Halloween 2012

We had a lovely Halloween this year. We carved pumpkins the Monday before Halloween, went to our church Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Party on Tuesday night, and then went out trick-or-treating Halloween night. It was an action packed 3 days and Avery couldn't get enough. She still asks if we can go trick-or-treating and she is constantly telling me what she is going to be for Halloween. It's been a lot of "I don't wanna be Minnie for Halloween, I wanna be a plopster." (that is how she says "pop star") Yes, the Barbie movie, "The Princess and the Pop Star" has made it big over here. Lucky us.

On Halloween night the past few years we have gone to our neighbor's house (they have 2 sons...one Tristan's age, and one Alicia's age) for hot dogs and chili, and then they take everyone on a hayride around the neighborhood to trick-or-treat. Sadly, they weren't hosting their party this year. So, that meant that Tristan and Alicia went off to do their own thing with their own friends. Tristan hung out with a few other boys in the neighborhood and Alicia went trick-or-treating with a friend of hers that also lives in the neighborhood. She was gone for 3 hours and came home with 12 pounds of candy!!! At least I knew she was really trick-or-treating and not getting up to mischief!! ha!

Daniel and I decided to take Adelaide and Avery around the block. We ended up meeting up with a family that lives up the street from us who have 2 little boys (their older boy was hanging out with Tristan). So Adelaide thought it was great fun to be with friends. One of the boys really took Avery under his wing and helped her get from house to house...it was really cute. Daniel had Brant in the baby Bjorn and he did awesome for 2 hours while the girls went from house to house. Yes, in my neighborhood, it DOES in fact take 2 hours to simply go around the block. The houses are all on an acre...so the blocks are huge and the kids do LOTS of walking/running up to the front doors. The girls were exhausted by the end, Brant was ready to eat and it had started to get quite chilly, so we were all happy to get home. All of the girls still have candy in their pillowcases sitting in the pantry...they eat out of it just about every night for their dessert....makes it easy for me!!!!

L-R: Adelaide, Alicia, Tristan

Adelaide's is an owl, Alicia's is a bat with a moon, Tristan's was free hand, and a big piece of the bat ended up falling off, but I thought it was still pretty cool.

Avery was so excited to "cut a pumpkin." She chose a smiley face for Daniel to carve for her. She loved being a part of the whole process!

At the church Halloween party.

Avery was Minnie Mouse (her favorite show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse).

Brant was a Jayhawk...Rock Chalk.

Alicia was a cowgirl...YEEhaw!

Adelaide was Sleeping Beauty (we got that costume in Disney World when Alicia was 5 years old).

Daniel with Brant in the Bjorn on Halloween night.

Rock Chalk...the cutest Jayhawk.

The Annual Halloween Bus Party

2011 2010 2009 

Every year we go on our friend Dever's bus with a bunch of crazy people for the best party of the year! This was the fourth year...I didn't blog about 2010 because it was a last minute decision for me to go...I was just getting back from the state cross-country with Tristan, and wasn't sure I'd be back in time before the bus left. I went alone that year...Daniel ended up staying home with the kids...I think we had babysitter trouble (like we didn't have one). I ended up going as something too inappropriate for this family blog...nor did I want to display such embarrassing photos. Anyway....enough about 2010...moving on to the 2012 party! 

This year Tambi and Dever decided to have a Super Hero themed party. It's not like the lot of us just show up as Batman, Catwoman, Superman, etc. We get creative...which is what makes it so fun! The best part is seeing everyone when we first get there. There's LOTS of laughing. We gather, we get on the bus, we ride to our dinner destination, we eat, we ride home (with lots of crazy dancing...Dever has put a serious sound system in the bus). It really is the best time. 

This year Dever was "The Hulk" and he was literally busting out of his costume. It was too short, and the back couldn't close...Dever is just a really BIG guy. So funny!

Tambi (Medusa) with her Devers.

So Andrew had the idea for a few of the guys to dress up as Super Devers. Jared was Super Harley Dever, Andrew was Super Men-in-Green (Dever's lawn care business), and Daniel was Super Noss Dever (Dever is constantly drinking a Noss or a Red Bull). They were all hilarious acting like Dever all night.

Before knowing about the Super Devers, my friends and I decided to dress up as each other...but not really TELL anyone about it...just give clues and see who figured it out.

L-R

Cassy was Super Know-it-All...which is Rachel. Cassy had an "R" on her cape.

Rachel was Super Naughty...which is Alli...Rachel had an "A" on her cape.

Alli was Super Sarcastic...which is me...she had a "K" on her cape.

I was Super Pleaser...which is Cassy. I had a "C" on the back of my cape.

Props to Cassy for doing all our iron-ons and making our masks and capes!

It's not like we just dressed up as each other and called it good...no...we ACTED like each other all night long. It's a good thing we are all such good friends, because we could have really gotten offended by it all. It was a glimpse into how we really are. Alli would make comments here and there that were EXACTLY what I would have said. SO funny. I had to be NICE all night long! It about killed me...Cassy is just so sweet and nice and wants everyone to be happy all the time...I'm SO not like that...it was good for me. It took people a little while to really catch on to what we were doing, but by the end of the night everyone had it figured out.

Loaded up on the bus!!

Amber and Travis as "Rainbows and Butterflies." 

One of my favorites!! Crack me up...takes a secure man to wear something like that. And come to find out...Amber taught her Zumba class that morning in her get-up. I would have loved to have seen that!!!

Chris and Kara as "Saving America: Mitt & Ann Romney." Hilarious!! Too bad Romney lost the election a few weeks later...I guess America isn't going to be saved.

The Ladies

back to front; L-R: 

Cassy, Nicole, Holly

Alli, Kathy

Rachel, Munni, Amber

Yvonne, Shannon, me, Kara and Tambi

The Men

back-front; L-R:

Mike (Thor), Dever, Travis

Aaron (confident man to wear blue spandex head to toe), Daniel, Jared

Chris & Jason

The Lot of Us.

I'm sure you can imagine the looks we get as we walk into a restaurant. We are crazy and we have the best time...completely sober.

Cross-Country 2012

After Fall Break, Tristan wrapped up his Sophomore Cross-Country season with Regionals and then a week later, the State meet. Tristan found himself frustrated for the first half of the season as he was not seeing the improvements in his time that he would have liked. Daniel and I aren't big runners, and neither of us have run competitively, so we didn't have much advice to offer. So, Daniel being Daniel, got on Amazon and ordered Tristan a few books on running to help give him ideas on how to improve his time. I think they helped a little, but what really helped was when there was a coaching change about halfway through the season. We aren't really sure what happened, only that the old coach was "let go." The new coach that stepped in was great...he was actually a runner, so really helped all of the boys improve their times. 

I went to the first 2 meets, very, Very pregnant. It was hot...I was miserable, but I was glad to see a few meets without lugging a baby in a stroller or carrier. After Brant was born, he was able to enjoy a few meets with us as well. Running from spot to spot to cheer Tristan on throughout the course was interesting with Brant in the Bjorn. Alicia was a big help keeping track of Adelaide and Avery. It was definitely a team effort!!

Tristan ended up placing 2nd with a time of 17:57 at Regionals...just behind his teammate, Kevin. As a team, they WON regionals!! They were all very excited...as they should be! The State meet was about 1.5 weeks later. It was unseasonably warm for the beginning of November, which was great for us, but not ideal for the runners. Tristan ended up placing 24th at State (a big improvement from 50th place last year) with a time of 18.22:98 and the team placed 8th overall. Tristan said the team could have place better, but a few of their top runners couldn't make it to the state meet. We are so proud of his hard work and dedication!

Regional Pics:

Crossing the finish line.

Getting awarded the Silver Medal.

 1st Place Team!! GO PAGE!!

State Pics:

We didn't take many pictures at State for some reason. Here are Tristan and I after the race. He really does love taking pictures with me....

Navarre Beach...Again

I swore I was going to be better at keeping up with my blog. Maybe I'll make it my New Year's resolution....think it will stick?? Anyway...whatever...I'm tired of making apologies and excuses.... Time to just get myself back in the saddle!!!

Our dear friends, Jason and Rachel, asked us to go to Navarre Beach with them again...this time over fall break (we went with them to Navarre Beach over Spring Break as well). My first reaction was, "no way...no how...I have a newborn." I was pretty good at sticking with my decision...at first.... The thought of packing everyone, including a baby, plus everything I would need to cook (we would only be there for 4 days, so I didn't want to spend a day shopping at walmart), was daunting and stressful. I wasn't sure what I'd do with my little 6 week old baby at the beach...lots of sun and sand...not really ideal for a tiny baby. My sweet friends worked me over, however. They also convinced our friends Cassy and Seth to come along with their 3 kids. Being as there were SO many people going, we decided to get our own condo right next door to Jason, Rachel, Cassy, and Seth. Then we had a very brilliant idea...well, Daniel did actually. We invited our friend Kathy (her husband, Brian was out of town) and her 3 girls to come along with us. Let me tell you why this was brilliant....so may reasons...I'll give you the main ones.

1. Kathy loves to cook...she'd rather be inside cooking than sitting on the beach. I was off the hook!!! Minimal cooking for ME!!

2. Her twins, Rachel and Brooke (age: 14), are fabulous babysitters and love taking care of Brant. 

3. Her younger daughter, Taylor ("my Tay-Tay"...as Avery calls her) is fabulous at keeping Avery entertained.

4. Her girls are older...so Tristan and Alicia would have people there closer to their age...which means I had 3 extra people to help keep track and entertain my 3 little kids.

Kathy only had a small stipulation...she doesn't drive long distances, so Daniel had to agree to drive her car. DONE...DEAL.... Although I later realized that meant I had to drive....turned out to be a sacrifice well worth making! I had the best time!! Daniel's whole goal was to sit, relax, and read books. So he ended up hanging with Brant at the house a lot...but then everyone took little turns here and there. Tristan took care of  him for half a day one day...I had him half a day...Kathy took a turn...her girls took a turn...as a result my little baby never had to leave the condo...I never had to worry about him getting too much sun or someone flinging sand in his face. 

My girls (all 3 of them) were completely happy and entertained on the beach everyday by Rachel, Brooke, and Taylor. We had all kinds of weather...but it was mostly good. One day was beautiful and sunny and the water was super calm, so everyone enjoyed swimming freely in the ocean. Another day the water was really rough and it was super windy, so the kids took the opportunity to go boogie boarding. Even Adelaide was pretty good at it! Avery stayed back on shore with me jumping the waves as they ran across our toes. Of course there was the epic hole digging and the attempts at sand castle building. There were movies to watch every night. The adults enjoyed a few games of Nerts together...probably the hi-lite of the trip for me. It was just fun...and I was so glad I decided to make the trip! Enjoy the pics! There's A LOT of them!!!

Daniel and Avery...this girl was in and out of her swimsuit about 20 times per day. And she'd just get herself dressed and undressed...in her swimsuit and into her clothes. She'd be on the beach...play...then go in the water...play...get cold...go inside...get washed off...change into clothes...and then start the whole process over again. A little yo-yo. Almost drove us batty...but she's just too dang cute!

The kids each dug their own hole, then buried themselves in it. Perfect thing for kids to do to keep entertained while at the beach!! Poor Jonny had broken his arm and had to be wear layers of plastic taped over his cast and had to be careful not to get his cast wet. Not easy for a very active 6-year old boy.

L-R: Jonny, Elliot, Taylor, Adelaide, Jacob & Seth

Avery and Brooke playing "boats" on the beach. It was so cute watching Avery boss Brooke around. Brooke was so sweet to oblige!

Avery!!!! What's all over your feet???

It was Cassy's first time vacationing at the beach. She was like a little kid on Christmas morning. She got so excited about everything and just played and played with the kids. She was terrified a shark was going to get her, so Alicia and Rachel were sweet enough to constantly tease her about seeing a shark...about gave her a serious panic attack a few times. She even allowed them to bury her in the sand! I was amazed at this...I won't even sit in the sand...I'll only wade past my knees in the water...Cassy was completely opposite and I love her for it!

And here she is boogie boarding...that's her with her fist in the air. She allowed her head to go under...I don't do that...I hate the taste of the salt water and the way my skin and hair feels after the water dries leaving a coating of salt. YUCK. She didn't care....she even just kept going back for more. I'm sure you wonder why I love vacationing at the beach if I hate the sand and water....can't explain it. Just do. I love sitting soaking up the sun with my toes in the sand listening to the breaking waves.

So this scenario started out as a water fight between little Taylor (we call her "little, but she's almost 12) and I. I threw some water on her, so she tried throwing water on me...when she realized she wasn't going to win, she suggested we throw our little buckets on Brooke...I, of course, thought that was a brilliant idea, so on the count of 3 we threw our buckets of water on an unsuspecting Brooke. Apparently, Daniel found that to be unjust, so as you can see, he got himself a 5 gallon bucket to teach me a lesson....here are the pictures in progression....you'll see who has the last laugh...

I'm screaming at him that he better not....

...he does anyway...

...he got my hair wet...he must pay...

...who's laughing now???

Tristan dug a hole...it's tradition.

Alicia, Taylor, Adelaide and Brooke trying out their boogie boarding skills. I was MUCH better about sunscreen this time around, but Adelaide's fair skin just can't handle that much sun...this was the last day, and her skin was turning pink...I made her put on Jacob's swim shirt...she wasn't impressed, but that was the deal if she wanted to stay out with the girls. They all did great boogie boarding...but as it got later...the waves got bigger and Adelaide was getting beat up...she reluctantly came back in after I about had a heart attack watching her get thrown off her board a few times.

Beach play...the first day, I think.

 Avery loved boogie boarding too!! But she only went when the water was calm....

When the water got rough, we found a lot of dead fish. We named this guy, "Fred." Gross, Brooke!

We thought Fred deserved a proper burial. So we dug a hole.

And mourned over his decorated grave. 

Why? I don't know...I think the sun got to us.

Jumping off a sand dune.

L-R: Rachel, Elliot, Avery, Adelaide, Brooke & Taylor

Silly Avery.

Best baby in the world. He seriously did so well on this trip. He was so content. This was also about the time he started only waking up once to eat in the night.

And of course there was beach soccer...when I act a fool and Tristan humors me.

My boys. Love, Love. Doesn't get any sweeter.

My friends. I had the best time. I love these girls!! Cassy was a complete nut. Kathy would disappear after she made lunch and before making dinner by taking long walks on the beach...she'd get tired, lay down to take a nap...one time on an abandoned beach chair...and then walk home. And Rachel...the girl convinces me to go to the beach...tells me she can't imagine going without me...and then stays up ALL night reading books, sleeps most of the day, and I only see her for a few hours at night. I lectured her and in the midst of me yelling (in the most kind, caring, friendly way...my friends understand me) at her....she hugs me....she was better the 2nd half of the trip.

L-R: Cassy, me, Kathy & Rachel

Cassy and I are freaks...Kathy thinks we're hilarious, and Rachel is oblivious. That pretty much sums it up!!!

Announcing...

Brant Wayne

September 6, 2012     

8:15 am

9 lbs 0 oz     

21.5 inches

Is it really surprising to any of you that it has been 4 weeks since the birth of this little guy before I am sitting down at the computer blogging about it? It has been a crazy month, and I'd love to take you all back to the very beginning of this journey with me. So come along with me...but beware...there will be lots of baby birth talk, so if you'd rather just look at the pictures...you go right ahead. 

I was convinced I was going to go into labor early with this pregnancy. I had been super uncomfortable for the last trimester...something I was unfamiliar with. I felt amazingly well my last trimester with my other 2 pregnancies...I was quite content to being pregnant as long as possible...considering babies are easier to take care of inside the womb than out!! But this time around, I was ready to get him out!! Calculating from the date I gave my doctor (which I wasn't 100% sure of...I stink at tracking my dates), my due date was September 5th. The due date I got after my ultrasounds was August 31st...so of course I would rather go by the earlier date!!! And that's what I did...big mistake. I saw my doctor 2 weeks before my due date...he thought I was favorable to go into labor any minute. HA!! I saw him again on August 31st. I had him strip my membranes. Nope. I had a girls night with my 3 best girlfriends...one of them has a trampoline...so in a fit of giggles we all went out to the backyard to watch me jump on the trampoline...in hopes of sending me into labor. No Way. But we did get some awesome video footage. The whole thing was hilarious...I thought for sure if the jumping didn't send me into labor, all the laughter would....nope. It seemed that my baby was just fine where he was. I did not want to be induced. I was induced with Adelaide and I always wished I could have done it differently (I was afraid I'd end up in the hospital over Christmas...it was our first Christmas with Tristan and Alicia...it was not an option for me to wait in my mind). Going into labor with Avery was such a better experience, so inducing was not ideal to me this time around.

My mom flew in on Saturday, September 1st. I had hoped that I would go into labor sometime soon after she got here. Instead, we made A LOT of dinners to put in the freezer. She was a great help with the other kids. Tristan had a cross country meet one night, but Alicia needed to study for a test, so I was able to leave the girls at home with her, and go to the meet...which ended up taking WAY longer than normal, so it was a huge blessing to have her here. She also helped me tackle Adelaide and Avery's bedroom closet...it was a DISASTER. We had it cleaned up and organized in no time at all. I was so grateful we were able to get so much done, but I wanted to have a baby so she could help out with the night shift!! Her flight back home left on Sunday, September 9th, so time was ticking!

I ended up going into the hospital for my scheduled induction at 8:30pm on Wednesday, September 5th. My original due date. I was quite apprehensive about this, but I wanted my mom to be at the birth, so I decided to go ahead with it. My good friend, Alli (the kids affectionately call her Auntie Alli) came over to spend the night...the girls were SO excited! It felt good to leave my kids in such good hands. So Daniel, my mom, my other good friend, Rachel, and I all headed up to the hospital. Here is a photo to commemorate my 40 week glory....

Can you believe how BIG I was????? It almost doesn't even look real!! My mother lovingly observed one night, "You just keep getting bigger and bigger...."

We got up to the hospital and got all settled in.... I am still shocked with the amount of "things" you get hooked up to...the iv, 2 belly monitors, the blood pressure cuff....good grief!  They started my pitocin. I started out at about 3 cm...the doctor guessed the baby to be 7lb 8oz (that depressed me...I was hoping for at least 8 lbs considering how uncomfortable I'd been!). I asked for the blessed epidural a few hours later. They broke my water. We taught Rachel how to play Rook at 3 in the morning. We were shocked that she was able to pick it up so quickly and get herself a 300 hand (max score) on the 3rd round. I was getting uncomfortable with how strong the epidural was and I was getting really itchy from it, so I asked Daniel to turn it down a little bit for me (there has to be at least 1 advantage to having a doctor for a husband!). All the while, every time the staff came in to check me, I was STILL at a 3!!! By 6am I felt a bit defeated and terrified that I had done the wrong thing by being induced. I was tired and frustrated. By 6:30, I sent my mom, Daniel, and Rachel to go get some breakfast. The doctor came in to check me while they were gone...STILL a 3...he thought. He wasn't quite sure though, since he thought the sides of my cervix were very soft. SO, a nurse came in and felt around for a good while...she concluded I could be anywhere from a 4 to a 7. After the nurse and doctor left, my emotions got the better of me....and I wanted my entourage back!!! In the mean time, I think all that feeling around finished up any dilating my cervix needed to do...because boy did I FEEL those contractions!! I went from crying from feeling defeated and worried that I had done a VERY wrong thing by inducing this baby...to crying from the extreme pain I was in. After what seemed like FOREVER...my mom and Rachel walked in the room. They could tell I was not doing well, so Rachel quickly came to my side to coach me through the contractions and my mom went back out in the hall to find Daniel. Rachel was an angel during this time...I don't know if I would have made it without her...she literally talked me through each or those contractions...beginning to end all the while rubbing and patting me. My poor mother was off hiding in a corner...she couldn't stand to see the pain I was in...and I wanted to strangle Daniel for getting me in this mess in the first place!! ha!! Daniel was finally found, and I begged him to turn my epidural back up. We ended up calling anesthesia back to re-dose my epidural, as it wasn't reaching high enough. The great thing about having a husband for an anesthesiologist, is that anesthesia does NOT take long to respond! They were in and re-dosed my epidural in no time. I had known I was ready to push for a while, but there was NO way I was pushing until I got the epidural working properly. When I was finally in a better place, I announced I was ready to start pushing. Brant arrived after just a few pushes. I had a mid-wife and an intern delivering me. The mid-wife was AMAZING. She would have me push, but would stop me so that Brant wouldn't come out too fast. Therefore there was minimal damage done to me and to my sweet baby.

Brant had quite a swollen face after he was born...his eyes were the tiniest little slits...but those lips...precious!!

My KU pillowcase sparked some interesting banter with the intern that delivered me. Apparently he is a UK fan. I told him that was unfortunate...even though UK beat out KU last year in basketball...but whatever...

proud papa...

I never could stop myself from crying once I started...not until about an hour after Brant was born...so a good 2 hours. The look of absolute shock across my face when they called out his weight of "9 pounds" would have been priceless if we would have caught it on video. A NINE pound baby explained SO much! No wonder I was miserable!!! I was grateful I was able to share Brant's birth with my mom and Rachel. Rachel took my mom home shortly after, but Daniel stayed with me until he had to leave to pick Avery up at school. I was so grateful to Alli for taking care of my kiddos and getting them all off to school. I swear I have some of the bestest friends in the whole world! Daniel came back up to the hospital later that evening with my mom and all the kids. It was fun to see all their different reactions. Seeing Tristan hold Brant was super sweet. I kept thinking, "my boys!!" Alicia was a little apprehensive, but warmed up after a bit. Adelaide was overly excited (and apparently had a meltdown after they got home...poor thing was overwhelmed!) And Avery ran into the room, hopped onto the bed with me and immediately loved on Brant and I. She too, had a bit of a breakdown after they got home and was apparently calling out for "Auntie Alli."

I do love having a newborn in the home while I have adolescents. It keeps them grounded...and sweet and tender.

I was able to come home on Friday night...a little early, but I wanted to spend more time with my mom before she left on Sunday. Daniel took the next week off, and we were quite the pair...trying to figure out how we were going to manage being the parents of 5 kids. We've gotten ourselves a bit ironed out...definitely not a well-oiled machine yet, but hey, it's only been 4 weeks! Brant is a fabulous baby! He's a pretty good sleeper. Sometimes he gives me long stretches (4-6 hours), and other times he is up every 3 hours (those are rough nights). I started out nursing, but I just didn't seem to produce enough. It got to the point where I was nursing AND feeding him a 2 oz bottle at EVERY feeding. That meant feedings in the middle of the night took almost an hour...it got to be too much. So Brant is now 100% bottle fed. Nursing only lasted until about week 3. I was disappointed, but I needed to keep my sanity.

Daniel has been so wonderful in helping with all the kids during the day. It quickly became apparent he wasn't going to be much good in the middle of the night. He wasn't getting enough sleep, and then he was getting migraines on a daily basis. So, I finally kicked him out of our room at the beginning of the week. He now sleeps on the futon in the FROG (finished room over garage). No more migraines, and he is more functional during the day...which means he is even MORE help to me and the kids AND he is not completely miserable at work! It works out. I think all the kids have adjusted to another sibling quite well. All the girls are more than willing to help whenever they can. And I feel like one blessed Mama! Brant stole my heart away the first second I saw him. He is such a sweet, good baby. He only gets upset when he is hungry...or tired. And I feel complete. I feel like our family is complete. And it is a good feeling!!!