Milestones

It's so bittersweet for me when my kids reach these milestones. I am a little late on this posting but wanted to get it up anyway. About a month ago Aidan lost his first tooth. It had been loose for a while and he had been so excited! He was constantly wiggling it and showing everyone. Finally one night when he had me feel it I told him it was loose enough that we could pull it out if he wanted. I was shocked when he said he wanted me to pull it out. After a few tries it came right out. He was really excited to put his tooth under his pillow. The toothfairy didn't disappoint. She left him 5 dollars!!! He had so much fun spending it at the dollar store the next day. Like I said it has been about a month now and his permanent tooth is poking through, and the tooth right next to it is loose. He has been wiggling it like crazy. I warned him that the toothfairy may not leave as much next time and that maybe she just left him that much becasue it was his first one. We'll see I guess ;)

A Lesson in Discipline

I can hardly believe that in just a little over a year Aidan has recieved his Orange Belt in karate and he is only 5 years old. This makes it his 4th belt and I couldn't be more proud. He is the youngest in his class and does amazingly well. I can't believe the amount of information that his young little brain can hold! This obviously wasn't the first belt test that he has done but this was the one that made me the most proud. Part of what they learn in karate is characteristics to strive for such as discipline, and perserverance. He was tested in both of the areas more than we ever would have imagined that day. He had been struggling with his asthma for a couple days but it got really bad the morning of his test. We took him into the Dr. that morning and he had to get a double nebulizer treatment, a dose of steroids, and put back on two different inhalers, and Cingulair. It was a lot of medications for his little body. The steroids make him really volatile and emotional. We let him decide whether or not he felt ready to take the test. He said he wanted to so off we went. When we got to the studio he started getting a little nervous. When he got inside he got a little overwhelmed. There was probably 30 people testing in his group and he was the youngest by a long shot. They test according to level not age group so there was a lot of loud adults testing with him. He has done it before but I think the fact that he felt so crappy and was on so many meds was too much for him to handle. His instructor Mr. Hatch talked to him and told me he was doing good so I went to the studio and waited. When he came in to test I could tell it wasn't going to be easy for him. He was crying and coughing really hard. I didn't get many pictures because I was trying not to look at him too much cause everytime we made eye contact he would cry harder. He did NOT want to finish but he did. He showed me and everyone else what it means to finish something even when you really don't want to and he definitly knows now when it means to perservere. I sure do love this little boy and he makes me proud every day! He teaches me lessons even when I don't expect it.

This is him coming into the room. It wasn't hard to tell how he was feeling when I first saw him.

Trying his hardest to smile. His eyes are saying exactly how he really feels though.

This is part of the belt tradition. After they test they wipe their brow with their old belt and then with their new belt.

Putting on his new orange belt!

This is his amazing instructor Mr. Hatch. He has so much respect for him and I don't think he would have made it through the test this day without him their and supporting him!

Way to go buddy! Love you!

So lucky!

I am so lucky! Not only do I have the cutest kids in the world, I have an amazing photographer for a cousin who is willing to pack up a SUV full of equipment, and her two year old, and drive from Grantsville to do a photo shoot for me! We did this when Mason was 10 days old. The big kids weren't in the mood and weren't exactly cooperative as you will see from the fake smiles they are sporting, but I think we got some cute shots none the less. Mason was more alert than he had been before so he presented a little bit of a challenge as well but he was a trooper. We got some super cute pictures and I had so much fun with my cuz! Thanks Emily......you really are the best.
By the way......if any of you are looking for a great photographer let me know and I will get you her info. You can also check out her blog for some more of the pics she has taken. Her blog is in my blog list under Ron and Emily.

This is when we decided Mason was done. :)

One week already!

I really can't believe Mason is already one week old. I think that knowing that this is my last baby is making me want time to stqand still. I really want him to stay little forever. He is such a good baby. We are all just loving him to pieces. We cam home last Saturday and I was so ready! It was so great to get him home and finally introduce him to his anxious big brother and sister. They were sooooo excited to meet him. They are both great helpers and so interested in what he is doing all the time. Baylee absolutely loves to get me diapers, wipes, binkies, and help me drink water while I am nursing. Aidan loves to hold him and read to him. Barry is still on vacation so he has been able to be home with us and has been such a big help. The recovery from this c-section has been harder than the other two for some reason so I have really relied on him and he has been amazing! I really don't want him to go back to work. I also have to say thank you to my parents, and Barry's parents, along with my friends and neighbors who have brought meals and helped with the kids and so much more. I really am lucky to have such awesome support!
We are just loving this guy to pieces and my heart could not be more happy!



Getting ready to leave the hospital.

The signs that Aidan and Baylee made to welcome us home. So cute!

First time holding her baby brother.

He is a natural. Such a cute big brother!

My three cute kiddos! Love them!

Aidan is learning to read and it is so cute! He wanted to read to Mason. I love moments like this!

Daddy of the year!

There is something undeniably special about a daddy and his little girl. I absolutely love to watch Barry with his little princess. I have been telling him for a long time that he is in big trouble when she gets a little older because he CANNOT tell her no and she knows it. Well yesterday Baylee asked him to paint her nails. Barry was happy to do it. The surprise twist came when she insisted that she paint his afterwards. Sure enough, he let her! lol A couple of toes on each foot anyway. They are so cute together and nothing makes my heart happier than watching them do things like this together.
On a side note......Barry had to go to the back Dr. today and was sent to get an MRI. That means that he had to get in a gown twice and both times the doctors found it quite funny that he had bright pink toenails. lol