Naughty Ryan

A while back, I think in early November, my friend Katie started to teach me to knit. I caught on to a couple basic stitches and thought.....this isn't so hard, I'm going to make a blanket. So I bought some yarn and decided to knit a blanket for my soon to be nephew. I had 6 weeks till the baby shower and figured that it would be more than enough time to complete it. I worked diligently on it almost every night for 3 weeks. Then one day I left it unattended, and Ryan pulled it off the needles and I had to start over. I was upset, but figured I could use the practice and this time I would really do it right. Well, needless to say, I lost my motivation to have it done by the baby shower, and then his birth, so I have been really trying to get it completed so maybe I could get it to him before he's a month old. Well, while my friend Katie had Kaleigh and the boys were napping, I figured I could probably complete it. So I sat down and worked on it for over an hour before Jake started making noise and I had to quit. I put it under my pillow because I was in the middle of a row and didn't have time to complete it. Then I took a blanket and put it over my pillow....for added protection. Well, somehow Ryan managed to find 15 seconds of no supervision, and he took it upon himself to get into a little trouble. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves as to what actually transpired. I suppose I could have wrapped the yarn back up and started over (again), but sometimes you just have to make a point. So, sorry baby Braeden, no blanket for you. Maybe I'll make you some booties, they take a lot less time and are easier to hide!

Another Illness

Over the last few days, we unfortunately were stricken with yet another bug. I'm not sure where it came from, but it's nasty. Ryan has bronchitis, and Jake and I both have viral respiratory infections. I'm tolerating now that he gave me some good cough medicine, and Ryan's on antibiotics, so he started feeling better right away. Jake on the other hand, is getting hit hard. He's wheezing almost non-stop, and the albuterol nebs aren't helping. The urgent care MD put him on Prednisone (a steroid) but after talking to our regular pediatrician today, and asking why it wasn't helping he informed me that Prednisone isn't appropriate for a viral infection. He said as long as he's still drinking fluids he didn't need to be seen. But since the wheezing has gotten worse, I'll be taking Jake to see him tomorrow morning. That's assuming we make it through the night without an ER visit.

Thankfully, Kaleigh hasn't shown any symptoms yet, which is a miracle. It would be devastating if she caught this. Preemies are predisposed to respiratory problems. We're doing our best to keep her away from the kids. A big thank you to my friend Katie who came and picked her up today and took her home for the afternoon. It allowed us to all rest at the same time, and it was 6 less hours Kaleigh was exposed.....

We'll hopefully get some sleep tonight without too many coughing fits and take Jake to the pediatrician in the morning.

Baby Braeden, and Baking Cookies

I finally got to see baby Braeden again. He's getting cuter by the day! The first time i went I took all the kids, and forgot my camera, but Joel and I went again this weekend. I got some great pictures of him. Dan and Sarah have fallen into parenthood very smoothly. They really seem to have a handle on things.

Ryan and I baked cookies today. He stood at the counter and dumped in the ingredients after I measured them out. I poured the chocolate chips into a bowl right off the bat, and he ate a lot of them. When I told him it was time to put them into the batter, he started adding them one at a time. (we were making a double batch.....) I Finally had to "help" him pour it into the bowl-but not all of them. He made me leave some out for him. The cookies turned out excellent, he's quite the little baker.

And finally, Joel couldn't get the truck started after work today. He thinks it must need a new fuel pump. We're already down one vehicle cuz the van needs a new transmission, but now we're down 2!! I got the kids all ready to go pick him up and started on my not-so-merry-way, and when I got about 15 miles into the 40 mile trip Joel called to say his dad was picking him up and he could borrow his mom's truck until we get ours fixed. Once again, thanks Bryce and Sharon. So the kids and I turned around and headed home. It was a little late to bed, but ended up being an ok night.

Jake's Birthday Party

We had a nice intimate party with just family. The party started out with close to 35 guests invited, but between the weather, illnesses, and babies being born, it was narrowed down to just 14 of us. It was a lot of fun. Jake was much more interested in the wrapping paper than in actually opening his gifts, which worked out for Ryan who could barely keep his hands off them! But by the time cake rolled around, Jake was beyond tired, having only had a short nap. So he wasn't too interested in it. Auntie Kendall made another one of a kind cake for him-an orange crayon. It was cute, and good tasting too!

Jake's first birthday....

Today is Jake's birthday! Hard to believe he's already a year old. He's such a little man already, but he's still my baby. We're having a party for him this weekend with all the grandparents and aunts/uncles. Unfortunately, we've all been stricken with a NASTY stomach bug. It hit Ryan first-and the hardest, then me, then Joel, then Jake. I hoped we would be able to spare Kaleigh, but at her 4 mo check up the pediatrician thought she had it too. Bummer for us all. Hopefully we'll be healthy by this weekend, and I'll get the house "aired" out so we don't get anyone else sick. Due to the illness, we haven't been able to get over to see baby Braeden. Hopefully we'll be able to soon. Danny says they're doing well. Anyway, Happy Birthday Jacob Kendall!! We'll put pictures up after the party.

Jake's First haircut

I can't get these pictures in the order I want, but the one with the sucker is the final results. Bob the barber did a great job, and was a good sport about the whole thing. During-not really enjoying himself:

Busy Busy Bathtime

After a long day of waiting at the hospital for baby Braeden, I thought I'd let the boys have a nice long "tub-bub" as Ryan calls it. They love bathing and playing in water. Duchess loves to watch them bathe, and tries to drink the water when they splash it, eat the bubbles we blow, and licks up the water off the floor. Well, apparently last night she decided enough is enough and she got right in with them!!