BBQ at our place

We had a BBQ for Sarah and Taylor's birthdays. We hadn't had a party since Christmas because the weather has been so bad. It was nice to have everyone over again.

Singing happy birthday.

Checking out the cake.

Kay, Grandma, Courtney, and Sarah singing.

Blowing out the candles together.

YUM!

Birthdays AKA What!? Taylor can't be 15.

The kids with Taylor's cake.

Kay enjoying Daddy's cake.

Jeff had his 36th on March 29th and Taylor had his 15th on April 6th. Yep that's right I said 15th. How the heck did that happen? Taylor can't possibly be 15. I am not that old. He will be able to start driving soon. Ahhhh!

We had a quiet celebration at home. I made a cake then had to go to work. Taylor got to go see the superhero movie with his Grandma. We are going to do a double birthday for Cam and Tay later when it is nicer weather. Taylor is a pretty awesome 15 year old.

Jeff on his birthday.

Kay likes cupcakes.

Cam does too.

The cake for Taylor that Cam decorated. It has a giant fake candle on top.

Sorry I have been M.I.A. and Kaylynne's TWO!

Kay made a cake ring.

What a fun mess.

Cam eats cake and plays the candy land game we gave Kay for her gift.

This is her actual birthday. You can see her runny nose and feverish little face.

She is looking a little better here with the gang.

Butterfly cake.

OK, I have been sick and, well, everyone's been sick actually, and super busy as usual. So I kept wanting to write a new blog but never quite finding the time to sit at the computer, or form a coherent thought for that matter. Then I kept thinking of new topics to write about and scribbling my ideas on scraps of paper to add later. Well, then I had so many I felt a little overwhelmed so it has sorta been snowballing. Well, we have had a lot going on. So enough is enough I have to get started.

Soooo here is my very belated blog about sister's 2nd birthday. I am gonna cheat and back date it so it looks like I am really on top of things when in actuality I am transcribing this from my notes on 2-9-08. Shhh, that parts a secret. I wouldn't want to look like a slacker.

January 25th 2008

Kaylynne is two years old today!! How did that happen? She has grown so much and the time has flown by. What a beautiful, delightful, perfect, little girl she is. She is walking and talking which is amazing to me. Think about where we were a year ago, well, even 6 months ago. Wondering when she would walk, when she would talk. I know what a fighter she is, what a strong little person she is. So I knew she would do it in her own time. It brings a tear to my eye to see her dancing, running, signing, singing, and talking. I wonder if she can ever comprehend how loved she is.

Her therapists cut down the number of visits because she is doing so well. She is still considered slightly speech delayed but she is pretty much caught up on her gross motor skills. I just knew once she turned two the light bulb would go on and she would start talking all the time. Both the boys really took off on their vocabulary at age two. I already know she understands because she signs to us.

So I came in to get her ready for bed and I said and signed where is your blanket? She signed “Where” for the first time then pointed and said “Right there”. I love it!

She went in Cams room and did a puzzle. I signed each item to her -- truck, boat, train, “You are doing a puzzle!” I showed her the sign for puzzle. When she put in the last piece I said “Yeah! You did it”. She said “Yeah, I did it” and started to clap for herself. WOW! She isn't just repeating, she said an entire sentence and reacted appropriately to it. She is so smart! I knew it all along but how fun it is to see her blossoming like the beautiful little butterfly she is.

Well, we didn't do much for a party. Everyone has been sick. Cam, Kay, and I have the respiratory thing. I have a sinus infection, ear infection, strep and bronchitis. The little ones have a cough and runny nose. I was on so much medication I slept for two days. Taylor and Jeff have the stomach flu. I am sure once we start to get better we will all trade. So poor Kay didn't have a real exciting birthday. I did drag myself out of bed and make her a butterfly cake. She got to open a few gifts and finger-paint with cake so she was happy.

Also Bobby has been very sick so it just felt strange to have a big party. We haven't been able to go over and see him because we are sick and don't want to give him any of our gunk. Jeff has been going over every day and bringing food. Mostly pasta salad, that’s everyone’s favorite, but I made a big lasagna too.

Kay doesn’t care about a big party she is just happy to be with the people who love her. She is such a sweet little bit of yummyness. How the past two years have flown.

Thanksgiving 2007

Wow, it's been a long time since I last posted. It has been busy as always plus the free internet we have been "borrowing" has been acting up. (My wonderful and brillant husband got it working again today so I can catch up blogging.)

I wanted to post some Thanksgiving pics. We had a very nice day. It was our first big Thanksgiving dinner at our house. My Co-workers were kind enough to arrange for me to have the day off and come in on another day. I brought the people who had to work turkey and ham dinner to say thanks.

I think it went well and we had lots of food. I cooked enough for an army, in fact I cooked all night and didn't sleep. I really enjoyed my turkey induced coma when it was all done.

It was wonderful to have every one over and we are looking forward to doing it again this Christmas. We had Turkey - one that was 22 pounds and actually weighed more than Kaylynne and another smaller one that was about 10 pounds. We also had a huge ham, Grandma Electa's special cheesy potatoes, Grandma Vickie's special "duck puke" or green bean casserole, and Grandma Karen brought her yummy Watergate or pistachio pudding . We also had stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie, cherry pie and chocolate pie, cranberry sauce, rolls, birthday cake for Mom, and Sarah brought wine.


Here are some lovely pictures:

Sarah, Courtney, and Amber after dinner.















Connor spent the night on Thanksgiving. Here is the whole gang the next morning.















Cameron likes pie!















Bobby and Karen enjoy dinner.















Grandma Vickie and oh so classy Taylor showing us his seafood.















Wow, that's a lot of food.















Um, me being goofy. I look like I have a pumpkin on my foot.















Our best effort at a family picture.
Happy Birthday Grandma!

Frog jokes

My kids love making lists as you probably figured out from the abundance of them already posted on this site. Today we are doing a list of frog jokes in honor of Hopkins the Signing Time frog and his upcoming birthday celebration. Enjoy!

Why are frogs so happy?
They eat watever bugs them!

How many frogs does it take to screw in a light bulb?
One frog and 37 light bulbs, slippery hands, ya know.

How does a frog feel when he has a broken leg?
Unhoppy.

What happened to the frog's car when his parking meter expired?
It got toad!!

What did the frog order at McDonald's?
French flies and a diet Croak

Why did the frog go to the hospital?
He needed a "hopperation" !

And here is one random cow joke. This was my favorite joke in high school. I heard it from my best friend Marla.

There are a bunch of cows and one bull standing on the top of a hill eating some delicious green grass. It is a very windy day and every time a big gust of wind hits them all the cows roll down the hill. The bull is not disturbed, he only wobbles a bit and keeps on eating. After this happens several times the cows are upset and climb up to the top of the hill once again and ask "Hey Bull! What gives? How come you never roll down the hill and we do every time?"
Wait for it here it comes:
The Bull says "Everyone knows we bulls wobble but we don't fall down!"

This joke is better for kids from the 70's who remember the commercials for Weebles toys. I had the haunted house with the glow in the dark ghost. Loved it wish I still had it.

Current Signing Time News

New shows ship September 17th 2007
Can't Wait!!

They are:
Series Two Volume 1-3 gift set contains THREE DVDs:
Volume 1: Nice to Meet You
Volume 2: Happy Birthday to You
Volume 3: Move and Groove

In Series Two, Volume 1: Nice to Meet You
Rachel teaches signs that will help you make new friends and greet your old ones. Learn phrases like: “my name is,” “how are you,” and many more.

In Series Two, Volume 2: Happy Birthday To You
You’re invited to Leah’s Birthday Party where you’ll learn to wish “Happy Birthday,” and other signs to help you celebrate such as “game,” “present,” and “cake.”

Get up and move your body! In Series Two, Volume 3: Move and Groove
You’ll learn all the signs you need to show to get movin' and groovin'. You’ll learn the signs for “jump,” “dance,” “march,” and many more!

Learn more and order here:
http://www.signingtime.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=194

Signing Time Foundation Benefit Concert:

You are invited to a Signing Time! Birthday Party & Live Concert!
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW(all proceeds go to the Signing Time! Foundation)

Hosted by and Starring: Rachel, Alex, and Leah

Date: Monday, October 8, 2007

Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Place: Cottonwood High School
5715 S 1300 E
Salt Lake City, UT 84121

Attire: Wear your favorite party clothes.

Come Celebrate Hopkins' Birthday!
Starring Rachel with Alex, Leah, Hopkins and friends
The Signing Time! Band
New Songs from Series 2 DVDs
Jugglers and dancers
Party Favors and Birthday Treats

http://www.signingtimefoundation.org/

Upcoming Signing Time Appearances:

Here's the current summary list of Rachel's upcoming appearances. Check back often for detailed information on each event listed as well as updates on additional events. We promise to post information as it becomes available.

http://www.signingtime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2670

Event: NDSS New York City Buddy WalkDate: Sunday, September 30th, 2007Time: Registration starts at 11:00amPlace: Great Hill in Central Park located at106th Street and Central Park West

BREAKING NEWS FROM OKLAHOMA!!

It's finally happened. We will be getting a visit from Rachel Coleman. This isn't even on the website yet but here are the details:

Oklahoma Councel for Exceptional Children 2008 Spring Conference
February 5 and 6, 2008
At The Reed Center
http://www.reedcenter.com/
5800 Will Rogers Road
Midwest City, OK. 73110

Keynote Speaker--Rachel Coleman from Signing Time!

Check information and registration online at http://www.oklahomacec.com/

A Baby Story - Kaylynne

Kaylynne is our winter baby. She was due February 5th but we induced two weeks early so she arrived January 25th 2006. We knew she was a girl. With both of the boys we chose not to find out the sex so we would be surprised. Finding out the sex kinda seems like sneeking a peek a gift before it is time to open it. We decided we would find out the sex this time since it would be our last and so we could plan what we needed. We were so happy to find out she was a girl. We love our boys but we had hoped to get to have a girl as well.

This was the most difficult pregnancy. We had a lot of complications and worries. I had gestational diabetes again but could not control my levels this time. My levels were all over the place really high somedays and really low others. Diet didn't work so they put me on Glyburide. I was maxed out on the dosage of that and my levels were still all over the chart. They were about to start me on insulin but they decided that because it would take a few weeks of trials to get the dosage worked out they should just go ahead and take the baby early.

I also had the strep B infection to deal with and placenta previa again. I had started heavily bleeding early on and as a result was told I would probably loose the baby. I was on bed rest for several months and not allowed to lift anything. They thought the baby didn't attach correctly to my uterus so they were concerned any activity may cause more bleeding and/or dislodge her.

This was our first to be born at our local hospital so it was nice to not have to drive for 30 minutes. The hospital was two minutes from our house. We had a wonderful baby nurse, named Jennifer, who was very helpful and made sure we got lots of pictures. I went to high school with our doctor, Nicole, and she did a great job of taking care of us even though it was a difficult pregnancy.

This was another fast delevery. Not quite as fast as Cameron, I think his may have been some kind of record. I believe we started the pitocin at 8:00 AM and she was born at 10:25 AM. She weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.

We had lots of family around. Grandma Vickie and Aunt Sarah were there and so were both brothers. Everyone else came for visits soon after. Cameron had been taking a nap when his sister came into the world. As soon as she cried he woke up and started to cry too. He has never liked the sound of babies crying.

Kaylynne had some medical issues and had to go to the special care nursery. They had to do an IV to help get her blood sugar regulated and she had to have her feet checked because she had a clubfoot. We were so happy when they let her leave the nursery we wanted to have her with us all the time.

A Baby Story - Cameron

Cameron was in a hurry; labor lasted 53 minutes. We went to a different hospital and had a different doctor. I had gestational diabetes again and again was able to control my levels with diet. There were some other complications though (strep B infection, partial placenta previa) so we went in to be induced. I was one day past my due date. Cameron was due May 22 (my birthday) and was born May 23 2002.

At 9:00 they started a pretty strong dose of pitosin because the induction had taken so long with Taylor. My placenta had moved out of the way enough so they went ahead and broke my water too. I guess Cameron figured it was time to abandon ship because I think he actually started to crawl out of there. Labor was hard and fast and scary. We didn't get any pictures or video because everyone was too busy and we didn't have any family there to help.

The one nurse who was in there was doing a great job of handling everything with Jeff's help. She remained calm although she told us later she was pretty freaked out. She had never seen labor go so fast. Because we were less than an hour in the doctor wasn't in any hurry to get back. Our nurse kept telling Jeff to hit the call button and tell them to send some help. Finally some other nurses came and they decided to go get the baby warmer. I was a little busy with the contractions one on top of another but I did realize that was a little odd. I didn't know I was already so close to delivering so I was wondering what they needed the warmer for.

They had been paging the doctor all along but he was taking his time. He had another delivery going on and she was several hours into it so he was spending more time with her. He didn't think there was anyway he would be needed for my delivery for a long time. So the nurse prepared to deliver the baby. I still didn't understand that I was that close to delivering. So I was pretty freaked out. I was thinking I would have to do this for several more hours and I knew I couldn't keep up the pace. I was pretty out of it but I think I started begging for some drugs. The nurse said we are too close if you sit up to get an epidural the baby will fall out onto the floor so just give me a few good pushes and we will be done. So Cameron was born totally natural with out so much as a Tylenol.

This is when the doctor finally moseyed on in to the room and said "So how we doing? Whoa! Give me some gloves!" Then he walked up, caught the baby and proclaimed "It's a boy!"

None of the other family members were there yet. We had told everyone to take their time because it had been such a long labor with Taylor we thought Cameron would take a while too. Also, it was the last day of school so we didn't want Mom to miss saying goodbye to her students or Taylor to miss his last day of 2nd grade. Jeff had called my Mom, who had Taylor with her, and told her she needed to hurry on up to the hospital but there was a bad car accident on the interstate so they got stuck. They got off the interstate and called to tell us why they were delayed and heard the baby crying in the background.

Everyone made it for a visit and Cameron and I were both feeling really good because the labor was so short. Taylor got to hold his brother then he went back to school to finish the day and pass out bubble gum "It's a boy" cigars.

This hospital was more family friendly. They let us have as many visitors as we wanted and Jeff and Taylor both got to stay overnight. Cameron stayed in the room with us so we were all together from the beginning.

They noticed that Cameron had some trouble with bleeding whenever they did any kind of procedure. He would just bleed forever after a shot or anything so they were worried he may have hemophilia. We followed up with the hospital after he was released. They did lots of tests but couldn't ever find any problems. He has been healthy other than his habit of getting sick or hurt every holiday. We have spent a lot of holidays in the ER and a lot of other days as well. He is my rambunctious child.

Cameron was born at 9:53 AM and was 7 pounds 12 ounces and 20 inches long.

One of the complications we had with Cameron was that I got very sick with the stomach flu and went into pre-term labor. It was April 1st (yes, April Fool's Day) and I was having a lot of contractions. At the hospital they were finally able to get them to stop with medication but I was already starting to dialate. When I went in to get induced I was already 3 centimeters dialated and had been for a while so that may have contributed to the fast labor.

A Baby Story - Taylor

Taylor was born April 6th 1993. He was due March 29th (Jeff's birthday) but was a week overdue. He weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce and was 22 inches long. Labor was horrible but worth it. Things would have gone much better if the hospital staff had known what they were doing. The doctor decided to induce labor because I was a week overdue and had gestational diabetes. We went in at 8:00 AM April 5th and started the pitosin. My Grandma, my Mom and of course Jeff were there. Most of the rest of the family was in and out during the day.

They thought it would take 8 to 10 hours. Almost 21 hours later we finally had our baby. My Grandma ended up having to leave. She had a flight back to Louisiana already scheduled and they wouldn't let her postpone it again. Taylor arrived at 4:43 AM.

I did about 8 hours of labor without any drugs. When I found out how little progress we were making I became discouraged and they tried giving me something to help me relax and get some rest. Not sure what it was but it only helped a little.

A little while after that the nurse told me it was time to start pushing and we did. Only problem was I wasn't fully dilated so all the pushing did was wear me out and cause lots of swelling. That set us back quite a bit because we then had to wait for me to finish dilating and for the swelling to go down.

After a few more hours Taylor's heartbeat started to go down during every contraction. They decided to do a C-section. They called in the anaesthesiologist to do the epidural. Of course by this time I am in very active labor and the contractions are basically right on top of each other. They wouldn't let Jeff stay so he was waiting right outside the curtain with his sister. So I am trying to sit still, which is basically impossible, while the anaesthesiologist sticks a needle into my spine.

None of the nurses or doctors are doing anything to try to talk me through it or comfort me in anyway. The anaesthesiologist is telling them all about how he got kicked in the face by a horse and his eye is swollen shut. I'm thinking "What! This guy is sticking a needle into my spine with one eye swollen shut?" Then he stops his story long enough to say "Whoops". At this point I am contemplating my future in a wheelchair, while Jeff is being physically restrained by his sister and several others to keep him from running into the room and punching the guy. Turns out he put the needle in too far but was able to get it redirected into the right spot. Probably had something to do with his lack of depth perception. SO I would end up with a killer headache and vomiting but not permanent paralysis.

After this fun experiment they decide to take me to the operating room to do the C-section. Jeff gets into some scrubs so he can come along, everyone else just has to wait to find out what happens. As they wheel me away in the bed they forgot to take my IV stand so my arm is forcibly yanked up over my head by the IV. Luckily they stopped before they totally ripped everything out. Jeff was video taping this and to this day still can not watch that part of the tape.

I am starting to wonder if they are trying to kill me but it's too late to turn back now. We get to the room and just as the doctor approaches with the scalpel he says lets try one more push I think this baby is close. Well, it took more that one push but eventually it worked. Yeah, we avoided being cut open. I think Taylor saw them coming with the scalpel and said "OK fine I give up". At that point things get a little hazy for me. I was upset because they didn't let me hold my baby. They were worried because it had been a tough birth so they wanted to check him out. Jeff followed the baby (I asked him to make sure he was OK). I started vomiting while the doctor tried to finish up and the nurses were checking my blood sugar. At that point I hadn't eaten in like 31 hours.

The baby seemed fine and everyone got to see him on the way to the nursery. Jeff got to tell everyone "It's a boy". They got me back to me room and took out the IV but they left the needle in my arm. I was so out of it that didn't even register with me. Sometime much later that day a different nurse came in and saw it and freaked out then took it out for me.

Taylor had jaundice but otherwise seemed fine. What a relief. Back then they wouldn't let the husbands stay so they kicked Jeff out when visiting hours were over. That is when they decided to tell me they thought Taylor had hydrocephalus and that they would have to do some tests to find out why he had fluid on his brain. This is not a good thing to tell a new mother especially when she is all alone. I started crying and literally could not stop. The hormones, exhaustion, and stress did me in. I called Jeff at home and he came back and demanded they let him in to see me and tell him what was going on. They said the babies' head was a little large so they would do more tests and let us know. All my kids heads are a little large. We joke with them that just means they have large brains.

We find out the next day it was nothing. Not sure if they got him confused with another patient or if they were just confused in general. We got to go home and we were so glad to get out of that place. We did not have any of our other kids at that hospital.

We got the jaundice cleared up at home and Taylor was a healthy happy baby.