Merry Christmas

Ok, so I wasn't going to do Christmas cards this year to save money, but then this website was offering a fabulous deal that I couldn't pass up. The only problem, I won't get them till Monday now, so its kind of pointless to send them out. So I am hoping to get a refund and decided to just put our pictures and Christmas letter on the blog. Can I just say I have the greatest friend who always does a fabulous job on taking pictures. I love them all, but my favorite is Kylee.

Another year has come and gone. Honestly, I am glad this year is over so we can start fresh in 2011. Ryan is still busy being a Research Scientist and loves his job. I love that his schedule is so flexible so if I need him home early or go in late, he usually can make it happen. Next year is a little uncertain in the job department. His company is moving the lab to Ohio, and we opted not to go. So we are crossing our fingers, come June, Ryan will be blessed with another great job here in the valley. He is still the financial clerk for our ward.
Amy is still busy being a stay at home mom. She stays busy being the referee between Kylee and Drew and tutoring. Usually around January/February she picks up a tutoring student. This year she was blessed to get one in December. What a blessing to have a little extra spending money just in time for all the doctor's appointments and MRI she had done this month. A few years ago, Amy hurt her knee lifting weights, but didn't have any major issues with it until she was pregnant with Bryce. Now, she is seeing an Orthopedic doctor and will most likely have surgery on her knee in January. No more weight lifting for her. She is still on the Enrichment Committee for our ward and loves not having a Sunday calling.

Drew is our ever busy 4 year old that likes to get into trouble. This past summer we got the exterior of our house painted, and Drew thought it would be fun to help. He found a paint can with a paint brush just lying on the sidewalk, so he decided to paint the back of the house after the painter had already done it. He also wanted to feel what wet pain feels like so he touched the door just after it was painted. Our poor painter was so forgiving but probably really hated our "Dennis the Menace". Drew also started preschool this past August and is a big Sunbeam in Primary. He loves preschool and Primary, but he struggles a lot in the sitting still and paying attention department. Hopefully he can do a better job next year and continue having great teachers that are so patient with him.

Kylee is our sweet little 2 year old. For some reason she doesn't really like to play with kids her own age and loves hanging out with the adults. She still needs extra love every day and is becoming a Daddy's girl. Whenever she gets in trouble or is hurt, she calls for Daddy, and when Ryan gets home from work, she has to run to him to get some love. Her hair is finally starting to get darker, and she is finally gaining some weight. She is also quite smart and has figured out how to get onto the counter to get into the candy, snack, or toys I have hidden out of reach. She opens the lazy susan, climbs up on the shelves, and hoists herself onto the counter. Yes, she too likes to get into trouble, hmmm I wonder where she learned to do that.

Bryce is our sweet little baby. We absolutely love him to pieces. He was born on August 4th and is gaining weight and height in record leaps. He was our perfect little boy till at 3 months he decided to develop a milk allergy. After an agonizing 3 weeks, we got him on the right formula and back to being a happy boy. He still is having bad reflux and stomach issues but nothing compared to what he went through before. I think he might also be allergic to soy, so we are now using a soy free baby cereal that we put in his bottles for his reflux issues. Bryce loves to smile and laugh, and we all love playing with him.
So there you have 2010 wrapped up in a nut shell. Life is crazy with 3 kids so close in age, but we love them all and wouldn't trade them for anything. We have been so blessed this year, especially this past month. We love this time of year to reflect upon our Savior's birth. We love you all and hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!


Love: Ryan, Amy, Drew, Kylee, and Bryce

Late Night Snuggles

This guy decided to puke all over himself and his bed after sleeping for two hour. I don't mind one bit because I get to snuggle him one more time while feeding his poor stomach that can't seem to keep his milk down. Putting oatmeal cereal in his bottles helped for a few days, but then bang, his stomach aches returned. So after a little break, we are on our last try of barley cereal. Bryce just has such a sensitive stomach and acid reflux all in one. I hope he grows out of it soon!

Oh and yes, that is his skeleton costume he is wearing. It was the only clean thing that he could wear to bed because his no brain of a mother started the wash early this morning and forgot to transfer it to the dryer. Thanks to a slight mildew smell, it is getting double washed as I type!

The Chunker

This little chunker was 4 months last Saturday. I took him to his check up on Monday and he is now 14.2 lbs (30%) and 25 3/4 in long (80%). He is still going to break records for our family. He got shots along with Drew, and Drew was such a big, protective brother. Drew went first and cried a little. Then when it was Bryce's turn, Drew started crying because he didn't want the nurse to hurt Bryce.
We are finally starting to get back to our happy boy. Just shy of 3 months, Bryce developed a milk allergy. After three weeks of torture, and trying every formula imaginable, we finally got a winner, Similac Alimentum. Bryce had diarrhea for those 3 weeks, and I had to put rice in his bottle twice a day, and even rice gave him stomach aches. But now he is finally happy and sleeping through the night once again. Even naps were not that great but I think this week has been a turning point. We started to put oatmeal in his bottle once a day to help with his reflux and that is the magic pill. Anyways, hopefully we can keep this boy happy because he is not fun when he has stomach aches and diarrhea. So, he is not allowed to eat anything but his formula till his 6 month appointment because we are all worried how his body will react to it. Sorry for the bad picture, but I finally got his smile on camera!

The Big 4!

This kids is growing way too fast. I can't believe 4 years ago today, right around this time, I became a mom. I was absolutely in love with this adorable boy. Drew is such a great kid. He loves going to preschool and his teacher is so perfect for him. She is helping him with his focus issues and helping be a better boy. He loves playing with all of his friends and Kylee. Sometimes when he gets up before her, he tries to be a little noisy just so he can wake her up so he has someone to play with. He still is in love with trucks and trains. All he wanted for his birthday was a big ,green monster truck, more trains, and a big cupcake. Well, all his wishes came true. We celebrated his birthday last night with my family and tonight we are going to Amazing Jakes as a gift from us. He was lucky enough to get shots this morning. He now weighs 29.8 lbs (7%) and is 37.5 inches tall (7%). He moved up in height and stayed the same for weight. He still loves to get into things and is teaching me patience every day but we are so blessed to have Drew a part of our family. Happy Birthday!!

Bumbo Take 2

Bryce loves the bumbo now. He had fun chillin while I made dinner.

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween this year. Drew was a frog, Kylee a cow, and Bryce was a skeleton. With Drew getting older, he is starting to understand these holidays which makes it so much fun. Kylee loves dressing up so she was all over her cow costume. They got tons of candy but of course, we being the responisble parents, sorted through it and picked out a few for them to eat and we snuck a few candy bars for ourselves. Onto Thanksgiving and then Drew's birthday that he is so excited to have!

Fixing the Leaking Ear

We got Drew into the ENT this morning because he has been having problems with his right ear since July. The doctor prescribed some expensive drops. Hopefully it does the trick or more ear tubes for Drew. I think all medicines should have a generic form. We paid $35 for this tiny bottle of ear drops...Yikes!

The Bumbo

We put Bryce in the bumbo for the first time yesterday. He was a little unsure of himself so he didn't last long but enjoyed chillin on the rug more.

3 months

I know this picture isn't good but I have to use my phone to take pictures until we get a new camera. Drew snuck it off the counter and broke it.

Bryce is getting so big and growing way too fast. I can't believe he is 3 months already. He has been sleeping through the night since he was 2 1/2 months. Now when I say sleeping through the night I mean he goes to bed at 7 or 7:30 and gets up at 7:30 or 8. He really is the best baby. I absolutely love his smiles and laughs. Still can't get it on camera but one of these days he won't be so fascinated with the big metal thing in front of him. I am no longer able to nurse him which makes me so sad. He decided to take after his sister and become lactose intolerant. Hopefully he can grow out of it faster than his sister. I am just glad he know longer has tummy aches. It makes me so sad to see him scrunch up his knees to his stomach. He absoltuely loves it when Drew and Kylee play with him. Kylee is becoming his second mom whether he likes it of not. Hopefully soon he can get his own room and not be stuck in the closet!

It's Raining, It's Pouring, It's Hailing

Last month we got hammered with this huge storm that came without warning. I knew we might get a storm but never imagined it would be of this magnitude. I was just about to put the kids down for their nap when the rain started. The kids looked out the front window to look at the rain. Then the hail came down and the wind was horrible. The hail was coming down vertically. It was hitting my windows so hard, I was scared they were going to break. I ran to the hall to make sure Bryce was ok...he slept through it all. I yelled for the kids in the front room to come to the hall while I kept on eye on my closet, where Bryce sleeps. Of course the kids were so excited watching the rain. So I ran into the front room and grabbed the kids and we all stood in the hallway waiting for the storm to pass, praying my windows wouldn't break. I couldn't even see out the front window by now because it was raining/hailing so hard and the rain was hitting the window. After what seemed forever, it slowed down and we went to check for damages. Thank goodness there wasn't any except our plants and trees were beaten up pretty bad from the hail. The trees lost tons of leaves and there was debris everywhere. When I went to the front door, there was water all in front of it. We have a tiny little gap from the bottom of the door and the floor. The wind was so bad it pushed the rain into our house.




Now, we Arizonans don't have hail storms very often, maybe every 5 or so years, so this was amazing.

Camera Smile!

Bryce gets camera shy and this is the best smile I could get from him last week while I was watching the kids play at McDonald's.

My Kids are Weird

Ever since we got new carpet in our house, Drew always wants to sleep on the floor. I let him get his way, but Ryan makes him sleep on his bed. Well, now Kylee has to be just like Drew. For the past month and a half she too has been asking to sleep on the floor. My philosophy, if they sleep just as well, why fight them. Beds are over-rated according to my kids!

Kylee's 2 Year Stats

I can't forget to post Kylee's 2 year stats. I like to look back and see how much they have grown. This little girl has grown and I am so happy to see she improved on her weight this time. Must be all those crackers she cries for constantly. Seriously, she is eating all day, I swear. And when we go to my Mom's or Uncle Rick and Aunt Karen's house, she is in their pantry looking for food.

Weight - 22.8 lbs (8%)



Height - 34 in (58%)

Maybe by the time she is 4 we can put her in a booster. She always tries to convince me to let her sit in Drew's booster when we go shopping while he's in preschool. She is my cute, petite little girl!

Kylee's 2

Wow, two years ago today our sweet Kylee joined our family. We love this girl to pieces and so glad she is apart of our family. She balances Drew out and is helping him to grow to be a better brother and she is such a great big sister to Bryce. She loves to help give him baths, change his diaper, and loves to hold him. She has to hold him at least once a day. She also loves to be held and have your complete and full attention. She talks a ton and says complete sentences and loves to read books and tell you the object on the page. She goes to the doctor on Monday for her check up so I will have to update her stats later.
This morning we headed to Nature's Farm in Gilbert. Anyone who has a birthday in October got in free so we thought we would head over first thing. Good thing we did because by the time we left it was getting crowded. The kids had a lot of fun. Then we headed to Krispy Kremes to get Kylee's free doughnuts and then to Joe's Farm Grill for $10 worth of free food. It was a fun morning but we were tired by the time we ate lunch. So we spent the afternoon and evening home relaxing and playing with their favorite girl cousins. Happy Birthday Kylee!!

2 Months

5 Weeks

On Monday, Bryce turned 2 months. This boy is growing way too fast. I am use to having small babies that grow at a snail pace, but Bryce just wants to do things differently, which we have no objections to! He now weighs 11.5 lbs (50%) and 23 1/4 in tall (70%). We think he is going to be our basketball player. He still eats every 3 hrs. and at night he eats at 7:30 and then is in bed around 8 PM. He sleeps all the way till 5 or 5:30. I am one happy Mom because I am getting more sleep at night. Now I just need to get to bed earlier so I can get more sleep! Bryce loves to smile and loves his swing. He gets all happy and giddy the second we put him in it. One thing we are trying to figure out is his spitting up. He spits up tons and the doctor is a little concerned. So we are trying some things that hopefully will help. I had to cut chocolate and caffeine out of my diet. That has been hard but thank goodness for caffeine free diet coke!! Anyways, Bryce just loves his brother and sister and they love him. It is fun to watch them all play. They end up fighting over him and Kylee loves to hit Bryce on the stomach but it doesn't seem to bother him one bit. Sometimes he will even laugh. I tried to get a picture of him laughing and smiling but he seems to be camera shy. Maybe next time!

Never Ending Craziness

Gosh, I feel so busy these days and the days I do get to relax, I do just that. I stay in PJ's all day and putter around the house, trying to get the laundry done and keep up on my never ending dirty dishes. I have been meaning to write up a post but just haven't had time or when I do have a few minutes, I don't have pictures. Life with 3 kids sure is a crazy one but it is a good crazy. Drew goes to preschool Tuesdays and Thursdays and I have been using those days as my grocery shopping day and doctor appointment days.

Speaking of preschool, Drew loves it, he just struggles with his behavior. I have only had to pick him up one day after he was only able to last an hour but he learned his lesson and has stayed the whole time since. He is my busy body and loves to have fun. He has a hard time sitting still and focusing on lessons that he isn't interested in. But he is learning that even though it might not be something he loves, he still needs to be respectful and polite and just sit there and listen. Plus, he would rather do that than sit in his room during preschool time. Kylee is a little mommy's girl and can be very claustrophobic at times but we still love her. She is learning that she doesn't always have to be held. The second I start to feed the baby or sit down to read the newspaper or get on the computer to check my email she cries to be held. She is very needy right now but is continuing to work on it and hopefully this phase will pass soon.
Bryce is still me sweet baby. Man, I love that boy so much. I just wish he would stop puking on me but I will take pukes over crying any day. He is sleeping so great and loves his swing. He is just so mellow, I just cross my fingers every day that he stays this way. He turns 2 months on Tuesday and will post more about him then.
As for me, I am so happy the weather is finally getting nice this week so we can go on walks and get outside more instead of watching TV. I have been taking a Conscience Discipline class once a week for 4 weeks and this week is my last class. It has been exhausting trying to make sure the baby is fed, dinner made, and out the door by 6:15 but it has been well worth it. I have learned some great techniques in helping my kids be better. I just need a vacation....maybe soon. We will see. But I am so grateful for conference and the Relief Society Broadcast because my soul has been spiritual fed this past week!

5 Weeks Already!

I can't believe it has been 5 weeks since this cute boy joined our family. We just love him to pieces. He is such a good boy and has the sweetest demeanor. I hope he stays my sweet, little boy. Last Sunday, we blessed Bryce at church. Ryan gave him a very nice blessing. It was nice having Ryan's parents in town too. They gave Drew and Kylee some much needed attention. Drew just loves his Grandpa and Kylee loved being held at every beckon by her Grandma. Of course, it happened to be super hot for September but we all survived.
Bryce is doing awesome. He is going to break records for our family. He had his 1 month check up and he is 9.9 lbs and is 21 3/4 in long. He is in the 50% for weight and 60% for height. At one month, I think Drew was in the 25% for weight and the next visit he was in the 10% from then on out. So it will be interesting to see if Bryce keeps growing at this pace. If so, he will out grow both Drew and Kylee!! I can't complain on his schedule either. He eats every 3 hours and goes to bed between 8:30 and 9 and then wakes up around 2:30 and then again at 6:30. He wakes up for the day around 9. This week I am going to try and get him on an 8 AM schedule with him going to bed at 8. It will make my life a little easier in the mornings. I have to take Drew to preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays and half the time I have a screaming baby in the car telling me he is starving and then I can run errands right after I drop Drew off instead of having to come back home to feed him. I am so blessed to have such a great baby and we are continuing to work with Drew and Kylee but I am seeing improvements!

Around 2 weeks

Around 3 weeks
4 weeks

Family Photo

So we had to get our picture taken as a family for this project we were working on. It didn't have to be a professional job, so my neighbor came over and took it. The kids were actually cooperative and here are my favorite 2. Now normally I refuse to get my picture taken until the baby is a few months old to give me time to lose weight, so enjoy because it won't happen again till we get ready to send off Christmas cards!

Sleeping

Oh I just love this boy. He is such a good baby. How did I get so lucky!!! He is so funny when he goes to sleep in his crib. One time he was fussing because he didn't want to be in his crib, I couldn't get him to calm down. So I grabbed this tag blanket, it has a soft side and a silky side, and I put the silky side to his face. He immediately calmed down and went right to sleep. Now, every time I put him to sleep in his crib, he has to have his little blanket right there with him.

Wow, Preschool Aready??!!!

On Thursday, Drew started his first day of preschool. He is growing up way too fast, but I am excited for him on this new adventure. He has an awesome teacher that will be absolutely perfect for him right now. My kids love Bryce, but I have noticed some behavior changes in both of them. None of it is nice changes but we are working on it. Drew was excited to go to school but once I was ready to leave he got really nervous and started to cry. His teacher was able to comfort him so I could get out and he was fine after that. We just have to work on some other issues but overall I was so happy Drew had such a good day!

New Pictures

Here are a few pictures I took on Sunday of Bryce. I didn't realize till I was almost done that the lens was dirty. I just thought the screen was dirty and went to clean it and realized it was the lens. So I was hoping to take more pictures before making a post but just haven't gotten to it. Life is just a little crazy here with 3 kids now. Thanks to my sister, I got a break from the older 2 today, so I enjoyed some peace and quiet and took a much needed nap. We just all love Bryce and love when we can get him to smile. He had his first doctor's appointment yesterday and he smiled for the nurse. It was so cute. I think he has his nights and days mixed up just a little so hopefully soon he will sleep longer than 2 1/2 hr stretches at night. That will make me happy!

Ryan took a nap with Bryce and our dog Mia. They all looked so peaceful.

He has a love/hate relationship with the binky. I think he is starting to love it as of today.

HE's Here

Yes, we have a new little boy that joined our family yesterday at 1:41 PM. Bryce weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz and was 20 3/4 in long. He has been a great nurser so far and sleeps pretty good. We just love him to pieces. I was suppose to be induced yesterday morning and got to the hospital at 7:30. Well, on the way their I started getting some contractions but didn't think much because I already had two false labors. The contractions continued and we ended up waiting a little bit because a few girls beat me to the hospital and were progressing, basically they were busy and didn't have a nurse for me. So we finally got taken back to my labor and delivery room at 9:30ish. By that time my contractions were stronger and about 5 min. apart. Well, they check me and I am at a 4.5 and in labor. I was so excited, so I didn't have to be induced, just augmented. I ended up getting my epidural then which I was glad I did because things progressed pretty fast from there and my contractions picked up big time. At 11:30 she checked me again and my water broke and I was at a 6. I was getting excited and the nurse said within a few hours our little one will be here. At 1 PM my doctor shows up and checks me and I am at an 8 and just about there. By 1:25 I knew I was ready to push and sure enough, I was at a 10 and completely ready. After a few pushes, Bryce was born. I was the talk of the nurses all day because it really was a perfect delivery. I had a med student helping my nurse and she told him that this kind of delivery never happens. The nurse who brought me to my delivery room told me that I beat all the other girls in delivering that beat me to the hospital. I really felt blessed. So here are a few pictures of Bryce just hours old. I will update with more pictures this weekend.