Scary Moments

Kelton has been a wonderfully calming and enjoyable child. We have thoroughly enjoyed being his parents and are grateful every day that his has graced us with our presence.

Having said that, I have to tell you that he has done his fair share of scaring us to death during his short little life. He tried from the time I was seven months pregnant to come early putting me on bed rest and in the hospital several times.

At three months old, he got his first ear infection. He landed himself in the hospital 2 days later with RSV for more than a week.

Since that time, we have had five more double ear infections (surgery is scheduled for August 13 YEAH!!!) and more little cold than I want to count.

Today was our scary moment. We didn't go to church because Kelty has had a fever and I think I have an ear infection. After Harvey came home from his accounting duties, we were playing around with Kelty. Harvey put Kelty on the floor and him being the cuddle bug that he is didn't want to be put down and started to cry. Moments after starting to cry, he stopped short and started to turn blue. His eyes rolled back in his head and we freaked out. We had to call the paramedics. By the time they got here, he was breathing again and was getting his color back. He was alert and semi playful. The paramedics stayed for a while to make sure that he was doing well and said that they didn't feel that he needed to go anywhere by ambulance. They thought that he may have choked from crying.

We did end up having him seen and it turns out that what happened is not "normal" but can happen. Some small children can pass out if they get too stimulated either laughing or crying or getting upset. We just have to watch him and try to keep him calm.

He is doing great. I just had to vent this out into the void of the six of you that read this blog on occasion. I am not trying to complain just venting. Thanks for being my good friends despite my whining.

My Boys

I am so lucky to have such great boys in my life. They are so tender hearted and loving.

Kaeson, although full of energy, is a big fluffy marshmallow inside. He is my snuggle bug and best boy. What a fun little kiddo. Today at Murray Park he kept calling the trails the "Hunger Acre Woods" and knew that Winnie the Pooh was to turn the corner at any moment.

Kelty is a total and complete Mommas Boy. I love it. He has learned to scoot to me and pull himself up on my hands to be held. He has officially said his first word "ma ma." I love it. The only one to say ma ma first. He loves to be held and to look into my eyes.

Harvey is my other great boy. He is a kind father and a very patient hubby. Good thing because I am really know to try his patience at times.

They are great and I love 'em all.

Life Today

Well, life as I know it has come to a stand still. Atleast for a little while until I baby proof the house.

Kelton has been army crawling around for about a month now and he is loving life. He is so proficient at his army crawl that I doubt that he will start to crawl in a regular style. He has found and tried to eat every single speck of dust and paper that is on the floor. I thought that the wood floors would make my life easier. I feel like I am constantly vacuuming and scooping what I have missed out of Kelty's mouth.

A few days ago, I couldn't believe it as he was able to stand himself up with help on the couch. He was beaming with pride. Now knowing of his amazing abilities to scoot around and climb things, he is trying it out wherever he can. He managed to crawl up one step yesterday and thought that he was king of the world.

For being a bitty baby (nearly nine months and still just 15 pounds...) he is sure active and loving life. I have to go out this afternoon and buy out the stock of baby gates at Target. We have the one, but with him all over the place like he is, I am going to have to baby gate every darn stairway entrance... and I don't even want to counting.

Dads Dads Dads

I am remiss that I have yet to touch the subject of dads. Father's Day has come and gone without mention from me of the dads that play an important role in my life.

First, Harvey is a great dad and loves his kiddos very much. He has made a tradition of story time every night and has acquired quite the plethera of comical narrative voices. He is our soccer coach and loves it. He has changed more diapers than any other man that I know. When in the car driving to my parents house, I asked the kids why they loved their dad. Kyra answered that he played with her and that he read her stories. Kaeson answered "Because he is my best friend." Ahh. Melt my heart. In the grand scheme of life, Harvey is a new dad however, he is wise beyond his years. He is amazingly patient, kind and loving. I am a very lucky wife.

Second, my dear dad. I think that I have the best dad in the world. Growing up, we had a large family and not a lot of money. My dad was able to make every day an adventure and every moment fun. I am where I am in life because of my mom's persistance with school and the arts. However, I am who I am in life because of my dad. He is a great example to me of taking what life has to offer and make the most out of it. You can't choose your trials in life but you can absolutely choose how you handle them. Thank you dad. I am very lucky to be your daughter.

Thank you, both of you. You are both incredible men and I love you both very much. You make me want to be a better person and help me realize who I can become if I only dare to stretch.

Fairy Festival

How often in life do we find ourselves completely and totally in our own element. When do you find ourselves completely at peace with the world, with who we are and who we are becoming. That was today for Kyra Monet.

Kyra absolutely knows that she is a fairy at heart and will swear to the fact that a tiny pair of wings are sprouting on her little back.

Today at Engh Gardens, they held a fairy festival. I had previously made Kyra a fairy costume and she has been wearing it non stop. We took it today to the festival and let her soak in all of her glory.

I find myself every day wishing that I could keep my kids this little. I love their little looks, their little gestures and their outakes on life. Watching my sweet little girl today was a complete indulgence of life. There were so many moments that I wanted to bottle and keep forever.

The Birthday Party

We finally planned our first friend birthday party for Kaeson. I like to think that I learn by experience and I think that this time it finally has paid off. I planned a very very low key and easy party with what I alreay had around the house and it was a hit with Kaeson and his buddies.

We put up the kiddie pool, the bouncer and brought out the play toys to the smaller part of the yard. Only very simple decorations were put up. I didn't even get a cake or ice cream. I bought two sets of Walmart cupcakes and had popsicles.

I think that the most complicated part of the entire party was the pinata that we had. Harvey loves pinatas so it was a must. Easy Easy Easy.

It went amazingly well. Thank you sooooo much all of my friends that stayed to help supervise. It helped a lot. The kids had a ball and some stayed for quite a while after the party ended.

I have decided that this is the way to do it. So, watch out parents. This party is destined to be spun out time and time again for the next 10 years as my kiddos grow up and have birthday parties.

Ta Dah!

One hour + One old prom dress + One never ending request = One Happy Little Girl

Kyra has been begging me for a fairy dress since we had her picture taken at the JC Penny Fairy Portrait Extravaganza. I finally bowed to the request today and found it much easier than I had though. We went to my sewing room to dig out some fabric and decided to get the fabric off of one of my old prom dresses. Then ding... The idea hit. I just adjusted the dress to fit Kyra and added some flare with the full skirt. It isn't completely done yet. It still needs some sparkle and some wings but for only an hour.... not too bad. Atleast in my opinion.

Too Literal

Apparently, I have to watch what I say around my kiddos because the literal bug has attached itself to our family. Follow the conversation.

Kyra: Mom I have a very smart brain.

Mom: Of course you do.

Kyra: But mama, not everyone has a brain.

Mom: Well, most everyone does have a brain.

Kyra: No, mom. Kaeson doesn't have a brain.

Mom: Yes he does sweetie. Kaeson has a very smart brain too.

Kaeson: (from outside the room): No I don't. I don't have a brain.

Mom: Yes you do Kaes. You have a very smart brain.

Kaeson: (now in the room) No I don't. I don't have a brain I have a coconut.

Mom: Where is your brain?

Kaeson: Gone

Mom: Then what do you have in your head?

Kaeson: A coconut.

Whenever Kaeson is acting like a dare devil or doing something a bit dangerous, we tell him to stop or else he will break his coconut. Now he is convinced that his brain is gone and he is functioning with just a coconut.

My brother gave him a coconut with a face drawn on it for his birthday. Kaeson didn't know just how to react to the coconut. He wasn't sure how it got out of his head or how he was functioning without it. He is now fine with the idea that he is coinciding peacefully with his coconut that he has now affectionately named "Mike."

Spiderman Turns 4!!!

Did you know that super heros have birthdays too? Yes, it is true. They do. I know this for certain because I live with one. Spiderman (Alias Kaesey Bear) turned 4 this past week. He is mezmerized with Spiderman and has been for over a year. Having never seen a single Spiderman movie, commercial or cartoon, we were perplexed as to this phase of life, but we embrace it.

I think that we have thoroughly confused him however. We celebrated his special day at Disneyland, after we returned (on his real birthday), again today with my side of the family, this coming Friday for his friend party and one final time will come this next weekend when Harvey's parents return from vacation. Where originally, he knew he was turning 4, he will soon think that he is 12 with all of the extra celebrating.

He received all of his family presents in some Spiderman form. Grandma and Grandpa played into the theme with only one minor exception, the "Pirates of the Caribbean" lamp. Kaeson now calls Jack Sparrow "Super Jack" so that he can fit into the superhero theme. My cute sister made several tiles with the logos of different super heros. They are darling.

I have to admit, it has been really hard watching my little guy turn 4. I remember the day he was born with such vividness, it is like it was yesterday. It is amazing how much that little bear has changed who I am. He is the most loving, kind and genuine individual that I have ever know. He is ablsolutely full of energy. But, the people that know him well know that it is simply charisma and his love for life. I love that he still likes to hold me and sing songs at night. I love that he comes into my room every morning and announces, "It's a bear!" I love that he is protective of my and his siblings. I love that he is an amazing boy and that I have the honor to be the person to help guide him through life. He has however, already taught me more that I could ever teach him.

Happy Birthday Kaesey Bear. I love you more than life.

On A Whim

On a whim and as a last minute decision, we decided to wisk our family away on a short getaway. After reviewing school schedules and realizing that Harvey had NO time to take a vacation during the Summer months, we decided to take advantage of a weekend and get out of town.

Our kids were ALL well and no one was sick for the first time since December. No one had ear infections, the flu or even colds. I don't know how we managed it.

Our dear friends, the Banks, had also decided last minute to go to California and we decided to join them. Due to scheduling, we couldn't make it at exactly the same time but we did manage to hook up for a day and a half.

Trying to keep the trip on a VERY tight budget we drove to Anaheim. We learned a couple of things:

1. Heavens bless the person that invented the mini van.

2. Kuddos to the engineering behind car DVD players.

3. You really can make it from Salt Lake to Disneyland with only stopping once for potty and gas breaks. No seriously, we did it.

4. Kelton hates his car seat.

The kids did awesome and actually enjoyed the road trip. Long day but fun. We made it in impressive time to Anaheim and were able to meet up with the Banks for dinner. Harvey took the kids to the pool and I crashed in the hotel room.

Day 2: The beach was amazing. Yeah to the Banks for finding a beautiful, not too crowded beach. The kids had a blast and even Leigh and I got into the wave action.

Day 3 and 4: Disneyland. We were there from opening to close. We have the same mentality as our parents in that we paid a lot for the tickets, we are going to get our money's worth. They kiddos loved it and better troopers that us. However, contrary to our thinking, they hated most of the big rides. They both got off of Splash Mountain crying. Kaeson did love Space Mountain and went on it twice, white knuckled both times. My favorite part was the parade. I had to download the music the second I came home.

What a fabulous trip. We can't wait to do it again. Lets just say that it was very needed and I think well deserved. We generally aren't last minute decision makes but, this was a good one for us.

Best Friends

If you had asked me a year ago which of my two kiddos I thought would do better with the new little baby that we were expecting, I would have said Kyra hands down. Now, Kyra is an amazing sister, but I have to brag about cute Kaeson for a minute.

Over the past couple of months, since Kelton has become more interactive and now mobile, Kaeson has connected with him on a supreme level. Daily I find Kaeson lying on the floor talking to Kelton. Not just the cute baby talk but he discusses his day with him, teaches him about pirates and super heros and sings him songs that he has learned in preschool. A few weeks ago he even found a picture of the Disneyland castle and told Kelton, "Kelton, this is Disneyland. The best place ever. I am going to take you there sometime." OOOOOH my heart melted.

Kaeson loves being a perfect match with his little protege. He will change his own outfit to find one that closely matches Kelty's. While Harvey was pushing Kelty around in a stroller the other day, Kaeson grabbed the stroller and very confidently admonished his father, "Dad, give me back my toad."

Originally, I would have bet everything that Kelty was going to be a girl. I now know the great wisdom of God to send us a little boy. He was so desperately needed by his older brother. I know that they were meant to be together. They know it too. The other night, I had tucked the boys into bed and Kaeson jumped up insisting that he had to say goodnight to Toad. He walked in, touched his head and said, "I love you Kelty. You are my best friend." Thank heavens for little boys.