A Visit to see Daddy

We have missed our happy smiling & energetic Avery.

It started last Wednesday night with conjunctivitis in the eyes,

followed by several days of the stomach flu and this morning Daddy diagnosed

her hurting ears as a double ear infection and called in antibiotics.

And so amidst her lethargic like days and up all night nights we think of happy times, like last week right before all of this started when we took one of our frequent trips to see Daddy at work and Avery ate this.

After a brief playtime on the bench we went up to the intervential radiology lab where Avery screamed outside of the procedure rooms for a lenghty period of time while we waited for Daddy to walk us to the car. Before he had emerged Aspen decided it was lunch time and joined in the screaming chorus.

Soon Avery was hysterically trying to break into the room to fetch her Dad and I found myself sitting in the middle of the hospital hallway holding Avery away from the door as she vibrantly exclaimed "I want my Daddy right now!"

Doctors and nurses passed by doing their best to smile and make some kind remark about my two beautiful girls who were disturbing the peace.

The time arrived to break the news to Avery that we would need to head to the car without seeing Daddy again (because he got stuck doing those doctor things he does so well). As I wove in and out of people making my way through the many hallways & elevators to get back to the car using one hand to push a still screaming hungry Aspen in the long SUV sit and stand stroller and persuade Avery (who was in a full on melt down) with the other I realized that barring a miracle I was not going to be able to make

the 20 minute drive home until Aspen was nursed.

I made it as far as the Heart Hospital (I have to pass though it to get to the car) and quickly created a little nook in a busy hallway using the stroller and two chairs to barricade myself in an attempt to discretely nurse (I used the nursing cover Jill) and keep

Avery from running away at the same time.

(this is Aspen when she is happy)

Let me sum the rest up in a faster version. Nursed one side, Avery is poppy so I set Aspen down screaming and change Avery on the floor, nurse Aspen on the other side, she is poppy, change her on a little table, attempt to get a burp out so as to avoid a projectile vomit on the ride home, all the while Avery finds it absolutely hysterical to run as far away as she possibly can (because I am stuck feeding the baby) before I really raise my voice and she either slowly makes her way back to me with a sly grin and a few chuckles before running away again or some nice stranger feels sorry for me

and helps her back to my side.

Oh how I will look back and long for these crazy days when my children are grown. Even as I find myself in these types of situations I have to just sit back and laugh a bit and be thankful for motherhood opportunities which help me grow in patience

and love my kids more each day!

And to end off this post a sweet picture that I forgot to add to the last post!

Grandpa Young Comes to Visit

Last weekend Grandpa Young caught a glimpse of our lives here during his 4 day visit.

We SO enjoyed having him in our home!

His loving, patient and calm nature reminds me of my husband.

The girls loved playing with Grandpa even though they started to get sick during his visit.

Sickness did not keep them from a Daddy & Grandpa daughter date to the Elmo Live Show OR from enjoying a trip to Graters Ice Cream!

On Sunday we blessed Aspen and it was so special to have

Grandpa participate in this important event.

Grandpa, thank you so much for visiting us, you are welcome absolutely any time!
We love you.

Becca Berry Photography

A few weeks ago my friend Becca came over to the house

and took some fantastic pictures of Aspen!

Although the other two girls did not cooperate much at all,

Aspen was on her best behavior for her first photo shoot.

(this is one of her two darling daughters)

We are SO thankful to Becca for blessing our family with her fantastic photography talent.

You will see a few of the sweet pictures in our Christmas card making

it's way to your home soon!

Check out her site at www.beccaberryphotograhpy.com

Avery sings I Love to See the Temple

Avery delights in singing a variety of songs throughout the day. As you can see in the video, it is very challenging for her to sit still...ever.

We are privileged to hear her darling vocals in the car, during outside play, while getting ready in the morning and especially via the baby monitor during her nightly ritual of singing Brinley to sleep...and for up to an hour after Brinley has fallen asleep.

Brinley has been busy on big sister duty most recently teaching Avery the days of the week and months of the year by singing these

two songs with her over and over again.

Thank Heavens for Friends

My dearest life-long friend Paige and her daughter Brooklyn came into town

all last week to help us out as we continue to transition to life with three kiddos.

The girls loved their daily coloring contests, trampoline & backyard play, board game time, reading, eating and painting with Paige. Poor Brooklyn became Avery's new little victim and endured her fair share hitting and pushing, in between the abuse Avery showered Brooklyn with affection and even started to share...a little.

I loved having an extra set of willing Mommy hands to patiently calm screaming children, feed Aspen a pumped bottle in the middle of the night, clean up around the house, feed, wash and dress kids, drive Brinley to school, take the girls on fun outings and make day time naps possible for this tired Mommy.

At night when three out of the four kids were sleeping Paige and I would actually have the chance to talk (and hit our favorite ice cream shop TWICE).

I felt like we could have talked forever and ever!

Brinley was in an absolute 5 year old depression as we prepared to say good-bye. Tears streamed down her face as the time drew near. Once Paige & Brooklyn drove away the full on sobs began, we both shed some tears together.

Thank you Paige for spending your week in our service.

Thank you Tray for sacrificing your wife and daughter to let them be with us!

Welcome Trayden

Mandi (Cody's sister) and Darren are the proud parents of...

our newest nephew Trayden Darren Anderson!
He was born on Halloween night and weighed 6lbs. 5oz.
We are so happy for you and are excited to welcome this sweet

little addition into our family!

Aunt Kelty's Visit & Aspen's Foot

Aunt Kelty just took off yesterday morning...and we already miss her tons.

(because this post has taken me 2 days and 155293842938 attempts to accomplish Kelty actually left 2.5 days ago)

The girls were on cloud NINE for 5 days as Kelty played intensely with both of them.

Tea Party's on the trampoline , treasure hunts, board games, pretend stories, dancing, bath time fun, dress ups and making movies as you can see Brinley doing in the picture above.

One morning after dropping Brinley off at school Kelty took Avery to Michael's Crafts and they purchased art supplies for a day full of craft fun. While Kelty patiently helped Avery create a princess crown and lovely little heart shaped love card to Mommy, she also came up with the clues shown above for Brinley to go on a "Pirate Treasure Hunt" around the house.

Brinley loved finding the "hidden treasure" out back in the garden.

Brinley and Avery developed a closer bond with Aunt Kelty while she was here and they have not stopped asking for her since she left.

Thank you Kelty for being here for us when we needed you most!

On to little miss Aspen's club foot.

On Monday Aspen had her first plaster cast placed.

Above = Aspen gets a little appetiser before the cast procedure and

Daddy gives her one more castless cuddle.

(If you want to nurse in style with one of these cute covers go HERE and

check out my sister-in-laws talent)

These days the Ponseti method is used to treat children with club feet.

Here is a brief outline of what Aspens treatment will be:

1- On Monday she received her first cast spanning from the tips of her toes to the top of her thigh. This is the first of SIX casts she will have. Each week for 5 weeks her foot will be gently manipulated in between cast changes, the final cast

will stay on for THREE weeks.

2- After the casting process is completed she will be fitted for shoes which will have a metal bar in between them. These shoes will position her club foot in an over-corrected position. She will have to wear them for 23 hours a day for the first 3 months and then during nap time and night time until she is three or four years old.

Aspen was actually quite calm when her cast was being put on. In fact, up until Monday morning she hardly cried at all in her first two weeks of life, however things have now changed since that Monday morning which seems like it was so long ago.

Our only conclusion is that the cast is quite uncomfortable because right after leaving the Orthopedic Clinic Aspen learned to use every little fiber of her lung power and now continually expresses her discomfort through screams and cries.

Now she is happiest being held ALL THE TIME, so I have learned to use this magical little Mobie wrap that my friend Paige gave me and I wear Aspen as much as I can (even when attempting to take a nap). I do have to admit that it breaks my heart to hear her new vibrant screams of protest even though I know we are doing what is best for her.

Brinley and Avery have both expressed concern about their baby's new screaming sounds and shower her with songs, kisses and binki's throughout the day.

To learn more about Dr. Ponseti and club foot go HERE.

Halloween

Here are some Halloween pics. just a bit late.

Brinley was a cheerleader (great garage sale find this summer), Avery a pink poodle (Brinley's costume from when she was 2) and Aspen was a

little lamb who's fleece was white as snow.

It was SO fun to have Aunt Kelty trick or treat with us this year. Bless her, she ended up holding Avery (who was covered in sticky candy) much of the time and patiently helping her go up to the doors to trick or treat...more about Saint Kelty's visit coming soon!

One very important stop along our way was to Mrs. Vanhoose house. This is Brinley's pre-school teacher from last year. She also has been granted sainthood in my book because she has volunteered to bring Brinley home from school each day. We love you Mrs. Vanhoose!

Aspen had her first cast put on yesterday morning. Next post = Aunt Kelty's visit and an explanation of Aspen's club foot treatment.

Way too...

tired and busy to blog.

This Week...

We made carmel apples and devoured them.

My Uncle Ken stopped in to say hello and meet Aspen for the first time even though he was in Columbus for only 2 hours after meetings in three other states that day.

Thanks for missing part of your meeting to see us Uncle Ken.

My Aunt Trisha also stopped in for a visit with Katy (she has been here with Katy and Ross this week to help out with their new baby).

Avery has decided that she likes to be free of her diaper during nap time and night time, so we have introduced "the special belt." She actually cooperates very well as we circle the duct tape around her diaper twice a day.

Daddy, Brinley and Avery participated in giving Aspen her first bath.

Well, Avery mostly bounced around the perimeter almost falling on top of Aspen.

Brinley did a fantastic job of washing her little sister with soap and a ducky wash cloth.

Avery helped to brush Aspen's hair into this little mow hawk.

The girls continue to be smitten with their new sister.

They both love holding, rocking and singing to her.

Although back at work now, Cody continues to be super Daddy & Hubby,

truly he is my rock and has been ever so patient and loving.