Four Weeks??!!

Seriously, where does the time go?

A few things about Ammon at 4 weeks:

• He's a baby. He cries sometimes.
• But, luckily, we've always been able to soothe him by holding him and
• He loves his pacifier. What a blessing!
• He's a pretty good napper.
• He just started sleeping pretty well in his crib.
• He will sleep about 5-6 hours at night, eat, and go back to sleep.
• If I need him to nap, I buckle him in the car seat, set him on top of the dryer, and turn it on. Wah-lah. It's magic.
• Instead of blow-outs, Ammon leaves little poops for me pretty much every diaper change. I'll take it. :)
• He can sleep through anything. In fact, I'm pretty sure that kids playing, vacuums running, and loud noises in general are his thing.
• He's the first of my babies that hasn't had a major pimple break-out. Knock on wood.
• He likes tummy-time more than my other kids did. Maybe because when he gets tired of it he just sets his big head to the side and the rest of his body rolls over. Or he's just the smartest baby ever, right? ;)
• He's got some big brothers and a big sister who adore him.
• Ammon was blessed 2 Sundays ago. Both Joe's parents and my parents were able to come, which was so wonderful! What stuck out: He is going to be a peacemaker in our family, a good example to his brothers and sisters, and he will live his life as a missionary. This last part really stuck out to me, because he has already become a missionary! We have found, and my parents have also commented, that people have never heard of the name "Ammon." We've had many ask us where it came from, and I know that Ammon is going to be explaining his name for the rest of his life. I hope he doesn't mind. :)

And the other kids?

• I just finalized this: Logan and Madison will be attending the Watson Science and Technology Center next year. We received a letter in the mail last fall telling us that Logan's grades and test scores qualified him for the Tech. and Classical schools in Dallas. I went to a meeting to see what it was all about and decided that if Madison could get in then we would send them both to the S&T Center. She went through 2 rounds of testing and was also accepted. What does this mean? Well, besides riding a bus, wearing uniforms, and doing extra homework, they will be in a pretty awesome school program. I'm a little nervous because I've enjoyed having them so close to home, but I think in the long run this will be a great thing for them.
• Logan just finished the 3rd Harry Potter. He's 7. I don't know how I feel about this. He understands it and really likes the series. As an English teacher (well, I have the degree), I never thought I would be for book censoring, but I just don't know that he is old enough to read Harry Potter. We told him he could watch the movies after he read the books, but he will have to wait with movie #4 because it is pg-13. Any thoughts on this topic?
• Madison is such a cute girl. She is just getting into the social scene. She and her little friends have been sending each other cute pictures with notes that go something like this, "Der Vivi, You are my best frend. Lov, Madi."
• Grant failed his last hearing test (he can hear fine, but this one sent tiny air-waves or something, that got stuck in his ear canal and didn't bounce back??? Something like that--it has to do with pressure in his ear). The last test he had he also had pressure in his ears, so now he's on an anti-biotic and allergy medicine to see if that clears it up, but if it doesn't clear up by his next visit then we will talk about what to do next. I am hopeful that this will help to improve his speech even more.

Ammon Douglas McGregor

A friend in our ward is a professional photographer. She offered to take some pictures of him modeling some "clothes" that she needed to take pictures of for one of her clients (a hat and a diaper cover). Of course I said "YES!" Unfortunately, he cried pretty much any time I set him down--we spent over an hour trying. These are the pictures she managed to get in the 5 minutes he didn't cry. :) I like the pictures, but wish that we had gotten some that showed his hair.

Anyway, go to: http://blossomportraitureart.com/viewing

Click on "Portrait Work," Choose Baby McGregor, and the password is mbb01.

Part II: Life Lessons

*Sorry, I'm going to write in a different point of view than Part 1.

I had a pretty easy pregnancy. Experience led me to believe that recovery would not be too bad. And babies are babies... I figured that I knew what I was doing and things would go pretty smoothly with baby #4.

And it would have. Until I found the bugs. Yep. In Madison's hair. On Sunday, during General Conference, two days after we got home from the hospital. I won't go into details, but through all of the trials I have had, this is the one I have had the hardest time with. When Joe lost his job, when my brother died, when things have gotten tough... I've never asked "why," felt like I couldn't do it, or asked for Heavenly Father to just step in and change things/take it away. Until this happened. I felt so upset that I couldn't sit down and rest and enjoy my new baby. I felt like this "thing" couldn't have come at a worse time. I was emotional/hormonal, exhausted and probably somewhat neglectful of my family while I tried to figure out what to do.

I tried to handle it on my own for a few days.... but I was so exhausted from not sleeping (we'd put everyone to bed and then stay up until after midnight trying to get things under control, and of course I was up every other hour feeding the baby, and then I'd have to get up at 6:00 to help get everyone off to school), having a baby, taking care of everyone, and trying to figure out how to get rid of the horrible, horrible practically invisible pests that had invaded our home, that after 2 days I called my mom in the middle of the night and cried to her that I needed help. She had a flight planned for a week later, but she changed all of her plans and flew out the next day to rescue me (and my family from me). Maybe I will have a chance later to go into more detail, but for now I just want to remember the things I have learned from this experience.

1. Heavenly Father has a sense of humor. Remember my (answered) prayers to get Grant to poop on the toilet? To have the baby early, go into labor on my own, and at a convenient time? Yeah...

2. We just finished the book of Mosiah in our family scripture reading. I need to be more like the Nephites and pray to have help getting through my trials instead of complaining that I can't handle it or to just take away my trials.

3. I need to make sure that I am aware/spiritually in-tune with the needs of others around me. I was too afraid to ask anyone in our ward for help--even if it was meals, which would have really helped out those first few days.

4. It's ok to ask for help. As soon as my Beehive advisor found out what was going on a few days later (she called Joe to see if she could pick up Grant, and he told her a little about what was going on), she called the compassionate service lady to arrange meals, and then she and a few other sisters in the ward came over to help clean my house, which was a disaster from trying to wash 30 loads of clothes/sheets/blankets, bag up toys, vacuum furniture daily, etc.

5. It's not necessarily the service (which was wonderful), but knowing that there are people who care about you and are happy to help. I was at the point where I felt like I had to hide from the world--I didn't want to open the curtains or answer the phone. These wonderful women helped to make me feel human again.

6. Parents are awesome. It was so, so wonderful to have my mom here to help me, to support me, and to know that she loves us and was willing to change her plans (and so many people needed her that week, too) to take care of me/my family.

7. I need to be less selfish and more selfless. My mother flew out about a week later to meet my father in AZ, where they picked up my grandmother and drove back the next day to see us. My grandmother has Alzheimer's and some other health issues and needs a lot of help right now. My mother was very sweet and tender with her, and I could just see/feel the love they had for each other. I have recommitted to being more tender with my children and husband and really trying each day to show through my actions how much I care for and love them.

8. A little mess is o.k. If you know me, I HATE clutter and mess. Well, my house is a mess right now. And while I don't love the mess, I've been ok with it. I hope to slowly, over the next few weeks, get things back to normal. In the meantime, there are much more important things to take care of... like reading with Grant, and helping the kids with their homework, and taking a nap so that I am emotionally o.k.

9. Lice... there I said it... is not the end of the world. Or any other trial that we have. We get through it, because we have to and there is no other option. Everyone I've told has shared with me their own experiences with lice, and they all say it's not a big deal. Well, I am glad to hear that it's not uncommon, or that we aren't going to be labeled as "that family," but it is sure a lot of work and a PAIN!! But we did it, we survived, and I have learned a lot through this experience. Oh... and it sure helps to have a sense of humor while you are getting through those trials.

Well, until next time....

p.s. pictures and blessing details to come...

A Story. Part I.

Once upon a time there was a woman who was pregnant with her fourth child, a boy.

One day she woke her husband, told him her water had broken, and together they prepared lunches and made plans for their three other children. The oldest two would go to school, and the youngest, a 3-year old, would spend the day with his nursery teacher. The father's mother, Lola, would come the next day.

The baby was born at 12:39 p.m. (The mother decided, for the first time, to try an epidural.... but that is a story for a different day.) He was a hefty 8 lb 13 oz. and 20 inches long, and had plenty of hair. After counting fingers and toes, the mother nursed the baby, and then sent him off with the nurses to get his first bath and needle pokes. When it took longer for him to return (they said an hour), the mother got worried and frustrated. After several inquiries, she discovered that he was taking longer than expected to warm up. When they finally brought the baby back to the mother, he would not wake up to eat. The nurses became concerned with his fast breathing, and the sounds he made while breathing. So they took him away and wouldn't let the mother nurse him. After many hours, countless inquiries, and some tears, the mother learned that her child had had some X-rays and blood tests that raised some concerns; the dr.'s believed that the baby boy could have Strep B (the mother had only received antibiotics for 3 1/2 hours instead of 4). They whisked the baby to the NICU, and let the mother and father visit every few hours. 3 days of antibiotics later, the baby passed all his tests and was able to come home to his family.

The baby's name is Ammon. It was not originally on the list his father and mother made (those names were Ezra Benjamin or Chase Benjamin). But on day 3, in the middle of the night (the hospital was very, very loud at night, so the mother could not sleep), the mother knew that her baby looked like Ammon. When she suggested the name to the father (who had previously turned down the name "Ammon"), he said that seconds before she shared the name, he knew what she would say, and that it was the right name. The mother and father decided that Douglas would be a wonderful way to honor the mother's father and deceased brother; so that baby's name became Ammon Douglas.

To Our Dental Friends (Pt. II)

Because so many of our Cleveland friends are graduating or have recently graduated, from dental school, I'd like to make a brief recommendation: Call Nate Williams.

Nate Williams is an accountant/financial adviser specializing in the dental profession. His firm serves only dentists by providing a full array of financial needs, from full-service practice and personal accounting, strategic comprehensive financial planning, practice acquisitions or transitions, to investment management. His company, Symmetric Wealth Management, is based out of Oregon, but represents clients throughout the country.

Nate is a graduate of BYU's illustrious accounting program, he worked for one of the "Big 4" accounting firms, and then he became intimately familiar with the dental profession while working for Cain Watters & Associates, the nation's largest (and most expensive) dental-oriented accounting firm.

I met Nate accidentally almost two years ago (my real estate agent was in his ward at the time). Since then I've had the pleasure to refer friends to Nate, and work directly with him on several transactions (as many may know, I'm trying to develop a dental-oriented law practice myself). I don't know that I've worked with a more intelligent, honest, and professional person. I couldn't recommend him more highly.

I'd encourage those graduating or contemplating transitioning from their current situation to give Nate a call. Here's his website: http://symmetricwealth.com/Symmetric_Wealth/Welcome.html

(And just to be clear: I get no referral fee from Nate, nor has he "approved" this message. I simply think everyone should give him a call.)

Introducing:

Ammon Douglas McGregor



Tuesday, March 29, 2011
12:39 p.m.
8 lb 13 oz.
20 inches

Pictures and details coming soon.

Ohh baby!

Not yet!

I had good intentions today of walking this baby out, but was unable (unwilling) to carry out those plans after Logan fell off his bunk bed last night (2nd time in like 2 weeks) and I spent the whole night worrying about concussions and how to keep him from falling out of bed.* So I was too tired this morning to walk further than the mailbox.**

I also tried to plan the menu and grocery list for the week, but found myself wondering what would happen if/when I wasn't there to make the food because I would be in the hospital. Whoever is with the kids will figure something out, right?***

My next dr. appt. is on Wed. I will be 39 weeks, which is when the dr. is willing to induce (if my body is physically ready, which it wasn't last week). I can't decide, really, what I want to do. I've never gone into labor on my own, and I would like to experience that. At the same time, I am really worried about how big this baby will be. PLUS it would be really nice to be able to send the kids off to school, have babysitting lined up (Joe's mom), and go into the hospital well-rested (I would probably ask for a sleeping pill the night before because otherwise I will be up all night thinking/worrying about what is going to happen). I have a few days to decide, I guess. In the meantime, I am praying that I will just be able to go into labor on my own, at a wonderful time of day, before I have to make that decision. Don't worry, I will still have a testimony if this particular prayer is not answered the way I want!

*We really don't know what to do. We've put up the bed barrier thing, and somehow Logan still pushes against it so hard that he just falls out anyway. I don't think he's fallen out of bed for 5 years... so it's weird that he is doing it now. Deep, deep sleep?

**Let's be honest, here... all those labor-starting suggestions?... they've never worked in the past. I don't know why I think they will work now..... Desperate?

***I've come to the conclusion, though, that there is never really a convenient time to go into labor. I was thinking about what would happen if it was this day or that day... and there is always something going on or something that needs to be done. I guess we'll work around it, eh?

Grant speaks!

I think he's so cute! Of course, when I hear other 3 year olds talk, I realize that he sounds/talks more like a barely 2 year old--but he has made so much progress over the last 5 months with his speech teacher. Turning 3 means he no longer qualifies for ECI (early childhood intervention).

But... he got tested at the school district... and he is in the bottom 7% for speech (although he is over 100 for communication, which is wonderful). This means that he qualifies to start speech with the school speech pathologist every week. I know... 7% sounds horrible, right? It is probably the only time in my life that I will be happy that my child scored so low... had he been any higher he would not have qualified. Needless to say, we are thrilled!

He starts speech with his new teacher, Miss Sarah, on Friday.

#3 turns 3

Picture taken by Ashlee Jenks

Why it's nice to be the third child:

• You always have friends.
• Parents know a little bit more about parenting.
• You know how to do "Eenie Meenie Miny Moe."
• You know all about Star Wars and Transformers.
• You get more attention than the older kids.
• You get to play with all the older kids at the playground.
• You are pretty dang tough.
• You have more unsupervised play time.
• Mom lets you eat more sugar than the other kids got to eat.
• You get to watch movies that other 2 year olds don't get to watch.
• You get mom all to yourself when brother and sis go to school.
• You have so many people to love you, take care of you, and talk for you.

Why it's not so nice to be the third child:

• You have to share. Everything.
• Fewer pictures.
• You learn phrases like, "You're not the boss" when you are 2.
• You also learn that you should always, always blame it on someone else--who no doubt "did it first."
• You have more unsupervised play time.
• Other parents might think you live in a very violent household because you want to play Star Wars with the other 2-year olds; everything is a light saber. Or a gun.
• You have to watch everyone go to school and other fun activities. You still have to take a nap.
• You don't have friends over that are your age unless Mom is babysitting.
• You don't get a birthday party. Or a nice cake. Luckily, you don't care. Yet.

Well, these are just a few things, off the top of my head. Maybe I will continue to add to this list as I think more about it.

Grant, we LOVE you! Madison and Logan have been waiting for you to open their presents for weeks. They woke you up early this morning so you could see the 15 balloons scattered across the floor (which you have all popped by squeezing them to death). They couldn't believe we were making you wait until after church to open presents (because Dad had early morning meetings). The most heartfelt gift was Logan's gift to you: a stick.... I mean, a Harry Potter magic wand. He made sure it had a notch in just the right spot, he wrapped it for you himself, and then he taught you how to hold it. You thought it was awesome.

We took chocolate cupcakes to nursery for your friends (probably to your teacher's dismay). Mom had a crazy moment that made dad worry. She only made you half a cake because she didn't think we needed any more sugar (the other half was made into the cupcakes). She was too tired to do anything fancy.... well actually, your mom just isn't that talented or fancy to begin with. She did, however, let you decide where to put your candles. Logan and Madison thought it was sad that you didn't have a cool cake, so they got some Star Wars characters, washed them, and stuck them in the cake (they asked you if you wanted Transformers or Star Wars--you chose Star Wars). When mom went to put the cake on the table, they had all fallen over and looked quite dead. Madison came to see what all the noise was about and stuck the people in very deep so they wouldn't fall over again. Mom laughed hysterically for about 3 minutes, which turned into tears. You said, "Mom, you crying?" She then actually burst into tears and had to leave for a few minutes to save face.



Being the third child is wonderful in many ways, and hard too. Hopefully next year I am up to doing a little bit more for your birthday. But I don't think you minded today. In fact, you had a very good day. I think that Madison and Logan sang you "Happy Birthday" about 20 times just today.... that's not including the many, many times they have been practicing and getting you ready over the past several weeks. When we asked you why you got to open presents, you would say, "Because I'm good?" And you are! We can't wait to see how you grow and progress this next year. I know you will be a wonderful big brother!

Thoughts of the Week

*Thank you, Logan, for letting me know that I "throw fits."

*If you want your 2 year old to poop on the toilet, reward him with McDonalds.

*Plan on going to McDonalds every day. (Note to self: Send McDonalds a thank-you card.)

*It's probably not the best idea to let your children crush hold the store-bought loaf of bread in the car.

*If this baby were Logan, I would have a brand-new baby in less than 24 hours.

*Thinking about how baby arrives: Scary.

*If you can't figure out why you have no options when writing a blog, check to make sure you're on "Compose" instead of "Edit Html." Unless, of course, you know Html.

*Google is a (mostly) wonderful thing.

Have I Mentioned....

About a year ago I discovered The Friend on-line. For any of you who don't know, The Friend is a magazine published for children by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the church we belong to). Anyway, one of the links on this site leads you to some podcasts based on scripture stories for children, which you can download for free. We burned them onto c.d.'s and put them on our ipods. The kids get to listen to them anytime...in the car, while they play, even when they go to bed! Not only are they learning scripture stories, but they are learning songs and they also enjoy hearing discussion about the scriptures from other children. When we have our family scripture study during breakfast, the kids understand/know what we are reading about and we are able to have wonderful conversations--I think because they have memorized the podcasts! The kids ask to do FHE and will base their lessons and questions on topics they have heard on their burned c.d.'s.

The reason I bring this up (besides because I LOVE them!) is because tonight I've been grumpy and tired. Joe had to go to a stake meeting, and I was struggling to make the evening enjoyable while trying to get dinner made, cleaned up, homework done, kids showered and ready for bed. Bedtime is supposed to be a happy time, right? Hugs and books and desserts... not "Clean up. Hurry up and get in bed. Stop playing." As usual, Madison turned on her C.D. player right before I tucked her in. I hurriedly kissed her good-night and almost ran to the computer to relax (maybe that's my problem right there!). I heard her singing along to the song "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus," and my mood and the atmosphere just changed. What a sweet sound to hear your child singing songs that testify of Christ! I guess we should have turned the music on about an hour ago. :)

Anyway, I feel like our family has really been blessed by these podcasts, and I wanted to share them with you... just in case you hadn't heard.

Reflections or Looking Back

Today has been a busy and productive day. In fact, after only 4-5 hours of interrupted sleep, I am feeling pretty good. I don't know why, but this has been my easiest pregnancy by far (I'm knocking on wood); I am still almost incredulous that there will soon be another baby to take care of. So while I cleaned the pantry, organized a cupboard, cleaned bathrooms, switched laundry, made lunches, parent-teacher conferenced, and went grocery shopping (just to name a few things I did this morning), I have been thinking about the different natures of each pregnancy.

Logan: I was working/going to school/student teaching in Idaho. The last 2ish months I was very, very sick and sore. I went on bed rest for 2 weeks until I hit the 36th week so that I could go back to student teaching. 4 days later Logan was born. We had to hurry and buy a car seat (when I went on bed rest). A friend gave us a hand-me-down white, metal crib that was broken; we zip-tied it together. I did not have any baby clothes/diapers/sheets/blankets. Thank heavens for loving parents who sent a box full of treasures that would help us get through the first few months. While I was on bed rest, a neighbor brought over a bag with 2 baby sheets and some receiving blankets. Another friend came by a few weeks later with a bag of hand-me down clothes. I went to the hospital with a bag that contained a change of clothing for me. I guess I thought the hospital would be like a hotel with shampoo and soap. While I was in the hospital, Joe went to the store and picked up feminine products, baby supplies, and anything else we needed to get Logan home from the hospital (What to Expect When You're Expecting was a big fail, apparently). I'm surprised they let us take Logan home.


Madison: We were living in Provo; Joe was going to Law School. I had a few health issues, but mostly I was just swollen, hot, and uncomfortable because it was the summer and we lived on a 3rd floor apt. with no air-conditioning. She was born 1 day late, so we were a little more prepared. At least we had a car seat. Joe and I had picked up a few girl clothes from a garage sale, but we were planning on just recycling the boy clothes we had. Again, thanks for parents who bought us a few cute girl dresses so that she looked like a girl most of the time. I splurged and bought a baby front-pack. Several friends made us girly-blankets. This time around we knew to pack some baby things in the hospital bag.


Grant: We were in Ohio; Joe had a real job working at a big law firm. We were trying to get by with 1 car, so either I had to go and pick him up at the bus station every night or I was car-less and incredibly lonely and stuck in our home in the freezing cold with 2 kids under 3. I don't remember being sick, but just very, very tired and emotional. I told my OB I needed medicine and he told me to start exercising. :) We had given away our broken crib and Graco carseat to people who would need them before we moved, so I got to buy a nice carseat and crib. I also chose a $35 Cars-themed bedding set that would match the boys' bedroom for Grant. For the first time, I bought some *new* cute clothes for the newborn baby. The kids took a big brother/sister class, and I wrapped gifts for each of them to open while we were at the hospital. He came 1 1/2 weeks early.

Baby #4: We are in TX. I am not sick, I'm not incredibly tired, and I have a surprising amount of energy, and for the most part I am not emotional (I've been bawling the whole time I've been writing this, though). I have 3 adorable kids who help me with everything! Joe's started his own practice, which has been a monthly roller-coaster, but I keep telling myself that we've been taken care of for 10 years--I know Heavenly Father is watching out for us. Money is tight, but we still have our nice crib and carseat. I used a gift card to buy a decent bedding set for the baby for $12. We have blankets and clothes, so the baby will be adequately dressed. Each previous pregnancy I have had contractions for the last 2 months of pregnancy (which is why I was on bed rest with Logan), but this one the contractions have been less frequent and alarming. I have the crib all set up, the clothes and blankets washed, the car seat cover washed and disinfected, we toured the hospital yesterday, have had family home evenings on the importance of families, getting bodies, the pre-existence, and how to hold/wrap/etc. babies. I have the presents ready for the kids (still have to wrap 'em). I'm pretty set.... except for that hospital bag. And that? Well... this time I am including a bathrobe and slippers.

I've learned a lot over the past 7+ years that we've been parents. I assume we will keep learning and growing. I'm very thankful for the opportunity to be a mother. I'm also incredibly glad that our children are so forgiving and love us despite our many, many, many failings. I'm happy and grateful for the gospel.... I really believe that our families are so much more valuable than the money and experiences that we sacrifice in order to take care of and love these little people.