Booger Face

Okay, if you have your computer on mute, or the volume down, turn it up or on or whatever for a minute. I put this new song on my playlist by Lady GaGa called Poker Face. I love this song, and whenever we are in the car and it comes on the radio, I turn it up. My kids love music, and they know artists, different songs, etc. So, the first time Daphne heard this song, she listened for a minute and then asks "Mom? Why is this lady singing booger face? She says ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba booger face!" I seriously cracked up. She is so funny. I had to explain to her that she was saying poker face, but Daph still sings it booger face whenever she hears this song.

Then the other day I caught Jonah playing with Barbies. He had one bent all the way over backwards and was saying "Do the limbo! How low can you go? How low can you go?" When he saw me watching him, he got so embarrassed and started giggling. Later I found them stuffed underneath the pillow on the couch (maybe to get rid of the temptation...???)

My kids crack me up.

The Eyes

Well, Jo and I both had our eye appointments today and at both doctors there was GOOD news!!

Jo's doctor said that he has improved so much! I was so happy I could have cried. I have been vigilent and obsessive about his eye patch and he has pretty much been wearing it every waking moment. BUT, the doctors only concern was, now his right eye (the good one) may be regressing. Huh?! He said it could be because we just dialated Jo's eye yesterday (you know, those cursed drops that we have to put in his eye twice a week?) and that could be what is causing it because he didn't see as well out of that eye as he has previously. Just to make sure, we will go back in 4 weeks, and for those 4 weeks, Jo doesn't have to wear eyepatches OR have his drops! Hallelujah!!! Jo is pretty excited about that. I am a pretty happy momma.

And onto me. My eye has pretty much cleared up. I still need my drops for about 2 more weeks, because they need to be tapered off slowly. But it looks great and feels great. My doctor told me to come back in 6 months. That's what he said with the iritis, and I didn't make it that long. I hope I make it this time! I am a happy camper today :)

My Toes... Officially Ready For Summer!

My best friend Cristan does nails and she did my glitter gel toes yesterday. My feet are extremely ugly, especially my big toes, so I need all the help I can get. If you're interested, Cristan is one of the least expensive around, and does the most amazing job! They last 6-8 weeks, let me know if you want her number. She's awesome! Sexy summer sandals, here I come! :)

Sleepy Head

We have been so busy around here at our house lately... end of school year activities, tons and tons of doctor appointments, playdates, babysitting other kids, etc....

I guess three days straight without a nap finally caught up to Daphne, and when I called everyone for dinner, she didn't come. Andy says "I think she was in the family room." When I went in to look for her, this is what I found...

Poor, tired girl :) We'll definately get you a nap tomorrow Daph!

Happy Birthday My Love

Sunday was Andy's birthday. He is 29! One more year... and he'll be 30...OLD!! We celebrated together on Saturday night. Thanks dad and mom for watching the kiddos! We had a delicious dinner at P.F. Changs and then went to Desert Star Theatre for some quality laughs. We saw "American Fork Idol". Since we have lived in "A.F." as the locals call it, it was even funnier. I seriously almost died laughing and highly recommend the show. We have never seen a bad show there... I would love to get season tickets someday. I was mortified though when I was pulled up on stage, along with another girl, to be part of the show (we had front row seats, right in the middle) and I felt like an idiot when I had to run across the stage screaming like a crazed fan. Andy said it was hilarious though, and I'm only glad I didn't have to do it alone. They also sang Happy Birthday to Andy at the end of the show. It was a really fun night.

On Sunday, I wanted Andy to be able to relax and just enjoy his day. I got up early and made yummy sausage omelets and scones, and then I got all the kids ready for church so he could relax. After church everyone took a nap while I made one of Andy's favorite dinners- BBQ pork ribs, parmesan garlic potatoes, spinach casserole (he just LOVES this... a little crazy, I know), fresh pineapple, and warm bread. It turned out delicious, if I do say so myself. Then I had invited both of our families over for cake and ice cream. I got Andy a Glaus (pronounced "gloss") cake (If you don't know what this is, I feel sorry for you... it's this tiny, amazing bakery that makes the best confections I have ever tasted...) and it was huge, and by the end of the night, almost gone. I got him some Wii games and remote, and also season 3 of The Office. He got some Jazz tickets, and also this awesome "man bag" (aka briefcase :) for work. We had a ton of fun, and I hope he had a great birthday.

I just want to brag about my man for a minute on his special day. Andy is the least selfish, and most giving person I know. He hates when I do a lot for him, because he would rather be doing for me. He is always thinking about others and giving service to those who need him. He is such a good missionary and he is always talking to our non-member neighbors and inviting them to our house or church, or asking what he can do for them. He is such a hard worker and does so much to provide for our family. He recently went back to school, even though he absolutely HATES it, just so he can get his bachelors and to better himself, and mostly because I wanted him to. He would do anything for anyone in need. He would give the coat off his back (and in fact, has before) to someone in need. He is such a good example to me of selfless love and compassion. I love my Andy with all my heart and I'm so grateful that I get to be with him forever. He is so patient with me and does so much for me. Of course we've had our ups and downs, but I don't think there is anyone out there who is better for me. I love you babe. Happy Birthday!

Look Who's Walking!

Bear decided to give his daddy a little birthday present of his own and made his walking debut. He actually started doing this Friday at Jonah's kindergarten orientation (which is weird... TWO kids in elementary!), but Sunday was the day he really took off and has just been walking everywhere! *sniff* My baby's growing up!

P.S. Bear had his 1 year check-up. His stats are as follows:

weight: 26 1/2 pounds (89th percentile)

height: 31 1/2 inches (89th percentile)

head circumfrence: 18 1/2 inches (60th percentile)

A Beautiful Day

It was gorgeous on Saturday. We broke out the shorts and the kids played outside all day. I love days like this when my kids are so happy and all playing so nicely together.... until five minutes after I took these pictures and Daphne came in screaming that Jo pushed her, and then five minutes after that, Lay came in crying that Daph was teasing her and then.... you get the idea. Ha ha... aren't kids great? Ahhhh, life.

A Little "Crush"

He gave her this egg and it was filled with Easter candy!

Someone at Lay's school has a crush on her! I think it is just so cute. There is this boy (I can't even remember his name) at her school that keeps giving her treats, pencils, erasers, etc. I asked her why he does it and she said "I don't know!" I asked if he ever gave anyone else anything and she said "No, just me" Someone likes my little girl! Oh boy.... I think this is just the beginning of something I'm going to laugh at, and her dad is going to hate for many years to come :)

Another "Thing"

On Thursday afternoon my left eye (which is the eye that has iritis) started hurting and it was a little pink looking. It also had a little bit of discharge coming out. At first I thought I was having an iritis relapse, and so I started my drops and thought I'd just call my doctor in the morning to be seen. Then later that evening I thought "Oh great, what if it's pink eye?" because with iritis, there is no discharge or anything like that. In the morning, my eye was completely sealed shut with goop. It was disgusting! I had to run warm water over my face before I could open my eye. So I called my doctor and they got me right in. Turns out I have another eye disease which is also associated with my auto-immune thing... it is called epi-something-itis (I wasn't really paying attention, and it was a weird long name ;) I asked the doctor "Why are all these eye things associated with a joint and bone disorder?" and he kinda laughed and said "That's a good question, and we have no idea." So for now, it's more antibiotics and eyedrops for me and a yucky looking eye that has... stuff... coming out of it. Yuck!

*After I wrote this and read through it, I realized that it sounded kind of negative. I'm really trying to be more positive and have a brighter outlook on life lately, so I had to come up with a "bright side" . I found one... the bright side of this is... supposedly this new eye thing is really painful, and because I am already on pain meds because of my other thing, I felt no pain. There's always a bright side if you just look for it! :)

Elmo Birthday Party

Favorite dinner for Bear's birthday.... pizza- yum! (It was also the first solid food he ever ate... at 6 months old :)

Where'd the balloons go??This was probably Bear's favorite toy... the $2 ballI had to stick this pic of Jo in, because for some reason, he isn't in any other pictures ( I think he was jumping on the tramp with his fun Uncle David the whole night)Bear was my first one year old that actually ate and enjoyed his cake. The other three either played in it or just looked at it.Sorry, Andy is so weird sometimes. After this pic, I told my mom to take another, and it is just as bad if not worse. How this guy got me, I will never know :) I like to claim that he tricked me. This is blurry, but Baron loves to be thrown in the air, he gets the biggest grin
Bear with Grandma and Grandpa Collette



Playing on his new slide

With Grandma Claudia and Papa Bry

Bear with his haul

We had Baron's birthday party last night and I went with an Elmo theme because I got Bear a Hokey Pokey Elmo for his birthday (that he doesn't really seem to care for. In fact, the only thing he does with it is throw it :). We had a lot of fun and Bear got a lot of great gifts. Thanks everybody for coming! He had a blast!

Happy Birthday Baron!!

Well, it happened. My baby turned 1! I can't believe how incredibly fast this past year has gone. I feel like I was pregnant about 2 weeks ago. This first year has gone the fastest of any of my babies. Is time speeding up? It's crazy. Well, here is the past year of Baron's life, in reverse. Watch him get smaller and smaller. Although, he doesn't get to small. He was, after all, my 2nd largest baby at 9 lbs. 11 oz. (and almost 2 weeks early!) I love you baby boy.

Please excuse this pic... it was 3 in the morning and I was dialated to an 8 by now :) Get me my epidural!!!

Notice how he is smiling in nearly every picture? Bear has been such a happy, fun baby. He's had his moments, of course, but for the most part, he has been a wonderful, good boy. He does have a little temper though, and I'm a little worried for when he's going through the terrible two's because he has tantrums already! Baron loves to play. Ever since he learned how to go down the stairs about 3 months ago, he will go down to the playroom by himself and be occupied for hours at a time. I will check on him and he will be completely content alone. He still loves his bottle, and we are down to one a day. Poor boy will have a rude awakening as soon as this last can of formula is gone, because so will the bottle be. He also loves his bink and at night he will hold 2 in his hands and take turns sucking on them. He also loves to growl. I don't know where he got it from, but he will take any two toys (doesn't matter what- action figures, cars, princesses, barbies, ponies, etc) and he will smash them together and growl like they are fighting. Pretty cute. His favorite toy has got to be a ball. He will throw and chase balls for long periods of time. He loves Sadie and his first sentance was "Hi Sadie!" and he still says this every morning when he wakes up and sees her. He can also say "Hi dad", "mamma", "binky", "uh-oh", and a few more that I can hear, but no one else can :) He also waves hi and bye and will give fives. He has taken a few steps here and there, and I think he will be walking within the month. He loves food, if you can't tell, his favorites being fruit (mostly berries- any kind) and pizza. He also loves most veggies, toast, cereal, peanut butter sandwiches, cheese, yogurt, lunchmeat, eggs, and anything I make for dinner. He's not picky! I don't have his official stats, because his first year appt isn't until next week, but I think he weighs about 27 pounds. And I'm not sure of his height, maybe 31 inches. I'll update as soon as I find out. He's such a wonderful addition to our family and we love him more than words can express. Happy 1st Birthday Bear!