The Big Number 5

Happy 5th Birthday Aaron!

I remember the day you were born like it was just yesterday. You were my tiniest baby--weighing in at a mere 6 pounds 13 ounces. You were also my longest labor--5 whole hours. I remember being so scared during my labor with you, worried that there were going to be complications. Both of our blood pressures were dropping, and there was a lot of commotion as the nurses put me on oxygen and the doctor gave me medication into my IV to raise my blood pressure. And then just like that, you were there. So tiny and so perfect. My little Aaron Michael. And just like that, you became the perfect fit for our family. I then had 4 kids ages 4 and under, but you slipped into our family so easily, you were the happiest little baby.

Now you are 5. You have become such an adventurous little boy. You have a wild imagination and love to play pretend. You are smart, it amazes me how much you know. You love to share your wealth of information with anyone who will listen. You are sweet, you know just what to say at the right moment to make my heart melt. I can't even imagine life without you. Thank you for being a part of our family. We love you!

Chicago vs Crazy Busy Schedule

Scott just got back from a 4 day trip to Chicago. He attended a conference out there. He had spare time and was able to explore the city and visit Navy Pier. He got to sleep in a nice hotel room without any little kids to wake him in the night. He went four whole days without getting spit up on or having to change a diaper. I think it sounds like four days of heaven.

Meanwhile, here at home...
Nate came down with a terrible cold/cough. I decided to have him sleep in bed with me so he wouldn't keep Josh and Aaron up at night with his cough, and so I could comfort him when needed. But of course, that made it so Owen didn't sleep well. And without Scott here to help out in the night, I really got no sleep. Monday evening Nate came to me covered in throw-up. My guess is that his cough made him gag. So I got the joy of cleaning the throw-up out of my chair and cleaning up Nate. Thankfully, he didn't throw up again.

The first night, I tried to put Owen in his real crib on the other side of the house (he still sleeps in the port-a-crib next to our bed), so Nate wouldn't wake him up with his coughing. I put him in the crib, turned on the monitor and laid down in my bed. I laid there for half an hour, just waiting for the slightest sound over the monitor. I literally was having separation anxiety--it was the first time he hadn't slept right next to me. Finally, he started crying, and I went and got him and brought him back to my room. I was happy to have him back at my side, but got very little sleep, because every time Nate coughed, Owen would stir and I'd have to lean over and put his pacifier back in to get him back to sleep.

Saturday night was the last night of Savannah's play. I had gone the night before and both nights the weekend before, so I skipped the last night (since I had all the kids and no husband). Grandma Jo was kind enough to go watch Savannah for me. While Savannah was at the play, I took the other 5 kids to Walmart to do some much needed shopping that I didn't get done before Scott left town. Five kids at Walmart--that's always an adventure.

Sunday I got up extra early to get myself and 6 kids ready for 9:00 church (and I was even on-time). Megan (the one who watches my little boys while I go running) was kind enough to take Owen during Sacrament meeting, so I only had to keep the 5 older kids quiet during that hour. Sunday afternoon was actually kind of enjoyable. The kids and I all watched a movie together and just relaxed.

Monday I went running in the morning. It was really nice to get a little break away from the kids. That afternoon I took the 4 younger kids to school to watch Savannah's choir concert. She has participated in her school's honor choir this whole school year. They meet once a week for an hour before school. They've had the chance to perform at different community events throughout the year. This concert was for families to come watch. She did great, and the kids mostly behaved.

Tuesday morning I taught preschool. A few weeks ago, Aaron joined a preschool co-op. They'd had a few kids drop out and were looking for another kid (mostly another mom to help teach). So, we joined. This week was my turn to teach. As soon as preschool was done (10:00-noon), I loaded the three little boys in the car and drove to Savannah's Challenge school. She had the assignment of picking a famous landmark and doing a report. She picked the Salt Lake Temple. She did so great on her presentation. I was so proud of her. And the boys kind of behaved.




After the presentation, I picked up Sara on the way home (I'd arranged for her to go to our neighbor's house after Kindergarten). And just before Josh and Savannah got home from school, Scott got home. The kids were so excited because he brought home presents for them--foam pirate swords for Nate and Aaron, t-shirts for Owen and Savannah, a t-shirt and cap for Josh, and a shiny pink pen for Sara with her name on it. He even brought me a present--a puzzle (I just have to find time to do it). Mostly, though, we were just so happy to have Dad home. We just don't do well when he's gone.

Wednesday morning Scott took off the morning from work and went to Savannah's school to help with a project that they needed parent help with. Savannah really liked it that her Dad came to help. That morning I also went running one last time. Megan is headed to Utah to work at Aspen Grove. So now if I want to run, I've got to do it in the evening after Scott gets home, or early in the morning before he goes to work. If Owen would start sleeping through the night, I just might be able to get up and go in the mornings--maybe. Then last night, we all went to the park for Savannah's cast party to celebrate the end of the play. I'm really not going to miss the play--practices three days a week had really become quite a pain.

And this morning I taught preschool again. This morning was tricky. Owen was working on getting his second tooth and he's come down with Nate's cold and cough. So, I had to do all our preschool crafts one handed because Owen wouldn't let me put him down. Two hours with a 20 pound kid on my hip--it was tiring. The kids kept asking, "Why is he crying?". Poor Owen. Preschool ended just before noon. Scott came home for lunch and watched the kids while I went to a Relief Society lunch at our RS President's house. I only went for half an hour, but it was without kids, so it was wonderful. And then of course, today was our gymnastics day--three hours of gymnastics. I'm really ready for the weekend to come so I can hopefully get some rest and relaxation.

Second Tooth

Owen's second tooth poked through today. It was tricky trying to get a picture of it. Scott helped me pin his arms down, so he didn't grab the camera, and I tried to open his mouth to reveal the teeth. But every time I pulled his lip down, he stuck his tongue out.


Here's a good peak at his top teeth that are ready to burst through any day now.
And finally, I got a picture of those two little teeth!

Now we just have to get those top teeth through.

Father and Sons Campout

This weekend was our ward's father/son camp out. It came at a hard time, because it was the last weekend of Savannah's Jungle Book play, and Scott had to leave Saturday afternoon for a business trip. But, Scott and I decided that it was important that the boys get to go camping with their dad (after all, it only comes once a year). So, on Friday afternoon, Scott got off work early and gathered the camping gear and loaded it into the suburban. Then we all went to the kids' school to watch Josh and Savannah's exploratory share (where they get to show off what "art" thing they've been working on for the last few weeks). That was at the end of school, so then we brought Josh and Savannah home with us. Then the boys loaded up and headed off for a night of adventure.



This was Nate's first year getting to go. He was really excited to get to go with the big boys. They all stopped at the Ox-Bow cafe for dinner. I think that place holds some sort of significance from Scott's youth.




They camped at Thousand Springs (outside of Hagerman). They had a nice grassy spot right next to the river. Scott said the little boys spent most of their time throwing rocks into the river, and Josh spent most of his time off playing with the older boys that were there.




When it came time for the fire, the little boys were really tired and decided to go to bed in the tent.


Josh decided to play in the fire.


Eventually they all went to bed and had a fairly good night. Aaron slept on one cot, Josh slept on a pad on the ground, and Nate had to share a cot with his Daddy. But, they stayed warm!



The next morning they got up early and got ready to come home. Aaron loved climbing the hill behind the tent. After they got home, I asked Aaron what his favorite thing was, and he said it was climbing that hill.











The boys got home around 11:30. Scott hurried and showered and threw a bag together, and left at noon to head to the airport for his trip to Chicago. He was kind enough to leave me with a suburban full of camping gear to put away and three little boys to get out of the tub. But, the boys had such a wonderful time--it was well worth all the chaos.

AND WHILE THE BOYS WERE GONE, THE GIRLS (AND OWEN)....went to Savannah's play on Friday night. Owen behaved really well during the play and slept for most of it. After the play, I took the girls for milkshakes. Then we came back to the house and watched a movie together. Then we had a sleepover in my room (Owen in the crib next to my bed, Sara and me in my bed, and Savannah in my chair). Saturday morning I cooked bacon and pancakes for the girls (Sara's request). It was really fun getting to have some "girl time" for one night.

First Tooth!

Guess who has his first tooth!


This morning Sara came running to tell me that Owen had a tooth. So I came to look, and sure enough, it was there! Can you see it? It's just poking through, but it's there!

Six Months

Owen is six months today. I can't believe it's been six months already. He's growing so fast and time is passing far too quickly. I just want to keep him little, but he's not cooperating with that. He's growing--a lot. Today he weighed in at a whopping 20 pounds and was 28 inches long! He's the 90th percentile weight, 95th percentile for height, and off the chart for head. The kid is all head! His cheeks are so chubby, they just beg for kissing. The pediatrician also commented on how close his teeth look to coming in. He said usually babies get their bottom teeth first, but Owen looks like his top teeth might come in first. I think he's just going to get them all at once. In the meantime, he's drooling like crazy and chewing on everything he can get his hands on.


And sadly, nursing officially ended last week. I stretched it out as long as I could. Owen had just become so against nursing--it had become such a battle to try and get him to nurse. He would just turn his head and scream. He'd get so upset and then I'd get frustrated and upset, and it was just such a stress for both of us. I finally decided to let him win, and he's much happier now. I'm so incredibly sad that nursing is done, but it is really nice to not have to fight with him over it.

Mother's Day

I've had a wonderful but busy weekend. My parents came Thursday evening and stayed till this afternoon. On Friday my parents babysat the younger kids so I could chaperone an all-day field trip with Josh. We went to Kathrine Albertson's Park and the MK Nature Center. It was great getting to spend the day with Josh.

Friday night was Savannah's opening night of her play (Jungle Book). Scott stayed home with the three little boys, and Grandma, Grandpa, Josh, Sara and I went to see the play. Savannah did great! She played a wolf, and was in a lot of the scenes. Here she is in her costume--pretty real looking, right? The other picture is of her and her friend Brynlee after their masks came off. Brynlee's Mom and I have been carpool buddies for the last three months of play practices.



Saturday Scott and I got up early to run in the Race for the Cure 5K in downtown Boise. It was fun, but I've decided Scott and I shouldn't try to run together. I try to push him, he gets grouchy with me because he hates running, then I get grouchy with him because he hates running, and then we both are just grouchy. After the race, we got cleaned up and went to the temple. It was our Stake's temple day, so we decided to take advantage of our babysitters (grandma and grandpa). After the temple, we did some shopping at Costco. Then we came home and had dinner, then went to Savannah's play again. This time Grandma and Grandpa stayed home with Josh and Owen, and Scott and I went and took Nate, Aaron, and Sara. Grandpa Mike came to the play, too. Aaron was complaining of a toothache and cried the whole way through the first half of the play. Finally, I'd had enough, so I left and took Aaron home, then went back for the end of the play. Once again, Savannah did awesome!

Sunday was Mother's Day. It was great having my Mom here to celebrate with me. We went to church in the morning.

In the afternoon, I lounged around in the living room at "Spa Sara" and "Spa Savannah". The girls used bottles of lotion to give foot massages, and put me to sleep rubbing my back. They had fun pampering me, and I really enjoyed it. Scott made a fabulous dinner of halibut and orange rolls. After dinner we went for a family walk, then came back for dessert (strawberry shortcake). Then it was time for presents. I got 4 new bread pans, each wrapped separately--so I got to open 4 presents.






This morning started off with Aaron throwing up. I'm pretty sure his toothache is an abscess, and I think that lended to his getting sick. He's been fine the rest of the day, and he has a dentist appointment Thursday. I'm just hoping he'll be ok till then. This morning was also Owen's 6th month doctor visit. I was able to leave Aaron and Nate home with Grandpa while I took Owen to the doctor. During that time, I sent my Mom to Eagle Day Spa for a facial (my mother's day gift to her). She loved it. My parents headed back home just after lunch time. And then I got to spend the rest of my day with a fussy baby (darn immunizations) and trying to pull the house back together after a busy weekend.