back to school

Summer is gone and school is back in session! 

 

August 2012

Meagan
11 yrs (almost 12) and 6th grade
I have a middle schooler in my house!

Lindsay
10 yrs and 5th grade

Tanner
6 1/2 yrs and 1st grade

Ellie
4 yrs and Preschool

snapshots September 2012

Gosh, I'm so behind in my pictures.  BUT here are a some from the last few days.  Steven is getting too big, 6 1/2 months now, and I can't believe it! 



Tanner getting some reading done before school and Steven listening intently.



Ellie is my big helper and Steven is appreciative of all her attention......most of the time.



"I want to eat this camera!"

thought for the day

The other day I was browsing photos I'd taken on my cell phone and found one that made me laugh all over again.  The day I took the picture I had been shopping in The Quilted Bear and saw the most perfect saying printed on a piece of wood.  I couldn't resist snapping a photo and sending it to my hubby because after all - it was all about marriage/compromise/relationship stuff.  ha ha ha.  If I was smart enough I'd know how to get it from my phone to this blog, but that requires a bit too much knowledge.  I'm seriously technology-impaired.  It's sad. Anyway, this is what it said:

"I'd agree with you but then we'd both be wrong"

So true.  So true. ;)

And I haven't posted pics of my littlest in too long.  He's getting too big.......kids tend to do that. :(

 Steven at 3 1/2 months



3 1/2 months

3 1/2 months

4 1/2  months

4 1/2 months



4 months

4 1/2 months - I know its blurry, but still so cute

May 2012

May came and went in a flash!  End of year activities, birthdays, blessings, and much much more!

May 3rd was Meagan and Lindsay's piano recital.  They've worked so hard all year and performed perfectly!  We are so proud of their progress.

May 2012 Piano Recital
Meagan 11 years - Lindsay 9 years

May 6th was the day we blessed Steven.  Brad gave a beautiful blessing and Steven was adored all day long.  We are so lucky to have so many friends and family that love and support us.  We are so lucky to have them in our lives.

Steven - 2 days shy of 2 months old

The many faces of our sweet little man:

Steven David Matthews
We love you!

And May wouldn't be complete without a birthday for this sweet girl!  Ellie is 4!!! (or 18!)

She was super excited for her very own scooter

Lindsay and the rest of the 4th graders participated in a Utah History Fair.  They performed several Recorder songs and sang 3 songs about Utah.  I was lucky enough to be the piano player for them - it was such a fun experience!  Following their program, they showed off their project.  Lindsay's project was all about the Transcontinental Railroad.  She put everything together herself - we are so proud of her.

......and that was May in a nutshell.  (At least the activities that got photographed!)

smiles

Love this boy

Steven
7 weeks

I just had to add this one.  It cracks me up every time.  Oh Steven.

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

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