4 Months and Growing

"He is a bruiser!" Was the unsurprising response from Grandma Leslie to Ian's new dimensions. At the doctor's office on the 28th, at 4 months old, he was 17 lbs and 6 oz and 26 1/2 inches long. He grew and inch and put on more than a pound in just one month!! No wonder his clothes were starting to not fit and I can't lug him around quite so much as I used too!

Little wonder too that Chris and I had the following conversation in preparation for this posting:

L: "What would you say if asked to describe Ian?"

C: "Ginormous!"

He did go on to list quite a few of the things that make Ian, Ian.

Ian loves attention and will reward you with smiles, coos and gurgles.
He doesn't like tummy time, baths, being alone, or poopy diapers.
Ian loves to be held, sucking on his fingers, blankets, burp rags and toys. Pacifiers are only occasionally appropriate.
He is 'touchy' and easily startled. If you want him to go down for a nap there is a small window of tired enough but not too tired. His formula is not to be too hot or too cold.
Ian's face lights up with recognition when he sees Mommy, Daddy or Noah.
He is pudgy and rolly every where except around his middle.
Ian loves to watch Noah play and desperately awaits the day when he will merit more than a cursory glance from his big brother.

The Big 3-0

The 23rd was my birthday. I share it with my niece Ava. She turned 3 and I turned 30. I could wax philosophical about new beginnings and what this milestone means but really it seemed vary much like a typical Friday in the life of mom. Went to the doctor and found out that Noah needed surgery. Came rushing back and was late for Noah's speech therapy appointment in our own house! Of course, I had not picked up or vacuumed before I was running out the door to the doctor so the therapist had quite a welcome. Ian had a rough afternoon sleeping, or not (I really think I need to feed him more!). I missed all the family phone calls with birthday wishes except one (I appreciated the calls even if I wasn't available to answer them!). And Chris and I went out to dinner for our date night (thank you Reece and Shana!) and while Chris wanted to tell the waiter it was my birthday (just so it would be a memorable birthday) I prevailed and remained unsung-to and unembarrassed.

Saturday morning Chris and Noah made me cupcakes (easier to share the calories that way) and I frosted them. You will note the one candle. Another good reason to choose cupcakes; your wonderful hubby is not then tempted to actually try and light thirty candles on your cake!


That was pretty much it. Well, I did also revisit my youth and my mission by starting my third decade with blue toenails. A girl's gotta have a little whimsy in her life, right? Or does it seem to say "older gal, trying to hard"? (Surprise Movie Quiz! What movie did that quote excerpt come from?)

Warning: Picture of not really attractive toes below. Feel free to shut your eyes! Sorry it is a little blurry.

Blogger insist on turning the picture sideways.

Memorial Day

"What are we going to do for Memorial Day?" Chris asked me.
"Well, you are usually working so I have no idea!" I respond.

This year, though, was different. We decided that we would visit a local cemetery. Not being from around here we didn't have any family grave sites to visit but thought it would be a peaceful, holiday appropriate place to go. The weather was nice, warm with a cool breeze. We spread out wandering among the headstones, reading names and marveling at dates.

It wasn't until Noah found and appropriated a flag that my feelings came up to grab me by the throat. Coincidentally, (if you believe in those) I have been reading the book, In An Instant, the story of ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff being injured by an IED in Iraq and his recovery. His co-author and wife, Lee, writes about being in the military hospital and wondering about the other people there; the doctors, nurses, family and military men and women who are dealing with the repercussions and fall out of war. It always seems more real when you can put a name, face and story to the injured and dead. In all honesty, I usually prefer to avoid those stories. I think that I am especially soft-hearted as they cause a physical ache to take root in the center of my chest. It hurts my heart.

And makes me that much more grateful to those who have gone before. To those who have protected my rights and liberties. To those who have made my comfortable existence possible. To those who continue to do so. While meandering around I enjoyed the shade cast by beautiful mature trees and couldn't resist trying to capture the feelings of 'guardian' and 'protector' that I felt.


How grateful I am that just as these trees stand over and protect this resting place we have a Heavenly Father who watches over us. How grateful I am that He has provided for both the living and the dead a Savior and the plan of happiness that will overcome misfortune, trial and death. How grateful I am.

Roil, Roil, Toil and Trouble

I know that is not exactly how it goes but it does describe what my stomach and head were doing for three days last week!! I was pretty bad off the first day but Chris couldn't come home to help. The second day, though, he took off work. So, while I was moaning and groaning Chris took Noah to Moms and Tots. A city bus was going to pick them up at the church, take them for a ride and to the bus wash. I really thought Noah would get a kick out this since he loves to point out all the buses we pass while driving.

I asked Chris if he would feel to out of place among the moms but as luck would have it, he was not the only daddy there.

They saw lots of cool things and learned random facts about the buses. For instance, while they only go through about 20 tires a month they spend $120 a day per bus on gas. Wowza! He didn't, however, find out how many buses the city has.

This is the only half way happy picture of Noah from the whole trip. Apparently, he was less than thrilled most of the time. We thought the trip was bust, at least for Noah.

We might have been wrong. The next morning Noah found his cardboard bus (see picture above with cute little girl if reference is needed) and said 'go church, go church, I wan go church'.

Adenoids AND Tonsils

Surgery is scheduled for June 6. Noah's adenoids AND tonsils are going to be removed. The ENT did a quick check and although he really prefers to not do tonsillectomies in children as young as Noah agrees that everything should go. So it shall be. I will find out more at the pre-op appointment but I did learn a couple of things today. The procedure is relatively short, about half an hour and it is done early in the morning. Since he is young and the tonsils are included it will be done in the hospital not the surgical center. He will stay all day and probably over night in the hospital. Poor baby, he has no idea what is coming!

Walking Sticks and Rhubarb Pie

Bob and Mary Haderle are a dear couple in our ward who coincidentally are also close friends of Chris' grandparents. This evening they called and asked if they could come over and visit. Pleased, and somewhat surprised, we said "Of course, come on over!"

Last fall, Bob built a deck on the back of our house. Chris helped when he could but Bob came everyday and worked faithfully for more than a week putting up a deck from just some chicken scratch sketches that I drawn on scrap paper. It turned out so beautifully!

They are so generous with their time and talents and today was no exception. They came bearing gifts.


First in the door was the pie. Rhubarb pie. As soon as Mary heard that neither of us had ever had it before, well, you better believe that she set right to and cooked up a pie for us. I don't think that I had even seen one before. Now, I admit to being a bit picky about my food and especially the texture (stewed tomatoes, yuck). So, with great trepidation I slid a bite of pie into my mouth. I had no idea what to expect. It was sweet and yummy! Definitely a keeper. Chris, being a pie kinda guy, was in heaven.

Next came Bob with two walking sticks. And not just any walking sticks, oh no folks, hand crafted walking sticks! They are so beautiful! Made of Osage wood, stained with linseed oil, with our names carved in them.


Hard to believe looking at them now that they started out as fallen branches. After some bark stripping and labor Bob truly found the inner beauty of this wood.











In the recesses of our names, Bob applied a walnut stain. He makes it himself by boiling down walnut husks. He has found in the past that names applied just in stain would rub off with time and use but applied into the recesses it lasts much longer.

To finish the bottom, copper pipe pieces were expanded with heat them and then when cooled shrunk down to hug the wood in a tight fit.

Thank you, Bob and Mary. The walking sticks will be treasured always and the pie will be remembered with fondness!

Dressed Up and Stuff

You asked for it ladies! Actually, I just can't resist! I think that they are so darn cute, I really can't help myself! This was the first time that we dressed Ian up for church. This was right before his nap so he is looking a little peaked.

Noah looking handsome, but a little shy to show it off!

What follows is some of the stuff...it has really been a great weekend. Sunny but not to warm. Great to spend time outdoors and hitting the garage sales. My friend clued me in to the neighborhood wide ones that were going on (thanks, Michelle!) and I didn't want to miss them. I actually made it out of bed AND out the door! And I scored! It wasn't free but yippee! I was so happy to get it! Sorry it is a little blurry, but you get the gist. I found a crib for Ian! He was pushing the limits of the moses' basket that he has been using so it was a load off my mind to find this. And that same great friend and her hubby helped me get it home. It is great to have garage sales and friends!

Ian's new good bed.

We ended the weekend with a popcorn treat. In this clip you can see everyone in the family but me: Dad, Noah, Ian and even the cat, Malcolm. Noah is trying to say popcorn and while it is not super clear he does get it in the hole! Score one for Noah!

View From the Pew

I love my sister Elise's Sunday Sermons so I thought I would make an attempt at a View From the Pew. Today the theme seemed to be adversity. One of the interesting comments was, paraphrasing, that if suffering were all that was required for wisdom than all the world would be wise. Suffering alone is not sufficient; it does not fulfill our purpose here on earth. What really matters is how we meet our adversity or suffering.

As I was thinking back over the adversity that I have experienced in my life I remembered specific instances when I felt the uplifting or guiding touch of the Savior. I have always believed that music is a language of the soul and frequently others words better express how I feel. Here are some of the words to a couple of my favorite hymns, one of which we sang today. My favorite lines are italicized:

He answers privately, Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
Constant he is and kind, Love without end.
Where Can I Turn Peace, LDS Hymnbook, p129



Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear they cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, they heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
Be Still, My Soul, LDS Hymnbook, p124

I am so grateful that I know these things. So grateful that I have experienced these things. I see the hand of the Lord in my life.

Skid Steer Loader Gets an Alias

A speech therapist has been coming once a week to work with Noah for a couple of months now. 'Performance anxiety' seemed to keep him from saying much to her until today. He was always willing and interested in the activities and toys she brought but today was the first day that he actually tried to say the things that she prompted. He has been showing improvements around us but only when he is 'in the mood'. If we ask him to use words or signs, even the ones he knows, he frequently clams up. But if he instigates the game, book reading, talking, etc. it becomes evident that he is making progress.

Today he tried a new word. He was a little shy for the camera at first. Silly boy.

But then he ignored it and went back to playing, saying over and over...

"da-da sheen"
translated: dada's machine

Meanwhile, Ian was just sitting pretty.

Chris' Garden

I remember with fondness my mother's garden when we lived in Kansas. Perhaps it is the years gone by that makes me think that. It was large and we (the kids) would have to gather the grass clippings to put down the rows of the garden.

Well, this is Chris and I 's first attempt at garden of our own. I call it Chris' garden not because I expect him to do all the work (that's what he thought) but because he has done all the work so far. I am very proud of his hard work. He spent several evenings working out there to get it ready and planted. He even transplanted the grass that he took up to a spot in our side yard that was bare!

We both consider this pretty experimental since, despite the apparent history. we really feel we don't know much about what we are doing. We are hoping for some veggies that will help with our grocery bill and taste great too!! Wish us luck!

Movie Quiz

For those of you who might not know I will tell you now that I love movies. So, I have been thinking of this movie quote for the last few days. I don't really know why, maybe because I have been driving over the Wabash River too much. Anyway, do you know what movie it is from? (I do know, I am challenging you!)

"If they can dye the river green for St. Paddy's Day, why can't they dye it blue the other 364 days of the year?"

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Before I had children and when I was pregnant with Noah I decided that I was going to be a certain type of mother. One who wouldn't sweat the small stuff. I wouldn't get mad about the crumbs all over the floor, the messy face and clothes, the nasty things eaten, etc. I would pick my battles and in the meantime focus on the good moments. I have had varying amounts of success with this goal. It comes and goes. Lately, it seems like it has been gone a lot. But today I enjoyed an especially good moment.
This evening Noah helped Chris make biscuits for dinner. Noah has a happy spirit. And he loves to do things with his daddy. His joy shines from his eyes so clearly that it is like his happy spirit speaks to yours and makes you happy too. I love this about him!

"two, free, eight"

Stirring is one of his favorite jobs.

Rolling must a close second. Or maybe putting the biscuits on the pan.
One of my favorite things is the joy of a child in simple things.

Elder Russell M. Nelson said in this last general conference "Our Heavenly Father wants husbands and wives to be faithful to each other and to esteem and treat their children as an heritage from the Lord." I remember this phrase very distinctly from when I heard it in conference. It spoke to me then and it did again as I re-read it yesterday. Tonight, it came to my mind again. It is truly how I feel about my children; they are an heritage to me from the Lord. How did I get so lucky?

Out of the Mouth's of Babes...

Chris had taken Noah over to play at the neighbor's house and got to hear all about the Father and Sons camping trip they had taken the night before. One of the highlights included each boy getting his own bottle of Gatorade. They drank it so sparingly that by the next day when they arrived home each had some portion of the bottle left. To make it go farther and last longer they added water to the bottles. Their dad, who thought this made for less than a satisfactory drink poured out one of the bottles. Chris responded at this point in the story and said 'yeah, sometimes daddies make mistakes. Daddies aren't perfect.' To which, the daughter responded 'nope, daddies aren't perfect. But mommies are.'

So, Happy Mother's Day to all you 'perfect' mommies out there!

Chris and Noah made me a yummy breakfast this morning, including these biscuits.

Adenoids or Tonsils?

Call me dumb but I don't know what the difference is. Do you? Can you tell me?
On Wednesday I took Noah to the doctor for his well-child two-year check up. They did the usual measuring and weighing first. He was in the 95% for height and the 90% for weight, or maybe it was the other way around. I don't really remember which. Big, anyway. We then talked about the other usual things. Eating, sleeping, etc.

I mentioned a concern about his airways being obstructed when he sleeps and this has turned in to a major concern. At least to me. When she looked in his mouth she purposely checked out the back of his throat and exclaimed in surprise. It did not look good. She said she would not be surprised if he was having problems and sent us home to listen to him sleep at night and call her in week. I took a peek when we got home and holy cow! (Sorry, didn't think you would want to see a picture!) From here, if there is evidence of an obstructed airway we will move on to a sleep study for diagnosis and then what? Maybe surgery. Are there alternatives?

Over all this I cringe. I don't want anything like this for my baby (I know, I know, he is not really a baby anymore but he always will be to me, especially if things progress towards surgery. I mean cutting on him. Aaaggh!). He is supposed to be happy and healthy and have no bad things happen to him. Yeah, I know that too. Life wasn't designed to be easy and perfect. I also know lots of people with kids who have gone through this very thing. They made it through, surely we can, right? At this point I could be borrowing trouble.

I really didn't mean this to be a pity party. I really meant this to be an update on an item of interest in our lives and to, once again, see what info I could gain from those who know more than me. So, if this is topic you know anything about, please fill me in!

April Showers Bring Help With May Flowers

On May 1st I got one the things I have been wanting since I moved into this house! My friend and her mother came over and we had a little swap. They would tell me what they knew about the plants that I have and how to care for them and they could have all the starters (is that what they are called? Obviously, I didn't learn as much as I thought) that they wanted. It was so wonderful. Being a total novice, greener than the plants themselves, I didn't really know what I was getting into when they asked if we could do this. I was imagining a half hour finding out some names and other pertinent info. What I got was information, practical know how, and much improved plant beds. I didn't take a before and after shot, because like I said, I didn't know what I was getting into.


But if you look at the picture you can see all that we took out and imagine it all back in that plant bed! And this picture was before we were even done!! They had to make two trips with the wheelbarrow stuffed to the brim to take all the plants we thinned out.

Now I can garden (Martha Stewart says to call it gardening, never that you are going to work in your garden) to my little heart's content, thinning, weeding and rearranging the beds to make them aesthetically pleasing to myself. All with hopefully fewer plant fatalities. It was really amazing. Mostly because now I feel empowered to take control of the many plant beds that I have and make them something that I like and can be proud of. (I will try not to let a little information go to my head, hehe.) For now, I have to give all the glory to these great ladies who really helped me out and fulfilled one of my long-desired wishes! Thanks again!

Got Milk?

So, last Monday Noah, Ian and I went with our Moms and Tots group to the Fair Oaks Dairy Farm. I was a little leery about going because I wasn't sure how much Noah would get out of it and we would be interfering with nap time which I am pretty religious about. But, I decided that life was for living and what the hay, literally!

We started out in the activities center that had cows with questions and answers on them.


This was as close to the cow as Noah would get. And I, obviously, could not get very far away to get a cute picture. He was surprisingly clingy inside this building and going through the rooms. We saw a 3-D video and we were glad that we sat on the floor and did not experience the "surprise" water and puffs of air to the face that made many a child unhappy. The following rooms held little fascination for Noah except for a mural with a semi truck in it.
We rushed out to the calving barn to watch a calf being born. Don't worry I will only post the after picture!

Mommy and baby about 30 seconds after being born!

Then we had a bus tour of where the cows live. This was when I took the most in and felt like I learned a little something. For instance, this dairy takes the methane from the cow waste, converts it to energy and uses it to power the dairy. They also grow and store all the food for the cows.

This is their method for corn fermentation. Cover the big pile with plastic and tire halves.

Also cool to me are the refrigerator trucks so efficient that they can transport milk to states as far aways as Georgia or Florida with only a 1 degree increase in temperature.

Anyway, I think my favorite part to see was the cows happily pushing their way onto the milking carousel and then backing off all by themselves when they knew that they were done. All in all a good trip. Noah didn't lose it till we were standing in line waiting to pay for our ice cream! I have to say thanks to the friendly moms who helped me out (I had Ian in a sling or in arms the whole time and this handicapped me somewhat). Bryn, Stacie, and Michelle thank you sooo much!!