we're all a little broken

Recently Brett has been hard core about getting us all to the Dr. for everything, things I have been putting off for Years!  He just scheduled things for me and told me when I had to be there.  Sometimes I need that, or a lot of times I need that.

So we have been to the regular Dr., the OBGYN,  the Cardiologist, the Eye Dr., the Knee Dr. and the Physical Therapist!  Phew, that makes me tired just writing that!

Maya went to the cardiologist, no worries people.  She just has a small heart murmur that they monitor every few years.  Her check up went great, the murmur is still there, barely, and she doesn't have to go back until she is 10.

 

We all saw the eye Dr. and to my surprise Norah needed glasses!  I was shocked actually.  I just thought we would be in and out, regular check up everyone is great, but not the case!  I just forget sometimes that Norah has a bit of a different gene pool than the rest of us. She needs to wear glasses regularly to see!  I actually think this will help with some things we were struggling with at home and preschool, she was having a hard time writing letters and now I know she just couldn't quite see what they looked like.  It is still strange to see her in them, I feel like glasses don't fit her personality, but some how the glasses are changing her personality a little bit..... she's so cute in them though!

 

And for me, beside the postpartum OB checks I have had to see an Orthopedic Dr and a Physical Therapist for me bum knee.  It's not really a big deal, I have IT band syndrome, basically it is  tendinitis in my knee from running.  It really only bothers me when I run, so the Dr told me the best solution to fix the problem is to not run, like ever.  So if I ever want to run again, I have to do Physical Therapy.  Well being that I am only 31 and I would like to stay healthy, running is an option I would like to have.  So lets just throw in 2 PT appointments a week and 20 minutes of leg exercises a day, while trying to run a family of 4, make dinner, get kids to and from school, nurse a baby, clean, play, and get ready for a thanksgiving road trip and Christmas.  Oh and I have to do this all before the end of the year, because of insurance, yikes!

 

And well Sarah

  

 she might just need some mental health

But really in all reality, after seeing all of these Dr's I am so thankful!  Thankful that with our family, with all 6 of us, that these are the only problems we have.  They are so small, and easy to fix.  They are not life threatening or life altering.  We have a happy and healthy little baby and all of the girls are really very healthy.  And considering the medical history our family has; leukemia, brain cancer, heart disease, Kawasaki disease, diabetes and horse accidents, this is a huge blessing!

So in the season of thankfulness, I am very thankful, thankful for having a healthy family!

Since Having 4 kids.....

I have left my wallet at Target 2 times

I never ever sit down to eat breakfast, or lunch

I constantly smell like milk

I have become ok with crying as background ambiance 

Since having 4 kids....

I have learned that it is ok to accept help when people offer

I have become a Costco Executive member, yep!

I am not intimidated anymore

I embrace and smile at the comments people make toward me

I am always cleaning up blood or poop

Since having 4 kids......

I automatically get a long with anyone who has 4 kidsl

I use up a lot of band-aids and fruit snacks

I usually have some sort of sticker on my clothes and/or something crusty in my hair

I am stretched, pushed, challenged and humbled constantly

I worry less about what others think

 Since having 4 kids......

I apologize a lot

I find it is impossible to get a photo where everyone is smiling

I have given up more of myself

I think everyone should have 4 kids

I certainly pray more often, because the Lord knows I can't do this alone

Since having 4 kids...........

I love and am loved a whole lot more

Some Fall Fun

How about some fun...eh?

Lets start with some halloween photos, because really the only good thing about halloween is totally adorable kids dressed up making them totally more adorable, right?

Princess Maya {Brave}

Princess Norah {Cinderella}

 

Princess Sarah {Mini}

 

And Prince Levi {the frog}

 

The Princesses and their frog 

With Dad.

.......uhhhh I dunno what Brett is,  apparently the girls don't know either

 

Happy Halloween!

 

And now for some video fun!!  Brett made a few short videos of the girls

the first is of Maya trying to teach Norah the books of the Bible (the new testament)

the 2nd is of a soup Maya made us one night for dessert, delicious!

Weeeeee!!! Thanks for having fun with us!

Levi Paul {2 months}

I decided that I like to call Levi, "Levi Paul" at least in writing, it somehow seems more complete.

You are 2 months old now Levi Paul, weighing in a a whopping 9lbs 13 oz, only in the 4th percentile for baby boys your age, still my tiny little guy.

Just hanging out with Broccoli head 

You are such a sweet little baby, especially now since I have come to figure out a few things.  You don't do well if I drink caffeine, it definitely affects you, but that's no surprise I don't think most babies do well on caffeine (go figure).   Ever since I stopped drinking it you really don't fuss at all and are so easy going.  We also discovered that you have acid reflux, so in my mind I thought you just liked to be held a lot (which you do) but in reality I think it just felt a whole lot better being upright because laying you flat on your back hurt your little throat and belly.  Now that we know this and are able to prop you up a bit you love your bed and sleep very well.  

You already had your first haircut at 6 weeks old!  Your dad just came downstairs with you one day and had buzzed off all off your hair except for a little faux hawk on the top.  I freaked out at first because I almost didn't recognize you and your dad did this without my knowing!   I am kind of a freak like that and have to document and capture all moments like this.  It's ok though, sometimes I just have to let go and let your dad have fun with his little boy!

You smile a whole lot and make the sweetest coos.  Sometimes just hearing my voice will bring a smile to your face and it warms my heart.   There are times you will just stop nursing look up at me and smile, it gets me every.time! Norah loves your smiles so much, she tells me over and over all day long, "mommy, Levi just smiled at me, he must love me."

 

 You are my easiest transition baby.  That is, if I have to move you from bed to car seat, during the middle of your nap (which is a lot) you always do a great job falling back asleep!  Your sisters were the opposite of this, they wouldn't go back to sleep once I moved them, we were doomed.   I guess being a 4th child kind of automatically makes you a good transition baby, because you have no other option if you want to nap!  I am sure this will get harder as you get older to.

Your bowel movements have become more frequent and regular, hallelujah!  Your gas still smells horrible though and you seriously fart all.the.time! 

I'm pretty sure your eyes will be blue  

and you still fall asleep in my arms (hanging on to this one as along as possible)  

I didn't know my heart could love a little boy so much, but you just melt mine all the time.  I try to savor the quite moments we have at night, just you and me together, no distractions, no random sister outbursts or banging you on the head.  You are my sweet son.

and this is typically what most of your photos look like

I love you little man