Shoes and bracelets

Last Monday it was nice to have a little break.  We just had a nice slow morning.  Mid day Jared, Lauren, and Brad went to play at Jeff and Elizabeth's and had a great time.  They played sliders and Jared was so excited the first thing he told me when he got home was he won by 100 points.  Lauren was ready to show off her pretty nails...one hand was sparkly blue and the other pink.  She was really proud that  she had painted one hand all by herself.  Elizabeth even turned on Princess music while they were painting Lauren's nails...which Lauren loved.  Alan worked on organizing some stuff and Connor and I kept him company for a bit then took a little nap.  When everyone was home and had a snack we went and looked at shoes for Jared and then to the mall.  Alan watched the bigger guys run around the tree house and Connor and I went to a couple of shops.  We ended up getting Jared's shoes off Amazon, so the next several days were spent waiting for the UPS man and wondering when they would come....which was supposed to be Thursday but showed up on Wednesday...which was good for everyone.  Oh and Jared can run super fast in them.

Tuesday Connor went to the doctor for his 2 week check.  He is doing great.  He weighed 8 lbs 12 oz...and was the same length as the week before.  I think really he was a 1/4 of an inch less than the week before, but the nurse didn't stretch him as much...so she just put in the same length as the week before.

Wednesday Lauren had her fruit celebration at school.  She studied fruit for the last 7 weeks at preschool and she got to teach us everything that she learned.

Thursday we got some play dough out and Brad loved having it all to himself while the other guys were at school.  Jared and Lauren also asked me to make some peanut butter play dough while they were at school and I said if I got a chance then I would.  I looked up a few recipes and then made up my own...and what better to use with the peanut butter play dough then mini chocolate chips.

I know I have posted several pictures like this, but Brad loves to hold Connor...he does multiple times a day and at least one time a day he will ask me to take his picture with him....I don't every day...but close.

Thursday night we went to the last women's home basketball game for the season.  It was another fun game and they won easily.  Connor and I had fun watching everyone do the chicken dance on last time.  Where's Waldo?  Oh, I mean Alan, Jared, Lauren, and Brad?

Friday was talent show day at Wasatch.  Jared had wanted to be in it, but that didn't work out...and we weren't sure what he would do.  We were able to go watch it though.  The K-3 show was at 8:45 and we stayed for the 4-6 show at 10 too.  It was fun to see everyone who was in it.  During the first show Lauren told me she was going to go sit on the floor by the kids.  I said ok...and thought she would go sit at the back of the rows of students.....nope she went right up the center isle (and once she kept going I was afraid she would just keep on going right up to the front) and picked some kids about half way up to sit by...then stayed there the whole show.  Jared on the other hand wouldn't budge... part way through some seats on the front row of chairs opened up and I asked him if he wanted to move up so he could see better...and I was going to move with him...but he said no.  It is kind of funny how different they are.  After the talent shows we went to story time at the library.  Then home for lunch and then down to the church to practice organ.  I learned that I can pretty much still play while holding Connor.

Saturday was our stake Relief Society Conference.  The theme for the conference was Guardians of the Hearth.  Elder and Sister Baxter (from the seventy) were the key note speakers.  I enjoyed their talks very much.  Then there were 2 breakout sessions.  They asked me to be on a panel with 2 other sisters (Sister Tami Runia..our stake president's wife and Sister Shelley Schroeder...she's in the stake RS presidency)  We mostly answered questions that others there asked.  It was a little intimidating, and I was a lot more comfortable the second time around.  I think part of it was that my plan got thrown for a loop.  I had taken Connor with me because he was starving....Alan and the other guys were going to come and get him from me at 10...right before the breakout sessions, but when I got to the church I found out that we were going to do a breakout session first and then the Baxters would speak and then another breakout session....they had the wrong time.  So I was feeding Connor at the start of it all, but it turned out ok.  As part of the conference some people made some beaded bracelets that some people are going to take to sisters around the world (the Baxters will take some and a member of our stake presidency President Jackson and his wife got called to be mission president in a Spanish speaking mission and they will take some)  I think they called them beads of friendship or something.  They gave me one for helping...and I already lost it.  I wore it today and I let Lauren hold it while I played the closing hymn.  Then on her way to class she brought it to me, but i was playing and told her to just set it on the organ...then I left it there.  The kind of funny thing about it all is that while I was leaving the chapel someone in the next ward coming in brought me a set of keys that someone in our ward had left on the bench.

Saturday night we had a ward activity where they grouped 3 or 4 families together and one family hosted and everyone brought a part of the meal.  Then at 7 the ward provided dessert at the church.  It was really fun and a good way to get to know a few families better.

Today was a pretty normal day.  Today in sacrament meeting while sitting on my lap Brad told me I was an angel...which I thought was really cute.  We did some visiting teaching and home teaching, resting, and some good friends stopped by for a minute in the evening.

This is Brad dancing to the music of the fishing game...yep the reeeereeeereeee of the motor is great for dancing.

Like I said resting...

Alan just came back from looking for my bracelet at the church...and he found it yea!!!  I know this is still kind of long, but I really don't remember much from last week.  I must be kind of tired...and I'm afraid there are still a few tired weeks to come, but we are well and happy! 

My Little Cleaners

This week we started getting back into our regular routine.  Monday morning Connor went to the doctor...just to have a first check up there.  His discharge weight at the hospital was 7 lbs 12 oz.  He was back up to 8 lbs 3 oz and everything looked good when we went last Monday.  I can tell he has gained more...and we'll find out what he is again this Tuesday when we go for his 2 week check.  We spent several hours in the evening getting Jared and Lauren's Valentines ready to take to school the next day.  Jared made smiley faces with sucker noses for the boys and flowers with sucker centers for the girls.  Lauren made flowers for everyone.  Monday we also worked on some Valentine's cookies.

Here is Lauren's birdhouse that she and Alan made to take to school.  Jared got to make his at school.

Tuesday morning we finished up the cookies and worked on delivering them the rest of the day.  Tuesday night when we were just finishing dinner and getting ready for bed when someone knocked and ran...they left some treats and a present.  There were new church clothes for Jared, Lauren, Bradley, and a cute outfit for Connor.  We are really grateful to whoever left those on our porch.   I am really touched that someone would think to do that for our family.  They were all hoping to wear their new clothes today, but they are still just a little big.

I wrote this little bit Wednesday night...so I wouldn't forget.
Wednesday night I gave Jared and Lauren a toothbrush and told them they could clean the sink in the bathroom.  Arguing over the toothbrush started.  I went to feed Connor.   Then I had Lauren get the baking soda out of the cupboard and told her she could use a little of it to help them clean the sink.  Jared was the scrubber and Lauren the powder sprinkler.  After awhile Jared came and said "Can I use this rag to wipe the sink?   It's a little wet."  I said "it's probably ok."  Jared went back to the bathroom and I can hear Lauren and Jared talking...Lauren "Did she say yes?" Jared "Yes" Lauren "Yes! mom is the best mom ever tonight right Jared." Jared "uhun"

Here is my nice clean sink...it is tons better than it was!!!

This is was Brad, Connor, and I did part of the time they cleaned the sink.

When they finally decided the sink was clean...then they were ready for dinner.  They noticed that Lauren had spilled a little baking soda on the kitchen floor and they wanted to wash the kitchen floor...I said after dinner since it was after 7.  They ate dinner quickly..since they had floor washing to look forward to.  It's a good thing I had spent time earlier cleaning up in the kitchen so it was ready for floor washing...although I'm not sure any floor is ever ready for the kind of washing our floor got.  It started pretty normal with a toothbrush, scrub brush, and 4 rags (the rag person needed one for each hand and foot), but turned into a body sliding on the floor, tunnel making, underwear party,  with a little dancing thrown in.  Connor and I were just the laughers...and the water regulators...at least we tried.  Alan missed the party and got home just in time to see my great little helpers climbing into the bathtub to warm up.  Don't worry they still have clothes on in these pictures...Lauren had to put her pants back on to take them though.

Thursday night we went to a wedding reception for Alan cousin Jace and his wife Abby.  It was in South Jordan.  We got to see lots of Alan's family.  Brad really enjoyed the hot chocolate and Connor got to meet Great-grandma Young.

Friday was just a nice relaxing day.  We went to play group and to the library.  The rest of the day we just played at home.

Saturday we had another birthday party to go to.  It was a fun one with lots of kids there!  We went to Winco and watched the end of the basketball game.  (Sorry Ash and Will we didn't see you.)

We got snow again last night.  I kind of like this weather pattern we are in right now...snow on Sundays....mostly gone (at least clear roads) by Monday.  I do hope though that in a couple of weeks the weather is good for everyone traveling.  We are looking forward to tomorrow and our day off to get some things done and to play lots.

We Came Home

Last week I sat here anxiously awaiting the arrival of Connor.  Now it is hard to believe he has been here almost a week.  The doctor was going to induce labor on Monday if the baby hadn't come yet, but I am very happy that he decided to come on his own.  We are very grateful for Jeff and Elizabeth who came over in the middle of the night...and spent at least part...if not all the night on the floor next to kids who were having a hard time sleeping.  Grandma and Grandpa Atherton came over in the morning so Jeff and Elizabeth could go to work and school.  Grandma and Grandpa took Jared and Lauren to school and were entertained by Brad.  Alan met them at home after school to tell them about their new little brother.  We were all really excited when they came to visit that night.  They brought some hearts and cards that they had made for Connor. 

Car seats crammed in Grandma and Grandpa's car

Brad is showing me Connor's chin.

Jeff and Elizabeth came to visit later that night too.

I had really hoped to come home on Tuesday, but because I had been positive for group B strep they wouldn't let Connor come home.  After getting over that initial disappointment I managed to survive another day at the hospital.  Alan was able to come visit in the morning and while Jared and Lauren were at school....Grandpa ran the shuttle bus to and from school.  After school everyone came to visit again.  Then they got to go to Costco with Grandma and Grandpa.  Lauren was especially looking forward to getting to eat Costco pizza for dinner.  They came back to visit a little more after dinner...my dinner came just after they got back.  Brad liked the sweet potato fries and carrot cake as much as I did (I had both of them 3 of the 4 meals they served them while I was there).

Wednesday Connor and I finally got to come home...and they didn't let him come a minute early.  We got home just before Jared had to leave for school.  It was so nice to finally be home and together in our tiny little house.

There was a really fun welcome home sign on the wall for Connor when we got here. 

Jared was wearing white pants when he got traced around and had to change into brown pants before he could color his pants.  Lauren went to school too and Grandma and Grandpa left that afternoon.  That first night home was a little rough.  Lauren was the only one who slept through the night.

Thursday Alan stayed home all day which was really nice and helpful.  That night Connor and I were up for about 4..maybe 5 hours...in the middle of the night...it's easy to lose track when you're so tired.  He would eat...eat too much...then spit up all over and soak everything...and need changed...just as we would be getting his clothes back on he would need a diaper change....by the time we had done all that he would be hungry again.  All that would take about 2 hours...I don't know how it would take so long...it just does.  We did the whole cycle 2 or 3 times.  At the end of one time Brad came in.  I took him back to bed, but he came back about 30 min later.  I tried to wake Alan, but he was dead to the world.  When I shook him he said something in his sleep...it sounded like something to do with angry birds (which he doesn't even play).  I said what? and he said whatever it was again...I just let him sleep....so Brad slept on top of my legs for about 30 min until Connor was ready to start eating again.  With Connor's wail and a little shake Alan took Brad back to bed.  Luckily our nights have just been getting better.


Friday morning I had to take Connor to get his bilirubin levels tested again....He had been in a low risk category.  The health center called later that day and said he was at 9.2 (was a 9 on Wed) and he didn't need to be tested again.   Yea!!!  My friend upstairs took Jared, Lauren, and Brad to playgroup in the basement and then up to her house to lay for a bit.  It was nice to get a little nap.  Alan went to work for several hours in the afternoon.  It was in the high 50s so we even got to play outside for about 30 or 40 min.

Saturday was more of the same.  It was 60, so went and played outside a little.  We also watched the BYU basketball game.  Alan went to Winco.  Jared, Lauren, and Brad went and played at Jeff and Elizabeth's for a few hours.

Today we got to walk to church in the snow and Connor got to wear a hat he got in the mail from Grandma.  Everyone took a nap today (Alan's was just short..unless you add in the time from Sunday school).  Lauren slept so long that when she woke up she said "Yay! I get to go to school today!"  We were in her bedroom right when she woke up because Bradley wanted to show Connor the cars out the window.  Jeff and Elizabeth brought over some lasagna soup (which we still need the recipe for) and Elizabeth bread sticks...that Elizabeth made...which was a pretty big deal here.

We also got cookies from Grandma and Grandpa in the mail last Thursday and took pictures today.

Grandma made one for me too.

What do you mean I can't eat it yet.

We are grateful that Connor is here and everything went so smoothly.  We all love him tons and can't wait to get to know him more and more.