Today is Aaron's birthday. It doesn't seem like I should be old enough to have an 8 year old. Time is turning too fast. It is also the 1st day of Fall, and appropriately enough, our weather has started to turn, too. (We woke up to rain and didn't get much above 50 degrees.)
In honor of the birthday boy, I dedicate this post to"all things Aaron". Here goes...
Aaron is my tenderhearted worrier. He tends to worry about just about everything and everybody. Sometimes I don't think it is healthy for a little guy to take the weight of the world on his shoulders, but his sensitivity is also what makes him so compassionate and loving towards others, so I guess it's really a blessing, too.
Aaron is doing very well in 2nd grade. He is above grade level in his reading, and can frequently be found cuddled up with a book.
Aaron still loves Thomas the Tank Engine. I have heard other moms say that their kids have already outgrown it, but Aaron still really loves his trains.
Aaron does not like to watch any scary movies. As a young child we used to watch Monsters Inc. about a dozen times a day, but now poor Mike Wazowski and Sulley scare the eeebeegeebees out of him.
Aaron loves his dog Sally, and every time he feeds her he gently places a dog biscuit on the top of her food. He does this so Sally will know that he loves her and thinks she is a good dog. (so sweet!)
Aaron loves to try sports, but sometimes gets frustrated with his... um... lack of coordination. We have been so proud of him though, because he rarely gives up and he keeps on trying, even after other members of his team have thrown in the towel.
Aaron loves his 16 cousins and frequently wants to know when we can go see them again. (I think maybe... just maybe it doesn't hurt that his 2 aunts in Utah always have A LOT of yummy goodies and fun projects to work on...) (not that they'd encourage affection with cookies or anything..) :)
Aaron loves spaghetti the most, but is branching out to other foods too. This summer he discovered the joys of eating steak. He seemed genuinely shocked that he liked it and even said in a bewildered tone, "You were right Mom... I should try new foods because I might find out that I actually like them! This steak is great!" (I know... it's just SHOCKING that I might actually know something!)
Aaron is a such sweet son and a great big brother. I am so honored to be his mother, and am so glad to have him in my life. I Love You, Aaron!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Adjusting...
It seems like every time I figure out a routine for our family or I finally feel like our household is starting to run smoothly, something BIG comes up in our lives and I have to start over again and adjust to the new "normal". In this case, our BIG adjustment is actually pretty small... just over 8 lbs to be exact.
Levi is such a blessing to us. I am so grateful to the Lord for sending me all my children, and Levi fits right into that mix. I have had a lot of time to sit and reflect as I have sat and fed and cuddled the newest little man in my life. I vaguely remember life before kids... and am so grateful for the opportunity to be a mother. I truly am very blessed to have the husband and children I have. Not to say that it is not exhausting taking care of all of them- it is! We just all compliment each others strengths and faults and we really do complete each other.
Someone recently asked me if "we were through." I had to laugh. There is absolutely no way I can answer that right now. My focus for the time being is on taking care of the family I currently have and it is WAY too soon to start contemplating more additions. I love our kids and can't imagine life without any of them, and yet the more kids I have the more I realize that there IS a limit to what I can do, both physically and emotionally. In time we'll see.
Levi is adjusting fairly well. He needs to learn to be a bit more demanding at meal times... but I can't really complain. He is such a good sleeper! I say that he needs to be more demanding because he is not gaining weight like the doctors say he should. We think the problem has been that he is TOO content. He nurses frequently, but eats just enough to be content and sustain himself, but not enough to gain. He likes to drift off to sleep while eating and it takes A LOT of effort to wake him up enough to get him to keep on eating.
I take him back in this afternoon for another weight check. Hopefully he is gaining. If not, the doctor wants to run more lab work, and check his thyroid, just to make sure that is okay. Needless to say... it will probably be another busy week.
The other 3 are adjusting well too. They love their little brother and have been so gentle with him. I am amazed at how loving and concerned they are for him. They are so sweet. I truly am very blessed...
Levi is such a blessing to us. I am so grateful to the Lord for sending me all my children, and Levi fits right into that mix. I have had a lot of time to sit and reflect as I have sat and fed and cuddled the newest little man in my life. I vaguely remember life before kids... and am so grateful for the opportunity to be a mother. I truly am very blessed to have the husband and children I have. Not to say that it is not exhausting taking care of all of them- it is! We just all compliment each others strengths and faults and we really do complete each other.
Someone recently asked me if "we were through." I had to laugh. There is absolutely no way I can answer that right now. My focus for the time being is on taking care of the family I currently have and it is WAY too soon to start contemplating more additions. I love our kids and can't imagine life without any of them, and yet the more kids I have the more I realize that there IS a limit to what I can do, both physically and emotionally. In time we'll see.
Levi is adjusting fairly well. He needs to learn to be a bit more demanding at meal times... but I can't really complain. He is such a good sleeper! I say that he needs to be more demanding because he is not gaining weight like the doctors say he should. We think the problem has been that he is TOO content. He nurses frequently, but eats just enough to be content and sustain himself, but not enough to gain. He likes to drift off to sleep while eating and it takes A LOT of effort to wake him up enough to get him to keep on eating.
I take him back in this afternoon for another weight check. Hopefully he is gaining. If not, the doctor wants to run more lab work, and check his thyroid, just to make sure that is okay. Needless to say... it will probably be another busy week.
The other 3 are adjusting well too. They love their little brother and have been so gentle with him. I am amazed at how loving and concerned they are for him. They are so sweet. I truly am very blessed...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
First Week of LEVI
Pictures say it best...
Here's the 1st week of Levi in photos...
Here's the 1st week of Levi in photos...
Levi one week old today!
Snoozing at the hospital.
Getting ready to go home!
Aaron and Levi
Kellie's a BIG sister!
Caleb and Levi
Saturday, September 5, 2009
CALEB IS 5
CALEB AT BIRTH, 5 YEARS AGOCaleb turned 5 today. It sure has been a busy week. We've been adjusting to having a new baby in the house, and remembering all about babies. It has been a great week for reminiscing. Here's a few "CALEB-ISMS" in honor of his birthday...
CALEB loves Preschool. He is in the afternoon class and every morning after we drop Aaron off at school Caleb askes if we can have lunch (at 8:30!) so he can go to HIS school.
CALEB loves monkeys. We have monkey t-shirts, monkey movies, monkey stuffed animals and of course an assortment of Curious George movies and books.
CALEB's favorite food right now is turkey sandwiches.
CALEB is a really good sleeper. Even as a small baby, he preferred to go to bed than be rocked or snuggled to sleep. It wasn't until about 6 months ago that he had even spent the night with us in our bed- and that was only because he was sick!
CALEB has a great sense of humor and loves to tease!
CALEB loves his family and looks forward to people visiting. (When I stayed at the hospital this week, he was more concerned about Grandma not spending another night with him than he was about me coming home!)
I love my little Caleb and am so happy to be his mother. WE LOVE YOU CALEB!
CALEB loves Preschool. He is in the afternoon class and every morning after we drop Aaron off at school Caleb askes if we can have lunch (at 8:30!) so he can go to HIS school.
CALEB loves monkeys. We have monkey t-shirts, monkey movies, monkey stuffed animals and of course an assortment of Curious George movies and books.
CALEB's favorite food right now is turkey sandwiches.
CALEB is a really good sleeper. Even as a small baby, he preferred to go to bed than be rocked or snuggled to sleep. It wasn't until about 6 months ago that he had even spent the night with us in our bed- and that was only because he was sick!
CALEB has a great sense of humor and loves to tease!
CALEB loves his family and looks forward to people visiting. (When I stayed at the hospital this week, he was more concerned about Grandma not spending another night with him than he was about me coming home!)
I love my little Caleb and am so happy to be his mother. WE LOVE YOU CALEB!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Welcome, Levi!
We are so happy that Levi Morgan Christiansen has joined our family! He was born on September 1, 2009, at 5:22 PM. He weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces and was 19 inches long - a small baby given our history.
We love you Levi!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Today!
I heard from the doctor and they have scheduled me to go in to the hospital some time this afternoon to be induced! Hopefully we don't run into any more road blocks... Wish me luck!
Baby update...
The midwife was very sympathetic yesterday, and was supposed to talk to the doctor last night. She will call me sometime today and let me know how we are to proceed. With any luck we'll get me in this week...
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