Changes

Time is not stopping for us over here so we're making the most of it.

Severan is consistently sleeping 8 hours at night now (Thank you Jesus and my fulfilling milk :) so I guess it is time to move him to his own room.  (If you could only hear me sobbing over this, you'd feel really bad for me!)  He is just growing up too fast.

Blaine and Hannah are on Spring Break this week and much to Blaine's disappointment we are not on the beautiful island of Maui.  Instead we are here in "boring Colorado."

Several weeks ago (when I was many, many, many weeks post-partum) I was still wearing maternity pants and feeling very uncomfortable and, well, fat and discouraged.  I had only lost about 20 pounds with breastfeeding alone so I knew that in order to lose the last 30 (yes, I gained 50+ pounds with this pregnancy) I would need to actually make an effort but I had several problems:

1. I now live in CO and running outside with a new baby and two other children is not really feasible.  It's cold and who knows when it will actually stop threatening to snow.

2. With Blaine in school full-time, HG only part-time and Severan practically attached to me I don't have the option of heading to the gym for an hour or more.

3. I felt overwhelmed when I thought about the weight I have to lose and seeing no good options for me.  (Cue the "Poor me" music.)

However, when I was three months pregnant I found several women on Instagram who were not only really fit but they were inspiring, motivational, and were interested in helping others achieve greatness - both physically and spiritually (Traci Morrow was one of these people.)  I followed them through my pregnancy and so as I pulled those maternity pants on several weeks ago, feeling utterly defeated, I knew what I had to do.

And I did it!  I signed up to be a Beachbody Coach so I would have some accountability in my own fitness journey and eventually I hope to support others as they pursue their fitness goals.  What attracted me, ultimately, were the results I saw from those that went before me and the program I started is only 30 minutes a day for 90 days so that was a huge selling point.  I mean, come on - who doesn't have 30 minutes a day!?!  I don't feel good - mentally, physically, or emotionally - when I am not physically fit and if I am going to have my best life, then I need to have my best body.  David and I started 17 days ago and I LOVE IT!  Blaine even enjoys doing the workouts, so that's an added bonus.

And I am happy to report that I'm not wearing those maternity pants anymore :)  Thanks to Kelly Holton (aka: Colorado Fit Mom) for helping me get started.

So, look out for some posts about fitness as well as the good ol' posts about our awesome family and the faith that holds us together.

Our Gift is Type A

Oh how I love the Christmas season!  We put our tree up weeks ago, I've been listening to Christmas music for even longer and my growing Santa-like belly fill my heart with joy.  And there is nothing quite like celebrating our Savior's birth with Influenza... Type A to be more specific.  And it's even better when you're eight and a half months pregnant!

That's right.  Last week, starting around Wednesday morning, David started feeling achy and had a mild cough.  By Wednesday night he was having hour long spells of the chills, a fever and terrible body aches.  The next morning he was able to get a doctor's appointment and they confirmed that he had "The Flu" and put him on the miracle drug Tamiflu.  His doctor also wrote prescriptions for myself and the kids as a preventative measure.  Thursday morning I didn't feel great but I chalked it up to this very rough pregnancy I've been having.  David was down and out so I was on full kid duty and was trying so hard to stay focused on taking care of their needs I didn't realize I was getting so sick.  Friday rolled around and I took Blaine to school and went to my regular midwife prenatal appointment and realized just how sick I had gotten.  Baby's heartbeat was strong and he was moving like a champ so they told me to go home and rest and stay on the Tamiflu which should shorten my symptoms.  By the time we got home David started to emerge from his sickness and I started to go downhill quickly.  He managed to muster the strength to care for the kids Friday evening while I came down with the fever, chills, body aches and the worst cough I've ever had.  Saturday was another day of the same for me but David continued to improve and the kids were happy to watch movies and play around the house most of the day.  Wow, it's been rough.

It's taken me almost five days to write this post.  David had to make a quick trip to Portland for work but is back in the saddle here now.  Today is the first day that I am not coughing to the point of wanting to vomit - so I consider that an improvement!  After yesterday, Blaine's holiday party at school (which I was in charge of), I think it will hopefully be a relaxing time until we celebrate Christmas and have this baby.  One good thing about being under the weather is being forced to lay on the couch here in front of our beautiful Christmas tree with the fire crackling, listening to Christmas music.  It is nice to slow down like this, I just wish I wasn't hacking up a lung at the same time!  I am praying to get well (much more quickly than the snails pace I'm recovering right now) so I can have all my strength to deliver Baby Sev.  

Santa brought us a fancy new camera for Christmas (thanks Santa :) and we've really been enjoying that.  Here are a few pictures we've taken with our very amateur abilities.

Mister!

Yes, Mister is hugging HG.  And yes, Mister is holding a stick.
You fill in the blanks. :)

Right after this picture was taken a bird took HG's sandwich away.
Then there was devastation. :(

What's Up?

We celebrated an old man's birthday this past weekend.  David turned 35 (GASP!)  He actually spent the weekend in the mountains at a men's retreat but was home in time on Sunday to enjoy this gem of a cake:

I wish that I would have taken a picture after the kids actually finished decorating.  Think more. More of everything :)  It was a beauty.  But actually super yummy.  Here are some pictures from David's Dora the Explorer (see hat) party, which he really enjoyed.

I had no "35" to put on the cake so we decided that #1 would work :)

The kids and I spent the weekend picking raspberries, making jam, watching movies and being silly.

Unfortunately Blaine's soccer game was canceled (he plays on Saturdays) due to the terrible flooding we had last week but they will be back on the field this weekend.  Here is a picture from his first game a few weeks ago.  You can't make him out, but he just kicked the ball in this picture.  (He's dead center in the photo next to his coach.)  He actually learned a lot at his skills camp this last summer so he was ready to play on the six year old league and I was personally impressed.  He even scored two goals!  Yay Mister!  Though he did score he was more of a defensive player.  We noticed he was very good about reading the field and knowing where to be in order to defend the goal.  Very proud of him!

Oh, and I have a huge belly.  A camera couldn't possibly capture my hugeness so sorry, no pictures :)  I was 23 weeks on Tuesday but it feels like I am 33 weeks!  Baby Boy is not super active, like Blaine was, but lets me know he is there a handful of times in a day.  Sleeping is pretty much difficult and bending over and oh, walking up the stairs.  I am winded more of the day than not!  Sheesh.  Hannah continues to love on him and talks to him throughout the day.  Blaine is mostly interested in how many poops the baby will have and if Daddy will have to plug his nose when changing him! :)  We had a name picked out then decided against it and then had another name and I decided I didn't like it so still no name for Mister #2.  But, we're working on it :)  

Sit Down and Relax…

This might take a while.

Though we’ve been quiet here on our blog our lives haven’t been such. The madness started over three weeks ago when we started the work on our house. The Realtor came in and told us our house was in great condition but it still needed a little work. Two weeks, one garage sale, several ATM visits, and a lot of labor later and we were done. “The Stager”, Brenda, really did an amazing job showing us how to prepare our house and get it ready for showings. I had no idea these people even existed but what a difference it made. We didn’t want to sell the house after everything we did to make it so beautiful!

I can only view the last several weeks (actually months) like a complex jigsaw puzzle. Thinking about all that needed to be done, prioritizing everyone’s needs, and then maintaining some sense of normalcy for the kids was overwhelming at times. I can’t remember a time in my life when so many different, but equally important things, demanded our attention. Yet the pieces just fell in place. God has taken care of every detail so beautifully that there hasn’t been a day gone by that I haven’t sat in awe at His provision, protection and care. Three weeks ago we were told that our house would be competing against growing competition, we would be paying money at closing and that it could be on the market for a long time.

After we finished the work our Realtor looked at the house again and told us we should raise the selling price. We agreed. It was listed late on a Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday morning (not even 18 hours after we listed) I was shopping with Hannah when our Realtor called. An offer had been made on the house. A family that had looked at 40 houses prior to ours fell in love when they walked in. They had several requests for items that were not originally in the listing so we raised the price (again) to account for the items they wanted and they accepted. We’re told that the hard work begins now (inspector coming, etc.) but we feel really good about what has happened and we’re told that we might walk away with a little cash instead of paying. After the house was officially done we packed our bags and headed north to Plano, TX where we spent some very special time with Mimi, Pops, Nana and Ray. We had a wonderful weekend and the kids were showered with love from everyone. Saturday was a great day for Blaine especially because we went to the Fort Worth Zoo (which is ranked as one of the top 5 zoos in the country.) It was spectacular and so big we didn’t get to see everything. That didn’t matter though because Blaine was able to see his favorite animals – the cheetah and the sharks. Hannah’s favorite part was being carried around by Pops the whole time and sleeping in the stroller. And then Sunday was Mother’s Day. We had a lovely brunch with Pops' side of the family and ended the evening with Mimi’s famous cooking and some wonderful family time. Mmmm. Thanks Mimi, Pops, Nana and Ray for loving on us all weekend.

Monday morning came bright and early as the kids and I caught a 6:15 AM (yes, I said 6:15 AM) flight out of Dallas to Michigan. David was headed back to Austin to fly with his new boss to Boulder for his first week of work after dropping us off. I asked the woman at the ticket counter if I could get an escort pass for David so he could help us all back to the gate and she agreed. What a huge help it turned out to be. We were a bit rushed at the gate though so our goodbye to Daddy was cut short and I had to peel a sobbing boy off of David as we boarded the plane. Blaine was crying and yelling, “Daddy, I want you to come with us. I don’t want you to go.” I felt so sad that I started crying too but quickly realized that if all three of us were crying that wouldn’t be good. So I maintained my composure and whisked our little ones onto the plane. I dreaded the flight for a long time but it ended up not being terrible at all.

Blaine was a champ and Hannah Grace was, well, Hannah Grace. She is still young enough to be a lap child so in order to save several hundred dollars I decided to not get Hannah a seat. Luckily our first flight was not full so she got her own seat. I had enough fruit snacks and books and movies to keep her happy for about an hour. Blaine also had a DVD player which can keep him content for about two hours. Our second flight was not as awesome. HG was fidgety and bossy and the man sitting next to us had nowhere else to go because the flight was completely full (poor guy!). He said he didn’t mind… though I find it hard to believe that he didn’t care about Hannah pinching his arm hair, throwing fruit snacks in his lap and trying to share her Ba-Ba (pacifier) with him. He was a good sport though. There was also a sweet couple behind us that played peek-a-boo with Hannah the last half of our flight.

When we arrived in Detroit I breathed a sigh of relief. We made it! Blaine led the way off the plane, his cute little carry-on right behind him, to our stroller which was waiting for us. I strapped Hannah in the seat and she started coughing, which led to gagging which led to vomiting. This wasn’t just a little spit up, this was the real deal. Poor darling started crying and threw up some more – soaking her clothes. I ran to the airplane and asked for napkins as Blaine ran excitedly away from me to find GG and Papa. A nice Southwest employee stopped him and sent him back down the jetway to me. Reason #89 why I don’t eat McDonalds and why my children don’t and shouldn’t! Especially a McDonalds at the airport – Ew!

We found baggage claim and GG and Papa. After changing Hannah we were on our way. Monday was a lazy day because we were all tired from getting up at 4:15 AM. Everyone went to bed early and took long naps the next day. Much of Tuesday was spent emailing with our Realtor and getting the house listed. You know how that story ends. (Thank you God!) Wednesday and Thursday I was glued to the computer lining up rental properties for us to visit this weekend while both David and I are in Boulder. I think we have 7 total to look at right now.

I barely talked to David this week so we’re both looking forward to being together this weekend. In fact, I’m en route to Denver right now. I have never left Blaine (4 years old) or HG overnight with anyone. Of course we have went on some dates but the longest I think we’ve been away has been a half day. This trip out to Boulder is really important, not just so we can find a house and get a feeling for the different areas but also to get some time alone and have some adult time. Blaine has been glued to Papa for the entire week. Papa happens to like many things that Blaine does: being outside from sunrise to sunset, play in the dirt and in the forest, fish, and sit by the campfire – so Blaine has been in heaven. I haven’t been able to get the dirt scrubbed off that boy at night sine we’ve been in MI.

David seems to be enjoying his new role and company. I am so proud of him for going for this position and so excited that they were able to see what he could offer and jumped at the opportunity to hire him. For the first time in my life I won’t be working and David will be the primary breadwinner. It’s a bit scary but it also feels like this is where we both belong right now. I started working at the age of 14 and worked all through high school and college. Nearly 20 years in the work force – the last four years I’ve been a stay-at-work mom (I was fortunate enough to bring the kids to work with me.) I have always loved my work outside the home but I also see the value of work inside the home. I’m certain that at some point in the future I will want to do something part time on the side but for now my focus will be on the kids and getting us settled in Colorado. On the way to the airport Hannah kept telling Mom and I that she lived in “Colohado” and when I told her that I was going to look for a house with Daddy she smiled. Then I told her that I was going to find her a big bedroom. Her big beautiful eyes got big and she opened her mouth like she was shocked. She said, “Big room – Hannah room!” Then she kept saying “Colohado” and “Hannah room.”

Let’s see, I think that about does it for the update. I’ve only called home to check on the kids twice since I’ve been gone (4 hours) –and I think that’s pretty good! At some point I think my parents will probably stop answering the phone. :)  My dad is competing in a fishing tournament in the morning and my mom has a 5K so Cousin Leslie and Great Grandma Crower are double teaming the kiddos. I’ve also asked Leslie to make sure GG and Papa are following the four page instruction sheet I left for the kids (just kidding…) :)

Here are some pictures from the last week.  (I'm sure you'll be able to tell... but Blaine took the first few.)

 

Give Me The Bird

If you ask any parent what the worst part of parenting is I am pretty sure that 9 out of 10 will say the lack of sleep.  Actually, I think I slept more in the first 28 years of my life than I have in the last 4 years so if you ask me I will definitely tell you that the lack of sleep is brutal.  But they're my kids and I love them to pieces so in the grand scheme of things it's not too terrible.  Don't get me wrong, I'd love to sleep through the night and even sleep in for like a month straight but I know that's not going to happen for a long time, so I'm ok with it (well, kinda ok.) 

But I'll tell you one thing you don't want to experience:  Jessica Lyon in the middle of the night awakened by something other than her sweet, loving, and needy children.  It is not pretty.  And for the last two weeks D. and I have been awakened in the middle of the night by a bird.  A BIRD!  In the middle of the freakin' night!

Around midnight, nearly every single night, a (stupid) bird starts singing right outside our window.  He does his thing for nearly 3 hours. every.  single.  night.

The first night he woke us up I felt bad for him.  I thought maybe it was a baby bird or a hurt bird but then it went on and on and on and on and my feelings of empathy turned to what some might call rage.  He won't stop.  David went out to scare him away (in his whitey tighties) but he only flew off and came back. 

Mimi was here this weekend and also heard the bird so when she was doing some research for us she found this and it is too hilarious to not pass along - I think you'll enjoy it as well.  Click here to read the post.

When the bird wakes me up I go through so many emotions - David is quite entertained by my roller coaster.  I ask the bird questions (like it can hear me/understand me) and I curse (I admit it!) and I yell into my pillow, I breathe and sigh deeply and I plead with David to make it go away.  Perhaps I could just pray about it since I'm pretty sure God could take care of this problem but the bird wakes me up and I just can't handle that.

The really great nights are the ones where my bird friend is calling for a mate, the refrigerator is doing some high-pitched squealing (that is also really happening), and both kids are screaming for us.

I'd better get to bed - only a few more hours until the music begins!

Those Things

Hannah and I are just here, all alone, missing our boys. 

We didn't have any fun today.  We didn't even get out of our jammies.  We just sat around the house all day and watched the clock, waiting for tomorrow to come.

Well... maybe that's exaggerating a bit.  We have missed them but we're being super productive and we're having a good and relaxing time.

Blaine and David are having a great time.  Here are some pictures they've sent me.

I've been getting a bunch of organizing done that has been put off since, well, forever ago.  You know those things that you always think, "I should do that."  or "I'll do that when I have a whole weekend..." Those things.  I went through both kids' memory boxes, which were disasters, and then got some new boxes for all of the artwork we have coming home.  When Blaine is old enough to read this I hope he won't be mad that I threw away a bunch of his stuff.  I kept the first, second, third, fourth and five items of the same kind of art that came home and then anything more than that got tossed.  How many triangles painted blue can a mom keep for heavens sake?

After all of the organization (which made my day) I finished decorating Blaine's room. I think he'll be excited to have some dinosaurs on his walls and to finally have his Kung Fu Panda 2 poster up.   Hannah's room got a little revamp.  I was tempted to move her changing table out since we use it so little now but she is still in diapers so I think it can stay a bit longer.  The biggest change is she now has two dressers (and a closet full) of clothes.  I moved Blaine's old dresser into her room since he has new furniture.

You should have seen this closet before I organized it.  Scary.  And now it's not.

If you've actually read this far and were as fascinated with my fall cleaning and organizing as I am, then you're awesome.

Thank you for appreciating me!  

Food Hangovers and A New Wardrobe

I don't think I could possibly handle another day of celebrating (with food at least).  It started Friday night after Ruth's and then continued through Saturday night.  Sunday morning I felt like I had a hangover, except I hadn't consumed one drop of alcohol all weekend.  Only food.  And lots of it.  Sometimes it's nice to just get off the health band wagon and live a little but I must say I went a little too far.

The King had a great day weekend and even this morning Blaine was telling David "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"

One of the best gifts (certainly the one that got the most laughs) was this t-shirt from David's Nana and her husband, Ray.  They found this while they were on vacation in Colorado and it was practically made for David.

Too funny.  (And true!)

Hannah's Mimi brought a few (hundred) 'prizes' for her.  Some friends of my MIL's have granddaughters that have grown out of their 12 and 18-month clothes so they were kind enough to pass on a slew of gently used (and some new) clothing and shoes to our lil' Missy.  Hannah had a blast going through her new wardrobe and she was especially proud of her new, frilly, pink skirt.

Just one stack of the clothes we went through.

"Should I wear the jellies or the tennis shoes?"

Adorable Sunday's Best!

Blaine had some quiet time last night making a fort for his beloved dinosaur collection.  If you're scared of sharks (or dragons), you might not want to look through these pictures. :)

And David and I?  Well, we spent most of the last few nights tossing and turning from our various ailments.  It seems that we both have neck/head/back issues and my potentially bruised rib(s) continue to give me trouble during the day and night.  It's been brutal.  I look forward to a night where one of us isn't writhing in pain.  We think we're too young for all this body-pain business!

A Tiny Hanny and Date Night

We finally had Hannah's 15-month check-up on Wednesday.  The news was shocking.

Hannah. Is. Tiny.

Tiny as in she is only taller than 12% of kids her age and she is only 15% heavier than kids her age.  But her head (or her melon, as we call it) is in the 60th percentile. 

Ok, so I really wasn't shocked because I know she is little but I didn't know she was that little.  Blaine was always above the 60th percentile in weight and height so it is crazy to have a little toddler.  But boy is she ever cute!

 

She loves putting her blanket in her head.  Silly.

Aside from the million doctor appointments we had this week we've on our second night of celebrating David's birthday.  Last night, for his actual birthday we had a party with the Pembertons.  Siri never misses a party with cupcakes and singing.

Making daddy's cupcakes.

Mister is so proud of his decorations.

Tonight was our second night of celebration at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  Mmmmm.

And here is my older and very distinguished husband.  Happy Birthday (again)!

Oh, and I think I broke a rib (or two) or perhaps I just badly bruised them.  I was playing with Blaine at the bounce house on Wednesday afternoon and it got pretty rough (like it does with our Mister).  I don't know what happened but that night I couldn't sleep or breathe and just below my sternum I have some intense pain.  Lifting, carrying, walking, laughing, and deep breaths make it hurt pretty badly, even tonight.  I don't know what I did, but whatever I did - es no bueno!