Too Cute

Had to share this cute picture of Ryker and Cannon. Usually it is Cannon that is sleeping and Ryker is cuddled up with him. Ryker loves to sit on the couch with Cannon and watch Dora. There are days, that's all we watch.

Carving Pumpkins

We braved the pumpkin guts and knives to carve our pumpkins. I should say, Jared braved it all. Jared helped the kids carve their pumpkins, I fed Cannon. They had a great time. It was quite the mess. Pumpkin seeds were everywhere in the kitchen - we'll probably be finding them through the end of the year! Everyone was happy to pose with their pumpkins.

Cannon Update

We took Cannon to his 2 week doctor's appointment on Monday. He has gained 15 ounces (almost 7 pounds!) and has grown an inch. The doctor said that he's looking really good! He occassionally even sleeps for 4 hours at a time, which is always wonderful. Although he seems to know the days that I need to be out the door by 8 am and he has a rough night. I guess I'll quit telling everyone that I need to be ready 'on time'. I helped out with school pictures last week and went to work one day this week. It was nice to get out of the house, but I sure did miss the sleep that I usually get from 8 to 10. I'm really trying to 'sleep when the baby sleeps' since this is the last one - there will never be this good of an excuse again!!

We just barely graduated from the newborn size diapers - which technically Cannon could still fit into, but we're out. The size 1 diapers (8 lbs to 14 lbs) are still huge. I'm anxious for him to gain weight and fill out (no more bird legs!) but I'm trying to enjoy having a tiny baby! He loves to be cuddled!

Sprinkles

We made sugar cookies - well, I made sugar cookies and let the kids, including Gracie, Gavin and Zack help frost. All I know is sprinkles are the most important thing when frosting cookies!! They all made sure that I'm rotating my sprinkle stock! Believe it or not, it wasn't too bad of a mess. (I did threaten their lives before we started - and I made them use paper plates!) It was lots of fun!

Six Kids

Wow! Who would have known that I would have been blessed with five boys, five energetic, sometimes uncontrollable boys! It's a good thing that Monica is the oldest - she probably wouldn't have survived if she was the youngest! She is in love with Cannon - she is such a big helper with him. It is so cute how each of the kids have adapted to having him around. Monica loves to hold him and can keep him calm, even when he thinks he's starving. Jaxon loves to show him off and checks on him on a regular basis - he is the one that can't seem to remember that we named him Cannon - not Connor. He also asks a lot of questions. Gunnar loves to hold him, but isn't too happy when he starts crying. Jerrick would pack him around if I would let him. He is always interested in what he is doing and where he is. Ryker isn't too interested in holding Cannon - but I find him laying next to him often. He also loves to sing, "Twinkle twinkle little star" to him when he starts crying. It's so precious.

So, who would have known that I would be running a soup kitchen (we fed the neighborhood on Saturday) and supply any neighborhood child with pants and shoes when they show up without any in the freezing snowy weather - and loving every minute of it! Okay, my house is a disaster - I had to keep Jaxon calm when Ryker destroyed Darth Vaders Lego Ship and promise that I would help him put it back together again, my furniture will always be stained and I'm sure there will always be little names and pictures on my walls - but I can't think of a better way to enjoy life! Now, if I could just get the laundry to fold itself . . .

Soap Box

Yesterday a comment was made to me that I should know not to take my baby to church - after all, he is only a week old. Now, I know that I am psychotic - I'm sure no one will disagree - seriously, I don't know how to do it any different. You can thank my mom for that. She was the one who never let us lay around the house and wallow in pity or complaining how sick we were. She would always tell us to get up, take a shower and we would feel so much better. As much as we all grumbled - she was right - I always felt better. I guess that's why when I was sick at school (or sort of sick at school) the person to call was not mom - but Grandma. Grandma was the one who sat you in the lazy boy and fed you chocolate milk shakes. I'm amazed I made it through elementary school without being sick more often (although I know I had my fair share!).

I guess that's why I find it irritating that people claim they are incapacitated right after they have a baby, or the baby can't be out in public due to germs - but I try to be understanding - I know that I jump right back in and there are times I should take it easy - but again, I don't really know how. It shouldn't take 6 weeks to bring your baby to church - after all, your older kids bring home more germs than the ones the baby could possible catch at church. It just really, really irriated me. My comment back was that I brought all of my kids to church right after they were born and they all seemed to make it through - in fact, all the kids rarely get sick. Hmmmm - maybe it has to do something with being exposed to all those germs.

Ultimately, it is your own choice and this is my choice. I am happy sharing my baby around - even with little toddlers. I figure - they grow so fast, we all should enjoy them when their tiny. Okay, okay - I'll jump off my soap box.

More Pictures

Cannon's Here

Cannon made his appearance early Saturday morning at 1:15 a.m. He weighed 6 pounds even and was 18 1/2 inches long. He is an absolute replica of all the other kids - except he's much smaller (or so it appears!). He didn't have any problems although I had high blood pressure problems which lead to a longer hospital stay than I am used to. Sadly, I didn't mind - the first 36 hours I felt totally miserable. Luckily toward the end, I started feeling more like myself.

His labor was easy - no hard contractions until they broke my water around 11:00 p.m. - luckily, the epidural came an hour later - it made the rest of the delivery very easy! Cannon came after only one push - although with a little excitment since he had his cord wrapped around his neck twice. He did so well they let him stay with us for quite a while before they took him up to the nursery. I got to stay in labor and deliver until 7:00 p.m. that night due to high blood pressure that wouldn't go down. It was very frustrating.

We made it home yesterday to an excited group of kids! Everyone was very excited to have their new brother home, even the neighbor kids were excited to see him! (They all love babies!). He has been an absolute angel and has hardly made any noise (as if he really has a chance!).

Exciting Doctor Update

Things are definately progressing - which is very good news!! I'm dialated to a 4 - yeah - although I'm not sure how I'm not in labor yet. I broke down and came home. I'm missing all of my babies and figured it would be a good time to make sure the bills got paid! But now, my family is betting on which mile marker I will deliver at - since it will probably be a short labor. Jared through in his vote at mile marker 80. I didn't think that was too funny.

So, hopefully something will happen soon - my doctor will induce me next Tuesday if nothing happens until then - but I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!