Sunday, April 29, 2012

Pop's Party 2012

Every year the kindergarteners prepare a singing program for their dads.....Pop's Party!  It is such a fun night !  Following the singing program they are treated to a dinner in the cafeteria and activities in their classroom.  The moms get a sneek peek earlier in the day at the rehearsal so we're able to watch it too.  It is truly a highlight for every kid and their dad!!  

Tanner - 6 years old








Friday, April 20, 2012

changes

I'm getting things out of order with my blog posts, but it's kind of par for the course these days. ;)

I thought I knew what I was doing with baby #5....after all, I'd already done 4 and how different could one more be?  HA HA HA!  Steven has thrown out my old manual of "How To Raise a Matthews'" and is re-writing the book.  He is completely different in every way:

Pregnancy
Didn't get sick this time around (at least not very sick) :)
Tested positive for Group B Strep (which means I had to have 4 hours of antibiotics before I delivered)
My blood pressure went up for the last 4 weeks of being pregnant

Delivery
Super awesome delivery but Steven broke his collarbone on the way out.....we didn't find out until a day later. :(

Jaundice
All my kids have been jaundice, but he had to be under the bili lights.....for 4 1/2 DAYS!!!
And what a wonderful 4 1/2 days that was......so stress-free and relaxing. ha

Fussy
Not that my other kids never cried, they did, but Steven takes the cake.

Dairy Free.....it's the way to be
When Steven was a month old, I noticed a bit of blood in his poopy diapers.  Took him to the doctor and apparently Steven is intolerant of the dairy in my milk.  So for the next 6 months (at least) I get to be dairy free.  I was really bummed at first and I've never wanted a piece of cheese so bad in my life, but it's really ok.  There are a ton of things that I can use in substitution for dairy items.  Being dairy free has helped a lot with his fussiness too. 

With all that said we love this new addition.  He is starting to smile at us and it always feels good to have your feelings recipricated in a big smile!  I'm still a little unsure of who he looks like, but he's definitely one of us.  Here are a few pics (ok, a lot of pics) from the past month:

Look at those booties....adorable!


One of many pics where we try to get the perfect shot of his smile

Almost have it captured

Look at that adorable little chin



This expression is what we usually get out of him.
ha ha




namesake and first day home

How Steven got his name.....his grandpas!  My dad's real name is Steven (most people call him Trevor....another story :)) and Brad's dad's name is David.  We thought it would be fun for our little boy to be named after two incredible men.  Steven has great examples to look up to!
We love you Dads!

My super awesome dad.....Steven
aka Trevor ;)

and equally awesome....David

 To say we were excited to leave the hospital and be home as a complete family is an understatement......we couldn't wait!  The kids were so excited to see their brother for the first time in person.  (The hospital had a strict NO CHILDREN UNDER 14 ALLOWED policy....I can't blame them, but the kids were pretty sad to wait to see their brother).


Lindsay had a cold.....and we were super germ freaks so she got to wear the awesome mask.

Tanner was/is sooooo excited to have another boy in the house!


I wish I'd taken more pictures of him when he was this small.  He had so much hair all over him.  You can see it on his face in this picture....so cute!

5 o'clock shadow

Steven has had a bit of baby acne as of late.....it's kinda sad.  His cheeks have been red and bumpy but it hasn't seemed to bother him at all.

The other morning Ellie was holding Steven and giving him kisses all over his cheeks.  Steven started to fuss (because when Ellie starts "loving" her brother.....she starts "LOVING" her brother.....it can be a bit claustraphobic to watch, let alone be the recipient of such "love.").
Ellie says to him (in her high-pitched, baby-talk voice),
"Oh Steven, it's okay!  Are your whiskers bothering you?"

Poor Ellie (and poor Steven too).  She thinks her 6 week old brother has scratchy whiskers like daddy. :(