. . . . and He Lost his First Tooth

On December 4th, Benjamin lost his first tooth. The funny part is that we didn't even know he had a loose tooth until I happened to look down in his mouth from standing over him. Benjamin had been complaining about his teeth hurting, but when we asked him to elaborate he would simply say his filled cavities were what was hurting. So by the time I realized that he had a loose tooth the other tooth had started growing in behind it, and pulling out the baby tooth took all of 2 minutes. The tooth fairy even came to visit and left 4 quarters under Benjamin's pillow!

A Car for Daddy

The other day when we were at the library we passed this car. I commented that Michael never thought those cars would make it in the United States after he became acquainted with them in France. Michael served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in France and drove similar cars while he was there. He was not particularly fond of them. The kids thought the car was funny and asked if we could get one for Dad. I think they missed the part about me mentioning that Daddy didn't like those cars when he was in France and probably wouldn't want one here. Oh well, at least they were thinking of getting something for their Dad.

Little Defender

Can you find the baby? Can you find the dog? Our little dog loves the baby.

We weren't quite sure what to expect from our little dog, who thinks she is our child, when we brought the baby home. We were pleasantly surprised to find that Goodies is very protective of the baby. She comes to get me when the baby fusses, barks at anyone who tries to touch him, and sit and guards him whenever she feels like he needs protection. Her behavior is quite sweet and we are glad the transition has been good with her even if she was demoted from 3rd child to 4th child.

Not Team Edward or Jacob, Team Husband

A couple of months ago I saw this ad in one of our local advertisements. Given the controversy about some women's obsessions over Edward and Jacob from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series damaging their marriages, this made me smile. Jacob the werewolf is "too hot." Edward is "too cold." My husband is "just right," and that is the team I find most attractive and appealing.

I Voted!

I performed my civic duty this year. I finally took the time to register to vote back at the end of August, and I took the time to go to my local prescinct and vote. Granted, I took all three kids and our large double stroller to meet Michael there, but I did it. The two older ones thought it was quite entertaining and even conned the volunteers out of a couple of stickers. Benjamin asked what we were voting for and I explained that we were helping decide who was running our country and making our laws. His response was, "Can we vote for you, Mom?" I laughed and told him, "I didn't run, but I appreciate your confidence in me." He smiled and we went on our way.

Our Little Gardner

At the end of the growing season, for us, we cleared out our garden box. Our sweet Bekah was dressed so cute to help us in the back yard. Doesn't she just look like she belongs in the garden?

Trick or Treating

One of the families in our neighborhood dressed up their car for Halloween.

We went trick or treating in the pouring rain. It was an adventure to be sure but the kids had a blast and that is what was important.

Our Incredible Family

Unintentionally, we have had a family theme to our Halloween costumes the last couple of years. This year's theme was picked out by Benjamin, and agreed upon by Bekah, back in June when we found out we were having a little boy. Benjamin asked if we could be The Incredibles because we would have a mom, a dad, a brother, a sister, and a baby brother (even though the brother and sister were in a different order on the movie than they are in our family I was informed.) So we spent some time making masks and t-shirts (I'm big on being able to reuse costume pieces) and a sleep sack with matching hat for Ryan. The kids were totally excited and had a lot of fun being Dash and Violet while telling everyone about how our family was the Incredible family.

Our "Jack-Jack" is camflougaded in Mommy's arms.

The irony about our costumes:

- Benjamin is incredibly fast like Dash.

- Bekah is my child who likes to disappear like Violet.

- Ryan is our unexpected surprise this year and we have yet to learn what his talents are.

- I have had to do a lot of stretching and growing this year, and not just physically.

- Michael has carried our family a lot this year and has proved just how incredible he is.

School Costume Parade

One of the fun things about being in Kindergarten is getting to dress up for the Halloween party and then parade your costume through the school. The school even invited the parents to come and watch. Since the parade was on a Friday, Michael was able to come with Bekah, Ryan, and I to watch Benjamin in the parade. Benjamin was delighted to see us there. He even exclaimed, "I saw you three times!" when he was telling us about it at home (because he did see us three different times due to the course the parade route took through the school halls.)

Can you guess who Benjamin is? Our not-so-little boy was Dash from The Incredibles though he isn't wearing his mask because the school requested no masks for the parade and parties. Benjamin also told us how much fun he had making crafts, playing games, and eating snacks at his class party.

. . . . and down the hall they go!

Dad caught Benjamin's delighted expression when he spotted us waiting and watching in the hall.

Benjamin and Bekah's friend Paige

Cyrus

(another friend who lives a few doors down)

Sharlise

(she lives in our neighborhood and I am good friends with her mom, Gabby)

Joey
(his mom, Heidi, is our current Primary president)

Play Group Halloween Party

Our playgroup had a Halloween Party where the kids wore their costumes and decorated cookies. Bekah was delighted that she would have her own party just like Benjamin had a school party that only he was going to. The kids had a blast playing together and eating their excessively frosted cookies.

Halloween Cookies

For Family Home Evening the week after Ryan was born, we cut out Halloween shaped cookies and decorated them with Halloween colored frosting, sprinkles, and candy corns. We had fun picking out shapes and eating yummy cookies. I love sharing these things with my family and watching the creativity of my children develop!

Chilling in the Billi Bed

Our little Ryan came home from the hospital with a little bit of jaundice so we had the pleasure of having to set up a billi bed (concentrated UV lights) for the second time with a newborn. Benjamin had the same thing happen to him but we thankfully skipped that with Bekah. Several things have changed with the billi beds in the last five years.

First, this bed had overhead lights instead of lower lights. Second, we were able to pad the bed with blankets so Ryan was not on a flat, hard surface when receiving light treatment. Third, the service company also included what was called a billi blanket that was a more portable light we could use inside of his blankets when we took him out to feed him and it laid underneath him, on the blankets, when he was under the lights. These changes made it much easier to care for our little one while transitioning to home life.

The little glasses they gave us to protect his eyes from the lights made Ryan look like a rock star when he was under the lights. It was so cute, though the billi lights were sad, that we couldn't resist taking pictures of him. Thankfully, after two days we were able to take him off lights and his jaundice healed. I am so grateful for medical advances that help us take care of our families.

Coming Home from the Hospital

We bought a monkey suit to bring home our new monkey from the hospital in. I often call our children our monkeys because they are so curious, playful, and good at climbing on everything. I'm sure this new one will be no different. We look forward to the adventures we will share with this handsome little boy and his two beautiful siblings.

Veteran's Day

Yesterday was Veteran's Day. Quite a few people recognized it and acknowledged it by thanking our veterans on Facebook. Others wrote letters or hung signs about our veterans and service men and women. I am truly grateful for the service and sacrifices made by the men and women who choose to serve in the armed forces. From what little I know, serving is a lot of work and commitment that can place a strain on other important parts of a soldier's life. Not to mention the possiblity of losing one's life depending on where one is sent to serve our country. Without these wonderful people we would not enjoy the freedoms we do today.

I appreciate the reminders from my friends on Facebook for the real reason we have Veteran's Day. I often forget because I have not to make the personal sacrifices that the servicemen and women and their families have made. It's not something I'm proud to admit, but it is true. To me, the only time I remember Veteran's Day is when I get the sale papers that talk about the "Veteran's Day Sale." My first thought is, "I guess any excuse to have a sale." Unfortunately, commercialism takes away the real meaning of the majority of our national holidays.

In the future, I am going to try to ignore the excuses to have a sale and remember the real reason we have national holidays, learn more about them, and share what I learn. Thanks again to all of those who helped remind me the real reason for Veteran's Day. And to all of the veterans, I am immeasurably thankful for the sacrifices and services that help maintain the freedoms of and protection for our country.

Big Brother AND Big Sister

Benjamin and Bekah are delighted to have little brother here, finally. It has been a long year of taking care of a sick mom and impatiently waiting for baby brother's arrival. Bekah has been especially anxious since big brother started school because we have been telling her that she gets to help with little brother and he would be born after Benjamin started school and before Halloween.

Our big siblings had fun visiting and holding baby brother in the hospital and our fascinated by him at home too. They are good at helping with diapers, clothes, and feedings. Little brother definitely knows them and responds when they talk to him. Ryan especially loves when big sister sings him songs. It is amazing to have him stop crying when she sings and talks calmly to him.

We started a tradition when Bekah was born that has helped our family transition to a new baby. We take presents for the older siblings to the hospital, have the older siblings open them at the hospital, and explain that the presents are from the new sibling and now they get something special to take home from the hospital just like Mom and Dad. This tradition has helped with transitions because the older siblings get presents just like the baby and it helps them feel important and remembered at a time when things are quite hectic and baby focused. The children received their own "babies" to take care of so they could mimic Mom and Dad when they care for baby brother.

Decorating for Halloween

Every year in October we make new decorations for Halloween. Meaning, I find Fall and Halloween coloring pages on the internet, print them off, color the pictures as a family, and hang them up in the front window or around the house. The children love it and it gives me something to enjoy about the change of seasons because I love to color. The children love Halloween and sharing this activity with them makes me enjoy it more each year.