Guilt Trip

With the many adjustments taking place in our house these days, I find myself losing my patience a little more quickly. The other day I had sent Hank to timeout for misbehaving and had returned to discuss with him what he had done wrong and why I was upset. After our little discussion, I asked Hank if he understood. He responded by tapping his temples with his index finger and saying "[t]hink, [t]hink, [t]hink!" I honestly do not recall ever making that gesture or telling Hank to "think, think, think" but I asked him where he had heard that and he replied, "mama said it." Seriously, my heart just about broke. I know I get irritated with my cyclone of a 2-year-old sometimes, but I can't believe that I would have ever been so mean as to tell him to "think, think, think." Having my own words repeated to me definately made me more aware and cautious of the words I use. I never thought I would turn into a parent that would say things like that to their children. Half the time I swear my child is deaf because he doesn't respond to a single word I say, and then he goes and proves me wrong by repeating things that I never meant to say at all. I love my sweet Hanky and will try to remember this little episode next time I feel like I'm losing my temper.

Safety First

Hank loves to play with his tools and takes his repairs very seriously. Whenever he plays with his tool bench, he says he is "workin."

2 Weeks Old -- Already!

Who is the cutest baby on earth? "I am" says Max.

Everyday I notice something different about Max: is his hair beginning to curl? Turn red? Are his eyes going to be blue like Hank's? Does he have an out-y? Is he getting heavier? So, although the pictures may all look alike, I see something different in each of the millions of pictures that I take of him....and I just can't help snapping millions of pictures--he's too cute!

We All Scream for Icecream!

On Monday, we decided to visit McDonald's for an FHE icecream treat. For some reason, I assumed that since Hank hadn't ever had an icecream cone before that he wouldn't know how to approach eating one. WRONG! Hank took one look at the icecream cone, pointed directly at it, and stuck out his tongue like it was an automatic reflex. I guess he's no dummy.

We Came, We Saw, We Conquered!

The perfect end to the perfect week....the Puyallup Fair! On Wednesday we arrived promptly as the gates to the fair opened. Our first priority was getting our fill of Fisher scones.



Next, we rode the kiddie train around the carnival. I think riding the choo-choo was Hank's favorite part of the day.



Then, we took Hank to the petting zoo where he got to pet goats, sheep, and bunnies. We also went to the animal barns and saw geese, chickens, horses, cows, and goats.

For his part, Max was content to sleep in his stroller the entire trip.

We found a display of Kubota (sorry Grandpa) tractors that Hank insisted on trying out.

Hank devoured the cotton candy.

Hank was adamant about riding the rides, but turned out to be all talk. He chose to ride a racecar that drove around a small racetrack. I guess he didn't understand that he would be going on the ride solo, because as soon as the car pulled away from Dad, Hank panicked. The operator had to shut the ride down and come rescue poor Hank. For our second attempt, we decided to try a ride that was less intimidating and just went around and around in a small circuit. Although Hank had a serious expression on his face during the entire ride, as soon as it stopped, he would say "again, again!" Funny kid.

Part of the reason that I enjoyed the fair so much was that it was the perfect capstone to an incredible week spent together as a family. I was sad to see Aaron return to work on Thursday morning and for life to go back to its old routine again. I loved every minute of the time that we spent together this past week and will remember it as a special time for us. My heart is full--I love my boys to peices. I have been amazed at the way that Aaron has handled his responsibilities. Before I know what to do, Aaron already has the diapers changed, the kids bathed, is holding Max in one hand, and playing with Hank at the same time. I love to watch him with his sons--it makes me feel lucky to have found such a wonderful husband. I love Hank more today than I did yesterday. Hank constantly impresses me with his creativity and thoughtfulness. He is my best little buddy and I sincerely enjoy his companionship. Hank is a great big brother, my only concern is that Hank may smother Max with his "hugs." Max is a joy. I can't get enough of his sweet little face and tiny little body. I never thought I could be this happy. In my prayers, I can't think of anything else to ask for. I only ask that I be able to hold my boys a little closer and squeeze them a little tighter and soak in each moment. I hope when I am old and sitting on my rocking chair on my front porch that I will be able to remember days like the day we spent at the fair together.

My Sweet Baby

Its incredible how much Max has changed in just one week. I can't help just staring at his cute little face, in awe at what a precious gift we have been given.

Sleepyheads

This picture is deceptive because you'd assume, with 3 boys in bed, that we were a well-rested family...not so. The picture was taken to capture a rare treat in our house these days: Sleep!

Here At Last.......Maxwell Robert Grover

With the impending likelihood of getting induced on 9/11 (not the luckiest birthday), I decided to take measures into my own hands. I made myself of cocktail of one part koolaid and one part castor oil and downed it at 2:00pm. A mere three hours later, I was having contractions 5 minutes apart. We arranged for Hank to spend the night at Nana G's house and I sent Aaron to the grocery store to bring back dinner, planning to have some relaxing down time before we started a long night of labor. Plans changed when the contractions started coming at 2 minute intervals by 7:00pm. No time for dinner, we rushed to the hospital. I had decided not to go the natural route like I did with Hank, and didn't waste any time letting the hospital staff know that I wanted an epidural. However, by the time the nurses got me admitted and the paperwork complete, located my doctor and retrieved the orders for the epidural, and hauled an off-duty anesthesiologist in, I had already dilated to an 8 and a half and was experiencing significant pain. The anethesiologist arrived in the knick of time and quickly took me out of my misery--thirty minutes later I was finally able to relax, but not for long. My doctor arrived near 11:00, examined me, announced that I was 9 and a half cm dilated, and we made preparations to begin pushing. My doctor was fantastic and Aaron was a great coach--I was actually somewhat enjoying myself and the whole birth process at this point. Aaron was pressuring me to deliver the baby before midnight, so we got busy. I started pushing at 11:20 and the baby was born at 11:45 pm on 9/10. Maxwell Robert Grover weighed 7lbs 13oz and measured 21 inches long and is simply adorable. With no further ado....

Max, Nana G, Hank, and Nana Z

Baby Max with Big Brother

My son(S)!

Family of Four

Max looks just like Hank in this picture--same cute mouth and lots of dark hair.

Big baby!





The last 36 hours have been nerve-wracking, exhausting, exhilerating, and undescribably joyful. When I saw my new baby boy for the first time, my eyes filled with tears and my heart filled with love. I love my sweet baby Max and I feel so blessed that Heavenly Father has entrusted me with this precious boy. I love my boys to peices and feel so lucky to be their mama.

Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are...

At my doctor's appointment a week and a half ago (8/29), I learned that I was already 3cm dilated and fully effaced. I felt elated at the thought that this baby may arrive earlier than expected. My doctor confirmed that the baby could come at any time and even predicted that I wouldn't make it to my appointment the following week. The doctor gave me her cell phone number and said, "see you in the birthing center." Ten days later....still NO BABY. I actually feel physically fantastic. No swelling, no cramping, no nothing. I've been walking, cleaning, and working on food storage like mad, but to no avail. Mentally, on the other hand, I feel like a wreck. I'm literally a time bomb thats just waiting to go off at any second. Every night, Aaron and I say to each other, "maybe tonight is the night," only to wake up to another uneventful morning. The anticipation is seriously killing me--every hour that passes creates more and more suspense! I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, and depending on the outcome, my doctor will probably relent and put me out of my misery and induce me on Wednesday. The anticipation is torture! ....maybe tonight IS the night:)

Puyallup Fair

Baby Max must know how much I love the Puyallup Fair because he cooperated by staying put in order to allow me to get my fill of scones, exhibits, animals and good old fair fun. Liz and I took Cameron and Hank to the fair on opening day last Friday and we all had a blast. It was Hank's third year in a row to attend the fair and he enjoyed all the fair festivities. We're hoping to continue the tradition by taking Max with us on a return visit at the end of the month--I can't get enough of the scones and fried food!