Indie's Assessment

We had Indie's assessment with the school district on Wednesday. It went something like this..."Indie come here, let's see what toys I have to play with." Indie would then proceed to run away or crawl under the table because he cannot be told to sit down and match objects to their picture, or to string beads on a string. Can he do these things? Yes...will he do them is a better question. And the answer is no, especially if he thinks you want him to and even more especially if it's an adult that he doesn't know. So after about 20 minutes of fighting him and trying to get him to do something (they even bribed him with candy) even the district people gave up on trying to get him to do anything. And consequently he scored in the 1st percentile on everything. Then I sat and filled out several questionnaires...and Indie ran around, I kept trying to go get him when one of the district people said, "oh, don't worry about him, there's nothing he can get into and so and so will watch him." Of course I believed her. I assumed that since they assess three year old children there all the time that she knew what she was talking about. After about 15 minutes I hear some lady say, "is anyone missing a child?" and automatically without seeing him I say, "he's mine!" and sure enough he was. Apparently he found a door that opened to the rest of the Kids on the Move building and was wandering around upstairs, on the other side of the building. One of the girls that works with Indie recognized him and said I must be downstairs in the assessment center. That's my child! *sigh* Well, he qualifies for the special needs preschool and will start right after his birthday in January! It will be really good for him. We haven't seen a child psychologist yet to have him diagnosed. I'm still debating whether or not to do that. I have a feeling they will tell me he has PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) which basically means he has developmental delays in more than one area. I feel like it all stems from his Sensory needs. He's just too busy getting input that he doesn't learn the same way other children would. I know what's wrong and what to do to help him, so does he really need a label? I don't know. We'll figure it out. For right now, he'll start preschool. YAY!

Six Weeks and a Blessing

 Yesterday Milo turned six weeks and we blessed him. First, thank you to Rolyne and Lori for helping me write his blessing while Scott gave it to him and to Kaylene for taking Indie off of my hands so that I could be there for it! I've written a letter to each of my kids as they were born and usually I've done it within the first couple of weeks of being born, and already six weeks have flown by, it's time I do that now. So, don't feel obligated to read any further, although, obviously you can if you want.

Milo, how glad we are to have you in our family! My first chubby baby! It took a while before you decided it was time to join our family and we are glad you finally made it. I didn't expect a third boy in a row, but after we found out you were coming and had chosen a name I felt like you were already apart of our family. I could feel your presence strongly and not just because you were trying kick your way out! Looking out from this side of your life I have lots of hopes and dreams for you. Most of all I want you to become a good man. One who is concerned about others, and one who is a good example of our Savior Jesus Christ. One who respects others, especially women. One who serves others whole heartedly. One who freely forgives others when they make mistakes, especially your parents. One who is honest. You already have a good example in your dad to look to. As I am writing this you are sitting in your bouncy chair, just looking at me, smiling every so often. You are a happy baby, but I can tell that your spirit is old, and much more mature than mine. I see it in your eyes. I felt it before you were born. You have two older brothers and an older sister who love you so much! It is so fun to watch them with you and the love and concern they have for you. Each baby that has come into our home has brought more love and you are no exception. I'm always amazed at the love I feel for my children and how that love expands with each one. I also feel the resposibility that comes in raising all of you. Your father and I pray everyday to know what we need to do for each of you to become good and honest people, and how you need the gospel taught to you. I hope that you will be able to learn of a Father and Savior who love you because you can feel that love in our family. We love you, Milo!

Milo's Blessing 4 Dec 2011

Continue in good health during your infancy
Learn what your parents teach you and apply those teachings in your life
Desire to learn about Jesus Christ and the scriptures
Be a good boy and do good to others
Desire to be baptized, follow the Savior by joining His church
Desire to receive the Priesthood
Knowledge to press forward
Choose to serve the Lord on a mission and to be married in the temple
Be an example of Jesus Christ

So for Annie's and Park's birthdays we got them a combined gift of the entire set of "Harry Potter" movies on blueray. We watched them all together. (Am I crazy for letting my 7 and 5-year-old watch all of them? No nightmares...yet.) Now all they can do is run around with anything that might resemble a wand and say things like "Turn on-ify!" or "jump up-icus!" And so I respond with things like "Eat your dinner-ify!" or "brush your teeth-icus!"

Happy Birthday, Park!

 Park has officially turned 5! Happy Birthday to my sweet Park! You bring so much light into our home. You are a good helper and love to laugh. You are cautious at first but once comfortable you can be as crazy as Indie. We sure love you!

 Park got a Pegasus Beyblade for his birthday, he was pretty happy with it!

 And of course I have to put in a few pictures of Milo. He is now 4 weeks old and is starting to smile.

Happy Birthday Annicka! & Milo's 2 week!

Happy Birthday to Annicka! Since her birthday fell on a Sunday this year we had some of our celebration on Saturday by going to Jumpin' Jacks (this seems to have become a tradition).

On Sunday after church we had cake and ice cream (just us...I don't feel much up to entertaining yet.) and opened Annie's present!

 Annicka, we are so grateful to have you in our family! You are the best oldest sister we could have asked for! You are so patient with your little brothers. You are growing into a beautiful young woman...next year you will be baptized! We can hardly believe that you are almost old enough for that! WE LOVE YOU!

 We've realized that Milo's birthday is exactly two weeks before Annicka's and Park's is exactly two weeks after! Craziness! So Milo was two weeks old on Sunday and today we had his well child check up. He is now 9 lbs 1 oz and has grown nearly two inches! He is definitely getting bigger! His jaundice is getting much better, he only ended up on the billi lights for about 24 hours (thank heavens!) and although his eyes are still a little yellow, he is looking much more normal. What a handsome little guy!

Happy Halloween!

Well, it's over, but the kids made a HAUL with the candy. The problem is that I'll probably eat most of it! Oh well! I'm nursing, right? Here are the kids just before they left to go trick-or-treating. Annicka was an African princess, Park a pirate and Indie, Superman!

 Enjoying some candy!

 And just a couple of cute pics of the older ones holding Milo.

Jaundice

When we left the hospital on Monday evening Milo's billirubin levels were in the low risk category. Yesterday we went in and got them checked again, and they were too high, 16.9. So he is on the billi lights until those levels come back down, 24/7 unless he is eating or getting his diaper changed. YAY! (note the sarcasm) We have to go in to get his levels checked everyday until then. He sure does look cute on them, though!

Milo Frost

Little Milo is here! It all started Saturday afternoon when I started having contractions. By 5 they were about 5 minutes apart, I waited 3 hours to make sure they weren't going to stop, and then we headed to the hospital. After being there for 2 hours they stopped and we headed home at about 10:30. I was so frustrated. We got home and headed to bed for some rest. At about 1:30 Indie woke up and I got him some milk and got him back to bed. I went and laid down and all of a sudden the contractions started up again, this time they were harder and closer together. At about 3 we got ready to head back to the hospital. We got there and I was dialated to a 5 and was immeadiately admitted. By 4:30 I had my epidural and by five this baby was ready to come out...except that the doctor hadn't gotten there yet. So here I am (above), waiting for the doctor to get there so Milo could slide on out.

 Just a few pushes and Milo joined us in our world! Just a little bit purple and gray as Annicka described it. 8 lbs 4 oz and 18 1/2 inches.

 He pinked right up after getting some oxygen.

 Annicka was there for the whole thing and she did great! She thought it was really neat. My mom asked her if there was anything she didn't expect and she said that she didn't expect Milo to be so purple when he came out.

 Getting all checked out!

And Park holding his new little brother. He was so cute with him! What a good big brother!

Look who...

...FINALLY learned how to open doors! Yes, he is almost three, and the kind of kid Indie is you'd think he would have been ones of those that would have figured it out by the time he was 18 months or so. But I count it a small blessing with him that it took this long.

 Of course he figured it out at bed time. And that was the end of that. We spent a good 20 minutes laying him back down before I remembered, Indie isn't your normal child. Why does it always take me so long to remember that? This kid can go all night if he wanted to; being laid back down and jumping up to open the door to try and escape. It's all a big game for him. So we decided that just for that night we would lock the door until he fell asleep. Which he did after just a few minutes of trying to open the door and not being able to. The next day we went out and bought those doorknob covers and one went on the inside of his door so that he'll actually stay in his room long enough to fall asleep. We'll see how long it lasts!

I can't see well, is that Annika Sorenstam out there?

Mom (Chamberlain) came out and played golf with me (Scott) for the first time on Friday.  She pretty much owned the course for the time she was out there.  Really had a fun time and I think she really enjoyed it. 

Some more firsts!

Well, it's time to post some more firsts! On the top of the list is Annicka's first ballet class! She loves it!

Next up, Park's first day of preschool! He also loves it. He's excited that this week I get to be his teacher.

This last week I also had the first funeral to do a luncheon for as Relief Society President. We live in a generally very young ward and so funerals are seldom and far between, thankfully. This one was for a 97 year-old sister who had fallen and broken her hip and then got pneumonia while she was in the hospital. (An amazing woman, by the way, who was still coming to church every Sunday and was as independent as any 97 year-old that I've ever met.) The luncheon went off without a hitch, thanks to my counselors and compassionate service leader and all the sisters that were so willing to bring something to help out!

And finally today, Annicka got her first cavity! Bummer! Next, to get it filled next week!

Prom

This last week Scott asked me to the prom! He and some other guys in our neighborhood thought an 80's prom night would be a fun group date. Word is that they pulled it all together in about a week. In the end we ended up with 16 or 17 couples who came. We began our night at Olive Garden for dinner. And yes, almost all of the couples were there. Next came a game of Laser tag at Trafalga. And later a dance at the church that lasted about an hour. Let's face it, we are getting too old to dance all night long. We had a great time!

 Here we are at the Olive Garden. You can't see the awesome pattern of my shirt in this picture, but you sure can see my wonderful 80s makeup (thanks to my sister-in-law Emily)! The best part about my makeup is that our neighbor Adam couldn't stop laughing every time he saw me! Apparently I don't wear makeup often enough and so when I go all out, it's a little hard to believe.

 And at the dance, the guys were even able to get a photographer there to take couples pictures. Gotta love Scott's puke green shirt!

And a group picture of everyone at the end! Thanks for the prom night, Scott! It was fun!

Some firsts...

We've had our share of firsts in the last couple of weeks.

 First, was the kids first baseball game. It was an Orem Owlz game that we got into for free with Kids on the Move. It was great because: 1. It was free! (Who doesn't love free?) 2. It was super family friendly with a giant playground that the kids loved and Indie actually played on for more than 5 minutes. 3. We could leave when the kids were done, and we didn't feel obligated to stay, because it was free!

 The mascot was great with Indie and totally put up with his pushing and dancing around him.

 Next, Park's first soccer practice...

 And his first game! He was a trooper running around with the other kids even though he only got to kick the ball once.

And...the grande finale...Annicka's first day of first grade today! She had a great day going to school all day and she can't wait for tomorrow! We are so proud of her!

Happy Anniversary to us!

That's right, today makes 9 years for Scott and I. Where did the time go?

Oh, dear! Look how young I am! And Scott actually has some hair!

WARNING: If you don't want to gag, stop reading riiiiight...NOW!

Scott, I love you! More now than ever. We've been through a lot together and we have grown closer because of the hard times and the good ones. Though neither of us are perfect I feel like we are perfect for each other. You are an amazing husband and father for our kids. They are so blessed to have you, and so am I. Happy Anniversary to my favorite husband! (Cause, you know, I have a lot husbands... :)  You're the best....a-round!

*SIGH*

I found Indie in the midst of this with the box of cornflakes. Well, I've been putting off cleaning our room for too long. Looks like it'll finally get done today. Sometimes all you can do is sigh.

Proud Mama!

Annicka came home with this from church today. I must say I got a little teary-eyed. Oh, the faith of child.

Here is a translation for those of you who don't know how to read six-year-old-ese.

I know that I will live with him.

I know that he loves me.

I know he made the earth.

I know he did [it] for me.

I know he made the animals.

We must be doing something right, right?

Feeling Grateful

The past few weeks have been a bit crazy around here. It started when our water heater went out two weeks ago. Then Park and Annicka both got strep, and I didn't know it until last Tuesday afternoon, AFTER Indie's OT and speech therapist had come in the morning (I had to call them and let them know to watch out for it). Then I started having some pregnancy related issues that are causing me a lot of pain (I promise you don't want to know, TMI [too much info] if you know what I mean). Despite all of that I'm feeling very grateful today. Grateful for a home teacher/friend who knows how to put in a water heater, saving us nearly $400 in labor. We had his family over for dinner and the moms got to chat while the kiddos played and the dads put in the new heater. Thanks again, Jonny! Grateful for modern medicine! How much suffering would my kids have had to go through if it weren't for something so simple as penicillin? Grateful to get into the doctor TODAY instead of in a week-and-half to take care of this pain now! It'll still be a few days before I'm 100% again, but that's okay! I had an appointment set for Aug 10th, and I was feeling really stressed about having to deal with the pain for at least that much longer. Thankfully someone cancelled this morning and they were able to move me in! Grateful for storms that come at the right time. Today just before I had to go to my appointment we had a flash flood that started filling up one of the window wells in our basement and though it was stressful bailing water for a good 30 minutes, it happened before I had to go, and not while I was gone. Otherwise we would have had some walls and carpet to replace. Grateful to be pregnant. I have several friends who struggle with infertility, it even takes Scott and I awhile to get pregnant, and I am grateful to be a mom. Pregnancy isn't always easy (as this week has been a good reminder of) but I am so grateful that I can be and am! Most of all I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and watches out for me and sends the little blessings (and even the big ones) that make the hard times a little easier to handle.

Indie update

This is our crazy boy jumping off the bed getting some sensory input! (Ignore the messy room, I was in the middle of packing for our trip to Zion's.) Over the last month or so Indie has been making progress like crazy! He has picked up several new words and is using the words he does have a lot more. His eye contact has improved ten fold and I am feeling good about the direction we are headed with him. I have set aside a time everyday that I play with him and our giant exercise ball and try to help him get the input he needs. His OT (Occupational Therapist) has given me a weighted vest for him that he doesn't like at home but he wears it when we go out and it helps slow him down a little. Scott gets home and plays with him or takes him on walks around the neighborhood.

What I feel the best about is that I'm not the only one who is noticing these improvements! His OT said that Indie had the biggest improvement he has ever seen in just the couple weeks between his assessment and his first visit. His interaction with him was way better and they played hard together. And just today I talked to one of his nursery teachers to let her know what is going on. She has two autistic children and so she knows exactly what a sensory processing disorder is. 90% of Autistic children have it though it is not unique to autism. I think that is partly the reason I wondered if he had autism, he was displaying some of the behaviors that autistic children with sensory issues display. She told me she had noticed that Indie was a little different and wondered if he might have autism, but she didn't want to say anything. She said that she has noticed a big improvement over the last few weeks, that his eye contact is getting much better and that he is sitting still better for snack and their lesson. Hallelujah! I think he is still going to have a language delay for a while, but hopefully he continues to improve at such a rapid pace. In a few months the school district will come out to re-assess him to see if he qualifies for their services after he turns three.

Camping!

This weekend was supposed to be the Father and sons campout, but it got cancelled and so Scott and one of our friends decided to go camping anyway so the boys wouldn't be disappointed. Annicka got to go since it wasn't officially a father and sons anymore.

 Collecting beebees with their friend Atkin.

 I love this picture of Park! He can be so goofy. Annicka seems to be saying, "Dude, what are you doing?"

Tree climbing, again with Atkin! They had a great time with their dad! And I had a great time reading at home after Indie was asleep. I don't get many opportunities to just read right now, so I took advantage of it!

Independence Day

Our 4th was low-key, which it seems everything is lately. Maybe being Relief Society President, pregnant and in school has something to do with that. We were invited over to a friend's house for dinner.

 The kids loved riding in their cars.

 And of course Scott and I took turns following Indie around outside.

Then we watched the fireworks on the street behind us. It was a great show!