Happy Halloween!

Things I'll Miss When My Baby is No Longer a Baby

Some thoughts from Sunday

As you know, I've been following Stephanie Nielsen's story. I read this article that was just published in an Arizona newspaper, and it made me cry, but in a good way.



And this experience made my heart so full of love and gratitude:

A lady came up to me after church yesterday to comment on how cute Tyler is and how big he's getting. Then she said, "I see your husband with Tyler and you can just tell he loves Tyler SOOOO much!"

And she's right. I love how much Darrell loves Tyler. And I love that other people can see that love too. It does my heart good to know that Tyler has a dad who thinks the world of him.

Before we got married, I was pretty sure Darrell would be a great dad, but now there's no doubt whatsoever.

Torti....What?

Tyler was born with a condition called torticollis. This meant that the muscles on one side of his neck were shortened, most likely due to be squished in the womb. My mom came to stay with me after Tyler was born and she pointed out how Tyler would only turn his head to the right.



After some effort to get his head to turn to the left, I finally took him to the chiropractor when he was 5 weeks old. The chiropractor adjusted him and had me start doing neck exercises with Tyler. Tyler HATED the exercises and I dreaded doing them with him, but we persevered.

Today we went to the chiropractor for the last time and got the good news that there's no trace of any problem!!!!

In hindsight I'm grateful for all of the one-on-one time I had with Tyler as we wrestled through those exercises. I'd intersperse the stretches with lots of songs, kisses and "Pat-a-Cake" type games. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

So in the end...

Torticollis=Lots of love

Tag

It's taken me a while to post on my blog again, so this is a late tag. My Aunt Katie tagged me with a fun tag. I am to post the 4th picture from my 4th picture file. I don't really have picture files because I save everything on Photobucket, so since I have 4 albums (one for each of the last 4 years) I though I'd open the 4th one (2008) and find the 4th picture. So here it is:



It is from our Valentine's day storm. We got 2 feet of snow that day and school was canceled. Darrell couldn't get out of the driveway so he stayed home from work too. This is a "bonus picture" to show the snow from the front of our house after Darrell had shoveled a TON of snow.

Grateful

Last week, after I taught music to the 4th graders, I was talking to one of my teacher friends. She had a baby about a month after Tyler was born. She is really feeling the stress of being a working mom--trying to do it all, but barely keeping up. I feel for her. I know I wouldn't handle things very well at all.

So today I'm so grateful. I'm grateful for a hard-working husband who makes it possible to stay home.

I'm grateful that I get to dance with Tyler to our favorite toddler tunes.



And I'm grateful that Tyler cuddles with ME.



I'm grateful that Tyler falls asleep in my arms as he drifts off to "puppy land" (as Darrell puts it.)



I'm grateful that I'm that one that gets to check on him during his afternoon naps.



And that he wakes up to see my face.



I am so grateful.

Tagged

I think I've been tagged. I say think because my friend Stacy tagged four people at the end of her last blog entry and one of those people was "Debbie." But what if she means another Debbie? Oh well. I think it's a great subject to write about so I'll continue the tag here.

5 Things I Love About My Kids (OK, in my case it's just "Kid")

1. I love that Tyler makes Darrell and me be better people. He started influencing us even before he was born. We felt the greatness of his spirit while he was just "Wee One" and we tried to be better to each other.

2. I love Tyler's smile. In the mornings I go in to his bedroom while he's just laying in his crib and I'll say, "Is that my sweet boy Tyler?" and even if his head is turned away from me, he'll smile.

3. I love that he brings joy to so many others. No matter where I am around town, people who see him will tell me how cute/beautiful he is. And then he usually smiles at them. They just love it!

4. I love that he's getting bigger and learning so many new things. I can't wait to see what his personality will be and what kinds of things he'll like as he grows up.

5. I love that he gets so excited sometimes (although I haven't figured out exactly why) and just moves his little legs and arms so fast. It's almost likes he's cheering or saying hi to a sibling who is yet to come down to earth. I'm sure they were best buds in Heaven and can't wait to be together again.

So, if any of you feel like continuing this tag, go ahead and do it. Let us know what you love about your kids.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

This week I made yummy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Here's the recipe for anyone interested in this "pumpkin season" treat.

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 egg, beaten
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix sugar and oil. Blend in egg, pumpkin, milk and vanilla. Beat well. Blend dry ingredients into sugar mixture. Drop by spoonfuls. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Brrr!!!

Last Saturday I had to be at the Stake Center to help with the Stake Baptisms by 8:00 a.m. It was just "slushing" as I was making my way there. But then the big beautiful snowflakes came down in earnest, a real winter wonderland.

Darrell got some pictures as the snow came down in our backyard and the field beyond.





Later, when I got home I was greeted by this cute sight. I love it when baby's smile in their sleep.



We pulled out the car seat cover, and Tyler wasn't too sure how he felt about that.



But we did get him to smile.



And wouldn't you know it? The snow melted by that afternoon, so our winter wonderland was just a brief moment.

Well then later that night, say around 1:38 a.m., our power went out. Darrell called the power company and got a recording saying that the power would be back on by 4:30 a.m. So Darrell brought Tyler in bed with us and we stayed nice and cozy under the comforter. (I can't say that I slept all that well, though). By 6:30 the power still wasn't on. So we still stayed in bed. We found out that a drunk driver had hit the power pole and that the power wouldn't come back on until 12:30 p.m. At 10:30 a.m. we found out that the power was on at the church and that they would be having church at 11:00. Well, Darrell took a hot shower (I didn't know that our gas hot water heater would still work, but it did) and we headed off to church where we could at least be warm. (I didn't shower because I wouldn't have been able to blow dry my hair. And by the looks of the many pony tails and barrettes at church, I think others thought the same thing.) The power came back on at 1:20 p.m. while we were still in church. It was soooooo nice to be warm in our house again. You don't realize how much your world revolves around electricity until it is no longer there. The good news is that the contents in our fridge and freezer were still good since we'd just been through our winter wonderland, with temperatures to match.

Here's Tyler in his "Power Outage Outfit." (Say that 3 times fast!)

Future Pyro?

Watch out Uncle Greg. Tyler is fascinated with the flames from our pellet stove.

He may take over your family pyro title!

Piano Lessons

A few months ago a lady in our ward wanted to know if I could teach her piano lessons. I have to admit I was nervous. I know how to teach, and I know how to play the piano, but did I know how to teach piano?

So I said I'd think about it. I talked to my mom, the consummate piano teacher, and I finally decided to give it a go. And you know what? I love it! I get to teach (which I love) and I don't have to do any planning, grading, etc.

I am also teaching two girls in our ward. I'm doing a trade with their mom. She watches Tyler 3 times a week while I go work out at Curves. (The ladies at Curves really miss Tyler, but I know he won't be in his portable car seat much longer and then I wouldn't be able to take him with me.)

And, I now have 3 more people who are interested in having me teach them or their kids.

So, my piano will finally get used again. I must admit that I haven't played it as much lately as I did when I first got it, but I'm SO grateful to have it in our home, and I look forward to teaching my own children someday. The Lladro figurines on the piano are from Spain, as well as the tiled plate. The music cabinet off to the side reminds me of my Grandpa Leonardson. When he died, my parents received some money. They gave each of us a portion of it, and I decided I wanted to spend it on something that I would have for years and years.

Last of the Tomatoes

We've really enjoyed having our very own fresh tomatoes. I loved this picture of all the different stages of sizes and colors.



Does anyone know why tomatoes do this sometimes?



We've had it happen every year so far.

Plan Thwarted

See sock.




See Tyler do the old "put-your-hand-under-you-while-you-turn-over-so-you-lose-the-sock-covering-your-favorite-sucking-thumb" trick.

The Blog World

As I've read other people's blogs and clicked on their links, I've discovered just how connected we all are.

It's funny that even though I don't know most of these people, I still get to peek inside their lives and see what challenges and triumphs they're going through. It's made the world seem smaller, while at the same time widening my perspective of life.

I've been most touched by blogs where hardships occur, but yet hope prevails. There is so much to say about the human spirit. I'm in awe at 1.) those people who are personally facing trials with unseen strength, 2.) the countless others who just want to help out those who are suffering, and 3.) God's tender mercies that show He loves us ESPECIALLY during those hard times.

Here are some blogs that have touched me.

This shows the love a mom has for her child, even when the baby won't be born normal, as well as the faith she has in God that He won't forsake her.

And this is the follow up to above story--a letter from the mom to her daughter.

I first heard of this next story on the Today show and later came across the blog. Stephanie Nielsen and her husband Christian were seriously burned in a plane crash in Arizona. They are going through various stages of recovery. Stephanie's blog, written before the accident, is an inspiration of how to love your spouse and children unconditionally every single day of the year.

Stephanie's sisters are caring for her 4 young children. Her sister Courtney's blog tells of life post-accident and keeps everyone updated on Stephanie and Christian's conditions.

Both blogs have touched me deeply.

Another story I came across while reading Courtney's blog is about a family whose mom developed life-threatening hypotension from a septic pneumonia infection after giving birth to her daughter through an emergency c-section. Because of the ensuing complications, the mom-Carol-had both her legs amputated below the knee, as well as her left arm and she was left blind. Her story can be read here. The family's blog is here.

Rob Epperson was an Elder from my mission who died of cancer in February. His wife Patti has pressed forward with faith as she tries to face life as a widow of 5 young children. She really is amazing.

I can't publish this post without mentioning my fabulous cousin Janell. She recently had a brain tumor removed and her blog gives insights into miracles and tender mercies from the Lord as she's gone through this whole ordeal. She is an inspiration to me and to so many others.

Accidentally

A couple weeks ago I accidentally discovered that our digital camera can also take videos. [Note to self: Read (and figure out) owner's manual next time.] I was trying to take a picture of Tyler sucking his thumb, but the darn thing wouldn't click. All I could see was a red REC in the display window. Well, it didn't take me too long to figure out what that meant. I was so excited!

I do have a video camera, but it is a dinosaur--I bought it 10 years ago for like $500-$1000 (I can't remember exactly how much) so I could take it on my trip to Spain. Although it was "all that and more" 10 years ago, it isn't quite up to date with today's technology.



So my accidental discovery is now turning into some clips for my blog.

Here is my accidental discovery caught on tape.



Here is me trying it again after I realized what I was doing.



Tyler is ticklish (sometimes) and laughs when I say "Boo" (sometimes).



Darrell's mom and grandma sent Tyler 2 packages last week. Tyler's favorite part was playing with the tissue paper. Unfortunately I video-ed him right at the end when he was getting a little tired. The video doesn't show the tissue paper stuck to his slobber-drenched cheek. It was so cute while it lasted.

Fall is in the air

Yesterday we woke up to some cooler temperatures--both outside and inside. Darrell nobly went to start our pellet stove while Tyler and I stayed nice and warm in bed. (Thanks, honey!)



We bought our pellet stove last year in the hopes of saving money on gas heat.

We bought 4 tons of pellets during the Summer Bargain Sale. Darrell carried every single one of these bags from the garage, where they were unloaded, to the basement, where they are stored. (My knight in shining armor doesn't slay dragons--he hefts 4 tons of pellets down basement stairs!)



Here is a look at the pellets in the "hopper," as it's called.



It's nice to know we have heat for the winter, but it's especially nice to look forward to sitting by a fire on a cold, winter's night!

Roly Poly Tyler

Tyler has mastered rolling over and can now be found rolling and rolling and rolling. It's fun to see him more mobile, but it now provides the challenge of cleaning up baby barf on other surfaces besides the blanket where he was placed.

Weekend Fun

This last weekend we went to Montana because my nephew Nathaniel was baptized. It was a quick trip, but fun. On Saturday we were able to attend flag football games for Jonathan and Nathaniel. It was such a beautiful fall day.

Jonathan



Jonathan getting in on the action



Nathaniel



Side line action



In the afternoon Nathaniel was baptized by his dad, my brother Greg. Nathaniel is such a great kid. He is tenderhearted and has the greatest smile. I'm so proud of him.



Here's Darrell and Tyler enjoying "Big Sky Country."



Kyle made this cute alligator mask at pre-school.



Here's Tyler with the mask on.



Olivia (1 year old) and Aubrey (2 years old) are taking dance. They are so dang cute. Here they are in their tights, leotards and tap shoes.



And now they're posing with their ballet shoes.



Here's a video clip of Aubrey and Olivia doing the chicken dance.