Looks who's smiling again

Grant is doing MUCH better. They told us RSV typically lasts 7-14 days, sometimes longer, but it's been 9 days since the start, and he is pretty much over it. Miserable as he was, I think he had a pretty mild case, for which we are very, very thankful. It is awful and scary when your baby struggles to breathe and is so sick. The doctor told us to watch him like a hawk, so watch him we did, 'round the clock. He slept propped up in his carseat beside our bed (in the few hours he slept at night!), and I pretty much held him upright in my arms or in the Beco carrier for a solid 3 days. So glad we're past that! Oh, and Joel was feeling better after only 24 hours on the antibiotic, and God kept the rest of us from getting strep, thankfully. A couple more days of recovery and rest around here, and I think we'll be doing great.



A little too much "love" but he's still smiling behind her arm.

What a way to celebrate

Grant looks so happy and healthy in those "sitting up" photos! But they were taken last week. I took the kids in to the doctor this morning (on my birthday). Joel has been sick and saying his throat hurts for the last few days, and Grant is all congested and coughing again, so in we went. Boy, am I glad I took them in! Joel has strep, and Grant has RSV. Joel will be feeling good again in a couple of days, but Grant will likely take longer. Poor baby can't breathe. I'm praying that he can get through this without any complications. Looks like sleep is going to be elusive for a while longer.

Boppy sitting

I came out to the living room one morning last week and saw this. 

Kari took it upon herself to help Grant learn to sit up. She had gotten out the Boppy pillow and sat him up in it with more pillows behind him. She gets all the credit.

Party, Party

Here's some more of Joel birthday celebration. He invited his preschool friends over for a dinosaur birthday party the day of his actual birthday. It was rather chaotic with over 10 kids in our little house, but it was fun. I hadn't really planned on doing a "friend" party for Joel this year, but then he told me he had already invited some kids to his party (that we hadn't yet planned), so we made it happen. :) I had gotten some dinosaur masks and a sticker activity for his family party, so we just used those for his friend party instead, and it worked out great! 

The weather was beautiful the day of his family party. The kids were even able to play outside in the sunshine. That was a first for us with our kids' winter birthdays. Joel loved being the birthday boy and did a lot of planning this year. He even designed his cake. He drew me a picture of what he wanted me to do. It was fun to watch him enjoy all the festivities. 

He's Five!

Today our little guy turned five years old. He had a great day being the birthday boy at home this morning, at preschool, at his dinosaur party with his preschool friends, and at home with us this evening. He got to go out for his birthday breakfast with Grandpa A. yesterday, and his family party is on Saturday, so the birthday fun is being stretched out over several days. Not a problem for this five-year-old. Keep it comin'.

We love you so much! Happy Birthday, Joel-boy!

Gotta keep that sense of humor

Brutal is how Greg described last night. We are used to our sleep being disturbed, but it was at a whole new level last night. It was so bad that at several different points I couldn't help but laugh. It was either laugh or cry, and it wasn't bad enough to cry (the flu is cry-worthy; this was not), so laugh it was. At one point in the middle of the night, every member of our household was awake, except Joel. Grant's crying woke up Kari, but Joel slept through it all! Grant wasn't even the primary perpetrator, although he was a contributor. He was only up 3 or 4 times (I lose count these days). I was up with him at 12:30am, and just as I was getting back to sleep, I heard Aubrey crying. She came down with a cold yesterday that got worse and worse throughout the day (congested, coughing a lot, normal cold stuff). Greg, who, I might add, is still recovering from jet lag, got up with her the first time, noticed she was hot, gave her some meds, and tried to put her back to bed. It didn't work. Aubrey was awake for five hours in the night with a fever, and when she gets a fever over 101, she gets loud, and she gets crazy, as in delusional. She kept saying she didn't want to be in her room because there were bugs flying around. The "bugs" kept bothering her and continued to scare her for the next several hours. We made up a little bed on the floor in our room, and she stayed there for a little while, talking, singing, making no sense at all. But then the "bugs" showed up in that bed, too, and she ended up in our bed. She saw bugs in our bed a few times (no, we do not have bed bugs!) but felt safer with us there and finally conked out at 6am. When she woke up at 8:30am, the fever was gone and she was ok, but she told me there were scary red and yellow bugs flying in her room and on her pillow last night. Her pillow case has little red and yellow flowers on it. :) The bugs were obviously very real to her. I was surprised she remembered anything from the night. She seems to be feeling better and has been fever-free all day.

A lady at the grocery store saw me with Joel, Aubrey, and Grant (we were in dire need of some groceries, and the kids were doing fine, so I ventured out for a quick trip), and she said, "You sure are in the thick of it, aren't you!" My response was simply, "Yes, we are." (My weary brain couldn't think of anything better to say at the time.) She went on to encourage me to "enjoy this time while they're young and train them now because when they grow older things get more complicated and the stakes get higher." Her comments made me wonder what she was going through with the two teenagers she said she had at home, but her words also made me feel thankful that things are so simple right now in this phase of parenthood. We may feel weary at times, especially in the sleepless baby stage, but we really do enjoy our kids and look forward to reaping the benefits of the work we're doing now.

We'll see how tonight goes and see if I can keep my sense of humor if we have another night like last night. :)

Update: Next night was a "normal" night. Aubrey slept. No "bugs."

5 months

I'm a little late on this one. He's almost 5 1/2 months now. Our little man sure is getting big. He still holds the award for our worst sleeper, but his huge smiles and delightful laugh make me forget how tired I am. I just love this little guy!

He is still a crazy jumper and still loves attention, especially the attention of his adoring siblings. They like to find new ways to make him laugh, and he rewards them by laughing at pretty much anything they do. He's playing with toys more these days, grabbing at whatever we have in our hands, and drooling like crazy. A cold and lingering cough was giving him some trouble for a couple weeks, but I think he is finally over that, for the most part.

My recent efforts (and failures) in trying to help him nap and sleep better have served as reminders to me that even after having three children, we still don't have it all figured out. Every kid is different! Someday, Grant, you will sleep, and that will be a glorious day, but until then, I am choosing to enjoy you, Baby, while you're still a baby. It goes by all too quickly.

To infinity and beyond!!!

Greg comes home today! Yeah!!! He's been in Ireland for the last week on a business trip again, the second one there in the last seven months. This time was MUCH better for all involved. Greg's time there was more profitable this time, at least from what I've heard thus far, and our time at home was a lot easier. Two things factored into the easier time at home:
1) the length of the trip was cut in half
2) I was not 8 months pregnant this time!

Last time Greg was gone he sent emails to the kids from "Andy Monkey," and this time he did something similar but took "Buzz Lightyear" with him this time instead. He may be a little embarrassed that I put them on the blog, but I make a book out of each year's blog posts, and I want them to be included. The kids LOVED the emails. The looks on their faces when I read them the very first one were priceless.

January 8, 2011
Kari, Joel, Aubrey, and Grant:

It is I, THE Buzz Lightyear of Star command, and I bring you important news! My commander, the honorable Andy (known to you as Andy Monkey), has given me a very serious and important mission.

Andy has recieved intelligence proving that your father is leaving on a grand adventure, and as he is getting older, does not feel as though he has the ability to watch over you Dad. So he has assigned me the action to follow and protect your Dad at all costs. It is a great challenge that I have accepted as my burden.
Joel, I hope you understand that I only left you to complete this special mission and will be returning home to you upon completion. It is my goal to make you proud, sir! In the middle of the night, I snuck out of my toy bin and stowed away inside your father's emergency rations tote.

As far as I can tell, we are currently at the local space port, bound to board some sort of airborne transport. I will keep you posted with updates and photos throughout my mission.
For now, this is Buzz Lightyear of Star command, signing off.
To infinity, and beyond!!

P.S. Your father would like me to tell you that he sends his love to all of you, and especially the lovely Andrea Diane.

January 10, 2011 Star log 20110110
Hello Space Cadets,

I am reporting from the strange land which the natives call 'Ireland'. I find the landscape to be dark, stormy with much ice in the morning. The primary heat source of this land is the sun, much like the sun back home. I wonder if it is the same sun. Do you happen to know? I would like to use whatever facts I can determine, as it may help me to defeat Emporer Zurg.
I overheard your Dad talking about 'the plant' this morning. I am unsure about what the plant is, but I figured that it might provide me a clue as to Zurg's location. So I made it my goal to sneak along.

As you can see from the pictures, I am sleeping well. I have taken to using the same bed that Andy monkey slept in on his trip here. 

When I woke up this morning, I saw that your father was rinsing his body in water. I asked him what the peculiar hosing down of oneself was called, and he told me it was a shower. I decided to try it and found it was refreshing.

Next, I determined that I needed nourishment, but none of the food here is compatible with my system. Fortunately, I scavenged through your Dad's rescue pack and found emergency rations to hold me over.

As he was leaving, I decided to sneak in the vehicle. This ride is some sort of ground rover that the humans refer to as a car. It was a bit tricky getting up, but once I was on I hung on and snuck into your Dad's rescue pack.

I will report on my findings later this week, as I believe I may have found some clues, and I am going back tomorrow.
I thought I saw Woody and Bullseye today, but when I ran up to them they were only fake dolls that were speaking Spanish. I said "hello" and the return greeting was, "HOLA BUZZ Mi Amigo!"

I ran away with my laster pointed.

Alright little space rangers, I must re-charge my batteries for another day tomorrow. Please play well, protect your mother and the homestead from the evil Zurg while I am away, and remember that your Daddy loves you very much!!! He told me himself.


Until I write again,
Buzz Lightyear out......
 
 
 
January 11, 2011
Star Log 20110111:
Today was an eventful day. I believe that I have almost solved the mystery of the Evil Zurg! While your Father was bathing and eating, I logged onto his portable computing machine and hacked the plans for the entrance to Zurg's secret cave. This picture shows me typing away, breaking the secret code to show the coordinates for the super-secret entrance. And it shows baby Grant. What a cute kid.

Next, I jumped into the rescue pack and hitched a ride over to the plant. I then scurried out of the vehicle, and ran to the secret entrance coordinates undetected. I tried to access the super-secret portal, but I could not find it, no matter how hard I tried. I even used my special suction cups to climb up the side!

Undaunted, I looked around and noticed a rather suspicious vent and ducting. SPACE RANGERS, I FOUND IT!!

I climbed up, and used my laser to enter the ducting, just like we were told in TOY STORY 2.
 I knew I was close, I came out of the ducting inside the plant. 

Stealthily, I weaved and bobbed through the factory, not sure of what I would find...

Stay tuned tomorrow for the next portion of my story. I am unable to release this information today, as it is still too volatile an environment, and I need to go back and get some firm proof of Zurg's evil plans that I suspect.
To infinity, and BEYOND!!

P.S. I want you to, I mean, your Dad wants you to give that very attractive mother of yours a bit hug and a smooch for him. And he loves all of you little space cadets very much, and will call today sometime.

Buzz out



January 14, 2011
Star log 20110114
Hello Space Rangers!
Buzz lightyear reporting in. I have been hard are work to intercept whatever evil plans the infamous Zurg has, and I have found some interesting discoveries.
I was sneaking around the plant undetected by using your Father's cranial heat dampener (he calls it a snow hat). 

 I came to a suspicious looking cargo transport and viewed from afar.

As the cargo transport came close to my location, I ran and flew onto the rear of the craft! I was now on the transport and travelling at warp speed 0.2.

 As I was traveling along on the transport, I was looking for clues as to the whereabouts of Zurg. I continued to look as I traveled. Suddenly, from out of nowhere a large hand grabbed me and stuck me into a dark room. It was as dark as your laundry room with all the lights out.
As the room opened up, a hand grabbed me and pulled me out. I realized that I had been traveling in your Dad's rescue pack! It was he who grabbed me. He asked me what I was doing running around the 'plant' as he calls it. I explained my adventure looking for the evil Zurg. He said 'Silly Buzz, Zurg does not live here! This is a forklift plant, and I am here working!' I was stunned. He then showed me what a 'forklift' was, and I even got my picture taken on one.

It turns out that this was the transport that I was riding on earlier, and I didn't even know it!After getting over my initial dissapointment, I remembered that Zurg will always be there for me to defeat. I also took satisfaction in knowing that I protected your father as my mentor, Andy monkey, had asked. Please tell him for me that I have completed my mission, and that I will be bringing your father home with me tomorrow.
Thanks Space Rangers, for listening to my story.


To Infinity and Beyond!!!!
Buzz

P.S. Your Dad says that he loves you and can't wait to see you in another two days!

Christmas in January

Joel's preschool Christmas program had to be postponed due to some flooding back in December, and they rescheduled it for this evening. Joel was so excited to finally get to sing those songs they'd practiced for so many weeks.
Here he is with Sam before the performance.









He belted it out and was right on with all those motions. Joel, you did great! I am so proud of you!

Stay-cation

Kids are back to school, and Greg is back to work now, but we really enjoyed our Christmas break. Greg took some vacation, like he usually does between Christmas and New Years, so we had a lot of family time. We went and saw Tangled one day(and really liked it). We went to a bounce/jump play place another day, and we even squeezed in some sledding before the snow completely melted. The kids were very busy playing with all their gifts (and we were busy trying to find places to put them!) Here's Greg getting some quality Littlest Pet Shop play time in with Aubs.

We only got a dusting of snow at our house that melted before the kids could even get outside, but our friends out in Sandy got a couple inches. So, before it completely disappeared, we met them at the park near their house, and made a couple sledding runs. The kids all had a blast. Aubrey scrunched her eyes shut every time she went down the hill and sat up, grinning and saying "again" at the bottom.

I appreciated the fact that we were only 15 minutes from home, as opposed to all the way up the mountain (our original plan), and that it was FREE, as opposed to the $20 a person (gasp!) the sledding place we went to last year was asking. I had Grant bundled up and in the baby carrier with me. He stayed toasty warm, and I played photographer for the morning.

Beaver Believers

OSU may not be in a bowl game, but the men in this family are still representing. They all got new Beaver gear for Christmas.
Here's one minus drool.

One last classic Christmas post

Greg and I had a good shoulder-shaking laugh during our kids' part of the Christmas program at church. The combination of sweet, off-key children's voices and the halo that just wouldn't stay up was just too much for us. Aubrey was wiggling all over Greg's lap while he was trying to video, too. You can see the misbehaving halo just above Joel's eyes in this photo. Watch for it in the video. I believe the count was up to eight by the time the song was done.

Christmas program 2010 from Andrea Moffat on Vimeo.