Oh yeah! It's the sound of silence! Quiet! Nothing! Which means that I get to update for a few minutes! I will NOT apologize for the length- we've had a lot going on. This has been the craziest summer I think that I have ever had. And this last month has been no different. We have been trying to settle into a routine that works for everyone- but I can't believe how different it is when you have two little ones verses just one. I feel very lucky though- Ty loves his little brother and is always willing to help me out when I need it. He is the first one to run and grab a diaper or to go put a dirty blanket in the laundry basket for me.
I really have to keep my eye on Ty though- for all his help- he is constantly trying to hold Ryan or give him a binky or make sure that the blanket is wrapped around him just right. While very sweet- Ty is as gentle as you could expect any three year old to be. We hav
e to keep reminding him that Ryan isn't as tough as Ty- so he needs to be careful. Still though- it's cute to watch. I'm so grateful that Ty isn't resentful of Ryan's presence in our home. If anyone asks about the baby, Ty will actually stop the conversation and let the other person know that it is "his" baby Ryan. In fact- as far as older siblings go- he's pretty protective. To give you another idea about how far this devotion goes- take last night for an example. Any of you that know Ty, knows that he has a little silky blanket that he calls his "Baby HooHoo" (we're not really sure where the term 
"hoohoo" came from- but that's what he has called the silly little thing from day one). The baby hoohoo goes with us everywhere and heaven forbid that you should wash the thing. Ty totally flips out when it's time to do laundry. He sits and waits for it to come out of the dryer- I call it the "Linus Sydrome"- but whatever. If it makes him happy then fine. However- last night, Shaun and I came into the living room (where we have the portable crib set up for Ryan) and found Ty hanging over the edge tucking his baby hoohoo around Ryan and saying "Don't cry baby Ryan- it's okay." I was so touched. I stubbed my toe the other day and I didn't get the hoohoo. All Ty did was jump up and down with me and then he laughed. Little fart.
e to keep reminding him that Ryan isn't as tough as Ty- so he needs to be careful. Still though- it's cute to watch. I'm so grateful that Ty isn't resentful of Ryan's presence in our home. If anyone asks about the baby, Ty will actually stop the conversation and let the other person know that it is "his" baby Ryan. In fact- as far as older siblings go- he's pretty protective. To give you another idea about how far this devotion goes- take last night for an example. Any of you that know Ty, knows that he has a little silky blanket that he calls his "Baby HooHoo" (we're not really sure where the term 
"hoohoo" came from- but that's what he has called the silly little thing from day one). The baby hoohoo goes with us everywhere and heaven forbid that you should wash the thing. Ty totally flips out when it's time to do laundry. He sits and waits for it to come out of the dryer- I call it the "Linus Sydrome"- but whatever. If it makes him happy then fine. However- last night, Shaun and I came into the living room (where we have the portable crib set up for Ryan) and found Ty hanging over the edge tucking his baby hoohoo around Ryan and saying "Don't cry baby Ryan- it's okay." I was so touched. I stubbed my toe the other day and I didn't get the hoohoo. All Ty did was jump up and down with me and then he laughed. Little fart. 
Anyway- on with the update... I know that we spent a month away from home but apparently we're gluttons for punishment because not too long after we came home, we left for Declo to visit Shaun's parents. And let me tell you- packing for two kids is a royal pain in the butt. If 
I didn't like our extended family so much I'd tell them all to stuff it because I am staying home. However- I happen to love both my family and my in-laws so no such luck there. Anyway- it was the Cassia County Fair the week that we went (Shaun was stoked because he got to eat his weight in Maple Bars). Probably the most fun part of the fair is the rodeo on Saturday night. It's a small town rodeo- but I think it's so much fun t
o go to. Every year we go and we sit with Shaun's aunt and uncle's family (and a special thanks to Kent and Kim for saving us a seat twice). We were even able to talk Papa Orllo into going- I don't think I've ever seen him at the rodeo- but I sure appreciated the extra pair of eyes and hands. Wherever Papa went- Ty was quick to follow. Thanks Papa. I don't know if Ryan enjoyed the rodeo all that much, but he was really good. He had a bottle (no I did NOT nurse at the rodeo- I'm no where near talented enough for that) and a nap, but other than that he sat in his car seat and stared of into space. We'll have to introduce him to the finer arts of the rodeo a few years from now I guess. It was a lot of fun though and even though I'll have to pack for two kids again- we'll be excited to go again next year.
I didn't like our extended family so much I'd tell them all to stuff it because I am staying home. However- I happen to love both my family and my in-laws so no such luck there. Anyway- it was the Cassia County Fair the week that we went (Shaun was stoked because he got to eat his weight in Maple Bars). Probably the most fun part of the fair is the rodeo on Saturday night. It's a small town rodeo- but I think it's so much fun t
o go to. Every year we go and we sit with Shaun's aunt and uncle's family (and a special thanks to Kent and Kim for saving us a seat twice). We were even able to talk Papa Orllo into going- I don't think I've ever seen him at the rodeo- but I sure appreciated the extra pair of eyes and hands. Wherever Papa went- Ty was quick to follow. Thanks Papa. I don't know if Ryan enjoyed the rodeo all that much, but he was really good. He had a bottle (no I did NOT nurse at the rodeo- I'm no where near talented enough for that) and a nap, but other than that he sat in his car seat and stared of into space. We'll have to introduce him to the finer arts of the rodeo a few years from now I guess. It was a lot of fun though and even though I'll have to pack for two kids again- we'll be excited to go again next year. Hm
mmm... Let's see- the next blog-worthy moment was probably last weekend when my parents came up to visit us (which they are doing again this weekend- I'm glad that they don't get sick of us because it sure is nice to have company). We took advantage of a rare quiet moment on the lake to go for a quick ride. Ty takes any opportunity available to push Grandpa into the water. He just thinks it is so funny. However- Grandpa got his revenge when Ty pushed him in- Grandpa grabbed onto Ty's life jacket... and bombs away! They both ended up in the water. Ty was so suprised that he wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or to cry. L
uckily the humor won out and he came out of the water just giggling. I think that Ryan must have questioned our sanity when he felt the rocking of the boat under him- but I think he forgave us the second that it put him to sleep. It was a fun weekend- my mom and dad watched the boys for us for a couple of hours so that we could go over to Logan and run a few errands.
mmm... Let's see- the next blog-worthy moment was probably last weekend when my parents came up to visit us (which they are doing again this weekend- I'm glad that they don't get sick of us because it sure is nice to have company). We took advantage of a rare quiet moment on the lake to go for a quick ride. Ty takes any opportunity available to push Grandpa into the water. He just thinks it is so funny. However- Grandpa got his revenge when Ty pushed him in- Grandpa grabbed onto Ty's life jacket... and bombs away! They both ended up in the water. Ty was so suprised that he wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or to cry. L
uckily the humor won out and he came out of the water just giggling. I think that Ryan must have questioned our sanity when he felt the rocking of the boat under him- but I think he forgave us the second that it put him to sleep. It was a fun weekend- my mom and dad watched the boys for us for a couple of hours so that we could go over to Logan and run a few errands. And a fun little note about me (which I don't think that I post about very often since I'm not very exciting- however, you will have to indulge me today since I'm pretty excited). During all this mess of being pregnant and having a baby and then the mess after Ryan was born... I forgot to tell you all that I finally graduated from college! Yay! I got an email several months ago that they were conferring my degree and sending it to my house. That's right people. I am officially a graduate (granted it took a while- but whatever- I finished and that's all that counts) in English with an emphasis on Technical Writing. Pooh on all the nay-sayers out there that didn't think I would finish.
Anyway- I think you're all up to date now. I just can't help but think how lucky we are to have such a wonderful family. I couldn't ask for a better husband, toddler or baby. They each represent such a special place in our home that I can't imagine it without them. Yes Shaun- I'm going there (Shaun hates syrupy posts and has asked me never to do one- however- I've never listened to him before so why start now?). We blessed Ryan a few weeks
ago and I was too much of a chicken to get up and say anything in church- and not that this is really all that different- but I feel like I would be remiss if I didn't thank all of you for your support and love through these few weeks. I remember lessons from primary and from young women's about how Heavenly Father "allows" you to have trials in order to make you stronger. I have never liked this side of my father in Heaven. I wish that He would just trust me and leave it at that. However, this is apparently NOT how things work. I am grateful now that everything is said and done for the testimony that it gave me of the power of prayer and the power of the comforter in my life. I can remember very clearly the night that the pediatrician from the NICU came up to my room and told me how serious the situation was (at 3:30 in the morning)- I prayed for several hours that my baby boy would be alright. And I can remember very clearly a voice telling me to have faith and to have hope. I can't imagine my life without the influence of the spirit and I am so grateful for it.Anyway- love you all and hopefully it won't be so long again between posts.
