4 months old

Guess who turned 4 months old this week?

He is growing well.  His stats from his checkup this week are:
height: 24 1/2 inches (33 percentile)
weight: 14 pounds 3 ounces (35 percentile)

So while he is still on the small side, his curve on the growth chart is spot on.

And while I still wish in many ways he would stay little, I also have decided that each age is awesome.  Here are some of the things we are loving about our 4 month old.

• I am absolutely loving all the smiles and coos he gives us.  It is so much fun to watch him start to interact with us, and I really love it when he "talks" to his brothers.
• I love that he is still small enough to snuggle up with me.  He still likes to lay on my shoulder and loves to be held.
• He is becoming a great sleeper.  He takes real naps in the day now.  He has been sleeping anywhere from 6-9 hours at night, but last night he did his first 12 hour stretch!  It was wonderful.
• He loves to eat.  As he went longer at night, he wanted to eat more and more in the day.  I know, it makes perfect sense right?  We just upped his volume, so now he gets offered 6 ounces at a time, and usually eats 5-6 of that.
• He is still a sweet angel baby--content, easy-going, and just overall happy.

And of course, Brady and Carter wanted to be a part of the photo shoot.

Love, love this one!!

We love you Jackson!

100 months

When Jackson turned 2 months old, and Tyler realized we were calculating age by months instead of years, he wanted to figure out how many months old he was, which was 98.  And I knew right then, that we just had to do something for him when he hit the big 100.  Now if I was trying to win mother-of-the-year, we would have had a big party complete with decor and treats worked out in a 100 theme.  However, I have been out of running for that award for a long time now.  Instead we just had his favorite dinner (pizza), cupcakes and ice cream for dessert, and he got one present (a bop-it).

What a wonderful 100 months.  We love you Tyler!

Way-back Wednesday: Way-way back

We were playing that game of who does Jackson look like, and so I thought it would be fun to go way, way back today. 

Dateline: 1975?
Dan's age: 2ish

This is Dan and his two older brothers, and one of my all time favorite pictures.  Isn't he so cute?  I definitely see pieces of Tyler and Jackson in that cutie up there.

Playing along with Cheryl at Twinfatuation.

National Infertility Awareness Week

Did you know that it is national infertility awareness week?

I have wondered if I am still considered a member of that club that no one wants to be part of.  I have four children, how can I be infertile? 

But my journey with infertility has been with me for most of my married life and certainly shaped me into who I am today.  For our 12 years of marriage,  we have spent almost 8 of them hoping to be pregnant.  Eight long years of monthly disappointment,  not to mention daily, if not hourly, reminders that I wanted something that I wasn't getting. 

I know that my journey isn't typical.  While it took 20 months to get pregnant with Tyler, it was  secondary infertility that became my big trial.  And on top of that, it was unexplained infertility.  After many doctor's visits, it was determined that there was no reason why I shouldn't be pregnant.  Which is why we never went through those invasive and expensive procedures that so many other couples do.  I often wonder how differently we would have attacked this if we knew what we were fighting.  But instead we waited, pursued other avenues, and waited some more.

I am still envious of those people who have complete control over when they get pregnant.  While I would love another baby, I don't really know if that will ever happen, and I certainly don't know when it would happen.

So what have I learned about infertility?

1.  It doesn't matter if you have children or not, anyone can feel an ache each and every day for a child that they don't have.

2.  Don't ignore infertility.  If you know someone who is suffering, let them talk; let them grieve; be a support.

3.  Adoption does not cure infertility.  I have heard this many times in the adoption community, and it is so true. 

4.  Don't say stupid things.  "You need more faith."  "You just need to relax."  "My cousin's friend's coach's daughter had ..." Don't joke about it.  Don't minimize it.  And don't offer medical advice unless asked first.  All you need to say is "I am so sorry you have to go through this.  I am here for you when you need me."

5.  Be considerate.  While most people will eventually cycle through all the stages of grief and reach acceptance at some point, please cut them some slack in the mean time.  Let them know they don't need to attend every baby shower, and don't be offended if they don't gush over your big announcement.  I know I reached a point where I could be genuinely happy for others, but it would still hurt at the same time.

In the end, I wouldn't change a thing.  My journey, while hard at the time, has ended in four beautiful boys--my boys.  And if it weren't for infertility, we would not have the family we have now. 

Pictures of my boys

For two months now, I have wanted to take Tyler and Jackson in to get some pictures taken of them.  All of my other kids have pictures in their blessing outfits, and I liked the idea of getting pictures at their baptism as well.  So yes, two months after that amazing day, we finally made it in.

I went back to Camera Shy, where Jackson's newborn pictures were taken, and again I thought they did a great job.  I would definitely recommend them to any locals.

It is impossible to narrow it down to just a few, but here is my attempt:

Hoop Ball

So have I mentioned how much my boys love balls? Soccer balls, baseballs, footballs, and the most beloved--"hoop balls."

These two can spend hours playing hoop ball.  They practice dribbling, when we can find balls that are bouncy enough.  They shoot on both the small plastic standard as well as the big one in the backyard.  I thoroughly expect to see these two playing one on one in a few years.

And as if playing it weren't enough, Carter decided he has a new name.  If you ask him what his name is, he will tell you, "I hoop ball."  Even Brady will call him that sometimes.  So next time you see us, be sure and tell Brady and Hoop ball hello.

Our Easter

What a wonderful Easter holiday this year.

First up, Friday after school we dyed our Easter eggs.

We spent Saturday together with my family.  That afternoon we gave my sister her birthday present--manual labor.  She had several projects that needed to be done around her yard, and we got them all completed for her, and got some sunburns too.  My mom hosted a BBQ for all of us that evening.  Our first of the season, and so nice to eat juicy burgers, homemade potato salad, and fresh fruit.

Sunday morning, the kids were so excited to find the Easter bunny had come.  The twins especially thought it was awesome to wake up to baskets of candy.

 Next, we rolled out sugar cookies.  Well, I did, and then gave Carter the last little bit to roll out.  He loves helping mom.

Next, Tyler and Dad headed to church, while I stayed home with the twins and the snottiest noses ever.  I am sad to have missed church on the most important Sunday of the year, but I did get to spend time with my sweet boys in the gorgeous weather when we went outside to blow bubbles that the Easter bunny brought.

At first the plan was to do our Easter egg hunt on Saturday, and each of us would spend Easter Sunday on our own.  But I woke up Friday so sad that we weren't going to get a traditional Easter dinner, that I decided to host one myself.  My mom and I put together a menu, and managed a delicious dinner.  The usual ham, funeral potatoes, fruit salad, green beans (make these!  they are the best green beans I've ever had), spinach salad, and orange rolls.  Yummy!

Sweet Jackson being held by my sister.

And finally, Grandma hosted an egg hunt for us.

I followed Carter around first, and then went to find Brady.  (Tyler was way too fast and off with cousins for me to photograph.) Brady had found one egg, realized it had candy in it, and sat down to eat his treasure. 

I love being able to spend holidays with my family.  I love springtime.  I love Easter.  Most of all, I love my Savior, who made it possible for us to live again.

Way Back Wednesday: Bed-mates

Dateline: June 2009
Twins' age: one week


Last night when I went to check on the twins before bed, I saw the cutest thing ever--they were sharing a bed.  They had piled one pillow on the other, Brady on the left with Carter on the right, and pulled up both covers.

It reminded me of the very first time they were bed-mates.  I remember walking in to the NICU and seeing them, arm in arm.  Just one more way they worked themselves deeper into my heart.  Love those boys.

Playing along with Cheryl at Twinfatuation.