Jerry Skinner

This is Grant's dad. We were lucky enough to receive a few pictures from our Aunt Judy.

I am working on my digital scrap booking skills. I am actually having a Heritage Maker Party in 2 weeks. This is the first time I have ever been crazy to host anything. Let me know if you want to come; I would love more support.

Staying Postive (in spite of it all)

Here is my secret: I am human.

We had our third modified barium swallow yesterday. Not only is Herston not getting better, his dysphagia is getting worse. It is so hard waiting for the day when everything is going to be "normal". I had such high hopes. After being stressed out about twice a week therapy sessions, doctor specialists everywhere, and another close call, my friend sympathetically said, "Ruth, if you really think you are going to lose him, enjoy him now."

I have always said, "just wait until..." Just wait until I am done having kids, all my kids are potty-trained, they get into school, when we celebrate our tenth anniversary, or I lose the baby fat. "My life will start when I have kids" can quickly turn into "I will be happy when I am not pregnant."

...but the real question is "then what?"

If we are always waiting for life to begin, we will miss it. This was the best Christmas ever because I sat back and said, "this is the last time my kids will be this age."

So, today, as I prepare his thicker goo-formula bottle, I will try to think about how happy Herston is to see it. The pure excitement he gets when he eats, like he has never done it before, is simply contagious.

Another friend often states the blogging/journaling is therapeutic. I agree.

Happy Birthday Little Man

Ethan did not sleep through the night until he was over a year old. I remember him just crying all the time. Bananas were his comfort item, and he could swallow the whole thing faster than any adult. He didn't walk until he was fifteen months, and I had Larissa 4 months later.

He was such a hard baby, but he wasn't a bad baby; I see now that he was just very sensitive. He still is. He wants you to be happy and everything around him to be well and in order.

He does things on his own time, and he has always wanted to extend his baby years. He still needs me to put on his clothes. He is 4 today, and although he is old enough to have chores in our family now, I know he will always need me. And maybe...I need him to need me.

It took him almost a year to smile, and I now cherish every single one.

Snow Day

We went north of Strawberry to take the kids to play in the snow today. The kids hated being cold. (I can't image ever living in the snow again or with kids.) We brought a sled, and Raea was so fast; she would just lie down and go! I even went down. We found a nice quiet place, but getting out of there was so hard. Grant kept sinking into the snow and finally decided to crawl out. Can you tell that Larissa kept saying, "I'm scared. I'm scared"?

The next thing I have to do is to find someone who wants to go skiing with me.

Metro

We now have our very own train system! Today was the opening day of the Valley Metro Light Rail; it was insanely busy, but it was so fun! It can take us to the airport or downtown. Anyway, free rides for the rest of 2008.

Merry Christmas

It has been a great day. Surprisingly, the kids felt much better this morning and were able to celebrate in great fashion. Santa brought a bike for Ethan, HSM sing along dolls for Raea, Diamond Castle Princess for Larissa, and a crawl ball for Herston. Oh, and all the new jackets will be great to go play in the snow next weekend! (Wow, I can't believe how they have grown, Christmas 2007.)

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas Eve

I wish you a little more health and happiness tonight.

Half Birthday/First Tooth

Herston is now 6 month old, and he celebrated with his first tooth. Raea found it although I don't approve of her randomly sticking her fingers in his mouth.

I think it was survival of the fittest. It is his way of telling me to give him more MEAT!

Christmas Lights

This was the Christmas Lights from my angle. (Raea brought her cousin-friend, and I loved all the looks from people who thought they were all mine.)

On the same day, we decorated the tree. The kids hung almost all of the ornaments, so it may not look Martha Stewart, however, I think it is just right.

Tummy Time

Seriously, isn't he such a cute, lil 20-pound chubber? I can't believe he is almost six months. (UPDATE from today's appointment, he is 23 lbs, and 27 inches.)

It is so nice of Larissa to get on the floor to keep him company.

P.S. The diapers Larissa wears at night are the same size on Herston's. (I can't get 3's to go around his waist anymore.)