A couple nights ago Hew woke up around 2am and stayed up until nearly 5 - although awake, he played happily. The next day he had a running nose and slight chesty cough. We bought Mucinex for him and gave him Nightime Triaminic and he slept the next night fine. Yesterday he had the goopiest constant runny nose he has ever had and got in all sorts of random trouble, like breaking knickknacks and drawing on walls. And then last night he woke up and cried for several hours, and hours and did I say hours. Anyone knows that after an hour of inconsolable crying everyone is about to go mad! Alec finally got him back to sleep after giving him some Tylenol because he thought he felt warm. That lasted long enough for Alec to shower and leave for work - and Hew was up and crying inconsolably again. For those of you that don't know Hewy well, he doesn't cry. He's tough, he falls on his face and says "again!" But he has been crying more, I thought/think because he is TWO and discovering emotion. But hours of inconsolable crying, songs didn't work, Curious George didn't work, being up with Daddy didn't work.... Something was wrong. He started saying early this morning (4am) "Ouch! Ear!"
OH! An ear infection! It's wonderful how much communication can do! A few numbing drops and another dose of Tylenol and we were good to go until the doctor could fit us in.
I love modern Medicine. I love small pediatric groups that are easy to get into. I love husbands that function better on less sleep than I do. I love concerned brothers that didn't mind being woke up to a screaming toddler. I love Wal-Mart Pharmacy. I love health insurance. I love being a modern day pioneer. I wouldn't have made it across the plains!
While at the doctor, Noble and Liam did their Grammar and Math, just as if they were at home at their desks. Hew sat quietly on the exam table and gently patted his little hands on his knees. Yes, something was definitely amiss with that little guy. He sat through the exam and answered the docs questions. Sat still. Quietly. No climbing or jumping or screaming (gleefully or sadly)
Misery has it's sweetness too! The peace I needed came. The quiet I needed came. The cooperation of older children came. So much to be thankful for.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Disturbing
"I like it. The only thing I find disturbing is this. . ."
-Liam answers Grandmama after she asks if he likes the Raspberry Nut Jell-o and he pointed to a vine or twig or something that must have come from the raspberries.
We laughed at his choice of words, "disturbing," great vocabulary for a 7 year old.
-Liam answers Grandmama after she asks if he likes the Raspberry Nut Jell-o and he pointed to a vine or twig or something that must have come from the raspberries.
We laughed at his choice of words, "disturbing," great vocabulary for a 7 year old.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Hewy's Birthday
Hewy turned two!
He got a lot of Lightning McQueen stuff, a race track and dish set and some cars to hold and play with. He also received Thomas the Train things from Grandmama and Grandpa, and Dell, Anna and Henry.
He blew out his candles several times before we finished the "Happy Birthday" song.
And he really enjoyed his cake!
He got a lot of Lightning McQueen stuff, a race track and dish set and some cars to hold and play with. He also received Thomas the Train things from Grandmama and Grandpa, and Dell, Anna and Henry.
He blew out his candles several times before we finished the "Happy Birthday" song.
And he really enjoyed his cake!
Hewy 2 cake
This is Hewy's TWO cake.
It's a layered yellow cake with chocolate filling, sculpted to look like a car and frosted to Lightning McQueen likeness.
It was cute enough to eat!
(Even if I do say so myself) Way to go MOM!
It's a layered yellow cake with chocolate filling, sculpted to look like a car and frosted to Lightning McQueen likeness.
It was cute enough to eat!
(Even if I do say so myself) Way to go MOM!
Paint Project Finished
Hooray! Our paint project is finished!
This is our gameroom and we lo-ooooove it! (But now we need a new couch!)
This is our gameroom and we lo-ooooove it! (But now we need a new couch!)
Master paint
Master Bedroom and Bathroom! We are very happy with these colors but again I am not sure the pictures do them justice. Our room is a darker, more shadows than light, blue.
Our bathroom is a crisp cool green.
Paint Bedrooms
The bedrooms turned out great. The first picture is Noble and Liam's room. It is "unfinished" for now. The ceiling is blue and the walls are grey. We plan to go in and sponge darker grey bricks randomly on the walls to make it look like a castle. Noble wants to do clouds on the ceiling. We'll see. :) The second picture is our guest room and no the pink-ish/lilac color is not a hint that we are expecting a girl or expecting anything for that matter! It's just a nice color. The bottom picture is Hewy's room - could tell from all the ducks!?
I plan to stamp navy stars at the ceiling line sometime. Overall, we are happy.
Paint Downstairs
This is the Study and the downstairs bathroom. The study is just a basic light brown, we couldn't find anything else that complimented our desk furniture as well as we'd like. The powder room is a rich chocolate brown and this picture in no way does it justice! Everyone who walks into that little room exclaims "Oh, wow!"
Monday, November 19, 2007
"What's a negative?"
It would be one thing if we were doing math or if our behavior or mood were negative, but at the time it was a completely different scenario. When Noble asked me, "What's a negative?" I admit my first thought, very first in a split second was, how does one of my children not know what a negative is? But in the other half of that second I realized their world, much like my world compared to my parents, is different than mine. I came into the world, much to my mothers amazement, knowing how to program a VCR.
I explained to Noble the concept of film in a camera compared to a SM card. I compared seeing the proof on the computer or the back of the camera to the negative. He wondered aloud to himself why we would develop pictures that way. His questions stayed in my mind for sometime as we sorted through that moving box of pictures that I remembered packing nearly three years ago sitting in the basement of our Salt Lake house. Noble was simply asking if he should throw an empty photo envelope away and I responded "make sure there are no negatives in it." And I felt our worlds separate just a little with his return question.
Photography is obviously a giant part of my life. I own two quite expensive cameras for a stay-at-home-Mom. I take nearly one hundred pictures a month and that is the quiet months, not birthday or holiday months - that can be nearly one hundred a week! I realized as my thoughts wandered that the box of pictures we were going through were at least three years old. Noble was five - was he really five the last time I used my original 35 mm exclusively? That was when I made the switch. Up until then, I had gone back and forth between film and digital and always gone back to the film. Convinced it would weather the techy stage, I loved the at home feel of that camera in my hands and the digital just felt flimsy and not like a "real" camera. And then sometime, somewhere, I made the switch about 3 years ago, probably when I got the nice digital that functions like my 35mm.
Not too long ago I opened the nightstand drawer and saw my beloved 35mm film camera there in it's gentle and precious holding place. It was like seeing an old friend and I picked it up and held it. It still feels like a piece of me, an extension of my arm. But the ease of digital, the ability to correct my own pictures, the tiny storage space of electronic pictures verses moving boxes full - it's freeing to stick with digital.
I wonder if someday my grandchildren will ask their father, "Dad what's an SM card, CD-R, etc.?"
I explained to Noble the concept of film in a camera compared to a SM card. I compared seeing the proof on the computer or the back of the camera to the negative. He wondered aloud to himself why we would develop pictures that way. His questions stayed in my mind for sometime as we sorted through that moving box of pictures that I remembered packing nearly three years ago sitting in the basement of our Salt Lake house. Noble was simply asking if he should throw an empty photo envelope away and I responded "make sure there are no negatives in it." And I felt our worlds separate just a little with his return question.
Photography is obviously a giant part of my life. I own two quite expensive cameras for a stay-at-home-Mom. I take nearly one hundred pictures a month and that is the quiet months, not birthday or holiday months - that can be nearly one hundred a week! I realized as my thoughts wandered that the box of pictures we were going through were at least three years old. Noble was five - was he really five the last time I used my original 35 mm exclusively? That was when I made the switch. Up until then, I had gone back and forth between film and digital and always gone back to the film. Convinced it would weather the techy stage, I loved the at home feel of that camera in my hands and the digital just felt flimsy and not like a "real" camera. And then sometime, somewhere, I made the switch about 3 years ago, probably when I got the nice digital that functions like my 35mm.
Not too long ago I opened the nightstand drawer and saw my beloved 35mm film camera there in it's gentle and precious holding place. It was like seeing an old friend and I picked it up and held it. It still feels like a piece of me, an extension of my arm. But the ease of digital, the ability to correct my own pictures, the tiny storage space of electronic pictures verses moving boxes full - it's freeing to stick with digital.
I wonder if someday my grandchildren will ask their father, "Dad what's an SM card, CD-R, etc.?"
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Not holding my breath
Yep, not holding my breath. Today was one of those days that you just keep shaking things off thinking, it can't get much worse right and then....
So, I didn't write about the acrylic paint in the carpet last weekend because I really would like to forget the dinner plate size matching red stains accompanied by 3 or 4 fifty cent piece yellow stains that are now the first thing you see when you walk into the family room. Our famous and yet somehow never seen guests "I didn't" and "He did" were the guilty party. Enough said.
But today. Today! Urgh!
Liam out of curiosity disassembled the doorknob and deadbolt to the door that leads to the garage. Why? Why? Why? He gives me this innocent look like "well Mom, why do they put screws in them if you aren't supposed to take them off?" But he is obviously to intelligent to ask that question when he isn't sure if I am demon Mommy or Liberal Arts Mommy for the day. I hadn't even had breakfast!
Noble thinking he was somehow magic pulled the plastic mug he IS supposed to use out from under the ceramic mug that he is encouraged not use - but he was also on a step stool reaching the third shelf, from which the ceramic mug tumbled to tile floor and shattered. (and just as a RS sisters was "stopping by" to give me bad news)
Hewy thinks that everyday when you are done with breakfast the appropriate response is to dump you leftover cereal and milk on the table, push it around like finger paints and then lap up that little bit he is still hungry for like a puppy.
Hewy also has a creative streak in him and he is oddly prone to drawing circles (perhaps he is sketching Momma's life (me running in circles), however he chooses his canvases carefully. Like my Alder wood dish cabinet, new painted walls and brothers grammar book. They are kind of like crop circles only in crayon or black permanent marker.
Liam, we all know has taken a liking to cooking. Today Noble (being 8 is allowed to use the toaster over without supervision) made chicken nuggets. Liam decided to marinate carrot sticks in lime juice with lime zest. (adventurous, yes, I know!) I turned away so he couldn't see my face as I delightfully sampled his new creation and then it hit me - "ZEST?" How did you get lime zest? And Noble holds up the foot long Microblade from the sink, "with this!" YIKES! Do these kiddos not know their mother is afraid not only of sharp objects but of her LOVED ones using sharp objects? Isn't it enough that I have approved steak knives to be used in the kitchen for preparing purposes?
That was all today, and not the evening.
Liam wiped sour cream that he decided he didn't like after slathering his bean burrito with it on the kitchen chair and then rubbed it in so that I wouldn't notice.
Tomorrow is another day. I will breath more tomorrow.
So, I didn't write about the acrylic paint in the carpet last weekend because I really would like to forget the dinner plate size matching red stains accompanied by 3 or 4 fifty cent piece yellow stains that are now the first thing you see when you walk into the family room. Our famous and yet somehow never seen guests "I didn't" and "He did" were the guilty party. Enough said.
But today. Today! Urgh!
Liam out of curiosity disassembled the doorknob and deadbolt to the door that leads to the garage. Why? Why? Why? He gives me this innocent look like "well Mom, why do they put screws in them if you aren't supposed to take them off?" But he is obviously to intelligent to ask that question when he isn't sure if I am demon Mommy or Liberal Arts Mommy for the day. I hadn't even had breakfast!
Noble thinking he was somehow magic pulled the plastic mug he IS supposed to use out from under the ceramic mug that he is encouraged not use - but he was also on a step stool reaching the third shelf, from which the ceramic mug tumbled to tile floor and shattered. (and just as a RS sisters was "stopping by" to give me bad news)
Hewy thinks that everyday when you are done with breakfast the appropriate response is to dump you leftover cereal and milk on the table, push it around like finger paints and then lap up that little bit he is still hungry for like a puppy.
Hewy also has a creative streak in him and he is oddly prone to drawing circles (perhaps he is sketching Momma's life (me running in circles), however he chooses his canvases carefully. Like my Alder wood dish cabinet, new painted walls and brothers grammar book. They are kind of like crop circles only in crayon or black permanent marker.
Liam, we all know has taken a liking to cooking. Today Noble (being 8 is allowed to use the toaster over without supervision) made chicken nuggets. Liam decided to marinate carrot sticks in lime juice with lime zest. (adventurous, yes, I know!) I turned away so he couldn't see my face as I delightfully sampled his new creation and then it hit me - "ZEST?" How did you get lime zest? And Noble holds up the foot long Microblade from the sink, "with this!" YIKES! Do these kiddos not know their mother is afraid not only of sharp objects but of her LOVED ones using sharp objects? Isn't it enough that I have approved steak knives to be used in the kitchen for preparing purposes?
That was all today, and not the evening.
Liam wiped sour cream that he decided he didn't like after slathering his bean burrito with it on the kitchen chair and then rubbed it in so that I wouldn't notice.
Tomorrow is another day. I will breath more tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Corn MAiZE
The boys and I trekked out to Hondo Tx today with some fellow homeschoolers.
We found our way through the Corn MAiZE in the mid November 85* heat!
We found our way through the Corn MAiZE in the mid November 85* heat!
Our Zoo
Okay, these are farm animals, not zoo animals. But I tend to refer to us as a zoo most days! The sun was bright so they couldn't keep their eyes open. Cute though.
I'm on my way
I love this picture! William and Noble heading off. No worries. No questions. No apparent fears. Just marching forward. Confident they will find their way out or through. What great examples they are!
MAiZE Fun!
After the Corn Maze we took part in some of the other fun in the country.
There was a giant jumping pillow! Hewy and I jumped too.
There was also a ducky derby. We had to pump the water using an old water pump and the duck would float in the water down rain gutter and then you team mate would catch it and put it in his and pump it back.
There was a giant jumping pillow! Hewy and I jumped too.
There was also a ducky derby. We had to pump the water using an old water pump and the duck would float in the water down rain gutter and then you team mate would catch it and put it in his and pump it back.
Dirty faces!
After the fun filled day at the Corn MAiZE
We had the dirty (and sweaty) faces and feet to tell we had spent the day in the country!
We had the dirty (and sweaty) faces and feet to tell we had spent the day in the country!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Lost Tooth
Liam lost a tooth today! It is his third one on top. You have to understand that Liam's teeth are "loose" FOREVER! He refuses to play with them and this particular tooth had been loose for seven months. Yes really, seven months! A couple months ago the dentist said it would only be a week or two, maybe a few days if he really played with it. Ha! This tooth had been holding on by a thread for days and I had asked Liam just to let his Dad pull it last night, but no. But this morning Oatmeal was just too much for the poor tooth and out it came. :)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Family CHEER
Today was the Primary Program in our ward. Liam and Noble were both asked to sing "I hope they call me on a mission" and to dress like missionaries. They did a great job! And at the last minute, the rehearsal the day before, they were both given speaking parts. They both had them memorized and Noble looked up and read a scripture. We are very proud of them. I cried. It was delightful.
The best part however was Hewy. He stood on the bench and cheered, literally for his brothers and Auntie Anna on the stand. After every song he would swing his hands above his head and shouted HOORAY! Yes, shout! And after Speaking parts he would cheer, "Hooray, Brothers!" When he noticed that Auntie Anna was also on the stand he cheered for her and shouted "Anna."
I love that my family loves each other so so so much!
The best part however was Hewy. He stood on the bench and cheered, literally for his brothers and Auntie Anna on the stand. After every song he would swing his hands above his head and shouted HOORAY! Yes, shout! And after Speaking parts he would cheer, "Hooray, Brothers!" When he noticed that Auntie Anna was also on the stand he cheered for her and shouted "Anna."
I love that my family loves each other so so so much!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Liam 7 Picture
This picture was supposed to be with the post just after it, but it didn't work.
Isn't he cute?!
Isn't he cute?!
Liam 7
Happy SEVENTH birthday Liam!
Liam is a creative, loving and sensitive boy. He enjoys art, making up stories, creating his own music on the piano, dancing, and cooking in the kitchen. He really wants to please those around him, he tries his best to keep up with everything Noble does (even though their strengths are different), and is living up to the blessing he received right before Hewy was born and is a big helper and special person in his little brothers life.
Liam can hardly wait each day until about 5 o'clock when his friends Brandon and Chaitanya come out to play, he loves to play with his friends. They ride scooters, play football and play pretend each day. As excited as he is each night when Daddy comes home, he is heart broken too because it means he has to come inside 1) for family time and 2) because it is getting dark. Liam is also an animal lover, real or stuffed Animals. He has nearly 40 stuffed animals in his room that we call "the zoo" and he remembers all of their names and where he got them. He is afraid of spiders and the dark. He loves Star Wars and anything Pirate related. He still has and sleeps with his beloved "Cozy" (his blanket since he was a baby) although he is becoming less attached to it and we don't have to travel with Cozy anymore.
Yes, we are grateful for our Liam, or William as he prefers to be called. He brings much love and joy to our lives and our family wouldn't be the same without him! We love you more than buttercream frosting, the moon and sun, Jedi's, beautiful music and more than TEXAS! *wink*wink*wink*
We love ya Liam.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Show stealer
Okay, it's true. Hew is a show stealer! he is just so so so so cute.
He is lucky his brothers are so understanding.
He is lucky his brothers are so understanding.
Liam's Chef Party
Liam requested a "Chef Party" for his birthday this year.
We invited his best pals, including his brothers and cousin Henry.
The party included making garlic bread, individual pizzas, fruit kabobs and decorating their own six inch cakes.
We also played food themed games like: Hot potato, egg and spoon races (only we used marshmallows in the place of eggs), pin the smile on the chef, balloon fights (instead of food fight!) and we read Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs.
The only reason this party was a success was all the adult help we had. Dixie, Alec, Grandmama, Grandpa, Auntie Anna, Uncle Dell and Rachel. Almost one adult for every child. Anna manned the ovens and made all the pizza dough for me. Dell took the pictures. Rach and Alec kept the games going. Grandmama and Grandpa filled in the gaps and helped when needed. I just watched!
The requested SEVEN cake. A good use of left over Halloween candy!We invited his best pals, including his brothers and cousin Henry.
The party included making garlic bread, individual pizzas, fruit kabobs and decorating their own six inch cakes.
We also played food themed games like: Hot potato, egg and spoon races (only we used marshmallows in the place of eggs), pin the smile on the chef, balloon fights (instead of food fight!) and we read Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs.
The only reason this party was a success was all the adult help we had. Dixie, Alec, Grandmama, Grandpa, Auntie Anna, Uncle Dell and Rachel. Almost one adult for every child. Anna manned the ovens and made all the pizza dough for me. Dell took the pictures. Rach and Alec kept the games going. Grandmama and Grandpa filled in the gaps and helped when needed. I just watched!
Blowing out the candles! And who is right there helping and at his side!? His brothers!
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