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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



Monster Jam

For Valentine's Day, Jason got tickets to take Brevin and Spencer to Monster Jam in Salt Lake City.  They got temporary tattoos to put all over their faces for the occasion. Armed with a Pit-Pass and earplugs, they left for an afternoon of testosterone driven entertainment.  They loved it!  They were able to get up close and personal to each of the trucks and even took some pictures with the drivers. The event began, and they got to watch hours of engines reving, wheels spinning, and metal crushing.  One of the trucks even tipped over. Throw in some hot dogs and a soda, and it's a boys dream come true!

Garrett was forced to stay home with the girls, but he donned his monster truck t-shirt and temporary tattoos so he could feel a part of the excitement along with his brothers.  Maybe Garrett will get to go next year, since Jason says he is totally stoked to go that event again.

This post was authored by Amber

Not To Be All "Mushy" But...

.....Valentine's Day Was Great.

I was helped along by a website that offered this free printable for Valentine cards. 

Add some Pop Rocks and some signatures and they're ready to go.

Each of the boys received a can full of candy and a Hot Wheels Monster truck.  Brevin and

Spencer got tickets to go with Dad to Monster Jam, Dad got a pink necktie and a music

 CD (Men of the MOTAB), and Mom and Dad got new couches

(to be picked out together at a later date).

We did our traditional meals of heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast and heart-shaped

pizza with Martinellis for dinner (even though I didn't take a single picture of that).

More candy and chocolate was consumed than was necessary, and hot pink

Rice Krispy Treat hearts were given to school teachers and Primary leaders. 

Jason came home from work and asked if I had thought to put Ella in her new
red dress to take pictures for Valentine's Day. 
I had not, so I made sure to do that before the day was over.

All in all, it was a fabulous (albeit traditionally routine) Valentine's Day.

This post authored by Amber

Oh, Yeah. Ella is One Month Already.

I know this is going to sound so cliché, but I cannot get over how quickly a month has passed (there's no denying it--I am your stereotypical "mommy blogger").  I know, in part, I am functioning in a slightly sleep-deprived daze, but really! One month? Where did that time go?  Well, let me tell you.......

Ella At Two Weeks

Ella is very easy going.  And she sleeps. A lot.  This is one of the rare moments I caught her with her eyes open.  She has started to smile at us, but it is so infrequent that I could never anticipate when to have the camera handy.  We'll just start with open eyes at this point.  She is on a very predictable three-hour interval schedule.  She sleeps for three hours, she wakes only to eat, I manage to squeeze in a diaper change, and then she goes back to sleep. 

At her two week check-up she weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and measured 20 inches long.  She looked healthy in every aspect, which is a relief considering the season of sickness that is currently upon us.  So far so good for two weeks!

Ella At Three Weeks 

There is not much more to say about Ella at three weeks, other than I can now feel a difference in her weight when I hold her.  She has pretty much the same routine, and she maintains her easy-going disposition.  Her cry has developed in volume, but she doesn't do that much anyway.  She does grunt a lot, though.  That seems to be her first method of indicating any sort of need.

I wanted to take a picture of Ella next to her Raggedy Ann doll that I made. The doll is sentimental, because I used a pattern that my mother had purchased years ago with the intent of making a doll for each grandchild.  After she made the first two, she asked that we continue making the dolls once she passed away. I'm not a great seamstress, so this was a bit of a challenge for me, but I love how it turned out.  Plus, the 15-inch doll makes a great reference point to demonstrate Ella's size.  

I wanted to dress Ella in something red for the picture, but apparently clothing for little girls is only manufactured in hues of pink.  Well...at least I haven't found anything red, but a dear neighbor friend gave us a gorgeous red dress a few days later and we had to take pictures just for the heck of it!

Ella At Four Weeks

Ella is awake for longer stretches, now, and her sleep is now organizing into longer, consolidated periods that may soon be distinguishable as being naps.  She loves to be held as she sleeps, and there's no shortage of people to oblige.  She will also sleep very soundly in her carseat for lengths at a time. 

Now that Ella is more alert, we notice what large eyes she has (a common trait among our children). They appear to be turning blue, but we will see.  No matter the color, they will be beautifully framed by her perfect eyebrows and lush eyelashes.

Well, that's enough bragging for now...until next month!

This post authored by Amber

Ella's First Photo Shoot

While at the hospital, a professional photographer came to take pictures of Ella.  Unlike hospital photos of the past, several pictures were taken, props were used, and Jason and I were even invited to be in a few shots. (The invitation to be a part of the pictures was totally unexpected, so please excuse the hospital gown and three-day-dirty hair--mine, not Jason's)   We liked the pictures so much, we decided to buy the CD of images and photo copyrights. It was a bit of a splurge, but I think you'll agree it was worth it.

This post authored by Amber