all the way back to November!

I can't believe I need to go all the way back to November to catch up. Pathetic! Anyway, the month of November was a little busy and I suppose I should document it.

The leaves in Utah finally fell! I had visions of taking my little boy to play in the leaves all Fall, but by the time they fell it was FREEZING outside! Our trip to see the ducks and play in the leaves was finished within a matter of minutes. 

He started off pretty happy, still warm and learning to crunch leaves.

 But quickly realized this was a trap after Hank threw a pile of leaves on him. We left immediately.

 He was quite thrilled to be back in our warm home. Could that face be sweeter?!

 Hank joined us for the last few minutes of our weekly Kindermusik class. Kellen was absolutely thrilled to see our surprise visitor! As was I. By that time in the class, I feel like I'm going to pass out from carrying him for an hour!

Hank wore mismatched socks....

Mirrors are pretty fun when you're little and cute. Not quite as much later in life.... :) 

 My boys learning the Chick-a-Dee dance. I wish I had this on video. Kellen thinks its the funniest thing that has ever happened to him. Naturally, Hank felt terribly embarrassed but was an unusually good sport about it in a class full of women.

We had the pleasure of taking our baby boy to see a different cardiologist. Fortunately, the Dr rotates now between Primary Children's and Utah Valley--which is right down the street, for which I'm so grateful!  (Our early morning trek to PCH in September was quite ugly. I'm not good at doing these types of thing alone!)

 Kellen thought the stickers were pretty neat! Looking back, I have no idea how he stayed still for that long. A miracle. The doctor wanted to look further into the heart murmur, so we scheduled a sedated echo for a week later.

 We went down to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. It was so wonderful to see my relatives that I haven't seen in years!

 ...like Larry and Aunt Beth, who Kellen had never met!

We were really grateful Hank could join us for a Thanksgiving celebration. Always nice to have him around! I figured if he was tired enough to sleep in that position, he deserved to stay asleep.

We got to spend about 15 amazing minutes at Eli's first birthday party! Kellen was in heaven surrounded by so many toys and for some reason, he was mesmerized by the kitchen set. Good to know.

The party was amazing. Eli is one lucky little boy to have a momma who plans parties to perfection!

 Kellen and my dad wore matchy-matchy shirts. Who wore it best? Vote below.

When we got back to Provo, we checked in at the hospital to get a better look at my baby's heart. The sedation team was AMAZING! I couldn't have been more nervous. He had had croup the week before, making the decision to sedate him terrifying! In an effort to help reduce complications, they sucked out all his mucous with an electric machine. Unreal! I can't tell you how much I would pay to have one of those in my nursery....

He was fascinated by all the buttons on the machines. They were kind enough to let him go for it.

He woke up during the echo and couldn't calm back down. I was thrilled when asked to assist. Who doesn't want to snuggle their uncharacteristically calm baby?! I was able to relax him again and they proceeded...

Meanwhile, my arm and leg went completely numb.

We brought his puppy to help comfort him. It's his best friend. And might I add, the only thing that will get him to sleep (besides drugs, in this case).

They found a VSD (a ventricular septal defect) which we hope and pray will go away on its own. His symptoms seem to be reducing and he has reached 20 lbs (HOORAY!!) so we're optimistic. We go in next this month to recheck.

I'll be honest, I'm glad November is behind us.

February

Behold, I preset the exhilarating activities that February has brought so far. 

Kellen started drinking green smoothies. The sense of satisfaction I get from secretly feeding him nutritious food is unreal. 

George got sat on. And didn't mind.

Kellen and I protested being alone on a Saturday night by crashing the race car building party at BYU. We did bring pizza, though.

Kellen acted like he knew exactly what to do, pulling that silver lever as though shifting gears and checking out all the buttons. 

Kellen mastered the skill of "backing up" and going DOWN the stairs (and with his truck, might I add)...a highly anticipated event. Previously, he would sit at the top of the stairs and throw down everything in sight. Gravity is pretty neat, after all. 

We visited the doctor more times than I appreciate.

We met Aunt Krissy in Salt Lake for some delicious breakfast. At home, he eats about 3 good size pancakes. At this place, he eats one bite of 2 gigantic pancakes. Mental note taken.

We checked out the aquarium (again...THANK YOU NICOLE!). Last time we managed to skip the otter exhibit (newbie mistake). Turns out its Kellen's favorite. And mine. And Kristin's.

We oohed and ahhed over the jelly fish who so unnaturally change neon colors.

Someone was on his worst behavior.

Until it came time to touch starfish....

And a shell. Kellen's eyes asked for permission first, of course.

I took a picture with my baby so it looks like I took care of  him at the aquarium but the truth is, I didn't. I pretended like he wasn't my child and enjoyed myself.

We checked out the row boat that every child in the greater Salt Lake has touched...

Hank re-leared how to put pants on Kellen. Its been a while... He was completely unamused. 

It snowed! My boys went sledding while I took advantage of the free 10 minutes to, wait for it....clean!

Kellen's nose ran the entire month of February.

We helped (hopefully) pack up and move my parents out of their Park City house. Kellen screamed the entire time. 

Well, when he wasn't in a box...

We celebrated Valentine's day.... and got our first babysitter. (That was big for me). All signs point to the fact that Kellen was horrible for her so we spend our entire Sacrament Meeting scouting out a new sitter. 

We participated in yet another photoshoot. 

I love my little snuggle bug. So much!!!

He is trying to walk...but I'm convinced his legs are too scrawny to hold up his bobble head at this time.

(Pictures out of order and I don't have the patience to fix it) 

This is happy moving Kellen.....

Kellen took a little break from moving boxes to enjoy his cheese puffs....

He took about 60 baths this month. Yep, about 2 a day. His scalp is getting a little flaky but my sanity has improved, so whatever. 

We went to a Chilean restaurant to celebrate the exciting news that was Emily's mission call! We are so proud of her! 

We will finish the month off with more doctors appointments and lots and lots of baths. 

We're pretty excited about our March travels. Only 10 more days. 

January

I'm back. As it turns out, the more"free-time" I have, the busier I am. It makes absolutely no sense.

We're all doing just fabulous. A little update:

Hank and Kellen are still in the 1st percentile for weight but growing rapidly and hope to reach the 2nd percentile by summer.

Hank spends 16-17 hours a day at school and work. I am adjusting to the life of a single mother really well. Resentment builds each day. Fortunately, the end is in sight.

I hang out with the little man of my dreams all day long and have far too much time to worry about his health, food consumption, and bowel movements. I'm turning really weird.

At some point I'll fill in the missing holes, but for now, here is what we were up to in January.

We celebrated my birthday. At this time, I'd like everyone to know that I no longer feel comfortable discussing my age.

My sweet mom got me a delicious cake from Sweet Tooth, which I devoured alone. Well, and freeze packed the rest...if you want any, come on over!

We went to the Living Planet Aquarium. We kidnapped Hank one Saturday and made him hang out with us.

I have no idea what they were doing on the floor, but they sure are cute.

With Kellen's help, I packed for Vegas.

When we arrived, he was fascinated by the outdoors. We don't manage to spend much time outside. The weather was absolutely perfect.

I adore his duck lips.

And his belly giggle.

My thoughtful dad set up the swing for my baby boy. He has never stayed in one spot for so long.

Kellen admired everything his cousin Claire Bear did....

We celebrated my cute dad's 60th Birthday!! And had an amazing party but I was too busy chasing around my cranky child to get a picture. Not proud of it.

Kellen opened and closed my parent's refrigerator 1,394 times. One of those times, he managed to leave the fridge open, making it possible for nearly everything in the fridge to be tossed. Sorry mom and dad.

Kellen slept through our play date with Eli and Kiana. Apparently he had croup and a double ear infection, so we forgave him. Could Eli be cuter?!?!

After Kellen's trip to Urgent Care, my mom realized her I-pad had been stolen. Without informing anyone, my dad tracked it to a sketchy part of town, hopped in his truck and knocked on their door. We talked about it for days.

Kellen said goodbye to two of his greatest admirers. Twice. He was too sick to fly (as was I, but airlines actually care about screaming babies) so we postponed our departure for a few extra days.

And then we came back to reality. And George.