December 2012

ETHAN'S BABY BLESSING

We blessed our baby on Sunday, December 2nd when he was just over one month old. We had supportive and loving family who came to support and participate in this sweet moment for us. 

SAMUEL IS A BIG BOY NOW.....almost 

We told Samuel that when he went poop in the toilet like a big boy, we would take him to get ice cream. We were so proud of him. However, little did we realize that potty training would not be that easy. 

This is a video of him announcing his proud achievement. I love this child.

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

I found this plaster nativity set at a store and thought it would be a fun activity for Samuel during the month of December. What I didn't realize was how scary Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus would look after my little artist was complete. Poor Joseph looks like he got into a bloody fight. This will only bring us happy smiles and laughs every time we bring it out during the Christmas season.

WATCHING MY BABY GROW 

This happens so quickly. He didn't start out very small to begin with so it didn't take long for him to grow out of his infant stage. It's sad to see that sweet infant grow but I have to say I LOVE watching that sweet personality blossom.

CHRISTMAS SHIP FESTIVAL

Some friends call us up and invited us and a few others to watch the Christmas cruise ships in Seattle. We thought it would be a fun adventure since we have never done it before. It turned out to be a really chilly evening with the wind blowing on us. Nonetheless, the boats were beautiful with their Christmas lights and the choir sang beautiful music. We even got to enjoy a nice big bonfire on the beach. Afterward, we all walked over to a coffee shop to warm ourselves up with some hot chocolate. What fun!

GINGERBREAD BUILDING SKILLS

We got together with my sister and her family. We enjoyed a delicious Christmas Eve-Eve dinner with them and then put our mad skills at work. I'm a bit bias. I think our fire engine won the contest of coolest graham cracker creation EVER!

CHRISTMAS MORNING

We had the pleasure of having Kyan's parents with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. We loved having them with us. We stayed up late helping Santa put together the train table and woke up early-ish with Samuel. And, of course, it's not a Christmas morning without a roaring fire in the fire place. Sigh....

 Happy FIRST Christmas Ethan!

SNOW ON THE LAST DAY OF DECEMBER

We were visiting Kyan's parents when it snowed. This was the first snow of the winter that we had experienced. Samuel insisted on jumping on the trampoline in the snow. So, we got our coats on and went outside to play. We had a blast. Thankfully, little children keep us young and spontaneous. 

Here are a few videos of our trampoline snow adventure.

HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS

I thought it would be fun to make homemade ornaments this Christmas. We dried sliced oranges and sprinkled glitter on them, flocked pine cones, made cinnamon ornaments, made paper stars, strung red beads, and added lights to the tree. It turned out to be a lot of fun and the tree smelt really divine. 

My Birth Experience

October 28, 2012

I woke up Sunday morning one week overdue. I felt big, swollen, and sooooo ready to have this baby. My scheduled induction date was the following day. Only one day away and I would finally have this gigantic baby.

The morning was a typical Sunday morning. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just the regular braxton hicks. I figured we would be going to church like we did every Sunday. However, after cleaning up from breakfast, I noticed that the braxton hicks were starting to feel just slightly different. I mentioned something to Kyan and as eager as he was to hear any sort of change, he insisted we go on a morning walk.

So, I humored him and decided to go on this walk. But to my amazement the braxton hicks started turning into real contractions, but only mild contraction. I still wasn't convinced that it was anything out of the ordinary. They were still very irregular and less then 30-40 seconds long. After getting home, however, the contractions started to increase in pain and they went from really irregular to 2-1/2 minutes apart around 11:30 am. I knew I was in labor at this point but the contractions were still only around 35-45 seconds long.

We decided to pack our hospital bag, have my mom pick up Samuel and wait for the contractions to lengthen. They continued to be 2-1/2 minutes apart for the next 45 minutes. At this point, Kyan insisted we go to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital and were admitted shortly thereafter. My first nurse was awful. She was everything you don't want while laboring. She was slow, ditsy, and very lackadaisical. I was in some serious pain, okay! I needed an IV before getting my epidural and I swear she took a lunch break before she came to place the IV in my arm. We arrived a little after 12:30 pm and I didn't get my epidural in me until after 2:30.

Nonetheless, I got my epidural and the nurse was switched out due to the end of her shift. Thank the Lord for that. The second nurse I got was perfect. The labor went beautifully. We had our baby boy two hours later at 4:32 pm. He was out in two pushes with no serious damage done. He was one healthy 9lb - 5oz baby and 20-1/4 inches long.

We joyfully welcomed our no named baby boy into this world. It took us two days to figure it out. But, once we did it stuck like glue. We tried Brad, we tried, Tyler, we thought about Spencer, but in the end, we decided on Ethan Galen Skeem. He definitely fits his name.

Samuel was able to meet his baby brother a few hours later. He was so excited.

We Welcome Our New Baby Boy

Seven weeks ago we welcomed the fourth member of our family.

Ethan Galen Skeem

Day: October 28, 2012

Time of Birth: 4:32 pm

Weight: 9 lbs - 5 oz

Length: 20-1/4 inches

We have all loved having him be apart of our family. Samuel really likes having a baby brother. He gives him lots of hugs and kisses. Though, he is only 2-1/2 and it has been an adjustment having to share his mommy's time. As a matter of fact, it's been an adjustment for all of us. Some days are filled with so much fun and joy and other days are filled with one disaster after another. But, life is full of change and adjustments. It's what makes us grow and helps us to experience the greatest of joys. 

November 2012

MY MATH TEACHER LIED: 1 + 1 = 5

I was always told that 1+1 = 2. But when I had Ethan I quickly realized that that was NOT true. Adding one more child to the equation didn't make twice the work. It made it five times the work. I am so grateful for a wonderful Mom, Mother-in-Law, and friends that made the transition a lot smoother. I am eternally grateful to them all. 

 We spent the month of November soaking in the joy and love that comes from having a sweet little infant in the home. Samuel was so gentle with Ethan. He has made a very loving and wonderful older brother thus far.

This is a video of Samuel as he soaks in the idea of having a baby brother in the home. 

CHRISTMAS PREPARATION

I wanted to try making homemade Christmas decorations for our tree this year. So, Samuel and I got started on a few of the ornaments so they would be read in time for our tree.

We dried orange slices and sprinkled gold glitter on them. They turned out beautiful.

We also made cinnamon ornaments that smelt divine. 

AT LAST....MY VERY OWN PIANO!

All throughout my pregnancy I had been putting away money for CrossFit. It's a type of gym and workout that basically kicks your butt into shape really fast. However, it's super expensive so it required me to save up so that I would have enough money by the time the baby arrived. However, the baby came and I changed my mind. I realized that the YMCA would serve the same purpose and be great for the kids. So, with that chunk of money diligently saved up, Kyan and I decided it was time to buy a piano. 

Oh how I have loved the sound of music in my home. I have forgotten how much of a therapy it is to my soul. 

This picture was taken right after the piano was delivered. I was so excited!

MY DAD'S BIRTHDAY

I made my dad a cherry pie and an apple pie for his birthday. Both were delicious. I sure love my Dad. He is one gentle, loving Dad that I am so blessed to have.

I couldn't help myself. I had to take a picture when I saw that my dad and Ethan were both asleep.  

THE BABIES MEET

Kyan's Niece happens to be only a few years younger then myself. She was pregnant during the same time that I was. Her due date was a week after mine but she ended up delivering a little over a week before me. 

Ethan and Maverick meet for the first time.

GOOFY MOMENTS

MY TWO LITTLE BOYS

THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH

In the month of November, my dear Grandmother, Luella (Higgins) Sypher passed away. She was a woman of determination and love. She often would take the scraps of life and peace them together to make a gorgeous piece of work. She was beautiful in many ways. She was nurturing and loving. I will miss her and her sweet presence on this earth. Though, I am blessed to know that someday, I will be able to reunite with her again. That is the blessing of knowing there is life after death. I love you Grandma.