My Christmas Baby is NINE

Collin is nine! How is my first baby already NINE?!

FLASHBACK

I will never forget that Christmas. Collin was due on the 18th, and I started dreading in March having a Christmas baby when my doctor calculated my due date. They refused to induce on first pregnancies at this office, so I finally went into labor about 2am on Sunday, December 21st. We had a horrible ice storm the day before, and Church had been canceled the night before. It was a slow, cautious drive to the hospital downtown.

His actual delivery was pretty textbook - epidural and 10 hours of labor. He ended up being my only textbook labor, but those are stories for another day. We were discharged Christmas Eve.

At this time, my youngest brother was on his mission in Italy. While we Skyped with him Christmas morning, our horrible doctor called (Collin was 4 days old) and told us we needed to return to the hospital so Collin could lay under the lights for four hours. When we arrived at the hospital, no one was expecting us, and we wandered around the huge downtown hospital for hours trying to figure out where we were supposed to me.

When we finally got our doctor back on the phone, she admitted forgetting to tell admin we were coming. It was late afternoon before Collin was placed in the incubator under the blue lights. I was a frantic wreck, expecting each breathe to be his last. I watched him and fed him bottles of formula (my worst nightmare) through the incubator holes because we weren't allowed to take him out. My parents and other brother came and sat with him through the night, since I was being so psycho.

By morning, when we thought we should be done, the doctors admitted he was only laying under half as much light as he needed, but no one knew where the light bulbs were. When they finally located the bulbs, no one knew (I kid you not) how to change the bulb. My engineer husband almost killed someone!

In the end, we were in the pediatric wing for 24 hours - through Christmas Day. It was the worst Christmas of my life. I remember the nurses bringing us the pity-the-kids-in-the-hospital-on-Christmas toys. We still have the squeaky yellow duck we were given. The doctors were all awful and mean. It was a horrible experience, and we never used that hospital again.

Anyway, Collin was my colic baby too, so it isn't like life was rosy the next six months. I remember sitting on the back patio sobbing because he'd be screaming for hours, and it was the only place I couldn't hear him. I remember never understanding how shaken baby death could ever happen, until my own colicky, maniac baby. It was not a good point in my life.

I didn't really understand nursing with Collin - learning curve! - so I would nurse him for 45 minutes per side. I now realize he was napping on me. I was literally nursing for 90 minutes straight, so I would only have a 30-minute break before the two-hour window expired and I started again. I "lived" like this for months. (Psst, it wasn't really living!)

I was also teaching early-morning seminary. After six weeks home with my little guy, I returned to teaching a Bible-study class 5-days every other week from 6-7am at our local church. Collin miraculously starting sleeping through the night then, but I'd wake at 3:30am every day to pump so Ryan could give him a bottle when he woke up and I was still gone. Collin was my only bottle-drinker, and my only baby to sleep through the night so young, and I attribute that as a blessing for my service to God.

Despite these first rough months, Collin was also our much dreamt for little man. We always wanted to have a boy first. We had been married for five years by the time he was born. Though some of that wait was planned so Ryan could get his schooling done and I would be able to stay home, we also struggled to conceive for about a year. Our dear Collin was much prayed for.

Anyway, somehow this was all nine years ago, though I can remember the anxiety like it was yesterday. My little orange baby sick in the blue incubator was NINE years ago. So much screaming was NINE years ago. Nursing all day and all night was NINE years ago. I had THREE more babies in those NINE years. I quit teaching Bible-study when we learned we were pregnant with Brennan, EIGHT years ago, but it is definitely still a part of my story.

...nine years ago...

TODAY

It snowed on his birthday! I let them play before school this morning.

Now, he's a big, bad 3rd grader, already more than halfway done with elementary school. He's in the gifted and talented program for math, and he's in the highest reading group. Just recently, on his own, he's read Harry Potter #1-3, four of Grisham's Theodore Boone series, and he started Eragon this week. I love that he loves to read. He has been doing Taekwondo for a year and a half now, and he really loves it. He goes to class three days per week. It has really built his confidence, so I suppose that makes the expense worth it. He has been playing piano for 3 years now, and he loves going to Cub Scouts on Wednesdays, where his dad is his Den Leader. He participated in Jingle Choir at school too, where they did several concerts including the town lighting. I love his teacher at school this year, and he's got a great group of boys in his class. Girls are still utterly disgusting though.

Bethke Jingle Choir at the Town of Timnath Lighting Festival

He loves ninjas, Legos, piano, Cubs, Pokemon and Minecraft (not necessarily in that order though).

Happy birthday, Collin!

To celebrate his bday, we let him pick one friend to do something with. He picked going swimming at the rec center with his long-time buddy Mason. So last Saturday, Ryan took him and Mason to lunch at Sonic, then indoor swimming and then they got donuts afterwards. Mason got him a good-sized pack of Pokemon cards. They had a good time.

Dad & Collin headed to the pool

Collin & Mason after swimming

His actual birthday was also the final day of school before Christmas Break. His class holiday party was in the morning, and in the afternoon, he picked extra laptop time as his birthday activity. For dinner, he requested beef stew and homemade rolls. He also really wanted a chocolate ice cream cake, which is hard to find (they are almost all vanilla!), but mom pulled it off.

A pocketknife! 

Sparring gear (soooo expensive!)

Cake that he didn't have time to eat bc he had to get to the belt ceremony

After opening his presents (new karate sparring gear, new Bear book & neckerchief, and a pocketknife), we headed to the karate studio where he received his camo belt. He has now moved up to the Level 2 classes.

Belt Ceremony (camo)

Look at that kick! 

Mr Overby, world's best teacher

Finally, cake after karate

 

The End

Collin has always been my little buddy. He has always been able to read my moods, and he is the best little pleaser there ever was. He definitely knows how to pester his siblings, and he really likes to get his own way, but all in all, he is the best helper in our home. I don't know where I'd be without him. We love our Collin! I just wish he'd stop growing up.

Happy 9th, Coll-a-roo!

It's happening

Packers today, loaders Monday, leave Wednesday.

It's a whirlwind kind of move.

It's Official

Not looking forward to leaving our first home behind, but it's official.

There's now a sign in the yard and a lock box on the door.

Anyone know anyone wanting a wonderful home in Peoria, IL? And even if you aren't in the market, you can see all our home improvements in the 32 pics. Enjoy the link:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/5816-Brookmere-St_Edwards_IL_61528_M78876-59073?row=1

Our home really is beautiful, and I'll miss it. We have so much sweat and tears in these walls. Goodbye first home! May you be loved for many years to come... and may you sell quickly to the highest bidder.

Moving is Complicated

You asked for details. Here are some things running around in my sleep-deprived, foggy brain...

We are still hammering out our timeline. In the mix is: Ryan's last day of work here, when to have our stuff packed and loaded, whether to ship Ryan's truck or have Ryan drive it out and fly back for me and the boys. We are also trying to pack most of our own things, get the house on the market, and host an Open House. I want Collin to go to school until Spring Break, Brennan has a speech evaluation scheduled, Collin and Brennan have dentist appointments, Ryan and I have eye appointments, and Ethan has his 4-month well-check and vaccinations. Pretty sure there's a Going-Away Party thrown in there too. Oh, and I haven't even mentioned doing the deep-clean. Think our calendar is a tad-bit psycho!?

Anyway, I just sent a massive email to Ryan at work detailing the most recent (and last - I've done three this week) moving van line quote. We need to make a decision by the end of the work-day today (in 3 hrs), so I was going through everything. And here was the last sentence:

"Call/text when/if you want/need to talk."

Yep, that's pretty much the best sentence I've ever typed!! I think it's a perfect blurb to summarize the indecision and craziness at our house this past week. Oh my goodness: We only decided to make this move ONE WEEK AGO! Life is crazy.

PS: When this craziness is all over, I'll have to post about all the miraculous hand-of-God tender mercies that have been showered upon us through it all. I'm for real. As stressful as it has been, we really are being blessed beyond our wildest hopes.

Rocky Mountain High

(text by John Denver)

 

He was born in the summer of his *32nd* year
Comin' home to a place he'd never been before
He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door

When he first came to the mountains his life was far away
On the road and hangin' by a song
But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care
It keeps changin' fast and it don't last for long

 

He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend but kept his memory

 

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams
Seeking grace in every step he takes
His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

 

 

But the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye
Rocky mountain high

NEWS: Ryan starts a new job (in Fort Collins, CO) on Monday, March 24th. We are super excited... but also really sad to leave our friends in Peoria. Here's to our new adventure!

Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween from Peoria, IL!

 

 Love, Our Mini-Ryans

Orchard Time!

 

There's something about apple orchards and pumpkin selection that brings me peace and joy. I don't know if it's because I am a Midwest girl or what, but this morning was just heavenly with my little family. Here are some pictures of us enjoying the beautiful, warm fall.

Daddy Dates

Ryan has been spending lots of outdoor time with Collin and Brennan... and they are in kid-heaven! You wouldn't believe how much better their behavior is when they are earning "good choice" stickers for a date with Dad. They are also so good the days surrounding the activity. They just love their Daddy.

* * *

Last weekend was the Father-Kid Campout. Ryan was in charge, so he took off Friday from work and spent the morning shopping for all the breakfast goods. Then in the afternoon he set off in the truck with the kids. I was all alone by 3pm!

After they set up camp and got situated, they ventured into the woods to set up the geo-cache for everyone else the next morning. They buried the treasure (a plastic dish full of plastic coins) in the dirt with a shovel to mark the spot. They also attached all the coordinate clues leading to the end.

They ate and partied until 11pm and arose early. After a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage, everyone ventured out on the treasure hunt. At their destination they discovered their treasure had been dug up and carried away. We are assuming it was a raccoon, but what did he want with pieces of plastic? Stupid rodents.

Anyway, while they were all gone adventuring for almost 24 hours, I went to dinner with friends, read a book, and made a cushion for my rocking chair. It was a great, quiet evening and morning. I live for the Father-Kid Campout each year, but so do they so I guess it works out perfect.

* * *

This past Saturday was our stake Relief Society conference. Collin had earned "good choice" stickers for a hike with Dad, and Brennan had earned his stickers for ice cream with Dad.

It worked out for a perfect Saturday morning.

They all headed to the nature preserve and hiked first. Ryan wanted to play with the new camera, so Collin took this old dinosaur one. He was in heaven - our very own explorer.

They were real troopers, according to Ry. No whining, and it was quiet the celebration when they made it to the top. (This was no sissy hike either - The reason Coll was earning a hike was because I took them for a walk at the preserve this summer with playgroup, and I got too tired and couldn't make it as far as they wanted to go. For real.) These boys are really getting tough!

Here they are at the top celebrating. After their hike, they went to the park for a picnic and playing on the playground.

This park is affectionately called "the spider web." Collin has been wanting to tackle it all summer, but when lots of kids are there, it bounces a lot and scares him. Also, his cautious mother hasn't pushed him too hard - you know, the threat of broken arms and such. Anyway, Collin did it on Saturday! With some help from Dad, he totally made it to the top of the spider web! Glad I wasn't there to panic about him falling... I just saw the pics afterwards.

After some playing, it was time to try another geo-cache - seeing as the Father-Kid one didn't bear any treasure. Here they are finding the box. Super explorers!

On the way home, they hit Coldstone for some ice cream.

What kid wouldn't love Daddy Dates when they include dirt, exploring, treasures and ice cream!? Oh, and in case you are wondering, Dad loves these outings too. Is it any wonder why these boys prefer their daddy? He's pretty awesome, wouldn't you say?

Here's to Daddy Dates!

Raining & Running

RAINING

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again.
 

I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love.

Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face.
 

 

I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain

 Dancin' in the rain
I'm happy again!
I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain!

 

(Text courtesy of Gene Kelly)

We have been having some massive spring storms, and Brennan has been begging to splash in the puddles. Saturday we were about to leave on some errand-running when the downpour began, and we decided to let him loose. He was in kid-heaven.

His conservative brother hardly got wet, but B went to town. What cuties!

RUNNING

 

Run, running all the time
Running to the future
With you right by my side

 

 

Me, I'm the one you chose
Out of all the people
You wanted me the most

And I'm so sorry that I've fallen
Help me up, let's keep on running
Don't let me fall out of love

Running, running, as fast as we can
Do you think we'll make it?
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated

Be, be the one I need
Be the one I trust most
Don't stop inspiring me

Sometimes it's hard to keep on running
We work so much to keep it going
Don't make me want to give up

(Text courtesy of No Doubt)

 

A local organization hosts Kid Runs every Monday night in May & June. We've been meaning to go, and we finally made it for Family Home Evening this week. They get 200 runners per week! It was nuts. Brennan ran the whole 1/4 mile like a champ. Go B! He was quite done afterwards though.

Collin was pretty whining before his age group, but he started well... Until he was tripped, nearly face-planted, and cut up both knees. Dad carried him for a bit, but by the time his Cheerleader saw him at half-way, he was smiling and running hard. He paused for a moment at each of the uphills, but for falling and skinning his knees, he was a champ. Go Coll!

I seem to be living in a family of runners. Maybe I should have gotten into cheerleading in high school...