September in San Diego, The Zoo and USS Midway

 We took our annual trip to Southern Cal this Aug/Sept.  This year we spent it in San Diego and Carlsbad instead of Newport.  We had an incredible trip.  We usually go there, hit Disneyland, then hang for the rest of the trip, but not this time.  We started out the trip staying a few nights in San Diego.  It had been a long time since we had taken the kids to any zoo and it had been since Steve and I were kids that we had been to the San Diego zoo. We had an amazing day.  That zoo is fantastic and no one could say enough good about it.  All of my kids love animals and so everyone was happy.  We got to see many animal feeding times, the habitats have many up close areas to view the animals and the tree covering and landscaping is beautiful.  We will definitely be doing this again soon.

We also toured the USS Midway, aircraft carrier.  It is an absolutely enormous ship and the boys loved seeing all the planes and getting to get in the cockpits.  The living quarters were fun to walk through and it was just nice doing something totally different for a change.  Unfortunately we only had our dying cell phones to use as cameras, so we didn't get many pictures.

Lillian Update

Things have been pretty crazy around here since Lillian had her last checkup.  First I'll update the fun stuff.  Within a day or two of her 6 month mark, Lillian started sitting up really well.  Now, she sits up most of the time and even more fun...she is army crawling everywhere.  She is getting faster by the day and although she has yet to even try to get up on all 4's, she is on the move.

Since we left her last appointment, I have been in panic mode.  I started out the first week after her appointment trying to shove her full of any food I could find.  We tried every baby food, cereal, people food, sippy cups with formula and on and on. She fought us so hard.  She gags at everything and we were having to hold her head to get anything in.  It was horrible.  I called the Dr and told her this was too much for me and I was sure I was traumatizing her.  She suggested we see a lactation consultant and so the next day we did.  From there we went to see an occupational therapist, for what they call oral aversion.  She just isn't crazy about things in her mouth.

Over the last week she has gotten much better about putting toys in her mouth, but we are trying to slowly get her used to the idea of food in there.  So far we are pretty unsuccessful.  We have gotten a few things in, but not anything of substance.  There are still many obstacles we have to face and we feel uncertain that it is all linked to this oral aversion.  She has a little cough she does, she chokes easily while nursing, her strong gag reflex and dislike of any food at all has led us to make an appointment with a GI specialist.  I wish we didn't have to wait so long, but the first opening they had was November 1. 

We have taken her for 3 weight checks since her 6 month appointment.  The first appointment we were amazed, she had gained 8 ounces in 1 week.  Then the next week she lost an ounce and then Tuesday she had gained another 6 ounces.  That puts her at 14 ounces for the last 3 weeks which is as much as she gained in the previous 2 months.  We are encouraged at that, but are hopeful that they can give us more information at the specialist.  

It is so difficult to have so much worry and uncertainty with such a small baby.  I hate that they can't tell you what's bothering them.  It is the hardest thing for me and I am almost hoping they find something that can be easily fixed just so we have answers.  

Cohen's first loose tooth

Cohen has been telling me for years that his teeth are wiggly.  I think about the time that Landon started losing teeth, he would have me check his from time to time.  The other day (September 4) he came to me and said "Mom! My tooth is really, really wiggly"  And when I checked, it really was.  He insisted I pull it out and so we got the ice and floss and went to work.  He was so brave and let me try several times to no avail.  He was really disappointed and so I told him we would try again the next day.  He never cried, he was laughing and happy and so excited.  He is so different than Landon and I love to see their differences come out.  

Then next day the tooth popped out on the first try.  The tooth fairy remembered to come and even let him $5 for that first tooth.  Since then he had me pull his other lower central out and he is loving his big gap!  I keep thinking how crazy it is that he is old enough to lose teeth.  He is growing up way too fast.  I love this little sweetheart!

First Day of School

It is hard to believe that school started back in August.  Time has been flying around here.  I'm not sure how October snuck up on me, but it's here!

The first day of school was tough on Landon.  The fear of the unknown for him is very real and very hard to deal with.  I understand it completely and feel so badly for him on days like this.  He had a rough night and morning, but I am happy to say that he was all smiles by afternoon pick up!  He loves his teacher and although he isn't in class with his best buddies, he is loving seeing them at recess and lunch.

Cohen on the other hand couldn't stop smiling.  He was SO excited to be at the same school as Landon and is loving feeling like such a big boy.  He comes home happy every day and is loving doing some of the fun things the school has to offer.  He loves his teachers and it is so cute to watch him hug them and thank them each day at pick up.  Love that kid!

Grey was very sad to have his brothers gone after having such a great summer with them.  He whined for them all day and was SO happy to go get them at their pick up times.

6 months

She is 6 months old...that's half of the first year.  Over, gone, done!  I can't believe it!

So I'll start with a list of what she's doing:

-chews on her thumb

-chews on her blanket

-sticks her little, cutest, pointy tongue out

-rolls over both ways very easily 

-often rolls over and over until she's wrapped up in her blanket

-pushes up really high

-scoots to get things out of reach

-sits up for a few seconds all on her own

-laughs and smiles

-is happy for long periods of time just laying on the floor

-still in side sleep positioner for naps and night

-naps 3-4 times a day, still not overly predicable on length

-still wakes up in the early morning to nurse (4-5ish)

-going to bed at 8:30

-hair that didn't fall out is very long and I have even trimmed it a few times

-likes the exersaucer more now

-still very petite

-makes noises, but no consonant sounds, no raspberries

-still refuses the bottle

-hates anything solid that we have attempted to give her

So, when I took her to the Dr. last week things didn't go overly well.  They are very concerned about her weight.  She has continued to drop on the charts and is now in the 7% for her weight.  She told us we needed to supplement her with formula and solids, but she refuses both.  She is so happy and sweet and we are so worried about her.  They have not diagnosed her with failure to thrive because her height and head circumference have continued to grow, but it seems we are headed down that path unless things don't change soon.  She just rarely puts anything in her mouth.  She loves to chew on her thumb, and on her muslin blankets and loves to nurse, but thats it. I am hoping things change soon, but we go for a weight check in 2 weeks and hopefully she is just staying in that 7% range and there is no need to worry.  They don't mind her being petite, but she has dropped 20% each time she is checked and there just isn't room for her to drop in the charts again.  It is the most horrible feeling to think that your baby isn't getting enough food, but she is just so content all the time and looks so healthy.  She is just a peanut.  We are so smitten with her and love every minute of having her around.  

Height: 27.25"  (88%)

Weight: 13 lb. 14oz.  (7%)

Donner Lake

 We took a quick trip to Donner Lake with some friends in the middle of August.  Steve had a rafting trip with the youth so I headed up there on Friday solo and Steve and his dad joined us for Saturday night and part of Sunday.  It was a nice trip.  Cat's niece Rachel, had been nannying for both of us all summer and came to help.  We were able to go for a run in the morning on Saturday before we headed to the beach.  Roman took the older boys fishing and hunting for crawdads.  Then the kids did some serious sand castle making with Rachel.  The next day we tried to do the hike down to Emerald bay, but it was so windy and cold we ended up just getting out and taking a few pictures and heading back to the cabin before cleaning up and heading home.  It was so nice of our friends to have our crazy family join them at their cabin.  It is one of the most beautiful locations I've ever seen right on the lake.

Post run, endorphin high, not sure what I was thinking wanting a picture.  It was just so beautiful on the lake.

My sweet girl with the crazy bedhead!

That was some serious wind.  I got quite a laugh when I saw Grey's hair.  SO funny!

I wonder why my back always hurts?!? Carrying the kiddos around I think I have a permanent curve in my back!

Good Friends

One thing I love about people that have known you your whole life is, that if you are still in contact with them, it means they know EVERYTHING about you, and like you anyways.

Stephanie and her family were out here for 2 weeks.  We got together numerous times while they were here.  Our kids got along SO well.  They swam, played hide and seek, played xbox, iPads, picked tons of blackberries, made jam, cobbler and just had tons of fun.  Stephanie and I talked and laughed, shopped a little, ate and then talked and laughed some more.  There are some people you don't mind dropping everything for and this is one family I can definitely say that about.  

We grew up in the same ward and Steph has the best sense of humor.  I mean, the kind of person that can always bring your mood up.  I can honestly say I had some of the best days of summer while they were here.  My kids wish they were neighbors and I would love it, too.  

  

 Grey and Ellie are about the same size.  Ellie is 6, Grey is 2.  They played iPads and iTouches almost non stop!  Grey loved being around her.

Brady, me, Stephanie, Lily and Landon, Ellie, Blake and Cohen (Grey was napping!)