Halloween 2010

So I am a Halloween freak! I love it less than Christmas, but not by much. I think it's because I like to dress up almost as much as the kids do. If I remember correctly, I liked to dress up as a kid myself. I didn't have the time or energy to go as crazy as I have in the past, but we did have a good time the week before Halloween (we didn't trick or treat on Sunday). We went to the Halloween carnival that the youth in our ward put together--it was Ethan's maiden voyage to a church activity. He slept the entire time (despite my friend Jennifer's efforts (she loves to hold him). But Amelie, Eric and Tanner had a blast and Billy worked the haunted maze that the Young Men put together.
Then on Friday, we went to the Whitefish Mall carnival and played games and trick-or-treated tot he stores for two hours. We went with friends and had a blast!
Saturday, we attended the tri-ward Trunk or Treat. I didn't really decorate the car much (last year we won for our car decorations)--I just didn't have time. But we had fun, anyway. Tanner opted to sleep through the entire event (I woke him when we got to the church parking lot and asked him if he wanted to sleep or trick-or-treat and he said sleep. I even asked him a second time because I was so amazed with his choice. Amelie and Eric gathered plenty to share with all of us, though--and we handed out quite a bit, too. So, by Saturday afternoon, we had celebrated plenty and were ready to hang up the costumes for a while.
Now we are rubbing our extended bellies and enjoying the cosutmes we got for next year at 90% off--don't worry, they will be well broken in by next Halloween! Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Ethan's Baby Blessing

Last Sunday, we were able to bless our Baby Ethan. Here are a few pictures. Jim gave him a beautiful blessing. I am so thankful for such a wonderful, worthy priesthood holder. It is comforting to know that he is there and wiling and able to give blessing as needed. And Ethan is such a sweet baby boy--already cooing and smiling and even a laugh or two. And Jim texted me Friday afternoon that Ethan had rolled over from his tummy to his back--two or three times! He has yet to roll for Amelie and me, but he is a lot of fun as he 'talks' to us and smiles and squeals. My mom, brother Michael and sister-in-law Karen came down for the blessing. We had a great time with them hanging out and shpping. The kids were so excited to see them! And they were good sports about playing games and, well, just playing with them. Here are just a few pictures of the family--I'll try to get more here as soon as possible.

Baby Update

Well, our little bundle is nearly four weeks old. Eric still doesn't quite understand and keeps asking, 'But how old IS he?' When I tell him in weeks, he is confused, but when I say he is zero--no years yet, that doesn't make sense in his little mind either, because how can he be zero--he's here, born, isn't he? So cute!

Ethan is so fun! I wondered if the younger kids would show signs of jealousy and to my surprise and joy, instead, they just love on that poor boy day and night! He has been kissed, hugged and kissed so much, there is no doubt how much he is loved! He is a good baby and mostly patient when I have to put him down to take care of a sibling. He sleeps well in his carseat (what baby of mine hasn't?) He makes lots of grunts and even some coos now, too. I love it! As I sit and nurse, I love to stroke his cheeks and wonder how we are ever going to survive when I go back to work. I know Jim can handle it--but I am going to miss him so much (the other boys, too, but mostly the time with the baby. I am going to get very good at planning lessons, writing tests and assignments one-handed as I hold my last little baby as much as possible once I get home each day! We will survive. We have to. We are from strong, good stock and we will do what we have to . . .

Big Brother Eric

All the kids have been so loving and fun to watch with Ethan, but the cutest and most touching by far has been Eric. Every time he comes home from preschool, he comes over and checks on Ethan. He often asks me 'How's Ethan been doing?'
Today, however, on his way out the door to preschool, he gave me the rundown, 'Now, if Ethan gets hungry, be sure to feed him. And make sure you take good care of him. And if you want, you can give him your knuckle to chew on.'
All this he said while walking out the door and down the walk backwards so as to keep my attention. It was so sweet and so hilarious! At least he is taking a vested interest in his baby brother and in his role as a big brother.

We'll Keep Him

Yesterday, Ethan Philip Allen officially joined our family. Jim & I arrived at the hospital by 8am and were pretty much ready by 8:30am. But there was another c-section before mine AND no one could find the doctor's orders. Once they did, they had to draw more blood, put in another IV and match some blood just in case. So, finally around 11am, I got to walk down the hall to the OB OR. I got the spinal and before I could lie down, my toes were already getting numb! By 11:25 or so, they were cutting me open. Jim peeked over the curtain several times throughout the procedure to see what they were doing. I guess in a first c-section, once they cut, it takes only a few minutes to get to the baby, but by the 4th, it takes a little longer to get to baby--you have to go carefully through the scar tissue and avoid nicking the bladder, etc, until you get to baby. So, finally, at 11:56am, I heard the first little cry. And he was here. I could see, too, the doctor and nurse cleaning baby up. Jim went over and trimmed up his umbilical cord and got to bring him over to me. The first comments the doctors and nurses made were things like, 'Look at all that hair!' 'What a big head,' and 'He's a big boy!' Even with the last comment, both the pediatrician & the OB guessed baby was about 9lbs. Well, the scale shocked us all with a weight of 10 lbs 3 oz. Whoa! And 22 inches! Alright, NFL, here we come--just kidding, sort of :)
I got to hold baby shortly after that and his little tongue was just a going. I asked the nurse if I should nurse yet and she said, nah, just wait until we got back to the room. But after about 15 minutes and feeling his strong sucking grip on my finger, I asked again and she said that I could if i wanted to, so we did and boy, he latched right on and ate! He was certainly ready! He nursed all the way back tot he room and for another 30 minutes after that, too.
I was a little sleepy and sore (duh!) but so thrilled. Baby cried a bit, but also had a calm spirit about him--and since, he has only cried a few times--when I'm changing a poopy diaper, when they poked his heel (to test his blood sugar levels--which, by the way, all three were great readings, so he is out of danger of diabetes--yeah!!!-- and when I wait too long to feed him--only because I have to go to the bathroom, . . .
He has slept both days from about 2pm until 6 pm or longer and then wants to stay up all night. Fun, fun! But he is a doll--so cute and so cuddly. He croons and coos in his sleep. He's wide-eyed at 11pm at night, but not so much during the day. He does have a lot of hair--light, though, just like the others, His eyes are still blue, so we'll see if that lasts or not. He's a real keeper.
In fact, when Amelie, Eric and Tanner came up to the hospital yesterday to meet their new little brother, Eric told me 'We're going to be really nice to Baby Ethan and not be mean to him' And then, he told me, "He is SOOO Cuute" And I asked him if that was a good thing and he said, "Yes, that means we'll keep him" So fun. Tanner, today, was enthralled with Baby Ethan-'that's OUR baby Ethan,' he said. and as he left, he called back, "Love you, Baby Ethan!" Amelie's little first grade class sang Happy Birthday to Ethan yesterday and today, they sent with Amelie a little book they wrote called "Everything You Need to Know about Babies" Each classmate completed the sentence "Babies need . . . " and drew a picture. And the last page is Amelie's, which reads, "I am the very best at big sisters", Said Amelie. and she drew a picture of her holding Ethan in her arms. Wow. How could that NOT bring tears to my eyes! We are so glad Ethan is here safe and sound and are so thankful he has joined our family. He isa definitely a keeper!

Almost here . . .

Tomorrow at 8 am Jim and I reprot to the Maternity wing for the fourth and final birth of a little baby Allen. We'll let you know tomorrow afternoon how everything went and all the details of baby Ethan's arrival. We're still debating middle names, but Ethan is here to stay :) It's hard to believe I have only a few more hours of pregnancy ever. Sad but exciting, too, as we prepare to welcome one more little spirit from heaven to earth.

Mary's team wins their first tourney

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Here is a link to the article that tells about the Timberwolves Volleyball season commencement successes. Mary played libero all week and did a tremendous job!!

Just click on the word SHARE to view the article (I think).