Teeth = Money

Ok, the "tooth fairy" is starting to get really tired, not to mention broke! Carson went in and had his third tooth removed as a result of "the fall". Hopefully, this is it for him and this will be his new smile until he is about 6.
When we were at the dentist for Carson, he took a quick look into Abby's mouth because her bottom two teeth were really loose, but seemed to be taking forever to come out. So...he noticed that the new tooth was already growing in behind it and she is was too crowded and it will cause long term problems. So, in short, we scheduled an appointment for him to pull 4 of her teeth out! I am starting to think that the dentist might have a little crush on me, or he just wants my money and loves to torture kids...I choose to believe in the crush!
Here are some before and after pictures of them both. Hopefully we will have no more "teeth talk" from our family and they will grow up with beautiful teeth (or else!).

Abby was really brave. She had a great attitude about the whole thing, until she looked in the mirror and started to cry because she thought that she looked like a monster. We assured her that she still looks beautiful! She is feeling better about the whole thing, especially after the "tooth fairy" came. She has big plans for her money! She also had four shots last week for kindergarten, so this has been a traumatic time for her. We are very proud of her and a little traumatized ourselves, as we realize that we are months away from having a kindergartner!

I had some other pictures from a couple weeks ago when we went to the zoo. We had a great time and they loved all of the animals.

Carson was especially fond of the rhinoceros's and I was too, mainly because I loved to hear him say it!

I had to add some resent pictures of Cooper. (Dad, just focus on his face and ignore his clothes)

Cooper's Blessing

We blessed Cooper on Sunday at our house. Our stake has so many new babies that they want you to do them in your home, if you are not able to do it on Fast Sunday. I was a little worried how the whole thing would go, but it was actually really nice. Chad did a great job and I could actually hear what he was saying. (In our church you usually don't hear much, because of all of the screaming kids.)

I can't believe how fast he is growing and I really don't like it! I remember being so excited for my other kids to hit the next stage of their little lives, and this time I am just sad because I want him to be tiny forever. I think maybe I finally realize how fast they grow and how it all goes by in the blink of an eye. So, I am going to do my best to keep him "little", even if it means that he is a little developmentally behind. As far as I'm concerned. . . walking is not all it's cracked up to be.


Here are some pictures of his blessing day. He was "out of it" for most of the day, but we managed to get a couple pictures of him awake.















In other news, we found out that Carson is going to have to have another tooth pulled out by the dentist. Mom is not happy about it at all, but I am trying not to be vain and keep his best interest in mind. Plus... honestly, what is one more tooth at this point.

We recently discovered that another tooth in the front of his mouth was damaged in the "fall" last year. Apparently, it just took this one longer to decided that it wanted to come out. So, we are going in next week to take it out. The dentist actually wanted to take it out last week, but he thought that "mommy" needed to wait a week or so, so that I will feel better about it. I am amazed that Carson will even let me take him to the dentist anymore, but he really doesn't care at all, he just loves going there because they have a little slide and he gets a prize. I don't think that he realizes that little kids should actually have teeth IN their mouth. He is a trooper. It will be really interesting to see him figure out a new way to eat his food.

In honor of his "lack of teeth", I added a little video of him singing. (Which would not be near as funny if he had all of his teeth...so that is a positive way to look at it). I am curious to see him talk after they pull another one...I'll let you know.


The next one is our "first attempt" at the song, but he had to stop to spit out his gum.

Mommy Tag

Ok, I have been tagged by my friend Tracie to answer some questions about being a mother. There were more questions than this, but I cut out the ones that I didn't have an answer for. So here goes.

1. Typically, what time do you wake up? About 7:00am, but not by choice.

2. On a good night, what time are your kids in bed? 8:00-8:30 (on a good night).

3. How long have you been a mommy? 5 and a half years.

4. How old were you when you became a mom? 24

5. What is your favorite chore? Laundry. I know it sounds weird, but it is a good excuse to sit down and watch "grown up"
shows while I am folding the clothes.

6. What is your favorite thing that your husband does with the kids? Anything! He is really good about keeping them
entertained, so that I can have a break. I also love it at night when he does all of the "getting ready for bed" stuff. Oh! I also LOVE when I catch him playing princesses or tea party with Abby. It just brings joy to my heart!

7. What are 5 things that make you smile when you're being a mom?

1) Carson, Carson, Carson ! He is just at that age when they are always coming up with something funny to say. Like the
other day when he visited my school and told me that a lady had "chubby checks".

2) Even though I hate getting up early...I love when my kids wake up and get in my bed to cuddle.

3) I love when things are going a little crazy and then you see your kids do something that you didn't ask them to do, but
totally makes your day. (Like Carson putting his dirty clothes in the hamper, or Abby organizing her bookshelf...ya
she's kinda weird that way)

4) It makes me happy to see my kids show love to each other. I love when Abby starts to cry because she thinks I am
being mean to Carson. I love it when Carson feels really sad if I buy him a treat, so he makes me buy Abby one, even if
she isn't there. Or, when Abby reminds me that I am "the mother" when she hears Cooper cry and she thinks that it
is uncalled for.

5) I love when I hear them say their little prayers. For some reason they sound more honest and sincere than adults. I just
know that they have a lot more faith than me.

8. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be? Disneyworld! Already in progress, and definitely a dream come true. Anywhere else would be an "adults only" vacation dream.

9. What is your favorite thing to do with your kids? Anything new. My kids get so excited over even the littlest thing, so I love seeing them experience new things.

10. Name one thing you said you'd never say as a mother. "i'm going to count to 3" I used to HATE when I would here
parents say that, but I find myself doing it all of the time. I can't help it.

11. What is one thing that you do, that your own mom did? Say "I love you" a hundred times a day. My mom used to just be driving down the road and look in the mirror at me and say "I love you" for no reason at all. Sometimes she would drive
me crazy with it, but I do the same thing. I usually don't even think about it, it is just something that I say every time
I leave their room, or catch a glance from them. I even say it in the middle of yelling at them...and it ends up sounding
really weird.

12. What is your favorite quality that your mother has? EVERYTHING. It is really sad that we don't realize how perfect they
are until they are gone.

13. What is your favorite kids book? I have tons of favorites, but I really like "How does a Dinosaur Say Goodnight?" only
because Carson always gives big hugs and kisses whenever we read it.

14. What is your favorite advice for new moms? Enjoy life and love your kids. You'll never reach perfection.

Ok. Now I tag Robyn, Angie & Jannette

Annie

When my friend Robyn and I found out that Annie was coming to Kingsbury Hall we jumped at the chance to take our girls. We had a fun "girls night" and went to dinner and the show. It was a blast! I don't know who loved it more...me or Abby, but we both spent the next day with all of the songs in our head. It was so fun to spend some special time with Abby and I know her favorite part was being able to wear a skirt out to dinner. Her and her friend Savvy were so funny. People kept laughing at them, because they were so cute walking around like "ladies", which I guess means to hold your dress out while you walk like a princess. They were so excited the whole time through dinner, and I had a hard time getting Abby to stay in her chair because she just couldn't wait anymore!

The show was amazing and of course we had to get matching Annie shirts. When the show ended around 10:30, it only took seconds for them to pass out in the car. I guess we wore them out. It was a fun night and I am definitely excited for many more "girls nights".

















I just had to add a current picture of Cooper. He is five weeks old now and as cute as can be. He is a perfect baby, but one note about his hair...no, it won't go down! Yes, it sticks straight up and the only time that it will even remotely lay down is when it gets greasy and he is in need of a bath. As soon as it is washed then it poofs right up like a baby chick. I think it adds character and it definitely gives us something to pet while we are holding him. Hopefully, he will be like my other kids and it will soon find its way down...otherwise he will look like Crammer as an adult.

Family Update

Well, we have finally adjusted to being home, and I think the fact that I have three kids is starting to sink in. Cooper is doing great. I took him to the doctor for his two week appointment, and she said that he was not gaining enough weight and she also nicely pointed out the skin that was hanging from his arm.....so sad! So, he is now taking formula and gaining by the minute. I took him in today and he had gained over a pound in a week! Needless to say, he is doing great and we are loving every minute of having him here.

Carson and Abby are still loving their new brother. Luckily the newness has warn off, and they aren't as "loving" as they used to be. Now, they know that he is just a new part of our family

and they have done a great job adjusting.

Abby and Carson had a great Easter. They loved having an Easter egg hunt at grandma's house and seeing their cousins that were in town. Abby's favorite part was definitely dressing up. She HAD to have the hat, gloves, and purse to complete the outfit, and I had a hard time getting it off her.
Well, not much else new with us. Thanks to everyone who called and visited. It is so nice to know that we have such great friends and family.

We love ya.

Cooper Stanley Grundy

Well, he is finally here! I say finally because I feel like I have been pregnant forever, but actually...according to my first due date, he came three weeks early. I was always going by the due date that the ultra sound gave me which would have only made him two weeks early, and that seems more accurate to me. Anyway, he was 8 lbs. 1 oz. and 20 in. long. He was the biggest of all of my babies, so I guess I am glad that he decided to come so soon.

Everything went great with the delivery except I was at the hospital for a little longer than I would have liked. I went in Friday after work and they

kept me there until morning to help start things on their way. He ended up being born at 12:50pm on Saturday. The delivery went well and we are now glad to be home to enjoy our new addition.

I have been home now for a couple of days and it all seems so unreal. Wow! Three kids! I am starting to feel a little old. I actually feel like I am still really young, but then I look at my family and I can't believe that there are so many of us.

I love having a baby in the house. I love how it automatically makes you feel so much love and

gratitude. I truly feel overwhelmed with peace and comfort when I look at the little miracle that God has blessed me with. It amazes me that through all of the craziness and newness, I feel so much complete love. I am thankful everyday for the wonderful life that I have.

Chad has been heaven sent especially for me. Only he could be so understanding about all of the crazy things that I do. He knows exactly what I need to make me feel relaxed and happy. He has taken some time off of work and he has been AMAZING! He has done everything from fashion shows with Abby, to endless mini trips to

the store. He is really trying to keep the kids entertained and he is also doing little things to keep me from going crazy, like re-organizing the cupboard so that the bottles will fit, and keeping up on all of the laundry. ( he knows that I am a little crazy about that stuff, but he loves me anyway)

The kids have actually been really good with the new baby. Abby is just in heaven. Her only problem is that she wishes that the baby could be hers. She just loves looking at him all day and she constantly wants to hold him. She keeps saying "Mom, I am just so happy that you had a baby!"

She is also starting to get really curious about the whole baby thing and that is a subject that I am just trying my best to avoid!

Carson is...just Carson. He loves the baby and he'll come up and look at him and say "Oh, he is so cute!", then he will run off and do whatever he was doing. He is interested, but not overly

interested. He has also come up with his own name for his new brother. "Super Cooper" and he gets really offended if you try to call him Cooper the Pooper.

Cooper was a name that Chad came up with and he has loved it from the first. I kinda liked it, but now it has really grown on me. His middle name is from Chad's dad Stanley (Stan). We have been so excited and proud to name him after such a great dad. We only hope that he will grow up to be something like him.

Snowed In!

I don't know about everyone else around here, but we were completely snowed in for awhile on Sunday morning! And amazingly enough... they even canceled CHURCH! Honestly! And, we live right around the corner from the church, it is not like we hardly have to drive to the building.
I guess a lot of people were getting stuck all throughout the neighborhood, just in their driveways, so they called it a "snow day" and canceled all of the meetings at our building. I am not complaining at all. In related news...Chad was just released from being the Elder's Quorum President after three and a half years. I know that it has been a blessing in our lives, but I was not complaining about that either. This all happened on the same day, and to be honest with you, I think it was one of the best days so far this year!

Here are some pictures of our snowed in house. This is our back door.



And here is our back yard. So, if you think about it... this is what a lot of our neighbors' front yards and driveways looked like in the morning.



















Well, it was SuperBowl Sunday (GO GIANTS!) And that was the first thing on our minds, so we ended up digging ourselves out and went to the Grundys for a little party. Before the game started, the kids (big and small) needed to see what damage they could do in all of the new snow. So here are Chad and his brothers in the cave that they built, while they used the kids as an excuse to play in the snow. In fact, I'm pretty sure the kids made their way in long before the big boys.

And I had to just add this picture because I thought it was cute. (of course a mom would).
Carson crashed pretty early from all of the excitement.

Carson's Birthday!

Carson is now officially three years old! He has been so fun and he never really had a terrible two stage, which worries me sometimes. He is definitely crazy and all over the place, but I think that might just be a boy thing. ( I'll be having another boy here soon, so I guess I'd better just learn to deal with it).

Here are some pictures of the kids painting. Carson got the all of the stuff for Christmas and I finally let them get it out.

Yes, Carson finally got his own Leapster for his birthday and it has kept him extremely occupied. He is so funny when he plays it, because he is super serious and he does this weird thing with his tongue like my mom used to do and it makes me laugh. ( I don't know if there is a connection, but I like to think so)

He had a little birthday party and Grandma and Grandpa gave him a Spiderman bike, and due to the weather....he has just been riding it all around the house.

His cousin Kyli's birthday is right next to his. They actually look like siblings with all of that blonde hair.

And here he is doing his best Ninja Turtle impression.

Not much...

Well, nothing much is going on right now with us. I am still pregnant and realizing it more and more now that I am so big, and now that Christmas is over the reality is kicking in. I am getting really excited! I am so excited to have another member of our family, although
sometimes I think about those long nights and I get a little nervous, but I know it is all worth it in the end.

I decided to put these pictures of the kids helping in the kitchen for family home evening, because they kinda made me laugh. Abby of course had to wear her tinkerbell dress and an apron, so Carson decided that he needed an apron too. Once the aprons were on, they were in full character...and very serious chefs. The strange thing was that they actually ate the dinner they made and it was Taco Salad, and if you know my kids they are not salad fans.
















These other pictures are of Carson stealing Abby's new Leapster that she got for Christmas and hiding under the table to play it. He does this all day long. He loves playing it and we have found him hiding in closets and other places in the house. He will be turning three at the end of this month, so we decide to buy him one for his birthday, mainly to avoid the fighting.

Back to "Real Life"

Happy New Year!! Well, it's kinda weird now that all of the excitement is over. We had such a great holiday and now that we actually have to get back to "real life" it is pretty hard. Here is some pictures of what we've been up to...

New Year's Eve....I never thought that Carson would actually make it to midnight, but he hung in there and then crashed about a minute later.

Here are all of the kids (with Kelsey & Kayla) on Christmas Eve at Grandpa's house.

We also went to my Dad and Kathleen's house and had a special dinner with them earlier in the week. I forgot my camera, but we had a lot of fun. It was so nice spending time with them and the Lails. I forget how cute he is sometimes.

After Grandpa's on Christmas Eve, we went to the Grundy's for our traditional pajama opening and story reading. We are thankful that Justin and the kids were able to spend Christmas with us again this year. (& Grandpa too!)

I just love the whole matching pajama thing, they might hate me for it someday, and I am really not sure how much longer I am going to be able to find them, but I used to love that part of Christmas... even when the pajamas were totally lame!

Christmas morning was everything that you would expect. The kids were "in heaven" and I'm sure a little overwhelmed. Carson was ecstatic about his "real bird" that he asked for (which isn't really real), and Abby just kept saying that this was the Best Christmas Ever! She just couldn't help telling us how much she loved us ...all day long. (she wasn't really saying it to thanks us, since it was all Santa's doing, but she was just so happy that she loved everyone!)

We were even able to get Carson to dress up nice, but he refused to wear a tie.

We had a great couple of weeks, and even though it gets hectic at times, I absolutely love the Christmas season. It seems like I just love it more and more the older I get, and the more I understand (also the more kids I have). I love spending time with family and I love to see the excitement in my kids eyes as they experience the magic of Christmas. Some of this could be because it reminds me of how special Christmas was for me and my family growing up. Mom always made sure that it was perfect for everyone and the entire Christmas holiday was "magical". Of course,I think about her a lot at this time of year, but I miss her everyday!

It also amazes to me that one holiday can make you feel the spirit so much, and that it could force you to be thankful for all of the little things in life, even in the midst of all of the big things that are going on at this time of year. Well, I'm glad that it is all over, but I am going to miss the feelings that it creates and just pray that I can keep them going throughout the year.