Noah is getting too big too fast. I swear he grew like a foot overnight! I sent him upstairs one morning to get dressed. This is what he came down wearing:
Now all he needs is a mullet.
Okay, it's not REALLY like Joe Dirt, really, it just made me laugh with the unbuttoned shirt. We're working on that.
My sister Alison is 30 today. 30? Wow. Ha, kidding, I only have 3 short years left until I'm there! But, anyway.
I really miss my sister, Alison. She always makes me laugh. I hate living so far away from family. And, she hasn't even come to visit us here in California yet! The bum. I miss shopping with her, well...if it wasn't shopping for jeans! I miss just talking to her and stealing her clothes! Oh, the good times! We'll be there to visit soon...just talk to that brother of ours, everything depends on that kid!!
Alison, you're the best! You're the greatest sister! {Just don't tell Erin! ;-) } I hope that you have a fabulous birthday! Remember when we were little and we would let the birthday girl pick out the outfit of the other on their birthday? I'm sad you don't get to pick out my outfit today! I'll try to find something Alisonish, don't worry!! Eat lots and lots of yummy cake! {everything is calorie free on your birthday, don't ya know!} We love you!
I just like to extend the holiday out as long as I possibly can! But, I didn't want to forget to tell all of the Father's in my life, and in our lives, what a blessing they are to us! We love all of you, you're great!
First, Adam. He is the best dad ever! The kids absolutely adore their dad. Whenever Jacob sees him he gets a twinkle in his eye and just grins. It's so cute. Adam can get that kid to sleep in no time! I always joke with him and tell him it's because he's too boring, but maybe Jacob is just so comfortable in his arms that he just sleeps. It's the magic touch, I guess! But, Adam has gotten Jake to laugh some of the best laughs, it's too cute! And Noah and Macie LOVE their Daddy, too. Macie has turned into quite the Daddy's girl. Whenever she gets into trouble and in time out, she always cries, "I want my Dad!" Without fail. The kids love him, he's great!
Next, my dad. I love my dad. It had been so long since I had seen him. Like a year. It was a long time. When we went to Utah for my cousin's wedding, he wasn't able to get off of work. It was so sad. I wanted to see him so bad, and I wanted him to meet Jacob, and the kids wanted to see him, too. But, he couldn't get off work. And then a great idea was developed. He rode the SLASH shuttle from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake on Sunday morning, and we were able to spend the day with him, and then he just drove back with my mom and Cory. It was so great! I'm so grateful that we were able to spend that time with him, as short as it was, it was the best thing ever! I miss my dad. I miss his hugs, and I even miss his recorder playing, and his whistle blowing! Macie just asked the other day when Pa was going to come to her home and watch Dora and JoJo with her. She's got it all planned out! Not to give you any pressure...but you need to come visit, Dad!
Third, Adam's Dad, Bryan. We love you, too! Bryan is a great man! This past visit was so great to be able to do so much with him. We went thinking that it would be a grim visit, and it was anything BUT that! It was great! He is such a funny guy! I'm glad that we were able to spend that summer with them in Seattle when Noah was a baby. I feel like I bonded with Adam's parents so much! It was such a blessing to be able to spend so much time with them! I loved hearing all of Bryan's stories and jokes. They were so entertaining, and I still laugh about them! I loved hearing, "Well, back to the Salt Mines." I miss that time! Noah's first REAL belly laugh was because of Bryan. It was great. We love you Papa, and we can't wait to see you again soon!!
Finally, my Grandpa Ludlow. He is a great man, as well. Noah and Macie love their Great Grandpa, and talk about him daily. They get to excited to see him! And when we look at pictures, Macie always lets out a squeal when we see one of Great Grandpa. We don't get to see them often enough, however. But when we do, it's always a happy time! We have been fortunate enough to see him twice in the past few months...at two different weddings! Thank goodness for weddings! I love my grandpa, I have many memories of him and am so glad that we lived so close and were able to see him and Myrt so much growing up!
We love all of you! And hope that your Father's Day was the best! You certainly are the best Dad's out there!!
{this is what I did for Adam this year. It worked out perfect because we now have 3 kids! He really needed a frame to put in his office. He loved it, of course! That creative wife of his is just amazing! ;-) kidding.}
I miss Idaho. And for more reasons than you would probably guess! But, for today, I really miss our pediatrician, Dr. Smith in Idaho Falls. He was probably the BEST doctor that we have ever encountered. The other doc in his office, Dr. Porter, was pretty good as well. And it isn't just them, either. The entire office is great.
Jacob had a double ear infection, as previously posted. He has been taking amoxicillan for it. His first time taking that medicine. He developed a rash about 7 days into the dose, and I didn't think anything of it having any relation to the medicine. I figured it was heat rash and it would go away. It didn't. It got worse. His whole body was covered in a bumpy rash.
Of course, however, the rash was at its worst this afternoon around 4. The doctor we see here closes at 1 on Friday, and the Urgent Care closes at 5. I am paranoid, really. I called my mom, she said that most doctors have a nurse on call 24 hours a day to answer questions. Yeah, our doctor does not. But, Idaho Falls Pediatrics does. I missed them then. Even if the offices were open here, they would just tell you that they can't give any advice over the phone, which is totally stupid. I like being able to call and talk to a nurse and then kind of decide what to do. But time and time again, they will not do that here.
After calling a few friends and getting their advice, I felt confident that if I just gave him Benedryl he'd be okay. But I'm paranoid of Benedryl as well. I've heard too many horror stories. And so I have him .5 ml. Yeah, really nothing, I know, but I gave him at least something! And then I called Idaho Falls Pediatrics. I just wanted someone with medical background to tell me what to do. They were open. Not just answering phone calls, the office was still open! I was gratefully surprised! I had to leave a message for the nurse. I told them right up front in the message that Jacob was not their patient, and we didn't even live in Idaho anymore. The nurse called me back and was VERY nice. She told me it was common to get this sort of rash with an antibiotic, and to watch him closely overnight, but he would be fine!
It was so easy. Something very simple. But she really sounded like she cared. I was very impressed. I love that doctors office. If you are in the Idaho Falls/Rexburg area, I would HIGHLY recommend them! We love them. Great doctors, and we have had our fair share of visits to them and to other doctors...they're good.
{I have totally neglected to even blog about this, and it happened so long ago! BUT...for more journaling reasons, really, I'll blog about it now...only about a month and a half later, but that's okay! I got the bill today, so I remembered very well...}
Every week we go with friends to the park. On the 14th of May, we went to the favorite park. It has like triple decker excitement, AND swings. The kids love this particular park. I was nursing Jacob and the kids were actively playing. All of the sudden Macie lets out an ear piercing scream. She does scream a lot, more than she should, but this scream was very different. I waited a second for her to come to me to tattle on some unsuspecting child, but she didn't, she just screamed. I handed the babe off an ran to her assistance. She was on the platform under the ladder to the slide screaming bloody murder.
I carried her to the benches and assured her that she was fine. The screaming stopped, but the sobbing did not. She didn't play after that. She just sat on the grass and cried. And then she tried to walk. She couldn't. She wasn't able to put any weight on her foot at all. It was so sad. She walked with quite the limp, more of like a hop, really. I felt awful. I kept telling her she was fine, but then I didn't think I was so sure anymore. I am kind of a paranoid mother, but there was something really wrong with this girl. So, we left the park.
I took her to Adam's office to see what he thought. He thought I should take her in. I called the doctor, but they couldn't get her in at such short notice. Her foot was started to swell. At first it was hard to tell if it was just chub or swelling, but it was definately swelling. Her foot was very sensitive to the touch, so I decided not to wait, and just spend the extra copay just to have it looked at right away.
We went in to Urgent Care. When we finally saw the doctor, he felt her foot, and judging by her wincing and thigns, he said it was broken. Oh great...another broken bone in the Christensen home. But, he wanted to do an x-ray to see where the break was and to assess the damage. We suffered through the x-rays. Harmless, really, but you would have thought we were beating poor Macie by the sound of her screams!
X-rays came back, the doctor said it was broken just under her arch, but wanted the radiologist to look at it. The Radiologist looks at it, apparently is wasn't broken. Crazy, you say? Yes it was. It wasn't a clean break, just a green stick fracture. We were familiar with that term because of Noah's accident when he was 10 months old and his green stick fracture in his arm. But, since it was in the bottom of her foot, under the arch, the doctor said there really wasn't much to do. He didn't want to cast it and risk growth problems and such, so he said to try my best to keep her off it, but if she didn't stay off of it, it was fine, no healing issues, really.
It took a few days for her to finally walk on it normally. She limped for a while after and then wouldn't be able to walk on it far before complaining of the pain. But today, you never would have known. Until we pulled up to that same park today. And then the memories started flowing, and she did not want to go to the park anymore! She ended up going and playing. Nothing will keep this girl down. She's a trooper.
They are starting to look more alike, I'm thinking. Jacob is a good mix of the two. Somedays he's Macie's twin...other days he looks an awful lot like Noah. His eyes are getting darker, like a bluish brown or something. The other two have definite BLUE eyes. Either way, they are all the cutest kids ever!
Jeez...I'm a slacker, I'm so far behind. It's what, the 24th...I'm 5 days late. Oh well, better late than never. {and then I'll do a Father's Day post!}
Jacob is now 6 months old! Where has the time gone? He now grabs everything in sight. Everything goes in his mouth. He's sitting up pretty well, he still topples over occasionally. He's eating foods, and talking so much more. He's always moving. And ALWAYS smiling. He's such a happy baby. He got his shots yesterday, cried for a split second and then was all smiles and giggles. Funny kid.
Last week, he had a little accident involving a bookshelf, a brother, and a book. The book fell from 4 shelves and the spine landed right on his head. Of course, being the most paranoid mother alive, I was scared to death! His eyes were fine, no signs of concussion. He acted alright. He even slept well that night. But the next morning he was acting a little off. I called my mom in tears just hoping that he was going to be okay, I was very worried. I just had an unsettling feeling that I should take him in. I called the doctor, and they got me in right away. I explained the situation, and he looked at his head and said he was fine. No damage had been inflicted. But then he asked if Jake had been feeling sick, and I didn't really think he'd been sick. Just a little off, but still happy and smiling. Turns out he had an ear infection in BOTH ears. Poor little guy! I never would have known! And that is probably the reason why I felt like I should take him to the doctor! I'm glad I listened! With a little bit of antibiotic and Tylenol, he was good to go!
I took him AGAIN to the doctor yesterday for his well baby. 24 pounds 28 inches long! That's my boy!! I just wish time would slow down a bit!
So, I need expert sewing advice. I called my mother, but it's hard to describe over the phone. So, I thought I'd get ALL the expert sewing advice I can! I have a new project in mind. Yes, I know...I have TOO many projects already. {I have recovered my chairs, by the way...I'm just waiting on the sanding and staining to be complete before the pictures!} But, back to this new project. I'm wanting to make Macie's room better. I found this:
However, I wish it was pink, and I don't want to pay 100 bucks for a duvet cover. And so, my question: Can I make something like that? Is it possible to just use cotton fabric and gather it like that? Or would it be too hard and totally not worth my time? I think that it would look so cute in her room, and then in pink...oh, it'd be perfect! I'm not a sewing expert by any means. I can sew a straight line, but I have been able to figure some things out. If it's possible I'll try it, but do I need like a special machine to do something like that? I may have high hopes, but it's worth the try!
Adam and I are addicts. We really like to make No Bake Cookies. You know, the ones with peanut butter and oatmeal. Pure deliciousness, really. We made them all of the time in Rexburg with no problems. But since we have been in California, I can not seem to make them right. I try different recipes...it surprises me how many recipes there are that have like the littlest difference. But, I still can't make them right. They are different every single time. And tonight, they didn't turn out.
As I was spooning them out onto the wax paper, they looked as if they were going to be good. They formed well, everything was good. And then the never really hardened. And they taste like brownie batter, very rich fudgy batter. What happened? They still taste good, and we sure as heck will still eat them, but eating No Bake COOKIES with a fork kind of defeats the whole purpose of a cookie.
If you have an suggestions, feel free to share. For now, I'll go get my spoon...
Adam's little sister, Kimberlee married Geoff. Geoff and Kimberlee have the same birthday. Funny how that worked. They are really two of the greatest people you will ever meet! When we were all students at BYUI, we actually moved into their apartment. Not with them...they just moved into another one just up the sidewalk, but it was like living with them, we saw them all of the time. And it was great! {I thought it was, anyway...} But, I miss those times. I miss the yummy food and pudding they would make for us, and just hanging out with them! Those were the days!
I hope that you guys have the BEST birthday ever! We wish we were there celebrating with you! Have a lots of fun and eat lots of yummy cake! We love you, Kim & Geoff!!
{by the way, a little tidbit...this is my 300 post. Pathetic, really. I just started this blog February 2008. Hmm...}
I can't believe Noah is so old.
I mean, look at him, all grown up and graduating from Preschool!? Noah? Goodness. I guess it really wasn't PRE school, they called it PLAY school, but whatever it was, it worked for us. A local high school put on a 6 week "preschool" program for children 3 and up. They asked for a $20 donation, so technically it was free. He went Tuesday through Friday 8:30-11:30 for 6 weeks. It was a good chunk of time. And he really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the price, really. It was so weird those 6 weeks, though. I didn't know what to do with my time with Noah. Granted, I still couldn't do much since I still had the most dependent of the kids with me, but I felt like I had so much more freedom, or something! It was nice. I was a little nervous at first because I didn't think he would know any one...but his friend, Summer, from church was there. He was very excited!
Every day he would come home and talk and talk about everything he did, all of his teachers, and all of his friends. He made quite a bit of friends. He gets very excited when we see them at the park or store. He's a very social boy. The head teacher said at the graduation that she doesn't think that they have had a more social group. It was always so cute to see Noah light up when the kids and the teachers would greet him and say bye to him every day. It was a good experience for all of us.
We were lucky enough to stay with Matt and Talia in Provo. We had a crazy schedule with the wedding and juggling two families. But, they were patient with us, and very hospitable. We really enjoyed seeing you guys! Grace, Clark and Ella are getting so big! I can't believe it! We need to see you guys more often! Noah loved playing with Grace and Clark. Macie and Ella fought a little bit over toys, but they're both still getting used to playing together. I'm sure they will be best of friends later on! They really all do look related, don't they?? Thanks, guys. We owe you one!
Unfortunately, my dad was not able to make it to the wedding, due to work. It was so sad. I was so close, but yet so far away from him! I haven't seen him since May of last year when we went up for Cory's graduation. I have really missed my dad. So, when he said he was going to take the SLASH shuttle from Idaho Falls to SLC, I was SO excited! It was such a pleasant surprise to hear that! Not only did I get to see my dad, but Dad got to his newest grandson. Jacob gave him the best smile when he first saw him! I was so glad that Jacob was able to meet his Pa before he was 6 months old!! It was a short visit, but a worthwhile visit. We were only missing Erin. WE LOVE YOU, ERIN! Thanks for coming on the shuttle, Dad. It was the BEST part of the entire trip! If Cory would just put those papers in, we could plan another trip in the near future. {ARE YOU LISTENING, CORY???}
We were able to go see the Draper Temple. It's a gorgeous temple. I remember as a little girl, going to Draper to the VF Outlets and there wasn't ANYTHING in Draper. It's pretty happenin' these days! I'm glad we got the opportunity to see this temple. My kids love seeing temples. It's great. At least I'm teaching them something, right?
I did it. I took Macie in for her first haircut. I have been debating it for months! I would talk myself into in and be all for it, and then I would actually say it outloud to someone, and quickly change my mind. I don't know what it is about it. She's my first and only girl, that baby hair seems more sentimental to me, I guess. She has had that hair since birth, well...a tiny bit of it! And it was getting so long. Long and pretty stringy, but it was still long! But, after getting syrup in it and her REFUSING to let me do her hair, I decided it was time. I had been planning to take her to this place here in town called Whipper Snippers, it's just for kids. It seems like a pretty cute place. And I had a coupon. But, the other day she cried and cried because she did not want her haircut. This morning she was all for it and so excited, and I didn't want to lose that, and that place was closed on Mondays. And so the search began. I had a babysitter already for the boys {thanks, Kristyn} and so I HAD to get it done today. I found a salon that not only could get her in right away, but was very reasonably priced. As we drove up, however, the excitement diminished, and she did not want to go in.
I went in wanting the girl to cut an A-line bob. But, I was shot down. The stylist said that Macie's hair wasn't right for that cut yet, since it's still too stringy and fine. I think it would have been fine, but whatever. I had to keep asking her to cut it shorter to get a decent looking cut. I still think it would look even cuter with a little A-line to it. Oh well...that's what I get for not cutting her hair, I guess! And I'm too chicken to even try! Macie hated the entire experience, however. She scowled and cried the whole time. That girl. She really is so happy, but she has like a perma scowl when we're in an unfamiliar place. The cut turned out cute, maybe in a few months I'll take her back to get that a-line cut. I'm sure the look will change a little after it's washed. It makes her look so old, though. She's so cute, though. I love how the short locks enhance her chubby cheeks. Oh, she's just so cute!
She likes it, too. She kept saying, "It's great, Mom!" She couldn't WAIT to show Noah and Daddy. She's growing up. Growing up WAY too fast.
So, I have been in a blogging slump. I have SO much to blog about, really. Lots and LOTS of pictures. But, finding the time to sort through the pictures is kind of overwhelming me! Just a little. But, do not fear, I'm almost done. But, for now. I have ONE more option! Don't you worry...since I'm such a slacker, I haven't even bought the fabric yet. I've still got a while, probably! The other day we went to San Luis Obispo, and I found this fabric:
The design is actually like a light blue. I totally love #2, the one that pretty much everyone has picked as well. I am actually totally loving it, but however, this option is a little cheaper. But, I have gotten the go from Adam that it doesn't matter how much it costs, just as long as I get it done! So, with all price aside, and the fact that the other one is already laminated...which one do you REALLY like? Honestly. This one or #2 from the previous post.
And when this is done, I can focus on more important things. Well, after my house is completely deep cleaned, that is.
