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Brevin, just before being wheeled back into the room for stitches

Last Wednesday, I sent Brevin out the door for his weekly Cub Scout activity, knowing he would have an exciting time because he got to go bowling at BYU. Boy, was it ever exciting, but not exactly for the reasons I had imagined!

I got a phone call from an obviously shaken leader who informed me that during the "behind the alley" tour, Brevin had somehow slipped and cut his shin. I asked if she felt that he might need stitches, and she informed me that she didn't know because she couldn't bring herself to look at the wound. Well, if it is bad enough that you can't look at it, then it likely will need stitches was my thought. I told her that I would call Jason and have him pick Brevin up on his way home from work since he was closest to the BYU campus. In the meantime, the other leader called to talk to me and said she had been applying pressure to the cut until the EMTs came, and that it was to the bone. Not being able to assess how bad the situation was myself,  I asked if we would be fine to take him to the Instacare (it was after hours for our doctor's office at this point). The EMTs said that would be fine, so that's where I directed Jason to go.

Jason carried him out and drove him to the Springville Instacare, and I loaded the kids up in the van so I could meet them there to take him the camera. I didn't go back into the room with Brevin, so I didn't see just how bad the cut was, but from the pictures and the number of stitches required,  I was able to surmise the seriousness of the laceration. (I did, however, see the blood drenched sock that Brevin wanted to keep at a memento.)

I guess more than anything, Brevin was nervous about the idea of having to get stitches. The doctor had to constantly reassure him that it was going to be just fine. He distracted Brevin with talk of basketball and Jimmer Fredette (the doctor happened to be one of Jimmer's team physician's), and he stitched Brevin up with "Cougar blue" thread. There were twelve stitches in all, four internal and eight external.

Well, we all survived the ordeal and returned home to a 7:00 p.m. dinner of chicken enchiladas that had to be reheated.  A special treat of root beer floats seemed to be in order (although we actually used cream soda instead).  I guess Brevin will now have to return to the bowling alley to complete his belt loop requirements.  I just don't think he'll be taking the tour anytime soon.

This post authored by Amber

Not To Make Everyone Jealous, But....

Ella sleeps through the night.  Well, at least I call it sleeping through the night.  She stays all cozy-cuddled in her crib for a solid six hours.  (It used to be from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. but with Daylight Savings time it is now 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.)  I'm sorry if this post takes on the tone of gloating, but this is a big deal to me coming on the heels of a not-so-sleep-through-the-night-infant in Garrett.

Does it seem a bit premature that she would sleep that long already?  Perhaps.  But she is two months old now, and that is actually the main reason for this post anyway.  So without further ado, I give you Ella at Two Months:

This post authored by Amber

I'm Not Irish (But You Can Kiss Me Anyway)

You know we love a reason to celebrate and do strange things with our food.  Someday I may try the more authentic corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day, but for now I guess we'll stick with the green clover-shaped pancakes and green syrup.  Oh, and don't forget the fruit rainbow.  That was something we added to our annual menu last year.  And although the foods served may change over time, there is still an absolute constant.  We'll most definitely be takin' photos of the wee ones!

This post authored by Amber

Bless This Child!

We were thrilled to have so many family members join us for the special occasion of Ella's blessing.  Some had to travel long distances and arrive for a 9:00 am sacrament meeting.  That was no small feat. (Neither was fitting them all into our house for a brunch afterwards!)

These were the men who participated by standing in the circle. 

(I daresay, this may not be the last time I capture a

photograph of Ella surrounded by a bunch of males.

Hopefully that day will not come too soon.)

Ella was forced to wake and eat earlier in the morning than she would normally have done before getting dressed.  She seemed to be fussier than usual as a sign of protest, but was ever accommodating when it came time for the blessing.  Jason took the pacifier to the front of the chapel and handed it off to his brother, Brad, as a precautionary measure. It was not needed.  Ella cooperated by not making a peep during the prayer (which was lovely, by the way) and even kept her eyes wide open for the "Daddy is proudly showing off his baby to the audience" presentation.  For many family and neighbors, it was their first chance to get a glimpse of Ella in person.  I'm glad we took the time to get her all dressed up and looking pretty.  First impressions are so important, you know!

As for the dress, I was delighted to be able to use the one that my mother had made for my niece eighteen years ago. I was living at home during the time she worked on sewing the dress and had even helped with some of the flower details. I recall her anxiety over the simplicity of the dress and thinking it was not fancy enough. Well, I think it is simply elegant and I completely appreciate its understated beauty.

What a lovely day, and what a lovely little lady!

This post authored by Amber

Cookie Cutters

For those who may have doubted me when I said that all my babies have come out looking almost exactly the same, here are some pictures to support my claims.  (Okay, let's get real!  I know nobody questioned that fact in the first place.)

Brevin

 Spencer

Garrett

Ella

(I think you will also understand why the first thing I said when I saw Ella was, "She looks just like Garrett.")

It seems that even my first photos with my children have been the same, too!

I know. Crazy, huh?

This post authored by Amber