Oregon Coast

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My Three Sons

Too cute for words.

I'm In Love..........

With this new dude. Kyler Jay is his official name. I love everything about him. Tiny ears, long eyelashes, soft skin and hair, cute nose and lips. He is very good to me. We are doing well, resting up, getting snuggles from big brothers (Keegan adores him) and just getting comfy as a family of 5. So, excuse our absence from the blogging world. I'll be back....

A Few Baby Pictures

The new guy:

And what the old guys are doing in mean time:






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And 4 becomes 5!

At 8:58 am this morning, to this:

was added this:



8 lbs. 4 oz., 20.5" long, and curly reddish brown hair. The name is currently Baby Boy Beattie.

The Latest

We are still alive.....I promise! This month has been a little crazy so far. Weekly doc appointments for me, with a few extra here and there as it was time for me to visit the cardiologist again (he got a slight shock seeing me 9 months prego - somehow that is different from the 80 and 90 year olds I sit with in the waiting room!), have another echocardiogram, and take the boys to the doc. Again. And again. And again.

Kayden got the H1N1 virus. You know...the swine flu (dun dun dun!!). Yes, both the boys got 1 dose of the vaccine about a week ago, but sadly, it takes 2 for them to be fully vaccinated. The doctor figures Keegan brought it home from school (he ran a low fever for 2 days prior to Kayden) and passed it to Kayden. Unfortunately, Kayden had a much worse bout of the illness, developing severe croup-symptoms and almost having the doctor admit him to the hospital when I took him in. This has all been in this week; Kayden's fever started on Saturday, by Monday he was very croupy and had lost his voice due to his airway being so swollen. Wednesday found us at the doc with me and my 9-month pregnant emotions going haywire (i.e. I was practically bawling) and the doctor telling me (ps, envision me there by myself with both boys...) that she was going to admit Kayden to the hospital unless she could get him to improve significantly in the 1 1/2 hours we were there. After a mega-shot of steroids, nebulizer treatments, and lots of listening to his lungs and pulse-oximeter readings, she let us go home. Thankfully, with lots of prayers and a blessing, he did alright through the night without having to make an ER trip. Today he is breathing better still, although his cough is still sounding a little nasty, it's nothing like it was. Our latest issue is his reaction to the steroids - give a grouchy, sick, 2 year old a pump of steroids and you get a irrational, uncontrollably screaming for most of the day 2 year old. I'm hoping this round of "'roid rage" is gone tomorrow!
Bleh. All I can say is if anyone else plans on getting sick, they had better be over and done with in the next 12 days. NO more illnesses after our wee babe is born!!! PLEASE (knock on wood). Thanks so much for the offers of help and the dinners and love and support, we appreciate it so much!!!

Zach's Beta Test

Here are the Beta Testers.

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From My Perspective

I was standing in the kitchen tonight after washing up a few dishes that wouldn't fit in the dishwasher. I looked down and saw my reflection..... (insert scary music here)




This pretty much sums up how I feel. And is not too far off from how I actually look..........

October Fun

in case you have been missing these boys.............

I thought I would submit a few pictures for your enjoyment. To keep ourselves busy, this month we have been doing the following:

My two adorable helpers

Who helped me grate 18 bags (approx 2 cups each) of zucchini for spaghetti sauces, breads, soups, etc. We were an AWESOME assembly line.


Daddy built them a gigantic fort in which they enjoyed some of General Conference, goldfish, games, books, and even a nap.


We eventually got around to carving pumpkins. Keegan named his "Scary Head." Every time Kayden saw it he would say "OOOH!" in a scary voice and make the sign for 'scared'. It never failed to make me chuckle.



The very dashing Captain Kayden, who was our resident pirate for Halloween; my favorite part? The moustache.



The G* cousins on Halloween night; Keegan (ninja), Grandma & Kayden (Captain Hook and Smee, the first mate), Katarina (the most adorable tiger ever) with Aunt Virginia.



Daddy carved a pumpkin showing our Beaver pride (isn't he talented?)


All in all, it was a great month, with my birthday thrown in there (sadly, I have no pictures from it), and lots of illnesses. The boys started off the month with a stomach flu (I managed to survive without joining them in the puking), and ended the month with terrible colds/sinus infections/asthma attacks and antibiotics.
We now are just awaiting the end of the month, which should come fast enough with the multitude of dr appointments I have to pass the time!
By the way, the baby is grand, still kicking away (at my ribs mostly). The doc checked me at my last appointment and I was fully effaced, the baby had dropped to 'zero station'. But....I wasn't dilated at all, which is the whole reason I have c-sections. I just don't dilate - so I will be staying in this rather uncomfortable position for the next 3 weeks!

WANTED

A young, hip mom who has it all together. Preferably one who can do the following:

• clean the bathrooms with 3 potty-trained boys in the house (yes, in case you were wondering, Zach is potty-trained! oh yeah, and Kayden too)
• wash the laundry (not something I have a problem with) and FOLD the laundry (something I don't do very well)
• make delicious dinners, with a well-balanced and healthy variety (I quit making dinner about 8 months ago. No signs of recovery from this ailment)
• stay on top of things and quit forgetting important meetings, deadlines, appts. etc. One who is organized.
• a mom who could bend over and pick things up would be nice
• one who could blog consistently and catch up on our happenings since June
• balance the checkbook
• plan and carry out Cub Scout pack meetings for the next 3 months (Nov, Dec, Jan. Is that too much to ask?)
• bathe my boys; I just realized this morning I don't remember the last time I gave Kayden a bath. Shoot.
• pack up my house and move us across the street in the next 3 weeks; putting everything away would get you an added bonus!!

If you or anyone you know could fill this position, please contact me immediately.
1-800-LAZY-PREGO will get you directly to me. Thank you for your help in this matter!

*addendum*
**Grandparents need not apply; your superior status instantly qualifies you for any and all help you wish to offer. **

Happy Birthday #1

To these two cute munchkins, who came to visit us (oh yeah, along with their parents) over Labor Day weekend (yes, that was last month...I know, I'm slacking - get used to it).
Troy and Harrison turned one today, and we love them tons! We were so lucky to be able to be there with Autumn and Loren when they brought these little cuties into the world last year. Thanks so much for letting us be a part of their birth AND for coming out to see us!
Happy Birthday boys, we LOVE you!!!!

Something to remember.......

The other day, we had a lesson about stealing. Keegan took 4 pennies (I know, he's out for the big time crime) from a friend's house, and was called on the carpet for it when they suddenly showed up in his pocket when we returned home. After some discussion about taking things that don't belong to us and the consequences that follow, he knew he needed to return these pennies, but was nervous about his friend being angry with him. I suggested he say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father to help him be strong and have the courage to do what was right. He knelt in his room and did so, and then returned to me and said,
"Mom, Heavenly Father told me He would give me the courage to return things every time I steal something!"

Somehow, that was not the point I wanted him to learn from this experience...............

Over the Hill?

No, but with Zach around, it feels like we are
on TOP of the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!
We love you tons Daddy and hope that you have a fantastic day! Good luck in the 1/2 marathon tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!


(Kayden cracks me up in this picture!!!)

Cloth Diaper Giveaway? Sweet!

So I'm still contemplating cloth diapers.....and what better timing than for my cousin to post a review of FuzziBunz cloth diapers on her blog?? Here's to hoping I get lucky so I can try these out!

Making Room........

I think I will forever be playing 'catch-up' on our summertime fun. In the last week of August, Zach was staying late at school trying to finish up preparations for a conference he was attending in Minnesota. To pass the lonely time I decided it was time to make room for the baby by moving the boys back into the same room.
Project Bunkbed commenced!!
I sanded down the bunkbed my sister and I shared as kids (remember how I used to plant my feet on the bottom of your mattress and push on it to wake you up Jess?? ahhh, memories!) and refinished it for the boys. Sadly, I didn't take any before or during pictures, but I have after pictures!! I'm not gonna lie.....I will never do this again while pregnant. It took me 3 days and my body was beyond aching...oh the stiff muscles and soreness all over! Ugh. Glad it's over! The boys helped (for spurts here and there) but mostly enjoyed playing outside while I sanded and stained in the garage. It was hard, but I always love the way I feel so accomplished after! The boys LOVE being in the same room together (most of the time) and absolutely love the bed.




Here's to another 20 years with this bunkbed!!
(by the way, thanks for purchasing lasting furniture Mom and Dad!! We appreciate it!)

Belly Update

For some comparison..... First, is me at 8 months with Kayden.


Second, me at about 7 months with munchkin #3. Zach and I agree the belly is bigger this time around...........


Kayden helping me take a belly picture earlier. Man, I LOVE his cheesy grin!


And this one, just because we are cute (if I say so myself). Kayden and I are enjoying some quality time together with Keegan at school in the mornings. He misses Keegan and is still asking where he is or when he comes home on the bus (the highlight of the day for Kayden is getting Keegan from the bus), but he and I are really loving our one-on-one time until this baby comes! I love you Kayden!!

Buddies

Keegan will tell anyone who will listen that "Josh is my best friend." Even Kayden gets excited when he sees him and calls him by name (it helps that he also has 2 uncles named Josh). Thanks for being such a great friend Josh!!

The BIG Day

What's that? My firstborn is old enough to be in school? No way.......... I can't believe it. And yet, I found myself setting an alarm last night before I went to bed. When was the last time I did that?! Probably not since college. Definitely not ever since having children. They are their own brand of alarm clock. But still, even though I was sure it couldn't really be happening, I set the alarm. I woke up on time. I got dressed and then woke up the boys (including Daddy, who stayed late this morning so he could see his big boy off to school). I helped the boys make their beds and got Kayden dressed. Keegan had picked out school clothes last night and got dressed this morning in record time.
We had eggs and orange rolls for breakfast. Daddy gave Keegan a special blessing this morning to start the school year off right (due to young mens last night, Daddy wasn't home until LATE). It was exciting, but kind of surreal. We hugged and kissed Daddy goodbye and Kayden and I walked Keegan to school. He was chattering the whole way about how excited he was and how he couldn't wait to learn about bees. (Just as long as he learns about the actual bug and not the birds and the bees, I am fine with it!)


(my personal favorite - not a cheesy grin, just looking like his happy self)

I took a few pictures, but didn't hang around too long. He was ready to be there and start his own adventure and I was ready for him to begin it too. Writing this now, I feel a little lonely without him and maybe a wee bit sad that he is on a new adventure that I am taking a backseat in. But mostly, I just can't believe how ready for this I know he is. I remember when he turned 2 years old, I kept telling Zach "I can't believe how OLD he is now." Two seemed so old. And now he is five and in school. Where did the time go?



Keegan, I have loved every second you have been at home with me (even the tough seconds) for the past 5 years. I am so excited for you to start school and so happy for all the friends you will make and the exciting new things you will learn. I'm so glad you told me this morning "Mom, I can't wait to come home and tell you ALL about my first day!" It made me so happy to know that you still want me to be a part of your adventures - I hope I always will be! I love you Keegan!!

Find a getaway vehicle.....check!

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

(btw; my fingers are not dirty, please remember that I did just stain a bunkbed BLACK last week....I'm still getting rid of the stain on, around, and under my nails. This hurt like the dickens and still bleeds if I am not careful and bump my finger the wrong way. I'm such a wimp)

Air Shows, Bike rides, and more, Oh MY!!

What a weekend we've had! This weekend marked the Oregon International Air Show in Hillsboro. I was determined to go (even more so after reading a post about an air show from Jesse L.), especially because I only had to pay for me (Zach is in crunch mode for a double presentation this week) since kids 5 and under were FREE. Plus, what could be better to do on a Saturday when Daddy wouldn't be around to help entertain them?! I was a little nervous taking them both by myself (Kayden is a independent wanderer at times) but went through with it. This was made a little easier by meeting up with Kristen and her fam, who saved us a spot just off the tarmac where we had a FANTASTIC view. Sadly, I woke up to the battery on my camera dead and not enough time to charge it beforehand, so I have no pictures, but tons of great memories in my heart (was that cheesy enough for you?).
A few highlights:
* Keegan packing every toy airplane he could find in his backpack before leaving (most of these airplanes belong to my brothers; Keegan apparently has been sneaking them home from Grandma and Grandpa's house for quite some time - we are up to 8 planes).

* The boys both craning their necks in the stroller to watch a biplane do stunts as we made the long trek from the parking lot to the seating area.

* A kind stranger who bestowed 2 pairs of earplugs on my boys just in time for the FA-18 Hornet to break the speed of sound - 3 times. IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


(I obviously didn't take this picture, but this is just what it looked like - vapor cones look so cool!!)

* Kayden falling peacefully asleep in the stroller (with earplugs, and by his own choice, he just climbed in and konked out!), making it possible for us to stay the whole time - we were there from 10am to 4pm!!

* Watching my boys and Kristen's boys dance like robots to some funky music.

* The "Robosaurus" - a fire-breathing, car-eating motorized monster. The boys thought it was totally cool - and bonus, the firemen followed it along putting out the car fires after the robo-saur had ripped the cars in half (literally). Keegan cheered as loudly for the firemen as he did for the robo-saur!!



* And last but not least, the Thunderbirds!! They were incredible, flying in formation, doing stunts, and buzzing us low and from behind while another one of their team was distracting us to one side. They got the whole crowd 2 or 3 times before everyone caught on.




All in all, it was absolutely fantastic and I can't wait to go again next year! Anyone who wants to come with us is welcome - near or far!

**An added bonus to our weekend? Keegan learned to ride his bike without training wheels! We took off the wheels a few weeks ago and he practiced for about half an hour at the nearby school parking lot. Since then we have been super busy and haven't brought him back out anywhere with straight enough sidewalk to try again! Today after church Daddy took him out while I was pulling dinner together - he had it in about 10 minutes! Next we need to work on using our brakes........**