At 30 weeks...

So, at 30 weeks I am feeling pretty good. I feel like I did at about 38 weeks with Cooper and I can't believe I still have 2 1/2 more months! Hopefully she won't be a 10 pounder but that's sure what it feels like. I am starting to feel like if something doesn't get done before she comes then it will never happen. I think I've been driving Justin nuts about getting beds for the girls, painting, cleaning out the garage and the basement and getting rid of all the junk in the house. So, I feel totally unprepared at the moment and ready to be done at the same time. So, even though it's not very comfortable and I feel like I weigh 300lbs, I am grateful for the opportunity every time I feel her move. 10 more weeks!

Bye, bye baby bye, bye

Well, we bought our truck 6 years ago this month and now it belongs to somebody else! We put it on KSL and less than 24 hours later it was sold. Is that a clue we should have sold it for more? I guess I should be really excited that we are 'upgrading' to a newer car but I almost cried when I watched the guy drive away in our truck.

Last picture with our truck. And probably the only prego picture that will make it to our blog!

Holy journal entry!

So, guess what?! Thanks to the young women needing pictures from my camera, I finally buckled down and figured out what the deal was. It took a call to customer service (luckily they weren't in India and I could actually understand them), a few minutes online and bam! My pictures are now on my computer! So, even though there is lots to catch up on, I am going to start with the most recent. Life has been a bit crazy the past few weeks. I mentioned in the last post that Ava has scoliosis so after many failed attempts to schedule a cast to help because she kept getting colds, it finally happened.
The hospital scheduled the cast and it ended up being that Justin was out of town that day for work. Yikes, I really didn't want to do it without him seeing as they would have to use general anesthesia but that's just when they could do it. Ava actually ended up getting another cold and me, thinking they would cancel it again because of the cold, didn't get a babysitter for Cooper. Well, the pre-op nurse said to come to the hospital anyway the next morning to have the anesthesiologist check her to see if they would be able to do it. So, the next morning Justin left for the aiport at 4:00 and I had to get the kids up at 5 and drive to Salt Lake to be at the hospital by 6. AM that is. They checked Ava in and took us to her room. We got x-rays, they took pictures of her back so we would be able to see the before and after, we put her in her little tiny gown and then waited for the anesthesiologist. The hospitla is awesome. Ava and Cooper got a stuffed animal with sunglasses, Ava got a princess coloring book and new crayons, Cooper got matchbox cars and a lego car to play with. The anesthesiologist came in to see if Ava's cold was too bad to do the cast. He had her do a breathing treatment and decided her lungs may be clear enough to do it. While they do the cast there is a little while where they can't breathe very well because it is too tight until they cut a hole in it, that's why it is so crucial she can breathe well before. So, they went ahead. Part of me was hoping they would cancel because I really, really wanted Justin there, and it was going to be such a long day for Coop, and I know it needs to be done but really? Who wants to see their baby girl in a cast from shoulders to hip?

I was so nervous I would have to hold her while they figured out an i.v. but luckily they did it while she was out. About 9 they took her in. They gave her some medication and we took her from her room to the another room where they put on mesh like dress that goes under the cast. She was getting pretty groggy and sleepy from the meds and I was close to tears the whole morning so that pretty much did me in. They let me hold her for a bit and then I handed her over to the PA to take to the operating room. I was crying before I handed her over. Then I watched her drugged up and being carried down the hall by some stranger. More crying. It was good Cooper was there to distract me. He was SO, SO good. No crying, no complaining. They gave me a beeper so when she was done we could go back to the room to talk to the dr to see how it went. So we went to the playroom. It's huge! Children's hospitals are the best! There were tricycles, cars, basketball hoop, pool table, soccer net. He loved it. about 45 min later they beeped me so we went back to talk to the dr. He said it went well and she was in recovery waking up. They wouldn't let me in the recovery room-argh. Not too excited about that. So we hung out for an hour or so until she was up and they gave her 2 more breathing treatments and they finally brought her back. She looked so tiny in her little crib and she started to cry for Mom. The nurse commented that she was a lot happier with me than with them. Huh, complete strangers or Mom? Well, they had her foot wrapped in purple tape to hold her i.v. in. She just kept saying, "Purple, off!" They had to keep the i.v. in for over an hour just in case they needed it they didn't want to poke her again. We also had to give her oxygen because it was a bit low for a little while. Her voice was raspy for a while because they intubated her during the cast but once they took the i.v. out and she got a popsicle she perked up a little. We were able to go eat abt 1:00 and then once they knew she was peeing and eating they let us go home. All of us exhausted we finally got to go home 8 hours later! Holy moly. I still can't believe Cooper did so well! They both crashed on the way home, I wish I could have and was majorly missing Justin. Ava was super cranky and Coop was a little to when we got home because they woke up when we got home. Ava would try to do something and get so frustrated because she can't bend down very well, and the cast is pretty dang tight she would just cry and say, "Brace off" She'd back up to me because that's how we would take her brace off. So, that week was pretty rough. She cried a lot and so did I, and wanted to be held, got really sick on Wednesday -throwing up which made it super fun to try to keep the cast clean and dry. Better Thursday, then the rest of us, minus Justin, got sick again Friday and went to my sister in laws wedding Saturday. Wow
I didn't get any pictures after she came back from recovery. A little busy you know? I will have to take one of what the cast looks like. It's purple of course! So, despite the major inconvenience we are really blessed to have such talented doctors so close to us. Her doctor was one of very few in the country who are willing to do this. They usually go to surgery. Yikes! There was no cutting and i was still a mess! People come from Canada and Japan to get this done by her doctor. Wow! We are blessed

Last bath before the cast, we had to make it special with bubbles and extra long!

In her little gown getting her blood pressure checked with big brother by her side

Playing with the new toys before getting the cast. They made out like bandits!

Filling up the cars with gas in the playroom. I love that smile!

Being sick a few days after. This is pretty much what she did all day. Throw up and sleep. poor kid!

Whew! That was long! We also had an awesome Thanksgiving, Justin and I were able to go to Park City for a night and enjoy a fancy dinner at Ruth's Chris (yummy), a little shopping at the outlets, and some quiet stress free time! Much needed. We are also in the process of selling our beloved Toyota Tacoma because we can't fit 3 in there. Kids that is. Because we are having a baby girl! Due in March in case you didn't know. So, that's what we are up to. What about you?

It's been awhile...

So, I'm pretty sure I don't have any followers seeing as I haven't posted in about a year. Wow that has gone by fast! I just want to remind myself about what's going on with the kiddos and us. Coop is now 4!! Holy moly. He still LOVES riding his motorcycle and bike. He goes off a 6" jump with both and has figured out how to jump up the curb with his bike. Which I still am too scared to do. He loves digging in the dirt, fixing things, taking things apart, and playing with/bugging Ave, and playing hide and seek. We had a special trip to d.i. just to find stuff to take apart. My favorite thing to do with him is lay down and talk to him right before he goes to bed. Finding out what his favorite part about the day was, and seeing it through his eyes. There's always something I never even noticed that he thought was hilarious or interesting. And questions, always questions about the world around him. He's either very helpful and kind and willing to share or he's doing everything in his power to drive you nuts. He is shy and daring, interested and funny. We love him a bunch! He's our favorite little guy.
Ava is almost 2 which is so crazy because I swear I was in the hospital and staying up all night yesterday! We call her our sassafrass (even the neighbor kid knows she's sassy) and she is a total girl! She loves to try on shoes and put bows in her hair and will tell you whether or not she likes them, by shaking her head because we're discovering she's a bit stubborn and does things only on her time. We found out her Scoliosis has gotten worse (fyi she has scoliosos) so instead of a brace she will have to have a cast. We got two opinions just to make sure. She is saying Mama, Dad, bubbles, ball, hi, dog, bober (something like that, it means Cooper), Devin, more, no (her favorite), ouch. There are a few more but I can't think of what I'm missing. She signs please, fishy, snake, candy, drink, all done, dog, milk. She's a mama's girl and is pretty particular about who she'll go to. Nursery-not so much. She loves babies and little kids and likes to follow them around and laugh at them. She makes us laugh all the time and has the cutest smile and laugh! She gets really excited and yells every time we play hide and seek and she can hear Cooper coming to get her.
As for us...Not too exciting! Justin is fixing exercise equipment and working some crazy hours. We (Lindy, my friend, and her husband that is) planted our first tree in our yard! Yeah!! I smile every time I see it. And we are getting our garden ready to plant! Sometime in the future is a playground and sandbox. Sometime...
Anyway, that's just for me. They are so much fun! They miss each other when the other one is gone and are best friends. We love them like crazy!

Yeah, we also got a new camera and I'm so tech savvy I can't figure out how to download pictures so those pics are both a few months old but hey, something's better than nothing right?

For Great Grandma Olsen

(This is really long)

Ava can scoot! She learned this about 1 1/2 months ago and it's so cute! This is how she get around now and my suspicions about her being the one that gets into everything have been confirmed! She loves eating paper and playing with doorstops. Time to baby proof again!

Two Wheels BABY!

My 3 year 3month old can ride a two wheeler! He jumped on our neighbors little bike without training wheels, the seat was held for about 2 seconds and he was off! If he were like one inch taller he would be able to start on his own. Soon! (I switched these videos around but it takes too long to change them so just watch the second one first. And they are really bumpy, sorry)

Cooper's 3rd day riding a two-wheeler. Didn't take him long to pick up some tricks. Going off the curb is his favorite! He got a little bit more graceful putting the bike down. Now he keeps asking to take the training wheels off his motorcycle so he can go up big hills. Cooper is our retirement plan, we're banking he's got some mad motocross skills also!


He had been riding for five minutes max. Holy cow I can't believe he's so big. Love this kid! Don't you love Ava's bike? She's ready to go to!
FYI: He's at our neighbor's house. Our house is the white one in the background-for those of you who are wondering. (Andrea that is your lot right behind us. OUR neighbors are really nice, I know you'll love it)

This is how pretty it was when he learned

Ava @ 10 Mos is...

I know I did an update not too long ago on Ava, this is just for my own remembering because Heaven knows I need all the help I can get!

Nicknames for Ava at the moment: Lil' Ave, A-V-A, baby Ava, Ava Bava, Sweetpea.
Some of your favorite things: FOOD! watching Cooper play, anything small enough to put in your mouth, Mom, sitting in big kid chairs, and oh yea FOOD. It's a wonder you're so small

Ava you are honestly the best baby ever! The only time I hear a peep out of you is if you are hungry-and then it's just grunts or Cooper is being too friendly. Yep, that's pretty much it. Oh, or if my hands are cold when I'm changing your clothes! That is about it. I can't believe how content and happy you are. You give me a smile everytime you see me, yes everytime and I can't get enough of it. I just want to squeeze you and keep you like this forever. I know you're smart because you sit quietly and observe so much. You are saying Mama, Dada, and Hi but without the 'i', and waving.

Some new things that you're learning: You will sit on your bum and move your feet until you've gone in a full 360 degree circle to see what or who is around. You have been so laid back that if a toy was out of reach it was no big deal. Great for temperament, not so much for learning to get around! But you are now wanting to get moving a little more. You are trying to scoot on your bum but it's hard on the carpet. You are also starting to stand for a few seconds on your own! Yeah! You are rolling everywhere and we are working on those abs so you can go from laying to sitting. You have two new teeth and you know how to use them! Food is your favorite! You can eat nearly a whole packet of instant oatmeal. I usually split one between you and Cooper and you eat yours and then finish off half of Coop's because he is 'full' ie wants to play.

Cooper is still your best friend and is pretty much the only one who can make you belly laugh and he thinks that's great. Even though he realizes you are never leaving, he's now realizing you are somebody he can play with to.

I love that you are just happy and have no worries. I wish I could keep you this unaware forever but I fear the day will come when you realize not everything's perfect. So, I will keep you in my arms and kiss you as much as I can so that maybe when that time comes, it won't matter so much. We love you and can't get enough of you!

FYI

I took Ava in for a weight check today and she gained 7oz in 2 weeks! So, maybe she's like the 4th percentile now. Yeah!

GoOD cLeaN fUn

Cooper very proud of his motorcycle jump (the little mound of dirt on the floor)
The motorcycle getting ready to jump

Good 'clean' fun

That's my boy! He's always digging, building,and figuring out how things work. This plant is his usual building ground. I have found him here quite a bit during the day. You never know what they'll come up with!

So, this picture may not be a big deal to anyone else but to me it's huge! The other day there were a few boys around his age playing by our house (our whole block is a field aka playground) and I said, "you can go play if you want" Not thinking he really would. He's usually so shy I didn't think he'd chance it but he ran and got his shoes and put them on, ran out our door, hesitated for a few min at the bottom of the stairs, and then ran right up to them and started playing! What?! Since when is my baby boy big enough to go play outside with the boys and make friends that aren't at a playdate with their mommies? It was one of those make your heart ache because you know they're not your baby anymore kind of moments. I was glued to the window watching. I'm so excited to live in a neighborhood and watch him grow up with all the boys in our neighborhood. We have some great neighbors. Justin is still really good friends with his neighborhood friends so hopefully my kids will have some lasting relationships just like it! I love our house!

I've had many entertaining conversations with Cooper while we were driving in the car but I think this one tops them all!

Coop: Look at those horses!
Me: What horses? (We were on the freeway so it was a quick glance)
M: Oh! (Shock)
C: What was that horse doin Mom?! (Lots of laughing)
M: Maybe it's getting a piggyback (also lots of laughing)
C: Why's it so tired? (laughing) It's gettin' a ride on the other horse! (laughing)

The above repeated until we got home with lots and lots of laughing on both ends. We had to call Justin and tell him about the funny horses getting a piggy back ride. Who needs the discovery channel?

Tulip Festival

My good friend, Coralie, invited us to the Tulip Festival and I'm so glad we went! We were there for over 4hrs and the kids had a blast. I can't believe we've never done this before! This definitely won't be our last time. Someday I'm going to get a good camera. So many opportunities for good pictures

Oh my goodness I love her!

'The Boys'

Cooper~best friend Jaden~Carter

I don't know how many times they rolled down those hills but it was a ton. Cooper could barely move when we got home!

Feeding the fish

They were troublemakers the whole time. They ran around together like a mini tornado. I don't think we got one pic with all three of them looking at us. They were so cute to watch run around

My cute kiddles and I



Ava checking out Miss Bailey's bow, our little flowers (once again, another pic they're going to love when they're older!), my cute Ave, and Coop and his bff.

Thanks Coralie and Jessica! We had so much fun

ZoO

We took the monkeys to see the kids at the zoo

We've been having lots of fun nights with Cooper trying to sneak into our bed at night so we told him if he got to mark off a number every time he stayed in bed all night and for naps, when they were marked off we would go to the zoo. He marked all the numbers off about a month ago but it's been so yucky we just made it to the zoo! Sorry buddy, but good work! The train was by far his favorite thing!

2nd Generation 'Brigade'

Ava~Staeli~Oakley

Ava is the oldest of the three, can you believe it?! Look at how big Oakley is

Hopefully they won't get into any more trouble than their parents did in high school!

~9 Month Follow Up~

Length 26.5" 10th percentile

Weight 13lbs 3rd percentile

Head 42.6cm 10th percentile

She's my dainty little peanut! She's tiny but full of life. I will give everybody an update on what's going on with her. It's just everyday life for us so I forget that people wonder about what's going on with us. Ave is pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen. She loves food but will now look at her spoon to see if it's from my plate or hers. And then she decides if she will eat it or not. And she loves to feed herself which is so cute! She sits up like a champ. I think she will have to learn to scoot on her bum because crawling may be a little difficult. We'll just have to see what she comes up with! Justin says (and I agree) that we will have to put food just out of reach to get her motivated to move! Seriously. She is the most laid back, easy going baby. And she's an adrenaline junky. You can try to make her laugh all day and nothin' until you throw her in the air or push her in the swing. She loves it. And she's a total Mama's girl-I'm loving every minute of that-because how long is that really going to last? We will probably be going to Shriner's in the next few months to see about possible prosthetics and ortho stuff. But she's healthy, happy, and has eyes that make you melt. We love her!

Ahh...the simple things

This is for you Andrea. (and Mom, maybe you'll believe me now that she laughs!)