My Big Birthday Boy!!

Happy Birthday, Jeff!

That Bloody Vacuum!

Jeff's brother, Jared, and his wife, Lynnsey, and 2 of their 3 children came to visit this weekend. We had big plans - including another visit to Kangaroo Zoo! Saturday morning, while the boys were on their way to Ogden, Kayla (4 1/2) and Autumn struggled through 'wanting' to play together - but, not having the will-power to resist continuous arguing. After several attempts at cordial play, a few stern comments from the moms and some yelling and throwing . . . the incident occurred.

I can definitely say that I am incredibly grateful to the other moms that have shared "head wound" stories - so, that the amount of blood that surged so quickly from Autumn's head didn't send me into complete panic. I saw the tail end of the incident . . . enough to know that Autumn fell straight back onto the vacuum - smashing the back of her head onto the base. There was speculation and conflicting stories about possible pushing since Autumn wanted to take a turn playing computer games . . . and Kayla was not prepared to switch. Blood drenched her shirt, my shirt, my pants, her pants, the two wash rags that we used to try to find the source of the pain . . . which we eventually discovered to be a surprisingly tiny - but significant - little puncture.

After a lot of love, cuddling, a little chocolate milk and reassurance that we would still be able to go to Kangaroo Zoo . . . we all returned to the normal pace of the day . . . with Autumn and Kayla pushing each others' buttons as much and often as possible.

All Grown Up

Gavin was a bit overdue for his first hair cut. I have a little girl that has NEVER had her hair cut (in fact, right now, I have her convinced that little girls just DON'T get haircuts) . . . so, clearly I'm not entirely familiar with the hair-cutting process. But, the fact that the thought even crossed my mind that maybe I should just "pin that hair out of his face" shocked me into making the call to my hair-cutting friend immediately.

BEFORE



DURING (Gavin - who despises his head being touched or grabbed - sat perfectly still during the whole ordeal)



AFTER



Where did my little baby boy go? He looks so grown up to me (minus the ziplock bag FULL of hair). I can't believe he is going to be one in just a few weeks. Wow.

A Lesson in Organization

I struggle with organization . . . organization of my things, my house, my time, my computer, my thoughts even . . . I have too much stuff, too little storage space, not enough time, and an insane (possibly genetic) disposition to want to keep EVERYTHING. There's the crates of clothes that Autumn has out-grown that I cannot (will not) part with and the issue of whether or not we will be having more children (which is a separate post and/or possible book in itself). There's scrapbook stuff that I don't have time or room for. Craft stuff that I love but don't have space for. Clothes that have lingered around far past their window of fit, stylishness, appropriateness and original color.
My sweet Visiting Teachers have heard my complaints many times . . . so, when my VT with an amazing sense of organization, style, and design offered to help me with my house at no cost as she builds a portfolio for her upcoming business . . . I could not contain my excitement.
So, with no hurried preparations or pretenses, I invited her in to open every drawer and cabinet in my home. And, I took the camera around and photographed every pile, stash and clutter spot. Even for me (PS I LIVE here) . . . it was incredibly eye-opening. There is nothing like walking around and noticing things that you have long accepted and over-looked . . . and trying to explain them. Here are a few examples:

The Returns Pile
Leah: So, this pile looks a bit random. What is this? (pointing to an assortment stashed in the corner of my front room)
Me: Oh, that's my "returns" pile
Leah: How often do you return things?
Me: Well . . . actually . . . often times they sit there far past the date of return and then I end up integrating them into the house somewhere.
Leah: Even though you didn't want it and were ready to return it?
Me (dumbly): Um . . . yea

The Magazine Collection
Leah: How many years of Ensigns do you have?
Me: Good question . . . a few
Leah: Do you use them?
Me (somewhat relieved): Oh yes . . . all the time for Family Night
Leah: Do you know you can access and print out everything online now?
Me (sheepishly): Um . . . yea

Then there was the issue of the LazyBoy (yes - fullsize) in Autumn's room, the basket of clean clothes in Gavin's room and the pile of dirty clothes on the floor where the basket should have been, the huge (new and expensive) stereo that consumes the bulk of the dresser space in the master that has not been hooked up in more than a year, the broken humidifier that sits on the floor of the kids' bathroom, the hall closet clutter (and collection of mini toiletries that will never be used), the spare bedroom/storage room/office/"I don't even remember what that is or where it came from" room . . . and I could go on.

Here's the point . . . I am committed to decluttering my house (and hopefully therefore my time, my thoughts and my life). So, I'll keep you updated.

In the meantime . . . if you want a good sense for what you have and what needs to be changed . . . invite a friend in and encourage them to open every drawer and door and to ask the obvious questions. It's a humbling experience.

Crazy Lady (and daughter) with all the cats

A bit more background behind the Christmas pink kitty . . . I looked in all the stores and everywhere online to find that pink kitty. I literally spent hours. When I finally found a pink kitty that was suitable, I ordered it right away on Amazon. I had more than a month until Christmas. However, a mere week away from Santa, I received the fateful email saying that Autumn's pink kitty was out of stock and would not arrive. After a frantic call to Jeff (in which he somewhat surprisingly realized the importance of the Christmas pink kitty), I was more determined than ever to fulfill Autumn's only Christmas wish. So, I ordered a different pink kitty and a white kitty as backup . . .
You know the rest of the Christmas pink kitty . . . here's what happened with the white kitty . . .
White kitty became Autumn's first birthday present of the day. She immediately fell in love (pink kitty who?). So, after only a few weeks (Autumn's birthday was February 2nd), it became the ONLY topic of conversation when white kitty could not be found. We searched everywhere. White kitty was the first thing she asked about in the morning and the first thing she asked about when she walked in the door. After another visit to Amazon, I assured Autumn that white kitty would come home (in 2-3 weeks + shipping).
While on Amazon - because they so kindly show 'other things you may be interested in' - I decided to buy a backup for the white kitty . . . an identical kitty that was black for Valentine's Day.
Of course, in the meantime, the ORIGINAL pink kitty (the one that was out of stock before Christmas) randomly arrived on our doorstep, the original white kitty turned up in Autumn's play shopping cart in the garage and black kitty was an immediate hit on Valentine's Day (white kitty who?) . . . and we still had a new/replacement white kitty on the way.
And . . . totally by coincidence, Autumn received a white kitty Webkinz for her birthday from a sweet neighbor and a purring baby white kitten from Grandma and Grandpa Peterson . . .
If you've been counting . . . we have 7 new kittens. And, no . . . I haven't/won't add up the kitty cost. It's best not to know.

I am going to miss those feet . . .

I know it's crazy - but, I am going to miss those feet. Gavin's surgery (which includes orthopedic work to turn his feet and orchiopexy) is about a month away . . . and, to be honest, I haven't had the heart to schedule it at Primary Children's. I've had the information I needed since our last SB Clinic appointment - and I just keep finding excuses not to do it. I've known since he was born that this surgery was necessary . . . and the impending date still overwhelms me. The thought of my 1-yr-old baby being in surgery for more than 5 hours to complete all the work that needs to be done is devastasting in itself. But, knowing that he will be transformed forever when he comes out of that operating room is bittersweet.

I am going to miss those feet.

Those feet ARE Gavin . . . they are a visible symbol of the precious, special little boy that he is. Of course, there will be plenty of other additions that will clearly signify his disability . . . the braces that he will be required to constantly wear . . . and ultimately the wheelchair. But, those are "additions." His feet are him - they are who he is. I would no more want to peform plastic surgery on my beautiful little girl than change Gavin's feet. But, I know it's different. And, I know it's necessary. But, words cannot describe the sadness I feel over it. It brings me to tears as I write this.

I love those feet. And, I am going to miss them so much.

Can I get a snow day?

This is what we woke up to today. Beautiful, powdery, wonderful 11 inches of snow . . . I absolutely love winter out here. I guess it's the east coaster in me . . . but, I am constantly amazed by winter's beauty. I could do without all the winter sicknesses . . . but, I'll take snow over 90 degree dry heat any day.

Happy Birthday, Autumn!!

Happy Birthday, Autumn!! It was a full house for Autumn's 'Finding Nemo' party. Cake with candles, ice cream, hats and blower thingies . . . all the things that make for a perfect party! (Note - Autumn picked up one of the huge red icing flowers on her cake and ATE IT ALL at once. I tried to stop it . . . it made me nauseous.)
It's hard to accept I have a three-year-old. I can't even begin to think about her being 4!! Thank goodness I have 365 days to adjust . . .

Birthday 1 and 2

My Little Autumn

I can't believe Autumn is three. It seems like three years has passed by so quickly. It's amazing how it's possible to forget how small your baby was when you see how big they are now. It's hard to think of Autumn ever fitting into a newborn diaper. Yet, I remember the day she was born so vividly.
I am so proud of my little girl and how sweet, smart and wonderful she is.