball to give him a Valentine's surprise! The boys made these valentines. Noah made the white one and Griffin made the pink one.

The boys and I went up to Gigi and Pap's house so Gigi and I could make 60 jungle animal cupcakes. The boys were so good! They understood that all the attention couldn't be on them. Here they're watching Wonder Pets, I think. We don't get tv channels so this was a special treat for them!

Project Life

We finally have use of our LoveSac again! Ammon bought this for me when he was trying to date me. : ) Ha. That boy did anything he could think of to try and win me over. Anyway, it's been stored in the basement until we moved the boys in the same bedroom. Now it's in the playroom and gets used everyday. Church was canceled this particular Sunday due to snow. It was a relaxing day for all.

The first time I made roast beef in the crock pot. It was delicious! And the homemade mashed potatoes... Yum!!

This picture makes my heart smile. He is so amazing.

Noah's been taking swimming lessons and has been hesitant to put his face in the water. He put on a pair of Daddy's goggles in the bathtub one evening and the boy had no fear! We went on the hunt for a good pair of kid goggles and found a winner!

Part of their nighttime ritual. Reading a Curious George story. I love my 3 men.

I bought these adorable rain boots for Noah while we were at Target. He doesn't have snow boots so, I thought these could double as rain and snow boots. I would have bought some for Griffin too but, they didn't have his size. Noah put them on once and complained endlessly that they were "too big". I tried to tell him that's just how rain boots are but, he would have none of that. He hasn't put them on since but Griffin is obsessed! He brings these boots to Ammon or myself ALL THE TIME and wants to wear them. We actually had to hide them it was happening so often.

Griffin loves to play in the snow!! On this day, the snow was starting to melt and Griffin had the best time splashing in the puddles. Noah isn't a fan of the snow. He says it's too cold. He watched us play from the front window. : )

More Project Life

So, I'm really behind posting my pictures on here... Here are some from a few weeks ago.

Gigi reading to the boys while Griffin waited for his first gymnastics class to start! Gigi, Noah and I cheered him on while Ammon helped him during class. Griffin did GREAT! He's been coming to all of Noah's gymnastics classes and all this poor kid has wanted to do was go out there and join in the fun. In the first night, he learned how to lunge. Every time Ammon would say "lunge" Griffin would immediately put one foot in front of the other. When they were doing their final conditioning/stretching, Griffin was so worn out, he just laid in Ammon's lap. I'm excited to see him progress in this class.

I wore out my last dish sponge. Instead of buying a new one, I decided to crochet a reusable dishrag. I haven't crocheted in a very long time and it was fun to get back into it.

Snow on the deck.

POTD

I'm still plugging along on my Project Life. I've taken a picture everyday this year and I am already LOVING the results. I just got my first batch of pictures back and into the album. Here are a few of my favorites.

Watching tv.

The day I got my kit!!

One Saturday, Noah really wanted some pancakes. I didn't have any Bisquick so we resorted to Mickey D's. Here's Griffin chugging some orange juice.

My baby.

Trying on Mommy's jams. : )

Noah loves to take pictures.

This was the Sunday that Noah and I both gave talks in church. He practiced so hard and did a wonderful job.

My boys playing in their "tent". Or just under the sheet on our bed. It's the little things...

Mom and Noah.

Play-doh. I thought Griffin was watching a movie... 'til he came down the stairs looking like this!

This was NOT posed. I walked down the stairs and happened upon this precious moment. If you look closely, you can see the bird Noah is watching.

Griffin feeds himself!

This was at a friend's birthday party. While we were singing Happy Birthday, Griffin hammed it up for the camera. I think he thought we were singing to him.

Playtime!

Noah's hair is much shorter now but, for awhile, I really enjoyed giving him mohawks (or "Drew hair" as Noah calls it... my brother, drew, spikes his hair)

Beautiful eyelashes. Beautiful boy.

Got these for Christmas and I wear them ALL THE TIME.

I love when our room looks like this!

Noah's first day as a Sunbeam! I cannot believe that my baby is old enough to be in Primary. It blows my mind. And makes me hug him a little tighter, a little longer.

Big Boys

Ammon keeps asking me if I'm EVER going to blog again. I don't know why I've been in such a blog rut lately. I want to blog. I really enjoy documenting bits and pieces of our beautiful life. It's especially fun to go back and read previous posts. It's amazing how easily I can forget little things my kids say and do. I'll do better, dear husband. I will.

A little over a week ago, we were cleaning Noah's room. The whole family was there and we were all helping out. We have wood floors throughout the house and things get pushed under furniture so easily. Ammon pulled out the trundle to clean under it. There were so many blocks and cars under there, he had to resort to a broom to get it all out. Anyway, Griffin LOVED the trundle. He kept laying on it and snuggling right in. Ammon suggested we let him graduate from his crib (in his own room) to the trundle. I was hesitant. Ammon was persuasive. The first night went ok. Griffin climbed up on Noah's bed and banged on the walls for awhile (happily). He and Noah talked and laughed for an hour and a half. We went to check on them after hings got quiet.

Griffin was back on the trundle and Noah was exactly where we left him, tucked in his bed.

The next day I asked Noah "How did you like having Griffin sleep in your room?"

"It was good. But, he keeps wanting to get on my bed and talk to me."

"Oh yeah? What did you do?"

"I didn't talk to him. I just pet him on the head."

"You pet him on the head? How?"

Then he rubbed his hand so gently across my hair over and over. It made my heart melt to realize how well he takes care of his little brother.

Here's how they were the second night we went in and checked on them. I like to think that Noah put Griffin to sleep by petting him on the head.

: )

And here's the 3rd night.

They're doing really well adjusting to the change. Well, mostly. Griffin likes to get up after we put him in bed. He gets up on Noah's bed. He turns the light on. He bangs on the wall, and the door. He cries. Sometimes he makes it back to his bed. And sometimes I have to scoop him off the floor in the middle of the night to tuck him back in his bed. Maybe with a little more time, this won't be an issue... We'll see. Noah has been extremely understanding. Even though Griffin wakes him up much earlier than he would like, he still is happy to share a room with his brother. And since they're now sharing a room, we've changed things up in this house. Griffin's room is now the boys' bedroom. And Noah's room is now a playroom! I am so excited about this change. I always hated that Noah's room doubled as a playroom. No more toys in the bedroom. No more tv in the bedroom. No more MESS in the bedroom. All they have is their beds, their clothes, and a couple books. It's refreshing to have a place designated for sleeping, and nothing else. I'll get pictures of the switch soon.

Bradley and Tara

I'm not sure if any of my readers are in a position to help this wonderful couple but, you never know! Tara served a mission in Idaho the same time that Ammon did. They've been great friends ever since and I hear wonderful things about her. I wish I could meet her in person because I just know we would hit it off. I don't know all the details but I do know that they desperately want to expand their family and are hoping to adopt. Click on the button above to learn more. Our prayers are with you Bradley and Tara!

Back to life...

...back to reality

We're coming to the end of our first "real" week after the holidays. It's been nice to get back to some normalcy but I really hate sending Ammon off to work everyday. I wish he could stay home with us... I'm very grateful for his job -- don't get me wrong. I just miss him a lot when we're not together.

Noah has had a very busy week. He started swimming lessons again. He's in a class with 4 other boys and is obviously the youngest one there. These other boys are very wild and not afraid of the water at all which is good for Noah. He's not scared of the water but is very timid and cautious. His teacher, Miss Michelle, is coming to understand that Noah needs a little push sometimes. (he now calls my sister "miss michelle" due to swimming lessons. cute!) So, swimming lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On Wednesday, gymnastics started up again. Noah loves gymnastics. He got one of those hippity-hop balls for Christmas. You know the kind, right? It's a big bouncy ball with handles. You sit on the ball, hold the handles and jump. Well, they use these balls in his gymnastics class. And since Noah is timid and cautious (already mentioned) he would never jump. He would sit and hold on but no jumping for him. He would just bounce in one spot. We've been working with him and he finally got it! He jumps all over the place. He couldn't wait to show Miss Holly. I didn't get to go to his class because I had a YW Presidency meeting but Ammon said he did great. I'm so proud of that little guy. He amazes me all the time.

Like last night. I took him to the gym and put him in the daycare while I went to shake my thang at Zumba. When I came back an hour later to pick him up, he was teaching Miss Demi sign language. Miss Demi is an older woman, I'd say in her late 60s. Noah used to call her "Grandma". (which she LOVED) I think she'd admit to everyone that Noah is her favorite child. Everytime he comes in, the hug eachother and just talk about life. So back to signing. I walk in and I hear him saying, "put your hand up like this. and put your thumb in and that's B. Now shake it and that's blue. And this is white. No, not like that. Like this. And this is yellow. Make a Y. No, with your pinky promise and thumb. Yeah! Ok, shake it and that's yellow." It was adorable.

This is Ammon's last week of class. Well, this class at least. It's been a really tough class but, I'm so proud of him. He's so disciplined. He'll be taking a break after this week and I can't wait to get some more time with him. We'll have to live it up before his next class starts.

I'm pretty much recovered from getting my wisdom teeth extracted. Today is my 3 week mark and I just stopped taking Ibuprofen 3 days ago. I still have holes in my face but they don't hurt anymore. My jaw is just slightly sore but not bad. That was the worst part for me. Pain in your jaw is miserable! I'm glad that's over.

I haven't talked about Griffin in this post. I guess because nothing new started for him this week but here are some things he's saying these days:

dad

mom

noah

uh oh

dude

diaper

nononono

He are his signs:

dad

mom

candy

more

eat

please

thank you

There might be more in both of those categories but, I can't think of them right now. Ammon - can you think of any more?

So that's been our week, more or less. Oh! One more thing. Ginger took the boys Monday evening and Ammon and I got to go on a date! We went to my favorite Thai restaurant and then we played Scrabble at our local coffee shop. It was so great to spend some time with the cutest man on earth!

Project 365

I am SUPER excited about this! In the year 2010, I will be taking a picture every single day. I love to say that I scrapbook but honestly, I don't remember the last time I really sat down and did a layout. It makes me so sad. If you scrapbook at all, you must know about Becky Higgins. She is super talented and has already had an amazing career. She is branching out on her own now and has made a kit called, Project Life. When I came across this kit, I knew it was just what I needed to get back into scrapbooking and photography. It is simple. I can do this. I still want to create and come up with new layouts but for right now, when life is so hectic, I know I can at least accomplish this much. I'll post my POTD (photo of the day) weekly on this blog so I have them in digital form. Here's to a wonderful year -- documented!!