What's Happening?

Here's whats been happening in our neck of the woods.....

Swimming Lessons and lots of time at he pool

Bryson started preschool

Abby started kindergarten 

Going grocery shopping with my boys

Playing with "Baby Garrett Ben Ben" as Austin calls him.

Garrett loves his jumper

my future nerdy scientists 

Nothing better than licking frosting off the beaters.

Garrett's first time eating cereal. 

Friend Play Date

Today we had a play date with my some of my best friends from high school. About 2/3 of them were able to make it. It was great to visit and catch up. I think there was almost 30 kids between us! 

 The key to getting 30 kids to sit still for a picture... Popsicles!

Twinners

I am back on the sewing wagon again. I stared out easy with a simple maxi skirt. I had enough left over to make Abby one too. I know it's kind of lame, but Abby loves it when we match. I am am going to milk it for the short time she thinks I'm cool.

Bryson's Song

It is rare that I can get Bryson to look at the camera, let alone preform for it. This is a rare treat.

 

Happy Birthday Bryson!

I can't believe Bryson is 4!
Favorite thing to do: Watch Garrett, Going to Kangaroo Zoo.
Food: Hot Dogs
Best Friend: Blake
When I grow up: Wants to ride a motorcycle
What makes you special? being 4, God makes me special, holding Garrett, good friend, smart.

Happy Birthday Bryson!

We love you!

The other side of the story

I feel I may have painted a rose colored picture of my life lately, so for the other side of the story...

Taking a shower is still a luxury.

Multiple children are often crying, yelling and/or whining simultaneously.

The kids are often sent out into the backyard with a popsicle to give me time to regain some sanity.

I have pawned off the older kids onto the grandmas on multiple occasions.

Ben's paternity leave will be over next week and the real fun will begin.

Abby often informs me that I have been in my pajamas all day and should probably change.

My house is rarely, if ever, in a state of perfection.

My patience level is often at its breaking point.

With all that said I wouldn't trade my crazy life for anything.

Little Victories

Abby has lost both of her bottom front teeth.

I made a play dress for Abby in 10minutes with an old t-shirt and a pillowcase.

I have lost 3/4 of my Garrett weight.

I have successfully put 4 kids and myself down for naps at the same time.

Garrett is gaining weight like a champ and is only up once in the night.

Abby and Bryson finished Preschool.

Austin has adjusted well to no longer being the baby of the family.

Happy To Be Home

Garrett unexpectedly got to come home today. He is doing great.

Austin loves him.

Abby and Bryson think it is hilarious when Garrett burps or toots.

He is happy to be home and we are happy he is here.

Garrett Benjamin

Garrett Benjamin was born May 6th
8lbs 15oz 19in

I started having contractions about 9:30pm on Saturday. We had Ben's mom come over at about midnight to stay with the kids. About 1:30AM I had started bleeding, the contractions weren't  horrible but I wanted to get checked anyway thinking they would probably send me home. Thanks to the advice of so many of you I was able to stay very "zen" and relaxed through each contraction with slow controlled breathing. We got to the hospital a little before 2AM. They checked me and I was at a 7! So they immediately admitted me. Thanks to the power of Spinach and vitamin K, my platelets made a small rebound up. They gave me a quick spinal about 2:45AM. They broke my water. With one contraction he came out at 3:15AM.
The next morning they moved Garrett to the Level 2 Nursery because he was oxygen levels kept dipping.  For anyone who has had to leave the Hospital without their baby knows how hard it is. He will hopefully be coming home soon but will need to stay on monitors for awhile. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

Tour De Grandparents

Ben was out of town for a few days on business, so the kids and I went to stay a night at each of the Grandparents houses. The kids had a great time.

Ben leaving for the airport

Our tour began at the Tulip Festival with Grandma Dianne, Uncle Dallin, Aunt Becki and cousins Fiona and Sabrina.

 I think Abby took a picture of every flower along the way. 

Feeding the Fish

Italian Gardens 

The Secret Garden

This is definitely the kids favorite.

Austin, Fiona and Sabrina

Cousins Austin, Abby, Bryson, Fiona and Sabrina 

Playing in the Sprinklers 

Bryson helping Grandpa Fix his car 

Then it was off to the Cochran's.

Grandma put Abby's hair in  "Pioneer Sister Curls" (rag curls) as Abby called them. I forgot to take a picture :(  

We had a fun picnic at the park with Grandma Elaine, Laycee and Bella.

They loved playing Billy Goats Gruff 

Bryson has almost mastered the monkey bars 

Thanks for letting us stay, we had a great time!

We had read scriptures with Grandma before bed Alma 44:1 It talks about not being men of blood.

Now whenever Abby and Bryson are fighting they will yell at each other, "WE ARE NOT MEN OF BLOOD!"