family skate night

well Cort posted these on his blog too...but I thought they were just so beautiful I couldn't let him have them all...so i posted them all exactly the same. whoops hahaa.

Tonight Oliver's elementary school had a free skating night. Last time Cortney took just Oliver but this time we decided to be brave and take all the kiddos. Rob tried skates for about 1 minute. He thought it was too scary and didn't want to try and learn. So he sat next to me most of the night. Cortney ordered two nachos and Rob said to me "I wish I could eat all these nachos" I told him his wish could come true...he really did almost eat both orders.

Oliver's athleticism never ceases to amaze me. There is almost nothing he can't do...with a little practice. That boy was skating around so fast I couldn't believe it.

Henry and I sat and watched...even though we didn't skate it was fun to be all together as a family.

Cortney bladed all around and also pushed rob while he just stood on the scooter...Cortney is such a good dad. I tried to get a picture of them together but they were going too fast.

Anyways...now some beautiful pictures of a pretty gross roller skating rink.

p.s. My first date was roller skating. How romantic huh?

Me eating nachos and chillin

hens shocked

We had a great night. THANK goodness for Cortney and that I didn't have to put on a pair of skates...that would be a nightmare.

nursing with RA

First let me just put this out there...if you don't want to read about nursing...just skip this post. Kind of a gross topic to blog about but, when I was pregnant with Henry I would have killed to read someone else's experience with being a mom with Rheumatoid arthritis. There aren't a lot of resources out there for people like me. So if someday someone does a search (like I did) on nursing on prednisone...or nursing with RA...and they are directed here...I think it will be nice for them to read what I did and my feelings about it.

During my pregnancy I was on 2.5 mg of prednisone. A very low dose. It scared me (a lot) to be on medications during my pregnancy and I tried to go off of the drugs completely, only to not be able to use my hands. So my doctor sent me to meet with a perinatologist (an ob specialist) to talk to me about the risks of being pregnant with RA and being on steroids. After a long discussion, he felt, and I felt...that the risks to the baby were minimal, and he seemed to think not much higher then a regular pregnancy. I felt so good after I talked to him.

As my pregnancy progressed I had it set in my mind that I wasn't going to nurse. It was a hard decision for me but I felt pretty good about it. About a month before the baby was born I met with my rheumatologist for a check up...and to come up with a plan for medications post baby. He seemed to think that I should try nursing. I was on a pre-existing condition waiting period with my new insurance and I wouldn't be covered for anything RA related until February 1st. That left me with 3 1/2 months after the baby was born that I would be without insurance. Because of this he decided that I should try to nurse and up my prednisone dose to 10 mgs a day. He only wanted me to be at this dose for 3 months though (anything longer wouldn't be good for me).

Three months. I didn't know if I only wanted to nurse for three months. I did know that I didn't want to be in pain...like I was when I had Robert. My doctor assured he wasn't going to let me be in pain. (I liked that plan) So after a lot of prayer and thought I decided I would do it. I would try to nurse.

When Henry was born and they placed that little baby in my arms...I couldn't imagine doing it any other way. Here he was little and helpless. And three months is a really long time actually.

It has been an interesting road. I am glad I took it though. Tomorrow is my doctors appointment I will start some other drugs instead of these steroids (yay!). I haven't nursed Henry for 48 hours. He is so happy now that he isn't nursing. NO more stomach problems.

One of the reasons I'm glad I did this, tried to nurse, is that it has made me realize that next time...when I have my next baby...I won't nurse. I am glad I did it this time but it made me see that you can love your baby wether you nurse or not...and that I just have to do what is best for both of us, and that isn't always nursing.

I have felt pretty good...only a few joints hurt. But even when only a few joints are hurting it is really hard to take care of a baby without hands that work all the way.

As I weaned my little boy this last week...I felt a myriad of emotions. I hoped my baby would still love me the same. And as I sat there all cozy and cuddly there with my baby I felt sad that it would be my last time probably FOREVER. I worry about comforting Henry...nothing comforts a baby faster then a little nursing. I know I am going to miss the quiet moments that I have with my little guy.

Sorry for this long rambling blog post. But, I want to remember how I feel right now, for next time.

my very own chia pet

Um...hello, how cute is this??



I made this green hat for Rob when he was a baby...I thought it would be cute but it turns out it just looks like green hair. I had Cortney snap a couple of shots while he was home for lunch today. I just couldn't resist. What a cute smiley baby huh??

Make em laugh

Cort got Henry to laugh today for the first time. It was awesome

henry at 2 months (one month late)

So I have been meaning to post Henry's stats from his two month appointment on Dec 14th. Whoops...I am a little late on that.

Head- 15 inches 12th percentile

Weight- 9 pounds 1.5 ounces 4.5 percentile (I can't believe he is so small...my other babies were always at least 75th percentile)

Height- 22.5 inches 20th percentile

Fourth percentile....are you kidding me. Such a change from how enormous Robbie was. I couldn't figure out why I didn't have any clothes that fit Henry...turns out my kids were never this size. They skipped the newborn size.

Henry was weighed yesterday and he weighed 11 lbs. And moved up to the 6th percentile. hahaa.

He is getting to be such a good baby. Ever since I haven't been nursing he is so happy.

And here a little video of Henry on his 2 month birthday

Empty Sea

Yesterday all of my brothers and sisters (sorry sam) that live here met at the MTC (missionary training center) to see my parents set apart. Oh...all of our kids were there too. We all met in a room and watched them get their blessings. The guy giving the blessing said some pretty powerful things. It was amazing to be there to watch.

Some of us waiting in the MTC lobby. It was fun to see little missionaries walking around everywhere. I love missionaries.

I realize I look like ANDRE THE GIANT next to my mom in this picture, for some reason. As for all of my weird faces...cut me some slack I was REALLY sad.

Now that is more like it...I look a little smaller next to my dad. Ohhh...I love my parents.

Isaac and Linh

Justin, Angelique and Dougie

Jason, KaeLynn, Abby, Zac, Brooklyn and Eliza.

Mike

This next picture was taken January 30th of 2008 almost exactly two years ago. This was also taken at the MTC.

Our family Rob, Cort, me, Hens, and Oliver.

Strangely I don't have a picture of Cali's family at the MTC because she had her own camera.

This is a picture Rob took of Henry on the way home from the MTC. Awesome huh?? The boys always call him "Henry Barfer" (yes this boy has a lot of nick names).

My parents really are hardcore. They really think they should give all they can back to the Lord...I think that too...but they really do it. I am so proud of them I know it is a hard thing to do. I am also grateful for their example to my children. Both of the boys are obsessed with missionary stuff right now. Tomorrow morning they are off to Madrid.

random nothings.

Oliver brought home a note yesterday from school...it was a note from a kids parent they wanted Oliver over to play. His first invite to play with someone. I am not really ready for Oli to play over at someone's house. Maybe it is just because he is my first born, but I just am not ready for that. So I called to see if the little boy could come over here instead. It was nerve wracking...I have never had anyone over (besides my neighbor's kids and my own nieces and nephews). Now I am just glad it is over. They both asked if he could come over tomorrow and I told them both he can come over maybe once every other week. Even that seems like a big commitment to me. Is it bad that I just want his only friends to be his siblings?? (yeah I know that can never last)

Ohh I love this picture of Henry...this is totally what he looks like. He always has this expression on his face. I also love that I have my reminders written on my hand. Cortney needed AA batteries and then I needed to remember to bring soup this saturday for Young Women's. I can't help it, that is the best way for me to remember something.

Tomorrow we go to see my parents set apart. Then we won't see them again until we go over and visit them sometime in Spain.

2 steps foward 1step back

2 Nights in a row Henry slept through without waking up once. Then last night he was up every hour. Now, the little guy is sleeping laying across my chest. About every 2 minutes he starts squirming and 5 toots come out. I feel bad for Hens on nights like this. I feel bad for myself and bad for Cortney. And now I really have to pee but I am trying to let him sleep and I know the second I put him down he will be bawling his brains out.

The diet is going well. My family had two get togethers this weekend. One we had pizza, spaghetti, and hot cookies (like 12 dozen of them), the second Jason made his most delish pancakes. Both nights I just had a salad. Boo

I have lost 5 pounds though.