Little Mikey

I have been wanting to do a post about Mikey for awhile since there are so many things he is doing right now that I just don't want to forget about.  He finally had his 2-year-old checkup this week so I figured it would be the perfect time.  Here are his stats:

Height: 

35 inches--50th percentile

Weight:

24lbs--7th percentile

He is still my tiny little Mikey.  But if you call him that he will tell you "No, I not tiny."  Here are some things about Mikey:

• He NEVER stops talking.  Sometimes I get a little frustrated because he asks for something and keeps asking over and over and over again while I am trying to do it.  Also he doesn't know how to talk quietly so he is always super loud at church.  
• He LOVES James and wants to do everything that James is doing.  This often causes a lot of fights because if James is on the rocking chair Mikey wants to be on the rocking chair, if James is playing trains then Mikey wants to play trains.  At the same time he always tries to share with James.  If I give him a cracker he wants two so he can give one to James.  

• He LOVES animals.  We have a ton of stray cats around and he always tries to play with them.  There is one that is really nice and always tries to come inside.  Mikey loves this kitty and lucky for him it is really nice and doesn't even try to scratch him when he is dragging it around, or carrying it outside.  And of course the whole time he is talking to the cat and telling it what to do.  I love this little voice. 

• He is a really great napper.  He sleeps for several hours, sometimes 4 if I let him.  But he is definitely learning the art of stalling.  He always asks for tons of stuff to take to bed with him.  One day I told him he had 5 minutes until nap and he went around the house finding stuff to take to bed with him.  He ended up with quite the collection.  He always has to take his 2 blankets, donkey, sheep, and 2 turtles.  One time Doug was putting him to bed and he kept asking for stuff and realized Doug had already gotten everything and just said "I need more." 

• He loves the ABC's.  He always sings the song and the other day I heard him say "It's an M"  and I looked over and saw him with a marker coloring on the kitchen cabinets.  I looked and sure enough he had written an M.  I though it was maybe just a fluke, but he then did it two more times.  Once on another cabinet before I could stop him and again on a piece of paper.  

• His favorite color is yellow
• He still eats like a champ.  He loves fruits and vegetables and pretty much anything I put in front of him.  His favorite food is peaches.  But he asks for a banana every night before bed (I think it is part of his stalling technique)
• His favorite game is "tackle Dad" 
• He is super social.  He wakes up about 6:30 every morning so Doug puts on a cartoon before he goes to work so I can sleep a little longer.  Usually as soon as Doug walks out the door Mikey is climbing in bed with me to watch YouTube on the iPad.  He just doesn't like to be alone.
• His favorite cartoon is "birds" (Backyardigans)
• His favorite book is Go Away Big Green Monster, but only when Dad reads it
• His favorite toy is "jump" which is the bounce house the boys got for Christmas last year

Overall he is a super cute, fun two-year-old.  We are so glad that he is in our family and definitely brings a whole new aspect to our family, since the rest of us are so quite.

Billy is HUGE!

Today Billy had his 2 month old checkup.  I have figured for awhile that he is a pretty big baby.  But didn't know just how big until today.  The outfit he is wearing in this picture is a 3-6 month old outfit and most of his 0-3 month clothes do not fit anymore, but I haven't gotten out the 3-6 month size because we are moving.  So today we found out how much he weighs.  Here are his stats:

Height

24 inches 90th percentile

Weight 

12 lbs 10 oz 75th percentile 

Can I just say, this kid is HUGE!  He must get the height from his dad because he certainly didn't get it from me!  It is kind of different having a kid on the other side average.  Mikey was always in the 4th percentile for his weight (and still is only in the 7th).  James was a little bigger but still only in the 25th.  

Here are some things about Billy at 2 months:

• We have started calling him Billy, it won out over Willy, William and even Billiam.  James declared one day that he likes Billy.  Mikey still calls him William, but he also calls himself Michael so it would seem that he just likes the full proper names.  
• He smiles all the time and this morning I heard him starting to laugh.
• He sleeps like a pro.  Usually he sleeps from 10-4 or 5 at night then eats and goes back to sleep until 8 or 9.  So nice to not feel like a zombie anymore.
• His brother LOVE him.  Especially James who I have found laying next to him on the bed just playing with his hands.  And Mikey hates when he is crying and always wants me to go get him when he is.
• He can hold his head up by himself and is pretty steady for quite awhile.  
• He is by far my easiest baby and loves to interact with anyone who will give him attention. 
• He loves bath time.  

Billy in his turtle towel after bath

2nd Annual Pinewood Demolition Derby

Ladies and gentlemen,

The American PineCar Demolition Derby Association or America is please to inform you that you have been selected to participate in this years world championship event.  You have qualified to participate in this event based on you performance last season or have received a sponsors exemption.  You may enter up to 2 cars for the event.   There have been several changes this year including a new faster track and less restrictive rules.  Please respond to the APDDAA as to the number of cars you will enter and if you will attend in person.

Date: 

November 26th 2011

Location: 

Aurora, Colorado

If you will not be attending in person please mail your car to the following address by 11/22/11:

17522 E. Wesley Pl.

Aurora, CO 80013

Objective:

The winner will be the individual with the last car running.

Track:

From the starting points each track slopes downward into the crash zone, which is the intersection of all the tracks. 

Rules:

Each car will be allowed to continue driving in the event until 2 wheels are broken or disabled.  A cracked wheel that can still spin is flat and not disabled.  

At the beginning of event the car must rest on its wheels.  Each car must have 4 and only 4 wheels.

Wheels must be stock and may not be reinforced.

No repair work, can be done during the event.

Weapons may be reset but not repaired.

50% of the surface of the stock wood block must be exposed.

If a car falls off the track in 3 consecutive trips it is eliminated.

Once “go” is said the car must be immediately released, no delayed starts.

Broken or bent parts can not be removed or adjusted

Car can be driven in either direction.

Thank you for you interest.

Sincerely - The American PineCar Demolition Derby Association of America

Here is a picture of some of last years entries:

You can also see last years event here

First Day of School

We had to get James ready for his first day of school.  Here is Dad helping the boys get ready.  

Today was James' first day of school.  It was very much a mixed day going from conversations like:

"James do you want to go to school today?"

"No! We can't" 

To this:

He had a hard time going to a new classroom, not understanding why he was going to the green room and not the purple room.  When he got off the bus it was a little different too.  They didn't have the frog that sings when he gets off the bus, and he didn't get is sucker because it wasn't Friday.  Oh well, it will get better as he gets the routine down again.

Life with 3

William is almost 6 weeks old already!  It really seems like last week that he was born.  This past 6 weeks has really flown by.  Probably because we have been so busy.  My family was in town for a few days, then Doug's mom and brother came for the blessing, then we headed back to Colorado with them for a week.  We have only been back just this week, and I have finally been on my own with the kids for the first time.  I have to say it has been HARD.  William had decided he needs to be held all the time.  So all I can do is hold him and watch the other to make messes.  It seems like every time I want to get something done one of the 3 kids needs something.  Hopefully it will get better as William learns to be more content and gets on a schedule, and James starts school.  Here a few pictures from the past few weeks. 

We blessed William when he was 3 weeks old.  Only Doug and my Dad were there, but it was still very special.  Doug blessed him that he would be a help to James with the trials in his life.  I am very excited to see how William grows up and the personality he has to be able to be James' special friend.  It is also a testimony to me to know that William was sent here at the right time and is going to have a special place in our family. 

Williams blessing day.

Right after the blessing my family left to head back to Florida.  The next day the boys and I drove back to Colorado with Grandma and Uncle Scott.  The boys love when we drive to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  I didn't take many pictures when we were there.  On the first night when I went to check on the boys I found Mikey going to sleep like this:

Mikey going to bed on top of the dresser

Another night I found them asleep like this:

Tuesday and Wednesday we went swimming and to a park and just had fun playing with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Scott and their cousins.  Wednesday night Doug joined us.  I have to say we couldn't wait for him to get there.  Getting 3 boys ready was much easier when he was there. On Friday we drove up to the mountain house.  We haven't been there since last year when we went with my family, but James amazed us by remembering the way.  A couple miles before we went through the tunnel he says "Here comes a tunnel"  Doug and I couldn't even remember if we were close or not.  Then the closer we got the more excited we got and he started saying that he wanted to see Myra and Lexi (who were there last time we went).
We rode the chair lift up the mountain and hiked down.

Doug and James on the chair lift

Doug and William, Scott and Mikey

At the top

Most of the way down I had to carry James or Mikey
They had become very clingy to mom.  I carried James way
too much.  He is heavy!

William enjoying the hike.

Monday we drove home and Tuesday I had my first day alone with the three boys.  William decided to go from the easiest baby in the world to a much more difficult baby.  He didn't want to be set down at all.  I was so excited when Doug got home that night.

William enjoyed the swing the first time

While in Denver I went to a fabric store to get some stuff for a few projects.  When we got home I decided to do this one because once I started we wouldn't be able to leave the house until I was done.  I figured this would be a good week to be house-bound.

William's new seat cover, it was much easier than I anticipated 

William loves this seat.  After we got home he got a stuffy nose and I started letting him sleep in it at night.  Now I am struggling to get him to sleep anywhere else.

Doug got the boys ready for church yesterday and took this picture while I was getting myself ready.  I have such handsome boys!

3 Weeks Old

William is 3 weeks old now!  We are getting into a routine, and finally starting to get more sleep.  Well he is only waking up every three hours at night now instead of every 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  Here are some pictures from the past three weeks.

The boys finally showed some interest in him.  

Despite James' face he really wanted to hold his brother.

1st bath!  He actually liked it.  My other 2 boys cried during their first bath.

Sleeping on Dad.  He loves to be held while he sleeps. 

Sleeping in Mom's bed.

I finally got his room done.  It only took me forever to finish.  It is also the only room in our house that is decorated.  So I guess it would make it my favorite room.

We got so many diapers from my diaper shower
the changing table is completely full, plus the box
sitting next to it. Despite that I have still had to buy
more diapers already.

Doug made the letters for me.  Then I decorated them.  

I love these pictures.

The quilt I made for his bed.  

William Keyser Allen

Our little William has joined our family!  I have to say for 9 months of being a little less excited than usual for his arrival I sure couldn't wait to see him when the time finally came. Here's what happened:
Tuesday evening July 12th:
Doug was taking the day off on Wednesday so we were discussing our plans for the day.  We were going to meet my Mom in Amarillo and do some shopping.  I was so excited to get out of Clovis for the day and really looking forward to shopping at some real stores.  Also the Young Women's president had called earlier that day and asked if they could come do a "Service Shower" for me the next evening.  I have a hard time letting people do things that I am perfectly capable of doing myself, but I didn't want to make them come up with a completely different activity so I said that they could, and we may not be home so she came over to get a key.  So Doug and I made our plans, we would clean up the house in the morning and then head to Amarillo for the day.  I think it was at this point I made the comment "You know this baby is going to come tonight."  Why? Because this was the last night we would be without help and have to call someone to come take care of the kids, and also because I was really looking forward to getting out of town for the day.  So off to bed we went.  At 2am I woke up, which is nothing unusual, I haven't slept through the night in at least a month!  But this was different, I couldn't decide if my water had just broke or if I had just peed my pants.  There wasn't enough liquid for me to think my water had broke, so I was a little embarrassed, but soon I realized that it was indeed my water.  Doug was laughing at me because I was really confused and didn't know what to do, I just kept wandering around the house.  He got our stuff ready, I called a friend that said she would come stay with the boys that night then take them home with her in the morning.  And we were off to the hospital to have a baby.
Wednesday July 13th:
We got checked in and in our room and things seemed to be going really well.  I started having some contractions that were happening every 20 min and I was excited to finally have a baby with no extra help.  Then things sort of just stopped.  I was getting so frustrated.  No contractions, no pain, nothing.  We hadn't even seen the doctor and I was feeling like the baby would never come.  The nurse brought me a birthing ball to sit on and try and get things going, I started making phone calls to figure out plans for the baby blessing and make the time go faster, and Doug went and got his computer from work so he could get some work done.  Finally at 11am they decided to start me on Pitocin.  We had been at the hospital now for about 9 hours and NOTHING had happened.  But of course once you start pitocin then there is no turning back!  A few hours later Blake from our ward stopped by, he works at the hospital and does epidurals.  So he got my paperwork done so that when I was really in pain we didn't have to worry about it.  That was really nice.  And he wasn't even the person who was working Labor and Delivery, he came over specifically for me! When I finally did have the epidural, around 4pm, my pain was so bad I was glad to not have to sign anything.  After the epidural Doug left to meet my mom, pick up the boys, and have some lunch/dinner.  I still hadn't made much progress.  After the epidural, and getting my blood pressure stable I think I probably took a nap.  Doug got back we watched TV, played a game and became increasingly frustrated that things were taking so long!
Finally at 9pm the nurse checked me and said I was ready!  By this point I was so tired I didn't think I would have any energy to push, and I definitely didn't feel like I was pushing hard enough to get the baby out.  But just thinking about holding our little William got me through and 20 minutes later he was in my arms, crying just a tiny bit.
Thursday July 14th
The next few hours they cleaned us both up and then told us there were no recovery rooms so we could either go in a shared room or stay in the delivery room that night.  We choose to stay in the delivery room.  Around noon they were finally able to move us into a semi-private room, and we just had to hope they didn't need to put anyone else in there with us (they didn't).  James and Mikey came to visit us.  James was really nervous about being in the hospital and wouldn't let go of Doug's hand.  But when they saw me they were both so excited.  They really didn't want anything to do with the baby, but James did finally give him a few kisses.
Some things about our Sweet Little William:
He does not cry!  He has only cried a few times for just a few minutes.  Really it is more like whining than crying.  When he gets hungry he just starts grunting and trying to suck on his hands.  I like to call him a little piggy because that is what he sounds like.
He hates having a dirty diaper.  This is really the only time he is has been fussy, so I always know just what to check.
He has really cute, dark hair.
He loves to sleep!  We were getting really worried the first day because we could not get him to wake up to eat.  As soon as he was born he started looking around for something to put in his mouth.  After about 3 am that first night we could not get him interested in sucking again.  He just wanted to sleep!  Finally about 1pm the next afternoon we were able to force him awake enough that he nursed a little.  Since then he has been an eating champ!
We are so excited to have this little guy in our family and can't wait to learn more about him.  And I will post pictures soon.  I took a couple in the hospital before the battery in the camera died and Doug couldn't find the charger.  So when we get home we will have to take a ton of pictures to make up for it. Also hopefully once we get him home the boys will start to be a little more interested in their little brother.